YAY!

Here's my Hooked On Sweets Restaurant Day advertisement!
I think before it was registered under my name - which explains why I couldn't find it when I searched for it for the last few days! :-)

There is limited seating - but take-away is definitely available!!!
See you there!

Possibly My Blondest Moment Yet...

OH dear.....yep I had one of "those" nights last night.  Not a binge-drinking one or stuffing my face with cake and ice cream while crying and watching chick flicks alone in the dark...no.  I had one of those "DUH" moments and then acted on it which made it into a "super DUH" moment...

Ready?

I went out to meet my friends with our dogs on the lake last night and there's a new person there with a very tall dog that looks like a whippet but a bit thicker.
He wore a coat and a reflective vest and was very fast and handsome!

I introduced myself and asked what kind of dog he was.
"A police dog" she said.
"Ohhh cool.  What are you training him to do?" -me
"To run in the fields".
I was thinking "What would be the point of that?!"
So I just simply nodded and said "Ahhh."

Later on, as we hiked in the woods surrounding the lake, I thought I'd be friendly again and asked her, "So are you a police officer or just his trainer?"
She looks at me and says, "I don't understand?"
So I repeated my question...and she looked so terribly confused.
Then I asked, "You said earlier he was a police dog right?  Like he'll learn to sniff for drugs or chase down bad guys - right?"

(And here's the punch line you've all been waiting for...)

"Oh no!  I'm not police!  He is a POLISH HOUND DOG.  I got him imported from Poland and he's a hunting dog breed."

Holy cow did I feel like an idiot.
Someone should just buy me a big box of blonde hair dye soon....

My Restaurant Day Menu!

Finally!  With less than a week to go - I have finally decided on a set menu for February 4th aka Restaurant Day!
I will write another post once I know exactly how much of each product I have available - probably late Friday night, early Saturday morning....or as I go along and bake things!

• Domino Truffle Balls - 1� each
• Death By Chocolate Cookies - 1,50� each
• 4 Cheese Cakes available (total 32 slices)
• Chocolate and Vanilla Swirl (Lactose-Free) - 3� / slice
• Blueberry - 2,50� /slice
• Mixed Berries and Chocolate (Lactose-Free) - 3,50�/slice
• Mint and Chocolate chips! - 3�/slice
• **  Nutella & Peanut-Butter Oatmeal Cookies (Gluten AND Lactose-Free) - 1,50� each
• **   Banana Bread (total approximately 33 slices):
• Banana Bread with Chocolate chunks (Lactose-Free) - 2� /slice
• Banana Bread with raisins and walnuts - 2�/slice
• Banana Bread plain (no nuts, chocolate or raisins) - 1,50�/slice
• The Oatmeal Party Cookies! -  Price to be determined once I know the finished size!
• **  Santa Cookies - 2� each
•  Blueberry Muffins - Price to be determined once I know the finished size!
  • (Possibly another flavour of muffin)

I think that is about it for now....anything you see with "**"  means there WILL be samples available.
Not everything I make is easy to give samples of because of their shape, size or it would be too messy! :-)

I will be writing a separate post (or page) with all ingredients listed in the above mentioned items so you know what to expect when you arrive.  As well, there WILL be ingredients cards listed in English and Finnish on site!

As well, there will be hot coffee, tea, hot chocolate and other hot drinks (i.e. cappucino etc.) available on site!

I will have a lovely translator with me, named Heidi!  She's bilingual and very fun and friendly!  (She's also tasted everything I have baked and can testify or describe flavours for you!)

So please come on by to Poppeli (Keskustie 18, Jyv�skyl�) next Saturday, February 4th and get yourself Hooked on Sweets!
Dominique

Made in Canada - What a Shame!

I have been on a wild hunt for tall winter boots lately and haven't had much luck at the second-hand shops.  

My needs are just like everyone else's when it comes to winter foot wear:

• Good grip - I walk with the stroller and kids and don't want to lose my grip and fall...and same when walking the dogs and I'm being dragged around sometimes.
• Warmth - yesterday was -18*C and it's supposed to drop to -26*C soon...
• Water-resistant or even better, water-proof!
• A fairly tall boot so my legs are warmer.

