Hands down best Spring Break that I have experienced.

 

 

A small group of us that are studying abroad decided to make a trip to Lapland for Spring Break this year. Twelve-hour train ride and four-hour car ride got us there to our cabin that was nestled in the woods in Saivomuotka. Being sustainable architects, well, really being student-budget conscious, we opted for a solar-powered cabin with no running water or electricity. Our cabin was located by the frozen Muoniojoki River which separated us from Sweden. We were neighbors with Jamie, Jen, Nanette and Christina for a night which would make the late Mr. Rogers jealous.

 

When not tending the fires, shoveling snow, or being creative when washing dishes, the Little-House-on-the-Prairie lifestyle didn’t stop us from having a great time in the 3 feet of snow. Anton, Maureen, Kirsten, Bryn and me lived it up eating snow cones and gourmet meals of Lapland-inspired pancakes, went Husky-sledding, visited an ice castle, saw the location of the big man himself in Santa Village, and experienced the Northern Lights just north of the Artic Circle. In order to deal with the -5 Cº, we 'sauna-ed' each night (with birch leaves) and all slept upstairs in the loft of our cabin.

 

Artic Knife became our favorite local hangout, one) to get water, and two) to get our fix of indoor plumbing. We had a great English-speaking woman, Nina, (finely decked out with the latest H&M fashions) who helped us out with the life in Lapland. Our group probably purchased most of the mittens in the store and kept Lapland economically sound for years to come. Uno, the large dog that assisted the store, kept an eye on the visitors as well as the two pet reindeer in the back. I tried reindeer jerky as well as smoked salmon on the trip and also picked up much needed cooking training.

 

The Aurora Borealis, aka the Northern Lights, were the most amazing sight to see. We lucked out and had two great nights for viewing them, the first night giving us a kaleidoscope effect of white lights that swirled continuously, almost like cream in coffee, and the second night produced a green glow with more straight and concentrated lines. The hardest part of viewing these celestial phenomenas was actually believing that I was standing in the Artic Circle in Lapland and taking in the moment.

Enough sappiness. Overall, we came out pretty well on the trip besides a few causalities that were compiled between all of the teams: a pair of burned socks, a jammed finger, a burnt arm, burned soap in the sauna water (darn fish!), a chocking dog (no animals were harmed on this trip), and a fall down the stairs (all I remember is my foot in between the slats (drum roll) and a bang of pans (cymbal)). For some reason we split into teams: Red, Blue, Purple, Orange and Pink and kept a point system tallied. Michael (pronounced meek-el), our dog sled host, also racked up some points for being good eye candy (Ha).

 

We all had an awesome time on the trip and I think faced numerous once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. MTV Spring Break Beach Party doesn’t have ANYTHING over this!!!

Last night in bed, I was thinking about the stuff that I missed. I am not homesick which is surprising since I get attached to things and places easily; I was just noting what I haven't been exposed to here in Nordic country. So here is the list that I have thought about:

 

My family, my Ruby, my friends from all over the States, a vehicle to drive along with loud music without head phones, exchanging rates, eating out, cliché Starbuck visits, owning a cell phone, receiving calls, Target, laser cutter, the taste of Dr. Pepper, a door to my bedroom, large pillows, plugging in electronics without adaptors, a library system that makes sense, pickle chips, figuring out time zones on one hand, Art Mart, and cheap chipboard.

 

On the other hand, despite the people that I miss terribly, Finland offers some awesome perks:

 

Free color printing in the studio, obtaining a decent amount of cash for recycling, tram/bus system, not worrying about ‘small-talk’, heated floors, doughnuts with chocolate frosting on the inside and out, a dual-flush system, a large cheese selection, naked neighbors, Kismet bars, good quality foam core, the safety from sun burns, the get-out-of-jail card for being an ‘American’, being under the rule of someone that looks like Conan O’Brian, and residing in a country that actually notices architecture.

 

I am having a great time here. Finland is actually a very easy place to visit as well as in live because the population also speaks English. Studio has begun to pick up and we are all working on our Sanctuary of Silence complex. We just had our first pin up yesterday which was proven helpful with the design process. This project is a little more difficult since we are expected to fit the program into existing 1970 buildings that were erected on the island.

