Ihana

Ihana - lovely

Saturday just deserves this word in its entirety. It was just a lovely day.

We all met up in the morning in search of the best cup of coffee. Also, Sam and I made reservations at a fancy tea shop but we missed it... opps. We were all walking through Engal Park and well we stumbled upon a food market. Asian food. Food.

Soups and kabobs and shwarma* and food.

 *not as good as my uncles...

The boat coffee shop was closed. Whenever sam comes to town we try to go to this place. It is always, always closed or closing right when we get there... this led us to the BEST CUP OF COFFEE NEXT TO HECK'S IN CLEVELAND 

what I hold in my hand is the best cup of coffee I have had in finland

 I was dressed all fancy for our tea reservations.

I had to leave at four to be home in time for dinner at Hannali's. She is my äiti's best friend. Her and her family are all very awesome. And her husband Lionel, who is the circus man, always makes me feel better. I don't know how, like I wasn't in a bad mood. Just there are some people which just make you smile. He's one of them.We had a french dinner. Oh the food was so good. Her daughter let me barrow her ice skates! I am going to learn and become a champ at it. Or at least I hope to! 

It is so nice to know that you are welcomed into some one's house. Whether it be for a dinner party or to live there for a few months. Compassion has to be one of my favorite parts of people. It is truly special.

Surprise! Surprise!

For the past two weeks we have been planning this. This, Operation Wild Card, as we refer to it, is our surprise party for Milly. Milly is my best friend here and she is from Sydney, Australia. She is pretty cool and a while back I decided I wanted to do something for her.

The plan was this.

Get Sam here.
Get her to be surprised.
Cook Mac and Cheese.

All happened really well.


I spend a lot of time at the Kerava Lukio, where milly goes to school, because I have my night school there. This resulted in me befriending all of her friends and they were in will doing this. It would not have happened with out them I am pretty sure.

Part one: Get Sam here. 

I contacted sam at the beginning of this. He made it down here. I met him after school in the city and we went to find costumes. We wanted to dress up like Russians... long story. Anyway! He was here and we then met the Finnish Friend gang at the Kerava Rail Station. We ran into Milly in the city center so sam and I had to run and hide while the Finnish friends were all normal. Milly would have known if sam and I were there.

part one- accomplished

Part Two: get her to be surprised

It was called operation wild card for a reason. Milly is a wild card. She has her ways to find out. And at one point, she was very upset with me for making "plans with her friends with out her" When in all reality we were planning for her. It was really really hilarious. Anyways, when she walked in she had no clue. 

part two- success!

Part Three: Cook Mac and Cheese

Milly never had it. Neither did anyone else. This meant I went to this Finnish kid's kitchen and just started cooking. Thank goodness he was okay with it... I wasn't planning on stopping

part three- tasty!

we won with the costumes.

It was a good  night of cards and laughing and well of course Mac and Cheese. Milly is my closest here and of course she is insane and has now got me saying words like "moll" and "sloshed" and "mate" in my day to day language. Thats okay. I wouldn't have it any other way. She is a huge part of what this year is and well she is now a huge part of me. I can't wait to visit Australia one day. 

The Nuggets: Exploration of the Hipster District

Have you ever seen four teenage girls hauling around backpacks, a map, and laughing nonstop? Well you should. 

These girls are so much fun. We went exploring last week and of course we now have to do it every week! I have a check list of things I want to do before I leave here, and mapping out helsinki is one of them. I want to know this city like the back of my hand.

After school, we took the train to helsinki then the metro to Kate's favorite part of helsinki. It was filled with old small shops, little cafes, and ran down buildings. It couldn't have been better. I even found a bag with a giant S on it. S for sekulic!! yeah! We walked over 10km. (still don't know what that is in miles). I came home and passed out. Here are some photos of what we found. 

I wish I had all the money just so I could buy a cactus

"I have to change to stay the same."- Art Tee-Shirt 

Finland is extremely equal. I thought I was equal back in the states. And yes I am, but it is unbelievable how much more is here. There is no "being a gentleman", what it is that every one is taught to hold doors open and everyone pays for their own meal. Some say that this is missing out but I find it freeing. Children are taught to be tough and to be equal. Do not expect more or less. I feel as though we could all learn a bit from this.

They always laugh when I take random photos of them, but why wouldn't I want to capture the moments of them! 

this was the best thing in the whole world- A build your own trail mix

The inside of this shop was as amazing as the outside. 

finding rotary pins in thrift stores

the best of the bests

talk about post apocalyptic waste land

finding Finland hahah nope. finding the Illuminati

this is a spray painted skate park aka the chillest place ever

Helsinki's energy is ran by natural gas pumped in from Russia. This is the plant where it is processed and distributed.

lovely coffee 800 meters

climbing really tall random objects can lead to some awesome p

We also ended up attending a rock concert held in an old ship yard. That happened. 

I post so many photos here so I can delete them off of my camera giving me more room for more photos. I like how this works! 

Next Friday I think we are going to check out the shore line on southern Helsinki. Bring it on.