This morning began, once again, with a bowl of Cheerios. I then went grocery shopping, doing a massive vegan overhaul in our kitchen. How I wish there were a Whole Foods closer to me than 40 miles away!
For lunch I made Taco Salad, romaine with red peppers, carrots, scallions, avocado and 'taco meat': three bean medley and walnuts blended in a food processor. It was...different. Not bad, just different, will definitely take some getting used to. The vinaigrette, however, was yummy!
After that I went to my grandparents house, my grandpa had a doctors appointment at Stanford University, about 2 hours away, and I offered to drive. On my way over there I realized I was getting a little hungry, so I grabbed some cheerios and was on my way; I don't think I've had Cheerios as a snack since I was a child! I had prepped everything for dinner this afternoon, but after we got there we realized we would not be making it back in time, so we went out instead. My grandparents were aware of my vegan challenge, and suggested Fresh Choice. I've never been a big fan of the place, but they have definitely improved things! There is a food guide and now every single food item has identifying marks, telling you whether it is gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, fat-free, and some other things, so cool! I was easily able to ensure that everything I got was vegan,without making a fuss! I must admit that eating out was a bit more tempting this time, not indulging in any of the usual items I might get. Every station had at least one vegan item, which was wonderful. I ended up having a large salad, herbed rice, pasta pomodoro, and even a slice of sourdough bread! Dessert was less exciting, sliced pineapple with blueberry topping, but I was still grateful for the option!
I'm excited for the recipes I will be trying tomorrow, stay tuned!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Living the Vegan Life- Day 1
Success! I had a fantastic day today! Now that it is pretty much over, I am looking back on my day with satisfaction!
I woke up a bit later than planned, so the oatmeal I was planning on cooking went out the window. At first I felt discouraged, 'already!?' but couldn't let that stop me, I've thrown my personal challenge out into the blogger world, and I can't back out now! I looked at the nutrition information on a box of Cheerios and poured myself a nice big bowl complete with soy milk, yum!
I must admit, I hate drinking milk of any kind, I've never liked it. I remember when I was a kid my mom tried to make me drink a glass of milk before I could get up from the table. When she wasn't looking I went and poured it down the sink, lol! Anyway, not a fan of drinking the stuff, but if I do use it, I always use soy. Next time you are at Starbucks, try soy milk instead, it's thick and slightly sweet tasting, so it seems rich and indulgent but is so much better for you!
I met my best friend for lunch in the bay area. As much as I wanted to forget the vegan thing and just eat lunch wherever, I knew I had to stick to my guns and speak up about it. I texted her about an hour beforehand and explained this challenge to her. I asked if she would rather me bring lunch and we could have a picnic, or find a vegan-friendly restaurant and be adventurous. She chose adventure and I'm so glad!
We went to a place called The Counter (http://www.thecounterburger.com/), a more upscale burger joint where you build your own burger! The menu was actually just a list of all the components; you checked off what you wanted in each section and they custom made your meal. It was fun and interactive, and I didn't have to feel bad about a lot of requests and instructions to make sure it was vegan, every ingredient was laid out for me already! Trisha is so supportive of me and this challenge, she went vegan with me! We both ordered the veggie burger, and let me tell you...delicious! I didn't know it was possible to put those two words together in the same sentence, but it's true, it was moist and so flavorful! We chose the burger bowl option, it came on a bed of lettuce rather than a bun. I had grilled onions (I made sure there was no butter involved!), jalepenos, diced green chilies and corn and black bean salsa, all with a dijon balsamic vinaigrette, it was so full of flavor and extremely satisfying! When we left I felt very full, but not weighed down or lethargic, like I would after a typical burger and fry meal. Speaking of fries, we did share an order of sweet potato fries, dee-licious! It came with aioli that we didn't eat (aioli is a fancy homemade mayonnaise, essentially), the fries didn't need it, sweet potatoes are flavorful enough on their own!
At first I felt a little guilty, like I was cheating for eating out this early in the game, but I realized that hey, life happens, and you don't always know where you will end up for a meal. Luckily I was able to plan ahead a little and find a restaurant that I knew would be vegan-friendly. I hate being 'that person' who makes crazy requests and demands about their meal, but I learned that it's ok to make sure the meal you pay for is what you want, and asking questions is ok! It was a great experience, and The Counter is a perfect date restaurant, the atmosphere is great, it has a full bar, and because you build your own meal, you each get exactly what you want, without compromising for the other. Two thumbs up!
For dinner I followed a recipe from Angela Liddon at http://ohsheglows.com/. I made Roasted Tomato, Onion and Basil Pesto Pizza with Vegan Parmesan Cheese...a mouthful to say, and eat...a delicious mouthful though! And it's true! I made this for my family tonight, and they all loved it! It had so much flavor that I didn't miss the pepperoni or cheese! I made the dough in the morning and let it rise during the afternoon, incorporating italian herbs into the crust was genius, it added so much flavor! The roasted garlic oil, basil pesto, roasted veggies and even vegan parmesan (I made it myself, click the link to find out how!) all together made for an incredibly yummy pizza. Again, when I was done I walked away full and satisfied! I'm excited to try more of her recipes throughout the week, I wish she had a cookbook!
