Zuzu has an assignment for us:
Your mission: list at least five things you love about your body and yourself. Five is the floor; you can always do more. And no self-deprecation! No offsetting a compliment with a dig.
1. I have perfect teeth. They're still pretty white regardless of my tea consumption, but they're perfectly straight. All of them. Naturally.
2. I'm compulsively organized. I can turn any disaster - physical, financial, academic - into beautiful, pristine order. And I'm excited to do so. No really, I'll pay you.
3. My skin is holding up pretty well. I haven't been carded in a few years, but I still get looks of shock and awe when I tell people my age.
4. I'm tiny. I'm short and lean towards petite. Since I can sew well enough to make a hem, I get everybody's hand-me-downs, so I never have to buy clothes. And when I grow up, I'm going to be a jewel thief, and get into museums (or whereever it is that they put those huge, famous jewels on display) by crawling through the ductwork. I'm just the woman for the job.
5. I'm good at getting lost. No that's not a dig. I get lost a lot, but I've made my peace with it and see it as an adventure. Whenever my guy starts to wonder where he is, he gets stressed and irritable. I'm just fine with it. Even when I'm in a hurry. Past experiences tell me I will always find my way again with few battlescars to show for it, so I'm confident I'll get there all in good time.
6. I'm a very affectionate mother, and my kids still insist on kissing and hugging me hello and good-bye every morning, after school, and bedtime.
7. I shoot from the hip. I don't pretend to agree when I really don't just to be nice. Nice is overrated.
Interesting exercise. Writing the first line, I was struck with the urge to apologise for being vain. Vanity was a big, big sin in our household. It feels like complimenting myself is inherently criticising others. But, while I like my teeth, I also love the fact that my guy's teeth aren't straight. But I wish my oldest daughter hadn't inherited her dad's teeth. The bottom row is doubled up, like a shark! It's the pain she'll endure getting some pulled and/or braces that bothers me.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
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11 comments:
My totally random comment of the day (long-time reader, very occaisional commenter):
Teeth are an interesting one, because people make a lot of class assumptions on the basis of your teeth. Orthodontia is so expensive, but is also seen as necessary, so people who can afford to do it, generally do. I refused to get braces as a teen (although I did get the major problems fixed prior to that) because the braces were mostly to make cosmetic fixes and I was way more interested in not getting carded and being able to go to bars. Now that I'm in my mid-20s I find that people are surprised that my family is actually quite upper-middle class, and when I ask why, the teeth almost always come up. And they're not "bad" - I have some gaps, and they're not totally even or straight.
I'm compulsively organized. I can turn any disaster - physical, financial, academic - into beautiful, pristine order. And I'm excited to do so. No really, I'll pay you.
You have a deal then. Because I'm really bad with my desk, and also a little afraid.
I thinks its a wonderful exercise...
Happy Blogging
that's so funny that you put down organized. i'm very organized too and i really like that about myself but so many people have teased me and tormented me all my life for being "a control freak" and "anal" and all that that i've kind of felt ashamed of it. but NO MORE! thank you for putting it on your list. i'm adding it to mine too! i LOVE that i'm tidy and organized and punctual. those are GOOD qualities and nothing to be ashamed of. huzzah!
Dorktastic, so far I've put off braces and pullings, but my dentist insists they're in the cards for my girl eventually. I insist it be done only for health reasons, not cosmetic. He once threatened to pull a wiggly tooth if it wasn't gone by the next appointment. I told him in no uncertain terms that he gets to advise me, but I get to make the decisions. I should add to my list: I refused to be bossed around by money-grubbing professionals.
jean, will your desk fit in the mail?
It's funny that you said you felt vain at first, because that's Exactly how I would feel,and why I wouldn't probably do this at first suggestion. From your reader's perspective (Hi--I'm Plum) I was just sort of impressed and a little jealous, and pictured you in a really cute J.Crew outfit with Capri Pants (do you have a cute brown bob? I am seeing you kind of French here---)and all your life in order. Vanity didn't even figure into my picture!!! I also thought it would be great if I could let you loose on the present state of my life. I need an Organiser. But again---vanity didn't come into it.
Also---an aside to dortastics teeth comment---The Reason Teeth Related health care is so expensive, is that the Dentist Associations has had one of the most successful Health Care Campaigns of all time, beginning in the 50's. They were very constant in message, from ads to doctor's, and they had---by promoting tooth care---begun to put themselves out of business. Prices go up, tooth care becomes a luxury, teeth get bad again and dentists are busy. Where do I get this stuff???
How inspiring you are! It's going to take awhile, but I'll do a list too.
Plum, sorry to disillusion you, but I've got long hair that's always a bit of a mess, and I typically wear either hippy garb or denim and leather. Neither involve J. Crew or capris!
Terry, Maybe have a drink or two first to really get those loving thoughts flowing!
ok, I'll do it too. I was putting it off. which is, I suppose, the entire point of the exercise - to get over that kind of stuff.
tg - I saw! Good for you.
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