I can’t tell you how many times over the last few weeks I’ve thought: I want to blog about this random thing… and then didn’t have access to my laptop.
I’m taking that as a sign to throw all the random thoughts currently swirling around my head into another catch-all post. (Here’s the first and second potpourri-style posts I’ve written while in Europe).
In no particular order.
I GOT MY HAIR CUT (LIKE AN HOUR AGO)
This was overdue.
I generally only get my hair cut once a year, but I had a keratin treatment back in October which did NOT turn out the way I had hoped (that’s 0 for 2 with keratin, if anyone’s keeping score). At the time of the treatment, I only got a trim because for the most part I’ve found longer lengths easier to deal with than short hair.
Well, I have been completely and utterly fed up with my hair on this trip. Yesterday, I Googled hair salons, found one with only 5-star reviews, which happened to be an 80 m walk from our apartment, and booked an appointment for this evening.
Sadly, it will never look like this again until the next time I get my hair cut. But it’s so light and fluffy and smooth. And I can still pull it back into a ponytail.
If I was fabulously wealthy and was being forced to spend money on frivolous things, I’d have a personal hair stylist. (And a massage therapist. And a chef.) That’s all. I don’t need someone to do my laundry, though that would be nice. Dealing with hair (and sore shoulders and making sure there’s food available for hungry bellies in my household) is the bane of my existence.
TRANSITIONS
The transition to Helsinki has been a bit harder than I expected. We’re settling in now, but the first few days I felt very scattered.
It’s… a lot to have to learn everything from scratch in each new place. The kids and I went to a new grocery store to stock the kitchen—I bought a few things only to discover said items were already in the cupboards. It also takes a few days to find things in the kitchen and there is always something missing (a whisk! any storage containers for leftovers!). Of course we also have to learn how to use the washing machine (you have to turn on a weird valve and the machine has a completely different interface from what we have at home) and dishwasher (you have to push a button on the side of the sink faucet to get the dishwasher to work).
Helsinki has an elaborate garbage system, so I’ve been watching videos to figure that out.
Everything is labelled in a different language and Finnish is much less intuitive than German when comparing it to English.
Our internet didn’t work properly for two days and we use the internet a lot. (It’s fixed now.)
Getting public transit passes for the month was a bit of a nightmare. We managed to sort it out today, but it consumed hours of time and, shockingly, hundreds of dollars. Transit passes are a lot more expensive in Helsinki than Vienna.
None of this is a complaint, per se, I’m just acknowledging that sometimes an adventure like this feels overwhelming.
Tomorrow is a new day and I have a plan. That feels so good. I was craving a plan and routine and now we can settle in.
The apartment is great. It’s quiet, close to John’s office, and there are two bedrooms. There’s an AMAZING enclosed sunporch which seems like it’s pretty standard here in Helsinki? Though it’s not heated and we’re supposed to get snow this weekend.
A VISIT A LONG TIME COMING
John has been consulting for a Finnish company for several years and for that entire time the kids have been desperate to go to his office.
Today was the day and they were so excited. It’s a lovely office space and it was fun to meet a few of his colleagues. He also has incredible views from the top floor. His current commute is about 20 minutes, which sure beats 18 hours and a handful of flights.
SCHOOL (OR LACK THEREOF)
Ugh.
Fail alert.
Remember how I talked about all my plans for homeschooling the kids. To be fair, I’ve tackled most of the things I mentioned with one glaring exception. Math.
I just… don’t want to do it. I don’t really understand how they teach math concepts these days (differently than when I was in school) and the effort it would take to communicate with the teachers is just more than I have in me.
Plus, I don’t LIKE math.
I feel like I’m barely keeping my head above water with day-to-day things (getting groceries, feeding the kids, keeping them occupied and engaged, doing my work). I could put more effort into school stuff BUT I DON’T WANT TO.
I’m feeling some pangs of guilt but I’m a bit paralyzed. Does it matter? Will they be behind when we get back to Canada? I don’t think so, but I’ve just been feeling a bit more conflicted about it lately. But also have zero desire to do anything more than I’m currently doing.
My kids know the location of the tallest freestanding chocolate fountain in the world, have seen the Alps with their own two eyes, and have toured a nuclear bunker… but they might need math tutors next school year.
We shall see.
In terms of reading, Belle has been reading out loud to Indy (he loves it, she tolerates it on a good day). They’ve both been doing quite a bit of writing: in their travel journals, and they’re both making slideshows about what we’ve been doing. Belle has gone the extra mile and has done slideshows about each country we’ve visited (though the road trip has left her a bit behind). They’ve both sent e-mails to grandparents, which is sweet.
