According to my blog history I haven't written in about three months. Boy, time flies. I guess I have been busy. I know I have been busy. Still, my apologies to my readers for being so delinquent.
I know that I've been busy; I'm not entirely sure with what. It seems like the day to day activities and club responsibilities have been keeping me on my toes. Nothing note worthy. At least that's how it seems. I have gotten so comfotable here that my powers of observation are slipping. In truth, I have done some interresting things since I last wrote.
I have been to a celebration of Guy Fawkes day at the British Embassy. Basically a celebration of the man who tried (and failed) to blow up Parliment many, many years ago. There is food, and wine, and fireworks, and great company; the highlight of the celebration is the burning of Guy Fawkes in effigy. God, I love the Brits. I have to say it was very festive. The school children took great care in creating the likeness of Guy Fawkes (full size), as tradition dictates, and then a great bon fire was created and poor old Guy was placed upon the blaze. How cool is that?
I have also been to lunch at the British Ambassador's Residence. It was lovely. I feel so snooty and international. I am a member of the British Woman's Association...in case you are wondering how I am getting these opportunities. Anyway, I never thought my life would be so interresting. I have friends from all over the world now....Finland, Britain, Austrailia, South Africa, Germany, Canada, France, Portugal, and more. How cool is that?
I have been to the opera to see Tosca, I have had a tour of the Fazer chocolate factory. I met a good friend at the champaign bar on the 21st of December, the day the Mayan calandar ended, and at precicely 13:11 the world was supposed to end as well. We talked, we watched the clock, we waited, and the world didn't end; ah well, at least we had champaign.
I have been shopping in the Christmas Market on Senate Square....an annual event that I look forward to that is comprised of many artisans selling their crafts and food. There are many talented people here. I found many things I wanted to buy, some of which I did. The market closes just before Christmas, which brings me pretty much up to date.
We spent Christmas here in Helsinki and it was beautiful. The stores are closed starting around noon on Christmas Eve, and don't reopen until the 27th. I think this is a good policy....people sould have the opportunity to spend time with their families during the holidays. Of course, this means that all of Helsinki is in the grocery on the 23rd to insure that they have food for the duration. I myself joined the madness for just that reason. I waited in line at the butcher for ten minutes. I waited several times for the checkout lines to move so that I could get down the aisles to get what I needed, and finally I gave up on some items as it just wasn't worth the fight. I then waited in line to checkout for over thirty minutes. I'm not saying this doesn't happen in the States, it does. I'm just saying it happens.
So that is what I have been doing. All of it good times....even the shopping. So I will have more posts to come. I will re-hone my skills of observation and try to notice the wonders around me. Helsinki really is an interresting place, worthy of note. So I will note.....really I will.
