SUTUSATU TRAVELS

Satu Heart San Fran

2011-01-30T17:57:00.001-08:00

Golden Gate Bridge

Castro - A bit gayer district

Ok, now I've found my love in US - Lively, lovely, colorful, sunny, pretty and warm San Fran!!

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

2011-01-30T17:47:00.000-08:00

Vegas baby!!

2011-01-27T15:18:00.001-08:00

Shalalaa. Let's got to VEGAS!!

Luxor - my home in Vegas!!

Cathouse and some cats in da house..

Two more nights to go my love LV,

Sutusatu

First touch of LA

2011-01-26T08:21:00.000-08:00

First I had the last supper with my loooovely friends, those poor little shrimps.. ;)

Then started the looong loooooooong trip, flights Helsinki-Heathrow-LAX, and finally the first stop - springly LA!

The real first touch of LA - traffic. AND some serious jet lag and sleep.

Today we're heading to the next stop - VEGAS BABY!!

Absurd

2011-01-24T21:00:00.000-08:00

Time flies. Felt so absurd to finally leave for that waited world around trip. Boarding time in a second.

But first, one memory from my last week, trip to Bremen - preparing pizza à la Napoletano.

Stay tuned, I'll update my adventures around the world. Ciaoooooo!

Letting go

2011-01-17T04:12:00.000-08:00

'You're living hectic. Work, studies, parties, trips around, moving home and some work more. Suddenly you realize you've time. It's the time you've been waiting for, time to start making those dreams that you made somewhere in the middle of all that work and stress come true.'

All done now. Finally I've time and then I have my dreams. Where should I start? How do I keep the things that I love in my life? What do I do with all this time I have? There are so many good things in my past life, memories that make me smile. Why did I ever want to leave that life behind? I know I need changes in my life, but how do I know if a particular change is good or not?

Letting go the past and all the comfort you used to have is the biggest part of moving on. Being afraid of the future may make you stick to the old good habits and hoods. You need bravery, support and a little craziness to jump, to start living the life so many people only dream of.

I always had to leave far to see close. This time I flew to Germany to realize how lost I am. A good friend suggested reading, gives a new point of view for any situation. I agree. I add to this recipe music, dance, talking and some time just to be. This is my plan to let it all go.

Hip hop in a suit..

2011-01-13T09:04:00.000-08:00

.. and so believable! Blogging dealing with dance you may find from my new custom blog for this lovely subject in satufav.blogspot.com.

Finally!

2011-01-05T09:16:00.000-08:00

It's less than two weeks, and it's time for this girl to finally leave:

25.1.2011 ...

Los Angeles - Las Vegas - San Francisco
Auckland
Sydney - Melbourne
Abu Dhabi
London - Bremen - Rest of Europe

Believe in your dreams and they'll meet you one day!

+30 to -30

2010-12-15T06:50:00.000-08:00

These are the coldest times of the year here up north. Outside it's been around -15, -20 for a while now, just getting colder all the time. Promising -30 is also about to arrive.

One Nordic experience to try for you people:

Step out from a warm (+30C) room full of candles..

.. to the freezing, crisp winter air (up to -30C) ..

.. and experience Finland!

Feel ..

2010-12-03T06:58:00.000-08:00

.. the heat through these lyrics!

24 - 2 = 22

2010-12-02T05:51:00.000-08:00

The same day we had the 24-hour-birthgiving, I also turned 22. I received more than 200 congrats from all over the globe and a huge amount of hugs and kisses. I want to THANK YOU all lovely people for remembering me on Tuesday, November the 30th!

Special thanks to Liv, one speacial and lovely Italian that managed to send me amazingly beautiful flowers despite the seas and countries between us, AND to a good friend/ the best flatmate I've had, Liisa for surprising me with candles and a lovely dinner after such a tiring event the next day!

24

2010-12-02T04:52:00.000-08:00

The tradition for the 4th year team entrepreneurs at Team Academy is to participate and give all of your knowledge in a 24-hour-birthgiving. And what does this actually mean?

'Get a case from a customer at 12.00 o'clock, try to solve the problem, and present the perfection 24 hours later, at 12.00 the next day.'

It's about to give a birth to something new for the customers. With my team of 15 persons, unelMania we got 3 cases to solve on Tuesday November the 30th. Worked hard and after the presentation a huge part in me felt very empty. I realized it's all coming in to an end here. My last real participation..

I think this life's one huge 24. A mission to save a part of the world. I hope we did piece of our job this week, check out those moments HERE!

Paris delighted of dance for the 4th time

2010-11-26T02:12:00.000-08:00

51 crews sent videos in advance for pre-selections of Paris Dance Delight 4. 23 crews made it and arrived at Theâtre des Variétés in Paris November 21st 2010. Our crew was among those, nervous backstage, waiting..

The show started 9pm, first was the show of Parisian crew 'Swaggers', six amazingly talented women. After the winners it was our turn. Keep your mind clear and just flirt, it's all about being a diva mannequin.

Mannequins on stage / More pics in ilovethisdance.com

I really want to thank all the girls (Illi, Rita, Saara, Tiikku and Veera), Juste Debout, audience, Liv and everyone who made this experience possible. Paris really showed its power! Waiting for the 5th annual Delight year 2011..

J'adore Paris

2010-11-23T06:58:00.001-08:00

I love many things in Paris..

Lovely boutiques

Amis

Cafés avec petit déjeuner

Unique ideas - Sweat Shop Paris

Most of all, I love my love.

Sweet 16

2010-11-17T00:52:00.000-08:00

Ye, that was me last time I was in Paris - just a teenager, very very sweet 16-year-old girl. It was a school trip, with my best friends though. We all lived in families, a little bit outside of Paris, near Versailles.

First time I visited Paris was at the age of 14, same kind of school trip. I also stayed in one family, in Gournay sur le Marne, other side of Paris. Tonight I'll meet that family again, I'm staying at Florence's house for first two nights. I have definitely changed since those years! As I suppose they've too.. I know what kind of house to expect, but the rest - I have absolutely no idea! Wiser tomorrow. And wiser than 7 years ago.

Paris Dance Delight 4

2010-11-14T13:00:00.001-08:00

It's time to try some Delight Parisien:

Dancing with the girls at the Théâtre des Variétés next Sunday, 21st of November. Feel it!

What scares you the most?

2010-11-12T04:42:00.000-08:00

Fire? [ ]
Death? [ ]
Relationship? [ ]
Terrorism? [ ]
Viruses? [ ]
Leaving home? [ ]
Happiness? [X]

Ask yourself?

Very basics..

2010-11-03T03:21:00.000-07:00

.. of sustainability. To keep this Earth alive and for everyone of us to enjoy!

Beauty and decisions

2010-11-02T08:43:00.000-07:00

What a cold beauty this morning! Had to stop to photograph..

Reports, meetings, and it's dark again. Welcome to some of these Nordic countries!

During this hectic day, we finally made some important decisions too with our team, routes for US next Jan/Feb. There're 14 of us flying first to Los Angeles the 25th of January 2011. Then we'll split a bit..

Eliel, Kati, Mervi and Eeva will travel in the same car with me these places:

LA - Las Vegas - San Diego - Tijuana - LA

Peace for the one that survives from the tour alive with these crazy personalities!

WeWeWeddings?

2010-10-31T00:07:00.000-07:00

Sat 30th and Sun 31st of October, wedding theme and Kuopio - a town a bit up north from my home town Jyväskylä. Great event, people dreaming and realizing, inspiration.

CLICK HERE to enjoy some pictures of the first day of the event!

Roses also ready for the second day..

Love

2010-10-28T07:55:00.000-07:00

Seen-through, red, blue and black love for you people by Robyn:

Changes

2010-10-28T00:13:00.000-07:00

Changes freshen the air. New things bring excitement in life. If you're bored or tired with your everyday life, change something! You don't always have to move to India and stop keeping contact with anything that might remind of the past life. Small changes make this world so much prettier.

