Saturday, August 15, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
FB Purity blocked: this app msgs [Show]
I took the liberty to use a gray day for something else but doing nothing. Concerned about the uncertain fun-factor of my summer, I'm trying to spend each day actually doing something worth remembering, this way, even if I didn't have fun, I would still have done something so as not to sit on the computer all day. A question rises: How is blogging not sitting on the computer? Well, simply because it only takes a few moments and involves at least a bit of brain activity. So, compared to updating your facebook page, its quite a thrill.
Facebook, facebook, facebook, now there's something for the individual to hate and love simultaneously. Constant pop-ups about tests people have been taking, nobody really cares about other peoples answers, they only care about their own and hope that others would care enough to post a funny comment about how you are a wild-drunk or most suited to marry Jennifer Lopez. That's why they send them to everyone, and in hopes of seeing their results after the compulsory 15 invites.
While waiting for a facebook trash-filter, I have also realized that facebook is the worst invention for people who want to have their own privacy. You can't get rid of anyone, except by blocking or ignoring their friend requests. Ignoring is something I have become quite fond of, I enjoy having the power to ignore someone I really haven't talked to more than once. I don't care If they went to the same school or have 30 mutual friends with me, If I don't recognize you or haven't said one word to you, then please, save yourself and don't try to befriend me. Sometimes I wonder if those people just click Add as friend on every single person facebook tries to offer them on the people you may know -tool, emphasize on the word may. However, I think a better name for that tool would be: People you may know, but who may not know you since they still haven't asked you to be their friend.
Facebook is sure to be one of the highest forms of self-promoting. Think about it, people clicking away, reporting about their thoughts, doings of the day, mistakes and embarrassments and down right stupid actions. Adding pictures about these events, pictures about their trips and friends and their own faces x10 + 2 per day. After that they tag each other and laugh about funny faces for days and nights, throwing a few comments here and there, letting everyone know how good friends they are, or even changing their status between: In a relationship and single every two weeks.
I'm not saying I hate all things related to facebook. I admit, I have done most of the previously mentioned stuff and enjoyed it, but I didn't say I enjoy others doing it. Selfish as I am, I like to promote myself every now and then, but hearing about people I don't like annoys me. So today I decided to delete some of the people I have as my friends, people I really don't care hearing about. Now I can safely say my facebook is way more interesting, with less annoying people. Soon I might start a new policy, deleting everyone who does tests, not that it any longer bothers me, thanks to the funny monkey-icon program Niklas set on my computer, it filters all that crap away.
Now, to finish this post I might just do a bit of self-promotion myself: For those who don't know (being no-one since only my parents read this blog) dad is back, has been for a few weeks actually (And not only is he back in Finland, but you can also find him on facebook!). It has made life way more easy (him being back, not the fact that he is on facebook) and once again I have started to avoid all responsibilities. In addition, it's summer, so everything should be great, except that its not: I don't have a job, so I don't have money and as a result, I don't have many options of what to do. Luckily I have Niklas and his graduation gift money. Niklas betalar - like the swedes say. Did I mention that I am currently sitting in his room, only a few meters away from where he hides all that money and there's nobody here besides me? Well, now you know... ...have fun at work, see you next year!
Now I shall go on facebook and update my status about posting a new blog.
Facebook, facebook, facebook, now there's something for the individual to hate and love simultaneously. Constant pop-ups about tests people have been taking, nobody really cares about other peoples answers, they only care about their own and hope that others would care enough to post a funny comment about how you are a wild-drunk or most suited to marry Jennifer Lopez. That's why they send them to everyone, and in hopes of seeing their results after the compulsory 15 invites.
While waiting for a facebook trash-filter, I have also realized that facebook is the worst invention for people who want to have their own privacy. You can't get rid of anyone, except by blocking or ignoring their friend requests. Ignoring is something I have become quite fond of, I enjoy having the power to ignore someone I really haven't talked to more than once. I don't care If they went to the same school or have 30 mutual friends with me, If I don't recognize you or haven't said one word to you, then please, save yourself and don't try to befriend me. Sometimes I wonder if those people just click Add as friend on every single person facebook tries to offer them on the people you may know -tool, emphasize on the word may. However, I think a better name for that tool would be: People you may know, but who may not know you since they still haven't asked you to be their friend.
Facebook is sure to be one of the highest forms of self-promoting. Think about it, people clicking away, reporting about their thoughts, doings of the day, mistakes and embarrassments and down right stupid actions. Adding pictures about these events, pictures about their trips and friends and their own faces x10 + 2 per day. After that they tag each other and laugh about funny faces for days and nights, throwing a few comments here and there, letting everyone know how good friends they are, or even changing their status between: In a relationship and single every two weeks.
I'm not saying I hate all things related to facebook. I admit, I have done most of the previously mentioned stuff and enjoyed it, but I didn't say I enjoy others doing it. Selfish as I am, I like to promote myself every now and then, but hearing about people I don't like annoys me. So today I decided to delete some of the people I have as my friends, people I really don't care hearing about. Now I can safely say my facebook is way more interesting, with less annoying people. Soon I might start a new policy, deleting everyone who does tests, not that it any longer bothers me, thanks to the funny monkey-icon program Niklas set on my computer, it filters all that crap away.
Now, to finish this post I might just do a bit of self-promotion myself: For those who don't know (being no-one since only my parents read this blog) dad is back, has been for a few weeks actually (And not only is he back in Finland, but you can also find him on facebook!). It has made life way more easy (him being back, not the fact that he is on facebook) and once again I have started to avoid all responsibilities. In addition, it's summer, so everything should be great, except that its not: I don't have a job, so I don't have money and as a result, I don't have many options of what to do. Luckily I have Niklas and his graduation gift money. Niklas betalar - like the swedes say. Did I mention that I am currently sitting in his room, only a few meters away from where he hides all that money and there's nobody here besides me? Well, now you know... ...have fun at work, see you next year!
Now I shall go on facebook and update my status about posting a new blog.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
What a boring piece of a (censored)
I like to read. I don't read too often, due to a lack of interest in starting a project like reading. However, the reason why I like to read is simple and common: It's a great way to loosen up and let your thoughts rest, diving in the world of font and paper. Bad books are no fun though. You can recognize a bad book from the toughness of reading it. If you feel like it's forced, you shouldn't feel obliged to continue. But don't be fooled by boring books! Boring books have their upsides: If the start and ending are good, you might be happy to have scrolled through all those pages. And in the end, the ending truly matters. A good ending is the crown jewel.
The four last weeks of my life truly have been book worthy. It's not like I'm going to start writing an autobiography, blogging is as far as I will go with it, but if you can say something about those pre-mentioned weeks, I would call them dreamy. What I'm trying to say is, that these weeks have been something out of the ordinary. So much has happened and in a totally different setting as my usual life. No parents, home alone and somehow I've managed to slave myself a (censored) of my own. I had friends around most of the time and felt almost complete control over my actions. Polar bear partying, late nights chatting with friends, cuddling my (pillow) and getting meals cooked for me by my (slave). All was fine, all was different.
Like books, even my flash of independent life had to come to an end. My mother returned from her trip to New Zealand, which ended the late nights with friends. Although it's nice to have her around, it has also brought me back to the old lifestyle of sharing the house. So no more late visits from friends or messing up the house. The more apparent step back to basics went in action last Sunday. Around midnight that day, my (slave) left to Laos for three weeks. It's not like he's staying there for ever, but it's the absence that makes me realize, my life is almost the same now as before my mother left: family life with no (slave).
Time for the problemo of this long blog: What the heck did I do and how the heck did I spend my time four weeks ago? I've been finding it difficult to figure out what to do after school simply because I can't remember what I used to do. I have more time for friends and interests, which is good, but somehow I feel very lonely and sad anyway. It has only been two days, so maybe it will come back to me, but ideas are very, very welcome. Any ideas involving splurging money, can not, however, be accepted.
Well, that's that for now. Oh, and P.s. I have now managed to climb some negative walls in wall-climbing, so that's one step closer to fulfilling my dreams. Maybe some day I will go to Laos and climb rocks, leave the slave home to hug his pillows. And I won't stay just for three weeks! Now there's an ending.
The four last weeks of my life truly have been book worthy. It's not like I'm going to start writing an autobiography, blogging is as far as I will go with it, but if you can say something about those pre-mentioned weeks, I would call them dreamy. What I'm trying to say is, that these weeks have been something out of the ordinary. So much has happened and in a totally different setting as my usual life. No parents, home alone and somehow I've managed to slave myself a (censored) of my own. I had friends around most of the time and felt almost complete control over my actions. Polar bear partying, late nights chatting with friends, cuddling my (pillow) and getting meals cooked for me by my (slave). All was fine, all was different.
Like books, even my flash of independent life had to come to an end. My mother returned from her trip to New Zealand, which ended the late nights with friends. Although it's nice to have her around, it has also brought me back to the old lifestyle of sharing the house. So no more late visits from friends or messing up the house. The more apparent step back to basics went in action last Sunday. Around midnight that day, my (slave) left to Laos for three weeks. It's not like he's staying there for ever, but it's the absence that makes me realize, my life is almost the same now as before my mother left: family life with no (slave).
