Best Christmas EVER

On Monday I got up bright and early to spend a couple nights with my best friend here in Finland. I got off the train in Vammala at 11am where Sam's host brother Onni was waiting. (Onni was my tutor during my first week in Finland and he was on exchange in Australia this past year). Also Onni's best friend from Australia, Andrew, came to stay for the week. So as usual I was a bit out of the loop on all of the Australian references (but it was a good learning experience). First we went grocery shopping and picked up our ice skates. Then we drove to the lake to see if it was frozen (they wanted to go swimming). It was in fact a bit frozen. 

Then Sam had one of his bright ideas to sit on the edge of the dock and kick the ice. And yes. He fell in (but was fine). We pulled him out of the water and ran him to the car. Onni was just upset we didn't get it on video. So we arrived home, Sam got a speech from mom to not be stupid, and then headed to the forest to cut down a Christmas tree!!!

Cutting a tree for his room

This was one of the coolest experiences to cut down a real Christmas tree and I got hold a little axe :D 

After this we went ice skating also with Onni's sister Fanni. Which as I said in my last post, I'm not an ice skater. But this time was actually pretty fun (maybe I'm improving). 

When we got home we decided to cook some food. And by food I mean cheese stuffed mushrooms wrapped in bacon :O 

Well we burned them a bit. But they were still amazing.

The rest of the night was spent watching australian TV shows and movies and such. 

I absolutely love this dog she is so sweet. Her name is Lumi (finnish for 'snow')

Sam has a reindeer antler sewn to the arm of his blazer..

The next day when we woke up (like 12) we helped decorate the house a bit and cook some food. Then we went outside and flew Onni's drone which was the coolest thing ever. Basically it's a go pro attached to four propellers and it can be flown up to 200 meters high. So we got some cool shots of the snowy forests and the sunset. 

Later we went bowling (we were all terrible) and to Hesburger. This was Andrew's first time at Hesburger so we made him get the rye bread burger (he loved it of course). 

Taking a nap

Then I found out that they don't have drive thru banks in Australia. And that yes they in fact have to get out of their cars and walk inside the actual bank (we were all shocked..) 

On the way home we stopped to pick up the best juice in the whole world (pear flavored). During my whole trip to lapland I think I drank three cartons of it. So of course we had to make Andy drink it. It's really fun being the person to show someone else all of our finnish customs and such. We also made him listen to all the weird finnish music.(here you can listen to this guy sing about how he is the finnish champion and how much he loves Finland basically) http://youtu.be/BieZS7cDQfA

At home we started to make the gingerbread house. The boys were extremely particular as to how they wanted this house to look (it was a life or death situation). They argued over the pattern of icing on the roof for quite some time but we eventually finished it :D

The next morning (Christmas Eve) we awoke to a blizzard! It was snowing so hard! This made me incredibly happy to have a white Christmas. 

Andy's first time shoveling snow and he says "This is so fun!". Onni thought that was really hilarious.

Then I helped Sam decorate his Christmas tree. 

The living room

We ate Christmas porridge, homemade bread and pulla, and drank Christmas coffee. 

Then it was time for me to head home to Rauma. When I got there my host family picked me up and took me to the grandparents home. We then ate way too much food. Then I opened presents from my host parents (lots of chocolate, a makeup bag, and body lotions).

And then we got a visitor :D

Me, Santa, and mom 

My host family's tree of chocolate :)

When I got home I opened the presents my family sent to me (perks of living in Finland, everything happens on Christmas Eve) and went to sleep. 

Presents :D

Thank you Sam for taking care of me and making sure I had a perfect Christmas. Thanks Onni for driving me around all over the place every time I come to visit. Kiitos Marjo ja Jarmo hosting minulle tänä jouluna. Kiitos äiti ja isä suuri joulua. Thanks mom and dad for all the gifts you sent! Thank you everyone for giving me the best Christmas of my life, one I will never forget.

Thank you thank you cheers kiitoksia hyvää joulua MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2pm Christmas Day 25/12/14 

 

Helsingfors

I wrote this a week ago but forgot to post

Life has been fairly normal these days. It is already the third period of school. My classes are Art, Music, Psychology, and English. I'm learning to play guitar in music and let's just say I'm not so great :D. Psychology is actually my favorite class. He gave me a huge college sized textbook since its in English and it's very interesting. 

