3...,2...,1... GO!

So I found my bag today. I also had to wake up early and meet with the evil people in the welfare office. And go to my workplace to drop off forms. And make dinner, charge batteries, work and pack.

And none of this dampens my mood because I'm SO EXCITED!!! Even my computer was in a good mood today, and decided to work while I printed out our boarding passes. Well, after the fifth try. But it did. It's a miracle! Good old computer must be happy to have a few days off. Probably planning a party with Himself's laptop and too preoccupied to annoy me. Either way; Happy days!

I'm waiting for Himself to come home from the end-of-year concert thingy. And then we're off to the capital. And later on in the morning into the airport. Meeting up with JC's mate and possibly having a breakfast date before the flights.

I didn't pack much, but I have my camera. So I'll be busy taking pictures for the next few days.
I'll see you on Tuesday! :)

Party's over

And I can finally tell you what the present was.

I gave Himself three envelopes. The ugly, big, brown ones.
The first one said " Happy birthday! Buy yourself something nice and fashionable with this. You're gonna need your fashion sense..." Inside was a giftcard for Penneys. The look on his face; the poor man thought that was it. He composed himself and thanked me very kindly.
Then I asked him, if I should give him the rest of the gift as well, or should we just leave it until later.

He wanted his present, so I handed over envelope number 2. It said something like:
"Does 'Orio al Serio' mean anything to you? No?
How about 'Bergamo'? Not really?
It's ok. That's why I got these from a bit closer to the good old 'Il Duomo'!
In one of the most beautiful cities in... (to be continued...)
Did you guess already?"
This one held the booking papers for a hostel.

Envelope no. 3 said:
"...ITALY!"
"We're going to ________ on the _th of may.
(Can't reveal this kind of info on the envelope)
Oh, and I suppose you're going to need these as well..."
As you probably guessed, these were the plane tickets to Milan.
MILAN! :)

I knew Himself had wanted to go to Italy for ages. He's telling everyone and whispering "Milan..." to himself, so I think he liked the surprise.
A few mates called in yesterday. I made a cake, which went down well. Then we went out and had a good night.
I'm tired. Working in half an hour. Aargh.

Memories from the past few days

We got home safe yesterday. I'm feeling less tired now, so I decided to share a few memories in the form of pictures. You'll probably understand why I felt I couldn't do it justice with just words.


This is me on the ice of a lake. Snowmobiles used to be the best bit of winter for me when I was growing up, and driving one seems to be one skill I haven't forgotten. The white snow and the open space together with the speed makes it feel like meditating.

Himself started to call me "Evel Knievel". Hmmm... I didn't really go that fast! (And there wasn't any dangerous tricks involved either...)



This is the moment I can't describe. It was amazing, beautiful and touching.
I feel honoured they wanted me to be there.
You know what it feels like, when people you love get married, so I'll just let the picture speak.



The best-dressed wedding guest, Button.
Doesn't he look cute?


This is in Oulu. Himself wanted a picture of the frozen sea.
There were people walking on the ice, which was mind-boggling to an Irishman.

Still in Finland

Feeling a bit tired and lazy...

I got a loan of a camera, but I don't have my Picasa here. So I think I'll post a proper one when we get back home.

I saw my oldest friend yesterday, which was lovely. We had dinner in town and I finally saw her new home and not-so-new boyfriend. She showed us her newest craft-projects and photos, and we had the chance to catch-up. She's probably going to call in tomorrow and have dinner with us. (My dad loves her nearly as much as I do, and wants to hear all the news from the woman herself... :) )

Today we went to the forest on a snowmobile. This time it wasn't for fun, really; We went to get some wood for the sauna and the heating. Himself surprised my dad by knowing how to use the machine for making blocks. He definitely knows how to impress the in-laws!

Now I'll start watching an old Finnish black-and-white movie. My dad taped it specially for me, because I used to watch it over and over again when I was small. (I think the grand total comes closer to 100 times...)

Just a quick one...

We're in Finland!

It took us about 18 hours to get to my mom's place. The flight was delayed, which meant that we couldn't catch the train we were supposed to. We got one, and everything went well. We were five minutes away from the station, when the train suddenly stopped. Announcement said there was something wrong with the brakes. They got it fixed and we met my mother who was waiting.
It was great to get something to eat, go to sauna and we definitely didn't have trouble sleeping that night!

So far we've been driving the snowmobile, going to sauna every night, skiing and eating rye bread. Himself loves walking in the snow!
Today we drove to my old hometown and are staying with my Dad. The wedding is tomorrow!

I would have loved to put up some pics, but my camera decided to stop working... So you just have to imagine it; Half a metre of snow, cold, starry skies...

Wedding bells and snowmobiles

For the last few months Himself has kept asking me, if we could visit my parents soon. He sounds like the ideal son-in-law (to-be), doesn't he?
He does like my Dad a lot, but the real reason behind these queries is snow.

The snow in Ireland isn't really the real deal. We might get the odd flake (if we're lucky), but they soon melt and the rain starts again. So Himself is fascinated with the idea of proper winters and listens to my stories about skating, skiing and other similar activities like a child listening to a bed-time story. And he can't wait to have a go on a snowmobile.

I have been trying to curb his enthusiasm, because I'm not sure if I'm able for all the snow anymore. Then my Dad started telling me he wants to get married to my stepmom. Which is quite understandable after 15 years, and we're all very excited about it. So yesterday we sat down, surfed the Net and found brilliant (read: REALLY cheap, 35 euro/person) flights for next month. I called Dad and he seemed happy enough. Now I just need to ask for some time off from work tomorrow.

It's so nice to have something like this to look forward to! Himself dreams of sauna and snow already, and I keep myself entertained by threathening him with icefishing.

Laala feels like leaving

I've always loved railway stations, airports, anything that means I'll be going somewhere soon. I didn't even sleep in the car as a child, because I wanted to see everything. The first time I moved, I was two. Then 6. Then 14. Then 16, when I got my first flat. Again when I was 18. And then 19. And so it goes on. I never really felt like I belonged.

Then I moved here. I think this is the longest time I've lived in the same town and same house in one go after my childhood. And again the little voice in my head has started to tell me to leave and take the challenge of starting a life in a new place. It's gotten so bad I even get a buzz when I get into a car to go for a spin. I've started to look at websites I really shouldn't; hostels, flights, jobs abroad...
Anything to do with leaving makes me smile.

Himself is well used to my moods. He listens to me when I tell him about amazing hostels in Morocco or my sudden urge to go to Canada (Yes, my choises are VERY random!) and thinks about it for a while. Then he looks at me very seriously and says: "When do you want to go?" That is usually enough to remind me of the facts and to calm me down. But I can hear him getting tired of the continuous rain and lack of sunlight as well. So, you never know... :)