back to every day life

When you return from a big trip like Lapland. You are thrown for a loop. How do you go from being with 130 kids which understand you completely to back to every day life? The trains, the school, the language. (New host family speaks only finnish to me, I am improving greatly)

Well you manage. That's how we do it. We find a way.

it was time to pack. I fit my life into 3 boxes, a suit case, and three bags. I came with one suit case. Where did this all come from!?!

catching the bus to finnish lessons and saw the sun 

Daniel and I went to see the Christmas lights all over Helsinki.

We also all met  up and said good bye to Juanpa- our friend from Ecudor. He has college to attend

My last dinner at my host families house. My all time favorite finnish foods and my true love- glögi. No body was talking about the move but it sat heavy in the air.

Friday, Luis and I ended up at graduation. Don't ask us how. but we were singing and are just as confused as you are.

gifts from my host sister. I was holding it together so hard.

The move went well. The family is so kind to me and at the moment I am finding my footing once again. It is good to be pushed from your confort zone. It helps you grow. 

The first day with the family, we went to a graduation party in a very fancy garden. Also it was Independence day! We watched the ball on TV.

Sunday, Daniel and I went Christmas shopping. He is a good friend. A friend which you know will be in your life for a long time. We had coffee.  Coffee and Friends. It's a good life. 

Christmas is everywhere. The store fronts are so lovely to look at. 

So life is back to the insaness as before. I am tying this at school waiting for the time when I go to the Rotary Restaurant and play the piano before the meeting starts. Back to the constant of inconsistency. 

Lapland: Woof, Spven, Santa Clause

okay.

Sunday- skied, sauna, primary school

Monday- Dog sledding, Reindeer Sledding, Reindeer husbandry, sami life, Lapland Animals, snow Shoeing,

Tuesday- Santa Clause Land

Wednesday- Returned home at 4 am

So that is what happened. Add in crazy stories and friends and thats the summary.

Dog Sledding was the most amazing thing ever. It felt like you were flying . And the view. Ah. Amazing

Waiting for our turn was spent in the Tee- P singing Australian Songs

We went snowshoeing. This confirmed that I am terrible at anything which makes my feet bigger.

We had a lot of downtime but still there wasn't enough.

 Oh also! We ran to Sweden!!!!

view of finland from Sweden. 

sweden. different huh?

Sami life style

We had to say goodbye. The oldies, now if you're not an exchange student you may not understand the bond between oldies and newbies. They know what they are doing and when you get here. They help you find out how to get on your feet. 

We are going to be oldies soon and to be honest, it's scary. I hope I have my footing to help another. To teach, to show, to support, to understand.

Goodbyes aren't forever we tell our selves. But no matter how much we believe this, the truth is that some of them are. 

"home is where ever I am with you"

Anneke is ready for reindeer hunting

 We packed our rooms, and we were off to Rovinemi- The Land of Santa Clause.

Santa Clause came from Finland actually. So I met the man. I met Santa Clause.

and his elves

there he is

and that is where he lives

and that is one of his many christmas trees

Now the people are what made this trip amazing. The stories and the laughs. The long bus rides and quick goodbyes.

This trip changed a part of me. I don't know what and I don't know when it happened. Maybe on top of the hill? or maybe when in the hall way with everyone? maybe even when I was trying to manage three cups of coffee to my table?

I don't know when or why or how. But this trip was needed. This happened.