Regrettably, this Sympathetic Nervous System response was too protracted, and I could not escape. Snowballs hummed in the air, as Aapeli advanced upon my left flank. I desperately scrambled towards a bush, but two of the spherical projectiles battered my vertebral column. Utterly anesthetized, I could not perform a fitting counteroffensive. Aapeli seized the opportunity without hesitation. With that explicit sneer and a hearty chuckle, he raised an immense heap of snow over my pleading arms and concluded the encounter.
The previous description relates my recreational time at the Manninen's summer cottage in Lalli. I was enthralled to perceive that Aapeli shares a similar
infatuation of snow with me. Consequently, we commenced this season of
perpetual brilliancy with a battle that would make Waterloo seem inconsequential.
Spheres of mud, grass, and sodden snow dashed through the bitter air on its
descent to unsuspecting victims – chiefly Sonja and Jenni. Subsequently, Aapeli and I have conferred our future exploits in the upcoming
weeks, as we are expecting a reputable measure of snow for our ammunition,
fortifications, and mode of transport – Aapeli greatly reminds me of an
approximate version of my younger, and a more vivacious, self.
During my stay, Mr. Manninen, Elias, Aapeli, Selja, and I assisted their relatives in restoring the 100-year-old cottage. On the twenty-sixth and the twenty-seventh of October, we exhumed approximately two feet of earth within the interior of the home. Various wheelbarrows were escorted into and out of the structure by means of a ramp and inexhaustible vitality. As we wrought the ground with our shovels, Selja and Aapeli scoured for the highly coveted artifacts, which had been interred for nearly eighty years. The afternoons were a pleasant interlude from our labor, and I had the equally as amiable fortune to talk with Mr. Manninen's brothers. One gentleman traveled nearly 500 km (310 miles) to northern Finland from Tampere to volunteer his assistance for this undertaking. Consequently, this stands as an impeccable example of the Finnish man's work ethic and his willingness to support his family. Thoroughly satisfied with the accomplishments of the weekend, Mr. Manninen ferried the four slumbering youths to Pӓivӓrinne, as the day diminished into ebony.
On the 18th of this month, the second-year
students at the Muhoksen Lukio held a social gathering for every first year pupil
– including myself. The night was arranged around a broad spectrum of
activities in which the objective was that of unperturbed integration. The
events ranged from Finnish Karaoke to a rather physically taxing obstacle course
in the gymnasium. Additionally, mostly every teacher participated in the
proceedings to disband all notions of social mortification. The evening was a
tremendous method to further ingrain myself within the student body and
to converse with the faculty at a relatively indistinguishable plane.
Moreover, on the 19th of October, I sang with the Lukion
musiikkiryhmӓ (the high school music class) at the Muhoksen kirkossa (the Muhos
church). Our group was relatively small, only 11 students, but our performance
was admirably received by the community.
On the 6th of November, I was introduced to the
remarkable sport of Ice Hockey in my physical education course. Previously, I
had not the slightest proficiency in the technique of skating, but my prior
knowledge of roller blading facilitated a gradual transition. Fortunately, I
was able to participate in the lesson, and I believe I additionally provided my
fellow students with a rather amusing spectacle. In the end, I have to say that
my preference lies with hockey in comparison to the former pastime. Furthermore, on
the 14th, our class indulged in a fencing lesson in Oulu. After a brief
introduction to various, parries, thrusts, counters, and advances, we practiced
dueling in rotations. I tremendously enjoyed
the experience, and my childhood dream was fully satisfied.
From the 22nd to the 24th of
October, during Finland’s autumn holiday, I traveled to Haapajӓrvi
(approximately 155 kilometers southeast of Muhos) with the Manninen family.
Here, we stayed with Mr. Manninen’s mother and father for a tranquil repose in
a humble community. The grandmother was profoundly hysterical and benevolent
towards her grandchildren and me. Throughout the duration of our stay, she was
adamant that we should accompany her for a swim in the frigid waters of a
nearby river. I was relieved to discern that the trepidation of such an
activity was not excluded from the faces of Sonja and Jenni. Mr. Manninen’s
father was also quite approachable and congenial. During my stay, he related that his father had perished during the Winter Wars of 1945 against the Soviet Union.
