There I sat alone with me, myself and my Bulmers (Vilja you officially are not considered to be a real finn anymore. I trusted that you would be there!) eyes glued to the screen my mouth in a tight line. During halftimes I could let my tight squeeze around my poor Bumers relax and find something to eat, take a look at my phone and maybe even chat with the people around me.

You see.. I used my rational thinking again and found a free seat next to a finnish couple and behind a column.  My very own little hide away! It's all about tactics and my plan was trying to avoid the drunk love lust guys at any cost and enjoy my game. But as usual one brilliantly happy individual of this species found it's way to my hidden corner. 

The scene was like from a classic school book:

1. Approach the lonely woman and hit first with a ice breaker.

2. Pretend to be interested.

3. Impress the woman. 

4. Get laid!  

Unfortunately the poor guy didn't have any idea with whom he was dealing with.  The game did go smoothly for him in the beginning. All the classics: Where you're from, what team you support and "tell me about ice hockey.." (at this point he lost the hold of the game ) 

Me: "Ok..... so what's THE sport in New Zealand?"

Him: "Rugby!"

Me: ".... Isn't a bit gay sport? You know what I mean with all the rubbing and squeezing each other etc?"

Him: "NO! It's a really manly game.. We even have that Maori song in the beginning!" Guy giving example and looking serious.

Me: "Hey seriously all that wrestling is more like a manly loooovee and it's such a slow game... at least in ice hockey we hit people".

Him: "C'mon you through the guy in the ground in rugby and...!"

Me: "Still a gay sport... you know it's a thin line between love and violence..."

He decided to change the subject and offered to buy me a shot if Finland wins. Last he said: "Lets hope that Finland wins".

Of course I looked at him seriously and replied: "It's not about hope but skill. Finland will win".

It wasn't the words of his mouth that eventually were like from a "how to play girls"-guide 

but his actions. When he didn't get my attention during the game when he tried to have an eye contact with me he firstly started to shout for Switzerland to see how I react. When he didn't get a reaction he wanted, he secondly started beating his chest and made movements like a real macho man can apparently do and spoke with louder voice. When I still didn't react the dirtier methods were used: Lets approach all the women in the room! From the corner of my eye I could see that while he was speaking to these girls he glanced at me to see how I react. Personally to me it's a sign of desperation to dry hump every single leg in the room.

Luckily after the game he probably got so desperate that was trying to hit the swedish girls in the next room following the final minutes of Sweden-Slovakia game that I had my change to disappear without a fuzz...

C'mon you would think that a man understands this: when I go to watch a game it's all about the game. Not the socializing! 

And boy is man when he realizes when his dealing with a girl and when with a woman. The real woman is harder to catch. I may look 21 but there are many thing that separate the women from girls...Just saying!

But who gets women or men anyway?

AMEN! But the same applies to men.

 

I've recently found myself from spending a lot of time at work so all the small 

little thing to enjoy and to make you relax become more important. 

Who could resist Lush bath bomb times?...

Or goood food!

 You can definitely make your lunches more interesting. Found some black noodles from The Whole food market and had to try. Pretty good must say! Makes you full and best of all keeps you full all day.

Lemon Cupcakes are my signature cupcakes at the moment. When I get the time (and money..) I'll try some different flavours. Lavender + Rose&Raspberry cupcakes are high on my to do list!

Btw today served a customer who apparently have been playing for Denmark in The Ice Hockey world Championships 50 years ago. You can imagine how excited I was!

I just find this advert absolutely amusing. Had to take a pic!

Have been feeling my heart shatter a million times this week and not the least of the reasons:

Finland lost today to USA 1-3. Damn... 

Boys probably were drinking in the traditional Finnish way last night and that's why felt a bit tired during the game?...

Jut like me, Layla and Davina did last night!  Cocktail pitchers and wild dancing are the solution to any kind of stress and blue feelings!

Only a few things in the world makes finn emotional:

1. Boost

2. Ice hockey

3. Sauna

4. Maybe getting married/the birth of your first child etc. big event in the life of a finn. 

The world champion ship in ice hockey have again started like every single year in the past and of what a start it has been...

Finland 2-3 Latvia : WTF FINLAND ARE YOU SERIOUS?!

