Friday, November 28, 2008

Brayden: The cure for what(ever) ails you.

Spending 24/7 with my nephew has been pure bliss and a great daily workout (TL: He tells me "you can do it" while I'm shredding in the morning!). As I type this he is running around the basement with a toy hockey stick and puck, yelling "Let's go Jackets!" (uh the Columbus Blue Jackets for those -- like me -- who would have no reason to know what in the world that means). An hour ago we were bopping around to music when he informed me that we were "dancing with the stars."

The best part yet? Waking up every morning to a two-year-old sitting on my stomach smiling down at me, asking: "are you staying today Jen?"

In a few days I have to return to reality but for now someone needs me to be a goalie...

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Here's one way to hold myself accountable...

...make a list of personal goals public.

In my very limited exposure to blogging, I've found it's much easier (read: less nerve-wracking) to post cute Brayden comments rather than thoughtful reflections.

I (try to) make my living as a writer but I'm still not used to sharing too many personal details -- even if, realistically, the only people visiting this site are close friends and family members. I instinctively shy away from allowing myself to become "the story," and I'm not sure how comfortable I am with having a personal (ha) online journal.

That said, I want to keep experimenting a bit. The past year involved many attempts to rediscover a sense of self. I made progress, but I'm not there yet. I hope this helps.

Twenty-nine goals for 2009 (and the 12 months leading up to my 29th year): *

1. Show the people I love how much they mean to me

2. Craft a new budget to accommodate student loan payments (*heart* grad school)

3. Have friends over for dinner!

4. Run Army 10M in October

5. Take a weekend trip with mom and Amanda & get Shawn to come and stay here for a few days

6. Sign up for a class (fiction writing/foreign language/photography, etc.)

7. Go hiking at Great Falls

8. Send a check to mom and shawn (*heart* unemployment)

9. Have a great (*fun*) date(s!)

10. Bring Zoey home

11. Look into finding a dog (LATE 2009)

12. Look into a new computer and camera (summer 2009)

13. Start a savings plan for overseas trip with Karen (2010?)

14. Stick with workout routine

15. Write a freelance magazine story (and pitch it!)

16. Play catch on the mall (reclaim something you love)

*I'll try to add the rest before the new year...

Note: "Finding a job" did not make the list. Why? Optimism.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Cute nephew edition #2

Me: I had spagetti for dinner also.

Brayden: Did you have orange pop too?

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Have I mentioned...

My obsession with the homes designed by, well, rich people in Bali?! Apparently, the NYTimes got the memo.





Gorgeous.





Inspiring.





Unbelieavably romantic.


Job. Love. Rendezvous in paradise. I'm kinda open to whatever order the fates decide to go with here...