Friends from Finland

I've been in USA for almost year and a half now and none of my friends or family has visited yet. This is about to change in February! YAY! I'm so excited! And it has partially to do with the long list of candy I gave her but more about the fact that I get to see a familiar face from the past and speak Finnish etc. Saara, my one time almost step-sister-in-law is coming to NYC in February and has squeezed me in to her busy schedule on Valentine's day (which is also Elviira's b-day...send me some blueberry pie woman!) so as this is my day off, I'll be dragging my ass to the city and we will catch up! It's been awhile...can't remember the last time we saw each other.

We've been living in our apartment for 10 months now and have really had no visitors. We don't really entertain...We're always on the road to see other people but they don't really flock to see us. It's weird. It's us who always go see her family or meet have way with her mom for lunch etc but other than T's mom, her cousins Erin and Celeste, no one else from her family has seen our place. So far only CJ and Steph have visited us and that was for 5 minutes before we left for dinner. We have tried to get together with my friend Candace for a long time now for a WII night and drinks but that has always fallen through. And none of my friends or family can obviously just stop by. so you're all invited. Just call first! LOL!

So yesterday was the first day of classes for me...and last for the week too. I have this Indian professor (from India, not native American) who has taught 3 classes I've attended before. He is very intelligent, has a lot of knowledge about wide variety of subjects and has been a professor here since I think 1969...but he is SO BORING. I was ready to kill myself after 40 minutes in class! I was prepared though. when in his class, have snacks for the whole duration. Drink fluids, mainly coffee and have baby carrots, grapes and candy on hand. The trick is to eat through the class.Keep your blood sugar elevated. And yesterday was bad too because we were in a class room with no air circulation and across the hallway was another class in session with a female teacher who talked louder than ours so we closed the doors. OMG it was hot in there to begin with but after closing the door...it was terrible. And no oxygen to be had. The professor made a comment about people dropping cigarette buts to the drain and people not wanting to say anything because they wanted to avoid and argument and possibly getting shot...so once the doors were closed a friend of mine wrote me a note saying he was afraid we'd run out of oxygen...I replied that no one will say anything because we're afraid of getting shot! It was probably funnier if you were there yourself...He did let us go early, at 7pm so a bunch of us went to the diner before our next class started at 8:15. The second class was great, the professor is awesome and he is excited about the topic which keeps us all up at 11pm! My friend Ken gave me a ride home and I was home after 11. My brain is always wired after getting home at 11 so I can't really fall asleep right away. Sucks to have classes at 11pm but the good thing is I only have 1 day per week! Anyway, school started.

I just read that Teemu signed a 2-year contract with the Ducks so I have a chance of seeing him in the area (or where ever we will be) next year! He wants to play in the Olympics in Vancouver in 2010 so that's good news...for me and for the Finnish hockey fans. What's age when your having fun?

I'm gonna TRY to work now...Later.

Teemu 4-Rangers 0

Here are some pictures from yesterday's Ducks Rangers game. The dumb ass that I am, I was thinking about taking the camera with me to the game, but forgot it at home so T took some pictures from the game with her phone.


Teemu is about to score his first goal of the game!

This is the where the game continues after Teemu scored his second goal.

The Ducks face off in their own half. The center wins the face off, gets the buck to Teemu and he shoots, he scores!!! His third of the game and a hat trick!

Teemu and his 4th...After this it got ugly. The Rangers couldn't take it anymore, especially the swedes on the team and just started fighting. They were all ejected.

This is how it would have been had Teemu played. As it was, he was home in Anaheim probably sitting by the pool drinking something cool and refreshing! The game ended 4-2 for Rangers and the swedes were all over the score board. It wasn't enough that Henrik Lundquist was in goal for the Rangers but Markus Naslund and Frdrik Sjostrom scored for Rangers and Samuel Pahlson had an assist for the Ducks. Then there were 4 swedes right in front of us and it seemed like they didn't really know all that much about ice hockey. and if that isn't enough, the only Finn available for the game, Lauri Korpikoski of Rangers was inactive for this game!!! WTF?!?! Not that he matters, I just wanted to see Teemu play in an NHL game before he retires. Sigh...maybe he doesn't retire after this season but will continue next season and I get to see him then...

