I couldn't make this stuff up

So I was doing a little research for a short travel article on Finland. I was looking into the Lapland region and getting some info on it through Wikipedia.

That's when I saw the traditional Coat of Arms for the Finnish Lapland region. And was LOVING it.

Let's go over why this coat of arms might just be the best Finnish thing ever.

1. Are those canon balls? Black pearls? Ball bearings? I don't care, they look good up there. But let's be honest, that's not where anyone's focus is.

2. The Laplanders took the saying "walk tall and carry a big stick" to a whole new level. Look at that thing. How is he even carrying it? It's literally almost as tall as he is. I get it, you Laps are strong!

3. No, he can't be. Is he pointing to his six-pack?? How great is that!? I mean, he does have some mighty sculpted abs. I bet he works out. And now that I am thinking of it, The Situation could be part Laplander and not even know it.

4. Maybe you weren't aware, but Lapland is in the freakin' arctic circle. That's a place that you need clothes, no matter the season. But not the Laps. No way. This one here is sporting a mini little loin cloth and is not one bit phased by the -40F air around him. I'm sure the Laplanders might get cold, but they'd be darned if they are going to show any kind of weakness on their coat of arms.

(and I forgot to label his Grizzly Adams beard. That rocks too!)

Yesterday was Finnish culture day here, and although I didn't get to write a post on it, I thought this might be just as good.

Enjoy your leap hump day. And don't try that move at home.

Some Rando Finnish Facts and a Suomi Life Update

My oh my February is already here and roughly 20.7% already through. Gotta love short months (although not happy about that extra day in there!). Forgive me if I should harsh about the time going by. I know I should be thankful and enjoying every minute, which I am, but seriously, it has been sooooo cold here. Like Arctic cold…wait, that is pretty much where I am. Shiz. You know what I mean. Or maybe you don’t, because before this week, I didn’t know what it meant.

I dress like this in that kind of cold, just less sexier (source)

I don’t scale the weather in degrees anymore, because past a certain point I can’t relate to how cold it is because I have no reference. Surprise, surprise, Texas doesn’t get this kind of weather. So, this is how I explain what 0F feels like…Booger Freezing. Yep, I know you’ve heard of tears and snot freezing in really cold weather, but if you’ve never felt it, you truly haven’t lived (or felt like you were going to die!). This last week in Finland has been down right boogie freezing cold. You walk outside and it almost instantaneously feels like you have tiny, snot icicles hanging from inside the bat cave. Nice, right?!

I am hopeful that this weather will not be here long (it is supposed to be gone this week, but we’ll see about that). Heck, I am even happy for a 25F (-5C or so) day! Never thought I’d be saying that.

Since you might be interested in a few other things besides the weather, everything else is going fine here too. Been back in Finland for over a week. The hockey season is coming to the home stretch. As soon as January is over, February flies by and March is already an afterthought. Only 38 more days until the last game of the season…but who’s counting, right?! And never say never, I guess, but this year isn’t the same pulse-racing, at the edge of your seat thriller that last year’s championship season was. Meh, can’t win them all, unfortunately. But it’s been a good experience here nonetheless. In true hockey form, we don’t know where we will be next year just yet, but I kind of like it that way sometimes. Just means that we are always open to exciting possibilities.

Actual picture of us holidaying in Finland. We look good, right? (source)

And I’ve been working and writing away online. It is going great, actually, and excited for a few new projects in the works. This freelancing is picking up faster than I ever thought imaginable and I’m ready to take on more and more challenges as time goes on.

Enough about me, here is the random Finnish info, as promised.

Sunday, yesterday, was the presidential election here in Finland. The Finnish president, Tarja Halonen (aka Conan O’Brien’s long lost twin sister), had served her two-term maximum, each term being 6 years, and is ready to abdicate her position.

You might be groaning in your head thinking of yet another presidential election, one with absolutely offensive candidates that are better suited in a nut house than at a debate podium. But things are different here. They are much, MUCH more relaxed. Don’t get me wrong, being president of a important European nation is a big job, but the Finns aren’t ape shit crazy over this election nonsense. In fact, the candidates weren’t allowed to start campaigning for the job until about a month before the election! How nice would that be in the US??? Life without caucuses, smack-talking commercials and useless debates would be awesome, right? I know I could certainly do without them, and I’m not even in the U.S. for most of the gong show, something which I am quite happy about.

Anyways, back to the Finnish presidential election. There are 8 major parties, yep, that’s 6 more than the U.S. and it looks like the winner is… Sauli Niinisto.

I sure hope this is really a picture of him (source)

 Their presidential election process is slightly different from the U.S.’s but I won’t get into it. His final opponent was Pekka Haavisto, an openly gay candidate. I thought that was pretty neat and not often seen in politics.

