What I love about Finland is all the sport you can do and see. One of the sports that really have interested me while I have been here is Finnish baseball, or pesäpallo in Finnish. Today I finally went to see.
The game has much in common with "normal" baseball, but it is much more tactical. Read more about pesäpallo here.
Under you find some pictures and videos form today's match Kiri vs koskenkorva.
Before the match get started.
things are happening..
referees and "ball boys"
the game is on :D
Kiri (jyväskylä) in blue.
It was a fun evening, and something you all should see if you visit Finland!
So, last
class is done, and very soon done with my last written assignment. After 37
ECTS (+15 ECTS at home uni.), I count myself as done with learning for this
semester. My originally plan was to also have one course next week, but since I
do not need the credits I ended up saying enough is enough.
The last
weeks have been the greatest weeks here. I have met a lot of new, lovely
people. And the the weather have over all been quite good. When I entered summer
school I was really tired of learning, but the courses the last two weeks have
been great. Lectures program and over all learning outcome have been just
great.
Yesterday I
had a wonderful night out with friends. We started our night at Rentukka (a
summer hotel/ bar) in my student village reopened after a longer time of
renovating. Next step was to head for city and play snooker. This was my very
first time in life playing snooker, so I will not say I did well, but I hit
some balls and gained some point. The most important part is that it was great
to play, and great time spent with friends!
Upcoming
week I will collect all my papers, say a lot of ‘good byes’ and generally
prepare myself for heading back to Norway.
ps: for summer school a group of students form Norwegian school of sport sciences arrived! So after being the only Norwegian here, we are now a group of 7 or 8. And here comes the crazy part: one of them I have been competing against (speed skating) for years! Tellus is a funny plays to be ;)
This week was my first at summer school. I have learned a lot, but oh my how much is it to do. But howerver how much is it to do, I finally feel I have a learning outcome as expected. Finally I feel like I am at the best university for sport and health sciences! Had visitor lectures for Loeven, Belgium, and Brussel.
But also other things happen around here. Summer have arrived, and I cannot say how great summer feel here. People change and it all feels lovely out there. The gray, silent city are now crowded by lots of happy people. The city are not gray either, it is green - really green!
The sad part of the week was that now as good as all my people here are gone. But meeting new great people through summer school.
As one of the latest things I did with one of my friends was to go to Harju. Harju is a observation tower on a hill with the same name. From the top of the tower I took some pictures and below I will try to tell you more about where things are in this city.
Above you can see where i live. This is kind of a student village. The arrow points out the direction to University.
This is picture over the city center. Or at least part of it. You can also see a part Jyväsjärvi, which is the lake I went skating on.
The lake is still Jyväsjärvi. University is divided in at least three parts. Ylistö is the circle in the middle. If i remember right this is where typical "lab" courses are hold. such as chemistry. The next circle (the middle circle) is Mattilanniemi. This is where i had all my public speech class. The final circle is at Seminaarinmäki. This area is big an a lot of buildings. I think all of them are designed by Alvar Aalto.
During the
last two weeks I have seen and learned a lot more about Jyväskylä. As a part of
my Each One Teach One-program have we been at different museums and locations.
It is a lot
of things to see and do around here, and I am a bit mad at myself for not
realised it before now. It looks like it is not all about sport? How can that
be ;) ?
Anyway fist
museum I went to was keskus-sumi museum (central-Finland). This was a really
nice experience. First, the museum itself was very well done. We walked through
periods of time and saw how Jyväskylä grow up from nothing till what it is now.
Second, I learned a lot of local history and realised that time is so fast
changing! Final, the museum had free entrance! Never experienced that in
Norway!
The second
museum I visited was the Alvar Aalto museum. Also this museum had free
entrance! Love it! Alvar Aalto was a great architect and designer who were born
here in Jyväskylä. The museum quite small but it was still very much to see.
How he lived and died and of course pictures, sketches and models of his work. Besides
his work it was also other architects mentioned. That had basically the same
style. A museum worth seeing if you are around!
My third
exhibition was the Panda factory! Not much to say, mainly because it was not as
I hoped. Looked forward to see some factory history and walking around in the
factory. But I understand now that that was too much to ask. So what I got was a factory-shop. Not
complaining, but since I do not eat candy anymore it was not that a big deal.
