Paul Robeson House

It's been a week since I moved into this hall of residence and it's just great here. I've met so many new people from all over the world. I live in this flat of four persons with Canadian Laura (I'm actually now in her room using her computer:), American Carrie and Norwegian Haavard. Rooms are quite nice (especially after spending large amount of money at Ikea) and it's so nice to have your own bathroom. The security of the hall is quite strict: you need a swiper card to get through gates and some doors and every visitor have to be signed in regardless of the duration of their visit. Don't know whether that should make me feel safe...

The hall is nicely situated next to King's Cross station and it only takes 15-20 minutes to walk to the main campus of the university and another campus is even nearer, you just have to walk down the street and there's Vernon Square. Islington is really nice area and all the essential stores are nearby next to Angel tube station. The only weak point I can come up to is the traffic. It's not as much bothering me as it is Laura and Carrie who have their rooms on the street side. My window is facing this quiet courtyard so that's just fine.

So, what it comes to living conditions I can't complain. Even the window is replaced with one with double glasses so I think the room temperature during winter is going to be ok. At least now it's been really pleasent and so have been the weather too. Have been wearing flip-flops every day but unfortunately that's going to change any day now.

Being an Erasmus Student Sucks!

I finally got through enrolment today which means I have access to the university's computers. Yee haw! Now I can try to update my blog more frequently...

I had my enrolment today. Really exciting...Got through some paperwork and now I finally have my library card (which unfortunately won't qualify as student ID card - they have some tecnical problems) and NUS (National Union of Students - that gives me student's discount) card. What I don't have is a personal tutor, anyone who would give a damn what I'm doing here. I've waited this enrolment for whole week and it turned out to be something quite unuseful (ecxept on what comes to those cards...). I still can't see any course descriptions or syllabes. Next week when lectures start I just have to go there without any information.

Went to see this Senior Lecturer of African Politics today about my course selection and he made me feel like second-class student cos I'm here only for couple courses. He wouldn't care less who am I, what I'm doing and which courses I should take. Well, thanks for nothing!

London

I think I've already fall for London. Even though the weather could have been better on Friday - I end up soaked on my way to the Satu's place...Been here just couple days but seen already Mayfair, Chealsea and Soho. I even had my first hangover ;) Not a nice experience especially when I had to go to the university for the orientation.

Orientation was nice. I met people from all over the world. And the atmosphere was great: everybody are in the same situation and want to meet new people. Most of the students I met yesterday live in that same dorm with me. Haven't seen the place yet but I was told it's ok. Will see. Going there today...

Now I have been staying with Satu (Saana's sister) at Caledonian Street (that's north from King's Cross). It's nicely situated - it took me 15 minutes to walk to the university. It have been so nice to stay with someone you know instead of going to some anonymous hostel. I've seen so much more with her and Björgen than would have on my own :)

Next week the orientation is going to continue. For me that means lots of free time to do stuff like shopping (eg. household goods), opening a bank account and just wandering around and getting used to London. Then on 2nd of October lectures start and real life begins.

Leaving

Oh, now it's really hitting me: I'm leaving! Within few days. Been running around like crazy meeting people and organizing stuff. And unfortunately I still have plenty to do. Most of those are nice things but I have to admit it: I've been a bit stressed out lately.

Maybe stress is something essential when it comes to going away. It distract you so you won't think of inevitable. Or at least it's working like that for me. I have some troubles of finding words not to mention doing things properly. Yesterday I was upset with a friend of mine who didn't answer my sms (it was urgent). Then late in the evening I finally remembered I haven't even send the message for her. Well, thank God I didn't express my anger to her.

I know I should relax a bit but I don't know whether that's possible. Like I said, still got lots to do. And my dad ain't helping at all. He promised to pick me up on Thursday evening and then drop me to the airport on the next morning. Yesterday he called me telling he's going to Tallinn on Thursday morning (a sudden urgent to go there - my mum is going on holiday with a friend of hers on Saturday ;) and he's going to pick up my stuff allready on Wednesday evening. Don't think I can managed that :(

Well, I better stop whining and start running around again...

The Weather

Considering the latest events here in Helsinki (the Asem meeting and especially demonstrations) the topic of my first post is quite lame and ordinary, the weather.

Weather here in Helsinki has been incrediable pleasent during the summer months and looks like it's going to continue that way. Sun is shining, air is clear (something you appreciate even more after those Russian forest fires) and there's yellow leaves flying around. It's the perfect weather for starting a new semester in university.

For me new semester means new university, new city and above all new weather. Or should I say the weather. The British weather is something else. It's diverse, unpredictable and most importantly constant subject of discussions all over the country. At least if you take Kate Fox's word for it. Her book Watching the English is quite entertaining antropological research on the English behaviour and the first chapter is naturally dedicated to the rules of weather discussions. According to the book the biggest mistake you can make is to disagree with someone when he/she is trying to discuss with you about the weather. That'll finish the conversation before it even got started. Another problem which is most likely to arise is the possibility of having all the worst weather phenomena at once. Fox says it's all over when it's rainy, windy and freezing outside. It won't get worse than that so there's no point for comments like "Well, it's bit windy but at least it's not raining".

Well, as you can see in order to move in London I don't have high expections about the weather. But no worries. I've got my rubber boots waiting for me there and I'm repairing the buttons of my rain coat. Cos most likely it's going to be rainy, damp and gray. Now I can just hope London proves me wrong.