Stepping Out on Faith

I rarely take HUGE RISKS! I am more of a calculated risk kind of girl these days, but something has changed recently. I do not feel the same anymore. I would like to believe the majority of this change came from research; research on how to lead a better, more robust life. I recently read up on vegetarianism in December after my sister's boyfriend encouraged me to view a powerful video called "Folks Over Knives." The video is the anti-thesis to documentary films like "Super Size Me." This film is solely based on hard-hitting, historical facts. The fact that over the course of the last 200 years, much more meat has been incorporated in the American diet and diseases such as heart failure, cancer, and high blood pressure have skyrocketed. On the contrary and in comparison, countries like Japan and Greece have low fat, high protein diets, and sometimes plant based diets, and subsequently had far less issues with any of those diseases. In fact these countries have some of the lowest cases of cancer, heart disease, and high anything in the world! This one of the many intriguing factors that drew my attention. Another huge component of this new lifestyle choice is how diet effects health. This time last year, I was the heaviest I have ever been. I was told I was borderline diabetic, had cysts, and a scarily high amount of testosterone for a woman. This was not good news. I went on a boot camp to loose weight and it was a success, but, towards the end, I abused the freedom of food once again and starting gaining back weight. I knew something needed to be changed. In the film "Folks Over Knives" the doctor says that plant based diets balance the body more and keep people fit and trim with ease. They also are great diets that prevent long term illnesses that creep up in old age; cancers, heart disease, and high blood pressure. This captured my intrigue even more. Finally, a good friend of mine who is also very big on health, shared his testimony of being an overweight, meat eating slacker. With the help of wonderful herbs from world-wide phenomena, Dr. Sebi, he is 4o lbs thinner and a vegan. He told me "I feel the best I have ever felt in life." My intrigue quadrupled! I have been wanting to feel that way for years now. Bogged down from my carnivorous lifestyle complete with mounds of fried foods and carbs, I decided to do something I rarely do; challenge myself. The challenge is to maintain a meatless diet on a trial basis and see the effects on my life. I have been curious, precocious, and investigative and now I am being proactive. Today marks my first day of the "veggie life." I had a smoothie for breakfast, raw peanuts and pineapple juice for lunch, veggie chips and salsa for evening snack, and black bean soup with a small side salad for dinner. It was appetizing, appealing, and very tasty, so maybe meat is not all there is in life. I have hit the ground running with vegetarianism and I am not looking back. In the long run, I know I will be grateful, right now I am in prayer mode, so as I always do for others, I ask that anyone out there listening please keep me in your prayers as this is not the easiest diet to adjust to. I am stepping out on faith and letting God be my guide, so I know I will be fine!

Objects of My Random Obsessions

Things I am currently obsessing over....

Every so many weeks I get into these obsessive trances where I only want to do certain things. I spend any amount of money, time, and energy on said things because my obsession won't let me do other wise. My list currently reads:

• Disney Movies- from Snow White to Pinocchio to Beauty and the Beast, I seriously cannot get enough of Disney movies right now. My public library probably despises me!
• Carmel Apple Truffles from Godiva- There is never a dull moment in Godiva's Chocolatier but, lately I have been pining over these creamy, caramelly, morsels. I originally obsessed about them in October when they were the truffle of the month and now I bought a bag on sale and I am sitting in bed eating them as we speak.
• Finishing This Semester- I remember telling myself last semester was my lowest point while in school at ASU but, this semester has clearly taken precedence. Not only am I taking 5 classes this semester but, they are all; overwhelming, overbearing, stressful, and homework filled. I'M OVER IT!
• My meeting with Obama-Well, it was not an official meeting but, I did see him unclose and personal for the first time and it was sensational. Obama came to Arizona, I changed my entire schedule around, and I have yet to regret it. A day well spent!
• All My Travel Plans-I want to go to Vancouver, Canada for spring break, Japan in July, Napa for Valentine's Day, and an Mediterranean Cruise before the year is over. Here's to hoping.
• Prada Candy Perfume-I love a beautiful scent but, one made with caramel and vanilla is too tasty to resist!
• Indie Films-I just saw perhaps the best movie I have seen in ages and I am hooked on the roaring 20's and the days when film had meaning, message, and charisma. The Artist brought me back to life!
• Herbs, Herbs, and More Herbs-I have been doing my research and let's just say, nothing I want to be fixed internally will be handled with modern medicine. Herbs will be my medicine of choice!
• Going Vegan-I know it is hard to imagine but, I actually WANT to make this intense change for my body, my mind, and my soul.
• Twins-I have been having dreams for the last week and a half about twin girls. Is it a sign of the future? Will I be a mother of two the first time around? Will I be the future Mrs. B? I am uncertain but, I am definitely obsessing over the thought and I kinda like it!

