Big in Japan

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

2008-12-23T05:05:00.000+09:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone!

Last day in Japan

2008-12-23T04:33:00.002+09:00

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

2008-12-16T13:36:00.001+09:00

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！

2008-12-11T18:28:00.001+09:00

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

2008-12-07T01:22:00.001+09:00

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

2008-11-19T19:51:00.001+09:00

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

2008-11-19T19:30:00.001+09:00

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

2008-11-19T19:26:00.001+09:00

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

demonstration!?

2008-11-19T19:13:00.001+09:00

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

2008-11-18T20:31:00.002+09:00

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

2008-11-12T11:30:00.003+09:00

Do you have courage to take the challenge?

100 push ups program

I started it last week...

42 nights before Christmas

2008-11-12T10:27:00.002+09:00

...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

2008-10-18T17:33:00.002+09:00

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

Loudpark 2008

2008-10-18T15:26:00.002+09:00

Now party on in Saitama super Arena.

Next band from Finland: "Sonata Arctica"

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

73%

2008-10-16T20:25:00.000+09:00

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!

2008-10-12T13:34:00.001+09:00

Graduation

2008-09-25T12:20:00.001+09:00

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.

2008-09-22T14:17:00.002+09:00

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 :)

2008-09-15T19:26:00.001+09:00

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

2008-09-15T19:15:00.000+09:00

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

2008-09-15T19:06:00.001+09:00

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

2008-09-05T11:05:00.001+09:00

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

2008-09-05T10:51:00.001+09:00

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

2008-09-04T21:03:00.001+09:00

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!

2008-09-04T20:49:00.001+09:00

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!

2008-09-04T20:42:00.001+09:00

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

2008-09-04T20:38:00.001+09:00

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

2008-09-04T20:35:00.001+09:00

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

2008-08-27T13:15:00.001+09:00

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

2008-08-16T00:44:00.001+09:00

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!

2008-08-16T00:28:00.001+09:00

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

2008-08-16T00:11:00.001+09:00

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

2008-08-11T18:09:00.001+09:00

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

2008-08-09T23:33:00.001+09:00

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

2008-08-09T20:10:00.001+09:00

A free DAY

2008-08-02T19:37:00.004+09:00

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...

2008-08-02T19:28:00.002+09:00

...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

2008-08-02T18:46:00.003+09:00

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

2008-07-30T15:27:00.001+09:00

Professors were competing on melon splitting. :)

That's all folks!

2008-07-28T17:23:00.001+09:00

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

2008-07-22T19:17:00.001+09:00

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

2008-07-21T00:55:00.001+09:00

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

2008-07-15T21:39:00.002+09:00

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...

2008-07-04T13:14:00.001+09:00

"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!

2008-07-04T13:05:00.000+09:00

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

2008-06-27T13:04:00.001+09:00

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?

2008-06-27T12:58:00.001+09:00

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

new paper

2008-06-23T20:18:00.002+09:00

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

2008-06-15T22:28:00.002+09:00

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.

This is the start...

2008-06-13T08:04:00.001+09:00

Did 20 min. extremely light jogging this morning. All concentration for whole 20 minutes was needed to try to put weight equally between left and right leg. I still try to protect the lefty while walking. The right leg is getting much stronger and bigger. Time to start to catch up with left. Lots of one leg squats from today on!

Yep, yesterday was the check-up day again in my hospital. This time doctor Tashiro didn't even bother to measure the size difference between left and right leg. Let's just say that it's bigger than last time. Bending angle had grown only 10 degrees now being 120 deg. This didn't make doctor or fysiotherapist too happy so from now on 2x20min. bend streching excercise every day (double amount compared to earlier). I asked permission to start REALLY heavy squatting program (introduced in a book called "Super Squats") but Nawa-sensei suggested to give the knee one more month. The new ligament gets stronger and flexibility increases (so that I can reach the safety bars, if needed).

