Classic American Diner - a Double Review...

Last week one of my girlfriends and I went to try out the newest restaurant in JKL - Classic American Diner.
I had heard wonderful things about the Tampere location and was eager to try this place out.
Well, if you can, make a reservation first...because we managed to grab a table after a 5-minutes wait and our waiter who cleaned off the previous table came to us and asked if we had ordered our food yet...so needless to say, it was pretty busy.
He kindly warned us that there was a 45-minutes long wait for food...not a problem, as we had a lot of catching up to do...and when you don't have children with you - you have ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD - or so it feels like.

We waited over 20 minutes for our drinks - pop....so that was a bit disappointing...a nearby table had received some bowls of chips to munch on while they waited...maybe because they ordered alcohol and we didn't?  Not sure...

20 minutes later ...we got our wings.  We ordered 25 wings to share and the sauce was only medium (next time I go I want to try something hotter)...the blue cheese dip was nice and the carrot and celery sticks were thick and chunky.
The oddest thing about our wing order - no plates.  It was served in a big basket lined with paper, sauce and grease covering the wings (which were better than Food wings by the way)...but no little plates to put our bones...no wet wipes to wash our hands after...so we just used napkins to put our bones - instead of risking waiting another 10-20 minutes for any other service.

Another 20 minutes or longer wait for our burger platters and afterwards we were able to leave.
I had ordered a 200g (medium) burger platter but the wings and veggie sticks filled me up quite a bit so I didn't eat a lot of my meal unfortunately.
My friend had the Angus burger platter and I guess she liked it enough because she ate more than I did in comparison.

We DID get a free refill on our pops...not sure if that was an accident or not....most places don't offer free refills...

Overall?  We were stuffed but not terribly thrilled by the service or the food....

Now, I told my husband about this place and when he heard they had an ALL-DAY breakfast - he just had to try it!
So we went there yesterday and it was easy enough to find a table....we had our kids with us and while there are only 4 stairs - there is also the option of placing and using ramps for the stroller wheels.
The only problem with these is that you have to gauge how far apart to put them so your wheels fit on and they're quite heavy...so we just toughed it out and lifted our double stroller up those 4 stairs.
We ordered a Kid's Chicken Finger meal, a couple sodas and water, the All-day breakfast for hubby and I opted for a smaller burger (bacon) meal.
We asked the waitress if it was possible to get our son's meal first because he was quite hungry and it was just past 2pm...and he normally has a snack then...she said yep no problem.  Tim also asked for pancakes with his all-day breakfast and that was fine too.
We got our drinks fairly quickly (within 10 minutes) and meals came about 30 minutes or so after ordering...Tim and I took turns rushing V�in� in and out of the restaurant because he was so hungry and upset (and tired) that we didn't want to bother other customers by his yelling and attempts at running about.
Finally our food arrived and while V�in� refused the chicken fingers (even though I broke it in half and blew on it to make sure it was cool enough) - he pounded back the fries.
Tim's breakfast didn't have pancakes.  Apparently it was an extra add-on that Tim was really looking forward to - but maybe she didn't hear...
Ah well - oh and you should probably specify how you like your eggs cooked...these were kind of sunny-side up and Tim's more of a yolk-broken (over-hard) kind of guy.  Not that the waitress asked when taking our order....
My meal was fine and once our youngest woke up - I offered him the non-ripped up chicken finger which he happily ate, along with most of my fries.
When I handed him half of the other chicken finger (the meal comes with 2) I noticed that it looked a little odd in the center...

Chicken finger was a little pink in the center...it's a cell phone picture so it doesn't show the colour as well.

But then there's these awesome cardboard cars that kids' meals come in...and yes, you can totally take them home with
you.

Did I complain about the pink chicken?  Nope.  Why?  Because I don't know if the first piece was pink or not as it was devoured quickly...and all the fries were gone...
And no, this meal did not come out in 5 or 10 minutes...it came out with all the others...so why was it under cooked?  Not sure.

I don't think I will be going there any time soon - except for maybe the wings.  

How Much Uff Is En-uff?

I know what you're thinking, "What the heck is she talking about NOW?!"

Uff.

Uff is the newest second-hand clothing (only) shop in downtown Jyv�skyl�!!

And when you shop - you're helping others in need.  Read more about it here.

Located beside the Post Office downtown.

