MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone!

Last day in Japan

Unbelievable that more than 2 years has passed since I first time stepped on this strange island. Time did past fast. First of all I have to thank you all readers of this blog for your interest during these years. And this is not the goodbye - not yet. Still want to share few more postings. Though, most probably they will come from Finland, as I have 1 hour and 5 minutes time to take shover, eat breakfast, get this laptop stuffed into the pack-bag and walk to the station.  That being said, I really need to get moving now. 

Matane.

ps. visited today the Big Buddha (daibutsu). Always time for last moment sightseeing. (^_^)/

Phone working again

Hehe, forgot to pay the phone bill and the shut my phone. Naturally mr. Murphy had everything in control and my credit card stopped giving me cash from atm. Phone company accepts only cash. Nice. At least I had nicely quiet weekend as no one called or sent any mails. :D

Now it's working again for next 7 days. Then this phone will be silenced forever.

Wow. That really means that I have 7 days left here in Japan.

やったー！

The day which I have been waiting for 8 months is now here. Today was the last check up for my operated knee. The doctor gave green light for ALL sports. Right now I'm walking towards the Machida judo club's dojo. 10 more minutes and finally I can wear my judogi. Something which I've dreamed doing more than few times in past months.

Phooooooh. The whole body from end of each hair all the way to the tip of toes is tinckeling funnily. Small things can make man so happy. :D

K1 one more time

One last chance to see the K1-finals while I'm still here. Out of 3 last year's tournaments this was the best by far. So much electricity in most of the fights! Bet that every body got what they asked for their money. Excellent tournament!

Only minus was that in the final match Badr Hari "the Golden Boy" totally lost himself and kicked to the head his opponent who was already down. So unatheletic move that he was disqualified. It was a shame 'cause he had good chances to win the fight and become a champion. And everybody wanted to see these really skilled guys fight for the title. Hope he learnt his lesson and fights for the championship belt next year.

This years champion is Remy Bojansky.

Fire alarm practice

I was expecting this to be a BIG thing with sirens, smoke, firefighters and etc. as the posters announcing it appeared in elevator 2 months ago. But no.

The noon was the start for this and my heart was beating a bit faster at 11:58 -soon there will be some action in this peacefull day. No alarm went off, no smoke, no firefighters rushing to save us...hehe, why would they bother. We took an elevator to first floor, walked out of the front door, dropped our "safety cards" in to an basket and were back to our work in few minutes later.

Cranes

Japanese style of construction site. Wonder how big the new building will be..? At least it took ages to smash the old buildings from that spot.

Bath in Yoyogi park

These strange fellows like to take the bath in the park where I do taichi. (^_^)

demonstration!?

Few weeks ago saw first demonstration in 2 years. Started to think that they were forbidden in this strange island nation or everything is so good here that no need. Or they do it always at time which bothers other people the smallest possible amount. Apparently not. This was on Sunday afternoon in Shibuya which is packed of people.

The push up test

Last Friday it was finally time to do the 100 push up test. A week of practice behind and I let it roll (started straight from the 6th week of 6 week program). After breathing like steam engine, super heavy sweating, trembling body and absolutely dead arms I did it. The end result, after consulting video refries, 101 consecutive push ups. Finally my arms are recovered enough to able to write here... ;P

100 PUSH UPS

Do you have courage to take the challenge?

100 push ups program

I started it last week...

42 nights before Christmas

...and one night less left for me here in Japan. Ready or not I'll fly on 23th of December back to Finland.

Yesterday temperature dropped here around +10 degrees and with chilly wind blowing outside it perfectly reminded me how is winter in Tokyo. It is FREEZING. Good to return home soon. Sure, temperatures in Finland are way below Tokyo at OUTSIDE but there is a tiny difference at temperatures INSIDE the houses (and buildings overall). In Finland you go in and temperatures are above +20 degrees 24h/7days a week/365 days a year. Here you go in and only difference is that wind stops blowing because of the walls. If breath was visible outside it'll be same inside - reminding you to keep hat and gloves still on.

I have lots of pictures in my laptop at home but no time do anything for them (like posting here). Actually even the time for downloading pictures from camera to my mac has stretched somewhere between 1-2 months. Lately has been doing so much "office" work here at the lab that home I only sleep, train and perhaps read a bit. Oh, and cook. :)

About the training I do now. Taichi continues as before 4 times a week, power training at the gym is somehow less and lighter as it has been substituted a bit with running. The goal for running was to be able to run 3x20km as regular basis every week. I started somewhere in August when I got green light from my doctor for running. First week was 15 min. light running every morning. Every week I added 5 min. more for morning runs up to 40 min. After that it started to take a bit too much time to do it every morning (read: had to wake up 5am on taichi mornings) and I changed it for 1.5h running (16km) 3 times a week. This took also quite a bit time with taking shower and eating breakfast at the morning before heading to university...and I should have even increase the time of running. 3 weeks ago I made an invention. I could save some time by running to the university. The train is anyway at least 40 minutes from door to door. My bicycling route here is 23km. That's close enough to my 20km aim. This is perfect! Now I run here 2 times a week and planning to increase it to 3. Then I could rest on Weekend (now running also either on Sat or Sun).

