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!