Memory Flash

I was driving back from the grocery store with my window down and my arm on the ledge.  The wind was blowing up my cuff, and rolling the edge back, almost folding it over.  I was reminded of a woman I dated in college, who “taught” me to cuff my sweatshirt sleeves.  I say “taught” because as a little kid, my parents would do that for my jackets to make sure my hands wouldn’t be covered up, since I was small.

As I got older, like a teenager, I stopped doing it, because it looks “lame.”  And it highlights the fact that you’re small.  (As if all the kids didn’t know I was short anyways).  When I went to college, I met a lot of other Asian Americans and grew to find an acceptance into a community where I “looked” like I belonged.  This woman I dated was about 4’11” and she had a lot of the same clothing size related issues I did.  And even though my sweatshirts were cuffed, it sure looked better than massively bunched up sleeves!  Anyway, my college experience was a growth period for me as an Asian American, where I began to get comfortable in my skin.

What happens when you grow up as a minority Asian in your community and school?  If it is anything like me, you grow up as the smallest kid in your class.  Always in the front for the class picture.  Too small to play during recess with the kids in your class.  Always losing in 1 on 1 basketball.  Always losing at tetherball, cuz you can’t ever reach the ball to get your chance to swing it.  Always getting denied at the school dances cuz you come up to the girls’ armpits.  Can’t go out for football cuz your too small (rules out  your chances with the cheerleaders).  I guess you can always study hard and try for the smart chicks.  High school.  Hard time for everyone actually.  I did eventually date a cheerleader, though…

Anyway, it’s funny how a simple event like a wind draft up your sleeve can trigger a flood of memories and experiences.

Diabetes

I rode 50 Miles on Sunday for the Amer ican Diabetes Asso ciation.  It was a 4 hour ride for me, since I hadn't trained for it like I thought I would.  I have 2 family members currently living with diabetes.  There is some belief that type 2 diabetes (or the pre-disposition towards it) runs in the family.  This could also be more lifestyle-related, and families (even grown adult siblings of the same family) tend to have been influenced by and live a similar lifestyle.  Meaning increased exercise and a 'better' diet lifestyle can work to fight type 2.  

This is one of the reasons I ride for, donate to, and raise money for the Amer ican Diabetes Asso ciation.  Because:  

You are at an increased risk for type 2 diabetes if you are

•  African-American, Latino, Native American, Asian American or Pacific Islander
  
• Over 45
• Underactive, overweight, or obese (According to my Wii fit, I am overweight, borderline obese)
• someone with a family history of diabetes
• a woman who has had gestational diabetes
  

so for me, already 3 out of 5, creeping up on 4 out of 5 (age) - and since I am NOT a woman, I could never really get to 5 of 5....

I used to be very active as a teen and in my early 20s, but "Grown-up" life doesn't really seem to allow time for exercise.  It doesn't pay the mortgage, buy the groceries, feed and diaper the kid, wash the laundry, keep the lights on, run the heater, etc. etc.

But when you think about these risk factors, and keep in mind that our food supply (and thus our bodies and our health) is loaded with fat, sugar, salt, and preservatives, you have to admit, we're on a road going steeply downhill with crappy brakes.  

I am glad to have ridden on Sunday, rain and shine, and for the insight this event has given me to keep my weight down and increase my cardio exercise.  Ride on!

Updates

• 3 weeks of Wii Fit.  No noticeable BMI or weight change, although I am trimming down in the waistline a bit.  
  
• Bicycle riding.  I have been riding about an hour a day, and according to my bike computer, I am burning about 4-500 calories.  So over a week, I should lose 1 pound.  7 days x 500 calories= 3500 calories= 1 pound.
  
• I am riding 50 miles on Sunday, I expect it to take 4-5 hours.
• LG has been wearing underwear to school for 2 days now.  Not a single accident.  (Diapers at nap and nighttime, though)
• Possibly could have met Firegirl, who was out in my neck of the woods, but schedules did not permit.  Rats!
• LGs been taking a keen interest in newborn babies (one of her classmates has a new baby brother) - and I am really processing the 'talk.'  She has some knowledge of our trip to China, where we started as a family, and of the orphanage where she was living, and the caretakers, but I think she's starting to process where are her pictures as a baby....