Helmikuu – “Pearl Month” – Febbraio
Helmikuu refers to the pearls left on tree branches by the winter frost.
February has the most beautiful name in the Finnish language. It is bright and delicate, and winter is usually at its most beautiful period. Even though here in Italy I haven’t seen frost forming pearls on the branches of trees, the month has still been beautiful, luminous and tender.
Everyday life has mostly consisted of sitting in the office and planning. At times it has been truly exciting and inspiring, but also grounding. This project has taught me a lot about patience and about how many things here take a great deal of time. When it feels like nothing is moving forward, it eats away at the motivation to create.
My streams of inspiration are like rushing trains. They arrive fast and with great momentum and if my train of inspiration has to stop and wait, it comes to a complete halt, and it takes a long time to set it in motion again. Still, I’m happy with what we’ve managed to accomplish, even if the final outcome isn’t yet visible.
My free time, on the other hand, has been very social. I’ve spent a lot of time with friends and new acquaintances, which has felt recharging. I gain so much from people simply by sharing a moment with them. Because of these encounters, I’ve discovered new favorite cafés and areas in Milan. Milan reveals its beauty when you give it the chance.
This month has been full of people, good food, coffee, and also traveling. I visited Brescia for the project, and Bologna for culture. I truly love the small cities around Milan. They have a soulful and peaceful atmosphere, which makes it wonderful to take little escapes from everyday life to nearby towns.
Sometimes I miss certain pastries or foods from Finland. I don’t have an oven in our apartment here, which has occasionally made it challenging to satisfy those cravings. Still, I’ve been lucky to cook and bake at friends’ homes. It has also been lovely to share treats from my own culture. I baked laskiaispulla, which I absolutely LOVE and they received a warm welcome here. And well, Italians certainly understand how food brings people together. There is joy in sharing that joy.
Now I’ve been here for half a year. It feels like I’ve completely stepped out of my shell. It also feels like I write the same way every month. Maybe during a journey like this, you keep opening up more and more to this kind of life. I’ve found my favorite cafés and routes here. I’ve found people who make everyday life meaningful. Parks are close to my heart , all the places where I can be near nature. I believe that even if you move to a big city, the need for a connection to nature doesn’t disappear. Even if that connection is found in parks instead of forests.
I brought with me an ethereal oil scented like a coniferous forest. It carried me gently back to the Finnish woods, like a soft embrace. Unfortunately, I dropped it on the floor of a café and it shattered. Still, it brought me so much joy while I had it.
Overall, February has been generous. It has bridged many adventures and stories. Sometimes the thought that my months here are growing fewer feels frightening. That’s why I want to truly try my best to enjoy every moment I get to experience here.
with love,
Emmi
Helmikuu – “Pearl Month” – Febbraio
Helmikuu refers to the pearls left on tree branches by the winter frost.
February has the most beautiful name in the Finnish language. It is bright and delicate, and winter is usually at its most beautiful period. Even though here in Italy I haven’t seen frost forming pearls on the branches of trees, the month has still been beautiful, luminous and tender.
Everyday life has mostly consisted of sitting in the office and planning. At times it has been truly exciting and inspiring, but also grounding. This project has taught me a lot about patience and about how many things here take a great deal of time. When it feels like nothing is moving forward, it eats away at the motivation to create.
My streams of inspiration are like rushing trains. They arrive fast and with great momentum and if my train of inspiration has to stop and wait, it comes to a complete halt, and it takes a long time to set it in motion again. Still, I’m happy with what we’ve managed to accomplish, even if the final outcome isn’t yet visible.
My free time, on the other hand, has been very social. I’ve spent a lot of time with friends and new acquaintances, which has felt recharging. I gain so much from people simply by sharing a moment with them. Because of these encounters, I’ve discovered new favorite cafés and areas in Milan. Milan reveals its beauty when you give it the chance.
This month has been full of people, good food, coffee, and also traveling. I visited Brescia for the project, and Bologna for culture. I truly love the small cities around Milan. They have a soulful and peaceful atmosphere, which makes it wonderful to take little escapes from everyday life to nearby towns.
Sometimes I miss certain pastries or foods from Finland. I don’t have an oven in our apartment here, which has occasionally made it challenging to satisfy those cravings. Still, I’ve been lucky to cook and bake at friends’ homes. It has also been lovely to share treats from my own culture. I baked laskiaispulla, which I absolutely LOVE and they received a warm welcome here. And well, Italians certainly understand how food brings people together. There is joy in sharing that joy.
Now I’ve been here for half a year. It feels like I’ve completely stepped out of my shell. It also feels like I write the same way every month. Maybe during a journey like this, you keep opening up more and more to this kind of life. I’ve found my favorite cafés and routes here. I’ve found people who make everyday life meaningful. Parks are close to my heart , all the places where I can be near nature. I believe that even if you move to a big city, the need for a connection to nature doesn’t disappear. Even if that connection is found in parks instead of forests.
I brought with me an ethereal oil scented like a coniferous forest. It carried me gently back to the Finnish woods, like a soft embrace. Unfortunately, I dropped it on the floor of a café and it shattered. Still, it brought me so much joy while I had it.
Overall, February has been generous. It has bridged many adventures and stories. Sometimes the thought that my months here are growing fewer feels frightening. That’s why I want to truly try my best to enjoy every moment I get to experience here.
with love,
Emmi
