kind of funny to thinkabout now. I mean, Sharon is unusually tall (for an Asian), and she's willowy and graceful. But I am quite short (five foot two), and although I am slender (or so Natalie assures me), I am not willowy. And it doesn't look like I'll ever be tall either.
Now I used to want to be short. I remember being so devastated when I passed up five feet. That's because I was still in gymnastics back then, and I was totally obsessed with remaining tiny. I even played with anorexia for a short time, only allowing myself to eat green salad and Diet Pepsi for several weeks.
But after getting fairly sick and an embarrassing visit to my doctor, who was quite straightforward about the dangers of starving your body, I decided to let the “staying small” thing go. To say my parents were relieved is a huge understatement.
Anyway, as I read these girls’ letters, I realize that I cannot pretend that I have no appearance issues. I mean, not only is it totally false, it's also hypocritical. So I know I must answer this letter in the way that I would want to be answered.
Dear Jamie,
I am seventeen and very unhappy. I can't stand my looks. I think I must be the ugliest girl in my school. Maybe in the whole world. Even though my friends tell me that's not true, I don't believe them. I am not blind or stupid. I just don't know what to do anymore. It's like I'm starting to hate myself. I even dream about havingone of those extreme makeovers that they do on TV, hut you have to be older. I don't know what to do. Can you help?
Just Plain Ugly
Dear Just Plain,
Believe me, I know how it feels to dislike your appearance. But at the same time, I seriously doubt that there's anyone (not even a supermodel) who is completely satisfied with the way she looks. But your life is about so much more than how you look. It's about what you know, how you feel how you teat others. And I am coming to a place where I'm trying to accept that Hook this way for a reason. Okay I don't know what that reason is, but I'm hoping that it's all going to work out eventually So I recommend that you quit spending so much time in front of the mirror and get out and do something that you really enjoy doing. And if you're having a really good time, I'm guessing you won't be so obsessed with things you can't change anyway. And remember, you're not alone! We all feel like this sometimes.
Just Jamie
Then I call Natalie (my local fashion and beauty expert) and ask her if she likes the way she looks. And just for the record, I think she is quite beautiful. I mean, her nose is probably a little too big for her face (or so she says), but I actually think it's quite striking, really Itgives her character. And I happen to think her blue eyes and long blond hair are totally stunning. Plus she's tall.
“What?” she says like maybe she didn't hear me right.
“How do you feel about your looks?” I say again.
“Why?”
“I just wondered.” I pause, feeling kind of dumb. “I mean, I guess I was having sort of an identity crisis just now, and I wondered how you're doing, like do you ever feel unattractive?”
She laughs. “Well, to be honest I have this zit that's trying to pop out on my chin, and my hair is really looking pretty drab and dreary today, and I won't even mention my nose. But really, Kim, I don't get why you're asking me this right now.”
“I guess its just kind of reassuring to know that I'm not the only one who freaks out over her looks.”
“Why are you freaking? You are beautiful, Kim. I mean, I would love to look like you. You're like the little Asian princess.”
“Oh, puleeze, don't even get started.” But the truth is, I actually kind of like it when she goes down this road.
“You are,” she assures me. “You have the most gorgeous skin imaginable. Your hair is thick and glossy and black. And you have NEVER had a bad hair day in your life. And your eyes are—”
“Okay, okay.” I stop her. As much as I
Now I used to want to be short. I remember being so devastated when I passed up five feet. That's because I was still in gymnastics back then, and I was totally obsessed with remaining tiny. I even played with anorexia for a short time, only allowing myself to eat green salad and Diet Pepsi for several weeks.
But after getting fairly sick and an embarrassing visit to my doctor, who was quite straightforward about the dangers of starving your body, I decided to let the “staying small” thing go. To say my parents were relieved is a huge understatement.
Anyway, as I read these girls’ letters, I realize that I cannot pretend that I have no appearance issues. I mean, not only is it totally false, it's also hypocritical. So I know I must answer this letter in the way that I would want to be answered.
Dear Jamie,
I am seventeen and very unhappy. I can't stand my looks. I think I must be the ugliest girl in my school. Maybe in the whole world. Even though my friends tell me that's not true, I don't believe them. I am not blind or stupid. I just don't know what to do anymore. It's like I'm starting to hate myself. I even dream about havingone of those extreme makeovers that they do on TV, hut you have to be older. I don't know what to do. Can you help?
Just Plain Ugly
Dear Just Plain,
Believe me, I know how it feels to dislike your appearance. But at the same time, I seriously doubt that there's anyone (not even a supermodel) who is completely satisfied with the way she looks. But your life is about so much more than how you look. It's about what you know, how you feel how you teat others. And I am coming to a place where I'm trying to accept that Hook this way for a reason. Okay I don't know what that reason is, but I'm hoping that it's all going to work out eventually So I recommend that you quit spending so much time in front of the mirror and get out and do something that you really enjoy doing. And if you're having a really good time, I'm guessing you won't be so obsessed with things you can't change anyway. And remember, you're not alone! We all feel like this sometimes.
Just Jamie
Then I call Natalie (my local fashion and beauty expert) and ask her if she likes the way she looks. And just for the record, I think she is quite beautiful. I mean, her nose is probably a little too big for her face (or so she says), but I actually think it's quite striking, really Itgives her character. And I happen to think her blue eyes and long blond hair are totally stunning. Plus she's tall.
“What?” she says like maybe she didn't hear me right.
“How do you feel about your looks?” I say again.
“Why?”
“I just wondered.” I pause, feeling kind of dumb. “I mean, I guess I was having sort of an identity crisis just now, and I wondered how you're doing, like do you ever feel unattractive?”
She laughs. “Well, to be honest I have this zit that's trying to pop out on my chin, and my hair is really looking pretty drab and dreary today, and I won't even mention my nose. But really, Kim, I don't get why you're asking me this right now.”
“I guess its just kind of reassuring to know that I'm not the only one who freaks out over her looks.”
“Why are you freaking? You are beautiful, Kim. I mean, I would love to look like you. You're like the little Asian princess.”
“Oh, puleeze, don't even get started.” But the truth is, I actually kind of like it when she goes down this road.
“You are,” she assures me. “You have the most gorgeous skin imaginable. Your hair is thick and glossy and black. And you have NEVER had a bad hair day in your life. And your eyes are—”
“Okay, okay.” I stop her. As much as I
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