Tweakers United June 09: JUDDD, Fast-Five, OSMF and other non-conformists

[maizenbluebabe]

Oh gosh, if I posted every thing I taste or swallow it would take an hour (of great boredom) to read my posts! But you may be sure, if I come across a miracle cure for my fatness, I will announce it here IMMEDIATELY so everyone can get some of the magical potion!

As for my weight or the program I am following, right now I have decided that at 163 (size 10 or 12 jeans depending on the brand) this is not a bad place to stop and survey the scene for awhile and so I am not going to work at losing JUST NOW--I am just going to keep a close eye on the scale so I dont go up.

My current weight loss of 5-6 pounds over the past 3 weeks or so was achieved by doing pretty low carb combined with Fast Five. Because of my schedule, this seems to work best for me right now, but later I plan to go back to JUDDD combined always with LC or VLC. I feel the best when I do this and also have the best results with my weight. (If you hear me cackling some day it is because of all the eggs I eat--the perfect food and I LOVES them!)

Although Dr Herring's plan involves NO calories for 19 hours, my day starts with a mug of coffee with half and half or HFWC added. The calories are from fat and dont seem to interfere with what I am doing weightwise. Then I eat a real meal (usually eggs!) about 1:30 PM and close my windowfor that day about 6:30 because we usually have dinner somewhere between 5:30 and 6. The one biggest help I can count on is that when I do LC, I dont have any snack cravings at night. When dinner is over, my eating is over until the next day.

Actually, I think almost everyone Tweaks what they are doing and very few people follow something exactly as in the book (maybe only a few severe obsessive compulsives ) because everyone is different and they have to do what they find works best for them--like Caramel's water fasts on Mondays and the ones that Kisha does, and others of us do from time to time

So what we call a Tweak is simply an adjustment of a plan based on our specific personal needs. Not complicated or hard to understand and follow at all. Hard to believe that the half-dpzen mavericks who first started this thread in mid-January as an alternative to the regular JUDDD thread were frowned upon when we first started doing the offbeat things that everyone else is now doing and thinks is just fine. My how times change.

[wallaby]

YAY Maizen's back I agree with everything you've said. I so love reading your thoughful posts. hallelujah & write on sister!

Reading Shunsweets immediately brought to mind my experience years ago when I regularly attended a Friends (Quaker) Meeting. It was such a warm, tolerant, and welcoming place - but during service as you probably know, one spoke only when compelled by the "spirit." No "counting calories". I'm getting the sense that this is all we really need. We can go elsewhere as Sally suggested for the other stuff, the weight loss stuff. But this is where we have a special connection - a place to share things when the spirit moves us.

To keep this going though, even during busy summer months, it's probably still a good idea to just pop in and say hello when we can, even if we don't have time to post much - if only to stay connected. We're tweakers and rule breakers, but I think we can agree that sometimes a commitment (GASP ) is in order. so I'm committing to not going more than a week without checking in, unless i give advance notice.

[dasiey]

Originally Posted by wallaby

YAY Maizen's back I agree with everything you've said. I so love reading your thoughful posts. hallelujah & write on sister!

Reading Shunsweets immediately brought to mind my experience years ago when I regularly attended a Friends (Quaker) Meeting. It was such a warm, tolerant, and welcoming place - but during service as you probably know, one spoke only when compelled by the "spirit." No "counting calories". I'm getting the sense that this is all we really need. We can go elsewhere as Sally suggested for the other stuff, the weight loss stuff. But this is where we have a special connection - a place to share things when the spirit moves us.

To keep this going though, even during busy summer months, it's probably still a good idea to just pop in and say hello when we can, even if we don't have time to post much - if only to stay connected. We're tweakers and rule breakers, but I think we can agree that sometimes a commitment (GASP ) is in order. so I'm committing to not going more than a week without checking in, unless i give advance notice.

sounds good I will do the same. I never type that much any way.

[shunsweets]

So glad to see the tweakers lining up and reporting in! Feel like a group of inactive soldiers being called to muster. (hey did I ever tell you guys I'm a vietnam era vet? Airforce. Not the greatest airman but proud to have served and can't resist the military analogies from time to time. It really does change you forever.)

I'll continue to check in and post when I have something good to add. Today I'm gorging on dairy as my 30 day no dairy experiment is over and I didn't notice any changes so I'm eating yogurt, cheese, and cream! My BGL's will be up but I'm smiling!

It's poring and thundering. A great day to look out at the river and be dry and safe. Maybe a nap and a movie on TV later - yeah I lead an exciting life. Back to work tomorrow - uck.

