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Monday, December 5, 2022

Living without limits

 A few days I have been thinking about this.

What does it really mean to live without limits?

Many times we find a lot of reasons why we should not do something. Maybe you have a chance to do something, and start thinking is it really worth the effort. I usually start thinking, do I have time for it? It sounds reasonable, of course. 

The other way round: what are the reasons you should do it?

If you want to write a book, start exercising, playing an instrument, running a marathon, writing a blog post or whatever your thing is, there is always time if you want to find the time.

Amazing. The idea of making a time for something in your calendar is not impossible.

The wrong mindset can also stop us from doing things we want to do. There is always a chance of failure, and the fear of failure can become the thing that stops you from taking the steps forward.

There is something unique in you. 

Some special gifts you have been given and a purpose in your life, waiting to be fulfilled. 

Could it be your time?

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. – Mark Twain



Tuesday, November 15, 2022

More productive in writing


Do you have a writing project on you mind and don't know where to start?

I know the feeling. The whole project feels overwhelming. And it seems like it's never the right time for writing.

For a long time writing was very difficult for me. I had a lot of ideas, and was writing something regularly. The problem was that I had no clue how to keep it all together. Before going forward from that point I had to become better at routines and scheduling. To learn how to schedule time for writing, and to make those moments productive. It´s not easy to keep focused on one thing, but I think it's possible to learn.

There is always something else that needs you attention and interruptions come. The right time will never come, unless you schedule time for it!

Here are some helpful tips to get forward with writing.

Setting goals

Without goals and deadlines time will just pass by. Set a deadline for your project.

Break the project down. If you already have a lot of written material, the first step could be to go through all you material, and set up a deadline for that.

Remember that anything doesn't happen in just a few weeks. For example when I started going through my material for lyrics, I set up a deadline for it.

Write a little every day

This is the best way to get forward. Writing everyday for at least 15 minutes doesn't seem impossible. And then there is time to think about your ideas in between. When you start writing regularly, it will become easier.

What's a good time to write? I've been reading how many people write in the morning. That could be a really good time.

Maybe it has to do with the daily rhythm what time is the best. Even though I thought early mornings are best for me, afternoons can also be very good. It really depends on the day, some days are so full with things to do, that no time feels like the right time. Or the best time can be late in the evening.

Does it matter where you write? I've been writing a lot home, many times being distracted. A good place for writing could also be a café.

Good luck with your writing!


Monday, September 19, 2022

Brudslöjan Waterfall

Last summer on our road trip with the family we found a waterfall called Brudslöjan. It´s easy when you can find places where you can stop on Google maps.

We found the nature trail to Brudslöjan (the bridal veil) in Sweden, close to the Norwegian border.

What we didn´t realize, was that there was some walking downwards to get to the waterfall. If we had been driving a bit further, the walk would have been shorter.

Follow the trail with us!













Monday, August 15, 2022

Summer night in Finland

I am still working on the story and pictures of our road trip in June to Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. 

Meanwhile I thought about posting a few pictures, taken on a perfect summer night in Finland.

What does a perfect summer night in Laukaa, Finland look like? 







Monday, July 11, 2022

Verla Groundwood and Board Mill

After visiting Kouvola, we drove to see the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Verla Groundwood and Board Mill (30 km from Kouvola).

Verla is the only World Heritage Site that represents the wood processing industry and Finland's first factory museum. The mill was established 1882 and gradually closed 1964.

We didn't have time to visit the museum. Instead we took a walk around the area.

More about Verla:

Visit Kouvola






Friday, June 24, 2022

Road trip with family day ten

Today we travelled from Riga, Latvia to home in Finland.

Travel time: 5,5 hours by car and 2 hours by boat.

Whole road trip: We travelled 4400 km by car in 10 days, and visited 8 countries.

What we did today:
- stopped near Pärnu to take a walk with a view to the sea
- thought about changing tickets to an earlier boat, but realized that we wouldn't make it in time. We have seen so many places and have also been sitting a lot in the car, so we are ready to return home!
- came to Tallin and drove to Ulemiste shopping mall. It was mostly closed, because it's Midsummer here. Bought pizzas and ice cream from the supermarket and ate them outside the mall.
- Travelled from Tallin to Helsinki with Tallink Megastar.

