The Future (It's happening right now....and now...)

Hello, all my lovely blog readers. I'm sure you've given up on me by now; this semester, I unfortunately can't eat dinner in Morrow as regularly I would like. I apologize.

I am writing this post at the moment because I wanted to explain another change to the blog this semester. Today is Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, which is the day of celebration before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, and traditionally lasts until Easter; many believe it is only 40 days, but it is technically 47, as Holy Week (the week prior to Easter) is not included, yet Lent is still upheld. As many of you who were around me last spring semester know, I take the season of Lent very seriously. Lent is normally believed to be a time of simply giving something up; however, it is also a time when people try to engage more in positive activities, such as volunteering. In essence, Lent is a time for self-discipline and personal reflection.

When I was younger, my mother always encouraged me to give up something I loved: chocolate, TV, soda, etc. For about ten years in a row, I gave up chocolate. It was hard but somehow I made it through, and that first bite of Reese's or Hersey's on Easter morning was the greatest taste ever. Also, the intense blood sugar spike and headache afterward was great, too.

Around the age of 14, I decided to take Lent more seriously. Instead of just giving up chocolate, I decided on all sweets, or anything with refined sugar. The next year, I cut out High Fructose Corn Syrup and artificial sweeteners like Splenda or Aspartame. The year after that, I included caffeine.

Now, every Lent I give up all foods containing refined or artificial sugar, HFCS, caffeine, fried foods, and also "land" meats (beef, pork, and lamb), so poultry and fish are okay to eat (don't get all Smith on me about chickens not being able to fly. I know that, thank you, but they have wings and are therefore considered air animals in my Lent book.)

Don't try to pull the whole "bread is sugar in your body" and "fruit is a natural sugar" on me, either. I'm pretty sure I've thought this through quite a bit, and I'm well aware of the guidelines I've set for myself. I don't mean to be rude, but those comments might have been floating around for about, oh I don't know, 6 years.

Lent is not universally practiced, nor is it required in the Christian faith. I even know non-Christians who follow the time-line of Lent simply because it is a good guideline for testing one's willpower and discipline. Overall, what I'm trying to say is that it's a completely personal choice.

Therefore, I want to let you all know that I won't be posting during Lent, with the rare exception of truly exceptional meals. I will have to be pretty picky with my food choices in the dining halls, meaning I will be eating a lot of boring, rabbit food, and I am trying to move away from distractions such as TV and internet.

I apologize I won't be posting for a while, and for the serious tone of this entry. I just wanted to let you all know what's going on, and that I didn't forget you all.

I love you all, and I hope you have a wonderful Rally Day!


Next guaranteed posting: April 4th, 2010.