It was a busy holiday season here in Finland during the end of 2012 and beginning 2013. Many things have happened since I last wrote on my blog: I had Christmas at my summer cottage, brought in the New Year with many great friends, and lastly, I have recently moved in with a new host family.
Christmas at the summer cottage was so enjoyable and relaxing! The second day I was there I was able to going skiing at Sappee, a small but fun ski resort right by my summer cottage. It was so great starting the holiday season doing what I love. The next few days leading up to Christmas consisted of sleeping, going to the sauna and hot tub, shoveling snow, and preparing for the big day. On Christmas Eve we hung out and watched a Finland tradition on TV. The rules of christmas were read at 12 o’clock sharp. Then we ate a lot at dinner and went to the hot tub and after we opened presents! I worked up the courage to go swimming in a hole in the ice that we made during the day! It is something that is very popular here, kinda like the Polar Plunge or an ice dive. On Christmas day my host grandparents came to visit, which was very fun. I was also able to Skype with my parents back home and watch them open the presents I sent them. I even got to see my mother tear up while reading my card. It was hard being away from home on Christmas but it was made easier by spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day up at the cottage with such a great host family who made me feel so welcomed and loved.
Before I knew it, it was New Years Eve! It was such a fun night to spend here in Finland. I went to a good friends house to celebrate the end of 2012. We played games and sang karaoke, it was so much fun! After that we went to the center of town which is a meeting spot for all the kids to get together and have a good time while celebrating the past year and bringing in the new one. It was so fun to celebrate the bringing in of 2013 with my friends and almost all the kids from my school.
Right now I am writing this blog from my new bed, in my new home. I spent the first 5 months of my exchange with the Rihkanen family, and I could not have asked for a better family to welcome me to Finland. My new home is an apartment in the middle of town, and I mean the middle! From my living room window I look out at the town center. It is very convenient being within walking distance from mostly everything. This new family is just like my other host family. I have a new host mom, new host dad and a new host sister who is 20, just like my other host family and also like my family back home! Oh and how could I forget Ines, the chillest little dog ever! I feel right at home already and I have only been here for a couple of days. I can’t wait to get to know this family better!
2012 was a terrific year, although it was filled with some extreme sadness and hard times, it was also filled with celebration and happiness throughout the year. I started 2012 in my home town in Minnesota with my best friends, and ended it in Finland with many new friends that I plan on keeping close to for years to come. The start of 2013 has been great, and if it’s any representation of the year to come I can’t wait!
For now, One Love
Be safe, live for today and maybe ill see you tomorrow
Be safe, live for today and maybe ill see you tomorrow
