Soaking Up the Sun!

May 31st...

9:30pm...

(After I won a game of Molkky)

(A group of us posing with the game)

I can't believe it's already been over two weeks since I left the great United States of America. In so many ways I still feel as though I'm a simple car ride away from home, not a 12-hour plane ride. I think part of that reason is because many people here speak English if they realize that you do. That shocked me a little, as I expected it to be much harder to adjust to the Finnish way of life. Thankfully I arrived here during the best part of their year, the summertime. They go through such a harsh winter, and therefore they soak up every moment of the sunshine they get for these few months. And since the sun barely seems to set for just a few hours each day, I feel as though I have so many hours to just get out and enjoy the nature. Take today for example...I woke up this morning and walked for an hour to get to church (I got lost...), then myself and a few others got lunch and took it to Lake Viitaniemi, and just relaxed and played Molkky all afternoon. The day today was just beautiful! Hot even! (Not compared to Pittsburg, but still it was enough for a good sunburn!) I wish I would have remembered sunscreen... and aloe vera...

(Lake Viitaniemi)

I'm learning so much about the culture and the nature of the people, just through everyday interactions. After taking my Finnish Language class I am beginning to pick up a few words and phrases here and there too! I got so excited the other day when I heard a man tell his child, "yksi", meaning the number "one", when the little boy went to get a candy bar at the supermarket. Also, two days ago I gave a man directions in Finnish! Granted, I have no idea if I gave him the right directions or not...I never did see him again...but I'm going to think optimistically about my skills in saying "two blocks take left, and right, one block straight ahead". :)

I know that this is just the beginning of my challenge in having to adapt. Finland, while it does have a separate language and way of life, is still European and therefore something I can find ways with which to identify. South Korea will be another story, and I think I'll have to stretch myself a lot further to adapt there. It will be a completely new sight and situation; a challenge that I will welcome in a few weeks. Until then, I still have plenty of Jyvaskyla to soak up! I'm taking a new class tomorrow: Health Behavior Among School-Aged Children, and I'm really looking forward to it. Cheers to a brand new day! Or better yet, Kiipis! ("cheers" in Finnish)

Is There a Pot of Gold?

May 27th...

9:30pm...

The view from my kitchen...need I say more?

Finnish "Candy"?

Wednesday, May 27...

3:15pm...

I have something very important on my mind, and it is a very serious matter. I have a problem with something here in Finland. The candy. To me it seems very simple...if you prolaim something to be candy...it should be sweet. Sweet...this can include SO many various options of flavoring...fruity, chocolatey, sugary...I am not one to be picky and I typically like everything I try. Well, things have changed! Typical Finnish candy is something such as Turkish Pebar or Selmiakki...both of which have the taste combination of black licorice, salt, and spice. There is nothing sweet about this so called "candy" and my taste buds are craving sugar!

Just the other day I was offered a lollipop called BonBon. Finally, something sugary! I was sitting in class, happily enjoying my wonderful treat. I have the habit of crunching my candy, and so I bit into this lollipop. I immediately regretted that decision. Inside this "candy", was something salty, spicy, and utterly icky.

I am a trooper though, and I am going to keep my hopes high in finding a candy here worth bragging about. And for everyone back home, I have bags full of Turkish Pebar and Selmiakki for you to enjoy =)

Italian Delicacy in Finland

May 24th...

9:30pm...

I'm discovering that the weather here fluctuates even more than Kansas. Prior to leaving for church at 11:15 this morning, it was beautiful...very warm even...so I run up to my 7th floor room and put my jacket away so I wouldn't have to carry it around town. Oh silly me! Midway through the church service at around 12:30, it poured rain! At around 1:00, it was beautiful and sunny...by 1:15, it poured rain again! There's no place like home...there's no place like home... :) Thankfully Natalia, a very sweet Polish girl, lent me her extra jacket to keep this poorly-prepared Kansas girl warm.

