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Birds by my talented little sister.

To celebrate the arrival of 2009 I would like to look back at the past year.

January: Traveled to the north of Peru and met my boyfriend´s family, started painting to feel better with very good results, had a lot of hopes and plans for the coming year and felt stressed about how to make it all happen.

February: Partied a lot at the beach, moved in with Ceci for a few weeks, got two wisdom teeth extracted, moved to a new hippie house, celebrated a year of love.

March: Partied some more at the beach, organized a communications meeting at my NGO, freelanced about Chan Chan, went to the dentist a lot. Stayed at Hectors house in the suburbs during weekdays because my new house was a bit too hippy.

April: Started preparing for my expo and thesis investigation, had many health exams done.

May: Worked hard on the ARO annual report, went a lot to the dentist and to a lot of doctors, did Herbalife for a month, worked verylate during weekdays.

June: Worked hard on the ARO annual report, curated a expo for a Peruvian friend that was not accepted into the Finnish gallery but gave me a lot of good training, did five freelance photo commissions in Lima to pay for my expo, worked on my thesis, went to the gym a lot, read a lot about ALC-UE, looked for a thousands of jobs in Lima for 2009, wanted to go as a journalist to Cuba and the rainforest but decided to do so the next time around in Lima. Instead, I focused on my show and my thesis. Got my cellar phone stolen. Got a job that I turned down. Went a lot to the "dangerous" downtown to have my prints done.

July: Got my first business card done, Inaugurated my first solo exhibition, freelanced about Peruvian cuisine, gathered the final thesis material, cried a lot, bought presents, flew to Barcelona, loved Gaudi, re-encountered with Patti. Flew home to Finland and met my family and my friends after having been away 10 months. Realized what I wanted for the coming year in Finland and for us.

August: Missed Hector terribly, worked at the local newspaper, did translation work for a peruvian friend, prepared to move. Looked for jobs and scholarships in Finland for my boyfriend.

September: Worked some at the newspaper, celebrated a calm birthday, moved in with friends in Turku, threw a birthday party and started my MA seminars, stayed at friends´ summer houses, visited Charlotta in Helsinki, did MA thesis interviews, met new friends, enjoyed Finland a lot. Learned to cook new dishes.

Oktober: Presented my first thesis advance, partied a la Bollywood. Understood that my boyfriend needs to be in Lima now, and I in Finland.

November: Passed my last and most difficult exam ever after having failed once, was at uni a lot, wrote freelance articles about Barcelona and Combi Culture. Struggled a lot with my thesis and how to structure and focus it. Went to Poland for vacations. Applied for a job I didn’t get which was probably the best thing. Was confirmed that I need brackets and a jaw operation.

December: Presented my methodological thesis advance, completed my advanced salsa class of the fall, tried afro dance, wrote freelance article about Poland, was selected for a group exhibition in Helsinki, enjoyed Christmas in Turku and a day in Helsinki, spend Christmas at home with my family and my Peruvian friends who came to visit. Went to the polar circle. Thought it was veryvery dark. Forgot to book media space for santa interview. Started planning next year :) Got a tax return, hallelujah!


What I learned in 2008:
To know when it is time to go home
that nothing compares to good health
that I can do anything
how to stand up for what is right
and how to correct what is wrong
how to be more efficient
how to say my opinion in difficult work situations
how to focus on one thing at the time
how to lower the expectations and be realistic about time
how to save a lot of money cutting down on small things
that traveling is always investing
to love family above everything and stay in touch
that friendship is a treasure
to relax a lot at the beach
to trust
to feel excellent about myself
to learn to accept people´s behavior and my own
to forgive quickly
to know the laws of attraction

And above everything, that hard work pays off and that planning is always worth it (know what you want, make a plan, start working and get there) and to keep trying all though you get turned down. If it does not work out, it is because the time has yet not come. Like surfing, life comes in waves you will learn to ride when you dive into them.

Come beautiful 2009 for me to live.

My flatmates in Turku and my best friend in Helsinki

http://improvisingoranges.blogspot.com/ UPDATED :)

Paper dove

Silver wand
I did not find

And then by my side
By the side of you
Rays of daylight

Seems like
The tears I cried
Yesterday

I have seen
The glaciers melt

Am I lonely
or am I just a lie

And So
I go back to meditate
in that Garden

.

Sitting by your side