Rage on ski trails

In Finland we have thousands of kilometres of different trails and paths for everyone to use for recreational purposes. In the summer these trails are really meant for everyone: people who walk, jog, walk their dogs, do Nordic walking etc. Also cyclists can come along as long as they are aware that there are other people using the same trails they are, and don't cause any danger. In short: in the summer there are lots of people on these trails and things seem to work out just fine.

In the winter it's a whole different story. You see, a new phenomenon has emerged in our country in recent years. It's called laturaivo in Finnish, and it refers to situations where a cross-country skier has become absolutely enraged to somebody else on the same ski trail -or close to it.

First some cross-country skiers just got mad at people who were walking on ski trails. They said that walking on the ski trails ruins them, and then it is difficult or even dangerous to ski on bumpy trails. Okay; I can understand that. But, this is by no means the only thing skiers became upset. Even if there was someone walking a dog alongside the ski trail, this was also wrong, and the poor dog owner was often told to 'go away' or even to 'f*** off'. I've been one of those dog owners, so I know what I'm talking about.

Well, things have gotten worse over the past few years, and this winter I've read about several cases where skiers have said very nasty things also to other skiers (!) So now it isn't enough that cross-country skiers have banished other people off 'their' trails; now they can't even stand each other?! According to newspaper articles, slower skiers (elderly people, children) have received some very negative feedback from super-skiers, and for example if someone has fallen over, he/she has been told to get out of the way and the message has been accompanied by a bunch of nasty swear words. In some cases, the one laying on the ground has even been spat at or stung with a sharp ski pole by someone passing them!

I don't know if this kind of behaviour says more about cross-country skiers or our times, but it's ludicrous and bad behaviour anyhow. It's also saddening to think of how little some people respect others and their right to exist, think or do things differently. Live and let live is an excellent principle, and it wouldn't hurt to bear this in mind whatever we do. People with a one track mind are always problematic to live with, and selfish people with a one track mind are even worse.

And besides, even though I don't ski myself (in any shape or form), somehow I thought that skiing was supposed to be fun?  Hobbies and recreational activities are intended to help you relax, calm down and feel good. I say, if cross-country skiing makes somebody so enraged that they need to yell, swear and rage to others, maybe it would be wise for them to change into some other sport or hobby altogether. Like needlepoint. If something goes wrong there, they can only blame themselves.

Väärin urheiltu

This time the heading is in Finnish, because it is an adaptation of a Finnish saying "väärin sammutettu". Translated literally, it means "fire put out the wrong way". In Finland we use this phrase when we refer to things or situations where someone has done exactly the right thing as such, but where somebody else is criticizing the way it was done. The heading refers to a situation where working out has been done the wrong way. Is that even possible? Yes, it seems so.                                


You see, I got the idea for this posting after reading a blog posting of a personal trainer who shared her thoughts of working out and people who work out. I felt like posting her a comment or two right away, but then, after taking a deep breath and counting to ten, I didn't.  Since I still feel a bit bothered and annoyed about the text a few days later, I'll write some of my thoughts here.


In this blog this particular personal trainer perhaps wanted to point out that a healthy, muscular type of (female body) is better than too skinny, but if this was meant to be the main message, it was not conveyed very well. You see, she wrote that women who go jogging know nothing of nutrition or what makes a woman attractive. That's because if they did, they would not go jogging, they would go to the gym! And -get this- the most important reason for going to the gym is not to stay healthy or anything futile like that; it's getting a beautiful, round ass!


Okkaayy.... So, it does not matter if somebody prefers running or swimming or badminton to going to the gym; the gym is automatically the way to go for everyone..?


And what if a woman likes jogging or running, has a flat ass and still is perfectly happy with herself, does she still have to change her ways and start going to the gym so that she could become more attractive to men..? According to this blogger, yes she does. And isn't it possible for a woman to be attractive without a huge, muscular bottom? According to her, no it isn't.  And one more question: What is in the heart of doing sports; feeling good, staying healthy, or looking good? According to our dear blogger, the answer is looking good.


