June 2016 - Midsummer days and Moominland

The whole month of June was dedicated to the summer camps in Mallinkainen, Janakkala, a place of heavenly green and wild Finnish nature. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We all had a short holiday from 24th - 26th of June, celebrating Juhannus (Midnightsummer Eve and Midnightsummer Day). I spent my time off hanging out outside, laying on the ground by the lake, drinking tea and coffee, picking and eating wild strawberries, wathcing the sky...

On Sunday, 26th, Janakkalan Nuorisopalvelut took us all together (EVS volunteers and the international camp leaders ALLI05 sent by Allianssi) to Naantali, Moominland!!! It was wonderful, wonderful:):):)

After that, week 26, started a new relaxing teenagers camp called Lapidarium, for which I have planned the timetable and certain activities. More about it on the next blog entry.

Adventurous April 2016

Week 14 of April was scheduled for youth work. On Monday I visited Tervakosken yhteiskoulu and presented some interesting information about the traffic safety, transportation and driving license procedure in Bulgaria and USA. I repeated the information from posters I had made in advance but also added some more new things- some teachers asked me to say few things about Bulgaria and me. Then I also used the chance to "advertise" voluntary work (EVS, European Voluntary Service/ #EVS20) at schools, for any cultural events and society in general. Then Three girls met me on my way out of the classroom and asked about my name. They spoke excellent English. I understood that one of them is going to work with us for the summer camps in Mallinkainen. After the school I went to the local youth center for my evening shift. 

I think The youngsters there know me already and maybe feel at least little little bit comfortable with me. The next day I just had my Finnish language course. I got awesome feedback: on my written assignment the teacher stated that I'm ready and well prepared for the next level- Suomi 2. However, I'm not going to continue, because that course has already started in January and I had a problem when I wanted to sign up for it:(

(1st: problem with paper work - receiving the course bill too late that I had to give up attending the course at all. 2nd: Consequently: sad, disappointed a lil'bit, reality). 

For the rest of the week I was in the youth center and done some office work- I transferred part of the campers' paper information on the computer. I stayed alone for a while in the office. Two people came totally unaware of my unsophisticated Finnish language skills and sooo randomly asked me in Finnish, but I sooo surprisingly understood them and answered!!! That was awesome:)

On Friday in the youth center the youngsters sat around me at the table I often stay and talked random things. I didn't do what I planned for Friday evening because I saw that the teenagers wanted to talk, to be listened which is more more important than any other activities. So, I'm glad that they just unconditionally finally broke the ice themselves and stayed sooo close to me! That's great!

Week 15- my great holy holiday in Istanbul, Turkey where I met distant relatives of my grandpa and they saw my parents for the very first time on skype. They cried and laughed laughed a lot. It was very unique unbelievable touching moment for all of us. 

Later I departed to Spain and visited Bilbao, Pamplona, Roncesvalles (places, part of El Camino de Santiago), Perdon, and San Sebastián in the company of a very good friend of mine from my childhood, Veselina:) 

Weeks 16 and 17 were dedicated to youth work, educational games, and Mallinkainen camps refreshing and cleaning. I talked with some youngsters in English (week 16,Friday, meaningful conversation, explaining some rules, small talk about behavior). On that week I also let the kids in the youth center eat the sweets I got from Turkey. 

Week 18 - A trip around Scandinavian countries with Lili (university colleague who studies now in Oslo and will arrange the board and accommodation; and Veselina, who is going to join me directly from Pamplona in Helsinki!!! I can't can wait for it! Yes!!! Helsinki-Turku-Stockholm-Gothenburg -Oslo +back (*** + a small ferry adventure Oslo-Copenhagen-Oslo:):):))) And then in week 19 back Unbelievable!!! I'm on the road now!!! 

