Hey, folks!
Sorry for being quiet for a while. At first there were a lot of things happening all at once so I didn't have the energy to write, now there's not enough happening. Now it is the time when I feel very very lonely. I have great people surrounding me but still there's something missing. Right now I'm not very pleased with myself because the loneliness is having an impact on the other parts of my life and I'm a bit afraid it is all falling apart. I think this is the time when I'm not in love with Sweden as much as I was when coming here. The honeymoon is over. Don't get me wrong- I still enjoy being here but it's not home. It's not Estonia (even though that country sucks in so many ways). I've discovered myself watching Estonian shows on youtube, listening to Estonian songs.. I'm homesick. And I especially miss the people- my family, my Merit, Liisu, my rhythm group, my Baders and my sweet little sister who's company I crave the most. Thank god I have Alyona, Kika, Tadas and Maik here to keep me above water. They do make my days!
I had a great evening yesterday. I have a lot of great moments with laughter but I still can't be entirely happy. Hopefully it passes soon! On December 23rd I'll be flying home for Christmas holidays, I'm really looking forward to it! If I'm not back on track by that time, then after the holidays I will be for sure.
I'll try to behave and write to you more!
Kram,
Eliina.
PS. Alyonka's mum visited us and yesterday her, Alyona and Tadas sang a song in Estonian. Here it is for you to enjoy (who hasn't seen it on Facebook yet):
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
'I like this- 'Our first night together!''
A lot has happened since Friday. Friday evening my luggage finally arrived =) They brought it to home, so I was actually glad that I didn't have to carry it around the city.
On Saturday I got to adventure again with the metro or as it is called here- the tunnelbana. I met with Kika and Maik in Skärholmen and we went to the biggest Ikea in the world. Maik said it's as big as the small country called Estonia (I love his humor!). And believe me, people. After walking through that thing I actually think it is so =) Our home didn't feel homey at first, the apartment felt cold without the little essentials like.. a beautiful clock for example =P (the clock that was here before was just plain ugly, remind me to take a picture of it). But I really tried my best to create a nice home for Alyona and Tadas.
On Saturday night after a little unpacking I hurried to the city to have another international evening. Kika (who's really a Slovak) and I sat together with a Ukranian guy and a Swedish guy who is actually my social mentor. We had a fun evening with lots of laughing and international poking. And I still think Latvians speak Estonian! =D
On Saturday Kika also mentioned an activity that was happening on Sunday evening and I was up to take part in it!
Sunday itself was kind of lazy. I didn't do anything that special, mostly slept. I had no idea that Saturday's trip and social evening made me so tired. It was good to reload my batteries. So Sunday evening came. I met with a handfull of UNF members and we had a plan. Aha, in Sweden there were elections that day so the whole city (and probably country) was full of posters. And we had a mission. After 8p.m when the elections finished, we would cover as much posters as we could with our own posters, UNF ones. Kika, Maik and I took over the university campus. Imagine three people running around in the dark with brushes and glue and some posters and MacGyver tape! =p I had fun and I really think the idea was extremely good! I just wish there were more people taking part in this.
I arrived home a little bit after 22 and I started assembling Tadas' couch/bed. I did it on my own and I'm really proud of it! =) After that I finished unpacking absolutely everything we bought from Ikea and decorated our beautiful nest so that Tadas and Alyonka would feel welcomed to home. And it really gave the apartment a new feeling =)
This morning I was really excited. I felt new energy in me. I guess knowing that I wouldn't have to sleep on the living room couch with the kitchen light on anymore (yes, I did that!). In the t-bana I took out my Swedish-Estonian dictionary and started to learn some basics. Yeah, my theory is quite good, but practice... At work I did my most important task and then Kika and I started assembling the office. It involved some screwing and installing and carrying heavy things but we managed a bit, we are still missing one screen's leg, anyone seen it? Then we went to the Central station to pick up Alyonka. She said she would be late so we decided to go for lunch. I took her to Vapiano's. She hadn't been there and was actually really surprised how cool the place is. We spoke a bit Italian over the lunch and we decided the next time we'll order very loudly and with hand gestures: "Pasta Pesto Pappardelle!" =D It's easy to have fun with Kika =)
Then we met Alyonka, went shopping for sheets and then it was time to meet Tadas in the station. We waited quite a long time, even Maik managed to arrive before him. And exactly on that moment when we started chanting 'Tadas! Tadas! Tadas!' we looked over our shoulders and there he came. Was very funny and our timing couldn't have been better, no? =p And I got to play the smartass who knew the way home =D Alyona and Tadas both had many questions. We shared our arrival stories and mostly just laughed. It feels good to have them here! =) And they love our little nest!
