If You Think You Can Tell Me What To Do, Beep Off.

This post was inspired by Natalie’s post on women, careers, marriage and children.
________________________________________
I’m 28 years old and I recently broke up with my boyfriend. Actually he broke up with me. (everything is good and we remain great friends, thanks for asking). I’m also the black sheep of the family because a) I don’t have kids, b) I don’t own a house, and c) my job situation is slightly dubious at the moment. Nobody has ever considered proposing to me. 

My friends and family are having children, building houses and baking cakes. Sometimes I wonder what kind of failure of a woman I am. Children scare me, I don’t want to live in the countryside, I hate baking and I have a great master plan for my career. I want to travel, live in different countries, develop as a person and have a laugh on the way. 

People approach me on a regular basis, asking about this matter. They reassure me that I, too, will find someone. That everything will be ok. Apparently there is still time for me to have children, too. BUT YOU HAVE TO HURRY, YOU’RE ALREADY 28. And what if I don’t want them? Oops. I forgot, for some people it’s completely unacceptable to say those things out loud. 

At the moment I don’t mind, but all this reassuring seems to indicate that there is something wrong with my situation. Or better yet, me as a person.

Yeah. I want to get married one day: but it has nothing to do with marriage as an institution. No, I want to get married because I want to share my life with someone who’s into the same things as I am. Someone who also wants to travel and learn and have a laugh on the way. If there is no such person, then be it. I’ll survive. I DON’T want to be socially forced into anything just because “well, that’s what people your age do” or “as a woman you SHOULD do this, that and that, otherwise you’re a complete failure”. I don’t want to regret the things I didn’t do because I ended up doing things I didn’t want to do – like marrying someone because he seemed OK and then have 3 children with him and go for a career that turns out to be completely uninteresting. 

So, am I selfish? Maybe. But I also believe that happiness is extremely individual. Only I can make myself happy, and only I can know what makes me happy. I’m an individual (and that means that I’m so much more than just a 28-year old female) and I’m fully capable of making my own decisions. There is no need for others to meddle in my life.

На ногах не стоит человек.

There is something special about travelling by train. It’s peaceful, people are quiet. It’s the perfect place to read poetry and think about life and other important things.
Below you can find the first lines from Alexander Blok’s poem двенадцать (The Twelve). The translation is my own.

     Черный вечер.
     Белый снег.
     Ветер, ветер!
     На ногах не стоит человек.
     Ветер, ветер -
     На всем божьем свете!

     Завивает ветер
     Белый снежок.
     Под снежком - ледок.
     Скользко, тяжко,
     Всякий ходок
     Скользит - ах, бедняжка!

Black evening.

White snow. 

Wind, wind!

The man cannot stand on his feet.

Wind, wind!

On all of God’s earth!

The wind is twisting

The white snow.

Under the snow, there is a crust of ice.

Slippery, hard,

Every walker slips – oh, you poor thing!

Book Challenge: Day 24

Day 24 – A book that you wish more people would’ve read

Let me think about it and I might get back to you. 

Day 25 – A character who you can relate to the most
Day 26 – A book that changed your opinion about something
Day 27 – The most surprising plot twist or ending
Day 28 – Favourite title
Day 29 – A book everyone hated but you liked
Day 30 – Your favourite book of all time

Hello From the End of the World

 

In the past few days I’ve been travelling by boat, sleeping, eating, drinking coffee, reading randomness, wearing Hello Kitty PJs (and I HATE Hello Kitty)  and hanging out with 4 year olds. Right now I’m sitting somewhere on the Finnish countryside (far away from civilisation, but not far enough for internet not to exist), drinking tea and admiring the mosquitos.

Z Polski z miloscia

A friend brought a little something from Poland…

Book Challenge: Day 23

Day 23 – A book you wanted to read for a long time but still haven’t

There are two books that have been collecting dust on my book shelves for ten years or so. I would really like to read them, but for some reason it has never happened.

The books are War and Peace by Tolstoy and Notes From The Underground by Dostoevsky.