[EmandM]

Yay! Nice to see people comitting to posting updates! Count me in too. Once I am finished teaching for the year (8.5 more teaching days not that I am counting heh heh) I will post more often. Except during the 10 days when I am taking a course.

My beautiful darlings performed in their first dance recital today. Their little names were on the programs and everything. Maddie was a mouse and Emma was a princess in the production of Cinderella. They performed 3 dances and I bawled and laughed the entire way through. Watching 3 year olds dance is just darling. I wish I knew how to post the video for you to watch. It's priceless.

[EmandM]

Just checking in. I am doing Fast-5 right now as there is a lot going on this time of year, and DD's are too hard with all the social stuff. I lost 2 pounds since I started too! lol can't complain about that. I have been really tired the last two days (not diet related I don't think, my family has been sick and I have been up with one or both DD's a few times at night in the past week or so). Yesterday we went to the zoo and I was in bed, sound asleep by 8:39! Unheard of for me. But other than a trip to the loo around 1:00 am I slept right through until 6:30, got up and worked out. I usually run at night and I want to tonight but I am feeling tired again today. I hope this goes away soon! A busy mama like me can't afford to me tired like this for long!

Hope all is well with everyone!

[Ilpirata]

My update is still JUDDDing... still not losing weight. Haven't seen VFT in over six weeks. I'm getting bloodwork tomorrow and Dr. (Endo) Appt on the 29th. I strongly suspect my T3 is tanking and hope that an increase in my Armour will help.
so. frustrating.

[maizenbluebabe]

Originally Posted by Ilpirata

My update is still JUDDDing... still not losing weight. Haven't seen VFT in over six weeks. I'm getting bloodwork tomorrow and Dr. (Endo) Appt on the 29th. I strongly suspect my T3 is tanking and hope that an increase in my Armour will help.
so. frustrating.

I am here in a rush and need to comment on lots of things but just have a minute so will be back later to re-read and answer posts.

BUT--

Kisha, I am so sorry that your T3 is "attacking" the wonderful progress you have made since beginning JUDDD. This must be so maddening for you and I hope the increase in the Armour will do the trick. Let us know what you find out. What a miracle Armour is for thyroid sufferers!

I know I can safely predict one thing, though, from reading your posts all these months. You wont give up. And I know something else, the Tweakers and those at the JUDDD thread will always be in your corner no matter how slow or frustrating it gets until you start showing a loss again!

[Ilpirata]

Originally Posted by maizenbluebabe

I am here in a rush and need to comment on lots of things but just have a minute so will be back later to re-read and answer posts.

BUT--

Kisha, I am so sorry that your T3 is "attacking" the wonderful progress you have made since beginning JUDDD. This must be so maddening for you and I hope the increase in the Armour will do the trick. Let us know what you find out. What a miracle Armour is for thyroid sufferers!

I know I can safely predict one thing, though, from reading your posts all these months. You wont give up. And I know something else, the Tweakers and those at the JUDDD thread will always be in your corner no matter how slow or frustrating it gets until you start showing a loss again!

Thanks MBB! These threads are the best I've been on in my entire LCF History... and I've been involved in some great ones most specifically the BMR thread. If nothing else at least JUDD has allowed me to maintain my loss so far. I'm down another 10% just on JUDD from my pre-JUDD stall of 208ish.

So even eating close to freely every other day I haven't REGAINED anything despite my stupid T3. And that IS good news. Its all in how I look at it.

[shunsweets]

Hang in there Kisha. The best news is you are maintaining not gaining and with a bad thyroid that in itself is a huge accomplishment. Maybe it's time to shake things up with a change in plan or maybe an increase in meds will do the trick. Either way we are all pulling for you!

I'm still fast5ing. Maintaining well after the initial 5 pound gain which my body seems to want to keep. Was Juddd holding me a little low? Whatever it's all good. Doing meat and egg quite often as BGL's remain problematic. May have to give in and go to the DR but I don't have one I trust so why go. I do like fast 5 and have finally learned portion control.

Emandm - sorry the girls have been sick. Hope you'll all be full of energy again soon. I've been dividing my workouts as the weather seems determined to thwart me! I jog in the morning (when it's cooler) but only have time for 3 miles so I walk 2 miles after work when it's just too hot to jog. Don't know if dividing it up changes anything but do notice I have less energy in the afternoon when I'm 20 hours into the fast. (I fast 22 hours and eat 2 hours and yes I can eat tons of calories in 2 hours - wish I wasn't such a pig - but meat is very calorie dense and I like butter on it!)

