Dex had declared the demise of this blog and perhaps he is not that wrong because sometimes it is just so convenient to drop a random note in fb in the midst of all the work. Yes, there is homework and examinations. :P
Despite the mega photo-uploads, work came in at a regular pace with multiple readings and for an exam, sometimes we have to read two books so that we can comment on them.
This week is the first week of school and I am already kind of stressed and tired despite still behaving like the energetic me, in trying to complete journal readings for reviews/summaries that might aid in my master's thesis. Testimony to that will be me writing this blog now upon waking up at 6am (slept at 1215am), even after submitting the work last night. Maybe my adrenaline and some other stress hormones were just running a tad too wildly for a while to calm down. I am doing basic shopping therapy later (grocery and necessities).
In the midst of all these, moments of reliefs were found in making chocolate rolls for my friends to welcome Day 1 of school, K's surprise party at 11pm when he returned from Turkey and also a sauna/dinner with him the next day while he tries to get his kitchen up and running again. K is like my brother in this little city of Oulu and I did miss his presence over the holidays.
The most wonderful thing I have experienced thus far is the warmth of the relationships I had established with people here. Edglo bears special meaning with a bunch of people who shares, supports, loves and cares for one another. Then there is my Sunday dinner gang who is like another family to me - K.A.T. and the fun we have every now and then when we gathered. i am already feeling the pang of loss for missing next sun's dinner but it is also important to meet A in Copenhagen. How often do you get to meet a friend who flew from US and being so close to you in a foreign neigbouring country? A was my constant in University and we had shared much over Spinelli and Science canteen food. Someone said that with current air travel, meeting someone is not difficult but it is. There are friends whom I missed and yet to see after 7 years. When work bogged you down, how does one even find sufficient time to travel? And because of this, even though I am enjoying my time here with new-found friends, every happy moment was mixed with a profound sense of sadness but also an unfounded sadness located somewhere in the future. This bittersweet feeling is rich maybe because of the experience in US even though I know this is different. I shall just enjoy the bittersweetness of it for it is actually like being in school when I know that every kid which passes me by will move on and to a better future ahead. There should be joy and happiness in having to share a special journey together. The future is unknown and perhaps we will meet again in the most amazing place or circumstances.
And now I am getting a little sleepy. Sighz.
As I settled down in this little city, it is perhaps also time to find things to fill my time instead of logging on to fb too often :P.
given my frequency of blogging, here is wishing everyone a Happy Chinese New Year ahead. :) Dong Dong Chiang!
2 months
From 2 wks in Oulu to 2 months here and how things had changed.
It is snowing relatively heavy now because visibility has dropped a bit and the google forecast informed minus zero temperature for the entire week.
The daytime is shorter as well, from the sun setting at 9pm when I first came to now at around 4-5pm. The only good thing the early nightfall was that I can do more work since I concentrates better "at night". My room is also done up now with posters and lamps from ikea. Oh yea! I went to Helsinki and Stockholm last week when it was my autumn break. Ooooo....IKEA stuff from Sweden, totally authentic. I got H&M stuff there too which I realised was Sweden-export :). I would have gotten absolut vodka too except that I don't drink that stuff. mm not much anyway. :P I will prefer my sweet cider.
Thus far, I already had 2 examinations and a paper submission. The last exam was on Friday actually so I was really chiong-ing to read the assigned two books before the exams since I could not manage it during the break. But I think I will pass the exams. hopefully, if not I will have to take it another time which I sincerely hope not to. :P
Life as a student is really different but I think that is also because of a more mature outlook of life. Last night I invited frens over for dinner and to lounge in my sofa. That was just so nice and comfortable instead of the partying (which I had not been to one yet actually). On one hand I wished we could talk longer but on the other, work awaited as I seriously need to do some catching up after my trip - yes, i am definitely procrastinating with a blog entry now :P
I heard OP is around the corner - so good luck to all!! I will probably not do so well for OP here because they claimed that my singaporean accent is very strong. Accent? I was confused until I heard two Singaporeans in Stockholm ahhah. So ok, sometimes I tried to accommodate with clear pronunciation instead of letting my words tumble over my singaporean way. last night I was going to show my frens my travel trips videos when I stumbled upon the clip I made for 3L. The memories of a great time and I could not help it but watch it again before I head for bed. Then Deng also started to post 'My Dear Class' - I must say his camera is really pro hahha. 3G is really camwhorish but I really enjoyed the photos and others have such funny stuff like GL's hysterial rabbit talk and G's updates on hilarious stuff in class and his comic strips (I am not stalking!! serious!!)
As I wrote all these, I started to wonder, who read this blog now as it slowly sinks into oblivion like the titanic. But I will hold on to it a little longer as the name chansensei gets immortalize even in this little city oso I am holding on to this link.
