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 :)

Last Day

Tomorrow is my last day at work. I can't quite believe it. Have I really finished my 10-month placement? Is it really over? If it werent for this extra month trip with my mum, then I would probably be at home already. In less than a week, I will be heading off to Stockholm (woo, Cd shopping!!!), and so then in less than a month, I will be heading home home. For good. How final. So maybe not for good. But I will have to say my final goodbyes to Turku, and the amazing people I've met here. Still, best not to think too much about it just yet...

Happy Midsummer!

Seems I've not been keeping this blog very up-to-date with my goings on, but to be honest, there isn't that much to tell. I've just been going to work, spending time with my lovely boyfriend, and planning my mums mammoth visit (more on that another time). Mira has now abandoned me to go swanning off around Slovenia, Austria and the USA. Students, eh? But before she left last week, we headed off to Ruisalo for a bit of a swim. Was freezing cold, but I didnt care. I love swimming, but to swim in the ocean here is just one of my favourite things. Shame the sea is frozen half the year...

Also, this weekend its Juhanustasjsdfoudgcjsdbvohn. Well something like that. Basically, its midsummer. This weekend sees the shortest night (it really is only dark for about and hour or so these days), and traditionally everyone leaves the city to go to their cottages and spend the weekend grilling, swimming, and of course drinking. However, I don't own a cottage. So instead the boyfriend is coming here, and I'm going to attempt to cook cottage pie for him and his friend. I'm getting quite good at British cuisine out here. No microwavable equviliants in the supermarket you see... Plus I don't have a microwave.

Example of the sunset at 00:39 (note time stamp)

In other news, I have a terrible sore throat, I just got drenched in a rain storm that decided to come on just as I was leaving the supermarket, I've spilt blue cheese all over my keyboard, and yet another vehicle with blue falshing lights has driven past (the fourth in 20mins).

In other other news, I finally bought something from Marimekko (a famous Finnish designer). I bought this rather bright snazzy bag...


I spotted another bag I want from there on the way out too, but have decided to wait and buy it as a reward if I can write at least the main first draft of my final report by the time I leave Finland. It has to be ~6000 words, and I've made it to nearly the 2000 mark. Wayhay! So only another 4000 to go, and then I can have another bag :)

Oh, I've also decided I want the oven mitten, pencil case, and tin box to match my lovely new bag :) I'm going to be spending a lot of money come July...

I Was Just Walking Around in the Sun...

The summer is finally arriving in Finland. Or maybe its just the spring, I cant tell. Either way the sun was shining beautifully yesterday. So after work I met with Mira for pizza and then we went for ice cream along the river. We went for a soft-ice/99 flake style ice cream this time. Except of course they don't have flakes here :( BUT they did have a choice between vanilla, chocolate, or a mix of the two! Magic. So we sat along the river for a while until the sun went behind some bushes. In search of more sun, we went higher. Towards the observatory hill. We found a second spot, but once again the sun moved behind some trees, so we continued yet higher until we were practically at the top of the hill. Success. Anyway, I'm not sure whether it was the prolonged sun exposure, the high altitude, or a sugar rush, but I was in such a bizzare mood. It was the best afternoon I've had in a while. It made me feel young again, in the days when you could just chill out with friends without a care in the world and forget about the passing of time.

I have some pictures and a song to share with you. In my crazy state I ended up singing a random selection of songs to the increasingly concerned Mira. This being one of them...





I should mention that Mira had never heard of Adam and the Ants before. Anyway, I also have some lovely photos. They're just of the sunshine, but still...

BBQ tonight! Although its partly a farewell party for my housemate who is leaving early tomorrow morning. There have been a few goodbyes this week. It makes me sad. Mostly because it reminds me that it will be my turn before long :(

Last Weekemd

So, its been an interesting few days. We didn’t have the bank holiday weekend like you lucky souls at home (although we had a bank holiday Thursday so cant complain too much I guess). But my weekend has been made up of films, food, and cheerleading.

