A Finnish Drinking Game...

A couple nights ago I went to a house-warming/going-away party for some friends and I was excited because - I haven't been to a Finnish house party yet.  Well, I've been to "family-friendly gatherings" but I have never consumed alcohol at those ones and I certainly did not plan to drink that night either!  (Mostly because I am still breast-feeding and partially because I did not have time to go out and buy anything).
So I showed up with a bowl of freshly baked cookies and after a few minutes of awkwardly standing there not knowing anyone - or what they were saying  - as it was all very fast - someone decided it was time for a drinking game.
Oh boy.  "I'll just watch and join later" was my excuse.
Well, they weren't having it!  The husband was away for a few days attending a conference in Germany - so surely I needed a break and someone gave me a cider!
We all sat in a circle and they began to explain the rules as best as they could remember it in English.

Now - the thing with Finns who are drinking or have had a lot to drink - is that they tend to be very brave and speak A LOT of English...even though it's not their first language or one they practice often.
And so far - every drunk Finn I have encountered, has had pretty great English!  I think it's something in the drink - that just helps them shed away the modesty and shyness and they really let loose with their language skills!

So a deck of cards was found and we all sat in a circle...
I cannot remember the rules perfectly (I only had 1 drink!!) but I will try my best to describe it and some of it may be wrong but at least you get an idea of their version of a drinking game!
*I have never participated in a drinking game in Canada...so this was a first for me!*


One person at a time flips the top card of the deck and whatever card is shown, determines what the action is required.
* means I can't remember the colour - black or red.
** means opposite colour!

• #2-6 in red (*): the person flipping the card has to drink their beverage ___ times as the number shown on the card 
• #2-6 (**): the person gets to choose who has to drink __times as the number shown on the card.  Also it's possible that they divide it like "3 sips to John, 1 sip to Melissa and 1 sip to George!" (5 is shown)
• Queen (any colour): "Waterfall" - so when this card is shown, the person who flipped the card must begin drinking and not stop...the whole circle (think like a "wave") begins to drink one after another in order that they sit (clock-wise) and you must continue to drink until the last person in the circle chooses to stop.  Then the circle reverses order as they stop drinking.  So either way, the flipper has to drink the most.
• #8 (any colour): You have to keep this card and do some sort of signal (i.e. play with your hair) throughout the game and the last person to "get it" and copy you has to drink ("penalty")
• #7 (any colour): Everyone holds 3 fingers up and the flipper goes first.  You have to say something true about something you have NEVER EVER done before.  (I.e. "I have never ever smoked before")  So those in the circle that HAVE done this thing - they have to "lose a life" and put down a finger....and each person goes in the circle and says something they have never done before.  Then whoever "loses all 3 lives" first - has to drink.
• Jack card (any colour) - you have to smack your forehead and everyone has to do it.  Whoever doesn't or is the last one - has to drink.
• #10 (any colour) - everyone has to agree on making a rule like "You have to say 'Cheers'! before taking a drink or else you have to have another drink!"
• King - I think it was you could make a rule everyone had to abide - like above.
• #9 was a break card.  You could use it whenever you wanted to use the bathroom or have a smoke.

Phew.  And that is how they do it in Finland.

Faking It.

It's been over 2 years now that I've moved to Finland and up until recently - I was horrible at faking Finnish.  One thing I was seriously lacking was confidence...the ability to look like I totally knew what you were saying in Finnish and being able to give the appropriate shrugged shoulder, facial expression or the right tone of "Uh-huh".
(Please note: I am very good at faking understanding a conversation in English.  I do it quite often with my husband - once he gets going with political talk or philosophy.)

But!  I am getting much better at it...
About a month ago - I started taking Finnish lessons in my home with my friend, M, teaching me and my husband.  Tim has already taken Part 1 of basic Finnish through the University of Jyv�skyl�.  However, after our son was born, he found he didn't have enough time to go to Part 2.
So right now - all these Verb Types and basic words to get around and "survive" are just a nice refresher for him - and slightly confusing for me.

We have lessons twice a week and an hour long per session - as I have a short memory and attention span when it comes to languages and remembering grammar rules etc....so 2 hours a week plus my homework (which I actually got done today prior to my lesson) is just the right length for me.

I'm realizing that despite my short memory for proper endings for verb types - I'm able to recognize and pick out more in conversations I overhear on a regular basis.
Things like numbers and food-related words aren't as foreign or as confusing anymore!  Although, when spoken quickly - it still makes my head spin.