Hugs to all, from the little oulu city. :)
2 weeks in Oulu
It has been 2 official weeks and somewhat it still feel a bit surreal but also like it has been so for quite a while. Lessons have started this week and while they are still mainly introductory except for Survival Finnish, I am excited by them all and remains keen to share my thoughts and experiences. Yah, experiences are truly something that can come with age though one classmate of mine refuses to believe that I am older than her, maybe because of my camwhoring antics. But others sense my subtle behavioral manners that spoke otherwise I think because I am composed most of the time and I will get things organised or facilitate interactions between people. Somehow, I still find myself very much in the teacher mode, taking care of my fellow classmates like staying behind to make sure everyone is accounted for when we move as a bunch, taking their pictures at random moments and sometimes dispense advice to them.
@ wk 2, I am happy to have known some of my classmates better and I now hang out regularly with an international bunch of Japanese, Russians, Turks, Iranians, Taiwanese, Brazilian and Indians. Perhaps there will be more to come.
But what school goes into full steam for all of us, let's hope that we still get to meet up occasionally.
School-wise, I really think it is a bigger world out here. With so many international students and with the quality of teachers here, I really feel like part of a global population and I realised that I can, too, contribute to a wider, global community. Here, our dreams get a little bigger. Still, for those who are doing your degrees overseas, while it could be the same for you too but don't forget to keep the heart and motivation true and clear. Egos and dreams do not have to correlate. But still, I do miss classroom teaching.
Perhaps some highlights:
- went to a Finnish sauna!
- Got a bicycle after a week at a steal!! :): In Oulu, cycling is a basic mode of transport and is supported by a good extensive cycling tracks! And here, the vehicles do give way to pedestrians and cyclists at junctions! This will of cos save me 6Euro for a roundtrip to downtown and time to walk to visit my friends.
- I can walk to school in 10 mins!! (isn't that all familiar :P) and I am happy to have the city library branch opposite my block! =) - and yes, they have some English books! :P
- bought a study table and chair from the recycle center yesterday. In Finland/Oulu, with things being so expensive, it is common to buy things from 2ndhand stores (definitely true for the poor students!) and recycle center. Next thing I need to get is a bigger bed, after which I can stop renting the same things and save costs. Shopping has thus become quite a pasttime for me now, in such stores and also in supermarkets.
- it is really like building an identity and creating space for yourself, getting everything from scratch. I am glad that previous occupants have left plenty of stuff for me to utilise like frying pan, pots and plates etc. At least I don't have to buy them. But just like last week, I cleaned out the kitchen and bathrooms, and bought stuff to make them more...homely? My flatmate does not care that much about the common area but I think it is important. And I managed to make him smile twice ahah. He looks a bit too serious but I supposed he found it amusing that I am buying things for the kitchen and I made him potato salad specially too when I made some for a bbq the other day. That is one point to me! :P
- Last wk was Oulu Day over the weekend. It is a day when museums are opened for free and there are performances in various venues of the city. There are banners and the market place gets more crowded. (see pics!). I went on Sat but skipped the Sunday to do work. :P
- This Friday, there was a simple reception in the city hall where the mayor of the city came to give a speech and there was food and drinks (champagne included :P) to welcome the international students. So cool! But what was nice was for a bunch of us to head down to coffee house later on for a nice chit-chat session :).
- Yesterday, my turkish fren brought us to play mini-golf!
While everything seems like fun and play but there was adjustment made and is still being made.
- I need to plan for my meals, from preparation to eating. Sure you can survive by getting take-out all the time but I also saw coming here as an opportunity to do my own cooking since I can use the kitchen. you should see my share of the cupboard. There are many stuff in there! Perhaps I should stop going to the supermarkets otherwise I will keep thinking of new dishes that I can do (and so I bought the stuff) but don't have that much time to cook really haha. But this really also means adjusting how I use time. There will not be food waiting for me anymore.
- cold weather. I was feeling cold when I first got here. The skin got dry and I felt tired. But now I have gotten used to the weather. In fact, I wore less these days, even less than my classmates and most Finns.
- The sun sets at 9pm. It is so weird that my dinner time gets screwed up.
- Like I said before, feeling a spot for myself in this apartment.
- Being by myself like this. I think I am too used to having pple around me.
I suppose all this will only get better with time. Let's see how things go.
this post came late
This post came late because there was the packing to do, the endless meet-up sessions with friends and to really try to be at home.
Then really, there were the ceaseless waves of affections from students that caught me off-guard and I was touched by them all - before I leave, on the day i leave and for Teachers' Day. They are all reminders of years meaningfully and well-spent in a vocation that I will surely missed. When a friend/colleague of mine bought me dinner and I started to relate how I saw on my own development as a teacher over past few years and how I enjoyed the lessons and lectures when I unexpectedly teared and had to pause for a break. How will this new change turn out? I have no idea as I tried to get used to the whole idea of studying again, adapt to a new environment and rewire my brain. One of my colleague said, because it is me, he was sure I can manage - well, I hope so. This morning I felt rather sad then I realised that I missed my own laughter = my usual dose of endorphin!! There is surely not many things I can laugh at or with here now. What are my students whom I can bully?! :P. The only thing I could do was smile and asked strangers what are all the stuff in finnish that I am buying. I must say that the people do look kind of serious here but they will drop that seriousness and smile with helpfulness. That is fun!!! :). I also make sure I smile first. No point having a sulky face yar? :) I still want to hahaha tho kekeke.