The film society (I’m guessing) hosted another film festival this weekend, where I saw an interesting Norwegian documentary on the acidification of the ocean, and how co2 emissions are threatening the future of all marine life. Heavy stuff, but enlightening. I also saw a few shorts, some good, some bad, some indifferent. It was all free though, so why not eh? I then went to my boyfriends where he was determined to show me Rocky. He is convinced its not just about boxing. And ok, it isn’t entirely, but is still a bit :p But yeah, it was actually alright, better than I expected. So that was the film section of the weekend. I should mention also, that in return for showing me Rocky, I am introducing him to a wealth of British comedy – Black Books, Fawlty Towers, Michael McIntyre, Frankie Boyle… The list goes on.

Next for the food. I have made Yorkshire pudding for unsuspecting Finns twice this week. The first time was more successful than the second, but both were edible :) I’ve also had mince meat soup and meat balls and potato wedges cooked for me. Its nice to have proper meals for a change. I should get more into cooking. Its not that hard. But supernoodles or beans on toast is just so much easier :) And sandwiches, never underestimate the beauty of a good sandwich :)

Then the cheerleading. Well, yes, my boyfriends sister was competing, and he was official photographer, so I went along with him. It was actually quite entertaining. There’s a lot of different skills involved. Dancing, co-ordination, trust and impressive acrobatics. And with the right music, its pretty cool to watch. I agree that Waldo’s People makes for a good song to cheerlead to, but I must have heard it more than 5 times within an hour! Oh, and 30seconds or so of a remix of Fairytale, which was odd.

But overall an enjoyable weekend. Although the thunderstorm on Saturday wanst so nice. I mean, I was indoors at the time, but inside a wooden hourse… Wooden houses somehow seem like a major fire hazard when surrounded by bolts of lightening… The weather is glorious now though, and I’m thinking of wondering around for a while after work with my camera and taking a few pictures to share with you all.

And I promise I will finish the Russia diarys sometime soon. I took way to many pictures, but have finally sorted through the best and the rest, so should have those started up again by the weekend…

Поздравляю!

It may not seem it, but yesturday was a landmark for this little blog. Yes, it has indeed been a whole year since I started writing about my random experiences in life. Along with my not so random ones! So I just wanted to say a quick thanks to all who stop by and read, comment on, and generally enjoy this blog. I've had a lot of fun this year, and its been great to be able to chronicle it for myself and to be able to share it with my friends new and old.

Right, enough of the cheese, lets have a song. As its eurovision tonight, lets have a Dima Bilan song. And what song is more suitable than this?

I'm heading back to Helsinki tonight for a few days. Some friends from home are coming to visit, so will be showing them the sights of the capital before heading back to Turku for the weekend. Then next week I'm taking part in a week-long seminar for master's students to present their research. Despite not even finishing my bachelor yet, my supervisor thought it would be a good chance to get some experience at these sorts of things. Which means I've had to prepare an abstract, a scientific poster, and a 15 minute presentation. Hence why I've been so busy. Although the presentation is next week, I'll be busy with my friends all weekend, so needed to get everything finished by the end of today really! Busy busy busy.

But! I am super excited about my friends visit, and I'm really excited about going back to Helsinki. I do love Turku so much, but its always nice to get out and head to the capital for a while and catch up with old friends. And this time, it will be even older friends too! Awesome!

So it might be a while before you hear from me again, depending on how the seminar preparations go next week. Byee!

You Know You're Bored When...

Ok, so I've been studying Finnish a lot lately (not sure whats inspired me to pick up the text book again after 6months, but whatever). It seems that I can grasp the grammar without too much trouble (so long as I go slow... its a lot to get your head around sometimes). But the vocabulary just isn't happening. No matter how many times I translate songs and things, I always translate them again as I can never remember. Where I've been using this text book, I feel like I'm constantly going back to check what the words mean. Its frustrating. And the words all look the same after a while. I mean Finnish doesnt seem to utilise the wide range of letters on offer, but preferes to use combinations of their favourites - such as K, T, V & L. Not too mention the high proportion of vowels (How are you? translates as Mitä kuuluu? Thats 6 vowels in 10 letters!)

