Leaving Home, to go Home

Monday, July 8th, 2013

Journal Entry, on the plane from Munich to Chicago: 

"I honestly cannot believe that today is the day that I leave the place & the people to this day, at this very moment, are dearest to me. Finland is home, no doubt about it. I had one extraordinary year. Of course I had many challenges, but with that an abundance of memories. Both good and bad. And even though with every major challenge I had that came across my way I had always thought that I'd never make it through, I always did. And with each time, I always came out as that much more of a stronger person. I do not think that I would change anything about this year if I could. Every little thing made the whole of what it is now. I survived one year abroad, and for that... I am proud." 

I suppose this is the farewell, the last leg of the journey as you might say. I started this blog as a simple gesture to log and share my photos and stories from my year spent in Finland and I came out with so much more. Throughout this entire blog I learned so much both from the world of media but also the world which we live in today. I have had so much fun capturing photos and finding different and creative ways to try my best when sharing the stories that go along with those photographs. This year was more than I could have ever asked for and I am ever so grateful for that. I just want to say thank you to absolutely every one of you who have supported my blog, photography, and anything else that I do in life. You are all beyond amazing and I couldn't have done it without you! Cheers! 

// If you've enjoyed this blog && like what I do, check out my new blog here! 

all the little things

Juhannus // Midsummer

June 20th-23rd, 2013

                            Mid•sum•mer 

                                             n.

                                         1. the middle of summer.

                                         2. the summer solstice, around June 21.

In my last weeks of being in Finland, a midst the chaos of travels I had gone away with my 3rd  host family to their summer cottage for the celebration of Juhannus, also known as midsummer. Whether it's celebrating with your family, or a large group of friends, nearly everyone in Finland is doing the same thing: 

spending time outdoors. 

Life at summer cottage is the furthest thing from demanding. Usually most cottages or located in the country, near or even on an island. Spending time in your boats, going to sauna and swimming in the water, reading books and sleeping a lot, cooking food and enjoying the results, there's much to do but never at high stress. Which results in having a very relaxed and enjoyable weekend. 

On the eve of Juhannus it's tradition to create a huge bonfire and watch it burn throughout the night, celebrating the longest day of the year. Although we of course have this same day all across the world, it's way different in Finland because the sun barely even goes down! It's such an incredible thing to witness and be a part of. From watching sunset at 11pm, and being outside in the dusk without needing any lights to see when it's midnight.. the feeling is beyond incredible. I was so happy to be able to experience this kind of thing and this weekend will be something I hope to remember for all the summer's to come. 

A quick explanation...

As most of you know, I have been incredibly busy with travels throughout this entire month of June.  In my first 2 weeks of June I toured across Europe with a large group of exchange students. I took thousands of photos and although I am so excited for how so many of them turned out, I've been way too busy to upload let alone edit any of them. Following after my trip I came home to Turku for less than 2 days, only to go away to my host families summer cottage for midsummer weekend. Returning again to Turku, I had just over 4 days to say the majority of all my goodbye's and enjoy some time in Finland. Today, not even a week later I am getting ready to embark on another journey and am going to Scotland for one week with my current host family, as my host sisters dance team has made it to European Nationals and the competition is held in Glasgow. While there, we'll be traveling throughout the country and seeing sights and places. And then, last but not least... returning back to Finland from Scotland I only have a matter of another 2 days, before leaving this beautiful country and heading back home to America.

And so, as you can see... I really am as busy as I've mentioned. Although, I won't be able to post anything until all of my travels are done (in which by then, I will be back in the USA) I am intending to still do lots of posts from all of my travels, so when the time comes, expect some great photos & story's!

Once again, just wanting to say thanks so much to all of you who've followed my blog throughout the year! It's been a great journey and I wouldn't have ever been able to continue if it weren't for everybody's love & support. (:

Start of Summer!

End of the school year 

and the beginning of summer! 

This weekend was officially the last days of school, and all the celebrations that come along with the start of summer. On Friday, the four of us exchange students (pictured above) went to go visit our school counselor  where we just talked about our year and each received a muumi mug as a gift and thank you. It was honestly such a weird feeling saying goodbye's for the last time, knowing the next time we attend school it will be back in our home countries. This was also the last time that the 4 of us were going to be together before we all go home, too. Although we've all had our ups and downs together, these other 3 exchange students have always been around throughout the year and I'm really going to miss them. Everyone is such a crazy individual in their own way & it's impossible not to love. But despite the sadness of the goodbye's, there was also a really positive energy in the air knowing that today was the official start of summer & only great memories follow that. :)

The following day, June 1st, was graduation day where all of the students were having their ceremonies & grad parties in celebrations of completing their studies. In the afternoon, I visit a couple friends graduation parties and later following in the evening, I went to the city to hangout and celebrate with some dear friends. Overall, it was a really great day and night, and I couldn't have thought of a better way to kick of my summer!

It's now Sunday, June 2nd, and I am getting ready to start my travels for Euro Tour! Where I'll be visiting Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, France, Italy, Monaco, and Germany 

with 75 other exchange students for 2 weeks! I am beyond stoked for this trip. :)

I'll be away from blogging for the next few weeks, but at some point I can re-assure that I will have many photos to share with lots of stories behind them all. But until then, I'm off to go enjoy my start of summer!

End of May // Photos

Things to find joy in. :)

On a summers day (when you're sick)

• sleeping in 
• fresh cup of coffee
• windows open w/ the summer breeze 
• Winne-the-Pooh quotes 
• Joshua Radins new album on Spotify 
• Dusting/Cleaning my room
• Candles 
• Clean bed sheets
• Clean laundry 
• a.k.a. anything & everything which can be clean
• afternoon naps 
• How I Met Your Mother t.v. episodes 

A day spent outdoors // 1950's Event

Saturday, May 18th, 2013

On the same day as this day, I had met up with one of my dearest school friends Ronja and we attended this 1950's themed event on a farm close by my home. Since we both had previously plans during the day, we were only able to catch the last bit of the event. Sadly, by the time we had arrived nearly everything had been done for the day but it was still really interesting to check out the atmosphere of the place. There were a few old vintage-style cars around, some people dressed up, and even a small "band" playing 50's music in one of the old barns. Both Ronja and I were just soaking up the vintage feeling, and loving every minute of it! There's just something about the 1950's that' just so incredibly classy & timeless, it's nearly impossible not to be in love with the decade. Overall though, I think the best part was just spending time with Ronja and exploring the farm around us. It was such a beautiful summers day filled with so much sunshine and warmth and it was an amazing feeling being able to walk around, snapping photos here and there of the property and in the fields. It was the first day that I had spent the entire day outside and let me tell you, I absolutely loved every single minute of it! I sure hope it was the first of many more to come. :) 

                      Xx, 

                                                           alisa nicholle