We’ve stalled with geography. We have the countries and capitals of Europe down pat, and I wanted to tackle Africa next, but goodness the capitals are confusing! I’m thinking… maybe we’ll do the Middle East since that would be especially relevant in light of current events.
OTHER RANDOM THINGS
- I forgot Helsinki was an hour ahead of most of the rest of Europe. So we “lost” an hour and it really threw me off for a few days!
- The kids cannot stop talking about Venice. I haven’t gotten around to writing up the recap for that stop on our road trip, but it was such a hit. I’m so, so, so glad we pivoted from Milan to Venice (thanks again to everyone who weighed in on that decision). One of the things they loved was the lack of cars. It really was fascinating how much it impacts navigating a city. We never once had to stop at a crosslight or look over our shoulders to make sure there was no bike barreling down toward us (scooters and bikes are banned on the island as well). And the gondola ride far exceeded my expectations. It really was magical and I think I’d like to go back to Venice again some day for a slightly longer stay (the islands surrounding Venice look amazing)!
- Somehow I managed to disable comments on this post, and Belle has asked me to repost the picture to see if anyone can identify why this moth piqued our interest at the Natural History Museum in Vienna…
- Michelle had a dollhouse party and her post is just the sweetest thing!
- I also loved Suzanne’s post about cake; I want her to pop over to Nova Scotia for my birthday and make me something delicious <3
- The kids got word that friends that had moved away from our area are coming back. Indy, in particular, is beside himself with excitement.
Okay. I need to wind things down for the night (it’s 9:30 pm local time). I’ll be back tomorrow with all the details of our day in Switzerland with Catrina!
Your turn.
- Belle will be reading the comments on this post to see who gets brownie points for identifying the significance of the moth!
- Tell me some “potpourri” from your life.
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Giant sphinx Moth!
Google image search is a wonder!
Ohhh. It looks like the sphinx moth, but it’s not!
Long time homeschoolers here. Yes, your experiences are worth skipping math class! AND, if you are going back to school, it is helpful to keep up somewhat with what your peer are doing. But it doesn’t have to be intense or look like math class at school. During summer I have my kids do 15-20 minutes of math work a day if we aren’t going somewhere first thing in the morning if they want to access audiobooks or use tablets or tv later in the day. We’ve had great success with working on Khan Academy’s free courses “getting ready for . . .” for the grade or math class they are heading into. The videos do the teaching pretty clearly and then the interactive practice is the work and they can see that they are actually completing something. Just an idea, AND I also totally get it if you feel like it isn’t doable right now and want to deal with it later. I just wanted to share how it can look if you want something but not too much.
I used Khan Academy during Covid and that’s a great idea! Thanks for the reminder (and encouragement).
Also, hilariously, without prompting, Indy’s teacher posted some great Math overviews today and he is literally sitting next to me right now doing Math homework (he’s already submitted two assignments today!!)
Listen, if they need math tutors next year, they need math tutors next year. It will be temporary, and then they’ll catch up. It’s only four months that they are gone, and honestly, they are just getting such an interesting and valuable experience. You could even get them head-start tutors this summer if need be. I would just let that part go. It will be okay!
Your hair looks GREAT!!
It DOES sound like an adjustment. But I’m happy you’ve adjusted!
Such an adjustment (which I wasn’t expecting, to be honest), but I woke up feeling so excited. I have an awesome haircut, it’s sunny (albeit FREEZING), and I have a plan. Plans make me feel so much better!!!!
Yay for fresh hair! it looks great.
What Nicole said about math…I bet they will be just fine as is, but if they need tutors they can get tutors. They’re getting so much more from this trip than they could get if they had stayed home.
I’m dying to know what the significance of the moth. I feel like I should know, but for the life of me I can’t figure it out.
Happy settling in Helsinki!
Ironically, I thought you might be the only person to get this right 🙂 I suspect you’ll understand the significance after Belle does her next guest post.
“They’re getting so much more from this trip than they could get if they had stayed home.” This gives me warm fuzzies. Bolstered by the fact Indy is literally sitting next to me right now doing Math homework (his teacher posted some great slideshows).
Isn’t that a Death’s Head moth? From Silence of the Lambs? That was my first thought when I saw it, although I’m guessing the kids haven’t read the book or seen the movie, so perhaps I’m way off base.
I am a lurker to your blog but am LOVING posts. Thanks for sharing your life with us. xo
She’s right- Google image lied to me! Never trust AI!
I thought it looked like a skull on the back.
Ha! Yes, she is right! Though it does look a bit like a Sphinx moth, too.
YES! You are right. Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner.
It’s a book???
