Author: chungwipff

Garmin Vivofit Review

After a few months of considering fitness trackers, I finally made my decision. There are so many out there and I wasn’t sure I really *needed* one. I really don’t NEED one. This is a First World issue, let’s be clear. I eat well, I exercise 6x/week…why the desire for a fitness tracker?

I wanted to know my stats. As I age, I’ve become hyper aware of changes metabolically.  What’s my heart rate? Resting pulse? Calories burned?

Ugh. Ego.

Willey purchased this for me for Mother’s Day. Early.  How did he know? Wink, wink, nudge, nudge.  I am very happy with it and have had two – no, three – unexpected benefits from it.  Aside from learning my heart rate is at an optimum level for exercise and my age, I can see how much sleep I had the night before. And as I track it, it has become very clear to me that I need 8 hours for an excellent day and that I rarely sleep 8. Let’s get more sleep, people!

Secondly, the red bar across the top warns me when I’ve been sedentary for an hour. This doesn’t happen often, but when I see the red bar, I get Opal and go for a walk. I am definitely more active in general now that it’s on my wrist.

Thirdly, it’s a watch. I used to search my bag for my phone to check the time. Now I check it old school (sort of)!

Cleaning is a must – I wash it with damp, soapy rag and wipe it down with a dry cloth. I also use some alcohol. Here is a great (short) video on the proper way to clean your fitness devices from Live Science: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEylhRZSuOc

Don’t forget to clean your chest strap, too.

“Mom, it’s ugly.”

“I don’t care. It does what I want.” I refuse to spend an extra $100 for aesthetics!

If you’re on the fence about getting one, I think you don’t have to spend a lot and your dog will thank you.

 

Yooni

To my mother, who, (like so many other moms), is one of the most understated human beings around.

My mother embraced a new country as a young adult. She worked hard to learn the language and the customs. For her, coming from South Korea to America was probably even harder than our move from San Francisco to Arizona. Probably.

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She couldn’t drive, so she walked. A lot. She was alone must of the time, because my father was working and going to school simultaneously. My sister was born 11 months after me, so you can imagine how challenging her life was at this time.

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She learned to love pan pizza and Michael Jackson. She listened with open ears and heart to our “rock music.” Boy George fascinated her (“Really, he’s man? Not woman?”) She had – and still has – an eye for style and fashion. She can sew better than any professional I know.

Yooni emulated naughty boys we saw in the malls and amusement parks. They threw up their middle fingers and  muttered expletives. At times, she wanted to express her frustration and anger so she would raise her fist (with no finger projection) and yell, “Fist up!”

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My mother eventually learned how to drive and she drove us to cello, piano, violin lessons and concerts. She drove us to our Tae Kwon Do lessons. She cooked amazing meals and did all the cleaning. She wanted to hold a “real” job, but it never happened.

But she has held several volunteer jobs. The most recent one was as an assistant at an Alzheimer’s home. She pushed wheelchairs, changed bedding and spoke with residents. These residents rarely remembered anything day-to-day, but because my mother treated them with kindness and respect, many would light up when they saw her. They would hold her hand and call her friend. My favorite story is about one man with severe Alzheimer’s who never had visitors. Not a single friend or relative ever came to see him. He didn’t have many clothes and his undershirts were starting to yellow. My mother went to Macy’s and bought him several undershirts. Her co-worker told me this story. My mother never brags. It’s a special person who would do this for a “stranger.” But to do this for a stranger who won’t remember her or her kindness? My mother is an exceptional human being and I am so grateful for her.

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I’m also grateful for these goofballs:

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girls floating

 

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Elections from Kids’ POV

 

Our school just held Student Council officer elections this week. Classes voted yesterday and we identified our winners by the end of the day.

One thing that struck me throughout the week of campaigning was how CLASSY the kids were. These were 12 and 13 year olds. They wanted to be school President, Vice President, Secretary, Historian and Treasurer. Each one made posters (most decorated them themselves) and they were funny and witty.

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NONE called their opponents names. Instead, they focused on the positive: they shared their visions of making our awesome school even better. They wrote speeches. They were nervous wrecks as they recorded them and they did it despite knowing the entire school would see them on the broadcast system. They did it, dreading the fact that by running for office, they left themselves vulnerable to criticism and defeat. I wanted every one of them to win, but of course, that’s not possible. I was excited to announce the winners, but I also dreaded breaking young, hopeful hearts.

The candidates were an eclectic bunch: nerds, athletic nerds, new-to-school kids and popular kids. The popular kids didn’t always win.

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Each candidate focused on giving the student body what they wanted. They promised to listen. They shared personal information  (“I have two sisters  and a dog. I love watching movies and eating ice cream.”) They were so scared, that a few shared how nervous they were giving the speech DURING the speech. One of the candidates sang her entire speech acapella. They read their qualifications and it sounded like a list of Over Achievers Anonymous: Science Fair winners, Eagle Scouts, Straight A students, Star Soccer player, and on and on.

I don’t doubt that most of our American Presidential candidates really want to help America. But I wonder where our election process is going. Billions of dollars are spent on campaigns for an election that has been named “A Race to the Bottom.” Certain candidates have made allusions to gender, sexual body parts and trophy wives. They have mocked each other’s intelligence and looks. They lie and disregard fact-checking.  In my social studies class, I wanted to utilize this year’s election in the classroom by taking candidates’ speeches and having students analyze them. To my dismay, I couldn’t do that (in a bipartisan platform, anyway). Must of what was bantered about was X-rated!

As I spoke to the candidates, I expressed how extremely proud of them I was and how I wished that adults could handle their campaigns in the same smart and mature way. They smiled. They knew what I meant.

