Some fave pictures over the years

Helsinki New Year - the year when they closed down the main street for the celebrations

Beijing Art District explorations

Update...

In line with company social impact initiative, very pleased to be co-creating the following event!  Key phenomenon as related to Global Mobility, Cross-cultural living, Intercultural competence.

 

Celebrating CSR

Was at an inspiring CSR event yesterday! Such a privilege to participate in community building in regard to these themes. We know that strengthened networks and collaboration is needed, but what should be our strategy? Looking forward to giving this some more time soon; here I document a few initial notes for self.

Yes, although I am juggling many different roles at the moment, in the end I am also a CEO navigating a company from a think tank perspective. A think tank, at the core of which is the vision to "support eco-social wellbeing in the East and in the West". It is towards this goal that a certain amount of resources are allocated when possible. As we are bridging worlds via cultural consultancy and training, the ambition is to also bridge worlds in our CSR/Social Impact work. 

Beijing Startup Street 

Was reminded of a "thought diamond" that I found during my time in Beijing working for Slush China in 2015...it was related to something Jack Ma had said. It was about how we all can take responsibility for our environment - no task is too small. Whether its taking care of a garden in our neighborhood, planting a tree or sweeping the floor for the common good.

Now I bring another quote by him, below, and raise the question: What can we do together, to further the prosperity and well-being of the ecosystem? Not just...But the entire ecosystem? Wow. Looking forward to giving more time for this theme soon! After all, social impact/CSR themes were the initial reason why I joined the Slush movement back in 2015 <3 

I see huge potential for CSR cooperation within the Nordic-China startup ecosystem. 

"We firmly believe that businesses in the 21st century must take responsibility to help solve the problems of society. In the history of our development, social responsibility has always been embedded in our corporate DNA. We believe that a healthy and prosperous ecosystem can only be achieved through solving large-scale problems of society."

Jack Ma

Source: link

Hyvää Teenpäivää! Day of Tea Celebrated in Finland 6.2.2018

Photo by Photographer Victoria Spiridonova 

Tomorrow, February 6th, we will celebrating the National Day of Tea in Finland. It is a day of celebrating all manner of tea, tea events, and of course, the sense of community and belonging that tea culture creates.

This year, in the evening, the Finnish tea association will also host a 15 year anniversary celebration!This is the invitation card. "Kutsu" means invite.

Yours truly is certainly looking forward to some good tea tomorrow ^^

Tea nourishes us, calms us, and revives us.
Hooray for tea!

Much can be built "from the grassroots up"

In a time of great technological transformation, it is
important that we treasure togetherness.
Buiding connection. And together, by sharing our

acquired life wisdom, we can make sense of

the changes. Community

learning is important, because much can
be built "from the grassroots up".

Society flourishes when each
individual blossoms. And a grand key to our
flourish, is, simply, connection. The human
connection! The social impact project which
sprang from this blog has arranged thematic
tea tastings, and other community events over
the past seven years. We have documented
events as has been possible. 

This action has also functioned as a type of
R&D center for the mother company. We are happy to
say that we have been applying our learnings to our
adventures in the Wild Wild...East.

Now, it is time for some structural changes -
onwards and upwards!             

Ajatuspajatoiminnasta taustatietoa

Esimerkki vuodelta 2014: Viisi-osainen sarja teemalla

"Etappeja Ekososiaalisen Hyvinvoinnin Polulla" (Facebook linkki)

Viisi-osaisessa tapahtumassa yhdistämme muutamaa konseptia luoden kokonaisuuden, jossa yhdessä mietimme kolmitasoisen hyvinvoinnin ruohonjuuritason rakentamisen merkityksiä ja mahdollisuuksia. Tämä tarkoittaa hyvinvointia, jota luodaan kolmitasoisesti, eli samanaikaisesti huomioiden taloudellisen, sosiaalisen ja ekologisen hyödyn tasapainon omissa toimissamme. Tämä luonnollisesti vaatii pysähtymistä ja ajatusta, yhteentulemista ja ymmärryksen jakamista. Opimme yhdessä.

