Training Trip

The other day my coworkers and I were sent to a city to have some training. It was two day training, so we had to stay overnight in a hotel. My first trip with my coworkers that included an overnight stay in a hotel. The first day was an evening shift whereas the second day was a morning shift. One funny thing happened on the second day. I was walking ahead of my coworkers towards the front door of the store where we had the training the day before and the girl who was standing behind the door looked confused to see us. I had a big backpack 'coz we had checked out of the hotel already and she probably thought I was a crazy tourist or something LOL!!!

She waved one hand to show that the store wasn't open yet, then she opened the door when I kept on walking towards her and she said in Finnish, "We're not open yet."

I explained to her why we were there and she smiled apologetically. She wasn't there the day before, though, so it was only normal that she had no idea that we were coming there that day HA HA HA HA...



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After the training, I had a chance to meet my friend at her new place, so it was all good. She cooked a great dinner for me and then she drove me to the bus stop. It was already around 8 pm by then but the sun was shining low on the sky and it was shining right at us. VERY warm and nice! I was glad it wasn't raining 'coz the weather report said it would rain when I checked it a few days beforehand. 

Anyway, the trainer was excellent, but I wasn't sure how well I was doing considering it was all done in Finnish and there were just LOADS and LOADS of new pieces of information to absorb and remember. While waiting for my friend to pick me up, I managed to write down a list of the most important things to remember so that I had something to hold on to before the real practice day came. We also had some practice during training and I felt a bit all over the place to be honest.

However, today I went to work just to buy some stuff and then my boss was there and he told me that the trainer was pleased with my effort during the training. I was really surprised and TOUCHED!!! (I remembered to thank him). I was surprised 'coz I didn't even ask how I was doing, but it was nice of him to let me know verbally anyway.

You see, being the only foreigner in the group, I do rely perhaps more heavily on other people's feedback to figure out whether I've performed well enough in my tasks, esp. when I'm doing something I never did before in the past (because I want to make sure I understand fully what I'm supposed to do and what they're expecting from me). I'm VERY thankful that my coworkers and boss don't treat me differently and they treat me as well as the other coworkers. I'm also VERY thankful to hear any type of feedback so that I know whether what I'm doing is right or wrong.

Anyway, I hope you'll all have a blessed weekend ahead! I surely will enjoy mine fully! :-D


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Music + Memories: Salaisuuksia

This Finnish song was played on the radio a lot when I was doing my training at the library, so this song got stuck in my head and whenever I hear this song, I just close my eyes and am reminded of the days I spent there with the lovely library ladies. 

It was the first training place where I had to engage in active conversations with many people at one time (usually around the coffee table) and I still remember how overwhelming it felt at that time because when they talked to one another, they talked REALLY fast, but if one of them tried talking to me in particular, she always tried to speak more slowly. THANK GOD for thoughtful people! :-D 

I remember doing a presentation on blogging in front of them (of course R2 helped me prepare it at home and I had memorized what I was going to say anyway), but it wasn't that stressful because I had known the ladies for a while, but still I still remember the feeling of having achieved something different in my journey to learn Finnish. I wouldn't have been able to do it without them. It was actually the boss who had asked me to do the presentation because she was talking to me about blogging and she wanted to know more, so she challenged me to do the presentation. I'm REALLY thankful for her challenge! :-) Here's a post describing my last day at the library: A Sentimental Day.

OK, now let me just post the song and the lyrics in Finnish and English. If there are mistakes in the English version, pardon me or let me know what to fix. Here's "Salaisuuksia" by Johanna Kurkela.


The lyrics in English:

SALAISUUKSIA (SECRETS) - Johanna Kurkela

Do you remember our childhood summer
When the mornings smelled like honey?
When our feet got wet in the grass
When nothing else seemed to be more important?
I also remember the rainbow
Arching over the field 
Near the standing stone
The rowboat embedded among the rushes
And the meadow covered with mist

Reff: You were the boy with sooty hands full of strawberries
I went with you to steal the apples
With a picnic basket full of kittens
I was the girl who had a flowery dress and a treasure map
With a hoody and a handful of seashells 
Covered from head to toes with secrets

Reff 2: Those memories remain
When everything has gone away
Those memories remain

Do you ever miss going back in time?
To our hiding place in the granary?
At midnight under the starry sky
We lay down on the meadow
There I'll look for you again
While I roam the realm of memories
Where time is precious like gold
There will I build a fortress

Reff
Reff 2

Where do the secrets belong now?
What kind of treasure have you found since then?
Are you still the one who can ignite the sparks
And burns like fire?

Reff
Reff 2

In Finnish: 

Muistatko sen lapsuuden kesän, 
kun aamut tuoksuivat hunajalle. 
Kun jalat kastuivat ruohikossa, 
eikä mikään ollut hetkeä tärkeämpää. 
Minä muistan myös sateenkaaren, 
pellon yllä luona kivipaaden, 
soutuveneen uponneena kaislikossa 
ja niityn joka usvaan häviää 

refrain:
Sinä olit se poika jolla oli nokiset kädet täynnä mansikoita
eväskorissa kissanpentuja, matkalla kanssasi omenavarkaisiin
Minä olin se tyttö jolla oli kukkaleninki ja aarrekartta
huppari ja kourallinen simpukoita ja salaisuuksia päästä varpaisiin 

