Helena Halme's Blog, page 34

New Year, New Challenge!

It's funny how life turns out sometimes.
Just over a year ago, while trying to finance my writing endeavours, I took on a new accountancy job, at a Finnish Expat charity and its commercial arm, Guild Travel. Finn-Guild was meant to be just another client, but at the end of last year I found myself applying for a job to run the Finnish-British charity. I am now delighted to tell you that as of 1st of February I will officially be the new Development Manager of Finn-Guild!
It's a not as far-fetched as it seems, however. I have been a Finn-Guild member since the heady loved-up days with the Englishman over thirty years ago. In those days this meant cheap flights to and from the UK, but over the years the charity has helped me in many other ways too. 

There was the time when my grandmother died, I was pregnant, in a state, needing to get to Finland at short notice. One phone call to the Finn-Guild office sorted me out. They got me the flights at a very reasonable price, and even organised a stop-over in Stockholm (unheard of in 1986), free of charge, so that I could travel with my mother. 

When Son and Daughter were small, they both attended the Saturday schools which are supported by Finn-Guild. As we speak they both enjoy dual Finnish/British citizenship, something which the Expatriate Parliament, in which Finn-Guild is one of the influencers, was instrumental in bringing about.
As an almost professional Expatriate myself, I cannot wait to help to develop Finn-Guild and to deepen the co-operation with other Finnish-British organisations.

We have so much to look forward to: next year Finn-Guild will turn 50, and 2015 will also mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of the great Finnish composer, Jean Sibelius. The year 2017 will see Finland reach 100 years of independence, the celebrations of which we in the Finnish-British community are already planning... 

Wish me luck in this, my new challenge for the New Year!

The Englishman is featured on My Reading Corner

The Essex Reader has written a lovely review of The Englishman and I thought I'd share with you the blog post. Go over to My Reading Corner where you'll also find many other good reads reviewed.

Talking of Goodreads, don't forget to enter into the FREE Giveaway of the paperback copy of The Englishman. The competition closes at midnight on 31st January 2014.

Palermo in January

There should be a song called, 'It never rains in Palermo.'

For the past four days, the weather reports have predicted rain, but it's just never materialised. Instead Sorellona (Italian for Big Sis - I think this nickname is going to stick) and I have been able to wander around the city under mostly sunny skies. The temperatures have been balmy 17 C or so; in other words much more pleasant than the current UK weather. We've hardly needed our coats, but since all the Palermatini seem to dress as if the city was about to be hit by snow storms, we too have wrapped ourselves in jumpers and scarves.



January in Palermo is quite a special time. I've not been to any tourist resort this much out of season, and while some things are not so good (many cafes and restaurants are closed or operate on a much reduced capacity), mostly people are very patient with our faltering Italian (Sorellona studied the language briefly a few years ago, and I use my French and English to get by). In general everyone in Palermo has been incredibly friendly, and not in the overly, insincere kind of way, but just plain easy-going and helpful. I'm sure in the markets we've been ripped off, but at least they've done it with a friendly smile!


The square is now a car park while in the summer it's taken
over by Antica Focacceria S. Francisco.Yesterday we did some of the main tourist attractions, the Catedrale, Fontana Pretoria, Chiesa del Gesu, Chiesa Della Martorana and the lovely and the peaceful church and gardens of San Giovanni deli Eremiti (St John of the Hermits).

Fontana Pretoria 
Chiesa del Gesu
The Catedrale Church of St John of the Hermits


We walked to our temporary home in La Kalsa via the Ballaro market, but like with the nearby Vucceria food market, we were somewhat underwhelmed by its offerings. Perhaps this is another casualty of our timing; neither market has been particularly busy, which makes me think that many of the stall-holders are not bothering to turn up in winter. We had a much more satisfying food shop in an unassuming street off Via Belmonte, Via Principedi Scordia, where we found a small shop selling fresh fruit & veg, lovely meats and cheeses, as well as a tiny bakery.

With only two days left of our holiday, and Sorellona nursing a nasty cold as I write, we may have done all the sight-seeing we are going to do in Palermo this time. But I am certain I will be back, but perhaps next time we will hire a car and explore a little more of Sicily as a whole. I'd really like to go and see the ruins of Donnafugata, the fictional palace in the famous Sicilian novel, The Leopard. (And the 1968 film by Luchino Visconti). Sadly the palazzo in Santa Margherita di Belice, from where Giuseppi Tomasi di Lampedusa drew his inspiration for the setting of the novel, was destroyed in an earthquake in 1968. Still, I'd still like to experience the landscape and the scenery of journey the Salinas make at the beginning of the book to their summer residence. But just being able to see the city where Lampedusa wrote the novel has been a huge treat.

Besides, it's always nice to leave something for the next time?  

Palazzo Cattolica Palermo, Sicily

My big sister and I usually spend a week together in January in London while the Englishman goes away skiing. But this year, Big Sis suggested we'd also go away. 'To somewhere where there's a chance of sunshine. Not that I don't like London,' she continued, 'but we've seen it now, haven't we?'  It was at the tip of my tongue to say something about being tired of London meaning that you're tired of life, but I held back. Just as well, because when she suggested Palermo, I jumped at the chance. As a lover of opera and good food, and a great fan of The Leopard by Giuseppe di Lampedusa, there could hardly be a better place for us to spend a week eating , drinking and catching up. And laughing.



When we found this apartment in a palazzo in the old part of town, we could not believe our luck.



Our temporary home is in an area called La Kalsa, very near the the centre of town, station and the harbour. It's a very old, but trendy, area, originally Palermo's Arabian district, with small bars, cafes and restaurants littered around the narrow streets.

This is the partial view of Cattedrale di Palermo
from the balcony of Palazzo Cattolica. The traditional ventilation system in the Palazzo works. 
There are some lovely narrow streets.
Our entrance at the top floor is charming.We have so far had a tour around Palermo's famous opera house, Teatro Massimo, which is Europe's largest stage, according to the guide. Sadly the season hasn't yet started, but when we found out that my favourite opera, Tosca by Giacomo Puccini is on later in the year, it took all my willpower not to buy a tickets on the spot. (More about the Opera House later).

Last night we ate at a fabulous Palestinian restaurant called Al Quds and indulged our sweet tooth at a coffee house with gelato and pastries to die for at Antico Caffe Spinnato.

We've only been here for three days and I'm already falling in love with this quirky Sicilian Capital. Being here in January, with hardly any tourists around, feels as if we are getting to know Palermo at its best and most honest. Perhaps buying an opera ticket for next November is the best way to guarantee we will indeed be back?

A Writer's Retreat

What would you do if someone offered you a month away to write on a remote Scottish Island? Jump for joy? But wait, there are conditions attached...

Read my guest blog post to see how I'd cope for a month without the internet or TV at Sally Gander's virtual Writer's Retreat here.

This is me without an internet connection in my flat in a North London....

Should you ever defile a book?

Because of the present economic situation, The Englishman and I had decided on a giving each other just small Christmas gifts this year. So when I saw a package looking like a thick book, I was thrilled. When I opened the wrapping paper, this is what was inside.


I have to admit that I'm more of a Doris Lessing girl than Marian Keyes one, but I read everything and have nothing against the writer. Perhaps the Englishman wants me to read real romance novels for a change, I thought. But looking at the book, it looked a bit battered, with a ripped jacket. Plus there was a Tesco's price tag on the front.

'Thank you, darling,' I said, knowing I couldn't hide the disappointment in my voice.

He smiled across the coffee table at me and said, 'My pleasure.'

We were not alone, but surrounded by family, so I couldn't really ask him what on earth he'd been thinking getting me what obviously looked a bargain basement book from Tesco's. Instead I tried to feign real interest in the novel by beginning to leaf through the pages. And this is what I found inside.


On opening the jewellery box, there was a lovely pair of pearl earrings inside. 'I can't believe you!' I said and went to kiss the old husband. But I couldn't stop looking at the cut up book. I kept thinking how I'd feel if one of the recently published copies of The Englishman would end up like that, cut up to hide a seemingly more precious gift?

'You just cannot do that!' I said jokingly, but really meaning it. I felt just absolutely awful.

'You should have realised I'd never buy you a book that still had a price sticker on, but don't worry I put it there; I didn't pay ten pounds for it!' the Englishman said.

I love my pearl earrings but I've told him that's the last time he's cutting up any book, by any author. In my book (see what I did there?) that's just not on.

What do you think? Do you feel the same as me?

The Year That Was 2013

2013 has been quite a year for me. I'm not sure I can recall a time when so much happened in a mere twelve months.

First of all, I finally took the plunge and published all of my novels on Kindle. After the success of The Englishman (over 2,000 downloads as we speak and counting), I was encouraged to push out into the world both my family drama, Coffee and Vodka and the spy thriller, The Red King of Helsinki.

In November this year I also published a paperback copy of The Englishman, which has been terribly well received. (Even if I say so myself).

Joey at West End Lane Books with the first signed copies.
So, from a writer with three novels languishing in her drawer, in twelve and a bit months I've become a published author with a loyal readership. Bring on more years like 2013!

The 2013 London Book Fair was another game changer in my career as an independent author. I've written about the changes in the publishing industry many times
I also gained a tremendous amount of encouragement and new ideas from the LBF this year, not least thanks to the Alliance of Independent Authors, an organisation which has worked tirelessly to promote and support indy writers and who were very much a presence at the Book Fair. Thanks must got to Orna Ross, Joanna Penn et al for all their hard work this year.

