The Final Grill & TB 2017

"First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you." - F. Scott Fitzgerald

Damn it, I wanted to write a post before the new year but I totally forgot.. But, f*ck it, let's do it the other way then - firstly, I'm going to share my wonderful Christmas period with you, secondly, you'll hear about my free time during the holiday a bit, thirdly, I'm going to tell you how I sent the past year by and finally, I'm summing up 2017 with my favorite posts and videos from that year.

If have you read my last post then you have some sense of what I have done in December mostly, right? Anyway, I spent my Christmas with my family, peacefully. It was something I needed, a rest. Furthermore, I realized that a theory which states that the older you get, the more pleased you'll be about getting socks as gifts from Santa is true. I got lots of these and at least they're practical.

My lil' bro working hard to get his presents

Well, about my free time now. My favorite band is Arctic Monkeys but as they still haven't released a new album, they aren't doing any live performances either. Some time ago, I discovered an Estonian band called The Boondocks who produce similar music to my favorite band - garage/indie rock to be more specific. When I found out they're going live in their hometown Parnu, I called some of my friends and we attended the event. It was rad! The feeling when you know most of the songs played live is fantastic because singing along at a concert makes you feel united with the performers.

The Boondocks - U and Me

There were some other sit-togethers which you can see on the following photos. The most unique one was the one when we decided to have a mid-winter BBQ - #paegrill. Anyway, the end of the year was fantastic.

#paegrill with Kermo, Pae, Lars, Kevin, Kaspar & Kaba 

@ Villa Mähma with Merili, Kristel, Kaido, Mark, Simon & Caspar

The last day of the year was lit! Merili invited some of our best friends over and we had a blast. We bought lots of trashy food because then it's maybe easier to start the "new year new me" thingy later. At first, we stayed at the house and then we went to the city center to see the fireworks and all the friends and acquaintances. I also made myself a promise that in 2018 I'm going to start working out again. Last year, this promise was fulfilled, this one is no different I hope.

Arctic Monkeys - From The Ritz To The Rubble

According to Spotify, the song mentioned above was the song I listened the most in 2017. I'm going to say that again that Arctic Monkeys is my favorite band but this was surprising even for me. But that wasn't all. I have my moods where I love to listen symphonies composed by Mozart or Beethoven but the thing is that three of their masterpieces made into my top list - I was amazed haha.
Well, about my activities that year.. I hadn't had traveled by myself before 2017. Thanks to Erasmus+ program and my university's organisation called BEST, I got the chance to do that. In spring, I visited Austria (#NOVACATION). The 7-day course on migration issues in Europe was amazing. I met many new people and even met up with one of them in autumn when I went to Hungary (TARARA). I attended a regional meeting of the Board of European Students of Technology there and this was an experience of a lifetime for sure.

For me, 2017 was a Year of Adventures!

And now the three favorite posts of mine that I promised to list here.

TOP 3 FAV POSTS

SCHOOL'S OUT

#NOVACATION

WKND 2K17

If I wanted to tell you simply what I did in 2017, it would go like that.
I finished high school. I started studying in university. I was a teacher for primary school students for a while. I organized a camp about programming and creating video games for children. I succeeded in two contests, failed in several. I tested my social skills as a salesman in summer. I visited Austria and Hungary. I had a lack of motivation to write the blog for some time. I attended the youth song and dance celebration. I got on Merili's nerves more than I should've. I found a new cool band called Kaleo. I attended some awesome events like WEEKEND festival and Simple Session. I turned freaking 20 already!

I don't have many videos from the past year but quality over quantity, right?

It's like a tradition to visit Simple Session every year for me, Mark, Härold, Simon and Kaido - ACED IT

My vlog in Hungary, it's my first vlog and I realized I don't really like filming myself - TARARA

A collection of clips and one of my favorite videos, filmed and edited by my good friend Mark - MOMENTS

Well, that's all - 2017 out, 2018 in!

HOT BLOOD

"It's all about quality of life and finding a happy balance between work and friends and family." - Philip Green

Well, I had a long "weekend" at home. I already went to Viljandi on Wednesday because I had to attend the youth council meeting. I also had a test in electrical engineering and I feel that I did well. However, I took these couple of days off to go home because I've done my schoolwork in advance and I had to write a few motivational letters and an essay for travelling purposes and I just missed my friends and family.
After the meeting on Wednesday, I went home and just chilled with my family. I helped my little bro with his math exercises and beated him in FIFA - it was fun. Sad thing is that I don't have any more episodes of The 100 left, good thing is that I decided to start watching it from season 1 again. And as I'm really obsessed with Photoshop again and I love The 100, I just thought that I'd like to practice making photos a bit cartoony by making a fan art of the show. I picked my favorite character of the series and spent a couple of hours making the sketch. Furthermore, the pic above is also done by me and you don't need to tell me how odd it looks, I know haha.

