Sociali...sm

How am I just seeing this for the first time?!

Dear Blog,

Sometimes I really hate you. Why? Because you are addicting and you cause me to burn too many brain cells to make you 'seem' awesome...or maybe thats just me? Or maybe its because I just can't let you be medicocre.

Why do you do this to me?

When I begin my ideas are thrilling...like YES, I've got something great I want to share. Then I start typing and it seems as though my brain types a lot faster then my fingers do. Then I get lost. Then I freeze. And then writer's block. Stupid blogging.

Or how about my favoite...type type type...wait! Is this too long? I'm already bored with what I'm reading...

I thought you were going to be fun and therapeutic. How did you become a pain in my ass?

I can stand my ground and say, OK then don't post everday...post once a month! I'll show you! And then the moment I finish that sentence, you call to me.

Big jerk. You have me wrapped around your little finger, but then again I guess I would rather be typing then doing what I'm supposed to be doing today.

Its a love hate thing - please don't hold it against me.

JW

Partying Like It's 1999...

First, thank goodness Prince gave us that song. Second, ten years later it becomes a little more meaningful since it's the year I kissed my childhood good bye!

Going back to Clarence, NY for my ten year high school reunion was exciting. I can't lie, the thought crossed my mind that I'm not married (or even close to being in a serious relationship for that matter) and I don't have kids so what the heck am I going to talk and let's be honest, gloat, about to all these people I haven't seen for the last 3,650 days of my life??

But I realized that if I did have a husband to add to my List of Awesome Things About Me...then I might just be too much to handle. Kidding.

I'm so happy I went though, it was small and not that well attended, but I had the best time with close friends who I talk to weekly as well as with old friends that I've lost touch with. The Clarence High School Class of 1999 is truly unique and I'm lucky to be apart of it!

I Have My 'M'

And now I only need my 'B' and my 'A'!

I have to say it's a bit surreal that I've completed the first of my three year MBA program. I woke up this morning a bit hungover and mentally drained, but then it dawned on me...I have NOTHING to do but to go to work today! And on top of that, I will have no homework, papers or tests hanging over my head for the next three months. Glee!

I'm looking forward to spending more time with friends and family, going to the gym and yoga classes, enjoying a glass of wine and a movie and reading a book for pleasure.

I'm incredibly happy I made the choice to work full-time while pursuing my degree, but it has certainly given me a new perspective on many things in life.

Here's to having nothing to do today! :-)

A Glance into my MBA...

Spring Quarter - Managerial Marketing

$4,200...30 class hours...8 case studies...30 page final paper and a 20 minute presentation. The bottom line...do not raise your prices!



And this is what I looked like as a pregnant 19 year old on The Real World: Santa Ana. Yes, I'm drinking a 40 of Mickey's!

Professor comment: "That was superb!"

OVER it!

How long it would take for me to be over business school was anyone's guess. Well, anyone who bet 34 weeks is a big winner! It's the home stretch with only 4 weeks left, but for some reason that offers me NO comfort what-so-ever.

I am trying to remember back to Spring Quarters during ungrad at UCLA and I think I might have felt the same way, but somehow 'Sociology of the Family' was so much easier to get through than 'Managerial Accounting.'

I was talking to my mom this morning (which I do every morning) and I gave her the verbal vommit of my woes. She snuck in the point that maybe I should...wait for it...reduce my alcohol consumption. She believes that after even just one glass of wine, "you don't give a rats ass." I told her that's exactly why I drink, so I won't give a rats ass.

Cheers!

A Political Gem...

If you know me, you know that I'm about as conservative as they come. I guess Ann Coulter beats me, but I can't say I don't read her books.

Anyway, I was sent this gem of a forward the other day. And with all of the 'controversy' regarding Obama's first 100 days last week and his fairly blatant disregard to definition of 'bi-partisan' politics, I thought I would share.

HOW TO START EACH DAY WITH A POSITIVE OUTLOOK

1. Open a new file in your computer.
2. Name it 'Barack Obama'.
3. Send it to the Recycle Bin.
4. Empty the Recycle Bin.
5. Your PC will ask you: 'Do you really want to get rid of 'Barack Obama?'
6. Firmly Click 'Yes.'
7. Feel better?

GOOD - Tomorrow we'll do Nancy Pelosi!

The Biggest Battle of My Life

Please help me continue the fight today!

My life took an unexpected turn two years ago; a difficult turn, but one that presented me with clarity for my future goals and a deep realization that each day needs to be fulfilling. The email below is an unedited account of my circumstances.

April 2, 2007
11:05am

Dear Family & Friends,

I wanted to write this email for two reasons: to update you on my situation and thank you for the endless amounts of support. The last month has become a whirlwind of doctor’s appointments, spinal taps, MRIs, phone calls and even a few tears, but I’m finally getting some answers – thank goodness!

Last Thursday, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) which is a disease of the autoimmune system. In layman’s terms, my immune system is attacking my nervous system. This attack creates lesions on the nerve coverings in the brain and spinal cord leading to the numbness I’ve had from my toes to my hips.

I am going to start a 3 day IV steroid treatment today which will hopefully alleviate the numbness and then I’m in the process of securing an appointment with one of the top MS specialist in Southern California at UCI Medical Center.

I have been thankful to learn the vast majority of patients diagnosed with MS in their early 20s go on to lead very normal lives. It does not change your life expectancy, nor do you pass it on to your children (two things that are very important to me!). Only 50% of people with MS ever need the assistance of a walking device and the majority who do were diagnosed much later in life. In a nut shell – I’m still the same old Jen!

