Spring Break

This past week, squads of students have jammed the shuttle bus to union station. They wrestle massive vaults-on-wheels that pass for suitcases onto the smallish bus, whacking into any hapless other passengers' carelessly extended feet, knees, elbows. Some kids have more than one of these behemoths, too, plus big backpacks with zippers threatening to burst. But their hearts are light, witness the speed with which they heft this stuff on and (especially) off the bus and into the train station.

Why? They are going home (or somewhere) for spring break. Maybe, depending on their geographical destinations, the luggage is jam packed with parkas and sweaters (north & west) or scuba gear (south & east). Maybe they hold every single item belonging to the bearer in his or her dorm room. Plus books. (Y'think?)

Good for them. The rest of us are stuck back in academe, pushing pencils and tapping on our computer keys to get out the work, whatever that is. This year, they cancelled the alarm testing that went on in our building last year--it drove everyone batshit, and some, whose tasks require thinking and concentration, threatened mutiny.

I'm going on a spring break, too, and I'm dumping the baggage! I'm taking a break from my fork (also spoon and knife)! I signed up for something called the "lose fat fast" diet. You can eat as much as you want of the foods you've picked from two lists, just as long as you quit before you feel full. You keep this up for 11 days, then take three days off during which you can eat anything you want, then it's back on the diet for another 11 day of programmed meals like today's:

meal 1= cashews, walnuts, and oranges
meal 2= bowl of baked beans and fresh strawberries
meal 3= scrambled eggs and macadamia nuts
meal 4= bowl of fresh green beans and bowl of pinto beans

You keep this up until you reach your desired weight. I drink lots of water in between meals and diet orange soda, decaf coffee, tea, and take a daily handful of vitamins and other supplements.

I'm on day 6, and so far, i have lost THREE (3) pounds!!! And I'm loving how I feel, which is way lighter, even after only three pounds.

Onward!