Excuses, excuses.

Warning: This is a religiously affiliated post. 

My social media is currently vomiting information about Lent. I mean that in a most religiously respectful manner. However, I mean that in a Judgey McJudgerson way, too.

Every year for Lent a series of posts, conversations and promises are made about a specific "thing" that a person is giving up for the upcoming 40 days. I get it- you go Glenn Coco- you sacrifice for your Lord and Savior! I approve! But...I think it's lame that you give up food. Food is so...unoriginal. Not to mention somewhat of an easy feat, when you consider it.

Growing up in the Orthodox faith, every Lent meant the sacrifice of meat for the entire 40 days and dairy and oil for specific days/weeks. It sometimes sucked but frankly it was never that hard. Additionally, (sorry Mom)...it didn't make me more contemplative, pleasant, or repenting. It kind of just made me hangry (Hangry, adjective, meaning "When you are so hungry that your lack of food causes you to become angry, frustrated or both." Definition generously brought to you by Urban Dictionary).

Sidenote: My mom was particularly tedious because she also believed (for a time) that there should be no birthday parties or celebrations during Lent. My brothers and I broke her of this habit by basically Trojan Horse-ing her: "This isn't a party, it's a gathering of friends, a get together". I also think some legit incessant complaining/nagging/crying ensued on my part, as a March 31st birthday.

I digress...

I was a vegetarian for 10 years. Currently I am on a kick with Virgin Diet (something I'll probably explain in a later post) where I have predominantly eliminated the 7 highly intolerant food groups from my menu - gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, peanuts, corn, sugar/artificial sugar. I am of firm belief that giving up a specific food or a food group is not hard, especially when you benefit from it. You people out there giving up sugar treats- are you telling me you don't enjoy the weight loss you get out of that?

I guess my point is this- give up something you're particularly bad about. Give up something that hurts or something that you you know you are going to struggle with. Why? Because the whole concept of Lent is to contemplate that Jesus Christ gave his life so that you could live. So...shouldn't you probably give up something that is particularly difficult? Maybe even a sin you commit that you'd like to try to rectify? Just my personal take but I feel like food is a fatty mcfaterson's cop out and requires very little effort or self control. 


DRUM ROLL PLEASE. I thought a lot about this, and, in addition to the traditional Orthodox fast that I'm going to jump back on the train with, I am also going to give up excuses.

Excuses? Yes, excuses.

I am going to give up the excuses I use to get out of doing the things I do not want to. This excuses could also be categorized as " little white lies" but no one likes to call themselves out like that, including me.

"What excuses do you use?" you may ask. Just a few. 
#1- "I'm too tired to work out, I worked a long day" will be replaced with "Get off the couch fat ass, everyone is tired and the endorphins will help you build up some energy".
#2- "I'm sorry I can't go out tonight, I have to wash my hair" will be replaced with "Thanks for the invitation to go out this evening but I am really in the mood to stay in. Maybe next time!"
#3- "I don't feel like going to church on Sunday mornings, its the only day I get to myself all week!" will be replaced with...just going to church.

...and so on and so forth. My excuses aren't necessarily the #1 reasons that I'm not doing something. They're often the "supporting arguments" that substantiate the big, central idea behind the general avoidance. So, why not just tell the truth? E'rebody got time for the truth.

In doing this I'm hoping to maybe improve myself in a way that I wouldn't normally commit to. Okay, and to help me quit being lazy. Cause ain't nobody got time for that.

***2 Week Update***
Despite a minor set back at a certain temptation ridden brunch, I've been able to maintain my meatless fast.
Additionally, I have not made any erroneous excuses yet. Spring Break from dance has helped. 

Captain, my Captain

I don’t want to go any further until I give credit where credit is due; and that “due” is to myself. One thing I figured out “right” in my 20’s was this stud muffin right here, Capt. Snuffin.

Durham is the bomb. There really isn’t any other cliché early 2000’s way of saying it. He is, undoubtedly, the #1 best thing that I figured out in my 20’s especially when I married him when I was 26…and then again when I was 28.

