Phew, February is already halfway through! Time moves fast (but not that fast 🥶). It feels like just another ordinary day, nothing remarkable. But when I look back closely (thanks to daily journaling), I realize how much I’ve seen and enjoyed, how many small moments I almost dismissed as “nothing.” Maybe I’ve been underestimating what life has been showing me.

So, let’s take a look at what I’ve seen and enjoyed in the first half of February in Helsinki!

Falling in Love with My Hobonichi

The month started with the excitement of enjoying my newly purchased Hobonichi Weeks Mega. Every night, I track my moods of the day, plan my tasks, reflect on what I’ve done, and spill my random thoughts onto the pages. It’s oddly satisfying. Adding cute stickers along the way, here and there, has turned into a small ritual, making the habit feel even more personal.

For the first time, I truly understand why people swear by journaling for mental clarity. It’s not just an empty wellness tip. It actually works for me.

Café Tampopo, A Cozy Find in Helsinki

Like most Saturdays, I was out exploring new cafés in town, or at least I haven’t visited before. This time, I checked out the much-talked-about Café Tampopo. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the sight of a long queue inside the tiny café instantly piqued my curiosity. If people were willing to wait, it had to be something special, right?.

After standing in line for a while, I finally got a spot and ordered a Hōjicha Latte and a Matcha Latte. The moment they arrived, I couldn’t help but smile. Each cup was topped with the most adorable latte art I’ve ever seen: a tiny bear and a dog staring back at me.

Their specialty was sando and I couldn’t resist giving it a try, so I ordered a fruit sando. I had tried sando before in Belgium and left underwhelmed, mostly because of the type of bread that they used. But Café Tampopo’s version completely changed my opinion. The bun was pillowy soft, the cream light yet not too sweet (which I like), exactly how I imagined a good sando should be. I don’t want to unfairly judge my first experience, but I have a feeling that Tampopo’s take is closer to the real deal.

Well, now I know that the next time I visit Japan, I won’t miss the chance to try an authentic sando for myself.

Penkkarit Festivities Take Over the Streets

On February 6, I was on the bus heading to the gym when traffic came to a standstill. The delay was much longer than usual, and some passengers decided to hop off and walk instead. I followed suit, and not far from where I got off, I discovered the reason behind the unusual traffic jam: Penkkarit was happening.

Fyi, Penkkarit is a celebration for high school students in Finland finishing their coursework. After this event, they go on study leave to prepare for their spring matriculation exams. The tradition dates back to the 1800s, though it wasn’t called Penkkarit until the 20th century.

The streets were buzzing with excitement. People cheered as long convoys of trucks rolled by, packed with students in festive costumes. Laughter and music filled the air, and graduates tossed handfuls of candy to the crowd as part of the tradition. Apparently, some were so determined that, according to the news, some people even invented a special tool just to scoop up more candy!

Savoring a Runebergintorttu

In Finland, seasonal desserts have their moment before disappearing for the year, and February belongs to Runebergintorttu. Named after Johan Ludvig Runeberg, the poet and writer behind Finland’s national anthem, this torte was said to be his favorite, baked by his wife, Frederika Runeberg, who was also a writer. Traditionally, it’s enjoyed on February 5, Runeberg’s birthday, but in Porvoo, the city where he lived, some cafés serve it year-round.

Each Runeberg torte weighs about 100 grams, topped with a ring of icing and raspberry jam. It’s dense, nutty, and lightly spiced, offering a completely different experience from another Finnish dessert, Laskiaispulla.

I picked up a Runebergintorttu by Fazer on Saturday from a local supermarket in Helsinki, planning to enjoy it the next morning with a freshly brewed cup of coffee. Halfway through, I was already full. Maybe 100 grams of each Runebergintorttu was too much for me. However, the almond-rich texture and the sweet tang of jam were too satisfying to stop. So I took my time, savoring every bite.

If you ever visit Finland in winter, don’t miss out on these seasonal treats. Whether it’s Laskiaispulla or Runebergintorttu, both are worth trying!

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That’s a wrap for February! There’s still a long to-do list waiting for me before the month ends, and I could definitely use some luck to get through it all. So, wish me luck and I’m sending some your way too. Whatever you’re tackling right now, I hope it goes smoothly. We’ve got this!