I don't know about you, but somehow I feel that these kinds of blog postings don't do much good for women, even though this blogger wanted to educate us into realizing that thin women are not beautiful. I felt that her main idea was to make also slim women feel bad about themselves; this same has been done to overweight women a long time ago. According to her, only muscular women with tight asses will do.


Why is it so hard to accept that we all (women as well as men) come in different shapes and sizes, and as long as you are healthy and exercise in whatever way, that should be enough for everyone?


So, I'm not sure if this blogger is a bad writer or just stupid -or maybe both- but at least for my part I'm gonna continue jogging no matter what anybody says, and if someone has a problem with my ass, they can close their eyes or turn away!

My stupid, miserable life

A few weeks ago I attended a lecture where the lecturer pointed out an interesting characteristic that appears to be in common with many people. It seems that in times of crises we easily start looking for quick fixes or answers to our problems from external sources, not necessarily from within.


When a person's own life is boring, unfulfilling or has caused disappointment, people often react in ways that on the outside seem different but actually might have similar reasons. Some people quit their jobs and move across the globe to find themselves, others get divorced and try to find solace or a fresh start with somebody new. Some turn to religion, and some even join extremist movements. Different reactions, but is it really so that all of these choices stem from the same source; the feeling that my life as I know it now is so stupid, miserable and insignificant that something just has to be done?


For earlier generations misery was okay; the present life wasn't supposed to be happy or fulfilling, happiness was reserved for the afterlife. It was easier for people to accept hardships because it was thought that they were given to you to be endured; also the difficult times and misfortunes had a meaning.


Maybe one of the most difficult things for us modern people is to withstand ordinary life. Many people don't believe in heaven or life after death anymore, and that is why you'd have to make the most of this life. Maybe this is why we are afraid of losing time or opportunities, the "so much to experience, so little time" -attitude seems to be pounding in our heads. It is difficult to be content with what you have if there actually could be something better around the corner...? Is the worst thing that could happen to a modern person that he or she would have to settle for something less than brilliant? There is always the problem of not knowing;  how will I know if this is as good as it gets..?


I suppose the wise realize that sometimes the difficult times in our lives don't have to do with any external factors but rather the inner discontent that we (all?) feel at times. I guess the real question is to be able to separate inner temporary turmoil from real, actual problems that have to be resolved.

"Hell is where the cooks are English..."

There's a funny anecdote about cultural differences. I'm sure you've heard it before, but I'll write it down here anyhow:

"Heaven is where...

the cooks are French,

the policemen are English,

the mechanics are German,

the lovers are Italian,

and it's all organized by the Swiss.

Hell is where...

the cooks are English,

the policemen are German,

the mechanics are French,

the lovers are Swiss,

and it's all organized by the Italians."

Even though this text is filled with generalizations and stereotypes, it still says something about people in different countries, their characters and habits.

I visited England again about a month ago, and I must say that there is some truth to the belief that the English cuisine may not be the best in the world. It's actually fine by me, since I'm not a 'food enthusiast' myself. I'm satisfied if there is enough healthy food on the plate; I don't crave for culinary experiences all the time. Naturally, sometimes it is nice to spend an evening enjoying good company and a good meal at the same time, but like I said, I don't need new, exotic dishes in which the cook has invested huge amounts of time and effort. The "naked chef -philosophy" appeals to me; simple basic ingredients, easy recipies, full stomach.

Eton mess; my kind of dessert. Easy recipe, easy to make, delicious!

That is why it is such a relief to go to England! I don't have to pretend that I am interested in spices or sauces or different kinds of meat. Fine dining is not mentioned, thank Goodness! Eating is just something that has to be done, and it's perfectly okay if you just want to get it over with. In Finland cooking is veeery much in fashion these days, and it seems obvious that everyone is completely into food and cooking and everything related to it. With my not-so-passionate relationship with food, I feel like the odd man out when this topic is concerned. That is why for instance Eton mess is a brilliant dessert in my opinion. Just whisk and mix and put them in a bowl and that's it! Who says cooking or baking has to take hours and require dozens of pots and kettles and boiling and cooking and frying and baking?!



