Life is like riding a bicycle - in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving. ~Albert Einstein

Well...I survived Monday! hahaha, crazy world out there though. So umm...I woke up (what a blessing) went for a run...through the woods, passed a few daycares, saw some kids playing outside...and ran back home. i know that seems exciting, but stay with me...haha

I basically rode my bike all day---here is how it went.
then I got my swimsuit on, packed a sandwhich, hopped on my bike and rode to the lake. Lets say a 6 mile bike ride...at first when Kristen and I got there it was kind of cloudy, so I wrapped up in my towel...but then the sun graced us with its presence, and I took it all in! It was great! I fell asleep bc it was so relaxing. We stayed for a couple of hours, and then rode back from the lake, and into down town. We were looking for a shoe store, but I ofcourse found myself in the candy section of the supermarket :) (sweet tooth inherited from my grandfather, cant help it) Kristen got a snack...Some sort of hot dog looking thing, but it was called something else? Ehhh...candy was definately the smarter/more economical choice I think. haha...

We then rode home, and I had some dinner...we ate waffles for dinner. Here in Sweden you do not eat waffles as a breakfast food, but for dinner! You can put cream cheese, onion, and caviar on them, or fruit and whipped cream sort of thing! It was good, but im not picky...i learned that if there is not carrotts in the food I am eating, I will like it.

So after dinner we went to Pontus's ("brother") school for end of the year "show off" sort of thing. We saw things that he has done through out the year, and a video the class made about bullying. It was cute. Alot of kids and parents. We also had ficka. It was good too. We walked there and back, but the school is not far, and it was really nice out, so it was pleasent. I learned that it is not just common when you walk into homes to take off your shoes, but everywhere. When we walked in everyone took off their shoes. There was a special "entrance room" where we took our shoes off. I dont really see the point. I mean everyone was walking around with no shoes on like we were at a playground or a pool...maybe they are confused as to when its play time...who knows. but like cant you get staff? or some disease always walking around with no shoes? not to mention half of my outfit is my shoes and jewelry, so when i take off my shoes...its like me losing identity. you might as well not even leave the house in them...ok im off my soap box...its tradition, so I respect that. :/

then i came home and skyped my parents, both of them! even my faza got in the camera, and he fixed their webcam, so its not all fuzzy. saw my dog samantha, up to no good as always...dogs have a perfect life.

I got bored, so I texted Kristen, we went bike riding for about an hour and a half again! It was fun, we went all around, back down town, to the train station, everywhere...(the candy store was closed-damnit) Then we rode home because it was dark, and we were both cold.

Now I am home...currently chasing mosquito's in my room. im sure comical to see, yet very distrubing to do. I cant stand these things, and someone left the door open, so they got in the house. Tomorrow, I have to be up early to pick Kristen up (im using the car) and we are going to the field to help girls learn to play softball for a couple of hours...not excited, but I'm sure I will blog tomorrow about how much fun I had. haha-I learned that I am one of those ppl who doesnt want to do stuff sometimes, but I always go and enjoy the hell out of whatever it is im doing.
So ive decided, Im just going to do everything.
lol...dont get crazy, I dont enjoy yard work or fixing electronics... what I really noticed is that i enjoy ANYTHING if i have good company. Like when my dad left me a list of "things to do in the yard" and i had to do it while he was at work...I would have rather cleaned a barn, but when he was doing yard work too...it wasnt bad! So...if yall are having a bad day find some good company...it will fix itself! In my case...I am my only company, so hopefully I am in a good mood :)haha

Umm signing off now... I miss home more than EVER! whenver I am home sick I remember that when I left the air port... my dad told me to "have the time of my life", and i remind myself that Dallas Texas isnt going anywhere...That keeps me here...and grounded, plus I have myself for good company ;)
good night (said like: goud noght in Swedish)
love yall-
"work hard, play harder"
Shann
#1 on the field, #1 in your heart

"All I know is what I read in the papers”-Will Rodgers

Whoa,,,whose that girl? haha I was in the paper. if "all i know is what i read in the papers," then I'd say while im in Europe...i know nothing. haha. I had my parents translate it for me. It just says how this crazy American pitcher girl is in town and threw a game...nothing special...but i wanted to show yall!

