More lunch and dampness

The week has gone by quite fast in the end even though it seems like ages since some things happened. That's the way it is when in a new place (even though this is not a new new place). I managed to have lunch today - pizza and a coke. All was going dandy until I saw my new boss in the same restaurant (I like staying incognito and really don't want people to know I have lunch alone) sitting on the other side of the restaurant but facing me. So I got over that and decided I don't mind if he sees me talking to myself and then this man asked me whether the other chair around my table was taken (the restaurant was full) and I was like "no". I though he'd move it to the table with no chairs right next to my table but he didn't. Then I was like "ok, this is normal - people sit at the same table also at university diners" but then he asked me something and I mumbled something like "ich weiss nicht" and then was like "ja, ahem" when he said something else. I don't know weather he just thought I was rude or figured out I didn't really understand him and really didn't want to put much effort into it either. He ended up moving to another table once people left so that took care of that. I kept a positive attitude and got through lunch quite well. Then as I was walking back to the factory area the sun made an appearance for the second time in my time here. That got me in a good mood.

My apartment is terribly damp. I really don't know what to do about it. And I spotted like mold on top of the balcony door. So there is stuff growing in here. Having done my laundry yesterday has made the situation no better and in fact worse. I now have the window open but I don't know whether that will make it better or worse. I think part of the problem is that the hallway is also really damp and I suspect there is no air moving in there. There is a sort of fan in the toilet but I'm not sure that helps at all. I'm just a bit worried about like living in these kind of conditions. and when I go away for two weeks I'm not sure whether I should put the blinds (German blinds covering the whole window and balcony door from outside) down or keep them up since I don't want to come back to a rotten apartment (rotten clothes and stuff). Oh why can only Finns build proper houses? It seems everywhere else there is always some problems.

Climbing

I went climbing today. Had some trouble getting out of the city by bicycle but otherwise got there nicely. It's not too far. I had loads of fun. I did nice routes and found a few challenges. They had this night where you can go even if you don't have someone to climb with. There was no-one else but me needing company so I climbed with this person who apparently was just taking over for someone who was sick but it was great. We did all the same routes and I think I climbed quite nicely. Oh, I am soooo good. ;) I have to go again next Wednesday and then some other day like Sunday for bouldering. "Everywhere you go, always take you climbing shoes with you (and the weather if it is nice)."

No lunch today

I didn't have lunch today. I just could not make myself buy anything to eat at the Weihnachtsmarkt we were at for lunch. Most everybody else had the German version of a hot dog. There was food I could have bought but I just did not really feel like eating outside either. All I had was like to kisses (with the fluffy stuff inside and a waffle on the bottom with chocolate around it) from a co-worker. I also hate that I just can't talk German. I mean I could say something but I can't bring myself to do it and then I feel really stupid just being quiet. I am usually not the loudest person around but not that quiet. I just wanted to go home, really.

I went and bought food I could make on my way home but I don't feel like making any of it. I did eat a yogurt. At home I'd just put a frozen pizza in the oven but here I can't do that - I can't have my emergency food. Maybe I'll just have some tea and then think about food again.

I like new places. In old places I just have the same problems and difficulties and I can't even go sightseeing since I've already seen everything worth seeing. And the weather is not nice either.

Living the life, same as last time

It was my first proper work day today. It went quite nicely. I actually left for home some time after three since I didn't really have much to do since I haven't got my user name for the computer. So I just did stuff in the lab as much as I could. I couldn't send samples away since I have no lab journal number yet so that also sort of hindered my work. But yeah, I feel happy about the work I did.

I went for lunch into this restaurant near the gate. Lunch cost me seven euros but it was nice. I did, however, eat too much so after lunch I was a bit tired. But the thing here is that that restaurant has a different vegetarian lunch each week so I'm thinking I can go there once a week. This week they also have fish on Friday so I can also eat there on Friday. Then they also have pizzas and stuff. So I have one place I can maybe eat once or twice a week. I'm thinking I have to eat a proper lunch. Going to lunch alone, however, is kind of hard for me, but I'll try to go and not care if the waitresses start recoqnizing me and stuff. I'll see how it goes.

I tried to go buy a book after work but the book store just had no books I wanted to read. English books, that is. Horrible selection. I wanted the next part of this trilogy I started when leaving Finland. I bought the first book in Tampere. It is quite good fantasy and I'm pretty much finished with the book so I need a new one or else all I'll have to read is Powder Diffraction: Theory and Practice. As much as I should read it, it might not be enjoyable at bedtime.

I didn't really do much on the weekend. I didn't leave my apartment on Sunday at all. Saturday I just went shopping for food and such. I should have gone climbing but I didn't and I am still just a bit sick from the flu I got right before I came here so maybe it was a good idea. Maybe I just can't get myself to do anything by myself.

My apartment is horribly moist. It's like a Turkish sauna without the heat. Ok, so not exactly but I can feel it whe I come in and the windows are like wet all the time. I don't really know what to do about it but it can't be good for my clothes and stuff even though it probably is good for my skin as long as nothing starts growing in the corners of the apartment. Like fungi and such. I don't want that.

But I guess I best start trying to read about powder diffraction and perhaps dry the windows.

One down, ~26 to go

It's Friday! I got through the first week and even managed to eat lunch every day. Well personally I think it is a sort of achievement though normally it would be nothing. I actually had to have lunch alone for only one day so it was not so difficult. Next week will be the test. (If you haven't read this blog for like since it got started you might not know about my lunch difficulties in Germany so you should just read old posts or wait for me to explain more later.)

I just got back from visiting the Christmas market and going to dinner across the river. We went to my favorite restaurant so it was really nice. They still had almost the same list or at least my favorite traditional German food so it was great. I also had some Glühwein at the Christams market so it was a rather traditional German night. Quite nice.

For the past two days I've been on this course to learn how to solve crystal structures form powder diffraction. I have to say that most of it I just did not get but the course was practical so now I just have to learn how to use the programs. This actually means that if I want to use the "best" program, I have to learn how to program macros and stuff. I can use it without that but in the long run it would help. I'm not afraid and learning something like actually solving the structures would be just great for my career so I should really look into it. The only problem is that there really isn't anyone who could teach me. I'll have to teach myself and talk to other people who also are trying to learn it. I do also have other work so I'll have to see how that goes but I am really interested in learning it. "I sense a challenge..."

So yeah, my first week has gone quite well. I've been busy and tired but having been here before is a big help. Tomorrow I just have to go buy like a coffee maker and tons of other stuff that I usually just have a supply of all the time at home. I was at the big store earlier this week and carried a backpack full of stuff, two bags full of stuff and a pillow and toilet paper. I think people were looking at me like "get a car" but what can one do.

But I think I'll get going to sleep now. I finally actually slept quite well last night. My couch bed isn't too good to sleep on. I have to get a blanket to soften it but I suppose one can also get used to it. I hope to sleep late tomorrow since all I really have to go is going to the store and that really doesn't take the whole day. Hopefully I'll figure something out so I'll not just read a book for the rest of the day. Sunday I'll maybe go climbing.

I have the internet!

I'm in my apartment on the net. Lovely. The only problem with the apartment is the red porno light in the ceiling. Not good for reading. I bought a reading lamp the last time I was here but it did not fit in my bag yet. Maybe it will after Christmas. But so everything is going fine. Tomorrow I'll even sleep in my apartment. I just need to get some stuff like toilet paper and a coffee maker. Not to mention blankets and sheets and my clothes.

Further news to follow when I have time.