It's started to snow actual snow. There were flurries at the beginning of October, but it was still above freezing then. Yesterday it was 23 F. In the middle of the winter it's supposed to be around -20 Celsius, which is the current temperature up in Lapland. I need to buy some more warm clothes, especially if I'm going to keep up this running plan. Also, I need to remember to bring my camera with me everywhere and not be embarrassed to take pictures.
One of the people I met at the beginning of the year has decided to go back home already! He is from Colombia, and it sounds like the culture there is much more different from Finland than the United States' is. Also, the coldest it gets in Bogota is +15 C (according to him).
Finnish class is becoming difficult. We've started with the declensions - currently we are studying 7 out of the possible 15. So now I can finally say sentences such as "I am going to the coffee shop" (Menen kahvilaan), "I am at the coffee shop" (Olen kahvilassa), and "I am leaving the coffee shop" (Tulen kahvilasta). A coffee shop is a closed place, so these 3 endings are used. There are different endings for nouns if you are telling your friend you are on a street or in your backyard. Ahh!
Sometimes it feels like understanding what people are saying on the street will never happen. However, when I do hear a random word I know (today it was university = yliopisto) its really exciting and I feel awesome! Too bad that doesn't happen more frequently. I also have this urge to say Finnish words I see on signs out loud when I'm walking around or sitting on the bus. It'll be weird going back to the US and hearing everyone speak English.
I keep having a craving for Oreos, but they are over 6 euros ($8.30!) per normal sized package at Stockmann's. Same for Skippy PB. Why does no one else in the world like peanut butter??