Visit to hospital still made my day, as usually, 'cause got the permission to start (light) jogging. So early wake ups are back!! ;D

Giants vs. Lions

2008-06-13T07:41:00.001+09:00

Went to see Giants vs. Lions baseball game on last Sunday. Had to wait until 8th round to see first run...and home run. Our home team beat the Lions from Saitama 4-0. It's great to live in Tokyo. Now I can go to see Giant's games more often and the best is that they play in Tokyo Dome. Even hard rain doesn't bother...

After the game we (me, Tommi, my visitors from Finland Satu and Marika, Fujita, Janny, Sebastian, Tomoe, Yuki and Kent) went to have dinner in Turkish restaurant. It was nice to catch up with the people who I haven't met for a while.

Eating

2008-06-06T14:10:00.000+09:00

So far I've managed to keep two plates of pasta and two bananas inside.

It's me again

2008-06-05T16:40:00.001+09:00

Around 6:30am this morning it started. Strong vomiting and hard diarrhea. Watery stuff comming out from both ends of my body almost simunteniously. Luckily got timing right and our toilet's interior decoration did not change.

After 3h I had lost over 2kg of my normal morning bodyweight. So it was time to go to a hospital. 38.4 degree C fever when I arrived. Got two bags of infusion liquid into my body and a bag of antibiotics and other medicine. Have now 4 pills to take 3 times a day for next 3 days. Hope the bug in my stomach dies.

busy, long days

2008-06-04T23:32:00.001+09:00

Huaaaaah. Once again on way home half sleeping. Had the flow experience hitting today so that ate lunch at 8pm. (breakfast 10am.). Time just dissappears on days like this. Cool thing is that work really progresses... ;D

Btw, did squatting without the knee brace at the gym. 40 kg max. ...like learning to walk...baby steps, baby steps.

5 cm once more

2008-05-29T17:39:00.001+09:00

The left leg's diameter is 5 cm smaller than right side (measured 10 cm from knee cap).

5 cm

2008-05-29T17:32:00.001+09:00

The brace has to go. Doctors order. Feel a bit exited. Also rehabilitation without brace. The best news still were the permission to start bicycling and put load up to my bodyweight for squatting (=75kg).

Now on my way to Finland Fest...so the brace have to stay for one extra day. ;)

Radiation safety lecture

2008-05-29T17:25:00.001+09:00

Super useful lecture yesterday. Especially because it was given in japanese. Like the guys at the back row show, the keenest interest by bending body nicely on bridge.

Walking stairs

2008-05-27T22:06:00.001+09:00

How this often goes like this...I was supposed to return home 2 hours ago. Hehe, must be some curse that always when I'm about to leave something pops up. Today it was a fight against the first pictures for my new manuscript. I won. Hopefully. We'll see tomorrow what happens with rest of the figures.

Yep, btw the picture in this posting is showing my new traing place. Started walking the new stairs going up to the hill at the back of the pic. 10 times up and down today. Excellent stairs for my knee, the steps are low enough. ;D

Second shower-eating-knee streching-sleeping night for this week. :P

EUROPIAN EMPEROR'S CUP WINNER

2008-05-24T17:42:00.001+09:00

Congratulations to Kotooshu!

Summer tournament

2008-05-24T14:42:00.001+09:00

Second last day on the Tokyo's Grand Sumo Tournament. Had to woke up 5:30 this morning to get tickets for sold out event (every morning 350 tickets are sold starting at 8am). Tommi and me were 105th and 106th at the queue. Took small nap during the lower level fights. :) Now excitedly waiting evening's Makuuchi level wrestlers fights. Bulgarian Kotooshu has chance to become first European tournament winner in the whole history of sumo! He has now 12 wins and closest challenger has only 10 points. As there is only two days left Kotooshu may have reason for celebration after today's fight...

Rainy season approaching

2008-05-20T11:12:00.001+09:00

Rainy season and taifuuns comming to make sure that we'll not going to totally burn our skins in starting summer. 2 pictures from Tama river, Sunday and today. Bet that no one would like to go swimming today even temperature is +25 C...I guess a taifuun's edge went near to Tokyo last night.

Tired traveller

2008-05-19T00:22:00.001+09:00

I did work full day on Sunday and now heading home using second last train. Feel quite tired. But someone seems to be in way over my league in tiredness! Actually don't feel so tired any more... :D

Funny fellows

2008-05-19T00:16:00.001+09:00

Here at the middle of skycrapers a city cat and city pidgeons seems to have made friends of themselves.

