1. Hubby warming up my side of the bed before I got to bed (usually he goes up first before me), so even though it's cold outside (-20 or even colder during the night), my side of the bed is blissfully WARM the first time I lay my body there. MMMMMHHHHH...And he has to endure the cold side of the bed once I go to my side of the bed, so THANKS SO MUCH for that, Bunny! HIGHLY appreciate your thoughtfulness!!!
2. Getting a surprise early gift bag for my birthday he he he he...You know who you are. THANKS SO SO SO MUCH!!!
3. Getting another package from a friend who has too much extra Indo stuff (spices, snacks). REALLY thankful for this!!! :-D
4. Listening to this beautiful duet...
5. Sleeping for 11 hours HA HA HA HA HA...
6. A customer telling me that I fit this kind of job I'm doing and that she likes me. THANKS for the encouragement - 'coz there are times I wonder if I really fit for this kind of job or not.
7. Someone told me about the mistake I'd made at work and I'm THANKFUL for that. Can't undo my mistakes, but I can always learn to do better. :-D
8. Hot tea with honey on cold days. Mmmmhhhh...
9. Pink sky always cheers me up. :-D
10. Frozen trees. For some reason when it's SO cold, they seem to be frozen solid - they have a different consistency of coldness than when it's been snowing all day, for example. It's hard to describe, but there's this kind of lovely undisturbed hush that permeates the air...mmmm...
No time to write long 'coz gotta go to sauna soon. Just wanna share some pics that I took with my mobile on the way back home on my bike at -21'C.
First pic: Yep, that was how the ends of my hair looked like after being outdoors for about 15-20 minutes (I stopped a few times on the way home to take pics).
The lovely sky at around 12.30 pm...
Cycled back to the old neighborhood and took a pic of one of the houses I've always loved there...
Been a busy day today. I cooked, I baked, I washed the dishes (actually the dishwasher did most of it, but I did wash some utensils that couldn't fit in it), I did the laundry, vacuumed the house and mopped it. Plus I also exercised just now. Now fresh from shower. I think the lamp therapy is working HA HA HA HA HA...
Before I had my lamp and kaamos (the dark winter days) started coming, I felt lethargic and I just didn't want to do anything. I didn't even feel like cooking. I bought some ready-made food from the store and just heated it up. I didn't want to exercise nor did I want to do anything much. My brain was like half empty and it didn't feel nice.
The lamp arrived a few days ago. R2 took it 'coz it was too big for me to carry on my bike (or on foot). I ordered Philips HF 3319 (you can google it up if you want to) and the first day I had it, I used it at around 4.30 pm. It made me energetic enough that it was hard to fall asleep at night HA HA HA HA HA...
So I learned my lesson!!! The next day I had a morning shift, so it was a perfect time to use before I went to work. I sat next to it in the kitchen while eating my breakfast and reading Donald Duck (Finnish version, mind you) for about 20 minutes and it felt nice. I didn't crank it up to its full "brightness", though, 'coz I couldn't stand it if I had to sit too close to it, but it was no problem. It helped even though I didn't turn the knob to the full brightness level. I've been using it for 4-5 days now and I must say that it makes me feel normal again. I go to work with my full brain capacity instead of just half of it. I feel more enthusiastic and energized to exercise.
So I guess I can safely say GOODBYESAD!!! I sure won't miss ya!!! HE HE HE HE...
Nothing much happening here. Work, enjoying free time, work, enjoying free time he he...The other day I cooked frozen duck from scratch. In the past, the frozen ducks I had bought had already been spicy, so I only had to put them in the oven. This time, though, I had to think of what to do with it. A recipe I found mentioned using some lemon juice, salt, and pepper, but I wanted it to be more spicy. Good thing I had this package of Bak Kut Teh spice mix, so I boiled some water with the spice mix and pour it all over the duck and shove the baking pan into the oven along with the "broth". I also added sliced garlic and onion all over and inside the duck.
I baked the duck at 160'C for about two and a half hours - in between I turned the duck around and around. The last 20 minutes, though, I took out almost all of the broth so that the duck could get a bit crispy on the outside and I turned the heat into 200'C. I should've probably let it sit there for a little longer, 'coz it wasn't too crispy yet, but it didn't matter 'coz I took out all the skin anyway 'coz R2 wouldn't want to eat skin or fat he he he...
And while trying to prepare the duck, I accidentally burnt my arm (it touched the oven) and cut my finger. Even in my workplace I sometimes bump into things accidentally and R2 keeps on worrying about me. Oh well...at least they are only minor "accidents". I've never really hurt myself so badly he he he...