With the exception of already priced items or smaller items like scarves and belts - here's the price list for every day of the week.
Monday - 7�
Tuesday-Wednesday - 6�
Thursday-Friday - 5�
Saturday - Monday - 4�

This is for the first opening 2 weeks and then they are individually priced items!

They are closed on Sundays after the first two weeks (they opened officially on September 17th).

Uff also re-stocks EVERYDAY with second-hand items for you to buy!

Parking is limited because you have to share with post office customers...but it's near the main bus stop downtown!

I brought a double stroller inside (one child in front of the other) and it was okay for maneuvering but I ended up leaving my sleeping child and the stroller near the front of the shop where there was a bit of space.  A double stroller side by side may not be so easy to push around indoors.

There's lots of women's clothing, some children and men's too.  

Today there happened to be a 5 for 20� sale - so I scooped up 3 coats, a couple of shirts and 4 scarves for 34� and some change.

I will try and brave the crowds this Saturday I think!! :)

And in Finnish, it's pronounced more like "oof" than an English "uh-ff".

Wave Your Arm!

I know what you're thinking.

"What in the world did Dominique do in Finland now?  I mean the title of this post - how odd...I must keep reading!"

Today I met up with some Foreigners in Jyv�skyl� for our monthly get together.  Last month was a bust I think - but this time some of us got together at Presso and had a great time.
Although, I must apologize - the Canadians totally dominated in numbers....

Welcome Faber kids!

Taken a couple weekends ago while hiking...and yes, that's my dog on the right digging in a cave...

You can check out Sarah and Adam's blog here.

Anyways, it was nice to meet another person that was a foreigner and we chatted politics, philosophy, weather, life-styles and so on.  

When it was time to take the Fabers on a tour downtown, my family and I rushed to catch the elevator and I had pressed the button (in Sokos) and the door opened.  My husband was weaving the kids in the stroller through some light "traffic" aka customers just standing there and not moving very fast...so I stuck my hand into the elevator door where the sensor was and continued to press the button.

Thanks to the arse-holes downstairs who kept violently punching the button - the door slammed shut onto my wrist. I quickly punched the button again and the door opened...of course.

Today's lesson folks (and the reason for the title)?

The sensor doesn't work if something is blocking it (i.e. my wrist or maybe yours) - you have to make sure you - wave your arm.

*Please do not test this theory as I cannot guarantee that the stupid elevator will recognize anything in time and may cause more harm than what I experienced today.

In case you get lost...

While celebrating Midsummer Eve with some friends the other night, on our walk back home we noticed these boxer briefs in the Taito Shop window downtown!

I don't know if they are available in other city maps depending what shop you buy them from...but you have to admit - they'd make a pretty awesome gift for the guy that simply has everything!!!

Also they would help the one who is ALWAYS lost....

And they're "only" 29� a pair!

Last Call!

The other night, I was downtown picking up some last minute things and decided if I have time before 9pm, I should pop in to get my bus pass re-loaded.
It was about 8:30pm by the time I ran up to the service desk and I pressed the button, got a number and waited for all of 2 seconds (nobody else there) and the fellow asked how he could help me.
"I'd like to re-load my bus pass with 40 trips please," I answer as I dig out my bus pass and bank card.
"Well, we close 30 minutes before Sokos does," he responds.
"Oh...okay, sorry" I say as I begin to put it away.  I mean - they looked pretty open to me!  The lights were on, they were standing there chatting, the pick-a-number-then-you-wait system was working and there wasn't a very visible (if any!) sign indicating that they close 30 minutes before the store does...so - you know, it looked OPENED to me!
The girl working with him whispers something in Finnish to him and he says:
"Well, you are very lucky.  One of our machines is still online to put trips on your card.  But next time - please do it before 8:30pm."
"Thanks so much!" I say happily - although, I am really thinking : "How the heck was I supposed to know?!"

So there you go - the service area that provides lottery tickets, Western Union Money Transfers, S-Bank services and bus pass trips closes 30 minutes prior to the store.
*I do not know if this applies to ALL of them in Sokos stores all over Finland or just the one in JKL.*

Vappu...aka Labour Day...aka Hang-Over Day.

If you haven't read my blog last year around this time - then you probably never heard of Vappu!  Or at least not from me anyway.

You're probably wondering why (in Finland) so many young adults are wearing funky coloured jump-suits...with badges sewn all over them...and why are some wearing similar shirts or wigs or hats....
It's almost as if there is a MAJOR pub crawl about to happen.

