Spring in Finland, Oulu, is very different than spring in China, Hangzhou. We still have lots of snow and sometimes it is fairly cold. But it is good to have pakkanen ( minus degrees) during nights, it means that the spring will not be very wet when the snow starts to melt.

Skiing near our home. This is my daughter, 16 years old.

I ran 10 km this morning. I will still go to the gym with my husband today and in the evening I will play floor ball (salibandy) with my team. This body is made for moving....

My running road. Just beautiful.

Life is good in Finland now. My husband came back from China last month and we are together again. Well´, we have been together all the time, but for 6 months he lived in China because of work. He visited Finland every month and we went to see him in October. But it isvery different when he is here all the time. We are so good together.

Enjoy the spring, we most certainly will!

                                                     -Jaana-

It is time to start the holiday season. We have snow and everything looks so beautiful here in northern Finland. This is the time to enjoy good food and the company of  ones. Candlelight, xmas music, good book and box of chocolate; that is all you really need. Let ´s make this a peaceful and wonderful Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

                                              -Jaana-

Today we honour Independent Finland and those who made it possible for us to live in a free country.

Happy Independence Day Finland!

At 6 p.m. we will light these candles for Finland.

Have a good day and beautiful Christmas time, wherever you are my friend.

                                                                         -Jaana-

This summer has been fantastic! We have had a good holiday, enjoyed Finnish nature in all it´s beauty.

I have been running all summer. My plan is to run marathon next year. Half marathon would be ok for now, so I should have enough time.

We´ve been fishing, the lakes and rivers in Finland are so clean and pure.

The forests in Finland are full of berries. The cloudberry and blueberryseason is over already and now we are waiting for the lingonberries.

Lingonberries are my favourites!

Sauna means everything for the Finns. If you haven´t experienced the smoked sauna, you have not experienced the real sauna!

It is autumn now in Finland. The leaves in the trees are changing the colours and in October we should be expecting the first snow to fall. I have not seen that in 6 years, can´t wait!

This is the time to listen to the rain to fall and enjoy the warmth of the stone oven.

Still, sometimes I feel like someone is pushing my chest, when I think about China.

My trainer and my training friend. I learned so much Chinese when I was working out in this gym! And my trainer Jason was so good that I even won the Fitness Challenge that was held in this gym. And to think that 18 months ago, I was 20 kg heavier. I honestly think that my life is so much better after losing those kilos.

My hiking friends. I used to take my teacher colleagues to the hills during the weekends. I usually hiked 4-5 times a week and Hangzhou mountains were my favourite place in China.

We have a saying that the forest answers the way you shout and I think that it is absolutely true. I always met people who smiled and when they noticed that I could speak Chinese, they smiled even more.

Yes, I do miss China, but it also feels good to be home.

Enjoy your day, where ever you are!

                                       -Jaana-

There is no night in Finland around Midsummer. Yes, we are back in Finland. After several years in China, our whole family is here and it feels very good!

At 00.20 a.m. 25.6.2011

Vaala, 100 km from my hometown Oulu. Very peaceful.

Kiiminki-river, where I go swimming every evening. Yes, it is me in the middle of the river.

At the moment I don´t miss China, just the people there. But I know that the fact that we are not living there anymore hits me at some point. After all, China will always be in my heart.

Now it is time to start planning our lives here in Finland. Children are going to high school, husband starts working here and I have to decide what I want to do when I grow up. No hurry yet though, now we will enjoy the Finnish summer!

Take care, where ever you are.

                                    -Jaana-

Has been a long time, sorry. This spring has been very hectic. I went to Finland for one week and it felt good to be home. Sauna and swimming in the river; I felt so alive!  Here in Hangzhou I have been exercising a lot. I hike 3-4 times a week, 2-5 hours per hike, go to the gym 3 times a week and run occasionally.  Just one word: AMAZING!

