Catching (almost) the blue moment among all the blue houses.
Very appropriate for this blog.
Day 223: Blue Moment
Category: Espoo
Day 222: Murals
Alanna’s comic school is in a neighborhood called Karakallio. It’s a bit of a drive, so it makes sense for me to wait there for Alanna to be done. I typically spend at least part of the time walking around the neighborhood.
The most interesting part of the area is the large-scale murals decorating houses here and there.
It’s like a treasure hunt. Suburban version.
Day 212: Soukka Day
Finns are not very good at building neighborhood communities. In general, Finns are not very good at casual socializing. Having lived in our current house for five years, only now – through Scouts – have I realized there is actually any community activity at all.
So today was a Soukka Neighborhood Day. The girls participated in a Scouts skill trail, which rewarded participants with a free crepe and jam.
Grassroots participation.
Day 201: Progress
About six months after we moved to our house, a new metro station opened 700m away. Since then – over 4 years – nothing has happened in that area as the city plans have been challenged in different courts.
But we all knew that there was no scenario where a metro station this close to Helsinki would remain surrounded by forest and a few old houses. So they have now started felling the trees and tearing down the old single-family houses.
We all knew, except my girls. They are horrified that someone would destroy nature just to build houses. Why can’t they build houses where there are no trees, bunnies or squirrels?
How right they are.
Day 197: The Bugs of Finland
I have always thought there are really no “cool” bugs in Finland. After a walk with Alanna in the sunny forest, I have to admit: there are. I am just really bad at spotting them.
Day 192: Taking the Bus
Alanna and Kiara started extra lessons in English as a native language this year. The classes are held in another school, so we have been practicing taking the bus.
The have almost mastered it. Now they just need to remember to keep on eye on where they are going.
Day 191: Bicycles and Baquette
Cycling slightly longer distances is easier when you have a fun destination. Even if it is just a picnic in a park.
I nearly craned my neck keeping an eye on the rainclouds. The forecast promised rain only later, but the 6km back home would feel long in the rain.
We made it with at least 4 minutes to spare.
Day 189: Spiders
My SLR has become temperamental, working only when it wants to. Therefore I don’t often carry it with me on random walks.
I regretted it bitterly as I stumbled upon a collection of perfect spider webs and the hunter on the prowl.
Then again, if I had been carrying my camera, it’ unlikely I would’ve have seen it. That’s how it seems to go.
Day 188: Back to School
First day in the second grade.
New backpacks, pencil cases, and sweaters.
I wonder how many years we are still allowed to walk the girls to school on their first day.
Day 156: Scateboards
Last summer Alanna and Kiara got excited about skateboards. Stuart and I, on the other hand, have absolutely no understanding of the fine art of skateboarding. We didn’t even know where to start.
The City of Espoo has been running a great initiative called Skateboard Containers, where more experienced skateboarders offer advice to younger or less experienced kids. The girls were bit young, but we took them to one of the containers in Matinkylä.
Rarely have I been as impressed by a city initiative. Two 14-year-old boys took the girls under their wing and patiently taught them for nearly two hours – held their hands coming down, gave advice and encouragement. The spark those boys lit in my girls lasted the whole summer.
This year we’ve had very little time to go practice and many of those skills have gotten rusty. But the excitement is still there.
Now I just need to find them a skateboarding course. As great as the container is, it can only take us so far.
