22 June 2010

Eero had today off as we were originally planning to come home by train from Helsinki, thankfully Jouko picked us up from the airport and so we had a day to chill out at home (rare event!). We got up early and Eero did the washing for me, though I think my explanation of wash black things and coloured things separately may have gone a miss (my black jeans run). After that, we weren't to sure what to do as waterstones asked me for a day to have a redelivery and I choose Tuesday, they didn't. So complaints sent to waterstones...

In the evening we went to Anttila and brought some new curtains and a day blanket (throw) for the bed this has taken 8 months to find something worth the €80's they cost. We also brought a new pair of bathroom scales ours are black, glass and funky now! Then we went to intersport as we tried to find a bike book bag that would fit on my bike with the basket, it was unsuccessful. Then into citymarket to get the big weekly shop, the cupboards are now restocked and we spent a small fortune! whoopes.... (but nothing new). On the way back to Hervanta I saw a fox sat in the sun in the long grass, I even made Eero turn the car around so we could go look again but it had gone. Foxes here are a lot more red than the UK foxes.

Later still we decided to go a walk in the woods... big mistake. I assumed even though I dubbed the mosquitoes "forest midges" there would be more by the lake than in the woods. I always wondered why so many people here ran or jogged, I know now. Well, I like to think they run to keep the swarm of mosquitoes away from them. They can keep up with a quick walk. We both got biten a few times, I got them mostly on my face and neck which is annoying but Eero got them on his neck and legs. They say you should let them bite you and you get immunity by the end of the summer but if they all bit us we would of been low on blood! After a few kilometres speed walking through the woods up and down hill we hit the hour a day cardio.

We went home and cooked between watching football matches. England game tomorrow on previous games this will be the last!

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

31st May 2010

Sunny and 22C today! summer is here!!!!!!!

Today was a rough day rashes and ill and the cause unknown! urgh. E did tell me while we were walking that birch pollen is at it's peak which could be the cause or have something to do with it. We went for a walk this evening and went to feed the ducks. We feed them some rolls E made the day before (ducks got what he didn't eat on the way). I love to go walking with E so playful and cheeky! <3 x

Still waiting for my books from waterstone's Friday is the last day they should come, here's to hoping as we fly on Saturday.

I have a few suprises for E when we get back to the UK, I been saving my free cash to get him something nice! (can't say yet, yes babe I know you read this)

Lilies are growing fast must be 18hours 45mins of daylight currently.



Mom, dad, Dean, Eden, nan, granddad and Irene ave enjoyed themselves in Somerset today (its bank holiday) going around the gardens. mom even baked 72 cupcakes!!!

I started to pack today... I have so many clothes I would like to take! it's hard as we have a week in Spain and a week in the UK!!! packing short list continues tomorrow!!

Things are looking up... finally

Well, I just received my official Right of Residence to stay here... I don't feel like an alien now, that sort of homeless feeling has pasted and I can stay without leaving every 3 months! Alas, I will still leave as often as I can to see friends and family and they can always visit us.

So now, I get to do normal things and fill in a million more forms to get them no doubt. Progress can't be denied though... To new beginnings and my own bus pass!

Oh, we walked around Suolijärvi again last night, I love that walk! Although I saw mosquitoes and some weird march type fly tried bite my head. Today is meant to be the last sunny hot day for a while.

Later I am going out on my bike. We are going shopping for rice wafers then back for ice hockey at 5pm. Hopefully we win this time! I am hoping E wants to come a walk after too.

I decided on a fitness plan, to lose 9kg over the next 6 months. Week one and only doing 4 nights of walking 4.3km in 38mins. Plan on doing it daily from next week. There's also a bike path too but its a bit to hilly for my current level of unfitness. Also started on the outdoor gym yesterday, I discovered I still have that motion problem when i get over something that moves like a treadmill my ears are screwed and it still feels like I'm moving. But life's hard, what can you do but play the game with the cards you are given!!!

Anyway, I need to finish the chores and go outside for a little bit.

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

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 =)