I changed the style in my room few days ago, which I also talked openly about in the local radio show - it's so therapeutic I must say. I burn different kinds of candles and listen some new artists. I travel in my home country to a city I never tend to visit.. leaving today to Kuopio for this coming weekend. I might also take a random book from the library, and go deep down into a complitely another world.

These little things lighten my day and week. Soon I'll realise it's Christmas time and all those small things are lightened by everyone else. In the middle of chaos you just need to lay down for a second and enjoy. That way everything seems brighter than the darkness outside.

Changes brighten and lighten - enjoy the darkness of autumn days and nights!

Winter coming in the colour of autumn

2010-10-13T04:33:00.000-07:00

How pretty it's been! Cold, but oh so beautiful. I was cycling to a meeting yesterday and just had to stop to take a picture. First snow falling, but still autumn in the air - sun, colorful trees and excitement of something new. Something touchable.

As I've told before in this blog, I'm leaving for a trip around the world next January. As said, my winter will be very short, so I'm trying to take everything out of the time that I still have here. Even these small wintery details make me smile.

I don't want to keep it only for myself, want to scream and start counting the days. Route's decided finally!!

HELSINKI - LOS ANGELES/LAS VEGAS/SAN FRANCISCO - AUCKLAND - SYDNEY/MELBOURNE - ABU DHABI - LONDON - HELSINKI.

First flight is 25th of Jan and I'll be back in April then, ready for the summer 2011. But for now, let's enjoy first pieces of snow and last days of colorful leaves!

It's about time, it's about time..

2010-10-09T04:29:00.000-07:00

.. for SLOW. To finally decide which way YOU want to live and behave.

Do you still want to fly, like a bee change friends, clicks and situations in life? Swing and run. Or is your cake actually the one that you can eat by youself in peace? I decided I want a piece of balanced peace. Though still, I look for some excitement. But there're many ways for that. Excitement can be an old flame burning again, or the first time you see snow again. Maybe just sitting down and breathing - seeing the beauty of the world.

It's about time to SLOWER. Slow is finally becoming a real trend, slower food as well as slower fashion. Have to mention this one awesome blog, Slow Fashion Forward, that my lovely friend from Basque Country helped to find.

Enjoy the Slow people!

Take a break!

2010-09-27T01:22:00.000-07:00

Once again it was time to gather with creative young team entrepreneurs to make each other understand this complicated world and life a bit more. I had a lot of interesting, deep conversations. How funny it is I have so many things in common with these innovators, and at the same time countless of differences.

We walked in a forest close to 15 kilometers, by thin paths through the network of living creatures. During those hours I started thinking very basics of human life.

‘If you slip away from the wooden path, you might get hurt. It’s important to have someone close enough to help you survive.'

‘If you try to move forward and look back at once, you’ll get blind for the future and can’t get a clear picture of the past.’

‘All the things are connected to one another, some just underneath the surface.’

‘We all have different backgrounds, still we share this special moment of trust and warmth.’

‘This is my life on paper. How will I create my future?’

B&B

2010-09-21T02:02:00.000-07:00

Roundtrip around northern Germany, what a lovely weekend I had. Check THESE out..

Schnoor's a touristic neighborhood..

Check that Autobahn!

Berlin's Next Top Model?

Find the dancer in the picture.

Danke schön Deutschland!

Hallo Deutschland! And the World.

2010-09-16T03:44:00.000-07:00

My very first time in Germany, first stop in Bremen. Flew here this morning, such a nice sunny autumn day. I'm so in love but weather nor changing the country are NOT the main reasons. This is how I felt today at 11 am:

'The excitement of a new place. Here I am, standing in front of the airport terminal of Bremen. So many questions running in my head. What does the city centre look like? Is Livio still as handsome as few weeks ago? What kind of car does he have? What will happen during next four days? Fact is, no one knows. Yet. This waiting part creates such a funny feeling in your stomach - hopes and wishes of the time of your life!'

Never any easier, never get used to the feeling. In the end, everything went so different that I was wondering at 11 am: city looks exactly what I thought, Livio didn't come by car and yes, he's still very good-looking boy. The second you fly, you feel you're living. I recommend. This is the part I really AM flying. But remember, FLY SAFE PEOPLE!

Future is a mystery

2010-09-13T02:06:00.000-07:00

Why do I always go and look for troubles, problems and hard situations? I guess I don’t believe I can be happy with all the beautiful things that I already have in my life. Now, looking my life outside a little makes me realize I actually am in a good point. I should be much happier considering all this that I am.

Sometimes you need to take a little distance, stop for a second and really think what to do with your life. It might be enough to have one chilly evening at home or then travel to another side of the world for a year. In my case, I’ve always started thinking during travelling.

Now I have a feeling I do need to stop for a while to figure out the direction for my future. I’ve too many ideas, thoughts, ideal situations and choices to choose in my head, need to clear it somehow. I’ll just try to take more time for myself, travel and see the world. At least few smaller trips coming this autumn and January the 25^th my first flight leaves for a 10-weeks-world-around-trip. Route’s also now decided, Helsinki – Los Angeles – Auckland – Sydney – Abu Dhabi – London – Helsinki.

While still waiting, I’ve seen lovely Italian Livio that visited me in Jyväskylä, met lots of new cool people, seen awaking movies, been drinking too much tea, seen myself in television as well as my sister dancing with tears of joy, and slept - mostly well. Getting ready for my exciting life.. Oh when? Trying to remember, it is RIGHT NOW!

Laura (my sister) and Erik - 2nd place in Jyväskylä Junior Dance Festival

When did the summer end?!

2010-08-26T07:45:00.000-07:00

I opened my eyes this morning, it was still a bit dark and hrr-freeezing!! Windy, rainy and only +10 degrees. What happened? Few weeks ago it was hotter than in southern Europe! I have the answer. It's autumn. I waited this soo much, but now that it's finally here, I'd kill to have the sun back, as well as an opportunity to lay on the beach.

International my life or what? I had two guys, originally from Pakistan staying at my place for a weekend. So enriching to discuss the differences between our cultures, and if I may say - there're lots of those! Still such funny boys!

Next guest will arrive on Saturday, Livio - my lovely friend from Napoli, Italia (living in Bremen nowadays though). He's staying for two nights, during moving our secondhand store Estheco to a new place to the centrum of Jyväskylä. Busy weekend ahead, but one couldn't be more excited!

My advise for this busy time of the year: 'Focus on those things that you love!'

Rally just keeps continuing..?

2010-08-03T09:06:00.000-07:00

What a week! So much international flavour. Already on Wednesday, after having a dinner in restaurant Food with old friends, there was an incident in the centrum, don't know what happened though..

On Thursday started then the actual contest. My good friend, Joni also participated Neste Oil Rally, for the first time in his life. And he really made it! 53th place and reached the goal - which is already a big deal in this specific rally. Here's a pic of Joni's car before the rally..

The party after the rally on Saturday night was amazing, fireworks greater than ever. Sadly I was working. Though I was able see the real heart of the party.. survived without partying!

But does it ever end? It's the following week, still fast cars and foreign people can be heard and seen around the city. Hot-over+30-weather is reaching again central Finland coming weekend, so let's enjoy AUGUST!

Peace love and warmth, S

Tradition, not choice?

2010-07-25T06:52:00.000-07:00

It's a tradition to go to a confirmation camp, have fun and pray a lot. I don't know how many of those young teens really take the whole thing seriously, some go just to get money from relatives. Fake, I'd say. Well, at least everyone can have one important party in one's life more. I, as usual woke up 15 minutes before the show started in the church. Running, getting a bit bored, and finally crying when my sister was singing. Nice day despite tiredness.

Congratulations my love!

Something? Hotness!!

2010-07-20T11:13:00.001-07:00

It's been warm like h*** in Finland for a long time! Here SOME feelings..

