Miss Sofie on sick-leave...

"just be happy you're not in Japan..."??

"Just be thankful you're not in Japan..." ?!?!?!?

This phrase has been heard SO many times in the past week... Where the he!! did it come from? What does it mean?

Have you heard it? in what situation? how did it really make you feel?

I will write a few more thoughts about it later... :)

Blood, Sweat and Tears...

ok, slight exaggeration...

So here I am again. Signed up to a 1-year contract. First I listened to various studly muffins telling me about why THEIR gym is the best. And, No -  my choice was not based on the studlies. In the end I settled for the one chain that my friend Matte is using. Maybe that (too) will help motivate me. It's back to convincing myself: "this time I'm really gonna go through with this...".

So yes, I got myself one of those magic cards for a gym - yesterday. So far, so good. Had a nice chilled session yesterday, with a bit of cross-training (not related to cross-dressing) and some easy introduction to the machines. Why do they always have to be different at the different gyms?

But today was a whole different ball game. Matte my dear, fooled me to join him at the classes he joins. And I was under the  impression that it would be a nice one-hour session. Well, it was nice. But first it was 30 mins of "Shape" and then 1hr of "Power" ("...an hour of power..."). So yeah, I'm in agony :)

Tomorrow hopefully a chilled session of Astanga (unless they "power" that up too).

Now - bed. Good night dear world! :)

Sweetness...

I think this is pretty cute.

The 21st century and communicating emotions and feelings...

Wow, in today's world we seem to be increasingly bloging, sms'ing, texting, tweeting, mailing and poking when we want to share what we think and feel. Although it has become the thing 'everyone' does, I do envy the old people who can pull out old wrinkly letters from back in the days. Those were letters that travelled for days, weeks and months to get to their destination (if they ever made it), and I think people really put a lot of thought into what they wrote.

I do have to say I prefer the old way better, it really forced people to think about what they're trying to say. Nowadays we just blab.

Some of my favourites are the 'old English' writers who really are masters at expressing emotions. Shakespeare was a master at what he did in regards to Love ("But soft, what light through yonder window breaks..."). But two in particular tackle negative feelings in a way that doesn't leave much to interpretation. Here's a quote:
"Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned" (William Congreve)
and another link: Suckling

Ok, I'll forgive them. They wrote in the 17th C.  But wow. I can so imagine the intensity...

It really makes Perez Hilton sound like a pussy.

Wham Bam Shazam!

Technology is amazing! I've heard all about these apps that recognize the music your playing but never had I thought that it would "really" work.

So, yesterday I was sitting in the car (not driving) listening to the radio (Spin FM) when a song was played and I thought "wow, this woman has a great voice". I figured I'd give Shazam a try, since the radio DJ wouldn't say the name of the artist. Lo and behold! It took all of only 5-10 seconds and it had identified the song. So cool!! I'm almost as impressed as the first time I tried bluetoothing something!

I highly recommend it. One way to get it --> http://store.ovi.com/content/16725

Oh... and the song that I was so impressed by was "I'm gonna miss you" by Brian Culbertson (feat Lory Perry) from Somethin' Bout Love album.

I believe in the spring!

Wunderbar!!

Today finally showed that there may be life after this winter.

My cold heart is beginning to melt...

3 years and still kicking...

HA! I just found my blog. 3 years have flown by. Scary!

Inspired by my darling friends T&M, I started thinking about the resurrection of my blog...

I'll think about it...

I started by changing the background to something that inspires in these days of snow and gloom!!

If anyone stumbles across this, let me know what u think.

Growing up...

So yes my dear pumpkins, Anton got a 'real' job. i.e. got a permanent contract... wow... ehrm... eeek... hmmm....
For those of you who don't know, I now work as a consultant and I work in the telecoms industry. You'll have to ask for more details if you want them.
Now I can for a moment forget about that "what the f*ck am I gonna do in 3 months time?" whining that's been going on for way too long. And now I can concentrate on the essential... (oh yeah, if someone wants to define 'essential' for me, please feel free).

Yes, it has been almost 9 months since I last wrote, but hey, they world's still spinning, and no, I haven't been pregnant, so no such news either. I've just been going about my business as usual. Some people got married, others were born, c'est la vie.

Merry Christmas, Happy Easter and Happy Birthday to those I have forgotten.

So... what's in store for this year?

April - allergy month, no big happenings except for me getting another bonus in the age department..
May - WEDDING BELLS (not for me). This year EVERYBODY seems to get married in May...
June - Midsummer in Copenhagen OR the Faroe Islands (is that how you spell it?)
July - maybe a stint to the cottage? maybe a trip to Brussels?
August - HOLIDAY!!! definitely/maybe a trip to California

Oh, and hopefully some crayfish at some point...

Love and hugs to all, keep in touch!

Cottage life...

Ha, today I get my weekend at the Cottage! Loooovely, so far they've predicted nice weather so thumbs up.
I plan to finish the Harry Potter book. only a few hundred pages left.
Other than that I'll just chill. I will be in the sun, sipping some wine or something nice, no stress.

