I was told the other day by someone I work with that I appear to have lost some weight. I've kind of noticed it as well, and I attribute it solely to my new vegetarian diet. In just a couple of months, I'm visibly thinner. I haven't weighed myself, but I think I will. I have been feeling much better about my body and I've even done some clothes shopping! I just feel sooo much better about me! ^.^
- Mood:
good
ok...I know I haven't been posting. A lot has been going on...I'm engaged now! Still going strong on vegetarianism! ^.^ There's a reason for this post.
The past two days I don't know how I keep ending up in debates about vegetarianism...but when someone challenges it around me...I defend it obviously.
My friend Joslyn at work, as great as she is...she's beyond anti-vegetarianism. She claims "humans are innately carnivores". And I keep trying to tell her that humans are actually omnivores which means they can survive with or without meat. She is all like maybe we can survive without it but since the cavemen, we go for meat. It was just like a circle of never-ending debate.
And now on facebook...a friend simply posted this page about a bilboard put up by PETA in florida. I have no problem with this billboard since ya know what? Obesity is one of the biggest health issues in america. We are the fattest country. Period. There is no debating that. But because peta didn't use politically correct terminology my friends are all up in arms about it. But they'd probably be just as up in arms about it is it said "Save the Morbidly Obese...Lose the pounds of fat, Go Vegetarian" instead of "Save the whales...lose the blubber, Go Vegetarian". I thought the whale perspective was cool since they're relating animals right to the idea of reducing obesity by urging america to go vegetarian.
And my friends are putting down the whole thing, especially Sarah who started off the debate complaining about trying to go vegetarian made her become pre-diabetic and she had to give up apples. And I'm like...well, do research and you probably can't eat apples anyway if the natural sugar in them is making you diabetic. I'd paste her post here, but she deleted it after I responded saying I was offended and trying to show her my side and PETA's probable side. But she wasn't having it...she just kept making new arguments and not backing anything up. so whatever. I'm done...now I'm just annoyed and wanted to rant.
Before you form an opinion about about vegetarianism or PETA or any other animal rights organization, why don't you do your research. They've had sooo many campaigns before this...and if this is the one that gets you thinking, then I think that's good. Animal Rights is becoming more in-your-face with the pro-veg Compassion Over Killing (COK) commercials airing on MTV and billboards and whatnot. I fully support it.
Okay...I'm done with this. I'm gonna try to let it go. I just hope nobody starts another friggin debate like that again in the near future.
It doesn't help that I worked 12 hour shifts on wednesday and thursday so I'm still so overtired that last night I had an emotional breakdown over my hair not cooperating.
- Mood:
cranky
Blerg! I did get back from vacation July 26th...to find I had no internets!! >.<
Charter finally got to come today so now I has it! Because of all the rain recently, water got in one of the splitters on the cable line and caused our signal to drop dramatically. So we still had cable and everything...but the wireless signal was too low to pick up. The guy water-proofed the splitter so this doesn't happen again. And surprisingly - that consisted of something more advanced than securing a plastic baggy over it with twist ties lol.
Maine
So Maine was alright. Would've been better if it didn't rain 5 out of 7 days, though. >.< Chris and I were basically climbing the walls by thursday, but we couldn't leave because his dad's birthday was saturday. I am too tired to do a long entry. Here are a few highlights:
- got sun-burned the very first and sunniest day...but only on the backs of my ankles, the back of my right arm, and the tops of the backs of my thighs. I guess I missed those spots lol. It was sooo itchy and it's still red! Hope I'm okay...
- went to Borders and saw like 10 books on the final years of Michael Jackson...only two and a half weeks after his death. WTF? Had they already been compiling these books? Were people sitting waiting to hear he was dead?
- found special collector's edition of Clerks II which included the movie, a Mooby's visor, Mooby's funployee nametag, and Mooby's collector's cup all contained in a happy meal style box with games on the outside and everything. lol.
- Went on Chris's dad's boat and got to drive it! ^.^
- read "Plain Truth" by Jodi Picoult and most of "The Virgin Suicides" by Jeffrey Eugenides. Plus, I played quite a bit of Pokemon Platinum on Nintendo DS lite and got a few more badges ^.^
- made Penne Vodka for chris and his parents...which they said they liked...and then his mom added stuff to it like soy milk and wine and I didn't like it as much. I feel like if she actually liked it, why would she change it? >.<
Vegetarianism
still going strong! I faced temptation a couple times like last night as chris is like "just eat the chicken" refering to the chicken he cooked for himself. I told him that was pretty sucky. And while on vacation, his parents kept asking me if I would like chicken on my pasta or meatballs with spaghetti even though chris told them I don't eat meat. Any time I think I miss meat, I think of what the animal goes through in factory farming...and that ruins my appetite for it pretty quickly.
When I was in Maine we went out to eat to this local Sebago Brewing Company. I got the most AMAZING mushroom ravioli dish!! IMy mouth still waters just thinking about it!
Ok, I am severely tired since I had to wake up so early to let the charter guy in. only got like less than 5 hours of sleep. I can't really think straight...so I'm done with updating for now lol. I am still alive though ^.^
I am soooooo excited for tomorrow! At about 9/9:30am Chris and I will be heading to Maine! We'll be staying about a mile and half down from Old Orchard Beach at a more secluded area. ^.^ So I'll get to go to the beach just about every day. Heck, I'll even go if it rains! ^.^
I'm bringing up Hummus, pita bread, soy milk, earth balance "butter", and other veg-friendly snacks to have all week! And I'll be making dinner on tuesday - though I'm still not totally sure what I'll be making. I'm bringing Veganomicon so that Chris's mom can help me pick out something everyone will like...and I'll do my grocery shopping for that night out there. I just hope I can find all the needed ingredients up there. I'm not sure if they have any health food stores nearby.
So I'm not bringing my laptop up - I have enough stuff that I packed for a week away. I am bringing my Canon Rebel XS digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera, though...so expect pics! I hope I can get some really good ones...I just won't be able to edit them since I don't have my Photoshop program yet. Gotta save up $400 more (found a new place to get it...only $80 more and less red-tape crap).
I'll try to keep a notebook of all the goings on...so I can update later...including the recipe of whatever I make and how Chris's family liked it.
- Mood:
excited
Life: Then and Now
Okay, so I am a little...erm...confused. I went to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and while in line to get into the theater, someone got in the same line as me - someone I knew from high school and had a rollercoaster friendship with...and it ended by plummeting into the ground...a concrete death to a friendship. Her name is Julia. She just commented on a VegExp post from a little over a month ago. I've been contacted by her quite a few times since high school, but I always just turned her down.
I have basically left most of that high school behind save for Aja and Rachel - but my friendship with Aja is more as if we didn't meet till high school. We started a new friendship. Rachel and I have been very rocky especially in the past 6 months or so. We had a big fight over something stupid that I had held in and let eat at me. So now we're gonna try to hang out again.
My main worry about having Julia read this - no offense - is that I've heard from people I barely met at college that they met Julia and she told them bad things about me. I feel like if you haven't even seen me since december 2004...you can't talk about who I was. And it was who I was...it has nothing to do with who I am now. I know I made bad choices then. I don't regret the past though because everything happens for a reason and I was a stupid child. At the same time that I've been told these things, though, I remember how much rumours spread about me hurt. So I just continued to stay away. I just hope, Julia, that you reading this blog won't come back to bite me.
