Photos: Jaakko AvikainenWednesday, January 27, 2010
Monday, November 30, 2009
Something Blue
Are you superstitious?
The groom is not allowed to see the wedding dress of the bride before the real moment. That would bring bad luck. More than in bad luck I believe that it is simply a nice habit to keep the dress a secret and a surprise until the wedding day.
Then the old tradition of wearing something old, new, borrowed and blue. You have to follow this "rule", at least I do! I will have mom's old ring, a new dress, earrings of my maid of honor. But something blue is still missing. Let's see what I will come up with... Definitely no blue garter for me, I want something more original. I think I'll slip something blue in my shoe just like my mom did.
On my wedding day I'll also be wearing pearls. A friend of mine says she would never use pearls because they predict tears. Well, one thing I know for sure is that there will be plenty of tears that day!
Despite, I'm not afraid of tears. Praying that they will be the ones of happiness and affection also in the future.
The groom is not allowed to see the wedding dress of the bride before the real moment. That would bring bad luck. More than in bad luck I believe that it is simply a nice habit to keep the dress a secret and a surprise until the wedding day.
Then the old tradition of wearing something old, new, borrowed and blue. You have to follow this "rule", at least I do! I will have mom's old ring, a new dress, earrings of my maid of honor. But something blue is still missing. Let's see what I will come up with... Definitely no blue garter for me, I want something more original. I think I'll slip something blue in my shoe just like my mom did.
On my wedding day I'll also be wearing pearls. A friend of mine says she would never use pearls because they predict tears. Well, one thing I know for sure is that there will be plenty of tears that day!
Despite, I'm not afraid of tears. Praying that they will be the ones of happiness and affection also in the future.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
More Than 220 Million People...
...in the world have diabetes, according to the WHO. There is still a lot of work to be done in raising awareness about the illness. Diabetes could often be prevented.
Based on my personal experience I think that far more frightening than diabetes itself are the possible complications caused by it. Education projects are really needed.
Today is the annual World Diabetes Day for the 19th time.
Based on my personal experience I think that far more frightening than diabetes itself are the possible complications caused by it. Education projects are really needed.
Today is the annual World Diabetes Day for the 19th time.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Soul Searching
"There is nothing wrong in feeling empty... Nothing new could ever emerge without first having an empty space... Long live the emptiness - it always means change, process, life!" These freely translated words are from a book that I'm currently reading, written by my favourite Finnish author and poet Aila Meriluoto.
Emptiness is something I'm dealing with at the moment. Some days I feel it stronger than the others, but it is there all the time: room for something new. I'm trying to find answers to some important questions, mostly related to work.
Before I can start working again, various doctors are going to take a look at my case and give their meaning on my possibilities (read: physical ability i.e. my vision) to work. My own eye doctor (or ophthalmologist as it officially should be said) naturally knows my situation the best, but there is a big question mark hanging over my dream of a career: nobody can forecast how the health of my eyes will develop.
Recently the condition of my eyes has been stable and my sight is rather good at the moment. Still, retinopathy cannot be cured and it is a very unpredictable disease. That is why I need to go trough several exams before even trying to start in a new job.
The process of re-integration to work has started but it will take a while before it is clear what and how much I can do. For myself it is absolutely clear that I want to work again. Even a thought of life without work feels horrible. Work is such an important part of one's life and identity, so much more than just a source of income. I need to be a part of a group!
I'm forced to spend a lot of time thinking what I would really want to do. And that's good, I'm learning to understand how much work really means to me. Although a 40-hour working week will probably never be possible for me again, I believe I'll find a meaningful position in working life, a place of my very own.
Emptiness is something I'm dealing with at the moment. Some days I feel it stronger than the others, but it is there all the time: room for something new. I'm trying to find answers to some important questions, mostly related to work.
Before I can start working again, various doctors are going to take a look at my case and give their meaning on my possibilities (read: physical ability i.e. my vision) to work. My own eye doctor (or ophthalmologist as it officially should be said) naturally knows my situation the best, but there is a big question mark hanging over my dream of a career: nobody can forecast how the health of my eyes will develop.
Recently the condition of my eyes has been stable and my sight is rather good at the moment. Still, retinopathy cannot be cured and it is a very unpredictable disease. That is why I need to go trough several exams before even trying to start in a new job.
The process of re-integration to work has started but it will take a while before it is clear what and how much I can do. For myself it is absolutely clear that I want to work again. Even a thought of life without work feels horrible. Work is such an important part of one's life and identity, so much more than just a source of income. I need to be a part of a group!
I'm forced to spend a lot of time thinking what I would really want to do. And that's good, I'm learning to understand how much work really means to me. Although a 40-hour working week will probably never be possible for me again, I believe I'll find a meaningful position in working life, a place of my very own.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Eastern Flavours
Already for years my boyfriend and I have a habit to visit an oriental marketplace once in a while. We take the car, leave early in the morning and drive to Beverwijk, near Amsterdam, to spend a while in the bustle of the market. (Actually, I learned yesterday that it is the largest decked market in Europe.)
A day at the market is like a short, cheap holiday to a far-away country. We enjoy walking in the crowd, watching people and bargaining with the salesmen. There is probably nothing that they wouldn't sell in one of the hundreds of stands! The quality of clothes, shoes or furniture may not be really high, but you can get the best fresh fruits there.