I didn't realize that my whole family would be sharing the meal, so we had to stretch it a bit, the serving size was two but four of us ate it. I was still a little hungry afterwords, so I made dessert! I used a Cooking Light (http://www.cookinglight.com/) recipe, and can not get over how ridiculously simple and delicious this was!! I made 'sorbet' by blending 3 frozen bananas and 1 cup of frozen mixed berries in a food processor. That's it. 2 ingredients. So so good! I added an extra banana and half cup of berries, the serving size was 2 and there were 3 of us eating it, and it made a lot, more than you would think! I think the air incorporating in from the blades whipping up the fruit helped increase the volume. My mom, sister and I all sat around exclaiming how delicious it was, for something so simple. I can't wait to try out other fruit combinations!
I had an incredible first day, such a perfect start to this week, I am so excited to continue to learn about vegan eating and the lifestyle, and share it with you!
I woke up a bit later than planned, so the oatmeal I was planning on cooking went out the window. At first I felt discouraged, 'already!?' but couldn't let that stop me, I've thrown my personal challenge out into the blogger world, and I can't back out now! I looked at the nutrition information on a box of Cheerios and poured myself a nice big bowl complete with soy milk, yum!
I must admit, I hate drinking milk of any kind, I've never liked it. I remember when I was a kid my mom tried to make me drink a glass of milk before I could get up from the table. When she wasn't looking I went and poured it down the sink, lol! Anyway, not a fan of drinking the stuff, but if I do use it, I always use soy. Next time you are at Starbucks, try soy milk instead, it's thick and slightly sweet tasting, so it seems rich and indulgent but is so much better for you!
I met my best friend for lunch in the bay area. As much as I wanted to forget the vegan thing and just eat lunch wherever, I knew I had to stick to my guns and speak up about it. I texted her about an hour beforehand and explained this challenge to her. I asked if she would rather me bring lunch and we could have a picnic, or find a vegan-friendly restaurant and be adventurous. She chose adventure and I'm so glad!
We went to a place called The Counter (http://www.thecounterburger.com/), a more upscale burger joint where you build your own burger! The menu was actually just a list of all the components; you checked off what you wanted in each section and they custom made your meal. It was fun and interactive, and I didn't have to feel bad about a lot of requests and instructions to make sure it was vegan, every ingredient was laid out for me already! Trisha is so supportive of me and this challenge, she went vegan with me! We both ordered the veggie burger, and let me tell you...delicious! I didn't know it was possible to put those two words together in the same sentence, but it's true, it was moist and so flavorful! We chose the burger bowl option, it came on a bed of lettuce rather than a bun. I had grilled onions (I made sure there was no butter involved!), jalepenos, diced green chilies and corn and black bean salsa, all with a dijon balsamic vinaigrette, it was so full of flavor and extremely satisfying! When we left I felt very full, but not weighed down or lethargic, like I would after a typical burger and fry meal. Speaking of fries, we did share an order of sweet potato fries, dee-licious! It came with aioli that we didn't eat (aioli is a fancy homemade mayonnaise, essentially), the fries didn't need it, sweet potatoes are flavorful enough on their own!
At first I felt a little guilty, like I was cheating for eating out this early in the game, but I realized that hey, life happens, and you don't always know where you will end up for a meal. Luckily I was able to plan ahead a little and find a restaurant that I knew would be vegan-friendly. I hate being 'that person' who makes crazy requests and demands about their meal, but I learned that it's ok to make sure the meal you pay for is what you want, and asking questions is ok! It was a great experience, and The Counter is a perfect date restaurant, the atmosphere is great, it has a full bar, and because you build your own meal, you each get exactly what you want, without compromising for the other. Two thumbs up!
For dinner I followed a recipe from Angela Liddon at http://ohsheglows.com/. I made Roasted Tomato, Onion and Basil Pesto Pizza with Vegan Parmesan Cheese...a mouthful to say, and eat...a delicious mouthful though! And it's true! I made this for my family tonight, and they all loved it! It had so much flavor that I didn't miss the pepperoni or cheese! I made the dough in the morning and let it rise during the afternoon, incorporating italian herbs into the crust was genius, it added so much flavor! The roasted garlic oil, basil pesto, roasted veggies and even vegan parmesan (I made it myself, click the link to find out how!) all together made for an incredibly yummy pizza. Again, when I was done I walked away full and satisfied! I'm excited to try more of her recipes throughout the week, I wish she had a cookbook!
