National Healthcare

Charlie received a 6-page letter in Finnish from Kela (the national social insurance and healthcare system) and two days later I received a 3-page letter. We tried our best to translate the documents via Google translate (a long and painful process that always results in crazy translations that hardly make sense). We decided to pay the Kela office a visit and (YEAH!) we were both accepted to Kela. This means that we do not have to pay for travel insurance for another year. We also found out that we are eligible for the EU health coverage scheme and will receive another ID card for that. Wow, once you are in system you are taken care of in Finland. Since we, as Americans, do not have experience with national healthcare I will be sharing some of my experiences on this blog. Our acceptance to Kela came right before the historic day of June 29, 2012 when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld "Obamacare" (which is a long ways from national healthcare, but a positive move in the right direction at least.)

Czech us out! Another Erasmus Mundus Meeting...

Charles Bridge

All GA attendees (200+).

Third time is a charm! The annual Erasmus Mundus Student & Alumni Association General Assembly (GA) meeting was held in Prague this year. This was my third GA, as I attended two other annual meetings; the first in Perugia, Italy in 2006 and last year I attended the GA in Budapest, Hungary. Each year I had an amazing time and met incredible internationally-minded individuals from across the globe. But I always thought we could do more to highlight and celebrate the cultural diversity of our group, which is one of the pillars of the Erasmus Mundus degree programs.

My coordinating partner-in-crime, Pavan.

So, this year I decided to become more active in the GA planning committee and wow...we made this a memorable meeting. I serve as the President for the North American chapter of Erasmus Mundus and am therefore very involved with the other 12 regional chapters. We asked each regional chapter (e.g. China, Latin America, Africa, etc.) to dress in their national costume and present a cultural song, dance, etc. as part of their chapter presentations (which in the past were formal--and boring--powerpoint presentations). The chapters rocked the house! The African chapter brought traditional drums and danced to "Waka Waka, This time for Africa", the Eurasian chapter sang a traditional Ukranian song, and the European chapter performed a Czech polka dance. We also coordinated cultural booths (during the coffee breaks) where each chapter brought food and other items from their country/region (the Mexicans served up shots of tequila!)

Hangin' out with our neighbors--the Mexicans.

Then, a small group of us met everyday to practice a flashmob! We pulled it off and it resulted in the entire auditorium dancing...awesomeness.

Finnish Residence Permits X-tended!

Good news! Our residence permits were extended until June 2013. Woohoo. That means we can legally live and work in Finland for another year. In June, they began a new permit system where you receive a card (with fancy holograms and the Finnish coat of arms) rather than a paper permit in your passport. We found out very quickly that this new card does not serve as an ID--as discovered when the bank clerk told us that we needed a "real ID".

Finnish Summer Cottage Adventure

As a wedding gift, Terhi (one of our co-workers) gave us a weekend trip to her family's summer cottage. Saturday afternoon we jumped on a bus and headed southeast. We met Terhi and her father, Arto, at the bus stop in Kangasniemi and drove to the summer cottage (about 20 kilometers away). The weekend was filled with so many adventures I do not know where to begin. Perhaps the best way to highlight our weekend is by listing out the top 10 experiences:

