Now for a random and shallow post

I did not bring my flat iron.  I left it at home thinking that I could go without it for a month.  Well, that wasn't true. . . . So, in Helsinki, I headed to Stockman's to buy a cheap flat iron.  The cheapest I found was called "Baby Bliss".. The name sounded fabulous.  I was sucked in.  It came with a silver cooling sleeve. . . But, I was fooled.  When working in conjunction with a hair dryer, the Baby Bliss can perform slightly acceptably. . . .

My hair dryer died last week.  I'd heard the horror stories.  YOU'RE HAIR DRYER WILL BE FRIED. . . I thought, not me. . . I'll be fine. . . . Well, smoke poured out the front of my hair dryer and that was that. . . .

Since then, the Baby Bliss has become a disappointment.  Maybe its name is derived from the fact that if a baby plays with it, blissfully it will not be burned. . .

But, now, I have some slightly warm salad tongs. . Anyone have any good warm Finnish salad recipes?

Oh, Baby Bliss, how you tricked me. . . . 

Lessons from Finland (for me)

Me when I don't plan

Confession. . . . I am pretty "Type A". I love to have a plan.  I love to plan for when I can plan.  Often, I am looking on my calendar to schedule when I can have fun. . . . I know this is a fault.  I am not disillusioned. . . So, when I left for Finland, I was anxious to see how planning Robin would fare.  I have looked over our itinerary 5,000 times.  I have found the days that I am super excited about.  I have underlined and highlighted when I will reflect, have fun, run, and have something amazing happen.

Well. . . . as you might expect, things are not working out that way for me.  I am not going to lie.  It's really hard.  I don't always do well when my plans fall through. . . But, here I sit, an UNSCHEDULED reflection day (I also ran, by the way), discovering a little about why I am here and what I am carrying along with me. . . .
Here are some moments of surprise that I could not have planned, but have been more meaningful for that reason.

1 - Finding out that I may be the female version of Shane, Amber's husband. 

2 - Walking across a street with Elias (3.5 years old) in Mikkeli. I wasn't sure if he trusted me, but he reached up to hold my hand as we walked across the street. . . . and he didn't let go when we got to the other side.

   3 - Drinking vodka with Tero. I think we were both pretty hard pressed to make small talk, but an evening of vodka had us opening up about life, religion, and family. We were smiling and laughing and feeling our friendship tightening.

4 - Walking quickly by Sakari's side. I loved his pace. I could feel his excitement in each step, his passion for life. It made me feel a kinship, even when I couldn't speak. I could never stop smiling while matching his pace.

5 - Seeing the photo album of Paivi and Sakari. It was so touching. I can't explain. It made me feel so close to them. It made me see what I want to be when I am in my seventies. It enforced my life desires. It spoke to me without words and I'll never forget it.

6 - A very special and heartfelt conversation with Brian in our little dollhouse room. It made me see how strong he is. It made me see how beautiful he is. I already knew these things, just not to what extent. It made our bond so much stronger. I am honored to know him.

7 - Packing up the room in Kuopio.  Stephanie and I (may be both a little Type A) packed up our room on Saturday.  It felt so good to get it done and relieved both of our stress somewhat.  Then we were able to laugh at ourselves for being such dorks.

8 - Teemu likes AC/DC. When you start singing the words to "You Shook Me All Night Long" (as I am prone to do), he will start singing along with you.

9 - Seppo telling me to rest at the District Conference. He looked at Stephanie and I as he was leaving, and said, "Make sure you rest. I can tell you are getting tired". The fact that he cared enough to pay attention to our well-being moved me. I felt loved and cared for far from home.

10 - The car ride to Kouvola from Kuopio. Jarrko, his daughter, Stephanie, Taylor (a Wisconsin teen on exchange), and me driving down the road. The sun was shining. The snow was almost gone. The conversation was sparse, but nice. The Eels were playing in the CD player. I loved those 3 hours.

11 - Dinner with Jari in Kouvola. We sat at his table eating cheese, salmon, and crackers. We talked about life, relationships, politics, desires, education and children. It was one of the most memorable conversations I have had in Finland thus far.

12 - Rolling over this morning to discover the most beautiful statements taped to the wall next to my bed.  I'd like to meet the teenager who taped this to her bedroom wall.  

13 - Realizing my team has my back. . . and that I have theirs. . . . unconditionally.  They check in with me to see how I am feeling, laugh with me, and would "pull a Helsinki" if needed. . . And I would do the same for them.  I love those people.

