Day 145 I wouldn't want it any other way

145 days have passed, and it's time for me to go home.

I wouldn't say that time has passed quickly here, but looking back, the happy times does seem to flash across as if they only happened in seconds and not in days. I still remember my first day here in Helsinki, amazed that my plane could still land despite the snow on the ground of the airport. I was excited about the snow, excited about everything, but at the same time, extremely nervous about what I was getting myself into. It was only 4 pm, and the sky was pitch dark. I remember looking at the moon, the dark woods next to my apartment, the white snow on the ground and just feeling that I am in for an adventure of a life-time.

Before I went on this exchange, I tried to lay out what I wanted to achieve and do here:
1. Meeting people from everywhere.
2. Travel to eastern european countries.
3. Write a blog and update it everyday.
4. Take Finance courses here.

In a way, I have achieved everything.

Meet people from everywhere- Done.
Exchange would not be the same, if not for the fellow exchange students here. I remember not knowing anyone (except Andy from my school) before I came, nervous whether I would meet friends or not. Then going to the orientation day and being divided into tutor groups, getting to know more and more people. I wish I have more time to engage in conversations with more people and know people better. There are so many friends I get to only talk to them towards the end of exchange, it's really such a pity that we haven't talked sooner. I befriended Barbora (she comes from the exotic country of Slovakia, and she studies in Vienna), we always hang out and explore different places together. Such good memories!

Travel to eastern european countries- Done.
One of the reasons why I went to Helsinki is to travel to european countries, especially eastern european countries, which are not very well known to Hong Kong people. I have travelled to Bratislava, Vienna, Budapest, Riga, Tallinn and (non-eastern european places), such as London, Stockholm. I am happy that I managed to have a great time in all the countries, especially in Bratislava, where I met Barbora's cool friends.

Write a blog and update it everyday- Done.
Having a blog is quite a dangerous thing, especially one without any security locks. But I think that this exchange is such a unique one that I wanted to share with everyone about what I did everyday (if they are interested) and I want this to be my memories. So this is what I did, I wrote a blog every single day, from Day 1 to Day 145. I am extremely proud of myself for doing it.

Take Finance courses here- Done.
I wasn't really satisfied with the information system courses that I took last semester, everything the IS courses taught me was too technical, as opposed to the courses in Global Business. I didn't know what I wanted to do with myself, so I wanted to explore some options here on exchange. I have only taken Finance courses here and 1 Finnish culture and language course, and so far, I am satisfied with what I am dealing with.

I did everything I wanted to do here, plus quite a bit of surprises. I think these surprises and experiences combined helped me to move on to the next step of maturity. Exchange is a great way to challenge yourself and to hit a new high when you have hit a plateau in life.

This exchange, in a way, slowed me down, and made me more aware of myself, how I deal with situations, and analyze what I can learn from it. I remember on our biking tour in Budapest, Barbora and I had a long talk about what we have learnt from the exchange, and what we can do to improve ourselves. It is so good to have a friend to share all these things to, and together, grow up and be a better person.

Exchange people here are extremely interesting and some inspiring. It made me realize (yea, this is cliche), the world is actually quite big, and there are a lot of different kinds of people living their lives. I am really amazed by the things that people do/did before they go on exchange, compared to them, my path seems mundane and boring (haha).

Talking about luck, I think it is really on my side during the entire exchange. I met good friends, for life, had extremely fruitful experiences academically and personally. Quite a bit depressed at first, because I don't know what I am going to do this summer, but everything worked out at the end.

So this is the end of my exchange. I don't know whether I would return to Helsinki or Finland in the next 10 years, but everything that happened here, it would forever be in my memories (plus I have this blog to remind myself, I think I will make this blog a book). This experience is such a unique one, that I wouldn't want it any other way. I am so sure that all my friends are moving on to something big and something interesting. All the best to all of you! Thank you for making my exchange such an interesting one!

Stay young my friends, I hope we will meet again someday! If any of you ever go to Hong Kong, drop me a line on fb, or e-mail!

Day 144 My last day in Helsinki

My last day in Helsinki. I was supposed to meet Julie for a kahvi at m-bar, but my ankle was so swollen and painful that I could only hop with my right leg and cannot land on my left, so I had to call it off.

I was packing a lot, also weighing my luggage, so far, my big luggage is about 25 kg, 5 kg overweight, argh... why is everything overweight? Me, the suitcase, my other suitcase, and did I mention, me. It would be funny (in a mean and sad way) if the airline had to charge extra for an overweight person.