MBB - are you doing VLC too? Do you include dairy? I'm still going round and round about dairy. I love it which makes me wonder if those reports of it acting like morphine in the brain are true but my 30 day experiment showed it's not a problem for weight for me and doesn't spike blood glucose more than anything else does these days so I think I'm just going to enjoy it. So now that you are no longer dusting artificial flowers what is your newest project?

Tonight we grilled on the deck and watched the sunshine on the river - gorgeous scenery and the hotdogs and hamburgers were good too. We're having all the family over on Sat for our father's day picnic. Bought 10 pounds of filet mignon to do on the grill and will set up the little wading pool and sandbox for the girls and the hot tub for the whole clan. Croquet, bocci, and a squirt gun fight are also traditional - should be fun. I may just sit in the shade and rock little Jessie. She's up to 7 pounds now and pink cheeked, soft, fragrant, and a real cuddler.


Hi to all the tweakers and any lurkers who may have innocently stumbled in.

[wallaby]

Just a quick check in here -

I'm so consumed and overwhelmed with work and my side jobs (consulting) not to mention kids out of school (!) it's been hard staying out of the kitchen. But so far so good. Still sticking with JUDDD for the most part. And enjoying being 20 lbs lighter than last summer!!! (What a mood booster!) Not a lot of progress this month but with the huge stressors in my life, I'm feeling happy about maintaining.

Kisha, sorry about your stall and thyroid issues. I love the way you look at the bright side - that's so important and will surely keep you going.

Shunsweets, I don't recall you mentioning being a vet! where were you stationed? your father's day sounds wonderful!

[dasiey]

Originally Posted by maizenbluebabe

I am here in a rush and need to comment on lots of things but just have a minute so will be back later to re-read and answer posts.

BUT--

Kisha, I am so sorry that your T3 is "attacking" the wonderful progress you have made since beginning JUDDD. This must be so maddening for you and I hope the increase in the Armour will do the trick. Let us know what you find out. What a miracle Armour is for thyroid sufferers!

I know I can safely predict one thing, though, from reading your posts all these months. You wont give up. And I know something else, the Tweakers and those at the JUDDD thread will always be in your corner no matter how slow or frustrating it gets until you start showing a loss again!

it seems Kisha and I are floating in the same boat....

[Ilpirata]

Originally Posted by dasiey

it seems Kisha and I are floating in the same boat....

At least we're in good company! (LOL)

[maizenbluebabe]

I dont understand it--we are retired. I thought life was supposed to slow down. Seems like ours is even busier and crazier than when we were working "9 to 5."

Well, here I am with a few minutes and I see that "Em and M" have had their dance recital. How cute they must have been! Ahhh, Pam, those are the most delightful performances you will ever see! Kids at that age are so serious about what they are doing and at the same time, they are also relatively "unaware" so you get a real peep into their minds. I hope you-all will have a great summer of fun together once your teaching year is done. And I am sure the coursework will be much more enjoyable without the pressure of fitting it into the busier schedule of the regular school year.

shunsweets, you must live in the loveliest place there beside your river! I love your descriptions of the river and your enjoyment of the deck. That is one of the advantages of being a Tweaker--now that we are not dedicated to just weightloss and a particular program, we have time for observations about things like plans for Father's Day and descriptions of the world outside our windows.

You asked about my use of dairy. Like you, I tried cutting it out and noticed no difference so went back to using it in sensible amounts. The same is true of coffee. I didnt seem to notice any difference in anything healthwise when I used them or when I stopped using them--except my life was not nearly as pleasant without them! I use half and half in my big morning mug of coffee and also some HFWC and butter and Fage yogurt and cheese (in sensible amounts) But I do try to stick to VLC most of the time--truth to tell, I probably taken in 10 to 20 grams of carbs most days and it doesnt seem to harm me since I try very hard to avoid the ones that Dr A has taught us are "evil".


Wallaby, your mention of attending Friends' Meetings made me recall some of the ones we have met during DH's work years. Very good and interesting people. My first encounter with Quakers was in Downers Grove, Illinois when one of my friends had an older brother who had served prison time for being a conscientious objector. He was a hero to a lot of us. And I think that for us, perhaps Meetinghouse practice is a good model--"speaking" when the spirit moves us.

Kisha, what did the doctor have to say about your stall and your T-3? Did he have any good advice for you or want to change your meds?

