Back to school

Season ended but school continues again. I took only 12 credits for this term because I go back to Finland week earlier than others. Teachers obviously don't like it but I don't want to pay double ticket prices. School which is full of international students continues until 18th of December, I don't quite understand that. I have History II, Operations Management and Statistics I classes now. Same subjects that we study back in Finland. Flight back to Finland is waiting but one huge task is still unfinished, Christmas presents! I don't know what to buy but my family is the only ones who gets presents this year. I am not going to bring anything special but maybe candy for my cousins.

One thing what I expect the most is training sessions with my old teammates. Hopefully we got lots of guys in Areena. JIPPO's reserve team promised to take in their trainings and I might visit also in Riverball trainings if Jasu is there. Tomorrow is a big day, my first NHL match, Panthers - Sabres. Hopefully it is a great game with lots of goals and fights...

But see you all in a little while...

Season is over

It is time for every team to end its season and Saturday was our day. We lost in Fort Kent, Maine, for local University on PKs 3-1. Game was everything else than football but I don't want to blame the weather or conditions because I think they handled the situation much better than us. Some of us were expecting an easy game but cold temperature (-5 and with wind -15) was not an easy factor to handle. It was snowing hard and wind was very hard. I have never played in those conditions before because usually we have some kind of heating system under the field. Now the pitch was full of snow and it was very slippery. But overall season was very good and our record, 15-2-3 is something that the whole school can be proud of. Now it is time to relax and later is the time to think where I am going to play next season.

Final grades looked good and my GPA was 3,525. Good start for the forest guy and much better that I was expecting. Motivation for the next term is low but I think that holiday in Finland will give me a new boost to handle the school for rest of the year.

It is time to relax!

What's up homeboys and -girls :) I finished my last exams for the fall term and I have to say that I had most hectic two week period ever. 4 papers and 2 presentations in one week is lots of work for me. But everything went okay and my grades are better than 9 weeks ago. I am proud that a forest guy from Joensuu got 97,5 points (100 is the max) from a presentation and beat the native English speakers 100-0. When you write 15 papers in 10 weeks and take 5 presentations you have to become better. My language skills and writing skills are much better now than a year ago. I know that my teammates think differently but who cares :D Sometimes this is the worst place to be but you won't learn language in Finland and that is a hard fact!

I know that people in Finland think that I am so lucky and I am sunbathing every day. If you want to change places with me lets do so :) Come here and see the reality, 3 week pre-season, school and training sessions every day (2 hours). I haven't seen sun for ages. Moving to Florida doesn't mean a free holiday to paradise. Now I think that I have earned a little holiday. Thanksgiving break started yesterday and school continues on December 2nd. I will fly back to Finland on 11th so time goes fast.

Our season still goes on but my season might be over. We had a playoff game against Embry-Riddle on Saturday and my groin stopped my game after first half. I have two days to recover because our next game is on Friday against Warner University. It doesn't look good :( Win from that game would take us to the National Tournament. We are now ranked as 23rd in nation. My 2008-2009 season is already one year long. My body needs little rest but of course we try to go as far as we can. Next possibility to achieve something is on Friday!

Wrong week to be sick

This is so my luck. Tomorrow we have a very important game but surprise surprise I'm sick! I ate something bad or maybe it is a virus. I don't care but I have to skip tomorrow's game...We have a chance to be co-champions in our conference. That's great but I know that guys can win the match without me. Although, I like tough games so it pisses me off...

School is okay, boring but okay. I had little bit troubles at the start but now everything is going better. I get good grades but I cannot wait that our three week holiday starts in two weeks. We play games but no school. After holiday, two weeks in school and then I see you all in Finland. I will arrive in Finland 12.12 and me and Ville will head back to WPB maybe on 3rd of January. Veera is coming to see me on thanksgiving holiday and I think it is nice to see some familiar faces from home. Luckily she promised to bring Ruispaloja ja Kulta Mokkaa with her. I miss those products so much!

