Things here are actually a lot better than I had originally expected them to be. I have made quite a few friends (who speak ENGLISH!!) and my farm life isn't so terrible after all. In the past month I have gone horseback riding, to a hockey game, a floor ball game (ice hockey without the ice), wall climbing, up to visit friends in Iisalmi, to a rotary meeting and a district meeting, to a couple of get togethers with friends, to a disco or two, and I started my Finnish  lessons at the University. Besides the normal everyday hanging out with friends and family and stuff. In all I have to say WOO WOO! Heh.

I have to agree with Frank in saying that a cellphone is a good idea. Of course, we're both in the land of cell phones. Here EVERYONE has one. You cannot get in touch with people without it. So, in already knowing this before I got here, I made plans and actually did get a cellphone. Now, the bill and how I'm going to pay it is a whole other story. :o) School is ok. The people are nice but I have the same people in my classes and those are the people I have bonded with. My classes are in ENGLISH, excluding my Spanish class, hence the reason I am taking finnish lessons at the university.

The school is in a very central place so for lunch we go out into the city center or go have a cup of coffee. I have to take a bus everywhere, which was a bit of a drag at first, but now I feel independent and like I can go anywhere without having to depend on anything or anyone (except my bus schedule, of course :o]). I feel like I have already matured a bit in that way. I no longer bug my mom to lend me her car, or bug my friends to come and pick me up, or beg them to let me borrow THEIR car. Heh, I just pull out my trusty bus schedule and go!

My finnish is limited, but I've actually been starting to understand some conversations. I can pick up little words here and there and people are suprised when I laugh, or grab a broom and hand it to them (after they say the floor is dirty or something). Its a very nice feeling. :o)  On the way home from the train yesterday, I was looking out the window at the vast fields and trees, and I thought, 'Jeez, I'm ACTUALLY here. I'm now going HOME.' I feel like I have been blessed to have this opportunity for one whole year. And I know that I am going to make the best of it. To all you other exchange students... I hope you do the same. Because as Olivia wrote to us we really are all blessed and we should all be aware of that. Make the best of your stay and remember that it is ONLY one year (or now less).

I hope everyone is doing well. Take care of yourselves!

Love,

Sarah