Damn You, Catholic Guilt...

Another year, another Lent.

Truth be told, I'm not very religious. 

My family is Catholic (as is a HUGE part of the Philippines), and I attended church with my Lola every Sunday.  When I was younger, my Lola, my mom, and I would pray the rosary every night.  I complained about how it wasted 15 minutes of my day every day.  But that was as much as I was told to do.

My parents, who grew up attending Catholic school in the Philippines, never forced me into it.  Perhaps they remembered all too well the strict punishments of the nuns.  I didn't even get my First Communion until I was in high school (and only because I was taking Confirmation classes).  I have not been Confirmed, however.

Later on, I asked my parents why they did not make me go through my First Communion when I was younger.  They proceeded to tell me that I was their guinea pig - they wanted to see if I would still come out a good person regardless of being raised in the church.  I asked how I was doing so far, and they said they wouldn't tell me.

Interestingly, I don't remember practicing Lent when I was younger.  While we ate fish on Fridays, I don't remember any feeling of "giving something up."  Only in college did I ever really learn about Lent, from one of my awesome roomies, Keri.

So, I started really thinking about Lent, and saw it as more of a challenge at bettering myself as opposed to giving something up.

Then, when I started working as a social worker, one of my coworkers, Rebecca, introduced me to the idea of adding a good habit as well as removing something that doesn't benefit me.  I thought it was a great way to feel as though I was really gaining something. 

With that, here is another Lent, and yet another list of ways I'm attempting to improve myself and my 2010.

What I'm giving up:
Using any of my credit cards (really, it's just my Old Navy, Victoria's Secret, Best Buy, and Capital One cards...only....).  I've done it once, and I can do it again!!!  I realistically can't say that I won't purchase anything new, but I will not use my credit cards!

Fun website I stumbled on:  http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/credit-card-horoscope-1273.php

What I'm taking on:

I talked a little bit about this in a previous post, but I will add one more days of movement.  With me being away in California for the past 2 weeks, I haven't really been able to devote any time to working out.  Not to mention that I really ate like I was on vacation (pho 2x, pupusas, Korean BBQ, Jack in the Box, In N Out, Filipino food.....ya.....).  Now that I'm back in Boston and hopefully back to a regular routine, it's time to up my cardio!
(pic from Hawaii 2007, Jumping Pictures in the Hotel)


Here's to success in the next 40 days!