Anyway, whats bugging me right now is why you can say "Kello on viisi minuutia vaille kaksi" (its five minutes to two) but if you take out the 'minuutia' and just say 'its five to two', you then change viisi to viittä?! And why doesn't the same change take place when you say 'five minutes past two - viisi minuutia yli kaksi' and 'five past two - viisi yli kaksi'. I mean, where does this viittä come from? Any Finns care to explain?

Return from Tallinn & Riga

So I return from my trip to the baltics. And I'm shattered. But, it was by far the best trip of this year. I really really enjoyed myself. I just relaxed, didnt worry about work or money or anything. The company was great, the trip was well organised, and the destinations were great. And nothing went wrong! Hurrah! Well apart from the fact I left (my favourite) mittens in Tallinn and that I found my 175kr after I got back (about €10). But I'm planning to return to Tallinn again in the summer, so will spend them then, and also went and got myself another pair of those mittens since they are still selling them in Anttila.

Anyway, I have lots of pretty pictures, and interesting stories to tell, so will start on the diary's pronto! Just so long as I can keep awake...

Oh, also, I returned to find that we have a new housemate. (we also have only one small light still functioning in the kitchen... not good in the dark evenings). She's also from Spain, but seems a lot nicer than the nightmare housemate of last semester. She's only just arrived so doesn't know anyone yet, but is starting her placement at the hospital today. She's studying nursing and seems to be here for a similar thing as me, so we should get on alright. No crazy partys... not on weeknights at least ;)

General Musings on Life and Melodifestivalen

The last few days have been quite confusing for me. Potentially exciting, but still my head has been a bit all over the place. Its been quite a week in limbo as such. I returned from Lapland and went pretty much straight back to work. the result of this was having a nice long nap yesterday afternoon, before then staying up till 5am! And then today has been tidying my room in an attempt to locate my missing Finnish sim card so that I can do my laundry and think about repacking for my trip to Tallinn and Riga next weekend! Yes, I am a busy bee indeed. Its great though, I feel like the time is really ticking away. I'm already dreading having to leave this beautiful country. Really, I'm loving it so much. Even if it can be a little lonely at times...

Aaaaanyway. In other news, Måns Zelmerlöw is going to be in the second semi for Melodifestivalen this week. I have never watched it before, but I love Måns very much, and am excited about the new material that should be getting a release very soon. Hopefully before my return to Stockholm around July :) The song is called Hope & Glory, and you can listen to a clip of the song here. I have to admit I was a bit dissappointed on first listen, its not quite as 'cool' as Cara Mia, but actually after a few more listens I've decided its rather catchy, and just unashamedly poppy. I just hope that when I hear the whole thing along with the performance it will blow my socks off, hehe.

As for last weeks Melodifestivalen, I still haven't got round to listening to the songs that have actually made it to the final, but instead had a listen to Marie Sernaholt's and Jonathan Fagerlund's songs. Marie's is rather cool funky pop, and I like it. Jonathan's is more along the lines of the unashamedly cheesy pop, but I love it. It gets stuck in my head a lot, so will no doubt keep listening to it for a while yet. In fact, here's the performance...

Let Them Eat Cake

I LOVE the Finnish work ethic. Officially I started work over an hour ago, although I'm always at least 30minutes late on account of leaving my house 5km away at about the time that I'm supposed to start... Anyway, so after 20minutes of checking emails and things, I decide I should go and find my supervisor to ask about the days work. I find her eating cake in the coffee room (someone got married). She then explains that she hasnt decided what I need to do for the day yet, as she was distracted by the cake. So she tells me to sit and eat some cake while she goes and decides... Fabulous. No complaints here.