Time for the problemo of this long blog: What the heck did I do and how the heck did I spend my time four weeks ago? I've been finding it difficult to figure out what to do after school simply because I can't remember what I used to do. I have more time for friends and interests, which is good, but somehow I feel very lonely and sad anyway. It has only been two days, so maybe it will come back to me, but ideas are very, very welcome. Any ideas involving splurging money, can not, however, be accepted.
Well, that's that for now. Oh, and P.s. I have now managed to climb some negative walls in wall-climbing, so that's one step closer to fulfilling my dreams. Maybe some day I will go to Laos and climb rocks, leave the slave home to hug his pillows. And I won't stay just for three weeks! Now there's an ending.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Scrutinizing the reward-guidelines for government-owned companies
In my last blog I mentioned a serious lack of depression and sadness in my life resulting in a writers block. Note: Lack. In addition, I decided to take on more social subjects and topics, that refer to phenomenons or events around us. Choosing a more meaningful subject than my own life seemed like a good idea, but come to think about it, it's not. We all know my life is way more interesting than politics or economy. Also, I know nothing about politics or economics. Well, maybe a little. Instead of the headlining topic, this post is hereby re-named: Late nights before the spring awakens. Sounds posh right? Slightly poetic with a twist of lame and cliche.
Friday was a good day. Although the idea of spending the last two months of school mostly in school (8am - 4:15pm/5 days a week) haunted me slightly, there was nothing bringing me down properly, as me and Miranda sat on the rocks next to our school, enjoying the sun, coffee and the sound of grit-free streets. Watching other people run in a circle suffering, was a good plus. The day was almost perfect, I didn't mind being there at all.
Later in the day I ran around town and Vantaa, searching for food for a birthday-party we were setting up for a friend in the evening. She was turning 18, and we thought it would be a good idea to organize a surprise birthday, with a cocktail-theme (not to my liking). After fixing up some tomato, mozzarella, pesto and smoked salmon, avocado, lemon -appetizers with an additional cake and pastries, we sat down and waited for the birthday girl to arrive. The wait was long, so in the meantime we came up with a plan: The b-day girl's boyfriend would hide in a room, sitting on the bed with a rose in his mouth, card in his lap with the rest of the house dark. I would hide under the bed covers and Krista would be ready to take a picture as the b-day girl walked in. To completely understand the brilliance of this plan, you should know, that for the whole previous week all of us had been lying that we were only going to have a small girls-night with the four of us, no boyfriends or extra people allowed. We also told her we were waiting, wearing pyjamas and messy hair. The truth was, everyone else was nicely made up, wearing cocktail-skirts and heels, well, everyone except me. I had failed to pick out a dress, because even though I tried every single awful dress in Gina Tricot and H&M, I hated them all. So I was dressed as a polar bear with a waistcoat and bow tie.
The plan worked brilliantly, she was amazed and joyful when she realised who it was waiting for her. I think my suit also made an impression though. So we had her put on the dress we bought her, with all the bling too of course. And the night went on with more people arriving as they could, eating food and sipping drinks. It was a nice mellow party, not too many loud mouths going on and on about boring yadayada. Dancing was also detected during the night: Me, in my polar bear costume, rocking it away, alone. I guess there always has to be a clown. More, additional people involving dancing, was also spotted later on, so let's take it as me inspiring people to lift their feet and let the tennis bat swing.
Hopefully I will get some pictures, to explain the vibe a bit better, not that you would ever understand the magic of wearing that over sized furry-suit that almost caused my death in one point (It lit up a little bit, but no worries, the suit just needs a little patching). So an all-in-all successful birthday with all the characteristics of a party: Munchies, refreshments, stupid dancing, disco/Christmas lights, a clown, fire hazards, one ''complaint'' from the downstairs neighbour (''Are you guys having a party? Hey, wait a minute, aren't you the one who borrowed two euros from me?'') and a hell of a mess afterwards. Hi mum! Hi dad!
All is good now anyway. It was a late night after a beautiful spring day. I finally feel like spring is here and I have awakened from the endless night of winter. But not like in that musical...
There's a lot of symbolism involved in that one day and the weeks surrounding it. Living alone has been a good ride so far, no doubt about it. Maybe I should write poems and challenge my friend Iiro in the strange-poetry section.
The polarbear dies,
Sitting on the freezer
Smoke rises,
Flames light up
CO2,
Smoking kills,
So does drowning.
Friday was a good day. Although the idea of spending the last two months of school mostly in school (8am - 4:15pm/5 days a week) haunted me slightly, there was nothing bringing me down properly, as me and Miranda sat on the rocks next to our school, enjoying the sun, coffee and the sound of grit-free streets. Watching other people run in a circle suffering, was a good plus. The day was almost perfect, I didn't mind being there at all.
Later in the day I ran around town and Vantaa, searching for food for a birthday-party we were setting up for a friend in the evening. She was turning 18, and we thought it would be a good idea to organize a surprise birthday, with a cocktail-theme (not to my liking). After fixing up some tomato, mozzarella, pesto and smoked salmon, avocado, lemon -appetizers with an additional cake and pastries, we sat down and waited for the birthday girl to arrive. The wait was long, so in the meantime we came up with a plan: The b-day girl's boyfriend would hide in a room, sitting on the bed with a rose in his mouth, card in his lap with the rest of the house dark. I would hide under the bed covers and Krista would be ready to take a picture as the b-day girl walked in. To completely understand the brilliance of this plan, you should know, that for the whole previous week all of us had been lying that we were only going to have a small girls-night with the four of us, no boyfriends or extra people allowed. We also told her we were waiting, wearing pyjamas and messy hair. The truth was, everyone else was nicely made up, wearing cocktail-skirts and heels, well, everyone except me. I had failed to pick out a dress, because even though I tried every single awful dress in Gina Tricot and H&M, I hated them all. So I was dressed as a polar bear with a waistcoat and bow tie.
The plan worked brilliantly, she was amazed and joyful when she realised who it was waiting for her. I think my suit also made an impression though. So we had her put on the dress we bought her, with all the bling too of course. And the night went on with more people arriving as they could, eating food and sipping drinks. It was a nice mellow party, not too many loud mouths going on and on about boring yadayada. Dancing was also detected during the night: Me, in my polar bear costume, rocking it away, alone. I guess there always has to be a clown. More, additional people involving dancing, was also spotted later on, so let's take it as me inspiring people to lift their feet and let the tennis bat swing.
Hopefully I will get some pictures, to explain the vibe a bit better, not that you would ever understand the magic of wearing that over sized furry-suit that almost caused my death in one point (It lit up a little bit, but no worries, the suit just needs a little patching). So an all-in-all successful birthday with all the characteristics of a party: Munchies, refreshments, stupid dancing, disco/Christmas lights, a clown, fire hazards, one ''complaint'' from the downstairs neighbour (''Are you guys having a party? Hey, wait a minute, aren't you the one who borrowed two euros from me?'') and a hell of a mess afterwards. Hi mum! Hi dad!
All is good now anyway. It was a late night after a beautiful spring day. I finally feel like spring is here and I have awakened from the endless night of winter. But not like in that musical...
There's a lot of symbolism involved in that one day and the weeks surrounding it. Living alone has been a good ride so far, no doubt about it. Maybe I should write poems and challenge my friend Iiro in the strange-poetry section.
The polarbear dies,
Sitting on the freezer
Smoke rises,
Flames light up
CO2,
Smoking kills,
So does drowning.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
The Eternal Burning of the Careless Mind
There comes a time in ones life, when feeling miserable is about all you can feel. Days, or periods of floating in one's self pity, feeling alone and hopeless. Every normal person has experienced that, and if not, they are either alien or Tom Cruise* (*read: alien) . Although low points are something a lot of people fear, every now and then it's actually a good thing to let out and think about everything wrong with you and the world. It makes you think about your life so far and make adjustments to ease the future. These adjustments hardly ever work, but it's all apart of our survival. Through the roller coaster we ride, and we learn and we find our true selves.
Enough with all the deep-talk. It's time to switch the emo-music your secretly listening to, to something better, like anything else except My Chemical Romance (Besides, it's so 2006). Trust me, there are a lot worse things in the world than not getting a car for your sweet 16. For instance: Me being happy! Being happy and without a care in the world sucks even worse than your old vacuum cleaner. I have absolutely nothing to write about, and I have totally lost all the mystique and absent-mindedness that made me at least a bit interesting. When nothing affects you, nothing stands out. And when nothing stands out for me, I don't get any inspiration or subjects to nag about. So from now on, or for the time being, I will concentrate on more interesting subjects than my now happydappyloviedoviebowie -life. As a result, for my next blog I will write about scrutinizing the reward-guidelines for government-owned companies. They say social subjects are way more interesting right?
