What Happened Last Year

Usually I have in the beginning of the year, like in January, recapped the previous year. Mostly the purpose of this is for myself, to go through pictures and remind myself of everything that has happened and to be thankful. So I have decided to uphold this tradition, even if it is already March, and share with you some pictures of 2015. I know, this purpose could be done also by just going through pictures to have some printed, but as that seems to be an eternity project for me I'll just stick to this. Though seriously, I need to remember to get some pictures printed!

Probably the most exciting thing about the year 2015 was the upcoming wedding, all the planning and crafts related to it. I have a ton of pictures of that process, so I decided to perhaps make its own post at some point in time. But the year started off with visiting the potential wedding place with its gorgeous views. I guess the new year is always one for trying to eat healthier etc.. I also set out on a nail polish challenge, that ended after two attempts. haha.. We have this tradition to order things from VS, before we got one in Helsinki, and in 2015 I decided to order some well make up bags, but they ended up being in my purses to collect all little items.

Chinese new year was during February, and besides trying out some new dishes to make I also tried for the first time ever to make baozhi. Baozhi, dumplings of a sort are one of my favorites. When I was visiting China, I had my first kind with a egg filling of sorts and it reminded me so much of home and pulla that I was sold. Panda though persuaded me to make these with meat, so I still need to try out my own favorite. Hopefully some day soon. I have also planned to share some of my favorite Chinese recipes that we make at home, but I don't have good lighting in our kitchen right now. 

Yep this is where it gets repetitive.. Wedding planning, working out, enjoying nature and resting enough.. Mostly reading blogs about weddings and cosmetics. haha..

I got a new lens, the nifty-fifty and went bananas with it. I also finally got around to buying new pants as my beloved jeans wore out in the crotch of all places. I did later on fix the beloved jeans, but luckily I had some sense and got new ones.. haha.. But hey first pic from the wedding process, I was making wedding invitations.. Oh the lace, purple sparkly paper and silver sashes. How I miss the excitement. 

Yeah more nature, new pants, getting excited about summer.. making plans... watching bunnies lay around in grass, laying in grass myself.. walking around aimlessly. ah it was relaxing..

PANIC.. my car got a bit small for the ever growing zoo of us, so my car became our car and we added a little dog to the mix.. Now there are an Owl, Panda, Tiger and Dog.. what a zoo we make. Also note the absolutely fantastic make-up I had, rehearsal for the wedding. 

THE MONTH. Ah the memories.. the below to pics are from the locations that was unbelievably perfect. There were many bumps along the way to this day, and sure there are things that weren't perfect.. But I wouldn't change a thing.. well maybe I would go on a honeymoon, but that is something planned for a later time. Hopefully sooner than later. Also a small trip to Stockholm and Tallinn, since we couldn't go anywhere else. Oh yeah and my birthday month, got some awesome gifts like the raybans.. 

August was mostly about enjoying the summer, being sad about no wedding to plan and getting excited about moving to Turku. We also got to enjoy some nice flowers, that were related to the wedding. Also now that I am rambling so much, I guess a good question to ask is would a post about Finnish wedding traditions be interesting?

The fall season is always full of peoples birthdays and of course we moved to Turku. The tiny apartment we live in is just so beautiful. Also Turku as a city has so many old buildings and it feels like living in some European city rather than in Finland. But there will be more about this lovely place later on, I hope. It was also so exciting and overwhelming to start studying, but oh boy I had no idea about how overwhelming it would be. 

Busy busy busy... study, study, study. Thank goodness there was an exam week, and that I didn't have any exams. I really needed a week to rest back home. Also lately I had made some hat discoveries in the children's department in H&M. They have the best stuff.

More studying, a little bit of getting to know Turku and a whole lot of Christmas mood. But at the same time soo few pictures. I had an intensive course this month that required us to set out of our comfort zone and it was interesting but I felt that I could have done more. Story of my life? haha.. but it has given me some good perspective to consider. 

