A new beginning

Wow. I can't believe it's almost August. The summer has passed by faster than I could've ever imagined. It's also turned out to be a summer I never expected it to be. I learned a hard lesson about not to follow my own plans but what God has thought for me. And I actually love it. My heart was broken but it's been healed - not completely but I'm getting there, day by day :-) I've learned to be thankful for my amazing life and it's been great to realize how blessed I truly am. My friends and family are awesome but it's been even more eye opening to understand that everything, everything, happens for a reason and "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose."  (Romans 8:28) Thinking about that makes me feel peaceful.

What else. I've been working a lot. And by lot I mean five days a week, eight hours per day which is normal, I know. But I haven't ever done that before, only some freelancer jobs so it's been new to me. It's been great though and I just love my work place. I couldn't even imagine better co-workers, every single day I get to laugh so hard I just cry. Most of you know what I'm talking about. (And yes Milja, you would be embarrassed by the volume of my laughter ;-) 
Every single day is different at my work too because every visitor is different. Young, old, European, Asian, local, in need for maps, directions, food place, just wants to chat.. I've learned a lot, and I've realized even more how beautiful BC, the province I'm living in, actually is! There's so many places I'd like to explore that no wonder even locals don't know about all of them.

Besides work, I've had lots of adventures. I've been camping, attended to a wife carrying contest, danced traditional Scottish dances, rode a tandem bike on the seawall in Stanley Park in Vancouver, and let's not forget to mention the time when my parents were here; we went to Victoria, spent the Canada Day in Vancouver, went to the States on the 4th of July, explored Whistler.. And this time I didn't even get sick hahhaa! Oh, and just a week ago I went down to the States by myself to the Creation Festival that is the biggest Christian Music Festival in the US! 


I think I'm gonna just add a few pictures and they will tell you more, it'd be impossible to tell about everything I've been through. And I know, I know, this time I was supposed to be more active with the blog but to be honest, because of what happened I didn't really feel like blogging or sharing my life. Hopefully you understand, I haven't forgotten you and I'm so thankful for each one of you, my friends. I know I don't say it often enough and I'm usually really busy with my life here so you don't hear from me but I love that you are in my life, and you are in my prayers so you are in good hands ;-)  

Pictures part2

So here we go, a few more pictures for you guys. It's just way easier to tell about things with photos and they help you to understand how awesome it's here hahhaa! At least I hope so. But seriously, if I just described how pretty it is here, you could be "Yes sure Mimmi, you're always exaggerating". Well, not this time ;-) 
My days have been filled with crazy adventures, great conversations and just amazing experiences with people I love. Could I ask for more? I don't think so.

 Oh, and I'll post the pictures of the May Long Weekend next time, there's too much of them hehhee.

 With seester and other friends on the river on the other day

Just love the views here!

Like these ones from our patio

What did I just say?

So yes, I'm also working. How can I help you? :-)

Or this is probably more likely my face when serving people hahhaa

I went to Minter Gardens when I had a day off

Just loved it!

With the gazebo (I know the word now hehh)

Awww

And then we had a great day in Vancouver, for free (I had this Tourism Challenge passport that allowed me to go to all the attractions in Lower Mainland for free with one friend in month of May. And now when I finished it, I have free admissions to all those places for a year! So, I have to stay for a whole year right ;-) But yeap, perks with my job are quite nice) This one's called Capilano Suspension Bridge!

A cute little waterfall

<3

I was causing troubles, surprise surprise

She was a Canadian goose

And me too! So I'm officially Canadian ((goose)) now ;-D

Hmmm :--)

Then we went to a little farm

And watched some beautiful sceneries from Vancouver Lookout (tower)

Home sweet home, my Chilliwilli <3

I work right there, you're more than welcome to drop by!

I love these little farmer markets, this one was in Sardis where I used to live

In Van with another beautiful lady! <3

Wanna go out with me? ;-) It's time for a date night!

MIB3 & an invisible man

Candle dinners on our patio are the best. Just sayin'.

Last laughters:
I couldn't believe what I saw when passing Joe's (cloth store) in Vancouver. I've always known Finland and all the Finnish things are in fashion but still - I asked a guy who worked at the store if he had any idea of the insipration of the shirt: "Hmmm, I think it's somekind of flag". Oh really? Well, now he knows.

Ps, Happy Bday Mom, I hope you had a great and sunny day and I can't wait until you get here (in three weeks!) and I get to hug you and show you all the places I love so much. Miss you! 

I love you sis.

I'm really fortunate in so many ways. Especially lately I've felt like living in a dream. I just love my life but I don't want to take it for granted, God's been blessing me a LOT and I'm so thankful for that.

