Spring

En muistanut kevään olevan niin värikäs. En välttämättä koskaan ole edes nähnyt näin värikästä kevättä. Suomessa keväästä kertoo pajunkissat, sitten tulevat puiden pienet hiirenkorvat. Täällä taas tuntuu, että minut on pudotettu keskelle syksyn ruskaa.

Matkallani kotiin päin, näin paljon keltaista. En tiedä, mikä kasvi se on, mutta sitä on kaikkialla. Se hurmaa useimmilla pihoilla. Teiden varsilla. Valkoista on myös ympäriinsä. Puskat hohtavat valkoisissa kukissaan. Pidemmällä näkyy punaisen eri sävyjä. En ymmärrä. Miten maailma on yhtäkkiä niin täynnä väriä?

Aurinko lämmittää ja maalaa kaiken kultaiseksi. Se huutaa "tule ulos leikkimään", mutta aurinko on huijari. Kylmä tuuli muistuttaa, ettei vielä ole kesä. Se heittää mekon korviin ja kylmyys menee luihin asti. En osaa pukeutua tähän säähän.

Nurmikko on jo aivan vihreä ja lähes kaikissa puissa pieniä lehtiä. Kevät on niin hemmetin kaunis. Maailma on niin hemmetin kaunis.

Kunpa olisit täällä kanssani jakamassa tämän väriloiston.
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I failed to remember that spring was so full of colour. Haven't necessarily ever seen such a colourful Spring. In Finland, signs of Spring are catkins, after which leaves start to sprout in the trees. Here in Poland, it feels as if I've been deployed in the middle of Autumn and its foliage.

On my way home, I saw a lot of yellow. I do not know the plant, but it is everywhere. Enchanting in the gardens. On the side of the roads. White is also all around. Bushes glowing with their white flowers. In the distance, you see different shades of red. I cannot comprehend. How is the world suddenly so rich in colour?

Warmth of the Sun paints everything in gold. It cries "come out and play", but the Sun is a charlatan. The cold breeze reminds you it is still no Summer. It blows the skirt to your ears and the coldness strikes to your very core. I don't know how to dress for this weather.

The grass is entirely green and nearly every tree filled with small leaves. Spring is so damn beautiful. The world is so damn beautiful.

Wish you were here with me, to share these colours and their glory.

English translation by Riki. 

House full of people.

Jumittunut käsikoru ja järjetöntä naurua. Mitä jos kukaan ei olisi ollut kotona? Olisin varmaan maannut sohvalla jumissa, kunnes ensimmäinen pojista saapuu kotiin. Miten selkä voikaan olla niin jumissa, ettei kykene koskettamaan toista kylkeään? Kävely sattuu ja treenit ovat tauolla. Liikunta on rajoittunut kevyisiin kyykkyihin ja kävelyyn. Lenkkareilla. Kaikkialla vain ja ainoastaan lenkkareilla. Peilikuva muistuttaa Koreasta ja se huvittaa.

Talo täynnä ihmisiä. Rakkaita, ihania ihmisiä, jotka hymyilet rakastavasti. Humaltuneita keskusteluja, paljon halauksia ja tanssimista. Puolet heistä ei kuitenkaan kuulu kuvaan. Heidät on leikattu ja liimattu väärään kohtaan. He ovat osa jotakin, joka ei vielä ole minä. He ovat kotonani, joka ei vielä tunnu kodilta.

Minulla on oma sänky, oma vaatekaappi ja oma pieni nurkkaukseni. Tämä on koti, johon en ole vielä pesiytynyt kunnolla. On huomattavasti helpompaa rakentaa arki yhdessä toisen kanssa, kuin astua sisään toisten arkeen. Onneksi he kuitenkin yrittävät.
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Bracelet stuck and uncontrollable laughter. What if no one would have been home? I would probably have been lying in the couch until one of the guys comes home. How is it possible that your back is so stiff you cannot even touch your left rib? Walking hurts and I'm having a break from exercise. All my moving has been limited to walking and light squats. With running shoes. Everywhere and only with running shoes. My reflection reminds me of Korea and I smile.

House full of people. Lovely people who smile at me with love. Drunken conversations, lots of hugs and dancing. Half the people do not fit the picture. They have been copy-pasted to the wrong place. They are part of something which is not me. Yet. They are in my house that does not feel like home.

