English Literature Society - Mammas success

Yesterday, 25.9, was the first day of serious studies. I went to the university library and started with scots law and international law. Three hours of study! I was content with myself that I bought a new a pair of shoes, winter shoes. Actuallt I really need them. I ate baked beens and eggs fried in wine. The wine was leftovers from Fernandos meal, broken eggs, which is a spannish dish. Even the king and queen of Spain eats it. I stayed home and watched "We were soldiers" whilst the rest of the flat was at a party. I enjoyed watching on my own, time to think.
Monday was great, 24.9 . The day was just normal. I was surfing and looked through the directory of clubs at uni. I decided on the English literature society and Fernando agreed to join me. We went to the Queen Margaret Union. At the third floor 20 students, mostly studying litterature, gathered. They were going for a pub crawl. We started of to a small street just next to the university. I had never been there before and it was beautiful. We went to three pubs. Participants were mainly girls. No harm in that matter. I felt that this was the first I was utilising myself to the full potential. I spoke english fastly and ao did the others. And I did manage quite well. It was totally different from talking with non english native spears. They were friendly and it was my first oportunity to measure my english. Of course I felt clumsy and had some trouble to keep up to the pace. However, I am determined to continue. Next week, the 1st October, there will be a lecture Love, guilt and the WW II following a discussion. It was great and I felt really confident and happy with my choice. The last pub was in a church. I was back on Kelvinhaugh Street 1 am. On the street I met a Finn studying theology at the uni for the whole degree. He was going to nightclub, altough he had to attend lectures starting 10 next morning. He said: No worries, I have hebrew in the morning.
On Thursday it was enrollment at the faculty of law. I received my course docmuentation.. Hey this is old stuff. Nevermind, my courses here are going to be three of the following four options. Politics of Labour Law, International law and the problems of contemporary world order, institutions and judicial control of the EU and Immigration and asylum law. Very intresting, indeed.
On Sunday 23.9 I spend the night at Kelvinhaugh Street 53 flat H with austrian, italians and nigerians. I was informed why Austria and Germany are different.
On Saturday 22.9 I was at a small time party at Kelvinhaugh Street 53 flat F. There I met Frenchies, italians, nigerians, chinese, japanese, italian, spanish and many more. I met an intersting Nigerian woman studying law. It was a great oportunity to learn about Nigeria. It´s divided into five states. They export oil and the legal system as the rest is run in english. There is no famine in Nigeria but corruption, unemployment and inflation are serious problems. It`s a huge country.
Today I have no special plans. I`ll go to the library and continue my studies. Take care, everywhere.


____News from the home front______


Suomen Kirjastoseuran kultainen ansiomerkki Kull-Poutaselle (26.9.)

"KIRKKONUMMEN kirjastotoimenjohtaja Margareta Kull-Poutaselle on myönnetty Suomen Kirjastoseuran kultainen ansiomerkki. Kirjastoseura kiittää erityisesti Kirkkonummen kirjaston lasten ja nuorten toimintaa. Kull-Poutanen on kehittänyt kirjaston toimintaa Kirkkonummella ennakkoluulottomasti jo neljännesvuosisadan."

"Kirjastoseuran mukaan ansio hyvistä tuloksista kuuluu kirjaston osaavalle henkilöstölle ja erityisesti kirjastotoimenjohtaja Margareta Kull-Poutaselle, joka on yli 25 vuoden ajan kehittänyt rohkeasti ja ennakkoluulottomasti Kirkkonummen kirjastolaitosta."

"Ilman erinomaista henkilökuntaamme Kirkkonummella ei olisi näin upeaa kirjastolaitosta, korostaa palkittu Margareta Kull-Poutanen, joka iloitsee siitä, että aloite on tullut joukolta kirkkonummelaisia kirjastosta nautiskelijoita"



