sophie getting finnished

2010-06-05T00:47:00.000-07:00

Moi Kaikille!!!
Tomorrow I leave on my Eurotour.! I'm quite excited but everything is going so fast. I won't be on my computer so much so forgive me if I'm not answering messages. School finished yesterday officially. These past days have been some of the best in my exchange. I'm having lots of fun and God keeps bringing good people my way. I hope all is well at home! Miss you all but we will be together soon!!
Love!!
Sophie

2010-05-27T00:03:00.000-07:00

Hei Bloggers! This Post is long over due. I meant to write again on the 8th of May the day I came back from my trip to Russia with my host family. I wanted to write it before because I had so much on my mind and then I wanted you guys to experience all the things that I had. Well to begin, my host family suggested me to come to Viipuri for a day trip with them since I wasn't going on the rotary Russian tour. Hamina my city is very near to the Russian border so it's very easy to travel there. (Well I guess other then going through security it was easy.) My host Grandmother was our tour bus guide which was nice. :).
So in the morning of the 8th we set off to Viipuri, Russia. Viipuri was actually an old Finnish city but after the war the Russians won the territory an to be quite frank the Finns are still very bitter about it, but if you knew a Finn you would understand why. It's in their nature to be proud. I think it's something they learn at a very young age. Anyways, right when we crossed the border, I knew I was in a different country, Russians and Finns are the exact opposite. Everything is built differently the ditches were filled with trash and the houses and villages were very poor. It made me very sad to see this.
When we arrived to Viipuri I could see a change in the people. Unlike Finns Russians are very talkative and not at all reserved. I don't think they get scared of anything. haha. The markets were filled with full animal bodies and all sorts of different things. I know you might all think that this wasn't nice to see but I loved it. It was cool seeing something so different then what I'm use to.
During the tour we rode around the city and we listened to a little bit of the the town's history. After we had a little bit of time to shop in a WalMart type store. It was cool to see how much the food is different and what different cultures prefer. For example there was a rabbit with his feet still there and fur. After we went to the market, my favorite place. :). We got a whole bunch of stuff for really cheap. :). The salesman were funny as usual. We also had time to eat in one of the local restaurants and we had nothing different just pizza "Russian style". Then it was time to go home and I was very tired and I slept most of the way back. It was a very well worth trip and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to go there.

Now it's already time for Eurotour. I leave on the 6th of June, so only 11 more days! I'm really excited but it's sad because I'm going to miss spending summer with my friends in Hamina. I know it sounds weird but it's just I don't know when will be the next I will ever see them again. I wrote my last test yesterday and now school is over for me. Right now I'm spending as much time as I can with everyone before I leave. My heart is seriously ripping out of my chest. I didn't know that leaving would be this hard. :(. Well I hope all is well and I'll keep you updated.
Miss you!
xoxox

2010-05-05T12:09:00.001-07:00

Hello Bloggers!!!
So I hope all is well back home. My exchange is already reaching it's final stretch. I only have about 2 more months to profit as much as my heart will let me. Since living in my new host family things have been going so well. I really like them and I actually really feel like I'm a part of them. Many things have happened since I last spoke to you guys. I hope I can remember everything...
First I had a rotary conference in Iisalmi with all the other exchange students from my district. It was so nice to see everyone again because for some us the last time we saw each other was in the month of November. My district in Finland isnt very active but it is also because the area is quite big and it is difficult to get everyone together. During the weekend we got to hang out with each other and of course we had to listen to a few boring speaches...nothing new. :)

The exchange students from my district.
Last Thursday I went to Sirkus Finlandia, which was very neat. I had already been to a Circus but a long time ago when I was really little. There were a lot of clowns and gymnists from all over EUrope. It was very nice.

Janina and I with a clown from the circus.
On Friday it was Vappu. Vappu is a day where the Finns celebrate the beginning of spring. There are a lot of people in the streets and balloons and ribons etc. At the begining of the evening I went to a local BBQ for my neighborhood and then I went to town to hang out with some friends. I had so much fun!

Me, Vilma and Emmi...My friends. :)
On Monday I visited the Fazer Chocolate Factory! It was so nice, we got to eat all the chocolate we wanted. It was a little overwhelming though, I must admit. At the end they gave us a bag full of treats from Fazer. By the way Fazer is the Finnish chocolate that is way better than any chocolate you can buy in Canada! :P. I will bring some back home for all to try! :).
Well I miss you all but we will be together soon!
God Bless!!!
xoxo

