Saturday, February 28, 2009
We live in Singapura!
I know i posted this before on my previous blog..
but videos like this surely help when u're thinking of home.. =)
but videos like this surely help when u're thinking of home.. =)
Sitsit 27th Feb
I survived my first sitsit party!
Sitsit is a traditional student sit down meal, where singing and drinking is the order of the day! I was told that usually, participants dress up formally.. but the one i attended last night was different that it was a Sitsit in overalls. We were allocated seats (alternate guy girl) and a couple of Emcees presided over the event. Their responsibility is to uphold traditions and initiate songs.
3 drinks before us.. A can of Perry Cider, A Cup of water, and a shot of Vodka.
The white thing is a song book.. with almost 60 songs =)
Group singing is a big big part of sitsit. In fact, the girl sitting next to me tells me that if you get to eat warm food during a sitsit, it means that you're not singing enough, and that it's a bad party..
He's not the waiter.. hes the emcee! Who also happens to be the President of Prodeko (our guild).. He's a really good loud singer.. =)
So what do we sing?
Finnish, Swedish and English songs! The songs are really fun and some are really vulgar and crude.. but the main idea is that after each song we drink.. For guys, we toast to the girl our right, then to the one on our left, then finally to the girl in front. So it was interesting that something so formal and rowdy can coexist so peacefully.
There's a song like.. "In France they drink wine.. in Germany they drink beer.. in Russia they drink Vodka.. and in Finland we drink everything" .. well said.. and to a nice melody as well!
Another was more familiar and in English.. goes to the tune of Glory Glory Hallelujah.. but its about "somebody's brother jumping out of the plane without a parachute.. and he ain't gonna jump no more.. glory glory wat a hell of a way to die" (?!?!)
The group in front performing a speksi (unsure about spelling).. a skit of sorts..
I like the fact that Finns are so spontaneous and ridiculous.. the audience can shout out requests and the performers have to react accordingly..(often to a large reaction from the crowd) During 1 skit someone shouted something and they immediately changed from speaking Finnish to English =)
People standing on their chairs to drink.. This song called "Drink up" or something in Finnish.. Its a long song.. where the Fuksi of a particular year all stand on their chairs and finish the drink in their hands.. Fuksi means freshmen.. So i stood on my chair when the year 06 came about. =)
The guy on the left is Henri, the guy who takes care of international students in our guild
Winner of the skits.. and the prize.. 2 bottles of wine.. and they finish it on the spot.. whats new?
It was a really cool experience.. if you take away the fact that the Finns can get quite high and rowdy after they drink.. The singing and dancing was really interesting.. And since i can't understand Finnish nor Swedish.. my favourite song has to be in English..
Presenting to you my favourite song:
I love it coz its so random and funny!
Lyrics goes something like this:
Once upon a time in a small town in Germany
There was a shoe maker
Schumacher was his name
And he can play the... Flute.. Violin.. Piano.. Drums.. Bass Guitar.. No more..
I'm so gonna use this in the next UMAD =)
Sitsit is a traditional student sit down meal, where singing and drinking is the order of the day! I was told that usually, participants dress up formally.. but the one i attended last night was different that it was a Sitsit in overalls. We were allocated seats (alternate guy girl) and a couple of Emcees presided over the event. Their responsibility is to uphold traditions and initiate songs.
3 drinks before us.. A can of Perry Cider, A Cup of water, and a shot of Vodka.The white thing is a song book.. with almost 60 songs =)
Group singing is a big big part of sitsit. In fact, the girl sitting next to me tells me that if you get to eat warm food during a sitsit, it means that you're not singing enough, and that it's a bad party..
He's not the waiter.. hes the emcee! Who also happens to be the President of Prodeko (our guild).. He's a really good loud singer.. =)So what do we sing?
Finnish, Swedish and English songs! The songs are really fun and some are really vulgar and crude.. but the main idea is that after each song we drink.. For guys, we toast to the girl our right, then to the one on our left, then finally to the girl in front. So it was interesting that something so formal and rowdy can coexist so peacefully.
There's a song like.. "In France they drink wine.. in Germany they drink beer.. in Russia they drink Vodka.. and in Finland we drink everything" .. well said.. and to a nice melody as well!
Another was more familiar and in English.. goes to the tune of Glory Glory Hallelujah.. but its about "somebody's brother jumping out of the plane without a parachute.. and he ain't gonna jump no more.. glory glory wat a hell of a way to die" (?!?!)
