M I A

Well…I went a little MIA the past week and a half.

Had to take my vacation time, due to the whole “use-it-or-lose-it” deal. Bummer, right? Ah well.

Everything happens for a reason and I am just going to say the reason for that was for me to recharge my ‘batteries’. Or maybe I should just simply put that that is the best thing I could come up with. Coming back to work yesterday was a little difficult, but I do think the time away was necessary.

I dived deep into my vegetarian diet.

This includes seafood and fish and a little chicken now and again. In the photo above, you can see this tasty pasta dish. It includes asparagus, tofu, and shrimp marinated in soy sauce, pesto, Worcestershire sauce, and some butter. I then added that to the softened pasta and sprinkled a little grated parmesan on top. Holy &%^! It was so good! This is a good example of a substitute for things that I cannot have:  NO RED MEAT. NO PORK. I had to completely cut it out of my diet down here. The majority of the time that I eat it, I end up nauseous and disgustingly sick. What makes it even more confusing is that I can go back home, have White Castle and be FINE!!! Does this make absolutely no sense or does this make absolutely no sense? The only thing that makes sense to me is that there is something with the meat down here that makes me sick. Why continue doing something that will only punish you later? I mean, unless you’re into that kinda thing ;)

Beyond my new eating lifestyle, I finally started working out every day for 2hrs/day on average. I am super happy about that and am already feeling better, and QUITE sore. Now I just have to get used to keeping this routine up AND working this job every day. I’ll figure it out somehow.

What else is new? Jackeey and I have begun to reconnect somewhat and it feels nice. It’s a little bit of a relief to not have to ‘worry’ about where we are headed…or at least for the time being. In some areas, we are finally finding some common ground. I believe much of that is due to us having open dialogue since the very beginning. However, we are still faltering and suffering in others, especially when it comes to our plans, goals, ultimate aspirations, but primarily how we plan on getting there. At the end of the day, I have chosen not to worry myself to death about it. The most I can do is hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and remember that right now is the time for me to concentrate and focus my energy towards what I want to do (be able to enroll back in school to continue my Masters in the Spring sometime, get outta Florida, and save as much money as possible in the meantime)

I guess this time away has been good for another reason. I realized that as bad or as difficult things have seemed, I am still in a much better position than those around me. I can do what I want at a drop of a dime. And honestly, I would only fall so hard because of the support I have around me and my desire to make something happen. Yes, they may be far away in distance, but that doesn’t stop the connection I have with those people, both friends and family. Who could ask for more? I know and believe in my heart of hearts that if the same situation were to happen back home, I would have their support. That, at the very least, gives me comfort to continue on. I also have a renewed faith in myself. I am willing to go through the trenches for whatever I want. I always have. What makes this situation any different? I tricked myself! Nothing makes it different. The only thing that has changed is the environment. How could I have been so blind before? I guess getting all the tears out was the hardest part. I had to give my face a slap a few times and scold myself to get it together. It was worth it. I’m ready to take anything on. Time to get my hands a little dirty, I guess.

Bring. It. On.