Mmm...I am deviating a little but I am really not too sure what to put down on this post because there was so many things.
First, I thank all of my students who taught me alot, who made me laugh (btw 3G - I watched the video many times hahahaha), who believed in me and who allowed me to linger in their memories longer.
There are also things I noted like how C will come up to me after every lesson to say thank you. It was an effort made to do so personally and I know. So I thank C. A couple of students said that they wanted to do well in biology to show their appreciation. But I value not your grades as much as you as a person with a heart of gold and resilience to take on new challenges. I saw and sensed that in many of you so I am already thankful. Don't belittle yourself for you have many strengths but you need to recognise them.
So on this TD, I also thank you for being part of my life.
now.. I can start blogging about Finland!! ;P
Then really, there were the ceaseless waves of affections from students that caught me off-guard and I was touched by them all - before I leave, on the day i leave and for Teachers' Day. They are all reminders of years meaningfully and well-spent in a vocation that I will surely missed. When a friend/colleague of mine bought me dinner and I started to relate how I saw on my own development as a teacher over past few years and how I enjoyed the lessons and lectures when I unexpectedly teared and had to pause for a break. How will this new change turn out? I have no idea as I tried to get used to the whole idea of studying again, adapt to a new environment and rewire my brain. One of my colleague said, because it is me, he was sure I can manage - well, I hope so. This morning I felt rather sad then I realised that I missed my own laughter = my usual dose of endorphin!! There is surely not many things I can laugh at or with here now. What are my students whom I can bully?! :P. The only thing I could do was smile and asked strangers what are all the stuff in finnish that I am buying. I must say that the people do look kind of serious here but they will drop that seriousness and smile with helpfulness. That is fun!!! :). I also make sure I smile first. No point having a sulky face yar? :) I still want to hahaha tho kekeke.
Mmm...I am deviating a little but I am really not too sure what to put down on this post because there was so many things.
First, I thank all of my students who taught me alot, who made me laugh (btw 3G - I watched the video many times hahahaha), who believed in me and who allowed me to linger in their memories longer.
There are also things I noted like how C will come up to me after every lesson to say thank you. It was an effort made to do so personally and I know. So I thank C. A couple of students said that they wanted to do well in biology to show their appreciation. But I value not your grades as much as you as a person with a heart of gold and resilience to take on new challenges. I saw and sensed that in many of you so I am already thankful. Don't belittle yourself for you have many strengths but you need to recognise them.
So on this TD, I also thank you for being part of my life.
now.. I can start blogging about Finland!! ;P
point to note
in the last piece of work:
1) thanks to KT, it should be icosahedral head. it is ICO.
2)
3)know that virus can take its envelope from any fellow of the endomembrane system. It doesn't have to be plasma memb all the time!!
But when describing in general, for the syllabus, we will stick to plasma memb as the one best studied.
Eg. Herpes Virus - the nucleocapsid is assembled in the nucleus. The capsid buds off from the inner nuclear memb trasiently before fusing with the outer memb so that you get the nucleocapsid into the cytoplasm where it bud into golgi vesicles containing the viral proteins --> you get an enveloped virus (with membrane) enclosed by the membrane of the golgi vesicles. The virus is released by exocytosis/fusion with cell membrane.
It is pretty cool! If u are confused, you got to draw it out!
4) Hijack - what does it possibly entail? (this is not a comprehensive list)
a) destroy the host's genome --> no competition
b) modify host's RNA polymerase for its own use
c) produces its own viral polymerase and disable host polymerase
d) produce viral-related sigma factor and destroy host cell sigma factor (for phages) - linked to b) ; you are going to learn about sigma factor soon!
Ok!! That's all I have !!
Sorry folks but was away in Hongkong with my parents until Wed. Great trip but no need to do my travel blog since I fell sick on Day 1. But it was a great trip! :)
Cheers
1) thanks to KT, it should be icosahedral head. it is ICO.
2)
3)know that virus can take its envelope from any fellow of the endomembrane system. It doesn't have to be plasma memb all the time!!
But when describing in general, for the syllabus, we will stick to plasma memb as the one best studied.
Eg. Herpes Virus - the nucleocapsid is assembled in the nucleus. The capsid buds off from the inner nuclear memb trasiently before fusing with the outer memb so that you get the nucleocapsid into the cytoplasm where it bud into golgi vesicles containing the viral proteins --> you get an enveloped virus (with membrane) enclosed by the membrane of the golgi vesicles. The virus is released by exocytosis/fusion with cell membrane.
It is pretty cool! If u are confused, you got to draw it out!
4) Hijack - what does it possibly entail? (this is not a comprehensive list)
a) destroy the host's genome --> no competition
b) modify host's RNA polymerase for its own use
c) produces its own viral polymerase and disable host polymerase
d) produce viral-related sigma factor and destroy host cell sigma factor (for phages) - linked to b) ; you are going to learn about sigma factor soon!
Ok!! That's all I have !!
Sorry folks but was away in Hongkong with my parents until Wed. Great trip but no need to do my travel blog since I fell sick on Day 1. But it was a great trip! :)
Cheers
Posts