So Memorial Weekend huh? Nice, all you American's have off of work tomorrow. Me too! haha :) Um- I guess it is more than appropriate to give a shout out to all of those who have served or are serving in the US Military...ya'll are a different breed, and us "dumb civillians" couldnt do what you do for our country. (Oh, and dont worry...Obama is bringing yall home> haha- dont get me started.) Not to mention the military brought my gorgeous grandmother and handsome grandfather together, and forever they have been the rock of the Johnston family. AND...beat this, my Gramps looks really good in his uniform, quite the catch, smart too, he could beat anyone in a crossword, wheel of fortune, and sometimes beat the young bucks in golf.

So this morning we went to Karen's twin sisters house to celebrate their birthday and Mother's day. it was alright. we had ficka, and to eat we had this really good fruit from the garden baked into this breaded dessert type of thing? it was bomb. fresh fruit and all. My favorite part about going with my parents today was karen's dad was there. So he would be the kids grandfather. He was really cool. I love grandparents. He introduced himself as "the grandpa". I thought that was kind of neat, and totally something my gramps would do. haha. I chatted with him the entire time, he asked a million questions (like my gpa) and he tried to teach me swedish words. haha, I was terrible. But atleast when I left, he invited me to come stay at his beach house. It is 25 minutes away on a bike, and he said I can come stay whenver I want. So basically we fell in love during the duration of my time at Karens sisters. I have a way with old men. I wish my Grandpa could come enjoy some ficka with me!!! We would have frosted flakes though...screw the fresh fruit. haha.

ok so after that we went to IKEA. It is just like in the states. by that I mean a million people running around acting like the furniture is going to get up and leave. Relax people...the stuff you want is not going anywhere. There was one difference, the food court in Sweden's IKEA had smaller portioned food. I guess they are against taking over United States title of being the fattest nation on the globe? I dont know...I take pride in it, atleast were first at something!

Came home and put this tall lamp together that my parents bought me. I didnt know why they bought it when we were there, but when we got home they said it was for me. I thought that was really nice. After that I layed on the deck...soaked up some sun, and fell asleep with the dog.

I woke up and rode my bike down to the field where I took some ground balls, fly balls, hit some balls with Kristen. I didnt get to pitch though, so it wasnt that fun. Then I rode my bike home! For dinner we had, salad, a peice of meat, potatoes, and this cheese you grill. It was good! after dinner, watched tv with the family, and came in my room. pretty uneventful. oh we also sang Karen happy birthday, well they did. haha. it translates to "your going to live until you are 100, and if you do we will push you in a wheel barrow" thats really sweet isnt it? (i think i would rahter ppl wish die at 99, so i dont partake n the wheel barrow pushing) but, yah...happy birthday Karen!

I skyped my Mom, that was nice. Good to see a familiar face.

Now, tomorrow, I am going to get up and enjoy a nice workout I have written out for myself, and then hopefully pack a lunch and bike to the lake to soak up some sun.

I miss yall dearly
xoxoxo
"work hard, play harder"
Shann
#1 on the field, #1 in your heart

“When you look at a city, it's like reading the hopes, aspirations and pride of everyone who built it.”-Hugh Newell Jacobson

Saturday has served its time. Were ya'll productive? yes or no is a good answer because it's the weekend, so I like to think that on the weekends I am my own boss. If i boss myself to nap, OR run a marathon, either way I am productive bc I did what I was told. :) You can never fail on a weekend. In my case, I feel very lucky...because I am part of the 33% of the United States who is unemployed...haha. Life is good-