Something to party?!
= HELSINKI & WITH FRIENDS AT THE CLUB

Something beautiful?
= HELSINKI & PICNIC

Something colourful?
= HELSINKI & PRIDE2010

Something funny?
= JYVÄSKYLÄ & A TEXT MESSAGE

Moments

2010-07-19T09:02:00.000-07:00

'I've never felt unsafe in Italy. Don't know why. Lots of people and things can happen. Today I've already seen more than five incidents, crashes and some other problems. Whatta trafic! Still I don't realize I might be in one by myself one day. I travel here every day by public, cars and scooters - feels safe to me. I guess it's all in your head. You never know what will happen. If you're constantly afraid, you'll finally collapse that pretty day. So, my advice to life is 'just go and say sorry later on, if you still can.' - 22/06/10, Sitting in a tram in Rome one pretty day, following all the crashes around -

Morning at my summer office at Attilio Beach - Real Pleasure

'How do you keep losing the track of time? Realized so many times here, wow it is that late already?! I think then you're actually living your life in present. Not planning or remembering. Don't get angry that someone's always late, just living one's live.' - 26/06/10 Dreaming in a train somewhere in the middle of Italy -

Monday evening at Foli's - seafood and champagne

Matteo

Drinks with Maria at Momart, Roma

What are we supposed to do? Born, grow up, study, work, meet someone, have kids, build a house, older and die. Well, somehow I'm very much against the ideal way of doing things in life. Eg. if you like to travel, why would you go only for one voyage? Money's never the reason to say no. I always just take a plane and fly to feel a new wind. Like now that I'm back in Finland.. I talked with an Italian friend, Livio in facebook for hours and decided I need to see him again. And bought flights to Bremen, where he lives nowadays. Feels so free. Well, who wouldn't?

Waiting..

East and West of Italia..

2010-06-28T06:05:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I took a train and came again to see friends in Milano Marittima. So here I am, at Attilio Beach - definitely THE Pleasure Club! Lots of stories to tell of past days, but I'm only adding few pics to get the image now..

Colosseo

Before the last match..

Luca the Bartender

Sunset at Attilio Beach

What you've missed..

2010-06-21T09:57:00.001-07:00

Last night at 5.12 am

'It's strange how you realize you've missed something so much. I spent a chilly Sunday with few friends watching gli Azzurri, having barbeque and playing Band Hero like crazy. I expected only to go to bed and have a good night sleep. Didn't happen. I stayed awake talking more than four hours!

God, I've missed someone to talk this honest. Back in Finland I'm too busy to work, dance, meet friends briefly and work again, so that I forget this need. feel I just had my best therapy session in months, if not since last summer.

I don't care that it's already 5am. I can sleep tomorrow. Sometimes you just need to take the moment for a conversation when it appears. Too many time we push it further for careless reasons. Talking deep is as much healthy for me as few hours more sleep. I might not feel absolutely complete and refreshed, but I surely have new ideas for life and a lot to process again. Ready for next challenges..'

Happened in Rome..

2010-06-19T09:34:00.000-07:00

Fiumcino 17th of June at 14.30:

'Landed in Rome. Wow, this humidity! Feels home. Two weeks in this beautiful city, what more can one wish? This athmosphere's so much healthier, feel so alive. Still unreal.. I guess I'll realize being here tomorrow, past year has gone so fast!

I've been sitting here outside watching normal Roman traffic about ten minutes, and already getting used to this. And, so typical of Italia! Five more minutes and one man already came to invite me to this one beach house for a party. I don't know if it's this new blonde hair style of me, or what..?!'

Villa Borghese 18th of June at 17.30:

'Yesterday I went out for a drink with friends Riccardo, Angelo, Maria and Stefania. Once again they proved that Finnish language might be the funniest in the world!

Now, some older French, young Italian boy and group of girls - all doing the same than me, chillin' under the Roman sun. The first whole day in the eternal city, and I've checked almost all of my favourite places of last summer, ending here in Villa Borghese. Ate lunch at Spagna, pizza and CocaZero. Still need to get something that's best in the world, Italian ice cream.'

Some cool day ahead, chill, sun, shopping, party, and travelling. And ITALIA, certo!

Baci e abbracci,

S

Flying again..

2010-06-14T09:09:00.000-07:00

How fast time flies?! Don't know. But I know this: I will fly to Italy on Thursday! It was about to be months still before the departure, now it's only days. What happened?! Plan for the trip? Hm, I'll fly first to Rome to meet old as well as new friends, then we'll see where I end up..?

Back here in Finland we'll organize a special theme week then (5.-10.7), ITALIA MEETS LUTAKKO. I'm going to pick all the treasures from secondhand stores around southern Italy to bring them to our store here in Jyväskylä. All the pieces are then in sale. On Friday 9.7, there'll be also a nightparty on the terrace, and eg. fashion shows.

Stay tuned summer folks,

S

Secondhand-wave in Jyväskylä

2010-05-31T04:25:00.001-07:00

The first secondhand store in Jyväskylä, Estheco secondhand opens tomorrow 1st of June 2010. Me and my colleague Sirkku got an idea about a month ago to open a secondhand store that sells clothing and interior. Now, finally it's ready meet the customers, and opens tomorrow at 11 am.

Welcome to shop!

More about Estheco secondhand in the blog: http://esthecosecondhand.blogspot.com/

SUOMIFINLAND - WHATTA HOTTIE!

2010-05-21T01:12:00.000-07:00

It's been unreal, very warm weather almost a week now here in Finland - around +20 and +30. Everyone is about to lose one's mind cause this is so untypical of this cold country. Well, I have nothing to complain! Let's enjoy as long as this lasts. Peace people, try to stand.

By watching this specific picture you can feel the heat and metropolitan athmosphere in 'small' Jyväskylä..

Clap your hands! It's all meant to be.

2010-05-18T06:21:00.001-07:00

Once you have a tear in your eye, you think you see it all. Whether it's for good or for bad. Some things might be both at the same time. One thing feels bad, one extreamly amazing. Then, one day you'll understand that all was meant to be.

With sun, rain and warm weather towards the best summer of all times, song for us.. CLAP YOUR HANDS!

'It's funny how someone else's success plays pain..'

2010-05-10T05:17:00.000-07:00

Street FC - Duo/ 38th (of 73)/ Choreographed and performed by ourselves, Saara & Satu

Alright, some days you may think you'll never get to the top. Some days you think you belong there but some excuses prevent you from reaching the top. Then comes a day, and suddenly you just find yourself looking down. What happened?

Street FC - Formation/ 5th place/ Choreography by Sanaz Hassani

I've danced my whole life thinking that it is the thing I can do. I have never been in top couples in ballroom dancing. My excuses were the partners I was dancing with, the judges, bad day or something else. In the end, the only one that I should've been judging was me, myself and definitely I. If not the dancing part some days, then my choises about a partner, competition or dance style.

Street FC - Showcase/ 3rd place/ Mannequin by Cooma Dancers

I went to see Finnish Championship in Latin dances in Tampere 10th of April. Once again my sister honey won, Junior II. How proud I felt, but I knew as well as she that they could've done so much better. The feeling is not the same than doing absolutely the best one can.

Latin FC 2010 - Junior II Champions Laura & Erik

I experienced this feeling two weeks ago by participating Finnish Championships in Street dances. In some categories I didn't do as well as I thought I was able to. Best result was in Showcase categorie - 3rd (of 26 groups) - with Cooma dancers (picture below). I was in one of the top groups but still felt like I could've danced better, clearer.. everything. Someone in the audience felt proud of me too, but I didn't feel it.

BRONZEEE!

Maybe this is exactly the thing that keeps you continue. You want to do so much better the next time, no matter what the result is.

Spring in Tampere

2010-04-10T02:45:00.000-07:00

Sun shines and the temparature's finally rising.. Hello Tampere!

Yesterday I participated AIVOMYRSKY2010-event for young entrepreneurship, in Ideapark near this city. A year ago, I was one of the organizers, but this year only chilling with others. How free I felt! In the event, there're young entrepreneurs or other inspiring people telling their stories and giving some tips for life and business. I personally liked especially Anne Kukkohovi, the host of the tv-show Finland's Next Top Model, who spoke about the trends of today.

Elastinen, a first real rap artist in Finland, was the other one vwery interesting. Ela's business plan is the most simple in the world, but oh so true!

