The Art of Failing

OK! This is a blog filled with shame...I have been putting this blog off for some time because I was ashamed to admit that I did not complete my letter writing challenge. I know...shocking. I have several letters written and unsent, letters halfway written waiting to be completed, and letters that are just wonderful thoughts that never made it to the paper. I LOVED writing the letters, but there is a reason why people call or text, and why the beautiful art of letter writing falls to the wayside, and that is because life gets in the way. Although this challenge has been busted, there were great points in this challenge that will not be forgotten, and i will still attempt to continue the process on occasion. I received some of the BEST letters back, that brightened my day and have warmed my heart. Sometimes, there is just no better way to communicate. Love, (and I assume Shakespeare would agree) is best captured in words, and those words fill our hearts like blood fills our veins. We need them to live.

Now, I haven't always been good at the art of failing. As most of us would, I ignore the fact that I have failed at something and pretend it wasn't there. As I was thinking about this blog, I told myself that life would not be what it was without failing. I don't think many of us would be the people we are today without it. The best thing that you could do when you have failed, is learn from the failure and grow from it. My failure with the letters, has made me aware that maybe my goal setting was a bit too high, especially when there were so many events this summer. My passion of photography fortunately allows me to share with you, just some of the reasons why I failed this summer. However, as you will see, my failure with letters was also a gift of life!

ORBS!

Just a letter regarding letters

Here is an update on my letter writing! It is a refreshing form of communication that truly makes me happy. Yes, it takes 10 times longer than a text or facebook message, and it takes a lot more of my energy; but in my heart, the letter does so much more. I haven't received any replies yet, and I am just a tiny bit behind on my letters, but it is still very fulfilling to know that someone is going to get my letter and hopefully smile! Have any of you been inspired to send a letter? Let me know if you have! I still have a while to go, but so far my letter movement is going pretty well, and I have even contemplated starting a letter movement with my upcoming class. Here is a picture of my progress. Hopefully you will receive a letter from someone soon!

Communication Crisis

Ok! It has been entirely too long since my last blog/challenge and oddly enough my body feels it. I began this blog to show myself that I can create something of my own and make decisions that will strengthen my Love for Life and those relationships made. Ever since school ended for me, I have spent my time doing minor travels, resting (probably too much), and spending money. Although that would normally sound like a dream, and I have truly enjoyed it, my body has had enough for now, and needs some time creating quality daily experiences that are a little less selfish.

For a while now, I have wanted to start this particular challenge because I felt as if it would be fulfilling for me and for others. One of the most important aspects of life is communication. Communication in family, communication with friends, communication in your job, and most importantly communication with your faith, are what yield you to be the person you are. Communication is important for a deeper connection to life, and without communication many things will fail.

Many people feel that they communicate effectively. Communication can include a simple text, email, gesture, conversation, or phone call. Unfortunately, I believe that true, heartfelt communication is slowly dwindling. Technology is a beautiful thing, but unfortunately it gives some of us an excuse to be less thoughtful in our experiences. As I taught this year, I realized how many of my students used forms of communication and I wondered how many of them had ever received a letter or card. Yes, they most likely could text circles around me, or call up their friends to help them with homework, but detailed communication is lacking in their generation. As technology progresses, do we truly communicate like we should? With a quality conversation that shows interest in our peers and/or loved ones?

For me, I cannot truly say that I communicate like I would want someone to communicate with me. At one time, receiving a letter from a friend or family member would have truly brightened my week, now they are rarely heard of. The love and excitement of a thank-you note, or invitation to a wedding is the closest form of communication that will bring me to that excited state. For my next challenge, I encourage myself to write a letter each day for at least 30 days. If anything, to encourage myself to create a conversation that is not rushed or important, but that is pointless and loving. A letter that may brighten someone's day, or give them the encouragement to bring back a loving pastime that is nearly forgotten. I am hoping that these letters will remind us that without communication, we have no life, and with love there is only clear, honest communication, that creates the person that we will become.

A Goal Disguised

Ok so yes, I did exactly what I said I wouldn't, and I procrastinated on my second challenge. You all should have known!! The excuse here is, I am pretty sure that the past two weeks has been consumed by work and extracurricular activities. I am also pretty sure my intelligence level has dropped a few points due to the fact that I have so many dates and obligations piling through my brain. (I never said it was a good excuse)

Anyway, I found a subject that has interested me, and I would like to blog about it now. Go me! I am still very excited about my next challenge but it takes quality time and patience, and with everything being a blur right now, I think I will wait a few more days. So for now, you get a blog that is probably uninspiring (ha like the others were) and personal (isn't that what a blog is anyway?).