I went to church at Katolinen Kirkko, a small but quaint Catholic church near the downtown of Jyvaskyla, with two girls: Natalia, whom I just mentioned, and Monica from Mexico. There are four well-known churches in Jyvaskyla of four separate denominations, and Natalia happened to find the only one that has a service in English. It was a very comfortable feeling to sing along to the same hymns that I am familiar with, yet with people from many different countries. The priest was Finnish, the musicians were from Sweden and USA, and the lectors were from Africa and Germany. After the mass we were invited for kahvi (coffee) and desserts (who can say no to that?). They were celebrating a farewell for one of the regular participants from Italy, and we were all able to try an authentic Italian dessert - Panacotta. Oh dear...it was delicious! It certainly put all of my desserts to shame! I am thinking that I should vacate to Italy now to improve my baking skills...any takers? :)

A Real Finnish Experience

May 23rd...

11:30pm...

Wow. That is the best word I can think to say after a day like today.

I am just so thankful that I have the opportunity to be in Jyvaskyla. I have been here for one week now and I am still in shock that everything really came together, so that I could have this experience. There seems to be so many times in which I plot these extraordinary ideas and opportunities, but they don't pan out; something always gets in the way. I have begun to realize however, that the main obstacle getting in my way - is me. For whatever reason, I typically come to the conclusion that the ideas I dream up are out of reach. Instead, I stay in my comfort zone and walk along my merry way with continued doubt in my mind. Well, this time was different, and that's proven true because I am here sharing an amazing journey with people like me from all over the world.

With that being said, I'll get on with why I am describing my day with a "Wow". I signed up to go on a canoe trip around Lake Paijanne along with 10 others in the summer school program. We began around 10:00am and we were supposed to reach our destination by around noon at the latest. It turns out that I was one of only two people who had any canoeing experience whatsoever, which therefore basically resulted in a 3 1/2 hour excursion to the lodge where we would spend our day. The weather wasn't ideal in the beginning due to the very strong frontal winds. There were times when people became frustrated because it was hard to paddle, and then inside I felt a bit frustrated because we constantly had to stop and wait. However, all at once, my perspective changed. I paused for a moment, looked around me, and remembered exactly where I was. I was canoeing in Finland's second largest lake, surrounded by forestry, with a beautiful panoramic view of the city. It was breathtaking. Nothing else mattered.

We made it our lodge and were instructed to saw and chop wood for a fire and for the sauna. Bela, the tour guide, showed us to a huge pile of logs, gave us a saw and an axe, and let us be on our own. Most of the guys had experience using a saw, but I was the only one with wood-chopping experience. Now here's where you'd be really proud of me! I grabbed a log and the axe and hoped that I remembered the right technique so I wouldn't make a total fool of myself. I got a grip on the axe, stood in the proper stance, aimed for my target, and....CHOP...the log split right in two! YAY!! I felt like Lumber Jane!! All the guys were completely impressed and to be honest, I was too...although of course I acted as though I had been chopping wood my entire life...no big deal right? (My brothers will be nodding their head in approval right now...while hoping their baby sister couldn't actually out-skill them on such a "manly" task!) :)

Another great thing about working so hard at preparing for your own food and entertainment, is that you really enjoy and appreciate it! Once we ate lunch it was time for the best part of all...the sauna. Now, everyone reading this blog has most likely experienced a sauna of some kind. Maybe you visited one after a workout in the gym or in a swimming pool. Well, I guarantee you that it doesn't even come close to what I experienced today. The whole idea behind the sauna was started in Finland, probably due to the fact that they have such long, dark, harsh winters and needed a place to get warm. The typical Finnish sauna is in a little wooden building right on the lake. The typical behavior is to sit on a towel in the 100-degree sauna for about 15 minutes at a time, and then cool your body off in the lake for a few minutes, before returning to the sauna once again. This action is repeated 2 or 3 more times. There were 7 of us girls, and in the beginning we felt a bit awkward sitting in the small space, and we had trouble breathing because it was just so hot. After 15 minutes we walked out onto the dock that was attached to the cabin, and climbed into the 10-degree lake (Celcius!). The feeling of being just so uncomfortably hot, and then so cold that you can't breathe for a moment....is SUCH an invigorating feeling! I mean really, I can hardly find words to describe just how amazing it was! It was such a great bonding experience for us all as well! The best part is that this experience of the sauna is one of Finland's proudest customs, and today, 11 individuals from 10 different countries were able to share that experience together for the first time.

Most women say that after leaving the sauna they feel 10 years younger...so I guess that makes me 14 again. And for future reference, I know that when I get to the age where I feel as though I need face/body creams and products to make myself feel younger....that it's time to book a flight to Finland!

