Puzzle Pieces

Feeling like you belong is a good feeling.

As I mentioned before, for a while now I've had the feeling that I am exactly where I belong, where I need to be right now. Geographically and otherwise. But now it's really hit me that the puzzle pieces that are my life are finally coming together and I know exactly what I want to do (in the near future at least).

Maybe it's the summer, the warmth, the sun, but right now I just feel very, very happy.

EVEN though we lost to Canada in the Hockey World Championship last Sunday... Let me tell you, there was a bar full of very, very disappointed Finnish people in Kreuzberg when whistle blew (and Canada scored their last goal).

But as they say 'Hopee ei oo häpee' meaning 'Silver is not to be ashamed of' and at least we won the U20 (Juniors, under 20) Cup, so there is still hope for our little country! That's probably thanks to the Finnish 'sisu' (guts, resiliance, pretty much just that 'never going to give up'- attitude), which is something I'm incredibly proud of as a Finn and also see in myself. The tougher times get, the more I find myself fighting for what I want and doing whatever it takes to reach my destination.

But now, even though I think you are never quite at your destination (I mean, then you would just stop working for your goals), I can already see it in the horizon. And it's looking pretty damn good. ;)

As for incredible photos that follow, all thanks goes to my amazing and talented photographer friend Sonja. You can check out more of her works here.

I wish you all an awesome, sunny weekend!

Spring Tripping

For the long weekend couple of weeks ago I decided to change the scenery so I headed to Switzerland. For some reason I thought I would get to relax and detox from the busy city life in Berlin, but boy was I wrong!

Early Friday morning we hopped onto a train and headed for Domodossola, Italy! It's such a cute little town. I'm a little bit in love with the Mediterranean countries and cultures; living in Spain I just felt that something in me clicked with the culture. I just love the happy mentality (and reggaeton - which I know comes from South America). ;) 

Saturday was spent doing what all the Swiss people seem do on the weekends; hiking! We went to Meiringen, not too far from Bern - which I can absolutely recommend! There were a lot of different routes, some of which were still totally covered in snow! We took the Panorama route, which was absolutely beautiful with panoramic views (as the name might suggest).

Hiking is something I have never really done since I come from the nature. Originally I'm from a tiny town of 14 000 people, so basically the countryside. Not really, actually it's just basically a suburb of Helsinki, but there is a lot of forest and well, more forest. So I pretty much grew up running through the forests.

Also, hiking is not that big in Finland since, well, there are no real mountains unless you go far up north. But hiking in Lapland (far up north) is pretty popular, there are routes that you can take for days but just don't except to be walking up any big mountains!

Hiking was just what I needed, being a little into sports (some may say a little addicted) and being in nature, it was just the perfect thing. That being said, although I love nature, at this point of my life I could not live anywhere but a big city. And I'm in love with Berlin. Just a little bit. 

Sunday before flying back we spent a couple of hours in Zurich, which I actually never visited before even though I've been to Switzerland a few times. Just getting a little glimpse of the city, I definitely want to go back with more time.

Well, I guess it's arrivederci for now!

Spring, where are you?!

I want to share something with you that I've learned about the spring in Berlin. 

"April, April - der macht was er will."

Translation - April does what it wants. In regards to the weather. And oh, is this true or what.

The weather was incredible the first week of April, temperatures soared up to 20°C and the sun was shining! Just like the Finnish summer! (When it's nice, I mean.) But sure enough the tables turned and the weather was right back to pretty s****, which lasted for a while, with rain, thunder, the works. And this Monday?

Snow.

Well, they say summer is just around the corner.

They say.

But I'm not complaining, could always be worse! At least we're seeing the light at the end of the tunnel that is the cold, weary, dark winter time, that lasts WAY too long every year. Can you tell that I'm a summer kid? ;)

Besides, everybody keeps telling me about summer in Berlin. No matter who I ask, it's supposed to be THE. Best. Thing. Ever. Well, I guess I'll just have to wait and see for myself...

