I think this is it

Sooo... I've been wondering, for a long time now, about the future of this blog. I've been posting (irregularly lately) about things that I want to keep you updated on, and given you the idea that this is still going strong, but the truth is... that I think this blog has gone as far as it ever will. 

It's been a good run, and I've had a lot of fun with this. But I do admit, that the lack of interaction and attention caused the fun to fade. I shouldn't care that much, because I was writing this for me, but when you think you're actually going somewhere doing something you love, and then you don't, it's a bit of a mood killer. I appreciate the heck out of everyone who ever read my blog and left comments, who ever gave me such great words of encouragement to keep going with my dream of becoming a writer. I won't stop writing, but maybe blogging isn't the right alley for me. I have been considering starting a Finnish blog just for the fun of it, but I don't know if I will. 

I won't delete this blog. Not yet, anyway, not in a while. Maybe never :) Sometimes it'll be fun to read what I've been writing about. And who knows, maybe some day something really great happens and I just have to write about it in here. Of course I don't expect any of you to check in, but still. Oh, and I will continue on to read the blogs I've been reading so far. 

Thank you :) I'm off to do something else now. 

<3

iira

Plots

This year is almost ending, and I have a lot of plans for next year. They include traveling, working (but where, is the question here), possibly moving, and most importantly: writing. I am so close to being done with just planning my book. I've already started the writing process, but I know it's going to be a long and rocky road to the finish line. 

I am giving myself a year. I'm hoping to finish writing it within that time, but I don't want to push it. If needing more time means a better outcome, then I will take more time. But I do hope, that during 2014 I can offer my script to a publisher, or publish the book on my own. When it comes to writing, 2013 is going to be exciting, nerve-wrecking, inspiring, frustrating and thrilling. This project will also give me something to write about in here: I will keep you posted on how I am doing. I am not telling what my book is about, nor will I give anything else away. But I will get back to you. 

I saw a card recently, that would be perfect to give to me. Sometimes it's fun to find things like that :) 

It said:

"I can't wait for you to write a book, so I can finally know what you have been thinking about for the last few years."

Some of you will know :) 

Blogikirppis?

Mulla on kotona paljon turhaa kamaa, josta pitäisi päästä eroon. Turhaa siis minulle, ei välttis muille ;) Jos ette vielä arvannut, mitä haen takaa, niin mietin, että jos löytyy porukalta kiinnostusta, voisin pistää blogikirppiksen pystyyn! Näin säästyis sekin vaiva et roudais kamat normikirppikselle, eikä tarttis hei maksaa sitä typerää pöytämaksuakaan. 

Niille, jotka ei tiedä, niin blogikirppis meinaa sitä, että pistän kuvat myytävinä olevista tavaroista tänne (tai siis erilliseen blogiin, mutta käytännössä tänne), merkkaan hinnat ym. tiedot, ja voitte sitten kommentoida tarjouksenne jos kiinnostaa. 

Joten, jos tarpeeks ilmenee kiinnostusta, niin tällaista ois luvassa :)

Easybreezybeautiful or something

I've been in Finland for a week now, and it's gone by even faster than my time in the States. I am currently enjoying a mini vacation before going back to work next Tuesday, and after returning to this land of snow and coldness, I've spent my time seeing friends and trying to get my life together. I've only succeeded in the first. 

I am still jet lagged... I don't know why, but 6pm-8pm is a time period that's tough for me every day. I get so tired it's actually a miracle I manage to stay up and wait a bit longer before going to bed. All in all, getting adjusted to the time difference has been easier than I thought it would be. Happy for that :)

And now, to my topic at hand: make-up. My solution to... well, everything. I used to be the kind who couldn't even go to the grocery store without make-up on, but lately I'm thankful I've learned to loosen up a bit. But only a bit. I still apply foundation and powder and do my eyebrows before I leave my apartment. And guess what, I'm not even doing that just for me. I'm doing it for you, too. Trust me, I'm doing you a huge favor by making myself look at least a little like a human being. 

I've been using this for years. It's expensive in Finland; about 13 euros, but I think it's worth the money. For me, this jar lasts for a year. I'm not joking. A whole year. Just bought a new one yesterday!