In High School, I was really messed up - I won't lie. I was manipulative and selfish and hurt people though I didn't mean to. I tried to stay happy and I tried to be good...but it didn't work out that way. I wanted what I wanted. I was a bit spoiled. I didn't want to grow up. I was emotionally messed up.
Now, I am not the same girl. I am a woman, even if it sounds odd to say it or hear it. I still have emotional issues, but now I know it has to do with either Generalizzed Anxiety Disorder...or something similar. If only I could get the courage to go to a counselor to find out for sure. But at least - with my emotional issues - I don't take them out on myself or others. My boyfriend Chris helps me to release them in a healthy way. My focus is on my career, my family, and my relationship. If I have friends along the way - that makes it even better. But my mom is my best friend now and I love my sister and father. Experiencing the death of a sibling makes your grow up and re-prioritize.
Even as I'm still in school, I'm working toward reaching full adulthood. I am more than likely getting engaged this summer (though I don't know when exactly) to Chris, whom I love dearly, live with, and have been with for over two and a half years. (It'll be 3 years this October).
I am proud of how I've changed.
Vegetarianism
I've also changed in my ability to be vegetarian. I could never stick with it in high school. I was probably too selfish - too interested in eating what I wanted - didn't want to be different from my friends. Now, I am able to do it for the animals' sake. I understand the cause is much bigger than me. And I'm still doing well!
I'm going to Maine until July 26th, but after that I'll be buying a lunch box to bring to work. I can't put it in the cooler, and I can't use our microwave. So I have to only bring cold stuff and get an icepack for the lunchbox. If anyone has suggestions for different sammiches I can make or any other cold stuff besides salad - please comment! ^.^
I'd write more but I am too tired. I have a lot to do tomorrow, and I need rest to have the energy. Hope my entry made sense cause I'm kinda out of it lol.
- Mood:
groggy
So Harry Potter was cool! One of the top 3 of the 6 made so far...Prisoner of Azkaban is 1st...2nd goes to Order of the Phoenix. This one was a little more slow moving, but it still got a lot of stuff in. I'm guessing the two movies for Deathly Hallows will be my faves when they come out since it'll be the movie with the most book-provided information...less stuff left out and all that.
Yesterday was Mom's bday. I had to work a double but then I went to her house to stay overnight and we spent a good chunk of the day together. We went to the mall so I could return some stuff, get a dress to go over my swimsuit, and get work pants and a black pencil skirt. She was very helpful in finding just the right thing...and she lets me know if something isn't working...and also gives me ideas about how I could take the waist in and such to make things fit better. And she knows exactly what I can and cannot wear since she as big boobs like me lol.
After that I went to Starbucks for my tall vanilla ice coffee with vanilla soy milk. Yum! I relaxed in the coffee shop to drink my coffee and read a chapter of Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult. It was nice to just chill. And when I went home and got some organizing and packing done after a little argument with chris about him getting a second air conditioner from his dad. I told him before I didn't even want the first one...and then he accepts a second one and installed it and everything without asking me? I was pretty peeved. Especially when I tried to talk to him calmly and he thought I was attacking him.
Tomorrow I''m working in the day and am probably gonna make no money yet again. At least at night I get to look forward to a going away party! One of chris's friends is moving out of state so her roommates ( also chris's friends) are throwing her a surprise party! ^.^ I can't wait! I just can't stay out too late since on saturday I'm working a double and chris is working 9 hours too. Then Sunday I'll be working during lunch again and do last minute packing so I can leave for Maine on Monday morning! ^.^
I'll be gone to Maine from July 20th-26th. I don't know if I'll be able to update there, though I am bringing my laptop so I can upload pics I take ...that way I can take mondo pics since I won't be limited by my SD card. I can't wait to go. I need a week off really bad even though I could definately use the money if I was working. I feel like I'm ready to punch most tables and co-workers in the face. The vacation will be especially great because we're gonna be at Chris's parents' summer house...which is literally a 1-2 minute walk from a private beach!! ^.^ Hopefully I don't get a sunburn lol.
Food
Doing good still! Yesterday just had cereal for breakfast, broccoli fettucine alfredo for lunch/dinner, and a little plate of tostitos with melted cheese for a snack when I got to mom's. Today just had a banana for breakfast, subway 6inch veggie delite for lunch (with apples as the side), and a french bread pizza for dinner...strawberry ice cream with hot fudge for dessert. ^.^
Peta2 Street Team
I can't wait for July 23rd! Why? Because it'll be one month of me being fully vegetarian! The last time I had soup with chicken stock was June 22nd. And, once I hit 30 days, I can request points as a Peta2 Street Team member! Being Vegetarian for a month is 500 points I think. Right now I'm up to 3370 points...and I'm still waiting on 2500 points that I requested to be approved. That'll bring me up to 5870...then with the 500 pts for a month of veggies It'll go up to 6370. The item I really want is 8000 points, so I'd only need 1730 more by the end of the month to get a free peta2 street team laminate with my ST Item I redeem the points for.
Okay, I've been writing for about an hour on and off with watching tv...so I think that's it for now lol.
- Music:the music of Sex and the City
So it'll be my mom's bday in 2 and a half hours. What else happens in 2 and a half hours? HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE!!! And I get to see it at 12:10AM...not as cool as 12:01 but I'm absolutely amazed I'm going since we (chris and I) just bought the tickets a half hour ago. How weird that all 3 shows weren't sold out! And I dunno what I'll do when I'm working a double tomorrow. I'm gonna be dead on my feet lol.
The fact I'm gonna go see HP6 tonight made me think of a peta2 blog entry...they decorated the "I am not a Nugget" Chick as a wizard/witch ^.^
Food
So I made the Broccoli Chickpea Casserole from Vegan with a Vengeance by Isa Chandra Moscowitz. To be honest, it wasn't my cup of tea. I think the huge amount of onions did me in lol...I don't mind the seasoning of onion...but I don't like eating actual chucks of onion. There is also a massive amount of chickpeas. I think the biggest reason is that I'm definately not a healthy eater...and this dish is really healthy. I think I need some not-so-good-for-you food to start off with before I move into the uber-healthy menus lol.
Broccoli Chickpea Casserole
Ingredients:
3 (16-ounce) cans of chickpeas, drained and rinsed (or equivalent amount cooked chickpeas)
1 large onion, quartered and thinly sliced
3 large carrots, grated (about two cups)
1 head broccoli, cut into smal florets (about 4 cups)
2 tablespoons thinly sliced chives
1/2 cup bread crumbs (preferably whole wheat)
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 can vegetable broth
1 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350degrees
In large bowl (me: and I mean LARGE...i thought I had a large bowl but I ended up having to use two so it wouldn't spill out when I mixed it lol)...In a large bowl mash chickpeas well for about 2 minutes to get the right consistency
Add onion, carrots, broccoli, and chives and mix well
Add bread crumbs and mix again
Add olive oil and mix again
Add vegetable broth and salt...and mix (me: lots of separate mixing steps lol)
Transfer all ingredients to a 9x13 inch (glass or ceramic) casserole dish
Press mixture firmly into the casserole
Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes
Uncover and bake for 15 more minutes
Serve it hot the day of, but it tastes good cold as well
I sprinkled some parsley on my single serving fo garnish...but like I said, I didn't really like it...so I didn't eat more than a few bites. Had to eat but was too tired to cook anything complicated or new...so I had mac and cheese made with soy milk lol ^.^
- Mood:
ecstatic
Money, Kitty, and School
Ugh I'm so irritated. I got $50 for the gold rings and charm from Hannoush jewelers, and then before I even left the mall I spent $15 on earrings I definately didnt need and don't even think I want. And then I spent $30 on groceries which wasn't even my whole share. And I still have to go get the timed automatic feeder for stormie while I'm in Maine next week. Did I mention it's $70? I wish he didn't throw up when he eats too much. Otherwise I'd just leave a bunch out. I honestly don't know what to do. It's not like mom can come up every day. She said she can some up a couple times. I'm just nervous that us being gone for that long will undo how much better he's doing.
