"Occasionally used to describe those who abstain from eating all meat and
animal flesh with the exception of fish. Although the word is not
commonly used and a pescatarian is not technically a vegetarian, more
and more people are adopting this kind of diet, usually for health
reasons or as a stepping stone to a fully vegetarian diet. Pescetarians
often believe that moderate consumption of fish or fish oils, which are
high in Omega-3 fatty acids, is necessary for optimum health, although
vegetarian alternatives, such as flax seed oil, are available."
This is what a pescatarian is defined as by About.com and the description fits. I have decided to try this type of diet for many reasons but if I'm being honest it's mostly to challenge myself since I've never had to alter my diet whatsoever (religious/moral reasons or allergies for example). It won't be a stepping stone to becoming a vegetarian though because one does not simply live in Japan and not eat fish. Give up conveyor belt sushi? Uh-Uh. Maybe once I move back home though I'll consider it.
It might not be much of a challenge though.. I've gone days without eating meat unintentionally. I even tend to get bored of chicken on my plate and end up giving most of it to my boyfriend who gladly accepts it (he's a meat loving kind of guy) but then worries about my protein intake. In this case, the deliberate lack of protein from meat means a decline in iron and probably energy. I know I could (and should) take vitamin supplements to help, but I've had mixed reactions to them. I've read that the negative reactions I've had can be a result of certain combinations of vitamins, the time of day I take them, the dosage amount, etc, but I got so turned off to them that I haven't experimented anymore. At least I'll have fish as a source!
Another aspect of it being a challenge is that I live in -countryside- Japan. It's not like I'm in a third world country to justify having this complaint, but I find cooking for myself to be the most difficult thing here. I can't read labels so I stick with what I know. In sticking with what I know (along with my limited cooking skills) I only have about 10 meals (more like 5 with variations) that I make and I'm -so- tired of them! To top that off, during winter when the kitchen is an ice box, I don't even want to be in there to cook those meals! In those times I come up with a quick snack that I throw together and run back upstairs to the warmth of my room. My restaurants options are limited as well so that's not my immediate go-to option either.
I'm whining a bit about it being hard to eat in countryside Japan. It's certainly possible for even a foreigner to be content with the options here, but since I'm not, it's part of my challenge in being a pescatarian. If it somehow proves to not be a challenge, I'll at least be closely monitoring my body's reaction to not having meat. I've never been a health nut or anything, but some blogs and other things have inspired me lately to try a bit harder so this is how I'm going to start!
Wish me luck!
07 March 2013
03 March 2013
on a Sunday...
my musing for today:
I live in the future, but I can't predict it.
What I learned on a Sunday actually happened on a Saturday. A tragic car accident forced yet another young soul to depart from this world far sooner than it should have. I have an obsession with fleeting youth, carpe diem, and all that, so whenever I hear of young people with a zest for life dying from tragic circumstances, it sticks with me a bit longer.
This is the first time someone I once knew personally passed on so young like this (yes, I realize I am fortunate). Like I said, 'once knew.' We were no longer friends and haven't been for a long time now. In fact, our last encounter wasn't a pleasant one (he was a huge ass to me).. But I do have pleasant memories with this person so I was shocked and saddened by this news.
Using my little corner of the internet, I just want to say that I'm sorry he's gone. I try to empathize whenever possible, but I've never lost someone close to me before their time. I'm shocked enough being a former friend, so I can't imagine what his closest friends and family are going through. I know he has a younger sister and as a younger sister, that is with whom I empathize most with. I honestly don't know what state I would be in if I lost my big brother..
If you're reading this and knew him, you have my sympathies. Sincerely. May he rest in peace and be able to fulfill his dreams on the other side.
I live in the future, but I can't predict it.
What I learned on a Sunday actually happened on a Saturday. A tragic car accident forced yet another young soul to depart from this world far sooner than it should have. I have an obsession with fleeting youth, carpe diem, and all that, so whenever I hear of young people with a zest for life dying from tragic circumstances, it sticks with me a bit longer.
