I'm currently on the train, heading north towards Ylivieska, approaching Kokkola I think. Well, I'm off to WAMS 2008, Wireless Applications for Machines and Systems seminar. It's as part of our BSR (Baltic Sea Region) project which we kicked off in Stockholm in May and this is the 2nd meeting now! So ,I figured I have a little spare time to update my blog. November is pretty empty.
On the social side of things, November is most certainly not empty! PARTIES galore! It's the only way to do it, because otherwise you will invariably become at least a wee bit depressed by the lack of sunshine, imminent constant darkness, lack of snow and the fact that it's not yet Christmas. So, the first weekend was Halloween, the second was the Italian party, hosted by the 3 Italians (their flat-warming actually); loads of fun!! Then this weekend just passed I had my slightly belated birthday party, which kicked ass...even if I do say so myself!! Ok, so I became a little intoxicated and "wild" but it's all good! 30 people came (I can't believe I have 30 friends here, I'd never have that many at a party in Scotland, hehe!) and we had good grub and a bowl of yummy punch. Actually we probably went through about 3 litres of vodka for that...maybe even more! My guests were so kind, bringing great gifts! Thank you all so much! I had great fun!
I'm smiling now.
LAst night I went to see Bo Kaspers Orkester http://www.bokaspers.com/ in concert at Tampere Talo. It was excellent!! What's more, after the gig, I bought their new album and then the whole band was there signing peoples' copies!! So, I waited, spoke to them all (in Swedish), told them how wonderful the concert was and then the signed the sleeve of my cd!!! helt otroligt bra! I was so chuffed (still am) :) It's great being in Finland, I get to see all the Swedish bands I would never get to see if I were in the UK, they don't tour that far, especially when they sing in Swedish! love it.
Well, I guess the travelling is beginning now...until the end of the year. Next week I'm drivin my car back to the UK as far as the south of Sweden, where my folks will take it further by boat (they're amazing for having offered to do it). Then I'm back in Finland, we have our pikkujoulu on the boat to Tallinn, then back to Finland, then 1 day in Lund for work the week after, then back to Finland and then finally to Glasgow for Christmas and New Year!!