The Power of Music

May 21st...

4:00pm...
For class, my group that I mentioned before: Ewald, Beer, and myself, are instructed to do a project entitled "Empowering Photograph". This is a project created by Miina Savolainen, a social worker who spent time with female foster children. She wanted to take a positive approach with these girls, rather than focusing on their problems. She created this project so that these girls could individually decide how they wanted to be depicted in life; how do they want to be seen by others? To do so, the person in front of the camera is the one directing the image, rather than the person behind the camera. In this manner, the person being photographed may view themselves on the outside the way they want to view themselves on the inside.

Our goal was to find a similarity among the three of us and use photographs to communicate that similarity to others. We bounced many ideas off one another, and through self-disclosure, realized that a general passion and means of escape for all of us is music; only the manner in which we rely on music is different. For Beer, he prefers to create music with his guitar...for Ewald, he would love music to be in the background whether he is working or relaxing, and for me...my musical escape is while I'm running in the trails. When I am running in the woods...all I see is nature, and I can choose any melody to listen to that may direct my thoughts.

"Music brings people together.

It allows us to experience the same emotions.

People everywhere are the same in heart and spirit.
No matter what language we speak; what color we are; the form of our politics;

the expression of our love and our faith, music proves:

We are the same."

-John Denver

"Ring My Bell..."

Wednesday, May 20th...

3:00am...

What a night! A local Finnish girl in our class, Miriam, invited us to experience authentic night life in Jyvaskyla since Thursday we are out of school for Ascension Day. She claimed that bars and night clubs around town are pretty much the same everywhere, and she wanted to take us to a place that she loved. The funny thing is that during class today, our teacher commented on how often people will shut down ideas and experiences they are not initially comfortable with. She made this connection when Miriam chose not to read an article for a class assignment because it involved a bunch of numbers and figures, which turned her away from the entire article; an article that could have been great. In the same respect, many of my friends and I reacted in the same way when we entered Ilokivi tonight.

Upon entering the "bar", I hear music that I would describe as eery and strange. There was a disco ball hanging randomly from the ceiling and abstract images being projected onto the wall in which people danced in front of. I basically walked in, took a picture to capture the moment, and walked out with the others. As we walked to a new destination we talked and laughed about what we had just seen and assumed that surely that wasn't where we were supposed to meet. Well roughly an hour later, we discovered that we were wrong. We were indeed in the right place the first time.

To keep from offending Miriam, we decided to walk in and put our things down as though maybe we would stay. After looking strangely at the individuals dancing, we realized that you know what - we are in Finland for the first time and our classmate asked us to come here, so let's dance! We spent the next few hours dancing to Finnish rock and disco music, and had an amazing time together. Personally I wouldn't have traded our night at Ilokivi for any other bar in the city. Don't get me wrong, I may not rush to go back again, but I'm glad that we all pushed past our initial judgments and reservations and tried something new. Just as we learned today in class, when we keep ourselves inside a box that we are comfortable in and reject the unfamiliar, we may be missing out on some wonderful experiences. (or at least a night of interesting memories!)

Uniqueness in Culture

May 20th...

My inital expectation of traveling to Finland was that I would be forced to adapt to Finnish culture. I am beginning to realize now that what I am adapting to is the International Group that I am surrounded by. The social program that has been established for us to get to know one another, is also designed so that we can experience authentic Finnish traditions. Yet, we are all basing our experiences on one another. With that in mind, my priorities here in Finland are being a bit altered, yet in a good way. With that in mind, my opportunities for personal growth are magnifying as well. The course I am currently taking has been fundamental to this change process, as it serves as a catalyst for the social networks that have developed. The group's ethnic dynamic is comprised of individuals from Poland, Mexico, Russia, Finland, Canada, Austria, Estonia, Thailand, Hong Kong, and USA. We all come from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds and bring unique experiences with us, yet we have so much in common. I am also beginning to recognize an even greater importance of the relationships in our lives. The way I felt in Finland a few days ago is completely different than I feel now, due to the relationships I have formed. I can only imagine how not only these relationships here, but the relationships I have at home can develop because of this experience!

Sausages!

May 20th...

