INSTAWEEK

Another week has come and go, and to me time is moving by so fast. Before we know it we will be in April, Spring will arrive and we will move to summer. Three months of 2016 will have come and go, do you realize that means 1/4 of 2016 has passed? Seriously, where is the pause button at?
Anyway, here is another little sneak peak into my life, currently traveling in and around Finland. If you want you can follow me on instagram.

7 things to love about winter

WHAT? Things to love about winter? Yes! If there was anyone in this world that would not like the winter it would have always been me. Until two months ago. Until I went to Finland, and discovered real winter. With snow, ice and frozen and snow covered pine trees. Walking in a winter wonderland had never been so real until this January.

5 PLACES I WANT TO VISIT

There are few people I know that do not enjoy traveling, experiencing new things and expand their horizon. But I do know some who rather stay at home or in their own area than going ever abroad. Which is absolutely fine right, we are all different and enjoy different things. But this does not apply to me, not even close. Nothing makes me happier and feeds my soul more than traveling, experiencing and seeing new places and meeting local people. It amazes me everyday the beauty and variety this earth has to offer. 

INSTAWEEK

The past week it has gotten a little busy regarding studying, traveling, exploring and adventuring in Finland. Trying to make the most of my time has become a real challenge. Do you ever feel overwhelmed with everything that is thrown at you. I feel adjusted to another country and setting, but feel like it is a little much at times. Anyways, as I have seen on some other blogs they show random pictures of their week, and I thought that I can share my pics of instagram of the previous week(s), it might give a little overview of what I have been up to so far!

There is a first for everything!

There is a first for everything they say. And that is so true. Ever since I have been in Finland I feel like I got to experience so many new things for the first time. Every new experience is a blessing and a memory to cherish for the rest of my life. I feel like, for the first time in my life, I am really living. I am really experiencing. And I am really feeling. I know this sounds a little vague, but I now realize how I was never really living, or feeling alive. And here I do. Deep down inside I am already sad for the day I have to leave. I don't want to go back to my old life, of old habits. I have never felt so alive, and I want to keep feeling this way.

Last weekend was another first for me. I went skiing for the very first time. Maybe I am not so old to try it for the first time, but it certainly felt that way when I entered the beginners slope. Little ones who just started walking were learning how to ski. I was literally the oldest and biggest person on the slope, surrounded by these cute kids all bundled up in their snow clothing. Anyways, I wasn't going to let them get the best of me, or feel distracetd. So my friend who went with me already knew how to ski, she was not a pro but she sure was able to approperiatly go down the slopes. I wish I could say the same thing. Actually it wasn't that bad. Yes, the first three attempts of going down the slope I did fall. But afterwards I picked up how to use my body and was able to make it down standing up. I was so proud of myself, learning a new thing pretty quickly. I guess also because I was a litle scared at first. Up on the slope it looks so high and I am only wondering how in the world I will make it down safely. However, somehow I managed to make it work and push myself to step outside my comfortzone. At the end of the day I was tired but feeling so accomplished. The aftermath was pretty bad though. The next four days, including today I had the worst pain in my neck. I read online that when you fall when skiing, the way your body tries to catch itself puts a certain strain and shock on your neck, peventing hitting your head on the hard slope. I guess that is better than hitting your head and having a concussion. Anyways, my body was pretty sore, and the worst were my shoulders and arms from the beginners lift. Now I know why that lift is for free;you just hold on to a rope that goes up, but you have to hold on tight and it gets quite uncomfortable. I must have gone up like 25 times, so no wonder. But it did make me feel like I had done some proper exercise. Although I found the ahrders part was more mentally, having to really concentrate how and what I do with my body because it does not come natural to me (yet). Anyway, I'm so happy I tried it and I already got a little addicted to it. Too bad it is quite an expensive sport, because of the rental costs as well as the lift pass.

Have you ever been skiing or snowboarding? Do you find it as addicting as I do?

INSTAGRAM

Forest adventures in Finland

If you are anything like me, nature is the best place to be. There is not a place that I can get more energy and peace besides being out in nature. The beach, mountains, or in this case a forest covered with snow, makes me so happy and energized. This morning when I woke up I was not feeling that well, just weak, tired and not in the mood to take on the day. After staying in bed too long and thinking this day was already wasted I got myself together, packed my camera and went out. I walked to my favorite forest, which I was happy to see was all covered with snow again. Nothing makes me happier than seeing my favorite places snowed in and the frozen look that winter gives them.

Ice Swimming

Have you ever been swimming in a cold sea, or an outside pool during the winter? Well, than you probably know how uncomfortable it is to swim in cold water. I thought that I knew what cold water is, until I swam in a frozen lake. All I can say is WOW, and that was so cold and uncomfortable. I am usually the crazy person to get into very cold water or the ocean. However, none compares to ice swimming, which is just something new to add to my list of new experiences. 

It is a combination of going into a sauna at around 120 degrees celsius, and then jumping in the cold water. I had some friends who went to their middle and walked right back up at the stairs, but I swam to the other side, touched the ice, before swimming. When I got out my hair that got wet would freeze and become stiff.