Day 130 Anyone know what this fruit is called?

I felt very adventurous today. So, instead of my usual apple in my grocery list, I decided that I will hunt around (in the grocery store) for some interesting fruit. And I found this.

(Photo: I forgot what the name was, it was written in Finnish anyways...)

It's a bit sour but quite sweet, the texture is like pomelo, but there are seeds in each of those sacs.

Anyone know the name of this fruit?

Day 128 Jia Shu

Today in mail, I received a very very interesting package!

Combining Chinese calligraphy + missing their daughter + nothing to do when their kids are not at home + showing off their amazing Chinese literary skills, my parents decided that they would write an extremely long letter to me in Chinese calligraphy!



Yep, that's my parents!

The letter was about how they missed me, how my mum kept in contact with me through e-mail, and how home without both my sisters (who went to London) and me became quiet.

Big hug to you guys! Thanks so much for the letter, I love it! Miss you much as well! But don't worry, I will be back "haunting" your lives before you know it! Enjoy home without me for the time being, coz' when I get back home leeching off you guys, you'll wish that I'm still staying in Helsinki!

Day 82 Feeling a bit off lately...

I am back-blogging a bit lately, mostly because I am a little busy with my homework assignments and I have written tiny bits of my blog in pen in my notebook, and have no time to update (okok, I am totally making excuses), but seriously, I am typing like two to three entries in a day, and I am not keeping my promise of updating my blog everyday. OK, no more back-blogging, unless I have no Internet connection or whatsoever.

I have been feeling a bit off lately. It feels like something is poisoning me, maybe it is the water that I am drinking. They say you can drink tap water here, and I have been drinking out of my kitchen tap. It is probably not a good idea, because there are always a lot of garbage and dirty dishes lying around the kitchen.

(Photo: a snapshot of the kitchen sink. Please don't scream mum, I know I know, it is a bit messy, but please don't faint. My roommates and I try to keep it clean! Those dishes are just around for 2-3 weeks, kidding kidding.)

The dirty dishes are probably contaminating the tap water, but cut me some slack will you? I am a ahem... busy person, not much time cleaning and doing chores around the apartment.

The impurities in the tap water might be the cause of my recent migraines and weak stomach. ARGH. hate that. I am now seriously thinking of buying bottled water.

Wooohooo! I am excited, 1-1/2-day more, and I am off to Riga!

Day 65 Doing my expenses

I had a drawer in my desk where I put all my receipts inside. It has been piling up with receipts starting from January and I didn't have a chance of recording them in a file. I have been procrastinating with this process because I am a little scared of opening the drawer and pulling out all the receipts and discovering that I had spent huge amount of money. I know, I know, it doesn't really make any sense, but it is always nice to suspect something (i.e. I suspect that I have spent quite a lot of money), than to actually know if it is true (i.e. I have really spent a lot of money).

My parents have been urging me to take a look at the expenses, mostly because the credit card company sent them my bill, and they want to know if I have really spent that much of money. So today, I opened that drawer, and pulled out all the receipts that I have skillfully stored (out of my sight). It was scary. It is like finding out how much you score in your exam, finding out how much you weight. It was time to face the reality.

(Photo: what you see here in just part of it.)

Well, looks like I am a spender. But I assure you mum, I spent what I need to spend to get the most of this exchange, so it is worth it!

Day 63 Not another cliche post ...

I suppose the most cliche thing to do on a birthday is to make a wish of all the things you want to have, list out all your goals you want to achieve and make a deathly vow that you are going to dramatically change your daily habbits or something like that for the rest of your life.

But based on past experiences, I have come to a realization that most of the times, these promises fall short and a week later you will find people saying how they cannot meet their goals or their promises to oneself. And they become severely disappointed at themselves, wished that they didn't make that deathly vow and worried about their safety because of that vow.

So instead of making a list of things that I want to achieve or making empty promises to myself, I thought I would list out all the things that I am happy about and grateful for, and see what experiences in 2009 that I can take to 2010.