I'm TRULY looking forward to this evening 'coz we're going to do a movie marathon tonight. We haven't been watching any movies in a LONG time. Due to my work schedule, we've only been able to watch TV series and we still have to catch up on them. So we have more than 10 movies to watch (the first we're going to watch tonight is Inception) besides the TV series. YAHOOOOOOO!!! Usually today is the day when R2 plays computer games with his buddies until morning, but now he's going to spend HOURS with me HE HE HE HE HE...YEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSS!!!!! ;-D
Other than that, I've been doing fine. Been sneezing the past few days, but I hope it's nothing serious. Today I cooked beef teriyaki. Haven't eaten it yet, but I can't wait to eat it with chili sauce HO HO HO HO...Take care, people, and have a blessed weekend!
2. Beautiful wintery pinkish sky (two days in a row) with a half moon hanging SO LOW above the horizon (it looked SO huge) when I rode my bike to work. Too bad I didn't have time to take a pic of it, but it was just AMAZING.
3. My trusted bike (which is perfect for my height). Without it I wouldn't have been able to do many things in a practical way.
4. Discounts, discounts, discounts for food products!
5. Belgian chocolate with lovely fillings (would have never tried 'em if one customer hadn't told me how delicious they were). Mmmmmhhh...
6. My homemade roast duck tasted HEAVENLY and we had mint-chocolate ice-cream and strawberries for dessert. Yum yum...
7. A friend has sent me a package filled with Indo goodies, so I can't wait to get it 'coz it's filled wish some stuff I haven't even eaten in a LONG time. WOOOHHHOOO!!! THANK GOD for angels on earth!
8. Hubby for warming up my legs and body at night and for scratching my back whenever I need it. :-D
9. I've ordered the light therapy lamp and I'm waiting for it to arrive. ;-D
10. Hubby greeting me at night with hugs and kisses whenever I have an evening shift. :-D
11. SAUNA is one of the GREATEST inventions EVER, esp. for a place like Finland HUE HE HE HE HE HE...
Yeah, been busy and tired a lot lately. I've read online about SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and I think I'm suffering from it. Not the depression, but the weird fatigue (even though I've slept enough) and being unmotivated. Also my brain doesn't work as well as in summer. I've also read that working shift jobs also affects your body to suffer from SAD. When I was helping out at the library two winters ago, I didn't feel any SAD 'coz I had such a regular work schedule. But now every week I have different work schedule, so my body clock is all messed up now that it gets darker and darker in winter (in December there will be a few days when the sun doesn't come up at all).
I've been thinking of buying a light therapy lamp and I've been browsing A LOT to find out which one I should buy. It's hard to choose 'coz the best one seems to be Philips, but I don't want to pay that much for a lamp (esp. 'coz I don't know if it'll work as well for me or not) and I've been toying with the idea of buying another lamp (made locally) that is half as cheap, but I still haven't decided yet. Gonna browse a little bit more before deciding - plus I want to wait until I get my paycheck first before ordering anything he he he...
Other than that I've been fine. Went to my MIL's yesterday to celebrate an early Father's Day with my BIL and SIL 'coz R2 was having a pre-Xmas party in Levi, so he couldn't come. I walked to my MIL's place 'coz I wanted to get a ride from BIL/SIL HE HE HE...
1. Hubby's home safe and sound and I can BUG him again HA HA HA HA HA...It was boring without him here. Plus he wrote a very funny SMS that made me laugh last nite: "Bunny! Get me out of here! I MISS YOUUUUUU!" HE HE HE HE HE...
2. Watching the clouds today...
3. Noticing that some people have already started putting some Christmas lights outside (on the bushes/trees). They really cheer me up when I ride my bike to work in the mornings ('coz it's already SO dark now in the mornings).
4. A customer asking me if I felt at home already in Sodankylä and when I said yes, he really looked like he cared about it. THANK GOD for caring people! :-D
5. Having warm-hearted non-fussy in-laws that let us do our thing without interfering with anything, that accept me just the way I am.
6. A LONG WEEKEND!!! WOOOHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
7. Fast internet access that never gives us any trouble. :-D
8. Having a job (just when I thought that getting a job here would be close to impossible). :-D
9. Frozen duck (haven't cooked it yet, but it made me SUPER HAPPY to find it at Lidl's again!).
10. Sending an email to someone to say how much I appreciate that person.
11. I'll sleep with hubby again tonight! YIIIIHAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! No more lonely bed!!! ;-D
12. Getting some free non-alcoholic cider from Lidl HA HA HA HA HA HA...;-D I LOVE cider!
2. Eating anniversary cake at my in-laws' place and then we played some cards. :-D
3. Taking these pictures:
3. Warm socks in different sizes and lengths so that I can wear a few pairs of them if needed.
4. The back warmer I bought is DEFINITELY useful for work purposes 'coz it can get pretty cold there, esp. in the warehouse and near the cold storage and my belly gets cold easily. Plus it doesn't get me too sweaty when I need to be more physically active there. Simply perfect for my needs!!!
