adjusting to life as a stay at home wife

European Immunization Week

2009-04-22T11:03:00.004+03:00

Hey it's good deed of the month time again. This time in the form of an adorable video made for the World Health Organization European Immunization Week!

So, if you have a baby, want to have a baby, know someone who has a baby, have seen a baby or have been a baby check the video out! And then go to the EIW page for mor info.

Prevent. Protect. Immunize.

Thing I Will Do This Summer

2009-03-12T14:08:00.002+03:00

Grill at least once a week (rain or shine)
Party trip to either Yyteri or Kalajoki
Sit on a terrace with a cold beer/cider watching people go by
Have a summer party like last year. Good food, good company, good wine, good music.
Go to at least one festival. RMJ? Pori Jazz? Ruisrock? Ankkarock?
Go swimming... more than once
Grow some organic produce at the farm
Hike to Makkarajärvi. Swim, grill and drink beer :)
Sleep outside at least once
Wear a dress/skirt at least once a week

Top 20 Hype List

2009-01-22T13:05:00.001+03:00

Top 20 Hype List

2008-10-27T09:38:00.004+03:00

Top 20 Hype List

2008-09-29T12:54:00.001+03:00

Geocaching

2008-08-12T14:42:00.004+03:00

On Sunday we were wondering what to do. The lazy weekend had already got to us and we were already getting irritated by each others constant presence. We both wanted to go for a walk but couldn't figure out where we wanted to go. I thought we could go walk part of Birgitan Polku this trail that goes from Tampere to Lempäälä but I couldn't find a proper map so we could have decided an appropriate length. During my internet I found this website listing Geocaches along the trail. I'd heard about Geocaching before but had thought that Finland wouldn't have that many. However as it turns out Finland has loads! So we decided to start a new hobby.

Picking berries on the way to the cache.

Bobby sensing we have found something. (A staged photo since Bobby couldn't find something even if it bit him in the butt.)

I decided to sign up to Geocaching: wrongwayfast if any one is interested. We realized that there is a couple of places right by our apartment. So, off we went. And we actually found the Voimalenkki treasure! Woohoo!

Yay! Treasure!

This treasure is mine! Muahahha...

Weird fungus.

Irony sucks

2008-08-07T19:46:00.002+03:00

The day I suspect that I have something wrong with my liver because I'm an irresponsible idiot who drinks too much my gran gets bloody sent to hospital because of hers... shit.

3rd Postcrossing Card

2008-08-07T19:44:00.003+03:00

Yay! This one is from Weedland... Emma told me to lick the stamp to see if I could get hight... I didn't (lick the stamp that is).

2nd Postcrossing Card

2008-08-06T11:39:00.002+03:00

Woohoo! Second Postcrossing card! This one is from Sofia who lives in Portugal. See delicious picture of Portugese delicacies mmm... seafood... *drool* She suggested we should trade recipes which sounds like a super idea. Mmmm... Portugese food...

Getting Ready for the Cold

2008-08-06T11:23:00.003+03:00

I've been knitting myself some leg warmers and finally got one finished the night before. So, basically I only have 1 leg warmer so far. I was watching TV with the dog and fitting the leg warmer on my leg. After a while I got bored of that and decided that the dog wanted to try it on...

1st we tried the head/neck scarf model. But I don't think Bobby liked that one much since his ears were covered.

So, then we tried the poncho model and that seemed to satisfy him more. Sooo guess I'll be knitting 3 leg warmers in anticipation for -30C weather.

1st Postcrossing Card

2008-08-05T19:38:00.003+03:00

Today I got my first Postcrossing card! It came from Berlin, Germany from a Brasilian café mmmm... *drool* food *drool*
Jördis (the person who sent me the card) suggested two artists I should check out: Camille and Antony and the Johnsons. Both were good but I totally dig Camille! She is so going on my next 10 ten hype list.

Creamy Tuna Spaghetti

2008-08-05T13:51:00.003+03:00

Well, after the fish and chips disaster (the fish plummeted down to the fry basket and got stuck) I decided that I would do something I knew how to do... i.e. tuna spaghetti. Samuli doesn't really like tuna and then he went on a rant about how fish and spaghetti/pizza/Italian food does not go together. Pfft... so I had to prove him wrong.

I boiled the spaghetti al dente and poured out most of the water. Then I put some garlic, tomatoes, olive oil, salt and pepper into a small pot and heated until the tomatoes and garlic went all mushy. Then I took some cream cheese and threw it in with the pasta. Added a can of tuna to the mushy tomato mixture. Mixed the cream cheese until it melted into the pasta while heating the other mixture. Then poured the sauce into the pasta pot and mixed.

Well. I liked it... AND Samuli said he liked it too! Although I suspect he was a little intimidated by the fork I was waving at him.

Smooth and Sweet Southern Iced Tea

2008-08-03T11:45:00.006+03:00

Last week I was walking the dog and listening to food podcasts, as always. And Evan Kleinman of KCRW Good Food was interviewing Chef Martha Hall Foose about Southern sweet tea. It sounded really good since Finland sucks for finding good ice tea. I mean in Switzerland you could get it in bottles everywhere and also that powdered stuff from Migros. I always buy tens of those ice tea packets when I go there.

Anyway it's been really hot over here lately and I've really been craving for something refreshing and preferably non-alcoholic (for the time being). So this whole interview couldn't have come at a better time. I mean I've been wondering how to make ice tea without getting all the bitter taste that comes when simply letting tea go cold. I searched the internet and found out the secret ingredient and it is... BAKING SODA! Yes, it makes tea smooth and gives it a nice dark color! The recipe I used was one I got from AllRecipies called Smooth Sweet Tea. I decided to make it with mint tea bags and it turned out really good! I didn't think it was too sweet and the baking soda worked wonders. So yes I can say I'm a fan of Southern Iced Tea and will be making loads of this stuff for the rest of the summer!

And for those who care...

2008-08-03T00:32:00.003+03:00

... here is my leg post-graduation party i.e. after I went running up the outhouse stairs and on and on and on and on into the mess of prickly bushes and things beyond. (Yes, I am aware that I haven't shaved for several months...)

I also have a bruised knee... and a weirdo bruise on my upper arm... hmmmm... My dad is right, I am a bit of a moron when I'm drunk... heh heh...

Saturday Evening Walk

2008-08-02T23:23:00.017+03:00

Since I spent most of Bobby's birthday (yesterday) feeling dizzy, throwing up, groaning about a headache and menstruating today we decided to do something special. We got pizza from KotiPizza. Samuli got the Berlusconi (a shameless reference to his comment on Finnish food) pizza which had smoked reindeer, chantarelles and red onion. I opted for the Parmiamo, prosciutto, rocket (arugula), cherry tomatoes and Parmesan cheese. My pizza was damn good. I finished it all! And that's unusual for me because I don't usually like pizza that much. Bobby on the other hand devoured bits of crust and Ceasar gourmet dog food whilst playing (or rather running away from) his birthday toy, a red chewy frisbee.

So, after lunch/dinner we did what any nice respectable family would do on the weekend... We went for a nice evening walk...

Setting out on our respectable family evening walk.

Bobby sniffing some bush/signpost for 10 minutes.

Damn lamp posts! Why why oh why do there have to be so many of them!! And more importantly why do we have to stop, sniff, sniff, sniff, piss on every single one of them??

Teaching Bobby to cross the road sensibly... not to run mindlessly in front of cars even if mommy is on the other side of the road.

Doggy park FINALLY! After about 100 different bushes/posts/benches/other things that must be pee-ed on.

Waiting around while Bobby and daddy have some fun...

...Bobby and daddy having some fun...

Time out.

Daddy is worn out so Bobby goes to make his own fun...

... soooo mommy and daddy decide to have their own kind of fun...

... little Bobby doesn't notice a thing... too busy digging away... (which I know you're not supposed to let your dog do in the dog park... we filled it up before we left... honest!)

...mommy and daddy continue with their fun...

...until suddenly they are... BUSTED!! Sneaky little baby we have...

Yes, I know we have a ferocious digging machine disguised as a dog...

...even Samuli is confused by the ferocious digging...

...but then, before we can call the vet Bobby returns back to normal...

So, we decided it was time to leave the park with the nice holes that we filled in... honest! And started to make our way back home. But then suddenly...

... something rather disturbing caught Samuli's eye...

... "OMG! WTF! ROFL! LOLZZ! Look at that lamp post" he yelled...

... and there it was a magic crooked lamp post and when I went to lean on it everything changed to psychedelic retro mode...

...but thankfully I have a strong handsome fiancé who came to the rescue and tugged the lamp post back into place and everything came back to normal...

... or did it?? And more importantly did alcohol have some part in it??? (Surely not on a RESPECTABLE evening walk with the family!!)...

...and sure enough, before we knew it retro mode came back when we were standing outside our corner store!

...thank goodness for Samuli's quick thinking as he swung into urban rapper mode and managed to get everything to go black and white...

...then we found some magic mold on a rosebush which in turn made everything go back to normal... YAY!

Graduation Party

2008-07-31T09:33:00.003+03:00

Last weekend we finally had my graduation party at our cottage in Mäntyharju. I spent most of the weeks before planning and trying out recipes since I had stubbornly decided to make the food myself (with the help of my mum and brother of course). So, you can imagine how I spent the last few days/nights slaving away in the kitchen making cupcakes, mini pies, preserving oven dried tomatoes, cooking savoury marmalades, marinating chicken drumsticks, salting fish... When Friday came around I was tired and slightly stressed.

On Saturday morning everyone was a bit cranky and it felt like our small cottage kitchen was about to burst. Luckily it was nice weather outside and we had loads of tables and seats in the shade. The party got off to a fairly slow start and I was getting a little nervous since only my three aunts and their families had arrived. To add to my anxiety my in-laws had just called and said they were still getting ready. They happen to live less than a kilometer away so I was counting on them to be the early birds.

People coming at different times was a good and bad thing since I was having some trouble keeping food warm, but at the same time was able to keep making new food as people came. We had a little 'tapas' table with all kinds of nuts, wasabi peas, sundried tomatoes, artichoke hearts... So, when people arrived I directed them there and then had time to check the other stations. Our main course was assorted salads (thanks mom), different smoked fish (thanks dad for going down the road to the local farmers shop), oven roasted salmon and chicken (thanks to me) and a bunch of other little things I can't remember right now. My brother who is working for a large food company got us ample amounts of cheese, juice and cakes.

In terms of booze I had made sure that we were well stocked since I had seen what lack of alcohol does to Finns at Elina & Janne's wedding. So when people were still arriving I was already very happy! And I think others were too.

Later we had singing and jamming on the piano, sexophone and guitar... more eating and socializing. There were lots of little kids and babies and Bobby was having the time of his life running around with them. All in all the party went brilliantly in my opinion. Seeing as it started at around 12:00 on Saturday and people were still going at it past 2:00 Sunday I thought it was a success.

Now to the all important awards...

Most Busy Person Award:
3rd place my brother for sourcing all the cheese, cakes, juice etc.
2nd place me for staying up the week prior prepping random food
1st place for my mom who slaved away the week prior AND stayed up till 5 am(!!!) washing and cleaning up after us

The Drunk Award:
This is a difficult one since we have so many many many good contenders however I have revised my notes and chosen there three fabulous/scary incidents...
3rd place goes to my dad's colleague who asked him how many cows he would sell me for...
2nd place goes to me for running after my brother-in-law up the outhouse stairs and on on on even though you should either (a) turn left for the outhouse door (b) stop running... and ended up sprawled behind the outhouse in a prickly bush wondering what happened. Bonus points: my mom saw the whole thing and wondered were I was going and why I suddenly disappeared (thanks mom).
1st place goes to our 50+ year-old close family friend who frolicked around naked. Walked around the table where my bro, fiancé and brother-in-law were sitting (twice), sat down and began to pee (yes while sitting).

So, yes a good party and photos will follow. I had no time to take any between slaving away and getting drunk so I must wait for guests to send some my way.

Up North

2008-07-22T10:00:00.007+03:00

Last weekend we set on our yearly road trip up North to see my grandparents. Basically this means 1000 km in a car with my family, being force fed delicious food and remembering that my grandmother prefers boys over girls.

We stopped at many weird roadside flea markets and attractions on the way up to Vaasa (where my brother is working this summer). This included some flea market my dad bought a straw stetson hat from.

Some herb garden that makes all kinds of strange potions out of different plants...

And a roadside cheese factory where my dad milked a fake cow...

We visited my brothers girlfriend Emma's family in Vaasa when we picked him up. They had some freaking delicious strawberry cakes that were honestly to die for! Then we continued on our way to Raahe.

On Saturday we decided to go shopping in the wonderfully huge *cough* town of Raahe... only the whole town seemed to close at 14. My dad and Tom saw a bird fly into a window and we tried to get it back on its feet/wings. When we were leaving its mom was checking up on it and it seemed to be recovering... maybe.

Then in the evening we made our traditional trip to the beaches of Raahe. And the next morning we were on our way back home.

Top 10 Hype List

2008-07-22T09:53:00.002+03:00

1. "Pikku Huopalahti" Pariisin Kevät
2. "Rakastaa ja Tulla Rakastetuksi"Aleksi Ojala
3. "Manic" Plumb
4. "Social Butterfly" Kim Herold
5. "Sunny Day" Kristiina Wheeler
6. "Miss Blue" Vincent
7. "I Eat Dinner (When the Hunger's Gone)" Rufus Wainwright feat. Dido
8. "Play" Flunk
9. "Korkokengät" Stella
10. "Hole In My Shoe" Traffic

Cupcakes! Again...

2008-07-17T12:30:00.008+03:00

I made cupcakes again!

Since I'm pretty much graduated (still waiting for the official paper) we're holding a party next Saturday... AND you're all invited! My dad freaked out because he thinks parties are too much hassle and he wanted to hire a caterer which to me defeats the whole point of having a darn party. Call me old fashioned, strange or just plane insane but I LOVE it when people taste something I've made and then compliment that. I think complimenting my food is one of the nicest compliments I can get :) Plus I'm on a diet. Someone actually thought I was pregnant! That and my dad is constantly on my case to loose some weight. So at the mo' I'm just trying to get the 'perfect' weight for my height (1.58m) which apparently is about 53kg... Basically instead of eating so much I'm cooking a lot! It's somewhat therapeutic.

So, like I said... I MADE CUPCAKES!