Puuh, finally at December the best month ever. Christmas time is just my thing: the food, the decorations, the lights and the magic! Ah I even had some awesome outfits for Christmas planned out, though the lovely red dress turned out to be bigger than me. Seems all this walking in Turku has made my waist soo much smaller. I have totally forgotten how much more efficient walking to school is than walking around in the forest. Especially when you leave too late and have to half run. haha. Alright is way later than it should be and I have to get up early for class tomorrow, oh how I hate Mondays.. 

12 things of 2014, and a big bang

Gosh, it's yet again the time of year that I do my 12 things of the passed year. Well, not really 12 things, just 4 pictures of each month. Choosing just 4 pictures turned out to be such a hard task. Some months I have too many pictures to choose from, then others I don't even have 4 good pics. The past year was amazing, eventful and a tad scary. I'm going to reveal something I haven't yet posted about, which I have been thinking about for a while. Panda and I discussed this and finally I'm ready I guess. The reason I haven't talked about this is simple, privacy. I even kept this out of my personal Facebook page and I don't post anything about it on Instagram, well, not just yet. Panda is a very private person and feels worried about sharing so much online, which I understand perfectly. Yet at the same time I love to share my pictures with the world so we came to an agreement, I can speak about things just leaving out some details which also applies for pictures. That being said lets kick start this throwback to 2014... 

January started off with New Year celebration at my sister's place in Espoo and odd cravings for fresh food and feeling disgusted of Christmas food which was quite unusual for me. I also craved orange juice which made Panda think of a Chinese saying of women craving sour things are pregnant with a son... So Panda suggested we take a pregnancy test and boom our world changed over night. Panda was going to spend that semester in Taiwan so we packed up our home in Vuosaari and I moved back to my childhood home so we could save our money for the new arrival. January went by quite quickly with the packing, me working part time, Panda's farewell party and us working at a Conference. I was there as a photographer, it was so much fun! I was quite sad to give up my new dance hobby but I had to take care of myself and our little arrival. I should give her a name as well, maybe little Panda or Tiger. We used to call her hungry Tiger so I guess that will be her name here on the blog. I won't post her picture here or reveal much more, maybe some pictures of her clothes since they are so adorable. Anyway we will see what happens.

So February rolled around, Panda was in Taiwan and I was in my childhood home. I started cleaning up my old room and closet to make room for our little Tiger and also to check out all the baby clothes my mother and sister had saved. I also spent some time with my sister and her kids and went to see Disney on Ice. I dreamed of the day I would go there with my little Tiger. We also had to postpone our wedding plans which turned out to be a blessing in disguise as the place we had reserved had stopped business and never informed us. So we were lucky in a way and found an even better place to have our wedding. Anyway this new year I'll post more about our wedding plans and my new found love for Taobao :) Though our wedding plans were postponed I still ventured to a wedding fair and got some OPI nail polishes.

Most of my months rolled the same way, work and cleaning. Then the end of March rolled around and I went to visit Panda in Taiwan. We spent two weeks driving around the island. I plan to post about this trip this year if I can find some time. Taiwan was such a nice place to visit that I don't think you guys mind reading about it later on. Sometimes I wish I could just be a travel blogger.

So the beginning of April I was still in Taiwan and got my nails done for the first time with gel, which turned out so nice that I did it several times after I returned to Finland. The rest of the month rolled on with work, cleaning, exercise and spending time with my sister and her kids.

The first of May is always a big thing in Finland and I spent it for the first time in Levi. It was nice to see how they spent Vappu there, with a parade of costumes. On Mother's Day I cooked pulled pork for the first time for my mother and we absolutely loved it. She also liked her mother's day breakfast and dessert (mango cheesecake). I had a superbly easy pregnancy and that's why I'm not mentioning much of it. I didn't really notice much hardship and such. Besides, if people are interested, I can write a separate post about it. I also got some good news regarding my master's studies that I will be completing after my maternity leave in a new city ;)

June went on as all others, work cleaning etc. Also some farewell parties for me, new gel nails, spending time at a summer cabin and not being able to fit into my own clothes anymore, a.k.a. no outfit posts. Panda returned from Taiwan and we started grilling a lot outside.