Peace;)

EVS January/February 2016

January passed pretty quietly and a bit depressing personally. I started  with a week in a kindergarten, then 2 weeks doing youth work, regarded to planning summer camps' schedule and activities. I dont know if I can do what I have to for the summer camps in June but I know that I will try my best (as much as I can). I'm interested in participating because it may gain me some work experience. I'm not looking to do anything perfect. I would be happy even just to interact with kids and teenagers and see them glad and smiling around me. I'm thinking of activities involving conversations, using lots of imagination, unlocking creative skills, brainstorming, playing, or making up stories and situations rather than art and crafts. But we'll see. For now I have sooo much handwriting to do and typing on the computer but I'm not focused... :(
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:

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!*)

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.

Mid-term training camp

First of all, in the beginning of the year I'll start with a new personally achieved skills: listening proficiency and remarkable patience. In Finland I experienced the saying "Silence is golden/talking silver" and indeed learned to appreciate it more because it means that you are really listening to person next to you not replying in a casual conversation when you have nothing to say or help. Following this "golden" lesson we appreciate our own competence and utilise it. So I will be as concise as I can. On the last day before leaving they asked as to summarize our future plans and hopes in one sentence. In one sentence this is what I expect:

Having my home and income, working either with children in an international kindergarten/preschool when support education and educational reforms and rights in public schools and nonprofit sector in Europe or my home country. 

I also have a dream about starting my home based learning center or at least something like a reading room, a place for art and crafts for parents and children:) where my mom can run her dreamed healthy home bakery. Of course my father will build the center cause his dream is a small construction company to help other people building their own dreams. But those are just dreams! 

I'm now concern about continuing with the youth work. It's not my field, but it's very important as experience- professional and personal development. I would look at it as developing psychologist skills for "reading " teenagers better when I'm around them in the youth center. They are at very complicated (monimutkainen) age so there are pretty many ways to "read" them. 

Just wish myself some more confidence and good luck whatsoever is going to happen!

Here are my ups and downs regarding doing my EVS in Janakkala, connected mainly to my Youth work experience, which is the newest experience in my life, a big deal for me and I assume it will be even more meaningful and important (a bit stressful sometimes) in 2016; my private shared life in Vapari and still getting used to share it indeed:

Some pictures of the beautiful landscape of Sopukka:

#EVS20 

Peace and hope,
M.

4 months of doing EVS / PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

I have to clear 3 questions once. They may sound stupid, I do not CARE. I can't keep it inside my head anymore. I'll post it/ say it straightforward like no one will read it! I hate being judged by others. I hate "hating". We do not realize but at some point we all judge / compare / estimate everything and everybody. WHY?

I bumped into this (see the picture below) during one afternoon walk in Turenki. Well done :)

1.Why is it kind of... hard for me to be happy? 

2. Why Do I trouble so much about other people's opinion on me? 

3. Why do I need them to like me here and now?

The answers:

• - I critisize myself that I have to be better and try harder;
• - I'm not satisfied of my results and productivity;
• - I'm afraid something bad happens everytime I feel happy
• - I'm fatalist sometimes and can't help it :(
• - others (will) think I'm not serious or do not care much;
• - I've treated badly in my life, unrespected;
• - I've lost little bit of trust in positive living in this cruel world

2.&3.

• - because I don't want to disappoint others;
• - because I'm a "social creature" /Aristotle/ and need someone's affection;
• - I'm afraid of being rejected and left behind; /do not tell me "go home.take the next flight"
• - I'm afraid of being criticized, JUDGED, or described;
• - I've spent some tough time on my own;
• - I'm afraid there's no one waiting for me or helping me;
• (I need to make sure this is not the case in Finland. I have to trust in people again! The main problem occurs from the fact that I don't believe in myself sometimes. So, it makes it hard to believe in others. I need to trust other people more and accept their help! Indeed, in Janakkala I see some people really care. Not just because this is their job. I believe it's their native attitude, professional/personal experience and understanding). 

