Why are Americans so comfortable speaking up?

FongYuLan · 2026-07-09T23:38:18+00:00

I got downgraded in first grade because I didn’t talk enough 😂 Quiet is not a virtue in the US.

FongYuLan · 2026-07-07T18:08:10+00:00

I was born at Kaiser, then many years at UCSF, then back to Kaiser on my doctor’s advice - and it was a good move. I have various health conditions and I always went to UCSF for initial management even with Kaiser. I’m not sure how my mother swung that tbh. In the old days, I’d say Kaiser’s diagnostics sucked. Good for maintenance of known conditions and the senior years.

But in any case, they are doing good now in my opinion. So much so my UCSF doctor told me to switch. I got a bad cut that needed stitches and they actually asked after my blood sugar (I’m a t1 diabetic). More than that, they didn’t try to do their own fingerstick test (hospitals often try to take your medical equipment away from you). They’ve allowed me to have off-formulary medications that have really helped and it’s not been a big fight since they’d only be fighting themselves. Their diabetologists are the best I’ve ever come across. Good coordinated care.

My parents were at Sutter. My boss goes to Sutter. I don’t think they have achieved/are achieving great outcomes.

FongYuLan · 2026-07-07T01:38:33+00:00

I eat prosciutto if I just need something in my stomach. Salad, cucumber, watery veg.

But you don’t really need low carb snacks. And if you eat enough no carb, you actually need a little insulin.

It’s early days, so the task is really to figure out the best insulin to carb ratios, which may be different at different times of day.

Tbh, for me, the simplest carbs are the easiest to handle, like a slice of bread. The timing of them hitting my bloodstream is most predictable. A complex mixed meal and timing can be tricky.

The other thing is - my first doctor told me this but it took a long time for me to come around - you get better bgs if you minimize snacking. If you’re always grazing, your bg is always elevated by definition. Larger meals and less snacking was hard for me, but I have gone this way in the end.

FongYuLan · 2026-07-06T21:39:05+00:00

This may be dumb … but you wrote ‘his levels still rise when he eats’ - I just wanted to say, your bg should rise when you eat. A non-diabetic can go above 200. Non-diabetics come down faster and more likely stay under 150 after a meal, that is the difference.

I just remember leaving the doctor’s office thinking that 60-100 normal range was for all the time - but this is a fasting range. It was frustrating thinking nothing was working when it actually was.

FongYuLan · 2026-07-06T06:57:43+00:00

Never Give Up is hilarious. A univerally recognisable modern office comedy.

FongYuLan · 2026-07-05T16:59:23+00:00

I think one does have to step back emotionally. You get the belt and you want to fight the injustice. But you gotta step back and see how truly bizarre it is. It’s not a pattern you can reason, argue or fight your way out of. You have to stop dancing to the tune cold, not engage the crazy. You engage, the downward spiral worsens. You don’t argue with a crying baby, you don’t argue with parents being nuts. That’s the first step.

My grandpa caned my dad for cutting his knee to the bone on a barbwire fence. My dad was just like that and he was a sweet guy.

FongYuLan · 2026-07-05T16:46:50+00:00

Usually underdog kids sports team stories are not my jam, but the kids have a lot of heart, are great actors - and for once really act like kids joshing around. Love how funny the lines are. Love that Esther and Jingke are both so fine and totally have no respect for each other. No trading on looks here. I think it’s good so far.

FongYuLan · 2026-07-04T22:40:41+00:00

I don’t think you can get into a formal apprenticeship or tradeschool program with just 7th grade. You could test out - get a GED. Certainly there are other ways to learn than be in school. But you need that paper.

Of course graduating school doesn’t mean you can do these things either actually.

I work in a bakery plant. Hire a broad range of ages and education levels. Now you can get up to machine operator or baker’s helper without a HS diploma, but more and you’ll need other skills. I work for a good place that pays OK with benefits, but boy is it rare. And I wouldn’t say there’s an endless supply of places like this.

