More Musings

Pretty fall flowers in Rauma

Hi, everyone! Still not in the apartment, but I have found plenty to do. Tom and I went shopping at IKEA in Turku for some furniture, and I plan to go back tomorrow for some more good stuff. By the way, here in Finland, they pronounce it "ick-ee-ah," while in the U.S., we prounounce it with a long "i" sound. At the Charlotte store, Kristen and I love the chicken fingers and fries; well, they don't have that in the Finland store's restaurant. Tom and I shared -- what else -- that Finnish favorite -- meatballs with lingonberry sauce and fries. Actually, it was very tasty.

I also have enjoyed other shopping forays to Turku. Last week, I visited the most wonderful store that sells clothes and accessories that are only made in Finland, something that I had been looking for. I bought myself a warm wool hat and some scarves for gifts. The things in the store were so beautiful, and the saleslady was so friendly and helpful. I had a hard time making up my mind; oh well, I'm sure I will go back! I also look forward to the big Christmas markets they have in Turku and Tampere to look for holiday gifts.

Kaisla, the Finnish store in Turku

I have met so many people from so many places, and I am very thankful for these experiences. In my Finnish language class, I have met and chatted with very nice people from South Korea, South Africa, Germany, Bulgaria and Poland. And last Thursday, we welcomed two lovely ladies from Arkansas (!) and Czech Republic. The girl from Arkansas is around Kristen's age, and she told me she spent last summer here, decided to stay and got a job teaching English to kindergartners. And she didn't need to be fluent in Finnish to do it! She said she also teaches a photography workshop. Hmmmm, I could teach English to little kids, too.

The woman from Czech Republic said she and her husband and daughter have lived here three years (!). Her husband works at OL3, same as Tom. And my South Korea friend said her husband works at the big shipyard here. It just amazes me that so many people from so many different countries end up in this little community in southwestern Finland.

My French friend, Julie, took me to a local fitness center today. It was so nice to get back to a gym to run on the treadmill, work out on the elliptical and lift some weights! I have really missed going to the Sportscenter at home (and I miss my Sportscenter buddies!).


Hope all is well with you all! I just hope that big volcano in Iceland doesn't erupt and wreak havoc with our travel plans to come home Thanksgiving week. Let's all hope the volcano decides to go back to sleep.