Procedures: I interviewed another Finlander, luckily he was a friend of Sommer and James. This fellows name is Gerard Thymsan. We had the same preparations as thge last interview. I brought a pencil, paper, interviewee, and sadly I am still unable to record due to my malfunctioning phone that glitches every time that I open that app up. He told me he would've been fine recording but due to implications we were unable to do so. I apologize for the inconvenience.
We proceeded with beginning the interview in a different place, we agreed on the Caribou coffee located next to the Crossroads mall. We both agreed it would be a relaxing place to have met.
Interview:
7:00p.m. October 29th M= Me G=Gerard
Me: How are you today, Gerard?
G: I'm good. A little excited for Halloween though. You going to any parties?
M: Nah I'm not much of a party person. I work too much anyways.
G: Oh I see. well you should get out there more. It can be a lot of fun.
M: I've heard so. So are you dressing up?
G: Yeah, I'm going to go to as a pirate. Figured it's a good costume.
M: I always go as a hobo. It's easy enough.
G: That's creative. I would've never thought to dress up as that.
M: Yeah it was a spur of the moment one year. Your from Finland also right? Do they celebrate Halloween there? I think they did it all over most of Europe. I think.
G: Not really. We don't celebrate that Holiday there. The only dressing up kids do around there is for Easter when the witches apparently come out and try and get treats or something. My parents always dressed us up and told us that. I came here a few years back in July, then Autumn approached and everyone started talking about it. I found out and I kinda got excited myself.
M: Well that's good. How many years ago did you say it was when you first got here?
G: umm about 4? Yeah.
M: Did you come by yourself or with family?
G: I came with my family. My dad got a job at an oil rig and was transferred here. Chose to settle in good ole cloud. But he has to drive all the way to South Dakota every few weeks and spend that week up there.
M: How many siblings do you have? If I may ask.
G: I have 3 total. 2 sisters and one brother. It can be annoying with them but I deal. Do you have any?
M: I have 5 sisters and one brother.
G: Wow I think I would go crazy.
M: It's hard sometimes. Luckily some are moved out.
G: Nice. any other questions?
M: Do you go to school?
G: No I'm taking a break from school at scsu. I figured I should work on moving out. and saving up money.
M: That works. Do you think you'll go back?
G: Hopefully. I'd miss football too much to not start up again.
M: Nice I never really get sports. It's confusing to me.
G: Yeah it just depends on the person. Not everyone is interested or a huge sports fanatic. I don't watch it really. I just play it.
M: I see. Well that's more than I do.
G: yeah.
M: So do you think you'll go back to Finland?
G: Maybe I still have my grandparents there. It'd be nice to see them once more before it's too late.
M: Yeah that'd be nice. Do you miss your homeland?
G: Sometimes But I like it here a lot. I'm not sure why. So I doubt I'll be going anywhere else anytime soon.
M: I see. Do you remember your flag? I'm just curious since I haven't asked Sommer or James about that at all. Slipped my mind.
G: yeah I remember. It's just a white background with a blue cross on it. Not very extravagent but it stands for our country.
M: Do you guys have a national anthem?
G: Yes we do. it's said often. It's just "Our Land" translated. Not long either.
M: I see. Do you have a religious view? was there a major religion in FInland?
G: I am christian. Um let me think on that. There are three major religions. I believe they are the Orthodox, Christians, and the Lutherans.
M: So not very different from here.
G: I see. Are you religious?
M: No I'm more of a nature kind of guy. Circle of Life you know?
G: Cool. Anything else?
M: One more thing, do you follow politics?
G: Oh god no. That stuff gets my head in a whizz. I don't understand any of that.
M: That makes two of us! Haha. I belive that is it. Do you have any questions for me?
G: nope.
M: Alright well thanks for letting me do an interview!
G: It was fun. We should hang out again sometime.
M: Yeah that would be great!
Country Report
Through this interview I was able to learn how the Finnish flag looked, the major religions which are Orthodox, Christian, and Lutheran. Also aside from these I was able to learn that Finland does not participate in Halloween but do have their children dress up for Easter as witches and deliver twigs around for treats as a sign to ward away evil spirits. The twigs and grass seeds planted symbolised the life brought about in spring.