My final
museum was the nature museum here in Jyväskylä. If I was a child I would have
loooooooved to be there! It was sounds, stars, animals and everything you can
dream about! I have to admit that I loved it even I’m not that a small child
anymore!!! Again I learned a lot about Finland and the region around here. The
museum also knew how to make people smile by placing totally random things
around. Take a look at the butterfly picture and see if you find something
funny there!
This blog should have been updated weeks ago, but unfortunately it has not.
My first excuse is all I had to do. Last two-three weeks before eastern was insane hard. The university kept on giving me task to do and my social life went to zero while my ‘’nerdy life’’ went to thousand. It was plenty to do and the icing on the cake was that I was sick. Headache, stomach pain and general lack of energy, home sickness and a bit too much exercise did not make this situation good at all. But I made it. And it went pretty well. Got my first best grade during my stay here for my sport and media lecture exam. My speech went well and also the last debates. So all in all it had a good outcome. It ok to work hard when it gives results!
So after this stress period it felt really good to take some days of. It was time to go back to Norway to enjoy my eastern holiday. Felt good to leave the snow for some days and go home to spring weather. First part was spent home at my mum’s place and the second part with my boyfriend and London. Thereafter, short time back in Norway before returning to Jyväskylä.
So since I have been back I have finished one e-learning module (2 ects), and had visit from Norway.
Jyväskylä did not want to shine, so we spent most of the time indoor (read: shopping) and also did some “heavy” cultural touring. Saturday was spent in Tampere where we saw the Muumin museum. The museum was smaller than expected but it was really nice and absolutely worth visiting.
So my upcoming plans now is learning, learning and learning. To say the weather is not a problem for my motivation now. Today it has been snowing the whole day so being inside is ok.
Belove you can see some pictures from the last periode. It is my super studymate, picture from lab, reason why I am safe, children floorball match, spring is coming and Jyväskylä by night.
Finally, it gets a bit less to do! After days with school-related work from 8 till 12 hours each day, it feels really good to say that I have less to do, at least for a short period.
The last weeks I have really felt how it is to be a student. It might sound silly since I am in my 3th year, but it is really true. Quite often have I been irritated and frustrated about the lazy Norwegian school system. I have always loved to learn, and increasing my knowledge has in a long time been a big part of me, but unfortunately did I feel that the Norwegian system was not able to give me the challenge I wanted.
But yes, after 2,5 years in higher education I am for first time in my life at a university and I am slowly understanding what ‘University means’ – work your ass off!
So the last 1,5 weeks have I:
Handed in three different papers,
Had one book exam,
One speech (10 min),
One presentation (15-20 min),
and two debates.
It is interesting for sure, but it also too much for me. I neither can dig in to the topic and really understand it nor be critical enough of my own work. For first time in my life I have taken an exam without being prepared. It might sound silly and it might also sound unimportant. My point is that this way of working somehow kills my inner eagerness for learning. On the other hand, am I sure that I will miss the system here. I will miss the possibility to actually have great teachers. Because they are GREAT!
There are always advantages and disadvantages. However, this period here have thought me a lot, even if it kills some of my eagerness for learning, it has thought my lots of other aspects in life.
I got up at 6:30. 6:30 has never felt so early. I felt like a walking zombie on my way to school. When I came to school I realised that I did not know where I had to go. I knew for sure the room name, but I had no clue where the room was located. After some confusing look at the building map I slowly located the room. Still really tired, and a bit pissed off after all map-challenge in the morning I tried to start focusing on the lecture. The system here with 2 hours before brake feels like ages! My normal 45 min classes back in Norway feels like primary school compared to this. Trying hardly to focus on the lecture, write some notes and be active at the same time is one of my biggest challenges here. The time of the day does not make the challenge easier... In the end of the lecture I really opened my eyes and sad to myself that this will be a quite interesting course. I love the feeling of earn new knowledge, especially if it includes myself growing as person and gives me a wider view of my surroundings.
In the afternoon I participated in an extra skating class. We went tour skating on the lake. The sun was perfect, again, and this was another great experience of Jyväskylä, that I made during these three days. However, the ice was not of perfect shape, but the event itself was really good. And I really understand why it is always so many people out on the ice. Tour skating is really a great recreation activity.
naaaw!
