Scenes around Vanha Kauppahalli (Old Market Hall), Finnish specialty salmon, and a black swimsuit of Rose

 It's very bright out!

After the Mass at St.Henry's Cathedral, I got off at Kauppatori of Tram 2. The Elegant white blue building jumped out at me. Wow! There is not a cloud in the sky, but birds. 

I've never seen such a big salmon😲  I'll have this for my lunch😋

I wanted to have a lunch at the market today♪ Store staff was friendly and I was smiling when I

 ordered. How nice it is to be able to relax at the country I've visited for the first time! 

I took my seat inside of the orange tent. My dish looks orange, too. |o| Salmon is dished up on a plate with potatoes & vegetables. And I have a coffee❤︎ At the cashier, a staff said, "coffee is free." with her charming smile. A little kindness can make someone's day brighter. 

This is Vanha Kauppadalli (Old Market Hall) , which has the oldest history in Helsinki, famous as a gourmet spot, including 25 shops, and open all year round 8:00~18:00 (Sun. 10:00〜17:00). The sun is blinding my eyes. I've tried, but couldn't take a clear picture of the hall exterior. 

It was a hot day for June in Finland. It was June 16th, 2019. 

Leaving the Old Market Hall, I walked to Uspenskin Katedraali (Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral), which red brick church is the largest Russian Orthodox Church in Northern Europe. Sometimes I got lost, however, I was not worried. And then...

I got back to my hotel, gorgeous St.George! Oh, I love it. I should take a sauna of this hotel before it gets closed. Today is the last chance to experience it. 

⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎

The place was in an annex. To tell you the truth, I struggled a lot with how to use the locker key. And finally I got it. I haven't shown Collie this black swimsuit, so I tried to take a photo of myself with it, using my phone camera. There was no one luckily. I know, you think what I am doing...😑

It looks apparently a plain swimsuit, but actually, the back is... I somehow attempted to take a picture of my back to show Collie how it looked from a back. Again, I know you think what I am doing, I also think what I am doing. (- -)  I'm glad no one came in while I was doing this...

These are 2 pictures I barely took. All others I deleted because I messed up😅  I sent these 2 to him! 

But..

There was no response.（- -）（- -）（- -）

This is one of the memories I secretly tell you about my trip to Finland. 

The leaves started turning red in Michigan.【a photo from Collie】

 I knew the fall was arriving in Michigan.  The leaves of the trees are tuning red already!

Hi there. Are you feeling a crisp fall?

I sent Collie a few PITTA MASKs made in Japan with the hope that he would stay comfortable in summer with a lightweight breathable face mask. It took a while to reach him by post. Now, it got autumn. All right, he can use the washable masks all year long. Though I'm hoping the day we don't have to wear masks will come soon. 

When I wear the mask, I imagine Collie is wearing the same one in Michigan...and it makes me feel a little happy.

May it be a fruitful autumn❤︎  Rose

I'll find a way so I can say working from home has helped me lead a more balanced life.

New Normal.

Now that I spend most of time at home, so I'm studying English a lot! 

It'd be great if I can say that. Actually, I've been busy at working from home and overwhelmed by new things I have to learn according to teleworking. Not having to commute makes things easier for me. On the other hand, successive web meetings are draining my energy.

I'm out of it.

Sometimes, I miss the days when I shared the food with my friends at the restaurant while we enjoyed chatting, laughing, and filling in each other. Oh, this cheese nachos looks so GOOD!!!

I was expecting buying an autumn high-heeled shoes, but I decided to postpone it. There won't be a chance to go out with such elegant shoes. I recognize fashion is changing to more comfortable design.  

It's no fun not having any reason to dress up. So 2 days out of a week I work at the office is my chance to dress nicely. Dressing casually is good, however, I need another chance for me to be what I am.  

I want to go out for lunch or dinner with my close friends at times. I believe the day will come again.

Let's just start by getting up earlier from tomorrow. I need to freshly start studying English. Beauty, English, (and Collie) matter to me. I want to stay true to myself. I can get back into the swing of things.  And then, I will say  －

"Working from home has helped me lead a more balanced life."

 

Detroit views by Collie and a little something extra by Rose

 Hello guys. :)

It is raining outside... I'll just sit back and relax at home. Today, I post some pictures sent from Collie in Michigan. He seemed to go to Detroit in his free time. 

It is one of the nicest things I can post something about Michigan when I am stuck in Japan. I can't fly anywhere not only this summer but also maybe next year.

It was Tuesday. It is great that churches are open to the public even except Mass times. Every person can come in and spend a quiet time there.

I am also going to some places I like in Tokyo. For me, it is mostly Otemachi as I introduced to you in my blog. According to the coronavirus outbreak, I got to go out alone more often. I hardly have a chance to be taken pictures of myself. So...I got to take a screenshot to tell him my latest update. It's quite a good idea, isn't it? My company provided each worker with a web camera. We could choose what we wanted within the budget. 

❤︎    ❤︎    ❤︎

I think I am going to send him this screenshot later😊

I'm hungry. I will enjoy my meal while watching a movie from now.

Please sit back...and you too have a good relaxing weekend...   Rose

Three glasses of sparking wine in the lovely terrace of Le Beurre Noisette

Hi... It seems like that I got tired and need to rest. I should use the remaining summer holidays even if I don't go abroad. So several times I went to Otemachi to enjoy a fantastic street scene.

One evening after work, I could make it to the happy hour at Le Beurre Noisette. It's totally fantastic! They offer all-you-can-drink alcohol and soft drinks in the terrace from 17:00 to 18:30 on weekdays for only J¥1,000. It's including sparkling wine♪ This dish J¥400 is part of the service charge. What nifty snacks to enjoy drinks leisurely with!

As I introduced several Otemachi scenes in my blog to you, I had a great time there in this summer. Pretty busy with my work, but it was nice to have made time of it. 

It's not always necessary to order from the food menu since I already had the small dish as a service charge, however, I added a soft-boiled egg & avocado dish. I found it was cooked with chili powder.

The inside of the restaurant from the place I sat.  

Walking fast from the office, I arrived here at 17:50. Still, I could have a relaxing time because I could be here after the last order time 18:30. The staff was kind and when I was trying to take a photo of the table before I left, he tried to help me to take a photo of myself. Should I have said "Yes"!? 

On the way to the Otemachi Station, I passed by another restaurant with a cool atmosphere.

Well... I will take my time until I visit there someday. I really need a rest for a while.

Wherever you are, please have a good weekend. Joy, Peace and Happiness... Rose

A couple, taking wedding commemorative photos right in the central business district.

May this Sunday be blessed with beautiful smiles and the laughter of family, friends, and you.

When I am disagreeable with some people, I tend to ged rid of them from my life. But, I was made to realize that from a preach about today's Gospel MT 18:15-20 at FCC. Jesus treats them as gentiles or tax collectors. For Jesus, gentiles and tax collectors were some of the best members of the church. He drank and ate with them. He healed their family.

God forgives our sins so how can we not forgive people who sinned against us? We are supposed to do the same with Jesus and treat them with mercy. 

Our Lord is generous and gracious. We can feel a presence of God everywhere in our life. And it is a blessing.

May the grace of God be with you and fill you with peace and contentment.  Have a blessed Sunday!   

Rose