Somehow I only have 10 days, 1 practice and 1 soccer game left here in Finland before I head back to the States. It really is unreal how quickly time has flown since I've been here. And I have absolutely loved it the whole time which is why I plan on coming back next season :) But during my somewhat short time at home in USA (which is looking like it will be about 4 months) there are some things I will definitely miss about Finland....although I must say, I don't think I will miss all the cold weather, snow and darkness that will be coming this way soon!!
1. MY TEAMMATES
This obviously has to be my first one on the list :) I am so fortunate to have chosen to play for HJK this season. The whole team and coaching staff were more than welcoming and helped us adjust and find our way around!! It will be SO weird not seeing them everyday but with the help of technology, I know we will keep in touch. And before I know it I will be back in Finland for the 2014 season :)
2. EXPLORING THE CITY
This has been my favorite thing to do to fill up free time. Helsinki is full of so many beautiful buildings and places. After learning how to use public transportation, we have been a little more adventurous visiting different places. Suomenlinna still has to be at the top of my list for my favorite places in Helsinki!!
3. SAFETY
I still don't think I've gotten used to this. There's just something about seeing little kids walking around alone that will always catch me off guard. But with how safe it is here, it has allowed us to wander around the city, night or day, without being worried. But soon it will be back to the USA where I always need to be alert!!
4. BROKEN ENGLISH
I love hearing Finnish people's accents when they speak English and secretly wish I could sound like them haha But I will also miss the way they say things and some of the straight translations of Finnish phrases. But I'm pretty sure I've picked up broken English since being here so maybe I'll bring it back with me to America!
5. MY FINNISH PARENTS
I have been so blessed this season to live in a house with a family. Jussi and Lalla have been more than welcoming and we live in the upstairs of their house where their kids have moved out of. They really have been like my parents away from home. Some of the similarities between them and my REAL parents are kind of freaky though haha Jussi loves cars just like my Dad and Lalla is a retired math teacher born the same year as my Mom....so crazy!!! But I will miss them and hope to visit them once we get back :)
6. THE FINNISH LANGUAGE & TRADITIONS
Having graduated from college, I strangely miss learning but being here I have been able to "try" to pick up words of the Finnish language. BUt let me tell you, I had heard Finnish was one of the hardest languages to learn and it's true!! Although I can pick up on a lot of words, grammar and forming sentences is still foreign to me. But I think by next season, I will know even more! And hopefully one day I can kind of hold a conversation. Finnish culture is also full of traditions and holidays that have been really interesting to learn about. Vappu, Midsummer, saunas, and summer cottages are just a few, but it has been so fun experiencing all of these!!
7. FINNISH FOOD & CANDY
Although I sometimes miss American food, I have been more than happy to try all kinds of food here :) I have gotten to have some traditional dishes like reindeer, meatballs, fish, etc. But trying all the candy and chocolate here has been the best part!!!! And I already have a list of every kind I want to try to take home with me....and don't worry Salmiakki is on there!
8. SHOPPING
I have fallen in love with the European style here: converses, leather jackets, vests, scarves, boots, hats, colored pants, etc. And since everyone knows my closet has never consisted of any of those items, this had lead to a lot of shopping!! I think I've been pretty smart with my money, but I have spent many hours just walking around looking at all they have. I'm sure back home we have some of this stuff too but I used to look right over it. Now I am excited to come home where things are just a LITTLE cheaper haha and build up my European style even more :)
9. COFFEE
It may be hard to believe but I have become even more addicted to coffee since being here. It is a daily necessity!!! But thankfully drinking coffee after meals is the common thing to do so I fit right in :) And even though the only Starbucks in the entire country is at the airport, I have used that as an excuse to find cute little coffee shops around the city!! And don't worry Dad, I am bringing back some coffee for you :)
10. NATURE AND PARKS
I have fallen in love with the beautiful nature here in FInland. I am lucky to live right around the corner from a big park that is full of paths and trees and right by the water. That's where Steph and I went swimming a couple times when it was warmer in the summer. And throughout the city they have parks everywhere....I love it :) I will miss running and biking around this beautiful scenery. We have been lucky to see Spring, Summer and Fall since being here and even saw some snowflakes this morning when we woke up!!!
