Friday!

I hate mosquitoes, they suck!

 

Finland is called the land of a thousand lakes -nowhere else you will find as many lakes in relation to the country's size. Also 2/3 of Finland's surface area is forest -mostly pine, spruce and birch. In numbers that is a surface of little less than 338500 square kilometers and over 180000 lakes. Population is about 5,4 million.

  

I found that all that fact surfing on the web, where I was actually looking for facts on mosquitoes -after a mosquitoes attack. I thought I would share some of the facts and my own findings.

-When are the mosquitoes live and kicking? During the summer all the mosquitoes are out looking for you. In spring and autumn in smaller groups (and I am pretty sure that some hide in the houses in the winter)

-Where do they hunt? In cities, country side, forest, by the lake, in the houses-cottages-flats. Mosquitoes are everywhere!

-How many of them? After some home maths and some time sitting outdoor, I came to the conlusion that there are about 20-40 mosquitoes by person ...that makes a lot of them!

-Do mosquitoes exhibit blood-sucking preferences? Yes!

-Do the mosquitoes prefer foreigners? Yes!

-Why? Foreigners are like exotic food for the mosquitoes.
-Is there any efficient mosquito trap or repellent: I doubt, mosquitoes have been around for over 30 million years already. It looks like they are not going to disappear anytime soon

 

 

  

It was not surprising to find out that in Finland is held the World Mosquito Killing Championships (WMKC) every year. The participants smash as many mosquitoes as possible in 5 minutes. I suppose the best bait being your own flesh. In the WMKC webpages, the record is 21 mosquitoes.

I am sure I could do better...





I will end on an inspirational note: if you think you are too small to make a difference, you haven't spent a night with a mosquito!

 -c-

 

Monday!

-c-

Juhannus - Midsummer

Today is Juhannus in Finland – a celebration of the Summer Solstice and its nightless night as well as of John the Baptist. Juhannus is one of the most important holidays and held on Saturday between 20 – 26 June.

The celebration starts on the Friday with most of the Finns travelling to their mökki (summer cottage) in the countryside together with family and/or friends.

The mökki is decorated with birch branches to insure future happiness and flowers to welcome the summer.

On the menu are new potatoes, grilled sausages & meat and strawberries. Then it’s time to enjoy your sauna, not forgetting to gently beat yourself with the vihta (leafy boughs of birch). Traditional Finnish songs are played all night long.

Closer to midnight, everyone heads to see the star of the night, the kokko (bonfire).

Happy Juhannus to all and let’s welcome the summer!

-c-

Sibelius Monument

On a very warm Saturday we decided to go for a picnic to the park by the Sibelius monument, one of the landmarks of Helsinki which honors the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius.

This abstract monument designed by Eila Hiltunen looks like an organ with its 600 hollow steel pipes welded together. It is 8,5m tall and 10,5m wide. By its side lies the bust of the composer.
Impressive piece of work!

If you pass by Helsinki, it's worth having a walk in the park and see the monument (wait for the tourists bus to go so you may really enjoy the place) and just around the corner indulge yourself with an ice cream or a cup of coffe by the sea. The grown up as well as the little ones will enjoy the spot.

-c-

 

Monday!

-c-

Pic of the week!

Jean Sibelius, Composer

Friday!

Magazine rack

You have this beautiful leather bag and you only use it every now and again while travelling (and that's not often as it is not the right size and not the right colour, the handles are  just too small or too big for that travel). The rest of the time it lies in the storage among all the other bags. A friend of mine turned it into a classy magazine rack! I love the idea!

Helsinki: Drink and Dine

Thanks to a young colleague, I had an amazingly tasteful and different dinner. Place to go is called Shanghai Cowboy, mexican fusion spot opened by a californian expat. Located in the heart of Helsinki (Erottajankatu 15-17), it took us a moment to find it as the sign is pretty small - or maybe we were too busy talking and not concentrating in finding the restaurant.

The interior is quite simple and stripped down but cozy. The atmosphere is trendy and cool with the clients ranging from twenties to hip forties – the latter being me ;)

 

The service was brilliantly simple and taken care by friendly young waiters. The music was quite loud but did not bother me.

So now, let’s come to the drinks and dishes– drinks list has exciting and mysterious names. The ones we tasted were awesome. The dishes, mixtures of fresh ingredients take you to all the way to Mexico with a pinch of Asia. Coriander fans: you wanna eat there!

I thought I knew what is a nacho with guacamole and salsa. I did not! The lima pacific chalupa was just the right size of a mixture of amazing tastes including prawns, scallops, chili, lemon and avocado just to name a few. Coke and chocolate ribs: I will have it next time! The grilled banana: succulent.

Do I want to go again? Yes! Yes! Yes! It is from now on my favorite restaurant in Helsinki!

Downsizing/Rightsizing my space and life

My son's graduation party was coming up and I was wondering how in earth I would fit all the family and friends in our flat. I started cleaning, emptying and reorganizing our home. Guess what! It looked straight away more spacious!

It was surprising if not frightning to realize how much we have accumulated since we moved in 4 years ago.

Could I take it further? Should I take this further?

Do I need material souvenirs? Shouldn’t I rather change the way I remember events, places and friends? I love taking pictures - that could be the solution.
Do I need all the clothes, shoes and accessories in my closet? I removed items that I have not worn in a year (excluding the very special items). From now on I will think twice before buying something new – without doubt I will find something similar in my closet! Same really applies for the pots & dishes or anything found in my cupboards and closets.
I am thinking to take downsizing also into relationships. I never have the time to see all my friends and on the other hand some people are just not good for me. Some are just not really good friends and will disappear when tough times. By downsizing my relationships I should increase the quality time with my real friends.
Will I be able to downsize my housing? Will I be able to take it to a step further when the time will come?

I have only starting my downsizing project - and yes! It is overwhelming. I struggle with the items that have a story (souvenirs), I struggle with the status thing (material & desires), I struggle with the good manners (relationships), I struggle with the expectations.

Downsizing feels like hitting the refresh button.

-c-