I didn't realize that my whole family would be sharing the meal, so we had to stretch it a bit, the serving size was two but four of us ate it. I was still a little hungry afterwords, so I made dessert! I used a Cooking Light (http://www.cookinglight.com/) recipe, and can not get over how ridiculously simple and delicious this was!! I made 'sorbet' by blending 3 frozen bananas and 1 cup of frozen mixed berries in a food processor. That's it. 2 ingredients. So so good! I added an extra banana and half cup of berries, the serving size was 2 and there were 3 of us eating it, and it made a lot, more than you would think! I think the air incorporating in from the blades whipping up the fruit helped increase the volume. My mom, sister and I all sat around exclaiming how delicious it was, for something so simple. I can't wait to try out other fruit combinations!
I had an incredible first day, such a perfect start to this week, I am so excited to continue to learn about vegan eating and the lifestyle, and share it with you!
The Pillow
I was reading a novel one day, about an Amish family. One of the characters owned a quilt shop, and a lot of the story was centered around that. Suddenly I got inspired to make my own quilt! I thought, how hard can it be? Cut a bunch of fabric, stitch it together! My grandma is a great seamstress, so I went to her and asked for her help. Luckily, she knew just how big of an undertaking a project like a quilt is, and suggested we make a pillow first, using the same design that I wanted to make the quilt with. These pictures follow the journey as I made my first, very own pillow! I had such a great time making it, and loved being able to spend the time with the grandma helping me. I'm still ready to tackle the quilt...I just need a LOT of preparation beforehand!
The supplies, before the magic happened! Hehe.
My grandma's sewing machine, authentically retro 1960's! Very cool story...one day my grandpa was home sick, and my grandma was working on her sewing machine, making clothes for my mom and aunt. The sewing machine she was using was very old and breaking down, she kept cursing at it and had a terrible time trying to get anything done. My grandpa overheard her, and quietly called a store and ordered a brand new machine to be delivered to the house for my grandma! Such a sweet story, and she has been using it ever since!
Getting everything cut and ready to go!
Getting all of the pieces laid out...
Pinning and sewing together the different patches...
The top is finished!
Sewing on the velcro to close the pillow in...hey, it's my first time! :)
The finished product! Thank you grandma for all of your help, I couldn't have done it without you!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
My Vegan Adventure
For one week, I will become a complete vegan. No animal product of any kind will pass through my lips, and I will place an emphasis on gluten-free, organic meals as well. I will be cooking and baking everything from scratch.
What prompted this (extreme) challenge? The vegan lifestyle has always intrigued me, but I have long hesitated doing anything about it. Well, the time has come, everything has lined up, and I have no excuse not to! I will be using recipes exclusively from Angela Liddon at http://ohsheglows.com/, and reviewing each one.
I feel like my body needs a bit of a cleanse, and a re-charge. I want natural energy, rather than a coffee dependency. I want to feel good about the foods I am eating, and strong and healthy.
I think the hardest part will be devoting a large portion of my time to preparing all of the meals, but I am up for the challenge, and hopeful that this is the beginning of something wonderful and healthful!
I am also going to be starting p90x, eek! I am totally nervous for this challenge, but my body needs exercise and a gym membership is not in the budget! I am telling you this mostly to keep me accountable, that I will actually do it, every single day!
Cheers to a wonderful week!
What prompted this (extreme) challenge? The vegan lifestyle has always intrigued me, but I have long hesitated doing anything about it. Well, the time has come, everything has lined up, and I have no excuse not to! I will be using recipes exclusively from Angela Liddon at http://ohsheglows.com/, and reviewing each one.
I feel like my body needs a bit of a cleanse, and a re-charge. I want natural energy, rather than a coffee dependency. I want to feel good about the foods I am eating, and strong and healthy.
I think the hardest part will be devoting a large portion of my time to preparing all of the meals, but I am up for the challenge, and hopeful that this is the beginning of something wonderful and healthful!
I am also going to be starting p90x, eek! I am totally nervous for this challenge, but my body needs exercise and a gym membership is not in the budget! I am telling you this mostly to keep me accountable, that I will actually do it, every single day!
Cheers to a wonderful week!
Sunday, July 10, 2011
If you really wanna know...
The Silent Ranks
I wear no uniforms, no blues or army greens.
But I am in the military in the ranks rarely seen.
I have no rank upon my shoulders, salutes I do not give.
But the military world is the place where I live.
I'm not in the chain of command, orders I do not get.
But my husband is the one who does, this I cannot forget.
I'm not the one who fires the weapon, who puts my life on the line.
But my job is just as tough. I'm the one that's left behind.
My husband is a patriot, a brave and prideful man,
And the call to serve his country, not all can understand.
Behind the lines I see the things needed to keep this country free.
My husband makes the sacrifice, but so do our kids and me.
I love the man I married. Patriotism is his life.
I proudly stand among the silent ranks known as the military wife.
Warrior
I never wore the uniform,
no medals on my chest.
The band it doesn't play for me,
I am not among the Best.
I do not march in cadence,
I do not rate salute,
I stand among the silent ranks,
our devotion absolute.
