Pre-Anniversary Jitters
In a couple of weeks, my best relationship (ever, haha) will be turning a year old. In all honesty, I get mixed feelings anticipating the big day. What to do, where to eat, what to wear, where to go after, are just a few things that I think about preparing for it. These things are superficial to many, but to me, it means much more than that. How much you are willing to sacrifice for a relationship, (which measures how much you value your being together), is seen in little things—little things that most people tend to overlook.
Arguably, most people in a relationship ignore the little things and focus on the big picture—but hey, won’t you miss something by doing that? As I see it, when a relationship fails, all you need to remember are the little details—how much you used to eat together like there’s no tomorrow, how much it hurts when you laugh hard at his jokes, how crushed your heart feels when you fight over something not worth the time and energy, and so on. The bigger things, on the other hand, get shoved back into the chest of broken dreams and plans—things you wished you did and didn’t do, and more often than not, these are many. So why not start early on and treasure each little moment that comes your way? Happy, sad, scared, hurt, blissful, tired, bored, ecstatic—whatever emotions you feel in these moments will complete the patchwork of your relationship’s quilt.
As for me, I can list down a million things to think about before our big day arrives, but only one thing really matters to me—what that day will mean to us, to our relationship. I can be selfish and say that I don’t care what others think, but that’s not how it should be. I know people care about what happens to us, so it is only proper that we care too. Yes, what it really means is that we care—because we care about us. And that’s not being selfish.
Now this post is not about me being scared, or me being selfish. I have jitters, admittedly, but no, they don’t make me feel uneasy. Happy, sad, scared, excited—I want to feel all these. Afterall, life is about feeling alive—and I’m just lucky to have found that feeling with Red. What happens next, I leave it to life. Take us where you want, we’re ready for it. But whatever happens, we’ll be staying together.
Eleven Months! (For Lack of Profound Words)
It’s been exactly eleven months since we got together. For some, staying that long in a relationship is a feat that can only be done a few times in their entire life. The same goes for me. I admit I am not one to enter into long term relationships, unless I am sure of the person I am with. I have been hurt enough times to distinguish when it is worth to hold on, or when it is time to let go.
My track record in relationships, I am aware, is not impressive. Back then, I made sure that I gave my best (if not everything), to a relationship or whoever I am with. It sounded perfect—but truth is, I did that more for myself than for who I am with. My reason? So that when I look back, I can say that I didn’t fail. But everything changed when I met you.
In my previous relationships, I was used to having things my way. I seldom compromised, much less settled. Like a kid wanting a forbidden candy bar, I throw tantrums when I don’t get what I want. I was a spoiled partner, but not in a good way. I thought love can be qualified, quantified, and measured in time units. I thought love was either happiness or pain. But now I know better.
I love you so much, hon. Like the two straight lines in the number 11, I know we’ll take on forever together. Cheesy, I know, but that’s what love is. With you, I am not afraid to look silly, not afraid to take chances, and definitely not afraid to try again.
Hon, I may have ran out of profound words and phrases to put in this entry, but you know how much you mean to me.
Happy 11th monthsary. 
Top Ten Reasons to Turn Vegetarian *
Each year, more and more people shift to a vegetarian diet. Vegetarianism, a belief that is manifested in the avoidance of animal products in diet and lifestyle, has been adopted by people all over the world. Many scientific studies prove that a shift to a vegetarian diet can have various beneficial results, not only for humans, but to the environment as well.
Vegetarianism is something that should not be taken lightly. There are many reasons cited as to why millions of people all over the world choose to become vegetarians. Some do primarily for health reasons, while others cite environmental concerns. Ethics is another consideration why many shift to a vegetarian diet.
If you are a vegetarian, you already know the benefits it can bring to your life. If you are a meat-eater but you’re reading this article, you are probably looking for reasons to shift to a vegetarian diet. Fret not, as the list below provides the top ten reasons why you should shift to a vegetarian diet.
1. Lower Your Disease Risk!
Many studies show that a vegetarian diet is healthier than a meat-based diet in most cases. Vegetarians do not eat animal-derived foods that tend to be higher in saturated fats and cholesterol, and lacking in fiber. Plant-based foods, on the other hand, are high in fiber, antioxidants, and a variety of phytochemicals. As such, they do not contract various diseases, and can prevent diseases from developing. Cardiovascular diseases, many forms of cancer, high blood pressure, and diabetes, are just some of the diseases and health risks that many vegetarians do not experience.
2. Show Compassion!
Animal rights are one of the primary concerns of many vegetarians. Often, the choice involves ethics that question the production and slaughtering of animals to be used as food, which are done in conditions that have little, if no, regard for the quality of life of animals. Animals for food are often raised in cramped, overcrowded spaces that make their lives miserable. They are also separated from their parents or their young, and are denied the conditions necessary for a healthy animal life—all before being killed and served on the dinner table. As such, turning to a vegetarian diet also means that you will no longer be supporting the meat industry.
3. Protect the Wilderness!
Raising animals for food requires huge amounts of resources: land, energy and water. Because of the huge demands for these resources, the environment suffers hard-to-repair damage. Examples of the many environmental problems that result from meat production throughout the world include: habitat loss for animals, soil erosion, water depletion, and grave pollution from pesticides and animal waste.
4. Show Love for the Oceans And Seas!
Increasing demands for fish and seafood (due to numerous advertisements that espouse eating fish for a healthier body), have caused great damage to the oceans and seas. All over the world, the oceans are being overfished, resulting in a decline in fish species. Aside from this, coral reefs, which serve as habitats for ocean life, are being destroyed, leaving many fish and sea animals homeless. Sea floors are also raked with drag nets, dragging underdeveloped marine life to the surface and to their death.
5. Lose Weight, Feel Great!
Shifting to a vegetarian diet is proven to help people lose extra pounds. Vegetarian diets do not include harmful animal fats and cholesterol, but contain a lot of fiber and healthy fats. Vegetarian diets are also usually made up of smaller, regulated portions. Shift to a vegetarian diet and feel the difference. You will have no more reasons to go to plus-size shops, eat or drink meal-replacement food, or waste time bemoaning thighs that have their own postal codes. The American Dietetic Association said that vegetarians, especially those who are vegan, usually have body weights closer to desirable weights than that of non-vegetarians.
