Life At Bonnier - Shannon Mendis

Shannon: Kiiiiiiiitos!

From Finland back to Florida: Our GROW blogger thanks her co-workers for a great three months.

My last weekend in Helsinki was spent with some friends on Friday night for dinner and dancing. Saturday, I went to the park and soaked in the sun as much as I could. (It makes me laugh because it was, like, 52 degrees F.  In Florida, we actually think that is cold..hahaha.)  Sunday, I went out to Suomenlinna which is something I had to do before leaving Finland. Today, they are throwing a pre-vappu party for me here at the office. I am so excited, although I am sad at the same time. I can't believe how fast these three months went.

Shannon Mendis: Amsterdam

For her last trip before her return to the U.S., GROW blogger Shannon takes a quick trip to Amsterdam.

For my last trip before coming back home to the States, I decided to head over to Amsterdam! People always told me that it was a great place to visit, but I have to admit...I didn't believe them till I saw it for my own eyes.

Shannon Mendis: Shopping

Our Floridian GROW blogger in Helsinki likes the May issue of Olivia.

Today the May issue of Olivia is out, along with the mini-travel shopping supplement I helped design! I was able to see it now in print and was very pleased with the outcome. The 36-page mini magazine is meant for people who are traveling so they know where to go when they are in that particular place.

Shannon Mendis: Hyvää Pääsiäistä!

Our GROW blogger in Helsinki celebrates Easter, Finland-style.

Hyvää Pääsiäistä! (Happy Easter!)
 
This weekend was Easter weekend here in Helsinki. I planned to go on a train to Espoo to visit with Hanna and her family, which was about 20 minutes out of the city. They invited me for dinner at her parents' house and also to color eggs with the kids. I couldn't wait! I was obviously excited about the delicious home-cooked Finnish meal, but also very much excited about coloring eggs. I love doing that! Always have and always will. It's one of my favorite things about Easter, besides the Peeps and Cadbury eggs.

Shannon Mendis: Moi, Moi Tuomas

GROW blogger Shannon says goodbye to her first Helsinki friend.

Moi Moi Tuomas!

This week marked the end of the road for Tuomas Jääskeläinen and me.  Tuomas was the first person I met here in Helsinki, Finland.  He was my boss for the first two months of the GROW ambassadorship here at Bonnier Publications. We have a lot of memories, even though it had only been a couple of months. He was the one holding the sign at the airport that said Shannon Mendis (like I was some celebrity, hahaha) and he was the one who showed me my flat in the city center, next to the pyramids, and the one to show me the office in which I would work.

Shannon Mendis, Copenhagen

Our Floridian gives us her take on a shared trip to Copenhagen.

Copenhagen is a BEA-utiful place!! Imagine this...smell of hot dogs, sun shining in your face, bikes everywhere, churches, castles, best shopping on Strøget, narrow streets, cobbled courtyards and wild tulips. How can it get much better than that?

Shannon Mendis: Ice, Ice, Baby

From Florida to Finland: our GROW participant enjoys a real Finnish sauna with co-workers.

This week started out way cool. Literally. We went for ice swimming and the sauna on Monday with a group from work and it was amazing. This is yet another thing you can enjoy here when it's this cold!! Sounds crazy when I try to explain, but it's something I felt I HAD to try! Why not?

Shannon Mendis, Half Way

From Florida to Finland: Half way done! Shannon helps with the launch of Olivia's new Website.

3.......2.......1.......LAUNCH!
 
Whooah, we're half way there...Ohhhh...Livin on a prayer.....Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear.........Whooah (I bet I just got that song in your head, hahaha.)

Shannon Mendis

Our Floridian in Helsinki on the things that make her go hmmmm...

1. I feel like a kid again learning the basics like flushing the toilet, opening the doors or simply turning on a light.  For flushing the toilet the button is on the top and not a handle on the side. It may seem so small and no big deal, but since it's obviously an everyday thing...it begins to feel awkward. Just can't wait to get back and feel awkward again when I'm trying to press the top of our toilets in Florida, haha.

2. The light switches are opposite and also the doors I noticed. I would pull when I should push and I would push when I should pull.

Shannon Mendis

From Florida to Finland: this graphic designer trades her flip flops for skis in Helsinki.

Moi! My name is Shannon Mendis from sunny Winter Park, Florida, now working in Helsinki, Finland as a graphic designer for Bonnier Publications for Olivia (style) and Divaani (interior design) magazines. In Florida, I work for the Design Services Department for more than 40 special-interest magazines at Bonnier Corporation for Terry Snow.