The group in front performing a speksi (unsure about spelling).. a skit of sorts..I like the fact that Finns are so spontaneous and ridiculous.. the audience can shout out requests and the performers have to react accordingly..(often to a large reaction from the crowd) During 1 skit someone shouted something and they immediately changed from speaking Finnish to English =)
People standing on their chairs to drink.. This song called "Drink up" or something in Finnish.. Its a long song.. where the Fuksi of a particular year all stand on their chairs and finish the drink in their hands.. Fuksi means freshmen.. So i stood on my chair when the year 06 came about. =)In all.. i drank a cup of white wine.. 1 can of Cider.. 2 shots of Vodka and 1 short of something called Jallu (which is something like whisky i think).. i think my alcohol tolerance is increasing..
The guy on the left is Henri, the guy who takes care of international students in our guild
Winner of the skits.. and the prize.. 2 bottles of wine.. and they finish it on the spot.. whats new?It was a really cool experience.. if you take away the fact that the Finns can get quite high and rowdy after they drink.. The singing and dancing was really interesting.. And since i can't understand Finnish nor Swedish.. my favourite song has to be in English..
Presenting to you my favourite song:
I love it coz its so random and funny!
Lyrics goes something like this:
Once upon a time in a small town in Germany
There was a shoe maker
Schumacher was his name
And he can play the... Flute.. Violin.. Piano.. Drums.. Bass Guitar.. No more..
I'm so gonna use this in the next UMAD =)
Friday, February 27, 2009
Fire Fire
The fire alarm sounded in the middle of Management of Uncertainty class... and the lecturer was asking us whether we should ignore the alarm and continue..
after deliberating on it for a while.. he decided.. and told us something like..
"I think that taking the perspective of managing risks and uncertainty, the right thing to do would be to leave the building and come back when everything is over.."
It was terribly cold coz our thick jackets were not with us!.. But i had to take pictures to blog about the experience =)
Check out the beautiful sky.. with everyone waiting outside..
The firetruck took less than 10 mins to arrive.. very efficient!
And so we waited..
and waited.. and heard the Evacuation Announcement 500 times..
before being allowed in again.. =)
by the way... isn't this building nice? Its the TUAS building.. where my department is located.. think i'll do a TKK campus blog entry soon.. to show u all how my uni looks like.. Let me collate enough pictures first =)
after deliberating on it for a while.. he decided.. and told us something like..
"I think that taking the perspective of managing risks and uncertainty, the right thing to do would be to leave the building and come back when everything is over.."
It was terribly cold coz our thick jackets were not with us!.. But i had to take pictures to blog about the experience =)
Check out the beautiful sky.. with everyone waiting outside..
The firetruck took less than 10 mins to arrive.. very efficient!
And so we waited..
and waited.. and heard the Evacuation Announcement 500 times..
before being allowed in again.. =)by the way... isn't this building nice? Its the TUAS building.. where my department is located.. think i'll do a TKK campus blog entry soon.. to show u all how my uni looks like.. Let me collate enough pictures first =)
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Shrove Tuesday Part 2
The sledding ended at about 4.. but we were only going to Gravitaatio (will explain later) at about 9.. so we had lots of time on our hands =)
We decided not to travel to Otaniemi (by now i expect you guys to know that's where my school and apartment is) and back so as to save on transport.. so we decided to visit the Sibelius Monument.
Finnish Info (FI):
The Sibelius Monument is dedicated to Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (1865 - 1957). He was a Finnish composer whose music played an important role in the formation of Finnish national identity. The music he wrote portraying the history of Finland was a rallying point for national sentiment at a time when the Russians were tightening their grip on the Finns. One of his works: Finlandia, was of immeasurable importance in terms of Finnish self-awareness and national identify .
The monument itself was designed by Eila Hiltunen and was unveiled on September 7, 1967. It originally sparked lively debate about the merits and flaws of abstract art. The purpose of the artist was to capture the essence of the music of Sibelius. The monument weighs 24 tons and measures 8.5 × 10.5 × 8.5 meters.
(thanks to wikipedia.org and finland.fi)
An effigy of Sibelius
emo park bench shot =)
Sibelius Park, where the monument is located..
i love taking photos of park benches =)
Still having time to spare we decided to get warm and treat ourselves to a nice hot drink.. so we went back to Kamppi and settled in at Coffee House..
