The Movies is a must...

if you haven't already gone and seen Enchanted that is! The hubby and I had a little date night this evening, and I know I said that I wasn't going to blog again until after Christmas, but this movie is a must see! I have to admit that it is now one of my Disney favorites!!! It is just a upbeat, happy, give you good vibes kind of movie! The entire theater loved it and I laughed to my little hearts content (while my husband endured it). Oh, and if you are still skeptical as to whether or not you should go see it I have two words for you: Patrick Dempsey! That's right...you have a disney movie + eye candy...what more could you ask for?!? Go see this movie! Merry Christmas!!

Ready for Christmas!

Christmas is by far my favorite holiday. I just love the atmosphere. I love being able to spend time with my friends and family. I live for it. This year I will once again be in Finland for Christmas. Actually, I don't think I will even make it back to the States until around May. Anyway, the hubby and I will be taking a bus to his parent's place on Christmas Eve. This is the day when families get together and have a big meal (it stays on the table all day and night and you can eat the entire time) and swap gifts. Christmas day is for visiting and such. I am looking forward to spending time with my new family. All our gifts are wrapped and ready to go. My contribution to Christmas dinner will be deviled eggs. There isn't really anything much American here, and my MIL wanted to know what my favorite food is because she makes everyones favorite for Christmas. I said that ham or turkey would be just fine, since they do have that. My hubby suggested that I make deviled eggs so I am. I got the OK from the MIL so I don't feel weird about bringing this weird American food into the house. So it looks as though Christmas is going to be wonderful! The only thing that could make it better is my husband not having to work on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's day. You can't have it all though!!! And we're not going to let that get us down and out. Christmas is going to Rock! This will be my last post until after Christmas...so I hope that all of you who read my blog will have a Very Merry Christmas!

Almost there!

Passport dropped off at the Immigration Police - Check!

They said that it would be a week or two before it is ready. I am hoping for a week. We got there around 11:30 this morning and didn't get out until about 1:45. Granted I didn't have to wait as long as some people, but it only took us 5 minutes to drop my passport off and for the guy to give me my notification of seizure paper. I mean when we got there we took our number which was E39, that was cool, the number that was currently being seen to was E 32. No big deal right? I was wrong. The people working line E went on a break for over an hour after I got my ticket! Grrr...so we took a number for Line A just in case. Our number was 72, but that line was moving faster. It was A26 when we arrived and by the time it was finally our turn for E, line A was up to number 47. Nonetheless, I got what needed to be done done, while grumbling about it the entire time to my husband who was a doll and just listened.

What a week!

I have been such a slacker the past few days. With my blog that is. Outside of the blogosphere I have been a busy bee. My SIL went shopping this weekend. It is so nice to have all of my Christmas shopping completed and a relief to have everything wrapped and ready to go. Not only that but all of my cards have been sent out and I hope they will be reaching their final destinations soon. Unfortunately, all of my U.S. family will only be receiving cards this year. I feel badly about that, but we have to be careful with our money. It is sad but true. I will be at home Christmas 2008 so everyone will get tons of gifts then. Sending things from continent to continent can be a bit much. I am sure they understand though.

Tomorrow the hubby and I will be making a visit to the Immigration Police once again. This time I am dropping my passport off for what I hope will be the final visit. According to the lovely woman on the other end of the phone this morning, I should be able to pick my passport up on Friday with my nice, newly stamped Permanent Resident Permit inside it. I will probably be getting just a 1 year permit to begin with, which means I will have to go back next year and have a new one, but I am not worried about that. Once I am a resident, I am a resident. Then it is off to the Magistrates office to have myself put into the computer and to the KELA office to see about getting me an I.D. card. And all that means spending more money! Busy, busy, busy I tell ya.

One Whole Year!

My husband and I have been married one year today! Last October I came over and we started getting paperwork and necessary things out of the way so that we could get married. I had to make a trip to my embassy and get an affidavit (sp?), a trip to the magistrates office, and just little trips all around. And everything that we did was worth it! It was the happiest day of my life! Sadly, the first six months of our marriage we were apart, but we knew that I would be coming here and that we would have to make sacrifices. It has been a difficult, long, tedious journey, but I am finally in Finland and we are finally together like we should be. The past six months have been amazing! I love being married!


Pictures from our small wedding here in Helsinki.





Don't you just love that dress? It was my bridesmaids dress from Chloe's wedding! My sister-in-law took some pictures for us. I have several more, but I didn't want to over do it. I will also have pictures from my U.S. wedding to put up in about 3 weeks.

Ah...so tonight the hubby and I are going to go out to eat at the Omenapuu (Apple Tree) and have ourselves a fabulous day. We begin our Christmas shopping today! Last year after we got married and went out with Kai's family, we settled into the hotel room that the lovely people Kai works with got for us. Their gift to us was not letting us go back to our apartment. Mirja (Kai's work mom) went by the hotel room and put rose petals everywhere and left us a bottle of champagne. They even made us a big heart that they decorated and signed and left on the bed. It was really sweet. After we checked into the hotel though we went out Christmas shopping! So it looks like that is going to be our tradition from now on. That part isn't very romantic, but it is fun. I love walking through the Center in the Wintery air looking at Christmas decorations and shopping! So have a fabulous day everyone, I know I will!!!

