ask and you shall receive

Wow, is it December 11th already!?  Where does the time go.  Feels like just yesterday I was saying "wow, I can't belive it's December already", and now it's more than 1/3 over.  Good because its closer to being done with these silly road trips, bad because the holidays are my favorite time of year and I hate to see them come and go so quickly :( 

I woke up to more snow this morning.  I don't know where we're going to put it all... literally!  They are removing it from the city by the truck load, but seemingly not fast enough.  The roads are poorly plowed and many of the sidewalks too.  I feel really bad for all of the elderly people and people on crutches or disabled that I see trying to get around.  I think it's difficult for me- I can't even imagine having to deal with that all winter.  Oh, and they don't use salt or sand or anything either.  If/when they do use something, it's little rock pebbles.  Unfortunately, I think this is about their extent of "snow clean-up" here, taking care of it initally and leaving you to fend the rest for yourself.  Maybe I'll have to hook Maddie up to a sled and use that to get around ;)

All of my whining about wanting a girls night finally paid off.  Last night a couple of us got together at one of the other wives house.  It was a nice, relaxing evening with a couple friends and some wine.  Just what the doctor ordered :)  Ask, and you shall recieve!

During our girls night we got into some discussion about the differences between the U.S. and Finland (and other countries/cultures) and why certain things are done certain ways in different places, etc.  It makes me feel so lucky to have this experience of living in a different culture and learning about it.  It also makes me proud to be able to teach others about our culture and what it is like to be an American.  Now, I'm not one to get all into politics (though this conversation was not just on a political level) I pride myself in being very accepting of others and new cultures.  It's not always easy for me being here, far away from home, family and friends, and on top of that not having all of the stuff that is so familiar to me.  However, I think I have adjusted to the differences very well and have been educating myself and learning from others about what life is like in Finland. 

All of the girls from the team that I have talked with are very accepting of our American culture as well... (though I think the hockey world is fairly cultured, seeing as many of us spend time living in different countries) and though they most likely prefer their country to mine, I'm just happy that they make the effort to try and understand some of the differences, and though it is not the way they may do or see things, they don't see it as wrong- just different.  Not everyone that I have come across in Finland is able to see the differences the way that my fellow hockey wives do.  However, I think a lot of it has to do with being uneducated.  Obviously there are lots of stereotypes out there, so I am glad that I am able to do my (small) part to help clear up any confusion.  Finnish people are very proud, which I can understand.  They have a nice country that is very beautiful, rich in tradtion, and from what I've learned so far, runs fairly smoothly (though it's a little easier when you're a cold country of only 5 million somewhat isolated in the north  ;) )  I don't agree with everything that they do here in Finland, and I don't agree with all of the ways we do things in the U.S. (political and otherwise). But, I am an American, and I'm proud of it.  If you're going to challenge me about my country, I am going to defend it :)

I also took some time yesterday to check out the Christmas market downtown.  It is lined with red cottage/huts and lots of wonderful hand made items and gifts.  There is everything from mittens to jewelry to candles to clocks and home decor and beyond.  I got a pair of really pretty hand made earrings.  I plan on bringing J back Sunday or Tuesday when he has some free time... maybe I can give him some hints to help him with his Christmas shopping... ;)  Here are a couple pictures that I took:

The guys will be home after their game tonight, yay!  That's the one nice thing about these trips... it makes it that much more fun when we do have a chance to be together.  We get excited to see each other and spend time with one another :)

wanted: girls night

Well, the team left for their trip today (I feel like I'm constantly saying that lately!)  so it's just me and Maddie-girl here again.  It's been a real bummer lately that there aren't any other North American girls here also (though the one that left does come back after this weekend! woo-hoo).  There are tons of girls from the team, I've mentioned before that virtually all of the guys are married or have a serious girlfriend, but since they are all from around here, they're busy with their own lives most of the time.  They're either busy with kids, work, school, family, friends, etc.  They are all great girls... extremely nice, welcoming, and fun to spend time with when we get the chance, but unfortunately that doesn't happen very often.

That's probably the one thing that I wish were different about here.  It would be nice to have some girls to hang out with when the guys are gone (and just for an occasional girls night here or there!)  Don't get me wrong, I love having time to myself and no offence to Maddie.. she keeps me great company, but I need some girl time!!  I know it makes it that much harder for my hubby to leave also, knowing that I'm here alone.  So to any of my friends at home reading this.... feel free too book a flight over..... cough cough :)

On a brighter note, Maddie and I went for another walk today and discovered a really nice dog park close to our place.  We have been to another one that was further away, but this one is much bigger and nicer, and close to home!  They have many of these dog parks throughout the city, and I'm so excited to find one close to home.  It's in a little wooded area also, so she's able to run around and play without it being on the middle of some street corner downtown.  She had so much fun playing in the snow... it was a good thing she was wearing a red sweater so I could see her or she would have gotten lost!

eating some snow

 beautiful winter scenery in Finland :)

Well, dinner is almost ready and last nights episode of Glee is almost uploaded.  Time for me to eat and hit the couch for a bit :)

holiday season is in full swing :)

Well, the teddy bear toss was fairly successful for their first attempt at it in Finland!! There were quite a few bears- not as many as you see in North America, but maybe after another year or two they'll get closer :)  Plus, my bear and monkey both made it to the ice (I've had some troubles in the past- a few years ago I whipped it sideways and hit someone in the head- typical, graceful me!)  so all in all I'd consider it a success.  The team also made a visit to the Children's Hospital a few days ago for some Christmas tree decorating, carol signing and autograph signing.  According to J, fun was had by all.  The holiday season is in full swing!!