This guy. Niinisto. Not sure what his views are or what policies he is going to implement (still haven’t figured that Finnish language thing out yet!) but congrats to him. Really, though, the actual winners are the Finnish citizens. Kudos to you and your government not turning presidential elections into a full-blown circus. If only we could take a hint and do the same.

Except for this. This can stay. In fact, I’m basing whom I vote for on these BLRs.

2011 Wrap Up

Aw, poor little TGFN, falling on the wayside like you are. I'm sorry, bloggy-boo. On the eve of your one year blogiversary - well, at least the anniversary of starting the blog back up. The first measly posts 3 years ago don't count - you are have put on the back burner these last couple of weeks.

While I should be blogging about why the heck I have one of these....

It is a dish dryer installed in the cabinet. You're supposed to hang your wet dishes on the rack in the cabinet above the kitchen sink. The water drips down and should go into the sink. But to me it looks like it would half go in the sink, half on the counter. I don't know why, but it seriously grosses me out for some reason!

I feel like I would just be asking for mold if I used it at all. Kinda clever, in a way, I guess.

-OR-

Maybe I should be writing about why I secretly giggle every time they ask me if I want a bag* at the grocery store in Finnish. Or when the Finns were talking about Santa and his big ol' sack* full of toys.

But I'm not. I'm being lazy with the blog, and busy with other projects that actually do make a little bit of money. It is what it is. And maybe, just maybe, I am a little preoccupied by this...

Swimsuit weather!??! ;) Nah

This is the weather forecast for Barcelona next week and I am one happy camper!! I told the hubs that he got me the best Christmas present ever....sunshine and 'warm' weather. Cannot wait for it!

But other than that, everything here is going good as usual. All the snow that fell last week has melted (I did a very nice evil laugh when it did) and the people here say that a non-snowy Christmas happens like once every 10 year. Lucky us!!! No really, unless I'm skiing or snowboarding, I'm not a snow fan. 

Anyways, I thought that instead of half-assing it up for the remainder of 2011, I will say Adios (or in Finnish: Moi Moi) to bloggyland and return in 2012. Dry your eyes, I know you won't miss me that much.

I wish you a great holiday season - Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Festivus, whatever you celebrate - and a very nice New Year's Eve!

 

Yes! (source)

AND, one last thing, 'cause I know you are all big suckers for a 

Feel-Good Christmas Story. 

Enjoy this one and share the love!

*Oh yeah, that thing. The Finnish word for bag/sack is 'pussi'. Go back and read those sentences again. I couldn't make this stuff up!

**and just now realizing I will have that word on my blog for 2 weeks. Winner!

Happy Itsenäisyyspäivä!

(no, I did not fall asleep on the keyboard when writing the title. Actual Finnish word)

Snowmageddon! AHHH. Ok, not really. But the first official snow fall has hit our corner of Finland. It's a lot to me, not a lot to anyone who grew up with snow on a daily winter basis. I'd guess a few inches got dumped last night. But there is no melting in sight, and I think it is here to stay : /

NOT even close to this, but I will have those of you who don't read captions believe so (source)

I am the only person in Finland NOT excited for the snow. They love it here. I guess it does make everything look brighter and nicer, but meh, I just don't get it. But at the same time, I don't think they would love 95 degree weather all summer long. So, technically, I don't have to love their winters, lol.


(yes, I am being a baby. This has been one of the nicest and warmest winters on date, I know!)


Today is actually a Finnish holiday. It is Finland's Independence Day. (or Itsenäisyyspäivä. Yeah, say that 5 times fast).

(source)

It's a public holiday celebrating Finland's declaration of independence from that crazy Russian Empire. Although the Finns would have to deal with the Ruskies again in WWII, they declared themselves an independent state back in 1917. The day is marked with a few celebrations and special broadcasts. For some, it means a day of volunteering. In recent years, many Finns have used their day off to serve warm meals to people and families in need. One Finnish girl told me that everyone tunes into the Presidential Independence Day reception on TV to see the grand entrance of all the knights, members of government, archbishops, judges, offices and dignitaries. It is popular to watch more so to see what everyone is wearing than anything else. Maybe Joan Rivers will be there judging all the fashions. Ok, maybe not.

And while I am trapped inside, all stores closed - you better believe I don't like to leave the house when it is all snowy outside - I might have to sustain myself on this:

Aw, look at those cute animals on the tin. They are adorably delicious!

A few weeks ago when I was scanning the shelves for possible Thanksgiving ingredients (like my 5 Euro can of cranberries, sheesh!) I stumbled upon these fine canned meats*. Look closely at the photo. That is Elk, Reindeer and Boar meat, and a bit of lamb in the background, in there. Mmmmmmm, nothing says high-class, white-trash like eating exotic animals straight from the tin. So gross. I don't think I am down to try this, and more so because they cost something like 10 Euro a piece. Steep!


*That combination of 'fine canned meats' has never been used before.