Game without pint of sider and nachos is nothing! Right Vilja?..

Finland 2-4 Russia: Quoting Erkka Westerlund  the head coach of Finland's team: "I didn't realize we were playing against two countries...".

Headshot hit made by Shipachev is completely acceptable according to the swedish judges.  Yeah right.... next day committee decided to set a Shipachey on a bench through russians 3 next games. That's how fair life is. Thanks for ruining our game! Putin's money finding it's way to swedish pockets or what?... (On next day I told my colleagues that I wont serve swedish nor russians that day. You got to support your team right?)

Finnish people are known from or no-time-for-softnes and never giving up attitude. The nordic stamina SISU show it's face on yesterdays game that ended well:

Finland 4 - 0 German.

Serious looks of finns. Ice hockey isn't anything to joke around with.

Now couple of weeks later from my holiday in Finland  I can proudly say that routines have yet again tamed me and it's easier to keep the emotional storms in my own knowledge only. (At least I think so..)

Yet the cultural differences never stop fascinating my over analytic mind:

Yesterday when getting home I noticed a mouse on the tube tracks and tried to have a closer look. A man next to me started up a chat about vermin and ever so fascinating pigeons that according to him have learned to use district and circle lines. Smart animals! After a lovely conversation we separated with "have a lovely evening"- greetings and smiles. 

That just doesn't happen in Finland! Only those crazy people chat to each other. I remember speaking about this with my dad and he with enthusiasm told me about his new "friends" (neighbors going to work at those strange early hours catching the same bus as my dad does) and how they even change a few words:

"It's cold today"

"Yep..."

Or

"Apparently getting warmer..."

"Yep..."

In my previous post I mentioned that the non-verbal communication still keeps me completely puzzled in England.  Especially when it comes to the line between being friendly or actually attracted because in Finland this usually is really simple: You approach the person you like and make your intentions clear. (Sometimes in questionable way.. but at least it' so much clearer than in England). 

And when it come to being honest: We finns are professionals in it. One of my friends Yasmine told me that when ever she wishes to hear the truth she will ask the question from me but when she wants to make sure she will get a positive feedback she'll ask from anyone else.  

How about that urban legend of stone faced finns? Let me assure you that it's actually absolutely true. We are friendly and most of us are happy to socialize but like I told you it's more about the body language what other cultures seem to use less in communication and we finns believe that showing our emotions or to unload our hearts to say is no-one else's business. I've been observing people for a long time and some things we finns like to keep inside. It's not polite to burden the people around us with our emotions whether they are good or bad it's better to stay quiet than load other peoples personal space with our life events. 

You will never see a finn begging for attention, asking help or anyones affection. If you see a finn loosing a limb in a terrible traffic accident he will still probably try to assure the medics that his ok and crawl back home. Finnish person lost in a big city?... last thing is to ask help with the directions? Love of his life dancing next to him?... He definitely wont throw himself to that persons arms or sing serenades. He probably just continues dancing, drinking and acting cool! (But those small careful eye contacts and a twinkle in his eyes will reveal him).  And when he has drank enough alcohol (read himself under the table) than the amount of emotions will blow your mind!

Again from the finnish songs you may understand more than the face tells. Here are a few examples of different messages. 

Happoradio - Sinä ja Hän (lyrics):

Anna Puu: Nuori Loiri (Lyrics)

Erin- Vanha nainen hunningolla (lyrics)

Shauna got her treat & price after submitting her coursework.

What's better than a old school milkshake? 

On my day off I found myself not from the gym but with good company and delicious food! 

Shauna and Beth made their best trying to explain what runs in the minds of british and Shauna again surprised us with her life advice when we were discussing what I might do if I'm not able to work as an osteopath:

"Kiki.... you seriously don't have the patience to work as a nurse and follow someone else's rules.."

We also came to conclusion that Barbie animation movies are awesome! 

Gluten free chicken-mushroom salad wraps ended 

up being much more delicious snack than my attempt 

to get gluten free chips with cheese and bacon

They even gave us balloons!

Frankie & Benny's is a chain of old school restaurant with a rustic edge to them. Have to say that we got good food, fun and amazing service and spent nice cathing up time in the Frankie & Benny's at O2 centre in Finchley Road.  

