Usagi

Last Sunday Hong Kong was supposed to get hit by a severe typhoon called Usagi, which means white rabbit. It didn't happen. Although the whole city was prepared, and Hong Kong with all its concrete is strong to take such hit. Unfortunately (or fortunately) HK is also so hot due to the hot air trapped between all these tall buildings, which usually pushes away the bad weather. But we need that bad weather to clear the air a bit. The air in the city is so stale. 

Anyway, we got to sleep in a little last Monday, as work is cancelled when there is a typhoon signal 8 or stronger in force. 

Either way, HK got lucky. 

“It’s just temporary”

You’d think it would be easy to renovate in a very small apartment. I mean, it’s small, so small surfaces to paint, right? Well, it’s not. When you live in such a small apartment like we do, without any proper storage areas (except the bedframe, with six drawers and two gigantic compartments in the back) it’s difficult to keep track of all the stuff all the time. Each room is so small that if you just move one more thing in there it’s full. Well, not that bad, but close. And then we have to live there too. Try to cook, eat, sleep, shower, find stuff. It’s not that easy.

 

I think we are doing okay though. But for a neat-freak like me it’s tough to see all the stuff just piling up in corners where there is space. Hopefully after repainting the walls, installing some storage it will all be worth it. I calm my already tense nerves with “It’s just temporary”. I look at the mess, get stressed, and tell myself “it’s only temporary” and try to ignore it. Honey doesn’t even see the mess. He’s happy either way. I envy his bliss of not being able to see the mess.

 

But you know, it’s for a good cause, it is so we can have a nicer and hopefully a bit more spacious apartment, once the mess is gone. One room is done, the bedroom, and the hallway is painted. Now we’re working on one half of the living room, and then move over to the other half. I know it will all be worth it in the end, of course it will, right?

 

Attacked by roaches!

Yesterday it was so hot outside that I actually got angry just by walking out the door. Today it’s typhoon warning and raining so hard that the cock roaches are fleeing out of their holes to not drown. 

During the busy lunch hour I saw two big cock roaches running on the sidewalk along all the walking people. The cock roaches got so stressed from all the feet that they almost simultaneously ran towards the person’s feet walking in front of me. After that they went to attack my feet, so I took two big leaps and when I landed I took some quick steps to ensure they weren’t on me. Yeah, it was not a pleasant experience.

 

What's with Astrid Lindgrens Värld?

As I continue to work all summer long I enjoy watching my Swedish friends on facebook enjoying barbeques, sunsets and lazy days on the beach. Quite a few of you also went camping and surprisingly many went to Astrid Lindgrens Värld. I’m thinking they must have had some kind of inspiring advertisements? Anyway, fun to see you all enjoying your summer holidays!

 

Here in Hong Kong it’s hot, humid and raining a lot. As I look out through my window at work I see grey clouds and occasional showers. Sometimes the sun even show up. It’s actually very few of my co-workers who are taking any time off during the summer. There are a few from the US who have left for a longer vacation to visit family and friends, but other than that, not much. Since I’m new and on probation until the end of August, I don’t even have any paid days to take, yet. But soon I’m eligible for 16 vacation days, not bad actually. 

Honey is enjoying his summer break, and as it looks now, this weekend we will be going away for a mini break to Macau, watch a water show and just enjoy not being in Hong Kong for a couple of days. I can’t wait.

 

Until next time, don’t forget to support your Spinning instructor, take a class even if the sun is out, you won’t regret it :).

 

Maids on Sundays

Maids hanging out on a Sunday afternoon.

I don't think I ever posted anything about the maids here in Hong Kong. Here in Hong Kong it is very common to have a live-in maid. Her job is usually to cook, clean, take care of the kids and dogs. She lives with the family and she works six days a week. It doesn't cost that much and many middle-class house holds have a maid. My in-laws have a maid. We don't. I don't want one either, although I really wouldn't mind to have someone coming in to clean our apartment once a week. 

When I first arrived to Hong Kong, (it's already been a year!), I saw all these girls (yes, just girls) hanging out in the parks on Sundays. So many! I was wondering what it was about, and only Sundays. It turns out it's the maids day off and since they cannot meet at someone's home they hang out in groups in parks, all year round, rain or shine, hot or cold. 

I'm not sure what I think about it. Although all people should have the same value, it feels like they are not regarded as equals, instead they are of less value, and that upsets me. I don't know if that is the case, it is just a feeling I have. I hope I'm wrong... 

Be careful what you wish for...

Be careful what you wish for... right?  

After not been working for about six months I was absolutely thrilled to finally have a job! The job was telemarketing, although my title was Audience Development Executive, I think... It was a crappy job for me, I don't have the mental strength to work with contacting people all day. Either way it did help me get in to the Hong Kong working life. I tell the girls in that department, I have the most utterly respect for them, and I do! They manage to stay alive and healthy while working with telemarketing. Those girls are good. But it was not for me, even my boss told me so haha. 

Anyway, I was lucky enough that another job opportunity opened up within the same company and the HR department thought that I would be a good match, and so far they sure are right. I am right now working as Assistant Editor for CFO Innovation, a website with only content relevant to CFOs, Finance Directors and other senior finance professionals. I know, finance has never been my strong suit, but it's new, and I can learn, right? Heck, I am learning already! So far I am mostly reading white papers and uploading them to our website. I read press releases, read newsletters, send out newsletters and trying to learn the finance language. Everything is new and it's fun! I am so grateful to have gotten this opportunity. Let's hope it works out well in the long run too:). 

Not only did I get a full time job, 

a) I'm still both writing stories and editing for Bulletinen, the Swedish magazine 

b) I am the Editor-in-Chief for SWEA, and we are working hard on getting somewhere with their yearly magazine

c) I am taking a course to become an RPM Instructor 

Dingding says Hi!

So yes, life is busy, just as I wished for of course, but in a good way so far! I like it better when the quiet moments become rare and I can actually take advantage of those precious breathing holes. 

Yep, life is picking up and perhaps Hong Kong will start to feel like home one day... We'll see. 

Asians are bad drivers, right?

Asians are known for being bad drivers. They have that reputation worldwide. I remember when I was in New York and got on the bus to Kennedy Airport and it was an Asian driver, I was expecting a near-death experience. I know, talk about being prejudice. 

I have to say that considering how many cars and Asian drivers you have here in Hong Kong, it's very few car accident, and I rarely see bumps and scratches on the cars. So I am boldly saying that at least drivers in Hong Kong are pretty good drivers! 

Let me explain. First, riding in a taxi, a mini bus or even one of the tall buses gives me motion sickness. There are sudden turns, quick brakes and noisy. I sit there holding on for dear life following the road ahead to stay calm. Here is the thing, EVEN if they drive like this they very rarely get in to accidents! To me it means they know exactly how many millimeters or inches they have left to the car next to them, they know when to let someone get in the right lane, they use their blinkers frequently and drive aggressively but without getting agitated. 

Honey keeps telling me the reason there are so few accidents is because it's always traffic here and therefore everyone drives slow, people are so cheap and don't want to dent their cars, so they drive very carefully, and when you drive so slow there won't be any dents on the cars even if you bump in to each other. Sure, I buy that, it makes sense, people who drive in Hong Kong usually have very nice cars, Mercedes, BMW, Ferrari, Maserati or Porsche are common sights. But still, it's a fine line. I still claim that despite the dizzy rides the professional drivers in Hong Kong know what they are doing. 
Honk Honk!