I once dated a guy who informed me on our third date that while he found me very attractive, thought that I was intelligent, funny, and met many of his criteria, he could never see the relationship progressing to a serious level because he could never marry someone like me.

“Um…why not?”

“Because you’re so petite.”

“What does being short have to do with anything?”

“I always wanted to marry someone tall and lean, with long, graceful limbs so that our kids will have the same traits.”

I took a cold hard look at him. He stood tall at 6’1″ with the lean build and long limbs that he so desired in his partner. He was fairly attractive and had the physical attributes of what our modern world considers genetically gifted.

I then considered myself. I do not think I’m too attractive, but I wouldn’t label myself an uggo either. However, I am flat-out short at 5’1″. I have short arms and legs. And while I’m short, I’m also curvy. I am by no means “lean.”

This guy and I got along well, made each other laugh, and the physical attraction was definitely there. I really thought I could see a future with him…until we had this conversation, that is.

Needless to day, the relationship did not progress much after this date. Who was I to deny this man [what he considers] genetic gifts he would like passed down to his children?

Soon, the guy faded into memory, stored in the deep corner of my brain labeled “assholes I’ve dated prior to meeting J.” However, I was forced to revisit the file when yesterday, I read an article entitled “Kim Yu-na’s Body Shape Sets Her Apart” in The Chosun Ilbo (one of Korea’s most prominent newspapers).

The Korean media is known for tediously analyzing celebrities’ physical attributes, even going as far as to whipping out measuring tapes mid-interview. This article is no exception; the Olympic gold medalist’s body is placed on a pedestal for observation and admiration.

Kim’s body proportion is often said to be the perfect golden ratio. The Chosun Ilbo has obtained her measurements from uniform maker INS 102, which measured Kim at a hotel in Seoul in December.

Standing 164 cm tall and weighing 47 kg [104 lbs], Kim’s lower body from waist to the ankle bone measures 96 cm [38 in], almost double the length of her torso, which is 50 cm [20 in]. Fashion stylist Kim Seong-il said, “With normal people, if the ratio of the upper and the lower body is 4.5:5.5, we consider them long-legged. Because of her long legs, Kim’s jumps look bigger and more elegant.”

Her long and slender arms, which measure 68 cm [27 in], also help boost her expression grade. Dr Chung Jae-young at Jelim Plastic Surgery Clinic said, “Normally, the length of your arms stretched out matches your height. But for Kim, the length of both arms plus her shoulder width, which is 46cm [18 in], is almost 180 cm [71 in]. Her arms are very long.” That makes small arm movements look softer and more fluid.

So essentially, Kim Yu-Na’s body shape is ideal for being a figure skater. Her long legs give the illusion of higher and more elegant jumps. Her long arms help her movements look more graceful.

It goes by no surprise that the large majority of successful athletes were dealt the lucky hand in the gene pool — what is the percentage of NBA players who stand under 6’4″ tall? Or NFL linebackers who weigh under 230 lbs? Genetics definitely go on to play significant roles in many athlete’s lives, and Kim Yu-Na is no exception.

Upon further examination of the article, the line “overdevelopment of muscles in certain parts of the body such as upper arms or thighs can make movements look stiff” caught my eye. I have thick arms and legs, mostly due to the fact that when I work out, I tend to easily build muscle mass in my upper arms and thighs. Is this why I have never been considered graceful?

I am obviously not a professional athlete. But after pondering the conversation I had with the man above, as well as what the Chosun Ilbo article implies, I couldn’t help but wonder what if. What if I had been tall (both my parents are short)? What if I had been given a leaner, longer body type? Would I have become more successful in my professional, athletic, and romantic life?

I can honestly say that I did not consciously choose to marry J based on his genes. However, the fact that he’s attractive, fairly tall, and musically as well as athletically gifted did not hurt. I am certain that the same holds true for J. Whenever I get worried that our kids will have my short genes, he says, “Don’t worry — just look at Ray Rice or Nate Robinson!”

How many of you are/were on the lookout for
good genes when choosing a partner?

Would you ever reject a potential partner due to that fact that he/she does not posess the genetic traits you would like passed down to your kids?

A blizzard is sweeping across the area…again.

Here’s a view of my street at 7am this morning. We are expecting several more inches.

Walking Comang was quite an adventure. I can’t say that he enjoyed the experience, as whenever he took a pause he would inevitably sink into the foot-deep snow and require assistance.

I don’t know about you, but I am sooooo ready for winter to be over. I am sick of putting on layers upon layers whenever I leave the house. I am sick of the dirty brown snow piled on the sidewalks. I am sick of having sore neck and shoulders at the end of the day (because I scrunch up my shoulders when I’m cold).

J and I haven’t taken a single vacation together since our honeymoon two years ago. I’m hoping for a big tax refund so that we can at least have a weekend getaway before the baby arrives.

In response to the US Men’s Hockey Team’s historic win over the Canadian team Sunday night:

Via tiagovaz.org

Dear Baby,

I am a few days late posting the weekly update, and I hope that this doesn’t turn into a habit!

I am definitely starting to get a bump and my pants are getting tight around the waist. Ever since seeing you (and hearing you!) your father has become a bit more affectionate — he’s finally started to touch my belly and yells at your older (furry) brother when he jumps on me. When we spoon at night, his hand always manages to find its way to my stomach. And the first thing that he does when he wakes up is to place his hand on my bump to say “good morning.”

Baby, you are now the size of a raspberry. Your arms and legs and waving wildly about as you get used to these strange contraptions that are now dangling from your torso.

Your fingers and toes are webbed, but the twenty digits will separate within the next few weeks. Your tail has just about disappeared, and you are starting to look more and more human (and less like a seahorse) every day.

I still get very scared that you have stopped growing inside of me. They say that pregnant women wish for a window into our abdomen through which we can check on our little one, and I am no exception. I look forward to my next exam on March 5 with fear and anticipation…the days really couldn’t go fast enough!

Last week I had a short conversation with my father about the world champion figure skater Kim Yu-Na.

Geek in Heels: Are you and mom going to watch the ladies’ figure skating segments?

Father Geek: Of course! All Koreans will be watching and rooting for Kim Yu-Na.

Geek in Heels: Don’t you feel a little bad for her? She has the weight of an entire country on her shoulders because South Korea has never had a skater go so far before. Nevermind the fact that her biggest competitor [Mao Asada] is a friend…the history of hostility between Korea and Japan puts even more pressure on the 19-year-old.

Father Geek: But that’s what winning is about. And that’s what will make it that much more special when she wins! Koreans thrive on pressure, overcoming the odds and winning. How else could such a little country be one of the world’s most advanced nations?

I have never been interested in figure skating; nor have I followed Kim Yu-Na in the past. However, I made it a point to stay up late (well, later than usual) last night to watch the Ladies’ Figure Skating Short Program.

I became nervous when I saw that Kim Yu-Na will be skating right after Mao Asada. I began biting my nails when I saw Mao Asada’s beautiful performance which catapulted her to the top of the results.

Then Queen Yu-Na (as she is called in Korea) took the ice.

Her performance was breathtaking. It was spectacular.

Kim Yu-Na’s score of 78.50 set the record-high for the current scoring system. The biggest surprise came when analysts commented that this was not her best performance, that she must be holding back in preparation for the long program!

I couldn’t help but be proud of my fellow Korean. Who cares if the previous 3 favorites entering the Winter Olympics failed to win the gold medal in ladies’ figure skating? I just know that she will take the gold come Thursday night.