I thought I would try something more challenging than the basic cupcake with cute frosting. I found this awesome sounding cupcake from the most awesome CupcakeBlog I mean it's a CHAI CHOCOLATE CUPCAKE! I mean mmmm.... damn that can't be bad! And they weren't bad at all even if I say so myself :P

Top 10 Hype List

2008-07-16T10:53:00.002+03:00

1. "Play" Flunk
2. "Breathe Me" Sia
3. "I Eat Dinner (When the Hunger's Gone)" Rufus Wainwright feat. Dido
4. "Miss Blue" Vincent
5. "Toy Soldier" Britney Spears
6. "A Rainy Day in Vancouver" Dirk Reichardt
7. "Something Good This Way Comes" Jakob Dylan
8. "Paper Bag" Fiona Apple
9. "Lemon" Katy Rose
10. "Tap That" Megan McCauley

+ "You Got The Light" Beats And Styles feat. Elastinen

Juhannus

2008-06-24T10:37:00.002+03:00

Last Friday was midsummer, which apparently doesn't mean much fun if you're outside the Nordic countries (unless you're part of some pagan cult). In Finland however it is just another excuse to get insanely wasted. I mean in a country where I bet over half the population has an alcohol problem alcohol sales in the state run Alko go up 70%. And then people light bonfires and drown themselves. Oh yeah and look for trouble in the form of drunken brawls.

My Juhannus options were: 1. civilized Juhannus spent with my parents grilling good food and having a few beers and wine 2. semi-civilized Juhannus spent trying to get my fiancé's parent drunk and maybe going to see the bonfire + local 'barn dance' +over 50's brawl 3. going to a club and getting wasted 4. doing the teenager thing and going to someones trashed out house to watch past out 14 year olds try to have drunken sex. We opted for number 4.

Samuli's grandfather promised we could use his cottage but in the end everyone was way too drunk to make it there. We ended up going to some girls trashed out house pressured by my sister-in-law (Sonja) and Samuli's cousin Elina (the one with the babies). So you see I was not intentionally searching to see wasted kids try to fondle each other. It just so happens that I had enough beer + wine in my system to feel like busting in on them to give them a lecture on cheating, unprotected sex and teenage drunkenness. End result was that despite my lecture they probably did something dirty when we left them to it. I also got some girls number because she thought I was nice... LOL. She was nice too in this "I've just met you but feels like we've been friends since 1st grade" sort of way.

After most of the people there either rolled home or went off to the local bar we (Samuli, Sonja and me) decided to slowly make our way back to Samuli's grandfather's cottage, which was EMPTY. No drunken teens no anyone apart from us. Since Sonja was hyped on some alcohol she was going on about how everyone has to come there to continue partying. Everyone turned out to be Lari (Samuli's brother) and his girlfriend and Elina's husband. So, what to do when you have a mostly related group of young adults? Play spin the bottle of course. With emphasis on no actual daring and more "who would you rather have sex with" questions.

At some point during the night I managed to slip on the wonky unstable front steps of the cottage (running back from the outhouse in the dark rain) and hurt my leg. Which bled all over my white stockings. Pfft... So, in the end it was a fairly interesting Juhannus. Next year Sonja will be 18 so it should be less teen. I hope.

Top 10 Hype List

2008-06-17T11:07:00.002+03:00

1. "One" Epik High feat. 지선
2. "Fan" Epik High
3. "Warwick Avenue" Duffy
4. "Tap That" Megan McCauley
5. "Skinny" Lo-Rider
6."Stay Away" Silly Fools
7. "Music" Epik High feat. K.will
8. "One (Planet Silver Remix)" Epik High
9. "Before You Know It" Adam Tensta
10. "?" Armchair

What time is it?

2008-06-17T02:41:00.002+03:00

It's time to almost throw up. Must be the combination of little sleep, 2+ beers a day thing I've had going on for almost 3 weeks, emotional damage, general delusions and never ending philosophy essay. All these issues also account for the twisted weirdo semi seasonal emotions I've been having about 'someone'. I've noticed that these phases of hyper obsessiveness coincide with times of struggle and also the two times I actually had hope (with him)... argh... whatever I don't care. Stupid stupid stupid person! I mean why does he think it's OK to periodically come and screw around with my emotions in my dreams. WTF?! It's all because I had to think that the accident, it could have been him... and then I was selfish enough to think that it can't be him because if it was I would be devastated because I really really really like him. And what sucks even more is that I'm supposed to like him, but I'm not quite sure in what way. I preferred it when I really didn't like him. And for a long time I didn't. It'd been such a long time since I actually thought about him (weird as it may seem since I do see him fairly regularly), that it only registered now that he has a girlfriend. Which means he's taken too. And even though it really shouldn't bother me it does in away because on some level it makes me jealous but then again on some level that's OK. I mean we've been hanging out in the same group of friends for quite some time and I was really used to having him around and now he's always off somewhere and I never see him! And I guess I just realized how much his company means to me, that he's almost like family and I miss hanging out with him. I mean bottom line is in my dreams I REALLY like him, but when I'm awake I like him kind of like a brother and the feelings I have about him in my dreams seem almost revolting (in an incest sort of way, not like he's hideously abominable or anything). But recently with the stress of trying to graduate, late nights, booze and my already over emotional weeks it seems like the emotions from my dreams are creeping up on me when I'm awake and that's just freaky wrong. Ew. Then today I was reminiscing, flipping through my photo album, trying to find memories about Lauri I could cling on to. So, I found these picture from this party from 'the summer I was a slut' and hooked up with half a town and there we are posing like dorks and I love that picture... So yes I hope I can get this degree done with so I can go back to being NORMAL!

Remember the Good Times

2008-06-17T01:34:00.004+03:00

This year there were two people graduating from our insanely extended family, Samuli's cousin Lauri and Lauri's sister's husband Janne. In Finland everyone graduates from high school on the same day and this year it was the 31st of May. We were all looking forward to a fun weekend in Mäntyharju circulating from house to house to attend the parties.

The Thursday before was a beautiful day. The sun was shining so brightly and Samuli got home from work early enough to take Bobby for a walk. When he came back he said something about Bobby falling into the river and went straight to the bathroom. When I came out of the bedroom to ask what exactly had happened I realized he had left the front door wide open, typically not something he would do, even in the instance of a soaking wet dog. We washed Bobby and then I fussed about drying him.

So, there I was sitting on our bedroom floor blow drying Bobby enjoying the sun shining though the window when Samuli comes into the room. And then he said something like "well there is only one graduation party this weekend". The first thought that crossed my mind was oh did one of the boys screw up. I mean Janne has two kids (!!) and I mean I had a hard enough time graduating without changing diapers and hanging out at maternity courses. So, of course I was thinking along the lines of haha who screwed up.

But then Samuli goes on and I don't get how I heard it but by the time he had finished the sentence my mind was already blank. Like I seriously cannot remember him saying the words however I just knew that there was something about Lauri and an accident. As cliché as it may sound I felt like I was in one of those dreams where you're looking at yourself from the outside. Everything sort of froze and I was for some reason focusing on staring intently out the window. I was thinking NO that can't be right it's too beautiful for anything like that to happen.

I didn't even know how Lauri was and I was already crying. I don't even remember when I started but I managed to ask Samuli if Lauri was OK. I guess he wasn't ready to actually say it yet because all he said was "he got hit by a truck, what do you think" and I knew I had thought right. Even though deep down I knew Lauri was dead at the same time my mind was going "this is some kind of joke! It's got to be! I mean he's graduating this weekend!" After I had cried some more Samuli said he was going to go donate blood, something he does on a regular basis but seemed to be spurned by the events, and asked if I was going to call my family or would I like him to do it. I told him I could manage and he left.

Calling my mum was really hard. I'd called her the day before crying about some pathetic little thing and I was so sure that she would think I was calling her again about it and that made it so much worse. I knew that the fact that I was crying when I called her wasn't going to prepare her for what I had to say. I could tell from her voice that she thought I was calling her to whine about some lame problem and I really wanted to say no no no this is so much worse but I ended up blurting it out. I realized how calling my brother would be so much worse since he would think I was kidding and I really didn't want to spend 15 minutes on the phone going "no really I'm not joking!" so I asked mum if she could call dad and my brother for me.

The rest of the day was a blur. I didn't do much the work I was intending to get done which was a pain since I am hoping to graduate soon. In fact my whole plan for an intensive last few weeks flew out the window. I know that maybe my supervisors and coordinators would have been more sympathetic if they knew but for some reason I just couldn't/can't bring myself to tell them.

On Friday we drove up to Mäntyharju with my mum and saw Samuli's family for the first time since and later in the evening we drove to see Lauri's parents and his girlfriend. I cried so much. So much that I thought I couldn't cry anymore, but I was so wrong. Every time I've hugged Lauri's mum or girlfriend or sister or aunt or my boyfriends dad etc... it just starts all over again.

When we left we drove to where it happened. That's when it got more real. I mean how much more real can tire marks, bits of car, flowers and candles make it? And yet it was so unreal standing there with his oldest sister and brother, Samuli, my mum and his aunt with someone saying how he'd been all covered in blood and there was no way any ambulance could have come quick enough to save him.

Last Saturday was the funeral. And I don't know why but I couldn't cry anymore. I had cried it all out the day before when we were driving up to Mäntyharju. Before it had only been sad tears but this time I was so angry. I wanted to yell the way his sister had at the crash site, "why did you take him away!" I mean he was our little Lauri... Our little Lauri with his whole life ahead of him.

In the end I'd known him for 7 years. And although I didn't know him that well we spent all our holidays hanging out and in the end I have so many memories. I hate seeing all the people that were close to him hurting so bad. In the end it's not only Lauri that's gone, but a piece of all those people who had the pleasure of knowing him and that's what hurts the most.

Which Country Are Your Top 50 Artists From?

2008-06-16T22:35:00.002+03:00

The top 50 is taken from my Last.fm scrobbled tracks (excluding all radio shows/podcasts). OK I listen to a lot of crap I know I know I KNOW!!! But everyone knew that already... still I was slightly surprised that some of these artists made my top 50. In my defense for a while my iPod wasn't scrobbling my tracks and of course I listen to serious artists with talent on there so *cough* those guys are somewhere down the list... honestly *cough* ;)

USA: Tori Amos, James Taylor, Ashlee Simpson, Linkin Park, Boyce Avenue, Fall Out Boy, Shiny Toy Guns, Rascal Flatts, Britney Spears, Paramore, Kelly Clarkson, Jack's Mannequin, Dixie Chicks, Johnny Cash, Nick Lachey, Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Suzanne Vega, Fergie, Panic! At The Disco, Foo Fighters, Puddle of Mud 22

Finland: PMMP, Leevi and the Leavings, Turmion Kätilöt, Rajaton, Antti Tuisku, Olavi Uusivirta & Paula Vesala, Scandinavian Music Group, Stella, Jani Wickholm, Eleanoora Rosenholm, Sunrise Avenue, Poets of the Fall, Maija Vilkkumaa, Brightboy 14

Sweden: Amy Diamond, Basshunter 2

England: Amy Winehouse, Sugarbabes 2

Ireland: Boyzone 1

Scotland: Amy Mcdonald 1

Wales: Duffy 1

Canada: Avril Lavigne 1

France: Alizée 1

Barbados: Rihanna 1

Germany: 666 1

Russia: t.A.T.u. 1

New Zeland: Bic Runga 1

Australia: Pendulum 1

Top 10 Hype List

2008-03-29T11:29:00.002+03:00

1. "The Time Is Now" Moloko
2. "Musta Ruusu" Eleanoora Rosenholm
3. "Finders Keepers" Jermaine
4. "Desert Rose" Sting feat. Cheb Mami
5. "New Love"/"The Long Wait" Brightboy
6. "369" Cupid feat. B.O.B.
7. "Vedenalaista" Jenni Vartiainen
8. "Rehab" Rihanna
9. "Kitara, Taivas Ja Tahdet" Eppu Normaali
10. "Double Mise (Bet on it)" Willy Denzey

It's a Girl!

2008-03-03T21:15:00.003+03:00

Samuli's cousin had her (second) baby on Saturday! And it's another girl! I didn't know until just a few minutes ago since my lovely boyfriend had FORGOTTEN (!!!) to tell me.

2008-02-16T23:39:00.002+03:00

Units yesterday: 1.98 UK, 1.32 Finn
Units today: 3.96 UK, 2.64 Finn

Proof of Finnish Alcoholism

2008-02-15T00:50:00.009+03:00

Happy Valentines Day!

Like I said, I made cupcakes:

I was surprised how well they turned out in the end, considering how useless I am at the whole baking thing.

We were supposed to go out to dinner but that didn't work out. I didn't make reservations because in Finland you don't need to do that kind of stuff, EVER... unless of course it's Valentines Day and Penkkari päivä (kind of like the last day of school for those graduating) and Vanhojen Tanssit (formal dance + dinner for the 'new' oldest students of the school). Damit. So, my dreams of succulent pork ribs and a cold beer were smashed to smithereens. We went through every restaurant with a good money-quality ratio and they were all full. Plan B was to splurge on some quality ingredients and make a nice meal at home. By quality I mean the best meat I have had... ever. I swear that cow was probably slaughtered today. Mmm... and we saved money on what we would have payed had we gone out.

Mozzarella and sun dried ham salad with ciabatta.

TV dinner

Finally, I have proof that Finns drink a lot! That system I had for counting units is the one they use in the UK, Finns have a different system. See, for example, 75cl of 12% red wine is about 9 UK units but only 6 Finn units. Now, you're thinking that, yeah OK they have different units, how does that prove the Finnish tendency to drink in excess? Well, according to Drinkaware.co.uk the UK government recommends women drink less than 2-3 units per day which is 14-21 units per week. The risk levels in Finland for women are 5 Finn units per day and 16 units per week. OK I know my math sucks but can anyone else see something weird here?!? So, from now on I'm going to try and give you both units.

Units from the past week: 23.2 UK units, 15.5 Finnish units. So, if I'm in the UK my drinking is a problem but since I'm in Finland I'm all good!
So, lets have a celebratory drink...
Units today: 9.09 UK, 6.06 Finn

Bobby loves...

2008-02-14T00:59:00.005+03:00

MONEY.

When I have time I might make a booty shaking video of Bobby-the-money-whore <3 and seeing as I have an exam this saturday, I have A LOT of time.

Units: 1.98

Cupcakes!

2008-02-12T22:08:00.000+03:00

I'm planning on making cupcakes for Valentines Day the only problem is that I am useless at baking. I mean I do make a mean steak and can handle pretty much any meat... when it comes to baking I am so lost. It's because I suck at chemistry and following instructions. Like with making meat I can add somethings I like more and take out/substitute things that I don't really like and the end result won't suffer too much. Baking on the other hand is so anal with all the 1 tbsp = EXACTLY 15ml or whatever it is... grrr... totally jumping all over my creative nerves.

But I crave cupcakes. I mean they're so small, yummy and cute! And after looking at some of the pictures on this cupcake blog I would kill for a cupcake! Seriously! I mean those look so amazing. I want to make some now... mmm... wonder if I have all the ingredients.

Bobby Told Me To...

