At least thus far I've been able to get air, and almost swim to the other side of the pool. My idea of adulthood is around the concept of being able to say no to yourself (however that should be a goal for every age), but also being your own provider and no longer living under the direct guide of your parents. For me, not everyone, this is what adulthood looks like.
And thus, the reinvention of Marianna has taken place. Being my own independent, but INTER-dependent person in California, all the way across the country from my home in Wisconsin. Key term is INTER-dependent. Its not healthy to be Co-Dependent, and its not our ultimate goal to be Independent forever, we're made for relationships and connections. Thus my need for God, for my family, my Revival group family, my friends, and my roommate and housemates. They all have helped me through so much and we all need people around us, for us to pour into, and for them to pour into us.
I have often felt alone, or without hope, or just clueless and helpless on how to go about doing life on my own. But here I am! Alive and well fed, a roof over my head, a bed, I go to school, do life. It seems all hunky-dory. I've learned lessons, made plenty of mistakes, and did some adventuring.
NOW . THE FUN STUFF .
12 New Lessons
Since being here, I've done numerous of random "hacks", or makeshift recipes or solutions or alternative manner for doing something. I hope you find enjoyment in their randomness, plainness, or helpful descriptions. :)
"Sugar Free Cookie Dough".
Have you ever wanted cookie dough but without all of the risks and threats of uncooked ingredients? What about wanting to eat it, but not wanted to tons of sugar dumped in those little piles of goodness? WELL I've got the solution that will satisfy that temporary craving!
Self served, in a bowl.
Banana 1/2-1/4 of a banana either previously frozen or regular
Butter 4 TBSP
Cinnamon 1 TBSP
Sour Cream 2TBSP
Instant Oatmeal 2/3 Cup
Vanilla Extract 1 Tsp
Honey 1 TBSP
These measurements aren't exact, play around with it. Directions: Melt butter in bowl, add bananas once both are blendable(if frozen bananas, put them in the bowl with the butter and microwave them till melted or soft). Add honey, if needed warm up again so honey can be melted together. Add rest of ingredients. Stir, place in the microwave for 1:20 sec. Stir and enjoy.
"Sugar Free" Homemade Ice cream!
My milk was expiring so I made it into ice cream and cream of potato soup. I had about 1 TBSP of Vanilla, 3-4 Cups of Milk, 1-2 TBSP of honey. *Experiment by adding creamer in with milk, or sour cream, half and half, or whipped cream.
In a sauce pan add milk, honey, and vanilla on low heat. Stir till honey seems completely mixed in or milk begins to froth. Freeze, once frozen blend it in a blender. Voila.
***Also, almost all recipes that call for sugar I've either replaced with honey or bananas, and can easily be replaced with dates if so desired.
More learning experiences have been...
1.taking public transportation, and my bike- getting two flats,
2.spending way too much money on groceries but intending to live
off of the food for two months, or at least a month and a half,...also
3.the importance of not just feeding your thoughts with trash- especially when lonely or homesick.
4. Make sure you have fun! Laugh! Do something you love, like drawing, dancing, OR
ZUMMBA. I've started looking up Zumba videos on Youtube and following along. It's a great way to get your exercise while having fun, and is an opportunity for the whole house! Especially if you want to learn Napoleon Dynamite's whole dance routine.
Butter 4 TBSP
Cinnamon 1 TBSP
Sour Cream 2TBSP
Instant Oatmeal 2/3 Cup
Vanilla Extract 1 Tsp
Honey 1 TBSP
These measurements aren't exact, play around with it. Directions: Melt butter in bowl, add bananas once both are blendable(if frozen bananas, put them in the bowl with the butter and microwave them till melted or soft). Add honey, if needed warm up again so honey can be melted together. Add rest of ingredients. Stir, place in the microwave for 1:20 sec. Stir and enjoy.
"Sugar Free" Homemade Ice cream!
My milk was expiring so I made it into ice cream and cream of potato soup. I had about 1 TBSP of Vanilla, 3-4 Cups of Milk, 1-2 TBSP of honey. *Experiment by adding creamer in with milk, or sour cream, half and half, or whipped cream.
In a sauce pan add milk, honey, and vanilla on low heat. Stir till honey seems completely mixed in or milk begins to froth. Freeze, once frozen blend it in a blender. Voila.
***Also, almost all recipes that call for sugar I've either replaced with honey or bananas, and can easily be replaced with dates if so desired.
More learning experiences have been...
1.taking public transportation, and my bike- getting two flats,
2.spending way too much money on groceries but intending to live
off of the food for two months, or at least a month and a half,...also
3.the importance of not just feeding your thoughts with trash- especially when lonely or homesick.
4. Make sure you have fun! Laugh! Do something you love, like drawing, dancing, OR
ZUMMBA. I've started looking up Zumba videos on Youtube and following along. It's a great way to get your exercise while having fun, and is an opportunity for the whole house! Especially if you want to learn Napoleon Dynamite's whole dance routine.
5.I've been on a date, gone swing dancing, gone to parties,
6. sobbed praying for a man who showed me what true faith and joy looks like, comforted my sobbing roommate while she was watching a war movie,
7. gotten so frustrated while trying to find things in the grocery store and overwhelmed by their varieties and prices,
8. gone to the rock climbing gym by myself and survived, and have recently have had the freedom and pleasure of exploring the outdoor areas around my apartment, in the park and random trails that I recently learned existed.
9. It's definitely good to start finding things that help you realize how beautiful your new home is, and to appreciate it more. Appreciation is huge and I feel lead to start intentionally finding time to call friends and family, and write thank you cards.
10. I've been using social media as a gateway for truth, like talking about sex to lead towards a love revolution and bring things out the dark.
11. I'm also processing and have been attempting to manage my food intake more- not eat when I'm bored, and not to think about food so much, especially when its so fun to make/cook/bake! As well as getting sleep, staying on task, and getting exercise in!! We sit down for hours on end at school, so I find essential to find time to get my heart rate up and engage my body.
10. I've been using social media as a gateway for truth, like talking about sex to lead towards a love revolution and bring things out the dark.
11. I'm also processing and have been attempting to manage my food intake more- not eat when I'm bored, and not to think about food so much, especially when its so fun to make/cook/bake! As well as getting sleep, staying on task, and getting exercise in!! We sit down for hours on end at school, so I find essential to find time to get my heart rate up and engage my body.
All of the above can be their own stories, and you might start to see them appear in later posts. However, if you are extremely intrigued about a specific subject, or want advice or have questions about a topic, definitely comment or let me know!! I love starting conversations, this is an online and public journal to open up the conversation. Your turn!
Thank you for reading,
His Beloved Marianna
