The headache disappeared

To wrap up how it went with the fasting. I made it til Monday evening. I ate cereal for dinner. I couldn’t help it, I was so hungry. What has been bothering me the most is the headache, and it disappeared after I ate the cereal. I don’t know if it was the food or if it was a placebo effect. Either way it worked for my headache, and that’s what matters.

Not sure if I will do it again, we’ll see. It didn’t seem to do anything on my weight though. Not that I weighed myself before and after, but my clothes still fit the same as before. It could be too soon to tell. I just have to continue to eat less calories than what I need, a standard dieting way.

So tired after working so hard all week, not only at work, and from dieting. Good thing with a long weekend coming
up for easter. Yeah, that’s gonna be nice. I want a salty licorice filled Easter egg. Probably not gonna happen...

I need to vent about opening a bank account in Hong Kong one of these days. Yeah, it became dramatic…

Waaah, who said this was good?

Okay people, if you didn't know before, let me tell you. Fasting SUCKS! It's been two days for me with only juice, water, green tea and fruit and vegetables (raw) and I feel like shit right now. It said that I would, but I don't know even why people DO THIS! Totally crazy. My head hurts, I feel slightly dizzy and today I'm hungry. I know, I read that this will happen, and after the third or so day I will feel fine again. But still, how strong am I? Will I actually try to go through with it? I want to quit, but at the same time I don't. Yes, I feel like shit right now, but I think that is because of all the stuff that I have fed my body before going through with this. Either way, if I can make it two more days, then that's it. 

It did say to fast for 10 days for serious results, but I don't know about that... My goal is four days, even if it's four days with a headache. I got to lay down now. 

Oscar sham

I'm watching a show on TV called "Destination truth". It's a show about finding super natural beings, myths etc. Now they are in Sweden, on an Island called Blå Jungfrun close to Oskarshamn (which they pronounce Oscar sham). Apparently many accused witches was killed at that island  during the witch hunt in the 1500s. Of course they found some paranormal stuff, like an unexplained light shadow and voices in a house. But the funny thing is how they pronounced Oscar sham :). 

Tonight they show Ghost Hunters on Discovery. I never get to watch those kind of shows when Honey is around, but now when Ding and I are home alone I'm not sure I'm brave enough to watch it, considering I have to go to bed by myself... 

By the way, I already failed my first day of fast. Apparently once a month they have like an AfterWork at work, where they serve both food and drinks. Me being the new kid had to show appreciation and ate some food. But I jumped the drinks. I don't know what it is, but I guess I just want to be nice. I'm so silly like that. I will never succeed if I keep doing what others expect. 

Will I survive?

Ever since Honey and I watched an episode of Modern Family about how Mitch and Cam went on a juice fast we have been joking about going through with it. I know Honey would never quit food like that, not even for one day. But I am secretly curious about it.

I read about all these products in your body that are stuck inside you from all the junk food, processed foods and candy that I’ve eaten over the years. It said that these residues may be a reason why my asthma is not approving. And since my asthma even gotten worse just over the last weeks (so bad that I am on a break from training to finish a half marathon), I decided to give fasting a try. According to the Internet, fasting is an efficient way to get rid of toxins in your body. I know that I have tons of unhealthy stuff inside my body; I haven’t really been eating as well as I should.

This weekend Honey is in Malaysia as a field trip with the school that he works at, so now is a good time for me to actually go through with it. I’m also set to work all weekend with editing the Swedish magazine Bulletinen anyway, so I don’t have to take breaks to eat… I will probably regret this decision, be pissed and almost die (mentally) before the weekend is over.

As I read some articles about fasting, it will take about three days before I feel okay with this change. That’s a looong ass time. But that’s the norm, three days, and then you get used to it. I don’t know what to expect, except pain…

As an ex-smoker I noticed that deciding to lose weight is just like giving up smoking, you just have to have your mind set for it, or you will fail again, and again and again. That is what I am going through with my weight loss. I want to be slimmer, but my mind is not in it. So I start over, and over, and over again. That gets tiring too. This time, I WILL finish the fast, 4 days, that’s all. I want to succeed. It’s just four tiny days. My body and hopefully my asthma will thank me. I’ll let you know how I feel along the way…

The crowd at Victoria Park Flower Market

I meant to write about my experience at the Victoria Park Flower Market during Chinese New Year since I experienced it, because it was an odd experience for me that actually lead me to some panic feelings, not very pleasant. 

Flower Market in Victoria Park. 

The Flower Market in Victoria Park, Hong Kong, is an annual market that takes place during Chinese New Year. It goes on for about a week, and I think every person in Hong Kong visits this market. It's still called a Flower Market because that is what it started out as, but now they sell everything from pillows to knifes, food and kitchen supplies. 

