Well, this exchange just keeps heading into murkier waters. Yesterday I was in the audience of the Jerry Springer show with Kevin an Irish exchange student here. All I can say is that... well. Anyone who has seen the show knows the sort of messed up people they have on it. It's just unbelievable that there are people with problems like that, and its made even more unbelievable by the fact that they are willing to beat the living daylights out of say their own mum on TV. It was quite an experience, the best bit was the soundman teasing one of the guests and then getting the crap beaten out of him. (He did deserve it) It was also rather amusing chanting Jerry.. Jerry.. Jerry..
Thursday night was yet again party party time, which involved buying trays of Jaeger bombs (jeggu battery) The only gripe I have here is that the bars close at 2. So when everything gets going its time to leave. Then again, no matter. Thats what frats and sororities are for!! So yet again I trundled back home at 9 in the morning, leaving behind my phone. Real smooth way to roll.
Got the results for the final that I didn't study for and was somewhat suprised. Above class average result. So I guess I should go out and celebrate, that was the final test for the course and I have already got enough points to pass with a few more assignments in store. One course down and 3 to go!
Tonight yet more halloween house parties to look forward to. I guess its time to head off to walmart to get a costume of some sort.
Peace
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Monday, October 23, 2006
Water fights and Miller lights
Homecoming came and went, leaving behind it fantastic memories and yet another bonkers group of friends.
Saturday started in a very tame manner, just wondering around for a couple of hours before the homecoming football game eating free hamburgers and knocking back free beer courtesy of the various alumni tents. The footie game started and we gave Temple college a good ass whopping, it was nice being in a completely full student section with those rowdy Americans. They certainly can make a lot of noise.
Just the end of the game the heavens opened and it started to piss down with rain, which wasn't the best thing that could have happened considering that we were going out later and would have to walk.
The evening started off in a very dodgy manner, not having a clue where we were going or how we were going to get there. No problem though, my Irish friend has made a habbit of just gatecrashing parties here so we just sort of followed the leader. After lots of searching we found a kegger, only problem was it was an asians party. So we felt that rather than sticking out like the balls on a bulldog, we would rather head somewhere else where we might stand the chance of blending in. Oh if we had only known what was in store for us next.
Yes we found another party, yes there was alcohol there and yes there was also some food. However it was some guys 21st birthday party, and the best bit was that all the people there were either first or second generation Indian (no not native americans) During our short time there we were invited to dance to Indian dance music (think Punjabi Mc) which was for want of a better word ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS !
After me and Kevin ran to the liqor store to pick up a few beers... 60 miller lights and a bottle of jamesson, we headed back to the party. But then decided that we couldn't handle the pace of those crazy Indian dancers, and again we felt we stuck out slightly. Although the guys there were really nice.
So we moved on again, with no real idea of where we were heading, completely random. We then ended up a house party in.. erm someones house. Anyhow as the evening went on more and more people turned up. Then someone decided to start playing drinking games, so I thought I might as well join in for a laugh. Those poor Americans didn't know what had hit them!
3 hours and countless beers later the wheat got separated from the chaff, and it was just me and some sorority girl sitting and drinking. She then had the absolutely fantastic idea of making water bombs to wake up her friends. Which at like 8am in the morning in the inebriated state that we were in seemed like a really funny idea. However what actually followed was a full blown waterfight between me and her in the downstairs of her house. At this point I would like to say in typical 5 year old fashion that: "she started it" Not me!
At 10am I wondered into my dorms absolutely dripping wet looking like I had been for a swim or something. I will never forget the looks that I got on the way to the elevator!!
Absolutely priceless!!
At 4pm in the afternoon when I woke up I thought I had missed the car that was piloted by Juha Kankkunen, unfortunately though he ran me over a couple of hours later...In fact I'm certain that he also reversed over me a couple of times for good measure. What an absolute hum-dinger of a hangover! Which was great considering that at nine in the evening I realized that I had a final exam the next day. Needless to say my studying consisted of me opening my book only to fall asleep after reading all of half a page. I then had the pleasure of waking up with a drool covered book glued to my face. NICE!
