and all that jazz...

Hello Friends!

It’s been a bit since I’ve blogged. Which means that I’ve been even more busy than usual.

 More busy and less creative—or at least that’s how I feel.

Thank goodness there is only one month left in this semester.

Not much new to report from this blonde Aquarian—it seems like the past few weeks went something like this…

spring break…
getting sick…
getting over being sick…
coming off of steroids and feeling like I had chronic fatigue syndrome for 4 days…
art show…
wedding…
yoga…
*realizing that I have more school to do now at the end of the semester and not doing it*

So, yep—I’m now down to crunch time. We have projects due, papers, crafts, presentations and a last round of tests before finals.

I keep looking at my calendar thinking of all the possible arrangements and rearrangements so that I can do both what I need to do and what I want

to do.

 But it’s just not happening.

I always forget how delightfully busy spring time is…there are always at least 3-4 cool events/activities going on over the weekends—there are weddings and graduations and just the change in the weather brings out the party side of people.


I have a recent interest in Mad Men since it premiered it's 5th season this past Sunday. Last week I watched the entire 1st season on Netflix and enjoyed watching the premiere with Lydia and Clint. I must say, they don't make real men like Don Draper anymore. But more on that subject later...(the pictures on this blog were inspired by the ad men of the 60's)

I’ve recently had several people text and call me telling me they miss me on facebook and asking when I’ll return.

and I’ve decided...

I actually don’t know if I’ll return.

My life has been so nice without it. Don’t get me wrong, if you are a close friend of mine, I have missed you too! I’ve missed seeing what books you’re reading, what movies you’re watching, how you feel about certain subjects, and pictures of your kids….

But I don’t miss all the “noise” in my head that facebook, for some reason, brings to me.

I loved reading this recent Huffington post article about facebook...Debunking the Big Gang Theory: Why Facebook and Others Suffer From Being Big

But, if I do return to the biggest social media outlet in all of history…

It won’t be until the end of the semester.

I have more to do in the next month than is mentally possible and so I just don’t have time for more distractions.

Pinterest keeps me plenty of busy during my “down time”..

And I’m thoroughly enjoying reading Tennessee Williams Memoirs (thanks Kayo!)

That’s it for now I suppose.

I hope this spring is treating you with love and kindness and all things full of joy.


Jennifer

spring break 2012

As you can see, I had a fantastic spring break. Being at the beach for a few days was unexpected and wonderful. I enjoyed spending the time with both my brothers.

But I sure did miss this boy! 

I must say though that it’s good to be home. Ready for St. Paddy’s Day adventures all day tomorrow!

I hope you enjoyed your week whether it was a fun week or just an ordinary week. 

They really are what you make of them anyway.

the verdict is in...

...to the beach it is!

This will be the first time my mom, both brothers and I will be taking a trip to the beach in years.

I am very excited about spending time with all of them.

I have had a lot of requests for more “jen-jen videos” lately and I will promise to do my best and bring you a little entertainment from the ocean.

(click here to see our last trip to the beach).

The above statement could not be more true for me. I am very pleased to report that I did make all A’s on my tests last week. Thanks to everyone who was pulling for me and cheering for me and praying for me.

Enjoy this beautiful spring weather!

See you in a week, Jackson!

springing forward...

 ...into spring break, that is.

After what seemed to be a never-ending week with 3 mid-terms back to back and an article review due, we are all very relieved to be in our final hours of school (we get out at 12 today).

Due to the fact that my sister’s wedding has been postponed, my spring break plans have changed and I’m still unsure of exactly where I’m going to be spending my week. But you can be rest assured that wherever I end up, I will be enjoying a break from my routine.

Actually, I have to take care of a few small matters like…

Renewing my license….

Taking care of a ticket I got for putting the sticker on my tag on the wrong side…..(who does that?!)

and a few other little things along those lines.

I’m hoping to make it back to Jackson for St. Paddy’s Day.

I must say that I am super proud of all my classmates for how well they handled the stress of this past week.

It’s hard to believe that when we come back from Spring Break we will only have about another full month until we will become OT2’s!

and I am most excited about springing forward this Sunday to daylight savings time!

Whether you’re on spring break or not next week, I hope you enjoy it to the fullest.

All my love,

Jen

picture source here

bikinis and guns--go team!

I always forget how quickly the last few months of Winter fly by. And for whatever reason, I seem to stay infinitely more busy in the first 6 months of the year, than the last. 

There’s something to be said about SAD (season affective disorder). I just come more alive when the weather begins to warm up and the days get increasingly longer.

