Falling in love with Finland

I love this place… but before I start saying why, I must clarify first that I still love Singapore. After all, Singapore is my home country with the great sun and great food and the list can go on, but this is not a post on Singapore, haha, so that’s for another time.

So anyway, why do I love Finland? (haha… but every point has it’s pros and cons.) Here goes:

1. Their transportation is fantastic. Do you know that they have timetables for what time which bus will arrive for every bus stop? And the more amazing thing is that buses (and trains) will arrive at the precise time that is given! Let’s say the bus is supposed to arrive at 14.37… guess what? It actually does arrive at 14.37! (to me, it’s 99% of the time accurate)

Bad news: if you miss it… that’s it. There is no hope when it comes to their transportation.

2. I love the air. It’s super fresh here… It’s wonderful! And the coldness/ coolness!!! And the snow! Haha.

Bad news: it gets kinda too cold in winter… haha, but since I’m here only for 6mths, it’s enjoyable. Haha. Another downside is that not much sun… oh well. That’s not what I’m here for anyway. Hahaha.

3. The people. They are nice and their accent is easy to understand (for me). And they are very honest people! Seriously, I’m not worried about thieves and all that… cos it’s safe here because the people have good hearts, not because of the law. (of course the law enforcement is good and all that, but if the heart is good, it’s so much easier to enforce the law right?)

Bad news: sometimes, I feel very “ah tiong” here… if you don’t get the word, ask me personally, haha.

4. My apartment – my room is so comfy, I have a sweet little kitchenette to cook, and a clean toilet that’s just beside my room which makes it so convenient.

Bad news: how can I go back to RH again? Haha… my apartment is too wonderful.

5. The water is great! Out of the tap, I get to drink icy cold water (the water in Finland is good so I can drink straight from the tap)… and if I turn it to the other extreme, the water will be extremely hot… even I cannot take it. So I only turn to ¾ when I bathe… and I love bathing in hot water!!!

Bad news: I think I’m addicted to ice cold water now…

6. Things are simple here… people just live simple lives. No one works too much, people can have time with their families, have time for themselves.

Bad news: so that’s why there’s absolutely no 24hrs store or hotline or anything 24hrs here. And on Sundays, huge department stores (e.g. Stockmann) and huge shopping centers (e.g. Sello in Leppavaara) are closed!!! Unbelievable right?

7. It just feels like second home now. Especially when I came back from Russia, I felt such a sense of home when I arrived in Finland. To see signboards in Finnish (and understand some words cos of my Finnish course) and see friendly faces again. =)