On Being Free

Since moving to Boston, I feel as though I've been catapulted off a high diving board, left to feel all the customary sensations that follow. At first, I'm flying--if only for a moment--feeling the wind rush past my cheeks and the weightlessness as I rise higher. What comes next is always expected and yet, each time it feels at once wonderful and uncertain. As gravity gives in, my stomach turns. I've long enjoyed this feeling, and so I welcome it and attempt to avoid the anticipation of what will surely follow. Inevitably, I reach the water. Of course, I don't have to belly flop: I can cascade into its surface without so much as a splash. But I'm not a seasoned diver. In fact, I'm very much new to the trade, and while my start and execution might impress the judges, the finish is flat and uninspiring.

I'm not afraid to take risks in life, and I'm highly attuned to my wants and needs. Nevertheless, change isn't easy for most people, me included. I'm constantly struggling to find that right combination of behaviors and thoughts that might provide me some solace, relief, and freedom from the near-constant battle in my head. A friend once advised me to trust the process and know that, while positive change comes in fits and starts, its not always apparent. But that doesn't mean it's not there.

Right now, I'm climbing the ladder to reach that high rise once again. Only this time, I don't plan to return to my default dive. It's antiquated and the judges are tired of watching the same motions again and again. I want something new and fresh, not because I want to impress the judges, but because I want to finish with grace and confidence.

Right now, I'm sitting in a café near Harvard, drinking wonderful coffee and listening to John Coltrane--my favorite. The chill of fall is in the air (my first fall ever, really) and I'm excited to wear boots and scarves and nubby sweaters in the muted tones of the trees that surround me. And yet...I wonder how long this feeling will last. Maybe by characterizing it as fleeting, I'm presupposing a relapse. I'd like to believe that the progress will continue trending upward, but fear and uncertainty plague me and I question my own strength. Ultimately, it's a moot point: I've decided that this life is too precious, too devastating, and too wonderful not to take part--with every fiber of my being.

And so: 

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” Albert Camus

xo

The Hardest Part of Being Vegan: A Case for Acceptance

As a seasoned vegan, I’m accustomed to the typical questions and criticisms that have become stereotypic of the lifestyle. “Where do you get your protein?” “Plants have feelings, too.” “I could be vegetarian, but there’s no way I’m parting with cheese.” These are just a few responses that vegans know all too well. I’ll be honest: there have been times when I’ve been less than patient with others, often becoming defensive or upset when prompted to justify my choices. However, I know these hostile interactions are counterproductive at best. They lend veganism a bad name, one that is founded on a “holier-than-thou” attitude.

This weekend, I came across a graphic that speaks directly to this issue. Titled “The Hardest Part of Being Vegan,” a pie chart shows small percentages that are labeled with common issues such as dining at restaurants or with friends, obtaining adequate vitamins, and accessing vegan products. The majority of the pie is reserved for a “Dealing with Idiots” category. I find this analysis to be problematic for multiple reasons. First, the chart appears to address veganism on only a superficial level. Veganism encompasses more than restaurant selection and nutrient intake; it is a way of being that informs every decision and interaction that one makes. Moreover, the chart gives power to the misconception that vegans are an exclusive group, one that treats outsiders as uneducated and ignorant.

Most importantly, an image like this is reason enough to deter someone from experimenting with a plant-based lifestyle. No one enjoys being verbally attacked for his or her choices (as vegans, we should understand this issue intimately), and taking issue with something so fundamental as one’s character is sure to elicit a strong reaction.

Of course, I know this popular meme was created in jest. Its author was obviously catering to a select group of individuals, all of which find solidarity in commiserating over veganism’s challenges. Certainly, we can all identify with feelings of being misunderstood, judged, or alienated. It is easy to feel spiteful in these situations, but we should never let ourselves reject others simply because their world view does not parallel ours.

Whenever I’m feeling defensive or impatient with friends and family, I like to remind myself that before I was vegan, I wasn’t. Before I understood the business of animal exploitation, I didn’t. Before I learned about animal sentience, tasted delicious vegan food, and understood the concept of non-violence…I didn’t. In my opinion, the hardest part of being vegan isn’t about the food, the tenuous relationships, or maintaining my health. The hardest part of being vegan is extending the movement’s principle of compassion to humans, and learning to accept that we are all simply trying to find our way.

