Joyeux Noël! Merry Christmas! Hyvää Joulua!

Thanks to everyone for the cards and gifts :D So far Christmas has been wonderful. God bless you all!

Hey Everyone!

Well the ones that are still reading my blog. haha. I see the numbers of views have gone down. I guess I haven't been writting anything to intersting latetly. My life here is just starting to become ordinary which is a good thing. It means i'm really getting adjusted :D. The only thing that could make my exchange better is if I could just learn the language. I thought it would be easier then it is but really finnish is so much different, and I guess its difficult making myself learn it because I don't really have to speak it. Of course i'm learning a lot of new words and I understand a lot of what the people are saying its just that I can't find all the words to express myself. I speak a lot of Finglish :P. Christmas is in only 4 days! I can't beleive its already time. I thought the coming of Christmas would be so difficult but so far it's not that bad. I guess all the holidays so far are celebrated so much differently here that I don't even think of it being the same holiday. 

The weather here has cooled of a lot. Last week it was +1 and now its going from -5 to -20. I guess I shouldn't complain much because I heard in Saskatchewan you have been getting -40. BRrrr. Not missing that at all. haha. I still wish I could be in a warm country at the beach sometimes but instead I get to skate on the frozen sea beside my house :).

School is going great. I had my last day on Friday. I like having holidays but I think I will find it long. After the break I move into my second host family. I'm really sad to move because I really love where I live and my host family is so awesome. I know that things will be great with the next host family too though. Its just that I think it will be difficult moving. I guess I can't complain it's not like i'm moving in with a skinning knife collector. haha. 

Well anyways I hope everyone is enjoying themselves and take care. Pray for me!

À la famille: Je vous aimes de tout mon coeur!

Soph.

Lapland!

So i'm very sorry, I know its been really long since my last blog but I haven't forgotten about you! I just get really busy and forget to write sometimes. I've done lots of new stuff but what I want to tell you about is my trip to Lapland. At around 17.00 on the 27th of november we left for Lapland. Little did I know the trip was going to last about 18 hours. The bus zigzagged around the coutry picking up exchange students. Once we arrived in Muonio it was already day again so we hit the slopes at around 14.00.  It was so horrible having barely slept on the bus and then going skiing the whole afternoon was tiring. Later in the evening we had an outdoor candle lit dinner. It was very beautiful but very cold. We had warm salmond soup and bread, and for dessert we had blueberry pie. On Sunday we finally got to relax a little. We went skiing in the morning but we had almost all afternoon to relax and visit. We were aloud to go to sauna of course and then we had another very good supper but this time it was inside. :D On Monday we headed out to Pallas tunturi and to a reindeer yeard where we learnt a bit about the lappish customs and traditions. We then got pulled by the reindeers in a sled, we also went dog sledding and snowmobile sledding. The days were nice and long filled with lots of activities but unfortunetly we had to leave on Tuesday. I was really sad to leave the exchange students but I was warmly welcomed back to Hamina by my friends. 

School is going very well and everything else is going ok. I will for sure miss christmas with my family but I know it will be a good experience to learn a new way of celebrating christmas.

Miss you all.

God Bless!

Soph xxx

Päivä!

Hey everyone, yes im still here! Sorry I haven't been writting much, its just that my life can get pretty darn boring too sometimes :D. I don't want to write a paragraph about how I go to school every morning, do my homework and go to practice. haha. Well lately things have been slowing down but not for long because christmas is already almost here! 

Things in Hamina are going quite well. I haven't been homesick so that kinda scares me because I don't want to forget about home....Don't worry mom I still miss you! :P The weather in the south of Finland has been pretty good this past month. We have gotten a little bit of snow here and there but nothing temporary. The temperture stays around +3 to -3 so its quite warm still. 

Last Monday and Tuesday I was sick and missed school but it wasn't anything too bad. The flu is going around in the whole of Finland and as soon as someone gets sick everyone thinks they have the swine flu. I think people are over reacting a little ;). There have been many cases in Hamina and people are starting to get vaccinated at school and stuff. 

Soccer is still going we had our first indoor practice yesterday which was quite nice because before we had to play ouside in the dark and in the snow. I am really excited because they have changed the days of our practices so I can maybe take finnish classes outside of school :).

