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Pirjo S

Pirjo S

has 8 followers and is following 9 people

I'm a Finnish woman, a teacher of English and a mother. I love reading. At weekends I read mystery or thrillers, but on vacations I need heavier stuff so I read classics or contemporary novels, always in English.
  • Jämsä, Finland
  • member since October 15, 2007

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Public Notes

  • Cass M

    Cass M says

    Pirjo,
    Thanks for the email! I have been asked to return to China for 6 weeks and do extensive training and consulting. If my visa arrives soon, I leave on Jan. 6th. I am in the process of downloading books onto my Kindle. (Sorry your Kindle is not the treasure you thought it would be.) Have you read any exceptional books recently? Anything you would recommend for the nights alone in China? I will write more when I am there....have a wonderful Christmas break and Christmas!
    Cass

    posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Cass M

    Cass M says

    Pirjo,
    160 children and you are happy that you have small groups! That does not sound very small to me and I could never remember everyone's name! Do you have a special method to remember names or just a wonderful memory? Class sizes in the US have grown since the economy has been struggling. The quality of schools and programs has diminished. I am happy that I do not need to be involved with all the politics! I do plan to do some substitute teaching since I miss the children.

    Chuck and I loved the UK although we did not have time to visit London. We are planning to go back next year and visit London, Scotland, and Ireland. We spent the entire time in the Lake district. We loved the people and had a wonderful time at the B&B. We met lovely people from Newcastle and have been invited to visit next year. There is a slight chance that I may be hired to do some consulting in the next several years. I was asked if I would consider going over for 6 months. I think it would all depend on health at this point but I am game for a new adventure!

    We have friends visiting from Shanghai, China. We took a trip to the grand canyon and when we returned to Phoenix the weather had cooled to a lovely 84 degrees Fahrenheit. For the next 8 months we will enjoy lovely weather and cool enough to cool ride the Vespa.

    I read Clan of the Cave Bear many years ago so actually I was trying to remember how I felt about it. I gave it a 3 since it did not stand out in my memory. I have just finished reading a Ruth Rendell but thought it was rather boring. I have heard a great deal about her as a mystery writer and was anxious to read her books. Is there another Ruth Rendell mystery you would recommend? Speaking of mystery writers, a favorite of mine is Louis Penny, a mystery writer from Canada. As a note, Donna Leon had 2 episodes out on DVD. I have not bought them but am very tempted to spend the money. Have you heard anything about the DVDs?

    Enjoy the UK and relax with some enjoyable books.
    Cass

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Cass M

    Cass M says

    Pirjo,
    It seems that the last few months have flown by. I finished my year of teaching (2 days/wk) and now onto something different for next year. I have been asked to do some consulting and training so I think I will do that and have flexible hours. I need to see the grand children more often! We have high temps. in Phoenix right now (106 degrees F) so we have been going up to the mts. for some relief. In July we will be traveling to the UK for a few weeks, first time in a country that is not 3rd world! I have read less due to classes I have been taking and it is difficult to get a preferred book read among all the class books and papers.
    I know you must be enjoying your time off and hope that your summer continues to be an opportunity to read lots of books

    posted 8 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Cass M

    Cass M says

    Pirjo.....I can only imagine the stress you were under being in charge of such an important event! I am sure everyone marveled at your ability to pull it all together! When I am under stress my sleeping suffers!

    I have enjoyed working but I think I am ready to retire again. I am in an organization with need of much help in organizing their special education programs. Hence, they have asked me to develop programs for over 40 children with moderate to severe needs. As I said to my husband, "Been there, done that.......not wanting to continue with the stress!" The children are lovely, just very high need.

    I try to get to see my new grand daughter every few months and yes, I have books ready to take and share with her! We live 5 hours away by air so I do not get to see her as often as I would like. She turned 6 months in December and is growing! I am absolutely in love with her, I can never see enough pictures. My son had set up a baby cam so I could watch her whenever she was in her crib. As she has gotten more active, she is pulling on the cords so they have disconnected the system. I really miss seeing her daily!

    Our friend from China loved Phoenix. I think she would move here if she could find a program that fit her needs. She is going to school in Southern California which has a large Asian population. she socializes more with her Chinese friends than meeting new friends. (Several of her friends are from her home town!) We talked about this great opportunity to meet new people and explore her new home. She is fluent in English so I hope she expands her circle of friends.

