Are you a Finn - really?

Well, perhaps you have Finnish roots but were born and raised abroad?

Guess what?  You're needed in a study!!

Check this site out for more information and to participate.

I found this link courtesy of someone who posted it in the Foreigners in Jyv�skyl� FB group!
You can still join if you live in the JKL area and are a foreigner - or a Finn with a tonne of information to share!

Tsk Tsk Fazer.

Fazer Chocolate - it's not internationally known unless you know of Finland and know how tasty their chocolate is.
How it doesn't leave a horrible after taste in your mouth like the crap you can get in North America (i.e. Hershey's - my personal opinion anyhow), your teeth aren't slimy and brown after a small bite, they use pure ingredients and the Finns do love their chocolate!

But I am currently betting that the Fazer stocks (if any) and their sales and profits have dipped an all time low when reports have shown that their chocolate is being created by child labor and slaves.

This article is in Finnish unfortunately but if you take that whole link and copy and paste it to Google Translate, you'll get a rough idea of what's going on.

Fazer does not promise or guarantee that their cocoa is not handled or processed by children who are orphans, or under-paid (most not paid at all I am sure) or bullied into working at the plantations.

So what does Fazer do?
They decide to create an advertisement (now they regret it apparently) promising that they will take 5 cents of every Fazer chocolate bar sold and put that towards building a school in Africa (where the cocoa plantation is located) for children.
Aww, how wonderful and kind - they didn't have to do that! is possibly what you're thinking - right?

Well, many Finns weren't impressed and I can't blame them.
I'm curious when are the children going to go to school when they're working for the cocoa factory?  Would the school be beneficial at all if it's empty?
Why not pay the children (older ones that are finished their education) to work?  Instead of hiring brutes to haul them out of their homes and slash them with knives as a means of getting them to haul themselves to the nearest cocoa plant?

Oh and here's the best part: the cost of building the school is cheaper than the cost of the advertisements in a Helsinki paper.

And yes, I do realize this is only a small scale compared to other world-life crises - but for those who use Fazer products nearly everyday - this is shocking I'm sure.

Until you get your sh*t straightened out - I'll be skipping the Fazer chocolate too.

Saunalahti

According to Google Translate, "Saunalahti" translates to "sauna bay".
But I am referring to the phone company that is joined with Elisa (internet and television services).

A few days ago, I got my phone bill from Sonera and nearly passed out when it was again, about 45�.
I have decided that enough was enough - I'm moving on.  I no longer make any contracts with any company due to not knowing our future plans and am glad I didn't make one with Sonera.

Once upon a time, I was with DNA and my phone bill once hit 50� (without internet usage at all - just text messages!) and their options didn't seem all that hot - so I  moved to Sonera.
I originally went to Sonera for their "kamu" program - which meant I could pick up to 5 phone numbers (Sonera based) and only paid 1� per number registered, for un-limited calls and text messaging.  And then I could also have 1 phone number that wasn't Sonera-based for the same price.

My bill was down to about 30� - which wasn't too bad (I don't talk a lot on the phone - I really avoid it unless necessary) - but suddenly it creeped up to 40 or 45�!!
I am thinking it's the fact that I was using my internet more often - and remembered Saunalahti (sister company with Elisa) offered un-limited internet with their fees.
A friend who is also with Sonera said that the fee shouldn't go up but the internet would just work slower on my phone...hmm.

I had previously gone to Sonera to ask for a better deal and they just adjusted my text message package - which added MORE to my bill and that was it.
They aren't very helpful (I've never called into their call center or anything before) and I knew the fellow spoke English - so I don't know what's up.
Also, Sonera offers discounts on their website when you log into your account.  However, my phone is in my name and my bank account doesn't show my name on it but my husband's as he's the primary account holder.  So I wasn't able to create a profile on Sonera's site either.

Then I went into Elisa and got a young guy who spoke great English and the customer service was FANTASTIC.
I quickly explained what I needed:

• I send about 700 text messages per month and was with Sonera for their Kamu program.
• I don't talk a lot on the phone - so about 1.5 hours per month (this varies - it really depends how many family members have birthdays or how many holidays are in that month so I should probably call them.)
• I use the internet quite a bit - nothing fancy.  Just Facebook and Hotmail.

The Elisa fellow quickly pointed out a plan for me (non-contract):

• 1200 text messages for 9,90� a month
• Mobile "Mini" internet package (unlimited usage) 4,90� per month (speed is average 0.5Mbits/s)
• Monthly fee is 0.66� per month
• Talking is less than 6 cents per minute too

So total is approximately: 15.46� per month.

And for the first month, I get 50% off of my internet fee....and for 12 months (aka 1 year) I get 50% off of my text message package too!

So I'm looking at about 10� and some change per month...for a year.
As opposed to 42-44� per month!

After that, he checked out internet options for me because we'll be moving in a month or so.

