All Gambian Smile(s)

Do you know the name of the smallest country in Africa? I do, 'cause I just got myself some tickets to go to Gambia! I think I might be the happiest girl in the world. Not too bad, because then I'll fit right in on the Smiling Coast of Africa, as the tiny country also is called.

I turn 18 in October and what better gift than exploring a new continent. My parents are the best! I'll try to remember that for the next almost 10 months (Mom, you might have to remind me now and then. Sorry). And then in February next year me and my dad will be spending two weeks in the African sun. I hope I get to pet a crocodile. How cool would that be? I'm also trying to convince my dad, that we should take a class in African dance. Let's just say he is still undecided...
Anyway I can't wait. It's going to be freaking amazing - or should I say A-fric-amazing!!

Even the crocodiles smile

Just like them party smokers

Take 46 days, start two days early and end a day before time because you’re such a well-informed Christian, well then you got 47 days, which was what my lent consisted of. No candy – at all. You better believe I was ready for my morning chocolate on Saturday (What can I say? I thought that now Jesus had suffered and all, that my suffering was over too… Guess it was almost Sunday in Asia somewhere though). At first it felt really good to just be able to eat whatever you want to – free at last. But then I realized that I was just walking right back into the prison of sugar addiction. I’ve literally felt physically ill for the last two days. I’ve done mine to make up for the cake drought that lasted 47 days that’s for sure.

Do you know how happy this made me?! It was the next 20 pieces that did the harm -.-

Today I’m back on the no candy team. At least for now. I think I might just eat candy twice a week from now on. Food really has a social side to it. Do you know how awkward it is going to a birthday party without eating any cake? How rude it seems? What are you going to answer when your friends ask if you want to go for ice cream? You get the point, but on the other hand I don’t want to be craving like I used to. I want to be like the party smokers; not addicted but being able to enjoy a treat now and then.

On the note of addictions; this Easter my family went to Sweden. Out in middle of nowhere where the big decision of the day is whether to do a puzzle, read a book or go for a walk in the woods. I decided that my challenge that week was to not be online at all. I felt a little naked actually, but it was a great relief too. It’s a little embarrassing to realize how much time you spent on social media. Suddenly I had time to read And the Mountains Echoed as I wanted to for a while. I was much more present in the moment. Also because I knew that if anyone was trying to get a hold of me, I was geographically out of reach, so it didn’t matter if I was updated on that night’s parties. Definitely something I’ll try to be more aware of in the future – maybe I’ll even try to find another book! :-O

This week’s challenge is easy. The problem is that I (and - considering the size of the beauty industry – a lot of other girls) forget to do it.

Week #5: Look in the mirror, see all your flaws and tell yourself that you’re freaking worth it none the less

Happy Easter y'all! Hope you had some great chocolate as well ;-)

Quote of the day:

Outgoing as a hobby

Do you know that feeling when there is way too much on your mind? So much that it just blocks. Instead of doing something about your problems, they just keep growing, paralyzing you. You grow blind. It might be hard to talk about it, to get it out there, but a lot of times it is what it takes to clear your mind, thus the challenge of last week; to talk about my insecurities. Being open about it really did help. To say it aloud makes you face it, and then it is suddenly not that much of an inhibition. Open is great, I’m not going to blast my problems out all over the internet (*cough*Facebook-is-not-your-diary-peeps*cough*)

Already having friends is no excuse

Everyone who knows me well can tell you, that I’m not usually one to keep my mouth shut though. Few things make me as happy as talking to new people. In the States one could argue that it was my main hobby (hours spent on that even outnumbers the one spent on the court), but it’s different in Denmark. People don’t stop you in the grocery store and asks if you play basketball and if you smile at the person sitting across from you in the train (after you’ve searched the whole god damn thing to make sure there is no empty seats where you can sit all by yourself – God forbid you sit with a stranger, you weirdo!), it will be considered flirting - and you aren’t cute, we’re back to weird. It kind of put a stop to my outgoing attitude.

None the less it is possible to talk to strangers and feeling good about yourself, also means to be the person you wants to be – or at least for it. So that’s what I’m going to do.

Week #3: Talk to a stranger once a day

My pride comes first - or does it?

Do I miss my chocolate? Hell yeah. Do I always feel like going into that stinky room with the weights seems like the funniest way to spend an afternoon? Sometimes House of Cards is calling my name. But when I look back at my week being healthy is definitely one of the things I put most pride in. It's not that I'm turning into a body builder - try to drink one of those protein shakes. Ydrk. But still I put pride in going to my fitness classes (or whatever exercise it might be), overcoming myself and seeing the progress. It feels good that you have the power to say politely but firmly no to cake.

And that’s something I’ve paid more attention to this week according to my challenge.

Week #1: For every day of this week, you have to find one thing, you have done that day, that you are proud of

I’ll spare you the saint like details, and just high light the deed of the whole week that I’m the most proud of. Wednesday we had an orientation meeting about the YFU and guess who arranged it? This girl and one of my friends. I talked about it to one of my favorite Americans and her response was: “Why are there no adults to arrange it?!”. It’s a pretty good picture of the difference between the American and European (or at least) Danish view on teens. None the less I felt quite responsible. We had managed to take contact to the school, gather all the volunteers and get a meeting together for 35 people that wanted to hear what we had to say. Right until 5 minutes before the meeting I was quite stressed and worried, but afterwards you should have seen me dancing out that school. I’m not sure my feet were touching the ground.

One of those moments where you feel that nothing can stop you. Sadly that’s not always how I feel about myself (I’d be surprised if anyone ever did), and that’s the reason that I’m doing these challenges. I think that starting out with this challenge might have been a mistake. Because what really make you insecure are exactly the mistakes you find in your behavior, looks and so on. Facing those errors is probably the place you should start out, instead of trying to build on a cricket foundation as I just tried to. But I’ll just go ahead and “face that mistake” and make it this week’s challenge. Often our errors are much bigger in our own heads and just saying it (or writing it in a blog, did anyone say therapy?) aloud helps you realize that it actually is a bit silly. Plus it makes you able to do something about it. So let me present to you challenge of this week:

Week #2: Talk to one of your loved ones about your insecurities

Haha, hadn't really thought about that one