We went grocery shopping (the shop is 3 minutes away, how amazing is that?). It was funny in the store. I had to ask help many times because I wasn't sure if I was buying the right thing. The Swedes have been very nice and bubbly so far =) For example. I said to T and A that I want to buy ice cream, to celebrate our first night together. A cracked up and told me to 'say it louder' =p So I did. Few metres away we could see a elderly man laughing. I guess we were funny. We paid for our things and just when I turned around to leave the shop the same guy poked me on my shoulder and said: 'I like this- 'Our first night together!'. And we all started laughing. That was a moment to remember! =)
At home we had our first meeting with All Rights people via Skype and after that we had dinner made by Alyona that was really good! =) Really, A! We are not joking! Haha, I just realized. Our initials are E.A.T. All about food, eh? =D
Then we ate Lithunian Snickers sided by green tea. A really nice evening, I would say! This late hours we spent for unpacking our clothes. And I also for blogging. Should actually go to sleep. I do have to wake up in 6 hours. Ah well =D
I'm happy =)
Hugs!
On Saturday I got to adventure again with the metro or as it is called here- the tunnelbana. I met with Kika and Maik in Skärholmen and we went to the biggest Ikea in the world. Maik said it's as big as the small country called Estonia (I love his humor!). And believe me, people. After walking through that thing I actually think it is so =) Our home didn't feel homey at first, the apartment felt cold without the little essentials like.. a beautiful clock for example =P (the clock that was here before was just plain ugly, remind me to take a picture of it). But I really tried my best to create a nice home for Alyona and Tadas.
On Saturday night after a little unpacking I hurried to the city to have another international evening. Kika (who's really a Slovak) and I sat together with a Ukranian guy and a Swedish guy who is actually my social mentor. We had a fun evening with lots of laughing and international poking. And I still think Latvians speak Estonian! =D
On Saturday Kika also mentioned an activity that was happening on Sunday evening and I was up to take part in it!
Sunday itself was kind of lazy. I didn't do anything that special, mostly slept. I had no idea that Saturday's trip and social evening made me so tired. It was good to reload my batteries. So Sunday evening came. I met with a handfull of UNF members and we had a plan. Aha, in Sweden there were elections that day so the whole city (and probably country) was full of posters. And we had a mission. After 8p.m when the elections finished, we would cover as much posters as we could with our own posters, UNF ones. Kika, Maik and I took over the university campus. Imagine three people running around in the dark with brushes and glue and some posters and MacGyver tape! =p I had fun and I really think the idea was extremely good! I just wish there were more people taking part in this.
I arrived home a little bit after 22 and I started assembling Tadas' couch/bed. I did it on my own and I'm really proud of it! =) After that I finished unpacking absolutely everything we bought from Ikea and decorated our beautiful nest so that Tadas and Alyonka would feel welcomed to home. And it really gave the apartment a new feeling =)
This morning I was really excited. I felt new energy in me. I guess knowing that I wouldn't have to sleep on the living room couch with the kitchen light on anymore (yes, I did that!). In the t-bana I took out my Swedish-Estonian dictionary and started to learn some basics. Yeah, my theory is quite good, but practice... At work I did my most important task and then Kika and I started assembling the office. It involved some screwing and installing and carrying heavy things but we managed a bit, we are still missing one screen's leg, anyone seen it? Then we went to the Central station to pick up Alyonka. She said she would be late so we decided to go for lunch. I took her to Vapiano's. She hadn't been there and was actually really surprised how cool the place is. We spoke a bit Italian over the lunch and we decided the next time we'll order very loudly and with hand gestures: "Pasta Pesto Pappardelle!" =D It's easy to have fun with Kika =)
Then we met Alyonka, went shopping for sheets and then it was time to meet Tadas in the station. We waited quite a long time, even Maik managed to arrive before him. And exactly on that moment when we started chanting 'Tadas! Tadas! Tadas!' we looked over our shoulders and there he came. Was very funny and our timing couldn't have been better, no? =p And I got to play the smartass who knew the way home =D Alyona and Tadas both had many questions. We shared our arrival stories and mostly just laughed. It feels good to have them here! =) And they love our little nest!
