The Duality of Time

-Tule tänne! No niin, mene oikealle...hienoa, pikku Matti. Nyt, vähän vasemmalle ja sitten se on valmis. Voitko auttaa meitä? Apua, Matti! Tänne, ei tuonne. 

-Anteeksi, Milja ja Vilma. 

-Ei se haittaa, pikku Matti. 

-Come here! Alright, go to the right...great, little Matt. Now, a little to the left and then it is ready. Can you help us? Help, Matt! Here, not over there.

-Sorry, Milja and Vilma.

-It doesn't matter, little Matt. 

On this particular day, the 2nd of January to be precise, the snow was rather obstinately coalesced and would not comply with the aspirations of Selja, Milja, and Vilma. You see with a succession of days above the point of freezing, the endeavor to form a snowman was slightly laborious. Hence, Vilma and Milja speculated that I could serve as a seemingly appropriate auxiliary; I was happy to comply.
The gleaming snow beneath our feet sighed, as the torso was hoisted into position. I was prescribed with the task of engraving our lumiukon (snowman's) mouth and molding his fairly aquiline nose. Meanwhile, Selja preoccupied herself with gathering the necessary eyes (potatoes at that particular time), as Milja and Vilma anxiously awaited the opportunity to adorn the frigid man with a handsome scarf. Standing a few paces before our masterpiece, we remained utterly still to allow a fervent period of introspection to transpire. However, moments later, Vilma and Milja noticed that our ukko appeared to be slightly misanthropic, and that he desperately necessitated the company of a vaimo (missus). Thus, a similar procedure was enacted, and Vilma proudly exclaimed with a beaming smile, "Nyt, hän on iloinen, Matti!" (Now, he is happy, Matt!)

Shortly after this exploit, Sonja, Jenni, and I headed to the cross-country rink in Päivärinne. Well, a more candid description of the trip would be that Sonja and Jenni negotiated the terrain, as I shambled in a matter that was quite akin to the initial steps of an infant. Nevertheless, we eventually reached our destination, and my sisters conferred a brief lecture in regards to the most agreeable methodology of skiing. I imagine that my responses: Kyllä, mää ymmärrän...okei, uskon että olen nyt valmis. (Yes, I understand...okay, I believe that I am ready now.) entirely betrayed the rigid and perplexed expression upon my face, which refused to soften. Our exodus commenced and at one point a portion of the instructions registered, as I managed to remain vertical: yes, perhaps this was a rather humble development in retrospect, but it was fairly imperative at the time. I believe that we skied approximately 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) and I owe a great amount of appreciation to Jenni and Sonja, as they were both exceedingly patient with me. I truly enjoyed the experience and I intend to refine, or at least attempt to refine, my abilities in order to facilitate such a response in the future. 

Jenni, anteeksi mutta en voisi vastustaa. :)

The 3^rd of January was the day on which I transitioned to my second host family: the Heikkilӓ/Sinettä family. As I previously stated, my host mom is the Muhos Rotary Club’s president. However, she also teaches at an  elementary school in Oulu four days out of the week. Mrs. Heikkilӓ is a very considerate individual who is genuinely forbearing in regards to the instances in which my Finnish is atrocious. My host dad is an instructor at a vocational school for adolescents in Muhos. Moreover, he has greatly aided me in enhancing my vocabulary, with a remarkable variety of contexts of which we have discussed. Tuomas is a nine-year-old vivacious boy who has a profound devotion to hockey. Twice a week, he practices in Oulu, and his fervor is always reinvigorated tenfold upon his return. On occasion, Tuomas and I play floor-ball or ice hockey outside, as Aleksi, the colossal German shepherd, creates a moat around us as a result of his frantic pacing—he has some chronic anxiety tendencies, perhaps. During the week, we typically have a few sporting rounds of Billiards (Tuomas is quite the prodigy). Jimi, a friend of Tuomas, is another astonishing boy who, as it can be conjectured, might become the next rock sensation. Recently, Tuomas and Jimi performed magnificently during an ice hockey match in Kempele, and it was a pure joy to spectate. 