I really hope that our young students grow up and remain full of enthusiasm and integrity. I have faith that they will.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opportunity Cost

Palm Springs 044

Purchasing something used but in good to excellent condition is wise when it comes to houses and cars. If you buy wisely (location, location, location!),  and invest in a kitchen or bathroom makeover, your house might even raise in value. A brand new car driven off the lot can depreciate up to a full 11%!*

However, if you purchase a used car or home and it then it has you running for repairs frequently, it is no longer a bargain. The money you saved in the initial sale is being poured post-transaction. And there is the silent, but insidious opportunity cost: time. The time you spend running to the mechanic instead of oh…I don’t know…writing your blog or short story,perhaps. Or, maybe the cost is the stress of rushing to work post-mechanic instead of drinking your coffee and planning your day. These are big opportunity costs!

I’m just saying…if you saved a lot of money on the three cars you own, and all three breakdown at the same time, it might be that your opportunity costs outweigh the initial savings and maybe – just maybe – it’s time to make a change.

 

 

 

 

*https://www.trustedchoice.com/insurance-articles/wheels-wings-motors/car-depreciation/

The Mesa Arts Center

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Our daughters’ MYS concerts are held quarterly downtown in the Mesa Arts Center in the Piper Theater. This place astounds us each time with the vibrancy and creativity of local artists. Here are a few pianos that were out a couple months ago.

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Art inspires creativity in the viewer/listener,

it sparks dialogue,

and requires dedication,

focus and faith

To all artists everywhere: keep creating!

 

 

 

 

 

The Great Tarantula Hawk

Arizona Tarantula Hawk
Arizona Tarantula Hawk

I took Opal out for a walk yesterday. I don’t usually walk with my phone, but I was glad I had it!   The Arizona Tarantula Hawk is supposed to have the most painful sting of all living things in the entire  United States!

If you get stung, don’t worry. The chances of dying are very small – you’ll just want to die.

For more information, check out this link: http://www.desertusa.com/insects/tarantula-hawks.html

Immigrant – Outsider – Newcomer – Foreigner – Alien

 

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You came from a war-torn country

to get a job here
and to start a family
you attended university and held
three jobs
fatigue, stress, discrimination
As the years went by, despite
– the eggs and toilet paper on our house
– the “chinky chinky China” sing-song following me home
– and the ostracization of neighbors and peers
we are so grateful to be American

 

 

 

 

 

The Girl and the Dress

My 14 year old daughter and I have been arguing. A lot. All this year.

She’s suddenly become that typical teenager who argues, whines and criticizes her mother for everything (“Why did you wear that, mom?”) while rolling her eyes.  I can live with this (sort of), but what has really gotten to me is how she takes everything for granted. She constantly asks to eat out. She wants new clothes. But when she changes out of them, they lay crumpled in the corner on in her bed. I have had family and friends look at me sideways as if to say You’re going to let her get away with that?   But I have had to choose my battles. Homework, violin practice, cleaning her room, getting out of the house at a decent time in the mornings – we have quarreled many times.

I have to admit, many afternoons, I am tired and she wears me out and I purchase food as snack or dinner, when I’d really rather not. I’m tired from working all day (90 kids/day) and I don’t want to cook that badly, either.

But today, when she asked me when we could buy her ANOTHER dress for a SECOND dance at school, I put my foot down.

“Josie, I’m not buying another dress. You have a savings account and you can use that money.”

“But mom! I need another dress that I can wear for the next recital and audition. I’d wear the new dress several times.” (whines)

“You have plenty of dresses. You CAN buy a new dress, you just have to pay for it and you have money.”

She thought and sulked for awhile in her room. Her younger sister has more money in savings and Josie has become competitive lately. She never used to care, but she has stopped withdrawing from it in recent months. The girls get cash gifts from grandparents and it goes into these accounts.

“I’m going to wash the baseboards to make some extra money,” she said.

I smiled. Inwardly.

Willey helped her get a bucket and rags. On her hands and knees, she started cleaning. I had to look away. I felt a little like the wicked stepmom with Cinderella. At the same time, I felt really good about it.

She washed half the baseboards and then abandoned it. I mentally noted I would not pay her more than $5. She worked for half an hour. That’s half the minimum wage. I refused to pay her guilt or inflated money.

She got on her bed with her cell phone. Half an hour passes.

“Mom, Megan is going to let me borrow one of her dresses.”

“OK. That’s great!”

“Yep.”

Cue: “The Dance”

 

 

A Good Day: Smeared Eyeliner

My friend Angie and I were talking about the quote, “Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely.”

Angie: I don’t agree with that! I think I love life so much, that I don’t want to die!  I don’t want it to end!

I know that is a lot of exclamation points. But my friend Angie is very passionate. And funny. She’s a teacher too, and she works in the room next to me. This is a recipe for a lot of giggling and nonsense. We laugh so hard that tears from my laughter make my eyeliner run. Anyway..back to the quote.

Me: (pensive)

I understand the quote. I understand that if we live in the present, moment to moment, and live it well, then we do not fear death. Why would we fear the inevitable? Because we haven’t finished everything we set out to do. We don’t want regrets.  But I also understand what Angie is saying. We love our lives. We love our families, our jobs, the sun, the moon, Arizona monsoons, great movies, fine wine, kids’ laughter and funny sayings and really, really good food! Of course we’d miss that! Yet…

I think another buddhist philosophy can answer this:

“Walk through life unattached.” This sounds cold and boring, but it doesn’t mean to lack joy. It means, don’t be attached. Don’t hope and hope and get disappointed. Work for what you want and then…let go.

 

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We’re too attached. We ought to enjoy the moment and let it go.

I’m not good at this. Yet.