I've finally made some decisions, I'm so bad at deciding these things. But I'm coming home with Maija, her dad and her boyfriend. We're going to have a little road trip through the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Europe. Can't really remember the route, at some point France, some ferries and finally Stockholm – Turku. So I'll be in Finland the morning of 11^th June. And starting work 12^th June. Working in the nursing home Koukkuniemi until 25^th June when I switch to university hospital and surgical emergency room. Work there for three weeks until we have Stockholm reunion around 12^th July. Then I have three weeks off and I should probably write my dissertation, which I haven't done the whole spring. Hate the project, but then again, who wouldn't? Then another week of work in Koukkuniemi the second week of August, and then back to uni and start of small clinics: paediatrics, ob&gyn and ENT. We'll see how I adapt back to Finland, I've heard that it's not the easiest thing in the world to come back from an exchange. And I have some additional fun problems to solve.

Status: Physical

Last couple of days not so good, yesterday fever rose close to 39 degrees and throat is  sore as hell. Today I got antibiotics for tonsillitis, without a swab! So I'm hoping I'm in those 40% who actually have bacterial tonsillitis instead of viral, cause that would mean I'd soon be better with the antibiotics. Once again I'm shocked how easy it is to get antibiotics here, no wonder if they have a huge problem with antibiotic resistance. Our guidelines (and the research behind them) clearly state that you can not tell between bacterial and viral tonsillitis on the basis of symptoms. And my god, who actually prescribes penicillin taken FOUR times a day, when you have take it into an empty stomach or at least an hour before food!? But that's not for professionals;) So I'll probably change it to two times a day. Then I'd actually have some sort of chance remembering to take the drugs…

3. My ideal job: the party whip. I think I show some amounts of natural talent for the job. I don't know if the job actually exists though, might have to do some politics first. I've been thinking about transferring to politics anyway, my natural meanness would be a lot more suited for that than medicine. Although I am trying to avoid getting the professional crisis in addition to the ongoing personal crises. But on the other hand why stop now when you can mess up your whole life, let's get professional life and health too! Anyway, I have a strong sense of "kaveria ei jätetä". When we were in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Amsterdam we were writing descriptions of each other. Maija wrote about me "keeps the group together". And I definitely tend to aim for that. It annoys me when things are unorganized and people do not function efficiently as a group.

2. Words like procrastinate, bright eyed and bushy tailed, to bag someone/something, that you shouldn't use the verb bag because it tends to make other non-Australian people laugh, allotments, Saltire, cold sore, inept (actually knew that before I came but adopted it to my active vocabulary here – cheers Sam), heaps of something and my personal favourite innuendo (who knew there actually was a word for the thing?:) And also that I can't learn new words just through hearing them, I need to see them written (Don't know why I bother going to lectures btw cause I never remember the stuff from them and then revising to exams get huge enlightenments like yeah, they actually did try to teach me this… I'm just not an auditory person). Thank god for messenger.

1. Exchange will fuck up your relationship. At any rate you're going to have some sort of crisis, whether the relationship survives it varies. But the crisis itself is inevitable. And when feeling down I turn to other people, and that puts me in a better position than the people who completely shut down and turn inwards. Annoying to my friends perhaps, but good for me;) And if anything, this has taught the meaning of friends to me.

Woah man, that's some deep stuff.

I better return to immunology now before this post turns into something even more depressing:D

1. Pahin suihku

Ehdoton voittaja on Carbisdalen linna highlands-tripillä iSocin kanssa, pelkkää_kylmää_vettä. Huonolla paineella, joten painajainen pitkittyi kaiken lisäksi. Kategoria voisi olla myös nimeltään ”pahin suihku joka kuitenkin annetaan anteeksi koska kyseessä on linna” sillä eihän sitä nyt voi odottaa linnasta ihan kaikkea;) Kauneuden – ja linnojen – vuoksi täytyy kärsiä.

1. Paras suihku odotuksiin nähden

Voittajana on Hattersin hostelli Manchesterissa. Suihkun ovessa oli lappu ”odotatko täydellistä lämpötilaa? Silloin käy suihkussa näinä aikoina…” Odotukset olivat… no, eivät kovin korkealla. Esim. kts. edellinen kohta, täällä on tottunut pitämään odotukset matalina LVI-puolella. Joten kun suihkusta tulikin lämmintä vettä (tosin uimahallimaisesti nappia painamalla 15 s välein), yllätys oli kerrankin positiivinen.