Finally, STOP thinking about what other people think about you! Just be a good person, don't hate what you don't understand, don't judge but silently accept it and let them live however and think whatever they want. Do no harm even when you know that at the end the love I receive is not equial to the love I've given and vise versa. 

Shortly, I'm grateful. I must be no matter what. I mean all the basic needs here are provided for a healthy life in general. The problem with me is that I'm not sure I can manage the means and opportunities I have been given because I'm not experienced enough. I don't want to be perfect. This is insane, impossible, and worthless. I simply need to be needed. So put myself together and focus on what can at least try to do as a volunteer. This is my biggest concern 2016. These are my Rules 2016:

EVS 2015 Reflection

 Moikka!

It's three months of doing EVS since I came in Tirenki (Janakkala), Finland. Time flies! It has hapened a lot so far, so I can surely say that my life has definitely been changed in some better and more positive way by all the children, teenagers, and teachers I met.

Firstly, I understood need to trust people more and accept their help. Indeed, in Janakkala, regarding school work, learning process, and teenagers' free time, I see that the people really care and work hard for better results. Not just because this is their job. I believe it's their native attitude, professional and personal experience and understanding. I'm grateful I can learn from professionals. Actually, on one side are the teachers, youth workers I met, try to help, and observe their work; on the other are all the young people (from preschool to lukio) I meet every day here. 

I'm happy to be in schools and around the students. Spending the time in three different schools and youth center Satama taught me that the biggest  and most demanding part of "my volunteering work" is to listen and let the others to talk and teach me how, what, when, or maybe why. I observed that younger students, especially preschoolers, 1st and 2nd grareds learn better when there is someone extra person like me to pay additional attention on them.

For example, they become more curious to speak to me and eager to learn and practice in English, maths, or doing some art or trying some crafty thing. I really do assure them they are good in English, because they really are. Having a "blackout poetry" class with 8th graders from Turenki is the most confident proof for that. It also shows, that I presented something very new, original, and educational to Finnsh students, which made us all happier, more excited and satisfied of doing an entertaining and educational task in English. It was my real time of being a teacher, who presents totally new subject, mentors and facilitate the class.

Additionally, I am very touched by the students and teachers from one small school I've visited recently. In near future, I would welcome every opportunity to work with them again. I don't know them very well still and I maybe don't know how serious and special their learning or personal needs are but at some moment I wanted to ask some of the head teachers if I could work there for real, so I can work with those students. I would say that to all the teachers and students I will be meeting during my EVS project because I'd like to work for better educational, social and healthy life for young people, and because I want a meaningful professional development.  

Also, I went to my first autumn camp with teenagers and youth leaders in Mallinkainen in October. It was great that we could talk for any changes, if  any issues occur can discuss, compromise and find common language. We speak different languages but there's always a way for common understanding. Mallinkainen camp showed me that a lot of patience, energy, and open-mindness are needed for understanding other's point. I've learned to regard positively all the difficulties I might encounter in future. I will smile and try to stay entirely wide open-minded.

Last, but not least, maybe the most important thing indeed that I'm highly glad about it is that I already know some of the full names of the youngsters, who visit the youth center I work. We just look at each other quickly, smile shyly, and I wrote their name in a notebook. I know little bit about them. I wish they knew me too.

Shortly, volunteering so far around three schools, autumn camp, and youth centers is helping me with answering to my questions:

What is my mission?                                       

Can I do that as a volunteer?
How and Can I make a difference? 

What does it mean to make a difference?
So, I simply know: the more I practice the better I can manage in my future tasks.  

Kiitoksia,
Monika B

FINNISH NATURE'S POETRY

Finland has the most unbearably beautiful nature's landscapes. It could be just a green lawn, berch trees in a row, or dirty pond reflecting the last rays of autumn sunshine. It is NATURE'S POETRY and I love poetry (yes, I almost always speak or write methaphorical. It always has to be abstract). 

I went for a walk around Turenki in the afternoon and I "read" some nice "poems" drinking valkoinen tee. It was a sweet short moment of happiness on my own. Maybe I can stay for a longer time here...?

