My future career(s).

The final week is here and I am anxiously writing my final paper; however my mind is all over the place, so I figured I would take the time to ‘release’ in my blog. I have discovered in the past couple of years that the best way for me to ‘vent’ is through the following: making art & crafts, exercise-swimming, running & cycling, meditation and lastly, WRITING. If I am feeling overwhelmed, just through the act of writing and just letting my mind flow freely, even if it consists of grammatical errors and is incomprehensible, it allows my scattered, ambiguous mind to settle. On some occasions, I write simply about the moment I am in and other times I write about daydreams and created goals for myself, whether on a weekly basis or life basis. In addition, sometimes-creating checklists for myself are helpful as well.

For this blog, I have decided to answer the question that I have been asked over and over this past month, which is… ‘What do you plan on doing with your newly received master’s degree…” Although the question is expected, I still become rather uneasy when answering it. People always want to hear that I am doing something BIG within my recently mastered field, yet for me that is not the case. I love art and especially, modern & contemporary art history. When a passionate lecturer presents new information on artist’s philosophies and significance (especially modern artist) I cannot help but yearn to know more and more and more. I love the field and particularly love when other people are just as passionate about it and teach me everything they know. I want to be THAT person. I want to be a lecturer. Most people do not realize this about me, until they join me in an exhibition at one of the local museums/galleries. I always feel it necessary to share all the information I know about each piece for other’s to fully appreciate what is directly in front of them. Some people enjoy museum visits with me and not having to read any of the plaques because I can usually sum up every painting on the ‘modern’ floor of the museum, others maybe don’t but I just cannot help myself sometimes. Anyways, art history is a passion of mine, I am not sure, at this time, if I will ever become a curator or some big shot art historian, but what I do know is that I would be more than happy to spend a day once a week giving talks/education at a museum, or possibly lecturing one a week at my local community college. I think it would be amazing to keep up with recent sources and information, and be able to teach what I know to others whom are eager to know more.

With that said, art history is not my only passion. I have many other things that I want to do with my life. For instance, YOGA! I love yoga, including the yoga lifestyle and philosophy. It will be a practice I participate in until the day I die. After March, I will be a certified yoga instructor. With my newly achieved certification I hope to also teach weekly yoga classes, either in a studio or gym facility. However, I am actually hoping to be in a gym facility for many reasons. First, I know a lot of people that want to incorporate yoga into their exercise routine but the inconvenience of having to go to a separate facility can sometimes cause a damper on that, time wise and financial wise. Also, others that may have never tried yoga will be more willing to hop right into a class that is about to begin. ‘Why not?..’ Might be there thinking. In addition, if I teach at a gym, then I may also benefit and receive a free gym pass; Also, I would love to teach other aerobic classes such as spin, zumba and water aerobics. I have worked in a gym before and do have experience creating personalized workout and meal plans. I would like to include fitness and yoga into my ‘career’.

Furthermore, I do have a few other passions, which I would like to include in my ‘career’ path, which are in the fields of healing and human rights. I will begin by explaining my ideas for healing; I would like to work with children in the field of art therapy and creating. I love self-expression and being able to heal wounds using creativity. I would really love to learn more about the field of psychology and child development, coinciding with art therapy. I am hoping to further my education in this field once I return to the states next year. Hopefully with that, I will be able to begin my own practice or find work within the field. Also, I will be a reiki master by the end of this year and be able to heal within my own private practice.

Lastly, human rights; I truly believe that all human beings on planet earth have the right to: education-especially children, all should have the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas without fear or interference. Human beings deserve the right to live with dignity: NO ONE should be denied their rights to adequate housing, food, water, sanitation, education and health care. ABSOLUTELY NO ONE. We live on a very resource-dense planet with ample amounts of food and water; in addition, daily advancements are being made in technology, Therefore, there are no excuses. I would like to invest my life in helping to make this possible. I am fully aware that planet Earth is gigantic and there is no way that I can make a huge impact, but even if I am able to be a small asset, even within my own town- that would be satisfying enough. If I can help one family go from homeless and starving to safe and healthy, I will do that. I would like to apply to work for habitat for humanity, or other programs striving to promote basic human rights.

The above information is extensive and is not coinciding necessarily, hence why I am hesitant to address the question, ‘what are you doing with your degree..?’ I often sum it up with, ‘well, I would like to be an educator, artist, healer and activist, but also a world traveler—and maybe even a wife and mother one day.’ People must think I am foolish, but give me ten years and I have no doubts that my life wont be exactly as I have just written it out to be.

You asked: I respond (with this blog)--Going Veggie?

Once a week, I receive a message from a friend, or a friend of a friend, asking me questions about my vegan diet, typically it starts with… ‘I have been thinking about going vegetarian, but not sure where to begin, could you please send me some information..’ and although this message makes me gleam, and I take heaps of pride in my response, I feel as though I am always repeating the same message over and over again, so I have decided to write this blog post in order to respond all at once, and next time I receive that message, I can just forward this entry (feel free to also send it to friends).

Alrighty, I will begin with the basics. Vegetarianism is the practice of following a plant-based diet with the inclusion of dairy products and/or eggs.

