Day 16 - More Austin, East of I-35 Love

Picture of Joe Sing

Thursday morning was not the same pop up and kiss the sky kind of morning as was yesterday.

I was dragging ass like lard was a paper weight in my pants.  I heard the clock alarm go off . . .

I just looked at it, noise blaring in the morning chill.  I finally turned off both my clock alarm and the cell alarm  that followed moments later.  I could not stand it anymore.  So, I laid in my warm bed, studied the numbers on the neon green clock radio and listened to National Public Radio talk about the Republican Presidential primary and the economy.

This was not in God's plan.

I had a few days under my belt and, as tired as I felt, I still felt compelled to rise this morning.  With dry spit on my face, I sure did not give a goddamn how I looked.  I rolled out of bed in my Batman underwear, grappled with staying atop my two left feet, and somehow made it to the restroom. With the lights off, I'm pretty sure I was in the right position to unload the two quarts of water I drank the night before as I went to bed.

My eyes did not need to adjust yet as I returned to sit on the corner of my bed contemplating the apparent insanity that rose me from death's grip.  My heart was not into this morning exercise thing, but I went with what little willpower I could muster.  I listened to the Republicans hammer at each other and again at President Obama.  It was enough to peek my curiosity to listen more to the story and clothe myself in the dark.

I watched the clock strike six o'clock in the morning, which was pretty late if I was going to get a good start.  However, I had already decided that I needed to make a short stop on my walk this morning.

I could not recall one of the Asian family's  that settled in East Austin. So, I rose up and intently walked around the Cesar Chavez area near Lady Bird Lake in search of the Texas Historical Marker to jog my memory.

Many people may not think of East Austin as home to any Asian Americans, but long ago, there was a prominent Chinese immigrant who ran a laundry business on 5th Street.  In the late 1800's, Jo Feng Sheng or Joe Sing came to Austin by way of New York City and New Orleans.  A native of southern China off the South China Sea, Mr. Sing came to Austin during a time when there were only thirty Chinese people, almost all men, residing in the city.

Mr. Sing remained while many other Chinese left due to discrimination (i.e., racism and inability to own property) and difficulty finding work and opportunity.  However, he met and later married Frances Moreno (Sing), a Mexican American who subsequently lost her citizenship when she married Mr. Sing. They went on to have four children.

I thought it important to mention, even if brief, the legacy of Mr. Sing and the other Chinese immigrants who came to settle in Austin.  Although many Chinese would not come to stay in East Austin, I thought the Sing family story was an important one to share.  Sing and other prominent Asian immigrants and Asian Americans came to provide a contribution to the history and culture of Austin.


In particular, Mr. Sing's life illustrated his integration into East Austin, managed a business, and thrived in the community.  His story and that of many Asians can be easily overlooked due to the small numbers who initially resided here.

I cannot clearly articulate the importance of telling part of the Sing story.  For some reason, it felt dishonorable to leave it out.  Of course, there are plenty of stories being left out.  However, on my walk around the East Austin, the Sing family story, the house Mr. Sing's daughter bought on Willow Street, which is the one I pass on occasion during my walks, are meaningful tidbits of what I learned to be part of the East Austin identity.

There is more to learn, experience, honor, and criticize.  As I walked home, I wondered what it was like for a man during the turn of the 20th century in a foreign land, nurture a family, grow a business, and develop friendships. Mr. Sing's story and that of the thousands who have lived and worked in East Austin would probably fill volumes.  I hope my legacy in some small way honors the path these trailblazers made for us.

Today, it was not hard at all to stay on track by staying away from sweets. There were a few tempting situations.  The pound of chocolates and fruit flavored candies in my car trunk was one.  The other came from a box of post-Valentine's Day candy sitting in the office all day.  Neither of the temptations were worthy of my attention.  I did remove the candy from my trunk as soon as I realized I might be driving back home with it still in my car.  Yeah, I had to get rid of that satanic sweetness.

Water . . . check, fruit and vegetables . . .  check, glass of wine while I write this blog entry . . . double check.  Today is a good day!

Now, will someone tell those hipsters walking about my neighborhood to shut the hell up?!!! Can't they talk softly as they traispe down the street!  Day workers like me have to get up and walk in the morning. :)

Day 15 - Musings on the East Side (Austin)

As I hoped, waking in the morning came to me much easier this morning.  I popped up before the alarm went off, threw on my clothes, and out the door.

