Google News 4

Original news: http://www.hs.fi/english/article/The+President+is+the+First+Lady+/1135269994326

What I was very interested in was the president of Finland is woman! Although the world is changed, I can't imagine the president is the woman! (but there are some president who is the woman in the world.)

Finland president is the woman who named Tarja Halonen. She has been the president of Finland for 12years.(She was reeracted.) She is the first woman president in Finland. And she has a sense of humor so many finnish like her.

She said that idle partner is 'Someone close to your heart'. This sentence makes me warm-hearted. I also like her because she makes a great effort to human rights issues.  

I am wondering that woman could be president in Korea? What do you think of that? I think it will take long time because many older people has conservative thinking. For example, woman could not be the president.. I really wish to be changed these kinds of narrow-minded thinking in the Korea.

Christmas Food

In Finland, they have a spcial Christmas Food. I will introduce two major food they eat in Christmas. :)

First one is Joulutortut (Christmas Pastries ). This is flaky pastries filled with plum jam. When I was in Finland, I also made it with my friend in the home. It is very easy to made it. You can buy all materials in the market and then you just followed recipe.

This picture from : http://www.xihalife.com/bbs/food/about/6158.htm

Second one is Glögg. Glögg is hot, spiced wine, perfect for cold winter evenings. It is a traditional drink during winter, especially around Christmas.It is warm, mulled wine. Many Finnish people have their own gloggy cup. So when Christmas comes, they take out their gloggy cup. When I drunk glogg, it makes me warm but a little bitter.

This picture from : http://finnishfood.blogspot.com/

If you want to know how to make glogg : http://goscandinavia.about.com/od/restaurantsdining/r/gloggrecipe.htm

Typical Food

Many Finnish typically eat mashed potato, bread and rice. But I think they like to eat more potato than rice. And Finnish rice is different style compared to Korea. Korea rice is sticky but Finland one is not sticky. I would like to introduce several kinds of typical Finnish food. :)

First, Karjalanpiirakka, also known as Karelian pies, are filled with a rice mixture and are commonly served with egg butter. It's really delicious!

This picture from: http://www.yumsugar.com/Savory-Sight-Traditional-Finnish-Food-3116565

Second, Reindeer meat and potato. I ate this one when I invited to Finnish house. Reindeer meat was not soft but delicious. :)

Third, it is kinds of cheese cake. It is dessert and it was a little bit greasy.

Forth, this is ginger cookies. Finnish children usually made it with their mom in the house. It's very delicious so when I come back Korea, I bought some cookies for my parents. haha :)

Google News 3

Original news : http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2011/12/finland_celebrates_94th_independence_day_3080964.html

Last Tuesday(6th of December) is independenceday of Finland. I think history of Finland is as same as Korea.

By the 12th century the pagan inhabitants of Finland are the target of missionary activity from neighbouring Sweden. In the 14th century Roman Catholics from Sweden go to war against Russian Orthodox from Novgorod for the soul of the Karelians. Territory is captured along with souls. A treaty of 1323 divides Karelia between Sweden and Novgorod. By that time the rest of Finland has been attached to the Swedish kingdom. Finland remains a separate territory, albeit increasingly absorbed within the stronger and more sophisticated Swedish culture. Its separate dignity is acknowledged in 1581, when the Swedish king accords Finland the status of a grand duchy. In the next century this distinction is removed. Under Gustavus II Adolphus the entire region becomes integrated in the rapidly enlarging Swedish kingdom. But the majority of Finns, handicapped by their separate language, have a second-class status within Sweden (any educated Finn by now must speak Swedish). And the territory is under constant threat from an increasingly powerful neighbour in Russia.