    We still love Phoenix even without the snow. We have made several trips up into the mountains so we are always able to enjoy the snow 2 hours from home. This is one of the first times in my life I haven't spent time in the store examining all the snow shovels! We still walk and bicycle most places. I am also making a New Years resolution to learn the bus system.

    I hope you had a wonderful trip over New Years......and had hours of uninterrupted reading!

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Cass M

    Cass M says

    Pirjo,
    I have not heard from you in a while so I hope you are well and the school year is going well. Will you be having a holiday break next month? We are still enjoying the weather in Phoenix. We plan to spend the holidays up in the mountains viewing the Grand Canyon and relaxing. A dear friend from Shanghai will be spending the holidays with us exploring our new world.

    We are finally feeling settled after almost of year of chaos. It has been enjoyable to invite friends to dinner and be able to fix adult meals.

    Best,
    Cass

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Cass M

    Cass M says

    Pirjo,
    Sorry it has taken me so long to write back, believe it or not I have been a bit overwhelmed with teaching 2-3 days per week. Dealing with special education, I find my 2-3 days in minimal, it is the prep and paperwork on the weekends! I will try it for one year...40 yrs. of teaching is starting to catch up with me! Working with children with disablities is rewarding and also exhausting.

    We move into our new house in 2 weeks so we have spent months getting it ready and trying to move small pieces over every day. It will be nice to be settled and not need to run back and forth constantly. In August we traveled to San Francisco to sell many of our Asian antiques. It was somewhat successful. I would have liked selling more but then the economy is still questionable here.

    The new baby grand daughter is lovely and she has a wonderful personality! I miss being around her but will have to settle with being a long distance grandmother. I have tried to visit monthly and spent 5 days early on cleaning, cooking and holding Ella while my son and daught-in-law slept. I felt a great bonding take place and terribly sad to leave.

    I spent a week with my daughter who will be moving back from Africa in Jan. She will be living and working in Washington D.C. which will seem ike next door compared to traveling to Africa. She always suggests new books and the latest is Cutting Stone. I just started it this morning and will let you know how I like it.(500 plus pages) She is my source to good Africian writers or at least books taking place in Affica. I was lucky to be able to get it from the library and save the money.

    I hope your school year is going well.....
    Cass

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Jari E

    Jari E says

    Tervehdys Keski-Suomeen! Helle saa kivikaupungissa kyllä tuiki piinaavia muotoja. Pikkuasuntojen läpiveto on unta vain, liikenteen melu (halvatun raitsikat!) ei innosta pitämään ikkuinoita yöllä auki, ja tuulettimesta saa kurkkukivun. Eli kaikki hyvin: suomalainen valittaa! ,-)

    Olen kyllä Lehanesta pitänyt ja ne peruskirjat häneltä lukenutkin. Eikös juuri tullut se saari-mysteeri leffana? Polanskin ohjaamana? Vai olenko sekoittanut asiat. Mulla on työn alla Alan Furstin sota-ajan vakoiludekkari. Oletko lukenut? Aika noir-tyyppisiä. Hahmot usein välikäteen tahtomattaan joutuneita, ja juuri tulevan itä-blokin alueelta. Spies of Balkans kertoo kreikkalaisesta polisiimiehestä, joka alkaa avustamaan juutalaisten pakoreitillä. Uusimman Donna Leonin luin pois alta. En tykännyt, etkä sinäkään näköjään antanut "kuin" kolme tähteä. Näissä viimeisimmissä tuntuu ettei sitä rikosta enää ole ollenkaan. Perhekin on häivytetty vuoristoon lomailemaan ja Guidon sisäiselle monologille annetaan tilaa vähään liikaakin. Ne ensimmäiset Brunetti-kirjathan olivat ihan kunnon poliisiromaaneja, vai mitä? Näen tässä vähän samaa kehitystä kuin Mankellin ja Edwardssonin kirjoissa: yhteiskuntakritiikki alkaa tunkea läpi. Kummankaan ruotsalaisherran dekkareita en enää luekaan, vaikka komisario Winter heiluukin tutuissa göteborgilaismaisemissa. Hienossa italialaispuvussaan.

    Tilasin juuri AdLibriksestä muutaman ihan tuntemattoman kirjailijan dekkarin. Olen jotenkin jumahtanut sota-ajan kirjoihin, mutta kyllä siinä kontekstissa saa aika hyvääkin juttua aikaiseksi.

    Hauskaa saunomista teille! Multa puuttuu vain kiuas!

    Jari

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Jari E

    Jari E says

    Hei Pirjo!