Source Kirkkonummen Sanomat. www.kirkkonummensanomat.fi

The strike of Bob Dylan

On Monday I registered myself to uni. It was very easy and now I posses a student card and have a student number. From registration I walked home. At uni I met some swedes. From there I continued to the city center. Looking for wintershoes and a wintercoat. Shops close at 5 or 6 o`oclock here, so I was in a hurry, and managed to look only in three or four shops. I went home ate and slept.
On Tuesday I bought a darkblue police coat and a pair of trainers for jogging, football, leisure and representation. Black Everlast trainers for 12pounds. And six pairs of socks, black ones.
On Wednesday Fernando and me rang doorbells on kelvinhaugh street to find footballplayers. We found a couple potential players but not for that time. So we walked to the Kelvingrove park. There was already a game going on. We joined and it was fun. Spaniards, Finns, Chinese, Japanese and so on. I assisted one point. Tired we returned. In the evening we met international student from italy, france and indonesia. We went to the bar Nice and Sleazy. I said to a Italian girl she was sleazy, not reallu knowing what it means. She did neither, so no harm done. I discussed with a French girl and an indonesian lawyer. He was a postgraduate and had been working on a firm in Indonesia. He left the office 1 a.m. three days a week.
Thursday I woke up unbelievable early and went with Fernando to the school of law and enrolled. I`ll study international law and the problems of contemporary world order, politics of labour law and institutions and judicial control of the EU. All courses are level 4, the highest, which I hope is not too difficult for me. I`ll get 45 ECTS. I´m happy with that. From there F and I went back home. A spanish girl called Maria visited Fernando and we continued to the chaplaincy for a catholic meal. It was not as fancy as the previous. After the meal we split up. I went to the university library and stroked the backs om some book series I had taken care of in the the parliament library. I felt safe and at home between the high shelves. The building is 11 floors and the scenery is beautiful. Law items are stored on floor 7. I borrowed a 1000 pages book about international law. I went to the city library and read for one and a half hours. That was my first studying. I went home. Whilst I cooked Andrea said to me that I am good chef. It was warming. He is an Italiano, thats why. In the evening some neighbours invaded our flat. We were going to a birthday party. That plan was abandoned when the italians drank their gift. We went to the nearest pub, the 78. Reggea was on and I was there half an hour. Then I left and composed music in my room.
Friday me and Fernando went to the Kelvingrove park. Played some foot and watched people in the park. Its beautiful and big. Then home for lunch. To amuse ourselves we whisteled to girls and boys. They didnt see us. It was funny when the victimes tried to see who whisteled. A spanish girl came and yelled to Fernando that spaniards are the same everywhere. Fernando said yes spaniards, but Finns as well.

The Third Dance

I continued the Sunday morning with meditation in front of my computer and maintenance. I went for the first time to the Morrison supermarket in Partick. It was a bit more expensive than Lidl but not awfully more so. It was very british in comparison to Lidl, surprise. Before I begin describing yeterdays party I have something else to tell.
At Saturdays party Marco met the captain of the uni hockey team. Marco wants to play hockey in this team. The very drunk captain of the glasgow university hockey team took him under his wings and accustomed the Italian to scottish culture. One particular act of culture is to put a penny in someones glas. The receiver have to drink the drink as fast as he can. Marco had quite a few pennies in his pint that night. Eventually Marco had one more in his pint. He lifted the glas to his lips and drank it empty. To his astonsihment he had drunk the penny as well.
On Sunday we started of the uni at 2000 and continued to the Queen Margaret Union which is one of the Student Unions in Glasgow. The que was about 100 meters when we arrived and when we entered the building the que behind us was 100 meters. The building was huge with for floors. Some Austrian ordered by mistake a Cider to me. We played pool and AustriaFinland lost to SpainItaly. The third folk dance session started on ground floor. On stage was a bagpiper, drums, keyboard and violin(electric). The bland played progressiv folkrock. Really fresh and new, was the sound. The dancing was wild. In the end of the free improvision session I danced with a german girl. Around as danced a group of 12 hand in hand. After the danced we received some positiv feed back, which was nice, of course, why not? Then I met a girl who fascinated by finnish surnames. I left as first and walked home alone. It was a tremendous night. Today I`ll register myself at uni.

