According to an article in Finnfact-newspaper (Autumn 2008) Finland is putting itself on the top of the world increasing competitiveness and attractiveness. One of the notable implication of the new innovation strategy is the Aalto University. It´s a combination of three universities in Metropoly of Helsinki that is supposed to guarantee “Finland´s competitiveness in the creation of importance.”

The logic beyond the entire innovation strategy is a simple. Firstly, Finland must be focused on only the few areas, offer better opportunities for radical innovations and support the expertise.

“Making choices is inevitable and justified. Finland is a small country and there simply aren´t resources to take on everything. We have to choose in what areas Finland wants to be the world number one.”, emphasizes the director at the Confederation of Finnish Industries.

I make to make two remarks to the strategy. Firstly, the innovation strategy seems to consider creativity as the profession of the few. Personally I believe that everybody can be creativity. We should avoid elitism in creativity.

Instead of that, for example in comprehensive schools, we should encourage people to act freely and creatively. All the obstacles in creativity should be overcome. This means that the quality of education should improved by supporting in the programmes of the government,

This leads to buzz in ideas, when there are more that Aalto University´s players on the field. When children go through the education system and get the idea that she/he CAN BE an innovative, this logically lead to more innovations in the future.

Secondly, what happens to our culture and society when all money are being invested in only some areas. It´s so difficult to forecast the future. It could be better and wiser to flourish all possible flowers and remember so called “unproductive” sectors such as art.

The Finnish Broadcasting company reported two weeks ago about discussion between The Tampere University Vaccine Research Centre and the National Public Health Institute. Some scientists emphasize that taking a vaccination is a better than protection at all, but figures of studies show that the protection is not so good. In some cases the efficacy is poor, it is said.

Personally, I believe in myself when trying to cope with the attack of harmful viruses and bacteria.

Basically this means that I try to eat well (an organic food that is very rich in vitamins). Sometimes I take some extra pills (fish oil). This boosts my own immune system.

Secondly, I wash hand regularly with soap. By doing this I am trying to stop the germs spreading. It´s so easy to touch contaminated areas when you are travelling in public transport. And it´s wise not to touch your nose, mouth and eyes when you haven´t washed your hands.

These preventive steps have been successful, but what might happen this winter?

En moyenne, les temperatures sont de moins 20 degrés. C´est la saison du ski, parce que il y a beaucoup de neige. Souvent le ciel est dégage en mars. Je vous recommande cette saison!

L´été est un bonne saison aussi. Il fait beau, mais parfois il pleut. Les temperatures sont entre 15-25 degrés. Il fait doux! Quelle bonne meteo a marcher a pied aux villes. Malheuresement, la saison est courte.

L´automne est magnifique, mais vou devex préndrer un parapluie et un pull extra. Il fait froid et mauvais.

Nowadays, our lexicon of language is heavily influenced of the globalization. This leads to borrowings from other languages like English. Maybe the Internet makes this adaptation easier. We can easily copy & paste -words and concepts on the Web for our own purposes.

Some linguistics are arguing that loan words from for example English are harmful phenomena. It will destroy the real characteristic of the language.

Personally I think the borrowings are enriching our languages. You can trace root of some English words to the languages. Without the influence of Finnish tradition, there is not word “sauna” in English. In addition the people of France don´t talk about “le sauna”.

By the way, sauna is a small room used as a hot-air or steam bath for cleaning and refreshing the body.

I was one of those 4000 Finns that are living here in Brussels. I felt this my duty to activate in this interesting elections. It is said that this time local elections are national in scope. Maybe the financial crisis is drawing people to polling stations.

I casted a vote to a candidate, who I believe to make a difference. I hope that she will get through being a decisionmaker in the city of Helsinki. There is a lot of do, when it comes to health and elderly care, funding proper education and giving aid for the economically disadvanteg person.

Firstly, I want to utilize fully my capabilities in my dream position. I am so resourceful person. Therefore I should take this premise seriously. This lays foundation to get a satisfacting position, where I can be challenged.

Secondly, I don’t mind to work hard, but I don’t want to snow under workload. The creativity will be diminished, when you have too much tasks and deadlines to finish. And if I don’t have a creative position where I can bring my ideas on the table, I don’t find it rewarding in the long run.

Therefore, I am looking for a position in a company/organization where I can grow and innovate. Just doing only repetitive tasks sounds a dead-end job for me.

Being an expatriat in Belgium, sometimes means participating in interesting events. This was some sort of example, that I will remember.

Our new friends, a Swedish couple Peter and Therese, had organized this party at their home in Waterloo. Many of their colleagues and friends had been gathered at their terrace. The party offer opportunity for families and friends to get together, eat delicious crayfishes and have a fun. It is obligatory to sing, to laugh and to talk a lot during these parties.

This time we didn´t have special lamps and tablecloaths (these are essentials to Crayfish parties that are usually arranged in the late summer).

Instead of that, there were a lot of craysfishes, wine and schnapps (alcohol). We sang traditional Swedish songs during eating those freshwater lobsters (precooked) with good company. The drinks and meal complemented each other perfectly.

The atmosphere was wonderful also. It was a nice experience to enjoy life with our new Swedish friends. They all seemed to have a positive outlook on life.

I sent an application to a company. Yesterday I got a response to my mail. “Dear Ms Haverinen, Thank you for your interest in our company.”

What do I say to this? I am using a signature in my mails (at the bottom of mail).

Althought, they (Belgians) are transforming into a woman and changing my name (Antte Haverenen), I am a man and my REAL name is Antti Haverinen.

1. The how and who is just scenery for the public.
2. Why that happened? Who benefited? Who has the power to cover it up? Politics is power! Nothing more!

If you don´t ask the questions, you won´t get the responds. Think about that!

This challenge makes me mad. I would want to be for example de Gaulle or something similar. Everybody knows that!

The problem why I am always misunderstood based on the fact of H-letter in French. When it is the first letter of name, it is not supposed to pronunciate at all. Like hotel is “otel”, so my surname is “averinen”.

Yesterday I made a call to some interesting recruiting firm here in Brussels. The call started badly. “I’m sorry, what is your name. Could you repeat to me again?”, a French-speaking lady said.

I explained and spelled that for her trying to give a good impression. I think  I wasn’t so good at this time, although I consider myself as a master of spelling.

Actually, my name is quite simple one to explain. The real challenge is to say my email-address.

Naturally, I have my own domain and my email is antti@anttihaverinen.net. Guess, how many times I have tried to simplify my explanation on the phone.