    En ole täällä Shelfarissa pariin vuoteen (!) käynytkään ja siksi jäänyt kommentoimatta viestiisi. Asuin vuodenvaihteeseen asti Ruotsissa, eikä sieltä tietenkään uusinta kirjallisuutta saanut aikaan suomeksi. Toisaalta, kun englanti on vahva, niin miksipä ei lukisi alkuperäisellä kielellä.

    Vaihdan mielelläni ajatuksia!

    Helleterkut Helsingistä -- Jari

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Cass M

    Cass M says

    Pirjo,
    Congratulations on your time off. Will you be going away on holiday? It seems to me you and your family go to a warm beach in the summer.

    My husband and I are in the process of buying a town house in phoenix. It is still located close to down town, the library, and light rail and minutes from a Japanese Garden I will enjoy spending time watching the koi and reading. The house has a small yard which means all my vegetable will need to be grown in pots. Onto the library to check out container gardening!

    I will need to read the detective book you mentioned and the latest Donna Leon sits on my shelf. I have read several books with Camilleri. I do enjoy his humor. We watch many English detective DVDs such as Morse, Lindley, Poirot, and Foyle's War. We will look up the Wexford series and if you have any other suggestions please email them to me, we love English mysteries!

    We are waiting for the birth of the new baby, should be any time soon. The baby was 6 weeks further along than my son and his wife had expected. The miscarriage my daughter-in-law had in Oct. was a miscarriage for one of the babies. We did not realize she was carrying twins. (Neither did the doctor until later.)

    I have been reading some English medieval mysteries by P. C Doughtery and enjoy them all. I have also read a few mysteries from Louise Penny, a Canadian author. She describes a wonderful unique town in Montreal. I would love to be a guest in the lovely hotel that serves extraordinary food!

    I am off to bed to continue reading my new book, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradely. The main character is an eleven year old child, Flavia de Luce.

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Cass M

    Cass M says

    Pirjo, I am up at 4:30 a.m. so I finally have time to send you a post. I must admit, most people drive in the US but there is a growing number that has taken to biking. I love to walk and as you mentioned, observe and interact with people around me.

    How exciting, you and students visiting cities and countries I have dreamed about. You must be a very special teacher to have been awarded that opportunity. Your students are very fortunate to have you as their teacher!

    We have bee busy unloading 'THINGS" from our Minnesota storage locker. We had everything shipped to Arizona so I guess we intend to stay here for a time. We are in the process of viewing homes to buy. This is a chore all by itself. I want something fairly small, affordable and have a great location. It must be close to downtown so I can continue to walk.

    Is Hamish Macbeth the officer that was in an early war and came away with the spirit of his commander that guides him in his police work?

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Cass M

    Cass M says

    Pirjo, time has flown by since coming to Phoenix. I have wonderful adventures hiking with friends. Yesterday on our hike we discovered mountain lion tracks but no critter thank heavens! I am still walking all over town and feel by doing that I know where many great stores and galleries are tucked away. Every month we have had friends or family visiting, they are escaping from the harsh northern temps. my husband and I fly back to Mn. in 2 weeks to move the rest of our things down. I am bound and determined not to restock the house with clutter, it is so easy to do! I hope you are seeing warm temps. arrive in Jamsa.
    Cass

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Cass M

    Cass M says

    I can understand your not liking the Skull Mantra when I realize how many references there are to Tibet and Buddhism. That is probably why I enjoy the series, it is an area I have studied a lot. I enjoy reading international mysteries but then times when I need to be a bit more diverse.

    We are enjoying Phoenix, walking more than I did in Shanghai. We have become involved with events at the museums close to our house along with just trying to get settled. We are almost done furnishing our house, the plastic bins we have been using as end tables will go next. Our house is all IKEA or furniture from Copenhagen and Denmark. I am determined to keep the clutter down and like the clean lines.

    We are also excited, my son and daughter are expecting their first child in June. It is good that we are home so that I can visit often and be involved with my grandchild.
    Take care and I am impressed with your knitting.
    Cass

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • Cass M

    Cass M says

    P.S. I have not read any other Amy Tan novels but I think you would also enjoy Lisa See. I first started reading her years ago when she wrote mysteries, I think she has written 3 mysteries. She went on to write novels and the 2 I have read were excellent. I can not remember the exact name of the first one, "Snow and the Secret Fan" (?) I also learned to love "Peony in Love". I had difficulty getting into the book but once I did, I had difficulty putting it down.

