Emo Mommy on Sports Psychology

As a psych tech I'm always interested in how psychology relates to random day to day things and how we react to them -- for example, sports.  While there are numerous studies on how psychological factors affect performance for athletes, the fans, too, experience hormonal surges when cheering for their favorite teams.  

Oakland A's fans know this feeling all too well after following an amazing 2012 season in which they claimed first place in the American League West (LET'S GO OAKLAND!!!!).

My boys and I

As a kid I fondly remember getting ice cream at Baskin Robbins served in a cute little A's batting helmet.  I even convinced my dad to buy me an A's flip up watch (wish I still had it!), but I gotta say I didn't really feel a true passion for the sport until I became a mom.  As a single mom, I worry sometimes that I'm not equipped to influence my son in, you know, masculine ways, but I found that more importantly watching A's baseball together teaches him the value of achieving big things with very little money, especially when expectations from others are low; a true underdog story.

 

When it comes to baseball my son could've went in several directions as far as teams go.  His older cousins are HUGE Yankees fans.  His dad is a Padres fan and takes him to games often.  Living near the bay, I wouldn't even have been mad, in fact I would've totally understood if he was a Giants fan.  Not only are they a great team, but those panda hats are awesome!  What can I say, I guess he likes elephants better :)

Yesterday at the 2012 Oakland A's FanFest, I choked back tears when he met his favorite player, Cocoa Crisp along with the crowd pleasing and loveable Stomper.  Just seeing how full of energy and happy he was despite hours of walking and waiting in long lines made my heart swell and my eyes water.  He's halfway done with Kindergarten, but watching him yesterday covered from head to toe in A's gear from his loving (and die hard A's fans) aunties, I finally see a little boy instead of a baby. (Sniff, sniff).

Speaking of baby, I'm a big wuss when it comes to relief pitcher Sean Doolittle, a lefty just like my son as you can see which hand he's holding his donut hole in.  When he came into the scene, closing out games against the Yankees, I became mesmerized with the odd way that he holds up his glove to his neck before he pitches.  It wasn't until later that I learned how truly talented and undervalued he is.  Through out a number of injuries that almost ended his career, he went from being a first baseman to a pitcher.  

As if that story wasn't touching enough, during a Q&A session Doolittle stated that he was an Air Force brat and that if he never became a baseball player he would've joined the military (be still my heart)!  And get this.. turns out he's the great nephew of the famous General/Doctor James Harold "Jimmy" Doolittle (Alec Baldwin played him in Pearl Harbor)  of the United States Army Air Forces (this was before the Air Force was its own branch #WWII) .  Whaaaaaat?!  Crazy.  Dubbed one of the unsung heroes of the A's, he's definitely my favorite.

How cool is this?!  Doolittle stated that his dad was stationed "in the area" when he was 3-5 years old.  With no other AF bases open at the time (or since) in our area, it had to be Travis AFB.  Hua!  (Pic tweeted by Sean Doolittle).

For many reasons I wish I would've gotten into baseball before I became a mom.  Loving sports and identifying with your favorite team is not only exciting, but it gives you a sense of community, keeps you from alienating yourself when times are hard (which is something I tend to do).  I was pleasantly surprised to observe Kahlil and other small kids at the the FanFest making eye contact.  It makes me smile wondering what they would've said to each other if their parents weren't frantically trying to get them from one autograph table to the next.  One kid even tugged at his jacket just to say hi to him.  Isn't that just awesome?

On the drive home I asked my son how he felt.  He thought about it for a minute, then said, "Before I only could see Cocoa Crisp up close on TV... But today... Right now... I feel SUPER!"  Pretty much summed up how I felt too.

Celebrating with the fam.  
A special birthday shout out and thanks to Rosan dela Cruz, one of the biggest A's fanatics I know, for taking us to FanFest... You will never know how special this day was for Kahlil!

Have a super week, all.

K Bye!

In living color

Yesterday, a group of our friends and I (go Team Rainbow Brite!!!!) did the Color Vibe in Vallejo, California.  By the end of the run we were beautiful masterpieces, covered from head to toe in dyed cornstarch.  Definitely the most fun 5k I've ever done.

After an interesting shower, we attended my niece's 12th birthday at Jump Highway -- a trampoline heaven  where Ryan dislocated two joints in his pinky finger after doing a back flip :(

Poor Ryan.  I'm just thankful his injury isn't keeping him from walking, like in 2011 when he fractured his right heel and then again in 2012 when he tore his left  Achilles tendon.  I can't begin to tell you how difficult those two years were for him (for us). 

Looking back I realize we passed a number of tests that have allowed us to mature and grow in our relationship.  Through the frustrations (and staying in a lot) we learned how to lighten up, found a love for Scrabble, started cooking together, got into Grey's Anatomy and Glee :)  He even bought a guitar.

Life is fickle.  Enjoy the colors.

K Bye!

I've been waiting for some Chucks like you

I come across a lot of personality disorders working with individuals with developmental disabilities.  Many are considered to be egosyntonic, which refers to behaviors, values, and feelings that fit their ego or self image.  It can be difficult to deal with, but sometimes it's straight up funny!

