We had a visit from my mom, henceforth known as ouma, for ten days at the end of January. It was really good to have her here. I went to work most days, since I had an examination to prepare for, and she and Tracy held the fort. It snowed for all except one day while she was here, and the world was a snowy wonderland. She was a very willing babysitter, and we were able to go skiing together, we went to bible study without Annabel, and even went to a restaurant. It was the first time I have ever seen Springbok meat sold for less than beef. The prices were really obscene, at least by SA standards, but we had a lovely time together. Even Annabel was sad when ouma had left. The whole day after she was gone, Annabel would make these little sighing noises and look sadly out the window. While ouma was here Annabel started learning to hit the little bells that are attached to her mobile. She has subsequently recorded the first track of her upcoming CD, entitled Atmosbellic. If you are interested I can send a small sample of her work...My friend Lari invited me to go and play ice hockey with him and some friends, like you would get a touch rugby invite in SA. My skating is ok as long as I am going straight forward at a moderate speed. Anything other than that spells difficulty if not disaster. So when you play ice hockey you have to concentrate on what the puck or ball is doing and how the stick is controlling this, which left me with little brain power to control the skating part. Needless to say, I was constantly picking myself up off the ice, and near the end managed to whack my head on the ice. I have a newfound respect for ice hockey players, and can understand some of the anger they display towards their opponents - it must be a way of letting off steam from all those frustrating falls they had while they were learning the game.
Tracy and Sini went pulka sliding again, today is officially Laskiaistiistai - sliding downhill tuesday. The idea is to go downhill on anything that will slide on snow, which is just about anything. Afterwards you are supposed to eat pea soup, sweet buns and hot chocolate. I think it is the Finnish version of festive carnival before the fasting of lent, slightly understated, as with most things Finnish.
