Sunshiny Day

After such a wintry day yesterday, the sun is out and making people happy! Love blue Helsinki skies!

February funnies and facebook

Went in to church and it was snowing. Came out, still snowing.
Lauren: How can it still be snowing?
Me: We live in Finland.

Speaking with Dr Hughes, the head of school, about his recent recruiting trip.
Me: Where did you go?
Dr Hughes: (says something I don't understand)
Me: Oh, I don't know where that is.
Dr Hughes: You don't know where Boston, MA is?

21° F and Lauren says, "It's almost warm enough that I don't have to wear a coat!" Finland has definitely changed our perception of 'warm enough'.

Happy Valentine's Day to my favorite people in the world-Daniel Detter, Lauren Detter, and Derek. My gift to you this day? Groceries and clean laundry. Enjoy!

Three months after we started dating, Dan and I went to our first concert. Whitney Houston and opening act After 7. Thanks for the memories, Whitney!

My 11 year old gave the closing prayer in Sacrament meeting today.

Reminds me of a class book we made for Derek's retiring 2nd grade teacher. One boy WANTED to say 'We don't want you to leave'. Instead he wrote 'We don't want you to live!'

So it's cold again today. -13° F. I should set this status on repeat or something.

My husband, Daniel Detter, is a rock star! He came home from work much later than usual last night, saw that I was busy with PTO stuff and cleaned up from dinner. Then he tackled the huge mound of clean clothes waiting to be hung up/folded and put away. Kiitos!!!!!!

I wish I had the core strength of Lily the hamster.

I wish it were appropriate for me to contact people at Dan's work. I have the time to bug them until they do what needs to be done.

And my non-weather related status of the day is....I am not homesick for Super Bowl festivities this year.

Guy at church told of when he was a boy it was -40° F and he had to ski 5 km to school. Uphill, both ways. Kidding. He didn't say that last part. His point? Weather today was no big deal.

Lauren has been talking to her BFF Lulu via cell phone. Lulu lives in Denmark. After I explained to Lauren that a call like that will not be covered by our cell phone plan and will cost extra she said, "Oh. I'll stick to Skype." Yes, please.

Frigid temps through Sunday. I was a little worried that it might be unbearably cold for the girls we're hosting for the basketball tourney this weekend. Then I remembered. They're from Moscow. They'll be fine.

I don't understand the name, but these are tasty!

Talking with a Finn and she asked where we have visited. When I told her St. Petersburg, she said, "I still need to go there." I told her I understood about not visiting something close to you. "Like I've never been to see the Statue of Liberty." Her response, "I've been there!"

At the beginning of Lauren's basketball season the coaches took the relatively inexperienced team aside and asked the girls what they wanted from the season. Did they want to concentrate on learning and improving as much as they could or where they OK just having fun? Dan, "You know what's fun? Winning. Winning is fun." I believe they chose to do both.

Snow, again.

It's been snowing and blowing like crazy today. All day. Where will all this snow go? It's hard to get a picture of falling snow but here is my attempt.

Non-snowy day.

Today.

Roof snow

Rain and slightly warmer temps made it necessary for building owners to start removing roof snow. This is the school right across from us, but scenes like this were common all last week.

While this work is being done
the area below is roped off and
workers monitor traffic on the ground.

Today when I came out of Pilates a crowd of workers who were across the street stopped what they were doing and stared at me. Did I do something wrong? While I was in class they roped off the area in front of the building where our class is held. Once I saw the ropes I started walking FAST! Not interested in getting snow dumped on me.

A letter from Derek

Found this in our special papers.

Date October 12,2007. It reads:

Dear Mom and Dad,

Thank you for taking care of me! I loved the things you do for me! I hope it will be the same in the futrue (sic). I hope that you will continue to take care of me.

Love,
Derek

Winter worries

Things I worry about in the winter, in no particular order...

The kids wearing all the appropriate winter clothing and wearing it correctly. Coats don’t keep you warm unless you zip them up! Hats must be on your head!

Backing up into a snow bank, plugging the exhaust pipe with snow and not realizing it. Maybe I shouldn’t worry about that. Maybe I should worry about how fast it takes for the exhaust pipe to get hot.

Car not starting because someone hasn’t gotten the cord to plug in the car. This someone knows if the car does not start due to extreme cold I will never let him forget it.