2010-04-12T07:35:00.000-07:00

PyhÄ
Hello Readers,
I Have risen from the dead! I'm back just in time for spring. The lack of blogs were really so I didn't kill you of boredom. Now, I have a few things to tell you... First, I have a turtle living in my room! but that's not the most important. Let's begin with the start...
On the 27th of March I left for Lapland with my second host family for a ski trip. First we stopped at a rotary district camp to talk to the next year outbounds. It's so weird to think that just last year that was me all fearfull and excited to go on my exchange. :D. After we stopped at a hotel for the night because the trip up to Lapland is quite long. When we went to the restaurant there was a finnish style polka fest with all these old people dancing and having a good time. I felt like I was in a movie in the 60's (don't ask why).
At around 10 we left again and we arrived to a beautiful cabin outside the town of Luosto. My host parents decided to stay in a cabin because we were going to be there all week. On Sunday we didn't do anything special we just enjoyed the cabin and went to sauna. Starting on Monday we went to Luosto, and we changed hills everyday. After we went to Pyhä (my favourite place), Levi, Pyhä and then the last hill was Suomu. Every hill was no further then 100km, except for Levi was 200km. At first I was a little hesitant about the trip because I thought the hills would be so boring but I was proven wrong. The slopes were shorter but less dangerous and just as fun. :P.After every long day skiing we would relax by going to sauna of course and then enjoying a great home cooked meal. It was lot of fun and I'm very grateful that my host family brought me.
We left on Saturday the third of April and arrived in Isalmi to celebrate Easter with my host dad's father. After having eaten until I almost puked we left for Hamina. When we arrived in Hamina all the snow had almost melted and the weather was nice.

The Turtle.
Yesterday I changed into my third and last family before I leave for Canada. I was a little bit reluctant to leave but so far so good. With my Dad's advice I decided to 'stick with the plan ;).' The reason I didn't want to move is because my new host family lives out in the country side about 6km from town, I thought that I would never be able to go to town and see my friends but once I made the trip to town with my bike I realised I complained way to much as usual. It only took me 15 to 20 minutes which isn't bad at all and plus its very good excercise. My new Host family is very nice, there are 3 children, 1 girl and 2 boys. They have 2 dogs, a turtle (in my room), fish, cats and rabbits. So far I really like being back in the country I feel at home in a way.
Until next time take care and God Bless you all!!!
From your friendly neighbor SPIDERMAN!

My last new bedroom.

My new house. I edited it a little. :D

2010-03-18T08:28:00.001-07:00

Hello,
ok so my life is so boring haha. I don't have much to say because everything is becoming so normal now. :D. I guess it's a good thing, right?. Since Februrary I've just been hanging around the house, going to soccer practice and visiting friends. I always have to much time to think and my mind goes crazy thinking about what I should do. I've started making a small scrapbook of my year here in Finland to help pass some time. I've been putting all the important parts of my exchange in it and after I plan to make all my friends sign it. It's crazy that I've been in Finland for 7 months and a half already :S. I know I should be really busy but since i'm the only exchange student in Hamina this year it can be quite hard sometimes. At the end of each school period my friends all go into lock down mode studying and i'm always left the only one that isn't busy. Other then not being too busy school is great I love my friends there and my classes are going well. I wish I was in gym this period but I decided to take a small break which isn't a good idea. :(. Time is going by quite fast now, soon I will be in my last host family and spring will come at last. :). I will be very busy in the summer time, I can't wait! Well just thought I'd fill you in a little on my life!. I hope you still enjoy my unadventurous adventure! :PPP!
God Bless!
Soph

2010-02-28T02:35:00.000-08:00

Hey,
I'm so sorry about the the lack of blog entries for the month of February. The funny thing is that I did so many things this month. Instead of my usual boring blog I actually have something to say. This month has gone by so fast. It's already the last day of the month. I can't beleive that half my exchange has already flew by. In a way i'm really excited to come home and see everyone but I don't want to leave all my friends and I don't want to turn 19 :S. haha.
Anwyays, at the begining of the month it was koeviiko (examweek) so I went to Turku and visited a few of the other exchange students to help pass time. I had a week off and I couldn't hang out with my friends because they were all studying hard to pass there exams :(. I had lots of fun in Turku, the city is a little bit like Saskatoon. The week after my new period at school started. So far everything is fine but my schedual is a little bit boring and I wish I had more classes. I can pick more but at the same time there isn't any point in sitting in class that you can't participate in.
The third week in February was very busy. At school everyone was very excited. On Friday we had the Wanhojen Tanssi (old Dance) its to celebrate the 2nd years being the oldest in school. The Third years had the Penkarit to celebrate leaving the school. The whole school was decorated in this years theme 'the jungle.' All the third years wore costumes and threw candies at everyone. When I said threw I meant chucked candies at everyone. It was like Halloween. :D. I participated in the Old dance. I was very nervous because we were having trouble remembering all the dances but in the end it all went well.
After the dance weekend we had our February break. During the February break I went to Estonia for 2 days with my host Family. We travelled by ship across the Baltic sea. We went to the capital city Tallin. We stayed mostly in the orginal part of the city where all the buildings are very old. I loved the city, it was so beautiful. I felt like I was really back in the old days. The second day we were there was Estonia day so there were lots of parades.
The rest of the break I just stayed at home and visited some friends. I also watched a lot of the Olympics. It is so exciting to watch Canada win so many medals. The anticipation for the usa vs. can mens hockey match is killing me. I really hope we can win. :D Well thats all for now! I love you all and may God bless you!
Sophie

2010-01-25T05:13:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!