So. . . Looking at this list, I realize I did not plan one single item.  Not one.  Maybe I am in Finland to realize that the most meaningful things in life cannot be planned.  Maybe I need to learn that the best things in life just happen. . . . and you have to let them.  

My goal for the next two weeks is to be open to the things that happen. . . . . And not to place to much emphasis on the things that I expect to happen.

Or, at least to try. . . . I am still me, after all.  And it's good to know that when I fall back into my super anxious Type A roots, I have my "vesties" or "blazer babes",  who I have grown to love to set me back in line. . . 

Or else, I'll just buy one of these Finnish stress balls. . . .
It lights up. . . .

Robin

Compassion and Communication

First off, I have to say, if you are planning on going anywhere for a month, anywhere, learn the language.  You may be told that your language is common, but you are doing yourself and others a disservice.  My biggest regret in planning for this trip is that I was not more proactive with the language studies.  I am missing many things because of this.  Learn the language. . . . Trust me.

We spent the past week in Pieksämäki.  It is a small town of less than 20,000 people.  I spent most of the week thinking about communication.  How do we communicate?  How do we communicate if we can't speak to each other using our words?  How does someone communicate if they cannot speak.  How do we communicate with them?  I feel that the most important thing, for me, is to maintain a sense of compassion for communication.

(me in front of one of Sakari's projects)

My host family was a wonderful couple, Sakari and Päivi Saarela.  They lived in a beautiful home close to the town center.  Sakari is a retired architect.  His focus was affordable housing (FOR 30 YEARS).  I was eager to learn from him, but I cannot speak Finnish and he cannot speak English.  I felt like a treasure trunk was locked forever because of this.  But, as the week passed, we learned to communicate, in small ways, by listening, looking, and being patient.  I shared my work with him via my company website, he shared pictures and took me to visit projects.  We laughed and, in the end, I think we got to know each other.

The most powerful event of the week happened one night at home.  Päivi got out her old photo album.  She brought it to the table and showed Brian and me pictures from the time period when she and Sakari first met.  She flipped the page to an old photograph of herself and Sakari said, "Beautiful lady."  I could see the love in his eyes as she blushed.  We went through the photo album and I noticed he slipped his arm around her as we looked.  When we got to the photos of the day he proposed, I was fighting back tears.  It was so beautiful.

Sakari and Päivi are behind Brian and me.

We visited the Vaalijala disabled care school on Tuesday.  Vaalijala creates housing services for people with disabilities, work activities for the disabled, primary school teaching for people with disabilities, autism, and psycho-social support to needy children and young people.  It is a powerful place, all about communication. Most of the students have trouble communicating in one way or another and the school makes it possible for them to tell their stories.  There is a section of the school called the "art laundry".  Johnny Maddox works with the students through art to help them express themselves.  Some of the work was amazing.

The man on the sofa is a study by an autistic teen.  He is focused on the study of "men".  The drawings were amazing.  The image top right was done by a man who had recently lost his mother.  A lady has done a series of color studies in the image below.  The employees at this school were so full of pride.  They do something powerful and empowering everyday.

Above is a photo of Johnny, some ways the school encourages a student to express their emotions, and a VERY adjustable kitchen for those who have physical disabilities.  I was also pleased to see that Bob Dylan communicates to many types of people.  (YAY!)

We visited the Bovallius Institute on Wednesday. It is also a school working with persons with various disabilities.  They have a strong focus on people with hearing impairments.  Brian's eyes lit up when he met a Finnish interpreter.  The vocational college belongs to the HIPEN Network (The European Network for Professionals working with People with Hearing Impairments)

Then finally, on Friday, we visited the Nikkarila Forestry School.  We met students who are compassionate about our natural resources, who are compassionate about harvesting wood in a good way, and people who love to commune with nature. . . . which we were more than excited to do as well!

 I had a great time in Pieksämäki. In my heart, when I think of Pieksämäki, it will conjure feelings of compassion and love.  Thank you for teaching me so much more about communication.

(LOVE)

Robin

Respite, Reuse, and Home

In Mikkeli, my thoughts have drifted back and forth to home.  What makes a home, what can be reused and remade to create a home, and what is home for different people.  We toured a school in Mikkeli for Grades 1-10.  The children take off their shoes and coats and go to class in their socks.  I imagined how comfortable it would be to learn that way.  We saw a music class where boys with behavioral problems felt comfortable and at home enough to make beautiful music together.


In the library, I got to see a piece of home for me.  (Good taste in music, Mikkeli!)



Tero, my host, drove me around the neighborhoods of Mikkeli one evening.  I saw many wood houses that were built after the war.  The proportions were beautiful, and it was nice to see that the houses were still working well in the present day.

