5 posts tagged “christmas”
We've gotten some new neighbors in the apartment above us. They've been arguing a few times, very loudly, but now it seems they've found each other again.
Very loudly, and all over the apartment.
Judging from the moans and screams last night, it seems the female half of the relationship also found "my Gaaaawd!".
You guys think it's bad for the neighborly environment to put a "kudos on the biatch"-sign in the hall?
Below, a pic of santas little helper whom we found one night before christmas, roaming around, re-arranging the presents:
Tons of food. 2 sets of parental units visited, siblings included. Heeps and heeps of presents. No way I was this good of a girl. Hundreds of km:s traveled. Grandparents hugged, 2 sets. Elve caught red-handed (I'll post a pic of it later).
That's the short version of our christmas. The long version includes ham at his parents, and a smoked turkey at mine. 6 different dishes of fishes (teehee) and lots of other great stuff like different casseroles and moose-meat-balls. We both ate and drank like it would be the last time we saw food again. But then again, Sami lost 1,5kg by just sleeping 8 hours, so the food was probably much needed...
I got a ton of stuff. I didn't wish for practically anything but people got me piles of things for christmas. Sami gave me a pair of skis (blue ones!), ski-socks, ski-underwear, ski-shoes. All as blue as they come. It was a really great present, because I used to love to ski as a kid, but then I grew 15 cm in a year, a few years in a row, so there was no point in buying new stuff, and then it kinda just went by. I probably don't know how to ski anymore, but I'll sure as hell try!
When we get some snow.
Mom gave me useful advice when I txt-messaged her (because we spent the 24th at work and with Sami's parents). She told me to be careful not to fall in yellow snow. I <3 my parental unit.
Sami also gave me some fluffy slippers and a book that was titled something along the lines of "how not to kill all your houseplants in a week". Because that's something I rule at. Right now our houseplants consist of 2 dried-up cactii and a masochistic Gardenia I've had for about 6-7 years. It just won't curl up and die no matter what I do. Although after spending the summer camping in the gentle care of my mother, it has started to show signs of letting go. You should never have taught it there are such things as fertilizer, Mom!
Finally, Sami gave me long, red underwear. And a matching shirt. In case the Frostman remembers to do his job sometime.
His parents gave me 3 books and a pair of pink gloves. My parents gave me a steam-iron (funny ha ha), tickets to Cirque du Soleil, a tankful of gas for our new car and a digicamera. The camera's awesome, although I didn't get to it for the first half hour after unwrapping it: my dad also thought it was awesome.
It has a touch-screen and tons of programs have no clue how to use, but the coolest thing is a travel-guide. You can pick a country and they have the most visited places, say China -> Beijing and then get some info and a few choice pics about the place. It also recommends good sights to see and has some info about those too. I thought it was a great idea, since you're gonna take your camera traveling with you anyway!
My sis gave me a cd full of christmas-music and some chocolate santas. They're incredibly skillfully made, but they're not gonna survive a week in my care. No matter how much I'm gonna try to restrain myself, I know I'll just accidentally inhale them after a maximum self-control-period of 2 days. Joni got me the first season of American Dad (incredibly funny, go watch it. Now.) and a pot of Phish Food. Happiness!
Finally, I got Roman Schatz's Euro. Twice. I thought it showed how well my near and dear ones knew me, but Mom thought (probably more accurately) it only showed that I had mentioned it enough times.
Before christmas I didn't think I'd really need anything, but I loved everything and it's all coming to good use. Especially the phish food.
All in all I was really impressed with the thought people had put into the presents. Like for instance Sami hunting down all of Helsinki just to get a pair of blue (!) skis. My parents gave me a black camera, because black kinda runs in the family as far as the coloring of anything goes. The books, the chocolates, everything! We got selected teas from Tapsa, and he'd gotten us some white tea which Sami loves, Jasmine tea that I love, and finally those flower-tea-things that open up in the cup. Everything I got was something I really loved and was really happy to receive, and the colors I would've chosen too!
I really hope you had a good one too.
Right now we're preparing for tomorrows extremely-late-housewarming/birthday-party. The master of the house turns a quarter of a century (yeah, I refuse to say "25" because that sounds way older) and we're having about 20 people come over. Only family, but apparently ours is a big one.
After that we're traveling to Düsseldorf to celebrate new year, so if any of y'all are in Germany, give me a call and we'll have some Bolly! Or something cheaper.
Christmas time!
You can either read or not, but I'm gonna write about it anyway. I've always been a hardcore fan of christmas and as an adult, I still think this is just the best time ever. People criticize christmas for being overly commercial and everything, but just as with valentine's day, I think it's really good that there are a few days a year when you take the time out to do something nice for you near and dear ones. Lord knows they deserve it.
As you probably know, most Santa-characters are a lot older than the Coca-Cola one by Haddon Sundblom. Athough, because Haddon Sundblom's parents were from Ahvenanmaa (one was swedish, but the other one: a finn.) I've taken it a s more proof that The Real Santa lives here on Korvatunturi in Finland. Most cultures have their own traditions as to where he originates from, but we know he's from around here. The finnish Santa was at first called Nuuttipukki. Nuuttipukki arrived around the day of Nuutti, after christmas, and was supposed to help take christmas away. The Nuuttipukki's performed for treats and helped people get rid of leftover christmas treats. From what history I know, I've gathered they were extremely helpful with the alcohol.
Plus, in later traditions Nuuttipukki awarded the good kids with treats and punished the bad ones. By whipping them. So with a little bad luck, you could get beaten up right around christmas by a hammered santa. Being originally a shamanistic figure, Nuuttipukki usually came dressed in a grey or black cape, and had some huge horns on his head. The word "pukki" means "goat", and wouldn't you know it's all about fertility.