So I'm glad to inform you all that I am surviving the Finnish winter! I guess that should be obvious because living in Saskatchewan I've seen some pretty horrible winters. Its funny because for most exchange students winter is a whole new experience. I have had a few people ask me if it snows in Canada. I just laughed! I really like the Finnish winter because the weather is much more milder and there isn't as much wind. The trees are permanently covered in snow which makes everything so beautiful.

In my last blog I had informed you guys that I had switched host families. I have finally settled in. Its weird to think I've only been them 4 weeks. Now I only live 1 km from the school which is nice because I hate biking long distance in -20. Now I appreciate my big yellow bus back home. One thing I really miss is being able to drive :(. Its strange to always have to ask, but its also a good thing to learn to walk and bike more. I bike everywhere now and its a habit I hope to bring with me when I come back.

I know I'm not coming back yet but I don't want to leave Finland. I love it here and I have so many great friends that I can count on. I already know its going to be difficult leaving. :(. I'm already at the half way point of my exchange which is hard to beleive. I remember at this time last year I was freaking out about not going back home for the holidays. :D

School is going well as usual. Koeviiko (Test week) is coming up on Friday and all the 3rd graders in my school are leaving. Its sad because I won't get to see a lot of them after because they will be busy with other things. I don't know what I'm going to do during test week because I think I only have one exam. My Finnish is finally getting somewhere. I can understand a lot now and I can say a few things but as usual speaking is the difficult part.

Last week I was in the middle school almost every day making presentations in French and in English about Canada and a little about my life and my exchange. I was really surprised by the response. All the kids seemed to be very interested and asked a lot of questions. It was nice because I wasn't nervous at all. The only thing I wish I would have done differently is having a something to give them. If I have any advice to an exchange student is to pick wisely what you bring to give away. I obviously didn't think about it enough :S.

This weekend I went to Lappeenranta to visit a French exchange student Manon. I had lots of fun just hanging out.

Soccer is going well too. We aren't the best team but we are doing better then we were in outdoor. I wish I could be in a more competitive team but Hamina only has enough players for one team. I guess people aren't all that much into sports here. Also for sport I have been going to Uuperi a lot with my host dad. It is a down hill ski place. Its about the same size as Wapiti but steeper. I really enjoy this because it gives me something to do on the weekends.

Well that's all the news I have for this time! If your reading my blog please let me know and feel free to ask questions. :P

Love you all! Mimi je t'aime et j'mexcuse pour l'autre jour <3

Soph. xxx

My new room and bed.

My new house.

2010-01-05T11:38:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!

I hope you all had wonderful holidays with joy and love :). I had a great Christmas! On Christmas eve we went to mass and sang songs. We then went home and ate a lot of finnish Christmas food. I have to admit it wasn't my favorite but I survived :). After that we opened presents. It was so beautiful outside that night so I decided to go for a walk to think. It was so nice the city was so peaceful and cnadles were lit infront of many houses. It was very calming.

After Christmas my host family and I went to my host grand parents house in Imatra. My host dad and brother left early and my host mom, sister and I stayed back. It was very nice and relaxing.

On new years, my host family had a few friends over and then I invited a few friends. We went outside when the clock struck midnight to light fireworks. It was very nice.

Today I moved into my second host family. It was really sad to leave the first one because I had been living with them 5 months. I really liked them but I know that I can go visit there anytime I want. My new host family are the Paavo and Immi Rönkö. They have two boys Oscari and Samuli. They are both in the rotary club of Hamina. I still live close to the school. I think everything will be fine here they are also very nice people. I have to thank God for putting me in such great hands :).

Other then that everything is fine. I start school again on the 7th. Friends are great and I'm not feeling homesick. I miss you all a lot and I hope that you are all doing fine.

Je vous aimes. Priez pour moi!

Moikka!

Predicting my future on New Years.

Finnish Christmas Food.

2009-12-24T10:44:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-12-19T15:55:00.000-08:00

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.

2009-12-11T13:47:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-16T05:03:00.000-08:00

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

2009-10-28T10:14:00.000-07:00

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 :)!

2009-10-25T01:13:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-10-11T01:42:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-26T23:55:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-09-13T06:42:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-08-30T04:11:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-21T04:19:00.000-07:00

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! :)

2009-08-16T05:53:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-08-12T04:58:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-08-08T13:12:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-08-03T12:13:00.001-07:00

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

2009-07-25T20:20:00.000-07:00

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!