More Dance Camp Photos

With another Easter Dance camp over, everyone who took part has been left with new dance moves, new memories and new friends. Here are some more photos of our last day at camp. Thank you to everyone who made it such a great Easter weekend. I hope many of you will come back to our Somero dance venues over the summer. Look forward to seeing you again soon :)

Magic Moments

Jarkko and Maija at the Somero dance camp

One of the nicest things about life is how wonderfully unpredictable it can be. Let's be honest, most of us have days sometimes when there doesn't seem much point to anything. But if you just remember to hang on in there, all of a sudden the wind changes and you are thrown a piece of good fortune - or your path crosses with someone who you just know will be a friend for life.  

Well, I reckon I must be sitting under a lucky star at the moment, because that is exactly what has happened to me three times in the last seven days. 

Having spent a difficult couple of weeks in the UK clearing out my parents' house (anyone who has done this job will know what I mean) - last weekend, just when I needed my spirits lifting,  the stars brought me Harry, who lives in my old home town of Darlington. Apart from our shared love of salsa, within minutes we found ourselves talking as if we had known each other for years.


Harry dancing salsa at the Cantina in Darlington

The result was that instead of leaving England feeling overwhelmed by the challenge of trying to clear a house in another country, I left feeling excited to have found someone I know will always be a part of my life.  How do I know this? I just do.

But as if this wasn't enough, I then got back to Somero - and within just 24 hours had met both Jarkko and Maija. The three of us felt an instant bond which I cannot even begin to explain.

Some friendships can develop over many years, but others occur within an instant. You meet someone, supposedly by chance, and just know immediately that they will come to be a part of your life from then on. It doesn't happen very often, but when it does, it feels as though something magic has occurred. I can't explain why I have been blessed with these three people this week, I am simply glad that they have appeared.

So, if you're feeling a little down as you read this, hang on in there, as there may well be some magic waiting round the corner for you too. And believe me, those are the moments that are worth waiting for. Happy Easter everyone.

Somero Dance Camp

Easter in Somero means that the town is full of dancers from all over the country. People come from everywhere to take part in lessons from beginners to advanced level during the day and then go and party in the evenings. Tonight is the opening night of the Esakallio dance venue,  and it is likely to be packed.

I have just got home from a bugg lesson with Jones Kainulainen (for those of you not in Scandinavia, the bugg is a Swedish dance, with footwork similar to a merengue, but less sexy and faster).

Rather than take up space with words about the atmosphere, here are some pictures from Somero this afternoon. Happy Easter to you all!

 

Six Today

Six years ago today I was in Colmar hospital, in France, listening to a track called "Mercy" by Duffy. After quite a difficult labour, I had just given birth to Luca. Since then, that song has always reminded me of Luca's arrival into the world. It was a happy day.

Luca and our friend Anne celebrating their birthdays and making a wish

Brothers Cameron and Luca

Six years later, a lot has changed. Luca has two new siblings, Niko and Minttu, and he has also become an uncle to baby Tiana. We are all now living in Finland. There have been hard times,  but a lot of happy ones too. Despite being only six, Luca has known for some time that he is going to be a fireman when he grows up.

Our friend Anne Siekkinen had her birthday yesterday, so we enjoyed a joint birthday cake, and I understand that several wishes were made!

I asked Luca what it felt like to be six, but he said it wasn't really any different to being five, except that now he had a scooter and he didn't have time to talk to me anymore because he wanted to go outside and play on it.

Which is a valuable lesson for us all really. Much more important to go outside and enjoy life than hang around listening to your Mum asking a bunch of silly questions. Happy birthday to both Anne and Luca, you both mean the world to us :)