1. Parhaiten organisoitu suihku jos haluat välttää julkista alastomuutta

Isle of Skyen Broadford. Minähän suomalaisena olen kohtuullisen sinut kaikenlaisen julkisen alastomuuden kanssa (vaikka Tampere-taloa en olekaan kiertänyt, kuulemma suhteellisen iso rakennus kun sitä lähtee syntymäasussaan yöjalkaan kiertämään. Alkoholilla ei yleensä ole osuutta tähän päätökseen) mutta oletuksena on kuitenkin julkisen alastomuuden minimointi. No Broadfordissa joku oli ajatellut asian fiksusti. Ongelma on siis päästä suihkuun, peseytyä ja pukea puhtaat vaatteet päälle muiden näkemättä. Broadfordin suihkuissa olikin näppärästi suihkukopissa kaksi suihkuverhoa, joista toisen takana peseydyttiin ja toisen taakse voi jättää vaihtovaatteet odottamaan ja näin ne pysyvät kuivina.

1. Odotetuin suihku

Kisa on suhteellisen tiukka. Arran on kyllä tiukka vastus, kuuma päivä ja hikoilu Goat fellillä. Mutta ehkä voittaja on kuitenkin Roybridge, toinen vaellusreissu siis. Vaikka oletuksena oli vain jääkylmä suihku, oli pakko ottaa kuitenkin päivän vaeltamisen jälkeen. Ja kun vielä sai lämmintä vettä, en todellakaan välittänyt vedenpaineesta tai mistään muustakaan oikeastaan. Sivumennen sanoen Lauralta tippui kuulemma suihku kädestä Suomessa ekaa kertaa suihkua ottaessa Skotlannista tultua, vedenpaineeseen tottumaton raukka:D

Road trippin’ with my two favorite allies, fully loaded we got snacks and supplies. It’s time to leave this place it’s time to steal away, let’s go get lost anywhere in the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />USA. With these words from RCHP we started our trip. With the exception that I had three allies and not in the USA. And hopefully not lost. But we did get lost; it took us over an hour to find our way out of Glasgow… very different to drive than walk. And the most futile road work ever didn’t help our way out of the city. They had closed down one lane of the main road leading out of Glasgow, and then had altogether four men sweeping dirt out of the road. Very impressive traffic jam though, almost feels like you’re out in the big world;) But that was about it, unless you count sheep as traffic. Our aim was Isle of Skye: Rohan when the sun shines, Mordor when it rains. But we saw the Rohan side. 

Somewhere before Skye

Eilean Donan castle. Sun was shining from the wrong direction, so if not happy with the results, consult turist postcards from Scotland for a clearer image.

Traffic jam in Skye. We also saw a sign which said: SLOW CHILDREN. Yep, thanks for sharing, people of Skye.

One point in road tripping is that you spend a lot of time in a car. Our car was registered for two adults and two children. Keeping that in mind our blue thunder was amazingly spacious. Although we did suspect that the alarm system in the car was pretty much the stickers saying that the car has a security system. And you couldn’t lock the doors any other way than from the outside with the key. And when you’re in a car you also have a lot of time to speak. Discussions of who should be voted of the car (Survivors style road trip) and suggestions for immunity challenges.  Pointless, pointless jokes. “…that’s what she said!”. But you do learn a lot, like Dillon’s life motto that it’s easier to ask forgiveness than permission (how true) and that if it ain’t fixed, it’s not worth breaking, and if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing fast. Other things we learned that Lurpak (butter) and Philadelphia (cheese) come in somewhat similar looking packages, except where it says BUTTER in the package of Lurpak. Not something that Sam noticed. And the human brain is a peculiar thing, it can let you think you’re eating Philadelphia if that’s what you’re told, even when in fact you’re having just a thick layer of butter on your toast. And that you can feed four people for £15 for three days, with dessert! Dice games, pub quiz (we didn’t get much sympathy although we explained that for our group questions about BBC in the 60’s were slightly impossible) and just so many beautiful views. And a nighttime walk in the starlight (and after quick negotiations with Dillon identifying the North Star for our Southern hemisphere friends. Note: Dillon should have known this instantly, the Alaska state flag has the Big Dipper/Plough/Otava/Sickle and the North Star!).

