5 days and counting.........

So its five days into the experiment...........and I'm still hungry; however, other aspects of this experiment are going well, revealing to me what I can feasible change about my lifestyle for the betterment of society. 

Transportation: I will admit that in this regard I have failed epically. For the first couple of days I followed my rules diligently, I even walked all the way to Bethesda because the trip wasn't related to school. However, as time passed and time constraints arose I just didn't care anymore. To be fair, I messed up once because I simply forgot; however, the third time I simply couldn't be bothered (my legs hurt and I was hungry). This past few days have made me realize that transportation is a hard area to change. First of all, people (myself included) are used to certain luxuries, and its really hard to change. Then there is the matter of time.  As college student, who supposedly has copious amounts of time, most days I don't have the time to waste walking everywhere. I can only imagine the stress walking would put on an individual who works 40-80 hour weeks, with kids, and other responsibilities. Frankly, I could see myself walking places during the weekend, but during the week its impossible. For the rest of week, I will endeavor to walk to all my pleasure destination, because with all the other things I have to get done, I don't have time to waste walking.

Food: ..........Still hungry. For the last five days I have given up meat, but honestly I don't think I will continue. I'm not quitter but I just can't find the motivation to continue. I come from a family where meat is a staple, its in every meal and in large amounts. Previously, I never thought anything was wrong with this lifestyle choice, but I now know of the cruelties done to animals and it made me wonder about my food choices. However, this week has removed any qualms I had with eating meat. I will eat it all day every day if it means feeling full, because hunger outweighs my conscious in any battle. While this my seem selfish, I don't see it as that because I tried other alternatives. For two days, I ate fish. As in I used MY hard-earned money to go to the store and buy EXPENSIVE fish. Coincidentally, in my environmental sustainability class we also covered the pros and cons of eating meat, fish, or just lower on the food chain. Eating fish is worse for the environment than eating meat, especially since there will be no more fish in the open ocean in 15-50 years if we don't eliminate commercial fishing altogether. So I can't eat meat and I feel the burn on both my conscious and wallet from eating fish/seafood. So.......tomorrow I have a date with omelet man( bacon, sausage, and ham included).

Consumerism: Luckily, most of my shopping plans for this week were cancelled, so I didn't have to face much temptation. However, I began to wonder if shopping online (without actually purchasing anything) would count of "shopping" or just be eliminating my shopping cravings. So I'm going to stop that (after the big blowout sale). I think changing this part of my lifestyle has been the easiest because I didn't grow up in the continental US and wasn't overwhelmed by its consumerist culture. Unlike some of my friends, who have actually voiced this, I don't get a feeling of elation from shopping or get sudden urges to shop; therefore, stopping all these tendencies was just a matter of reminding myself that I don't need them.

Technology: I haven't yet touched Facebook or Skype, but I must admit I feel a little cut off from the rest of society. While I might to be "into" Facebook, most of my friends and family are, so whenever I wanted to know how they were doing, I logged on and snooped. However, now I can't and, since I'm noisy, I am suffering some withdrawal symptoms (nothing too drastic though). Also, I really miss seeing and talking to my close friends and family face-to-face, a problem I mentioned earlier. While most have the problem of being to attached to their technology to the detriment of social interaction, I have the opposite problem. I use technology to stay in touch. Why settle for a phone call when I can see my mother? Why ask about a distant relative when I can Facebook stalk them, instead of having to talk to eight people to get information?

Positive Impact/Political Action:  Over the last few days, I really began looking for ways to get involved. Unfortunately, I didn't find anything immediate to do, so instead I signed up for things in the future. I will now be hosting a potential student in my room and I signed up for relay for life. While most would not consider hosting a high schooler a service, I do. They will be in my room, taking up my space, and asking me questions, all of which will try my patience; therefore, its a service, but I do believe I will have fun trying to find positive things to say about AU. What I am really excited about is Relay for Life. I have participated in this event twice already and know how much it benefits cancer  patients and survivors. Also, its a way to get communities closer. Its been a really, really long time since I did something for anyone other than myself and its long overdue.

Health & Happiness: This aspect of the experiment has given my the most joy and benefit. Since I was urged on by the experiment, I did some form of exercising everyday:) I will be the first to admit that despite the pain, I am immensely satisfied for no other reason than conquering my laziness. After exercising I had more energy, could think clearer.......but I got hungry. On the other hand, but my goal to sleep didn't work out that well. For the first two blissful days I ignored my every growing to-do-list and slept, it.....was.....beautiful. Unfortunately, reality slapped me in the face and I had to return to my insomniac ways to keep up with my course load. But for two days.....Utopia. On top of my exercise, I also tried to read every day and unfortunately I did every day......for several hours, which led to my later sleep deprivation. This experiment has revealed two aspects ( that I already knew, but refused to acknowledge): I have no self-control and I am a procrastinator. If I read for thirty minutes instead of two hours, I could have slept; therefore, I need to work on my time management skills. There must be a balance between health and happiness because two much of either will compromise the other.

Conclusion: Every day I continue, I am overcoming new challenges ( and pushing myself to the brink of collapse). There is one area of this experiment I have not yet mentioned, my friends. When they first found out about this experiment no one believed that I could give up meat (since I complain about the lack of it everyday). Besides that,  they have been supportive. They walk to Tenley Town with me(even to Bethesda!), exercise with men to give support, and eat away from me when they have meat. If anything, this experiment has proven that I have great friends that would support me if I chose to permanently alter any aspect of my lifestyle. And while that may not be important to other people, it is to me.