Congrats to Hebron High School Softball program for making it to state! woo hoo---I have seen Heather (the pitcher) grow from throwing 11 inch balls into the lights (stadium lights) at Hebron to striking 18 batters out a game...I've known heather's pitching coach for quite some time :)

About my day: Woke up, showered, got ready,ate breakfast...(i had berries again and tea made of herbs from the garden in hot water. YUMM) and took the train to Stockholm, Sweden's capital. When I got off the train, I got that city feeling. Heeeckkk Yesss! I love big cities. Stockholm is different than American cities. There is more space, so the buildings do not have to be as tall, but it has that "hustle bustle"/"time is money" atmosphere that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE. it was great. Different stores than the US to shop in. I took this trip as a "look only" kind of deal, because I wanted to scope everything out. I think I am going to go back on Tuesday...and buy a couple of things. It was a long day of walking around the city- my legs are tired, and my brain gets tired. I take for granted the luxury and ease of knowing the language. In the US I know all the stores, and if I dont, I juts read the sign/figure it out. Here...I know NOTHING. literally. But through learning casual things, I realized I am learning culture, language, sounds, you know stuff like that.

I want some new converse tennis shoes. People cant function day to day in wedge heels the way that I do at home because we ride the bikes/walk everywhere. So I need some fashionable flat tennis shoes to wear every day. It is very popular for girls and guys to wear their outfit that matches and then wear a pair of converse shoes no matter what the color. I kind of like the look. I looked today and I am debating between this really cool shade of purple, or this really bright melon color. What do yall think?

It's Saturday, so following Swedish tradition I got some candy from the store before the train ride home. In Sweden it is looked upon to only eat sweets (cokes, cookies, candy, icecream) on the weekends. Sounds really good, but come Saturday my sweet tooth is so big....i eat enough sweets to last me the entire month...and I'll probably do it every Saturday, so Im really not helping myself any. Oh well, I just keep telling myself I am my own boss for now. haha.

Ok, after eating my weight in candy, I came home. My mom and I walked Ludde (dog) and then watched some news videos on the internet. Like shocking stories, they were kind of cool. Ofcourse seeing anyone else in trauma is "knee slapping" funny to me. I think my mom was kind of worried what a kick I got out of other peoples setbacks. But it was funny: one thing we watched was this 2 year old boy smoking cigarettes...OMG, ya'll look it up. its hilarious. chubby little thing...just smoking away. I about died, id like to meet him.

Then we got some pizza. Swedish pizza is always served with cabbage in oil and vinegar. It is really good. and then the pizza ofcourse is different. really flat, hardly any bread, hardly any tomato sauce, hardly any chese, and like half a tomato on top. so basically its non existant...pretty good though. haha. i crack myself up, really its unhealthy.

After watching TV with the rents, I came in my room just in time for beautiful Bridget Johnston herself to skype me! (i was STILL eating candy) Tomorrow is Mother's Day and Karen's birthday. We are going to have ficka (dont know how to spell-pronounced Fee-kuh) at Karens twin sisters house. Ficka means like coffee and a snack, or choice of drink and choice of snack. So basically it means break time from work and talk time. haha. In America we say...happy hour? hahaha. Mother's day is pronounced morris dog in swedish. but the r sound rolls, and the s sound isnt clean, its kind of like sch. the o sound is like oa in this case. alright enough learning for Saturday night.

I think I attached a picture, and it is not of the streets in Stockholm, but it is inbetween stores. So in downtown there are big streets, and then there are walk ways between places. this would be a walk way.

I think that is all for me tonight. Have beautiful dreams...of shannon meeting friends (cute ones) and becoming successfully wealthy one day...wealthy enough to afford an international cell phone so I can text message while traveling the globe :(

night night

"work hard, play harder"

Shann

#1 on the field, #1 in your heart.

"when you get to the point where they take you to lunch, let the editor suggest where to go"-Jerry Pournelle

Hello America! haha just kidding, I just wanted to say that to feel important like the President.