I decided to give up from my dilemmas and continue healthy living with even healthier attitude. Lets face it:  I'm never going to be a slim 2 meter tall gazelle legged bird boned ballerina. there's some serious anatomical challenges here....  so BOOM:

There is a good reason why I avoid doing my laundry in the evening times now a days. Once again waiting for my laundry to go through the last drying moves in it's Le Dance the Clean Clothes for Kiki when he stumbled in again.

He stared the room with cloudy eyes with an empty relaxed expression on his face. At this point I tried to make myself part of the chair I was sitting on and pulled my shoulder to my ears begging he wouldn't see me. He managed to fall on a chair near by and silence filled the launderette. The clock started ticking in my mind and my raising heart beat filled my head with loud noise like staying in a rock concert. I got to get out... and soon! It didn't take much time when the familiar monolog and his  fragile approaches for human contacts started.

"Oe! Darling... What's the time?!... The exact time!...".
"There they are... just staring at phones...".
"...My girlfriend.... she just should have understood to be quiet... yeah maybe I drank five beers... six?.. nine... NINE STRONG BEERS!".

My laundry finished it's spin and quickly I shoveled all of it to my ikea bag and with head up strong determined steps walked out of that place. I heard a thumb from the window he knocked after I left.

First time I met him he eventually sat next to me whispering words that could impress me. Such as:
"You're so pretty.... scandinavian?.... such a pretty girl..."
"...You got a boyfriend?..... if you do he is a lucky chap..."
"... I actually have my own washing machine you know..."
The last one actually still makes me laugh. I have heard it all: I'll treat you like a queen, I'll bring you the moon, I have 5 cars/holiday villa, I earn so much that...blaa blaa... But never that they have their very own washing machine!  You probably get the point but it's not funny anymore when a stranger has to save me from the situation and escort me close to my home street. Bless her for doing that!

Whoah! Attention England now it has scientifically 

proven that migration hasn't effected to crime 

rates that much.

I've never eaten sushi in places where there's a spinning thingy in front
of you and you actually choose what to eat... so delicious! And such a
good deal.  Thanks to Satori restaurant Kingston! 

I found my way to the south side of the river. Kingston again and spend the day with Jaqs: gossiping, shopping and enjoying snack or two. 

BTW had to say that England beats Finland with the prices of clothes and variety in  the lingerie collection 10-0. I can actually find some decent lingerie in my size without feeling like a grand mom or a prostitute! Like I did today just like couple of days ago. It all starts from the base right?...

Left my running gear in finland hence 

the source of my new work out
inspiration.

The beauty in a rose in it's bloom is undeniable. The streets
at my area are filled with beauty and  intoxicating floral fumes. 

Some candles to set me on the relaxed state of mind

Once a baker, always a baker. This is the literal proof 

that I'm settling back in London after my long holiday 

in finland. Life wins after all!

Jaqs found me a THE shirt shouting my motto. Couldn't do anything else but to buy it. ..

Spring and the ever so sneakily approaching summer lightens up peoples minds and undresses everyone mentally, emotionally and physically to embrace the warmth and hope that sun awakens.

Unfortunately today I got absolutely traumatized by man boobs. And I'm not speaking about A pair of man boobs but a whole army of those! Government please do something! That leaking of estrogen from medicating women and causing gynecomastia is way too literally hurting my artistic eyes! I actually pity those poor guys and for a second thought about approaching one of them to offer my bra to give him some support. (That movement was seriously that bad...) when I remembered that men may not appreciate floral pattern.

This is the footage from my beautiful day off.

Food, food and more food... around 4pm I was in a shape to actually cook something.

My colleagues don't really appreciate this treat but it's amazing! Salmiakki the sweet beginning and salty kick in the end. True finnish candy!

Some Sherlock time and solving murders followed by a total stop thinking and enjoy movie  Magic Mike.

BTW Been thinking about social cultural differences and found this video. I may be a chatty bubbly person for a finn BUT in a situation where you should make a contact with a person that your interested of this happens...