If you've not worn my shoes,
you do not know my story.
I live a life of sacrifice,
my reward a private glory.
I've wept many silent nights away,
and I've kept the home fires burning.
I've worried and I've waited,
as world events were churning.
I've moved more times than you could fathom,
left more people than you've known.
I've planted gardens 'round the world --
Very few that I've seen grown.
I've grieved with new-made widows,
and had my share of scares --
when a ship or plane or man was down,
and all I had were prayers.
I'm not asking for your sympathy,
(although appreciation can be nice)
I did it quite on purpose though --
I chose to sacrifice.
I'll tell you a secret now,
one you'd never guess.
About the one glory that is mine,
it's just enough, no more, no less.
When you and I stand together
as our national anthem plays,
I'll fill with reminiscences
of how I spent those days.
I'll know the pain and joys again,
I'll know that freedom isn't free,
I'll know I've helped to pay the price
and that the anthem plays for me.
Elizabeth Soutter Schwarzer
"Distance is not for the fearful, It is for the Bold. It is for those who are willing to spend a lot of time alone in exchange for a little time with the one they love. It is for those knowing a good thing when they see it, even if they dont see it nearly enough.." -Unknown
An Angel appeared and said, "You're having a lot of trouble on this one. What's wrong with the standard model?"
The Lord replied, "Have you ever seen the regulations? It has to be completely independent, must be sponsored to get on base, have the qualities of both mother and father during deployments; Be a perfect hostess to four or 40, handle emergencies without military orders, cope with the flu and move around the world, have a kiss that cures anything from a child's torn valentine to a soldier's weary day, have the patience of a saint when waiting for the unit to return stateside, and have six pairs of soft hands."
The Angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pair of hands? No way!"
And the Lord answered, "Don't worry. We'll make other military spouses to help. Besides, it's not the hands that are causing the problem - it's the heart. It must swell with pride, sustain the ache of separation, beat soundly when it's too tired to do so, be large enough to say 'I understand' when it doesn't, and say 'I love you,' regardless."
"Lord," said the Angel, touching his sleeve gently, "go to bed. You can finish that tomorrow."
"I can't," said the Lord. "I'm too close to creating something unique. Already I have one who can heal itself when sick, feed unexpected guests who are stuck in the area due to bad weather, and wave goodbye to its spouse from a pier or runway and understand it's important to the country that the spouse leave."
The Angel circled the model of the military spouse very slowly. "It's too soft," she sighed.
"But tough," the Lord said excitedly. "You cannot imagine what this being can do or endure!"
"Can it think?" the Angel asked.
"Can it think? It can convert 1400 to 2 p.m.!" the Lord said.
Finally, the Angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek. "There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model."
"It's not a leak," said the Lord. "It's a tear."
"What's it for?" asked the Angel.
"It's for joy, sadness, pain, loneliness and pride," the Lord said.
"You're a genius," said the Angel.
The Lord looked somber and said, "I didn't put it there."
~Author Unknown
Aaaand rounding out the end with my current favorite:
The Military Spouse: Sexually deprived for your freedom!
I wear no uniforms, no blues or army greens.
But I am in the military in the ranks rarely seen.
I have no rank upon my shoulders, salutes I do not give.
But the military world is the place where I live.
I'm not in the chain of command, orders I do not get.
But my husband is the one who does, this I cannot forget.
I'm not the one who fires the weapon, who puts my life on the line.
But my job is just as tough. I'm the one that's left behind.
My husband is a patriot, a brave and prideful man,
And the call to serve his country, not all can understand.
Behind the lines I see the things needed to keep this country free.
My husband makes the sacrifice, but so do our kids and me.
I love the man I married. Patriotism is his life.
I proudly stand among the silent ranks known as the military wife.
Warrior
I never wore the uniform,
no medals on my chest.
The band it doesn't play for me,
I am not among the Best.
I do not march in cadence,
I do not rate salute,
I stand among the silent ranks,
our devotion absolute.
If you've not worn my shoes,
you do not know my story.
I live a life of sacrifice,
my reward a private glory.
I've wept many silent nights away,
and I've kept the home fires burning.
I've worried and I've waited,
as world events were churning.
I've moved more times than you could fathom,
left more people than you've known.
I've planted gardens 'round the world --
Very few that I've seen grown.
I've grieved with new-made widows,
and had my share of scares --
when a ship or plane or man was down,
and all I had were prayers.
I'm not asking for your sympathy,
(although appreciation can be nice)
I did it quite on purpose though --
I chose to sacrifice.
I'll tell you a secret now,
one you'd never guess.
About the one glory that is mine,
it's just enough, no more, no less.
When you and I stand together
as our national anthem plays,
I'll fill with reminiscences
of how I spent those days.
I'll know the pain and joys again,
I'll know that freedom isn't free,
I'll know I've helped to pay the price
and that the anthem plays for me.
