So I've had a lot of thoughts recently that I would like to become a more "green" individual. I recently watched the documentary film, Food, Inc., and it has really opened my eyes to the evils of the food production industry. The cruelty and manipulation that occurs, not always to the animals but to the people, is repulsive and I don't wish to further fund it. To be clear, I'm not in favor of becoming vegetarian or vegan. Not that I have a problem with either of these lifestyles, but they're not appropriate options for me personally. Rather, I think the industry should produce all foods ethically and with respect for the creature and the farmer.
Anyway, I'm following a couple of blogs about living green, and self-sustainable living. I know I won't be able to for the next couple of years, but eventually I'd like to have a garden, and raise some livestock small-scale. I'm particularly interested in raising rabbits for meat, and chickens for eggs and meat. Perhaps it would even be feasible to raise a few dairy goats, and raise the kids for meat. I talked about this in depth with B, and he seemed interested in the idea as well. He confessed he's actually always been interested in keeping a vegetable garden, so he seems to be on board with such a way of living.
I've found a local farmer's market that is open in Saturdays. I think I'll attend, and see what I can find. So until next time...
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Brace Yourself...
Wow, this year has been a real crash course for the rest of life. Since my last writing I've traveled halfway across the United States showing dogs, I've gained a dog, lost a dog, gained (sort of) another dog, traveled to New York to attend the annual Westminster dog show, and soon I'll be graduating from college and moving away to pursue my Master's. Whew!
So. I guess I can elaborate a little more on life. B and I are still together and doing wonderfully. We've had a couple of rough patches in our relationship, especially concerning where we want to live, and how we want to live. Do we want a family or not, those kinds of things. Some of the discussions became fairly heated, but I think we're much better off for them, and now we can focus on what we do want in our relationship.
I'm very seriously considering moving to New York City for a couple of years after I get my Master's. Why not? I just want to say I've done it. And since B and I decided to post-pone having a family until much later (so we can establish and enjoy a marriage and partnership for a few years before changing everything), it gives me the perfect opportunity to go out and experience the world, really live it up (with B going with me, of course!). I went to New York in February, to go to the Westminster dog show, celebrate my birthday, and have a little mini-vacation before starting grad school in the summer, and it was amazing!!! I never dreamed I would love it so much. The architecture was beautiful, the people were intriguing, and the atmosphere was exhilarating! I had so much fun, and yet I barely scratched the surface of everything there is to see. How I want to go back!
So, I'm also graduating in three weeks. It's a bit mind-blowing and scary, but by that same token I'm excited to open the next chapter of my life. I'm moving to a smaller city outside of the big city where B lives, so I'll only be about 45 minutes away from him. I'm very excited about that aspect of it. We can go out on regular dates, enjoy the city nightlife, theatre, the beach...oh yeah, I'll be only 5 miles from the water! I'll be able to go out there, enjoy the water, take the dogs swimming...it's going to be amazing.
Speaking of the dogs, I ended up keeping T. And I'm sick of writing letters for my dogs' names, so I'll just give real names. Toby is my Dachshund. He's such a doll, and I've spent so much time showing him, so I ended up becoming his co-owner. We've started Earthdog training, and we're just touching on obedience, and I think he'll be a great working dog and companion. And the little coffee puppy was born, and I got him in August. Ryder is his name, and I think he might be what some of my friends refer to as my "heart dog", that one dog in my life that goes above and beyond being a pet or companion, and is the one dog that meets and exceeds my wants and expectations. So far he as. I've been showing him, and I've started working with him in the field. He shows so much promise! And he's obedient. That boy learned how to shake, with both paws, in less than five minutes. My mom witnessed the whole thing and was in awe! He's just wonderful. Maverick (M), my other Brittany, has been living with my parents for about 6 months now. I got some new neighbors, who have a dog that likes to fence-fight. I felt that I was unable to control Maverick, not to mention I could barely keep him from climbing over my 6' wooden privacy fence (that has no footholds, mind you). Even if he was in the kennel in the yard, he would still whine and bark and make himself miserable. It seemed kindest to let him go stay with my parents in the country for a while, but he's really blossomed there and now my mom is quite attached to him. He's become her little shadow, and buddies around with her wherever she goes! I can't complain. I'm happy to see him happy.