2008-02-12T01:31:00.000+03:00

... f-off. AND I HAVE PROOF! Watch the video:

and in case Facebook fails to embed the link you can watch it on Bobby's fan page once Facebook stops crashing on me... or HERE

Units: 4.69

Top 10 Hype List

2008-02-10T20:30:00.000+03:00

"Musta Ruusu" Eleanoora Rosenholm
"What's it Gonna Be?" H Two O feat. Platnum
"Hate That I Love You" Boyce Avenue
"Loves Me Not (Glam As You Radio Edit)" t.A.T.u.
"Misery Business" Paramore
"Sverige" Basshunter
"Umbrella" Boyce Avenue
"Hafanana" Afric Simone
"It's True" Axwell & Sebastian Ingrosso Vs Salem Al Fakir
"Pieces Of Me" Britney Spears

Argh...

2008-02-09T23:49:00.001+03:00

So, I had exam today. Exam didn't go too well. Still had flu and felt like shit. Went to pharmacy to get something for sore throat (e.g. some throat pastilles with a kick). Conversation with pharmacy lady:

-Hi I have the flu, you know headache, maybe a bit of a raised temperature but mainly a sore throat. What do you suggest?
- Take some painkillers.
-Errr but my throat is the thing that is bugging, me how about Strepsils?
-No take painkillers.
(At this point I'm thinking that either I'm really out of it or this woman is INSANE and wants to prop me up on pain meds.)
-Huh? Um... but... eh... um... well we have painkillers at home... so... um... Stepsils? Please? Sell me?
(Longish pause where pharmacy lady looks at me as if I was insane and insanely stupid/ignorant)
-(Grunt) What flavour?

Geez I mean I don't take painkillers unless I REALLY feel like shit. For example last Christmas I had the flu and only when my temp was over 40C and my parents were pretty much force feeding it to me did I take aspirin. I don't get why the woman was so set on selling me pain killers when all I had was a sore throat and all I wanted has some pharmacy throat pastilles with some soothing type meds. Ugh.

Then I came home and pretty much died on the sofa. Got hungry. Made some weird pizza (that Samuli will have the honor of finishing off).

Then when Bobby's evening walk time came around I was already feeling like a zombie, but being a good mum I put on like 20 layers of clothing and set off outside. And what do you know. Bobby managed to back out of his f-ing harness!!! Then he ran around like a mad dog all over the neighbors gardens and to top it off at one point our next door neighbors poked their head out of the window when Bobby was tearing across their garden and I was standing around helplessly looking like an incompetent owner with a rabid mutt. Nightmare!! Luckily someone let their dog onto the balcony and Bobby stopped to wonder where the barking was coming from long enough for me to grab him.

I have never been so mad/disappointed/in shock. I carried him home and shouted at him before tossing him into the bedroom to think about what he did. Then I called Samuli to tell him Bobby was fine and then my mum to whom I cried at for about 45 minutes (about how no matter what I do I feel like a terrible dog-mother). Ugh. So, now Bobby hates me and all our neighbors think I'm a moron who lets the dog run freely around the neighborhood.

I'm off to bed and not getting up till I wake up naturally, which at the moment I wish was bloody never!

Units: 4.69

And for anyone who wants a laugh I look like boy with my new hair cut... woohoo... sux.

Home all alone... sux

2008-02-08T00:26:00.000+03:00

The way my boys sleep.

Samuli's brother is in the army and tomorrow he will be giving his vow to serve the country and God etc... which in Finland is know as Vala = Vala Päivä = Vow Day. This means that Samuli left today for the East. And I'm stuck alone with Bobby and a disappointing start of a thesis which is going nowhere and a fear for a book exam that I don't even know the books to (although the latter is normal since I have not finished ONE book for a book exam yet). So, the weekend forecast for me seems bleak. But I'm getting my hair cut tomorrow!! Should be interesting. I'm doing what I always do, going to a hairdressing school to get it done. Costs about 12-15€ but the catch is that I get to play guinea pig to some scared student. As I said, it should be interesting.

Units today: 5.24

The drink test...

2008-02-06T23:50:00.000+03:00

People have been implying that I drink a lot. So, I've decided to keep track of how much a drink a day and since my blog writing has recently been low I thought hell why not let the world see how much/little I drink.

The amount, I figured, could be calculated by a simple formula:

(amount of liquid (ml) x strength of drink (%ABV))/1000 = units of alcohol

So, today I have had 6,57 units

Top 10 Hype List

2008-01-17T23:21:00.000+03:00

1. "Nainen toiselta planeetalta" Poor Seamus
2. "Misery Business" Paramore
3. "It's True" Axwell & Sebastian Ingrosso Vs Salem Al Fakir
4. "Long Road to Ruin" Foo Fighters
5. "Pieces of Me" Britney Spears
6. "Break Out" Foo Fighters
7. "Sverige" Basshunter
8. "Let Me Think About It" Ida Corr vs. Fedde Le Grand
9. "Fifty Sixty" Alizée
10. "Love Song" Sara Bareilles

Anticipated hype: Adele "Chasing Pavements"

Top 10 Hype List

2008-01-07T22:23:00.000+03:00

"Kyllikki" Brightboy
"Pimeä Tie, Mukavaa Matkaa" Olavi Uusivirta & Paula Vesala
"Don't Cry Your Heart Out" Amy Diamond
"Nainen Toiselta Planeetalta" Poor Seamus
"Pohjoisen Taivaan Alla" Timo Rautiainen
"Paskaa Lapsille" Leevi & The Leavings
"Bouncing Off Clouds" Tori Amos
"Graduation Song" Amy Diamond
"Throw It On Me" Timbaland feat. The Hives
"Here I Come" Fergie

Ugh...Mornings in Finland

2007-12-18T11:53:00.000+03:00

Samuli woke me up at an ungodly hour today. OK so it was 8:25, but considering that it's winter time and in Finland (without snow) it was ungodly. The sun only rises at 9:21!! Grrr. And it's pitch black at 15:12. Miserable miserable winter without snow!

So, I got up at 8:25 to help him with something, with the intention of going back to sleep and waking up when it was light. However my plan failed. By the time I went back to bed Bobby had decided to take over most of it. He was lying right in the middle of our bed, on both our blankets looking adorable (so, of course I didn't want to wake him up). After somehow slipping under Samuli's blankets I was ready to drift to sleep. But no! The neighbors baby started crying. I've noticed that their baby cries a lot. Not that it really bugs me or anything, just a random observation. When the baby stopped crying there was some kind of ruckus (What was that ruckus? -Uh, what ruckus? -I was just in my office and I heard a ruckus.) outside our front door. (-Could you describe the ruckus, sir?) It sounded like a huge truck trying to back up into our kitchen. Hmmm.

So, so much for sleeping.

Bobby Does Fahsion and Gets 'Done'

2007-12-17T19:35:00.000+03:00

In a desperate attempt to make my dog as fashionable as his owner *ahem* I've gone through quite a few bits of doggie apparel before I have found ones that fit my baby (and ones that look completely ridiculous). But no matter how ridiculous the outfits I have captured them all on film. Muahaha...

Bobby with the leg warmers I made him.

Right after I finished the first one I decided to take him outside for a test walk (in the dark). We went all around the neighborhood (even chased a hare round the neighboring block). Then when we were on the way home I noticed that the test leg warmer was missing! We had to track back our whole walk to find it (it had fallen off when we were chasing the hare).

The bunny outfit that was too small.

Bobby-bunny!

Bobby in his iPoo t-shirt I ordered from USA. LOL!

Sailor t-shirt Bobby doing what he does best.

The 69 shirt (with daddy randomly attacking Bobby).

Getting a MANicure from uncle Stinky-Tom awww!

Then on Sunday we took at trip accross town to go to the Spanish Rescue dogs pre-Christmas party. And our Bobby spent most of the evening trying to do a (boy) doggy. But at the end of the evening he got what was coming.

Poor Bobby gets done by a very confused dog.

Here are some random bonus pictures:

Bat-dog begging for food.

Our beer guard. Really lousy guard, all the beer was gone by the end of the night.

Mummy and Bobby

Christmas party with dog-daddy's family.

2007-12-04T12:31:00.000+03:00

Bored on the train.

Samuli's family was holding the annual Christmas party last Saturday. On Friday we had to embark on the grueling trip to Mänttiharju. For some reason the Finnish rail system is prejudice towards those wanting to travel the West-East-West-axis. They probably would blame this on the fact that there is a stupid lake (Päijänne) in the middle of Finland that you have to go around so, initially Finnish geography is seems to want to keep the West from going East and vice-versa. But I think the way the trains are scheduled doesn't make traveling any easier.

On the Lahti-Mänttiharju train (train number 3).

First of all the whole train part of the trip from Tampere to Mänttiharju takes almost 4 hours (one takes 4h 30min). Secondly this trip is split into stupid segments. So, if you're lucky you'll only have to change trains once, the unlucky ones need to change 3 times (that's 4 damn trains!!).

Bobby doing what he does best (at lest someone had fun on the train).

Anyway, I was really reluctant to go since I don't really like going to Mänttiharju, plus our travel cost was about 100e and the fact that I have better things to do on a Friday night than sit on a train (like watching TV and having a beer!). But we did try to make the best of it.

I was a little worried about taking Bobby to dog-daddy's parents place because 1. they have two cats 2. they don't like dogs. So, of course the first thing that Bobby did was chase the cats and pee on a bed. Woohoo! Luckily after that he was a good little pooch.

Bobby on dog-uncles lap.

Looking how mummy feels when visiting dog-daddy's parents.

"Mummy get me out of here. C'mon! At lest let me chase the cats!"

Well in the end the Christmas party itself wasn't bad at all. Bobby was really good! Since there were three small children I had to hold him in my lap for most of the time (both for their and his safety). Everyone kept telling me what a wonderful/special dog he is. I'm so proud!

What our Bobby thinks of Christmas songs.

On Sunday we went for a walk in the forest before setting off back home.

Bobby getting the mail from the other dog-grandparents house.

Crazy-dog and dog-daddy (see he's not all sleep and eat).

Bobby's New Coat

2007-11-22T23:50:00.000+03:00

If you read my last post you'll know the dilemma I was having with getting a coat for Bobby. In the end I decided to make him a coat myself. Here is the result:

"OK you made me a coat, now will you feed me?"

Looking so adorable in his coat.

Side view of the coat.

The "mummy quit it with the pictures, you're embarrassing me"-look

Mummy's little cutiepie <3

OMG it's... a Bobby Lookalike!!

2007-11-22T10:21:00.000+03:00

It's pretty cold and snowy/rainy here in Finland and as you know my doggy has Spanish fur. It was suggested that I should get a coat for him. I got one in advance from ebay but it turned out to be WAY too small (chihuahua size... grrr). So, I found another coat on ebay, but it is taking for ages to get here.

My dad keeps asking if we've gone to the dog park and I kept telling him that I'm not going for such a long walk with Bobby until he has proper protection against the cold. He just laughed and told me not the be silly, "dogs don't need clothes and if they do get cold they'll shiver and want inside. You'll know when he's cold because he'll tell you. Don't buy him stupid clothes he'll try to kill himself..." etc... So, on Monday I decided it was time to take Bobby to the dog park (despite his lack of jacket). It's now Thursday and we're both coughing and I at least have a sore throat. So, what did we learn? 1. Don't listen to dad 2. Bobby needs a coat fast 3. Don't listen to dad.

What's a student to do when pet shops in Tampere don't stock dog coats. Finnish online pet shops offer overpriced coats (Seriously would you pay 60e for a coat the size of a tissue???). Buying of ebay takes for ever and the measurements might be off. What's a mum to do? Make a coat by hand of course!!

I'm really not very good at sewing and planning things from scratch so I decided to google dog clothes instructions and found a fairly simple coat pattern and made some adjustments. Then I decided to get some inspiration on what kind of materials and accessories I could add on. I checked out Etsy (a D.I.Y. shop/showcasing website) and found this:

Bobby lookalike!

Doesn't that dog look EXACTLY like my Bobby?!?!? I swear, that's my Bobby! Only I think t-shirt dog is a girl. Lookalike even has those white tips on 'her' paws! Freaky stuff! Haha.

In other Bobby news: he was mean to me this morning. He pooped INSIDE a rosebush. And then smirked at mummy who had to stick half her body inside to scoop the poop out. Grrr... naughty little doggy.

Top 10 Hype List

2007-11-20T14:48:00.000+03:00

1. "Where'd You Go/C'est Ma Faute" Kyo vs. Fort Minor
2. "Giving It Up For You" Holly Brook
3. "Ivory Tower" Anna Abreu
4. "Apologize" Timbaland feat. One Republic
5. "Ihmisten Edessä" Jenni Vartiainen
6. "Love Song" Sara Bareilles
7. "Saturdays" Holly Brook
8. "Indian" Sturm Und Drang
9. "Are you Ready" Anna Abreu
10. "Soulmate" Natasha Bedingfield

Bobby Lives!

2007-11-17T20:50:00.000+03:00

So, yesterday we managed to get a time at the vets. By the time our appointment was Bobby was already eating and was clearly feeling better. We bought him one of those D.A.P. (dog appeasing pheromone) diffusers that are supposed to calm dogs (cost 40.00e!).

Mummy and her Bobby

The vet really liked our Bobby (who wouldn't!). She said he was an excellent patient. We were so proud... well that is until he decided to mark 'his' new territory, TWICE! Ah well we didn't get mad at him tho', even the vet didn't mind that much. I was just glad that he was going to be alright.

Bobby and the rabbit he slaughtered.

Today he's been much more active. We've been on many short walks and he's even 'murdered' one of my stuffed toy rabbits. On subject of rabbits on our evening walk we had a run in with a real live one. And all I can say is my baby runs fast! If he hadn't been on a leash with my lazy butt on the other end he would have caught the damn thing no problem.

Worried

2007-11-15T22:49:00.001+03:00

Now I'm really worried. Bobby hasn't eaten all day. When he pooed it was... clear that his stomach wasn't alright so we assumed that he was down because of that. Then few minutes ago he started making a vomiting sound and Samuli grabbed a piece of paper and caught the first drops and I grabbed a bucket and caught the rest. The disturbing thing is that he threw up blood. He pretty much threw up only blood (the liquid was really blood red and smelt unmistakably of blood). What worries me even more is that with the blood vomit there also came a worm (alive).

We were told to put him on the de-worming meds a couple of days after he came, that's tomorrow. I'm pretty worried. Samuli tried calling the doctor but there was a message that if you want to wake up the doctor then call his/her mobile (tone was not too forgiving). So, right now we're waiting for tomorrow and the normal doctors to open their doors.

I really hope he is OK.

Bobby's Homecoming!