This is a finnish comedy clip about our social skills. A customer arrives to cafe and the lady behind the till the customer looks like a really lovely person. "It would be brilliant to spend some time together and who knows maybe become best friends?". While the customer tries to order some ice cream the cafe workers lip gets stuck on the front teeth, she burns her mouth on hot coffee and tries to calm herself down from social panicking by thinking that she's an octopus on the bottom of the sea. Then she steps on a loose floor board and to inform the customer that the noise wasn't a fart does that plenty of times until she gets her courage gathered and tries to ask the customer for  walk in a forrest to look for some mushrooms etc. she faints...

When the ambulance arrives customer explains to the paramedics that the cafe worker farted a lot, eyes flipped weirdly in the back  and for some reason her tongue rolled out. What was a shame because the cafe worker seemed a really nice person and who and it would have been  nice to walk in the forrest looking for some mushrooms with her. 

And this is something that only us finnish people with our sick sense of humor would do. (As long as we don't have to speak to someone face to face and we can write all's good!).

Us finns we're just funny people. You know what I did when I saw that somebody booked a seat NEXT to me on my return flight. Not a aisle seat but NEXT to me? Of course tried to get an empty row for myself. Who dares to book a seat next to anyone c'mon! It's always the window OR aisle seat. Not the seat next to anyone! I'm there to fly back home. Not to chat with random people... 

My expression on every flight I make when somebody tries to chat with me

I absolutely love my friends at work. When  I'm grumpy, stressed out or feeling blue they actually try to make me cheer up again with silly jokes, hugs and dancing.  The thing to remember to do once in a while is to count all my blessings. 

Been torn between two countries and god knows how many cultures is not always easy. Who know what the future throws on my way and where I'll find myself?

In depressive times a girl has to remember to spoil herself and get that Marilyn Monroe moment: "I maybe wearing a boring work uniform BUT guess what I'm wearing underneath?...". And a pay back time to those sneakily trying to open up my bra when I'm dancing in the bar. These wont be opened that easily! HA! And as soon as I learn this lock mechanism I can actually wear one of these....

I'm pretty sure I have a  London depression. I live here. I work here and I know how things go around here but there is the small thing missing...

Holiday did me good and how I loved to see my friend and family. And the nature of Finland!

Best treat ever. Chocolate almonds by Punnitse ja säästä. (Best shop ever by the way!)

At least somebody loves my hands

My holiday included visiting people who are close to my heart so many parties that my liver almost exploded and huge amounts of good food and still plenty of recharging silent moments watching the TV with my parents with a blank mind,  running in the woods, sauna time and just enjoying the moment.

Big bro and Mirja came to see me with their dogs

Mari's birthday was amazing!

Buubly sunday brunch

The last meal before my flight Liver-rice etc. bake 

Best part without any hesitation is that small knowledge how things really go around. The language doesn't only include vocals and consonants. It's all about the hidden meanings. I may speak such a good english that I can pretend that I've been living in London for ages or that I'm english BUT I still don't get those small hidden messages. In Finland I can keep my eyes closed and still know what's going around me. Best of all: I can be silent and no-one thinks there's anything wrong with it.

That's the biggest difference between England and Finland. In England there's plenty of fancy words and filling of silent moments and unexpressed emotions hidden in general politeness when in Finland things are in there or they're not. Simple! There's no maybe. It's yes or no and you better make your decision now or you loose your chance. 

I still wonder how on earth England ever made it to the top of world in the past. Efficiency is not a word I would ever use to describe England. 

Last night I went out with my colleagues and watched a man getting completely jealousy mad due to a misunderstanding and a man still badly hooked up with his ex that he doesn't properly realize that life with full of opportunities is sliding through his fingers. 

I want that! I want that amount of silly emotions in my life. 

And holding a cheeseburgers in a night bus after an amazing night out maybe entertaining but in the end not that fully fulfilling. (I did that during my Finland visit too and they were sooooo delicious after a night of dancing, throwing drinks on someones face who just didn't know how to appreciate women and silly textmessages to Eija)

What you end up missing can sometimes be surprising and now when I have to question everything that I've taken full granted, like a working shoulder, I sincerely have been thinking of relocating.

Should I stay or should I go?

Coming back to England and it's almost summer