July saw no more work but double the cleaning. I also tried my hand at sowing and made my very own kimono. Me and some friends tried out a diner in Lahti that serves good burgers. We made a quick trip to Tallinn, the last me and Panda trip..

August is when we started getting excited, baby things and waiting for the due date. Last time I got gel nails and then had them removed. Panda's parents came to Finland for the first time and the waiting game began. And oh boy did the little Tiger keep us waiting until the last moment.

I actually have no pictures of September except ones of the little Tiger I won't post. So you get to enjoy these pictures from August. Like they say, the first months go in a haze and feel overwhelming, but at the same time they feel so rewarding and not to mention the amount the new things you learn.

October I finally ventured outside for walks with a baby stroller, and our first trip to Espoo for my sister's kid's Birthday. The little Tiger makes normal things so hard, but at the same time so exciting. I can't say I remember much of this time, like even now I can't tell you what I had for breakfast, but I can remember all the little smiles and toes. This was also the first time we didn't do Halloween, but for a good reason. ;)

Each month is full of new baby things and memories, but very little me time. Sometimes I could manage to do my nails and even bake, but other days I can barely make it to the toilet. It's the small joys of life, you appreciate different things as time goes by.

December was so busy, limited nap time to decorate, shop and so on. I managed though to succeed and finally be sick for Christmas. I guess I should learn to take it easy next year. Gosh it's been a busy year, if only I could sleep a little more. I guess that's the wish of all mothers with little babies. I wouldn't change this for anything though.

ps. It took me several days to finally finish this post and not to mention how many times I had to proof read my own writing. Seems my attention span is really short now and I lose my train of thought mid sentence but hopefully its not too hard to read. :)

12 things about 2013

So its a tradition of mine to recap the year with a post called 12 things about 2013, though this time I'm quite late with this post.. Seems January just went by in a flash, but anyways better late than never. So here is my recap of the year 2013 which went by quite quickly as most of my time went to working and teaching Panda to drive.

Its interesting how during the most dark months of winter, how few pictures I actually take. There is not much to say about January. There was the New Year celebration. Enjoying the snow and teaching Panda to drive. Most of my time of course went toward working.

February came around and I finally had the chance to celebrate my graduation with inviting family over to enjoy some nice food and company. Also seems I have a tendency to take pictures of sunsets.

In March we travelled to Levi to celebrate Easter. It was Pandas first time to Lapland so of course we did all the normal stuff: dog sledding, downhill skiing and watching the northern lights. The only sad part was that my hydrangea died, coz we were away too long.

The trip to Levi lasted till April, which sounds long but wasn't as Easter was in the end of March. April saw plans of possible weddings and a trip to Oulu to dance in a competition. It was interesting to drive up all the way to Oulu for two days and to dance only once, but hey it was an experience to remember.

May first is a traditional day to celebrate so we had a mini picnic inside before heading out to visit my sister and her kids. I don't really like spring because I hate rain and mud, but once snow melts and the rain passes its so lovely to see all the pretty flowers growing around. In the end of May some of my friends graduated so we spent a lovely night around Lahti harbor for the last time. One of my friends headed to study elsewhere so it won't be so easy to see her in the future. Somehow I accumulated several nice sparkly nail polishes.

In June we discovered the beach in Vuosaari, it was lovely to walk around there after work and relax. June also saw lots of flowers and making them into nice headbands for the girls. Since June we have birthday's every month until October. Our nintendo wii got a lot of attention from friends and family a like. Surprisingly everyone likes to dance with the wii. I finally tried to wear some of the many skirts I own, I'm bad at wearing them but I love to have several skirts. Odd right?

