Deep Thoughts, by Sean

Sean (being typed by Kevin)

I haven't had a chance to really type anything on here yet....so I thought I' d give you the breakdown of what I think of Eastern Finland so far.....

1. It's a beautiful Northern Michigan view that everyone is entitled to. The Finns have passed a law, which allows every Finn to walk through the forests and pick berries, and enjoy their country's beauty. I think this is fantastic!

2. The food is amazingly fresh. Lots of fish, cucumbers with every meal, and constant access to coffee and dessert (this is good for my taste buds, bad for my waist).

3. The Finnish people are like light bulbs. When you first go up to them they're dark...without much to say, and keep to themselves. But when you say hello and give them a bright smile, they light up and are among the warmest people I know. It amazes me how so many Finns know so many languages...and are so willing to speak them. This is hard to explain, and should really be experienced.

4. Grandmother's foot tastes like crap! It's Koskenkorva vodka, Salmiakki (like salty Sambuca), and Bailey's.....this truly tastes exactly like its name.

It has been a great visit. The firefighters in the country have been gracious, patient, and always willing to take the time to explain their way of doing things.

And despite what you may have read in the newspaper...I did not Shhhh Kevin.

Sean!

True Story...

Kris Ives










We went hiking 3km into the woods to see the ancient rock paintings...this one is a 'hirvi' (moose).











This rocking chair collection is in the Ropponen family's museum on their farm. Fleece from their own sheep adorn the back of every chair.











Tending the sheep in Konnuslahti. (Note: The work clothes are a temporary loan.)










Hospitality abounds in Finland. The City Manager of Leppävirta brought flags in from as far away as Helsinki to make us feel welcome.











Every evening is this beautiful in Finland. At the end of each day we find ourselves reflecting on all that we have done, the sights we have seen and the friends that we have made. 'Thank you, Finland!'

A picture is worth a thousand words...

Sean's host mother, Titi, laughing at my home made Finnish dictionary. She said it was 'paska'! (just kidding) ;o)










Eating together...again!











The only women allowed in the 'men only' club in Mikkeli! And, yes, I am sitting in Mannerheim's chair.












Body Pumping with Sarri (she totally kicked our butts!)











And they said 'don't go on the ice!'


Jessica and Kristin

'High Fiiive!'

We Are Almost Home

Playing euchre. Two of us learned for the first time and did pass the time okay
Armando and one of our hosts just out of the sauna on a coll night with a beer. Don't have to tell you what they are NOT wearing
Orthodox church we visited
A monster machine that cuts a tree down, trims off the branches and picks it up all at the same time.


Not that we are not enjoying ourselves in Finland, but now we are just a few days from our flight home and I know that I am looking forward to sleeping in my own bed, especially close to Barbara, my wife.





We are all doing well. The weather has been good. Cool in the morning (0-2 C or 32 to 38F). I have to be sure that both the Canadians and Americans understand the temp. here.





We had an interesting day at our last city. We visited three level of the public shool system and gave a presentation in English for them and answered any questions that they had. WE did enjoy it and the younger students did also. The high school students were a little more stand-offish when we were with them.



That is it for now we are going to make our last presentation at a Rotary meeting tonight.

Armando

Photos From Finland By Armando

This is the group of 23 exchange students waiting for their turn to introduce themselves at the Govenors Ball during the conference weekend

These are two Japanese YE Students introducing themselves
This is Kris representing our team and presenting floweres to the Finland GSE Chairlady who has doen a lot to make our tour a success.
Here is out team in action presenting at the conference.
This is the GSE Team from Finland introducing themselves to the conference.

Hope you are enjoying the photos and the BLOG in general. Stay tuned for more to come.

Armando

Please Pass the Salmon Soup

Kevin

When I left for Finland I was expecting to lose a bit of weight. We eat so much greasy food in Canada and the US that I figured the steady diet of fish would do my waistline a little good. And, if you know me, you know my waistline could use all the help it can get. Unfortunatly, during my research on Finland, I didn't bother to check exactly how often Finns eat...which is, ummmm, a little more then I am used to....to put it mildly. Let me explain the best way I can.

So first you wake up in the morning, and have breakfest.

A typical Finnish breakfast...veggies, bread, cheese, yogurt, coffee. However, this is followed two hours later at around 10:30 by breakfast number 2...which looks the exact same. This second breakfast is then followed by the meal we call...pre-lunch....

Its kind of a warm up to lunch...usually salad, coffee or homemade beer. Then we finally have lunch.

Lunch is fish, bread, salads, and coffee....also there is usually dessert. Okay so now it's about 1'ish. We've eaten 5 times, and still have a lot more to go. So, three o'clock rolls around and its time for a coffee break. Coffee and bread or doughnut is eaten here....this can also be followed by pre-dinner however that doesn't appear to be an everyday thing. Now it's 5:30, Dinner Time!!!

Usually two types of meat, one is almost always fish. We also have veggies, potato, alcoholic beverage and water. Also coffee and dessert follows. So you'd think this would be it, but you would be very wrong! It's coffee and snack time. Sit around, talk about what you did that day between your seven meals, and do it over food. This is life on the GSE team. I'm sorry everyone back home....I may not really be coming back home as thin as I had planned.

Laughing

Jessica

I laughed more today in Finland, than I can remember laughing on any regular Thursday pre-GSE. :o) Every day is a new experience and new adventure. One of the many things that amazes me every day is how much we laugh. And by laugh, I do not mean the short chuckle that occurs immediately following a funny joke. I mean the kind of laugh that sends a person into a state of complete histeria, usually ending with stomach pains and tears rolling down one's face. We laugh at everything from a good game of cards to a complete misinterpretation of yet another Finnish word. Our host families even find our antics and lack of commication ability quite ammusing. :o)


This experience really changes one's perspective about seriousness. I guess like everything else in life, there is a time and place for seriousness. However, during our trip in Finland, I found that seriousness only occurs during presentations about the forestry industry, municipalities, and the occational lesson about Finnish dairy farming. However, somehow these very serious meetings still end with bouts of laughter and inside jokes for days on end. Let's just say that I trust my team mates to refrane from posting videos on Utube of my pathetic attempt at seriousness.

But seriously, one cannot hold back laughter when a team member shouts, "Man Down!" or one team member threatens sickness on the other in attempt to get out a runaway vehicle with a man who does not speak English! :o)

The old saying is very true. Laughter is the best medicine. I am certain we will all return home healthy and happy because there will be plenty more laughs on the last leg of our trip. :o)