Update

I have switched host families. I now live in Haikala (literally meaning Sharkfish), 9-10 km from Lepsämä, 3-4km from school. Right now, I get to school by a combo of bus and walking, depending on what I feel like doing, though honestly I prefer walking to the bus. 

My walk home from school- this is Finland at 5PM. 

My new neighborhood. Rather suburban, not what I'm used to, but so far no annoying neighbors as a stereotype would suggest.  

Jokerit v. TPS

Finnish hockey is amazing. While the level of play is certainly lower than the NHL, the atmosphere is amazing. Truly a sport for fans, as they get as rowdy as soccer/football fans in Southern Europe. No riots yet that I know of though. But still, I'm addicted. 

There were some strange aspects I wasn't expecting: cheerleaders and ice girls. Nevertheless, most of the fans seemed to completely ignore both. 

I've got to go to another game, maybe even buy a Jokerit jersey. The atmosphere certainly beats the NHL, where all anyone cares about is their bottom line. 

Minä! Me! Jokerit! 

Finland Now

The place where I play soccer. 

This is a legitimate thing

Hot-dog in a bag. Yup. 

Nilsiä

Also, my host family and I went to visit Nisliä, in Eastern Finland. It snowed there, and heavily. 

These photos were taken during a seven hour hike we took- look what it did to my host sister:

We also visited Kuopio, but for only a few hours on the way home. 

Our last stop on the way home was Syysmä, where I was able to take a frozen canoe ride:

Tallinn

Over my break, I went to Tallinn with my host family. Lots if pictures, it was awesome.

My awesome host family and I went to Kiek in die Kook (bastardization of the name, apologies), a tower that is a remnant of the bastion system the Swedish attempted to erect before the Russians invaded. 

Me in the KGB museum. 

Everyone wishes they were Finnish