entering 2011

A new year is starting and I'm reflecting, as usual. 2010 has been an eventful year, one which I wish wasn't actually eventful, but still. I can't change it. I started my masters degree this fall, and look forward to the next step once that is finished- moving back to New Zealand and settling down to teach cute little kids and add sunblock to my daily regime. Until then, I have goals to keep me busy.

1- maintain good grades for the masters program

2- take control of my health through my diet: this is a really important one since I've been sick for the last 3 weeks due to the amount of gluten and wheat I eat. For the last year or so I've noticed a trend with my body and have successfully ignored it until after Thanksgiving. The amount of gluten I eat is quite large considering my love of pasta and bread, so that's what I'm giving up. It's kind of the same situation I was in when I admitted being lactose-intolerant. I had to give it up completely and then slowly test my limits on how much I could have before getting very ill. So for the next 2 weeks I will have no gluten in order to clean my system out, then once I'm in New Zealand, I will begin the testing process. Let's be honest I certainly can't go 3 weeks in New Zealand with no gluten whatsoever and at least there I can find gluten-free options. In South Korea, gluten-free is pretty hard to find, and gluten itself is quite hard to avoid since it's in soy sauce and gochujang (are you kidding me Korea? Those are the two most used flavorings in this country, thus negating most Korean food from my diet for now). I have to be honest with myself though- I know I can't live without spaghetti for the rest of my life, so I have to figure this out and find a way to live without being sick all the time.

3- Along with this new approach to my diet is a more holistic approach to my health. Amillia has been really helpful with yoga and teaching me more about paying attention to my body and health. I've found some exercises I can do at home or at work to improve different aspects of my health. I need to take care of myself so I can make sure I don't get seriously ill because of my health. I'm past the point where I should be eating like I'm in college and I'm making it a priority to work on my health.

So there it is, I have some goals for the new year and will likely be venting on here on the struggles and successes I have over the next few weeks as I sort this all out. Today I woke up craving a bacon sandwich with HP sauce. Well, I have bacon and HP sauce, but can't do the sandwich bit- so I made oatmeal instead. I also just realized I'll have to figure out what to do with all the fresh basil in my apartment since I can't make pasta. Hmm, ideas? Anyway, back to breakfast and cleaning my apartment before dancing tonight.