Good Night from Finland!
We had a great road trip, here at home it is Midsummer.

Thursday, June 23, 2022

Road trip with family day nine

Today we travelled from Kaunas, Lithuania to Riga, Latvia.

Travel time: 4,5 hours by car

What we did today:
- went to see Kaunas Castle from the outside, walked in the surroundings
- played bingo
- it was a warm day, so we drove to Jurmala, which is a wonderful beach close to Riga.
- drove to Riga, and walked from the hotel to the old town of Riga to eat 
- played cards

Good Night from Latvia!

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Road trip with family day eight

Today we travelled from Poznan, Poland to Kaunas, Lithuania.

Travel hours: 10 hours by car

What we did today:
- played bingo
- looked what countries the other cars were from
- saw many storks, trucks and churches
- drove on some bumpy roads
- had a few breaks
- walked a bit in the centre of Kaunas and had some food
- played cards

This waa the last long driving day of this road trip. 

Good Night from Lithuania!


Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Road trip with family day seven


Today we stayed the whole day in Poznan, Poland. We walked in the city and took the tram a few times.

What we did today:
- walked to the Old Town, saw the buildings and the park there
- took a tram to the biggest shopping mall here
- walked a lot, went to two other shopping malls
- played cards
- enjoyed the warm and sunny evening

Good Night from Poland!

Monday, June 20, 2022

Road trip with family day six

Today we travelled from Wismar, Germany to Poznan, Poland.

Travel time: 6 hours by car

What we did today:
- drove through Wismar centre
- stopped in Berlin Design Outlet Village, which was really nice. We ate at Five Guys for the first time and the food was really good 
- played a bit of bingo, but now it seems like everyone is getting tired of it
- crossed the border to Poland
- walked to the mall from our hotel, ate there and looked around
- played cards

Good Night from Poland! 

Sunday, June 19, 2022

Road trip with family day five

Today we travelled from Tversted, Denmark to Wismar, Germany.

Travel time: 5,5 hours by car

Things we did today:
- ate breakfast in our room, cleaned the room
- went to see the beach one more time
- drove to the North Sea Oceanarium in Hirtshals, which was a great place
- watched the feeding of seals, walked around the whole area, kids held a sea star in their hands 
- played on game of bingo
- had an ice cream break in Denmark

Good Night from Germany!

Road trip with family day four

Today we travelled from Skien, Norway to Hirtshals, Danmark.

Travel hours: 1 hour by car, 4,5 hours by boat

Things we did today:
- walked in Skien town
- jumped on a trampoline in the harbour 
- ate ice cream
- went for a nature walk, and came to a beautiful beach
- saw jelly fish in the sea
- travelled on the boat Langesund-Hirtshals played cards there and felt the strong wind
- went to the beach in Denmark and kids enjoyed the big Wales

Today we have done a lot of things and the weather has been warm and sunny.

Good Night from Denmark.





Friday, June 17, 2022

Road trip with family day three

Today we drove from Trondheim to Skien.

Traveling time: nearly 10 hours

What we did today:
- woke up early
- had a great breakfast
- played bingo again
- checken the altitude a few times
- travelled from north to south, past Lillehammer and Oslo
- saw people fishing in the river
- spent the whole day travelling, had a few longer breaks

Good Night from Skien, Norway. It's been a long day travelling, sleep is needed.

Thursday, June 16, 2022

Road trip with family day two

Today we drove from Umeå, Sweden to Trondheim, Norway.

Travel time: 8,5 hours by car

What we did today:
- checked gas prizes in different countries
- had many breaks
- ate ice cream
- saw a fox, that ran over the road
- played bingo again
- found snow
- stopped to take pictures
- stopped in Östersund to look for a magazine for daughter (and found it)
- stopped to look at a water fall, followed a trail downwards the mountain and found it after 30 minutes, climbed the whole way back!!
- watched the amazing wievs on the road

PS. Here are no tourists.