Let's us entrepreneurial, innovative people keep it up and keep trying to make this world more functional and better! Let the sun shine for yourself!

S

Stop in red lights, and get your head clear!

2010-04-07T03:29:00.000-07:00

Red lights. Warning! STOP!

Yesterday it was the first day in weeks that I just chilled with friends, and did NOT dance. What a releasing experience! I've been crawling in foggy roads for so long, the walk yesterday evening in the actual fog finally opened my eyes, cleared my thoughts and head. Made me see the world around me more brighter. In the end of the walk..

When do we start to follow the norms and to live under the stress and pressure? Or are we born with it? I know I'm not.

Stop your routines for few days, you'll discover some new, beautiful things in your life. I realised I have lots of wonderful people around me everyday, but I never have enough energy to take myself off from the pressure-wave and pay attention to them. How relaxing that felt, to realise I can just be and still everything goes on. Wow!

Peace and love,

HKI

2010-03-06T04:20:00.000-08:00

March 3rd

This time I headed to the capital, Helsinki. I took the same train with my friend Aaro, congrats gorgeous once more! He got in to school in London and starts in September. One place I haven't visited, finally I might end up there.. We chatted at Coffee House for a while, Aaro left for his friend's place, I stayed waiting mine to get out of work. Though in the end I couldn't go there, so I started a crazy phone rhumba! I stayed then at another Satu's new home, wow! Old cellar fulled with modern chic style! Great wine and old friends, nice chilly evening.

March 4th

I woke up pretty late with two little but oh so crazy dogs. I went for a lunch to meet my ex at their office, they had just renovated it. How beautiful! Then I took a little walk around, saw the most beautiful places in the city. The old houses and trendy personalities rushing on the streets. I went to chat with Aaro in Kallio, and we continued my tour together. Found my castle (in the pic)! A visit to Satu's office and getting ready for a meeting again.

It was for old members of Team Academy that live in Helsinki nowadays. Meaning not strictly for me, but I wanted to go cross-fertilizise (as we call it in TA). Wanted to meet those people, see what they are doing and maybe also learn from them. One member told us about her company in recruitment business that is THE growing business these times. We continued the evening to 'Belge', a beautiful "old-library"-bar. Chilling with new cool people and listening some best indie and house. LOVE.

Most of the people had to leave pretty early beacause of work next morning, so I joined Aaro and his new friend for the rest of the night. dtm calling! Met two, probably nicest young gentlemen from Paris, invited me to visit. Gosh another place to go! Maybe London and Paris then at the same voyage...

baptiste / aaro / ludwig / satu

March 5th

Waking up is never easy. Aaro and I had stayed at the same place, walking in the sunshine wasn't my finest hour. And Aaro got interviewed to a TV! Haha I must say! Before leaving back to Jyväskylä I went for coffee with Karina, high school friend. Also visited her new, huge place and met her boyfriend. Finally after madest run to the station, two tired Helsinki-travellers got in to the train and were able to sleep. How happy I felt when I got home! Half an hour late though, thanks to VR again.

Ciao!

T-ouring Coffee-landia

2010-02-25T03:55:00.000-08:00

How small is this world? And Finland, the coffee country?! I visited Tampere two days ago, went there just to meet friends and see what's going on right now. proAcademy (same place than Team Academy here in Jyväskylä) was about to move to another building, lost of things happening around. In the new building, there will be HUB Tampere, Demola, Protomo, Creative Tampere as well as proAcademy situated in. Huge house full of the most interactive, creative and co-operating people together! I wish there was the same also here in JKL, though.. going there!

Today I came to Team Academy in the morning and first person coming to say hello was my old friend from Basque Country! Crazy how small this Earth is! Well, now we're chilling on sofa and listening some latest electronica/alternative with Liher, Henna and my lovely sister Laura. Didn't plan this in the morning really..

Tomorrow I'm then leaving for another city in Finland, to have an evening coffee up north in Oulu with a guy who's organizing hip hop events in northern Finland. Waiting. While, I'll enjoy my new love, sun of up-coming spring!

Booked flights.. again!

2010-02-16T06:20:00.000-08:00

Well, nobody's gonna get surprised.. arrivo ancora in Italia!

I just booked flights to Rome, like never been there before.. Hah! I made a plan to meet my lovely friends there for a long time and then continue to travel around the southern parts of this summer country. At least Napoli, Amalfi and Sicily.. pretty coast waiting for me!

Ci vediamo presto!

World comes to You!

2010-02-07T07:08:00.000-08:00

Yesterday evening after coming back home from Kuopio, I wanted to go out more than in a loooong time. I freshed up a bit and started the round at Passion, and whateverworks! Such an average party, I got bored. One friend of mine from Basque Country sent a message then, they had gone to a club Freetime to continue her birthday party. I've never been at this new club before, so I definitely wanted some change to this super normal night.

At Freetime I experienced a feeling that I always get in southern Europe. The club was full of Erasmus students, having the time of their lives. I danced a lot, met soo many new personalities, spoke different languages. That group of people felt a big family, we were all the same even though from different countries and cultures.

Today I watched one of my favourite movies of all time with my room mate, 'L'auberge espagnole', a story of a French guy who leaves for Barcelone for an Erasmus year. I thought I realize what they are going through, I was two months in Rome hello! But still it's not the same. I didn't have that kind of community around me, one that I really belong to.

Last night I felt this feeling, even though I'm not part of Erasmus. Thank you all lovely girls and boys for bringing the world to me here in this cold little city in central Finland!

WinterDanceLand

2010-02-05T15:06:00.000-08:00

Helsinki. A city that most likely doesn't sleep in Finland. Hip hop rhythms and the coolest crowd. Right? Dunno about that. But I definitely was excited the morning of 24th of January 2010.

The morning of my very first hip hop competition. We had prepared a showcase with 6 other girls, and took a part of Nordic Moves 2010 -competition in Helsinki. I had the best time and really enjoyed on stage, as you can see in the pic. Wow, whatta day!

And evening! There was a showcase night, the best of the industry in the world showed how Nordic SHOULD move.. Can't even describe their moves!

Kuopio. A city up north from Jyväskylä. I've been only once in the centrum before, so kinda cool to be here again.. I arrived here with my sister and parents in the evening, staying at one family we've known our whole lives. Makes me remember summers of my childhood..

The reason why we're here is, that my sister will have a dance competition in the morning. After hip hop and battle field I decided to come and see some glitter and glamour, ballroom and latin for a change. That's exactly what I've been dancing 12 years before changing the style over a year ago. Miss to see all the people on that scene..

Now a short beauty sleep before showing again what us sisters really got!

Glam of 40's - Rock of 50's

2010-01-28T13:15:00.000-08:00

How exciting is it to try how it was like in earlier times? I feel I have experienced new ages lately more than ever!

With our company we had a Kick-Off fifties style, had a breakfast in a hotel first and then filmed our version of a hit.. Here it is:

unelMania from unelMania on Vimeo.

The first weeks of 2010 I worked like hell to finish this one huge party, the 17th birthday party of Team Academy. Finally on Saturday 16th of January, forties style crowd danced on the floor celebrating one more year of entrepreneurship and network. I have to say, as a project manager that evening was one of the happiest moments I've had. And I got a lot of kisses.

Thanks and biiiiig hug!

Walking around the city and freeeezing in the air, in the airr.. hrrr...

2010-01-08T06:31:00.000-08:00

Today, I woke up a bit later than usually, after nine. Lightness came in to my room through the windows, wow what a feeling! For a second I felt like early morning in the summer. My dreams crashed when I stepped outside, hrrrr colder than ever! - 20 at least. Just like it's been for few weeks now.

When the weather's freezing, I tend to walk inside the shopping centers as much as possible on my way to somewhere. Normally, I go to work before 8am and no place is open yet. This morning I had the chance to walk in a warmer place for a minute cause the stores were open already. Helped a bit.

In the cold I met then a friend and of course I had to chat with him. So I freezed again, such a great plan! I found my way to work in the end, and here I still am - scared to death to go outside after the day. Ok, never hurt me before. And it's still beautiful around, look at the pic I just took.. Lots of lights, and the air is VC - Very Crisp. Luv.

