Beginning of Winter

I don’t quite know why but this year winter has just seemed lovely. Don’t you think there’s something quite whimsical about first snow? I spent almost 15 minutes just looking out of the window and I was almost amazed by the prettiness of fresh snow – and I have never even been a winter person.

7 reasons to pick up your running shoes

Have you ever been jealous of people who make running look so effortless? During the past 4,5 months running has become a faithful friend to me – a friend that is always there and who helps me to clear my mind.

I started running in July. I’ve never been a runner (except maybe now?) and the beginning wasn’t exactly pleasant. It included a lot of sweat and frustration about not improving but I think the most important part was that I was determined that now I will learn to run. The main motivator behind my decision was that I wanted to become healthier and I thought that if not now, then never. A big help was also that my SO went with me. Especially in the beginning I wasn’t that keen on going but he always came to ask me in the evening if I wanted to go and I never said no (even though at times I might have wanted to).

We went running at least every second day and every time we ran/walked the same route that is about 5,5 km. And every time I tried to make sure that I’d run a little bit longer and walk a little bit less. It was an amazing feeling when after a bit over a month I only wanted to stop three times during those 5,5 km – especially when in the beginning I was ok to run only about 300 m and then walk a little. Now I am happy to run close to 4 km without stopping and my goal is to be able to run 6 km easily – there is a City to Surf-running event in Perth in August…

I must say that it was frustrating in the beginning. I felt like I wasn’t improving at all but it did happen. And I can’t say how good it felt when the first time I went to my SO and asked him if he wanted to go running – he seemed very surprised!

What I love about running is that it makes you feel so free – you just run; nothing compares with that feeling. You can also run whenever and wherever you want and even if you have sometimes a few weeks break, you don’t really go backwards. And the best bit is, after some time, you feel like you need to go running – now that is an amazing feeling.

Running has also awesome benefits for your health and for me they’ve worked as a great motivator…

1) You decrease your risk of cancer

They say that breaking a sweat on a regular basis will slash your chances of developing cancers. 1/3 of Finns get cancer during their lifetime. The odds are almost against us so why wouldn’t you try to decrease the risk? E.g. according to a Danish study, breast cancer had an average risk reduction of 30 to 40 % and colon cancer had an average risk reduction of 40% to 70% (!).

2. You boost your immunity

According to an American study, moderate exercise reduces risk of common cold etc infections by 20 %.

3. You reduce your risk of blood pressure and heart disease

People who run at least an hour a week (!) have a 42 % lower risk of coronary heart disease compared to those who don’t run.

4. You reduce your risk of diabetes

Being fit improves your muscles’ sensitivity to insulin which means your body clears sugars from your bloodstream more effectively. Three hours of exercise a week reduces women’s risk of type 2 diabetes by 46 %.

5. You live longer

According to a Danish study (with over 20 000 participants!), running 1,5 hours a week can increase women’s lifespan by 5,6 years and men’s by 6,2 years.

6. You lose weight

In 30 minutes, a 60-kg woman burns about 287 calories running at 10 km per hour and about 96 walking at 5 km per hour.

7. You lift your mood

Running elevates your mood and can ease depression because it releases endorphins.

So what are you waiting for? Start today, tomorrow it won’t happen.

 

Reasons to run from BodyandSoul.com.au “10 Reasons to Run”

No longer MIA

My deepest apologies for being MIA (in case someone has been wondering about it. And in this case I am humbled by having someone reading this blog!).

It just happened. Suddenly my life got very full of European Union legislation, treaties, principles. In other words, I had my last exam yesterday. I was rather stressed about it, it wasn’t just an exam, it was more of an entrance exam to study in Australia – if I had failed it, I would have had to kiss goodbye to the university offers I received. So yeah, a lot was at stake!

It is very uncool for a blogger to disappear. Won’t happen again unannounced. Promise.

The Elegance of Melbourne Cup

When the British have their Ascot, the Australians have Melbourne Cup. Only the British and the descendants of criminals can understand why it is one of the biggest events in the year (right after the AFL Final). To put it shortly, you get a new hat, dress up and go look at some horsies racing and like this year, you might even get a glimpse of English Royals. Sounds very fancy, right?

Picture: Perth Racing

But, Aussies (of course) take it up a notch – they are truly amazing in doing that in about everything! Firstly, it’s not only in Melbourne – now that would be boring in a country the size of Europe. Therefore they have horsie-celebrations around the country. Secondly (and some may add the most importantly), they turn it into the biggest party of the year (except for those who’s favourite AFL team won the final that year). Who cares about the traditions of elegance related to horse races when it’s a good reason to par-tay and turn the grounds into a dump? But who can blame them – Australians are the best partiers in the world. There is no doubt about it – when there’s an Aussie around, it is entertaining. Even if it was a horse race.

Both pictures from Daily Mail UK

And, I would like to add that this has been written with a touch of sarcasm and immense amount of love towards my future fellow countrymen who look so British but act, well, like descendants of criminals – and I think that is why they truly know how to have a good time and use every chance to do it.