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • Cass M

    Cass M says

    Pirjo, I wanted to ask how you liked "The Skull Mantra"? I will go and check out the new thrillers you have read, I need more reading.

    We went out for a long walk today and visited one of the lovely museums a mile from our house. It was lovely to watch the native Am. dancers and hear traditional flute and guitar music.

    I am sure it is all in perspective. After coming from Shanghai this city feels extremely small and low key. Maybe our next relocate will be in a much smaller community. I think you and I would get along well. I love going to book stores (new and used) and after sitting at a cafe people watching.

    Enjoy your time off relaxing and reading.

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • Cass M

    Cass M says

    Pirjo, We have moved and are somewhat settled. We have a bed, and a table and chairs in the kitchen. When I read books, I must sit on the floor. Things will come slowly in the next few months. Family and friends in Mn. have been getting snow, sleet, and rain. We are happy to be in a warm climate, low 60's during the day and colder at night. I have been walking all over exploring. The farmers market is less than 2 km away and also the grocery store. I walk daily to pick up my groceries. Although Phoenix has a population of 2 million people, it is much slower pace and quiet that in Shanghai. We live in a townhouse so there is not anyone above us. We do not have the constant 2 a.m. foot stamping while trying to sleep. So as you can see, there are many nice things here. We do miss friends in Shanghai and also the crazy city. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and are relaxing with a good book now and then.
    Cass

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • Cass M

    Cass M says

    Pirjo, Your life does sound idyllic! You have a life many would envy! I have often lived minutes from my office but since I consulted with bagful of teaching materials, I always needed a car. I never realized how much I enjoyed walking until we moved to Shanghai. Yes I have read all Elliott Pattison's books and loved them all but then I love reading books that involve Tibet. Other mysteries you may enjoy are a series by Colin Cottril (not sure of the spelling) He has developed a great older character, coroner that lives in Laos. I have reading many Donna Leon because I can buy them for very little at many book sales. I see you have read several of hers as well. Take care and I hope you get through your students papers soon so you can return to your reading.

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • Bart

    Bart says

    Hello Pirjo,
    I read a few books of Rankin some years ago. I think I've seen all of the 'Rebus' episodes. They are really good. The latest of Dan Brown I didn't read, but I just finished the first book the millenium trilogy by Stieg Larsson. What a great, well-written book ! I can't wait to start reading part 2 and 3.

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • Cass M

    Cass M says

    Hi Pirjo...Yes the climate in Minnesota is cold. Last winter they had weeks of -30 F and I just do not want to return to that at my age. I totally understand your not having a car. We do need to have one car but our townhouse is located in the downtown area which is only 2 blocks from a wonderfu library, light rail, buses, and food stores. We planned it that way since we also love to walk. We walk daily in Shanghai, at least 4-7 miles and do not want to gve that up for a car. Plus cars are expensive and want to use it as little as possible. Is your teaching within walking distance for you? Both of us have loved not having a car or driving. Americans in Shanghai rerely ride the subway which is a marvel. I only see tourists on the subway. We would have loved to live in a city with subway but we could not afford the cost of living. You are so lucky to be able to use alternate forms of transportation.We will certainly miss that when we return.

    Cass

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • Cass M

    Cass M says

    Pirjo, we did find a home in Phoenix, Arizona. We left Minneapolis, Minnesota for Shanghai but did not want to return to the extremely cold weather. We will be living in a 'loft' townhouse closeto the down town area and the art community. I am still a bit sad about leaving Shanghai but it helps to have things more settled in the U.S. My friends complain about the number of people on the road in Arizona.....they would be stunned in China. My family of origin moved every year or 2 so I do not have a specific state in the U.S that I consider my roots. I guess AZ.is as good as any. We now have to consider buying a car and driving. Have not done that in over 3 years! Thanks for being my friend on Shelfari, I enjoy our emails.

    Cass

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • Cass M

    Cass M says

    As time speeds by and only 10 days before we make our first trip home. I am keeping my fingers crossed that we find some place to live before we return to Shanghai. I would love to return in Dec. to a home. I think living overseas is exhausting if you do not live in native communities. There are US complexes where everything is Westernized. We decided to live in a Chinese community so we have struggled with the lang., getting our needs met and a kitchen with 2 burners, no stove or oven. I wouldn't change it since it made us learn the lang. and the culture but as my husband stated a few weeks back, "I am exhausted. I would like to go someplace where I can rest."

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )

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