Recent Happenings (or, I'm Sorry it Took Me So Long to Update the Blog)

Hi everyone,

I think it goes without saying that I’ve been a bad blogger. I apologize profusely for my lack of posts and general absence from the World Wide Web, but I’ve been busy! In order to address all of the recent happenings in Bean Town, I’ve decided to publish a series of posts, thereby increasing the likelihood that you’ll return to read more.

First and foremost, I’ll address my job since it’s really the reason I moved to Boston. In a word, it’s great! Unlike some entry level positions that restrict one’s capacity to grow and evolve, this organization places a lot of responsibility in my hands, allowing me to become a better researcher, writer, and AR activist. Plus, employees sometimes bring their dogs to the office. It’s a great excuse to procrastinate.

AZ friends, I’m sorry for what I’m about to say, but we’ve been in the 60s and 70s for almost the entire time I’ve been here. Sure, we have some inclement weather, and there have been some hellishly humid days, but I can confidently say that I do not miss the Phoenix heat.

So, when I’m not working or reveling in the Spring-like weather, what have I been doing? Lots of things! My nights and weekends have been peppered with PRIDE parades, concerts, movie nights, drinks at Top of the Hub, walks around Harvard and much, much more. I finally feel like things are falling into place, and I couldn’t been more grateful.

Life is a funny thing. Some people curse their misfortune, commiserate with others in similar circumstances, and wait for some form of external approbation to know that their feelings are valid. Others are optimistic and meet new challenges with determination and conviction. Despite these two very different approaches to life’s adversities, I've always found that we have a limited amount of control over their ultimate outcome. Many worthy individuals experience hardship and despair while their more pessimistic counterparts encounter happiness and (sometimes) wealth. In my situation, I have unequivocally been blessed with friendship, love, family, and unwavering support. While some may bask in the brilliance that is this good fortune, I have a difficult time accepting that I deserve it. But I know it’s true. I deserve to be happy. I deserve to be loved. I deserve to live a life of richness, depth, culture, and passion.

Please forgive the highly tangential paragraph, but I wanted to share some of my recent musings.

Have a great weekend, everyone.

xo 

My Quote Obsession. Plus, An Exciting Announcement!

It's no secret: I'm a quote whore. Quotations bolster me when I'm feeling depressed. They inspire me and give me courage. When I'm at a loss for words--a rare occurrence, mind you--they provide a succinct, often multi-faceted, summation of my innermost thoughts. I don't really have a favorite author, although I'm partial to Twain and Nietzsche, and Jeremy Bentham is a great source for AR inspiration. Given the country's most recent events, I think we could all use a pick me up, as it were. Below are some of my all-time favorite quotes. Enjoy!

"He who has a 'why' to live, can bear with almost any 'how'." -Nietzsche

"The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them." -Mark Twain


“Some men see things as they are and say why – I dream things that never were and say why not.” -George Bernard Shaw


"The question is not, 'Can they reason?' nor, 'Can they talk?' but rather, 'Can they suffer?'" -Jeremy Bentham


"Expectation is the root of all heartache." -William Shakespeare


"If for a while the harder you try, the harder it gets, take heart. So it has been with the best people who ever lived." -Jeffery R. Holland


"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." -Unknown

"When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years." -Mark Twain


“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” ― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird



"You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, or even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernatural beauty and glory beyond." -excerpt from "Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus," full text here. 

Don't these quotes provide such a beautiful representation of the human condition? LOVE.

I also want to briefly mention an exciting development in my own life. I'm not one to parade around flaunting achievement or the like, but I figured I would mention the news here in case readers enjoy my writing. In a few weeks, I'll begin writing for Healthy Bitch Daily (the website is temporarily down while they revamp), a wellness site that just so happens to promote veganism. I'm so happy to be doing something that I love.

What quotes inspire you? Paste any in the comment section--fuel my obsession! :)

xo

A Tragic Day.

Hi friends,

I want to express my deepest condolences to everyone in Boston, especially the families of the runners injured at the Boston Marathon. It's heartbreaking to know that there are individuals (or groups) so dark to plan and execute a crime of this magnitude. Until we know more, all we can do is send love and positivity to the area and hope that those involved are brought to justice.

