Alright so, let's skip through all the details, but basically: I GOT A JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I got an email last Tuesday from a company I had interviewed with in March, and they wanted me to start last week! So I went in on Friday and have since worked this week on Tuesday and Wednesday as well.
In the meantime, Jibbie, Juha's friend from Mannheim, came to visit us! She was visiting her twin in Mannheim and planned some stops along the way. I'm happy to report, Finland was among the stops! We took her to a hockey game [yes, it was my first hockey game ever!!!!] and sightseeing around Helsinki! [Though I sadly had to miss some of the sights due to school and work.]
Now I really want to tell you guys that: I LOVE TAMPERE!
Here is why...
I had lunch with Nina today and Juha came for a bit too. Then he left for Germany during lunch, and Nina and I hung out post-food.
Then I went to the bank and spoke in Finnish! Now only that but the bank teller was so sweet and started asking me how long I've been in Finland for, am I a student, etc. She was soooo nice and spoke to me so clearly and I understood everything she said!!!!
So I walked out of there with a spring in my step, went to get a bus pass, and basically got paid for it... it was in Juha's name but I asked if we could change the name. Apparently we could! [Juha, I owe you a bus pass! And some change.]
On my way home, I ran into a friend from school - Murat. Him and his friend were out buying a present for someone's birthday. We ran around town for a bit before we all headed home.
It was all quite random, but just a nice flow throughout the day! Tonight, I got plans with the girls :)
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Orientation.
Okay kids, I know I've been a little out of touch these past 3 days but for good reason: the good people at H@nken decided to extend our orientation over 2 days, in case we missed something the first 27 times it was explained to us. Now I realize that sounds whiny but I'll tell you why it ended up being a really good thing: because we all focused on each other!
Over the past 3 days, I've had time to meet at least a dozen new people, exchange names with a few more and look forward to taking classes with completely different people as well. I've already signed up for my 2 first classes in the first period [1 semester = period 1 + period 2].
The most interesting orientation talks we had consisted of a prof standing in the middle of the auditorium, pretending he was Brussels, and asking us to place ourselves around him geographically. That made for a really interesting depiction of where everyone was from. Also, it made it 100% easy to locate my new Canadian buddy from Saskatchewan, Nicole! [This was the introduction session for Masters and exchange students. Thus the insanely diversified world map we created.] My second favourite talk was done by the Green Office guy and he spoke to us about the importance of keeping H@nken green. He had a good sense of humour and kept it short - so it was memorable and we'll be keeping it green on H@nken's behalf as a result. Go travel coffee mugs! "Maailmaan paras isä!" ...jne.
Today was a pretty boring day in terms of information. We found out we need to bring the original copies of our diplomas in for "registration." This made me angry as we needed to send in lawyer attested copies ($50) and then I left mine in Canada so shipping costs ($60?) plus risk of it being lost... (iunno how much it costs to replace but you know mAcGill will milk it for all its worth...) soooo... perhaps I can keep on begging them to let me bring it after Christmas? I think that's a good plan... for now...we'll see...
ALSO, we heard from the student union about the Welcome Dinner, Sept 10th, the cottage weekend, Sept 18-19, the St-Petersburg trip ... and more to come! I'm really looking forward to it all.
Jackie is coming back on Tuesday afternoon and I'll be in Tampere by the evening on Tuesday. I need to skip class on Wednesday morning (already) because there's no point rushing back for a 1.5h lecture... but at some point I need to sign my HO@S agreement and get the keys to my new crib!
On a final note, I love this song because it calmed me down as I was getting in to Helsinki on Wednesday afternoon. Santogold's I'm a Lady. Enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpL8odTN2_c
Photo credits: here.
Over the past 3 days, I've had time to meet at least a dozen new people, exchange names with a few more and look forward to taking classes with completely different people as well. I've already signed up for my 2 first classes in the first period [1 semester = period 1 + period 2].
