You've Got a Friend in Me

"You've got a friend in me.
You've got troubles, well I've got 'em too.
There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you.
We stick together and we see it through.
You've got a friend in me."
-Randy Newman








We have really created ourselves a special preschool here in Helsinki. All beginning with 3 lonely moms from North America looking for companionship on the other side of the world. Lucky enough...we all like each other, each other's kids, and our kids even like each other!









With their age span of almost 2 years to 3 1/2, we all look forward to meeting up a few times a week. From our weekly Wednesday morning swim and sauna to parks, farms, or beach outings, they all get along perfectly. They have learned the concept of sharing, taking turns, following rules, consequences if you don't, and what is expected for 'special treats.' We all have our moments time to time, but these kids really love each other.








Truly something special you don't find anywhere and who would have thought here in Helsinki. We cherish our memories and look forward to many more.

Life Is Beautiful

"Life is beautiful,
but it's complicated,
we barely make it.
We don't need to understand,
There are miracles, miracles."
- Vega 4





Following a rough year in 2006 with 2 miscarriages, Daddy and I were a little hesitant about sharing the good news we discovered on a day no other than...April Fools Day. We were pretty good keeping it to ourselves in the beginning, but as family members began booking their summer flights to come see us, we had to start sharing the news. After a wonderful confirmation today at the hospital, we are happy to let the entire world know that #3 will be joining our family in late November! And yes...that is a picture of our little angel from today.

I will try not to tie up my blog with the differences in maternity care compared to the US, but here is the general idea. I see a nurse monthly for my basic check ups and a doctor 3 times during my pregnancy if all goes well. My final doctors appt. will be during my 36th week at the hospital I am delivering at to discuss my c-section, or possible VBAC options. I also receive 2 sonograms throughout my pregnancy...first during the 12th week to determine the due date and second during the 20th week to check all organs. Here we go again!

The Race Is On

"Well, the race is on
And here comes pride up the backstretch.
Heartaches are goin' to the inside.
My tears are holdin' back
They're tryin' not to fall."
- Sawyer Brown





Today we all participated in the Naisten Kymppi 10K. It is Finland’s biggest sporting event for women with 15,000 female runners, joggers, walkers and Nordic Walkers of all ages...and 3 strollers this year. With our first truly beautiful day in Helsinki and only the second that I have been outside in a short sleeved shirt, we were able to finish the race with sun kissed arms and cheeks. All the kids were troopers while they rode in the stroller for 2 hours. We were instructed to hang out in the back of all runners and walkers so the strollers would not be a problem for other racers. Our obstacle was the Nordic walkers with their 'clicking' poles that surrounded us.




While we socialized at a steady pace, Daddy met us at the halfway point with fresh McD's french fries for the youngest of racers. He then was able to take some pics of us while we were walking the course. There were many more participants than I expected and very few strollers. Parts of the race narrowed into small trails causing major bottlenecks, but we all survived. After crossing the finish line, we were all given loads of fruit, water, juice, yogurt, and other snacks. What I found most amazing was throughout the course, companies set up booths with free snacks and beverages. In all the races I have ran, I was used to power bars and Gatorade. Here...champagne and strawberries. ONLY IN FINLAND!!!

This Old Town

"This old town was built by hand
In the dust bowl of the Mother land.
There must be rock beneath this sand.
Oh, I'll be damned,
This town still stands."
- Nanci Griffith







With my best friend in town for the week, we took a bus 50 km east of Helsinki to the old town of Porvoo to show her a little bit more of Finland. Known as Finland's second oldest town, settlement began in the 13th and 14th centuries. The streets are made of cobblestone as they zig-zag in and out of the many wooden buildings of various color. The city has burned 4 times in history. The first 2 times by the Russians, third by a Porvoo housewife making fish soup in 1760, and the fourth in 2006 inside the Old Porvoo Cathedral.








The weather was finally on our side as we walked the boys through old town, did some window shopping, enjoyed lunch at a great riverside cafe, ran around in the city's parks, and browsed the open air market.

Get Outta My Dreams

"Hey you, get into my car
Who me? Yes you,
get into my car.

Get outta my dreams.
Get into my car.
Get outta my dreams .
Get in the back seat baby.
Get into my car."
- Billy Ocean






We have seen planes and trains so it was only appropriate to tour the Espoo Auto Museum next. Including anything that has wheels, the museum was stuffed with cars, motorcycles, bicycles, strollers, roller skates, etc. Most of the information on each item was written in Finnish so I was not able to appreciate the antiques to the fullest.




Touching, climbing, and driving was not encouraged either, so the boys had a hard time exploring. They still enjoyed looking at all the wheels and running about freely. The autos dated back to the early 1900's and some of the prized cars in the museum's collection include a Moskvich, Yalta, Volga, Pobeda, IFA, and a Russian Chaika.

Waffle King

"It took a lifetime, but finally found
The perfect waffle recipe.
You'll never find a batter any better in this whole stinkin' town.
One little bite any I'm sure you'll agree."
- Weird Al Yankovic






Another side trip we took this weekend from Bonn was to Liege, Belgium. Just an additional hour train ride from Aachen, Germany we were anxious to visit another country. With the strong French influence, I felt we were walking around a mini-Paris at times. Great shopping, tons of people, and small cafes filled the streets. Of course we had the time to sit outside while we enjoyed a traditional Belgium waffle with a coffee. Small fact for the day: The difference between Belgian waffles and the ones we are more familiar with is the yeast in the batter, which yields a lighter waffle with a fresh-baked bread flavor.







And what is a visit to any European city without touring the cathedrals? Liege's famous church is Saint-Paul cathedral. The cathedral contains St Lambert’s tomb and is one of the original seven collegiate churches.

