Kesä

OK, so I am behind with most peoples design to look good in a bikini by summer. I look good enough now but I have decided to get into the Finnish way of fitness. So, today I took a walk to the shops brought some bottled water. That was the begining of my 1km walk. Then I came back did the laundry and cleaning. I have 6 months today to lose 9kg shouldn't be too hard!

Then tonight we went for an 8km while it was sunny and 21C! So off we went, I decided to go in my trainers (big mistake) as I had been wearing them for short walks for a week. I now have blisters on both my small toes the length of my small toes (ouch) at least they didn't burst. Eero being hopelessly romantic brought me some new socks from intersport when we got to citymarket. Though we both knew my foot would stiil hurt I didn't want to get the bus back. E was attacked by mosquitoes on the way home and one was the size of a small dog lol (maybe not but it was huge!)

We went to citymarket to get some gifts to go home with few bars of chocolate and some cakes that everyone liked the best last time. Oh I got Dean some strawberry flavour Finnish oreo's. Granddad and nan got additional liquorish.

This morning I got my personal Identity Number so now all is well in my little world! I'm also excited about going to UK!

Still getting random rashes but I think, to almost certain it's to do with the birch pollen levels being so high. I am not looking forward to returning to UK with grass pollen levels when we return but I have packed my hay-fever medications so I'm at least prepared...

Today was good, walked 9km, got my ID number, got small gifts for all our family and loved ones.

Looking forward to another sunny day tomorrow and a walk in my sandals

Lahti and a fly by visit to Mikkeli

Saturday morning I did some baking for the long two days driving around. It was another hot day, so hot that driving in the car wasn't the best thing we could of thought to do but going to a house warming was exciting! We left for Lahti around 2pm, filled the car up of petrol and cleaned the windows (I used the long stick window washer, trying to avoid getting near too much birch pollen). The drive was really pretty everything green, woods and then some big lakes (normal Finnish scenery) though it doesn't matter how many times you see it all, it's still beautiful.

Time passed driving quickly being silly joking, talking and listening to music. We got some luomu milk for me when we were almost there.

Then I meet Vesa (again) and Annukka whose house warming it was! Anyway more people turned up and we played board games, drank and ate. Then we went into Lahti centre and went clubbing. The night finished with hesburger were I managed to get a blood sugar crash (thankfully i had ribena and choc in bag) though it didn't raise my blood sugar much. I really enjoyed that night and even the wait for the taxi. Though I was cold, my legs were weak and shaking and my eyes didn't want to focus... I have no clue how my blood sugar got so low and it's been 4 or 5 years since it crashed like that. I put it down to being ill all last week and not eating much but walking a lot and not eating much that day but dancing all night. Oh well, no harm done. Annukka gave me a banana when we got home, blood sugar saved. I just learnt I'm not as immortal as I like to think.

Sunday we got up (late), ate, watched tv. The boys went or pizza and Annukka and I saw watching tv and talked. Great weekend. Around 2pm we left for Mikkeli. It had threaten rain but as we drove Eero said "the weather forecast was wrong", two minutes later it rained. I was amused. Rain was off and on all the way to Mikkeli (I love the smell of wet forest here). We drove around Mikkeli looking at the places both we went to and Eero(Mikkeli school, bars, old apartment, places we walked) looking at the new hole in the city floor. Then we went to citymarket (tried to) then we remembered it was helluntai (whitsun) so everything was shut. We then drove to Jarmo and Johanna's had coffee and dropped off the stuff we had too (Jarmo was away in Oulu) and then we left to drive home.

I love the drive from Mikkeli to Jyväskylä it is soooo pretty even when it's raining. I saw swans on most lakes on the way home, and lots of foals (baby horses) they were super cute! The drive home was long but as normal we entertained each other being silly and talking.


We drove through Jyväskylä and I pointed out roadsigns were we could live, where I would like to live, where I thought university campus was. We also saw some signs that we wanted to do and go see. We didn't stop though the day had been long enough and we have time to go look around and see what's around after Spain and the UK.

We got home around 9pm, still raining and unpacked the car. We saw a huge rabbit when we got back to the apartment running around in the rain. I then cooked us some dinner, we ate, showered, watched some hockey and slept

A great weekend though!

Suolijärvi walk

Sunday was a nice day. It did get as hot as Saturday so we went to sunbathe and read on Suolijärvi's beach for a few hours. I still didn't feel great so we came home and I ate. Eero then finished off painting the chairs on the balcony. I got all restless so we decided to go on a walk... so squirrel lake was decided. I didn't pack any water or anything just my camera as squirrel lake is small and we normally walk around the streets and small parks after. Alas came the funny part, Eero decided squirrel lake was Suolijärvi (4.5km walk).