We went grocery shopping (the shop is 3 minutes away, how amazing is that?). It was funny in the store. I had to ask help many times because I wasn't sure if I was buying the right thing. The Swedes have been very nice and bubbly so far =) For example. I said to T and A that I want to buy ice cream, to celebrate our first night together. A cracked up and told me to 'say it louder' =p So I did. Few metres away we could see a elderly man laughing. I guess we were funny. We paid for our things and just when I turned around to leave the shop the same guy poked me on my shoulder and said: 'I like this- 'Our first night together!'. And we all started laughing. That was a moment to remember! =)
At home we had our first meeting with All Rights people via Skype and after that we had dinner made by Alyona that was really good! =) Really, A! We are not joking! Haha, I just realized. Our initials are E.A.T. All about food, eh? =D
Then we ate Lithunian Snickers sided by green tea. A really nice evening, I would say! This late hours we spent for unpacking our clothes. And I also for blogging. Should actually go to sleep. I do have to wake up in 6 hours. Ah well =D
I'm happy =)
Hugs!
Friday, September 17, 2010
First moments.
I arrived in Stockholm fine. The flight was amazing, to see the clouds and the sea underneath was breathtaking! Then the good news came- they lost my luggage =D I laugh at it now, but then it was just irritating. I knew Kristina (my boss=)) was waiting for me in the Central station. I let her know what happened and then sent her another sms asking her to call me since my phone doesn't let me call out in foreign countries. Kristina gave my address to the luggage claim desk. Then I got another sms from her saying that she could come to Arlanda but it takes time. And when I wanted to answer that I'm fine and I'm on my way already there was no money on my phone. Yippi. And she didn't call anymore. All the way to the center I was praying that she would stay put. The hall in the central station is huge. Really. I was trying to find her but she was nowhere to be seen. So I just asked two local girls if they would let me use their phone for a quick call. I met Kristina 3 minutes later. Thank you, helpful girls!=)
She took me to my apartment I will be sharing with Tadas and Alyona. I'll post some pictures of it later, when we have managed to make it more homey and more like us ;) It takes me about an hour to get to work.
After that we went to the center again to eat and buy me some needed things. I ate only 2/3 of my food, I didn't have any appetite, still. I got some breakfast for the morning and a shampoo, tooth brush and paste. And then I got home. It was very difficult. I felt lonely and alone. Everything at once. I opened my computer since it was the only company I had, the pictures everyone gave me as a memory were of course in the luggage. I didn't sleep in my future bed room but on the couch in the living room, with the light on, with the music in my computer playing. It felt safer that way. I woke up at 7:20 with the intent to have a shower. But guess what- my intelligence stops at the bathroom. I couldn't switch the tab water to shower. I tried everything but nothing worked so I didn't get the really needed shower. I tried to have breakfast and ate some bites but unfortunately most of it found it's way to the toilet. Then at 8:33 I went towards my work place. Took me a bit longer than expected but I made it =) It will be easier in the future!
Today's lunch didn't really go down either. I wonder when this feeling of discomfort passes. Alyona and Tadas arrive on Monday, maybe then? It should pass sooner, since I'm already feeling weak and nausiated and my migraine threatens to return. Luckily my luggage should reach the office in the next couple of hours. I'll make myself a really hot bath tonight to reload. Tomorrow I will spend the day with Kristina in Ikea =) Will be fun =)
Hugs!
She took me to my apartment I will be sharing with Tadas and Alyona. I'll post some pictures of it later, when we have managed to make it more homey and more like us ;) It takes me about an hour to get to work.
After that we went to the center again to eat and buy me some needed things. I ate only 2/3 of my food, I didn't have any appetite, still. I got some breakfast for the morning and a shampoo, tooth brush and paste. And then I got home. It was very difficult. I felt lonely and alone. Everything at once. I opened my computer since it was the only company I had, the pictures everyone gave me as a memory were of course in the luggage. I didn't sleep in my future bed room but on the couch in the living room, with the light on, with the music in my computer playing. It felt safer that way. I woke up at 7:20 with the intent to have a shower. But guess what- my intelligence stops at the bathroom. I couldn't switch the tab water to shower. I tried everything but nothing worked so I didn't get the really needed shower. I tried to have breakfast and ate some bites but unfortunately most of it found it's way to the toilet. Then at 8:33 I went towards my work place. Took me a bit longer than expected but I made it =) It will be easier in the future!
Today's lunch didn't really go down either. I wonder when this feeling of discomfort passes. Alyona and Tadas arrive on Monday, maybe then? It should pass sooner, since I'm already feeling weak and nausiated and my migraine threatens to return. Luckily my luggage should reach the office in the next couple of hours. I'll make myself a really hot bath tonight to reload. Tomorrow I will spend the day with Kristina in Ikea =) Will be fun =)
Hugs!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
The trip part 2.
