KAAMOS

Today I have read the news in Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat that kaamos has started in Lapland. I really like this Finnish word for the polar night. It feels so calm, dark and deep as I imagine the real polar night would be... We don't have kaamos in this part of Finland and no matter how beautiful the word itself feels, I guess it would be hard to endure the time when the sun neither rises nor sets. We only have short days, winter darkness, and living with it does not always feel comfortable.   

These days were very cold as well, not only in Lapland. In Helsinki it was around -14, and the cold will continue for some time. According to the news it is very unusual that such a cold strikes at the end of November already.  This is North, but I know that North can be mild and tender even during winter. So I don't know was it the winter darkness or this unusual cold... I just had a hell of a week. Even now during weekend I still feel the burdens of the past days, like stones. Sometimes it's just too much of everything.

Luckily, I visit the gym regularly, and exercise helps. Otherwise I don't know how would it be. Bleh.

WINTER AND SOME MORE PRESENTS

 The present and the snow, natural light

Helsinki has got the first portion of snow - and it looks like there will be more of it. The weather is also quite cold, much colder than it usually is in late November in this part of Finland. Today it was -3 degrees Celsius, and the forecast is promising even more cold yet to come...

However, I have to show another birthday present - or six of them, to be precise. My friends from Slovenia were so nice that they have sent me a package full of nail polish. And not just some nail polish - I was told these bottles would be special. So they are, in many ways. The colors, the brands - and last but not least, they have been sent to me all the way from Slovenia with a nice birthday card  from and by my friends. :) Oh, and that red cloth also came with the polish. A lot of colors to brighten up this winter darkness for sure. ;)

The present and the snow, flash

From left to right, back row: SpaRitual Drop Dead Gorgeous, Regal and Solitude

From left to right, front row: Zoya Harlow, Nubar Midnight Glory and Nfu Oh 131 

PRESENTS FOR KANELI

Last week I had my birthday, and as I usually write a post about the occasion - well, here is Kaneli's birthday post of 2010. This was my third birthday that I celebrated in Finland, and regardless the important change of the front number (from 2 to 3, huh), I celebrated more or less alone. I have my friends and family either in Slovenia or in Jyväskylä, so the real party is yet about to come.

However, it was a nice coincidence that one of my favorite bands, Katatonia from Sweden, played their gig in Helsinki exactly on my birthday. Even better as I really wanted to see Katatonia live for ages, but for some reason I never had that chance. Now I have seen the band and I must say they are very good live as well.

I also have to show two presents I got for myself - a new corset and Kalevala Koru silver necklace. I was happy to get this new corset as I hadn't bought anything so alternative for ages, and I really like the necklace as I have always been a huge Kalevala Koru fan.  

And last but not least:  I have been tagged by Ulmiel a while ago to answer some questions, and now I finally have time to write my thoughts. 

1. Innie or Outie?

Introvert for sure. It takes time for me to open and show my feelings.

2. Unlimited wealth? Or Unlimited health?

Unlimited health. I guess I don't need to explain.

3. What is your favorite book?

Quite many of them, actually... perhaps, I can mention some writers like for example Sofi Oksanen, Haruki Murakami, J.R.R. Tolkien etc.

4. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why?

In Finland because I speak Finnish. :P The second option could be Iceland; anyway, I like North.

5. What is your security blanket?

I don't have any. Stupid question, anyway.

6. What is your mode of transportation?

Public transport - a local train, tram, metro or bus. Sometimes also a ship and a plane. 

7. What is your signature scent?

Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue, for years.

8. If you were at Hogwarts, what house would you belong to?

Ravenclaw for sure. I'm smart, but not too heroic. 

9. If you could be any Disney princess who would you be and why?

Bad Fairy. ;)

10. What is one of your bad habits?
I am too slow/lazy/unmotivated considering the work for my MA thesis.

FASHIONED IN FINLAND GIVEAWAY

As you can see on the side-bar of Cinnamon Book, Parokeets are giving away some nice metallic and magnetic nail polishes. However, also Nea  from Finland has something nice to offer - just click here and enter the giveaway on Nea's great blog Fashioned in Finland. The prize includes Shu Uemura eyelash curlers, Sleek Storm palette, Sleek Good Girl palette and TKB mini samples. The products look very tempting... :P The giveaway ends on 3rd of December 2010 so there is some time to enter.

However and by the way, I feel so very sleepy today that I cannot produce a better or longer post than this... Finnish winter is getting stronger, especially considering its dark powers; there is no snow yet, just darkness is longer and longer... I eat D-vitamin and fish oil, but those things do not always help as I would like. Well, soon Christmas time will come anyway, and there will be lots of other light... and candles and sweets.

EDIT: The Parokeets giveaway ended on the 8th of November, I did not get anything - not surprised at all as I basically never win anything in raffles. :D