today I found out that I my “speed up letter” request was accepted but however the Immigration Police did not have further information to their surprise on the current whereabouts (whether it was on its way for the visa sticker or on its way back from getting stickered) and I will have to call back next week.
This is so exciting, as since i have been approved for permanent status, I do not have to go through this “ordeal” anymore until which time my passport expires and I have a new one issued, I will have to apply again but it should be much, much easier and I can have an appointment set up for this process rather than waiting a few hours.

On another note, I start up once again, my Finnish Language lessons, but going through a private tutuor located roughly 400meters from our home here in Lauttasaari. Course start tomorrow and continue once a week for 1.5 hours until June 7th. Looking forward to the class soon.

Upcoming is my Core Certification for MySQL happening on Feb 25th, so keep your fingers crossed and think happy thoughts for me during that whole day as I will need it.

More to come soon…

Today at the 3GSM World Congress in Cannes, Nokia introduced the stylish Nokia 6101 fold camera phone. One of the smallest fold phones in Nokia’s portfolio, the triband Nokia 6101 is expected to attract consumers’ looks with its robust feature set and easy-to-use menu strucuture once it hits the shelves globally in the second quarter of 2005.

More info can also be found on Nokia 3GSM site

updated on Feb 16th – Plans have changed and will be getting a brand new aquarium hopefully next month or the month after at the latest. It should be roughly around 180 Liters to 243 Liters maximum. More info to come on this issue…but for now, 150Liter looks like it we will be selling it or it will be going back to its original owner..

Have you ever seen a 150Liter aquarium? (Pic 1 / Pic 2 / Pic 3)

Well, got the tank, (150 Liters = 39.xxxx Gallons) now still have to get a light hood or then a either plastic / glass top to cover the opening and to protect the light fixture (and to control the evaporation cycle), then a exterior cannister filter + media + fish food + some additional rocks (though i can the majority of them from the summer cottage in Laappeenranta).
I may have found a really nice looking solid wood coffee table / storage table for roughly 100 euros so that might work out. Dont know for sure yet. I may end up just getting a complete aquarium set (tank, stand, pumps, filters, all in one package).. but will keep you all posted soon.. and also the web address where my AQUARIUM pages will be located at.

more to come soon..

yeppers.. I went today to renew my visa permits for living / working here in Finland at the Immigration Police and thought I would, from previous experience, stay there waiting in line for my number to be called after many many hours, but to my amazement, I was only there for roughly 2 1/2 hours.. I went for permanent residence since now that I am married to Hanna, it helps greatly, not to mention the WORK Factor as well.
I also hand written a speed up request to get my visa and passport return to me sooner rather than later (up to 6 months waiting period for permanent applications). The Immigration officer handeling my case was very nice and extremely helpful and gave suggestions of many things that I should do while waiting for the acceptance and approval for my visa status.

Lets see what happens.. more to come on this issue for sure…