When entering the hall of foodstuff, we get dazed by the strong aromas of herbs. Hills of herbs everywhere and all kinds of fruits and vegetables you can think of, and more... Piles of olives in all colours, aubergines in the deepest purple - it is all very beautiful.
Yesterday we got back home our bags filled with pineapples, dragon fruits, mangos, grapefruits... Of course Turkish bread and nuts as well. And this time we also chose the unusual delicacies sesame halva with pistachio nuts, baklava and Indonesian banana cakes. Mmmmmmm...
All in all it was a tasty weekend - on our way home we found and tested a Chinese restaurant in the neighbourhood. The food was excellent so we have a new address for take-away meals in the future...
A day at the market is like a short, cheap holiday to a far-away country. We enjoy walking in the crowd, watching people and bargaining with the salesmen. There is probably nothing that they wouldn't sell in one of the hundreds of stands! The quality of clothes, shoes or furniture may not be really high, but you can get the best fresh fruits there.
When entering the hall of foodstuff, we get dazed by the strong aromas of herbs. Hills of herbs everywhere and all kinds of fruits and vegetables you can think of, and more... Piles of olives in all colours, aubergines in the deepest purple - it is all very beautiful.
Yesterday we got back home our bags filled with pineapples, dragon fruits, mangos, grapefruits... Of course Turkish bread and nuts as well. And this time we also chose the unusual delicacies sesame halva with pistachio nuts, baklava and Indonesian banana cakes. Mmmmmmm...
All in all it was a tasty weekend - on our way home we found and tested a Chinese restaurant in the neighbourhood. The food was excellent so we have a new address for take-away meals in the future...
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Celebrate the One You Love
It is not easy to write about love. Everything I would want to say sounds too sugary and has probably been said already for thousands of times. Still, I will give it a try...
My need to say something about love has undoubtedly something to do with the fact that I'm preparing my wedding at the moment. It's very exciting! We have chosen to have a tiny wedding ceremony with the most important people around us, very intimate and hopefully lyrical...
My fiance is the number one person making my life sweet. He makes me happier than I had ever known before. Last night we were thinking back to the times when we first met. It's already more than eight years ago, unbelievable how quickly time passes by...
It's a big cliche, but I seriously KNEW he is the one for me from the very beginning. It made no sense that time, but my feeling was very strong and afterwards I can say it was the right intuition. However, there is no need to make it all look very romantic. During these years we have already been through a lot. Sometimes totally distraught with worries, like the past year with my devastating eye problems.
Yes, this is a confession of love to my husband-to-be. Already the moment he chose for proposal (I was that time nearly without sight and waiting for the operation) shows his intention to stay beside me also during hard times. And he is a master of black humor! Although my eye disease is a very serious matter, I would die without a good laugh once in a while - he made me giggle madly about some crazy moments during the darkest period.
70 days to go and then it is time to celebrate our wedding. I'm a bit nervous, but couldn't be more sure about this step we are taking. Together.
My need to say something about love has undoubtedly something to do with the fact that I'm preparing my wedding at the moment. It's very exciting! We have chosen to have a tiny wedding ceremony with the most important people around us, very intimate and hopefully lyrical...
My fiance is the number one person making my life sweet. He makes me happier than I had ever known before. Last night we were thinking back to the times when we first met. It's already more than eight years ago, unbelievable how quickly time passes by...
It's a big cliche, but I seriously KNEW he is the one for me from the very beginning. It made no sense that time, but my feeling was very strong and afterwards I can say it was the right intuition. However, there is no need to make it all look very romantic. During these years we have already been through a lot. Sometimes totally distraught with worries, like the past year with my devastating eye problems.
Yes, this is a confession of love to my husband-to-be. Already the moment he chose for proposal (I was that time nearly without sight and waiting for the operation) shows his intention to stay beside me also during hard times. And he is a master of black humor! Although my eye disease is a very serious matter, I would die without a good laugh once in a while - he made me giggle madly about some crazy moments during the darkest period.
70 days to go and then it is time to celebrate our wedding. I'm a bit nervous, but couldn't be more sure about this step we are taking. Together.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
A Heavy Week Ahead
It’s almost time to say goodbye to my colleagues and I find it very difficult. Just a few days work left in my current job and then I'll move on and go for other challenges. Even though I’m very eager to find new work possibilities, it doesn’t fade out the fact that I hate that this period is ending. It's like reading a book: I feel empty because this book is finishing while I would have wanted to enjoy it a few chapters longer... At the same time I cannot wait to get my hands on another new, interesting book.
I will miss the people, I could not have had better colleagues. I will miss the relaxed atmosphere, discussions around the lunch table...
Most of all I will miss laughing together.
Now I'm really concentrated to the future - I'm curious about what it will bring on my path. Still, the coming week will be hard and I just want to get through it.
PS. Why are the best books so often sad?
I will miss the people, I could not have had better colleagues. I will miss the relaxed atmosphere, discussions around the lunch table...
Most of all I will miss laughing together.
Now I'm really concentrated to the future - I'm curious about what it will bring on my path. Still, the coming week will be hard and I just want to get through it.
PS. Why are the best books so often sad?
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