If I were a teenager today, I would certainly have a better body image than the one I had back in the day. Our body image, how we see ourselves — be it in the mirror or our mind’s eye — is directly connected to our feelings and/or perceptions about our looks, height, weight and shape. I was 5’ 9” when I entered high school and 6’ when I left, and in those days, tall was neither fashionable nor exotic. In fact, quite the opposite. I was long-legged, skinny, freckled and flat chested, and regularly teased with monikers, like giraffe, giant and beanstalk. Continue reading
Monthly Archives: September 2014
Learning to Swim with Sharks
A quiet pool before the lap swimmers arrive.
Lap swimming has become one of my favorite summer activities. I return to it every year at the end of June when the pool opens for the summer. However, to be honest, I think my attraction is largely influenced by the Olympic-size, outdoor pool in Central Park, near my apartment. There is something extraordinary about swimming in an area surrounded by trees in the middle of New York City. Continue reading