So, I made history tonight. Please mark down on your calanders: May 28, 2010 = Shannon Johnston stayed in on a FRIDAY night. Yeah, I said it! haha. Due to the fact that I have no friends, after practice I helped another pitcher on the team, took My to the train station to visit her dad, came home...and had dinner, wine, and movie time with my "mom and dad". It was quite pleasent. For dinner we had salad (no dressing), small steak(i think it was) and grilled tomatoes. Oh a bread! It was good. I will come back to tonight after I explain my day, I just wanted to announce my making of history first!

The actual highlight of my day was being invited to lunch by Matilda! I woke up to a facebook message inviting me to lunch with her and a friend. You want to know the best part about it? WE DIDNT HAVE TO RIDE OUR BIKES TO THE RESTURAUNT!!!! She told me to meet her house at 12, and we would leave from there and her friend had a car! wahoooo!!! I could actually do my hair and look half way descent? I was shocked. It was 11:15 when I realized I needed to get in the shower and be ready in 45 minutes? NOT happening. But I made it work. Ofcourse because I cannot get my American straightner to turn on I wore my hair curly, threw some make up on and a casual "lunch" outfit. Matilda, me, Maria (matilda's friend) and Gustan (not sure on the spelling, but it sounds like the name of the guy from Beauty and the Beast) had lunch at this amazing salad place in town. Oh my gosh, how did they know salad is my favorite food next to chocolate.

Came home, checked up on my mom via Skype, and got ready for practice. I ran to practice today instead of biking because I gave a pitching lesson to a girl named Amanda on the team prior to prac. She doesnt have alot of experience pitching (by that I mean...shes never pitched before) but she is about 5'10, long, lanky, and strong (kind of)...so she wants to pitch. I taught her the basic snap today, at first she was GOD awful, but she caught on. I have learned that Swedish people do more listening and learning, rather than Americans who do more...bitching and pouting. But she caught on a little, and she is going to practice at home before I see her again. My brought my glove and cleats...we practiced. It was fun I guess.

I have pitched the last 8 years of my career as a ball player, and I didnt realize how pitching has really kept me in this game. Today I played outfield, infield, hit,,,did all of that niddy griddy, and well...i just dont like it. I love coaching all of it, and i love the strategies of the entire game, but in terms of playing and actually "doing"...I just like to pitch.

After practice we took My to the train station where she took a bus to her Dad's house. Came home and had dinner with the rents as I explained earlier. The only think I left out was...ITS THE WEEKEND! now I can eat candy, so Karin and I had some strawberry twizlers. Reminded me of my grandfather, he loved those things. (He used to ask me to sneak them to him, when grams wasnt looking. haha-ofcourse I did it for my favorite guy)

Here I am...about to hit the sac! I am taking the train into Stockholm tomorrow! I cant wait. I will try and take some pictures of something touristy for ya'll, or maybe just a picutre of me on the train, I dont want ya'll to forget what I look like.
-So to recap: I HAD A LUNCH DATE TODAY, get excited America! hahahaha

Ok well I love ya'll, and I will write tomorrow if I survive the train ofcourse, and the adventure through Stockholm!
"work hard, play harder"
Shann
#1 on the field, #1 in your heart.

"You only meet your once in a lifetime friend... once in a lifetime." -Little Rascals

Well hi there! We meet again > today was kind of uneventful, but I will try my best to make this interesting, if its not interesting atleast it is easy reading. When I was little my mom would tuck me into bed, and I would ask her to tell me "Princess stories" where ofcourse I was the princess, and my castle had diamond door knobs. (i never let her forget that detail) None the less, the stories were always about "the Princess" (ME) meeting new friends, sharing my diamonds, toys, food, and laughter, and then living happily ever after. So here is my bed time story for yall:

