My Belly--the Community Project

Run: Younhidong

4.55 miles

1:05

Run: Mt. Ansan

5.37 mile

1:12

Run: Younhi Stream

5.22 miles

1:12

Weight: 244

I love visiting Asia. I love the people. I love the food. I love the culture. Every trip is a wonderful experience. But I do have to prepare myself mentally. By Asian standards, I am a big man. People notice. I am finally ok with that. But why is it that in a culture with gracious manners, polite references, and no physical contact, complete strangers feel free to walk up to me, poke me in the belly (or worse yet, rub it) and laugh?

As is my practice, I attended church Sunday. It was great to see old friends and meet some new ones. The kids are all growing so fast. And, of course, the slim and trim ahjimas ( a Korean term of "endearment" for middle-aged women with an attitude) gathered 'round, poked and prodded my belly, declared that I was too fat, and took control of my diet for the next two weeks. Mrs. An, a wonderful cook in the kitchen and consumate professional in her career, put me on a nurtri-system soy powder shake, mixed drink, lots of water, pills, yada, yada diet. . . along with kimchi, kim, namyang, udon, and anything else they want me to eat. My eyeballs are floating, my colon is completely cleansed, my pores are oozing salt water, and I am running to the toilet every 20 minutes. I am also running--as you can see by my post. All for the loss of 2 pounds! Dr. Alcox says that's what old age does to your metabolism. It ain't fair!

Well, my Korean friends fuss and make fun of me-- I don't like the attention-- but I fuss over them and the point is this: They care. They support me. We are friends. We are family. We are community. If I am successful in my training for the races in October, it will be because of the encouragement of ahjimas. All of us need support in meeting our goals. All of us need to feel that we belong. Those enslaved in poverty and are ravaged by the violence, disease and human degradation that so often comes with poverty, often are able to effect change for a better life, when the opportunity is given to create community. To band together. To support one another. Together we can fight to end poverty one child, one family, one village at a time. I invite you to join me!