This family has been exceedingly kind to me, and I am certain that our time together will continue to be truly fantastic. 

During the Heikkilä/Sinettä's weekend trip to St. Petersburg, I had the pleasant opportunity to stay with a Rotarian's family and to meet his wife, son, and a friend of the family. Although a great portion of the weekend was spent studying for a mathematics exam, I was greatly privileged to be invited to a Kärpät hockey game in Oulu with my Rotarian's family. The match was quite captivating, and I was fortunate to witness a victory and the accompanying response from the fan section -- indeed, quite intriguing. My stay came to its conclusion, and I was thoroughly honored to acquaint myself with such an amiable family. 

On the 23^rd of January I presented a speech to my Finnish language class in regards to the health care system of the United States. However, the transcript, upon which the speech was written, only contained approximately 300 words, respectfully. I spoke Finnish throughout its entirety, and I hope that my pronunciation was intelligible. The proceedings transpired for approximately five minutes, and I hope that I may have such an opportunity in the near future.

Towards the conclusion of January, I discerned that I had a profound infatuation with the traditional waltz. However, this discovery did not circumstantially emerge. It arose as result of my complete abhorrence for the “modern dances” I learned in my dance course at the Muhoksen Lukio. Technically, these dances were choreographed by the student body and were thus considered "omat tanssit" (our own dances). The dances range from Play that Funky Music White Boy to It’s Raining Men, and only a minuscule minority of the males had the right to voice their opinion when the girls were deliberating about the selection. Moreover, three times a week, the girls chortled with glee, as we cavorted like a troop of preposterous neanderthals around a little campfire: the entire affair was rather malicious if you ask me. (I am only joking.) Nevertheless, we were obligated to comply. Our only hope was that the battery of the photographer’s camera would fail just before this section of the dance had started: Providence was not so kind.

Fortunately, Mirette accompanied me to Oulu to conclude all the necessary purchases for my suit. If she had not done so, my circumstance would have been perfectly hopeless. 

On the 15th, we performed nine traditional dances, which varied in genre from a waltz to Finnish Tango, and the night was concluded with oman tanssit arrangement. Disregarding my previously caustic tone, each dance was a great pleasure to all concerned. Following the presentation, I was fortunate to dance with both Mrs. Heikkilä and Mirette. I am utterly appreciative towards my instructors and my partner. 

During Laskiaispäivä (Shrovetide Day), the entire Heikkilä/Sinettä family clamored up a gentle incline: toboggans in hand. The first volunteers, naturally, were Tuomas and Jimi: the exuberant duet of fervency. With a slight heave, they sailed cackling with glee down the hill, over a bank, and into a ditch -- utterly amazed by the speed at which their slay could travel when not impeded by brakes. Subsequently, similar incidents were repeated on numerous occasions, until we returned, as the sun receded below the silver horizon. 

Se ei ole varsin yhteinen kun yksilö voi sanoa että hänellä on kaksi tai kolme perhettä. Lisäksi, se on todella harvinaista kun tällaista perhettä ovat niin ehdoitta rohkaisevasta ja huolehtivasta. Silti, mää oon hyvin etuoikeutettu sanon että mulla on tällaista perhettä. En voi ymmärtää miten viime kuusi kuukautta ovat läpäiseet niin nopeasti, koska mun aikaa täällä Suomessa on ollut kuten ohikiitävä uni. Mulla on loistavasta vanhemmat, sisaret, veljekset, ja ystävät ja haluaisin sanoa että olen hyvin kiitollinen että voin jakaa mun kokemuksia teidän kanssa. Paljon kiitoksia!

It is not very common when one can say that he/she has two or three families. In addition, it is very rare when such families are so unconditionally encouraging and caring. Still, I am very privileged to say that I have such families. I can not understand how the last six months have passed so quickly because my time here in Finland has been like a fleeting dream. I have excellent parents, sisters, brothers, and friends, and I would like to say that I am very grateful that I can share my experiences with you. Thank you very much!

Vilpittömästi (Sincerely), 

Matti Parlette