Day 3: Temperence

So today is the first Friday of Lent.  Many Roman Catholics are observing the custom of not eating meat and substituting it with fish.  Now, some of us may think that this may not be in lime with what we like to do.  Why should we express this opinion to our friends who are devoting themselves to their own faith?  They are great examples of what faith is: a complete devotion.  We should use this season as an opportunity to celebrate each other's faith, and, as a community, learn how to respect other's customs as well!  We need to support each other and not throw each other down.  Help the one giving up sweets by not savoring them so much.  Help the person avoiding swearing by showing the brighter side of things.  Let us celebrate each other, for when we do, we celebrate ourselves.

Day 2: (St.) Valentine's Day

Today is the fourteenth day of the second month of the two thousand thirteenth year of our Lord (or the Common Era).  Many of us know today as Valentine's Day, particularly in American, where poor attempts at poetry and rows of sugared chocolate and overtly clichéd flowers demonstrate our love (at least for the day) for each other.  I'd say that we in 'Merica got it all wrong!
My favorite title for today is one that I learned from my Abuelita, and I'm convinced it's how it is in Latin America: Día del Amor y Amistad.  There's no better way in saying what today should be.  We concern ourselves too much with our own desires and our own society that emphasizes the superiority of couples.  I prefer to think of today as a day to celebrate what we already have, the unfailing love of our friends and (I'm sure for at least one member) family.  Today is a day to celebrate our friendship.  When was the last time you celebrated Friendship Day? (I actually saw that in a calendar once.) Make today the day where you spend time with your friends, your family, your unfailing coterie of supporters.  Take your guardian to dinner tonight! Go spend the afternoon at the mall with your friends.  Know who is permanent in your life and celebrate it.
I also encourage you to celebrate today.  If you don't see a point in celebrating today, how about making this day special for somebody else.  If you don't see the point but s/he does, then s/he will be very delighted to know you give him/her importance.
Celebrate the friendships you have!

Day 1: Ash Wednesday

Today is the start of one of the most dramatic seasons of the liturgical year. Every year, Christians (and I can only speak for myself and a large number of Christians but not for any other faith, since I have not lived any other nor studies any other in depth) around the world participate in the remembrance of Jesus's own sufferings and temptations by observing the Lenten season.  This begins with Ash Wednesday which gives us a core message that we are all dust and that we will return to it. The other activity that many Christians participate in is the act of giving up something for the entire forty days. Some go so far to read the entire Bible in the span of this period while others may take more modest measures.  Ultimately, the goal is to strengthen our relationship by means of our fasting (not necessarily in the food sense) and to see God I'm our lives.
This year, I have let too many things get in the way.  Yeah, I'm taking a course on the Bible, but I'm just focusing on the other literature and not the bible.  I have prayed, but not as much as I think I should.  I wish to devote more time to the Bible this season, particularly sections I am less familiar (prophecies), pray more for others, devote more effort to my unfailing family, and give up sweets and (whenever possible) refined carbohydrates.  Now, why the last one?  I haven't had the best time with my weight for the past year and I want it to change.  It is not necessarily because of my own appearance, but it is because I want to appreciate what God has given me in a body and physical ability.  I hope to respect my body more as a temple and less as a garbage heap.  I wish to accept God's gifts without complaining.

Food Poisoning

It feels so wonderful to have been able to go to the gym for the first time after having an upset stomach from food poisoning.

Some things, however grim they may seem, are gifts from God.  This illness was a gift from God in that I was forced to think about who I am as a person and what I let take over my life.  It is one thing to just sit at the reed desk, frustrated with any impending task of performing for an audience of laypeople and professionals, but another to be at the mercy of your immune system, the pharmacy (who's only ever been bad news to you), and God's grace while cringing on a flat futon and the sun stabbing at your eyes retracting your mind into your past and present in order to draw meaning to what had been going well and what hadn't.

I have been swamped down with school while enjoying it, but I've also let poison flow through my mind and begin its own bout of meningitis while I just sat there crying but staring right at the antibacterial.

This reminds me of having a cash box during a 100+° F day at a garage sale and one of my friends shutting it on herself and allowing it to keep on pinching her while she had the power to just lift it off.

I like to make things difficult, but when everything is made difficult for me, I learn that it is time to take a step back, and tome to lift the cover off my pinched skin.

I like 1 Corinthians 10:13 because it reminds me that God doesn't only give us gifts to enjoy the way we think we ought to enjoy things, but he gives us tests in order to strengthen us so that we can become more faithful in Him and more loving.

I hope to write again soon!

Turbulence

Today I have realized that I have officially approached the high waters that shall sweep me away into the world that many refer to as that of the professional.  One short year remains and I feel like I have been guided with a weight on my foot.  Once I throw off that weight I will be able to run freely and never worry about the harshness of fixed rules.  I shall learn of what the world really holds.
I am nervous, however, for the fact that I don't have much of a break until months after I graduate.  My career calls me after that graduation day and then probably another school will tie me down until I can regurgitate everything that they stuffed into my full and grossed out body.  That is all beside the point.  I am hoping that this voyage will prove to be very delightful and enjoyable, for what is life without dessert in between vegetables?

What's up?

I've been relaxing I finished co administering a concert series.  Now that it's over, I am overcoming a reed slump and a bulge of fat.  However, it turns out that I'd gotten used to being around so many people so frequently that I have resulted in feeling alone at the moment.  The worst part is that the one person who claims to be giving me so much attention is ignoring me.  I just love the lies people tell.  And I just love being ignored.  Well, I shouldn't rant for too long, for I have a very early morning tomorrow. 
Stay sane!

Carbs!!!!¡!

It has been a very long time since I've cut carbs this much, but my weight at the moment is ridiculous! I need to finish the journey that I started.  I need to win a prize on stage! It has been almost five years, and there is no turning back.  The sleepiness will not stop me.  Nothing will take my goal from my grasp.