My host family is great! They are home often and we are together a lot. 

Finland is absolutely beautiful during Christmas. The decorations and lights are really beautiful. Personally my host family doesn't have any decorations or even a tree this year, but just the cities in general look amazing! Last weekend I stayed with my friend Milly in Helsinki (the largest city in Finland). I really need to stop hanging out with the Aussies or I'll never stop saying "mate"... 

This was the first time I actually got to walk around and explore this city. Friday I arrived at the bus station (it seems more like an airport really) where Milly was waiting for me. The first thing I saw were fireworks! I was really surprised. Fireworks and Finland don't really seem like a match.

We walked to Burger King and met up with lots of other exchange students. There are about 3 Burger King locations in the whole country yet it is the go to spot of exchange students.

Later we took the train back to Milly's house and I got to meet her wonderful host family. Her little sister may be the most beautiful little girl I've ever seen! And her dogs and cat were so adorable <3 I am always really happy when my exchange friends have pets at their homes because I don't and I really miss my own dog.

The next morning I awoke to Milly shouting about the snow outside. We had got 35 centimeters of snow overnight :D it was exciting until we had to trudge 20 minutes to the train station in it. Upon arrival in Helsinki, the snow had disappeared (it doesn't really ever snow in Helsinki). I bought 2.5 meters of licorice from the Christmas market and ugly Christmas sweaters from thrift stores (they were actually pretty cozy). Here's some pictures of the beautifully decorated Stockmann

Milly and I

We met up with a big group of exchange students and headed to the "rock church". This is a church built inside a rock! It's absolutely beautiful. You can climb the rocks to the roof, and the roof is literally its own little rock park. Coolest church ever. But I didn't take great pictures so here are some from the Internet so you can see its beauty 

There it is in the center along with the beautiful surrounding area.

Down at the bottom where the light is, is the entrance to the church. Or the you can climb the rocks to the park.

The inside

After that, we shopped some more then went to Burger King (of course). But I don't want any americans to get the wrong idea of this Burger King. It is two stories and beautifully decorated. The classiest of all fast food restaurants.

Haroldo and I try to take a nice picture (it never happens...also notice the classy Burger King in the background)

Later that night there was a huge parade in front of the Helsinki Cathedral in honor of Saint Lucia. If you have never seen pictures of helsinki cathedral please google it right now (it's stunning).

There you can see a bit of the cathedral..these were just a few of the exchange students that were there.

Then on Sunday, Milly and I once again rode the train into Helsinki bright and early. We went to some parks and to the bay with a couple others. Then there was a district Christmas party in Espoo for 1420, so those kids left. Sam, Haroldo, Sophie and I went to the ice rink in the center of the city. I think everyone knows i really do not enjoy ice skating so we didn't do this for long :)

Sophie and Haroldo left for the party so the rest of the day I helped Sam clean his family's apartment, grocery shop, and cook dinner (what adults we are). Then I headed back home to Eurajoki. 

I received some more "oldie gifts" over the weekend.

The heels

"Lamby" also from Milly

The viking line cards for the best poker player

The banner of Barmera, Australia

Milly- thank you for all of your fantastic advice and wisdom, you're the big sister I never had <3 Im sure I'll see you again before you leave next month, but in the case I don't I wish you the very best and I'll see you when you come to the states next year.

'Twas a good weekend in the capital city. Thanks everyone! 

LAPLAND 2014

   

This is going to be a pretty long post, but I will try not to bore you :D

On November 28, I left Eurajoki and started my journey north to spend 4 days in the Arctic Circle with about 150 other exchange students from around the world. Nearly every exchange students currently in Finland (and some in Estonia) came on this tour.

I got on Bus 1 at 8:30 pm in Rauma and was ready to begin the 14 hour trip. It wasn't nearly as bad as I expected it to be. We listened to lots of music and ate lots of international candy to pass the time.

We hung Christmas lights in our bus

On one of our breaks we saw some weird light in the sky (no not the northern lights :( but something weird...)

Finally we arrived at Harriniva at around 11 am. We brought our things to our rooms, ate lunch, and then saw the most beautiful sunset.

