This Is What I Love The Most About Helsinki, The Sea. 

🌿✨ Finnish Midsummer Juhannus spells ✨🌿

Juhannus was originally a celebration for Ukko the supreme god of weather and harvest. It was also a time for making magic since the spirit world was more active at the time of the white nights. A loud feasting and drinking brought luck in love as well as a good harvest and kept the evil spirits at bay.

1. Roll in dew

If you roll around naked in a field, your future spouse will appear in your life within a year. Dew was believed to have a healing effect and rolling in it was supposed to make you beautiful and healthy. Earlier, dew was even collected in cloths and pressed into bottles for the year to come.

2. Put a spell on a field

Find a four-leafed clover from the yard in the evening. Hide the clover under your shirt, next to your bosom. When the clock strikes midnight, let your hair loose and run to the field. Go around the field three times. When the person of your fancy will eat bread made out of the wheat from that specific field, they will fall in love with you.

3. Collect seven flowers

Collect seven different types of flowers from as many meadows. When going to bed, put the bouquet underneath your pillow. You will see “the one” in your dream. Flowers and plants have an important role in Midsummer celebrations. Previously, it was common to scatter tree leaves on the floors and build tree houses in the yards. Even cows were decorated with garlands, so as to secure a good year for the cattle and milk production.

4. Sweep naked

Sweep your bedroom floor naked, just a red thread tied around your waist, and the ghost of your love will greet you.

5. Tie a sauna whisk, vihta

Vihtas are always made for the Midsummer sauna. They are usually made out of birch as its fresh leaves are soft and have a lovely fragrance. For your magic spell, the Midsummer bath whisk should be made out of eight different tree and flower types. After the sauna, throw the whisk on the roof of the sauna. Climb up after it and see whereto the stem of the whisk points. That is the direction from which your future spouse will come.

6. Make a bonfire

The smoke of the bonfire will turn to the person who will find their spouse next. When the flames start to go out, jump over the bonfire to bring luck in love.

7. Look into a mirror

When you put two mirrors opposite each other on a midsummer night, you can see your future spouse in the reflection of the other.

8. Listen to the first sound

In the wee hours of the night, climb up somewhere high – on a hill, on top of a fell or a big rock. To a place where it is easy to hear surrounding sounds. Your future spouse will come from the same direction as the first sound of the morning. If you hear music, it means an approaching wedding. If you hear a child crying, it is a sign of birth. The number of cuckoo sounds tells how many years you have to wait until you find love.

100 years of Finland

Even though I left my country in hope to make a home for myself in somewhere else I am still inspired and fascinated by Finland’s character, history and beauty. Finland has been discussed widely this year because of our 100th anniversary of independence. Lonely Planet recently ranked Finland as the third best travel destination and the country gets credits for safety and education among others.

Below I’ve listed some destinations which I haven’t yet seen but would love to someday. Leaving out most of the capital Helsinki, charismatic and growing Tampere and snowy landscapes of Lapland (you’ll find your way there anyway), doesn’t mean I wouldn’t appreciate them but I just wanted to add here some less known attractions. They don’t come in any particular order.

YYTERI BEACH

When you think about the beach destinations or even warm travel destinations, Finland might not pop in your mind. However in the city of Pori, west coast of the country, there lays the longest beach (6km) of Finland and Nordic countries. The dune area stands out with its size in the whole of Europe.

KOLI NATIONAL PARK

There are 40 national parks in Finland situated in different parts of the country. Many of them which I’d like to visit. But to choose one I reperesent the one in North Carelia, near the city of Joensuu. Koli has a heavy cultural heritage background and despite of its beautiful landscapes its purpose is to protect the traditional agricultural heritage. This area in particular has been inspiration to famous Finnish artists such as Jean Sibelius and Eero Järnefelt.

OLD RAUMA

One of the Finnish Unesco World Heritage Sites (7 in total) Old Rauma is located in west coast of Finland. The wooden city center represents a typical nordic city with its buildings going back for 200 years. For the same atmosphere or a city scene, there’s also Old Porvoo which is somewhat smaller but still a worth a visit and probably easier to reach within one hour drive away from Helsinki.

ÅLAND

Åland islands are almost 7000 islands conisting archipelago at the Gulf of Bothnia. It’s an autonomous and the only monolingually Swedish-speaking region in the country. It has only one town, Mariehamn. This is a popular destination for cycling and boating but having been situated between Finland and Sweden it has also interesting historical sights regarding the two nations. We did a school trip here when I was twelwe years old but clearly I was too young to appreciate the oppurtunity.