Happy One Year Kai! And Happy Birthday Dad!!

Another Video

I saw this video here while back when I was looking at videos on the language. It was purely an accident that I came across it, but I thought that it was quite humorous. Especially now that I am living in Helsinki. The video is of the Helsinki Complaints Choir. There are English subtitles so it is understandable. It is just a little over 5 minutes in length if you can stand to watch it that long. It is funny though. I believe that one of the cities in the U.K. has one as well. Oh well, enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATXV3DzKv68

***After taking another gander at youtube, I discovered that there are several more complaint choirs. Not all of them have subtitles though.***

the Finnish Man

I am terrible with posting videos and embedding whatsits, so I am just going to leave the link. This is a silly video some comic group put together and it is suppose to portray the Finnish man. Personally I find it hilarious. There are English subtitles, so no worries about understanding it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUyFg9xoPKk

Name Game

AH! I've been tagged! This ought to be a hoot! Thanks Working Diva!


1. Witness Protection Name (mother's and father's middle names): Lynn Douglas

2. NASCAR Name (first name of your mother's dad and father's dad): Andrew Frank

3. Star Wars Name (first three letters of your last name, two of your first): Lilst

4. Detective Name (favorite color, favorite animal): Green Dog

5. Soap Opera Name (middle name, city where you were born): Gwen Pinehurst

6. Superhero Name (2nd favorite color, favorite drink, add "the" to the beginning): The Pink Tequila Sunrise

7. Fly Girl/Guy Name (1st two letters of your first name, last two of your last): Stja (come again?)

8. Gangsta Name (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite cookie): Peace of Cake Peanut butter

9. Rock Star Name (current pet's name, current street name): Tigger Ulvilantie

10. Stripper Name (favorite perfume/cologne, favorite candy): Pleasures Mar's Delight

Independence Day

Happy Independence Day Finland!

Seems like I am celebrating the same holidays twice a year now. Just in different settings.

Beautiful!

I had the pleasure of waking up to a Winter Wonderland this morning! Not long after I was up and about I looked out the window and saw several children with their sleds having fun on the hill. It was a good morning. I am finally beginning to get into the Christmas spirit.







This is basically my backyard.

My Nephew...

He is too precious! Of course he isn't my real nephew, but to him I am Aunt Stacy anyway. C.B. is my best friends new bundle of joy, and he is adorable!



I absolutely love this picture of him in his little College Sweatshirt!

This will be one spoiled little boy as soon as I get back to the States for a visit. It almost makes me want to have one of my own in 2 or 3 years!

Christmas from Dad!

Got an adorable little card in the mail from my Dad today letting me know that I am going to be receiving a subscription to Our State North Carolina magazine. It has definitely been one of the things that I have missed from home. Dad has a subscription to it and every month he would let my Grandmother and I read it first before reading it himself. So as a Christmas gift from him and Linda, Kai and I are getting the magazine. I can't wait to get my first issue, although I have to admit that my favorite one is ALWAYS the Lighthouse Issue. I really have a thing for Lighthouses.

It's about time...

I have been wanting to buy some plants to put in the apartment for a while now. I have always loved African Violets and my Grandmother always has 10-12 of them in her living room. I would sit in there for hours when I was little (even now if I were home) and read or nap, and just take in the plants and flowers that she has. I love plants. Needless to say, I wasn't sure if I would be able to find too many flowers that I knew here in FI, but I was lucky enough to run across a Blue Violet in a flower shop a few day ago. I know, I know, some people are going to say but it looks purple...well yeah it does, but it is called a Blue Violet. My Violet is also smooth leafed. I didn't see any that had frilly leaves. Oh well, I am just happy that I have a plant. On the way home the hubby and I decided to shop at our street vendor flower box, as I like to refer to it. There we purchased what he refers to as a Christmas flower. It smells really good and make the entire room smell pretty. Yes you did read that right, the room smells pretty! The Christmas flower reminds me of a small Amaryllis, but I am not actually sure what sort of plant this is. Therefore it will continue to be known as the Christmas flower. Hmm...I am thinking that this place could use another plant or five!



She'll be getting repotted sometime this week!


Christmas Flower will also be getting a new home as well!

Until that time though both little plants live on saucers. That isn't any way for a plant to live!!!

Bound and Determined!

The hubby and I plan to be at Helsinki University first thing when registration day rolls around for January classes. We are going to enroll me in the Finnish for Foreigners class. Apparently this class gets filled quickly (we went by the University and asked) so we plan to be there bright and early. I'll camp out if I have to!!! In the meantime, the hubby and I have found a book that he approves of to help me along the way while I am attempting to self-teach myself. It is entitled From Start to Finnish. This by no means will make me fluent in Finnish. However, it is a good start and the hubby thinks that it will be helpful. So far I have gone over the first two lessons in the book. There are forty lessons total. The book has practice work at the end of every lesson which is a plus I think. The hubby seems to like to test me as well by asking me questions about what I have been over. I think with enough drilling some of this information might actually sink in. The author of the book explains things very well, and it actually makes more sense when I can see phrases and how they are put together instead of just listening to them and trying to catch on. I even bought myself a handy-dandy little notebook to practice writing words and phrases in Finnish. My next goal is to purchase some index cards and make myself flashcards. Seriously, I would really like to be able to understand basic questions and phrases while interacting with people in public. I am all for foreigner trying to learn the English language when they move to the U.S., so I expect myself to try and do the same while living abroad. It only seems fair. Besides when I decide to have children there will be no speaking to Mommy in one language and then talking about her in another! Lol!