A splash of color & running

Picture: thecolorrun.com

Ok. All of you who know what The Color Run is, are going to think I’m a little bit slow.

Some time ago I read that The Color Run is taking over Perth in February. I got pretty excited because I was instantly thought that it was a charity run – I thought it refers to all those different colors that symbolize different cancers. Another reason why I got excited was that I started running last summer and have learned to love it – I was ready for my first official running event. So what would be better than combining running and charity?

Well. Nothing. Except that The Color Run isn’t a charity run in the way I envisioned it. Not even close. Not completely sure if it is really running either. It is very colorful though! And it looks rather crazy.

After reading about it on its official website my excitement died like a popped balloon when I realized it is more of a party with some kind of liquid color sprayed all over the “runners” along the 5 km-route. Sounds like fun! If you’re into that kind of things.

I think that this time I’ll just keep my hair blonde and go for a run along the coastline – it is colorful there as well.

Ps. it looks like a fun event for e.g. backpackers in Australia so check out the website – it is organized in many major cities – starting with Melbourne in this month!

Dior in disguises?

They often say that in foundation you can really notice a difference between a more expensive and a cheaper brand. I used to think so – until a few days ago I discovered something that I really want to share with you.

Some days ago I purchased a new foundation, Maybelline FitMe. Before that I had been using Dior Diorskin Forever and I had absolutely loved it. However, at least where I live that Dior-foundation costs about five times more than the Maybelline one which is not so lovable even about Dior.

When I tried FitMe for the first time I wanted to compare it with Dior and I was pleasantly surprised of how FitMe 115 is the exact same shade as Dior Forever 010 – I really couldn’t see any difference between the shades!

I got intrigued and decided to do half of my face with the leftovers of Dior and the other half with FitMe… and I was stunned; I couldn’t see any difference. Even after about six hours I still couldn’t see any difference!

Their consistency seems to be very similar if not the same. The coverage and finish also looks exactly the same. And they smell similar. I truly think that if I hadn’t known, I would have thought it’s the exact same foundation and the 9 €-foundation seems to be at least as good as the 55 €-foundation.

Needless to say, after this discovery I was rather happy I hadn’t purchased a new Dior foundation!

Where women glow and men plunder.

It’s 85 days till Australia day, 56 days till I board a plane and two years from my first visit. Today when you can see all the shades of grey outside, I must admit I miss Australia.



I miss wearing just thongs (the rest of the world knows these as flipflops). I miss covering myself in SPF 50 sunscreen. I miss feeling uncertain of whether I’m driving on the right side of the road. I miss the music festivals. I miss lemon, lime & bitters. I miss going to the beach and stumbling around because of the massive waves. I miss listening to Triple J in car.



Mostly, I miss the way I feel when I’m there. That one is actually a funny thing. I don’t exactly know where it comes from. Maybe from the fact that every time I’m there I’m rather stress-free. Or because everything still feels so new there – even going to a grocery store is always an adventure when you try to figure out what would be closest to kermaviili. Or maybe because of all the sunshine? I keep always wondering how some people can be completely, utterly happy even when it’s dark all the time and the only sunshine you see is on tv.



There are also things I’m not a fan of. A massive spider in a shoe inside the house. The Americanism – it eats their own culture. Bananas that cost $15/kg. Paperbacks that cost $30 when in Europe they’re three times cheaper. Covering myself in SPF 50 sunscreen (I admit it, it’s a love-hate-relationship).

Already guessed which city will be my new home?

Last time

Today I shut my apartment’s door behind me for the last time. This time I didn’t check if I had the keys with me – they were lying on the kitchen counter; waiting for their new owner.


It was a strange to see the apartment so empty. It used to be full of life; little memories everywhere, wide window sills full of little souvenirs from where we’ve been and fridge door covered with photos.


That was it. One chapter, that lasted three years, has now ended and I am more than ready for the next one!

Mess of moving

I never thought I owned that much stuff. But at the moment with 136 squaremeters full of piles of various items, boxes and bubble wrap I wonder where did this all come from?
I have a packing strategy; I have three rooms for different things – in our living room is all the stuff I am leaving in a storage, in our entry are the things my parents will get to have in their house (just wait till they see that pile!) and the study is  for things I want to take to Australia.
I am almost starting to see a certain trend; 1) I look at an item. 2) I try to be strong and take it to the living room. 3) 15 min later I upgrade it’s position; it goes to the entry. 4) Four hours later it’s in the study. I have a feeling this trend won’t be a very sustainable one when I have max two suitcases space for things to take with me. Ohh, and did I mention that one of the two suitcases is already packed? And I mean packed – it’s completely full of clothes.

Someone once said I have too many pairs of shorts (doesn’t everyone need 12 pairs? One in every color of the rainbow and also in some other colors you can’t live without?) and in moments like this I start to wonder if it’s true. But it can’t possibly be, right?

Picture: weheartit