Sweden cedes Finland to Russia in 1809 in the treaty of Hamina (or, in its Swedish name, Fredrikshamn). Finland's autonomy as a grand duchy under Russian protection has been guaranteed earlier in the year by the tsar, Alexander I, who assures the Finnish diet that he will respect the constitution and the civil and religious rights already established under Swedish rule. In 1811 the parts of Finland absorbed by Russia during the 18th century are restored to the grand duchy. Throughout the 19th century Finland thrives in partnership with Russia. The Finnish language is encouraged in schools and in government offices. From 1878 the grand duchy even has its own army. But in the early 20th century there are attempts by the Russian government to tie Finland more closely into the empire, merging Finnish units within the Russian army and imposing Russian as the official language. The degree to which any of this is acceptable becomes the main issue of Finnish politics, with resistance extending to national strikes and acts of terrorism. With the outbreak of World War I, Finnish resistance groups turn to Germany for help against a common enemy. After the communist revolution in Russia in 1917, a new element of right and left enters the conflict alongside the main issue of Finn versus Russian.

The result is an immensely bitter and complex war fought in Finland during the early part of 1918. It is a war of independence and at the same time a civil war of 'white' versus 'red'. Meanwhile an army of 12,000 Germans on Finnish soil adds yet another dimension - as part of the wider World War I confrontation between Germany and Russia. By the middle of May the Russians are out of the country, fulfilling terms already agreed in the treaty of Brest-Litovsk (March 1918). A constitution of June 1919 transforms Finland into a republic. In the following year the newly independent country becomes a member of the League of Nations.

Read more: http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ad02#ixzz1g1dpioOi

Our country was also conquered by China and Japan a long time ago. Because of history, Finnish use two language,swedish and Finnish. So when I went to Finnish movie theater, there are two subtitles, Swedish and Finnish.

Anyway, I really congratulate Finland's 94th Independece day! Congratulation! :D

Moomin world

Do you know Moomin? Actually I didn't know about that character until I went to Naantali which is located in the west of Turku. The Moomins are the central characters in a series of books and a comic strip by Swedish-Finn illustrator and writer Tove Jansson, originally published in Swedish by Schildts in Finland. They are a family of trolls who are white and roundish, with large snouts that make them resemble hippopotamuses.

Many Japanese know Moomin and like this character because Moomin animation have been very popular in Japan. So when I traveled to Naantali with my Japanese friends, they really excitied to see Moomin. And they often go Naantali and buy somthing for their Japanese friends. But I know that character at that time.

Moomins are so cute but I didn't interested in take photo with him or somthing. And entrance fee is also expensive.

If you are interested in Moomin world and want to go there, you should go to this page. http://www.muumimaailma.fi/ This homepage can also translate in English.

Lastly, I want to introduce this youtube video.

This is the opening theme song from the English dub of the Moomin animation from the early 90s.

Sauna

You know what? The origin of the sauna is Finland. And the word sauna is an ancient Finnish word referring to the traditional Finnish bath as well as to the bathhouse itself. Most researchers agree that Finns always had some form of sweat bath, as did most peoples around the world. It was the simplest and most efficient way to satisfy people's innate need to keep clean.

Anyway, if you go to Finland, you can see sauna next to house. Finnish normally have each sauna in their house.

Then, what is differnet ways of korean sauna compared to Finnish sauna? I'll show you this video.

Sometimes men and women go to the sauna together, sometimes not. After taking a shower, men and women generally enter separate saunas, with a small towel that you can sit on. Everyone will be naked. someone will pour a ladle or two full of water on the hot stones on top of the kiuas, the wood stove used to heat the Finnish sauna. This produces steam called löyly which makes the sauna bath even hotter.

(This picture is from http://ciclesafinlandia.blogspot.com/2010/12/finnish-sauna.html )

When it gets too hot for you, step outside and take a cool shower if needed (or jump into nearby waters or snows as the Finns do). Reenter the sauna 2-4 times after these breaks.

I also experienced traditional Finnish sauna. At night, my foreign friends from Finland and korean friends went to the sauna together. we were naked because of very dark. When we felt very hot in the sauna, we went to the sea and swam together. It was very memorable memory in my life. So I recommend traditional Finnish sauna when you go to Finland. :-)

Name day

A name day is a tradition in many countries in Europe and Latin America that consists of celebrating the day of the year associated with one's given name.

Finland also has name day. when I was in Finland, I took a calender from school. And I saw many names under the day. So I knew about it.

