No Internet Connection

Hei! Hello! Greetings!

     I am so very sorry that I have deprived you from readings.  I have not had internet connection since I got off the train.  We didn't get out University passwords and usernames until Monday afternoon.  The student dorms do not have wifi in them and campus is a good 30 min walk from the dorms.  I came to class early this morning to see if I could use the campus wifi but it was unsuccessful.  It is so frustrating when technology is in a wicked battle against you.  After class got out at 2, I took my little bike down to the IT building and a very kind man helped me.  He successfully was able to connect my computer to the wifi.  Thank you! I must say, Jyväskylä's IT blows UW's IT out of the water, by a long shot.  It was almost a strange experience to go into IT, greeted by friendly people AND leave with a problem solved!
     Anyway, that was my little rant, back to daily life.  Class is wonderful.  People are amazing.  The weather is perfect.  I am happy.  Finland is peaceful.  They are very connected to nature.  Trees and green everywhere.  Walking paths here and there and everywhere!  There is so much daylight, I feel like I can accomplish a lot in one day because I have so much time in the sun.  I haven't really been able to take complete and full advantage of the sun yet because I've been busy.
     Class starts at 9am and gets out at 2pm.  We have a lunch break from 11:30 to 12:30.  This afternoon some of my classmates/friends I think were going to try to sunbathe or go to the lake or something.  I ventured to IT and now am writing and connecting.  I'm sitting in the main building looking out from the great glass windows.  People are soaking up the sun and enjoying the lazy, summer afternoon.  Oh how I want to join them...

     We went out last night, a group of nine of us, gathered at 8pm and got to know each other.  It was mostly students from my Finnish Language and Culture class but we were joined by Tereza (sp?), Becca's roommate from the Czech Republic, Sebastian, a boy from Holland, and Sasha a boy from Russia.  It was such an enjoyable night.  People are so interesting and we were all so culturally diverse. It was entertaining to interact with everyone and ask questions of each other's countries.  We discussed stereotypes a lot.  I wonder what they all think of American's.  There are three of us here and I feel like we are all different but we're getting lumped together because we are americans.  I don't think I like that so much.  :/  I look forward to getting to know everyone better and to meeting more people.  We have a free time program tonight that is a BBQ.  It is just outside of our dorms and I think many of the international students are attending.  It is at 6pm and will be a good way to eat some yummy food and talk to people.
     Enjoy the pictures!
hei hei,
McCall
 





   

First Day of Classes

5-20-13

Day 1 of classes

The start of the week begins today with my first class, Finnish Language and Culture.  I met my tutor, Suvi and her other tutoree, Becca, another American girl at 8:30 to walk to campus.  We also walked with two other tutors and their students, a total of six of us.  Three with bikes, three without.  The walk took about 30 minutes.  I was able to chat with Becca a little on the way there.  She will be a sophomore at Kansas State University, the purple, anti-JayHawk School.  It was nice to talk.  Once we got to campus, Suvi showed us the room where our class was and we started class. 

            Our teacher is a Finnish lady.  She is maybe thirties, blonde hair, blue eyes—very Finnish.  We learned how to say some Finnish words, like greetings and numbers.  Finnish is a phonetic language, so they pronounce every single letter.  Each letter is also always pronounced the same no matter where it is at or what it is next to.  We briefly went over some history of Finland too.  She told us that it is very rude to be late in Finland.  They are a land of very timely people.  Johanna, our teacher, said that if a person is five minutes late, that is unacceptable.  Good to know.

            There are nine people in the class but only eight were there today.  Another girl from San Diego, California.  I feel like she is typical American.  I will try to get a picture of her.  Example: She asked about where she could buy a hair dryer.  There is a girl from Russia, she is pretty quiet and doesn’t talk much.  I don’t know if that is the culture or if she is shy because her English isn’t very good.  Then there is a girl from Poland, a boy from Germany and a girl from Holland.  A wonderfully diverse class.

            We had lunch and I ate with Becca, Roumi (sp?) the girl from Holland, Jureh (sp ?) the boy from Germany, and Alexandre, the Russian girl.  I think I will like the Dutch girl.  She seems very sweet and fun.  Jureh seems a little quiet.  Becca and I became friends.  We walked back from campus together and then went shopping.  We got some groceries for breakfast and for tonight’s dinner.  She invited me over to eat. 