Ajatuspajamaisesta työskentelytavasta lisätietoa

Olen vuosien varrella rakentanut omaa yritystä eteenpäin sivutoimisesti, muiden töiden ohella. Vuonna 2009 tein valtio-opin harjoitteluni Ajatuspaja e2:ssa. Tämän minulle arvokkaan oppimisjakson myötä olen omaksunut ajatuspajamaisen toimintamallin yritykselleni. Mielestäni valtavassa muutoksessa olevaa Kiinaa, tai teknologiaa, tai ylenpäätänsä tätä valtavassa murroksessa olevaa aikaamme, ei voi mitenkään muuten lähestyäkään kuin tämänkaltaisella tutkivalla otteella - alati uusia syvemmän ymmärryksen astuinkiviä etsien.

Too much adventure

PS After writing this, I add a post-script at the beginning! The text below begins to tell a difficult story, one that involves an emotional roller coaster from the startup world. The feeling of being caught up in a spy novel, precisely in that particular situation where you realize that things are not what they seemed to be. This piece of music captures those moments well! Am just referring to the music and the general cyberpunk atmosphere, not to the video or film specifically (I have not seen it yet),

LESSONS, PART ONE 

Much has happened since the last post (6 months ago!). There has been much joy, but also many challenges. Even, the stuff of tragedy, in these trenches of the heart. The (symbolic) bullet wounds have been taken care of, and they are on the mend. In connection to this, I post a picture from the art gallery, Galleria Lapinlahti, by my office.  To me, it speaks of healing. Many thanks to the artist - I hope to have the name for you soon.


During these recent times, a key wisdom, "Protect your heart, for from it flows the wellspring of life", has become a key lesson. I´m brought back to one of my favourite remixes, Nicole Willis´s song "Siesta":

"Join the army for life...fight for your heart. Keep it open; never closed. Keep it pure, keep it real. It´s never time for siesta" Link to song
Nicole Willis, Siesta. Roberto Rodriguez Remix

Will share a couple of lessons learned.

----------------------------------------------------------------
But first, below, some pictures of recent happy moments !

Top Grade Long Jing Green Tea 

Interior decorating at our our office lobby

My tea cup collection grows <3  

Incredible Slush Helsinki 2016

Fun detail from art gallery opening. Such fun running into an art gallery opening party after a long day

New Year lights

Interesting painting at a late-night Slush Side Event (Poker Night)

LESSONS, PART TWO

Now to lessons learned - Comforting is the thought that, in order to win big, you must also be able to take big risks. Yes, check, risk taking is not a problem. But what if you do not know that there are risks involved? If someone, who is introduced to you by a friend, really is not who they say they are...and ends up deceiving, to an extent, both of you? 

The second key lesson learned is - if you are running a business, make those risk assessments, despite of everything looking good.  Hire a Sun Tzu master, who is trained in uncovering smoke screens. Thank God, I have one now. 

Finally, I post a picture from my recent trip to Malmö. I was there on a work trip, together with a friend. On our day off we went biking, as we like to do, and found a great place - the Malmö Saluhall. It was a rainy and windy day, but there we were, biking ... determined to explore the city with the little time that we had. Our (her) find was such a treat - complete with a real authentic noodle place, and yes, there was a tea bar, too!  It suffices to say, all this made the heart very happy!:) 

 On the way back to Helsinki, this song spoke to me in regard to the events of the winter: 

"Through it all, through it all, my eyes are on You. And it is well with me...So let go, my soul, and trust in (the Lord). The waves and wind still know His Name" 

3 pictures form three different cities - Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing!

Beijing

Hong Kong

Shanghai

Kiehtovaa

In the midst of it all, a yearning for simplicity! Professor Majid Rahnema spoke about in this way (translated from French)

"Voluntary poverty which is a free and informed choice for a lifestyle based on an ethic of simplicity, frugality and respect for your neighbor. It expresses the desire to be free from all forms of physical dependence, as selected and the subject of this choice, to threaten its full being. This poverty is a supreme form of wealth, synonymous with a different idea of ​​freedom, autonomy and necessity. It is a liberation from all bondage and dependence. It is poverty as an expression of freedom. The most telling example is that of Christ."

http://mots.extraits.free.fr/interview_majid_rahnema.htm

Teabar today in Kallio -Teebaari tänään Kalliossa - 9/6/2016

It is Tuesday again, a day for hosting the teabar in Kallio (1400- 1700 or 1800). Recently, the surroundings have been a bit rowdy, in more ways than one, but we keep up in our pursuit of peace, love and harmony. It´s easy to give up, when circumstances turn sour (referring to some Kallio hassle), but it is especially then that we must push on. As I have thought for a few years now - in the end, the sour enhances the taste of the sweet, once we reach it.