Day 24 – A book that you wish more people would’ve read
Day 25 – A character who you can relate to the most
Day 26 – A book that changed your opinion about something
Day 27 – The most surprising plot twist or ending
Day 28 – Favourite title
Day 29 – A book everyone hated but you liked
Day 30 – Your favourite book of all time

Loving Strangers

Saturday and Midsummer. This year I decided to go with the flow and see what happens. I ended up watching football Now I’m just lying on the bed, listening to music while the rain is dripping on the window above my head. It’s quite nice, I must say. The last couple of weeks have been sort of crazy, but isn’t that the way life should be?

Amazing Day

Garden party in a garden that could be located in France. Delicious food, sunshine and smooth wine. Witty people sharing anecdotes about politicians and presidents alike.

Walking across a silent city, admiring the evening sun. The world is green.

Book Challenge: Day 22

Day 22 – Favourite book you own

Can I only pick 1? Ok. There is one book that I read when I'm feeling down. I also read it when I'm happy, or when I need to read some Russian. It's a book that travels with me everywhere I go. My hair usually looks nicer, though, when I read this book.

Day 23 – A book you wanted to read for a long time but still haven’t
Day 24 – A book that you wish more people would’ve read
Day 25 – A character who you can relate to the most
Day 26 – A book that changed your opinion about something
Day 27 – The most surprising plot twist or ending
Day 28 – Favourite title
Day 29 – A book everyone hated but you liked
Day 30 – Your favourite book of all time

Thursday Inspiration

Book Challenge - Day 21

Day 21 – Favourite book from your childhood

I used to read a lot when I was a child. The majority of the books were American kids' fiction such as Sweet Valley High or Nancy Drew. I remember how I wanted to go to America after I'd read those books.
The favourite series, however, is one that I still enjoy reading once in a while. The series about Emily of New Moon by LM Montgomery  is enchanting in all its innocence.  

Day 22 – Favourite book you own
Day 23 – A book you wanted to read for a long time but still haven’t
Day 24 – A book that you wish more people would’ve read
Day 25 – A character who you can relate to the most
Day 26 – A book that changed your opinion about something
Day 27 – The most surprising plot twist or ending
Day 28 – Favourite title
Day 29 – A book everyone hated but you liked
Day 30 – Your favourite book of all time

The Truth

"За мной, читатель! Кто сказал тебе, что нет на свете настоящей, верной, вечной любви? Да отрежут лгуну его гнусный язык!"

—
М.А. Булгаков, Мастер и Маргарита

Natalie's Tumblr published this first, and that's where I found it. 

Balkan Calling

Loving The Style..

...I rarely mention fashion on this blog, because it usually doesn't interest me very much. But now, I've fallen in love with Poppy Delevingne and her style. It looks so chic and effortless. Love it.

Book Challenge: Day 20

Day 20 – Favourite romance book

I'm tired and my head is feeling so dizzy that I can't remember when I last published a post for this challenge. Was it this morning? Anyway. Favourite romance book. Now, do I dare confess to reading such err... nonsense? Well, yeah. Sure. Romance books can be quite entertaining, Anyhow, the most entertaining romance book does not belong to this genre at all. But. I like the way Stephanie Plum has such a hard time deciding between Morelli and Ranger. I would be just as indecisive in that situation.

Day 21 – Favourite book from your childhood
Day 22 – Favourite book you own
Day 23 – A book you wanted to read for a long time but still haven’t
Day 24 – A book that you wish more people would’ve read
Day 25 – A character who you can relate to the most
Day 26 – A book that changed your opinion about something
Day 27 – The most surprising plot twist or ending
Day 28 – Favourite title
Day 29 – A book everyone hated but you liked
Day 30 – Your favourite book of all time

Book Challenge: Day 19

Day 19 – Favourite book turned into a movie

It's not a movie and it's not just one book - but at the moment I'm greatly enjoying to watch The Game of Thrones. I read the first books in the series in Spanish - at a time when I hardly spoke any Spanish - so the story is almost as good as new for me!
And why do I like it? Well, the series is beautifully made, the actors are good and there is a lot of blood and bare skin. Hah! (Just joking about the latter part.)

