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RHIAN'S SOCCER JOURNALS:

HOME, WEDDING, PARTIES AND NORWAY 2nd September 2008

I have heard from many people that coming home from an event like the Olympics sometimes leaves you depressed and at a loss for what to do next. I am glad to report that this has not happened to me; at least, not yet.

The thing is I have not really had time to even recognize that I am back from the Games yet as I have been kept insanely busy.

We had a wonderful time in the last few days at the Games, attending events and going to the impressive closing ceremonies. We were given presents like the customized stamps, but then it was back on the airplane for the trip home.

I arrived home to Montreal on the 27th August from Beijing and Amy and I were given a great reception at Dorval airport. The same happened again when I arrived home in Baie d'Urfe, where the local youth soccer players were waiting.

I went out that night with relatives who were in town from Wales for my brother's wedding, my mother and aunts Molly and Jane. And, I was so tired that night; at the restaurant that I am not sure I ever came to say anything at all. I am just happy that I didn't pass out into my food.

The following night was my big brother David's wedding rehearsal and dinner. The church rehearsal wasn't much fun, but then we had a fantastic evening and dinner at the McGill University Faculty Club at Tadja Hall. I really enjoyed getting to spend time with my family, but also with the bride, Kristina's family.

This was another late evening, but other than not being able to eat the amazing food because my tummy was still on Asian time, I think I handled it pretty well. The fact that I can't remember what happened on the 29th speaks volumes for my physical and mental state at that time.

The following day, the 30th, was the day of the wedding and the weather and the event were amazing. The bride and groom looked like characters from a romantic film, Kristina in dazzling white, and my brother in his Grenadier Guards blues with his sword! Even I had a tear in my eye; That, or I had a dust particle lodged there.

The largest part of the service was in French, but all went well. My sister Sara and I both read lessons at the service. The priest was a little long-winded, going on about a wedding not being like "owning a car, which needs registration" ..... or something like that. To be honest I lost focus somewhere around this time.

The reception was equally phenomenal and after a great meal and funny speeches, I had a great time dancing the night away with friends and family. However, I would like to publicly apologize to David's friend Neil. I think I tried to lead him around the dance floor for a bit. He is a wonderful dancer and he tried his best to make me look like someone who could pass as a decent dancer. But, this attempt did not go all that well.

On the evening of 1st September, we had another party for the married couple before they departed to Greece for their honeymoon. The party was also to celebrate Raman's, my step-father's, and his son Tarun's birthdays. The party's theme was a hoe down. I will go into a little more detail about this later, but I mention it now, to show how little time I have had to reminisce and think and locate myself in time.

On 2nd September, I was back at the airport and left for Norway to rejoin my old club, Team Strommen. I am under a professional contract with them for their Fall season, and I am now writing this journal from my couch in a new apartment, in a much colder climate than I left in Asia!!

I am exhausted, but I am looking forward to introducing everyone back home to this amazing place called Oslo, Norway, and to my Team Strommen friends. It's strange to think I am already settling in here.