Left it's mark...

To live is to challenge oneself. To live is to move outside of one's comfort zone.

To me, feeling fulfilled is when I achieve something, when I try something new, when I work hard, when I DO things.

 

Now, as my exchange is almost 4 months in the past, thinking back on everything I achieved and the lessons I learnt, its hard to even fathom that it all actually happened! Sometimes it just seems like an extremely long and crazy dream! When I made that initial leap of faith to go on exchange, I chose to not just step outside of my comfort zone but to really break down the walls and leap out of it! I officially achieved moving out of home, living in a new and different country with a completely different culture and language, living with strangers and making friends from scratch in a place that not only had never seen or heard of me but didn't know my culture, background and even spoke another language. I did this at 17. That to me is a feat! I am proud of myself and I am proud of everyone that has or will go on exchange. It's brave but it is so worth it. My comfort zone has stretched so far I'm not sure there is any adventure I wouldn't be game on taking on!

 

I am inspired and humbled by the opportunities I have in my life more and more everyday. I am more empowered to do something with my life, to not just live but to be truly alive!

Last year really opened my eyes, not just to Finland and its culture but to the world as a whole, and to myself. I learnt so much about so many things that I couldn't even begin to explain to you and I don't even know if I could if I tried!

 

One thing that became so blatantly obvious to me is how huge of an effect our attitude and perspective have on our lives. It may sound cheesy but it's so true! We subconsciously make choices everyday about how we will feel, what we will let our eyes see and our ears hear. You can agree with me that when we're in a bad mood small throw away comments by others, the weather and even tiny little dilemmas in our day like the zipper on your jacket getting stuck, can get us so worked up and annoyed (at least it's happened to me before!). Those same events, had they happened on a day where we're in a good mood would be water off a ducks back, probably something you wouldn't even take any notice of.

I believe that we could choose positivity if we made that subconscious choice into a conscious one each day. I think that the more people that realised this the happier everyone would be. I know that when someone is positive around me I feel happier.

Everyone is going to have days that aren't so flash, but taking a moment to breathe and appreciate something small or pay a compliment helps, not only may it make yourself feel a little better but maybe you'll also brighten someone else's day in the process.

Exchange taught me many different things, one of which is that time really does fly! Life is short and we will only get out of it what we put in. I have realised, now more than ever, that my life and every opportunity that I have is a gift and a blessing. Let not fear hold me back from reaching out and seizing any opportunity to do good, to have an adventure, or to fulfill a dream. Our lives are precious and every single one of us has something to give to the world and to the people in it. Whether it's in a foreign place or just at home; let yourself see everyday as a gift and an opportunity to do something good, whether its just sharing a compliment or a smile, let it be a day that leaves a positive mark.

Last Days

I've drafted two completely different posts already and I just can't seem to get anything coherent out!

I am at a complete loss for words. I don't know what to say! This is so surreal! I still remember the drive to the airport in Adelaide a year ago! I remember the flights and how incredibly glad I was to finally land in Finland after those 2 straight days of travel, thanking the Lord that I didn't have to do it again for a whole year... and here I am! 1 year later with my suitcase packed again and ready to make my way to the airport tomorrow. What happened?! I know time flies but this is just downright ridiculous!

This year has been an absolute roller coaster. I can't even begin to explain all of the things I have learnt this year, about the world, about myself and about life in general. It would take forever, and I don't even know if I would really be able to put it into words if I tried!

This year has been a journey, and I have made so many wonderful memories and now, between my exchange student friends and my Finnish friends and families, I have some truly amazing loved ones all over the world! 

These goodbyes are so horribly sad because my return to Finland is a day I don't know yet. Whilst I know that it is 'see you later' rather than 'goodbye' because I WILL be back! That 'later' is not something I can define yet. It's a mystery to me when I will see these people that have become such a huge part of my life and this life changing year of mine again. It's a sickening and scary feeling.

Even when I am back, things will be different. My life in Finland will have changed, so whilst my friends will always be my friends, this is really the end of a chapter here too. My Lukio (Finnish highschool) days are over. On that note though, they did end in a really unexpected and special way!

It was my last day of school today and I was aware that they were going to say something at lunch time about me leaving. However, I was so shocked and overwhelmed by what they did for me. Everyone was called to the cafeteria and I was called to the front. One of my best friends spoke on behalf of the students and two of my teachers also said a few things on behalf of the teachers. Needless to say I was in tears from the first word out of their mouths! Crying in front of the whole school.. good one Emmy! Oh well! :'D 

They gave me a gift of two Iittala (Finnish design home wares which are really typical in Finland and which I love!) and a book that the student council had made for me with class pictures where people had written their names for me. They also then sang a Finnish goodbye song for me. The tears had no chance to cease!

