Penkkarit - "benchpressing fest"

Last week abiturs (third/final-year students) celebrated ending of the school. We don't have regular school anymore!! Now we have to start reading for our matriculation exams, so we don't have that much free time, buhuu. But our leaving party was amazing and now I try to tell something about it.

Last thursday we had a speacial day when we dressed up like fools and went to school. The party included for example singing funny songs about teachers, good food and a parade.  As you can see from the picture, we rode on trucks around Oulu and shouted slogans and thew candy at junior students and passers-by.

 We had really fun time shouting and screaming our school's name "LYSEO" to other schools. After the parade my throat was sore, but it was worth it. :D Here is a picture of some costumes!

From right to left: Our friend Laura as Zorro, Niko as crazy granny, me as hippie and Tarja as Johnny Depp from Dead man. 

At evening we had afterparty, where also teachers were invited. We partied in a night club with our teachers, and it was quite absurd but fun. :----D

-Anniina 

Studying holiday (lukuloma)

The matriculation exams in Finnish high schools are getting closer and closer. First part of the mother tongue exam was already in 11th of February and the listening comprehensions of languages were held during the following week. The next exam is the second part of the mother tongue exam (12th of March) and the rest of the tests are during the next two weeks.

The seniors (abis or abiturients in Finnish) have already finished their lessons (including me :D). Their last normal lessons were in 27th of January. So, You probably wonder, what the seniors do between the end of the normal schoolwork and the matriculation exams. We should read :D Yeah, should. To be honest, mostly we read, but we also use time to do things we are not able to do in the school time. I asked my friend what seniors do during this “studying holiday” and her answer was: “we “read””.

 - Anna

Sit back and relax

Are you one of those persons who know a ton of books you'd want to read, but never have time to? Are the only books you read concerning school? Do you rather watch TV than read?
Reading is one of the oldest activities, and no wonder. It's relaxing and can gain you more knowledge at the same time. You do need to be alone and concentrate on just one thing at the time, but it will lead to better writing skills and specially in foreign languages it helps the process of learning a lot.
My personal favorite author is Sophie Kinsella. Her style of writing is so hilarious that i'm having a hard time reading her books in public places without laughing. You've been warned, her books a bit of chick flicks, but there's nothing wrong with reading something light and shallow every now and then!

Viola