Final 3 Days

I return from a lovely trip to Russia. Honestly, I wasn't that fussed about going again, but my mum was so keen to go that I agreed, but now I glad I did go again. I did more shopping than sight seeing this time. I bought a big Russian nesting doll, along with a porcelain one (in the dance outfit with rabbit hair and stuff... dont know the proper name, but I'll put a pic up eventually), and a couple of CDs (Ani Lorak and Bis). So I'm happy enough with that :)

As for this week though, I have just 3 days left in Turku. I cant even begin to gather my thoughts well enough to put it into words how I'm feeling right now.

Edit: Here's the pic as promised...

Die Tränen sind aus Eis

While in Tallinn, I spent a lot of time browsing the many music channels provided in the hotel, one being German channel Viva. I got to quite like this song, called Stadt by Cassandra featuring Adel Tawil (from German Prison Break Anthem fame). The official video wont embed, but here's the song for now...

Crazy Busy Week

Last night was the first night I slept in my own bed in about 10 days! Crazy busy couple of weeks. Firstly, we went to Rovaniemi, which was just brilliant. The scenery was beautiful, we met Reindeer, Husky dogs, Santa Claus, and swam in the huge river up there. We also went to the museum (Artikum) and did a spot of shopping. Along with the open boat trip that we took to get to the Reindeer farm. Then it was back to Turku for one night before heading off to Helsinki. Then it was an early start to get the ferry for Tallinn, where we spent one night, got very sunburnt, and then came back to Helsinki to meet the brother. We then did the touristy bus tour in Helsinki (mother wanted to see the Sibelius Monument, and the Rock Church, both a bit out of the centre, and it was pouring of rain, so walking wasnt an option). Then we headed back to Turku, where I immediately ran off to the boyfriends yet again. I'm not very hospitable it seems. Anyway, yesterday we saw the catherdral, the observatory hill, and the beach at Ruisalo. Nice day. Today we are heading off to the Castle (again... eugh), and a few other spots round town (university etc). Then tomorrow is the Baltic Sea Tall Ships Race. Or something like that. Which means there will be lots and lots and lots of tall ships lining the river down to the harbour, so that will keep us occupied for a while I expect. Then on to St Petersburg at the weekend!

You Spin Me Right Round

So, as promised, my picture of the Moomin souvenir...




Its a spinning top! How retro. I havent seen these in years. I used to have one as a kid. And well, when I saw it, I knew I had to get it. Has most of the moomin characters on it too, you see...

Reindeer!

I finally saw a Reindeer. More than one in fact. We wasted no time apon arriving in Rovaniemi this morning, and booked ourselves onto a boat trip to a Reindeer farm, where we got to mingle with the horned creatures. Beautiful weather here today as well, so the boat trip itself was also very nice. Just thought I'd let you all know :p

I'm sure there will be pictures to follow once I'm back.

Week one of the mammoth trip

So I've returned from a very busy few days in Stockholm. We seems to do quite a lot, which obviously makes for a lot of walking, and my feet were so sore! After my mum arrived and we'd checked into the hotel, we went for a tourist-type boat trip around some of the waters of Stockholm. Was very nice, even if I was falling asleep a bit...
Day two we ran round and saw the Palace, along with the changing of the guards, and the treasury. Then we had a quick sandwich and rushed off to the Vasa museum. We also saw a few churches along the way.
Day three, we took a steam boat to Drottingholm Palace. Much nicer than the one in the main square. The gardens looked beautiful in the sunshine. We then headed back and went up Katarina lift (near Slussen) to get a high up view of the old town. Well worth the trip. Kaknas tower was a taller alternative, but we decided it wasnt worth the bus trip.
Day four was our final day, so we did a tour of the city hall (not something high on our list, but actually surprisingly inetersting) and then we jumped on another boat tour, purely becuase it was raining, the ticket was free (included on the Stockholm card that we had purchased for the trip) and it was leaving from outside the city hall 15 minutes after our tour had finished. After that it was just time for some serious shopping. I bought 8 CDs (Mans, Danny, September, Molly Sanden, Sanna Neilsen, Jonathan Fagerlund x2, and Velvet) and we bought some nice souvenirs too. Back to the ferry, exhusted but happy.