refrain2:
Ne jäljelle jää
kun kaikki häviää
ne jäljelle jää 

Kaipaatko koskaan takaisin
piilopaikkaan sinne vilja-aittaan
Sydänyönä alle tähtitaivaan
niittyvillalla sijattuun vuoteeseen
Sieltä etsin sua uudestaan
Matkalla muistojen valtakuntaan
Missä maailma on ajankultaa
sinne merenrantaan mä rakennan linnakkeen 

refrain
refrain2
 
Mihin salaisuudet kuuluvat nyt
minkä aarteen olet sittemmin löytänyt
Vieläkö oot se, jos kipinä saa
sijan syttyä ja tulena palaa 

refrain (2x)
refrain2

Kids and Their Potential

I must say that after helping out at the daycare for almost 2 weeks now, it's been quite an experience. Every day is different and sometimes in the mornings everything can be pretty quiet, but then something happens during the day - there've been wonderful moments, fun times, heartwarming moments as well as exasperating ones. Dealing with little humans is definitely TOUGH, esp. 'coz some kids can't get along well if they're put together in the same room - it's understandable given their different personalities, but they have to learn to behave and control themselves so that they can live in harmony with other people later on.

Today there was a little fight between two boys and one of them cried. The guilty one apologized and the other one accepted the apology in between sobs and watery eyes. I was amazed at how easily the crying boy accepted the apology...and it reminded me of my own childhood where I held grudges so easily due to my sensitive nature - what a difference!

But then again everybody is different and they have different "weaknesses" to handle. Some kids at the daycare are so easy to handle. They never give us any problems and they cooperate very well to the schedule. Some are tougher to handle and that makes me realize even more how VERY HARD it is to raise kids (not just feeding them). You've gotta know each of their personalities and you've gotta know how to handle each of them. I've been a bit tired this week 'coz I have to learn to know when to be "strict" and when to be "less strict" with them (I'm still confused where the line is). It's easier to deal with the kids one-on-one, but once they're playing together, anything can happen!

It's not easy for me to learn to be strict and I'm still lousy at it. I don't know why but when I tried being stern to stop them from playing around too much, even when I gave them my stern stare and I didn't smile along when they kept on playing around, they didn't obey me as well as they obeyed my colleagues. Crazy thing was that I told R2 about this problem and I showed him my stern stare, but it only made him laugh like crazy. GRRRRRRRRRRR...He said I was too sweet to look stern. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR...in other cases I'd consider that a compliment, but this would be problematic if I can't make them feel that I have some authority there. But anyway, I'm learning the art of being strict bit by bit ha ha ha ha ha...

I remember when I was a private English tutor, one day I got a problematic student who just didn't want to cooperate. When I asked him to read some text or do his tasks, he'd just smile at me playfully and disobey me. After some time, their parents decided to put him into a kind of language course 'coz I just couldn't handle the brat well enough to make him do what I wanted him to do.

One thing I realize even more from this training is that each child has different potential. I met one boy who wowed me yesterday 'coz he could create VERY creative and complex Lego "star ships" (without looking at any guidebook whatsoever - he just did it on his own in the playroom and he shared his creations with other kids). He's either almost 7 y.o. or he's already 7 years old. I went speechless when I saw his creations. I myself, even now, can't imagine making creations like that with Lego pieces. It's just beyond me...

I was talking to my colleague about this and she said that the boy's grandpa loved creating stuff and he'd been showing the grandson how to create stuff when they spent time together. Ahhhaaaa...now I understand where it all came from...he's probably gifted in that area (3D), but he's also got plenty of exercise with his grandpa. I can actually imagine him in the future, creating real 3D stuff - either buildings or sophisticated planes or whatever. I remembered to give him a compliment on his skills today (yeah, this is also something I'm learning to say to each kid after they do something well). I hope he realized that I really meant what I said. :-D

Anyway, that's the update about my training. I'm gonna blog-hop later this week.

Interesting First Day

It was only -15'C in the morning, so I biked to the daycare (it took only 15 minutes by bike but if I walked, it'd take 30 minutes - I'll be able to bike faster in summer when there's no snow left, but the snow makes the trip slower). Arrived there and had a bit trouble finding the classroom ha ha ha...'coz there were at least 4 classrooms there. Anyway, there were already about 8 kids there (2 of them arrived later) and I got introduced to their names, though I still can't remember all their names (even though I remember their faces).

It was really an interesting, fun day though it had its moments when some of the kids quarrelled, but it was still very much under control. It's very interesting to see those kids with different personalities. The kids in my classroom are 4-5 years old (two of them will have their 4th birthdays soon, but let's just say they're 4 years old). There used to be 3 years old, too, but not anymore.

I'm rather fond of this one little boy who's really sweet. I knew he was sweet the first time I stepped inside the room 'coz right after the teacher greeted me, he did the same (he heard her say my name, so he said my name too). And during the time the kids were allowed to play outside (skiing, skating, etc.), he played with me for a bit. At first he was tempting me, "You can't catch me" while I helped clean up the snow from the skating rink, so then I caught him and walked away...but he chased me and grabbed me (hugged me), and said, "Got ya!" and we kept playing this game for a while he he...

Some awkward situations happened, too...before lunch, one of them started telling me something and another one wanted to do the same and I was confused which to listen to ha ha ha ha...but I've learned to tell the second one to wait for a while until the first one's finished doing it. It's enough practise to listen to ONE kid telling me things, but having to hear TWO kids telling me stories in Finnish is just too much ha ha ha ha...

