Goals

For my final interview, I got to interview Jennifer Hicks, one of my friends from my elementary school.  Jennifer is a Seventh Day Adventist and a vegetarian.  I thought she would be the perfect example of the ups and downs of vegetarianism, and I was accurate in thinking so.

Q:  Define vegetarianism in your own words.
A:  A person that does not eat any sort of meat including chicken, fish, etc.  (Some people will ask me if I eat fish.  I respond with no because it is still fish.  You do know there is a vegan too, right?  There is a difference.

Q:  How long have you been a vegetarian?
A:  Ever since I was born.

Q:  Why did you become a vegetarian?
A:  It was my parent's decision.

Q:  What motivates you to stay a vegetarian?  Any temptations?
A:  My parents' rules, and yes, everything is a temptation.  It is hard lots of times.

Q:  Any struggles or defining moments of being a vegetarian?
A:  My parents' rules, and yes, peer pressure, the wanting to eat but not being able to, and just the curiosity of it because I have known of some vegetarians who have tried it and chose not to eat it anymore.

Q:  What characteristics of vegetarianism do you like?
A:  It is healthier, and you do not have to worry about hormones or anything.  Your immune system is more built up, and you can stay away from infections.  I know someone who hasn't been sick for over twenty years.

Q:  When will you stop being a vegetarian if you ever decide to?
A:  At the age of 18.

Q:  Any last words of advice you can give to a struggling vegetarian.
A:  Make sure you understand why you want to become a vegetarian and commit to it.

This interview reminded me of the article done on independent and dependent vegetarians.  I think that it is much more difficult for one to become a vegetarian in a family that is non-vegetarian.  Imagine if their were rules of vegetarianism placed on you by your family.  Being a vegetarian would be much easier yet more frustrating.  I could tell that she was sort of in an annoyed attitude towards the idea of it.  Also, I thought her last piece was awesome!  A plethora of people jump right into projects and do not even understand their purpose(s) of starting it.  If people do not understand their purpose(s), then there is no way people can truly commit to their goals.  Throughout this entire project, I have constantly been reminding me of why eat the way I do, and it has helped me.  Today, I went another day as a vegetarian, and I cannot believe there is only one day left of my experiment.  Will I continue my vegetarian journey?  You will find out tomorrow in my final blog post.