Special moments on very special days

Saturday was my dad's birthday.  Dieter F. Uchtdorf recently stated, "God knows that some of the greatest souls who have ever lived are those who will never appear in the chronicles of history. They are the blessed, humble souls who emulate the Savior’s example and spend the days of their lives doing good."  My dad is one of those greatest souls.  I wish every person had a dad like mine.  Thankfully, as my dad (and mom) has taught me, we all have a perfect Heavenly Father who loves us deeply and to whom we are everything (http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/you-matter-to-him?lang=eng).

I joined the "Ladies Literary Guild" founded in 1997 in Jyväskylä by Wendie (pictured in the white blouse).  Here's how she describes the purpose of the guild (book club):  "I started the book club in January 1997 with the idea of reading books written by women in order to help correct the historically entrenched discrimination against early women writers.  In addition to reading books by women, I established 3 guiding principles for the chosen books.  The books should be 1) educational, 2) uplifting/positive, and 3) well-written." We meet once a month to share a meal together and then critique the book of the month.  It was an honor to take part in the evening's activities with such brilliant women!

The first frost-kissed morning of the year (well, as least of the fall)!  It was stunning to see the city dusted in a layer of white as I rode to school.  It transformed the landscape making the whole city seem like a new place I hadn't been before.  I can (now) imagine that the winters here must be really beautiful.

Frozen bike seat.  Good morning!!

Broom hockey!  Friday night the young women played broom hockey.  The girls were skeptical about hitting around a ball with brooms, but soon they seemed excited about the friendly competition.  I also learned that Finns (at least these Finns) are very quiet players.  I was shouting, cheering, and bemoaning all night during the games, but I can count on one finger the number of times I heard anyone else do likewise.  Perhaps the loud, obnoxious American stereotype has some merit...?

On Saturday, Eija and I went Nordic walking in the morning in the forest behind her house.  I left my camera at home so no pictures this time, but I'll go again and take my camera.  Then we went to the Panda factory, which is just four kilometers from Eija's house, where they make the Panda licorice and chocolates.  I bought Panda licorice with some regularity in the states and never knew it was a Finnish company.  Since being here in Finland, I also learned that the angry birds game/app on the iPhone was developed by Finns.  Who knew?!  Here I am with our loot and the Panda bears. 

We went to the equivalent of Home Depot to buy some Christmas lights and there was a band playing to celebrate the completion of the recent remodeling.  They were really good!  AND, later that night, Eija, one of her friends, and I went dancing in the city center.  We saw a live band perform and danced the night away.  Last weekend I pulled back the rug in my room to dance to some Clay Walker music. I miss country dancing! And then this weekend I got to kick up my heels (more like kick the heels of my dance partners) at a real dance club.  Indescribably fun and so good for my soul!  It also was a great way to practice my Finnish.  My dance partners would ask, "Skoine weoinsd asdoifje cmowbod?" to which I would respond, "Ma puhun vahan suomea," to which they would respond, "Hmm. I speak little English."  Good times!!  Eija caught the eye of a striking gentleman.  So, that was definitely another highlight of the evening.  :) :) :)

Eija has two fir trees in her garden.  She wrapped them with lights many years ago and since then the trees have grown so much that the lights then only covered 1/2 of the tree.  So, she bought new lights and we wrapped the trees in preparation for Christmas.  Here's how they turned out.

Winter window washing.  Triple W, I guess you could say.  We try to be outside to soak up a few rays of sun during the 4-5 hours it appears in the sky.

00:00 on 11.11.11 during my 11th week in Finland.  I always thought it would be awesome to get married on 11.11.11.  On Friday, I received my friend's wedding announcement (pictured on the table).  She (Amanda) married Otso (from Helsinki) in San Diego on 11.11.11.  Amanda and I met in DC last summer and she and Otso had just started dating.  And now they're married!!  The best part is that I'll be attending their open house in Helsinki in a few weeks.  What a small world.  At any rate, there's lots to say about this picture.  The cheery flowers are from my colleagues to celebrate the grant I received.  They said, "We're always celebrating our friends' engagements, weddings, and the birth of babies, but this is also worth celebrating!"  Amen!  And I also received my first letter from the states.  Thank you Marc and Michelle for the card!  And, last but not least, celebrating 11.11.11.  On Thurs. night, the 10th, I checked my phone to make sure my alarm was set.  The time read "00:00".  WHAT?!  I'd never seen a clock read 00:00 before.  And then a few seconds later it clicked.  Today is 11.11.11!!!  And it's 00:00!  Totally made my whole LIFE!  :)  And, I realized when I downloaded the pics from my camera today, that this has been the 11th week that I've been in Finland.  Yep.  Very special moments on super special days that fall within an extra special week that make up a marvelously special month (Happy birthday Dad and Matthew!).