Andy arrived in Helsinki last night, and we decided that we would eat together at Ida, so I don't have to walk around. Edit came and joined us as well, because Edit has an internship in Hong Kong this September, and she wanted a bit of advice from us (she calls us HongKongees)

We ate some of the Slovakian sausages and smoked cheese. Amazing stuff. We were all satisfied at the end of the meal.



I am quite worried about getting to the airport tomorrow, since my ankle is still hurting quite badly and I have 2 suitcases and multiple hand luggages to bring. I think I will call a taxi.

Goodnight Helsinki, sweet dreams.

Day 143 Bye bye Barbora, bye bye Bratislava

Last night was a very fun night, today, I leave Bratislava to Vienna airport back to Helsinki.







I love Bratislava. If I were to describe Bratislava to my family, I would say it is a city with a very tight community. It seems that everyone knows everyone in the city centre of Bratislava, or it was Barbora and Vladiko who know everyone. But the city has very close human connections, it is just amazing!

Today marks the end of my last trip in Eastern Europe. I don't know when I will attempt a tour in Europe again in the future, but I will definitely return to some more exotic places.

Day 137 First stop: Budapest, Hungary

Today, I begin my last Europe trip here on exchange! We set off to the mysterious city of Budapest, with Barbora, Vladiko and Daiko!

Plane ride was reasonably comfortable, we flew by Finnair, and were offered food and drinks. The plane was not as full as I imagined, there were quite a lot of empty places left.

(Photo: Sunny weather)

(Photo: Vladiko and Daiko picked us up at the airport by a car, and we set off to the city centre and to our hostel to drop off our stuff.)

(Photo: we passed by the chain bridge, it is a famous bridge here in Budapest!)

(Photo: we had some bread, green chillies and some Slovak dry sausages for dinner.)

Day 136 One of the last nights in Helsinki

After the Suomenlinna sun-bathing fail, we went out for drinks, it was Barbora's last night in Helsinki!



After chilling and drinking on the roof of Kiasma, we decided to go to Jenny Woo's, a hetero/gay-friendly bar.



(Photo: look out! weapon of the night!)

Day 135 Flea market & Suomenlinna one last time...

I have been saying that I wanted to go to a European flea market here in Helsinki since January, but since weather was bad and no locals were in the mood of bringing out their old stuffs to sell, the plan of going was delayed, until today!

(Photo: I think Barbora said that this is really a typical European flea market, nothing special. One stall was interesting though, it sells old postcards dated back in 79 and old photographs, probably from their great grandmother's grandmother.)

And then we went to one of my favorite places here, Suomenlinna, for a picnic and to chill on the rocks near the water.

(Photo: We thought that we could go for a sun-bath, but the weather turned chilly)

(Photo: I'm going to miss you!!!)

We were using the self-timer to take photos, and then, a guy sitting next to us, came and offered to take photos for us!


(Photo: We were eating, chatting and drinking, and looking at the beautiful view.)

Day 134 Amusement park & pasta mixed couscous

I am trying to get as sun-tanned as possible, because I don't want to go back to HK looking sickening white (after all these months hiding behind long sleeves clothes and gloomy weather).

And what's a great way to get sun-tanned? the amusement park of course.

(Photo: So here we are in the amusement park, the rides in the park are very concentrated, you don't need to walk like miles and miles to another ride, and the other great thing about it, no long queues!)

(Photo: EPIC FAIL! it was supposed to show 25 degrees Celsius, but nope, it showed 2 degrees Celsius!)

(Photo: Yep, that'd be me, trying to get all the sun shining onto my arms as much as possible!)

(Photo: The flying swing.)



I had really great fun at the amusement park! But no great day can end without a pasta mixed couscous dinner.

Barbora has too much food left still in her home, and I was invited to go to her place and eat up her food. Because she still has pasta and couscous left, she decided we should have couscous and pasta with mushroom white sauce.

(Photo: Delicious! but I was so full afterwards...)

And on my way back home, the train got delayed because a fight broke out on the train. Apparently, these people were a bit intoxicated (by the great poison, alcohol), and was fighting because someone flew a look at someone. The fight broke out less than 6 steps away from me, and I saw the whole process of fist throwing, and leg-kicking. Intense.. intense... and the train was delayed for about 15 mins, because the conductors were trying to throw those people out. Phew, but I got back home safely!

Day 133 Getting all the souvenirs

Counting down my exchange days now... still 2 more days to go, and I am off to Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna, then back to HK.
In a way, I am looking forward to the cool places I am going to visit and going back home, but on the other, going back home is like going back to reality, I can feel already that there are heaps and heaps of stuff waiting for me to deal with them. aargh.. that, I am not looking forward to.