There is certainly a part of me that is beginning to adapt in Jyvaskyla, and that would be the part of my brain that is finally allowing me to sleep at night! The sun still shines at 2:30am, but it doesn't control me anymore! Oh no...I recognize it's arrival, and dismiss it until I choose to wake up!

Last night I attended a bonfire and I learned that it is not appropriate to place the food, sausage, into one solitary category. Oh no - big mistake, especially in the company of both Finns and Germans. Apparently, Finnish sausage is "a bit lighter" and German sausage "tastes more like meat". Considering the fact that my diet consists mostly of "rabbit food", yogurt, and cookie dough, my palette fails to differentiate among the sausages. What I can tell you as an amateur sausage eater, is that both of them are fundamentally wrong. The reason being is that they are served without buns. Honestly folks, hot dogs in a paper towel? You must be joking! :) Although I must say that to my "rabbit-food-eating" surprise, they were quite delicious.

We also played a game called Molkky, which is similar to bowling, except you play outside with wooden pegs, in teams of three. I will begin by saying that while my team did lose, I think we had the most fun. Maybe this is in part to the fact that none of us had many skills in the peg-throwing department. I personally just have poor aim; and Ramon, my Russian partner, threw the peg like he was throwing a spear trying to capture a wild animal. It may not have been the most successful approach, but certainly the most entertaining!

A Growing Environment

May 19th...

Today in class we met in small groups for a class assignment. Our assignment was to consider our own personal networks of people and how they represent us in our lives. My group consists of myself; Beer, from Thailand; and Ewald, from Austria. I was so amazed and impressed at how we were able to connect with one another in such a short period of time; yet we all have much different cultural backgrounds. Ultimatley, we all develop connections in many ways and on many levels. We choose friendships based on what we have in common. The easiest commonalities to recognize are that which we often see automatically, such as race, ethnicity, or gender; however, it seems as though our greatest connections are based upon what lies beneath the surface; things that may never have been discovered if you didn't take the time to develop. These two people may not have appeared to be individuals that I would have connected with, yet given the time and openmindedness of us all, we learned much about each other and found similarities among personal aspects of life. Now after just 45 minutes of discussion, I have a completely different level of connectedness in the classroom.

Another thing I am noticing is how the classroom environment is growing closer proximically. On the first day people were hesitant in sitting next to each other, and just 1 1/2 days into the program, we have all begun to come closer to one another, side by side, and towards the front of the classroom. I am also realizing even more just how fundamental the role is of a teacher. The characteristics and teaching style of the leader often determines the dynamics of the classroom. We are all very fortunate to have such a compelling teacher.

New words today:
Hyva (good) Mahtavaa (great) Nahdaan (see ya)

A Little Time, Please...

May 19th...

I'm beginning to slightly feel some effects of being foreign in a new country...and maybe as though sometimes I get in the way. For instance, I was in line to get a cup of coffee this morning - a very routine procedure for most people - and it seemed to take me so long to go through the process. I didn't know which coin was what when I attempted to pay, I held up the line, and the man next to me had his money out, clearly ready for me to move on so he could pay and continue in his routine for the day. It made me think about those times when I am at home going through my daily routine, and how whenever someone or something disturbs my routine, I notice him/her/it. Sometimes I even get frustrated, although I try not to show it. Today I put myself back in the position of being at home and remembering a typical situation in which someone in front of me moved at a much slower pace than most others. Today, I got the experience of being on the other side. I was the one interrupting someone else's routine. Yet there was nothing I could do to speed up the process. Eventually, I will learn the routine and adapt to their way of life, just as those who live in my hometown will do. We all adapt to new cultures if we are willing...but in the meantime, patience and tolerance is greatly appreciated :)

Sleep? Nah...

(View from my kitchen,
at 3AM)--->

Monday, May 18th...

11:00pm (and it's still light of course)

Well, you know how I mentioned yesterday that I was worried I wouldn't wake for class? No problem there...want to know why? Because I awoke at 1:15am! I went to bed at midnight...and started my day a little over an hour later! This jet lag thing is a long adjustment! So needless to say, I was a good pupil and arrived very much on time!