With all this drunkness and fallic symbols around, you know the finns took on the Coke Santa gladly when he arrived.
We haven't lost all connection with tradition though, the modern Santa is called "Joulupukki". If translated as it is, that would make him "The Christmas Goat".
Around here all the action concentrates on Christmas Eve rather than the 25th. The stores are allowed to be open until 1 pm, which means I'll be working next monday too, but after that its off to celebrate. the 25th and 26th are nationa holidays, so everything is closed.
We have a big ol' feast in the evening, with lots of traditional goodies. It depends a little on where in the country you live, but usually there's a lot of fish-dishes, herring, potato- and carrot-casserole etc, but they're all second to the Real Food: The ham. A big, usually 5-12 kg lump of meat. Nowadays, the smoked turkey is growing in popularity, but the piggies still get it bad this time of year.
For kids, this is an unnerving time. They have to sit still and wait. Since most of Thousandlakez is woods, kids usually pass the time looking for Santa's little elves. They're not easy to spot, because they're a lot smaller than your average garden gnome
In the evening, Santa arrives. Oh yeah, we get to meet him personally. He hands out the presents personally, and I suppose all this happening on the 24th is partially so he'd have enough time to get to the US for the 25th. Busy man.
The international Declarations for peace on christmas is something a lot of people participate in. It's sent out at noon in my hometown of Turku, and is one of the most watched programmes on tv all year. It's never been any of my personal traditions, but my parents for instance usually watch it, either on the tube or then they walk to the actual place. Christmas church is usually also in the morning, except for the catholics who have a midnight mass.
In the evening it's also customary to go put candles on the graves of loved ones. You'd never believe a cemetery could be so beautiful, but it is. Thousands of graves and several candles on practically every one.
All in all it's about spending time with your family, and the following days, the 25th and 26th concentrate on being together and trying to melt down that ham.
Merry Christmas you guys.
Last weekend we went to a wedding. People really put their best foot forward for weddings. They came in their best dresses and gowns. Me? Well, I came in my best panther-outfit.
As you can see, there was skilled lighting, There was also wine and punch, and a bar. There was good food and a beautiful, very romantically dressed bride in her pink ruffled wedding-dress. Present was also a groom and their 1,5 month-old baby, who didn't cry at all when I held him. I think he was a bit hypnotized by all the lights. Obviously lamps are waaay cool when you've only experienced them for a few weeks. For the first time ever, I didn't panic when something tiny that might just poo at any second was placed in my lap. He is going to be a good man someday, because the first thing he did when placed on my arms, was grab my boob. Men...
I ate a lot(!), and danced even more. It was wonderful, because there were so many other couples on the floor that nobody noticed my total incapability to dance, and Sami didn't even comment on it once. I also danced with this other guy, who they call Bumblebee (like the transformer!), and he didn't either. Mainly because he seemed to be completely hammered at the time. I was lying, he wasn't called Bumblebee like the transformer, he is called that because he is short, so built that he looks out of proportion, like a bumblebee, and apparently has the patience of one when he is under the influence of alcohol. Personally, I thought he was sweet.
Other than that, we got to spend a little time together, Sami and me, since I wasn't working this weekend. It was very, very nice to just lay back and enjoy being around each other. For the last couple of days, we've been eating really well, and he has impressed me multiple times by washing the laundry, doing the dishes, wrapping christmas gifts and such. I know, I know, you're saying that they're just regular household chores. And I can tell you he does stuff otherwise too, it's just that for the last few days, for some reason, I've been really touched by how he is going out of his way to make me feel comfortable.
As for me? Personally, I've taken a turn for the better, and the jaw-pain is gone for the moment. I was ridiculously happy to get a refill on my painkillers, because that meant I was able to take them a few days in a row, which broke the back of the pain-circle (it starts hurting, I can't eat, I get stressed, It hurts more if I try to eat and if I don't eat I just take out the stress in my sleep by clenching my jaw, which leads to it hurting more etc...). So, I was able to eat solid food again, got me a bit of energy, slept better and eventually, after a few days the headache just left me alone and I noticed that everyone else doesn't suck that much anymore. It still gets tired, but you can't have it all, can you? Plus, there are people who are way worse off than me, so I really can't complain.
I passed my second german exam and am able to bench-press 40kg multiple times already! And I only have 6 days of work left before I get to celebrate christmas and have me both some ham and smoked turkey, mmm....
I thought I'd bog about christmas someday when I have the time, but I'd be really interested in how you guys celebrate christmas? When does Sinterklaas arrive? What do you americans eat at christmas and do you celebrate it on the 24th (like we do over here) at all or does it all concentrate on the 25th? Tell me, blog!
"we sat here speculating about who you look like."
"Ok, who?"
"Pocahontas"
With glasses apparently. The moment I told Sami this important piece of info one can gather at one's workplace, he asks:
"the disney one or the movie one?"
Seems I'm the only one who lives outside the bubble...
I thought (about you, Mom) I'd post my christmas list, since I've been getting these questions a lot lately. I had a really hard time coming up with anything but books, and that's a little odd in itself. I don't have too much time on my hands to read anything but the likes of Handbook of qualitative research (second edition, by Denzin, N & Lincoln, Y, Sage Publications, 2000). So here goes:
-Fastfood Nation
-Euro by Roman Schatz
- Kirjeitä Tiinalle (Don't know by who, Tiina's mother)
- Pre-paid movie tickets
-Fluffy slippers for home
-That samsung camera
But realy, when I think about it, I don't need that much at all
