Month 3

You know the feeling of sleeping and waking up before your alarm clock and being happy because you still realize you have more time to sleep before going on with the day. That is this feeling, or well the closest thing I can find. 

The clock is ticking faster each week.

I start my fourth month now.

Today I looked back at my journal and I laughed about my first entry- it said something along the lines as I will make each month better than the last. To be honest, I feel like I have done this. And I will keep doing this. 

I am at the point where I don't speak good english and I don't speak good Finnish. I am at the point where the states is now a place of memories and nostalgia. I am at the point where I couldn't picture myself other than where I am now. I am at the point where viewing flying back seems even scarier than leaving. 

This place is so comfortable now.

Now I have a feeling November will be one of the tougher months. Dark and rainy all the time. This can take a lot out of a person. But it will not get me. I am determined to make this month better than October. Clueless how, but I will. 

October was insane. The stories and the memories. I traveled. I explored. I learned and laughed. Ah. I am just in awe of Finland. It keeps surprising me.

We are already planning for our newbies (Exchange Students who come in January.) and even though I am excited to be able to teach a new kid the ropes of Helsinki and how to survive Finland. I don't at all want to say good bye to my oldies(ones which taught me). They are family and if it is anything I have learned in this year- family is everything. Family can be found anywhere if you look close enough. I have family in the states which I love more than anything. I have family here, we just had some stew. I have family in these student  which are going to be traveling away for a while. Its hard. I love them. The new ones will be family too I am sure.

So now enough rambling. Long story short: Month three was a hit, ready to kick month fours tush

come at me month four 

The Weekend with the Canadian: The Saturday

We rose early and ate a light breakfast then we were off.

We arrived at Helsinki where we first visited the university library. I have now found where I am going to spend my free time come winter. And then of course we had to have coffee.

After coffee we jumped on a tram and just went. This I have found is the best form of travel when you have no idea where you want to go. I have became an expert at becoming lost.

We ended up at a market where among many things we were given free picnic berries, apples, and bread. I am going to go back and build a relationship with this little shop. But it was a wonderland. Outside was a bunch of little tents but when you walked inside this old building there was shops of everything from meats to cheese to wines to candies. All small shops. It was shocking. It was near perfection.

Okay, yes, I know see you being like "Anna, what are you doing taking pictures of strangers. That is weird. Stop being weird." Well... yes.. I am weird, buuut this was a beautiful moment. The train smelled of all the market foods and it was just so quiet in a calming way. The train rocked and this man was just humming a song to her. 

We wondered around another small market and then jumped on the ferry to go to the island once again. The island has become my favorite place so far. I go there when I have free time so I have learned where all the streets lead and I am still finding new places.

You can smell the salt water and it was the perfect breeze. It was about 69°F.

We napped and read all day. I woke up once to hot air balloons in the air. We had the best view of all the sail boats.

Who likes orange soda? I like orange soda! (please note keenen and kel reference)

There was a sporting event going on over the next hill where people were kinda bowling with sticks.

It was getting chilly and we wanted coffee. This led us to the fanciest restaurant on the island (all the cafes were now closed) and all we ordered was coffee. 

After we sprinted back to watch the sunset.

we almost missed the last ferry back

We arrived home around midnight. It was the best day. I was able to say I did nothing but I experienced so many new things.