This blog for me is about a goal, as we all know by now, and fairly recently Chris and I were conversing with our family, and we discussed the ides of a garden. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law were interested in planting a garden and we knew it was in their plan to grow one. Now, in a few simple words, Chris and I kill all plants. I love plants, but we can't keep anything alive, and the two of us together make one heck of an attention problem. I knew that even with every bone in our bodies this goal was out of reach for us. However, competition and our new found like for vegetables, made Chris's optimism take hold. All other yard plans flew out of the window, and one Sunday afternoon we were planting a garden.

After some time at Lowe's and and about an hour in the yard, we had a small garden full of tomato plants, jalapeno plants, a squash plant, a red pepper plant, cucumbers, and onions. (Chris may have thrown in an okra but I am sure I didn't approve that one) Unfortunately my love for growing things was not strong, due to the fact that most plants I own tend to die. I was so proud of our accomplishment. We had planted! At that point, nothing needed to grow because I was happy we, at the very least, attempted.

We decided to make this, and keeping Cooper alive, our number one priority. We have been watering it every day, and had neighbors take care of it while we were away for a week of spring break. I was sure that after our week away our garden was toast, but it kept on growing. I was so happy it was at least alive and flowering! About 4 weeks passed and it was "thriving" but still no veggies. I visited my parents this past weekend and was depressed/excited to see that they had their very own inch of a tomato. Now, my dad planted his in a bucket, in the backyard, as our were carefully placed and planted and HE had a tomato. I was so proud of my dad, but I was distraught at the fact that I (we) had nothing.  We saw Brandie and Kyle's beautiful flourishing garden as well, and I believe what they call gardener's depression sank in. I watered and watered and checked our garden but I found nothing.

After a few days, I was telling my sister-in-law about my growing depression when then I saw it, A SQUASH! I couldn't be more proud. It was like discovering a dollar while wearing your skinny jeans. After the initial astonishment, I took a second look over my garden and saw a pinky toe sized jalapeno! That's right two vegetables! Right then and there I had gardener's high. I am guessing that would be like a runner's high, if I knew what that felt like. Every day I have been checking, and what a difference a day makes. Maybe we aren't such bad gardener's after all. I have to say that without Chris, it may never had happened. He had faith in it, when I wasn't sure I did. Soooo, I guess another goal accomplished. Now, I just need recipes for mini squash and pinky toe sized jalapenos.....Here are some pictures!

One Challenge Down!

So Easter has come and gone and our challenge was a success! My goal of staying pescatarian for lent was refreshingly met, and I feel good about accomplishing it. Over the past week, I have consciously tried to make a decision about my future meat eating habits. Many suggestions flooded my mind and my decision making skills have been once again tested! I have thoroughly thought through this decision and surprisingly (insert sarcasm) could not decide what  I want to do! I did however decide that life is a constant change and maybe my eating habits don't have to be a choice made in an instant.

I had delicious fried turkey on Easter that did make me feel a bit guilty, but it was so very enjoyable. I thought that eating meat would instantly swim back into my life, creating drool in the corner of my mouth at every Zaxby's. Since Easter I have given meat a chance and accepted it back into my life. I even cooked it for Chris as a celebration from the Lenten season. Surprisingly, like any thing that is sacrificed for a while, I became numb to the taste of meat, and so far have not craved for it and even have picked it out of my foods. I thought of it as giving up soda for a while and trying to come back to it. It just didn't taste the same.

Anyway, meat still has a chance in my life, but as for now it is undecided as to how I will enjoy it in my diet. It makes me sad at the thought that I may never enjoy a pig in a blanket again, but I have a feeling things will change. I'll keep you posted.

Ok, now for the kind of better, less or possibly more boring stuff....I feel better, I feel leaner, and I feel as if my decision making with food has become more sophisticated. More vegetables have entered my diet, and I am proud to say that I am trying to make better decisions when eating out.  That doesn't keep me from eating the nachos I had about an hour ago, but these are big strides for me. My skin seems to be cleaner, and I feel more in tune with the changes food makes on my body. I know I sound like a freak that just had a meat epiphany, but when it comes down to it I am just stating the facts. Maybe, the idea, the fact that I am controlling my body and it's decisions with a goal, is what creates this better feeling. Who knows?!

In the meantime, until I figure that life lesson out, I know that the most important thing about this goal, is that it has been accomplished. Coming from a neurotic 25 year old with a bad case of ADD, I think that maybe that is an accomplishment that I can be proud of. One challenge down, a lifetime of challenges to go! My next one is a fun one and I can't wait to share!   

Everything is Progress

Progress is the event in which we make strides towards a goal. In Italy, goals seem to be made in a longer, slowed, more enjoyable stride. In America, our stride cannot be fast enough. In either form, progress is growth, and it is ultimately what we all strive for. Our progress is positive and it deserves credit for being so.
My progress, is also positive. If you have read any of my previous posts, you may know that for over a month, Me, God, Chris, and two of our sisters have made the decision to be either pescatarian, or vegetarian. With help from our many vegetarian friends, we have made the transition pretty smoothly, and our progress has definitely been positive. My will was tested yesterday while shopping at the grocery store. A man behind me so rudely chose to buy the best smelling fried chicken on this side of Georgia. In any normal situation, I wouldn't even have the urge for that chicken, but with two weeks left I think we are all feeling a longing for what we can't have. To say the least, we would like to supplement our diet with some more protein.

