Thursday, December 8, 2011

Christmas Carols – My Top 10

So the second advent is already over and although I don't have much Christmas spirit it is still one of my favorite holidays.

But since the 1st Advent I am officially listening to Christmas carols and to spread the holiday spirit a but I want to shared my top 10. Since I lived abroad for a while my favorite Christmas Carols represent a wide range of types and languages. I hope you enjoy my collection. :D

1. Do you hear what I hear (Glee version)
I didn't know that one until a few weeks ago when the new Glee Christmas album came out. And now I am really in love. The original is a few decades old and also Ok but nothing compared to the Glee version. And that although I can't stand the 2 who sang the song since I saw them on 'The Glee Project' but you can't say anything against their voices. :)

2. Jul jul strålande jul
A Swedish carol which I got to know during my first stay in Finland in 2005. Just love it. It's simple and but beautiful. Unfortunately I still haven't found ait on youtube in good quality but I keep looking.

3. Oi jouluyö/ oh holy night
No matter in what language you sing it, I just love it. For many many years already. And each time I find a new language version I rejoice. :P

4. En Etsi Valtaa Loistoa (Jean Sibelius)
Probably THE Finnish Christmas Song. Written by the one and only Jean Sibelius. And it proofs my experience that so many Finnish Christmas Carols sound very depressing. Not that I mind, it is just how I experienced it. But still I like that Song very much, like more or less everything from Sibelius.

5. Winter Wonderland/ Winterwald
Liked this song since I was a little kid. And since I liked it so much I even sang it in my primary school Christmas celebration. Completely insane since no other kid new it but well. :D My mother was a Heintje Fan and his Christmas CD was on heavy rotation each December in my house.

6. Where you there on that Christmas night
Got to know this song last year and listed to it all December and was sad when Christmas was over and I had to take it of my mp3 player. So now it's back on and I listen to it at least once a day. Oh and not many people know that song so I am happy to share it here.

7. Tulkoon joulu
Another Finnish Christmas Song. I have it in very many different versions on my pc but I like the one from Suvi Teräsniska the best. Not a sad and depressing Christmas song, but very uplifting. At least for me. :)

8. Nu Tändas Tusen Juleljus
another Swedish carol which i enjoy also very much

9. Stille Nacht/ Silent Night
The only reason why I went to Church on Christmas with my grand da

10. Tonttujen jouluyö
A very loved Christmas song for children in Finland and well not just Children love it. It is fun to sing and if I remember right there might be even a dance to it. Or something like that. Tip tip tap! :P


Work hard. Have fun. Make history.

So 3 weeks ago I started my job at Amazon as a warehouse aid for the Christmas season and well... it is as hard as I expected but worse is that we live about 45min away from the company in a tiny village without internet and even cell phone reception. Who would have thought those places still exist in Germany? But since I really need the money I try to survive till Christmas. Even though my feet hurt so badly every night after work since I walk about 20k each day. I work the evening shift from 3pm till 11:30, which means getting very late to bed, getting up late. This is nice since I can sleep long but I miss the whole evening. But I would miss it anyway since my roommates who have the morning shift go to bed at 9pm since they have to get up at 4am again. And last but not least I met some nice people who make the time bearable. I live together with 2 girls and two boys in a small holiday cottage which is actually not bad, apart from the fact that I never wanted to share a flat again. But I made a good choice with my house mates so it is ok for 6 weeks.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Better late ...

than never.

So I wish everybody a belated Happy St. Nicholas Day! I hope you guys cleaned your shoes and got a little treat. I didn't cleaned my shoes but still got a chocolate Santa and some cookies from my area manager at Amazon. I really liked the idea, especially since I completely forgot that it was December 6th already. Time really flies.
So and for all the Finns and friends of Finland a belated
Hyvää Itsenäisyyspäivää!!!
It's now 94 years ago that Finland gained independence from Russia. Usually I sit (like many Finns) in front of the telly or computer to watch the Independence Day ball in the presidential palace. And like all girls i just watch it becasue of the dresses and to check how many people i know. Still surprising that the number is usually quite high even when the members of parliament are coming in. but never ask me about German politicians. ;)