Daisey, you are now in a BOAT? I thought bike riding was your thing. I just cant keep up with you. But the main thing is you dont give up on your weightloss project and you continue to hang out with us.

[Ilpirata]

Originally Posted by maizenbluebabe

Kisha, what did the doctor have to say about your stall and your T-3? Did he have any good advice for you or want to change your meds?

I just got the blood drawn yesterday and my appointment isn't until the 29th. Unfortunately it is MY job to direct my treatment with my Endo not the other way around. I know what increase in meds I am after and am all geared up for a battle to get what I want (and know I need). She is going to want to add a synthetic T3 hormone. I want an increase in my natural Armour Thyroid meds - no synthetic.

We shall see!

RE DAIRY: I did a one month without in an effort to break a stall and it had no impact. The good news is that now I eat and drink dairy with impunity knowing it is not a stall contributor for me

[shunsweets]

Thanks for the input on dairy Maizen and Kisha. I've decided to keep it in small amounts because I enjoy it and as you said it doesn't seem to effect my weight significantly. I'll stick with cheese, HWC, and greek yogurt.

I'm trying for carbs<10 daily and moderate protein so my fat levels have been sky high. Hoping this will get BGL's in line. I'm checking twice a day and recording them as I want ammo if I have to go to the Dr.

Maizen you are right I am very lucky to live where we do. We are right on the DE river at one of its widest points and the view is glorious. I feel like the character in "Siddhartha" who comes to know that the very pulse of the world can be felt in the river - it's magical. I hope we can afford to stay here when we retire.

Wallaby Hope all is settling down. The summer's can be so busy with the kids off school, all the usual work duties, and the pressures of vacations and such. I try to think of it as a "full" life rather than a hectic, frantic life but sometimes I want to run away for a couple of days.

Emandm Any pics of those beautiful ballerinas?

Daisey Hope the stall is breaking. I know you LC as well. We grannies have to stick together!

Keep on tweaking everybody - in diet, in life, in love - lets be the best we each can be.

[Ilpirata]

Just got my labs faxed and as I suspected my T3 hormond is not where it should be. At least I have an explanation for my latest 6-8 week stall> In fact I think I'll run over to ****** to see just how long this stall has lasted. You guys wish me luck on my endo appointment next Monday. its going to be a battle to get her to comply with my wishes on my scrip.

[dasiey]

hello everyone. Sally I love bike riding, but I do kayak as well. I just got thru with 2 uds in a row cheated like crazy, I was stressed out. My sweet hubbys mom passed and so much food. I didn't lc or anything I feel like a fat bloted piggy. But today is dd and I am lcing also. I boiled 6 eggs. So I will get thru today one minute leads to one hour, I can do this.
and Kisha all the best lucks I have to you..

[EmandM]

Kisha - best of luck at your app. It's good you are armed with info, it will be harder for her to refuse you anything!

MBB - I love this age with Em and M. They are a hoot and so delightful!

SS - We took video of the girls but it is too big for me to send via e-mail. I think my sis took some still pics with her digital. I will have her send them and then I will post them.

Daisey - I am sure you look great, even after two UD's! Just get back on track and you will be losing again in no time!

[Ilpirata]

Originally Posted by dasiey

hello everyone. Sally I love bike riding, but I do kayak as well. I just got thru with 2 uds in a row cheated like crazy, I was stressed out. My sweet hubbys mom passed and so much food. I didn't lc or anything I feel like a fat bloted piggy. But today is dd and I am lcing also. I boiled 6 eggs. So I will get thru today one minute leads to one hour, I can do this.
and Kisha all the best lucks I have to you..

oh poor thing! That sucks. Don't be too hard on yourself. Two UD in a row definately doesn't ruin JUDD. Take care of yourself!

[dasiey]

Originally Posted by Ilpirata

oh poor thing! That sucks. Don't be too hard on yourself. Two UD in a row definately doesn't ruin JUDD. Take care of yourself!

Originally Posted by EmandM

Kisha - best of luck at your app. It's good you are armed with info, it will be harder for her to refuse you anything!

MBB - I love this age with Em and M. They are a hoot and so delightful!

SS - We took video of the girls but it is too big for me to send via e-mail. I think my sis took some still pics with her digital. I will have her send them and then I will post them.

Daisey - I am sure you look great, even after two UD's! Just get back on track and you will be losing again in no time!

thanks to you both. thats the gr8 thing about juddd is everything will be ok....

[wallaby]

Originally Posted by dasiey

So I will get thru today one minute leads to one hour, I can do this.