I would definitely go see a game in the Garden again. Even though we were in the 300 level the view to the ice was great and it seemed like you could see well from everywhere. It was cold as hell inside there too, as well as outside and we had overpriced hot dogs and shared a coke before the game started. After the game ended we walked to Port Authority, took the bus home and got home just before 11pm. I think we were in bed by 11:30.

Today I had physical therapy before work. I got the usual dose of electric shock (stimulation), ultra sound, massage and then we went to the gym. I rolled my ankle in a machine for 10 minutes and did the bike for another 10. Now no one can't say I haven't been to the gym lately! LOL! Last time I was there the electric shocks were a little too intense, or so I would imagine as they made my 4 toes convulse. It was awesome!!! I want one of them so that I can watch my toes curl up every day! This time it wasn't as strong but still felt nice. I have another appointment this Friday and 2 sessions next week as well. I can definitely feel that my foot got a work out but at the same time it feels good. And I know I need to challenge it so that the joints get stronger and more mobile. Hopefully I will be able to run some day soon.

I was talking with Karl yesterday about the classes and the starting of semester and he told me he only has 2 classes this semester. I asked him how is that possible because the visa requirements say we need to be full-time students. He said that since he is graduating this spring and only needs 6 more credits to graduate he isn't taking anymore classes that necessary. I thought since that applies to me as well I might investigate this myself. And I found out that in fact I only need 6 credits so I am dropping a class!!! I will only have 1 day of school this semester!!! Woo Hoo!!! Life's a bitch and then you die! LOL!

But enough about that...Gotta leave soon, my first and only day of classes is about to start! Gotta go get some coffee! Later peeps!

Buh Bye

In the relay of leadership, the torch was passed on to Barack Obama today. Like T (and Celine) said a new day has come. We had a little technical difficulties in our office trying to stream CNN on the big screen in the conference room but with 4 computers we were able to pull it off and saw live as Obama swore in as the 44th president and heard his speech. Man, he can speak! And he said all are equal so I hope he lives up to the expectations. And promises.

Our office was closed for the duration which I heard was the first time ever. My mom called me at 11:30 to tell me they were also watching it on TV and asking me where I was and whether I was watching it or not. We cut it short because I had to go get some lunch before it started but I can tell you Finland was tuned in too!

For the past few weeks we have been getting e-mails from the president of MSU and other peeps here about the Inauguration event at the conference room here. All the cafeterias and other places that have TV were showing it live! It's history! I've seen so many happy people today. It's a good day.

After work today I will take the train to the city where we will go see the Teemuless Anaheim Ducks take on the NY Rangers. I hope it will be a good game even though the star of the event won't be there. I brought my Finland jersey with me just in case. I will see how I feel when I get there. I might wear it...and I might not.

Tomorrow is the start of the semester for me. I have 2 classes ending at 10:45pm...And then early morning wake up on Thursday, 8h of work and 1 class after that. I have physical therapy both tomorrow and on Friday. Busy week but I'm happy the school is starting again...last semester! Graduation. Work. Life. Eech!

Inspiration

Tomorrow Obama will swear-in as the next president of the US of A. One of his biggest supporters from the beginning has been Oprah. I'm watching her show (well it's on in the background) and Demi and Ashton are her guests today. The whole episode is about Obama and the inauguration tomorrow. It's been awhile since the election and the joy and happiness that people felt that day has subsided a little. Listening to Ashton, Demi and Oprah talk about what it means to them and how they are ready to "get to work" and make an effort to unite the USA and it's people is bringing back that inspiration and hope I felt back in November. We will no doubt have the TV on in the office and everybody will be glued in to see this historic moment. Tomorrow will be awesome, one of those days you'll look back and say "where were you when...?"

I will be working a full day followed by a hockey game in NYC. Rangers and Ducks. No Teemu though. Sucks because the whole point was to see him in an NHL game before he retires but no such luck. Maybe he will play next season too!

