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 lunch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lunch. Show all posts
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
May Kick-off post!
Dear friends and family,
It has been a rather interesting week here in Tampere. Upon returning from Germany, much of the information I'd been waiting on for the past couple months was delivered to me this week [Nokia-Siemens is out]. First off though, I hung out with Lauren on Tuesday - she brought hummus, we made stove-top popcorn - it was a delicious evening!
Wednesday I received a rejection letter from Aalto University. I'd applied to their International Design Business Management program back in February. Sadly, I can't fight their decision. 1/3 of the application is work experience and I just couldn't compete with the 1104 other applicants. The rankings they give you are out of 15 and since 5 of those points are for work experience, I ended up with a 9. I can't complain though. If I would've had relevant work experience (counted in years), I would've gotten in for sure.
Since getting that letter and having absolutely no other options to pursue at Aalto, I decided to appeal the first decision from Uni. Helsinki, which I found was very subjective. I wrote them a well-constructed letter today explaining that my undergraduate degree isn't way off base for this master's I applied to. I have no idea if this will make any sort of difference whatsoever, but in the meantime, I felt that at least I could do something with it!
Last night, Eeva came over and we began a kokkikerhu! (Cooking club) We want to meet regularly and make food so that we can both develop our cooking skills and cook in good company - thus the club! We made Spinach Tofu-stuffed Zucchini and it was absolutely delicious! I didn't take a picture and now that half the pan's been eaten, it wouldn't look professional to snap a shot but I'll be sure to capture it next time.
Today, I wrote my appeal in the morning, mailed it by 12:30 and met up with the WokWok crew around 1pm. Mia was there too so I got to see lots of friendly, familiar faces in one place. Nina had her car so I got a ride home after lunch and here I am. I started scanning through more job websites and found some interesting stuff. I'm going to keep applying and I'm also going to start applying to more permanent, full-time positions, especially in Tampere when I can find them. I can't rely 100% on getting into school so it's good to have other options. Nevertheless, I haven't yet bothered to get all stressed and work on a plan B in case all else fails. Either way, I actually want to be interested in the program I would be studying so I need to do some research into the universities as well and make sure that's where I want to spend the next 2 years of my life.
So for now, I'm just being patient for a few more days (I'm waiting on another decision May 17th.) and finding new opportunities through different media modes. [For example, I just joined Twitter this week! Look me up!]
It has been a rather interesting week here in Tampere. Upon returning from Germany, much of the information I'd been waiting on for the past couple months was delivered to me this week [Nokia-Siemens is out]. First off though, I hung out with Lauren on Tuesday - she brought hummus, we made stove-top popcorn - it was a delicious evening!
Wednesday I received a rejection letter from Aalto University. I'd applied to their International Design Business Management program back in February. Sadly, I can't fight their decision. 1/3 of the application is work experience and I just couldn't compete with the 1104 other applicants. The rankings they give you are out of 15 and since 5 of those points are for work experience, I ended up with a 9. I can't complain though. If I would've had relevant work experience (counted in years), I would've gotten in for sure.
Since getting that letter and having absolutely no other options to pursue at Aalto, I decided to appeal the first decision from Uni. Helsinki, which I found was very subjective. I wrote them a well-constructed letter today explaining that my undergraduate degree isn't way off base for this master's I applied to. I have no idea if this will make any sort of difference whatsoever, but in the meantime, I felt that at least I could do something with it!
Last night, Eeva came over and we began a kokkikerhu! (Cooking club) We want to meet regularly and make food so that we can both develop our cooking skills and cook in good company - thus the club! We made Spinach Tofu-stuffed Zucchini and it was absolutely delicious! I didn't take a picture and now that half the pan's been eaten, it wouldn't look professional to snap a shot but I'll be sure to capture it next time.
Today, I wrote my appeal in the morning, mailed it by 12:30 and met up with the WokWok crew around 1pm. Mia was there too so I got to see lots of friendly, familiar faces in one place. Nina had her car so I got a ride home after lunch and here I am. I started scanning through more job websites and found some interesting stuff. I'm going to keep applying and I'm also going to start applying to more permanent, full-time positions, especially in Tampere when I can find them. I can't rely 100% on getting into school so it's good to have other options. Nevertheless, I haven't yet bothered to get all stressed and work on a plan B in case all else fails. Either way, I actually want to be interested in the program I would be studying so I need to do some research into the universities as well and make sure that's where I want to spend the next 2 years of my life.
So for now, I'm just being patient for a few more days (I'm waiting on another decision May 17th.) and finding new opportunities through different media modes. [For example, I just joined Twitter this week! Look me up!]
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Wensday. [I mean that is how we pronounce it anyway.]