Sliding or falling snow. Worry increased exponentially with reports of fatalities this past weekend.

Slipping and falling on ice. This would be particularly bad while crossing the street.

And last, but  not least...

Hanging up my coat in a public place and going home with lice!

I'm so done with winter.

Freshly bathed Lily

Sledding Day with the ward

Sunday is Sledding Day. Sledding plus traditional foods to celebrate it almost being Lent. I think. Our church congregation celebrated today.

Entrance to where we meet for church.
We have the entire 1st floor of an apartment building.
 We get to use part of the 2nd floor as well,
but technically it's Institute.

Looking to the right and up the street.

To the left and down the street.
Ends in the sea.

Semi-creepy doll in the window across the street.

The windows are etched
so it looks like they're frosted over year round.

Big mirror in the foyer.

Heli (YW leader), Lauren, and Derek
working on decorations in the chapel/multi-purpose room.

After a short walk to Kaivopuisto,
a popular park in Helsinki, Dan is ready to sled.

I'm ready!

Coming back up the hill.
Sofia, Heini (YW Pres) and Lauren.

Sofia and Lauren give Sister Roberts a push.

Couple missionaries, the Roberts, and Bishop Felin.

Looking out to the sea.

Dan and Derek doing their
signature double decker slide down the hill.



Here, we'll give you a push.

It was a long hill.

Cold missionaries.
Elder Maynard and Elder Lemoine.

Lauren chatting with Heini and William.

The ward.

Lauren and Sofia searching for another hill.

Done.

Me too.

Back to the building for traditional pea soup.
Must have mustard!
I thought it was yummy.

He likes it!

Ummmm...

Silly Dan.

No one was shy to try the laskiaispulla,
which translates to 'sledding pastry'.
Apparently this pastry in only available
in stores this time of year so it's a real treat!
Pastry with strawberry jam and whipped cream.

Lauren and Sofia giving out awards for sledding.
Dan and Derek won the award for Most Stylish with their double decker one.

Happy day!

Laughing while telling a story.

And Derek.

Happy Sledding Day!

Nice coat

Part of Dan's job is to supply specialty chemicals to the oil and mining industry. A new nickel mine is being opened in the part of Norway that is north of Finland. Dan gets to go there for a week. He needed a special coat.

If Kemira doesn't work out, he can switch to construction.
Those guys wear the same coat!

Pink Lemonade Sunrise

Picture and title by Lauren.

Penkkarit 2012

Thursday was Penkkarit.

Grade 12 lorry from
Lauren and Derek's school.
The theme was 'Rebels'.

Unexpectedly caught a little bit
 of the Penkkarit parade in Espoo.

Parking

Reserved parking spot in front of our building-27€ a month
Not having to fight for on street parking-priceless

Way to go ISH!

Last month 597 7th graders from 27 schools participated in the first round of a math competition organized by the University of Helsinki. Number one on the list is a student from ISH. Lauren was also among the top 161 students.