Before Stormie would scarf down his food and then throw it all up. He'd keep eating the entire bowl's worth. It's like he thought he wouldn't get food. Now that I'm feeding him a little less than a cup several times a day, he's doing much better. In fact, he's only thrown up 2-3 times since his vet stay at the beginning of June. I don't want all that to come undone. I suppose I'll try filling his bowl up all the way this week and see how he does and how long it takes for him to eat the whole bowl. Hopefully it'll last him a couple days. Hopefuly he won't scarf it all down too fast.
I think I might return the earrings. Especially since I had to buy stuff for the trip from walmart...travel bottles for shampoo and such, toothbrush covers, disposable razors, etc. $40. Spent $16 on a birthday gift for mom (her bday is wednesday) I thought I'd get more than $50 for the gold...but I guess it barely weighed anything. I am really scared financially. What if I can't get the money for my programs? What if my grades drop because I can't get to the computer lab to do my graphic design homework? If my grades drop I'll be pushed back a whole year because of how strict they are about in what order you take the classesfor my major. That'd add like another $5000+ in student loans. I really don't know what to do.
I don't know if this vacation will feel like a real vacation.
Vegetarianism
I do think that this is helping my budget a little...or at least it would if chris was eating the same things I am. If that were the case I wouldn't have to pay for my own stuff.
This week I'll be making a couple recipes...Broccoli Chickpea casserole from Vegan with a Vengeance tomorrow so I can try it before Maine. Then on friday I'm making a broccoli rice dish from Peta's Vegan College Cookbook. Speaking of which, mom looked through that one and liked a lot of the recipes in there since they're easy and small and she comes home from a long work day to just feed herself...so why make a big meal for just her? That's what I got her for her bday. She was pretty happy, though she wanted a food processor. I just don't have the money.
So anyway, about the two dishes I'll be making this week - I'll post the recipes here obviously along with my notes about how I liked them.
I'm pretty stressed about money, So that's all I'm gonna write tonight. I just hope taking this week-long vacation won't be a huge mistake.
- Mood:
stressed
So, I keep talking about Peta2 but I haven't mentioned my username on the Peta2 boards! You can find me under the username inknotmink63. I post only every now and then when I can actually contribute to what's being discussed.
I am also part of the Peta2 street team! Right now they have a special deal where if you order something you get like a free street team laminate badge thing to put on a lanyard. The laminate is usually like 8000 points by itself. You earn points by partaking in animal activism. Some of the simplest ways are by personalizing your street team profile, downloading a wallpaper, using a peta2 avatar, or using one of the peta2 myspace layouts! You can also get points for adding Peta2 on myspace and/or facebook!
The sitereally is a source of a lot of information. They have areas for like all of their campaigns, the Peta2 blog is usually updated multiple times a day, you can order free stickers and information, and they have videos for you to watch to learn about factory farming and the fur industry and such.
Vegetarianism & Weight Loss
With all the working I've been doing - picking up extrashifts and such - I haven't really been able to go shopping to get the stuff I really want to try. I want to get nutritional yeast to try out multiple "cheesy" recipes in my vegan college cookbook. I want to try to make a mac and "cheez" dish so I can kick my constant eating of kraft mac and cheese. It's a comfort food and takes no concentration to make, even on the stovetop. I'm hoping nutritional yeast will finally help me kick my dependency on cheese. Plus, nutritional yeast is chock full of vitamins and minerals according to "Easy Vegan Cooking" pamphlet I recieved today from Compassion Over Killing (COK).
I got my bathingsuit today that I ordered on wednesday. It's a little snug and I've gained enough weight over the past two years that the last time I bought the same bathing suit (a couple sizes smaller) my belly was hidden...now it's more visible, and I don't think it's just cause I got the berry-colored one instead of the black one. I really hope my new vegetarian diet will help me to lose weight...but I have to change up my diet to not just eat the same thing every day when the meals aren't exactly the most nutritional meals, ya know?
My Typical Day in Food:
Breakfast: Bagel w/ Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese...or Cocoa Krispies and sliced banana in vanilla Silk
Lunch: usually skipped. might eat a snack of some fruit.
Dinner: usually mac and cheeseand a can of veggies...or rice with canned veggies...haven't had a chance to try much of anything else.
If I'm working a double my lunch/dinner will usually consist of a kid size mac and cheese which comes with a side...and I usually get mandarin oranges as my side. It really would be so much better if I could bring stuff from home to work and be able to leave it in the cooler...but my assistant general manager is very strict on us not doing that. She says if the health inspector came in unplanned and saw something in the cooler other than a TGI Friday's product, apparently we'd get a big fine. If anyone knows anything about this in regards to Massachusetts or Federal Health Laws...please message me on here. Go to my user info profile page thing and there will be a link. ^.^
My Kitty!
Poor kitty...we have a storm right now and talk about ironic...my cat is named Stormie and he's terrified of storms. lmao. He jumped into my lap which made it difficult to type for a few paragraphs lol. Now he jumped down and I think he's hiding. At least I was able to comfort him for a little bit and at least I'm home now so if he needs me, I'm here.
Life
Got out of work wicked early tonight! It was pretty slow so they cut 3 doubles including me. Of course, as I was about to leave it started to get busy lol. Could've used the money, but I was able to go out with Chris (the bf) since I left work at about 8:45pm. We decided to go to a movie...at first we were gonna see Whatever Works (the new Woody Allen flick starring Larry David and Evan Rachel Wood). When we got to the theater, however, I decided I wanted to see Bruno instead and Chris definately was on board for that lol.
The movie was sooo funny...except for one part. They actually went hunting! And they showed a rabbit they killed! I had to cover my eyes and I just about cried...would've but the whole scene was literally less than a minute. The main focus with the hunters was how anti-gay they were. So I'm glad they didn't spend more time on the hunting. Still, I hate the stereotypical "rednecks" and their damn need to hunt to show how friggin "manly" they are. There is nothing powerful about killing a poor defenseless animal...especially a rabbit...and especially when you use a rifle...what's so manly about aiming? If you want to show off your testosterone, why not aim to pee? lol. Why not go to a shooting range if you want to fire a gun that bad...get a moving target and there you go...you get the same skill from that without the bloodshed.
I'm gonna go check on my points I sent in a redemption application for...I want to see what my total is now. Maybe I can get that laminate...I just hope they don't run out. I don't want to order something just to get the laminate. I'd rather earn enough points to get something good (usually the stuff that's 5000 pts and above) and get the laminate as a bonus.