The guys left this morning for their trip, so I've been keeping busy by cooking, baking, and shopping for more Christmas decorations.  It's hard to justify buying a lot of stuff here since we will not be able to bring it home with us... but Christmas is my favorite time of year and I just HAVE to have the place decorated at least somewhat.  As with everything else, decorations are expensive here, so that kind of puts a damper on things as well.  What I wouldn't give to go crazy in the Christmas aisles at Target right now!!!

The team's flight for today was cancelled because Finnair airlines is in the midst of a strike.  I got a good laugh because the guys were all whining since now they had to take a bus (it's like a 7-8 hour drive).  I think they forget that that would be considered a shorter trip in many areas of North America!  What spoiled guys! ;)

One other random comment for today- does anyone else's husband/significant other drive them crazy with their "cleaning up" skills sometimes??  I mean, he's usually very good about helping out at home w ith cleaning, cooking, laundry, etc.  I couldn't ask for anything more in that area, I have truly been blessed!  But when it comes to the little things, he seems to have trouble once in a while.  For example, he'll have a bottle of water/soda/gatorade, finish it, and leave the empty bottle on the counter by the sink (same goes for the milk carton, or the juice carton...)  Really??  The empty bottles go in the recycling bag like 5 feet away in the closet.  Then there is the "finish the last granola bar, I'm kind enough to take the empty box out of the cabinet but I leave it on the counter instead of 2 feet away in the trash".   I swear he does it just to annoy me!! (Yes, dear, I know you will be reading this... that's part of why I'm writing it!!!)  :) :)

Have a good weekend everyone!

enjoying some "me" time

Well, I'm in a more typical "hockey-wife" mode today because J is gone on a road trip for their game tomorrow.  I get very spoiled here- the guys are only gone overnight a handful of times during the season.  I know, boo-hoo, none of you North American hockey wives want to hear it.  Sorry!  There's more to come, too... the guys are gone 3 days the first week of December, and 4 the second week.  Then, it appears the team decided that they should take a trip (just for the "fun" of it) the 3rd weekend in December.  Really?  The weekend before Christmas?  Argg.  Guess Maddie and I will have lots of quality time together in the next month... I am so glad to have her here with me.  She is great company and keeps me sane.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate (yea, right!) enough for us to get out for some good walks. 

Going along with that, my only fellow American girlfriend left yesterday to go back home for a few weeks.  This was a huge blow- not only because she will be gone during the time the guys are gone so much, but she is also my gym and running buddy.  So many of the days we get to the gym and say to each other "I only came today because you were coming"  "Well I only came because I knew you'd be here".  We are each other's motivators to get up and go, neither of us wanting to cancel our gym date on the other one.  What the heck am I supposed to do now??  Hurry back, A!

Now, this is not to say that I'm all alone here... there are LOTS of other wives/girlfriends on the team (literally everyone is married or has a girlfriend)  but as opposed to teams in other countries where all of the girls are away from home, typically not working (or at least not full time) and don't have family near by, most all of the ladies here live right in the area year-round, have full time jobs/school, family near by, and all of their friends around.  I envy them- they get the best of ALL worlds! :)

So, today I'm goin' er alone.  After Spin & Body class, my first tanning session in over a month (which felt miraculous by the way...gotta get that vitamin D somewhere, the sun just refuses to shine here!)  and my usual post-workout Berry Smoothie wtih protein, I was feeling GOOD!  A nice shower, a 2 mile walk with Maddie, and I was on the couch in my PJ's.  I fully believe that everyone needs a Pajama Day now and then, a day to put on your coziest PJ's and cuddle on the couch with a good book and/or movie (snacks and a glass of tea or wine don't hurt either).  Who doesn't love doing that?  If you don't have a new year's resolution for next year yet, I suggest that you make one to have a "Pajama Day" once a month.  No excuses that you're too busy.  That's what weekends are for.  Or even perhaps just a "Pajama Evening".  Put on your jammies right when you get home from work, forget about everything else for a few hours, and cuddle up on the couch for the evening.  Whether you do it alone, with your significant other, child(ren), dog, cat, whomever... I promise you will not regret it :) 

side note:  There was a good movie on one of our movie channels tonight.  It's called "Incendiary".  I'd never heard of it, but it was really good!  The main character (Michelle Williams) is in the midst of having an affair when her life is turned upside down when her husband and young son are killed during a suicide bombing at a soccer game in London. Possibly a good rent for your next Pajama Day :)  (it's definitly not one for kids though)

It's late here in Finland, time for Maddie and I to turn in. I may have to let her sleep in the bed with me tonight (hopefully J doesn't read that part, I always tell him "no way" when he wants to let her sleep in the bed!).  Sorry babe! ;)