The suitcase is in a corner unpacked, my cloths are folded in a drawer, and I have a shelf in the refrigerator. I'm happily nestled in the east corner of the city now and it's great to call a place home. I reside about an hour away from where I work/lived before. I have the joy of catching two different trains now and sometimes with my chaotic schedule I can take up to eight trains a day! Impressive I know. I read, listen to music, and most of all people watch. I'm not creepy. We all do it. Everyone and their mom hops on those trains so I like to admire the beautiful differences God has made in His creation. As I wait on the platform, doing a little dance in the cold to stay warm, it hits me how blessed I am to be in this country. Good thing I'm writing a book about it 'cause I know I can dote about it for pages. Which I won't do here. Don't worry. Everyone needs to visit Scandinavia at least once in their lives though. What a rich experience it is. Not sure how I feel about parting from it in two weeks actually. But I'm not gonna lie, I'm looking forward to going home. It's been ten months and nothing sounds better than curling up in my own bed and sleeping for a week. And I could use a good hug from my mom. And I could use some Starbucks. And I'm looking forward to Christmas. Is that weird? I want some snow. The days are getting shorter here. The sun is getting lazy and she won't hold her beautiful head up high anymore. My mittens are unpacked and boots now cleaned so I feel prepared. Bring it on Finland!
I caught one of my favorite bands last week in Helsinki. Amorphis is one of the groups that got me interested in Finland. All their lyrics are from the Finnish epic poem Kalevala, which I ended up reading after listening to their beautiful songs. From there my love grew from Finnish music to Finnish literature, and then to just a love for the country. My Kalevala copy has traveled in my suitcase these last ten months being a faithful companion on some lonely nights and the band was able to sign it for me. It meant a lot.  It was a incredible show dear ones. Happy weekend!

 

Tomi Joutsen. Metal god.

Niclas Etelävuori. Lovely bass player, lovelier person.