Last Night

So, the plans didnt all work out. I never made it to the sea sauna due to a rather late night last night. For starters, the Russian film was in Russian (funnily enough) but the subtitles were not English as we thought, but in fact Finnish. So I was a bit out of the loop. My housemate, bless her, tried to translate the important bits of dialogue for me. Actually, I was surprised by how much I could get from the Finnish subs :) Proud me, hehe. Anyway, it also helped that the film was about a Ballet Dancer just before the Russian revolution, so a lot of the film was dancing and no dialogue. So wasnt a complete waste.

Then we didnt make it to Dynamo. We went there first, and it was comepletely empty. So we went to Koulu for a quick drink, and then ended up in Onnela. This is a chain of clubs in Finland, not unlike Oceana in England. Not really my kind of music, but once it got busy there was enough atmosphere not to care. Drinks were blooming expensive though, so was sober by the time we left for the last bus. My housemates Russian friend that had joined us didnt know which bus he needed to get home (the night buses have different routes and numbers). So he ended up getting our bus home and stayed here. So we just enjoyed a lovely leisurely breakfast together.

Anyway, so due to a 4am bedtime, I didnt fancy getting up at 11am on my day off to go off to the sea sauna. I need to buy a few things before Lapland, so maybe I'll go shopping instead :)

Oh, I should say there were some bizzare goings on last night, I shall list a few;

• Bruce Forsight of all people was in the Russian film!
• There was a man in a full kilt in Onnela (long socks and all)
• Russian physicists dance just like English ones.
• I seemed to be the only one dancing to Lady GaGa, but everyone was on the dancefloor for Sash! later :)
• And a trance remix of the Pirates of The Carribean theme song seemed very popular also.

Its All Starting Up Again

So, its already got to the point where I'm a busy little girl. The next few weeks are gonna be packed.
* Tonight I'm off with Russian housemate to watch a film with the Russian Language Circle (The English Language Circle meet was a bit of a disaster last night, so lets not dwell on that). After the film, we're heading to Dynamo, a funky club in town, my favourite in fact.
* Tomorrow I've been invited to the sea sauna. I thought I could get away with the sauna and then just look out into the sea, but I have a feeling that if I dont go for a swim voluntarily, that I will be forced... Oh, and its meant to be like -5 tomorrow. Goodie. Then in the evening I'm meeting a friend from last semester who is heading back to Korea to say goodbye :( Then the Finnish esc selection final in the evening!
* Then Sunday some people are going sledging. We'll see how the snow is, but not sure whether I'll join them yet. Might still be frozen after the sea!
* Monday will be business as usual.
* And then Tuesday, well Tuesday, I am just popping up across the artic circle for a week of skiing, cottaging, and husky safaris! Yes, I'm off to Lapland for 5 days! Should be awesome, I'm so excited!!! I'll be sharing a cottage with some of the French people I met on the last cottage weekend, and also my housemate and her Russian friends will be around somewhere, so should be a fun week. Also, it will help take my mind off the fact that Rachel will no longer be just across the Baltic sea, and in fact back in the UK. Going to Guildford no less. I'm not jealous. Well, I am a bit, but being up in Lapland should numb the pain (see what I did there?)

Finnish Esc Selection - Week 3

About time I get round to writing about Finland's final semi then eh?

Well, I was quite looking forward to this weeks, as it only had one song that I wasn't keen on in it. Also it had my new favourite for Moscow in the shape of a rap artist called Signmark. He opened the show and since I'm behind in writing this up you can watch the performance already. Someone has uploaded it along with the interviews before hand, so you can watch the whole thing if you're interested in watching him signing through the interview. Of course, not knowing much sign language or Finnish, it was a bit pointless for me, but some of you might appreciate it;



So wasnt that good? I think it would be good for Finland to send something a bit different.

After Signmark, was Janita with her song Martian. It seems she's quite successful, having gone off to record albums in New York. Can't say I thought much of the song or performance in the end though. I didn't care for her voice much.

