LAST POST

EVER!

I don't know that ANYONE reads this anymore....but just in case....

I won't be posting here - EVER AGAIN. (I just really like the whole emphasis thing...teehee). A year ago when I started this blog I was hoping to marry my long time boyfriend, I was living in DC and going to school to be a librarian. I started this blog as a project for work, with no focus or foundation - really just to check out new technology. Loads and loads has changed since then. I'm single, living in Boston, working at a non-profit, and thinking - seriously - about getting a MA in pastoral ministry with a concentration in justice and spirituality.

But never fear - I have a new blog. It's not about Brasil, librarianship, or veganism. It's all about my faith and social justice convictions and the places where the two do (and don't) intersect.

I'm working hard on the blog and my first post is scheduled to publish on June 4th, 2008.

You can find me at http://faithintersectsaction.wordpress.com/. I truly hope to "see" many friendly faces there. Thank you for your support and encouragement here.

Beijos e abracos,
M

Yah, yah, yah

Hmmm....been a while, eh? Doesn't make for very effective blogging. My grandmother has officially told me she is writing me off - in the blogosphere at least.

I'm here. I'm here! Don't give up....quite yet.

I often think about blogging - just not as much as I think about all the work I have to do, or why I've started a new long distance relationship, or why I haven't worked out, or what I'm going to eat next. I think about those things a LOT more. teehee.

Updates:

Recycling: Almost every Boston T stop has a recycling receptacle for the free dailies that are distributed every morning. Yippee!!! Granted, it is a plastic garbage bag, and not a metal container (like fabulous DC) so that seems like unneccessary waste. But hey - it is something. Also, I have stolen back the recycling bin I use at home. For those of you that didn't know my neighbor had taken the bin I requested from the city and claimed it as their own. I stole it back - hopefully from the right (or shall we say wrong?) person. Viva recyling!!!

Family: I bought a ticket, busted my chops to take three days off of work and suprised my cousin Liana for her 21st birthday. Well, sort of. She knew - but it was a wonderful weekend in Atlanta and Athens, GA nonetheless. My brother also drove over from SC. We had loads of cousinly love all around. I didn't grow up with very strong family ties and feel SO blessed to be creating them at this stage in my life.

I spent today with a local cousin, Jesse. He helped me load, transport, and assemble furniture. I am now officially not living in boxes. Woohoo!!!! He is so great to have around: big/tall/strong, funny, and musical. Who could ask for more in a cousin?

Farm: I am going to be a farmer one day. I am going to buy land with Moose, Booboo, Chorizo, and Drew (those are people by the way) and we are going to operate a permaculture farm and community hostel. Information, updates, and donation solicitations to follow. teehee!

Work: HARD! personally and professionally transformative. soul fulfilling. exhausting. love it. hate it. April 17th will be my third month on the job and the end of my probationary period. I have to decide if I will commit to the position for the next 3 years. I have never had a job that challenges me to grow and pushes me to excel in such a relentless and consistent fashion. It is the only job I've ever had that I look at the clock at 6pm on Friday and think "I wish it was 4pm" and then proceed to stay until 7pm. And when I leave I still have hours left of work. I've also never had a job that gave me such a clear and direct avenue to changing kids lives. I think I'll commit and complain a whole lot about it - but be better for it. Let's see~

Boys: For the first time in 8 years I am not dating Art or thinking about Art. And I live in the same city as him!!! That phase of my life has finally reached a conclusion. A new one has begun. I thought it was going to be one of single revelry and Bostonian flirting. Instead....it is with an insanely busy PhD student who lives in.......are you ready......Washington,DC. Yes, yes - I did just move from there. AHHHHHHH!!!! Trust me - if it wasn't the most profound emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and physical connection of my life I would kick him to the curb. Sigh. Whether we date for one more day (his crazy schedule is for the birds) or the rest of my life, it doesn't really matter. He's completely altered what I believe is possible from love (and I am NOT saying I am in love with him), but he is just that amazing. He is a gift from God - in the hardship and happiness. So (much like with my job) I am completely thrilled, engaged, grateful, frustrated, and conflicted. Oh joy!

Working out: Was doing great and then fell off the band wagon this week. Wish me luck for a good run tomorrow. Almost three weeks ago I visited my folks in NYC and my pops had me do a great weight lifting routine. I was inspired....for like three days. Ugh! If I hadn't just bought all this furniture (did I mention that 3 months into living in Boston and I'm finally out of boxes?!?!) I'd totally splurge on a personal trainer. Maybe next month....I do have those 20 boxing classes that I spent $200 on and haven't used once. Monday, monday - I'll go to class Monday (maybe this Monday it will actually be true).

