Christmas Preparations

On the previous Sunday (December 6th), we celebrated the Independence Day of Finland. For me that day is always pretty similar as mom and I have created a tradition of baking Christmas cookies & tarts and watching the President's Independence Day Reception on TV. It's also traditional to light up two blue&white candles exactly at 6 pm. 

Baking Christmas cookies.

My Christmas tarts look a bit different this year.

I have been preparing for Christmas and getting myself on a great Christmas mood by: 

1. Making some Christmas cards

2. Admiring a house that is famous for its Christmas lights (in Janakkala, Finland)

3. Staying fond of Christmas lights and other decorations 

4. Being optimistic about getting snow for the Christmas Eve 

This pic was taken before the snow melted away in November

5. Listening to a Christmas Radio Channel, which can be found by clicking: 

JOULURADIO

Have great Christmas preparations!!

Snow Makes Me Happy

My long wait finally paid of! It snowed today, and the snow didn't melt right away. I really like snow as it makes everything look prettier, cleaner and lighter. Plus Christmas lights and candles create a different style of a feeling when there is snow to be seen. Naturally, I had to go out and take some pictures. I would have been mad at myself for not doing so. haha. 

Some of our outdoor Christmas lights :)

Snow makes me happier because the autumn can be very gloomy and kinda boring after the beauty of the fall colors and autumn leaves has disappeared. I don't let the darkness to bore or depress me, because the Christmas-waiting season can begin as early as you self decide. That's why I always start to put up Christmas lights (autumn or dark period lights, however, you want to call them) rather soon. Next you can see some of our indoor lights, which was an advice of a dear pen pal of mine.

These are cool as they work with batteries, but look like real candles!

I also have some sad news - the Finnish post is on a strike, so letters may be delayed a lot, because there's not a specific date for this strike to end. I hope it won't be a long one!

The Fall Was Beautiful

Flowers in my granny's garden

We are already in the middle of November, which makes me wonder how in the earth can the time pass by so quickly. I didn't do most of the things I thought I would do, but on the other hand I did some things I didn't even consider doing. I suppose life is the best when it's unexpected and leaves room for surprises. Don't you agree?

Such beautiful colors nature lets us see...

During the fall season I got to admire the beauty of this season through the warm weather, sunny days and colorful leaves falling of the trees. Last year I was in Thessaloniki, Greece during this period, therefore it was more exciting to see the Finnish autumn again. Not that it would have been different, but absence from home makes you appreciate it more.

From Aulanko, Hämeenlinna, Finland

Some weeks ago I had a chance to meet my longest term pen pal, Emilia. We have been snail mailing since 2005, first met in 2010 and now was our 10th pen pal friendship anniversary. Pretty cool, huh? The time of knowing someone doesn't define the friendship, however, I appreciate her very much as she is always there to help me and has helped me to grow as a person. In a short way, she is very important to me and I hope our friendship would last as long as we live. <3

For you, Emilia 

I also got to visit Hamina, as I do pretty many times a year. I like to go there to spend some quality time with my grandmother and to relax. I don't really have internet connection there, apart from my phone with a slow connection, which makes it easier to relax and let other things be as they are. Hamina is also a beautiful tiny town, which I enjoy a lot. This fall, I tried to take some pictures there, which would show the town in a different light.

I wish I could show more pictures, but unfortunately my phone went crazy, so the pictures disappeared with it. That's why I'm not able to use Whats App for a while, just to let you know. If you are interested in knowing your letter status or just chatting with me, please send me a message on FB. To give you a short situation status, I've got three letters to reply: Emma (Australia), Inga-Siv (Sweden) and Mari-Liis (Estonia). I will try to reply as soon as I can. 

For the past few weeks I've been concentrating on my studies and trying to follow my sport schedule that I have set for myself. Naturally, as a Christmas enthusiast, I'm also excited about the approaching Christmas and wishing for the snow to come soon. 

Have a great day! :)

I've Donated Blood

Have you donated blood? If not, here's why you should!

You cannot replace blood artificially, therefore you have the possibility to save a patient's life by donating blood. Due to volunteer donors, for example, accident victims, surgical patients, premature babies and cancer patients have better changes of overcoming these health problems. When you donate blood, the blood is divided into red cells, plasma and platelets, which means you can help three people (!!) with only one blood donation.

If you want to donate blood, you should check where, when and who can do it in your country! I believe donating blood is an easy way to help other people. At least give it a go, and see how you feel afterwards!

