Since I was sick over the weekend I really didn’t have the energy to deal with much the next week. I went rock climbing with my host family in Helsinki, which was really fun and reminded me of climbing at home. I spent time at school with my Finnish friends and hung out with one of them, Kia, at the mall after school almost everyday. A lot of the week was also spent on planning my birthday party Friday.

At school we had exam week so I only went to school Monday and Tuesday for Art and Photography. Tuesday after my exam I met with my friend Paola (Mexico) and Leeloo (a new girl from Australia) in Helsinki. We kind of gave Leeloo a short tour of the city before she had to go home. I really enjoyed meeting her and I hope to become good friends with her in the future.

Thursday I taught at my host sister’s school again and went to my first family’s house to celebrate my birthday afterwards. I really enjoyed being with the family for my birthday. all the little girls were so happy to see me and I spent a lot of time talking to my older sisters in the basement. They made dinner and cake. Before cutting the cake the little girls brought me presents. Each of them made me a card covered in pictures and cute drawings. Elina (8 years old) made a card for me that actually made me almost start crying, she was talking about how we would till be friends when I go home and that she has loved having me in their family. I spent the evening with my family just spending time with them until late in the evening. The whole night made me feel so happy.

Friday I woke up really early to call one of my friends in USA who has his birthday the day before mine, so we were calling each other while it was my birthday in Finland and his in USA. I loved catching up with him and talking about what had been going on for the last six months. During the call my host mom and host sisters (second family) came to my room, bringing breakfast and gifts. When everyone went to school and work I prepared the last few things for my party, and then headed to Helsinki to pick my friend, Jacobo from Spain, up at the bus station. Shortly after we went to Laisha’s to eat where my friend, Julia, wanted to do my hair and make up. The party started at 6 but we got to the venue around 5:00 to set up. The place was very nice there was a large space to hang out, a balcony, hot tub, and sauna. We spent a lot of time in the beginning getting ready and preparing the last of the food. Most people showed up early and only a few actually showed up after six. There were about thirteen of my friends there with my host sisters and a few of their friends coming later. We had cake and talked for a long time just meeting new people and catching up with those we hadn’t seen in a while. Around nine we all went to either sauna or hot tub where we spent hours listening to music and laughing together. Of course after going to sauna we would jump in the snow on the balcony. I had a really amazing night with all of my friends that night.

Three of my friends stayed after at my home, we ended up staying up until almost five in the morning talking in my room and eating American candy. The day after we went sledding until we took Jacobo back to the bus station (he almost missed the bus). I spent the day in Helsinki with my friends and finished the weekend with a chill day on Sunday to relax after the busy week.

The girls at my party in the hot tub

Laisha and I at my party