Vanhojentanssit – The Chronicles of a Happy Divorcée

Chapter 63 – In the Middle of the Night

This blog is a book. Maybe better to read from the beginning? 🙂

Saturday, 20 February 2016.

Day 62

Back home from her daughter’s Senior Dance and it was so amazing!

My little princess is all grown now. Capable, strong. With the innocent, perfect beauty of youth – soul and skin.

Ah – to be young again and know how to appreciate it!

To be honest, Anna is feeling quite young herself. She is careful, works out, eats right. The lower-carb lifestyle makes her feel extra energetic.

In fact, she’s feeling so pigg (alert in Swedish) that she starts cleaning the house around midnight.

It’s good to do things a day earlier than planned – how very Finnish of her.

That way one can enjoy more free time the next day. Multi-tasking is fun, too, so she answers Christian’s messages.

Would love to see tonight’s dance videos!

Here’s one! Here you go 😊:

Video of Kristiina’s Senior Dance S2 :))

2:13 Wow! Looking great.

Congrats. I’m glad you all enjoyed it. 😊😊

Ah, before I forget, remind me, was it English muffins you said you wanted me to bring on my flight? The salty bread, right? Or did I dream that??

2:20 Oh, you have great memory. Amazing.

Phew. I thought I was going mad!

Yes, English muffins.

Yum. You have excellent taste.

You like cakes? Maybe I could bake something quick and easy.

Sure. But I don’t have a sweet tooth. What is your speciality?

Korvapuusti. Literal translation: a slap on the ear.

Hahaha. Ouch!! I felt that.

They’re actually the best cinnamon buns in the world. A Finnish recipe. What tea do you usually drink? English people drink a lot of tea! How can one be that thirsty?

2.21 Haha. Yes. Decaf. Also like camomile, peppermint – Chinese tea too. White, no sugar.

Did you find the teas you like in Finland?
My mom always complains that the ones over here are not as good as there.

.…

Well…. I did notice. Not much choice.

There’s an Intense Mint sort that is wonderful. Maybe you could bring a stash of your own tea to keep some in my flat. How intimate is that, huh? 😊

Oh….very!! 😊

Should be drinking champagne but don’t want to make you feel bad.

Why champagne, what’s the occasion? And I won’t feel bad…

A glass to celebrate meeting you.

Ah, that’s too sweet. Now you’ll have to bring it. And I’ll have a glass with you. Celebrate meeting you!

Champagne and English muffins. A good combination. 😊

2.31 Tomorrow – wow. About 40h from now. 😊 Hey, you’ll never ever guess what I’m doing. But I’ll give you three tries.

Ok.

Guess 1. Here goes.

Exercising?

Nope.

Guess 2. Cleaning.

No. Already done with that. 😊

Guess 3. Writing to me? OK, that’s not my real guess. 😊

Guess 3. Drawing a picture?

No, no, no – too many guesses already! 😊

Wrong again? 😔 I give up.

Taking selfie??

2.36 Not staying awake at this time for selfies!

A clue: It hurts a little and maybe you haven’t tried it yet.

Oooh.
Standing on your head?
Planking?

What is planking?

Type of exercise. To strengthen abs.

Waxing legs. Have you ever?

Hahaha. Ouch! Have I waxed?
Sure. Someone did my back (don’t have a hairy back like a bear’s though).

Really! Did you like it?

Loved it.

Texting and waxing, huh?

Women!

Haha. But you won’t believe what happened to my friend after a Brazilian wax. Won’t tell you now, though.

What happened?

It’s horrible. A mood killer!

Does it involve bits coming off??

Yes.

Ouch!!!!!!!

A bacterial infection, and he will need multiple plastic surgeries. Happened last month in Brazil. He posted on Facebook! Google it if you dare: Gangrene de Fournier.

I’m scared. Gangrene!! Googling now.

GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!

The worst. Losing all the skin everywhere. He almost died!

I’ve never heard of that before. Poor guy! I won’t be trying that anytime soon.

His luck was that he’s a military major and had prompt access to the best care at the military hospital. 😕 Life is so strong and frail at the same time.

I can’t get the images out of my head!!! Help!!!