That's all folks! No big news under the rising sun.

SonatA Arctica

Whoooooooaaa!!!!! Best band so far! And we were here from noon.

Loudpark 2008

Now party on in Saitama super Arena.

Next band from Finland: "Sonata Arctica"

Better get back on floor before sweat dries. |o|(^_^)|o|

73%

Today was the day I've been waiting for last 6 months. Knee check up including power test. Scored 73% in power ratio: left/right leg (Seebeck-test). 80% is the limit for judo. Doctors judgement: 2 more months running and gym - absolutely no judo (not even newaza or uchigomi). On December 11th next test. Until that judogi goes back to closet.

The Race is on!

Graduation

Well, now it's officially over here! (^_^)/ Master's degree in Engineering says the paper they gave me.

Now on my way back to the lab to finish some experiments before packing my stuff. 2 weeks trip to Finland now ahead. Next month I'll be back to the land of rising sun for 3 more months. So this blog got also 3 months extenssion.

Once again...antibiotics.

Sore throat. I mean REALLY sore. Hurting like hell when trying to swallow food. No temperature or any other symptoms...only sore throat. Went to see doctor this morning. As you might guess, doctor looked into my throat and immediately prescribed antibiotics. In and out - 2 minutes and I was walking to pharmacy. Hope it helps. Thought to take it easy today and stay at home (=movie day). :)

New inhabitants of our campus :)

One of the campus cats seems to have raised a family during the summer. Super cute kittens were playing near to our building this morning. The red one is bravest. Together we were stairing eachothers and the ants running around the ground separating us. :)

Ice cream kiosk

Japanese style ice cream kiosk...(workers don't need know how to count or handle money: there is a ticket machine where you have to purchase the ticket for your ice cream)

Back to Japanese breakfast

In the hospital they served always fish at breakfast. Already then I was thinking that I should add that to my breakfast. Now I did. Got also that cool grilling plate which alouds me to grill when using gas stove. Now I just need to take care that there is always fresh fish in the house...

What else going in my life right now...? Have been awaking 6:00am EVERY morning since I returned from Finland (which is quite accomplishment 'cause there have been 2 weekends). And still smiling every day. Also I'm preparing for returning Finland, not only mentally but also, physically by going to the lab at early morning and leaving after 8 hours work (Tai Chi days are exceptions...on those days go to lab a bit later;).

Running again

At the last visit to doctor 2 weeks ago I got the permission to start running again. I tried slightly 2 months ago but the knee didn't like it. Now it should be ok and was even encouraged to do it as a part of rehabilitation process now.

I bought new shoes and started morning joggs. Easy start and only light 15-20 min. jogg every morning. Thought to add 5 min. more every week. The aim is to be able to run 3 x 20 km every week. Let's say that before I leave Japan.

Quick visit

Saw short glimbse of my home country last weekend. Thu & Fri participated to EVA's junior fellowship meeting in Helsinki. Super interesting presentations on those days given by well known Finns from fields of economics, politics and art.

Sat & Sun spent relaxing in a summer cottage with my friends. Naturally forgot my camera home so no pictures from this trip.

On Monday flew back here...should I say 'home', for next 4 months. Although I'll be back to Finland soon. At the end of this month will go to see my family in Kuopio. Has been while since ate mom's cookings...

Oh, have to mention one more thing. When I left from Helsinki-Vantaa the temperature was +9 and when I arrived to Osaka it was +29!

The Sun rise at mt.Fuji

Conditions at mt. Fuji were like this. The picture taken from the top. When we arrived to the top it started to rain a bit. Temperature was around zero. After changing dry clothes we started comming down. First thing to do after we finally returned to the small town, where the train would take us back home, we dipped in to a hot bath for an hour or so. It felt heavenly after torturing our bodies for whole night and morning.

After returning home slept 15 straight and went to relaxing Tai Chi class. I think that my guests slept even longer... :)

Time to conquer Mt. Fuji!

Ok, this comes late but no worries...better late than never. The day was Friday 22nd of August

Today we'll start climbing the mountain with Miika & Maikku. Now on our way to the 5th station (2400m). Hope that we have more luck from now on. We jumped in wrong train and ended up in a train going 1.5 hours non-stop. Had to take train back for 45 min. from the first stop. Now we are late from the last bus to the 5th climbing station...so we have to figure out someway to get there. Anyway next posting will be the rising sun!

