What-Matters-Most

Month-long date: Part 3

Third Stop: Suomi, Helsinki...Kristin's Homeland

"We had a great train ride here--lots and lots and lots of trees and small houses/log cabins...lots of lakes with canoes on the shore, and lots of piles of logs and chopped wood...

Helsinki has been wonderful! Mervi*, Jaari and kids have been extremely welcoming and hospitable. From the time we arrived till now, Mervi has taken care of us and shown us around Helsinki-and spent toooooo much money on us!
Mervi and her best friend, bubbly-high-flyin'-hair Outti, have taken us on a boat ride around Helsinki, instructed us on Finnish design and architecture, introduced us to hearty Finnish food, and much, much more (especially loads of chocolate...I'm turning brown). Yesterday was a national holiday and we went with Mervi's family out to the island of Suomenlinna (a UNESCO world heritage site, best-preserved maritime fortress in the world). It was wonderful. We walked around the island, exploring the dark barracks (okay, that was mostly the 7 year olds and me, while the adults watched), and the green hills and rocks that roll down into the Gulf of Finland. For lunch we ate Salmon soup (all you can eat!) at a preserved wooden house on a hill overlooking the gulf. mmmmm..... At first I was reserved about eating too much food, but now I can't help it as Mervi is constantly making more food for us! We had potatoes, gravy, and MEATBALLS at 10:30 last night! All that said, breakfast is always my favorite: yogurt, fresh fruit, whole-grain cereals and granolas, juice, and several types of breads with various toppings.

(*FYI...Mervi is Kristin's Dad's Cousin)

(Kristin enjoyed sampling in the fish market :)

Month-long date: Part 2

Second Stop: Россия, Санкт-Петербург

"I'm sitting here in our hostel in St. Petersburg--we took an overnight train that left Moscow at 0100 and arrived here at 0945. And I slept really well! It was actually really fun. I kept thinking about how much the boys would love to sleep on a train like that--there was just a long hallway and skinny beds on each side (no curtains or doors or anything, but I felt really secure). I woke up a few times and the sounds of so many people sleeping and breathing (some snoring) reminded me of the dwarfs on Snow White

"We've gone to the Hermitage, which was amazing, we actually went to see the Nutcracker, which was very delightful (fitting for the weather) for $3.00 each (we got standby tickets and saved a LOT of money and had pretty good seats! , we've toured St. Isaac's Cathedral, Kazanski Cathedral, and the Church of Christ the Savior on Spilled Blood. They were all very interesting to see--one of them is operating right now, so that was neat to see people inside. Last night, we went to "Feel Yourself Russian!" It's a Russian culture night with singers, dancers, musicians, and even a little "buffet" during intermission. That was really fun to see! The dancing was very entertaining and they had live music on stage with an accordian and some strings. I'm sure we were the only Americans there, and probably the only ones under 45 yrs. old. I love how music & dancing are universal.


Find Kristin...










p.s. We've seen a LOT more mullets--even female ones! (here's a mullet couple!)


classic Russian soul

"p.p.s.
Some food we've eaten...in case you're interested:
-Anton's borsch (really good)
-Sala (it's pig fat that's been hardened and over-salted; you normally eat it on bread...interesting)
-Khaladyets (I'm sounding these out in English--it's GROSS. It's meat (we had pig's head at Anton's house, Ben informed me afterward) with broth that has been frozen and added to gelatin...the texture is veeeerrry interesting.) Pig-head-meat-jell-o.
-Raw salmon with buckwheat (not bad)
-Cavier (eww)
-Breads, pastries, cakes--most of them good--some with meat or cabbage or cream inside
-Other soups--a pureed veggie soup (yum!), mushroom soup,
-Kalbasa (like summer sausage--yummy)
-Galabtsi--it's meat wrapped in cabbage
-Bleeny are like Russian pancakes--you can put any kind of meat or fruit/cream inside.
-For breakfast we usually buy a yogurt drink with fruit and bread. Yum!"
-They have a lot of yummy juices

Month-long date: Part 1

Kristin and I had a great time traveling through Russia, Finland, and Sweden throughout the month of May. I decided that the best way to relate our experiences would be to split-up our "month-long date" into different posts according to location. Each post will be narrated by snippets from the e-mails we sent out while at that location.