Me with Joanna Penn who gave a wonderfully
informative lecture at LBF 13
on indy publishing.The Fair was also a wonderful opportunity to make new writer friends: I got to meet the Triskele Books girls through Catriona Troth, other notable indy writers such as Roz Morris, Rohan Quine, Dan Holloway and Grisha Ryzhakov to name but a few. I cannot wait for LBF 2014, wild horses wouldn't keep me away!

The year 2013 has also been eventful in the life of my family: in May, Son asked his long-time girlfriend to marry him  and she said yes! The young couple will marry in 2014, an event that has been a red letter day in my calendar for many months already. I just cannot wait!

Aren't they cute?
Son with his fiancé in Provence this summer.Not in the least less important, Daughter finished her History of Art degree at University of Birmingham this year and graduated in June. It was such a proud moment for me, and I spent almost the whole of the day holding back tears, only losing the battle when Daughter stepped onto the stage at the Great Hall to receive her degree certificate. Oh well, I'm sure I wasn't the only parent to dab a tissue at the corner of her eye at that point.

Daughter looks pretty happy?As if all of the above wasn't enough, something equally thrilling happened in my working life in 2013. In late 2012 I took on a part time role at a Finnish charity called  Finn-Guild . I've been a member of this ex-pat organisation since the early 1980's, but going to work there to look after the finances of the charity and its commercial arm,  Guild Travel , has been a huge trip down memory lane. I'd not worked with Finns since I left Finland some thirty years ago, and just being able to speak your mother tongue in an office in London's Camden has been quite life-changing. I hadn't realised how much of myself I'd hidden away while adapting to life in the UK. Spending time with fellow countrymen has made me feel as if I'd come back home. It's made me a more complete person.

To top it all, in the New Year, I'm going to move to a much more important and challenging role with the Finns. From February 1st, I will be taking over as Development Manager/General Secretary of Finn-Guild. So watch this space, there will be many more posts about Finnish and Nordic culture on this blog in 2014.

So there it is, my short - very personal -  review of 2013. All that remains is to wish you all:

Hauskaa Uutta Vuotta - Happy New Year
2 0 1 4 !

 

Quality Books for Only 99 Cents!

If you're looking for critically-acclaimed contemporary fiction ebooks, a number of them are on sale now until the New Year, including Coffee and Vodka for only 99 cents!

Coffee and Vodka is only 99 cents
for a limited time only!
Over at Awesome Indies the Holiday Bonanza Sale has just started, so pop over and see contemporary fiction at UNBEATABLE low, low prices. This sale won't go on forever. Fill your Kindle now!

Merry Christmas - Hauskaa Joulua!

Today is Christmas Eve, which is when we Finns (and all the other Nordics) celebrate Christmas. In our household we've been doing two Christmases (Finnish and British) pretty much since I moved to the UK some 30 years ago. This year, Daughter has been cooking most of the Finnish foods. Her meatballs, swede bake and carrot bake look absolutely delicious, and her piparkakut (gingerbread men) are lovely!


A couple of days ago, I made my Gravad Lax two ways - one with the traditional dill, and one with fresh ginger. And yesterday The Englishman and I stayed up late to cook and glaze the ham. Today all I'd need to prepare is the traditional Russian herring with beetroot, carrot, pickled cucumber and red onion salad.

Sadly, however, our family will not be sitting down to our Finnish Christmas feast tonight.

No, it's not the power cuts. The storms have hit UK badly, people have lost their lives and today many parts of the UK are without power. We had a short period last night when  the whole of our North London street went black. My thoughts are with those who have suffered a loss and I feel sorry for anyone who has to travel today - from what I've seen in the news this morning, it's veritable chaos on the trains, planes and on the roads.

But for us, the reason for a swift change to traditional Christmas celebrations is that three of our family have taken ill with food positioning. Last night while waiting for the ham to cook, we decided to get some pizzas. This morning at about four am Son, Son's Fiancé and Daughter all started vomiting. Almost simultaneously. As I write, the flat is quiet, with all three sleeping...so I think it'll just be The Englishman and me for the Joulupöytä tonight.

This year's Swedish Blossa mulled wine is flavoured
with raspberries.
Thanks to a dear friend, we have a few bottles to enjoy! Our ham, best ever from Morley's in Crouch End Lunch a deux with the Englishman -
Finnish rice porridge and mulled wine.Oh well, let's hope all will be better by tomorrow so that at least the British part of our Christmas celebrations goes without any major hiccups.

I'll leave you with a link to a broadcast of the traditional proclamation of Christmas Peace from Turku in Finland this morning.

Hauskaa Joulua kaikille!

Merry Christmas to you all!

Exclusive Interview with Santa!

Even thought he must be incredibly busy right now, Father Christmas still manages to take time out for an exclusive interview!

Ho, ho, ho…!



I must thank the staff at Guild Travel for finding this fab YouTube clip!