After they took a nap, they could do role play by wearing different costumes...the sweet boy ran around and hugged me a few times and said, "Got ya!" Ahhh...he really made my day he he he he he...(and yes, you bet I remember his name HA HA HA HA HA...)

So as you can probably guess, I'm THOROUGHLY enjoying this training despite some tough moments, e.g. when one kid wanted to use another kid's costume and the kid didn't want to give it and I had to try my best to reach win-win situation without causing anyone to cry ha ha ha...Oh well...here are some questions I got today:

1. Why are you here? (They wanted to know why I came to the daycare)
2. Why is your hair black?
3. How old are you?
4. Where do you come from?
5. Are you coming again tomorrow? ----> *BIG GRIN* THANK YOU, kids!!!

Can't wait to meet them again tomorrow and learn more about them he he...


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I'm In!

Tired. Woke up this morning much earlier to prepare myself and realized it was -30'C outside, so cycling to the daycare was not an option. Good thing was that the sun shone and the temperature rose bit by bit so by the time I was supposed to leave, it was 5 degrees warmer he he...I figured it'd take about 25-30 minutes to walk there and I was right. I arrived there at 9.50 am and the boss was in her office already.

I went in and she asked me how long I'd stayed in Finland and what kind of trainings I had done beforehand and if I had any experience working with kids and then she asked me if I had brought the paperwork from the employment office. I said no, 'coz I wasn't even sure they wanted my help, but I said I could go to the employment office ASAP to get it.

Then she took me around the place and the different classrooms and introduced me to everybody. I almost don't remember their names anymore 'coz it was just too much info and I was in a daze ha ha ha ha ha...

But anyway, after the short introduction and some brief info about what I should be doing, I went to the employment office ASAP 'coz I knew their lunch hour was from 11-12, so I had to finish everything BEFORE then so that I didn't have to go back home first and go back there again, but the employment officer took time to do my data and stuff, so I spent more time there than I thought I would.

Then I walked back to the daycare as fast as I could (I arrived back there at around 10.30), but realized she was with a guest (somebody who was going to fix some things in the daycare), so I had to wait. By the time we finished signing the papers, it was already 10.45, so I had to half-run to the employment office when it was -20'C outside (beautiful sunny day, though) and I was out of breath in no time 'coz it's harder to breathe when it's that cold outside...managed to get inside the employment office at 10.55. PHEW!!!

So all the paperwork is done and I can start right away on Monday as a helper there. I saw plenty of kids in the classroom where I'd be helping out today and I even saw one of them crying (they're not too small kids, probably around 5-6 years old) he he he he...so I think it's gonna be hard work, which is good 'coz then I won't be bored. We'll see how I fare in helping kids in a Finnish environment he he...I'm sure there are SO many things to learn, 'coz I haven't got my own kids PLUS I don't know the "things" or "clothes" kids use/play with or wear here - of course I've seen the ads and I've seen kids, but I've got to help them put them on and take them off and stuff and it's gonna be interesting hi hi hi hi...

One thing I've gotta remember is to tell my immediate superior (and the employment office) about our 1-week April trip. I tried telling it to the boss today, but she told me to tell my immediate superior later on 'coz I guess she's the one in charge of the workers' schedule daily. Ahhhh...it's good to have something to do for the next 3 months.

I went to the supermarket from the employment office and walked home and arrived back home at around 11.45. Now gonna have lunch and perhaps later on I'll bake something and then I'll surely blog-hop he he...


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3BT: Random Days

1. Yesterday's intimate housewarming party with two friends was the first time I became a hostess in my own place (never had any before) he he...and it went well, though I was slightly worried about the food 'coz I had to time everything right so that everything I cooked was still warm (it was -32'C in the morning, though the temp. went up to -24'C during the day).

2. I got a special homemade housewarming gift. I'll take a pic of it later on when I've put it up. ;-D

3. Today was "our first time" in the sauna, if you know what I mean. *wink wink* Naughty naughty! ;-D

4. Lying down on the sofa with hubby after sauna (after hubby scrubbed my body with loofah and soap HO HO HO HO...).


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5. MIL saying to me: "My little daughter, I'm glad you exist" and me saying to her back: "I'm also glad you exist."

6. Fresh orange that I ate after sauna (I got thirsty)...mmmm...

7. Kicking the ass of my own worst bully AKA myself before she can shoot me with negative phrases, sentences, adjectives.

8. 70% done reading a teenage novel (in Finnish). Only 30% left to go. YAAAAAAAYYY!!!!


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9. Crispy spring rolls that I made today in the oven instead of deep-frying them (the first time I tried doing this, they wouldn't go crisp - I think 'coz the filling was too wet or something).

10. Knowing that some people are praying for me (close friends and blogger friends and some relatives).

11. I've got an interview for another training place (read: don't mistake this for a real job) coming up next Friday. WISH ME LUCK!!! I have NO experience whatsoever in this type of place (daycare), so I don't know what the boss is going to ask me...gasp...but at least this is something to look forward to he he...

Where Do I Start?

So many things to say, but I can't cram them in one post. Oh well...

First things first then. I've done 7 weeks of training. Only 6 weeks to go. YAAAAYYYY!!! I hope I can lose a little bit of weight before I fly to Indo 'coz I'm sure I'll gain weight when I'm there, esp. 'coz I haven't eaten any "real" Indonesian/Chinese food since last October. Yum yum...I'm drooling buckets already when thinking of all the food I can eat later he he...