You have to watch The 100 for sure - fell in love with Raven myself

I spent my days mostly writing, studying and watching the show or movies. When it came to nights I had tons of fun with my friends. We cruised around, went out for dinner with music and partied. Craziest night was on Saturday when we thought with guys that it would be awesome to just sit down together and talk about guys' stuff while sipping some whiskey or something. We did that except we grouped up with our friends who aren't really guys but who cares, we still had hell of a lot fun together. We were at Merili's with Kristjan, Mark, Simon, Kaido, Kristel and Merili and afterwards went out to the city center to meet up with some others. I also saw my friend Kermo and somehow managed to promise that I would go to Guns N' Roses concert with him in next summer (so I have some plans for the summer now).

@ Legend - moment captured by Ako Lehemets

@ Legend with Kristel / Kaido doing a patriotic dare @ Merili's

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Kaleo - Hot Blood

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Cardboards & Submarines

"Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds." - George Eliot

Well, well, well. Another week or so has passed by and my friends from Viljandi are still thinking that I'm only partying in university. I can prove the opposite, for example when I started writing this post I was in library and I studied 3 hours straight, be proud. It's great to write some actual text sometimes over the numbers and programming languages I'm used to at school.

Okay, we party sometimes too (next to me is Sten, the one I'm afraid who claims my blog's biggest hater title)

So far, I've spent most of my weekends in my hometown. Last weekend, I spent time with my best friends and my family. Because my brother insisted, I bought the new FIFA and after that we went out to eat lunch (Hesburger), it was lit. Furthermore met up with my pals and gals. Viljandi is a quiet town and we just chilled and played football in the middle of the street - it was awesome. Merili and I also found a new way to reduce the stress level that sometimes initiates after socializing. We found some cardboard boxes and we drew faces of people we didn't like on them and after that just freakin tore everything apart - IT FELT GREAAAT! You can see the before and after pics below.

Before

 After

Buuut there is MORE - the upcoming Budapest trip, my birthday (hell yeah, I'm going to start my twenties soon!). I'm going to Budapest tomorrow and I'm quite nervous but I'm sure it's gonna be great. Furthermore, I'm going to throw my 20th birthday soon so stay tuned for the next two posts.
I know this wasn't one of my best posts but I know how to make it even. Just listen this..

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The Black Keys - Little Black Submarines

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SCHOOL'S OUT

"If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door." - Milton Berle

It's the end of high school. I'm really glad but sad at the same time. Of course I'm thrilled about college but I never get to study in high school again, this road has been paved.
I consider myself quite analytical person because I try to think everything through and then foresee possible outcomes. I'm also ambitious and even though high school grades don't matter very much, I still forced myself to take my sh*t together in the final year to make my grades look like I've been studying all the time. At the beginning of 12th grade I wrote down my most probable final grades in the first column and possible final grades if I worked really hard in the second column.
Finally, I get to see the results of my hard work. I improved the scores of 4 subjects but 6 was needed to get the maximum possible results. I'm fully satisfied with my effort. So what were my expectations and what was the real score? I predicted that the most probable average would be 4.3 but it would be possible to increase it to 4.7 if I fixed 6 subjects. As I fixed 4 subjects, my real score or average came 4.6 which is absolutely fantastic. I got my sh*t together even though my classmates poked fun at me due that. About the exams, my mission was to get 70% in Estonian exam, 80% in English exam and 90% in mathematics exam. I totally exceeded my expectations as I scored 89% in Estonian, 95% in English and 99% in mathematics exam. And damn, that one mistake I made in maths exam was so stupid I'm still mad at myself.

Mi familia

2014 vs 2017 - Hell of a journey

Gym Squad (and Erik)

With my granny

My main photographer Ketter

The final celebration took place in local theatre Ugala. Actually it still doesn't feel like I graduated or sth, the change hasn't hit me yet. The graduation celebration was awesome. I never thought that so many friends and relatives would come to congratulate me but I was wrong. The feeling and atmosphere was fantastic. I have many photos of the event which is great because I never want to forget these unique moments.

Homeboy K

Surrounded by my sweet relatives

Proud mom and my bro

I don't have friends, I got family

Fellow graduates Keili and Adeliina

Blogger & rebel

I would also like to say a few words about my class - IIIMF (III Mathematics-physics). Our phenomenal teacher Ain and 26 students. In overall, this class was full of sarcastic jokes, soft mocking and verbal sparring. It may seem like I didn't like my class but actually these are the three things I adored about it. It definitely strengthened my social skills as not caring about what other people think about me and being straightforward myself. I'm going to miss all these hilarious physics classes, betting with Peeter and Karlis over our test results and going to gym after school with our gym squad Günther, Sander and Danel. We had our last official "School's out!" party with the whole pack (actually everyone except two guys!!). Even our teacher came to our party, it was fun as hell. The following day I had no time to rest because it was St John's Day which is celebrated with bonfire and staying up all night. Kermo, Maria, Marek, Roven, Juhan and I were invited by Brigita to her country house by the sea in Kabli to have a blast together. We went to sauna and afterwards checked out the local bonfire party which was amusing, especially the DJ and a few drunkards. Anyway, my emotions are on fire right now and I'm getting ready for a week in Tallinn again and secretly planning some crazy things which I wanna do this summer without telling the others first.