But as many of my fellow students will no doubt agree, it's not as though we came on exchange to study!
Saturday started in a very tame manner, just wondering around for a couple of hours before the homecoming football game eating free hamburgers and knocking back free beer courtesy of the various alumni tents. The footie game started and we gave Temple college a good ass whopping, it was nice being in a completely full student section with those rowdy Americans. They certainly can make a lot of noise.
Just the end of the game the heavens opened and it started to piss down with rain, which wasn't the best thing that could have happened considering that we were going out later and would have to walk.
The evening started off in a very dodgy manner, not having a clue where we were going or how we were going to get there. No problem though, my Irish friend has made a habbit of just gatecrashing parties here so we just sort of followed the leader. After lots of searching we found a kegger, only problem was it was an asians party. So we felt that rather than sticking out like the balls on a bulldog, we would rather head somewhere else where we might stand the chance of blending in. Oh if we had only known what was in store for us next.
Yes we found another party, yes there was alcohol there and yes there was also some food. However it was some guys 21st birthday party, and the best bit was that all the people there were either first or second generation Indian (no not native americans) During our short time there we were invited to dance to Indian dance music (think Punjabi Mc) which was for want of a better word ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS !
After me and Kevin ran to the liqor store to pick up a few beers... 60 miller lights and a bottle of jamesson, we headed back to the party. But then decided that we couldn't handle the pace of those crazy Indian dancers, and again we felt we stuck out slightly. Although the guys there were really nice.
So we moved on again, with no real idea of where we were heading, completely random. We then ended up a house party in.. erm someones house. Anyhow as the evening went on more and more people turned up. Then someone decided to start playing drinking games, so I thought I might as well join in for a laugh. Those poor Americans didn't know what had hit them!
3 hours and countless beers later the wheat got separated from the chaff, and it was just me and some sorority girl sitting and drinking. She then had the absolutely fantastic idea of making water bombs to wake up her friends. Which at like 8am in the morning in the inebriated state that we were in seemed like a really funny idea. However what actually followed was a full blown waterfight between me and her in the downstairs of her house. At this point I would like to say in typical 5 year old fashion that: "she started it" Not me!
At 10am I wondered into my dorms absolutely dripping wet looking like I had been for a swim or something. I will never forget the looks that I got on the way to the elevator!!
Absolutely priceless!!
At 4pm in the afternoon when I woke up I thought I had missed the car that was piloted by Juha Kankkunen, unfortunately though he ran me over a couple of hours later...In fact I'm certain that he also reversed over me a couple of times for good measure. What an absolute hum-dinger of a hangover! Which was great considering that at nine in the evening I realized that I had a final exam the next day. Needless to say my studying consisted of me opening my book only to fall asleep after reading all of half a page. I then had the pleasure of waking up with a drool covered book glued to my face. NICE!
But as many of my fellow students will no doubt agree, it's not as though we came on exchange to study!
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Homecoming
It's homecoming weekend here in the cornfields, and so far it hasn't dissapointed. I have absolutely no idea what homecoming is actually about, but it seems to be a big deal over here. There have been parties everwhere all week and 60 extra police cars and men have been brought in from other states to makes sure that everything runs smoothly, it's crazy!
Thursday was good fun, involving free drinks yet again (one of the perks of being an exchange student here) and after parties at a sorority house. It's a shame that I'm only here until Xmas because it really is a nice place with great people. My view of Americans has changed an awful lot in some respects, and been re-enforced regarding others. Take the Americans knowledge of geography for example.
American: So wheres Finland ?
Me: Its in between Sweden and Russia
American: *akward silence*
Me: Like go upwards North East from Germany
American: Wheres Germany ?
Me: Bollocks.... you want a beer? this is going to take a while.
Still it has been good fun, and everyone that I have met so far has been really nice.
Today was the homecoming football game which we won, so that was great. Before that we wondered around the grounds for a couple of hours eating free food and drinking free beer courtesy of the College of Business Alumni tent, fantastic.
