The Vanhojen Tanssit...

Well the Vanhojen Tanssit, or the ball for the 'oldest students' in school, is officially over. Before I go into that, I will go a few days back...to Thursday. Thursday was the day that the second years (or "juniors" which is what I am here) were going to dance the traditional dances at school for parents and family members. Thursday was also the last day of school for the third years ("seniors"). They are done with school so early because they have to study for their matriculation exams, which are in the spring. Anyway. The third years were all dressed in a Harry Potter theme that day to celebrate their last day of school. I don't know how they chose the Harry Potter theme, but it was pretty entertaining.

During my first class, the seniors took over the loud speaker for about a half an hour, then we had a small assembly with them doing crazy, Harry Potter related things with students and teachers. The third years could basically do anything they wanted to that day. We went back to class after that, and soon the third years were preparing to be in the parade. All of the third years from Lahti's various schools were going to be in the parade.. It's tradition. Everyone went outside to see the third years standing in the beds of big trucks, throwing candy to the elementary students. There were even Harry Potter posters decorating the sides of the trucks.. Some making fun of the other schools.. Hah.

We had to go back to class, again, after that. But not for long. The day was short so that everyone could get ready for the formal dance. When I left school the parade was going on, since it hadn't been that much time since it started. There were people, chanting students, and candy everywhere. It was crazy.

So we had our first dance in front of a crowd Thursday evening. I borrowed a dress from my first host mom. It was pretty. The dances went well though, I didn't fall or anything. I can name some of the dances... We danced the Bolognese, Cicapo, Pas d'Espagne, Pas de Quatre, Salty Dog Rag, Lambeth Walk, and the Weiner Waltz. There were a couple others, but I'm not sure of their names. It was really fun though. But, it wasn't over Thursday! The big day was Friday. We had to dance again Friday morning for the 5th and 6th graders. We had lunch and wandered around the school. We went into different classrooms (since younger students had class that day) and made them do silly things... Since we, the second years, are now the oldest in the school. After a bit we headed to a big hall in Lahti, where all of the schools in Lahti would dance together. There were a lot of people there! It was fun as well, but nice when it was over because my feet were killing me!

Then Friday night various schools, including mine, had a party at some hall. It was fun, and nice to hang out with people outside of school. Overall, the whole Vanhojen experience was really great. It is such a big Finnish tradition.

Other than that, not much else is new. We are supposed to be getting some big snow storm soon, or so I've heard. We also have talviloma, or winter break/ski break, soon. Not this coming week, but the week after. I'm excited!

Well that's enough for now..

Moikka!

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EYP, New Classes, and the Vanhojen..

Well, things have been slightly hectic! Just slightly. A little over a week ago I attended the 16th National Session of European Youth Parliament Finland. It took place on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. It was long, and we did a lot of work. There were around 150 participants, from all over Europe (but mostly Finnish), and we stayed in a school in Tampere. All the participants were split up into ten committees (I believe it was ten), and we were with our committees the entire weekend. My committee was the committee on foreign affairs. Then each committee had a topic to discuss during the weekend and come up with a resolution to the problems that dealt with their topic. My committee's topic was about how the European Union can decrease the instability and security lapses in the AFPAK resgion (Afghanistan and Pakistan) with the Taliban on the rise. It was a really interesting topic.

So we discussed our topic on Saturday and Sunday. We discussed the problems and the solutions. Then we presented our resolution on Monday in the General Assemly. I got to give the summation speech. Our resolution passed. It was a pretty good resolution, if I may say so myself!! But other than working the whole weekend, we did get time to hang out. They always arranged some evening programs for us. It was really fun.. Even though I only got eleven hours of sleep the whole weekend! And we drank sooo much coffee. I think I had eight cups on Saturday. I am staying away from coffee for the moment..

The week after the EYP session (last week) I started a new period in school. So I have all new classes again. This is the fourth period, and there is only one more after this one. This period I have English, Math, History, Religion, Sports, and Psychology. I won't have the dance class anymore because the ball, the Vanhojen Tanssit, is this week! We have our last rehearsals today, and then on Thursday we have the school Vanhojen. On Friday there is the bigger dance, and it has schools from all over Lahti there, I believe. I don't think I can dance in the Friday one, because I don't exactly have a partner.. Haha. I can dance in the school one though, because we dance in two groups and someone will just dance twice with me. Oh well. Doesn't matter, as long as I get to dance once. Then parents and family members come and watch. I am sure I will mess up! My last host family, as well as my current host family, are coming to watch.

Nothing else is really that new. Just trying to keep busy. Yesterday was Valentine's Day. I don't really think it is a romantic holiday in Finland. It is called Ystävänpäivä, which translates directly to "Friend Day." So I guess it is more about friendship. That's good too.

I ate some really good pulla yesterday. One at my house with jam and cream in the middle, and one at my first host family's house. Mmm I love pulla. I had badminton practice yesterday with my first host mom and sister, and then I went to their house afterwards. We had some sandwiches, and I always choose the dark rye bread that Finland is known for. My first host mom said that I will miss it, ruisleipä, when I leave Finland.. And I know I will! They said they will send me some! So I just spent the evening with them, and they said they might take me to Porvoo next weekend. It is a small, old city near Helsinki. That would be really nice. I miss seeing my first host family. Then the first week of March we have a skiing holiday, or winter break, which is a week long and I might go and spend some time with my first host family. I will do stuff with my current host family, and probably my second host family as well. It is hard sometimes to move so much, but I really love having so many host families. They are all so nice.

Well, I suppose I will put this to a close. I probably need to do my Finnish homework..

Moikka!

PS. Oh and thanks to everyone that voted for my blog!!

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Vote For My Blog!

My blog has been nominated for The Top 100 International Exchange and Experience Blogs 2010 on lexiophiles.com! There is a voting period from February 1st to the 14th, to see which blogs are the favorites. I think they choose three. But click on the button below if you would like to vote for my blog :)

Kiitos :)



My photo uploader is working again! Here is just one of the many photos I have taken of Finnish winter:



Moikka!

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