Sarcastic people, bring them on!

This time I thought about contemplating about humour. Lately I've come across with the fact that humour is actually a very difficult and delicate matter. Things that are extremely funny to some can be incomprehensible, or even in some cases, insulting to others.

Take Monty Python, for example. Or The Fast Show -one of my favourite BBC comedy sketch show programmes. The humour in both of these series is so unique that I guess it divides people sharply into two categories: you either love them or hate them. Understand them fully or not at all. Laugh all the time or just don't get the jokes. It's the same with comic strips, stand up comedy, and -naturally- the most difficult forms of humour, irony and sarcasm.

I myself am prone to both sarcasm and irony, although I am fully aware of the risks they entail. Irony can be misunderstood, and sarcastic people are often perceived as mean and intimidating. That is why one has to bear this in mind, and use these fine forms of humour sparingly and only in selected company. I have a small poster on my office wall saying: "Sorry! The lifestyle you ordered is currently out of stock." I've noticed that most people don't get the joke. Those who do make it instantly to my 'A Potential Candidate' -list. Those who make it this far have a good chance of getting to my 'Favourite People On The Planet' -list. Needless to say, this list is not terribly long (quality over quantity!), and all the people on that list have gained my friendship, access to my thoughts, as well as my utmost respect.

The same type of sense of humour is not a bad criterion to choose friends, I think. Like I mentioned, I like sarcastic and ironic people, and I've noticed that almost always these people are like me; sarcastic on the outside, but sensitive and vulnerable creatures on the inside. Usually these people also know how to handle other people like them, and don't use their sarcastic wit to hurt their friends. It takes one to know one, and with sarcastic people it's "us vs. the inequality of the world" or "us vs. stupid idiots", but not "you vs. me". In that sense, it seems funny that even though sarcastic people are often seen as scary, I always feel safe around them. It really does take one to know one.

To conclude, I just want to say that yes, I realize that someone having just read this text might feel irritated about my listing people in my mind. Well, you might wanna consider the possibility that maybe this was just sarcasm on my part...

My thoughts about ballet

I went to see The Nutcracker yesterday with my Mum and sister. This was the first time I've ever seen a live ballet performance, and I must say that I'm impressed.

We discussed the experience afterwards, and we all agreed that a large part of the allure of ballet has to do with the impression of ease, lightness and grace of movement the dancers are able to create.

The truth, however, is something quite different. Ballet is a very demanding form of art, and there are numerous ballerinas and male dancers who have to give it up at some point, simply because the physical demands are just too high. I just read an article about a female ballerina who said that being a professional ballet dancer means that there is always pain, you just have to learn to live with it. The stories of bloody ballet slippers are not just urban legends, and quite often the dancers' feet ache so much that every step hurts.

 That is why I can easily understand how only the most dedicated and motivated dancers are the ones that remain in this form of art, and that in turn might have an effect on the competition between individual dancers. Theatre groups and dance companies may be wretched places to work, and back-stabbing is a trick of the trade. This of course applies also to other performing arts, where the leading characters and soloists get the most applause and fans' attention. This is another reason why I admire the physical and mental abilities top ballet dancers have; not everyone could endure  both the physical pain and psychological stress the way they do.I have one daughter, and if she told me she wanted to become a ballerina, I would probably have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand; if you can make it, it is a fine and elegant career, but on the other hand, there are many easier ways to make a living!

Turning forty

                                 

I had a special day last Sunday; I turned forty. I guess this age is a kind of a milestone for many people: you cannot really convince yourself  anymore that you're young, and you just have to accept the fact that your life is just about halfway through. This acceptance -thing is actually easier said than done, and I know many people my age who have been very distressed about this particular birthday.

