Ladakh, here we come!

Our long-awaited trip to Ladakh, India is just aroung the corner! In two weeks we’ll already be in New Delhi enjoying the +40 hospitality of the land of the moustaches and saris! More info (in Finnish): http://ptpathimalaya2007.blogspot.com/

Oh, and by the way - we have moved to a new flat! Pictures coming up soon!

New sofa has arrived

sofa
Originally uploaded by kaisa.alapartanen.

Another friend got a job in Helsinki and moved last weekend. Very sad... the silver lining is that she gave us her old sofa! It makes absolutely no sense to change a perfectly functional only slightly ugly and over-sized sofa for this one, but I just love our new retro-sofa! It is greenish-brown and fits perfectly into our new (formerly known as the bed room) music room!

fancy a cuppa?

I wanted to take some pictures of my working space... but did not want to schock people... So this is the nicest and by far the most inspiring item in my room! It is funny how much a small splash of colour changes the way we feel about our surroundings - the only thing I see in my windowless (ok, there is one in the ceiling..) box is my delicious Green cup filled with fennel tea ("light, acreeable and mild").

Getting inspired...

My current contract ends in the end of November. Again, I have to start looking for work... OR again I have the opportunity to be inspired by something new and start afresh. It feels SO exciting to be moving forward and at the same time SO daunting to have to go through the self-selling process again. It's always the same dilema : need to make money but want to be happy and inspired too. Want security but also want freedom and space for creativity. Below I have randomly listed a few things that have inspired me lately:

-Painting; my drawings are ending up as christmas cards for a local charity. How cool is that!
-Autumnal fresh air (this keeps me going the whole year through!)
-Singing classes with a new teacher
-Learning about people who have boldly followed their dreams and made their passions into professions
-Yoga; it seems I am finding my phase. finally
-Visiting friends' houses - especially when they don't mind me touching everything...
-Being home alone - this is great for a maximum of 5 days
-New bike!!! My new Kona makes even young kids jealous.

Autumn leaves..jee!

Don't you just love Autumn! The air is so crisp and clean.. :-)

We just got back from our traditional weekend away at our Friend's summer house in Karjalohja. I was down with the flu but still managed to go swimming in the lake after the sauna. And in the morning too! Did not try the other traditional Finnish cures for flu (spelling it out for those not familiar with them; Vodka and tar :-)...

I've already been in Finland for quite a while.. And yes, planning to visit Bonn soon. Hopefully for the christmas concerts:this would be the first time that I manage them so let's keep our fingers crossed!

No Woman Left Behind

I've done something I've been meaning to do for ages; joined Unifem, United Nations Development Fund for Women. It was made so easy; I paid the fee in the internet and yesterday got my first mail from them. A small gesture that feels really good; and also keeps me informed about things in this world that I care about. Even though the Finnish media is probably the best in the world I sometimes feel a bit out of the swim of things up here in the North!

I also found what sounded like the workplace of my dreams... but in London.

AIESEC DPWN DHL Internships

So excited... ;-)

We were sailing...

We spent midsummer's night sailing in the Turku Archipelago. Which was great! The sun dipped below the horizon for a short time but still it was pretty light throughout the night. The weather was great, we went swimming every morning and night (from the sauna) and enjoyed great food, even better company and fantastiche scenery for three very relaxing days. Nnnice. More pictures coming up!