Florence, Italy: Naked David!

Florence: our last Italian city before flying back to reality (sad!) We arrived at Kursaal hotel just a few blocks away from the train station and dropped off our bags. One block away was the Italian leather outdoor market. We toured the city stopping for pizza, coffee, and views of the naked David. The David statue is regal as ever even though it is only a replica of the real deal statue--now located in Academia Gallery. This was also the coldest day of our trip as the wind cut right through our bones, so we popped in and out of cafes and stores all day long. After visiting the beautiful Ponte Vecchio (old bridge) we headed back to the hotel, exchanged photos with Dan and Julie and then bid farewell to them as they hopped a train back to Pisa. When I live outside of Colorado, it is always hard to say goodbye to my family members. Normally I get this sinking feeling deep in my throat that reverberates down into my chest and abdominal area (yes, it is a very physical goodbye). In this case, I could not even say, "See you in..." because we are unsure as to when we will be back in the States. Oh well, there will always be Italy.

Siena, Italy: Train strike, laundry, and dance party

It was a BIG surprise when we arrived at the Lucca train station to catch our train to Siena. A train strike?!...which means most trains do not operate. Hmmmmm, what do we do, we have a (non-refundable) hotel booked in Siena. We could:
A.) be ugly Americans and start yelling and screaming at the ticket dude, demanding that "our" train take us to Siena NOW or
B.) set up our own strike, like an "Occupy" protest right there in the train station. Imagine all of our clothes tied together to make a hippie encampment (I have always secretly dreamed of being a hippie) with signs that say, "nobody puts baby in a corner." Awesome...or
C.) turn on the positive vibes and think creatively.
We chose C!  Next thing we knew we were on a bus with very loud individuals, headed to Florence. The bus weaved through town and at one bus-stop a screaming match ensued between a passenger and the bus driver. Charlie and I looked at each other with the same thought in our minds...can we please just get to Siena? We arrive in Florence, without blood shed, and the train station is a mad house--we find out that maybe a train will come and maybe it will not (oh, the joys of an Italian train strike!) I park myself in front of the train departure times and Charlie goes on a scavenger hunt for the bus station. Good news, 15 minutes later he comes back with two tickets to Siena in his hand. Ah yeah, that's my man!

Piazza del Campo

Siena is wonderful; it is rightfully recognized as a UNESCO world heritage centre. When you enter the Piazza del Campo you say to yourself, yep this city totally deserves the UNESCO honor...it is spectacular! When we finally arrived in Siena, Charlie and I checked into Hotel Chiusarelli, our home for two nights. Julie and Dan met us in Siena the following day and shared their train strike story with us (we weren't the only ones stranded). They were supposed to visit Cinque Terre, but no such luck. Boo!

Oh well, we were, once again, all together again in Italy...life was GOOD! Our day was spent walking through the narrow cobblestone streets, doing laundry, eating delicious Italian food with a waiter that very loudly made fun of my very bad Italian language, and Charlie even tried on some beautiful Italian suits. Before dinner we rendezvoused in our hotel room and before you knew it the music was pumping and the crazy Americans (that's us!) were shaking booty--dance party style!

Lucca, Italy: Home of Puccini & Tuscan Food Ecstacy!

A 20-minute train through the Tuscan countryside brought us to the famous city and commune of Lucca; a quaint city known for the Renaissance wall that still encircles the old city center. Charlie and I stayed at the sweetest little bed and breakfast right in the center of town: Al Tuscany, with a host who totally hooked us up with information on where to eat (like a local). I have one word for Lucca: delicious! Seriously, we ate the best meals here...or at least I think so: farinata (cornmeal porridge), zuppa di farro (spelt and bean soup), cannelloni, a savory pumpkin crostata (tart) yummy-ness, tiramisu, and torta di fichi e noci (fig and walnut tart). We went to two restaurants where we ate typical Lucchese cuisine: Trattoria da Leo and Trattoria da Giulio (both highly recommended). It is funny that all I can talk about is the food! Well, considering that we are back in Finland now and I am faced with very limited restaurant options...it is no wonder I am obsessed with the great cuisine in Italy.

 In addition to eating, we relished in good conversation as we walked around the city wall and even climbed the Tower, Torre Guinigi, (all 230 steps) for an incredible panoramic view of Tuscany. After dinner, Julie and Dan went back to Pisa (where they stayed the whole week) and we nestled into our cozy little B&B. Tomorrow: Charlie & I travel to Siena (2 hours and 40 minutes on the train from Lucca).

Italy: The Leaning Tower of Pizza!

We arrived in Pisa late in the evening and made our way to the antiquated and ornately decorated Royal Victoria Hotel nestled right up against the Arno river. (We highly recommend this hotel for it's old-style Tuscan feeling.) The plan was to meet Julie and Dan at their hotel in the morning...woohoo!

Picnic under the leaning Tower of Pisa.