THEN he asked me if I would like my number to be listed or not and I opted for not - which I assume doesn't cost anything because he didn't advise me of any fee.

I kept my number the same too.

Thanks Saunalahti!

My Bus Mate

Today I had to do some errands and I sat near the back doors so I could access a quicker escape.
Little did I know that I was sharing the scene with another - creature?! for lack of a better term...
No, it didn't talk or try to recruit me to go to Church via home-made dumpling parties...it just sat there quietly.

However, I was disturbed...VERY disturbed.

Lucky for you (not so much for me), I had my camera in my pocket.

What IS this creature on the bus?

I believe it's a clump of hair...not sure if it is from an animal but I'm leaning more towards a human head produced these....that or someone decided to do some man-scaping/bush-trimming on the bus.  If THAT'S the case - I feel like barfing.

When I told my newly-made friend about this hairy-ordeal, he advised me that he once came across a naked man covered in bloody vomit once - on the bus - in Helsinki.

Surprisingly, that made me feel much better.

How Much Uff Is En-uff?

I know what you're thinking, "What the heck is she talking about NOW?!"

Uff.

Uff is the newest second-hand clothing (only) shop in downtown Jyv�skyl�!!

And when you shop - you're helping others in need.  Read more about it here.

Located beside the Post Office downtown.

With the exception of already priced items or smaller items like scarves and belts - here's the price list for every day of the week.
Monday - 7�
Tuesday-Wednesday - 6�
Thursday-Friday - 5�
Saturday - Monday - 4�

This is for the first opening 2 weeks and then they are individually priced items!

They are closed on Sundays after the first two weeks (they opened officially on September 17th).

Uff also re-stocks EVERYDAY with second-hand items for you to buy!

Parking is limited because you have to share with post office customers...but it's near the main bus stop downtown!

I brought a double stroller inside (one child in front of the other) and it was okay for maneuvering but I ended up leaving my sleeping child and the stroller near the front of the shop where there was a bit of space.  A double stroller side by side may not be so easy to push around indoors.

There's lots of women's clothing, some children and men's too.  

Today there happened to be a 5 for 20� sale - so I scooped up 3 coats, a couple of shirts and 4 scarves for 34� and some change.

I will try and brave the crowds this Saturday I think!! :)

And in Finnish, it's pronounced more like "oof" than an English "uh-ff".

Wave Your Arm!

I know what you're thinking.

"What in the world did Dominique do in Finland now?  I mean the title of this post - how odd...I must keep reading!"

Today I met up with some Foreigners in Jyv�skyl� for our monthly get together.  Last month was a bust I think - but this time some of us got together at Presso and had a great time.
Although, I must apologize - the Canadians totally dominated in numbers....

Welcome Faber kids!

Taken a couple weekends ago while hiking...and yes, that's my dog on the right digging in a cave...

You can check out Sarah and Adam's blog here.

Anyways, it was nice to meet another person that was a foreigner and we chatted politics, philosophy, weather, life-styles and so on.  

When it was time to take the Fabers on a tour downtown, my family and I rushed to catch the elevator and I had pressed the button (in Sokos) and the door opened.  My husband was weaving the kids in the stroller through some light "traffic" aka customers just standing there and not moving very fast...so I stuck my hand into the elevator door where the sensor was and continued to press the button.

Thanks to the arse-holes downstairs who kept violently punching the button - the door slammed shut onto my wrist. I quickly punched the button again and the door opened...of course.

Today's lesson folks (and the reason for the title)?

The sensor doesn't work if something is blocking it (i.e. my wrist or maybe yours) - you have to make sure you - wave your arm.

*Please do not test this theory as I cannot guarantee that the stupid elevator will recognize anything in time and may cause more harm than what I experienced today.

Crafty Therapy

Whenever I am stressed out - I tend to eat more "bad foods", shop a little "more than necessary" or just get cranky.
However, a friend suggested I take a rug-weaving course with her and she described using the loom as very therapeutic!  Why?  Because you pull this huge wooden "thing" towards you and it makes a big banging sound.
I apologize now that I do not know the terms properly because I haven't looked them up yet and the course I am taking is in Finnish.
Well, as long as I cannot break any of my fingers (or someone else's) - why not?

The course sign-up was back in August and it only started last week.
There were limited spots available because of course, there are only so many looms available.  It's only once a week after work from 5-8pm or so.
The course is held in Vaajakoski and can be reached by a variety of buses in Jyv�skyl�.  Like the 2M (fastest but only available during rush hour), 1,2 and 3.
Oh and it is above the library....

Here's some photos:

A loom!

From the weaver's side...

Some people's work in progress... (also known as "WIP")

Someone else's WIP

A rainbow popped out after it was done raining - so naturally we ran to the windows like little girls and said "OOOH" and "AHH" a bunch of times.