I have to admit that I had mixed feelings about my upcoming birthday, and I didn't really know what to do with it. Somehow it was obvious that I didn't want a big celebration, but I knew that I wanted to do something special or to go somewhere special to celebrate this unique day. For a long time I was puzzled and couldn't figure out what that 'special something' would be. But then it hit me: maybe I could fulfil my dream and buy myself a painting from a renowned artist I've admired for a long time..?! First it seemed impossible: could I, would I, should I...? But the more I kept thinking about this idea, the more intriguing it became.

After having this notion, one thing led to another, and in short: now I am a proud owner of a Soile Yli-Mäyry original! I had an opportunity to visit a showroom filled with her works, and fortunately I was able to afford one that I particularly liked. Now I have to admit that it feels good; I was able to fulfil a dream, I have a long-lasting memory of my 40th birthday, and I don't feel nearly as bad as I did before that I turned forty!

A painting Jälkiä hiekassa by Soile Yli-Mäyry

Greetings from Tallinn!

My family and I visited Tallinn during our summer vacation. Many Finns go to Tallinn for a very spesific reason: to get their nails done, to go to a hairdresser or to buy a new pair of specs, just to mention a few. The reason for this is the fact that for instance these things and services are cheaper in Estonia than they are in Finland. Finns also have a questionable reputation for exporting huge quantities of cheap alcohol from Tallinn to Finland, which has caused queues and  traffic congestions in the port of Tallinn. The scale of this alcohol traffic is so large that the Finnish authorities have been trying to find ways to reduce it.

Anyhow, all of this has led to the unfortunate situation that many Finns don't really see Tallinn as a cultural capital that has a lot to offer. For instance, there are many fine restaurants in Tallinn, and different forms of arts and crafts have long traditions in Estonia. We for instance went for a coffee in
Maiasmokk (which means sweet tooth in English), which is the oldest operating café in Tallinn and entire Estonia. It has been open at the same location already since 1864. It offers a large variety of different kind of pies and cakes, and they also sell delicious handmade marzipan candy.

 According to Internet sources,  the origins of Tallinn date back to the 13th century, which makes Tallinn and its historic centre (or Old Town) genuinely old. There are beautiful, old buildings that have been restored, and some hotels are also located in very old buildings. For instance, the Three Sisters Hotel dates back to 1362. Originally there were three buildings owned by wealthy merchants, and later on they've been joined together and restored. Now the building functions as a five-star hotel.

The Three Sisters hotel in the Old Town of Tallinn.

All in all, we had a very nice time in Tallinn, and I can honestly recommend it to people who appreciate and look for more than cheap booze for their holiday. The Old Town is also small enough to manage on foot, which is why it is possible to wander around with children. In Finnish we have a saying "Matkailu avartaa", which means that travelling broadens your mind and gives you a new perspective to things. I have been to Tallinn a few times, and I must say that my view of this charming city has improved. Let's see when I will go there again!

Minna Canth's Day

Yesterday, on the 19th March, we celebrated Minna Canth's Day and the Day of Social Equality in Finland.

Minna Canth (born in 1884 - died in 1897) was a Finnish writer, a social activist, a journalist, an entrepreneur, a mother... and a tough cookie.

She addressed social issues in her works, and raised different problems into discussion. In her time, for instance, there was no law of the separation of property, which meant that a woman could not govern her own property. If she got married, her money would become his. Minna Canth wrote a play about this, and in Työmiehen vaimo the leading character Johanna's money is wasted by her drunken husband, and there is nothing she can do about it. The play caused a lot of stir when it premiered, but also quite soon afterwards the Finnish Parliament passed a new law concerning the separation of property.
Minna Canth was also a strong advocate for girls' right to education. In the 1800s it was quite common in Finland that even though girls were allowed to have some education, it often was of a 'lighter' sort than the education boys were given. Girls' curriculum quite often included a lot of handicraft, needlework etc., because it was thought that girls did not have the necessary abilities for more difficult subjects and higher education. Minna refused this idea, and was not afraid to speak her mind. Hence, she became a controversial figure in her own time, partly because her ideas differed from the public opinion, and also because she was not afraid to voice her concerns. It is also noteworthy that Minna Canth worked as an entrepreneur and raised seven children by herself after her husband's death in 1879.

