It never ceases to amaze me that life can change in a mere moment, and throw you a million curveballs in a tiny amount of time. In one week, I went from being severely in debt, going paycheck to paycheck, to having my debts completely paid off and having enough extra cash to take the trip that I have been planning for eight years now. I was completely cut off from moving on, pursuing my dreams of travel and exploring new career opportunities to having nothing but choices in front of me. Now that I have all of these options, I don't quite know what to do with myself, or how I should go about making these things happen. It's hard to organize your life when you are pretty much starting from scratch.
Plus, it's almost warm weather again, which means I can take back up my raw food diet, and I've already started a new fitness regimen which will be complimented nicely by the fresh food and energy it will give me.
All of these things sound great, but they come with a lot of conflicting emotions, one being that I seem to hold on tight and avoid big changes. I don't know that I'm particularly scared of what will happen in the future, as much as I can't stand it when I mess up and someone tells me I TOLD YOU SO.
I have to figure out what I would like to do for a new job, whether or not I would like to move to California like I planned, or travel overseas to study and work. It's a headache is what it is. It also makes me feel like I'm 16 years old again, and nothing in life is certain except that I'm not grown up enough to figure it out yet.
Whatever happens, I know that everything will come together, at least that's what I pray for. It's just a whirlwind of decisions that seem to be looming, screaming at me to hurry up and decide what the heck I'm doing-NOW!
Does anyone else feel like this? Or if you have at some point, how did you do it?
What is in your future?
Friday, February 25, 2011
Sand Marathon
I think some people are born crazy. Some, perhaps, are driven to insanity. I don't know which the athletes engaging in the Sand Marathon are, but there is no doubt about it but they are definitely crazy. The Marathon de Sables is a race across the Sahara Desert that will be 151 miles. Six days... in the searing heat of day, and the chilly temperatures of night, not to mention the bone breaking, muscle tearing effort of running through sand for that many days! At temperatures around 120 degrees, I don't know how they could even consider doing it. Not just running either, the competitors(aged 16 to 78) will also be carrying their packs with a tent, food, medical supplies, and everything else they need, on their backs throughout the entire race.
"The heat, distance and rubbing will trash your feet and may cause severe trauma if incorrect shoes and equipment are used. Mental stamina probably constitutes at least 50% of whether you will complete the distance or not. Physical fitness is important but don't underestimate the mental stress that you will need to endure. Even if you have run dozens of 26 mile marathons, this does not mean that you will automatically find the MdS easy - either way you will be planning to do lots of training prior to the MdS."(MdS website)
Perhaps, though, some of the madmen aren't so incredibly out of their minds- many people in this race are running to raise money for the charity Facing Africa. The charity is helping to fight against NOMA, a flesh eating disease that kills about 70 to 90% of the malnourished children it infects. While I don't think I could be a competitor in this run, I would definitely love to help raise funds for NOMA victims.
The runners are being offered a rebate off of their registration if they raise more than 500 euros for the Facing Africa foundation, which is another incentive to push themselves beyond their means. I believe that the entire event is a beautiful and well thought out process. Races have always inspired people to go beyond themselves, and to use their competitive nature for a good cause. The fact that they are so concerned with helping others through this competition is amazing. It is stated outright on their website that people who run for themselves, and not to raise money for at least some sort of charity are wasted potential. Facing Africa is even offering a 50% subsidization of the entry fee to encourage people to join.
While I won't suggest that anyone reading this run out and jump into this race, or start marathon dialing everyone they know to raise funds, I think it would be lovely if this inspired someone to take a few dollars out of their next check and donate it to a child that is facing a life of pain, or, more likely, death.
They will not get to wake up and enjoy playing outside in the fresh air,or feeling butterflies when they meet that special someone. They will not receive the joy of parenthood, or feel the passion of doing something they love. If a small sacrifice on our end could change the entire world for so many people, why would there be a reason to say no?
"The heat, distance and rubbing will trash your feet and may cause severe trauma if incorrect shoes and equipment are used. Mental stamina probably constitutes at least 50% of whether you will complete the distance or not. Physical fitness is important but don't underestimate the mental stress that you will need to endure. Even if you have run dozens of 26 mile marathons, this does not mean that you will automatically find the MdS easy - either way you will be planning to do lots of training prior to the MdS."(MdS website)
Perhaps, though, some of the madmen aren't so incredibly out of their minds- many people in this race are running to raise money for the charity Facing Africa. The charity is helping to fight against NOMA, a flesh eating disease that kills about 70 to 90% of the malnourished children it infects. While I don't think I could be a competitor in this run, I would definitely love to help raise funds for NOMA victims.