I also met many more international students today in class, which was AMAZING! I'm enrolled in Social Networks and Interpersonal Relations in a Multicultural World. My instructor, Lotta, is fascinating and focuses the class on growing as a community. This class is like an extension of my Diversity in Counseling course from Dr. Bachner at PSU, and we really reflect upon why we have adaptation issues and why we have particular interpretations of ourselves and others. How do we determine what is right and wrong? There is so much discussion and I love it!

I ate real food today! I loved being at the cafeteria and feeling like a foreigner, trying to figure out the menu. I ended up with some sort of vegetarian chili and rye bread, which was quite fabulous. I hear that a popular food is reindeer? I'm going to keep my eye out for that. I'll inform you as to how it goes! In some ways I am really beginning to feel out of my comfort zone, and I am enjoying it. Today I went for a 7-mile run around the lake with my friend, and of course I said "hei" to everyone I passed. Not one response. It made me chuckle. Maybe tomorrow? :)

Polissi, Polissi!

Sunday, May 17

9:10pm...
Tonight I got a glimpse of authentic Finnish culture. The most popular sport second to ice hockey, is what all Finns call "the real football, where you move the ball with your feet", otherwise known as soccer. Jyvaskyla was playing their rival, Helsinki. (Similar to a Colgan vs. Frontenac showdown). About 10 minutes into the game, a fight broke out and the "polissi" had to come in and break it up. I ever so casually snapped a photo of course. I also met some of Johannes' friends and we walked around the downtown together and sat by the Town Church - which I discovered that most Finns only frequent about twice per year, on...you guessed it...Christmas and Easter. I may pop in on Sunday and give it a go!

What I love most about this city so far is the nature. Jyvaskyla is 90% forests and is home to many many beautiful lakes. 190,000 lakes altogether in Finland. The route we traveled towards the "football" field was encompassed by two beautiful trails, hidden under a canopy of trees. (Jason - it reminded me of the Boy Hits Car story I wrote to you). Even though it was 9:30pm, the sun was shining through the trees. It was beautiful. Oh yeah, and everyone here either walks or bikes everywhere! I love that!

I went grocery shopping today - and had a blast! I think I bought some kind of cereal, yogurt from a giant milk carton, and the ever-popular rye bread. Sanna, my tutor, also recommended a kind of chocolate that is traditional to Finland...and twisted my arm into buying some of that as well. It's not bad, not quite decadent, but surely satisfies this chocolate lover's cravings. While I was in Germany I came across some of their "fine chocolatiers" and decided that I would pick some up from the airport during my layover to Seoul. Mom and Kelly : no worries, I will bring some for you too!

11:30pm...
Snafoo #2! Already! Well, I'm writing near my bedroom window, mostly in the dark, because a fuse burned out and I have no electricity! Fabulous! And because I decided to spend my whole day walking around and going to the game, I didn't even unpack, shower, or make my bedding. This may be an interesting adventure in the dark. Although, I really only have to wait 3 hours, because the gosh darned sun will be shining at 2:30AM. I just hope I am able to wake for class tomorrow without an alarm clock...we shall see!

Ambien

Sunday, May 17

14:39... or 2:39pm ( I just discovered that people here also speak like we do regarding time...they only write it with the 24-hour symbols...whew! I can change my watch back!)

On Saturday night, Johannes (my Finnish friend from PSU) took me on a short tour around Jyvaskyla - a town of about 150,000 people. He allowed me to stay at his apartment while he slept at a friend's house, so that I could get a good night's rest. We chatted awhile, but I'll admit that all I could anticipate was sleep! Once he left I decided to take the doctor's advice and take an Ambien so that I could sleep and decrease the amount of jet lag. Having never taken that before, I took half a tablet. About 10 minutes later I thought I'd write Jason an email...which was a bad decision! I think I may have been coherent during the first part of the letter, but I honestly have no idea what I wrote or how I managed to fall asleep that night! Strong medication! What I do remember is waking up very cheerily, thinking that I must have gotten a good night's rest because the sun was shining and the birds were chirping. I was sorely mistaken...it was 3AM. I went to sleep at 11:30...this is not what I envisioned! This city doesn't go dark for more than a few hours! This may be an adjustment!

The Importance of Kindness

So, that same girl I mentioned that befriended me...came back and found me at the Travel Center, bringing me clothes to wear the next few days! What a kind thing to do! I was perfectly appreciative that she gave me her information and offered to get together with me, yet she went above and beyond to reach out to someone she doesn't even know. Then she stayed with me for over an hour until Johannes came to meet me. Wow. I am amazed. And...they found my luggage!! It was left in Frankfurt and will be here in a few days!

