Hyvää Pääsiäistä

Photo Credit: http://www.kukkalunaria.fi/hyvaa-paasiaista-2

Its this time of the year where Christians around the world celebrates Easter. Wikipedia describes it as "a festival and holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day of his burial after his crucifixion by Romans at Calvary c. 30 AD. It is the culmination of the Passion of Christ... Easter is linked to the Jewish Passover by much of its symbolism, as well as by its position in the calendar. In many languages, the words for "Easter" and "Passover" are identical or very similar. Easter customs vary across the Christian world..." 

Yesterday, our Finnish class teacher handed out a reading sheet about the Finnish Easter. I Thought, wow! It would be a great time to share what Christ has done for us! My classmates of other religious background are keen in asking about what Easter is. The teacher described it in Finnish, pointing out to her palm. my classmate from the other row asked me, "Sarah, is that the crucifixion?" I said yes. I hope I could share more to him about it. The reading material we had, turned out to be more about the customs that don't necessarily have anything to do with the real meaning of Easter.

What does trolls, tullips, eggs, chicks, bunny, grass and dafodil have to do with what is supposed to be a Christ-centered tradition? Especially dressing up kids as a witch? Oh it breaks my heart! I think this made-up traditions makes us look funny from the perspective of other religions because there is just no good explanation for it. These traditions is so normal, people would think it is ok. Its fun anyway! And that sets aside Christ in the picture. 

But we can always go against the flow, make our own family easter tradition that focuses on Christ. Take the long weekend to reflect on Christ's life, death and resurrection, more importantly, set our hope that He is coming back again by reading the Bible. Its also a great time to bond with our love ones and take some time to rest. Hyvää Pääsiäistä! Happy Easter!

A Year in Finland

Photo Credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finland_men%27s_national_ice_hockey_team

Today marks our first year in Finland and our baby is now exactly 6 months! Looking back, we realize how amazing it has been getting through all the hurdles we've been through. My husband and I thought its good to stay in the Philippines, we were both working but suddenly, his project with Appen stopped and we found ourselves caught up with accumulating bills and piling debt. Every area of our life is great but the financial strain is taking a toll in us. A good friend who has been a great help for us, with good intention, suggested my husband to go back to Norway to find work, but just the thought of having to separate constantly broke our hearts, and with my husband's life story (See upcoming book-TBA), it would take a miracle to get hired especially in Schengen countries. My husband kept on finding a good job in the Philippines to no avail. We thought to see if we can move to Finland, his home country but we didn't have the means. A lot of sacrifices has been made, my husband did the best he can, family and friends helped us out, even our landlady adjusted the contract for  us.

Our faith has been stretched until we were able to purchase our tickets to Finland as well as the return tickets. We landed March 20 early in the morning, and the airport officer pointed out that we should change our return flight to one day back, that adjustment would mean another expense. That time we only have a thousand euro pocket money. We went straight to register ourselves to the Population Information System (http://www.maistraatti.fi/), registered to the Public Employment and Business Services (http://www.te-services.fi/). Then I applied for a residence permit and to Kela (http://www.kela.fi/) and got my cards on the 1st of April. Soon after, we had a meeting with Social Services to apply for support. We found a newly renovated unit in the same building where we were staying with my in-laws, our dilemma is if the landlords will let my husband sign a contract despite of his credit standing, but they did!

By April 3rd, we are in our new home! Finding ourselves settled, we can forget about our return tickets and make a fresh start in here. The whole summer has been great, we met a lot of people, gone to different events/places and just basked in. By Fall, we were anticipating the arrival of our daughter, I gave birth on the 20th of September. Its a very special day for us, 20 is my birthdate and September is my husband's birth month. She is a wonderful gift to us, our everyday became more meaningful. By October, we were off the Social Service support and got unemployment allowance instead, was able to get a hold of TE and planned our steps to integration.

We are moved deeply at how things worked out for our good. This day, we reminisce on God's goodness, and the favor we received from our famly and friends. We are also grateful for the Finnish system, thank you for making us welcomed!

First Day of Finnish Class

I had mixed feelings going to school. In one way I feel pleased to have this opportunity of free education learning the Finnish language, on the other hand I would prefer to be at home taking care of my baby but thinking forward, this endeavor would benefit our family. It's encouraging that my husband is very supportive.

Since last  night, I was anxious about commuting by bus, I didn't want to miss my stop or be late so today, I took an earlier bus hence I have a 50 minutes head start which I consumed by reading a book. At 10 am, the instructors came to meet us at the Information, called our names and led us to our classroom. They started by greeting us in Finnish, gave us an information sheet to fill out, discussed guidelines, then everyone said their names and asked others for their names. Each of us also pinned our home country on the world map attached on the board, the farthest countries happened to be South Korea and Philippines. There's about more or less 20 students in total and we represent various countries. My seatmate is a lady from Lithuania. Its funny how all the guys end up seating in the other row separated from the ladies. The instructors pointed that out as well and we had a good laugh! 

