Trailblazers ASB 2012 - Nicaragua

First of all, I want to say that Nicaragua was possibly the most amazing Spring Break I will ever have! I'm kind of upset that I have one more, because I have no idea how I will top this off next year! (CNN's bucket list #1? Learn to fly?)

I had a successful volcano boarding experience. I went 54 km per hour! Fastest in my group! Go team Finland!!!

I also learned how to surf, speak Spanish, jumped off of a 10 meter cliff... Met some amazing people... Farmed... It was just amazing. 

Our courtyard at the farm from where we stayed. 

Gigi, me & Alison after Volcano boarding. We conquered Cerro Negro!!

Alison & I on one of our hikes at the top of the mountain. (Yes, I'm vertically challenged)

We also did some horse back riding. I hadn't done that since about age 11, and of course since I'm so short I could barely reach the stirrups (#shortpeopleproblems). Nicaraguan culture was awesome, everything was super cheap - until we got to the airport, but that was to be expected. 

It was so hard to come back to school. It's on the countdown side for sure though. One more semester almost down. 

Spring Break 2012

I can't believe that it is almost spring break! I have been drowning in my school books so much that time just flew by. Fortunately, my spring break didn't suffer from this as plans have been made since week 2 of the semester.

It's off to Nicaragua!

I am going with an organization from school, to work on a volunteer program in the middle of the country. It's a reforestation project that other universities have participated in (such as FSU over winter break). I was not a part of this organization until I found out about this trip, so I don't know anyone. Thankfully my friend Alison is in the same boat as I am. Last summer, when we were in Paris, on our last days we sat down in the halls of the MIJE and looked up places around the world where we would go spend our spring break. Back in July, the plans consisted of Eastern Europe or Africa, but then Nicaragua popped up in January because of a poster I saw somewhere on campus. So now instead of backpacking through Eastern Europe for a week, or going to see the wildlife of Africa, I am going hiking in Latin America and working on a farm for 10 days. No internet. No cell phone. This will be new for me, but I am so excited. I don't think I have been disconnected from the world like that since... well before I can remember! (I got a cell phone at the age of 9 in Europe, so the term "crackberry" came to be because of people like me. I go no where without it, and feel lost if I forget it at home on school days- thank god for laptops and internet in that case).

While I am excited to see the beautiful landscapes Nicaragua has to offer, I am excited to experience a new culture as well.

The Agua Azul lagoon outside of Leon Viejo, Nicaragua

But as far as bucket list experiences go, I will get to see my first volcano! (Scratch that, I've been to Hawaii so I am 99% sure I saw one there, but I was little, don't remember, and didn't have my own camera to take pictures of it.)

That's not all though. I also get to go volcano boarding! Essentially sledding down the side of the volcano! You can take the Scandinavian girl out of the snow, but that doesn't mean she's not going to go sledding!

"All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

♥  Jonna 

Epiphany

Epiphany weekend - first weekend in January. And here's what I have learned in 2012 thus far:

1. Wearing fur hats during prime Russian tourist season makes you look like one.
2. Sales in Finland = take American price and multiply by 120 %
3. Finland's got the weather right. If it's cold, let it snow.
4. I haven't seen the sun in a week.
5. I'm coming back for next new years. For sure.

Merry Christmas!

It's Christmas Eve in Finland, a.k.a., time for me to celebrate. In Finland, Christmas celebrations begin on December 24th. I am making joulutorttuja tomorrow morning (my favorite Christmas dessert, that I ALWAYS over eat and end up getting sick) and then at noon begins "Christmas Peace". This is a time, that until Boxing Day, no fighting is allowed in the family.

But speaking of Finland, that brings me to my next topic. I will actually be visiting for the New Year. I can't wait to start 2012 over there! 6 days until my departure!! And since I will be in Europe, I will be updating my blog again.

Already planning the return

"Everyday is a Journey, and the Journey itself is Home."

Been back in the good old USA for a couple months now, and I sat still just long enough to figure out where I'm going next...

Summer 2012

Brussels, Belgium

+

Paris, France

+

Berlin, Germany

+

Krakow, Poland

=

European Union Studies 

I can't wait! I've only been to Paris out of those places, so I will actually be able to experience new places (and even knock off two countries on my world map). I've only flown through Belgium, which I guess you can count those, but I have never been to Poland.

♥ Jonna

Ja sitten suomeksi

Päätin että kirjoitain sillä kielellä riippuen missä maassa olen. Onhan se hyvää vähän suomen kieltäkin harjoitella. Olin viikonlopun Iinan luona Helsingissä. Näin Markuksen eilen baareissa. Ja Isakin tuli käymään tänään täällä. Istuttiin Isan kanssa monessa puistossa ja kaikki pummit tuli meille juttelee. Yksi sanoi meille että tuntuu hyvältä olla selvinpäin. Hänen henki haisi ihan viinalta. Huomenna lähden Ouluun katsomaan kummeja pariksi päiväksi!

I decided that I write in the language, depending on the country where I am. After all, it is a good little Finnish kieltäkin practice. I was visiting this weekend Iina Helsinki, Finland. Thus Mark's bars yesterday. And Isaac came to visit here today. Sat with my father in many bums in the park, and all came to us talking. One told us that it feels good to be sober. His spirit viinalta smelled wonderful. Tomorrow I am going to Oulu to watch sponsors a couple of days!

(Wow google translate sucks with Finnish. Or then I need to learn how to write proper Finnish)


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[October 11, 2011]
Below is my profile for the summer that just occurred. Time to move on in my life, but it's good to look back and remember the excitement, the joy, the anticipation, and look forward to it all over again.
[Jonna]

A summer in Europe? Count me in! I signed up for the French LBAT program through Georgia Tech where I'm now- get this- a SENIOR!! I'm trying my best to keep track of everything I do, because how often do you get to live in Paris for a summer.

Suomi Finlandia

I have made it to Finland. Had Kotipizza with Iina and now going out to meet up with Markus for some drinks. It's so hot and humid in Finland. Iina thinks I've officially become homeless after showing her all of the thrift store stuff I've bought. I asked her for laundry detergent so I could wash my jeans while I shower. I didn't even think twice about it!