Walking in the actual flower market was fine. The walking paths were crowded, but we could move around. Lots of beautiful flowers. I really liked it. 

Crowded beyond belief!

After this Honey took me to the part that sells all other kinds of stuff. The walking path between the stands were wide, very wide, still it was a one way walk. I realized why once we got in there. It was packed, I mean PACKED with people. Imagine leaving a big and crowded concert when everybody is trying to get out of the stadium at the same time, yeah, that was the feeling I got. We had to walk teeny tiny steps to not step on other persons, I was walking with people pushing me front to back, and on each side. I didn't move by myself, I was a part of a big mass that was slowly moving forward. It was not pleasant at all. I panicked a little bit, which made it worse. And Honey, who apparently is used to this kind of crowd, was walking behind me, pointing out things at stands on the sides and what they were selling. I was thinking, how can you even get there? We are moving with the crowd, not by ourselves. Scary, very scary. 

Unfortunately Honey got a little upset that I couldn't take all that mass of people, since this is what he actually wanted to look at (he doesn't care much for flowers), and the night went a bit sour. I guess I'm just not used to it, growing up on the country side in Sweden. But we went back to the flower market, which was a relief for me, and bought some super nice smelling Narcissus instead, and we both felt better. :) 

More hair

Approved women's hair cuts in North Korea. dn.se

A few weeks ago I read in the Swedish newspaper how North Korea have laws or restrictions of how males and females cut and style their hair. Men have apparently ten hair styles and women have 18. A married woman is supposed to keep her hair shirt, while unmarried women can have a bit longer hair. My first thought was, "Seriously, how weird is that?!". Then I thought about it some more and realized that this is not that unusual. 

The school where my husband works, all the girls with long hair must have it up in a pony tail, the boys must have their hair cut short.It's a part of their uniform. Male teachers are also not allowed to have long hair. 

If you are going to work at Disney resorts you also need to have a neat cut hair cut. Men should have short cut hair, no visible tattoos etc. It's also a part of the uniform. 

Is it discriminating? Yes and no. I mean, everyone should be able to look the way they want to, but at the same time it's about keeping a brand value and meet expectations of the customer. I guess if you don't work to meet and greet guests at Disney, your hairdo is not that important. At least I hope not. 

It's just hair, not that big of a deal, but still it's a bit disturbing... it's about freedom of choice. You decide how you want to have your hair cut, in my humble opinion. 

I got a job!!

Let me write a small update while I'm waiting for the competition to start for one of Honey's choirs.

I GOT A JOB!!

I signed a one month contract last Tuesday, (on my dear brother's birthday), and started working right away. It's just temporary and very low paid. I don't think I have earned this little per hour since I was fifteen years old, if even then. But I have to adjust to the Hong Kong standards. It's different here. I believe I read somewhere that the minimum wage in Hong Kong is 38.00 HKD per hour. I earn a little more than that.

On the positive side I'm finally working! And I truly like the place. My co-workers are so nice. I feel like I've already worked there for a long time. I know I'm lucky to have that. The job isn't that exciting. I'm on the phone all day and that gets a bit tiring. But nothing new really. My co-workers at Expand knows how I feel haha! I hope that try like me at my new work place so that I can stay, and get paid better. It sounds promising, but we'll see.

I got a job!! :)
Time to go.

Sigh...

Since I've been working with editing the Swedish monthly magazine Bulletinen now in InDesign I decided to be a bit creative and make my resume in InDesign. Because, obviously, I have to do something to stand out, even if it's just on paper. So far I haven't had any luck finding a job. It's a lot tougher than I expected. I almost feel defeated... I think I am pursuing the job hunt the wrong way, but I just don't know how to do it. I feel my hands are tied a bit since: 
A. I don't have any money. 
B. I don't have business cards. 
C. I don't have a Hong Kong bank account yet, so events and such that must be paid in advance becomes more complicated to attend. 

I have to ask Honey to help me pay for stuff that needs Internet banking (they haven't developed the credit card online payment that well here yet). It's frustrating. I hate asking for help. And Honey is stressed as it is. I want to be able to do that by myself. I know, small things, but they are still big obstacles for me... 

I will pick up my HKID this coming Wednesday, perhaps after that I can go open a bank account. 

Why is it so difficult to ask for help? Even if it is asking my husband, who I know don't mind? I feel handicapped when I can't take care of things myself. 

Sorry, I know it's Friday and all, but I just feel frustrated today. I know it will be better soon, and there is no giving up. I know something will come along eventually, it will be okay, of course it will...