Helsinki Adventures

Last week I finally ventured to Helsinki with Ahren for what turned out to be a pretty eventful trip!

First of all, let’s just take a moment to talk about Finland’s trains. It feels positively bizarre using spacious public transport and...Wait a moment. Finnish trains have top decks AND FREE WIFI? We don’t get this kind of luxury in England – you’d be lucky to find a seat sometimes.

Anyway, we arrived in Helsinki to find that the weather was absolutely dismal but that honestly didn’t matter. I was far too enthralled by all of the architecture to care about some rain.

While there, we checked out Kiasma (the contemporary art museum) which was seriously interesting. I’m not usually a fan of some “modern” art but there were so many thought-provoking pieces...

We also wandered around Anteneum which was holding an exhibition on Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani who was known for living a bit of a wild life.

Ahren took the opportunity to draw me and I’ve since entitled it: Murderous Librarian. I really hope that I don’t actually look this...

Dodgy drawings aside, we meandered through the city before reaching Helsinki Cathedral. Inside, we were fortunate enough to get a sneak peak of a choir practicing and it was spine-tingling...

There were plenty of other things we enjoyed too, including: the Rock Church, Upenski Cathedral, and one of our favourite (Scottish) bands Biffy Clyro.

We were supposed to leave early on Saturday afternoon, however, someone may not have checked the Kokkola bus schedule too thoroughly (ahem). As a result, we did end up staying one extra night which, in hindsight, wasn’t a terrible fate to endure.

In all, we had a fantastic week though it’s nice to be home in Kalajoki again J

What A Week...

200 scones.

That's right, folks. With the help of five extraordinary students, we made 200 scones for the English tea party and they were absolutely delicious if I do say so myself...

Here's a link to the recipe if you're in the mood for some baked goodness:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/paul_hollywoods_scones_70005

Of course, every good scone needs its jam and cream too:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/strawberry_jam_82129

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/24566/easy-devonshire-cream/?internalSource=hub%20recipe&referringContentType=search%20results&clickId=cardslot%202

The tea party was a roaring success (especially thanks to our brilliant International Studies students). We had croquet, skittles, and all of the tea one could wish for!

I'm sure that it would have been enough to make the dowager countess from Downton Abbey smile (or at least sternly nod her approval).

Here we are striking our best poses for the newspapers...

Beyond the school, I've been trying some new(ish) things too. On Wednesday evening - for the first time in years - I went horse riding! My horse, Nova, was thankfully very patient (especially during the most awkward horse dismount of the century).

Oh, and how could I almost forget?! I saw the Northern Lights the other day! This was my first time observing the strange green mist-like phenomena so you can imagine my excitement...

Anyway, this week is the holidays so I'll be off to Helsinki. Have no fear though because I'll be sure to keep you updated...

Surprising the Prime Minister...

Lukio is looking ever-so-slightly different nowadays due to ALL OF THE BUNTING YOU COULD POSSIBLY IMAGINE.

Oh, yes, the International Studies 1 students were once again making bunting for next week’s English Tea Party (18/10 13:30-14:00). This meant cutting out triangles upon triangles upon triangles. The finished look, however, is pretty amazing!

Meanwhile, the International Studies 2 students have been directing and acting in order to create videos to showcase Kalajoki’s youth services. Currently, the class has split into two groups: one is creating a video on the local park while the other is creating a video on basketball.

Competition between the two groups is fierce as the one which makes the best video wins...pizza, of course!

Life beyond the school has proved to be awesome too. The other week, I finally got around to exploring the famous beach:

I also met the prime minister (who probably didn't expect the English accent)!

This weekend I’m planning on visiting the local farmers’ market and will begin work on baking 200 SCONES (!!!!!!)...all in the name of the English tea party. 

Watch this space...

English Tea Party!

Brace yourself for the experience of a lifetime...

Kalajoen lukio is hosting an English Tea Party!

That’s right. We’re going to have a crazy amount of tea, scones, games and bunting (oh so much bunting) on 18/10/16 at 13:30-14:00. Where will this most marvellous of occasions be held exactly?  It’ll be in the first floor lobby where you’ll usually find students relaxing between lessons and dreaming of such an event.

Today our International Studies class got to work on preparing for the tea party. Naturally, we had to enjoy several cups of tea in order to inspire our creativity...

Here is a friend of mine, Ahren, from England providing the refreshments:

Some of our class began work on compiling an English music playlist – I’m pretty sure that I heard Rick Astley at some point...

Others created some rather dashing posters...

The rest of the group worked on the bunting which should eventually look something like this:

Look at them painting away!

Finally, we decided that it was time to make our guest feel truly welcome. This, of course, meant offering Ahren some salmiakki...

Did he like it or not, I hear you ask. Well, you will just have to watch the video in order to find out: