I am feeling compelled to write because I am enjoying so many things, and I cannot help but share them.  I do not always feel amped up like I feel now, but when I do, I need an outlet.  Let this be my outlet.

This very evening the lovely Kaci T. introduced me to the band Wild Child.  They are a indie folk band from Austin, and I am addicted.  You can listen to their music free on their site, so please check them out.  Then buy their music and/or t-shirt cause great music deserves support!

Now, I believe somewhere on this site is a post of my new year’s resolutions.  I’ve stuck to maybe 3 of them.  Well done me.  So I would like to take this time to list a new set of goals I have for the year.  I may stick to only 3 of them as well, but I so enjoy making lists like this, so thank you for not rolling your eyes at me.

1. Be vegan

2. Learn to play guitar

3. Write more, paint more, read more, watch more movies

4. Spend more time with God

5. Run a half marathon

6. Pass all my classes

7. Achieve all my physical goals

8. Make someone’s life healthier

9. Organize and execute Alice In Wonderland themed party with friends

10. Learn magic tricks

I’m keeping this list a bit more vague because I feel like year-long goals will inevitably be adjusted and re-worked, and as long as I do them a bit at some point, I’ll be happy.

I am getting so stoked about nutrition.  This semester is kicking my butt, but in my classes I keep talking to other nutrition majors, and we all are struggling together.  It’s kind of awesome.  We all know how hard it is to be in our major.  Nutrition…who knew it would be so competitive!!  I love it though because everyone is so enthusiastic and passionate, and while we may fail, we have the biggest support group to help pick us up and get us moving forward again.  I’m hoping to get as involved as possible.  I don’t know when I’ll have time exactly to “be involved” but I hear life is all about time management.  Or something like that.
Woo. I’m suddenly completely exhausted.  I have lots more homework to do, buuuuuuuttttt I’m calling it quits.  G’night!

I can’t help but wonder, though, when was the last time we identified an enemy and thought, How can I love him more?  After all, Jesus called us to love our enemies.  Being the wise man he was, he knew that love changes hearts, not hate.  Years later, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke the same message.  Love appeals to the human conscience.  It isn’t long before people recognize that you aren’t just loving your friends and protecting your own interests.  It becomes hard to defend violent and aggressive actions against people who love you no matter what.  It is hard to desire to persecute people who are feeding, helping, working besides your friends and family.  So why is it so difficult to choose this course of action?  Why does it seem like the only two options are fighting or giving up?

Yesterday in church I learned of a beautiful story of nonviolent protest.  Shortly after Pontius Pilate became governor of Judea, he decided to to ingratiate himself with Rome by hanging giant pictures of Caesar Tiberius on a tower that overlooked the temple in Jerusalem.  Knowing the people would not be pleased having to worship their God under giant portraits of Rome’s god, Caesar, he had them hung at night while the people were sleeping.  The next day when the people saw this, they were outraged.  Thousands of them marched right to Pilate’s palace and protested.  Pilate ordered his guards to conceal their weapons and come with him to the courtyard where he would announce his verdict regarding the portraits.  So Pilate goes out to the protesters and says that the portraits would remain, and if they didn’t like it, they could die.  By this point the guards had surrounded the crowd and drew their weapons.  So what did the people do?  Did they fight or give up and go home?  Neither.  Every person lay face down on the ground baring their necks, and they declared they would except death willingly rather than worship under Ceasar’s picture.  Pilate was so moved by their unwavering devotion to their God that he let the people go and took down the pictures.

This story begs the question, The Kingdom or Caesar?  Do we choose to do things God’s way, or the way of the status quo?  Do we let the government decide for us?  Or do we let the God who decides which governments rule decide?

Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.  I choose the Kingdom.

So, I am vegan now.  I am on day 6.  My decision to give up all animal products has been, I believe, coming for a long time.  I’ve gone vegetarian so many times that the transition to vegan was incredibly smooth.  I have decided on this lifestyle for several reasons: It aligns well with my spiritual beliefs of compassion and nonviolence, it is healthiest, it is sustainable and environmentally sound, and it is a protest against the meat industry’s treatment of animals.  I am very excited to see where this lifestyle takes me!  For now, I’m just focusing on nailing the dietary part of vegan life, and later I’ll worry about textiles and whatnot.

In addition to eating healthy, I’m hoping to get fit!  The Sister and I have a lot of races we want to finish this year, including a half-marathon and Tough Mudder.  I’ve never been a runner, but there is no time like the present!  My restaurant is also holding a Biggest Loser competition to see who can reduce their body fat percentage the most.  It’s a $20 buy-in.  Talk about motivation!  I could use a competition win after losing last-minute so horribly in fantasy football.

Welp folks, that’s what I’m up to.  School starts up again soon, and I’m antsy to get it underway.  I ended my first semester back will almost straight A’s, and I’m hoping this semester will be no different.  (I’m studying Human Nutrition and Dietetics btw.  I don’t think I’ve mentioned it in this blog.)  I feel like I’m going to be in school forever.   For. Ev. Er.  BUT, that is a-okay.  Right.  I’m off to church.  Latres!

It’s a particularly gloomy night in Denver, all cold and damp.  I’m drinking tea and listening to music that transports me to the days when I used to blog daily, so I thought I’d do the moment justice by actually writing.  What music am I listening to?  Panda Bear.  If you don’t know them, look them up.  They’re, admittedly, not for everyone, but if they happen to be for you, you’ll be ecstatic that you found them.