This is the first time someone I once knew personally passed on so young like this (yes, I realize I am fortunate). Like I said, 'once knew.' We were no longer friends and haven't been for a long time now. In fact, our last encounter wasn't a pleasant one (he was a huge ass to me).. But I do have pleasant memories with this person so I was shocked and saddened by this news.
Using my little corner of the internet, I just want to say that I'm sorry he's gone. I try to empathize whenever possible, but I've never lost someone close to me before their time. I'm shocked enough being a former friend, so I can't imagine what his closest friends and family are going through. I know he has a younger sister and as a younger sister, that is with whom I empathize most with. I honestly don't know what state I would be in if I lost my big brother..
If you're reading this and knew him, you have my sympathies. Sincerely. May he rest in peace and be able to fulfill his dreams on the other side.
27 February 2013
where is the logic?
my musing for today:
I have an adorable mini rabbit that I bought very soon after arriving in Japan. I have brought him up since he was able to fit in the palm of my hand at only a month old. I make sure he has a proper bunny diet, plenty of room to run around, enough fresh air and sunshine, and of course, too much attention from me. I've always made sure he has the best care taker available when I've gone on trips. I have left the light and heat on for him when I'm not home so he doesn't get cold or feel scared. I haven't throttled him for destroying the tatami in one of my rooms, but just covered it up and will deal with the consequences later on. I paid to have him neutered to regulate his hormones and increase his lifespan.
And now I'm willing to pay the ridiculous fees associated with trying to take an animal on board a plane so that, like a responsible pet owner, I don't just dump him because it's inconvenient to take him back to my home country. But what's that? I have to jump through 5 million hoops to do this? And I have to sign a waiver saying the airline is not responsible if he dies in transit, yet they won't let me take every measure possible to prevent this, including having him with me in the cabin?
I seriously don't get it. You can talk to me about sensitivity to allergies people may have, the limits necessary on taking certain animals on a plane, blah blah blah, but I ask, where is the logic?
Instead of sweeping regulations that cause unbelievable stress on both the owners and animals in the end, just take things on a case-to-case basis. My boyfriend was trying to say that they just have these sweeping regulations because of how infrequent animals need to fly, but to me that's exactly the point; Usually animals classified as pets need to be flown so infrequently that the conditions surrounding their need to fly should be evaluated and permitted on more logical grounds.
My example that I ranted on my facebook status upset a friend, but I could care less. I said that if a screaming child under the age of 2 or whatever it is can fly FOR FREE and disturb other passengers, then logically, my small, quiet rabbit should be allowed to be with me in a carry on size bag under my seat. Allowing this for free makes sense to me (since I'm giving up a carry on bag to bring him on), but in the end I don't even care if they charge me the extra $150 and say that I can't take him out of the carrier (because, duh). I'd rather have him with me so I can monitor him and comfort him with my presence.
Instead I'm facing airlines that either a) don't allow rabbits period. No reason, just arbitrarily say no to them. b) will only fly him as cargo with an extra fee c) will allow them in the cabin if no other passenger has an animal. Also for an extra fee. d) Quarantines them and requires health certificates that need to be officially translated into the language of every destination the animal will arrive at. (understandable, but what a b-itch of a task).
So: a) I have to leave him behind because you say so? Um, no. b) a small, genetically disposed nervous creature is forced to fly alone on a airplane in the freezing cargo space because you say so? NO. That's the surest way of killing him. c and d) the extra fees and hoops suck, but oh wait, I'm flying across the world (in my case) so not all of my connecting flights allow option c.
Like I said, my stress levels are high when, if logic prevailed, airlines would reward responsible pet owners who are planning on keeping, not abandoning their pets, and give them every option available to make a journey with an animal as stress-free as possible for both the human and animal's sake.
Sigh..If only logic prevailed in this world..
It's like the saying goes, "common sense is not all that common."
I have an adorable mini rabbit that I bought very soon after arriving in Japan. I have brought him up since he was able to fit in the palm of my hand at only a month old. I make sure he has a proper bunny diet, plenty of room to run around, enough fresh air and sunshine, and of course, too much attention from me. I've always made sure he has the best care taker available when I've gone on trips. I have left the light and heat on for him when I'm not home so he doesn't get cold or feel scared. I haven't throttled him for destroying the tatami in one of my rooms, but just covered it up and will deal with the consequences later on. I paid to have him neutered to regulate his hormones and increase his lifespan.