Last of all I wanted to say something. I addressed the school, said a few things about my year with them and thanked everyone. Although I did have a little brain fart on one word and completely blanked like a dummy in front of everyone, I did quite well. I'm surprised I got it all out in Finnish considering the emotional state I was in!

I was so overwhelmed, people were hugging me and saying their goodbyes and it was really hitting me that this year is coming to an end. I'm still in shock. I don't know when it'll set in that I'm going home, maybe when I get there!

This year has ended so bitter sweet. I couldn't have asked for a better send off, it's all been so lovely and thoughtful. I couldn't have asked for better friends, they are truly the best! And whilst I know my family and friends back home are waiting for me to come home, and of course I want to see them too, I know that the minute I leave Finland I wont be back for some time. That hurts. It's all a bit conflicting to say the least!

To be honest, I don't know if this post makes any sense to anyone but me. I hope you can get something out of this! My brain is just fried from everything going on at the moment, I don't think I can do any better than this at this point!

Home Stretch

Hyvää Uutta Vuotta kaikille! 

Happy New Year everyone!

With this new year comes the ending of my exchange year which is a time of many mixed emotions. I am excited to return to Australia and see all of my loved ones there again, and I am excited to see what the new year and my next chapter holds for me. However, 2013 was an incredible year and in a lot of ways I don't want it and my exchange to be over just yet. 

The new relationships I have formed this year with both my Finnish families and friends, and other exchange students from all around the world are ones that I will treasure forever. It will be really hard to leave Finland not knowing when we will see each other again. However, whether I want to go or not, there's no putting off the fact that I will be leaving very soon. So, this week has held the beginning of my farewells. 

This past weekend was my last full weekend in my town. Saturday night I spent with many of my good friends at one of my best friend's home for the first of my farewells.

Sunday I spent with two friends watching Futsal (a sport like indoor soccer).

Then on Monday I had friends over to my home for a small farewell party in the evening. We just hung out, chatted and ate together. 

One of my first and really good Finnish friends, Eppu, made me a cute little book with photos of us and wrote some beautiful things in it for me about our friendship. Such a thoughtful and much treasured gift from one of my best friends!

Today was the first day back at school after the Christmas break. As it's the beginning of a 

new term and I am only here for 4 days of it (sniff sniff! How sad! Still can't believe how close I am to the end!) I spent the day just going to different lessons along with my friends and after school we went together to the local Chinese restaurant. It was so lovely!

Only a few days left! To everyone back home in Australia- See you soon! ♥

Suomalainen Joulu

Hyvää Joulua kaikille! 

Merry Christmas everyone!

So another Christmas has just been and gone. My Christmas this year was definitely one for the history books! My first Christmas away from the Australian Summer and my own family's Christmas traditions.

There are many differences between the Australian and Finnish Christmas'. Aside from the obvious weather difference (summer in Australia and winter here in Finland) there are many differences in how it is celebrated. I feel that the traditions are much stronger here in Finland. That's not to say that I think it is more festive or that there is more Christmas spirit here in Finland compared to Australia, I actually felt the opposite but I'll get to that later.

In Finland Christmas is celebrated on the 24th of December. The main Christmas meal was on Christmas Eve and my host sister and I read the Christmas story from the Bible and my older sister played a Christmas Carol on the clarinet before we began eating. On Christmas Eve my youngest three siblings also reenacted a traditional short skit for the family.



Presents are opened in the evening of Christmas Eve rather than the morning of Christmas Day. I was lucky enough to be with a family that has younger children so I had the chance to see the Christmas Eve traditions around present opening. Joulupukki (Santa) comes to the home, we sing the song 'Joulupukki, Joulupukki' to invite him in, he chats and hands out presents and then we sing the song again as he leaves.

Joulupukki song- YouTube

Lapset (children):

Joulupukki, joulupukki,

valkoparta, vanha ukki,

eikö taakka paina selkää?

Käypä tänne, emme pelkää!

Oothan meille vanha tuttu,

puuhkalakki, karvanuttu.

Tääl on myöskin kiltit lapset

kirkassilmät, silkohapset.

Joulupukki, joulupukki,

valkoparta, vanha ukki,

vietä iltaa joukossamme

täällä meidän riemunamme.

