Evan Cross

Well everyone i did it. I ice skated. It was so very fun. I really like it actually, every time i went around the rink i got faster and faster, but then i would fall on my butt. I also yesterday in helsinki went to a lucia party which is a swedish-finn tradition. It was pretty cool actually. The church looked really nice and there were a ton of people. I switched host families also. It was actually quite nice to switch. The family has a three story house and i get one floor to my self basically. They are all very nice. I am speaking only finnish in the house and I finally have internet access. Everything is wonderful. Bye... read more

Hello Rotary club of Carlsbad! I want to let you guys know that I am doing very well! School is going very well and I have made many friends. I am going to a gym with my new best friend and we love working out and going to sauna every day is just amazing. My host family is all very nice and they make me feel right at home. Finnish is coming along and I can speak quite good for the amount of time studying it. I am so grateful to you guys and Rotary International for letting this happen. Now I will teach you guys some Finnish. Let me just say Kiitos for everything.... read more

Things have been quite well and very steady so I have been able to catch up on relaxation. Ive picked up some hobbies here like singing in the Mieslaulaiet. Which is an all mens chorus. And the conductor is willing to give me vocal lessons as well. She studies at the Sibelius Music Academy, which is the most prestigious music school in all of finland. Ive also started playing tennis for the tennis club and the two girls in my group for training are the best in Tuusula. Ive been playing tremendously well! And going to the gym with my friend Pete has been one of the most fun things to do. Nothing feels better than leaving school when we have no classes and just pumping iron. I made Caesar salad last friday and my family ... read more

This past week has been awesome! First thing is i played tennis with a professional coach and he fixed a lot of things in just an instant. He is now going to play in the senior world championships in Austria. Then in the next day Lasse took me out to the driving range and taught me how to swing a club. He knows a proffesional golfer as well who plays at the course and asked him if he would help me with my form and he sure was a big help. I couldnt believe that I got help from a professional golfer. Then today, I helped Eveliina make Mokkara which are basically Finnish brownies. And tonight I am getting to meet the other host families I will be staying with. Hei! Hei!... read more

This past weekend was very special. My host mother took me and Tino to Lappeenranta to visit their summer cottage, and to see her brother's family. The very hot sauna made the week very amazing. When we arrived to the cottage, you could see very many berries on the side of the road like mustikka. They weren't at their peak in the season, but still yummy! Swimming in the icy lake after a very hot sauna is the best feeling ever! Over this past weekend I have eaten a large amount of food. All of it very good! A delicious Makkara and nice sieni Canterelli sauce. Also I ate a very yummy lihapirakka only found in Lappeenranta! School is very nice and Im making more and more friends day after day. Finnish is coming along very ... read more