On Septembre 27th all the exchange students are going to Lapland togeyher for three days which will be really fun because we get to experience and see many touristic things. 

I hope every thing is going well back in Canada!  Eat a lot of cheddar cheese and drink a lot maple syrup for me. Don't forget to keep the igloos warm for when I come back :)...haha

Miss you guys lots!

xxx

Sophie

Terve,

Today we had are first snow! It was raining all day and then it started dumping at aroud 5:00 pm. The days are getting quite short already. The sky begins to get dark when I leave school and by 5 its already dark. The weather is a little wet and windy but I think its normal for Syksy (spring) in Suomi (Finland). Love you all! xox

Pictures of the snow in my yard.

So beautiful :)!

HEy Everyone! 

  Where to begin, well since thanks giving nothing to excting has happened until I went to Oulu. During the month of october some schools have a week break because of starting the year earlier. My school had a week off so I decided to go to Oulu and visit Anni-Maija and some rotary exchange students. Although the trip was long and expensive, it was really worth it! I left on Saturday, October 17th and came back on Friday the 23rd. The first day I was there we went for a walk around city center and through the park. From our walk we met Anni's parents, her borther and his wife at a restaurant. On Monday, we met Lotta, Anni's cousin and Adrian a mexican exchange student and went for coffee. After that we went home and ate some really good smoked salmon :). On Tuesday, Anni had driving and a dentist appointement so we just hung out and I ate reindeer for my first time. It is a little bit strong and smells bad :(. haha. On Wenesday, we went around the city center to shop and then we went to eat at chinese restaurant. We then went to the movies but we were about 1 hour and a half early so we just sat in the place waiting for the movie :). Thursday was my last day so we went to visit some of the other exchange students some from different programs than rotary. After that Anni and I wnt to a catholic mass in Oulu it had been so long and it was so nice to go to church. On friday I left at 10:05 am and it was really sad to leave but life goes on. On Saturday, I went to Helsinki with a whole bunch of other kids on a bus to watch a hockey game. The game took place in the largest Arena in Finland. The teams playing were Helsinki vs. Laperrenta. It was a good game near the end. During one of the breaks they had some little kids go on the ice and it was the funniest thing I have ever seen. They were falling on the ice and then when they would score everyone would clap it was so cute :). 

Well I hope everything is going well back home! I miss you guys lots but I will see you soon. On november 3rd I will already have been here 3 months. Time goes by fast...Make sure to give me a message when you time! Its nice to see that people care...It makes a bad day good :). Well I wish the best for you all and take care! GOd Bless!

The little kids playing in Hesinki.

The park in Oulu.

Hey Everyone!

 Well I thought it was time to give you guys another update. Lately I've been missing home like crazy, I often feel bored even though I participate in every thing I can. Right now, I'm kinda to the point where I am figuring out who are my real friends so its quite difficult. Also winter is just around the corner and nobody wants to go out because it is getting cold. I heard that its been snowing in Saskatchewan which isn't good because you guys never had an autumn and my Dad isn't done combining.

  Anyways, today is thanksgiving but people in Finland don't celebrate this holiday. I'm just trying not to think of my family eating some nice Turkey or chicken without me. haha. Other then that school is going well I am now settled in all of my classes and I like them. I have also joined the Hamina senior choir and I have practices every wenesdays everyone there is very kind and singing in finnish helps me learn more words. 

 So far, my finnish is very bad I can sometimes understand but speaking is difficult. I know a lot of words but I can't make proper sentences because the sentence structure is very strange (different). Yesterday, I attended my host rotary club's anniversary dinner. It was very nice there was a singer there and a few flutests. One of the exchange students living near Hamina also came to keep me company. Well thats pretty much my life in the past weeks. I hope everything is going well back in Canada! Happy Thanksgiving! Love you all :).

Sophie

I found a red maple leaf on the ground so I thought it was appropriate :)
Hei,

From now, on I will reread my blog before sending it. My last blog had so many mistakes and sorry for that. Ok, so it's been so long that I already forget all the amzing things I did. Usually I write it down but I forgot this time. So i'm just going to wing it :).

On septembre 18th, my town had a celebration called Valojen Yö which means night of lights. I went to a concert with my host mom and sister, we got to see the first Finnish Idol and many more. After the concert I went to hang out with some friends and I had lots of fun :).