The new book + my handy, dandy notebook!

Friday Funny!

A minister wound up the services one morning by saying, "Next Sunday I am going to preach on the subject of liars. And in this connection, as a preparation for my discourse, I would like you all to read the seventeenth chapter of Mark".

On the following Sunday, the preacher rose to begin and said, "Now, then, all of you who have done as I requested and read the seventeenth chapter of Mark, please raise your hands."

Nearly every hand in the congregation went up. Then said the preacher, "You are the people I want to talk to. There is no seventeenth chapter of Mark."

Who would've thunk it?

So I am missing Thanksgiving this year. I love Turkey Day! Not only that, but I do not get to meet my "little" brother's girlfriend who came home with him either. No one in our family had met her until either today or yesterday. I believe it was yesterday that they drove down from the mountains where he is in school. Anyway, this is my little brother's first girlfriend from my understanding (or he may not have told me in the past, who knows!), and they have been together for months now. They were dating before I even left to come here to Finland. Being the eldest sibling I feel that I have the "big sister" preogative of sizing this girl up and bestowing my opinion to A., but since I am way on the other side of creation I do not get this privilege. AHHH! Well, I just hope I get an invite to the wedding (j/k, I hope! Boy better not be engaged!!).

Nutella!

The stuff is pure heaven in a jar! I had never ever tried it until yesterday. It just happened to be a spontaneous buy. The hubby happened to mention how much he liked it so I said I would like to try it. Now I am in love! He told me that we can't buy it very often though, sniffle. Anyway, I made some yummy homemade brownies this evening with almonds in them. For our evening snack we ate a couple of them and put nutella on them. I don't think I will ever be able to eat a plain brownie again!!! Yum! If I keep this up I'll have to start exercising like a mad woman.

Aunt Stacy

I'm am so excited! My best friend finally had her baby on Friday after 5pm. So now I am officially Aunt Stacy to an adorable baby boy! He is 7lbs and 21 inches long, and has a head full of brown hair! I can't wait to go home for a visit! I'll have pictures as soon as J can send me some!

Friday Funnies!

A woman walked into the kitchen to find her husband stalking around with a fly swatter "What are you doing?" She asked. "Hunting Flies" He responded. "Oh. ! Killing any?" She asked. "Yep, 3 males, 2 Females," he replied. Intrigued, she asked. "How can you tell them apart?" He responded, "3 were on a beer can, 2 were on the phone.

(You might have to be Finnish to appreciate this one, or at least own a Nokia phone)
After having dug to a depth of 10 meters last year, Norwegian scientists found traces of copper wire dating back 100 years and came to the conclusion that their ancestors already had a telephone network more than 100 years ago.

Not to be outdone by the Norwegians, in the weeks that followed, Swedish scientists dug to a depth of 20 meters, and shortly after headlines in the Dagens Nyheter newspapers read: "Swedish archaeologists have found traces of 200 year old copper wire and have concluded that their ancestors already had an advanced high-tech communications network a hundred years earlier than the Norwegians."

One week later, Lapin Kansa, a Finnish newspaper, reported the following: "After digging as deep as 30 meters in potato fields near Sodankylä, Ananias Aikio, a self taught archeologist, reported that he found absolutely nothing. Ananias has, therefore, concluded that 300 years ago Finns were already using wireless."

Call back in a month!

I was really excited for Monday morning to roll around. The hubby and I were going to call the Immigration Police and see how my application for residence was doing. Monday came and we called. Apparently, my application hasn't even been processed yet. Lovely! So the woman on the other end of the phone line said to call back in a month. So now we wait some more. Not that it is horrible having to wait, it's just that I want to be a resident now!! Not later. Am I being impatient? Well, yeah. At least I don't have to go home. I can continue to wait here until they process my application and give me an answer. If they say no I will just appeal and stay here longer. There is no way they are going to send me home!!

Accomplishment?

I'm not sure that I should classify it as such, but today I finished up watching the Thundercats! I kid you not. It was definitely a blast from my past. I use to watch this cartoon when I was a kid. I happened to mention it to my husband one day and he downloaded all 130 episodes for me. I watched them in a months time. I guess that could be called an accomplishment. As corny as that sounds it has nothing on my Sailor Moon record though. I watched the entire series (200+ episodes) in 3 weeks time back during the Summer of '05 when I was visiting here. Subtitles and all! Sigh, the things this man will actually download for me to watch. It's silly stuff I know, but hey, I'm a silly kind of gal. I guess it sort of makes me feel like a kid again, lol! Cheers!

A Random Fact

So both Finland and the U.S. celebrate Father's Day and Mother's Day. Cool beans. Today is Father's Day in Finland. It is kind of weird for me since I associate Father's Day with the month of June. To this point November has strictly been for the observance of the Turkey Day. How many people can say that they celebrate Father's Day twice a year?!? I guess I am now one of those people. Mother's Day is the same as the States though. Who would've thunk it?!?

So......HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Did someone say Christmas?