Good Night from Trondheim, Norway. 
We are finally here!

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Road trip with family day one

We started early this morning from home towards Vaasa.

From Vaasa we took the boat, Wasaline to Umeå, Sweden. 

Things we did today:
- played bingo in the car, trying to find airplanes, horses, tractors etc.
- Saw a fox and a lot of wind craft
- walked around the ruins of Old Vaasa
- learned that the city of Vaasa burnt down in one day, because someone smoked the pipe and fall asleep
- played card games on the boat
- bought Swedish books and magazines

Travel hours: 5+ hours by car, 4 hours by boat

Good Night from Sweden.

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Road trip with family

Here we go again. Our 10 day long road trip will start tomorrow. The bags are mostly packed and my holiday has just started.

Two years ago we were planning to go on a road trip, but due to Covid it wasn´t possible.

Well, now we see how it will be. Would it be easier and more relaxing to take a plane and fly somewhere where everything is organized. Yes, for sure. Would it also be a bit boring? Maybe.

Now we have already booked the places where we stay for night and saved the route for the trip. I don't like packing at all, but this time it wasn´t that bad actually. 

I am doing my best to post something every day with my phone.

What are the most useful things for a road trip? Camera, suncream and sunglasses! We have other things too with us.


Monday, June 6, 2022

Pentala Island

Last week I was visiting Pentala Island for the first time. 

Pentala is the highest island in Southern Finland and it is located in Espoo Suvisaaristo.

The island has a museum, Archipelago Museum Pentala, consisting of fifteen different buildings. The oldest building is a fisherman's cottage, built in the early 1790s.  

You will also find a restaurant on the island, Paven, which used to be a pavilion for sailors. There is also a summer café, open during the museum opening hours.

There is a nature trail to Lake Pentalanjärvi (an inland lake) and the Diksand beach. The 2.3-kilometer nature trail starts from the Pentala Museum Area. Approximately half of Pentala is a nature conservation area, and the island has a rich variety of animal life.

Pentala Island is well worth a visit. We came there with an old ship, Svanhild af Borgå. You can visit Pentala with Espoo's archipelago boat or by your own boat.

Unfortunately the weather was rainy and windy while visiting the island. We were mostly inside, and didn't have the chance to take the nature trail to the lake and Diksand beach. 









Friday, May 27, 2022

Concert in Stockholm

Almost two weeks ago I went to Stockholm with my husband to see Midland's concert. We had bought tickets in 2020 and their tour had been rescheduled three times.

Amazingly we were in Stockholm, Nalen to watch a great show on a Sunday evening. And the next day we took a walk in Stockholm before heading to the airport.

Good times!















Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Running after a long break

For some reason I haven't been running for a few years. Now I went for a run yesterday and I'm very happy about that! 

Running has many benefits, just to mention a few:

  • It strengthens muscle and lungs
  • Helps with weight control
  • Strengthens the immune system
  • Reduces risk of heart disease
  • Improves blood pressure
  • Improves brain function
And the good thing is, you can continue it after a break.
Now the evenings are light, and it's Spring. 
And I'm only competing with myself.

Life is a marathon, not a sprint.



Monday, May 9, 2022

Bletchley Park

We usually visit at least one museum while traveling with kids. In March we found this interesting place in Buckinghamshire, England.

Bletchley Park witnessed the employment of the world's first large-scale electronic digital computer. And grew into a major provider of intelligence which contributed significantly to Allied successes.

Over nine thousand people worked at Bletchley Park and it's associated outstations. It was a place that have helped shape the world we live in today, and the epicentre of World War Two codebreaking.

The reason that Bletchley Park surroundings looked very familiar to me is the film Enigma. Visiting Bletchley Park felt like travelling back in time and imagining the codebreakers sitting in the park having a break from their work.

The kids liked the place too, there were many places to explore.






Tuesday, April 5, 2022

Spring in London

We visited London a few weeks ago. The feeling of travelling again after a long time! To be among people and in a big city was great.

London is a familiar place where we have been so many times. 

Here in Finland we it is snowing right now. The winter came back.








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