Inside the Duomo (grandiose is an understatement!)

With the alarm clock came sunshine and an amazing buffet breakfast at our hotel. After a joyful reunion with my big sis and bro-in-law we were off to explore the city. First, the leaning Tower! We spent a few hours walking around and before you knew it a photo session ensued (shocker!): jumping photos and trying to straighten the leaning Tower with every body part imaginable (hands, feet, and even the booty). Soon our tummies began talking and we found a typical little Italian butcher shop in the narrow cobblestone streets where we purchased fresca frommage (fresh, local cheese), bresaola, prosciutto, pesto, and melt-in- your-mouth freshly baked focaccia bread (yes, Charlie and I agreed to splurge and go not-so-vegan this trip). We bathed in the sunshine and beautiful blue skies while enjoying a picnic lunch on the greens under the grandiose Medieval architecture of the Piazza del Duomo and the leaning Tower of Pisa.

Dinner was amazing...we just so happened to stumble on a local's favorite pizza place called Officina. When in Italy, eat pizza, pizza, pizza! Tomorrow: the walled city of Lucca.

To Italy, We Go!

Charlie and I will rendezvous at the Helsinki Vantaa airport today to fly to Germany (layover) and then onto Italy. We are meeting my amazing sister and her husband for a week of Italian adventures. We even packed our sunglasses (hoping for a little sunshine down South)! More details, photos, and stories soon...but until then enjoy a photo of sliced reindeer salami (available at Vantaa airport.)

More Research (and Snow) in Helsinki

Another week in Helsinki, I have four interviews scheduled, a doctor's appointment, and meetings with a few of my colleagues--so it should be a  productive week. I arrived on the 19th in the crux of a winter snowstorm. One thing I have realized is that Helsinki has a tougher time dealing with snow compared to Jyväskylä because it is a large dense city and where do you put all of the snow when it falls? In the Sea (1/3 of all snow that falls in Helsinki ends up in the Sea!)--see video.

What's up with the Ladders?

It is common to see big ladders permanently affixed to buildings in Jyväskylä. But, why?

Many of the campus buildings (seen here) have ladders. But, why?

Answer: They receive so much snow that sometimes they need to climb the ladders to clear the snow from the roof.

The Snow Dump

Parking garage on campus.

Ever wonder what happens to all of the snow on the top level of a parking garage?Answer: they dump it below...

Now, we must investigate the follow-up question...where do they take the snow?

A Happy Hour Dedicated to Skiing!

The local ski hill, Laajavuori, about 3 miles from our apartment hosts a happy hour on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. This is a four-hour time period when you can buy a lift-pass (for the tow rope) for 8€ and rent (good Volkl) skis for 7€. You know we are all over this screamin' deal! So, the opening week we decided to check it out with our friends from Greece (see photo to left). When we arrived the line was long for the one tow rope  at the bottom of the ski hill (yes, this is a very small ski hill). Once arriving at the top of the tow rope the journey down the hill was a quick, but very enjoyable, 5-second experience.

I will be the first to admit...I am a ski snob. I like champagne powder snow, I hate ice, and I love big mountain skiing! I realize that I was very spoiled growing up in Colorado where the skiing is excellent. With that being said, I have become more realistic with skiing expectations and experiences out of Colorado and this (pseudo) ski experience was great! Sometimes simply being in the elements with skis strapped to my feet is enough to put a perma-grin on my face.

2012 Intentions

 1.) More yoga...at least 3 hours/week.

2.) Sit up straight (lengthened spine) especially when on my computer.

3.) Finish my dissertation! Just do it, those three letters are so close I can taste them.

4.) Continue to live life with a positive attitude, levity, and the Nikon camera strapped around my neck.

5.) Make time for creativity: blogging, videos, photos, dancing, and being silly.

Lake Jyväsjärvi covered in snow.

6.) Shorter blog posts: maybe a photo with caption (dissertation needs more attention).

7.) Melt into vulnerabilities, love, and compassion and then find peace.

8.) Positive vibes for what's next: after the Finnish gig ends in June.

The children's park right across the street from our apartment.

9.) Dance party once a week with Charlie (he does not know this yet, but he will after reading this blog post.) 

10.) Be more intentional about UNPLUGGING and enjoying life.

Reflections: Top 10 of 2011

Senatesquare in Helsinki all snowed in.

The cool thing about having a blog is that it becomes a life chronicle of sorts and when you want to reflect on something you simply look up the date and waaaaa laaa photos, thoughts, etc. (Confession: sorry, not every experience is on my blog, duh!) For me, life reflection is something I enjoy. Past experiences (both good and bad) shape who you are at this present moment. Some prefer to let go of the past, which I understand--especially the bad memories--but, I like to cherish and learn from them. Here we go:

Top 10 Highlights of 2011:

1.) Love: Did I tell you that I have a superboyfriend? He is amazing and he never ceases to amaze me with his love and commitment. In 2011, he resigned his job, sold many of his worldly belongings, and moved to Europe, so that we could both experience a life together in a foreign country. Certainly, it has not been without it's challenges, but it has all been worth the moving hell we went through to get here. 