            We made delicious macaroni and cheese, and mushrooms with tomatoes and cheese and pesto.  However, whatever she did to the mac and cheese it was fantastic.  Absolutely delicious.  Theresa, who is Becca’s roommate also joined us.  She is from the Czech Republic.  I already like her a lot.  She made plans to go out with some friends at 8 tonight and invited us to go with her.  It’s nearly time now so I shall write more later.

Nadan,

See you later,

McCall

day 2 Jyväskylä

5-19-13

Hello Blog Readers,

It’s the end of day two in Jyväskylä.  I arrived yesterday around 5pm.  Suvi, my student tutor/mentor picked me up from the train station then took me to the dorms.  Once I got to my room I dropped of my stuff then a while later met up with Suvi.  She showed me the student village and then we went on to the city center and campus.  It was the annual city festival.  From what Suvi said it is just a celebration that the city has every year.  People filled the streets and there were booths, vendors, street performers and festivities.  We ate a booth that was for the Friends of Japan Club, they served curry rice and a potato pancake thing.  Suvi knew of the students in the club so that’s why we ate there.  We walked the short distance to campus and she pointed out buildings for me.  Suvi then had to leave to go back to the train station to pick up another student.  So there I was alone again. 

            I stayed on campus and looked at some of the wares being sold in the booths.  I came across two older ladies selling Marimekko stuff.  Marimekko is a Finnish design company that is very famous for its prints.  I went into one of their stores in Helsinki but it was out of my price range.  This stuff was cheaper but still not cheap.  I just had to buy some stuff though because I wanted Marimekko items. 

            The Marimekko booth was just outside of the main building, something like a student union.  Students were milling around and quite a few were inside.  I followed the crowd and went inside to see what was happening.  One of the activities was a dance off.  It was awesome.  Just in the middle of the open area everyone stood around in a great big circle.  A girl had a mic and was running the thing.  There were two guys running sound equipment and music behind her.  The competition was really fun.  The first two groups to “fight” each other were two girls doing traditional African dance.  They even had some drummers as their music.  They had a lot of energy and boy, can they shake it.  The group that danced against them was a quartet of hip-hop/ballet dancers.  They dressed like nerds and did some twirling.  It was cute.  The next battle was between five girl hip-hop 80’s dancers versus one guy doing traditional Russian dancing.   Like in the movies where the guys dip down and squat then pop back up.  He did that.  It was pretty cool.  The final battle was between modern, alternate dancers.  It was weird; they laid on the ground and moved weird.  It was just weird.  The next group were like circus performers crossed with hip-hop.  They did a lot of cartwheels and then they did break dancing moves too.  The finale was between the traditional Russian guy and the circus performers.  They determined winners by measuring decibel levels of cheers.  Lots of energy and lots of fun.  I would have enjoyed it more if I knew people and had someone to talk to. 

            It was about 11pm and I decided to go back to the dorms.  I found my bike and headed off to where I thought the dorms were.  I got lost.  Luckily it was still pretty light out so I could see.  I did a lot of pedaling and wandering.  Eventually I made it back and then went to bed. 

            Aha! You may ask, “where did she get a bike?” Alas, I shall enlighten you.  I joined the Summer in ESN Facebook group it is a page for international students at Jyväskylä to connect.  They do a lot of selling of good on the page.  When students leave they can’t take everything they have acquired so they sell it to incoming international students.  I found a bike on there for €20 and messaged the owner to claim it.  Before I met up with Suvi again I met up with this guy.  He was from Ireland, studying sport sciences since January.  I probably could have fallen in love right then and there--knee-weakening Irish accent.  And so I have a bike, its just a little old thing but it is absolutely perfect.  It even has a bell.  I need to raise the seat a little though.  My legs are too long for it. 

            This morning I took off to the city center and campus on my little bike and a biked all around town today discovering and exploring.  My legs are tired.  It isn’t super hilly but just enough that I know the seat needs to be raised so I don’t kill my legs.  Needless to say my legs and butt are sore.  I am not in bicycle shape.