Elizabeth Soutter Schwarzer
"Distance is not for the fearful, It is for the Bold. It is for those who are willing to spend a lot of time alone in exchange for a little time with the one they love. It is for those knowing a good thing when they see it, even if they dont see it nearly enough.." -Unknown
When you feel alone, just look at the spaces between your fingers, remember that in those spaces you can see my fingers locked with yours forever!
Recipe for a Military Spouse
1 1/2 cups Patience
1 cup Courage
3/4 cup Tolerance
dash of Adventure
1 pound of Ability
To the above ingredients: Add 2 tablespoons elbow grease and let stand alone for one year. Marinate frequently with salty tears. Pour off excess fat and sprinkle ever so lightly with money then Knead dough until payday. Season with international spices. Bake 20 years or until done. Makes unlimited servings
SERVE WITH PRIDE
1 1/2 cups Patience
1 cup Courage
3/4 cup Tolerance
dash of Adventure
1 pound of Ability
To the above ingredients: Add 2 tablespoons elbow grease and let stand alone for one year. Marinate frequently with salty tears. Pour off excess fat and sprinkle ever so lightly with money then Knead dough until payday. Season with international spices. Bake 20 years or until done. Makes unlimited servings
SERVE WITH PRIDE
The Military Spouse
When the good Lord was creating military spouses, He was into His sixth day of overtime.An Angel appeared and said, "You're having a lot of trouble on this one. What's wrong with the standard model?"
The Lord replied, "Have you ever seen the regulations? It has to be completely independent, must be sponsored to get on base, have the qualities of both mother and father during deployments; Be a perfect hostess to four or 40, handle emergencies without military orders, cope with the flu and move around the world, have a kiss that cures anything from a child's torn valentine to a soldier's weary day, have the patience of a saint when waiting for the unit to return stateside, and have six pairs of soft hands."
The Angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pair of hands? No way!"
And the Lord answered, "Don't worry. We'll make other military spouses to help. Besides, it's not the hands that are causing the problem - it's the heart. It must swell with pride, sustain the ache of separation, beat soundly when it's too tired to do so, be large enough to say 'I understand' when it doesn't, and say 'I love you,' regardless."
"Lord," said the Angel, touching his sleeve gently, "go to bed. You can finish that tomorrow."
"I can't," said the Lord. "I'm too close to creating something unique. Already I have one who can heal itself when sick, feed unexpected guests who are stuck in the area due to bad weather, and wave goodbye to its spouse from a pier or runway and understand it's important to the country that the spouse leave."
The Angel circled the model of the military spouse very slowly. "It's too soft," she sighed.
"But tough," the Lord said excitedly. "You cannot imagine what this being can do or endure!"
"Can it think?" the Angel asked.
"Can it think? It can convert 1400 to 2 p.m.!" the Lord said.
Finally, the Angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek. "There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model."
"It's not a leak," said the Lord. "It's a tear."
"What's it for?" asked the Angel.
"It's for joy, sadness, pain, loneliness and pride," the Lord said.
"You're a genius," said the Angel.
The Lord looked somber and said, "I didn't put it there."
~Author Unknown
Aaaand rounding out the end with my current favorite:
The Military Spouse: Sexually deprived for your freedom!
Friday, July 1, 2011
A blog effort of monumental proportions?
I always have something to say. This is true whenever I am talking with someone, or a group of people. I never run out of things to talk about, and always have an opinion to express. So why are putting words down on paper (keyboard?) so much more difficult? I know I have things to say, and plenty to talk about. Once I start a new post, inspiration always comes. My problem is clicking the button that takes me here. I guess sometimes I don't really feel like opening up and sharing, it takes too much effort. I don't know.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Seven days.
One week down, and a seemingly endless amount to go. I do feel rather accomplished about this first week, though. No major breakdowns (just a couple teeny ones :), no temper tantrums or (major) pity parties.
Breathe in, breath out.
Take it just one day at a time.
I constantly work on remembering the bigger picture, and why I am going through such a tough phase. My husband has answered a higher calling, and it is my duty to encourage him and release him into that role; to allow him to leave me for long periods of time, fighting for and ensuring the peace and security of our nation, and the same for others. In many ways I feel like the lucky one, what an honor it is to be in this position, to be the wife of such a noble man. I am continuously proud of him.
It seems like the phrase we military spouses hear from civilians more than any other is, 'You signed up for it.' Excuse me, no I did not. The paper I signed bound me to my husband. He may have signed up for it, but I signed up for him. No amount of research or practice can prepare you for this lifestyle. Jumping in feet first is the only way you can do it, and learn how to swim along the way. Of course there are certain things you know ahead of time that come with the territory; moving around a lot and deployments being a no brainer. Even still, it is a constant learning curve, and I believe that the successful spouses are the ones who learn and embrace just rolling with it.
Anyway, one week down. It's something.
Breathe in, breath out.
Take it just one day at a time.