Alternatively it will be pissing down with rain and we will be stuck inside doing crosswords. Hopefully not.

Huggles!

I AM Harry Potter

Seriously, how dumb can a person be...

I managed to get a scar in my forehead, now how "last year" isn't that! Well... I was falling a sleep, had one of those twitches/spasms that one get when falling asleep... and that resulted in a scar :)

And this all relates to Harry Potter cos I'm reading the last one, 20 chapters read, still many to go. Quite good so far, but not THAT amazing.

Other than that, the last 2 months have been busy... I've been working my ass off, no vacation. (but we're gonna go to Italy in September, I managed to rake up enough OT hrs).

Jiihaa! waiting for the sun!

Lintsi...

YAY, I'm going to Linnanmäki today!!! The weather is gorgeous and someone else is paying for the party...

ESC2007.... getting hotter!

ESC2007 is the best thing in Helsinki/Finland this year!!!

HA, I just found out I get to go to the semi-finals tomorrow! Absolutely bloody brill!

Eeeeek, what should I wear??

27... ...and counting!

So, another year has gone by, but hey, I'm still alive and kicking...
No big drama with getting older this year, the 'sad' thing is that already in January I thought I was 27.

So which is worse, being 27 or not knowing that you're not 27? :-) I'm not sure, but I guess it doesn't matter. Now at least it's a fact that I am.

Today is Vappu/Vappen, no big drama with that either. I think we're staying home, no big inspiration to go get pissed drunk and crawl around Central Helsinki... I could say "been there, done that" but in order not to incriminate myself I'll let the readers use their imagination.
We have been blessed with the presence of our niece/godchild, Smilla, so we can use the excuse of dog-sitting to just stay home. Is this a symptom of (old) age? Not as eager to join crazy parties. Somehow I don't think so as already this year there have been quite a few crazy parties. :-)

So what plans do we have for ESC 2007 in Helsinki? hmmm... damn, gotta get busy sorting out something fun! It's hopefully gonna be big and lound and pretty damn camp :-)

*Inviiiincibleeeeee* ;)

One turn, deadend?

Hey,

So, on Monday I started my new job. More (but not much) about it in a bit.

Last time I wrote I was at a crossroads. Since then I've taken a few turns, flips and flops. So my last job ended at the end of March. I managed to have a 2½ week vacation (first since July 2005). One week of that was spent in Åre, it was great, absolutely gorgeous. I went there for a skiing holiday with my darling Tååni, and my darling brother. And we didn't even end up killing each other.
The trip up was quite an adventure. We drove via Åbo, took the SeaWind ferry over to Stockholm. The ferry was somewhat of an experience, the best way I can describe it is "cheap and cheerful". Then we drove via Gävle and visited some relatives. When leaving Gävle we got stuck in a massive snowstorm, so the drive up to Åre took something like 8hrs.
The week there was heavy hardcore snowboarding and skiing. The weather was so-so, but it was fun.
No problems with the trip pack.

So after returning from there I dedicated my time to finding a job. I only had to be officially unemployed for 2 weeks before my new job began. The title is Content Administrator/Manager and I'm working through Eilakaisla for one of their clients. For now it's until the end of June 2007, but it might continue, we'll see what happens.
So far it's been great, I finally got my own computer yesterday :) it only took 1 week to get it formatted and cleaned...
There's a LOT of things to learn, but so far it's all really interesting and I truly feel I'm actually understanding and learning what I'm doing or supposed to do. Which is nice. It's always nice to work with something which is interesting and rewarding in the way that you feel you know what you're doing. All I can say is that I think I at some time have been in a job or jobs where that has not been the case.
Of course there are a few things I could wish to be a bit 'better' or different, but this is good for now.

Happy belated Easter and upcoming Vappu!

Lucky Charms

Hi,

Please pray for me, or keep your fingers crossed or whatever you believe in :)

It's yet again a time in my life when I'm at a crossroads(, or traffic light). Depends on how you look at it. Either I decide which way to go, or I'll see if it changes to a green light.

Short and sweet, things are in the making, we'll see what happens. Don't wanna say too much for fear of jinxing it.

Packing, packing, packed.

Damn, I've become pretty good at this. It took me all of 10 minutes to pack my trolley for the weekend. I guess that's something I've learned over the years. To pack quickly and lightly.

Tomorrow I'm heading off to Joensuu again for a nice relaxed weekend. It's just so nice to get away from hectic Helsinki.

Today I noticed it. It was past 5pm and it was still light outside!! Amazing, I think spring is on the way (even though it's -20 outside). But now we see the light, soon we'll get the warmth. Aaaaaah can't wait!
I got so excited I wanted to walk all the way home, but then I walked for 15 minutes and noticed that it was pretty cold so I took the bus. I guess the walk woulda been better, had I had my proper coat (but as SOMEONE poured beer/bitter/whatever on it last night, it was still wet after me washing it).