Enough with all the deep-talk. It's time to switch the emo-music your secretly listening to, to something better, like anything else except My Chemical Romance (Besides, it's so 2006). Trust me, there are a lot worse things in the world than not getting a car for your sweet 16. For instance: Me being happy! Being happy and without a care in the world sucks even worse than your old vacuum cleaner. I have absolutely nothing to write about, and I have totally lost all the mystique and absent-mindedness that made me at least a bit interesting. When nothing affects you, nothing stands out. And when nothing stands out for me, I don't get any inspiration or subjects to nag about. So from now on, or for the time being, I will concentrate on more interesting subjects than my now happydappyloviedoviebowie -life. As a result, for my next blog I will write about scrutinizing the reward-guidelines for government-owned companies. They say social subjects are way more interesting right?
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
I do what ever
Since mamma mia went back to NZ, I have been home alone with the cats and some company from friends time to time. Living alone isn't much of a big deal for me, it gives me a little freedom to prance around the house how ever and when ever I want to, wearing what ever. Living alone also sparks some unknown territories in my brains and makes me almost tidy up after myself. I almost become a responsible adult. But no one is perfect, because even I have secretly been slacking on something: schoolwork.
In my new regime, I have learnt to delegate my work. In school, I use the time with no lessons, to do my tasks for courses and also do a bit (or a lot) of chatting and scrolling facebook. After school I run for the store, buy a cheap piece of bread and run for the bus, this is the warm-up for the wall climbing. After climbing for a few hours I take the bus to Helsinki and another to Myyrmäki. If I miss the buss, I eat in town, if not, I eat at home. When I get home it's about 9pm, so I only have enough time to take a shower, feed and play with the cats and go to bed.
The previous has been my regime for a few days now, but exam week is on the corner and a lot is going to change during it. I wonder, will I make it through a month without having a good break every once in a while? I'm glad to have Veera knocking on my door for company, she keeps me sane and feeds me. However, I don't have time to chat with my parents on Skype, not that I'd want to anyway: My computer is slower than my unnamed friend counting math, very slow, that is. Besides, I'm not really the happy family wave for the camera -type of a person. I did it when my mom was doing it, but It gets a bit boring by time.
Well, life in Home alone vol. 9(?) has been great fun so far. I get to take a shower in peace and use my mother's warmythingy (a scruffy old lumberjack-style blouse or what ever you should call it). Next Saturday I'm hosting a HUGE MEGA PARTY, so everyone is welcome to have an AWESOME time and throw stuff of the balcony. My address is: Nowayin H 311, 101101 Gohome. See ya there!!
In my new regime, I have learnt to delegate my work. In school, I use the time with no lessons, to do my tasks for courses and also do a bit (or a lot) of chatting and scrolling facebook. After school I run for the store, buy a cheap piece of bread and run for the bus, this is the warm-up for the wall climbing. After climbing for a few hours I take the bus to Helsinki and another to Myyrmäki. If I miss the buss, I eat in town, if not, I eat at home. When I get home it's about 9pm, so I only have enough time to take a shower, feed and play with the cats and go to bed.
The previous has been my regime for a few days now, but exam week is on the corner and a lot is going to change during it. I wonder, will I make it through a month without having a good break every once in a while? I'm glad to have Veera knocking on my door for company, she keeps me sane and feeds me. However, I don't have time to chat with my parents on Skype, not that I'd want to anyway: My computer is slower than my unnamed friend counting math, very slow, that is. Besides, I'm not really the happy family wave for the camera -type of a person. I did it when my mom was doing it, but It gets a bit boring by time.
Well, life in Home alone vol. 9(?) has been great fun so far. I get to take a shower in peace and use my mother's warmythingy (a scruffy old lumberjack-style blouse or what ever you should call it). Next Saturday I'm hosting a HUGE MEGA PARTY, so everyone is welcome to have an AWESOME time and throw stuff of the balcony. My address is: Nowayin H 311, 101101 Gohome. See ya there!!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Ms. Claustrophobia went fishing with Mr. Jet Lag on their Rocky Boat and caught Rabies.
Once upon a time there was a big boat. This boat was filled with all the loveliest creations of the world, like drunk teenagers and cheap booze. Life on the boat was peaceful, no drama, no embarrassing dancing or public humping in deck clubs nor any seasickness or bad ideas. Everyone got along perfectly and never argued about things people actually had not done. And never was anyone bored, or claustrophobic, just waiting for the boat to reach land in order to catch a plane home.
This was the boat I was not on a few weeks ago.
Of course there were some resemblances: Drunk teens and cheap booze.
After I returned from New Zealand, late on Thursday 25Th February, I had to get ready for another trip. The next day, on Friday, me and my year mates boarded a ship to Stockholm. Numerous attempts and successes of sneaking booze past security and onto the ship, took place on that historical day. Some had a straightforward approach to the booze problem, sneaking it in their bags and hoping they wouldn't get searched. Others took bigger precautions, or at least a bigger bra, to make sure their alcohol would get on the ship, or at least in their cleavage. A few innovative people probably just drank their alcohol before boarding the ship, a smart choice if you want to pass out in the first few hours and there by don't need to experience the true horrors of life on a Finnish cruise.
After all the mambojambo in the terminal, the boat was of to blue and yellow land, a place few Finnish people admit they like, at least not during the ice hockey world championships.
Life on the ship was quite the opposite to prior notions, but I took pride in not being in the center of it all. Truth be told, I spent most of the time feeling sick in my cabin. Later I feel that my share of partying mostly took place in my stomach, between Mr. Jet Lag and Mrs. Rocky Boat. A few successful attempts of having fun did succeed nevertheless, (like a small toga party I slipped into with my rumbling stomach and tired mind) but claustrophobia did creep into my mind more than once, I even thought about the ship sinking and about rabies, but more as a joke. However it made me think about taking a plane back from Sweden instead of boarding the ship again the next day.
As we know, flying isn't really in my price range, so that didn't work out, not after a trip like New Zealand. It didn't matter though, because after the little shopping spree in Stockholm, I was quite pumped up to get back on the ship. Not that I wanted to leave already, no, I could have shopped till I dropped, but unfortunately I still wasn't feeling very good. Stockholm was full of shops I wanted to visit, but didn't have enough time. Me, my friend Aya and another mate, walked mostly around Södermalm and Aya even purchased a big fur coat (No animals were harmed in making that coat though.) After a nice cup of cappuccino and a tasty pasta salad, we were heading back to the boat for a nap and some more drunk teen action later in the evening.
While on a cruise, time changes its meaning. No longer do people worry too much about what the time is. There's only buying from tax free time, wild partying time and passing out time. In the midst of all the party animals first dealing their drinks from fellow students of legal age and then going on the hunt for the starting location, me and Aya took some time off and made some brilliant ideas reality. We used about two hours for cutting my bangs. Aya did a very well detailed job, but it was a slow job, because I had to take short breaks every five minutes, making sure I wasn't going to throw up. The party in my stomach had got wilder since leaving Stockholm, and no pills were working.
With my new hairstyle I was encouraged to fight my feelings and went on the hunt for friends with Aya. I started feeling better by the hour, actually enjoying the cruise life and not feeling claustrophobic. In the end I managed to have a pretty good time and did not embarrass myself, result! A lot of drama and subject for gossip did take place on that cruise, but lucky for me, I wasn't involved.
This was the boat I was not on a few weeks ago.
Of course there were some resemblances: Drunk teens and cheap booze.
After I returned from New Zealand, late on Thursday 25Th February, I had to get ready for another trip. The next day, on Friday, me and my year mates boarded a ship to Stockholm. Numerous attempts and successes of sneaking booze past security and onto the ship, took place on that historical day. Some had a straightforward approach to the booze problem, sneaking it in their bags and hoping they wouldn't get searched. Others took bigger precautions, or at least a bigger bra, to make sure their alcohol would get on the ship, or at least in their cleavage. A few innovative people probably just drank their alcohol before boarding the ship, a smart choice if you want to pass out in the first few hours and there by don't need to experience the true horrors of life on a Finnish cruise.
After all the mambojambo in the terminal, the boat was of to blue and yellow land, a place few Finnish people admit they like, at least not during the ice hockey world championships.
Life on the ship was quite the opposite to prior notions, but I took pride in not being in the center of it all. Truth be told, I spent most of the time feeling sick in my cabin. Later I feel that my share of partying mostly took place in my stomach, between Mr. Jet Lag and Mrs. Rocky Boat. A few successful attempts of having fun did succeed nevertheless, (like a small toga party I slipped into with my rumbling stomach and tired mind) but claustrophobia did creep into my mind more than once, I even thought about the ship sinking and about rabies, but more as a joke. However it made me think about taking a plane back from Sweden instead of boarding the ship again the next day.
As we know, flying isn't really in my price range, so that didn't work out, not after a trip like New Zealand. It didn't matter though, because after the little shopping spree in Stockholm, I was quite pumped up to get back on the ship. Not that I wanted to leave already, no, I could have shopped till I dropped, but unfortunately I still wasn't feeling very good. Stockholm was full of shops I wanted to visit, but didn't have enough time. Me, my friend Aya and another mate, walked mostly around Södermalm and Aya even purchased a big fur coat (No animals were harmed in making that coat though.) After a nice cup of cappuccino and a tasty pasta salad, we were heading back to the boat for a nap and some more drunk teen action later in the evening.