I constantly work on remembering the bigger picture, and why I am going through such a tough phase. My husband has answered a higher calling, and it is my duty to encourage him and release him into that role; to allow him to leave me for long periods of time, fighting for and ensuring the peace and security of our nation, and the same for others. In many ways I feel like the lucky one, what an honor it is to be in this position, to be the wife of such a noble man. I am continuously proud of him.
It seems like the phrase we military spouses hear from civilians more than any other is, 'You signed up for it.' Excuse me, no I did not. The paper I signed bound me to my husband. He may have signed up for it, but I signed up for him. No amount of research or practice can prepare you for this lifestyle. Jumping in feet first is the only way you can do it, and learn how to swim along the way. Of course there are certain things you know ahead of time that come with the territory; moving around a lot and deployments being a no brainer. Even still, it is a constant learning curve, and I believe that the successful spouses are the ones who learn and embrace just rolling with it.
Anyway, one week down. It's something.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
From a missionary to the military.
In my early twenties (not that I'm so far removed from that, lol) I spent three years as a missionary. The organization I worked for, Youth With A Mission, has bases all over the world, and the one I was attached to was in Los Angeles.
Looking back, I see a bit of God's plan for my life, and how he used that time to prepare me for becoming a military spouse. I'm not saying that that was the sole purpose God had for me in me joining the organization, but it is pretty awesome to compare everything that I learned from that time, and how directly it applies to me now:
Living a transitional lifestyle-
In the missions world people are constantly moving here and there. They are coming back from a trip, or moving to another country. Moving every few years in the military is actually one of the (pretty much) constants. Over time I have learned to adapt to saying goodbye, and how to say hello. Saying goodbye never gets easier, but I have learned to accept it as part of my life, and really, the world is such a small place that you never know when you will run into people again, and I can attest to the fact that it really does happen! Unfortunately I think I am a little too good at saying goodbye, and not good enough at saying hello, to reaching out and making new friends.
Different cultures-
Experiencing different cultures has taught me the value and beauty of people and traditions that are unlike my own. Just because I do not understand something does not invalidate it, and every single time there is something to be learned. Accepting and celebrating differences can add a richness to life. Every base we go to has something to teach us, and all of the people we meet we can learn something from.
Flexible, Adaptable, Teachable- (but let's call it phat, not FAT! :)
This is the motto of a successful outreach in a foreign nation. I can not stress the importance of these three words as the military dictates several aspects of our lives. Remaining flexible is invaluable; it seems to me that the military likes to throw curveballs, and learning to roll with the punches makes for a much less stressful life! Being adaptable means that no matter where we may live, we can learn to thrive, whether it is the below-zero temperatures at Minot AFB in North Dakota, or the humid temperatures at Anderson AFB in Guam. Maintaining a teachable heart ensures a rich life full of growth. No matter what circumstances we may find ourselves in, finding the lesson learned, and applying it to other situations in life will enhance our roles as spouses and parents, allowing others to do the same.
Going to foreign locations-
Having visited a few different countries has allowed me a rare opportunity to relate to my husband, as his job takes him around the world as well. I understand the feelings of culture shock, of confusion and just wanting to go home! I also know what it feels like after it is all done and you have returned to America again, the feeling of wanting to go back; because no matter how hard it was, it became normal, and there is a comfort in that. (I also want to say that I understand that I will never truly understand. I may relate on a very-tip-of-the-iceberg level, but the only people who will ever know exactly what he is going through are the people who went through it with him.)
Valuing the importance of the work-
While missionaries and the military have some very different goals, both are equally important. Remembering the bigger picture when all I want to do is curl up in a ball and cry has been, so far, invaluable to me. It has given me a sense of peace instead of wanting to rip my hair out.
Leadership-
For much of my career as a missionary I was a leader. I staffed two schools that taught tools for ministry development, I also was a staff member of the core training course for the organization. Some of my responsibilities included the physical and spiritual well-being of the students, organizing and leading two-month outreaches for groups, and helping run a weekly summer outreach program that saw hundreds of students come through in the space of two and a half months. It was a lot of responsibility (imagine being in charge of twelve passports and 12,000 in cash, while traveling to new locations every week across Asia!) While none of those will be my responsibility as a military spouse, often times I will be running the household while my husband is away on field exercises, deployments, and short trips. What am I saying, I run the household even when he is home. :) When we have children, and if he deploys then, I will have to learn to step up and be both the mom and the dad as well.
Some tools I have learned throughout the world:
South Africa- You are not in charge of the timeline. Roll with it. You'll be happier. South Africans have a saying: 'just now'. It can mean anything from one minute to five hours later. There were many times when our team would be ready and waiting to go...only to keep waiting, and waiting, and waiting. We don't get to dictate when our spouses work, where they go, how long they are gone for, how long we get stationed somewhere. Accepting this is crucial to your happiness and success, I believe.
Nepal- Valuing the protections and freedom offered by America, and our soldiers. As a woman, it was not safe for me to travel alone, even to the corner market; I always had to have a male chaperone. And a woman, so it wouldn't look improper, since men and women do not socialize together unless they are married.
