Tervetuloa suomen kurssille, Simona. ^‿^

Yes, as the title says, my Finnish lessons finally started a week ago. Since I had been waiting for this for a long time, I had mixed emotions about it. I was very excited and looking forward to it, but I was also a bit nervous - what if the language program sucks, and I won't learn anything? Anyway, about a year ago I was looking for Estonian based Finnish books in the stores and libraries, and I had my favorites. When we received our books, I was happy to see that we're using what I think is the best book out there. Well, I'm glad to say I've had five lessons now, sixth and seventh tomorrow, and I'm really, really enjoying it.

Obviously, the whole thing goes beyond taking facebook profile picture-like selfshots with the national symbols. I'm already learning new, useful things, and will learn more during the next three years. I'll keep you updated. By the way.... Did I tell you that I'm going to Finland again in December?
Yeah. It's going to be my longest trip abroad, lasting 10 days. In that time I'm hoping to meet a lot of people, practice my Finnish. It'll also definitely involve a New Year celebration I'll remember for a long time. I really hope "the end of the world" will be cancelled, heheheh.

As a Nightwish fan, I'm obviously hoping to get more items for my collection, and one of the greatest things is that I'll probably see Imaginaerum the movie in cinema. I've waited for it for two years.

At first, the idea of Imaginaerum was an album with 13 music videos, released at the same time as the album, but the idea evolved and now it's the most expensive movie in Finland's history, and it's released a year later than the album. I remember the excitement about the album, and now I'm going through the same with the movie. Here's the trailer. 

While I'm there, I'll spend most of my time with Samuli. He made yet another amazing drawing not long ago. And since I've been with him for a while now, I've noticed that he spends a lot of time on his drawings, and he's always working on several pictures. That means he makes quite a lot. He recently made a page on facebook, so if you like what you see, go ahead, have a look and drop a like or two. There's not many pictures up yet, because he's having technical issues, but I know the page will come alive soon. Personally, I'm always looking forward to seeing more of his works. Amazing guy.

Samuli Björkling on facebook

In the meanwhile, my school was visited by some Latvian teachers. Most of the students never found out about it. But I was told about it long before, since it turned out that my Russian skills were the best in my class. I was asked to make a long powerpoint slideshow in Russian to introduce my school and the education system in Estonia. I accepted, because it felt like quite a challenge, and communicating with foreigners is one of my strongest sides. The event was a great success. I made most of the powerpoint slideshow based on my own knowledge, but the hard part was translating, and I'm really grateful that my mother was here to help me. During the day, I only participated in three lessons, including Finnish. When the guests arrived, I first presented my slideshow, then they were given a tour around the house. Then they participated in two lessons and after that, they headed to the British embassy. I was offered a chance to go with them, and I'm very happy I took it. I could've spent it at school in regular lessons, but instead, I got to participate in a lecture about what the embassy does and how it works. Most of people my age would've found it very boring, but I kept my ears open. The lecture itself didn't probably last for much more than 30 minutes, and when the famous "Any Questions?" was thrown in the air, I felt a long awkward silence coming, but surprisingly, that didn't happen. The group had enough questions to keep a good conversation going for another hour. Even though I can't recall learning anything new in particular, I can feel how my horizon was broadened, and it's a great feeling. 

Unfortunately, I've been having some troubles too. A little bit before I made my last blog post, I was dancing around in my room when thought I'd stop for a bit, and suddenly I got the weirdest "cramp" in my left foot. I tried all kinds of tricks to get rid of it, but when it was still there three hours later, I started to doubt it was a cramp. Because of it, I couldn't walk properly. The next day my mother had a look at it. It was swollen and there was a big bruise on it. It seems I hit it somehow. The bad part is that I couldn't walk at all for three days. I was worried I'd have to skip school, but by the time I had to go back, it started getting better quickly. But on Monday at school it started hurting really badly again and after school I went to see a doctor. They did an x-ray scan, which showed that my bones were fine. My leg was wrapped up in a bandage and I was limping for the whole week. I even received a special card to be able to use the lift at school. My foot has recovered quickly though, so I only needed it for three days. Now I can walk and run just fine, though I sometimes feel it still hurts and I'm not yet sure if I should attend the physical education lessons in the end of the week. 

And since the US are deciding who will be the president as I write this, I guess I'll say a word or two as well. I'm no expert when it comes to politics, because I feel like I simply lack the understanding and education for now, but I do keep my eyes open. I usually support liberals, because without change, the society cannot develop. But when it comes to presidents, I've always supported the ones who are a little bit "different". By that I mean people who often get discriminated - women, dark-skinned people, homosexuals, etc. 

Who do you support?