 
1.) A wood-fire sauna with vihta: Every night we indulged in the wood burning sauna to relax and to wash the dirt from our bodies (there is no shower in a traditional cottage). Terhi was brave enough to go swimming in the lake, Charlie and I chickened out as the entry/exit into the lake was a little too rocky for our comfort.We also experienced the long-awaited birch tree branch beating that Finns lovingly call vihta. Arto cut some young birch tree branches and tied them together, in the sauna we moistened them in water, then lightly warmed them over the sauna coals and energetically beat our bodies with the branches (starting with the legs, then the arms, and moving to the heart center). The smell of birch permeated the air--nice! It is said that this ritual opens pores and increases circulation. While it does sound a bit masochistic...it felt almost as good as getting a massage.
2.) Outhouse: A red wooden outhouse served as our throne for the weekend. I was convinced that mosquitoes were waiting for me every time I had to go to the bathroom and attacked my bum as soon as pulled down my pants.
3.) Row-boat: Charlie was a pro at rowing and toured us around the lake. I, however, rowed us in one BIG circle.
4.) Mosquitoes: In Finland, there are over 30 varieties of mosquitoes and I think every variety loves to suck my blood. We joked that the summer cottage cologne was the smell of Off bug repellent. Despite having mosquito netting at each door those pesky little blood suckers managed to break into the cabins.We did, however, have fun zapping them with an electric bug zapper in the shape of a tennis racquet (poor squitters!) 
5.) A rainy (and very relaxing) day: Sunday was a rainy day, so we napped as the calming sound and fresh smell of raindrops comforted us in our dreams.
6.) Barbecue: Saturday night Charlie was in heaven as he was handed the barbecue tongs and quickly embodied his master bbq skills. 
7.) Chopping wood: This is therapy! Once we got the hang of it we were splitting wood like a hot knife goes through butter.
8.) Finnish swamp adventure: Terhi took us on an adventure to the nearest swamp area which had a sweet smell (unlike the icky swamp smell in Florida). Many berries and plant species live in the swamp area which gives it the ambrosial smell. During our walk we swam through thick waves of mosquitoes trying their hardest to find any exposed skin for a little blood sucking action.
9.) Excellent food: We ate amazing meals and to our delight we had plenty of vegan options to choose from (kiitos, Liisa!): nettle soup, couscous salad, fennel salad, veggies, veggies, and more veggies. 
10.) Caves: We visited caves that were used by the locals to hide out from the Russians during the Great Wrath, 1714-1721.

Charlie's Progressive Expertise

Charlie signed his new work contract this week and little did he know that he was up for another promotion (according to the job title printed on his new contract). Here, you can see the gradual progression of expertise he has gained since working at the University of Jyväskylä:

First...(August 2011-April 2012)

Expert

Then...(April 2012-June 2012)

Special Expert

Now...(June 2012-June 2013)

Senior Expert

On another note, who needs TV, movies, or video games when you live with Charlie? He is pure entertainment and lately he has really been cracking me up. The other night I walked into the kitchen and he was chugging a jar of pickle juice. YES, pickle juice...disgusting. All I could do was laugh until my belly hurt. He drank the entire jar and was licking his lips afterwards. Then, last night he put on his sunglasses and said, "I think my head is getting bigger." Hmmm, maybe his progressive expertise is getting the best of him...

A Boat Trip on One of the Thousands of Lakes in Finland

Our research group at the Finnish Institute of Educational Research, Education and Social Change, gathered for a summer boat trip Monday afternoon. Jussi, the professor and leader of the research group, is passionate about boating and to no surprise he owns a boat. We met at the harbor at 1 p.m. climbed aboard Jussi's vessel and we were off to explore the second largest lake in Finland, Lake Päijänne. I have walked and ice-skated on the lake, swam in the lake, and I even rode my bike over the lake, but never have I boated on the lake. Another first and a totally new perspective! I had no idea what was beyond the water that disappeared into the forest, but now I know--more lake and forest (beautiful!) The nature here is so untouched and pristine, I love it! Our destination was about 1.5 hours away where we picnicked and enjoyed the sunny weather. A great trip!

Here is the boat trip email invitation: "The idea of the boat trip is to go to Mämminiemi and have something to drink and to eat there. I will bring coffee and cookies and some beers with me in the boat. If you would like to have something else, please take it with you. I would also like to remind you that there is always wind in the lake. Please take some warm/wind resistant clothes with you. You may also swim in Mämminiemi if water is not too cold for you... so bring your swimming clothes if you are willing to enjoy this summer water activity."

Spousal Reunification (Finally!)



The travelin' circus.


As you read earlier, Charlie was traveling with his friend for the last 10 days. While I was invited to join them, I (reluctantly) chose to put Big D first priority (yeah me--pat on the back). But, after eight days with my computer, lots of people speaking Finnish, and me talking to the wall, I decided to join them for a 2-day weekend adventure in the big city of Helsinki.

