Campbellgates in Finlandia: The melt

I believe a good percentage of the population is employed in snow removal. This is a common sight all winter long...workers clearing snow from rooftops and ice from gutters. Yikes!

The good news? There are puddles in Helsinki! The bad news? There are puddles in Helsinki!

The cold snap has snapped...I can only hope for good. The -26c was a little too much for me. It made it tough to bring Marieka outside and play. However, it was sunny and clear and the snow was dry.

Today was 4c, so snow is melting, puddles are forming, and snow is sliding off of roofs all over town (you need to pay attention to the yellow tape on the sidewalks...it means "watch out above!") Clearly, it is the wet season here. Rain boots are for sale everywhere, as if you remind you that the wet is arriving. Finns are big on safety vests and suits. Toddlers wear vests in preschool when they go out, adults wear bright yellow suits when they do snow removal, Rob wore a special suit while chopping down a tree...anything really. It is really safe. What they say is true.

It was a tough transition from beautiful and small Mikkeli and Niislia to Helsinki. It isn't noisy here...it is eerily quiet at times. It is a city, though. The skiing isn't right next door. The frozen water already has footsteps spoiling the pristine snow...and our "Finland Family" isn't here. Saija, Mikko, Kate, Ella, Assi, Binh, Eija, Matti and Elsa. They were always up for fun, fun stuff in the deep, deep snow. And then food was provided afterwards. Even better!

We have met an Italian family in our building, who have a 2 year old daughter Viola. I love Viola, because she can hold her own with Marieka, even though they speak different languages. Marieka was sharing Moomin cookies with her, and when she wanted more, she was very clear "Marieka...(insert really sweet baby Italian here)" It is great to have a fellow mom here. We have already done a walk, and plan to swim this weekend (though they may have to postpone due to a protest against Berluschoni, their president, who is in town on Friday. There are many Italians really disgusted by him in Helsinki. We may join in. Why not?)

I am visiting the Helsinki Normal School this week. I have had the opportunity to talk to many students about their research habits. I find that students feel good about their research skills, they like wikipedia (though their teachers tell them how bad it is all of the time!) and they use the public library pretty regularly. I am starting to get a picture of how it is done in Finland.

You think YOUR checkout system needs to be upgraded...here, students fill out paper slips for materials they want to check out. There is no record for other patrons as to if the item is in or out...it is not very user friendly!