Autumn: The Time of Change

I was just re-reading some of my older posts. (Very literally, I'm trying to waste time so that I can digest breakfast before I go out and run.) It's amazing how much things have changed since I first blogged here in CO. I was miserable. I had no friends, I sat in my apartment all day, and I was homesick. I missed my family, my friends, my boyfriend, and that's all I talked about. And I'm not judging myself because of it--it was really hard to move out here alone and start over. It's a romanticized notion of adventure. But after the first month or so, it really does start to live up to its expectations.

Of course I still miss everyone, but it's not a physical pain anymore. It's just a thought in the back of my mind. Does that sound bad? I don't mean it to. Plus, I have a steady friend base (and by that, I mean three people). But they get me out of my apartment at least every weekend, usually more. I do need to focus on my work more, especially with only three weeks left, but I'm just too excited to get out and live in Denver. As cheesy as that is.

That's my reflection on change, not the leaves kind. Although, I have to say, Colorado Falls kick any other states' ass. So gorgeous! I don't even want to take a picture because I doubt it will do it justice.

On other news, the vegetarianism still lives on. Further cooking adventures have been Spaghetti Squash (FIVE STARS!) and Garlic & Olive Oil Couscous, also delish. And the running part of me is doing a 5k on Saturday morning up in Erie, CO. It's called the Eerie Erie, hah. Basically, you run in your costume. I'm sure I'll have more to say about Halloween weekend later.

Until then, cheers!

The Sun Never Sets On A Badass

I have to say, yesterday was a big day for me. Kirsten, Heather, and I went to Sol Tribe downtown for tattoo consultations (and piercing, in Heather's case). I've wanted a tattoo for at least a year now--it was on my Senior Year Bucket List, but no one at DePauw would actually do it. They were all talk, no action. And getting my first tattoo, I couldn't go alone! Shit. But after researching for hours Saturday about what design I wanted, what phrase I wanted, and where I could get it that would be the least painful, I was ready.

After I met with the guy, Ben (?), he asked for my license to get the paperwork started. He looks at it and says, "Oh, you're from Indiana?" And I'm like, yes, are you? He proceeds to tell me that he went to the University of Louisville for a while, but grew up in Evansville. No way, me too! But here's the even better kicker, we talk for a while more and he fucking grew up in my neighborhood, like a street away!! What a ridiculous coincidence.

Needless to say, we talked very easily while I was getting inked. It wasn't too terrible. There were no tears or fainting, just a lot of nervous sweat. Haha. And I'll admit, it's still really sore but I LOVE it so much.

If you're reading and you want a picture of it, go to my facebook page. I'm heading over there now to put up a pic (blocking all parentals and familia though).

Oh, and the Packers pulled out a W against the Vikings! Too wonderful. :)

The Makings of a Hippie...?

I feel like moving to Colorado has really caused me to re-evaluate my nasty, Indiana lifestyle. I know my last post was about my transition into vegetarianism, but now I've added something else to the list. No, it's not pot. But I have taken up running.

I really hate gyms, but realized that I should really work out while it's still nice outside. So I found a park about half a mile away and have begun running there. I found a training program for people who have never been "runners" and I have to say, it's still pretty rough. But really, nothing beats running in the morning and seeing the snow-capped mountains off in the distance. While listening to Glee, obvi.

I am excited to finally be able to just set off and run when I want to. I just hope that it stays nice long enough to stick to it. I think I'm starting to really get into this place. :)