Sija Etunimi Sukunimi Koulu Pisteet

1Mayank Baranwal International School of Helsinki 14

1 Atte Nousia Helsingin suomalainen yhteiskoulu 14

1 Elja Saksman Helsingin suomalainen yhteiskoulu 14

4 Aapo Ikonen Vartiokylän yläasteen koulu 13

4 Tuomas Moilanen Aurinkolahden peruskoulu 13

6 Henri Brax Helsingin ranskalais-suomalainen koulu 12

6 Helmi Haanpää Helsingin normaalilyseo 12

6 Enni Hatakka Helsingin suomalainen yhteiskoulu 12

6 Rosa Kaimio Oulunkylän yhteiskoulu 12

6 Lotta Kemppinen Vartiokylän yläasteen koulu 12

6 Owen Kovero Meilahden yläaste 12

6 Veera Mikkola Olarin koulu 12

6 Anton Mustonen Helsingin ranskalais-suomalainen koulu 12

6 Lotta Pitkänen Helsingin suomalainen yhteiskoulu 12

6 Carlo Porru Vartiokylän yläasteen koulu 12

6 Joona Särkijärvi Olarin koulu 12

6 Jarno Tiainen Vartiokylän yläasteen koulu 12

18 Vahe 7m Porolahden peruskoulu 11

18 Joonas Abokther Aurinkolahden peruskoulu 11

18 Viivi Aliklaavu Helsingin suomalainen yhteiskoulu 11

18 Heidi Ankerman Botby grundskola 11

18 Hamal Ezer Juutalainen koulu 11

18 Ilmar Grünthal Kruununhaan yläasteen koulu 11

18 David He Kruununhaan yläasteen koulu 11

18 Melissa Hendren Botby grundskola 11

18 Leo Holmberg Botby grundskola 11

18 Otto Joutsiniemi Olarin koulu 11

18 Niilo Järveläinen Porolahden peruskoulu 11

18 Markus Kukko Helsingin suomalainen yhteiskoulu 11

18 Kevin Lee International School of Helsinki 11

18 Heikki Lohi Porolahden peruskoulu 11

18 Kaarina Lundell Kruununhaan yläasteen koulu 11

18 Otto Makkonen Olarin koulu 11

18 Shahruz Mannan Ressun peruskoulu 11

18 Urho Paananen Aurinkolahden peruskoulu 11

18 Elina Peltola Helsingin yhteislys

18 Lauri Pohjola Olarin koulu 11

18 Niklas Punkari Munksnäs högstadieskola 11

18 Samu Pähti Helsingin suomalainen yhteiskoulu 11

18 Inka Kerttuli Pänkäläinen Oulunkylän yhteiskoulu 11

18 Sofia Saarinen Botby grundskola 11

18 Jukka Satta Helsingin yhteislyseo 11

18 Henri Savander Olarin koulu 11

18 Jasmin Siika Botby grundskola 11

18 Anders Sundström Helsingin suomalainen yhteiskoulu 11

18 Jere Munksnäs högstadieskola 11

18 Niclas Botby grundskola 11

48 Kasper Ahlroth Botby grundskola 10

48 Kim Gabriel Amir Juutalainen koulu 10

48 Otto Annala Helsingin suomalainen yhteiskoulu 10

48 Jefim Brodkin Järvenpään yhteiskoulu 10

48 Valtteri Elo Oulunkylän yhteiskoulu 10

48 Veera Elo Oulunkylän yhteiskoulu 10

48 Joonas Felt Helsingin yhteislyseo 10

48 Joel Kaaleb Gebre Porolahden peruskoulu 10

48 Dominic Huochings Oulunkylän yhteiskoulu 10

48 Pauli Karjalainen Torpparinmäen peruskoulu 10

48 Emmi Kauppinen Kruununhaan yläasteen koulu 10

48 Mikko Kivistö Olarin koulu 10

48 Veera Kujasalo Porolahden peruskoulu 10

48 Mikko Kuusisto Vartiokylän yläasteen koulu 10

48 Kaisa Kärkkäinen Ressun peruskoulu 10

48 Sofia Lahti Vuosaaren peruskoulu 10

48 Joona Laitinen Ylä-Malmin peruskoulu 10

48 Joa Lampela Vartiokylän yläasteen koulu 10

48 Essi Lappalainen Oulunkylän yhteiskoulu 10

48 Emma Laumola Oulunkylän yhteiskoulu 10

48 Anssi Lämsä Vartiokylän yläasteen koulu 10

48 Max Mäkipää Helsingin normaalilyseo 10

48 Pinja Männistö Helsingin yhteislyseo 10

48 Viljami Narinen Helsingin ranskalais-suomalainen koulu 10

48 Eeta Nornonen Haagan peruskoulu 10

48 Aapo Närhi Kruununhaan yläasteen koulu 10

48 Kassu Palén Suomalais-venäläinen koulu 10

48 Sang Pham Apollon yhteiskoulu 10

48 Helmi Railoma Suomalais-venäläinen koulu 10

48 Maria Ritvala Kruununhaan yläasteen koulu 10

48 Roosa Saarni Ylä-Malmin peruskoulu 10

48 Eden Salmi Högstadieskolan Lönkan 10

48 Kristian Seppälä Kruununhaan yläasteen koulu 10

48 Henni Seppänen Meilahden yläaste 10

48 Anastasia Sinitsina International School of Helsinki 10

48 Oscar Sippel Botby grundskola 10

48 Rainar Susi Aurinkolahden peruskoulu 10

48 Emma Taberman Oulunkylän yhteiskoulu 10

48 Aaron Vartiainen Helsingin suomalainen yhteiskoulu 10

87 Henri 7B Helsingin suomalainen yhteiskoulu 9

87 Salli Aittasalo Suomalais-venäläinen koulu 9

87 Mirjami Akkanen Olarin koulu 9

87 Elaine Banks Helsingin ranskalais-suomalainen koulu 9