Today my MIL gave me a pair of woolen "tossut" that she made herself. Here they are:


Aren't they cute? Maybe someday I should ask MIL to teach me how to do it. We'll see he he...


Here are two flower pics that I took two weeks ago. Last week and today rain came pouring down, so I didn't take any pictures. The good thing about the rain is that my MIL doesn't have to water all the plants she has outside, so she can rest. :-))))





One funny incident happened at work about a week ago. I had just finished cleaning one room when the boss walked along the corridor and spoke to me while walking towards me "bla bla bla bla bla...?" My brain was trying to absorb the "Finnish" words, but they sounded weird. Half a second later, I realized she was speaking ENGLISH!!! I was using my "Finnish brain", but she was using a different language, so I was flabbergasted for half a second.

She realized she wasn't speaking to me in Finnish when she almost finished her sentence, so she said to me in Finnish, "Sorry" and she translated her words into Finnish HA HA HA HA HA HA...Then I replied in Finnish, of course. I tried to speak only in Finnish at work, 'coz I really needed the exercise. One bad thing about this type of work is that I don't speak or hear too much Finnish, esp. when I have to work alone (there are days I work alone, there are days when someone helps me out).

Oh, and don't worry about my family who live in Indo. They did feel the earthquake, but fortunately nothing bad happened to them or my friends. Phew! I hope God protect them all and that help comes quickly for those in need.

Now I need to start doing something I've been wanting to do in a while. I'll blog hop tomorrow, OK? Have a blessed weekend, everybody! :-))))

Short Update + 3BT Random Days

1. First harvest of the strawberries - didn't get too many, but still it was exciting!!!





2. Eating the fresh strawberries on such a HOT day (around 25-27'C). Oh my goodness...so heavenly!!!


3. Hearing a colleague speaks to her child on the phone and saying "Rakastan sinua" (I love you).

4. A smiling, friendly colleague.

5. Laughing at the irony when hearing one person at work saying to me, "You should eat more. Take some bread, won't you and get yourself fattened up a bit" whereas my aunt in Indo tells my Mom that I've gained weight (based on my recent pics).

6. Zumbaaaaaaaaa cardio workout. It's fun (though hard to follow in some parts), but it's a nice change after doing Taebo for over 2 years.

7. Toying with the idea of going back to Indo this November (read the notes below this 3BT post for further info). I can just imagine eating all the glorious food and meeting my family and friends again...and I bet at that time Ken either will have been walking already or he'll be learning to walk already. I'd love to play with Ken!!!

8. Having a hubby who's not fussy even though I'm not a really diligent house cleaner.

9. Knowing that I was tired from cleaning the hotel rooms for hours on Saturday, hubby washed the dishes and cleaned up some other parts of the apartment without being asked. Ahhh...I feel loved!!!

10. When talking to hubby about the possibility of my going back to Indo and asking him if it'd be okay if I stay there for a month, he asked, "Do you have to be there that long?" :-D

11. Despite our being cranky due to fatigue on Friday, we didn't get into any fights (didn't lash out on each other) and we managed to control ourselves.

12. Giggling like crazy when reminiscing about the movies/series I grew up with (I'm going to share this with you later on sometimes - have to compile it first).

13. Getting my food package from tokoindonesia.de. YIIIPPPPIEEEEEEEEEE!!!! Now I have so many ingredients that I could never find from any of the stores here. YAHHHOOOOOO!!!!

14. Getting good advice on my training period from Karen. THANKS SO MUCH for listening to me and giving me valuable advice!!!!

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Since I haven't much time to separate my posts, let me just write here a short update about my training. It seems that my boss wants me to help out the hotel cleaner for the whole of next week, so I have to go to work at 7 am already. It doesn't matter 'coz it means I can go back home earlier. What surprised me was that she told me that if I could handle it, I would then be doing the whole cleaning thing ALONE while the official hotel cleaner is on her summer holiday later.

I was rather shocked, 'coz when I came to do this training, I was expecting them to teach me more of the office work instead of cleaning. Granted it's not a huge hotel, but I don't think I can manage doing it ALONE EVERY DAY for at least 4 weeks (remember that I'm not getting any salary, just some unemployment benefit). My boss did say that if I didn't think I could handle it, I should just tell her. So I'm planning to tell her that sometime next week after I know how sore my body'll feel like. (side note: at least one good thing of doing this cleaning thingie is that I HOPE I can lose some weight 'coz I've gained 5 kgs since I moved here he he he...)

To be honest, I had been thinking of going back to Indo since a few months ago, but since this opportunity came (at that time I THOUGHT I could get an office job after this training ends), I decided not to think of going back to Indo...but now...I'm not sure anymore. I did get some editing job at the office, but right now it seems that I'll be doing the hotel cleaning for at least 5 more weeks (hopefully NOT alone 'coz I can't guarantee that I can handle it alone). Though I can see already that there's so much office work to do, still they didn't give me any more than the editing job (which would be finished soon).

That's why I've been browsing for plane tickets to Indo. The more I think of going back to Indo, the more I couldn't care less about whether or not they'd offer me a job here later or not (esp. 'coz it'd be FAR easier for me to fly to Indo now when I have no kids 'coz it's such a long trip; plus R2 can't come with me if I go to Indo in November). It doesn't seem that they'd offer me a job, anyway (or not the kind of job I expect). I haven't really decided yet, but in a week or two I have to decide so that I can get the ticket with the cheapest price available. OK, now time to cook and blog-hop a bit later on...

