Another Xmas thing accomplished when I went to ballet on Saturday with Tuuli.  We've seen Nutcracker before but always very interesting to watch dancers and the set up changing.  This was made in Porvoo in 1810.  A small detail was that there was no Xmas tree as it came to Finland only later.  Lots of children in the audience, very restless one beside me (first half next to Tuuli).  But music was as good as ever.  I got the tickets from work so I met also one of my colleagues.  She had lost her ticket on the way on bus.  But luckily she got it arranged as we were there kind of a group and the seat was then empty.

Earlier that day we went shopping for first presents.  Had a tour in local shops which was really nice and also efficient, lots of things now waiting for wrapping.  Quite a good offering here, special small shops and then the big ones to get also cheap and bulk stuff. 

Sunday was our Independence celebration, good lunch with beef and everything and then watching TV first the war documents and then the party at President's palace, candle of course and thank you's for our war veterans.  More glögi and buns...  Very useful day off, on the sofa and thinking the past.