Yesterday was the season premiere of the L-word and we were invited to watch it at T's friends house. It was a little lesbian gathering, me and T, T's friend from high school Tara and her wife Deanna (they were the hosts) and their twin boys, and their friends Kara and Dahlia and Elizabeth. They were all really cool and we hope to get together again soon. The episode sucked big time, as it's been known to do lately...well maybe not sucked completely since Jenny is dead but as far as actually giving you something with substance, not a lot of excitement. kinda BLAH. Anyway...at one point I was talking with Elizabeth and she was asking me questions like how we met, how long we've been together, the normal stuff. Then it got weird. This is how the conversation went
-Has T proposed to you yet?
-aaaaa aaaaa no...she doesn't do that". (Long time ago she told me she doesn't do proposals).
-Why not?
-She just doesn't do proposals
-I don't mean to stereotype you but she's more of the man and you're more of the woman...
-Aaaaaaa........no..........I'm more of the butch and she's more of the femme even if it doesn't look like that at the moment. It's just my hair right now. (T is def. more feminine than I am but her hair is REALLY short right now and mine is long. We don't have clear cut "roles")
-Why? How is your hair usually?
-Aaaaaaa......when ever it's short I want it to be long and whenever it's long I want it to be short. Now I'm growing it long...

Then it got even weirder. She asked me
-Do you think I'm more femme or butch? (Who asks that 5 minutes into meeting someone?!?!)
-Aaaaaaa....I dunno. Your hair is throwing me off a little. (She had a body like Shane, if you don't know what Shane looks like, shame on you! She was maybe 165cm, no boobs, well smaller than mine and mine are like grapes, no curves really and kind of boyish figure but long hair in a pony tail and I guess a little makeup.)
-My hair is throwing you off?
-Aaaaaa.... Your body type is kinda like Shane's.
-Shane??? No way! I have more muscles than she does. She doesn't have any muscles!
-Aaaaa....Your hair....
-I'd like to think of myself as feminine...
-Aaaaaa (As you can clearly see I was very articulate last night)

Than she went to Deanna and told her I said she was butch. Awesome! Then they laughed. More Awesome! Put me on the spot why dontcha! She was clearly a mismatch, in my mind anyway. And how the hell are you supposed to know the answer people are looking for in that situation??? She made comments about it later one too. After she left they said that she is a little people phobic when it comes to situations with many people. I guess that explains it but I've never had weirder conversation before with anyone I had just met 5 minutes ago.

While I still can (T is upstairs reading "Full Moon") I am gonna watch one of my shows from last week. Have a great week everyone!

Later peeps!

Us Airways

The weather is crazy here this week and today especially so the 2 people driving me to work decided to stay home, which meant I wasn't going in either. So today I was doing some laundry but mostly catching up with my shows and making space in the recorded. I was just finishing with with Criminal Minds and was about to turn on another show when I see "breaking news" flash across the screen. A plane had gone down in the Hudson River so I had to follow the news. As the news progressed it was told that none of the 150 passengers had died and everyone was ok other than people suffering from hypothermia and other injuries. They said that both the engines had shut down because of bird contact and the pilot had to land the plane into the river. He did a hell of a job and will probably be the hero of the year! My boss is flying to Europe tomorrow and probably isn't too happy to fly now. But wow, bad news turned into great news! No casualties.

The NY Mayor is about to have a news conference and the pilot is supposed to be with him. I need to see this.

Good night everyone and safe flight if you are flying somewhere...

About nothing

I don't have a major idea to talk about so I will just ramble as I go. Like I've mentioned before, when you don't have anything to talk about, write about the weather. It's cold and icy here and looks to be getting even colder towards the end of the week. Thankfully this week still is not a school week so I don't need to walk to the bus and train stops. Aditi is away until tomorrow so another one of my co-worker here is kind enough to take me to and from work. She lives only few minutes away from me so I'm on her way to work.

I have a physical therapy session tomorrow after work. Now we will start doing a little exercises on top of the electric stimulus. Hopefully that will loosen up the joints and make it all better. My medication makes me drowsy which is why after the first time I took it at work and almost fell asleep I switched it to night. Now it is upped to 1 pill twice a week which means I can't take it just during the night, I also need to take one during the day. So I just had my lunch and now I'm waiting to see if I get sleepy. I might have to go buy a cup of coffee... so sad, I know!

My mom gave us sheets for x-mas and we put them on few days ago. They are so light and I have been sleeping like a baby. The sheets are so comfy and don't press my foot down at all...good times.

School starts again next week. Monday is a Martin Luther King day and the school is closed but I wouldn't have classes that day anyway. On Tuesday I only have work, my boss is going to Europe on Friday and asked me to step in and make sure the office doesn't collapse during her absence...It's nothing major, opening her mail and making sure the study abroad applications are in order before sending etc...so I could be really busy organizing all this or have nothing much to do.

