Reality bites

It is definitely easy to take the security of living in our small town for granted.  We have homicides, but not often.  Twice, maybe three times a year?

Today we received an email alert that the police were searching for a 23 year old white male who was suspected of shooting and killing two people right before 2:00pm today.  Turned out it was his girlfriend (wife?) 20, and her friend (boyfriend) 25, that he killed.  The restraining order she had taken out on him was dated today.  The culminating reason: they got into an argument in the Wal-Mart parking lot where he bent her wrist so far back that it popped--in front of their child no less.

He is currently in custody having been arrested in South Carolina at 7:30 tonight.

The guy that was shot and killed listed he was 'In a Relationship' with the girl at 9:30 last night.

It's just so sad to me.  So sad that emotions can run so high to where someone is either not thinking of the consequences of their actions or doesn't care about the consequences.  I know first hand how real it is to have emotions all over the place and I am thankful everyday that I'm no longer in that type of situation.  It's so sad that the four month old no longer has a mother.  So sad that not everyone has had the opportunities and blessings I've had growing up.  So incredible that a relationship change on Facebook could have sparked the whole thing--what would have happened had that not occurred?  But it did.

Did anyone see warning signs?  Did anyone try to help?  Was there anything more that could have been done.

I'm thoroughly bummed so I'll go talk about my adventures in cooking on my other page.

Feeling Perturbed

I'm a little annoyed right now.  I don't want to be skinny, I want to be healthy.  Part of being healthy is feeling good.  Part of feeling good is eating well. 

I began cooking from a low-fat cookbook I "stole" from our nutrition intern--it wasn't really hers, it was a cookbook left over from the registered dietician our university used to have.  I've made three recipes from this book so far:  broccoli shrimp linguine, fish stew, & beef burritos.  The beef burritos are the best so far, but they all leave a lot of be desired.

I'm just peeved that I can't find healthy food I enjoy eating (that I make myself).  I was asked this question on Saturday:  since you've lived in so many different places, what's your favorite food?  My response, "Well, I just enjoy all food in general."  For someone who enjoys food and would like to eat healthy, it's painful to not be able to find a satisfying low-cal, low-fat cookbook.  Do I need to retrain my taste buds?  Does satisfying low-cal, low-fat exist?

I also want to throw it out there that I'm contemplating the idea of going vegetarian again.  My husband will wring my neck when he reads this.  I've just started feeling really guilty again about eating meat.  We drove past a truck full of featherless chickens on the road when it was cold outside and I thought: that chicken is probably on it's way to a plant right now where it will be prepared for my consumption.  Note:  I'm not against meat eating altogether.  If I did decide to go vege again, I would be okay with consuming organic, free-range etc. animals--or meat from a deer my cousin shot.  And then I saw a commercial about over fishing.  Icing on the cake. 

Anyway, that's where I am with food right now.  Gotta love the inner conflict!  P.S.  Little known fact about me: I love tofu when it is cooked correctly. 

Live Clean, Live Well

Today was our Earth & Wellness Day.  I don't know precisely why we combined Wellness in with Earth, but it certainly makes sense.

I got to hang out at our table playing cornhole & ladder golf and also got to visit the different tables to be schooled on either 'earth' or 'wellness' and converse with lots of interesting people.

I was most impressed with the guy who turns beer bottles into glasses.  So cool.  I also started to entertain the idea of being a staff leader for the Service Learning trips that are taken by students in the fall and spring--essentially they're alternative fall/spring breaks.  I'm definitely at a point in my life where I feel I need to take more trips, do new things, and be more adventurous.  Hence the running endeavor.  There was one CSA there and I'm trying to get C excited about it.  I understand his concern.  It's $250 to receive a box of veggies every two weeks during the summer.  It sounds steep, but in my opinion, well worth it--local, organic food while supporting local farmers.  I promised him I'd try to find something cheaper, but if not, I'm sorry, but I'm going for it.       

What else?  We went for a two mile run today.  I didn't run the whole time but I definitely felt stronger than I've felt in a while.  The race is on Saturday.  EEK!  I'm excited though.  So once we get through that and get through the end of the year party for all our staff on Sunday, we're home free and I can enjoy some time off to relax.  Until May 10th when we start our 10k training.  Oh yeah...you heard me. 

Wishlist

If we ever moved to a place that could house more than what we already have, I'd love to have one of these.  Such a great way to display books!

Migrating Rays

Take a look at this post...the pictures are incredible.  I would die if I got to see something like that firsthand.

O'dark Thirty

C and I were up before the crack of dawn to help out with the Valley of the Lilies Half Marathon today.  For all you trivia junkies out there, "Cullowhee", the town where our beautiful WCU campus is located, means "Valley of the Lilies".

I recorded the placing of the male finishers and C recorded everyone's times with the fancy timer do-hicky as they ran across the finish line.  We had tons of fun and I hope I get to do it all again next year.

First overall homeboy was bookin' it!  Check out a blurb here.

C is convinced we're going to do the Asheville half in September.  Mainly because it's on his birthday.  If I can let my ankle heal & fit a 10K in before training would begin for a half, then I'm all for it.  Here's to new hobbies!