However, veganism (which I am) encompasses a diet free from all animal-products. I do, however, eat honey (and that is a whole different point-which I will happily answer if you are wondering why I choose to support honey).

I also attempt to eat a mostly raw diet, which makes up 50% of my diet. I eat uncooked fruits, veggies—or just cooked slightly.

Buddhist vegetarians do not eat onion or garlic & macrobiotic diets consist mostly of whole grains and beans (which I actually do not recommend).

A compliment that I receive quite frequently is that ‘I look healthy for a vegan.’ Of course I look healthy is my response. I have lower levels of cholesterol and lower blood pressure. My chances of heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s disease (which is mad cow disease in humans) are much lower than most meat eaters.

With that said, If I am not fully aware of the foods I consume than none of the above would be true. It is easy and very possible to be an unhealthy vegetarian/vegan, or what I like to call ‘a junk food vegetarian.’

Which includes vegetarians that eat pasta, bread, chips & fries as meals. This makes me incredibly sad. Where is the protein? Where are the vegetables? Or the healthy fats? Of course, you aren’t going to look well OR feel well. Many people tell me, I tried to go vegetarian once, but I was always hungry, low on energy, and never felt well. And then when I ask what they ate, they tell me they just cut out all the meat, but what about substitutions? What about supplements (if you are not sure you are getting it from food)? –which leads to b12—you must take a supplement for this vitamin, its most difficult to achieve adequate amounts from a plant-based diet. And food combination is very important:

Food combinations in protein sources:

(There are 23 different types of amino acids that our bodies need- in order to do everything from forming skin, organs, blood cells, and the immune system, to creating hormone neurotransmitters.)

Many protein sources are incomplete, but with the correct food combination can be complete, however, there are some food sources that are complete (all on their own)

And these include:

-Quinoa: some consider it a grain, however it is actually a seed. But I eat quinoa in substitution for rice. It is easier to digest (gluten-free) and has a nutty flavor. I actually prefer to cook it than let it cool and eat it at room temperature.

-Lupin, soy, hempseed, chia seed, amaranth, & buckwheat are all complete.

I add chia seed to almost everything I eat. It’s so small, and in my opinion, does not have much taste, that I do not even notice it is there. And amaranth is sooo good with fresh fruit salad.

-Avocado: I eat avocado almost everyday. Somedays, more than once. But it is high in fat, so if I eat more than half an avo in a day, then I make sure to cut back on all my other fat sources throughout the day. Avocado is soooo good for digestion.

-Miso: another good for digestion food—fermented foods all are. One day, I will eat a diet which is mostly fermented, once I am more settled and have the time to make all my own miso, kombucha, kimchi, and so on.

-Coconut: I WISH I had a coconut tree. I could live off coconut milk.

-Beetroot: my favorite as a juice AND grated up in salads. Heaps of antioxidants & makes your liver HAPPY.

Food Combos: (to create complete protein)

grains with legumes i.e. almond butter & grainy bread, rice & beans, tofu & rice/pasta

grains with nuts & seeds i.e. grainy bread w/sesame seeds, rice w/sesame seeds

legumes with nuts & seeds i.e. hummus (chickpeas & tahini) or trail mix (nuts w/seeds)

If you eat dairy and egg products than you are receiving complete proteins.

However, I would highly recommend cutting out dairy and only eating free-range eggs if you must.—you can message me for more information on going vegan.

Other worries as a vegetarian are: iron, calcium, fatty acids, and vitamin D (but no need to worry, all can be found in foods--i have listed some below).

Iron—black beans, lentils, oatmeal, raisins, black-eyed peas, soybeans, chick peas, tomato juice, whole-wheat breads, cashews, hempseed, kidney beans, tempeh, molasses and thyme.

Calcium—leafy greens, ie. collard greens, kale, spinach, bok choy, etc., tempeh and tofu (soy).

Fatty Acids—soy, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, hempseed, kiwi, and my favorites: AVOCADO, flaxseed (oil), chia seeds, algae (seaweed)—and spirulina.

Vitamin D- THE SUN!!! soy milk & mushrooms.

I do not support ‘Gardenburger’ or any of those ‘fake meats’ --I did when I first became a vegetarian, but once I started reading labels and learned that there were more added (unknown) ingredient than actual veggies, I stopped and started making my own veggie burgers out of beans, seeds and vegetables. I make heaps all at once, and then freeze them for easy eats. Also, it is not necessary, but I try to avoid gluten as much as possible and eat Ezekiel breads and spelt pasta, and QUINOA. Yum.

Overall, in my (self-educated health knowledge) I highly recommend (common sense) drinking lots of water and EXERCISE. Spend at least twenty minutes in the sun a day, and smile often. Try your best to eat organic and raw as often as possible. Also, eat LOCAL & if possible, grow all your own fruits & veggies (at least your own herbs).

Also, include these (ancient)SUPERFOODS into your diet (even if you aren’t veggie)!

