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. =)

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 =)