 

There is a studio trip planned for the last weekend of April for 4 days that will take us to some Northern parts of Finland to see some additional Alvar Aalto buildings as well as Pietila’s works. Spring break plans are still getting worked out but it looks to be a good time. Anywhere where they rate the cabin experience in pine cones sounds like an adventure!

 

 

For some reason every time I plan to write a blog, I start it, but then never finish it up. I guess I will aim to write smaller, shorter ones that will get the same job done.

 

Actually, nothing really new has been going on. We have finally gotten started in what we know as 'studio' but not as hard-core. Working and concentrating on our design/build project which will be presented this Thursday and from that point on the group will decide on an idea and morph it from there. Not only do we have to decide on a concept, but we have to be able to build the thing, keep it standing, and work together. Our other porject, the one that is not getting built, is on the back burner for now but will quickly be moved to boiling once the other review is over. Working with metrics for the first time so still a little iffy about that change.

 

It has been snowing for a couple days now. We have two more on the way. There is finally accumulation on the ground which makes me happy. It is always nice to walk out of class with new snow.

 

Can't believe that our Spring Break is in 3 weeks. Doesn't even seem like we need a break quite yet. There is a group of us planning on going to Lappland to see the Northern Lights and possibly make our way to Norway or Russia. Kinda just going with the flow.

 

Have only gotten one card in the mail here so far, so just in case (hint, hint):

 

  Vironkatu 3B 28

       00170 Helsinki Finland

 

 

Note to self:

 

Two pairs of socks is heaven.

One full day left on the island.

 

 

We have been through a lot here: memories of slop, scissor kicks, swinging ghosts, exploding campfires, Kismet bars and a (almost) day of silence. There has been a lot of goofing off during our site visit and it is almost time to head back to the real world.

 

I finally realized today that I need to make a concrete decision where I want my Sanctuary of Silence to reside on the cliffs of Utö. I have taken a closer approach to making a decision and have it narrowed down to two possible areas. Both have been documented to my fullest ability but I am sure it will follow the same pattern as past site analysis and I will want to have some additional information when I get back to Helsinki. Always a scary thought since the site is 8 hours away and not down the street from the school or next to a Starbucks.

 

We have had some tours of the old buildings on the island which include the lighthouse, the pilots’ quarters, and the first stone building. We have been in and out of saunas, whistled at by the ferry passengers, and rocked in the kitchen thanks to my dj-ing and grilled cheese delegations. I think we have all had a great time on the island and there is a mixed feeling about leaving. The good news is we will be back in May to build one or two of our pavilions that we have designed with a larger than expected budget of 2-3,000€.

 

Tomorrow night we have our last sauna adventure (remind me not to sit in the hot seat) and dinner in the lighthouse. We are also planning on getting a boat ride to a small neighboring island. I have realized that there is a limited amount of space on my page to post pictures each month and I have easily already reached my max. I will have to figure out a way to get around that. 

Besides the casual meetings for classes, the new restaurants (a nice Indian place), and the Chinese New Year Celebration in the middle of the city, Ryan and I have been having some exciting times at the apartment. We have completed a couple loads of laundry for the first time: figuring out where the coins go for the machine (on the wall about 3 feet over from the machine in a hole that is covered by a strip of metal), how to manually turn on the water, and the strength not to push the running man button to avoid MC Hammer pants. We have also had to fix the shower MacGyver style with knives, bent nails, and a hair tie. I took the shower on its maiden voyage this morning and our handiwork tested out.

