Update

I apologize for my lack of blog last night—I've been having some issues in my personal life that came to a bit of a head and I simply did not have the energy to either share or pretend last night.

Hopefully you're not too devastated, Mystery Person Who Reads Each Post Right Away.
(I know you're from the US, though nothing else. Very curious, feel free to share!)

As for what happened last night, things will be getting better, I hope. I do want them to, and it rarely gets as bad as it did.

Perhaps, when there's more distance, I'll feel comfortable detailing more explicitly. Right now, though, I'm on my way to bed—so tired lately, that can't be helping!

Trimmed To Travel

I've been (sketchily) following the BodyRock program, and doing some more walking and jogging. Tonight I've got a 2100h jogging date with some girls on my floor—night jogging, ready, okay!

I don't know what that was about—apparently I'm on a cheer squad, too…?

Couldn't hurt. For me, the hardest part is getting up to do the workouts—especially if I don't have to be up for a while. Hmph. Once I get past the first week, though, I'll be getting through it easier as it becomes a routine. Definitely looking forward to it!

On another note…I'm looking into going abroad again this summer (the travel bug seems to hit me around this time each year…). This summer it would be a working holiday to Ireland, for May-mid August. I'd be doing this via the SWAP program, and have a one-year visa to Ireland. The reason I'm holding off on France and the UK is simply because I don't want to only have three and a half months there—I want the full life of my visa. One year for France, two for UK.

I can see me living and working in Edinburgh, travelling up to Stirling and around Loch Ness, down to London, visiting the southern parts of the island…hmm.

I can equally see my self in France, perhaps back in the Bordeilles region that I was in last year.

I also considered Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, but I think Ireland would be the country I'd be most okay with visiting for only three months—especially since I've already been there. I've toured it, now I want to live it!

Conflicted

I feel so conflicted lately.

I'm guilty—not writing here, not able to provide the supports for a dear friend who seems to need them.

I'm frustrated—nothing inspiring to write, a lack of words to say to said friend.

I'm hurt—can't seem to move 100% past the pain that has been dogging me for months.

I'm scared—worried for my friend, worried for my heart health (again), terrified of the abyss that is university.

I don't really know what to do right now. I'm going to remind myself to get back to blogging regularly, though.

With that on my mind, here's what I've been up to.

Aloha

I'm so very tired tonight…my last night in Hawaii. What a trip! I've gotten lost in the US, I've been to so many touristy places (Byodo-In Temple, Iolani Palace, Polynesian Cultural Centre, Waikiki, Maui Divers Jewellery, Kualoa Ranch (twice!), Pele's Chair, Waimea Valley, and I'm sure there's more I can't remember).

I've done the luau, the hula show(s), the SUP, the surfing.
I've done beach, rock, walking through forest.
I've swam through currents, waves, ocean, river, waterfall, jacuzzi.
I've walked over roads, sand, grass, dirt, wood-chips, rocks.
I've been sunburned horridly, gotten better, worse again.
I've driven on country road, city road, freeway.
I've bought food, jewellery (custom!), hats.
I've been woken by rooster, rain, chirping, mother.

I've had an amazing time.

'Nooch' Mac & Cheese

The friend that was supposed to come over today wasn't able to, so I shelved that recipe for another time…and came up with this!

For my first experiment with nutritional yeast (or 'nooch,' as I've read it called!), it's pretty good!

I cheated a bit this time, and added dairy cheese to it, but next time I think I'll try without, and go fully vegan that way. Recipe after the jump!

Mental Monster Mash: BRAIN FOOD!

Mmmmmmm!

So, I don't have classes today, and I decided I wanted to experiment with something new for lunch. I made a (large!) variation on Iowa Girl Eats' Green Monster recipe…and completely mixed it around. (I can't ever seem to actually follow a recipe!)

Before I show you what I made, a reminder that SOPA and PIPA are still a threat. If we want internet free speech, we need to stress to the US congress members how important this issue is. There's even some Republicans and Democrats agreeing on this, so you know it's big!

Google has a petition you can sign, and I was able to, even though I'm not in the US. It's worth a shot.

Sign It Here!

So, here's what I made today!