Thailand- Don't take things at face value. There is always something deeper at work. I spent my time in Thailand teaching English to women who worked at the bars; they learned various other skills as well, as a means to earn income, rather than selling their bodies. The stories we learned about the women we encountered was deeply impacting. (When you don't understand the orders he's been given, or the way the system works, remembering there is more to the story is crucial.)
Philippines- The beauty of all people, no matter how different from you. We are a family. Filipino culture is all about family, and the people I stayed with certainly became my family. The military is also a family. You don't always like it, but you're in it, and they (the friends you make, the people you work with) are always there for you and understand in a way no one else can.
It's kind of crazy to think that these two lifestyles have so much in common; I am so glad to have been/be a part of both, I live a very blessed life indeed. :)
Looking back, I see a bit of God's plan for my life, and how he used that time to prepare me for becoming a military spouse. I'm not saying that that was the sole purpose God had for me in me joining the organization, but it is pretty awesome to compare everything that I learned from that time, and how directly it applies to me now:
Living a transitional lifestyle-
In the missions world people are constantly moving here and there. They are coming back from a trip, or moving to another country. Moving every few years in the military is actually one of the (pretty much) constants. Over time I have learned to adapt to saying goodbye, and how to say hello. Saying goodbye never gets easier, but I have learned to accept it as part of my life, and really, the world is such a small place that you never know when you will run into people again, and I can attest to the fact that it really does happen! Unfortunately I think I am a little too good at saying goodbye, and not good enough at saying hello, to reaching out and making new friends.
Different cultures-
Experiencing different cultures has taught me the value and beauty of people and traditions that are unlike my own. Just because I do not understand something does not invalidate it, and every single time there is something to be learned. Accepting and celebrating differences can add a richness to life. Every base we go to has something to teach us, and all of the people we meet we can learn something from.
Flexible, Adaptable, Teachable- (but let's call it phat, not FAT! :)
This is the motto of a successful outreach in a foreign nation. I can not stress the importance of these three words as the military dictates several aspects of our lives. Remaining flexible is invaluable; it seems to me that the military likes to throw curveballs, and learning to roll with the punches makes for a much less stressful life! Being adaptable means that no matter where we may live, we can learn to thrive, whether it is the below-zero temperatures at Minot AFB in North Dakota, or the humid temperatures at Anderson AFB in Guam. Maintaining a teachable heart ensures a rich life full of growth. No matter what circumstances we may find ourselves in, finding the lesson learned, and applying it to other situations in life will enhance our roles as spouses and parents, allowing others to do the same.
Going to foreign locations-
Having visited a few different countries has allowed me a rare opportunity to relate to my husband, as his job takes him around the world as well. I understand the feelings of culture shock, of confusion and just wanting to go home! I also know what it feels like after it is all done and you have returned to America again, the feeling of wanting to go back; because no matter how hard it was, it became normal, and there is a comfort in that. (I also want to say that I understand that I will never truly understand. I may relate on a very-tip-of-the-iceberg level, but the only people who will ever know exactly what he is going through are the people who went through it with him.)
Valuing the importance of the work-
While missionaries and the military have some very different goals, both are equally important. Remembering the bigger picture when all I want to do is curl up in a ball and cry has been, so far, invaluable to me. It has given me a sense of peace instead of wanting to rip my hair out.
Leadership-
For much of my career as a missionary I was a leader. I staffed two schools that taught tools for ministry development, I also was a staff member of the core training course for the organization. Some of my responsibilities included the physical and spiritual well-being of the students, organizing and leading two-month outreaches for groups, and helping run a weekly summer outreach program that saw hundreds of students come through in the space of two and a half months. It was a lot of responsibility (imagine being in charge of twelve passports and 12,000 in cash, while traveling to new locations every week across Asia!) While none of those will be my responsibility as a military spouse, often times I will be running the household while my husband is away on field exercises, deployments, and short trips. What am I saying, I run the household even when he is home. :) When we have children, and if he deploys then, I will have to learn to step up and be both the mom and the dad as well.
Some tools I have learned throughout the world:
South Africa- You are not in charge of the timeline. Roll with it. You'll be happier. South Africans have a saying: 'just now'. It can mean anything from one minute to five hours later. There were many times when our team would be ready and waiting to go...only to keep waiting, and waiting, and waiting. We don't get to dictate when our spouses work, where they go, how long they are gone for, how long we get stationed somewhere. Accepting this is crucial to your happiness and success, I believe.
Nepal- Valuing the protections and freedom offered by America, and our soldiers. As a woman, it was not safe for me to travel alone, even to the corner market; I always had to have a male chaperone. And a woman, so it wouldn't look improper, since men and women do not socialize together unless they are married.
