Since most of you should know my leanings this holiday season...
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
HYVÄÄ JOULUA!
FROHE WEINACHTEN!
圣诞快乐！(sheng dan kuai le)
I'm exhausted from making 3 different kinds of casseroles (lanttu/rutabaga, peruna/potato, ja/and porkkana/carrot), and liking rutabaga/"lanttu" casserole for the first time in my 20 years, baking a "lihapiirakka" (I guess you could call it a meat pasty, or a meat pie. But meat pies remind me of Sweeny Todd...), we made a "mystery pie" since we couldn't make Christmas tortes, so we added apples to the crust... baked rolls and Christmas cookies (I also made some for our dogs and for the dogs of our family friends)...ate so much food! Didn't get too much in the way of presents, not that I was expecting anything. I asked for a new coffee maker, which I got, and a new lens for my camera (a 50mm lens if you're wondering, supposedly good for portraits). I also got a $50 Visa gift card and a schnauzer puppy calendar from a family friend.
Seeing as my Christmas celebrations are done (we're Christmas Eve folks, as is tradition in Finland), I'll be wishing you all the best for this holiday season and for the coming new year!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Another year winds down...
I was thinking today, that it's December 21st, that means the year is almost over. How quickly it went by! I swear, time goes by so much faster as you get older!
What a year it's been! I spent 5 months in China (of all places), had a blast, went to Finland, got joint issues (98% resolved now), started back at UW, had possibly the best semester of my college career grades-wise (I got an A in Chinese, woo!), dealt with some crap with myself and others, and...yeah. CRAZINESS. It's been a good year, I think. I've grown up a lot, and have gotten a lot more stable on my own two feet. That's not to say that there aren't still issues to work out, there'll always be issues, but I feel like they're not the end of the world. I can still function well with them (or without..).
As for this next year, I have some ideas about "resolutions." Well, I don't really like resolutions, because I never keep them. However, these are more like next semester things that could be more long term:
A.) Catch up with my friends i.e. be more social. This past semester I was a bit of a recluse now that I got my own room at school, but I realized that I miss people. I miss being around them, laughing with them, having fun with them. I miss that, I do.
B.) Keep up the good work at school Because at the moment, with two classes with grades submitted, I have a 3.3 semester gpa (which is the best that I've had since high school), but that could change depending on my other classes as they appear. (O Chem lab, and my English class have yet to submit scores...). I have a large load on my plate next semester, with the most credits I've ever had, but with light days in between...which leads to the next one:
C.) *Possibly* Start a TCK/CCK group on campus. If you know me, I may have mentioned my being a TCK/CCK (Third Culture Kid/Cross Culture Kid). I've found that on campus there are actually are a number of us, with those who possibly don't even know that there's a name for the restlessness/out of place-ness they feel. So, if I have time (time's the big issue), I'll try to start it up. I also have great resources to help me (see the link). The thing is, the TCKid.com website have this "local leaders" thing, which can help me out with this, but I'd probably end up being the Wisconsin "local leader" which is a big responsibility, whereas I feel like I could help out more on campus...We'll see.
and last but DEFINATELY not least...
4.) Get closer to God. I feel like I'm not at a place in my life, where I can accept God again. I'd been living too long for myself, having "earthly" fun and it didn't help the loneliness/emptiness I felt inside. So, I'm going to make a good effort into spending more one-on-one time with Him, since I've found a great church and through that a bible study. I just need to spend some quality time with the Lord, to get to know Him, and to let Him into my life more. Pray for me?
I know it's a bit early for a "New Year's Post" but I was just thinking about it...*shrug* Have a happy holidays!
What a year it's been! I spent 5 months in China (of all places), had a blast, went to Finland, got joint issues (98% resolved now), started back at UW, had possibly the best semester of my college career grades-wise (I got an A in Chinese, woo!), dealt with some crap with myself and others, and...yeah. CRAZINESS. It's been a good year, I think. I've grown up a lot, and have gotten a lot more stable on my own two feet. That's not to say that there aren't still issues to work out, there'll always be issues, but I feel like they're not the end of the world. I can still function well with them (or without..).