July was my summer vacation, though most of it was spent teaching Panda to drive. In the end it paid off coz Panda has a driver's license. It was nice to relax a bit after working so hard for so long. There were also some summer play's near a lake, sauna at the summer cabin and a friends wedding on my own birthday.

August saw the return to work, some re-arranging of furniture. There is also a tradition of having a party where you eat a lot of shrimp. Also did I ever mention I had a see view from my window? Well its far away but you can sea it above the other buildings. Its also nice when you have a balcony you can go out and eat on.

September is Pandas birthday month, so I made him breakfast and some cake. We also took some lovely couple pictures for some future plans we have. I also finally got a remote control for my camera. September was also the start of some new and challenging dance classes, which of course brought into my life some new interesting people.

October saw the completion of my long time project and the start of lazy days. I also volunteered for some modeling, which is completely odd for me as I like to be behind the camera not in front of it. I also enjoyed enormously the Halloween season and went crazy with all the decorations. I'm really a homey person, I love making my home look nice and comfortable. Panda also carved his first pumpkin and finally agreed to watch the Nightmare Before Christmas at our small Halloween party. I also had the chance to teach a roll call dance to AIESEC Aalto, which I've heard has gotten some popularity ;)

As soon as November rolled in I got rid of Halloween things and moved on to Christmas things. I'm super crazy about these two holidays. Others don't really matter as much to me. Of course I celebrate all but for these two I go a little crazy. I also had some hot pot with AIESEC friends, but I rather have it only with Panda that way I can ensure I get some food. So beware if you eat hot pot make sure you are quick :) I also tried out some lovely mint puffs for decorative purposes, though some people said they look like lamps. 

December was surprisingly busy. There was organizing of a house party at Vuosaari. Taking some more couple pictures in the center of Helsinki. Shopping for Christmas presents and wrapping them up. I also volunteered to make an awesome video though I didn't have a video camera but I made it from awesome pictures. Christmas decorating, putting up lights, doing my nails and so on..

Its been an interesting year, I feel strange that I didn't travel anywhere. Maybe this year, maybe to Taiwan. We will see what happens. I hope this next year will be as good and maybe even better than the last. I have a feeling that this year will be full of exciting and quite life changing.

12 Days of 2012

Finally done, therefore here comes my 12 days of 2012. It was really hard to pick out only four pictures for each month. 

January was my first full month back to Finland. It began of course with celebrating the new year, followed by getting back to normal routines of school and thesis work. Chinese new year also happened to be in January for which we made dumplings and visited Helsinki to see fireworks.

February was filled with trips to Helsinki and Turku. I got to visit a friend of mine and see her cute dogs in Turku. In Helsinki I went with my niece to see Disney on Ice, which brought back memories of childhood days. My favorite cafe in Helsinki, because its hot chocolate is the best, Fazer!

School and more school in March, yet the days seemed to come to an end quite soon. Salpausselän kisat brought some new activity as we were attaches for the Chinese ski team. We visited friends in Vaasa, which is a lovely small place with nice buildings. 

April started in the worst way possible, things will be never the same without my dearest friend. On brighter side we visited Lappeenranta and spent easter with my sister. I also got together with some old friend whom I had not seen in a great while.

May, this is when I started having problems picking out pictures. The sun shines and now I have too many things and pictures. May of course starts with vappu which I spent with my sister. A weekend trip to Stockholm, which turned out to be much hotter than Helsinki. I also found my mothers old lovely dress that I wore. A great plus was getting a reward for my thesis, a little scholarship :)

June started off with a graduation party for panda, to which I made a cake. My dance school had its summer performance, after which it was time to say goodbye to Finland and head off for my 2 month trip in China! First stop for a week was Hong Kong, which I realized that I haven't yet posted all the pictures that I planned to. I think a post of that should be on its way soon.

