A new Life in Finland from 2009...
Friday, 30 July 2010
Granddad's 82 today!
Would love to wish my Granddad a Happy Birthday! I hope the weather is sunny in the UK today! xxx
Last week in July
It has been a busy week. I move to Jyväskylä early next week and Kesäyliopisto (Summer University) starts next week for the month. So as you probably guessed I have spent most of the week packing up my things, first they went into a maybe pile, then the definitely pile. I am in halls until Eero moves up so space will be very restricted until we move up there properly.
I only have 3 days off from Wednesday to the start of my master's degree so I have no doubt Christmas will be upon us before we even know it!!! Hopefully we go back to UK this Christmas... mom and dad are coming to Lapland Christmas 2011.
Even got a new contract phone connection so life is good!!
Last night Eero brought me a new bag for university, it's great, I love it and have started to put all my brooches and pins all over it!!
We also put the new bike bag and light on my bike... almost ready for the little move!
I only have 3 days off from Wednesday to the start of my master's degree so I have no doubt Christmas will be upon us before we even know it!!! Hopefully we go back to UK this Christmas... mom and dad are coming to Lapland Christmas 2011.
Even got a new contract phone connection so life is good!!
Last night Eero brought me a new bag for university, it's great, I love it and have started to put all my brooches and pins all over it!!
We also put the new bike bag and light on my bike... almost ready for the little move!
Powerful Storm Leaves Tens of Thousands of Homes without Electricity
The aftermath of a hot and humid day... we didn't have much of a storm here but the little bit we did have was very powerful
Powerful Storm Leaves Tens of Thousands of Homes without Electricity
Powerful Storm Leaves Tens of Thousands of Homes without Electricity
Monday, 26 July 2010
Mom and Dad's First Visit to Finland (part 2)
Monday 19th July
We exploded the rest of Hervanta in the afternoon. We did the washing and chores in the morning. Then went to Tampere Ikea... mom found some things they want for their new kitchen so they maybe importing stuff from Finland =) We brought more things we didn't need but I wanted =D
Tuesday 20th July
We went to Ahvenisjärvi and saw baby ducks, mom and dad enjoyed walking around the small lake we did it whenever they wanted too. We went into the shopping centre and spent sometime in there. We got shopping for dinner and made 4 home made pizzas. This is a meal I worried about with dad as he's not a lover of tomato sauce but he really enjoyed the pizza!
Wednesday 21st July
Mom, dad and me went into city to explore the rest of what we hadn't finished yet! We spent 3 hours looking around the city. We went into Kauppatori mom got a cake and dad got a potato cake (forgot the name at this minute). We came home and got changed and went to Perti's summer cottage. Another wonderful night, barbeque and more fish. Sun set on the lake was so pretty and mom sat on a rock watching the lake and talking most the night. We then left the summer cottage around 9pm and Eero took mom and dad on a little tour around Lempäälä.
Part Family shot
Sunset at Perti's summer cottage, Lempäälä
Me looking windswept
Thursday 22nd July
Tonight we are going to the 3rd summer cotttage and barbeque of the week. In the day we walked around Hervanta and Ahvenisjärvi. Baked two more cakes to take to the summer cottage. This summer cottage was a friend's and was in Valkeakoski (white rapids). Another nice night mom and dad got to met Eero's brother and sister's and the rest of the family. We talked into the night... We all had sauna and a swim in the lake. Mom and dad didn't go in but regretted it later.
Sunset at Valeakoskii
Eero resting <3
Friday 23rd July
Jouko came by to fetch us and we went to Viikisaari with him and Kati. This was an excellent day... we got to see and do lots of things and places I didn't know about. We had lunch in the resturant and had a little walk around the island. Then we went to Pyynikin Näkötorni, we went to the top of the observatory and took a few photos. Jouko drove us around some old houses to show mom more homes. Then we went back to Jouko and Kati's house and had doughnuts and coffee... Kati got me some bread I could eat =)
yes, this is photographic evidence of mom on a boat...
This was one of mom and dad's favourite days. They loved meeting Eero's family and seeing them so much.
In the evening we went to Ideapark, I got a new Halti bike bag and a new Halti coat that cost €200! whoohoo. Mom, dad and Eero had chinese takeway.
Saturday 24th July
The penultimate day, cloudy and cool matched the mood of the holiday almost over for me at least! We got up and went to Jyväskylä. We showed mom and dad the area where I was moving too in August and probably where Eero and me move for the next 2 years before we return to Tampere to settle. Though we did some house shopping while in Jyväskylä but there was nothing we wanted to buy! lol so rent it is! hehe mom and dad even did some summer house shopping.
We then showed mom and dad the university buildings I will be in then to the city centre campus where my language course is. We then parked up and went for an explore around city. Mom, dad and Eero ate lunch in Amarillo, looked lovely but they had nothing I could adapt to be allergy friendly. I also discovered Stockmann is only in Helsinki, Tampere and Turku... so I now its a certainty we will settle permanently in Tampere now! but I am excited about our two years in Jyväskylä.