After her, newcomers Vink were up. I quite liked this song. Sort of pop-punk with a hint of the Ark. However when it came to the performance, I think they struggled a bit to keep up the energy of the song, and it felt a bit lagging by the end. Nice attempt though, I think I'll stillbe listening to this song for a while.

Then, the middle-aged housewives favourite, Jari Sillanpää. I hadnt listened to his song before the show, but knew it was going to be a big dramatic ballad. I was actually quite impressed. I thought it was quite pretty, the staging was strong, and the vocals were good. I was quite alarmed by how flexible his backing dancer was, but have since learnt she is a Finnish Olympic gymnast (similarities to the Dima-Plushenko stunt anyone?)

Anyway, when it came down to it, Signmark and Jari got through. I was pretty happy with this, I feel they were the best songs, so justice was served, hehe. When it came to vote percentages, Signmark got considerably more than Jari. So I th

Preview

ink its basically down to a battle between Signmark, Waldo's People, and Kwan now. So long as its not Kwan, I'd be happy with either of the others.

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Melodifestivalen... Could be interesting...

My laptop is being rather disagreeable lately, but lets see if I can do a bit of updating. Before I get into the third Finnish esc selection show, I want to say a few words about Melodifestivalen. I've never really followed it before, but after hearing that both Måns and E.M.D. would be taking part this year, I thought I'd have a little look around the website. I have learnt many things in the last 30minutes. Some good, some haunting to the very core of my being...

* The favourite to win is a chap called Marko oolio (I believe he's favourite... just. With Måns in close second). Anyway, he's from Lahti! He's a Finn. Haha, he should so win. That would make me laugh. Except of course, I want Måns to win :)
* Måns's song (is that the right punctuation? who knows) sounds like it will be awesome. Am very excited :) In fact anything new from Måns can only be a good thing :)
* I'm also intruiged by a bloke called Jonathan Fagerlund... He looks Finnish to me, but apon googling, it seems he is most definitely not. Either way, he seems to have a good voice. No match for Måns mind you :)
* E.M.D.'s song (again with the stupid punctuation!) actually doesnt sound as bad as I was expecting. Not that I was expecting bad, but the title of the song (Baby Goodbye) makes me think of Friday Hill's song everytime. Thankfully its supposed to be an uplifting song, so I'm guessing a 'You're no good for me, I'm breaking up with you, goodbye' song, not a 'I'm so sad we're breaking up, boo hoo, insert chav rap, more boo hoo' type song. Ahem.
* However the most disturbing thing I learnt was with regards to a miss Amy Diamond. She irritates me without even listening to her music, which just tips me over the edge. So I was sad enough to learn she is entering again this year. More disturbing however, was to find out that she spent many years growing up in Bishop Stortford, Hertfordshire. Yes, thats right people, she was growing up in my beautiful home county of Hertfordshire, a mere 15minutes drive away! It gives me chills just thinking about it. I used to think Bishop Stortford was a nice place. This news has tarnished it for me now. It will never be the same again :(

But yay! Måns! :) :) :)

(Can you tell I'm excited about Måns?)

Signmark are Through!

I'm sort of all blogged out at the minute, so will reserve a big blog about tonights show for later in the weekend. However just wanted to say quickly - hurrah for signmark! I really like this song, and the whole concept and execution. So either this or Waldo's People to Moscow please (but more this actually...).

Nova? I dont think so...

Its been a long boring day, so forgive the sudden increase in blog posts.

Anyway, I've decided that Radio Nova, despite seeming to be played in every cafe in Turku, along with every lab in my department, is actually pretty rubbish. I mean, for about the third time this week I've heard that terrible Kwan song 10,000 Light Years, which is through to the final of the Finnish national selection, and as previously stated, I have my ipod in my ears most of the time.

