Update: Daniel Fast

Day 4. 
Hunger pangs are less frequent than days one and two, but also more welcomed. 
I know I'm on the right track, and a slight feeling of hunger reminds me that I'm sacrificing my gluttonous habits. 


Severe headaches have subsided. (!!!!)
Days one through three I suffered from border-line earth rattling migraines. Each headache began around lunch time and lasted until I fell asleep.  I blame half of these tortuous migraines on my lingering sinus infection, and half of them on my sudden detoxification of sugar and all things caffeineited.  Normally, my mid-afternoon headaches are cured with a diet coke and whatever candy I can get my hands on.  To these temptations I say, No More! 

I know I'm not supposed to weigh myself already...
but I have already lost 4 pounds! Woohoo!

Overall, feeling good.  
I will finally get back in the gym today. My previous sinus infection and respiratory virus kept me from the gym for over a week so I'm not feeling my strongest, but I plan on turning that around asap.  

Most importantly I am feeling proud.  
I am surprising myself by turning down temptation; self-discipline is a quality of which I never had much (when it came to food.) 

Raise your (water)glass to four days down, and twelve more to go! 

Let There Be Light

On Saturday afternoon (5 long days after Sandy hit) most of my close family members had power back. With no cable/internt, and a ration on gasoline, cabin fever was really hitting hard.  But at least we had electricity.

My cousin and I decided we needed to get out of our respective houses before going crazy.  And so the question arose: What does one do on a Saturday during a state of emergency? Our original plan to go to Loverboy's football game was destroyed in Sandy's path (his University is located along the Jersey Shore ... alas, game canceled.) Well, with our power back and a determination to "get out" we did what any logical person would do.  We drove to another cousin's house to start a bon fire.  

Yes, we left the warmth of our homes to go sit outside on a frigid November evening in front of a wood-burning fire.  The luxury of heat we hoped and prayed to gain for five long days was forgotten as we set up our s'mores and spiked ciders around the fire.  And I wouldn't trade that night with my family for any amount of the electricity we missed the week before.  

Life After Sandy

We are all aware of the devastation brought on by Hurricane Sandy.  Over 110 people lost their lives, thousands more lost their homes, millions remain without electricit/hot water. Personally? As a resident of Central New Jersey, I was merely inconvenienced for one week of my life.  My family did not suffer any tragic losses, and for that I thank God.  Luckily, the only thing I can say Sandy took from me was electricity, cable, internet, and as of today, tap water safe enough to drink.  Even so, during this time of inconvenice I had a lot of time to mourn those affected much, much worse than was my family. (The 11-day weekend without work/school left a lot of time for thinking.)

Sandy left her mark on the Flag on my front yard. 

What else did I have a lot of time to do? Eat.  My mother would not stop cooking. About a dozen meatballs, even more cookies, a couple bowls of homemade soup, and approximately five pounds of pasta later, I can officially say I am at my heaviest of weight gains. 

On our fourth day of stuffing our faces hoping for our power to return, my aunt suggested we attempt the Daniel Fast once we had the opportunity to get fresh food.  For those unfamiliar, the "Daniel Fast" is a biblically-based partial fast that follows these guidelines: 

1. Only Fruits and Vegetables
2. Only Water
3. No Breads/Sweeteners 

Oh, and it lasts for 21 days. With every meal for these 21 days, you are supposed to pray for a purpose you determine before the fast. Each time you eat, you are denying certain foods for this spiritual purpose.

 Those who know me know that I am not the most spiritual person in the world. However, I believe in a time of disaster many of us seek answers from a higher power.  With the hurricane affecting so many people close and dear to me, coupled with my recent unhealthy eating habits, I agreed to sacrifice my sugars, caffeine, meat, dairy, and breads for not only my health but also to remind myself to pray for those whom have lost much more than me due to Sandy.  

Wish me luck as I attempt to eat like a vegan for the next 19 days (I'm already on day two) ... And say a little prayer for the State of NJ as we get through this disaster.   

It's OK...

... to go to the movies on a Monday night with your little cousin, just because.

... to cry during the film version of "Perks of Being a Wallflower." And then proceed to go home and read it again.

... to buy a pack of gum, and finish four pieces of it within an hour of purchase.

... to raise your voice in preschool.  I have learned that what I once thought was an infinite supply of patience, is actually a limited reserve that can be easily drained by a classroom of rowdy four-year-olds.  Luckily, four-year-olds bounce back incredibly quickly.  5 minutes after you raise your voice, they are running to your arms to tell you they love you.  Thank goodness.

... to begin thinking in tweets ... 140 sweet characters at a time.

... or is it?

LOVE

I've been a little MIA lately, and for that I apologize.

Currently, I am in the middle of baking, laundry, photo uploading, and lesson planning, but I came across this gem that was too good to not share. 

It should be noted that these little hands cannot write their first name.

 Imagine the shock I felt when I rolled out a piece of easel paper for my students to color on at the end of the day, and my little man started writing "LOVE" everywhere.

  I asked Little Man how he learned to write that word, and he told me, 

"My brudder teached me. I have so much love I had to know." 

And then I melted into a puddle on the floor.

But seriously, how beautiful is that? Add this to one of the many things I love about four year olds. 

Hate clothes, love chocolate.

Is it weird that the first thing I want to do when I step through the door in the evening is take off all my clothes?  

For some reason, at the end of the work day I just want to completely strip myself of the constraints of clothing and the germs, sweat, snot and magic markers that accompany with them.  Seriously, nothing feels better than taking a bra off after a day of teaching.  What? Sorry. Forget I said that. Moving on. 

Also, I think...there are a handful of students who are trying to drive me to drink.  

I'm not sure what my breaking point will be: 

Using permanent markers to doodle on the beloved white board?

Asking to go potty four times in one hour?

Tattling.

Sharpening one's index finger in a crayon sharpener?

Eh, not so bad I can't deal.  For now, I may just succumb to severe chocoholism. 

First Monday Down...

One Monday in the books for Ms. Maggie.  

My real person full-time job started today. I am officially putting that degree to use and teaching pre-kindergarten! 

I'm exhuasted, overwhelmed, and purely happy.  

Here's to the next 30-something Mondays as Ms. Maggie of the Star Room.  May they be just as exciting, if not less chaotic, as this one.