And since it was Shrove Tuesday.. we had to try Shrove Buns.. Nothing spectacular..Take a simple bun that has cardamom (a spice) in it.. cut it in half.. open it.. add whipped cream and jam.. close it.. eat it..
Now let me explain what is Gravitaatio.. It means Gravitation and its the first of 3 big parties of the year. It was held at Royal Onella.. apparently the biggest club in Scandinavia..
I'm not really the clubbing kind.. but since its supposed to be really happening i decided to go.. so bye bye 12 Euros..
The place is really huge.. like a 3 story club with like 5 (or so) rooms playing different music.. So it was really loud and crowded.. Had only 1 cider drink called Perry (?).. in case u guys think i'm like a heavy drinker.. (Hor Juls hor? Trying a few beers in Germany over a few days doesn't make me a heavy drink ok? haha) And i can't dance to save my life.. so it was just for fun la.. but i'm sure someone definitely had more fun than the rest of us did.. u know who u are.. hehe..
Didn't really take pictures in case u guys are expecting wild pictures of us.. =)..
Anyway what i really wanted to say was that i finally got my life band fix.. Pei Joo, Shu Shan, Ri Hao and Antonia left earlier (12.30am bus).. but i wanted to get my money's worth.. so i stayed on for the live band.. and i wasn't disappointed! Even though the songs were in Finnish.. music is universal.. =) Its a bit heavier than what i like.. but i can definitely appreciate it when the vocals are good.. the musicians are tight.. the lighting is awesome.. and when the band can get the crowd going.. They played 1 softer rock song and i thought that was the best.. If i had to pay 12 Euros just to listen to the band it would be worth it (almost!) =).. oh ya.. 1.50am bus was packed to the brim..
We decided not to travel to Otaniemi (by now i expect you guys to know that's where my school and apartment is) and back so as to save on transport.. so we decided to visit the Sibelius Monument.
Finnish Info (FI):
The Sibelius Monument is dedicated to Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (1865 - 1957). He was a Finnish composer whose music played an important role in the formation of Finnish national identity. The music he wrote portraying the history of Finland was a rallying point for national sentiment at a time when the Russians were tightening their grip on the Finns. One of his works: Finlandia, was of immeasurable importance in terms of Finnish self-awareness and national identify .
The monument itself was designed by Eila Hiltunen and was unveiled on September 7, 1967. It originally sparked lively debate about the merits and flaws of abstract art. The purpose of the artist was to capture the essence of the music of Sibelius. The monument weighs 24 tons and measures 8.5 × 10.5 × 8.5 meters.
(thanks to wikipedia.org and finland.fi)
An effigy of Sibelius
emo park bench shot =)
Sibelius Park, where the monument is located..
i love taking photos of park benches =)Still having time to spare we decided to get warm and treat ourselves to a nice hot drink.. so we went back to Kamppi and settled in at Coffee House..
And since it was Shrove Tuesday.. we had to try Shrove Buns.. Nothing spectacular..Take a simple bun that has cardamom (a spice) in it.. cut it in half.. open it.. add whipped cream and jam.. close it.. eat it..
Now let me explain what is Gravitaatio.. It means Gravitation and its the first of 3 big parties of the year. It was held at Royal Onella.. apparently the biggest club in Scandinavia..
I'm not really the clubbing kind.. but since its supposed to be really happening i decided to go.. so bye bye 12 Euros..
The place is really huge.. like a 3 story club with like 5 (or so) rooms playing different music.. So it was really loud and crowded.. Had only 1 cider drink called Perry (?).. in case u guys think i'm like a heavy drinker.. (Hor Juls hor? Trying a few beers in Germany over a few days doesn't make me a heavy drink ok? haha) And i can't dance to save my life.. so it was just for fun la.. but i'm sure someone definitely had more fun than the rest of us did.. u know who u are.. hehe..
Didn't really take pictures in case u guys are expecting wild pictures of us.. =)..
Anyway what i really wanted to say was that i finally got my life band fix.. Pei Joo, Shu Shan, Ri Hao and Antonia left earlier (12.30am bus).. but i wanted to get my money's worth.. so i stayed on for the live band.. and i wasn't disappointed! Even though the songs were in Finnish.. music is universal.. =) Its a bit heavier than what i like.. but i can definitely appreciate it when the vocals are good.. the musicians are tight.. the lighting is awesome.. and when the band can get the crowd going.. They played 1 softer rock song and i thought that was the best.. If i had to pay 12 Euros just to listen to the band it would be worth it (almost!) =).. oh ya.. 1.50am bus was packed to the brim..