To prove my new-found confidence in "faking it"- I shall share a story.
Yesterday V�in� and I went downtown to Sokos to have lunch in their "S-Market" on the bottom floor.  (It's not actually called "S-Market" but because they accept the S Card - I call it such).
V�in� sat beside me and happily ate his lunch while I happily ate my salad and pop.  He decided to get up and stand in his chair - so I quickly put him into his stroller and he was satisfied snacking on a carrot muffin with me.
There was a lady watching us and was very hopeful to take over our table with her spouse - but once she saw me settle back down to eating my almost-finished salad - she decided to take the table ahead of us.
However, this lady was very un-impressed by the previous diners at that table - because not only did they leave their trays and dirty dishes (one was in a wheel chair and the other was her friend pushing her along - so I guess they felt they didn't want to or feel the need to put away their dirty dishes as a courtesy to others) - but they left behind quite a bit of food un-eaten on their plates.
Well!  This lady who took over their table was VERY disgusted by all of this and voiced her opinion to me about it...she was waiting for a response so I just frowned a little and with a firm-looking face said "Hmm joo."  (Hmm yes)
She nodded at my response and gave me a big smile.
BOO YA! I got a Finn's seal of approval.... I didn't need to elaborate anymore because that's what Finns do - they keep it super simple when it comes to responding to something.

So when it doubt - just say "Joo". (Sounds like Yo, as in yo-yo, but a longer "o" sound at the end).

All About: Television

In Canada, you typically have to sign up for your cable channels through a variety of cable companies.  Or perhaps you'll get a satellite so you can watch a wider variety of channels from around the world - which is particularly handy if your first language is not English and you want to see some Chinese channels or French ones etc.
Then there's Youtube and other sites online - where everything online is free in snippets but then you have to watch things in segments and risk not seeing everything - because the producing company of the show will request those clips be removed.
And then of course, there's the option of waiting until your favourite show comes out on DVD at the end of the season and you purchase it....

Now that you know your options - let's talk about the option in Finland.

In order to get channels in Finland - you just need to buy a "digibox".  You just plug it in and  POOF! You have channels!
Now, if you go that route, you're "supposed" to pay your TV fees.

You perhaps have received a letter from "Viestint�virasto TV-maksut" - and it was probably in Finnish the first few times.  I know my husband has gotten one every 4-6 months since we've moved to Finland....and finally! It was my turn to get one.
Oh but this time - they wrote it in English.

Here's the short form of the letter:

"According to law (yes there's an Act on the State Television and Radio Fund (745/1998) - the television fees must always be paid when you are able to receive and watch tv transmissions...  You have to submit a notification regardless of the channels you watch or how much you watch them - or which distribution network (analog, digital, satellite etc.)....PS If you cannot receive television transmissions or a television notification has already been made for your address, please ignore this letter.  You need not notify us of this."

Then included in this little package is a form for me to fill out with all of my information etc.
Oh and because you're probably curious - here's the fees (you can pay it in 1 fee or in several monthly installments as follows:

" 1 month: 21,15�    3 months: 62,35�   6 months: 123,25�  12 months: 244,90�"

Considering the costs Canadians (and Americans too I'm sure) pay per month for internet - average speed being about 80$/month plus free local calls (we get the average speed for free in our building!) - I'm sure this is a very good deal, and I don't want to know what North Americans are paying for television cable!  (Even if you convert the currencies).

Anyway, so we do have a television - but no digibox.  We haven't watched TV in about 5 years (since my husband and I were first dating...he didn't need it and I didn't want to be dependent on it all the time like many people I know) - so why start now?  We're more into movies if anything.

So we don't have a digibox - but apparently if your computer has a "tv chip" - you're still expected to pay.  I have no idea how to use this "chip" and don't want to know.  Our computer is mostly Finnish anyway - so we have no idea how to do a lot with this computer - except for the basics and use of the internet.  I don't even know if we have that chip!

Well, what happens if you don't respond to the letters?  Occasionally, you may have a "TV Inspector" come to visit you.  They'll ring your door bell (so instruct your friends and regular visitors to knock instead :P ) and introduce themselves.  They'll ask permission to come inside and look for your digibox.
YOU HAVE EVERY LEGAL RIGHT TO SAY NO AND POLITELY SHUT THE DOOR.  The only people you MUST let into your home are the Police.
And they're sneaky about it too - they'll listen to your door (they're kind of thin I suppose) to see if they can hear any "tv-like sounds".
This is getting increasingly harder because of the internet, DVDs and VCRs (yes some people still have those here) - and heck! Even radios!
My friend had recently moved into a different flat and she received a letter within a week - stating that she needs to register her digibox/television if she has one.  And before that?  She just ignored the letters, and once had an inspector come in and they look around in the bedroom, kitchen and living room...typical places for a TV.  The inspector was suspicious because he could hear sounds from her flat - and it was only the radio...she doesn't even have a TV!!

I wonder if they have a little jingle tune like "Inspector Gadget"...?

A compliment

I was hanging out with my friend doing crafts and as per our usual weekend plans and she had something delicious to feed me (when hasn't she?!).
(In all fairness, I do bring food with me too - since she drives and picks me up, takes me to the big grocery stores and is just an awesome person to hang out with and loves food like I do.  This is what I brought over in case you're curious - Cinnamon Sugar Pull-Apart bread...but the Finns would call it "pulla" (pooh-lah) - a sweet bread).

She had made a Finnish snack - a Ham and cheese pie.  And no it doesn't have a pastry on top like your grandma's best apple pie (think North American).  I have yet to see a "pie" in Finland with a pastry topping actually...
It was not quite like a quiche - but very tasty nonetheless.

