I had particularly one great day in January, for which I wrote a note and put it in my memory jar. It was really amazing day in Mallinkainen, filled with thoughts about family, future, and Kalevala. I also received useful information about youth work and practicies in Janakkala. So I understand the need of supporting youngsters in their personal and social development much more better now.
Ferbuary 2016: Of course, I'm mostly glad about Blackout poetry evening in the youth center because it gained me this:
For me that evening was very meaningful. I can put 10 good red points because few teenagers wrote blackout poems! Yes! There is particularly one piece which went pretty well, so I
painted a brick wall in the youth center representing it:
Later in February I also spent 2 weeks in a kindergarten. I didnt expect that I would feel somewhat uncomfortable. I think it was so because Finnish education in kindergarten is very different that my previous experience of working with children in US by its routine, timing, teachng, activities, attention and attitude towards kids.
On the other side is are the teachres, their work, their approach in general. Sometimes there was like we're too many people and less work or anything else to do. I mostly interact with the kids so I definitely learned new words and talk to them in English because they find it funny:) I say some simple short questions in Finnish and others unredstand! But Finnish kindergarten is tough for me. During week 3 Teachers didn't let me know what to do or what is where During last week I learned many teaching techniques by watching and listening. I learned also three games teaching counting numbers, two games for circle time, storytelling technique. That's all just great no matter how hard was to put up with the time in the kindergatren. Because if one day if I work as a teacher I will definitely know what to do and how to handle my classes. Super suprisingly and unexpectedly for me, on my last day in kindergarten I received the most warmhearthed and friendly gifts from the head teacher:
All in all Finnish grey indifferent winter days might be tough for me but the snowy February ended up with a beggining of a good warm international friendship which will last long I hope. Thanks to EVS I met a wonderful person from Spain. So, I learned some basic Spannish phrases, few words about food, and the verb "to be":
Later in April I will visit Spain for the first time and I will see a very good friend of mine from my childhood:)
Valentine's weekend I met two wonderful dogs! Hello from my friends: Koda (in the back), and Nara :) I dont feel afraid of dogs, thanks to them :) (*Fear of dogs: Challenge completed successfully!*)
Valentine's day (which I do not celebrate) I was with my mentor in EMMA, the Espoo museum of modern art. I am fascinated by the art of Ad Reinhardt - artist who writes and writer who paint. He immediately became one of my best and favourite artists. His works are literally what I love and try to do, since I've accidently encountered the works of Austin Kleon in Barnes and Noble in Chicago.
Week 8 in February was connected to youth work, personal research about school bullying, teens life and I got tired ot reading. I also worked from home (priceless! Spent about 5 hours in front of my laptop) and finaly I am ready with my summercamp schedule, art and games instructions, and what's more- I found some pretty good examples in pictures about three Bulgarian folk games.
On Fri, Feb 26th I was in youth centre. Teenagers werent interested in my Martenitsa bracelets workshop. At least, they liked the carrot cake I baked for them:) Then I had one a bit thoughtful lonely Saturday, and a bit of a nice Saturday on the other hand, because I spent some time watching movies (out of my "comfort movie taste", I havent expected I would, but I did watch anyway) with my work parther and roommate Lisa and Mirjam, another EVS girl. I regard it as a bit of a difficult but change for good of myself. On Kalevala's Day, 28th I had an interesting, interesting, adventurous art cold Sunday in Helsinki. I'll definitely take another Helsinki Art Walk as soon as I can. Tomorrow, Leap Day, I'll bake banitsa for the youngsters of Janakkala in the youth centre.
Peace,
M.
Later in February I also spent 2 weeks in a kindergarten. I didnt expect that I would feel somewhat uncomfortable. I think it was so because Finnish education in kindergarten is very different that my previous experience of working with children in US by its routine, timing, teachng, activities, attention and attitude towards kids.
On the other side is are the teachres, their work, their approach in general. Sometimes there was like we're too many people and less work or anything else to do. I mostly interact with the kids so I definitely learned new words and talk to them in English because they find it funny:) I say some simple short questions in Finnish and others unredstand! But Finnish kindergarten is tough for me. During week 3 Teachers didn't let me know what to do or what is where During last week I learned many teaching techniques by watching and listening. I learned also three games teaching counting numbers, two games for circle time, storytelling technique. That's all just great no matter how hard was to put up with the time in the kindergatren. Because if one day if I work as a teacher I will definitely know what to do and how to handle my classes. Super suprisingly and unexpectedly for me, on my last day in kindergarten I received the most warmhearthed and friendly gifts from the head teacher:
 |
| For the Moomin cup the teacher said: This is Monika and the kids:) Wonderful! On the card - that's me! |
All in all Finnish grey indifferent winter days might be tough for me but the snowy February ended up with a beggining of a good warm international friendship which will last long I hope. Thanks to EVS I met a wonderful person from Spain. So, I learned some basic Spannish phrases, few words about food, and the verb "to be":
Later in April I will visit Spain for the first time and I will see a very good friend of mine from my childhood:)
Valentine's weekend I met two wonderful dogs! Hello from my friends: Koda (in the back), and Nara :) I dont feel afraid of dogs, thanks to them :) (*Fear of dogs: Challenge completed successfully!*)
Week 8 in February was connected to youth work, personal research about school bullying, teens life and I got tired ot reading. I also worked from home (priceless! Spent about 5 hours in front of my laptop) and finaly I am ready with my summercamp schedule, art and games instructions, and what's more- I found some pretty good examples in pictures about three Bulgarian folk games.
On Fri, Feb 26th I was in youth centre. Teenagers werent interested in my Martenitsa bracelets workshop. At least, they liked the carrot cake I baked for them:) Then I had one a bit thoughtful lonely Saturday, and a bit of a nice Saturday on the other hand, because I spent some time watching movies (out of my "comfort movie taste", I havent expected I would, but I did watch anyway) with my work parther and roommate Lisa and Mirjam, another EVS girl. I regard it as a bit of a difficult but change for good of myself. On Kalevala's Day, 28th I had an interesting, interesting, adventurous art cold Sunday in Helsinki. I'll definitely take another Helsinki Art Walk as soon as I can. Tomorrow, Leap Day, I'll bake banitsa for the youngsters of Janakkala in the youth centre.
Peace,
M.
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