Well, then you'd be kind of right if you thought that.
Vappu occurs every May 1st - some know it as "Labour Day", some know it as "May Day"...and some know it as "Drink a heck of a lot the night before and nurse my hang-over with a lovely picnic - rain or shine day!"
However, Vappu starts the day before and the next day is more of a relaxing and picnic day because nothing is opened.

You will also probably see an insane amount of white caps that look almost like sailor caps...those are what students get when they graduate their program.
The jump-suit colours depends on what program you are in.  I haven't seen my husband wear them at all - and I doubt I ever will.

Some things I've seen today on individuals or groups of people:

• Older lady (late 40's-50's) wearing too much make up and a purple curly-haired wig with streaks of green and hooker boots...
• Girls with green fairy wings
• Sponge Bob Square Pants t-shirt wearing girls
• Afro-wigs....several of them.
• Ladies wearing BRIGHT pink ties with the words printed on them: "GIRLS NIGHT OUT!"...before 11am.

And in case you are wondering, yes Finnish people CAN drink a lot.
I know in Canada - it's pretty common to be able to drink a lot - depending on where you are from.
Well, I am quite confident a Finn could out-drink a Newf easily and still survive (somehow).
A typical house party or drinking fest of any sort tends to start at 4pm (depending on the host) and end 12 hours later or more.  No joke.

Oh and downtown JKL had this market - I forgot to take photos but if you check out this other JKL blogger, Willie - then you can see what it looks like!

Happy Vappu!

PS And if you're wondering what yours truly is doing - I'm having some friends over for a bbq in the fire pit in the back yard....and then we'll just hang out and talk in English. Ha.

Craft Exhibition in Jyv�skyl�!

This weekend (April 14-15th) there is going to be a craft exhibition in JKL!
It's held at the Paviljonki across from the City Center on the other side of the train tracks.  It's easily accessible by foot, parking is available (but I'm pretty sure you have to pay) and a few buses go right past it!
Want more information?
Check out Paviljonki's Finnish site.
If you go to the home-page of Paviljonki - there is an English option and when you click on it - the craft exhibition is not listed on the main page!
Which is quite unfortunate as Jyv�skyl� is a university city and home to many native English speakers!
Just think of all the extra money that could be made by having foreigners more attracted to your site AND EVENTS!
Tsk tsk Paviljonki - please update your site!!
(I know for a fact they hire bilingual people to take coats and entrance fees....so why not get someone to translate ALL events on their site?)


Anyways, this exhibition occurs twice a year.  Once near Christmas and once in the spring...so go check it out!
Sincerely yours,
An English speaker spreading the word!

Yarn, doo-dads and spinners!

Today I met with my friend and we decided to go to the little exhibition inside the Craft Museum of Finland.

The stairs towards the laughter and awed voices....

In the hallway a lady was using her electric spinner!!

A very small room packed with yarn, books, wool and jewellery...and some doo-dads too!

I bought some Hand-dyed yarn from this lady (blonde and with a black shirt)...she was very friendly, had beautiful yarn colours for only 15� a skein (400m approximately per skein) and she had some "BLING-BLING lanka" (Bling Bling yarn)...
Yes I am serious.

Some buttons.......

Take-out...except it was for decoration and made me a little hungry for both FOOD and YARN!

Another spinner but she used both feet!  (And no electricity).

Funky light shade in the Museum.

It reminded me of berries mashed up...yum.

My "Bling Bling Yarn"...see the bit of sparkle near the bottom?

Did you go and what did you get?
What will you make with your new goodies?

The Craft Museum of Finland

In downtown Jyv�skyl�, there is a Craft Museum of Finland beside the Taito Shop near the beginning of the pedestrian walk-way. (Across from Nordea Bank).
And tomorrow - well, technically today (25th of March) there is going to be an exhibition of sorts about yarn, stitches, knitting and crochet and other yarn-related things.
I do not have a lot of information about it - but there is a Facebook event if you read it in Finnish....but check it out from 11am-4pm!
My colleagues told me there will be many entrepreneurs there, many things to purchase and look at...so over all - a wooly-crafter's dream! 

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!

My New Bus Pass!

Winter is a hard time typically to get around in Finland if you don't have a car, don't have a bike (or can't ride one yet), live far from downtown or have a stroller to push.