03 01 2010

2010-01-03T05:19:00.000-08:00

It's a new year. So far a lot of things have happened. I experienced many sides of life, good ones as well as not so good ones. I'd say travelled emotionally. I realized how quickly life can change, and it doesn't require a new year. Just a new second.

In New Year's Eve I looked like many people would like to: glamorous curls and some bling-bling on at a cool club with a bottle of sparkling. Though, it never feels the same inside. I missed few friends I didn't have a chance to see that night. A lot of things happens behind the smile, think about it this year!

Sometimes the smile is real.

Voyage in time... to the future!

2009-12-31T05:28:00.000-08:00

Once again, last day of the year. Crazy how fast the autumn passed by! I had a crisis this morning, no idea what to wear tonight for the New Year's Eve party. Since I woke up, it took only two minutes for my sick mind to try purple and green nail polish together, can't do any bad right? And guess what - I actually like it! So, I'll come up with something very new for the evening.

I'm sure I'm ready for the next period of time. The style will be very futuristic, this evening I will try to travel in time to the year 2010. At midnight I might even see a piece of it. Really.

Happiest New Year and have the last best party of the '00's!

Christmas - travelling or not?

2009-12-25T06:22:00.000-08:00

Christmas is full of questions? What to buy for everyone? Where are we staying the holidays; strictly home, at Grandma's or abroad? What am I expecting; too much? A perfect holiday that is never going to happen?

All this has always been my problem. Since I was a little girl I wanted perfection out of everything, especially holidays like Christmas. When I got older, I also got disapponted more every year. Two days ago I had a great chat with one of my dearest persons. He made me understand that it's not about THE perfect C. It's about OUR perfect holiday, which might be best if we just sat down on a sofa and watched a movie. Because even that never happens.

Why do we always keep thinking tv-shows, movie stars and their life and comparing all that to ours? The fact that we might not ever have the same, doesn't mean we couldn't be happier with the things that we do have. Why to travel physically or in our minds to somewhere we don't belong? This year I'm concentrating this time, this place and this family - the only one I have and the loveliest in the world I know.

Me helping the Santa, giving the present to my bro,
Dad and my very-much-look-a-like-me sista
- at Grandma's.

People, keep this in mind: Don't you ever travel too far, it's only fear.

Christmas mood,

S

Tere tere Tallinn!

2009-12-22T03:46:00.000-08:00

Tere tere! Pictures definitely tell more than words..

Voyage with godmother, check.

Boat party with sailors, check.

Beautiful Christmas time in Tallinn, check.

Ja eesti keel, check.

Travelling to a heart..

2009-12-14T23:59:00.000-08:00

It takes time to go deep down, to finally see the destination that might be more beautiful and vulnerable place than any other in the world. Even to let You see yourself is hard, then how to ever open that all to someone else..?!

Sometimes a human really have to do that. Some may need a little push to break the walls and open their innermost. Have to remember that whoever we are, it's never easy. Somewhere, there's always at least a little block. For a friend it's every-day-life communication, for me it's most often the closest people I know.

The most scaring part is to start the whole process, to see You. Unlock the heart, let other people see it.. You can finally live your life fully and travel free.

With love,

Helsinki and the Parliament of tomorrow

2009-12-02T06:26:00.000-08:00

Why do I always forget how beautiful it is in Helsinki this time of the year?! Shining lights, people wearing stylish autumn-winter, big-city-life, fashionable Scandinavians hurrying to work and party.

Unfortunately I saw rhat only for a moment. I worked the whole day at the Parliament of Finland, fasilitating in a meeting of youngsters around the country. Wow, how intelligent they are! Couldn't believe it! Our subjects for discussions were diversity, other cultures, religion at school, and themes around them.

Very good points, ideas and questions. I personally like the idea of changing religious teaching more towards diversity and cultures, so that finally people could learn how to communicate and work with each other at the early age. And that way also start to understand different views and opinions. We had good conversation dealing with themes like religion, culture, habits, sexuality, differences and how to connect all that to school (teachers as well).

Very inspiring trip indeed. A lot to think about and to take with me home. Now moon light and trying to clear my head, too many dizzy thoughts still. How to make this world better and schools more useful? Thinking...

How about a tour around the world..?!

2009-11-27T02:47:00.001-08:00

At Team Academy every teamcompany makes a tour around the world after 3,5 years entrepreneuring. With co-operative unelMania (http://www.unelmania.fi/, http://osuuskuntaunelmania.blogspot.com/) we have one year to decide the final route and make all the money for the trip. Here are some pictures of the tour that we have discussed tentatively:

Caribbean Islands - West Coast of US - Tahiti - New Zealand - Australia - Indonesia

caribbean islands

los angeles

tahiti and the real papeete beach. love.

new zealand

some down under..

sunset somewhere in paradise

While waiting, dreaming some more and travelling a bit closer..

Jeg liker Oslo

2009-11-07T00:42:00.000-08:00

I left for Oslo for the rest of the week of my autumn break. Have to say, the first moment I stepped out of the train I fell in love for the city! The station area reminds me of glass-house-Dubai but the centrum's more older Scandinavian style, flavour from Stockholm. Only cleaner.

A norvegian in my mind is rich, tall, good-looking and stylish, and in Oslo that's a fact. I stayed with a friend in Nydalen (NewDalen), pretty close to the centrum. She as well as all my other friends there too were at school or work during the day, so I had plenty of time to sleep late and tour around the city. Here's one funny place I found near the harbor: STETSONHATS-store. Old joke. More about Stetsonman in Finnish: http://nakeeketkaparjaa.blogspot.com/

After every sunny day it was time to see the night life. We had a movie night with Iuliia in the house, little chilly for a change. I also went to see Kampen Pub, just because my friend Patrick's the bartender. His specialty 'Patrick's Blu' is one of my top cocktails ever. Tack! Can it be any better evening; good music, delicious drinks, gorgeous bartender, some new friends and you realize that you have come home a bit earlier than those late nights..?

patrick preparing the legendary blu cocktail

my new friend kristoffer

Relaxing, shopping, having fun, meeting old friends, meeting new friends. Sunny and surrounded by beautiful people. What a lovely holiday!

Touring Norden

2009-10-12T04:38:00.000-07:00

Hej hej!

Holidaytime, and once again I'm going around nordic countries. Yesterday evening I flew from Tampere to Stockholm and took straight a train to Örebro. I arrived here last night and stayed at Daniel's place. We got to know each other in emax Nordic, that I've written before about. Wow, they do have a nice apartment, just bought a new one! Luv.

This morning we woke a bit later and came straight to STARTcentrum which is the organizer of emax-events. Seriously have to say that I feel very home here. The atmosphere is almost the same here than back home in Team Academy, only thing that is different that everyone speaks Swedish and I don't get all the inside jokes. And can't make those by myself. Bla.

We got take away lunch from this one pretty thai place, gosh it was good!! Now, I'll continue my different kinda office day, talk to people and maybe go to do some more shopping (already bought a new winter jacket)..

Luv,

S

EMAX NORDIC

2009-09-11T05:26:00.000-07:00

EMAX NORDIC 2009 - an event for young entrepreneurs, location: Örebro, Sweden.

That week was absolutely amazing! I worked in the event as one member of staff, as a coach of five teams in a business simulation game. I made freaking meny friends and contacts around Nordic countries, also new ones from my own town. Here some pictures that remind me of that crazy time with the most energetic people I've been surrounded by!

mari satu erika - finally in sweden

the best staff ever!

break

whoooot is happening..?!!

lovely david and a little piano

gala party

the best after party .. like it or not!

I must say once more, thank you sooo much guys! Mari, Minna, Kaisa, Jani, Juho, Erika, Martina, Michaela, David, Martin, Isabelle, Thomas, Jacob, Emma och our favourite coach-coach Magnus. Staff of STARTcentrum made all this happen and all the participants made the event in the end.

Thank you!

Arrivederci Italia.. for now.

