Ladybirds and Lions

The ladybirds have arrived

After months and months of cold weather the sun was finally out this weekend, so we spent most of it outdoors. Hurray!!!! The first ladybirds of the season arrived in our garden...

Teletubbies come to Somero

... and there were also several other unusual creatures in the middle of Somero, in and around the Ahola building.

Varpu Honkakoski, Lions Club President

A member of the Somero English Club...look familiar?

Cameron plants some seeds

Niko goes fishing

Actually the Lions Club had organised an event for children on Sunday morning, with all the money raised going to local goo causes.  Niko and Luca were very excited to see that the Teletubbies had turned up and they enjoyed taking part in the various activities on offer.

The event was really busy and packed with children who all seemed to be having a good time.

I was just a little worried about Päivi from the English Club though. Seems to me that she may have woken up feeling a little rough. What do you think?

Michael Buble off my List.

I write lists all the time. I like them. They can be about anything...what I need to do, what I have already done, what I would like to achieve etc etc. I find them motivating and I like looking at how they change as time passes. A few weeks ago the following item apeared on one of my lists.

"Get tickets for Michael Bublé concert."

I had only found out that Michale Bublé was coming to Finland two days after the tickets went on sale, and by then it was too late because the concert had sold out. I wasn't going to give up though, so I spent the next few weeks checking regularly on tori.fi and huuto.net.

The reason I was so keen to go the concert is that Michael Bublé's song "Everything" was the song that I walked down the aisle to when Frédéric and I got married. Cameron and I also danced to the song "I just haven't met you yet" at Luca and Niko's christening, so I really wanted to hear these songs live as they both have such a special meaning to me.

Yesterday was the day of the concert. In the morning I still had no tickets. Then just before lunch time I received a phone call from someone who had seen an ad I had put on a website saying I was looking for tickets. The lady who called had two which she was no longer able to use. Good news.

I would love to tell you that the concert was fantastic....and parts of it were, but overall it was a real disappointment. Michael Bublé sings brilliantly, but when he talks it is a different story.  For me his talking totally spoiled the concert. He made bad jokes throughout the performance and kept making references to whether he was gay or not. Who actually cares?   I know that I don't, and I certainly didn't drive all the way to Helsinki to hear about his sexuality one way or the other.

I thought I would cry when I heard "Everything" because of the memories it brought back, but he performed a strange version of it which involved him jumping up and down all over the stage... not exactly the romantic version I had been waiting for!

Oh well, I still love the original, and in case you've never heard it, you can catch it here...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPUJIbXN0WY
I'm not the only person who loves the song- so far 35 million people have watched this video.  Michael Bublé is even more famous than Akseli...so I guess he must be doing something right!

Learn a Bit of Akseli Attitude

Akseli does some stretching exercises

I thought April was going to be a warm month. I realise now I was wrong. As I look outside the window it is sleeting. Again. Not impressed.

Still, I always try and concentrate on the positive, so rather than looking at the sleet I spent the morning disussing life with Akseli.

I.......

Many of us suffer in different ways from a lack of self esteem. We think we are not good enough, or clever enough, pretty enough, slim enough, successful enough...whatever. But not Akseli. We should learn something from him, because he is quite happy with who he is. No problems with self-esteem, and totally "comfortable in his own skin", as we say in English.

look......

great.

 He had a quick stretch this morning in order to warm himself up, and then he spent some time admiring himself from every angle.  He looks fine and he knows it. He also asked me to post these photos so the world can see just what a magnificent squirrel he is.



 So if you're not feeling too confident this morning...hold your head up high and take some "Akseli attitude" out into the world with you.

It works for Akseli, it might work for you too.

Challenge Accepted...

Minttu also plans to have fun this week....