See u soon! Lanttu

Time for update my blog. Daniel (Swedish Shefki Kuqi) has asked me every day since I last time update, when u gonna write next time :D We just came from Savannah, Georgia, where we had two day road trip. 8 hours in one direction is not a long trip for a forest guy but enough is enough. We didn't even play a single game in our trip. Lots of raining in Savannah, so game was cancelled and now we might have to go there later again, bullshit! City was beautiful but nothing special, little bit like cities in Europe and much compact than West Palm Beach. We don't have many games left and I can't wait that I can have a little holiday from football. I started my season in last December and I feel like it. Many injuries and lack of motivation are the first signs for that. But I think that I can handle a few games. That's all about football...
School is different thing, though. We had our midterm a week ago and it was quite easy. I got two A´s, one B and one C. That's good when you think, what kind of classes I have in this term. Final tests are coming in few weeks, so hope I can keep up my form. After finals two week holiday and then back to Finland for Christmas.
That's all from West Palm for now. I got a new haircut and I look like some pussy from forest but how cares? Like some wise guy once said to me: "It doesn't matter, how your hair looks like. You won't get a girlfriend before you change your face" I think that is a great end for this, keep it up in Finland!

Life what is it?

Man I suck! I don't know anyone, who writes so shitty English here than me. I have to work double shifts to get better. I thought I could relax here little bit more but no way. Last winter in Finland was crazy I wanted to get some time for myself but in morning you go to school, then heading to training and back home and study like a maniac :D well lets play good season and then I might get time for myself.

School is so different here than in Finland. Too much theory, nothing which would help me in my after-school life. In Finland I learned facts about logistics or risk management but here I'm sitting in a class room listening a boring professor who wants me to learn what is plankton. Come on, do you really think that I think about plankton when I sit in my comfortable office ;) Or in history class, I learn same things like third time in my life. It is elementary school stuff!

I got today very interesting book. US Constitution! I was laughing my ass off, what the fuck I do with this. Small book, much smaller than Finnish law books. Maybe teachers back in Finland let me teach a little bit about American history. But it is a part of my Philosophy course and I need to read before exam.

No time for this right now, environmental science is waiting for me...We have exam on Wednesday. I don't even want to talk about our games because we lost yesterday, if somebody is interested go and check results from our website.

And Joonas and other guys I know that there might be few writing mistakes but I don't care and I don't have time to check this right now.

Season is on

Northwood Seahawks (1-0) started their season like shit but 6-1 victory over Ave Maria was a decent result. Tomorrow we are heading to Tampa or somewhere near Tampa to face Florida College. My first match as a Seahawk because I didn't have a permission to play in our last match. I start as central midfielder with a "Mexican midget" Geo. We are a better side on a paper but here every opponent is dangerous. Most of the teams just keep on running without anything in their heads, so it is sometimes hard to play beautiful soccer, if somebody is always tackling you. I must say that my fitness is best than ever. I could easily run 3500-3600 in a Cooper test but on the other hand I don't feel my legs because we have trained so hard. I need to show tomorrow that I can play. Hopefully me and Joonas Siikala would be a dynamic duo tomorrow.

School orientation here in USA is waste of time. Every US students bring their families with them and then they just walk around campus three days, while school tries to figure out something to do. Well real school starts on Wednesday and I have quite interesting courses because I dropped off Accounting because I hate it in bottom of my heart. I do plans only for this year so I try to take every interesting courses in this year and if I am here next year then I have to take the shitty ones...

Hurricane season is here. You might have red about Hurricane Gustav from newspapers. Hurricanes is a big thing here. every TV channels show a live picture 24/7. When I first came here Hurricane Fay was on us. Now there are two more hurricanes coming to Florida. Hurricane Hanna is the first one at the end of this week. Looks like that West Palm Beach gets share of that shit. Hopefully we can stay home and it maybe turns before it arrives here. I'm optimistic but I will write about it if Hanna comes here.

By the way I hope that you can get some sun there also :D

Damn it's hot

Aaaahhhh, preseason is over and we are heading for the start of the season. First game against Ave Mario on Friday but I don't have no clue if I have permission to play yet. If not I will take some sun in stands. I hope we have done running. Player, like me, who have played 90 minute games 4 months in a row before coming here, there is not much sense. Team starts to look good and I think we can go far this season. Let's see what happens...

School starts with orientation this Saturday. But I don't have to participate there much and that is good. I'm not a big school friend but I try to focus on it for a while. I'm missing ruisleipää, here you have to eat some white crap. I need some friends too, now I just hanging around with Jere because I don't know anyone here yet. School may bring a chance.

Otherwise, the life here in US is no so different than in Finland. No one walks or drive a bike here, if you want to go from place A to place B you need a car and that sucks. I don't have a car so I just walk to training ground. Every time when I need to get here I must call through all my friends and try to find somebody who could take me. I miss time when I could just drive a bike and go anywhere with it. Now it's a pool time so so long...