Pretty simple - right?

Well, because I didn't have any good luck at the second hand shops (they were either too big, mostly too small, made for skiing only or didn't have a price on them) - I thought I'd take a peek downtown.

I had to go to Antilla anyway to look for some rubber bands - so I thought I'd swing by and look at the winter boots section.

I was looking in the kids section - which typically goes up to size 39 European (about a 7.5 - 8 US size) and fits just fine.

Well, look what I found!!!!!  There's even a sign above them announcing in Finnish that they were made in Canada!!!  WELL, I can't go wrong with that, right?!

These were only 15� and made in Canada apparently.
The white fluffy lining is only on the top to make them look warm... they're not lined like that on the inside.

You would think there would be better grips - since Canadians are no strangers to ice and snow...
The bottoms were very smooth.

The tag that comes with them....

But it was such a good price - I couldn't resist!

Don't buy them.

I hate to be all anti-Canadian when it comes to supporting my home country - but these boots are awful.

They fit well - which was nice, as I was wearing cotton knee-high socks and thick wool socks on top too....the laces seemed tight enough and they were just the right height.

But the lining inside was VERY poor....it wasn't warm at all.  I am pretty sure my feet were dry - which is good...but it'd be nicer if they were just as warm as they were water-repellent!

I tested them out last night on the lake in about -18*C weather and was very disappointed.  Let's put it this way...I can go out on the same lake (marsh/swamp whatever) with the dogs and stand there talking with my friends while our dogs run around and play in my RUBBER BOOTS (0 lining) and my feet were warmer.

Why don't I keep using those rubber boots?  They're cracking with age - so I 've been on the hunt for new winter boots.

Didn't you BRING winter boots with you?!

Of course I did - don't be silly.  But my husband has been wearing them (they're men's boots from Payless...best $40 I spent!) and they're kind of short - so they've been chafing my legs (hence the knee-high socks now).

Anyways, I'll be returning these boots to Antilla and asking for a refund to be applied to another pair of boots (will try them first like I did with this pair) made by Adidas that have way better grip, possibly lined better (I can't remember) but a steeper price.

They're black and pink and on sale for a little under 60�...normally double in price.

I hate spending a lot of money on things - but winter boots are a must for living and surviving a Finnish winter.

I'll try looking at other shops too if I can.

The typical return or exchange policy on items bought in Finland is about 14 days, provided you have the receipt and even better, the price tags still.

Just check with your shop to find out their refund policies!

He's Gay - Yep.

So if you haven't been following the news outside of Finland - you probably didn't know that Finland is in the process of electing their newest President.  A President can hold their spot for 6 years and only be re-elected once (total of 2 terms).

I typically do not write about politics (or religion for that matter) because it causes a lot of controversy, debate and sometimes some very nasty comments.
But this is something interesting.......

I found out that there is a Presidential candidate that is gay through Facebook (don't we all find out the juiciest stuff there?) and my friend had posted it from Perez Hilton's site.
Of course, Perez is a huge LGBT supporter and honestly - I support the their choice as well.  I think it shouldn't matter who you prefer - as long as you treat them nicely and honestly.  That's what you'd expect from a heterosexual partner - right?

Anyway, I continue...

I went to a knitting group last night - and we haven't met in ages!  There were some new faces there - and it turned out the hostess had recently had a birthday and they were there with lots of lavish cakes and it was a mini celebration too.
There was a heavy discussion of Afghanistan because one of the guests has worked there for 27/30 years!  Holy impressive!
And then they got talking politics (mostly in Finnish).  I heard the word "homo" and while my ears perked a little out of curiosity - I remained quiet because frankly, political conversation is not my cup of tea.
THEN they turned to me and said, "Dominique, did you know that there is a Presidential candidate, Pekka Haavisto, he is a homo!"
"Yes, I am aware there is someone gay - I actually found out about it on an American website." - me
"What do you think of this homo running to be our President?" was the next hardball thrown at me.
I sipped my tea and weighed my words carefully...or as best as I could...