-Once upon a time, Princess Shannon woke up, cleaned her room (like always), made a bowl of berries for breakfast, and got ready for her daily run. She ran all over Enkoping, through the woods, through the streets, through the bike trails, did sprints on the soccer field, did an ab circuit in the weeds with the mosquitos, she did it all. When she finally ran back to her castle, she decided to stretch because her muscles were a bit tight. As she relaxed herself in the sun... a pretty blonde girl came out of the house next door. She greeted the Princess and introduced herself as Matilda, and explained how she had read in the paper the Princess was visiting and she came to meet her because she knew she was from the states and was close to her age. Matilda has spend one year in the states, is 21, and speaks fluent English. She told Shannon that she would love to show her around, and hang out. They shook hands, and went their separate ways into their castles. 10 minutes later Princess shannon got a friend request on facebook from Matilda! Once your face book friends, you know thats a wrap! Matilda wants to hang out, and take Shannon out to see what nightlife is like in Sweden, as well as show her around. Princess shannon is so excited to meet her FIRST swedish friend! (and excited for the nightlife)


THE END!

haha- did that put yall to bed? My mom is better I swear. None the less, I have a friend! haha.

ok so after this sweaty hand shake, I showered up and relaxed a bit. I had a sandwhich for lunch with an apple. Kristen (the other American on the team) and I rode our bikes to the lake. it was about a 25 minute ride there. We got to the lake looked at it, and then rode back home for another 30 minutes. Kristen really likes nature, and dont get me wrong I thought the lake was pretty, but a lake is a lake is a lake. Dont get me wrong this lake was definately worth the hour bike ride of aching quad muscles up and down the hills in the forest :/ ehh anyways.

We had pasta salad for dinner, it was really really good. Then we had practice. I taught the team how to slap/2 strike offense. They are so eager to learn which is good because, they are not that talented. Not to knock them or anything. Unlike American's they do not think they know everything, and they dont need hot dog breaks during practice, nor do they have team Mom's who shove cookies in their face after the games. The girls are great. They are so positive, and they work really really hard. My (pronounced Me) who lives with me plays second base, and shes like REALLY good. I want her to move to the states and go to college and play ball.

We rode our bikes back home, probably about a 1.5 miles? When we are going uphill on the bikes I always say how I picture a snack at the top of the hill for motivation,(when i say snack i mean like an American hamburger and fries, extra salt) and my Mom always says there is a glass of wine. haha since im sitting here blogging now, you can see we both made it up the hill.

I guess that is all for today, mission accomplished- I met a friend. She might not ever talk to me again, but were facebook friends so that means something in this day right? eh well.
Talk to yall tomorrow. Sending all my love!

"work hard, play harder"

princess shannon
#1 on the field, #1 in your heart

"I think of life itself now as a wonderful play that I've written for myself, and so my purpose is to have the utmost fun playing my part."-Shirley Ma

HI..its me again! Today was not that eventful, but ill share some of the day- I woke up kind of late, it was nice though to sleep in. I had some berries and yogurt for breakfast, and ate it on the balconi. Showered, got ready and biked down to Downtown Enkoping. Karin's 9th grade class had their end of the year performance at the show room. It was hilarious. It is funny what you can make out of the costumes and actions...god knows I couldnt understand what they were saying. Ha. All of the school was there to watch as well, and they were giving me the "you are foreign" look. but I think i take it pretty well.

Then I rode back with My, and we had lunch. we both had sandwhiches, and split an apple. When they were in the states they brought back "American Peanutbutter" so I gave her a sample of apples and peanut butter how we like it. She thought it looked weird, but she liked it.

We walked to the daycare to pick Lisa up. My, me, Wilma, and the puppy Ludde. When we got there Lisa showed me every room and what she does in all of them, and then we walked home. Lisa took Ludde off the leash and hooked Wilma to the leash. Wilma was on roller blades, so she let Ludde go, and walked Wilma on the dog leash. Taylor never did that to me, but maybe in Sweden it is typical to walk your older sister on animal leashes. Not sure.

