Happy New Year!

Well last NY, I was sick as a dog.  I had eaten far too much junk food and tempting my lactose tolerance by also consuming too much cheese.

SO! A proper post for New Year's I think is appropriate!

Because Tim is feeling a touch of a cold and so is V�in�, I opted to go to a party down the road by myself.  I had brought a nacho dip and that was warmly welcomed and got to meet so many lovely and new people.  I usually dislike "house parties" because I don't always find someone interesting to talk to!
However, that was not the case!  I went to this party knowing a small handful of people that were attending, and we all had a lovely time chatting.

The big topic was traditions for New Year's.
Well, here's the Finnish side (I made notes):

• As of 6pm on New Year's Eve, you can set off fire works....they last until about 3-4am...depends.  Needless to say, my dogs are fine indoors but were a wreck walking around outside.
• They do not do the whole "kiss someone" at midnight for luck (or whatever it's main purpose is)
• They buy tin horse shoes, melt them and throw them individually into a bucket of cold water. Whatever the shape (or shadow) forms into, determines your future - if you're superstitious!  We didn't have any horse shoes - but next year I'd like to try one!
• Traditional foods are potatoes and sausages!

You have to be 18 years old to purchase and set off fireworks.  

BUT you can be 15 to own a gun...mind you, you have to be part of a hunting association and/or have a license.

Some other memories that were shared (because Helsinki has so much snow), a lot of people cross-country ski here.  Some people just walk and use the Nordic walking poles to encourage themselves to keep going and keep the whole body swinging....but my friends recalled skiing to school and you would get points everyday that you skied to and from your school.  The schools in various communities would compete and whichever school won, got a huge trophy!