On Monday Donna messaged me to ask if I wanted to come with Helsinki with her on Wednesday to drop off her husband at the airport then hit the shops! I was so excited!!! I had also been dreaming about the vegetable salad I'd eaten at Maya - a Mexican restaurant - and I got to take Donna there! We hit the shops thereafter. Donna bought a beautiful purple wallet and a silk shirt from Esprit! Then we drove home and chatted the whole way back... Donna also sampled my muffins - all THREE batches - and has been raving to all of Tampere about them so I'm really happy someone other than Juha enjoyed them too!
Last night I got a big of downtime before heading out! Anne, Nina and I met up and dressed up [although beforehand] and headed to Lavatanssi - a barn dance that happens every year. Everyone dresses up in 1920s barn clothes and they teach you dances there and then and you can then do them all together. It was pretty entertaining to watch! People had really gotten creative with the theme... I felt like I was in a movie almost! Unfortunately, we didn't partake in the dancing BUT we chatted lots, so no time was wasted!
Today, I decided to make apple cinnamon muffins... they're out of the oven, I've taken tons of pictures and they're ready for sampling. Sadly, I haven't worked up the courage to try them yet. So I can't say how they taste just yet.
Tonight, after my Finnish class, Donna is coming by to pick up me and Juha and bring us to her place. She's making her INFAMOUS goat cheese salad [tweaked to perfection, or so I'm told!] and I'm really excited about it. Our friends Lauren and Kimmo were supposed to come along as well but turns out Lauren got the flu bug. Get well soon Lauren! [even though you don't have the link to this blog quite yet.]
Stay tuned for muffin pictures. [Yes, I'm talking to you Kelly <3.]
Last night I got a big of downtime before heading out! Anne, Nina and I met up and dressed up [although beforehand] and headed to Lavatanssi - a barn dance that happens every year. Everyone dresses up in 1920s barn clothes and they teach you dances there and then and you can then do them all together. It was pretty entertaining to watch! People had really gotten creative with the theme... I felt like I was in a movie almost! Unfortunately, we didn't partake in the dancing BUT we chatted lots, so no time was wasted!
Today, I decided to make apple cinnamon muffins... they're out of the oven, I've taken tons of pictures and they're ready for sampling. Sadly, I haven't worked up the courage to try them yet. So I can't say how they taste just yet.
Tonight, after my Finnish class, Donna is coming by to pick up me and Juha and bring us to her place. She's making her INFAMOUS goat cheese salad [tweaked to perfection, or so I'm told!] and I'm really excited about it. Our friends Lauren and Kimmo were supposed to come along as well but turns out Lauren got the flu bug. Get well soon Lauren! [even though you don't have the link to this blog quite yet.]
Stay tuned for muffin pictures. [Yes, I'm talking to you Kelly <3.]
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Work as a result of The Hangover.
Yesterday, thanks to my darling boyfriend, I clocked 3 hours of PAID work time. Basically he was too... ill... to drive himself and do his deliveries so I drove him and coached him to smile nicely and be polite to the customers even though all he wanted to do was hurl...
So it all started Thursday morning! The day was looking pretty busy but I was looking forward to the running around - even without the energy. I got up at 9am. Studied Finnish from 10am to 12pm and then I took a lunch break. This break was rather extended because I figured I wouldn't have much time to laze around later. I watched some TV online and ate lunch. Then around 2:50pm I left to meet a friend. We scouted all the second hand and Asian shops in the area; I spent 40 euros. BUT I bought: a really nice sweater, a soap holder, a candle holder, many spices, ghee, some warm GREEN mittens...and some other stuff... In total, I think we walked about 6 or 7km. I got home at 6pm, exhausted, ate a small dinner and ran out the door at 6:20pm to get to Finnish class... another 1km walking there and back... came home at 8:15pm to Nina, Juha and Juuso. Nina brought her brother's dog over for a visit so Juha could meet him too. They bonded before I got home :)
I ate another small, quick dinner and we rushed out the door to pub quiz... another 700m or so walk. We hung out there until about 11something and then Eeva drove me home. The boys said they'd be going for a drink at Semafori and they wouldn't be long...
I got home, exhausted, read a little, watched some Ugly Betty and went to bed around 12:30am.
3:30am - I am awoken by the sound of ... Juha. Anyway, long story short, I managed to get him to bed.
Okay so one down, one to go... I laid in bed... tossed and turned... Juha snored and his stomach protested the alcohol as it tried to make sense of what had happened... the stomach that is. I got up around 5am to check Facebook. I turned the light on in bed and read a little... before I knew it 7am rolls around and nothing. I felt wide awake. And my day went on from there...
