Author: chungwipff

By Gum!

I kept hearing about this news today: Due to a lack of randomized clinical trials to prove flossing effective, the Federal government has dropped the recommendation of flossing in their guidelines.

And now (some) people are breathing a sigh of relief, putting their floss down and going to bed.

I floss every single night. And I know it’s cleaning the area between my gums and teeth because I SEE evidence (not to get too graphic). So I’m going to continue to floss. I’m pretty sure if I stopped now, my gums would be worse for wear.

 

teeth

 

The only reason this is news is because the media thinks we’ll be angry and we love to be angry. I’m not angry. I get it. It’s common sense. Flossing is good. They haven’t had a wide ranging, vigorous study. People don’t want to participate in a study where someone flosses their teeth for 20 years. Do you blame ’em?

My advice, only floss the teeth (and gums) you want to keep.

 

 

 

I Must Confess

I detest guns. I’ve never even held one in my hand but I hate ’em. I read headlines about gun violence every day. This one was buried in AZCentral.com, but it just goes to show you that gun violence doesn’t even earn front page real estate anymore.

I wish there were no guns. But I know they’re not going away, not in this country. So I’m not rallying to take gun rights away.

I’m writing tonight to confess.

The new Bourne movie came out and I went to see it. It is FILLED with gun violence (stabbing and choking, too). I couldn’t help it. I am a huge fan of Matt Damon’s. And I like action movies. I like intrigue and psychological thrillers.

But people, it’s FANTASY.

tumblr_nnjxy1GQAA1tpo3v2o1_540
Fantasy Unicorn

And I think that is where some of us are going wrong. It’s a movie about bad guys vs. good guys/gals – the oldest story structure of all. And some Americans believe – truly believe – they are the good guys and with guns, and that they can fight and win a (gun)battle against a bad guy.

But more often – way more often – the good American gets fearful and shoots his wife/girlfriend/child/neighbor. The disgruntled employee shoots his boss and co-workers. The embittered, bullied student shoots his classmates. A 5 year old shoots his 2 year old brother. And too many bad guys have guns. Too many mentally ill people have access to guns.

So, I confess. I gave into a guilty pleasure. I supported a movie that glorifies gun violence and I know that’s bad.

I’m going to repent by teaching kids really well this year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Sentinels

I never got to say goodbye

or thank you

swiftly and expectantly, you were taken

and questioned

never to return again

You reported there was no further intrusion

we all sighed in great relief

I had no need for the rays

or the poison

I’m grateful for your service

but your absence – albeit necessary –

has rendered the castle lacking

in slumber, the nerves misfire

and the crosswork tingles

 

Rescue Me!

This is Molly.

Processed with VSCO with a6 preset
Hold me.

My father-in-law and his wife adopted her. Her previous owners took her to the bathroom and cut her ears off with scissors. They tried to make her look evil and menacing, like them. But she’s so sweet. She thinks she’s a Maltese and lies in your lap – all 80lbs. of her.

This is Maya.

Processed with VSCO with a4 preset
Pet me. Please. Here. Now.

My sister-in-law, Caitlin, rescued her and then realized that Maya needed a lot of physical space to run around in. So my FIL and his wife also have Maya. She’s besties with Molly. She looks fierce, but is the kindest and most empathetic dog I’ve ever known.

 

And this is Opal.

Processed with VSCO with a6 preset
If I sit still, do I get a treat?

 

We got her from a local shelter, the Maricopa County Animal Care & Control. She was fur and bones and extremely fearful. Her previous owner beat her with sticks and abused her with the hose. So she’s afraid of water…and the rake…and pool net…but she’s much better now.

Yes, adopting a dog (or cat) from the shelter is saving a life. But Opal saves us each day. She reminds us to smell the lamp post flowers, and to run in fields and eat voraciously. She reminds us of the importance of naps and back rubs. She meditates in the hot Arizona sun. She loves us and she never wants to be away from us.

Consider adopting a pet today. If you can’t, maybe you can donate money to one.  Animals need you!

Antidote for Anxiety

The danger lies in refusing to face the fear, in not daring to come to grips with it. If you fail anywhere along the line, it will take away your confidence. You must make yourself succeed every time. You must do the thing you think you cannot do.

– Eleanor Roosevelt

DON’T:

  1. hide
  2. complain
  3. be pessimistic
  4. wait
  5. react

DO:

  • reveal
  • compliment
  • be optimistic
  • help
  • ACT (!)

 

 

Observing Tennis Teachers

Today, I watched my niece during her tennis lessons. Separated only by a chain link fence, I could hear and see everything: two former tennis pros teaching 11 kids ranging from ages six to twelve.

I teach in the classroom with pencils, paper and computers and these teachers instruct under the sun with rackets and balls. Yet the underlying methodology of successful teaching is the same:

  • immediate, clear feedback
  • behavior management – create an air of productivity
  • rigorous, high-bar work

This is what I consider to be the “holy trinity” of the effective classroom. I shared my observation with my sister-in-law, “These guys are so strict!”

“Yeah, but that’s why we changed teachers. The last one was too nice and the kids were goofing off all the time and not getting better.”

AHA!

The kids were working hard. They weren’t laughing or goofing off on the sides. When the instructors told them to pick up all the balls, they did. When they had to transition from one exercise to another, they did so, immediately. They were working. But you know what? They love their tennis lessons and they take pride in getting better every week.

After their 90 minute lesson, they stumbled into their cars, exhausted and satisfied.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Six Year Audit – Post Cancer

soma-minimizer-bra-fb-75795097

I’ve recently celebrated my 6th year

“cancer-free” anniversary.

For background, you can read my posts during my treatment and the recovery. It’s been an amazing journey, for sure. I’m humbled and a bit sheepish to even say I am a cancer-survivor for I did not have to endure chemo or radiation treatments. However, I do believe I can help others who have been given a cancer diagnosis, because I understand the shock and all the stages that accompany it. I also had a rough reconstruction process which included infections, a defective implant and 5 surgeries.

Anniversaries are a great time for reflection. Looking back, am I stronger now? Less materialistic? Grateful? Kinder? I believe I am. I know I’ve made a concerted effort to be those things. I definitely know the importance of living with presence and that is why I’ve been writing about that so much in my blog. Today is the only day we know we have. Yesterday is over. Tomorrow has yet to arrive. So cliche, but true!

I am blessed to have a healthy, wonderful family and a career I love. I have an opportunity – every day – to think, be creative, and write.

For all my women friends out there (those I have met and those I have yet to meet) – for you who are handling a personal struggle challenge: you can do it. You can and you will overcome. Take it one day at a time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Say Yes

 

Went to a great party last night – some friends were turning 50 (!)

and here’s what I learned:

Say YES! to getting into a bathing suit in front of strangers

and getting into the hot tub

Say YES! to strawberry popsicles and chicken tacos

with abuela’s flaming hot salsa

Say Yes! to ping pong (still in your swimsuit)

Say Yes! to the dance floor

and the stripper pole (but keep your clothes on)

Right Now, It’s Sepia…

 

 

Right now, television shows and movies misrepresent people of color

for the most part

It’s not multi-colored or rainbow, like reality

it’s sepia – pretty black and white, with shades in between

 

not reality

 

we need more colors and shapes

we need more reality

we need to see people of color

being people….of color

 

Time to stop complaining

and do something about it

Get out there and start CREATING

instead of WAITING