Today, I tried to buy all the souvenirs for the family and friends. After a quick lunch with Barbora, Chloe and Julie, and a two-scoop Ben & Jerry mint chocolate and chunky monkey ice-cream, we headed off to the market square and to the K-supermarket.

Here's what we got, lots and lots of liquorice candies, because these things aren't popular in Hong Kong, and I thought everyone back home would like to taste it. I tried finding SIsu, but couldn't locate it in the grocery store.

(Photo: Souvenirs...)

I also got some Fazer chocolate, under Barbora's recommendation, I got the mint one, I don't know if it's any good though.

The jam as seen in the photo, is some sort of Finnish specialty, I think, we got it in the market square, and for a good price too!

I felt really like a tourist today, hunting for souvenirs, and stressed out about what we need to get for people.

Day 132 And that's a wrap!

wOOOHOOoooo~

Judging by my crazy typing and my choice of word, you will know that I have currently finished ALL the exams, ALL the assignments, EVERYTHING related to school work here in Helsinki.

That feels SOOOO good!

And now, after my mind is not preoccupied with exams and studies, an overwhelming feeling of sadness came to me. AWWW.. I am going to leave Helsinki in less than 4 days.

I leave on 23rd for Budapest, then to Bratislava, to visit Barbora's home-town, then to Vienna. I am very very excited about this trip, because it will be my last trip in Europe in my exchange.

In a way, I am quite proud of myself preferring to visit Eastern/ Central European countries than to most of the tourist-overwhelmed mainstream places, like the ever-so-popular Paris or Milan.

And I am looking forward to seeing Barbora's home-town! Must be interesting seeing how she was brought up, the place, her home and everything!

I suppose I should have written a more organized entry on my very last day of exam here in Helsinki, but my mind is racing with excitement, happiness and sadness right now, my fingers cannot keep up with it, and so I am writing broken paragraphs, I know that they don't connect, but my head is thinking so fast.

Day 131 My last day of studying!

Today marks the day before my very last exam here in Helsinki. Feels pretty good, except for the fact that I am a little bit stressed what is going to be on the exam.

I am thinking if I should bring all my notes and stuff back home. It will be heavy, but I think I would want to flip through them in case I need to look for something. Good thing I didn't buy any heavy hard-covered dictionary-thick textbooks.

Hm.. decision decision.

Studying was good today. I went to school because it was extremely hard to concentrate in my room, argh, actually just get me away from my computer and I am not distracted. Still, I can't ask people to hide it, so I had to go to school to get away from it. LAME...

I have been making a list of "exit" procedures I need to do before I go back home:
(1) return room key, collect deposit
(2) Mail some of my clothes in case of suitcase overload
(3) return keycard to school, if not, I cannot get my transcript
(4) close Nordea bank account, get all the money out

and pack for home and Budapest, Bratislava, and Vienna!

Day 130 Helsinki's weather

No more complaining that weather is cold here in Helsinki.



Today's weather is 21 degrees Celsius, and you wouldn't believe how warm it is. I can easily go out without wearing long sleeves, and still feel a bit warm in it! Happy to say, my arms are getting a tiny bit tanned! I'm dedicated to making them darker before I go back to HK.



Oh, and I discovered that there is a fountain in our school, and it actually works!

Day 129 Dinner at Andy's and Don's!

Such amazing dinner I had at Andy's and Don's place! Thank you Andy and Don!

Andy and Don invited me and some other people to their place for a gathering and a meal. I wanted to cook something, but decided that I shouldn't (well, let's just say I'm not the best cook in the world), so I went carrying a bottle of wine that I got from the duty free shop back in the cruise from Stockholm.

(Photo: seriously the best chef! For those who haven't tasted Don's cooking, ah.. man... you missed out, your exchange is not complete.)

(Photo: The professional tasters eating away.)

(Photo: This is an interesting Taiwanese dish called the egg pancake, with cheese and ham. It is very delicious! Oh and Cheryl taught me how to cook this dish. haha... now my evil plan is to bring this dish to Hong Kong, make it popular and open a restaurant.)

I didn't stay for the dessert, which is Hong Kong-style milk custard. Because I wanted to finish one more chapter of my Advanced Corporate Finance, exam is on Wednesday!

Thank you Don and Andy!

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 127 After the farewell...

After we collected our yearbooks, we left the farewell party and went to one of the indie band gigs at a nightclub/ bar.

(Photo: Waiting for the bus to come. Barbora showing off in her cool "bad girl" black jacket."

(Photo: Chilling outside the club before we went in.)

(Photo: I don't really remember the night very well, but I think the band was fairly good.)

It was a very fun night!