Hooray, have a good weekend!

Home, ill, bleurgh!

So, I'm home in bed again. Was at work yesterday, got a weird splitting headache, so I'm back in bed.
Doctor ordered me to take antibiotics last Thursday, so now I'm taking those and painkillers. Yeehaw, pills are good!

I've finished typing up my first diary.( It's 10 December 2000 and I'm back in Santiago, having spent almost a week in Argentina. )

Hmm.. I wonder where my second book is? Maybe somewhere in my parents house (eeek!!). But I think that one is not as detailed as I got tired of writing daily. So if the first book included 2 months, the second includes the rest, until I think I stopped writing at some point in Indonesia...

My biggest thoughts after reading this first book are: "I wish I was somewhere warm" and "I wonder what happened to all those people" (yes, cliché I know, but it's true, so many lives that met, if even ever so briefly...)

I'll sit in bed today thinking about this. (it's -14 celsius outside so no wish to go out there either).

edit:

Something I found that was my guideline for my travel:

"I have to hurry
have to leave
fly far
travel into different smells
I have to go
brake my chains
rip out my roots
let my heart burn
and point blindly at the globe

I have to cough
some highway dust
have to sail
a few more storms
I have to go
out looking for my soul

I have to walk streets
were no one knows my name
my face a mystery, not a label
go places
were dreams are different

I have to fly
hang out my heart to dry
in the warm breezes of lands
i could never imagine
And then maybe
I'll return
as myself "

Thank you "Jess" for writing it. It may be a bit outdated, but still has something universally valid.

Are Diaries good or dangerous?!?

Hey, long time, happy Valentine's and all that...

So, I've begun a project that is maybe long overdue (or that will never be finished).
I've started typing up my diary from my RTW (round-the-world) trip from 2000-2001. It's weird, after writing the entries, I haven't looked at them until now, 7 years later.
The questions is what to do with it? My primary reason for typing them into a word document is to preserve them in some kinda data format, in case I in the future plan to do something with them.
(personal note: writing as process, writing as sharing information)
So while reading through them I can only think: "who would I ever let read these things?", "why would anybody want to read them?". At the time of writing them, they were partially my log book, so a lot of the information is tedious bus numbers or where i stayed. At the same time some of it is like a letter to a friend, and a lot of it is me going through emotions and feelings.
What is this information I could think of sharing? Do I want to share all of it? ...maybe not... :-)
Maybe some day you will see it published in some way, and let's just hope it has undergone serious editing by that time. ON THE OTHER HAND, I feel like the manuscript is valuable in the sense that it horribly honestly presents a lot of what happened. But as with everything it is "aikaan sidottu" i.e. tied to the temporal setting where it was created.

The other point I wanted to bring up was this process of writing and reading through the material. It is amazing, the things we've forgotten, the people we remember once we read about them later. And also how our view of things change over the years. 7 years later I notice I maybe think of issues in a completely different way from September 2000, when I set out on my journey. But, I guess that is part of the beauty of life.

I will not claim to have developed since that time, but I've surely changed. :-)

All good comments and ideas about what to do with the material will be considered. And the best one may be awarded with a free copy.

MUAH!

Sport is good, right?

Wow, today I felt really good!
I've been trying to go to the gym regularly since the beginning of the year and I've actually managed 2-3 times/week. But the great thing is that I'm not feeling like "oh shit, do I HAVE TO go to the gym?". Now I rather feel like "ooh ooh, gotta go to gym, wanna go to gym". Ok, it's a bit manic, but I still think it's better than sitting at home eating crisps/potato chips. Or maybe I'm just not working out hard enough to make me so sore I don't wanna go there for a while... Lots of maybes.
This all just leads me to think that it's true what they say: doing some kinda sport activity regularly actually makes you feel better. And that it works like some kinda drug, you just want more more and more. Not that I know anything about real drugs... it's all hearsay.
Knock on wood! (Let's see how long it takes before I'm back on that couch with my Pringles)

The other thing I'm trying to pick up is swimming. Ok, I thought I was just gonna jump in the pool and I'd be like a natural swimmer. Like how hard can it be really? LOL, well it is. I mean, I haven't been swimming since the eighties or something, and THAT is a long time ago. I did go to the mandatory swimming lessons back in the days, and I'm sure I learned something. But why do I feel like a dork now that I'm in the pool?
I take a few strokes and I'm sure my rhythm is all off, and that I do the kick and the stroke in the wrong order... I mean, the technique should be somewhere in my brain. Why can't I just wake it up?
OK, so I've admitted to myself that maybe I should go take some adult swimming lessons (NO, not THAT kind of adult swimming lessons). So now I'm looking at options for that. We'll see what I find.
Until then I'll just look like a dork in the pool and feel completely exhausted after 300m of swimming. :)

So, my message of the day to y'all is: find a sport you like and DO IT. It'll make you feel good! (and once you're burning more calories, you can eat more crisps/chips ;) )

*muah*