Food: I don't have much time to cook or even eat out. I've just been eating the fruit and veggies that Boston Organics deliver. BUT, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the BEST Indian food I've ever eaten (which happened to be vegan). I got this dish at the Grit in Athens, GA. That curry tofu (and Liana) made it one of the best meals of my life. Not to mention their insanely wonderful vegan chocolate pecan pie. I'm drooling. No exaggeration. You may not have the pleasure of my cousin but it would still be worth going. I wasn't a big fan of the corn "thing" (in the small cup) - it was obviously canned corn. Gross! With all the ethanol production and high fructose corn syrup causing insane deman for corn you would think I could get some fresh. Oh well. Besides that it was a great atmosphere, spunky and efficient service, and great great great food. Go to the Grit!

i'm waiting and it's shorter

Yup. I cut my hair. I had to do something - I'm single, ONE HUNDRED happy percent, for the first time in a while. Oh, yeah, I've been single before. I know, I know. But Art was always there. In my heart, filling my head, lifting my hopes. And now......I'm letting that go, getting rid of the safety net. What gave me the strength??? I want him to be happy. And that ain't with me.
Anyway.....I had to do something to mark the occassion. My pops teased me that I'll probably get a new email address (that is what I have done since I had my first hotmail address at 18) but not this time. This time I went for short and sassy. Still not quite as sassy as me - but it will do for now. Until the next boy.......but with any luck that won't be for a good long while.

Thursday I am hosting a vegan dinner (with scallops wrapped in bacon for the insistent carnivore male in the group). What I cook and eat will be vegan so that makes it a vegan dinner. teehee! Not quite sure what I'll be making, perhaps gnocci with spinach pesto.

Exercise. Well, I did run three times last week. All over 40 minutes. Haven't run yet this week. But will. I will! I love it so much - why don't I make it happen???? Ugh. I fully blame the state of Massachusetts. When I lived in DC I ran - regularly. The weather here is atrocious. I left for work at 6:50am (didn't get home until 8pm). I had planned on taking a lunch break and running at 1pm. The weather didn't have the common decency to hold off on raining until I had a chance to do so. The nerve! Oh...what's that you say.......what about the gym......that I belong to......and is one block away from work.....well.....hmmm.....let's see......

Still waiting on pins and needles for the results in Ohio and Texas.......

Retraction

So not to long ago I wrote about the pitiful recycling bin situation in Boston - especially within the T stations. Since then I have noticed several green top, sheet plastic bag receptacles for recycling the newspaper. Which is great to see. Granted - they are always empty when I see them, there is no public awareness campaign to push the recycling, and there are still tons of newspapers littering the train and platform. BUT....I've got to be honest - they are there.

On an unrelated note I think Harvard Sq. is the smelliest T stop of all the ones I've been to. ugh! I would love to do a review of all the T stops on a given line. Maybe during the summer.

I'm very excited to get to know more of Boston. I just signed up to be a volunteer tour guide for Boston by Foot. (more details to come after I start the 6 week training.) Starting in April I will be attending Saturday lectures about significant historical and architectural sites. The class runs from 10-3pm, I have to write 4 papers (3 to 5 pages), and I will have a final exam. Then I am off - I will be giving 6 tours between May and October. If you visit me up here in Boston I'll be able to give you a 12 dollar tour for free. If that (plus me) isn't incentive to visit I don't know what is!

Whatta week

Superficial updates:
- I have seen two newspaper recycling receptacles at T stops (Downtown Crossing and Haymarket). Woohoo. woohoo. My personal recycling bin was stolen and hasn't been returned. Those dirty rotten.....
- I have recently watched Michael Clayton and In Bruges and read Plainsong. Interesting....very very interesting. Michael Clayton was a suspenseful tale of corrupt greed and redemption. In Bruges was a slightly anti-American, racist, dry humor shoot em up. I never thought Colin Farrell was a good actor - now I can be convinced otherwise. And Plainsong was simple, slow, and quiet. I don't read a lot of fiction and this happened by accident . The writing was sparse and straight forward. It was subtle (I'm a big fan of alliteration). Worth reading but I can't say there were any big take aways.
- There is a new raw vegan restaurant in the North End of Boston - Grezzo. Whawhawhat???? Suprise suprise. It was a small space with an intensely personal atmosphere. It was pricey and hit or miss mostly because I am NO fan of raw food. BUT the gnocchi and dessert was GOOD and filled me for the evening. I really felt very energized afterward. But I refuse to go raw. You can't cook anything above 112 degrees. That is ridiculous (said the vegan who won't shop at Walmart, buy Nike, and strives to buy fair trade, organic, and local). We have to be reasonable - I mean....what about peanut butter cookies and pumpkin muffins? I need an oven! teehee.

More profound -
- My amazing coworker lost her father to cancer this past Monday. One of my former coworkers, a beautiful, kind, spirited 31 yr old new mother is losing her life to cancer. Death is incredibly sad and wrenching. And I have faith in something beyond this tragic moment. I can't imagine otherwise.
- I've been praying. Not down on my knees wailing and gnashing of teeth kind of stuff but a silent thread that permeates my day. On the bus I'll offer the "her" (see above) up in love for healing and peace. As I brush my teeth I'll be reminded to pray for those in Darfur, Iraq and Afghanistan who are experiencing devastating loss and violence. As I lie in bed I'll pray for those with addictions - to smoking, gambling, drinking, drugs, etc. I pray that God fills them with the love and courage to feel fullfilled on their own merits. It's been a blessing to be reinvigorated to turn to God.
- I've moved beyond the quiet desperation of wanting to get married and be with someone (most of you know who). Whether that happened or not I was comfortable. And safe. Now I am questioning what I want, where I'll be, and who God has chosen for me. Well....I guess it's not too late to be a nun...I think I'd be quite a looker in a habit.

