congratulations to the girls in my family. they survived another year.

Two weeks ago my dear Mother had a birthday. Happy birthday Mum!

I thought she was turning twenty-one again, but she informed me that she is actually turning thirty nine. Good for her! [I've been older than my own mother for some time now.]

My mother is a saint. Even with her evil laugh. And I miss her.

She is a clever woman, who always seems to know what is going on.
An opening scene from the book-turned-movie Looking for Alibrandi always reminds me of her - the main character is walking home from school, all the time feeling that she is being watched and followed. Although it's all in her head, she sees all the old italian grandmothers hiding behind newspapers with eye cut-outs, spying on her every move behind parked cars, and calling her mother to report on her tardiness. My mother just seems to know everything without being told :)

What do you love about your mother?
(you should go and tell her!)

Also, last weekend was my sister's birthday. Happy birthday Yolanda!!

She turned a legitmate twenty-one, and went out with all her friends and family (minus me) to celebrate. I was sad to miss all the fun.

My sister is a funny girl, without even trying. She makes me crack up, and I love her for it.
She somehow sees the funny things in life.
She also works hard, and is really quite brave and strong. I have alot of respect for her.

What do you love about your siblings?
(you should tell them!)


I love my family.

Get a Move On, Woman!

Dear world.

I have decided, after much inner monologue and debate in my head, that this blog thing needs to happen. The idea, originally, was to procrastinate/stalk other people/possibly keep others informed of my brillantly-adventurous life and allow them to live vicariously through me.

Ready? Here goes...

This is me.

I am 26 years old [turning 27 this year in March. It might as well be 30. Oh dear. 30. Thirrrrty. I take it back. 27 will be just fine]. Currently, my life feels a little slow and breezey, simply because I just finished my masters degree. I have been studying full time for seven years, and while working full time - not including my eighteen months of serving a mission. In summary, I have been rather busy for the past decade, and now I don't know what to do with myself! Write a book? Start a PhD? Climb Mount Kosciuszko? Oh the choices :)

This is Matthew.

Gosh, babe, you could smile! Say hello to the nice people, Matthew!

Okay. You can kiss me.

He is also 26 years old. Can you guess who is older? This giant hunk of a man [6 foot 7!!] wanted to marry me. He wanted to marry me so badly that he swept me off to Adelaide. Or is that kidnapped me from Sydney? He is studying Physiotherapy, with only a little over a year to go - a profession which suits him fine. Combine those skills (mmm ... those skills ... ) with his passion and ability in sport, and BOOM. An enjoyable career to support his loving wife in her many shopping endeavours. HA. How terribly untrue.

We are currently living in a roof space.

It's it lovely? It is an upgrade from our last temporary home - a lounge room.

All brought to you by Soininen family members, who are hospitable and considerate to us newlyweds. I have noticed such hospitality and consideration many times in this family. It is clearly a benefit in (a) having lots of family members, and (b) having lots of family members live in close proximity.

The family we are currently living with is lovely. They have six boys. They also have a loud dog, who likes to bark at the swimming pool.

Their youngest boy - William aka Will aka Wilbur Woo Woo - loves me. Well, I'm not entirely sure, but he sure loves saying my name. We turned up to Sacrament Meeting once during the opening prayer, and Will spotted us approaching the door, and started shouting my name over and over. Freja! Freja! Freejjjaa! It's a regular occurrance. I'm a celebrity, and all (even during the prayer) are entitled to know of my arrival to church. He also calls Matt 'Freja'. He'll run up to Matthew, hug his legs, and say 'Freja!'

What can I say? We are one. One in our little roof space.


** I accept no responsibility for inaccurate photographs or descriptions of our living quarters, past and present.

For my very own wall.

Here is a sneak peak at some fabulous photos about to come our way.

I was very happy with the photographer we decided to go with.

http://www.cavanaghphotography.com/freja-matthew-wedding-sneak-peek/

I simply cannot wait to have lots and lots of gorgeously framed photos to hang up. I wants lots of black and white ones. Black frames. White frames. A few gilded frames.

Oh, and a wall of my own to hang them up on.

Confessions of a non-blogaholic

It turns out that I much prefer reading, and possibly stalking, other blogs than creating my own.
I suspected as much.

Indeed, I am more interested in scrolling down endless pages of the blogs of wedding photographers and cute crafty DIY wedding sites. Not that I actually intend to make everything, or spend the required amount of time and money on such activities ... but they are. quite. addictive.
So addictive, in fact, that there will be a void once I have committed myself to matrimony. What shall I do? Join the quilting brigade?