Yes, we're about to hit the movies to see Enkelit ja Demonit, and I have a feeling I have mispelled Enkelit. My Finnish is hardly fluent. That means Angels and Demons, by the way. We'll be back around 5 or 6 central american time, so if you want to know if it's any good (which it should be) send a question my way. ;]

Now, I think it's clear that I'm a Finn addict, and I know I'm not alone out there. I've put together a nice link list of fun sites about Finland, shops that sell Finnish products, and free sites to learn basic Finnish. Anyhow, I'll put a star by my favorite ones, or the ones I feel have the best quality.

-I might not have time to check these links, so if one doesn't work, send me a message and I can either fix it or send it to you using a different method. Deviantart just doesn't like some links.


T H E F I N N I S H L A N G U A G E
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- [link] : <IlmainenSanakirja.fi> Ilmainen meaning "free" and sanakirja meaning "dictionary" or "vocabulary", this is the best finnish-english and english-finnish translator on the web to my knowledge. You can only type in one word at a time, and it usually has to be in normal tense, but the results are highly accurate and it has words that some other translators do not. (the website is in Finnish, but it's easy to use.)
--Hint: Suomi = Finnish and Englanti = English

-[link] :halfstar:: <translate.google.com> You can translate whole paragraphs, phrases, and sentances here and compare the english and finnish versions. The results are NOT ALWAYS ACCURATE. But it has added improvements.

-[link] <fincd.com> A translator that specializes in only Finnish and English.

-[link] <uebersetzung.at> A fun collection of Finnish tongue twisters. Whee!

-[link] : <venla.org> I highly suggest hitting this one first if you're learning basics of Finnish. It's good to have a translator like ilmainensanakirja open for the occasional word they don't translate. I'm on lesson 6. It's easy to follow and has a grammar section, too. **The link I've posted starts at lesson 1.

-[link] : <donnerwetter.kielikeskus.helsinki.fi> One of the best learning Finnish sites out there. It's hosted by the University of Helsinki and comes with pictures and lessons with both english and finnish examples. I'm almost in the latter half of the lessons.

-[link] :halfstar:: <speakfinnish.co.uk> This site has a possitive attitude towards the language and has vocabulary and phrases, along with a shop that sells books and dvds on Finland and the language. I've read through it a couple times.

-[link] <Uusikielemme.fi> It's not bad. Can be a little vague or hard to navigate, but I linked it to the vocabulary/grammar section. The section that's free. They want you to pay for real classes is what it amounts to, which isn't bad, but the link above is free.

-[link] <Langocity.com> THIS IS NOT FREE! This is the language learning software I bought... it's a digital text book with audio snippets included. It's well thought out, I'm only into section 2. If you have the patience for a digital textbook, this one is nice. I say from my own experience so far. I'll post an update if it craps out.

-[link] : <byki.com> This is FREE language learning software for many different languages. It works via lists of words and phrases in sets that are themed, like colors, animals, greetings, etc. They have audio and pictures, and plenty of lists to keep you occupied for awhile. It is not a virus, I have this myself. You can download more lists from the list community, most with audio.

-[link] : <www.kisa.ca> This one gets a star out of sheer hilariousness. "Speak Finnish Like a Restless Native." It's useful for random phrases you won't find quite anywhere else 8D and their droll tone and sense of humor is great.

-[link] <www.bbc.co.uk> For those of you out there learning both German and Finnish. And possibly even English.

-[link] <www.cs.tut.fi> Not one of the best sites, it's rather technically worded. But if you're technically minded, this should please you. Good enough to make the list, anyway.

-[link] :halfstar:: <www.omniglot.com> Not quite on par with the full-star rated links, I do love this website. It's useful and has a tonguetwisters link.


F I N L A N D P A G E S
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-[link] <goscandinavia.about.com> Not bad at all. A nice little page displaying information about the country and climate, along with a host of links at the bottom. The theme is a little blank, but hey, it's About.com, what did you expect?

-[link] : <godchecker.com> A sweet list of Finnish dieties and important figures in their lore/mythology! Also has a few other countries, but Finland gets it's own section. Why does Tapio need a maid!? Those crazy Finns.

-[link] <kemi.fi> Kemi, my love, how I wish I was there. It's Kemi's official page, fwaha. This is where our man, Tony Kakko, is from. I'll link the photo gallery too: [link]

-[link] <rovaniemi.fi> Rovaniemi's website. Check out the webcams! It has links to alot of cams/pictures. The 360 views from 2000 are sweet too. I just learned that there's actually a "Lordi's Square" there. Ha!!

-[link] : <Mr-photography.com> Mikael Rantalainen's photography site... Hands down the most beautiful photography I've ever seen. And it's of Finland, from a Finn, no doubt. Please, give his page a visit. Hit the galleries. They're amazing. The winter shots blows my mind.

-[link] :halfstar:: <Finnair.fi> If you're looking for prices on a trip to Finland, hit here. It's the only place I could find that gives a rate without knowing exactly when you're leaving and when you're returning. That's why I gave it that star. Plus the site itself is pretty and blue.

-[link] : <webcam.nu/finland> Holy cow! Links to webcams sitting around Finland! I will say, half the links don't work... But half of the links that don't work take you to random Finnish sites that hosted the webcams. Anyway, this is so cool.