Obsessions can be healthy but, right now they are just ultra time consuming! Now I am off to do my other regular obsession, updating my IPOD!

Subtle Differences...

So, upon my late night adventures into insomnia, I discovered one of the most poignant and clever pieces of video footage I have witnessed in years; Shit White Girls Say...To Black Girls. At first, I was a little put off by the title and having heard about it all week, I was naturally late on viewing the video. Apparently there are dozens of videos titled "Shit...." and it would be the stuff guys say to girls, gay people, black people, etc. Well this particular video was different. It was popular enough to amass over 6 million views in one week which for YouTube is a smash hit. The creator of the video wanted to comically express her experiences being a black girl around white women and describe some of the crazy, ignorant, and honest things many of these women said to her throughout life. The actual video was a riot as Francesca( creator) was adorned in a long, blonde wig complete with "Valley Girl" accent. She functions throughout the video making short sighted, blatant, and very rude remarks/comments to her black friend (the anonymous but supposed Francesca).

One would think EVERYONE could partake in a little laughter from this truly ridiculous depiction of ignorance well, I was completely wrong. Many viewers of the video said it was racist. This conclusion shocked me. The term racist gets thrown around so much that it has lost its original definition. A racist is a person who believes their race is superior to all others. Prejudice is when someone dislikes a group of people for their own personal reasons (exp. some Christians are prejudice against Muslims because they don't believe in Allah but, Christ). And ignorance is when someone is unaware or uneducated on a subject but decide to discuss it or partake in it anyway. Most of the time this leads to offense being taken and feelings being hurt as does the other terms but, not all ignorant people are racist or prejudice. The terms have small correlations but, they are not the exact same.

Some women viewed this video as racist because it poked fun at a somewhat slanted but, stereotypical view of how some white women act towards black women. Not all, some. The few who felt offended were offended because they misinterpreted what the creator was trying to convey. She wanted to express her experiences on her childhood in predominately white areas through a video much the other "Shit..." series videos, one that was tailor-made to fit her relatable conscious. The fact that anyone took offense is absurd. You cannot be offended at someone else's experience because it is not your own. As long as you are not the woman portrayed in the video, you should never be bothered by someone else's experiences. And if you are bothered maybe there is a reason, maybe you are that stereotypical person who has said and done all those things if not, more.

Francesca Leigh's video and thesis points out a very taboo and controversial conversation; Race Relations. People do not want to have this conversation because they are not prepared. They do not want to talk about their own prejudices out loud fore fear of ostracism. There needs to be at least a small conversation about race in the world in order to heal and help improve relationships. No person should have to endure the poking and prodding and interrogations that Black women, Asian women, Latino women, and many other women face constantly. I am not saying this behavior is exclusive to women of color but, they are almost 90% more likely to be asked these types of questions because they are almost always seen as "foreign" in the eyes of society. Name calling and sensitivity will not improve the issues between races. It is time we stop being cowards, up our respect level, and have the treacherous conversation before another "Shit..." video comes out titled "Shit Closeted Ignorant, Prejudice, and Racist Americans REALLY Think."

The Newness of a Year

So I failed to list some of the highlights and lowblows of my 2011. Well, here they are, the ten goods and bads of my 2011

• I did extremely well at Arizona State University. I am likely to graduate with honors.
• My Great Uncle died, a true blow to the family. R.I.P. Uncle Mike.
• I got a new car, Estelle. She is awesome in an old, slightly dilapidated way.
• I went on a weightless bootcamp and loss 30 lbs and tons of money shopping for my new physique.
• I ended two unhealthy romantic relationships and possibly ruined a friendship beyond repair. Lowblow.
• Found out some saddening news about my health. Definitely one of my low points. Luckily with weightloss, I gained a small slice of redemption .
• I met some of the most incredible people. Some were seasonal and others, luckily, are still around...for now.
• I traveled the majority of my year. I went to Portland for the first time (AAAMAZING!), Los Angeles (just like old times), Louisiana (yet again), Dallas (finally got to enjoy it), San Antonio (first time, looking forward to going back in March), and many other places.
• Had a chill yet exciting 25th birthday spent with someone who is a kind soul. It was nice.
• Had one of the best New Year's Eve's of my life spent entirely with family. I was very grateful!