The members of the Somero English Club are afraid of nothing. No challenge is too much. Twenty-five people turned up yesterday evening, including five new members, Liisa, Esko, Heidi, Juha and Linda (who is originally from the US). It was great to have some new faces with us and I look forward to getting to know them better over the next few weeks. I shared with everyone the challenge set for us by Anu Harkki to maximise our own well-being this week.

In the second group we collected together a list of activities that we plan to do this week in response to Anu's challenge. So Anu...if you read this... these are the ways in which the Somero English club have chosen to relax this week, I hope you like their ideas!

Raking the leaves in the garden, drawing, spending some time alone, starting a new herb garden, cutting firewood, bowling, going to a summer cottage, going for a walk in the forest, birdwatching, meditating, fishing, going to a caravan, listening to the Adele CD, chatting on skype with friends abroad, playing the ukelele and listening to relaxing music while lying on a bed doing nothing.


I hope that those who are reading this far from Somero also take the opportunity to do something this week just for the pure pleasure of it. Let me know what you get up to...happy relaxation!

Anu Harkki Challenges Somero

Many years ago I worked as a radio presenter in Helsinki. In this job I had the opportunity to meet famous people. It was interesting of course, but often I found that the image I had previously was nothing like the person I met in real life, and it was disappointing. Last night I am happy to say that the opposite happened.


I attended the talk given by Anu Harkki (for those reading from abroad, Anu is a television presenter here in Finland) in Somero and she was absolutley lovely. She was totally down-to-earth, excited about life, encouraging to others and showed not the slightest bit of arrogance about anything. She came across as the sort of person we would all like to have as our friend.

Anyway, Anu was in Somero to talk about how we can improve our lives and realise our dreams.  Of course with a topic like this I could not resist going.

The thing is, how many of us are caught up in a life that we don't really like anymore? How is it that so many people live a life that they feel stuck and unhappy in, and why are we so afraid to try and change it? Anu used to have a high position in a company, earned good money and was respected in her work. At the same time though she felt as though she was always rushing around doing things for other people and never had enough time for herself or her family.  This wasn't the life she felt she should be living, so she was frustrated as a result. Doesn't that sound familiar?

In her talk, Anu pointed to the five "I"s in Finnish. Itse, Intuitio, Innovaatio, Ilo and Inspiraatio. In English this are Yourself, Intuition, Innovation, Happiness and Inspiration. She went through each of these in turn and gave us some questions to think about. Her talk was all about maximising your happiness and enjoying life while we are still here to enjoy it. Some changes can be radical ones, such as the day she decided to give up her job and do something totally different, but others can be small ones, like eating fresh strawberries with your porridge for breakfast.

As she talked she also made a "dream board" out of an old picture frame which she covered with text from an old book. I thought it was quite appropriate for this blog that the book she used was a Finnish- English dictionary! I plan to make my own this week.

Anyway, I told her about the Somero English Club and our regular challenges, and she gave us our first celebrity challenge! It is simple but effective.

This week, each of us has to reserve some special time to do something (anything at all) just because it is something that we enjoy. Not for any other reason.  So there we are, as Anu pointed out yesterday, if we feel good ourselves then we will radiate that to other people. Positivity is infectious, so let's try and find some this week!

For those people who have not been to the English Club before, we are meeting tonight (18.30 for the first group and 19.30 for the more advanced at Kiiruun Tila in the centre of town), and the club will run every Tuesday except Vappu until the end of May. You are all welcome to join us. But wherever you are in the world, and whether you can make it to the club or not this evening, take Anu's challenge this week and do something this week just to make you feel good. I look forward to hearing your stories!

Almost Spring

Our pile of garden twigs was taller than Cameron

Oh hurray for the sunshine and the blue skies! I got up early this morning and went straight outside into the garden. The lawn was covered with twigs and branches that have fallen over the winter, particularly during the big storm on Boxing Day, so we spent three hours today collecting them together.

