Lent

Self-admittedly, I am not a devout Catholic.  I don't attend church on a weekly basis, nor have I made a confession in probably 7+ years (since I went to Sunday school).  I do celebrate Easter, but I haven't observed Lent (the 40 days leading up to Easter) in quite some time.  This year I decided (with my newfound obsession with starting anew) to take part in the observation of Lent.  For those of you who don't already know, this consists of 2 things:

1.) No eating any meats on the Wednesday of Lent and the Fridays throughout Lent.

2.) Sacrificing (or cutting down on) something you enjoy for the 40 days.

**Also, I've always heard that if you can't think of something to give up you can think of something to do more of, like going to church more frequently, or taking part in community events.**

So, for Lent this year I have decided to cut down on my TV time to at most 2 hours a day.  Now, for some, this seems like a lot of TV still to be watching.  But see, for me, I always have my TV on... probably nearing 12 hours a day (I know).  I tend to have it on all the time, even when I'm doing homework, when I'm just surfing the Internet, and even sometimes I fall asleep to it.  So, as you can imagine, this is going to be a big change for me.  In fact, it already has been a big change.  Today, I have only watched 30 minutes of TV (Jeopardy! with my dad).  And, yes, my TV in my room has been off all day.  I will say, I already miss it.  There is just something so comforting about TV for me.  The idea it's always there for me, and the shows I watch won't change.  If I watch the same episode of Seinfeld that I have already seen 20 other times, it's still the same.  Same story line; same characters.  Even with reality TV (which tends to be my obsession) there's both entertainment and some level of predictability involved.

So, yes, I am already feeling deprived, but I'm also feeling good.  The thing about Lent is, even if you aren't religious, giving up something you enjoy really helps you build a sense of self-discipline (which I think, for anyone, is an excellent character trait).  Yes, I have already been tempted today to watch TV.  Since I have class in the morning on Wednesdays, I typically come home and have lunch watching The Chew (love).  I didn't today.  It was a new experience eating without the TV on (something I have grown to be accustomed to in my family).  I actually think I enjoyed it more; I was more mindful about my food and I also realized I was full, I think, way before I would have had I been watching TV.

In conclusion, I feel positive about this change I am making.  I think self-disciplining myself in this one aspect of my life will help me realize how I can self-discipline myself in other areas of my life, and hopefully it will teach me to enjoy things in moderation (2 hours vs. 12 hours; I mean, come on!).

After all, I have heard a majority of my professors say, at one time or another, "I don't watch TV" ...maybe they're on to something?!

Now, for all of you: Do you consider yourself religious (in any form, not just Catholic)?  Are you giving up anything for Lent, or are you trying to sacrifice in any area of your life for any reason?

xo,

{K}

No Mashed Potatoes!

In my first post, I alluded to the fact that, in the next 3 months, I really want to work on getting healthy.  So, yesterday, I started a diet/work-out regimen.  It's pretty simple - I knew enough not to make too many drastic changes (at least so soon).  Basically, I have given up sodas and other pre-sweetened drinks.  When I told my mom this she argued; "But you never drink soda."  Um, maybe not when you're looking?  But the truth is she buys it for my brother and if it's in the house I will eventually have some.  It's worse when my mom buys diet soda, like when my grandma visits (because that's all she drinks).  Of course there are "zero" calories in it so I'll guzzle even more, but with all the sodium in diet soda that's not good either!  Basically, anything with artificial coloring/sweeteners is not good.  So, yeah, I no longer drink sodas or other pre-sweetened drinks... even diet ones.

