So, how are you today? Good news, bad news - what's up?

[Rusco]

Ok, how a lot of you feel today? I"ve dropped in here only a couple of times since I created my fb account 1 & half year ago. There are some people there that I've befriended with who are active also here. But a lot of your news have remained hidden to me of course.

How is your health today? You fit? I can recall some troubles some of you had some years ago. I dropped weight 10-12 kilos 2 years ago but they came back later on. I followed a diet with eating 5 times per day. On the other hand I'm nowadays vegan. Feeling good with that.

I have had a back ache and I started driving my usual travels with a bike and do 3 times a 3,5 km's walking per week. That should help the back ache. Hope so because I had some pretty serious signs of back spines getting stucked together.

I have been working at last 8 years in the same shitty job so I was permitted to ask for two years pause to study. (It's a system in Finland made for those who'd want to try another career and have a permission from boss to start the study without a need to get benefit for basic students or unemployment benefit.) Cool thing and nice to find you're finally allowed to get back some of the money you paid in taxes.

What else? Well, we live on the countryside still and together with my wife. So what are your news? Hope you feeling ok!

[lotus]

I have been working at last 8 years in the same shitty job so I was permitted to ask for two years pause to study. (It's a system in Finland made for those who'd want to try another career and have a permission from boss to start the study without a need to get benefit for basic students or unemployment benefit.) Cool thing and nice to find you're finally allowed to get back some of the money you paid in taxes.
/quote]
Can`t believe that, misunderstanding because of my oldschool english, two years out for study (without getting money of the normal system, but still member of the health insure system for free?), but without paying for the study and being shure to continue having a job less payed ?

[Johnz]

I have been working at last 8 years in the same shitty job so I was permitted to ask for two years pause to study. (It's a system in Finland made for those who'd want to try another career and have a permission from boss to start the study without a need to get benefit for basic students or unemployment benefit.) Cool thing and nice to find you're finally allowed to get back some of the money you paid in taxes.

That sounds amazing. I have the same questions as Lotus. I wish we had that option here in NZ. What did you study?

[Rusco]

The system is allowed when you have worked at least for 8 years in the same job. Then, if your boss gives a permission you can have max. of 2 years of study (some would want to learn f.e. a higher degree and specialize in to another field at the place he/she is working). Boss may deny only once and then you can ask again after 6 months.

I wanted to be a carpenter and I applied to a school where they teach it to adults, regardless of age. Officially I'm a student and get adult education subsidy. So, my job where I was working doesn't pay me anything because the system is taxpaid in Finland. And what comes for a new job I would like to have it depends on if I can find one during my period of study. On the other hand I should / I can go back to my ex job at logistics after I've finished the 2 years.

The education system and primary care are taxpaid and free to everyone in Finland. But our taxes are very high as well. Some might say we're taxed to death.

[cthulhu]

Loved and appreciated your post Rusco! Something personal, about you and where you are at and asking about how we all feel at the moment..
I would say: Don't get me started;-) My life is constant change, because i chose to and right now so many things are happening, i don't know where i am, but i feel good.
I'm unemployed at the moment, quit my job kind of in March, thought i would buy an Irish Pub in the valleys of Green and Grey, but everything  changed again then and since september im a neighbour to my parents house, where my sister lives, who has just brought her husband into a mental hospital because of a drug problem. I'm thinking Turn Away, but it is not as bad as it sounds, just had a very good talk with her.

I don't know what's going to happen. I love life, I love the World and fear is the only enemy that i still know...

Was good to read that you wanted to change something about your job and used your countrys offerings to orientate yourself again, i did that too some years ago.  Quit that job then too and started a new profession. From working in the media business to become a chef. But hell, i hate working for something or somebody just to get the money and not feel at the right place. But we all do, don't we? So it is not that bad.

But from high on the high hills it all looks like nothing


To sum it up where i am right now and how i feel...(and i think it will always be this way..):

How we all dance with this fire 'cause it's all that we know
And as the spotlight turns toward us, we all try our best to show
We are lost we are freaks, we are crippled, we are weak
We are the heirs, we are the true heirs, to all the world

[Isaac(Black Eagle Rising)]

Someone I know has the same back hurt ache problems and he said started to swim which makes him feel better now.Not sure if it works on you but swimming is always good I guess.I have the same problem by the way.Good luck with that.

[Rusco]

Cthulhu, cheers, it was nice to read your post too. I'm going to enjoy these 2 years with a full heart. At least I think focusing on to what you have now and living every day with eyes and heart open - being honest for yourself could mean there may be new opportunities available. And it's possible to be fair to others too.

Isaac, yes you nailed it: swiming and "water walk" (or what's it called) are probably the best ways to fix back problems, I've beard. Spines can't get oxygen but only from the muscles around them. And so the best way making it is moving, walking, swiming etc. But also, if things get too bad the only way fixing them is operation.

[Anna Woman von NRW]

Hey Rusco,

Nice to see you back here again 

Great that you can get back to university - what an excellent system, sure you'll love it. Sorry to hear about the back problems, nasty stuff - had problems with my shoulder lately (trapped/inflammed nerve) which has buggered up work but the contract was ending this month anyway so although the boss sacked me last week for being off sick it's only 3 weeks work lost  . Last year we finished renovating the old house we brought in Rhineland-Pfalz, sold it and moved up here to the Ruhrpott which contrary to reputation is not a bad place to be. Still struggling with learning the German - honestly just how much grammar does a language need  - but slowly getting my head round it.

Anyway good luck with everything dude, hope to see you around a bit more