The ice, the ice track and skitrack! ooh what lovely active people living here!
In the evening I spent the hours with my dear boyfriend eating pizza and playing billiard. The pizzas from Sebasitan’s are something I will carry with me for the rest of my life. While we were there it was karaoke. I will never understand why people do such a thing. However, it is kind of entertainment. Not necessary good, but it is for sure entertaining to even listen to people who cannot sing at all.
Another day with big school tasks. Today I had to take part of the debate “should internet be moderated”. My preparations for this debate were not as good as it should have been, so I was really nervous before the debate started. On the other hand, I had my statements and was prepared to share and express them. After my opening speech I felt ok, and was somehow in the moment.
The weather was lovely today as yesterday. After lunch we went for a long walk on the lake and around the city centre ending up having coffee and cake out in the shiny, warming spring sun. The feeling of heating sun is amazing. I have never felt so pleased about being heated by the sun again after a long winter period. It is a feeling of success, and of new time to come. It really felt like a break trough for my stay here. Finally I feel a sort of adapted to this place. Finally!
After the long walk we went home for relaxing, before our next event: playing squash. I have never been so exhausted after playing before. The game run good, and we had a lot of good ball passes. A bit competition and speed felt really good after a slow and comforting day. To end a close to perfect day the day closed with a big, lightning moon.
This was my homework for my easiest English course. Because of the lack of updates I want to share it with you :) The task was to write a three day diary from the last two weeks. What was better than chose three of the days when my boyfriend was here?
Monday 5th mars 2012
I expected the day to be really busy and stressful. Friday evening my boyfriend arrived for a one week long stay. Which are great, except the fact that I have a lot of school work to do this week, and we cannot spend as much time together as wanted. Anyway, today I had a day approximate as expected. Started with my English communication class from 8 am -10 am. So tired. Today I had to hold my presentation, and I must admit that giving presentation is far from my number one action to do. Especially when it had to be given in English. However, I survived and it went better then I even had dreamed of.
Next step of was my public speech and debate class where I had to be the chairman for one of the two 40 min debates we had to do. The class itself is great, but on the other hand I lose some of my confident of speaking when the level are so high and it is expected from me use word and phrases over my head. Again, it went pretty well, and most important of it all: I survived!
Third and last class of the day was my skating class. Today we played ice hockey wearing all the equipment the players usually use. This was easily the high light of the day. 90 minutes in a hockey player’s world. 90 minutes in a childish dream world. And the best part of the whole happening was that my boyfriend was allowed to attend to the class. This made the possibility to have some light fight without deeper harm or injuries.
Rest of the day went on to enjoy the beautiful spring weather, wearing sunglasses and let the good time flow.
In todays skating class we had to make a short dance with the techniques we have learned so far during the course! It was really funny. I am the first from the left side. Enjoy!
It is time to introduce something typical Finnish. Maybe you find it in other countries as well, but that is beyond my knowledge.
So today’s introduction will be something you most likely have to deal with when you go grocery shopping: the self service automat. You will find next to the vegetables and other products which not have an exactly weight, for instance apples, oranges, cucumber, candy and so on.
This was one of the first things my tutor mentioned when we went grocery shopping the very first day here in Jyväskylä. You have to remember to find put the sticker on! The sticker makes the job much easier for the cashier, since they do not have to remember all the codes for the food.
To be sure you pay the right prize you have to remember the number you find on the prize sign, walk to the automat and hopefully still remembering it. I have to admit that I really do not know how many times I have forgotten the number. But, I have always remembered to put the sticker on. What so ever if I have walked back and forth between the food and the automat because I forgot the number...
You should keep in mind that it is really important to push the correct button otherwise you can end up paying more than necessary!
This is what I lately have been doing in my skating class:
Ringette is a very funny game played on ice. It is somehow similar to ice hockey, rinkbandy and bandy. From my point of view I think this is an easier game to play. The game forces you to pass the ring often (always have to pass over the blue lines), and due to this the game is a good team game. Another great thing is that it does not hurt due to the soft ring. Last thing I want to mention is that you do not have to handle a "heavy" puck. So for person like me, with no power in arms, this is a really good option. You just have to try this game. If I end up as a gym teacher I will keep in mind this game, it is close to the perfect school game!
