Is that how they do it?

I qualify, as far as I know, for un-employment benefits here in Finland.
I have never held a paid-position job that took me away from home for example.  And by "away from home" - I don't mean abroad.  I just mean away from kids because they'd be in day care and I'd go to work from 8-4 or 9-5.
NOT saying that being a stay-at-home parent IS NOT a job....it is!!  So let's get back on track.

So I submitted my paperwork really late to Kela, because I knew I "qualified" as of the 2nd week of May.  But I was still in school, kids still in day-care - rushing around to pick them up and so on, hubby was still writing his thesis - so I had to be with them once I was done school...and we travelled to Wales and London for a bit too.
So I finally got around to submitting it to the office in September.  They questioned why I didn't submit it back in May...not really a lot of time to be honest!
Then in June we were travelling, and after that - hubby had a major deadline...the oh-so-mighty thesis!!!
So I was taking the kids everywhere and leaving him at home to finish up the biggest project ever.
Then my school started - and with the hours I have in school - and having to be home by 3pm so V-man can get in the house (a taxi drops him off after day-care) - there's NO WAY I would get into Kela to ask questions, fill out the form together and so on.

Anyways, I justified this and they said fine - we will make a decision.

Fast forward 3 weeks later - and I'm not seeing anything in my bank account from them.  So thankfully, I had an off period and rushed to Kela, waited over 30 minutes (that's what I mean about not being able to do it after class - I wouldn't get home in time!) and after the expected identity check - the Kela rep lady says,

"We are waiting on a paper from TE-Toimisto." (The un-employment office)
"What papers?  I thought it was automatic...nobody said anything when I was here 3 weeks ago..." -me frantic.
"Yes it should be automatic...but they have not sent it.  Maybe you could call or make an appointment with them and see what is the problem?"
I agree and thank her and am about to leave when she says, "Oh - and can we have your number?? We don't have it in this system."

You have GOT to be kidding me.

Every piece of paper/application for anything involving Kela requires a few things:

1. Your name
2. Your social security number
3. Your PHONE NUMBER
4. Your E-mail Address (most applications)
5. Your signature

I must have given her a look like she had rabies because she said, "Well?"
And I pointed out the fact, that they should have my number in the system because for the past 4 years and especially within the last 2 - I have done nothing but fill out forms every 4-6 months on behalf of my son - which has my phone number and e-mail.

She smiled and gave me the typical Finnish response:  a shrug.

I gave my number to her and she said thanks and that was that.

Now I'm wondering if this is one way that Kela gets out of paying people their benefits.

I'm semi-pro-Kela...love 'em and hate'em at the same time.

With the Un-Employment/studying benefits - they will only back-date it 3 months. No ifs or buts about it.

A month will have gone by since I submitted my paperwork and by the time they come to a freaking decision and by the time they actually receive the TE-Toimisto paperwork.

So now I'm losing yet another (potential) month of income...it's not my fault that TE-Toimisto didn't do their job (as far as I know)...so who will end up getting penalized?

Me.  Or maybe You.  (Perhaps you're in a similar position?)

It's not the first time I have been screwed over - because Kela has these set rules of not paying back what is owed - even when it's their fault and they admit it openly in person....

So I called up TE-Tomisto yesterday and the first guy must have thought I was drunk - because I had been waiting for 10 minutes during their horrible electric rock waiting music...I started eating my breakfast...a slice of feta pie...And of course I'm on the last big bite - and he answers the phone.
I asked if he spoke English - with a mouth semi-full of food and he hangs up on me.

Not even an "Ei!" (No)

Just a flat-out "click".

I call back to the switchboard and ask for the direct line to the JKL TE-Toimisto office and call them back again...another 5 minutes wait - and mouth empty of food....and someone picks up.
After some Finnglish - she gets me someone who speaks English...
And may I point out that rep sounds like she LOVES her job...*Major sarcasm font - if one existed...*

"Hi there, I need a paper for Kela saying that I qualify for benefits - they haven't received it yet...what do I do?" -me trying to be friendly and patient.