Life has been…life like?  Some ups, some downs, lots of frustrations, lots of crazy, lots of dreaming, lots of hope.  I recently moved to a new apartment building, and so far it’s pretty cozy here.  Part of the cozy is probably all the boxes that still clutter most of the place, but that’s sometimes how it goes.  My bedroom is all set up, and since that is generally where I hideaway when I’m home, it is really the only room besides the kitchen that I need to be organized right away.  I love my little have, all the walls lined with stacks of books because I’m too poor or cheap or lazy to buy bookshelves.  I have my yoga mat and weights set out on the floor, and a stack of movies by my t.v. on the dresser across from my bed.  It’s a decent little set up, and, at the very least, it’s comforting as a bedroom no doubt should be.

I want to keep writing.  I want to write pages and pages.  Unfortunately, I’m plum tuckered out, and I need to wake up early enough to work out before heading to the restaurant for another day in paradise. Heh. But, my little darlings, if this itch to write sticks with me through the night, I’m sure I’ll have another crack at not sucking at updating tomorrow.  Good night!

I am about to embark on a journey.  Or rather several journeys.  March is the end of Winter and beginning of Spring.  You can even feel the warm, long days coming in snowy Colorado.  I feel like this is the perfect time to challenge myself in the following ways.

1. Gluten-Free, Vegan diet.  WHAT?!?!  Isn’t doing either gluten-free OR vegan restrictive and difficult enough?  Maybe for a normal masochist, but for good ol’ Xue an extra lil’ challenge has to be mixed in there.  I’ve been a vegetarian before, but with so many people experiencing diet restrictions (gluten/dairy) not by choice these days, I’m doing this partially for my own reasons and partially because I want to know what it’s like to live life every day for the people who have no choice but to change their diets.  I think it will lead me to live a healthier life, and certainly a more creative one…how else am I gonna eat cheesy bread w/o cheese or wheat?

*Edit- After thinking this over several hours, I realized I am crazy.  So please re-read this goal as vegetarian gluten-free with very little dairy/egg usage*

2.YOGA!  I love yoga.  I have practiced it on and off, and I’m about to commit to a four week yoga challenge.  The routines are thanks to miss Tara Stiles who has plentiful yoga videos online.  The worst part about yoga is how expensive going to studios can be.  That is why I’m going to be practicing at home with my trusted internet. :)  Anyway, the challenge is 2-part.  There will be a four week weight loss challenge and a four week strengthening challenge.  Through both challenges I hope to be my trimmest, strongest, healthiest body yet!

3. Nutrition Certification.  Yes, I’m currently exploring two nutrition programs that will allow me to share my passion for healthy living with other people.  This is getting me really excited!  The programs explore more than just chemical processes and food pyramids, but also alternative diets (ayurveda, chinese medicine based, etc) and lifestyle components that can affect how what you eat nourishes you.  It’s all very interesting. The best part is that once I have my certificates I can have a career I love and stop working at the restaurant! Huzzah!  Oh man does that idea thrill me.

So these are the things that are preoccupying my time.  I promise to do my best in updating about all of it, and about generally interesting things that sometimes happen to me.  Until then dear friends!

Music!!  Yes, of course a day off wouldn’t be complete without checking out new music.  Three bands with new albums that I’m going to be listening to today are:

The Smith Westerns

Destroyer

No Joy

They’ve all been given good reviews, so I hope not to be disappointed in any of them.

That’s all for me.  I need to give these songs my attention.  I hope everyone has a Monday that doesn’t suck.

This is my opinion.  And, as with all my opinions, I am right.  Make. A. Note.  Then pour a libation and go to town.  You’ve earned it.

1. Neti Pot.  If you suffer from allergies or sinus infections or even just the occasional cold, I recommend getting one.  It’s feels like you inhaled salt water up your nose while you use it because you are, in fact, pouring salt water into your nose, but afterwards you can breathe and your face/nose isn’t sore from the congestion.  It’s miraculous.

2. Kombucha.  This fermented ice tea drink is like the elixir of life.  No joke.  It has been proved to help prevent/heal everything from arthritis to cancer.  The taste might take a moment to get used to, but I rather enjoy the flavor and the fizz.  I especially recommend this to all you carbonated soda addicts as a healthier alternative.  It doesn’t have caffeine, but it also doesn’t slowly poison you.  So there you go.

3. Whole Foods Complete Body Cleanse.  This is a simple 14 day cleanse that flushes out your system, and a couple pounds too.  It comes with three supplements you take morning and night that rid you of toxins that clog you up and keep you down.  And you don’t have to go on any wonky diet or starve yourself.  Though, I do recommend trying to eat healthier while you’re on it just so you feel even better when it’s over and are inspired to try and prolong your good-for-you lifestyle.  It’s an idea.

4. Yoga mat.  Okay, you don’t really need a mat, but yoga is a great idea.  I have no natural strength or flexibility in my poor, broken body, but after two classes I was sold on yoga.  It makes you feel so good that you want to do right by your body.  And if you can’t afford classes, you can find lots of routines online to do in the comfort of your home.  It lengthens you and strengthens you.  Do it. Now.

Okay, so there’s my starter-kit recommendations to get you off on the right track in the new year.  I’m gonna get on track with all them too, so we can all be rockstar superheros this year!  Shazaam!

I’m the one with the wrapping bow on my head.

I apologize to everyone for my long absence. I’m sure you’ve all been wandering about, simply beside yourselves, witless and miserable.  But it is going to be okay because I have returned in all my glory!  I’m not sure how to restart this after such a long hiatus, so I’m just going to post my list of top albums from 2010, and hope it holds you over while I re-figure this whole blogging thing out again.  Hopefully it will be like riding a bicycle.  Or perhaps more aptly, for me, like drinking.  Preferably gin.  Don’t know why I ever drank anything else.  *hiccup*  ANYways, here’s my list (as posted on facebook).  And my love.