Finns celebrate their name days (or nimipäivä) according to their given name on the date given by the calendar published by the University of Helsinki Almanac Office (Almanakkatoimisto). Every day except New Year's Day, Christmas Day and February 29 is a name day. For each day there are names in both Finnish and Swedish; the names are frequently, but not always, cognates.

This picture found Naver blog was taken maybe two years ago because I didn't find other calenders. Anyway in this picture, you can see the name! I also can't see exactly but that is the Finnish calender. ^^;

If Korea has name day, it will be very fun! But we have many different kinds of name. Maybe some of people don't have name day. I think my name(Eunji) is very usual. So I want to my name day. :D

This is finnish Name days. If you want to more information about finnish name days.

You should find this page. http://www.behindthename.com/namedays/lists/fin.php

Google news 2

This news indicated that many Finnish tend to buy galaxy or iPhone more than Nokia's phone. Actully, I also saw that many Finnish students use Apple Mac and iPhone. Some Finnish students seem to believe Apple is the best company. (I try to persuade galaxy is also good smartphone as iPhone. hehe :-) )

Why Finnish people moved on? What do you think of this problem?

We are living in an era of rapid technological change. And Nokia remained old and outdated for a long time compared to Apple and Samsung. So I think that is the problem. Company should keep itself updated with this fast-changing and globalized world.

So, when I read this news, I thoght that making small changes in how you live each day can bring you fast results.

Original news: http://www.intomobile.com/2011/12/05/even-finland-has-fallen-out-love-nokia-smartphone-share-nearly-halves-just-1-year/

Recycling system

Finland have good recycling system. I'd like to introduce one of the recycling systems.

When you go to mart in Finland, you can see these machines.

This picture is inside the machine. so let you know how to use this machine. If you can buy cans or bottles which is reused, you can get back a bill. This bill can use like cash. So when you put cans or bottles you already used in this machine, you can earn some money. For example, I bought coca-cola for 1.50 euro. And I use this machine to recycle the bottle. I received the bill of 0.60 euro. I used this bill like cash in the mart. so it means the more you collect reused ones, the more you can get back a bill printed a sizable sum of money. I thought that it is so good system.

It makes people always collect reused cans or bottles. And then they recycling them.

I hope our country also adopt this wise recycling system.

Santa village in Lapland!

First, Lapland is is the largest and northernmost of the regions of Finland. So it is usually very cold weather. When my friend went to Rovaniemi which is capital city of Lapland, it is under -20 degree in January. Anyway this place is very famouse for santa village and winter sports like skiing. And you can experience a dog sled. :) Many tourists want to go there to see beautiful snow sights and santa clause.

Elfs are helping santa clause in Santa village. One of Elfs is Korean women so if you go there, you can talk with her in Korean. haha :D Santa clause also speak simple sentence like thank you in Korean. :) I think santa will be very smart. He can speak more than five languages. :)) And if you want to send the letter with a special canceled stamp from santa, you can pay some money. Then this money helps poor children in Unicef.(about 7euros) Also you can take a picture with Santa. It is about 30 euros.( Very expensive..)

Although you should bring much money to travel Lapland, you will have a special memory in the winter. :)

Google News 1

This news said that Russians will stay in Finland during Christmas. Russia is very near by Finland. So, when I was in Finland, one Russian girl who was my friend's roommate go back to Russia during August vacation(About 7 days). And when she ended semester, she called for a taxi from Russia. So she took a taxi when she go back to her country. It is very surprised to me. :)

Anyway, becuase of Santa clause, many tourist from Russia go to Lapland. Unfortunately, I didn't go Lapland but I heard about Santa village in Lapland.

If you go Lapland, You can take a picture with Santa clause and send the letter with a special canceled stamp from Santa clause. (Because I want to show you many pictures about santa village, I will post again more detail about santa village)

I thought that almost all Finnish go to Lapland during Christmas when they are children. One of my finnish friend told me that they just enjoy skiing or hiking when they go Lapland. Only tourists want to go there. :) But next time, if I have a chance to go Finland again, I really want to go Lapland to see Santa clause. :D

Original news: http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/12/03/61447549.html

Finnish

Did you see this video? I found 'How to learn Finnish' in youtube.

