Tuesday, May 16, 2006

View to the river


View to the river
Originally uploaded by shuopio.

Lieksa


Lieksa
Originally uploaded by shuopio.

Sunny day at Simos home at Lieksa.

Friday, April 28, 2006

Spring is here - Kevät on täällä


Bright spring sun - Kirkas kevätaurinko
Originally uploaded by shuopio.

Afer returning from India, the weather had transformed: Sun was shining, it was getting warmer and warmer - and this all did seem to have a effect to all the people around. Yes, the winter is behind us!

This weekend is a "bank holiday weekend" also in Finland. The first of may and the day before are known as "Wappu" - a day to celebrate the sping. This time is very well adapted by the students as they will party almost a week in a row 8)
--
Intiasta palaamisen jälkeen huomasimme että sää oli muuttunut radikaalisti. Aurinko paistoi ja ilma lämpeni koko ajan - ja tämä kaikki muutti selvästi myös ihmisten fiiliksiä. Talvi on vihdoin takana!

Tuleva pitkä viikonloppu tuo mukanaan Wapun - tuon opiskelijoiden kovasti juhliman kevään merkkipäivän. Eiköhän siirrytäkin samoin tein sen viettoon! 8)

Saturday, April 08, 2006

Blogging in the air - Bloggausta ilmasta

I'm blogging in the airrr... Yes, we really are airborne! Lufthansa long haul flights do offer nowadays very affordable internet connection via WiFi. This is the first time to try it, they just have introduced it to the Frankfurt-Bangalore leg this year.

Oh yeah, now it is time for one week holiday without even a slightest hint of work in mind. Ok, I have to agree that I shouldn't have opened even the internet because of that, but this is not work related - is it?

Now, one week at Goa awaits us. So, if all goes well it will be sun, sand and relaxation and totally different culture and food for a week for us. The mobile packet data does not work there (I presume) so there won't be pictures appearing this week. I will provide the highlights afterwards.

Simo & Piritta

--

Tämä teksti on lähetetty reilun kymmenen kilometrin korkeudesta - aivan oikeasti! Lufthansa on ryhtynyt tarjoamaan pitkänmatkan lennoilla Internet-yhteyttä varsin edulliseen hintaan. Pitihän sitä heti tietysti koikeilla! ;) Tämä ei ollut vielä viime syksynä käytössä kun käytin Lufthansaa Intia-reissulla, mutta vuodenvaihteessa on tilanne vaihtunut.

Luvassa on viikko lomaa ja tarkoitus on pitää työajatukset kaukana poissa. OK, varmaan jos olisin halunnut pitää työjutut kaukana tämä Internettikin olisi pitänyt jättää kokeilematta..

Noniin, edessä on siis viikko Intian Goalla. Odotukset ovat että olosuhteet ovat Suomen kylmään lopputalveen nähden hyvät: Aurinkoa, hiekkarantaa, hyvää ruokaa ja outoa erilaista kulttuuria. Kännykkäverkot eivät välitä tuollapäin bittejä, joten kuvia reissulta ilmaantuu vasta jälkikäteen.

Simo & Piritta

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Heading for holidays - Loma on ovella

In just couple days we both will be travelling. This time it will be for holidays, and this time it really is for both of us - whoa! We will be heading to Goa, India for one week. OK, it will be work-related as I will continue the trip in "working mode" for one week at India after we return from the beaches.

In any case holiday is goooood! (You've seen the latest pictures ;-) After the weeks abroad the Real Spring (tm) will be here. As a guaranteed sign for that there will be the 1st of May celebrations.

--

Muutaman päivän kulttua olemme molemmat reissun päällä. Tällä kertaa kyseessä on lomamatka, ja me molemmat olemme tosiaan lähdössä! Hip! Määränpää on Goa, Intiassa ja aikaa on varattu reilu viikko. Senverran töihin liittyvä tämäkin matka on että mie jatkan töiden merkeissä Intiassa vielä toisen viikon.

Jokatapauksessa loma tulee todella tarpeeseen! (Olette varmaan nähneet viimeisimmät kuvat 8). Kun palaamme reissulta on vastassa Suomessa Oikea Kevät (tm). Tämän varmana merkkinä on Vapun juhliminen toukokuun alussa.

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

More pictures from US


More pictures from US
Originally uploaded by shuopio.

Talk, read, listen.. IT folks taking a break.

More pics from US


More pics from US
Originally uploaded by shuopio.

GDC'06 was the reason to be around at bay area.