"Well, Finland has already made major headlines with having a woman as a President, Tarja Halonen....and it's clearly opening people's eyes to be more accepting of women and men as being equals...I mean, look at the US - they're finally getting around to accepting a black man as a President and Hilary Clinton could have been President...and she's a woman.  I think that says a lot."
They all cheered and clapped at men and women being equal.
Then I threw the bomb.
"Now, when it comes to a gay man being President of any country - I think it's fine.  I mean - who cares?  He's a person just like anyone else."

And that's when the silence hit me like a tonne of bricks.


The lady firmly stated, "No, the homo will not make a good President."
That was it - my dismissal - no further discussion.
My friend and neighbour whispered, "She just means as a President he would not be a good choice"...(What - because of his sexual preference?!)
This lady then clarifies: "If we have a homo President - he'll never go anywhere.  If you are in Afghanistan - and you are gay - you are killed!"
Okay, well why Finland's politicians are being sent over to Afghanistan - I don't know...and after some discussion with my husband that night - he said that foreign dignitaries' sexual preferences are not considered in a foreign country.  Nobody would say, "Sorry President of the ____________ country - you're not allowed because you prefer ________ over ________."
And I would think that if you KNOW the country you're going to has some culturally strict beliefs - you would respect that country and not put on a huge display against their beliefs...it'd be a little rude to do so - especially if you're the President and representing your country.  (Not just homosexuality but for examples: showing affection in public, if you're a woman - wearing t-shirts or shorts..you know what I mean.)

Anyways, I was clearly labelled a "Gay Lover" silently and from that point on, that lady had absolutely nothing to say to me and made sure to ignore me in every way possible...which was fine because I had some knitting to do.

And then to make the knitting night slightly MORE awkward.... the two ladies that were friends of the hostess decided to whip out the Bible and read passages from it in Finnish.  I don't know what was being said and if it was their way of sticking it to the gay man or what....but my friend advised me later that they were saying, "If you feel like this you should read this one!  If you're in doubt of that read this........"
Not that there's ANYTHING wrong with reading the Bible - but I was curious if it was in response to my acceptance of a gay Presidential candidate.
I guess I'll never know and I don't really care too much as I cannot vote anyhow.

With that all said and done, here's an article in English about the Presidential candidates and all the best to both of them.

(Finland also has a Prime Minister too!  Try to get your head around that one!!)


*I sincerely hope I did not offend anybody as that was not my intention but merely to advise you of the current hot topic in Finland.  I rarely discuss politics or religion and with that said - this post has been re-read several times and edited several times to show you simply my experience.*

Therapy

One thing that can cost quite the pretty penny for folks in North America is therapy.
Whether it's physiotherapy, mental therapy or speech therapy (I know there are more kinds out there but cannot list them all) - it'll cost you.
Some employers offer their employees free therapy at certain therapist offices...which is great!  And which I have used in the past to get over some troubling events in my life.

Never would I have thought that I would need to get my 2-year old therapy.
Well, in Finland - for children- therapy is free (so I've been told).
Why does my 2-year old require some therapy?

Well, V�in� is 2-years old and doesn't speak at all.  Some relatives on my husband's side didn't speak until they were older than that...but we thought it was odd because let's face it: I talk a lot.
That and he's surrounded by languages...English and Finnish and a little Portugese!! (Good friends of ours are from Brazil and visit regularly).
But it's not just the lack of speech that had us concerned at first.
We noticed that V�in� may love his DVDs to the point of obsession...and he doesn't play with toys at all....he loves books though but doesn't look at them page by page either.  Lately he hasn't played on any of the playground equipment either!!  And he normally LOVES the swings!  Perhaps it's because the swing seats are cold because of the winter...but still....
If you pointed at something - he wouldn't look at the item or spot you were pointing to..he'd rather look at your finger.
95% of people he sees on a semi-regular basis - he's terrified of.  We can't figure it out...he just ignores them and if they try to hold him - he goes wild.  And not the "I just won a million Euros!!!" wild either.
And the hardest thing is that V�in� doesn't listen.  I'm positive he understands what we're saying - but if he's bouncing everywhere - no matter how many times I clap my hands, yell, sit him down on a time out - he just goes back to jumping as soon as my back is turned.
(The list could go on forever...don't get me wrong - there are plenty of wonderful things about V�in� too!)
This has all been very frustrating...I am willing to admit that it has sometimes put a strain on our relationship with our son and between my husband and I too.  After much discussion we finally decided to be open-minded and realize that perhaps it's something a tad more serious than being a "spirited child" as we originally thought.

