Which Way Should I Orientate?

Okay, so my laptop isn't working very well, it doesn't go on unless I put the windows cd in... Quite annoying and definitely not a good thing. I asked today if there would be any place I could take this and I got some place where they help with computers but I think it opens only next week or week after that... So I need to hang on until that. Though there was this guy in my group who said he could take a look of my laptop next week.

But first I'll tell you a nice thing that happened to me last Monday at the Mall. I was waiting for Paola and Kaisa outside some shop and suddenly there was this little cute boy (he had some kind of syndrome) hanging on my hand really gently and I said to him (his mom was holding his other hand) that oh, I can't come with you, then he kissed my hand, let go and went on. So cute! He made my day.

Yesterday we did our check-in, it was easy and over soon. We went to the place right on time, we got in in 15 minutes while those who arrived 15 minutes after us had to line really long time. They took a copy of my passport and immigration documents and I received an orientation packet which included much papers about what to do and what's going on in here and schedule for orientation weeks. Then we took a tour around the campus, got back to our hotel, just hanged around for few hours and then we went to downtown. We were supposed to go to this some kind of electronic music club (or that's what there was that night) because Meikes friends friend was playing at there, but that cost like $5 or something and we really don't like that kind of music so we went to the Deadwood (one guy said at the orientation place that there would be some people that night). And again I remembered how nice it is in Finland now when you aren't allowed to smoke inside. But the place was nice, we took one smirnoff ice and headed back home because we had to get up early next morning. And they didn't even ask my papers!! I'm so proud! (The legal drinking age in here is 21.) And I wore my new tube top! And I was surprised how comfy it was, first I was worried that it would fall down but then I couldn't feel it anymore and I felt good wearing it. So we came back to our hotel, went to shower and Paola made braids and they still look good! She really did some good job, right Paola? ;)

And today we had quite overwhelming day. We had some more papers and money! We got these checks and I got more that I expected to have! Not that I complain :D Then we had really good brunch (nice salads, juice and coffee), some speeches and then we were divided in small groups (yeah, and I met my future roommate Ashleigh) with about ten students and two group leaders. There were only me and Ashleigh in our group who were girls besides the other of the leaders, all the others were guys. We introduced ourselves, talked about general and not so general things, it was fun. Then we went to some sessions (which were quite boring) and after that we had this panel thing where we could ask all kind of questions, mostly we discussed about studying, living in residence halls and drinking. After that we stopped by at our hotel and went to pizza party. I ate way too much pizza, it was much more better than I expected. In Finland I don't really like the thick pizzas but these were good. And there was such a good service, we got our glasses refilled all the time and there was lemonade! I chatted with some Asian girls (their accent is so strong that I didn't get half of the things they were saying, I just kept laughing) and bunch of other people and finally I got so tired that I could only stare in front of me. I decided that I'm too tired to be social anymore and got back to our room. Paola still stayed there, I thought to do my internet things before she gets back so that she can use her computer.

Tomorrow our day will start with lunch so that's only at noon! Though Paola has something at the morning again but that's fine, I can call to my parents and best of all, I can call Tarmo! I really missed him last night at the bar. Though I'm still not all depressed, I feel quite fine, I just think about him all the time :) But that doesn't feel bad at all.

We have this message in our hotel phone but I don't dare to look (or listen) it before Paola comes. If it's in Italian, I can't understand it and I'm too afraid that I might delete it so I'll just wait for her.

Oh yeah, I got my student ID. And one of the guys from my group invited me to go to some coffee shop with some other people but I was just on my way back to the hotel and I really am too tired to be all social anymore, I'd like to go but I know that I'd only end up sitting all silent and just listening all the others and not be that social. I just need a good sleep and then I'm ready to socialize again! ;) And I signed up to the trip to Des Moines, where there is this Iowa State Fair next Saturday! I'm so looking for that! I heard that there'd be this real size cow made of butter and Harry Potter made of butter! Awkward!

ps. Tarmo knows what the title means ;)

Spilled Shampoo

So I got my computer in order thanks to Tarmo :)

There are so many things I’ve wanted to write, so here it comes.

