Tampere, Imatra

I love Finland because it has been snowing every single day when I was here! I also learned that there are something like 20 different words to describe snow depends on its size, moisture and so on. Winter is really significant here as the daylight is really short and precious for everyone. I think I'll have to come back during summer as I am yet to be convinced that there are other colours apart from black, white and grey in this country. It has been lovely to be back to Finland again and visiting old friends and new babies (I didn't expect to do all those baby talks!) Oh! And all the Finnish street/name/nouns are still too long and hard to pronounce

Tampere

• I had to take Taxi from the airport to their place. It was scary as I have Taxi-phobia. Fortunately, it was okay.
• They both gave me big hugs. It felt very surreal for him that I am actually here, but I have got over that after travelling for 3 weeks.
• Whispering as the little one was sleeping. He has been the one whose life changes the most among all of us in the last 4 years - got married, settled down and had a kid, but as I looked into his eyes, I felt that nothing has changed between us or at least I still feel the same way as 4 years ago.
• She was smiling at me as I opened my eyes. Hello, little one!!! Surprisingly, she wasn't afraid of me and made me really proud :)
• Sightseeing: SNOW!! Doughnut cafe, tower which made bullets, lakes, forest and more forest, little Prague, Venice place, library etc.
• Baby/Parenting Talk; from giving birth, how to breast feeding, how does it feel, how often, how to have the gender you want for your babies, to what I think they should do to have some rest, which I think I was probably over the top as I should be the last person tell them what to do, but I am really concerned about their stress-level.
• Sauna - I did the Finnish Way this time, i.e. NAKED! :$
• Baby crying night! Maybe it's because that I have been stealing her food (yum!), cloth and toy :$ I really can understand how tired it could be as parents.
• "I'm sorry that I haven't been in touch..."
• When we hugged, I understand how she felt, and he will always be my BP in my heart.
• Food: Salad, cheese, ham, fresh made doughnut, coke ice cream (I am not recommending anyone to try it), salmon, baby food (yum), non-alcohol hot wine, chicken pie, Varrasleipa (Dark bread)

Imatra

• I don't know how they manage it because I was so sleepy after just ONE lack of sleeping night!
• She looked so Finnish!
• Checking out all the shops. Don't worry, I didn't buy anything! I am still trying to justify that dress I bought from London!
• Her new home is so nice and so her. I was starting to get claustrophobia in Tempare, so it was so nice to be spoiled by so much space!
• Last time we watched a Thai movie in Finnish (she translated the whole movie for me). In order to keep this tradition (that we watched unusual programme), we watched Pilates this time! And some normal 007 movie, snowman and Finnish Rolii.
• A nice catch up, again about grieving, life and being survivors
• I met my Finnish kid who I left behind last time. She is four now and she is adorable!!! She thinks I am "nicely" silly :$
• Snowman, snow fight, snow-wash, ice lantern, snow licking, snow angle and ice-skating. Yay! SNOW!
• The church of three crosses (by Alvar Aalto). I also got a present designed by him :)
• What? Finns don't do kisses on the cheeks? :o Those european customs are so different!
• A special tour in Valtion Hotel. Her friend is a professional tour guild, so we had a privilege private tour in this castle-like hotel. It was a very informative tour and I learned all sort of interesting stuff.
• Food: loganberry cake, salmon pizza, Portugal wine, Jaffa (chocolate lemon cookies) from my cute Finnish kid, Reindeer meat with potato mash and loganberry jam, Karjalanpiirakka (rice bread), ice cream (cranberry with caramel - this one is good), many different chocolate bars, garlic bread, blueberry pie