Glasgow September Pictures

I Loch Something
II The Stair building, Faculty of Law
III Flat G
IV Inveraray Town
V Inveraray Castle
VI New Law Students
VII Andrea studying
VIII Fiddlers
IX Beautiful Scottish Scenary
X Ceidlih Dance at Bute Hall
XI Inhailing the Scottish Spirit

Sunday morning

The wheel is starting to spin. Three days of late night programme so far and today it continues with a International student welcome party. The rain is pouring down and I have no intention to get up from bed or out of my room. Just ate some breakfast. Bread covered in mould, tea, yoghurt and cheese.
Tuesday morning was all maintenance. We started at 12:45 to uni, Boyd Orr building. Five minutes late we arrived and lined up in ques for collecting tickets to different events. I managed to get one to the Welcome evening on Thursday and The whole day bus trip on Saturday. Then we sat down and listened to the first presentations and welcomes. Introduction and welcome etc. There were a lot of students, much over 500 international students. However I wasnt very impressed. I was in a coma and very tired. In fact I had caught a cold earlier. At 15:15 we continued to the forth floor and listened to the first intro to the Faculty of law. It was useful, but the man who held the event concentrated only on being funny and didnt know much. I concentrated on choices of courses. After that me and Fernando left uni and started off to K Street.
The next day consisted of more intros and general welcomes. That morning I heard the first interesting professor. I asked us why Shakespeare is as famous as he is and lectured about Englands suppression of Scotland. The afternoon continued with more intros. 16:30 back home.
Thursday continued the same. University services, registry, residental services, library, student network, getting around gasgow, student organisations and qustion time. It started to get boring. This far I hade talked with a german boy, a couple of spanish and italian girls. Most of the time I spent with my flatters. At 16:00 back home. 18:30 we started off back to the uni, to the Bute Hall in the Main building. Only an hour late were we. Samuel forgot his ticket and had to run back, after it. We forgot also to but the batery in the camera. Samuel did though see it in the flat and brought it. We had some difficulties in finding the hall, but by following others we walked wrong a couple timed but eventually find our way. The Hall was filled with int students. The ceiling was 30 meters high and the building from 18th century with a huge organ in the one end. Just when we arrived to fiddlers started playing. Violin and accordion. I was excited and wanted to dance but didnt dare to. Of course I am great man so I gathered myself and invited a Italian girl, Sylvia. The dancing was classic scottish dancing and it was the greatest fun. It was very traditional and not so hard and of course I`m good anyway. I danced with a lot of people. Japanese, Chinese(?), Hungarian, Italian, Spanish, Yankees a lot of others. Mayde the most interesting was a girl from asia studying aerospace engineering. After an hour of dancing the buffé was opened and we ate mainly snacks. We talked with a couple of German girls. They were very boring. The answered questions but were otherwise quiet. Then the dance continued. I danced more and more and it was so exciting. Beats disco easily. At 11 o`clock everyone in the hall held hands and sang a very beautiful song and then we left. Flat G was very excited. We enjoyed the dancing.
On Friday I was the only one who managed to leave early for uni. More general talk. At 12:30 I went home and started cleaning the whole flat. It was hard work and the flat was dirty. I believe I am a very good cleaner. When I was hoovering the hall the fire alarm suddenly started screaming. I got scared but tought it was a drill. I looked towards the kitchen and the door was open and it smelled of smoke. I entered the kitchen and inside were Andrea and Samuel opening windows. They had been frying. So we left the building and outside were some people standing in little clothes. Personell from Sanctuary management were already downstairs and asked for people from flat G. We reported and sad it was only because of frying. The sound of sirens were closing in. To big trucks from the firebrigad arrived and firemen walked in in haste. We waited outside slightly concerned. After a couple of minutes the chief came out and asked in anger who had been frying. One of the men from The Sanctuary Housing said it was med but I said it wasnt. So Samuel had to explain. The chief said that it was ok. The frying pan had been very dirty. The fact that it was bought from a one pound shop might have its share in the firemans acceptance of the story. I continued cleaning. I was ready about 17 o´clock. We ate and souddenly we heard explosions outside. From the direction of BBC fireworks decorated the sky. We hanged out the window and yelled and clapped hands. Eventually our neighbour hanged out the neighbouring window and said he was Hubert from Austria and asked if he could come over to our place. In his flat he was alone with a chinese girl who was scared of him. So he rang on our doorbell and he entered. He brought with him a bottle of Austrian Schnaps from his fathers farm. We said prost, salut, skål and chin chin. Then we left to a pub very close to us and listened to som live music. When the pub was closing we held hands and sang the same song as in the other evening. about 00:30 I slept.
Next morning, Saturday, I woke up early for the bus trip to Inveraray castle and town. We came 5 minutes late but the busses were still there. Fernando jumped on an other bus going to Stirling Castle. In rain we drove through beautiful scottish scenary. The first Lochs I saw and took pictures of them. I didnt know that Lochs could be lakes as well as seabays. Andrea and Horhe from Spain and Agi from Hungary and I were talking the whole trip about important matters. I talked as well with a greek boy. His island had partially burned down in this years fires. The castle was not as beautiful as the town. I ate my first fish and chips. It was a huge portion. In hard rain we started back and I fell asleep. Horhe, Andrea and I are neighbours so we walked together. I ate and started back to uni for the Glasgow university union welcome. We were not sure what kind of an happening it was. It turned out to be quite a party. First we danced scottish folkdance which was fun. However this time it was more free and messy. There were not only international studenta on this event. As the night evolved I ate som Haggis. My first haggis. It tasted good. It was spicy, grainy and reminded of mashed sausage. This with root vegetables and potatoes. I also tasted my first scottish cider. It was different. At some point we were all adviced to the Dungeon in the same building. It turned out to be a four leveled meetmarket. I believe my mother warned me just about these girls that were there. Like Sirens. I left as the first one and walked alone home. I took a shower and drank tea. On after an other my flatters popped in.
Today I woke up about 12. The next party starts in 5 hours and 30 minutes.

