| I wrote home about this one. We got the idea that we should have a Christmas tree sometime in mid-November. We *ahem* acquired this one about two days before our Oulu Christmas. Christiane pulled it up by the roots on our way back from town one night. Brenda mentioned that it was vaguely reminiscent of Charlie Brown's Christmas tree. (What's the opposite of hyperbole again? Understatement? Okay.) The tree was decked with Finnish and Russian tree ornaments (which had to be balanced carefully, as they were prone to tip the whole tree over), a napkin-and-wrapping-ribbon ghostish angel, and lots of gifts. | |
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Pausing for a picture in front of the festive decorations: Paul, Brenda, Anna, Lindsey, and Christiane. |
| Oulu Christmas was lovely, really. We had great food, carol-singing, and a gift exchange. Shopping for and thinking of gifts for people was about the most fun part of the whole event. And of course, we had to get a group shot with The Tree, which turned out to be the evening's centerpiece. |  |
After Oulu Christmas came the saddest part of the semester, saying good-bye. We still do keep in touch, so I get photos via e-mail every once in a while to let me know everyone is still alive.
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I thought this was funny because it looks like a growth chart. Pictured are Christiane, Rhet, and Markus, enjoying Christmas break in Austria. |
| Sam and Reuben apparently became better friends after I left. Sam, Brenda, and Paul all returned to Finland in January for the second term. |  |