The most interesting orientation talks we had consisted of a prof standing in the middle of the auditorium, pretending he was Brussels, and asking us to place ourselves around him geographically. That made for a really interesting depiction of where everyone was from. Also, it made it 100% easy to locate my new Canadian buddy from Saskatchewan, Nicole! [This was the introduction session for Masters and exchange students. Thus the insanely diversified world map we created.] My second favourite talk was done by the Green Office guy and he spoke to us about the importance of keeping H@nken green. He had a good sense of humour and kept it short - so it was memorable and we'll be keeping it green on H@nken's behalf as a result. Go travel coffee mugs! "Maailmaan paras isä!" ...jne.
Today was a pretty boring day in terms of information. We found out we need to bring the original copies of our diplomas in for "registration." This made me angry as we needed to send in lawyer attested copies ($50) and then I left mine in Canada so shipping costs ($60?) plus risk of it being lost... (iunno how much it costs to replace but you know mAcGill will milk it for all its worth...) soooo... perhaps I can keep on begging them to let me bring it after Christmas? I think that's a good plan... for now...we'll see...
ALSO, we heard from the student union about the Welcome Dinner, Sept 10th, the cottage weekend, Sept 18-19, the St-Petersburg trip ... and more to come! I'm really looking forward to it all.
Jackie is coming back on Tuesday afternoon and I'll be in Tampere by the evening on Tuesday. I need to skip class on Wednesday morning (already) because there's no point rushing back for a 1.5h lecture... but at some point I need to sign my HO@S agreement and get the keys to my new crib!
On a final note, I love this song because it calmed me down as I was getting in to Helsinki on Wednesday afternoon. Santogold's I'm a Lady. Enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpL8odTN2_c
Photo credits: here.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Back in the USSR!
I am back in Canada for 11 days and it has been pretty insane. I can't lie.
First, the idea of flying across the Atlantic was exhausting. Since I obviously had to go, I got pretty excited [although mind you, a little later on in my journey] and now I'm drawing all these links between life in Canada and life in Finland.
For one, it is so crowded here! Toronto gets progressively more crowded and traffic gets worse and worse each year. Any local will notice. But it's a little different once you leave and don't see the progression take place. It can be rather overwhelming for anyone, any way.
The amount of time spent in a car is astronomical... I had to go down to the Chinese Consulate to get my visa for China. THANK GOD I went last Friday. The drive took me over an hour because it's in an area that is unaccessible by highway [not that the highways actually go at highway speeds during rush hour]. And it's open from 9-11:30am in the mornings so I just figured that would be better than going in the afternoons. I finally got there, lined up for an hour, dropped off my application and asked that it be rushed so I could pick it up on Monday. When I went back on Monday, the line for Visa applications was, quite literally, out the door. And the line for MONEY ORDER payments of visas was... well, I didn't have to wait at all!
The sad thing is, no matter which direction you're going these days, there is likely to be at least one traffic jam on the way. And no, you can't really walk anywhere worth going here... or at least I can't. I have to walk 15 minutes to the bus, take the bus for 30 minutes before getting to the subway and taking that for 30 minutes to get downtown... so that's not very ideal. And from this respect, I miss Finland.
That being said, I've been visiting people left and right since getting here and I am so overwhelmed. I meet up with someone for a few hours and then I have to say good bye again and I really wish I could see them more often.
And the moral of the story is... I either need to be in two places at once or everyone should move to Finland. [Both of which sound rather unlikely.] In any case, I'm definitely really grateful to get to see at least a few people every couple of months. And to know that friendships stretch out far beyond geographic borders.
... and that was my morning of individual reflection. Now I have to go meet Eric! And then this afternoon, it's off to Montreal for less than 24 hours, as per usual.
First, the idea of flying across the Atlantic was exhausting. Since I obviously had to go, I got pretty excited [although mind you, a little later on in my journey] and now I'm drawing all these links between life in Canada and life in Finland.
For one, it is so crowded here! Toronto gets progressively more crowded and traffic gets worse and worse each year. Any local will notice. But it's a little different once you leave and don't see the progression take place. It can be rather overwhelming for anyone, any way.