I have my own bed, my own wardrobe and my own special corner. This is a home where I have not nested properly. It is much easier to build a life together with someone, rather than step inside of someone else's life. Luckily they try.

You can leave us physically, but not mentally.

My last days in Poland were beautiful and full of love. I was spending time with my colleagues as much as possible, trying to memorize their faces, voices and everything. The small things they do.

How Rafal puts his hair in ponytail. How Carl stands and smiles, how he always answers my questions without any hassle. How Marcin walks to my table, sighs and says what did you broke this time. How he looks right into your soul. How Alex smiles and laughs, how he tells me to stop dancing. How Pawel walks past my desk and ask on the way how's everything. How Riki tries to find solutions to cases I would have already given up, how he suddenly stops everything and goes for smoke. How Joona first sends me message via Skype and then asks the same thing aloud. How Adam speaks so fluently both Swedish and Polish, how he is all about learning next to Carl.

Everyone were so nice to me. They took me in with open arms and made me feel like home. And I don't how, but I end up with several nicknames.
Puppy,
Puppet,
Minion,
Happy feet,
The always moving Hula-girl of happiness,
Little ray of IT sunshine,

and of course my favorite: Little master of disaster. 

On my last day, my closest friends gathered at my place. Chilling, talking and helping me to get my stuff (and myself) together before going to the airport. It was amazing how they all made it there even after long night of drinking. 

And when I got home, I got the most adorable video call: You can leave us physically, but not mentally. Let's take shots! It seems I'm not going anywhere.

Lapalice Castle

Half built castle middle of nowhere, built without real permissions. 

That sounds like my kind of crazy. 

Little bit more about the background here. 

Kartuzy is about one hour way from Gdansk which isn't bad for after work road trip. The architecture of the castle is brilliant. You can easily move between different parts of the castle, it feels like a labyrinth. There is a huge dancing hall, dozens of different rooms, towers, way too many stairs and surprisingly many floors. 

If you are around Tri-city, I recommend you to rent a car and drive there. It will be worth of it.

Different things in Poland. Part 4

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
13. Melody in the traffic light of Gdansk.
It is natural to have sound in the traffic lights so blind people can also cross the street savely. We have it in Finland also, but Gdansk has their own tune. It is not the basic PEEP - PEEP - sound, it is something different. It is hard to explain, so listen to yourself.

14. Public toilets have separate toilet section.
First I though it is just some of the toilets, but everyone I have visited so far has it. When you go in, you enter the hand washing section. Then after another door there is toilets. There is always the door between.

15. Cleanliness
This is actually something my mom pointed out. Even though some buildings are old, the streets are really clean. There isn't cigarette butts or trash all over the place. In the festival people were picking up their own trash. It seems that Polish kids are taught to keep streets clean and if not, there is cleaner who sweeps the streets in the morning.

16. Going to the doctor
This is the thing that gets me every time I have to see a doctor abroad. I can just walk in and get a appointment. No long waiting lines, no huge bill after it, no expensive tests. They see me and they write me description for antibiotics. Just like that. It is awesome and scary at the same time.

August

This month has been crazy. Every week has been different and there hasn't been such a thing called normal day. I have been full of energy and love, everything is so beautiful. Poland has been so good for me and it hurts to know I have only one month left.

August started with kind of hard week. All the tickets seemed to be stuck in my queue and I had no idea what to do with them. It is frustrating to realize I still need to ask for help. I have been here over 3 months now and I should know more. Luckily my team is always ready to help.

Next week I was working from home. First time in my life. And it was awesome. I was listening music all day, dancing in my own peace without getting any comments from my colleage. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get or make any calls since I was having quite bad cough. It helped me realize how much I use phone in my work. Luckily I still managed to solve some tickets.

After spending one week home almost completely alone I was thrilled to come back to work. I had so much energy and I just wanted to hug everyone at work. Apparently being alone does not suit me that well. Third I just enjoyed being back at the office and having all that energy. On Saturday Kalle came visit me again.

Since Kalle was here the final week of August was full of love. Work days flew by since every day I had something to wait. We visited Gdynia, partied, went to movies, ate well, watch whole season of The Returned.. All the stuff you do with your significant other. It was extremely sad to let Kalle go back. My coworker even said I seemed to be more happy when he was here which of course was true.

This month was pure gold, every week was different and special in its own way. It feels so weird I have only one month left.

