The Peak and Christmas dinner

There is a building just up the stairs, promise!

I've visited the Peak in Hong Kong twice, and both times it was foggy! Actually beyond foggy, so foggy you can see just a few meters ahead. So far I haven't got a chance to see what it actually should look like. When I bring my family there during their visit in December I hope that we will get a glorious day there, so I know for myself what it actually can look like. 

Today me and three other girls hiked all the way up to the Peak. It was fun! Well, except the thick fog of course. And the fact that it started raining on the way down. But it was still fun, now I know it's possible! 

By the way, it has been raining for a few days now, and it got cold... I mean, cold enough to wear pants and sweaters, even a scarf. 

Last night the Swedish women's club had their yearly Christmas dinner. As in true Swedish midsummer spirit we were sitting outside, even if the weather was 15C (59F), rainy and windy. I have to say that the place who cooked the Swedish Christmas dinner did a great job with the Christmas ham, meatballs, Jansson's temptation and herring. We were all greatly amazed. It was probably the only Christmas dinner I get this year, so I truly stuffed my face. It felt great! I look forward to that food all year! 

Wedding progress update

I know, it's just a few weeks left til the wedding. Time flies! Let me give you a brief update on what's going on. So, since I don't have the interest of planning for the big wedding I have left most up to Honey, and eventually he has started it and I have helped finish it. I have been nagging a lot, but he says he doesn't mind. I have tried to help more, but unfortunately the people haven't been too keen on speaking English. Like, I tried to call and get a quote for the flowers, but he just said "Busy, call later" (!) and hung up! I have emailed the guy a couple of times and just no reply. Honey says he will call. Perhaps there won't be any decorations for the wedding, but either way it's going to be fine. 

So, what's done? 
- Sent out the invitation  (Via Facebook invite only, no printed and mailed invitations, too much work). 
- The rings are ordered and in progress. 
- My family has booked and arranged for their trip to the wedding. So excited to show them this fabulous city!
- The lawyer who will handle the ceremony has all the paperwork they need (except the program, which Honey and his family is putting together). 
- Wedding dinner restaurant is booked. Still working on the dinner guest list. 
- Honey has his tux tailor made and is already hanging in the closet. 
- I have rented a wedding dress that will be ready the week before the wedding. 
- I have booked a lady who will do my hair and make up on the wedding day. 
- My nice friend is helping me fix my nails so I have beautiful hands for the the wedding. 
- Wedding mingle music is almost done. 
- We did get a quote from a photographer that is available that we basically just need to say okay to. 

Almost done is the flower decorations. We know what we want (thank you Alice!) but we still haven't found who will provide them to us. 

Either way I'm not too worried. Things always work out. It will be fine either way. We will have a nice day with friends, acquaintances and strangers, but in the end, it's all going to be good, with or without decorations. I find it more important to have our friends there. I know that many of you that matters a lot to me cannot be there in person on our wedding day, but I know you will be there in spirit, and that feels so amazing. 

Lots of love! It's out there for everyone! 

Love Christmas - Love Hong Kong

It's getting close to Christmas. Well, it's about a week left of booooring November, and I can't wait to put up the Christmas decorations! I want to go to IKEA this weekend to buy some Christmas lights that we can decorate our tiny apartment with. It's just a special feeling with the Christmas lights and decorations. I love Christmas, it's so nice. I mean, especially if you grew up in a country as grey as Sweden in the fall/winter you truly learn to appreciate the brightness that Christmas brings, both literally and spiritually.

It's the weekend before 1st of Advent. I know the rules... No Christmas decorations before 1st of Advent. But you know what? I don't care! Christmas decorations make me happy, and I want to enjoy it as long as possible, so I'm gonna decorate this weekend already!! Ooh, it's gonna be so nice. Perhaps we can go to IKEA already tonight. That would be great! It will be nice and Christmassy in our Hong Kong apartment even if it's still 23 degrees and humid outside. My Christmas spirit works anyway!

Hong Kong has already started the Christmas decorations. They are all over the city. Hong Kong's already astonishing skyline has become even more beautiful with the Christmas decorations. The fancy shopping malls also started, and the Christmas gift specials and packages is already on display. I have to say it looks absolutely great. Hong Kong is going all in, and I love it! Hong Kong's tagline for this year's Christmas celebration is "Love Christmas - Love Hong Kong". It fits like a glove.

Hong Kong women's beauty secret revealed..?

You know how Asians always look young even when they are old? I think I found their secret... ;). 

You know I spend a lot of time at the gym. And after spending time in gyms in several different countries I think I find the women's changing room in Hong Kong the most fascinating. No, not in a dirty way, just hear me out. 

After a hard work out followed by a refreshing shower we are all getting ready to go back out to the world. Me, I put on body lotion, deodorant, face cream, some powder and mascara. Then I'm done. It takes me around 2 minutes. As far as I can see, most other Caucasian women at the gym changing room do what I do. However, the Asian women are different. Not only are they already sitting at the dressing table when I got there. They are still working on their appearances when I'm done! For example, the Asian lady next to me has a small toiletry bag with six (!) different jars of creams. She takes her time to massage each cream on to specific parts of her face. She's on her third creme when I'm done... That is pretty darn impressive. And I am sure the creams are nice and expensive. Once she's done applying the creams and the carefully selected make up she of course looks stunning. Perhaps I should ask next time what's in those creams... 

This is not the woman from the gym. Photo:  makeupjournal.net 

But creams are not their only secret to looking young. According to Honey's mom it's also important to drink soup with each dinner to keep your skin and inside hydrated. Every dinner we eat at Honey's parents house they finish dinner by serving a soup that looks like a clear broth. Unfortunately another Hong Kong food that I don't like (tastes like drinking grease), but I guess I eventually will have to bite the bullet and learn to drink that broth (ewww) if I want to look as young as the Asian women... Perhaps I should start by finding out the secret creams... Yeah that sounds better :).