2007-11-15T10:15:00.000+03:00

Yesterday was finally the day. I was trying to fit in as much 'to do' as I could so I wouldn't be counting the hours all day. I was doing really well around 18:00, we'd been to a pet shop to buy some treats and then to lunch and were pretty much on schedule to hit the road. According to the schedule Bobby was due in from Spain (via Brussels) at 21:45. The plan was that we would drive to my mother's and then wait there a while before going to the airport. However the wait turned out to be much longer than I thought. At first I got a message when we were still on our way to my mum's that the flight would be coming in at 22:45. When we got to my mother's I checked the airport web pages and the whole 21:45 flight from Brussels was canceled! I panicked but then realized that they would be on the next flight in (22:45). At about 21:30 I checked again (ok, I was checking the whole time, but that was when there was a change) and the flight had been bounced to 23:25. By this time I was going seriously psycho.

Don't I look weary but psycho?

Then finally at 23:15 we left my mother's apartment to go to the airport. There was a lot more snow in Helsinki than Tampere, believe it or not and my mum was driving in front of us super slowly because of the ice and I was thinking if we're late they'll think we are the worst owners and take him away! I was also worried that Bobby would freeze his butt off (coming from sunny Spain +20 to snowy Finland -6 is enough of a shock). At the airport I was so nervous I thought I was going to throw up. Every time the doors opened to let someone out of the baggage claim/customs my heart flipped. Thankfully a man came over and asked us if we were waiting for a Spanish dog (he was waiting for Miia, the lady bringing the dogs LOL) and said that there were three dogs coming and that they would be coming out soon (soon seemed like a lifetime!).

Guess where my Bobby is?

Then at last a a huge parade of people came out. One of the airport attendants was wheeling two large crates. I desperately tried peering into them to see my Bobby but all I could see was two big dogs, a dalmatian and a rottweiler. I kind of panicked again desperately trying to find where my Bobby could be. Gladly my confused, panicky psychoticness didn't last for long since Miia asked who was there for Bobby. Then proceeded to open the red sports bag (next to her foot in the picture) and out popped the most adorable little doggy I have ever seen. Everyone sort of gasped and I heard one of the other new owners say "OMG so small!" and after that I didn't really hear anything because I was so busy greeting my baby!

Sniffing love.

Bonding at the airport was a little hard since our Bobby is really curious and was much more interested in the other two dogs to take much notice of his new family. The dalmatian was a little worn out. I think he'd been abused before coming into the shelter because he was really shy and had some cuts on his body. He'd been sick already in the car on the way to the airport in Spain and also during the flight in his crate. He was really jumpy and shy but our Bobby seemed to give him some encouragement and licky love. The rottweiler was hilairious! His owners looked like the perfect rottweiler owners, sort of goth/punk/metal meets Pirates of the Caribbean. The dog got out of the crate took one look at his new owners, rolled over onto his back and began receiving the most love filled scratching and petting I have ever seen! It was a heartwarming sight.

After getting Bobby's passport and other paperwork we were ready to hit the road again. The navigator we had gave us the weirdest route ever (through small roads, fields and forests). By the time we got home it was almost 3:00 in the morning. We gave Bobby some food and realized that he was eating really strangely. On further inspection I noticed that he is missing some of his teeth! Still he ate all that we gave him. Then shuffled over to the doggy bed we'd got him (I wasn't sure if he wanted to sleep with us and decided that if he did he would come on his own accord). He slept nicely all night until about 7:30 when he saw an opportunity, when I rolled on to my side, and jumped onto the bed, stretched out like a sausage roll and proceeded to lick my shoulder, hand, face... when I began petting him he flipped onto his back and demanded stomach rubs. I LOVE THIS DOG!!

My little Poochie-boo.

At 8:00 we got up to take him for a tour of the block. He was sniffing and marking every possible object, but didn't poo yet (Should I be worried? I haven't seen him poo yet...LOL). Then we came back inside and he immediately went back to bed. I put a chair next to the computer, put his bed on the chair, Bobby on the bed and he's been sleeping ever since.

Last days of Anticipation

2007-11-12T10:26:00.000+03:00

As many of you know our wait is almost over! Last week we found out that Kodittomat Espanjan Koirat ry (Homless Spanish Dogs) had a possible dog for us. Everything about Bobby, from his name to his needs (expressed by the association) seemed perfect, like destiny (how cliché)!

On Wednesday I called the lady in charge of Bobby's re-homing and everything seemed to be in order, although there was still (what I feared would be) a long grueling bureaucracy mess before we could have Bobby home. I called the next day anticipating a long list of things to do, papers to fill, more calls to make, insurances to be payed and then more waiting and it was making me really nervous (every day Bobby was in the kennel instead of a warm caring home was a day too much). To boot I was still in shock after Wednesday's events in Jokela. So, when I called Thursday evening I was so exhausted but ready to 'fight' to prove that our household should be a worthy home candidate for Bobby.

Instead of having to fill in tonnes more paperwork and more unsure waiting for information I was met with a very pleasant surprise. The lady told me that everything seemed to be in order and they would either be placing Bobby on a Wednesday evening flight or the Thursday night flight. I was ecstatic!

Now I've been preparing for Bobby's homecoming buying him all kinds of toys and things, getting rid of our mats/rugs for a while (just in case) and just pretty much making our home dog friendly. I've even bought all kinds of things from Ebay!

The final days are really weird, on one hand at least now I know exactly when Bobby is coming but at the same time I am thinking about it CONSTANTLY! I keep having these nightmares where we're at the airport and he's there but then someone tells me that we're going to be horrible dog parents and takes our Bobby back to Spain. My mother keeps joking that I'm turning almost as insane with anticipation as they were when adopting me. 2 more days...

Jokela School Shooting

2007-11-07T23:17:00.000+03:00

My mum called me in the middle of the day and asked me if I'd been following the news. The whole question seemed some what ominous and scared me a bit. When I told her no she said that there had been a school shooting in Jokela, a place between Helsinki and Riihimäki. Luckily it was not in a school that was in my mothers area (she's a school psychologist specializing in migrants). However it did affect her office and pretty much all of Finland (first school shooting here... OK second, but this is MAJOR). There has been additional news casts on most channels and on the internet and the whole country will have a day of mourning tomorrow.

I just find things like this terrible. It makes me cry more than anything. I've been randomly crying all day. I feel terrible for the victims, 5 boys, 2 girls and the schools headmaster were killed. At the same time I feel so sorry for the boy who did it. He was only 18 and graduating this year! He was described as being normal and nice until something happened. On his blog he writes that he used to believe in things turning out alright until he had an awakening. I want to understand! People aren't monsters! Something happened to him to make him flip! You can't just blame him! You have to look at the whole picture! I feel terrible for the parents who's children were killed or injured but I cannot even begin to understand the pain that Auvinen's parents are in.

High school is hardcore. It's not easy. It wasn't easy for me. I understand. I would have understood. Why wasn't there anyone to understand for him?

NEW HOPE in the form of a dog with a hilaire name...

2007-11-07T11:39:00.001+03:00

I got an e-mail yesterday saying that we might get one of the dogs from Spain!!! I have to call the lady today between 19-20 (which is during my photography course but who cares!) I am so excited!

So, let me present to you our hopefully possibly maybe new member of the Saipatti family... I know some of you will crack up when I reveal the name... hahah... wait for it... waaait for it... ok he's called...... BOBBY!!!

Which is kind of an inside joke between those who went on that sports trip to Morzine instead of working and those who watch The Hills (Justin Bobby LOL).

So, due to all the Bobby history/baggage I carry with me I KNOW THIS IS THE DOG FOR US!!!!

Bobby is 2 years old, 30cm tall and weighs 7kg. He was found wandering the streets but the way he acts it seems like he hasn't been a 'stray' for long. A happy little dog that gets along with people, male dogs (essential for us) and loves chasing girls!

I really hope this works out! It breaks my heart that he would have to live in the kennel/on the streets any longer than he has. Plus some of my friends *cough* Leslie *cough* are already worrying about my sanity (I threatened to have a baby since it seems bloody easier than adopting a dog).

Argh the suspense is killing me!! I want my Justin Bobby home already!!!

Top 10 Hype List

2007-10-30T14:09:00.000+03:00

1. "Like this, Like that" SE:SA feat. Sharon Phillips
2. "About You Now" Sugababes
3. "Radar" Britney Spears
4. "What Planet You On" Bodyrox feat. Luciana
5. "Hot as Ice" Britney Spears
6. "Breakfast in Bed" Nicole Kea
7. "Puttin' on the Ritz" Shiny Toy Guns
8. "The Girl From Ipenema" Frank Sinatra
9. "Gela" Abyssinia Infinite
10. "I Found You (Remode)" Axwell feat. Charles Salter

No Wings but Fireworks

2007-10-20T13:05:00.000+03:00

Well as you might have guessed I didn't get my Friday wings this week (but we are going today, yay!) because Samuli said that I'll get them when I finish my essay. Of course I took all day to do it and when I finally was almost done he said we could go. But it was too late, the place was packed so we ended up at Hesburger. There were so many people out last night everywhere was full! About ten minutes after we got to Hese there was a line of hungry families almost to the door! It's been a while since we went out on Friday evening so either I've forgotten how it is or there were people out because of the opening of Valoviikot.

Valoviikot (Lightweeks) is the yearly opening of the 'Christmas-like' light decorations on the streets of Tampere and each year they open with fireworks! Yay! I'd been given an assignment by one of my photography courses to go and take pictures. Now, I've never taken pictures of fireworks, at least not seriously. I don't really enjoy the course anyway so my attempt this time was half assed too I didn't even take my camera stand with me. Still I did enjoy the fireworks, they were pretty cool! And then I came back home to drink beer and finish my essay (ended up being at 1:25).

Doggie Decisions

2007-10-18T14:09:00.000+03:00

We just got an answer from the Spanish dogs place saying that Kika and Risa are still available. The last time I heard from the puppy in Helsinki was yesterday morning when the owner sent me an e-mail he would get back to me later that evening. Still no reply. This is kind of stressful since I do want one of these dogs but at the same time if I'm too eager I may end up with two and at some point I have to chose which one to pursue. So, I was hoping I could get some helpful advice again.

Here are our two candidates at the moment:

RISA

Stats:

2 years old
female
30cm high and weighs 6kg

Pros:

The following is included in Risa's payment:

microchip
EU-passport
rabies vaccination
some triple vaccination
some ekinokokkoos treatment
Leishmania test
Heartworm test
sterilization
airfare to Helsinki

We would be giving an abandoned dog a home

Cons:

She is a rescue dog so she may have different problems (mental and physical).
We don't yet know if we can have her and there are issues outside our control which might influence that.

PUPPY

Stats:

3 months old
Father is a corgi-kleinspitz-mix and mother is a papillon-like-mix so she will be a small 'toy' dog size

Pros:

She is a puppy
Since she is not a rescue dog we wouldn't have to prepare for those 'special' kinds of problems that those kinds of dogs might have.
She's had her first check up and has also received two vaccinations.
Has not been in a 'stressful' environment (been in someones home with mother)

Cons:

Does not come with all the checkups and vaccinations as Risa (and so we would have to pay for those later)
Owner hasn't replied to e-mail so maybe she found a home already.

Ugh... difficult decisions, especially when the outcome isn't even really up to me. Frustrating...

Banks and Dogs

2007-10-16T19:35:00.000+03:00

So, boring stuff first. The chain of shops that we have a 'loyal'-customer card to recently changed the bonus money program into a shop owned bank. This means that I now have 5 different kind of bank cards from four different banks, three of which are in Finland. Pretty weird stuff. The reason I am a customer at so many banks is because I wasn't satisfied with Sampo so I was planning on changing all activity to OP and that's now in a 'transitional' phase. Anyway what this bank thing also means is that I will have a joint bank account with Samuli, this should be very interesting. I once had one of my ex-boyfriends tell me that even if we were married he would not want a joint account with me... nice...

And then on to more interesting stuff! I really want a dog! I've been desperately going through all possible adverts in magazines and online trying to find the perfect new member to our small family. The thing is I'm pretty scared of big dogs and so my number one criteria is that the dog should be small i.e. manageable even for me. Thing is that there are way more big dogs available than small ones and thus also price is a major issue.

Fibi from Espanjan Kulkukoirat

One of the places I've been looking at has been this great thing called Espanjan Kulkukoirat, which is basically a Finnish couple who runs a rescue center for dogs in Spain. They're really good, they check the dogs and give them all the possible shots and treatment at the vets in Spain before they are brought to Finland. You get a dog passport and one of those microchip things too and all this for 250e! They have some adorable small dogs and yesterday I found the perfect one for us, the only problem is that they have set an age limit of 23 for people wanting to adopt. Such a bummer!!

(from top left-->right) Kiko, Rubi, Risa and Kika from Espanjan Koirat

I found this other very similar website and there I found 4 dogs I would be interested in. They don't, to my knowledge, have an age limit but the dogs there are 290e (includes shots, medication, tests and airfare). I sent them an e-mail but they seem very strict about who they choose to give the dogs to.

Little girl.

Finally our third possibility at the moment is this sweet little thing that we found for sale on a message board. Her father is a corgi-kleinspitz -mix and her mother is a papillon-like-mix, so yes a really messed up mix :) I sent an e-mail to the current owner and he gave me some information. She's been to the vet and got some shots and meds and is 3 months old. She is in Helsinkin so if this works out we can easily go get her from there. The price they are asking is 280e.

So, all you dog people I need your opinions/comments!

You know you're in Finland when...

2007-10-12T09:54:00.000+03:00

it's the beginning of October and you wake up at 5 am to go to the bathroom and realize that it's snowing outside.

Thief Found

2007-10-09T16:54:00.000+03:00

Aha! I got a picture of my flower bulb and bird feed thief:

see, I'm not insane! Someone is raiding my garden!! Hmm... but now I can't be mad at something that cute. I mean look at that little adorable face!!

*waah*

Bella Roma, Squirrels and LOLing

2007-10-09T12:14:00.000+03:00

I think I just LOLed in the bus. I was listening to this podcast (KCRW Good Food) and this guy was going on about cocktails and it was funny. I mean I was sitting there having my Chai Latte really getting into the show forgetting where I was and I think I LOLed... very loud, because this lady across from me was giving me this 'are-you-psycho'-esque look.

Anyhow, on Saturday we decided to have lunner or dinch (lunch/dinner) at Bella Roma (we had a 2for1 coupon, what a surprise). Bella Roma have two restaurants one in Siperia in the center and one in Hervanta. The one in Hervanta is kind of like one of those cheap pizza kebab places, but the one in Siperia is more of a sit down place. The coupon was valid in the one in the center, so that's naturally where we headed. I was pretty lazy and I hadn't called to reserved a table so we decided to pick a time when we assumed that there wouldn't be that many people.