Sorry! Just a warning for people to be careful when waxing…

Be careful!! Still see it. Burnt into my retinas!!

I promise to be extra careful.

Don’t want to have to visit you in hospital! To feed you grapes!

2:532:5Haha.

But I can still feed you grapes.

There are better things to do here than go to the hospital. Oh! I want grapes now!

Like play hazel eyes??

Yeah. How long can you keep eye contact with those long lashes on the way?

They are quite heavy. It’s crazy! Thought about cutting them.

Don’t you dare cut them!

😊

Text and wax is a new kind of multitasking for me.

Haha. Would love to see that!

Me being a clown here? My phone is all sticky!

Clown. 🤡

😊😊 Hey, did you lose our conversations from WhatsApp like me, or did you have time to back them up?

I backed them up. 😊

Wouldn’t want to lose those fun stories we were co-authoring.

They are safe!
Omg. The gangrene pics are still open on Google. Looked like something from a butcher’s window.

3.02 Poor friend. I hope he recovers fully! Hey, send me a cute selfie of yours? Want to see what you look like in the middle of the night.

Haha. It’ll be dark.

Click and ding!

Nice dreamy eyes. 😊

Wow! He does look cute. Not like that crazy smile selfie. Phew!

Your turn now. 😊

Waxing??

Whatever you fancy. You are queen of selfies. 😊

3:10 Just so you see I’m really texting and waxing.

Click and ding!

You sure are!! Very impressive. And sexy. 😊

3:16 Ok. Better let you get on with it.

Enjoy the rest of your waxing. If that’s possible!

And see you tomorrow. Xx

3.18 See you tomorrow! Xx

Obs. All names have been changed, and chat messages were published with the match’s kind permission.

Obs. Day 62. Cleaning, texting & waxing, selfieing – normal multi-tasking.

Chapter 62 – Kristiina’s Vanhojentanssit

This blog is a book. Maybe better to read from the beginning? 🙂

Friday, 19 February 2016.

Day 61

Months and months of dance practice and lots of other efforts, such as searching for the perfect dress and the perfect shoes, planning the perfect hairdo and make up – and the day has finally arrived!

The whole family is very excited with tonight’s special event.

Kristiina woke up at 6 a.m. to go to the hairdresser’s, taking with her the deep-red dress she is going to wear. She’ll be dancing in front of her whole school this morning and in front of all of us, the parents and extended family, in the evening.

Kristiina’s dance partner is her favorite classmate, Babel, a tall Syrian genius who’s grown up in Finland.

“Oh, mom! What if I make mistakes during the dances??”

Anna and Kristiina hug each other bye/see you later.

“It’s normal to feel a little nervous, my darling. But if you make any mistakes, just smile with your back straight, turn your head slightly to the side, let your gorgeous hair fly in the air, and I promise your false steps won’t matter that much. Believe me, linda…

“What people will notice is how confident, beautiful and happy you are.” — Anna reassures her.

Today is the Vanhojentanssit day in all Finnish upper secondary schools – the Ball of The New Seniors, a formal prom that celebrates the passage of the second-year students to high school seniors.

And it is absolutely beautiful!

So far, it feels that the best days since Anna’s separation have all started and ended with Christian’s messages. Today couldn’t be any different. Yay!

10:26 Morning. Still rough today but hopefully will turn the corner.

It’s your last day at school before the autumn break, so I wish you a good one! See you in 2 days (cough cough). 🙂

10:37 Thanks. That’s sweet of you to remember. 🙂 Can’t believe I’ll see you in two days. Hope you get lots of rest and feel better soon!

Teacher Anna is sitting with her whole school after lunch, watching a couple dozen of their countryside students dance graciously – though a bit stiffly. She feels emotional as she looks at them.

The beauty and the innocence of youth… May they be blessed and lead healthy lives, learning to be content in their search for happiness!

She’s grown used to sharing all kinds of things with Christian, so she sends him a video of the dancers.

14:43 I’m sure I’ll cry when see my daughter tonight! Felt like crying when I saw these pupils who I don’t even teach at all.

