Not Representin'

Last night was my first yoga class that I am taking through Daliao's community class program. I was excited because I love yoga and I know that I am in need of some serious exercise regimens (ie I have some weight to lose). Now, even in America, every yoga class is a little different so there wasn't much that surprised me in the class as a whole. But there were a couple of things about the class that I didn't like. First of all, it is surrounded by mirrors. Second of all, it is surrounded by mirrors.
I saw once on Biggest Loser that even after people lose a lot of weight, they still think like they are a fat person. Like, they still go to the fat section of a store to buy clothes, or they still are worried about whether or not they will fit in a seat on the plane, etc. Well, I'm opposite of that. For some reason, I think I am thinner than I really am. When I go to buy clothes, I find all the cute tiny clothes and then I am disappointed when they don't fit me. I think that I can fit in little tiny kids chairs and then I am shocked at how poor the craftsmanship is when it breaks! True story.
Back to yoga. When I came in the class, I did the normal panning the crowd that all women do, and I am thinking "I am so glad I am not fat like Asians think all Americans are". But then class started and as I am doing my bending and twisting, I look in the mirror and realize that I AM a fat American (and with 180 degree mirrors, there is no hiding any ounce-or pound-of fat).
Since I've been in Taiwan I feel a little like I am a lab rat. People watch me and my kids wherever we go. They see what we buy, how we walk, how we do our hair, what we wear. Strangers on the street know where I live because I am the only white person in the area. And so far I feel like I've been ok at representing my religion, my country, etc. I mean, most foreigners are young early 20s who meet up at the bar after work and just came here for a good time (uh, I mean a good experience) and a quick buck. When you are in a place where you don't understand the culture, noone knows you, and everything you do isn't seen by your family, friends, or coworkers, you tend to have that "what happens in Taiwan stays in Taiwan" mentality and you leave the natives with a bitter taste in their mouth whenever they say the word "foreigner".
So then there is me with my kids, no drinking, and all of my other mormonness; I feel like I have been representing pretty well. But I must say that I wasn't representin' last night at yoga. Anyone who has worked out with me knows that I am the slowest runner, the unbendiest bender, and the furthest from touching my toes than any other person I know. So I'm sorry that I didn't represent all of my friends who are amazing at yoga and working out, very well and I made the small part of Taiwan's population who were at (or stopped to watch b/c of the strange white girl in the class) think that Americans stink at yoga and are both fat AND can't touch their toes.
Sorry no pictures for this post...