will you be my Valentine?

Today is one of my very favorite holidays!

I learned many moons ago that I am one of the few people who can say that.

Most every time I tell people that,

VALENTINE’S DAY,

is my absolute favorite,

they snicker and frown.

I’ve never really sat down to think about why I love this holiday so.

I will do that now;)

It might be because it was an important holiday to my Mother. Every year since I can remember, my mom and dad have made Valentine’s Day so special for us kids. My dad has sent me flowers most every year since I was 5 years old.

Infact, my mom has had a Valentine’s Day party for me since I was 3! It has been a tradition I’ve continued throughout my adult years.

It also might be because I love LOVE. I love to love and to be in love and I just love all things Love! Most days I fall in love at least 100 times.

With various things,

and people,

and memories,

and thoughts,

and ideas,

and well,

You get the gist.

I don’t at all associate Valentine’s Day with purely romantic love.

In fact, I’ve been single more than not on Valentine’s Day. As a matter of fact, I can only count about 5 Valentine’s Days in which I wasn’t single.

But that has never really mattered to me.

I refuse to be jaded by love .

I refuse to be cynical and pessimistic about love.

And about men. (or women)

(although, let us not forget that Valentine's Day isn't about MEN ..it's about LOVE)

I refuse to see the glass half empty.

In my book, everyday should be Valentine’s Day.

Everyday should be a day in which we love more.

and hate less.

Everyday should be a day in which we give others our rapt attention to let them know they are LOVED!

So, why do I like Valentine’s Day?

For the same reason that children love candy.

It’s good;)

From my heart to yours,

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Interview

Alright, Friends.

I know I said I wasn’t going to be posting anymore blogs, but I just had to…

because…

I have an interview date!

WOOT!

My mom just called me.

My interview for Occupational Therapy School will be

February 22^nd, 2011 at 11:20.

This is the last step and will be the deciding factor on whether I get in or not.

I cried when my Mom just called me.

Not because I’m scared or nervous,

But because I never thought this day would come.

I am still in awe of just how good God is to me.

Please pray for me. Send me all your good vibes and wisest thoughts.

I know that if I’m supposed to get in, I will. And if not, well then, God has other plans for me;)

Either way,

I’m excited.

Happy Valentine’s Day Weekend!

new orleans

why, hello friends!

miss me?

i didn't think so;)

i can't believe it's already Tuesday. i've been thinking about writing a blog about my weekend wonderful in new orleans for a few days but my schedule has been more busy than ever. and i'm getting frustrated because i really wanted to put out a spectacular blog on new orleans but alas, this will have to do.

mac and I had a wonderful weekend. it felt so good to be back in the city. i just love everything about new orleans. the smells, the sights, the people, the dirt, the quaintness---everything, i'm telling you!

the yoga workshop with Scotta Brady was amazing. we met some wonderful, beautiful people and really pushed ourselves in the workshop.

we shopped a little, ate some amazing (and interesting) food, and took it all in.

this trip to new orleans was special for me in the respect that it was my first sober trip to the city. i've spent MANY a drunken night there but this was my first real experience sober.

and it was awesome.

it was so incredible to be fully present.

to fully share the experience with others.

to wake up feeling refreshed and remembering everything from the night before.

to participate 100% in the yoga workshop.

it was amazing.

and i'm so grateful.

here are some photos from the weekend.

i was going to write under each photo and link cool stuff to all the fun places we visited, but i just don't have the time right now! I may try and link a few;)

i'll just let these pictures do all the story-telling needed. and your imagination, of course;) 

We stayed at The Parkview Guest House. It overlooked Audubon park and was so quaint and beautiful!

We stopped at P.J’s Coffee and guess who came to meet us?! My bestie, Eric Aycock!

We enjoyed a trolley ride down St. Charles into the French Quarter. But boy was it cold!

I got to see my favorite ex-boyfriend and dear friend, Jason Briggs!

We all enjoyed a traditional Ethiopian meal together in the Quarter.

The view from our window the next morning. This was the coldest I have ever seen New Orleans.

Ready to hit the town!

We hit up one of my favorite places in the whole world! Whole Foods!

We went shopping on Magazine Street!

And got to see Blue Valentine at The Theatres at Canal Place!

The yoga workshop at Wild Lotus Yoga was amazing. Scotta did an incredible job and I learned so much!

By far the best meal we had was at Sukho Thai! And let me also say that getting to eat dinner with Sean Johnson was the highlight of my trip. I truly felt like I was in the presence of someone enlightened. His kindness and compassion and personability(i think i just made that word up. opps!) totally melted my heart. I can not wait to get to visit his studio again and get involved with what he’s doing. He’s truly transforming New Orleans with the way he lives his life. He is my new hero!



Saturday we got to see where Eric lives! His new pad is rad!

We ate brunch with his new roommate, Andy, at Riccobono Panola St. Cafe!

All in all, our trip was a success! Due to complications while writing this blog, (computer acting up, couldn't find pictures i wanted to use) I'm finally calling it done!

Infact, I feel like due to everything going on in my life, I will be taking a hiatus from the blogging community for a while. Don't worry, I'll be back in Spring.

Hopefully with lots of good news and happy pictures.

I hope everyone is enjoying this cold February!

Until next time!
~Jennifer