Why 2009 Was A Good Year For Me

This year brought me a lot of new experiences and amazing moments. I celebrated my 30th birthday in July and even though my party didn't end up how I wanted it to I was happy that I could spend it with people I cared about. Not to mention, the Fender Prophecy that Danny bought me. It was one of the most thoughtful gifts anyone has ever given me. (if you don't know, I have played bass since I was 15. For about 4 years I was in the band, Six to Eight Mathematics, and used a Prophecy that was given to me as a gift by a very close friend. About 5 years ago, we had a disagreement which ended our friendship. He took the bass back and refused to remain in contact with me. It was the only bass I was comfortable with so since then I wasn't able to play. They are also very hard to find which explains why I never had it again) So the fact that Danny searched and found one was a romantic gesture. I was so excited! Besides my 30th, I was lucky to celebrate my friends, Valerie and Meg, 30th birthdays as well. To watch these two ladies grow up beside me for the last 19 years is awesome.

In June, Danny moved in and it was the best decision we made. He is a great guy to live with. We also celebrated our one year anniversary on August 11. To reach one year together was a blessing. I am lucky to have him in my life and am grateful for every day he is with me. And like every relationship, we had our ups and downs but got through them with ease. To start 2010 with him by my side is an adventure all on its own.

October brought me Maine. I have been wanting to go there for years and finally my wish came true. Danny and I ventured out to Acadia with Olive for the 10 hour drive. What a road trip it was! It felt like my first family vacation. A full week filled with new experiences, beautiful views, silence and lots of time to rest. Thats what I call a vacation. Its something I will always remember and cherish.

Looking for a job has been an issue for the last couple of years. Its just getting worse and worse out there. Being a designer is tough. Especially, in a horrible economy. I am grateful for the freelance jobs I was able to work on and for the unemployment that got me through it all.

My father and I haven't had a normal parent/child relationship. Not having him in my life until I was 21 was a very big life changing moment. We remained in each other's lives for a couple of years then lost touch. This year has brought us back together again and I am very happy for that. My dad has had a very colorful life and is lucky to be healthy and alive. I am proud of him for turning his life around and moving forward with a positive view on things. Not only do I talk to him almost every day but I was able to help him design his new apartment and get his life back on track. I am thankful to have him in my life again.

Now for the little things:

- I have a lot of ink done but none of which was completed. Thanks to Nick Arena at the Devil's Rose Tattoo shop I was able to get my right leg done! You can imagine how excited I was to finally have a completed piece. I am so impressed and satisfied with the final results and happy that I have a limb dedicated to one of my favorite artists, Jeremy Fish.

- I am not a big fan of tv but am happy for the new shows that started this year: Glee and Flash Forward are my favorites. I am also excited to see the last season of Nip Tuck. Though this does not make me happy, this show is so great I am sad to see it go but I know the last episodes will be fucking crazy!

- Thanks to Facebook I was able to get in touch with some people from my past. From old loves to close friends, I am glad to know that they are all happy and healthy. People come into your life for a reason and when years fly by and they appear again don't take it for granted.

- I was able to finally update and redesign my apartment this fall. I am always thinking of new ways to change things and reinvent my living space. This time with a little more money we were able to get some new furniture and a new tv. The place looks stunning and I am so grateful we got it all done!

- Of course I am always grateful for the holidays and being able to spend it with my family. They are the best people around and it would not be the same without them.

So you can see by the things I mentioned that I am a thankful girl with a lot of positivity surrounding me. I have to be honest though and say that the most eye opening and life changing experience for me this year was choosing to be a vegetarian. This change was a result of lots of reading and time. For years I have always thought about not eating meat. Especially, since I love animals and support animal rights. I hate that I was a contradiction for most of my life. I will admit it. When I was young I was so consumed with the issues in my life that the world around me wasn't reality. Not that I was selfish, but my life has brought me many things to focus on and the food industry was not one of them. Being an art student, I had endless projects and sleepless nights. My work was my focus and most of the time my work was inspired by my life experiences. Yet, more to be consumed by.

I will say, that for a long time I was uncomfortable about eating animals. I was never a big meat eater anyway, mostly eating chicken, but there was always that voice saying "don't do that" in the back of my head. I was even grossed out by raw meat and didn't enjoy touching it. (which I still am) Forget about even picturing slaughterhouses and dead animals, the thought of these images made my cry. Not until I was out on my own was I more involved with knowing what I was eating and where my food came from. I started reading books on natural cleaners and organic foods and it changed my life. The year 2006 was when I started to make things happen.

Now, on the last day of 2009, I am so proud to say that I am meat-free, corn-free and on a strict organic diet. I have taken the steps that were necessary for me to be here today. All those years of wondering and not being fully aware brought me down the path of seeking knowledge and making changes that matter. The truth is, this planet is our responsibility. We were put here to live our lives and replenish the earth that gave us life. Its no one else's job but ours. As children and young adults we aren't fully aware of the horrible things going on in the world. People keep these horrible things far away from our ears and eyes creating this naive barrier to reality. This needs to change. As we grow up, that barrier starts to crumble because we are now living and working in the real world. As much as the government and big corporations try to keep that barrier from breaking, we eventually break through.

I love to cook. Always have. The women in my family all have the "food gene" and I am happy to be a part of that. There is one key ingredient to being a true cook or chef and that is to know where your food comes from. If you want to make healthy, yummy dishes you must use the best ingredients. That's a fact. Most of the food people make are not up to these standards. The "stuff" they are using are either processed chemicals or tortured, unhealthy animals. These do not make a good meal. Nor do they suffice for comfort food. Are you really comfortable about putting shit on the table for your family to eat? Well, thats what you are doing. You might as well give out plates of feces and hope for the best. You can bet I won't be coming over for dinner anytime soon!

I feel that our senses have taken over. Just because something tastes good doesn't mean you have to eat it. Its called greed and millions of you suffer from it. "Who me? Greedy? No!" Yes, you are. So wake up and turn things around. So many living creatures suffer and die just so you can have them on a plate. It seems so worthless. There is no valid reason for eating animals. Nor is there a good reason for eating processed food. You might as well get on your knees and pray to the big corporations who are feeding you. Sadly enough, they are your God.

I started my website, d+eco, to help people be aware of what they are eating and how to help the planet. I have a brain, therefore, I choose to use it. I have a voice and I choose to speak up every moment I can. I am fearless, I choose to act on emotion and good morals and spread the truth no matter what gets in my way. I am an inspiration, I choose to lead others in the revolution towards positive change. I have a heart that dies every time I think of an animal being tortured and people supporting that behavior. I have a soul, I choose to fill it with positivity and warmth and help the unaware and the weak. And despite all my anger and disgust for the human race, I still have hope for all of us.

So for 2010, I ask that you all get the facts and know the truth. Stop being selfish and greedy for once and think about the bigger picture. Take a look at yourself and start making changes. As you kiss your children good night, think about their health and their future. As you go over your bills for the month, see what you can live without and start spending where it counts. When you go food shopping make sure you read labels and if you don't know what it is than don't buy it. Explore new ways of cooking and add vegetarian meals to your weekly dinners. Think of all the animals that suffer and choose to help them suffer no more. Support sustainable farming methods and give the "farm" back to the "farmer". Once in awhile, donate to a charity and help make this a better place to live. Teach your children the truth without creating a wall from reality. Stupid, ignorant children are not strong leaders of the future.

This all may seem like so much to some of you. But it really isn't. This is the way we should all be living. These are the choices we should be making. These are the goals we should be setting. We are the human race. We are supposed to be the smartest race of them all. Its time we act like it. Evolve for change.