In limbo

The latest news on my planning for my trip to Finland:

I spoke with the consulate in NYC and they informed me that it is going to take longer than anticipated to get my residence permit to me. I had previously been told that two weeks was a fair estimate, but tuesday I was told it would be 3-4 more weeks. One week down at this point, but that still puts me over the deadline of my beginning of orientation at HY (helsingin yliopisto = helsinki university) on 9 Jan. Still not sure what I am gonna do there, since I really need to book a flight, but don't wanna take a chance of not having stuff in time....

The other worry I have at this point is figuring out who I am going to stay with that first night if I arrive in Finland after 4 pm (the time the rental office from which I need to pick up my keys closes). I need to just ask someone, but I'm not sure who to ask and I feel bad asking, esp since I still don't have a date of arrival. That part will work out eventually, once everything else works itself out. Still, I don't like having it hang over my head.

That's about it for the trip planning update. Still not sure about my internet access once I arrive, and Finland is on holiday this week, so communications with any offices there won't be answered til after the 1st. Guess we'll see how virtuously patient I am;) Hope the holiday season has treated everyone well!

Name registry

I found this cool. The Finnish Population Register Centre can tell you the number of registered (Finnish) people with your last name since the 19th century. Accordingly, for my last name:

	Total no.	Men	Women	In Finland	Abroad
As present name	89	43	46	78	11
As former name	33	5	28	31	2
As dead persons' name	48	19	29	39	9
Total	170	67	103	148	22

Only 170 people have had it since identity numbers started being assigned. Should I feel any more unique?

So, a little update on the Finland situation, for all those who may be curious. (Really it's just a to-do and done list for me, but I can share).

-Housing is secured. I got a nice place in West-Pasila very near a train station. I will have 2 roomate in a large flat, with a balcony on "central park." hotness.

-I've sounded the alarm and everyone from Helsinki to Sodankyla knows I'm coming. They've been warned. (Actually I still have a number of people to contact, but I'm hoping that people will talk to people will talk to people to save me some time, plus I don't have all the email addresses I need.)

-My residence permit should be able to be processed now that I have housing. I just have to wait for final confirmation on my despoit to send stuff to the consulate and then I should be set.

-Still haven't bought an airline ticket, but I'd like to know when I'll have the residence permit so I can arrive as early as possible... But how long should I wait? That is the question... I'd like to take a trek up to Iisalmi before the orientation starts, but I don't wanna buy a ticket and then not have my passport back in time. What to do, what to do...

-I have at least found a bed, in terms of furnishings. Hopefully more will be forthcoming. Gotta talk to my peeps in Helsinki. I don't really need all that much, just a bed and a desk.

-I need to figure out about the wiring of the building I am living in and how possible it will be to get internet access while in Finland. I'd like to publish pictures and stories here, but I have to make sure I have access to the net from my laptop before I promise to do so. Updates won't be frequent, but I'll hopefully keep you up to date with my travels at the very least. Don't wanna detract from the experience by sitting in front of the computer the whole time though.

I think that's it for now...

guess who got accepted to study in finland?

yep, looks like i'll be heading out soon to return to the fatherland. i got my letter monday, and now have to throw my visa stuff together pretty quickly. barring that, i'll start my studies at the university of helsinki in the beginning of january. if you wanna help me settle into helsinki lemme know:-D

KJ and JK: A Love Story

This is the story of two people, brought together by chance, who found that fate had cast them as compliments, each the inverse to the other. Not only were they born exactly 6 months apart, sharing birthdays and half birthdays, but they were also gender opposites, opposites in orientation, and inversely named. This is the story of KJ and JK, a love story in one part.

KJ and JK met under shakey circumstances. JK was drunk off his ass, and KJ soon found herself too close for comfort... yet.

Not one to kiss and run, JK perservered and spent more and more time with KJ. Still a bit scared, KJ and JK first went on a double date with another supa-fly couple.

JK and KJ were perfect! KJ found that she could really say what was on her mind, and discuss deep subjects with JK...

...Even if JK sometimes was driven up walls from the abstract nature of their discussions.

Still, it wasn't long until the two were inseparable.

They went to the same parties...

...played silly games together...

...and picniced together. It was ridiculously adorable.

Yes, whenever the wind picked up and life was all a-flutter, KJ was there to keep JK firmly grounded.

And when KJ was stressing out and a little tense, JK was there with his magic hands (not to be confused with his spirit fingers).

Soon, the two started travelling together.

In Vermont, they saw a house made of sticks.

OMG- did you see that?

haha- JK has chocolate all over his face!

So close were the two, JK wore interchangable bands which could represent their inverseness everywhere he went (with blue hair). KJ POWER!

In the end, because they couldn't decide whether they would combine as KJK or JKJ, the two decided to take a break. Still, they never forgot the good old days, and thought they may be apart next semester, they will always remember each other. If rough times come, they'll know that they are not alone, and they will walk down that road together.

World AIDS Day