Return to Kuopio

After spending just over 3 weeks back in the UK, Leigh and I made our return to Finland last Monday.  Being home was lovely; getting to see everyone I'd missed, catching up on terrible TV, fixing my food cravings, and getting some long overdue film developed!

Since getting back to Kuopio there has been a few minor problems in relation to what courses we wish to take this semester. Originally planning to study the jewelry, metal and precious stone workshop, we were confused when we arrived to class to be greeted by a lot of boys and some heavy metal welding... apparently the jewelry module was full up so they'd put us in the next best thing... Industrial Design. This was clearly not suited for what we wished to achieve this term, so we arranged a meeting with the head of textiles, Kaisa. 

Although I wasn't very stimulated studying textiles here last term, I believe it was because I wasn't driving myself to try knew things enough. We decided that if we were to return to textiles, we should somehow see if we could incorporate ceramics into our work as it was something we both enjoyed from last term. However, after speaking to Kaisa it became obvious that there would be no way to fit this into our timetable, seeing as the whole 3rd semester is very written based and few workshops actually run. Disheartened, we decided to use our time to create some samples in the ceramics department anyway, while we arranged a meeting with the head of Ceramics, Merja, for the following week.

This meeting went much better; similar to textiles, the ceramics department also runs mainly academic-based modules within the 3rd term, although instead of suggesting we join these classes (as Kaisa did), Merja proposed that we make full use of the empty studios to work on an independent project. This was the best possible news to hear, as it was basically what we were going to ask her permission to do. The fact she suggested it to us without having to convince her at all was brilliant!

As no practical lessons are being held, we can use the empty workshops and kilns any time any day, and Merja will be giving no classes this term so she is free to come along and help us out whenever we need.

Our projects are to be marked in accordance to a work agreement she will write up for us, and by meeting the outcomes set by her we will gain our credits for this term.

I intend to explore the relationship between textiles and ceramics during this semester, experimenting with techniques and materials to pursue an innovate and interesting result!

 

Keuruu

This weekend Maarit was kind enough to invite us to her parents cabin in her home town of Keuruu, (us being Myself, Leigh, Gerben, Stef, Peet, Jacopo, and Eleonora - we were also joined by her friend Kaisa). After a 3 hr train ride and a stop off at the citymarket for supplies, we arrived at the cottage. In true Finnish style the first port of call was to heat the sauna ready for use! As it was already dark outside we got cosy with a few drinks and some games, and took turns of the sauna (boys/girls). This involved reaching 85°c & naked rolling in the snow to cool down... COLD! Also, Maarit's brother Ville came round and brought the Monty Python edition of Fluxx which was played before we headed to bed (all of us in one room, it was like a big sleepover!)

We woke up the next morning and had breakfast like one big family, then got our hats and scarves on ready for an early afternoon walk as we left the sauna to heat. Maarit showed us parts of the surrounding area and a snowball fight erupted (of course). We then returned to the cabin ready to sauna again (it was definitely needed after the time spent in the snow), and this time we jumped into the semi-frozen lake between sessions. Another night around the dining room table this time playing Bandu (amazing game involving stacking wooden items to make the tallest tower), and a Finnish-English translation game that we adapted from one of Peet's family traditions.

The last day was spent lazing on the sofa watching 2 and a half men while the boys took a final sauna, then we headed to Maarit and Ville's parents home (and horse ranch). Here we were introduced to the equestrian family members and, most scarily, took turns to ride a horse!! This was a pretty weird experience and although the trotting terrified me, it was fun nonetheless. Finally packed up the cabin headed back to the train station - Kuopio bound.

I had a really nice time and I'm very thankful of Maarit for allowing us all to experience a true Finnish weekend in a cabin in the woods! It was a really beautiful place and was shared with good people and good times!

Pyhäinpäivän Aatto

So it's been Halloween weekend, and of course Leigh and I were more than excited, as usual! KISA threw a party in the Passion nightclub earlier in the week, where Leigh won herself a 50€ voucher for best dressed female! Last night we headed to coursemate Niina's flat for a little party. Her apartment is so nice! Plus she has 3 kittens and a dog :D

Early night tonight as uni starts at 8am tomorrow, off to Helsinki on Thursday, Tallinn on Sunday, and Keuruu the following Friday, busy week!