OLAVINLINNA

Olaf’s Castle, built on an island, is one the several castles from Middle Ages in Finland. It’s located in the city of Savonlinna in the eastern part of the country. Today it’s the northernmost medieval stone standing being founded in the 15th century. The site is famous for hosting annually Opera Festival since 1912. The location is handy because you can add to your trip a visit in the lake Saimaa (the biggest lake in the country) and in the national parks near by. Similar destinations would be the Castle of Turku and Häme.

 PETÄJÄVESI CHURCH

Also one of the Finnish Unesco World Heritage Sites, is the old wooden church situated in Petäjävesi in the central part of the country. It’s a masterpiece of what comes to buildings made out of wood being built in the 18th century. It was forgotten for decades since the new church being built in the area but today the church is a popular site among tourists and weddings. Represents typical eastern Scandinavian but it has details containing gothic style also. We visited once here with my folks when I was a kid but the church was closed so couldn’t get inside. So still on my bucket list!

TURKU

Turku, the oldest city of Finland, founded on the 13th century on the southwest coast of the country. Once a capital during the Swedish era is a still significant center of growth in Finland. Praised as the official Christmas city and summer city with a great atmosphere and ferry connections to Stockholm and Åland islands. The former European Capital of Culture (2011) is a venue for several events for all sizes and tastes. Famous for its riverside, mediaval sites the church and the castle, also the achipelago is worth of a visit! Despite of all these merits I just haven’t got in to the Turku mode and haven’t seen its uniqueness besides the medieval attractions so Turku is definitely on my bucket list!

ISLANDS OF HELSINKI

Many tourists only see the most famous attractions such as the city center and Suomenlinna but the city has these great island destinations which I just adore! Some of them being opened pretty recently and offer get aways from the busy city life with their beaches, restaurants, charming cafes, sport facilities, nature and sea landscapes.

The geography of my way

It has come a time for me to change scenery and this time permanently. Having lived abroad now twice (short term) and somewhat knowing what this process and making the decision takes I felt inspired to write about MOVING ABROAD. Even though after last days’ tragic events in UK... in front of these kinds of headlines - you always wonder your safety and choices affecting on it but there’s no stopping now. Or ever. 

“Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.” - Chinese proverb

Basically the rule of being prepared for everything or expect the unexpected would go here perfectly but never mind how many months or years you’ve been gathering information and prepared yourself for one of the biggest changes of your life, however YOU WILL NEVER BE READY.

There are million things which you cannot be prepared for.. like that the cheese is way more expensive here than what it was back home or that the ice cream section at your new local store only has magnum! Not to mention that the settling in the culture and society takes effort and huge amount of time and patience or way more of everything than what you ever expected. Moving abroad ain’t one of those romantized movies you’ve seen on tv.

“Travelling is a brutality.  It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home and friends. You are constantly off balance.” - Cesare Pavese

Travelling is hard work. Goes for a full day at the office. Who knew that just moving your ass from one place to another and your brain having to deal with ALL that information fed by your eyes, ears and body can be so exhausting! But it is the adrenaline, the feeling of experiencing something new and unique that makes us learn, grow, change and so, to go back for more. Not necessarily to the same destination but just to hit the road again. During my travels the part I’ve ALWAYS hated is the part of coming back. So this time I’ll skip that one.

Before making the actual BIG decision of moving abroad you should understand that being on a vacation ain’t the same thing as living and working there. Life will have its routines, dull moments and troubles even across the borders which I imagine are similar to the ones you’ve already had in someplace else. There’s no running from it. It’s just the other side of the coin that makes you wanna stand the negative parts better. Whether it’s the sunnier culture or a better job or whatever that gives you the energy and desire to make it to another day but living without these positive things, life can be pretty heavy to bear.

Planning is always THE FIRST STEP, at least for me. Some do it without but it does smooth the way. Destination, practical things like working and living, then comes the paying taxes, having health and banking services. What about the currency? Do you speak the language? If you need to change/learn the last two things double the amount of work and time you will have to put in to survive! The beginning of the road is rarely easy and the unexpected part will come across more than once.

UNDERSTAND that you’ll be actually living away, you decide how far, from your family and friends. Your favourite things, tv shows and ice creams, everything you’ve called yourself a home and all that comfort will soon be gone. Then we’ll hit to the another painful thing. YOUR STUFF. You’re gonna have to give it all up. Everything apart from one or two suitcases and that my friend ain’t much. Unless you’ll have a storage (quite pricey in a long run) or another place (parents’ most often) where you can stuff them into. And to be honest, when I was in Canada for a year there wasn’t much I actually missed from my things in Finland. Unless you’re moving to the South Pole there will be stores and trust me you will be doing some serious shopping and buying new things that will replace the old ones.