GDC'06 oli tämänkertainen syy vierailla piilaakson alueella.

More pictures from US


More pictures from US
Originally uploaded by shuopio.

After couple of chilly windy days the sun came around.. It was California after all!

Muutaman viileän tuulisen päivän jälkeen aurinko tuli lämmittämään. Olihan paikka sentään Kaliforniassa!

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Fry's Electronics the place to be for a nerd - oikea nörttikauppa


Fry's Electronics the place to be for a nerd - oikea nörttikauppa
Originally uploaded by shuopio.

Simos pics from US 1



At least when visiting the Bay area in the United States, the Fry's

electronics is a place worth visit. There might be better shopping for

electronics somewhere but this is the original thing in the area.



Simon USA-kuvia 1



Etenkin piilaakson alueella Fry's electronics on nörtille hyvin

houkutteleva kauppa. Vaikka elektroniikkaostoksia voisi tehdä

paremminkin, tämä on "se" originaali tuolla alueella ;)

Sunday, March 19, 2006

Taking off


Taking off
Originally uploaded by shuopio.

Early in the morning Simo heads to the skies: Kuusamo-Helsinki-London-Chicago-Dallas..

Saturday, March 18, 2006

Sunny spell before the wedding


Sunny spell before the wedding
Originally uploaded by shuopio.

Ready to leave to the celebration of the wedding of Outi and Adrian. The sun came out behind the clouds just in time!

Friday, March 17, 2006

Another pic from Ruka


Another pic from Ruka
Originally uploaded by shuopio.

We have enough snow, at least! 8)

View from Ruka


View from Ruka
Originally uploaded by shuopio.

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Sunday stuff - Sunnuntaijuttuja


Silja and Iiris skating
Originally uploaded by shuopio.

On a bright wintry Sunday one fun thing to do is to go skating. Iiris, Piritta and Silja (my goddaughter) in picture.

Aurinkoisena sunnuntaipäivänä yksi mukava ajanviete on mennä luistelemaan. Kuvassa Iiris, Piritta ja (kummityttö)Silja.

View to the sea - Näkymä merelle


3914_10032006
Originally uploaded by shuopio.

Sun, a messenger of spring - Aurinko, kevään sanansaattaja


3921_13032006
Originally uploaded by shuopio.

The sun has been shining quite nicely last couple of days. Despite the nights have been cold the weather has been very good and full of promise of spring.

Aurinko on paistanut päivisin aika kivasti viimepäivinä. Vaikka yöt ovat olleet kylmiä on ilmassa selvästi kevään tuntua.

Monday, March 06, 2006

Kamppi


Kamppi
Originally uploaded by shuopio.

Eläkeläiset


Eläkeläiset
Originally uploaded by shuopio.

Last weekend we were watching a band called "Eläkeläiset" ("The Retired"). They really did give quite a show with their tongue-in-cheek -cover versions of popular rock songs. To really enjoy the music you have to be at least equally wasted than the band members themselves.



Viime viikonloppuna kävimme katsomassa Eläkeläiset -bändin keikan Tavastialla. Esitys oli railakas, ja siitä täysin nauttiakseen olisi pitänyt varmaan juoda samaan tahtiin kuin bändi itse.. Ja itse musiikkihan oli tuttuja hittibiisejä sovitettuna humpaksi! 8)

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Happy Vale.. errm day of frienship! - Hyvää Ystävänpäivää!

"The Valentines Day" has been branded here in Finland more as an day where the friendships are remembered. This might be because of we Finns might not be the biggest spenders on our beloved "significant others" - or just in order to sell more postcards in general.. 8-)

In any case all our friends near and far, please have a very very nice day! Remember that you are on our hearts and thoughs far more times that you could imagine.

-

Ystävänpäivää vietetään monissa maissa versiona jossa keskitytään oman "sydänkäpysen" muistamiseen erinäisin tavoin. Suomessa päivän merkitys on laventunut ystävyyden vaalimiseen. Ehkä tämä ero johtuu siitä että me suomalaiset emme panosta rahallisesti keskimäärinniin paljon omiin puolisoihimme/partnereihimme - tai ehkä se on vaan keino myydä enemmän postikortteja, kuka tietää? 8)

Joka tapauksessa kaikki ystävät niin lähellä kuin kaukanakin, toivottavasti tämä päivä on erityisen mukava! Muistakaa että olette sydämmissämme ja ajatuksissamme useammin kuin arvaattekaan.