The amount of time spent in a car is astronomical... I had to go down to the Chinese Consulate to get my visa for China. THANK GOD I went last Friday. The drive took me over an hour because it's in an area that is unaccessible by highway [not that the highways actually go at highway speeds during rush hour]. And it's open from 9-11:30am in the mornings so I just figured that would be better than going in the afternoons. I finally got there, lined up for an hour, dropped off my application and asked that it be rushed so I could pick it up on Monday. When I went back on Monday, the line for Visa applications was, quite literally, out the door. And the line for MONEY ORDER payments of visas was... well, I didn't have to wait at all!
The sad thing is, no matter which direction you're going these days, there is likely to be at least one traffic jam on the way. And no, you can't really walk anywhere worth going here... or at least I can't. I have to walk 15 minutes to the bus, take the bus for 30 minutes before getting to the subway and taking that for 30 minutes to get downtown... so that's not very ideal. And from this respect, I miss Finland.
That being said, I've been visiting people left and right since getting here and I am so overwhelmed. I meet up with someone for a few hours and then I have to say good bye again and I really wish I could see them more often.
And the moral of the story is... I either need to be in two places at once or everyone should move to Finland. [Both of which sound rather unlikely.] In any case, I'm definitely really grateful to get to see at least a few people every couple of months. And to know that friendships stretch out far beyond geographic borders.
... and that was my morning of individual reflection. Now I have to go meet Eric! And then this afternoon, it's off to Montreal for less than 24 hours, as per usual.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Tidbits from my visit to Düsseldorf this past weekend.
I tried to keep the pictures in order this time. The daytime photos were taken Saturday and the night time photos...Saturday night/Sunday in the wee hours of the morning. The big party was for our family friends who celebrated their 50th birthdays and 30 year wedding anniversary this weekend.
Monday, March 15, 2010
The Unbearable Lightness of Scones.
You know those nights when you get home from seeing people and you can't help but smile to yourself? Nothing overly exciting happened while you were out, no one was drunk (although there may have been drinking) but somehow you enjoyed yourself immensely? And all the while you ask yourself how did you manage to piece together such a delightful collection of friends?
I'm not talking about an evening I had recently, but rather a book I just finished today. It's called The Unbearable Lightness of Scones by Alexander McCall Smith.
The novel is set in Edinburgh and is composed of 100 chapters, all of which were first published in a newspaper before being bound and printed as a book. McCall Smith revives the forgotten 'serial novel' as he gets into the heads and lives of a dozen realistic characters leading normal lives. The plot isn't clearly defined and you find yourself enjoying your time "spent" with the characters and their daily run-ins. Still, there is enough to keep you interested and intrigued. [wow - I just had a really hard time spelling intrigued...]
Also, I should mention that the author is Scottish and used to be a "distinguished...Professor of Medical Law" before becoming a full-time writer [according to Amazon.com]. The book contains some passages of Scottish pride which are beautiful, subtle, yet not at all imposing. Apparently he's written over 60 books so I'll be keeping an eye out for those! And if you're looking for a good read, I suggest you check him out.
I'm not talking about an evening I had recently, but rather a book I just finished today. It's called The Unbearable Lightness of Scones by Alexander McCall Smith.
The novel is set in Edinburgh and is composed of 100 chapters, all of which were first published in a newspaper before being bound and printed as a book. McCall Smith revives the forgotten 'serial novel' as he gets into the heads and lives of a dozen realistic characters leading normal lives. The plot isn't clearly defined and you find yourself enjoying your time "spent" with the characters and their daily run-ins. Still, there is enough to keep you interested and intrigued. [wow - I just had a really hard time spelling intrigued...]Also, I should mention that the author is Scottish and used to be a "distinguished...Professor of Medical Law" before becoming a full-time writer [according to Amazon.com]. The book contains some passages of Scottish pride which are beautiful, subtle, yet not at all imposing. Apparently he's written over 60 books so I'll be keeping an eye out for those! And if you're looking for a good read, I suggest you check him out.
