1/30/2015

...Lately

New semester was about to start last thursday but we did a half day on wednesday, because it was going to snow all day. And it actually did. New semester started on friday and my new classes are Geography, Psychology, Ceramics and Econmics. English, Spanish, Chorus/Studyhall stays all year around.

Last weekend was really good, I did so many things! I had sleepover with Emily at my friends Jordyn's house. We watched movies and just spent time together. On saturday we slept late and went bowling with her family, it's always fun, even if I am really bad at it (and the last one).. We decided to go to movies that night and also (another :D) Emily joined with us. We saw ''They Boy Next Door'', and it wasn't really good movie, because of the ending. I still love this local movie theater, we should have these kind of seats back home THEY'RE SO COMFY.


I have had great week so far, and weekend started really well! On monday I went for wings with my friends to local restaurant (every monday you'll get 10 wings for 3$) and then we went for ice cream to dairy queen.  Any dairy queen lovers out there...?  My friend works there, so my friends and I got special ice creams! I really have found people I am similar with and I can definitely be myself around them. We had so much fun that night.

I spent my tuesday at home and then went to musical practice. I enjoy being there, because, well I like singing and dancing even if I am not really good at either one...  And with the best people, that's why I am always in such a good mood after our rehearsals.

On wednesday we had musical pictures after school (I was just in crew picture, but anyhow). After that,  I went to my friend Emma's house with  Erin, Carley, Lauren and Cady and we ordered chinese food. Yummm, It's always so good in here. Later that night our family went to my brothers hockey game and then we ran to Walmart to get few things.

          I already know I won't like Valentines day...         Lovely picture of Carley and Lauren

I am going to need this weekend so bad, I just want to sleep late... Tomorrow we have softball open gym, so basically you can go there and just play a little before season and "real" practices start.  We'll see how softball works for me, hopefully it's fun because I really do like team sports! Sunday is super bowl, and even if our family doesn't watch football that much, we will have friends coming over and have a little party together.
Perogies? Mozzarella sticks and boneless wings. Healthy, huh?

Sunday is February 1st and I don't want spring to come but I do want that weather though. Yesterday morning was -15 degrees.  I am finn, I hate and can't stand cold.  And äiti,  you know that I won't wear tights under my jeans. NEVER, EVER.

Have a nice and cold weekend everyone!

-Ell

1/18/2015

Favorites!

So I have almost been here half of my exchange year (can't believe it), so I am pretty much gotten into this culture. So, I wanted to tell/list things that I really like in America and hopefully able to bring some of them with me.

It's weird that there is so many things that I still want to do and experience, but unfortunately time is running. Maybe I should do something new at least once a week. Spring is going to be busy because of musical and sports....but that's also something new to me!

Refills (drinks)
Basically where ever you go, you can fill your drink as many times as you want. Why don't we have chance to get refills in Finland?  No. You have to buy a new drink.

Cars
I know it's not enviroment friendly to use cars all the time but,but... I love long car rides, car rides with my friends, going drive-ins and when we have to run to grocery store to get milk at 11pm.... It's also funny that someone who's younger than me can drive me places, haha.

Parties/get together's
Movie nights, christmas parties, bonfire nights, birthdays,dinners.. Americans now how to throw parties! Friends and family together (it doesn't matter here), sharing laughs, having good time and always tons of food.  This is one thing I know I am going to miss, just spending time with lovely people ❤️

School spirit
We really don't know this term in Finland. Honestly there is no such a thing. I love going to watch football, soccer, ice hockey and basketball games with my friends and cheer our school in the student section. Right now basketball, wrestling and hockey season is going on. On march I'm going to start playing softball. Supporting and being part of my high school feels awesome! There is so many different school events, clubs and sports that try to bond and get people together. I love all the high school clothing, sweatshirts, longsleeves. It doesn't matter if the soccer or musical season is going on; you can order clothing.  American and Finnish school system is really really different.

People
More laugh, more smiling, better manners, more open minded, caring and warm people. That was my first impression of Americans. Of course it doesn't come to everyone that I have met,but most of them. Just small things like a thank you, you're welcome, calling honey and holding a door for someone is something  that comes automatically from people.  I have gotten close friendships here quicker than in Finland. It can be part of the exchange year, because you really are trying to make new friends and get to know everyone (but still). I love my friends parents and I always enjoy talking with them. That's funny because in Finland it can be kind of awkward and weird. Here people text each others parents and actually like spend time together (and having a really good conversation with an adult and knowing that he's also interested is pretttttty nice.)

Prices
Well, this doesn't surprise anyone. If you love shopping and cheap food America is the right place for you.  I will never stop thinking about prices in euros though. I just need to know, almost everytime, but now I usually know how much it is without converting. Just going for a lunch with your friends is under 10 euros. It's just so weird. I'm so use to count my money before we go to restaurant in Finland... The first week I got here I had bought already like four pairs of shoes, whoops. So remember to save some money!! However, it's really annoying that prices don't include taxes here, they add it when you're paying. I hate that because when I think I have enough money for something, it's actually more...


Aaaand, there is so many other things (...food) that I like here, but I wanted to keep this short. And actually it's not short at all.

Tomorrow is Martin Luther King day and we have no school, yay! My hostbrother has birthday and other brother is going to back to college. It's going to be weird because he had almost two month christmas brake and he won't be home after tomorrow.

-Ella









1/05/2015

American Christmas

This comes a bit late but better later than never!





 ....And Christmas morning


 One of my favorite presents! Love it. 



Christmas eve dinner

I had a wonderful Christmas! Most of the pictures are taken on 25th. On 24th we had dinner with my host dad's family at his dads house. The next day (Christmas day) host mom's family came to our house and we had lunch together. It was nice to be part of their Christmas.

-Ella