I love this Dasiey! what a great line.

I'm taking your cue and boiling up some eggs for myself today to go along with all the lettuce I have. I don't know about you all, but we're experiencing a bumper crop here of greens. (must be the cooler weather and the daily rains.) It's getting to be like zucchini - people are leaving it on porches of unsuspecting folks.....

Hope you all enjoy this Friday - and the weekend!

(I also just want to note that I get a great deal of satisfaction reading the JUDDD thread and seeing that stuff we started here - like Maizen's AWF - is normal now! As well as bunch of other tweaks. Still, I'm tempted at times to jump in and tell folks not to be so worried about doing things like back-to-back DDs but I'll leave them alone... they can start their own tweaker thread if they get frustrated enough.)

[maizenbluebabe]

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE! It's a real summer day here in north GA--going to be hot and humid later, though so I am about to go and get all my outside stuff done early. Meanwhile I have some coffee perking and am about to have my big morning mug of the stuff. (My cat Sweetie Pie is sitting here close to my side as though she thinks I am writing something she needs to read.)

Dasiey, I see that Frank and Eddie have a new avi. WHAT are they wearing? Is that some kind of bonnets they have on their heads? They are too cute--always make me smile whenever I see them.

Yes, I agree, with Dasiey and wallaby that the philosophy of one day at a time and one minute at a time is the wisest one for just about any Life project we might have, even the ones beyond weight loss.

I am sticking to FastFive with LC and it is holding me at 163 just fine. Being able to maintain lets me relax about what I am eating--with VLC and FF, I am able to take in more calories on a daily basis than with just JUDDD, and I am so busy I just dont have the time or energy to keep close track of calories so this is working fine for now. Later on, when I get more time and want to move forward with my weight loss, I will go back to JUDDD, but for now, this seems to be working and satisfying my current needs.

Kisha's remark about having to insist that her meds meet HER needs even if her doc has other ideas, is very astute. We have to be our own advocates and be fully informed about our health--passive patients these days really run the risk of not getting the best medical care because the doctors are so busy--and besides, we are all different and what works for one person may not work for another..."generalizing" about someone based on "statistics" of what works for others can produce some serious risks or at least result in mediocre care--and someone with Thyroid problems cannot afford to accept mediocre or "almost" appropriate medical care.

Shunsweets--WOW--small world! I was born "just across the river" (dont know if it was upstream from you or downstream ) Until I was ten we lived in a beautiful and historic old western New Jersey county called Hunterdon which is very close to the mighty Delaware and of course, to the Pennsylvania state line (which is the river along there.) Have been back to family gatherings as an adult several times and it is still gorgeous there in the New Jersey mountains--very much like here in the Blue Ridge with rhododendrons and azaleas, etc. . (Cousins in my father's family still live in the area.) I have day hiked the Delaware Water Gap area of the Appalachian Trail with cousins up to the fire tower--most people just dont realize how beautiful that part of the country is. I am able to picture the area where you live and know how lucky you are!

[dasiey]

hi Sally that there christmas pictures. frankie is a deer pulling santas sleigh (eddie)

thanks wallaby

[EmandM]

Hi ladies,

Holding up well on my new plan! It seems to be a F5 and a F1 type of thing. Some days my window is 5 hours and some days it's 1, which is very similar to when I was following CAD (for years)! So I am comfortable with this for now, consuming enough cals and maintaining my weight range. Can't complain.

The countdown is on to the end of the year. 3.5 more days with students, 4.5 more days of work (the last day is clean-up and meetings about next year, ick)! Then my vacation begins! I am taking my phys ed and health specialist for 3 weeks in July, and August will be all mine! I have my girls in daycare 3 days a week so I will have days to myself and I will have days where we can enjoy our time together. I can hardly wait!

Daisey - your doggies are adorable. We have no pets, but the lady that takes care of my girls has a dog and they love him. He is very protective of them and the first few days when i would go to pick them up after work he would bark and growl at me! Now he knows that I am their mummy so it's ok!

MBB - So glad your plan is working and it's liberating to not have to count cals. I am enjoying my new tweak too. I guess I am not JUDDDing right now but I am following a version of IF. Always a tweaker!

Wallaby - Send some zucchinni my way! I love it, even if I can never spell it right! Funny about the original thread. I haven't lurked there in awhile. I am glad they are trying their own tweaks. Tweaking can add that little extra bit of success!

SS - how is baby Jess? Is your DD getting any sleep? Those first few months are amazing but exhausting aren't they? Are you working a lot this weekend?