Though I had a headache in the end walking 4.5km in 50 minutes over very rough ground, including picture stops. It was a bit dark to get any good shots as the sun was in the wrong place! Suolijärvi is a strange walk, it doesn't feel like you are going around the lake, then all of a sudden you are back at the swimming pier. There is even a small cliff to climb and the views are beautiful. I loved it and I want to walk it everyday! (with water)

Still didn't feel to well on Sunday evening after the walk so Eero cooked dinner, roasted vegs, mashed potatoes and grilled pork. I was drinking water.

It's odd we have been in the hot sun a lot the weekend and neither of us have burnt we have got the start of a good tan though!!

Also we applied for my student accommodation for the intensive course in August. My school is based over the "pretty" side of the lake so hopefully we get an apartment that side of the lake.

We found a new squirrel to feed too

Sunshine

Saturday was another hot day, no breeze most of the time so you could feel the sun burning you!

I didn't feel too bad in the morning yesterday so we went shopping for food (my rice wafers which were almost out of stock!!!). We also got some Rice ice cream I tried some at Hanna's it's not bad, if you can't eat dairy it is a very good alternative... I don't tolerate Finnish milk only Luomu doesn't cause much problem.

We decided as I felt a little better we would go picnic at Suolijärvi (everyone else in Hervanta had the same idea). So off we went armed with drink, rice wafers and some chips. We also found a nice blanket we used to sit on. We lay by the lake talking and reading for a few hours. We even braved a paddle (omg the water was sooo cold, not helped by the scorching temperatures)and lost feeling in my feet when the water got half way up my shins.



We then went for a walk around Ahvenisjärvi which is where we took some photos and found the last of a snow pile.



We came home and ate and I didn't feel too good so I canceled going to Nina's (which I was looking forward to all week!!!) lay on the sofa and watched some 24.

Today (Sunday) I slept better than Saturday night. Got up and finished the women pain of leg waxing (lol) I also managed to get wax on the sofa (not a good move). I was ill again today but I have my suspicions to what caused it and if it's right then it should get better from today.

Warm today, not as hot as yesterday. There is also a breeze and some clouds. Leaves are on the trees now and it looks like summer!

Hopefully we get the basket on my bike today and then I will take a photo =D Not much planned today; a walk, film and chill out!

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!

Ascension Day (helatorstai)

Yesterday was Ascension day, a national holiday in Finland but not in the UK where majority are Christian, odd.

Anyhow, the day was a busy one Eero didn't want a quite day off work and to be honest I was glad of the company! We put my bike together and then locked it up in the shed with 2 locks, no one is taking my bike!!! lol will post a picture before the weekend is out!

We went to Jouko's and Kati's for lunch, everyone happy I had supplied the list of things I can eat previously so I didn't have to take things with me! Even pudding was rotated toward me with meringue, cream and raspberries. Though I need a filling in my tooth redone and that was happy with the sugar hehe. Still, it's one of few luxuries I get! Also my filling is being repaired in 3 weeks so not long left to have a sensitive tooth! The weather was gorgeous and we ate cake and coffee on the balcony.

Went home, chilled out and I ate potato chips again, no rash nothing. So glad I tolerate potato again!!! My weight is a pain in the backside since my reintroductions I am getting fat but not actually eating much which is annoying. So I am upping exercise and continuing to eat the same... my metabolism should stabilize soon. Not impressed that it will mean I go to Spain as heavy as I was when I got here but still battle is lost but the war is not yet won!

Mom and dad confirmed their visit yesterday afternoon which was a nice lift to my mood. I'm excited already and planning places to go and what to do!

Yesterday was my 6 month marker, it has gone so quickly. I can't believe I only have 2 months left until I am at university again... its surreal. However, I have choosen 3 potential apartments until Eero gets there. I will ask him to see them later and book them.

Feeling HOT, HOT, HOT!

Ok, so I went out for my first walk of the day and EVERYONE is at the lake (well more like a pool.) Anyway its called Ahvenisjärvi. First, I walked to our favourite duck feeding spot, someone was there. Then I walked around to the beach part and all the benches were filled of drunk people. Round the other side of the lake I walked, fast losing hope that I would be able to sit and chill out for a while in the sun listening to my mp3´s on my phone. Finally I found a shaded bench, no one around. No bugs around really, compared to the midges around by the duck feeding spot.

I sat down with my ear phones on, looking at the lake in a world of my own. Something touches my leg, I jump out of my skin. Wondering what just landed on me. Alas, I see a cheeky red fluffy squirrel sat on the bench right beside me. Gutted that I didn't have my camera...

Orava (squirrel) after a minute of staring at me; moving closer and back, bounced off the bench. Picked up a nut and ran up the tree. It was obviously used to being fed. The next sunny day I will go back and see if it comes back, with my camera.

25C and the sun's shinning! a good day. Oh yeah tomorrow is a national holiday so Eero is home!!! hopefully we get my bike ready for riding =)