Different thing in Poland. Part 3

Part 1
Part 2
9. Somersby Beer drink.

Somersby in Finland is well-known for its delicious ciders. When I saw Somersby here I was going HALLELUJA! in my head. Then I realized it's not the same.. It is okay, but the after taste is little bit too much beerish in my opinion.

10. Unisex toilets

Many places have unisex toilets.  I'm not sure if it is gender equality issue here or just practicality, it is much more easier to have unisex toilets. Either way, it is amazing and the way things should be.

11. Paying with cards.

Cards are way more common than cash. You can pay with contactless payments like paypass almost everywhere and it is desirable. Most surprisingly - you cannot pay with cash in the festival, only cards we accepted. At least in the Open'er Festival.

12. The forest.

It is so different when comparing to Finland and at the same time it reminds me about Korea. Tall trees, walking routes, really easy place to get lost. When you go in it feels like entering a fairytale.

July

Heinäkuu sujahti ohi aivan huomaamatta ja siinä välissä kaksi kuukautta täällä rikkoutui. Nyt on enää kaksi kuukautta jäljellä, mikä tuntuu uskomattoman vähältä. Minusta tuntuu, että tämän kuukauden aikana olen vihdoin synkronoitunut tähän ympäristöön ja kuherruskuukausi on ohi. Olen nyt siinä mukavassa vaiheessa kulttuurishokkia, jolloin kaikki tuntuu olevan mahdollista ja Puola aivan mahtava.

Heinäkuu on ollut täynnä matkustamista, vieraita ja rakkautta maailmaa kohtaan. Se alkoi Kallen kanssa seikkailessa, jatkui äidin vierailulla ja reilun viikon lomalla Suomessa. Matkustamista, ystäväpariskunnan tuparit ja paljon ihania ihmisiä. Parhaan ystävän häät, hyvää ruokaa ja oman rakkaan viereen käpertyminen. Äidin vaatekaapin tyhjennys, mummon näkeminen ja viini-ilta ystävän luona. Laiskottelua kotona, Netflix ja Subway. Mähkijöiden tapaaminen, Pokemon GO ja tonkallinen viiniä. Paljain varpain bussiasemalle ja öiset keskustelut. Näitä on ollut ikävä. Rakkauden täyteinen viikonloppu Kosmoksessa, paljain varpain keskellä metsää parhaiden tyyppien kanssa.

Takaisin Puolaan ja ystävän saapuminen melkein heti. Parasta on, kun juttu jatkuu siitä, mihin se viimeksi jäi, vaikka välissä olisikin pidempi aika. En muista, milloin viimeksi olisin oikeasti viettänyt kahden keskistä aikaa hänen kanssaan. Nyt kuitenkin vietimme ihanan viikonlopun yhdessä jutellen, nauraen ja kierrellen ympäri Gdanskia.

This happens when you leave your computer unlocked..

Tämän kaiken lisäksi olen tietenkin ollut töissä. Olen tietoisesti yrittänyt poistua harjoittelija-roolista, sillä kyseinen rooli voi olla hyvinkin rajoittava. Uskon onnistuneeni tavoitteessani, sillä alkukuusta sain positiivista palautetta, joka sai minut hehkumaan ylpeydestä ja yrittämään vielä paremmin. Haluan syyskuussa pystyä toimimaan täysin itsenäisesti, kun jään ainoaksi harjoittelijaksi. Elokuun tavoitteenani onkin pyytää palautetta aktiivisemmin ja etsiä ne omat kehityskohteeni.

Töissä on ollut rauhallista, koska ihmiset ovat kesälomilla. Kun ihmiset ovat poissa töistä, ongelmia ei myöskään ilmene samalla tavalla. Tällä hetkellä suurimpia ongelmia aiheuttaa sähköposti, johon yli 90% tiketeistä liittyy. Tikettejä on kuitenkin huomattavasti vähemmän kuin alkukesästä, minkä takia töissä on enemmän vapaa-aikaa. Olen päättänyt käyttää tuon ylimääräisen ajan ruotsin kielitaitoni parantamiseen Duolingossa.

Kokonaisuudessaan heinäkuu on ollut upea. Tästä on hyvä jatkaa kohti uusia haasteita.
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July flew by without me noticing and at some point the two months threshold was broken. Now there are only two months left, which feels incredibly short. During this month I finally synchronized with this environment, and the sweet honeymoon is over. Now I am at the comfortable stage of culture shock, when everything seems to be possible, and Poland just awesome.

