Closing Up Shop

Well folks, I'm starting a new chapter in my life.

Join me? linenandtea.wordpress.com

The 30-Day Challenge

Back in May, before I switched coasts, I decided to try being a vegan. Now, if you know me even in the slightest, chances are I was ordering a steak while eating cheese the last time you saw me, right? Yeah, sounds about right.

But, in reality I was in a bit of an unhealthy funk and it was beginning to make a bigger impact than just my waistline. Doctor visits were becoming much more frequent than I would have liked to realize and I just didn't have energy.

So, I picked up Alicia Silverstone's The Kind Life and changed my habits. Her book has an entire education section on how foods effect your body and nothing felt over the top or pushy. Just logic, which I appreciated.

Now, I have been meat and (mostly... there have been a few slip ups) dairy free for 30 plus days! I feel healthier, I'm losing weight (which can also be attributed to the fact that I'm walking a lot more nowadays), and I'll see about the doctor when I got for a shot in mid-July. Here's hoping I'm okay.

How long this will last, I'm not sure yet. I like the way I feel as a vegetarian/vegan. I just feel lighter and cleaner. Although, I may let real cheese into my life from time to time, but still not on a regular basis, I don't see meat playing a big role.

Regardless of if you would ever consider changing your diet, I really encourage everyone to read The Kind Life because it is always important to understand what you are putting into your body and the resulting effects.

New City, New Outlook, New Life

I've officially been in SF for 25 days. 25! That's insane!

It feels like I've been here forever. It feels like I've finally come home. I must say I'm completely in love with the City (which is what the locals call it, so whenever I mention "the city," I do not mean New York, ya dig?).

If you asked me to describe exactly what I love about it, this would be my reply in list form:

• the architecture
• the food
• the people
• the outlook on life
• the walking
  
• the farmer's markets
• the ferry building
• the water
• the bridges
• the cityscape
• the culture
• the hills
• the weather (although I hear it has been exceptionally sunny for June)
  
• the trolley
• the possibilities

To say I'm happy is an understatement. I finally feel whole again, like little pieces of my soul were scattered about this city just waiting for me to come find them. It's like being in love, not with a person, but an idea.

For the first time in a long, long time, I'm living my life for my life, not my career. My purpose is to be happy, to love what's around me and drink it all in every second I can.

I am home.

A bit funny that I am isolated from my friends and family, and this is the first time I can recall being this happy. The last time I was this isolated was when I lived in Rome for five months, where I had a MUCH different outlook, but also was in a much different situation. Now, I feel like I'm meant to be alone, floating out in my universe, just stopping back in for moments. I get lonely, sure, but I've grown so much by being alone.

Little by little I'm more willing to do what I want to do and not what others would like to do. I'm realizing more and more who's worth keeping in touch with and who is not. I'm learning people will always come and go in your life, but you will always have yourself and gosh darnit, you better love who you are and what you stand for because it will come down to just you. To quote one of the saddest movies ever (Up in the Air), "we all die alone." So true.

My intention with this post was not to be morbid and depressing though, I'm simply trying to make a point that I think my soul is a bit different than some. I'm a wanderer. I'm an observer. I will forever keep moving, letting those I love catch up with me from time to time.

I found my heart in San Francisco

Well, it is official: I am a resident of Nob Hill beginning May 28, 2010! (Isn't it beautiful?!)

More updates coming soon... I promise.

Time

"And the things that keep us apart keep me alive,
and the things that keep me alive keep me alone."

Funny thing about time, it just keeps rolling.

It's hard for me to think it's been three months since I've seen my sister. Two since I've seen my mom. Four since I've seen my dad. It's weird because it begins to feel like this continuum. It's unimaginably long and unbelievably short at the same time. It begins to feel like time stops, although I know it keeps moving. It just keeps rolling by.

A majority of the time I wondering where I'm headed. What is it I'm hoping to find? Hoping to reach? Then I begin to wonder would it even help knowing? I usually conclude that it wouldn't. Because any answers wouldn't keep me from moving forward. That's all you can do. Keep moving forward, right along with time. Just keeping rolling on.

The seasons shuffle like playing cards. Before I realize it, Spring is appearing. Life is reappearing, but it seems jaded. It feels muted here. I just keep waiting. Waiting for Spring. The rain feels good. It darkens the branches and ground. The green looks bright. Soft, clean, new. It is my hope. My proof that time is moving forward. Rolling.

Talk don't change a thing

For your listening pleasure... I give you The Temper Trap.










And, because I love you so... Florence and the Machine





Kind of makes the day worth waking up for, no?

C'est Mars!

Bonjour mes amis! -- Good morning my friends!
C'est Mars! -- It's March!

(Sorry, leftover appreciation for the bilingual closing ceremony)

So glad this year is moving right along! Because as this time keeps tick-tocking its way to June, I am getting closer to San Francisco and warm weather!

Never underestimate my love for Summer
... and farmer's markets
... and sandals
... and dresses
... and tans
... and fresh flowers
... and pedicures
... and green grass
... and barbecues
... and fresh seafood
... and kayaking
... and driving with the windows down
... and sunshine.

Did I mention that I am a fan of warm weather? And that winter is my least favorite season (except for the month of December... and late November)? Oh, I have, good, just checking.

Talk to you soon,
Lover of warm seasons