I have not only given up drinking soda/pre-sweetened drinks, but I have also given up fried foods, sweets, and cereals (too much sugar!).  Also, I am striving to eat only wheat bread and wheat pasta products.  I have a feeling that might be the one rule that causes me the most trouble, since wheat options aren't always available.  Oh, and my eternal sweet tooth may cause me some trouble, too. ;)

It's a lot, I know.  But actually this post is about surpassing temptation.  Last night, around 2am, I was up studying for an exam I had today, and I had a craving for mashed potatoes and gravy.  My family actually had mashed potatoes and gravy with dinner last night so this craving wasn't from out-of- nowhere.  I really contemplated going to the kitchen and getting some, but instead I resisted my craving.  I know this isn't the most interesting story ever written, but I really thought I had to share.  Mostly because the Kristen I was before yesterday definitely would have gone and ate the mashed potatoes.  She probably would have ate the mashed potatoes, and even searched the cabinets for another snack.  But last night, when I had the craving, all I could think of was where I want to be when I graduate, and as I enter my future; healthy.  Additionally, I thought of how horrible I'd feel to eat those potatoes, not to mention eating that late at night tends to cause (at least for me) nightmares!

So, my questions for you: Has there been a time you resisted a food temptation?  What keeps you from eating the whole chocolate cake?  What's your diet like?

xo,

{K}

3 Months!

I think it is very fitting that my first post in this blog, {transitioning grad}, is on the day that marks 3 months till I am graduating from college.  I find it hard to believe that such a major milestone in my life is not so far away (anymore).  I mean, 3 months is a long time in a lot of ways (it's nearly a full semester of college, or about how long I had off every summer), but it's also incredibly short when I consider everything I hope (and need) to accomplish before I walk across the stage this May:

- Where am I going to live after college?  Am I going to live with Tom (my boyfriend)?  Am I going to live in New York (my home state) or New Jersey (Tom's home state)?

- Where am I going to work?  Luckily, I already have a job offer, but my exact position and location have not been disclosed to me yet.

- Am I going to pursue my Master's part-time?

- How much time do I need between graduating and starting work?

- What do I need to accumulate (towels, linens, a couch...) if I do get a place on my own or with Tom?

...this list goes on.  More specifically I want to focus these next 3 months on 3 things: (1) Getting healthy, (2) Having faith, and (3) Being happy.

In terms of getting healthy, I think these next 3 months are pivotal in getting me both in shape and used to healthy habits that I will carry with myself in the "real" world.  I want to develop better eating habits; I want to get into better shape, and learn to make being active an important aspect of my life.  If I can't hone these habits now, while I'm only dealing with a 12-credit semester load and still living at home with no bills to pay, I don't know if I ever will... like when I'm juggling a 50+ hour work week and (most likely) living away from home.

In terms of having faith, I worry too much.  I worry about all the things I listed above + more things.  It's in my nature.  So I really want to work, in these next 3 months, on keeping faith that things will happen in time - and things that aren't meant to happen, never will, and other things will happen as a result of their failings.  This is extreme, yes, and I think I will waiver in this desire the most, but I think it will help me keep my anxiety down... and as most of us know, in any transition, anxiety (and lots of it) is likely to ensue.

Lastly, in terms of being happy, I want to enjoy my last 3 months of college.  I can't say I've lived the "traditional" college life - I never lived in a dorm, I never even lived away from home - but I have enjoyed less responsibilities than my future holds.  I want to embrace this time, and make the most of it.  Especially considering there is a very likely chance I will be moving away from home come May/June, I want to take advantage of being so close to so many people I love; my parents, my brother, my grandmothers, my cousins, my friends...  At the end of the 3 months I want to be able to look back and know I took advantage of them and they are filled with good change and good memories.

So I guess this first post has some sort of preface for what the rest of my blog is likely to encompass.  I will likely have many posts regarding:

- Moving away dilemmas, including: apartment hunting, necessity-acquiring, staying in contact with loved ones, moving in with the person I have been in a long distance relationship for over 2 years (we've been in a relationship for over 3 years) & those challenges of sharing space and being with each other all the time, leaving town, getting used to somewhere new...

- Getting healthy; Dieting; Working Out; Taking Care of Myself

- Enjoying my time being a 21 year old undergrad ;)

- Personal dilemmas not explicitly stated above

- Overall, the good, the bad, the better, and the best, regarding everything about this transition! -

So, I ask you: Are you going through the same transition or another transition?  Are you worried too?  Have you already transitioned from college to the "real" world?  What steps did you take in your transition (if any)?

xo,

{K}