-Blue green algae/spirulina/wheat grass/kelp/dulse/alfalfa

-Acai & gogi

-Chia seeds

-Maca/raw cacao/dark chocolate

-Bee pollen

-Green tea

-Quinoa, rice bran

-Ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne & aloe

Well, I hope this information above helps, and although I might have sound annoyed in wanting to create this blog, I truly do not mind the questions. I will happily answer each and every one of them. Health is very important to me, not only for myself but also for others. Also, I am no one trained/educated in any of the above information. It is all very subjective & my own opinion, so if you do not agree with any of it, that is fine as well. =)

First (Rough Draft) Itinerary: next 6 months

it is all coming together, these are all my DREAM locations for the next several months. (i dont have enough time for burma or laos, but those are also on the dream list... i am definetely open for suggestions/spontaneousness--already talking to a girl that lives on an island off phuket, she lives in a treehouse && originally from san diego--she has offered me a place with her, sounds too amazing.. I CAN NOT WAIT! i fly into kuala lumpur--then train to krabi, thailand. from there i will explore thailand for 60 days (my visa allowance), then cambodia, vietnam, singapore, 30 days in nepal (visa restrictions), followed by India (40 days) then back to new zealand and australia for graduation. i leave sydney in 1 week & 5 days to begin my adventures!

20NovKUALA LUMPUR—21Nov (60 days)KRABI: Koh Lanta Island

PHUKET(islands): kho phi phi (2weeks exploring islands)

à Surat Thani

Ko Samui Islands

Surat ThaniàKoh Phangan (Reiki) 2 weeks 5Dec-16Dec

Ko Taoà

Chumphonà Hua Hin, Nakon PathomàBangkok

Bangkokà Ayutthaya, Lopburi, Phitsanulok, Lamphunà day in each

Chaing Mai 23 Dec (one week)

CHAING RAI 29 Dec (one week)

Mae Hong Son: Pai 6Jan (one week)

OVERNIGHT TRAIN

Train back to Bangkok 16 Jan

Bangkokà 18JanAranayaprathet/Poiphet, Cambodia 19 Jan

Siem Reap (Angkor Wat) 20 Jan

Phnom Penh 23 Jan

Saigon, Vietnam 26 Jan

Muong Man, Nha Trang, Dieu Tri, Quang Ngai, HOI AN, DANANG, HUE(perfume river), dong hoi, vinh, HANOI --one week to make way to Hanoi

Flight to Singapore 2/3Feb

Singapore to India/Nepal 6Feb

Nepal 30 days, India 40 days (30 days-yoga)

India 6-14 Aprilà New Zealand/Australia

the greatest response [of all time]

in response to telling my cousin how stressed i am about uni finals, here is what he had to say:

[i must say, it is the highlight of my week]

"couldnt imagine being in school....but think of all the beauty and bliss around you! While others are stuck in there 9 to 5's listening to boring American accents. You are in a world of its own, a tiny Island of English prisoners who named themselves Australians and starting talking different. A place where drinking is always important, as well as the beach and sex! Attractive people wander in flocks like the Antelope in the Savannah! No time is a bad time except for the worst times. you will be fine my dear, know that you could be in small town Mississippi smoking dope and working in a coffee shack. But you have excelled your mind, body and soul to a better place. you are doing this for you and flipping the rest of the world the bird. There isnt a person you know that would not be in your shoes happily, "unless they are those Pumas you got from Italy that are still in my closet cause I cant get rid of them". Study in peace my young lion cub, for one day. You will be on the hunt with the pack wishing you were just a seedling again, who have not sprouted...Be free and be easy...As only you can be!! (but not easy sexually)"

your cousin like a brother
ET

we are just a spec in time

If I AM just a spec in time, then these next 2 weeks are basically non-existent, which for me, at this moment, is daunting. I am doing my best to not become overwhelmed, but I am right on the edge. I have three major papers to write. The one I am currently writing is on Suprematism and The Black Square, although I am fascinated by the topic, I am struggling to fully wrap my head around the concepts. I am getting there, but it’s challenging on a philosophical level. The next is on film & the music industry. I choose the topic for this paper and I am looking forward to its subject matter, however not sure where to start and what my argument will be; and lastly, the art market in the 18^th century—this one, I am not looking forward to. It is really difficult to find information on the art market at this time, since majority of work was commissioned by the elite, and not just the everyday man, but I am just going to have to dig deep, since I have no choice, and have to write the paper. Well, that is it for Uni, however my personal life is just as full. There are many things I want to accomplish before leaving Sydney; first, I need to continue to work in order to save the money I need for my future adventures. I work Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. I asked to work more hours the next two weeks, so that should get interesting since I have many events coming up: acupuncture appointments, graduation pictures, dubstep night, spirit fest, drum circle/meditation night, noodles in Hyde park, gong night, and multiple paintings and my art journal which I need to complete within the next few days. All while attempting to sell & give away most of the things I own and pack for my journey and enjoy the beautiful summer weather we are having in Coogee at the moment. Oh yeah, and not forgetting to breathe as well. I know in three weeks time when I am sitting on the beach in Byron Bay doing absolutely nothing, I will just look back and laugh, but at this present moment I am at boiling point.