Weekend in the country side.

Well, This weekend we went up north to the countryside. It was very diffrent then here in the city. There were lakes everywhere, and the view was amazing. We went by train on Friday to go up to the summer cottage. We left around 3 pm. and got there by 6. The train was pretty cool. I have never been on one so it was a new thing to me. It was a great ride. We get to the summer cottage and that is where I met more of my hostfamilies surfamily. They were really nice. And they had a little dog that played soccer. It was pretty neat. Then We went and had dinner. It was AMAZING! It was sometype of steak and whatnot. It was really good. Then we went back to our cabin and just kinda hung out. It was a real relaxing time. The lake in front of you and just sitting on the dock taking in nature. It was a great time. Then we had coffee and just sat and talked. It was really nice. After that we went to bed so we could be rested for the next day. I woke up to someone drumming on their stomach which was making a lot of noise. It was my hostbrother. Bored. I am not a morning person. I did not like being woke up by the sound of drumming. Then we got dressed and showered and left the cottage and went to the family reunion. I had no idea who any of these people were nor did any of them speak alot of english. So.... I just sat there until the ones that I did know and that could speak english got there. Then I had a good time. It was really nice to get to meet other people in the family. We were drinking coffee when I got my first political question of the year. It was from my host brothers cousin. She is studying english at a university and is interested in american government. I felt kind of cornered by the question. I was getting pounded by so many facts that someone didnt know the other side of the story. I didnt like this at all. I just kinda gave my side of the story and said that she was entitled to her own opinion and that was mine. After that the day went smoothly.

Sleeping. Sleeping has been ok. These past couple nights I have had dreams about home. Things I couldnt fix. But, mostly dreams about my family, this is so hard. I miss them so much. I go from seeing them everyweeked to not seeing anyone for 3 weeks. And I still have a while to go. I dont know if these dreams are just a phase or what. I dont know. All i know is that it is so hard to sleep sometimes. I hope it gets better......

2 weeks

Well..... I have been here and the verdict is..... I love it! It is so beautiful and everything is so relaxing. I had my first day of school this week. It was interesting. The headmaster made the exchange student from Jersey get up and tell the school about our lives. Well.... first off. My school has 700+ people in it. I know I know. I do musicals for 900+ people. But, this is completly diffrent. The lights are on and you can see everybodys faces. That may be one of the scariest things that I have had to do here. I did it though. After indroducing and talking about me. We left for homeroom. I had so many people look and stare at me because I was diffrent. But, I knew going into this that it would happen. When I got outside the gym I had 3 past exchangee's come up to me and talk to me. It was nice to know that there were people there who I could talk to and things. They are all really nice. We went to homeroom where once again everyone was staring at me. But, the teacher knows that I am not from here. So, she translated in english for me. Thank you! After that we went to eat lunch. It actually was not that bad. Then I was done with school. I finish between 11.00 and 1.00 everyday. It is so diffrent then back home. After I left I went to my hostparents work...... I got lost. I was 1.5 hours late. I was alone in a foregin country and not knowing where I was going.... Not a good mix. I was instantly homesick then.. It was probally the worst day I could have. Homesick is not a good feeling. You feel sick to your stomach, you are very emotional and you just want to go home. After I got home I wrote to my mom. I was in tears the whole time. I couldnt hold it in. It was setting in that I was going to be gone from home for 10 months and I wouldnt be able to see them the whole time. It was the worst feeling that I ever had. I still feel it a little but, not as bad I did. Thank god! I know that I am not alone in the homesickness thing. But, it feels like you are. I think that my hostfamily could tell that I was. I dont know why, but, I think they could. I just ate and then went to bed after. The next day was great. Still felt a little sick but, not like I did. Thats good. Yesterday was a good day. School was ok. My spanish teacher knows no english just spanish and finnish, she is from chile. But, i told her that I understood spanish and she talked to me in spanish. thank you for making me take spanish for 3 years back in the states. I ate one thing that I would never had thought of.... reindeer. It was actually really good. It tasted like a very expensive steak. haha I went to youth group that night. it was good. I didnt understand anything. But its ok. I just listened to the music. After youth group we went to eat. It was really good too. Why is food here so good? After eating and trying to teach my friends english (went really well ha ha) When we got home we played ps3. I ROCKED AT SOCCER! 5-0 I WON! haha. then we came back in and i talked to my mom for a while. wow how i miss talking to her everyday. But, I guess this will do. Peace.

Im here!!

After a long 20 hours and one week. I made it to my host family. I had to go to Karkuu for a week long camp that is why i have yet to post a blog here in suomi. I really like it here. it is nice and everything. The camp taught us about the culture and the language. which is actually really easy.... I was really shocked. my host family picked me up today. they are really nice. we went to the lake and swam and then went and got icecream. after that i went and got dinner. then we ran a 4k. well now it is 11.00. i will write later.