While on a cruise, time changes its meaning. No longer do people worry too much about what the time is. There's only buying from tax free time, wild partying time and passing out time. In the midst of all the party animals first dealing their drinks from fellow students of legal age and then going on the hunt for the starting location, me and Aya took some time off and made some brilliant ideas reality. We used about two hours for cutting my bangs. Aya did a very well detailed job, but it was a slow job, because I had to take short breaks every five minutes, making sure I wasn't going to throw up. The party in my stomach had got wilder since leaving Stockholm, and no pills were working.
With my new hairstyle I was encouraged to fight my feelings and went on the hunt for friends with Aya. I started feeling better by the hour, actually enjoying the cruise life and not feeling claustrophobic. In the end I managed to have a pretty good time and did not embarrass myself, result! A lot of drama and subject for gossip did take place on that cruise, but lucky for me, I wasn't involved.
Monday, March 2, 2009
The list continues
1 minute ago I wrote a long blog about my trip to Sweden. And then i saved it. It was a pain trying to correct mistakes, since it always erased the letters after the mistake and I pretty much had to write the whole thing all over again to fix one spelling error. I couldn't auto correct either, forced to use my brain to figure out mistakes. What a bore. Well, life goes on and my list continues. I now declare internet exploder is also a part of internet servers I truly hate. It has been on my list for a long time. The name exploder, instead of explorer, came to use a whole lot of years ago (when I was 9) and was some what my brothers invention.
So, be happy or be sad, but my side of the rocking boat trip to blue and yellow land, will not be published for a while, because obviously internet exploder has some issues with it. So I'm not going to write it all again, not at least until I get home and open firefox.
So, be happy or be sad, but my side of the rocking boat trip to blue and yellow land, will not be published for a while, because obviously internet exploder has some issues with it. So I'm not going to write it all again, not at least until I get home and open firefox.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
HellDell and a nervous breakdown
As my father once stated in his blog, a Dell is truly from hell. I am currently sitting at an Internet kiosk at Heathrow airport in London. Here, the computers are unfortunately Dells, with their special Internet browsers (also from some very deep place). It costs a humongous 2 euros for 20 minutes, and from those 20 minutes 50% are wasted on pages loading, or not loading at all.
The insanely annoying Internet browser, added with about 39 hours of past travelling, I am on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Just 5 minutes ago, I tried to hold my tears, because the bloody computer wouldn't let me open pages, or write comments on facebook. I actually considered smashing the screen with my head.
Thanks to the previously mentioned Qantas cock-up, we did miss our connection from Heathrow to Finland, and got a flight that leaves 16.10. Lovely... more waiting, more traveling and I will be home at about 9pm, so I'm not too happy. Also, I have a cruise tomorrow, we shall see if I ever make it back from that cruise, or if I even get onto it.
Well, the lovely new bff Hell Dell is now clicking 5minutes of time left, so I shall let my mother on it now, to read the kind words I have spelled out in the few past days of traveling. Oh how lovely traveling makes you, so friendly, so loving, so damn wondrously positive about everything the world lays on you.
P.s I just got the information that our combined traveling time will be about 43hours. I believe in God, NOT!
The insanely annoying Internet browser, added with about 39 hours of past travelling, I am on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Just 5 minutes ago, I tried to hold my tears, because the bloody computer wouldn't let me open pages, or write comments on facebook. I actually considered smashing the screen with my head.
Thanks to the previously mentioned Qantas cock-up, we did miss our connection from Heathrow to Finland, and got a flight that leaves 16.10. Lovely... more waiting, more traveling and I will be home at about 9pm, so I'm not too happy. Also, I have a cruise tomorrow, we shall see if I ever make it back from that cruise, or if I even get onto it.
Well, the lovely new bff Hell Dell is now clicking 5minutes of time left, so I shall let my mother on it now, to read the kind words I have spelled out in the few past days of traveling. Oh how lovely traveling makes you, so friendly, so loving, so damn wondrously positive about everything the world lays on you.
P.s I just got the information that our combined traveling time will be about 43hours. I believe in God, NOT!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Third time might tell the truth, but the second seals the deal for me
Ah, Slowtrailia, the country down under, where things are not upside down even though the dumb might think so. How ever, things are slow, at least if your flying Qantas.
To get to the point of the story, I will first list all the things that have already happened during our effort to get back home. All these events kind of make me feel like I wasn't meant to leave NZ in the first place.
First of all, we had obviously packed too much. Mum had stuffed her bag with stones (almost half of New Zealand) and ceramics. We also had to take home a lot of my shoes and stuff I bought during my shopping mania yesterday. This over packing, or the weight of it, almost cost us money, but luckily Qantas has a limit of 32kg as maximum weight for a bag, so we were saved by 0,5kg. But this didn't stop us from being troubled by this, since our last flight with Finnair only allows 20kg! Ouch. The other problem was, that the lady at the desk couldn't get our boarding passes for the last flight from Heathrow to Helsinki (GO ENGLAND!) so we will inevitably have to get of the plane, get our bags and check in all over again at Heathrow. Of course we didn't think it would be more than an annoyance, since we would have had about 4 hours to do it.
However all not so good, but not so bad things must come to an end. And in the end, this little hope we had, had to inevitably, run out. This of course, is all thanks to Qantas, the company owned by Slowtrailians. Now, the last time I blogged about Slowtrailia, I mentioned a delay because of engineering problems. Sure the saying goes: lightning never strikes twice in the same place, but I think we all know that's not true.
We had sat on the plane for two hours until they finally decided to just get all the people out and roll the aircraft to be fixed. ''We are so sorry folks, we know it's an annoyance,'' the captain said. Well it is, and frankly I'm a bit annoyed too. How bad nick are these Qantas planes in if they are constantly getting fixed? Why don't they test them before they let people on board? I would probably get home quicker if I sent myself in cargo than flying Qantas. Sure I'm exaggerating again, but that's because I represent the passenger with no patience, and that's a big minority.
So thanks again Qantas, because of you we will probably be late for our flight at Heathrow, because of you I won't get back home in time for my lessons, because of you I will lose my courses at school and because of you I'm going to ''enjoy'' another airport cafe using your 20$ coupon. And now, while I walk a way to calm down, please switch on Kelly Clarksons' hit song: Because of you.
P.s We just got an announcement, that our new departure time is 10pm and with a new aircraft. So goodbye connection in Heathrow. And goodbye Qantas too, since we won't be meeting for a long, long, long time.
To get to the point of the story, I will first list all the things that have already happened during our effort to get back home. All these events kind of make me feel like I wasn't meant to leave NZ in the first place.
First of all, we had obviously packed too much. Mum had stuffed her bag with stones (almost half of New Zealand) and ceramics. We also had to take home a lot of my shoes and stuff I bought during my shopping mania yesterday. This over packing, or the weight of it, almost cost us money, but luckily Qantas has a limit of 32kg as maximum weight for a bag, so we were saved by 0,5kg. But this didn't stop us from being troubled by this, since our last flight with Finnair only allows 20kg! Ouch. The other problem was, that the lady at the desk couldn't get our boarding passes for the last flight from Heathrow to Helsinki (GO ENGLAND!) so we will inevitably have to get of the plane, get our bags and check in all over again at Heathrow. Of course we didn't think it would be more than an annoyance, since we would have had about 4 hours to do it.
However all not so good, but not so bad things must come to an end. And in the end, this little hope we had, had to inevitably, run out. This of course, is all thanks to Qantas, the company owned by Slowtrailians. Now, the last time I blogged about Slowtrailia, I mentioned a delay because of engineering problems. Sure the saying goes: lightning never strikes twice in the same place, but I think we all know that's not true.
We had sat on the plane for two hours until they finally decided to just get all the people out and roll the aircraft to be fixed. ''We are so sorry folks, we know it's an annoyance,'' the captain said. Well it is, and frankly I'm a bit annoyed too. How bad nick are these Qantas planes in if they are constantly getting fixed? Why don't they test them before they let people on board? I would probably get home quicker if I sent myself in cargo than flying Qantas. Sure I'm exaggerating again, but that's because I represent the passenger with no patience, and that's a big minority.
So thanks again Qantas, because of you we will probably be late for our flight at Heathrow, because of you I won't get back home in time for my lessons, because of you I will lose my courses at school and because of you I'm going to ''enjoy'' another airport cafe using your 20$ coupon. And now, while I walk a way to calm down, please switch on Kelly Clarksons' hit song: Because of you.
P.s We just got an announcement, that our new departure time is 10pm and with a new aircraft. So goodbye connection in Heathrow. And goodbye Qantas too, since we won't be meeting for a long, long, long time.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Changes
The weather in New Zealand is weird. You can get a wide range of different weather in just a few days. From heavy rain to burning sunshine, fog and clouds to a clear blue sky. Just like everything else around here, the weather too, is this and that.
