juhannus

so, midsummers went by. pretty nicely after all, even if the dancing i planned, the forging and the kokko (big bonfire) didn't happen, for various reasons. some of my friends came to my mom's house for the weekend, we ate well and drank nicely too. had some games and did some traditional juhannustaika -magics... :)

the spirits of juhannus

a nice bloke stayed over for about two weeks, and we went to northern carelia with him, my mum and leo. and spent some relaxing time at a summer cottage far away from everything.
now i work and plan to finish my thesis.
and take active steps to make the big trip to asia more concrete.
living my life a bit by bit.
making history repeat itself over and over again.

hot start for the summer

the sun shines as it has just realized how to make finnish people to smile and talk.
the change is amazing, young and old men and women greet when passing by, laugh aloud, talk to strangers, chat to bus drivers, walk outside, gather in groups to enjoy the warmth and the light. suddenly oulu seems like a more lively city, very much unlike in the winter when i wonder if anyone lived here at all.

friends, old and new, make me smile every day. as does the sun, the freedom that summer brings, the big G that is slowly starting to get its final form.

      

and now, when i'm living for a week with a family with 3 kids, i remember why kids are thought to be so lovely and how much happiness they can bring...

• one gets hugged every morning accompanied with sweet smiles full of anticipation and excitement
  
• one can cuddle sweet creatures that climb on your lap
• one can tell stories that light the fresh and eager faces
• one can go to funny field trips where-ever imagination leads
• every morning is different and a new start
• moments seem more precious
• time runs fast
• one can play, paint, draw, make face-paints, do arts and crafts, sing, read, run, dance, tell jokes, act funnily... and it's all cool.

yep. and next week back to my thesis, my final exam, moving to south, and working.
:) enjoy the beginning of summer!

end of may...

it's strange. knowing these are the last days here.
in oulu.
four years, looooong time in my life to be in one place.
i love it. this feeling.
enjoying the last moments, sucking it all in: the sun, the wind, the laughter.
the beautiful faces of my friends.

a bit excited and scared of the other kind of life waiting.
not knowing what it will be like.
future.

went to dublin, btw. some pics here:


Maria and I
The great hunger
in Bray

A sweet couple , aren't they?

Keith, Me, Molly Malone, Maria and Antti