Working in the garden is great because you can exercise and do something useful at the same time. It was so satisfying to see the grass again!
Now we have a massive pile of twigs to get rid of but we are not the only ones with this problem.  We are thinking of clubbing together with our neighbours and getting a shredder which we can all use. Of course the big benefit of this plan is that someone will show me how to use it, because otherwise I wouldn't have a clue...

We enjoyed every minute of the sunshine. The boys were out on their bikes and tractors, and I planted the first outdoor flowers of the year. It's a bit early for Finland, but I have told them to think positive and they have promised me that they will do their best to stay alive.

First outdoor flowers of 2012 

I have never known anything about gardening (having grown up in a small flat in the middle of London), but this year I have big plans. I intend on growing all sorts of things in the garden, including strawberries, tomatoes and potatoes and all sorts of herbs. I will let you know how it goes.

Now I just have to keep my fingers crossed that it doesn't start snowing again tomorrow...

Blue Skies are BACK!

After two days of rain, I woke up this morning to find that the blue skies in Somero are back! Excellent.

Yesterday I visited Kohnamäki Bridge in search of the swans (Manu had told me that they were there a couple of days ago). It was very cold there and I only saw a solitary swan flying up above, along with ducks, crows and magpies, but I also got a shot of this bird in the picture.

Does anyone know what it is?  I looked in my bird book and I saw a couple which looked similar to this....but I'm still not sure.

I am sure that one of you outdoor Finns can tell me straightaway. Any ideas?

Growing Babies

Taija and Meri-Kukka, Jenni and Fanni and Maikku with Eelis and Minttu

I was looking through some photos this morning and I found this one of the Mums and babies in our babyclub which was taken earlier this year on 16th January.  Two days ago I took a similar photo when they all came back to visit and you can see how much they have all changed in just three months.

Teija and Minea join the party and Minttu gives Eelis her blessing...

I know it is a cliché, but babies grow up too fast!

They are not walking yet but they all know how to shout. Loudly. And their first steps are not far away.

I get the feeling that once they are all up on their feet we will need to employ a sheepdog to keep them all under control in order to have a coffee.

Let's see where we are in three months from now...I'll keep you informed.

Grey Skies Cover Somero

Despite trying always to find the positive side in things...there is no denying the fact that this is the colour of the sky here in Somero this morning. A dull shade of grey.

It is 4 degrees outside (although at least this is a plus and not a minus reading), and it has been raining now more or less consistently for two days. when I said I wanted the snow to go, I wasn't planning on this...

Put simply, if you are looking for positivity and inspiration this morning, you are not going to find it in the weather.  Not in Somero anyway.

On days like this I make a conscious decision in the morning that before I go to bed tonight I will write a list of all the positive things that happened during the day. Just that simple decision means that your brain is automatically tuned in to noticing the good things of the day rather than concentrating on the bad.

So, much as I long for the sun to come back, I refuse to be defeated by this morning's grey skies. I am on the lookout for things to put on my list this evening. You could try the same...you might be surprised to find that a day which starts out with grey skies does not necessarily have to end that way!

Have a good Saturday everyone!

Ella Takes us Orienteering!

Almost ready for the Olympics....

Kyösti was right last week when he said it is always good to try new experiences. Yesterday I had a text from Ella asking if I fancied going orienteering, and as this is something I have never done before I couldn't resist the challenge.









Ella showed us what to do!

I know that everybody who has grown up in Finland has probably been orienteering before they could even walk, but in England it is not nearly so common, and this was the first opportunity I have had to take part. I loved it!

In Somero the orienteering club is organised by Someron Esa, and meets every Thursday from mid April until mid September.  This week was the first meeting of the season. I couldn't believe how well organised it was! Each week you can choose the length of the course you wish to follow...2km, 3km, 5km or 7km. It must take hours for the organisers to get all the maps and routes and stops ready -we are so lucky to have all this organised for us right on our doorstep.