4-0

2008-05-17T05:21:00.001+09:00

Our neighbour was better strategist. Bronze fight for Finnish lions tomorrow.

Hospital visit and ice hockey

2008-05-16T10:13:00.001+09:00

Yesterday I had my first outpatient meeting with my doctor and physiotherapist. The extension and flexion ranges of the knee brace were changed to full. But still impossible to bend the knee fully. From now on have to daily bend the maximum(pain sets the limit) using hands to help. According to Nawa-sensei full bend should be possible after a month. Interesting part of the rehabilitation started now. Next visit after 2 weeks. Visited my old floor and everybody there were getting better and still the atmosphere was the same old, full happiness. Unbelievable place. :)

Before heading to hospital went to Antti's house together with Tommi-san (my good friend Tommi joined to our lab for next 3 months 2 days ago). This time the Finnish ice hockey team was skating a bit more human time for us. The game started 8:10 am. Super exciting game!! As a result team US can back their bags and return to home while lion shirts are continuing to semifinals.

...still the morning wake up was too early for me so slept for 1.5 rounds in Yamanote line's train... :D

Once again

2008-05-15T00:53:00.000+09:00

walking home after taking the last train. Needles to say that was working until the last last minute. Hehe, managed to start synthezises for new materials.:)

Tomorrow early wake up (luckily not as early as on Tuesday). Exciting game in ice hockey world championship tournament. After that I'll go to see my doctor and physiotherapist...and of course my friends at the 10th floor!

Early wake up

2008-05-13T08:34:00.002+09:00

Went to see ice hockey to Antti's house this morning. World Championship tournament is played in Canada this year, which means early wake ups at this side of globe. Had to wake up 4:30 am. to see how Canada beat us 3-6.** ＼(^_^)／**

Now already at the lab. Deadline of the new manuscript's first version is approaching fast. Mouth feels dry and I can't feel hunger. 9h 26min and counting...

SUOMIIIIII!!!

2008-05-10T01:24:00.001+09:00

Heat is on!

2008-05-09T23:08:00.001+09:00

Back to the real business. Analysing the data made before hospitalization (which is plenty), pc is begging for mercy already. To top of that called to Finland and got assignment to write a manuscript for an article, from the new results, by Tuesday evening. Holiday weekend is only a distant (light year scale) dream right now.

But I'll watch the Finland's ice hockey games against USA and Canada for sure.

Earthquake no.2

2008-05-09T12:30:00.001+09:00

Last night again the earth's crust was shaking. The noise of banging doors of our house woke me up at the middle of the night.

Summer day

2008-05-08T12:47:00.001+09:00

Mercury raised again above 20 C and the Sun is radiating from cloudles sky. Like July in Finland...

Earthquake

2008-05-08T01:49:00.001+09:00

Again. And even bigger! Wow! If this continues I could wake up tomorrow from downstairs...

Training day

2008-05-08T01:29:00.001+09:00

Feels good to be back to good old school's gym. Many new faces training there today. Apparently during the time I was gone the first year students have found the place.

Now I'll be using gym 3 times a week. Doctors order. ＼(^_^)b First rehab for the leg and then upperbody exercises using dumbbels. 5 exercises for the leg, 3 sets 50 repetition each. The squat is the most demanding move.For some reason today I had to stop squatting after 2 sets. Sharp peak of pain started to cut trough the knee.

Wow! Nice earthquake, all the doors where moving in our house. And it lasted long! I would describe that as the biggest so far which I have felt. Started to think already that should I stand up from my bed...nope. No need...this time.

Once again returned using the last train. And this was my second day at the lab. Doesn't sound good. But hey, now I can sleep later. heheh.

Back to the normal life

2008-05-03T20:52:00.002+09:00

Home sweet home. Yesterday I was discharged but was so tired that after biiiig lunch with Fujita and Janny that just relaxed by watching many movies. As I have done today also... :) Ok, at least I went trough all my emails and now I'm already updating my blog. Maybe tomorrow I can start unpacking my stuff from hospital (hehe, the BIG bag is still waiting me in the kitchen).

