Techno-Hippie

Ever since I've been living in PR, I've noticed a lot of things have changed within myself. I am forever morphing into this stronger, better being--or at least I hope so. Living here has humbled me A LOT. I don't mind buying a purse at K-mart, or eating food from a truck on the side of the road, or even losing electricity and water from time to time. I've learned to deal. I've learned that there are so many other things to worry about in life, and material possessions and luxuries are not on the top of that list. Don't get me wrong, I love to be pampered now and then, and I'm not saying I live a life of struggle by any means. I just think that this experience is something that I can learn from. I hope that I can bring these things back with me when I move to the states again, and not resort back to my old way of thinking. I used to care too much about what others thought of me, and didn't focus on what was real and important in life.

A few short weeks after moving here, I realized that there is a huge problem with stray and abused animals here in Puerto Rico. I'm talking dogs, cats, pigs, horses...and of course, the ever so loving sport of cock fighting is numero uno here. This has completely changed my outlook on life and has somewhat helped guide me into becoming a vegetarian. Ok, so I am not a full-on vegetarian, I guess I'm a pesca-vegetarian because I eat seafood. I know, I'm a cheater, but it is still a step in the right direction. At first, I made this choice for health issues (high cholesterol is a family trait I didn't ask to inherit). Then, a year later, it soon became more apparent to me that it isn't just about health, and that I just don't like eating animals (not with four legs anyways). ;) There are so many cases of abuse and neglect when it comes to animals here and it has literally made me sick to my stomach. I am huge animal lover and I find it quite hypocritical to be eating something that I love so much. The benefits seem to out weigh my selfish reasons for eating it. Look, I am from Texas and was basically bottle fed meat and bbq, so it has to be really bad to make me not want it anymore. If you don't believe me, feel free to go to www.saveasato.org to find out for your self. Sato is the slang term that Puerto Ricans give to the stray dogs here. Some people call them pincho's too, which is a name for the various meats on a stick that they sell on roadsides throughout PR. Ummm, yea, nice.
I'm sorry if this sounds preachy...that is SO not my intent. I don't want to be one of those friends who is trying to change everyone's lives or make them feel guilty about their lifestyle. I am just talking about some of the major changes that I have made over the past few years.

Let's see...So, I recycle now (everyone should), which I never did before. I use as many organic products as I can (make-up, soap, detergent, dog shampoo, household cleaners, food, and so on). I started back at school over a year ago and I'm studying to be a holistic health practitioner. I am slightly addicted to acupuncture. I've learned to knit, sew, make my own jewelry, and kind of surf. I gave up our cable tv so that I could enjoy the outdoors more and spend more quality time with my sweetheart hubby. I became a yoga instructor over a year ago (not that I have really used the certification to my credit). I meditate, and I am an advocate for animal rights, and think that it is very important that we clean up our beaches...Oh My God, I'm becoming a HIPPIE!!! (not that there's anything wrong with that)

Okay, wait. Let me go on by telling you that I haven't changed in the fact that I still love technology, hence my cell phone, computers, digital camera, and the oh so un-hippie and greatly loved ipod. ;) I don't sit around campfires tokin' it up while strumming to folk music, and listening to my bohemian, flower-child best friend Wisdom Skye tell me how she plans on accomplishing world peace. I still love to get pedicures and manicures, I love a fancy martini, and have no qualms with staying in a 5 star hotel. I don't wear Birkenstocks, and I shave. So there.

I think all of these changes have been for the better. I am still who I have always been, just slightly wiser and more in tune with myself and what I want to accomplish. Puerto Rico has been an eye-opening experience for me. I've learned that it is okay to have a simple life. I've learned that I don't need fancy things to be happy and to live at life's fullest. Although, I do love my everyday modernism's, and I think that is fine. I mean, I'm not a hippie....
I think I will coin the term techno-hippie. ha,ha! PEACE OUT! :)

AND, ... que techno music: boom cha, boom cha...