2 months and it's test time!

Went to my 2 monthly knee check on 21st of August. Doctor was happy with the progress. The diameter of left tight had grown 4 cm. Right had grown 3 cm so left is slowly cathing up in size. 1 leg squat is starting to work. The difference is still 4 cm (51cm vs. 47cm) so lots of work left to do. Next check up is the day for power test for left leg. 16th of Oct. will be important day, it'll determine if I'm aloud to start training judo. The power of left leg should be at least 80% of the right leg to pass the exam. Left leg will go trough hard training for next 2 months.

Beach again

On Wednesday 20th of August it was time to give some tan to Miika and Maikku. We head to the Zushi beach. Took the electric pump of blowable guest-matrice with us and filled my water toy on the way to beach in the train (learnt recently that there is an electric socket in every car). The beach was fun as ever! Together we build the biggest sand-casttle of the whole beach.

Paradise island

Shikinejima was perfect place for relaxing! Water was so clear that it felt like snorkling in aquarium. There were corals and colorful fish straight from "Finding Nemo". After swimming, floating and snorkling for whole day we dipped in to the outdoor onsen. Full relaxation. After giving back the rental bicycle and having dinner at our ryokan I was dead-tired. I layed down for a second on my futon. Following morning I recovered concious. After breakfast it was time to head back to port and take the boat back home. Had to be back by evening to welcome my next visitors Miika and Maikku.

Hello Kitty and Moomin

I'll be boarding in the Moomin one soon. 5 days trip to Finland is on. For some reason posting here from my phone wasn't working last week...so as a summary: my friends from Finland Miika and Maikku spent a week in Tokyo. We went to beach and mt. Fuji and now they are in Osaka (me too for a 45 minutes more).

Over night boat

Now on way to Shikinejima island using a over night ship with Markus. No tickets for beds or etc. left so just took basic ticket to the ship. As picture shows they gave us plastic sheets at the counter when bought the tickets. So we started our camp in the ship and laid down. These sheets must be japanese idea for camping matrice...so Janne, dear brother, just let me know if u want to make ur bag lighter for hiking from now on! Next trip to Finland I can bring few of these.

More from this trip later. Time to dream about clear water and big waves.

Love beach!

Beach time! What a Friday, just floating in water 98 of the time spent at the beach. Can't think anything more important I could have done today...not A single one.

Olympic bar

Slept over this morning. Was supposed to wake up at 9 to go to gym before heading to beach. Woke up 10 past 10. Exploded to motion - packed my bag for gym, beach and weekend trip to island. Ate or actually drank my breakfast (2 bananas, 3 eggs and 0.5 liters of milk mixed in blender) and headed to gym at Ookayama campus. Took few running steps to save time at the campus. My shirt was totally wet. They said that today is the hottest day of this summer, +36 in shadow. What a great day to go to beach!

I had 1 hour to finish my program, without taking shower, to meet the planned schedule with other people. Made warm up as usually, loaded the bar for bench but had to postpone it because was missing the spotter. Started to load the bar for squatting. Did warm up sets and moved to todays goal 115 kg. Relaxed my mind and went trough all 20 repetitions to get to right fighting mood. Raised the bar and started squatting. After 3 reps started to see small stars - usually they appear around 10 reps. Around 9 rep the weight started to feel REALLY heavy. After barely raising up from 11th rep the legs were jelly. 12th rep I could only control the speed how fast gravity pulled my ass to the floor. Safety bar took the weights of my back.

Breathing DEEP I thought how is this possible! On Tuesday I did 112.5kg without proplems so this shouldn't be this hard. Thought that today just isn't a day for squats and started to unload the bar. Middle of the job I realized that I was using a olympic bar weighting 20 kg... I had loaded the bar without thinking as I always do in the other gym...which has bars weighting 10 kg. No wonder it felt heavy today. Left gym smiling after finishing the rest of the program - on time.

Beach time

After sleeping looooong felt back in full power and it was time for another trip to the beach. It was so much fun! Wonder why I haven't realized this before. No need to think twice what to do if there happens to be a free sunny day.

Summer Sonic part 1

3 punk bands during one day is enough. Feet and legs are blasted...luckily I'm on my way home. Bath time for sure tonight.

live on now

A free DAY

Can't even remember when I have had day like this. No school, no appointments, no nothing. Slept 12h straight last night. After breakfast took 25 km bicycle ride, ate well and sat down here to update my dear blog without any hurry.

