So, here's a link if anyone's interested:
Wednesday, 1 July 2015
Friday, 22 May 2015
Pity me not
After one hour of sleep and several hours of what felt like angry wasps in my stomach, it was time to leave my cozy little home for four days to participate in design institute's entrance examination. I'm certainly not a morning person because I've always hated waking up and leaving my enchanting dream world, but I do love how quiet it is, and how beautiful the nature is around sunrise. The Sun slowly rose over the horizon and it gently rained at the same time, I had a pleasant journey because no one sat next to me during all those hours in the bus and the train (like most Finns, I get anxious if someone comes too close to my personal space), and I saw crows chasing deers through misty fields.
During those four days, we had five assignments. They were nothing like I expected, but I believe I passed four out of five. The thing is, you have to pass all of them, and I miserably failed one. When they gave us that certain assignment, my first thought was "well, this should be quite easy." It was, really, because most people around me managed to do it. I didn't. I don't know why, and I'm truly angry at myself about that.
Even though I felt strongly distressed because of my utter failure, after a good night sleep I woke up almost happy. I can try again next year, I still have several delightful days ahead of me before I have to return to work and right now my life is good, overall.
And I got to travel a bit. I spent a big part of my childhood traveling around Finland in a truck, and I believe that's one of the reasons why I just love to sit in a moving vehicle, watching landscapes go by whilst listening to music. When I was still in school, I had to sit in a bus daily for about 3 hours, and I simply loved it. Most people complained about how boring it was even if their traveling distance was shorter, but for me, it was often the best moment of the day. It was so easy to shut out the hectic world and let the stress melt away by the power of music.
The Return of the Beautiful - My Dying Bride
The train also passed by this medieval castle called Häme Castle. It's not as dreamy as, well, Schloss Neuschwanstein for example, but it always makes me feel oddly tranquil when I see old buildings. Kudos to my phone for taking decent pictures from a moving train.
During those four days, we had five assignments. They were nothing like I expected, but I believe I passed four out of five. The thing is, you have to pass all of them, and I miserably failed one. When they gave us that certain assignment, my first thought was "well, this should be quite easy." It was, really, because most people around me managed to do it. I didn't. I don't know why, and I'm truly angry at myself about that.
Even though I felt strongly distressed because of my utter failure, after a good night sleep I woke up almost happy. I can try again next year, I still have several delightful days ahead of me before I have to return to work and right now my life is good, overall.
And I got to travel a bit. I spent a big part of my childhood traveling around Finland in a truck, and I believe that's one of the reasons why I just love to sit in a moving vehicle, watching landscapes go by whilst listening to music. When I was still in school, I had to sit in a bus daily for about 3 hours, and I simply loved it. Most people complained about how boring it was even if their traveling distance was shorter, but for me, it was often the best moment of the day. It was so easy to shut out the hectic world and let the stress melt away by the power of music.
Saturday, 16 May 2015
Friday, 15 May 2015
Through landscapes forged by time
I'm on my annual leave now until June 15. Next Monday I have to wake up just before sunrise - 4 AM to be exact - because the entrance examination starts after nine and I have a bus and two trains to catch before that. I don't know if I'm more scared or excited.
Soon after that it's time to travel all the way to the Alps, after several years of longing. So, you may expect a mile long post filled with pictures of thousand-year-old buildings (although many of those have been reconstructed and greatly expanded during centuries) and mighty mountains. Burglars beware: dogs are staying at home, and not alone.
I was born and have lived my whole life here in Western Finland, where you can barely find few decent hills. Even so, I have loved mountains since I was a child and saw documentaries about them on TV. It was a dream come true when I got to visit Lapland with my siblings for the first time in my life, around the age of six. Those arctic hills, tunturit, made a huge impression on me and I visited them again, and again. It's the solitude and purity of the nature which attracts me. Those few people you see during your hike, all of them respect the nature and won't leave a single piece of trash behind them. It's too unusual to see places so pristine nowadays.
We also crossed the border to Norway few times and those majestic landscapes stole a huge part of my soul. Now it's been over ten years since my last visit. I was planning to finally go back this year, but despite my yearning to see Norway again, I thought it would be nice to see some other places too and chose Austria to be my destination this time. Very different kind of region, but I believe I will be as awestruck as I was when I first visited Lapland.
