Kevät!

So it's been about a month since I've last made an entrance, and last you heard Finland was still in full winter. In the last couple of weeks though, spring (kevät) has hit us hard-finally. Of course all Finnish people were telling me about how long this winter has been (as if I needed to be told). But now flowers are starting to bloom, I saw the first mosquito of the season, and the temperature has been rounding off at a good 7 degrees Celcius (that's about 44F). The sun rises between 4AM and 5AM and sets just around 10PM. While for most people this means less sleep and longer days, I find it refreshing after several months of utter darkness. The light changes so quickly- in just a couple of weeks the sun will be setting at 11:30 and rising around 3AM. To me, it seems like a miracle. Having lived all my life with "average" sunlight, I realize how precious light is and I've learned to appreciate the sun so much more.
Along with my appreciation for sunlight and warmth, I've come to notice a huge change in myself. Where before I dreaded going outside, opting for the sanctuary of my dark bedroom with a good movie or book, I have started spending larger and larger amounts of time outside. Maybe it's because in Finnish culture, where nature and outdoor life is a major part of everyday routines, or maybe it's because after 4 months of being forcibly kept inside by bone chilling temperatures and snow storms I'm itching just to feel the breeze in my hair. In any case, I know I'll being spending my entire summer outside this year, soaking up the sun (and fighting off mosquitoes).
On another note, my days in Finland are dwindling down. Only about 70 left; the closer I get to the finish line, the more valuable my days become. Although I've been missing home a lot lately, I know that my time here is soon at an end, and I realize how much I've become attatched to this eccentric nordic culture. I hate to say goodbye to what has been such a life altering time, but in many ways I find I am prepared, because of my year in Finland, to face the rest of my life. I realize that I have been blessed in so many ways, and that I have the time and ability to do anything with my life. My experience as an exchange student has showed me so many new things that I know now how lucky I am to be alive.
Here's a few pictures of some stuff that I've been up to lately...
Me and my friend Marika :)

 

Me and a group of friends when we went to a summer cottage (mind you, I call it a summer cottage, but there was still a foot of snow when we were there) :

Me and Amanda, my host sister from the first host family I had in fall. She got back recently from her exchange in New York, and we've been fast friends although we just met recently! Hän on niin kuin oma sisko! <3 :

I went with my first host family to an Easter celebration at their relative's house (yes, it was Easter, and yes, that's the lake frozen behind me, and yes, we walked across the lake that day). Anyway, I got the chance to try shooting a gun-- and got the bulls eye! I obviously have natural talent... I'm expecting a call from the FBI any day now. Or maybe just the Finnish Army (I don't want to get my hopes up too high):

Me and Amanda, and our little sister Loviisa:

Here are some pictures from when me and a few friends went to another summer cottage:

Here are a few pictures from my dance performance yesterday. We've been practicing for 3 months and finally got to show it off yesterday at the spring show. All the dance groups performed, and I was amazed by the amount of talent there is in our dance company! :