July has been full of traveling, guests and love towards the world. It started with adventures with Kalle, continued with mom's visit and over a week holiday in Finland. Traveling, friend's housewarming party and a lot of wonderful people. Best friend's wedding, good food, and snuggling with my love one. Visiting mom's wardrobe, seeing granny and little bit wine with good friend. Lazy days at home, Netflix and Subway. Mähkijät-meeting, Pokemon GO and 3 liters of  wine. Walking barefoot to the bus station and late-night conversations. I have missed these. Weekend full of love in Kosmos,dancing barefoot in the middle of the forest with the best people.

Back in Poland and a friend arrived almost immediately. It is the best feeling when the conversation continues like you had seen yesterday even if the time between had been longer. I can't remember the last time I actually spent time alone with her. Now we spent a wonderful weekend together talking, laughing and walking around Gdansk.

In addition to all this, of course, I have been working. I have consciously tried to step outside of the trainee role, as this role can be very restrictive. I think succeeded in this goal, since early this month, I received positive feedback, which made me glow with pride and encouraged me to try even better. In September I would like to be able to operate fully independently, since I will be the only trainee left. In August, my goal is to seek feedback more actively and look for the things I need to development.

It has been peaceful at the work, because people are on the summer holidays. When people are out of office, problems will not occur at the same way. Right now the greatest problems are caused by e-mail.More than 90% tickets are about it. Since there is considerably less tickets than the beginning of the summer, we have more free time at the work. I have decided to use this extra time to improve my Swedish language skills Duolingo.

All in all, July has been magnificent. This is a good start towards new challenges.

So are you.

Viikonloppu keskellä metsää rakkautta pursuavien hippien ympäröimänä muistuttaa, mitä elämä kuuluu olla. Kun on viikonlopun ajan kävellyt paljain varpain, tuntenut selittämätöntä hyväksyntää ja yhteyttä kaikkien kanssa, tuntuu oudolta palata kylmään todellisuuteen. Todellisuuteen, jossa ihmisiä vaaditaan käyttämään kenkiä ja jossa huomaamattasi tunnet yhteiskunnan vaatimukset niskassasi. Todellisuuden, jossa sinun on taisteltava kaataaksesi normit, koska ne sotivat sinun sisintäsi vastaan.

Sen takia varmaan tämä iskee nyt niin lujaa. 

Elämä on kaunista, ihmiset pohjimmiltaan hyviä ja maailma on avoinna sinulle. Uskalla avata silmäsi, sydämesi ja sylisi. Maailma ei ole paha, vaikka se siltä välillä uutisten perusteella vaikuttaa. Maailma on avoinna sinulle, jos sinä itse olet avoinna sille. Joten uskalla avautua, unelmoi isosti ja luota, että kaikki järjestyy.

Minun elämäni tuntuu kulkevan juuri oikeaan suuntaan, hiukan hapuillen mutta suunta on silti oikea. Haluan yhä kaiken ja uskon saavuttavani sen. Maagisesti myös läheiseni tuntuvat kulkevan omia haaveitaan kohti. He ovat yhtä hukassa kuin minäkin, mutta me menemme kiertoteiden kautta unelmiamme kohti. Se matka on vain yksinkertaisesti hauskempi.

Kosmos antoi taas niin paljon, ettei sitä pysty sanoin kuvaamaan. Kiitos. 

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Weekend middle of the forest with lovable hippies reminds you what life is all about. When you have walked whole weekend barefoot, felt inexplicable acceptance and connection with everyone, it feels weird to come back cold reality. Reality where people are wearing shoes and society's expectations are heavy. Reality where you have to fight against the norms which are in war with your inner self.

Maybe that is the reason why that song gives me goose bumps.

Life is beatiful, people good and world open to you. Dare to open your eyes, heart and arms. World isn't bad even though the news tell that sometimes. World is open to you if you are open to it. So dare to open up, dream big and trust the world. Everything will work out. 

My life seems to go just the right way. Maybe little gropingly but the direction is right. I still want everything and I believe I can get it. Magically people around me seems to walking towards their dreams. They are just as lost as me, but we are just taking detour - the funnier way - to our dreams. 

Kosmos gave so much - again. It was unspeakable. Thank you. 

Hei me mennään naimisiin!

