1377

This is my number during the Maijooks (May Run). Not sure what I was thinking, but I am registered. 7k. I should be capable of running that much. After all I have I been going to the gym for 4 month now:) A run or two would be beneficial though.

Actually - today I tried the bodycombat for the first time and after that I told the trainer that I am moving and the chat ended with me getting his contacts:) He has become my favourite trainer, because he is SO happy all the time. Of course I avoided his sessions in the beginning, because of his he-ness:) But one day he was replacing someone, so I had no choice.

I wonder whether I can keep up the gym in the capital??

the JOB

Incredible things happen sometimes - I found a job. And not just a job, but THE job, that will finally bring something in, and by the sounds of it is also interesting. I am going to advise:)

And I have always thought that those who cannot do, should supervise:)

I am starting on May 3. So on May 2 I am moving to Tallinn. I guess it is the only choice when I was looking for a capital starting with a "t" (Ottawa to Tours to Tallinn). It only makes sense.

Exciting times! So exciting that I have butterflies in my stomach, I cannot sleep, I cannot eat. Another big change:)

Trust I seek and I find in you ...

...Every day for us, something new

Open mind for a different view
and nothing else matters.

Metallica concert on Saturday in Riga, Latvia. It was GOOD!

So much power and energy. I like it! Even though I may not look like a Metallica fan:)

There were about 11 000 fans, and I think at least one third were Estonians. Still lots of space though (that I liked - air is always good).

The laser show and fire was stunning! Very enjoyable. And of course, the old hits Nothing else matters and Unforgiven were SO amazing that brought on goose pumps.

I have seen them once before. 1999 in Tallinn. We went with Kullionu and friends. One of the strongest emotions from my undergrad years:) Then I had a great outfit to blend in: long blond hair, yellow top, miniskirt and white shows with high heels. And so we rocked in the 5th row with Kullionu. All these hairy guys in leather and long hair around us:)

This time I put some thought into my outfit. I got black jacket with some extra zippers, a red waterproof skirt (waterproofness was very smart idea due to spilling beer!) and army boots. Improvements, I would say:)

And just to mention, I was at the concert due to the babysitting duties. Reelika&Co were in Brussels stuck due to ash clouds, so I replaced Kristen at the concert:) He had even arranged a ride-share with 2 nice army guys:) Interesting discussions all they way there and back. It was particularly important on our way back, when we had to sit on the border for 50 minutes (there were only 5 cars in front of us), as the NATO meeting in Tallinn requires tight border controls.

These were the songs:

That Was Just Your Life
The End Of The Line
For Whom The Bell Tolls
Creeping Death
Fade To Black
Broken, Beat And Scarred
Cyanide
Sad But True
One
Wherever I May Roam
The Day That Never Comes
Master Of Puppets (Kristen - see oli Sulle)
Blackened
Nothing Else Matters
Enter Sandman

And then a few extras:)

Forever trusting who we are
and nothing else matters!

KOLM NULL

I had (and I am still having) a BEAUTIFUL birthday!

Brunch in the morning-noon-afternoon. I got to use this wonderful opportunity of staying at home, and being able to invite friends over for the brunch. Something different:) Also something Canadian;)

There was eggs Benedict, zucchini-feta tart, fruit salad and cake (my mom made the cake). And Reelika and Kristen brought the "kringel" (Reelika's very first try) and "porgandi pirukad" (like baked perogies with carrot filling). All was SO delicious! And there was tea and coffee and mimosa greeting drinks:)

Wonderful time! It was warm, the sun was shining, the kids were playing and the company was the best. Just really, really good way of spending the birthday.

Then I had a walk in town, enjoyed the spring, visited a photo exhibition opening (with some free bubbly wine:) and then Kullionu and I went to the Supelsaksad Cafe. And chatted until they closed:) I loved it!!! And I loved it that she loved her gift:)

Then walk in the night, some more tea and another birthday has been celebrated in style!

And all the cards (also in mail), text messages, calls, e-mails and Facebook messages... so much happiness and goodness:) All specially for me:) I do feel very, very special!

While I was in Canada, 4 always cut out the horoscope for me. I think it was from National Post (I may be wrong). But todays National Post says:

If Your Birthday Is Today

Actor Gregory Peck (1916-2003) shares your birthday today. Whether you seek it or not, you seem to be born with "star quality", and others sense this about you. You have dogged perseverance, and a firm set of principles. Despite the attention you often receive, you are personally unassuming and rather low key. You choose to avoid controversy and the limelight. (At least, you try.) In your year ahead, an important choice will arise. Choose wisely.

happiness

Happiness is in small things.

Visiting friends at 8 am and having a morning coffee.
Watching children shows (Mõmmi Aabits) with a 2 year old sitting tightly close to you.
Seeing a 5 day old Eesti Hani (Estonian goose).
Helping to feed Kirp (Fleece), a very young sheep.
Making envelopes and brushing teeths with your friend's 5 year old girl.
Listening to a good-night story with the 5 year old (Hallvanakesed üheskoos, hammusta ja löö)
Young friends, who call you 11 and Tädi Tudu.
Having friends to whom make gifts.
Walking around the city in a spring day, coffee in hand.
Friends who tell you on msn "I won't let go the hug before the morning'.
Being a part of new project with the Beautiful Nerd.
Having friends, who tell you that no-matter-what "you are still the most beautiful".
Caffe Latte (especially the Starbucks kind).
Most importantly - having friends who are always waiting to see you (and who are happy to host you).