            In my exploration I found that Finland is very bicycle friendly.  The sidewalks are suited for bikes.  The town is pretty.  Lots of apartment buildings and parks.  Jyväskylä is very nature oriented.  There are numerous parks, trails and opportunities to be surrounded by nature only a few steps away from a busy street.  You can be on a busy street in one instant and five minutes later be tromping through grass and fighting mosquitos off nearby the water. 

            After consulting my map many, many times I eventually found the Catholic church.  They were having mass when I found it so I didn’t go inside.  I will find it again later.  I sat on the lake edge for a while to rest from biking and meandered through campus for a while.  After some more map consulting I found my way back to Kortepohja, the student village.  It was about two in the afternoon.  I laid down for a little nap and ended up sleeping until about five.  Being a world traveler is exhausting! 

            After a little meal I met up with Jia, a student from China but is studying in Atlanta, GA.  We went for a little walk that turned into a big hike because I took a road less traveled that took us into the forest.  It was pretty and I enjoyed talking with her but getting lost wasn’t so great.  I was supposed to meet Suvi at 8:30 because she brought a wrench to raise my bike seat but didn’t find our way back to the dorms until 9.  Whoops. 

            I think there is a group of students meeting Suvi, tomorrow morning at 8:30 so she can show us the way to get to campus.  It is 10:20 here and it is still plenty light out.  Glad I have curtains.  I’m going to bed now, still tired even after my KSN.    First day of school tomorrow! How exciting!

Hyvää Yötä

Good Night,

McCall 

...You are braver than you believe...

Hyvää Iltapäivää,

     I'm on the train on my way to Jyväskylä from Helsinki.  I survived the first part of my trip, probably the most stressful.  I was submerged into a foreign country, not knowing the language, completely on my own.  I'm just a country girl who likes wide open spaces and doesn't like to cross streets in Granby, CO because it's scary.  (Ask my brother, Jace, about this).  Not only did I go to a foreign country, I went to a city in a foreign country. I am completely out of my comfort zone.  Or maybe I'm not.  The Winnie the Pooh quote, "...You are braver than you believe..." is applicable here.  I'm only this brave because I have to be.  I couldn't navigate my way through airports, bus routes, city centers, shopping centers or anything if I weren't brave enough to take steps to get there.  You can't go anywhere if you don't go.  If you stay, that is where you will always be.
    Don't get me wrong, I was scared.  I still am a little afraid.  There is so much uncertainty and even less reassurance that IF something goes wrong, it can be fixed.  We all fear the unknown and when there is a lot of unknown it is unpleasantly nerve racking.  I know very little Finnish, maybe a total of ten words. No doubt, I was/am scared but hey, one step at a time and so far so good.
     Let me just throw some clichés in here: you are braver than you believe, YOLO (You Only Live Once), YOYO (You're Only Young Once), The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page,  If God brings you to it, he will bring you through it, put one foot in front of the other.  This is real life and I'm in Finland.  I can still hardly believe I'm actually here.  It just so amazing!
       If there is anything you would like me to address or write/talk about leave me a comment or e-mail me.  I would gladly accommodate your requests.  Questions?

Cheers,
McCall

Day in the City

Dear friends and Family,
I'm wiped out, I am really tired and will probably make this short so I can go rest.  It was a big day in the city.  This country girl figured the city out.  The sun did not set until around 10 last night and it rose around 4:30 this morning.  I'm staying in this dorm style room

in the Stadion Hostel

So I didn't have control over the curtains. I woke up with the sun because it was really bright.  I went back to sleep but did not sleep well because around 5:30 it felt like 8 and by 6:30 I thought I had overslept my alarm by a lot.  Before I looked to see the time, guessing by the sun I thought it was 10 or 11.  Nope, it was 6AM.  The sun lasts for a long long time here during the summer.  The more sun, the more to do.  So my day started early.  I got ready then had breakfast for €6.30  This is what I got

waffles, no syrup, an egg, sausage with bacon bits mixed in, tomato slices, an apple and orange juice.  It was decent for breakfast--it did its job got me started for the day.  I took off shortly after that and just started walking.  I only consulted my map a little before marching.  I amazed myself because I found the city center all by myslef, I really just kinda stumbled upon it.  I wasn't directly looking for it but they next thing I know I'm in front of the train station which is one landmark for the city center.  I walked by several shops but none of them were open at that time of day, with being 7:30 and all.  I wandered around some more then I reviewed my maps, got oriented and set up to find the Rock Church because that sounded nice and interesting thing to do.  It was further away and I did have to confer with my map a few times to find it.  It is a church that was dug into the rock so it is underground.  I arrived around 9:15 and it didn't open until 10 so I dinked around until it was open.  I took some  pictures:

 The green dome looking thing is the roof of the church.