During these challenges, I want to update my progress with positive examples from my journey. So far, I feel like Chris and I have definitely branched out with our dinner choices, and there aren't many times that we come up with a bad meal. Since we chose to supplement our diet with fish, it has been fairly easy to eat out, and the meals we have eaten definitely are worth our time. If you know me, I don't branch out in the category of vegetables, but I am proud to say that my eating choices have gotten greener! Beans however, the enemy to all vegetables, have slowly entered my diet, but seem to refuse to stay. 

With two weeks left, I have found myself worrying that I won't have enough time to use our cookbooks and magazine ideas that our friends have lent to us. I feel leaner, and I feel as if I make better choices when I chose what to eat. DISCLAIMER: No, I have not lost much weight, and no I don't always make the best choices as a "vegetarian," and yes, I do turn to pasta quite a bit. I never said I was perfect, and I think the M&M's hidden in my purse will so undoubtedly prove that. However, this challenge is to make us aware of sacrifice, and for me it will prove if I can complete a goal with a positive outcome. This challenge may not change my body completely, but it is a start. It has definitely changed my way of thinking, and to me that's progress.

Meet meatless...

Being a vegetarian has always crossed my mind as being a very empowering choice, chosen by healthy, selfless,  beautiful people, that I could never try. I love bacon, I love tacos, and I am, lets just say, a penny pincher. I always looked up to my countless vegetarian friends for their decision to save the world one animal at a time, and I knew that I would never take the chance to give up my delicious sausage pasta. I hate beans and most vegetables, so I never thought I could do it. Growing up catholic, my family and I have always spend our 40 days before Easter partaking in the Lenten season. We would give up items for that period of time that would help us sacrifice, minutely comparing to the journey of The Man himself, some time ago.

This year, my sister Erin, began this journey with the idea of becoming vegetarian for Lent. My husband excitedly volunteered us for the meatless venture. At first I was hesitant, but Chris and I knew we wouldn't get the vitamins we needed unless we included fish. Therefore my hesitation was calmed when we so fortunately decided to become...pescatarians. Vegetarians who eat fish that is.

This journey has pushed me to the "theme" of my newly acquired blog. My goal is this. Try something new for an entire month. (30 days give or take a day) Then...blog about it. I know! Pure genius. I am sure I am the ONLY person in the world who has thought to do this. My reasoning came to the idea that there are so many things that I want to do, but I shut it down before even starting. I want to give myself some time to try new things and decide if they should stick around. 

My first adventure is being a pescatarian. I have the support surrounding me to do it, and I hope that my next blog post will be a positive one about my new adventure. I already feel different, cleaner, healthier, so you never know it just may stick!

Life at Home

Amore e di vita roughly translated (in italian of course) Love and Life is the title I have chosen for my impromptu blog. After a recent (typical) breakdown about life, I told myself I need to do two things. 1. Love. Love is something we all need in life and it comes in many forms. It makes us feel better, and it gives us self worth. Many people feel love is only shared in a relationship of partners. I am fortunate to have that love with my husband, but Love should be embraced in many aspects. Love in family, love in peers, love from my students, love in pets (shout out to coops), and love from God. Being in love does not mean holding a relationship with a spouse, but it means having a relationship with others beyond yourself. LOVE

The second thing I told myself I needed is Life. Now I know, I have a life and it is good, but we all need to work towards a goal. Somewhere in the midst of routine and consistency I would slowly lose my sense of self. After a slap back in to reality from my husband and a much needed conversation with meaning, I realized that I need goals and aspirations (and a vacation). We sometimes lose who we are in the fog of daily activity, and we need something different to free our brain.

My thinking place is uninhibitedly the shower. I come up with most of my ideas there as I let the water numb me from the day. For a while I only thought of things I should do to catch up, no idea of brilliance (haha) or dreams of splendor. I found myself bored and lazy and I knew that with no kids, and minimal work, I should not feel that way. 

This particular day, I would come up with what I thought were great ideas and then immediately shoot them down giving myself no possible oppurtunity to fulfill them. I felt trapped within my own ideas and I knew I needed a slap in the face! One of my ideas was this very blog. Although it seems silly and worthless, my idea was big and I never even gave myself a chance to start. I envied my friends and relatives who were so fluent in their blogs and it made me jealous to see all of the things that they had accomplished. I was in need of a change and this blog was a good first goal.

It is, as you see, the 30th and I gave myself to the end of the month to start something new. It may not be big, or important, I may never post again, or it may even put you to sleep, but it is a milestone.  I start my "goal" today spreading love, and enjoying life. Amore e di vita.