Pics Added
July 23, 2001

"You Have Such A Pretty Face, If Only…".




Thanks for stopping by. Yup, that's me. As you can probably guess from the title, this site deals with the various issues of being a larger woman in today's society (particularly having to hear the above phrase followed by "if you'd only lose a few pounds" over and over again!).



AN UPDATE - FINALLY!
February 8, 2002 - Just a footnote to the July 23rd update about moving to England. Turns out, living abroad wasn't for me this time and I'm back in the States - for good! That's all the new news for now... sorry! Oh yeah, and I've become TOTALLY obsessed with Toby Keith and listening to country music (maybe it was me missing Texas, but I'm cowboy obsessed now :)

July 23, 2001 - Hi everyone. Wow... don't really know where to begin or what to say. So many things have changed for me recently - all mostly for the better, but dramatic changes, nonetheless. Considering that this site deals with the fact that I am large woman, I guess the obvious choice would be to begin with my size... it has changed, as many of you will realize from the updated photos. I have lost weight, but naturally I am still plus-sized. Through a regime of NOT dieting (actually eating more & on a very regular basis) and exercising, I have lost a bit of weight. If I ever get around to writing about it, as I promised below ages ago ("My Journey to Becoming a Healthier Adult"), I will explain this in further detail. But I must include that despite a drop in size, I am still a "BBW" and still the same person I was just a few dress sizes ago.

Other big news... I've moved out of the country! I am now living in merry ole' England with my boyfriend. Whilst we aren't married yet, or even enganged, this is pretty much considered a permanent move. I have left my job with a huge corporate company in New York City, put most of my stuff in storage in Texas, and relocated to the UK. The only downside to this move is that I am presently unemployed, as I am not allowed to work in the UK until I can sort out a work visa, which won't happen until I am married... So that's that. Don't be fooled into thinking that my unemployment status and subsequent apparent loads of free time will propel me into making regular updates and returning emails in a timely manner - unfortunately, that's a bad habit that no abundance of time can break! Apologies to everyone for that - sincerely.

I have 3 new additions to my family as well. A BEAUTIFUL nephew, Anthony (on the family page) and two new kittens, Fred & Barney (be sure these pics are to come :)

Last, but not least, I still haven't written anything new. I will try to get around to putting my "healthier adult" journey into words, but until then. As stated above, I did finally scan in some recent pics from the last few months and updated the Pictures page. Take a look and I promise to be back soon! And I mean it this time - I will also REALLY start to try and return emails quickly.

I hope to incorporate a few things in this site, including stories which encompass:

• My feelings on growing up as "fat kid" and into a BBW (that's Big Beautiful Woman for you newbies)
  
• Societal stereotypes - I hate these the most. No, not all women of girth are miserable, with low self-esteem, and yearning to be thin. This stereotype is primarily perpetuated by the billion-dollar weight-loss industry. We have every reason to be just as confident and outgoing as our thin counterparts!
  
• Positive discussions on why being a big woman isn't the end of the world. (My mother was a great influence on my positive attitude... How did you become comfortable with your body? Your contributions to this section would greatly be appreciated. Please submit your stories here!)
  
• The wealth of fat-friendly resources on the web. I have been amazed at not only the number of sites that say its okay to be big, but the number of sites that say "we prefer you that way!" These links will include many links to the respectful BBW/FA (Fat Admirers) sites I have come across, as well links to places for fashion tips, clothes, and magazines.
  
• My journey to become a healthier adult - not to lose weight (I know I will NEVER be skinny), but to become more active and healthy. Unfortunately, my size inhibits me to participate in certain activities, and this is the only reason I'm changing my habits (notice the word "diet" does not appear here?) Of course this it the last project I am working on... I promise to update as soon I get my lazy butt started :)
  
  
  
  So please browse around and enjoy. Any suggestions/ comments are welcome. If you'd like to know a bit more about me, please visit my personal homepage
  
  
  
  PHENOMENAL WOMAN
  by Maya Angelou
  
  Pretty women wonder where my secret lies
  I'm not cute or built to suit a model's fashion size
  But when I start to tell them
  They think I'm telling lies.
  I say
  It's in the reach of my arms
  The span of my hips
  The stride of my steps
  The curl of my lips.
  I'm a woman Phenomenally
  Phenomenal woman
  That's me
  
  I walk into a room
  Just as cool as you please
  and to a man
  The fellows stand or
  Fall down on their knees
  Then they swarm around me
  A hive of honey bees
  I say
  It's the fire in my eyes
  And the flash of my teeth
  The swing of my waist
  And the joy in my feet.
  Phenomenal woman
  That's me.
  
  Men themselves have wondered
  What they see in me
  They try so much
  But they can't touch
  My inner mystery.
  When I try to show them
  They say they still can't see.
  I say
  It's in the arch of my back
  The sun of my smile
  The ride of my breasts
  The grace of my style.
  I'm a woman
  Phenomenally
  Phenomenal woman
  That's me.
  
  
  Please note despite the references in the poem, this is not a picture of me :) To those of you who have written on how beautiful I look in this picture - thank you, but sorry, this is the girl from the ad campaign from THE BODY SHOP.