Helsinki tram ride with Estonia brew.

So, I (happily) left my dissertation (Big D) behind and boarded the train to Helsinki. I had one thing on my mind: to see my Superhusband. As they say, "distance makes the heart grow fonder." Usually, I am the one who is gallivanting around; this time, however, I got to experience what it feels like being left behind. It sucks! Especially when you are left with only a computer and research to entertain you. When I arrived in Helsinki it was great to see Charlie and my heart went pitter-patter. Some call this the honeymoon phase, I call it love. We have a pretty sweet life together and it is hard (albeit I know it is also healthy) being away from each other.



Suomenlinna Sea Fortress.

 We have both come to love Helsinki, so touring Dave around was enjoyable. Our special tour included a day trip to the Suomenlinna sea fortress and we continued the day at Vapiano's for a yummy Italian dinner. We got some shut-eye at the Omena hotel and the next day after eating a delicious egg breakfast at Sunn Restaurant we bid farewell to Dave and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon in the sunshine, just husband and wife. And, now I have my man back...smile face!

"Foreigners in Jyväskylä" Facebook Mania

Since I will no longer be traveling to conduct interviews I will be in Jyväskylä more regularly. Thus, I have decided to pour myself into the local community. I met a Canadian woman who is also living in Jyväskylä and we decided to start a Facebook group for other international adventurers living here. The aim of the FB group is to exchange information in English on news, events, and random tid-bits of information. It has been a great success so far. In just two weeks 60 people signed up and there has already been a wealth of information posted that I had no idea about. Yeah for FB and the wonderful (and wild) world of social networking! I already feel more connected to what is going on. The language can be a very big barrier for those unable to read, speak, write in Finnish (or those of us who are slowly learning the language). (In my opinion, living in Finland is not as easy as living in a country native in the Romance languages, i.e. Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, etc. because the Finnish language is just so different and difficult.) So, hopefully this will help others as they settle into life here.

The Calm Before the Storm...

The "dude" swinging from the Kuokkala bridge in Jyväskylä.

Charlie is on a Baltic country travel adventure (Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia) with his friend, Dave. So, that means I have 12 days to jump into the pool of Leasa and simply be with my blog, yoga, and my writing. The latter being the most important, of course! I had a big deadline for a commissioned paper on Monday and now life is all about the Big D. I kind of feel like I am the swinging dude (featured in the photo), stuck between a bridge and water. Soon I will jump and begin the BIG swim to shore (i.e. the BIG writing push to PhD freedom).
Goals for the remainder of this week:
-Organize data (which may take longer than you think)
-Write out detailed outline for chapters
-Prepare for a Skype meeting with my adviser on Tuesday, June 12

High School Graduation--Finnish Style

Julia with her dad, Timo.

Trying to look like a Finnish HS graduate.

 I have adopted a younger Finnish sister ...her name is Julia and she graduated from high school this weekend. Her parents threw a big graduation party for her (over 40 people stopped by over a course of 7 hours). While I was the only non-Finn present, I had a nice time experiencing one big Finnish party. It started at 1 p.m. in the afternoon and I presume they closed down the party when Julia was to meet her friends in the city center at 8 p.m. The party was open-house style, with people coming and going. Papa Timo cooked up a delicious minestrone soup, a chicken pizza dish (I am pretty sure that is not what they call it, but it is the best way to describe it to Non-Finns), with salad and other munchies. Mama Anne and her mother baked five cakes (yes, five!) and were non-stop working in the kitchen--washing dishes, serving coffee and tea. When someone graduates from high school in Finland, it is very traditional to give a rose to the graduate. Julia received over three dozen fresh roses and some other special gifts (Finnish design housewares, etc.) It is also very typical for guests to give money to the graduate. Oh, and one very important detail: the graduate also wears a special hat (see photos of Julia and me) that looks like a white sailor hat. Congratulations, Julia!

Julia and Mama Anne with some of the gift roses.