As for last night, my housemate came home and spared me from my boredom. The Russian Language Circle were meeting to go bowling, so I joined them. I have now learnt the numbers 1-10! Hurrah! haha. Oh, and I learnt the words for 'pin' and 'bowling ball'. I'm sure they'll come in very handy on my planned trip to Russia in April :)

Post-holiday Blues

Well, I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself tonight. Been a frustratingly boring week at work. Rachel is away. I'm all alone in my flat. I've lost my Finnish sim card. I'm bored. Ok, so very self-absorbed I know. Maybe I'll go listen to some Vroce to cheer myself up...



There, who can resist a smile after that!

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.

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?

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!

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...

Blog The Pain Away

So last week, not only did I have a cold, but I had a terrible tooth ache. A week later, the cold is subsiding, but the toothache was still going strong. So I braved it, and headed to the dentist...

After much deliberation, it was agreed that I should have the tooth out. It wasnt decayed, but the tooth giving me jip was my wisdom tooth, and the reason it was giving me jip was because there wasnt enough room for it basically.

So out its come. The actual extraction wasnt too bad. The dental technician was very sweet and let me squeeze her hand during the procedure. I now have a beautiful tooth in a jar to show for it.

Like I said, the procedure wasnt so bad. Being numbed up to the nines helped. But now the anaesthetic has worn off and I'm in more pain than I was before!!! I hope it subsides soon. Else this will be a terrible Christmas :(

Home Safe

I've somewhat gone into hibernation now I've made it home. I'm quite happy to sit at home watching a DVD of CSI with my bro. The simple pleasures in life eh?

The journey home was pretty traumatic. My flight was leaving Tampere at 11pm Finnish time, landing at 11:45 British time. Unfortunately it was late, so we landed at 12:20, and then we didnt get our baggage until about 1:30am! Of course, to my body clock, this was 3:30am! I was shattered to say the least. And still suffering from the final throws of a cold made the whole journey a bit traumatic.

Still, it was worth it to come through the gates where my mum was waiting with a helium balloon and a bacon butty :)

I should be able to catch up with my blogging a bit after Christmas, but for now I'm just resting (still not rid of this blooming cold!) and enjoying some good British food and sunshine! Haha.

Heading Home

I go home tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to it. But this has been a pretty awful week. I've been sick, which means I just want to stay in bed. But its good-bye partys all round :( Some of which I've had to miss because, well, I've been asleep. The most important goodbyes were said on monday, before the worst of my sickness hit. Its 4pm now, and I want to go back to sleep, but there is another goodbye party that I really should go to. But then I still havnt really finished packing, and I have a long journey tomorrow. What to do?

Cant wait to get home and spread my Finnish germs to everyone else. At least I'll be able to sleep in my own bed. Cant believe its been nearly 5 months since I've been home. Still look the wrong way when crossing the road though. And I waited for the bus on the wrong side of the road last week too. Doh.

So Much to See, So Little Time

So, in as little as 3 weeks I will be back home for Christmas! My, hasnt time gone fast?! I'm glad I'm coming back though - there is still so much to see and do! Especially since a lot of things are closed over winter, and some things I have left for the spring in particular, such as going to the Archipelago, or the Alands (I cant do the funky Swedish A atm).

Still, I should have plenty of time next semester. I just hope they get used to not seeing me at work much. I need at least 2 weeks off I know already - one for the trip to Lapland, and one for the trip to Russia. Then also my friends and/family should be coming to visit at some point, so would be good to take time off and show them around. And then last night I met up with another girl I know who is staying the year too, and she has all these extravagant plans of trips, so maybe will get to tag along on a few of them. We'll see....

My friend from Helsinki may or may not still be coming to visit. Which means, I probabaly should do some tidying up just in case, hehe. Will continue with my Stockholm posts when I get the time (maybe tues night?).