 The Temppeliaukio Church is a church that was carved into the rock.  It is underground, it is a Luthern church because that is the predominant religious group in Finland.  The roof is a dome that has sky lights to let in the natural light.  Most of the walls are exposed rock making for a very dramatic view.  A large pipe organ covers one wall and the simple alter is just to the right of the organ.  If it were quiet and void of tourists I think it would be very peaceful.  I suppose most churches are like that.

 The entrance to the church.  It was beautifully quiet when I first got there around 9.  There is a park behind/on top of the church and mothers with their toddlers were joyfully playing on the swings.  The birds were chirping.  I think the surrounding buildings are apartments.  It looks like an affluent family neighborhood.  Almost precisely at 9:56 the peace was disrupted.  Flocks and packs of tourists swarmed and began click click clicking obnoxious pictures.  The groups I saw were a group of elementary aged kids and their chaperones, old people--couples mostly, and asians.  They were all the typical tourists, khakis, big, loud cameras and the almost vulture like attitude to swoop in to get the best picture.  I know, I'm a tourist too, but (of course there is a but, I'm biased) I feel like I was a more respectable tourist.  My camera is quiet, I'm not attacking a position to get a picture and well I'm not traveling in a pack.

After I visited the church I wander walked back to the city center.  I went into Kampi Shopping Center it is a hypermarket.  A super store.  Basically a mall on steroids.  Think of the biggest mall you have ever seen... now multiply that by five floors and 300 stores.  It is huge! Helsink has three or four of these hypermarkets.  Kampi, Sokos, Forum and Stockman's.  

       

       

Absolutely gigantic malls that have every store with everything.  Clothes, shoes, accessories, home goods, toys, electronics, cosmetics, food... seriously, EVERYTHING.  I went into all of them except Sokos.  They were almost overwhelming because there is so much.  I wandered around the city center more, briefly went into the natural history museum.  Was not impressed, it is just like every other natural history museum I've been into during school field trips.  Walked past the parliament building.  It is beautiful.  

       For lunch I stopped into a little coffee shop where I got a sandwich, cup of tea and a slice of blueberry pie cobbler/danish/bar.  The place was dead quiet, I was the only one in there.  It looks like it was mostly a morning/evening place--not lunch.  A definitely not a touristy place.  Very cute and quaint.  I liked that it was quiet.  Its overwhelming when there are too many people.  The lady was nice and she understood some English so that was helpful.  I hope I didn't come across as dumb or an annoying American.  I wandered some more and came across the University Botanical gardens.  It was lovely.  I like trees and flowers and little paths.  A group of moms was having a picnic while their kids blew bubbles.  An old lady was strolling through the trees.  The birds were singing too.  I figured one of the nearby buildings is a school because there were kids outside playing outside and I heard a bell. 

        More wandering led me to Kauppatori Market.  I came across the National Catherdral, stunning.  Even prettier inside, and the Upenski Cathedral, pretty but not as stunning.  The market is right on the warf, little tents of wares are sold in the tents.  Touristy crap, of course I fell for it and bought some stuff.  Oh well, I need some touristy crap, its good for the soul.  They were also selling produce.  It look fantastic, really fresh.  The snap peas were huge.  I bought some strawberries and if all I could do were to smell them I would be satisfied.  They smelled divine!  

     I stopped at one tent to look at some animal fur products.  They had big furry hats.  They reminded me of Russian hats in the winter.  I tried one on because, well, why not?  The tent owner talked to me a little bit but he was more preoccupied talking to a man from Sweden.  The old gentleman was a little drunk I think.  The Swedish man then talked to me.  He said I should buy a hat.  They are a good deal, he told me.  He asked me where I was from and I said USA he asked where, I said Colorado and then he asked what I was doing here.  He was on Holiday visiting his sister and brother-in-law, who was with him and did not looked impressed that my Swedish man friend was drunk.  Anyway he asked what I was studying and I said Agricultural Communications and then he asked what I could do with that.  I told him promote farming.  He looked confused and questioned how that could be because Colorado doesn't have farms.  It has the river, the Colorado River and mountains.  I explained to him the eastern part of Colorado has farms.  He continued to try to get me to buy a hat so I told him he should buy a hat, then he teased he was poor and couldn't.  I told him I was poor too.  I teased him that he should buy me a hat.  He thought that was funny.  We shook hands, his name was Carl.  And then we went our separate ways.  Old men are funny.  I was a little nervous talking to him because I just had my guard up.  If there weren't a language barrier, I think I would have enjoyed his company very much.  I do like old men.  They are so funny.  