On septembre 22nd, I went on a trip to Helsinki with my host dad to pick up some stock for his sport store. While there, we visited warehouses with sports clothing and equipement. I was in heaven. In one of the warehouses the guys gave me a free soccer ball, some socks and a scarf from the Finnish soccer team. Everyone was so nice. After that we went to see a cross country ski Hall. It was this large building that is open all year long and has a ski trail to practice all year long, it was really neat. We then moved on to the market, it was so cool to see all the different foods and all the people. My host dad's friends were at a fishing booth and gave me a free smoked salmond (my favorite).

On Saturday, I helped my host parents paint their new garage and put some siding on their house. I really enjoyed this because I was outside all day and it reminded me of back home working with my family. 

This week was the exam week and it goes on until wensday so I haven't been to school much. I only went for one finnish class and my finnish test which went really well. In the next Jakso (period) I am taking finnish, french, music, italian and physical education. I hope that all goes well.

Take Care, and tell me how your doing!

Sophie xox0

At the fish market.

Concert during Valojen yö.

Hello everyone,

I just realize it been a while since my last post and I thought it was time to write a little something :). So obviously to answer your first question, no I'm not dead yet. The evil finnish aliens have not taken over the country yet. (right mimi)...Anyways I have of course done many new things. First, I went to a mens under 20 hockey game (Sweeden vs. Russia). The game took place in Hamina and was arranged and organized by my host dad so I had free tickets for me and two others. The friends from school that I decided to invite had never been to a hockey game before so I proudly introduced to them to one of Canada's national sports. It was very funny because the game was quite fast which scared them. They both said that if they were in the ice with the boys that would have died. haha. :). Sweeden eventually ended up winning 4-2 which really frustrated the Russian fans.

Last weekend I decided to go visit Kotka to meet one of the exchange students there. I went all by myself and took the bus, but on the way there I stopped in the wrong town. In Finland, towns are very close together and don't have a distinct sign saying Welcome to... So by accident I stopped in the wrong town which was very frustrating because I had to wait an hour and pay again for the next bus. Although, it was very crappy at the moment I learned from my mistake. Hopefully, I don't do it again. ;). 

On Thursday, I made my second attempt on making supper. I decided to make spaghetti and meat sauce with garlic bread which turned out to be a very great success. My host family like it and told me I can make supper anytime I want. :).

This weekend I went to my rotary district camp in Partaharju. It was really great to be with all the other exchange students to talk about our experiences and struggles. While there, we went hiking for three hours which was good but very long. We also had lots of sauna time and then we jumped in the lake and then sauna again. It is the best feeling I recomend everyone tries this once. :). You will feel so refreshed when you are done. Well I will finish my post because I am very tired...I hope to hear from you guys also...

Love.

Sophie xxo

During our hike.

Me and the Japanese exchange student.

Moi (hello),

So it has been a while since my last post and I have done many new things. Its great being an exchange student because you get to all sorts of amazing things. So first of all, I would like to inform you that I have made my first meal for my host family. I wanted to make something easy so I made some taco salad. :) Although making a taco salad is an easy task making it for new friends is the hardest thing. I was so afraid they wouldn't like it or that the various different ingredients would make it not as good as usually. What made it worst was that some of my friends had stayed over to try some. Everything turned out well though and everyone enjoyed it. My little host sister keeps asking when is the next time I will make taco salad.

On Tuesday I decided to make a square and that turned out very well they finished it within two days. :). On Thursday I went sailing for my first time. It was so awsome. It is something you must try one day. It can be scary at some parts because it feels like the boat is going to tip, but thats what makes it so exciting. haha. It was also a race and we finnished fourth, we were in third but at the end there was no wind so we weren't really moving and another boat passed us right before the finish line. It's kinda frustrating because it all depends on the wind, if there is no wind you can't move. haha.

Now my favorite part, on Saturday I went to the UEFA Women's Euro cup. Finland vs. Ukraine. Wow! It was so amazing the game is so much more exciting in real life, and I really enjoy soccer fans they are so loud :). Although, it was Finland's first defeat they did so good they just got a little unlucky at on part which cost them the game. Other than that it was amazing.

Anyways I hope everything is good in Canada, and enjoy your cheddar cheese because I really miss it :(.