First steps in WPB

Clock is 5.30 am and I am awake but I could still sleep a few hours before training. Crazy stuff going on. I think it is only jet lag that I'm suffering from. Flying to US was quite easy. First I went to Paris and there I had to run to another terminal. There I sat down but in a few minutes there came an officer and asked me to come with him. Same old questions: "Why are you going to US etc..."Then 10 hours flight to Miami airport which was closed because of a hurricane. So we had to flight around for a while. Train trip to West Palm Beach and here I am.

Yesterday we had two training sessions. Everything was so crazy, totally different from Finnish mentality. Luckily games are going to start on Sunday, so maybe it is getting easier. Guys in a team are nice. I'm still try to get know them better. School starts in a week so maybe I get there some friends.

Weather is warm but windy and rainy because of a hurricane season. It should be end soon and then sun would shine 24/7. I think that I would get up and get some breakfast, I can't get now sleep any more.

Los Serrano and life

Three weeks left here in cold cold Finland. I will move out from Joensuu in a week to my parents place for two weeks. Again I have to get along with my parents. That is not easy. Mikko asked me to write something beautiful and touching. I tried to think something but I think that super singles don't write or do anything which touches people. But when we are talking about beautiful things, first thing what comes to my mind is Los Serrano. This week has been emotional for me. Lucias dead and Diegos comeback touched me deeply. Usually Super singles don't cry but this time I have to admit that I cried two episodes. Fucking hell, would my coach say if he reads this :D Mikko thanks a lot, now I look like a fucking pussy...That's enough!

Games have been a roller coaster for our team. Losing to Viikingit 2-0 and win from GrIFK 6-3 in same week tells a lot about our performance. Thin squad is one explanation but we didn't have enough winning mentality against Viikingit and we didn't defend good enough in Grani game. I played like shit in both games and performance has dropped from the start of the season. I don't know if I think already my USA trip but my level has to raise again. we had important games coming up and I want that we are clear from relegation before I leave. JIPPO is my team and I do anything for JIPPO. Last thing that I want to see is that JIPPO drops to second division. Some football supporters may say that I'm stupid because how I think. JIPPO has gave me an opportunity and everything has gone smoothly. Team spirit is great and I have gain a lifetime friendships. But we inside in the team know what is going on and that is enough. We are heading to Sundays important Atlantis game but I might unavailable to play because of my injury. But lets see there is still few days left. I love to play and I want be a part of starting lineup if possible. 20 points would be relief to us. If you are a fan of football, come to Keskuskenttä on Sunday at half past six. We tried to offer you a game that our supporters deserves!

Game is on (again)

Holiday was short but at least some of us had a holiday. My holiday was two days and that's it. Rock was great and it was nice to see everybody. But rock is over and game is on. And big news are: We made a goal and received 3 points against TPV. Wooohhoooo a goal, game was not pretty but who cares? Pepe was the scorer and Tinke assisted it. Next weekend is a big challenge for us because it is away game against Viikingit...That's a tough one!

I had to move away from my apartment at the end of July but I haven't done a thing. I sell my stuff us much as I can. If somebody is interesting of something please ask :D My trip is only one month away and I'm ready to go. I'm little bit nervous, how the team will accept me. Hopefully everything goes fine. Janne and Hilppa is coming to see me right away so I don't have to be alone for long. Hopefully Ville gets himself healthy and he can come with me. Let's see what happens.

Rock Rock

Life sucks like always. We have a 9 days break from training but do I have a break, no way! Working every day 6-8 hours that is my holiday. Last game before holiday was against FC Hämeenlinna. Team has always been tough opponent for us and last game was not exception. 0-0 was the result and now we haven't scored almost in 500 minutes. Pitiful. Even Football Gods are against us, not even a bit of luck. No can do, we just have to keep on working and hope that some day it will happen. We gonna score! I try to focus on our own matches but still sometimes I think about what happens when I go to West Palm beach. What kind of team has Northwood Seahawks next season. Do I earn my place in Coach Brewer's squad? Do I get along with my new teammates? Same time I am little bit sad. I will miss my guys here in Finland...Jasu, Mikko, Hane etc...But I live only once so every opportunity is a new world to me.

But let's forget football for a week. It's time for Ilosaarirock!!! Three days just partying and hanging with my friends is the thing what I need right now. Veera I try to keep my promise but that is a hard one! No work, no football, no nothing. But same time I see few of my friends last time before I leave to USA. I try to find time and organize a get away party but it doesn't look too good. Games every weekend won't help me at all. But I hope that everybody will miss me :D Let's see what happens in Ilosaari...There is a little memory about how I was last year.

This is life!