    More wandering and walking and wandering and walking led me to a park where I got out my towel and sat down.  I ate the rest of my strawberries and enjoyed relaxing in the sun.  It was nice to give my feet a rest.  The were tired, they still are tired.  I stayed for about an hour but I left because I just got the feeling it was a good time to leave.  This was the only time that I felt uncomfortable.  Nothing in particular but I passed three homeless men sleeping,  I watched a guy pee on a shed and I saw the Polisii drive through the park.  Nothing happened but my gut just suggested that if the Polisii (Police) were driving through a peaceful park, maybe that suggested that this peaceful park got a little rowdy sometimes.  So nonchalantly, I left.  All's well.

      I went back to the city center and found my way to the Ateneum Art Museum.  I got my dose of Finnish culture in the museum.  I looked at historic Finnish art.  Some of the pieces were really pretty.  I always am so amazed at how detailed the paintings are.  The artists are so talented, my paintings always seem great in my head as an idea then they come out as a "abstract" piece.  In the museum there were also pieces from the Presidential palace.  Gold, Silver and glass pieces were elegant.  France's silverware, gold, silver and glass pieces out do them though on the extravagant level.  I enjoyed walking through the art museum.  

       For dinner I bought a sandwich, a granola bar and a protein shake at Stockman's

     Then I found myself a lovely bench, plopped down and had dinner.  I watched people and cars and reflected on my day.  I strolled back to my hostel, walking through a park next to lake/pond.  Again, people were exercising, running, biking or walking their dogs.  My hostel is next to a great big soccer/football complex.  Four different fields.  Two of the fields were being used for practice at that time.  It looked like high school aged boys.  The largest, stadium field was hosting a game.  The energy from the crowed seeped out to where I was walking.  The crowd clapped and sang, jeered and cheered for the players.  Looked like a fun place to be.  I stopped briefly from the hill where I could overlook into the stadium. 

      My night from then on was uneventful.  Took a shower, talked to the German girl for a bit and started to write my blog.  My computer battery died though and I was too tired to dig out my cord and continue so I just went to bed.  I don't think I laid in bed for more than three seconds before I was asleep.  I got up a seven, repacked some stuff, got dressed etc. etc. Then had breakfast and I've been writing ever since then.  

     Today I will be off to Jyväskylä.  My train leaves at 12:06 and should arrive at 15:44 (3:44pm).  I'll take the bus to the train station and go from there.  Hopefully the train system is hard to figure out. 

      I will post more from Jyväskylä!