Last man arriving

The last inhabitant of Kelvinhaugh Street 61 has just arrived. He is from Spain and is called Fernando. First let me shortly present my last day hobbies. So just after my last post we left the building in search for a pub that would show the match(Italy-France). We walked to several and I asked the tenders and security for the match but nowhere. Finally we were adviced to the PJs and there it was. A pub filled with Scotts in kilts and songs were sung when Scotlands goals were replayed. The match ended 0-0. From there we went home and I slept.
Next morning Samuel and me made our way to the local church. Its a christian one but I cant comment on it more precisely now. Maybe protestant even. I went there because I am of the opinion that an english service beats both a swedish or finnish service. I Want also get accustomed to the peculiar pronounciation. Unfortunately, the minister was english. It was like in Dunstans church, Canterbury, where I was about 6 years ago. The service was interesting and the minister had his personal style. I sang the hymns as well. The lyrics were showed on screens in power point. A bit amusing. After the worship we stood up and a lady came and chatted to us. She was friendly and openminded. Probably a good christian. She told as, as the minister had, about the international student cafe, held on mondays 8-10pm. The church was well aware of the international neighbourhood it was situated in.

Then home. I borrowed Samuels camera and took the pictures you can see below. The afternoon I sat in my room and edited pictures. I ate pasta with tomato sauce. Late in the evening Marco, Andrea and me started of to the city center. It was for the first time raining properly. The rain is very different here. The rain floats in the air and enters everywhere. So wet we entered a bar. It was cosy. People were dancing and I heard for the first time the Libertines and Babyshambles in a bar. We drack beer. It was the third day in a row I was drinking. The high prices keep the consumption low. Only one pint each night. And it gives me the important vitamines as well. In fact it stops me from loosing weight. We left because the bar closed at 11 or was it 12. Home and sleep.

Today I woke up earlier. Ate breakfast 10. At 12 I started of to Lidl with my wheeled suitcase. I bought food for 30 pounds and filled it. It was heavy to carry but better than the carriers. I stuffed it away and ate the rest of last days pasta. First time I warmed food in the micro. After that Jenni and me looked at some tickets. Me and Samuel started of to town to open a bank account for Samuel. The banks had closed so we continued to Madhouse. He bot flipflops and I bought a belt. We bought a big knife from M&S. I had to show my ID. Just for a knife. We stopped at the Mitchell library. I borrowed a course in Italian an French. At G 61 I made hotdogs. We ate all together and then Fernando appeared. And now we are here, Goodnight.