This evening should be pretty mad, either a kegger (house party where there are beer kegs) or heading out to a bar and some afterparty. Have to see where the evening takes me.
Looks like my calender is filling up pretty quickly. Next weekend I might be going to the Jerry Springer show to be in the audience, and possibly go to a Chicago Blackhawks game. There is also the possiblity of some wild Haloween parties, so I guess I better think of something to wear. Could dress up as a Finnish drunk to raise the profile of our country in the eyes of the Americans... then again, maybe not.
Thats all for now, might try to get some pictures from tonight, but I have to remember who reads this. So the self censorship may kick in!!
Laterz peeps
Thursday was good fun, involving free drinks yet again (one of the perks of being an exchange student here) and after parties at a sorority house. It's a shame that I'm only here until Xmas because it really is a nice place with great people. My view of Americans has changed an awful lot in some respects, and been re-enforced regarding others. Take the Americans knowledge of geography for example.
American: So wheres Finland ?
Me: Its in between Sweden and Russia
American: *akward silence*
Me: Like go upwards North East from Germany
American: Wheres Germany ?
Me: Bollocks.... you want a beer? this is going to take a while.
Still it has been good fun, and everyone that I have met so far has been really nice.
Today was the homecoming football game which we won, so that was great. Before that we wondered around the grounds for a couple of hours eating free food and drinking free beer courtesy of the College of Business Alumni tent, fantastic.
This evening should be pretty mad, either a kegger (house party where there are beer kegs) or heading out to a bar and some afterparty. Have to see where the evening takes me.
Looks like my calender is filling up pretty quickly. Next weekend I might be going to the Jerry Springer show to be in the audience, and possibly go to a Chicago Blackhawks game. There is also the possiblity of some wild Haloween parties, so I guess I better think of something to wear. Could dress up as a Finnish drunk to raise the profile of our country in the eyes of the Americans... then again, maybe not.
Thats all for now, might try to get some pictures from tonight, but I have to remember who reads this. So the self censorship may kick in!!
Laterz peeps
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Getting around
Well the past week has brought with it snow, freezing cold winds, live music, free drinks, Korean stories of prostitutes, job offers, job applications and yet again *cringe* shopping trips.
So I'll start from the top. At the middle of the week there was a dusting of snow on the ground, fortunately me and Samu were sleeping in as we didn't have lectures, so we didn't get to see it, but the wind was certainly freezing and cut through you right to the bones. Winter is certainly on its way!
All week I have been toiling with job applications, online forms are so much fun to fill out! 7 applications down 46 to go! I will be an expert on these online forms soon! It's also fun trying to remember all the dates of employment as I have left all my official documentaion in Finland! Superb ! (anyone detect a hint of sarcasm?!)
Oh yeah and a job offer came from the West coast for a internet marketing company. Tempting I must say, but not quite for me. However my Prof is looking for a job for me, which is something I never thought would happen!
Thursday evening was spent listening to some absolutely awesome live music, knocking back free drinks courtesy of a class mate who said he wanted to get me drunk. He obviously knew nothing about the amount of alcohol the average Finn can consume!
Today, slight boredom struck in the late morning so we did what any normal member of this American society would do. We went shopping... AGAIN... Needless to say bank account sustained serious damage again, and my logistics skills will need to be employed to get the mountains of stuff I have bought back to Finland. We also decide to go and pop into the local Applebees restaraunt, where our foreign accents were immediately noticed by the waitresses, who then invited others over to hear our cute accents. Needless to say, we shall probably be heading back there sometime.
Had a few beers with the Koreans this evening, and those guys really do not dissapoint, more stories of how cheap prostitutes are in Thailand and ... well somethings are just best left unsaid.
Well tomorrow should be good fun, a local Finnish family is treating us to breakfast (only minus is 9am wake up) and dinner. So all is looking promising. Also the evening looks like it will be spent with the Koreans listening to more xxx stories... I think I might need a "few" drinks!
