My Last Post

This will be my last post to this blog. Thank you to those of you who have followed my journey in Finland so far! I appreciate your thoughts and comments. Until we meet again...

"For Better Service, Many Switch Languages" (In Finland)

Interesting article about public language choices from YLE News in Finland:

http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2009/02/for_better_service_many_switch_languages__550700.html

Two New Friends

My friend Annu and I visited the Herkkutassu pet store last week, in hopes of getting me a chance to volunteer time at the shop (taking care of guinea pigs, to be exact). I tried using some broken Finnish phrases to communicate my love of guinea pigs, and my desire to be a pet store helper. Annu graciously stepped in to translate the rest. Taina, the owner of the store, told me that the store already has student interns helping out. So, a few hours later, after some thought, I went back to Herkkutassu and bought two baby female guinea pigs!

Initially, I thought they would be a strain for on my student budget, but their cuteness and affection is well worth it. Here they are: Mina (left) and Olivia (right). Mina is quite laid back in temperament, eats nearly everything, and likes to cuddle. Olivia is curious, active, a picky eater, and seeks adventure – even if it means crawling under my bed and continually evading my attempts to get her back in the cage! I am now a guinea pig Mom.

Vision for the New Year

In celebration of the new year, I've created a 'vision board' – a collage of images collected from magazines. The images I chose resonated with me in some way, and represent things that I want to cultivate in my life right now:

Courage
Nurturing
Health
Creative freedom
Guinea pigs!
Cleansing
Grounding

The semester is off to a good start. A centerpiece right now is the course that I'm teaching on the relationships among humor, art and advertising. How can I complain about teaching a class that makes me laugh? I'm also working on several papers and presentations right now for my doctoral research. Sometimes I find it hard to discipline myself in the process of setting my own pace for academic writing and reading. Freedom can be challenging!

This new year has brought me lovely experiences: a visit from someone very dear to me, but then in the same vein, a painful goodbye. I am also trying to learn more Finnish, establish new friendships, and enjoy the presence of two adorable female guinea pigs (Olivia and Mina) that I bought from a local pet store! Don't worry, photos will be posted soon. I just need to charge my camera battery.

Today's Quote

“Be regular and orderly in your life so that you may be violent and original in your work.”

Gustave Flaubert

Post-Inauguration Glow

Last night as I watched the inauguration for President Obama, streaming live on the New York Times web site, I felt a surge of pride, excitement and awe. Obama's speech was even more poignant than I expected. Inspiring and hopeful, yet realistic. Genuine. The two million or so people huddling together in the cold January weather generated a blanket of warmth and positive energy that spread itself literally and virtually worldwide (even through the circuitry of my little laptop!)

As someone living abroad, I must say that I no longer feel embarrassed to say that I'm from the United States. Recently, one of my friends in Florida sent me a message via Facebook saying, "This is the end of our national nightmare. It's safe for you to come home now." I just might do that someday!

(Photo by Doug Mills from the New York Times)

Post-Holiday Thoughts

Over these past few days, I've been feeling some post-holiday blues, and a bit overwhelmed with projects for the new semester. It's at moments like these (especially when I'm away from loved ones) that I allow myself to step back, and to be grateful for the experiences I've had, and the lessons learned from them.

Sometimes, in trying to find some resolution or closure, it's tempting to look around and find someone to blame, or to begin to feel guilty for choosing one direction and not the other. But I believe that there is a reason for every circumstance. A reason whose origin sometimes extends beyond our plane of comprehension. And we can only look to this with acceptance and an open heart.

(The photo on the right shows a lake scene behind Marketta and Klaus's house, near Pori.)