Sunday 25th July
Home day for mom and dad. We were going to Helsinki but we decided not to bother. We talked all morning then went to get some kotipizza. Then in the evening we drove to Helsinki. Mom managed to cry, who knows why but I can't see her cry without crying so that was the goodbye. Mom managed to cry in the airport again and Eero was trying to wave to her but I told him not to cause she wass crying enough. There flight home was delayed by 2 hours, which annoyed me as delays can leave a bitter taste in a holiday's memories but next time they fly with another airline!
Mom promised Eero they would visit a month next year and also come for Christmas 2011... so the excitement begins. They loved their trip more than we thought they would. They loved to see so much to Eero's family and how welcome they made them here.
We exploded the rest of Hervanta in the afternoon. We did the washing and chores in the morning. Then went to Tampere Ikea... mom found some things they want for their new kitchen so they maybe importing stuff from Finland =) We brought more things we didn't need but I wanted =D
Tuesday 20th July
We went to Ahvenisjärvi and saw baby ducks, mom and dad enjoyed walking around the small lake we did it whenever they wanted too. We went into the shopping centre and spent sometime in there. We got shopping for dinner and made 4 home made pizzas. This is a meal I worried about with dad as he's not a lover of tomato sauce but he really enjoyed the pizza!
Wednesday 21st July
Mom, dad and me went into city to explore the rest of what we hadn't finished yet! We spent 3 hours looking around the city. We went into Kauppatori mom got a cake and dad got a potato cake (forgot the name at this minute). We came home and got changed and went to Perti's summer cottage. Another wonderful night, barbeque and more fish. Sun set on the lake was so pretty and mom sat on a rock watching the lake and talking most the night. We then left the summer cottage around 9pm and Eero took mom and dad on a little tour around Lempäälä.
Part Family shot
Sunset at Perti's summer cottage, Lempäälä
Me looking windswept
Thursday 22nd July
Tonight we are going to the 3rd summer cotttage and barbeque of the week. In the day we walked around Hervanta and Ahvenisjärvi. Baked two more cakes to take to the summer cottage. This summer cottage was a friend's and was in Valkeakoski (white rapids). Another nice night mom and dad got to met Eero's brother and sister's and the rest of the family. We talked into the night... We all had sauna and a swim in the lake. Mom and dad didn't go in but regretted it later.
Sunset at Valeakoskii
Eero resting <3
Friday 23rd July
Jouko came by to fetch us and we went to Viikisaari with him and Kati. This was an excellent day... we got to see and do lots of things and places I didn't know about. We had lunch in the resturant and had a little walk around the island. Then we went to Pyynikin Näkötorni, we went to the top of the observatory and took a few photos. Jouko drove us around some old houses to show mom more homes. Then we went back to Jouko and Kati's house and had doughnuts and coffee... Kati got me some bread I could eat =)
yes, this is photographic evidence of mom on a boat...
This was one of mom and dad's favourite days. They loved meeting Eero's family and seeing them so much.
In the evening we went to Ideapark, I got a new Halti bike bag and a new Halti coat that cost €200! whoohoo. Mom, dad and Eero had chinese takeway.
Saturday 24th July
The penultimate day, cloudy and cool matched the mood of the holiday almost over for me at least! We got up and went to Jyväskylä. We showed mom and dad the area where I was moving too in August and probably where Eero and me move for the next 2 years before we return to Tampere to settle. Though we did some house shopping while in Jyväskylä but there was nothing we wanted to buy! lol so rent it is! hehe mom and dad even did some summer house shopping.
We then showed mom and dad the university buildings I will be in then to the city centre campus where my language course is. We then parked up and went for an explore around city. Mom, dad and Eero ate lunch in Amarillo, looked lovely but they had nothing I could adapt to be allergy friendly. I also discovered Stockmann is only in Helsinki, Tampere and Turku... so I now its a certainty we will settle permanently in Tampere now! but I am excited about our two years in Jyväskylä.
Sunday 25th July
Home day for mom and dad. We were going to Helsinki but we decided not to bother. We talked all morning then went to get some kotipizza. Then in the evening we drove to Helsinki. Mom managed to cry, who knows why but I can't see her cry without crying so that was the goodbye. Mom managed to cry in the airport again and Eero was trying to wave to her but I told him not to cause she wass crying enough. There flight home was delayed by 2 hours, which annoyed me as delays can leave a bitter taste in a holiday's memories but next time they fly with another airline!
Mom promised Eero they would visit a month next year and also come for Christmas 2011... so the excitement begins. They loved their trip more than we thought they would. They loved to see so much to Eero's family and how welcome they made them here.
Mom and Dad's First Visit to Finland (part 1)
Wednesday 14th July
We have had such a hot summer here but today there's a thunderstorm. It lasted a few hours mostly just fork lightening with a the odd rumble of thunder. It did rain but not really for long just a very heavy shower.
