Getting more American every day

Last weekend I got to know the cottage culture here in America. I can say that it is much more fun than ours in Finland! Or maybe it is just the Connolly’s and their awesome way to spend lazy weekends, I don’t know but I loved the lakehouse. It is so beautiful down there on the Apple Canyon Lake in Illinois. Heather’s parents live there during summertime and they were happy to have us visit them. It was very nice for me to finally meet my American grandparents from Heather’s side. We had a lot of fun on saturday and I got to see many new places (f.ex. the restaurant where the lovestory of my hostparents began) 

The "Ghetto board" (Almost) Niagara Falls with Mike and Nathan Not a bad place for a lovestory! Boating "Trust me, I got this"      

In the evening we got a nice bonfire down on the fireplace. We ate hobo dinner (fast&easy for camping) outside and for dessert we had s’mores. They were awesome!! You grill a marshmallow, take a piece of chocolate and two crackers and put everything together. Messy but delicious. The next morning I tried real American pancakes (they put butter on top!!) with the suryp of course. We also had a breakfast burrito (scrambled eggs and cheese inside) and it was good. Still miss the rye bread though. Porridge - which they call oatmeal - is very good in here! I feel like getting more and more American every day and I am sure that a piece of my heart will always stay here. 

The Cozy Connollys Preparing the hobo dinner The famous Smore's, yum! Like I said, messy but delicious  
The beautiful bonfire Hot tub under a sky full of stars, even saw a shooting star! 

Last friday I had my very first cheerleading in the football game! I can’t say that I know all of the cheers and chants but I did my best. I didn’t know the school song (it comes when there is a touchdown) so I was just smiling, clapping and trying to look cute while the others were cheering. Our team made a lot of touchdowns (my bad) and we won the game. 

Getting ready for the game! My team The winners are coming!  

Last week we had a country singer Tyler Barham coming to our school. He started by posting youtube videos and after a music competition, he is getting more and more famous every day. The concert was very good and he totally got my heart into country music. 

"Just to see you smile, I'll do anything" Him and I 
 

Last weekend we were eating with the other exchange students! I have got close with them and I am very happy about that. We spent an hour in a supermarket just laughing to all the silly things that they have here in America. We also found quite many thing from Italy and Germany! I also found one product from Finland which was soft liquorice from Panda. 

Giorgio from Italy (food came finally!) The beautiful Main street of Platteville

On saturday we were shopping for a homecoming dress for me with Payton and Akshay. The day was a blast, I had such a great with them. And I did find the dress too!! I am so excited about homecoming now and I can’t wait to get dressed up! After the shopping we watched a horror movie at Akshay’s and when we were leaving we heard some strange voices from the carage. We all got very scared and we just ran into the car. I still think the movie was a great idea and afterwards the situation seems just funny. 

 Bella says: "Please stay and pet me!" Me and Payton happy in school with our Badgers shirts
 
 Chinese after a long day, Akshay and Payton  

On sunday I went to Dubuque again but this time with my hostmother. We had very nice time together while shopping birthday present for Alyssa. I also found a little purse which is the perfect for my dress! I don’t have shoes yet but luckily I still have 3 weeks before the homecoming dance. 

Sneak peak! Isn't it beautiful? Here it is!!  

Tomorrow is the day when my babysister is not a baby anymore. I think I have to come up with another nickname starting from tomorrow. Alyssa has her 10th birthday and I heard we have a nice cake waiting. Can’t wait to see how they celebrate birthdays here in America! Bye!