Amusment at Finland's Largest Amusement Park

On Wednesday my äiti took my little sister, her friend, my friend (and Ellas best friend) Nora, and me to the Amusement park here in Helsinki. It was really nice because we were able to get in free due to Hannale (äiti's best fried) who is a teacher. Teachers here in Finland get tons of benefits and are viewed with the utmost respect from society. It is amazing to see the respect they receive. Now in the class rooms they are treated as friends with limits. That is hard to explain. I will write more on that when I figure  it all out. Any who, we were able to get in for free.

Things which I found were interesting was the size. Now when I think amusement park, I think of ceader point- large, filled with people, and scary heights. This was nothing like that. It was quiet... they didn't scream on the rides really. And most of them were built inside buildings to keep them last through the hard winters. The rides were not big and scary. They were small and very fast. Nothing too scary. None of this is bad, I want to stress this. These are just observations. I actually enjoyed these more than the ones in the States. It makes you feel jittery but not scared.

Came home to find a care package!! Filled with fudge, beef jerky, and honey sticks. Plus loved the cards from home! I now have more Oberlin Heritage Center on my wall here plus my Baka!

so cold

Found the Deathly Hallows

 

This Roller coaster was so old it was ran by pulleys and had a man standing on the back of each car controlling the breaks

the lovely nora!

views from on top of the ferris wheel

sometime the timing in life is just right

So what did you do yesterday? You know just was at the highest point in helsinki. 

It was so much fun. We ate special waffles, I have a picture somewhere of the, but they were soooo good. I have the best family here. I could go on and on about them. Roller coasters are a fear of mine but I did what the rotary said and "always say yes" I am very happy I did. 

The Family

Sunday was the most chaotic day I have ever seen. I will paint you a picture! Just imagine 120 loud exchange students which really don't know who they are looking for and 120 families searching for one of the many. I was one of the happiest scenes I have ever seen.

We woke up that morning all laughing and gigging with nerves on how we were going to meet our families. We  packed and made sure our outfits represented us. It's silly, but I choose my blue and white stopped dress (Finnish colors right? and it made me feel safe.) 

After the meetings the time came and the families were arriving. All the parents had signs with the students name, but I just couldn't find mine! The crowd soon became scarce and some of us ended up on the stairs, otherwise known as the orphanage. I then made a sign which said "Mä olen Annalee." or for all us english speakers "I am Annalee" 

It turned out that they were in the parent's meeting but the sign did work. It also made some Finns smile. Goal!

My family is more than I could ever ask for. When being an exchange student, I swear it is the closest thing you can come to being a small child- not being able to speak, know what you eat, understand, being led around blindly. You have to have complete trust in those guiding you. I can assure you that this family, the Sigvarts, have it. ( I don't have any photos due to the chaos of this week but I will post some soon)

When I arrived at the house (again photos soon to come) I found my room was so perfect and modern. I found a yellow bike with a basket for me, and I found a table of Finnish cuisine. 

Sari- She is my mom. She has brown hair, is short, and is the kindest woman I have ever met.  She works at this place where you sit behind a desk (all I have understood so far) but she took this week off to get everything straightened up. She even took me to school today and is taking me to the train station tomorrow. I am her child. It is one of the greatest feelings I have ever come across.

Mikka- My father. Ah! This man has a humor! He loves American comedy shows and eating healthy. He is the best cook. When I wake up he has breakfast for me! I am going to beat him getting up one of these days to cook  for him. He is very caring and helps me get everything together. I am his child as well. When he laughs the whole room is warm.

Salla- My big sister. She is 20 and is going to head off to Scotland for college at the end of this month. When we met she gave me a big hug and I felt truly welcomed. She was on exchange to Australia and she offers me tons of advice. She is the best. I am so lucky to have her.

I NEED A PHOTO OF HER!

Sada- 10 year old younger sister. The life of the party. We can't really talk to each other but boy do we communicate, it consists of a lot of body motion. When I arrived and was unpacking she put my clothes away and said what they were in Finnish so I could learn. Where ever we go she teaches me. I learn most though her. She is lively and takes me and shows me the little things.

This whole experience it seems is about the little things. Learning what makes the Finnish the Finnish. We have so much to learn from everyone. I feel as though this is a home, a koti.