I have a loving family, boyfriend and friends, I'm healthy, I have a great job and I'm living in the country where I truly feel "I belong here".
 I am also lucky when I can say I have lots of sisters (seesters). Not only those tied to me through blood but also friendships that are more like sister&sister or sister&brother relationships. But this post is about my lovely little sister Milja who "graduated" (well, finished, had her commencement?) from middle school today and thanks to technology I was able to be in two places at the same time regardless of the fact that those places are an ocean apart. 

Yes, I was in Finland via Skype tonight. There's nothing unsual about that, I skype with my friends and family every week (at least I try) but there was something special this time. I was able to be in the actual graduation party when she got her diploma (thanks to my dad's iPad). It was so funny though, to see all my former teachers and talk with the principal. I was so happy it was possible for me to attend this way because I was very disappointed when I realized that even though I loved coming back to Canada as soon as possible it also meant I'd miss the party. Now I at least got a taste of it. 

Congrats Milja, I love you so much and I'm so proud of your hard work. You deserved your day, enjoy!  

 Singing "Suvivirsi" (the last song every year), brings memories!

 

Hugs

Sis, mum, grandma, me!

 And as "loppukevennys" (last laughters?) I had to spoil this, sorry M. My face tells it all. I think they have never seen anything like this at Elomaa (the school). Way to go girl! (So yes, this is her diploma, she got straight A:s, all the "lukuaineet" so main subjects)

Pictures part 1

I know I know, you're dying to see some pictures and I understand you miss my pretty face so here you go; this is only a part number 1 because I've taken a few pics already, well you might have guessed that or then not. Anyway, luckily photos tell more than thousand words so I can miss the writing part and just let you enjoy. (These are mainly from my first days in Vancouver, just relaxing, tanning, not suffering from Jet Lag though!)

I miss(ed) you sister, so much. But it was so good to get those couple of days with you in our favourite place in the world. Still going nuts? Oh yeah.

 Oh Van, how I missed ya!

 I won't even start talking about this. You're star to me, 'bucks. 

 And she kinda likes you as well. Fair enough.

 <3

I have so many blonde friends, lucky me. I don't have to be the only "stupid" all the time hahhaa.

 Yess, I made it here!

What did I just say..?

  Food is a good friend of mine!

Oh yeah, cause I can't always wait for my ride..

  .. I had to get my "own" car! (Thanks to M and thank you Lord!)

I'll upload more pictures as soon as I can, it's been just crazy busy ately lespecially now when I started working. I'm loving it though but I'm not used to work from 9 to 5 five times per week and then doing all the crazy stuff in the freetime. But don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining here, I'm definitely living a dream as I said. 

Oh yeah and by the way.. After this picture, if someone is still wondering why I love it here so much (pic's been taken from our doorstep) please come and dine with me under the stars on our patio after loaning a lighter from a friendly neighbour so we can have a candle dinner. 

 

Stories from the past

So here I am - on the other side of the world again, surrounded by mountains, water, forests and amazing people. It's been almost a year since I left Canada and the past year in Finland passed by fast. Well, to be honest, from time to time it felt this spring would never come but now it's almost summertime!

And I know, I never really finished the posts about my last months here but I can just say I had amazing Spring Break '11 (went to New Orleans, Las Vegas and San Francisco, got to see Bon Jovi in Vancouver etc), and I had great time with my friends in Canada until I got so sick I had to leave a few weeks earlier than I was supposed to.
 It was so frustrating, especially when the doctors in Finland couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. I was like "I flew all over the world just because of this and now you're telling me I'm perfectly fine?" But what can I say, prayers worked (thanks for them once again) and I haven't really been suffering from the stomach aches since or if I have, I've also known the reason.

 Anyway, then in that summer I went to the States to visit my best friend Elina in Washington DC and we had amazing time there. We also had the once-in-a-lifetime trip to New York and Wilmington, NC. Most of you know what happened during that trip, and if you don't, feel free to check out this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ8I5TVoftg (2:30) 
I can't say this too often - anything can happen. Especially if you're a finnish blonde ;-)

In Finland I started an university (of applied sciences) and I'm studying tourism. I'm doing my practicum here in Canada right now so I'm not just hanging out, this is hard work! Gotta love it. 
I enjoyed my time in the father's land as well, it was good to see my friends and family, get to meet new people, find a great church (and an amazing worship team there!) and live a year with my grandma. So you can just imagine how spoiled I was; "Mimmi, what do you want for breakfast?" "Mimmi, I cleaned up your room, made your bed and bought you some cookies". Wow, you don't get that kind of treatment every day. (J, you better try hahhaa).

