If you care about me at all, please, PLEASE, never utter these phrases (or the like) unless the conversation follows immediately:

– Can we talk about something?
– I have something to tell you.

Everything I’ve seen about my astrological sign, Chinese zodiac, or “personality type” isn’t super accurate, but this, this is pretty spot on. It’s a bit unnerving to fit so neatly into a box.

(Via Psychology Junkie, h/t Paul, who loves thinking and conversing about Myers–Briggs personalty types.)

1. Kitchen minion (working at my family’s restaurant as prep cook, dishwasher, porter, etc).
2. Math tutor (high schoolers).
3. Waitress (again for my family).
4. Sales associate (JCPenney and two children’s boutiques: This Little Piggy Wears Cotton and Cotton & Company).
5. Research assistant (Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute).
6. Museum docent (Hall of Health, a children’s health/science museum).
7. Babysitter (a family I met at Cotton & Company).

For the past few months, I’ve been getting back into the habit of running. Mostly for my dad who, after doing a 15k with me and my brother, would like to do a half marathon together as well. I’ve never been much of a runner and frankly, I’ve always hated it, but for my family — of course!

During and after my runs I’ve experienced periodic foot pain, so I’ve been experimenting with run schedules, running surfaces, shoes, shoe fittings, shoe lacing, etc. Unable to figure anything out on my own, I finally made an appointment to see a podiatrist.

I got bad news, but it was a very informative appointment. After she asked about my injury history, checked out my stance and walk, and x-rayed my feet and ankles, here’s what I learned:

• I have hypermobile joints. People have always pointed out that I’m weirdly flexible — not in a manner that’s useful of course; only in bizarre, pointless ways that elicit reactions like “EW how are your arms/wrists/whatever bent like that?!” So, this was an official diagnosis of what I already knew.
• I have extremely unstable ankles, thanks largely to my past injuries and the aforementioned hyperflexibility.
• Inherently flexible individuals are highly accident and injury-prone, and have a tough time becoming rigid. It’s all coming together…
• Due to my foot shape (furthest right on this image), certain areas of my foot bear the brunt of the impact when I run.
• When standing, my feet are very flat, which can be problematic for running.
• I have a bipartite medial sesamoid in one foot.
• If my ankles continue to worsen, surgery is an option — down the road.

My podiatrist’s conclusion: I’m simply not built for running, and I shouldn’t run at all.* I should instead focus on low-impact, strengthening activities like yoga, barre, and pilates. I should also wear ankle braces, boots, or high tops at all times to support my ankles.

Huge bummer. But I’m glad I have a better understanding of my body and how I can prevent further (or permanent!) injury.

*I asked what my options are if I insisted on running: custom orthotics and specific shoes.

Update: I saw an orthopedic surgeon for a second opinion. He also concluded that I shouldn’t be running… but for completely different reasons. 🤔

I recently signed into my 23andMe account and spotted something I hadn’t noticed before: Ancestry Composition. As a Chinese woman whose parents (and grandparents, great grandparents, and so forth) were born and raised in China, I foolishly never gave much thought to my ancestry.

Turns out I’m maybe only 88.8% (that percentage though!) Chinese. And that’s based on their “Speculative Estimate.”

The default Speculative Estimate corresponds to 51% confidence – this provides the most detailed view of your ancestry. You have the option to make the estimate more strict, meaning that the interpretation shown is more likely to be accurate. The Standard Estimate is at 75% confidence, and the Conservative Estimate is at 90% confidence.

At 90% confidence, they can only peg me at 55.1% Chinese.

I’m continually blown away by all the interesting info and connections I’ve been getting for the past three years from 23andMe, which I only paid $99 for.

If you’re like me and have both an insatiable curiosity and a desire to know all truths, despite its potential unpleasantness, I highly recommend.

My body is pretty sensitive in that I react quickly and noticeably to many external agents/incidents. Examples:

• I’m allergic to most everything under the sun, confirmed via prick test with an allergist. Doesn’t slow me down, but everyone around me has to put up with a bit of sneezing…
• I bruise like a peach.
• I get car sick pretty easily. Yes, much like a child.
• Meds works great — I never need a higher dose of anything.

But because I’ve been living this way for nearly 30 years, I’ve become… desensitized to the sensitivity. This is my reality. I’m used to it!

Nevertheless, caffeine remains a tricky one for me to manage. I generally avoid it because I (think I) have an addictive personality (this is my MO not only out of practicality, but also necessity) — I don’t want to develop a dependence on caffeine. But man, I love the taste and ritual of coffee.

So, I have coffee when…

(1) I crave the flavor, as a treat. This is dangerous because it makes me feel fantastic, and makes me want to feel that way all. the. time. But unfortunately, one sip too many leaves me shaking and feeling like my heart is going to explode out of my chest.
(2) I’m tired, but need to be on my A game. However, more often than not, it doesn’t do anything for me at this point, when I actually need the boost.

Where does that leave me? It’s either too effective or completely ineffective. Am I doing it wrong?

Me, all the time, with everything.

I’m in charge of a Groupon Grassroots campaign for K to College, an organization for which I’m on the board. I’m pretty stoked about this opportunity for the org! The downside: this was handed to me less than 8 hours before the campaign kicked off. I didn’t even know that this opportunity was in the works!

Anyways, I’m giving it my best shot with what I’ve got, which right now is an extremely packed schedule between work deadlines, personal commitments (like the biggest chinese holiday this weekend, friends in town and heading out of town tomorrow) and miscellaneous life responsibilities. Whew.

If you’ve got a heart and $11 to spare, please consider making a donation to get school and dental supplies to children in need. Hell, they’ll accept a donation even if you don’t have a heart. Did I mention that these kids are adorable?