So I was worried that it was rather popular with the Finnish public and has the best chance of getting through to ESC. So I thought it may have recently been released and decided to look for the first time in a long time at the Finnish charts. I'm surprised how many songs are in the top 10 that I have never heard on Radio Nova. Lets review (in no order as the websites im using cant seem to agree which order they are in either);

Lady GaGa; As I couldnt seem to be able to watch the official video for Just Dance anywhere on youtube, I assumed it was being saved up for a Finnish release. I was sure Radio Nova would play it, as it would fit well with the Anna Abreu and Katy Perry that they often play. But no, never have I heard Lady GaGa. So imagine my surprise to find that Poker Face is number 1! And Just Dance is a bit further down, around 14. So why on earth haven't I heard it anywhere (clubs, shops, radios...)?

Waldo's People; Currently charting in the top 5 is their eurovision attempt. So why are radio nova playing Kwan and not this? Its a shame, I like this song, and clearly the Finnish public do too. I'm thinking this will be the overall winner for the Finnish national selection. Although I'm still watching the final 'semi' tonight to support Signmark :)

Finally, in the charts there is also the likes of Britney Spears, Paramore, Kings of Leon, and Fall Out Boy. Never heard any of them on Nova either. Why not? Why play the same 20 songs everyday is they're not even the most popular 20 songs?! Gah. To they're credit though, they do play some 'oldies but goodies' and they have played the likes of Katy Perry, Pink and Brit Alesha Dixon (who has also charted here at 19 apparently).

Another thing though, while I'm having a rant. I wish they would have a 'playing now' feature on their website so I could find out the names of the songs and artists that I like. I can never follow the Finnish talking afterward to work out what the song was. If Rix fm can do it, why cant Nova?

Here Comes The Snow

I thought I'd be getting used to this snow lark. Especially with my funky new snow boots from home (knowing the Finnish equivalent would have cost be €30 or so more makes the boots feel that much better). However yesterday there was a decent couple of hours of snow fall, and so this morning I was slipping and sliding with the best of them again. At least the bus driver seemed to be coping with it ok. The bus home yesterday involved a lot of ... shall we say 'shaky' pull aways. None of the Finns seemed concerned, but I have to say it made me a little nervous.

Anyway, good practice for my trip to Lapland(!) in a fortnight!

(Oh, and Rach, notice the title, did you see what I did there?)

Sue?

Oh, and another obsession of mine this week - Michael McIntyre. How funny is he?! I saw him on some quiz of the year thing with Jimmy Carr (another favourite in the pudge household), and thought he was very very funny so decided to buy his stand up DVD. I watched it on my first week back in Finland, and I've been obsessed with him ever since. Anyway, luckily there are plenty of youtube clips of him from Mock The Week (a programme I've never watched before either, but am slowly becoming addicted to). Thought I'd share one of my favourites;

Blurb about my choice of music this week.

Oh, and on a musical side-note, I LOVE my new ipod :) I mean, its not really any different to the old one apart from the fact that my old one had a complete meltdown and wont work anymore...

But, since getting the new ipod, its pretty much been surgically attached to me during lab hours. I love the laid-back attitude of the Finns. Anyway, the battery life being as good as it is (wonder how long that will last), I've been enjoying a vast array of albums, everything from Funeral For A Friend to Backstreet Boys. Its been good. But this week, the most listened to awards have to go to the Script and A1. Not really along the same lines, but still. I got my hands on a copy of the Scripts album just after Christmas, and only got around to listening to it this week. Gosh its good. I listened to it about 3 times over in one day alone. To be fair, I was doing other things at the time too, but you know what I mean. I'm so glad we finally have something decent in our charts, a band worthy of their sucess.

Of course, despit A1 having the novelty factor of being a boyband that did write a lot of their own songs, they arent really in the same ball park shall we say. However, this was the band of my childhood. I was absolutely obsessed with Ben for those pre-pubescent years of mine. They were my first gig (London, UK2K tour, haha) and I loved their first two albums dearly. Clearly, the obsession, however strong, was fairly short-lived, as I had moved onto the likes of Linkin Park by the time the third album was out, and didnt bother to buy it... Anyway, I found it in a second hand shop/warehouse here in Turku, and it looked so sad sitting on the shelf unloved and unwanted for only €3 that I just had to buy it. There are some good tracks on their. I'm still easing myself into it, but also having a total guilty pleasure fest by listening to all the albums at work...