The Interview + A Few Photos

The interview went okay enough for my first job interview in Finnish. I faltered a bit when I was asked about my strengths, though ha ha ha ha ha...but I managed to get around it 'coz the question was rephrased.

The bottom line is that I haven't got the job yet, because the boss wants me to do a 3-month-training before deciding anything. This is good in some ways 'coz I've never done such a thing before and I also have plenty of time to decide whether it's something I want to do for a long time or not. I mean...if we've signed on a job contract, then it's harder for me to stop working. But if after the training I decide that the job doesn't suit me, it won't be a problem for me to stop after the 3 month period is over. BUT if the job does suit me, well...it all depends on whether the boss wants to hire me or not he he he he...

Anyway, I'm just GLAD it's OVER HA HA HA HA HA...Actually, since I had to wait for about 25 minutes before the interview was done, I had plenty of time to calm myself HI HI HI HI...

Oh yeah, the training will only start after we get back from Rhodes, so now I only need to go to the library tomorrow and on Wednesday and then I can start browsing for all the good things that we can do in Rhodes!!!! YIIIPPPIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEE!!! :-D

Last Saturday I went to my friends' place and we played Snakes and Ladders, Uno, and Mikado he he he he...I brought some food and they also offered some food, so it was a fun night. Here's a pic of me and the girls...


On the way back home, I managed to take these pics at around midnight...These are all the view of Kitinen river nearby our place. It was nice to get out at night since the air was SO fresh after the falling rain...and then I also got to see this beautiful view...ahhhhh...

Silenceeeee...

Yeah, been lazy blogging and blog-hopping again. I've spent my days reading and exercising, preparing my body for our summer vacation next month he he he...That's also why I've been tired so easily, 'coz I exert energy by exercising and by forcing myself to read more Finnish every day - besides watching TV series with hubby.

Yesterday hubby told me that our niece will turn 5 tomorrow and they're going to throw a party for her, so today I went to the bookstore to find a gift for her. I figured that buying her a book would be better than buying her a doll. However, the tricky part is that I don't know what kind of books they have already he he he...Well, I know that they have so many DVDs and video tapes and some books and CDs, so I hope that she hasn't got the book I chose for her. It was hard to pick something for a 5-year-old. Ummm...

GOOD news is that while browsing for a gift, I found out that the book that I'd been wanting to buy for a while was on a 50% discount, so I grabbed it right away HI HI HI HI...I also found Winnie the Pooh stickers on a discount, so I bought a pack for the birthday girl. I figured that little kids love stickers, don't they? Don't they? At least I do know that she likes Winnie the Pooh he he he...

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Anyway...my training at the library will end on 27th this month and I'll then try to find a part-time job. We'll see how it goes. Someone tells me that there might be a job opening somewhere, so I'll try applying for a job there. Wish me luck!!!

I've actually never worked for a long time in an office or stores. This training at the library is the longest time I've ever spent in an "office". When this training ends, it means that I'll have been there for 6 months! :-D When I was in Indo, I could only stand working in an office for 7 weeks hi hi hi hi hi...

A few weeks ago my Mom got sick and it seemed that she didn't get well easily, so my bro took her to a specialist and she had to have proper blood tests. Everything came out fine except for the cholesterol level and another thing whose term escaped my mind right now...anyway, at least now she knows what to do. She's changed her diet intake and she's lost 2 kgs already. GOOD for her!!! :-D

My slight worry is my Dad. My Mom said that he's getting thinner and thinner, 'coz sometimes he forgets to eat. If he stays home, it's much easier for them to notice whether he's eaten or not...but 'coz he loves playing chess outside of the house, it's hard to make sure that he remembers to eat. Uhhhhh...I sure hope he won't get sick. I think he was already too thin when I met him last October!!! Ah well...such is life...at least my brother and his wife and his wife's family will be there for them. :-D

OK, I'll end this rambling post. I'll blog-hop on Sunday 'coz now I'm dying to continue reading the new book I've just bought he he he he he he...

Dilemma Solved (For Now)

Went to the unemployment office today to ask some questions and the guy there gave me a solution. I've been thinking about joining the Finnish classes in one school, but I don't know if I can go there or not. He said that I could go there, but it'd be wiser if I also continue my training at the library at the same time. The bottom line is that I have to use up 30 hours per week in order to get the unemployment benefit so that I won't have to worry about bureaucratic problems.

You see, the Finnish classes in the school is only twice a week (6 and 4 hours respectively). Well, I don't think it'll be a problem if I continue the training at the library. After all, the manager has told me that she wished I could continue working there longer. Now all I need to do is make sure I can go to the Finnish classes. I need to call the teacher to make sure, though I don't think this will be a problem, either, since one friend has joined the class already. Oh well...but still I need to call her ASAP (probably tomorrow or at the latest Friday).

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The guy also told me that the classes will stop in May, since the school will have their summer holiday. Well, this also fits our plan perfectly, since we've booked the trip to Rhodes Island from 7th until 21st of June and I'll end my classes and training at the end of May.

I'm gonna be busier than ever!!! You see, at first they told me that I could only do the training in one particular place for 3 months at a time, but I guess they can make an exception. Tomorrow I need to talk to the library manager about this he he he...No more dilemmas for the time being then. We'll see how it goes. Now I need to think of my working hours at the library!!!

