game 1 down, game 2 tonight!

A quick update for family & friends (and anyone else who was curious):  The team won their first playoff game last night 1-0.  Since it was an "away" game (even though the arena is right next door) I did not go.  The game was sold out, not many (if any) of the other wives & girlfriends go to away games, and I figured one night this weekend was enough hockey for me :)  

Game 2 is tonight at home and it looks like this one is sold out too (13,500 seats... that's pretty big for over here!)  I'm sure it will be a rowdy and intense atmosphere, since it is playoffs, sold out, and against their biggest rival team..... and seeing as it's Saturday, and boy these Finns can DRINK!!   Looking forward to a fun night of hockey, hopefully the boys can pull off another W :)   For those of you who aren't aware, you can check the live updates of the game here (I even already google-translated for ya, beware though... some of the names/penalties etc. translate pretty strange!)

Check back soon for more updates and some new (hopefully more interesting- sorry, my life's just not that exciting right now!) posts :)

a big win & a nice relaxing weekend

Well, the guys did it!  They won 4-1 Thursday night, finishing the league in 6th place out of 14 teams and securing their spot in the playoffs.  That gave them a week off before their first playoff game on Friday the 18th.  It's a best of 7 series, and the way that the standings work out they play their big rival team (same team they played in the Winter Classic game) which will make for some very interesting and exciting games, and hopefully some great crowds.  With both teams being located in Helsinki and their arenas being 5 minutes from one another, the travel isn't too bad either! ;)  Nothing like sleeping in your own bed every night (well, in our case, I use the term "own" very loosely). 

After securing the playoff spot, the guys were given 3 full days off to rest.  Friday they all went bowling and to "sauna together" (yes, that is acutally a proper term here)  along with some other team activities.   I went to see the movie Burlesque with one of the girls.  It was cute, and left us wondering exactly how old Cher is.  We knew she definitely doesn't look as old as she actually is (thank you plastic surgery) but she can definitely still sing!  (She's 64, for the record)

The rest of our weekend has just been relaxing.  Yesterday, we went to the Sokos Flamingo hotel & entertainment complex.  They have a Spa & Wellness center, indoor waterpark, bowling alley, movie theatre, mini golf, lots of restaurants & shops (it's attached to a mall) among other things.  We thought a nice relaxing day at the spa sounded good.... you can buy a 4 hour pass and use all of their warm water pools, saunas, etc.  There are restaurants and bars inside the waterpark area & spa area and it's a nice place to hang out, kick back & relieve some stress.

    

Flamingo Spa

Today includes grocery shopping & some other errands.  Nothing too exciting going on here (as you can tell) and just wanted to write a quick update about the game, but I promise to post something exciting soon!  Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

what's going on

Thought I'd write a quick post to update on what's going on in the C & J household/world this week.

* J's last 2 games of the regular season are this week... Today & Thursday.  The team is currently in 6th place, and need to stay there to be guaranteed a playoff spot.  They play the top 2 teams in the league this week (including Mrs K's hubby tonight :) )  so it will be no easy task. 
Here's how it works: Should they end up anywhere from 7th-10th place, they will play a 3 game mini-series with one other team to determine which will move on to the playoffs with the Top 8 teams.  If they can (*fingers crossed*) stay in 6th (or higher!)  they will get a little break during this "qualifying round".

* Today is my last day "alone" for the regular season while J is away for the game.  Mixed feelings about that one! ;) 

* We're still brainstorming ideas and plans for our end-of-the-season trip.  It's just so hard to narrow anything down!  But I'm sure no matter what we decide, it will be wonderful. 

* I plan to start packing some of our stuff up and sorting out what needs to come home with us for the summer and what can stay here until next season.  It's crazy to think how soon the end of the season has come... but hopefully we still have several more weeks left! :)

* The weather in Helsinki is finally warming up a bit.  We're hanging right in the 30's F.  Not bad considering less than 2 weeks ago it was -20 F! 

* I'm working on plans for my future S.I.L's Bridal Shower in June.  Can't wait to make all of the creative ideas in my head a reality... I just looooove being a hostess! :)

* Also in the works are a couple new blog posts (of various topics) and hopefully a new blog design!  Be sure to come back and check them out :)

* Continuing expanding my photography skills!  It is quickly becoming a cherished hobby of mine.

* And last, but not least... keeping up with our shows!  The Bachelor, American Idol, NCIS: Los Angeles, Glee, Kourney & Kim, Teen Mom... etc.  Wow, am I a reality tv w*ore or what?  I guess I just throw them in along with all of the National Geographic, Viasat Explorer, Hockey & other sports programs J makes me watch, for good measure :)

Hope everyone is having a great start to their week!  Soon it will be SPRING!!