So far so good!

The first 10 minutes with Connolly’s family were quite memorable. Everyone was so excited and we were just talking about everything in the car and then suddenly my hostdad Mike pulled over. We were asking Mike ‘Why did you stop the car?’ He said ‘Look behind you’ and there it was. A cop. Welcome to the Connolly’s, I thought. So the policeman came to talk to Mike about the speeding and Mike just said ’Oh, I am so sorry! We just got our exchange student from the airport and we are all so excited...’ When the cop heard the word exchange student, he said ‘Roll down the window, I wan’t to see her!’ So there it was, my first (and the last one I hope) conversation with the policeman. I smiled to him with flowers in my hands and tried to be as sweet as I can. Just like I usually do (I’m sure my parents would agree with me), I asked the police that is he enjoying his job. Then I said I liked his uniform and after that we didn’t get a ticket! The best part is still coming: In the policereport (or warning) under Mike’s haircolour it said Grey or partially grey. Auts, that must be a hit to his self-confidence. And I think it didn’t help that all of us were about to die for laughter because it was so funny. So I quess here in America, you know when you are becoming old when the haircolour is grey in the police report? 

 Happy and excited at the airport! A Mexican exchange student who I met at the airport  
The very first family picture :) Wisconsin welcomes you!

I am a real cheerleader here! I still have to catch up with the cheers but in 2-3 weeks I will be cheerleading there too. Go Hillmen Go!

My cordinator arranged a picnic with all the other exchange students from this same area on saturday. There I met Veera, another girl from Finland! On sunday we went to church, which I enjoyed very much. It reminded me of the activites that I had with church in Finland. After church I had my very first sleepover at Veera’s home! We had a lot of fun with her hostmom and her relatives who were camping on their yard because of the Labor Day's holiday.


 Few of the campers!  

On monday it was the Labor Day here which is kind of the same thing as vappu, I guess. We went to see the Labor Day's parade with Veera. I have met a lot of people here already and everyone seem very nice and polite.

That's me and Veera! A student orchestra from Madison! Take & Bake pizza on the friday night! Having facial mask with my lovely sisters Eating dinner with my family I just have to show off a bit. Check out my gorgeous shower!! We ordered chinese with the girls and there it is! The real chinese fortune cookie, awesome! Ice Bucket Challenge with my sister Hannah. Cold! The first day of school (for my siblings, I was still sleeping) Aren't they adorable?

Tomorrow is my first day of American high school. I have never been this excited about school. Wish me luck!

Is New York the new definition for true love?

New York, oh yes. I have heard that the city of New York is the place where you go for finding true love. I don’t know about the bachelors around New York but I agree with the love thing. I can say that I fell in love with the Central Park and all of it’s cute sayings everywhere. The skyscrapers seemed very lovable to me and the people were so kind that you can’t unlike them. All of the lights were so beautiful on the daytime that I can only imagine the beauty at night. One thing about New York is that whatever you need, whenever you need you are always able to get it. So who wouldn’t fell in love with New York? 

Everyone has a different definition for true love but for me true love is (one of the many definitions) something that you want to have more and more and you never get bored of it. Just like New York. I quess I am a citygirl then! So if anyone needs any company for NYC chilling, shopping or anything, just call me and I’ll be there in five. Okay just kidding, but I enjoyed my 4 days in New York a lot. And also made some good friends from the other exchange students! 

Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Selfie in New York! At the Central park On Top Of The Rock! At the Six Flags Park! The house of Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City Someone's birthdayrose That was so awesome!! Shopping done!

How does it feel to leave everything behind?

It’s hard. There is the answer to the question that I have been hearing a lot lately. Leaving never comes easy and thinking about the last eyecontact that I had with my close ones gives tears in my eyes. Saying bye for all your loved ones for 10 months can’t be anything but hard. I could almost say that it was the hardest morning of my life but I know that it only felt so bad in the moment. Now when it’s done, I can feel the excitement growing every minute. Even though my feelings are going up and down and I feel quite messy. I feel sad but superhappy, confused and full of excitement all at the same time. I am the happiest girl in the world to have these people in my life to miss. I feel lucky. They are totally worth missing. Saying goodbye for a while makes me appreciate the relationships even more. To have this kind of opportunity to see the world makes me feel also grateful. Thank you for my parents to make this possible for me. It’s hard to let go of my life now but it must be the best feeling ever to come back. I am looking forward to what comes up next. I can’t wait see my dear hostfamily. This as a learning process and even till now I have learned a lot about myself. I know that I am strong and I believe in myself. I will make this year the best year in my life. My year abroad will be great.

Here are some pictures from this summer!