Today is the day we leave with my mother. We fly back from the warmth and dampness of NZ to the coldness in Finland. The weather will most surely be cold. Windy but cold, rainy but cold, sunny but cold. A slight difference perhaps.
But the weather isn't whats making me sad to leave, it's the experience. The time here has been one of the best times I've had in a long time. I got to reconnect with just being by myself and my parents, no friends around, so you're bound to get to know yourself all over again. Of course, to the friends back at home, a Tessa who has got back to her roots again, might come as a surprise, if it can be sustained till I'm back in Finland, not wiped away by the tough traveling.
I know how ever, that there are friends who are familiar with the old Tess. Friends who, before getting to know me, listed all the weird things I do, and spied on me in school, to laugh about all by weird habits. These weird habits include, long, creative and hard-to-follow thinking, laughing and prancing around like a wild animal and making funny faces and noises. Also a way of eating food in a certain order and dressing in a particular way.
Often this kind of madhouse side of me only occurs when I'm with my parents, so it will be interesting to see, if any of it will translate to the times I spend with my friends. Often stress eats it away, and what is left is a tight, humorless and insecure Tess, who thinks too much of other people's thoughts than lets it loose. I hope I can sustain this laid back feeling I have now regained, and go back to Finland and finish my school year in a new, brighter spirit.
A vacation needed, a holiday used, and an efficient time of. Mission accomplished.
Today is the day we leave with my mother. We fly back from the warmth and dampness of NZ to the coldness in Finland. The weather will most surely be cold. Windy but cold, rainy but cold, sunny but cold. A slight difference perhaps.
But the weather isn't whats making me sad to leave, it's the experience. The time here has been one of the best times I've had in a long time. I got to reconnect with just being by myself and my parents, no friends around, so you're bound to get to know yourself all over again. Of course, to the friends back at home, a Tessa who has got back to her roots again, might come as a surprise, if it can be sustained till I'm back in Finland, not wiped away by the tough traveling.
I know how ever, that there are friends who are familiar with the old Tess. Friends who, before getting to know me, listed all the weird things I do, and spied on me in school, to laugh about all by weird habits. These weird habits include, long, creative and hard-to-follow thinking, laughing and prancing around like a wild animal and making funny faces and noises. Also a way of eating food in a certain order and dressing in a particular way.
Often this kind of madhouse side of me only occurs when I'm with my parents, so it will be interesting to see, if any of it will translate to the times I spend with my friends. Often stress eats it away, and what is left is a tight, humorless and insecure Tess, who thinks too much of other people's thoughts than lets it loose. I hope I can sustain this laid back feeling I have now regained, and go back to Finland and finish my school year in a new, brighter spirit.
A vacation needed, a holiday used, and an efficient time of. Mission accomplished.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
The Breakfast wars
The world is an unfair place to say the least, but the middle class people, which I am a part of, only suffer from unfairness in rather small spheres. However, when those small unfairnesses occur, people react in different ways. I of course, go berzerk, not in all cases, but at least the following.
This morning, I woke up to a rainy and dull day. Ahead were hours of driving, our switch from Mt Cook village to Arthur's Pass was planned for the day. I consoled my self with the thought of a nice multinational breakfast (one that I had carefully planned the night before), waiting for me in the Alpine Cafe at the Hermitage. After all the compulsory morning hassle, we were up and going, sliding through the Cafe doors into the fantasy world of breakfast delights. Only, it was all too good to be true.
Now in most horror stories there is a villain. This time it was the stupid policies of the Hermitage. When staying at the Hermitage, the cheapest way to live is in a Chalet. Now we of course had stayed in a family motel unit on the first night and then moved into the chalet. So on the first morning, we had the full breakfast with all the treats, but this morning, when we slid through those doors to wonderland, we were denied our bacon and eggs!! In fact we were denied the whole hot food -section, with its American pancakes, miso soup, bacon, fried tomatoes, scrambled eggs and all the other fatty goods (except the Japanese stuff).
I was slightly outraged. I had planned my pancakes, my miso and my scrambled eggs, and I could have none!? Hunger aside, I also felt shameful, as if there was a hierarchy, and I was in the lower class. Now if I'm staying at a hotel that pricey, surely I expect them to have equal rights if anything? It may be an overstatement, but never before have I come across a hotel with a policy like that. Everywhere else breakfast has been free for all customers and their secret doggiebags.
Well, after filling my stomach with the now enforced healthy breakfast of fruit and yogurt, I decided to bash about the hotel in my blog. The stay had been just fine so far, so I felt quite good about finding something to bash about. And the breakfast incident sure made me look at the pompous hotel a bit more closely. Even the lonely planet had called it a bit snobbish to say the least. So I did what any dissatisfied hotel customer would do, and filled in the customer survey, full of nags about the breakfast incident. Then I lied my age to make them take it more seriously, ''I bet that will work.''
So, Hermitage, It is on! I will bring you down, because what ever you do, you DON'T deny Tessa Dean her bacon and eggs!! (or miso soup in this case.)
This morning, I woke up to a rainy and dull day. Ahead were hours of driving, our switch from Mt Cook village to Arthur's Pass was planned for the day. I consoled my self with the thought of a nice multinational breakfast (one that I had carefully planned the night before), waiting for me in the Alpine Cafe at the Hermitage. After all the compulsory morning hassle, we were up and going, sliding through the Cafe doors into the fantasy world of breakfast delights. Only, it was all too good to be true.
Now in most horror stories there is a villain. This time it was the stupid policies of the Hermitage. When staying at the Hermitage, the cheapest way to live is in a Chalet. Now we of course had stayed in a family motel unit on the first night and then moved into the chalet. So on the first morning, we had the full breakfast with all the treats, but this morning, when we slid through those doors to wonderland, we were denied our bacon and eggs!! In fact we were denied the whole hot food -section, with its American pancakes, miso soup, bacon, fried tomatoes, scrambled eggs and all the other fatty goods (except the Japanese stuff).
I was slightly outraged. I had planned my pancakes, my miso and my scrambled eggs, and I could have none!? Hunger aside, I also felt shameful, as if there was a hierarchy, and I was in the lower class. Now if I'm staying at a hotel that pricey, surely I expect them to have equal rights if anything? It may be an overstatement, but never before have I come across a hotel with a policy like that. Everywhere else breakfast has been free for all customers and their secret doggiebags.
Well, after filling my stomach with the now enforced healthy breakfast of fruit and yogurt, I decided to bash about the hotel in my blog. The stay had been just fine so far, so I felt quite good about finding something to bash about. And the breakfast incident sure made me look at the pompous hotel a bit more closely. Even the lonely planet had called it a bit snobbish to say the least. So I did what any dissatisfied hotel customer would do, and filled in the customer survey, full of nags about the breakfast incident. Then I lied my age to make them take it more seriously, ''I bet that will work.''
So, Hermitage, It is on! I will bring you down, because what ever you do, you DON'T deny Tessa Dean her bacon and eggs!! (or miso soup in this case.)
Friday, February 20, 2009
Flying high
Three is a magic number, and for three days (i think), I haven't written anything once again. It is a bit hard to keep track of days when on the road. Well, I must say, not much has happened in the last three days. We did take a nice 4 hour stroll down hooker valley, over a few awesome swing bridges and under the might of Mt Cook. The walk ended at a glacier lake, with floating icebergs, where I used my little muscles to pile some rocks to mark my visit.
Other than that, we truly haven't done much. Today it is raining quite hard, so the time will mostly pass inside some walls. Yesterday it was quite beautiful, we drove through Twizel, stopped at the weird blue lakes on the way here, and took some pretty amazing pictures. I of course am too lazy to start uploading them, not that I knew how to do it anyway.
We are now staying at a chalet, at the Hermitage hotel. I had a great continental breakfast, mixing Japanese miso soup with bacon and fresh tropical fresh fruit. I pride myself in being so multinational. Tomorrow I'm having croissants, eggs and fried tomatoes with good old American pancakes. The night before, we were at a youth hostel in Cromwell, a weird town, since I don't think I saw a soul and the houses looked like matchboxes.
What did we do the day before yesterday.. hmm... Oh yes, we were supposed to drive to Milford sound, one of the most wondrous, and must-see destinations on earth, but mum had to go to the dentist at 11am in Queenstown, so we didn't have enough time left after that to take the drive, so we flew there instead. Yeah.. pretty boring you know, flying in this 6 seat airplane above the mountains and the snowy peaks, taking pictures and enjoying the atmosphere. Landing after 35minutes of flying at a small airfield and taking a cruise at the sounds and then flying back. So common right? So everyday, so used to it etc. Pretty boring day huh? Well, other than that we didn't do much, I just bungee jumped 400meters above Queenstown, surrounded by mountains in the sunset, but everyone has done that right? The bungee was only 47m, but you didn't think about that when leaping of a platform 400m above sea level (Or lake level to be correct).
So, in the end, we haven't done much anything interesting to write about.
