American Pizza or not?

not

but we will get to that later

Friday was a lovely day. It was just a good last day to a nice week. School was lovely but then afterwards my friends (exchange student kiddos) met up to go see Annake perform with her Viola. Anneke is from Colorado and we are really close now. She lives in helsinki also so we see each other fairly often. It is really awesome because she was my roommate all the way back at Karraku!

The school day consisted of me falling asleep with Luis's jacket later realizing he captured the moment on camera. Also, I was super motivated in French. not a big deal but yea. My goal is to be able to order coffee in as many languages as I can. 

I came home after school to find a package from home in front of my door! Inside was everything I would need for thanksgiving. I always held thanksgiving with importance but nothing like I do now. I am realizing, especially since Halloween pasted, holidays are a family time in the States. Whether you realize it or not. But now I have a different family. And my mom wrote me a book basically on how to throw the perfect Halloween.. seriously. I also got some kick butt hats from my aunt, Oberlin Heritage news, and my grandma's cookies. I am a happy kid.

We met up and went to the performance. It was held at this little music school over in Espoo. She performed so well.

Walking out I realized how much we have a life here. Like, we have friends which we visit their performances. We have school and know how to do our banking. We get our medicines and things we need. It's one of those things where sometime you have to stop and realize it is happening.

Afterwards we went out to the American Pizzeria here in Helsinki. It was a let down. It was not american pizza. But at least we were together.

 You could tell by Anneke's stages that she was happy... then very sad.

Liz came back home with me and spent the night. We watched movies, learning along with the Finnish Subtitles. Thank goodness for Netflix. All in all, Friday was a success.

the visit of the darling: Wednesday

We woke up and made it to town to town by 11. This is impressive because we are teenagers who just enjoy sleep more than a lot of things.

BUT WE WENT TO THE ZOO!!!

It sounds exciting but it was not my favorite place... it was a learn experience though.

It was on an island on the out skirts of Helsinki. But the thing was it was kinda run down- the cadges had broken glass on a few of them and the animals didn't look the healthiest. We are very fortunate for the zoos back home. It is good to say we have been to the zoo. You should try everything once or twice even. Maybe in the spring time it is better. 

there were chickens

the rain forest part was nice

my favorite picture

home for my aussie. she's a cutie

So I was totally sure this was a Wombat but of course I was wrong... bad to be wrong in the Australian area while being with an Aussie. She's done. 

how close can I get to the peacock which isn't in a cage

After we needed coffee and a break from the cold. Cafe and art museum always seems like a good answer.

After we met up with Liz and went and shopped for a bit. We accidentally ran into Milly again and Kat at a book shop. Helsinki is small. Really small now. I know most of it.

I am happy I found a book shop with cheaply priced english books.

We went for Ti food and had a night in the city. It was wonderful. Annka and Ella came out with us as well. 

 We arrived home a bit late but the night was lovely with dinner and just hanging out with theses girls. We are already planning Thanksgiving. Its important for us to have that a lot because we already know it is going to be a hard day for us. Exchange world supports.

You could call me a rule abiding hooligan.

So we all met up and just spent sunday around Helsinki and Island. This is our lives- we eat food, drink coffee, and talk about country injustices. I am so okay, soo okay with this life.

When I saw this photo all I thought was the lyrics "making my way down town walking fast."

I wish there was more of a story here but this is friendship. It is just a comfortable life now. 

were coming here for haloween.

middle earth

have  you met ella. she carries around cans of mandarin oranges