So, some key points of the last couple weeks. Sorry for the
lack of pictures.
My new classes are pretty great. For the civics class, the
teacher is in my host Rotary Club and he attempts to translate stuff into
English for me; the only trouble is that he translates the parts that I already
understand. My geography class is all about human geography: population
density, culture, etc. I really like my chemistry stuff. They are just starting
work with stoichiometry, concentration, and gases which are things that I like
to think I mastered in my AP Chemistry class back home. I understand lots of
what the teacher says; the hardest part is trying to learn the names of all the
elements in Finnish. I am again in two math courses: the second graders are
learning about root and logarithmic functions while the third graders have
started their first of two review courses in preparation for their
matriculation examination in the spring. And, of course, I am in an English
class called “Use Your English” in which students are supposed to speak only
English; there are supposed to be 15 students in the class but our first class
had only 7 students and it has consistently declined.
 | |
| This is the best photo I took of the choir during the concert. |
I joined the church choir! I have really missed being in
choirs back at KSS and after hearing the church choir, I decided to join it. My
friend Liisa hooked me up with the rehearsal times and I came to a rehearsal
and introduced myself (in Finnish of course). My timing was sort of not the
best, as they were preparing for a concert on the upcoming Sunday to celebrate
80 years as the Kauhavan Kirkkokuoro. I am the only “young” guy in the choir
(by about 25 years), but there are some girls my age. I am a pretty good sight
reader when it comes to vocal charts, but it’s quite hard when all the words
are in Finnish and when the second, third, and fourth verses aren’t printed in
line with the notes…but there are some great singers in my section. Some songs
recognizable to non-Finns would include Amazing Grace and Handle’s Hallelujah
Chorus. On Sunday morning, I got a text message from Liisa asking me to perform
in the choir’s concert that night, but I had to politely refuse the invitation
as I felt I wouldn’t be prepared enough. Sunday evening I attended the concert
at the church and it was fantastic. Some songs were done acapella while others
had accompaniment of piano, organ, or a string sextet. My friend Liisa sang a very beautiful solo. During the week I used
the CD I had received to start learning the music. The next Thursday I went to
the rehearsal, and we were recording a new CD; I was recording a CD with some
music I was even reading for the first time!
During one of my English classes this past week, I was the
teacher! Our teacher had some meetings regarding the upcoming gala so she asked
me if I could run the class. This is my very small class. Only three students
attended. But I think we had some pretty good conversations and “Used our
English” (which is the name of the course).
I have accomplished some things in my free time. I wrote my
100 day update for the Rotex Roundup newsletter of the Rotary Exchange program
in my district back in Canada.
I sent this too some of my former teachers at KSS because several of them said
they wanted to be updated of my journeys throughout the year. With the help of
my loving and supportive family back home, I completed a big scholarship
application including a couple essays and lots of forms.
Although it was neither asked of nor expected of me, I
decided to give a little speech last Thursday at Rotary. I called it “Peterin
Puhe” (Peter’s Speech). Thanks to Kalle for proof reading this before I
presented it.
Sata päivää! Minä
olen ollut sätä päivää Kauhavalla. Nyt minä puhun suomea paljon paremmin kuin
sspuessani, mutta minä opin koko ajan. Viime vikolla minä liityin
kirkkokuoroon. Kanadassa, minä olin koulukuorossa ja pidän laulamisesta.
Koeviikolla, minä tein kolme koetta: kakkosen ja kolmosen matiikka, ja
espanjankieli. Minä sain 9 ½, 9 ½, ja 9-. Lukion gaala on lauantaina ja olen
valmis tanssimaan. Ensi viikonloppuna, minä vaihdan seuraavaan perheeseen.
Heilla on pikkutyttö joka ei puhu englantia. Joten hän puhuu vain suomea minun
kanssani. Minua jännittää menen Lappin Rotaryn kanssa jolukuun ensimmäisellä
viikolla. Kiitos, että saan olla kaupungissanne.
One hundred days! I have been in Kauhava for one hundred
days. Now I speak Finnish much better than when I arrived, but I am always
learning. Last week I joined the church choir. In Canada, I was in school choir and I
like to sing. During test week, I wrote three tests: second and third grade
math, and Spanish language. I received 9 ½, 9 ½, and 9- (out of 10). The high
school’s gala is on Saturday and I am ready to dance. Next weekend I change to
my next host family. They have a little girl who doesn’t speak English. So, she
will speak only Finnish with me. I am excited to go to Lapland
with Rotary in the first week of December. Thank you for having me in your
city!
Stay tuned for another blog entry all about the gala at
school.
No comments:
Post a Comment