Free time activities you can do despite the covid restrictions

Hey,

In this blog post I will introduce  few things I like to do in my free time despite the covid restrictions.

1. Schedule your days according to the sun if it is possible for you. Now that almost all my lectures have been online for this semester, I like to have a study break in the middle of the day.  During winter time, when we get only few hours of sunlight in Lapland, I like to go for a walk during the sunny hours to enjoy the views. The arctic golden hour is one of my favourite things in Rovaniemi, when the sun paints the whole sky and the snow reflects it. The most imporntant thing is to dress up for the weather. It can get really cold ( even -30 degrees or more), so please remember layers! Wool socks, mittens and a huge beanie are a must when going out. 

 

2. My favourite Finnish dessert is cinnamon rolls. It takes a bit of time to make them but it is totally worth it. Usually I make heaps of cinnamon rolls  at once  so i can freeze them and have them as a snack or bring them to my friends for a hang out. I really recommend you to try making these!

Here is the recipe I use: 

Ingrediens: Filling:

• 50 g of yeast - 100 g of butter

• 5 dl of oat milk - 1 dl of sugar

• 3 eggs - 2 tablespoons of cinnamon

• 2 dl of sugar

• 2 teaspoons of salt

• 1 tablespoon of kardamum

• 16 dl of flour

• 150 g of butter

• First dissolve the yeast in hand-warm milk

• Add eggs, sugar, spicies and some flour. Mix the dough untill smooth. Then add the rest of the flour untill the dough comes off the edges of the bowl.

• Add the melted butter and mix the dough. 

• Let the dough rise under a cloth in a draft-free space to double. (approx. 30min)

• Roll out the dough into two 60 cm x 30 cm sheets.

• Add the filling ( You can either add the melted butter first and then sprinkle sugar and sinnamon on top of the butter OR mix the filling and spread it on top of the sheet all at once.) 

• Roll the dough from the long side and cut it into small pieces.

• Lift the pieces on top of a baking sheet and sprinkle sugar on top of them

• Bake in 225 degrees (celsius) for 7 minutes untill golden brown. 

• Enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea!

3. Board game nights with the friend group. I love all sorts of board games. It is such a fun way to spend time with friends and get to know new board or card games (also good way to get to know your friends better, who is a good team player and who can’t take a loss). You could ask your friends to bring some snacks for the evening and enjoy them together while playing. You can also find games online so you could play with friends who might live in different cities.

4. Art. I am not the best painter or drawer but it is always a fun way to spend time. If the restrictions are really strict you can paint with friends while having a zoom call. Each friend gets to introduce an idea for a painting and then you can paint for that idea for example 30 mins and then change the canva or keep painting different idea on top. 

This year I also want to learn how to do arts and crafts since last time I knitted anything was in the  middle school. So next step for me is to ask a friend to show me how to do it!

I hope you found ideas for spending time during isolation. Stay safe and have as much fun as possible!

best wishes, Amanda Hekkala / social sciences, The University of Lapland