今このパソコン日本語で書くは大丈夫。でもぼくはまだへたです。修士論文はおわった！　。。。あとでもっと書いて。

As I told earlier on Monday I had the final presentation. Feels like it was month ago. For some reason have had many small things to do this week and nights were too short for proper sleeps. From now on that will be corrected! :)

Did I tell already that started to go Tai Chi lessons to Yoyogi park every Tue, Thu, Sat and Sun morning. Also doing now hard power training in gym. Yeasterday did succesfully squats 20x105kg. That gave full shot of adrenaline and endorfines in my blood. Heh, didn't know before that training at the gym could be this fun. After ~3 months I'll have the power test for my left leg. If it's power is 80% compared to right leg, I can start judo. That'll be my biggest goal for next 3 months! Miss doing judo alot!! Want to be stronger that ever when I return to the dojo. ;P

On Thursday we made a small visit into one of the labs of Tokyo University in the campus located in Chiba. Mikko is doing there his post-doc so we could see him at the same time. His professor gave really nice introduction for the research they are doing there.



Here we do Tai Chi.



Saw this funny looking but convenient machine this week.



Tokyo University's building in campus located in Chiba.


PLD-machine.

Ok, that's enough for today. Tomorrow I'll be heading to some beach if the weather is same as today (+32 in shadow). またね。

Mid Summer Festival...

...eli Juhannus Tokiossa.

What can I say...all the elements of proper (=normal) Finnish Mid Summer Festival were there. Here few pic which passed the sencor.


From here everything started...


"Picnic" next to the Odaiba beach.


The major part of the solid food at this time of year for us Finns.


Heavy rain (rainy season is unfortunately still on at the time of mid summer festival) forced us to look for cover.

Finland Fest 2008

Finland fest was held in Tokyo on last May. 4 Finnish band came to play in Tokyo. Of course all live music loving Finns living in Tokyo were heading there, so me and Antti were there for sure. Actually Antti gave me ticket as a present when I was in hospital...hee, feels like it's ages since I was in hospital. :) ...greeeeat party. Enjoyed it like last year.


Sturm Und Drang exploded the liquid room first.


Naturally after party in Current Shinjuku.


Ari and Antti.


These young guys know how to ROCK!!

Monday's barbeque

Professors were competing on melon splitting. :)

That's all folks!

This is it. Final presentation is over. Everything went as planned. Time to relax for a moment. From tomorrow on I can concentrate 100% to my research!

Master's thesis

This is it. After lots of printing, cutting and glueing my thesis is finished. So am I. But no time to rest -yet. Have to prepare the Final presentation for tomorrow. It's only practice presentation...the real one will be on 28th. After that everything for my degree here has been done.

Overnight at the lab

Against my promise to myself I'm staying here at the lab for next night. Missed the last train so no other options.

Hungry and tired. But better finnish my thesis and prepare the final presentation now so I can sleep tomorrow.

Do you think I can survive whole night with this amount of food..?

There are some scouts staying overnight close by this building...heh, maybe they'll give me food if I go and ask...or not.

Earthquake while in the lab

Wow! Just felt an earthquake. This one was really noticeable. My friend here at the lab said that it was dangerous type of earthquake. Instead of horizontal movement we got slightly vertical now. Magnitude was 3.9. Our room made already sounds for this. :)


ps. The human experiment is still continuing. Right now I have 6 bottles of "Akadi"-milk in my fridge. The aim is to drink one litter/a day. Still no one complaining too much...including my stomach.

pps. One month ban for hard squat training came to its end today. Started with 95 kg 20 repetition. Still have to wear the brace when exercising.

ppps. current silence in the blog is due to writing of my thesis (deadline 22nd of July). Even in the train on my way home or school have to work on it (reading articles).

Human experiments...

"アカディ", Japanese version of low lactose milk.

Today's experiment: drink 1 liter of this special milk and see what my stomach says. Results will be puplished here in two days.

Great day!

Weather is perfect today! Sun shining from cloudless sky and temperature is high enough to make you sweat just being outside. ＼(^_^)／ Right at the moment when I stepped outside, felt that today will be a great day! Pure energy flowing inside me today. ＼:D／

Relaxed

On my way to school now but still feeling super relaxed. Went to a onsen with Tommi yesterday. First time after the operation. Onsen and sauna, two heavenly invention...

Wanna plan ahead your toilet visit?

Here many things are organised quite high level. A map which was found from next to toilet entrance.

new paper

http://www.chemistry.or.jp/gakujutu/chem-lett/cl-cont/newissue.html

This month's issue (vol. 37, no.6), page 638.

50 inch TV

Our landlord called us today and ask if would like to have TV. We could get it for free if just go there and carry it ourselves. BIG surprise was waiting us there. Now we can see the olympics and maybe we have to buy playstation now...


Our new TV, 50 inch.