So I'll start from the top. At the middle of the week there was a dusting of snow on the ground, fortunately me and Samu were sleeping in as we didn't have lectures, so we didn't get to see it, but the wind was certainly freezing and cut through you right to the bones. Winter is certainly on its way!
All week I have been toiling with job applications, online forms are so much fun to fill out! 7 applications down 46 to go! I will be an expert on these online forms soon! It's also fun trying to remember all the dates of employment as I have left all my official documentaion in Finland! Superb ! (anyone detect a hint of sarcasm?!)
Oh yeah and a job offer came from the West coast for a internet marketing company. Tempting I must say, but not quite for me. However my Prof is looking for a job for me, which is something I never thought would happen!
Thursday evening was spent listening to some absolutely awesome live music, knocking back free drinks courtesy of a class mate who said he wanted to get me drunk. He obviously knew nothing about the amount of alcohol the average Finn can consume!
Today, slight boredom struck in the late morning so we did what any normal member of this American society would do. We went shopping... AGAIN... Needless to say bank account sustained serious damage again, and my logistics skills will need to be employed to get the mountains of stuff I have bought back to Finland. We also decide to go and pop into the local Applebees restaraunt, where our foreign accents were immediately noticed by the waitresses, who then invited others over to hear our cute accents. Needless to say, we shall probably be heading back there sometime.
Had a few beers with the Koreans this evening, and those guys really do not dissapoint, more stories of how cheap prostitutes are in Thailand and ... well somethings are just best left unsaid.
Well tomorrow should be good fun, a local Finnish family is treating us to breakfast (only minus is 9am wake up) and dinner. So all is looking promising. Also the evening looks like it will be spent with the Koreans listening to more xxx stories... I think I might need a "few" drinks!
Friday, October 06, 2006
An Englishman, an Irishman and ....... an American
Popped out for a few beverages of the brewed variety last night with an Irish guy who is here on exchange and an American friend of his, and ended up bar hopping around DeKalb.
If Wednesday is the night on the lash in Mikkeli then Thursday is certainly the night that NIU's students go out and large it up. Now in Mikkeli its great going to Kharma and getting 50% off with the club card, but here there is nothing like it. No sir. For the students of NIU Thursday night is the one when you can go out and get completely blottoed without breaking the bank. All of the bars offer 75ct drafts (Used to 50cts but the district council raised it to try to lower it to curb excessive drinking)
Yes 75cts for that lovely amber nectar that in the words of Frank the Tank "Tastes so good" Now there is a downside to this, which is waking up the next morning with more quarters in your pocket than a vending machine!
And it doesn't stop there... I thought early on in the evening it might be nice to enjoy a nice glass of whiskey on the rocks, so I ordered myself a Johnny Walker and was amazed when the guy gave me a glass three quarters full and relieved me of 3 dollars! In fact I was so shocked that I asked the guy if he took the right money.
One conclusion that I have come to here is that Americans can't drink for shit! Unfortunately I had to be proven right by my American drinking partner pouring the contents of his beer down my trousers. Which was to say the least fairly embaressing because he managed to hit the crotch area, and I was forced to explain to everyone that "No I haven't pissed myself, I'm not that drunk yet" But anyway, fairgame, it's all good in da hood.
Sorry for the heavily alcohol biased post, but well, gotta let people know the important cultural differences!
Tootaloo for now !
If Wednesday is the night on the lash in Mikkeli then Thursday is certainly the night that NIU's students go out and large it up. Now in Mikkeli its great going to Kharma and getting 50% off with the club card, but here there is nothing like it. No sir. For the students of NIU Thursday night is the one when you can go out and get completely blottoed without breaking the bank. All of the bars offer 75ct drafts (Used to 50cts but the district council raised it to try to lower it to curb excessive drinking)
Yes 75cts for that lovely amber nectar that in the words of Frank the Tank "Tastes so good" Now there is a downside to this, which is waking up the next morning with more quarters in your pocket than a vending machine!