House of the Estates, Helsinki.

2.) PhD "Candidacy": In January I defended my comprehensive exams and officially became "ABD" (all but dissertation). This is very hard to believe, as my first year was so challenging I thought I would be a PhD drop-out, but here I am a 4th year PhD Candidate collecting data for my dissertation in Finland. Awesome!

3.) Fulbright, fulbright, fulbright! Ah, the fabulous letter that came in early April notifying me that I was selected for a Fulbright grant--a dream come true. And, here we are in Finland...living the Fulbright dream. (Pinch me!)

Winter time in Helsinki.

4.) Death: one of my dear professors fought a long and hard battle with cancer and finally found peace in May. He taught me so much, but mostly he reinforced my love for experiencing life through travel and positive attitude.

5.) Health: this year has not been my healthiest. Some pesky little parasites from Costa Rica hitched a ride into the U.S. by way of my colon, which resulted in about two months of hell.  In addition, since September I have been battling discomfort in my esophagus and I still do not have resolution with the Finnish doctors diagnosis. It has all made me realize that health is a precious thing not to be taken for granted. (No blog post on this latest health impairment, but let me just tell you there has been a stool sample and BIG female Baltic Doctor involved...more on this later.)

More Helsinki.

6.) Travels: a year would not be complete without planes, trains, and automobiles. This year I visited 12 countries including Costa Rica (again), South Africa (again), Canada, Hungary, and Norway.

7.) Friends: the biggest joy in traveling is the shared experience that you have with others. Costa Rica was with Charlie and a group of amazing UGA students, South Africa with a group of amazing UGA colleagues, in Norway I met up with all of my favorites still living in Oslo (Kristi, Jason, Shane...), and in Brussels, I spent four days living with my former and favorite Brazilian roommate.

Little kids with sleds...YEAH!

8.) Family: in April my parents, sister, and brother visited us in Athens, Georgia. It was so nice to show them where I have been living the past three years. Then, in August I spent almost a month in Colorado--lots of family quality time! Charlie and I also visited his parents in Ohio and spent July 4 in Chicago with his brother and nephews.

9.) Finland (again): I have rediscovered my love for this country, the culture, the Finnish sauna, the forest, and YES, cold-water lake swimming. I feel like we are much more immersed into the local culture, than when I lived here in 2007. Our Finnish friends and colleagues Ilkka, Terhi, David, Jussi and our adopted Finnish family have all shown us the true Finnish spirit and we are so appreciative of the intercultural experiences.

10.) Positive vibes...what more do you need in life?

New Year's Eve--Ricky Martin Style!

WDC Helsinki 2012: New Year's Eve of Design from WDC Helsinki 2012 on Vimeo.

The Finnish Ricky Martin on stage!

Ringin' in 2012 was better than expected! We are staying in Helsinki for a week before heading home, so we decided to check out the annual new years celebration in SenateSquare (about a 10 minute walk from where we are staying). Little did we know that we were part of a GRAND celebration this year because of two special events: 1.) Helsinki celebrates it's 200th year of being the Capital of Finland (1812-2012), and 2.) Helsinki is the designated Design Capital of the World in 2012. 

Yep, that is a giant rubix cube.

The Helsinki Cathedral all lit up!

Happy New Year!

We arrived in Senatesquare just in time for the kick off of the live TV version of the celebration. Now this is the kind of new years celebration I can get down with (long are the days that I want to fight drunk crowds of people), this crowd was (in typical Finn style) chilled out, well-mannered, and for the most part sober. I guess it helped that the demographics included families and many middle-aged people and a HUGE group of crazy Canadians waving their flags (gotta love the Canadians when you travel--they are not shy about showing off their flag.) Plus, the roped off area was strictly "no alcohol" until the fireworks went off, of course, and everyone pulled out their champagne bottles and plastic cups. Why didn't we get that memo to pack champagne?...oh well, next time. . Not only was the crowd impressive, but the live music selection was, well, classic! Jari Sillanpää is his name and singing like Ricky Martin is his game. Seriously, this dude was a crack-up and the Finns absolutely loved him! Imagine a Ricky Martin look-a-like with frumpy back-up singers and dancers in the background singing (with a Finnish accent) "She bangs, she bangs...", how can you not giggle at that? Suffice it to say, it was entertaining, but I kept asking Charlie...do you think another band will take the stage? Answer: NO...they were the headliner! While all of this was great, the best part was the light show and the fireworks. There were beams of light radiating on all of the surrounding buildings and the fireworks at midnight did not disappoint.

Happy 2012! Now we must remember to write "2" instead of "1"...good luck with that.