Little Star, Terhi

We hosted Terhi (roughly pronounced Tare-hee. Roll the "r" just a bit, if you can) as our exchange daughter for the 2008-2009 school year in Wisconsin. She is from a lovely farming area in western Finland. Luckily, we've kept in touch since she lived with us, and as a birthday present for Analeise, she promised to spend a day with her, doing what Analeise chose. While Analeise knew about the idea of spending the day together, she did not know when it would happen. When Terhi came in late November, it was a fun surprise for both her and Brooke.

This photo shows one of the holiday windows at Stockman's department store. Stockman's is Finland's oldest department store, and like other similar stores here, it has not only clothes and housewares for sale but also a magazine and candy section, a nice cafe, a deli, an ice cream store and a full service grocery store.

For family and friends who know Terhi, she's now in her senior year and is busy taking the final exams that weigh so heavily on her choice of colleges here in Finland. In these photos Bryan took, she's knitting a square that will go into a blanket destined for a charity that helps premature babies in Africa. Who said you can't be silly while doing something good?




Terhi taught Brooke and me to sing part of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in Finnish. The lyrics are below the video:



Tuiki, tuiki, tähtönen, Iltaisin sua katselen. Korekealla loistat vaan, katsot alas maailmaan. Tuiki, tuiki, tähtönen, Iltaisin sua katselen.
Translated, that means:

"Twinkle, twinkle, little star. I am watching you in the evenings.
You are shining up so high, looking down on the whole world.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star. I am watching you in the evenings."

Terhi also taught me part of a Christmas song. Watch for that in an upcoming blog.

Bonus photos (taken by Bryan):

Bill Cosby is serious business, according to this look from Brooke.


Oh, partially hiding under the laundry - what fun it is! If you come to visit us, you can try this, too.