As for this next year, I have some ideas about "resolutions." Well, I don't really like resolutions, because I never keep them. However, these are more like next semester things that could be more long term:
A.) Catch up with my friends i.e. be more social. This past semester I was a bit of a recluse now that I got my own room at school, but I realized that I miss people. I miss being around them, laughing with them, having fun with them. I miss that, I do.
B.) Keep up the good work at school Because at the moment, with two classes with grades submitted, I have a 3.3 semester gpa (which is the best that I've had since high school), but that could change depending on my other classes as they appear. (O Chem lab, and my English class have yet to submit scores...). I have a large load on my plate next semester, with the most credits I've ever had, but with light days in between...which leads to the next one:
C.) *Possibly* Start a TCK/CCK group on campus. If you know me, I may have mentioned my being a TCK/CCK (Third Culture Kid/Cross Culture Kid). I've found that on campus there are actually are a number of us, with those who possibly don't even know that there's a name for the restlessness/out of place-ness they feel. So, if I have time (time's the big issue), I'll try to start it up. I also have great resources to help me (see the link). The thing is, the TCKid.com website have this "local leaders" thing, which can help me out with this, but I'd probably end up being the Wisconsin "local leader" which is a big responsibility, whereas I feel like I could help out more on campus...We'll see.
and last but DEFINATELY not least...
4.) Get closer to God. I feel like I'm not at a place in my life, where I can accept God again. I'd been living too long for myself, having "earthly" fun and it didn't help the loneliness/emptiness I felt inside. So, I'm going to make a good effort into spending more one-on-one time with Him, since I've found a great church and through that a bible study. I just need to spend some quality time with the Lord, to get to know Him, and to let Him into my life more. Pray for me?
I know it's a bit early for a "New Year's Post" but I was just thinking about it...*shrug* Have a happy holidays!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
heh.
Yeah, my organic chem exam was 102/200, but my total class score isn't looking too good. I think I may have failed oraganic chemistry. It was a bitch anyway. I took my Chinese exam today, and I've done relatively well in that class (I've gotten no lower than a 90 on my tests/quizzes, and all A's on my homework.), so I'm hoping that it will kind of cover it. o chem=3 credits, Chinese=6 (which is a ridiculous amount anyway, but it tilts the odds in my favor).
Also, before my Chinese exam, I met with an Global Studies advisor-man, because I really REALLY want to work abroad when I graduate. I'm looking at German-speaking countries, and especially trying to find this three-month bible college in Austria that I heard about, with a program in English AND a program in German, which would be awesome. The advisor-man (who was very young, and open minded! nice!) said that a big problem for people who want to go abroad, especially to Europe: A.) have loans (which I thankfully do not have), and B.) Visa issues. The thing is, since I'm a dual citizen with Finland, which is an EU country, I don't have to worry about visas. SWEET. I also talked to him about starting up a TCK group on campus. There are a lot of people dealing with issues that go along with it, without knowing that they're not alone. The advisor-man seemed to be really for it. And he also liked the fact that I'm so multi-lingual, and told me to keep going with Chinese. Though I sometimes wonder why I'm studying it...I don't even like it that much...I mean I do like it, but I don't LOVE it as much as studying German was, or even Finnish..
*snirk* Typing "advisor-man" is fun...
Well, I have an exam on Thursday which I should be studying for, especially if I failed o chem, to get the GPA to go in my favor...Pray for me?
Also, before my Chinese exam, I met with an Global Studies advisor-man, because I really REALLY want to work abroad when I graduate. I'm looking at German-speaking countries, and especially trying to find this three-month bible college in Austria that I heard about, with a program in English AND a program in German, which would be awesome. The advisor-man (who was very young, and open minded! nice!) said that a big problem for people who want to go abroad, especially to Europe: A.) have loans (which I thankfully do not have), and B.) Visa issues. The thing is, since I'm a dual citizen with Finland, which is an EU country, I don't have to worry about visas. SWEET. I also talked to him about starting up a TCK group on campus. There are a lot of people dealing with issues that go along with it, without knowing that they're not alone. The advisor-man seemed to be really for it. And he also liked the fact that I'm so multi-lingual, and told me to keep going with Chinese. Though I sometimes wonder why I'm studying it...I don't even like it that much...I mean I do like it, but I don't LOVE it as much as studying German was, or even Finnish..