The runners are being offered a rebate off of their registration if they raise more than 500 euros for the Facing Africa foundation, which is another incentive to push themselves beyond their means. I believe that the entire event is a beautiful and well thought out process. Races have always inspired people to go beyond themselves, and to use their competitive nature for a good cause. The fact that they are so concerned with helping others through this competition is amazing. It is stated outright on their website that people who run for themselves, and not to raise money for at least some sort of charity are wasted potential. Facing Africa is even offering a 50% subsidization of the entry fee to encourage people to join.
While I won't suggest that anyone reading this run out and jump into this race, or start marathon dialing everyone they know to raise funds, I think it would be lovely if this inspired someone to take a few dollars out of their next check and donate it to a child that is facing a life of pain, or, more likely, death.They will not get to wake up and enjoy playing outside in the fresh air,or feeling butterflies when they meet that special someone. They will not receive the joy of parenthood, or feel the passion of doing something they love. If a small sacrifice on our end could change the entire world for so many people, why would there be a reason to say no?
Friday, February 11, 2011
How Long?
VOA captured a picture of Joe Biden, the Vice President of the U.S., as he faces cameramen. The caption states simply that he is walking with Iraq's Prime Minister on the way to a meeting in Baghdad. The article itself however, reveals that the scheduled depart of U.S. armed forced from Iraq might be a hasty decision. "After meeting with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and other officials in Baghdad, Biden said Iraq is on the threshold of a successful transition that will have a positive impact on the Middle East." <br>The article also points out that there have been around 4,400 troops that have died since the 2003 invasion, and an estimated 32,000 injured.
Though troop numbers have dropped heavily since 2007, many writers that are inspecting Biden's thoughts on prolonging the war have put emphasis on the things he said about wounded soldiers wanting to know about getting back to their unit's. This seem's like they are hinting as well that we should continue on in Iraq.
I don't know if I can agree with this or not. In my opinion, yes, we should help them in anyway we can, after all any peaceful and loving help we can give will only benefit us all-less war, help later on if we need it... On the other hand, it scares me that these troops can't come home yet. I have friends that are still being deployed, my boyfriend soon to join them, and I would love to know that they are here, and that they are safe, instead of going into potentially hostile territory. The government's website says that "Obama and Biden will end the war responsibly in Iraq." by "transitioning to Iraqi control of their country."
They hint that we might be needed longer, but hasn't it been long enough?
I do not want to add anyone I know to those nameless, faceless statistics, 4,400, or 32,000. None of those have went overseas were just numbers, they were heroes. The people that enlist after all that has happened are so brave, and so caring to want to put their life on the line to help not only all of us, but the people in Iraq. It amazes me.
Though troop numbers have dropped heavily since 2007, many writers that are inspecting Biden's thoughts on prolonging the war have put emphasis on the things he said about wounded soldiers wanting to know about getting back to their unit's. This seem's like they are hinting as well that we should continue on in Iraq.
I don't know if I can agree with this or not. In my opinion, yes, we should help them in anyway we can, after all any peaceful and loving help we can give will only benefit us all-less war, help later on if we need it... On the other hand, it scares me that these troops can't come home yet. I have friends that are still being deployed, my boyfriend soon to join them, and I would love to know that they are here, and that they are safe, instead of going into potentially hostile territory. The government's website says that "Obama and Biden will end the war responsibly in Iraq." by "transitioning to Iraqi control of their country."
They hint that we might be needed longer, but hasn't it been long enough?
I do not want to add anyone I know to those nameless, faceless statistics, 4,400, or 32,000. None of those have went overseas were just numbers, they were heroes. The people that enlist after all that has happened are so brave, and so caring to want to put their life on the line to help not only all of us, but the people in Iraq. It amazes me.
News Years Resolution
According to Proactive Change, only about 46% of adults maintain their weight loss resolutions from New Years for over 6 months...that's pretty depressing. Considering that over 30% of Americans are obese, it seems like we need to do a little bit more to save our health and future. From what I see of the new fashion trends, I'm a lot bigger than these little emo girls running around in their size zero jeans, but out of the girls I'm friends with and work with, I'm really about average or smaller. According to the doctor though, I'm miles away from a healthy weight for my height. While he didn't consider the amount of muscle I have, I know he's right. I would be much healthier if I dropped a few more pounds. Plus, hello skinnygirl stores. :)
So, I am off to cooking healthier and getting in my exercise during the week. I was pursuing a rawfood diet, but I have decided that is MUCH easier done during the warm months, the options for fresh food around here during the winter is pretty minimal and not that tasty. So I am opting for healthier cooked items and ensuring that every meal includes lots of fresh produce and minimal fats/sugars/artificial junk. For example, the other night I had grilled chicken with garlic red pepper lemon sauce with snap peas and a tiny amount of pasta. Tonight the menu is a whole wheat pita with some chicken and veggies stuffed inside, yum!