Terveisin / With Regards,
Simo & Piritta

Monday, January 23, 2006

Santa left hanging - Joulupukki jäänyt roikkumaan


IMG_9358
Originally uploaded by shuopio.

On a daytrip to Porvoo we did spot a ragdoll-Santa left hanging on the small balcony. Hey man, christmas is over! 8)

--

Päiväretkellä Porvoossa löysimme tämän nukke-joulupukin roikkumassa parvekkeelta. Hei, eiköhän se joulu voisi olla jo ohi? 8)

Cold winter came for a visit - Kylmä talvi kävi kylässä


Getting colder
Originally uploaded by shuopio.

The last couple of days it has been very cold, around -20 to -25 centigrade even here in southern Finland. At northern Finland it has been even worse, up to -35 degrees Celsius.

This has been the first contact to really cold wintertime after our move here. Actually it has been quite nice. Naturally, it limits a bit you can easily do outside. Otherwise it has been just ok.

Tähän aamuun asti oli todella kylmää. Parhaimmillaan täällä eelässä kävi -25:ssä asteessa, ja pohjoisessa jopa -35 asteessa.

Oikeastaan tämä on ollut ensimäinen kosketus kunnon pakkasiin Suomeen muuton jälkeen. Itseasiassa se on ollut ihan miellyttävää. Toki huurteinen sää rajoittaa hieman ulkonaoloa mutta muuten ei ole ollut sen kummempia vastareaktioita.

Monday, January 09, 2006

Some people can keep their new years resolutions.. Congratulations, Piirtta!

Jotkut pystyvät pitämään uudenvuodenlupauksensa.. Onnea, Pirre!


I almost forgot to mention here that Piritta succeeded to keep her new years resolution not to eat any candy in year 2005. Way to go! She has said that the absence of good licorice sweets in the UK did help her quite a lot. Anyway she did continue the "candy strike" for the whole autumn even with the salty black sweets luring all around! :-)

Melkein unohdin mainita että Piritta onnistui pitämään vuoden 2005 uuden vuoden lupauksensa olla syömättä karkkia koko vuoden! Hieno homma! Hän kyllä on myöntänyt että hyvien salmiakkikarkkien poissaolo Brittilässä helpotti alkumatkaa huomattavasti. Joka tapauksessa lakko jatkui myös koko loppuvuoden suomessa, vaikka salmarit vaanivat joka nurkalla! :-)
The holidays are over - Lomat ohi

To be honest the holidays were actually over almost when they started. Piritta did have the whole two weeks of but I did only take couple of days from here and there. In any case now the work dictates our weekly rythm until March. The mid-winter has not brought in the usual hint of depression to the backgdound despite it has been dark and really not much has been going on. The days will get more light and the springtime will be here sooner than we thing, yay!

Weatherwise it has been winterish. We did have a white christmas and new year, which was nice. We're are now really looking forward to start doing some (cross-country) skiing, lets hope the snow will stay on the ground for next couple of weeks!

--

Totta puhuen lomat tuntuivat vilahtavan ohi ennen kuin huomasi niiden edes alkaaneen. Piritalla nyt oli pari viikkoa vapaata mutta mie otin vain päivän sieltä, päivän täältä. Jokatapauksessa nyt työ määrää viikottaisen rytmimme ainakin maaliskuuhun asti. Keskitalven hetket eivät ole tuoneet taustalle ihan samanlaista masennuksen häivähdystä. Onhan toki pimeää ja työn lisäksi juurikaan mitään ei mahdu eikä ole päässyt tapahtumaan.. Kuitenkin päivät alkavat saada vain yhä enemmän ja enemmän valoa ja kevät on ihan kohta tässä, jip! (pakko ajatella positiivisesti! 8))

Sään puolesta on ollut aika talvista. Joulu ja Uusi Vuosi ovat olleet valkoisia, hyvä! Nyt odotamme tosissamme pääsevämme hiihtämään joten toivottavasti lumi pysyy maassa edes muutaman hetken!

Friday, December 23, 2005

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The holidays! Finally!! Have a nice relaxing couple of days off whereever you are!

Hyvää Joulua ja Onnellista Uutta Vuotta!


Vihdoinkin loma ja vuoden loppu! Toivottavasti voitte viettää nämä muutamat lomapäivät rennosti, missä tahansa olettekin!

Simo & Piritta

Traditional christmas deco - perinteisiä joulukoristeita


Traditional christmas deco
Originally uploaded by shuopio.