Orienteering is RUBBISH, thinks Luca

Ella and I chose to do the easiest of the routes as it was my first time there and I also had both Cameron and Luca with me. (There was also a course of 800m for small children but we decided to start with a "grown up" course even if it was a short one!) Each week the club meets at a different location somewhere within Somero. This week we were in Hovimäki and next Thursday will be in Sarininkulma.




we passed this overturned tree which I found spectacular

I have to be honest and say that I had no idea what to expect, but I haven't had such fun for a long time and am very grateful to Ella for dragging me along! If you like being outside, and you enjoy being very close to nature as well as having exercise, then orienteering is perfect because all these elements are combined in one activity.



Cameron enjoys a doughnut at the end

Cameron ran all the way round, but not surprisingly Luca had had enough by the time we were half way round and made it quite clear that he does not plan to go orienteering again any time soon.

There were coffee and doughnuts for everybody at the end, but the best thing was the atmosphere of the whole event. Everybody was made to feel welcome, and it didn't matter at all if you had no idea what to do.

So there you are...if you have a sense of adventure and you are looking for a new experience then this could be just what you are looking for!  Perhaps we will see you next Thursday in Sarininkulma! 

Bad Day Ends Well

It's funny how a day which starts really badly can still sometimes turn out really well. The beginning of today was horrible. There is a really negative atmosphere at work which the management refuse to acknowledge in any serious way.

The result is a large group of intelligent but unhappy people who feel demotivated but don't dare to say how they really feel for fear of losing the little bit of security they have. I had a series of difficult meetings today and came away with the feeling that there has to be another place for me out there somewhere, even if I am not sure where it is right yet.


Anyway, without going into any details, the first part of today was not great. Until I arrived at Jussi's Baari this evening that is, and then everything changed.

Tonight the two classes of the Somero English Club met for the first time and we had a meal together.

Some people were away this evening but there were still sixteen of us there, and after a horrible day at work, I was suddenly surrounded by people with whom I now feel really at home. We all come from different backgrounds. There is a large variety of ages amongst us, some are just starting out in life and others are retired.

Some people (myself included) are new to Somero, and others have lived here all their lives. Some of us have families and others do not. But despite all these differences, the group has come together and I genuinely believe that many of these new friendships will be lifelong ones. 

I hoped, the first time that we met back in January, that the Club would evolve and grow and that it would provide a place for us all to find new friends in the town in which we live. But I did not expect to find myself amongst such a group of special people. All I can tell you is that every Tuesday, when I leave the Club, I feel better than when I arrived, and that is because of the people who are in it. I hope that they know how special they are.

In any event, today was proof, once again, that even a bad day can turn into a good one, as long as you have friends to share things with.  These are mine, and I am proud to have them.

If you are anywhere near Somero and you want to meet some special people then the club is starting again next Tuesday and will run until the end of May. You would be very welcome to join us! Here's hoping for a good day tomorrow for all of us. Jody.

Hymnos, a Birthday, Bread and Wine

Cameron, Frédéric, Saskia, Lucie and her boyfriend Pekka

Easter Monday was a busy day for us. It was Luca's fourth birthday (Happy birthday Luca!) so he was excited all day, although I don't think he has yet realised that he is four. Luca's opinion is that he has been a "big boy" for a long time because his shoes are bigger than Niko's.

I am a big boy with big shoes....says Luca

Ella's bread was delicious

Manu came to visit and brought some home made wine which Frédéric tells me was excellent. Coming from a French man who enjoys a glass of wine that is a big compliment!

In the afternoon we had an Easter meal which included some bread which Ella from the English Club had baked herself. It was some of the best bread I have ever tasted!

Hymnos performing at Kiiruun Tila

Then this afternoon we visited Kiiruun Tila. Ruut from the choir had invited us to see a concert by a choir from Forssa called Hymnos.
There was a very warm and welcoming atmosphere at the concert. Niko found the music so comforting that he fell asleep on my knee, and then Minttu started blowing bubbles very loudly as though she was trying to join in with the singing.  Hymnos are coming back to perform in Somero at the end of May...I will keep you informed. They are definitely worth seeing!  So, I guess it's back to work tomorrow for most of us. Bon Courage for the week, as they say in France.