I don't have a car, don't have winter tires on my bike (and still have yet to ride it), don't live very far from downtown and often have a double stroller to push...

There are hills as well, and the last time I walked downtown with the kids - there was barely any ice and I was sliding backwards with the weight of the double stroller and kids pushing me back easily.  Thankfully two people came over and helped drag the stroller up the very small hill - so I wouldn't slide into a popular intersection.

However, the other options are buses and taxis.  Taxis are ridiculously expensive - so I was taking the bus pretty frequently!
Especially if I only needed something quickly downtown, I could pay 3,10� and use the same slip to get back on the bus home within the hour.
However, with all the stops we make - it takes 10 minutes to get downtown and 10 minutes back.  So in reality, I have 40 minutes at most to get whatever it is I need and to hop on the bus back.
But I am one of those people who hates carrying cash around.  There's no fear of pick pocketing or anything like that in Jyv�skyl�!!  It's just because then I have to dig around for the exact or similar change to give the bus driver, hope I don't drop it...and if I run out of change - then I have to withdraw 20� from the bank machine and carry more change after.
The less cash I carry - the better I feel honestly.

So I decided to get - a bus pass.
In Nova Scotia (this may not apply to all of Canada as each province has it's own public transportation system), there are bus tickets that do not expire and can be used once and you can request a single transfer.
And their bus passes are monthly (students, adult and seniors/children) and you just sign your name on them.  No electronic system...
I recall in Hong Kong (or possibly China - I can't remember), their transportation passes were multi-functional.  You reload them at the corner stores and can use them as debit cards to pay for lunch at certain places too!

There are different kinds of bus passes depending on how much you travel.  

There is one that can be used as much as you want for a whole month, as much as you want for a whole year, ones for students and then there's the one like I have.

The blue one is for 40 or 10 trips.  You cannot put "5" trips...

At first I filled it for 10 trips - thinking this would motivate me to not use the bus as much and encourage me to walk more.

I ended up actually needing it quite a bit because I often was running behind for things (appointments and meetings etc.) or having to quickly pick stuff up downtown...and once again - not wanting to use cash.

I can't quite remember, but I believe I paid 3� for the card itself (it's electronic by the way - so keep the card in its sleeve!) and the 10 trips was 27� (I think!)....so it was 30� I believe in total!

Well, once that was zapped and as we kept getting snow and rain mixed together (aka lots of ice and slush) - I decided to keep the kids at home more but to help give Tim some peace and quiet to do work - I'll take the kids out and downtown....

Well, I better slap on 40 trips onto my card.

That costs 64�.  Which may seem like a lot at first - definitely! - however, the cost per trip is now down to 1,60�.  Even if I do use the card twice and with more than an hour in between, I still save 10 Euro cents!

Where do I get a Jyv�skyl�n bus pass?!

Easy peasy.  Go to Sokos downtown and go up to the first floor near the back where there's a lottery booth and S-Pankki assistance (near the escalators).  Press the button for the "other services" like Western Union Transfers or bus passes....and someone will be able to assist you there.

You DO NOT require ID to get a bus pass or any paper work.

So how do you use a bus pass here?

It's simple!  Keep the card in it's sleeve because the white sleeve holds the electronic piece needed to deduct your trips from your pass.

When you get on the front of the bus, there's a black square pad, with a lit up blue circle and a little digital screen there.

If the circle is lit up in blue, then you can press your pass on it (doesn't matter which side is facing the electronic pad) and it will beep once and turn green.  You'll be able to see the date and time it removed a trip - no receipt will be printed, so try to remember the time if you plan on using another trip in less than an hour! and how many trips you have left.  It's pretty quick - so look quickly!

If it beeps several times and the circle turns red - it means you're out of trips.  You'll either have to reload it on the bus or pay in cash.

And if you're using the bus pass twice in less than an hour - either to transfer to another bus or to go back the way you came...it'll beep in green again and you'll see "1/1".   So you used one "whole trip" with two applications of your bus pass to the electronic pad.
It's the equivalent of paying in cash, then using your slip to get on the bus again in other words.

You can put your pass right on the electronic pad, or slip it in your wallet (as long as it's not too thick) and near the outer edge of your wallet - the electronic pad should be able to read it....or in your mitten!  I have a coin purse for a wallet - so it's fairly thin and I just press my "wallet" onto the pad and BEEP!

Hooked on Sweets!