Touching moment the leaving from the hospital. Many people from our floor came to shake hands or hug, some even dropped few tears, when I walked out. Nurses were deeply appoligising 'cause I didn't get lunch even I left way after lunch time. Roommates accompanied me until the front door and waved until our taxi disappeared into the Tokyo's traffic. Didn't feel at all that I was leaving from hospital...more like summer camp or something like.

I'll keep this posting short as I'm planning to go to eat in Matsuya. Took also first shower without the brace few minutes ago. Life is slowly changing back to "normal". Before no time I'll find myself from the lab working my ass off with the new thesis...before that I'll enjoy this weekend laying in my bed and watching loads of movies.

ps. pictures below are from my holiday home visit (Tuesday) 'cause yesterday was raining...so no crutches anymore.

Home's Happy Road. :)

mmmmm.

Happy fellow.

FREEDOMです!!

2008-05-02T13:57:00.001+09:00

I was just discharged. Feels good to return to home but it was hard to say goodbye to everyone at 10th floor. My roommates accompanied me outside. Right now sitting in taxi with Fujita and Janny.

＼:D／

I'M WALKING

2008-05-01T20:50:00.001+09:00

As promised, throw the sticks away today. Nawa-sensei finally let me walk without sticks. Thought walking is slow (like granpa) it's taking me forward by every step!!! Muscle pain is like after low-kick kickboxing fight...almost 3 weeks no using the muscles wich are working overtime now.

Tomorrow out!

Ratkiriemukasta Wappua!!!

2008-05-01T07:52:00.001+09:00

You need only one Finnish student and May day's party will begin! ＼:D／

taste of freedom

2008-04-29T23:38:00.001+09:00

297

2008-04-29T23:35:00.001+09:00

Today's biggest mission: visit home. Left after lunch and returned at dinner time. Didn't realise before but it's full summer outside!..in Finnish scale. Temperature over 20 and nature turned green again. National holiday here made my trip possible (no rehabilitation, Nawa-sensei went most probably surfing today). No problems traveling using trains. Signed in to my email account...297 new mails. Signed out right away.

Ofcourse, as it's my habbit in this city, got lost with trains on my way back. Was late from my permitted arrival time for 17 minutes.

new adjustments for the brace

2008-04-29T05:46:00.001+09:00

...forgot these from last posting.

Rehabilitation day 14

2008-04-28T22:16:00.001+09:00

Sweat raised on my forehead and mouth dried while only sitting on the edge of training bed. Nawa sensei had just told me to do squats using both legs...

So far I've been taking only careful baby steps on my progress. Today was time to take real leap. Extension was adjusted to 15 degrees and flexion to 60 degrees of the brace (see pics). After traditional leg raises (150x15kg) I asked how many squats today? "Let's say around 30...using both legs". Had to sit for a while but then I did it. Full weight on left leg. Felt how week the muscles in left leg are.

Btw, today it was confirmed that I get out on 2nd of May.

Tomorrow is national holiday so no guided rehab tomorrow. Thought to go visit home tomorrow. ;)

Rehabilitation day 13

2008-04-28T21:52:00.001+09:00

Felt lazy but didn't skip the homework training. 100x10kg leg raises laying on back, side and stomach. 100 squats for right leg. Afterwards strangely tired...shouldn't have been that hard.

Farewell party

2008-04-28T21:44:00.001+09:00

Ami-chan, fellow club ACL member, left today. For my first week we were the only ACL patients at the floor. Had time to become good friends. Somehow I think that I'm not the only one here missing this energetic young lady...

Last night we had farewell party and as can be seen from the picture, many people came to say goodbye for our floor's sun shine. No alcohol was served.

