Put Your Tofu Where Your Mouth Is

Well much to the dismay of my high school social studies teacher, I'm going vegan again. I re-joined PETA, and so have stopped with the meat, milk, and eggs. I had cereal for breakfast this morning, but even this lifestyle choice isn't really too difficult this go-round. When I went vegan in high-school, it was pure altruism. Looking back, it was more naivety, but who's really counting? I don't consider animals some vice that I must "quit." I am just really for an animal's right to be here just like we are. I like soy.

I think activism must start somewhere, and since I really don't have the "How-to guide," like Gloria Steinem said, "Activism starts with action."

I'm supposing that eating (or abstaining from eating) is an action. I think for me, it's a practical way to contribute on many levels, like becoming more green, among other things. The difference between "then" and "now" is "then" was a fad, whereas "now" is more of a lifestyle choice.

Thank you for reading.
Tomorrow's topic is going to be my "bucket list."
-Shayna

Pat Robertson is Haitful.

I am not sure if this was as appalling to you as it was to me, but I thought I'd go ahead and just write down some of my raw raging thoughts regarding the Pat Robertson fiasco. I know I should be shocked that a televangelist has once again said something stupid or contradictory of Christianity.

Before I go on any further into this rant, I would like to first turn my thoughts and prayers to Haiti at their time of great need. May we band together during the coming weeks and months to show the world that we CAN set an example of how to help our fellow humans.

OK, so when I was going to view the clip on YouTube, I thought for a second, "it can't be that bad." But then I heard him utter the words, "it may be a blessing in disguise..." and there all hope was lost. We're talking about potentially a hundred THOUSAND PEOPLE. I generally consider myself an optimist, but how is the death of 100,000,000 people a blessing? But it doesn't stop there, Mr. Robertson goes on (nobody knew why) to say that Haitians made a pact with the devil for their independence and that this was their punishment from God.

That is not only nonsense, but as Ambassador Raymond Joseph was interviewed by Rachel Maddow, he stopped for a moment to address the Robertson nonsense. He added that whatever the pact made with the devil is irrelevant, as the reason that USA was able to make the Louisiana Purchase for fifteen million dollars was due to the Haitian revolution from France in 1804.

Well, all Satanic speculation aside, Haiti is a nation who unprecedentedly gained Independence from slavery by overthrowing their European rule. I personally feel that this should have been more of a heartfelt truth to bind us with our neighbors, as we, too struggled in the beginning. But what precedence nobody mentioned is that Pat Robertson turned this devastation and suffering into the modern-day version of The Crucible, by Arthur Miller. It's times like this I'm really hoping that with enough people, we can turn the tides and support our fellow human-kind, instead of paying attention to the loud voices that say nothing.

Mr. Robertson seems to be a bit forgetful of what's actully in his God's rule-book. The bible says, Love your Lord God, and to love your neighbor as yourself.

(I know it's not verbatim, but that's what it means. If it's a huge deal, just look it up, yourself. ;-D )

Also if you notice, there is a link on the side, to the American Red Cross if you haven't yet found a way to contribute.

-Peace and Love,

Shayna

Newbie

Okay, so admittedly it sounds a bit cliche that I have only just now decided to start my blogging career, as I am a college student in the midst of all that is expression and learning about life. As my history has revealed to me, my journal entries have ranged from senseless word vomit to music reviews, and even short stories and essays. Hopefully I can just do all of that here, instead of on the hundreds of composition books and tablets scattered throughout my apartment, car, dorm room, and wherever else they live. I'm not sure if anyone will even read any of this, but it will probably prove to be an interesting experience for me! My goal is to do one blog per day, as schedule permits, and we'll just go from there!

home at last...

Current mood:awake

I am so super excited to be home finally. I don't have to deal with the same crap i had to for way too long.  i finally am going back to the job i love and the hobbies i miss so much.   don't worry, though, I am still behaving well.  Already found Rachel and went on a random road trip across the state line with my mom's hijacked car... it was pretty cool, to relive old times.  "right or left... hurry up the road ends!"  yeah reckless endangerment is always a blast, except now I am much more aware of the stupid things I do...
I haven't been doing all of the things that i am supposed to do- something about muffins and Barbara f'ing bush!!! ask my Special K about that one... 

I am taking this all alot harder than i thought i would.  I miss them a lot and am also conflicted about how to do something else that i have been meaning to do for a while but have been putting off... i am such a procrastinator.  I think that that is a really fancy name for Sloth, one of those danged 7 deadly ones.

I have, however made it through another day "successfully" and might i add, not of my own doing!  My physical for my return to work was this morning, and i had to get another PPD, the Doc told me i had PTSD, and asked about one of the other questions i answered....the only one on the form that i was praying she wouldn't see.  but she did, and i had to own up to it, hell i was surprised i even answered it honestly, but that's me now, rigorously honest-especially when my job and livelihood depend on it. Gotta go for now, it's about 0220 and I need some sleep.  I am meeting some friends at 8 am.  No, that's not a joke. I can do it if I keep awake.  OK- old behavior.  I will go to bed. 

If anyone actually reads this, send me an email or something!  I am curious to know who is reading this or not!
luv ya, Shayna

what’s crackin?...me with the books!