After July I really wanted to eat some Finnish food for a change. China is a big place and I had time to visit a few places, like Yichang with its beautiful gorges. I also spent some time in Wuhan, where panda met a lot of his friends whom all are nice, but many don't speak english :) I also got my nails done for such a cheap price, I still can't believe.

August was shortened with starting my internship, working life was so much more different than I expected. Luckily I had some time before it to enjoy home and summer.

September we finally moved to Vuosaari where we live, too close to the ocean in my opinion. Panda turned 22 and for the first time assembled IKEA furniture. I made frutti di mare and love love love it! I also tried out galaxy nails, this year actually I've tried many different styles for nails. I hope to keep that up :)

October, whoa months go by fast when you are working. The weather went from golden leaves to snow so quickly. September and October actually have many birthdays in them, or at least I feel like autumn time is filled with birthday parties. Also my most favorite thing, Halloween!

November was an anticipation of christmas, decorating and lots of food :) I tried taping my nails for the first time, not as easy as I thought and I need to find thinner tape. Visited the new Hard Rock Cafe in Helsinki and oh how I love it! Attended my first real company little Christmas party, which I will never forget ;)

December already? oh dear, sending Christmas cards, more decorating. Enjoying all the smells of Christmas time and shopping. I also managed to graduate ahead of time. Its been a big big year and I hope 2013 will be as good and even better.

12 Things about 2011

I've done this before in my previous blog and figured it be fun to re do in a different manner. So in spirit of the 12 days of Christmas or just one thing per month I give you my 2011. It has been an interesting year filled with interesting things, happiness beyond anything I have felt before and also ultimate lows I never thought I would feel. At the end all I can say is, I rather live to the fullest and feel to most good or bad. Life is pain and love, if you go through your life without these two then have you really lived? Anyway enjoy my random 12 things :)

1. Last year New Year I spent with friends and family, little did I know what the future had in store for me.

2. February was full of school, tutor work and officially finding my panda karhu! <3 In the pictures you see an event called Lunar New Year, I was invited to an celebration arrange by some(lots of) vietnamese students here in Lahti. It was fun I even learned some Vietnamese. There are also pictures from me hunting for a outfit for a solo I did, yet my style is more Hip Hop so in the end my outfit was silver Nike's with beige pants and a purple hoodie.

3. In the beginning of March I was on a trip with some of my girlfriends and we went to levi, I taught a vietnamese girl to ski and she even liked it. Good Lucia! March was also full of fun times in the snow with my niece and some cool photo shoots with my friends. It was actually for a marketing project my friends made, hey when ever you need a photographer just ask :D

4. April as well was full of more photography in form of portraits and dunking. My panda is a talented basketball player. I love watching him play. Also in the end of April there was Vappu! We had a Vappu picnic.

5. May started off with a trip to Saint Petersburg, the trip was related to a course I took called Business in Russia. It was fun to travel with my class mates. We ate good food and even went to see Swan Lake the ballet. :) Once I got back from Russia I had to hurry to a competition(Show SM 2011), my group was dancing in the modern dance category. Its quite far from my skills as a dancer, but hey its just me being humble about my talents. :)

6. June was free time, the holiday. Spent mostly on my couch with my panda karhu playing plants vs zombies. We also had a road trip to Vääksy and enjoyed the midsummer festival with burning stuff.

7. July the month I was born in. The month was full of BDay celebrations in form of a late BDay for my sister, I made that lovely chocolate cake for her with all the strawberries, blueberries and some vanilla ice-cream. A friend of mine had a BDay as well and we spent it on the beach as for mine, that was spent in Linnanmäki with running around with my nieces. Before my BDay my panda karhu returned home and I was quite down for a while, but that all changed when August came around.

8. In August I went with my mom and sisters family to Tallinn, for some sightseeing and shopping. The creates sight turned out to be my niece as all the asian tourist liked to take pictures of her. After the trip we had another BDay celebration in the theme of princess. At the end of August I finally made my way to see my panda karhu in China! So many cool things happened there as you guys have already seen in the form of many posts.