Visiting day

2008-04-27T13:23:00.001+09:00

Yesterday was surely different than others so far. Had visitors for more than half of the day. Time passed like flying! First Mrs. Sawa from school's gym came to check how I feel. She was really worried for long time before I even came to hospital. Now she doesn't need to worry so much any more. She saw me doing fine and soon I'll be back to the gym for training. She filled my stomach at the hospital's cafe and brought me a BIG box of fruits. No need to suffer from hunger anymore. :D

Right after Sawa-san came Fujita and Janny. I think we were talking hours like it would have been just 5 minutes. Don't see my dear friends that often... Fujita brought me the time table of Yomiuri Giants and seems that next opportunity to go to see baseball here in Tokyo will be at the beginning of June. Time to finally go to see my new favourite team playing. ＼(^_^)／

David joined us at some point of early evening and waited even after my dinner (which I ate in 10 min). After dinner we played a game of Go. He beat me 140-0. But the game is still great! Some day I'll beat David in this game...at least if I get 9 stone handicap. ;D

Went to sleep around 11pm. and slept without painkillers until 2:30am. when woke up stomach empty...Made stomach and knee happy by eating fruits, a cake and a painkiller. Read adventures of Viktor Karppa for hour or so and fell a deep sleep. This morning nurses were worried about my sleeping 'cause they saw me fully awake still at 3am. Told them not to worry...but almost slept over today's lunch. ;)

Rehabilitation day 12

2008-04-27T12:43:00.001+09:00

Rest.

Ok, not totally 'cause plenty of walking but rested the extra power excercicess.

Rehabilitation day 11

2008-04-27T12:40:00.001+09:00

Friday's rehab had 100 repetitions of all the lifts using 15kg extra weight for left and 120 squats for right leg.

Dumbbell training for upperbody before starting the weekend.:)

A good training day...put me in tight sleep.

Help button

2008-04-26T14:09:00.001+09:00

Wonder for what kind of emergency this button is meant for...for sure it's located way too high if I would fell down and need help from nurses. ;P

The new ligament

2008-04-26T13:59:00.001+09:00

A picture from inside my left knee right after the new ligament has put in its place. Doctor Tashiro just showed me some pictures from the operation.

Taste of freedom

2008-04-26T11:29:00.001+09:00

Yesterday I got 2.5h holiday. Smiling I walked to the front gate with 2 A4 prints showing that I have permission to go out.

Went walking around Shinjuku. Most exciting part was the escalator...survived trough it without any problems. It just needs good timing. Felt good to wonder around streets full of people.

Before returning to my current home went to eat at Yoshinoya. Food in hospital is excellent but portions are soo small! And I'm missing the bowl of rice with beef...my daily menu back in Oyamadai's Matsuya. ;)

Shower & Newspaper

2008-04-24T19:55:00.000+09:00

This morning I didn't repeat the yesterday's mistake and was the fastest early bird to catch the juiciest worm. Shower at prime time! A nurse told me when I asked that name can be written to the reservation list starting at 7 am. I was holding the pencil at 07:00:03.

Had scary moment when I went for some X-rays. The nurse there removed my brace and told me turn around. The knee should be nearly locked to its position for the time being. Carefully I turned using all my muscles in the leg to keep the knee STEADY.

Had a visitor today to cheer my day. Souichiro-san from my lab came all the way from our lab just to see how I was doing. Was glad to see my busy friend (Souchi started doctor studies just while ago).

Yesterday's missing postings were due to a Finnish private detective novel. "Tappajan nakoinen mies" by Matti Ronka kept me in tight grip for whole day and half of the night. Also finished from my library the "Bushido" (forgot the writer), "The book of five rings" by Miyamoto Musashi and "The book of family traditions on the art of war" by Yagyou Munenori. The bushido was a bit too philosofic (flying a bit to high for me) but I liked the latter two books.

To use this splendid opportunity, being stuck in a one place with loads of time, I started to learn to play the Go (ancient chinese board game, 19x19 board with white and black stones). Also started to practice meditation...as I'm at the beginning of the book/cd, I've found that I have done something similar trough whole my life without knowing it's called meditation. Just have been always amused to explore simple things in my mind. At the first class I was instructed to concentrate just for breathing for 20 minutes. It feels good...looks like I'm on way to get 2 new hobbies. ;)

As picture shows got today first newspaper in english. Has been these days totally in news shadow. Japan Times dispersed some light into that shadow. Akira-san's wife brought it to me. She and Akira-san are really spoiling me here... ;D

Ok, time to have some snack and dive in to Viktor Karppa's world in Matti Ronka's next novel.