Seeing as the menu is covered, I figure I should throw in a few exercises, just to make it look like I'm putting in some effort, nothing too ambitious. I will be going to a friends to do some dance workouts, and for home I purchased some kettleballs that double as weighted pushup grips-pretty good deal. In a few months, after the beginner's weight-loss-muscle-gain-at-the-same-time magic has waned, I will be training for a marathon with a friend, as well as beginning a weekly hiking regimen. Not to mention I will probably be rocking out this newfound amazing body (HA!) at the lake. (Don't worry about poor onlookers being blinded, I'll be throwing on a tee and some shorts!)
I feel satisfied that this will be a very healthy year, especially once the warmer months come back around with their amazing produce. Wish me luck!
So, I am off to cooking healthier and getting in my exercise during the week. I was pursuing a rawfood diet, but I have decided that is MUCH easier done during the warm months, the options for fresh food around here during the winter is pretty minimal and not that tasty. So I am opting for healthier cooked items and ensuring that every meal includes lots of fresh produce and minimal fats/sugars/artificial junk. For example, the other night I had grilled chicken with garlic red pepper lemon sauce with snap peas and a tiny amount of pasta. Tonight the menu is a whole wheat pita with some chicken and veggies stuffed inside, yum!
Seeing as the menu is covered, I figure I should throw in a few exercises, just to make it look like I'm putting in some effort, nothing too ambitious. I will be going to a friends to do some dance workouts, and for home I purchased some kettleballs that double as weighted pushup grips-pretty good deal. In a few months, after the beginner's weight-loss-muscle-gain-at-the-same-time magic has waned, I will be training for a marathon with a friend, as well as beginning a weekly hiking regimen. Not to mention I will probably be rocking out this newfound amazing body (HA!) at the lake. (Don't worry about poor onlookers being blinded, I'll be throwing on a tee and some shorts!)
I feel satisfied that this will be a very healthy year, especially once the warmer months come back around with their amazing produce. Wish me luck!
Friday, February 4, 2011
Reeeaaallly Hate Valentines Day
I guess some people just really hate being reminded their single-so much in fact that when they are in charge of a country, they choose to ban the holiday! AllWeirdNews Iran has a hard time leaving this holiday to be enjoyed by it's people when such a holiday suggests that romantic interest is okay between those who are just sweethearts and not married. It is a 'spread of western culture.' "“Printing and producing any products related to Valentine’s Day, including posters, brochures, advertising cards, boxes with the symbols of hearts, half-hearts, red roses and any activities promoting this day are banned,” read the instruction. “Authorities will take legal action against those who ignore the ban.”
Some nationalists have suggested replacing Valentine’s Day with “Mehregan,” an Iranian festival celebrated since the pre-Islamic era. Mehr means friendship, affection or love. What is next, no candies for halloween!"
I think this really sucks! Though I know it doesn't mesh well with their religious views, and it is seen as a gateway to the dilapidation of their customs...well, I think it's really just some pink and red flowers with some candy. I know it was a man in charge of this decision-no woman would have said no to chocolate.
Some nationalists have suggested replacing Valentine’s Day with “Mehregan,” an Iranian festival celebrated since the pre-Islamic era. Mehr means friendship, affection or love. What is next, no candies for halloween!"
I think this really sucks! Though I know it doesn't mesh well with their religious views, and it is seen as a gateway to the dilapidation of their customs...well, I think it's really just some pink and red flowers with some candy. I know it was a man in charge of this decision-no woman would have said no to chocolate.
Drunk
Apparently, there is more than one kind of idiot in this world. According to AllWeirdNews, a 55 year old male was driving intoxicated when he ran into a ditch. The drunk male proceeded to pull himself out of the car and crawl back up into the highway, where he was then hit by a car. The car was being driven by an intoxicated woman, who was his wife-following behind him.
I honestly think this is hilarious, and just what they both deserve for driving drunk, though it sounds like she got the better end of the bargain-life, without her husband!
There isn't much you can do for people who break the law or do stupid things, except hope that they get their just deserves. In this case, I think that has been the case.
I honestly think this is hilarious, and just what they both deserve for driving drunk, though it sounds like she got the better end of the bargain-life, without her husband!
There isn't much you can do for people who break the law or do stupid things, except hope that they get their just deserves. In this case, I think that has been the case.
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