I was uncertain if I should attend to this course since I previously competed in speed skating and most likely had a bit over average skating skills. But I am so glad I decided to take it. It is really funny, I finally can be on ice again, I can play games I have never played before and it is really a good exercise in a busy student life.
Last week I spent in Norway. Somehow this feels like the best week ever in my life. It was absolutely necessary to go home. I’m not saying I’m not having a good time here in Jyväskylä, but being back home seeing friends, boyfriend and family was hilarious! Thanks everyone for making the week so great!
So Sunday evening I headed back to Jyväskylä. My flight was suppose to arrive 00.30, but was late because of snow and wind. I think I was back in my room 01.45. After 8 hours travel I must admit I felt asleep quite fast and slept for almost 5 hours.
Monday morning 08.15 I had my first class, and my last class was done 15.30. That’s what I call a long day. I think I slept the rest of the evening.
Tuesday became a busy and sporty day. From the very beginning of the day I was a bit late. Left home 5-10 minutes later than normal. On my way locking my bike out I realised I had forgot my key card. In other word, I was neither able to lock my bike out nor go back my key card out of my room. I had locked myself outside. The system here is that I need my key card to open the door to my shared flat, and then a regular key to open the door to my room.
So there I was, late, pissed off, tired and a 15-20 minutes run in front of me. I had to be in time to the class, so walking was really not an option when it would have taken around 40 minutes.
I was in the classroom 10.14. Now and then it is ok to have some cardio fitness! I have to admit that I was quite sweaty, but I was presented in time! So after class I had to run to the next class, which was located 15-20 min walk from where I was. And I was suppose to held the warm up for the skating class, so again I had to be there in time. Puuh... ...again I managed to be there, and even with some minutes to relax. So when this class was done I had to run for the last class of the day. Now only 10 minutes to walk. The teacher was late, so I was there in time again. Or not in time, but before the teacher!
So at this time it is 7 hours and 30 minutes since last meal. I started do feel quite shaky.
I started on my walk back home, hoping my roommate was already at home and could open the entrance door. ...and she was! Happy face!
Wednesday was spent on reading/learning Finnish.
Because today I had my final Finnish exam. I felt I was ok prepared. But under the test I felt totally lost. The listening part was awful. She spoke so fast. I don’t know what to think, but hopefully and most likely I passed. I have no other choice then wait and see. The only thing I know for sure is that I know more Finnish then the test alone tells.
Below you find an interesting movie we discussed in my public speech and debate class.
Last week I registered for Big and small talk about Finland, a course offered by the language centre here at JYU (Jyväskylä University). Previous the same day as I registered I received a mail about a cancelation of one of my other courses. So I really need to gain some more credits.
So I went to this webpage,
This is the place I sign up for all my courses and exams, and I find all the information about where and when I have to be. A so-called calendar. Last Friday I received the mail about the cancelation of Sport in Finland, the same day was the first class for Big and small talk about Finland. And there I was later in the day, reading the mail that my course was cancelled just few hours after the other course had started. One big difference here at JYU compared to my home university college HISF, was that you have to be presented in all class. Or at least the first class. And during the course you can maximum miss three or four classes, depending how many credits it is worth. It is really important to be presented in the first class, because then you can get a seat in the class even if you are listed in the waiting list – just because some other did not show up. And at Friday around two a clock Korrpi had sat the course status as full. So in my need for credits I wrote an e-mail to the teacher and ask if it was possible to attend. Because on other thing should be told about Korppi, where you are placed in the list depends on your credits, and for some reason I was listed as number 17/24. In a short minute I thought maybe it was possible to get in. But then again the teacher answered no.
But I really need the credits! So I answered her e-mail, and asked if it was possible to take the course if someone cancelled their registration. No answer.
This morning I sat my clock to 06.50 to be presented in class. I biked 15 minute in -29 degree. I am not a person who gives up. So I just had to try. I mean: how can the teacher say no to a student who voluntary shows up in class early in the morning?
But then again, no – THE CLASS IS FULL!! She was almost angry. Really. I felt horrible. At least, horrible cold. And then I had to bike 15 min home, and I must say it did not feel any warmer. My bike do not seems to like the cold weather either, it feels like biking uphill all the time...
Anyway, I tried! I really tried! And that was my aim to day. Just tell you to try!
