Off to China!

I'm leaving today for the tour and it's looking like my wardrobe exploded here! Well, I'm almost done now but I don't get it how it's the same thing every single time! Different climate always gives a challenge, and especially now when we've gotten used to the winter over here. Also the chinese are so small, I've never found any clothes, not to mention shoes, from there where as for instance in Europe I might be the regular size. So in China I can't think that oh well, I'll just buy something over there then! But I'll manage, at least I'm going to be warm, lots of woolly stuff in the suitcase!

Yesterday was a nice day, we spent it together. Although I did have to make a quick run to the Kallio library once more. I took a few pictures, the building is beautiful, already 100 years old. Also the buildings around it make my heart pound every time, especially the pink one in the last two pictures!

I'll do my best to keep you posted from there, have it good where ever you are, and see you soon my dears!

Covers

Covers by aveceva on Polyvore

Something to read

My efficiency is continuing! I went to the library to return some books and get new ones for the long flights ahead. Last summer I fell for Mma Ramotswe, the Miss Marple of Botswana, a character created by Alexander McCall Smith. These books are so warm, the way he describes the African way of living and looking at things is wonderful, they're really nice books. Easy to read too which is just perfect for this purpose!
Now I've done dinner as well, I put half a salmon in the oven, oh sweet salmon, so good! On the side I sliced sweet potatos and carrots in a few drops of oil and a descent amount of rosemary and thyme, and put them in the oven as well. This is so very good and easy to make, and goes with anything!
But now it's time for me to start getting ready and go to work! Wanted to quickly say hello and bye! I made a collage of magazine covers and such, I thought it came out pretty nice with the shades and all! I like it and hope you do too!

Running errands

I just got home from a serious five-hour-madness in the center! Today has been my free day of the week so I had to be efficient: I started from the bank and continued downtown to mingle with all the other so many people running around in the slippery sidewalks while more snow kept coming down! Could this go for a week's workout? I should think so!
I had many things to take care of and none of them was about Christmas! We are leaving for a tour in China in a few days with work, and my list of things-to-do seemed neverending! But I did reach the finishing line and am safely at home now with the basic procedure: candles lit, woolly socks on, soup on the way, phew! And Christmas shopping will come later. One thing at the time.
But no matter how many things needs to be taken care of, I always snap a photo in at least every other corner! I had some sushi for lunch and a cup of tea for dessert. I went to Ichiban in Aikatalo and afterwards the beautifully renovated Svenska Teatern for tea. It's got a good old style theater feel to it but just maybe it was a little bit cozier before the big renovation. But beautiful it is anyway!

There were all kinds of Christmas things going on, oh how I'm waiting for the hurry-free days, family gatherings, the Christmas food, all the fish, the chocolates, the quality sofa-time under the blanket, books, movies..! We'll be back in time for all that and it will feel all the more special then! Here's some moments of my day, have a good beginning of the weekend!

Independence Day

Today is our Independence Day. This is a big day for us Finns, and we celebrate it with gratitude towards the generations who fought for us to be free. We light up candles, there are many concerts everywhere, and the President has a big bash which airs live every year on tv.
To me personally it means remembering my two Grandfathers who both survived the war, made their way back home, started families, kept on living despite the memories they had to live with. The women were brave, kept the country going, had lots of babies, new generations, created new memories. This is what I hold close to my heart today.

                                          Here's a picture of my Grandfather in the 1940's.

Hoshito!

Oh dear, full stomach, again! There's been so much good food this week! But tonight's experience was also something new! I'm a big sushi fan but this wasn't exactly a sushi restaurant, it was a Japanese restaurant, and the only familiar dish to me in the 4-course meal we had was the sashimi which we got after the soup. Everything was so beautifully set, in beautiful bowls and plates, the place itself was quite minimalist and stylish with Eero Aarnio chairs. Native Japanese staff, so friendly and helpful! And we had such sweet time as always! My friend is currently on maternity leave, we also work together, and I have missed her! But we meet regularly, you might remember her in my story about Kahvila Sävy! This time the beautiful baby girl spent some quality time with her Dad, and we chatted good! And long! Thank you sweetie!!

-15 degrees Celcius!

I'm at work and we're having a small break which I used outside! It's quite cold but so beautiful! Trees are white and sky is light blue, the way it only gets during winter. Today is going to be so nice, later on I will meet a dear, dear friend! We have a reservation in this really tiny Japanese Restaurant called Hoshito. I've waited for this so much, we both had birthdays quite recently so we'll take each other out for dinner! It was her idea and I think it's cute! I'll tell you how it was!