Day 3: About my eco-friendliness.

I have made a very strong dedication to being environmentally friendly. This started around the age of 11. My step-mother has always been eco-friendly. She grows her own herbs, she buys meat that is non-hormone induced, she makes her own cleaning supplies(and when she doesn't she still buys all natural), she makes her own soap from all natural materials, she buys NOTHING from Mall-Wart, and she inspired me to do the same.

When I was 11ish, I started my hippie stage. I listened to the Beatles and the Doors every day, along with other groovy '60's bands. I wore tie-dye, long skirts, bell-bottom jeans, and peasant blouses too. This was my beginning.

My dad got me my first car when I was 16 (I still have it.) A very cute, little red, 2006 Chevy Aveo. On a BAD day it gets 32 MPG! I decked it out with a Coexist bumper sticker, a groovy sleeping sun sticker, I hanged a bracelet I hand-made onto the rear-view mirror, and (of course) I had an "Obama '08" bumper sticker. Unfortunately the bumper stickers fell off ='(. But I'll buy more! haha! I am hoping to get a hybrid someday. But I'm a college student, and broke. A 38 MPG car is good for someone like me!

The only difference from my childhood years; when I wore the tie-dye and everything.... I've realized that nobody hires "hippies." So, I actually became interested in fashion. BUT! I wear all natural make-up, I use all natural styling products, I have all natural shampoos and soaps, most of my clothing is non-sweatshop made, and I even have an energy saving hair-dryer. So, to all you girls who don't think you can do it. YOU CAN!!! Go do it! It's easy, and it's sometimes cheaper than the alternative! Half of my wardrobe is made in the USA. I buy American Apparel, made in downtown LA. And, this is bad, I do shop at American Eagle. I'm not sure if it is sweatshop or not... But their Jeans fit me better than most, and they're comfortable.

BUY SECOND HAND!!! I give all of my small clothes to consignment shops or charity, I buy clothing that has been used, and my mom and I switch clothes sometimes!

I respect the saying Reuse, Reduce, Recycle. And I live by it!
REUSE: If I ever have to get bags at Meijer or something, because I forgot my shopping bag or something, I use it for cat litter! If I have scruffed up clothing that can't go to charity, and I can't wear it, I use it as a rag for cleaning. Glass soda, wine, or booze bottles; I reuse as vases or jewelry holders!
REDUCE: I use my own shopping bags as often as I can, I refuse to buy bottled water (I have a Brita water filter), and I buy recycled plastic garbage bags.
RECYCLE: I recycle EVERYTHING! Shampoo bottles, soap bottles, milk jugs, coke cans/bottles, paper, and a LOT more! Advice I give to Coca-cola addicts like me! Use mycokerewards.com! It's a points system that works! I have a free 1 year subscription to Marie Claire, my favorite fashion magazine, just for putting my coke code online! After you do that, make money off of you coke intake and do the can/bottle return at Meijer! It pays you AND it recycles your cans/bottles. And whatever the machine doesn't take, you can still recycle them at your local recycling center!

If I can be almost completely friendly. So can you! I have no job, I'm a college student, and still I make the dedication to be as eco-friendly as possible. Make the switch. You, your family, the earth, and others will thank you later.

Love,
Kiki

Day 2: Boredom shall cease!

Today I vowed to cease my boredom! I know it is mid day... So it doesn't seem to productive of me. But my day shall start now! I intend to clean, take the dog for a walk, go to Barnes and Noble, eat pasta (again), probably watch a movie, and hopefully go to bed at a decent hour tonight.

Keep in mind. The next couple of entries will be fairly boring, due to not having any time with friends, family, or a job. So. That sums up my day. So far.

Love,
Kiki

Day 1

This is not only my way to escape summer boredom. But this is also a way to relieve stress, share my experiences, and to be me. So, if this is ever bitchy, please forgive me. Let me start by introducing myself... As briefly as I can, I promise!

My name is Kiki. I am a student at Western Michigan University, where I am a Psychology Major and a Spanish Minor. I am in love with the school. It is one of the most Eco-friendly, it is a good hour-ish away from my parents, and I have felt amazing ever since I started my education there. I have one half brother, 4 parents, 8 grandparents, and 200+ cousins...

I have a lover, Kyle. He and I had our one year anniversary this past Friday, the 21st. He is my everything. As Paul Child said to Julia, he is "the butter to my bread, the breath to my life." And as Juno said to Paulie, "he is the cheese to my macaroni." I rarely ever have bad days with him. In fact, he seems to cure all of my problems.

My choice to attend Western Michigan University was complicated. I was born and raised a Spartan at Michigan State University. However, they did not accept my application. Western did. As soon as I got the acceptance letter, I knew I was going to go there. I haven't regretted the decision in the least. At first my father was highly opposed to this idea. He claimed that I would never do well, and that my High school GPA tells us I should go to a community college. I refused. It was, and is, the best decision I have ever made. Well, besides Kyle.

I chose Psychology for a few reasons.
1. I have always wanted a career where I would be helping people. Psychology lets you do that without being a cop, lawyer, doctor, or teacher.
2. Currently, I have a Psychologist AND a Psychiatrist. Don't worry, I'm not a psycho-killer. It's opened my mind to the idea of Psychology as a career.
3. I can be me! I'm not the sort of person who would wear a suit to work. Or the sort of person who isn't allowed to show her tattoos around people. My Psychologist where's her style, and so does my Psychiatrist.
4. This goes with the first one. There are so many children in America, or anywhere else in the world, who need help. My goal is to help children who can't afford Psychologists, along with those who can. I was one of the lucky kids. But I have plenty of friends who weren't.

I believe in a better world. I want to clean the earth, and I want others to join me. I buy clothing and jewelry that is recycled, or made of fabric that does not control the O-zone. I refuse to drink bottled water. The tap is just as good. And if it isn't, I use a brita water filter. If it's sunny, I don't turn on the lights. If it's hot, I close the blinds before I turn on the air. I use my car only if I need to, and I am in the process of getting a bicycle so that I'm not leaving as big of a carbon footprint.

OH! I also do Yoga. Yoga has taught me so much about my mind and body. And I'm never going back to just walking. Not only do I do Yoga. But I also spend 2 days a week at the gym.

The experiences I write here, aren't only for my use. But hopefully you, my readers, can learn from them.

Love,
Kiki