As school is winding down, life seems so stressful. I'm graduating in three weeks, moving the day after graduation, starting a new job *sometime* when I'm moved in, and starting grad school on June 7th. In other words, it's going to be very busy. But like I said, I'm ready to start the next chapter, so I hope it all goes smoothly and as planned. I'm moving into a one-bedroom apartment (down from my current 3-bedroom house!), so that's going to be a bummer, but it's a very nice apartment so I can't complain too much. I'll just have to get creative with storage. On the bright side, I can't spend any money on useless things, because I'll have no room for them! Ha ha...
Anyway, I've got to study for a couple exams that I have tomorrow. Easy ones, but still. I should study. So until next time...
So. I guess I can elaborate a little more on life. B and I are still together and doing wonderfully. We've had a couple of rough patches in our relationship, especially concerning where we want to live, and how we want to live. Do we want a family or not, those kinds of things. Some of the discussions became fairly heated, but I think we're much better off for them, and now we can focus on what we do want in our relationship.
I'm very seriously considering moving to New York City for a couple of years after I get my Master's. Why not? I just want to say I've done it. And since B and I decided to post-pone having a family until much later (so we can establish and enjoy a marriage and partnership for a few years before changing everything), it gives me the perfect opportunity to go out and experience the world, really live it up (with B going with me, of course!). I went to New York in February, to go to the Westminster dog show, celebrate my birthday, and have a little mini-vacation before starting grad school in the summer, and it was amazing!!! I never dreamed I would love it so much. The architecture was beautiful, the people were intriguing, and the atmosphere was exhilarating! I had so much fun, and yet I barely scratched the surface of everything there is to see. How I want to go back!
So, I'm also graduating in three weeks. It's a bit mind-blowing and scary, but by that same token I'm excited to open the next chapter of my life. I'm moving to a smaller city outside of the big city where B lives, so I'll only be about 45 minutes away from him. I'm very excited about that aspect of it. We can go out on regular dates, enjoy the city nightlife, theatre, the beach...oh yeah, I'll be only 5 miles from the water! I'll be able to go out there, enjoy the water, take the dogs swimming...it's going to be amazing.
Speaking of the dogs, I ended up keeping T. And I'm sick of writing letters for my dogs' names, so I'll just give real names. Toby is my Dachshund. He's such a doll, and I've spent so much time showing him, so I ended up becoming his co-owner. We've started Earthdog training, and we're just touching on obedience, and I think he'll be a great working dog and companion. And the little coffee puppy was born, and I got him in August. Ryder is his name, and I think he might be what some of my friends refer to as my "heart dog", that one dog in my life that goes above and beyond being a pet or companion, and is the one dog that meets and exceeds my wants and expectations. So far he as. I've been showing him, and I've started working with him in the field. He shows so much promise! And he's obedient. That boy learned how to shake, with both paws, in less than five minutes. My mom witnessed the whole thing and was in awe! He's just wonderful. Maverick (M), my other Brittany, has been living with my parents for about 6 months now. I got some new neighbors, who have a dog that likes to fence-fight. I felt that I was unable to control Maverick, not to mention I could barely keep him from climbing over my 6' wooden privacy fence (that has no footholds, mind you). Even if he was in the kennel in the yard, he would still whine and bark and make himself miserable. It seemed kindest to let him go stay with my parents in the country for a while, but he's really blossomed there and now my mom is quite attached to him. He's become her little shadow, and buddies around with her wherever she goes! I can't complain. I'm happy to see him happy.
As school is winding down, life seems so stressful. I'm graduating in three weeks, moving the day after graduation, starting a new job *sometime* when I'm moved in, and starting grad school on June 7th. In other words, it's going to be very busy. But like I said, I'm ready to start the next chapter, so I hope it all goes smoothly and as planned. I'm moving into a one-bedroom apartment (down from my current 3-bedroom house!), so that's going to be a bummer, but it's a very nice apartment so I can't complain too much. I'll just have to get creative with storage. On the bright side, I can't spend any money on useless things, because I'll have no room for them! Ha ha...
Anyway, I've got to study for a couple exams that I have tomorrow. Easy ones, but still. I should study. So until next time...
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