These were the materials given to us...

A very thick binder, a folder, a grid notebook, a pen, a pencil, an eraser and a sharpener. I'm definitely thankful for the thoughts!

Here's a candid shot I took with my phone in class. I was careful to be discreet as if I feel that it was an unwritten rule not to take pictures!

First Day in Finnish Class

The instructors, communicates exclusively in Finnish so when my seatmate and I noticed that the ones in front are heading through the doors, we just went with the flow and realized what it was all about. It was a tour inside the school, we basically went to the eating lounge, the faculty rooms, and the cafeteria. 

We headed back to our room then we were dismissed at around 11:25. The succeeding days is scheduled Mondays through Fridays from 8am-1:45pm + take home assignments. We are expected to graduate after 10 months of this rigorous language and culture training. I look forward to learning and getting to know people. Wish us all the best!

Lunch in Vaasa

Every month, my husband and I would set aside a date budget of 50€. That would get us some time-out from the usual and enrich our relationship. We both enjoy good food so on our dates we want to try different food whether we have it at home or in a restaurant. When we decide to go out, we find it most convenient for us to go for a lunch date. In Vaasa, or maybe in the whole of Finland (I'm not quite sure), lunches are offered more or less 10€ per person which mostly comes with the salad buffet and coffee. Today, we went to Wazaca Street Food Cantina and Bar. I love that they have button mushrooms in the salad bar, that one makes a difference from the other restaurants we've been to. Our dish is pork fillet with baked potatoes, side veggies, one onion ring on top and guacamole which is so yummy! I would want more of that in the platter. My husband requested for some alterations, taking out the onion ring and changing the guacamole to Béarnaise sauce. The crew speaks good English and we could even over hear them talk in English as we sat near the kitchen, which for me is really nice than hearing a language I couldn't grasp yet. Wazaca's service was good over all plus we get to accumulate Scard bonus. 

Its a date in Wazaca with our baby as our chaperone! ;)

Our Search for Home Church

Since our arrival here in Finland last March 2015, we have gone to five churches already but we find ourselves in the dilemma of not being able to consider one as our home church. The first church we attended is Sion. The message is indepth and Christ-centered but the fellowship is kind of cold. Then we visited the Lutheran Church which is so into traditions. We also went to the City Church where the message is really good but its hard to focus during praise and worship. Then to the Finnish Pentecostal Church, where I feel like the only foreigner and having someone to translate the message to me one on one seems to be bothering. Currently, we are attending at the Missions Church, this is the home church to my inlaws. The fellowship in there is good but the messages left us still feeling hungry. On the practical side its easier for us to travel to Missions with my inlaws. We get a free ride back and forth to church compared to having to wait an hour or two for a bus ride. But we really hope to find our home church and there's still churches we haven't gone to yet. We know that we cannot find a "perfect church", as everyone is work in progress. Our ideal home church is where we can best fit in and when we've been to one, we'll know it!

Ella @ 5 months

Oh the sounds and faces she makes! just so adorable! - happyparents

How happy we are to have you Ella Grace!
You are really our beautiful undeserved favor!
There are countless things we love about you!

You just play and baby talk in your crib and wait for us to greet you in the morning and you give us the most beautiful, loving smile we've ever seen.

You love being sang to as if we are the best singers you've ever heard. You love the alphabet song; the phonics song; head and shoulders, knees and toes; happy family; for the Lord is my Tower; the AIK song; Amazing Grace; I have two hands and feet.

You give us glimpses as if asking "How are you mom/dad", you are so sweet! You would even pause nursing and give that few seconds stare at mommy and smile then go back to nurse again.

You love your books especially the butterfly, it always makes you smile!

You have great sense of humor, when you make faces and sounds, that doesn't fail to make us laugh!

We love hearing your laughter and even if your cries sounds so cute, we'd rather make you feel satisfied and happy.

You have the way of bringing people around us, even strangers yes even the very shy or introverted Finnish people gets to talk to us because of you.

Every milestones you reach is like a miracle unfolding. We can't keep from being grateful to our Daddy God and pray that we can be good parents and do the best for you!

We love you baby love!

TEA AMO

I was checking TV channels this evening and found myself watching #TheRichKidsofBeverlyHills, There came a scene where Morgan was bugged by someone about her blog needing focus. Note that this program is not aired real time here in Finland. Just say I got motivated to write a personal blog, I wanted to be broad rather than focused. I wanted to be able to express myself freely and share my cup of tea. All the people, places, food, thoughts and things I love! So to increase my motivation in writing, I've jumpstart my blog by sharing my lovelife!