Monday, March 1, 2010
GO CANADA!!
We had a bunch of friends over last night to watch the game and sadly, disturbed our neighbours, who sent us a message at midnight that the rules indicate that quiet time begins at 22 o'clock and old people live in the building. I guess the TV being on max at midnight gave our youth away...
Sid Kitchen attended the party and made blueberry pancakes for everyone! I made raspberry waffles and TOOK PICTURES!
These little almond-flour waffles almost made me jump for joy and cry because they taste soooo good and are so easy to make. I really wish there were more sporting events to bring friends together and get them to cook for one another like we did last night. However, I guess we don't need a sporting event to do that though... we could just make dinner dates haha. But there was something super awesome about yesterday too and it wasn't JUST the fact that Canada won and everyone skipped home :).
In other news, I AM A MEMBER OF SOMETHING IN FINLAND NOW, and that something is the public library. I strolled in there today and they gave me a library card! Just like that! All I had to do was show my passport. And not only that, but the woman let me speak Finnish with her, and translated when I looked confused [even though Juha was there.] Which was really nice, because often they either speak in Finnish with Juha or in English with me. I took out French, English and learning Finnish books and you can extend the 4 week due date online and I'm so excited!!!
In a less exciting turn of events, it seems that I can't get permanent residency right now after all. We went back to the poliisitoimisto today to see whether you can apply if you have sufficient funds to support yourself and the woman told us everything we already knew, and then discouraged us by adding that we can apply if we want to, for a 45e fee, but SHE wouldn't approve such an application. "Työ on paras." [Employment/work is best.] GAHHH! That was annoying. Juha and I both had to put in effort to be nice to her, especially after she made me feel like crap last time I was there. But what can you do? Either way, I hope to receive acceptance to universities soon and THEN I'll go back and be sure that I'll be approved.
After that fine morning, we ate at the uni and ran into MUTUAL FRIENDS! and put up posters everywhere for my tutoring position. I also applied for an internship today that would be my very first choice for a job this summer! [Global company, summer intern, logistics, Tampere-based!] I'll let you know if I hear back. The deadline was March 31st so I'm early on that so it might take awhile to contact candidates.
I think that's it for now. I'm a little brain-dead from learning too many Finnish words today! >.<
... I just hope I can remember them all tomorrow!
Sid Kitchen attended the party and made blueberry pancakes for everyone! I made raspberry waffles and TOOK PICTURES!
These little almond-flour waffles almost made me jump for joy and cry because they taste soooo good and are so easy to make. I really wish there were more sporting events to bring friends together and get them to cook for one another like we did last night. However, I guess we don't need a sporting event to do that though... we could just make dinner dates haha. But there was something super awesome about yesterday too and it wasn't JUST the fact that Canada won and everyone skipped home :).
In other news, I AM A MEMBER OF SOMETHING IN FINLAND NOW, and that something is the public library. I strolled in there today and they gave me a library card! Just like that! All I had to do was show my passport. And not only that, but the woman let me speak Finnish with her, and translated when I looked confused [even though Juha was there.] Which was really nice, because often they either speak in Finnish with Juha or in English with me. I took out French, English and learning Finnish books and you can extend the 4 week due date online and I'm so excited!!!
In a less exciting turn of events, it seems that I can't get permanent residency right now after all. We went back to the poliisitoimisto today to see whether you can apply if you have sufficient funds to support yourself and the woman told us everything we already knew, and then discouraged us by adding that we can apply if we want to, for a 45e fee, but SHE wouldn't approve such an application. "Työ on paras." [Employment/work is best.] GAHHH! That was annoying. Juha and I both had to put in effort to be nice to her, especially after she made me feel like crap last time I was there. But what can you do? Either way, I hope to receive acceptance to universities soon and THEN I'll go back and be sure that I'll be approved.