I discovered a new hike a week ago. Xiao He Shan-mountain. Breathtaking views!

No, we don´t actually do this, but there are places where you literally need to climb, using your whole body and your hands as well. I think I am quite fit and I burned 1812 calories on one 4 hour hike here!

There are lots of steps, but some parts of the hike are without them. You have to hold on to branches when you go down and crawl through the bushes.

Don´t look at the sweaty red faced woman in front but the view! Awesome, isn´t it?

We saw some bigger ones as well... Yes, we saw actual snakes, luckily they were more scared of us than we were of them. I hope...

I have done this hike now three times and it still feels amazing. Hard, but rewarding. Going again this Saturday and Sunday.

It is warm here in Hangzhou, during these hikes it was +35C! Yesterday it rained, so the air  is clearer and cooler. But it will be warm again soon.

Greetings from beautiful and sunny Hangzhou!

                               -Jaana-

Spring is here!

Hangzhou is such a beautiful city and this time of the year is especially beautiful!

Magnolias are amazing!

I went for a walk in Xi Hu, West Lake one morning this week. I am so happy to be able to live here.

People are so talented and beautiful.

Teacher and her student.

But there are people doing other things as well, not just Tai Chi.

Wonderful art.

Lasts just a moment, but stays in my mind forever.

West Lake is huge and shows different sides every time you visit there.

And lastly something that always makes me smile. You just cannot be but happy when you see him:

Laughing buddha near the Lingyin-temple.

Spring is my favourite time in Hangzhou. Not hard to understand why..

                -Jaana-

Good morning from Hangzhou. It does look a bit grey this morning, but yesterday we had an amazing weather and I know that spring is here. Soon magnolias and osmanthuses are blossoming and the wonderful smell of those will fill the air.

Yesterday I hiked on the mountains with my friends. The tea bushes are very powerful and you feel so little when you are in the middle of them.

I love chinese food and my ayi can cook the most delicious stuff but these.. I am not so sure..

My ayi told me that you put these shrimp flakes in boiling oil and they are a very delicious dish. I suppose somewhat similar to Indian papadums.

I am not sure I want to know where they use the pigs head either.. Not my cup of tea.

But Chinese food is very delicious! Hangzhou is very famous of it´s food and my favourite is the eggplant with lots of chili, yum! Wai Po Jia is one of the many good restaurants here. Hmm, now I get hungry..

Eventhough the weather looks grey, I will still go for a run along the river. See ya!

                                             -Jaana-

Chinese New Year is always something very special. Lots of fireworks and people being busy like during our Christmas time. We didn´t stay here for the new year, but went to Cambodia and Hong Kong instead.

Chinese New Year is colourful and noisy. Very noisy.

And in Hong Kong there are a little bit more people than in the streets of Oulu...

But here in Hangzhou there are quiet places when you know where to look. This picture just shows once again that even though your load feels heavy to carry, there are always people with heavier load. These workmen are carrying the bamboo tree trunks all the way up. The same steps that we hike without carrying anything. One should sometimes stop and think;  we are actually so fortuned. In so many different ways.

Have a good day everyone!

                                      -Jaana-

Somewhat different, but ever so cute!

Cat, of course.

This one is adorable!

And this one placed in a flower pot.

Enjoy your day, I know I will!

                                            -Jaana-

No school today in Hangzhou Intl School. Guess how excited the kids are to have an extra day off from school???

Well, we will take it easy. I will bake something nice today and maybe we could have a pizza day today. My kids are a bit strange when it  comes to food, they appreciate the home cooked meals rather than a visit to pizzeria or any other fast food place. Not  perhaps strange, but different compared to most of the teenagers. Well, they do like the Ajisen Ramen noodles, but who wouldn´t? But we hardly ever make pizza at home, normal Finnish food it is. Maybe slight modifications, we have lived so many years abroad that we are not a typical Finnish family when it comes to food.

