Westward Ho!

With two finals left and two days to go, the semester is wrapping up quickly.  Overall, I had a good set of classes—learning about Finnish schools, their philosophy of education and how to teach mathematics.  Additionally, I appreciated having the opportunity to familiarize myself with the wonderful world of the Finnish language.  Minä rakastan Suomi.  I love Finland.

In these last days of the semester, not only am I keeping busy with studies, but I am also finalizing my winter break travel plans.  This weekend, I depart by train to Helsinki where I will meet up with my friend, Anna.  She and I worked together at Breakthrough Saint Paul, and we've both been studying in Finland this semester.  From Helsinki, I will fly to Iceland to explore the fantastic geology of this tiny island while turning 23 (yup, a birthday in Iceland).  Then, on Christmas Eve's Eve, my family and I plan to rendezvous in London.  I am so excited to see them.  While Skype has been a nice way to keep in touch, it will be extremely nice to actually be with them—eat meals together, laugh together, and be the Marshalls together.  While staying in a quaint cottage in the countryside of Tenbury Wells, we plan to take day trips to see castles and other historic attractions.  Rumor has it that there may also be reenactments of Dicken's A Christmas Carol.  Stay tuned.

Thanks to Skype's new group call feature,
my whole family can stay connected from around
the globe.  Mom, Dad and Emily in Minnesota.
James in Washington.  And me in Finland.

From London, goodbyes will ensue as my family heads back to the States and I go up to Scotland.  As my great grandmother came from Scotland, this part of the trip will be something like a pilgrimage to the motherland.  After trying out a kilt and perhaps playing a few notes on bagpipe, I will return "home" to Joensuu just in time for the next semester to begin.

I anticipate that computer access may be limited in the coming weeks, so blog posts will likely be scarce.  Rest assured that updates will surely come in January.  So, for now, Hyvää  Joulua ja Hyvää Uutta Vuotta!  Merry Christmas and may God bless your New Year!

Treats with a Twist

On Friday afternoon, I found myself wandering through the aisles of the local grocery store.  In search of possible breakfast foods, I came across a box of Rice Krispies.  Feeling mildly elated that I had found a familiar food product in this foreign land, I quickly began looking for the next logical thing—marshmallows.  Who can sell Rice Krispies without also having marshmallows?  The two are like peanut butter and jelly.  Like snowmen and carrots.

With the exception of the dog food aisle, I spent the next fifteen minutes systematically scouring the shelves of each aisle.  No marshmallows with the raisins.  No marshmallows with the gummy bears.  No marshmallows with the broccoli.  Feeling defeated, I returned the box of Rice Krispies to the shelf and cycled home. 

However, the story does not end here.  Still thinking I may have missed something (because, again, who can have Rice Krispies and no marshmallows) I sent an urgent query to my Finnish friend: does Finland have marshmallows?  She quickly replied with an affirmative answer, informing me that I should find them in the candy aisle.  In her response, she also sent along a picture of what I should look for.  For this, I am thankful.  Folks, Finnish marshmallows look quite a bit different from American marshmallows.  Colored with pastel pinks, yellows and oranges, these fluffy delights come in all sorts of different twisted shapes.  Of course!  Why have plain white puff balls when you can make multicolored works of art?

So again, I mounted Alpina (my bike) and we went off to the market.  This time, my trip was a success. Rice Krispies and marshmallows bounced around in Alpina's basket as we returned home.  An hour later, a plate of Rice Krispy treats sat on the counter.  Though not a common Finnish (or European) treat, they still provided for an interesting adventure this past Friday afternoon.

Festive Shades of Lime Green

At first glance, you might suspect that I forgot to
check the white balance settings on my camera when
photographing the tree.  Unfortunately, this is not the
case.  These are the true colors.  Yup, lime green.

With Christmas nearing, the need for a tree was starting to grow.  So, last weekend, I went out into the forest and cut down a Christmas tree.  While such efforts typically require a saw and some twine, this year these items were not needed.  My tree stands about 50cm tall and has a trunk the diameter of your pinky finger.  However, despite its small stature, it abounds in its Christmas cheer.  As tradition holds, after cutting it down...or rather, after snapping it off from a much larger tree, I hauled it back to my flat where I enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate while thinking about how best to display it.

With O Little Town of Bethlehem playing quietly in the background and pine scents wafting through the room, I began with the decorations.  The first to go on were the lights.  Recently, the shops had sales on Christmas lights, so I had picked up a strand earlier in the week.  Now you must understand that every strand of lights displayed in the shop were white.  So, upon arriving home, I was surprised to find that my lights glowed lime green when plugged in.  (I must have missed this small detail somewhere on the Finnish packaging.)  Trying to get over the fact that my lights looked like a chemistry experiment gone awry, I proceeded to gently tie them to my tree.

Next came the ornaments.  This year, all ornaments are homemade—origami cranes, two dimensional candy canes, a small nativity scene, a green and red paper chain, and a star made of the finest yellow paper I could find.  In addition to these more traditional items, I also made the second annual Christmas Dinosaur.  This year's design is a t-rex suspended from the tree's limbs with a thin red ribbon.  The dinosaur is made of dull orange paper with brown eyes.  It has two small arms and one large tail.

