Mel=Toronto, Jordan=Lillehammer

Lillehamer...a winter wonderland

It has been a crazy couple weeks and I have had no time to write.  I booked my flight for home about 10 days ago, and two days after Jordan found out he was going to finish out his season in Lillehammer, Norway.  It was not great timing.  The whole reason I was going home is I did not want to overstay my 90 days in Europe.  Due to the fact that Jordan and I are not married, I was not able to get a Visa to stay in Austria.  Without a Visa, I could not stay in Europe for more than 90 days and I am not allowed to return until I have been home for 90 days.  I’m not 100% sure of the consequences, but I did not want to find out.  I have always been one to stick to the rules and figured I better just come.

I had my mind wrapped around coming back to “real life” and had arranged to get back to work.  My flight was booked, a “red ticket” with not option to change, and I started to pack.  Then, as mentioned above, Jordan settled on a deal with a team in Norway to finish out his season.  This happened quickly and we had NO IDEA he would be going there.  Norway is not part of the European Union and I could have gone.  The 90 day rule would not have applied and I could have spent the rest of the season with Jordan.  Not only that he was scheduled to leave two days after he accepted the offer… which was four days before I was to go home.  Worst timing!  I really jumped the gun on this one.  If I had not committed to work, I would not have come home.  I am going back to help at the family business and don’t want to bail when they do so much to accommodate me.

Last coffee at the airport

Goodbye :(

Jordan left for Norway on Tuesday and we enjoyed our last couple days in Klagenfurt together.  It was hard to say goodbye as always.  We went for a couple nice dinners before he left, packed up our lives, and I dropped him at the airport where we enjoyed one last coffee together.  I had the responsibility of dropping off our car at the dealership and then they dropped me off  at Joey and Michelle’s (they were nice enough to take me in for the few days I had left there).  Once Jordan was gone I just wanted to get home.  I was mad about our bad timing and the fact that I would not be joining him in Norway… I’m still mad about it, but not much I can do now!

My last few days in Klagenfurt were great.  I took in my last KAC game, and attended a baby shower for two of the wives.  It was great to get together with all the girls one last time and say goodbye to all of them.  Everyone on this team was great and it was so nice to have 18+ girls around!  Goodbyes are always hard but hopefully I will see them again in the future.  Most of the imports live within an hour of my hometown anyways!

The amazing cake Melissa made for the baby shower
If you need a cake made she's the best!
Click here to check 'em out! 

I lived out of my carryon bag for the last few days and left the rest of my bags in the trunk of a car.  No need to carry them up and down stairs.  Annie did me a huge favour and drove me to the airport on Friday morning for my 6AM flight.  THANK YOU ANNIE, I appreciate you getting up at 4AM to drive me!  I was on my way and arrived back in Toronto yesterday afternoon.  It was so great to see my family after four months of being away!  We ordered in Chinese food and had a quiet night in.

Fortunately jet lag isn’t hitting me.  I was able to stay up till 11 last night and feel like I’m adjusting well to the time.  Today I got a Starbucks, got my hair done (sooooo overdue), and I am attending a party tonight.  Right back into the swing of things!  I start work on Monday and I’m looking forward to making some moola.

Jordan is starting to settle in Lillehammer.  It’s been a whirlwind of a year from Cali, to Klagenfurt, to Lilly.  Warm weather to the North Pole!  I have decided that I am going to work until the beginning of March, go to Florida with my family for vacation, head to Lillehammer mid-month, stay until the end of the season, travel around Europe for a bit when it’s over, use our original return flights back to Cali from Klagenfurt, spend a bit of time in Cali, and then come home for the summer.  Hopefully this all goes according to plan and Jordan’s team continues to play well.  Playoffs end the beginning of April so here’s hoping they go far!

I need to go get ready for tonight’s party but I will write about Jordan’s first couple days in Norway and how I’m adjusting to NA life soon!  I will add some more pictures as well.  Short on time right now... party time :)  Just wanted to let everyone know what’s going on in our crazy lives!