Thailand- Don't take things at face value. There is always something deeper at work. I spent my time in Thailand teaching English to women who worked at the bars; they learned various other skills as well, as a means to earn income, rather than selling their bodies. The stories we learned about the women we encountered was deeply impacting. (When you don't understand the orders he's been given, or the way the system works, remembering there is more to the story is crucial.)
Philippines- The beauty of all people, no matter how different from you. We are a family. Filipino culture is all about family, and the people I stayed with certainly became my family. The military is also a family. You don't always like it, but you're in it, and they (the friends you make, the people you work with) are always there for you and understand in a way no one else can.
It's kind of crazy to think that these two lifestyles have so much in common; I am so glad to have been/be a part of both, I live a very blessed life indeed. :)
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Deployment is a four letter word...?
Deployment. It really is an ugly word. I would like to run and hide from it. Unfortunately, it's knocking on my door, and I can avoid it no longer. Tomorrow I will say 'see you later' (never goodbye!) to my husband, as this word takes him far from me for a time. From the very beginning, I knew this day would come. We have been given quite a reprieve of it, until now. As newlyweds, we have been able to experience all of the firsts together; first Christmas, birthdays, anniversary, and what a gift that has been. Now I must relinquish him to a higher cause, and try to keep my chin up and my perspective positive. What a feat. I have been so incredibly blessed with the support system around me; other military wives, my friends, my family. They are all my backbone right now, and I am so so grateful I can lean on them right now, knowing I am surrounded by so many people who love me and want to take care of me. I couldn't do it alone. Maybe it's appropriate that on this last day I woke up so early in the morning, for I think that is the best time for thinking, and plenty of time for arming myself for the day with strength and positivity.
I don't want to go through these next several months. This lifestyle is extremely difficult, and sometimes I wish I could run from it. I do hope that by the end of it, I will be a better person. A better friend, a better daughter, a better wife. I know there are many positives to come out of this, if I choose them. I hope I do.
I don't want to go through these next several months. This lifestyle is extremely difficult, and sometimes I wish I could run from it. I do hope that by the end of it, I will be a better person. A better friend, a better daughter, a better wife. I know there are many positives to come out of this, if I choose them. I hope I do.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Recent events and my take on them
The Royal Wedding:
Yes, I watched, and yes, I was excited about it. As much hype as there was here in America, it seemed to me that most people didn't care and thought it was unnecessary to make such a big deal out of it. Well, we don't have royals here, we don't understand the historical context of it. While they have no real political power anymore, and are figureheads more than anything else, the fact that it is still such an integral part of life in Britain gives us a clue to it's importance. Britain was founded on the monarchy, it is a cornerstone of their country, and it actually infiltrates into our society more often than one might think. Remember that movie The Other Boleyn Girl? Or Elizabeth with Cate Blanchett? All about the monarchy. The King and Queen, and the new Duke and Duchess, play important roles in society, and we would be remiss to overlook that.
The news is filled with so much bad, it was nice for a change to focus on the good. Weddings are happy occasions, why not take one day and just celebrate love?
The killing of Osama Bin Laden:
This one is definitely more controversial than a wedding. I am a person of faith (conventionally, a Christian, but I don't really like associating myself with that word; more often than not negative images...need I say more than Westboro Baptist Church...come to mind when one hears that word, and that is not my brand of faith). I am sad that he will spend eternity apart from God, but I am happy that goodness prevails. I am so extremely proud of my country, and especially the men who took part in the operation. I feel like it hits a little closer to home than otherwise; my husband is in the military and preparing to deploy, a direct result of the actions of that man. At the end of the day, I am glad to be living in a world with just a little less evil...for now.
Yes, I watched, and yes, I was excited about it. As much hype as there was here in America, it seemed to me that most people didn't care and thought it was unnecessary to make such a big deal out of it. Well, we don't have royals here, we don't understand the historical context of it. While they have no real political power anymore, and are figureheads more than anything else, the fact that it is still such an integral part of life in Britain gives us a clue to it's importance. Britain was founded on the monarchy, it is a cornerstone of their country, and it actually infiltrates into our society more often than one might think. Remember that movie The Other Boleyn Girl? Or Elizabeth with Cate Blanchett? All about the monarchy. The King and Queen, and the new Duke and Duchess, play important roles in society, and we would be remiss to overlook that.
The news is filled with so much bad, it was nice for a change to focus on the good. Weddings are happy occasions, why not take one day and just celebrate love?
The killing of Osama Bin Laden:
This one is definitely more controversial than a wedding. I am a person of faith (conventionally, a Christian, but I don't really like associating myself with that word; more often than not negative images...need I say more than Westboro Baptist Church...come to mind when one hears that word, and that is not my brand of faith). I am sad that he will spend eternity apart from God, but I am happy that goodness prevails. I am so extremely proud of my country, and especially the men who took part in the operation. I feel like it hits a little closer to home than otherwise; my husband is in the military and preparing to deploy, a direct result of the actions of that man. At the end of the day, I am glad to be living in a world with just a little less evil...for now.
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