1. MY TEAMMATES
This obviously has to be my first one on the list :) I am so fortunate to have chosen to play for HJK this season. The whole team and coaching staff were more than welcoming and helped us adjust and find our way around!! It will be SO weird not seeing them everyday but with the help of technology, I know we will keep in touch. And before I know it I will be back in Finland for the 2014 season :)
2. EXPLORING THE CITY
This has been my favorite thing to do to fill up free time. Helsinki is full of so many beautiful buildings and places. After learning how to use public transportation, we have been a little more adventurous visiting different places. Suomenlinna still has to be at the top of my list for my favorite places in Helsinki!!
3. SAFETY
I still don't think I've gotten used to this. There's just something about seeing little kids walking around alone that will always catch me off guard. But with how safe it is here, it has allowed us to wander around the city, night or day, without being worried. But soon it will be back to the USA where I always need to be alert!!
4. BROKEN ENGLISH
I love hearing Finnish people's accents when they speak English and secretly wish I could sound like them haha But I will also miss the way they say things and some of the straight translations of Finnish phrases. But I'm pretty sure I've picked up broken English since being here so maybe I'll bring it back with me to America!
5. MY FINNISH PARENTS
I have been so blessed this season to live in a house with a family. Jussi and Lalla have been more than welcoming and we live in the upstairs of their house where their kids have moved out of. They really have been like my parents away from home. Some of the similarities between them and my REAL parents are kind of freaky though haha Jussi loves cars just like my Dad and Lalla is a retired math teacher born the same year as my Mom....so crazy!!! But I will miss them and hope to visit them once we get back :)
6. THE FINNISH LANGUAGE & TRADITIONS
Having graduated from college, I strangely miss learning but being here I have been able to "try" to pick up words of the Finnish language. BUt let me tell you, I had heard Finnish was one of the hardest languages to learn and it's true!! Although I can pick up on a lot of words, grammar and forming sentences is still foreign to me. But I think by next season, I will know even more! And hopefully one day I can kind of hold a conversation. Finnish culture is also full of traditions and holidays that have been really interesting to learn about. Vappu, Midsummer, saunas, and summer cottages are just a few, but it has been so fun experiencing all of these!!
7. FINNISH FOOD & CANDY
Although I sometimes miss American food, I have been more than happy to try all kinds of food here :) I have gotten to have some traditional dishes like reindeer, meatballs, fish, etc. But trying all the candy and chocolate here has been the best part!!!! And I already have a list of every kind I want to try to take home with me....and don't worry Salmiakki is on there!
8. SHOPPING
I have fallen in love with the European style here: converses, leather jackets, vests, scarves, boots, hats, colored pants, etc. And since everyone knows my closet has never consisted of any of those items, this had lead to a lot of shopping!! I think I've been pretty smart with my money, but I have spent many hours just walking around looking at all they have. I'm sure back home we have some of this stuff too but I used to look right over it. Now I am excited to come home where things are just a LITTLE cheaper haha and build up my European style even more :)
9. COFFEE
It may be hard to believe but I have become even more addicted to coffee since being here. It is a daily necessity!!! But thankfully drinking coffee after meals is the common thing to do so I fit right in :) And even though the only Starbucks in the entire country is at the airport, I have used that as an excuse to find cute little coffee shops around the city!! And don't worry Dad, I am bringing back some coffee for you :)
10. NATURE AND PARKS
I have fallen in love with the beautiful nature here in FInland. I am lucky to live right around the corner from a big park that is full of paths and trees and right by the water. That's where Steph and I went swimming a couple times when it was warmer in the summer. And throughout the city they have parks everywhere....I love it :) I will miss running and biking around this beautiful scenery. We have been lucky to see Spring, Summer and Fall since being here and even saw some snowflakes this morning when we woke up!!!