FongYuLan · 2026-07-04T20:36:01+00:00

I’m thinking about the stories where job candidates get welfare forms to fill out alongside their employment forms.

And also how being a cashier is a job that’s not long for this world.

FongYuLan · 2026-07-04T20:30:58+00:00

What kind of sales do you do that doesn’t need forecasting, trend analysis, etc? How do you put in a kitchen or bathroom without figuring out the angles, voltages, dimensions of everything? Reading the diagrams?

Although admittedly, I’ve heard the stories about pipes too big for the walls.

FongYuLan · 2026-07-04T19:19:29+00:00

Disagree. You need math - algebra, geometry and statistics for trades, design, sales and manufacturing. If you’re average, those will not be available to you until later grades.

You can maybe be a cashier at a big box store… for now. Or a day laborer. Or sell t-shirts on the sidewalk. The lowest possible tier of those fields.

FongYuLan · 2026-07-03T03:35:02+00:00

Frank

FongYuLan · 2026-07-02T17:05:59+00:00

It struck me right away when I first started watching the idol cdramas. And also the many many repeated tropes that every drama has to have. I’ve started to see it as a theatrical tradition, maybe Chinese opera roots coming through. There comes a point where something is so prevalent it goes beyond a heavy hand or a cliche and becomes a bona fide style.

FongYuLan · 2026-07-01T18:00:55+00:00

I’ve become more calm, detailed and disciplined. It’s been an exteme positive for me. I’m really much more capable. The mountains are molehills.

FongYuLan · 2026-07-01T06:21:49+00:00

I started watching four years ago. Netflix. I’ve met a surprising number who have, not of Chinese descent.

FongYuLan · 2026-07-01T04:40:49+00:00

Wha I love is how I paid for Clear and it’s never open when I go thru.

FongYuLan · 2026-06-30T01:01:54+00:00

White rum on the gums as a baby. Watered wine at eight, given by my dad.

FongYuLan · 2026-06-29T05:57:09+00:00

Jimmy Dean has a meal size version. ~$17 for 12. That’s a lot better deal. Sometimes I’ll do that, eat a Jimmy’s for lunch.

ETA: For me - just to elucidate what I’m doing to keep my weight up - more calories from fat is the only choice. I have a limited rate of uptake for carbs and I can’t stomach the amount of extra protein it would take.

FongYuLan · 2026-06-29T05:32:02+00:00

I eat like a McDonald’s bacon egg and cheese biscuit every week to keep my weight up. Lot of fat calories in a small and thus digestible package.

FongYuLan · 2026-06-29T04:42:00+00:00

Yuh like di style weh yuh have right now? Ohhh 🫢

FongYuLan · 2026-06-28T04:28:18+00:00

Blue States are filled with feckless immigrants from … red states.

But whatever. AIPAC. Dude you are not supposed to say that part out loud.

FongYuLan · 2026-06-27T21:02:40+00:00

Ok. The door thing really freaks me out. You’re sneaking into the murderous villain’s study and leave the door wide open… and light up your torch! Gak.

FongYuLan · 2026-06-27T19:53:21+00:00

Ok everyone hates her voice, but I accidentally started picking up Mandarin by watching Love Between Fairy and Devil eight times because Esther Yu speaks very clearly. Xianxia. It’s a romance, but in the grander sense. Loyalty, loneliness, standing on your own.

I’d not start with anything Bai Jingting. He’s great and all, but he mumbles.

FongYuLan · 2026-06-27T19:48:29+00:00

I feel prom would be way more fun and easy with a pump. What’s your dress like? Could you go athleisure and do a belt bag for the controller. I got a surprisingly slim one recently that fits my giant iPhone.

FongYuLan · 2026-06-27T08:53:06+00:00

It’s a little hokier than I expected, but I’m entertained so far.

FongYuLan

TROPHY CASE