Well, its about 10 30 pm Saturday, and Ive been awake since early Friday morning, and even though its still light outside, I'm going to try and sleep and start a fresh new day tomorrow!

OH yeah, and a major plus, I was able to read through all of Acts and halfway through Romans so far. Godspeed ahead! Goodnight!


<--(German Newspaper)

DAY TWO... Reality sets in!

<--(Sunrise over Brussels)

Saturday, May 16th

22 10 (USA time) and 4 10 (GERMANY time)... What day is it?! I know that it'll be roughly 5 45 when I land in Frankfurt, but in my head its only about 10 30 pm. An hour ago the stewardesses walked by with coffee and breakfast (yogurt by the way, apparently they knew my preferences!), proclaiming "good morning". Its only 9pm, lady, what is going on?! This may be a long day!

5 30...I'm getting ready to land and experience a whole new country! I'm excited to feel what its like to have everyone around me speaking a non-English language. By the way, coffee is a lifesaver and just may become my best friend today. <--(Sunrise over Brussels)

19 01...What have I gotten myself into? So...I get off my plane in Helsinki, anxiously awaiting the arrival of my luggage at Baggage Claim. Discreetly, I am crossing my fingers (on both hands of course, for extra good luck), hoping and praying that I catch a glimpse of my little red bag. Time goes by and people are slowly beginning to clear away as they grab their luggage and exclaim "Moi, Moi!" (translation...bye bye!). The crowd slowly clears out, the conveyor belt comes to a stop, and then there was one. Yes, that is me. The only redheaded Kansan on that flight, and probably the only 24-year old solo female traveler - with no bag to claim. So I walk over to the help desk and thankfully was greeted by a very friendly lady who assured me they would find my luggage, and sent me away with a complementary female overnight bag, complete with an XL white t shirt, shampoo, and single use laundry detergent. Then I proceed to find the bus station and the worker behind the desk had very little patience for this outsider. I tried to keep from being discouraged, and found my bus. This could have been a dreary situation, when a girl about my age approached me and asked me if I needed help when we got off the bus. She is from Germany but is living in Jyväskylä. She gave me her phone number and email so that we may meet for coffee during my stay. Her kindness gave me so much comfort! So now, I am sitting at the Travel Center, waiting on my friend to pick me up, hoping that we made the right arrangements. Life without a cell phone in a completely unfamiliar location is certainly not easy! How did people travel by themselves without it before? With all that said, tomorrow is a brand new day and I am looking forward to the adventure. I know that I thrive off of challenges, and I may be able to say that this is the beginning of the greatest challenge yet! OH, one other thing I would like to add, this country is expensive! I paid 1 £ to use the bathroom today! Honestly!

DAY ONE...Walter Matthau vs. Jack Lemmon..

Friday, May 15th
10 48am...I'm sitting in the terminal and the plane has been delayed another hour, so I of course must take out my travel itinerary and stare at it for 10 minutes to make sure I have enough time to get from one place to another. In some ways I'm like Walter Matthau from Odd Couple II, who flies by the seat of his pants so to speak, and doesn't worry about the fine details (a characteristic about myself that drives my brother Brian nuts!). In other ways, I'm like Jack Lemmon, checking my watch and reading over my itinerary with a crazy obsessive compulsiveness. Right now, staring out the window and looking for the plane, I am Jack.

11 28...the gosh darned plane has arrived. I can go back to being Walter. Whew!
(sunset over the Atlantic)
12 05...this is surreal. Ive never experienced flying in the clouds like this! Its a bit stormy and the clouds are so abundant. Just the other night, Jason and I were talking about how humbled we feel watching a powerful lightning storm, realizing just how little we are in life. Well this is certainly another reminder of that. This is amazing!

14 08...I am seated on my Boeing 777 and I am blown away! Its HUGE!! I feel like such a nerd because I couldn't stop smiling at all the people as I walked to my seat. Judging by the looks on their faces, they didn't share my level of enthusiasm. I have a feeling this is the beginning of the wondering looks I'm going to receive throughout the course of my travel. I cant wait!