I've spent the last 2 days in Tallinn, with my dear friends =) Thank you all for taking the time to say goodbye to me. Right now I'm at the Tallinn airport. Just made my check-in, gave away my 15kg bag (only!!=))and now I'm sitting in the waiting lounge. It's still an hour until my flight leaves. I've been quite a nervous reck this day. In the morning I didn't want to have breakfast but ate it anyway, didn't want to offend my hostess. In the car to the town I felt nausiated. But now I feel actually quite good. I love flying and this relaxes me a bit. And I got a window seat! =)
My next challenge will be in Stockholm where I have to manage to get to the City terminal. I know I'll do just fine but I always worry until the thing is over. See you in Stockholm! =)
Hugs!
My next challenge will be in Stockholm where I have to manage to get to the City terminal. I know I'll do just fine but I always worry until the thing is over. See you in Stockholm! =)
Hugs!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
The trip part 1.
Hey everyone!
First of all I'd like to welcome you all to my blog where you can follow my activities when being away from you OR for some of you even closer =)
It has been a hectic day so far. Maybe it's my fault but I think it wouldn't have been any different anyway. These last few days have been quite stressful. I've been thinking through things I needed to do before leaving and what to pack and what not. I literally started packing yesterday. I had my clothes washed already some time ago. Last week has been dedicated mostly to my 'not-so-attractive' clothes. I had only few hours to pack since I had to go to my farewell party, the second one. I came back from there around midnight and continued packing and fell asleep at 4 o'clock. I got up at 7.15 to hug my mum goodbye, then closed my eyes for another 20 minutes and then finished packing. It took me about 3 hours. ****sidenote: my sister just sent me an sms that made me cry, more about it afterwards**** I was so sure I left something behind and I'm still sure of it. Luckily my bag with warmer and winter clothes will follow me in the next month or so; meaning I can add whatever I forgot in that bag. My best friend came to pick up some things and I got a hug from her (really needed that one!) Then my sister came and we looked at old pictures and she brought me some also to take with me. Of course leaving took time and in a hurry. 13:37 we left my home and thanks to our fast walk we reached the bus station at 13:50. Got my ticket, hugged my little sis and now I'm sitting in the bus on my way to Tallinn. Got to love Estonia, eh? We have free WiFi in our buses! =P Well, only certain buses but got to adore the idea still!
So my sis sent me an sms, it was very personal and up until now I've been strong and held back my tears when it came to my family but my sis is the closest and I can already feel how much I miss her. We agreed we'll make at least one 1-hour Skype date every week =)
In the following days I will tell all of you more precisely where the idea for the EVS came, why Sweden and what my work there will be. Be prepared for lots of pictures and maybe some videos. Stay tuned ;)
Hugs!
First of all I'd like to welcome you all to my blog where you can follow my activities when being away from you OR for some of you even closer =)
It has been a hectic day so far. Maybe it's my fault but I think it wouldn't have been any different anyway. These last few days have been quite stressful. I've been thinking through things I needed to do before leaving and what to pack and what not. I literally started packing yesterday. I had my clothes washed already some time ago. Last week has been dedicated mostly to my 'not-so-attractive' clothes. I had only few hours to pack since I had to go to my farewell party, the second one. I came back from there around midnight and continued packing and fell asleep at 4 o'clock. I got up at 7.15 to hug my mum goodbye, then closed my eyes for another 20 minutes and then finished packing. It took me about 3 hours. ****sidenote: my sister just sent me an sms that made me cry, more about it afterwards**** I was so sure I left something behind and I'm still sure of it. Luckily my bag with warmer and winter clothes will follow me in the next month or so; meaning I can add whatever I forgot in that bag. My best friend came to pick up some things and I got a hug from her (really needed that one!) Then my sister came and we looked at old pictures and she brought me some also to take with me. Of course leaving took time and in a hurry. 13:37 we left my home and thanks to our fast walk we reached the bus station at 13:50. Got my ticket, hugged my little sis and now I'm sitting in the bus on my way to Tallinn. Got to love Estonia, eh? We have free WiFi in our buses! =P Well, only certain buses but got to adore the idea still!
So my sis sent me an sms, it was very personal and up until now I've been strong and held back my tears when it came to my family but my sis is the closest and I can already feel how much I miss her. We agreed we'll make at least one 1-hour Skype date every week =)
In the following days I will tell all of you more precisely where the idea for the EVS came, why Sweden and what my work there will be. Be prepared for lots of pictures and maybe some videos. Stay tuned ;)
Hugs!
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