There have been many people that have expressed concern about my impending move. I appreciate your concern. But I am not afraid, nor does this event make me question my decision to relocate. Cities are so often targets of violence and terrorism, and this unspeakable act could occur anywhere.

xo

The Professional Vegan: Shoe Edition

Hi everyone,

I hope your weekends are off to a lovely start! Mine will be filled with Skype interviews, as I continue to search for the perfect apartment. As such, today's post will be short and sweet.

Have you ever been curious about what vegans wear in terms of shoes, clothes, and outerwear? Or maybe you're like so much of the population, who have subconsciously typified vegans as a Birckenstock-wearing, peasant skirt-donning group. Maybe this was an accurate depiction of vegans a half-century ago, but thankfully, it's no longer the case! As I've mentioned previously, a vegan diet and lifestyle is reaching the mainstream at an ever-increasing rate; individuals from all walks of life have found peace in boycotting a cruel and economically-driven industry. There are now a wealth of clothing and shoe options for vegans that are both economical and fashionable.

Today, I'll cover vegan shoes. Truth: I'm not a credible authority when it comes to style. In fact, much of my knowledge comes from my fifteen-year-old sister, who is much more adept when it comes to what's de moda and what should never be seen in public. Nevertheless, I'll offer up some shoes that appeal to me, and hopefully they will at least inspire you to seek out leather and suede alternatives.

So, why don't vegans wear leather or suede? Most leather in the United States is imported from countries like China and India, both of which do not adhere to strict animal welfare laws. Cows' tails are broken, and tobacco and chili peppers are forced into their eyes in an attempt to blind them before entering the slaughterhouse. In the U.S., things aren't much better: the animals are castrated, dehorned, and branded--often without painkillers. The leather in your handbags and shoes isn't even guaranteed to originate from cow skin; alligators, ostriches, kangaroos, dogs, and cats are all known to be slaughtered for their meat in other countries and their skin is then exported to the U.S. Not so glamorous, right?

But there are some great alternatives, both online and in stores. My personal favorite is ModCloth. I recently purchased three pairs of shoes for work:

Doo Bee Doo Bee Shoe Heel in Black

Pop By Heel

Coffee Corner Flat in Cinnamon

I love that ModCloth often specifies that a shoe is vegan in the item description. When purchasing shoes from another store, just make sure the bottom or the inside of the shoe says "all man-made materials."

Now to try and form an outfit...

xo

Where do you like to shop for shoes? Any work style tips for me?

In Which I Attempt to Embrace Positivity

Hi everyone,

Happy Spring! Happy Tuesday! Happy April 9th! Despite my overuse of exclamation points, I'm in a not-good-place. Maybe I need some Vitamin D; maybe it's just my "artistic temperament"; or maybe my inner asshole is making an appearance.

Anyway, in lieu of blasting you all with a virtual philippic on why I want to leave now, I'll instead try and spark some much needed positive vibes. There is a popular meme that usually circulates on Friday, in which bloggers wax poetic about the things they are loving and why. It's always fun for me to read, and brings a smile to my face. So here's my mid-week love list:

1. Girls. You guys, this show is ah-mazing. It captures so much of what it's like to be a twenty-something, and episodes run the gamut from graphic sexual exploits to best friend drama to snorting cocaine in a club bathroom. And everything in between. Plus, Lena Dunham is a powerhouse: she created the show, in addition to writing, starring in, and directing episodes.

2. Nail polish. Maybe a simple pleasure, but ever since I stopped biting my nails, I have loved trying different colors and perfecting an even coat. Essie is vegan, along with many others that I'm too tired to research.

3. Hemp seeds. Well, I've loved hemp seeds for a long time, but I'll find any excuse to enumerate their health benefits. Hemp seeds offer Omega 6, 3, and 9, and are an excellent source of magnesium, iron, zinc, and potassium. They also taste great. I love sprinkling them on my daily kale salads, throwing them in a smoothie, or adding them to a homemade pesto.

4. Rain. Again, I've always loved rain, but it was nice to get a shower last night, if only for a brief thirty minutes. The rain stimulates my senses, calms my mind, and assures me that the world is basically a good place.

5. My body. I'm grateful that it allows me to exercise nearly every day. I'm relieved that it has rebounded even after the hell that I have put it through. I'm happy to inhabit this body, and I know that it will continue to be my friend, even in spite of my many protestations.

