Anyways, I will start with the most recent things that I remember since Russia and work my way backwards! First of all today, I went to the Karl Fazer chocolate factory in Finland's capital, Helsinki. I cannot stress to you how amazing it was. Not only did they have 13 levels of stored chocolate, they had a room full of free candy for all of us! All packaged and shiny sitting there waiting for us to devour it. When you get exchange students and chocolate, that's one thing. When you get exchange students and FREE chocolate, things get a little bit crazy! So that was my lovely day today! Then this past Saturday was a crazy little national excuse for getting ridiculously Finnish-ly drunk called Vappu. Vappu is the celebration of the 1st of May where everyone comes back to life after hibernation. It is also the celebration of EVERYONE who has graduated. They receive white caps (similar to sailor caps) at their graduation. On Vappu, a speech is given, and after they say (in Finnish of course,) "Now, please place the caps on your heads", and everyone who has graduated places their either freshly achieved or partied out, ratty old hat on their head and the champagne flows through Turku. It is also where college students get to flaunt their University jumpsuits. For each major there is a different color and it is a full-on, mechanic looking jumpsuit that is filled with patches from different parties. If they have different majors, an arm or leg may be a different color. I wish I had one!! They're so fashionable! Not really, but then I wouldn't have to worry about what I wore on Vappu! Anyways, there was tons of people, especially students, on a hill in Turku called Vartiovuori. So imagine this, a whole bunch of freshly graduated-FINNISH- students celebrating their long awaited graduation....on a hill. I stress to you, on a hill. Why? Who knows, it's Finland! Anyways, the party lasts from mid-day (though it was raining) until about 3AM, when I got home as well. Made some very good memories in an awesome pink cowgirl hat!
So the last 2 weekends ago, my hostfamily and I visited family friends over in Porvoo. Which is about 45 minutes from Helsinki and 2 hours from Turku. The place is absolutely beautiful. And we got lovely weather, as well! Before we went, I wasn't so sure about going, but luckily for me there was 17 year old girl named Roosa there and before we knew it, I felt like we were long lost best friends! She really loves America and we understood each other really well. Anyways, they have a beautiful new home that was not yet finished (for example, candles in my room because there were no lights, I didn't really mind though :) but it was beautiful. They also own a restaraunt on a lake as well as a supermarket. They also own a summer cottage, kesämöki, in Finnish, out on the sea. It was so beautiful! The coolest thing about it was that there was a large rock that went into the water, and in the rock is a carving, "Olof-Helmi" and a few dates. These 2 kids drowned back in 1895 and the carving is still there. It was so cool...well not the dead children, but the fact that the history was right there for me to touch was astounding. We also went to the old town of Porvoo which dates back to Alexander I. The cobblestone streets and old-fashioned candy shops had that amazing smell that makes you feel at home. They also had an adorable dog, which my little hostbrother loves named Kille, but I called him Killer. We had some great bonding time, as you know, I am missing some canine love right now! So after an amazing 4 days with them. We returned on Easter evening to what I thought and what my hostmom told me was my hostdad's mother's birthday party at some cottage. So after an eventful 4 days, I was hoping to sit and rest, have some cake and relax until I could go home to sauna. When we pulled up to the cottage I looked out the window and saw a huge group of people standing outside..."What is going on..." I was thinking, and then my best friends ran down the deck and yelled "SURPRISEEEE!!!!" My friends, exchange and Finnish had a surprise party for my birthday (which was on the next day). I, of course, started crying, shaking, smiling, and laughing all at the same time. I had exchange friends who live about 3 hours away come just to be at my party. It was the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me!! And to think they all gathered for me (and for a drink or two-Finns, God help them). My host family was in on it the whole time and I had no idea. I was pretty bummed out because my birthday was on a Monday, and who wants to celebrate on that day? But I had such a wonderful time at my party! There was a cottage with a kitchen, large room with chairs and tables, upstairs with bed, deck, and out in the back there was a fire pit and a little shelter hut type-thing, I don't know the word in English...wow! Anyways, it was an absolutely AMAZING time and I got some wonderful gifts from wonderful people :D My host families also got me Pink Converse! Woo hoo! They are so beautiful!
Among the random things, lots of my friends are turning 18 now. One of my close friends, Maiju, just got her driving card! I also visited the Turku castle. It would have been more interesting if the castle hadn't burnt down and there was more original things in there. One thing I did learn was that in the banquet hall, it was rude to leave food on your plate, so most guests would end up exiting the room to casually throw up, then come back and continue eating.....I also learned that animal torture was a common use of entertainment. The tour guide decided to use taking a bear's eyes out and stabbing it for example. Oh, Finland, how your history is so absurd! The castle, was beautiful, nonetheless!
So, I think that is my life in a nutshell right now! I am very tired right now, but felt obligated to update my blog because my conscience was dragging me to do so. Anyways, here's a few pictures!...in no order
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| Me and Roosa...kind of standing on their grave... |
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| old town of Porvoo. oldest city in Finland, I believe |
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| Turku castle |
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| The two kids that died |
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| on my birthday :) they got me a crown and brought a dress and makeup for me...after my 2 hour car ride from Porvoo, I needed it! |
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| Me and my Mexicanita Gabriela on Vartiovuori :)...by the way, my hat has a crown on it and yes, it did light up. Everyone knew where I was all night because I glowed One more thing! This past Tuesday my chorus teacher decided to tell me that we were doing a performance for a teacher's night the day before....this is how it turned out...Let me know what you think, please! :) http://www.youtube.com/user/christinaguesswho?feature=mhum |
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