It's been already over two years since we moved to Helsinki. Time flies I'd say. It doesn't feel like that. It feels like we moved just recently... Only if I look back and memorize the first months here with little Wanda... Yes, her age and how much she has changed makes me think we are quite a long here. And well, for her it is half her life! For her Helsinki is her home town I guess. And so will be for Tomek. Not just a stop on a life path, no, this is their home. And for me? Recently I've got some mixed thoughts about my life here. Our apartment - shall we look for something better? Renting or buying? Making long term plans for our future or live from day to day? Settle down here and planing more years or rather thinking about what's next, what's after Helsinki? Looking for a job and if yes, what kind of job? To make money or to be satisfied? You know, those thoughts without a real answer because there is no immediate answer to most of those questions and I really do not need an answer. It is more for my mind to wander and meander and weigh the pros and cons. But just about today I came to a simple idea. Our daughter's day care is located in Kamppi/Rouholahti. There is so nice there and I am there every morning. So, as simply as it is I can always spend there some more time. Going to a nice park and playground, strolling at the sea side (what I love doing! water! sea galls! ships!) and going back home a bit later. And I started to use my car again, so sometimes instead of going by metro we pack ourselves to the car and I drive and the good thing about it is that we pass on our way my favorite neighborhood - Kruununhaka - the very first place we lived in Helsinki. So I guess it is my own attitude whether I feel fulfilled with my life here or not. And as always - there are those small things, someone would say unimportant, even silly or childish, but no - those little things make your whole life. But anyway after the two years I still don't know any Finnish besides of some single words, Wanda can speak good English but not Finnish either. I have some friends but I feel like I need to meet and see more people - this is a job to do and not a difficult one. And well, I should really enjoy every day with my little boy who is one. Time flies. We should grab the moments - again the cliche!
You could always find out about enrolling on a Finnish course.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, whether you stay or not, it's easier for both if you know the language of the land. I also think that children need stability. I remember hearing a horror story about a child that switched countries at some critical age and never learned either language properly. That ruins the child's whole life.
I recently moved to Finland too.. and eventhough I have been taking some Finnish courses it still takes quite long to actually speak Finnish.. :/ I guess having Finnish speaking friends would be helpful :P
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