*snirk* Typing "advisor-man" is fun...
Well, I have an exam on Thursday which I should be studying for, especially if I failed o chem, to get the GPA to go in my favor...Pray for me?
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Itsenäisyyden Päivä/Independence Day
My lovely friend Tiina wrote about today's importance to Finland: December 6th is Finland's independence day (from Russia for those who don't know).
There are no fireworks, no fanfare, and perhaps very few parties (if any). In fact, it's a very solemn affair. You see, Finland was rocked by several wars, which I have no doubt that every Finn has some familial connection to these wars. (The Winter War, the Continuation War... aka WWI and WWII, to my understanding--Tiina, feel free to correct me) In fact, all of my great grandfathers fought in those wars, all but one survived (I have that great-grandfather's violin, I cherish it). My great-grandmothers were also involved, my grandmother's mother was a "lotta" in the war while raising 3 kids on her own (kind of like a nurse, how I understand it). My maternal grandfather remembers being evacuated out of the Karelia (Karjala) region of Finland that was given to Russia.
As for me, most people don't even know I'm even FROM Finland. Sometimes they don't believe me when I tell them (well, then they ask if I speak "...uuh, Finland-ish?" It's Finnish). Even in my own room, the only "Finnish" things are some artwork from two Finnish artists: a piece by Tove Jansson and Kaj Stenvall. I sometimes feel as if Finland isn't even my "isänmaa" or "fatherland" anymore. I know all my family is over there (with the exception of my mom and dad and some 2nd cousins in Canada), but they don't know me. They never will. They don't even try. I do have some lovely friends there, but even that number has dwindled from when I lived there for a year in high school.
So all I can do on this day is remember those who have been lost, and what an impact these things have had on Finland's history, remember my family members who have been affected by tragedy, and do some homework due on Monday.
This post was supposed to have a point, but I guess it doesn't, sorry.
There are no fireworks, no fanfare, and perhaps very few parties (if any). In fact, it's a very solemn affair. You see, Finland was rocked by several wars, which I have no doubt that every Finn has some familial connection to these wars. (The Winter War, the Continuation War... aka WWI and WWII, to my understanding--Tiina, feel free to correct me) In fact, all of my great grandfathers fought in those wars, all but one survived (I have that great-grandfather's violin, I cherish it). My great-grandmothers were also involved, my grandmother's mother was a "lotta" in the war while raising 3 kids on her own (kind of like a nurse, how I understand it). My maternal grandfather remembers being evacuated out of the Karelia (Karjala) region of Finland that was given to Russia.
As for me, most people don't even know I'm even FROM Finland. Sometimes they don't believe me when I tell them (well, then they ask if I speak "...uuh, Finland-ish?" It's Finnish). Even in my own room, the only "Finnish" things are some artwork from two Finnish artists: a piece by Tove Jansson and Kaj Stenvall. I sometimes feel as if Finland isn't even my "isänmaa" or "fatherland" anymore. I know all my family is over there (with the exception of my mom and dad and some 2nd cousins in Canada), but they don't know me. They never will. They don't even try. I do have some lovely friends there, but even that number has dwindled from when I lived there for a year in high school.
So all I can do on this day is remember those who have been lost, and what an impact these things have had on Finland's history, remember my family members who have been affected by tragedy, and do some homework due on Monday.
This post was supposed to have a point, but I guess it doesn't, sorry.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Broken
1. Put your iPod or other music player on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
"Happy is a Yuppie Word" by Switchfoot
WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
"On the Border" by the Eagles
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
"Baobabs" by Regina Spektor (WHAT? the song is about love anyway..)