Tsemppiä. It's not that long until Vappu!

Easter Swans

Apologies to all those who attended the Easter Egg Hunt yesterday for Akesli's rudeness. Unfortunately he remains a little full of his own importance.

Happy Easter everyone! I hope you have had a restful weekend. I went for a drive in the car on the road from Somero to Forssa. Those of you who have been in that direction recently may have seen the swans which are currently living in the field by the side of the road. Apparently they come every year when they return from whichever warm place they escape to for the winter (lucky them...)

I managed to get a couple of photos. The swans let me get pretty close with my camera before they decided that enough was enough and they flew off. It is amazing to have such beautiful birds living so close to us... seeing them was the highlight of my weekend. I look forward to hearing yours soon!

Message from Akseli Himself

I have better things to do.....

Hello Somero.

I am writing to let you know thay I have had a message from my cousin the Easter Bunny in England. He was due to visit Somero tomorrow to deliver some Easter Eggs. Unfortunately the bad weather on "Good" Friday means he is now refusing to come and has asked me to step in and take his place.

Honestly. I really don't have time for this. I am an important and respected squirrel and really have better things to do.  But a promise is a promise. I am a squirrel who keeps his word.  You can have your eggs, but at a time and place that suits me, and you will have to find me first.
You need to fit in with my timetable, not the other way round.
Be at the Monitoimitalo at 10am tomorrow (Saturday).   I may be there or maybe not. 

Catch me if you can.....

Easter greetings, Akseli.

I Accept Kyösti's Challenge

Last night at the Somero English Club Kyösti issued us all a challenge.

"Do something this week that you have never done before."

OK. I accept. But it involves all of you. This is the plan......

Every year at Easter many English families arrange Easter Egg hunts for their families.  This is something that we do every year. But I have never before in my life organised an Easter Egg Hunt in Somero. This year I will. And this time the hunt is for all of you.

So...be ready. It will start at 10am on Saturday morning (7th April) in Somero town centre and will last around an hour. Everyone is welcome...English Club members of course, plus friends, partners, children, whoever.  I will give you the place to receive your first clue...and the rest is up to you. More details to follow.....

Baby in a Box

Sometimes in life you manage to find a simple solution to a problem.

Here is one of ours.

Minttu is now eight months old. She is a very happy baby who is obviously curious about the world and enjoys playing. Her problem is that she can't sit up on her own yet without falling over, and she gets frustrated if she is lying down all the time, so we needed to find a way to help her sit up and be able to play without hurting herself.

And here is the solution.  We used a plastic lego box for her to sit in. It fits her perfectly and now she is able to sit and play with her toys without falling over.

Of course not everything in life is that simple...but this time we solved a problem just by using a plastic box. And in case you have a crisis this week you can see that she is also has full control of a police helicopter, and says she is happy to come to your rescue should you need a helping hand.

Just when you thought it was spring....

....the snow comes back. And tonight there is bucketfulls of it.

Finland is stunning when everything is covered in white...but please....it is April for goodness sake. We have done our fair share of winter for this year, and I KNOW I am not the only one in desperate need of some sunshine. Both literally and metaphorically.

Still, I have just got back from Salo (at just before midnight) and there was something special about driving down a road covered in untouched snow. Even though I now want the snow to go away, being the first person to make tracks on those snow-covered roads made me feel that life is full of possibilities.  It is our challenge to go out there and find them.


Life can be really tough at times, but we all have the chance to leave our own little marks on the world, so on the way back home I stopped to take this picture of Joensuuntie which no-one has yet left their tracks on. There's something beautiful about that. Perhaps it might just inspire you to think about what sort of mark you would like to leave in the world.

Sweet dreams!