F is for Forgetful and Highlights of Helsinki Times

I have to admit - I've done pretty good since moving to Finland. I haven't forgotten my keys while going out. Which would suck a lot if I did - as we don't have a building "Landlord". So! The person we are renting from lives in a larger city with her spouse away from Jyv�skyl� (like at least 3 hours by train away?).

One thing about Finns is that they keep to themselves. If it doesn't involve them - they stay out of it.
Tonight proves this theory (which there was a study done I read about it in the Helsinki Times). I left my keys in the door as of around 12:30 this afternoon. They've been stuck in the door outside in the hallway since 12:30. It's been almost 11 hours. I think the reason why I forgot to remove my keys is because Blue's toe nail (the outer casing) was torn off and he was bleeding everywhere.
I know that people have been coming and going on our floor as our dogs' ears perked up a couple times and I could hear the doors open and close.
Hmmm.

Anyway - I think going forward when I have the chance - I'll give you a taste of REAL Finnish news. Not just about my life but what's in the Helsinki Times.
The Helsinki Times costs 3 Euros per paper (unless you have a subscription - I'm sure it's cheaper) and is delivered every Thursday morning. Taneli has passed his subscription onto us as they're away for a few months and it was pre-ordered.
Anyways let's see what's in this Easter edition: (I'll try and pick 10-15 things - if you want to know more - let me know and I can find stuff out) and of course in no particular order!

1. "Finland criticised for lenient approach to crime" - here are some records of crimes recorded by the police during 2009:
- Theft: 151,549
- Property Damage: 50,697
- Assault: 32,734
- Drunken driving: 23,248
- Narcotics: 17,344
- Rape: 370
- Homicide: 115

*Average prison sentences by offense:
Drunk Driving: 3.9 months
Sexual Coercion*: 7 months
Narcotics: 47.2 months
Assault: 55.7 months
Homicide: 115.3 months

Source: Statistics Finland/*Channel Four Finland
(I've previously mentioned that domestic violence is common and hush hush. Not many people do anything about it. It's common for men to beat their wives - but illegal to touch a child).

2. "Nearly half of Finns believe climate threat is exaggerated"

3. "Finnish schools behind in adopting new technology" (social media is what it's referencing to)

4. "More woes for scandal-prone ex-foreign minister"(Ilkka Kanerva is now involved in a criminal investigation for possible connection regarding a bankrupt estate of Nova Group. Nova Group is suspected of debtor and accounting fraud).

5. "Fast times on Finnish highways: the little electric car that could" (The Think City is a 2-seat city car with a 100-mile range and a body made of recyclable plastic that resembles old-time thermos bottles (down to the built-in colors; no paint shop here). It looks earth-friendly, and it is, with 2 cent/mile operating costs and no climate emissions. Made in Finland)

6. The Travel section this week covers "The splendour of Stockholm"

7. A column about Easter

8. The eat and drink section covers the fact that "Lamb increasingly popular on dinner tables". When we first came to Finland - lamb wasn't available in the grocery shops as far as I could see. Now I'm seeing roasts and various cuts of lamb everyday and not just around holidays.

9. "Expat View"- is when someone writes in and writes a column about their experiences - usually a foreigner. This week is an Australian who lives in Espoo (bigger city) with hubby and 2 kids..."Confessions of a cross-country skier".

10. Okay there's a TV guide listing here too and I just saw something for "OctoMom: Me and My 14 Kids" BARF.

Will put a snippet from every paper when I can :). And yes, Helsinki Times is an English newspaper - I'm not translating anything.