Tag: day 1

The Advent Christmas Calendar is here again

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Christmas balls, stars and light
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Day 1

Wow, this year has gone fast, and that’s what makes it so surreal. Today it’s December 1st. I had an advent calendar on this blog in 2016 and 2017, and I’ve decided to have one this year, too. It’s 23 days to Christmas Eve. It’s my first Christmas alone. I never thought last Christmas was the last with Dad around. Christmas won’t be the same, but one thing hasn’t changed. I’m taking a cruise to Tallinn this year, too. I don’t need to think about anything other than relaxing. In a way, I’m not alone since there will be other people. Christmas isn’t that important for me anymore. If I had a family, I would feel differently. My parents and I haven’t spent Christmas at home since 2010. In 2011 and 2012, we went on a cruise to Riga, Latvia. On a cruise, everything is done for you, including the food and the entertainment. A big bonus is a day on land. In 2013, we didn’t go anywhere since my mother died on December 15 that year. Me and my dad stayed at home. That was a sad Christmas. In 2020, we stayed home too. It was COVID-19 then, so no cruises were organised because of it.

The shipping company made cruises to Riga until 2017 and then to Tallinn the following year. I went with Dad on the Christmas cruises, the last time being last year. Because of the cruises, I have been abroad the most in Latvia and Estonia—unless you count Stockholm, but that’s summer trips and one advantage of living in Finland. Once, we went on a Christmas cruise to Stockholm. It’s two nights on the ship and a day on land. I’ve been to those places so many times that I almost know it by heart, at least in the town centres. So Riga, at least 6 times and Tallinn 5 times, so quite a lot.

So, this is the first post of the 2024 Advent Calendar. It won’t be all about Christmas. Here we go.

Bloganuary: Achievement in year 2023

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Bloganuary 2023, What is something you want to achieve this year?

First, I had an awful Christmas and an even worse new year; terrible flu hit me. It feels like I have never been this sick in my life. I have a cough, and I have had a high fever. The fever is worse at night. I don’t know how long this will last. It’s been on for over a week now. The flu gets you drained. It’s the coughing that does it. I hope this will be over soon. I want the taste back, and my ears popped. Now I feel horrible. I lose my voice after all that coughing. My eyes are tired, and they are also dry. Not a very lovely way to start the year.

Despite not feeling well right now, I will begin Bloganary about what I want to achieve this year. I don’t usually make any goals in advance because they don’t come true anyway. I have things I wish I could achieve. One achievement is finishing my filmmaking education and completing my assignment on time. The education is only part-time. There will be other things to think about, too, at the same time. The year will be pretty busy for me.

I have three concerts to see and the travelling to those. Then there are at least two movie premiers, Guardian of the Galaxy 3 and Indiana Jones 5. Those are the achievement that I’m sure it’s going to happen. Other achievements will only be a plus.

Advent calendar Box 1

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advent calendarIt’s that time again when the countdown to Christmas begins. Last year I had an advent calendar where I wrote about something related to it every day until December 24. I decided to do it this year too. Maybe there will be some more sparkle this time. But I don’t plan in advance so it can become a surprise for me too.

In Finland, we celebrate it at the Christmas Eve. It’s when families gather around for a feast and the presents are opened. Some people go to church. Everyone celebrate Christmas differently. I and dad are going to Riga by ship this year again. It’s so much easier when everything is ready for you. I’m not much of a cook when it comes to Christmas. It hasn’t been the same since my mother died. Even when she was alive, we went there too.

We go to the cemetery the day before Christmas to put a candle on our family grave. Both of my grandmothers are buried there along with my sister and mother. When we celebrated at home, we went there on the Eve. In recent years we haven’t had snow so Christmas is pretty grey and dark. But seeing all the candles lit on the graves, it’s less depressing. If you want snow, you have to travel to the North of Finland. Snow does make things lighter. It doesn’t need to be much. I really hope there’s gonna be something white on the ground this year. Walking on the cemetery would feel much more Christmasy.

So there you have the first box of the advent calendar 2017. Tomorrow is another day, so see you there.