Laskiainen!!

Hello my darlings!!

I know I promised Radio Spiritlight Helsinki, but the computer I'm using today is in Russian and I don't know how to work it. SO, next time....

On February 12th I had one the BEST days of my Helsinki adventure.

There's an annual university student sledding event and being the sledding enthusiast that I am, I COULD NOT WAIT TO GO.

I should have skipped class that day (like, really) and I regret that I didn't BUT anyway...

So after class half of my friends wanted to go to lunch and then to the sledding event. And I was like, "No."

So I banded together with my gal pals and we made our way over to the park where the event was going to take place.

How would we find our way there?

"Follow the overalls."

University students have these REALLY RAD overalls (actually, they're jumpsuits) and they wear them throughout the year for various events. Each faculty has a different color overall (mine is red). Additionally you can buy patches from events and sew them onto your overalls; it's a wearable scrapbook. I WANT ONE SO BAD. But apparently my faculty's are currently sold out [crying]. Also if you're "serious" (you define serious) with someone, you cut each other's leg ear calf-length leg off your pants, swap, and sew! CUTE RIGHT?!!?

So back to the story. 

We CRAMMED our way into the tram full of overalled sledding enthusiasts, exchange students, and innocent tram riders who I think were living vicariously through us.

We got off at our stop and followed the overalls.

Take walk, take a walk, take a walk , take a walk, woooaaahhh

Note: seeing REALLY attractive guys in their overalls getting excited about sledding was beyond adorable.

We marched in with our tram group, ready to take the hill!

It felt like we were a league.

I was in love.

I found my friend Olivia and wasted no time. We ascended the hill, found an extra sled, and sled and sled and sled and sled and sled. And watched other people sled. And ran into other people sledding. And yelled "Look out!" And had "Look out!" yelled at us in Finnish.

There was loud rock, pop, indie rock, 90's punk and more, music playing during the whole event. It totally added to the atmosphere.

The dedicated crew

At 3 we cleared the hill for the sledding competition! Students who built their special, creative sleds got to exhibit them.

The best 2:

A group of like 6 guys with ropes attached to their backs ran down the hill. The ropes, we discovered, were attached to a guy on a sled at the bottom of the hill. So, using a simple pulley machine, as they ran down, the sled guy sledded up the hill!!

The other one came as a surprise. We thought the competition was over. Oh no, it wasn't and I didn't have my camera ready.

All of a sudden I hear my call .

I whip my head to the hill like MC at 0:39 to find a TITANIC sled coming down the hill complete with captain, the 4 steam stack pipe things, and Jack with a Rose [doll] in the front. 

They crashed into an iceberg, aka a big pile of snow.

It was my favorite.

THE TITANIC GROUP!!! They ran into an "iceberg" aka a big pile of snow

 After the competition we went sledding some more. 

Before we left we grabbed some hot rum, honey, and water. 

It was gross. 

I think it needed more honey, or less water, or both.

The event was AMAZING. Full of youthful spirit, unadulterated happiness, and well, it was just kinda perfect.

I was supposed to go home at this point to eat and prep before the after-party, but I was offered a 6 euro ticket for a hockey match. Realizing I didn't know when an offer like this would come up again, I took it. Yay spontaneity!!

So I went the Assat vs. Jokerit hockey match (rooting for Jokerit, but I don't think my support will stay with them ahah).

Olivia and I pigged out on hotdogs and popcorn because we both hadn't had anything since breakfast and were starving.

The game was fun to watch and "get into."

We were just so happy about full on Finnish day!

We ran out of the arena after the 2nd third because I needed to catch a train back home if I wanted to still attend the party.

Arrived at railway station, ran for a metro, ran home, changed, ran back for another metro into the city. So tired. 

Long story short: the tickets for the after party sold out, but Nic and I tried to sweet talk the controllers of the club to let us in. It didn't work.

So we went to McDonald's to eat away our sorrows.

It was Fat Tuesday, so we had doughnuts and McFlurries too.

I went back home.

The End.

Best Day.

Love always,
S

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Strictly a Recap

Hello my darlings!

So, it's mid February? How?

The only post I've done on my Finnish Adventures has been day 1. So I need to catch you up on the last 44 days of my life....

I like lists, so this is going to be a list.

Ok, let's get to it. It's recap time.

