I've seen in
Gloria Magazine a feature called "Aakkoset" or "The Alphabet," where well-known figures in Finnish society are asked to make their own alphabets of all of the things in their lives they love, things they dream about, think about, like, want to do, etc. I thought I'd make my own:
a: Art. It sometimes can be found in the most unexpected, curious places.
b: Blogging. Well, enough said.
c: Cardamom. Smells and tastes so wonderful in baked goods.
d:
Dalahäst. I want a small one for my apartment.
e: Édith Piaf. She's such a fascinating person.
La Vie En Rose is one of my favorite films.
f: Finland. The obvious choice. The place I live in and love.
g: Garden. I miss mine. Nice to visit other ones.
h: Home. For me, it's not just one place. I'm missing one of them.
i: Iittala.
These are my favorite.
j: Jam. On rye bread with butter.
k:
Kahvila is Finnish for "café." I could and often do spend hours in one.
l: "Live your life." Some of Maurice Sendak's last words from
this interview. Very brilliant.
m: Macaroons. One of the prettiest desserts around.
n:
"Naked As We Came" is one song that makes me think of my dad. He has good music taste. I love him.
o: Organic, local, seasonal. I try to.
Barbara Kingsolver made me a full convert.
p: Prose. My
current pick.
q: Quiet. Something I've come to value.
r: Religion. I'm pondering it a lot these days.
s: Simon & Garfunkel. Especially
this song. My dad used to play their records to me.
t: Trains and trams. I love to travel on them, especially when it's raining. It's then that things seem so picturesque as I stare out the window.
u:
Uimahalli is Finnish for "swimming hall." The perfect Friday evening is to go to sauna and swimming. I like
Mäkelänrinne a lot.
v: Violin. I used to be so passionate about it. I wish I still had that passion.
w: Walks and water. Both important for staying physically and mentally charged.
x: Xylitol, of course. I like to take care of my teeth and I love that xylitol comes from birch trees.
y: Yoghurt. I'm obsessed with the stuff. I have it always for breakfast and at least once more after that.
z:
Zazzy.
å: Å. Just Å. My favorite letter which is also a word in Swedish meaning "river."
ä:
Älskling. Speaking of Swedish, this means "dear."
Photos are outtakes from May and June. I haven't been taking a lot and should start doing so again. That, and more Finnish studying. I always leave my homework right until the last second. I have a test on Monday, too.