We arrived at 16:55 on Saturday and the place was pretty packed, although it was difficult to figure out just how much space they had since they have a small flight of stairs going up to a half floor at the back. When the lady came to seat us she pointed to two of the worst possible tables. One was right next to where people waited before being seated and the other one was in front of the kitchen like many meters away from any other table (plus there was only one seat). As a third option she said we could go sit 'outside' since they do have some tables outside the restaurant (but inside Siperia). I opted for the table next to the people queuing up since I had looked at the tables outside and they seemed kind of full. Now I wouldn't have had a problem with the tables if these were the only ones available, I mean it was my fault for not reserving in advance, however after us there came many parties of twos who did NOT have a reservation who were seated up in the back and no one after us during the time we were there was offered the crummy seat next to the kitchen.

Notice how close the kitchen 'window' is (where the woman is) and the phone was where that bar starts (curvy brick thing).

Needless to say the atmosphere was not very nice. First of all we were right where the people waiting to be seated were standing. Soon we realized that we were right next to the phone too, with the woman taking reservations and yelling to the waiters to see if there was still seating. Oh yeah and the waiters going to and from the kitchen walked right past us too. So, basically it was noisy and hectic and I was pissed off that they had seated us there and given all the people who came after us better seats.

Steak and Potatoes

We decided to forget the starters and just use the coupon, eat and go. We had the BISTECCA PER AFFAMATO 23,70e an entrecôte steak with potatoes, bacon beans and red wine sauce. The food came really quickly considering how full they were and the food was OK. I ordered my steak medium and it was almost cooked through so that was another disappointment and also the red wine sauce tasted like the one we had the week before from a package.

All in all the seating really ticked me off and it contributed not only to the atmosphere but also to the overall mood. The service after the seating however was quick and pleasant. The food, had it not been an offer would not have been worth 23.70e. My verdict is that call ahead and request a GOOD table and either stick to the pizza (which is apparently good value) or just stick to Speakeasy's orgasmic wings which is right across from Bella Roma.

Therapy (and no, not all those cups are ours, honest).

After that some what disappointing dinch I needed some therapy so we headed to have a Chai Latte at Wayne's Coffee (we have no Starbucks in Finland) which soothed my disappointed nerves.

Then on Sunday I finally got round to planting the flower bulbs I had ordered. I dug and planted out in the cold, windy rain for what seemed like hours, till they were all nicely in the ground. I even planned the beds according to color, size and time of flowering. So when I woke up this morning and peered out the window and was greeted with HOLES! Yes HOLES in my beautifully crafted flower beds I pretty much flipped. It's that same damn squirrel that I saw digging up these bulbs I planted earlier. OMG!!! Speaking of the little devil I just turned around and IT WAS RIGHT THERE EATING FROM THE BIRD FEEDER. Damn, it didn't even scare when I opened the porch door, I could have whacked it on the head. Oh well. At least it is eating the bird feed not my bulbs. I have to think of something ARGH it's back!! Ugh... ran away. Yes, so must think of something less painful that whacking it on the head. Still it did eat ALL my Puschkinias and some of my big tulips...

Why do so many annoying things happen at the same time? Well, at least I did LOL on the bus.

PS. Must remember to write the next post about crazy cult meeting we were conned into going to last night.

Speakeasy Friday

2007-10-05T22:40:00.000+03:00

My favorite restaurant in Tampere is this bar and hot wings place called Speakeasy. Recently they expanded and are now on two floors and there have been coupons in the local papers for 12 wings for 5e which is an awesome deal if you ask me. So, of course I've been hoarding coupons and we've gone there 3 times now for the past 3 weeks (once a week). I swear the wings there are friggin wonderful, although Samuli isn't much of a fan but hey, what does he know! *hehe* Another bonus is that you can get a big beer there 0,6l for a fairly decent price considering that it is a restaurant and that it is Finland (the land of expensive state alcohol and alcoholics).

Other than eating I've been avoiding work and instead played Warcraft 3 for disgusting amounts of time and taken photographs, but that's nothing new really, although I seem to be in a nice spot of inspiration at the moment (surprise surprise with Period 1 ending and promises of essay writing ahead of me). I finally realized how great a tripod is, no more super blurry photos, and have been experimenting with taking pictures in the dark. It's been a lot of fun for me and not so much fun for my model Samuli, so if anyone else is willing to pose and is around Tampre then feel free to contact me. I've also found a new idol, Bryan Niven who takes incredible pictures, or should I say makes incredible pictures. He is a virtuous with Photoshop absolutely fantabulous!

I forgot to mention in my last post that I had an interesting cultural weekend in Pori with my dear friend Leslie. And I learnt so many wonderful things such as people in Pori are strange, Leslie's cat Kissa is kind of gross, small guys can be surprisingly strong, Vesa and Antti can ride many horses (at the same time), that Vesa has weird ass grabbing friends (OK one friend), that people in Pori are really strange and most importantly that ice hockey rocks! Yeah, we went to watch the Ässät-HIFK game (Ässät lost 2-3) and although it was a bit of a bummer for Pori it was still a fun experience! I have a team to support now, Ilves and would love to go watch a match but they're either during the week when I have things to do or on the weekend when I have things to do... so no luck yet. On top of this Samuli is not interested at all in going to watch a game so he's always making up excuses not to go... pfff.

Back by Popular Demand (aka. harrassement from 1 person)

2007-10-02T11:59:00.000+03:00

This post is dedicated to my loyal fan Sandra Shakespear.

So, it's been a while again. School started so I've been busy with a lot of things but none which have been worth mentioning. I still can't believe it's already my 4th year! I guess I should be about finished by now but I figured what's the point in stressing.

Other than school I'm taking two photography courses. One in portrait photography and the other one seems to be mainly theory. The former course is a lot of fun and I've been one it 2 years ago and the guy who does it is really awesome. The second course I'm taking is really really sucky. The woman who does it is so annoying. You have no idea how much I would like to just...grrrr... ARGH, well you get the point. So, anyway not only has the course been just talking about photos, but it seems the only photo opportunity I'm going to get will be a... scary/embarassing/disturbing (?) one. You see 99% of those attending the course have been doing so for the past 2-3 years or so i.e. they're good buddies. They also decided last year that they would like to have a specific theme for this year, and the theme is... NUDE photography! OK, if you know me at all you'll know that nudity for me isn't really an issue, I'm a pervert. But just the idea of being in a room with a bunch of 50+ year old guys (and some ladies) and 1-2 naked people and attempting to get a good (NON-PORNO) picture is scary. I mean that lady doing the course has spent about 10 hours lecturing us about how nude photography is an art and she will kill anyone who takes a pornoish photo. Man, I'm SO DEAD.

Other than being scared shittless in case my pervertedness should come out we haven't really done much around Tampere City. Although we did end up at a cat show one weekend for a laugh. There were some really freaking hideous cats:

And some cute ones too:

On Saturday it was Oona's 1 year birthday party, you know Oona, Samuli's cousins baby girl. I still can't believe that it's already been a year! I swear it feels like Elina just told me she's pregnant... well, maybe because I just did hear that she's pregnant. She's pregnant again!

Oona and her mummy opening presents.

Anyway Oona's birthday was fun. It was a pity that her daddy had a show and couldn't be there (he plays the trumpet... or some other blow instrument...)

Oona and Elina blowing the candle out on the ice cream cake.

Oona playing with the push cart that her godmother (Samuli's sister) got her.

We got her a hat (above), a skirt and a skull t-shirt her grandmother did not approve of *hehe*

All in all it was a fun party and I'm not so scared of her anymore. She liked my camera, I can't be scared of someone who likes my camera now can I? However babies in general still scare the hell out of me.

Oona and her Mum

I have a new addition to the weird roadside attractions of Finland. On the Tampere-Lahti road there is a church with no roof.

See I did kid you not, no roof.

It's one of the 14 or so stone churches built around Pirkanmaa between 1480 and 1550's.

I'm not usually the type to stop at churches but this one was pretty neat. I mean seeing as it's so old... oh and the fact that there is no roof (also notice that it does have seats).

Samuli pretending to give a sermon.

Other than those things nothing else is going on in drab, cold, rainy Finland.

Recap pt.3: Name Day Dinner, Born Again First-Year and Walks in the Park

2007-08-30T19:19:00.000+03:00

After we came back from my grandparent's Samuli had one more day of freedom before becoming a student. It was his name day so I took him out for dinner. We ended up going to Coyote Bar & Grill mainly because I found a 2 for 1 coupon offer in the paper. For once we decided to go all out and have a three course dinner instead of being cheap.

As a starter I had their Tuna Salad 7,90e which was really good apart from the tuna which was a little bit over cooked (but still fairly yummy). I got to pick Samuli's starter and made him have the Prosciutto with Melon & Strawberries 7,90e which was really tasty. I'd never had prosciutto and strawberries before and the combination was surprisingly good. Then for our main course (which had to be the same due to that coupon) Samuli chose the Ostrich Tournedos 22,70e, I would have chosen the Rib Eye Steak 24,90e purely because the menu promised 300g of pure beef. Still, I can't exactly complain about his choice because it the ostrich turned out to be really good. Finally to finish this off (and a bunch of drinks we had) wonderful dessert! Samuli had the Chocolate Trilogy 8,40e and trust me it is every bit as good as it sounds. I mean I kid you not, for a chocolate lover like my boyfriend it was a peace of heaven on a plate. I on the other hand opted for the Butterscotch Brülée 6,40e AND an alcoholic milkshake (I'm a little pig, I know). Both were wonderful.

So, all in all it was a really nice dinner at a fairly reasonable price considering how good it was and the fact that it was a special occasion.

The next day Samuli started school and I began my plan to re-live my first year tagging alongside him. I was much too lost and way too much of a loner the first year to go to any major parties so I'm making up for it now. And so, last Thursday I got all dolled up and had a couple of drinks at home whilst Samuli was already in town making new friends. This was bad idea number one, because I was really nervous about how his friends would like me so I had quite a lot of encouragement drinks before heading into town (turned out to be about 70cl of 21% and a 1 1/2 dl vodka shot). So, you can imagine that I was in a happy mood when I got to Onnela (the club), still I wasn't as out of it as Samuli's classmate from Mänttiharju seemed to be. From random receipts I seem to have had about 4 ciders in the club. I have a bruise on my leg the size of a baby's fist (I think I fell when I was dancing on the table) and a cut on my other leg (someone must have kicked my when I was dancing). All in all a fun night, only the ride home was hell, I seriously thought I was going to be sick in my bag.

Needless to say our early plan to get up early on Friday morning and drive to Mänttiharju got a little delayed. I wasn't feeling too good and since my boyfriend is kind and considerate he promised his grandparents we'd go visit them. So, there I was (after a 2 hour drive) sitting in their kitchen trying not to pass out at the table. Woohoo! And to top it off I got to face my parents, although I did proudly display my party wounds to them.

The next day as a way of repenting I went for a short hike with my parents to this nature reserve close by.

...Repovesi National Park...

...Neat Looking Bridge...

Deciding which path to take.

Long stairs (notice my parents are waiting for my lazy ass to clamber up).

Funny tree growing to avoid hitting the jutting rock.

Awesome views.

Grilling sausages and corn on the cob.

On Sunday morning Samuli's grandfather brought us a nice little pile of logs that we had to chuck into our woodshed.

Yeah, and by we I meant everyone else but me (hey I had to take pictures).

Recap pt.2: Grandparents

2007-08-27T15:27:00.000+03:00

They day after the End of Work party we set off on a road trip to visit my grandparents way up north. This meant a 6 hour drive in a car with my mum, dad and Samuli.

Only 400 km to go...

....Only 300 km to go...

Gladly we stopped at a random roadside attraction. Juustoportti, the roadside cheese factory!

And later on we stopped at Kalajoki, Finland's second nicest beach (according to some poll)

Sunset on the Beach

Samuli Dancing Around on the Beach

Then some more driving...

Finally we got to my grandparent's at around ten in the evening. We were of course fed and fussed over for hours before going to bed.

The next morning we had a plan to go into Raahe-city and do the usual tour of the few shops there. We bought my grandmother some scrapbooking style stickers from Tiimari and my mum bought us this outrageously expensive designer tablecloth from Marimekko.

My mum's car has been having the same kind of problem that our car's trunk has, meaning that rain water leaks in. Unlike with our car she had no idea what the problem is (the problem with our car is that it's SHITTY). Even after taking it to at least two garages and being billed a disgusting amount so that a guy poked the bottom of her car with a screwdriver she still had pools of water on the floor near the pedals. So, my grandfather, dad and Samuli decided they would have a go:

Doing tests to see where the water is coming from...

...aimlessly staring...

...more tests...

...my grandparents cat making its own tests...

...the cat being lazy...

...the cat giving love.

Later that day we decided to go for a little outing to the various beaches around Raahe.

Windmills.

It was really windy and cold and there were these insane guys kiteboarding!

After freezing our butts off for a while on the beach we decided to change spots. Our next stop was supposed to be this long stretch of sandy beach that I have random childhood memories from, but unfortunately we hit an obstacle:

We got past the first 'puddle' without any major problems (I can't believe we dragged my grandma through those bushes!)...

...but when the 'road' became more of a river snaking to the sea we had to give up.

And so we changed spots again, this time to this awesome rock pile by the sea.

My dad being his usual childish-self pt. 1

My dad being his usual childish-self pt. 2

One more beach before going back to being fed and fussed over.

The next day we set off back to Tampere early in the morning.

Another boring as heck drive...

...And it was hot in the car...

...And when we finally stopped for lunch it was too much for some...

...way too much...

...in fact it took me almost 15 minutes to coax him off that thing and back into the car.

Recap pt.1: End of Work Party

2007-08-27T14:41:00.000+03:00

I know, it's been a while again. Here's a recap of what's been going on:

END OF WORK PARTY

On the 16th Samuli finally finished work, so to celebrate the fact that we are now both poor, lazy stupid students I decided to hold a party for him. It was supposed to be just me and him, but when my brother found out we had balloons, food and booze he was in.

Like I said, booze was involved.

But we didn't get drunk. (*AHEM*)

No really, we weren't drunk... honest.

Then my brother had to go home...

...And we decided to go with him...

...And he tried to get away from us...

...But failed because he was outrun by a drunk when he was conned into posing...

...My brother got away when Samuli decided to do some fat-burning exercises (The street sign says Hikivuorenkatu = Sweatmountainstreet)...

...And to finish the night off we passed out on the street.

Trip Down Music Memory Lane

2007-08-14T12:25:00.001+03:00

Today I've been trying to fix the damage inflicted on my iTunes music library after Gacie (my external hard drive) screwed me over. While I've been going through every folder on this computer and Gacie trying to locate all my misplaced music I decided to get some more music and took a trip down memory lane. I found The Spice Girls, Janet Jackson and even John Denver... but then I happened on HANSON! I'm sure you remember, that girly boy band.