I love the summer in Helsinki and I think it's (obviously) the best time to be in Helsinki since everything is green, everybody is outside and the sun is shining. Since the Finnish summer is an inspiration for all Finland jokes due to being so short (which it is) and cold (actually not unless you're really, really unlucky), us Finns have an unstoppable urge to be outside when the sun is out. Like the urge is so strong that you feel guilty for staying inside!

And just to give you an idea of what I mean;

http://www.memecenter.com/fun/3448651/summer-in-finland-is-disaster

https://cdn.meme.am/instances/62896264.jpg

Feeling an urge to visit Finland yet? You should!

However, recently I've noticed that Berliners are not so different - once the sun is out the streets are full, no matter how cold it is. Kind of feels like home. :)

Well, I don't know about you, but I'm SO ready for the summer!

Reconnecting with My Roots

I enjoy living abroad, encountering new experiences, learning new languages and meeting new people with interesting stories. However, sometimes I do get a little home sick and I want to talk Finnish and connect with Finnish people. You know, sometimes it's just fun to share your expat experiences and compare stories of culture shocks that you have encountered in the new country with people who know how things work back home.

Recently I discovered a perfect fix for the homesickness; Populus Café in Neukölln. It's owned by Finns and the best thing; you get to order in Finnish! And also chat with fellow Finns!

But oh my God... Talking at least two languages on a daily basis that are not Finnish and then trying to switch to my native language... Whoa... Not talking it for so long, my speech started out so slow, I forgot words... So embarrassing. Like trying to learn a new language again!

So, I guess the only solution is to go there more often. ;)

Also because the coffee is good and their filled sandwiches - absolutely delicious! 

Culture Shocks - Part 2

In January, shortly after moving here I wrote about culture shocks I've experienced here in Berlin. After writing the post I've encountered a few other interesting things that I'd like to share with you.

Women's parking

Spoiler alert, this is brilliant!

The other night when I once again hitched a ride to figure skating training from a friend, I noticed that the skating rink had a couple of parking spots for 'Ladies' parking. What, separate parking spots just for women? How are they different from normal ones, wider so we can actually hit them?! As you know, women drivers and all... Which I strongly disagree with!

But these spots are actually a great invention! They are always located near the entrance minimizing walking distance to increase safety and be convenient in case you are carrying heavy shopping bags, etc. I can totally understand minimizing the distance for safety since this particular rink is located in a little bit of an isolated, industrial area with very little traffic and a lot of dark, scary corners. Way to go Germany!

Feierabend

Which translates directly into 'party night'. But Germans have Feierabend every night after work?! I haven't see THAT many people drunk on the streets on a given week night... However, I discovered that this is just a term for the night after work.

I just wish someone would tell that to the crazy drunk outside our building every night...

GIANT Pillows

As I might have mentioned before, I've previously worked with home decór and am quite passionate about it... Being familiar with the standard bedlinen sizes in Finland and Eastern Europe, I was shocked to see the size of the pillows people have here!

Compared to the standard size of 50x60cm I'm used to, it seems crazy that the pillows here are usually 80x80cm... I mean how big are your heads?!

However I do have to admit they are quite comfortable for just laying around in bed (which I rarely do, if a few Sundays don't count) but for sleeping I prefer a pillow that fits my head, NOT my whole body!

Radio in the Bathroom

A while back I noticed a radio in the bathroom. Okay, someone might be storing the radio there because there is no room anywhere else? No, actually turns out people actually use it. I mean, if you shower for 10 minutes in the morning do you really need music?

Apparently yes. I hear it saves time if you listen to the news while you shower. Hmm.

But it's cool I guess, properly waking up in the shower while listening to your favorite beats. I just need to get a tutorial from someone on how to connect it to my Spotify account so I can blast Särre's Hesan naiset for a throwback to last summer.

And after having written this I'm sure nobody will show me how it works just to be spared of having to wake up to Finnish music... :D

Well, that's about everything that comes to mind right now, although it seems like I do encounter funny situations on a daily basis!

On a slightly unrelated note, one thing (among many others) I absolutely love here, that you don't see much of where I come from, is the street art. The quality, the variety and the amount is amazing! You see something on almost every corner and they are real works of art usually.

Till next time!