A Pat and Smack!

"I have slept a thousand nights under bright stars and sunny days... I have lived a wonderful life!"

I heard this saying the other day and smiled realising just how true it is!

Yesterday was the first day I attempted to navigate the Helsinki Metro... must admit I was rather proud of myself for doing so. Usually it's no big deal whether you're in Spain, France, Belgium, England etc you can get by with the language - but Finnish!!! You can't pronounce the words let alone figure out what they mean (Google translate aka GT, is my new best friend - although it takes forever typing the words in), however when you're not at home you don't have the luxury of GT! So a good pat on the back...

this was followed by a smack on the wrist! I'll confess, since we moved into our new place (almost 2 weeks ago now) I haven't been to gym at all! Have some serious catching up to do...

Especially as we're heading back to London in 3 weeks time - need to lose that winter insulation!

I also met Arnold Schwarzenegger yesterday... or at least his twin! This pharmacist looked and spoke just like "Arnie". Naturally as I was leaving, just couldn't resist, had to turn around and say............. "I'll be back!"

6 Players, 6 Teams, 6 Overs...

Woke up to an AMAZING day today...

Firstly - Today is 1 month since I quit smoking, it's been really tough and I'm thrilled to have come this far!!!

Secondly - Today was an incredible...

Yip... there's the proof - 24 degrees!!!

A perfect day to...

watch company cricket!

6 people per team, 6 teams and 6 overs per side - GREAT DAY!
(If you love cricket!)

"Kawalis" Team was up first - Marc began the bowling against the "Unnamed Assassins"

Took a wicket straight off the bat - that was just so impressive... or at least until Marc tripped over his own foot - landing on his ass! Very amusing, unfortunately not caught on film!

Time to bat...

Or at least try...

Marc was in fine form today...

Scoring loads of 4's and 6's

Marc in action...

Getting a bit cocky as he takes a bow after his 50th point...

Then Murphy's Law

Out, caught out, run out, time out!!!

Still an excellent score - and after several games they actually made it into the finals!

Me becoming a little bored and the sponsored photographer of the day

Kawalis' showing support to their fellow team mates

Of course, Marc showing them how it's done! ;-)

Time for fielding

No that's not how it's done!

After beating the "Drunk Agains" in the finals... and pats on the back...

It was time to name Man of the Match.

Not sure what was more unbelievable... that Marc won or that the prize was an energy drink!

A few quote's of the day all in "Ind-lish":

"Kawali's" - a one man team! (in reference to Marc)

Powelly Pressure

Opportunity of a life time

Every good hit was a "Beauty"

"Drunk Again's", drunk again!

Heading back into Helsinki, in front of the major shopping complex they had this HUGE hockey "arena" up and were playing league hockey!

A lovely ending to a terrific day... now I'm ready for a shower and tending to the sunburn I never thought possible in Finland!

Rain, Rain, Rain.... Sunshine!

Typical!!! I thought this only ever happened on the muddy island of uk... apparently not!

The long weekend arrived - with it the rain and wind! Murphy's Law indeed.

So the weekend was spent settling into our new home, Marc is still recovering from this cold we have been passing to each other for the last 6 weeks. Apart from that we did nothing - yip NOTHING! It wasn't worth going outdoors or even travelling to Estonia :-( or country side - which is a tradition here in Finland for the Midsummer Holiday...

Oh well... these things happen! On a much brighter (excuse the pun) note - the sun is shining and the birds are singing. In fact, that's not all they're doing. I came back from the post office yesterday only to find some "bird faeces" on the middle of our bed! Gross!!! Think I'll not leave the bay windows completely open in future.

So after 7 weeks Royal Mail finally found our package and redelivered it to Finland. I was really excited as now my business could finally take off. So I rush down to the post office... (which is a lovely building - for a post office)

...only to discover RM have sent me the wrong package!!! Aaaarrrggghhhh needless to say after raising my strongly opinionated voice - the correct package should be here by Wednesday - well no more holding my breath for fear of suffocation!

As the gym was closed over the long weekend (nice break)... now its back to the gym for me - really hope I can improve on 4.5 in 30!

Wish me luck!

All settled in!

Up bright and early on Thursday, spent most of the morning packing - I still can't believe 6 months ago both Marc and I arrived with only one bag each... and this is what we have already accumulated!

Where did it all come from?!?!

Several trips later, we were mostly moved out!

Enter new apartment... the entrance! Pure space

A kitchen that you can actually cook in!

Isn't this the most brilliant idea? After washing the dishes you stack them on these shelves to drip-dry and just close the cupboard door. All the water drains into the sink - very practical!

The view from our bay windows...