 

Studio is still not developing as quickly as I thought it would. Studio is losing its negative connotation due to this semester. As a group, we have discussed our personal religious views since our program for both the design/build and complex are entitled ‘The Sanctuary of Silence,’ where it is to be ‘a non-confessional sacred refuge where anyone has a chance to satisfy his or her need –personal or collective- for worship, for meditation, or for mere silence –regardless of his or her religion.’ We have talked about our stay on the Island, Utö. There is only one grocery store on the island, 50 permanent inhabitants (increasing the likelihood of the earlier inbreeding theory), and apparently has a wireless internet connection. I still foresee myself scratching my head with three coconuts and some palm fronds trying to perform the Professors’ job on Gilligan’s Island, but realize it won’t be that way. We plan on staying in hostels and are cutting a deal with the hosts with an included breakfast and 7 € lunch each day. Juonni, the studio professor, is providing movie night each night we are there but is also allowing a night where we are going to perform our own directed skits. Understanding the group that we are, this is probably going to be the highlight of the stay as long as it is followed through.

 

We are starting a little research for precedence studies which will keep me out of trouble. Some of us are planning a trip to Estonia for Saturday. Pretty cheap trip for a visit to an additional country. Not sure if we are going. Other options are going to Töölö.

 

Off to a party at the ‘Ladies’ Lounge,’ an endearing name for the 4-girl-apartment. Hello Nefertiti!

Had a good past couple of days. Much of the time was ‘free’ time so no classes got in the way. Saturday was the day of the sauna and dinner. Wasn’t too sure about the sauna so I skipped out but plan to hit up the next one when it happens after hearing how great it was. We all meet our new studio professors at dinner and were joined by some native students, Maiju and Tiina, and our language guru, Matillania. This was the dinner were the reindeer surfaced and I actually tried some…..surprisingly tastes like chicken…haha….just joshin’…..it actually tasted like beef. I also had lamb for the first time which wasn’t awful as long as Mary’s pet didn’t come to mind, guinea fowl, and fish, which I hoped was a white fish: muikku (MOO˘IK-koo) because I knew the word for that because it happens to be the loving name Ryan and I gave the fish soap in the bathroom. Pretty impressed with my efforts. After the meal, we headed out to a bar to celebrate Anton’s birthday…..Happy Birthday, Kid! The cider was good…..named Perry…can’t resist that. The professors came out with us there too which was different since our STL professors pretend not to know us outside of studio. They held their own and stayed up past midnight which defiantly earns them a gold star for effort.

 

On Sunday, a group of us decided to go to Suomenlinna, a sea fortress located about 10 minutes by ferry away from Helsinki. The name directly translates to ‘Castle of Finland.’ (Arthur Frommer keep your guides to yourself……I’ve got this one!) This trip was the event that made me realize that I was actually in Helsinki and away from everything that I grew up around. The views were amazing and despite the chillier and windier climate near the water, exploring the island was inspiring. The pictures do the island no justice. There was so much to explore on the island including ‘hobbit holes.’ The boys were quite entertaining and demanded our attention when jumping around the bunkers. What can you do…..if you can’t beat them…..join them! Too many architectural delights on the 80 hectares: we all ended up with an average of 200 images a piece, including ‘tourist traps,’ Ryan! Good material. (In retrospec, it brought the best out in all of us, including Christina with her Gate A17 skit. Classic.)

 

Still eating those 2 € lunches but possibly may want a change of pace soon. (Anton, you owe me a café visit.) Ran across something called ‘Digestives’ in the grocery which always sound like a good time. The rumor is they were for….well….aid in digesting….didn’t help really, then marketed them as ‘biscuits’ but luckily kept the stellar and unsuggestive name. 

 

Had the first Building System II class on Monday. I am getting tired of hearing about their accomplishments over hours of time. We get it…..you have done stuff. Anyway, all the professors sound impressive. No assignments yet. Today was the first day of studio. Got the program and are going to work on a complex and a design/build project which will be a permanent installation on the island that we will live on for 10 days: Utö. More about that later on.

 

Jamie got weirded out by a drunk on the Tram during our walking tour. I would like to see that again sometime during the trip.

 

Ready for an early day again tomorrow and school supply shopping!!

Things are getting a little more comfortable. Yesterday was our planned walking tour of the Senate Square. Pretty interesting stuff. Walked around a lot, naturally on a walking tour, and grabbed lots of pictures. Hopefully I can remember what all the buildings are since they are all painted yellow and look very similar! Ryan and I think that Finns are inbreeding since it seems like all the history everyone is related to everyone else. It seemed like every guide that we have had knew of someone and could easily related themselves to that family tree. We are calling it the Louisiana of Scandinavia. Haha.

