Chasing Sunsets

The long and dreary boat journey home. Drunk people debating politics and tax money. German tourists drinking beer in a slightly more civilised a fashion. And the sunsets. The sunsets make the trip worthwhile. 

Silence.

Happy Midsummer's Eve!

Happy Midsummer! When you read this, I'm in a cottage. Far away from civilization. No electricity. No running water,

I will be here:

[Photo Diary] One Silent Corner of the World

“We are not going to change the whole world, but we can change ourselves and feel free as birds. We can be serene even in the midst of calamities and, by our serenity, make others more tranquil. Serenity is contagious. If we smile at someone, he or she will smile back. And a smile costs nothing. We should plague everyone with joy. If we are to die in a minute, why not die happily, laughing? (136-137)” 

― Swami Satchidananda, The Yoga Sutras

[500 Days]] 2014

Natalie asked how life and work were going. It made me think back on the year and all the things I have actually experience. Once again, I can say wow! 95% of the time I think my life is uneventful, but when I start summarizing the year, the summary may include moving to a new country or crisscrossing across Europe.

So, in 2014:

• I moved to Sweden. This far I'm happy with the decision. There have been no great culture shocks of any kind and we have been very lucky with finding somewhere to live and finding jobs. Apart from this, my boyfriend's family has been really supportive, which has also helped us a lot. 
• Started a new job. Also happy with the decision, it has been stressful at times, but I feel that I'm doing something much more important (to me) than IT. Besides, they give me A LOT OF BOOKS. 
• Travels. The aim was to go to five new capitals: only one of the capitals I visited was new (Vilnius), but hey, I have been to more than five capitals :)
• I started tai chi. You know how yoga people can be completely obsessed with the benefits of yoga? I think tai chi is a bit similar, albeit in a less trendy way, 
• Language-wise I have not done much new. Unfortunately. I did read a couple of books in Spanish - does that count? 

When December came, I decided to be diligent with the blog. It started well, but ended not-so-well. I think this has been the most social month in a very long time. We have managed to squeeze in trips, dinners, and parties. 

Here are some photos from the past month. 

Alexander II guards Helsinki

I <3 helsinki="">

Christmas dinner Finnish style

Catching the sunset in Åland

Winter day in Stockholm

Cooking!

A Piece of History

Now that Russia is on everyone's lips (once again), I thought that I would tell you all a story. Actually, it's not really a story, it's a real historical event that took place when the Crimean War arrived in Åland. Nowadays, there are only the ruins of a fortress that remind us of the times that Finland, including Åland, was a part of the Russian Empire. The Battle of Bomarsund resultted in the entire Åland Islands being demilitarized, a status that has been preserved to this day. Essentially, the Russians planned to build an invincible fortress in the Baltic Sea. The fortress was not completed when it was bombarded and destroyed by the British fleet in August 1854.

Nowadays, the area is peaceful and calm. There are few people walking among the ruins, which have the colour so typical for Åland, red granite.

A Piece of Paradise

There, in a forgotten corner of the world, in a place with little human life and almost complete silence, one may find a piece of paradise. The silence is broken by the sound of calm waves rolling in and the murmuring sound of birds chasing each other. I think I found just that - a piece of paradise. A place where one can sit and become absorbed - absorbed in thoughts and in serenity. A place where the world ceases to exist, where the elements meet each other. 

. 

Pictures from the week that was.

Yet another short week. Today is the National Day of Sweden, which essentially means that most people are off work. What luck that it is on a Friday. For me this is great news because it has been rather tough getting into that daily routine of getting out of bed at 5.20 am and returning home at 6.30 pm. I don't mind the work, and I really don't mind sitting on a train (in fact, it's rather comforting), but suddenly it feels like I have no free time.

Mariehamn

Vagnhärad

Stockholm

Lovely Scandinavia In May!

Winter Wonderland

An Ordinary Wednesday

One of the things I enjoy the most about my current situation is the fact that I’m free to plan my time in whichever way I wish (as long as I get some things done), meaning for example that I can go for long walks in the afternoon. This situation is about to change soon*, so I’m doing my best to enjoy life as much as possible. Today K and I had some delicious salad in our absolute favourite place, the bookshop didn’t get caught on camera, but the clouds I saw on the way home were lovely.

* Fortunately. Even though I quite enjoy life, I’m about to start climbing the walls.

The World Is So Beautiful In June

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.

Last Days of April

The last days of April were wonderful, filled with laughter, sunshine and some philosophizing. Now I need to recover for a while before getting ready for an energetic summer!