• Went to orientation, met my "tutor group." We still hang out, so it's really great.
• At the "Finnish Culture Crash Course" we learned that: There are "many layers of Finland" which I believe means Narnia is underneath Finland. I made a note to find it; We should learn Finnish words: Words I knew at the time that started with the letter "K"- Kiitos, Kiipis, Kettu: Thank You, Cheers, Fox. I felt like I had a pretty good start, "Cheers! Thank you for the fox!"; You might experience among other things, anxiety and potentially years of struggle. YEARS??
• The weekend after orientation I went to a party, and while I was planning on spending the night with a friend who has an extra mattress, my other friend as a little too drunk to go home by herself (she was DETERMINED to catch a night bus), so I decided to go find this bus with her. She kept saying she knew where the bus stop was. She did not. After walking down some street to a nonexistent bus station, some ladies asked if we needed help. They told us we needed to get to the Central Railway Station to find out bus. We began walking back. 
• So, here we are, on the cold streets of Helsinki at 4:40 in the morning when all of a sudden I see six naked men running on the other side of the street. "I can't be that drunk," I thought to my at this point perfectly sober self. I take a double take. Sure enough there they still are. 6 dudes just taking at night? morning? joy run.
• Can't deny, I want to do it to....
• There was no bus. The last one last one left at 4:20. Called friend, spent the night in the center
• On Sunday we visited the Sibelius monument, but what was more fun was the Cafe we went to afterwards. It's the cutest little cafe by the sea. They had great hot chocolate and pulla (cinnamon buns)!!! AND, they were having customer appreciation day/week/month (I'm not sure which) and you could get a free sausage to cook over the fire outside!



Strange Wooden Baby Figurine



• Monday was the first day of school and I smelled like smoke.
• "It's dangerous to walk around the university at noon; all the students want to eat you."- My friend Nic about our smelling like campfire smoke.
• WARNING I don't know how chronologically ordered the following stories will be.
• One day in January we went out for Blinis before going out to parrrtttaaaayyy. Blinis are these deliscious salty fluffy pancakes that you can eat with all sorts of stuff! I had mine with salmon tartar, mmmmmmm. I was one happy camper
• Another time our Finnish friend Lilli invited us over to her flat for an authentic Finnish meal. SO TASTY. We had fish, a fruit and beet salad (if i remember correctly), mushroom salad, dip a really good dip of sorts to be eaten by the Rye crakers, and a berry cake for dessert!!! 

Ok, that's all for now!! As memories come back, I'll write more regarding the recap.

NEXT TIME: Special "treat"! Next post I'm uploading the first of Radio SpiritLight Helsinki! You'll see what I mean soon... ;)

For now, love always,

S

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Arriving in Hel

Hello my darllings!
4:30 AM January 4th.

My taxi driver was downstairs right on time. He loaded my suitcases into the trunk, I said my good bye for nows to Margot, and then we were off to the airport. I fought the urge to sleep because I wanted to see and take in my last ride to the Wro airport for 5 months. I'm glad I did. 

I arrived at the airport, checked my bags, went through security (after my morning frisking of course). I still don't know what kept making me beep.

Things I like about the airport in Wro: they have these really rad new lounging chairs that are dangerously super comfy. I found a free one, laid down, and rested my eyes until it was time to board.

We boarded and I fell asleep, only to wake up when they passed out the chocolate covered waffle bars and drinks, and then fell right back to sleep.

We landed in Warszawa and I found my terminal with ease; I didn't have to change locations or anything, I just had to walk a few gates down to the right one.

I passed out on that flight too, waking up only for food that I put in my bag for later.

We landed in Helsinki and my sleep deprived body at least managed to smile at that. I was here again. After 5 years I was BACK! 

Thank the lawd the airport had free wifi. I was able to call the housing office to verify exactly where I was supposed to go to pick up my keys. The office, not the apartments as I had thought the night before.

Next up: How do I get away from the airport? 

I found the information desk, and ate their candy, and the lady told me exactly what I needed to do to escape. I boarded the magical 615 bus to the city center and had to keep my suitcases from sliding up and down the aisle for 35 minutes. 

There was a group of 4 girls behind me, two Finns, two not. They were talking and I was eavesdropping, and when we reached the Central Railway Station I asked if they were by chance going to the housing office. They were. SCORE!