XOXO
- Mood:
determined
Work
So yesterday work sucked hardcore. They kept five of us on even though legit NO ONE came in from like 3 til shift change at 4:30. When they did cut 3 people at about 3:00...two of the people came in after me. And the other girl who shoulda been cut came in an hour before me. It was bull. Me and the opener, along with the 3 people who were cut, were all scheduled til 3:00...they should've cut people in the order we all came in. I'm sick of those 2 people (heidi and ben) getting special treatment. They're the last to come in and somehow they get cut first? Plus, they're the only ones who get to switch sidework...which ben never does. hell, he doesn't even roll silverware cause heidi does it or him. I'm sick of how they act at work. Other than that, I don't mind talking to heidi as long as it doesn't pertain to work stuff. Ben is just an ass in general.
I was so ticked off that I cancelled going on date ight with chris. I'm so sick of all the double standards and for some reason it just effected me probably way more than it should have. So instead of going to the store to get stuff for dinner, making dinner for chris and myself, going to watch some of the bartender competition, and then going to see the new Woody Allen flick...I instead layed in bed all night watching tv and surfing the net except for getting up to make mac and cheese and corn for myself. Chris did end up going out to Ruby Tuesday to pick us up a chocolate tallcake. It's alternating layers of chocolate cake and chocolate mousse. Very yummy.
I have to work at 5pm tonight. Currently watching some episodes of ER and Cold Case via my DVR. Gonna take a shower in about 10 minutes after I clean stormie's litterbox. Then I'll make some dinner. Mac and cheese...maybe a salad...and maybe some canned veggies. Then I'll have to go to work. I probably would've tried to get coverage except I need the money sooo bad, as well you know.
Then tomorrow I work a double. I wish I could just take food to work from home...I'm so sick of all the stuff at work that I can actually eat. That's probably why I don't try to make new dishes very often...cause I figure, when am I able to? And if there are left-overs, when will I be able to eat them? I work too much to be able to do that.
Animals
I've been really looking into the organization Compassion Over Killing. They have campaigns like PETA...and one puts Pro-Veg commercials on MTV...and they actually air apparently. I don't watch MTV so I wouldn't know. But I watched the commercials on the COK website, and they definately get the message across. I think it's great that MTV airs them since so many teens watch it...it gets the message across early. I think it's probably harder to transition the older you get. You can watch the commercials here.
They have a store at Cafepress that you can visit here...I really wanna get the woman's zip-up raglan hoodie. I think it's cute ^.^ There are certain things you can get at COK's marketplace on their site itself that you can get the first item free...like the Vegetarian Starter Kit, Vegetarian Guide to Washington D.C., Vegetarian Guide to Baltimore, Easy Vegan Recipes, a poster that says "See her as more than a meal", a TryVeg.com bumper sticker, and Egg carton flyers about the egg industry. I requested the bumper sticker and the Vegetarian Starter kit since I'm still new. That's all I've gotten for now though.
Well, I really should go take a shower now. lol. I'm gonna have to leave for work in just a little over an hour.
XOXO
Work Injury
So on Saturday night as I was roughly 8 hours into my double shift, I slipped on some spilled liquid that was not properly mopped up. When I slipped, I wiped out. Just about every joint in my body aches but at least now the pain is starting to dissipate...well, everywhere but my shoulder. When I landed, a lot of my weight ended up on my right elbow which was one of the only immediate bruises I got. I'm thinking I really messed up my shoulder when I fell. And of course it's my right arm since I'm a righty....makes daily tasks unbearable. I can barely lift a glass to drink from it. It hurts to get dressed. I can't open a can of veggies. It hurts to even buckle myself into my car or drive. And it's getting worse each day. I hope I can still do my job.
working the next 3 days (a double on the 3rd) then a day off on friday. Working a double shift on saturday and one shift on sunday (but trying to pick up another shift so it's a double) then I'll be off again on monday. Hoping either friday or monday I'll be able to go to the doctor's on work's dime. Mom said since I got hurt there they have to pay for it especially since I'm waiting to be approved for insurance through work. I can't have my arm getting worse, after all.
Vegetarianism
Today I went through my copy of Vegan College Cookbook and tagged a bunch of delicious sounding recipes that I'm gonna have to try. ^.^ Now my copy looks like a worn out tagged-to-the-max textbook or something lol.
I also got my package of individual stuff from Peta2. My fave stickers aren't included anymore like the cutesy "love me don't eat me" default icon to the top left of the page. at least I still get other good ones like "no fur", "cut class not frogs" and " am not a nugget". They added "club soda not seals", "McCruelty: I'm hatin' it", "animal testing breaks hearts", and a couple others.
Haven't tried out any of the new resipes next...gotta get more ingredients first...and I need money for that lol. I just went grocery shopping today for fruits and salad stuff and pasta and some items the book says every vegan should have...so I figured they'd be used a lot in the book...but apparently not so much lol. Like I don't think a single recipe calls for balsamic vinegar, and only like a few dips call for olive oil. but I got a bunch of past to do those dinner options...other than that, I'm stuck...but I'm working a lot over the next couple weeks.
Still have to figure out what I'm gonna make for chris's family on whatever night I'm making dinner for them. I have to go through Veganomicon and Vegan with a Vengeance. If you've gone through either or both of them and have any suggestions for what to cook for a meat-happy family, please let me know!!
Life
As for the money situation right now...I'm trying to get everything set before I go to Maine with Chris. I'm setting up my credit card payment tonight so it'll be taken out of my account tomorrow. I hope I make enough in the next 3 days to pay my car insurance (only $150)...which shouldn't really be a problem. Then the only other major amount I want to get together is the $250 for my share of the rent. and I'm not leaving for almost 2 weeks so I think I'll be fine especially if I can pick up doubles on both saturday and sunday for the next 2 weekends. I mean, I made almost $100 on yesterday's double and it was fairly slow all day.
I am still trying to square away my purchase of the Creative Suite 4 Design Premium. It would make doing my assignments for my Graphic Design classes sooo much easier. I wouldn't have to try to get to campus during the limited lab hours to use the school's computers with the program. The problem is, I need $315 to get it...and the last time I was trying to purchase it...It was almost a month after I placed the order and it still had not moved ahead when I needed to cancel it to pay for Stormie's vet bill. I'm not sure if it didn't go through because I was supposed to use the money for Stormie or because it just takes that long. And if it does always take that long, I definately won't get the programs in time. I'm trying though. Even if I don't have the programs for the beginning of the semester...I'd be happy to have them before I have to start work on my final projects.
Man, I wish that the economy didn't suck so bad so I could make more money to get everything squared away. My goal this summer was to make mondo amounts of money so that I could relax over the semester and take time off around finals...especially since I added a fourth class next semester and will be full time each semester till I graduate. But financially, with Stormie's 3 vet visits in less than two months, and going through a good deal of my tax refund before that on other stuff I had to pay for and on paying people back and taking time off from work around the one year anniversary of my brother's death...I don't have any extra cash. I wish we lived in a world where money wasn't so important. Or where at least I could get a grant to pay for school instead of having to pay back so many loans.
- Mood:
content
Life
Sometimes I truly hate being female. It's because of my gender and the things that go along with it that I was in mucho pain today cramp-wise and everything...and now I have a migraine. Ugh. So glad I didn't have to work today...and hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow.
