At the moment

So my computer is messed up, and I need to buy a virus program? (Or whatever it's called...) The only thing that I can do right now is put it on, put my password and then the screen turns into black. Frusfrating, annoying and I have no clue what I have done wrong. I really hope I could fix it soon, because all my pictures are there and I JUST NEED MY COMPUTER.

Anyhow, I have had fun the past few weeks. I have so many cool things coming up and still planning more! We will have a senior trip in May and we're going to Maryland to Baltimore. In Baltimore we will go to watch a baseball game and that will be probably my first real baseball game, I am sooo excited. Hopefully they have planned a nice day for us! I play soccer in travel team (team outside of school) here and we will have a tournament in June. It will be in New Jersey, next to the beach!! Soccer and hanging out on the beach, yes pleeease.

On March 12th we start our musical performances  and we have three of them. Crazy, how we started on January and now we have like, what, five weeks left til our shows!?  Also last week I auditioned to another choir in our school. We have two of them. One where everyone will get in and the other one is "high school Chorale" where they have auditions, and they are really good.  Thanks to my lovely friend Carley, who helped me with my song for auditions :) ! So, I got in, though I feel really bad singer at there but it's so much more fun and the most important I enjoy it.  I sing five times in a week  and I have musical twice a week. When I got here, I never knew that I would do singing this much. I did music and singing when I was younger and I quit it when I was about 12. So after that I've basically sung karaoke and in the shower, haha.

Yesterday we went for dinner to Texas Road House with my two friends and then watched a movie at Erin's house. We had to wait about an hour before we got a table so we went to walmart to walk around, trying to kill time. Then we got our table, we were starving and had an appetizer and their delicious bread. Surprise, we were so stuffed after that we couldn't eat much our main course, basic...

Today I went to my sister's basketball game and right now I am at the hockey meeting with my host mom. I have soccer game later tonight at 10pm... Aaand tomorrow is monday, how fun is that?

Happy sunday everyone!

-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

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

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

2014

Ew. It really makes me feel bad to say that 2014 is almost over. It went so quick. Year after year time is going faster... The first weeks here went really slow. First month felt like I had been here two months. Now month is more like a week to me, and it freaks me out.

2014 wasn't easy in many ways. Not at all... However, I have learnt so many new things, I have seen who my real friends are, I have made many new friends that hopefully stays forever in my life.  Family has came so much  more important to me. It always has been but this year has taught that I want to keep them even closer. And now I am in America and some things like celebrating my sisters 20s in January makes me feel sad. But she knows I would want to be there celebrating her.

 I've noticed that strange family from different country can become your second family. And I am telling you, that's pretty amazing. To have other family that you can call your family, who opened their life for you.  I never thought I could get this close with my ''host''family. I got chance to get know their relatives and family friends who also are lovely and caring people. I am just so glad that I end up here.

January

We had 'isosleiri' again. Actually I just have to say I don't remember much about January anymore. I celebrated New Years eve with my best friends.

February

Bad picture with good friends

I got my placement information that I had waited so long! That moment was magical. I don't even remember much about it because I was so so nervous. We had winter break and I spent time with my friends. We had so much fun! I don't know why but I just don't have any pictures...

March

Pretty much just every day life. School, soccer, gym, home and friends. 

 Church events. Bowling!

April

I had my birthday and I felt ''old''. I got surprise birthday present from my family in America. It made me so happy.

 Birthday present!

 ...And I sent this back! 

 My best friend and I had a birthday party together

 Soccer camp with my team

 Vappu ''Workers day''

May

We were getting closer and closer to summer. It was hard to concentrate to school when you knew that exchange and summer were around the corner. I had my Into orientation weekend where I got so much information and learnt new things about exchange year. I met lovely people who had the same dream that I did and so much things to share with. I had a trip with my mom to Mallorca. Maybe not the best timing (yes dad you were right) but we had so much fun. I will never forget it. And yes, you can actually have fun just with your mom. That thought has changed, haha! Also our high school had a cruise to Sweden.  I was really happy and looking forward to summer...