Last year's Christmas Dinos—a sauropod and t-rex
(along with a few other ornaments my family made)

This year's Christmas Dinosaur—an origami t-rex

After several hours of stringing lights, making ornaments and guzzling hot cocoa, my tree was complete.  With its delicate branches and obnoxious green lights, it sits on the bookshelf to the left of my desk.  It sits there reminding me of the fast approaching holiday.  Reminding me that I will get to see my family in less than two weeks.  

No Longer Russia's

December 6, 1917 marks Finland's independence from Russia.  In observance of this day, all of the shops close down and families gather around the country.  Compared to the festivities surrounding America's Fourth of July, I found the celebrations in Finland to be more subdued.  Rather than lighting up the sky with fireworks, the Finns light up their window sills with two blue and white candles.  And instead of having large parades with crowds of spectators, Joensuu had a smaller parade with the only spectators being those who happened to glance out their window as it passed by.  However, despite the differences in tradition, I still enjoyed the holiday quite a bit.

Maria prepared two Independence
Day candles for our window.

In the morning, Maria (my Finnish flatmate) prepared two candles for our window.  Then, in the afternoon, Tiina (my Finnish friend) and I joined the Joensuu parade.  Our parade was escorted by two police cars as we walked from the university to the cemetery.  Once we arrived at the war memorial, several individuals gave speeches about Finnish history and heroes.

I got to be a part of this parade.  As the
snow came down, two police cars escorted us
from the university to the town's cemetery.

After warming up with a cup of glögi (a common Finnish Christmas drink), Tiina and I went over to her sister's place.  While there, we watched the President's Independence Day Reception.  This reception is an annual event aired on national TV in which the president invites around 2000 guests to the presidential palace.  For the first hour or two, the president and her husband shake the hand of each person who attends.  After, the guests enjoy dinner and dancing.

While at Tiina's sister's home, we watched the President's
Independence Day Reception.  The first hour or two, the
president (left) shakes the hand of each guest who attends.
Photo © Office of the President of the Republic of Finland.

In the Silence of my Helmet

When biking home after school, I typically like to do one of two things: think about the day's events or practice rolling my r's.  When it comes to thinking, I find that the long rides home in the silence of my winter hat and helmet provide excellent times for me to reflect on the experiences I have had in Finland.  And practicing rolling my r's...well, this is my attempt to improve my pronunciation of the Finnish language. 

Anyways, regarding thinking, lately I have noticed that each of my days in Finland has brought a host of new experiences for me to reflect on.  No day has been quite like the other, and each has its own peculiarities.  To give you some insight into these peculiarities, below are highlights from each day this past week.

Monday: Monday was my first day back at classes since returning from Lapland.  The day started off with one of my favorite classes—geometric thinking.  The course is taught by a man who could have retired several years ago, but has chosen not to because of his love for the job.  In the course, he teaches us how to teach.  Connecting theory with practice, he constantly is showing us by example how we can work with students so they understand math rather than temporarily memorize facts.  I have also enjoyed the course because if has allowed me to practice my Finnish in a manageable context.  While the course is taught in English, the workbook is in Finnish.  Therefore, I've been getting quite a bit of practice with translating.

Tuesday: In Finland, December ushers in Christmas celebrations like I have never experienced before.  Indeed even the name December, Joulukuu, is derived from the holiday's name, Joulu.  On Tuesday, as I wandered through the university hallways, Christmas decorations were busting out all over the place.  Christmas trees were set up in hallways throughout all campus buildings.  Christmas lights laced hand railings.  And live poinsettias were found at every cafeteria table.

Wednesday: Wednesday was by far the coldest day I have yet experienced in Finland.  With temperatures dipping below -26C and wind chills pulling temperatures even lower, the bike ride to school left me thinking I might need to wear a few more layers of trousers come January.  However, these temperatures were not the only thing that made Wednesday special.  It was on this day that I had the opportunity to visit a local English immersion school, Kanervala Koulu.  Teachers warned me that it is likely students will ask me if I have been to Hollywood.  While I did not end up getting this question, one boy in a bright blue sweater with even bluer eyes asked, "Have you ever been to Fargo?"

Thursday: On my way home from school on Thursday, I came across a beautiful scene.  A small boy bundled in a dull blue snowsuit sat in a bright red sled holding a large plastic sauropod and a loaf of bread.  As his dad pulled him down the sidewalk, the boy ran his mittens through the snow while the two had a quiet conversation.  It was beautiful.  The two were returning home from a trip to the market.  Both were content.  Both were enjoying each other's company—sharing warmth in the subzero temperatures.  And there was a large plastic sauropod.

Friday: After such an incredible week, I wasn't sure how Friday could top the previous days.  However, when riding my bike home, I again found myself reflecting on the cool experiences I have had in Finland.  Friday started with an Independence Day party at the local school.  December 6 marks Independence Day in Finland.  To celebrate, students from grades 1-9 gathered in the gym for an elaborate performance put on by various students.  Fourth graders played a song.  Seventh graders performed a dance.  Ninth graders recited poetry.  And teachers played accordion.  It was an impressive display of the musical talent of the school.  However, this celebration was not the only cultural experience for the day.  In the evening, one of my professors invited the class over to her home for a pulla-baking Christmas party.  Sporting small red elf hats and kitchen aprons, about 15 of us worked busily in the kitchen creating pulla of all different shapes and sizes.  Afterwards, we gathered in the living room where several students played Christmas tunes on guitar and violin.  It was a lovely end to a lovely week.