Life At Bonnier - Shannon Mendis

Shannon: Kiiiiiiiitos!

By Shannon Mendis on 2009-04-29
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From Finland back to Florida: Our GROW blogger thanks her co-workers for a great three months

My last weekend in Helsinki was spent with some friends on Friday night for dinner and dancing. Saturday, I went to the park and soaked in the sun as much as I could. (It makes me laugh because it was, like, 52 degrees F.  In Florida, we actually think that is cold..hahaha.)  Sunday, I went out to Suomenlinna which is something I had to do before leaving Finland. Today, they are throwing a pre-vappu party for me here at the office. I am so excited, although I am sad at the same time. I can't believe how fast these three months went.

I want to say Thank you!

Shannon Mendis: Amsterdam

By Shannon Mendis on 2009-04-24
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For her last trip before her return to the U.S., GROW blogger Shannon takes a quick trip to Amsterdam

For my last trip before coming back home to the States, I decided to head over to Amsterdam! People always told me that it was a great place to visit, but I have to admit...I didn't believe them till I saw it for my own eyes.

Amsterdam is filled with beautiful architecture, art, museums, canals, sunshine, and bicycles.  It has an overall atmosphere that makes you not want to leave after getting there. I took a flight out early so I could enjoy every minute of exploring the city.

Shannon Mendis: Shopping

By Shannon Mendis on 2009-04-20
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Our Floridian GROW blogger in Helsinki likes the May issue of Olivia

Today the May issue of Olivia is out, along with the mini-travel shopping supplement I helped design! I was able to see it now in print and was very pleased with the outcome.

Shannon Mendis: Hyvää Pääsiäistä!

By Shannon Mendis on 2009-04-14
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Our GROW blogger in Helsinki celebrates Easter, Finland-style

Hyvää Pääsiäistä! (Happy Easter!)
 
This weekend was Easter weekend here in Helsinki. I planned to go on a train to Espoo to visit with Hanna and her family, which was about 20 minutes out of the city. They invited me for dinner at her parents' house and also to color eggs with the kids. I couldn't wait! I was obviously excited about the delicious home-cooked Finnish meal, but also very much excited about coloring eggs. I love doing that! Always have and always will.

Shannon Mendis: Moi, Moi Tuomas

By Shannon Mendis on 2009-04-06
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GROW blogger Shannon says goodbye to her first Helsinki friend

Moi Moi Tuomas!

This week marked the end of the road for Tuomas Jääskeläinen and me.  Tuomas was the first person I met here in Helsinki, Finland.  He was my boss for the first two months of the GROW ambassadorship here at Bonnier Publications. We have a lot of memories, even though it had only been a couple of months.

Shannon Mendis, Copenhagen

By Shannon Mendis on 2009-04-03
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Our Floridian gives us her take on a shared trip to Copenhagen

Copenhagen is a BEA-utiful place!! Imagine this...smell of hot dogs, sun shining in your face, bikes everywhere, churches, castles, best shopping on Strøget, narrow streets, cobbled courtyards and wild tulips. How can it get much better than that?

Well it can...I was lucky enough to have great company as well. Tiki and I took an early flight out and arrived at the Saga Hotel to check in and then walk the city and get a bite to eat. Saga Hotel is located just a couple of minutes walk from the central station and Tivoli gardens.

Shannon Mendis: Ice, Ice, Baby

By Shannon Mendis on 2009-03-27
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From Florida to Finland: our GROW participant enjoys a real Finnish sauna with co-workers

This week started out way cool. Literally. We went for ice swimming and the sauna on Monday with a group from work and it was amazing. This is yet another thing you can enjoy here when it's this cold!! Sounds crazy when I try to explain, but it's something I felt I HAD to try! Why not?

Shannon Mendis, Half Way

By Shannon Mendis on 2009-03-20
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From Florida to Finland: Half way done! Shannon helps with the launch of Olivia's new Web site

3.......2.......1.......LAUNCH!
 
Whooah, we're half way there...Ohhhh...Livin on a prayer.....Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear.........Whooah (I bet I just got that song in your head, hahaha.)

Well, now it marks the half way point for us first GROW peeps and I have to admit.... I am sad about the time flying so fast. It has been a great adventure and I don't want to seem too greedy, but I wanna stay longer!! But then don't we always want what we can't have?
 
This week, I visited the Helsinki zoo in Korkeasaari, which is about 20 minutes away by bus.

Shannon Mendis

By Shannon Mendis on 2009-03-19
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Our Floridian in Helsinki on the things that make her go hmmmm

1. I feel like a kid again learning the basics like flushing the toilet, opening the doors or simply turning on a light.  For flushing the toilet the button is on the top and not a handle on the side. It may seem so small and no big deal, but since it's obviously an everyday thing...it begins to feel awkward. Just can't wait to get back and feel awkward again when I'm trying to press the top of our toilets in Florida, haha.

2. The light switches are opposite and also the doors I noticed. I would pull when I should push and I would push when I should pull.

Shannon Mendis

By Shannon Mendis on 2009-03-13
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From Florida to Finland: this graphic designer trades her flip flops for skis in Helsinki

Moi! My name is Shannon Mendis from sunny Winter Park, Florida, now working in Helsinki, Finland as a graphic designer for Bonnier Publications for Olivia (style) and Divaani (interior design) magazines. In Florida, I work for the Design Services Department for more than 40 special-interest magazines at Bonnier Corporation for Terry Snow.