My instructor getting her weave on and helping me start my rug...

I accomplished a lot in a couple hours!!  Very addicting...just 1 more row...

I was doing a basic pattern but my friend Anna decided to follow a pattern (she already took a similar course and was merely there for the weaving time and to translate for me).

A room of looms!

In almost every Finnish home, I have seen a woven rug/carpet.  It is possible that you buy fabric (got mine at Poppeli in skeins and then I wound them in balls then onto the shuttles) or that you could cut up your old bed sheets...or other old clothing and use them instead!
Yes, it's also possible to buy them.  But this is so much fun and even though the course is in Finnish - it is well worth the time to learn!

And my friend Anna, who has experience making several of these - she has one for every part of her home pretty much.  And she can point out which parts of the rugs hold the most memory!  A favourite shirt that had worn out, a particular dress...a certain table cloth even!

The possibilities are endless!

Parent Teacher Night

Tonight I went to my son's day care to attend a parent/teacher night where the staff review what the kids have done and any major changes to the day-care itself.
Tonight's meeting was actually for the groups of kids who are older but because there would be a translator, they recommended I go tonight and not next week -when the parents of the younger kids go.
The translator turned out to be the lady who helped us out when we were getting our son diagnosed with Autism and was fantastic tonight as well.

What was the meeting about?

• Please tell the day care if your child will not be there for breakfast or certain meals or snack times (i.e. your child goes later or leaves earlier) - because they order their food a week in advance and it would greatly help their budget out.
• There's a new technical communication system coming out so that way parents are able to communicate better with the teachers without wasting so much paper.
• There are some sort of alternatives for day care help if parents are still working during Christmas holidays (not actually ON Christmas Eve/Day) but only in super mandatory situations and may not apply to all day cares.
• Day-care will be now accepting payments based on a "how much does your child use it and when?" system.  Not sure how income affects it - but that's one big thing.   Some kids go to day care everyday, half-days, 10-days a month or on a need-it basis (depending on the family's situation).
• Something about attendance for kids - I don't think there is a sheet for the kids in my son's group - at least I haven't seen it.  Once again it's so they can budget accordingly for food.

Then the main lady looked at me and said because I am new, she would love to hear my experiences with the day care thus far (Um...it's only been a week and my first child!).

So I told her the truth.

"Hi, I'm from Canada and day care is not only very expensive but as soon as you find out you're pregnant - you have to put your name on a waiting list for a day-care spot for your baby.  There is no guarantee or promise of a spot so many people don't go back to work or have to wait a few years. Also because day-care is so expensive many people cannot afford it because it doesn't matter what your income is.  So...I am very grateful for the day-care system here."

I'm blushing like crazy because I was put on the spot and felt slightly embarassed to say so much in 2 minutes...when the director said (translated):

"Thank you for sharing this.  The law was passed in 1973 that requires every child to be guaranteed a spot in a day-care.  I guess because we are all so used to this law - we take it for granted sometimes and I'm glad this service helped you and your family."

The looks around the room were amusing to say the least.  As soon as I mentioned putting an un-born baby - without a gender, a name or a due date really- onto a waiting list for DAY-CARE - some women had their mouths hanging to the floor.  Some people snorted out of disbelief because a child not in day care and staying at home with a mother (or father) for YEARS until they start school just seemed so ridiculous.

Then we moved onto the children's group rooms and I left.

So...Canada - when are you going to catch up?  Finland has 39 years on you....

Just sayin'.

Popular Questions For Foreigners!

Whenever you move to another country - sometimes it is possible to blend in.
Then again - sometimes you stick out like a sore thumb...

I think I am a bit of both...physically I do not look Finnish or European at all.  Definitely not Swedish or Estonian...but yet Finns speak to me in Finnish all the time - which I take as a compliment.
It's an even BIGGER compliment if they understand when I speak Finnglish!

So, what are some super common questions asked of foreigners living in Finland?

• Where are you from?
• No, I mean where are you from REALLY? (I guess I don't look Canadian either.)
• Why are you in Finland?
• How long have you lived here?
• Do you speak Finnish?  Do you understand it at all?
• When will you learn to speak Finnish?  Do you find it difficult to get around without the language?
• Has any of your friends or family visited Finland?
• Have you gone back to your country to visit?
• What do you think of Finland?
• Do you have many friends here?  (If your response is yes, do not be surprised if they are stunned and then ask, "Are they all Finnish?!")
• What do you miss the most about your home country?
• Do you speak French?  (French is Canada's second official language.  No, I do not - despite the French first name.  Sorry.)
• Have you travelled to other parts of the EU?
• Do you live near Anne of Green Gables, on PEI?  
• Is the weather similar?
• Do you like Finnish food?
• Do you like the sauna?  Do you have saunas in your home country?
• What is the weirdest thing about Finland that you have noticed or experienced?
• How long does it take to fly here from your country and how many stops and where did you stop?
• Did you bring your pets with you?
• Why did you give your children Finnish names?  (Most Finns think it's interesting that we do not know if we're living here permanently but because our boys are born here - we gave them VERY Finnish names.)
• What do you think of the long winter and dark days and the long sunny days in the summer?
• Can you cross-country ski?
• Do you like hockey as much as Finns do?  (Personally - not really.  And Canadians in general LOVE hockey - even to the point there are brawls and total destruction of cities when a Canadian team loses.)
• Do you find it hard to sleep with almost 24 hours of sunlight in the summer?