I am proud to be named after Minna Canth. I think that this world still needs strong advocates to improve women's position. A lot has been done, and in many parts of the world it is good to be a woman, but still a lot needs to be done. We definitely need all the minnacanths we can get in order to make this world a better place in the future!

Valentine's Day just around the corner

I'm writing this on the 9th February, which means that Valentine's Day is only a few days away. Even though Valentine's Day is not a huge deal in Finland, we also celebrate it in some way. Actually, we send cards also to friends, not only to girl- or boyfriends or husbands and wives here, since the day is called Ystävänpäivä (Friend's Day). Therefore, I suppose the main idea for this day in our country is to remember to tell all the people you love that you love them and care about them.

The stereotypical Finn is a silent, introverted and reserved person who finds it difficult to talk about  feelings. An old anecdote or a joke tells about an old married couple where the wife complains to her husband that he never tells her that he loves her. He looks at her, surprised, and says: "I already told you I love you forty years ago. I promise I will let you know if things change." Although modern Finns are probably a lot more social and outgoing than the husband in the anecdore, Valentine's Day is something that Finns haven't exactly welcomed with open arms. It's often said that all that romantic fuss just doesn't suit us; we like to show our love and affection with actions or small things rather than with flowers or gifts.

Maybe so, but I find it hard to believe that any woman would mind a little pampering. There really is no harm in making someone feel good and happy, and the gesture doesn't always have to be anything grand. A foot massage, a good film, a delicious dinner... I can't think of anyone who wouldn't like to be thought of sometimes. But, having said that, let me be clear that I also don't mind surprises of a bit more grandiose nature...So if my husband decided to pamper me with diamonds instead of coffee and a kiss on Valentine's Day, I definitely would not mind...

Kauneimmat joululaulut -oh dear!

In Finland we have this thing called Kauneimmat joululaulut. It refers to a Finnish custom; people gather in churches around Christmas time to sing or to listen to the kauneimmat joululaulut, i.e. the most beautiful Christmas carols. I like Christmas, but I never attend these concerts. Why? Because I don't want to become depressed and miserable.

You see, Finnish Christmas carols (or the Christmas carols sung in Finland) are extremely sad and depressing. Many people call them solemn; I just call them sad and depressing. The melody is in the minor, and the lyrics are usually melancholic (to say the least). Life is awful and miserable, little children die, people are alone, birds are left without any food etc. How nice! Somehow I thought that the birth of Christ was supposed to be a joyous occasion, and hence, Christmas a happy holiday ...?

Of course, there are also Christmas carols sung in Finland that are more cheerful, but unfortunately, I don't like them either. The problem with these songs are that they go to the other end of the spectrum: they are just too cheerful! Christmas carols like Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer (yes, we do have it in Finnish as well..) or Kilisee, kilisee, kulkunen are such jingles that I have a hard time believing that anyone would actually like them.

Okay, I'm trying to stop whining now. Actually, there are Christmas carols that I like very much; they are just not sung in Finland. I think that the English-speaking countries have succeeded in this field a lot better than we have: there are many English Christmas carols that make you feel like Christmas without sounding like muzak or making you feel miserable.  White Christmas, The First Noël, The Twelve Days of Christmas and Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow fit into this category just fine, in my opinion. So, instead of attending a Kauneimmat joululaulut in our church, I'll listen to my A White Christmas By Bing Crosby and Friends -CD and enjoy my kinds of Christmas carols.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Cross-dressing

Just like hundreds of thousands of people in Finland, I've also been watching the extremely popular TV-series Putous. It is a live entertainment show that combines pre-rehearsed comic sketches, improvisation, different tasks the actors are given, and most importantly, a vote for the best comic character of the year. There are eight characters at the beginning of each season, and every week one character is voted out.

