Winds of change are blowing my way

Summer is almost gone (but never forgotten!), I'm eating ice cream and writing this blog post on my balcony. Life is pretty great at this moment. I have so much to tell you!

Where should I begin? The major news? Yes! Guys, I got into school! I've started to study Hospitality Management in Tampere University of Applied Sciences just two days ago! I'm really happy that I got in and my class is awesome. I've had lots of fun with them already and even though tonight I'm taking a day off of group activities, I'll catch up when I get back from NYC.

Summer went... well while working. So nothing new I guess.

And let's take a small throwback to last weekend. I spent the last weekend in Helsinki attending my dear friend Kipa's surprise baby shower! I baked a cake for her and kept her busy while the others went to her apartment and decorated it. At the same time we were looking out for possible shots for a baby bump photoshoot we were planning on doing. The party was successful and in the evening we left to Vallila to take some photos of the mom-to-be (and the dad-to-be). I stayed the night and on Sunday we continued with Kipa by heading off to Alppiruusupuisto (Rhododendron Park) to take some more pictures that turned out to be just gorgeous, even though the blooming season had been long gone.

So... New York City is waiting for me in only two days! Honestly I'm so excited and terrified at the same time. This will be the first trip I'm doing completely solo. I already have so much planned!

Let's just say that I have hop-on hop-off bus tour, new york city pass (with admission to 6 attractions), helicopter ride over manhattan, a course at magnolia bakery and the cherry on top: wicked on broadway. I've been planning a lot like what to do and what to see on each day, since the NYC pass has attractions that obviously will have queues (even though some give you the opportunity to skip them). So the plans kind of... live through the trip.

I'm also waiting for Monday's welcome party at my hostel and meeting all the new people. I'm hoping that everything will go well and I don't lose stuff (or forget to pack something essential with me).

Alright, so next time I'll write I'll probably be in New York already. So until then!

Rose garden filled with thorns aka. birthday

Another year older, again. Where have all these years gone? What have I achieved in my life? Where am I going? I bet everyone actually thinks at least one of these when they turn yet another year older. That happened to me yesterday. Gladly, I don't really stress out that much. Within the previous years I've arranged a birthday party, rented out a space and invited all my friends over to have a good time. This time I spent my birthday with my two best friends - the ultimate crew as I named out Whatsapp group - Haja and Miss H. 

I spent the morning at work, running along, trying not to sweat much so I could actually look representable later. I had bought a new pink dress (I think I mentioned that in some of the earlier posts, yeah? Well that's it in the pictures) I've been dying to get out and what would be a better occasion to dress in pink from head to toe than a birthday? 

After my shift was done, I headed for Hatanpään Arboretum, which has become my go-to location for all kinds of photoshoots and festivities. It's just so pretty and I had heard that the roses in the rose garden were now in full bloom (or had been for a week or so). And I have a slight obsession to take pictures with flowers (no kidding?!) so it had to be done.

Sadly it was raining when we got there. But the rain never bothered me anyway, right? I even had my pink umbrella (from Ikea, of course) with me! So I gave my camera to Haja and she began shooting photos.

And talking about photoshooting - it's not all that serious, not with me in front of the camera at least. I mean look at these silly behind the scenes -photos!

Yeah no, I just can't be normal all the time. Well most of the time anyway. 

After we were done shooting, we headed out to pick Miss H and drove to the city centre to have a nice birthday dinner. We had chosen to dine in New York, which I can gladly recommend to anyone - good food and reasonable prices too! I ate my regular dish - Broadway Chicken and it was damn delicious. And a cheesecake cause on birthday you're supposed to have cake too (I did make one it just failed magnificently).

After eating we walked a short distance to a surprise I had arranged for me and my friends - ROOM ESCAPE. I had really dreamed of going to one so long I decided to give one to myself as a present. We booked "The Office" and started playing. Those of you who don't know what a room escape is - you will be locked up in a room full of possible clues and you have to get out in an hour. Sadly, we didn't quite make it, we had one lock left when the time ran out. But it was super fun, we worked really well together and I was so proud of us all! I really recommend that to everyone cause it's not only fun but also builds up very good teamwork skills!

And well, that was the day. I had just lots of fun (I also might have bought a long-craved Michael Kors Jet Set Travel Tote so I'm full-on pink in London. At least on one day). 

So yes, I have a weekend off and I'm starting my summer vacation NOW! The weekend includes lots of packing and when I get back from London, my kitchen has been already delivered YAY! They just have to install it too so that takes a little time and then I get to cleaning and dragging my stuff in there. I just can't wait. It's going to be glorious!

xoxo,