January 2010
14 posts
Hey Mom
I’ve been gone a month and you’ve only seen this blog once. Only because I sent it to you via skype and WATCHED YOU click on the link.
You miss me, yes?
Suck it up and start reading my blog.
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Side Note
It’s really common for people to smoke in the apartment hallway, right next to the big no smoking sign. I know I’m supposed to be cool and ignore it, but it makes the apartment smell like shit and I hate when that stuff is in the air. I chose not to smoke, so I don’t think I should have to breathe it. Bleh. Smoking in Finland is a commitment. Go outside or quit, pussies.
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Bye January
I’ve nearly been here a month, which is crazy. I feel like I just got settled in! My To-Do list is only expanding. This better not go by too fast, though I know it will.
I’m currently experiencing the strangest mix of complete love for my new city and excitement about being here alongside a lingering homesickness for friends and the sun.
No one should be concerned or anything—I’m having an...
“And it was only when he was alone for a moment in the coridor, with the noise...”
– from Juhani Aho’s, “To Helsinki”
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Foodstuffs
Alright. Let’s talk about food. ESN put on a survival shopping lesson today, so food has been on my mind. I am living in an apartment, so day-to-day food remains pretty similar to cheap college food back home. Lots of spaghetti, cereal, bread, nutella, eggs, blah blah blah. Although this certainly was not the case for the majority of Finland’s history, it is now—If I can eat...
Classes
Good morning, everyone! It’s really early here. My sleep schedule is so weird.
I signed up for classes yesterday! Here’s what I have so far:
The History of the African-American Race in the Plays of August Wilson January 21-March 4, 5 ECTS
International Journalism January 25-February 19, 5 ECTS
Towards Post-Western Europe: Challenges from the South-Eastern Margin March 15-May 3,...
Reasons Why Today Was Wonderful
Every single tree was/still is covered with snow!
Despite some fog, the sun made an appearance!
Snow glitters in the sun!
I took an early tram to the city center, so I sat back, had coffee and a croissant at a cafe, wrote, and watched people go by. Marvelous.
I registered for almost all my courses!
I received my scholarship!
I paid rent!
I got to go on a bus tour of Helsinki for...
Hey! I Want Your Opinion!
I have two weeks to travel after the end of the semester and the places I want to go change daily.
I just have to get to London by the end of it to catch my flight home.
I want suggestions! Where should I go?
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WTF HOAS
*HOAS is the apartment company I’m renting from.
Okay HOAS, seriously, what’s going on?! First, I get an apartment in Itä Pasilaa, 30 minutes away from the university by tram and next to NOTHING. But that’s okay. I understand housing in Helsinki is very difficult. I can deal. I have a HKL card. However. That’s just the beginning. I get to the apartment and the place...
2 tags
so hungry.
Today is a national family holiday in Finland. I was told stuff would be closed. What I didn’t realize is that they literally meant just about EVERYTHING would be closed. (Or have wonky hours).
I didn’t eat lunch b/c I was out walking around. Besides, hardly anywhere was open even at noon. And I missed dinner at the hostel by a half hour. (But I was skyping, and I needed that). And...
Things I've Learned (So Far)
It has become apparent to me that this will become a recurring theme in my blogging. I’ve been here for less than a full day and I’ve already noticed a couple things, but there will, of course, be more. (I feel like using second person. We’ll see if this sticks.)
The stranger you share your hostel with will definitely be naked/in their underwear/asleep EVERY TIME you walk in...
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It's the Little Things
They had oatmeal as part of the buffet breakfast this morning at the hostel. And I put raspberry jam on it.
After a regiment of airplane food and not eating since I got here, it just made my day.
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Safe and Sound
Well, I’m in Helsinki and I’m safe. My flight to Amsterdam was delayed, but so was my flight to Helsinki, so I guess it all worked out.
My flights were pretty standard until the very end of the ride to Helsinki. My sinuses on the left side of my head felt like they were going to explode. It was one of the more painful things I’ve experienced in recent memory. A variation on...