This man puts up with me, and an easy feat that is not. He provides me with a mountain of support, encouragement, thoughtful advice, epic dance parties, marital bliss and unconditional love.

He has given me the freedom and support to pursue my professional dreams. I am forever grateful to him for his understanding, patience and love and grateful to God for bringing him into my life. 

Post #1- The List

Since 2008 I have kept a list in my wallet. It started when I sat in the miniature chair at my full-time job as a day care teacher (which I tried really hard to refer to as an all-day pre-school teacher but…let’s call a spade a spade, shall we?). I realized that day, one year after I had graduated from college, that living at home, earning…not a lot… and babysitting 30 children all day (in a room the size of your average dining room) was not going to be “it” for me. I took out a piece of red construction paper and I wrote down 25 goals I had for myself prior to turning 30. At the time I was 23.

Then, a funny thing happened- I actually started to achieve some of the goals. I applied to graduate school and was accepted. I moved out of my parents’ house. I ran the Charlottesville 10 miler. I met my husband. Things started to get better.

In 2011, on the brink of matriculation from graduate school, I revised my list. At that time I was 26.  I omitted the goals I had achieved and goals that I simply didn’t feel as though were relevant to life’s current direction.  Below is a picture of the list that I have been carrying around for the past 3 years (apologies for the…eccentric nature of some of the items.) Good things have continued to happen as I’ve continued to achieve my goals.

Now, on the eve of my 29^th year of life and just a short 12 months away from greeting my 30^th birthday I have revised my list, yet again. This time I have created a list of goals that are achievable in the span of one year and, beginning at the start, goal #1 is starting and maintaining a blog for the duration of the next 365 days.

This blog was born out a need of accountability to achieve my goals but also because, while 40 is the new 30, my 30^th birthday seems like a big deal to me. I’ve read a several times that your 20’s are the most tumultuous decade of your life.  You’re figuring out who you are, what you’re doing, how you’re going to do it, who you love, who you need, who you don’t…You’re just figuring it all out! I wholeheartedly agree with this assessment. Frankly, the past 10 years have had more teenage angst than the angst of my teens. The omni present question “What am I doooiiinnnggg” (insert moan here) has been consistently at the forefront of my mind and finally…finally…I am starting to figure out that answer.  I’m proud of that and I credit the beginning of “figuring it all out” to my red construction paper list.

For the next year the posts that I update here will track my progress with achieving each goal. I may throw in some random posts here and there…because I am random and that’s how I roll…but for the majority it will be good old-fashioned goal setting and documentation.

So, without further pomp or circumstance, I present to you “the list”-

29 Things I want to do by the time I turn 30.

1.     Start  (& maintain!) a Blog for an entire year.

2.     Attend another DMB concert.

3.     Become certified in TRX, Pilates Mat & Aerial Movement.

4.     Travel to Europe

5.     Go to Disney World.

6.     Complete a volunteer project.

7.     Fix my tattoo

8.     See a musical

9.     Complete a Children's Yoga Teacher's course.

10. Become a consistently religious person

11. Plant and cultivate my own vegetable garden

12. Take steps in overcoming my fear of flying.

13. Perform in an artistic show.

14. Achieve my short term financial goals

15. Finish decorating my home

16.  Be Cinderella for Halloween

17.  Participate in Stand Up Paddleboard yoga

18. Start my own company

19. Decide if PTA school is the next step.

20. Write (but not necessarily send) apology notes to people I’ve hurt in the past.

21. Learn to safely handle firearms.  

22. Work on a consistent wellness regime.

23. Keep a kayak log.

24.  Re-vamp my wardrobe.

25.  Sail on a sailboat.

26.  Horseback ride.

27. Attend a children's dance teacher retreat and seminar.

28.  Run three 5k’s.

29.  Turn 30 with grace and elegance.  And maybe a little big of alcohol.