Soon after that it's time to travel all the way to the Alps, after several years of longing. So, you may expect a mile long post filled with pictures of thousand-year-old buildings (although many of those have been reconstructed and greatly expanded during centuries) and mighty mountains. Burglars beware: dogs are staying at home, and not alone.
I was born and have lived my whole life here in Western Finland, where you can barely find few decent hills. Even so, I have loved mountains since I was a child and saw documentaries about them on TV. It was a dream come true when I got to visit Lapland with my siblings for the first time in my life, around the age of six. Those arctic hills, tunturit, made a huge impression on me and I visited them again, and again. It's the solitude and purity of the nature which attracts me. Those few people you see during your hike, all of them respect the nature and won't leave a single piece of trash behind them. It's too unusual to see places so pristine nowadays.
Finnish Lapland in late summer, more than ten years ago.
Thursday, 30 April 2015
Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream
I bought a little (or actually quite massive) treat for myself: The Sandman Omnibus volumes 1 & 2. Over two thousand pages of pure awesomeness!
Oh, I also received a nice letter from the Institute of Design. I successfully "demonstrated my eligibility" and got invited to the entrance examination this month. I already bought train tickets and made a hostel reservation, because the whole thing lasts four days. Can't be too easy to get into school, huh?
Thursday, 16 April 2015
Carnations
After neglecting it for a very long time, I'm now trying to befriend my old camera again.
It's not going well, but thankfully I still have some time before my trip to Alps.
I got this beautiful bouquet of carnations from my grandmother. Probably my favourite flower!
Saturday, 11 April 2015
Ultimate happiness
Moar Borderlands & fried vendace with garlic sauce.
Didn't have time to take a better picture.
Must. Eat. And. Play.
Tuesday, 7 April 2015
Food porn
I love to cook and try different kinds of recipes, I guess that runs in my family. I'm a decent cook (mainly thanks to my mom who always answers her phone when I'm freaking out in front of the stove), but there are times when I'm just too lazy to make something by myself, and it's so easy to grab a pizza to go. Last winter was like that, and you could see it from my body and skin. Couple months ago I decided it was time to put an end to it, and I started to pay attention to what I eat. I'm not too strict with my nutrition, but I added more fruits and vegetables, cut down meat (now I eat mostly fish, occasional chicken and some organic beef from my relatives' little farm), bought my own juicer and so on. Simple things, really, but now I don't feel so bloated anymore. And during spring, summer and autumn I'll be able to collect food from nature again!
Also, less alcohol. Last year I drank way too much and way too often, but now I have changed my habits. I still go for a drink (make that plural) with my friends sometimes, but it's not fun to do that constantly. And people often offer me wine with food, but I really like to drink juice or water!
So, less this:
Well, this isn't really THAT good example because I prepared it myself, but you get my point. I was trying to stuff myself with as much fat and salt as I possibly could.
...And more this:
I have an active and physically challenging job (I lost ten kilos when I started there) which is a good thing considering that I dislike sports, but I strongly believe I'm not going to stay there forever. Because of that I've been trying to be more active during my spare time, and this evening I was outside with dogs for 2,5 hours. I like biking too, but someone stole my lovely red bike last year (it was the third time, actually...) I guess I should let it go and buy a new one.
Swimming is fun too, but nearby lake is still fully frozen and this ice hole we walked by this evening is way too far from home. I would freeze to death on my way back.
Also, less alcohol. Last year I drank way too much and way too often, but now I have changed my habits. I still go for a drink (make that plural) with my friends sometimes, but it's not fun to do that constantly. And people often offer me wine with food, but I really like to drink juice or water!
I have an active and physically challenging job (I lost ten kilos when I started there) which is a good thing considering that I dislike sports, but I strongly believe I'm not going to stay there forever. Because of that I've been trying to be more active during my spare time, and this evening I was outside with dogs for 2,5 hours. I like biking too, but someone stole my lovely red bike last year (it was the third time, actually...) I guess I should let it go and buy a new one.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)