Some thoughts about hippies

I wear flannel because it's warm

Man sweaters cause they are cheap and they have sleeves long enough for my arms

I wear peace signs because I know their history

I wore crazy rain boots before it apparently became trendy

I was practically born with a nalgene in my hand.

So here is my message to the young crunchy folks of the world:

Stop caring about the image, and start making some change.

Let's go, it's crunch time.

Monday!

So, of course, each day brings new things.

I woke up to snowy skies and some nice glittery powder on the ground to crunch through to class at 8 AM. Then I went to sign up for classes, and being me, I of course changed my mind about half my classes, so I am now signed up for (and will hopefully not get closed out of!)

Environmental Ethics

Women, Culture, and Society

Introduction to Globalization.

TADA.

It's so pretty out, and last night walking back from something with friends we decided that the snow looked like pretty amazing glitter. Not that crappy craft store stuff, the nice Martha Stewart glitter, you know what I mean? Anyway, wish I could get some good pictures, but my camera and I don't exactly get along- more like my camera doesn't take as good of pictures as I would like...

Anyway, off to make some valentines! I don't like to think of Valentine's Day as a holiday for couples. I think of it as a time to send really cute, sweet snail mail to friends and family to remind them you love them! (because we never say it enough!)

"We love because it's the only true adventure"

-Nikki Giovanni

Sunday!

I have to turn this stack of books into a 5 page research paper (all in spanish I might add!) by Friday. So... my Sunday is already pretty full!

But it's nothing some temp tats can't cure!!! Who knew that I would find a suite full of freshman girls would be just as interested in temporary tattoos, coloring books, Jane Austen adaptations, puzzles, and Jimmy Johns sandwiches as I am?!! I am such a lucky girl!

I already have to start signing up for spring term classes!!! Sadly, pickings are slim, and I am forcing myself NOT to take spanish for my own mental health. So HOPEFULLY- I will be taking

Environmental Ethics

(which is a little too philosophical for me, but is a requirement for the major)

Women, Culture, and Society

(which a few friends took this term and highly recommended)

and Microeconomics

(which is just me being CRAZY... actually it is probably going to be valuable to me, since environmentalism becomes economic quick quickly, plus I'm taking this one with a friend, so we'll survive!!!)

I hope I don't get closed out of any classes, I think I'd probably loose my mind a little. Well, off to write about how pre-colonial Andean civilizations were way more advanced than us! (more to come about THAT).

HASTA LUEGO

Check it out!

Pretty intense ads being put out by veterans about the link between oil and terrorism. Check it out here! Happy snowy weekend!

Back to Basics

You ever have those days when you realize you are being totally hypocritical? I have realized that I have not done a very good job lately of eating good food. So I am trying to get back to basics! As Michael Pollan says, "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." Simple, simple, simple, yet sometimes so hard, especially in a midwestern college cafeteria! I think I just have to accept that I am going to spend more money on food, and that will involve making concessions. But honestly, would I rather spend money on stupid stuff I don't need (those gnome pajamas I bought at Target, although I love them, were entirely unneccesary) or on good food that will be an investment in my future body and be living out my food morals?

Especially now that I am starting out of season conditioning for volleyball, I remember how much better I feel when I exercise and eat right. Like, yesterday I did and hour of jump and agility training and played for an hour in the morning, and then swam for an hour last night. 3 hours of working out, and last night I didn't go to bed exhausted like I had the last few weeks.

We talked about photosynthesis yesterday in Plant Biology- it never ceases to amaze me how smart plants are. Imagine if we could make our own food! Once again- have you thanked a plant today?!?!

No more sodie pop

Today I decided that if I'm going to complain about corn and high fructose corn syrup, I better stop eating so much of it. Since it's pretty difficult to avoid in a college cafeteria, I'm cutting soda out cause it's easy. I don't drink a ton of soda, but enough that it's better that I don't. I just finished watching the documentary King Corn (research for a paper for Plants class), and they said that your likelyhood of diabetes doubles if you drink one soda a day!

I'm excited for the State of the Union tonight- I'm watching it in my suite with a bunch of friends.

Overall, life is good. Still stuffy, but other than that I am braving the cold and the stress.

I had a scare that I lost my awesome old Sigg water bottle the other day, but turns out I just left it in the fitness center!!! Phew!

Spoils of a grand adventure!

Friday afternoon I went on a grand adventure with a few friends! We found the organic/natural market that is within walking distance of campus(!!!) and they all giggled a little as they saw how excited I got about finding all my favorite things in one store. I got some Terra chips, Annie's peace pasta, and my favorite raspberry granola, as well as splurging on a ridiculously expensive block of realllllly amazing Cabot cheddar. I'm trying to eat better, but it's so hard here- the caf is not exactly gourmet. Although the food is tasty, it is by no means local or organic. So I guess I'll just have to savor the simple pleasures of granola!