Day 20 – Favourite romance book
Day 21 – Favourite book from your childhood
Day 22 – Favourite book you own
Day 23 – A book you wanted to read for a long time but still haven’t
Day 24 – A book that you wish more people would’ve read
Day 25 – A character who you can relate to the most
Day 26 – A book that changed your opinion about something
Day 27 – The most surprising plot twist or ending
Day 28 – Favourite title
Day 29 – A book everyone hated but you liked
Day 30 – Your favourite book of all time

Orange & Blue

Book Challenge: Day 18

Day 18 – A book that disappointed you

One book that gave me high hopes, but didn't quite deliver what it promised was Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. The idea behind the book is marvellous: travelling around the world to discover oneself. The book itself is entertaining, but it lacks that special something that makes a book magical. 

Day 19 – Favourite book turned into a movie
Day 20 – Favourite romance book
Day 21 – Favourite book from your childhood
Day 22 – Favourite book you own
Day 23 – A book you wanted to read for a long time but still haven’t
Day 24 – A book that you wish more people would’ve read
Day 25 – A character who you can relate to the most
Day 26 – A book that changed your opinion about something
Day 27 – The most surprising plot twist or ending
Day 28 – Favourite title
Day 29 – A book everyone hated but you liked
Day 30 – Your favourite book of all time

The World Is So Beautiful In June

Book Challenge: Day 17

Day 17 – Favourite quote from your (one of my) favourite book(s)

Day 18 – A book that disappointed you
Day 19 – Favourite book turned into a movie
Day 20 – Favourite romance book
Day 21 – Favourite book from your childhood
Day 22 – Favourite book you own
Day 23 – A book you wanted to read for a long time but still haven’t
Day 24 – A book that you wish more people would’ve read
Day 25 – A character who you can relate to the most
Day 26 – A book that changed your opinion about something
Day 27 – The most surprising plot twist or ending
Day 28 – Favourite title
Day 29 – A book everyone hated but you liked
Day 30 – Your favourite book of all time

90 Years Ago...

the Parliament of the Åland Islands gathered for the first time after the League of Nations had decided that the islands should be an autonomous part of the Republic of Finland. Back in those days, the general feeling was one of disappointment. Politicians and citizens had struggled hard for a re-unification with Sweden.
Today most people are happy with the situation. Earlier today most politicians emphasised two things in their speeches: the importance of the use of Swedish language (in a time where the language is losing importance in Finland) and the importance of multiculturalism and immigration.

Book Challenge: Day 16

Day 16 – Favourite female character

Little My is very small, but very determined, fiery and loyal to her friends. She has a sour sense of humour and is sometimes thought of as being rude although she merely speaks her mind. She is good friends with Moomin, Sniff, Snufkin, the Moomins and she is close with Snorkmaiden although she finds her a bit silly. She is the half sister of snufkin and sometimes sits in his pocket. She is eventually adopted by the Moomin Family and lives with them. When she comes across someone smaller than her she competes for size as she wishes to be the smallest. Her favourite colour is red and she always wears the same dress.  (source)

 
Day 17 – Favourite quote from your favourite book
Day 18 – A book that disappointed you
Day 19 – Favourite book turned into a movie
Day 20 – Favourite romance book
Day 21 – Favourite book from your childhood
Day 22 – Favourite book you own
Day 23 – A book you wanted to read for a long time but still haven’t
Day 24 – A book that you wish more people would’ve read
Day 25 – A character who you can relate to the most
Day 26 – A book that changed your opinion about something
Day 27 – The most surprising plot twist or ending
Day 28 – Favourite title
Day 29 – A book everyone hated but you liked
Day 30 – Your favourite book of all time

Dreaming Some More

Dreaming...

...about sitting on the balcony, with my feet up and the sun shining in my face. A big glass of homemade ice tea and thoughts buzzing in the head and pouring out on paper.