Other than that, we truly haven't done much. Today it is raining quite hard, so the time will mostly pass inside some walls. Yesterday it was quite beautiful, we drove through Twizel, stopped at the weird blue lakes on the way here, and took some pretty amazing pictures. I of course am too lazy to start uploading them, not that I knew how to do it anyway.
We are now staying at a chalet, at the Hermitage hotel. I had a great continental breakfast, mixing Japanese miso soup with bacon and fresh tropical fresh fruit. I pride myself in being so multinational. Tomorrow I'm having croissants, eggs and fried tomatoes with good old American pancakes. The night before, we were at a youth hostel in Cromwell, a weird town, since I don't think I saw a soul and the houses looked like matchboxes.
What did we do the day before yesterday.. hmm... Oh yes, we were supposed to drive to Milford sound, one of the most wondrous, and must-see destinations on earth, but mum had to go to the dentist at 11am in Queenstown, so we didn't have enough time left after that to take the drive, so we flew there instead. Yeah.. pretty boring you know, flying in this 6 seat airplane above the mountains and the snowy peaks, taking pictures and enjoying the atmosphere. Landing after 35minutes of flying at a small airfield and taking a cruise at the sounds and then flying back. So common right? So everyday, so used to it etc. Pretty boring day huh? Well, other than that we didn't do much, I just bungee jumped 400meters above Queenstown, surrounded by mountains in the sunset, but everyone has done that right? The bungee was only 47m, but you didn't think about that when leaping of a platform 400m above sea level (Or lake level to be correct).
So, in the end, we haven't done much anything interesting to write about.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Big packing and Ear popping
It has been a while since my last entry, because I have not been able to log on the Internet. Today how ever, its the third day of being on the road and we have reached Fox glacier. A lot has happened, and to keep myself and my possible few readers on track, I shall fill in a few details of the trip so far.
On the 14Th of February we took off on the ferry from Welly to Picton. It was quite an embarrassment, since we had pretty much packed the whole house, leaving only the kitchen sink behind. Trying to trolley all that stuff into the ferry and out of it, was not much fun. I don't think it was fun for dad either, who got two women constantly nagging about his packing methods. Note that I did personally find it funny to have packed the least from us three, being a teenage girl that is.
After getting past the ''small packing error'', we headed towards Nelson, where dads old school friend, from 35 years ago, lived with his family. The house had quite amazing views, and the food was great. So we got a good nights sleep, stomachs full and some nice company. I chatted with the boys, who were my age, so I wasn't completely alone with adults. Also surfing the Internet in Ollie's room until midnight, helped me get over my jet lag.
The next day we had our heads set for a long drive. Stopping in Nelson wasn't the original plan, so we had to catch up if we wanted to save time for later adventures. Leaving around 10am, we drove through the wine country, into the hills and onto the beautiful west coast. Stops along the way made sure we got enough food, rest and pictures. The sun was shining and the heat was on, so it was altogether a very lovely drive. On the coast we stopped to see the bizarre pancake rocks, too weird to explain... And as the sun set, we were hastily driving towards the glaciers and looking for a place to stay before it all closed. There were many vacant campsites on the way, but we didn't really fancy staying in cities like Greymouth, so we drove on, relying on luck. And lucky we were: Just as we thought we were going to turn around and go back to some tent site, dad spotted a wooden sign, Bed and breakfast. So we drove to the house, hoping someone would be home, and that they would be normal people. I must say, it almost makes me believe in destiny, since after all that panicking, we found some very friendly people, in a very nice house, with a very lovely cat.
The night was good, and he breakfast even better, since a lot of it was homemade. We even got an early take-off, and started driving ahead to the glaciers. A few laughs in the gold mining town of Ross and a few more photo-opportunities by dad (every two meters while on the road...). So the driving wasn't too fast, but it got us fairly quickly to Franz Josef glacier, where we took a short stroll to the viewing platform. A further drive, and we reached Fox glacier. Now, we had already seen the Franz Josef up close, so we thought we would just eat a little, and then maybe take a hike in the nearby forests. Of course every family has a person with bright (and expensive) ideas, and today it was mom. After a meal, and an extra hour, we were in an helicopter, taking of to fly around the glacier and the mountains in the surrounding area.
Helicopter flying. Now there's something that I have never tried before, and I must say it was quite surreal. Although my ears still hurt from the pressure of descending, It still was one of the most eye opening, mouth dropping and well, ear popping experiences of my life. Somehow I felt like I was the filmer of Lord of the Rings, seeing the same landscapes by my own eyes. I couldn't believe it. Those glaciers were massive, and the drops in the ice overwhelming. You could see how the rock in the mountains was formed, cracked from the earth as tectonic plates rose and clashed. The huge glacial waterfalls descended into dark icy ravines. Like a dream -good, I must say. Or like flying over a miniature -good. Google earth can't even stand comparison -good!
Well, adrenaline slowed down and ears still locked, here I am: Sitting in the Internet lounge writing about my adventures. It might seem boring just reading what someone has been doing, so, HA HA, I'm here and you're not, so live with it!
On the 14Th of February we took off on the ferry from Welly to Picton. It was quite an embarrassment, since we had pretty much packed the whole house, leaving only the kitchen sink behind. Trying to trolley all that stuff into the ferry and out of it, was not much fun. I don't think it was fun for dad either, who got two women constantly nagging about his packing methods. Note that I did personally find it funny to have packed the least from us three, being a teenage girl that is.
After getting past the ''small packing error'', we headed towards Nelson, where dads old school friend, from 35 years ago, lived with his family. The house had quite amazing views, and the food was great. So we got a good nights sleep, stomachs full and some nice company. I chatted with the boys, who were my age, so I wasn't completely alone with adults. Also surfing the Internet in Ollie's room until midnight, helped me get over my jet lag.
The next day we had our heads set for a long drive. Stopping in Nelson wasn't the original plan, so we had to catch up if we wanted to save time for later adventures. Leaving around 10am, we drove through the wine country, into the hills and onto the beautiful west coast. Stops along the way made sure we got enough food, rest and pictures. The sun was shining and the heat was on, so it was altogether a very lovely drive. On the coast we stopped to see the bizarre pancake rocks, too weird to explain... And as the sun set, we were hastily driving towards the glaciers and looking for a place to stay before it all closed. There were many vacant campsites on the way, but we didn't really fancy staying in cities like Greymouth, so we drove on, relying on luck. And lucky we were: Just as we thought we were going to turn around and go back to some tent site, dad spotted a wooden sign, Bed and breakfast. So we drove to the house, hoping someone would be home, and that they would be normal people. I must say, it almost makes me believe in destiny, since after all that panicking, we found some very friendly people, in a very nice house, with a very lovely cat.
The night was good, and he breakfast even better, since a lot of it was homemade. We even got an early take-off, and started driving ahead to the glaciers. A few laughs in the gold mining town of Ross and a few more photo-opportunities by dad (every two meters while on the road...). So the driving wasn't too fast, but it got us fairly quickly to Franz Josef glacier, where we took a short stroll to the viewing platform. A further drive, and we reached Fox glacier. Now, we had already seen the Franz Josef up close, so we thought we would just eat a little, and then maybe take a hike in the nearby forests. Of course every family has a person with bright (and expensive) ideas, and today it was mom. After a meal, and an extra hour, we were in an helicopter, taking of to fly around the glacier and the mountains in the surrounding area.
Helicopter flying. Now there's something that I have never tried before, and I must say it was quite surreal. Although my ears still hurt from the pressure of descending, It still was one of the most eye opening, mouth dropping and well, ear popping experiences of my life. Somehow I felt like I was the filmer of Lord of the Rings, seeing the same landscapes by my own eyes. I couldn't believe it. Those glaciers were massive, and the drops in the ice overwhelming. You could see how the rock in the mountains was formed, cracked from the earth as tectonic plates rose and clashed. The huge glacial waterfalls descended into dark icy ravines. Like a dream -good, I must say. Or like flying over a miniature -good. Google earth can't even stand comparison -good!
Well, adrenaline slowed down and ears still locked, here I am: Sitting in the Internet lounge writing about my adventures. It might seem boring just reading what someone has been doing, so, HA HA, I'm here and you're not, so live with it!
Friday, February 13, 2009
This-and-thatland.
The first time I came to NZ, I instantly thought they had a funny design of houses. It did not all match the landscape and cities looked like they were a modern version of the wild west with only the framed fronts. Well, a year later and I'm thinking these people really have created their own look by not knowing what look to go for. It truly is a this-and-that land when it comes to pretty much anything from plants or animals to housing and fashion.
Today we visited the center of Wellington. It was hard to spot all the interesting details in the mixture of modern, old and down right bizarre. A building with graffiti and weird color paint might hold inside a comfortable cafe, and something that looks more like artwork gone wrong, is actually a university of design (coincidence? I think not). But in the mix of all this design madness, its hard not to fall in love with Welly and the whole NZ. The people, as far as I've got to know them, have been very polite, and I'm slowly breaking out of my shy Finnish shell. Lots of people actually think about what they wear, something I respect, and the choice of shops in a small city like this is quite amazing, though I might feel different If I'd lived here for some time.