@Kabli beach

Having a blast

"Sukaria"

AC/DC - Schools Out for Summer

Tourists

"We don't stop going to school when we graduate." - Carol Burnett

Graduation is around the corner. Actually, I have to wait over a month to get my exam results and high school diploma. The math exam went almost perfect, I'm expecting over 90% for sure because I only had one tiny mistake. In overall, I feel great about the exams. The photos that are made in school are taken by Merlin Kuld.

Checking whether we got the same answers or not with Agnes

Natural teaching pose

However, I've had some fun too. After math exam I went out with some of my friends and we chilled around the town. At one point we came up with a plan to play tourists (bucket list!) and it ended up hilarious. First, we went to an expensive hotel and pretended to be russian tourists so we started to talk in English with a russian accent, then we went into a casino and when they asked our ID's we told them that we thought it was a hotel or sth and finally we visited a strip club to ask if they're serving any food in there. We just fooled around and I haven't had this kinda fun for a long time. Furthermore, a few days ago we had a small BBQ at Kaido's with my lads. Mark took some nice pics too so I can share the mood with you. And moreover, my days and nights have been full of activity thanks to my classmates with who I've spent much spare time now. Even though we don't have any classes anymore, we still go and play basketball next to our schoolhouse.

Rage Against The Machine - Bulls on Parade

50/50

No gas, no party 

Looking towards the horizon with Caspar and Kermo

I haven't talked much about my family in the blog but that's because I still try to keep some of my privacy. However, I can talk little about how I spent the mother's day. We bought a cake and tickets to cinema with my brother and then surprised our mom. The day was delightful.

Legend

"I know what I've done for music, but don't call me a legend. Just call me Miles Davis." - Miles Davis

It's another school holiday, yay! At least it should be but it doesn't seem like one for me. I'm going to Tallinn University of Technology on Monday. I want to try out the life as a university student and because of that I'm going to follow a business information technology student for a day. More about that in the next post.4
I've been trying to get more alone time lately. Everyone on the Net have gone crazy about the upcoming season of Stranger Things and about a week ago I had no idea what this TV show was about so I gave it a try. I watched the first season and it was way more interesting that I expected. The science fiction takes place in the 80s and now I understand why everyone was so hyped about the next season - I can't wait either! Furthermore, I continued to watch a series about criminal law and justice - How to Get Away with Murder. These are the two shows I've spent most of my spare time with.

Stranger Things

Besides the anti-social life I've been living now, I visited my granny with my sister and also visited Viljandi's best local cafe Legend with my friends couple of times. One night when I was just casually watching my shows, my classmate Triin messaged me that she needs a lift with her own car. As always I was trying to do the right thing and went to Legend and sat down for a few minutes and then drove the girls home. The benefit I gained from this action was Triin's car. After I drove everyone home, Triin borrowed her car and because it's way more comfortable vehicle than mine, I picked up Merili and we cruised for a couple of hours, even had a late dinner outside the town. It's really nice to attend live concerts at Legend from time to time, especially on schooldays to have a break from studying.

Lens flare 

With Silver and Kristjan at Legend 

Legend - picture taken by Silver Tõnisson

20-1=19

"Age is a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it don't matter." - Satchel Paige

My birthday party was awesome! There were over 30 people and even though it felt like my house was being bulldozed, it was totally worth it. Actually, the situation wasn't as crazy as I'm describing here but I had to clean the house after the party and it took me about 2 hours (even though I had Liisa and Karmen to help me). The presents I got were brilliant - for example the girls squad on the picture below gave me a jar where I should start collecting my college funds, it was one of the most motivational gifts I've ever got. The only thing always missing on my birthdays is the right weather or season - why wasn't I born in summer? However, the event was superb and I'd like to thank everyone who came. Thanks to Mark (as always) I have some great photos of the party.

Photobombing myself in

Red Lips

Kristel & Laura

Beautiful people

Elerin came all the way from Finland to attend my party. Sweet!

 Ingrid & Kristjan

Ice cold

Yey! Happy birthday to me!

I got the best gift from my parents. I've never had an iPhone but I've always wanted to have one. With their help I bought myself an iPhone 7 Plus and I'm feeling bloody satisfied about it. Finally, I can take some good-looking pictures with my phone without bothering my professional photographer Mark. My previous phone served its time well. The two pictures below were taken with my FRESH phone.

 Quality time with someone special

My presents - the drinks are gonna stay there for awhile now until my stepdad drinks them

My school holiday has been great so far. I've been keeping myself quite busy - I visited my sister in Tartu, attended a 3D-modelling/printing course, went to a restaurant and decided to take part in a short film which you'll be seeing soon. Can't tell you everything just yet.

Had a sushi night with my sister