And now I'm willing to pay the ridiculous fees associated with trying to take an animal on board a plane so that, like a responsible pet owner, I don't just dump him because it's inconvenient to take him back to my home country. But what's that? I have to jump through 5 million hoops to do this? And I have to sign a waiver saying the airline is not responsible if he dies in transit, yet they won't let me take every measure possible to prevent this, including having him with me in the cabin?
I seriously don't get it. You can talk to me about sensitivity to allergies people may have, the limits necessary on taking certain animals on a plane, blah blah blah, but I ask, where is the logic?
Instead of sweeping regulations that cause unbelievable stress on both the owners and animals in the end, just take things on a case-to-case basis. My boyfriend was trying to say that they just have these sweeping regulations because of how infrequent animals need to fly, but to me that's exactly the point; Usually animals classified as pets need to be flown so infrequently that the conditions surrounding their need to fly should be evaluated and permitted on more logical grounds.
My example that I ranted on my facebook status upset a friend, but I could care less. I said that if a screaming child under the age of 2 or whatever it is can fly FOR FREE and disturb other passengers, then logically, my small, quiet rabbit should be allowed to be with me in a carry on size bag under my seat. Allowing this for free makes sense to me (since I'm giving up a carry on bag to bring him on), but in the end I don't even care if they charge me the extra $150 and say that I can't take him out of the carrier (because, duh). I'd rather have him with me so I can monitor him and comfort him with my presence.
Instead I'm facing airlines that either a) don't allow rabbits period. No reason, just arbitrarily say no to them. b) will only fly him as cargo with an extra fee c) will allow them in the cabin if no other passenger has an animal. Also for an extra fee. d) Quarantines them and requires health certificates that need to be officially translated into the language of every destination the animal will arrive at. (understandable, but what a b-itch of a task).
So: a) I have to leave him behind because you say so? Um, no. b) a small, genetically disposed nervous creature is forced to fly alone on a airplane in the freezing cargo space because you say so? NO. That's the surest way of killing him. c and d) the extra fees and hoops suck, but oh wait, I'm flying across the world (in my case) so not all of my connecting flights allow option c.
Like I said, my stress levels are high when, if logic prevailed, airlines would reward responsible pet owners who are planning on keeping, not abandoning their pets, and give them every option available to make a journey with an animal as stress-free as possible for both the human and animal's sake.
Sigh..If only logic prevailed in this world..
It's like the saying goes, "common sense is not all that common."
20 February 2013
a mild state of dissociation
my musing for today:
The title is the definition of compartmentalization. Why didn't I just us that then? Because I wasn't expecting that to come up when I verified my use of the word (I often do this to avoid that awful moment when you've misused a word and someone equally as awful points it out. eek!). I was more anticipating this definition (which is that of compartmentalize): to divide into sections or categories.
As it happens, I prefer the former definition to go along with my musing for today. A mild state of dissociation [being disconnected].
My efforts to be connected to the world around me, to those in far away places, to what's popular among my peers often comes about in the form of connecting to social media. Yes, I do talk to people in person as well, but when all that's familiar to me is thousands of miles away, I can more easily do this via social media each of which I use for specific purposes. But living so far away has left me in a state of compartmentalization. I am in some way constantly disconnected. So my musing (and thus the expectation of the second definition), is because despite my efforts to connect via my compartmentalized social media sites, I still consistently experience this mild state of dissociation.
It doesn't burden me. I've just noticed it. It's sometimes nice to be so far removed from all that is familiar. I already know that I'll miss being able to live in a dissociated state, blissfully ignorant of some matters and lost in the unfamiliar.
The title is the definition of compartmentalization. Why didn't I just us that then? Because I wasn't expecting that to come up when I verified my use of the word (I often do this to avoid that awful moment when you've misused a word and someone equally as awful points it out. eek!). I was more anticipating this definition (which is that of compartmentalize): to divide into sections or categories.
As it happens, I prefer the former definition to go along with my musing for today. A mild state of dissociation [being disconnected].