We had pancakes for dinner, but they are Swedish pancakes. No sugar added, and they are very flat and the size of the entire plate. You put some smashed berries or jam in them roll it up and eat it! It was pretty good. Never do they eat pancakes for breakfast though.

After dinner we walked to Tove's soccer game. Her team is really good, they won the championship last year. They beat the "green team" 4-1. Pretty exciting!

Lisa wandered off during the game, and she found a stick about 6 feet high... she drug it back to the game and then home ofcourse. On the way home she picked weeds and gave them to her dad. Just showing her appreciation I guess with weeds. Sweet girl though.

I ate an apple, skyped my beautiful mom, and here I am!

Tomorrow I want to wake up and go running, then maybe roller blading before practice? I need to meet people. I am confident that it will be easier now that I am FLUENT in saying: hi, bye, thank you, hush, and snack...I am well on my way to friendships blooming...Haha...syke!!

ok signing off now. Maybe I will take pictures for yall tomorrow. No promises though...

"work hard, play harder"
Shann
#1 on the field, #1 in your heart

“So many fail because they don't get started - they don't go. They don't overcome inertia. They don't begin.” -W.Clement Stone

So, this is my FIRST blog ever in life, but as I have experienced before "there is a first time for everything" so stay with me! For starters, I get alot going in my head and forget how to spell, punctuation, and everything else. It is not because I skipped the first grade, I just get my thoughts going in my head...and drill the keyboard.

So for starters, the plane ride was long... first I went on a plane about the size of a "smart car" with 100 people in it to Houston. Not a good idea for airlines to try this. None the less I made it to Houston. Hopped on a plane to Amsterdam, Holland. Sat for 9 hours, ate some dinner, had some water, accidently threw away the cookies they gave me...ughh! Landed in Holland. HUGEEE airport. People speaking every language possible, and all I wanted to know was where the rest rooms were. Found them, then slept on the floor until my flight. Got to Sweden where it was 60 degrees out...met my "mom" Karin, and my "sister" My (pronounced Me).

The first few days have been nice, but kind of rough too. I mean my entire life I have spent telling dumb jokes, making up funny scenarios in my head, watching people so I can make fun of them later, making teeth out of lemon peels...and here I am...looking and listening to people that dont speak my language. I dont have any friends yet accept the 6 kids that live in the house I am staying in. My family is great by the way. I think staying with a family is so much better than having my own place, because the whole idea of coming here is to experience something I have never done. I hear the language all day long, I see their culture, plus I have never been a big sister.

I do not have any friends, but I am ok with that, I think that spending time by myself has been sad sometimes, but great other times. The other American's name is Kristen. She is from Texas too, and played for St. Edwards in Austin. She is 25. Really cool girl.

Everyone here rides bikes. Right now my bike has a flat, so I am using my mom's bike...she is alot taller than me, so I pretty much look like I have some sort of down syndrome or retardation when I stop or get back on. It's pretty awesome! haha.

Enkoping is the town I live in... I guess I should have told ya'll that way earlier. It is nice, small, but gorgeous. It is pronounced Ean-shopping-which means one town where people come together and trade, and do business...which is how this town and most Swedish towns started. Now it is industrialized and big! (well big to them)

The smallest girl is 5, and her name is Luisa, but she goes by Lisa...she doesnt speak english, but she loves me. I enjoy being her big sister. Today she locked both of us in the bathroom with the lights off so that I would see her glow-in-the-dark shirt. haha pretty fun. I have taught her some english words, but she really likes saying "hi Shannon" even when im not in the room. She's five, if it makes her happy, let her do it. We had ice cream and watched the hangover tonight with the family. It was fun! I laughed the entire time as ya'll would expect.

I have learned a few words which I will share with yall later! please keep in touch... i have skype, facebook, email, twitter, and this amazing blog I do not know how to work!

signing off for the night.
"work hard, play harder"

Shann
#1 on the field, #1 in your heart