More Perfect than Cookies

I feel like people have this image of God as a booming, scary, impersonal ruler. In most movies, that is exactly how God is depicted, so it seems that may have some influence over our impression. However, I'm starting to believe this image of God we have in our head (and see on the big screen) may be dead wrong. 

An Emergency Trip on Valentine's

I detest the very idea of Valentine's day. For years I have refused to let boyfriends buy me chocolate or roses, take me on a date, or plan anything that is out of the ordinary. And so, I planned to spend February 14, an ordinary Saturday in my opinion, hitting the wall to compete in the annual T-Town Pull Down rock climbing competition hosted at Alabama. There were 90 competitors set to dominate the fresh routes and show off their climbing ability. Once I acquired my super sweet T-shirt, checked out all the new routes, and poured over the score sheet, I too was ready.

Kind of.

I'm texting again....kind of.

I'm shocked really, just how quickly the fast actually went by. I can't believe it's over already, and how easy it was. People keep asking how I did it, how I could have possibly given all of that up for that long. I am baffled by this question. The answer is simple: I just said I would, publicly committed to it, and did it. It's really not hard, you just put your phone down, stop reaching for the sweets, and focus on other (more important) tasks.

It is said that it scientifically takes 21 days to form a habit. And after this fast, I'm starting to think it's true. I find myself reaching for the peanuts and fruit instead of chips. I left my phone in my car, completely forgetting about it's existence, and I still call people on autopilot, as if texting is a completely foreign concept to me now. I still have yet to log into my Twitter and I've been on Instagram once. I don't feel the need to eat chocolate every second or to fill the gap time I face standing in line or on the bus. I feel completely satisfied to be disconnected to the world for a while and just breathe and think.

Honey Sriracha Chicken

Now I know, this isn't much of a food blog. But I just had to share this amazing recipe. Ray and I made it yesterday and could not have been more pleased with how it turned out. You can either make it sweet or spicy, and since he left it up to me, we had a nasal-clearing kind of meal. I highly recommend this dish. It's delicious, sweet, spicy, and super easy! 

Why I'm Not Texting You...or Anyone

Many people having been asking me how my fast is going. Not just friends and family, but that random girl I met once and that guy who lives in my building and other casual acquaintances. I'm not sure if it's because they are concerned for me or because they are curious about fasting. I suspect it's a little of both. Honestly, I have found that the fast is easier than I thought it would be. Sure, it has it's challenging moments. There are times where it would be way more convenient to send a text and meals where all I want is to gobble up a big bowl of mint chocolate chip. But overall, I'm surprised at the ease I have already found in giving everything up. 

I think the part of my fast people are most shocked and curious about is the "no texting" policy. I've had questions from "How do you do it?" to "How do people contact you?" like it's a necessity and there's no other way to talk to someone. Of my fast, it is definitely the part that has impacted me the most, and while my friends may be annoyed that they have to actually pick up the phone and call me, I am really enjoying not texting anyone. I have begun to notice how much time it consumes in my daily life, and how much it distracts me. 

Walking across the quad, I could count on one hand the number of people not doing something on their phone. I walk past friends who don't see me because they are absorbed in a text message or liking a picture on Instagram. I look around at the natural allure and elegance of this campus, knowing that no one else is paying attention to the exquisiteness of a sunny day in Alabama. It's sad really, how much of the world we miss because we are constantly consumed by the world we create. 

Why I'm Throwing Away My Christmas Cookies

Ahhh, the new year. That big, glowing, sparkly ball dropped in Times Square and all over the world people decided to make a change in their life (at least for a few weeks). Now, I don't usually make resolutions, in fact I would usually tell you that I don't really believe in them. I don't think the new year is a time to make change, I think every day is. I think it's silly that people wait for another year to pass before deciding to lose weight or start a new hobby...why not start today? The list of things people make resolutions about goes on and on. The Journal of Clinical Psychology at the University of Scranton reported last year that the top ten New Year's resolutions were the following: