2011: living the dream

Tick tock tick tock
Time's almost up: we're at the end of 2011

Wow, this year has zoomed past. No seriously, so so fast. I can still remember last year's new years so vividly, every moment of it. and yet here we are, another year has passed. Omg.

This year has held so much for me, bursting with memories and experiences that I'm grateful for. The first half of the year was excruciating, since I had to work thrice the time than others, due to being behind in chemistry and physics (they didn't teach me those during my middle school years in China) and my Finnish grammar being crap due to not having written in in over two years. Extra essays, a huge Finnish project, exams, projects, homework, essays, the most supportive friends and BOOM: there went my 9th grade. I had slaved to get the best grades that I could, so I could achieve my goal of getting into an IB-school, my Finnish making the national side high schools a bit of a struggle. The entrance exams in April for the two schools I had aimed for went pretty well, the closer high school's exam being quite easy and more chill than the other one. I did my best though and it payed off, since on June 16th when the results came in, I had made it the my first choice high school. The joy can't be described with words: I just screamed and probably destroyed the eardrums of anyone near me.

The summer was amazing, I spent a lot of time with my friends, visited my cousins in London (I do pretty often since they're very close to me), spent time at people's cottages and had my first summer job. It was the best.

Another highlight of the year is the Hurts concert in Helsinki, 15.10.2011. It was part of their last tour, the Happiness tour and again I nearly died of joy when I found out they were coming SO CLOSE THAT I COULD GO instead of Ruisrock Festival which was too far and the earlier gigs being k-18.
I fucking love that band. I'm honestly addicted and in love.
The concert was FANTASTIC, AMAZING, so much joy, passion, love, inspiration, beauty, emotion and everything <3 It was the best night of my life, I had great company and if not for a small issue with my tickets, I could've gotten third row or something. But I still got pretty darn close and I swear Theo Hutchcraft made eye contact <3 I got so emotional and happy, they sound fucking good live. I mean seriously, so goddamn good. I even caught the flag that Theo had on stage during the last song and thew into the crowd, brough a slice of it home <3

Theo Hutchcraft asdkfjasghöaskghaskjg <3

ADAM ANDERSON <3

Evelyn killed it; Adam's guitar solo was love.

we are all illuminated, lights are shining on our faces, blinding <3

The best part of 2011 though is my new class and the amazing, wonderful people I can now call my friends. My class is open, fun, conversational, and we all care for each other. I could talk to any of them, and I'd have a good time. The people in Ressu are just....... :) I've met people that I want to be friends with until I grow old, and I just want to say thank you for all the good times we've had <3

Also my best friends who've stick with me through everything; I love you idiots <3
Damn this got cheesy. Well, too bad.

wehearit

Check this out with a mirror ;)

princess of china

I could have been a princess, you'd be a king
Could have had a castle, and worn a ring
But no, you let me go

Since I've been addicted to Princess of China, now I'm coveting Coldplay's Mylo Xyloto album. Birthday wish? Perhaps. Really though, the song is making me abuse the replay button. So damn good.

The Recipe to (my) perfect holiday:

- Lotsa sleep, the more the better. Pay off those sleep debts you've had from school and such! (I've been very good, most of my debts are gone now)
- A handful of your favorite foods, indulge, just go for it, ENJOY
- The best company
- Laughter (you'll live longer too)
- Hugs
- A marathon of a TV show you like, or movies (Top Chef: oh yeah, don't hold it against me)
- Your fave songs on replay
- Post-xmas sales! This is what I live for. I managed to raid Helsinki, coming off a winner. Hell yes.

Print shirts are so much fun. Gina Tricot, 5 €

Top buy of the day, the comfiest deep turquoise silk blouse. Originally 40€, 6€ on sale fro Monki. Scooooore!

5€, Acessorize

Cropped top, 6€ Monki.

Also there was an oversized beige collage shirt from Promod, which can be checked off the list of necessities now.

2011 is at the end of its run and I'll soon post a overview of the year; what it has held for me, the best parts, etc. :) ps. Found out my camera could do cool stuff on a walk.

Buildings can look pretty artsy when filmed this way.

I walk this lonely road, the only one that I have ever known

Shake it up, shake up the happiness!

I apologize for the tiny post, but I have no access to my computer at the moment :( I'll come edit it later though!

MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE, may all your wishes and dreams come true! I hope everyone stuffed themselves with food, got the gifts they deserved and had a warm, jolly time with their loved ones :)

Hyvää Joulua rakkaat <3
Joyeux Noel mes amis <3
Merry Christmas lovelies <3

all i want for christmas is new years day

This songs just gets me in a happy mood whenever I hear it :)

Ah, December has gone by so fast, and Thursday we have Christmas festivities at school, which sets the start for THE WINTER HOLIDAY!!! Can't be bothered with school really, since I know I'll probably end up forgetting most of the things I've learnt by next year anyways, so meh :D

I don't celebrate Christmas, but I love giving gifts, having the festive lights and the happy mood in the atmosphere. The shitty weather has been a downer though, I mean we're two weeks away from new years and it feels like September. The Secret Santa exchange in my class was a success, and everyone got something nice :D Also, we're all waiting for those post-Xmas sales........at least I am.

That was part of my brownie making process when I made some for my mom's work party and my class :) Three batches of hard work, with a sad loss of one batch that I dropped D: My heart literally broke into pieces........ tough luck I guess :(

All of the bells ringing out for Christmas, I'm singing goodbye to the year before
I know that the next one will be different, so much more!

the way to someone's heart is through their stomach

Everyone loves food, and I have yet to find someone who doesn't enjoy a brownie or a really nice lasagna here and there :) Personally I love cooking and baking, for the fact that I get to be creative and combine ingredients to create something delicious and appealing. The best feeling though is when people enjoy your food and it brings a smile to their faces, cheesy but hey, it's true!

Most people prefer baking though, since a sweet tooth is very common, and baking is more about precision. You gotta be really careful about the amount of baking powder and eggs because otherwise you might end up with a soggy cake or muffins the size of a soccer ball. It has happened to me before and geez, did it take trouble to fix it! If all fails, just eat the batter ;) The outcomes are usually mouthwatering though so that's awesome :D Also bake with a friend, it's more fun and time goes faster, highly recommended!

i have no idea what that is but i want some

weheartit

the best ramen that i've ever had in Japan

filled crepes in a French restaurant in China

who doesn't love this? <3

a cake I baked for my dear friends for their birthday, a chocolate and strawberry filling layered cake :)

homemade cinnamon rolls couresty of moi et ma amie

i love cupcakes and i love nail art. this was a compromise ;)

Food also goes for any situation: we eat when we're happy, sad, angry, confused, discouraged, so anytime and anywhere!

Quoting the catchphrase from Koti Pizza:

Pizza, love and understanding

Bon appetit!