Across the river, where those trees are, is Sweden :D

Latinos! Gorte as Santa

One of my favorite pictures hehe 

Then we had a short meeting about the plan for the trip and the rules and such.

Zoey's beautiful hair + Sam

Then we went off to pick up our ski/snowboard gear for the next day. 

The slope at night

We had dinner outside in this beautiful place lit by candles. I don't have pictures because it was dark and we were there for a really short time. We ate salmon soup and pancakes.

The next day was spent at the slope! 

From the top

I decided I was going to try snowboarding. I have never done it before so needless to say I was pretty bad. After a ton of time spent on my butt, I made it down the small part of the slope without falling. I was pretty pleased with that and exhausted :D and to quote my good friend Zane, "I'm from Florida. This snow stuff really sucks."

The "Kolme Kaveria" (like 3 Amigos). First time seeing Ian since camp! 

One of the coolest things of this day was watching the French guys ski. They were going down backwards, on one foot, spinning in the air, and we're just insanely good at it. 

That night we went to a school nearby to perform some international things for them. USA ended up doing a little dance taught by Fuliece, a girl from the Bahamas. 

These aren't really good photos of us but oh well

The Mexicans

Only one New Zealander...he got some help for his dance though.

The Canadians were my favorite :D

A few brazilians 

Then we headed back to the hotel for dinner.

A beautiful Giulia and Pilo

Valentin, Adele, Vania

Ella and I are serious about our juice

Our super messy room

Roomies.

Mackie and Lexi (models)

Fabio

Shortly after I went to take a quick shower when I was interrupted by an "Urgent Meeting in Room 321". So basically the oldies created a "Newbie Olympics" for one boy and girl from each district to compete in. I was the girl chosen for district 1410. The first event was a crazy three legged race through the snow in which my partner and I won! We then all went to sauna and everyone congratulated 1410 on the big win ;D

Anyways the next day was spent with reindeer, huskies, and snowshoes. 

Lucas, the best German 

"Don't climb on the snowmen"

Haroldo, snowman, and I :D

Sam's first snow angel

I was quite comfy :)

The looks of pure exhaustion..

White reindeer :o

They were so cute!! Even though later that night we ate them for dinner...

We made a quick stop at the bridge between Sweden and Finland! I have now been in two places at once

Sweden

And Finland!

This is an ice hotel that's being built. It's really amazing!

Sophie and Bianca

Being our last night of the tour, we had a little party in this hut near the hotel. Once everyone gathered inside, we started off with some traditional stuff. The oldies who had received a gift in June from their oldies now had to pass them on. There were a few gifts such as a book of finnish for the person who spoke the best finnish, a sword for the tallest person, and a mallet for the two best friends. These gifts have been passed down for years and years and are super important to our Finnish exchange culture :). 

Sorry the pit in the middle is in the way of the picture, but Carlos receiving the book of finnish.

Corentin receiving the guitar for being the most musical.

Hugo getting the skateboard for "craziest".

Me receiving "the blanket" from Sophie :D. I didn't expect to get any of the gifts so I was really surprised!

Then the most important gift of them all, the hat. This hat is awarded to the person who tries their hardest to be friends with everyone and truly loves the exchange. It is the person who will be the biggest role model to their newbies. It was given to Jeremy a kid from France, who truly deserves it :D

Sam giving away the beloved hat <3

After the gifts, it was time for all of the oldies to come sing us the song that was given to them from their oldies (Count on me by Bruno Mars) and then give to us a new song (Daylight by Maroon 5). 

After the songs everyone cried and hugged eachother for a really long time and it was very emotional. But then we all pulled ourselves together and spent the night dancing and singing and being happy :)

Final day. Everyone packed up and got ready to head down to Rovaniemi and spend a few hours in Santa Claus Village.

Jandles, Sam, Milly, and I with the REAL Santa.

Santa you're scaring me

We can't take them anywhere

Then we began the journey back home. It was truly an amazing experience I will NEVER forget. 

Kiitos paljon, rotarit ja Rotex annoitte meille upeimmat matkaa. En koskaan unohda näitä kauniita kokemuksia.

Here are some clips i took of the trip

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnUDpHkPzo

I have some more pictures I might add to this post later, but this is it for now :)

Thanks for reading