"You're gonna miss this"

This week we celebrated 20 years since my family arrived in the promised land: Texas.  

Packed and ready for the cross-country trek!  Coincidentally, our anniversary coincides with the arrival of the pioneers into the Salt Lake valley on the same day, only 146 years earlier, in 1847.

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How did I celebrate such a special occasion?  Well, touring the city where my 

Finnish great-grandfather is from.   

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And where might that be?...

  

In Kuopio.  150km northeast of Jyväskylä.

Reetta, one of my friends (and classmates), invited me to her home many months ago…and finally our schedules coincided for me to come visit this week.  Hooray!  A true sign of friendship?  Giving up your desk so a fellow student can make head-way with her own graduate studies.   

Thank you, Reetta!

A beautiful piece of artwork in Reetta’s home.

Some of the highlights of my trip include…

 

A live ninja performance by Helmi (Reetta’s daughter) and her classmate (who asked Reetta several times if I was, indeed, a real American…what a character that kid!).  

 I also had a blast being creamed racing Helmi here in the plaza in front of city hall.  She also beat me at Uno...more times than I care to remember.  :)  So fun!!

A near-aerial view of the city thanks to the Puijon torni (observation tower)

Can you guess what’s in the middle of the forest?

Here’s a big clue.  I never had a desire to pick up golf until I came to Kuopio.  :)

 

And my desire to ski jump went from moderate to…nil after seeing the ski jump from above.  Makes me queasy just looking at it.  Can you imagine what it would feel like the first time you fly off one of these?!  How do people train for this kind of madness?  Seriously.

 Enjoying a moment by the harbor.  You can see Puijon torni (the observation tower) in the background.

My very first bumper sticker sightings in Finland!!  First, on a car.

Second, in a gift shop.  I’ve searched high and low for one of these suckers.  So happy to have finally found one!

We spent the last day at the Old Kuopio Museum.  Here’s a bit about the history:

“The Old Kuopio Museum was established in 1972 as a response to the disappearance of wooden buildings in the city which gave way to modern apartment blocks.  The museum was opened to the public in 1982 in one of the best preserved blocks of the city centre.”

The museum is made up of 5 original buildings, the oldest of which was built in 1849.  There are 3 houses and 2 storehouses.  When you walk through the gate and enter the museum lawn and gardens, it feels like you’re stepping back in time.  Guess who lived here:

 

Wish I could remember.  :)  The pamphlet says a judge lived with his family here first.  Then the district physician.  I was so struck by the figure of the Christus (which is the same statue we have in visitor centers at LDS temples in Salt Lake and Washington DC…among others).  I don't recall seeing this statue anywhere else.  Here's more info about the statue which was made by a Danish sculptor in the early 1800s: http://www.christusstatue.com/

And traces of Eija's work...? I'm guessing she snuck in here one night to fold these napkins.  :)

Lamps!!  These pics are for my family--my G'ma, dad and mom especially since they could tell you who designed and manufactured these, I'm sure!

 We proceeded to visit the next building that had one of these.  Any guesses who owned this?

A shoemaker.  Surprised me, too.  I thought it would have belonged to...

the same person who used these suckers...that make even Fiskar scissors tremble just a bit...

And used these.

And the Singer. (Which Reetta said are highly valued here in Finland.)

You've probably figured it out by now.  The tailor. 

 These are all artefacts from...

the pharmacy. Kind of cool to have visited the Finnish version...

of the Apothecary Museum in Alexandria that I loved seeing when I was in DC this spring.

I also loved the HUGE rhubarb plants that were in the garden.  We grew rhubarb in our garden in Utah.  Brings back so many memories!

Taking time for a high-five on the swing in the Museum yard. 

What a wonderful trip.  Thank you, again, Reetta and Helmi!

I ended the week by playing the piano during Sunday School for the kids at church (it’s called Primary).  The person who normally plays was out of town.  It was so great being back in Primary.  The last time I was in Primary was, well, a very, very long time ago.  Kids are hilarious.  I got such a kick out of the enthusiasm with which they sang some of the songs.  I was also impressed with the piano ‘bench.’  It’s the first time I’ve seen this kind of seat before.  Yet another brilliant invention of Finns (at least I’m attributing this design to them).  The seat swivels.  Um, how handy is that?!  Very helpful for turning to see the kids and then turning back to play.  Where can I find me one of these?

And, last but certainly not least, I was touched by a very special moment in Primary.  One of the boys had a birthday this week.  He turned 12 which means he graduates from Primary and moves on to the Young Men’s program.  The Young Men came into Primary and sang him happy birthday.  And then walked with him to the Young Men’s Sunday School.  The last time I saw someone graduate from Primary was my own graduation.  20 years ago.  Three weeks after we moved to Texas.  What  better way to end this week of celebrating our 20 year anniversary?!?!  SERIOUSLY! 
(And can I just say that these young men look super sharp in their white shirts, ties, and suit coats?!  It won't be too long before they'll be donning this same attire for 2 years as missionaries.  LOVE IT!!)

As I’ve been reflecting on these last 20 years in Texas and these last few months in Finland—all the while admiring the beauty of the lake and hilltop from my apartment—the words of Trace Adkins’ song keep coming to mind again and again: “You’re gonna miss this.  You’re gonna want this back.  You’re gonna wish these days, hadn’t gone by so fast.  These are some good times, so take a good look around.  You may not know it now, but you’re gonna miss this.”  I already miss this time here in Finland.  And I already want this summer back…and it’s only ½ way over.  :)  How is it that I know the most amazing people in the world—all over the world?  And that I get to spend this time here in Finland…and living in this apartment?

This week I’m headed home to see my family in TEXAS!!  I can’t wait for these next few weeks…when we’ll ALL be together again!!  I’ll report on the excitement when I’m back in Finland at the end of August.  Until then, take time to enjoy who you’re with, where you are, and the memories you’re making together!