It's Quiet This Weekend...Because.........

It's probably going to be pretty quiet this weekend, wherever you live in Finland.
Unless you live in a huge major city like Helsinki (in comparison to Jyv�skyl� - it's huge)....or unless you're going to be in Tampere.

Tampere this weekend is hosting THE largest craft exhibition in all of Finland this weekend!

And I'm not going. (*Insert sad face).

I didn't find out about it until a couple days ago - and by then, I had accepted an invitation to hang out with a friend I haven't seen in awhile (with the rest of the family) and eat pan cakes! SCORE! (*Insert messy pancake happy face!)

That, and I don't even know where exactly in Tampere the craft exhibition will be held.  So I'd probably get lost anyway.

I felt really sad and upset that I couldn't go and because I didn't know about it in advance...and sort of left out I suppose.
(Which should be a motivator to get my ass back into learning Finnish I know!...)

However, I'm glad I do have plans with good friends and food....and I should clean, make cards, do laundry, fold diapers, blog, knit etc....
And I know my husband hasn't realized it yet - but his bank account is safer with me not going to Tampere this weekend! HA.

Are YOU going to the Tampere super-huge-once-a-year craft exhibition?

Reindeer Cream Cheese!

Sorry Rudolph - this stuff is pretty good.

Just to clarify: "Reindeer Light" means less fat content...my husband for some reason thought this was hilarious (and possibly confusing).

This stuff is quite similar to cream cheese with crumbly little bits of reindeer meat (like crumbled ground beef) mixed in.  It's more creamier and I thought it was great on crackers or bread!

I ended up using it on my sandwich today as the spread instead of mixing up olive oil or using mayonnaise.

Baptism Party in Finland

Yesterday we had the honour of attending our friend's son's Baptism at their home.
Normally it's done in a Church but given that the Baptism was being held on a Sunday (and Father's Day) - they requested the priest come to their home if possible....and that was the only day available she had.

I haven't been to a Baptism or a Christening in Canada before, but from what I understand from my friend's photos - it's pretty similar.
However, this one was conducted completely in Finnish - so we really have no idea what was said but I can guess at some parts!

We brought a small gift - just something I made (a bib and wash cloth set with a card) and I'm glad we did bring a little something.  Lots of people had brought gifts for him!

There were lots of passages read from the Priest and the members of the family and Godparents - it was lovely.
The mother is part of a choir - and WOW I was so happy they sang a few songs...it was so nice!!
The choir group also held a hand out above the baby's head and said a prayer of sorts (or a blessing) for him and when the father released the name - it was very magical!

I know that may sound corny because "it's just a name"....but while everybody knew the first name - nobody knew the second!  Definitely a moment of suspense!

The baby wore a white gown as well, and slept through the whole thing!  So did my oldest- thank goodness...or else he'd be running around everywhere!

The Priest did put some Holy Water on the baby and dried his head off when she was done and that was that!

Then we ate all kinds of wonderful food!

There were a set of twin girls (2 years old) there and they wanted to know what you do at a Baptism party.  The mother asked them, "Well, what do YOU think happens?"
Their response was, "We dance?"

This isn't all the food either!  There was a smoked salmon, roast beef and lots of veggie casseroles and savory pies with mushrooms and salmon etc.

Some Baptism Etiquette:

• Dress nicely
• Don't touch the food until after - no matter how delicious it looks!
• Bring a small gift for the one being Baptized (it's not necessary but always warmly welcomed)
• Keep quiet during the ceremony

Pretty obvious - but just in case you were wondering.

An Email address?!

I finally decided that I needed an email address for this blog....
Especially if you're interested in taking my survey about Finland!  This way you don't have to leave your email out in the open in the comments section.

learningaboutfinland                        @                 hotmail.com

Just remove the spaces and that's the email address.  This is to help prevent spam mail.

So if you're interested in giving your opinion of what it's like to live in Finland - send me an email and I'll send you the questions!  (Finns or Foreigners living in Finland!)

I check this email once a day or every couple of days!

Any spam or un-related messages will be deleted and ignored!

All About YOU...and Finland!