 

Last night the group went to a dress rehearsal of La Cage aux Folles which is the musical that brought to life the movie The Bird Cage. It was in Swedish which made it fun but you really couldn’t miss the idea of transvestites dressing up in women’s clothes. It was a good laugh and was a different and FREE pastime that we all seemed to enjoy.

 

Today we had two Finnish History lectures. They started at 9:15 which meant getting up at 7 and getting to the bus station at 8:30 for departure. That process is seamless thanks to walking with people. I know from past experiences that I am not good with directions and I am having a particularly hard time in Helsinki since many things look alike and landmarks are similar on each corner not to mention non-pronounceable street names. Also, I tend to watch the ground while walking to make sure that my feet stay beneath me and not behind my head because of the amount of ice. I need to study the map or at least practice the route a couple more times before I will feel comfortable direction wise.

 

I obtained a transportation card which will save me Euros in the long run but almost made me scream because of the price. Each way to school costs us 3.80 €, so each day, that racks up to be 7.60 €. The 4 month card cost 314 € but will be a lot easier without dealing with cash or coins everyday. Went down to Eliel Saarinen’s train station to get the ticket and got to ride the tram back to the end of my street. This I can get used to!

 

Had another 2€ lunch today at the cafeteria. I keep going for the vegetarian options for some reason. Some sort of taco meat was offered today…..I know from lunchrooms in the US that that is a no-go so I am glad I remembered my roots.

 

Speaking of food, they have a lot of licorice candy here. Do not try it. I like licorice and always grab the black beans but this is not the same. They are big into gummy licorice but the ‘cake batter’ tasting candy egged on by my peers tasted like wet dog. The bottle that I bought that I thought looked like soda, “Fun”, was in fact pure syrup that the consumer is supposed to put a small amount into sparkling water.  A deer option as well as an ox option is coming up in the near future. Probably will have to say ‘No Deal’ for that one.

 

Planning on staying in for the rest of the night. It started snowing early this afternoon and there is accumulation!!! Should be fun for tomorrow. More snow to be expected. Now THIS is what I signed up for.

 

 

January 29

 

We visited the school today, Helsinki University of Technology, and signed up as International Students which was a different feeling all together. We toured the studio spaces which were a lot more open than the ones back in STL: no boards to hang your stuff on. May be a little distracting at some times but also may be good to check in on people. Much of the campus and surrounding buildings are designed by Alvar Aalto which the lecture hall is quite amazing. (Pictures will come in the near future. It is too hard to download them on a spotty internet connection in the apartment.) And a little side note: he did design a strip mall for those that are interested. It is located on campus with a grocery store and bank and some other little stores for the students.

 

We ate at the cafeteria which provides a 2 euro all-you-can-eat lunch that is a pretty good price for what you get. Haven’t really had anything yet all so different but when the moose opportunity arises I will be sure to blog it.

 

The group walked around a lot and there is a lot of ice that is on the ground making it hard for people like myself from Florida to gain their penguin legs but I just take it slow and get there on my own time.

 

Yesterday our group met with the famous architect Juhallana Pallasmaa (he looks just like the pics from the Concepts’ Powerpoints) and two former Ambassadors. Not really sure why we got to meet them besides PMac’s connection to them. We had wine and cheese and chatted. They all live within 2 blocks of each other which placed them about 8 blocks away from my apartment. Nothing like rubbing elbows with the rich and famous.

 

PMac is heading back to STL Tuesday so that was the last time we would see him until Midterms. Even though he is awkward to be around it was nice to have him there just in case we needed anything. However, we seem to be left in good hands and are reassured that from the last group that went to Helsinki. I am excited for History class. Our instructor, who I can’t remember or let alone pronounce her name (I usually call them ‘Sue’ until otherwise corrected) seems to be concerned about us and will be ‘taking care’ of us at least for the rest of the week until we get onto a more predictable schedule when classes start.