My efforts to be connected to the world around me, to those in far away places, to what's popular among my peers often comes about in the form of connecting to social media. Yes, I do talk to people in person as well, but when all that's familiar to me is thousands of miles away, I can more easily do this via social media each of which I use for specific purposes. But living so far away has left me in a state of compartmentalization. I am in some way constantly disconnected. So my musing (and thus the expectation of the second definition), is because despite my efforts to connect via my compartmentalized social media sites, I still consistently experience this mild state of dissociation.
It doesn't burden me. I've just noticed it. It's sometimes nice to be so far removed from all that is familiar. I already know that I'll miss being able to live in a dissociated state, blissfully ignorant of some matters and lost in the unfamiliar.
my blessing and my curse
my musing for today:
For quite some time I've been acutely aware of my sixth sense. Because of my gender it could be referred to as woman's intuition and I guess I'm okay with that too. My experiences with it so far have ranged from having an impending sense of doom to specifically not liking a situation when I encounter it for no apparent reason.
The first time I can really remember this happening was at volleyball camp between my junior and senior year of high school. I'm good at volleyball. Not professional level, but I was good and certainly one of the best on my team. The last few days at camp, I couldn't even bump the ball. My coach took me out of the rotation and we were both dumbfounded at what was wrong with me. After I returned home from camp, I found out my family hadn't wanted to spoil my time at camp by telling me that my beloved grandfather had died that on the day I started playing terribly.
The next time I clearly had a bad feeling about a person. It was within a group of friends and at the time, I only tried to get the person closest to me away from that person, but he didn't buy my 'having a feeling.' I felt forced to ignore the feeling since we were all in a a group of friends. Big mistake. Bad people can't hide their true colors forever, so when I was proven right the situation was just terrible for everyone involved, but especially me.
It's happened on smaller scales as well. I can also get the feeling but have it go away. Today, I sat I my desk shifting uncomfortably with the impending sense of doom feeling when a friend texted me to see how work was going. I was honest and within the span of our conversation, the reason behind the feeling revealed itself. The reason is more like another potentially bad situation, but it's too soon to tell if it will end in the worse way possible. We'll see.
Sorry to be so cryptic in this post and not reveal all the juicy details of these stories. My policy has always been that those who need know the details, will. This musing is more about my strong intuition and how I've learned to recognize it as a defense mechanism. That's why it is my blessing and my curse.
For quite some time I've been acutely aware of my sixth sense. Because of my gender it could be referred to as woman's intuition and I guess I'm okay with that too. My experiences with it so far have ranged from having an impending sense of doom to specifically not liking a situation when I encounter it for no apparent reason.
The first time I can really remember this happening was at volleyball camp between my junior and senior year of high school. I'm good at volleyball. Not professional level, but I was good and certainly one of the best on my team. The last few days at camp, I couldn't even bump the ball. My coach took me out of the rotation and we were both dumbfounded at what was wrong with me. After I returned home from camp, I found out my family hadn't wanted to spoil my time at camp by telling me that my beloved grandfather had died that on the day I started playing terribly.
The next time I clearly had a bad feeling about a person. It was within a group of friends and at the time, I only tried to get the person closest to me away from that person, but he didn't buy my 'having a feeling.' I felt forced to ignore the feeling since we were all in a a group of friends. Big mistake. Bad people can't hide their true colors forever, so when I was proven right the situation was just terrible for everyone involved, but especially me.
It's happened on smaller scales as well. I can also get the feeling but have it go away. Today, I sat I my desk shifting uncomfortably with the impending sense of doom feeling when a friend texted me to see how work was going. I was honest and within the span of our conversation, the reason behind the feeling revealed itself. The reason is more like another potentially bad situation, but it's too soon to tell if it will end in the worse way possible. We'll see.
Sorry to be so cryptic in this post and not reveal all the juicy details of these stories. My policy has always been that those who need know the details, will. This musing is more about my strong intuition and how I've learned to recognize it as a defense mechanism. That's why it is my blessing and my curse.
