School/Settling In

Alright, so it's been exactly two weeks since I arrived in Finland. It feels like forever ago, in the best way possible (except for the fact that I have no idea what people are saying when they talk to me).

On Sunday, Eija and Amar Jit took me for a tour of Turku, which was absolutely amazing.

I met with Juha, my YEO, on Tuesday morning and we went to pick out my schedule for this period. In Finnish high schools, there are (I think) 6 periods of approximately 6-7 weeks each with classes changing each period. This period my classes are: French, English, Health, Gym, History and Math. I'm also taking a Finnish for Foreigners course every Wednesday. As a side note, Finnish students must buy the books needed for the classes each period. Approximately 20 euros/book X 6 books X 6 periods = lots of $$$.

After picking the classes, we went to meet up with Safire to go to the Rotary meeting. We both did our presentations, which was nerve-wracking since there were about 40 or 50 people in the room, but I think they went well.

I started school on Wednesday morning with French class. Though I originally went to the wrong room and ended up being late, the class was great and it was nice to be able to understand some of the lesson. I met some really really nice people and some rebound exchange students too.

I got to know part of Turku quite well when I got lost on Thursday trying to find my gym class. The class was supposed to be held at a rec center about 10 minutes from the school... I spent an hour trying to find the place and never made it. I think I'll have some explaining to do on Monday when I see the teacher again. Oh well. I guess I have a decent excuse :)

I embarrassed myself again on Friday when I missed the first half of my history lesson by going to lunch at 11. Apparently on Fridays, and only on Fridays, the history class starts at 11:10, breaks for lunch at 11:40 and starts again at 12:10... Guess who didn't know about it....

Friday got better when I went to the sauna with Eija and Amar Jit :) :) The public sauna is located in a national park, right beside a lake. We changed into our bathing suits then went into the sauna. After about 5 minutes, we ran and jumped into the lake to cool down, then went back to the sauna when we started to get cold. (the process was repeated 4 or 5 times). The extreme difference between hot and cold temperatures increases blood circulation and makes you feel so relaxed and refreshed afterwards (hungry too). In the winter, the lake freezes over and a hole is cut into the ice for swimming. Not sure whether I'll get to try that... My Canadian skin might not be tough enough...

I had my first Irish dance class in Turku a couple of hours ago. It felt really good to be exercising again and just made the whole week so much better. Stress, gone!

It's been a crazy week! I still can't understand most of what people say, but I'm starting to recognize some words (mostly food-related hehe). Hopefully my Finnish improves soon because I hate having to speak English and I want so badly to understand what's going on during conversations.