So here it goes.

I think I am happy and grateful for a lot of things. I am happy that the days in Helsinki are getting brighter and brighter each day. I am happy that the snow is melting and spring is coming. I am happy that I am out of Hong Kong, exploring the world and experiencing other cultures. I am happy that each day here I started with a smile on my face. I am happy that I am out of HKUST, away from everything related to that school. I am happy that I am in Helsinki School of economics and not in anywhere else in the world. I am happy that this school has such high-quality Finance professors and decent Finance courses. I am happy that I am actually learning in classes and happily revising. I am happy that I meet so many interesting and different people here and get to know what they were doing before, that really inspires me a lot. I am happy that I am in the program that I am in back in HKUST so that I have this chance of going on exchange. I am happy that my 20years in this world has gone by quite fine. Although there were some unhappy and confusing moments, I went on with it, and did not take any shit from anyone.

I am grateful for my parents financing me in this exchange and fully supporting me in any other ways. I am grateful that my parents are understanding and I can confide my doubts and fear to them. I am grateful that my sister is who she is, and not anyone else (not that I don't want a puppy in exchange for her disappearance, muahahahaaha). I am grateful that my family in Hong Kong are missing me, and me them as well.

2009 did not start well, it had its usual ups and downs on the way, but I think it ended in high note. I think 2009 was also a year which I made a lot of discoveries about my personalities and thought a lot about what I really want to do in life.

So what I want to say to my 21st year here on earth is. BRING IT ON! I am ready for any of the challenges it is going to throw me!

Day 62 The best day ever!

My 21st birthday is a day which I don't think I will ever forget in my life! It was really really amazing!

The day started at around 9 am, which I woke up and was panicking a little because I am getting one year older, and I don't feel like getting older at all. As I was starting to get a bit nervous about my age, I checked my e-mail and found an e-mail titled "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" from my parents. Then I got a phone call from them wishing me a very happy birthday. This cheered me up a lot and after a quick shower, I headed out for school.

The weather today was amazing! The sky was so bright and blue, and there were sunlight everywhere! (Photo: Isn't this just the prettiest weather you could ever experience? It was so warm under the sun that I actually felt like taking off my jackets!)

To celebrate my birthday, I decided that I should throw a Japanese taemaki sushi dinner party, where everyone would try making hand-rolled sushi! So after my derivatives class, Andy, Vivien and I decided that we would go to the Asian market in Hakaniemi to buy materials for the sushi, some soba noodles and some other materials for the dinner party tonight.

We got soo many things! I initially thought it would be a bit difficult to buy raw fish for the sushi, plus I don't know if the raw fish will be clean or what, I don't want to risk a massive food poisoning. But we went to the fresh market near the Asian market, and there was this fish stall selling raw fish for consumption! I don't know if it is actually Japanese style, but still, we got some sashimi (raw fish!).

Then from about 4pm onwards, we started preparing food. (Photo: Vivien helping me prepare the food! And Andy too for accompanying me to the Asian market to get all the materials! Thank you so much!)

Preparing food for 13 people was quite tough. The whole time I was so stressed that there will not be enough food and people would not like the food etc etc. But I have to say, it turned out quite fine!

The dinner party started at around 7-ish. We sat up a long bench for something like a buffet table, and everyone just surrounded the bench, made their temaki sushi and ate!

Thank you you guys! I had great fun today!


I think the best part of it was, people from different countries sang me different language of birthday songs! There were Hungarian, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, French, English, Slovakian and Czech !!!

Thank you also for all the birthday cakes!! Too bad we can't finish all of them! I still have 2 of them in the fridge! (Photo: Cake from roomie Sharon, Adeline, Barbora and Vladimir! They were DELICIOUS! I wish I wasn't full so I can eat more of them!)

Thank you so much for coming guys! I had a great time !!!



=)

Day 55 Jogging in the snow!