Are you living in Finland and you're not originally from here?  Maybe you're a student or a worker here...
Or perhaps you are a Finn and want to give your opinion on things in Finland?  Maybe you've moved away from Finland or have moved around Finland...

I'd love to hear from you!

I want to put a fresh spin on this blog and interview all kinds of people.
I'll be writing up a list of questions to suit you - the foreigner or the Finn....and will post your answers and responses on this blog once a month (or more if there are enough responses!).

I've decided that since I've been here for over two years and my readers have read pretty much everything that's happened to me and my family -  it's time to see what other Foreigners and Finns have to say!!!
I get asked a lot of questions about Canada - so I thought, maybe I could use those same questions and ask them of you but about Finland!

Some topics that may be covered (but not necessarily have to be answered if you feel it's too personal):

• Education 
• Work life
• Family life
• Struggles and triumphs of all things Finnish (food, language barrier etc.)
• Comparison of Finland to your home country
• Comparison of Jyv�skyl� to your hometown
• Opinions: health care, Magistrate, Kela, Finnish culture and food, anything that's on your mind about Finland!
• Funny experiences (I know I've had a few...)

Please send an email to: learningaboutfinland       @       hotmail.com
(Removed spaces and that is the proper email address.  This is to help eliminate spam. :) )
Your personal information (true name, exact work location, address, email etc.) will be kept confidential.
If you wish to go by an alternative name that is perfectly fine!!  (Or I can use just your first name if it's common enough and if you give me permission).
I would be fine with using (for example): "George, 31, is a worker at the University" as a basic introduction and will note if an alternative name has been used to protect your true identity.

I look forward to hearing from you and seeing what you have to say!

Thanks so much! 

Need Photos Printed?

Live in Finland and hate the prices in the shop for printing photos?
Yeah - me too.

I typically print photos only once a year, near Christmas time and put them in cards to be mailed to Canada...well, now I can print a little more frequently!!

www.ifolor.fi (there's an English site available here)  is where my friend printed out lovely baby announcement cards!

Right off the bat - they're 19 cents a print (not the photo cards) - way cheaper than downtown...6 cents extra or MORE!  And I know 6 cents doesn't seem like much - but when you have to print well over 100 photos for Christmas cards - it adds up.

My friend who had baby announcement photo cards done on this site said it was a great price (she had 3 photos with text of both children's date of birth and full names with a cute animal print in the background on each card) of about 7-8� for 10 cards, including mailing envelopes and they mail it to you (for a low price of 2.95� per order - not bad!)!

Oh here's the price list - just for you! (For the photo greeting cards anyway!)

Enjoy!

First Frost! Oh and Father's Day!

Yesterday in Jyv�skyl�, it was -3*C when we woke up in the morning and there was a frost that lasted all day long.
The sun isn't out very often in the month of November - and the temperature was pretty consistent all day...so everything was a sparkly white!

On my way to the playground, I quickly snapped a photo of some frost on the ground.

Oh and just a friendly reminder, Father's Day is this coming Sunday!  On the 13th!
Father's Day is not celebrated in June like in North America but rather, 6 months after Mother's Day.  So the 2nd Sunday in November - it's Father's Day.
A couple years ago, our son came home from the hospital on Father's Day and the staff had made cards and taken a photo of all the children born around that time, so the parents could take it home as a gift.  It was such a nice and kind gesture!

It's not an actual "holiday" like Mother's Day is in Finland, with shops closed and whatnot.  

Some ideas for Father's Day gifts?

• Bake his favourite cookies, cake or pie!
• Knit some wool socks - he'll need them soon enough!
• Knit a hat!  (They say it'll be a nasty winter this year in Finland...)
• Some re-fill on his favourite pen, pencil leads or ink for a printer
• A new coffee (tea) mug stuffed with a package of his favourite flavours!
• Movie tickets
• Breakfast in bed!
• Clothes
• Some sort of gadget for hunting, fishing or his office
• A nice photo frame with a family photo in it

We'll be attending our first Baptism of a friend's child on Father's Day - so I am looking forward to that.  It's not being held in a Church but at our friend's home.  We are not the Godparents but invited as guests and are very honoured to be there!