Looking at the pictures taken, I think they were quite good! And I didn't even do anything! I just use the dim-light mode, and snap all the shots! I have such an amazing camera!

Day 126 The farewell party

A farewell party was organized, for all the exchange students to say goodbye to each other (some left early though), and to collect the exchange students spring 2010 yearbook.



(Photo: Me and the rest of the HK-ers! And yep, we are part of dear old China!)

As usual, alcohol was provided, and the party took place in the KY building. A usual party spot for any KY organized events.

I think there was an election in the party, voting, who is the cutest couple, the playboy etc etc... didn't stay long though because we went to something much more exciting!!!

Day 125 Into the wild

Today's weather was unbelievably nice. Temperature was around 21 degrees Celsius. We decided that we should go and explore the National Park in Espoo.

(Photo: On our way to Espoo national park)

(Photo: Just chillin')

(Photo: The map. LOL.. kidding, this wasn't the only map there, there were a lot of other maps with more details!)

(Photo: And so the journey began. Into the wild!)

(Photo: Picnic near the lake. Amazing view.)



Walking around the park and following the hiking trial, for a moment, I thought I was in one of those Enid Blyton's books (which I was obsessed with when I was young). I have made up my mind that I would hike more when I get back to HK.

Day 124 Do I smell a crime? :o)

There is a tiny Chinese restaurant around the corner near my apartment. Almost every single time I passed by it (morning, noon, evening, night), no customers are inside and the cook is always sitting outside smoking. I don't usually give this restaurant any thoughts or attention, but lately, something caught my attention: the sign of the restaurant was broken.

It could be wind that broke it, but to me, it looked more like someone intentionally threw something at it and cracked it. (I will take a photo of it, and you'll be the judge.)

if it is indeed a crime, well, then that's the first crime I have ever seen here!

Day 123 WHY? WHY? WHY?

Studying in Aalto School of Economics is very enjoyable, classes are good, some professors are great, I learn a lot.

BUT one extremely frustrating thing about classes here is, the professors and teaching assistants don't give out softcopy/ hardcopy of answer keys to exercise sets.

True, they have a problem set solution session, but this is extremely frustrating and inefficient. I will explain why.

1. My aim of going to all lectures and I will say, problem set solution sessions, is to listen to what the teacher has to say, any additional information or explanations to problem sets that I don't know how to do. But, without softcopy or hardcopy of the answer key, everyone in the room was copying and copying and copying from the powerpoint, and I don't know about other people, but I cannot concentrate on what the teacher is saying.

2. What if you cannot attend the problem set solution session? You are forcing people to attend classes just to copy answers from your powerpoint and not listening to you. You might as well put a janitor there and click through the powerpoint for the entire lecture room to copy.

3. The problem with these problem set solution session is, some questions are extremely easy and you already know the answer, and you just don't want to sit there and listen to things you already know of, isn't this completely inefficient learning? True, you may make mistakes on "easy questions", but why can't you discover it by looking at the answer key yourself? Sometimes, I go into these classes, just to spend almost 1 and a half hour there, waiting for that one question I am not sure of, then spending my time copying the solution instead of listening to the lecturer. GOSH.. comeon, this is 2010, ever heard of the power of computers?

I have to say, I am very disappointed with this arrangement.

I guess that they don't want to "distribute" the answer because they are afraid we might "spread it out". I have to say, if we intend to "spread the answer out", we will do it, no matter you have the softcopy or hardcopy of answer key or not.

Oh, and guess what I did in those exercise solution sessions?


I took freaking photos of the powerpoint, so I can concentrate on listening to the lecturer. Geez ... Come on, Aalto School of Economics, this is 2010!

Here is what I propose. Cancel those exercise solution sessions, distribute answer key online, and organize consultation sessions. If we don't understand after reading the answer key, we will go find the profs or teaching assistant.

Ain't this efficient and 21st century learning?

Day 122 Technically Helsinki School of Economics doesn't exist anymore

I meant to write this post earlier, but I kept forgetting and forgetting it.

From the beginning of this semester, my exchange school, Helsinki School of Economics, doesn't exist anymore, it is now part of a bigger university, called the Aalto University, and we become one of the schools.

Helsinki School of Economics now becomes Aalto School of Economics

The "logo" of Aalto University is quite interesting, it's a capital letter "A" with an exclamation mark.



It's almost like "lookout (Exclamation mark), it's Aalto University", and because there are double As in the word "Aalto", they had to use a CAPITAL LETTER A. When I first saw this "logo", I thought it was extremely similar to Yahoo!

LOOKOUT! IT's AALTO UNIVERSITY!