Just outside our hostel in Glenbrittle.

This sheep (which Gayathri named Pigman) knew how to pose.

Most people probably haven’t considered taking the route Perth – Edinburgh – Glasgow when returning from Isle of Skye. Neither did we actually. But that’s the route we took any way. Perth was probably somewhat conscious decision, Edinburgh more or less result of “yes, that was the exit we would’ve wanted to take” incident. But we did get to go over the Firth of Forth bridge. So it was all good.

Our happy wanderers. Dillon, me, Sam and Gayathri.

So, sorry I haven't written anything in a while. Friends and family visiting. Somehow the days just flow through fingers. Like sand *something something* are the days of our lives… you get the ideaJ After the holidays we just realized we have to go back home pretty soon. Horror, panic! Don't get this the wrong way, but consider this.

Glasgow: days when you get up at 1 because you couldn't be bother to go to the lecture, eat Nutella straight out of the jar with a spoon because you haven't had bread for a week, wander aimlessly in the city shopping, eat out three nights in a row, pub nights that turn into club nights so easily, only worried of your alcohol use because it contains too much energy (although a Bloody Mary can totally substitute a meal), no responsibility except to not to waste your time here and to travel as much as conceivably can

Finland: Feeling SOOO guilty if you miss one lecture in a semester, no social life, worrying about getting too much salt in food and about global warming and the future of our society, exercising with a very strict program where you feel bad if you don't give 100% in every spinning class, nights with insomnia worrying about your studies and just generally worrying.

First of all, we were so high on the city itself. SO beautiful! I mean if you took an average house from the canal side, it still looked like you could make a post card out of it. Pictures will tell more than words. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Gayathri and Maija. On the other side of the canal one of the houses we could live in, if forced;) House by the canal is becoming a strong competitor to the castle in the highlands. This is just next to the Anne Frank house, our Lutheran mind requires some work, holidays can't be all fun;) But seriously, it was a good museum.  

Amstel in the evening.

Other very important high was eating, definitely. Pancakes for instance. If you look at the pictures you’ll notice a stupid smile on our faces, constantly. But we were just that happy, all the time J We walked a lot so we had to make sure we didn't lose any of the precious calories, so we just had to eat every three hours...

Who said that you couldn't have three apple pies in a day?! In total I think we had five different kinds of apple pie in three days:)

On the second day we rented bikes, thank God the traffic was on the right (as opposed to wrong, like here;) side of the road again. We met up with Sam who happened to be in the city at the same time. And Gayathri didn't even hit anything!:D

Our bikes ready to explore the city, waiting to be unleashed.

Our group of happy cyclists: G, Sam and Maija. We're all so young, happy and pretty, the conclusion we came to later in the evening, after a very good dinner and and some wine:)

Shopping was a very good high too. No, we didn't get wedding dresses but yes we had fun trying out dresses at a vintage shop. And I found a spring jacket, yay!

Almost like a spring fashion show.

First stop at Bruars, waterfalls. Does anyone else get a Lost deja vu?

<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Inverness. We happened to come across a free bottle of wine there (thanks to some lovely elderly men who wanted to prove that not all Scots are rude – we wondered if they understood Finnish because regrettably we had been perhaps a bit rude standing in the line behind them… I know that you never know who understands, but we're only humans and were in a hurry), happy memories of that city.

Our castle at Carbisdale. Naturally, the castle is haunted. And some people found that out. But after just how much beer/wine/whisky, remains unsettled.

In the evening we had a dinner and a ceilidh from which I unfortunately don’t have any pictures – too busy dancingJ But hopefully I’ll get a video from Eva to add here later, it’s really something;)

Next morning Loch Ness.

Where are you Nessie?

Urquhart castle on the shores of Loch Ness.

Then again some love filled sitting on a bus and a stop for fish&chips in a little village called Dunkeld.

Maija, Gayathri, fish, chips

1. Mihin kevätlomalla Gayathrin ja Lauran kanssa? Tuleeko Maija mukaan?

-          päädyttiin Amsterdamiin, Bryssel osoittautui aikataulullisesti liian haastavaksi.