Animal Rights and Vegetarianism
Anyway! I found a new group today. Well, not really new cause they've been working on the behalf of animals since 1995...but new to me. It's called Compassion Over Killing. They even have another website - TryVeg.com - which reminds me a lot of PETA's GoVeg.com so that's cool. COK does things a bit more behind the scenes. They're not as out there as PETA, but they also don't seem as pushy as PETA can come off as. Just glancing at COK's websites shows me they're more about taking baby steps to decrease the amount of animal suffering that's in your lifestyle. They acknowledge on TryVeg.com that it's basically impossible for a human to be devoid of all animal cruelty. Our simply being here invading the territory of animals is a testament to that I think. So COK just suggesting taking it one step at a time.
Oh, and at least COK isn't all like "Save the Insects!!!" because they even say on a FAQ page that "there are some animals (such as insects) who we are not certain are capable of suffering." That makes me feel better cause I have insane Arachnophobia and one I see one I want nothing more than for someone to kill it so it doesn't lay eggs in or on me. I can't touch it myself because then it might lay the eggs if I touch it. Or crawl on me. I legit just like made myself twitch and shudder and gag and feel like there's something crawlng on me. See? Even the thought of an arachnid freaks me the frick out.
Food
Didn't really eat much today. Had some more smoothie that was left over for my breakfast ^.^ and had some mac and cheese as a late lunch before heading to mom's for a cook-out/get-together. Mom made kielbasa, rice, salad, grean beans, and potatoes (cooked with onions in aluminum foil on the grill). I ate everything...except the kielbasa. I used to love kielbasa...but I just put a couple pieces on my plate thinking "well, I'm not totally veg yet since I eat soups with animal stock so it's okay if I eat one piece" but then I had it on my plate and I looked at it. and all I could think of was whatever animal it once was. I don't even know what animal kielbasa comes from...is it pork? is it like hot dogs where it's just the scrap animal parts? ewwwwwwww. No thanks, I'm good.
So I'm still going strong ^.^
Work
I'm working doubles for July 4th and 5th...so I may not be updating until monday. Ugh, It'll probably be utterly dead at work over the weekend since everyone will be away or at a cook-out and at night they'll probably be at fireworks. Oh well...as long as I make enough in tips to equal $8/hour I'll be happy ^.^
Life
On Monday I'll be going to campus to add ENG 101 to my schedule for the fall...hopefully I can do the one from the honors program but that would involve switching around my schedule so it starts at 9am instead of like 10:30. dunno if I'm into that. I want to do it cause I was invited for my high GPA (3.8 last semester) but I missed the informational sessions last month so I dunno if they'll let me. If not, I'll have to re-arrange my schedule anyway to add a regular ENG 101 class. and I only want to go twice a week ideally. Especially since I won't have my Creative Suite 4 programs to do everything at home so I'll need to go to campus at night during lab hours to use the computers there. Ugh I wish I could magically win the $315 I need for the programs. but between going away July 20-26 and the lack of business already and the fact my kitty Stormie needs his teeth done by like mid-september (for $300)...I don't think it'll happen this semester...which sucks.
And I don't want to bug my dad about it. I mean, granted he doesn't have to pay tuition anymore, and I haven't had a big doctor's or dentist bill in a while, but I hate asking him for help since I know he's just trying to get by too. I mean, he's 72 so I don't want him to have to find even more plumbing jobs and get hurt or worse - have another heart attack cause of stress. He's already having trouble finding jobs and then more trouble getting people to pay their bills. But I figure if I make my necessary monthly payments to my credit card at least $100 for july, august, and september...I can use that $300 for the cat's dentistry vet bill. So that minimizes one financial responsibility I have coming in the next like 2-1/2 months. Let's just hope everything else falls into place.
XOXO
Today
Not much went on today. Ran a few errands including trying to square away my application for health insurance through work, running to walmart, seeing mom, returning stuff at the mall (only got store credit >.<), and stopping at Barnes and Noble to pick up PETA's Vegan College Cookbook! I was literally jumping up and down when I got to hold it!
Vegetarianism
When I went to my mom's I mentioned I was hungry and she offered to make me chicken or pork chops, but I said no. I don't know if she doesn't think I can keep with vegetarianism ...or if she's seriously becoming cenile. I mean when I was over there she told me some thing (i forget now) and then forgot and told me again a half hour later. But chris usually suggests eating chicken or something and I'm just like "what do you think?" I really don't know if they just are being forgetful or if they just think I'm gonna break sooner or later.
I don't know what will happen when I go to Maine with chris for a week. I'm nervous about staying with them in general cause I don't feel comfortable around them. I feel like they're judging me and I feel like I'm going to say the wrong thing. Why can't the family of the one I love be more open and easy going like mine? Chris's family just seems stiff. That's not the only reason I'm nervous. I'm nervous food-wise too. I don't want to be disrespectful and not eat the food they supply, but I don't want to be pushed to eat something that in my heart I know is cruel.
Chris just told me that he already went over what foods I eat weeks ago before I started the transition. So they planned what they're making based on that. Wonderful. But I just talked to Chris and after thinking about it for a while he said we can pick up veggie burgers for me for the times when his dad is gonna cook on the grill...and I offerred to cook one dinner for them. I think it'll be a nice gesture. I'll just have to try out some recipes before then so I know exactly what I'm making. I'm thinking maybe an eggplant lasagna or some other pasta dish in one of my vegan/vegetarian cookbooks I've collected over the years. After all, when my lactose intolerant stomach is really sensitive I know I can make something vegan and be fine.
So each time I try something over the nxt two weeks I'll post about it here so anyone reading this can help me choose what to make for them. After all, I don't want to frighten them with some dish completely anti- what they eat.
Recipe!!
As I mentioned above, I bought PETA's Vegan College Cookbook today and tonight I made one of the drinks in it for my dessert! here it is:
Fruity Frat-Tootie Smoothie
2-3 ripe bananas
1 (16-ounce) can pineapple chunks
1 (16-ounce) container frozen strawberries
Puree the bananas and pineapple in a blender. Add the strawberries and mix until smooth.
My Notes: I used puree to chop and mix the strawberries as well. Had to keep stopping the blender to mix up the strawberries so they'd all get mixed properly. Makes about 2-3 servings depending how big the glass is ^.^
- Mood:
creative
Yay! Day off today!! ^.^
Not so Yay: Got a migraine tuesday night and it lasted about 18 hours. So I was in bed all day today until like 6pm laying in the dark with the tv really low and the brightness lowered quite a bit. Well, except for the short amount of time I spent making mac&cheese for lunch and then eating in the dark. So much for a great day off, eh? It did get better though!
Chris (the bf) and I ended up going out to eat and to see Public Enemies cause I definitely love me some Johnny D ^.^ I wasn't super hungry so I really just had caesar salad, though I ordered broccoli alfredo I only took a few bites. And the movie was great! The only part I didn't like was him buying his girl a coat with a fur collar. But those were the times and people weren't really aware of animal cruelty then. However, I hope in my mind that the costume people used fake fur instead of real. When I saw the coat I was instantly disgusted. Still, that was the only part I didn't like. According to Chris it was shot with HiDef cameras rather than 35mm film which gae it the more realistic feeling as if you were there or as if it was a documentary.