Seems like every store I venture into is already putting up Christmas decorations and rolling out merchandise like there is no tomorrow! I love Christmas just as much as the next person, actually it is my favorite Holiday--next to Thanksgiving which isn't celebrated in Finland for obvious reason; however, I am not ready for the Yuletide holiday! Not in the least!! My Mom and Dad have both been asking, begging, crawling on their hands and knees, pleading to know what the hubby and I want for Christmas, but we honestly do not know! On the other hand, I have no idea what to get for my parents, the hubby's parents, my brother, the hubby's 4 brothers and sisters, or my lovely friends back home! I feel as though I am suffering from some sort of 'Shoppers Block'! If nothing else everyone can expect to get foreign Christmas cards!



With all of our Christmas shopping woes and confusion, the hubby and I have managed to at least make one decision about the holiday. We are not going to have a tree this year. Nope! No tree. Normally this would bother me, but since we have moved and are not sure where to put a tree in the new apartment we are just going to forego having one this year. Tree or no tree though we have plenty of decorations! We have our stockings and nicnacks that I plan to pull out after Thanksgiving! We may not celebrate that holiday here, but I refuse to put up Christmas decorations until the day after! In the spirit of Christmas, I did buy some adorable doggies all decked out for Christmas to have as new decorations. With my love of dogs and Christmas I just couldn't leave them on the shelf at the Tiimari (gotta love that store)! Now if only gift shopping were that easy and spontaneous!



My new Christmas dog trio, soon to be a quartet!
I found another dog at the store the other day
and I plan to go back and get it!

A Novel Idea

I love having a dish drying cabinet. At home in the US I did not have a dishwasher and I do not have one here either. So when I did the dishes they would be put into a drainer that sat on the countertop taking up room. When I knew company would be dropping by I would have to dry the dishes and put them in their respective cabinets. Since moving to Finland I have had the pleasure of just not having to worry with drainers that take up counter space, putting dishes up out of sight, or any such (albeit small) annoyances. Here I have a cabinet over the sink that I just put the dishes in as I rinse. They drip dry into the sink and I don't have to put them in their proper cabinets until I feel like it. Now that I have a smaller kitchen it is nice to have the extra work space. Although, a dishwasher would be nice!!! Beggers can't be choosers though and I love my cabinet!!


Cabinet with the door open.

Sunday Outing!

The hubby and I went out with his brother to visit some family yesterday, and check out a shopping center that is about 15 minutes away from where we currently live. The entire day was pretty much a delightful experience. We drove to Lahti to visit with Mummu (Grandma) who is 94 years young because she was the in hospital about 2 weeks ago. Apparently that was the first time she had been to the doctor in about 10, or something to that affect. I don't understand a thing this little woman says, but she is funny and enjoyable to be around. She likes to knit everyone wool socks that you can wear around the house, and things like that. We had coffee and cake together, and got to visit with the Aunt that she lives with.



Me and Mummu




After a trip to see Mummu we went to visit the in-laws and Maaria. As soon as we arrived Äiti (Mom) pointed out to us that there were Swans in the backyard. Apparently, the Swan is the National bird of Finland. There were about 25 of them there. It looked like they were migrating (which I highly recommend since it is quite cold now). They just hung about in there little groups eating something. I thought that it was just really neat to see them. I've never seen more than one or two Swans at a time, so this was really cool! Later we ventured to the shopping center near us (Prisma) and bought a few things and just looked around. They had quite a little collection of Moomin collectibles that I would like to go back and check out. They also had gloves on sale for 1,90. To top it off these gloves fit my hands! I picked up a pink pair for myself while we were there. It seems I am writing a lot about nothing much. I had an enjoyable weekend, hope everyone else did as well!




I couldn't get any closer, but that is one group
of the Swans!




Tiikeri (Tiger)-He was watching me watch the
Swans and wanted a little attention. So I gave
him some!

It's snowing!

The downside is that it is not sticking! It has been snowing lovely, fluffy flakes ever since I woke up this morning, but it won't stay on the ground. Sure, we have a few patches here and there, but I am ready for the snow to come down (in waves) and stay down! I really want to have a white Winter this year. The last time I was lucky enough to have a white Christmas was in December 2003 when I was visiting Finland. When I got married in December 2006 I didn't get to see snow. Sad! Coming from the Sandhills of NC you just do not see much snow. When you do you only see about 1/2 an inch of it and it might last for an afternoon. Living in Finland now I expect to see snow, and I expect to see LOT's of it. I have had such an enjoyable morning looking out of my window while I go about my daily routine and watching it fall. Personally, I like the combination of snow and Birch trees. The trees are a lovely site by themselves, but looking at them through the falling snow they are just beautiful! I guess I'm a little odd, but I can sit and watch the snow fall all day and be quite content. That is how I plan to spend the rest of my day! Cheers!

Calories

I've been on a fruit binge lately, specifically Clementine oranges. I just cannot seem to get enough of them. I eat one and then I end up eating five of them. They are just so darn good. So I have been eating these delicious little fruits like there is no tomorrow, and I got to wondering about calories. Since it is fruit it has to be good for me, but how many calories are in a Clementine. I did a little search and found a list of fruit calories. I do not know how reliable this list is, but I thought I would share. If there is anything wrong please feel free to correct it.

