No Love for Internet

Sorry for lack of updates. I love the school but the Internet here has been most frustrating for past week or so. Today our proper Internet accounts were finally opened, but of course my computer is not passing the logon test and have had to remove and re-install different virus softwares. I mean how come F-Secure Internet Security 2010 isn't on list of acceptable virus clients.

Well, luckily life here has been entertaining with a lot of different activities and people. We've been bowling, had first BJJ training and played some 6 solid hours of pool with my awesome room advisor. We also learned that moist county means that they don't serve beer on Sundays - anywhere. Other than that getting used to the fact that bars close at 12 and you can smoke inside bars has been slightly challenging.

Its weird to train without black belt and structured classes but I think its going to be fine since everyone is pretty dedicated to learn and guys don't have egos. In fact the first day rolling was just perfect, and we will be rolling everyday. Hopefully I'll be able to write about tournaments soon as long as I find affordable tournament to enter.

The blog won't probably serve its original purpose of telling awesome training and traveling stories doing BJJ since I'm quite broke with all the fees and payments I didn't expect. Luckily I've now paid for housing and meals for the whole duration of the trip.

Murrau State University

First day of orientation behind here in Murray State University, and I've already met bunch of nice people here. I've had my first pitchers of (quite cheap) American beer in the local pub. I also learned that they do not sell beer or any other alcohol at all in this state outside the bars, which close already at twelve in the evening. Weird...

So anyways here are some pictures of the campus and my room :)

Snow in NJ

Training in Gold Team USA has been great. I figured I'd post some pictures of the gym and Newark. Also had great sushi buffet for 12 bucks (+tip), unbelievable. Today we got some snow in the Newark, so felt kinda like home :)

First days

I arrived couple days ago to JFK after exhausting 15 hours or so travelling. The night before the trip I didn't manage to get any sleep so once I finally got to Newark, New Jersey to crash on a friends place I was pretty done. I'd like to thank Gold Team Fighters USA, especially Macaco and Plinio, for helping me out every possible way.

Yesterday I spent all day walking around New York and got to see Chinatown and eat a nice pasta and shrimp ball lunch in Italian restaurant in Little Italy. Just as I was making my way back to Newark some street performers came to the subway and did kinda crazy show, and not longer when I got back to the Penn Station there was another street performers crew doing break-dance. -Adding video once vimeo has then converted.-

In the evening I got to do MMA class that focused mostly on boxing with some light cardio training, which was more than enough for me after the xmas holidays. After the MMA we had submission wrestling for hour and half and it felt great to roll with new friends. Gold Team guys around the world are just as friendly as in my home academy, we're one huge family.

Hello world!

In three days I'll be on my way to Murray, Kentucky for five months of exchange studies in Murray State University. Last spring around the same time I went to Rio de Janeiro for three and half months to train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (http://viliauvinen.blogspot.com). Also this time the focus of the blog is going to revolve around the art of BJJ.

My intention is to travel inside the USA as much as possible within the limits of my bank account and credit card. I plan to visit numerous BJJ/MMA academies while travelling, and I think best way to do it is to crash on the tatami of the academy or alternatively on the couch of a new friend, so in a way couchsurfing(.com) with BJJ twist.

So shortly about me. I'm 25 years old student (I know, I should've graduated already), entrepreneur (CEO, AUVCO Ltd), and less than a month fresh BJJ blue belt. I like to compete in BJJ and recently I had my first amateur MMA fight as a celebration for graduation. Week after the amateur MMA fight (which I lost 10-9,10-9, 8-10, judges decision), I won my first blue belt tournament (3 matches, 2 submissions). Overall perfect year.

 stupid grin :)

Hands up and clinch, go!