"What's your name?  How do I spell it?  I'll do it. Bye."

So I have no idea if she means it, or what kind of time-frame I'm looking at...

But here's hoping??

Night Reflectors

So if you're not interested in the shapes available and want to make your own - it's totally possible and very easy!
Benefits of wearing a night-reflector on your outer clothing ?

1. Cars can see you better when their lights shine on you while driving.
2. People on bicycles with lights can see you too...
3. You have a better chance of NOT getting hit by one of the two vehicles mentioned in 1 and 2.

It's also strongly recommended to carry a safety reflective vest in your car/vehicle - so people can see you if you pull over and need to fix something on your car...or pee on the side of the highway...

It's also a super smart idea to put one (a vest or reflector or little non-blinking light) on your dog or other pet, when going for walks!!
Animals can be un-predictable - even the better trained ones - and move into the opposite side of the sidewalk and ended up getting hurt (or hurting a cyclist) for example.

Snow.

As usual - here's your weather warning that there is now snow on the ground - and it doesn't look like it's going anywhere....as it keeps sneakily falling from the sky non-stop.
So what does that mean for you, the person living in Finland?

It is mandatory to get snow tires on your car/truck/vehicle.
And strongly recommended for your bicycle.  
I don't know if they actually make a REAL difference, as I won't bike in the winter!! 

Wear reflectors on both sides of your body if possible - so people can see you where it may be poorly lit...yes the snow helps a bit but not always if there's no street lights!!
Get a bike bell and bike light - DON'T BE AFRAID TO USE THEM.  You can help to prevent many accidents by warning people you're coming too quickly towards them - or trying to get around them.  It's the polite way to get past someone faster...*RING RING*

Your balcony (if you are lucky to have one) makes an EXCELLENT extra fridge/freezer (once it's REALLY cold out) - and it's prime time to empty out and clean your fridge...and if you have icicles in your freezer...probably a good time to de-frost as well.
Also an excellent time to stock up on ice-cream by the way (no, you're not crazy for eating ice-cream in the winter..or shopping 6 months in advance so it won't melt on your way home from the shops!)....and I've used mine as an extra freezer for meats and so on too once December hit!!

Just be sure to have proper trays or mats or plenty of towels to soak up the liquid from the de-frosting!!!
And make sure you change your towels/mats/empty the trays out frequently so you don't damage your floors if they happen to be sensitive to moisture/humidity.
It's also a great spot to let baby/young children sleep in their strollers - well bundled up (and usually not colder than -15*C or so)...as cold air soothes them, minimalizes flu bacteria growth, lets them sleep longer...and fresh air never hurts!

Layer up!
Most important thing about living in a cold climate country (especially if you're not used to it) is to wear light layers.

• Long johns/underwear - usually made of cotton or wool - touch your skin and keep your skin happy because this fabric is breathable.
• Long sleeved shirt and pants - not too thick (of course depends how cold it is outside and how long you'll BE outside and how much you're moving).
• Wool socks
• GOOD winter boots - warm on the inside, waterproof, quick-to-dry if possible, excellent grip underneath.  It gets slippery - and the rest won't matter if you're falling all over the place and getting soaked and twisting your ankles and whatnot.  It's worth the investment and can last you several years!!
• Snow pants or even basic wind/water proof pants (I went one winter just wearing "track pants" that were breathable, water-proof and wind-proof.  I wore thick pants underneath like fleece pajama bottoms and long johns beneath those and felt perfectly fine!).
• Winter coat - should have a hood, reflectors, wind/water/snow resistant/proof.  Brightly coloured helps too - especially if you're hiking or travelling and have a tendency to get lost....
• Scarf or cowl - nobody enjoys a sore throat.
• Hat/toque (Canadian term)/Pipo (Finnish word)
• Ski mask helps on very blustery and cold days!!!  I have a great thin one from Mountain Equipment Co-Op, a Canadian sporting/outdoor shop.  Best thing I ever bought.
• Mittens/Gloves 
• Moisturizer - not just your hands and body - but your face and lips!!!
• Sun-screen...yes you can get burnt on exposed skin when skiing or being out for long periods of time (or even short ones with sensitive skin) in the winter. 