As mentioned on the headline, I donated blood for the first time ever on September 25th, 2015. I have been thinking about doing it since I turned 18, and it has been a part of my bucket list for quite some time already. I do not know why I have not done it earlier, perhaps I was scared how it would feel or how it would affect me. In the beginning of this year I was about to give it a go, but I could not do it due to living in Greece for some months during the year of 2014. I thought about doing it during the summer as well, but decided not to, because my work was physically quite demanding. Besides, you can donate blood only twice a month in my town, Hämeenlinna, so it is all about finding the suitable day for yourself.

This Friday I got my nerves together and went to donate blood. I cannot say it would have been a good experience, but I feel good because I was able to help three other people. My visit to the blood donation location took two hours because I read through all available info very carefully and I had some problems getting up after the blood was donated. I was feeling rather dizzy for about an hour after the donation, so the nurses kept on bringing me something to drink and eat. The blood donation itself did not hurt, just felt in a weird way. I suppose I should have eaten more before the donation even though I ate quite well at school on the same day, to avoid the feeling of dizziness. The unstable feeling did not last for long, which means I am willing to give the blood donation another try. If the second time goes the same as the first one, I will need to think more carefully about blood donation and if it is the best way for me to help other people in need.

Who's in? Let's donate some blood!!

Zero Letters to Reply

My dearest pen pals and blog-readers,

I'm happy to say I have finally replied to every single letter that I have received. I cannot remember the last time I had zero letters to reply, but this surely feels good. I mean, it's nice to know I'm not keeping any of my pen pals waiting for a letter to arrive.

That said, I would like to know if any of you believe your letters haven't arrived to their destinations or that my letters to you have gotten lost on the way. I hate it when mail gets lost, but it does happen & it would be extremely annoying to lose a pen pal because of undelivered mail. So please, let me hear from you guys!

As I take quite a lot of pictures, it would be difficult not to have any pics in a blog post, so here we go:

Summer cottage vibes from Lappeenranta.

Gotta start the jogging season, so far it's going well. ;)

It's possible to enjoy the summer cottage even during the fall. 

Lingonberries :)

Have a great fall (or spring) day!!

Summer Is Almost Gone

Summer post must start  with a beautiful flower picture, right?

Suomenlinna, June 29th. 2015

Soon it'll be mid-August, how fast can the time actually fly? I can't believe how fast the summer has gone, because I feel like May started just a few days ago. I guess, my thoughts arise from the fact that I have felt myself busy most of the summer even though I haven't actually done much. 

Grave yard of Kalvola

Found my mom's old sunglasses. hehe.

I have been working most of the week days since the mid-May and on this Friday my summer job on the grave yard is coming to its end. My feelings are very mixed about it, because I actually like the job, well mainly the people there (however, it ain't so nice to work under a heavy rain). On the other hand it's nice to be able to enjoy the holidays, finally. What I don't like is the fact that the beginning of my 3rd university year is getting closer a day by day. Let's just say my motivation has run away during this year. haha. Hopefully, I can regain that motivation before going back to school. 

Flowers are beautiful, and I take lots of pictures of them ;)

A view from our summer cottage in Hämeenlinna

A view from our summer cottage in Lappeenranta

So, how have I enjoyed my free days (= weekends)? I have been spending lots of time on both of our summer cottages. There I can really relax and be happy - being at a summer cottage equals happiness. I can't imagine a summer without special days at summer cottages. To my surprise, I have spent time picking up berries and collecting mushrooms, which I haven't been keen on doing before. 

Collecting mushrooms

Picking up blueberries

In early July we also celebrated my brother's birthday by throwing up a small party. I like such events because I get to see some relatives and family friends. Of course, it's a great reason for eating unhealthy things. haha. 

Me at my bro's party.

After Midsummer, I have visited Hamina once. It was a nice visit, which followed the same pattern as always; watching TV, chatting a lot, going out to eat, visiting my grandpa's grave and going for a walk. I did see pretty views during this trip, though.  

One weekend I visited a housing fair in Vantaa (Southern Finland), which was nice. I wasn't too fond of the actual houses, but I liked most the lamps. Besides, the company was great and that matters much more than the stuff we do or where we are. :) 

That's about all for my quick summer post. I'm sorry I have been such a slow blogger, as well as snail mailer this summer. I hope to get back to business soon. I wish all the best for everyone for the rest of this summer!