Family - give me more

Visited my Uncle Ben (whom I haven't seen in 13ish years) his wife - Aunt Robin and his two sons, my cousins Jesse and Thom (and Jesse's girlfriend Lauren). I got there at 1:45 and left at 7pm. We spent five hours laughing and talking. As I was leaving it struck me how lucky I am. I always missed strong family connections growing up and in the past year have been blessed to realize it isn't ever too late. Uncle Ben is easily accessible by public transportation (only 13 dollars round trip and under 2 hours from my door to his), I LOVE my cousins, he served great red wine, Robin was incredibly warm and welcoming, and their dogs are super cute. But no treadmill. I guess their thoughtful consideration of my vegan diet, hilarity, and kindness will just have to suffice.

I still haven't worked out. ARGH!!!! I'm moodier, less energetic, even less organized, not to mention insecure and whiny. I had a very strategic plan for working out today and somehow ended up making pumpkin muffins instead. But I've been reading the Run with Dogs blog which is motivating and causes me to feel shame. I will run tomorrow. I will!!!! (unless I talk myself out of it - which I easily allow the frigid temps to do). I tried to emmulate my DC running group that originated with a craigslist posting but the results were disastarous. I never met up with the two people that responded but the one chick ended up being PSYCHO and sending me rambling tirades calling me stupid, harsh, attitudey, and a princess (even though she never met me). Ahhh...the joys of craigslist.



My sassy Saturday night was shopping at Harvest Coop in Cambridge. It took me 8 minutes to get there on the 64, but over an hour an half to get back. Bus schedules are like men - can't figure them out and just when you think you have - they change on you...with no notice. I spent over NINETY dollars at the grocery store. How do I do that????? Well....I buy things like a small bag of $6 vital wheat gluten because once I walk through the grocery store doors I enter a state of delusion. All the vegan organic products transport me to a fantasy world where I am going to made homemade seitan. It isn't until I am dragging the seriously heavy bags home that reality hits me, I won't. In my defense I bought cleaning supplies and vitamins.

I'm Back

Whoa - that was a LONG break. One day just turned into the next which turned into a month - with no photos and no energy. But about 6 people have told me that this blog is how they keep track of me, and I love to write and talk about me, so why not??? So for those 6 people, this one's for you!

Let's try this format....5 thoughts at a time: fitness, my adopted city, food, free time, and faith.

- I haven't worked out consistently since I moved to Boston. I am working out about 1x a week and eating way too much. I did take one class (and sign up for 20 more classes) of women's boxing at Boston Boxing. It will take me about another week to make it to class again because of work (and I work the least in the office). Even though I've only gained 3 pounds I feel like a beached whale. Myself and some coworkers signed up for a 5 mile run in Jamaica Plains on April 13th. Lets see...

- Boston was recently voted an very green/environmentally friendly city. But my biggest pet peeve is that the T (subway) is LITERED with the free newspapers, Boston Now and Metro, that are distributed every morning. There is NO recycling at any stations. So annoying. I guess there was some talk of MBTA (they run the subway) of recycling more - but that was back in 2006 and ain't nothing happened!

- I ordred the 27 dollar box of produce from Boston Organics and my first delivery was this week. Since one of my New Year's Resolutions is to eat 5-7 servings of fruits and veggies a day I thought this was a great idea. It's not - not nearly enough produce. So then I thought of buying a CSA (community supported agriculture - you buy a share of a local farm and get a weekly produce box). I was thinking about Parker Farm but then I read he doesn't have orchards and grows a lot of fennel. I hate fennel. What is an incredibly lazy but caring girl to do?

-I get about ten tv stations and still waste too much time watching tv. I got home today and after eating way too much (a falafel sandwhich, vegetarian vegetable soup, and loads of dry rice chex cereal) I proceeded to watch Two and a Half Men (disgustingly horrible and cliche), Jeopardy (I hate when contestants select 1600 and don't start at the top of the category), and Medical Mysteries on ABC - which was fear inducing and cringe worthy. Why do I do this to myself?

- It is Lent. My prayer life sucks. I'm not volunteering anywhere. I tell myself I'm going to fast every Wednesday and I only last until about 6pm. Ugh. double ugh. Not to mention I went from being surrounded by bible thumping craddle Catholics last year to progressive aetheist/agnostic coworkers this year that warily treat people of faith as just a little bit slow and seriously unenlightened. triple ugh. I've been asking myself a lot lately why I am Catholic - I don't believe homosexuality is wrong, I won't picket at abortion clinics, and I'm often ashamed of the church's stance on issues (especially historically). What I wouldn't give (sometimes) to be a straight forward liberal, unencumbered by faith. If only I didn't believe in the real presence of the eucharist (which I haven't taken for MONTHS), the importance of Mary, the reverence of saints, the holy trinity. Then....then I could be Unitarian or nondenominational. If only~

I blame the 6 inches of snow on my bahhumbug mood.