Five Things Friday Vol. 11

Five Things Friday: just five things I’m thinking about or things that made my week or things that I otherwise feel like sharing.

It’s been so hot here this week. We scratched the triple digits more than once and it’s really too early for this. I’m ready (who am I kidding, I am never ready) for those kinds of temperatures in July and August, but not in May. We usually run our air conditioning for a few hours in the evenings, but the nights are still pretty hot, even with the window open. My best trick is to use a fan and wet washcloth to keep cool at night.

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I am sad and angry this week. You’ve surely heard about another killing of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, by police in Minneapolis and you probably also heard the story of a white woman calling the cops on an black man in Central Park (for no other reason than feeling superior), claiming that he was threatening her life when he was simply telling her to leash her dog (as it’s mandatory in the park). What is wrong with people? I am so appalled that these kinds of things keep happening. I mean, really, when is enough enough in this country?

You’re as angry and outraged as I am? Good, because you should be, but let’s not stop at being outraged. Let’s try to actually do something about it. I suggest we start here: 75 things white people can do for racial justice.

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This quarantine running thing is the best thing that could have happened to me (silver-lining, anyone?). Since my virtual half marathon a month ago, I haven’t followed a training plan and have just run for fun (and sanity) and I’ve seen some pretty fast paces (for me) when I didn’t even try that hard. Feeling comfortable with paces, that a short while ago I couldn’t even dream of, is a really sweet reward for keeping at it.

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I am very thankful to live where I live right now, as it was reported that the Sacramento metropolitan area has the lowest SARS-CoV-2 infection rate among the 50 largest metros in the USA. That is pretty reassuring that we’re taking the physical distancing seriously over here, but as things are slowly reopening, that doesn’t mean we should start acting carelessly. 

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I’ve recently went to a skin checkup appointment that I had put off for a while. Both my Mom and sister recently had moles removed (out of precaution and none of them turned out to be pre-cancerous, thank goodness), but it definitely pushed me to finally get a checkup again myself. It’s a weird thing to go to the doctor in Corona times, but since they encouraged to keep the appointment, I am really glad I went. I am also happy to report that all my moles (and I have quite a few) look just fine and that none of them needs to be monitored or removed at this time. Phew, what a relief.

The only advice the doctor gave me: since you’re very light-skinned (you don’t say!),  you should wear SPF 30+ at all times (using SPF 50, always!). 

TGIF!

  1. George Floyd and the resulting rioting and looting weighs especially on my mind as a Minneapolis resident. The widespread violence and destruction is so upsetting. I am sure the isolation and economic hardship many are experiencing is a contributing factor to what we are seeing, on top of frustrations over the never-ending poor treatment of POC by police officers. It’s so sad and I really hope arrests are made soon so some order can be restored. I understand that people are very mad but burning down businesses, both small and large, is not solving anything. especially since the area that was most impacted has immigrant/minority owned businesses. It’s been a hard, sad week and I definitely feel compelled to learn more about what I can do.

  2. The news has been stressing me out with all the racial issues, but I don’t want to turn a blind eye toward it because there are a lot of people who can’t. Way to go Sacramento for keeping your numbers so low! It’s amazing what a community can do when they band together for the greater good. Hope you have a good weekend!

  3. It’s been a really hard week but I’m so encouraged seeing all of the people that are speaking up about race in this country. It’s uncomfortable but a conversation that needs to be had.

  4. I’m glad none of your moles need to be removed and all looks well – you can never be too careful. That’s great your COVID numbers are low – hopefully people will continue to be cautious.

    As for the news, it’s just heartbreaking. Seriously. I don’t know when this will all stop in America. It’s horrible to realize, over and over, how racist and prejudice people can be.

    -Lauren

  5. My heart feels especially heavy these last few days…. I can’t believe things like this keep happening.
    I feel the rioting and looting will a bad taste to the name George Floyd. Even his brother said during an interview just now : He was about peace, he was about unity. And among many things, was George a “gentle giant”.

  6. I’m with you – my heart is so heavy right now. Justice needs to be served and I can only hope all of these protests – both the peaceful ones and the destructive ones – bring about the change this country so desperately needs.

    We have triple-digit temps here in Florida and it’s awful, ugh. I loved being able to go for a walk in the middle of the day, but that’s just not possible right now. It’s way too hot!

  7. Ah i can feel the hardship and sadness and frustration. Seriously what is wrong in this world in humankind. It’s really hard on my psyche. How good to hear your area is at least handling Covid professionally. Ii just invited people over for the first time since all this started and still didn’t hug and touch and it all fella wrong somehow. How long are we supposed to keep our distance?

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