15:00 Ahh. That’s sweet. Better get the tissues ready!! 🤧 They have obviously been practicing hard.

One of those pupils is really tall!! Must be a basketball player. 😊

15:51 Hi! Going for the coffee power nap now to then get ready to see my very own princess dance tonight! 😊💃

Don’t forget the hankies. 😊

Yeah… I wouldn’t want to mess up my makeup!

Btw, can you see my surnames on WhatsApp? Or does my name appear to you in the way you’ve saved it?

How many do you have??

You’re cute!

I see you as Princess. 😊
Princess Anna!

Aww. Sweet! I have 3 (as do many South Americans). But I’m losing the last one once the divorce is through in July, my dear handsome Prince Christian.

Ahh. You’re too kind.

16:00 Now, I’ve definitely gotta take that nap to then get ready. Trying to look good in less than an hour. Effectively! Very busy day since 5:30 a.m… But tomorrow I’ll just be alone, cleaning the house, doing the laundry, running and such. So, it’ll be easier to chat. I’ll send you a pic of my daughter’s dance later on. 😊

Great. Good luck and enjoy. 😊

Thanks, we certainly will.
I have been sleeping such deep naps that I snore and wake up with my own noises.

Haha. A little snorer? I bet it’s a cute snore though.
💋💋 One for each tattoo. 😊

Mmm 💋!

18:30 Waiting for the dances to start!!

Anna sits in the audience with her mom, Riitta, son Joey, her sister Sarah (Kristiina’s godmother), niece Isabela and varamummo Liisa. They spot Mr. Pedro/Ex from a distance. Riitta cringes.

“Eurgh. Doesn’t it feel bad to see him?” Riitta asks Anna.

“No. I’m sure it’s very important for Kristiina that he’s here, mom.

“And, I’m moving on. Not looking back, but forward.” — Anna assures her. — “Can’t wait to meet Christian in two days. Two days, mom!

“Dating is fun.” — she smiles.

And the Ball of the Seniors is astounding.

01:57 Hey. Just got up. Of course now I can’t sleep. 😊 How did this evening go?

I’m feeling a bit better. Not been eating well though. Lost my appetite, so a bit of weight loss, I guess.

02:01 Hi.

02:02 Hello! You still awake?.

2:03 Yes, have been for 21h already. Since Friday morning 5 a.m.

21 hours awake! How come?

Happy to hear you’re feeling better!

Are you ok?

Yes, fine thanks.

I think I’ve been in bed 21 hours! OK. Not that much.

Oh! I knew I was gonna clean the house on Saturday – just decided to do it after the dance ball instead. This way, when I wake up, I’ll only have some minor things to do. 😊

How was it? Hope you wake up late. You are on holiday after all. 😊

Yes! But I’ll have to get up at 9:50 to move the car.

Your house must be spotless now.

Almost, haha.

The ball was beautiful!! And so much bigger than at my school (I think they said 126 couples were dancing there)!

2:09 Lovely picture. 😊 Did she enjoy it?

Yes! She was sooo graceful. Beautiful! Wonderful body language, smiles, eye contact. 😊 I felt so proud! Will never forget this night.

We never had balls at my school.

Neither did we. Too bad! Love Pride and Prejudice – the dances looked like they were from that time. And from Gone With the Wind.

Would love to see tonight’s dance videos!

Here’s one! Here you go 😊:

Video of Kristiina’s Senior Dance S2 :))

2:13 Wow! Looking great. Congrats. I’m glad you all enjoyed it.

Ah, before I forget!

Remind me, was it English muffins you said you wanted me to bring on my flight? The salty bread, right? Or did I dream that??

Obs. All names have been changed, and chat messages were published with the match’s kind permission.

Obs. Day 61 to 62. Beautiful! Surreal.

Chapter 52 – Kristiina’s Phone Call

Monday, 15 February 2016.

Still Day 57

Just as Anna is entering her building – less annoyed after the fresh air and the jog – her phone rings.

It’s her daughter, beloved Kristiina.

“Hi, sweetheart, how are things over there at dad’s?”

“Oh, mom. I’m so stressed out!” — she sobs.

Poor darling dear!

“What’s up? Good that you called me.”