Putous has now been running for several seasons, and I've noticed one common thing about many of  the comic characters that have been victorious or done really well in the show. It is that they have been characters where a woman has been dressed up as a man or vice versa. This year a clear front runner (and who eventually became second) was a character called Kissi Vähähiilari, a male actor dressed up as  a woman working out for a fitness competition.

Kissi Vähähiilari, a fitness-babe

I've been thinking about this phenomenon, and naturally the gorgeous film Some like it hot came to mind. The contrast between Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis' fake-feminine and Marilyn Monroe's ultra-feminine looks is evident, and Lemmon and Curtis show their talents in making their characters seem too masculine to really pass for women. I suppose this view is starting to be a bit old these days; today people don't necessarily want to see clumsy or awkward attempts of a female actress trying to look like a man or a male actor trying to look like a woman. These days people want to experience the "wow-effect" (that is: how does he/she do it?!) I think the main reason for the popularity of Kissi Vähähiilari on Antsku (the winner of the Putous 2013 season) was the sheer talent of the actors. It was said (and rightfully so!) that Antsku was the most beautiful woman in Finland, and it was really amazing to see how cute and adorable the actor Jussi Vatanen was able to make this character. Kissi Vähähiilari was also stunning, and it became obvious to the audience that the actor behind this character, Antti Holma, has been to the gym quite often... It was baffling to see how well these two men were able to capture the essence of femininity in their characters, because both characters were so plausible that you could easily believe they really were women! It makes me wonder if there's something so distinctively feminine in all women that it is possible to take and imitate. Maybe that something is what we call femininity; it's difficult to define but easy to recognize when we see it..

Halloween and All Saints' Day

We celebrated both Halloween and All Saints' Day a few weeks ago. Traditionally, we haven't celebrated Halloween in Finland; it has landed into our country only recently, and I think mainly children and young people are interested in it. We normally celebrate All Saints' Day by bringing candles to the graves of our departed loved ones, and that's the way we Finns see the meaning of that day; as a special day to reminisce our family members, friends and relatives that have passed away.

This year the 1st of November in our house included elements of both of these two very different celebrations. In the afternoon we had a Halloween -party at home. Our five-year-old daughter had requested a Halloween party for her and her cousins, and so I decided to throw a small-scale party for them. We had some Halloween -decorations inside the house, served some snacks and cake and candy and most importantly: we all had Halloween costumes on. I myself have been to a masquerade -party only a few times, and getting dressed up like that is quite strange to me, but this time it was actually great fun! My daughter wanted to dress up as a fairy (we slipped from the original theme a bit), and I dressed up as a witch! We both chose our clothes and jewellery carefully, did our hair (I wore a wig, so doing my hair was easy), and even put some nailpolish on which suited the roles of a fairy (nice red nailpolish) and a witch (black nailpolish, of course). The guests were just as enthusiastic about the party as we were, and as a result, we ended up having a small fairy, a little beautiful princess and an Indian princess (Pocahontas, maybe..?) in the party. The witch served as a waitress and a general hostess, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

Later in the evening when it was already dark outside, we went to a cemetary to take some candles to the graves of our deceased family members. You can't believe how beautiful the cemetary looked with hundreds of candles twinkling in the dark! When we were walking back to the car from the cemetary, I couldn't help but thinking how the same day entailed two opposite things; a children's party full of life, and an evening reminding us of death and dead people. It seemed amazing but in a way very comforting to see how these two things could actually intertwine together quite easily. I guess that's what they do anyhow; life and death are never that far apart.

Picture: christmasstockimages.com

Mutual understanding

We had our autumn break a few weeks ago, and my family and I travelled to Legoland, Denmark. Our kids were immensely enthusiastic about the whole thing; their first flight was an exciting adventure, and naturally the destination itself was basically heaven on earth for them both!

A pretty scary Lego-pirate. ARRGGHH!

Surprisingly lifelike lions!

The weather was not terribly good, but we didn't mind; there was so much so see and do in Legoland. There were Lego-figures of all shapes and sizes, and there are actually a lot of activities there as well, since Legoland is actually an amusement park nowadays. Some of the water slides etc. were closed (quite understandable in October), but still we had no problem in finding enough to see and do while we were there!