I followed them like a poor desperate soul, lugging my bags with me. They were walking so fast and I could barely keep up. 

We finally reached the housing office and I honest to goodness wanted to lie down in the snow and sleep. I waited a good hour if not more before my number was called. I got my keys and mission two of the day began. How do I get to my home?

It's good that I've been to Helsinki before because I at least had some memory of the layout of the city. I found my way to the metro station and had to take 3 breaks to catch my  breath. Without suitcases it's a 2 minute walk. I think it to me 10. 

Hello metro, we've never met before. 

The ride home took 20 minutes. I emerged from underground to greet Kontula, my new neighborhood. 

Kontula greeted me with a high five to the face.

I started walking because I was sure I knew where I was going.

I didn't. 

I turned around, walked back a 1/3 of a block, then tried again down the same road. Turned around, found some 8 year old school kids and asked them where I needed to go. I probably scared them half to death. 

Here's the 21 year old girl with post-flight hair of a lion and a face that looks like it's been slapped by a fish, twice, asking in English no less where my home was.

They didn't know where I needed to go which I soon realized when even I (emphasis on "I") knew their directions were wrong. I don't blame them in the least bit. If 8 year old Sylvia was asked to give directions you would've ended up in bumblehoop nowhere too.

I walked back to the bus station and asked a lady where I needed to go. Turns out I HAD been going in the right direction (yay me!).

Sylvia, you keep mentioning this bus station, why didn't YOU just take one?

Well Richard,

yeah I dunno. I'm stubborn and wanted to get to my house on my own by foot. I thought it would be nice. hahaha

So I'm walking around like a koo koo lady resembling the Hunchback of Notre Dame, draggginnnggg her suitcases along the sidewalk which were, by the by, accumulating snow like it was their profession. I seriously think there was 2 pounds of snow beneath each one. Snow and suitcases are a NIGHTMARE. I was tired, hungry, cold, and my body was ACHING.

I just really wanted a hug.

I reached some crosswalk and I turned my head around, looking distraught and lost, to find a Finnish man, wife, nephew, and baby. The man chuckled and asked me something.

"I'm sorry, I don't speak Finnish."

"Ah-ha," and without hesitation he picked up on of my suitcases and carried it across the street. In shock, I gave him a big thank you. His kindness didn't stop there, oh no, he asked where I was going, and he and his family escorted me all the way home!!!!! Well, the man left at one point because he had to go to the supermarket, but then his wife and nephew took over. 

These Finnish angels saved me that day. I really think if  they had not come I would have ended up on the side of the road crying and eating my airplane sandwich.

I got home and saw that it was completely dark inside. "Hello?" Out of the darkness I saw my roommate crawl around corner. 

It was actually really scary. 

Some hi's were exchanged but I really wasn't in the state of mind to speak coherently so I just plopped my stuff down, finally grabbed my sandwich from my backpack and scarffed it down my throat.

I walked into my room and realized that I still needed to buy  bedding for my sad naked bed. Wasting no time, I went back to the metro, went to the only shopping center I knew, Kampii, found bedding, came home, resisted the urge to fall asleep, went grocery shopping, and THEN collapsed on my bed for a "nap" at 18:00. I woke up around 20 I think, met my other two flatmates, and then around 23 I fell into a VERY deep slumber.

The End.

Love always,
S

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The End of Wro

Hello my darlings!

Here we go.

My last two days in Wro were nothing short of spectacular. I spent them with my two very best gal pals and our honorary guests.

We more or less moved into our new home Helios. What's Helios? Helios is the god of movie theaters I've visited thus far, and it's going to be tough to beat (theater that beats Helios? The one that will host the premiere of the first movie I have a role in).

Helios is first and foremost a cinema.

Helios has four swings by the entrance, yes, SWINGS. So when you're waiting for friends you can swing [and sing and try not to hit furniture and innocent bystanders]. As you'll soon read about, this isn't the only time to use these childhood beauties.

Helios has a bistro. A GOOD bistro. And it was very inexpensive.
 We ate lunch or dinner here for the 4 days leading up to my departure. 

Helios has a cafe situated beneath the staircase. They have VERY GOOD carrot cake. I had it twice.

Helios has squishy chairs and cushions to sit/sleep on,which we did. We were just one blanket shy from making a fort right then and there.