Cheers, 

McCall

Safe and Sound

Hei Hei blog readers,
     I am safe and sound in the beautiful city of Helsinki.  All is well.  DIA was a breeze, minus the whole getting there part.  It is not labeled very well for drop off, if you would like more elaboration on that, talk to my mother.  I was able to exchange some cash for euros in DIA, the Airport people are very helpful and nice.  I enjoy the airport experience.
     My flight to Minneapolis encountered no problems, it took about two hours and nothing eventful happened.  I'm a little disappointed in myself that I didn't chat more.  I might come across as a very confident outgoing person but I really have a hard time starting and maintaing a conversation.  Bring on the awkward silences.  Even if I would have busted out the courage, the two ladies I sat inbetween were not chatters themselves, I think they both were nervous flyers and wanted to sleep.  Once I got into Minneapolis I didn't stay long.  By the time I walked to my next gate I immediately got in line to board.  I'm glad I wasn't any later.
     The second leg of the trip was the longest, seven hours and about twenty minutes.  My seat was in the way way back corner.  I sat next to a guy about my age, maybe a little older, from Greece, we talked minimally and from that and his very heavy, very cool accent, he travels a lot for his job which is something to do with oil.  It was night for majority of the flight so I tried to sleep but as anyone who flies knows, it isn't very comfortable.  We also experience some pretty rough turbulence when we were over the Atlantic.  Not going to lie--I said some Hail Marys.  Other than that, the food was good, the movies were good and the flight attendants were nice.  Oh! Don't let me forget to mention the hot towels, they really are as nice as everyone says they are.  What a great service!
   Overcast, drizzly clouds greeted us as we arrived in Amsterdam this morning.  My layover was long enough for me to dink around in the Schiphol Airport and still have lots of extra time.  It is a very chic airport.  I was impressed with how modern and well chic it was.  I ended up buying another converter for my plug ins because the one from Walmart had fine print on the back that said it was not intended for Laptops, Phones or Cameras, the three very things I need to charge.  So I just went to the electronic store and got myself another, better one.
    During my navigations through these airports I have come to realize the importance of being able to read.  Literacy is brilliant thing and I really question how any society could function without competent readers.  It is actually quite impressive that humans have created such an intricate symbol system.  It is important to be able to decode these symbols in life in order to find your place.
    The final plane leg of my trip was lovely.  From Amsterdam to Helsinki we were on KLM, which is a dutch company and I must say, I like the dutch.  They are pretty, kind and I like their language.  For this one I sat next to a lady to slept the entire way and a guy, roughly my age from Amsterdam who was going to Helsinki to visit his girlfriend.  I'm regretting that I did not talk to him more because he sounded very interesting.  We talked for about the last twenty minutes of the flight.  I should have talked to him more in the beginning.  He is studying law in Scotland.  Anyway I cannot regret it too much because the time that  I was not talking to him I was sleeping.  I conked out.  The little nap was very much needed.
     My bag arrived safely too.  No lost luggage--phew!  I didn't have a solid plan of how to get from the airport to my hostel which was a little stressing but never fear I have a strategy for that.  Find someone that looks like they know what they are doing and do what they are doing.  Two gentlemen from Canada or England sat in front of me on the flight and between following them and reading my map and looking at the bus time table I managed to get on the bus, get off the bus at the correct bus stop and walk to my Hostel.   My feet only led me in the wrong direction twice and neither time was cause for major panic.  I was able to catch and correct them before I ended up in a back alley.
     For never staying in a Hostel before, I have no expectations, therefore no let downs.  This one is clean and hip.  Artsy graffiti decorate the walls as big windows let the light shine in.  I like it.  Once I checked in I changed my clothes and then went exploring.  There are lots of little parks scattered all through this area.  I found a bench and reviewed my city map to tentatively plan my adventure for tomorrow.  From my observations, everyone exercises.  I saw many, many, many people jogging or walking or biking or skateboarding or playing soccer.   The Finns must be a very active people.  They are also very kind.  So far they all speak English, which is a lifesaver.
     It is nearly 10:30pm here and they sun is just barely setting over the horizon.  It not a lie that this is the land of the eternal sun.  I love it! It was such a pleasure to walk around at 9o'clock a night and there was still lots and lots of sunlight, no creepy, shadowy feelings.  If there is more daylight, that means there is more opportunity to do things!
     My adventure is only beginning.  Until next time, bye bye.
McCall







   

Packing

Greetings,

Just like any trip whether it be a weekend or a month, packing is involved.  I have accomplished this task and feel mostly confident that I have succeeded.  The doubt lingers in my mind that I over-packed or under packed, I packed the wrong things or I did not pack the right things.  The uncertainty of what I will need or want is daunting.  However, it is what it is.  I can't very well change it now.  My room was a wreck the past few days because I unpacked and repacked, rinsed and repeated.

As you can see, it resembled the after effects of a natural disaster.  For the past couple of months I have been practicing minimalist packing.  During weekend trips I packed very lightly to prepare for a month of lightly packed luggage.  I read packing tips from flight attendants, took advice from well-traveled friends and used the good ole google to research the best way to pack.  Which brings me to my final packed bag.  I was able to reduce my selected wardrobe down to one suitcase and a backpack--that is it.  I even have room to spare in both to bring items back!