Tomorrow I have to run a bunch of errands dealing with my well being and future. Gotta fax a form to my hr headquarters to try to get insurance since I'm cancelled from my mom's cause of turning 22 (which is totally lame cause that adds another bill since I don't make enough each paycheck to have the total amount taken out...I'm gonna have to pay the difference out of pocket. I also have to go to campus and add a class to the fall semester...or try at least. I want to add it as soon as possible so I get it the days I want it. After all, my other classes I'm already signed up for are on tuesdays and thursdays, so of course I'd want this last class to be on those same days.
Ugh...my migraine seems to be coming back and I'm hungry...and it's...5AM?!?! holy moly! I'd better get to sleep! especally if I'm gonna run all those errands tomorrow (aka today when I wake up) and I wanted to clean and such. hmm...I guess staying up this late is what happens when you don't get home from a movie til like 12:30 and then start doing research on insurance and working out future school plans. it got the gears in my brain turning which is probably why I'm still awake.
- Mood:
hungry
So I recently checked out my friend Amy's blog about her travels abroad this summer. She uses Blogger for this blog even though she has a livejournal too. It made me curious about the Blogger site...so I'm thinking about moving over there. I made a page for myself so I can test it out and if I like it better I'll paste my entries onto the new site. Like I said though, I'm still checking it out.
VegExp Revisions?
I want my blog to be of more substance...rather than "today I ate this, worked, and mabe saw friends/family". I mean that gets pretty old...trust me, I live it so I know. The problem is, I don't have much of a life. So I figure I'll try to add in more recipes maybe? I mean, I haven't tried a whole lot of vegetarian recipes and usually when I get home I'm really fatigued...too tired to cook or anything usually. I'm trying to take vitamins to help with that, but I rarely remember. So would anyone reading this like me to include recipes from time to time?
I also am gonna try to start volunteering at the local Animal Rescue League...so hopefully that will bring about new things to write about animals. After all, I'm not exactly active in animal rights simply for the lack of others to do it with. It's scary...standing up there all by yourself. So the most I do is spread knowledge. Like today for instance...someone at work asked me if I go fishing and I said "No, because that's animal cruelty". She just laughed it off, but I least I tried to point that out. I would've gotten into it more but it was obvious that work was not the place for a detailed debate, ya know?
Update
I haven't updated cause of work and all that...I mean, with my lack of a life, there isn't much to update about. But sunday I worked a double, got screwed on a party of 19 by my so called team-mate on the party. He claimed I didn't deserve half the tip even though I didn't ask for half and was gonna ask for even less if he had found me worthy of talking to for a minute. The guy was just a jerk cause he knew the party and didn't want to share it to begin with. I cried quite a bit simply because after not saying anything for well over an hour, he decided to talk to a manager and together they ambushed me...so I got a panic attack. Thanks, Jerk-wad. The other people at work were really comforting though, which felt really nice. And the guy did end up giving me $15 after I finally got to tell him that's all I was gonna ask for...on a check over $300. I asked for what I thought I deserved. If he had just talked to me before going to a manager, there wouldn't have been a problem.
After work I had a few drinks so when I got home I fell right asleep. Was able to sleep real late too since I didn't have to be to work monday until 5:30pm. Had a couple eggs and some toast before work...It was great. Though I think I'm losing my appetite for eggs cause it left a weird taste in my mouth...anyone know the best way to make a tofu scramble? Left for work nice and early too. It was going pretty good...until I ran into a curb coming up the hill to the parking lot and popped my tire lol. Called my dad right away and after the spare he had didn't fit, he went to like 3 other places until he found one still open so he could get me a new tire. I love my daddy. Work itself wasn't bad and I was relaxed the whole night. Had a couple sangrias and some chips and dip followed by mac and cheese but then I started not to feel so well (probably cause of all the dairy I was having when I'm lactose intolerant). Went home and went to sleep after getting my stomach to settle a bit.
Today was fairly uneventful...besides drama queens at work, that is. ^.^ This one girl just gets really defensive and thinks everyone is out to get her, even if you're speaking really calmly like I was today. She never wants to do her work, and I'm getting pretty sick of her at this point. And no, it's not the same one who was talking about going fishing lol though I hate how she does that and she enables the first girl. I made good money at least and got some cheap chips and dip from work to bring home so Chris (the bf) could try some. Then just had some spaghetti for dinner and I've been watching Cold Case all night. Had some popcorn and ice cream over the course of the night. I can't believe it's not even midnight yet. I can't believe I've had this entry open for 3 hours lol.
I have the next 3 days off so I'm mostly gonna hang around home. I don't have a lot of money...especially since my credit card payment is due next week. I've gotta try to square away some insurance since I'm officially of my mom's as of the end of this week. I think I'll just get work insurance until I start up the semester and can find out whether it covers me through the summer too. If so, I'll use that since I'm in school for the next 3 years. Then I'll switch back to insurance with work until I'm married (hopefully a year later). The only other stuff I plan to do on my days off are clean out my car (it's like a bomb went off), clean the bathroom, go to walmart, try to organize the office, and go for a date night tomorrow night.
Since I have the next three days off, You'll probably be able to see more entries from me, providing I have something to say lol.
XOXO
Yesterday
The Natick Mall with Chris was sooo much fun! I got my American Girl stuff exchanged and now my Kirsten doll looks amazing!! All I need now is to go on ebay and try to find a pair of her pantaloons and apron, and buy a pair of kirsten's shoes from American Girl...then she'll be almost the same as how she came 12 years ago...just with a diff dress but in the same style. ^.^ Then me and Chris went to The Cheesecake Factory, which I had never been too...but I got so filled up on the Pasta Marinara that I didn't even have room for cheesecake! O.O I also bought a couple cute shirts and a jean skirt at Forever21...mostly cause I've decided that the two nice shirts I got from Wet Seal on thursday truly don't fit right. Oh wells.
So when I went out last night to the chinese food place for bf's twin friends' bday I got Vegetarian Lo Mein..and I didn't even get sick from it! (which, btw, is the standard for whenever I have chinese that's not from master wok) The night in general was pretty awesome cause after food we went to Yong Shing for Karaoke! First all the girls sang "Before He Cheats", then when it was my turn I sang "Come On Over" by Christina Aguilera...and when it came time for me to be the last one to go up a second time alone I did "Out Tonight" from Rent!! Did I mention I'm a Renthead? Cause I am....severely. lol. Finally got home at 1am...and had to be to work for 10:30...yay? And I woke up every few hours so I am exhausted. >.<
Today
Didn't do much today. Still doing good Vegetarian-wise though! Had my usual Cocoa Krispies in Vanilla Silk for breakfast, and just some mac and cheese for dinner cause I wasn't hungry...I really need to get more greens in my diet. And I need to remember to take my multi-vitamin every morning. That's my plan - taking it with breakfast since it's probably best to do it with something in your stomach. After all, those things are like horse pills to my gentle throat. I usually gag...so I don't want my tummy unhappy too...
Work today was totally dead...in 5 hours I only made $20 in tips...and only make $2.63/hour...that's less than minimum wage today! But after my shift at work, I went to see Mommy cause I love my mommy! ^.^ Plus, I wanted to pick up some more stuff from her house. I'm only bringing stuff Ihave a place for here or that I can see using for a legit reason. Other than that, it's staying at mom's to get ready for the big yardsale sometime in August.
Tomorrow
Working a Double at the restaurant tomorrow...Yuck. I hope it's semi-decent tip-wise at least. Not gonna be much to update on tomorrow except food...which I have a feeling will be either Cereal or Eggs on toast. I'll eat something from work on my break...probably gonna be a salad and some pasta. There, now I don't have to update about it lol. ^.^ So I suppose the next time you see an update probably won't be til monday or tuesday.
