I understand that I stop righting right before I went to Russia, but I have decided to leave it where it is. Maybe in the next couple of days I will reevaluate whether or not I want to type it up, but as of now, I will just start to post what I want and continue from there.
I am currently in Fresno, and I miss these people. I feel that I have grown alot since I have left this place, and now, I feel that alot of my friends here have grown too. Its a nice feeling to not have to sit and gossip or drink or go out or do something extravagant because we are young and have to do something. It has been fun.
I kinda miss the heat too. Granted, it is only like, 15 degrees cooler in SJ right now, but I miss walking everywhere with my sunglasses and shorts on, with a little sweat on the brow. I got use to it being three digits hot and I miss it at times.
Nyquil helped a lot. Woke up with only a cough and some weezing. A lot better then the day before! I felt ready for the day and for some Finnish Baseball!!!
Started the day at lunch, which was better then expected. They had some chicken (enter Finnish word here) which turned out to be mushy chicken nuggets. Better then Anchovy and potato casserole! Everyone asked how I was doing, so that made me feel loved and welcomed in the group as well.
After lunch, I went to Jesus’ class, where he gave us the questions for the final exam I will take on Thursday morning at 9am. Doesn’t look too hard, so I am not worried about that. Plus, it is open note, which makes it even easier.
Did well on my presentation during class as well. I felt I was very dynamic in my presentation, didn’t look at my notes or the screens too much, and knew my information well enough and demonstrated that as well. I guess it is now up to now how European teachers view my presentation. =) I am sure I will score just fine on it!
After class, all the fun began! Russell let me borrow a shirt, so I didn’t have to play in my polo and sweater. After that, our athletic tutor asked us if I knew one of the balls he had, and it totally was a football, so it was nice to throw the “ol’ pickskin” around. Showed off the cannon. Lol!
Finnish baseball was very interesting, and fun. I think I did very well too. I went 3/4 with a HR, 2R, 2B, 3RBI and 0K. lol. I would have had 2 “American” homeruns, but if you hit it over the fence, it is an out, and not a HR. Apparently they want you to keep it in the park and in play, and not just get away easy by hitting it too far. Dumb.
After the baseball, we all went home and grabbed some McD on the way. Night ended pretty early too, as tomorrow I have my first final!
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Today was better. I went to school at the normal time today. Not really much going on. I was still sick, but I knew that today would be the start of the “final push” for finals and finishing classes, so I decided I must go. At lunch, Brenda was nice enough to give me some Dayquil, so that made me feel a lot better too. Lunch was alright, but the rest of the week looks gross. We are debating whether or not to go out for lunch, but that has yet to be determined.
Glad I went to my first class today. Jesus praised the fact that I have been to every class so far, so that was appreciated. Felt horrible during class because I kept getting up to blow my nose and throw away tissue, but I explained to Jesus that I was sick, so he soon forgave me. My second class was very interesting. Today marked the start of presentations and there were three signed up for the day. Funny story – there was 3 people absent from class today too. ALL presenters. It totally blew my mind. One showed up later that day, but soon explained that her work had kept her from being able to put together a PowerPoint, so she didn’t have anything ready. Additionally, she wouldn’t be at class the next couple of days for work, and then on Thursday, she would be there for the test for only an hour that her work allowed her to miss. Needless to say, the teacher and her will be having a little discussion after class.
On another note, the teacher and I set up a time to take my exam. This Wednesday during class. Not too worried, as he has only talked about a couple of things testable for the exam. I am sure a brief review will be all that I need. Not too worried about that. My presentation is tomorrow, and I put together the most of it before class started, so I feel pretty strong about it. Should be a good one.
After class was over, some of us were not feeling the activity today – picnic by the beach. Instead, some of us went to Allan’s for a kebob sandwich. It was pretty good too. Tasted like tri tip with some type of bbq/red pepper sauce of it. Made be think of BBQ back home, and a little home sick. =(
Speaking of sick – I was acting all sick (because I still am) at Allan’s and the girls gave me their medicines they had for the next couple of days! Thanks Brenda and Shell! I got some Nyquil, which I will take tonight and that should help me feel super good tomorrow.
After the food, we all went home and I called it a night early. Talked to my love for a while and then went to be early after popping some Green Death, as they say.
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Today wasn’t too good of a day. I woke up at 8:30 this morning, intending to go to mass to see the inside of the church at city center, but I didn’t feel good at all. Went back to sleep at 9:30, after talking with Britt and deciding that mass wasn’t in my best intentions. Slept as long a I could, and woke back up at 1:30pm. At this time, I got up, took a shower, and talked to Ian and Britt for a little while. I signed up for laundry at 4, so I went and laid back down in my bed until 345, and put my first load in the washer. Came back to my room, hung out with Ian some more, and then went to put my load in dryer. Came back to find Russel and Daniel playing baseball with a pespoball bat and some pinecones, so I hung out with them a little to get some vitamin D from the sun, then went back inside. Got my clothes from the dryer around 6:30, then went back to my place to relax. Watched some more south park, and passed out around 9. I slept until about 2 am, went on facebook for an hour, then passed back out.
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Been here for 2 weeks! It seems only yesterday that we landed and took a tour of Helsinki.
Woke up late again today, which was nice. Took it easy and watched some more South Park until about 4pm. We took the Bus over to Henna’s house so we could make the Fins some Mexican food. Our original menu was going to be Salsa, guacamole, tacos and enchiladas, with rice and beans. When we got to the store, things changed. For starters, Finland doesn’t carry jack Cheese. That was a buzzkill. Additionally, they don’t have Haas Avocados or Corn tortillas. When we found this out, we quickly scratched the enchilada idea so we didn’t have to back anything. Took a chance on the cheese, but it ended up working in the end. Finland also doesn’t carry refried beans, so we decided to go with white beans and hoped for the best!
We started with the salsa and guacamole, which we made from scratch. Both turned out amazing! Everyone loved it! Started the Spanish rice before starting the tacos, and that turned out good too. The meat we chose for tacos was interesting, and the sour cream here is more like plain yogurt, so the tacos were interesting, but still ok to eat. The beans were the most interesting party. I decided to mash them up and added a bunch of cheese to them. They turned out pretty ok actually.
All the Fins liked the food too. Everything was ate to the last bit of salsa! That made me happy that they loved it so much
After our mild food coma, we went for ice cream even though it was raining. I bought a different mint ice cream this time, and it was just as good. I also bought a salmiaki ice cream, which was gross, so I gave it to Mervi, and she ate it right up. We walked back to the city center, but took the scenic route. It was super pretty. Saw a Double Rainbow too!! It was awesome! Got home at a reasonable time too.