Signs of FROST BITE AND HYPOTHERMIA....
In case you've never had it, been close to experiencing it - or have never been to a country with a snowy/freezing winter - you may want to check the link above.

It's also handy (even if you don't have children) to get a pull-sled to get your groceries!  Because walking in the snow that's not been plowed can be hard enough - may as well make use of it and drag your groceries (especially heavy things!) quickly along the snow!!

I think that's everything....but just keep an eye on the weather and ask a Finnish friend (or friend that's lived here through a winter or two) to help you out!!!

Kestovaippakauppa - A Review

I was on the hunt for a KAM-branded plastic snap fastener.  My Prym brand one doesn't fasten plastic snaps - only metal ones and eyelets.  Darn.
I immediately looked online at Etsy and other sites that sold craft supplies and equipment- but the shipping was almost double the cost of the pliers themselves!
I asked a Finnish friend to help me look in Finland for reasonably priced (including shipping) KAM pliers and she actually found me a shop IN Jyv�skyl� called "Kestovaippakauppa".
There was the option to order online and shipping would be 3,50� - not bad!  But then my friend and I were able to hang out and catch up.
They weren't quite easy to find in terms of being able to hop on a bus and go on my own - but she thankfully took me there by car and we had quite the experience.
For me -it was a mostly positive one.  For my friend - well, she wasn't overly thrilled by the service, speed or anything but the products she purchased.

It turned out that I have been to this shop before - last year and at night, so I didn't recall how to get there - but recognized the building (it's in the basement floor of a house) once we arrived.
Anyways, what I was looking for was this:

It came with the screw driver, awl, metal rod and other press-dies - just not shown in my photo!

That was easy and my friend translated - then I had to choose button colours....I just asked for a mix.  For 50 pairs of mixed colours - "I'm not picky" I told the store rep helping me.  She was great to work with and very helpful and quick - considering each "set" of snaps consist of 4 pieces.

While my buttons were being chosen and packaged - my friend and I cruised through the single-room shop and looked through all the different fabric types.

I decided I wanted to venture into "cloth-pad land" - hence why I wanted the KAM snaps fastener and snaps to begin with....but of course there were so many fabrics available that weren't sold downtown.
I found a couple pieces of fabric on sale and then my friend pointed out a PUL-type of printed fabric.

PUL is the water proof stuff on one side and usually printed (or a solid colour) on the other side.  Traditionally used for lots of things like cloth diapers, diaper covers, wet bags (for pads or diapers or soiled clothing) or even lunch bags!

I thought it would be wise to buy a piece and asked my friend how much it was - she was told 5� a piece by a different store rep.  These pieces were colourful, modern, fun, great quality and pretty big!

GREAT!  I picked up one and the buttons were ready and the store rep I had began to tally up my sale.

I asked/confirmed with her that the PUL fabric was 5� and she looked at me like I was insane.

After searching on the internet - it turned out it was over 11� a piece.

By this point - my friend finally got her fabrics cut and her sale being processed.  She was already charged with the 5�/PUL sheet and the rep had no idea what to do.

It took forever to get a couple pieces of fabric cut and to sort out the billing.

She was first charged X� with the PUL sheets being 5� each.  Then they calculated the difference - and she was charged the difference - but the lady punched in 0,13� (13 CENTS) instead of 13,00�.

Then the 3rd time....she got charged the difference of 12,87�.

Crappy customer service: We each got a 10 cents discount for the "confusion" of the older store's rep mistake.

Excellent customer service would be:  Take the hit and sell it to us for the price we were told.  Or even 50% off would have been nice.

We could have been in and out within 20-30 minutes tops.  We didn't leave until an hour later.

I'm sorry to say that I won't be shopping there again - not even online (they offer shipping on their site).  Not only is it difficult for me to get to by bus, but the service was really disappointing for my friend and I.