Etta's Christmas Party

Rusty's team- Etta, had a Christmas party! I was especially excited for it because last year, the team in Greece didn't have one, and well, who doesn't love a good Christmas party? 

There were more people there than I expected- it was also for the girl's professional volleyball team and all the people who help at the games. It was held at an indoor rock climbing place that is owned by a friend of one of Etta's employees- and also a friend of mine, Johanna. It had a sauna, of course, (Finns love saunas- it's a way of life here) and a spa. The guys used both of them, but since they did it Finnish style aka naked, us girls just chatted while we waited for them to be done. After, we all enjoyed a traditional Finnish Christmas meal! which consisted of: ham with dijon mustard, bread and cream cheese, carrot puree, rutabaga puree, potato salad, and a dish with chopped beets, carrots, and pickles. For dessert we had tortu's, which are kind of like danishes, and gingerbread cookies- so different from an American Christmas meal! And much healthier! haha 

The team did a Christmas gift exchange by drawing names, so at the party, each guy stood up and said something to present their gift and then the next guy would open it and give theirs. Rusty gave the guy he drew slippers and cookies. Josh drew Rusty and gave us chocolate! Well technically I should say he gave Rusty chocolate, but of course I got to eat half haha. After the gift exchange, a group of people played a game like telephone; Five or six people went into another room while the coach told a story to one person. They called one person out at a time to listen to the story and then retell it to the next person. Rusty was second to last, so by the time it got to him, the story had gone from about 10 sentences to 2. Plus it had gone from Finnish to English, so somehow a city here in Finland turned into Cozumel- it was pretty funny to listen to. 

It was a great party and I am so happy we get to be surrounded by such great people!

Seppo- the team's helper! 

Rusty listening to the story

Rusty re-telling the story

Tehane- Josh's wife, and Noora- Rusty's teammate's girlfriend

Essi- Rusty's teammate's friend

Jani, the setter- (pronounced yani since j's sound like y's here- they actually say Lavaja right!)

The trainer and the coach

The president of the volleyball club. He is the cutest!