Rehabilitation day 10

2008-04-24T19:00:00.000+09:00

Time is flying! 10 days of rehab already behind. Unbeliavable.

Todays training continued from where I finished yesterday. 150 repetitions of raising left leg with 10 kg extra weight. 100 squats using the healthy leg. That made me sweat...a lot.

At the end of the rehab we checked my stepping of the left leg and weight aloud on it was raised from 25% to 50%. Not only great step of improvement but also the mark stone for permission to go out from the hospital with a permission. From tomorrow on short excursions to outside world are reality. Exciting.

Yellow group

2008-04-24T11:57:00.000+09:00

"The yellow group, 3 students from JR elementary school"

hehe, Akira-san's humor from this morning...worked well. The whole floor is still smiling!!

No more driving

2008-04-24T11:48:00.000+09:00

I decided to stop using wheelchair starting from yesterday (actually from the evening day before yesterday on). It was real fun to wheel around building and always have a place for resting with me. But now it has better place as serving my storage space and a seat for my visitors. :) Akira-san's wife's present made the exchange fom chair to sticks much easier. She brought small baggs to all members of our room. In this bagg I'm carrying my dining stuff for the meals, books to read, shoppings from hospital shop and etc.

Feels good to be "walking"!

Rehabilitation day 9

2008-04-24T11:36:00.000+09:00

Yesterday's rehab continued on the same tracks...no new tricks. 10kg weight and 100 repetitions for left leg. 70 reps of squatting for right. On top of that full training of upperbody using dumbbells.

:D

2008-04-22T23:22:00.001+09:00

The mascot of our floor...

Shower time!

2008-04-22T17:20:00.001+09:00

Have to lay down having pillows and blankets under the leg. The swelling still doesn't want to disappear.

Rarely has shower felt as great as 30 min. ago!! Finally I was given a permission to take a shower. Have to still use a plastic cover for the left leg. Simple things feel so magnificent on these days... :D :D

Rehabilitation day 8

2008-04-22T16:59:00.001+09:00

Left leg: 7kg extra weight and 150 repetitions for all lifts (back, side, and stomach).

Right leg: squatting 50 times from a seat.

On Thursday I can start putting more weight on the left leg. But even better promise was that after 8 days I'll be squatting using the left leg. ＼(^_^)／

Rehabilitation day 7 part 2

2008-04-22T11:14:00.001+09:00

Hee, forgot to mention that as the fever was totally gone and power returned, I did full upper body training using dumbbells. Hehe, now I really don't feel like being in hospital at all. This is more like a training camp! :) Hard training sessions every day, eating and relaxing...what else I could wish for. I think I'll stay here for one extra week...haha. ;P

Rehabilition day 7

2008-04-22T11:08:00.001+09:00

No new movements but more weight and repetitions. 5kg for the left and 100 reps. Did 120 just in case if I counted wrong. Sensei was a bit worried about the swelling. Told me to lay down and raise the leg using 3 pillows under it. 2 hours should be enough...but it's not and other problem is that I felk a sleep when laying down like that! Don't want to sleep on middle of the day! :D

1st Weekend

2008-04-20T21:50:00.001+09:00

Technically second but had holiday on last one. Time passed really fast, training, reading (now "Bushido" finished already "Alchemist"), sleeping and watching movies. Sleeping and movies should change the place in timetable and everything would be perfect...

Got visitors on both days. Antti came yesterday and Seiko and Akiko left while ago.

Just finished a small farewell party for Mrs. Yamaoka, aka coutch, one of the sunshines of the floor. Wonder who is going to get Club ACL moving on next weekend?! :D Got invited to the party when passing the room driving my chair.

Ate delicious yakinikutori meal before official dinner with my neighbour Akira-san and his wife (she brought the meal). It was soooo good. Even the hospital food is delicious, it is still hospital food. :) Akira came here on Friday and will go to knee operation tomorrow. Really nice fellow and speaks good english.

Ok, better go to bed and try if could sleep a bit more than last night. Feeling hungry already.