SATAMA

 HITCHCOCK BIRDS

Понякога искам да се махна от "Системата" и "Обществото" и да живея в гората като езичник по законите на Майката Природа.

M.

Mallinkainen / Maлинкайнен / малинкайненски- "горно-малински"* работи...

We were on autumn camp in Mallinkainen, Janakkala from Mon, Oct 12 to Wed, 14. I had "Mallinkainen"butterflies in my stomach on Monday before the camp. It was my first camp with teenagers (doestn't matter they were 6 people only) as an adult, trying to supervise them or help with... whatever is told to do. 3 days, which passed like 3 seconds helped me actually to find out what's difficult in doing voluntary youth work.

It is difficult to follow strictly a time schedule and consider all teenagers needs and demands, when they are not very enthusiastic about some of the planned activities. It is difficult freely to decide what and how to do a certain task. It was also difficult, because we all (volunteers, youth leaders...) still do not know each other working style, pace, or personality. For the former reasons in fact Mallinkainen camp is a big step in achieving some basic knowledge about workshops and activities, or "know-how"/"know what" to do experience for my future participation in the project.

Additionally, I have to get used to being/working/living with another person, my work pather, Lisa. We are opposite in personalities, both come from very different background/culture/state of mind and behave/react differently/oppositely. Frankly speaking, I find it hard sometimes, challenging my feelings/hopes/goals/self-esteem maybe, but it's great, beacuse it is the only way to find out who still I am as a person and worker. Mallinkainen camp showed me that a lot of patience/ energy/open-mindness is needed for understanding other's point. I've learned to regard positively all the difficulties we might encounter in future. I just smile, forgive and forget, entirely wide open-minded. 
Live and let live.

I'm glad that all went well in general. I'm very thankful for the understanding, patience, attention, explanations to my incomplete/unclear questions, the time and respect I receive from (in alphabetical order) Anni, Kitta, Sanna ja Satu. They are my high professional teachers in life and work. Nyt ja Aina oikeasti.

It's great that we can talk for any changes, if  any issues occur can discuss, compromise and find common language. We speak different languages but there's always a way for common understanding. This is how we dealt about timing and lunch on Wed I think. So, I simply know: the more I practice the better I can manage in my future tasks (taking everything for pretty difficult and serious makes me very anxious, clumsy, and useless:/:/ Maybe I just have to be more relaxed, not nervous, so I can handle my time and tasks efficiently with no anxiety or any doubt).

Last, but not least - leirilaiset! Here is some piece of their art:

 

I don't know them well but I can say they are friendly, full of beans and crazy ideas and not shy. They also speak some English.

Thanks to Anni, who controlled them, they tried to pay attention on me for the international outdoor game "Get lost in the forest" ("get lost" mainly because of my unclear instructions or no instructions for someones. Oh, I will be more experienced and prepared next time!).

The second part of my activity was "find a friend in need and help". That is the tittle and my main idea. I know I didn't succeed maybe and I am perfectly fine with that. But I heard one of the boys told the girls where to find a missing part from their game and I felt so happy for 10 seconds. Yes, that was my hope! Thank you! Youngsters are not robots, they won't folow the intructions exactly the way they've been told to. I understand that and greatly appreciate the fact that they have participated in general. The greatest thing was that they actually collected Bulgarian letters and sorted the alphabet! There was just one letter missing, but it is totally fine! Bulgarian alphabet is too long anyway (he-he). Why do we need 30 letters and 36 phonetics? The rest - the maps I drew were for fun. I kept one for me as a nice memory from Mallinkainen Syksy 2015. 

(I don't know why everytime I post it it is up-side down !?! told you it's a tricky silly map!)


*I just played with the words in the tittle, because "malinkaisten or malllinkainen" resembles in sound "malina or malinski", my Bulgarian hometown (Gorna Malina).