iDon't Work!

If you're moving to Finland and have a Smart Phone - such as an iPhone, a Samsung Galaxy - really, anything with a touch screen - please be warned that these types of phones generally do not work in Finland.
They work in warmer temperatures but if it's cold like -30*C - they will not work.
Some do - but not always.

Why would I tell you this?

Because iPhones for example, just came to Finland last year.  I do not own one because the current model, iPhone 4S (I think?) is going for about 455-600�.  As cool as it would be to have an iPhone or any kind of smart phone - I don't want to pay an arm and a leg either!
So of course, iPhones were on everybody's must-have/gotta-try list last year and there was a huge disappointment throughout Finland when they realized that they didn't quite work their best in the winter time.

I have been hunting around for a new phone because mine was having problems with signals, receiving photo text messages (I'm getting it looked at today) and the back cover kept falling off with the lightest touch (for example, pulling it out of my pocket!).

So I thought maybe getting a Smart Phone with a touch screen would be cool.
For the first time ever, I did some research.

I know my good friend in South Korea loves his Samsung Galaxy.  It's also never -30*C there in the winter.
I have a friend with some sort of Nokia model Smart Phone - and despite it being from a Finnish company - the battery dies very quickly (typical for any electronic with such cold temperatures!) and it doesn't always work.  And she pointed out, "Who wants to remove their warm woolly mittens when it's so cold - just to make a phone call or send a message?!"
Another friend said hers works okay as of lately, because the temperatures have been -10*C or warmer.  But she found sending a text message difficult.

I personally text far more than speak on the phone...really I just book appointments for the kids and make quick calls if something last-minute comes up with my dog-walking friends.

Then I opted for a Nokia E63 - it looks like a Blackberry (iPhone's competition I suppose in North America and is frequently known as a "Crackberry") - and got it second-hand from a friend.
It's not nearly as heavy as it's previous models, it has a flash light and the same light can be used when taking photos, a full QWERTY keyboard and is fairly easy to use.
The reception is fantastic - no more screaming at my husband that I can't hear his voice!
And in downtown Jyv�skyl�, I even get signal in the underground grocery store beneath Sokos!  HUGE bonus, as I previously got text messages for food to be added to the list while I was shopping...and got that message when I left the building....pretty pointless and crappy!

I have yet to try this in -30*C...but I'm sure it'll be fine.

Made in Canada - What a Shame!

I have been on a wild hunt for tall winter boots lately and haven't had much luck at the second-hand shops.  

My needs are just like everyone else's when it comes to winter foot wear:

• Good grip - I walk with the stroller and kids and don't want to lose my grip and fall...and same when walking the dogs and I'm being dragged around sometimes.
• Warmth - yesterday was -18*C and it's supposed to drop to -26*C soon...
• Water-resistant or even better, water-proof!
• A fairly tall boot so my legs are warmer.

Pretty simple - right?

Well, because I didn't have any good luck at the second hand shops (they were either too big, mostly too small, made for skiing only or didn't have a price on them) - I thought I'd take a peek downtown.

I had to go to Antilla anyway to look for some rubber bands - so I thought I'd swing by and look at the winter boots section.

I was looking in the kids section - which typically goes up to size 39 European (about a 7.5 - 8 US size) and fits just fine.

Well, look what I found!!!!!  There's even a sign above them announcing in Finnish that they were made in Canada!!!  WELL, I can't go wrong with that, right?!

These were only 15� and made in Canada apparently.
The white fluffy lining is only on the top to make them look warm... they're not lined like that on the inside.

You would think there would be better grips - since Canadians are no strangers to ice and snow...
The bottoms were very smooth.

The tag that comes with them....

But it was such a good price - I couldn't resist!

Don't buy them.

I hate to be all anti-Canadian when it comes to supporting my home country - but these boots are awful.

They fit well - which was nice, as I was wearing cotton knee-high socks and thick wool socks on top too....the laces seemed tight enough and they were just the right height.

But the lining inside was VERY poor....it wasn't warm at all.  I am pretty sure my feet were dry - which is good...but it'd be nicer if they were just as warm as they were water-repellent!

I tested them out last night on the lake in about -18*C weather and was very disappointed.  Let's put it this way...I can go out on the same lake (marsh/swamp whatever) with the dogs and stand there talking with my friends while our dogs run around and play in my RUBBER BOOTS (0 lining) and my feet were warmer.

Why don't I keep using those rubber boots?  They're cracking with age - so I 've been on the hunt for new winter boots.

Didn't you BRING winter boots with you?!

Of course I did - don't be silly.  But my husband has been wearing them (they're men's boots from Payless...best $40 I spent!) and they're kind of short - so they've been chafing my legs (hence the knee-high socks now).

