ILONA #37/ 15.9.2010 
Original text: Sanna Kekki 
Translation: Afrodite, from the Official Forum

Tarja Turunen : Me and Marcelo love to cuddle 

The basic pilars in Tarja Turunen's life are love, work and sports. The relationship with Marcelo has lasted already ten years. When is it time for an additions in the family? 

SPORTS 

Tarja Turunen thinks about cheese cake when she lifts the fitness ball in the downstairs gym of her house. Her personal trainer oversees. Excellent Tarja, soon your shoulders are in good enough shape to go to the beach, she/ he (note: the Finnish version doesn't say) cheers. 
Okey, I'll still manage Tarja thinks and decides to concentrate on the last moves instead of cheese cake. After a 45 minute work-out it's time for breakfest. Tarja has berries, muesli, natural yoghurt and coffee. 

How often do you work out? 
- Everyday if I can. I go running and work out at the gym. I go through my whole body but concentrate ecpecially on my back muscles and abs. When I work out I can let my thoughts rest and enjoy the good feeling that follows. 
Why is working out so important? 
- Because of singing. You can compare a show with a long run. I have to be in shape so that I can breathe evenly and sing. Doing rock from one side of the stage to another demands good shape. 
Do you work out with your husband Marcelo? 
- Rarely, because he's into football. I'm too but I too seldom join him in the field. Our joined hobby is diving but we can't do that every week. We just went to the Caribbean where we saw sharks, turttles and coral. We have done 60 dives. 

LOVE 

The smell of salmon fills the kitchen. Red wine is breathing in glasses. The tunes of Ozzy Osbourne's latest album are carried from the living room. Tarja is cooking dinner for her husband. His favourite dish - thanks to Tarja - is vendaces. You can't get them from the couples home town Buenos Aires so fish and vegetables are often brewing in the owen. 
The couple talks about their jobs of the day. Sometimes they are absorbed by their thoughts. Tarja has always enjoyed that with Marcelo she can be quiet too. Words aren't always needed, a hug is enough. 
What is the secret to your happiness? 
- Marcelo shows affection and compliments me daily. He remembers to say I look beautiful, on the inside and outside. Atfer ten years we still love to cuddle. 
Why is Marcelo the right man for you? 
- We like the same things. We never have to think what to cook 'cause the other person's choice is always good. We don't argue about the little things in everyday life because we are soulmates. I believed in this only when it happened to me. 
You're 33. Do you dream about children? 
- We have talked about a baby since we are reaching that age. It's not current at the moment though. Maybe in two years. 

WORK 

Tarja celebrated her birthday at a Slovak festival in mid-August. After the show Tarja was taken backstage where local fans were waiting. The singer's jaw droppes when with her fans she saw a three storey cake and an almost 700 paged book with greeting, wishes and photographs from fans. I have the best fans, Tarja thought. 
Why do you want to make music? 
- It's my fire and passion. Only now I've learned to run. I was still walking on the last album. 
What do you want to improve with? 
- Everything. Learning to sing is never over. You can never say now I can sing 'cause there'll always be someone better. Knowledge keeps your feet on the ground. 
What do you wait from the autumn? 
- I'm on holiday getting ready for the upcoming tour. I'm a cleaning nut so parts of my days are used for cleaning and reorganizing our livingroom. Besides that I want to sit and breathe. 
What do you mean? 
- I want to concentrate on my thoughts in silence and look out the window in Buenos Aires at the tall houses, hear the sound of cars and the hum of the wind. Buenos Aires is like a moving painting, always in motion. I've made my home here. The city is a part of me, my history, my life. 

Tarja when is the last time you.. 
..cried? 
- When I heard orchestral arrangement of friend of mine had made for one of my songs. I was so flattered and proud that I was moved. 

..made a new friend? 
- I don't look for new friends anymore because the loved ones that are a part of my life are a gift enough. 

..worked out? 
- Almost everyday. I go running, swimming and do a work out program whenever I can. 

..cursed? 
- This morning when our fridge had stopped working. All of the food had gone bad. 

..laughed? 
- When I talked with my father in Skype. It's great that he has learned to use it. Now we can stay in contact cheaper. 

..said I love you? 
- Last night when I went to sleep next to my dear. 

..wanted a change? 
- When I talked to Marcelo we should slow down our work pace so we wouldn't get grey hair too early and would live longer. 

..bought a new piece of clothing? 
- Buenos Aires is an amazing shopping town. If a go window shopping I end up getting something almost every trip. Last time a bought a leather miniskirt. 

..cooked? 
- I have a new kitchen I love to cook in. Last night I made chicken in the owen and thai spiced vegetables. A light and low calorie dinner. 

..felt hurt? 
- Years ago. I'm surrounded by so wonderful people I don't have think about things like that. 

..learned a new skill? 
- I've practiced my Spanish for years. Now it feels like it's coming along. 

..read a book? 
- Paolo Coelho's Witch of Portabello was in my bag durng the summer festivals. I read mainly in English. 

..went to see a movie? 
- Me and my husband go to the movies often, it's our way to relax. Last time we saw The Last Aribender. 

Tarja's day 
"My alarm clock goes off at eight. I put on my sports clothes and go to the gym. After a generous half an hour work out I make a light breakfest for me and my husband. I go through my e-mails and the day's work. In the afternoon I start breathing and singing exercises that take a few hours. After that I help my husband with his work and go shopping. In the evening I cook us dinner or we go out to eat. Before we go to bed we visit the sauna."