People – Blue Moment

Day 171: Friends Like Family

August 7, 2026August 7, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Family, Friends, Outdoors, PeopleTagged 365 Project, Alanna, family, Summer CottageLeave a comment

Some friends become family, even if you only see them occassionally.

It was less than a year ago that Alanna was genuinely surprised to learn that ‘Auntie Maria’ is not actually her aunt (in the real meaning of the word). She knew Maria was not my sister, but “she feels like family”. Fortunately, as Maria is Alanna’s godmother, we were able to establish a link close enough to enable her worldview to remain unchanged.

‘Auntie Maria’ lives in the UK, so it’s a rare treat to have her over, even if only for a brief visit. A walk, a drink, a loooong sauna and a few good conversations later, we have recharged the friendship enough to last until next visit – whether that is in a a few months or a few years.

Best friendships don’t require more than that.

Day 127: Once You Get Soaked

June 23, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Family, Festivals, Finland, night, Outdoors, People, WaterTagged 365 Project, Activities, family, Finland, Holidays, SummerLeave a comment

I went to my first proper music festival in years – and it was pouring down for most of the day.

But once you get soaked, you do not really get wetter.

The gigs were fantastic, it stayed warm and the company – most importantly my sister, brother-in-law and parents – never let the rain get in the way of a good time.

Great day!

I did feel a little sorry for some of the bands on stage two, which was not exactly waterproof. Unbelievably, most of the equipment kept functioning even through the worst downpour.

Day 98: A Year’s Worth of Circus

May 17, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Espoo, Family, Kiara, People, TraditionsTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Children, Espoo, Kiara, Learning, SpringLeave a comment

Every spring, the circus school Alanna and Kiara go to puts together a final performance. The performers vary in age from 3 to 20+, and in skill from total beginners to the performing group, but the energy and enthusiasm are always there.

Unfortunately, the lighting looked great live but was less kind to photography. Any presentable picture required at least a fraction of a second of stillness, and there wasn’t much of that.

Day 57: Easter Blessings

April 3, 2026April 6, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Alanna, Festivals, Kiara, People, TraditionsTagged 365 Project, Alanna, Espoo, Holidays, KiaraLeave a comment

I adore the Finnish tradition of Easter blessings (virpominen). It is such a joyful thing to do. I firmy believe one should make an effort, which is why we take care with both decorating the willow branches, and dressing up as traditional witches. These witches then go from house to house, blessing the home and handing over a decorated branch in exchange for chocolate eggs or other candy.

In addition to the nearest neighbors, in Finland you can still ring any doorbell and ask for permission to bless the house. A lot of the people in “our route” we only see this for one time a year. But naturally, after doing this a few years, we favor the houses where people have been especially excited to see us.

We clearly left a bit late this year, as almost every house commented they were already worried we would not come at all.

Day 34: Homework

March 9, 2026March 9, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Alanna, Espoo, PeopleTagged 365 Project, Alanna, Espoo, LearningLeave a comment

With 2/3 of first grade behind us, the elation of the first days has settled into a steady routine. Luckily, both girls quite enjoy school and are doing well in their studies – although homework is still quite an unpleasant chore.

I have been most impressed with how differently first-grade maths is taught compared to my own school days. The girls have studied how to visualize data in charts, estimate prices, solve verbal equations, measure distance, build 3D models… all this before ‘formally’ even learning how to write the number 10. It is all about challenging problem-solving skills, not learning by heart.

I’d quite like to go back to first grade myself.

Day 22: Two Sides of South Africa

February 28, 2026February 28, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Africa, People, TravellingTagged 365 Project, History, Scenery, South Africa, TravelLeave a comment

It is tricky to explain to the girls how privileged they are. For a 7-year olds, their own problems are always the biggest in the world. And, to be fair, that is often true for us adults too.

However, after visiting one of Cape Town’s big townships – Langa – today, the differences were starkly visible even to Alanna and Kiara. As the girls said “There were a lot of kids, but not many toys”.

The explanation of the history and the social commentary of the guide (a Langa resident himself) were a bit too complicated for the girls, but they now recognize the words for Apartheid and Nelson Mandela.

The lunch at the Waterfront – a luxury area indeed – drove home the the comparison.

Day 7: Pikkunen

February 6, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Home, Kiara, PeopleTagged 365 Project, family, Home, Kiara2 Comments

Pikkunen is my teddy. I got it from my grandma when I turned 14. But as it’s the most huggable teddy in the world, the girls have claimed it as their own – even though they certainly don’t lack soft toys themselves

Day 168 – By a fountain

September 5, 2017October 15, 2017Posted in 365 Project, Johannesburg, Outdoors, PeopleLeave a comment

Drinking fountains are a great place for people-watching. I am always surprised how many people loiter around even after they have their bottles filled. Especially when there is a long queue behind them.

Day 152 – Toddlers

August 20, 2017September 6, 2017Posted in 365 Project, Friends, Johannesburg, PeopleLeave a comment

We had lunch today with some friends who have been blessed by 1-year old twins. Although incredibly cute, their energy is a little overwhelming. However, they are such a pleasure to be around with – there is something magical about that stage of toddler’s life when just walking around is a major adventure.

Day 144 – Baos, friends and a beer or two

August 12, 2017August 20, 2017Posted in 365 Project, Friends, PeopleLeave a comment

Johannesburg nightlife has apparently improved a lot in the last few years. There is a whole host of neighbourhoods and little pockets of buzz, that have never been part of the city scene before. Not that I would know. We are in a bit of a hibernation phase – happy to snuggle up at home or meet friends at their houses. And when we do go out, we tend to frequent the places we know.

Again today, I decided to make a more of an effort in the future. Old friends can take you to new places. Thank you Sid!