Friday was my mothers first taste of Finland. Unfortunately I wasnt much of a guide, as I fell alseep for 4 hours, and then was a bit grumpy on the quick tour of the town I gave her before running of to my boyfriends. Not many brownie points there then. But today I took her to Naantali, which looked lovely in the sunshine and was a lot busier than the last time I went in the Autumn. We just strolled around, taking it all in, and then gave in a bought a Moomin souvenir (picture to follow... if I remember). We then headed back to the flat where I cooked shepherds pie for us both, so hoping that makes up for the lost brownie points of yesterday. Tomorrow, we're going for lunch with the boyfriend and then off to Ruissalo (weather permitting) before catching a night train to Rovaniemi! Busy busy busy.

Hello from Stockholm!

I'm currently sitting in the Centralen station of Stockholm, killing time while waiting for my mums train to arrive. Its been a weird morning. I arrived at 6:30 with the ferry (after only 5 hours sleep...) and spent the first few hours wandering from cafe to cafe waiting for the city to liven up. Then it was time to do a spot of Cd shopping and what not. Also had a trip to the Tourist information centre and then did a sweep of the old town and the area by the town hall. But my bag is very heavy (I refused to pay 50SEK to leave it in a locker in the station... bad move) and I am very tired, so decided to come and make use of the internet terminals here in the station and await my mothers arrival. Only another 30minutes!

In Other News...

Me and Rach have booked train tickets to Edinburgh for September! After a long 6 months apart (cue violins) while we've been off exploring foreign ground, we have decided to take a little holiday on home soil for a change. Just before the madness of final year kicks in. I've always wanted to go to Scotland, but mostly it will be cool just to spend a few days with Rach with no other stresses or responsibilties to worry about. Just mix it up with some Russian-themed cocktails, and a europop compilation CD. What could be better :)

Reflective Blog

So, as I mentioned, I had my last day at work this week. It was sad to say goodbye to Saara and Joanna who have been great supervisors, although mentor would probably be a better word. They have taught me so much scientifically and culturally. I dont often talk about the science side of things here, but that was the intially point of my year abroad. It was a PTY (placement training year) which could have just as easily been in the UK, but instead was abroad and as such, all the cultural stuff I was learning and experiencing kind of overshadowed my scienitifc achievements for the year. Obviously the seminar was a huge milestone, but actually, my confidence in my abilties has really improved. After doing badly in my A-levels, I came to university with the aim of just getting on with it, seeing how I did and then getting a job. But now I have renewed enthusiasum to achieve a 2:1 (something people kept telling me I could get if I just worked a little harder, but I didnt believe them. Now I do). And I am also now considering the option of doing a postgraduate course. Perhaps a research masters, so as to be doing something similar to what I was doing this year. Who knows, we'll have to see. But either way, I don't see this as a sad ending, but rather a new beginning. A new chapter is starting, one that could lead me anywhere, and that is exciting. I feel like there are more oppertunities to be had out there. The world is my oyster! haha.

Aaaaanyway. The traditional exchanging of gifts took place. I tried to think of something more meaningful than chocolate, so bought a pot plant for each Joanna and Saara to have at their desks and brighten up the place. I think they liked them. As for me, they bought me something really nice. All year I had been considering buying myself a Moomin mug, as it is the most typical Finnish souvenir. However, Moomins are very popular here, and so anything to do with them is expensive. And the Moomin mugs are made by the popular Finnish ceramics company Arabia, making them even more expensive. But that is exactly what I got as a present and it couldnt be more perfect. Look...




All wrapped up pretty with some Marimekko napkins. I've decided the Marimekko store in Turku is dangerous. They had a sale this week, and I ended up buying a cute notepad that I probably won't use. But still... Oh, and as for a report update, I've passed the 3000 word mark now, and so might treat myself to that bag anyway :)