July

Last thoughts on June:
I really liked the challenge this month.  I think silence is something I don't get enough of anymore. A quite car ride is really nice after a long day at work, and I think that habit will continue into July and August. Anyone else have thoughts on the June challenge?

Moving on...
It's the third day of July, but only my first full day without meat.  Found an interesting vegetarian blog here. I'm excited for this month because I've always been an animal lover, and I've been meaning to try going vegetarian for a while now.  I have heard that going meatless can make you have less energy though, so I'm a little worried since I've got full days at work...but I guess we'll see.

I'm hoping to try a new vegetarian meal once a week, so I'll try to post the recipes.  I made meatless baked spaghetti tonight, which actually turned out really well. 

Anyways, that's all for now.  Hope someone else is brave enough to go meatless for July!

I'm in love with this song lately.

 I like the version by Haley Reinhart better. Yes, I watched American Idol this season...

I really wanted to listen to it on the way to work, but then I got in my car and realized it wasn't on my ipod. A sad start to the morning...

However, I listened to Adele's Rolling in the Deep and felt a little better.  But I had to confess, it was not a music-less morning on the way to work today.
After a long first day though, I welcomed the quiet ride home.

On Silence

This morning I woke up and thought "I can't make it to work without the radio today."

The silence hasn't been quite to easy for me lately.  Maybe the radio doesn't seem like that big of a deal, and really, it's not. But with a few long days at home alone last week while friends and family were scattered or working, I was tired of quiet.  And sometimes I don't feel more alone than driving in the car by myself.  Especially on the 30 minute commute to work at 8 am.

So I got dressed this morning completely accepting the fact that I just couldn't do it today, and I was ready to give myself a break from the radio-less drive.  But then I got to work and realized, to my surprise, I forgot to turn it on. And I was okay.

I have a feeling next week will be a bit LOUDER with camp starting, so the silence will be a welcomed relief.  Now to make it through the rest of the week...

Here's to a happy tomorrow :]

June

This month's challenge is all about giving up excess noise.  I spent some time at the beach last week among family and friends, truly a great start to the summer. But when I came home on Saturday and had a quiet moment to myself, I could literally feel my ears ringing -- although I love the beach, I think there were very few times last week of complete silence.  It seemed that there was always music playing, people talking and laughing, television commercials in the background, waves were crashing on the shore, cars and washing machines and air conditioners and dishwashers were running...so I decided it was time for a little quiet.

I think silence is a good thing sometimes, and I often don't get enough of it.  So I've decided to go without my car radio this month.  Though it's a small gesture, it really does make a difference.  I learned this practice in a small group I was in that focused on peace and silence and simplicity, renewing and refreshing the mind and spirit.  Driving home after a long day at school or at work, I like to turn on the radio, but I've come to realize that the quiet can be much more enjoyable.  If you've never tried this before, I encourage you to go a few days without the radio and see what a little silence can do in your life.

Happy June.

Summer Preview:
 July - vegetarian month
August - no TV
Suggestions for the fall?

I really haven't been as diligent about posting this month as I would have liked...but I don't want to make any excuses for that. Instead, I think I'm going to just call a redo, and keep the challenge the same for the month of May. I think it could really be a good one if I stick to it.
Hope everyone's having a good May so far!

A little delay...

Hellooo bloggies.

So yeah. It's April.  April 9th to be exact, and I still haven't posted this month's challenge.  I sincerely apologize.  I know you all have been checking diligently, day after day, wondering whether I would ever post again...well maybe not.  But I'm back!

So after some conference with my co-blogger, we decided this month's challenge is going to be about giving up excuses.  I know I make excuses all the time - for hitting the snooze button a few extra times in the morning, for putting off my homework, for skipping class, not doing my laundry (my roommate can vouch for that one!)...the list is long.  Sometimes they're excuses made out of fear, other times out of laziness; but April is for leaving those excuses behind.

Maybe that's not concrete enough though...I know I would easily be overwhelmed by such an extensive list, so I'd encourage you to focus on one thing this month, the thing that maybe you find yourself making excuses for the most.  For me, it's probably going to the gym (too much homework, I don't have time, I'm tired, I haven't shaved my legs...blah, blah, blah).  What's yours?

-Erin

Spring is here : )

And with it, plenty to do.  Which is probably why I haven't posted in a while.  But, I'm happy to update that I've been doing pretty well with this month's challenge, no major slip-ups since the beginning of the month.  I haven't even opened the box of shortbread cookies my mom sent me in the mail (I think she forgot I gave up sweets this month...love ya mom!).  That's okay, it will be my motivation to make it through to the end.

Is anyone else taking on this month's challenge? If so, let us know how you're doing! If you haven't, it's not too late!

Erin