Where's The Time?

I seem to be running out of time so much lately he he he...Besides, there are so many things in my mind, too. I'm on a crossroad again. My training is almost over and now I have to think about what to do next. Time will show me what my options are.

Here are some sneak peek into my mind these days:

"Am I really ready to find a part-time or full-time office job? I feel that I'm not confident enough with my Finnish. Sure I understand much more than last year, but am I ready to answer the phone, for example? Am I ready to serve customers in Finnish?

I feel that it's not too good for me if I keep on looking for training places instead of trying to find a real job. Sure if I do some training, I'll get some money from the government, but if I find a real job, I can get double the amount of money. But I'm scared...it's not good for my self-confidence if I don't understand what I'm supposed to do. Feeling useless in a working place is definitely not good. It's true that so far I have no problem working at the library since I don't deal with customers and I don't answer the phone at all, but what if I have to do that? Will I manage?

On the other hand, have I been closing down doors of opportunities, as well? Because I don't have a driver's license and if I want to get a real job that involves speaking English, I have to go to a place 40 km or 100 km away from here and for that I'll need a car and a driver's license. But it costs so much to have a driver's license (at least €2,000 and another €3,500 for a used car). What if I get pregnant after that? Then I'll quit my job and all that money is spent for what??? I can use that money to go back home to Indo a FEW times!!! Or is this just my excuse for not wanting to spend that money to learn how to drive because I'm actually SCARED?

ARRRGGGHHH!!! I'm getting nowhere here!!! Am I a loser if I decide to just keep on learning Finnish for a while instead of jumping into the working world? Am I too idealistic that I want to find a job that I LIKE so that I can do it with all my heart and soul, despite the fact that I know how HARD it is to find a job here, esp. now during this financial depression?"

Is it long enough? I guess it's not a sneak peek anymore he he he he...OK, now that all those thoughts are out, I can just let them roam in cyber space and I can just walk wherever my feet take me without trying to analyze myself too much. I'm telling you that my brain can drive me nuts sometimes he he he he...

In all honesty, I'd love to continue my studies in learning Finnish properly and get a degree for it if possible and then become a translator or something, but for that I think I have to go to the city since there's no such a school or university here that would allow me to do so. Hmmmhhh...if not, I have to start thinking of starting my own business!!!!!!

OK, I'd better stop thinking and just go to the kitchen to COOK he he he...

P.S. I'd like to thank Randy, Michelle Colebourn and Michelle Frost for having shared some awards with me. THANK YOU SO MUCH for your kind words!!! I TRULY appreciate it!!!

Yearly Evaluation

Bitter Chocolate has written about her yearly evaluation, so let me think about mine. What has happened this year?

1. Miraculously there was a full-time Finnish course for the FIRST TIME EVER in Sodankylä!!!!!!! We all thought that they wouldn't open one since there weren't enough students. Plus our teacher was EXCELLENT!!!

2. My residence permit extension went well and I had enough money to pay for it ---> got the money from blogging, so I didn't have to use my savings. Plus the new residence permit is valid for 4 years, so I was HAPPY! ;-D

3. Got very bad news from my brother that my uncle died alone in his house (he was never married) and his body was found out a few days later. :-(((



4. Because I received some student money during the course, hubby and I could afford buying plane tickets to Indo already in the beginning of the year. This was really unplanned, so it was the GREATEST surprise ever!

5. Got GREAT news from my brother that his wife was pregnant and that the baby was due around the time when I would visiting them in Indo.

6. In the middle of the Finnish course, the firm who organized it decided to pay for us if we wanted to try taking the Finnish National Language Exam (if we took it ourselves, we had to pay €75). I took the test without believing that I could pass, since the speaking and listening part were SO hard. But again I got a NICE surprise by passing the test! This means that after living here for 4 years, I only need to pay a lump of money and fill in some forms to apply for Finnish citizenship. YIIIIPPPPIIIIEEEEEEEEE!!!

7. In July R2 and I had enough money AND time (R2 could take the holiday since he had worked overtime) to do a car trip to Southern Finland. We enjoyed our stay in Oulu VERY much at Lasaretti Hotel and it felt like a honeymoon!!!

8. In October R2 and I not only went to Indonesia, but we also had enough budget to go to Singapore AND buy a new digital camera! Such beautiful blessings!

9. On our trip to Indo/Singapore, we managed to meet Blur Ting and Trinity. WOOOHOOO!!!

10. Amazingly enough, R2 and I were able to be there for my brother's baby's birth. I was literally right outside of the labour room. He decided to come out 1,5 days before our flight back to Finland. YAAAAAAAAAAAYY!!!

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11. After going back to Finland, I could start training at the library and I've met VERY nice women there who encourage me and make me feel useful. :-)))) Plus my boss is VERY thoughtful (not just to me, but also to the other women).

12. R2 got some surprise money, so we could pay off our car loan to the bank. No more debt! YYYEEEESSSS!!!

13. During the year, I've managed to hang out with my Indo friends, Finnish friends (though they're not Finnish), and also blogger friends. COOL!!!

14. Baby program hasn't succeeded yet, but that means we can enjoy our time together "freely", so we're going to cherish this "honeymoon period" still. Plus that means that we have more time to save money ---> because if and when I get pregnant, we need a bigger place to stay and not only will we have to pay more for that reason, we also have to buy the baby's crib or bed and whatnots. So better save, save, save!