So lazy day it is. Luckily our home is warm and cosy, my heart goes to those who don´t have the heating in their house.There are lots of those families here in China. I hope they have someone to snuggle next to.

 I hope you enjoy this Thursday, despite the weather, life is good! And for me, as a Finnish person, snow is always an extra bonus...;)

                    -Jaana-

This morning it was fairly cold, -4C, but still we went hiking. And it gets warmer when you hike.

It is so peaceful and relaxing there. And you can really feel that spring is coming.

Enjoy your weekend, where ever you are!

                                  -Jaana-

It is so good to be here. Husband flew here a little bit earlier, and we followed him couple of days later. Wonderful to be together!

We started hiking in the mountains immediately. It is a bit cold in Hangzhou, but the sun is shining and is already giving promises of the spring.

I have always said that the mountains are my best and cheapest therapist. It is so calm and beautiful there. You cannot but relax and leave all your unhappy or sad thoughts there for the wind to take them away.

And you have to remember that there is always someone with a heavier load to carry.

I am happy here. China is also my home. I mean Finland is my country but this feels home too.

I wish you a Very Good New Year, take care of yourself!

                                  -Jaana-

Merry Christmas Everyone!

                     -Jaanuska-

The biggest day during xmas time in Finland is Cristmas Eve, but my favourite is 23.12. Preparing everything and enjoying the quiteness and the little things in life.

My week in Finland has been wonderful! Sauna in the mornings, relatives and friends visiting; lots of laughter and wonderful memories. Just what xmas is all about.

One of the most beautiful traditions in Finland. Me and mum visiting my dad. Tomorrow this place will be filled with thousands of candles. Just beautiful. I do know that the "flowers" to loved ones´graves should be brought when they are still with us, but this is important to us too.  And I know that this means a lot to my mum. Usually we do this together with my family, but at the moment it is very cold in Oulu, we will go together later. This morning it was -31C, brrr...

My husband is arriving today.   No words needed.

I am going to take the rugs out now (cleaning the house...), ham is about to go to oven, mustard powder is waiting for me and I just might go to sauna in the morning too...;)

I wish you all a Very Peaceful and Beautiful Christmas, keep yourselves warm!

Love,

Jaana.

P.S. 

I went to sauna and when sitting in the sauna, remembered that the car hasn´t been plugged in (remember that it is quite cold...), so ran outside with just towel and boots and I feel so energetic now! Yay! I just LOVE Finland.

Snowflakes started drifting down very softly this morning and even though we are going home for christmas and will see the real snow there, this is still magical!

By West Lake, Xi Hu.

Not much yet, but still a lot for us. Or should I say for the locals. It doesn´t normally snow in Hangzhou. At least not in December. Sometimes we get a little bit of snow in February, but not even this much.

A friendly Chinese man took a picture of me when I asked. Chinese are ever so friendly and I am so very fortuned to be able to live here. (My appearance is somewhat dreadful, but I had been shopping for xmas for hours, so..)

I would like to wish a Very Happy Christmas to Everyone. This is the best time of the year!

                                         -Jaanuska-

P.S. I use English and Chinese sometimes more than Finnish, so why not write in English once in a while...;)

Me täällä ulkomailla asuvat olemme erittäin ylpeitä että saamme olla suomalaisia. Suomi on meille niin kovin tärkeä.

Joka vuosi käymme ottamassa kuvan samasta paikasta. Tuohon ravintolaan on meiltä aika pitkä matka, lapsemme eivät kuitenkaan koskaan vastustele tuonne menoa ja kuvan ottoa. Heillekin Suomi ja Itsenäisyys on tärkeä. (Viime joulukuun kuvista näet kaikki kuvamme.)

Minä ja mieheni Itsenäisyyspäivän vastaanotolla tänä vuonna.

Onnea Suomi, merkitset meille niin paljon.

