So what is that you actually do there???

Lately my conversations/emails/whatsApps/Skype calls have been going a bit like this:

- I heard you are working now?

- yes, I work for Expression

- so what do you actually do?

- social media management and live brand experiences

- umm what?

....

So here goes. What we do is manage customer's social media accounts, create fun content that people actually are interested in, and plan and execute promotional events for them.

So it can be a day at the office, doing computer work, or having idea sessions over Skype with our team in Finland, or a full day photoshoot or an event for our customers.

This is what it looks like in practice:

Every day different, every day new.

ÁMATE

Love yourself.

I read a book yesterday: Jennifer Lopez book. I know. How very shallow of me. But what I thought would be just an easy read, full of gossip and fun stuff actually touched me very deeply. What started out as a world tour picture book for her turned into a more indepth self search. I choose to believe that her words were genuine (I'm not that jaded yet) and it took me also on an interesting thought process.

I've been wondering why exactly is it that I feel so much more at peace here than in my home country. On paper I have so much less here than I had in Finland but I feel more confident, empowered, strong and in touch with myself than I did before. Now, I'm not saying it is the country and I would not have felt this way  back home but it (the move) certainly acted as a catalyst to change. I feel very strongly that paring down earthly possessions allowed me to look inside. 

Reading Jennifer's book though made me realize that I am not done yet. The years of self doubt has left marks that take a long time to heal, but I'm doing so much better already! Finding my strength also helps me to think and figure out what do I want. What do I really want. Well actually more what I don't want at this point but I'm sure it'll turn into wants too..

I don't want to live my life the way others want me to live it.

I don't want to posses things just because it's the hottest hot or expected.

I don't want to wake up 80 one day and regret missed opportunities or skipped opportunities because of fear. 

I want to take time for me and my family to really be together and I want to learn to love myself. My failings and flaws and shortcomings and all that that in the western society are excellent at hiding. I believe that very simple sentence that guided me in gymnastics "no pain, no gain" years ago, applies to my life too. Just breezing through years without actually taking the time to learn or even really live would in the end cause even more pain, than taking some risks and chances along the way.

Oh I must be getting old... But hey isn't that what life is really about???

Change

My little guys started school today. They were supposed to start on Tuesday, but unfortunately they ran up a fever so couldn't make it then. There was sleepiness in the house this morning, refusal to wake up, even though it is the same time as normal, but so typical that today is the day they are sleepy.

We chose a small nursery school that is called Lady Chesham. They follow the montessori program, which I found very nice knowing my kids. There is much more activity based learning than in the more traditional Tanzanian schools, and there is no way we could afford the international schools with their whopping 25000 USD term fees per child (honestly, what is it that they teach to a three year old with those prices??) I really loved when my friends daughter heard that J and M are going to this school she got very exited. She used to attend it and has only positive memories from there.

They wear school uniforms, which I find both adorable and easy. I always used to want a school uniform as a child so I think I am the most exited. I hope they will enjoy it and I hope this was the right decision. While I have loved having them around, I am glad that they will be getting so lessons and I get some time to focus on work.

look at me in my uniform..aww..

not so happy school boy

They actually both hate me for taking them there, but they seem to enjoy their days. M keeps missing J and wonders off into his class - and now he is still feeling shy :) what about when he feels his crazy confident self? This makes me wonder, has he always been so confident and brave because he has always had his brother around? I will never know.

Making something out of nothing

Last year thought me many lessons in life. One of the biggest one was that I hate stuff, things, clutter etc. I have always had it in me, I've always loved the feeling of emptying closets and getting rid of excess but starting out with few bags of luggage made me feel exhilarated. And made me question what do I really need. Turns out, not much.

One of the things that I've been lacking at home though is a designated work space. I try to work from home every now  and again, and then there is the mandatory home-paperwork that always follows you no matter what and can create messy house and clutter filled tables if there is no place for it. 

Fast forward to yesterday. Our apartment is funnyly shaped. So many wasted square meters that just annoy me. One prime example was this space in our bedroom:

Weird corner with an exit to a "balcony" (that you can fit in) that could possibly work as a closet type thing but actually does not fit anything. Behold: project workspace. 

T's exact words were: "When did you become artistic and creative?" Walls are covered with inspirational quotes (water color btw, but the resistant kind that stays unless you really strat rubbing it off) 

A small repurposed desk and a computer, what else could a girl dream of? (Maybe some storage, it'll happen eventually ;) ) We have a small working space now:

When in doubt - look up and feel inspired:

Quotes from Nelson Mandela, Steve Jobs, Thomas Edison, Gandhi and others will keep us motivated and inspired.

A quick getaway

It is sometimes very hard to enjoy your surroundings to the fullest. (I have never gone sight seeing in Finland or even experienced Lapland 😔 shame on me) And while we go to the pool a lot, dar beaches are not in the best condition especially this time of year. So the beautiful blue-green ocean that surrounds us gets way too little of attention.

You don't need to go all the way to Zanzibar or Pemba to enjoy the island beauty. There are smaller islands with beautiful clear waters just close by. So one Saturday afternoon we headed into Mbudya island. It's a 10 minute lazy boat ride from the Dar Es salaam side and you couldn't believe the beauty. I am glad we had lots of friends to enjoy it with.

Water was amazing....

resolutions

it's that time of the year again...

RESOLUTION

• IPA^(key): /ˌɹɛzəˈl(j)uːʃən/

1. A statement of intent, a vow

   By February, most New Year's resolutions are forgotten.   My resolution is to cut back on the fast food this year.

I usully don't make them. But for some reason this year I want to set some goals, if you like, to act as guide of 2015. I'm trying to avoid the normal ones, that actually do get forgotten by mid February, but let's see how it goes.

1. ONE FOR US

2014 was more about being together than any other year has been. I had no real responsibilities, but towards the end of the year things started taking over my time and I know that I have to dedicate some time from my calendar for family time so I won't forget. 

1 day every week (mostly Sunday but sometimes I might need to move it around) will be family time. The idea is to switch off devices and be together. Occasional movie night will be acceptable but it has to be for all of us not so that kids watch their own movie in the other room.

2. ONE FOR KIDS

1 hour every day. No tv, no phones, no emails no nothing. The first thing after I come home from work. Switch off and set the timer for 60 mins. Of course it can be longer too!!! But I guarantee time for them. 

3. ONE FOR YOU

It's crazy. Time just rushes by and you forget to take time for the relationship. So my next resolution will be for our relationship. One date per week. I feel like this is the thing that is always pushed aside when other stuff come up. Lunch, dinner, movie, a walk. A moment where we are just us. No talking about work!

4. ONE FOR MY SOUL

A call, an email, a Skype, a letter, a favor, or a kind gesture.. Something and someone once a week (again, would love to do more than one) to keep my soul in check. It's too easy to not keep in touch from afar. I have failed miserably with this in 2014. So my calendar gets another reminder of taking time for this.

5. ONE FOR MY BODY

My moment. 30 min/day Monday to Friday. Whether it is to exercise, meditate, stretch.. 6:05-6:35 is MINE. 

6. ONE FOR MY MIND

Yesterday Tonny asked me how fast can I read a book. Absentmindedly I replied easily one a day of its a good one. And then halted. I used to be able to do that, now my time is sucked by some more important things like Pinterest and Facebook. So as my last resolution switch off will apply to this too. If the iPad gets powered on after 7pm it is to catch up with some kindle time. I love to read. About anything. So reading will be re-instated into my life.

Over all theme seems to be..

Did you make a resolution?