Hello, I’m back again. I really should get my butt in gear and keep this updated- I tell myself I’ll do it, but then I don’t. What can I say except life happens? But, here I am 🙂 I’ve been trying really hard to keep our weekends filled with activities.

I suppose it’s a combination of #momguilt from working full days throughout the summer and knowing Kenzie has to be at daycare from 8.30-4.45 everyday and feeling actual FOMO from seeing friends and acquaintances living their best lives. This is the first time since Kenzie was born that she hasn’t had a week-long summer vacation abroad over the summer- so instead, I’ve tried to make the most out of weekends: an overnight trip to Naantali (Muumimaailma), attending events like Lasten Festarit, spontaneous visits with friends to the amusement park, library and whatever else.  On the agenda for this weekend was SeaLife and Korkeasaari Zoo.

For the second year in a row, we are the proud owners of a yearly pass to the zoo. Kids under 4 don’t have to pay an entrance fee- so the one yearly pass (which we got at 50% off, thanks to a coupon from Lasten Festarit) at a student rate was totally a steal. Korkeasaari does a lot of wildlife protection and conservation projects, as well as an animal hospital. We are very happy to support their causes & attend their super fun events. I think we are going to try and go to Kissojen Yö (Night of the Cats) this year as I think Kenzie will really like it.

In addition to the giant cats, Kenzie REALLY liked the Sea Eagle. She was even cheering it on as it got up and lazily walked across the grass. She also ended up choosing an eagle toy to bring home and has brought it to daycare and has been hugging it all over the house.

Now that autumn seems to be just around the corner, we have enrolled Kenzie in dance and tennis classes in addition to swimming. Our daily routines are becoming more and more hectic, shuttling from one place to another… so why not make it even more crazy by throwing a new job into the mix. 😛 I will be starting at my new workplace in the beginning of September. On top of that, I am also in full-on party-planning mode as a third birthday party isn’t going to plan itself. Fortunately, all the bigger details have already been set in stone: venue, theme, etc. so it’s just ironing out the details and actually doing the hands-on stuff that’s left.

So there’s my very quick (or not so quick) life update- and I will hopefully be back sooner rather than later with more to tell 😀

xo, R

ps. more pictures from Korkeasaari below!

I’ve just finished reading Iina Hyttinen’s latest blog post and it really hit a nerve, and not in a bad way. After being pregnant and having a tiny human’s basic survival be entirely dependent on me, I (not surprisingly) found myself a little bit lost. Okay, maybe it was/is a lot lost. For the longest time, I never  had the answer to simple questions like ”What do you like?” or ”What are your hobbies?”… These were so difficult for me to answer- and honestly, they still are. Nobody really understands when I say ”I don’t know”, because how can you not know what you like?

I’m now at the stage in my life where I’m just ready to figure it all out again. Try both new and old things out, experience life and determine exactly what it is that I enjoy and what I dislike. So far, I have discovered that I like photography, writing, reading and watching tv/films. While I enjoy music, it isn’t something that I’m passionate about.

On the work front- I am also slowly discovering what it is exactly I’d like to do with my professional life. Unfortunately, as with most things, this has been through the means of learning from experience. I now know what I don’t want to do, but still slowly trying to make my way to where I do want to be.

And on a happier note, I attended a workshop yesterday by Ossi Saarinen of Soosseli Wildlife Photography, of whom I’ve been a fan for quite some time now! His photos are amazing and if you don’t know what I’m talking about, then you better head on over to his instagram account right now!

This experience was definitely worth getting up at 5 AM! We went on a very calm and walkable nature path, which didn’t require one to be a hiker of any sort and was perfectly enjoyable for someone whose physical fitness is far from its peak (i.e.myself). We saw a lot of birds, playful squirrels, ducks and their babies. We also got to photograph an owl and see a couple of glimpses at a wild deer (that ran away so quickly because it was probably camera-shy).

In addition to the guided walking tour, Ossi was very patient in answering all our questions, no matter how silly. Before this, I had absolutely no experience with animal photography and had no clue where to begin. Ossi is very knowledgeable and really knows his stuff and I learned SO SO SO much from him. Despite his celebrity status in Finland, he is completely down-to-earth and humble and so easy to talk to.

Ossi also took the time to teach us the basics of Lightroom and photo editing in general. I learned so much about photography in one morning, but more importantly, I also learned a little bit about myself-and what I enjoy. And that is simply priceless.

We have a few more summer weekends that I’m trying to fill with activities and experiences, because for the first time since Kenzie has been alive, we do not have a big summer trip planned anywhere. I’m tied down with work and my husband started at a new job this year so summer vacation was just not in the cards for us this year.

Next weekend, we are off to Moominworld…. and so a new  adventure begins  yet again.