Mount Rushmore; the real thing or...?

 

 

Mexican style!

We stayed at Hotel Legoland, which is right next to Legoland. It was interesting to see how children from very different countries all had similar interests: they all loved to play with legoes and build all kinds of constructions. It was endearing to watch children gather around a large container filled with legoes and try to make the images in their heads into real Lego-constructions. The children didn't have a common language, but they seemed to understand each other surprisingly well. If someone was going through the legoes trying to find a particular piece, someone else might realize what that person was looking for and hand over exactly that kind of piece! That showed me that children are very much the same regardless of where they come from, and they somehow have this mutual understanding that doesn't even require the use of words! I suppose us adults should follow their example and try to understand each other better. My guess is we would succeed if we tried a bit harder.

Elephants in the wild in Denmark?!

Which one of the gorgeous girls is real...?

A brand new tablet girl

I am a proud owner of a brand new tablet computer. I bought the thing for a couple of weeks ago, and I must admit that I like it quite a lot! I've tried to familiarize myself with different functions and applications, and now I find myself connected with the Intenet, Facebook, Messenger, Viaplay, Netflix and Vanity Fair just to mention a few. I've also altered my newspaper subscription so that from now on, I'll be getting paper newspapers only at weekends; I'll be reading an electronic newspaper from my tablet PC from Monday to Friday. My son plays The Clash of Clans and Minecraft on the tablet, and I've downloaded for instance a princess -game for my daughter where she gets to dress princesses from head to toe. I probably don't need to tell you that the kids are also pleased with my new purchase! 

It is interesting to see how people's opinions -even your own- may change quite drastically over time. I myself am not a technology-enthusiast at all, quite far from it. If I learn how to use my phone, TV, computer or any other electric device, I definitely would not like to change it for a newer, better model. No way! Instead, I'd like to keep using my own familiar and comfy gadget for as long as it works and not change it for anything. You see, I hate the learning period and process that you inevitably have to go through with each new machine, device or appliance you buy. That's why I was very reluctant to start using tablet PCs for a long time; I didn't want to go through the trouble of learning how to use them. What changed my mind was watching people use their tablets and it seeming so easy and effortless. Finally I ventured into trying my mom's tablet myself, and came to the conclusion that it might actually be quite easy to learn to use one. So, here I am, a brand new tablet girl!

Language teacher, language student

The autumn term is just about to begin, and I start my teachings tomorrow. Even though I've been a teacher for years, it is always a little bit exciting to start a new term. There are new students and new groups, and it takes a while for people to get to know each other and the teacher, and vice versa, of course. This autumn is new and different for me also for another reason: I'm going to take on the role of a language student myself!

It's been my dream for a long time to learn to speak Italian. I've been to Italy several times, and it's always just as frustrating not to be able to communicate in their own language when the fact is that I would like to know Italian at least somehow. In my youth I studied French, so I believe that learning Italian might not be impossible for me, but starting tenacious, long-term study of a new foreign language has not been possible until now. Or, so it seems at the moment, but let's see how I'll find the time and the energy to study during the dark months in the winter. As a language teacher I am very much aware that learning a new language from scratch takes time and effort, and you'll learn to master any language slowly and gradually. But anyhow, I'm still excited, and as you can see from the picture, I'm an eager student who already has bought herself books and pencils and is ready to start. Uno, due, tre, parliamo l'italiano...

Greetings from London!

I was able to visit London at the end of my summer holiday; here are some examples of the different things you can see or do in London. You can, for instance...

 ..visit the beautiful and lively Covent Garden market. It is a former fruit and vegetable market, now a popular place with various things on sale.

 

 

 

 

 ..visit Greenwich and Cutty Sark.

..go and have your picture taken with the Beatles.. of course at Madame Tussaud's.

 

..see the beautiful Tower Bridge on your way ..