When I decided to go to Finland for exchange students, I thought that I should learn Finnish before I go to Finland. So I bought Finnish dictionary and watched these video. After I arrived in Finland, I almost forget how to pronounce Finnish words or something. I just remember 'Hyvaa hyvaa' in TV advertisement. (you know what? hyvaa means 'good' in English.) Then I studied 'Finnish for exchange students' in school. At first, I learned the alphabet, words and sentences. But the more I learned, the more I felt difficulty in learning Finnish.

So one day, I asked my Finnish friend. "It was so hard to learn Finnish. So difficult!." and then he said to me " Yes, I admitted about that. The most difficult to learn language in the world is Finnish." And I said to him "Finnish is different grammar style compared to English and have a special accent. So many people feel difficult."

But I have tried to learn Finnish for 6 months. And I can say simple sentences in Finnish. :)

If you interested in learning a minority language, I recommended to learn Finnish!

Tips! My blog name is 'Suomi world'. Suomi is Finland in Finnish. :-)

Xylitol

 Maybe 5 years ago, this advertisement is very famous in Korea. Many people said 'Hyvaa Hyvaa'. I was wondering that Almost all Finnish are chewing xylitol gums everyday. So when I go to Finland, I asked about that.

 My Finnish friend said to me that ' A long time ago, Finnish enjoy chewing xylitol gums because a birch tree contains good and delicious tree sap. But these days, Xylitol is contains many chemical materials. So they don't like chewing xylitol gums everyday.'

 But, Every gums brand name is xylitol in Finland. So they only have xylitol gums. And they have special taste xylitol gums like salmiakki. Salmiakki has astringent taste. So I don't like it but many Finnish like it.

 And in my opinion, Xylitol in Korea is better than Finland. I bought Xylitol gum in Finland and taste it but it is easy to tough that hard to chew.

 Also they don't pronounce Xylitol[záilətɔ́:l,-tɑ̀l] . They pronounce it "sui-litol" in Finnish.

Education of Fin.

 I heard from my finnish friend that students beating up teachers are not showing any respect because of the rare testing students just tend to become lazy. And lots of funds are also used to students that simply just don't care.

 And she said to me that 'Finland might rank high but rarely any system is perfect. I would think that Nordic countries are pretty similar on what it comes to the school systems. I must say that I surely expected more from what it comes to the quality of teaching. There is often lack of respect towards professors. Shortly said, every system can be further improved.'

 I also felt same feeling when I was in Finland. I couldn't feel that students respect their professors. They don't care about absent or late in the class. They also chew gums when they make the presentation. And if they think that professor's opinion is wrong, they express their opinion to professor. (I really surprised to see this sight in the class because it is hardly to see in the Korea.)

 But, I felt that their education system is good. They have many ways to self-directed learning. Students don't have many lectures but have to read many articles so have much time to study alone. Then, they discuss with many friends and professors about many issues from articles. And they have 0 point to 5 point. If students get good score in group presentation, individual report and exams, they get 5 point. But it is really hard to get it. So if you get 0 point, some professor give a chance to them. If Student who got 0 point turn in a report to profesor, professor increase his(her) point.

 One more, students in Finland are not enter college or university immediately after they graduated from high school. Boys go army or girls earn money after they graduated from high school. And then, they think what they really want to study. So some students enter college when they are old age. They don't care about that. I think it is a good way to enter college. In korea, almost all high school students want to enter university or college without aim.

 Perhaps these are two sides of the same coin. There are a lot of benefits to it, but of course there are some drawbacks as well. I hope Korea will learn benefit of their education system.

Enjoy Finland!

 Finland is officially the Republic of Finland,is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland. *source from wiki

 Actually I went to Finland for exchange student for 6months. At first, I want to go this country because I want to know about their education system. What do you think of Finland? Xylitol? Nokia? Many people think that Finland is only famouse for xylitol and Nokia. But you will know about many information about Finland when you enter my blog. :)

 I will upload language(Finnish) and many interesting cultures like Sauna, Name day and Xylitol. My blog is not serious news.

 Just enjoy Finland. And I hope you are interested in Finland after you see my blog.