Animals
I really wish I had the time to actually volunteer at like the local Animal Rescue League...but I need to work as much as possible and my schedule is always changing so it would be very sporadic. Maybe that's ok...I don't know. I have the coming Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday off so maybe I'll check on that to see if I could even just play with the animals/take them for walks once in a while.
- Mood: cranky
So my friend Amy's belated bday party was pretty fun! She let them know ahead of time that I'm vegetarian which was sooo sweet of her. It turned out to be no problem at all for the hostess because her son hasn't had any meat besides seafood in like 2 years...so she made meatless lasagna (no comparison to mom's ^.^) and salad but the dressing was gross.
Health
Omg, I am sooo tired recently. I mean, my primary physician recently did blood tests on me and said I was no longer anemic. But then I got a letter with the recent results and it says I have low iron stores and low B12. This was before I started my mostly vegetarian diet. I'm sorry, but wouldn't low iron stores and low B12 indicate anemia? That's what it said on medical websites I visited...oh well, who knows.
Food
I've done pretty well the last couple of days. Yesterday (wednesday) I worked a lot....just had an egg and cheese from Dunkins on the way to work (accidentally slept in) and then at like 8pm I had penne with marinara from Papa Gino's. I worked a lot that day...got stuck late at work cause of tables sticking around well after I stopped taking tables at 4:30. Didn't get to leave til 6:45pm...so that kinda sucked. lol.
Today (thursday) I went out with my mom all day! Had just a caesar salad and a few cheese fries. All I've had today besides that was 2 eggs on rye toast with some american cheese at about 9pm or so. Wow, I haven't had much to eat the past couple days, and yet I feel MORE fat lol.
Day with Momma!
So we went out to lunch at my work - TGI Friday's. After all, as an employee I get 25% off for up to 6 ppl. So I treated mommy! Then we killed a little bit of time at Petsmart...not buying anything, just looking around. We killed time until our movie at 2:10...We went to see The Proposal. It was pretty cute!! I love Sandra Bullock ^.^ Oh, so then we went to the local mall to look at engagement rings since my boyfriend (Chris) and I are planning to get engaged this summer. I found quite a few nice rings in all different prices to give him a good variety. Here they are: Kay #1, Kay #2 (couldn't find - clearance i think), Kay #3, Hannoush #1, Hannoush #2.
Then I did some shopping while mom did errands. I got two new pairs of shoes from payless with their BOGO sale, and at Wet Seal I picked up some tank tops for work and a nice shirt on clearance that is just a little tight cause they didn't have the next size up. I'm hoping that with my new vegetarian diet, I'll be able to get my bust size to go down...that's where these shirts are always tight. I also had started walking like a month ago but then i was getting really tired and my body basically crashed after finals...I'm hoping to have the energy to go walking again soon.
Anywho, back to the day with mom. After she was done with her errands and I was done with my shopping that I shouldn't have done lol I went back to her house where I used to live so I could pick up some stuff and continue our Mommy-Daughter day ^.^ She ended up needing to eat to take some medicine, so I made her the eggs I mentioned above. I love spending time with my mommy. I wish it could've gone on longer, but momma needed to go to sleep since she has to work in the morning...unlike myself ^.^
Tomorrow
I'll be going to the Natick Mall tomorrow...it's huge!! I'm finally gonna exchange something I bought at the American Girl Place by accident. I meant to buy Kirsten's accessories but instead I bought Ruthie's. That was on like January 3rd (I remember cause there was a fire in the kitchen at work that day). Tomorrow will be the first chance I'll have to go out there since then. After all, it's a VERY long ride, and I wouldn't wanna put all that wear and tear on my car just to exchange one little thing. So Chris is driving us and we're gonna make a day of it!!
Tomorrow night I'll be going out to a chinese food restaurant then to karaoke for a bday party for twins my bf is friends with. I have no idea what I'll be able to order there...anyone got ideas??
I need to remember to post everyday so I don't keep having these horribly long updates lol
XOXO
- Navi
So, I've been pretty busy with work and such the past few days...so here's my 3-day update. Jun 20-22
June 20
So Saturday I did pretty well. I was working off only like 4 hours of sleep from emotional stuff keeping me awake, but surprisingly I did the best waitress shift tip-wise in a while. And that's even with some pretty horrid tips like $2 on $117 check, $4 on a check that was about $64 before some of their food was comped for being wrong, and absolutely NO tip on $35. I can't believe I actually did my best in a while. Maybe I should be sleep deprived more often? lol.
Food-wise I did good too. Stuck with cereal for breakfast I think and then a bunch of Mac&cheese and mandarin oranges for my break meal. and more mac&cheese after work at the bar lol. Chilled with Liz from work. I really do love hanging out with people at work at the bar after our shifts. I don't have a life at all, so it makes me feel good...like I matter. Whereas usually I'm left out of everything - going out, parties, etc. Then I went home and was still up for a couple more hours...but fell asleep about an hour earlier than the night before.
June 21
Sunday was Father's day. I was scheduled for the day shift and had picked up the pm earlier on in the week to make me a double...can you tell I was hard up for cash? That's probably the only time I'd ever willing do back-to-back doubles. Ate a small breakfast of just 2 pancakes since I knew I'd get a break early on...or so I thought. Ended up having to eat on the fly between business with tables. Took me an hour to eat a kid-size angel hair with marinara dish so I was starving just a couple hours later. Did a lot worse on Sunday tip-wise, but it was also way slower. I got out a lot earlier though.
My co-worker Maggie was already at the bar eating when I got out, so I joined her as did Liz. We all sat there and chatted for a while. I obviously got food...kid's mac&cheese again wich fries with melted cheese instead of mandarin oranges. Drank a bit with them, but was set when I left at closing. Didn't mind staying out since I got my shift for monday covered.
Why did I get it covered? Well, I had been trying to reach my dad since between 11:30am and noon. By around 4 and a couple messages later, I was really freaking out. I started to try to find coverage cause I figured I'd have to go to the hospital to see him - like maybe he got in an accident or had another heart attack - or worse... But my Mom ended up going to check on him knowing how worried I was...and He had just left his phone on vibrate for like 8 hours. Thanks, Dad. It's father's day!! Did you not realize that your kids might call you?!?! Ended up sticking with having today off so I could catch up on sleep. I think I had a few drinks and hesitated going home just because of the stress - and being able to chat with people would keep how stressed and worried I was delayed a bit.
Go figure the ride home was terrible. Me crying and such. Luckily, I was so tired when I got home that I literally dropped my stuff on the floor somewhere and crawled into bed fully dressed lol. Woke up a couple hours later, changed, and went back to sleep.
June 22
So I didn't wake up till like 1pm and immediately called dad to let him know I wanted to see him. When he called back about a half hour later, he said he was on a job (he''s a plumber) that he had a lot more hours to go on. So he said he would come see me at work tomorrow (tuesday).
Food wise didn't do as good today. Snacked on some goldfish crackers which was fine. But later on me and the boyfriend (Chris) had a bit of an argument and then I immediately fell asleep cause apparently it made me tired. He saw me asleep when he came in to apologize, and instead o waking me up he went out to get me broccoli cheddar soup from panera.
