A Sense of Scale

Now that I am walking everywhere, my sense of scale is changing. Kind of like the math concept that shows us how proportions are equal despite size of object (the same sort of idea as weight classes for wrestling or boxing), my walking is proportional to what my driving was in the 'burbs. There is a difference, however: I'm tired as hell and sore as can be.

Living in lush, manicured suburban confines with wide streets built (and planned) for cars has not made me a walker. I thought I was a walker--hey, I walked Callie for 20 minutes each night--but sadly, I have a long way to go (pardon the pun). I walked with Leigh and the kids for about eight hours yesterday (taking care of various things ) and by the time I got back to the hotel room, all I could do was lay on the floor like a hurting heap of lactic-acid marbled meat. My feet festered. My hammies hemmed and hawed. My glutes were glue. The Achilles' tendons ached. Even my lower back begged mercy.  The rest of the family, frustratingly, seemed just fine. 

(Cue "Eye of the Tiger" opening bars) But, I am a fighter. And I AM a walker. I will become strong! I will be able to walk like a Singaporean . . . by October. Maybe November. OK. Winter Break. 

*****

We will find ourselves at various times in local street restaurants with not a lot of options appealing to American children, and each dish is advertised in photos above the counter--you can see it.. Leigh and I have taken to joking with the kids about some of the choices we are going to order them: fish head soup with black bean sauce (with the poor fish staring at us); curried octopus with rice (tentacles menacingly snaking out of the bowl); chicken feet/foott soup. We think it's hilarious. The kids are growing weary of our antics.

*****

Had to get a physical for the employment pass. The Singaporean doctor did not say much to me, so I asked him: "How's my health?" and he started doing this thing like he was lifting barbells. I thought it was a good sign! I said, "I am strong, right?" And he glowered and said, "No. You need to work out." 

*****

Watching the kids begin to navigate the MRT on their own is deeply satisfying. 

*****

The celsius scale is starting to make sense to me without having to go "28 = 82" in my head. It's going to be 32 today. Or 33. 

*****

Watched a game show for 20 minutes last night, and I have absolutely no idea what it was about. When I turned it off, the several contestants were whacking each other with styrofoam swords.