Glasgow in pictures

I have borrowed Samuels camera so I have been able to capture some moments here.

Picturetexts follow the order of the pictures.





























































































I The toilet. Toilet cleaning turns have been set to twice a week. It is not as polished as it looks like in the picture. Actually, its dirty.

II This is the main building of Glasgow university.

III The kitchen. It is clean. Jenni doesnt like the curtains. Do you?

IV Andrea is Maestro di Espresso.

V Kelvinhaugh recidenses here.

VI My room - please entry.

VII Means of transport in Glasgow.

VIII The view from my window

From Live music @ BOX, Sauchiehall Street to the Salvation Army

Hello,
Yesterday morning streched a bit. I lied in my bed and red Alasdair Grey. I finished it today. It was very amusing and impressive. I recommend him because of mentioned virtues but also as a forthbringer of the friction between the English and the Scottish. I do not understand the dichotomy yet. The whole morning I chatted with friends from Finland. First Morten, then Jenni.
About four o`clock I managed to get my ass out of the cradle. I walked straight away to PC World, "We wont be beaten on price". From there I continued the Clyde and saw BBC Scottland. It was like 1984 building. I walked along the Clyde and saw some degenerated housing. I walked to the Central Station. It was beautiful. Before that I passed a jetset house. It was filled with important people. It was somekind of party and outside stood a man in a kilt smoking. I have seen loads and loads of kilts already. I mention him because I was struck by the wealth he seemed to posses. Every part of the kilt costume had a touch of aristocracy. He was probably a castle owner.
Central station was very white, busy and crowded. There I saw the first very very troubled persons. They looked awful and disgusting, awful to say. From there I continued to Merchant city and to Victoria Station, which is another station. I think there is a feeling or scent of a north american city over Glasgow. By that time I started towards Kelvinhaugh street, my home. I wanted to take photos, but I dont have a camera here. If you think this blog would benefit of pictures, please send a financial contribution or a camera. You might as well contact my parents and put pressure on them.
At Kelvinhaugh street I ate noodles in chicken flavor with toast and macarill(fish). The fish was disgusting, This with som raw onion. Forza Italia, Samuel and I had earlier decided to go out tonight. At 1030 pm we were ready. We walked up the Saucihall street to the Box which had been recommended by a Irish gir who had helped Forza Italia in moving in to Kelvinhaugh street. We passed the Box and wandered along. There were a lot of younger humans in a party mood. The street was crowded. Venders sold roses and funny hats. Drunk people bought these. The palette of characters was varied. From very Indie to very common. Some of the girls looked very cheep and som of male side representatives looked quite lower class. It was a interesting view. Eventually we turned back and entered the Box. A band was playing just next to the entry inside the bar. It sounded really good. The entry was free but the beer was 2,5, over four euros. Therefore only smaller amounts were drunk in our company which consisted of Flat G. The next band was even better, The Penetrators and something more. I have never in Finland heard such a good band. And the PA was at a completely another level. When the band stopped we left with ringing ears. The clintel of the bar where Strokes or Babyshamble lookalikes. The girls were very much more personally costumed. We made a small round a returned tired. At least I was. Because I fell asleep almost immediately. The next morning I woke a to much phone shaking, it doesnt vibrate. It was father. He reminded me of my mothers birtday. I sent a text to her, I could do no other thing, which still would be in my financial frames. I continued reading Grey. Breakfast at 12. I finished the book and layd of the table. Me and Samuel decided to go out and look for cutlery and crokery. At 13.30 we left and headed towards Byres Road. On the way we found a 30" TV on the street. We tought for a long time of taking it back to the flat but we decided to not do that. The next surprise was the Salvation Army. We entered a very crowded space filled with discarded things and poor people. We found a very affordable but so less attractiv set of porcelain. We bought it and bought knives and forks from other charity shops. On the way home we picked up some fast food at a place located just next to the G spot. Donner Kebab for me. The tellie had disappeard from the street. A the Big G we ate our food. Mistakebly Samuel had ordered plain potatoes when he wanted chips. I ate it because he refused. Andrea had hoovered that flat, including the Sardinian Corridor, named after the surprisingly high temperature it always keeps. Forza I comes from Sardinia. We decided, in consesus, to make a cleaning list. Toilets are to be cleaned twice in the week and the rest once, including the Sardinian corridor. Then I entered my room and started reeding A.L. Kennedy. I wanted tough to work with pleasent writing, so I started this. We are going to watch Italy-France today, just soon.