-[link] <www.sci.fi>(<- lol!) A list of male, female and sir names in Finnish and how to pronounce them. I think this is the one that has audio.

-[link] More Finnish names, with meanings this time.

-[link] : Zomg, more webcams! This time, the cameras are for checking current road weather. Is it just me, or does No One drives in finland And when there is the occasional car, they seem to be on the right side of the road, not the left. I figured it'd be like England for some reason... I need to look that up.


F I N N I S H G O O D S / S H O P S
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-[link] : <Suomikauppa.fi> Literally "Finnish Shop," this site sells products used in Finland, from Finland. I wrote them an email and got a responce from an "Ilkka Tuominen" so yes, they really are Finnish. Seriously though, this site sells just about anything you can think of. You want Finnish candy? Go for it. You want Finnish toothpaste? It's there. CDs/DVDs? Hell yeah. I mean, if you want pea soup from Finland, you can get it here. No joke.

-[link] <amazon.com> Buy this book. Buy it now. You don't have to be a scholar to enjoy this epic classic compiled from traditional bards/musicians by Elias Lönnrot. Not only is it an amazing reflection of Finnish lore, it's pretty damn comical too. It is a long book, though. The mile long intro can be skipped. But I know a Finnthusiast like yourself would do that, right? Ha, I skipped the latter part of the intro, but only because of spoilers.
--Oh yes, this is in English, and it comes with a glossary explaining some phrases that might seem a bit odd.

-[link] : <recordshopx.com> Here's that impossible-for-Americans-to-find cd, Raskasta Joulua! Meaning "Heavy Christmas" in Finnish, it is a compilation of Finnish metallers (including Marco Hietala) singing Christmas songs in Finnish... metal style. Some songs are traditionally Finnish, some are universal. Ville Tuomi's "Nisse-Polkka" is so fun. ***If anyone can find the sequal, Raskaampaa Joulua, for sell online, PLEASE link it to me! It has Tony Kakko on it! Kiitoksia

-[link] <shop.lonelyplanet.com> The closest thing Lonely Planet has to a Finnish phrasebook. This is my prefered brand of phrase book... I have their British, German, and Europe editions (Europe does not include Scandinavia, it deserved a book of it's own) Anyhow, this comes with thorough phrases in Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian, Icelandic, and even Faroese. That's a good buy.


F I N N I S H M U S I C
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-[link] : <radiorock.fi> Check it out! One look at the front page should say it all... plus, they host videos a vast collection of videos and interviews. I haven't fully explored it yet Thanks to for this place!

-[link] : <metalreviews.com> If this link works... An interview with Tuomas Holopainen. I'm close to calling this my personal bible... everything he says is very close to me, and aside from being a fan of the Dark Tower series (haven't read it) and being a huge Disney fan (I'm only recently finding the magic in it) everything he says strikes very close to me. We both are very close to nature, we carry around notebooks with all of our riff and lyric ideas, ... gah. Just read it. It's great. And saved to my computer if the link doesn't work... just ask for a copy.

-[link] : <sonataarctica.info> You know I had to.

-[link] : <imeem.com> Do you have an imeem account? If so, this is my Finnish Metal playlist! It's a perfectly legal site, and this list has 250+ songs full of Finnish Metal goodness. Sadly, I made it 7 months ago and it's STILL unfinished... My interests went elsewhere.

-[link] : <www.ragnarokradio.co.uk> An audio interview with the cast of Northern Kings: Tony Kakko, Marco Hietala, Juha-Pekko "JP" Leppäluoto, and Jarko Ahola. From Sonata Arctica, Nightwish/Tarot, Charon, and Teräsbetoni for the record. It's great to hear their voices in casual talk... and it has songs in between interviews. A gem, if you have time to listen

-[link] : Simply great. Up to date band information about all Finnish bands, includes pictures, birthdays, artist profiles, a shop, videos, interviews, and even pictures of Finland and language links. Probably my most visited site.


F I N N I S H V I D E O S
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-[link] - ABCGoodMorningAmerica : <abcnews.go.com> Good Morning America goes to Finland! Wow! I'm seriosly going to slap her for saying she'd rather be somewhere warmer... there seems to be more videos in this series where she goes over Finnish foods and such... if you can find those, will you link them for me? o.O I'm praying this link even works... the site is weird. if not, I can show you where to find the video.

-[link] : <youtube.com/user/ennaahhagain> A wealth of Finnish Disney songs, with both english and finnish subtitles. GREAT for learning and GREAT for rediscovering the magic of disney... which I had never given a chance. I see why Tuomas loves Disney now. (I'm still hateful towards Mickey Mouse & company though! ) Thanks to for this one!

-[link] <youtube.com> Sorry, I just find it highly amusing to hear Gillian Anderson say the word "Finland." I never thought I'd see her of all people on a Finnish commercial.

-[link] : <netikka.net> Possibly the coolest thing on here... it's a timelapse of the past 24 hours of Lapua... pretty freakin neat.


Perkele! I have to go. Well, if you have any links to add on to this list, do send them and I'll add them right away! I hope you enjoy, my little Finnthusiasts!