Not Your Typical Hair-Cut

A few days ago, I realized that I have not made a hair appointment in over a year.
Since then, I have had awesome and thick pregnancy hair - then after the baby came - well, my hair was falling out in massive handfuls (seriously).
Fast forward and I realized that yes, it's from the hormones of still nursing my little guy and lack of proper care for my hair!
Yes, I wash and condition on a regular basis - but sometimes it need more than that.  Especially since I lacked any kind of shape or style by this point.
I looked like the girl from the Grudge and a mop...just to give you an idea.

So I went to the lady I normally go to and she's not open on the weekends unless you book by appointment - fair enough.
I had made an appointment yesterday when my friend was getting her hair cut there and I popped in this morning and it was so nice to not have the kids with me....

Okay - onto the hair cut.

She skipped washing my hair since I just did it and as she was figuring out what style I wanted (just layers and maybe side-swept bangs but not sure at that point) she started to snip away.
Then we started to chat...you know how you chat to your hair stylist or barber...typical conversation normally includes some or all of the following:

• The weather
• Recent vacation or holidays
• Children
• Pets
• How long I'm living in Finland
• School or work
• Sometimes politics
• General news or worldly news events

So we tackled the weather, the lack of sunshine this past summer, the lack of vacation and then we got onto the children part.

"How are the boys?  I haven't seen them in a long time (snip, snip, comb, snip, snip)" - her

"Oh they're doing great.  V's starting day care on Monday - very exciting...and I'm a nervous wreck!" -me

"Oh is he speaking yet?" - her
I thought she knew through mutual friends about V's diagnosis of autism but I guess they stopped going to her for their hair appointments - sooooooooooooooooo...*insert awkward moment*.

"Nope - but we're working with a speech therapist.  He'll have an assistant at day care and he's been diagnosed with Autism." - me

"OH that is too bad!  When was he diagnosed?.." - her
Me jabbering about appointments while she's snipping and assessing her work /my head...

"Well, have you ever considered a miracle?  I mean taking him to a prayer meeting or gathering - the power in a miracle has no explanation and no scientific proof..."

Once again, I am NOT knocking down anyone's beliefs or religions - this is purely my random experience while living in Finland that I am writing and sharing for all of you readers to enjoy.  Take it for what it's worth.

I pause and think carefully before speaking and I am hoping that my face doesn't have a "WTF where did that come from?!" look on my face because my glasses are off so she can cut my hair without having to work around them.

"Well, no I haven't to be honest.  Have you had one of those experiences?" I politely ask.

"Oh yes!  I went to a prayer gathering because my skin was so painful and my neck was so sore...so I went to a Church and I was a bit late but they asked me what I wanted to pray for.  So I told them about my neck and they touched it and there was heat - a lot of energy and I fell (she looks at me sheepishly) and felt instantly better!  The pain was gone and my son could NOT believe it!" - her

"Ohhhh - so just like on TV??  It really works - how interesting.." I try and end the conversation at that.

She continues on for a bit and then here's the kicker.

"Well, maybe the prayers could help to get rid of the autism or ease it in some way...Because the doctor told me I would always have this thing on my neck and it's gone.  Miracles DO happen you know." - her

I was stunned and shocked and a little hurt.

Yes there are a great deal of people who are following or practicing a faith and that's fine.  And I KNOW she had only the nicest intentions by that speech/comment...but I just felt like she stabbed me in the neck with those scissors.

Almost like, "Your child has a disease so ask God to help out and if you really believe - then he'll grant you a miracle and you'll have a normal kid like everyone else."

Anyway, I just nodded and said I would think about it and left it at that.

A blow dryer, no bangs (my choice) and 30� later and I was out of there.

Probably for good.  She just lost a customer - which is quite unfortunate because she's really nice, gives me great hair cuts and is chatty enough that I am not bored sitting there.  AND she speaks perfect English...and so does her American husband (whom I've met briefly once) - who is ALSO a hair stylist.
And yes, she attends Church (Salvation Army) quite regularly from what I understand and has suggested I go to some event the last time I got my hair cut...I politely declined and thought nothing of it until today.

And the hunt for another hair stylist will probably commence in another year and a half when I finally realize how awful my hair looks....