Long time, No write

3 months (or thereabouts) . . . 3 months since I left the land of the Fins. I am looking back on my 5 month stay in Suomi/Finland as a meer memory; something that seems out of grasp and too magnificent to be true. A bit nostalgic, I guess you could say I am. However, as I finally print pictures, talk to overseas friends online, and even texting a couple of them, it makes my experience in Suomi/Finland not so "unreal."

As I have now been in the states in the above mentioned time, I have realized that Fins are everywhere and I can't seem to get away from them ;) haha. Of course, not that I actually want to. Anyhow, my specific example comes from my time at Camp Hollymont, a girls' christian camp located in Asheville, NC. I have written to several of my friends already of this matter, but can't remember who else I told . . .

Here's how the story goes:
I was suppose to be with the Cardinals (the middle aged girls of the camp 10 to just turned 12), but was moved up to the Eagle hall (the oldest girls 12 going into 8th grade to 15 going into 10th). It is truly amazing how a year's difference can make in a young girl's perspective and attitude about life and their surroundings. Anyhow, the best part about the camp moving me up to the Eagle Hall is because of my CIT (counselor in training). Her name is Nina Haaskivi . . . and she is Finnish!!!!! Haha, note the double vowels and her first name ending in a vowel. We started talking by discussing why I had arrived at camp so late, and it was due to the fact that I wanted to see two of my high school friends get married. She said that she was suppose to go to a wedding as well, but it was too far away for her to get there and be back here for Camp. Like most people probably would to prevent any awkward silence, I asked her where the wedding was to be held. Obviously, I was thinking some where in the states . . . just kidding! Her cousin was getting married in Finland! Also, her cousin is a famous Finnish hockey player and the bride was Ms. Finland!! My mouth just dropped and I was like, "I've lived and studied in Finland for the past 5 months!" We both couldn't believe our ears. Later in our conversation about Finland she proceeded to tell me that both her parents were born in Finland (I think she said that her maternal grandmother is "very" Russian, and her mother has a Helsinki-Russian accent). I think her father is from around Oulu, but I could be mistaken on that. Minor details. Anyhow, so she has dual citizenship, but the Finnish government seems to have lost her birth certificate or something and she does not exist. (oh, she was born in the states). Anyhow, we have become great friends and I'll hopefully be able to keep in contact with her. She said that during holidays they still practice Finnish traditions of foods, festivities, watching hockey (she LOVES hockey), and other Finnish tidbits. Her father sent her some Fazer and Jaffa, and she kindly offered to share some of it with me, which made me quite happy ;) haha. Then for my birthday, she had her mom send a Finnish product up from Florida. iittala . . . a funny looking glass vase we always would see in Stockmanns in downtown Oulu. I was speechless, but obviously thanked her!

On the left is the outside wrapper to some Finnish chocolate "Karl Fazer" (ask me about the pronunciation), the middle is an okay view of the vasey type glass ware by iittala (ask me about the pronunciation), and the last item on the right is Jaffa (you might be able to pronounce this one). Jaffa has an orangy taste, and isn't too carbonated :)

Pretty cool huh? It would be pretty cool if I could go visit her in Florida; she said that there are several "Finnish" stores around where she lives.

Onto another little tidbit, my kummi student, Janika, is just about the most "awesomest" person ever. I don't know what I would have done without her. She helped me out before I even embarked on my journey to Finland, and she helped me throughout my stay in Finland. I know that sounds rather vague, but if I listed out how exactly she helped me out ya'll would get bored :) Anyhow, through the course of 5 months she became my friend, not just a person who shows you the ropes and then you never hear from them again. We hung out, ate lunch, talked, etc. The coolest thing about Janika is that she is actually in the states as I type! She is "studying abroad" in Wilmington, NC. A beautiful campus located, practically, on the beach. Hopefully I'll be able to visit her. Unlike Europe, the states does not have a train system that will get you to and from places if you happen to not have a car. Oh well, I guess we thought trains were/are out of style and having your own car to flaunt around is much more "instyle." haha, anyhow, I do hope to meet up with Janika and ask her what her experience is like in the states. She has already told me that she was amazed at how many books she had to buy and how much all the books cost. I was like, um, yeah, hole in the wallet. She also was amazed at how much work our professors have us do. I was like, um, yeah, stress out the wahzoo. haha.

I guess that is all for this entry. It may be a "little" while til I am able to write again. Until next time, hei, hei