Ah, I feel better already! Sometimes we all need to shift our mental paradigm and focus our energy on something positive. I don't believe in fate, although I wish I did. I don't believe in the law of attraction, although I wish I did. I don't believe in heaven or hell, although I wish I did. All I can know for certain is this present moment, a blank canvas on which to paint my own choices and actions. Hopefully, my current painting is a joyous one.

xo

What do you do when you're annoyed or sad or angry?

Unapologetically Vegan: Why I'm Vegan, and What I've Learned

Hi everyone,

First, thank you so much for all of the support for this here space on the interwebs. I hope you'll read along and comment--it makes me happy and proves that I'm not just talking to myself, which I'm wont to do.

Lest you think I have forgotten about this blog's namesake, I'm writing a post to assure you that this is not the case. I'm vegan for all kinds of reasons: ethics, health, the environment, and also 'cause my skin is brighter and I've got more pep in my step when I don't feast on a dead corpse two times a day. Just sayin'. Besides the many impetuses to become vegan, I have also experienced some unexpected consequences as a result of this lifestyle choice. Most importantly--and the topic that this post will address--I have learned to be unapologetic and steadfast in my journey to health and happiness.

Anyone who has known me for at least a few months will tell you that I'm a stress case. My persistent anxiety, coupled with a diagnosed case of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, is enough to send anyone into a tizzy if they are around me for more than five minutes. When you consider that a vegan lifestyle requires an inordinate amount of planning and special requests to make one's needs met, you can surmise how my first year as a vegan unfolded. Yet I trudged forward, and with a combination of experience and self-help tomes, I have learned that my choices need no apology.

Warning: high school-esque introductory sentence ahead.

As Dr. Wayne W. Dyer once said in his book Your Erroneous Zones, "You can never escape disapproval, no matter how much you may want it to go away. For every opinion you have, there is a counterpart out there with exactly the opposite view." Well said, Wayne, well said. I happen to think that, despite a cultural shift in favor of veganism and all that it implies, we as vegans tend to get a pretty bad rap. We're crunchy, hairy, pot-smoking hippies with idealistic notions of how the world should behave. Indeed, those types of vegans do exist, but they don't constitute the majority. I used to exert so. much. effort into trying to abide to what I felt was an accurate representation of veganism (i.e. flower-adorned braids and free love bullshit), but I realized that just isn't me. So instead of trying to conform to one particular reality, I decided to just be me. Unapologetically.

Of course, I'm still courteous to whomever my veganism touches. For example, if going shopping with a friend, I will remind him or her that I don't do leather or wool. I'll scout out a store that caters to my needs, and find other stores in the same vicinity that might appeal to my friend. Similarly, when dining with non-vegan companions, I make it a point to select a restaurant that serves both vegan and omni food (and for friends that are adventurous, I seek out an all-vegan restaurant to blow their mind!).

There's really no point in making apologies for something that is so much a part of who I am. It's disingenuous, and wholly unrepresentative of how I want to live my life. There are still times when I find myself feeling guilty for making my needs known, but I simply remind myself that my choices are no less legitimate than someone else's.

In the inimitable words of (vegan?) L'Oreal, "Because I'm worth it."

xo

What are some lifestyle or character traits that you have had to own? Do you have a guilt complex like me?

Arizona: The Good, The Bad, and The Positively Vile

As I collect all of my belongings and make my very first trek to the great state of Massachusetts, I can't help but ruminate over my complicated relationship with Arizona. In a way, being raised here was the reason that I restricted my employment search to the East Coast (and San Francisco, 'cause it's awesome). Don't get me wrong: I see the intrigue of this desert oasis, given that both of my parents fled here after enduring one too many Chicago/Minnesota winters. But early on, I knew Arizona wasn't for me: the politics, the monochromatic landscape, and the near-constant sunshine have never appealed to me. What follows is my attempt to reconcile some aspects of Arizona that I actually enjoy, in addition to the areas of the state that I find particularly disturbing.

The Good

1. Despite what seems like a constant lament over our hot, hot, hot summers and mild winters, I have to say that I take Arizona weather for granted. When the snow is up to my waist this winter, I know I'll be green with envy as I see pictures of my friends in shorts and t-shirts in November.

2. Vegan food! As much as I hate to admit it, Phoenix has really become a hub of suppressed liberalism--as a friend smartly noted--and, along with it, veg*n restaurants are popping up all over! We now have Green, Aside of Heart, Bragg's, True Food Kitchen, Pomegranate, Chakra 4, and many more that my coffee-addled brain can't presently identify.