I met Nina and we walked to Sokos together. I was impressively coherent all through the day and didn't even feel tired. I later realized that I have a really regular sleeping schedule and this tends to happen to me a lot. I miss a night of sleep and it's fine. If you start missing more, that's when it gets problematic. I was gone for maybe 3 hours or so. Once I got home I found a half-dead zombie-like version of Juha. He'd apparently tried taking the garbage out and walking around the building a few times to feel better but to no avail. Then around 5:30pm he started getting calls from the primary driver who needed help with his deliveries. Since Juha didn't feel up to driving, I drove and he delivered. We did 5 deliveries in 3 hours... one of them was to his co-worker who was also at the bar before.
I was pretty happy about the whole day's events! I earned the first bit of salary that I'd earned in the past ... well... let's just say over a year [because I worked for free in the summer.] And the money I earned offset my shopping splurge from Thursday! Not to mention I felt like I'd really been needed for something! [Which is a great feeling as you seek employment.]
To add the cherry on top of the cake, we made Indian spiced cauliflower and green beans with rice for dinner! It was absolutely delicious... but maybe could of used a few extra vegetables. We didn't take any pictures though. BUT then for dessert, I used the almond-flour waffles I am so fond of and added berries, banana and cinnamon! Awesome. And yes, there was some late night Yatzee! [note the dice.]
Now I gotta run! Päivi and Anna are coming over for lunch!
So it all started Thursday morning! The day was looking pretty busy but I was looking forward to the running around - even without the energy. I got up at 9am. Studied Finnish from 10am to 12pm and then I took a lunch break. This break was rather extended because I figured I wouldn't have much time to laze around later. I watched some TV online and ate lunch. Then around 2:50pm I left to meet a friend. We scouted all the second hand and Asian shops in the area; I spent 40 euros. BUT I bought: a really nice sweater, a soap holder, a candle holder, many spices, ghee, some warm GREEN mittens...and some other stuff... In total, I think we walked about 6 or 7km. I got home at 6pm, exhausted, ate a small dinner and ran out the door at 6:20pm to get to Finnish class... another 1km walking there and back... came home at 8:15pm to Nina, Juha and Juuso. Nina brought her brother's dog over for a visit so Juha could meet him too. They bonded before I got home :)
I ate another small, quick dinner and we rushed out the door to pub quiz... another 700m or so walk. We hung out there until about 11something and then Eeva drove me home. The boys said they'd be going for a drink at Semafori and they wouldn't be long...
I got home, exhausted, read a little, watched some Ugly Betty and went to bed around 12:30am.
3:30am - I am awoken by the sound of ... Juha. Anyway, long story short, I managed to get him to bed.
Okay so one down, one to go... I laid in bed... tossed and turned... Juha snored and his stomach protested the alcohol as it tried to make sense of what had happened... the stomach that is. I got up around 5am to check Facebook. I turned the light on in bed and read a little... before I knew it 7am rolls around and nothing. I felt wide awake. And my day went on from there...
I met Nina and we walked to Sokos together. I was impressively coherent all through the day and didn't even feel tired. I later realized that I have a really regular sleeping schedule and this tends to happen to me a lot. I miss a night of sleep and it's fine. If you start missing more, that's when it gets problematic. I was gone for maybe 3 hours or so. Once I got home I found a half-dead zombie-like version of Juha. He'd apparently tried taking the garbage out and walking around the building a few times to feel better but to no avail. Then around 5:30pm he started getting calls from the primary driver who needed help with his deliveries. Since Juha didn't feel up to driving, I drove and he delivered. We did 5 deliveries in 3 hours... one of them was to his co-worker who was also at the bar before.
I was pretty happy about the whole day's events! I earned the first bit of salary that I'd earned in the past ... well... let's just say over a year [because I worked for free in the summer.] And the money I earned offset my shopping splurge from Thursday! Not to mention I felt like I'd really been needed for something! [Which is a great feeling as you seek employment.]
To add the cherry on top of the cake, we made Indian spiced cauliflower and green beans with rice for dinner! It was absolutely delicious... but maybe could of used a few extra vegetables. We didn't take any pictures though. BUT then for dessert, I used the almond-flour waffles I am so fond of and added berries, banana and cinnamon! Awesome. And yes, there was some late night Yatzee! [note the dice.]
Now I gotta run! Päivi and Anna are coming over for lunch!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Virus.
Good day chaps!
It seems I have fallen rather ill due to the recent cold weather and the equally poor health of my poikakaveri. But don't tell my grandparents, they'll only get worries. I'm fiiiine. Just using up lots of tissues and doing lots of sitting on couch and attempts at GMAT studying. On the bright side, I'd rather get sick now instead of AT GMAT TIME... oh God... that would suck.
So I found out today that it is legal in Finland to ask for sex instead of rent. Yet prostitution is illegal... but I guess it depends who's asking who for what... It's unclear to me whether sex can be OFFERED instead of rent...
Anyway, I have no idea what the details are. But here's an article in Finnish to clear up all your questions: Finnlink
and the attempt at an English translation: here.