Shrove Tuesday part 1
Finnish students do really ridiculous things.. but these things are usually crazily fun! Yesterday was Shrove Tuesday.. the day before the season of Lent.. 40 days before Easter.. Traditionally, Christians in Finland descend into fasting, but Finns take the word descend too literally.. they descend downhill!!
A bunch of us decided to head down to join in the fun... Laskiaisrieha 09!
We're in an engineering university.. and there are more girls than guys.. I'm so not used to this =)
We knew that there will be sledding.. but we weren't expecting this.. it was a HUGE gathering of colourful overalls!
Everyone brought sleds of all shapes and sizes
On our way up.. we encountered someone who needed help.. =) So Ri Hao and Kevin lent a helping hand..
The steep slippery slope =)
Happy human chains sliding downhill..
My first attempt was with this tiny one.. haha.. it was unbelievably fun!
Seng Gea and Tuukka having a go..
Antonia and Cindy as well..
Wei Sing hold on tight to Shu Shan!
And then some guy in black.. the MC.. made some announcements and the people stopped sliding down.. and gathered at the sides.....
It was competition time!! Teams then came forward with their specially made sleds.. points for showmanship.. smooth sledding and entertainment etc! Here are the funny ones.. =)
Cow with udders.. crashed and flipped halfway through.. Ouch!
Beer tap with fireworks.. spectacular but very slow.. hehe
The platform is a Twister board with coloured circles.. they were playing as they were sliding down.. had good steering!
Peas in a pod.. didn't slide very well..
Crazy sailors in a life boat.. too heavy.. couldn't slide at all..
The words at the back of their twin-armchair-sled said "Mack and Jack".. very smooth..!
Pretty in pink!.. i dunno how they ended up.. haha
I got hold of this round one.. click on the video to join me on my journey down!
Our final slide.. was a everyone together attempt.. on a punctured inflatable swimming pool.. Samuel my tutor.. he went down with his back facing down.. =) The slide wast not very successful.. someone crashed into us while we were stuck halfway.. and now i have a backache!
Totally whacky these Finns..
Part 2 of Shrove Tuesday coming up soon in the next entry..
A bunch of us decided to head down to join in the fun... Laskiaisrieha 09!
We're in an engineering university.. and there are more girls than guys.. I'm so not used to this =)
We knew that there will be sledding.. but we weren't expecting this.. it was a HUGE gathering of colourful overalls!
Everyone brought sleds of all shapes and sizesOn our way up.. we encountered someone who needed help.. =) So Ri Hao and Kevin lent a helping hand..
The steep slippery slope =)
Happy human chains sliding downhill..
My first attempt was with this tiny one.. haha.. it was unbelievably fun!
Seng Gea and Tuukka having a go..
Antonia and Cindy as well..
Wei Sing hold on tight to Shu Shan!And then some guy in black.. the MC.. made some announcements and the people stopped sliding down.. and gathered at the sides.....
It was competition time!! Teams then came forward with their specially made sleds.. points for showmanship.. smooth sledding and entertainment etc! Here are the funny ones.. =)
Cow with udders.. crashed and flipped halfway through.. Ouch!
Beer tap with fireworks.. spectacular but very slow.. hehe
The platform is a Twister board with coloured circles.. they were playing as they were sliding down.. had good steering!
Peas in a pod.. didn't slide very well..
Crazy sailors in a life boat.. too heavy.. couldn't slide at all..
The words at the back of their twin-armchair-sled said "Mack and Jack".. very smooth..!
Pretty in pink!.. i dunno how they ended up.. haha
I got hold of this round one.. click on the video to join me on my journey down!
Our final slide.. was a everyone together attempt.. on a punctured inflatable swimming pool.. Samuel my tutor.. he went down with his back facing down.. =) The slide wast not very successful.. someone crashed into us while we were stuck halfway.. and now i have a backache!Totally whacky these Finns..
Part 2 of Shrove Tuesday coming up soon in the next entry..
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
You deserve all the praise!
I was just listening to some songs on my Itunes when i felt really moved by how many beautiful hymns and songs have been composed to declare love and praise and worship to God.. Truly even if i spend the rest of my life singing songs to Him it won't be enough!
What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the Blood of Jesus..