At first I thought I'd do a post about what's in my make-up bag, but I didn't want to start taking pictures about all the items, cos there's a lot... so I have two pics. The one above, and this:

Covergirl Mascara isn't sold in Finland, unfortunately :( I have this one, and one more in stock. Got them from the US, and I'm so bummed we don't have Covergirl.. This mascara is great! 

If I'm feeling lazy, I'll just wear mascara (in addition to the must-have foundation, powder and eyebrows), but my everyday-make-up consists of those already listed + liquid eye liner, eye-shadow (usually light brown), and blush. If I feel like more, I'll add lip gloss or lipstick. And I'm done! I hate the process of putting on make-up, because it just takes an extra half hour away from my sleep. I love to sleep... :P But, what wouldn't a woman do to look presentable.. 

Ok, this is probably the worst make-up post in the history of make-up posts, but oh well, I'm tired and Mountain Dew just doesn't do it for me anymore... Or any drink with caffeine. What is up with me?! 

Also, I don't really have any ideas for posts right now, so if there's something you want me to write about, let me know. Otherwise, sorry for not writing much :( I really need to sort out my thoughts... Sooo much going on! 

Have a nice weekend everyone :)

Portland>Finland

I am back in Finland, and hopefully back to regular blogging from now on as well. I am sorry for the lack of writing recently. Let's just say, that I'm not your regular woman who can handle multitasking just like that. 

I arrived to Finland on Thursday... Well, Thursday or Friday. I landed around Midnight and I can't remember whether it was before or after. Anyways, I was 6-7 hours late, yay for that, and as I was landing, I did not feel any kind of fondness toward my homeland. The roads were white... And the snow blizzard hit the southern coast conveniently at the time of my arrival. What a welcome party for me, a person who hates winter -.-

Rocky Mountains!

The blizzard wasn't the reason I was late, though. Due to my flight schedule change from a non-stop flight from PDX to Amsterdam to PDX-Minneapolis-Amsterdam, I already had a longer return time, BUT, as it turned out, I was about to be traveling a bit longer still... To make a long story short, I got stuck in Minneapolis for 3 extra hours, because there was something wrong with our plane. They had another plane for us, and during the preparation of that one, Delta Airlines gave 50-dollar vouchers to all the passengers on that flight. I spent mine on a duty-free store, and headed for the purses (d'oh). All the handbags were a little out of my price range, but I did get myself something nice ;)

Guess -wallet, $45,00 from some duty-free store at Minneapolis/St.Paul Airport. Note the strap that comes off -this one will also work as a purse at parties :)) I love it!! Thanks, Delta! It pays off to be delayed ;)

So we finally took off from Minneapolis, and headed to Amsterdam. The flight time was an hour shorter than announced before, so I still had a slight chance of making it to my connection flight from Amsterdam to Helsinki. I landed at 1.05pm and the connection was at 1.55pm. I didn't make it :( I was at the gate at 1.30pm, but they wouldn't let me board, because my luggage was sure not to make it to the flight, and I wasn't allowed to fly without it. So they rebooked me, and I had another 6 hours to wait at Schiphol Airport... Oh happy days. Jet lagged, and all. I got a 10-euro food voucher, a phone call voucher and a 50euro discount from my next flight, that's valid for two years.. So yeah, I wasn't too pissed ;)

Minneapolis!

So... now my trip's over :( I cannot even describe how amazing these last three months have been. I truly lucked out with my job, host family and I made a lot of incredible new friends. I had a blast. Non-stop. I'm so so so very happy that I went. Thank you, Portland <3

I'm here, but not quite here yet, if you know what I mean. My head's still a mess, and I get tired at weird hours. I'm trying to convert prices into euros, even though they're already euros, and when I want to call somebody, I try to figure out the time, even though we're in the same time zone now. Leaving Portland was hard, I cried more than once. Now I'm sort of in denial about it; I refuse to let myself think about it. I'm here, but I don't wanna acknowledge that fact. I start thinking about Portland, and I feel like I could catch a bus and a MAX downtown anytime, and remembering that I can't do that right now, is too much. I'm still more in Portland than I am here.

Slowly getting on my feet... I'll get back to you :)

-i