hope

what an amazing week to be an american. ever since living in italy or finland this is the first time that i feel truly proud to tell people that i am american. it is amazing what a change in attitude the world is feeling about our country right now. the positive pulse is beating strong. each of my international friends congratulated me on the election and i am encouraged listening to their hopes about how the whole world might change. it is most exciting!

this week i have been keeping very busy trying to do a lot of school work! things are coming up fast with 8 days this month in russia! i think the deadlines will be here before i can even blink. time flies in finland.

wed. night i had a great experience making karelian piiraka (karelian pie) with ESN... they are thin rye flour dough pasties filled with rice porridge.. you eat them hot with egg butter. they were easy and delicious!

last night, i went to my kummi family's house and made them chicken fajitas and guacamole and chips! they have never had fajitas or avocados before so it was really awesome to introduce them to new tasty food. they both really enjoyed everything and now know what to do with tortillas (tortillas just just came to finland 4-5 yrs ago)! it was really great to cook for them and just hang out. each time we get together we laugh a lot and are both learning new words. i also found out that they have 2 disc golf courses in oulu and they want to learn how to play, so i am going to teach them sometime!

tonight, i am going to cook jodi's tasty pasta with parmesan, basil, bacon and corn for my 3 french friends and then really get to work. i have lots of homework this weekend, and am looking forward to relaxing a bit here in oulu after i have spent the last 3 weekends away....

i would love to hear from you back home.

peace.