But all the time when I was in Finland I knew I belong somewhere else. It was and it's still hard to explain and I won't try to open it up now more than that. One of the main reasons was the atmosphere of the country for sure. I remember going back to Finland last August (2011) and still being in that "Canadian mood" so greeting strangers on the street, smiling and looking people into eyes. You can't imagine how many weird looks I got, I felt so out of place. I've always been a happy person so maybe my personality is just more that North American type.


This text was only supposed to be an introduction and I tried to basically just explain where we paused last time with my Canadian Dream, now it's time to keep going. This is a lifetime dream, not only for these few months (or a year? God only knows :-) that I'm gonna spend here now. I'm thankful for every single day I get and we'll see how it goes. 
To be continued.


Ps, on my way home on the other day...

 

L.ove's in the Air

It's time to tell about LA and our trip that happened around the Valentine's Day last February. The title is a little bit mysterious but while we were there we even got some red roses so.. ;-)

We left on a sunny Thursday and our lovely friend Ellie drove us over the border to Bellingham. The customs went surprisingly well and soon we (Lara, Svenja, Ella and I) were in the promised land - for me and LaaLaa it was actually the first time ever! The grass was greener of course! Our flights from Bellingham to Seattle and from Seattle to Los Angeles went well, we were listening to some good music (Party in the USA, wohoo) and using our sleeping masks. (They were so cute, especially Lara's Hello Kitty one!).


Party in the USA! Ready to rock LA

At LAX, so in LA we could really sense we were somewhere important because all the beautiful people with high heels, the warm weather.. We took a taxi to our hostel and finally ended up in the right place. The hostel was called "Orange Drive Hostel" and I highly do recommend it! It didn't cost much, it said Marilyn Monroe had stayed there and the best thing - its location was perfect, two blocks away from the Walk of Fame, Madame Tussaud's, the Kodak Theater.. So we were right there, in the middle of Hollywood! On that night we were too tired to explore anything so we just headed to bed as soon as possible..

..to wake up with lovely sunshine next day! We quickly ate something and started to look around - first we bought ourselves tickets for the hop on-hop off bus, something very touristy but smart. We took the tour actually twice, during the first ride we didn't hop off at all, just enjoyed the views; buildings, palms trees, studios.. The atmosphere was glamorous and full of magic, it was kind of feeling "This can't be true. That Beverly Hills or Rodeo Drive sign isn't real". But it all was.


First steps on the Walk of Fame


Chinese Theater



Hop on-hop off bus and some tourists


!


Palm trees everywhere..

During the second ride we hopped off on Rodeo Dr, did some window shopping (even went into a Guess' store and just stared at the prices :-) and looked for the celebrities but couldn't find any.


Rodeo Drive again


My beautiful Bentley

Then we hopped on again and drove all the way to the Farmer's Market where we got off. There were so many cute little stands with eg fresh food and hats. And then there were "real" shops, like Forever 21 (ever mentioned that place before? It's CRAZY. I warn you - if you want to hang on to your money, do not EVER go there because you see temptations everywhere; every wall or corner you look at, there's a new one waiting) and Victoria's Secret. And yes, Victoria showed some secrets to me, too ;-) High quality with kind of high prices but very reasonable, like it!


..


The Sign!


Paramount Pictures (recognize the "watercontainer" on the left)

When we finally got back from the tour we saw a great offer on the door of Madame Tussaud's; you could get tickets to Universal Studios (where we were supposed to go anyway) cheaper if you took a package with wax cabinet tickets. So we got in to Tussaud's for free! And because it was pretty late already, there was no line-up, we got to take as many pictures as we liked and we really did use that opportunity! We even met a finnish exchange student and no offence, I must say she had really forgotten how to speak Finnish, wow it was bad. But her English must've been excellent then!
After posing with every possible figure (from Terminator to Forrest Gump and Lady Gaga) we were ready for some sleep again. If I remember correct, falling asleep took some time though..


Tussaud's!


Dates with Mr. President


Breakfast time!


With my Zackie


Wild woman (with brown hair..)


Sue was pretty scary :-(


Next Tony Hawk


Elton liked my songs!


You wanna fight, huh?!


Terminator..


Better than Beckham

On Saturday, so on 12th it was time to see some beach life! We got on the bus and found some finnish people again (they seemed to be everywhere!) before we ended up in Santa Monica. Then I really felt like movies, the boulevard was amazingly pretty, the sun was shining, it was HOT (+30C in February?) and there were even some talented musicians playing. We walked around under the palm trees, did some shopping and then went to the beach.


It says it all, we really were there!

There we of course took some jumping pictures, ran into the water and... fell asleep. The result wasn't the nicest one, imagine 4 red lobsters and you can picture us. We didn't let it to bother us but headed to a muscle beach.


The beach


They found their talents!


Doing what we do best!


Miss the waves!