So I've decided to share the main release from the third album with you. The song is called Caught in the Middle, and interestingly enough the video was shot in Finland. I always assumed, what with Christian being Norweigen, that this video was shot in Norway. But actually, it was shot on a peninsula in the Kirkkonummi area, which is one of the stops the Intercity train makes on the journey from here to Helsinki...

Still Keeping Busy

Tonight was the first meeting of the English Language Circle for the spring semester. There weren't nearly as many people as last semester, but they seemed like a nice bunch. We went for coffee and had a nice chat. I hope they keep coming, and that the group will get going again like it did last semester. After all, its pretty much my only way of meeting other exchange students here.

As for the past week, its been going pretty well. I made a silly mistake in my calculations at work this morning, but other than that it feels like a really successful week. Pretty much doing the same things I did just before Christmas, but just before Christmas I had the startings of a terrible cold, and so my brain wouldnt work. Although I could do the experiment, I didnt really understand the hows and whys of it. But now I do! Hurrah! My work has a purpose. Actually, feeling fairly confident at work recently. Dunno whats got into me. Being all independant in my work, and being bolder with colleagues as well (smiling, saying Hei etc).

What else have I got up to this week... Well of course there was Helsinki on Saturday. Was a really nice day, possibly just because it was so spontanious. Went to Kiasma with my friend, which was pretty fun actually. Look at the pretty human kaleidascope made by one of the works of art...



Then we went for lunch in a cafe, where we met up with our old Finnish teacher. And then 3 hours late, I also met up with another friend from my language course, and went back to the old flat in Passila, where there were more familiar faces to be seen :) Actually, got so carried away in conversations that I nearly missed the last train home. Thank goodness for the night buses in Turku on the weekend - I had never intended to stay that late!

I'm hoping to head to Tampere this Saturday. Need to make the most of my free Saturdays while I still have them :)

Keeping Busy

I had a rubbish day at work yesterday so was rather up for a drink and a dance at the welcome party for the new exchange students last night. I went with my flatmate, who I seem to be getting on surprisingly well with now that Spanish housemate has moved out. Anyway, met some nice new people and generally had a good night. Had to leave for the last bus home at midnight though, which was a shame, but I felt a bit rough this morning, so maybe it was for the best. Anyway, had a better day at work in terms of my happiness, but not in terms of research. Not only did I completely mess up a whole afternoon's work for me by plating the wrong thing, I also switch off a machine that someone else was using, nearly ruining their experiment too. Impressive rate of failure there...

Anyway, tonight I am gonna tuck myself up in bed for an early night, as I am returning to Helsinki tomorrow. I have no other plans, and remembered reading about an exhibition of asian art going on at Kiasma, the museum of modern art. The exhibition is called Drawn in the Clouds, and features works from Li Wei among others. I'm not often into art, but I've seen some photo's of Li Wei's somewhere (cant remeber if it was a newspaper or magazine) before and liked them, so thought while I have nothing better to do I may as well head over and have a look. And I've managed to arrange to meet up with some of my language course buddies while I'm at it, so should be a good day all round.

Here's my favourite piece from Li Wei...

So the results are in and...

Waldo's People are through! Woo. With 44% of the vote. Puts them in good stead me thinks.
Bizarrely Remu also got through, with around 28% of the vote, and to be honest he looked as shocked as I was.

Means that between Passionworks and Sani there is less than a measely 30% of the remaining vote. They both go through to the second chance selection, but to be honest, its not looking good. I'm pretty happy with the results though. More so than last week at least :)

Finnish Esc Selection - Week 2

So I've managed to watch the stream tonight, which is good because Waldo's People were singing tonight. They were just on, with strong vocals and fire jugglers in the back. Quite cool. I just love the strong beat, its so catchy. So decided to give em a vote :)
Not sure if they are my absolute favourite anymore (Speakerbox by Signmark is slowly overtaking), but that is for next week's selection. As for tonight's performances...