Apple (44 calories)
Apple cooking (35 calories)
Apricot (30 calories)
Avocado (150 calories)
Banana (107 calories)
Blackberries (each 1 calorie)
Blackcurrant (each 1.1 calorie)
Cherry (each 2.4 calories)
Clementine (30 calories)
Currants (5 calories)
Damson (28 calories)
Dates (12.5 calories)
Gooseberries (2.6 calories)
Grapes (each 2.4 calories)
Grapefruit whole (100 calories)
Guava (24 calories)
Kiwi (34 calories)
Lemon (20 calories)
Lychees (3 calories)
Mango (40 calories)
Melon (110 calories)
Nectarines (42 calories)
Olives (6.8 calories)
Orange (35 calories)
Passion Fruit (30 calories)
Paw Paw (28 calories)
Peach (35 calories)
Pear (45 calories)
Pineapple (50 calories)
Plum (25 calories)
Prunes (9 calories)
Raisins (5 calories)
Raspberries (each 1.1 calories)
Rhubarb (8 calories)
Satsumas (35 calories)
Strawberries (1 average-2.7 calories)
Sultanas (5 calories)
Tangerine (26 calories)

Too bad it didn't list Blueberries. I suppose I will have to go and look that one up on its own. I really hope that this list is close to being accurate. Anyway, there you have it fruit isn't so bad after all!

Way Expensive

I have been looking and looking for Chihuahua breeders here in Finland. I have managed to find a few and have corresponded with them, and I have come to the conclusion that I will just not be getting one anytime soon. They are VERY expensive. A very nice breeder even sent me pictures of his puppies sleeping and crawling around. I enquired as to how much he asks for them and he said 1500 euros. That is a lot. Especially when you think of it in USD. Right now 1 Euro is the same as $1.43. Yup! The dollar is very weak. That means that my puppy would cost $2147.09! Right now I only have about 312 Euros. That is about a leg! Lol! Looks like I am going to have to recycle a lot more bottles, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

MIA

I've been out of it for the past couple of weeks. Just hadn't done anything worth posting and honestly haven't felt like it. Found out from the doctor that I have two discs pressing against a nerve in my back. I haven't really been too worried about it though. I was told to do a lot of walking. Nice. Also, I am not suppose to sit up for too long. Either I walk, lay down, and that is that. Anyway, I really don't have anything to go on about. Hopefully I will think of something soon! Besides I need to get caught up on my blog reading. I've really slacked off!

The doctor says...

Stacy has Bursitis. He gave me a horrible, horrible shot today too! I HATE needles! I hope that this takes care of the problem. I really don't want to go back in a week to have another shot if it doesn't. I mean first of all, when I heard the word shot come out of the doctors mouth I thought about just sprinting out of the office. I really have a fear of needles. Secondly, I thought I could use a shot but not the kind that he was about to give me!!! I also did not like having to drop my pants in front of some foreign person I don't know so that they could stab me in the hip! Yeah, yeah he is a doctor and it was all professional, but it just wasn't comfortable. It was sort of comforting to know that my husband was right outside the door, but not a lot. And that needle...well it was big and got bigger every time it got closer to me!!! I am such a big baby. It also seemed to take forever for him to finish giving me the shot. Apparently he put a lot of cortizone into my hip. The easy part was when he gave me a prescription for 875mg Clavurion (amoxicillin) to take twice a day. Easy Peasy. At least I made it through the visit! Point for me. I probably won't even remember all of this in a couple of days, so really it wasn't that bad was it? Yeah it was, but when I start feeling better it will have been worth it.

Sauna

Friday was the official Sauna day so I took my camera with me so that I could show you all my "relaxation room". I found out that the room that we use is kept at 80C which is 176F. Yeah it is hot. Before getting in you go get under the shower and get yourself wet that way you don't burn or become to hot when you first venture into the sauna room. Anyway, it is absolutely fabulous in my opinion.


The room where you leave your belongings.



The shower room...the bathroom is right across
from the shower in another small room...didn't
feel the need to take a picture of it.



The Sauna room...the corner is where I like to
sit.



Another view of the Sauna room with my
bucket of water at the ready!



A view of the coals/rocks where you throw the
water to get the lovely, hot steam!!


I think that our 12 Euros a month is very well spent. The sauna is private so you don't have to worry about anyone walking in on your during your time. I have a key to it. You can lock the doors when you go in, but since no one will invade your privacy it isn't a necessity. When we go back to the US I am going to find a way to have a Sauna put in our home. I don't think I could possibly live without one now. It has honestly become an addiction, but I don't think it is such a bad one. My skin always feels and looks much nicer after having a sauna. I also feel a lot cleaner too. I recommend them to anyone who'll try them!

Doctor??

The hubby has been telling me for weeks now that I need to go to the doctor. Obviously I disagree because I hate going to the doctor. I think I have decided to bite the bullet and go on Monday when he gets out of work. Maybe. I need to quit being a big baby and just go. I mean it's not like I am going to the dentist. I really HATE them, although I will go. Don't you just hate such necessary evils!

I just got a text from my SIL and it looks like she won't be able to visit until next weekend. It looks like she has pneumonia! What horrible stuff! To top it off she just had her ear operated on again this past Monday (long story there). I really hope she feels better soon. It is tough to be in school and be sick! Poor girl. Anyway, at least I still have my sauna to look forward to at 6! *Sigh* It really is the small things in life that keep a person happy!

