Easter in Tampere: Spa Day!

Gettin' ready for the massage!

We decided to take a little Easter weekend escape to the bigger city of Tampere (150 kilos southwest). For our wedding, one of our friends in Tampere (who owns a local yoga studio) gave us a gift certificate to the local spa, Holiday Club. So, we made appointments for massages and spent the day in the pools and sauna. The next day we took a yoga class in English, as there was a visiting instructor from the U.K. (nothing better than melting into yoga in your native language--a rarity these days!) It was a lovely trip and so relaxing.

I am Officially D-O-N-E! Now onto a Post-Doc!

I just received an email from my dissertation supervisor, "I have reviewed document and think you have made all the necessary changes. Congratulations, and please go forward with this. You've done a very good job." 

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! No more dissertation. It is really DONE! Words cannot do justice to how I feel. The topping on the cake? I also received word that I will get it published in Finland. Woohoo, it will not just sit on my shelf and gather dust...but it will also sit on other people's shelves and gather dust.

I think that this photo is very fitting for how I am feeling right now...I finally spanked the bulldog (the UGA mascot)!

27 weeks prego!

Other news...this past week I was offered a post doctoral research position at the University of Jyväskylä. Coming from the U.S. perspective, I think it is pretty incredible that they offered me the position, especially considering I will be on maternity leave for nine months beginning May 22. I am super excited, though, and looking forward to having a real job with benefits, salary, and all (it has been awhile!) Start date: April 15!
 

Northern Lights & Glucose Test

Last night, after eating a delicious eggplant curry for dinner, I checked Facebook and saw that the Foreigners in JYVÄSKYLÄ group was blowing up with reports of northern lights dancing in the sky. It was cold (-12c/10f), so we bundled up  and headed (quickly) to the lake. As soon as we reached the lake magnificent rays of light danced in the sky. My photos did not

do any justice to the beauty waltzing above us and soon enough the rays of light disappeared into the darkness of the night. With frozen fingers (from snapping photos) we headed home. This is when I realized that it was also 10 p.m. and I had to start fasting at 9:40 p.m. for the dreaded glucose test the following day (to check for gestational diabetes). Ugh, so I slammed some hummus and carrots and a bowl of granola. (These days I am still waking up in the middle of the night with hunger pains, so 12 hours of fasting=BIG challenge.)   

The following morning, I woke up parched...but I was told not even to drink water. I got ready for the -19c/-2f weather and jumped on the bus headed to the central hospital. I arrived in the labotoria and took a number. In true Finnish style right on time at 9:40 a.m., my number appeared outside door #5. A young woman, who spoke good English, took my blood and then poured the glucose sugary substance in a plastic cup for me and I chugged it like jungle juice. Disgusting taste, but it felt so good to have liquid in my desert-dry mouth. Then, I was sent out to the waiting room for one hour before another blood test. Ugh, one hour to wait..and I was already starving. Luckily, there was a bad English soap opera playing in the waiting room (Days of Our Lives) to help pass the time as my little, 25-week old, lady danced in my pregnant belly--woohoo sugar high! 10:45 a.m. finally came and my number appeared on door #5--blood test taken. But, it wasn't over yet...I had to wait another hour for another blood test. Now, this hour was agonizing. My blood-sugar had dropped and I felt so tired and ill. The little lady was fast asleep in my belly while other babies in the lab were screaming their lungs out after receiving vaccinations. The TV now played a British soap opera as I painfully waited out every long minute. That last hour felt like five hours. Finally--the last blood draw and I hurried to the hospital cafeteria for lunch.

The good news is that we finally got to experience the Northern Lights and I do not have gestational diabetes!

Happy Graduation!

Since I will not be walking in the May graduation ceremony in Georgia, Charlie threw a graduation party in my honor. We had a house full of 20 of our friends from around the world (Finland, Canada, Spain, Colombia, U.S., Poland, Greece, U.K., etc.) The invitation asked people to wear a fun hat, bring a food item to share, and forgo gift-giving. This was much more my style than the pomp and circumstance that beckons a big American research university graduation ceremony. We ate a lot of great food (including a delicious carrot cake from a local bakery), the alcohol was flowing (for some), and the party concluded in the wee hours of the morning. I just love when we bring all of our internationally-minded friends together...it made for a memorable evening with lots of laughs and good conversations.

My plan was to have all of my dissertation revisions (only five minor revisions) done by the party, but it is has been very challenging to get back into it. The (revised) plan is to send it to Sheila on Monday...almost done.

Throwing My Name in the Hat...

For the past six years I have

Sink or swim...I am throwing my name in!

been involved in the Erasmus Mundus Student and Alumni Association (EMA). This is the association linked to the European masters degree and EU scholarship I received. For all of the American readers, it is European's parallel program to the Fulbright program. Elections are coming up and after many deep discussions with my EMA colleagues and friends and Charlie I have decided to throw my name in for President. It is a BIG job, but it is the next step and I am confident I can manage it with the new addition to our family. Plus, who knows if I even stand a chance...I must admit that I am very curious to see how being pregnant impacts people's response to my candidacy. In many places around the world, pregnancy is seen as a disability to professional ambitions, etc.

The belly popping at 23-weeks!

But, I also have a sneaking suspicion that the EMA community is different and more progressive in its views towards family obligations and professional endeavors, as many of us were changed (we became more open minded) during our Erasmus Mundus experience.

I am going for it! The deadline to apply is today and first round voting begins Wednesday. Wish me luck!

Kindness & Baby Gear

"These items were packed with love"...the note enclosed in a package of baby goodies and Girl Scout cookies from my mother.

As of late we have collected a lot of baby gear from friends and family. We received a big package of love and baby items from the U.S. that my mother sent our way, including girl scout cookies. Nothing spells L-O-V-E like girl scout cookies from the U.S. (we are savoring every bite and no worries the thin mints are in the freezer waiting for our next bite!) We also received a bunch of baby gear (clothes, bottles, high chair, baby chair, breast pump, etc.) from some of our friends here in Jyväskylä who recently had babies. There is something incredible about the mama community where not only wisdom and advice is shared, but also baby clothes and other necessities. Thank you all, for your kindness.