Hey,

Just a quick update as it's been a while. I've just got back from a trip round this corner of Europe - Rovaniemi, Finland -> Helsinki, Finland -> Tallinn, Estonia -> Riga, Latvia -> Stockholm, Sweden -> Oulu, Finland -> Rovaniemi, Finland. I've put some photos up from the trip, but did it quickly, so will hopefully write some more about the trip, the photos and what I've been up to recently at a later time.

Hope everyone's ok, and not getting too stressed about the end of uni! (Imagine being me! - Another year to go!) Looking forward to seeing you all when I'm back...

Nick

P.S. My Messenger photo is taken from a Hip-Hop & Breakdancing course I've been taking, but there will hopefully be more about that soon when I write what I've been up to recently.

Hey,

So after being rubbish for so long, I decided to use this to let the Brummie guys (Matt, Joe, Jo, Penny and Scoz) have a look at the photos from their visit in February. (Although I really can't be bothered to give them titles, maybe when there's some more work to do!) Sorry it took so long guys! Ive still got the CD, keep on meaning to send it to you! I remember an exhausting, lightning fast 4 days, but they were awesome. Thanks for coming.

Just to remind you...

Saturday morning - You arrived (I wasn't awake to meet you - I overslept!) You somehow found me and my flat, good work, Breakfast.

Saturday afternoon - Santa Claus' Village, ice-sliding, meeting Santa Claus, finding Joe's letter to Father Christmas, Reindeer farm, Playing in the snow.

Saturday night - Drinking games, then out to Finnish club "Doris" with my mates, remember drinking a lot, and something about my eyes! Scoz trying to say "Fois gras". You guys chatting rubbish to Europeans.

Sunday - Up bright and early for SNOWMOBILING! Driving snowmobiles at 50mph along a river to a husky farm in beautiful sunshine. Husky rides. Classic Joe and Scoz falling off. Snowmobiling back, with more scary Jo and Scoz falling off. Me driving "the fastest"!

Sunday night - To the cottage, for drinking, relaxing, sauna, rolling in the snow, BBQ, northern lights, and sledging down the ski slope - insane.

Monday  - Skiing lessons, and practice after. Looking good guys!

Monday night - Out for a meal, then drinks at "Irish Times".

Tuesday morning - Said goodbye, and my flatmates got their flat back!

Here's also to Mukesh, who sadly couldn't come (having already bought the ticket!) due to a serious operation on his ear. It's a shame you couldn't have been here mate. For anyone who knows Mukesh, he will be running the London Marathon this Sunday despite this operation, and would welcome any donations anyone is willing to make. You can do it here...

http://www.justgiving.com/mukesh

Good luck Mukesh!

Enjoy the photos...

Nick

P.S. Give me comments dammit!

Added a link to Romain's Kun-totie Website here, which gives another idea of Kun-totie life, pictures and things...

Nick

P.S. Sorry, have to write Kun-totie, otherwise this entry will contain language that is prohibited, meaning that I should please delete the prohibited language from the entry. (Kun-totie is the name of the road the international student buildings are all on, except without the "-"!)

Hey,

I forced myself out of bed this morning at 10 to finish off preparing a presentation. I was up until 4am working on it, and because I had an exam yesterday, only got 4 hours sleep the night before. This is getting ridiculous. I'm definately going to be lying-in tomorrow.

So the presentation went fine, 4 easy credits, which is the main thing. The Seminar lasted three hours though! I can't believe that this is how they teach here. But for those guys who remember watching 24 with me, or share lectures with me, and are thinking about my attention span, you should check me out now! Its going to be weird to sit in a lecture hall for just one hour when I get back! Anyway, decided to chill out after this by going snowboarding for a few hours. Good day for it today, blue sky, fresh powder - been snowing, and some time alone with the ipod to really work on getting better. Feeling a lot more confidant now on the snowboard which is cool, but still can't help wistfully thinking about blades. Might be going to a bigger resort this saturday for some blade-shaped action.

Now just relaxing, had a hard weekend. The exam on Monday required me to read a textbook, memorise it and write an exam on it. I only started reading the book on Friday! Jak zawsze! (As usual) Starting to stress about the amount of work to do before I come home. It really, really is a lot. (My first time at writing a 40 page essay)

Speaking of which, Ive booked my flight for the 24th May if anyone is wondering when I'm back. Tentatively planning a Welcome Home/21st Party for a Saturday in mid-June, to let people know in advance. If anyone knows of any reason to move this, holidays for example, I could be flexible if everyone's doing exams or something. January really wasn't a good time for the party, was way too busy, as were you lucky guys doing exams.

Ok, so keep in touch.

Bonne nuit mes amis,

Nick

Hi everyone,

I thought I would use this to send some photos back home easily. However, in an effort to keep family up-to-date with what I'm up to, I might write something here from time to time as well, but don't expect too much of me! I guess friends might be interested in this too.

Nick