I've been wanting to make something like this for quite awhile but didn't know the recipe and she advised me it was very easy and very plain.  I didn't think so!
It reminded me of the salmon pies you can buy during some craft exhibitions I've been to...but with ham!  It was delightful.
I wanted the recipe - despite being terrified of the word "pie".  I've had several failures before in the "pie crust" department...but this was "very easy"...I can't possibly fail - right?!

I asked her if she wouldn't mind sharing the recipe and she was tickled pink!  She wrote it out in English for me (thank goodness) and then was very proud because it was the first recipe she wrote out in English!
Anyhow, apparently it's quite the compliment (well she put it as "a big honor") to be asked for a recipe.  I had no idea...I mean typically in North America, people swap recipes all the time.  Although, some recipes (nothing really specific usually) are "top family secrets" and the full ingredients list may not be given out...or a special step to make the perfect ______ won't be shared.
Depends who you're asking I guess!

I personally, have no problem sharing recipes and now that I think about it - since being in Finland...I've given several recipes out!! :)
I am just very happy that people like my food I make - and nobody's threatened to sue me over food poisoning! (HA I'm kidding!) 

Blueberry Picking Pro!

Watch out Blueberries...I'm gonna getcha!

I'm super excited to use this....I got a small one - the bigger ones are red (in case you were wondering).  I'm hoping to go out Friday night, if not, the weekend to pick!!!  WAHOO!

(I also feel like I am 1-step closer to being "Finnish"...you know, aside from speaking the language.)

A Finnish Joke!

I don't know many - at least not that many in English - okay.  I admit it.  This is the ONLY Finnish joke I know!
My husband told me it this morning:

A father and his two sons are driving along a road and one son spots a hare jumping across the road and says, "A hare!"
Five minutes later, as they continue to drive, the brother says, "No it was a deer!"
Five minutes later, as they continue to drive, the father says, "Will you two stop fighting?!"

(The point of the joke being that Finnish men are very quiet and don't speak much...)
Oh and in case you're wondering - a French Canadian told my husband this joke...who apparently knows many Finns.
And yes, we know MANY Finnish men that are like this!!!

A conversation (true story unfortunately) I had in Finland with a drunk....

I was waiting for my burger at Hesburger - while V was asleep...and some guy in the line up decided to have an intense conversation with me.  He asked where I was from and then asked if I was living or studying here.....and I kept my answers short - because let's face it - I'm here because I'm hungry and have a child who's asleep...so of course I'm going to take advantage of eating a small meal "by myself in peace and quiet".

He was smelly like alcohol and needed a shave but was relatively young (30 years max).  Anyway - he then complimented V�in� and told me he had a boy who is in 1st grade, who he gets to see once a month or so....and he's "the top of his class" and the ex-wife had smoked a lot of pot during the pregnancy and the kid is the smartest...so really - smoking weed can't be 'that bad'"....

I just smiled and nodded and used the puppy-eyes to get help from the staff as they were delivering burgers to other customers.  Unfortunately - they didn't get my hint.

Then he told me that he didn't know what to order because "talking to you is as satisfying as eating a bull by the horns"... Jeeze - I'm flattered now.

I get my burger and REALLY want to eat it - but he keeps talking to me!

Then he asked if he could touch V�in� (who was passed out) - and I said politely and firmly, "No, please don't touch him because I don't want you to wake him up."

WHAT DOES HE DO?!  HE TOUCHES V�IN� ON THE HEAD!!!  Thankfully - V�in� had a hat and hood on...his hands were filthy - I nearly barfed.  He then smiles and says, "See - he didn't even feel it."

I gave him a dirty look and said that he shouldn't have done that...and the guy thinks we're best buds and KEEPS TALKING.  He wanted to know what the English word was for a soul patch (small patch of hair under the bottom lip) and for a stay-at-home-mother.  I played dumb and said "Oh English isn't that great..." but apparently Russians have words for everything!!  JEEZE.

Something about going to Turkey to swim in the coral reefs....and that I should enjoy my beautiful baby.  Then he left - didn't buy anything...just left.

The funniest Finnish saying yet!

The other night I went to a friend's place as she was hosting the knitting night and I brought these Domino truffles (recipe can be found on Kraft under "Oreo truffles").  Well, one of the ladies took a bite and didn't say anything at first...and then she kind of made these choking sounds.  I was getting a little worried and she said, "Oh that was so good my tongue went down with the food."

I just chuckled, smiled and nodded and thought silently to myself "I hope to God that's a Finnish saying!!"

Well, I went to a friend's home and brought the same treats and something similar happened.  I then asked them "Oh there was this lady kind of choking and said her tongue went down with the chocolate - what does that mean?!"
They laughed and confirmed that YES it is a Finnish saying (translated in English) - simply meaning that the food was very good.

I'm going to try and incorporate a word of a week or a saying of a week on this blog - so keep an eye out!  Perhaps every Sunday I'll do this!