-          millä lentoyhtiöllä lennetään, Transavia lentää sinne mutta ei takaisin, EasyJet Edinburghiin…

-          kuka varaa lennot? Erityisen mielenkiintoista kun vuorotellen kaikkien selaimet kaatuivat kriittisillä hetkillä, eri luottokortteja kokeiltiin.

-          hostellien varaaminen? Netissä on noin 1000 eri varaussivustoa, jotka kaikki antavat eri hinnat ja varaustilanteen ja lisäksi Amsterdamissa on vallalla hauska sääntö jonka mukaan jos on perjantaiyön, pitää varata koko viikonlopuksi… Ja jostain syystä haluamamme päivät olivat uskomattoman varattuja. Neljän (4) etsimisen jälkeen kello alkoi lähestyä puolta yötä, epätoivon kykeni haistamaan, 15 eri sivua auki samaan aikaan, sormet kipeänä kirjoittamisesta päädyimme vihdoin hivenen kalliihkoon vaihtoehtoon, mutta vaikutti coolimmalta kuin toinen vaihtoehto;)

2. Highland trip

-          viikonloppuna ISocin kanssa, aitoon linnaan yöksi ja illalla ceilidh, Loch Ness, ylämaata à not to be missed

-          hauska yllätys: lippujen myynnistä ilmoitettiin edellisenä iltana à raivoisa mesetys koko illan kuka menee ostamaan liput koska ihmisillä oli aika paljon pakollisia luentoja (joilta ei voi olla enää pois koska koko alkukevät on jo lintsattu) ja lippuja saa ostaa vain 2/hlö… suunnaton organisointiponnistus. Mutta järjestyi lopulta

3. Cityhopping

-          toisella lomaviikolla ohjelmassa Liverpool ja Manchester

-          sama kuvio taas… millä mennään, Megabus kulkee vain Manchesteriin mutta ei Liverpooliin, ja jaksaako lähteä aamubussilla 8.30 kun edellisenä päivänä on tultu Amsterdamista vai odottaako seuraavaan jolloin tosin ehtii vasta neljäksi Manchesteriin… ja niin edelleen. Ja kun täällä on yksityistetty liikenne, junayhtiöitä riittää jotta valinta olisi erityisen helppo. Selvisi kuitenkin kohtuullisen pienellä tuskalla, tosin yksi iltahan siinä taas meni mesettäessä.

-          hostellit Manchesteriin ja Liverpooliin, ottaako 6 hengen dormi kaksi puntaa kalliimmalla vai 10 hengen dormi halvemmalla, mixed vai female only?

4. Vielä suunnittelematta: 3. lomaviikko, Skotlannin kiertoajelu?

-          ilmeisesti kaikki muut ovat jo käyneet Loch Lomondilla, mun ja Lauran suorituskortista se vielä puuttuu

-          perimmäisenä ajatuksena oli lähteä kiertämään autolla Skotlantia, organisointi tulee olemaan taas mielenkiintoinen ajatus, ei vähiten sen takia että täytyy löytää ihmisiä jotka a) osaavat ajaa, b) ovat tarpeeksi vanhoja vuokraaman auton ja c) suostuvat ajamaan täällä. Sitten pitää enää huolehtia vain reiteistä ja matkustuksesta, helppoa…

Joten ihmiset, jos suunnittelette jotain, edes lievästi yllä kuvatun kaltaista, TAVATKAA ja PUHUKAA, ihmiskunnalta meni vuosituhansia puhetaidon kehittämiseen… ja säästätte sormenne nivelkulumalta.

Mutta otetaan nyt yksi pallo kiinni hetkellisesti ja katsastetaan St Andrews läpi. Pieni kaupunki, itään, prinssi Edward opiskelee siellä, keksivät golfin aikoinaan, katedraalin ja linnan rauniot. I think that pretty much sums it up. Kuvia, kertokoon ne enemmän. Olin taas laiskalla tuulella kuvaamisen suhteen, ajatuksena kopioida Lauran ja Gayahtrin kuvat jälkikäteen;)  

Katedraalin raunioita.

Näkymiä tornista katedraalille