PROM 2015

These girls are gold!

Prom was held two weeks ago, I just haven't had time or patient to come here and tell you about it. I really didn't have any expectations I just wanted to experience it like everyone else.

Sam and I & Justin and Jordyn

I got my nails done with my friend Erin on friday (8th) and later I had a hair appointment. I went to Erin's house to get ready with my other friend Emma. Then we drove to my other friends house, who finally drove all of us and my date to this pretty garden where we took our pictures.

Jordyn

We still wanted to go to the hotel next to us since lot of our friends went there. We got some really nice pictures and then finally after a short drive we arrived to this place (lodge) where the dance was. Everyone got to eat dinner (buffet) and the food was okay. After that people started dancing like in homecoming/other school dances, and they played popular pop-, slow- and line dance songs. I danced the whole time, but obviously we didn't wear our heels and my dress was waaay too long, so my dancing was kind of well, limited. They had also set up a photo booth where you could take these cute pictures and luckily they were free!

The best host parents in the whole world!

Our prom had a theme and it was Alice In The Wonderland. I really didn't notice it though, in the middle of the dances I remembered that we actually did have a theme... The whole night went so fast, and before I noticed it was over. I felt like I was living my real ''American (dream) life'' because a) my first real prom b) I was the only foreign exchange student, but the last song ruined everything. It was 'I am proud to be American'. You should have seen my face when the song came on, haha.

Sam and I

Our school didn't have their own ''after party'', how some schools do like bowling etc. Quite many students had their own bonfires and parties. I went to couple bonfires that my friends had, stayed there for a little and then eventually went home and hung out with my host momma (late night talks are the best!!)

Mindy, Me, Jillian

Did I have fun? Yes. Was it different that I thought it would be? Yes and no. I was so hyped about prom in February and my friends were making fun of me, so I kind of tried to calm down.... Then the week before prom, it didn't even feel like it was the next week! I think 50 dollars is a big price of it, and if you would buy 300 dollars dress and do your hair at hairdresser, it would be crazy expensive. I was very happy that I could borrow my dress from my friend, and it was also really pretty one!

In general Prom was nice and I would love to go there again... Now I am really looking forward to graduation and my grad/goodbye party, even if my heart will broke in pieces.

The best brothers I could wish for

Thank you for the pics Kim, you always do a great job!!

-Ella

Softball Banquet

Banquet (May 4th) was lovely in every way. We had our last softball game and I had my senior night. I started in Varsity's game and then went down to JV's. Both teams won, and then was time to go to the banquet. We started with dinner, everyone had brought something to eat (seniors were lucky we got to bring drinks).

Coaches made their speeches for us and seniors, and I got to tell you that I will miss softball so much... Even if I was really struggling at first, and I was so ready to give up in January, this was one of the best decisions I've made here. I got new lovely friends, I got to know amazing personalities and  I learned something new. I never thought I would start a completely new sport as a almost 18-year-old. Even if I still don't know how to throw the ball correctly, I think I did something right, haha. I am just saying, it's pretty hard to go from soccer to play softball, but I loved it.

When I get told that I actually did really great this season, I am hitting the ball in varsity games and that how I have developed as a player these past few months makes me so happy. Sometimes I'm too hard to myself, but then I remember that I just started, and there I am playing with the girls, who are super good and I should be proud!

Every senior got a basket full of her favorite sweets, goodies, and a poster that other players had written a little messages. I looove these posters so much! I have couple more at home, and I am taking all them with me to Finland. After all this, seniors still got this huge, framed picture (our yearbook photo) of all of us and couple individual pics. It was coolest thing ever, I really appreciate that amount of work they did for us...

One of my best friends Emma made a lovely speech for me. There was/were always a player(s) talking one of our seniors. The people who know me well enough, know that I am very emotional (crybaby) and especially during my exchange year... I am glad they had tissues there, haha. You don't even know how happy I felt that night. Maybe middle of my exchange my mom always kept asking me ''Whose your best friends there?'' I always told her that I have many close friends. As many of you know (exchange students) in America best friend label is a little different... Anyways, right now,  I know who my best friends are, after eight months. Being without your best friends back home is really hard. So, when my ''ex'' close friends tell me I am one of their best friends during speech (or whenever!) feels incredibly good. I was always afraid to say to someone that they were my best friends because here, it's so different. But not anymore!

Tomorrow we are having a senior trip to Baltimore. I am really excited! I will take my camera with me so hopefully I'll make time to take some pictures. AND when I find time, I will put pictures from prom which was awesome!

Sad, but happy
-Ella

Life is good

I haven't posted any pictures lately, and I apologize for that. These pictures are from March and April!

 At a senators baseball game

Life

 After musical cast party (I am not in the picture)

Our family in one picture

 Seniors at the open mic night (choir that I am in)

 Bff's!! I guess we can't get good picture together

 At my surprise birthday party

My amazing 'Dairy Queen' Ice cream cake!

-Ella

April and Easter

So much happening this week and so excited! I had such a great time last weekend(27-27th of March). On friday my host family took me to ice hockey game where local team played. They lost, however it was interesting game and it was nice to spent time together. Every time I watch hockey I feel like home, it just reminds me of Finland!

