Friends and Flags

My first term in Finnish School is finally coming to a close. This next week for most Finnish students is filled with tests. For most exchange students in Finland, it is a week off :). I am looking forward to week with very little school. I do like school, but what teenager wouldn't enjoy a break?

This past week, I was able to go on a few adventures. Here's some pictures to show you just what those adventures were.

My Sister's Horse, Whoops

I GOT TO RIDE HER!

I have ridden horses before, but in the United States I have always ridden western. Riding English is much different, but I am slowly learning.

She is the sweetest horse ever.

My sister is teaching me how to ride.

I'm not very good yet.

But I really enjoy it.

My friend Liz, who is from Canada and living in a city near Helsinki, came and visited me this past weekend. I was able to show her around my city, and we did a little photo shoot. Here's some of the best ones.

 

My favorite Canadian <3

We are super cute ;)

I'm proud to be a hoosier :)

And Lätty is showing some American Pride too.

Taking amazing photographs in Finland is so easy because everything is so beautiful! Photography has definitely become a new passion of mine!

Short but Sweet

I had my very first Rotary camp as an exchange student. Exchange students are some of the best people to hang around, especially while you are an exchange student. It is such a relief to be with people who understand what it feels like to be an exchange student. Although exchange is A LOT of fun, it isn't easy. It was nice to be able to spend my weekend relaxing with fellow exchange students. Here is some pictures from the weekend. I wish there were more, but I was too busy having fun to take pictures!!

The writing on my face is thanks to my "oldies." Oldies are mostly Australians who arrived last January. 

Our Lappeenranta Family

Some of The exchange students from District 1430

A group picture where I am holding the flag backwards.

The grounds for the camp were beautiful.

I'm sorry for the short post. It gets harder and harder to remember to blog as I have less and less free time. If any of my readers want to write me letters (PLEASE), message me on Facebook or send me an email. I will gladly give you my address! :)

The Longest, Fastest Month of My Life

Just as the title suggests, I have finished my first month here in Finland. Although this past month has flew by, I feel as though I have accomplished so much. I can't think of another month in my life that even begins to compare.

This past Saturday, I was able to go to Helsinki, Finland's capitol. The city is absolutely gorgeous. Here are some pictures from the trip:

My first Starbucks in over a month. They struggled with our foreign names.

Representing the USA in Helsinki

All of the buildings are beautiful.

An epic statue that 'peed' into the sea

We got to go on the Ferris Wheel pictured here. 

It was really cool to see the city from up high.

Cruises go from Helsinki to Estonia quite often. I hope to get to do this in the future.

The tall white building in the back is a church. (There are better pictures of it further down.)

The Baltic Sea

The Helsinki Cathedral Church

ME :)

The Cathedral is a humongous building

My Lovely Host sister Ella and I

Finland's Parliament Building

These trams are common public transportation in Helsinki

Ice cream :)

The sunset as we drove home was beautiful!

To all of you who complain about American gas prices, this is the equivalent of $7.67 US Dollars per gallon.

I hope that the many more months to come are as wonderful as this past one has been. 

P.S.

Feel free to comment, as questions, or suggest anything you want me to write about!