"Mmmbop" anyone?

But when I was getting Mmmbop I realized they're still together and they actually have a fairly recent album. Hahahah... this I had to see. Well they don't sound so pre-pubecent anymore... still pretty pop and everything. Found listened to this song called "Penny and Me" and well it wasn't too bad. Oh and then the scariest part... I found a recent picture:

I dunno, I've never had very good taste, but I have to say it is an improvement to Mmmbop. If anyone else has any ideas for (scary) bands down memory lane feel free to tell me...

Camping in the Tropics and its Results

2007-08-13T00:01:00.001+03:00

It's been disgustingly hot this week and not just hot but humid. Sticky and hot and just ugh... so, we've been grilling every day of the week (except today when it finally rained). I was looking forward to Friday as we were going to have part 2 of our camp out (on our patio). I went and bought all kinds of snacks and we were totally prepared.

When Friday evening came around we got off to an early start. We went to our sauna at 17:00 (really early for that) and then sat about wondering when it would get dark. After a few beers I decided it was time to grill something. And of course it started to rain and we could hear far off thunder. Whoopie! As a result we ended up renting The Stepford Wives (the remake) and as it usually is with my luck it stopped raining and the sky totally cleared. So, after finishing the movie we decided to go back outside on the patio and grill marshmallows.

We ended up sleeping there. It was really funny because we were both like, "This is a stupid idea but we should sleep here. I bet you don't dare sleep here"... zzzZZZzzzz (too late). I slept weirdly. Not exactly badly, I just have so many really weird dreams about there being a war, wanting a pet, Samuli morphing into certain ex-boyfriends in not so pleasant situations (and not so pleasant memories), going to the fun fair (and having an awful time), talking to Nikhil, being chased by people, sending Samuli off to the army again, realizing we're in Switzerland, living in a mansion style hotel and receiving classified DVD's from Madonna... oh and something very very disturbing about Janneke being very promiscuous.

At some point in the night I woke up because someone drove past with a motorbike or something... and later I woke up feeling a little cold (seeing as I only had one blanket, the sleeping bag lay untouched next to me, I know I'm a moron) and wondering if we should go inside before our neighbors begin walking their dogs and wondering if we passed out on our front lawn.

Saturday we headed off to a nearby beach to go swimming. Oh and I had another strange dream. This time I (for some random reason) cut off three peoples heads with this insane sword. Then I had to flee since the cops were after me and for some reason this meant a long trip from Switzerland to Finland (with no money). I wasn't on the run alone I was either with mum, dad and Tom or Samuli and our kids (it was unclear). There was this part where we stopped to fish at this nasty looking reservoir lake thing since we were hungry and I was wondering why I had brought my family along on such a dangerous journey. And then it ended with me going into an office building and almost being caught, until I set the whole place on fire. When I walked out the building my getaway car (now a super cool convertible) drove really fast towards me and I did this kick ass flip landing perfectly in the car. Also there was this whole kind of underlying plot about there being a revolution and me having Dumbledore's Army like back up at the ready in case I got caught.

What randomness goes on in my head, please don't ask.

Going nuts for squirrels

2007-08-06T20:06:00.001+03:00

Today was a hot day. I was sweating like a pig when I was grilling on our patio. Samuli really wanted to go feed the squirrel we saw on Saturday (see earlier post). So we bought a packet of peanuts and headed off into squirrel territory.

At first we didn't see any squirrels. Samuli was already saying something about the hot weather killing them or something when we saw one running off over a small hill. We followed it and there was this kid with about 10 squirrels around him feeding them. Kinda bummed that someone had got there before us we decided to go on to the cliff over looking lake Kaukajärvi. Samuli was complaining how there wouldn't be any squirrels there because it was on a cliffs edge and open to birds of prey etc.... yada yada... I was ignoring him and munching on the peanuts (hey if there were no squirrels to feed someone had to eat them!)

Please don't bite the hand that feeds (especially if it is mine)!

We sat down on a bare bit of rock and the second we put the peanut bag down there were two squirrels. They were hilaire!! This small one was really greedy and vicious. It would stuff it's little face full of peanuts (about 4 at a time) then it would chase after the other squirrel so that it wouldn't dare come take our nuts. After that it would hide the nuts in various holes. When it had done this with all the nuts (occasionally chasing after the other squirrel) it would come back to get more nuts form us. The funny thing is while Small and Vicious was getting nuts from us the bullied one was digging up the 'hidden' ones. It was quality entertainment.

Rabid Squirrel

After some time more squirrels showed up and they even got used to my camera clicking so I got some interesting squirrel shots. There was this one squirrel that was really silly. It was as if it had never seen a peanut in it little squirrel life because it tried to eat Samuli's finger. Like it would tug at it the tip of his finger and then eventually nibbled it. So funny! And when we threw a peanut at it, the squirrel would just sniff the ground. Finally, after Small and Vicious took its nut did it get the concept of peanuts.

Yummy meaty peanut.

I didn't feed them much as I was taking photos. Plus I had read all these things about people being attacked by squirrels and getting the plague (don't ask). But after a while of nut eating (well, mostly hiding) they got more interested in my camera. This one crazy squirrel climbed on my knee when I was sitting one the ground sticking its little squirrel head into my camera.

"Gimme your fucking nuts!"

But the weirdest and funniest (or should I say scariest) thing happened when we stood up to leave and the same squirrel that had sat on me decided to climb up my LEG like I was a TREE!! Mind you I HAD SHORTS ON, ITTY BITTY SHORTS... and I HAD A SQUIRREL CLIMBING ME LIKE I WAS SOME KIND OF PINE TREE WANTING MY NUTS! Gah. It was a little bit scary looking into it's hungry little eyes hoping it would let go of my leg. Samuli on the other hand found it hilarious and spent the whole way home complaining that he didn't get it on video. Pah.

OMG I have a big rodent thing sitting on my LEG!

I hope summer never ends...

2007-08-05T21:00:00.000+03:00

Now that you're all up to speed with what's been up with my life I can continue harassing you all with my life happenings in 'almost-real-time'.'

Yesterday was a fun day, made me wish that summer would never end. My brother and his Emma came over to steal the Car from Hell. But, before they could take it Samuli FINALLY decided it was time to change his winter tires for summer ones.

We got some strange look from our neighbours because of that, but we're used to strange looks when we're around the Car from Hell especially as of late because it won't start unless you push-start it. Quite hilarious really, we even had to push-start it in a parking garage once. Wooohoo.

After fixing up the car and sending my brother off with it we decided to go for a walk as it was such beautiful weather.

Why you shouldn't eat just any mushroom (notice dead guy).

We found this place with these awesome rock cliffs right next to our local shop. (It's crazy because every time we go for a walk we find these kick ass places.)

Crazy cliffs (more impressive in real life).

And little racks in huge rocks.

Then we saw this big mean squirrel chasing this smaller one so we stopped to watch. The big one got kind of scared and ran off and then the weirdest thing happened. The little squirrel started running around us in circles so Samuli crouched down and the squirrel came right up to his hand (apparently it's paw was kinda funny and cold). Then it continued to circle us and even came to sniff my shoes (although I was shit scared that it would jump up and bite me or something).

Samuli making friends.

When we got home it was a little colder but still a really nice evening and I didn't want to sit about inside watching TV or whatever so I hauled a bunch of old mattresses, pillows and blankets and made a little nest out on the patio in our garden. It was so much fun that we decided to have a sort of camp out evening. We lit some candles, put on sweaters, hats, gloves and made a sort of bonfire in our grill to keep warm. We made tea, mushy peas and roasted sweet potatoes in the fire.

*sigh* I don't want this summer to end *sigh*

Back up to SPEEEEED....

2007-08-05T19:39:00.000+03:00

I know, it's been fucking ages since I wrote anything in this blog. In my defence I'd like to say I've been very busy getting one of my wisdom teeth pulled out (hurt like a bitch), going to a Finnish-Swedish-Filipino wedding at the most gorgeous location by the sea, catsitting (in crazy Hellstinky), taking care of our house and garden, push-starting the Car from Hell, wasting time, walking from Samuli's house to ours in the pouring rain crying, having Samuli run after me (just in his underwear!!!) and crashing in through the front door into our living room to my parents amazement, graduation parties, taking summer exams, being on Cold War terms with my in-laws, getting drunk walking to my brother's and passing out next to a rabbit, screaming my head off on a wussy ride at the amusement park, eating way too much ice cream, being scared shitless by Jesus-freaks at an overly religious confirmation, not making any progress on my bachelor's thesis ... and the list goes on... so, as you can see pretty friggin' awesome summer.

Ugly over sized rodent-like thing that wants to eat my lettuce and runs around our garden every friggin' night.

Random Happy Cakeday Cake (Funfetti cake with meringue frosting).

Samuli pretending to do a weather report on location at the Finnish-Swedish-Filipino wedding.

Weird things growing in my garden.

Sunbathing.

Catsitting insane cats.

Going to the zoo (Huomenna mennään Korkeasaareen, Korkeasaareen, Korkeasaareen)...

...And seeing the most adorable bunny rabbit...

...And a squirrel in a trash can (And realizing that getting drunk at the zoo is hilaire!!)

Sunbathing some more (and learning why never to fall asleep in the garden when your girlfriend has a camera on hand)

Going to Särkänniemi amusement park...

... And realizing what an ugly couple we make (actually I think Samuli looks quite cute, but I've always been a little insane)...

...And watching a romantic sun set from Näsineula tower...

...*sigh* what a summer...

Special Delivery

2007-06-21T14:54:00.000+03:00

The funniest thing just happened. Samuli has been working really late this week and when I called him today at work he told me he was like +60km away from Tampere and that he would come home after 15:00. I of course grumbled because it sucks when he works late (yesterday he came home at 18:45... that's a 15h work day) but then he told me that he had gifts!

A couple of hours later he calls me up and asks me where I am and if I could come out in 5 minutes and take the 'gifts' from him because he can't bring them on his bike. So, I go outside and stand on the curb on the side of our apartment and he drives up in his truck, flips open the side door compartment and hands me two six pack of beer. Apparently his boss had come over to him this morning and handed him two cases of beer and been like, "*grunt* happy Midsummer" (Midsummer (Juhannus) being this Saturday and a big deal in Finland. People go to the countryside, make bonfires, get wasted and drown. We're not planning on doing the latter.)

Mmmm... beer...

I bet it was a really weird sight for our neighbors. Girl waiting on side of road, big truck pulls up, trucker guy delivers two six packs of beer.

Other strange yet true events of today: I made myself a skirt!!! Yay! I've never actually really sewn anything before... until today!

Me in Homemade Skirt

On subject of strange yet funny news: What I found in the fridge yesterday morning:

Yes, that is an EMPTY cheese container back in the fridge. This is a habit that Samuli has. Sometimes I find EMPTY milk cartons and other TRASH in the fridge in the morning... hmm...

Weddings, Beer, Dentists, Krum and a very weird dream.

2007-06-20T09:07:00.000+03:00

I was supposed to write this entry on Monday and it was going to be powered by Becks and some awesome lamb bratwurst. Unfortunately though I got a little too carried away by the food and drink and opted to watch Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire instead. I have to say having seen that the second time mmm... it has some hot actors! I mean a lot of you already know about my unhealthy infatuation with Daniel Radcliffe but damn Krum is just... pure sex. Anyway, moving on before Samuli comes home...

I have to talk about the wedding!! It was such a nice, fun, cute wedding! Elina looked so beautiful in her white (!?!) dress! The church was decorated with flowers and the smell of roses was everywhere! The ceremony was nice with Janne's big band playing and Elina's choir singing. Oh and instead of rice they gave out bottles of soap bubbles!

Guests and Bubbles

Then moving on to the two things that my father in law and I think are essential at a party good food and lots of booze. Well, the food was really good. None of that traditional Finnish crap served at every wedding, birthday, graduation, easter, Christmas, funeral... They had salads and wok with rice and it was good stuff. The booze front was a little disappointing. My brother was smart and went and got a cup of punch then gave it to me when he realized he was our designated driver. I had a couple of sips and had Samuli taste it which left me about half the cup. When I went back to get more it was all gone. I talked to Auvo (my father in law) and he told me that almost the same thing happened to him, only he didn't even get to have a taste. Later on we found out that most of the booze had gone in Janne's brother who at one point was hugging Elina's mum (hilarious!)...

Cutting the Cake

The desert and entertainment was kick ass. They had ice cream with berries and toffee like sauce and wedding cake with layers of delicious strawberries. They had a hilarious play (performed by their friends) about how they met and the early stages of them dating. It had lots of pervertedness and Elina's infamous quote to her mother "oh we just kiss and hold hands"... and Janne's subtle way of telling his parents his girlfriend is pregnant "mum, dad you're grandparents!"

Elina and her precious Oona

Since this wasn't your usual kind of couple and it wasn't quite a traditional Finnish wedding it was only right that they didn't have that boring kind of first dance. Instead of the traditional waltz they danced to Happy Together by The Turtles. It was so cute and funny and just friggin' perfect for them.

Tearing up the Dancefloor

Such a Cutie Couple!

Of course they did veer back to tradition and had the traditional waltz after that.

So, all in all it was a really beautiful and fun wedding, perfect for Elina and Janne.

I just woke up from the weirdest dream. It was the 100 years war and I didn't want Samuli to go off and fight so we were hiding. There were weird soldiers all over the place and we had to duck into bushes and things all the time. Then we ended up in a really weird tomb like base of a pyramid with these rabid bear/hyena things trying to kill us. Then I took this baton thing and smacked one of the animals on the head several times. When it was dead I skinned it and then sliced it up and marinated it in some trippy sauce. Some how we were suddenly outside grilling and I had put the sliced up rabid animal on my little grill... Then I realized I wasn't the only one grilling and looked over the fence into our neighbors garden who had this HUGE coal grill with a whole animal roasting on a spit. I of course was very jealous and said something like "fuck what an orgasmic grill you guys have"... So, random.

Bed Linnen, Booze, Steak and a Hard Day's Work

2007-06-14T22:19:00.000+03:00

Today's entry is being fueled by a severe lack of sleep and a bottle of Turning Leaf Merlot of E & J Gallo Winery in California.

I slept really badly last night. Was still awake when Samuli left for work at 3:40 and the time I did sleep I had weird dreams. I dreamt that Samuli had violently attacked me and I was all bruised and battered. For some reason I was moving these really heavy boxes down from some shelves and they kept banging up on the bruises and hurting. After a while of that I thought I would go and try to conciliate with Samuli. I walked into what looked like the living room of our cottage in Mäntyharju and he was sitting on the sofa. It was kind of dark but he stood out because he was wearing a white long sleeved t-shirt and white boxers. He was smoking a cigarette and when he talked his eyes shone red. Pretty weird stuff.

