As I mentioned, we are currently to be found in Finland for the next 2.5 months. It is winter in Finland, pretty cold with short days…the timing does not seem to be ideal. Responsible for that is Karstens’ work. He is doing a PhD in agronomy and hence, our life rhythm has been dominated for last 1.5 years by the schedule of his program. At our wedding, for instance, Karsten had to leave at 10pm the same evening for a workshop in England. On my birthday that year, he had a workshop in the Netherlands. Last year, the next workshop took place exactly during the week our daughter was supposed to be born. Thanks to her timing, which was excellent, he only missed the last day. On my next birthday (a big one), he had to go on a day-trip. And he just found out that the next workshop will take place during the one week of holiday that we booked this year. It was supposed to be the first real holiday after 2.5 years…

That’s how we build our life around the PhD (or how it builds itself around us). And that’s also why we are in Finland during winter, although summer would be much more comfortable, I guess. Winter would be awesome if we could go to the polar circle, if we could go skiing or sledging or do other wintery stuff. But he has to work most of the time, right now even during the weekends. And gee, it’s cold here. Last week, the temperature has always been around -15°C (perceived temperature around -20°C). For a baby that doesn’t even like to get a new diaper, being dressed like a Michelin figure is quite a challenge. Though I am not sure whether the challenge lies with the baby, the mother or the neighbours who have to listen to the screaming.

At least, the sun has been shining every single day since our arrival, as if it would try its best to welcome us. The river started freezing over and every day the walls of the wooden houses along the riverside are covered with beautiful ice crystals. And the little one had her first visit to a sauna.

So it might not be the best timing. But it’s not a bad timing either!

First arrow: -15°C, perceived -23°C. Second arrow: ” Tomorrow it is probably going to be as warm as today”…. (Source: http://www.wunderground.com)