 

 

 .. to the Tower. Check if you see the ravens and the beefeaters, see traitors' gate and be amazed at the Crown Jewels!

 

 

..enjoy the all-English dish of fish and chips!

 

..hop on Europe's tallest Ferris wheel!

 

 

If you're into second-hand clothes, antiques or other small things, then the Portobello Road Market is the place for you!

 

 

 

History enthusiasts -and others- find Hampton Court and its gorgeous gardens well worth the visit! 

 

 

Musicals, Harrods, double-deckers, pubs, concerts, sports events, history, you name it. In short: there's something for everyone in London, and it really is true that "if a man is tired of London, he's tired of life!"

A new telephone!

My previous telephone broke down, which meant that I had to get a new one. Buying a new telephone is a serious matter; you'll have to consider all the possible options well before making a decision. Why? Because your phone is your constant companion these days, and if you're stuck with a model you don't like, it makes your everyday life a lot more difficult every day.

For instance, if the logic of different functions in your new phone is incomprehensible to you, it's nerve wrecking to always face the same problem: Where do I find..? How do I ..? In comparison, if all the functions and applications you need are easily found and used, your life with your phone is easy, effortless, comfortable. Especially people like me (who are not particularly fond of technology, we just want gadgets to work!) can't stand situations where we have to spend time and, through trial and error, find the means to use the alarm clock, delete a name from your address book, add a new application, find a good ringtone etc.

This story has a happy end. I was able to find a new phone that seems to meet all my demands, and is understandable to me. It's also good-looking, the size is suitable for me, and it wasn't terribly expensive either. I've had this new phone for a couple of weeks now, and I can say that I'm compeletely satisfied. I have a feeling that this will be "the beginning of a beautiful friendship"....

I believe, therefore it's true

During the last few days I've given a lot of thought about the powerful effect of our minds. I mean, it is a known fact that if we believe something to be true, it is true to us. The placebo effect is surprisingly strong  with different kinds of medication, and I just read somewhere that the same effect has been found in for instance knee operations!

Our daughter was infected with stomach flu on Friday, and since it's very contagious, the rest of the family has been afraid of catching the same virus. We've been washing our hands and using hand sanitizing lotion fiercely, but still we've been dreading for the unpleasant virus to strike at any moment. I've noticed the placebo effect in myself: since I am aware that this virus is difficult to avoid, I've felt nauseous all weekend even though I've actually been healthy. It must be my mind that is playing tricks with me, and since I believe that I'm just about to start throwing up, I feel exactly like that. Thank goodness it seems that our daughter is on the mend, which will probably mean that also I'll get rid of this icky feeling!

Shopping online

I like new clothes, shoes and jewellery as much as the next girl, but I can't stand going shopping. I hate going to the shops, because when I go shopping I usually end up feeling tired, hot, hungry and upset after spending an entire day running from one place to the next feeling tired, hot and hungry, queueing to fitting rooms and finding out that I didn't find anything useful after all. Besides, the mirrors and lights in the fitting rooms make you look absolutely dreadful! Anyone I've ever talked to say the same thing: when you're in the fitting room looking yourself in the mirror, you feel so depressed and shocked ("Is this really what I look like?!")  that you wouldn't want to show your face anywhere in public again! At least for me this kind of feeling doesn't inspire buying more clothes. Quite the opposite; it just makes me feel like quitting shopping and going home.

Online shopping is definitely for me. I like to leaf through brochures or surf on the Internet, and then place my order in the comfort of my own home. Also waiting for the package to arrive is a nice thrill, and I find it nice that I can try on new clothes at home. I've also purchased other things via the Internet than just clothes; tickets to concerts and to the cinema, jewellery, bed clothes, tablewear, carpets, curtains, and even cloth diapers for the kids when they were smaller. Just a few weeks ago I bought tickets to the Sagrada Família in advance, and it's good that I did! The queues outside La Sagrada Família were enormous, and had we not had tickets, it would have taken us many hours to get inside the church. Now it took for about twenty minutes to get through the gates, thanks to the ticktes I had bought online.