Helios has beanbag chairs outside of the theater rooms so that while you wait....yes, you can let the bean bag chair give you a big noisy hug and pretend you're 7 again.

Helios has wifi.

Helios has Jenga and other games.

Helios has the Polish closet to Narnia and the connecting slide to Platform 9 and 3/4 for exchange students  [not confirmed, but I know it does].

Helios.

For a good 4 hours each day (Wednesday and Thursday) we hung out in Helios (and a minimun of 2 during the couple of days before). None of these hangouts included a movie.

Here's a map of what we did:

It's not to scale, and is missing some things. But it's pretty, no?

So we entered, went to the bistro, got foooooods [CHANGE PLACES!]
Went to the cafe and got pastries. Sat at those tables (on Thursday we played Jenga/ made houses out of the blocks). [CHANGE PLACES!]

Me and Unicorn Jenga

We went to the swings and swung, swung, swung!!

Because of our on going joke that Helios is our home, I placed the picture occupied picture frame I'd just received a few minutes earlier on a table near the swings, making the place even more homey ;)

Us on swings and our homey pictured picture frame :)

I hit a lady. I didn't mean to. This 50+ year lady decided to join Astrid's boyfriend and me on the swings. "Cool, a new friend," I thought. I tried to be extra careful not to bother her swing time, but I spaced out for ONE second and BOOM. I hit her. She left after two polite "oh I'm not leaving because you rammed your 21 year old butt into me" swings. I felt SO bad.

On Thursday, after packing, supper with my cousins and friends, and making a quick stop by my old dorm to say a last goodbye to my roommates, I took a Taxi back to Margot's place.

It was such a good taxi ride. Why? The entire roof was a sun-roof. So, with the classical music the taxi driver was playing and the lit up old buildings under a star filled sky I stared at, it was an awesome taxi ride.

Thumbs up taksówka. Thumbs up.

Next time on Syl's Study Adventurbroad: "Arriving in Hel. A story of Finnish angels and my "real" exchange student move in experience."

Love always,
S

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Christmas and New Year in Poland!

Hello my darlings,

Here is a quick, photo heavy, recap post of my holidays in Poland.

I spent the 20th-23rd with my grandparents (Dad's side) relaxing/ catching up on TV, and watching Polish shows while also making Christmas decorations and presents, preparing Christmas food, and singing, looottsss of singing on my part :D

On the 24th my cousin came to pick up the grandparents and me to take us back to my aunt and uncles [BIG, AWESOME, SUPER GREAT] house where we'd be spending Wigilia and Christmas.

Guest list:

My grandparents

Uncle's [SUPER AWESOME and I love her like my own] mother

Aunt

Cousin Marin and Wife Kasia and Baaabbbbbyyyy Wojtek:*

Cousin Ola

Yours truly

The night consisted of FOOOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDDDDD FFFFFFFOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDDDD and drinks :D

We sang Koledy which I was really excited about because before that I was awkwardly whisper-singing Christmas songs to myself

And then of course the presents!!!

I got clothes for Finland which I HAPPILY donned immediately following each unwrapping. I also got a teacup and books about Poland and Wroclaw ^_^

The rest of the night consisted of more and more food and drinking and singing. It was great. :D

On the 26th my aunt drove me and all of my bags to my other grandparents' place. We listened to Coldplay the whole way there and it was wonderful.

I arrived and was taken to the living room where there Christmas food set up on the table. So, we ate and ate and ate.

On the 30th I caught a bus to Wroclaw and was picked up from the train station by Astrid. 

Margot arrived soon after and then we went out to get food. 

(This post deals with a lot of eating)
On New Years Eve Astrid and I decorated the apartment and prepped it for the pre- city center outing dinner we were hosting.

The guests arrived and: 

Around 22:30 we left for the center to ppppaaarrrrtttaaaayyyy!!!

You weren't allowed to have glass inside the marked area so we had to finish our champagne outside the entrance, but we brought in our BeTon (Bechorovka and Tonic) with no problem ^_^

They had some ABBA cover band playing so I had a BLAST. We danced and danced and danced it was was so MAGICAL! 

At midnight the fireworks lit up the sky and "THIS" played in the background. ^_^

We left around 1:30 and went to Margot's place and chilled until 4ish and then Astrid and I went back home.


The end. :D

Love always,
S

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