la joie compléte

Last October was the best October in my life, I think. For nearly two weeks, I was able to flee from hard work and grey surroundings into merry walks on the beach. I noticed that I hadn't written anything about it here, which is really weird. There are so many awesome memories that I can't even find words to discribe my feelings, so I'll use pictures. I've got hundreads of pictures but I'll only show the ones that are somewhat special.

The trip to France was a short exchange thing. A group of French students were visiting Tampere and our school in February 2008, if I remember right. Some of those who studied French plus some extras (like me) accommodated them. Then in October, it was our turn to go there.

This is the hotel we were staying in. It was full of other students like us. I left my beautiful umbrella there. I had bought it from London. (It was from H&M though)


The place was modern. This 'thing' changed colour and had different countries on it plus greetings with various languages. Can you spot a country you know?


The stairs of Arc de Triomphe were two much. They were so narrow and seemed like they'd never end. When going down, I started feeling really dizzy but I couldn't stop because people were coming behind...

Carousels, they were all over the place.


I spied on some soldier people from the top of the Arc.


Oh lala.

SO many motorbikes.


My friends and I were let inside a Louis Vuitton shop on this famous road. HAHAHA.


The birds near the Eiffel towe really loved attention. They were posing. I ain't lying.


This time Paris didn't appear as the city of love and romance. Don't know why.


The first time I was in Paris, I used the lift. This time I walked. It was breathtaking in the words every meaning.

It was so weird seeing the European Union shortened this way.

The tower is pretty only, when you look from a long distance.

Too many buildings. It was shocking since in Tampere there are several lakes plus forests in the city...

Ahhh.. the nightlife.


What a funny name for a restaurant (?)


I used to have a crush on Quasimodo. The inside and the atmosphere of the cathedral was amazing. It was phenomenal. In away, I wish tourists wouldn't bother the masses being held there. They talk out (really) loud even though some people are trying to worship. Rude.


This man was so funny. He had a bowl with a fish on it on his head and he was doing tricks with some kinds of pieces... Why were people just ignoring him!?


Ahhh Montmartre, the place where all the artists live. I could see myself living in these buildings. Well, atleast in my dreams :)


a super duper fast TGV train that made my ears pop in tunnels.


PART TWO - La Roche-sur-Yon, Vendée, France

a STUD FARM isn't a place that'd come to my mind when I'd think of things to show of the place I live in...
... the guide was nice though.


I adore these houses. They are so simple and beautiful.


Les Sables-d'Olonne. Amazing. I can still hear the sound of the sea when I consentrate. It was just awe-strucking. I can't believe that experiencing the Atlantic is part of someones everyday life.


Les Sables-d'Olonne was the place where the Vendée-Globe sailing competition begins. We weren't allowed to see them though.

It is also a place where rich pensioners go and spend their money.


It was so hot! And it was October! I had just bought new wintershoes...


Enchanted.


We were able to walk in the bottom of the Atlantic ocean because of the tide.

People came to pick moule, mussels, their national delicacy. They actually served French fries with mussels in the restaurants. Moule frites. Well.. what ever makes you happy, I guess.

Mmmmmm... Moule

a road under the water.

a pilar you could hang on if you would not notice the water coming on time. (how can you not see the atlantic coming towards you?)

We went to explore other villages and when we later came back, voilá. It was so cool! And fortunately no one was hanging on the pilars.


This is me finishing my first fondue(= you dip pieces of bread into melted cheese). It was so nice. The family had a game that if you drop your bread into the cheese, the rest of the people could order you to do what ever they wanted. I, ofcourse, dropped the bread...


I just had a evening chat with my grandmother. She told me about her trip to Germany where she studied the language for several weeks. She told me about all the funny things she did there. So many nice things to remember. I'm thankful that I was able to take this trip even though everything wasn't perfect. Thanks for taking this (long :D) nostalgia journey with me.

Getting old and such

Especially this year I've started to notice that I'm growing older too. It's not only the people arround me. I've changed tremendously from the inside but the outside... I can imagine seeing some old friends after ten years and people will say stuff like: "You haven't changed a bit". I'd totally laugh with them and feel flattared at first until I'd see myself in the mirror next time and see myself wearing a blouse I've had since high school...