15. Work-wise: AT LEAST I know that working at the library is suitable for me (even if getting a job there isn't possible yet). I know that there are many more tasks to do if I were really working there, but I've really enjoyed my time there so far.

16. Family-wise: My Dad's mind has gotten slightly worse off than last year, so this saddens me, but at least my Mom has my brother and his wife to help. Plus my Mom is close to her sisters and brother, so they are always ready to lend an ear or give support whenever she needs it.

Concerning R2's family, his Dad's condition isn't going any better (he was diagnosed with Alzheimer last year). Sometimes he's stable, sometimes his condition gets worse, but he can still function well. It seems both our Dads aren't doing too well, but at least they're alive and they can still enjoy life.

17. Language-wise: I know more and more Finnish words, but since I haven't been actively speaking Finnish like when I was in the course, my mind has gone rusty (read: it works SLOWLY and it takes time to formulate an answer PLUS I'm starting to forget my grammar!!!). I don't like this "degradation", so I'm going to try to fix this problem next year. I MUST start reading my grammar books again and try to talk to R2 in Finnish.

18. I've received unexpected gifts through the course of the year. My, I'm such a lucky girl!!!

19. Still no fight record between R2 and I ---> not that I expect/hope any, thank you LOL LOL!!! Of course we sometimes rub each other's fur the wrong way (or sometimes I get cranky when I'm on my PMS or when I'm tired), but he always managed to minimize my state of being-almost-angry to laughing-with-him. Strange but true.

There WERE a few times when I could have lashed out at him, but EVERY SINGLE TIME he made me laugh with what he said or did. He's really like my "fireman". He douses my flames so quickly that I never had the chance to be burnt away by my emotions. Plus his unbelievable patience truly helps me. Bless him!!!

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OK, I think this is long enough. Of course there have been MANY more events during the year, but the list sums the major events of this year. There are bad news among all the good news, but I think all in all it's been a pretty good, eventful year, don't you think? ;-D

I'll blog-hop tomorrow. Wish you a FUN weekend ahead, friends!!!

Tasks, Finnish Novel, X-mas Party

My boss is SO nice. Yesterday she asked me if I got bored with my daily routine, but I told her that it was fine. I LOVE routine ha ha ha...She then said that she'd try to find me something else to do to make sure I'd get to do something else for a change.

Today they had a meeting for hours while I arranged books on the shelves. Then she gave me a new task: to make 25 X-mas cards for the library to send to some people or offices or wherever they want to. I'm not sure I'm the best person to do this kind of thing, but I'll do my best anyway. I'm not too fond of doing handicraft and I'm not the most creative person in that area he he he he...but as long as she trusts me to do it, I'll do it then.

I also have another task this Sunday. On Monday the library will offer free buns and coffee to everybody who comes, so every one who works there has to bake the buns at home to bring there on Monday. Of course we don't have to buy the ingredients ourselves. We just need to make them and bake them.

One other thing I forgot to say here is that last week my boss told me about a book she'd just finished reading. It's a Finnish novel, written by a Chinese girl who's lived in Finland for 10 years (the first novel written by a Chinese girl in the Finnish language). She asked me if I wanted to borrow the book, but I declined. I just didn't want to bother borrowing the book from the library and feel the pressure of having to return it in one month. So I searched the book online and bought it hi hi hi hi...At least this way I have PLENTY of time to read it.

It's VERY inspiring for me, though. In just 10 years she can write a novel in FINNISH?!?!?!?!?! Maybe I can do that too in 10 years he he he he he...I'd definitely be jumping to moon if my Finnish is THAT good in 10 years (good enough to write a novel, I mean). ;-D

I've finished packing all the X-mas gifts and also the gift for tomorrow night's exchange. I'll be busy this weekend. Tomorrow morning we'll go to my in-laws and then we have to leave early as I'll have the X-mas party with my friends in the evening and on Sunday I have to bake the buns, so if I don't have time to blog-hop this weekend, I'll do it only during the week, OK?

Oh yeah...almost forgot...today the manager also asked me how I felt about the training since my one month period is almost over (meaning she wanted to know if I wanted to continue or not). I said that I'd want to continue IF there were still tasks for me, but if they don't need me then I don't want to be there since I'd be useless. She says that it's all up to me and there will always be tasks for me, though probably my tasks will still be the same as my daily routine. I said that I wouldn't mind, since after all I had nothing else to do at home.

I've checked out the courses page and job opening page every day, but until now I haven't found anything interesting, so there's no harm done if I continue this training until the maximum period allowed, which is 3 months. :-))))

OK, have a BLESSED weekend, everybody! Take care and see youuuuu...

Waiting for Tomorrow

This week's training went very well. I enjoyed myself immensely! ;-D There're plenty of things to do every day, but it doesn't make me stressed out or frustrated. Isn't that the best type of a job? HA HA HA HA HA...

I can't wait to try skiing tomorrow. Not downhill skiing, though. Saw a big slider at Lidl (the shape of a butt where you can sit on and R2 says that you can slide downhill on it). Unfortunately I can only try it in spring since right now even though there's plenty of snow already, it's too soft to slide on. R2 says he'll buy it for me as a bday gift ha ha ha...So once we bought it, I'll show you the picture, OK?