In other news, I am going out for lunch today. That's right. I may be inflicting my germs on the innocent. But it's okay. I don't plan on getting too close. And I've pretty much mastered the elbow-cough. I actually had two med students compliment me on it a few months ago. So there that is: keeping the germ-free germ-free!
Yesterday I watched the Thomas Crown Affair, The Bourne Supremacy and Vicky Christina Barcelona. Today... I haven't decided.
Someone make me soup?
It seems I have fallen rather ill due to the recent cold weather and the equally poor health of my poikakaveri. But don't tell my grandparents, they'll only get worries. I'm fiiiine. Just using up lots of tissues and doing lots of sitting on couch and attempts at GMAT studying. On the bright side, I'd rather get sick now instead of AT GMAT TIME... oh God... that would suck.
So I found out today that it is legal in Finland to ask for sex instead of rent. Yet prostitution is illegal... but I guess it depends who's asking who for what... It's unclear to me whether sex can be OFFERED instead of rent...
Anyway, I have no idea what the details are. But here's an article in Finnish to clear up all your questions: Finnlink
and the attempt at an English translation: here.
In other news, I am going out for lunch today. That's right. I may be inflicting my germs on the innocent. But it's okay. I don't plan on getting too close. And I've pretty much mastered the elbow-cough. I actually had two med students compliment me on it a few months ago. So there that is: keeping the germ-free germ-free!
Yesterday I watched the Thomas Crown Affair, The Bourne Supremacy and Vicky Christina Barcelona. Today... I haven't decided.
Someone make me soup?
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Bagoolarasabajaöninen.
Tänään oli ihana päivä!
(Today was a wonderful day!)
I woke up at - shocker - EIGHT AM. That's right, in the MORNING. I decided it was time to start my day much earlier than the aforementioned wake ups at 11am. The same wake ups which, my close friends know, are very uncharacteristic of me.
I studied GMAT for about an hour.
I then went to the uni gym to get picked up IN THE GASTROVAN then Juha and I headed to the THEATER to get some tickets for his mom and make a solid €1 profit! We then headed to a Thai&Laos place for their delicious lunch buffet. Their tomatoe soup was so spicy (tulinen aka fiery/spicy)... but overall, great restaurant! I was really excited because it was my first time eating out in TAMPERE (TamerFORS in Swedish) since the summer. While walking back to the van, we noticed a sign for a Finnish school and went in to ask. After a solid 10 minute conversation with the overwhelmed teacher there, Juha told me I can go tomorrow at 9am and see if there's room for me to register!
The teacher seemed really knowledgable and the course is from 9am-12pm, Monday to Friday for only €40/month! AWESOMENESSNESS! (I really, really hope I can get a spot.)
So after SKIPPING home (can you tell I'm still giddy?), and doing some daily shopping, of course!, I did a bit more GMAT studying.
Anyway, long story short, we watched "I love you, man" and I discovered the LONGEST word in the Finnish language (well not actually) EVER (lies):
"interior designer"
BRACE YOURSELF!
sisustussuunnittelija
...now try saying it out loud. And remember to emphasize the double letters. I said "sisustussynnyttelijä," which means interior birth giver. (Insert laugh here.)
And that's that. I'll let you know how language school goes!
(Today was a wonderful day!)
I woke up at - shocker - EIGHT AM. That's right, in the MORNING. I decided it was time to start my day much earlier than the aforementioned wake ups at 11am. The same wake ups which, my close friends know, are very uncharacteristic of me.
I studied GMAT for about an hour.
I then went to the uni gym to get picked up IN THE GASTROVAN then Juha and I headed to the THEATER to get some tickets for his mom and make a solid €1 profit! We then headed to a Thai&Laos place for their delicious lunch buffet. Their tomatoe soup was so spicy (tulinen aka fiery/spicy)... but overall, great restaurant! I was really excited because it was my first time eating out in TAMPERE (TamerFORS in Swedish) since the summer. While walking back to the van, we noticed a sign for a Finnish school and went in to ask. After a solid 10 minute conversation with the overwhelmed teacher there, Juha told me I can go tomorrow at 9am and see if there's room for me to register!
The teacher seemed really knowledgable and the course is from 9am-12pm, Monday to Friday for only €40/month! AWESOMENESSNESS! (I really, really hope I can get a spot.)
So after SKIPPING home (can you tell I'm still giddy?), and doing some daily shopping, of course!, I did a bit more GMAT studying.
Anyway, long story short, we watched "I love you, man" and I discovered the LONGEST word in the Finnish language (well not actually) EVER (lies):
"interior designer"
BRACE YOURSELF!
sisustussuunnittelija
...now try saying it out loud. And remember to emphasize the double letters. I said "sisustussynnyttelijä," which means interior birth giver. (Insert laugh here.)
And that's that. I'll let you know how language school goes!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)