• I missed Sani Doctor Doctor, but watching the replay clips during the voting it seems like your typical esc pop song, complete with terrible pun-filled lyrics, but I dont see it as a good fit for Finland somehow.
• Passionworks were ok, but the female's vocals and and outfit were questionable.
• Remu - dont even know where to start..!
• And then Waldo's People, delivering a strong performance, although looking a bit confined on such a small stage...

We await the results...

Incoming!

Or should that be outcoming?

You would not believe what just came out of my mouth. The hole where my tooth used to be, after 3 weeks, had finally filled up with a soft spongy tissue, but still not healed properly. Today however I noticed something solid making its way to the surface. After many hours, I was finally able to manoeuvre it free. It looks kind of like a toenail, but I'm guessing its a thin fragment of bone or tooth. Although comparing it to the tooth (yes, I have it with me in a jar) I really think its the wrong shape. So I'm guessing the dentist chipped my jaw when he took the tooth out. Seriously! No wonder its been so blooming painful. I'm just relieved to have an explanation, and that now its out, it will hopefully, finally heal over into a nice happy little bit of gum.

Fingers crossed eh?

Sugar Cherry Candy World

There is something so incredibly ironic about listening to the following song, whilst walking to work in the dark while its snowing, that you just cant help but smile. Go on, indulge in some terrible summer pop. It might help. Or tip you over the edge...

Film Review; Joulutarina & The Painted Veil

Its been a while since I've done a film review. Despite having seen quite a few films since the last review. So first, lets do a little summary of some of them...

A little out of date now, is Joulutarina (Christmas Story). This is the tale of how a little boy called Nikolas came to be Santa Claus (or Saint Nick, whatever your fancy). Orphaned as a young boy, he was taken in by a different family of his poor village in the north of Finland each year. Every Christmas he would carve gifts for the children of the families that had given him a roof and shown him kindness. But the village starts to struggle, and one year there seems there is no-one to take Nikolas in. So he end's up being taken in by the reclusive carpenter who all the children fear.

This is a great example of how modern Finnish cinema can be (not so arty as the Arki Kauas-whatsit's of Finland). It also has some familiar faces and places. There is one shot of Turku (hurrah!) and has smalls roles played by Mikko Leppilampi (host of esc 2007) and Antti Tuisku (who is rather cheesy in this tbh). Antti also did a rather lovely song for the soundtrack called valovuodet (Light Years (apparently)). Anyway, its a lovely heartwarming tale about the story of Saint Nick, from the people that know it best :) Definitely worth a watch, but only when in that cheery festive mood, as the ending is rather incredibly cheesy.

Then, also watched before Christmas was a film called The Painted Veil. This is a rather more gritty film, staring Ed Norton and Naomi Watts. Norton plays an english doctor in the 1920's, who after finding out that his wife has been having an affair, forces her to move with him to a remote village in China in the midst of a major Cholera outbreak. This is a complicated love story, which is beautifully realistic in that there is no wrong or right answer, nothing is black and white. Was Kitty entirely to blame for her adultery, or was Walter also to blame for marrying her when he knew she didnt love him. Kitty believed that her lover loved her truefully, and assumes he will save her from her fate in China. But since he has a wife of his own, and shows no compassion for her situation, she has no choice but to accompany Walter to China. As time goes on, and she becomes restless, she starts volunteering at the ophanage run by nuns. Slowly Walter and Kitty start to mend their relationship, and Kitty begins to see a deeper side to Walter.

Its a truly captivating story. The cinematography is beautiful, and captures the breathtaking Chinese landscape wonderfully. This is not a conventional love story of boy meets girl. It is something much more complex, but thats what makes it so interesting. You really end up investing in these characters. You're never sure who you side with, as both bear their demons.
Either way, a highly recommened film.