Today after work I helped a friend who was moving to Jyväskylä in Southern Finland. He had SO many things to bring and he was going there by bus, so he needed someone to wait on his things as he got back and forth to his apartment to get the rest of the stuff. So I did that and surprise, surprise...he gave me a pot of X-mas flowers!!! ;-D I didn't expect that since I knew he was short on money, especially when moving to a new apartment, you had to pay guarantee money. But it was such a nice gesture! ;-D

We went our separate ways and then I decided to go out again to find some X-mas gifts for R2's family members. I only bought two gifts this time. R2 can find the rest hi hi hi hi...

Almost forgot...while waiting for my friend I saw a lovely sky dance. There were at first around 50 birds flying about TOGETHER in harmony! They were dancing here and there and then they "plopped themselves unto" the branches of one bald tree. It was SO gorgeous. Then a few minutes later I saw about 20-30 more birds doing the same dance and they also went to the same tree. Ohhhhh...how I wished I had brought my camera with me. It was a bit farther away, so I couldn't see what kind of birds they were, but it was just breathtaking...I LOVE this place!!!!

OK, let me blog-hop now and leave this post short. My second white Christmas, here I comeeeeeeeeeeeeee...but first, my b-day cake, here I comeeeeeeeeee WA HA HA HA HA...

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Explanation About My Training

For those of you who may be confused...let me tell you that this type of training I'm doing is not a real job. It doesn't guarantee my getting a job (ideally it would, but I doubt it since it's a small village and I know they have enough workers there). It's not a "trial period" before you get a real job and I'm not getting any salary for doing it. However, I'm going to get some benefit (in the form of money, though not as big as a real salary) from the government for doing this training (well, that's BETTER than nothing, right?).

The thing is...I don't know what kind of job I want to do here in Sodankylä. I don't really want to do cleaning jobs if I don't really have to, but I also want to practise my Finnish and socialize a bit instead of just being cooped up at home, waiting for R2 to come home. The unemployment office here encourages me to go try finding a training place if I still don't know what type of job I want to do (if I'm not confident enough to apply for any real job yet). So I was the one who had to ask the library manager if I could do the training there.

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I just found out, though, that this type of training can only last for MAX. 3 months. My contract is only for one month and it can be extended until 3 months, but no more. I'm not sure yet if I'm going to extend it or not. Besides, it all depends on the library manager, too. If she doesn't need my help anymore, then I won't be able to extend it.

But I thought to myself, "Why not try, right? I'm going to get some extra money even though it's not too much, but if I don't use the money, it's all VERY good. Plus I get some experience and I get Finnish practise and I get to know more about the work places in Sodankylä."

So my training will be over on December 23rd. If I want and can extend it, I'll probably do it before this contract is over. If not, I'll just see what else I can find...if I can't find any interesting jobs that I can apply to yet, I'm going to try to find an interesting course to apply to. We'll see how it goes.

So far so good he he he he he...OK, let me blog-hop a bit. Still have no time to blog-hop too much since I had to go to supermarket after work and then cook he he he...so sorry, people, I'll try to catch up bit by bit, OK? TAKE CAREEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Day 1 of Training

INTERESTING!!! That's what I can say about being a helper at the library he he he...

First I was introduced to everybody who was there, then I had to wait for my trainer for about 10 minutes. She came and then showed me around the place. She told me about how they organized the shelves and the books on the shelves. Then she told me about the process of putting the books to the shelves: they had to find out what the books were, then they had to put plastic covers and bar code label and some other label. Then they had to register the books to the bar code machine before putting them on the shelves. Old books were put in their small warehouse. It was COOL to know all these things!

My first task was to return the returned books to the shelves. Then I had to organize Christmas books on a special shelf. Then I was told how to use the bar code machine as they took out some old books from the warehouse. Then I was told to stamp plenty of old cassettes with the label "taken out".

So it's been FAR busier than my other two training experiences. I just hope it keeps up he he he he...well, even if I don't have too much to do on other days, I can always read something as they have SO MANY books he he he he...

Anyway, let me share some more pics taken from last weekend!

First pic: this is something I WANT for myself!!! See that red sled where the little girl is sitting? I WANT ONE!!! I want to sit on it and slide down the snowy hill one day he he he...Actually, it's also VERY practical to drag your son/daughter on the sled while going out, unless your kid acts up and runs away HA HA HA HA HA...


Second pic: The Kitinen bridge (near downtown Sodankylä) and its frozen river.


Third pic: These birds are flying around the bridge-river area and then they landed on the frozen river for a little while. It was a BEAUTIFUL sight as they flew here and there together as a group...mmmm...





OK, I'll blog-hop tomorrow as I'm pretty tired now he he he...

3BT: Random Days

1. Visited two friends, talked to the first one for about 4 hours, then went back home to have dinner and then visited the second one and talked for about 6 hours HUE HE HE HE HE HE...

2. Tomorrow's my first training day at the library and I'm EXCITED HO HO HO HO HO HO...

3. My MIL told me that she'd bake me a bday cake for me this Saturday HUA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA...

4. Walking home under a BEAUTIFUL starry sky twinkling at me...as if they wanted to flirt with me hi hi hi hi hi...

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5. Hubby's now making pancakes for us while I'm typing these words. WOOOOHOOOOOO!!!

6. Eating freshly-baked CRISPY garlic bread on a cold night...mmm...

7. Pepper steak for the both of us at around 1 am HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA...I was SO glad I decided to buy some while walking home from my friend's house since hubby was STARVING!!! And he said thank you after eating HI HI HI HI...

8. Taking pics of Winter Wonderland...mmmm...