World of Workout Videos

For the past week, I have been enjoying workouts in my living room as I follow the cheerful commands of the perky model girl on the TV. "Eight more; feel the burn" she says as she doing lunges on some beach in Mexico. I do have to confess that I used to think of these workout videos as silly way to exercise; however, right now I am finding them to be perfect way to stay in shape when even the thought of going outside makes me break into sweat. Plus Troy thinks it's entertaining when I'm trying to hold my pilates poses since I have lost much of my flexibility since my gymnastics and track days. What is everyone else doing during those months when working out seems impossible?

Of course to balance this new exercise regimen, I am now eating Ben&Jerry's Mint Chocolate Cookie. 

Sweetness of Babies

I absolutely love babies and I have not even had one of my own yet. Since I'm working at the mother-baby unit, I get to witness the sweetness of new families and the joy these babies bring to their parents. I love to hold them and talk to the parents about them and see the transformation that takes place when they welcome their babies into this world. It never fails to amaze me how incredible the human life is. It is such a pleasure to work with the moms and the babies because most of the time, they are so appreciative of your help and teaching and it really is a happy time in the hospital. Below are pictures of some fabulous moms that I get to hang out with on my free time:) 

Janae and I went to visit Lili who just had her baby girl few weeks ago. Again and again, I am reminded of what a blessing it is to have good friends. 
Heather had Mr. James in March and he never was very small:) The picture is from our last night together before they moved to California. We miss them terribly and hope that somehow we will live in the same area in the future:) 

Trip to the Home Land

We went on a quick week and half trip to Finland for my brother's high school graduation. As always, it was wonderful to be in Finland. We made a daily trip to the candy store with at least 50 bins of different candy to choose from and ate finnish pastries and rye bread with the delicious Finnish cheese. The weather was perfect (in the 70s) and we spent hours outside. The highlight was obviously Mio's graduation and the graduation party and it was fun to see our family friends. 

Dad and I before our 10 K run on a saturday morning, The luxury of running on trails that are lined with green trees and overlooking the sea. 

Our silly family after Mio's party. Notice the different graduation cap. 

Anna and I sitting in the graduation ceremony. 

We hope to be able to live in Finland for few years in the future though it would definitely be a change. Here are some of the adjustments that would happen when moving to Finland

-Troy needs to learn Finnish

- gas prices of 9 dollars/gallon

-no mexican food

-move from a 1500 sq ft house to probably a 800-1000 sq ft apartment(due to expensive house prices)

-more expensive food prices

-far away from Troy's family

-long, dark winters

-Troy probably wouldn't make as much as money and I for sure as a nurse would make much less money.

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What we would gain from our move

-daily access to the best chocolate and candy in the world(obviously on the top of the list!)

-free health care

- excellent public transportation

-great schools for our kids and free college education

- close to my family

-access to sauna

-ability to take trips to different European countries for cheap prices

-sun setting around midnight during summer time

-swimming in the CLEAN lakes during summer

-ability to walk to places and miles and miles of great running trails

OK, both lists are obviously much longer but those are some of the big differences between the two countries. I really love living in both countries though Mexico..I mean Tucson is not that close to my heart.  How do other people feel about living in different countries?