3. Orangewood. Royal Palm. Washington. These were the settings of my most cherished memories, and they housed the people that I hold so close to my heart. Even if time and distance have created some chasms in our friendships, I love all of these people and wish them the best in their own life adventures.

The Bad

1. Damn, it's gonna feel so good to be in a veritable sea of liberals. A lot of my friends are conservative, and although I don't agree with their politics from an ideological standpoint, I don't think their views are any less legitimate than my own. There was a time when I argued vigorously for women's abortion rights, the legalization of gay marriage, etc. (admittedly, I'm not at all well versed on economic policy), but I have come to realize that most of my efforts were futile at best. I am still obstinate in what I believe, but it's illogical to force a set of opinions down someone's throat, especially if he or she is just as set in his or her views. A super tangential analysis, but let's just say I'm excited to meet more like-minded people.

2. I know people will disagree, but Arizonans are really unfriendly, myself included. When I was in Washington, D.C., it was wonderful to be approached by strangers who were simply interested in meeting new people. As I said, I'm pretty insular myself, but that doesn't mean I don't hope to become more outgoing.

3. No. Green. Besides the artificial grass that blankets Scottsdale lawns, I am sick and tired of seeing mountains and pitiful attempts at trees and flowers. I would love love love to start a garden once I'm settled in Boston. On the agenda: kale (a must for this vegan!), basil, dill, collard greens...ah, a verdant paradise!

4. As much as I view driving as a cathartic experience, I hate that nothing in Arizona is within walking distance. Boston, on the other hand, has ahh-some public transportation--in addition to being known as a walking city--and I fully intend to take advantage of it.

The Vile

1. There is really only thing that fits into this category, and it's a criticism of my own making. Without going into too much detail, I associate the state of Arizona with a protracted illness, one that I wish to excise once and for all upon leaving.

What do you like about your state? What aspects do you detest?

Welcome!

Hello and welcome!

I'm creating this blog as a medium to document my new life in Boston--a life that will be shaped by work, friends, and the quotidian pleasures that make life worth living. As someone who has thus far lived a privileged life under the Arizona sun, I am at once terrified and excited to move across the country, firmly plant myself in a foreign city, and begin a professional career.

That said, a bit of trepidation has never stopped me from plunging myself into a sea of uncertainty: I have done a bit of traveling in Central America and completed an internship in DC last summer. For me, the most paralyzing aspects of change are the moments leading up to the act. I will be on a plane to Massachusetts within the next three weeks, so this is the time when I begin to be overcome with anxiety and sentimentality. This seismic life change is made ever more powerful when I consider the fact that I know but a handful of people in the city of Boston.

Still, I'm so excited about what is to come. Even though I've lived on my own for a majority of the last four years, my living situation has always been transient. As such, I haven't been interested in creating a space that's all my own; knowing that I will be leaving in X months, I have never bought furniture, painted my walls, etc. Now, because I fully intend to remain in New England for a long time, I'm looking forward to decorating and cultivating a space that makes me happy.

Happiness. An elusive concept that I have struggled to embrace for so long. After much introspection and professional advice, I have come to realize that my propensity to see the worst in things is not completely borne of conscious decisions. Whether we choose to believe it or not, many aspects of our personalities are products of the environment in which we are raised: while some children are taught to make the best of a potentially devastating situation, others learn that it is easier to simply collapse in anguish. This isn't to say that each and every person is not able to choose how he or she will respond to life's vicissitudes; I fully believe that we all have the capacity to choose whether we are happy or sad in any given moment. However, an individual's childhood will certainly dictate his or her initial response to a situation, and this reaction has the potential to determine how the rest of the event unfolds. Anyway, my point is that I see this move as an opportunity to manage my emotions more closely, and this will hopefully help me to become a happier person.

So what do I have planned for this blog? I think that it will evolve organically, but I would like to highlight my weekly excursions, healthy living ideas, thoughts about New England and big city living, and, of course, veganism. I would love to share recipes and restaurant reviews as I explore Boston and its surrounding areas. I hope you'll enjoy and share your own experiences.

Have you ever moved across the country? Do you think that one's ability to be happy can be attributed to childhood experiences?

xo