I think that Baptisms are pretty universal - a Priest or Minister, a screaming baby, some Godparents and some Holy Water to bless the child - but seeing as I haven't been to a Canadian Baptism (or Christening) either- I'll have to rely on my Canadian friends to tell me if there are any differences compared to a Finnish one (once I blog about it).

Have a lovely weekend! (I know - it's only Thursday...)

Got (decorated) Milk?

In the US, there is a saying, "Got Milk?"
It's a popular advertisement with a wide variety of celebrities (not just actors but athletes and musicians as well!) who sport a sour-cream moustache that is supposed to look like a milk-made moustache on their upper lip and with a tall glass of milk and some health facts near the bottom - explaining the benefits of drinking milk.

As of last week, I noticed my milk carton did not sport a little cow riding a bicycle, or jogging with a music player of some sort....instead the milk carton was wearing a leather jacket.
Don't believe me?

That's right - Rock 'N Roll Milkshake....

I guess they're wanting to jazz up the milk cartons - although I've only seen it on the fat-free, light-blue milk cartons so far - and they're hiring new and up-coming designers to come up with something for the carton!

I like that new designers are able to display their works of art on things - I just wasn't expecting it to be on milk cartons...

And yes, the milk still tastes the same.

A Rumor About the Post Office...

I heard that the Post office (Posti) at S-Market (Savela location in Kortepohja) was closing...not sure when!
But a friend heard this while at the grocery store and I'm very worried!

The S Market and Post office are less than 2 years old at this location and the Post office is always packed, especially around the holidays...and the nearest post office is downtown!!
Very inconvenient if this is true and the post office closes!

Nothing against the downtown location, however, there's not a lot of parking (if we had a car), it's quite cramped in there and you take a number (which is fair) and wait your turn - which can take forever when you're in a rush, crammed in a small area or have a crying child! (Or you have to rush to catch your bus home with your new package!)

Let's hope it's not true...

**Update: A Finnish friend advised me he read something similar and that they do plan on closing it down however it you can still send and receive packages from that location....but it won't be offering full postal office services (not sure what that entails).  They are looking for a partner for other postal services there - perhaps with UPS or some other delivery company?
And it won't be in effect until some time next summer!

Bank Card Blues

Oh it's not my card I'm having issues with anymore!  Thanks to the bank's fast and speedy service - I got a new one in the mail (slightly different in numbers) within a week as promised.

I'm referring to my husband's bank card.  He had forgotten it at the grocery store and they attempted to call him last night - however, because he didn't recognize the number, he ignored the call.  (Caller ID is included on all phones free of charge).
Then he got a text message from the grocery store advising him that his card was left behind and that he had to pick it up and bring ID as well.

I am assuming the grocery store contacted either the bank for his phone number or the police...seeing as it was a Sunday night - I can't see them being able to reach the Magistrate for his information!

AND the text was in English! YAY!

Thanks S Market!

In Canada, if a bank card is found - it's either returned to the cashier and they hold onto it for the owner to return.  Occasionally a cashier might contact that person's bank but most banks won't give you the information to call the customer to pick up their card.  By the time the customer realizes their card is missing - they often call the bank to cancel anyway and to order a new one.  (Or if they remember where they were last - they might be able to pick it up at the shop, with proper identification of course!)

No Gift Receipt? No problem!

Yesterday we had the pleasure of hosting our big guy's 2nd birthday party and our little one's Naming Party!
It was super fun and there was enough food for everybody and barely any left overs!!
And there were many lovely gifts - wow!  We are so blessed with such lovely and thoughtful friends!!  Our Finnish friends are our family while we live here and we're so grateful for every single one of them!

Well, one thing we were advised during our party, was that Polarn O. Pyret, a clothing shop (downtown near Elisa in the Forum), has a black label on the price tag.  So if we needed to exchange the gift due to a duplicate gift (thankfully there weren't any!) - then we don't need a receipt or gift receipt - and we could just bring it to the store and make the exchange then!

Just keep the tag attached and the store will happily exchange the item!  Then they can re-sell it and nothing goes to waste!

