Dudeson's Signed DVD and Saturday

Nothing very interesting has happened this last few weeks, it has been all work and very little play.

Last Monday, we had the canvases delivered and they are all up now but two of them that need to be drilled into the wall. Eero also made us a frame and we made a picture with that with some fabric we got especially! YAY!!

Then Britta, Iris and Dennis came around as we have only 2 and half weeks to write up our Finnish report and the presentation for it which is Thursday 31st! Eck!!!

Then Elisa and Joni dropped by to see the apartment and say hi. Followed by Jouko and Kati who stopped by on the way home from Lapland. We had guests from 12pm to 10pm =) great day! lots of cooking 3 pizzas, cheese bread, pulla and apple and cinnamon crumble.... good day!

I finished my first draft of my seminar paper Sunday and submitted it. So much work the Finnish exam is very early too, only 2 weeks away!!

It snowed 12cm as yet over the weekend and today, once more we are at 74cm of snow! footpaths are evil as this 10cm of snow is compacted or part ploughed and there is just a thick layer of ice under it! slippery!

I got home to find the Dudeson's DVD was signed! Happy days!

Now, I must go learn some Finnish grammar

August Begins

I am not at all sure where this year has gone... It's two-thirds through the year and it feels like it should be April. Summer has been phenomenal more hot days than cool, sunny and hot. Perfect summer to be care free and having fun.

We had a really relaxing weekend, chilled out and relaxed (it's not happened for a while and it weekends are busy again until mid September). I packed up most of my things over the weekend to move to Jyväskylä tomorrow. It's really exciting and I can't wait for Eero to move up too! until then I'm back in Tampere every weekend and spare day I have.

First week of July + Jyväskylä

It has been sunny and hot here all week.... averaging around 25C in the day and 17C at night. Wednesday lunch time the sky darkened with the thunder and rained they forecast looked promising. All we got was 25 minutes rain then the sun came out again forcing the humidity through the roof!

We have had a peaceful week, mostly. Monday the excitement was going to citymarket to make sure I had a few odds and ends sorted for the visitors next week! We also went to Anttila for nothing in particular just a look around to see if there was anything we wanted... there wasn't. I wanted to get some new dishes and plates but they didn't have in stock what we both liked. So Eero promised to take me to another bigger Anttila later in the week. Which he did today and we have the plates! Hopefully we can order the other things online or go back to the smaller Anttila... so much to do and so little time.

Eero has watched football whenever it was on and I read my book, just keeping an eye on the score. Still my books have not been dispatched after I declared them lost after never receiving them, it's so stressful waiting for these things and we have had no other problems getting things in the mail...

Wednesday I got my offer on the temporary student accommodation for the 2 months I need it in Jyväskylä, so I accepted that and we paid it off... the first bill to get paid from my Finnish account...

Lots of interesting things happened this week with jobs and cars both will change soon! I, on the other hand decided not to bother with a car just yet.... cheap trains and I get the bonus of borrowing our car when Eero isn't using it for work (same as now!).... best of both worlds I say!

Anyway this weekend it is Johanna and Jarmo's wedding so I must go pack ready for it =)

Days of war

Well, today in the glorious sunshine we were going into city and going on a picnic but alas I was ill. Didn't even start until midday but continued until Eero was back from work around 2.30pm by that time I was tired and didn't feel well enough to go into city. So we stayed in Hervanta, went and sat by the lake and did some shopping.

26C today and very humid, we heard one rumble of thunder whilst walking around the lake and it even tried to rain (poor attempt at try, few drops) then bang sun and humidity back. Lovely weather I called home to gloat, cold and cloudy there!!!

I cleaned up the apartment a little and sorted a few things out I had meant to all week.

Mom and dad have booked the flights now so I am happy as a pig in poo! Such a busy summer.

Donna (Sherry) still hasn't had Libby May and James and Cory can hardly contain themselves (much like me!) I predict tomorrow will be the day.

Had a look at my temporary student accommodation, need to apply for it tomorrow but I am excited about September and getting a proper apartment in Jyväskylä.

Still annoyed that we were meeting Irina in city for an art gallery and picnic (don't know what made me that ill).

We went to get some stuff for my bike, all we need now is a kick stand and I'm good to go everywhere! photos pending. Whilst at äiti Suominen's I saw another orava (squirrel) running down the drive with a baby in her mouth, cute!

International student guide and living

Well, today I have to read though the International Student Guide sent from Jyväskylä. I tried yesterday but was much to excited to do anything or take anything in so I cleaned the apartment and washed four loads of laundary.

Still last night when Eero got back even he was excited about us moving and new beginnings which is always good! After a little read of the literature last night I found out for the month or two I'm going in student accommodation, until we can move up there officially, I have to apply for that in the next few weeks. I have been shocking picky in my choices considering I'm not there long but at least I was reasonable with the rent (some of those places are like up to €700 a month). So as it goes I am willing to room share as I am not there long enough to be bothered by someone else but I am not excited about living in a box (those rooms aren't big and they aren't cheap). Ok, focus... it's just a month or two then you get a normal apartment again with Eero... phew!

August at least gives us sometime to go see apartments in Jyväskylä, I want to be within 3km max of the city centre so as I can walk in and back even when it snows as I doubt I will ever be brave enough to bike ride in the snow and ice... I have seen to many Finn's fall off.

Today it's really sunny so I'm sad my bike doesn't get sorted until Thursday. Still Eero is at Heikki's tonight so I can watch simpsons and surf the net!

Mom and dad still haven't confirmed if they have found a solution to the pet sitting so as they can visit. I dare say they will end up coming, hope so anyway!

I must go read this guide now. Find a list of things to do and pay!

A New Life

So, my ticket was booked, Eero was coming to get me from England (I feared it would be too much crying for me and mom but neither of us cried!!) I enjoyed my leaving party from my friends at our local bar (Ye Olde Foundary) and even the extra Christmas party hosted by my lovely "aunty" Jayne! I was so excited about that party Emma even made us a suitcase leaving cake which mom wanted to devour as soon as she picked up Eero and myself from the party!

Lucky for some, 13th December 2009 we landed in Tampere city airport and forever began! I came to a new city with no job just a plan to enrol for a master's degree, language course and then get a job so as we could afford more luxuries (and I could get a car too!!).

It was a busy few weeks in a brand new apartment block, I spent the first 3 weeks just sorting boxes and moving things around. You would of thought it was a family of five in here not just us! I spent Christmas 2008 here so I was quite excited about being here 2009, even though I missed being with my own family. I guess we get to go back to England some Christmases.

After Christmas, I started asking around for some language courses. We found one and I enrolled a 3 month beginners course. I was so excited!