I am not a big movie buff, but Belle loves movies so much and is determined to watch classic movies. So she HAS watched Silence of the Lambs (John fast forwarded through a few spots). She had watched it the day before we went to the Natural History Museum so she was SO excited to try to find it. I wasn’t expecting we’d have any luck, so it was a pretty fun moment when we found it <3
Awww. Thanks for commenting and for such kind words!
So, I have a confession to make. One of my colleagues from grad school married a Finnish lady and she’s…salty. So I have, for years now, assumed that Finnish people are not awesome. LOLOLOL. I’m realizing that if everyone assumed every American was like me, that would NOT be a good representation. Isn’t it funny how you sometimes create stereotypes without even realizing it? Also, if that Finnish lady ever stumbles upon this comment, HI! WHY ARE YOU SO MEAN TO PAUL?
Anyway, it looks beautiful, if cold. SNOW?! I would revolt and book a ticket back home!
Finns are generally known to be very friendly, albeit reserved. They are VERY polite. But I totally know what you mean. When we were in Rome there was an angry Italian lady and it really coloured my opinion of the country for a while!
I am revolting, Engie. But instead of coming home, I will just thank my lucky stars I packed lots of layers!
Ack! Sometimes when I read your posts I just want to talk to you because I have so many questions and or comments.
Your hair looks great! Long layers? In another life when I use to go to Scotland and England I would always get the best haircuts over there. The European flare! Question? If you could only have one of those services your hairdresser, masseuse, or chef what would it be?
I’m shocked you don’t like math?! I didn’t know that about you. I’m sure the kids will be alright. We do have an awesome tutor for George if you need a name for the next school year.
Love seeing all the pics!
Yes, layers!
Oh… only one. Probably the chef just because we have to eat every single day. But really, my inner diva wants all of them.
I don’t like Math. I was good at it in school, but never liked it. That is SO good to know you have a local tutor to recommend. I may be touching base in the fall 😉
Love the adventures and photos! The moth look beautiful…. And like they have little aliens riding on their backs?!?
Aren’t they the coolest looking moths (also, creepy)!
It’s a Death’s Head moth!
Correct!!!
I always love a good potpourri post! Your haircut looks fantastic. Enjoy it!!
Re math – you will have the whole summer to have them do math if you think the will need it. If it’s too much to keep up with now, why not just shift it to summer? And if they are a bit behind in math or need a tutor for a bit because they have had a fantastic and incredibly educational trip? oh well! (Or you could potentially find a university kid who wants to coach the kids through the math they missed over the summer?)
I had to laugh because just this morning, Indy was able to complete THREE math assignments. It was like his teacher knew I was fretting.
I love the reframe though: if they are a bit behind, it’s a very good “price to pay” for an adventure like this which will potentially impact the direction of their lives? Who knows!
Yay! I’m so glad you went to Venice!!! Much better than Milan. I love your hair, and I’m laughing at Elaine’s comment above- “I’m shocked that you don’t like math!” Um… why is that shocking??? I find it more shocking when someone DOES like math. I wouldn’t worry about it- the math will be fine. It sounds like you already have a couple solutions for it, and if not, the experiences they’re having are much more valuable than sitting in a classroom doing math.
It’s hard getting settled in a foreign country! By now you’re probably comfortable and having all the fun adventures.
Venice was amazing and yes, I am feeling much more settled!!!
Great hair!
So many adjustments—Soldier on, my friend! HOW IN THE WORLD DOES JOHN MANAGE ALL THIS TRAVEL?? For the umpteenth time, I am in awe of your husband (and your entire family for keeping up with him).
The kids will catch up on math.
Aren’t you freezing? You left your winter clothing behind!
Is there anything in particular you are looking forward to in Helsinki? I forget how long you will be there.
You haven’t mentioned anything yet about how things are at your home in NS or if the Very Terrible People on your street are causing trouble for your tenants. I will take that as “no news is good news”.
Good decision to transition to capitals and countries of the Middle East. . . . it’s more useful information at this time.
It’s… a lot for him to juggle. It’s exhausting, to be sure, when he travels. But he’s good at it and it’s part of the job.
I didn’t leave much behind. I left a scarf, Belle left one sweatshirt, but all the important things I kept 😉
We’ll be in Helsinki a month. I’m excited to visit some of the islands, excited to take a day trip to Estonia, and excited to go to the amusement park with the kids. But mostly, I’m looking forward to a more relaxed routine. There’s not nearly as much to see as in Vienna, so we’ll do more hikes and leisurely trips to parks which will be fun. Though it’s chilly. Brrrr.
I don’t expect there to be issues for the people staying in our house (we had a conversation about the situation before they temporarily moved in). I find myself going longer and longer without thinking about everything which is so lovely. I am dreading the return, but it has been MARVELOUS to be away. Such a gift.