We are off to Fort Erie for a family reunion tomorrow. I bought this cute little halter dress to wear. It is black and white checked and the skirt part is 50's inspired. Well don't you know it will be rainy and 17 degrees (way too cold for a halter dress) so I will now be wearing pants. Boo! Oh well, it is warming uo next week so I will save it for my staff party instead.

[Ilpirata]

Dude,

EmandM - you must be SO STOKED for school to get out. Ours has been out for about a week now and all the teachers I know are loving life!

[EmandM]

Originally Posted by Ilpirata

Dude,

EmandM - you must be SO STOKED for school to get out. Ours has been out for about a week now and all the teachers I know are loving life!

LOL! I bet they are! I can't wait! It's funny, because once report cards are in (and they were due this past Monday) we just coast. You would think it would be a happy time, but it is boring! We still have to come up with educational yet fun activities for the kids, yet we are not very motivated as we are counting down the days!

I heard that the States get out earlier than us Canadians, but start in August. We go end of June and Start after labour day.

[wallaby]

Originally Posted by shunsweets

Maizen you are right I am very lucky to live where we do. We are right on the DE river at one of its widest points and the view is glorious. I feel like the character in "Siddhartha" who comes to know that the very pulse of the world can be felt in the river - it's magical. I hope we can afford to stay here when we retire.

I didn't catch this before. One of my favorite books! I read it at least 5x. (informing my later attraction to Buddhism). I also have very dear friends in Lambertville NJ, right on the Delaware. a beautiful place.

[maizenbluebabe]

Originally Posted by wallaby

I didn't catch this before. One of my favorite books! I read it at least 5x. (informing my later attraction to Buddhism). I also have very dear friends in Lambertville NJ, right on the Delaware. a beautiful place.

funny the two of you should mention Siddhartha just now. Our number 2 SIL has been in China the past month (teaches Philosophy at UMass) attending conferences and giving papers on Buddhist philosophy and has recently finished a special 2 week course at a Buddhist College in Taiwan. YDD joined him last week (her third time in mainland China) and they are vacationing in the Peoples' Republic--I will include below a paragraph she sent in an e-mail yesterday. Her take on the site of the terra cotta statues is interesting, and somewhat surprising to me. They must be China's major tourist interest now and you'd think they would do better by them.

"Yesterday we went to the Shaanxi regional history museum, which was a brain child of Zhou En Lai. It was just beautiful, my favorite thing i've seen so far. This region is the heart of Chinese history from about 6000 BC through to the end of the Tang period (about 900 AD) so the breadth of artifacts was just amazing and it was beautifully curated and organized. I actually far preferred it to the terracotta museum both in terms of its content and also the quality of the curation. The terracotta was interesting, of course, but artifacts from a meglomaniac dictator sort of lose their appeal after a while, and its actually very badly curated, although the actual buildings housing the artifacts are themselves very beautiful. We are off to see the pandas tomorrow--cant wait!"

I'd love to go to China if I were younger--at my age though, I fear the heat and noise and all the people milling around would probably give me a nervous breakdown.

[Ilpirata]

Originally Posted by maizenbluebabe

funny the two of you should mention Siddhartha just now. Our number 2 SIL has been in China the past month (teaches Philosophy at UMass) attending conferences and giving papers on Buddhist philosophy and has recently finished a special 2 week course at a Buddhist College in Taiwan. YDD joined him last week (her third time in mainland China) and they are vacationing in the Peoples' Republic--I will include below a paragraph she sent in an e-mail yesterday. Her take on the site of the terra cotta statues is interesting, and somewhat surprising to me. They must be China's major tourist interest now and you'd think they would do better by them.

"Yesterday we went to the Shaanxi regional history museum, which was a brain child of Zhou En Lai. It was just beautiful, my favorite thing i've seen so far. This region is the heart of Chinese history from about 6000 BC through to the end of the Tang period (about 900 AD) so the breadth of artifacts was just amazing and it was beautifully curated and organized. I actually far preferred it to the terracotta museum both in terms of its content and also the quality of the curation. The terracotta was interesting, of course, but artifacts from a meglomaniac dictator sort of lose their appeal after a while, and its actually very badly curated, although the actual buildings housing the artifacts are themselves very beautiful. We are off to see the pandas tomorrow--cant wait!"

I'd love to go to China if I were younger--at my age though, I fear the heat and noise and all the people milling around would probably give me a nervous breakdown.

What wonderful correspondence she sent you! And she gets to see the PANDAS!!! awesome.