MNY 465

I am working a lot to colnclude my studies and I feel quite exhausted... I hate deadlines, really, and I have never been good at them as I always need more time. I hate presure, too, it just makes me more tired. Blah, I feel a bit slow and useless... :(

However, this is not a beauty blog at all, yet I have to post this swatch. :D I have been searching for the photo of this particular nail polish and since I could not find it anywhere online - here is my own (not that perfect) swatch. The nail polish is MNY 465, a beautiful bronze. I am quite into bronze shades lately, and this one was a nice and cheap discovery at the MNY stand in the local Finnish store Sokos. 

日本語 NIHONGO

Last Friday, I have bought the yellow textbook Shin Bunka Shokyuu Nihongo 1. The reason for this not very cheap purchase was the fact I have started to attend Japani 1, Japanese 1 class here in JKL. I have been attending the class for three weeks; then, I have decided I should insist in my language learning. Thus, the book is now mine.

My wish to learn Japanese is not new. Also, it is not connected with popular Japanese culture that invades young European generations; the wish has emerged when I started to practice Japanese martial arts. Or art, as at first there was only Nanbudo. During Nanbudo trainings I was always good in remembering all those foreign names of techniques, positions and katas. Japanese sounded interesting enough, and in 2004 the wish for learning has arisen.

However, things went their own way. At first, I was even considering an option if I would start studying Japanese in Ljubljana as a regular student; I still had a student status, at that time, but also unfinished diploma. I decided to finish my BA first, yet later I was sorry. Thus, I was searching for other Japanese classes, which did not work out. It seems I had to learn Finnish first. For during the summer 2005, my connection with Finland was established; a total coincidence...

...ki je bilo nek točno določeni Finec, s katerim sedaj že več kot eno leto ne govoriva, v nobenem jeziku, ter se nisva videla odkar živim tukaj, dobrih tristo kilometrov stran od tistega mesta. Mogoče mi postaja popolnoma vseeno, oziroma vsaj upam na to skorajšnjo vseenost.

If I was not able to find Japanese language class, Finnish group for beginners was established, and I could enrol. Coincidences, which might not exist, all sorts of events with their own hidden purpuse, which is discovered years later... whatever. After 4 years, moving to Finland and changing Nanbudo for Aikido, the wish to learn Japanese was still present and strong enough.

Now I am a student in Japani 1, learning Japanese through Finnish. And that makes me proud. :) I just have to keep on going...

... pri tem, ko raje pišem blog namesto japonske domače naloge in učenja hiragane.

FLATS AND MATES

It's quiet Saturday in a quiet, almost sleepy student campus. I have been thinking how this new campus I have moved to in June is much more calm. I have also been thinking about my previous year here in JKL. My studies had started, I had moved from my parents place. First time in my life I had started to live on my own. Well, not totally on my own.

I guess those that were not confronted with the possibility to study in the place of their original being would probably experience these things I plan to write about much earlier. Anyway, Slovenia is also not Finland, students do not have so good oportunities to move away from their parents as soon as they finish high-school. If we Slovenians live close to the universities, we in most cases stay at home. Flats are expencive, scholarships are rare, and so on...

Last year, I was placed into a shared appartement; it was a small two-room flat. I had my own room, the bathroom and kitchen were shared with the flatmate. Never before I had been given the expirience to live with a person I had never met. People are put kind of randomely togehter, girls and boys are not mixed - and so one starts to live with the other one, like it or not these two have to share their everydays.

For me, and I guess also for every single one, such sharing can bring some nice and.. well, also not that pleasant thingies. I have found out what had made me a cranky shared-flat dweller, and decided to write it here. These are kind of general things, don't be tough on me if I'm overdoing...

- A small flat where kitchen table is placed right infront of my door.
- Flatmates visitors that sit behind that kitchen table and talk loud infront of my door.
- Flatmates visitors that are there when I don't feel like having any people around.
- Lots of visits.
- Unknown people that appear while I'm eating in the kitchen.
- Occupied kitchen.
- Having an unpleasant feeling when going home due to uncertain situation in the flat.
- Loud talking.
- Packed fridge.
- Smell of fried meat that stays on my clothes.
- Strange atmosphere due to personal problems.
- Putting personal problems too much on the other one; it's hard to help or listen sometimes.
- Old guys that dribble over young girlies.
- A boyfriend arriving at late hours at night.
- A boyfriend visiting for several days can become annoying, no matter how quiet and polite.
- Feeling that my privacy is too much observed or disturbed.
- Feeling sorry for not being tough enough and telling what bothers/bothered me.