87 Jonas Berninger Helsingin ranskalais-suomalainen koulu 9

87 Hanna Björkestam Högstadieskolan Lönkan 9

87 Daniel de Godzinsky Botby grundskola 9

87 Lauren Detter International School of Helsinki 9

87 Erasmus Envall Helsingin suomalainen yhteiskoulu 9

87 Nella Erke Helsingin suomalainen yhteiskoulu 9

87 Kati Eskelinen Olarin koulu 9

Holidays, Shmolidays

I like living in Finland. One of the many reasons is that I can essentially skip holidays if I so desire.

But Ruth! Why would you want to skip a holiday?

Easy. I'm holiday lazy.

In the US I only decorate for Christmas and Easter. Christmas because, you know, you need a tree and other stuff. Christmas decorations are kept in the family room (because the fireplace is there), living room (because the tree is there), formal dining room (because the extra Barbie tree is there), and outside. And that's it. It is never Christmas in the kitchen, the bedrooms, or heaven forbid, the bathroom.

In Finland I don't decorate for Christmas at all. We usually leave around December 15 and the last thing I want to do on returning from a three week trip is put away Christmas decorations.

The only reason I decorate for Easter is because my MIL has given me some cool Isabel Bloom eggs throughout the years. And Springtime Barbies. Those cool decorations are in storage so no decorating in Finland for Easter. BTW, I prefer steaks on the grill for Easter instead of ham.

When it comes to holidays I like, I want things to be simple. Thanksgiving if we're not getting together with family or friends? Cracker Barrel is making our dinner. You should try it. It makes Thanksgiving a relaxing day with everyone home and no stress. Bliss. And you get a head start on those outdoor Christmas decorations because you're not tired from cooking for 24 hours and still have time to play volleyball in the evening.

As for holiday baking? My good friends at Publix take care of that.

Holidays I don't like? Like Halloween and Valentine's Day? Psh. They don't stand a chance. I don't do scary and trying to find costumes for the kids, back when it was a big deal to them, stressed me out. Valentine's? I'm so glad we don't have to send folded up pieces of cardboard into school anymore!

But I digress. I was talking about skipping holidays in Finland.

First up, Finland doesn't celebrate the same holidays as in the US. Shocking, I know. No Halloween, no Thanksgiving, no romantic, lovey dovey Valentine's Day. (It's Friend's Day here.)

Second, it doesn't seem like the holidays we have in common are as commercialized as the US. Well, they could be. We don't watch Finnish TV so we don't see any commercials and if we did we wouldn't understand them anyway. Same with print ads. I don't feel the pressure to find the perfect gift at Christmas. I don't feel any pressure around holidays.

The perfect 'I'm skipping this holiday' storm.

Yes, I know there is value in creating holiday traditions. Which is why it's a good thing my husband loves pretty much all holidays, especially Halloween. We balance each other out.

Happy Valentine's Day! Or not!

International Party 2012

The International Party. A good time was had by all. Dan, Derek, and Lauren helped TONS! Kiitos family!


Cool picture of the Hall of Flags.

Lauren checking out the tables before things start.

America table.

Australia.
(These next few pics I lifted off the PTO FB page.)

The Commonwealth.

Estonia

France

India

Japan.
Also in this picture, the Upper School principal, Robin Schneider.
He's the guy with the baby.
The baby hangs out in a sling type thing with his dad.
Most content child I have ever seen.

Korea

Netherlands

Nordic countries

Poland

Russia
I tried caviar this year.

Their table decorations were stunning.

Parade of Nations

USA! USA!



Grade 2 and under singing.

Mr. P welcoming everyone.

Derek.
His guitar got plugged in for the first time.

Grade 6 performed an African number.

Lauren and henna.

There was a raffle.
We won an official mug and calendar from an upcoming football tournament in Poland.
Cindy asked me to buy her some tickets as well.
She won 5 free dance classes.