So for my restaurant name for Restaurant Day - I've decided to call myself "Hooked on Sweets".
It's a bit of a play on Poppeli because it's a yarn shop and I also thought of a crochet "hook"!

Anyways, just an FYI - this Friday (16th) will be the last time I am baking for Poppeli for THIS YEAR!
Poppeli IS open on the 23rd - but the store hours aren't the regular ones...so we decided I'll sell this Friday and start again in 2012!!!
I will also be hosting monthly contests if there is enough interest - where YOU can win FREE cookies!!!

It's simple - go to my Facebook Page for Hooked on Sweets, "LIKE" it before January 1, 2012 and share it with your friends and get them to "LIKE" it too!
The more people who "LIKE" Hooked on Sweets - the more contests I can hold!

And for those without Facebook, I can post the contest in the store and possibly through Poppeli's blog (we'll see about that...I have to check).
And of course, through one of my blogs...I may have to make a new blog just for Hooked on Sweets...we'll see!

Anyhow!  The first contest will begin January 1st, 2012!
A winner (must be living in Finland) will be chosen at random.

Oh and this week - I'll be baking something sweet that melts in your mouth...and something baked but not sweet!  There's a limited supply - so be sure to pop into Poppeli Friday between 10am-5pm to get your goodies!!
Check back Thursday (or Friday morning) to see what I will be selling!!

If you live in Jyv�skyl� and are interested in having some goodies baked for yourself for Christmas - orders MUST be in before December 22nd!!
What a GREAT gift idea for the last minute person you forgot to shop for...or your neighbour...or for a stocking stuffer!
Just send an email to: hookedonsweets(at)hotmail(dot)com
I offer cellophane packaging and a wide variety of ribbons or stickers to seal the bag closed.
Prices may vary.

Thanks again for all of your support!

Tomorrow's Mystery Cookie Is...

I know - I should be posting it early tomorrow morning - but that means less sleep!
So I bring to you today (and going forward every Thursday evening) - tomorrow's Mystery Cookie being sold at a local yarn shop in Jyv�skyl� (Poppeli).

This beautiful cookie is called "Santa's Cookie!"

Santa's Cookie contains:

• Crushed almonds
• Dried cranberries
• White AND dark chocolate chunks
• Cinnamon
• Eggs, flour, vanilla and baking soda

They are only 2� a piece - and are quite large!!

Perfect for dipping into a hot cup of tea, snacking on - or sharing - if you can spare a bite!!

These are being sold between 10am-5pm at Poppeli (Keskustie 18) Dec. 9, 2011 - while supplies last.

AND!!!!!!!!!!! I will have a couple cookies on hand (broken in pieces) for you to try them before you buy one!! (Also while supplies last...)

So please tell your friends about some fresh baked North American goodies or come swing by and pick one up for your friend!!  (Everybody loves a cookie on a cold and snowy day!)

Thanks for your support! :)
(Check out "Hooked on Sweets" on Facebook and you can find out more about what I'm baking!)

BIG BIG News!!!

I am excited! Super duper excited!

I have 2 things to share with you all! (Especially if you're in Jyv�skyl�, Finland area...)

First of all - I will be setting up a cafe in Poppeli yarn store in downtown Jyv�skyl� for Restaurant Day on February 4th, 2012.
I met up with the owner, who is a good friend of mine, and decided that February is a pretty cold time to be outside to sell cookies and other sweets...and seeing as she has some seating area, a fancy kind of coffee/hot drinks machine and of course - yarn to sell - maybe we could team-up!

THEN she had a great idea...I'm so excited....she asked if I could bake once a week and bring baked goods to sell at her store!  She currently doesn't offer much in food - just some packaged cookies...but wouldn't it be nice to come in one day a week and be able to knit/crochet, have a hot cup of something to drink...and a freshly-baked treat????
Yeah, I think it sounds great too!

Starting next Friday (Dec. 2) - I'll be delivering freshly baked sweets over to Poppeli....I'll be changing it up every week too!
Cookies, muffins, cupcakes... anything sweet - will be available every Friday (unless it's a holiday - we'll have to sort something out for that) at Poppeli!!!
So tell your friends and spread the word!

And of course, they'll be available for take-away in cellophane bags...tied shut of course...with yarn (only near the holidays as I do not have any cellophane bags currently...so ziploc bags it is for now!).
By all means you can eat your treats and relax at Poppeli with your knitting or cup of coffee or tea!


