Shannon Mendis, Half Way

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. It was so worth the trip because I spent about five hours there just walking around, checking out all the different animals from Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia, South America and North America :). They also had animals I have never seen before—animals I have seen in books or on Animal Planet but had never seen in real life. I felt horrible when the reindeer looked me in the eyes with that sad face, as though I ate his brother or something...oops. But no, really, it was a great experience to see a rocky mountain goat, reindeer, a red panda (made me think of you manda panda), a bearded vulture, owls, a camel, monkeys, turtles, snakes, Chilean flamingo, Persian gazelle, swans, European bison, wolverine, Markhor, frogs, lions, tigers, snow leopards, bears and European mink. I got pics, too. Some of the monkeys were the greatest laughter of the day!!
 
Wednesday, March 18th, marked the launching of the new Olivia website, which is the project I was assigned for my first six weeks here in Finland. There was a party in the morning at the G-18 breakfast room with the smells of vanilla and beautiful orchid arrangements. I took the Tram 6 with Hanne (my desk neighbor at work) and we arrived promptly at 9AM. At the door, we were greeted by Mikko with a huge smile and then to the coat check area where Rebecca and Anna were both dressed in nice white blouses with an orchid pinned to them. Upstairs there was a nice food spread with brie, croissants, fruit, coffee, strawberry smoothie-like drink...D-elicious!!, tea and some little appetizer like things...ALL very well presented. They had Johanna Kurkela, who sang beautifully. Even though I had no idea what the words of her song were, it was breathtaking. Afterwards, Jani Toivola, the host of the party who also happens to be the host of Finnish Idol, introduced Niina.  He interviewed and asked her a few questions as the website presentation was in the background. Here she presented what Helena, Hanne and I have been working on. Next, Jani introduced Marjaana (CEO of Bonnier Publications) and she spoke about upcoming news for the company. So far, the website has had great feedback and aroused a lot of interest. The Olivia website provides its users with the latest fashion, advice on style and beauty, great prizes and competitions, tests to rate your style, your friendships and relationships, recipes, paparazzi photos, latest movies, books and music.  It has four bloggers, including Stella Harasek (style blogger), Anna-Leena Härkönen (food blogger), Niina Leino (editor of Olivia) and the editorial staff. Check it out for yourself at www.olivialehti.fi.