People have different experiences in shared flats: I have heard some stories. Students are just put together, their habits differ, their characters differ, and in some cases, the cultures are also very appart. Forcing a friendship is perhaps not that good idea; in my opinion, the bond between flatmates grows, or it does not. However, I prefer sharing where my privacy is not disturbed, where I can feel relaxed and independant enough, and where lives of flatmates are not mixing too much.

Getting a one-room flat is, I guess, dream of every student here. However, waiting times for those flats are long. Meanwhile, we all have to learn how to be tolerant - with the other, and with one's self.

BLUE MONDAY, WHITE DAYS

Monday 21st of January that has just passed has been tagged for Blue Monday; the most depressing day of the year. Well, whatever. I just know it is the last full week of January. Two years ago, it was also the last full week of January when I traveled to Finland for the first time. Did I expect me to live here one day when I arrived to that snowy Finnish night two years ago? Perhaps I did not. Perhaps I did.

Nowadays, I am quite piled up with essays. Constantly writing for over a month; or at least thinking what should I write. For sure I should be reading something at this moment, too. I am continuing my Aikido practice as well - and there I try to find additional energy for studies. My perception of Japanese term mae-geri, meaning front kick in Nanbudo (and Karate) has transformed into a strike with bokken, woden sword. Learning all the time. Nevertheless I have found out which moments can make my busy days. One of them is hot sauna after Aikido practice...

If the Monday was blue, now the other days are white. We have some snow! The landscape has turned into winter's tale; no matter the temperatures that are getting somehow lower. Today, the day was so clear and sunny. Yes, despite winter is still here, now even in all it's proper glory, the sun seems to be getting back its strength. It feels brighter than a couple of months ago. There is still some hope left. However, enjoy your days - and I will try to enjoy mine, desperately trying to complete the work.

STUDENT'S CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS

As I walked down the road, I have noticed the twilight sky above Jyväskylä.

There was not much time to write within the past days. The first turn at the university has finished, thus bringing a pile of work. First of all, I am happy as I passed the exam in Finnish very well. The feeling that I am kind of studying Finnish within the university feels nice. I took three courses foreign students can take when dealing with Finnish. I also passed the first exam in Aikido; I am happy to continue martial art practices more seriously. I like Aikido, but I still miss Nanbudo.

However, our Digital Culture programme requires lots of essays. As I am interested in the themes, I feel quite motivated; I am just very tired at the moment, physically and even more mentally, and that prevents me from active work. I should be reading, I should be be writing; I will be reading and writing.

I am kind of filled with slight melancholy; so it happens every now and then. Some new things are going on in my life, I have to find my way in this unknown situation. Now, the Christmas brake has started. Today, I am packing. Tomorrow, I am traveling to a short holidays and I am returning back to Finland soon in January. But still I guess I will miss my dear. Until we meet again in our beloved blogosphere, my friends and fellow bloggers, I wish you all the best!

AFTER SAUNA, MARRASKUU

Evening. Time after sauna. Quiet time. I feel as one is supposed to feel after a good sauna. Well, I have also not written anything for some days. May this post be just a brief and more or less random collection of past personal events.

The studies I am attending have turned a bit more demanding. This is an MA programme afterall, girlie, what the Hell are you thinking about... Perhaps I should be reading some articles at the moment, rather than writing this blog of mine. But since I am dealing with Digital Culture, I can even consider this Internet relaxation as a part of my studies. Sure, I need to maintain my blog stats to use them in my future research.

Winter is creeping into this land. We have had some mild snow. Then, the snow has decided to become rain again. Jolly indeed. This week, things seem to be more promising. It has started to freeze a bit and some lonesome snowflakes can be seen, floating in the cold air.

Nordic winter begins. Somehow.

My exploration of very Finnish gigs has also continued. Just within a week I have seen two of among those Finnish bands that have been very significant for me. Nice coincidence. The first band was, of course, Viikate. The second gig happened last Saturday. Artsy punk Au Pair. Young local band; nevertheless they seem quite famous all around the country. I was more into Au Pair's music last winter and spring, but still I was very happy to see them live so soon. Punk, and much more. Strong sounds, dynamic riffs. Great vocal, great interpretation. Their lyrics is only in Finnish, critical and filled with clever irony. Not to mention how ironic felt their live act.

Punk frontman dressed as a bunny rabbit, eating his carrot and singing about New Europe? The rest of the punk band dressed into other forest animals, such as, for instance, the fox and the bear? Well, why not...

The words of Au Pair are among my first translations from Finnish. Check out how I tackled one of their pieces and translated it into English here.