Here are couple of examples of common Chirstmas decoration in Finland. Hyacinth and "Tuomaanristi" (Thomas' Cross).

Hyasintti ja Tuomaanristi ovat perinteisiä joulukoristeita Suomessa.

Our christmas tree - joulupuu


Our christmas tree
Originally uploaded by shuopio.

Today, after thorough cleaning of the flat we did set up the christmas tree. Here's a pic of it with its sparse decoration.

Tänään suursiivouksen jälkeen toimme joulukuusen sisään.

Thursday, December 08, 2005

too easy commuting? - liian helppo työmatka?


too easy commuting? - liian helppo työmatka?
Originally uploaded by shuopio.

Simo: For me the commuting is really easy and simple now, maybe even too much so.. I have the choise of less than 10 minute ride in a bus or a train (pictured). The time is so short that I have to keep myself from reading a paper too intensively, otherwise I might miss the stop - like today 8-)



Simo: Päivittäinen työmatka sujuu todella vaivattomasti, jopa liiankin.. Valittavana on alle kymmenen minuuttin pysähdykset joko bussilla vaikka paikallisjunalla (kuvassa). Matka-aika on niin lyhyt että minun pitää erikseen varoa syventymästä liikaa lehden lukemiseen etten missaa pysäkkiä - niinkuin tänään 8-)

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Autumn continues - Syksy jatkuu

Last night the weather was very windy and rainy, however not nearly as serious as those massive hurricanes we have seen on the news happening around the world. No damages were reported in Finland, despite there has been some in Norway, Sweden and Estonia. The temperature seems to be almost stuck at +8 Celsius - so the autumn continues. It has been relatively so warm autumn we have been thinking will we get snow at all here at southern Finland?

Despite the weather it has been ok otherwise. We're already looking forward to the Christmas time and a moment of relaxation. Actually, we might have a possibility for a short weekend visit at the UK at the first weekend of December. Should we be able to come it will be veeery busy, but still better than nothing! At Mid-December there is also one-week work trip to India coming my way (Simo).

Viime yönä pyyhkäisi reipas myrsky- ja sadealue yli Suomen. Näitä skandinavian pikku puhureita ei tietenkään voi verrata suuren maailman hurrikaaneihin. Norjassa, Ruotsissa ja Virossa oli kuitenkin tullut jonkinverran myrskytuhoja, Suomessa niiltä vältyttiin. Lämpötila on jumittunut +8 Celsiusasteeseen. Syksy on ollut suhteellisesti niin lämmin että olen miettinyt että näinköhän tänne Etelä-Suomeen lunta saadaankaan..

Säästä huolimatta on muuten mennyt ihan ok. Selvästi on ilmassa jo joulun ajan ja sitämyöten pienen hengähdystauon odotus. Itseasiassa ennen sitä meillä voi olla mahdollisuus käydä Englannissa joulukuun ensimäisenä viikonloppuna. Mikäli se onnistuu se tulee olemaan erittäin kiireinen pyrähdys, mut silti! Joulukuun puolivälissä miulla (Simo) on myös tulossa viikon työreissu Intiaan.

Sunday, October 30, 2005

Night at Leppävaara - Yö Leppävaarassa


Night at Leppävaara II - Yö Leppävaarassa II
Originally uploaded by shuopio.

A photo taken near our home during a late walk with my brother Kauto (in picture).

Öinen kuva kotimme läheltä Leppävaarasta kävelyltä Kauto-Veljen kanssa.

Grandpas special clock - Papan pahkakello


Grandpas special clock - Papan pahkakello
Originally uploaded by shuopio.

We got this very special clock from Pirittas grandpa as a wedding present last year. Finally we succeeded to carry it to our home.

Saimme tämän erikoisen hienon pahkakellon häälahjaksi Pirittan Papalta viime vuonna. Viimeinkin saimme kuljetettua sen omaan kotiimme.

Laughing haircut - Naurava hiustenleikkuu


Laughing haircut - Naurava hiustenleikkuu
Originally uploaded by shuopio.

We decided to cut at least my (Simo) hair once in a while ourselves. As you can see from the picture the process is fun. ;)

Päätimme leikata miun (Simo) hiukset itse ainakin silloin tällöin. Kuten kuvasta näkyy hauskaa on. ;)

Saturday, October 08, 2005

Sports day at school


Sports day at school
Originally uploaded by shuopio.

Tug of war was one of the activities at sports day at Pirittas school. Before that there was a track and field competition. The whole school had a lovely day.