Your hair looks so pretty! I’m sure it’s a process getting settled into a new house and learning all the different ways things work. How fun that you and the kids can see where John works. It looks amazing! Do you have access to Brilliant.org over there? Or maybe there’s another online math program or game? I don’t know. Just a thought. Now they’ll hate me! 🤣 And really, the whole experience is beyond anything they could learn in school! Maybe it’s best to take the pressure off in the math department. Sometimes pressure only breeds resistance.
Michelle, how have I never heard of brilliant.org?? I just checked it out and it looks amazing. This has never crossed my radar.
These are such wise words: “Sometimes pressure only breeds resistance.”
I think you’re so right. There’s the pressure, too, to make sure I’m doing it right. To be honest, there’s a two-month summer break when we get home, so I suspect a lot of their peers will forget much of what they learned anyway. I’ll tell their teachers in advance that they missed a few months of instruction and have them alert me about if/when the kids need extra support to catch up.
I can see how it is hard to fit schooling in on top of everything else you have going on. It’s tough to shuffle from city to city and figure out how things work in the new place! It’s a gift, but it’s also hard. For geography, have you guys heard for Wordle? It’s Paul’s new obsession. We play it every night. I am TERRIBLE at it, but if Phil is around when we play, he is very helpful. It’s interesting to see how the per capita GDP differs from region to region.
Potpourri from my week is that I was in NJ for work. I was able to take an earlier flight home yesterday, thank goodness, because our afternoon meeting cancelled. That meant I got home at 6pm instead of 9pm which makes a world of difference. The kids were fighting though and I could tell Phil was just so over it all. It wasn’t my most productive trip so I had a lot of “why am I even traveling when it makes life so much harder?” thoughts.
Ohhhh, I haven’t heard of Worldle. Sounds fun.
Yay for getting home earlier. But that sucks that you expended all that energy to go on a trip that wasn’t productive and it takes so much time and effort for both you and Phil with young kids still at home 🙁
Sorry, friend. That sounds like A LOT.
Yes, I am in agreement that if the kids need math tutors next year, then they need math tutors. They will catch up! They are smart and have a great support system. What they are learning and experiencing during this period is PRICELESS.
Thanks for being honest about the hard parts of traveling! It’s not always sunshine and rainbows, is it? Sometimes, things are just difficult. <3
Your hair looks GREAT! I wish my hair always looked the way it does after the hair salon. How do they add so much BODY to my hair?! It's a mystery.
It most certainly is NOT. Today we’re all sick and grumpy with colds.
Salon blow outs are magic!
First off: your hair looks great AND it feels super satisfying that you did this normal thing while traveling. Like a small souvenir of your trip!
So many amazing experiences and I’m here for all the random bits!
Randomly enough, Mr. B recently sent me copies of his multiplication quizzes (I thought Manny would be interested when he gets older). I’m planning to scan them and could send you files if you think your kids would be interested in the review/mastery. BUT I also don’t think they’ll suffer much academically from this math break.
It was really fun to both cross something new off my list (haircut in a foreign country) and get rid of so much length that was dry and split. You know I like practical souvenirs.
Ah, Mr. B. How I miss him 🙂
At first, I thought that was a Death Moth, and that would be from The Silence Of The Lambs, but also from the large (uggghhh) tattoo on my demure daughter’s back. BUT, it appears to be more of a sphinx moth? I could be totally wrong on both.
I was wondering why you had no comments on that post—I figured you were just documenting and didn’t need us to chime in. 🤣
Ok, I was about to ask why John had an office in Helsinki, then you answered my question. Other than that, is he working remotely while you guys are in Europe?
Your hair looks amazing—like you should be doing a shampoo commercial!
I have too much potpourri and need to write a post when I find a moment!
SHE HAS THAT TATTOO ON HER BACK! Oh my goodness? Because of the movie? Or she just likes it?
Yup, he’ll be working remotely everywhere else. Which is what he does when we’re in Canada, so it’s not a huge change. Though now he’s in the same time zone (or at least approximately).
A shampoo commercial. I snorted at that one. I’ve washed it once and it looks nice, but nothing like the salon blowout. How do they do such magic???
Lauren has always been fascinated with insects of any kind!!
Its easier to blow out your hair if you are standing behind yourself…that is the only explanation.
Love the haircut!! Nice and fresh is always the best feeling.
Also, have I mentioned that I love the idea of potpouri and just a bit of a random dump of things? Admittedly I totally scoured the comments to understand the relevance of the moth, and now I can’t unsee it. Hello, Clarice!
Yes! It’s so fresh and takes a lot less time to dry which is lovely. I have thick hair and hate taking the time to blow dry it, so it’s a treat when I let shorter hair air dry that it doesn’t take as long.