Danke Schoen

"Danke Schoen, Oh Darling, Danke Schoen.
I said, Thank you for seeing me again.
Though we go- on our separate ways,
Still the memory stays, for always, my heart says, Danke Schoen.

Danke Schoen, Auf Wiedersehen, Danke Schoen."
- Wayne Newton









We just returned from a long weekend trip to Germany. The mini-vacation was planned back in March when a budget airlines ran a special...9 Euros there and 5 Euros return. Who can resist cheap fares like that? We picked Bonn to be our headquarters and booked a hotel there for the 3 nights. Over looking the Rhine and a block away from the city centre, it was the perfect location and not to mention the indoor pool we had to visit each evening with the boys.







We feasted on bratwurst and sauerkraut, drank plenty of hefeweizen beer, and stopped by the local Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts. Our second day we took the train north to Cologne. Daddy toured the Dom for his first time and climbed the stairs to the top of the south tower while I sat back and ate ice cream with the boys. We then rode the miniature train that scuttles through old town and by the chocolate factory. On the third day we spent our morning in Aachen, located near the Belgium border. Known as the main seat of Charlemagne's court, the city also houses the Great Aachen Relics (allegedly the swaddling clothes and loin cloth of Christ, the gown of the Virgin and the garb of St John the Baptist).






In between all our side trips, we walked the streets of Bonn. It is a beautiful city and widely known as the birthplace of Ludwig Van Beethoven. Even though the overcast, cool weather was not in our favor, we were only rained on once for 10 minutes. The small shower quickly ended and departed us with a beautiful rainbow over the Rhine.

Supermonstars

"Kick up a row.
We're the Supermonstars.
We chant the anthem of the Phantoms.
Deal out the blows.
Like a Supermonstar.
We are humble to none,"
- Lordi





Okay, not my choice of music or a group I would ever want to see in concert...but I cannot live in Finland during this time and not talk about Eurovision or Lordi. Since 1956, members of the European Broadcasting Union have been participating annually. This international song contest begins as each country chooses a new singer/band and a specific song. This song is then submitted and performed live in a television programme transmitted across the Eurovision Network simultaneously to all countries. The programme is hosted by one of the participant countries (Helsinki this year), and the transmission is sent from the auditorium in the host city. During this programme, after all the songs have been performed, the countries then proceed to cast votes for the other countries' songs: nations are not allowed to vote for their own song. At the end of the programme, the winner is declared as the song with the most points. The winner receives, simply, the prestige of having won the Eurovision title of that year.


Inspired by KISS, Lordi was officially formed in 1996 and won Eurovision in 2006. They are widely known for their monster costumes and will not appear without them. If filmed without their masks, you will only see the back of their heads. The lead singer was even invited to a huge presidential gala last year but his mask was "not allowed." He opted to stay home then and his wife snuck in through the back door to avoid media. Since they won the 2006 title, Helsinki is hosting Eurovision this week. With the city noted to be spic and span and flags raised on every corner, it should be a crazy weekend here. Events are planned for each evening with the finals being held Saturday. The green, red, purple and orange countries above will be participating in the contest.

Mexico

"Oooh, Mexico!
It sounds so sweet.
With the sun sinkin’ low.
The moon’s so bright.
Likes to light up the night
Make everything alright."
- Jimmy Buffett






We just completed our 8th Annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta! It definitely was our smallest and tamest, but perfect for this day. I did not spend all week running around an unfamiliar city looking for ingredients this year. I knew exactly where to shop and the market even has a larger 'Mexican' section compared to last. The delicious cuisine is slowly but surely traveling north. We feasted on chicken and beef enchiladas, queso, fresh guacamole, and topped everything off with a few Coronas and margaritas.

Weird Science

"Plastic tubes and pots and pans
Bits and pieces and
Magic from the hand
We're makin'...weird science"
- Oingo Boingo






Today we experienced Heureka, the Finnish science center. Targeted towards children of school age, I would suggest it as an outing to any child over age 1. The entire place is designed as "hands on" even if it is pushing a button to see colored lights rather than reading the hidden texts. From driving a car with square wheels to mimicking walking on the moon, the center also offers parabolical mirrors, a Pulfrich Pendulum, tightrope bicycling, a bed of nails to lay on, cubes and logs to build a life size igloo and cabin, and rats that play basketball.







The outside exhibit is just as fascinating, so don't save Heureka for a rainy day. Archimedes screw, a wind machine and idiophones keep little minds occupied. The boys enjoyed walking over the challenging bridges, the human yo-yo, and crawling through Klein´s Bottle.

Top Of The Roller Coaster

"It seems to be saying,
Of coarse there will be fear.
But this is why we stand in line,
Spend that time, make that climb,
To finally feel the other side,
And it's all down hill from here."
- David Wilcox





We are finally at the top of our 'roller coaster,' ready to feel the other side and hoping it is all down hill from here! Today officially marks the 1/2 way point for our odyssey. 13 down...13 to go!


Happy May Day to all and Happy Vappu to everyone in Finland. Today we were able to experience our second Vappu celebration. Things have not changed much from last year. Still a day where all the business are closed, public intoxication is encouraged and public urination is tolerated, balloons are sold for 10 Euros each, and graduates old and new are passed out in the park with their white hats still resting on their head. Rather than picnicking with the crowd of thousands, we played at a deserted neighborhood park and then grabbed an ice cream cone while we strolled through Kaivopuisto just long enough for me to take a few pictures.




The beginning of May also marks a big turning point here in Helsinki. All retail shops have been closed on Sundays since the end of August. They will now open from 12-1800 each Sunday...only until summer comes to end again.