This Ro(a)mantic Life: He's here

Body: in sickness and in health

I won't lie; this body and I have had our issues with each other for many years. Body image -- sure. Physical and mental overextension -- comes with being a Type A kind of girl. I still struggle with these things, so they show up from time to time in my writing.

More recently, illness, pure but not simple, has added itself to the mix in a multi-system sort of way. And the challenges in figuring out exactly what's gone wrong are many. As problems have revealed themselves in the last few years, beginning with reactive hypoglycemia in late 2008, I've documented them here, partly to gain a little clarity on managing complex conditions but mostly to give voice to vulnerabilities I feel but don't normally share with anyone face to face. Better out than in, they say, right? (Oh yes, humor is one way I deal.)

The links below cover the different angles I've examined (and from which I've been examined) within that experience.

Travel: neither here nor there

When the person you're married to lives two time zones away, you log a fair number of frequent flier miles. And if you blog about commuter relationships, you log quite a few posts en route too.

Since we're no longer in separate places, I blog less often from airports. But we do travel -- together now! -- which is much more fun to write about. So in addition to thoughts on our years of commuting, the links below cover the places we've been as a pair and, in some cases, the adventures that have happened on the way.

Writing: the long and short of it

Why do I do it? Good question. Maybe it's not so much that I like to write but that I have to write, even when the words refuse to stick to the page. Believe me, I've tried doing other things like majoring in biochemistry (freshman fall, many semesters ago). Within a year, I'd switched to English with a concentration in creative writing and wasn't looking back.

After graduating, I taught English for a few years and then worked as an editor, which I still do freelance. In 2007, I applied and got into an MFA program at a place I like to call Little U. on the Prairie. I finished my degree in 2011 and have been balancing tutoring and writing on my own ever since.

The following links cover the writing I've done about writing: process, content, obstacles, you name it. It's not always pretty. But some part of me loves it, even when it's hard. And this is the result.

Heart: family and friends

I'd have a hard time explaining who I am without being able to talk about the family I grew up in as well as the people I've met beyond its bounds. But even with such context, it's not easy! In the simplest terms, I'm a first-generation Asian-American who has spent most of this life caught between cultures. That, of course, doesn't even begin to describe what I mean to, but there's my first stab at the heart of it all.

That's what this group of posts is reserved for -- heart. The essential parts of my life whose influences I carry with me, for better or worse. The links below cover what I've written as I've learned how these forces work within me, for me, against me, in spite of me. They anchor me even as they change me, and they keep life interesting.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

He's here

Our little Troubadour sneaked into this life on the last morning in the year of the dragon. He was a wee bit ahead of schedule for those among our friends and family who were guessing he'd be a lunar new year baby, but we're delighted he decided to show up when he did.

We are still getting acquainted after his first week, which has been full of adventures -- some good and some medically unnerving -- so a proper account of his arrival will come later. For now, though, we're pleased to introduce this tiny night owl to you.

O., meet the world.

7 comments:

Nitewriter said...: Oh he's just adorable!! Congrats to the new family.; February 20, 2013 at 7:08 AM
Good Enough Woman said...: So. Cute.

Look what you made! Very impressive. I'm sorry for the unnerving medical things, but I can relate. Hang in there, and I hope you enjoy him and, occasionally, get a moment or two of sleep!

:); February 20, 2013 at 4:16 PM
BigLittleWolf said...: So thrilled for all of you! A tender hug and kiss to you and your little night Owl.

xoxo; February 21, 2013 at 8:16 AM
TKW said...: Squee! Congrats, friend!; February 21, 2013 at 11:21 AM
This Ro(a)mantic Life said...: Nitewriter -- thank you! He is quite irresistible when he's got his eyes open, taking in the world. We've had some fun moments already just watching him watching us.

GEW -- we are completely smitten. As for sleep, we're doing it in shifts, and it's actually working(?!?). Folks at D.'s office have asked him why he doesn't look more exhausted. I'm just crossing my fingers that the "peak fussiness" at 6-8 weeks isn't too bad.

BLW -- I'll pass the x's and o's along. That tender baby head is so kissable. I had no idea.

Kitch -- thanks! And they were off on his estimated birth weight, as you might have guessed. He was a healthy 7 lbs and change rather than the anticipated 6.5. Either way, there was no true "small for gestational age" emergency, as much as the on-call OB wanted us to think so.; February 22, 2013 at 12:56 PM
Anonymous said...: Wonderful, wonderful news! Congratulations to all of you and welcome to the world, mighty dragon! Wishing you peace, joy, and lots and lots of sleep. xo; February 22, 2013 at 2:29 PM
This Ro(a)mantic Life said...: Kristen -- thank you. He's definitely a feisty little guy! But he loves being worn in a carrier, so he can be tamed ;); February 22, 2013 at 8:55 PM

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

He's here

7 comments:

Nitewriter said...: Oh he's just adorable!! Congrats to the new family.; February 20, 2013 at 7:08 AM
Good Enough Woman said...: So. Cute.

Look what you made! Very impressive. I'm sorry for the unnerving medical things, but I can relate. Hang in there, and I hope you enjoy him and, occasionally, get a moment or two of sleep!

:); February 20, 2013 at 4:16 PM
BigLittleWolf said...: So thrilled for all of you! A tender hug and kiss to you and your little night Owl.

xoxo; February 21, 2013 at 8:16 AM
TKW said...: Squee! Congrats, friend!; February 21, 2013 at 11:21 AM
This Ro(a)mantic Life said...: Nitewriter -- thank you! He is quite irresistible when he's got his eyes open, taking in the world. We've had some fun moments already just watching him watching us.

GEW -- we are completely smitten. As for sleep, we're doing it in shifts, and it's actually working(?!?). Folks at D.'s office have asked him why he doesn't look more exhausted. I'm just crossing my fingers that the "peak fussiness" at 6-8 weeks isn't too bad.

BLW -- I'll pass the x's and o's along. That tender baby head is so kissable. I had no idea.

Kitch -- thanks! And they were off on his estimated birth weight, as you might have guessed. He was a healthy 7 lbs and change rather than the anticipated 6.5. Either way, there was no true "small for gestational age" emergency, as much as the on-call OB wanted us to think so.; February 22, 2013 at 12:56 PM
Anonymous said...: Wonderful, wonderful news! Congratulations to all of you and welcome to the world, mighty dragon! Wishing you peace, joy, and lots and lots of sleep. xo; February 22, 2013 at 2:29 PM
This Ro(a)mantic Life said...: Kristen -- thank you. He's definitely a feisty little guy! But he loves being worn in a carrier, so he can be tamed ;); February 22, 2013 at 8:55 PM

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Body: in sickness and in health

Travel: neither here nor there

Writing: the long and short of it

Heart: family and friends

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Wednesday, February 20, 2013

He's here

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Wednesday, February 20, 2013

He's here

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