Anyway—I have a new philosophy for this semester and so far, it seems to be working out alright.

The new philosophy is to study less and stress less.

(That way, i'll have more time to be bikini clad and ready to fire my guns???!!!)

That sounds contradictory I know, but it really isn't.

See, I always end up doing well in my classes. No matter how many quizzes or tests I fail in the beginning, I always come out with at least a B and more often than not, an A.

And after the hell I put myself through last semester (remember when I was doing nothing but studying Anatomy?! I do!) I made a pact with myself during the first week of school to just chill the freak out.

As a result, my schedule as grown increasingly full. Full of things that I want to do. Full of things that I love doing and that I enjoy.

For the past 3 weeks, I’ve enjoyed jogging in the mornings and alternating between Yoga and Pure Barre in the evenings. I’ve also managed to keep regular lunch and dinner dates with people in my life.

I’ve decided that while I might need to look at certain subjects (like Neuroanatomy) a little during the week, I am going to get my studying in during the weekends. And no, it’s not fun. But that way it frees up my time during the week to work out, hang out, and chill out.

Life is too short to worry about making A’s when it’s perfectly fine to make B’s (and even a C here and there, I might add).

During the month of February I have birthday parties galore.

In March, there are several wedding showers and a bachelorette party I’m in charge of because (YIKES) my sister is getting married in April!

All in all, I love my new plan. I just hope my new plan loves me.

Speaking of love...

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about how vital it is to let the important people in our lives know that they are important to us.

There are so many people in my life that mean the world to me and yet I’m often “too busy” to make a quick phone call or schedule a little coffee or lunch date to let them know that they matter to me; That they are important to me.

I’ve vowed to start letting more people know.

I love studying love languages (as do most women, I’m sure).

My expressive love language is gift giving. I show my love for you by thinking about things you like and giving it in the form of a gift.

My receiving love language is quality time. If you want to tell me you love me, make time for me.

It’s really simple but I notice that more often than not, people miscommunicate because they don’t understand how they give and receive love nor do they understand how their partner gives and receives love.

It’s a very important concept and I hope you’ll take the time to just sit back and think about your love language.

 How do you give love? How do you receive love?

I think this has been plenty from me this evening.

Happy First day of February!

why, hello spring!

Hello, Spring!

I don’t know about you, but I COME ALIVE during Spring time. I mean, I’m always “alive” but my spirit really soars when the weather gets a little warmer, the flowers start to bloom, the smell of honeysuckle tickles my nose—the way it stays light later, the breeze, the smell of fresh cut grass and cook-outs. MAN ALIVE—I LOVE IT!

I always fall in love during spring time. And I mean, not just with a guy (although there is usually one involved—at least one, I might add)…I fall in love with everything. Kind of like Valentine’s Day all over again!

And today was no exception.

The first day of Spring was utterly amazing and fantastic for me.

and to think it fell on a Monday!

I woke up with an over-whelming feeling of how awesome it is to be alive. To be alive and loving life. Wow. Words can not really express the state of my soul and spirit today because it was just completely other-wordly.

I went to school with an unusual skip in my step.

I went to the grocery store, came home, unloaded groceries and got a call from one of my favorite people—Malcolm. We walked down the street to eat at Basil’s in Belhaven.

We sat outside and enjoyed our salads. We laughed and talked and laughed some more.

Then we walked down the way to Belhaven University to see the Student Art Exhibit—seeing as it was the last day to view the show and my dear and beloved, Lydia Gamble, had a piece in there—I definitely had to see it.

I was absolutely amazed! It was a WONDERFUL show! Such talent very much quality work. I also loved visiting with my old friend Bob Pennebaker. Bob and I go way back from the time I was a student there and I just love him to death. He’s a rare man and I am so glad Belhaven has him!

 Check out a few of the pieces below! 

This one is Lydia's. 

We visited with the painting class—who was, of course, painting outside on this glorious day!

After our walk I went for a jog about the neighborhood.

I really can’t express how happy I am to be back in Belhaven! I just love it here. It truly feels like I am “home”. I am so comfortable in my skin and with my life. It’s a good feeling.

I listened to music and left my doors open to let the breeze come in.

I went to yoga and had my ass kicked but boy did it feel good! It feels good today to be passionate about life and to be able to fully participate in life; To be fully present and engaged in the moment.

I hope that each of you had a marvelous first day of Spring.

As you can tell, I certainly did;)

Here’s to a full week of Spring Time Bliss!