Pride for me.
I feel much more safe to publicly share my relationship with my wife with others.

Pride for me.
I much less unconsciously hide and protect what has always made me feel most alive but have been groomed not to display.

Pride for me.
I now question what I always accepted in world that operates from straight until proven gay.

Pride for me.
In the past, I was one who accepted and found the silver lining regardless. Being able to be my own author has released me in ways I didn’t know were blocked.

Pride for me.
I am lucky to have family and friends who love me and accept my unorthodox liz-bian self.

Pride for me.
I have freer access to my muse, creativity, humor, levity, breath, and hope.

Pride for me.
I still have to make daily decisions about whether I can be fully transparent with others but I am grateful for the progression of support.

Pride for me.
It is an eye opening work in progress. At 53, I feel like an adolescent when I find a female attractive or a female compliments me. I am grateful for growing pains that strengthen me internally.

Pride for me.
Humbling. Unexpected. Energizing.

#akintsucrooner

Eating Durian P1

Eating Durian 2

Noom, you sly fox. You did it again. Because of you, Noom, I ordered me up some stinky durian fruit from the Hmart. We are midst thaw awaiting consumption….reaction forthcoming….

The durian (/ˈdjʊəriən/)is the edible fruit of several tree species belonging to the genus Durio. There are 30 recognised Durio species, native to Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand; at least nine of which produce edible fruit. Durio zibethinus, native to Borneo and Sumatra, is the only species available in the international market. Durian is widely celebrated for its long list of health benefits, which include the ability to boost immune system, prevent cancer and inhibit free radical activity, improve digestion, strengthen bones, improve signs of anaemia, prevent premature aging, lower blood pressure, and protect against cardiovascular diseases.

#noomnation #durianfruit

REVIEW, REFLECT, AND REVISIT:

E. Perryman 6.1.2022

🤔 Review how the past few days have been for you. 

It’s been eye opening. I’m on month 5 of noom. I’m loving the low calorie density Koolaid. Usually on Memorial Day weekend I bury myself and food sooth my worries away. This year was different. I ate what I wanted. I was mindful when I was full. If I didn’t want to eat something, I didn’t. I left food on my plate. Gasp I know. I weighed and logged. Because of exposure, random comments from others didn’t flummox me to storm eat. What the.

🏆 Reflect on a recent win that you had!

This morning I was down the lowest on the scale I’ve been for 10 years. Yet because of going to therapy with my Noom shrinks, scale wins are just a small part of my health journey. 

✅ Revisit a goal that you have set for yourself, and set intentions around that goal for the day.

Be mindful of the texture, flavor and fullness cues when I eat.

MEMORIAL DAY 2022

E. Perryman #akinstucrooner

Memorial Day continues to evolve as a holiday for me. 

As a youngster, I loved the pomp and circumstance and rousing tunes. 

As a young adult, I became skeptical of unexamined support but always admired nobility and transcendent sacrifice. 

In my middle age, my scope has widened and I find memorializing the most vast. 

Today, I memorialize those whose lives were cut short, given for the good of others and the end of oppression. 

Today, I memorialize those whose lives were cut short; given for the softening of hearts and opening of eyes. 

Today, I memorialize those whose lives were cut short; given for the advent of a more humane world and so that we may feel more deeply. 

Today, I memorialize those who will always live without their loved ones as a result of hardened hearts. 

May memorials light our paths and drive us closer to empathy. 

May memorials remind us that no matter how contrary, we are connected to each other. 

Our goodness ultimately follows our tears and comes from our deepest regret. 

The memory of the fallen, intentional or senseless, is our most precious guiding light to our future and deepest core.

My first taste of marmite……What is Marmite?
Marmite is a thick, sticky paste made from concentrated yeast extract, a byproduct from brewing beer. German scientist Justus Liebig accidentally invented the concoction in 1902. Marmite has a very distinctive flavor. The taste is so unique as to defy description, but think of a yeasty, salty, soy sauce-esque flavor with the consistency of old engine oil. Some people really like eating it, and some people don’t like eating it at all. Marmite actually based a marketing slogan off this divisiveness: “Love it or hate it.” It has infiltrated British culture and language to the point where a certain type of person might even be described as being “like Marmite.” #marmite #noomnerd

These are the names and pictures of the 19 students and 2 teachers (in order) who were murdered at their elementary school this Thursday May 24th. There are no words to describe the despicable horrors inflicted on these souls by the continued terrorism in our country.

Alithia

Xavier

Uzyiah

Alexandria

Jose Jr.

Tess

Amerie

Jayce

Jailah

Miranda

Annabell

Jacinto

Ellie

Rojelio

Makenna

Neveah

Maite

Eliahana “Elijah”

Layla

Eva

Irma

Noom has been like a weight loss snow globe with my internal process and relationship with food so I made a globe filled with Noomy wisdom. I also crafted a Memorial Day acronym as a result of an awesome prompt from my group coach Natalia. #noomnerd #noomjourney #snowglobe #noomshakeup #snowglobeperspective

I can’t get the image of a broken grandparent looking for his missing grandchild, Elijah Cruz Torres, tonight after a teenager murdered 19 children and 2 teachers today at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.

I do not have children of my own but I cannot imagine what I would do if anyone tried to harm the little peanuts that I teach.

This must fucking stop.

We must use our common ground as human beings to better protect each other, especially the vulnerable.

As the horrific reality of what happened today continues to be revealed, it’s long past time to find strength in our similarities and not use blame as a way out of our despair.

We cannot continue failing at our response to these tragedies.

EAP

When schools shut down in March 2020, we were a few days away from our 3rd Grade Music Our Schools “Kids of the Future” concert. The 4/5th grade chorus was gearing up for our Circle of Light show at Music in the Parks. I miss those students and am sad we never got to complete our time together. To keep singing and chorus alive during the many unpredictable months to follow (which kept yours truly ticking too), I had chorus meets, daily songs, music in the kitchen, gave mini voice lessons, and did our 2021 family among us spring concert outside on the playground. However the overall chorus membership waned during the world of virtual. It was understandable considering the bravery it takes to sing alone; especially as a young person watching the meet online. I’m so glad that numbers are back up. One student who was reluctant to join chorus this year said the coolest thing to me today “I regret not joining chorus.”😊🙏🏻❤️🎶