I got up at about 8:40 and felt pretty awake. My task of the day was to find a wedding gift for Elina and Janne. So off I went into town without any breakfast thinking that I would be there for max 1 hour. We'd agreed to get a bed sheet and when I got to the shop I realized that I'd forgotten to ask how big their bed/duvet were. I called Samuli and asked him to find out and he told me work was going badly and he would be home very late (should I be suspicious, he tells me this every week... LOL). Well, I decided rather than hurry on home to an empty house I might as well hang out in town and do some SHOPPING!

As you know shopping takes energy and after a couple of hours I was getting hungry. McDonalds looked so appealing but every time I talked myself into it I could here Samuli's scolding voice in my head going on about how much money he waste on stupid frivolous things. So I kept telling myself that I would go to the shop and buy something and make it when I got home.

At this point I should tell you about my latest obsession. There was my obsession with ribs, followed by the orgasmic wings but at the moment my taste buds are screaming for entrecote. That perfectly imperfect cut of meat found between the ninth and eleventh ribs thus in the U.S. it is called a rib steak. Now, that cooked to perfect bloody medium rareness is the most delicious steak and fries meal I have had. So, of course at 15:00 I was damn hungry and was willing to do anything to get some of that lovely goodness in me. So it was time to raid the supermarket and then head on home.

Samuli got home earlier than I thought he would. Only 13+ hours at work. He pretty much mooched of the lunch/dinner I had just finished making myself (I didn't make him any because I thought he was coming home much later... honestly I'm not such an awful housewife!) and then headed off to bed.

Tomorrow it's off to Farmer Country. I still can't believe that Elina is getting married!!

As a finishing note I would like to say that I am getting really tired of all the music I have. Lately I haven't heard anything really awesome. I've even begun to rip my old CD's onto iTunes hoping to spark some kind of lost nostalgic passion but to no avail. So, if anyone has any music suggestions please feel free to tell me. And as regards to my taste, anything goes.

Some More for You Flower Pornoists

2007-06-11T23:33:00.001+03:00

Here are some more pictures for all you flower perverts:

Iris from In-Laws garden

White Ball Flower

Spiky-like Flower Thing

Chives In Bloom

Bachelorette Party, St Mikhell and More Weird Roadside Fun

2007-06-11T22:01:00.000+03:00

As some of you already know in 5 days my boyfriend's cousin (who I've know since she was like 15) is getting married! Some of you also might know that a little before Christmas she gave birth to the cutest baby girl. I'm really happy for her and her hubby-to-be and am really excited for her.

It's been a heck of a year for her. Let me remind you once again that she's 19 now and the groom is 18. So, as you can imagine her last year has been pretty crazy: finding out she is pregnant, exams, graduation, giving birth and now getting married! Crazyness! But I'm so proud of her for achieving so much :)

So, what would a wedding be without a BACHELORETTE PARTY!!! This was quite a small occasion with only four of us but it was fun. But I think I'm a little bit too old to hang out with the crowd there. I mean sitting in a park and getting drunk on a bottle of cider and giggling like idiots and claiming to be totally wasted (ON ONE BOTTLE OF CIDER) is not really my cup of tea. But seeing as by boyfriend's sister is underage we couldn't exactly go to a bar... not that that would have been such a good idea with this particular group of people.

I did learn 3 essential things from the party. Firstly when my time comes I will not put most of the bachelorette party planning pressure on one person. Secondly I want a HUGE party with like tonns of crazy people! And thirdly RUSSIAN STRIPPERS! But yes, my bachelorette part won't be for a while... Having said that all this wedding talk is getting me a little worried. (Actually this weekend 3 people asked me if we'd set the date!) I want quite a big wedding and a lot of my guests would be coming from abroad and that requires a lot of planning. I was even thinking about beginning to make the guest list. I mean that isn't such a crazy idea considering that some people are coming from really far away and many are busy with things all over the world. I mean is it crazy? Am I getting Bridezilla-fever?

Flower Pervert Porn

Moving on... LOL. On Saturday my father-in-law-to-be had to go pick up a tractor from Mikkeli so we gave him a lift and went to have a look at a newly landscaped park over at Naisvuori, because that's just the kind of sick twisted flower porn picture taking couple we are. HISTORY ALERT: Legend has it that Naisvuori (Women's Mountain or Mountiain of Women) gets its name from the women who climbed on it to watch the fighting of 1789, six kilometers away. This however is false but still a fun story. Anyway we went up to chill in the small park which I would recommend for anyone visiting Mikkeli during the summer. There is also a tower (which you can climb up) with a cafe selling waffles.

Naisvuori Tower

Samuli's Park Porn (View from Naisvuori)

It was another scorching weekend according to Finnish standards and I finally got to go swimming in the nearby pond. The word pond by the way may be misleading since it is quite big and over 10m deep. It was really nice the water was so warm it was unbelievable!

On the way back we finally stopped to take a picture of a little roadside oddity that's been fascinating Samuli every time we take the Farmer Country road trip. There is this sand mining area (I kid you not they mine sand here!) with this big ass sand pyramid!

Sand Pyramid in All its Baffling Glory

Top of Sand Pyramid

I think that counts as a weird road side thing... It did look way cooler a while back before they dumped that other big pile of sand in front so you can't see the bottom of the pyramid. Still this seems to be a bit of a lameish road side oddity so here is another road side view. A sure sign that you're taking the Farmer Country road trip.

Good Sign of Finnish Summer

Destruction in Disguise

2007-06-05T12:28:00.000+03:00

I just spent the whole weekend in a car going to various parties and sitting in a hot car was getting pretty annoying, but come Monday I was at it again. This time we were on the way to Turku, the asshole of Finland.

'Suomi Neito' or Maiden of Finland is the national personification of Finland quite like Sweden's Svea-mamma (who by the way is said to be the mother of Suomi Neito) or any other of the numerous national personifications. Suomi Neito also refers to the shape of Finland on a map. With a little imagination it looks like a female form... with a little more imagination her ass is somewhere around Turku. Not only this but Turku is the butt of many Finnish jokes (harhar). On top of this I'm from Tampere and we have a long-standing mutual feud between us... fought with jokes. Oh and lets not forget the students from Tampere University belonging to the 'Ei-Turkulainen Osakunta' (Non-Turkuan society), which since 1997 has made annual excursions to Turku to jump on the market square, doing their part to undo the post-glacial rebound and push the city back under the sea. Go Tampere!

- Finland is the only country where U-turns are permitted. Explain why? - Turku 25 km

Now you must be thinking that there must be a really good reason for me to be driving 2h to Turku and back and there is. This:

Pono

Tom and Emma's dog! Isn't he the cutest little thing?

I don't really like dogs at all, but this one is a cutie <3

Apparently he kept Tom and Emma up all night peeing on the floor. LOL. Like I said, destruction in disguise! A very cute disguise might I add.

Continuing on the subject of weird roadside attractions. On the way to Turku there was this big ass barn like thing on a field. It turned out to be the Finnish agricultural museum. Woohoo! On the way back from Turku we stopped to let the dog pee and look at sheep while I checked out the gift shop.

Map of the Agricultural Museum Sarka

It was pretty funny looking like this huge building in the middle of fields, so yes I think that counts as a weird road side attraction. We also stopped at another weird road side attraction, Ideapark. Nordics largest mall (104 000m2) built on a field on the side of the Tampere-Helsinki motorway. I was left outside with the dog... pfff... but I did get many people ooing and aahing at the cutie pie!

400 Turku people at the bottom of the Aura river is a good start

4000 Turku people at the bottom of the Aura river is problem waste

Gardens, Roadtrips and Parties

2007-06-03T22:19:00.001+03:00

(<-- so trailer trash I know!) The awesome news of the week is that our garden actually looks like a garden as opposed to construction yard and gravel. And it comes just in time cuz the weather has been great this week. Unfortunately our garden is more of an evening garden which means that Samuli can't really enjoy it since he's asleep. Now there are of course weekends when he's not working, but our weekends are so full for June.

Rocky Flowers for the Lazy Gardener

It began with this weekend which was graduation weekend in Finland. On Saturday we drove 180 km to Mänttä and back for my parents friends son's graduation party with my mum, bro and Samuli. It was kinda a weird party because most of the people were relatives of the family and we didn't really know anyone and they all seemed to be the silent Finnish type. All sitting solemnly and eating with occasional murmur in hushed voices.

Splattered Bugs on Windshield

On Sunday Samuli and me drove to Helsinki for my cousins birthday/graduation from secondary school party. That by the way was a 356 km drive (ugh in hot Car from Hell with broken gear box). It was a small party with just my mum, Sam and me, more like family lunch. My aunt made good salmon and salad and I got to laugh at my cousins so all in all a fun afternoon.

Tower Rest-Stop

On the way back we stopped at this rest-stop that I have wanted to stop at since forever! It's a very basic kind of rest stop with just a toilet and some picnic tables but on top of a rocky cliffs edge next to the motorway is a tower you can climb up (see pictures... duh). I love weird roadside attractions (reason why I adored American Gods) and although nothing like House on a Rock it's as good as it gets in Finland.

Up a sloping path...

...And then some spiral stairs...

...And you have a severe case of vertigo...

When I got to the top and looked down I got really scared. I mean the tower was weirdly built so that when you looked down you felt like you were actually hovering above the parking lot. I mean look how small Car from Hell looks! Plus Samuli thought it would be funny to shake the tower which really really really freaked me out. I mean I am just awful with these things.

Not at all Happy Face

Vertigo aside it was worth stopping since there were some nice views of fields... and motorway.

Evening Sun on Motorway Oddity

Pathway up to Tower

Artsy Piece Commemorating Those who Built the Motorway
(with weird embedded penis like rock)

Quest for the Ultimate Orgasmic Wings pt. 1

2007-05-28T20:13:00.000+03:00

Annalan Kioski

The local grill had an ad in the post today saying they were doing wings now. So, of course I had to go down and test them out right away. Sam got kebab and fries and I got 10 wings with medium sauce a total of 11,50e. We had them while watching NCIS, which by the way is an awesome show!

Sam said his kebab wasn't as good as at Jalopeno (which is not saying much as Jalopeno is one of those 'only when wasted' eateries). My wings were OK. The sauce was really good as was the cheese dip. The chicken pieces on the other hand were kinda small compared to those at Speakeasy. Also there was less crunch and well can't say there was quite the ultimate orgasmic taste explosion I have experienced... But they just started doing them so maybe they'll improve. Oh I do hope so, seeing as they're just down the road from us.

Still, it looks like the quest for wings continues...

Mänttiharju

2007-05-27T23:40:00.000+03:00

Dented Egg-Car

First an update on my brothers deer accident. We actually saw the skid marks when we were driving up to Farmer Country. It's weird because when my brother called Sam at 3am right after the crash he said he had no idea where they were but when we drove past the place there was a road sign maybe 50m away so I guess it really was misty/foggy. As you can see the egg-car did get a little dented, although not so clear from the picture. Still it wasn't as bad as I expected.

Fixing Dishwasher

Sam's parents dishwasher was busted so he had to fix that, other than that it was a regular no thrills weekend.

About to Fix the Car from Hell

Sam decided to fix something in the Car from Hell and managed to break the gearbox. Now he can't get half the gears to work or something. So driving home was fun.

Sam vs. Tiuhti

Wings and Ice Cream

2007-05-25T14:40:00.000+03:00

Lately I've really been craving hot wings again. There is this place down town called Speakeasy and they just do the most delicious wings I have ever had. They are so crunchy and covered in this unbelievable hot sauce. I mean goddamn awesomness orgasm on my tongue!!! Ah. *sigh* Plus the reason I'm probably craving wings is because I'm so hungry.

The funny thing is the ice cream car (or whatever you call it) came by on Tuesday and we went and got 25e worth of ice cream and we've been slowly eating our way through them. I'm having one right now. LOL I think I've had like 5 already today. Oh and Sam had one for breakfast yesterday! Like there is nothing wrong with having ice cream for breakfast, I had ice cream for breakfast... but Sam had breakfast at 3 am. I mean how can you wake up that early and have something that cold! Brrr.

Happy Smile Ice Cream

I've been so lazy with making food this week! We've been living on ice cream and microwave Thai food. LOL. So much for becoming a good housewife.

Accidents in the Night

2007-05-25T08:25:00.000+03:00

You know how I was talking about my brother driving to Farmer Country with Emma instead of coming with us last night. Well, this morning when Sam was leaving to work (around 3am) he came over and said "your brothers been in an accident. He hit a reindeer." It took me a while to sort of wake up and go "wh... WHAT? Is he OK" Sam assured me that he was. The egg-car had the front dented and the reindeer was... not so lucky.

Stupid Cute Reindeer R.I.P.

When I woke up this morning I panicked because I'd had weird dreams all night about my brother getting into accidents of varying severity and didn't know what was reality. When I called him they were already at Farmer Country and he seemed pretty OK. The police had come and been like, "yep, it's dead alright. A dead reindeer." And then some hunter had come and said he would take the animal and do an autopsy on it and then bury it. I thought this was kinda funny and somewhat disturbing. Perhaps he's watched too much C.S.I. LOL C.S.I. Bumblefuck "we investigate road kill"...

Stupid Hideous Moose

So, all in all I think they were lucky that the reindeer was small not a full grown ugly one or a moose. By the way I just read that Tycho Brahe (1546–1601), a famous physicist and astronomer, had a pet elk that once got drunk and got killed when it fell down the stairs in his castle. That cracked me up. Anyway I do feel bad for the reindeer, they're cute.

The Drive

I think that they were pretty much asking for it though. Firstly, who drives 500 km in the middle of the night! Plus they were in a moose warning area! Just no. No! Bad!

Future Unemployed

2007-05-24T23:08:00.000+03:00

Yesterday kinda sucked. I decided to go and have a talk with the people at the local employment office hoping to get some ideas and answers in finding a job. Of course at the moment all I want is a job and so almost any job will do. However I was interested in finding out how I might get a job in the future (when I get my degree) in my actual field. So, I was all positive hoping to get some great tips and some assurance on the fact that I haven't wasted 3 years of my life studying something I will do jack shit with. Boy was I dissapointed.

This I got probably THE most irritating guy in the whole employment office. He didn't listen to a word I said, in fact all he did was repeat "you'll find a job" and "just keep looking". When I asked him how I could find a job later on specializing in my field and told him I was majoring in sociology he clicked on the "social work" section. Which of course came up with results like psychologist, social worker, assistants for people with disability etc... and I was thinking, "my God you idiot social work and sociology aren't the same!" And when I tried to tell him that he seemed to think that it didn't matter as they almost sounded the same so they couldn't be that far off. When I persisted that they really weren't I was like "FINE! Did you know that there is a search field here and we can search for jobs to do with sociology." I told him that yes I knew there was a search but I hadn't exactly done a search with the term "sociology" but that I thought that it wouldn't do much good. He was like, "HA! I bet there will be MANY results just you see and just to show you how many opportunities there are in the whole country I will search all the jobs to do with sociology in Finland!" And guess what, results 1. HAHA! Plus that place was looking for a sociology professor. MUAHAHHA. So, I guess I'll be ending up a bum.

