New Job Update

So the new job is going fine. I accept that I will not please all the students and so far everyone has been nice. And I think I've taught them a few things already.

I am getting a raise at my initial office rat job. Get this, it's a 50 cents an hour raise. I've been there 11 months. I'd jump for joy, but I just can't. Maybe one day I'll earn a salary.

New Job Title: Office Assistant AND English Instructor

Well, I just got offered a part-time position as an English Instructor at Kaplan, the testing center. I will teach a TOEFL class and a general English language conversation class. This is very exciting and all, but I am wondering how I will be able to depend on people so much more now with child care. THE BOTTOMLESS GUILT PIT OF MOTHERHOOD!

My first project: a little purse

More Finland Pictures

Mummo and Rauno in Tampere

Russian onion church

Strawberries at the market




Suomalaisilla.

Two Weeks in Finland

I have already blocked the 24-hour trip coming back out of my mind. We had a good time and I already miss it. How do I convince Eelhard to move there?

Rauno was amazed that so many people actually spoke Finnish and that it is not just a little secret language that only mom and Mummo speak.

Well, the kids got to experience a sauna for the first time. Ruusa didn't really like it, and Rauno had reservations at first. He wasn't that excited until he got to pour water on me. And at first he showed some frustration about not knowing what a sauna is in Spanish.

We got to go to the Halmari island. Rauno used an outhouse for the first time. Ruusa slept in the main cabin and Rauno played in Henri's sandbox.

We made a visit to Muumilaakso, a museum devoted to Tove Jansson's Muumi stories.

The kids warmed up to Ukko after about half a week. And Ruusa began calling him "Kukko" -- "rooster." They got to meet Maija and Isoisoisa and more extended family, and they got to play with Mummo everyday. Iita-Tati was a big hit too for the first week, as well as Emmi. (Tino, tall with long hair and a beard, was a bit scary though.)

I was really impressed with the family-friendliness of Finland. Every bank, restaurant, even the airport, has a kiddie area. (You don't really notice these things until you have wiggly toddlers to deal with.) And I don't mean there is some toy machine you put money into at these places. There are wholesome little play areas. Every public toilet seems to be equipped with a baby potty. Even the flea market toilet had its own little potty. And buses and trains have a place for strollers. Every apartment building has an outdoor play area, usually with a swing set, sandbox and slide. You do not have to drive 8 minutes to find a park. Here at home, I have never seen a bank with a kid's play area, and I know only a handful of restaurants (other than fast food joints and Chuck E Cheese) that provide more than crayons and activity sheets to entertain kids. I have never seen a baby potty in a public restroom in America. And I don't get paid here to stay at home to care for my toddlers, and I didn't get paid to study.

Enough bragging about the family friendliness... i was not impressed with the new massive construction -- Ideapark -- with its 200 stores and restaurants. It really wasn't far from an American mall. Little shops really suffer as a result of these shopping meccas. However, the "mall" too, had an impressive outdoor play area.

After this wonderful trip... We're back in Gainesville... I'm back to work. The kids wake up at 4 AM ready for the day and fall asleep for the entire afternoon. Eelhard is happy to have us back. And I have FINALLY gone by bike to work for the first time. Sure feels good to get a little exercise, save money on gas, not give my money to the greedy oil companies all over the world, and most importantly, not contribute as much to polluting. (Luckily, I don't care if I sweat.) I'll get off the soapbox now. And tomorrow I'll bike to work again.