Anyways, I'll be returning these boots to Antilla and asking for a refund to be applied to another pair of boots (will try them first like I did with this pair) made by Adidas that have way better grip, possibly lined better (I can't remember) but a steeper price.

They're black and pink and on sale for a little under 60�...normally double in price.

I hate spending a lot of money on things - but winter boots are a must for living and surviving a Finnish winter.

I'll try looking at other shops too if I can.

The typical return or exchange policy on items bought in Finland is about 14 days, provided you have the receipt and even better, the price tags still.

Just check with your shop to find out their refund policies!

SNOW SNOW SNOW!

You would think that because Finland gets a lot of snow - that everybody hates it.
But that's not true!
Because it's dark by 4pm...if not earlier...and the sun doesn't come peeking out until about 9-10am...it's pretty dark out!  The snow acts as a reflector of the street lights and it brightens up the area A LOT.

But at the same time, it has it's down sides too....like having to bundle yourself and your kids up in at least 3 layers....pushing a stroller with hard plastic wheels can be a complete pain when there's clumps of snow in the way (or the sidewalk has yet to be plowed)....oh and then half the side walk is usually gone too.

And a word of caution:

For some reason - Finnish drivers do not (doesn't apply to all) sweep the snow off the roof of their vehicles.
Can we say: DANGEROUS?!

• Scenario #1: Think of it this way...you're the driver behind the jerk who didn't sweep off their roof...a bit of warm air, a breeze or a sharp turn or brake - and POW!  You have tonnes of snow and possibly ice on your windshield...you can't see...it's a green light and you can't see.
  You're swerving...the people behind you are swerving...and the jerk up ahead is trucking along totally oblivious to the hazard they just caused you.
  
• Scenario #2: You're a cyclist (yes Finns ride their bikes in the winter) and you get a face full of snow....and then you fall and possibly get hit by someone else from behind or on the side.

• Scenario #3: Scenario 1 happens and your windshield cracks...it's totally possible with the weight of ice and snow and speed and other physics-related things...and 1 little tiny crack can cause you a huge-assed problem.  It'll spread and it costs a TONNE of money to replace your whole windshield!

So please, PLEASE, PLEASE...wipe the snow off the roof of your car.

Onto other Dangerous Snow-Related Accidents in Finland:

• Be cautious of walking under trees....they are heavy with snow and probably some ice because it's been raining....it hurts quite a bit when a chunk falls and smacks you in the face, head or neck.
• Be VERY cautious of walking near tall buildings...sometimes people are on the roof shovelling the ice and snow off and it hurts a lot if you get hit.  Normally there's someone below telling the shoveller when pedestrians are walking by....not always.
• Sometimes ice and snow just falls off the roof of buildings - the taller the building, the faster the fall, the harder it'll hit you.  So try to not walk glued to the sides/fronts of a building....

Many pine trees are so old that the weight of the snow is weighing down their branches and they are SNAPPING off...so be careful!

Gl�gi and Winter Tires

This is your annual reminder that there's now snow on the ground (at least in JKL) - so you should have snow tires on your vehicle.  It is mandatory to have them by December 1st or by the first snow fall.
The roads are slick too - so be careful.  (You may want to get some for your bike too if you can...)
If caught without winter tires on your car - there is a fine - how much, I don't know...but it can be pricey!

Now onto other pressing matters.
Red, White (well it's more like yellow/gold colored) or Blue Gl�gi....which do you prefer?
I prefer Valio brand over Marli...Marli is just a tad too sweet for my liking.

BLUEBERRY GL�GI?!
What is the world coming to?!

The burgundy colored carton is the "normal stuff"...the gold colored carton is the "white" Gl�gi (smoother and slightly nice taste)...
There's also sugar-free and vanilla-flavoured Gl�gi (I haven't tried the vanilla one yet)....

Then this year - Marli dug out the big guns and made a blueberry flavoured Gl�gi....

It's in English! (Blueberrish??

When I told some Finnish friends that I saw blueberry flavoured Gl�gi - there were some grunts of disapproval....but I think it tastes okay.  Not as fabulous as the red stuff...the white stuff is alright too....it doesn't quite scream "CHRISTMAS IS COMING!" but it's alright I suppose.  (My husband has yet to try it.)

Now as you can see in the bottom photo - Gl�gi is a drink that people drink hot.  They'll add raisins and almonds in the mug and stir it around and eat it with a spoon or drink all their Gl�gi and then eat the raisins and almonds...it's all up to you!  (Hubby prefers it without nuts or raisins).

I have a confession to make....*deep breath*

I like my gl�gi cold.  Not only that - but some times, as a "treat" for myself...um I like to add Sprite or 7-Up to my Gl�gi....like � and � of each...I suppose it's a "Sparkling Gl�gi"....

And all the Finns begin to shake their heads at that weird Canadian girl who drinks her Gl�gi cold and sometimes mixed with pop....