Yes a truly lovely city and country in general. But something is still missing, and that is someone to share all this crazy craziness with. I do miss my friend Krista back home. I know she would appreciate all the comfy cafes that pop out from street corners, and the brilliant public transportation that partly works on electricity! (Although it's hardly brilliant anywhere out of Wellington.) Krista would also love the nature (She was with me last year, so I know this for sure.) And one of the things that makes me most sad, is the fact that I don't have her here now to share all this amount of skate parks (and the fun stuff that comes with it ;-)). Well for a part of her big birthday gift I'm going to make a small promise: Someday we will return with Krista and enjoy it all with time to enjoy it too.
Wow, I'm shaking like crazy right now. I'm torn by the fact that I only have one day to explore the wonders of wellington, and that day is already over. In one day, thanks to some of the wellingtonians, I have gained a lot more confidence, been inspired by their fashion, and been asked to hang out at a bar in a crazy pink dress (not gonna happen though). That crazy dress by the way, is something I bought from a cute little second hand shop held by a sweet short girl with a very loud friend. She was awfully nice, and I actually twirled in a dress in front of a shop keeper for the first time in my life. In respect to the loveliness, I did feel like buying the dress. And listen up Finbos: That's the way to sell something! Don't just annoy the people looking around, be friendly and fun, not just in a professional way.
Oh, there's so much here left for me to see, but tomorrow were hitting the road, and I have the feeling that this won't be the last time I'm going to have this feeling of losing out on something. Two weeks is strictly too little time to explore a place like this. In fact it makes me feel a bit lost, not know what to do in the little time that is given to me. Weird thing actually, because the first time I came, I saw this big billboard advertising the show Lost. That's about the only add I remember from New Zealand, and today as I was walking around Wellington, I suddenly saw an add for the new season of Lost and it instantly caught my attention. Hmm.. maybe the next time I come, the plane will crash and a magnetic field will stop me from leaving the country. However, unlike Jack and his mates, I sure wont be trying to get out ;).
Today we visited the center of Wellington. It was hard to spot all the interesting details in the mixture of modern, old and down right bizarre. A building with graffiti and weird color paint might hold inside a comfortable cafe, and something that looks more like artwork gone wrong, is actually a university of design (coincidence? I think not). But in the mix of all this design madness, its hard not to fall in love with Welly and the whole NZ. The people, as far as I've got to know them, have been very polite, and I'm slowly breaking out of my shy Finnish shell. Lots of people actually think about what they wear, something I respect, and the choice of shops in a small city like this is quite amazing, though I might feel different If I'd lived here for some time.
Yes a truly lovely city and country in general. But something is still missing, and that is someone to share all this crazy craziness with. I do miss my friend Krista back home. I know she would appreciate all the comfy cafes that pop out from street corners, and the brilliant public transportation that partly works on electricity! (Although it's hardly brilliant anywhere out of Wellington.) Krista would also love the nature (She was with me last year, so I know this for sure.) And one of the things that makes me most sad, is the fact that I don't have her here now to share all this amount of skate parks (and the fun stuff that comes with it ;-)). Well for a part of her big birthday gift I'm going to make a small promise: Someday we will return with Krista and enjoy it all with time to enjoy it too.
Wow, I'm shaking like crazy right now. I'm torn by the fact that I only have one day to explore the wonders of wellington, and that day is already over. In one day, thanks to some of the wellingtonians, I have gained a lot more confidence, been inspired by their fashion, and been asked to hang out at a bar in a crazy pink dress (not gonna happen though). That crazy dress by the way, is something I bought from a cute little second hand shop held by a sweet short girl with a very loud friend. She was awfully nice, and I actually twirled in a dress in front of a shop keeper for the first time in my life. In respect to the loveliness, I did feel like buying the dress. And listen up Finbos: That's the way to sell something! Don't just annoy the people looking around, be friendly and fun, not just in a professional way.
Oh, there's so much here left for me to see, but tomorrow were hitting the road, and I have the feeling that this won't be the last time I'm going to have this feeling of losing out on something. Two weeks is strictly too little time to explore a place like this. In fact it makes me feel a bit lost, not know what to do in the little time that is given to me. Weird thing actually, because the first time I came, I saw this big billboard advertising the show Lost. That's about the only add I remember from New Zealand, and today as I was walking around Wellington, I suddenly saw an add for the new season of Lost and it instantly caught my attention. Hmm.. maybe the next time I come, the plane will crash and a magnetic field will stop me from leaving the country. However, unlike Jack and his mates, I sure wont be trying to get out ;).
Thursday, February 12, 2009
In welly with a full belly
After the 34h 10min travel, + the 4 hour delay in Sydney for technical problems, we have now finally reached our destination: Wellington, New Zealand. Although its now already half past seven, because of our delay, and pouring with rain and mist so hard you can't even see out of the window, I'm loving it. The smell of summer rain hit me as soon as I stepped out of the aeroplane at the musky airport with the stone pattern carpet.
It's tough not to go insane by the excitement of being back. Although I miss the fact that I don't have a friend with me, and even more the sad fact of missing one of my best friends 18th birthday, I will have to admit, there's no place I'd rather be.
Enough with all the love and happiness: I am knackered. I have no idea what so ever, what time it is in my head, or whether I should be eating, sleeping or waking up right now. I sure as hell know that I've had my share of flight meals for a lifetime, but the toughest thing is knowing how I'll be able to stay awake until morning. I don't want to miss even a little bit of the time I have here, by sleeping too long. Its like trying to decide what to have at Starbucks before it closes. To make matters worse, my head is quite dizzy and the short-time memory function is out of order.
For these reasons I apologize if my writing is not the best it could be. Maybe after a good nights sleep I will have the time and the energy to correct something and add photos. Unfortunately, I'm not the whiz kid of computers, nor am I the most enthusiastic person to do things that I say I will. Well, what ever happens there are two things I'm certain about: I sure love my dad's keyboard and even though I feel like having swallowed a jumbo jet, I might still love some of dad's prawn curry too. Long time no see ;)
It's tough not to go insane by the excitement of being back. Although I miss the fact that I don't have a friend with me, and even more the sad fact of missing one of my best friends 18th birthday, I will have to admit, there's no place I'd rather be.
Enough with all the love and happiness: I am knackered. I have no idea what so ever, what time it is in my head, or whether I should be eating, sleeping or waking up right now. I sure as hell know that I've had my share of flight meals for a lifetime, but the toughest thing is knowing how I'll be able to stay awake until morning. I don't want to miss even a little bit of the time I have here, by sleeping too long. Its like trying to decide what to have at Starbucks before it closes. To make matters worse, my head is quite dizzy and the short-time memory function is out of order.
For these reasons I apologize if my writing is not the best it could be. Maybe after a good nights sleep I will have the time and the energy to correct something and add photos. Unfortunately, I'm not the whiz kid of computers, nor am I the most enthusiastic person to do things that I say I will. Well, what ever happens there are two things I'm certain about: I sure love my dad's keyboard and even though I feel like having swallowed a jumbo jet, I might still love some of dad's prawn curry too. Long time no see ;)
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Slowtralia
We have now arrived in Sidney, after a grueling 20 hour flight divided by an hours stop for fuel and new passengers in Singapore. Unlike the swift and fast-working internet we selfishly utilized at the Frankfurt airport (outside the Emirates lounge), the free Optus-internet here in Sidney, is something completely different. You cant log in unless you make an account which is in fact, quite impossible to make with
a Finnish phone number, so you are forced to use the computers with the most awful keyboards. I'm not even going to worry about my spelling or marks, because it will just be a waste of time.
The flights have been surprisingly convenient. I especially liked all the free junk we got from Qantas and the food wasn't too bad either. I also got a ''good nights sleep'', three hours of not thinking about being on an aeroplane that is. Well, at least we had a choice of stuff to watch or play on the Qantas demand -program. Must say, I watched the film Australia, and did not like it at all!! It was one of those never ending weepy movies, with five different story lines and a female lead who kept changing her personality. Not that I like Nicole Kidman too much anyway...
Well its about time I let my mother use the keyboard from hell (or Australia) so I'll report back later. (And perhaps correct my spelling too.)
Aye mateys!
a Finnish phone number, so you are forced to use the computers with the most awful keyboards. I'm not even going to worry about my spelling or marks, because it will just be a waste of time.
The flights have been surprisingly convenient. I especially liked all the free junk we got from Qantas and the food wasn't too bad either. I also got a ''good nights sleep'', three hours of not thinking about being on an aeroplane that is. Well, at least we had a choice of stuff to watch or play on the Qantas demand -program. Must say, I watched the film Australia, and did not like it at all!! It was one of those never ending weepy movies, with five different story lines and a female lead who kept changing her personality. Not that I like Nicole Kidman too much anyway...
Well its about time I let my mother use the keyboard from hell (or Australia) so I'll report back later. (And perhaps correct my spelling too.)
