Well the title appears to be a moan and then some. However this is far from the direction I want to go. Without boring the pants of you, this weekend started like, well as bad as it could: I think throughout my biology education I've avoided topics that have apparent boredom, you know, evolution, ecology, those type of things, whilst maintaining strict distance from the mind-boggling: the biochemistry type process and worst of all, genetics.
So guess what? Yup, Friday morning I sat a Medical genetics exam. For those people who know me, I give my all with most things, from sports to exams, so I wasn't going to be phased by this slight hiccup in the smoothness that is life. Out of my class, I was 2nd to finish. Lets just say, it wasn't as good as it could have been. I don't know when I get the result back, but my first question after was, 'When is the re-take?' A bad start to the weekend, oh most definitely. But boy did it change.
It might be an appropriate time now to mention, this weekend was Johanna's birthday. I think birthdays are times we try and forget about (well after about 15!). It doesn't bode well when 18 year olds are now born in 1990!! I do occasionally remind Johanna she's not far off the 30 mark and that she's a craddle snatcher, haha.
I should also mention this weekend was mine and Johanna's 1 year engagment anniversary.......ok, I can't lie- it's gone fast and yes, I've enjoyed (almost!) every minute of it. I'm definitely one of the luckiest people on this planet.
Well what did I get Johanna for her birthday you ask? No it wasn't the cliche flowers, chocolates, perfume etc etc, all useless presents I know. I got her a sneaky trip to Helsinki instead. For most Swedes, they can't really understand why anyone would go to Finland. I guess it's what Wales/Scotland/Ireland is to England. The language isn't particularly attractive, the proximity to Russia doesn't bode well and it's quoted as the most expensive country in Europe. Good choice Mike, good choice.
After my excruciating exam, we shifted down to Stockholm, where we boarded a boat almost as old as me (courtesy of Viking Line). Not without it's charm and middle aged alcholics, buying crates and crates of tax free alcohol, we found our cosy cabin, ready for the over night trip to Finlands capital.
Being the romantic in the relationship, I bought the cliche bubbly (ok, sparkling wine was all I could afford), check this out:
After a celebratory drink or two, we had an early night ready for a long stroll in the morning. Having no real expectation of Helsinki, it was quite refreshing to go there mostly unbiased and make up my own mind.
First thoughts were good (and no it didn't change!): much like Stockholm it's all surrounded by water, full of buildings similar in size and design. Although lacking in tall, leggy blondes (more angry looking Russian types....ok, there's only partial truth in that), I was expecting a burger to cost as much as it did in Dublin, you know around 20 friggin Euros and it wasn't far off, but slightly cheaper.
The main Cathedral is quite spectacular:
The lay out of the city is compact and well structured, everything (as they say) is where it should be. So after a good 8 hours of non stop strolling, it was time to jump back on the love boat. Of special note after we'd gone to a reptile place (I like snakes etc...yeah I'm weird, whatever.), Johanna officially fell in love with someone else......a 3 month old Bernese Mountain dog puppy, who was standing there all fluffy, just outside the reptile house.....the definition of 'opposites' came to mind.
After another night on the beast of the seas, we arrived fresh faced (officially Johanna's birthday) in Stockholm and what a day it was: perfect blue sky, perfect crispy temperature and perfect company. We had breakfast and all that malarcky, more walking and more pictures.
To summarize is tough, Johanna ordering 'a Newky' on the boat to a Finnish barman was midly amusing. I did tell her afterwards, it's just an English phrase....It's been a year of official engagment and I have no complaints. It's hard to write something all lovey dovey without sounding like a tit, so I won't try.
If this weekend is a fair reflection of what's to come, I definitely have no complaints about my future. 'I've done well' is more than appropriate and I honestly couldn't ask for more. I've got a beautiful, intelligent fiancee.....older woman and all that (grrr.....). It's not hard to enjoy our time together and I can't wait for the 2 year anniversary.......
