I have just completed my last paper of the semester - ahead of time even!, and I am two classes away from a much-needed break. I am 5 days away from my first meal (maybe 4 days) and I am pretty excited. 26 days only seems like a long time when you're in week two and three. The first week you're gung-ho and really committed. The second week, you're thinking "okay, one week down, and *how many* to go??" The third week, you're thinking "there are way too many barbeques in one week on one campus!" and "time seems to be moving so slooooooooowly." By the fourth week, you're feeling really good and starting to count down the hours.

I'm in the fourth week. I am amazed that time has flown this quickly. I can't say that I've dreamt of hummus, but close. I have grand plans to go raw and vegan this summer. I can't commit to 100% raw because I've never done it before and it's almost more extreme than juicing for a month. It takes a lot of education around recipes and acquiring knowledge about what, other than the raw fruits and vegetables you were juicing already, you can actually eat. I will compromise with vegan, because I don't want cheese and meat in my system this summer. I want to lighten up as we "enjoy" more 90 degree days like we've had this week. I hate feeling sluggish in already hot weather. I'm leaving the juicer out so that I remember to use it at least a few days a week for citrus and apple juices if nothing else. I prefer to eat my veggies whole.

One of the aspects of the fast that I love so much is influencing others by my example. I've got two guys on my floor at work that are avid runners - training for the Iron Man and everything, and because of my commitment to fasting and my not dying or seeming to be adversely affected by fasting, they're going to try it for a week themselves! That's a great compliment. That they're following *my* example. How cool. :) I have another follower too, but he's not allowed to start the fast quite yet. You know who you are! hehe

My counselor asked me about my "long-term plans" for losing weight and I almost chuckled. She's a Buddhist, so I thought that she might get the reasons for fasting ahead of most people. But alas, it seems not. And, given my fasting history, this is no "weight-loss scheme". I just enjoy the benefits of being sharper, clearer, more energetic and lighter in all regards. I do have long-term plans, I just thought it was funny that a counselor goes straight for the obvious. Ah, well.

I've been walking a different route to the metro these days and enjoying the deeply fragrant air and beautiful flowers. No matter the time, I always manage to stop and admire them and take pictures with my crappy camera phone. I will edit this post and upload them when I pull them off the phone. I need a real camera. It's time. Hear that, Santa? :)

Alright, I have a few minutes left to goof around online before going to my last individual assessment class. Tomorrow is the last law school proctoring night, Thursday is my last foundations class night and Friday starts party time! :-D

Pictures from the 'hood in spring...