“MMOOOOMMMM!!!!”

You would have thought that I had committed some sort of crime in front of her. And perhaps I did [in her mind]. For a few seconds before covering her eyes, she saw the side profile of my lower half sans clothing, while on the toilet. Apparently, that’s enough to scar a teenager.

I got to thinking about that moment and why she was so freaked out about it and it donned on me … I WAS NEVER NAKED AROUND HER. EVER. I chalk it up to (a) being raised in a conservative Asian family (primarily by a single father) and (b) weird body/self-esteem issues but I never want to be seen in shorts, let alone nekkid. It’s just the way things were.

Nowadays, I am becoming much more self confident about the way my body looks. Not much as changed physically, just my attitude. And in some respects, I haven’t had a choice. It has been effing hot up here and I’ve had to just face the fact that pants are not an option when it is 103 degrees outside. I am walking around the house wearing as little as possible out of utility and it’s really helped me to be more comfortable with being exposed altogether. Thanks mother nature for roasting the hell out of us Seattleites.

And Paige, get used to seeing the wobbly bits. Love, Mom.

This week’s topic – Naked Mommy Confessions

PS. Maggie Mason is just adorable.

Honestly, I love it when I get comments – good or bad. At least he/she commented to voice his/her disdain. To me, it’s like a cheering section that says, “I hate you, but I am going to read your blog anyway!” That’s the kind of dysfunctional love that’s been haunting me my whole life. I am glad to know that the universe can be consistent.

Anyway, like it’s some sort of shock to anyone that I actually write about things like PMS. Or God forbid – relationships. Or mommy stuff, like breastfeeding or places that sag after having kids. Or egads! Stuff like telling people how much I actually weigh!! I HAVE CLEARLY CROSSED THE LINES OF INTEGRITY HERE. TMI! TMI!

So in celebration of being a woman whose completely bowled over by sappy television commercials right now, I thought I’d share this an adorable, swoon worthy wedding proposal. I totally started to cry. You know, cause I am PMS-ing.

Courtesy of my friend Andrea (love you!) who posted it up on Facebook. Patrick is her friend.

Yes, indeed. I too can fall into the trap of spreading baby madness. Plus, that Asian baby at about 0:14 is ADORABLE!

Those boys at Lockdown Projects are briliant. The two of them also do other types of music videos like their own parody of B2K’s “I Need A Girlfriend” or this adorable family music video of the Pet Shop Boys’s, “You Are Always On My Mind.”

Let me give you a recent example:

Rene: Do you think that it’s okay that I work up till my due date or should I take a month off before I have the baby? Will the baby be okay?

Me: Do you really think that the women in China are asking this question??? There are 6 BILLION Chinese people and I can pretty much guarantee you that the majority of those mothers are not taking time off before the baby is born.

Is not that we think the Chinese are superior beings, but without all the affluence, they are forced to “make do” with what they have. It has become our litmus test to determine if we are being over-sensitive based on our cultural biases. I mean, when Rene listed a “wipe warmer” as a newborn necessity, I just about peed my pants. I can almost imagine all of those people in the factories of China laughing at the fact that they are manufacturing products like wipe warmers for us …

So recently on Momversation, I brought up the topic, “Are We Over Medicating Our Kids?” My opinion? I totally think we over medicate our children in America. And I also think we over medicate adults too.

Before you start the rampage of wonder drug testimonials and accusing me of being on the Tom Cruise/eMeter/thetans side of the fence. I don’t hate medication. On the contrary … I’ve had a love affair with Ambien (that ended badly), I went on some dates with Paxil too. It just never worked out. I never ruled them out as an option, but I’ve never had much luck in the long term (but I know that plenty of people have had luck with them).

It’s been my experience that of all the doctors that I’ve seen over the course of my lifetime, not one, NOT A SINGLE ONE, suggested that I lose weight and exercise more as a treatment for my depression. And oddly enough, diet and exercise (and meditation) has been the most effective treatment for me thus far. Some of you may say that I must not have been that depressed, but honey, I’ve suffered through bouts of debilitating depression all of my life … it’s been a long dark road to get to this point. I am not going to defend myself here.

But I often wonder how the folks in China (or any other country) get around pumping as much medication into their systems as we Americans? Do they have a lower incident of ailments that require medication? Do they have some secret alternative medicine or treatment that they are using? Or are they just running around all under-medicated? How do they get around it or do they? WWCD?

What do you think?

PS. Let me just restate that I am not anti-prescription meds. But I am pro-alternative treatment.