And it doesn't stop there... I thought early on in the evening it might be nice to enjoy a nice glass of whiskey on the rocks, so I ordered myself a Johnny Walker and was amazed when the guy gave me a glass three quarters full and relieved me of 3 dollars! In fact I was so shocked that I asked the guy if he took the right money.
One conclusion that I have come to here is that Americans can't drink for shit! Unfortunately I had to be proven right by my American drinking partner pouring the contents of his beer down my trousers. Which was to say the least fairly embaressing because he managed to hit the crotch area, and I was forced to explain to everyone that "No I haven't pissed myself, I'm not that drunk yet" But anyway, fairgame, it's all good in da hood.
Sorry for the heavily alcohol biased post, but well, gotta let people know the important cultural differences!
Tootaloo for now !
Monday, October 02, 2006
Thunder & lightning
They say a picture speaks more than a thousand words... this was taken yesterday from my room.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Chi town
Seeing as I have been waffling on the last few posts, I thought some photographic material might be in order. So here are some pictures from the amazing city of Chicago... Enjoy !
The Sears tower, one of the tallest buildings in the world dominates Chicagos high rise skyline
Awesome water attraction in Chicagos Millenium park. The photos are projected behind a glass wall and they are of Chicagoians off the streets.
Walking on water
The "Bean" a polished metal bean that is a beheamouth and reflects the Chicago skyline
View of Chicago from the Navy Pier
This my friends is a heart attack on a plate. In other words Chicagos world famous Pan Pizza. That is 2cm of cheese there, which tastes fantastic but is about as good for you as a gun shot wound to the head.
"The other side of the tracks" Chicagos ghetto is cheap, if you don't mind crack dealers or drivebyes on your doorstep!
Ubelievable man-made scenery makes for an awesome sunset!
ABC 6 O'clock news, moments after this they showed the crowd on camera, so we started jumping up and down like kangaroos on speed. There is however a 5 second delay on the feed ever since Janet Jacksons "Wardrobe malfunction" (read nipple flashing) so any naturists out there wanting to expose themselves on National Tv will be dissapointed. *sigh*
The Chicago river which flows through the city. This river has been widened deepened and they have even reversed the current, so it now flows the other way !!!
The amazing ampitheatre in Millenium park, and I caught Joulupukki that bearded wonder on his holiday!!
A huge structure...... and the Sears tower ! :p
Tourists !!!
Well thats all for now, I guess I should get started with my Sales interview paper which needs to be returned tmr morning, and study for the 2 exams that we have. Our HRM prof recomended reading the book like 35 times..... I think I will be lucky if I open it!
See y'all later !
Awesome water attraction in Chicagos Millenium park. The photos are projected behind a glass wall and they are of Chicagoians off the streets.
Walking on water
The "Bean" a polished metal bean that is a beheamouth and reflects the Chicago skyline
View of Chicago from the Navy Pier
This my friends is a heart attack on a plate. In other words Chicagos world famous Pan Pizza. That is 2cm of cheese there, which tastes fantastic but is about as good for you as a gun shot wound to the head.
"The other side of the tracks" Chicagos ghetto is cheap, if you don't mind crack dealers or drivebyes on your doorstep!
Ubelievable man-made scenery makes for an awesome sunset!
ABC 6 O'clock news, moments after this they showed the crowd on camera, so we started jumping up and down like kangaroos on speed. There is however a 5 second delay on the feed ever since Janet Jacksons "Wardrobe malfunction" (read nipple flashing) so any naturists out there wanting to expose themselves on National Tv will be dissapointed. *sigh*
The Chicago river which flows through the city. This river has been widened deepened and they have even reversed the current, so it now flows the other way !!!
The amazing ampitheatre in Millenium park, and I caught Joulupukki that bearded wonder on his holiday!!
A huge structure...... and the Sears tower ! :p
Tourists !!!Well thats all for now, I guess I should get started with my Sales interview paper which needs to be returned tmr morning, and study for the 2 exams that we have. Our HRM prof recomended reading the book like 35 times..... I think I will be lucky if I open it!
See y'all later !
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