Current mood:busy

Hola and good day!  So I don't remember where exactly I left off before, but i was probably whining about something or other. Life today is peachy.  I can't complain.  I figured out that i am not capable of being in a relationship at the moment. That's good to know.  I don't have to worry about some messy problems down the line, i guess.  My EMT class started this week.  It's ridiculous, I feel like i am in remedial EMT school.  whatev' as Rachel says so frequently.  I had my first test today and scored in the top 3, but since there are 25 in the class, that's not good enough for me, i have to ace the rest of the tests. It's not like they're really hard or in depth. 
I am being activated once more, this time stateside though.  12-18 mos in Fort Belvoir, VA.  So that's good, more CONUS time, which will carry me out to 18 mos left in the IRR at that point, and elections over with.  I just want to get the hell out of the army.  They told me I'm leaving sometime in July, but we all know how that goes.... 72 hours notice, anyone?

I don't get to spend time with my good friend, Special T, (or T-dawg, as i probably have never called her) The working different shifts and weird down-times makes keeping up to date a pain.  I shouldn't say it like that, because it's far from what i mean. I love spending time with her, but it's virtually impossible to synch schedules.

that's all i got folks, busy but happy!
Plug in and Rock out!
PS, Brian, yes i will come get my crap someday, i swear! miss u too!
-Adios, Shayna

Is there meaning to life when you run out of pop-tarts?

Current mood:bored

I just out of the blue realized that not only am I EXACTLY where i am supposed to be, but i have drastic measurable progress from where i used to be.  I am not a kid anymore, and being a grown-up is still really just too boring, so i keep living in this mental high-school.  I am sure that sounded even crazier than it did in my own mind.  I keep having these situations and opportunities thrown into my lap to grow from. Doing what i am supposed to is getting easier, but i don’t know that it will ever just "come naturally"

I got to talk to my best friend in the whole wide world (my newest bestest friend) the other day. I forgot how much i miss people when i shut them out.  See, when people get too close and start to get to know me, i run away.  I shut them out, dodge their calls, and ignore their myspace messages...   how crazy is that?  If you do that too, then you’re as nuts as i am.  ANYWAY i am working on not doing that anymore.  I don’t want to be that person who has a flock of friends around when it’s only convenient for me, forget the rest!  Instead of just spending all my time thinking about all the people that i miss at the moment and how it would be nice to re-connect with those folks and pick up with our friendship from anywhere in my Manic past, i think about it more than face value now.  Yes, i miss a bunch of folks. Yes it would be really cool to hang out with them all right now!  Then they would open up to me, i would tell them all about what’s been going on and before i know it, i’m hiding from their calls again.  Maybe it’s some sort of self-preservation, but after a long while all you’re left with is a bunch of memories and pictures of people who you don’t know anymore. 

Long story short, i am working on it!  I am and will forever be a commitment-phobe, in relationships and all sorts of obligations, but i hate HAVING to do stuff.  I think i am just a flower child born 30 years late. 

more to follow.
much love, Shayna

What’s new? (AKA No sex in the city.)

I really hate when people ask me what’s new?  Obviously if there was some exciting life changing event in my life, and you know me, you’d know that i would never keep my mouth closed ever, so this is one of the exceptions for "there are no stupid questions."  Yes there are.  That was one of them.  Maybe something did happen and i just don’t want to tell you because we’re "just not tight like that" as my buddy would say.  And at that point, it’s none of your business anyway.   LOL

Ok enough contrition. 
I am at the point where I am beginning to date again.  I feel like i was out of the dating pool for a million years and don’t remember how it works.  I suppose every new relationship is new and exciting in its own right.  For the first time i can remember, i am starting to really think about what are the qualities that i want in someone, as opposed to "here are the qualities in this person, do i settle or not?"  Most of the time in relationships i have been in have worked out the same.  MOST of them.  No, not all of them, but I found that i end up realizing all the qualities i DON’T want before i find someone i can tolerate being around for more than an hour at a time.  :) 

I want someone who is a lot like me, but not me.  Someone who is driven, loves to laugh and goof off sometimes, but can still take the important stuff seriously. There are a million more things, so i will just save you the effort.... 
It is also exciting, because for the first time, i am single, but not lonely.  My friends and surrogate sisters mean so much to me.  Romance can never trump the love of a best friend. not even come close. If you happen to fall in love with your best friend, then that changes everything, but i know for me, that doesn’t really work....
I really miss being in a relationship.  I miss having someone to hold and fall asleep with.  It took me four and a half years to realize that the reason that i can’t be in a serious relationship is that in the back of my mind, i have clung on to this notion of being with somebody else...The One that changes you forever.  The One who no matter how things ended between you, they will always occupy the back of my mind.  I am not even sure i would want to pursue a relationship, but i’m the kind of impulsive girl who would still drop everything and move across the world.  Well whatever, at least i am living my life differently today. At least I have a better set of problems. 
Learn from me, either chase your dream or dream something new, but you can’t do both, well I can’t anyway.  I don’t really know what to do.  I even forget how to be asked out on a date?  Are the men still clubbing the women over the head to drag them back to the cave? 
Well, if my old "the one"  reads this, (i’d be surprised lol) but i would say something like "wow, it’s been years, I would like a chance to get to know you again." You could do the same...  talk about vices you’ve given up- drinking, smoking, chocolate, the Sopranos-whatever.  Just reconnect. You’ll realize soon whether or not the electricity is there.  Then you can finally move on, or do things however you are supposed to.  Thank God for second chances.  (For some of us-thirds fourth and fifth chances also!)

Anyway i am done rambling now, so If you are reading this and think i am crazy, I am. 
more to come another day,
love,
Shayna

PS many the miles