After that fine morning, we ate at the uni and ran into MUTUAL FRIENDS! and put up posters everywhere for my tutoring position. I also applied for an internship today that would be my very first choice for a job this summer! [Global company, summer intern, logistics, Tampere-based!] I'll let you know if I hear back. The deadline was March 31st so I'm early on that so it might take awhile to contact candidates.
I think that's it for now. I'm a little brain-dead from learning too many Finnish words today! >.<
... I just hope I can remember them all tomorrow!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Fell on my butt.
The title says it all. Today, while walking home from class, I slipped and fell on my butt. And the most surprising thing, is that I think no one saw... well that's the second most surprising thing. 
The actual most surprising thing is that it took me 23 days of living in Finland until I actually fell on my butt. It's quite common here, especially if your boots have no grip. Anyway, I walked away laughing and for some strange reason, felt the need to tell this to this internet.
I made some friends in class today! One is named Donna and she's from Louisiana. The other is named Rabia and she's from Turkey but she's leaving for Curacao next week so she might be gone a few months. Her husband is being sent there for a job for 10 months. Donna and Rabia used to do a salsa class together but now that Rabia is leaving, Donna doesn't want to do it alone. I suggested going with her because it's not too expensive and I actually really wanted to try dancing somewhere. So I'll see how that goes. I think we missed the sign up deadline but the teacher used to attend our language school so maybe some strings can be pulled.
I FINALLY finished reviewing [most] of the material for the GMAT and now it's just down to a million practice questions before starting the full-length practices... which is gonna suck, as each exam lasts about 4 hours. I'm looking forward to noon on February 17th.
Anne and I made some AMAZING [and by we, I mean Anne] food this weekend! I was too full to each as much as I actually wanted to consume [all in sight]. But I am planning on making it again soon...
The food I've been making for myself lately include [this is more for my mom haha <3.]:
- Fried rice
- Tacos! [baha.]
- Tomato Salad
- Stuffed Peppers
- Cookies!
- Pasta with pesto and feta [an old classic]
...
It doesn't seem like much yet but I'm trying to find some things that are easy to make and will bring variety to my meals.
Meanwhile, I've put my drawing on the back burner for now. Gah! Between Finnish classes every day or twice a day [I have 7 classes every Mon-Fri] and GMAT studying and coffee dates, my robotic cow has been neglected.
I'll post pictures once they're ready/post-able.
The actual most surprising thing is that it took me 23 days of living in Finland until I actually fell on my butt. It's quite common here, especially if your boots have no grip. Anyway, I walked away laughing and for some strange reason, felt the need to tell this to this internet.I made some friends in class today! One is named Donna and she's from Louisiana. The other is named Rabia and she's from Turkey but she's leaving for Curacao next week so she might be gone a few months. Her husband is being sent there for a job for 10 months. Donna and Rabia used to do a salsa class together but now that Rabia is leaving, Donna doesn't want to do it alone. I suggested going with her because it's not too expensive and I actually really wanted to try dancing somewhere. So I'll see how that goes. I think we missed the sign up deadline but the teacher used to attend our language school so maybe some strings can be pulled.
I FINALLY finished reviewing [most] of the material for the GMAT and now it's just down to a million practice questions before starting the full-length practices... which is gonna suck, as each exam lasts about 4 hours. I'm looking forward to noon on February 17th.
Anne and I made some AMAZING [and by we, I mean Anne] food this weekend! I was too full to each as much as I actually wanted to consume [all in sight]. But I am planning on making it again soon...
The food I've been making for myself lately include [this is more for my mom haha <3.]:
- Fried rice
- Tacos! [baha.]
- Tomato Salad
- Stuffed Peppers
- Cookies!
- Pasta with pesto and feta [an old classic]
...
It doesn't seem like much yet but I'm trying to find some things that are easy to make and will bring variety to my meals.
Meanwhile, I've put my drawing on the back burner for now. Gah! Between Finnish classes every day or twice a day [I have 7 classes every Mon-Fri] and GMAT studying and coffee dates, my robotic cow has been neglected.
I'll post pictures once they're ready/post-able.
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