Book Challenge: Day 15

Day 15 – Favourite male character

Who's clever and brilliant? Who solves the case in the most intriguing way? Who's haughty and a loner?
Well, of course. It's Sherlock Holmes.

Day 16 – Favourite female character
Day 17 – Favourite quote from your favourite book
Day 18 – A book that disappointed you
Day 19 – Favourite book turned into a movie
Day 20 – Favourite romance book
Day 21 – Favourite book from your childhood
Day 22 – Favourite book you own
Day 23 – A book you wanted to read for a long time but still haven’t
Day 24 – A book that you wish more people would’ve read
Day 25 – A character who you can relate to the most
Day 26 – A book that changed your opinion about something
Day 27 – The most surprising plot twist or ending
Day 28 – Favourite title
Day 29 – A book everyone hated but you liked
Day 30 – Your favourite book of all time

Book Challenge: Day 14

Day 14 – Favourite book of your favourite writer

Day 15 – Favourite male character
Day 16 – Favourite female character
Day 17 – Favourite quote from your favourite book
Day 18 – A book that disappointed you
Day 19 – Favourite book turned into a movie
Day 20 – Favourite romance book
Day 21 – Favourite book from your childhood
Day 22 – Favourite book you own
Day 23 – A book you wanted to read for a long time but still haven’t
Day 24 – A book that you wish more people would’ve read
Day 25 – A character who you can relate to the most
Day 26 – A book that changed your opinion about something
Day 27 – The most surprising plot twist or ending
Day 28 – Favourite title
Day 29 – A book everyone hated but you liked
Day 30 – Your favourite book of all time

Languages Are Fun

One of the things I've been doing lately is writing stenographic protocols. Well, as you can probably guess, these days one uses a computer, not a pen.
Anyways, I've had to think a lot about the Swedish language. It's a language I know well but sometimes one bumps into some interesting issues.
Let's take the word "Finnish" - in Finnish, that's suomalainen. Now, in Swedish one can choose between two words - finländsk and finsk - which are very similar but there is a slight but important difference.
Finsk usually refers to Finnish-speaking, while finländsk is something from Finland. So, literature for instance, can be both. Finländsk litteratur = literature from Finland (can be in Swedish, though).
Interestingly enough, this phenomenon exists in Russian too. I think many Russian learners have faced some confusion over the difference between русский and российский.

Today's Dinner

Book Challenge - Day 13

Day 13 – Your favourite writer


Since the post for Day 12 of the challenge was so short, I'll do day 13 today, as well. My favourite writer? There are so many of them. I love the wit of Oscar Wilde and philosophy of most Russian writers (if you allow me to make such a generalisation). One contemporary favourite is Finnish writer Sofi Oksanen. Many, many works written by Central- and East European writers make me lyrical. I could give you a long list of novelists and poets, whose work I admire deeply. And let's face it: a writer isn't better than his works.


But. One of my favourites is Czech writer and journalist Karel Čapek. I have not read many of his works,  but what I have read has impressed me and touched me. Generally, I'm not a great fan of sci-fi, but, very much like Bulgakov in his "The Fatal Eggs",  Čapek provides a satirical and ethical discussion of contemporary society through the use of science fiction.

Wikipedia tells us:
K.Čapek wrote with intelligence and humor on a wide variety of subjects. His works are known for their interesting and precise description of reality. Čapek is renowned for his excellent work with the Czech language. He is known as a science fiction author, who wrote before science fiction became widely recognized as a separate genre. Capek can be considered as one of the founders of classical, non-hardcore European science fiction which aims on possible future (or alternative) social and human evolution on Earth.
However, K.Čapek is comparable with Aldous Huxley and George Orwell as a speculative fiction writer, distinguishing his work from genre-specific hard science fiction.