“I’m just exhausted. Feeling stressed out and a little down.

“There’s way too much school work! Essays. Normal homework. Exams.

“The school days are soooo long. I come home tired, rest for ten minutes and then study until 1 a.m. I can’t take it anymore.” — she laments.

“Not enough sleep, not enough time for hobbies or exercise. Not enough time for my friends… And now the divorce and two homes. I’m feeling upset. Help?”

Eurgh! We stupid adults can’t be happy together and our teens have to suffer the consequences.

Eurgh.

But we tried everything!

“Kristiina, my dear, so sorry you’re feeling that way. I understand. I do! Please, always call me and talk it out. Any time.

“OK, mom.”

“What can I say? Is your father there? Can he help you?

“Kris, you know he and I tried everything, right? At least you know we stayed together for as long as we could? For your sake.”

“Oh, mom! I wish you hadn’t. It was horrible to see some of the fights and have so many family holidays ruined. No. It’s better this way. You deserve better. You both deserve more love in your every day.”

“Oh…” — I feel the same way.

“Yes, I really wish you had divorced earlier…

“It’s just a little overwhelming right now. I’m exhausted.”

“Kris, I’m glad you called me. Do you want to come over tomorrow? We can have a snack together any time, you know that.” — they’ll always be my priority. I’m still raising our teens.

Kristiina promises to come over if she feels the need to.

“Just wanted to talk… It’s good that you and dad accepted my suggestion.”

Recently, she suggested they live two whole weeks at one place before moving to the other parent’s. That way, there’s less packing and moving here and there all the time.

“The new system feels better? You’ve always been wise – we do listen to what you have to say.” — Anna smiles.

“I miss you, you know! But it’s nice you send me pictures and messages on WhatsApp every day. And your prom dance is in four days. Wow. You’re going to look so beautiful! I can’t wait to see you.

“Why don’t we look into you studying a bit slower? In Finland you can go through high school in four years. Please consider it. You’d have more time to sleep and meet friends…”

With Kristiina it’s always like that. We have to tell her: study less, sleep more, go party, live a little, have fun. Sweet girl! So responsible.

Now where were we?

Back to Christian – the Englishman, of course. The other one’s out for good. Gosh.

20:07 Basically it’s free time Sunday and Monday. 😊

21:15 Hi! Good to hear from you. Was just on the phone with my daughter. Maybe I’ll tell you later. Excited to meet you on Sunday. But getting confused with the dates. I guess your work plans keep changing? ☺️ If you want, you can reserve only Sunday and Monday initially. And if we feel we still want to see each other again during that week, then you’ll let me know if any extra time comes up.

21:24 Good evening. 😊 I’m coming to see you Sunday, and free all day Monday and Tuesday morning. If you want to see me… Hope that all makes sense. Sorry for the confusion!!

Still lost.

Obs. All names have been changed, and chat messages were published with the match’s kind permission.

Obs. Day 57 was a long, long day.

Chapter 42 – Under the Sun

Tuesday, 9 February 2016.

Day 51

Anna is spending the week with her teens. Always so lovely!

Her daughter Kristiina is 17 now and these are exciting times. She’s in the second year of upper secondary school, and her Vanhojentanssit is coming up.

Vanhojentanssit, that is, the Ball of The New Seniors, is a beautiful formal prom held in Finnish high schools to celebrate the passage of becoming the lukio seniors, the day after the third-year students stop attending to start studying for their matriculation exams in February.

They’re going to be fetching Kristiina’s long dress on Thursday. That’s something really nice to look forward to. Anna and Kris are going to have coffee somewhere and chat from the joy of their hearts and their amazing friendship.

Aww. Her little girl is all grown up now.

Oh, how the years fly!

Yes, this week Anna is spending quality time with her teens, but they’re teenagers. They don’t need her or even want to spend all their free time with her. An hour or two per evening seems to be more than enough for them these days.

There really is a time for everything under the sun…

Not going out on dates this week, but there’s a lot of time for chatting online. And dates set up for next week. Yay!

Thank God for hobbies and friends.

And for Tinder.

Obs. Day 51 of yay – life is good after all.