Just to clarify: The difference between a "receipt" and a "gift receipt" is what's listed on it.

Quite often (at least in Canada - not sure about Finland) when you buy a gift for someone and worry it may be given more than once, you can ask for a gift receipt to include with the gift.

A gift receipt does not include the price on it or your payment methods on it.  Just simply that it was paid for, the date and the item that was purchased.  This is handy for when you're sending gifts in the mail and the same store is located in their part of the country (or town) - so there's no need to send things back and forth!

A regular receipt does include the price and method of payment on it.

While we did get 2 gifts that were the same (although not from Polarn O. Pyret) - we've decided to keep them because now the kids have matching mugs!

Pyh�inp�iv�n - aka stores closed Saturday Nov. 5

I've been running around today like a chicken with its head chopped off!
Tomorrow's the big Naming Party for the newborn and my older boy's birthday party - so I'm going wild with preparations....and should have posted this sooner!

Tomorrow is Pyh�inp�iv�n - aka All Saint's Day.  Nothing is opened in terms of shops...not sure about restaurants - so check in advance before heading out!  The odd small grocery store might be open - but take a look.

Some Things From The Pharmacy

**Please note - I am not a nurse, doctor or pharmacist or any other kind of medical adviser.**

I thought I would show you some things from the pharmacy (over the counter aka no prescription required) that we have in our home - so you can see what is available in Finland.

Bepanthen - the equivalent of Polysporin! Good for cuts, mild burns, dry skin, eczema - very handy to have!

Canker-sore gel - good for little ones too (double-check with your pharmacist to see how old a child has to be before administering this!).

Ibuprofen

Pain-relief for little ones.  1 tablet mixed with a tablespoon of warm water until dissolved and feed with a spoon or syringe.  I find this stuff works faster than the liquid Panadol.

Liquid Panadol (more pain relief for little ones and for fevers too - over the age of 3 months and based on weight).  The one on the left is the old label and the one on the right is the newest design - no difference otherwise.

Breast feeding and want contraceptives?  Your doctor will give you the 1st three-months for free.  These are called Cerazette contraceptives or "mini-pills" by some people.  After that, you do need a prescription and have to pay. (Applies to most who have the Kela card and is covered by Finland's health benefits).

It's November! That means lots of clouds and no sunshine....here's some Vitamin-D3 drops for babies - there are also tablets for those that have teeth!  (It's also strongly recommended adults take Vitamin-D too!)

Aspirin....

Nose Frida is a snot-sucker for babies and kids - since they're not capable of blowing their nose at such a young age.

Don't worry - you won't get any snot in your mouth...that's what the blue sponge piece is for!

If I happen to need more things from the pharmacy - I'll try and remember to take a photo for you!

**Always ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you have any questions on how to use the above medications!!  Never leave medication un-attended and within a child's reach!**

It's That Time of The Year!

No silly, I'm not referring to Christmas (or the shopping)!

I'm referring to mushroom season!  It's damp and grey out...and perfect for picking mushrooms!

My neighbour recently gifted us with a HUGE box of Funnel Chanterelle mushrooms!  These are considered a delicacy in North America and are quite pricey!  In Finland, I guess the restaurants charge a pretty penny for them too.
But if you have the time - slap on some rubber boots, rain pants, other warm layers and grab a bucket with a lid - and go get some mushrooms!

Wash and rinse them and you can use these mushrooms for soups, sauces or frying up!  I'm in the process of freezing mine...

I just keep forgetting to buy little ziploc bags...

Oh and here's more information about these lovely, smokey mushrooms!

Remember That Arnold's Thing?

So way back when, in March, we travelled to Sweden and on our way back to Jyv�skyl�, we stopped in Turku and ate at Arnold's.  I wrote a review about it here and while in Estonia, I got a comment to contact someone that works at Arnold's.
That person happened to be Jussi Laurila, who stated he was one of the (Marketing?) Directors for Arnold's.  Okay - wow!

So I met with Mr. Laurila in Helsinki the day before I was leaving for Canada (crazy I know) and this was something I had kept under wraps out of professional courtesy to him and the company of Arnold's.