I work closely with a particular client, who we'll call Chuck :)  For months he was very stand offish with me, would always give me dirty looks, never wanted to work under my supervision or go on recreational outtings with me.  He'd question, in all seriousness and maybe even anger, why I'm an A's fan and not a Giants fan.  Then one day, he took off his enormous headphones, nodded his head towards me, and actually struck a convo with me.  It went like this:

Chuck:  "Ay, where you get your shoes at?"

Me:  "Umm.. heyyy, how ya doin, Chuck?  You can pretty much get Chuck Taylors anywhere.  I got mine at the mall."

Chuck:  "Oh forrealz?  I'm bout to cop me a pair when I get paid." 

Me:   "That's cool.  They go with everything, so yea.  Cool."

Not long after Chuck was messing around with the radio and stopped at a soft rock station.  He knew every word to this song:

Goes to show not everyone is too cool for Foreigner.  I think everyone, to some extent, acts in ways that's acceptable to the needs of their own egos.  Since then he hasn't dropped the too-cool-for-school act, but he completely changed his attitude towards me.  He could not wait to show me when he finally "copped" a pair of classic black Chucks followed by a pair of green ones he found "hecka cheap at Kohl's".  He even joined our fitness program and insisted on being in my group.  Just a small personal victory for the books.

This has been the Cut of the Week brought to you by (ficky, ficky) loft remix.

K bye!

Those who can't do, teach, and those who can't teach, teach gym.

Fortunately in my line of work, I can both do and teach.  Today I joined the millions of Americans who belong to a fitness club along with members of a day program that provides employment for adults with disabilities.  In addition to job coaching it's nice to support them with recreational and community integration activities, especially ones that promote health and fitness.  

We first assessed individual capabilities, recorded each of their weights, measurements and end goals.  The plan is to go to the gym twice a week, walk/hike twice a week, and my favorite part -- dance!  Dancing is not only great exercise that anyone can do, but it's also an outlet to express themselves, relieve stress, and most importantly it's fun.

I'm super excited to go on this journey to health with them!  The benefits are pretty obvious, but the most rewarding part is seeing how good they feel about themselves.  Stay tuned for adventures in our journey to fitness. 

K bye!

 

Change is good, but keep loving what you love

My boyfriend made a good point over dinner tonight.  He said my loft is like an "unfinished project with no end goal".  I can't say it's not true.  I'm always moving stuff around to the point that it's different every time friends and family come over.  Now that I think about it I've never lived in one place for more than 3 years -- I not only accept change, I get antsy without it.

These are pics of my loft last year chosen to compete in Apartment Therapy's Small Cool 2012 Contest -- one of the coolest things that's ever happened to me!  While I have always loved interior design, I suppressed my interest in it believing that there was no point after having pursued careers in the military and mental health (not to mention my Filipino dad's disapproval).  Being a part of something like this gave me permission to keep loving what I love.  Naturally, I've made several.. ok a lot.. of changes since these pics were taken :)  Maybe I'll give the contest  another go this year.

Before I had the chance to over think and get offended by my boyfriend's comment (whatchu tryna say, fool?! Just kidding, love you!  LOL), he added that my loft is "always evolving and improving" (Nice save, Ryan).  Hopefully that will never change.

K Bye!

Reflections of 2012

When I enlisted in the Air Force (a long time ago), I was sure I was a lifer.  Twenty short years to serve my country, travel, get an education, retire and receive a pension for the rest of my life? Umm, yes please.  Those plans took a turn when I became a wife and a mother, which later turned into single mother.  Did I sit on my pity pot?  Sometimes.  But I reached a point where I decided to flush that shit (excuse my language) along with the plans I thought were best for me.

All I can do is reflect in awe of all the ways God has changed remixed my life.  No longer active duty, I jumped on the Air Force Reserve wagon, where my enlistment went from self fulfillment to a true passion and pride to serve.  I began to focus on the important things like family and education.  The highlight of 2012?  Kahlil and I both graduating (yayyyyy!) I have all the respect in the world for those who go to school on top of working while raising kids.  Looking back I can hardly believe I pulled it off, but then again my friends and family wouldn't let me fail.

Looking dapper in his preschool cap & gown.

Military one minute, mental health the next.  Both completely out of character for a girl who once dreamed of being an interior designer!  Someday, I hope to combine my experiences and treat individuals suffering from PTSD.  (Captured by Lani Pagmanua) 

Yay, we did it! (Captured by Lani Pagmanua)

Hope your 2012 was filled with an abundance of happiness and remixing, as was ours.

 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

Happy New Year, everyone.

K Bye!

My my my ai ai WOO!

My Sharona - The Knack

I decided if I'm going to blog more (just one out of a hundred resolutions) I may as well start with a Cut of the Week, which I've sadly missed posting for, oh I dunno, a month and a half. 

It's not exactly a remix -- until I sing it on karaoke!  Oh yea!!  I heard it performed on Rock Band (the video game) a while back, and it's been my go to song on karaoke ever since.  And yes, I did gig to this loveable song at the fam bam's New Year's Eve shindig and scored 100%.  Woo hoo!  (Crushed it.)

My Sharona, The Knack's debut single, was written by the band's lead singer, Doug Fieger, who at the age of 25 met a real live 17 year old Sharona in a clothing store where she was working.  They dated for four years, and naturally she posed for the album cover.  Yowzah!

This has been your Cut of the Week by (ficky, ficky) Loft Remix.

K Bye!