So far...

Alright, I've successfully managed to be off fast food for three weeks now. I haven't cheated. I don't count Buffalo Wild Wings as "fast food," and even though I went there, I got grilled chicken rather than fried. I've stuck to eating at home unless I grab a salad at the salad bar at school, and have replaced many snacks with apples...they are still my friend if accompanied with a slight swipe of peanut butter.

Julie (my Kitchenaid mixer) did make a second cake, but I've been limiting myself to one piece a day--if even that. I'm surviving and I'm not actually missing the fast food. I saw a commercial for chicken nuggets today...and I didn't even lust after them. Actually, I think I was more addicted to the dipping sauce than I was to the actual nugget itself.

In other news, but still in the category of progress and change, I have also gone to the gym every week day we've been back in school. So three weeks, no fast food, two weeks, gym. I keep it to an hour a day because I get bored. Tonight I lucked out to get the bike with the television attached to it. Thank God. It gave me something to focus on--other than the fact I was sweating and not eating.

All in all, I am happy with these transitions. It's funny how easily I was able to make these little adjustments after trying to convince myself for years that they would be detrimental to my schedule and routine. Hello laziness; you're yet to be missed.

All for now. An apple is calling my name.

Cravings are subsiding

Well today I met with a composer friend of mine. She is writing a children's opera based on fairy tales, but incorporating themes of rising above abuse and violence. It's an interesting concept and today we really worked through the libretto to make sure her wording was concise and age-appropriate. We met at First Watch in Kansas City. First Watch is not my favorite establishment, but they do have an amazing salad, Pecan Dijon. I highly recommend it: salad, grilled chicken, carrots, avocado, pecans, with honey mustard dressing.

Tonight for dinner I baked boneless chicken tenders (...maybe "shaked" them a bit too). I am splurging though tonight with yellow cake with chocolate icing (my childhood favorite). I have to break in my new Kitchenaid Mixer I received for Christmas. I feel I should name her....Julie...because I would never be so bold to actually name her Julia. The cake is cooling now and the house smells lovely.

I successfully drove past golden arches today and scoffed at them. Looking forward to next week when school resumes, and thus my regular schedule starts again. I think with having to focus more on school and homework that I won't be so bored and reclusive. I'm thankful for a wonderful school schedule this semester...only going to class Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. A four-day weekend every week will make for a happy Starving Artist.

All for now. I must now ice a cake. Thanks Julie. ;)

Goal 1

Continue my new found disdain for fast food. It's funny how this particular urge comes in waves. The snow has helped me avoid rushing across the street to McDonalds in a glossed over rage. I remember when the movie came out about people who were emotionally addicted to fast food, to which I scoffed. It's funny how we laugh through self denial. I can be having an awful day, and the thought of the dollar menu just brings that shimmer of hope to my soul. The first couple of cut-off days can be rough, but eventually, once completely removed, the urge isn't there. But as you drive down the street and see those blasted golden arches...I have to admit, my eyes start to gloss over. What have I chosen to replace it? Apples...now granted I like to put a tad of peanut butter on each slice, but STILL! Bananas have come in a close second (without peanut butter, though...if it was good enough for Elvis).

I love going out and eating with friends or treating them to a dinner, but the new goal is if we do that, it must be a sit down dinner, with a waiter.

Update on career: my new church job in Topeka is wonderful. The pay is double what I've been making in Lawrence, and there is a handy carpool that I can be a part of to cut down on driving expenses. The choir was very welcoming and were happy for me being the new addition.

It's 2 degrees outside ... unacceptable.

That's all for now. I need to work on some music today.

New Beginnings

It's 2010. I can't believe it. It's as if I blinked and my twenties rushed past me. I hope to make 2010 a year of changes, as do many Americans who promise to move more, eat less, go to the gym, stop smoking, listen more, blah blah blah. Hopefully I'm able to use this blog to document successful changes rather than to vent about "he said/she said" dramatics that so often fill the halls of Kansas University and my particular circle of friends.

AREAS TO IMPROVE:
Organization
Health
Career

Organization: I'm taking on quite a bit this semester and want to sit down and construct a plan of attack. As a graduate student at KU it's important for me to stay on top of my school work, students, and performance schedule (musician here).

Health: Is this a cliched area of discussion in January? I'm sure everyone is wanting to improve this or that, but my goal for 2010 is broader. Rather than focusing on a specific number, I want to make better choices in several areas that will increase overall health. These include getting plenty of rest, replacing the occasional soda with water, scheduling daily time for the gym, and being better in regular doctors visits.

Career: As a musician this can be difficult, but I've already secured an additional weekly church job in the area. This is in addition to my current church job, so I'm excited the time responsibilities don't conflict. I need to focus in this last year of my degree in order to have a marketable CV, resume, and audition packet for teaching positions and performance opportunities.

I look forward to the start of 2010, and want to utilize this online space to set small goals that will keep me on track.