2009-08-19T23:15:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that Italy-time's over! Here are some memories from THE last week, on pictures...

Miss you all soooo much! Have a great year, and see you as soon as possible!

<3

Moments

2009-07-20T08:37:00.000-07:00

Wow! Soooo much has happened lately; don’t really have time to write this blog. Mostly I’ve been hanging out at the beach in Ostia, Fregene or Santa Marinella, reading-thinking-writing as an entrepreneur back in Finland, going out kind of a lot – all over the places in Roma, and I’ve been dating! I haven’t done it a lot past times, so it’s a nice little extra for my everyday life. Here are some moments of past weeks…

M, M, M, R, G, S. Ups, someone threw a wine glass out of the balcony. Ups, the meal is all only meat and S is vegetarian. Ups, someone is getting wasted! – Dinner party at my house on 8th of July -

I hear the sound of the sea. I feel the sand all over me. I smell a cigarette next to me. It’s freaking hot but I run to the waves to cool myself. Sounds like a holiday! - A sunny beach day in Santa Marinella on 11th of July -

A gorgeous penthouse in Rome, big terrace, sunset, chill out house music, bunch of friends, some good wine and freaking amazing dinner. I thought this was only my dream, but guess what – it was a moment on 15th of July. - Dinner party at my friend Anna’s -

Yellow dress made of lace, yellow high heels, black nails, silver glittering purse, tanned skin and up-and-curls-hairdo – S attending a wedding. The place was amazing! Church, dinner room and the after party garden were all in the same place, there were around 150 guests and the most beautiful couple getting married that I’ve ever seen. Why not? Real champagne and strawberries, variety of Italian desserts, jazz music, dark and warm night, candles everywhere. Complimenti M & M! - A wedding in Trastevere on 18th of July -

Jumping. Shouting. Smiling. Laughing. Listening. Singing. Enjoying. Feeling. – A concert of Bruce Springsteen at the Olympic Stadium of Roma on 19th of July –

I can say I’ve lived. And I’m going to enjoy every second of the last week I’ll spend in Rome, the eternal city. I know it includes at least a concert, clubbing, sunbathing, seeing friends, and a goodbye party. And a flight back home.

S

It's a paaarty time...

2009-07-06T04:11:00.000-07:00

Ciao ancora! Cincin, I must say about Sunday evening. First, USA – Brazil soccer match by Tevere. Brazil was definitely celebrating! Then to Big Hilda’s again, we have been sitting there maaaany times. Everyone had work the next day, so only me and Minna continued the evening. Took cocktails with us and walked just randomly somewhere. Well, we ended up accidently in Campo di Fiori, which is actually one the party places here in Rome. There we met two guys, Dai (Japanese) and Max (Russian), they were at work in Saby’s but got us free shots. We waited them to get out of work and continued the night with them to two night clubs. I don’t remember the names but in the first one, I was very impressed with the decoration and music was normal Italian style – freaking good. The second place was kind of a dance hall place, I really danced there. Hah! It was somewhere around 5 am we left towards home then, took some pizza on the way from the best pizzeria in the city – V.I.P (Very Italian Pizza).

Monday was then a serious hang-over day, we both thought it was better to go to sleep once a bit earlier. Well, somewhere around 2 am.. Tuesday 30th of June we went shopping, I bought a gorgeous black n white dress. Great for work in the autumn! In the afternoon Minna left Rome, flew back to Finland. So, now I’m alone again. Tuesday evening was a lot of cleaning, some dancing and watching an oldie movie.

Wednesday the 1st of July I saw the first storm here in Rome, it was raining like hell and there were lots of lightning! In the evening I was first about to this one concert with a punch friends but change of plans because of the weather. Instead me and P went on few drinks in this cute Indian place, Shanti and after that to Campo di Fiori again. Hah, THE Guarda guy was there once again. I heard he has been doing his thing for maybe ten years, and the same tricks year after year. Guardaaaaaa! Then we took a little walk to see Foro Romano in the night light, I must say I felt the spirit that is still there. Almost like I got back to those days that everything was flourishing…

Thursday 2nd of July, it was just sunbathing and writing about human connections, what an interesting topic really! So, much drama and changes around us all the time, who actually follows? Dunno. Let’s see what happens in the future. Well, one thing is sure. That evening I went to the Centrum with R, for few drinks. He took me to his favorite places in Rome, beautiful cocktail place and Foro Romano – yes, the exact same place than a night before. Though, this time we stayed a little while longer…

Friday the 3rd of July – typical day, I actually wrote kind of a lot. In the evening, we had a dinner at my place. M and few others came to cook and just have some fun. After that we left for Trastevere, Trastevere. And a party at Isola Tiberina. CIN! Huh, what a night a again.

Saturday the 4th of July we drove to the sea to sunbathe the whole day. In the evening we had an aperitivo at the beach, at Mecs Village. They had the best music and I felt so relaxed and chilled. I just love the sea!! Yesterday, Sunday was just hanging out, some sun and good food. I love my life in Italy, ciiiiao!

S

Che belllaaa

2009-06-27T09:42:00.000-07:00

Here again. Minna came on Monday evening. Two hours late – because the plane, the luggage and also the train were late. Huh, solo in Italia! Then, we went out for a little snack. While eating, it started to rain. This was the first time that I actually see a drop of rain here. Few glasses of wine and some good company - what else an evening needs?

Tuesday 23th of June was then a tourist day. San Pietro, Vatican, Castel Saint d’Angelo, Spagna, Fontana di Trevi, Pantheon and Piazza Navona – some of the places I saw for the first time. For example, would it be stupid not to go inside the church of San Pietro? I live in the neighborhood! Anyway, now I’ve seen it and I have to say – WOW! Totally worth of visiting. A little siesta before fiesta, as someone said to me. And to Trastevere for a little walk. We had some drinks, good time – just relaxing.

Wednesday 24th of June was then another tourist day around the city. We visited Piazza Venezia and places around it, then Colosseum and San Giovanni. In the evening we started to take first cocktails pretty early and ended up in a very bad shape. Trastevere with a punch of my new Roman friends, we had so much fun! What a crazy, wild night!!

The morning on Thursday 25th I had one of the worst hang-over for a long time! We girls went to Villa Borghese to sunbathe for the afternoon, afterwards I was so tired! Somewhere around 8pm I got a message from Massimo and of course, we had to get out of the house again, met the guys and girls in Trastevere later. The plan was not to party very much because that’s what we did even too much the night before. In the end we found ourselves in La Maison, a night club by Tevere next to Castel S. Angelo. It was hot inside, but I loved it.

la maison

Yesterday Friday 26th of June it was just some relaxing, way too many parties lately! M did some shopping; I stayed at home, tried to deal with my head. In the evening we cooked some pasta, before leaving to Colosseo. Met Massimo at Circo Massimo and waited everyone else a looooong time! Finally got in to the club at 1am, then it was really a parrrrty! We danced a lot, many hours by the pool - cool. Because there was no place to sit, my shoes were killing me around 4am when we left the club. Massimo and Giuseppe took us home and they were available to come in to cook some pasta. Ok, we made Anna wake up and she was freaking angry. So we stopped cooking and continued just drinking wine. It was some good wine, in silence. Hah!

maria minna satu manuela

God, today SATUrday the 27th has been a boring day, sleeping and recovering from last night. Rest of the weekend should be a lot of fun; more some night life, sunbathing and good company. This week has been and still is really a holiday – My Roman Holiday!

Luv,

S

Living THE Roma

2009-06-22T10:13:00.000-07:00

Wow! It’s been a while I haven’t written here. I don’t have Internet in my new apartment, so I don’t get the chance to write all the time. Anyway, a lot of things have happened. There was a 30th birthday party of Alessandro first of all, theme was the thirties. I wondered around Rome for one whole day to find a dress, and I did. Though it was a little more style of the sixties. Crazy party with A again! I met a lot of his friends, also two Dutch girls. Nice to speak English sometimes…

Alessandro 30 anni - Anni '30

Speaking of foreigners, I met some American (/Italian) girls in Roma Pride. God, the whole city was colorful that day. I was also with the flow, walked with the parade and partied at Piazza Navona afterwards. One girl, Jill, came to talk to me and she introduced me to her friends, Jacqueline and Barbara. In the evening, we drank few cocktails at San Giovanni, next to Colosseum and went to a club later. Long night, I came home somewhere around six in the morning.