This morning, inspired by my parents (who just ran their marathons), I decided that I should put on my jogging shoes that my mum sent me all the way from Hong Kong (probably to remind me to exercise and not just sit on my chair like a potato), and go out jogging.

Only problem was, I have never jogged before on a ground that is covered with snow and in a near zero temperature. So getting dressed for jogging was a big issue. I had to keep warm, but not too warm because I would be exercising. I decided that I would only wear one pair of pants- my gym pants, a T-shirt, a fleece jacket that can zip up to my chin and gloves, of course. I thought that I would jog around till I am really cold and cannot take it any longer, then go back home and layer-up again. Since the temperature was considerably warmer than before, I anticipated that the snow will be melting a little, so I had to expect some slippery and muddy road.

Overall, I think it was a really good jog! I started at around 8 am, and just jogged all the way to some unknown roads that were near home. I didn't even know what the names of those roads were, but I just jogged and jogged and jogged, till I was out of breath, and feeling really warm under my fleece jacket.

I quite enjoy jogging in the cold weather and in the snow. In a way, it trained my brain, because I had to jump around for firmer snow when I jogged on. It is sort of like jogging outdoors in HK, where you have to jump around to avoid water puddles. And the temperature made me want to move around, so definitely a good motivation. I think I jogged for about 30 minutes and got really out-of-breath, probably because I haven't exercise for quite a long time.

Then on my way back home, I took a wrong turn on a road junction and got lost for a moment! It took me another 15 mins before I find myself on the right roads again.

Phew!

Day 40 Can Levi get any prettier?

This blog entry is dedicated to my sister, who had her birthday on 11 Feb and probably had no time to celebrate because of her exams. Happy Birthday Jac, I did not have time to wish you a proper happy birthday because I was busy preparing this clip for you. Hope you like it!



What really shock me most about Lapland is the amount of trees I see here. Seriously, the number of trees I see in a day in Lapland is more than the number of trees I see in my entire life in Hong Kong. Staying in Lapland, I feel like mother nature is wrapping her arms around me. Everyday, I see trees, snow, rising sun and more trees, not sky-scrapers and concrete buildings.

I am enjoying myself here, seeing the nature, but I think that it is a bit too quiet here. I saw some houses in the middle of the road, and really, in the middle of nowhere. I don't think I can ever imagine myself or anyone living there, where you have to travel for hours and hours for school, work or even for groceries. I was actually a bit shocked to see that there are people living in the middle of the road.

But still I love it here so much. When I retire or am extremely sick of Hong Kong, I think I might spend some time back in Levi or anywhere in Finland.

Day 14 Air parcel finally arrived!

Finally, it came! I have been waiting for this air parcel from Hong Kong since last week. I missed the delivery last week, so I had to arrange for them to deliver again today. And I am SOOO glad that I didn't just go to the post office to get it, because it was pretty heavy!! i don't think I can move it, in the cold, in the snow, in the dark.

but mind you, I did went through a lot, A LOT, to get this parcel. I first called the post-office, only to discover that everything was in Finnish, so I pressed like any number on the keyboard, to get someone to talk to me. Then, they said, "oh you speak English, please hold.", so I held for like more than 10 mins, then thought it wouldn't be too wise, because I am using a pre-paid card, and I am sure they charge me a lot on this. Then I called again, again. Third time the charm. I successfully talked to someone who speaks English back, and got everything straightened out.

I had to miss class today though, because the parcel didn't arrive till afternoon, hence, I missed class. But still, I am just happy to get this out of the way and not have to worry about this anymore.

(photo: yay! finally! thanks mum!)

Day 7 Happy birthday mum !

Today is 13-1-2010, my mother's birthday! Happy birthday mummy! Wish you have a fun day (but judging from the e-mail you sent me, it seems you weren't having a lot of fun, but still, enjoy your day!). So my birthday wishes to you is: good health, always be happy and prosperity! okay now, imagine a birthday cake is here on the monitor, close your eyes and blow the candles!

On a sadder note...