Au Pair gig happened in Bar 68

At the beginning of this year, I was given a live recording from the very same band. It was taken in the very same place. Now I have seen Au Pair live, I have visited Bar 68 and I am not in contact with the one who has given me the music no longer. Yet there is more. During this weekend, one particular day has happened. Last year on that particular day, I went to sauna. This year, I spent it in Finland. Yes, I have had my birthday. It started last weekend at midnight with that great Au Pair gig. It finished with a nice little party. Life writes all sorts of stories, change is the only constant in the world, that is all what I can say...

So much about my latest events. Good and hot sauna I wish, if you plan to visit one!

BACK TO BUDO

Aikido

Budo is a compound of the word bu, meaning war or martial; and do, meaning path or way. Specifically, do is derived from the Buddhist Sanskrit mārga (meaning the 'path' to enlightenment).The term refers to the idea of formulating propositions, subjecting them to philosophical critique and then following a 'path' to realize them- Do signifies a 'way of life'. Do in the Japanese context, is experiential term, experiential in the sense that practice (the way of life) is the norm to verify the validity of the discipline cultivated through a given art form.

Wikipedia - Budo

Nanbudo has been in my life since autumn 2004. The practice of this martial art has meant a lot to me. It was really hard to say goodbye to my dear DO Nanbudo klub in Ljubljana when leaving for Finland. Nanbudo šola - ossu!

Here in Jyväskylä, a wide range of martial arts is practiced. I have even seen they practice medieval swordfighting, the art I have also practiced before Nanbudo. But there is no Nanbudo in Jyväskylä at all. The only existing club in Finland is in Turku, exactly 305 km away. Would one travel 4 hours south just to attend a training? Well, I might be that crazy, however, neither my scholarship nor my mind would survive the trips very well.

The intensive 3 times per week practice of Nanbudo has remained in my heart and soul. Okay, it was nice to rest during the summer, but then I have started to miss my trainings. I have felt so stiff and rusty. Of course I could practice Nanbudo alone, at least some techniques, yet this would not be the same. Proper traditional Japanese martial arts are not sport only: there is much more and that much more is what I really like.

The creation of Nanbudo has been inspired with other traditional Japanese arts. Among these, Aikido has been quite crucial. Aikido is in general more widely spread. If one moves from one country to another, the one can find a club easier; in Jyväskylä are even two clubs, no matter how small the town is. Already in Ljubljana I have decided I would try to continue martial art studies. When I came to Finland, first month was slightly hectic; I did not find time to attend any practice. The courses have started without me and at one point I have even given my hopes up...

Last week, things have changed. It was very simple - I just wrote a couple of letters in Finnish. Then, I was allowed to join the Aikido beginners course. The club is small and nice, they have their own dojo. The trainings are two times per week, my first couple of trainings has just passed. Also, the trainings are conducted in Finnish; that means double training for me as I insist in speaking only Finnish, too.

I did not realize how much I had actually missed dojo... until I have stepped on tatami again. It is hard to articulate my affection to Japanese martial arts; the feeling goes beyond words. I cannot even say, how this love has happened. I guess it has always been present, yet I did not pay much attention to it - until Nanbudo. The absence of practice has increased my longing and the will to bow in dojo again. Now I just have to keep up the active spirit. However, it seems I am really and seriously interested in some Japanese martial arts. Thus, I have also realized I might be a budo-person...

Aikido

CLOSE TO ARCTIC

Arctic tundra in Rovaniemi

I woke up from my sleep and looked out from the window. What I saw was a landscape of winter. Drifting snow in the air, ground covered with it, all white. Nothing but winter. Oh fuck. I fall asleep again. When I woke up again, the bus was driving in clear sunny weather, somewhere near Oulu. Was the snow only a dream...?

Frozen waters of Rovaniemi

No dream that was. On our way to Rovaniemi last Thursday morning, a small part of our journey was snowy indeed. But despite Rovaniemi is almost in the Arctic circle, only 8 km away from napapiiri, there was no snow in the capital of Lapland; it was just cold and clear. However, we spent the afternoon first at the University of Lapland, admiring the new building where Media studies are located. Really grate places for students to practise their creativity; for instance big studio for video production the students at Slovenian Academy for Theatre, Radio, Film and Television can only dream about. We were also told that each student there would be given - yep, a new laptop. Such is the system of studies only 8 km away from the everfrozen Arctic...

The close-to-Arctic afternoon then lead us into the city. The following event on the list was the opening of the photographic exhibition Changing Faces - Work #3 in the Rovaniemi Art Museum. However, since there was a couple of hours left before the exhibition, there was some time to explore the city.