Overall, 2011 was awesome. I learned so many things about who I really am and where I am going. I learned that sometimes it is ok not to be so nice. In fact, sometimes being guarded is more beneficial to your health. I also learned to make a decision and stand firm on it. It is fairly easy to get distracted but, when you are fully determined, it takes ALOT to sway you. And lastly I learned that it is better to give than receive. I am not the most giving person but, this year I believe I made a breakthrough. I gave more than I received and it felt AAAAMAZZZING! I never ask anyone for gifts for my birthday or any occasion. I am grateful for whatever I get. I always accept everything with love and a smile because some of the things I truly desire no one would know or could purchase. I truly desire solace in a crazy and unjust world, no one can buy me that because it is something only I can get...for myself.

The main thing I want in 2012 is to except whatever I cannot change, appreciate what I DO have, work smarter not harder, build healthy, long-lasting relationships of all kinds, all while strengthening my strained ones, and lastly learn how to just BE for a while. I really want to master the art of meditation because it helped some many people I know focus and center themselves in a crazy world, in turn bringing them solace....and that is just what I need. BRING ON 2012, I AM READY!

Oldies, but Goodies!

There will never in a million years be another film like Disney's Beauty and the Beast! A tale as old as time, a song as old as rhyme, this movie GETS ME EVERYTIME! I have probably watched this it a bajillion times and have never gotten through the entire movie without crying. A gorgeous but, quirky only daughter of a eccentric, French inventor meets her Prince charming after years of boredom in a small, provincial town. An unconventional love story, but a beautiful one nonetheless! I know all the lyrics, scenes, and costumes by heart! The saddest part of your youth (each individual) is that you have to look back and wonder "WHY CAN'T DISNEY MAKE MORE CLASSIC FILMS LIKE THIS?" I mean you have Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, I could go on forever! I feel for the children of the Millennium with their Spy Kids, Wall-E's, and Madagascar's, fore they will never truly experience the wonderment, magic, and beauty of Disney's greatest film moments. Thankfully, DVD/Blue-Ray combo packages offer up quite a variety of Disney classics that will instantly transfer them back to 1954, 1970, 1988, or 1991. I was so saddened by VHS, Beauty and the Beastless lifestyle, that my 25 year old, grown ass ran out to the nearest Wal-Mart at 1:33 am to grab the 3 disk, Blue-Ray combo pack with special behind the scenes footage and of course, the feature film. It was one of the best purchases I have made all year! Now, I can have a lil bit of my former, 5 year old, 90's self in 2011 and right through 2012! This new year is looking better than ever!

Patience is a Virtue

Recently, I have been canoodling with a man that is as complicated as he is attractive. We argue but, have some of the most passionate discussions ever. I love it and hate it at the same time. Needless to say, I have such a splendid with him and for that I am thankful! Now, our greatest debate recently has been over timelines. Timelines in the sense of marriage, relationships, titles, and so much more. Mainly, the title changing from just dating to BOYFRIEND and GIRLFRIEND. His stance is that the only thing that matters is the love, attraction, and the connection shared between the two people. I for one, totally agree, those things are vital, but I do believe you should not rush. I have rushed through tests (never got a grade higher than a B minus), rushed through studying (never remembered ANYTHING), and rushed though dating before (hence why I am currently single). I think there is something special in knowing that the patience you possess can allow you to delve even further into the individual you're cruising. Besides, I never absorbed anything from the things I rushed doing such as studying, tests I rushed taking, or the people I rushed to date. When I was bigger (weight wise), I ate everything so fast because food did not hold significance in my life anymore. I got fat, wasted money, and I DIDN'T EVEN ENJOY THE FOOD! Now that I have lost weight, I have gained a new appreciation for food. I savor every single bite. In turn, I appreciate the content, preparation, and the nutrients. I feel the same rules should apply to relationships and dating. The more time spent, the more your mouth waters for it, you crave it, and hopefully appreciate it more than anything you have ever possessed. The thing is that when you find that certain food, person, or amazing item you enjoy so much taking the time to observe it, feel it, and enjoy only makes your heart grow fonder. SO CHEERS TO ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR YET UNATTAINABLE VIRTUES, PATIENCE! What would life be without it? RUSHED AND BORING!

The Big Nickel

25 is said to be one of the most exciting birthdays ever! A quarter of a century old and yet still so young! I love this age because you are finally not too old, yet not too young at the same time. It is quite exhilarating! This year has been one of many highs and MAJOR lows. Deaths, health scares, money discrepancies, and so much more but, I would not trade it for anything in the world because for the first time in my life, I am completely on track to where I need to be. I anticipate that despite lows, 25 is the beginning of true greatness. I can never say I do not know how to behave, what to want, where I have been, hell even where I am going. All I can ask God is how high? How high can you take me because I truly want to reach the TIP TOP! Thank you 25, just the breath of fresh air I needed!