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
“Spiderwebs" by No Doubt
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
"Everlong" by the Foo Fighters
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
"Koti-Ikävää" by Various Artists ("homesickness?" i guess you could translate it that way..)
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
"If It Makes You Happy" by Sheryl Crow
WHAT IS 2+2?
"Road Runner" by Aerosmith
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
"Samsonite Man" by Alicia Keys (HA HA)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
"Kiss the Girl" from the Little Mermaid (appropriate I guess?)
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
"Don't Know Why" by Norah Jones
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
"Curb" by Nickelback
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
"C'est Si Bon" by Louis Armstrong (teehee)
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
"These Words (I Love You) by Natasha Bedingfield
WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
"Wake Up and Smell the Coffee" by the Cranberries
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
"Back to the Ground" by Jamie Cullum (HA HA HOW APPROPRIATE!)
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
"Landslide" by the Dixie Chicks
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
"What About Me" by some dude...I have no idea who it is...
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
"Kuurupiiloa" by Irina ("Hide and Seek")
WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
"7 Days to the Wolves" by Nightwish with the new singer, not as good as the original.
HOW WILL YOU DIE?
"Symphony #41 in C, K 551, 'Jupiter' -1. Allegro Vivace" by Mozart (I actually played this song in high school..)
WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
"Return the Favour" by the Hives
WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
"Just a Girl" by No Doubt
WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
"We're All to Blame" by Sum 41
WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
"Tip of my Tongue" by the Beatles
WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
"A Home" by Dixie Chicks (uncannily true..)
DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
"Viidestoista Yö" by Juice Leskinen ("The 15th Night" by one of the greatest Finnish musicians of all time...)
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
"Planet of the Sun" by Negative (Finnish Band)
WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
"Oceano" by Josh Groban (what??)
WHAT WILL YOU RE-POST THIS AS?
"Broken" by Norah Jones
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
"Happy is a Yuppie Word" by Switchfoot
WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
"On the Border" by the Eagles
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
"Baobabs" by Regina Spektor (WHAT? the song is about love anyway..)
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
“Spiderwebs" by No Doubt
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
"Everlong" by the Foo Fighters
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
"Koti-Ikävää" by Various Artists ("homesickness?" i guess you could translate it that way..)
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
"If It Makes You Happy" by Sheryl Crow
WHAT IS 2+2?
"Road Runner" by Aerosmith
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
"Samsonite Man" by Alicia Keys (HA HA)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
"Kiss the Girl" from the Little Mermaid (appropriate I guess?)
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
"Don't Know Why" by Norah Jones
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
"Curb" by Nickelback
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
"C'est Si Bon" by Louis Armstrong (teehee)
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
"These Words (I Love You) by Natasha Bedingfield
WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
"Wake Up and Smell the Coffee" by the Cranberries
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
"Back to the Ground" by Jamie Cullum (HA HA HOW APPROPRIATE!)
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
"Landslide" by the Dixie Chicks
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
"What About Me" by some dude...I have no idea who it is...
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
"Kuurupiiloa" by Irina ("Hide and Seek")
WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
"7 Days to the Wolves" by Nightwish with the new singer, not as good as the original.
HOW WILL YOU DIE?
"Symphony #41 in C, K 551, 'Jupiter' -1. Allegro Vivace" by Mozart (I actually played this song in high school..)
WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
"Return the Favour" by the Hives
WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
"Just a Girl" by No Doubt
WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
"We're All to Blame" by Sum 41
WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
"Tip of my Tongue" by the Beatles
WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
"A Home" by Dixie Chicks (uncannily true..)
DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
"Viidestoista Yö" by Juice Leskinen ("The 15th Night" by one of the greatest Finnish musicians of all time...)
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
"Planet of the Sun" by Negative (Finnish Band)
WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
"Oceano" by Josh Groban (what??)
WHAT WILL YOU RE-POST THIS AS?
"Broken" by Norah Jones
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