We visited a bed and breakfast in Ristina.  The owners have only owned the place for two years, but they were filled with pride when discussing it's history.  They want to repair it to it's original beauty, but keep the feeling of the old.

I visited a development company, Mikalo Oy, to discuss housing in Finland.  I was interested to find that the company's mission was not to make a huge profit, but simply to break even.  The city of Mikkeli subsidizes rents for those who can not afford a home.  There is no one without a home in Mikkeli.  Everyone, no matter their social status, has a place to live.

We visited the Infantry Museum.  In times of war, home can simply be comrades and friends.

Jorma Tiitinen spoke with us about the endangered ringed seal and the work he is doing to try to protect this animal's home.  I was moved to tears to hear his impassioned discussion about this beautiful animal.

Sometimes. . . home can simply be a letter.

And sometimes, the best home can be used for one purpose. . . then renovated and reused for an altogether different, but fabulous, purpose!!

A Fazer Easter Egg!!  An egg shell filled with chocolate, courtesy of Jussi and Laila Törrönen!!

I have thoroughly enjoyed Mikkeli. . . It feels a little like home.  I have felt very welcomed and at home in the family of Tero and Poh Suan Lallukka.

Thank you all so very much!

Robin

Feeling at home in Finland

It is quite amazing how fast you can feel at home here, with each other and with our wonderful host families.  We laugh, eat, giggle, trip over our words on occasion, and enjoy ourselves through it all.  Each day I am amazed at the generosity & kindness shown from our new Finnish friends.  From the delicious food & excellent organizing skills to the relaxing saunas and interesting conversations, Finns really do have the good things in life figured out. 

Just look at some of the wonderful food we have been enjoying . . . just today.

Many of these photos are from a beautiful B & B in nearby Ristiina.  Later, after visiting Kuoma

shoe production center, we again enjoyed coffee with cake, bread, and cookies. 

Just a Typical Day in Mikkeli

1.  Eat a "Rice Pie" with Egg Butter and LOVE it.
2.  Tour one of the most successful school systems in the world.
3.  See 7th grade girls learning to sew, and be told that boys learn to sew, too!
4.  Tell a room full of foreigners that sometimes I pose as a comedienne.
5.  Go to a Horse Racing Track in high heels.
6.  Go for the second run in two days in Mikkeli!  Pedestrian paths, YAY!  Sleet. . . umm. . . not so yay.
7.  Eat authentic Chinese food in Finland!  (Deliciously prepared by Poh Suan)
8.  Find out a 3.5 year old knows more English than I know Finnish.
9.  Slide down a fireman's pole at a Firehouse while host Tero films it.
10.  Finnish SAUNA!

What a great day!  What a great town!
Man, I'm sleepy.
Robin

Helsinki - Belly Full of Food, Brain Full of Art

We leave Helsinki tomorrow morning and I am pretty sure we are all really going to miss its offerings.  We are so happy we get to spend another weekend in Helsinki in May!  Yesterday, we walked to the Kiasmi Museum of Contemporary Art.  The building was designed by American architect Steven Holl, which had Robin geeking out. These photos show the building's exterior and interior entry.

click for museum info 

This photo shows an adorable Finnish kid dressed for the snowy, wet weather, who is also useful for scale.

One of the exhibits was called 'Eyeballing:  The new forms of comics'  One artist printed small graphic images onto 3 large sheets of plywood.  The storyline depicted the image of immigrants in the media.  It was both graphically beautiful from a distance

as well as within very close view.

We had dinner at a DELICIOUS italian restaurant called Vespa.  The food was tremendous and the service was warm and wonderful.  Carla and Robin proved that cheese does in fact make a perfect dessert.

We have been staying in hotel GLO.  click here for the hotel info   We did not really know the meaning of a continental breakfast until awaking to this feast.  There are eggs, breads, cheeses, meats, jams, oatmeal, fruits, nuts, berries, yogurts, soups and salads.  The coffee is strong but kept the group buzzing for hours.  After a GLO breakfast, lunch is optional.

Tonight we dined at a delicious Finnish restaurant called Salve.  It was a seafood lover's dream come true.  Brian taught the group how to delicately remove the bones from our very first sampling of herring, while Stephanie had the white fish and Robin had a Finnish take on Bubble and Squeak.

Herring!!!! Finally!!!

Bubble and Squeak!! MMMM!!

We are off to bed thinking of Mikkeli tomorrow. . . . but, dreaming of what food and art we have found here in Helsinki today.