Anyway, something about Finnish culture and the school hierarchy in high schools. The week when school starts the new unsure first year students are... in the spotlight - if that's a way to put it. On one day the second year students dress the first year students up in stupid costumes. Dressing boys as girls is very popular for some reason. This year as I heard two senior boys talking with eachother about them and they were worried since the boys actually looked like women in their tight jumpsuits...

So on that special day everything is topsy turvy. The second year students bully the young students arround. Probably it's also a way to prosess bad memories and get rid of grudge. The poor students are made to say stupid things to teachers, survive in the cafeteria with only a knife and respect us final year students (I kind of missed that part though!).

Two years ago I had really mean masters. I had to sing to an old couple. They were nice though. They tied me on to a boy with cellophane and then we had to walk together, which was really awkward. Then we had to lie on the ground in the middle of town whenever we heard a whistle, and yes, I was still tied to the guy. Last bat not least, we were strapped on to a tree and some random tourist came and started filming me.. us... Ok, well to be fair, I had a slave the next year and I dressed her as a chicken.

The day is supposed to be fun and most of the time it is. I mean, honestly everyone prefers playing arround over a normal school day. Sometimes some maniacs start to get rough and violent even so in some schools they've banned the "festival". Against all odds, this topsy-turvy day usually makes everyone feel happy. Ah! There's is nothing like the feeling of togetherness (and the price you have to pay... lol)

"Shake it, shake it like a Polaroid Picture, shake it, shake it"

I just got this awe-struck today while I listened to the lyrics (especially that line on the headline) of Oustkasts song Hey ya. I should realyl pay more attention. Slow slow slow.

Anyway. Here are some random pictures from our house. I just couldn't help but smile when I came home one day and I saw they were blooming. Flowers are just too amazing and unique and perfectly designed. These plants have saved my day many times. My camera sucks though.

My life as Homer Simpson, or a diary of a capitalist

Today was a whole new adventure. I don't really remember that much. I recall lying on the floor breathing heavily and I get flashes of me trying to crawl to get some water to balance my blood concentration before my blood would get too salty... I couldn't think straight. I just sat on my bed expecting my heart to stop after every beat. When I was told that I could go and fetch some pizza, I could feel power returning to my body and my kind of salty blood flowing like a ferocious rapid...

Our kitchen is being renovated.

How phatetic can one be? I was really worried because all I had time to eat was three small yoghurts before the kitchen would be topsy turvy. It was horrible. I wasn't allowed to drink when I was thirsty. The water was even shut for a while. Then, I thought of all the people in the world who face this everyday. Ofcourse it's different if you've got used to it... If you have done it every single day and it is normal for you. But our physique is the same. Our bodies are made in the same way. I don't think being hungry or thursty is fun anywhere...

So today I am really very thankful for water. For food. For everything. I'm not saying that you need to feel bad for having things. Arsy-versy! I'm saying you certainly should be thankful for them and behave like a person who is worthy of the luxuries.

I love Tampere

On the second of July, we were on a small cruise in Pyhäjärvi-lake, Tampere. It was because it was my nameday :D! The day was amazing and so warm (it was nearly 30 degrees celsius (?)). Well, here are some random pictures.



These active people canoed the same route as our ship.

The served food on the boat. I ate like I hadn't seen food before.



The little red building on the background is actually a small house. I think they used to make bullets by dropping lead through that long pipe.



Well, this has got nothing to do with the cruise, but I thought it was petty wicked. I just couldn't figure out why Pepsi would like to advertise like this but.. well... What do I know about advertising.

Hell's kitchen, Finland, BBC, 2009

Now that I have more free time, I've been doing alot of things I normally don't have time for, like cooking. Unfortunately the things I've created tend to be... mediocre. I know I'm not a chef but...


This salad is just plain but it really worked wonders since we aren't the healthiest family in the globe.

These muffins were made from this kind of "add water" packages. They were out from this world, from Mars that is. (Well, they tasted nice)

We made this cake for my granny with my brother. We agreed that this is the ugliest cake we have ever seen. I was sad becuse we spent like 4 hours making the damn thing. Atleast our grandmother liked it.

This was actually a succes! It was too big for us though (bro, granny, me) aand well... Maybe I'm being too unfair.

I've got so much to learn before I can make nice food and honestly say it was a piecee of cake. Well, until then I'll need to just have to pull myself together... Keep your fingers crossed!