Aye mateys!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Packing (in no) heat
If someone was to read my calendar, they would sooner or later notice the numbers counting down on the side of the days. If that person was to follow the numbers, they would notice them ending at the 10th of February with the words: ''feels like today will never come :(.'' That's because some months ago, when we first planned our trip to New Zealand, it felt like forever until I would finally set on my journey there.
However, that very anticipated day is tomorrow. And I am nowhere near done with my packing. And why am I packing? Well, I am going to New Zealand. It's only 25 hours of travelling away (35 if you count the time difference) and one of the flights is about 20 hours long, with a one hour stop in Singapore for fuel. Since I have some major travelling ahead, you would think I'm packing like crazy. Flight socks and a nice flight pillow should ease the flights a bit, with a little help from my dear friend, the iPod. But although dreading the flight, I am not very stressed and to be honest, my thoughts are far from the green grass of New Zealand.
Usually when Tessa Dean takes a trip to the wondrous world of the unknown, she has her suitcases packed two days before leaving and at least ten checklists to make sure everything vital and not-so-vital (my whole closet), has been meticulously folded in the case. This time it is indeed different, and I am more worried about cleaning the house and cutting the nails of my beloved cats, than the insides of my suitcase. I have a feeling, that tomorrow morning will be a rude awakening and sooner or later, I'm forced to start fussing and stressing, perhaps it will get bad enough to ruin the 'stress free packing experience' forever.
Lift off ticking closer and closer, I am glad to inform of my intentions to write about my experiences in New Zealand while touring the south island. I have no idea how many chances for writing will I have, but I will try my hardest to get the greatest parts down, or on screen. Lets hope what ever comes out then, is better, or atleast more intriguing, than the past writing.
Oh and by the way, I actually achieved something the other day! I went wall-climbing. Go Tess! Maybe Someday I won't just be touring New Zealand from below the mountains, but from the top.
However, that very anticipated day is tomorrow. And I am nowhere near done with my packing. And why am I packing? Well, I am going to New Zealand. It's only 25 hours of travelling away (35 if you count the time difference) and one of the flights is about 20 hours long, with a one hour stop in Singapore for fuel. Since I have some major travelling ahead, you would think I'm packing like crazy. Flight socks and a nice flight pillow should ease the flights a bit, with a little help from my dear friend, the iPod. But although dreading the flight, I am not very stressed and to be honest, my thoughts are far from the green grass of New Zealand.
Usually when Tessa Dean takes a trip to the wondrous world of the unknown, she has her suitcases packed two days before leaving and at least ten checklists to make sure everything vital and not-so-vital (my whole closet), has been meticulously folded in the case. This time it is indeed different, and I am more worried about cleaning the house and cutting the nails of my beloved cats, than the insides of my suitcase. I have a feeling, that tomorrow morning will be a rude awakening and sooner or later, I'm forced to start fussing and stressing, perhaps it will get bad enough to ruin the 'stress free packing experience' forever.
Lift off ticking closer and closer, I am glad to inform of my intentions to write about my experiences in New Zealand while touring the south island. I have no idea how many chances for writing will I have, but I will try my hardest to get the greatest parts down, or on screen. Lets hope what ever comes out then, is better, or atleast more intriguing, than the past writing.
Oh and by the way, I actually achieved something the other day! I went wall-climbing. Go Tess! Maybe Someday I won't just be touring New Zealand from below the mountains, but from the top.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Amas de Casa Despesradas
Yesterday, when I woke up, I had a clear plan for the day: Clean up the house and go out. However, when I finally got out of bed at noon, I immediately sat down at my computer and started watching TV. The hours flew by and suddenly my watch ticked three. By now I felt like the day was wasted, and it wouldn't make a difference if I rushed with the housework, since I would hardly make it in time to see my friends.
In the next four hours I took out truckloads of trash and compost, washed and hanged clothes to dry, I did the dishes and took care of the cats. I even spent an hour trying to vanquish a ketchup stain on a white shirt but defeated. After this tight battle, I went for a walk. Well actually I went to buy bread and cream, for a tasty desert I whipped up later. On my ''walk'' I couldn't help but feel miserable. It was as if I was housewife, a desperate houseteen. Only I was no Bree Van De Kamp, but more a Susan Mayer who, although put a lot of effort into it, did not do a very good job with all the cleaning.
Coming back from the store I called some friends to ask what they were up to. Most were out, some to the movies, some just having fun and others bowling with their friends. I was jealous, and decided to eat the feelings away. I went home and whipped up a tasty dessert, it was no Susan Mayer dessert nor a Bree, but it was good.
Sugar flowing in my blood, I felt happy again. I had not seen my friends or gone for a morning jog, but at least I had made a good dessert and got some of the housework done. This small pleasure wasn't enough to make my day, but it made me learn something about myself: I will rather run a marathon in high heels, than become anybodys housewife.
In the next four hours I took out truckloads of trash and compost, washed and hanged clothes to dry, I did the dishes and took care of the cats. I even spent an hour trying to vanquish a ketchup stain on a white shirt but defeated. After this tight battle, I went for a walk. Well actually I went to buy bread and cream, for a tasty desert I whipped up later. On my ''walk'' I couldn't help but feel miserable. It was as if I was housewife, a desperate houseteen. Only I was no Bree Van De Kamp, but more a Susan Mayer who, although put a lot of effort into it, did not do a very good job with all the cleaning.
Coming back from the store I called some friends to ask what they were up to. Most were out, some to the movies, some just having fun and others bowling with their friends. I was jealous, and decided to eat the feelings away. I went home and whipped up a tasty dessert, it was no Susan Mayer dessert nor a Bree, but it was good.
Sugar flowing in my blood, I felt happy again. I had not seen my friends or gone for a morning jog, but at least I had made a good dessert and got some of the housework done. This small pleasure wasn't enough to make my day, but it made me learn something about myself: I will rather run a marathon in high heels, than become anybodys housewife.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Indecisive decision-making
Since forever, have I struggled to keep doing something that I've started. Football, Ice-skating, skateboarding, boxing and a wide range of dances, have all fallen to make a lasting impression on me, even the 10 year struggle of playing the violin came to an end a few years ago. Looking back, I have always felt a sting of failure. My brother, on the other hand, being very focused on pixel-art from a young age, now works as a graphic designer. That is a lot more to show for dedication than I have. In about half a year, I will turn 18. In Finland that is the BIG age so to say, for me however, it is a ticking time bomb telling me to DO SOMETHING, before I am lost forever and might as well play the ever failing Dennis in Run Fatboy Run.
Many might wonder, why am I in such a hurry to achieve something by the age of 18, after all, there are many years of life beyond 18: I blame the media! Even though I'm not after the young fame or any of that wackness, I am however a believer in the phrase practice makes perfect, and I want to start something at a fairly young age, to be able to achieve good results later.
Though being a very indecisive persona, I have finally thought out something that I have had a secret admiration and love for: Climbing. When I was about 8, our family and some close friends took a trip to lake district in England and hopped up and down some mountains. As a young child, I was the mountain goat of the bunch, always first at the top, grinning at the older boys stumbling behind. A few years later we went cycling for three weeks in Lapland, a terrible experience at the time, with loud campsites and even louder insects, but after an excrutiating cycle up the fjeld Koli, I felt pride like never before. So that it must be, trecking and climbing, because almost all of the most exciting and amazing experiences of my life include tough workout and heights.
So, I think it is now time to take an important new step in the life and struggles of Tessa Dean, and book some wall-climbing lessons, because that too is a part of climbing and trekking. From there I can advance, gain experience and who knows, maybe someday I will achieve something great, far greater than my brother's infinite arranging of pixels, something like: climbing over the Southern Alps of New Zealand, or even the Andies!!... Ehh. Maybe I will settle for some walks up the park for now.
Many might wonder, why am I in such a hurry to achieve something by the age of 18, after all, there are many years of life beyond 18: I blame the media! Even though I'm not after the young fame or any of that wackness, I am however a believer in the phrase practice makes perfect, and I want to start something at a fairly young age, to be able to achieve good results later.
Though being a very indecisive persona, I have finally thought out something that I have had a secret admiration and love for: Climbing. When I was about 8, our family and some close friends took a trip to lake district in England and hopped up and down some mountains. As a young child, I was the mountain goat of the bunch, always first at the top, grinning at the older boys stumbling behind. A few years later we went cycling for three weeks in Lapland, a terrible experience at the time, with loud campsites and even louder insects, but after an excrutiating cycle up the fjeld Koli, I felt pride like never before. So that it must be, trecking and climbing, because almost all of the most exciting and amazing experiences of my life include tough workout and heights.
So, I think it is now time to take an important new step in the life and struggles of Tessa Dean, and book some wall-climbing lessons, because that too is a part of climbing and trekking. From there I can advance, gain experience and who knows, maybe someday I will achieve something great, far greater than my brother's infinite arranging of pixels, something like: climbing over the Southern Alps of New Zealand, or even the Andies!!... Ehh. Maybe I will settle for some walks up the park for now.
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