Saturday. I got my nails done with my friend Amanda and her mom. When I got home, we started baking 'Slutty brownies' with my host brother. You start with the chocolate chip cookie layer, top with oreos and then you pour the brownie batter on it. SO yummy, rich, and gooey. Later that night, around 10pm Amanda and her mom came over, because her mom was going to dye my momma's hair. I wanted to get highlights and I got them! This was the first time in my life when I ''dyed'' my hair (Ella, soon-to-be-18-year-old ). And I love them, it was good choice to start with highlights, so I don't ruin my hair... We had a blast, as always, with our friends and family. It was 2:30am when they left. Can you tell we had good time?

Sunday we had my host family's cousins birthday party at Sky Zone. It was so much fun, I found my inner kiddo again!!

Easter

Easter was my last american holiday, dislike :( Anyways. Easter was more than I expected but it included a lot of family time. Our ''spring brake'' was from thursday till sunday (2-5th of April). Monday was supposed to be off, but we had one snow day in February, so we had to made it up.

On wednesday my friend had a first bonfire of the year, and it was so nice! We should have bonfire nights in Finland too. The next morning we went for a breakfast to the closest diner, I just simply love them. The first softball game was played on thursday and we won. I was realllly nervous, but I did it! Later that night my family did their first Easter tradition, egg painting. So they are real hard boiled eggs, and then you can tie dye, draw or dip them in different colors (it's dyed vinegar so you can eat them later) and it was actually really cool. I was just disappointed to myself because they didn't turn out as I wanted. Oh well, that was my first time. 

On friday I made Finnish cinnamon rolls, and buttery eye pastries (voisilmapulla) for dinner we had that same night. I doubled the recipe, sooo then I ran to grocery store because we didn't have enough flour, whoops. I went out with my friend Jordyn, because it was so nice out and we went for a hike, and the weather was hot (but I don't complain). Spring is here, or would I say summer cause 20 C is pretty warm to us Finns. 

 We had dinner with my host dad's family/siblings and their kids. One word. CRAZY. SO much kids, so loud and so much happening at the same time. But I really do like to spend time with them.

Well saturday was little bit different than I thought it would be. I had a surprise birthday party. Everybody had planned this so well! My friend Jordyn had asked me to sleepover at their house on friday evening, and the next morning we had to be home at 2:30pm. I am not the smartest, but everything makes sense now though, haha. We were supposed to go over my host mom's parents and have a Easter egg hunt. I was confused because we couldn't go home any earlier, but I really didn't care. I walked in to our house and there they were, my friends and family screaming surprise at me! I was so surprised and I started crying. Actually there is a video of it on Facebook. I am glad someone recorded my reaction, it's hilarious now :D I had a blast, I have such an amazing family and friends who made it happen. They're a blessing. So many friends and family friends showed up, and it made me so happy that they used their time to come over. I will remember this birthday forever, it just warms up my heart to even think about it...

Saturday night ended up with good friends. We went to movies and saw a scary movie called 'It follows'. Even it was a pretty bad movie it's always fun to watch horror with group of people.

On Sunday we finally had our Easter egg hunt! First we had to find our own baskets. My basket was filled with chocolate, different candy and cute water bottle. We emptied our baskets and then was the time for egg hunt. I think that's a fun tradition and I could see my kids doing it.

...And then Easter lunch. We ate it with my host mom's parents, her brother, Justin's girlfriend and host dad's dad. We had ham, mashed potatoes, gravy and corn, that is what they usually eat. Food was good and we had a great time together. Easter was definitely a fun holiday!!

Last week was busy. Three softball games and so many plans. On tuesday I had my birthday!!! finally 18! I had awesome day with lovely people. We also went to Buffalo Wild Wings (restaurant) that I have wanted to go for a long time. And the wings were so good... We were supposed to have a softball tournament on saturday, but it got cancelled because of the fields bad condition.  On saturday we had sleep over at my friends Carley's house. We had a little party for us since we had our birthday so close (Carley 9th) to each other. Just hanging out by the fire, listening to music and sharing laughs with my best friends makes me incredibly happy.

Spring season started and we got our first win! Oh how I've missed soccer! I love to play with my travel team, I really enjoy it.

I am truly sorry, but no pictures for now :( I just wanted to come and write something, I promise I'll do a blog post that includes JUST pictures.

Have a nice week everyone, already hump day!
Ps. this was older post, but I didn't have time to finish it, soooo that's why the text is little bit odd, haha.

-Ella

...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

Halloween

Halloween was pretty awesome. I was prepared early by buying halloween stuff from Walmart for my costume. At first I was planning to be clown, but then the costume looked awful and luckily I got new idea. I picked my sisters winter boots and snowpants, I borrowed Tom and Jerry hoodie. (which was really small :D) put two low pony tails, bows to each side and little bit make up. Oh, and I carried a teddy bear and a baby bottle.

