15/12/08

Well we're half a month away from the end of 2008, does anyone else feel that it went by terribly fast ? Goodness, I've already been here more than four months, spencer is in junior high, jordan started college ! Before you know it I'll be graduating [hopefully] and oh my goodness, driving ! So my family got our christmas tree this weekend. My host dad recently joined the local hunting club so we went out with them to cut down our tree, from the middle of a forest ! It was his first "kill" :) Arttu's girlfriend, Sanelma, came along, shes really sweet. She hadn'treally spoken english to me before, so I kind of thought we just might never talk. But then, while tree hunting, she opened up and we had a lovely conversation :D She reminds me a lot of my brothers lovely girlfriend, Katy, not only is she super sweet, Arttu is lots nicer to his family when she's around. Maybe in a few years Arttu will eventually turn out like Jordan and just be nice all the time :D On sunday I went into town and met with Piia and Annina and we did some nice christmas shopping :) I didn't really accomplish much and I've resolved to just make cookies for everyone, inexpensive and delicious. Although, I'd like to give something more "from the heart" to a few of my friends, but I'm still stuck on the "what"....Any ideas ? Then we all headed up to church ! It just happened to be the christmas service, so it was really cute. The kids choir did a few numbers, which you can view here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7Xti0v7aX0 ! After church I went home and enjoyed a fantastic meal of hamburger patties topped with delicious sauce and pineapple rings ! It was soooo good. My host parents are wonderous cooks. Today I went to school, enjoyed a fabulous art class with Barbara, the italian exchange student, she's hilarious :] I walked around town with Annina afterwards and then came home and watched part of spiderman 2 with Alvar. Tomorrow starts test week, so my week will be unbusy. Yet, I have lots to do....On wednesday I get to see/maybe collect my dress ! And then I'll head over to the Sainpalo's for a nice visit :D Maria sent me a text message today and asked how i was [all in finnish of course !], it was really cute. I told her that I was coming to her house on wednesday at six, mä tulen sun kotiin keskiviikona kuudelta, and she was excited. Then on thursday, I'm going to youth group and its our christmas party ! So that should be fun, I'll try and take pictures/video of some of it :) Also on Wednesday I'll be baking my cookies to give to my friends, because thursday is the last day that I'll see them before christmas. On saturday my host family is going to our neighbour's house to celebrate his birthday, and then Sanelma and her parents are coming over for coffee. And thatttt is it for news :) I have a few pictures on flickr as well ! www.flickr.com/ilovepaige345