Another night we went out with a bunch of Massimo’s friends. There I got to know this freaking crazy Hawaiian girl, Noea, and met also the first Finnish during my stay. On The Rox was the place called, in Trastevere. The people there are pretty much the ones I’ve been hanging out lately, Massimo, Ilaria, Giuseppe, Marinella, Maria, Manuela, Antonio, Rossella, Francesca, Riccardo, Mario, Noea and few others, don’t remember their names.

This Friday I also went out with them, to an outside nightclub called Purple Club. God, it was HOT! Though it was outside… There was this privé where I wasn’t supposed to go, but I didn’t know it before I already entered. I climbed to one pond behind the DJ and danced there above all the crowd. I felt sooo good! And no one took me out of there, everyone loved me. Ok, but it was fun. On SATUrrrday (as my friends here like to call it) we drove to the beach, to Fregene. There was an outside nightclub, and this time I was able to breathe and dance because it’s not so hot by the sea. Pools, dance floor, good music, friends, kisses, Italian night. Luuuuuv it!

Giuseppe e io a Purple club

Ok, it hasn’t been only partying. I have gone to Ostia (the beach) with Ila and to Villa Borghese few times to sunbathe, read few books and Italian magazines, learned how to cook and make real Italian espresso, danced and made choreographies, and most of all I have really relaxed and took time for myself, to think, to dream, to live.

It’s been almost three weeks and I already feel better, more energetic mentally to start the hectic life back home after the summer. Now it’s the time to relax and have fun still, so I don’t think about the fall yet. Supermercato is calling; I’ll buy some wine maybe. Rossella, my roommate left for Puglia today and Anna, the other one is away, so the whole apartment is mine! Minna, my friend from Finland is about arrive tonight, so it’s a parrrrty time.

A la prossima volta cari!

S

ROMA

2009-06-08T12:16:00.000-07:00

5th of June

I started a bit of a longer journey this time. Woke up at nine in my sista's room, where I had been living almost for a week. God, what a rush again in the morning and just made it to the train. + 10 Celcius and raining, could there be any better day to leave for Italy?! I texted to Alessandro, my lovely Italian friend to host me for few first days cause I would be able to see my appartment on Wednesday the 10th. As always, he saved me and took me to live with him, Pepper (THÉ Finnish cat), Orwell (another cat) and the other guys (Francesco and Roberto). I arrived at Tampere.

Hrrr! It was freaking cold when I was waiting the bus to the airport outside the railway station. Raining still, veeery windy too. In the bus I already started to feel Italy, as around ten young people were speaking Italian behind me. After some weight problems I managed to get to the first plane, to Frankfurt and to the second one too, to Roma! When I stepped out of the plane in Italy, I felt a warm wind. + 25 and beautiful dark evening. Then a bus again, air-condition didn't really work and it was hot even I was wearing only a small tank top.

Then, finally at Termini. 23.23 and I saw Alessandro coming. Sooo nice to see this wonderful man again! Ciao, come stai? I had to talk in Italian from the beginning. Well, it's my own fault because I had been sending all the messages in Italian. We took all of my stuff at Ale's and went "to eat". Also Mari, one of Ale's friends came with us. First I had to get some Italian ice-cream, how could I resist?! Pineapple-minth - worth of trying, really! Next we ordered coctails, caipiroska di kiwi. How good was that, fresh fruit! After those, me and Mari started to get really hungry so we took some pizza on the way back home.

After leaving Mari at her appartment, I started to fight with Ale about the radio channel. Not seriously but it's always nice to fight a bit with A. Alessandro is a huge fan of classic music (not really?), and I didn't really feel like listening it. Argh! Annoying. Back at A's place. Said buona notte Ale, Pepper and Orwell and went to bed. Woke up at 18.30, so didn't really see the next day...

6th of June

Anyway, after I woke up, Francesco made some pasta for me. I was sitting in the kitchen and heard that F let someone in, a girl. They were talking something in Italian but I didn't understand them. They came to the kitchen and GOD! It was Ilaria! I didn't recognize her voice, she sounds so different when she speaks English. We chatted a bit and I finally changed clothes. Ale too (a little bit slower though) and we left for Roberto's parents' house to outside of Rome, Aprilia.

It took a bit longer to find the house than we had thought because we didn't find the right exit. In the end we arrived to this beautiful place, it was totally in the middle of nowhere! But what a house they had! And pool and everything. There were around 60 to 70 persons having fun already, all dressed up. We ate, drank, danced a bit, spoke Italian too. After the birthday cake, song and champagne the guys threw R to the pool and many guests joined him. Ila made me go there too with her, well there we were - all partyclothes wet. It was freaking fun though!

After swimming we hang out a bit and then left. I fell asleep in the car on the way back home and woke up just before A's house. Nice evening/night but I really were in a need of sleep.

7th/8th of June

I've been sleeping a freaking lot and daytime just sunbaithing here at A's. Just really relaxing, talking with guys and going a bit around here neighbourhood. I start to understand Italian more since I don't hear much anything else. My plan is to learn as much as I can and really see the Italian way of living. Tonight we're about to go to hung out in legendary Piazza Bologna, pretty near here.

A presto cari!

S

Goodbye Helsinki, Goodbye hometown Jyväskylä

2009-06-01T00:16:00.000-07:00

Ok, the last day of my stay in Helsinki was pretty calm. I was way too tired and dead to go out and party. I slept some around 12 hours, woke up at 12, tried to work and made myself to look like a human again.. Possible? Dunno. L came home from work and we went to Amarillo for dinner before I took a train back to JKL. Nice that Frozen amarita, sooo good.

what's that yellow...? mmmmmmm <3

It was freaking warm here in Jyväskylä last weekend, Sunday May 31st we were sunbaithing in a park with my friends the whole day, temperature rose over +30C in the hottest point! Luuuuv. Yesterday I moved all of my stuff away from my apartment. Basically I'm homeless now, thank God only for four days. On Friday the 5th of June is then GOODBYE FINLAND, and CIAO ROMA! Till then,

GNT race, 2SD ride

2009-05-27T12:18:00.000-07:00

This day was amazing!! Ok, well I woke up at 4 am, took a shower, straigthened my hair and ran to the train. We, 8 hotties packed into two cars and left Helsinki 6.30 am then, freaking early huh? It took 2,5 hours to drive to Alastaro, which was the race place.

Ok. So here's some backround.. There was this privite event for customers and they had a race in teams. Every team had 4 members and every member had to drive at least one round. The race was two hours and god, we had a competition going on! Sooo much fun and laugh. And ye, my job was to cheer the team up!

Then, I had one experience I will never forget. The guys of Logitech offered me a chance and I couldn't refuse to take it. I took a ride with 2 seated DRAGSTER! Wow, what a speed I can tell! First from 0 to 100 km/h in 1,1 second, then to 260 km/h in next 2 seconds and after that the driver started to slow down already. Fast but totally breath-taking. In a way I thought it would be even faster and so, but in the end I think it was already enough..

Experienceful day certainly. Now I have new friends again, one of them is totally Ms Dragster!

Helsinki

2009-05-26T11:31:00.000-07:00

Blah! I'm gettin' a bit bored to travel all the time by train, always the same views! Today was one of the coolest days at Team Academy, we had a photo shooting for this future message that will be given to the prime minister of Finland. We, J n I, were kind of teenager bitches, rested towards a brick wall. I saw few of them and gotta say that they looked really good! I can't put any of them here yet, not before they are published.. Later. Anyway, it was a freaking beautiful day, like + 23 C and sunny - sooo summer!

beauty

In the afternoon I jumped to a train, headed to Helsinki this time. I arrived here somewhere around 8 pm and now I'm sitting on my friend's (L's) floor, chatting on facebook - surprise! It's almost 10 pm and the sun is still shining, I must admit - weird this Finland. Should go to sleep cause it's one the earliest mornings coming again, have to get up around 4 am, GOSH!

good night helsinki

Tampere

2009-05-23T05:53:00.000-07:00

Wow, at least this weekend I had time to visit some other city in Finland. I realized that you don't always have to fly abroad, you can also have the time of your life pretty near home. Well, we arrived at Tampere yesterday morning, had a meeting for upcoming co-operation between proAkatemia and Tiimiakatemia. In the evening we stopped at New York, it's one good place to have dinner in this city. It was a really good choice, after my amazing raspberry rosca and tasteful pestopasta I was ready to conquer the night.