Dropping off from the Finnish Cup, losses to Oulu and JJK, missed penalty...Life isn't fair but you just have to move on. We played today against JJK and result was 0-5...What you can say, 5 goals to JJK is too much but name of the game is goal scoring! We don't have scorers right now and you can see a result on a scoreboard. I feel bad but next weeks game is very important to us. We have to show ourselves that we can still win.

Ready for the Finnish Cup

Season has started quite good. Our performances have been strong and we play football, not just kick it all over. 7 games 10 points is good start comparing to last season. Last season we had 10 points maybe in August. Personal performance has been best so far. My career has up and downs but now everything looks good. Coach trusts me and I hope that my teammates trust me too. Now I can play 4-5 good games before a bad game. We played yesterday in Vaasa and tomorrow we are heading to Oulu. We play against Oulu in Finnish Cup match and again on Saturday in Joensuu. Finnish Cup is a traditional competition in Finland. Of course we are heading to Oulu for a victory but First division is more important to us, so there is much on a line on Saturday. After that a little midsummer holiday and then we are facing JJK.

Trip to West Palm Beach is close and everything looks good. Little bit paper work and off we go. I feel little bit sad because my team and my friends but this is a great possibility for me. Coach D has gave me a lot. He is a one big reason why I even think to stay in Finland. But I will be back and then I will be playing for Mark D!

Busy, Busy and Busy

How can a man be so busy? School, work and training in one day is enough for an one human being. Season has started and we have now 3 points from 2 games. We lost to PK-35 1-2 with a crucial last minute goal from PK´s defender. Then we won Atlantis in Helsinki 0-1. The victory based on our defensive play but we took 3 points with open hearts. Now we are facing KaPä on supersunday and I think that the game is a real 6 point game at the start of the season.

My own games haven´t been as good as I hoped. Good training on winter but no results on summer but hopefully I will be on a starting lineup on Sunday and I get a chance to improve my play.

Everything is ready for my USA trip. I got a VISA two weeks ago and I booked my flight at 19th of August. Luckily Ville is coming with me, so I don´t have to go there by myself. I´m looking forward to see what USA has to offer for me.

JJK-JIPPO 1-1 (1-0)

Great weather, good pitch and good game. JJK was our opponent on Saturday and game ended as a draw 1-1. Big game for me because we played against Ahi, who was one of my best team mates ever. Great guy...

We started quite good and first 20 minutes we were the better side. Ball movement was good and players looked fresh. We started the game like this:
Ikonen
Masa-Hane-Josa-Jonni
Skunk-Diego-Adama-Tinke
Victor-Mad Dog



We made a first substitute after 30 minutes when Adama came off and Jasu replaced him. That was Adamas test match and he left after the game back home. JJK made a first goal when 35 minutes were in the clock. Flipper ball went in and goal scorer was "Lada" Lahtinen. That was the first half.

We started second half as we ended the first. Our first goal scoring chance came in 52nd when we got a freekick about 20 meters from a goal. Jasu´s free kick was huge and it hitted a post and came back. I think the goal moved a little bit, so hard was Jasu´s kick. Absolutely fucking excellent free kick. Then Diego got his second yellow card very easily and rest of the game we played with 10 men. We made a goal after 58th minutes. Jonni crossed the ball in, JJK´s clearance was poor and Mad Dog shot the ball in. Great goal...

I came in when 20 minutes were still left. Mad Dog came off. It was nice to play and my game was quite good too. My goal was to get together with Ahi and I stole the ball from him once. Thanks for that, mate! Game ended 1-1... Man of the match: Hans Ekroos, great game from Hans. After the game we went out with Ahi and Mad Dog and had a great time in Jyväskylä...

Next game: Saturday against Warkaus JK...

First time

Hi everyone. Some wise guy has said a long time ago that there is a first time for everything. This is my first blog experience in my life. Some of you might wonder, why I write in English? Reason is very simple, how can I ever be a good English writer if I don´t never write in English. If somebody needs a translation what I write, please ask :)

I hopefully move to USA soon, so I wanted to share my trip with my friends. Before I leave there, I write my experiences how difficult is to leave in USA. Lots of paperwork and too much money. I hope that this is worth it. I think it is. If somebody is planning to go USA, I´m more than willing to help you.

Before leaving I would write about football. I play in Joensuu in a club called as JIPPO. We play in Finland's first division. Season is getting closer, only two preparation matches left. If you want more details about my club, please visit www.jippo.fi.

Next match is tomorrow against JJK in Jyväskylä. I can´t wait to fight with Ahi, who was my former teammate in JIPPO last season. Let´s see what happens...