I went shopping with a new girlfriend of mine two weeks ago. We met haphazardly in a bathroom in Dunkin Donuts. That might sound a little sketch to some, but Dunkin Donuts is quite the chic spot here in Korea. I’m talking two to three floors of modern design to accompany your donut eating experience.
While I was washing my hands in the ladies room, she complimented me on my purse. In turn, I asked her where she was from because her accent sounded very American. She is originally from Korea but went to high-school and University in the States and Canada. We exchanged numbers and a friendship was born.
Back home, I never really do major shopping with my friends. If I’m shopping for shoes and purses, I will let them tag along. However, if I’m shopping for clothes, it’s usually a one woman show. I’ve fluctuated between a size 12-16 during my adult life and never really wanted to bring my “under size 8″ friends along for the ride. My new friend, M, is way under a size 8. She is barely a size “0″. Of course it looks perfectly natural on her since it appears to be genetic but it would give me great joy to know she had to eat 1 carrot a day to fit into those super skinny jeans.
So, the last time we had coffee, it must have slipped out that I had never been to Coex Mall and she gasped, “Really??” It’s not just a mall; it’s the largest underground mall in Asia. Along with retail stores, it has a museum, aquarium and a movie theater all rolled into one. As soon as she said, “We have to go there next time we meet”, I wasn’t exactly jumping for joy. If I don’t like shopping with my American friends, the good lord knows I will be cringing when I shop with my Korean friend.
Though I thought about it, I didn’t back out of going on this excursion. If anything, I thought maybe this would help me start exercising. I mean, anything is possible, right?? So, we meet and we just stroll through the grounds at first but eventually we enter a “way under size 14″ store. She is thumbing through almost every hanger in the store as I peruse the limited purses and shoes they have. I think I looked at one “biggish” sweater and she suggested I try it on. I said, “M, I can’t wear this. I need to lose at least 40 pounds before I can try on clothes in a Korean clothing store”. To which she replied, “What?? Why do you want to lose weight? You’ll lose your glamour.”
My what?? My glamour. I laughed a little but instantly adored the term. I never thought of my “more than generous” curves and cleavage as my glamour. I don’t want to condone being overweight b/c it sure isn’t what the doctor ordered for a healthy long life. However, until I can finally lose those final wretched 40 pounds, why not be a little positive and call it “My glamour”.
The both of us didn’t buy anything substantial but we had a good window shopping time. And even though I was envious of her being able to fit into everything in that damn mall, it was comforting to know that she might even wish she had a little bit of my glamour…
“Glamour”. That’s a good one. If we used such terms to describe our bodies more often we’d be less manic.
I know right. It’s a good way to stay positive about yourself until one’s able to make the necessary changes…