News from Heidi

How is everyone doing? It's unbelievable a year has already passed since my last visit to Edmonton. Thank you once again for the fabulous month and for being there.

I am writing to you now, because my life has changed pretty dramatically (in a good way) during this summer. First of all, I quit my work at that gas station in Eastern Finland in the beginning of May, for being able to study for my university entrance exams. Mikko (my fiancé) still got his job there, so we were separated during the weeks since I moved to live with my family 260 kilometers away.

I went to 9 different entrance exams in the beginning of June. It was quite a workload. I was lucky to be accepted in both Organizational Communication (in middle Finland) and Speech Communication (in Tampere, where I attended high school, close to my home town) both of whom approved only 10 students out of hundreds to study the subject as a major. I chose Speech Communication in Tampere University.

Mikko got transferred from his Helicopter mechanic - occupation in Eastern Finland to be a national quality assurance representative for the new NH-90 helicopters coming to Finland from France. His workplace is close to Tampere and although he will be visiting France quite often next year, we decided to move to Tampere.

So, we were looking for an apartment during August and found a nice 75 square meters large apartment, 4 kilometers from the center of Tampere in a friendly four-storey house. Actually we (Mikko) bought it and now we have been renovating it for a month. Everything is turning out to look very cozy and modern. It took a lot of money and effort, but it has all been worth it. We even had my 78-year-old grandfather to put the ceramic tiles into our bathroom and sauna (oh yes, we do have a sauna in our apartment). He is quite an oldie.

Tomorrow will be my first lecture at the University. I am taking English Philology and organization's leadership as my minor subjects, wanting to be a PR person in an international organization. It might change throughout my (at least) 5 years in the University, but for now that is something I feel interest towards.

I would also like to let you know one little detail that might help your plans concerning your visits to Finland. I have been discussing with Mikko about our wedding day, so that I could let you know as soon as possible so that everyone wanting to attend our wedding would be able to come. Tentatively the ceremony will be held in the beginning of July 2007!!! Most likely 07.07.07. So, please keep that in mind, if everything just goes as planned. By the way, Mikko is feeling very anxious in coming to Canada and seeing you next year, so we even might see again in the summer 2005!!

Please don't hesitate to e-mail me. I DO remember all of you and would love to know how your life is going and changing and even if there is no change at all in your lives, please e-mail me still.

Your exchange Blondie 2000-2001,

Heidi Rantala (notice new address!)
Kuormaajankatu 4 B 29
33700 Tampere
FINLAND
Rantala_heidi@hotmail.com or heidi.rantala@uta.fi
Visit my Home Page at: My Home Page