                                                            -Jaanuska-

On mennyt syksy hujahtamalla. Nyt on jo liput Suomeen jouluksi ostettu ja päästään rakkaiden ihmisten luokse joulunviettoon.

Täällä on minun kotonani olevista jouluvaloista huolimatta kovin kesäinen fiilis. Välillä aurinko paahtaa lämpimästikin, vaikka iltaisin kävelylle saadaan etsiä kaulahuiveja ja hanskoja.

Vuoret ovat psykiatrini ja terapeuttini, samalla kuin ovat myös personal trainerini. Tammikuussa aloitin hieman miettimään mitä pistän suuhuni ja toukokuussa oikein tosissaan. Nyt olen 14 kiloa kevyempi ja olo mitä mainioin.

Minä maailman huipulla. Liikun todella paljon, viikkokalorinkulutukseni liikunnan avulla vaihtelee 3000-5000 kaloriin. Liikunnalla pelkästään ei paino tipu, muttei pelkästään ruokavaliokaan saa kroppaa kuntoon. Kulkevat käsi kädessä.

Tuolla sielu lepää ja on niin sanomattoman kaunista. Päivät menevät vuorilla konkoillessa, kiinaa opiskellessa ja perheestä huolehtimisessa. Viihdyn hyvin Kiinassa. Toinen kotini.

Mikäpäs täällä on ollessa, tällaisissa maisemissa. Liu He Ta, Hangzhoun vanhin pagoda.

Kirjoitan myös henkilökohtaisempaa blogia. Sain kerran erään häirikön kimppuuni (verbaalisesti) kun kirjoitin henkilökohtaisia asioita ja siksipä olen salasanan takana, vaikkei siellä nyt mitään ihmeellistä olekaan. Meidän perheen juttuja. Sivupalkissa on sähköpostiosoite johon voi lähettää postia, jos kiinnostaa lukea meidän perheen turinoita.

Nyt on alettava ruoanlaittoon, tervehdys sinulle täältä Hangzhousta, missä ikinä sitten tätä luetkin.

                                                    -Jaanuska-

Sateista aika tämä syyskuu täällä Hangzhoussa. Ei voi sanoa että Kiinassa, kun toisella puolella Kiinaa voi olla upeat lumikelit ja toisella puolella palmurantojen helteiset kelit. Vrt. Harbin ja Hainan.

Täällä on satanut ja välillä taas...

...paistanut. Auringonpaisteella lämpötila nousee helposti tuonne liki neljäänkymmeneen. Sateen jälkeen hieman viileämpää.

Vuorille ei sateella houkuttele mennä, sillä portaat ovat hyvin liukkaat. Jotkut eivät lähde auringonpaisteellakaan, kun on liian kuuma. Minä puolestani nautin kun konkoilen vuorilla ja hikoilen, kuumuus ei haittaa ollenkaan. Kunto kun noussut kohisten, niin tuntuu vain hyvältä!

Mutta nyt jatkamaan aamuhommia, moikka!

                                                  -Jaanuska-

Hyvältä tuntuu. Kuin kotiin olisi tullut, vaikka niinhän minä tavallaan tulinkin. Melkein neljä vuotta asuimme täällä ja kävimme Suomessa vain kääntymässä.

Voi kuinka kaipasinkaan tätä Kiinaelämää. Nyt tietenkin katselen maailmaa ruusunpunaisten lasien läpi, mutta kyllä niitä Bad China Day:täkin tulee...;) Minulla on niitä onneksi aika harvoin.

Jalkahieronnan tarjoilua. Niin, heti seuraavana päivänä käytiin vuorilla ja jalkahieronnassa. Kiinajuttuja parhaimmillaan.

Tässä vuorilla käppäilemässä. Edellä kulkee mieheni ja poikani, jonka 17-vuotispäivää tuona päivänä vietimme.

Mutta jatketaanpa juttua toisella kertaa, nyt on mentävä taas!

                                             -Jaanuska.