noche sin sueños

because i have to give everything a name or title, or classify it in some way, i declare any entries that are made during late nights or nights when i haven't slept as "noche sin sueños." so anyway, this is basically a continuation from my Twitter account.


"@akeiba: can't sleep, but what's new. so instead, i'm reading about the randomest things: Choctaw indians (my ancestors), Veganism, hotels in Greece."



First up, here is some basic knowledge about the Choctaw Native Americans. We (and i say we very loosely, as i am only 1/16th Choctaw) descend from the Mississippian culture, and were considered one of the five "civilized" tribes due to our cooperation and adoption of many European traditions. Choctaws were exiled and was one of the first peoples to walk the Trail of Tears. They have been recognized for their extraordinary humanitarian efforts for the Irish during the Great Irish Famine. So there is a bit of a history lesson for us haha. Yes, this is what i do with my extra time, and why i hope to one day go on Jeopardy to test my random knowledge.



Secondly, i have learned more about Veganism and why it is beneficial in so many ways. Yeah, i'm not doing so hot with the whole don't-eat-products-of-animals thing, but back to the benefits... mostly for our health as individuals, but also collectively we could reduce carbon dioxide side emissions immensely, thus slowing down the effects of global warming! look at this quote:


"According to a 2006 study done by researchers at the University of Chicago, most Americans can reduce more greenhouse gas emissions by becoming a vegan than they can by switching to a hybrid electric car"


Now i feel like i can still do my part to reduce my personal emissions in some way because honestly, i don't see myself buying a hybrid car anytime soon. Needless to say, i was quite excited to find out this little tidbit of info.



And lastly, Greece. I'm not leaving Europe without visiting, so i am planning a trip. I must Must MUST go to Athens and Santorini. i've just been looking at pictures so there's nothing really to post. but i will update you as soon as i know some info.


Peace•Love•Blessings AMB

the time has come

sitting here, awake, at approximately 4:40am, i have decided to become VEGAN. as of this very moment, i am not completely educated in the ways of veganism, and it is therefore safe to say that i am choosing this lifestyle right now for numerous vain reasons, though health is a another huge factor. the site above is a really great place to get more info on the lifestyle if you're interested. i'm finding that i have already been heading toward this path without even making the conscious decision. i've always wanted to be vegan but i just can't imagine a life without chocolate or cheese or other various dairy products. but after doing some reading about a pure vegetarian lifestyle, i've decided to consciously start working towards eliminating animal products and their bi-products from my life. the way i see it, i harm the environment enough in other ways, so this is my way of balancing it out. i am blaming my diet for my insomniac-tendencies, and for the fact that i'm always tired even when i manage to get some rest. plus, i really don't think my body likes animal products, i know for a fact that milk doesn't agree with me (and that goes for its offspring, such as yogurt, ice cream, etc.). blah blah blah. as i take my vegan journey, i'll let you know how it goes.


in other news, i went to Barcelona this weekend and it was great! i absolutely adore that city and i MUST visit again before i leave. i went with my friends Kit-Kat, Little J, and Ty-Ty. And i made a new friend Big Al who was so nice for showing us around and taking us to the best of the best in the city. anyway, we had too much fun. but right now i'm trying to watch Almost Famous so i'll throw together a photo slideshow a little later. much love


AMB

Vegetarian Chili Recipe

I just realized that i have only posted one recipe, and that was for the fajitas (i'm glad y'all liked them)! but one of my other favorite dishes to make is this meatless chili, it's SO good! i found this recipe online and I want to make sure I give credit to its author so i'm just going to give you the link. Click here for the recipe. now as usual, i alter the recipe to my liking. i personally don't like the taste of jalepeños so i just don't put them in. And i add the corn way before it says to in the directions. oh and i only use 2 cans of tomatoes. so basically, i just do my own thing and follow this as a guide haha. especially out here in spain, because i haven't been able to find all of the ingredients in the grocery store. so try it out, let me know if you like it (or let me know if you don't). i'll think of what other things i like to cook and post more at some point.

peace love blessings
AMB

i know what you're thinking

you're probably saying to yourself, "this girl NEVER updates her blog." well you're right, if that's what you're thinking. so i decided to come on here and make a post. to give you the abbreviated version of my life up to this point, i have been here in spain, having a great time, better learning the language and experiencing a new culture. i like the school i attend, and i'm learning some things i never had the chance to while at UT (it's not that we didn't have them i just didn't have time to take the classes). i've met so many wonderful people here, and i am making friends for life! One of my good friends here is my girl Sharmaine, she and i go salsa dancing all the time together and if you know me at all, then you know that dancing is a MUST in my life haha.
so now you're pretty much up to speed, and i will try to keep you current as time goes on. Oh, another reason i am posting is to put up this little video i finally finished. it is from my pre-departure from home, on my way to spain. it's also on my YouTube page.



Anyway, I am currently getting ready for this event that Sharmaine and i are semi-hosting. so, out here in Pamplona, we're not exactly up-to-speed with all the latest and greatest hits of the United States. We have decided to solve that by using the playlists from multiple iPods (thank goodness for iTunes!) and have a dance party event at the local club/bar. hopefully it's a success so we can have it multiple times, and i can't wait to hear all this music on a real sound system with some bass. ta ta for now, darlings.

AMB

finally...

this is the first update of my blog since arriving in Spain. yes, i know, it has been a while. and yes, i know, i should have done it earlier. but i am sure you can forgive my absent-mindedness (is that a word?) and the chaotic schedule i have been pursuing. NOW, let me fill you in...




So, yeah i started this blog like 3 minutes ago but i really need to finish watching this movie soo i will write this when i'm not falling asleep ;-)

much love

my most recent project

my "aha" moment!

so i've had an epiphany (everytime i use that word i think of chrisette michele haha)! since i am getting ready to graduate, the question everyone keeps asking me what i'm going to do with my life lol. i didn't really have a single answer for them because i feel like there are so many options in life that i can't just pick one thing i'd like to do. i don't like feeling limited, ya know?! but as i was going through the list of things i'd enjoy doing forever, there was always one common denominator: helping people. no matter what career path i imagined, it always came back to helping people. be it through small efforts or large, i truly just enjoy helping other people. so with that said, can you guess what i want to be when i grow up?? well i'll tell you: i want to be a humanitarian. and i don't care if i'm never publicly recognized for my efforts because it is satisfaction enough to know that helped someone else who needed it. seriously. i know that sounds a little cliche or ambitious or whatever, but it is what i have decided. just wanted to share that with you. now that i've acknowledged my path, i also realize that i'm going to have to find ways to fund my passion of helping other people hahaha...but i will worry about that in the days to come Peace Love Blessings AMB(itious) p.s. the video has absolutely nothing to do with this post haha, i just added it to my youtube page so i'm putting it here as well