Suomenlinna

Suomenlinna is an awesome 18th century island fortress just outside of Helsinki. There is an "outdoor" theater there- my host family and I went to a show there. 

The kid is my host sister, Kaisla.

Helsinki

Oy vey.

What a day!

I met many new people- often younger kids are more enthusiastic, especially if you call soccer "real football". Which it is, but I digress. 

So I went to music class- I got to play the bass! Really, the electric bass, but still, it was fun. I wandered through funk riff after funk riff, until I had to pay attention. I was actually complemented on my playing, and I was asked to be in (yet again) a pit orchestra and the "band" (six kids). 

Gym/Sport/Liikunta was rough. Forgot I had to eat beforehand, but maybe it was better that way. Apparently advanced gym means a lesser form of the hockey camp I attended at 16. Sprints, push-ups, duck-walks. But it's great exercise that I can't motivate myself for, so I really can't complain. Great football though! 

Swedish. Oh, Swedish...

It is truly remedial Swedish- for those who have taken 5 years of it, and can understand Finnish. Thank goodness English and Swedish are of the same family. I can half understand Swedish. 

Such was my day!

I have a bass

Sympathy, a bit too late

Today I took a French placement test, but in Finnish. I can skip to the second class, but that apparently also will be easy for me (according to the teacher). 

So I have to find a class to transfer to. And keep up my conjugation skills- they were shameful on that test. 

But that's not the point. I now feel an incredible amount of sympathy for my Chinese classmates at St. Francis. I remember snide comments made about the extra help, considerations, or word banks that the boarding students were given. I fully regret ever having even heard a comment as such- taking a test in Finnish was awful, even with a dictionary beside me. I took incredibly long. But it's too late for sympathy. I can only hope someone else can provide some for me. 

Also, I went to Gym today- better yet, I didn't. I tried to find where the class was, inside and outside, assisted by my friend Marcus from English, but alas, no footballers could be found. Thankfully, Jaana, the exchange student liaison and English teacher, was able to help me find where I was supposed to be, and introduced me to the teacher. But still, that was after the class ended, so I sat around in the hallways for about an hour, doing nothing. People watching more or less, but I guess that amounts to nothing. 

I must find the courage to talk to new people! I probably won't this week, maybe not even next week, but sometime, I will! I simply lack the courage to approach someone, and more importantly to strike up a conversation. What would I say to someone completely new without seeming creepy? 

Actually, two Finns came up to me today, both from my history class, Osko and Levi/Liivi (not sure on spelling). Nice guys, very talkative and friendly. 

I survived!

I have survived one day in the legendary Finnish School System. So far, it looks a lot like the American School system. Not to discredit the Finns, as the system does place a higher value on obtaining knowledge. The methods do seem relatively similar, however. 

I did not have all of my classes today, and did have a later start (had to be there at nine), so tomorrow will prove my resolve, as it starts at Eight. Except it starts with an English class. So then again, maybe not. We'll see... 

Here is a picture of the music room: 

Yes, they really do use those instruments. In class. Eyewitness to it. I'm lucky- tomorrow I actually get to play bass. 

What shall we do with 2nd Warhammer?

To the tune of "What shall we do with a drunken sailor". 

No actual song or lyrics (yet), but simply a notification I brought the second edition of Warhammer Fantasy Battle to Finland with me. 

Already thinking of writing up lists in my spare time, generally Saxon/Viking themed armies. A lot of big, hairy guys with some nice, friendly axes. I'm thinking almost all axes, except for maybe a few skirmishing archers. No cavalry- all men are equal, all men fight on foot. Parity even in Miniature Wargaming. 

Maybe I'll be able to find some Finnish kids to Oldhammer it up with? I have no minis with me, but there has got to be a gaming club somewhere, right? 

Perhaps not though. I took another tour of my school and filled out my schedule today. The other kids just stare at the exchange students. Just like the U.S., minus the few perky suck-up types who cosy up to others so they can find a conduit for their opinion. 

I was told that I'll have to be the one to go out and make friends, but honestly, from the looks I got, I'm not sure if that's really on anyone else's mind. Perhaps not? Maybe I'm looking too far into the situation. Perhaps the stares today were of curiosity instead of "Not another exchange student... Six of them?". Regardless, I felt quite uncomfortable in the school setting, considering I've taken 6 classes (I only had to take five), and the classes are taught in Finnish. I'm taking remedial Swedish (only one they'd let me), mid level French, Music, Finnish History, "advanced" sport, and an English class. The English class was highly recommended for the first period, and it should be easy. Also, it should help in the reverse- I should learn more Finnish from the class. Hard to explain, but it makes sense to me. 

If it isn't obvious, Finnish kids intimidate me. I can't go in tomorrow with that attitude, so I guess I'll just walk in with a smile on my face, and be ready for the worst. 

Sorry for the insecurity. 

The worst:

Just a little dark humor to brighten everyone's day.