Finn pride

Living in a post-communistic country has somewhat provoked the inner patriot in me. My colleague asked me if we in Finland celebrate the national day as we came to talk about the subject due to next week’s Swedish national day. I was explaining her about the traditions and noticed that my tone increased in burning passion as I went on about how we actually call it independence day instead of national day, and why that is. In comparison with the Swedes we Finns are sure more of patriotic kind (Where as Swedes are “the worrying kind” :)) due to our tumultuous history. Living in a country that was suppressed by the Soviets, and now experiencing the influence of this period of history, has made me appreciate the WWII Finnish defence, and the fact that we did not get invaded, even more.

Patriotic spirit is visible in the smallest things. I hear a Finnish song on the radio, or notice that they sell Panda liquorice in Tesco, or that someone knows some random Finnish athlete etc. And as the cherry on the top of course, watching the spectacle of the year, ie. Euroviisut (eurovision) 2007 made me purr like a cat that has sipped in a plateful of cream. I mean that show really rocked! Not that I would boast about anything aloud (or at least I try not…). Honestly, I find that annoying. I am here myself to learn about a different culture, not to emphasize my own. Anyhow, noticing these things is something that keeps me attached to my home country and maybe brings about an even stronger connection. It is in fact so that many times one has to drift apart from the background in order to feel more connected.



P.S. I uploaded more pics…

Free Floating

I have managed to adapt to the pace of weeks going by pretty well by now. I go to work on a Monday morning and, wooooshhh… it is already Friday afternoon. Then again, and even quicker, another Monday morning. Honestly speaking, I feel quite stagnated. Work is far from anything spectacular and all the parties are fun though, but nothing special there either. I am not learning the language very actively, nor taking active steps forward on any other area. More so, I’ve been slaying myself of not seeing enough effort to build up from here. I mean, I graduated and all that, but it is supposed to be just the beginning, right?

However, yesterday was an important milestone in some ways. I finally managed to drag my lazy ass to the gym. Oooh, whatta feeling!! I have missed the muscle ache that hits you on the following day, the anticipation, the sudden burst of self esteem that comes along with the dripping sweat. I definitely feel more energetic even after one go. Maybe it will have a positive affect on other areas as well. The language especially… How peculiar that one can get so used to not understanding…

Btw. How is everyone? The now “idle” people, that I used to hang out with while in Finland. Funnily enough, I am so used to this routine over here and the people around me, that honestly speaking I do not actively think about you guys that often. BUT, it for sure doesn’t mean that I don’t care. Just normal adaptation I guess.

Fundamental Q & A

I realize it now, the importance of self discovery and planning one’s life on at least some level. Doing time abroad is a marvellous way to initiate this process. I have come to notice that I really have to develop my determination to things. I never would have thought, but I am in many ways a people pleaser, a sort of “yes yes person”. If someone asks me would you like to do something in the afternoon/evening/tomorrow/29th of May, I tend to agree before considering. Or I just vaguely mumble “maybe”. The time scope of planning my free time is easily only a few minutes.

Of course there are now so many more social life opportunities (i.e. more people asking about my plans) than what I am used to. I will have to think about what it is I really want to do, not just float to some happenings even if I should be somewhere else. I am pretty exhausted right now and dream of getting a good night sleep. But no, the most likely result of my upcoming Friday evening is a hangover + sleeping late tomorrow. I did plan to go to the gym, but…

And moreover… How I ended up here in Czech Republic also demonstrates this feature. I just drifted. In stead of a clear focus of which direction I want to direct my career to, I chose the place mainly cause a big group of trainees seemed like fun and the LC had a well maintained webpage. So not that very rational reasons… Some friends and acquaintances of mine are quite developed in self organising. They have a vision. They have developed action plans. They seem to be so damn satisfied in their little development paths. I envy that…and then again not so much. I kinda like surprises. Only I like them to come in some sort of framework. That works for me. One has to discover their own way of planning things. Gotta work on that.