June

Ahh finally, summer! I was so excited about summer but also scared of that I won't go back to school after this break. This was my first summer when I got a job and I really enjoyed it. I had nice workmates and I hope I can work there also next summer. I was a youth leader at church camp (second time) and again, we had a blast. I just love to be there and this time we had an awesome group of people. It's always so much fun especially being a youth leader! We stayed five days at my friends aunts house and took care of her dogs. We also threw a surprise party for my friend and it was so cool to see her reaction. I spent ''midsummer day'' at our cottage with my dad, his parents and my friend. 

 Surprise party!

July

Just spending quality time with friends and family (and enjoying soccer's World Cup!!!). So actually July was my ''vacation'' because I worked whole June expect weekends. Had a rest of the church camp and ''good bye''-party with my best friend later in July. I felt really thankful for my friends and we really did have a good time. Awesome to have a friend group like that. 

August

I had waited this month so long. It was funny when my friends went to school and I was still home. I just tried to find out things to do so I wouldn't gotten bored. I almost got three weeks before I left. I spent time with my sister and we did many things together. It was nice because she wasn't working anymore and I didn't have school. We went our cottage with my family and I had a day trip to Estonia with my friends. My first trip to abroad without parents, haha! 

 I bought little things I needed, tried to understand that I was really leaving and just wanted to be at home. I also had to say good bye to my friend who left to America before I did... It was hard and I realized that I was leaving really soon. I went electronic music festival called ''Weekend Festival'' and once again, it was awesome. We always have so much fun and the fact that you can share that with your best friends is pure love.
When was time to leave I really were ready for it. First we had camp in New York for four days and then was time to go to PA! I started my American high school on 25th of August. The day after I came to America, so really soon. That day really changed my life. I remember my first week here so well!

Not ready for picture though...

 Hershey Park

 First football game

September 

Everything was new and exciting. I started playing soccer and met my team. They were all really nice from the beginning and we had an awesome season! This year was the best so far, it was right year to come I suppose ;) I was insecure with my English and sometimes I was afraid of people would correct me all the time. But that's how it is, people should do that not just think about that they understand you. Otherwise you won't learn! I was just trying to adjust the thought that I would be here next 10 months. I am really happy right now that we were so busy, because I didn't have time to think Finland. We had sports literally every day. I got known people better and wanted to try all the new stuff. September was fun!

'

October
America taught me to love fall. Before, I thought fall was boring and rainy. Here people adore it! Pumpkins (everywhere), all the decorations, halloween, bonfires... I think they enjoy it more here. I went homecoming dances and tried to find a dress from four different malls. Yes, we found it and I was glad I didn't buy the first one I saw... It was fun experience and now I really know how it is.
Otherwise just every day life, soccer, school and still trying to settle in. We had school events like powder puff football game for senior and junior girls. All the money went kids who have a cancer,

November
This month I understood many things. I felt I have good friendships and things were settled down. I was in the right place. My english was so much better and I was getting more confident with it. Soccer season was over and I wanted to do sports. I tried basketball but yep, it wasn't for me. I was still really glad that I had the courage to go to their practices. So getting out from my comfort zone!
Ice hockey season started and I went many games with my friends or family. They're always so much fun! Thanks giving was 27th of November and I helped making our dinner. I experienced Black Friday shopping and I LOVED IT. Eating dinner? or breakfast? at five and shopping the whole night was cool!

December
I couldn't believe it was already here, I went basketball games with my friends, I did lot of Christmas shopping and had few school events. I made gingerbread cookies (with finnish recipe!) and finnish christmas tarts that turned out really good! People loved them. I had to have little piece of Finland, yum.
Our family got invited to other organizations ''Internatinal dinner'' and it was really neat to meet other exchange students because I am only one at our school. I spent time with new people and I think we got closer. I got invited to Christmas party and we had really good time (I should throw parties like that in Finland). We also did a day trip to New York City, and I just have to say I love it more and more everytime. So thankful for my hostmom <3
 Christmas was fun. People really make my christmas and I love to be around this family and their families. Now on brake I have enjoyed Christmas and spent some time with my friends and family. Tonight we're having a New Year's eve party and I couldn't be more excited!! Many people are coming and I am sure we will have so much fun. I'm kind of  ready for 2015 but I don't want to say good bye to 2014 because almost half of my exchange year is gone.

 Christmas Village.

Basketball!

Thank you all for being part of my year. Bye 2014! 

-Ella