3 Weeks In Finland

I've had a pretty good week this past week!

On Keskiviikko (Wednesday) I had my sorta first soccer practice!! Ahh, it felt so good to be back out there. I had practice with the women's team and a few of the girls who I will be playing with this year. I'm not as out of shape as I thought I was but I'm still way to out of shape for my liking. 

On Torstai (Thursday) I left school early, I missed gym so I don't think I really missed much haha. I left early to head to Helsinki!!! The 1420 rotex had scheduled us a meet up in Helsinki for the Night of Arts. I think it was sometype of cultural event, but I'm not sure. I had a lot of fun. We first went to a Hesinki Night Market they had one place selling bugs that you could eat. I didn't want to wait in line so I didn't go. I hung out with Charline and Emma and we got a bite to eat, while we were there.

Charline: From Belgium, Emma: From Canada, and Me

Charline and I payed 8 Euros for this, yes my wallet was crying

Oh Finland you make me laugh

After we left here at about 6:45 we rode the metro back to the center of Helsinki for the Night of Arts. We got our name written in Chinese, by the students who attend Helsinki University.

Charline and I

Mandarin

Then some people were playing African type music and we watched for a bit.

Then it was basically time to go. It was so good to see everyone (well almost everyone) in our district. I had a swell time. 

Lauantai (Saturday), I went to Kellar's for her welcoming party. She lives in Hyvinkää which isn't too far like 15 minutes. I had an hour in a half till the bus came that I could take to her house, so I explored the center for a bit and went into the mall which is great, I know I'll be back there soon haha. Once I was on the bus that would take me to her neighborhood, I started getting worried that I would get off at the wrong stop. Lucky I got off at the right stop, but then I couldn't find her street, it was horrible. I walked up and down for a good 30-40 minutes before I found unlocked wifi and was able to tell her I was lost. Thankfully, her host mom came and got me and it turns out I was around the corner from her house. Just my luck haha.  We made hats that looked like the Finnish flag a bit, then played some type of card game, sang karaoke and talked. A few of the others from out district was there so I talked to them and at around 9:30 my host mom came and picked me up. I had a lot of fun and it was really nice.

Now today (Sununtai) I have soccer practice with my team in an hour. 

I'm really enjoying Finland. Sometimes I remind myself that I need to take a breath and cherish that I'm here. It still feels a bit unreal that I am here. 

- Hailey

Pictures From This Past Saturday

    

 

2 Weeks in Finland!

I have reached the 2 week mark and it is crazy!

2 weeks and a day ago I left my family

2 weeks ago I arrived  in Finland with 9 other exchange students

School has been great! I've met some pretty cool people there. Finnish is well, still on going.

This past weekend, I went to a church camp. Though 95% of the time I had no idea what was going on or being said, I still had a pretty cool time. On Saturday we went hiking and climb through caves and had to jump from rock to rock. It was crazy but I had a lot of fun and got a scab from it. I'll post pictures tomorrow on a separate post.

I'm 2 weeks down into this adventure of a year. I haven't really began but the days are already flying by and I don't even want to think about leaving. The thought of having to return back to Hampton is frightening, since here it is so nice, small, calming, fresh air, and its just overall amazing.

Now I have to go to bed since there is school tomorrow.

-Hailey

ps- they canceled my French class for this marking period and I just about cried because French is just my world. So now I have to go and try and get into another French class because if not I might just die.

First days in host family

My host family is wonderful! It is so nice to be able to not live out of a suitcase and be surrounded by actual Finnish people and be in my city!

One of the most fun things I've done is go blueberry picking in the forest! It is strange that you can just go into a forrest and pick blueberries instead of buying them. I had quite a lot of fun!

Also yesterday I went to pick blueberries again and we also went to the beach at about 6! The water came from a spring so you could see the bottom and it was so pretty out!

Little host sister, Emmi
pc to Tuuli

That's the major things I have done so far! I start school tomorrow and I meet to pick my classes today!


-Hailey