  So is it trick or treat or just a treat? What I can remember from my childhood (those few times I saw someone going trick or treating...) that if someone wasn't home or they didn't have any candy you would really do some tricks. Kids actually carried toothpaste with them and really used it. Here people either sat outside, they had basket filled with candy somewhere near their door but most common was to leave porch light on (and then kids knew that you can go there). People gave so much candy it's crazy!! I have enough for the rest of my year, haha. My sisters gym teacher had grill outside of his house and he gave kids candy and hotdogs. That was so good idea! Our trick or treat was on thursday though. Usually it's on friday but here where I live it's thursday because it's safer, it is not friday (because usually people have halloween parties), there can be drunk drives etc. If this change helps I don't mind. That only means we have longer halloween! ;)

  Halloween in Finland is nothing like here and maybe that's why people won't open their doors for kids. We don't ''celebrate'' it and adults/old people are confused when kids with creepy costumes come to knock their doors. We have halloween parties, nightclubs maybe have costume contests, there might be halloween lunch at school (yeah right, ''halloween''...) and expensive halloween stuff/costumes but trick or treat is not a big deal. I feel really old because I can't remember have I done it before?? I think so but I am not sure!

I am really glad that I experienced american halloween and it was way better that it is in Finland, no doubt. Next year I'll promise carve pumpkins (lots of them <3), throw a halloween party and try to change Finland's halloween, haha.

 On friday, sleepover at Cady's house. I was there after 11pm but we spent the whole next day together! We watched American Horror Story (ooh, I just love that show!!) and next morning we went to The Hearth for breakfast. First american breakfast and it was so good and under 8 dollars??? Cady and I are soulmates we LOVE breakfast, I like her. She curled my hair and I have forgotten how nice my hair can actually look.

 Later on saturday Cady's church had some halloween event and I went with her, her big brother and dad. We dressed up as cat and bunny. There was different activities, food and hay ride.

I had really nice halloween and weekend. I have been here two and half months and just saying it feels really weird...

-Ella

Here I am

Oon pahoillani etten oo ehtiny kirjotella mitään, mutta aikaa ei oo vaan ollut. Itseasiassa en oo lukenu muitakaan blogeja pitkään aikaan! Meillä oli siis neljän päivän leiri New Yorkissa ja sunnuntaina saavuin perheeseen. Ajattelin tehdä erillisen postauksen reissusta, kunhan vain ehdin. Nyt oon ollut perheessä noin kolme päivää. Hostfamily haki mut sunnuntaina Nycistä ja ajettiin Pennsylvaniaan about 3 tuntia. Auto matkan jälkeen mentiin hostmumin kanssa hoitamaan mun physical paperit kuntoon, jotta pystyn pelaamaan koulussa. Menimme syömään ravintolaan The Hearth, joka on kuulemma tosi suosittu täällä ja sieltä saa kaikenlaista ruokaa. After that suuntasimme kotiin ja hostsiskot esittelivät taloa mulle.

Illemmalla hostisoveljen girlfriend Jordyn ja hänen kaverinsa Emily tulivat käymään täällä, moikkaamassa mua. Ihan mahtavia tyyppejä! Jordynin kanssa oon puhunut jo facebookissa aiemmin ja pelaan hänen kanssaan socceria. Mentiin myöhemmin illalla  Dairy Queeniin jätskille ja mukaan tuli vielä hostpikkusiskoni Alyssa. Kaikki he ovat kyllä niin ihania! Tuliaiset kelpasivat, huh ja hostmami tykkäsi salmiakista ja täytetyistä lakuista, mikä oli hassua. 

Ensimmäinen koulupäivä oli eilen maanantaina ja menimme kuuden aikaan aamupalalle The Hearth:iin.
Oppilailla on tapana mennä aamiaiselle jonnekkin (ainakin seniorit menevät) ekana koulupäivänä. Siellä oli paljon mun koululaisia ja mut esiteltiin monelle.Yleensä muistan kaikkien nimet tosi helposti, mut nyt alkaa täällä mennä aika vaikeeks, haha. Koulussa olin aika hukassa, mut hostmom oli pyytäny mun hostveljeä auttamaan mua löytämään oikeet luokat ja menemään ajoissa. Kiitos, se auttoi kyllä paljon! Tänään koulussa kulkeminen oli jo paljon helpompaa. Kaikki on aika erilaista, mut siks just tosi hauskaa. Ekan ja tokan päivän perusteella viihdyn aika hyvin täällä. Illalla mentiin syömään wingsejä paikalliseen ravintolaan ja ne oli kieltämättä aaaika hyviä. Mukana oli myös heidän tuttava perheensä ja lapset, jotka käyvät samaa koulua.

Joka päivä koulun jälkeen on soccer harkat 3-5pm. Tytöt mun jengistä on tosi mukavii ja otti mut ilosesti vastaan. On kivaa, kun koulussa moikataan ja on monia kelle voi mennä juttelemaan. Tänään meillä oli harjoitus peli, mutta mulla ei oo vielä lupaa pelata,joten katsoin matsin ja juttelin vaihtopelaajien kanssa!

Tuun kirjoittelemaan myöhemmin koulusta, perheestä etc. Tää oli vaan tämmöinen pikainen kuulumis postaus, että täällä mä siis oon, onnellisena!

-Ella