Well, guess what, my worst nightmare came true! The Internet went down in my apartment! I initially had class at 2pm today, but seeing there was no Internet at home, and I had really ABSOLUTELY nothing to do, I went to school early. I thought that it was just my room, but then my room-mates also had no internet, and my roommate asked around, and discovered that probably the entire building has no internet connection today. ARGH. I am quite annoyed, to be honest.

So here I am, right now, typing my entry in one of the most beautiful computer labs I have ever been to.
(photo: this is the computer lab. Imagine glass tables everywhere, with huge monitors, and widely spaced computers! Honestly, I call HKUST computer lab: "Computer slums for refugees")

It is however, quite difficult to type in their keyboard, because it is quite different from that of Hong Kong.
(photo: look at the Finnish symbols there on the right!)

Tonight for dinner, my tutors are taking us out to a restuarant that serves authentic and slightly less expensive Finnish Reindeer meal! I am really excited to try Reindeer's meat!

A bit news review today. (sorry there is quite a bit of text in this entry, but since I forgot to bring my card-reader, I cannot upload photos in the school computer.)

"Google threatens to leave China after massive cyberattacks"
Google wanted to quit China because they said that they are unwilling to continue censoring results on Google.cn and has considered quitting China.
Well, seriously? I don't think Google will ever EVER quit China. Yes,yes, they say Chinese violate the human rights, so on and so on, but then again, business is business. With a huge population henceforth enormous opportunities, it would not be sensible for Google to leave the market! Personally, I think this is just for the Public to see that, oh wow, Google cares about human rights. I don't think they will quit China, not in the near future, not EVER!

Packing and my last day in Hong Kong

Well. finally the day has come, I am leaving for exchange in Finland tomorrow! Holy moly. I don't know if I am ready or not, but so far, I have packed all the things I can think of, and all my family members have possibly thought of. So, I think I am alright. I enjoy how the whole family helped me with the packing! (even my uncle who came from the United States to visit us helped!) Big thank you to my mum, I think I will miss you the most!


(Photo: My mum and uncle helping me out with stuffing everything into my big suitcase. At the end, we decided that it would be better if they mail me things instead, because I can only bring 20 kg in my check-in suitcase and ONE carry-on luggage on the plane... ARGH, Finnair)


(photo: it so happened that this is also the day which my uncle and cousin are leaving HK, back to USA and my cousin's birthday. So, the family had a huge dinner! A feast! Grandma and Gugu came, we had a huge meal.)


(photo: this is how much food we had! This is so much FOOD! I don't think we finished it, well, I cannot eat the left-overs, because I will be in Finland!)

Finland Finland, I will be there tomorrow! I cannot wait! A little nervous, apart from being extremely excited :)
Here's the things I hope to achieve while being there:
(1) Have fun
(2) Pass all my finance courses
(3) Visit Europe (Finnish neighboring countries)
(4) Meet people
(5) Find a job there!
(6) Learn some Finnish!

Back from Xiamen!

Guess where I spent my Jan 1 2010? Xiamen, along with a tour of about 100 marathon runners.
Guess what I did on Jan 2, 2010? Run a 10K in Xiamen.

Basically what happened was, my uncle and cousin went to visit the family in Hong Kong, and since my uncle loves jogging (and joined a few marathons), my parents decided that we should all join the Xiamen marathon running. I ended up traveling to Xiamen with these marathon runners. And while they were all doing their half-marathons and full marathons, my cousin and I did a 10K, which to my standard, is pretty tough.

Then after the running and sweating, we went sightseeing for 3 days, and ate so much food that I got a little sick coming back to Hong Kong.


(photo: my dearest uncle showing his hand-movements while waiting in the airport lounge.)


(photo: Cousin Mandi doing sudoku in the airport lounge.)


(photo: My parents sleeping after running their half-marathons!)


(photo: some sight-seeing, one of the most amazing architectures I have ever seen, these buildings were made of mud and were built ages and ages ago! Extremely environmentally friendly, they use some special type of sugar mixed with other natural resources as glue!)