Like Never Before

Matt (Drums), Mikey (Guitar) & Me :)

I'm back in Austria for 2 weeks again and it's the strangest feeling to come home after 3 months of living in Finland. The landscape is different, mountains everywhere, there's no city life around, but that's not the point - what's changed is me, I feel like there's something missing. (Must be the lack of concerts here ;D) When I left the plane at Munich airport, I was really glad that I'll be returning to Finland soon, even though I was looking forward very much to seeing my family and friends again and also walking on homeland. I guess that's what Päivi warned me of when she said to take care for I will not be the same as before.
Maybe I just need a little time to get used to it again and after all, I've got some plans for these 2 weeks too.

--

Just before departing from Helsinki, I was at a concert of

"Baby Jane" 

and 

"The 69 Eyes" 

I went there with Rodrigo, a friend that I hadn't seen since 2,5 months and despite of the fact that he was almost an hour late, I enjoyed myself like I haven't done in ages! The 69 Eyes were great, but I was even more happy because of Baby Jane. I hadn't heard of them before, but they were a real surprise! - Everyone who doesn't know them yet:

What was probably really special was that they didn't only bring up a great show, but just looking at them I could feel how much they were enjoying it, how much they love making music. And this feeling was contagious to the audience as well! Also after the concert, they were all friendly, not hiding themselves in the backstage area, allowing photos and talks, giving autographs....and when I came near, Mikey even spoke up to me and said that he remembered me from the show *-*
I hope they'll have more concerts coming up soon!

(more photos to come as soon as I can use my own computer again)

It's almost the end of the year and I think this band was my best discovery of 2012! I just love their music <3
When I came home, my little brother and his friends welcomed me with Jägermeister and he showed me his new audio equipment, so the first thing I did this morning was to put my new CD from the concert in there and turn up the volume! lml

...maybe I should go to Sweden sometime soon too :D

Thank You!! ...for 1.000 Pageviews ^.~ / Sauna & Ice-Swimming

Today I'd like to say "Thank you" to all of my readers - you're best!
It's been 3 months now every since I came to Finland and opened this blog and I'm so proud that this week we could reach 1.000 (!!) pageviews!

Please keep it up! I'm looking forward to these next months already.

________________________

So, yesterday I was at Rauhaniemi (northern Tampere) with my workmates to enjoy sauna and  ice-swimming.

I felt so crazy! Honestly, this has at least a little hint of insanity and masochism xD

...but anyways, it's a great opportunity that everyone should try and definitely an unique experience!

After changing in the dressing room, we had to walk outside in the snow at -10/-15°C already to the sauna and then again to get to the lake. It was sure freezing and in the end a question of courage whether we decide to take a swim or not! 

I went to the lake 3 times, always "sauna - lake - sauna - lake - sauna..." and so did Despoina and Sini, only Andi chose not to come...and Päivi couldn't make it to the sauna, because some unexpected changes in her time schedule appeared.

When attempting to swim in the ice-cold water for the first time, my body instinctively tried to curl up and I knew that I had to get out as long as I was still able to climb the stairs...crazy!

As freezing as it was outside, it was really hot inside! I stayed only for a little time on the top row of the sauna, it wasn't like I felt extremely hot, but it became somehow difficult to breathe, so I moved one step down later. 

Besides, the usually reserved Finns seem to become unusually talkative during sauna too, it was quite interesting talking to them and learning new things about Finland.

After all of that, I felt active and exhausted at the same time, because of the adrenaline and the effort of taking the challenges.

Then, we went to Andi's place, had some Finnish meal with Greek salad and then played Monopoly (Helsinki Version). It didn't become too late though, since we were all rather tired and apparently decided to go home. 

Still, it was a great evening, so thank you to everyone that participated. :)

Since I didn't take any pictures yesterday, I went to the beach again today and took some nice ones. It was a really breathtaking view, but see for yourselves:

This is Näsijärvi :)

A Lot To Tell

Dear reader,

I'm really sorry for not updating for so long - however, I finally found time and motivation to do so! :)

___


Snow has finally come to Tampere too these last days and it's growing colder every day. They say on Monday we'll already have -18°C - should I rather be scared or look forward to it? ;P


At work, everything's still going well. I've been intrusted to take responsibility for the childrens' christmas calendar, together with Despoina. So she's doing clay figures and I've been working the whole 2 last weeks on making a puzzle with all the kids and teachers drawn on it, Middle Ages style. I have to confess, it was a lot more work than I believed it would be, but I had fun doing it and I'm happy with how it turned out to be:

It was also quite a challenge to prevent the kids from seeing it as soon as I started colouring it, since it should be a surprise.


So there's 20 days left until I'm flying back home and thinking about it, I'm missing my friends and family more than ever >.< I'm really looking forward to meeting all of them again, but people here in Finland don't need to worry that I might not be coming back after Christmas, for I'm also already thinking how much I will miss my time here after June!


Yet, before going home, there's still almost a month to make some great memories and another thing I'm looking forward to is watching "Hobitti"!! :D
I've always been regretting that I was just a little too young when "Lord of the Rings" conquered the cinemas, but this time, I'll definitely won't miss the chance! *o*


Today, I'm also having "Pikkujoulu", something like a Pre-Christmas-Party with my workmates - we're going  to Sauna, ice-swimming and then food, drinks and whatever else we might come up with ;D
Right now, it's -10°C outside and it's snowing non-stop...thinking that on top of that I'm going to enter an ice cold lake in some hours already sends me shivers down my spine, but you never know how it is until you try - YAY!!! ...I feel crazy though xD


Oh, and look what else I have found - I've been waiting for this picture to come online:

Hihi, can you see me? xD