Month: October 2012

Digital Scrapbook Day

Published by Sula H.

I know it seems like forever since I’ve been able to come around my little scrapbook corner. But life has just been crazy busy over the last couple of months, and it seems to stay busy even as things are finally settling down. That, however, doesn’t mean I don’t have lots of ideas and inspiration in store for you again (though fighting bad internet connections, you’ll have to bear with me), but I’d like to jump into getting my digiscrap corner active again by starting off with some exciting news: Digital Scrapbook Day is upon us! For most places in digiland that means lots of sales, offers, goodies, contests, and giveaways, and for the Sweetshoppers among us, the excitement has started already! Just a couple of minutes ago, the new releases were posted along with super sweet sales, and for the next couple of days, you can shop, chatter away in the forums, and – of course – scrap your heart out! Don’t forget to check out the new goodies, because there’s lots of awesomeness …

Culture Week 2012: Africa & Latin America Day

Published by Sula H.

Things around culture week seem to be little more low-key compared to previous years. Anyhow, nothing can compete with China day, when it comes to drawing the crowds to the main square each day. This year I missed the little African hut, which was replaced by one only half as authentic. But it’s just as much a photogenic spot as the old one. In fact, I had to wait in line quite a bit to get at least one decent shot without any people around. I was sneaky, though. I waited for that split second when one student had just gone inside that little hut for her picture, and couldn’t be seen from the angle where I was standing. There’s always a way to get your shot – if you know how to …

Culture Week 2012: Asia Day

Published by Sula H.

Culture week continues with Asia day. And while there are lots of activities organized by the foreign faculty during the day, the great highlight, of course, always is the show that’s put on every night during culture week. For Asia Night, a lot of the foreign students performed, making the job for the foreign faculty an easy one.

Culture Week 2012: China Day

Published by Sula H.

  It’s almost November. And that usually means the annual Culture Week is upon us. And since we’re talking about the usual already, our school’s international culture week usually starts with China day. This year is no exception. So, for China day, local trades people gather in the main square on campus to offer their goods and services, which include anything from selling cotton candy to cutting silhouettes and painting portraits. Even glass sculpturing and musical performances were part of this year’s China day. And of course, I had to go and record it all!

Another Mountainous Adventure

Published by Sula H.

Admitted, climbing local mountains isn’t anything like climbing the Swiss Alps as we did last summer. It is, however, not in the least less adventurous, especially if you have the privilege to hike together with a group of friends. We did just that, and the reason why I would call our last trip to the mountain a little adventurous, is because of what my music loving friends decided to bring along: a little ukelele, percussions and a hand drum. With all that in our hiking equipment, we were sure to have some fun, but also a glorious autumn morning in the mountains!

Around Town: Saturday Night Life

Published by Sula H.

Our Saturday night life usually looks rather tame. Not so the other day, however. Fast pace and a bit of a thrill was the order of the day when we went go-kart racing. Now, if you’re someone with a driver’s license and a love for speed, you might think this is just real boredom . Not so in China, however – I assure you. Most of our friends don’t have any driver’s license, and if they do, they usually don’t have much experience driving. So, getting on a go-kart course with a bunch of people who don’t know what they’re doing can turn into quite the exciting obstacle event, with the added effect that you’ll never know what your obstacles are going to do next. I for my part was entertained enough just watching the action, especially with my special Canadian (squirrel) friend racing the course like a mad-man, and everyone else just trying to escape him. You see, there’s never any ordinary adventure in China. On that note, happy racing, friends!

Food Corner: After the Feast

Published by Sula H.

Usually, in my food corner, I like to share some food samples of what we get to eat sometimes. Today, however, I thought I’d share with you a usual after-dinner aftermath! See, most western people eating with chop sticks think they need to leave their places all clean and tidy to meet with proper etiquette. Here, however, the more common approach to eating together will make the place of dining look more like what you see in the picture above – a battle field. Dropping your food matters just as little as throwing left-overs on the ground, or arranging them around your plate (if you happen to have one, which here we didn’t have our own plates). It may not be proper etiquette (even here) but it still works most of the time!