Many of his works discuss ethical aspects of industrial inventions and processes already anticipated in the first half of the 20th century. These include mass production, nuclear weapon, and post-human intelligent beings such as robots or salamanders.
Čapek also expressed fear from social disasters, dictatorship, violence, human stupidity, the unlimited power of corporations, and greed. Capek tried to find hope, and the way out. Čapek's literary heirs include Ray Bradbury, Salman Rushdie, Brian Aldiss, and Dan Simmons.

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Day 14 – Favourite book of your favourite writer
Day 15 – Favourite male character
Day 16 – Favourite female character
Day 17 – Favourite quote from your favourite book
Day 18 – A book that disappointed you
Day 19 – Favourite book turned into a movie
Day 20 – Favourite romance book
Day 21 – Favourite book from your childhood
Day 22 – Favourite book you own
Day 23 – A book you wanted to read for a long time but still haven’t
Day 24 – A book that you wish more people would’ve read
Day 25 – A character who you can relate to the most
Day 26 – A book that changed your opinion about something
Day 27 – The most surprising plot twist or ending
Day 28 – Favourite title
Day 29 – A book everyone hated but you liked
Day 30 – Your favourite book of all time

Book Challenge - Day 12

Day 12 – A book you used to love but don’t anymore

I honestly can't think of any books that I feel out of love with... Maybe something that I read in my youth?


Day 13 – Your favourite writer
Day 14 – Favourite book of your favourite writer
Day 15 – Favourite male character
Day 16 – Favourite female character
Day 17 – Favourite quote from your favourite book
Day 18 – A book that disappointed you
Day 19 – Favourite book turned into a movie
Day 20 – Favourite romance book
Day 21 – Favourite book from your childhood
Day 22 – Favourite book you own
Day 23 – A book you wanted to read for a long time but still haven’t
Day 24 – A book that you wish more people would’ve read
Day 25 – A character who you can relate to the most
Day 26 – A book that changed your opinion about something
Day 27 – The most surprising plot twist or ending
Day 28 – Favourite title
Day 29 – A book everyone hated but you liked
Day 30 – Your favourite book of all time

Vill man vara fin får man lida pin.

Today I returned to two old favourites at the gym: Body Pump and pilates.
I used to do Body Pump a lot when I lived in Spain. After moving back to Finland I've attended BP once in a while (something like every 2-3 months) in order to spice up life a little. I personally find "normal" strength training more effective than hurrying through the whole body in an hour. But - sometimes it's fun.
Pilates, on the other hand, almost killed me today. It's known to be a somewhat mild form of training. Yeah, right. My lower body was feeling slightly sore before class, right now I can't walk properly. I suspect that the efficiency of pilates depends on the teacher, though. Our teacher is the sweetest and most harmless person ever, but she can be very cruel when it comes to counting down the seconds.
I try to add as much pilates and yoga as possible to my training (for both the flexibility and the mind) but unfortunately those are the classes that I first cancel. I'll try to change that. 

Book Challenge: Day 11

Day 11 – A book you hated

I don't hate books, because they all have somthing to offer to the reader.

Day 12 – A book you used to love but don’t anymore
Day 13 – Your favourite writer
Day 14 – Favourite book of your favourite writer
Day 15 – Favourite male character
Day 16 – Favourite female character
Day 17 – Favourite quote from your favourite book
Day 18 – A book that disappointed you
Day 19 – Favourite book turned into a movie
Day 20 – Favourite romance book
Day 21 – Favourite book from your childhood
Day 22 – Favourite book you own
Day 23 – A book you wanted to read for a long time but still haven’t
Day 24 – A book that you wish more people would’ve read
Day 25 – A character who you can relate to the most
Day 26 – A book that changed your opinion about something
Day 27 – The most surprising plot twist or ending
Day 28 – Favourite title
Day 29 – A book everyone hated but you liked
Day 30 – Your favourite book of all time

Goulash In Pictures...

...until I find a Hungarian babushka (or nagymama) who will be willing to invite me to try her delicious (and traditional) goulash, I'm more than happy with the one I make myself. This time I used minced meat, mushrooms, yellow pepper, tomatoes, carrot, onion, potato, tomato from a tin and chili peppers. If anyone wants the recipe, give me a shout!