We left for Helsinki around 6pm and stopped off at Hanna and Antti's in Helsinki. Then we went to the airport to fetch mom and dad, it was cloudy but still 30C! tropical almost... While we were waiting for mom and dad I heard a man say "Go, I wished it was this hot at home but it was raining when we left"... I smiled, happy we were getting the best weather! We didn't have a long wait until they left the arrivals door. We had a 2 hour drive home so we put the suitcase in the car and started for the services where mom, dad and E could get something nice to eat. It was a quite ride home with mom just looking at the amount of trees and lakes (she thought we exaggerated I think!).
Thursday 15th July
So on their first proper day we decided to stay local, show them Ahvenisjärvi and get a little something for lunch. We brought the ducks some bread and we all went and feed them later on in the evening. Kirsti and Perti were coming for dinner Friday so we baked two cakes for the occasion. It was hot and sunny.
Friday 16th July
Another hot and sunny day. We had another walk around Hervanta then we cooked two quiches and homemade a pizza. Early evening and Kirsti and Perti arrived, it was a great night and everyone got on great and talked and talked and talked! Went so well they planned their next meeting for a few days in the holiday.
Saturday 17th July
Hot, hot, hot! We went into city on the bus. We walked around Finlayson and the library side of town. Dad and Eero had an ice cream, Dad had pear flavour and Eero had mango. We then went into the Kauppatori (indoor market) I had some wild Finnish river salmon and dad got some smoked reindeer. In the afternoon we went for a swim and sunbathe in Suolijärvi, the lake was full of people but the water was warm too. Even mom went in!!!
mom in Suolijärvi
mom and dad on Suolijärvi beach
Sunday 18th July
Jouko came to fetch us to take us to the summer cottage. They then met Kati when we got to Orivesi. Today was warm but cloudy, threatened rain but it never came. We ate reindeer and goats cheese burgers (omg food heaven)herring in sauce, smoked perch fresh from the lake. It was the start of moms eating week (she doesn't normally eat much like a sparrow!)
We have had such a hot summer here but today there's a thunderstorm. It lasted a few hours mostly just fork lightening with a the odd rumble of thunder. It did rain but not really for long just a very heavy shower.
We left for Helsinki around 6pm and stopped off at Hanna and Antti's in Helsinki. Then we went to the airport to fetch mom and dad, it was cloudy but still 30C! tropical almost... While we were waiting for mom and dad I heard a man say "Go, I wished it was this hot at home but it was raining when we left"... I smiled, happy we were getting the best weather! We didn't have a long wait until they left the arrivals door. We had a 2 hour drive home so we put the suitcase in the car and started for the services where mom, dad and E could get something nice to eat. It was a quite ride home with mom just looking at the amount of trees and lakes (she thought we exaggerated I think!).
Thursday 15th July
So on their first proper day we decided to stay local, show them Ahvenisjärvi and get a little something for lunch. We brought the ducks some bread and we all went and feed them later on in the evening. Kirsti and Perti were coming for dinner Friday so we baked two cakes for the occasion. It was hot and sunny.
Friday 16th July
Another hot and sunny day. We had another walk around Hervanta then we cooked two quiches and homemade a pizza. Early evening and Kirsti and Perti arrived, it was a great night and everyone got on great and talked and talked and talked! Went so well they planned their next meeting for a few days in the holiday.
Saturday 17th July
Hot, hot, hot! We went into city on the bus. We walked around Finlayson and the library side of town. Dad and Eero had an ice cream, Dad had pear flavour and Eero had mango. We then went into the Kauppatori (indoor market) I had some wild Finnish river salmon and dad got some smoked reindeer. In the afternoon we went for a swim and sunbathe in Suolijärvi, the lake was full of people but the water was warm too. Even mom went in!!!
mom in Suolijärvi
mom and dad on Suolijärvi beach
Sunday 18th July
Jouko came to fetch us to take us to the summer cottage. They then met Kati when we got to Orivesi. Today was warm but cloudy, threatened rain but it never came. We ate reindeer and goats cheese burgers (omg food heaven)herring in sauce, smoked perch fresh from the lake. It was the start of moms eating week (she doesn't normally eat much like a sparrow!)
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
8 months today!!
Today is the 8 month anniversary of my moving here permanently. It is also the hottest day of the year so far, 34C outside and we haven't had chance to hit the lake yet today. We went on a big shop to citymarket to make sure we had loads of food and drinks in the house when our guests get here tomorrow evening.
It's been a really good week, everything is falling nicely into place. Tomorrow i have to finish up the normal cleaning routine and then we drive to Helsinki in the afternoon. Forecast rain and thunder tomorrow but still meant to be 24C!!
Also the confirmation and tenancy agreement is here for Jyväskylä so life is very, very good! with luck the weather stays warm and dry so the visitors really enjoy their stay and see Finland at it's best (it's their first time).
It's been a really good week, everything is falling nicely into place. Tomorrow i have to finish up the normal cleaning routine and then we drive to Helsinki in the afternoon. Forecast rain and thunder tomorrow but still meant to be 24C!!
Also the confirmation and tenancy agreement is here for Jyväskylä so life is very, very good! with luck the weather stays warm and dry so the visitors really enjoy their stay and see Finland at it's best (it's their first time).
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