However, seeing as it's been 6 months since being in contact with each other - I think it's safe to say that I did not get the position of Franchisee of the Arnold's in downtown Jyv�skyl� (by the movie theater) and feel fine with explaining what had happened.
(This is purely my experience - so take it for what it's worth).

While in Helsinki (back in May), I was 20 weeks pregnant or so and had advised him of this.
Apparently it's not common to notify a potential employer that you will need some time off due to a pregnancy here in Finland...well, I thought I was being courteous, as I didn't want to give any false impressions and wanted to be as truthful as possible.
I was given the grand tours of various Arnold's locations in downtown Helsinki and got to see how the food was prepared and what store locations were more popular than others etc.
I also got to sample many of the foods, at the time, there were grilled sandwiches just coming out only in bigger cities!  How neat!  And I gave my opinion on each sandwich as well.
I felt awful for wasting some of the food - but he only wanted us to sample the sandwiches and smoothies etc. - so that's what we did.

Oh and I was given an envelope packed full of coupons - how kind!  (Now in retrospect, was this just to "keep me quiet"??)

Had I got the position, I would have been replacing the (at the time) Franchisee of the downtown JKL location because they were not able to continue working.
Mr. Laurila was very nice and very open about everything and I quickly filled out an application but could not complete it on the spot, as I needed some information from my husband.
The contract was only available in Finnish and while I notified him that I do have a few colleagues that are more than willing to read this over with me (one being a lawyer) - I was not allowed to bring the contract home with me.  He suggested I notify him when to come to Jyv�skyl� and he'd bring the contract with him and go over it with my lawyer friend and myself in person.  Okay - fine.

One thing you need to have to invest into a franchise with Arnold's is money.  Being a stay-at-home-mother - that wasn't quite a possibility for me (100,000� is the total cost for a brand new store location).  I suggested making a much smaller investment (1-2,000�) and deducting future pay cheques by a certain percentage to put into an "investment" account for Arnold's.

Anyways, fast forward, and I brought my application with me to Canada to complete it and mail it back to him.  However, Canada Post went on strike for more than a month during the time of our travels, so mailing the application would have been pointless.
I quickly emailed Mr. Laurila notifying him of the strike and that I have it filled out but will have to wait until I return to Finland to send it.  As well, with or without a strike - Canada Post can be quite slow in the snail-mail department!
I did not include a photo of myself in the application, as it suggests - maybe that's why I am still waiting on a response from Arnold's?  Who knows!

Anyhow, one sign that the staff lacked professionalism (in my opinion) at Arnold's - was one Franchisee I met gave me his email address and told me to ask him anything I wanted about Arnold's.
So I did.  I sent off an email prior to going to Canada (or shortly after arriving) and have yet to hear a response back!

I was advised that Arnold's was started in Finland by Mr. Laurila and a couple friends back in 1991 who wanted to bring something American to Finland.  However, all the advertisement I see, including on the paper tray liners, is that some American fellow started it in the USA.  (And I was advised this wasn't true...Hmm.)

If Mr. Laurila is one of the Directors of Arnold's - why and how could he let this slide?


I have yet to hear back from anybody from Arnold's and am quite disappointed in this (and he has my number and email).  I was seriously looking forward to bringing in an income and working in a customer-service position again.
A little common courtesy goes a long way Arnold's...you could have at least emailed me to notify me I did not get the position, instead of stringing me along.

(And no, I wouldn't suggest it has anything to do with the pregnancy - because you could have asked if I had had the baby yet.)

OH! And if you are ever in a position where you have to pay to travel to your job interview - I was advised by a friend that you have the right to ask to be compensated....
(I did not ask to be compensated).


**Update:  According to the Finnish Wikipedia - my friend loosely translated it for me - that yes, Arnold's was started by a group of Finnish men in Switzerland and moved it over to Finland.
But it still doesn't explain why the advertisements don't state this and make strong implications that the Arnold's chain was started in the US...I'll have to go back to Arnold's and find the advertisement about the American and take a photo of it.
But anyways, take it for what it's worth! It was definitely an experience!