< 3


Tanning.. (didn't end very well)

Yes, it was insanely hot but some people were just doing yoga poses and other moves I wouldn't be able to do in million years even if it was be nice and chilly. We thought there must've been some celebrities too (maybe not working out though) because helicopters were flying above us all the time but couldn't catch any.


People with crazy moves


Our muscle girl

On the beach there was also an amusement park (Pacific Park) and I went to the Ferris Wheel with Svenb and Ela. The scenery was spectacular.


The Ferris Wheel


And the view

Later on that day, after eating at Subway, we also went to Griffith's Observatory which was on the top of the hill so we caught the view of LA in the dark. Only disappointment was that the Hollywood Sign wasn't lighted up so we couldn't see it from there. There was some kind of party at the Observatory so there was loooads of people and we got cold fast and decided to leave.


At the Observatory

When we were back on Walk of Fame we thought to do some shopping and went to a pharmacy to look for some relief for our burned faces. Sale assistant ladies looked scared when they saw us but they were very helpful and gave us all the free samples "You do need them". Well, next day we looked a little bit better except Lara who had got an allergic reaction around her eyes and almost wasn't able to see anything!


How burned can a person be? Just asking..

On Sunday we went to the Universal Studios! We had decided to go there instead of Disneyland and it definitely was worth it. Before that we posed on the Walk of Fame with starts though, I think we found our favorites even if I for example wasn't able to choose only one.


Star road


I found Marilyn!

I love all the amusement parks and especially rides there. It was a beautiful day but we didn't even need to stand on lines much. There were different kinds of areas; about the Simpsons, Jurassic Park, the Mummy, Shrek, Water Park with "ending of the world" feeling.. We were like little kids screaming and having fun, it was awesome!
Then we had some kind "movie tour" so there were sets from the TV-series and movies. We also saw some special effects, stunts, King Kong 4D and so on. And there was "Little Europe" so place where they film when they want to get to France or to Germany etc. The point is that they only change the names of the streets when they change the country, clever!


Welcome to Universal's!


Ah, Shrek, my man!


Simpsons ride


L's new best friend!


Psycho's Theme!


Some sets


(Luckily not our) crashed plane


DeLorean!


Wisteria Lane


Dancing Cars


Water world and The End


It was nice and sunny, ahhhh!

On Sunday evening there was Grammy Awards and we almost got to an after party! We were eating donuts when one guy with tux came in and started to talk with us about how unhealthy those delicious goodies were. Then he suddenly asked if we had nice dresses with us and told about the party he was going to. Unfortunately we didn't have any, which was maybe just good because being on the red carpet wouldn't have been so nice with red faces. Try to always think positive! :-)

Instead of going to the event we went back to our hostel and watched the Grammys there. We talked with some guys who had come from Mexico (correct me girls if I'm wrong) for an acting school. One of them even gave us red roses "because it's Valentine's Day soon". It was so nice and thoughtful!

Next night it was time to leave the hostel around 4-5am and we ordered a taxi and made a deal it would cost $50. Well, the cab came on time and drove us to LAX as promised but then. "It costs $70 because of the night price" Then we started to fight for our rights and Ella even started: "According to universal laws..." But we should be able to trust what we've been promised, right? Then Lara gave him fifty dollars and said we don't have more. Svenja didn't hear it and didn't see how much L had already given to him and was offering $20 bill. Luckily we got our stuff quickly together and ran away before he took the rest of the money. Maybe mean but I still think we should pay the amount we've promised to pay.

The flight from LA to Seattle was nice although Ella was separated from us. But she was tough: "I'm used to travel by myself", good girl. THEN - from Seattle to Bellingham. It was the scariest and most awful flight any of us has ever been on. It was windy and the whole plane was just trembling, the pilot couldn't get the plane down but missed the landing twice. Svenja started to puke and I was holding the paperbag for myself, too. We were flying over the sea and we were all sure that we are gonna end up there but, thank you Lord, we got down safely.

E who drove us to Bellingham was supposed to pick us up too but she had something and instead of her there was one of our friend's mom waiting. (And she noticed us by my flower headband, just saying ;-) She is one of the loveliest lady I know. It was such a blessing it was her and no one else who drove us over the border back to Canada because the officer who talked with us was her old school friend. How amazing is that? God is good.

We got back home to Chilliwack and because of 14th we were supposed to watch the movie "Valentine's Day" in the evening. I had been waiting for it since September but I had to wait for one more day because we were all way too tired. (But the movie was worth it, very heart-warming one!)

The trip was one I will never forget, all the yougurt eating, red roses, hanging rings.. Thank you girls, I miss you and our vacation! LA was a place I always wanted to go but I think one time was enough, I saw everything I "had to". And next times I did go somewhere else, I'm gonna tell you about the Spring Break and New Orleans soon. (And this time I mean soon, not in 7 months!)