BE YOUR OWN HERO

CHECK IT OUT: Vengo

Watched this movie a while ago - loved especially the music, gives me the chills!

LESSON NO. 1

04:33 First rule in this world baby, don't pay attention to anything you see in the news.

LOVE FOR LIFE

Feelings and stuff from Samuli Valkama on Vimeo.

Check out this lovely short film by Finnish Samuli Valkama. He's a Helsinki-based filmmaker, writer, graphic designer, children's author and illustrator. "The first step toward a new relationship can be like a jump into cold water."

Is risk taking worth it or not? Should one jump into cold water and see what happens or back of because of fears, past disappointments and heart aches? I never thought myself to be a risk taker until I met a guy I wanted to marry immedatelly. We married after a year of dating which seemed crazy to others but for us it was the most natural choice. I thought it to be a real fairy tale story until I found myself from a place I didn't belong to and now we're in the process of getting divorced. Some people ask me if I have regrets and I always answer them "no".

I believe that everything has a meaning and our marriage had a big meaning and impact in my life. It changed me completelly - or didn't change but made me found Myself after getting lost in a way. I thank for everything that happened and understand the meaning of it all but still it doesn't make it easy. It is sad and hard to think how things went in the end but I saw it so that I had only one option: have the courage to make the most difficult decision of my life, to let my heart break into thousand pieces, be in the most darkest places with my thoughts for a while, cry, laugh, cry and laugh at the same time and then from there start the healing process. After the shock period, when I partied hard and was going somewhere all the time, I had a breaking point when one night I got a bad panic attack. It was then when I realised that I had been going to fast and needed a break. My mind and body wasn't feeling good and I was driving myself to a burnout. I asked some break from work, school and told my family and friends that I was gonna be "away" for a while. It was a scary thing for me to do because one of the worst things for me, before, has been to admit that I'm not "strong enough". I was week and needed help. For my surprise (sounds maybe silly) everyone understood and gave me the time I needed. I slept, did yoga, took walks with my dog Onni, went to a art therapy group, had coffee with some friends if I felt like seeing people, spent time with my mom and other family members etc. Bit by bit I started to gain my energy back and saw that I change was happening.

Having to give up my future plans and lost so many things I was appreciating the things I had NOW, at that moment, in this minute. I was discovering myself again and my life. At the same time it has been so so scary but also amazing! I realised that I had created a story of myself, what I was and what I wasn't and how this story was affecting the choices I took and things I made. I came to realise that it was only a story and I wasn't going to be the leading actress anymore. I was Me and would start finding out who this Me was and living my real life. I realised that I needed to learn to love and respect myself first of all and only after that I'd be able to give and get the same.

It is scary to let people get close to you, open your heart to them, let them in to your life and be vulnerable to get hurt but in the end, my view is that it's all worth it. Don't be scared, let your heart get broken into pieces if so. It will just create more space in your heart and make you stronger. I will be taking risks in the future too if my intuition tells me to. I won't let my fears or other peoples opinnions and expectations control me and my life. I will live MY life.

Am I creating another story, keeping it alive, of my life now when sharing this with you? Maybe but when I'm ready and done with the process, able to forgive myself and others, I will let go. I'll let go and continue my life full on. Is my story different from others? No I don't think so. Sorrows and joys come in different forms and in the end, Me is just like any other person. We all share the same stories and feelings. I am You and You are Me.

ONE LOVE.

x

HAVE ANOTHER CHERRY

Yesterday after work gave a yoga class for some friends and afterwards chilled in my backyard with two really close girlfriends and a bottle of red wine. Some time ago on a lazy Sunday we watched The Witches of Eastwick, a movie made in the late 80's about three witches and somehow got to call ourselves as the witches - one blonde, one redhair and one brunette, it was us! Well anyway, last night these three witches gathered together and talked a whole about life and stuff under the moonlight. Then today I remembered these pics, taken by Ellen Rogers for ID magazine, that I've forgotten to show. Love the colours and the mood in them.

UKULELE LADY

I've been practising with my ukulele whenever had time and I looooove it! I'm dreaming of bicycling to the beach on a summery evening and playing cute songs with my friends singing. Now I just have to learn to sing too!

BLACK BOAT

I could listen to this song again and again.

MOVIE TIP: Night on Earth

One of my favorites. Five taxis, five cities, five different stories. One of the cities shown is Helsinki at winter time. A must see!

MOVIE TIP: Some Like It Hot

Yesterday my friend stayed night over and we decided to watch the old classic Some Like It Hot starring Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis - I just love the end of the movie!

We also tried on some old eye glasses... Well, we had fun, I'll say!

MOVIE TIP: The Little Princess

I loved this movie (1939) when I was a kid. Still love it! It tells about a little girl Sara (sweet Shirley Temple) whose father is sent to the war while she is put to an exclusive seminary for girls, only to wait for his father to return back home. After a while a message is sent that Captain Crew, the father, has been killed and from there on Saras' life will take a radical change to something completely different from what she knows. Watch it! There's also a newer version of the story which is said to be good as well. Have to watch that someday.





































Download the movie online.

Tigers Conquer the Big Apple

IVANAhelsinki's designer Paola Suhonen directed a short movie "Tiger Tights Army" back in the summer. It has now been selected to screen in the 6th Annual Big Apple Film Festival, one of the coolest film festivals in the world. The movie will be shown Friday, 6th November. Leading role is played by Justin Tranter, the lead singer of a glam-rock band Semi Precious Weapons.

"Experimental fashion musical about the eighties legendary love punk movement leader, who was known for wearing a hot pair of tiger tights. He mysteriously disappeared while shopping in New York, and the only thing this pop icon left behind was a pair of these cult tights. And a group of cult leaders and lovers still missing him." Read more about the movie here. And see my tiger tights here!

Pictures: first from fashionindie.com, others courtesy of IVANAhelsinki

Movie Tip: The Fall

For those who appreciate beautiful filming and interesting pictures this movie is a must. The Fall takes the viewer to 18 different countries' beautiful and colourful landscapes - from mysterious Turkey to exotic Bali. As a fantasy movie lover I liked the story also but in the end I was still left with a feeling that something was missing. Maybe the hero story was a bit too flat but still I'd watch this.

Movie Tip: Black Cat, White Cat

My Sunday evening will be like in the picture. Get cozy and relax. I've had migraine since last night so don't want to do anything today, just chill with my love and watch some good movie. I love Sundays.

And hey, you must see the movie mentioned above by Emir Kusturica. It's one of my favourites! Funny, witty, strange and alternative. Watch it!






















Picture: Mario Sorrenti

Movie Tip: A Day Without a Mexican

Just saw this movie and liked it a lot! The idea is great: one day all the Latinos disappear in California and the city is left with many questions.

"California is beautiful but it's nothing without you."

Movie tip: Little Miss Sunshine

If you don't know what to choose for the next movie night, I suggest "Little Miss Sunshine". The movie is heartwarming, silly and a bit different. Nice picture angles and especially characters. My favourite character is the suicidal uncle. Check it out!













Picture: from Photobucket