In case you are curious and perhaps want a reference the next time you pack this is my list:
underwear
2 bras
2 sports bras
socks
2 black tights/nylon
2 athletic shorts
2 t-shirts
2 pairs of jeans
2 pairs of khaki pants
yoga pants
green shorts
black and white skirt
coral dress
turquoise dress
pink long sleeve shirt/sweater
black sweater
black dressy tank
grey blazer
black blazer
4 V-neck shirts (white, grey, pink, green)
long sleeve black shirt
black cami
orange tank top
white button up shirt
coral blouse
floral tank top
Wyoming Sweatshirt
light jacket

turquoise Keds
grey/black Converse type shoes
black dressy flats

small hoop earrings
small silver earrings
pink studs
versatile purple/blue/brown necklace
scarf
belt
Swim Suit

towel
wash rag
make up
shampoo & conditioner
soap/pouf
toothpaste & tooth brush
bandaids
tylenol
benadryl
epi pens
motion sickness medicine
pepto bismal
brush
bobby pins
hair ties

And that't it folks.  I'm taking no more, no less.  My suitcase is zipped shut.  I feel quite accomplished that I could fit all of that into my bag and still have room to spare, plus I have space on my carry-on backpack.  My grandma gave me a handy dandy luggage scale and my bag comes in well below the maximum limit of 70lbs at 27.4lbs.  I look forward to bringing some treasures back in all the extra room I left myself.

School's out for the summer

Guess What?

I'm done with school! I finished my sophomore year of college and am officially a junior at the University of Wyoming! I'm so excited!  What a whirlwind of a year it has been?  I have learned a lot inside and outside the classroom.  I'm halfway done with my college education.  Only a few more days until I'm in Finland!

Thank you!

Dear Friends, Family and everyone in between, 

Thank you for all the help you have given me.  I appreciate what you have done to get me to where I am now.  As much as I would like to think that I am invincible and can do it all by myself I realize that this is not true.  You have helped me in numerous and various ways.  Thank you. 

Thank you for the letters of recommendation, 

Thank you for the encouragement,

Thank you for the life lessons,

thanks for the support,

thanks for the reality checks,

thanks for advice,

Thanks for the laughs,

thank you for the opportunities,

Thank you for monthly letters,

thank you for hiring me,

Thank you for being worried and concerned,

Thanks for making me work for it,

Thank you for raising me,

thanks for your kindness,

Thank you for your prayers,

and most importantly, Thank you for your love,

 I will miss you!

Love,

McCall

Let's Talk About School

Hyvää Iltapäivää,
Good Afternoon,

It is getting closer.  I have 9 days, 23 hours, and 25 minutes until I begin my journey.

I started finals this morning with my Marketing test.  Tomorrow is Global Textiles, Thursday is Organizational Management and Friday is Principles of Nutrition.  After that it will be the official start of summer break! While most students savor summer because there is no school, no classes and freedom, I will be enrolled in summer school.  I usually enjoy summer for the lack of a school schedule but for the opportunity to be in Finland, I'll tolerate classes.
The classes that I'll be taking at the University of Jyväskylä are:
         May 20-24 Finnish Language and Culture
         May 27-31 Emotions and Athletic Performance
         June 3-7     Social Networks and Interpersonal Relations in a Multicultural World
         June 10-14 Basics of Argumentation and Rhetoric
Finland's education system is one of the top systems in the world.  Finland also has a 100% literacy rate.  I'm excited to partake in a top notch education system.  I'm hoping to learn about the content in theses classes but also the approach to presenting the information.  I would like to learn what makes it such an excellent system.  The method of teaching/learning would be really great to bring back and somehow apply to classes here.
For the most part I will be in class all day from 9am to 3pm or 4pm with a lunch break in the middle.  These classes will probably be pretty intensive but they are only a week long so it is a lot of content to cover in a short time.  There are course descriptions on this website if you would like to look more depth into my summer classes.  https://www.jyu.fi/en/study/programmes/summerschool/courses
I paid for 9 credit hours at the summer school tuition rate at the University of Wyoming.  It will depend on my syllabi when I return to determine how many credits I will actually receive.  It could be more than 9, less than 9 or more than 9.  It all just depends.

Wish me luck on the rest of my finals!

Wonderful Wyoming

A University of Wyoming flag flutters in the wind outside of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.  I will be an ambassador for The University of Wyoming, The College of Ag & Nat. Resources, Wyoming, Colorado and the United States of America