Roy Rissanen already speaks Finnish and dreams of a summer cottage.
Roy Rissanen, 49, who became known as the Canadian nationalist, has lived in Finland for almost a year.
He moved Alexanderwith her son from Halifax to Helsinki after last Midsummer.
– Time has passed really fast.
– I was surprised how much there is to be clarified about all this. I still learn something new every day, Roy says.
There has been something to be clarified, starting with the bank card. After moving to Finland, Roy didn’t even know what the bank looked like, because it doesn’t read the “Bank” on the wall of a Finnish bank. The terminology related to the work of a real estate agent has also had to be figured out, as have the twists and turns of the law.
– Things related to selling an apartment here are quite different from those in Canada. I even had to ask what the difference is between the yard and the plot, Roy laughs.
Roy lives in Helsinki and works as a real estate agent. Elle Laitila
Not lost
Only recently has the man also had to figure out how and where to book dental time.
– I really appreciate my parents who moved to Canada as a dead end in the 1960s. They didn’t even know English and didn’t have a Google translator, Roy says.
Despite his initial rigidity, he has not regretted his decision to move to Finland.
– It’s still really nice to wake up in the morning, especially now that there is more light, Roy says.
Although he liked the Finnish winter:
– It was great to see how people took the joy out of the snow. I knew about the shortness of days, but it surprised how low the sun stayed in the sky all day.
The man already understands Finnish well and he also speaks it, although he still has to find some words.
Birthday
Roy will turn fifty in June. No big parties are promised, but something both. Roy is going to take time mostly for himself.
– First I planned to go north for the holiday and climb to the top of Halti, the man reveals.
Something sporty is in store, as Roy plans to stay in his fifties in patterns and in good shape.
He lost a lot of weight before moving to Finland. The man has always been active, but he loves Finnish food and especially buns, so lately he has had to look more closely at what he puts in his mouth.
– The lunch buffet is a dangerous place. I can’t eat there every day, Roy laughs.
– A couple of months ago, I started following healthy routines more closely again. I eat on Mondays and Tuesdays super-healthily, the rest of the week is quite healthy and on the weekends I also get to enjoy, he says of his diet.
Roy is confident about the future. He plans to stay in Finland, continue his work as a real estate agent and possibly acquire a summer cottage. Elle Laitila
Lover of food
Roy is still amazed at how good and high-quality Finnish food is. It has not been marinated with additives and preservatives, so the original flavors are preserved.
– I just bought two different types of buttermilk. Quite simply, things can have a really different taste, a man glows.
It is also fun for him that the Finns have a special treat for every festive season: tarts at Christmas, mummy at Easter, sima and monks at May Day, new potatoes at Midsummer …
Active fifties
In Maajuss for the Bride in the World program, Roy appeared as an athletic man who jogged and pulled his chin. Yes, he is also jogging in Finland, especially now that the streets of Helsinki have become more familiar.
– At this age you have to keep yourself active. The condition deteriorates quickly if you do nothing. Besides, I’m going to live to be 130!
– When our parents turned fifty, they were somehow really old. Personally, I don’t think I’m even in the middle of my life yet. Our generation has every chance to stay healthy, I don’t agree to use a rollator yet, Roy says.
Roy is currently looking for a suitable exercise challenge to attend in his honor in his fifties. Who knows, he might run a marathon.
– It would be nice to see what I can do now, and then do it again when I turn sixty, Roy plans.
Roy turns fifty in June. Elle Laitila
A cottage dream
Roy is looking forward to the Finnish summer. He already said when he moved here that he dreamed of a cottage, but at least it hasn’t been acquired yet.
– First I want to get to know Finland better and think carefully about where I would get a cottage. Next summer I plan to visit more in Kuopio and Varkaus, for example, where I have a relative.
– I still dream of my own place where you could relax, sauna, swim, fish and fry sausage, Roy smiles.
He also fell in love with Lapland, where he already got to Maajuss in the descriptions of the Bride in the World program.
You feel comfortable alone
Because the Maajussi program is super popular, a man is still recognized for it. Long glances may come or someone will ask directly if it’s you.
Roy did not find love in the program in the end, but after the man moved to Finland, the singles went hot. Messages rained down on the framed man.
It is nice to meet people from Royst, but in Finland he didn’t really know where to look for a club.
– I don’t enjoy bars or nightclubs. And I’m not in Tinder. Corona restrictions made appointments even more difficult, Roy says.
He has been dating, but publicity is also a disadvantage in love matters.
– I try to find a balance between publicity and privacy. I fully understand that women don’t like being able to be undercover with me.
“I can live with the fact that someone recognizes, but I want to respect the privacy of the other,” Roy says.
He deftly ignores the question of his current relationship.
– I enjoy myself alone. At this age, there is no need to find anyone anymore. But if anyone can be found, that’s great, Roy smiles.
– It would also be good for everyone to be alone sometimes. Being able to give to another is more when you have first learned to get along with yourself, the man recalls.
Maple leaf leaves
Roy watched almost a drop of the Finnish version of Maajussille’s bride program presented last autumn. He moved Kallen and Niinan love story and even put a message to them.
– I was really happy for them, because I know from experience how difficult the process is. Dating is hard anyway, let alone on a television show, Roy says.
– I don’t think I would go back to the reality of love again, but I have not regretted a moment about participating in the program for the bride in the world of the bride, he continues.
Roy intends to stay in Finland permanently. Canada is allowed to leave the man, as well as a maple leaf tattoo on the arm resembling the former homeland. Roy is going to stamp something else on it.
His son is currently serving in the army in Finland and also plans to stay in Finland if he finds a place to study here.
– However, my elderly parents still live in Canada. I keep in touch with them as much as I can and try to get to visit them at some point, Roy says.
“I don’t think I’ll go back to the reality of love again, but I haven’t regretted a moment about Maajuss participating in the Bride’s World program,” says Roy. Elle Laitila