Meaningful mug

Packing things away is a thing we do without really thinking about it.

But what about when you love those things and you don’t know when you’re seeing them again?

Moments by Marimekko

Today I started to pack mugs. Yes, I have a lot of them. Five years ago I picked out lovely mugs by a Finnish designer; I fell in love with them. I still love them. Unconditionally. It saddens me a bit that now they’re in a box – they don’t belong in a box, they belong to be on a shelf and frequently used. It is a strange feeling not knowing when you’ll see some of your favourite belongings the next time. In my case, it will take at least a couple of years!

I am almost thinking of taking my mugs to Australia (and I hope my SO doesn’t read this)… Oh it will be a struggle of wills when I am trying to decide whether to take a mug or a pair of jeans… or four mugs instead of four pairs of jeans. I love my mugs because the picture on them looks exactly like one of my favourite streets in Helsinki and it reminds me of long summery days spent picnicking in the Esplanade park and having a laugh with friends. Even if the mugs stay here, at least I already have a matching tea towel and tray waiting for me in Australia – a little piece of home down under!

Who lives there?

Three years ago I lived across the street from where I live now. I remember wondering what kind of people lived in that building because I loved it – who wouldn’t love well-maintained buildings from the 19th century? It only had four apartments and a fancy bridal store downstairs. I bet everyone in the city knew the building.

A year ago my SO and I returned from our long trip around the Americas. We started looking for apartments and I couldn’t believe our luck when I saw the building on a rental website. The rent was reasonable and the apartment looked stunning; 4-meter-high ceilings, massive rooms, fireplace and hand-painted ceiling by an almost-famous artist? I was sold.

We made a plan how to get the apartment – it was clear that it would be hard to beat a couple in their 50s. And it worked, a couple of days later we got a phone call that the apartment was ours. On one grey day in December we carried all my belongings across the street. We had a new home.

In three days, just 11 months later, I am saying farewell to this building. Ever since the day one I have absolutely loved calling this apartment my home. However, no matter how much it feels like home, a big part of the feeling vanished right at the moment when my SO returned to Australia a month ago. A home isn’t where your most beloved belongings are. Home is where the people you love the most are.

New chapter

They say that autumn never comes without bringing changes. Autumn has definitely rolled in; it’s raining, yellow leaves cover the streets and people no longer wear their bright coloured t-shirts.

This year, more than ever, autumn has brought changes into my life. In only some weeks I am graduating from law school and I am in the middle of choosing my most beloved belongings to take to the other side of the world. In about two months I am boarding a plane and moving to Australia to be with my SO -  I suppose one could say that I’m starting a new chapter in my life and I can hardly wait.

I have wanted to start a blog already for a long time and I thought that right now it would be ideal as I would love to share my journey with you. Please tag along to see how my move goes and how I’ll find my way down under!