18 February 2013
die doing what you love or live doing the mundane?
my musing for today:
I felt a moment of swelling emotions as I read this article today on MSN about a young couple who died during their journey to cycle around the world. They were both struck and killed by a truck while biking through Thailand. The tragic circumstances of this situation isn't what got to me; the reactions of their loved ones did. They were quoted as saying things along the lines of 'they died doing what they loved' and 'they didn't just talk about doing this, they did it.' Is it morbid to think that I love this attitude and would hope to have that said about me?
I feel like if it were my family - passionate and crazy as they are - they would probably be inclined to be upset that I had put myself in danger in the first place, essentially robbing them of my presence in their lives (sounds selfish of them I know, but they do love me so). These people left behind though immediately recognized that although this couple was in their early 30's and still had their whole lives ahead of them, they lived and died passionately in pursuit of their dream. How could they be upset with that?
This leads me to the title of this post. Someone in the comments actually said they'd rather be alive and pushing paperwork at some desk than to die, even if it was doing something they love. As soon as read this, I involuntarily leaned back a bit and shook my head as my brain was processing this information and vehemently rejecting it.
Maybe it sounds selfish of me and would be interpreted by my family as such (like I mused). However, I often check myself to make sure I'm really living and not merely existing. I want to be pursuing dreams and having amazing experiences that enrich my life. If I died in pursuit of this (knock on wood), then I'd hope to be remembered that way.
R.I.P. to these young and passionate people. You are being remembered for the incredible life you lead and not for your untimely demise.
I felt a moment of swelling emotions as I read this article today on MSN about a young couple who died during their journey to cycle around the world. They were both struck and killed by a truck while biking through Thailand. The tragic circumstances of this situation isn't what got to me; the reactions of their loved ones did. They were quoted as saying things along the lines of 'they died doing what they loved' and 'they didn't just talk about doing this, they did it.' Is it morbid to think that I love this attitude and would hope to have that said about me?
I feel like if it were my family - passionate and crazy as they are - they would probably be inclined to be upset that I had put myself in danger in the first place, essentially robbing them of my presence in their lives (sounds selfish of them I know, but they do love me so). These people left behind though immediately recognized that although this couple was in their early 30's and still had their whole lives ahead of them, they lived and died passionately in pursuit of their dream. How could they be upset with that?
This leads me to the title of this post. Someone in the comments actually said they'd rather be alive and pushing paperwork at some desk than to die, even if it was doing something they love. As soon as read this, I involuntarily leaned back a bit and shook my head as my brain was processing this information and vehemently rejecting it.
Maybe it sounds selfish of me and would be interpreted by my family as such (like I mused). However, I often check myself to make sure I'm really living and not merely existing. I want to be pursuing dreams and having amazing experiences that enrich my life. If I died in pursuit of this (knock on wood), then I'd hope to be remembered that way.
R.I.P. to these young and passionate people. You are being remembered for the incredible life you lead and not for your untimely demise.
a serendipitous occurence
my musing for today:
I was discussing future plans with a friend today and revealed how serendipitous the timing of my return home in August will be. I mean, I don't want to get ahead of myself, but so far I've received news of three other friends moving back to Miami around the same time that I am. Three friends who have been living their separate lives in separate places, all of whom I am close with and will definitely be seeing much of if they're in town.
How does that just happen?!
I know I'll be dealing with the stress and emotions involved with reverse culture shock, so although I like to call this serendipitous, I know it's a little help from above to help me fill the voids that will be missing from my life.
It's funny.. usually with these kind of things, I can only see their purpose looking back; It's strange to think I'm connecting the dots looking forward. Strange and comforting.
I was discussing future plans with a friend today and revealed how serendipitous the timing of my return home in August will be. I mean, I don't want to get ahead of myself, but so far I've received news of three other friends moving back to Miami around the same time that I am. Three friends who have been living their separate lives in separate places, all of whom I am close with and will definitely be seeing much of if they're in town.
How does that just happen?!
I know I'll be dealing with the stress and emotions involved with reverse culture shock, so although I like to call this serendipitous, I know it's a little help from above to help me fill the voids that will be missing from my life.
It's funny.. usually with these kind of things, I can only see their purpose looking back; It's strange to think I'm connecting the dots looking forward. Strange and comforting.
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