The grandfather showed me an album of every young man in that region of
Southern Ostrobothnia who gave his life to defend the homeland. Indeed, I was
exceptionally privileged and honored when he asked me to hold an artifact that
was found on his father’s person when the latter was unearthed from Russian
soil in 1997.
On the 23rd, we visited an antiquated church fringing upon a serene river, and Mrs. Manninen related a small portion of the former’s history to me with the utmost conviction and gratitude. Later that day, I traveled a few kilometers southeast of Haapajӓrvi to a bridge that was esteemed to hold many memories of Mr. Manninen’s childhood.
On the 23rd, we visited an antiquated church fringing upon a serene river, and Mrs. Manninen related a small portion of the former’s history to me with the utmost conviction and gratitude. Later that day, I traveled a few kilometers southeast of Haapajӓrvi to a bridge that was esteemed to hold many memories of Mr. Manninen’s childhood.
On the 11th of this month, the Manninen Family
treated me to an incomparable visit to Pohjois-Pohjanmaan museo (the Museum of
Northern Ostrobothnia). The exhibits varied from Sweden’s rule of Finland between 1581-1809 and Finland’s status as a Grand Duchy of Imperialist Russia, to the
Winter Wars. Also, displays of the Swedish aristocracy during the Early Medieval Ages were quite intriguing as well.
On the 3rd of November, I was invited to partake
in a moose hunting excursion with Miika, a second-year student from the
Muhoksen Lukio. The expedition transpired on a rather impressive partition of
forest in Muhos. Observably, my knowledge concerning this
manner of hunting was incompetent at best. However, Miika, his father, and I
convened with a throng of huntsmen at a modest wilderness hut, and I quickly
discerned that my savoir-faire would not be imperative. A debate commenced, in
regards to the tracking strategy and the distribution of the hunters, after the
preliminary greetings had been articulated. In the end, it was decided that we
should encircle the prospective quarry in a 5-acre allotment of forest. Two
audacious men would enter the forest and incite the game to travel in a specific
direction. Consequently, a hunter would dispatch the moose, and
we would return to our homes in utter elation. Unfortunately, the reality was
quite contrary to our expectations: the moose had left the partition moments before our arrival. Nevertheless, the affair proved to be
indisputably priceless.
During a Rotary meeting on the 12th, my club conferred
a birthday celebration for me. Towards the end of meeting, my Youth Exchange Officer presented me with a handsome
wool sweater. The night was concluded, as the members approached me and expressed their congratulations
with robust handshakes and affable smiles.
On the thirteenth,during the Finnish lesson in Oulu, Haruka
and Rachel (extraordinary friends) astounded me with an Advent Calendar,
a birthday card, and a chocolate Santa. Following my course, I was greeted by a
pleasant surprise. I entered the home, set aside my coat and bag, and the
Manninen Family started to sing Paljon
onnea vaan (happy birthday), as I walked into the living room. Beaming
smiles emanated from their faces and I could not find a single word to express
my gratitude. I was seated, and Milja and Vilma approached me with wonderfully colored
illustrations and a beautiful postcard from the museum. In unison they exclaimed,
“Happy Birthday, Matt!” Selja and
Aapeli presented me with two notebooks and a striking puzzle. Mr. and Mrs.
Manninen handed me a spectacular tie clip that symbolized Thor’s hammer in Nordic
Mythology. Likewise, Sonja and Jenni, having rather unparalleled senses of
humor, bestowed an artistic depiction of my character traits: a compilation of
various pictures and English/Finnish adjectives, which were all quite flattering
(i.e. “old man,” “nerd,” etc.). On the 17th, Jenni, Sonja, Mirette (a
very kind friend), Sanna, and Minna (twin sisters who are also very
genial) celebrated a “Formal Saturday” birthday celebration for Emmi and I. Two days
ago, Elias entered my room and presented me with a candlestick he had whittled in
his woodworking class. The beauty of this piece and the time he spent in
fashioning it surpassed my comprehension.
Who am I to deserve such unconditional generosity and
kindness? Who am I to be so utterly privileged? Indeed, there is no word to
express the appreciation I have for both my friends and my family.
Sincerely,
Matt Parlette
