Let's get this party started

It's been a few days since my last entry, but don't worry I haven't died. Just been busy. Ish.

Here's a few updates:

1. I had my first real lecture. It was pretty much awesome, the lecturer was unbelievably awesome! He was very inspiring and such a warm and kind spirit. The lecture was very interesting, and totally got me excited about starting the studies for real. I have a confession to make actually... I chose this course without REALLY knowing what it was about, I mean I kind of guessed... But it turns out, I was right! Actually, it's even better than what I thought. So that's pretty awesome. Psyched for school!

2. We're a class of about 80, which as you can imagine is kind of a lot. Of course, we'll be divided in smaller groups and stuff, but still. We had a "class-party" hosted by our...well, I guess you could call them our tutors? Ish. They're the ones who are in charge of the hazing I was talking about earlier. Well anyways, the party was part of the hazing, but it was a pretty mellow start. Just kind of a get-to-know-your-class-party. It was A LOT of fun! Afterwards we kind of split up into smaller groups and partied it up Uppsala-nightlife-style! Which was awesome as well. You know that moment when you wake up after a good night out, and find like 4 new bruises and a sprained foot? Yeah that was pretty much the situation for me. That's a result of falling down the stairs 2 times. And before you ask, no, it was not because of the alcohol. That's just me. No, really.

3. Last night was a lot of fun as well. Not fall-down-the-stairs-fun, but still a lot of fun! Like a mini pub-crawl. Not much to tell, really. Got to know a few classmates a bit better, which is always cool. Met some new people which is also pretty cool. Great night!

I guess that's it for now.

Be safe

xx Mitra

Kudos, Finland!

Some of you who know me, know that I always say "Everything's better in Sweden". Well, recently I have been proven wrong, believe it or not. The bank system is SO much simpler, clearer and better in Finland. First of all, you need an income to open a bank account. Which is ridiculous, since they open accounts for children as well. Second, according to the people in customer service of *insert bank name here*, it depends on the branch office who they open an account for. WHAT? How is this possible? Aren't the branches part of the same company? If they are, shouldn't they all have the same rules that apply? I really don't understand how this is possible, if there's someone out there who does, PLEASE explain it to me. I'd love to be able to understand this awful, awful system.

To sum up, because I do not at this time have a steady income I will probably (because it depends on the branch...???) not be able to open an account before I either get a job or apply for student benefits. So until then, I have to use my Finnish debit card, which costs me A LOT of money, since the exchange rate is horrible. Seriously, does anyone else see the annoyance of this situation, or am I overreacting?

Be well and look out for Swedish banks!

xx Mitra

"Did you make any new friends?"

Perhaps.

Today was the first day of school, how exciting! Well, sort of. Nothing really happened, we just kind of sat there and got a bunch of information I already had. But it was a good day, met a few people, checked out the school and I got my hazing-ribbon. Don't freak out, the Swedish hazing is friendly and fun, not humiliating and mean. Kick-off is on Thursday, so on Friday I'll probably have some good stories to tell, fingers crossed.

I guess that's all for now.

Have a good one!

xx Mitra

This is where I belong

Today is Day 2. Things have been going great so far. Yesterday I got a lot of things done. I got my bus card, bought some necessities AND joined a nation. I would say it was a productive day. I also got to hang out with a friend of mine, which was great. And for the first time ever, I got to have drinks at one of the nations. Which supposedly are "the best places to hang out as a student" in Uppsala. Cool. 

Today was an even greater day. There was a welcoming-ceremony for all the new students at the University. Before the actual ceremony, there were people in different stands, handing out flyers, answering questions and telling us newbs about different unions and nations etc. I got a lot of useful information, and actually had fun looking at the stands and talking to people. Swedish people are great. I missed their openness and kindness, and the genuine "I WANT to help you". It's good to be back.

The ceremony was held in the University assembly hall, which was truly magnificent. All the decorations and the chandelier, so beautiful. Speeches were held, music was played and it was all so... Overwhelming. In a good way. I think. Honestly, when the principle held her speech, I got tears in my eyes. That was when I realized that I found my place.This is where I belong. This is what I want to do, and where I want to be, where I need to be. I just still can't believe that I'm actually here. I've been waiting for this for so long, and I'm so grateful that I finally get to do it. I can't wait until it gets real. Not only like the social stuff, events and unions and stuff like that, but also the studying part. The actually going to school part. It's been almost a year since I last was in school. Believe it or not, I've missed it. I really have.

No more than ever, I look forward to start school on Monday. These last two days here have been great. I hope and think it will get even better. With just the right amount of ambition, good sense and an open mind, I know I can do it. 

Be well.

xx Mitra

Alone = Lonely ?

2013 was a rough year for me. A lot of things went down that year. It was a year filled with dark moments, sad songs and gray days. But it was also filled with a lot of laughter, long-lasting friendships and a ton of sunshine. Through the weak moments, the endless disappointments and the anguish, it all made me a much stronger person. I also realized who are real. I now know who will always be there, who will stand up for me and who will make me smile when I didn't want to.

This is a paragraph I wrote in my other blog a while back, I wanted to share it with you:

"You, who have had to pick yourselves up and carry on. You, who stay strong and still believe in yourselves, even though it might be hard at times. Don't let anyone tell you what you've been through is not as bad as something someone else has gone through. Nobody could ever know how you felt in a particular situation, everyone is different. No matter if it was a bad break-up, your parents divorcing, the death of a loved one, being bullied or you're just simply feeling a bit blue for some reason. Whatever you're going through, or have gone through in  the past, just know that no matter what it is, you'll be okay. You'll survive.

I myself am going through something right now, where it kind of feels like everything is against me. But I am determined to succeed, I have ambition and I am strong and I am good enough."

What I want to say is, be strong. Whatever happens, there are people out there who can and want to help. Don't be afraid to ask for it. No one should ever have to go through something rough alone. 

With that said, there's something else that is important to remember. 'Cause even though you may have your friends, you have your family and you're not really alone, you can still be lonely. It's a horrible feeling, believe me, I know. There was a moment in late November last year, when I really felt like I was the only one in the world. It was not a pleasant feeling. But my brother said something to me, that really stuck with me since then: "Don't forget that the best thing to do is to get comfortable with loneliness, master it, THEN look for social pleasure." 

I've been trying to live with these words ever since then. And I'm telling you to do the same. Basically, in the end, you'll stand alone. When you stand in front of a crossroads and you have to make a difficult decision, YOU are the one who will have to make them. Remember that, and you will be happier. 

xx Mitra

New year, new life, new blog...

Yes, a lot of changes this year. As some of you readers may know, I'll be moving back to my hometown in a few days. The reason why I made this blog, was so that my friends and family can in a way join me on my journey. Here I will update you all on how my life is going, what's up, what's new and I might even share my very valuable thoughts on everything. While this blog is intended for all of you, I think this will be a great coping thing for me as well. Like, in a way, you're still with me and you know whats happening, even though you're not there to actually share it with me. 

The story behind the title is very simple. I was reading on some Latin words, trying to come up with a good name for the blog. Then I started playing around with the words "I am", "I shall be" and "I am me", 'cause I wanted the name to represent me as much as possible. As if to assure you and myself that no matter what happens or where I'm going, I'll always be the same person. Then I sort of stumbled upon "Ego Exsisto Me", the rough translation would be "I will be me". It had a nice ring to it and I liked the meaning, it felt right. 

That's all for now. Hope you all will enjoy my blog. Feel free to comment, share and whatever else you feel like doing. 

Have a good one!

xx Mitra