Down and Out

Been feeling a little down and out this week. Not sure why. I suppose it could be the weather. It has been sort of dreary, rainy, Fall weather. Oh well...I don't think it really matters all that much. My SIL from France was here Sunday night through Tuesday morning. It was nice to spend time with another female for a change. We went shopping and I got a couple of new scarves for the Winter, although she paid for them. Said it was a late birthday gift. Still kind of odd to me when people here buy me things. My 15 yr. old SIL will be coming tomorrow to stay the weekend with us. I think we're going to all go to take her home on Sunday so we can see the parents. That'll be nice. It'll have been exactly 2 months since we last saw them on Sunday. Not much to blog about. I'm sort of boring this week. Lol.

Heaven

So this past week I meant to get the pictures of the new place posted but I didn't. I have to admit that I just felt like crapola! Most of them are up now though, still I am sorry for the delay. One of the perks to living in this place is the wonderful, wonderful Sauna! I love it! We have it for an hour on Fridays from 6-7. We pay 12 euros a month so that is 3 a week for our time. Not too shabby I must say. Anyway, taking a Sauna is like being in Heaven!!! You feel so good and refreshed afterwards. I really meant to take my camera with me to take a picture of it on Friday and forgot. I will not make the same mistake this week though. There will be sauna pictures next weekend though! I felt so much better after my crappy week when I got out of the sauna! It really does work miracles!



This is me post-sauna enjoying a nice cold Cider!
Don't you just love the blood red look, lol!

Apartment

Ok...well, not all of my pictures would load on here, but I tried my best. I might retake a few of them later. Like I said before, our apartment is rather small. Unfortunately the pictures make it look smaller than it really is. I hate that the picture I took of my huge picture window didn't take. Also the picture as you come into the apartment didn't take very well either. Anyway, here is a little bit of the new place. I'll take some outdoorsie pictures this week!!

The bookcase as you come through the second entrance door.

One picture of the bathroom.


Another picture of the bathroom


A picture from the second entrance door looking
towards the front door.


The hubby's comic book storage shelf above the
stand as you come into the apartment. The stand
below it is great for putting our hats and scraves,
umbrellas and shoes on! I really like it!



A view of the kitchen


my kitchen cubby


The refrigerator works better right outside the
kitchen, so that is where it is. Our table is on the
otherside of the kitchen door.



Our bed cubby with the hubby's other bookcase
and his fan and my reading light...sorry for the
horribly, rushed bed making job!

My bookshelf over the bed

The tv that is still without a tv table. The one

at the other apartment belonged to my BIL.





I took a picture of our desk area and huge window but they just wouldn't load. Stupid blogger! Anywho, that is just a mini-tour. I am really enjoying being here, and the hubby is happy if I am happy!

Pictures!!!

I promise that there will be pictures in two days or less...I just have to finish putting things away. :-) I am sooooo tired and sore from finding homes for everything and walking back and forth to the store. It's well worth it though, especially now that there is no messy BIL to screw up my clean house!!

Home at Last!

I LOVE the new apartment. It isn't very large, but it is quaint and suits both me and the hubby! The only things we have left to put up are dishes and clothes. I am going to begin rewashing dishes tomorrow to put up and our linens. I want them to be fresh before I put them into their new homes. As soon as I find where I packed my camera I'll take pictures. I love our neighborhood too. It is perfect for going jogging and walking. Not to mention that I have plenty of room inside the apartment for my non-outdoorsie workout(s)! The last time I was this giddy was when I got married (both times)!

On a blah note, my friend Jennifer who is in the Navy is out at sea (or however they refer to it) for 2 1/2 weeks. That means I won't get to hear from her until her ship docks back in Norfolk. She says that her ship provides internet access, but it is really slow and really not worth the effort. Oh well...2 weeks isn't that long!

So much going on with nothing to say

So tomorrow we begin making the move to our new apartment. We have been so busy doing things this week that I am wore out. To top it off the hubby had to work from 7-3 yesterday and then had to go back into work at 2am. He gets off in about an hour. Luckily he gets paid well for it. Aside from that I haven't done anything worth really blogging about, and I haven't really seen anything worth blogging about. I've been getting my usual e-mails from JCrew and AT Loft, but they don't have them on this side of the Atlantic (at least here in FI) and they don't ship to Finland. So I am a little disheartened at that. I was on their site this week looking at loads of stuff thinking to myself, "I'd like to have that," but I can't get it!! How disappointing. On a bright note, I'll have some pictures of the new apt. to post by the end of the week and can give you all a tour of the new pad!

Update: Puppy Fund

It is slow going but I am getting closer and closer to having a puppy. I have 201 euros in my Puppy Fund. Now I just have to come up with 300 euros more and then the hubby will put up the rest of the money to get a puppy! Not bad for just a little over 2 months of recycling!

8 More Days!!!

There are just 8 short days before the hubby and I move to the new place! I am getting more and more excited as the days pass! The hubby says we still do not have enough boxes though for all of our stuff. The sad part is that we don't really have that much stuff! Anyway, back to business...there is always something to be done!!!

