Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Protect The Environment.


Field trip: Baltimore.

Good morning Baltimore, we shouted yesterday. But as we are on vacation and don't really want to follow a strict time schedule, it was more afternoon when we actually got there. Nevertheless, we did get there (after such good metro flow – even on the red line – it was almost unbelievable!) and were happily surprised by a new atmosphere and a cute inner harbor.

Today's field trip advice if you're in the DC area and want a change of scenery is, naturally, Baltimore.

DC–Baltimore: $7.00 with MARC train from Union Station.

Jump more, you're in Baltimore!

They liked the view from Federal Hill and they like each other.

Mainly an industrial city, but today also with a growing service economy. 

American Visionary Art Museum, unfortunately closed...

...as was the Walter Art Museum.

Greatest in America? At least the largest in Maryland.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Turn the down side up when it's all upside down.

I sense a big change in the air. My world is turning upside down and I don't really know how to deal with it. I actually don't think I've grasped it yet – I might do tomorrow. Streets will change, views will be different, people will disappear. And that last part hurts my heart from the inside out. But then again, it's only a sign of absolute affection and those kind of feelings are never bad – in the end.

When these things happen, I do what I do best; I stay positive and turn every single bit around to try to find the good that can and will come out of the situation. When I start counting, it adds up to quite a lot and I won't stop until the good things have outnumbered the bad ones.

Because change is not bad. Upside down is not only negative. It's simply different. It's a change of perspective and if you just keep your eyes open, you will see all the fun it will bring.


Preparing for Gospel Brunch.

A reminder, people: Sunday should always be Fun Day!

This Fun Day started with a powerwalk in our cute, cute neighborhood. A much needed start, since the next activity on the agenda is All You Can Eat Gospel Brunch. You would think that that's enough for a Sunday Fun Day, but we close no doors and the day might just take us to other adventures as well. We'll see. Life is full of soft people and fun activities.

We know the Underground by heart.

Friday, May 4, 2012

"This is not a goodbye!" Yet I will miss you, dear gym.

There are certain things I need in life in order to stay on top of the game even when things get shaky. Family, friends and a good fitness center is definitely top three. So, understand how lucky I feel about having all those three factors incorporated in my life.

Let me show you my absolute favorite spot around here, with my favorite people, my DC family – the 305 girls. In this room, I have experienced every single emotion possible and it symbolizes my time here quite well. It has been a refuge, a place for fun, a place for hard work, a place for relaxing and sometimes just hanging out.

I was so close to tears when the girls and I walked out of there earlier today. It was the last workout. But we made sure to make the most out of it, really. And we promised that it's not a goodbye. It's simply a "moving on to different adventures." But I won't lie to you, I am going to miss this place and everything about it – like crazy. [Emotion explosion.]

Awkward Family photo no.1.

Awkward Family photo no.2. But see what a happy family!

Working out?

Awkward Family photo no.3 with Awkward Guy in the corner (no offense).
Thanks for being a good friend, taking care of this family and making the fitness center our home!



People, time to become movie stars – or at least producers.

How well do you work the camera? Well, according to some of the panelists from Social Media Club DC's April event, brushing up on your camera skills is a good idea when maintaining your Personal Brand.

If you really want to get yourself out there and be in control of your online visibility, you should learn how to make movies. For your Personal Brand SEO strategy (isn't this a bit bizarre, really?), having an active YouTube channel is critical, because YouTube clips generally show up more frequently in Google search results. And where do you want to be? On top of the game, obviously! On top of the search result list.

At 305, we practice moviemaking every now and then, with the ultimate goal of one day see a finished product – what it will be, I cannot really reveal at the moment. Now, this being said, you don't necessarily have to star in the movie yourself, but take on the role as a producer at get that camera rolling.

Oh, wait. What happened here? I guess we're not quite there yet.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Today, we have celebrated The Free Press.

"Did you know that Finland is considered the country with the best press freedom in the world?" I asked my dad, who is a Finnish citizen, in spite of his almost 40 years living in Sweden. He did not quite believe me, so I took him to the Newseum.

He was happy to find out that I was right, and proudly took out his passport to show me – and the rest of the museum visitors – his true origins. Go Finland! We should all learn from you.

I just started thinking about this story, since May 3 is World Press Freedom day. Definitely a day worth celebrating.


The divine power that is everywhere.

Yes, this is the exact word you want to find in your word-of-the-day-inbox only minutes before a job interview:

numen
divine power, especially one who inhabits a particular object.

Although, I don't know what that object would be. Potentially just my surroundings in general and when I think about it, probably my MacBook in particular. We actually seem to be able to figure out pretty good things together. Is it a divine power? Who knows. If so, it's more than welcome.




Wednesday, May 2, 2012

I dance my dance. I choose my choice.

I was sitting with the White House in one direction, Washington Monument in another, Lincoln Memorial in a third and with a gigant cupcake in my hand. With a successful internship behind me, I saw the many opportunities now ahead of me. I smiled for no reason, then it occurred to me that the reason was me.

I did it. I can do it. Whatever it may be. I know how to find the silver lining and I can dance outside of my comfort zone. When life lets me down and love hurts too much, I still have myself to hold on to and to have fun with.

I choose my choice. I make my life. I decide what I want to do and how I want to be. I will never travel without my heart and I'm so happy to find out that that's appreciated and accepted.

I am madly in love with life and that's what makes me smile.



Make friends with the ones in your boat.

"Can you imagine when we sit here by the end of the semester? Do you think we'll remember this feeling?" we said on the metro to Farragut West that cold day in January earlier this year.

And yes, I do. I do remember. I remember thinking that it was going to be an exciting experience, but other than that, I didn't really know what was waiting for me. As it turned out, I became a part of a solid Intern Team and I've learned just as much from the lovely ladies below as I have from the company's CEO. There is a certain beauty of being tossed together with people so very different from yourself. Don't forget to seize that opportunity whenever it happens to you.

All you people interning out there, make friends with your fellow interns. After all, you're all in the same boat and there are certain things that only "The Interns" will understand and share. We have our secrets. We have our routines. We have our lingo and we have had a lot of fun.

Thanks to my fellow interns for making this semester great! Now it's time to enter that office one last time and before I leave, try to pass on as much Intern Wisdom as I might have. There's a new crop, coming right up.