A part of the city

Towards Lordin Aukio

Rovaniemi is small, yet it does not offer such first impression; it feels big and lofty. There are at least two famous persons/groups of persons on the commercial market. The first one is Santa Clause - yep, there is his own village within napapiiri. Anyway, if you remember Eurosong Song Contest 2006, you also remember Finnish monster-like band Lordi. They won that Eurosong, froze the Hell and brought the event to Helsinki. And yes, their frontman Tomi Putaansuu is from Rovaniemi. As an eternal remnant of this great victory, now Rovaniemi has a Lordin Aukio - Lordi Square.

The monument

There is not only Lordi Square. It was merely a coincidence that we passed by Lordi's Rocktaurant. I have read about that Lordi's restaurant last year, but then it has slip from my mind. So, by a mere chance, we happened to eat there, too. The food was nothing special, however, the experience was what counted the most. Some names for the food were funny indeed: like Petterin viimeinen matka/Rudolf's Last Journey for a dish containing reindeer meat. Not only that, there were also a few local metal fans enjoying their meal. However, as I would start to discuss Lordi and their restaurant as an element of commercial culture, it is better to write on other things...

Lordi's Rocktaurant

The Northern lights did not appear during the night, despite we have been told revontulet had been seen a couple of weeks ago. When the night became cold morning, we have decided to visit the museum Arktikum before going to the seminar lectures. I really enjoyed the exhibitions. They featured mainly life in the Arctic, nature, climate - and Sami culture. It was interesting to listen the samples of Sami language; I was also told there had been seven official Sami languages, and then there are also dialects. I also tried to read some writings in Sami language, but of course I could not understand any of it. Within the nature part I saw a moose for the first time. Just too bad that moose was an animal once alive and now stuffed. However, I was really impressed how big and great the moose actually had been. The next two such once alive and now stuffed animals I have always liked were the polar bear and the wolverine (in my opinion the Finnish hyena). However, if the road ever leads you to Rovaniemi, then Arktikum is a good place to visit. Especially if you would like to retreat from the cold wind...

Arktikum - the entrance

The Rovaniemi trip finished with the seminar lectures; the artists from Changing faces exhibition told about their work. Finally, two days seemed quite enough to get a first taste of Lapland. During the seven hours long drive back to Jyväskylä, we have also found out something. When some of us wondered, where we had been at the moment, like considering the position of the bus on the map, the easiest and in most cases very correct answer was - in the forest.

THE DAY OF LITERATURE

JUHANI. Yhdestä maailman kulmasta kuumoittaa meille vieläkin rauhan päivä. Ilvesjärvi tuolla Impivaaran kupeilla on se satama, jonne purjehdimme myrskyistä pois. Nyt olen päättänyt.

LAURI. Sen tein minä jo menneenä vuonna.

EERO. Minä seuraan teitä vaikka Impivaaran syvimpään luolaan, jossa, niinkuin sanotaan, vanha vuoren-ukko keittelee pikiä, päässä kypärä sadasta lammasnahasta.

TUOMAS. Sinne tästä siirrymme kaikki.

JUHANI. Sinne siirrymme ja rakennamme uuden maailman.

Aleksis Kivi: Seitsemän veljestä

These are the words from kertomus Seven brothers by Finnish national writer, poet, novelist and playwright Aleksis Kivi. Today, on October the 10th and his birthday, it was Aleksis Kiven päivä - suomalaisen kirjallisuuden päivä. The day of Aleksis Kivi, the day of Finnish literature. Thus, flags were fluttering in the cold wind...

This kertomus still awaits me to read it in Finnish. Yet tomorrow in the early morning I am off to Lapland until Friday. The Digital Culture class will attend an exhibition and a seminar in Rovaniemi. Perhaps, we will also see first snowflakes...

JYVÄSJÄRVI IMAGES

The first more serious week in the University has finished. My programme has started. Mainly there have been info-lectures on our studies, however, we have also had the first Cultural Theory lecture. After the first lecture, the subject seems close to Sociology of Culture.

Apart from our Digital Culture programme studies, language courses are also important. International degree students are obliged to complete two Finnish courses. Usually, it is Suomi 1 and Suomi 2, but as the University offers five levels of courses, one can of course attend higher group, too. I have enrolled into Suomi 3. There also seem to be several other opportunities for learning Finnish as a foreign language within the University. So today it was all about the language. I have had another two Finnish classes; both were suitable for students of all levels. First class was about grammar, the second was dedicated to speaking. Well, no matter the topic, the first grammar class was not boring, there was lots of discussions in groups, and the speaking session was interesting as well. Finally, the day turned Finnish-speaking by all means as I my tutor invited me to her place for an afternoon visit. We happened to speak only in Finnish.

Today, it was bright sunny day again. Heading home from the city, I decided to walk through Mattilanniemi, along the shore of Jyväsjärvi. The ever-changing weather offered blue sky and first autumn colours...