Keep an eye out on this blog!  I'll be posting what I am baking the night before I deliver to Poppeli!

A Rumor About the Post Office...

I heard that the Post office (Posti) at S-Market (Savela location in Kortepohja) was closing...not sure when!
But a friend heard this while at the grocery store and I'm very worried!

The S Market and Post office are less than 2 years old at this location and the Post office is always packed, especially around the holidays...and the nearest post office is downtown!!
Very inconvenient if this is true and the post office closes!

Nothing against the downtown location, however, there's not a lot of parking (if we had a car), it's quite cramped in there and you take a number (which is fair) and wait your turn - which can take forever when you're in a rush, crammed in a small area or have a crying child! (Or you have to rush to catch your bus home with your new package!)

Let's hope it's not true...

**Update: A Finnish friend advised me he read something similar and that they do plan on closing it down however it you can still send and receive packages from that location....but it won't be offering full postal office services (not sure what that entails).  They are looking for a partner for other postal services there - perhaps with UPS or some other delivery company?
And it won't be in effect until some time next summer!

No Gift Receipt? No problem!

Yesterday we had the pleasure of hosting our big guy's 2nd birthday party and our little one's Naming Party!
It was super fun and there was enough food for everybody and barely any left overs!!
And there were many lovely gifts - wow!  We are so blessed with such lovely and thoughtful friends!!  Our Finnish friends are our family while we live here and we're so grateful for every single one of them!

Well, one thing we were advised during our party, was that Polarn O. Pyret, a clothing shop (downtown near Elisa in the Forum), has a black label on the price tag.  So if we needed to exchange the gift due to a duplicate gift (thankfully there weren't any!) - then we don't need a receipt or gift receipt - and we could just bring it to the store and make the exchange then!

Just keep the tag attached and the store will happily exchange the item!  Then they can re-sell it and nothing goes to waste!

Just to clarify: The difference between a "receipt" and a "gift receipt" is what's listed on it.

Quite often (at least in Canada - not sure about Finland) when you buy a gift for someone and worry it may be given more than once, you can ask for a gift receipt to include with the gift.

A gift receipt does not include the price on it or your payment methods on it.  Just simply that it was paid for, the date and the item that was purchased.  This is handy for when you're sending gifts in the mail and the same store is located in their part of the country (or town) - so there's no need to send things back and forth!

A regular receipt does include the price and method of payment on it.

While we did get 2 gifts that were the same (although not from Polarn O. Pyret) - we've decided to keep them because now the kids have matching mugs!

Would You Help Someone in Need?

This is a very sad post.  No - nobody died or anything...but it's a real pity what's going on in Jyv�skyl�.  Once again, from an outsider's point of view...

I hate to point fingers at a particular person that "sticks out" a bit more than anybody else and is fairly recognizable but I think it's something that should be brought to everybody's attention in the JKL and Kortepohja area.  (And if this person finds out - I hope you understand, I'm doing this for your safety and out of deep concern for you as another human being).

There's a lady who has long blonde hair who frequently takes the 18 or 18K bus from the student village to downtown and back.  I saw this lady this past Sunday get off at my bus stop - a bus stop before the student village - and knew immediately she was lost.  I admit I have never spoken to her before because I assumed she spoke Finnish - she does, however, my friend spoke with her to give her directions - and Finnish is NOT her first language.  Not sure what is - but in future, I'll try and help her as best as possible if she speaks English.  And I know the bus number in English and Finnish - so that'll help.

What's the big deal?  She's blind and has a cane - and I live about a 6 minutes walk away from the student village.
I've seen her get on the bus from the student village area - so that's how I knew she was lost when I saw her wandering towards my apartment while I was waiting for my friend to pick me up.
There have been times I've been on the bus and not noticed she was there until we pulled away from the downtown location - and when I finally did notice she was there - I also noticed that nobody offered her assistance, in terms of letting her know what bus number was sitting there for the past 3 minutes.
Not the bus driver and not the other people waiting for the bus.
But yet, nobody has a problem with staring at her and being scared of asking if she needed help "seeing" what bus was there...it's a shame that Finns keep to themselves to the extreme like this, when it comes to someone who has a disability.
I don't know where she's from, I am assuming she's here for the school year as I haven't seen her before (JKL is a small place) and I haven't seen her ask for help either - so perhaps it's an independent/pride thing.