                                                          The spices + herbs that I used.

The secret lies in the paprika (or in this case, pimenton). Add paprika every single time you add a new ingredient, starting with the oil. 

That's enough food for an army. Well, almost. Secret number two: the longer it's simmering, the better the taste!

                                                                      Yay, spicy stuff.

Can't Sleep.

The town is dark and everything is silent. It's well past midnight. Only the rain and the birch leaves can be seen flapping in the street light. I tried to sleep but my head keeps twisting and turning. There is so much to do. Work applications and gym planning. Tonight I drafted a workout program for our trip to Spain. Kicki and I might not be the fittest people in the gym but at least we love it so much that we can't go abroad without a plan. And let's not mention how much I love the planning itself: thinking about supersets and reps and which muscles should be trained on what day and how much cardio is enough.It's so much fun.
This isn't all that is on my mind, though. A friend of mine had some interesting comments today. I appreciate the honesty and the thought-provoking cleverness. You know who you are. 
I don't really like the taste of chamomille tea. It's too bitter. I'll try to drink it, though.

Good night, world!

Dinner For 1

 Is there any better way to relax after a tough week than having a wonderful meal? Chickpeas with spinach, salmon and feta cheese is a delicious combo and it doesn't require much time to make. It's the perfect food when you get home all hungry after a good work-out at the gym. Just throw the chickpeas, the spinach and some garlic in a pan, sauté in some lemon juice for a short while. Add smoked salmon and feta cheese. Eat and enjoy!
Fresh cherries and a glass of red make this meal unforgettable.

Book Challenge - Day 10

Day 10 – Favourite classic book



I have three words for you. Crime and Punishment. It's a great classic among many other great classics. I say it's my favourite because I always keep returning to it. And each time I find something new in it.


"Nothing in this world is harder than speaking the truth, nothing easier than flattery."
Crime and Punishment
Svidrigaïlov to Raskolnikov, Part 6, Chapter 4.
 
Day 11 – A book you hated
Day 12 – A book you used to love but don’t anymore
Day 13 – Your favourite writer
Day 14 – Favourite book of your favourite writer
Day 15 – Favourite male character
Day 16 – Favourite female character
Day 17 – Favourite quote from your favourite book
Day 18 – A book that disappointed you
Day 19 – Favourite book turned into a movie
Day 20 – Favourite romance book
Day 21 – Favourite book from your childhood
Day 22 – Favourite book you own
Day 23 – A book you wanted to read for a long time but still haven’t
Day 24 – A book that you wish more people would’ve read
Day 25 – A character who you can relate to the most
Day 26 – A book that changed your opinion about something
Day 27 – The most surprising plot twist or ending
Day 28 – Favourite title
Day 29 – A book everyone hated but you liked
Day 30 – Your favourite book of all time

Book Challenge- Day 9

Day 09 – A book you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving



I would like to say that I'm quite open-minded to both books and other things in life, but I suspect that my previous post in this category contradicts that thought.


I really can't recall any such book although I'm sure it exists (in plural, even).

Day 10 – Favourite classic book
Day 11 – A book you hated
Day 12 – A book you used to love but don’t anymore
Day 13 – Your favourite writer
Day 14 – Favourite book of your favourite writer
Day 15 – Favourite male character
Day 16 – Favourite female character
Day 17 – Favourite quote from your favourite book
Day 18 – A book that disappointed you
Day 19 – Favourite book turned into a movie
Day 20 – Favourite romance book
Day 21 – Favourite book from your childhood
Day 22 – Favourite book you own
Day 23 – A book you wanted to read for a long time but still haven’t
Day 24 – A book that you wish more people would’ve read
Day 25 – A character who you can relate to the most
Day 26 – A book that changed your opinion about something
Day 27 – The most surprising plot twist or ending
Day 28 – Favourite title
Day 29 – A book everyone hated but you liked
Day 30 – Your favourite book of all time