Thanks to having regular Neuvola appointments with my youngest, the nurse has been asking about V�in� regularly and back in December she recommended a speech therapist.
I was there again last week and advised her that nobody has called to make an appointment yet - so she got on them for me and this morning I got a phone call from a local speech therapist.
AND the speech therapist is going to request a young child-psychologist sees V�in� as well!  This is great.

We are suspecting that V�in� may have some spectrum of Autism or Asperger's Syndrome and we're trying as hard as possible to get not only the help he needs but the advice we need to help him grow and be more sociable.
(Poking other kids in their eyes can be cute only for so long - right?)

I'll keep you updated on this journey - not that I enjoy spreading my personal life on the internet in this fashion, however, I hope this can reach other parents that perhaps live in Finland  (or another country) and I want you to know how things go here.  And that there's nothing wrong with getting some help when you need it.

Pinterest!

I have finally gotten around to updating my Pinterest account...(Google + will come eventually...)

What is Pinterest?  Well, from what I understand it's an online bulletin board where you can create boards (i.e. "Food", "Crafts", "Travels") and put "pins" (aka photos) on them.
Then the Pinterest online world can see them...

I know a long time ago, I promised to put photos of my trip to Paris, Estonia and Sweden online, but Blogger can be so slow...so if you go check out my Pinterest account (see that bright red button on the right side of this page?) there are some photos now "pinned".

You can like and re-pin photos to your boards...so many people I spoke with have said they've used it as a source of inspiration for crafts and whatnot....I think it's a fantastic idea.

Just be warned:

•  No hateful content is allowed
• No nudity is allowed
• No self-promoting

And that's pretty much it but if you sign up for it (you need an invite from someone already on it) then all the rules will be laid out for you in a simple and easy to read format.  (AKA no fine print in teeny-tiny lettering that you wouldn't bother to read if you had a magnifying glass available).

Enjoy!

Well, well, well....

This morning I got something in the mail.
Guess what it was?

If you thought, "a bill" - you're wrong.
But if you thought, "The baby's Kela card!" - Yes!  You're right!

Funny how a little piece of plastic with some small writing can actually take 4-6 weeks...but if I go in and fight for it - I get it in what...less than a week?

Interesting how Kela works.  (Don't worry - nobody understands how Kela works.)

Just Another Ride On The Bus!

I recently took the bus to a friend's place and on my way back (it was over the bridge - in Kukkola area), I had THE craziest driver ever.
The roads were really slippery but this driver was a speedy one.
After I paid and got back to the stroller (I brought my youngest with me), we shot off into the lane and the back doors were still open for awhile until he came to a red light and realized that "Well, I forgot to shut the back doors".  Then we zoomed off again into the darkness....

Every single red light - if nobody was coming - we drove through, by the time the lights turned yellow (they turn yellow then green), the bus was already half-way through the intersection.
I was feeling slightly nauseous prior to getting to the downtown stop...

We get to the downtown stop and we're behind the 25K bus (I'm on the 18 or 18K) and a couple people managed to get on.  One lady and her spouse didn't have smaller change so the bus driver was getting frustrated counting out the change to give them.
Then he shut the doors and we zipped off....