The Big O

It's been a very lonely first month here, but I have met some cool people that I've hung out with a few times. One of them, named Kirsten, doesn't eat meat all that often. It's not because she's a vegetarian, per say, but more because she doesn't have a dishwasher and is afraid of the idea of raw meat not being washed off her pans well enough. That's legit. We started talking about the documentary film, Food Inc. If you haven't seen it, you should. It's very eye-opening, and in a way that SuperSize Me just doesn't quite get across. After our discussion, I decided to watch the film and boy was I amazed. It physically disgusted me to think about putting another piece of meat into my mouth. Backup for second, because I guess I should explain that I've always had a problem with meat. I mean, I eat it and like it, but I've always been VERY picky when it comes to the fat, color, consistency, etc... (When I was five, I declared myself a vegetarian. It didn't last too long considering I was five, but I was way ahead of my times.) Anyways, so this movie was literally was pushed me over the edge. The next day, I went to Safeway and not only didn't I buy any meat, I bought only (well, okay...mostly) organic food. It was expensive, but I was happy with my decision. And then last night, I talked to a friend who recently became a vegan. She gave me some websites to look at, blogs for recipes, and such...and I think I am going to do it. I feel like I'm giving in to Colorado lifestyle, but it's really my disgust for the companies that are packaging out food. I won't preach, but if you want to learn more, read Fast Food Nation or watch Food, Inc. It's scary how closely tied they are to the government that is suppose to be watching over them.

Anyways, I just wanted to share this big moment in my life. Hopefully it lasts longer than it did last time. And it's more for stand against the companies than my love for animals or for health reasons. Like they said on the movie, every time you buy organics instead of their products, it's a vote against them. And that's what I'm trying to do. If more people "vote against them," eventually they will have to better produce their food and let it be more natural. That's all I want.

And who knows, this isn't a quick process. Will I still eat Turkey at Thanksgiving? Maybe... I don't plan on ever going past being a vegetarian. I still want my milk and eggs. Fish/Seafood I don't care too much about. I don't like them anyways, but I guess we'll see where time takes me.

Cheers!

Fall River Drive

Today, I took another adventure. Only this time, it was heading West, away from Denver and into the Rockies. It's amazing how far away the mountains look from here, a far off distant hill, but after only an hour (or less actually) of driving, I was there IN the mountains. The driving was scary--Indiana doesn't have 6% grade downhill roads with semis and emergency pull off ramps. I wish I could have gone with someone else. There's always the pull between wanting the wheel in your hands as you discover new territory or being able to stick your head against the glass and soak in the scenery.

Fall River Drive is a scenic road that starts near Idaho Springs. The road itself is only a 20 minutes drive, but the curves are insane. The roads with 180 degree turns that slowly get you up the mountain really do exist and I have now drive them! (I guess I should know this, since we went up the Dolomites in Italy, but I was really motion sick so there was so observing...)

The trees are gorgeous (the road is lined with Aspens) and starting to turn bright Fall colors. I rolled the windows down, turned the music off, and just enjoyed the nature. At the top of the road (~10,000 ft in elevation), there is Silver Lake. It was like something from a movie or a picture: a few decrepit brick buildings, old farming/mining equipment in a carved out niche of land surrounded by mountains. It was a little chilly and windy, but it was perfect. I just..sat there.

Mountains are truly the architecture of America. Europe has old stone buildings that you can't help but stare at in awe. These mountains are the same. They're large and majestic and natural pieces of beauty--like if St. Paul's, St. Mark's, St. Anthony's, and Notre Dame were all built next to each other.

I'm glad I went. It was beautiful. And perhaps next time (or after the Winter season) I can find a place to hike around too. I bet there's even better views if you hike to them.

Cheers!

God Gave Me You

On my own I’m only
Half of what I could be
I can’t do without you
We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I pray we never undo

Someone tell me WHY last night I woke up to a strange alarm type sound at 5AM. I tried to figure out what it was so I sat up and it seemed to be coming from outside (the parking lot) so I deemed it a car alarm.

Suddenly, I hear fire engines roaring towards my apartment complex. Not a new concept really since we're right off a main street. Until I hear them pull up in said parking lot and turn off their sirens. That got me. At first, I thought maybe MY apartment complex was on fire. But I got up, grabbed my glasses, and went to the window.

Apparently it was the apartment that exists right across the parking lot who's fire alarm was going off. There was one window light on, and perhaps five or six people standing outside the south door. Does that mean that everyone else was simply still inside?

Obviously, it was not a real fire because the fire men were casually walking into the building. They turned off the alarm and I went back to bed. But then I realized that there is only one fire alarm in my apartment and its right by the front door. Being alone, I would FREAK THE FUCK OUT if it ever went off. So I strategically (and half asleep) planned what I would grab if it ever did.

Let's hope it doesn't...
Cheers!