Death at a Funeral

I don't keep up with a lot of British films, but the hubby does. This past summer we went and saw a hilarious moive call Hot Fuzz (in the US). I would never have gone to see this movie had I been the one making the decisions. Lucky for me I wasn't the one in charge! So yesterday the hubby and SIL and I went and saw a move called Death at a Funeral. I laughed so hard that I cried! It could just be my sense of humor that makes me like these movies, but the entire theater was cracking up at this movie as well. I definitely recommend it. I don't know if it will come out in theaters at home, but if it comes out on video I say go out and rent it!

Happy Birthday to me!!!

Today I am officially a quarter of a Century old! Doesn't it sound awful when you use the word century?? Hee, hee! So yeah, today is my birthday and my sweet, sweet husband took me out for a nice lunch (I had a yummy steak), bought me a cute Hello Kitty pillow, and took me to get my hair cut (yesterday)! He even brought me a pink rose home from work on Friday! He was so sweet. I have to admit that I am just happy to see him on my birthday. This is only the 2nd time in 6 years that I have got to see him on my birthday. Last year was the first and that was back in the States! So it looks like we're making a tradition of it now (FINALLY!) So for the rest of the day we're just sort of relaxing a bit, and then later I'm going to attack some Ben & Jerry's Peace of Cake! Yummy Yummy!


Me with my new haircut (yet to be styled!)



OK...now you can see HK!



The rose the hubby brought home and that was
the only thing I had to put it in!! (Yikes!)

Fireworks Competition!

Last night starting at 10:30 there was a fireworks competition about 7 minutes from the apartment. So the hubby and I walked to the bay to watch. For me it was sort of like making up for the fireworks I missed during the 4th of July! Anyway, apparently this is an annual thing. Ten big companies here in the city buy up a lot of fireworks and see which display could out do the others. It lasted forever! We only stayed for two shows because the hubby had to go in to work this morning instead of the afternoon. I was still hearing thunderous sounds from the competition a little over an hour later! Must have big HUGE! Me? I'm just glad I got to see some fireworks before the Summer was officially over!

Can't wait to move!!!

Why? Mostly because there are boxes piling up, and as soon as I get something packed I am going to want to use it. Seriously we have boxes piled up to the ceiling in the bedroom on one side, and my suitcases, a table, and another box blocking the window on the other side of the room. It is moving madness! I am happy to announce that the hubby says that the job of decorating the new place will be solely my job. What more can a girl ask for? It'll be my influence everywhere!


Boxes in the bedroom where we cannot
open the door all the way


Boxes in the living room waiting to be packed!

You'd think we were chain smokers with all of the boxes that we have. There are Marlboro's, Pall Mall's, Belmont Red's, etc. boxes everywhere! It is also turning cold already and guess who has already packed all of her warmest clothes for the move? Yup, that's right, I am going to freeze. Last night it was 40 degrees outside and I crowded the hubby in bed. When he'd move, I'd move closer to him! The problem is I don't know which box the warm clothes are it. Good luck there Stacy!

Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter

Ok...so I know it is a little cheesy collecting comic books and all, but the hubby got me addicted to certain comics that he reads and collects. Well, it just so happens that one of my favorite fiction authors now has a comic book to go along with her books. Obviously, I had to have the first copy, so the hubby bought it for me as part of an early birthday gift thing. I have often wondered while reading the series what the characters would look like if they were illustrated, and now I am happy to say that I know first hand. Well, not all of the characters because the comic is 'to be continued'. It just gives me something to look forward to!! That along with the new book that I can't wait to buy!!


My new comic...Yippee!

Meet our pet!

Insert: Sorry for such a long post. I just had to get it out of my system!

In actuality it is really one of my bils. The one that lives with us. Not for much longer though, thankfully as the hubby and I will be moving in mid-September. No, he isn't a bad guy, he is just incredibly irratating! He does absolutely nothing at the apt except make a mess. Occasionally he does wash his clothes, but that is about it. There is a clothes hamper in the bathroom that he uses, and pretty much just lets his clothes build up. When I can stand the stench no longer I wash his clothes for him. Sad! He daily routine (that I observe anyway) consists of going to work, coming home and doing nothing except for eating, playing on the computer, and watching tv and perhaps complaining. You see, he doesn't really like living with me either, which is fine by me. I really could care less to tell you the truth. I think it is the fact that he can't "be himself" when I am around or so the hubby says. Now, when I am around he leaves dishes in the sink unwashed, leaves pans on the stove unwashed, leaves his used snotrags (kleenex) around the apt (everywhere), leaves his clothes he's worn on the backs of the kitchen chairs, leaves his socks in the couch, he sleeps on the couch even though he bought a bed to help with his back problems...the problem there is that he either sleeps in just his underwear or naked and he is one smelly somebody, he spits his tobacco in the sink and doesn't always wash it out which means it is left there for me to find, he is an extremely loud and obnoxious eater...I can be in the other room with the door closed and hear him eating through the wall! gross, and when he has a conversation it is all about what is happening to him. Nobody but him. Personally, I just leave the room so I don't have to be around him, and he's always farting and burping without taking anyone else into consideration (an excuse me would be nice). Maybe I'm being harsh, but I'm sure I'll like him much better when I don't have to live with him. Although this place is going to look like a shithole when we leave because he is never going to clean it and that translates into me never coming to visit. It'll still be the hubby's apt though since the place is in his name. We should find a way to make him clean it. I don't know how long he'll manage to stay here anyway considering how poorly he manages money. He really sucks at it. I don't mind slightly disheveled but I definitely do not do NASTY! I am happy to announce that I have 2 sils and another bil who are not in the least bit like the one we live with. They're great! Anyway, enough of my ranting and raving...this has wore me out mentally!


Not a great pic...."our pet" in his underwear sprawled
out on the couch in all his glory! Eww!

Peace and Quiet?

I think not! I was hoping for a day of tranquility to do some things around the apartment, such as pack and clean and read, and what should decide to happen outside my window? A protest or concert of some sort that lasted for 6 hours (2-8). I did a little packing, a little cleaning, though hard as I tried I could not read. I had the world's worst headache by the end of the day. According to my hubby the people "jamming out" outside our window were anarchist. Yeah, ok...so whoever they were, they were loud and that was my only problem. It isn't like I could understand what they were screaming to begin with, so therefore I wasn't too concerned with that aspect. I ended up closing up the apt. on a extremely nice day just to shut out the noise. So when my husband came home and asked me how I liked all the stuff that happened during the day I complained. Why? Because I felt like complaining. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for having a concert and whatnot, but right outside my window, on that tiny patch of green in the middle this tiny circle where we currently live is not the place. In the future, please consider having your concert/protest, whatever it is somewhere else. Thank you!



People gathering in the street



The police (they're a little hard to see) watching
the goings on



A band setting up

...

Well, the weekend is here at last, which means that my slacker b-i-l will be off. Gah! Come on Monday!!! I like my b-i-l, I just like him more when he is not around. Anyway, not a lot planned for today or the weekend. I might call home to the States later. Kai and I are going to watch the Matt Damon movie, The Bourne Ultimatum, when he gets off work. I guess that'll be our weekend thing. He has to work from 2-9 tomorrow. I wish he were working his normal hours, but I don't mind so much. I hope Big V has some plans though because I'd like to have the place to myself for a while. Hmm...I'm whining...not a good sign. Looks like it's time to find something constructive to do!!

Edit: I most definitely recommend the Bourne Ultimatum! Went with the hubby to see it and loved it. It was my fave out of all three movies. And of course it was a Matt Damon movie...what can I say! *sigh*

A shopping we will go!

I went shopping with my 15 yr. old sister-in-law (Maaria) this past weekend because she was visiting us here in Helsinki and wanted to get stuff for school which started for her today. We had a marvelous time. Three whole days of shopping and a movie. We saw Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Yes, it did just now come out in theaters here. We got her some really cute shoes and an adorable gray jacket amongst other things.

While we were out though I couldn't help but shop for some baby clothes. Jessica, my bf, is having a little boy in November and I will be "Auntie Stacy". I am thrilled about this and am planning to buy her tons of baby stuff. I found two cute little outfits and some itty bitty socks that matched them. So of course they made their way to the kassa (cash register or checkout). These are just the first of many a purchase to come. In just a few more months Mrs. Chloe over at ETP will be getting the same treatment! I am hoping for a girl C!! Break the Minyon male cycle!






Alas, while we were out the Finnish Bookstore in Kamppi had a sale going on and I spied HK. So I made a small detour into the store and walked out with just a few small items. Yes dear, they are quite useful. I've already filled over half of one of the two photo albums I purchased with pictures that were given to us by the in-laws and with pictures that Kai had floating around of one of his visits to the States. See, these things were strewn everywhere, but now they have a proper home. I'm also sure that I'll find plenty of uses for the other items as well!





The refrigerator magnet Maaria brought me home
from France! It's too cute!

Going out and about!

I don't normally look forward to just going out and doing nothing but looking around at stuff, but today I am. I am just happy that I am getting out of the apartment. Maybe that is just due to the fact that it is sort of hot indoors, I would say that that is a good possiblility. I also have a promised care package that I need to finish getting together. I am sending one to my friend, Jennifer, who is in the navy. I probably won't be able to get it in the mail until Sept. but that is just fine. Who knows, maybe I'll find some stuff to send to her while we are out today.

Oh yeah, and after just one month I have a puppy fund update. I started it on July 5, and now it is just a month later and I have 109 euros saved to go towards my doggie. The hubby says that when I reach 500 euros he'll get me the dog! Maybe I'll have a couple of good months!!

Blah...

Ever have one of those days where you just don't know what to do with yourself? Feel kind of restless? Yeah, me too, today! I cleaned the apt., cooked, washed clothes, did pilates, recycled bottles for the puppy fund, and got the trash up around the apt. Yeah, so I did stuff. I just don't know what to do with the rest of the day. I feel like I want to do something but I don't know what and it completely sucks!!! Grrr...the hubby is off tomorrow so maybe we'll go outside and get some exercise. Maybe it'll wear me out.

The Things that can go Wrong.

We lost our internet here for a couple of days just a few days ago due to a cable fire right across the street from us. There were fire trucks and police all around directing traffic around the whole block. It was neat getting to see all of these different service people, I hate that it took a fire for me to see them though. Anyway, it was a tram line that caught fire and the fire people sprayed foam everywhere. I took some pictures from the window because it was raining out and I had to walk a block out of my way to get home. I wouldn't have minded so much, but it was in the rain. Anyway, I am so happy we have the net back now. I'm not good at getting along without it anymore!!! I'm too dependent these days!



Fire Trucks across the street



Firemen right next door.



Closer picture of the fire trucks across the street.