The Struggle at Byron Road

Hello! My first night wasnt even average. First it was cold then hot. I woke up 8. Computing and room arranging. 10 breakfast with toast and garlic butter and some juice. 1130 out to town. I walked along the Sauciehallroad in the search for charity shops. On the way a few less fortunate persons were selling the Big Issue. I found the charity shop of Uk Cancer research. I bought four plainl glasses and two cups. Four spoons from a 1 pound shop. By bow I had reached the city center and the tourist information by the marketplace. I bought a better map and with its guidance I found my way to the River Clyde. It was dark and dirty. I walked along and saw the Central station, very beautiful! From there I walked to North Street, just next to the M8 and to the Mitchell library. I got a card from a librarian who wore a "turban". The library was huge with five floors, the biggest in Europe. I found some intresting books about scottish law but wasnt allowed to borrow them. So I walked to the next floor and asked for great scottish fiction. The librarian showed me and said some names. I didnt understand a single name tough I understood her english. I decided on Alasdair Grey, George Mackay Brown and A. L. Kennedy. I had never heard of them before. After the culture I started off to Lidl. It was far to walk. I decided to take a trollie. I filled it with stuff. Some of the products where the same as in the great Lidl of Kyrkslätt Finland. On my way home I got lost. I walked all the way to Byron Road. By back was dark blue of sweat. I unpacked and we conversated, the flatlads and I. Forza Italia went of for a jogginground. I Served Pripelsås to the french boy, as Forza Italia calls him. He added loads of salt on it but ate all. For dessert honey melon. By that time I had learned a lot about Benin, the country from where the french boy came seven years ago. Now I sit in my room.

5-9-2007 Glasgow here I am

I woke upp 5:20 and ate a fast breakfast. Said goodbye to my mother. Some tears left her eyes, of happiness not relief, she said. I took the U train to Böle and then continued to Dickursby. In the bus from Dickursby to the airport I almost vomited, so excited was I. Check in etc followed.

Scared to death I entered the plane. Everything was well arranged and some elevator music was on. I calmed down. In the air I felt safe, almost. Arrived a bit late to Edinburgh. From the plane window I saw several golf courses. - What waste of beautiful scottish slopes. The weather was windy anf cloudy. Strangely, there was a passport control at the airport. I found my suitcase and asked how to get to Glasgow. At that time I realized scottish english is no piece of cake. I didnt understand the ticketoffice lady or the busdriver very well. To get to Glasgow was very easy. To busses. It was cheap as well. My first impression of Scotts was the friendlyness. At Buchanan busstation in Glasgow I entered a cab. He didnt understand my pronounciation(?) of Kelvinhaugh Road so I showed the note. 5 pounds for the trip. The street was very quiet. The reception was fast but steady. I got the key and a internet flex(?). I walked to the house. Ok from outside, inside very torn. The flat was tough clean and good. Two italian lads had already arrived. Marco and something I cant remember. I threw the luggage inside and lied in the bed. I inhaled the smell and tried to get to get around the fact that I this would be my home until 15th June. I was starving so I went for a supermarket search. It was impossible to find one. However, I saw a couple with Lidl bags. In haste I ran to them and asked. They showed me the way. Rejoice, Pekka och Mamma. I went there and bought groceries. Back home I made Pasta parmesan with a tin of macrils in tomat sauce and toast. Marco and I talked about weather, Berlusconi and food. After the meal we all three drank Italian espresso. Marco had brought from Italy. Great. Tired and after meeting a French lad I fell asleep in my bed. Earlier that day I found a fästing on my leg. I hope I dont have borelia. When I woke up the Italians were cooking. Drunk of sleep i entered the kitchen and common room. They served me a steak with potatoes and tomatoes. It was good and red. Then I washed myself and now I`m sitting here writing and the battery on my laptop is running low becaude my adapter doesnt work. Goodnight.