Finnish Esc Selection - Week 1

I also decided to check out what happened at the Finnish selection on friday night. I tried to watch the feed at the time, and despite being in Finland, it still didnt seem to want to work. Sound (not the right sound either) and no picture. So gave up on that.

I had written a bit about my 'ones to watch' as such, when the acts were first announced. The full songs are now available to listen to, but I didnt get around to it until this morning, when I just watched this little youtibe clip of samples of each. From my 'ones to watch', I think we can safely eliminate Jari as its a little bland really. We can probably eliminate Tiara and Riikka too, since they were put through to the second chance round after their performanced on Friday. Which is a shame. I cant find Riikka's performance, but Tiara's was good. Although maybe a little too similar to Hanna Pakarinen's performance in 2007. Angsty breakup song.

Kwan and Tapani Kansa got through. Kwan had a bit of shody performance (well, so did Tapani, he had to start again), but apparently they are favourites to go to Moscow. I think that would be a mistake, but whatever.

I still stand by Vink (more so now I've heard the song), and definitely Waldo's People. Still think Signmark could be a dark horse, depending on the performance on the night I guess. Others to look out for would be Sani and Passionworks.

However, I'm going to eat my words a bit and say that Waldo's People is definitely my favourite. The video is a bit strange but the song is very catchy. Its contemporary, but still has all the eurovision elements. See what you think...

You WIll Know Someday...

In a bit of an esc mood today. I missed the 'Your Country Needs You' last night (didnt realise how early it was on, so ended up watching casualty instead... might do that every week now. I do love my medical drama's). Anyway. So went on the ever knowledgeable esctoday.com and was pleased to see they had video's of each performance. A few clicks later 'video not available in your country' AHHHH! Thats been happening to me a lot lately. Well, I expect they'll be up on youtube at some point. I've seen a few, but some are still missing. So did a bit more clicking, and found this song instead. I have to say, I clicked the link because I thought he was attractive, but I watched the song too, and love it! Its not very eurovision, but he competed in the Cypriot national finals last year, so thats the link for you...

Sex Bomb?

That is all...

Back In Turku

So I made it safely back to Turku. Seemed like a bit of a mammoth journey, but a lot easier than going home, since I hardly had to take my suitcase anywhere. Got a lift to the airport. Flew to Helsinki. Got a bus to Espoo. Transferred bus. Bus to Turku. Taxi to my flat (no buses after midnight). So pretty straightforward. But still, its literally a whole day of travelling. Not much to be done either side of it.

As for Finland. Its very snowy. And so I'm guessing pretty cold. The radiator in my shut up room seemed to turn it into an oven for the 3 weeks I was away, so I havent suffered at all much. Oh, and it looks like the annoying Spanish housemate is moving out - hurrah! And we now have a kettle, and some decorations to the kitchen, courtesy of my Russian housemate I'm guessing. Well, I've added a toaster to the mix :)

Worst thing about it all though, is that the song I just posted and favourited in youtube is now telling me its unavaliable in my country. I hate it when that happens!

I Like This Record Baby, But I Can't See Straight Anymore

I have a song to share with you lot. Its been a while since I liked a song enough to share it, but this one I've heard only a few times while at home and already its a firm favourite. Electroqueer has often written about this artist, but I never took much notice of her till now. Anyway, its called Just Dance by Lady GaGa and its truely electro-fabulous!

Sit Tight, I'll Be Back Soon

Sorry about the lack of posts. There hasnt been that much going on that was worth blogging about until this week, and then I discovered that I forgot the transfer lead thingy for my camera phone, so cant provide any of the pictures to show what I'm going on about so thought I'd wait until I head back for Finland.

As for heading back, I originally had a flight booked for, well, now actually. But because of my tooth and things, I decided to postpone my return as I really haven't done or eaten half the things I had planned to do or eat :p The pain has finally started to subside, and the hole is noticeably smaller, so hopefully I'll be good to go for my newly booked flight on Wednesday :)

Its a late flight though, and only to Helsinki, so it will Thursday by the time I actually make it to Turku :/ But normal service should resume on Friday... Whatever normal service is...