To those who I've met in London...

(Suomenkielinen tiivistelmä tekstin lopussa.)

Unlike normally, I will post in English so that the people this text is about will be able to read and understand.

Since the taught part of our master's program will be over tomorrow, I feel sentimental enough to write something about all the beautiful people I've met during my first six months in London. It's been an intense period of ups and downs, joy, fear, happiness, anxiety, excitement, sadness and love -- in this city, you just never know what to expect.

I have a feeling that this is going to be a year I will never forget and the people I spend my time with, have a lot to do with that. That's why I want to thank all of you. I won't mention any names, but you'll probably recognise yourselves anyway (and even if you don't, if you're reading this text, I've probably tried to include you ;)).

Ok, here we go:

• I want to thank those of you, who spent night after night (and sometimes even afternoons) with me in Ye Olde White Horse, sharing the good and bad things that have come to our way this year.
• I want to thank all of you, who always make me laugh, no matter how tired or anxious I am at the beginning. Especially Canadians, who are more Finnish than I am, are good at this.
• I want to thank the gang of coolest nerds I've ever met - also known as the SRM students of 2011/2012. You're not only clever and inspiring, but also great company for parties and other free time activities.
• I want to thank the amazingly big group of Finns I've met here. Whenever I feel homesick, your company comforts me. A special thanks to those three guys living in East London, who've been kind enough to put up with my bad alpaca jokes and even to accommodate me every once in a while. I always have such a good time with you.
• I want to thank those of you, who share my passions, whether it comes to music, statistics, Eurovison song contest or trips to Iran -- just to mention a few.
• I want to thank those of you, who've introduced me to your friends, family and/or loved ones. I feel lucky to have met them.
• I want to thank those of you, who've supported me at my hardest moments in London.
• I want to thank those of you, who've shared the best moments of my London-life with me, whether it comes to dinosaur songs, club nights, pub nights, dinners, art, films or anything else this city has to offer.

The first half of the master's year is over. No more lectures, but a lot of hard work with papers and exams ahead. I hope to see you all often the next months (and some of you even years) to come. You mean the world to me.

***
Ensimmäiset kuusi kuukautta Lontoossa ovat ohi. Ne ovat sisältäneet paljon ylä- ja alamäkiä sekä suuria tunteita niin hyvässä kuin pahassakin. Huomenna maisteriohjelman lähiopetuspuolisko on ohi ja jäljellä ovat enää tentit, esseet ja gradu. Koska tämä vuosi tulee varmasti olemaan minulle ikimuistoinen, halusin kirjoittaa blogitekstin kiittääkseni ihmisiä, jotka olen täällä tavannut, ja jotka ovat tehneet tähänastisesta kokemuksesta sellaisen, kuin se on. Isosta kaupungista löytää ihmisiä, jotka huolimatta siitä, että ovat kotoisin eri puolilta maapalloa kuin minä, jakavat monia yhteisiä innostuksen kohteita kanssani. Tämä yhdistettynä Lontoon arvaamattomuuteen ja jännitykseen, on tehnyt tästä kokemuksesta erilaisen kuin mikään aiempi periodi elämässäni. Siispä suuri kiitos kaikille siinä osallisina olleille. Olette tärkeitä minulle.