 

Today we are meeting up on our side of town (finally) and taking a walking tour of the civic center and town hall. That should last about 2 hours. Should be some more photo ops but then again I have to wait to get a better internet. Emails are still the best way to keep in contact because I occasionally go over to Jen Jessee’s place and use her laptop and stronger internet.

 

Hope everyone is doing well!

 

 

 

I made it to Finland. The flights went well and I was especially excited to receive a turkey sandwich, carrots and Kit Kat bar (!!) on the short flight from Tampa to Newark, New Jersey. The second flight became long and tedious especially since Jen and I picked the winning seat that offered us a broken video seat back and a Call Service button above that would go off continuously. They feed us well and got a little bit of a preview of the smaller European sized meals on the flight.

 

There were 5 of us that flew together from Newark Airport: Ryan, Bryn, Kirsten, Jen, and myself. At Copenhagen, we meet up with 4 others. PMac was able to pick us up at the airport when we arrived and we rode in style in some nice taxis that dropped us off at one of the larger apartments.

 

Ryan and I are pleased with our apartment. We are on the 5^th floor and have an amazing view of the rooftops which I am sure will be even more spectacular with snow on top of them. We do have an odd bedroom layout which we decided was more of a 1 and a half bedroom rather than our 2 bedroom that we ordered. Ryan and I don’t think it will be too much of a problem and we both seem very easy going about the surprise.

 

The bathroom in our apartment is the absolute best. Looks brand-new with, get this, HEATED floors as well as a warming towel rack. After seeing the first apartment that the group stopped at, we defiantly got a good deal with our place. We have a laundry facility in the building that we get to by going through the courtyard.

 

Yesterday getting in, we meet with our landlord who is an 85 year old man who is adorable. His wife and he own the place and we hit it off because he visits Florida once a year. He bought Ryan and Me Coca Colas and a fruit basket (and 3 onions???) to get us started. He knows what us Americans like!! Barely making it through the lease meeting since I didn’t get to sleep at all on the plane, I napped for 5 hours and missed the meeting at 8pm with the group. I did wake up at 9pm and had lunch/dinner of crackers that I luckily brought. (Thanks Mom!)

 

Because we both missed the meeting, Ryan and I ventured out early this morning to look around. We are very close to the water which is frozen at this point but it really does not seem that cold outside. It has been alternating between a light rain and snow all morning and it seems like people do not get up before 10am on Saturdays. We found a grocery store where we got a few essentials. Surprisingly they had some recognizable brands but I mostly bought the Finnish brands because of the great price reduction.

 

There is no internet or TV in our apartment which will be a test for me. I already feel antsy that I don’t have the internet at the touch of a button but I am sure when I get to studio I will be able to get my taste of Facebook and Myspace.

 

Everything is going well. I feel like I am adjusting. Finland is not the ice cap that I thought it would be. I have noticed that a lot of the buildings are painted yellow and I believe it is to keep the citizens from being depressed during the cold and overcast days. Snow makes me happy so no problems. Despite the adaptor use, I might have already burnt out my hairdryer which I hear is the hardest appliances to get used to. But I know for sure that the universal sign for not working is smoke.

I begin my traveling abroad journey in 3 days. 

 

I have recently decided to produce a blog in order to keep people updated with my travels and adventures in architecture. Because I will not have a cell phone over in Finland, I hope that this blog will open up conversation as well as keep everyone informed (and Mom less uneasy). Please feel free to read and comment about the future blogs and photos (hopefully those are easy to add) as well as keep me updated with life in the States. I will love to hear from everyone.

 

Since I am new to this Windows Live Blog Space I may need some time to adjust. If you have a more personal message to write me instead of a quick comment you can always send me a message which is the option at the top right of the screen. Otherwise, my email: MorganP1@wustl.edu is still in operation and is checked daily, as well as my other duties on MySpace and Facebook. There are no excuses of loosing touch!!!

 

I wish you all well in the months to come and I am sure that these 7-8 months will go by quickly!