On Tuesday we are going to Madison Square Garden to watch the Anaheim Ducks take on the NY Rangers. Looks like Teemu is still out but what can you do about it? I'll be in my Finland jersey enjoying the game anyway. There is Lauri Korpikoski in Rangers but that's not my team...

My friend Candace just stopped by. Last Monday on our way to the Doctor we somehow got talking about food...deli's and it ended up with me saying how I can't find smoked salmon here that I would wanna eat and I miss it. So she had gone to her favorite Jewish Deli in the City, got me smoked salmon, a pound of Vanilla nut coffee and 2 coffee cups! I mean seriously! That's some A+ thinking right there! So tonight while T is being tortured by the dentist (sorry babe) I am gonna enjoy the salmon! And maybe make a cup of the new coffee...and drink it from my new cup! I think she gave me the cups so I wouldn't forget the name of the place. When ever we talk about a place she likes and recommends, she gives me a pen from that place! I have pens from her fave Irish bar in the city and from (I need to check my jacket pocket, just a sec) oh never mind, I can't say it here. Anyway, she's my pen supplier! LOL!

The Eagles made it to the final 4 and will play for the NFC championship this Sunday. YES! You should have seen T watch this game. And then the silence among the Giants fans when they realized their season was over. The trash talking we heard before the game...the silence after...PRICELESS! The facebook is empty from Giants fans...poor things. HAHAHAHAHAHA. We have talked about the possibility of hosting a super bowl party if the Eagles make it there...We shall see how it goes. Stay tuned for scenes from our next game...(Sunday at 3pm NJ time)

Gotta go, work awaits! Later peeps

Finally!

First of all...thanks Marja for the Christmas present! It arrived on Saturday but we didn't hear the postman ring the bell so I went to get it yesterday. We'll be using them! I started to think my mom doesn't love me anymore...I mean Christmas was like 2 weeks ago... ;-)

My Doctor called me New years Eve at 3:30pm after I have called her about 10 times over the past 2 weeks. She said based on the report of my foot scan she couldn't make a diagnosis. She wanted me to go see a Pain Management Special who would take a look at my foot. She said she was totally at loss with my foot. Could not find anything wrong based on all the test that have been made. So yesterday my friend Candace and I took a little road trip to Airmont, NY to see the Doctor. He was really nice, we went through all the symptoms, all the Doctors visits, all the meds I had taken and all the pain I've been through and he said it sounds like I'm healing. Slowly but still. He said my symptoms sound like Reflex sympathetic dystrophy/ complex regional pain syndrome. It basically means that my nerves system is sending signals of pain that doesn't excist. He gave me meds to tackle that and I got them today, took one in the morning and now I'm drowsy. Side effects can include dizziness, drowsiness and blurry vision among other symptoms that are too scary to mention! I remember seeing commercials on TV for my meds for people with ghost pain, pain that doesn't have a visible reason. Awesome...just Awesome. I'm a headcase!

Anyway, one of the women working here in my office, Judy, found this article on a newspaper today about my "illness". It's a ask a Doctor column and he replied to a question.

" After an injury- and it could be minor injury- healing doesn't occur and the pain doesn't leave. In the first stages, which last from weeks to months, the pain is burning, throbbing or aching. The skin is mostly red, and the surrounding tissues are swollen. 3 to 6 months later the skin thins and becomes shiny but the pain persists. In the last stages both skin and underlying tissues greatly shrink and the joint becomes immobile. Pain control is one priority. Advil may help with the pain. Other stronger pain relievers are available and things like nerve blocks can help. Physical and occupational therapy are a must to to prevent the joint from losing its motion and to prevent calcium loss from nearby bones. Most people recover but it can take a year or more to reach that goal. The odds are in your favor."

This sounds like me and my symptoms. I just hope it doesn't take years! I just left a message to my physical therapy place to get sessions and I hope this will help. The insurance I have here does not cover it so this is all from my wallet. Which is pretty damn thin right now!

Moving on...the grades were posted today. I got 2 A's and a B+. My GPA is something like 3.7. I think this coming spring semester will be a 3 A semester. I have 3 courses with professors I've already had. A's are all I've gotten from them so far so I'm hoping for more.

I better get back to drinking coffee...I mean work. Happy 2009 everyone!