Jesus, the name above every name.. beautiful savior, awesome Lord, Your loving kindness overwhelms me everyday, Your sacrifice on the cross is sufficient once and for all, You are sufficient oh Lord for me, You gave up everything so that You can give us everything. Lord you are the perfect holy and righteous sacrificial lamb, the alpha the omega the beginning and the end. In You we are righteous and accepted before the Father. You were obedient even to death on the cross, bearing shame and sin, separated from the Father, all these for the salvation of man. Your shed blood cleanses us and gives us life. Your name is above every name, it is above every circumstance in my life, above every sickness every stronghold every sin. You are my banner, my healer, my provider.. Lord Jesus You never short change us, You are calling us to You. You sit at the right hand of God, You are our intercessor, grace and mercy flows from the throne into our lives. So I lift my voice, my hands, my eyes to You, all these You gave so i can worship you with my whole being. Beautiful savior you deserve all the praise, You are worthy..
Lord You are ever calling us into deeper intimacy with You.. help me Lord to humble myself before You and submit my all to You.. i trust in You.. Your provisions and plan for me.. Jesus You are my portion, more than enough.. Thank You Lord for all You've done in my life.. now help me take up my cross daily to follow You..
"If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Matt 16:24
What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the Blood of Jesus..
Jesus, the name above every name.. beautiful savior, awesome Lord, Your loving kindness overwhelms me everyday, Your sacrifice on the cross is sufficient once and for all, You are sufficient oh Lord for me, You gave up everything so that You can give us everything. Lord you are the perfect holy and righteous sacrificial lamb, the alpha the omega the beginning and the end. In You we are righteous and accepted before the Father. You were obedient even to death on the cross, bearing shame and sin, separated from the Father, all these for the salvation of man. Your shed blood cleanses us and gives us life. Your name is above every name, it is above every circumstance in my life, above every sickness every stronghold every sin. You are my banner, my healer, my provider.. Lord Jesus You never short change us, You are calling us to You. You sit at the right hand of God, You are our intercessor, grace and mercy flows from the throne into our lives. So I lift my voice, my hands, my eyes to You, all these You gave so i can worship you with my whole being. Beautiful savior you deserve all the praise, You are worthy..
Lord You are ever calling us into deeper intimacy with You.. help me Lord to humble myself before You and submit my all to You.. i trust in You.. Your provisions and plan for me.. Jesus You are my portion, more than enough.. Thank You Lord for all You've done in my life.. now help me take up my cross daily to follow You..
"If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Matt 16:24
Monday, February 23, 2009
Ice-Skating
It's been years since i last skated.. =) but after experiencing the high of skiing.. i just have to jump into another winter sport.. After all.. the open air ice skating rink will close in March when the ice melts!
Fellow skaters: Cindy, Seng Gea, Antonia, Felicia
Its like a CG outing!
Is it true that there is only 1 brand of ice skating rink smoothing vehicles...the Zamboni brand?
Open air skating feels different than when i last did it at Jurong Entertainment Centre.. Coz there's the sun.. the passerbys (whats the plural of passerby? theres the red underline thingy!)
Only fell twice.. which is good.. coz ice is so much more painful to fall on than snow
Taking a break.. it's so cold that my face is stiff.. explains the fake smile
Somebody seriously needs to design more comfortable skates..
Felicia.. i have to single you out.. =) Sorry i caused you to fall! but u caused me to fall when you fell so we're even haha.. You're improving fast!.. i think 1 or 2 more sessions and u'll get it! hee
Fellow skaters: Cindy, Seng Gea, Antonia, FeliciaIts like a CG outing!
Is it true that there is only 1 brand of ice skating rink smoothing vehicles...the Zamboni brand?
Open air skating feels different than when i last did it at Jurong Entertainment Centre.. Coz there's the sun.. the passerbys (whats the plural of passerby? theres the red underline thingy!)
Only fell twice.. which is good.. coz ice is so much more painful to fall on than snow
Taking a break.. it's so cold that my face is stiff.. explains the fake smile
Somebody seriously needs to design more comfortable skates..
Felicia.. i have to single you out.. =) Sorry i caused you to fall! but u caused me to fall when you fell so we're even haha.. You're improving fast!.. i think 1 or 2 more sessions and u'll get it! heeWarning the following video might cause nausea or motion sickness.. coz i was holding the camera while skating around.. i can't possibly hold it steady rite? Watch for the spin at the end!
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