Terve...

So we had a pretty good ice/snow storm here in the northern U.S. yesterday. A lot of the trees here look like the ones in winter time in Finland. :)

I think that my Finnish is improving... I mean I at least hope so. I know the colors (most of them), days of the week, basic greetings, and I can count to one hundred. I would say that is a pretty decent accomplishment. I'm excited to find out where exactly in Finland I will be going to. I've read a little on Turku, Helsinki, Tempere, and of course Lapland. It will probably be a while before I find out though...

I received a book yesterday from the rotary called: The Exchange Student Survival Kit. I think that it's fairly helpful. A lot of situations in the book are ones that I hadn't thought of. Being prepared is a good thing!

My mom got a little freaked out though when I was reading her things out of my exchange book. She also got a little sad at the thought of not seeing me for 8 or 9 months. I know it will be extremely hard, because I'm so close to my mom, but I know it's going to be a great experience. I just tried to explain to her that I would e-mail or call her quickly everyday if it's possible. I think she worries about my safety too, but Rotary is known to be a very safe program, and I feel safe going with them.

I am just so ready to embark on this experience, but I know I have to be patient and enjoy my last year in American high school. It's like I'm a senior when I'm really only a junior. I feel like a senior though, I just don't get to participate in all the cool things the seniors do! Haha, oh well! I'll give that up next year to go to Finland!

I'm glad that my friends and family are very supportive about me going to Finland. I told my friends and a few teachers at school the day after I found out that's where I would be going, and they were all very excited for me.

Buttttt, other than thinking about my exchange not much else is new. Just going to school and trying to enjoy it...hah! I've been thinking a lot lately of college too, which is a little bit haunting. It's so hard what to choose for a major! These are my possible majors (or minors..who knows?): International Relations, International Business, Global Studies, French Language, and Art Management. I am leaning more towards International Relations with a double major in something else (Maybe International Business?) and a minor in French. I would really love to work for an organization like the UN and be able to be involved in the world and travel. I hope that by going to Finland I will have a better idea of what I want to do.

Well I better get off of here...I want to mess with my blog layout.

Näkemiin!

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It's been a while...

I haven't posted in a long time, so I figured it was about time that I did.

I recently found out that I am going to Finland for my foreign exchange. That was definitely a shock to me. I thought "What's in Finland?" because I hadn't really any knowledge on the country. I've done a little research though and Finland seems like a wonderful country. Also I have seen some amazing scenery online....it's beautiful! The lakes, forests, and especially winter time scenes. It's a good thing that I love snow!

I am anxious to go to a country that many people around where I live don't know about. I don't know much about it myself, and that's probably the most exciting thing. I am really worried about the language though! I've heard it's hard, and it looks it. I ordered a Berlitz book today on Finnish Phrases and what not, and I hope it really helps. I might look into Rosetta Stone, even though it's a little pricey for me, in the hopes that it offers Finnish.

I talked to my district guy today and I have an orientation in March. These next few months will really be exciting, especially because I can get my drivers license next month! (And my orientation of course!)

I've also been trying to raise money for my trip. For Rotary I have to raise around $4,000 but I'd like to raise $6,000 for personal expenses and everything. I currently have raised around $2,000, which I'm pretty happy about. I think my next funraiser will be selling pizzas? I'm not sure yet. My mom is pretty much in charge of my fundraising and my money. She has helped me so much.

Well, I'm going to go and see if I can find a good website to learn Finnish.
Hei!
Which is the only word I can currently remember, and it means hi...
haha...:)

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