Thank Goodness for Webmail Access to Work E-mail...

I knew I was about to forget to do something today. And I did. I was supposed to send this list of invitees to another place by the end of the day. Well, I was so busy with so many other things that this whole thing basically slipped my mind and didn't hit me again after I was in the shower. Thank goodness I had all the info on my work e-mail AND I've got access to it from home. So, I put the list together and sent it away -- well, not quite by the end of work day but by the end of day anyway.

On other news.

My place is coming together nicely. I finally got the couch last week. I bought an area rug this weekend. Today I purchased a clock to put on my wall so that I won't have to keep guessing what time it is. The only things still missing are decent curtains and some pictures on the walls that are a bit bare still. I need to consult hubby about the pictures because I'd like to have some of our Florida photos framed along with some other pictures either hubby or I have taken...

A random thought.

Last night when I was watching the Finland's Next Top Model (yeah, I know, it's the same format as is America's Next Top Model) I couldn't but "Duh!" on some of the girls' comments regarding whatever. First, there were only four girls left and they were taken to a pole dancing lesson to learn control they body better. Some of the girls were completely disgusted of the entire idea because they only associated the whole thing to strippers and such and how it was below their moral concept, blah blah. Anyway, what they manage to ignore of the whole thing was how great exercise it was as a form of aerial acrobatics to learn to control their body better. Not very professional.

Another thing was when they participated in a music video shoot and were given quite stereotypical roles to play. One of the girls had to emphasize in the interview part how she dislikes being put into those stereotypical, sexist roles to play. Well, duh! You hate what you're doing yet you want to be a model? Isn't that a bit controversial? At that point I was so rolling my eyes and shaking my head.

Crystal Skull

Hubby and I went to see the new Indiana Jones movie this weekend. As I'm a fan of the previous ones, I liked this one as well. I thought it was good entertainment and worth seeing in the theater. But at times Harrison Ford looked sooooo OLD! Well, he's no young lad anymore, but still. After all, he'll be 66 this June... Nevertheless, he's the only real Indy.

It Happened Again

Nothing to bitch about = not much to blog about. Yeah, that's my story. Whenever my life's in the gutters or my nose in the dirt, I seem to have all the topics in the world to write about. But when all's good, my brain just shuts off as far as blogging is concerned.

But yeah, life's good. I'm enjoying my job and don't really mind putting in long hours to get everything done. I like it in my "city flat" even though I still don't have a couch (will get it on Wed). Hubby and I are doing good, too. The only downside is that I miss Cati. And I think she misses me some, too. This weekend she just stayed close to me lot of the time, sleeping happily on my lap or purring her heart out when I picked her up. On Sunday morning I found her sleeping right in my arms. It was so sweet.

A House on a Hill

One of the good things about now living partly in Helsinki is that I have to walk a lot more than I do in Turku. You see, I don't have a car and really don't need one because the public transportation (bus, train, tram and subway) system is quite efficient in the metropolitan area. So, I can access even quite remote destinations with reasonable effort.

The walking comes in more when I want to go from point A to point B in my neighborhood. For example getting groceries means that I have to walk to the nearest store (less than 10 minutes away) or to a bigger store for 15-20 minutes. This is actually a good thing because I've kind of missed doing it. Besides, it's also good exercise because while getting from A to B you are actually exercising but with a benefit of actually doing it for a reason. And I think this kind of exercise is actually the best kind to me at this point.

Anyway, I went to the bigger store today. Getting there was more or less down hill, which meant that I had to come uphill on my way back. So, that was even more beneficial because I was carrying back the stuff that I got... And it doesn't really matter which route I decide to take because the building I live in is on a hill. Since I live on the 6th floor I've got a pretty awesome view. I will have to take pictures on a nice day to show you.

I admit that I really like the walking part now when the weather's nice and it's getting warmer. I might not like it as much in fall / winter when it's wet, windy, cold and icky... But I rather not worry about it now. It's not the time or place for it now.

Ikea is a dangerous place

So, I went to Ikea today to get some "essentials" for my new place. I got a whole bunch of stuff and walked out about 170 euros (with current exchange rate, that's about USD 260) lighter. One of the things I got was a Malm 2-drawer chest in medium brown. I actually like assembling the Ikea stuff because the directions and which nuts and bolts to use are always so clear, hence I've already put the chest together and it's in its place as my new night stand.

One of the novelties I've got here is a gas stove. I've never had one but I keep hearing how great it is. I'll just have to start cooking more to find out.

I also went shopping for some other stuff and I think I've pretty much shopped out for a few weeks now... I think my bank account thanks me for refraining from major purchases for a little while.

Hello from Helsinki

Couple of the first things to get for my Helsinki place were to get a TV and get connected to the Internet. I placed on order for the TV this past Sunday, picked it up today and while at it, got the Internet connection via cable. Nevermind that I still don't have a couch (I'll get it a bit later) and that I haven't completely unpacked either. Plus, I need to pick up my bag from a friend with whom I was staying... Oh, and we (hubby and I) will be making a "quick" trip to Ikea tomorrow to get some of the things I didn't have available at home to take with.

So, the settling in has started.

7th

The entire month of April has been pretty hectic and life changing so to speak. And the momentum is now forward and upward after being stagnant for so long. And it feels great.

I just noticed that I completely ignored / didn't notice / remember my Xangaversary because I've been so preoccupied with so many other things. (Well, duh!) April 9th marked my 7th Xangaversary. So, that pretty much makes me one of the early Xangans -- and I'm not planning on going anywhere. This place certainly grows on you and becomes part of your life in ways I couldn't have imagined when the notorious "Bianca" lured me in... But yeah, Xanga's a keeper.

Red

My most recent jobs have all been in companies that have been more or less brand oriented. Either they've been an established and well-known brand or they've been in the beginning of process of getting there. My new job isn't any less brand oriented, as a matter of fact it's focused on strengthening other companies' brands.

There's also one combining element between my new and the two previous jobs: red. All of the three companies have had red as one of their brand colors.

I hadn't really thought about it until it just occurred to me when talking with one of my co-workers. It's actually a curious detail of subconscious choice. Apparently I'm appealed to companies that want to present themselves as energetic and passionated about their business amongst other things.

For real, it's just a coincidence.

But yeah, I've got my first week down in my new job and all's going well. I've learned a lot and I enjoy being there. Sure it's all new now and the feeling of novelty will wear off but it's still looking good -- and they love having me there. I get to move in to my rental apartment in the end of next week so it'll help me to settle in better. I've been staying with a friend now -- and I'm grateful to her that she's offered a helping hand in this situation. I really don't know how to thank her and her husband enough.

Helsinki isn't though a strange city to me. As a matter of fact I've even worked there before when I was still in school 10 years ago. But living there is a new thing to me. Oh well, it's going to be an adventure for a while, then it's just an every day thing. Same with traveling back and forth between Helsinki and Turku...

It feels great that things are back on track again after being off track for such a long while.

Wow!

I got the apartment I wanted. I went to see it today and the landlady called me right after and told that she would like to sign the lease with me. So, back I went and signed the lease... Now I've got a place to stay in Helsinki from May 1st on.

Yay!

A good thing that has happened to me recently is finding and getting a new job almost out of the blue. All this happened in matter of days really. I've covered this issue in my previous posts where you can find more details.

Another good thing is to truly realize how wonderful my friends really are and how they're willing to reach out in time of need. That is actually even better than getting the new job.
  

I just answered this Featured Question, you can answer it too!