First Stop: Россия, Москвa

Kristin found Moscow to be well, different...
"We've been rubbing shoulders with Russians (literally) as Ben has successfully and impressively navigated us around the city, using mainly the HUMONGOUS metro system...kind of overwhelming at first. Moscow is huge (and expensive)! And dirty. I've finally accepted the fact that my life has been shortened from all of the second-hand smoke, not to mention exhaust fumes. However, as much as we stand out from our looks and how we dress, I think I've gotten the "Russian Metro Behavior" down pat. Here's how it goes: As you rush down the stairs that go to the underground station, pull out your Metro pass, as well as your book or newspaper, oh and don't forget that cigarette...scan your pass and take the (LONG) escalator even further underground...(you can even run down the left side if you want)...as the metro screams into the station, push anyone who's in your way so you don't miss this departure (they only come and go every two minutes, you know). As the doors slam shut, quickly find your spot and stare down at your book (if you don't have one, simply close your eyes and look half-dead). As the metro car speeds off and heads to the next stop, do not, I repeat, do NOT look at ANYONE! ...But if, on accident, you look at someone, just make sure you don't smile... :) Warning: After two consecutive days and several hours of this behavior, you may feel really depressed."
This is us with Anton (my friend we stayed with in Moscow)

We are the Champions

Ben played intermural flag football this last semester at BYU. After defeating several teams (including one full of ex-BYU players), they made it to the championship game...

...it was pouring rain, of course...

...the field was wet & slippery, and the bitter rain was relentless...

...but after some intense huddles & plays, not to mention unfortunate injuries...

...the Regulators came out on top!

Their prize? One of the most coveted shirts on campus.

(And don't forget the proud, supportive wife after a 12-hour shift at the hospital.)

Easter

I love the sights and feelings that Easter and springtime bring! Yellow daffodils spring up, the grass becomes greener, tree buds begin to bloom...I think of renewal and rebirth. Around Easter time several years ago, my mom birthed a premature baby boy who only lived for minutes. This memory brings me peace every year as I think of his birth and his death, and the blessing of living again--as families!

Today, I came across this quote from Thomas S. Monson, the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

"At this Easter season of hope and renewal we testify of the glorious reality of the atonement and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The empty tomb brought comforting assurance and provided the answer to the question of Job, “If a man die, shall he live again?” (Job 14:14).

"Because of the Savior’s resurrection we will overcome death and become the beneficiaries of His mercy and grace. In a world of trouble and uncertainty, His peace fills our hearts and eases our minds. Jesus is in very deed “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).

"We give our sure witness that Jesus is the Christ. Though He was crucified, He rose triumphant from the tomb to our everlasting blessing and benefit. To each member of the human family He stands as our Advocate, our Savior, and our Friend."

Here's a video that goes along with this theme:

Russia, here we come!

Well, it's official! We just found out that we were approved for our visas, so Ben & I will be leaving in about one month for Russia, and we'll be gone for six weeks! Ben is doing a "field study," which is basically an individual internship...he's been doing some research with a Public Health professor about tobacco warning labels, and he'll launch an accredited survey over in Russia (a.k.a. tobacco country!) to find out what's effective and what's not. You can learn a little more about it on his blog International Tobacco Treaty. He can explain it better than me, though (here's your cue, Ben). Anyway, Ben served an LDS mission for two years in Samara, Russia, so he knows the language and culture well (definite plus). Primarily, we'll stay in Moscow & Saint Petersburg, so we won't be able to visit his mission area, BUT, we're hoping to spend some time over in Finland & Sweden after the survey is launched! My dad was born in Finland and lived there until he was eight years old, so visiting Finland has always been a dream of mine. We have some distant relatives that I've had some contact with, so it would be great to see them. Ben & I both have Swedish ancestry, so Sweden will be great too...we feel very lucky for this opportunity and are really looking forward to it!