The problem with this?  Well, there was still quite a long line up of people waiting in the freezing cold to get onto this bus!  (And the bus was on time and not very full - so plenty of space for people to get on!)
I thought we were just pulling forward a little, because the 25K had left and he perhaps wanted to line himself up with the bus shelter, as many drivers tend to do.
Oh no... we zipped off and continued on our way!
The people outside were clearly ticked off and waving their arms and the people on the bus were confused too.
And nobody stopped the driver...
(I'm kind of wondering if he was drunk to be honest...)

By the time I got home, I was retching...he just drove too fast and took the corners too hard too....my husband wondered why I looked sick and when I told him all this - he just shook his head.

My Battle With Kela...Part 2?

Alright...remember last year in the fall, I received a letter from Kela requesting I pay back the 349� (and change) in rental housing allowance - because I now make "too much money" combined with Tim's income? (Because they realized that I am permanent residence and granted my first son stay-at-home-allowance since he's not in a day care).
So I forgot to update you on that.  Well, I filled out that form and sent it back to them and within about 3 weeks - I got a bill for 50� (the amount I agreed to pay per month).
Fast forward and I forgot to pay the bill and have since lost it.  I was advised by a friend to bring a tough Finnish friend with me to help me in case the rep I get pretends to "not understand" or "not speak English very well"....I opted for my own little Game Plan.

So today I met up with my friend downtown and after our coffee - I realized "CRAP.  I owe Kela money but still want to fight them....want to watch the kids while I go do this?"
She agreed and had to inquire about some information from Kela herself - so it was perfect timing as both of my boys were asleep.
I got a number from the Info desk and barely had any wait time...I walked in with my "Game Face" - sometimes known as a "B*tch Face".
I thought I'd play nice first and go from there.

I explained to the lady (KL = Kela Lady) that I cannot find my bill and I know I owe money.  I provide my Passport and she says no problem, pulls it up and says she can print me a copy easily.
Great - "Now I have some more questions for you..." - me (insert Game Face voice)
"Yes! How can I help you?" KL (super perky and friendly - I'm thinking "Darn it - she's nice...well here we go...")
"I owe you a total of 349� and some change...I fully understand you guys are not sending me anymore rental housing allowance money - but in all honesty - it's Kela's fault they didn't recognize my family's permanent residence status and therefor - I technically saved you approximately 1700� in 6 months.  Money that I will not be able to get back from this organization." - me
"Ohhh let's see...well (click click on the keyboard) - we never received your letter of appeal and sent you the bill." - KL
(My face is currently looking at her with a clear "WTF is a letter of appeal"?!)
"I'm sorry - but yes, I did write something appealing your decision and mailed it in...actually I brought it in person." - me
"Ohhh - no...(click click) that wasn't the letter of appeal.  Wow this is a complicated situation!  No, that wasn't a letter of appeal - this is what you sent, right?  Yes well that was just a regular form.  I will print you a letter of appeal and see what Kela decides.  So fill this in and submit it as soon as you can.  I can't guarantee anything because it's too late - but if you didn't know about the Letter of Appeal - they might be able to help a little more." - KL
(So I had filled out this form after getting it translated by a friend - that sounded like a lot of appealing and explain-yourself-to-Kela! for nothing.)
She puts a note in the system that I did not know about the Letter of Appeal (apparently most people don't) - but you can get one from your local Kela and she even kindly printed it for me in English.  (Guess what? I'm writing the same thing in this one too....go figure.)

