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The game on Sunday was bad. There isn't much else to say about it. Trav was featured on the program, and our landlord (who attends almost all home games) had a hard time believing that Trav's nickname is "T-bone." This is a nickname that he was given by his Manglerud teammates, luckily not one he has had for long!

I've been doing research for our trip to London. We're going to plan like crazy, so that we can see as much as possible in our short time there. I already bought a map of London that is in the mail! I booked a guided sightseeing tour on Christmas. On the tour, we will see Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, St Paul's Cathedral, Tower of London, Trafalgar Square, the Houses of Parliament, and Downing Street. We've still got loads of planning to do, so I've got to put my free time to work!

Also, we're going to see THE LION KING!!! I've been wanting to see The Lion King forever! We're seeing an evening show on the 23rd, and after seeing this video, I can't wait!

Ask Me Why

It looks like Travis will be featured in the player Q & A in tonight's game program. I found this on the Manglerud website following the head coach's remarks on the upcoming game. Neither of us thinks that this picture is what Trav really looks like. Some guy came by when the team was working out and asked him to put on a jersey quick. Little did Travis know, that picture would be his official Manglerud photo!

Name: Travis Vermeulen # 26 

1. First goal in Premier League?

At home in Storhamar 6 league game

2. Favorite MS-player of all time?

Anders Lunke (I sit in his old place)

3. What do you do on the bus to away games?

Read

4. Greatest hockey memory?

When we won the Minnesota State Championship

5. Favorite meal?

Tacos

6. Which sports do you play when it is not hockey?

Tennis or snowboarding

7. NM-gold or other senior titles?

USHL Anderson Cup, the Minnesota State Championship

8. Who will surprise this winter in MS Hockey?

BIAF

9. Best vacation spot?

Chicago, IL

10.Nickname?

T-Bone

Not a Second Time

I was back at the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History today, and I took Trav with me. The weather was much better this time (mid-20's) and we took our time wandering around. Travis even treated me to pepperkake (a ginger bread-like cookie.) There isn't much to say that I hadn't said before, so here are some pictures:

Boys choir singing Norwegian Christmas carols

Julmarked

Julmarked

In the English Garden at the Norwegian Museum

Oh, and I made a delicious pan of lasagna for dinner! Definitely a good meal for a cold day.

Her Majesty

This afternoon, Trav and I went downtown to the Spaceworld Megastore. He was given a 500 kroner gift card at last night's game for being player of the game. Spaceworld is an electronics store, but it was hardly a "megastore." I'd say it was about the same size as the electronics section at Wal Mart. Trav picked out a pair of headphones and I spotted this Xbox 360 with rosemaling on it:

Rosemaling is a traditional Norwegian decorative folk art on wood that uses stylized flower ornamentation, scrollwork and geometric elements in flowing patterns. (Thank you, Wikipedia!) I remember learning about Rosemaling from Shari (my neighbor/daycare mom) and seeing it throughout her house.

Looking Glass

Travis left this morning at 5:45 for a game against Rosenborg tonight. They usually fly into Trondheim when they play Rosenborg, but Manglerud doesn't have the money for flights and hotel rooms. Instead of a one hour flight, they had an 8 hour bus ride through the mountains each way. It was a worthwhile trip, though! They beat Rosenborg 7 - 2 and Travis scored one goal and had three assists. He also was chosen as player of the game! That's a pretty darn good night if you ask me!

While looking around online for a picture from tonight's game, I found this clip from Sunday's game. It has Travis' second period goal and his shootout goal.

Somehow I managed to forget two major pieces of news in my last post!



#1: Tina (Trav's mom, duh!) and Gary (her fiancé) are coming to visit us in January! They will be here for a week and will be our first guests. I'm so excited to see familiar faces from home- in person!



#2: Four players on Trav's team will be playing in the World Championships in Buffalo, NY right after Christmas on the Norwegian U20 team. Because Manglerud will be so shorthanded, the two games after Christmas were rescheduled. This means Travis was able to get another day off! We rescheduled our return flight from the morning of December 27th to later that evening. It would have been nice to stay another night, but we already spent a little more than we would have liked to on our hotel. I am verry happy to have an extra non-holiday day in London!