We started our tour at L's place, listening some freaking good lounge n chill house music first, enjoying special ciders. Music started to change more to beach house n club then, as we dressed up a little bit. The place to go was Onnela, our friend works at the door as a bouncer so we didn't have to line up or pay to get in. Cosmo, white russian, something (?!) with redbull, shots. L lost her phone, I broke my sunglasses accidently. Which led into a new innovation, glasses! God, I looked like a hottie Swedish fashion girl. Hah!

After 1 am I ran to another side of Tampere to meet my other friends. SAHA was seriously THE party place! I liked. Lots of exchange students, everyone having actually fun without extra-glamour. I danced over the heads, felt sooo good. Took CC (a cider and a cigarette) and headed back to rain. We stayed at the club till 3 am and walked home with McDoo-food.

My alarm clock started to ring at 9 am. I just wanted to throw it to the wall! Anyway, I didn't really have a choice - work was waiting. I took a shower, packed my stuff and walked to a park. Beautiful morning really, sun was shining and temperature was rising all the time. There was an event called 'Likkojen lenkki', A jogg of girls. I was delivering yofu (Alpro Soya) for the runners and walkers, over than 10 000 women! Wow how cool it was to see all these independent ladies having a good time!

us as alpro soya -girls

girl power

The day was gorgeous, it was actually really warm - somewhere around +20 C. I made new friends with my co-workers, had fun and got some money too. Happy but tired. Now, I will start looking for a train back home to Jyväskylä, THE city.

Cin,

S

Some Milano..

2009-05-11T04:20:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a trip once again! I don't believe it's all over, still thoughts in Italy.. Anyway, here's the news from DA MILANO.

2nd May

I work/study at Team Academy in central Finland, I am a part-owner at co-operative unelMania (www.unelmania.fi) and there are 17 persons of us learning to be future's entrepreneurs. During the winter, we decided to travel to Milano, just for few days to team more and have fun.

So, on Saturday the 2nd of May we headed to Tampere by car. It was one of the hottest days of the spring, punch of us were lying on the grass outside of the airport before checking in. First beers, first laughs, first flight to Frankfurt. Food, drink, another flight and finally, ITALIA. We took a bus from Bergamo-airport to the centrum of Milano and finally all the lights started to shine. God Milano is beautiful at a night time!

Searching our hotel wasn't the easiest job, cause we had forgot to print a map. So I, as the only one speaking a bit of Italian, asked every single one some help to find the right direction. After one hour we finally saw the sign "HOTEL PIOLA". The owners didn't speak English a word, so all the communication was left on me. Sì, grazie. Prego. Buona notte! .. NOT!

As it was Saturday, the only party night during our stay, we headed to a cocktail bar the first. SKIPINTRO was close to our hotel, so we got in. I must say I felt home sipping an Italian cocktail, a lot of flavor in the drink and relaxing with good house music n friends. The bar closed 2 p.m. and wandering around the blocks began, fighting with 13 persons where to go next.

SKIPINTRO

Some point, we decided to order taxis for us to leave and drive to Corso Como, one of the party places in Milano. I had never been there, though I've visited Milano many times. All the fashion was around us, models n party people. Our guys lost their nerves cause they couldn't get into any club without us girls while we were withdrawing some money for the night. We ended up in LOOLAPALOOSA, dancing and mingling till' 5 a.m. S and I were the last ones to leave from our group but some random way we were the first at the hotel. God, that was a night with drama!

3rd May

I woke up just before my alarm clock at 8:55. I tried to walk to the bathroom but I smashed at the door, didn't realize it wasn't open! I also fell down the bathroom floor as I was still a bit drunk. Breakfast, clothes on and ANDIAMO!

Walking down the street on a beautiful Sunday morning in Milano in May, Gosh that's something! Not too hot, not too cold, sun and summer. We stopped at a supermarket to buy some food and wine for afternoon's picnic. My hung-over hit me there; the way to the park for the picnic was a bit too long for me.

+ 25 C

The whole team gathered in Parco Fontanini to eat, drink, hang out, play football and enjoy the warm day together. The temperature rose above + 25 and the heat made finally everyone feel on holidays. The guys challenged Italians to play against them a football match. You can guess the result as the Finnish had been drinking the whole day and were also running with wine bottles.. Well, in the end result was 5-4, for Italians.

corso como

In the evening, we got back to the hotel just to dress up and leave for a dinner, to Corso Como once again. After one hour we had decided the place to eat and were sitting on a table waiting for the food. Minus three of us, they had gone to the bar next door. Blah, the second night was a boring one for me. I was way too tired to stay the whole night partying. The guys on the other hand took everything they could. T for example paid himself and two girls to a club, paid all of their drinks till' he didn't have any money anymore. He took a cab to our hotel to get some more money and drove back to Corso Como. Weak morning then the next one.

4th May

As me, I woke up without a hung-over. Thank God, cause I was about to meet with an old friend. Morning coffee, Italian ice cream and walking around the streets. In the afternoon, it started to rain few drops and I ran to the underground and took a metro back home.Also S had come back; she wasn't there in the morning yet when I left, had spent the night with a French business man.

The evening was all about Finland-Canada ice-hockey match, hanging at the hotel and waiting to see Ts Russian visitor. As the girls showed up, P and E were a bit pissed; they didn't get any girls, and P got also robbed earlier that day. After the episode, we went for a dinner to a restaurant close to us. And sleep at 2 a.m. At night happened also another episode, S, P n J came from the park and couldn't shut their mouths…

5th May

The day started effectively, an amazing breakfast at SILVER, at Loreto, and shopping day at Corso Buenos Aires. I bought one pair of yellow high heels, a dress, shorts, shorts and few shirts. Just when we were about die cause of the heat and tiredness, we found CINCINBAR. Mojito and hour-mai-tai helped me a lot to survive forward in the day. After aperitivo I went to buy another phone, for my new Italian number that I had gotten one day earlier.

cincinbar n my hour-mai-tai

Then it was a time for our last supper in Milano. It took many hours and we ate and drank properly. T passed out in the table as someone wrote "From Russia with love" in his arm. I was sailing from side to side when I left the gang and headed to take a metro to another side of the city. That happened at my favorite time, 23:23.

I arrived at Moscova area and continued my way with a good old friend, E. First stop was Macdough's, one-euro-shots. Second place was a cocktail bar owned by Chinese brothers. We ordered long island iced teas and walked around Corso Como just to see what was happening on Tuesday evening. After a little tour we took the second LIITs and sat on a bench in front of the clubs.

After a little discuss we decided to get in to THE CLUB. It was a freaking nice place, we got into one VIP-lounge and I climbed also on stage with dancers to dance for the audience by myself. Dancing, drinking, music, kisses and a fashionable night in Milano. After 4 p.m. I realized that I have less than an hour to get back to the hotel, pack all of my stuff and leave. So, I got a random drive by a DJ BRIAN and his BMW. I was on time and I was able to start the way back home.

6th May

I wasn't feeling very well the whole day, tried to sleep a bit there and there. I was happy to get back to Finland to sleep in my own bed, even though I felt a bit that I left my other home behind me while leaving Italia. Well, three more weeks and I'll be back.

some freezing in germany

Questa volta, ROMA! <3

Ciao!

2009-05-11T04:19:00.000-07:00

This young lady that also writes this welcoming message here, travels abroad almost every month. Stay tuned, I'll let you know where I am.

Love, S