Approaching Shu shu shu shu shu shu Sugar Town.

I’ve been (mostly) abstaining from sugar since early January.  After an out-of-control streak with cakes, chocolates and other Christmas goodies over the holidays, I made the fatal mistake of signing up my husband for the job of sugar police.  I knew he would be good at it since he, unlike emotional wrecks like myself, is mostly rational and can control himself (what’s that like, right??).  Therefore, I thought he could also spare some common sense for me on my moments of weakness.

The first week flew by with no trouble whatsoever.  I actually noticed my mood swings were noticeably absent and rejoiced over being in control over my emotions -a victory for any woman.  After that it has been tough.  I do not wake up in cold sweats but let’s just say sugar is on my mind for the better half of, well, almost every day.  I crave e-code-filled unnaturally colored candy, warm cinnamon buns and juicy donuts.

What has come out of this trial then?  Well, for one, I realize how crazy it is to be so hooked on sugar.  How is it even possible that it takes over my mind like this?

Secondly, and as a possible explanation to the formerly mentioned, I’ve noticed how many things actually contain sugar, from chicken marinades and seasoning sauces to drinks and breakfast cereals, you name it.  Moreover, the sugar content is insane!!  No wonder we are so addicted, my sweet-toothed friends.

As for my plan from now on, after a heated conversation with my better half, I will definitely work on cutting down my sugar intake by lots.  I do enjoy not being tired all the time and not having to wonder what’s going on with my mind (well, at least I can rule out one thing).  I will stop stealing my husband’s candy after finishing mine.  I will try to read labels better and look for more natural alternatives.

But first, I will have a donut with caramel topping and cream-filling.

10 things I miss from Albania

It’s been a little over a month since we returned to Finland from our Albanian adventure. We moved there right after our wedding and the application for my husband’s residence permit (the process is done, by the way, but they wouldn’t share their decision with us over the phone and all we can do is wait).  We returned to Finland after three months because of various difficult circumstances, although we had planned to stay longer. Despite the shortness of the time, I did become more closely familiar with my husband’s country and learned to appreciate many things there.

Unlike in Albania, the weather outside is frightful in my home country at -21 °C (around -6 °F).  Although we have nowhere to be and drinking tea in my pajamas listening to Billie Holiday isn’t too terrible, after a while, the great indoors gets a little bit boring.  The pleasant weather is definitely one of the things we both miss from Albania.  Below, there’s other things I look back to with warm, fuzzy feelings.

1. Our Albanian family.  I got super lucky, when I married into a Southern family: I’ve been showered with love, attention, kisses, hugs and gifts from day one.  These people, including my mother-in-law (who resides in Greece), my husband’s aunts, sisters and other relatives, show us so much unconditional love, it warms my heart every day.
2. The general kindness and hospitality of people.  I like how eager people are to help, even when it’s not really their job to provide me with what I need.  I also love it how they randomly strike up a conversation with strangers with no discomfort whatsoever, perhaps because they are very community-minded.  Albania also isn’t a huge tourist attraction yet, so, people are generally very happy to welcome foreigners.
3. The cheap food and drinks, both at restaurants and supermarkets.  Going for coffee with one euro in your pocket is unimaginable in Finland.  Albanian products are the cheapest in stores, import products more costly, but the general price level is inexpensive.  We also enjoyed the cheap, fresh bread to the fullest (which shows on my waist).
4. The beach, about 600 feet from where we were staying.  And the majestic sunsets.
5. Super cheap mani-pedis, hair dressers, beauty treatments… Such a luxury!!  You can easily get your hair dyed and cut for the bargain price of (drumroll) 20 €.
6. Animals everywhere!  Of course some of the stray animals are in bad shape, which is hard to look at.  However, many have been sort of adopted by business owners who keep feeding them and and a kitten throwing itself down at your feet at the electronics store is not unusual at all.  I also liked feeding cats and dogs leftover food at restaurant terraces.
7. The market places where you can find anything from used quality shoes to yummy giant olives and fresh cut flowers.
8. The amazing fruit.  We were over the moon for the juicy pomegranates and tasty oranges.  Even better: everything is bio.  No bs chemicals added.
9. Insanely cheap sneakers.  Kind of a random observation but let’s just say new Nikes for the price of two movie tickets had me smiling for a very. long. time.
10. The frankness of people.  I like not having to apologize for every damn thing, getting to accept a favor or a gift with a simple ’thank you’ and being able to say what I mean.  In Finland, I feel like I have to be indirect about everything, which is sometimes very draining.  If you need something, ask, don’t beat around the bush.  After my experience of the South, I know how to stand up for myself a little more.

At a market place in Tirane

Waiting for the bus with a pineapple

Little kittens in the centre of Durrës being fed fresh veal

Just one of the many gorgeous sunsets

Shell collecting at the beach

 

Introducing…

Hi, I’m mrs. Hakrama. I know the ’mrs’ in my title suggests this blog will have me gushing about my marriage, sharing pie recipes (I know how to make one or two by the way), giving instructions for folding laundry just right, and whatever attending to my man’s needs might include, but that is not about to happen.  There’s few picture-worthy moments happening in my kitchen, I’m not very romantic and I hate ironing.

This blog will not be about my husband any more than it will be about the next thing.  It is more about the life changing events of 2015 and what followed.  Within one year I got married, flew to and gained new family in locations I’d never been before, quit my job and moved abroad and again back to Finland.  These events have shaped me in a way I didn’t think possible.  To make matters even more interesting, my Albanian man and I ended up staying with my parents with no clue on when the Finnish government will deem him worthy of becoming a resident of this great country of mine and we can make enough money to pay rent.

So, my jobless, slow-paced current life has given me this opportunity to once again, after a short break of 10 years, start blogging!  I hope to share some seemingly meaningful thoughts and observations on the oddities of life but I reserve the right to also sneak in a few cosmetics reviews and sharp opinions on the development of my favorite tv shows here and there.

Oh, and I will not be offended if you correct my non-native English.  I only aim to do better than the Kardashians.