Sophgettingfinnished.

xox

Terve (Hi),

Wow Saturday will mark my third week in Finland. I can't beleive how fast time is going already. Well I have done many things since I last talk to you. On Wednesday I went to watch pesäpallo (finnish baseball), its kinda like baseball but way different. haha. It is very difficult to explain, and I still don't really understand how to play. Although, it is a very entertaining sport, there is a lot of talking and it's really fast.

Yesterday, I went on a boat ride with my counseller around the islands of the sea. We then walked around one of the public islands. It was very beautiful! Sailing season is now almost over, but when summer comes again I will get to go sailing. I am very excited, and I wish Papa could come with me! :(

School is still going very well and I am learning a lot of Finnish. I think it will be some time before I can understand because the language is quite different from french or english. I really like the language though, because it is very logical. 

Everyday I ride my bike to Lukio; it is about three kilometers. On my way to school there are a lot of uphills so instead of gaining weight I am gaining muscles! haha. Today I had to do the cooper test, we ran for twelve minutes and I ran the top amount of meters for my age group. We also had sprints and I had the best time in all of the girls. Well I think I have said enough...

God Bless,

SOphiE

P.S Feel free to send me e-mails or facebook messages. Tell me what is going on with you! :)

Hey everyone,

Today I had my second soccer game. Yesterday we played out of town and won, I scored two goals but my game today wasn't so good...we lost. Today, I also went to the Lutheran church, it was very different but it was nice to see something new. Tomorrow, I will go to school and have my second class of finnish at the Lukio (highschool). So far I am really enjoying myself, school is going very well and the people from Hamina are very easy to get along with. One difference I have seen is that Finns are a lot more quiet, they don't mind sitting together without sayin a word. 

This weekend, Pete and Kaisa my host parents went to a wedding in Helsinki so Kaisa's mom came to stay with me, Anna and Eki. She is very kind and she is also a very good cook. It was nice because she was always baking good sweets :). I always had to tell myself not to eat too much ha. 

One thing you have to try when you come to Finland is their ice cream. In Canada, I hate ice cream but since I'm here I always crave it. Well thats all I have to say today...I hope all is well at home.

Love you all!

Sophie

My yard again...

My awsome soccer jersey!

Hello everyone,

I hope all is well at home! 

Today I had my first real day of school... and it was actually very fun. My principal picked all my classes for me, he said that I must take easy courses to start with. For my first of five semesters I have french, english (more than one level), finnish and physical education. It is a very nice break from last year. Today I am also supposed to start soccer but I am not sure if we will still have practice because there is a huge rainstorm outside. 

So far, I am very happy with my host family, everyone is very kind. At language camp we had a few presentations about Finland and its people and I was really starting to get homesick. The teachers said that people are very shy and you always have to have a reason to interupt someone, but so far I have made a lot of friends. :)

P.S They found my luggage it was in Amsterdam.

God Bless,

Sophie

My front yard.

On the porch beside my room.

My bedroom.

Hello Everyone!

I am now done my language camp in Karkku. I left today with my counseller Pavoo and I am very glad to say that he is very nice! On the way to Hamina we had lunch with his wife's sister and her two boys. After that we went on to Hamina. Here I met my first host family, the Salminens. So far I like them very much. They have a beautiful home on the edge of the baltic sea, so I can go canoing or boating whenever I want.  Their home is very beautiful! 

On Tuesday I will already start school, I am very nervous but I will try my best to make friends!

Today I experienced my first Finnish sauna and it was very nice!

I hope all is well at home and take care! 

P.S I will put photos very soon.

Hello everyone,

I have arrived safely, although I am very tired and sick. It is very difficult to try and learn a language without a voice. Some people think that it is how I normally sound. 

So far I am having fun, but the bus driver that brought me to camp lost my luggage. It has made my stress level go up a lot if you know what  mean. I have only been in Finland for two days now, its strange to think because the scenery is very similar to Canada. Yesterday morning, I woke up wondering where in the world I was. Well I just ask everyone to keep me in their prayers.

Love you all!

Sophie

Hey Guys, this is my first post I'm just trying this thing out. I would like to thank my friend Faye for having made my blog, although I don't exactly know how to work this program , I will learn eventually. So, right now I am waiting for my visa with only eight days left before I leave I am starting to panick. Anyways hope this works, and wish me luck!