Tervetullut meille aina,

käypä tänne, puuta paina

tai jos leikkiin tahdot tulla,

kahta hauskempaa on sulla!

Joulupukki (Santa):

Kiitos, kiitos, kiltit lapset,

kirkassilmät, silkohapset.

Terve teille, pienokaiset,

leikkiväiset, laulavaiset!

Hauska tääl ois iltahetki,

vaan on vielä pitkä retki:

kuusen luota kuusen luokse

mulla matkan suunta juoksee.

Lapset (children):

Joulupukki, joulupukki,

valkoparta, vanha ukki,

viivy vielä pieni hetki,

vaikka onkin pitkä retki.

Tässä tuomme sulle mettä

vilpoisaa kuin lähdevettä.

Sitten jaksat pitkän tiesi

kulkea kuin aimo miesi.

Joulupukki (Santa):

Kiitos vaan nyt kiltit lapset,

kirkassilmät, silkohapset!

Täs on teille muistiaiset,

pienet joulumaistiaiset.

Lapset (children):

Kiitos sulle, oiva ukki,

ystävämme joulupukki.

Taas kun päästään ensi jouluun,

tervetullut meidän kouluun!

On Christmas Eve we also went to the church at 11pm where, for about an hour, the local choir sang Christmas carols. The Church was dark except for the soft light from the Christmas tree and some candles. It was really beautiful. The church was completely full, apparently it's quite a big thing every Christmas.

To top it all off, when we walked outside afterwards, it was snowing! We had already had a bit of snow but it was so beautiful to actually witness it snowing over the Christmas period! It was a white Christmas for me this year!

It was a little funny for me to see Christmas creeping up but not really notice, the only indication that Christmas was coming was the few lights that were strung up in the streets of my town and the cities I visited in the month lead up.

In Australia it's normal to have the Christmas tree, lights and decorations up for a couple of weeks even before Christmas Day. However, in Finland the tree is usually put up maximum a few days prior (I think this is mainly due to the fact that most people have real trees rather than plastic, so this is more a practical thing).

Not many people in Finland have house lights, they have simple candle decorations, etc. but don't really decorate the outside of the home with lights. As a part of Christmas in Australia, not all but many, people decorate their houses in lights for about a month before Christmas. It's all a part of the lead up to Christmas when families go out driving and looking at the people's house Christmas lights, a lot are quite impressive! You can also hear Christmas Carols being played just about everywhere you go, and maybe it's annoying for some but I love that about Christmas. Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year!

There were many differences between Christmas here and the Christmas' I've had in Australia but of course I didn't expect it to be the same nor did I want it to be! I came to Finland excited to experience the different traditions and lifestyles of Finnish people and I was not disappointed! Finland is full of quirky traditions and lifestyle habits, some of which I have fallen in love with and will definitely be integrating into my own life and traditions when I get home to Australia.

Christmas this year was different for me but it was great! I was so lucky to be able to have a true Finnish Christmas which was filled with their traditions and I was so blessed to be a part of a beautiful family that I love to bits for it!

Some might be surprised to hear that I was not homesick at all during this festive season. Maybe it was because it felt very different to the Christmas I know and so it didn't feel like Christmas, maybe it was because I was a part of a family that I love and I really feel a part of, or maybe it was because I am leaving soon and so it's not so sad to be away when I'll be back in a matter of weeks... or maybe a combination of all of those things or something else completely. I don't know, but what I do know is that I'm grateful that despite spending Christmas away this year, I didn't spend it without family ♥♥♥

 

Piparkakkutalo (Gingerbread house) making with my sisters!

We went a little crazy and it looks more like a bunch
of 3 year olds made it...

But it was fun to make and it'll taste good
which is the main point! ;)

Enjoying every last moment! ♥

Late in this year I joined the town orchestra and last Sunday we had a performance. At the church we played Christmas carols along with the local kids choir.

Last Monday evening I attended my Rotary Club's pikkujoulu (Christmas party) and gave my final presentation.... In Finnish! It wasn't so long, only about 10 minutes or so of just talking, but I was very proud to have not done it in English. Everyone was full of compliments and praise for my ability to pronounce and articulate the Finnish language which is very different to English. Everyone was thrilled and I was very proud of myself!

I went home and then set off on the night train down to Turku in Southern Finland. I spent a week in Turku seeing the city's sights and visiting Helsinki (the capital) for one day also. It was a lovely week spent with some of my exchange friends and seeing some of the bigger cities of Finland.