Here they refill your glass for free! It’s so nice because it’s hot and one glass of lemonade (which I love) isn’t enough. So, when they ask want it refilled, say yes! And all the workers, no matter where, are really friendly (expect the bus driver, he/she never says anything). Sorry my love, it’s nothing darling… So sweet! When I was sitting at the airport and the cleaning lady hit my bag accidentally, she said “Oh I’m so sorry my dear”. Who could ever be mad at them when they are so sweet :) Not that I had been mad anyway. And in Chicago in toilets they have this sanitary pad on the toilet eat which changes every time when someone comes in the toilet, so handy! And you didn’t need to flush the toilet, you just waived your hand and it flushed. So hygienic!

And the mall we went with Kaisa was Coral Ridge Mall. There we were at Target and our hands were already full of stuff, so we went to get a basket. Kaisa loaded her things on my things in my hands (because I had more stuff) and her shampoo (or conditioner) fell of, its cap fell too and the floor was full of shampoo! Well there wasn’t that much of it but anyway. There was this man who came immediately to help us, he got the bottle, gave it to me and went to get paper to wipe the shampoo off the floor. He was so friendly! I could never imagine something like that to happen in Finland. We also took pics at Target of the shampoo bottles, they’re like 1l!!! Huge! And their packing system is quite handy too. When you go to pay your stuff, they pack them right away in bags that hang on the wall, so you just need to take the already packed bag.

And on Sunday we went to see where Mayflower and Slater Halls are and walked by the river. It was really hot and I got some tan too! And didn’t even burn (thanks to the 30spf sunblock).

We went to the Mall again yesterday and we went to Victorias Secret! I just love that shop! I bought panties and bra from there and they weren’t really expensive. The panties were 5 for $25, same as in any other shop and the bra was -40%. I’m definitely going to buy some nightshirts there before Tarmo comes ;) I also got new mobile phone number, I bought this prepaid thing. It’s much cheaper than circle all my messages and calls from Finland. And it was easy to get it too. And on our way back I saw this green colored ground and I was wondering why on earth do they color it? Do they think it looks like a lawn? Then I saw this worker who was spraying this colored thing on the earth and pointed that to Kaisa and Paola and we laughed about it, and then this lady behind me told that it’s not really just color, it will grow grass soon. So not that hilarious after all.

And last night we had this salon night with Paola, we did our nails, ate ice cream and chips. And watched TV of course.

Today our orientation will begin. We’ll check in at 1pm and after that we’ll go and eat at Buffalo Wings (again). I should buy some Iowa shirts too (there’s this discount, buy one get two or buy one, get three), they’re really popular in here. And I thought that I’d buy some sweater from there too because they’re comfortable and warm (not that I’d need one now). By the way, we still haven't managed to find any food store around here...

Still Kicking...

So, not all sunshine. My laptop just won't work! I got it on yeasterday and this morning, but not anymore. Tarmo said that I should get some geek to watch it. I'll just need to ask tomorrow from the Welcome Center if they know what I should do... And it brike just when I was supposed to talk with Tarmo, then when I used Paolas laptop, it crashed too and I almost got desperate. This day was the day of technical revolution, Meike couldn't make a call to someone to pick her up and our hotels phone didn't work either... But she figured it out and finally got a ride back.

We went to see where the Mayflower Hall is (Kaisa and I will stay there) and then we walked to the Slater Hall (where Paola and Meike will stay) and before that Paola and I walked around the city (and almost got lost when our map ended...) so it was a lot of walking today and my feet are really sore now. We went to eat at the same place we went yesterday evening (got bed at 11 pm) and the food was good though the portions were too big to eat. Luckily we could get them with us. The weather in here is still hot and sunny though forecast said it could be thunderstorms next week. I've seen a lot of bunnies, hear an owl and maybe a coyote!

Tomorrow we'll go to the mall again and try to find some swimmingpool here. I found some nice bikinis on Saturday, so I'm ready for pool! I'll post some pics later when I get my laptop working again. I really hope that I get it soon all right because I'm too dependent on it and I want to have my own computer here, I want to speak with Tarmo and my parents and I want to have all my files and photos in my own computer!!! I got really upset when I got to know that it won't work... But I'm quite tired now and need a shower, just wanted to let you know that I won't post any pics until I get my laptop working again and I'm not sure how often I have time to blog from now on because the orientation starts on Tuesday and it will be quite intensive for two weeks...

By the way, I don't know if I can drink the water in here... And I don't have any botteled water with me now.. Luckily we have coffee maker in here so I just boiled the water, now I just need to wait it to cool down so that I can drink it... And I love lemonade! It's so good!