Then she makes me no guarantee but said she hopes this helps...anything else?
"Oh yes.  My youngest son needs a Kela card as we plan on travelling outside of Finland and it's the only piece of identification he can have...how do I get one for him?" - me
"Well let's see....oh Ahti is not registered in the city's registration yet.  And Kela hasn't made the decision on whether or not he qualifies for child benefits or not." - KL
My son was born in October and I submitted his registration form to the Magistrate IN person in November.
"It can take awhile to do these things and we've been so busy!  I'm really sorry - when do you need to travel?" - KL
"Well, we are leaving in April and again in August." - me
"Oh okay well it shouldn't take too much longer-  but Ahti needs a residence permit - so that's why there has also probably been a delay." - KL
"You're kidding me." - me
"No I'm not!  He's born here, yes - but he's not of automatic Finnish citizenship..." - KL
"No I get that part.  I mean  - for my son to get a residence permit - he needs a Canadian Passport.  In order to get the Passport - he needs his Kela card..." - me (eyes bulging out of my head as V�in� wakes up screaming)
"Ooooooh....well let me call - it'll take awhile.  Are you sure you have time?" - KL
"Yes I definitely have time.  I can walk around with V�in� while you're on the phone." - me
(I'm singing songs and carrying V�in� - she's on the phone).
"Okay, so they are going to work on your son's Kela card soon and you don't have to pay or apply.  It'll come to you in the mail." - KL
"Great thanks! How long does it take?" - me
"Well it takes 4-6 weeks to get a card in the mail..."-KL
"That's not good.  It takes about that long to get a passport from the Canadian Embassy in Helsinki!" -me
"Oh I will send some emails and get them to work on it faster...yes that's right...Okay.  Well, the good thing is that it doesn't take long to make and send the Kela card!" - KL
"Oh thanks - have a good day."- me

Uh - if it doesn't take so long to make and send it - then why does it take 4-6 weeks normally?

And that - is a look into a system that benefits most and messes up with many... (Lots of people hate Kela - Finns included).
Don't get me wrong, I am really appreciative to have such a program and stay-at-home-allowance - but this whole scenario is getting out of whack.

Another example?  My friend's been married 6 years this year...she is STILL waiting for her new Kela card with her married name on it.

*Not all quotes may have been direct or exact - but you get the idea.*

A Small Act of Kindness...

Last night, I left my knitting group early because I stupidly forgotten the diaper bag and the baby needed a diaper change....and I had a dog play date to attend by 9pm.  (Knitting ends at 8pm).
So I rushed to the grocery store downtown and picked up some things and headed to the bus stop.
I still had an 11-minute wait - so I took the baby into the Forum and decided to wait it out a bit (since it was super cold outside).
Then I headed out when it was closer to the bus arriving and within a minute - the bus came...Yay!
People got off the bus at the back entrance and I got my son in his stroller onto the bus - when a lady pointed out to me that my laundry soap fell out of the bottom basket.  Oops.
I let go of my son, and grab the jug of laundry soap and toss it into the basket - and guess what?
The bus doors shut on my wrists.
HOLY FREAK OUT.
I managed to yank my hands out before the right-side door fully closed - and I stood there stunned and pissed off.
I knew the bus was going to leave really quickly but thankfully that same lady rushed to the front of the bus and told the bus driver to open the back doors for me.
I thanked her and hopped on, pushed the stroller into the proper area and parked him there...and magically made it home in one piece.
I'm sure the bus driver just didn't see me there pushing the stroller on...but most drivers keep the rear doors open for a bit so people like me - with a stroller - can get the chance to get ON the bus...
And it would have REALLY sucked if the driver left - because my son's brakes weren't locked yet - and he would've been rolling all over the bus I'm sure...not a nice way to wake up I imagine...

So if you read this, the lady who helped me out, - thanks a lot!!  I really appreciate you pointing out that my laundry soap fell out (I didn't even notice) - and for yelling at the driver to open the back doors.

PS Yes, it DOES hurt having the bus doors shut on your wrists...if it wasn't for wearing thick mittens and a winter coat - my wrists would probably hurt a lot more.

The Russians Are Coming!

Just an FYI tomorrow is a holiday (Friday Jan. 6, 2012) so most shops are closed...
However, if one is desperate - the grocery shops downtown are apparently open (although I am not sure of the hours) because "The Russians Are Coming!"
No really!  Right now, Russia is having their winter holiday and a good chunk of them enjoy travelling to Finland.
So if you hear a different language that doesn't sound Finnish, English or even Swedish (although that in itself is rare in Jyv�skyl� anyway) - that's why.
So I guess to gain the most profit or financial gain possible with the short tourism boom from the visiting neighbours - some stores may be open...but it would be in your best interest to get your groceries and other necessities today.
(It's also common for people to take down their Christmas decorations and trees tomorrow as well - since it is a holiday.)