Do what you do but do not talk to strangers

On the day of Estonian birthday I was headed to Belgium. And the trip was wonderful! But I have not yet had a chance to talk about it. Alors, some moments.

*While Estonia had snow above my bellybutton and the temperature was quite frosty, Brussels was warm. So warm that I walked to the grocery store just in a sweater and I was still hot (lol). All these Belgian beers there. And - NO cranberries. Even when I figured out the way to ask in French, they still did not have them. Apparently it is Christmas stuff. C'mon, even Estonia has dried cranberries in the store. It is healthy. Anyway, so we just bought chips for the party.

*Kullionu's son's favourite toy is the one I got him for Christmas. This was the best moment ever!! It is a dog, but he calls it 'Kass' (Cat) or 'Kiisu' (Kitty). Adorable! But he had no idea really, who I was. Oh well.

* Kullionu and Mairis arrived together. We 'lõime end lille' (hit ourselves into a flower meaning we got ready and even prettier) and off we were for the Independence Day Party No 2 (for me). It was organized by the same academic organization, as the one I attended the night before. Just thisone was in Brussels. It was really nice to see the Brussels crowd. But the dancing was much better in Estonia:) And I even had a role of a messenger, bringing the warm Independence Day greetings from their Tallinn counterpart:)

* I was supposed to meet my friend at the Leopold B&B. I thought it was near Kullionu's place, but 10 min before the meeting time it turned out to be in the other end of the town. I called the friend, e-mailed, called the B&B, many times, all that to meet in downtown. No answer. I was 2 hours late and quite angry, once I made it. Apparently the friend left his phone home on purpose. And the B&B guy just forgot the phone when changing the pants. Guys!!!

But the B&B was really charming.

The funny thing was that I had been at that metrostation a few years back, when I was just travelling with a little ladybug:)

* Coffee with Mairis, a warm-up beer, fries and moules, more beer. Walks at night (the daffodils were blossoming), the Museum of Musical Instruments and the Chocolate museum, and more beer. Very cultural and entertaining:)

* Saturday. Beautiful sunny day. Leuven. My first Flamish wedding:) The town looked so cute, but I had to find the church. So no time to walk around. Next time.

The Bride looked gorgeous! Just perfect!! The Groom looked good as well. The ceremony was all in Dutch, but at least they had a little booklet, that had every single word in it. So I was reading:) Dutch is cute in Belgium. I also took photos.

After the ceremony the couple left the church through the flower gates, that her dance group formed on the door. Then they had to saw a log into two and then the dance group (that was dressed like people dressed during 18th century, and the group had been together for 20 years. The bride had been part of it since the very beginning).

Followed some downtime, and I hanged out with the Brides friends. Then I also found out why I cannot stay the night at the Newlyweds apartment, as originally planned. Apparently the old tradition says that the apartment is being "treated". One couple had their bedroom locked, and the key was in a iceblock in a freezer. Our couple had plastic cups filled with water covering the entire floor and wieners in the bathtub and CDs switched (if I understood correctly).

We had dinner at Jitho Bistro in Lennik before the reception. Wonderful place.

The reception started at 8 pm. We entered the house and there was a long line of people, going to greet the couple. On the way we quickly gave the coats away (no chance to change shoes, as apparently I was onlyone who brought the other pair). Congratulated the couple and then moved on the congratulate the parents. I thought that it was what I was supposed to do. But they sort of freaked, due to my English, methinks. So after the first congratulation I just smiled and nodded and moved quickly to the wine. But I still had a problem. Now I was holding a wine glass, my purse, my shoebag and the gift. I had to get rid of something. Ok, shoes to the corner. But the gift? There was no gift table... So I cut the line again (second round) and asked the bride. Apparently I had to give it to her:) I did so quickly and then disappeared into the crowd before seeing the parents for the second round:) And then there were chats and wine and amazingly delicious treats.

At 10 pm we moved upstairs, for beer, and presentation by the friends (the history and the sex ed crash course) and the dancing! At one point I thought that I would like to dance the slow songs, too. I did not know anyone, though. But not to worry, there seemed to be many guys. I asked the Bride's friend, whether I can ask a guy to dance (he said yes) and went. Wow, the attention I got. Thankfully the guy came to dance. I asked about the furor (there were about 10 guys watching and cheering), and it turned out that it is not traditional, that you ask a person whom you do not know, to dance. I was so glad I was (crazy) Estonian. I still wonder - how do they meet there?

But the weddingparty was good, and I left when the lights were turned on. I arrived at Kullionu's at 6 am.

* Kullionu's son woke up early, but Kullionu tried to keep him quiet, saying "Tädi tudub" (Aunt is sleeping). Eventually I got up, we had coffee, and breakfast. It was raining. We ended up staying in all day - just chillaxing. Very, very nice day.

* At 6 pm I headed to the trainstation. Due to extreme weather conditions (the rain) some trains did not go, as the signs said. But I was too slow to think, so the train still arrived just 10 min late, contradicting the sign. In the airport I ran into a good friend from Ottawa. He was going to Riga, too, on the very same plane, and even sitting behind me.

* The best part: the following days Kullionu's son was pointing at the couch, and saying " Tädi Tudu" (aunt sleepy).