I still don’t know what is it that makes me happier living abroad than home or what makes me go back to it. Especially coming and going, packing and unpacking, moving in and out which is so NOT my favourite thing to do. Wanderlust is is remarkable thing. There’s something very charming about starting over in a new place. There are no mistakes to be sorry for or things to regret. There’s the adrenaline whether you’ll make it and freshness of not having been embarrassed in front of anyone yet. And the feeling of uniqueness in each moment when you live something, meet someone, feel something. And having the power of your life in your hands knowing that any of this wouldn’t be happening without your leap of faith.

“Always do what you’re afraid to do.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Taking action is unique because we’re living in a world where people are talking mostly shit to be honestly. A lot of if’s, but’s, maybe’s and someday’s. I find this incredibly annoying. I wanna believe that I do have a control over my life and I can have an effect how and when things happen to me. You’re the only one that can make things like this happen to you and the only one stopping them happening. 

It’s also kind of cool thing to do. People will come to you to hear your stories but also give their respect for the big transformation you’ve been able to do in your life. It’s also equally rewarding to share these stories I OWN. Indeed my travels, experiences, memories and friends made are the most valuable things I’ll ever have. And if people don’t see the beauty and wisdom of it, then you’ll know they might not be your kind of people… or people who’d do the same as you. And that’s okay.

When on the road it does make you question yourself, who you are and where you come from and what is that you hope to become. You’ll learn new things, languages, habits, friends and still keeping the old ones, the best part of the past with you. Living abroad gives you perspective, contrast which is hard to predict in advance but afterwards you can’t remember a life without it.

Time is a Purchase

Allô!

How people do this five-days-working-week I'll never know! Been super busy again.. Pics aren't really great since they aren't mine but haven't had the time to go through the ones in my camera yet... #nextpostpromise

At work things are going well. Obviously since I haven't had the time to write this post earlier. Still tons of things I don’t know… but within time I guess. Despite of the fact that I’m on call employee shifts have been coming in every day Mon-Fri almost for two weeks now which I’m super happy and relieved about. The shifts vary between 7AM to midnight. But I have nothing against that cause I’m used to not to have a nine-to-five job. The change suits me.

Done a lot of just basic game testing but also some translations. Both have their pro’s and cons. But the coolest or the nicest thing at this job has nothing to do with the video games but with the people who work there.  Even being one of the hundreds of employees I can still feel like being a part of a team. People are super friendly and helpful and even thou they might not remember your name but they say hello to you while passing by and ask how you’re doing or which project you’re working on now.  Gotta say that, one of the best working atmospheres I’ve ever worked in. So far. 

There are obviously a lot of Canadians/quebecois but also people from all over the globe. Making friends happens pretty naturally. English is used more as a “working language” but French is terribly common too. So far I’ve been the only Finn in the house but there should be a couple of more starting soon which is nice as long as that doesn’t affect on my working hours. Hoping that the things keep on going the way they have so far.

(Tubing!! - Pic from VisitezMTL)

Meanwhile when I haven’t been working, I’ve been doing all sorts of super fun canadian winter activities which could easily be finnish winter activities too I guess. So far been on a ferris wheel, eaten maple-syrup-taffy-pops (check the pic in my previous post), done tubing and skating which the later was the first time for a decade! And I did not even fall! Winter outdoor stuff has been more fun than what I remembered. Those of you reading this and being afraid of northern winter weather, I can assure you that the snow and cold have their moments! As long as you dress up properly.  

Also despite of my lack-of-enthusiasm for ice hockey I dared to go out and watch the match CanVSFin. I gotta admit that there was a quite nice and inspiring atmosphere. Three finnish girls against the entire sport bar full of canadians. Finland didn’t win but I still had a great time and the closest experience I think I’ll ever get to the canadian-hockey-mania. #mtlmoments

(Damn..... )

For the first time during my stay here in Montréal, I finally feel like I belong in somewhere and that I’m a part of something. That my existence matters for someone or something.  I’m so glad that after all the struggles I was stubborn (read: crazy) enough to stick around and be patient. Not that I’ve been having the crappiest time of all, over here but everything feels quite right at the moment.