5. Talking to my Mom on Skype and chatting with a friend on YM.
6. Finnair bulletin states that they're opening straight flightsfrom Helsinki to Singapore starting from May 2011. WOOOHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
7. Hubby changing his pillow in order to try to reduce his snoring. He even bought a kind of "nose ring" that was advertised to be able to help reduce/stop snoring. ;-D
8. Hubby's hugs and kisses and tender touches. ;-D
9. A long weekend this week, which I'm going to enjoy thoroughly. YEEEEESSSS!!!!!
This year I haven't had time to come up with any ideas for Blog Blast for Peace. For one thing, this year I'm skeptical about peace on earth after having read so much "hate-filled junk" in the cyberspace. There are some people who just love unloading themselves in other people's space and create friction. Last year I was so full of hope when I joined in Blog Blast for Peace. I don't know if that means I'm getting more cynical or pessimistic or what, but I sure don't want to lose my hope in mankind.
One site that makes me feel good about mankind is: Gives Me Hope.
I've also liked the page in Facebook, so I get notification every time there are new submissions. The site has become my feel-good site. Whenever I feel any doubt about mankind and the effort to create peace, this site never fails to make me feel hopeful. Whenever I feel down, this site makes me feel warm and gooey inside. So even though I'm not participating in Blog Blast for Peace this year, I want to share this beautiful site with you all. It also has some beautiful sister sites like "Love Gives Me Hope" and "Kids Give Me Hope" on the top part of the site.
One example of one entry that I read in Facebook today was this:
TODAY ON FACEBOOK I FOUND a group created by a guy who found someone's camera while traveling. He really wants to return the camera, which is full of memories, but has no idea who it belongs to. 230,000 people have joined the group to pass along the message. Kindness GMH.
UPDATE: The good will of 250,000 people created a stir that rippled into an office in London, where a group of French people were recognized, one being the owner.
Just wanna share more weekend pics. Today I got tips from a friend about taking panoramic pics and they're really beneficial (THANKS A BUNCH to her!). I realized that I hadn't really thought of the composition when taking panoramic pics, but I'm gonna learn to take better pics later on then. Too bad now the snow has melted in parts and it'll keep on melting this week and re-freeze during the nights, so I have to wait until Winter Wonderland is back 'coz now the trees aren't covered by snow anymore.
Below are two pics of the cabin taken from different angles:
A pic of the shed near the cabin plus the trees around it...
Moi:
No words to describe this one...just thought this pic looks so fluffy and soft he he...
The half moon...
An abandoned shed otw to the cabin with icicles on the side of the roof...
Because I had no work shift this Sat and Sun, we decided to go to the cabin on Fri eve right after I ended my shift. I knew it'd be rather challenging 'coz the in-laws haven't lived there for a while, so there would be SO MUCH SNOW already (it's been snowing a lot lately). It was rather hard for our car to pass through the yard due to the thick snow, which you can see here:
However, our timing couldn't have been better. FYI, our 4th wedding anniversary is only this upcoming Wednesday, but next week I'll have a very busy weekend, so we can't go anywhere. Last night we arrived at the place at around 8 pm under a VERY starry sky. Everything was SO dark already, so the stars were really clear around that area. The inside of the house was only 4'C 'coz it hadn't been warmed up in a few days. The outside temperature at that time was around -4'C.
We had to use a sled to pick up our stuff to help us walk to the cabin and we had to use a flashlight to light our way. Yes, it was THAT dark over there. It was quite a tiring walk 'coz due to thick snow, I had to lift up my legs in order to make each step, but it was WORTH IT.
It was also the perfect chance to try out our new camera. Remember that my older camera's flash is broken and the cost to fix it here in Finland is around 85 Euros? Well, we thought it'd be better if we could have someone fix it in Indo (hopefully we can go there next year). And 'coz R2 didn't use his summer holiday money, he decided to buy a new camera. After browsing around, he ordered Sony HX-1 which had a panoramic mode, so I was SO excited to try that mode. Of course the first few times I made mistakes he he he...but I really had a nice time trying it out due to the beautiful weather this Saturday morning. Here are some of the pics (you can click on them to view the bigger version). I think I'll put some other pics tomorrow then.
The sun was shining beautifully at around midday, though in the morning it was VERY misty. The temperature was around -8'C and during the eve it went down to -12'C.
1st pic: The cabin and the shed.
2nd pic: The cabin and a part of the frozen lake.
3rd pic: The frozen lake. Notice that the mid part isn't too straight 'coz my hand must've moved a little.
4th pic: A tree near the cabin.
5th pic: The path leading to the cabin from the house.
And here are our eye comparison ha ha...I think you'll know already which is whose eye, right? ;-D
I'll blog-hop later. Now gonna watch some TV and relax. ;-D