Niin se vaan tapahtui - Hannele meni naimisiin. Vaippaikäisestä asti ollaan hengailtu yhdessä, koettu kaikki nuoruuden hulluudet yhdessä ja tuettu toisiamme sekä ylä- että alamäissä. Pitkälle ollaan tultu ja kuten Sohvi sanoi, ei olisi uskonut Hannelen olevan meistä ensimmäinen naimisissa. Niin kuitenkin tapahtui.

Ennen H-hetkeä kuitenkin fiilisteltiin, juhlittiin ja valmistauduttiin tulevaisuuteen polttareiden muodossa. Mitäpä sitä niistä kertoisi, ehkä tämä video kertoo enemmän kuin tuhat sanaa.

Kiitokset Mintulle tästä upeudesta!

Häät olivat upeat ja aivan parin näköiset. Ruoka oli hyvää, alkoholia tarpeeksi ja kaikki vaikuttivat viihtyvän. Suuremmilta draamoilta vältyttiin ja krapulan määrä seuraavana aamuna oli juuri sopiva.

Pääkaaso kuittaa ja kiittää.

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So it happened - Hannele got married. We have been hanging around since we were still in diapers, we have done all the crazy things and been there for each other in good times and in bad. We have come a long way and like Sohvi said you would never guessed Hannele to be the first married one. Somehow that just happened.

Before wedding we celebrated and got ready for the future in bachelorette party. I'm not sure what to tell you about it so check this video - maybe it tells more. Thanks to Minttu for the video!

The wedding was fabulous and it truly represented the couple. Food was good, there was enough alcohol and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. The biggest drama was one too drunk guy, hangover was bearable and otherwise everything was perfect.

Main maid of honor over and out. 

No rest for me.

Past few weeks have been crazy.

Photo by Marianne Skurnik

First there was hen party for my best friend.  After months of planning it was finally time for her special day - or in this case, weekend. On Friday morning I flew to Finland and surprised her by showing up. We had prepared different tasks for her and of course she passed all of them! Next day we had amazing brunch, sauna and partying in the nightlife of Lahti. The bride seemed to enjoy every moment and I believe she had the kind of party she wanted.

Next weekend Kalle came to Poland. We partied with my colleagues, adventured around Gdansk and enjoyed each other. We ate really well, went to festival and I shared my world with him, just like I always to do. He was here over a week and time just flew by.

Three days normal week days and then my mom came here. Whole weekend seeing different things, walking and taking Ubers everywhere. Colorfestival, Old Town and Sopot. Villa Vrest and amazing food. Shopping and talking, enjoying the mother-daughter-time.

Soon it was also over and now I have four days to rest before next big adventure.

Leisure time.

Suomessa minulla ei ole mitään varsinaisia harrastuksia, osittain koska opiskelu ja työnteko samaan aikaan vievät suurimman osan ajastani. Puolassa ollessani olen kuitenkin elänyt nämä ensimmäiset viikot aktiivisempaa elämää kuin aikoihin.

Olen katsonut kaikki lätkämatsit isommassa porukkassa.

Olen pelannut beerbongia ja tanssinut baarissa.

Olen käynyt boulderoimassa jo kolme kertaa.

Olen käynyt rannalla, vanhassa kaupungissa ja keilaamassa.

Olen ollut sosiaalisempi ja rakastanut sitä.

Parasta on kuitenkin iltaiset keskustelutuokiot kämppiksen kanssa.

Eniten minua kuitenkin huvittaa, että matkustin Puolaan asti, jotta aloitin joogan.

Odotan innolla, minkälaiseksi arkeni täällä oikeasti muodostuu. Juuri nyt se vaikuttaa olevan aktiivista ja yltiösosiaalista, mutta eihän sitä tiedä, mitä tapahtuu, kun pöly laskeutuu.
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In Finland I don't actually have any special hobbies. Probably partly because studying and working at the same time takes most of my time. These first week here in Poland has been more active life than ever before.

I have watched all the hockey games in big group.
I have played beerbong and danced in the bars.
I have been bouldering three times already.
I have visited beach, old town and went bowling.
I have been more social and loved it.
I think the best part is the evening talks with my roommate.
But the most funny thing is that I had to go all the way to Poland to start yoga.

I'm excited to see how my weekdays will eventually shape, Right now it seem to be active and over-social but you never know what happens when when this "everything is new and awesome" phase passes.