I am incredibly concerned about her safety - because when you're driving from behind her - where there are no side walks in the area leading to my flat - you might not see her cane.  My friend didn't (I don't think) and was a little confused as to why the woman was weaving side to side.
We were able to give her proper directions to go back towards her home and she seemed quite grateful as she didn't recognize the area she was in at all.

So if you see this lady - please give her a hand and ask her if she needs help with the bus number or the bus stop.  

Underground Art

I don't have a car and probably won't have a car for ages.  I admit it would be LOVELY to have a car - but when it comes down to it - I'm more fit because we don't have a car, have a stroller to push and everything is so relatively nearby - that one can (and several do) survive without one in Jyv�skyl�.

One thing about not having a car is not getting to maneuver in the crazy, tight underground parking lots...and where most people in Finland drive a standard - I don't know how they do these turns that are tighter than a slinky toy!

So today I went downtown with a friend to do some shopping and have some kid-free time...and when we got into this parking lot - I nearly died when I saw the art.

And in case you were wondering what the Tupperware ladies cruise around in....(I am assuming you have to be making pretty big bucks to get your own vehicle!)

We almost parked in front of this and I was in such a state of shock and laughter - I asked my friend if she didn't mind backing up - so I could take a photo.

Once we parked - I turned around and this was opposite of the woman and her banana.

I don't know who does the art for the underground parking lots or if they require approval or not.  It's definitely interesting and if you're parked in front of a green naked ram/man - or a lady with her va-jayjay showing and a banana over her head - you're not going to forget where you parked!! (Very handy for the holiday season I imagine).

And my husband wonders why I think bringing my camera everywhere is not only appropriate (mostly) but necessary for this blog!!!

An awesome sale at the Book Store!

Not sure if it's available at all the book stores in Finland (Suomalainen Kirjakauppa Oy) - but I was in the book shop downtown (Jyv�skyl�) and was honestly looking for some gift bags and a little book for a friend's new baby.

I found a book with paper-doll fairies and their environments for the baby's older sister (can't go visiting without a gift for the older kid!) and a little wooden butterfly clapper for the wee one.

Then I made the error of walking around...

Sometimes they sell stuff from Sinelli - although one just opened up in JKL last May....

2 punch-outs, 5 pieces of paper, lots of fancy paper, 3 sheets of stickers, 1 pair of Fiskars Kidzors, some jewelled embellishments, 2 wood-mounted rubber stamps, 1 ink pad and 2 paper flowers - all in a cool zippered bag that I am pretty sure is water-proof....for 10�.

I am in crafting Heaven!  And all the kits were different!  So if you're a crafter - or know someone who is - Christmas is coming fast - and for 10� - you really cannot go wrong!!!!!  And they're not very restricting (aka "Christmas card kit") - so I have big plans for my kit...and the temptation to buy more of them is strong as well......

How to Rent a Spot at Sep�naukio

So if you live in Jyv�skyl� during the summer months - there's an outdoor market on the weekends at a popular skate-board/hang out spot with a couple water fountains, called "Sep�naukio" or "Smith's Square".
It's about 5 minutes from downtown, near an �O school and lots of space to spread a blanket or bed sheet - and sell your stuff.

It's 3� from about 8am-12pm and it's a great location because there's lots of traffic there.
People only deal with cash - so if you're going to sell - make sure you have lots of change!!
You'll see a few people wearing bright neon yellow vests walking around to all the vendors...they are the people in which you pay your rental fee to.  They'll provide a receipt as well!  The last two times I've been there, they were Scouts and that's where the rental fees went to - so it's a great cause and you can sell your stuff!

Bargaining/bartering is not very common with Finns - but slowly is becoming popular.

Today I set up "shop" with my Bubba's Bites, but because there were so many vendors today (compared to a week ago) - not as many people brought their dogs and there wasn't as great of an interest.
After a couple of hours - I walked around on the hunt for little things we could use at home, and I ended up getting a little toy for my son and a nice Finland-made fleece sweater for him.

Some things I found are:

• Lots of clothes for all ages


• Cloth diapers (my first time I found some but not this time around!)


• Foot wear


• Dishes


• Decorations


• Linens, towels, blankets etc.

And that's only a fraction of what I've found!

Oh and no, it doesn't cost anything to go "in" to the flea market, as it often does in North America!