I can't wait to have a braai (bbq) here!

So much space... you can actually "swing a cat" in here - It's amazing what a difference 3sq m make!!!

Our first dinner at the dining room table (so good to have one again!) Indian takeaways.

This weekend is the midsummer holiday in Finland and I wanted to capture just how dark the evenings become...

11pm

Midnight

This is 1am, 2am and 3am... then I went to bed! But it's pretty much as dark as it gets here (during summer that is).

That was Thursday...

Friday morning we woke up nice and late as it's a public holiday here. Moved the rest of our things then decided to watch a movie.

Well, the centre of Helsinki was deserted! Hardly anyone on the streets - EVERY shop was closed including the movies... really bizarre! It reminded me of a time when no shops would open on a Sunday... giving away my age here!

Also rain has been predicted for this entire weekend! Let's hope it's not true and that we get a little sunshine for Estonia!

Crossing fingers till tomorrow...

A little perspective...

No gym today... but recon the move tomorrow should make up for it! (That's my reasoning and I'm sticking to it!)

Discovered "The Hills" series on the Internet... this is VERY exciting as now I can catch up on all the episodes I missed since leaving London!

Worked a little on the "April 2009 - Baltics" Blog.

Tomorrow will be spent packing and I'll be enjoying every second of it!

In the mean time I'll leave you with these great words from one of my fave songs:

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

Until later...

3 more sleeps

I am so excited! 3 more sleeps till we leave our "palace". This is where we have been staying for the last 6 months.

The Street

Apartment on the left in the middle - a 26sq m serviced apartment.

As accommodation is hard to come by in Helsinki, this was a gem! If anyone is looking to invest in property this is the place to do it. Rental income is HUGE!

I can literally make tea without leaving the bed!

Although there is this double bed, you can't sit up as there is no room, neither are there any lights to read. You also have to go down stairs to turn off the "main" light which isn't very strong. So we use that as a storage area.

This is the most resourceful use of space for an apartment. You can literally sit on the toilet, brush your teeth and turn on the washing machine without moving! Cleaning it is really easy - guess that's a bonus!!!
Anyhow, bring on Thursday, we're up grading to a - wait for it... ... ... ... ...

30sq m serviced apartment - "Al lè Mansion"!!! Yeah baby!!! You'll be surprised just what a difference those extra few feet make! We'll be moving closer to the centre, moving to the first floor AND a quieter neighbourhood...

This was the Kebab shop opposite us which stayed open till 4 /5am every day or would that be night?!?! Ahhhh I can hardly wait to move!

So today I uploaded the "May 2009 - London" post. Also managed to pop into gym to do a "Motivus" class. Have no idea what that means - neither do I have any idea what they are saying... which is quite amusing, nevertheless, great fun! Afterwards I managed a 4.5 in 30... So progress - All round great day!!!

First Omelette

Yesterday I attempted to make / cook my first omelette

Cheese, Ham & Tomato... it was

Yummy!

Also managed a run - then realised just how unfit I really am! The goal is to be able to get back to running 5 in 20. yesterday I ran 4 in 30! How bad is that?!?!
On a brighter note... at least its a start!

Finally posted "March 2009 - Lapland" blog - check it out!

Finally...

The January blog is up!

Well I never knew it would take this long - however taking all the technical glitches into account - I'm pretty happy with how this blog works! sigh... now I'm ready for a relaxing weekend!

Today I had a lovely lie in... worked on the blog and took care of Marc who really isn't feeling to well. Also delighted the parcel I sent to SA about 6 weeks ago has just arrived!

No gym again today... bad bad bad me! I'll have to make up for it tomorrow.

Till then

Happy Days!

Today I was treated to my first facial... mmmm soooooo lovely! Feeling fantastic!

Also made some major progress on my Jan blog, so all in all, a productive day.

And just to make things even better Royal Mail finally found my lost package and will be delivering it tomorrow - well lets see if that actually happens!

As for our Russian trip - that will have to wait :-(
Instead we are heading off to the last Baltic country Estonia. We were supposed to have seen it when we travelled through Lithuania and Latvia, but due to becoming stranded in Lithuania we missed Estonia. So quite delighted to have this chance!

Till tomorrow...

Here Goes...

Ok, so this is my first post! Never used a blog site before and have been totally inspired to set one up after reading my friend, Monique's blog.

Isn't it amazing how time flies and before you know it the year is over! So there's no time like the present to begin.

My name is Denise, in a rough breakdown... I spent my formative years in Zimbabwe, teen years in South Africa, twenties in the United Kingdom and now i find myself in Finland. What an experience the journey has been!

But more about that in the days to come...