I have to say that I wasn't so annoyed by the fact that he didn't know what sociology is, although it was a little bit disconcerting considering his job, what really pissed me off was the fact that he wouldn't listen to me. He wouldn't let me explain what sociology was which just might have helped him to point me in the right direction. Grrr. What a waste of my time.

Heart Attack Rabbit

We're going to Farmer Country again this weekend. Tom and Emma (my brother's girlfriend) will be there too. Should be interesting. They were going to come up there in our car but then had to go get some things from Vasa (Emma's parents live there) so they'll be coming in the egg-car. Incidentally this was a bit of a relief for me because the Car from Hell isn't the most family friendly car in the world and with those rabbits it would have been really cramped. Plus my brother is convinced that listening to music will give the rabbits a heart attack and I on the other hand will go insane if I have to sit in a car for 3 hours and listen to my brother (I do love him and we get along great but honestly not 3 hours). Plus I just bought a new (O.K. used) iPod video and it is just kick ass (although Sam doesn't think so since I now have 26 gigabytes more of bad music than I did before).

Woohoo it's almost Friday!

Weekend in Farmer Country

2007-05-22T22:16:00.000+03:00

Friday afternoon we packed the Car from Hell (with super glued back light) and headed of on a road trip to Farmer Country a.k.a. Mäntyharju. For those who don't know, Mäntyharju (this place that I make so much fun of) is actually the reason why Sam and I are together. See, a long time ago, say in the summer of 2002, my parents decided it was high time they began the slow, but steady, move back to Finland. This process began with the purchase of an old sheep farm and as it so happened this seemingly remote dead middle of nowhere bumblefuck looservile came with kick ass neighbors. These neighbors were 'luomu' (I think the translation is organic) potato farmers with three weird kids who had many weird cousins. And so five years later these funny neighbors are now my future in-laws. So, even though I do poke a lot of fun about Farmer Country I do owe this 'town' a heck of a lot.

Cottage Garden Heartsease

On a side note I think my choice in in-law geography was pretty crummy. I mean they are really sweet and all and my parents get along with them just fine, but you know. No one really wants to live 500m away from the in-laws. Really. No matter how sweet. But then again it could be worse. Seeing as they live on a farm passed down from Sam's late grandfather my (future) mother-in-law has lived her whole married life within eyesight of her in-laws. Now that is hardcore!

Sam in Makeshift Jeans Straitjacket

Anyway, I needed some holiday from Sam. I mean don't get me wrong we didn't fight or anything but you know seeing each other everyday for the past five months does make you want to see other people too. My mum was there for the weekend planting and plowing so I escaped to our cottage for most of Saturday.

No Fields of Gold for me. I Prefer Sea of Blue.

Sunday we had to leave earlier than we usually do because we had to make two stops on the way home. Stop one was Sam's grandparents (not the across the garden ones). His scarily diligent crafts making grandmother wanted us to pick the color for our cream and sugar set (yes, I know, scary). She also loaded us with various home made handy crafts such as a painted porcelain teabag holder.

*sigh* Isn't that Just so my Color *sigh*

Stop two was this legendary guy who Sam spent his year of military service with. I had been hearing about this famous Jokinen for over a year now and finally I got to meet him! I wasn't so impressed, but then again I am renown for being the suckiest first impression person. I never make friends the first time. I'm so anti-social! Still, I can see why my boyfriend likes the guy.

Back home... or not...

2007-05-22T22:03:00.000+03:00

We came back from Switzerland Wednesday evening. Thursday was a holiday so Sam didn't have to do any deliveries so we spent the day recovering from our holiday. I'm a firm believer in a recovery holiday after a holiday.

Lazy Thursday Underneath the Power Lines watching the Grass Grow

We went for a walk to the forest next to us and found a nice warm rock in the sun under the power lines. It was a really neat place but apparently we can't go there often because I wont be able to have children if I get too much electric magnetism from the power lines. This is of course what Sam told me and he based this theory on the effect power lines have on cows... hmm...

Car From Hell with No Right Back Light

The rest of the day was spent fixing the Car from Hell and listening to awesome Eurovision tunes!

NOTE: Car from Hell now has back light on again attached by super glue... hmm...

Switzerland

2007-05-22T18:35:00.001+03:00

Term pretty much finished on the 14th and since Sam somehow managed to get time of from his "gulag for truck drivers" we decided to use our engagement present... i.e. go to Switzerland. I used to not like living there. I didn't feel like I fit in at all... but it turned out to be fun.

It's the first time I can say that I ran out of time during my stay in Switzerland since I moved away from home. Before it felt more like going back home and that was kinda sucky... you know that movie Garden State when Andrew Largeman goes back home. OK, minus the controlling father, mothers funeral... oh and the lithium. Um, but you get the idea (maybe). Aaaanyway point is that this was the first time I went to Switzerland on a holiday! Firstly, it's only my dad there now and secondly I had a Switzerland-virgin with my who had to see all the touristy things. Because of this my time was spent between the stove and touristy places. Woohoo. Downside was that I didn't have time to see people *cough* Sandra *cough* which really sucked since I already missed seeing a lot of people at Christmas. However I promise that I will be back... soon enough!

Spiral Snail

So, what does a tourist do in Switzerland? In fact what does an ex-resident-turned-tourist do in Switzerland? One word. Gardens. Yes, gardens with perfect specimens and finger clipped grass was our poison. I know that some of your are shitting yourselves laughing but yes I don't care... or perhaps you are finally convinced of my transformation into a boring housewife. Ha! That may be but I still have some of my old self left. Anyway the reason we did a lot of gardens and parks was because the weather was so nice so obviously we wanted to be outside and secondly my Sam is the son of a farmer. He gets orgasmic when he finds a nice plant (I kid you not!). Plus I did enjoy taking photos of the darn things. Here are some:

Swan with Head in own Arse

Magnolia

Snail on Tree

Happy Opium Plant

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Inside the Cathedral de St-Pierre

Back to topic. It's funny how you never do touristy things when you live somewhere. Like I don't think I have ever been to the Cathedral de St-Pierre (shock!) or really looked at any of the statues of Jardin Anglais in detail or gone to see the Jet d'Eau with a total newbie. To be honest it was quite thrilling, like being there for the first time (corny I know). The only down side to our day out in Geneva was that it was raining pretty hardcore and we got totally soaked.

Geneva from under an Umbrella Darkly

All in all it was a fun holiday. A little short but fun while it lasted. Switzerland you no longer intimidate me, so HA!

Bought from Train Station Vending Machine

2007-04-29T19:29:00.000+03:00

27.9.1925-1.4.2007

Eino Eemeli SAILAS

Nuo vahvat kädet karkeat

mun olkapäälle nostivat,

ja päivän taakka viimeinen

ol varmaan höyhenen kevyinen.

Nuo rakkaat kädet isän oi

ne meille leivän pöytään soi.

Ne näytti merkit aapisen

ja veisti laivat ja hevosen.

(Veikko Lavi)

Vegetable Mutilation and Lewd Fruit

2007-04-25T08:28:00.000+03:00

Last night we had the second part of our Thai cooking course. Sam had been complaining about it for ages "who pays 15e to cut up vegetable??" and the concept in general "cutting up vegetables... ha!" I mean this had been going on for quite some time and every time I brought up the topic he would go on complaining. So, you could say that we were having some serious motivational problems (he even tried to make us late!) However, his attitude towards knives and vegetables was all about to change.

Carrot flowers and cucumber thing.

Sam ended up being the only guy and we ended up being the youngest ones (again!) but that didn't matter much, it's the results that count, right? And it wasn't that bad, at least it wasn't like a senior cruise. I mean most of the people there were in their thirties I would guess. But some were already into the whole vegetable decoration scene. This one lady brought her own knife... hmmm... which I was soon to realize wasn't such a bad idea.

Onion flowers

There are a few essential things that you need when making decorations with fruit and veg: 1. a good knife 2. a good vegetable (well shaped, not too raw and not too ripe) 3. patience. Of those three I swear I had none! My knife was sucky, at least when I was using it. It was blunt and would NEVER cut the way I wanted it to. I always picked the wrong vegetable/fruit. It was either too long or small or fat or just too darn squishy! And the one thing I just do NOT have, as regards to any aspect of life, is PATIENCE. I mean I want things done! I don't want to gently grate at a carrot for 15 minutes. I want to slice and dice right NOW! Heh. So, you can imagine what my creations looked like. Sam on the other hand is good at making little things with his hands and he has admirable amounts of patience. And it was truly visible in our work.

Sam's onion flower

My onion thing

Sam's root flower

My root flower (held together by toothpicks)

Sam's watermelon rose

There is no picture available for my watermelon rose because I ate it. I tried. I really did! I thought I got the center right, it was round, I guess. Then I started the petals and it all went down hill from there. I made two petals and looked at the thing and it looked like... well... part of the female anatomy. It really did! I tried to fix it. I cut at the lewd flesh of the mocking fruit. And I couldn't fix it! No matter what I did I could not erase the obvious genitalia from my watermelon! But it got worse! Sam's laughter brought the teacher over to see how we were getting along. Oh the humiliation of handing her my watermelon vagina! She observed it for a while and then judging by her expression she caught on. She cut a few pieces off and handed it back to me. Even though it looked much more like a flower I was still angry at the stupid fruit so I sulkily ate the darn thing. I'm sure you could make some Freudian assumptions on this but please don't.

Apple swans

All in all my boyfriend ended up thoroughly enjoying the course, I on the other hand will forever hate fruit and vegetables with a vengeance.

Helsinki Weekend

2007-04-23T17:46:00.000+03:00

"Helsinki City Boys"

We ended up going to Helsinki just the two of us, my brother bailed out at the last minute. Still it was ok. IKEA was good. I can't believe they do breakfast for only 2e! And the best (and smallest according to Sam) hot dogs for 0,90e (yeah would you believe it, we went there for the food).

My mum's apartment was big compared to ours and she lives there alone! Pah. Still there was weird shit on the walls and the previous owner had some obsession with drilling holes or something. Oh and the funny thing is she has a huge ass TV but no bed. My boyfriend read that last sentence: "Oh and the funny thing is she has a huge ass... hmm... TV but no bed." Great. I hate it when people read over my shoulder *HINT HINT*

After IKEA we headed into Helsinki-town (let me remind you once again that it is Finland's ONLY CITY!!!) to meet up with my 'auntie' (ROFL) and cousin. I stepped into the BIGGEST pile of dog shit. I swear it was HUGE like as if every dog in Helsinki had taken a shit there... funn... NOT. Plus my cousin yelled: "OMG YOU JUST STEPPED INTO DOG SHIT" like uber loud and pretty much everyone turned to look. Yay!

Sam falling asleep at Chico's

We had dinner at Chico's. Steeaaaak and fries!! It was good stuff. Athough the guy did forget my order, but made up for it really quick. Oh and gave us candy as my boyfriend just pointed out. I also had some wings... man I love chicken wings! It's my new obsession since ribs. Hehe. After that we headed on back to my mum's and she tried to make us stay for the night, but in vain... hehe...

So, back to Tampere we went

Sunday was less eventful, in fact the most interesting thing we did was look at our neighbors make friends with our other neighbors. Woohoo. And we tried to sunbathe on our gravel garden but failed miserably. I also made burger like things:

for lunch. I was damn hungry so they were pretty good (I know they look kinda weird in the picture). Anyway, Sam is tired so I have to put him to bed.

Pizza and my first YouTube

2007-04-20T19:23:00.000+03:00

After making that cocktail time seemed to go a heck of a lot faster and the sun came out. When Sam came home he was hungry and since I'm the domestic goddess that I am we ended up going out for pizza.

Hmmm... yeah how glamorous (and appetizing). Plus my brother came to stalk us (actually I think he was hiding from Emma ;)). So, we had a bacon, chicken, Parmesan and mushroom pizza which was surprisingly good.

Oh yea if anyone is interested in the rabbit porn I was talking about in my last post feel free to watch it:

If this doesn't work on Facebook (and it probably wont since Facebook already fucks up my layout when it imports my blog) then either go watch it on my original blog or then just check it out on my Facebook posts. Happy viewing :)

Blueberry Vodka Blues

2007-04-20T12:34:00.000+03:00

It's now 12:38 and I still haven't done anything constructive today. So, I thought I would try my hand at making my very own cocktail! I mean it is past noon and heck I'm a student! I decided to make something uber-Finnish and figured that Finland is known for its lovely forests. Forest = berries = blueberry soup:

Next step, ALCOHOL. And what better than good old Finnish vodka:

...see, it even has the Finnish lion on the bottle, now that's uber-Finnish! Plus this vodka has the 'Swan symbol'

...which basically means good shit from Finland. (I was really getting into this... LOL) And so the two are mixed together and some lemonade is added. End product:

Laura's Blueberry Vodka Blues

The fact that it isn't blue is beside the point, it was delicious.

What a feeling!

2007-04-20T07:38:00.000+03:00

I just woke up with what feels like a hangover. Damn, I think I'm getting sick cuz it can't be a hangover unless my alcohol tolerance has become awful.

Anyway I'm so damn glad we grilled yesterday because right now it's the shittiest weather but then again at least it's not snowing.

We were planning on taking a trip down to Helsinki to see my mum and do some shopping. I don't know if any of you know that my mum moved to Finland (Helsinki) at the beginning of the month. She got a job as some consultant school shrink specializing in cultural (ethnic) and immigrant issues (worst translation ever). She's the only one in Finland hahah so no pressure ;) So, I wanna go check out her apartment and go shopping in Helsinki, because honestly Finland just has one city and it sure isn't Tampere. The three places I wanna go to are: Tokyokan (Japanese food), Mr. Nibble (American food) and Ikea (Swedish furniture and FOOD)... hey I LOVE food and the more exotic the better (yea see Swedish food is exotic in Finland heh). I hope it doesn't snow cuz we only have semi-snow tires. This meaning that Sam plucked... damn I don't know the English word... hmm... hey here is a picture:

... yea so he plucked half of those spike things off (half not because half had any significance but half because he has lazy). So yes, semi-snow tires. And we're going to die... because our car is the car from HELL.

Car From Hell

Anyway I have now effectively wasted some of my time today... now what to go for the rest of the day. I could clean the house.... OR I could watch that episode of C.S.I. and Las Vegas I recorded... hehe... Guess which one I'm going to do ;)

Ps. I can't believe I'm having crisps for breakfast... man my mum would KILL me.