Lemme tell ya, two weeks ago, I woulda said I could almost live off panera if it wasn't for the dairy thing (i'm lactose intolerant). Today however, I could barely finish two-thirds of my usual meal of it. I was more interested in toast with butter. lol. I did eat the last of it about an hour ago just cause I was hungry and didn't want to waste it. I think with how rarely I eat meat, it's making it a bit easier to transition, as I assumed it would. That way, when I do have a little bit of meat product, it doesn't make me totally sick, just makes my stomach unpleasant for a while.
At night I watched the season premiere of The Secret Life of the American Teenager and the series premiere of Make It or Break It. They were pretty good, but I cried at the end of the Secret Life episode because it reminded me of my fears from the previous day. I won't get into it though, so I don't spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it. That was about it for my day. Loved the relaxation and sleep opportunity.
Tomorrow
Gotta work in 7 hours actually, so I have to wake up in 5 hours. I figure though that with all the sleep I got today, it shouldn't be a problem waking up...I hope. Once I finish this post, I'm gonna pass right out cause I am exhausted.
At night, I'll be going to my friend Amy's blated birthday party. Her bday was actually June 5th but the lucky biotch was in Rome so...she gets one now...and It has to be now because the little jet-setter is leaving for Israel in less than a week :*( I shall miss her...and I must remember to bring her present which she forgot to take last tuesday when she came over...it was tuesday right? lol I keep mixing up the days.
Okay...time for sleep!
XOXO
- Navi
- Mood:
sleepy
Life
Well, went into Barnes & Noble to try to see if they had PETA's Vegan College Cookbook...ended up having an issue with a customer service person. Don't feel like getting into it, but I thought I was being helpful...but apparently not. I was pretty upset but I feel like I hid it well. They didn't have the book though, despite having it on the website, so I left thestore upset and empty handed. I'm still a little raw about it, and that was a little after 8pm. I hope when I wake up tomorrow, I'll be in a whole different mood. I mean, hopefully I won't run into the guy cause it's not like I ever go to that one. My heart feels tense about it simply because I truly thought I was helping. Oh well, I'm gonna try not to dwell on it.
Food
So today I ate more than usual, but no meat...just some dairy and eggs. I had my typical breakfast (cocoa krispies and banana slices in vanilla Silk), fries with cheese on top for a snack, and for dinner I had egg and cheese on an english muffin with potatoes...and a sundae at home for dessert (neopolitan ice cream, hot fudge, rainbow jimmies, and marachino cherries). I feel fat lol, but I had nice yummy foods ^.^ And after the upset at the bookstore, I felt like I needed some comfort foods.
Work, Money, and School
So, once again, I have to work doubles the next 2 days. I hope I make a decent amount of money cause today I had almost $400 in sales, but only ended up bringing home about $45 for a 6-hour shift. Keep in mind, we servers only get paid $2.63/hour before taxes. that hourly rate basically just covers the taxes taken out of the tips we claim. so a bi-weekly check totals to about $15-$20 on average. So today I made roughly $9/hour after tipping out the bartenders and hosts...but that's literally all I have to my name, so I'm stressing. Especially since I'm a little behind in paying my boyfriend my share of the rent and bills.
Plus, I need to earn an extra $600 this summer...$300 for the dental work my cat desperately needs, and $300 for the computer programs I need for school for Graphic Design so I don't have to work around the open lab hours which would mean staying on campus from 10:30am to 7pm or 9pm depending on when they close the lab on any given day. And if I had to go to campus to use the computer programs it would minimize my chances to work. If I have the programs at home, I could do homework around my work and class schedules. Makes more sense.
Life, Anxiety, and Vegetarianism
I think recently I've been more stressed and down than usual. I already know I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder...it's all but officially diagnosed cause I'm too afraid to so to a psychiatrist. But recently I've been thinking that maybe it would be for the best. My probably irrational fear is that I'd be committed...but if that's what I need, maybe it's for the best. I should have my health insurance all squared away by july 1st...so if, on my week vacation to Maine with chris for July 20-26, I don't feel a change for the better in my emotional state...I think I may start going.
I honestly think my emotional state is one of the reasons I decided to look into trying vegetarianism again. One of my issues over the years is that I want to feel connected to something bigger. I'm not religious, so I don't have that connection. I tried to join the Navy back in 2005 but I couldn't leave my family (especially after my dad had a heart attack). I don't have a best friend except my boyfriend...and I never really get to see the regular friends I have. I'm hoping feeling connected to a group of people trying to better themselves for both their sake and that of the animals.
I think my posts are becoming more personal. I guess I just feel like simply talking about my day-to-day eating habits are not worth reading. However, at the same time, I'm nervous about revealing personal information. But maybe in the long run, it'll be good for me.
- Navi
- Mood:
anxious
Food
So out of a lack of food, I had meat today...but only in the form of Cream of Chicken soup. I had almost all of it, with medium shells to make it more filling. Almost immediately after I got full, my stomach started to hurt so I layed down. Ended up falling asleep for a couple hours. When I woke up just before 8pm, I felt dirty and smelly. It had only been about 26 hours since my last shower, so I shoulda been fine until the morning when I'd get up and get ready for work. But I couldn't stand it.
So I'm thinking that since I've been doing good with no meat save for 3 sandwiches until today, this must've been my body's reaction to something it's not used to. It made me realize exactly what meat does to my body. I mean, the past 2 days I felt good and had energy. Today was the first time in a while that I was so tired I had to take a nap in the evening. And that was after I slept for about 8-9 hours last night.
Let me tell you, I felt so disgusting that I couldn't bear the thought of going to sleep how I was...so I took a shower. Then I still felt gross. So I cleaned the litter box and then took another shower - this time I had it almost scalding hot. And yet, I still feel like I need to be cleaner. And then I scarfed down a banana and a little one-serving of apple sauce thinking maybe it'll help me feel better to get some fruit in me. I figure to help me go meatless over the weekend, I'll suggest to the boyfriend (Chris) that we go out to eat since it's easier to just specialize an order. Then I'm working doubles on Saturday and Sunday so I can be good on my breaks since I can do special orders as usual.
Life
Didn't get to go with mom today. She called me a couple hours before we were gonna meet saying she was sick and she definately sounded it. Too bad she had to waste her day off being sick. So today I just relaxed watching tv like She's All That and Brokeback Mountain until I felt gross. Then after I got up and let my stomach settle a bit more, I played Rock Band 2.
The other day I made an avatar on RB2 for my friend Amy since we were playing and she needed one. Later on after she left I played as her for a little to earn some money on her avatar so I could dress her up as Amy better. Then, seeing that you could set avatars as "stand in's" I set Chris's on drums, Amy's on bass, and then I made an avatar of my sister Niqui. When I'm playing guitar, I set her up as singer, and when I'm doing the singing I set her up on guitar...or I put chris on guitar and her on drums. But Amy's always on bass. lol Not sure why ^.^
Okay...I shold probably go to sleep. I've gotta wake up at 9:30/10...which is in 6 hours. Good job...I can't take another nap like that. Maybe if I hadn't, I would've gone to bed sooner...cause I would've taken my shower sooner. At least I'm not working a double tomorrow. So hopefully I can fall asleep easier tomorrow night, otherwise I'll be dead on my feet for the doubles saturday and sunday.
Okay, really need sleep now.
XOXO
- Navi
- Mood:
crappy
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