Dead Batteries, Whirlwind Life, Complete Happiness

Who would have thought that I get paid to actually work?! I was beginning to assume that work was just an acronym for "internet play time". I was wrong! That 40 cent raise I got came with some extra work and LOTS of drama. Drama at work never ceases to amaze me! Our office "thief/snitch/liar" makes life stressful on a daily basis. Her most recent antics (in a effort to avoid personal responsibility) left me swearing up and down and proclaiming my innocence! Fortunately, I wasn't the only party involved and my story was ultimately validated. This is the same girl that STOLE MY IPOD! I couldn't officially PROVE it but, I know. Last Friday I was so upset, I could see myself doing this to her head.

Alright, alright, so maybe not "literally" but bring on the figurative speech cause I for surely wanted to figuratively do this to her! Grr. Mean me. (and yes, that turtle is vegan - and see, he's smiling - he doesn't mind having his head eaten - cruelty-free indulgence!)

As for food, I still cook and eat it everyday. I keep forgetting to buy new batteries for my camera - hence, no pictures. I made some fantastic "tempeh italian soysage" on Wednesday! Oooh. Eye popping. I also made some chocolate chip scones from VwaV, black bean burgers, and spicy fries (sweet potato and potato mix). I made "my" spicy black beans with spinach, tomato and zucchini on Monday and on Tuesday, we focused on more simplistic eating - pressure cooked navy beans, brown rice and steamed carrots. Soon, our meals will all be "one pot"

It's an ackward transition for me right now. I'm well aware of leaving and it's consuming my thoughts and actions. It's near impossible (other than food) for me to purchase anything that isn't "simplistic living" friendly. Still, we'll have things ready VERY soon! We traveled to New Vrindaban just last weekend for a festival. I'm not particularly keen on religion in any form but it's still nice to be surrounded by hundreds of vegetarians and kicking drum beats. The most exciting part of the visit, however, was seeing "potential homesteads". We'll likely be back this weekend to hike around some more (sans little munchkins). Here are pictures of New Vrindaban (just outside of Moundsville, WV) from their website and also a few that I took over the summer.





The picture on the right of Eva and a cow is also from NV. Wow. These images are stunning to me now. They feel completely right. I get anxious at times about living within a religous community - even if not required to participate in religious practices. This reminds me, however, that what I really want is to submerse myself in the aspects of the community that these pictures display!