Even at the gallery where I popped in last Saturday for helping out with a short event, people were like “Where have you been??” since I hadn’t been in for three weeks. This feeling is a result of perfect combination of going to a work you enjoy going to and having great friends to enjoy all the fabulous things this city has to offer. And I know that there must be people out there, reading this and thinking that she must have found a boyfriend… but noup. I’m perfectly happy without one. In my opinion, there are lots of great things in life that don’t include a man. #justsaying

(Pic from VisitezMTL) 

Speaking of.. all the fabulous things that MTL offers.  Montréal en Lumière (in light) is one of the most praised events in the city. It’s been going on now for a week and its program includes everything from performing arts, gastronomy to free outdoor activities that will all culminate to La Nuit Blanche this Saturday. “The white night” will be an entire night filled with awesome activites, many of them free, all over the city – it’s seriously difficult to choose where to go! Pure AWESOMENESS!! http://www.montrealenlumiere.com/nuit-blanche-en/

I don’t know which one I’m more excited about, La Nuit Blanche this Saturday or Laura Pausini concert (this time I'm really going!) almost one week from now, which the later one I’ve decided to go after all! #futureMTLmoments

"A friend is like that". Happy Valentine's Day everybody! :)

Nazare, the surfing paradise

Just can't stop praising this event! #igloofest #mtlmoments

How should voting system be changed in Eurovision?

So..... Community is buzzing about the results of the Grand Final and especially the voting system. I find it unlikely EBU wouldn’t change the system in somehow considering how huge is the people’s reaction and they did drop the juries from semifinals last year so... Anyhow here are some options. 

1. JURIES ARE DROPPED FROM EUROVISION ENTIRELY 

France 2023. 

I don’t think this will happen. First of all, there are too many delegations and countries that benefit from the jurers. Second, it wouldn’t change the problem. Last year folks were crying why Juries didn’t stop Ukraine winning with sympathy televotes. People don’t always know the best and we do make decisions based on politics etc soo.. Every year we’re not happy with either side of voting system but I do believe we need both sides to continue in the contest. 

2. JURIES PERCENTAGE WILL BE DROPPED 

Currently jurers hold 50% of the votes in the final (semifinals it’s only televote). In some national finals their percentage is less and people votes have more impact. If this scenario did happen, would it be 30%? 40%? 45%? 

Ukraine 2023. 

3. JURERS WILL BE INCREASED TO ADD DIVERSITY OF THE VOTES 

Currently there are 5 jurers / country. Would adding more people bring diversity of giving the points? Because they often are surprisingly aligned on their big favourites. They should be musical professionals or media professionals experticed in music industry and they’re not allowed to talk about the acts to each other or have any connection to the delegations, artists etc. 

4. BRINGING IN 3RD VOTES (TELESCOPIC)

Georgia 2023. 

Sanremo and Benidorm Fest use Telescopic votes. I think they have 15-25% impact to the final points. This might help to smoothe the biggest differences between audience and the jurers or make the final decision in some cases perhaps. 

5. KEEPING JURERS BUT MAKING JURY SHOW PERFORMANCES PUBLIC 

Currently only the audience that bought the tickets to Jury shows and press sees the actual Jury show. Would it be better to add visibility here by publishing the performances later on Youtube? 

Armenia 2023. 

6. KEEPING JURERS AND CHANGING CRITERIA 

So the current criteria being: 

Vocal capacity of the artist(s)

Performance on stage

Composition and originality of the song

Overall impression of the act

Every year the entries outside of pop genre seem to be receiving less Jury love. Jurers should represent different genres and parts of the industry though to appreciate rock, rap entries for example. I wonder is the singing overly hyped in the criteria and should there be different guidelines for it because you can’t judge pop song singing and rock song singing in the same way. 

7. KEEPING JURERS BUT MAKING THEM VOTE ALL THE ACTS 

Croatia 2023. 

Again to make the jury votes more even and less in favour for the big favourites only, would it help if they’d judge ALL the entries? Having limitations on how many 12 points etc you can give of course. This would also solve the zero points dilemma. 

8. KEEPING JURIES BUT CHANGING TELEVOTING TO VOTE 3 ACTS WITH THE SAME PRICE 

In Junior Eurovision public must choose 3 different acts I believe. Not sure how this would work but it would help diving the points instead of people voting for their one and only favourite. In years like these when we have such a strong televote favourites like Finland and Sweden, they tend to suck all the votes and there isn’t much left to anyone else. We saw the televote scores being quite small even for songs that were loved (Austria, Moldova, Czechia etc)

Portugal 2023. 

9. KEEPING THE JURIES BUT CHANGING TELEVOTING FOR FREE

They do this in Melodiefestivalen I think. They’ve built up an app just for voting where voting is free. Again people wouldn’t just vote for the number 1 favourite but several acts and this would also perhaps prevent the unpleasent zero points situations. 

What are your thoughts on the voting system in Eurovision and how would you change it? 

Coruña was so amazing and of course there is this “my last foreign trip” vibe as you can’t travel now..