It took a while for me to settle in for my walk.  I did not feel quite as listless at the start.  However, about a mile into it, I continued to feel more energetic and aware of my surroundings.  I noticed as I paced down Comal Street through to Lady Bird Lake that I was passing through over a hundred years of East Austin history.

As many may know, East of I-35 historically has been the home of many African and Latino/Hispanic American families and communities.

There is iconic Victory Grill on 11th Street, which opened in 1945 as a spot for returning African American servicemen after World War II.  Ike and Tina Turner, James Brown, Etta James, Janis Joplin, Billie Holiday, Chuck Berry and many other notable musicians played at the Victory Grill. As a result of segregation, there were several African American schools and colleges, a "Colored branch" library (George Washington Carver Library),  and community churches.  As African Americans left to live in the suburbs over the next twenty or thirty years, the area experienced a  major decline.

There also is a strong presence of Mexican Americans in East Austin. Recently, it was estimated that well over a third of the Austin population is Hispanic/Latino.  Traditionally, Mexican Americans in East Austin worked and lived from around 7th Street down to Cesar Chavez (aka 1st Street or Water Street) through to Lady Bird Lake on the Colorado River. A number of immigrant farmers came to Austin to become skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and educators among others.  Several churches and well known families became well established including Austin's first Hispanic mayor, Gus Garcia, who came from East Austin.

Of special note is the site of the French Legation, which was completed in 1842.  The site was developed after the Republic of Texas, since winning its independence, invited ministers from foreign countries to establish legations and develop diplomatic relationships.  It was believed that the French Legation was part of a larger plot to annex large portions of the Republic of Texas to become a colony of France.  The French Legation sits on twenty-one acres looking over downtown Austin just east of I-35.

So, within a five to seven mile walk, I was able to experience a wide swath of Austin's rich cultural history.  At present, East Austin is experiencing a wave of gentrification as individuals and families come in to purchase properties throughout the community.  There is an artist and musician community that resides, works, and plays on the East Side as well. This all makes for an interesting experience.

I'm proud to say that my mother's family also resided and went to college in East Austin years ago.  My children go to the neighborhood school and I really feel at home as I walk through my community.  Austin continues to be a huge adjustment for me from my time in Atlanta, New York, Massachusetts, and California.  It has grown on me and I'll see where I am in the next several years.  For now, Austin is the place for me.

I ended my walk with several sprints up a hill.  I'll feel the muscle pain tomorrow or at least on the following day.  I stayed on top of my water, enjoyed some relatively good food.  Still, no sweets. It sounds corny, but I'm feeling good in my neighborhood.

Day 9 - Wellness Life Coach

I finally spoke with the Wellness Life Coach.

I did not think it would make a whole bunch of difference talking to the Wellness Coach.  Although I have had a career recommending life coaches, therapists, physicians, community resources, government assistance, and hook ups among other things, the idea of trusting some stranger to build accountability seemed a bit weird.

I had to remove the old skool ideas of coaching.  I can't say I felt motivated by the life coach, but it helped to talk through what I was going to do.  After the talk, identifying clearly what concrete steps I would make seemed powerful in itself.

As I thought about my plans and sorted through what steps to take, I felt affirmed that I knew what to do next. For the rest of the day, I mused about what the coming weeks might be able to unfold.

For the coming month, I will focus on working out at least four to five times per week, alternating with walking/running and biking along with weights and jump rope.  Not a bad plan. I won't win any marathons.  I will get started toward the goals I want to achieve.  First major goal: Lose 30 lbs.

Day 7 - Freedom Riders

On PBS tonight, there was a documentary covering the events related to the Freedom Riders, who traveled through the Deep South to fight against segregation in 1961. The gray shades flickering on the TV brought to life very clearly the horror from our past.

The personal stories resonated the sense of horror and deep desire to achieve success to turn the tide toward greater freedom in America.

I am reminded of the sacrifice each man and woman made across racial lines, who came from nearly every state to fight against racism in Alabama and Mississippi in 1961.  I also am rewarded with the affirmation to hear once again how people felt compelled to make a difference through action.

Today, I continued doing relatively well following my commitment to cut sweets from my diet.  I called the life coach and had to leave message to receive a return call.  I felt a bit impatient having to wait until tomorrow to hear anything back from the life coach.

The mere fact that I could sit in my office, waiting for a paid service, no different that anyone else's, paid into by the state and shared with other individuals, allowing me the convenience to wait a day for a wellness coach.  Yeah, I think I can wait.

I still feel the desire to slip and eat candy.  The good feeling is that TODAY I felt quite capable of ignoring the impulse, drinking my water or eating my fruit for a snack instead.