Köydenveto oli yksi liikuntapäivän ohjelmanumeroista Piritan koulussa. Sitä edelsi perinteisemmät yleisurheilukisat.

Tuesday, October 04, 2005

Sauna


Sauna
Originally uploaded by shuopio.

We have enjoyed this a LOT: our tiny little built-in sauna of our new flat.

Tästä olemme nauttineet kyllä paljon: Kerrostalokämppäämme rakennettu pikkusauna.

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Busy Start

As we expected, the September has been very very busy. The fact that I am posting this from Bangalore, India, could give you an hint. :-)

Anyway, I just heard from Piritta that the broadband connection is finally installed. As the out-of-work Internet usage becomes again possible, we will be reachable by the msn, skype etc. and even a simple things like replying a private emails becomes more likely. 8)

The moving of the stuff within Finland is mostly done now. That is, we have sofa, kitchen & coffee table, more than two chairs, TV (!) etc.. Back at our home-homes where we had stored the furniture, there is some work to do - the boot sales next springtime will have loads of stuff form us that we do not need anymore. Saying this means that we tried to stay firm not taking any items that we did not really need back to Espoo.

As there has been couple of spam comments appearing on the blog (done by some bots), I turned on bit more security measures for posting the comments. If the image verification prevents you from commenting please let us know by email!

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

We are now in Finland!

Today, Wednesday morning we arrived to Finland. The road trip over here went smoothly, despite the quite long distance - 2645 kilometers! On our way we did stop overnight at Amsterdam, Hamburg and Kopenhagen. The last night we did spend on the ferry from Stockholm.

We have already received the keys for our new home and start moving there during the next few days. In order to do that we need to haul our furniture that has been scattered throughout Finland. 8)

More updates and pictures soon!

Friday, August 26, 2005

Earlier this week the removal guys came to pack all of our stuff for the move. So, couple of the last days I've been at Woking on rather simple surroundings.

Tomorrow (Saturday) morning we're going to start our journey through Europe to Finland. I'll keep you posted, at least after we arrive to our destination!

Friday, August 12, 2005



Piritta left for Finland already today morning. Her work starts already tomorrow, so this has been her shortest summer holiday - ever!

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

Status Update

It has been a busy week and a half with all kinds of stuff going on. Here's short status update:

- Piritta decided to accept a teacher position at her old school at Pornainen, 50km north from Helsinki. As the school year for the teachers start already at Friday 12th August it means that she's leaving for Finland this Thursday!

- Mainly because of Pirittas absence we have decided to cancel the Saturday 20th event. I will contact those who had registered interest and suggest some alternatives - I will still be here!

- We still do not have our own/rental place to stay at Helsinki but the search is on! The rental market at Finland is hot which implies that inexpensive and decent is the combination that is hard to find. Its still two-three weeks to go.. 8-)

Monday, August 01, 2005

The trip to Scotland

We spent last week touring Scotland with car. Here are couple of pictures from the trip:



After staying overnight at Nottingham, we did pay a visit to Newcastle-Upon-Tyme. The town was preparing to the Tall Ships Race which was due in couple of days.



At this point we have reached Scotland, as you can see the weather has turned better!



The first look at the Scottish castles was the Castle of Edinburgh, on our first anniversary!



Checking the water temperature of Loch Lomond.



The Scot Architecture seems to have a twist sometimes. This detail is from a small church.



Because of the amount of rivers and water alltogether we did pass quite a many bridges.



Loch Ness and a artists impression of the famous monster.



Landscape near Fort William



Castles and the wide spaces make sometimes very pictoresque settings, especially in the good weather we did enjoy.



Isle of Skye and the Cuillin hills, the view from a lunch break.



After some semi-serious hill walking it is time to take a break.



We decided that some signs need to be obeyed, at least without any equipment.




The principles of Scottish Whisky.



We were able to visit two distilleries on the way back home. This picture is from the huge distillation hall of Glenfiddich Distillery.



The last castle we visited was a Stirling Castle. The weather had turned to rain, which definitely affected the Castle Experience (tm).



We did also pay a short visit to stretch of Hadrian's Wall.



Home at last. We do like to drive a lot during the holidays, this time the odometer reached 2893 kilometres in a week.. 8)

Last but not least here are couple of panoramas stitched together from multiple pictures, click the stripe to see a bigger image!






(Hmm.. found a restriction of blogger image store while twiddling with these panoramas. The images over 1024 pixels of width seem to be scaled to that size.. I will eventually find a way to show the proper images.)