Today we also celebrate the birthday of our Kallio cooperation partner, Waterhouse Lion. Congrats! We celebrate by selecting a Lion-related theme to meditate upon...

Photo by Victoria Spiridonova

the theme is "Embracing Your Inner Lion". For me, this translates into fearlessness. In the end, that´s what this project celebrates. Fearless living!

Link of the Day

Ecosystem Economics
by Julie Meyer

https://youtu.be/9LaNmJMWRyQ

Kuusela Tea Company R&D Tea Tuesdays in August

In August, Kuusela Tea Company R&D Tea Tuesdays continue in Kallio, every Tuesday from 3PM-7PM @ Juice bar & café Jamaica Sunshine (Aleksiskivenkatu 12 E) until further notice. Jamaican culture is rich in proverbs. Each week at least one new proverb will be showcased - yes, it is "Tea with a Theme"!

This means that if you share a proverb or inspirational thought with us, no charge will be added to your tea! Also, free tea surprises every time.

High Mountain teas 3 - 6 euros (gaiwan, small/big teapot). Jamaican cakes starting from 2.90 euros. Fresh juices 4-6 euros

Photo by Victoria Spiridonova

Visuals

*"News! This Just In! Have you heard it?! Its a step towards Edutech"

The core idea of the Teahouse Simulation project, has just been brought to a new level. If all goes well with finding investment, a Virtual Reality dimension will be added!! EDITED ON 28.8 VR to help us understand the impact of our choices, be they investment, business or personal-related on both 1) the overall community and 2) the environment. This alongside cross-cultural communication simulation training in Virtual Reality (offering you the possibility to train Chinese language or the related cultural skills, eg the important personal networking, interaction and communication skills, kinestethically, by "trial and error", in a safe setting).  

The Golden Door of the Future

The golden door to the future is ajar!

***********************************************************************************

Chinese language and cultural business skills training in enhanced surroundings! (Or the other way around - also training for international business communication and management skills for Chinese firms going global!)

Originally, in planning was the creation of a harmonious space, with historical tea house design and ambience. Each exclusive event also combining tea with art, bringing in people to interact and practice the learned skills with! Key ambitions are: 1) to provide a learning experience in aesthetic surroundings 2) provide the possibility to practice learned language and cultural skills in a safe simulated setting.

Built with the condition that the same space can be used for ecosocial wellbeing themed Social Impact R&D

Teatime at Frida Marina in Kallio

"The most beautiful thing is the fragility of women" -Riccardo Tisci
In Vogue Interview March 2016

Where did I go today to find my stratagem? For tea in a café hidden away in a lovely vintage shop in Kallio. I usually take the black Russian tea, but today opted for the decaf ginger lemon option, due to still being on the recovery from a flu. Inspirational surroundings, gentle service and something in the atmosphere that´s very soothing for the soul!

Enjoying Teemaa tea @ Aalto Tongji Lounge

One of the highlights of my day yesterday 17.2.2016 was to find quality teas served by Teemaa (www.teemaa.fi) at an event I attended in relation to Slush China. Will continue this post soon!

Jack Ma and the Sustainable Money Transformation

Found this gem of a thought on my visit to Beijing - 


“Alibaba has helped a lot of small business owners make money through our platforms. But now our challenge is to help more people to make healthy money, ‘sustainable money,’ money that is not only good for themselves but also good for the society. That’s the transformation we are aiming to make.”
-Jack Ma of Alibaba http://taobaofieldguide.com/taobao-news/jack-ma-goes-green

Kuvia vuosien varrelta

Emilia Nieminen

Jasmine

Easter

Elina Julin

Elina Julin