After meeting with my doctor this week I will be choosing a course of treatment that will involve giving myself injections (much like diabetes) to try to prevent the lesions from coming back. MS is an episodic disease (my numb legs being an episode), but I have spoken to many people who go 5+ years without another episode because of the treatment. Unfortunately not a lot is known about MS, including the cause or a cure, but they have developed ways to manage it, and manage I will!

The last few weeks have included a range of emotions: uncertainty, anxiousness, fear, as well as strength and courageousness. I really look at this as one of the cards I have been dealt in life and it may suck a little, but I will not let it be more than that! Everyone has speed bumps in life and this is simply going to be mine.

I am staying very positive about the entire situation and even feel blessed that my eyes have been opened to my lack of invincibility and a realization that life is way too short and precious to spend one second of it less than happy. So as most of you know and believe, I will be “taking the bull by the horns” and fighting this disease like no other.

Lastly, I want to THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for all the love, support, encouragement, positive thinking and prayers!!! Another priceless realization I have had from this experience is how loved I am…it’s really unbelievable and I get choked up even thinking about it. Seriously, the emails, phone calls, cards, late night chats, etc. have meant more than any one of you can imagine.

So please, keep the positive thoughts coming!

All my love and thanks!
Jennifer

Little Things Make Me Happy

Here are some little things that make me very happy.

• Watching Gray's Anatomy and Private Practice on Saturday morning in my pj's with a homemade cup of coffee
• The paper flower that Jamie made me in my pencil holder on my desk
• Listening to book four of the Twilight series in my car because I don't have time to read the actual book and this draws out the amount of time I can enjoy the series
• Impromptu Skype chats with friends and family
• The sheets on my bed and sleeping with my window cracked a tiny bit so I can taste the fresh air in the morning
• My face lotion
• Buying songs on iTunes with a gift card
• Letters in the mail
• FRESH shampoo and conditioner - the scents are intoxicating
• Margaritas with chips and salsa

What makes you happy?

Clarence, NY

The town I grew up in changed last night - Clarence, NY will never be the same and that makes my heart hurt. Luckily it appears that no one I directly know was impacted by the loss of a loved one, but it is not any better that strangers were.

My childhood home was just over a mile from where Continental flight 3407 crashed and I feel the impact 3,000 miles away.

Clarence is a small town of good people - I know they will all stay strong and get through this disaster together. We're all here for you!

A New Definition of Multi-Tasking Or A New Low?

I've been debating for a couple of days - should I post this story? Why not, right?! This truly illustrates the point I'm at in my life...

On Saturday in the late afternoon (after the baby shower), I purchased supplies to pot 30 terra cotta pots with pansies. All because I had another one of my "can't shut up" moments and offered to supply the centerpieces for my sorority's Founder's Day brunch on Saturday. Anyway, I pot the centerpieces in the hallway of my apartment complex and create quite a scene with my neighbors...five bags of dirt, four flats of pansies and thirty flower pots all in a space that is no more than 3 feet wide. Excellent.

But, that's not the story.

Four hours later, after they are potted and nestled safely on my balcony, I decide to shower because I'm covered in dirt. I strip off my clothes and jump in. I'm facing the shower head and the hot water feels so good on my face and chest. I take a few deep breaths and think about what a wonderful and productive Saturday afternoon I've had.

My thoughts continue to drift while I glance downward and suddenly gasp in absolute HORROR...I've gotten in the shower WITH MY BRA ON!! It's not a nude bra, no, it's dark brown and not easy to miss. I want to cry and laugh at the same time - I'm seriously losing it! "Who does this?" I scream before I decide to embrace my moment of complete insanity and wash my bra while it's in the shower with me - such a good multi-tasker! :-)

I've polled a few people and have yet to find one who has unknowingly gotten in the shower with an article of clothing on. Sad.

A Carrie Bradshaw Moment

Yesterday - 11:00am, I'm dressed and ready to walk out the door to a professional athlete's house for a baby shower. How famous is this athlete - well, his house is worth a measly $6.5 million... Anyway, I'm excited. I can't wait to see all the cute baby shower goodies, the fantastic outfits the wives always wear and of course, the fabulous house!

Note for those that don't know me - I'm a planner. I plan weeks (okay, maybe months) in advance. Suddenly I have school and work and I am blinded by things taking up my precious planning time. So now, I don't plan. On a Friday my mother will ask me what I'm wearing to XYZ event on Saturday and I'll painfully utter - "I don't know."

Because of this, my morning began with a hiccup...what do you wear to a baby shower when it's January (i.e. middle of winter) and 80 degrees out? After a deep rummage in my closet I found a navy blue cotton J. Crew dress that I have a fabulous multi-chain gold/turquoise necklace to go with - perfect.

My ride (another girl from the office arrives) and I realize I have to lug a 35 pound Fisher Price 'Zen' Collection Cradle Swing downstairs. And when I say downstairs, I really mean down a hall with several turns, down 4 floors in an elevator and another 50 yard walk to the visitor parking area - no small feat!. Note of clarification - my co-worker doesn't come upstairs to help carry this monstrous baby contraption because she too is 8 months prego.

I take a deep breath and bend at the knees. My darling roommate is in her silk pj's making coffee for her and her boyfriend, but kindly offers to help - no I'll manage I say with a fake smile plastered to my face. Without blinking she says, "You look like Carrie Bradshaw when she's carrying that baby gift down the streets of New York."

I want to cry tears of thanks - she just made my day! I say, "You are the best liar because that's far from how I look, but I'm going to leave with that comment in my head and I love you for it!"

Thank god for my roommate.

P.S. The house was unbelievable, the girl's outfits truly marginal and the number of custom favors and goodies were blinding.

Small Glance

Yesterday, and for that matter today, became far too hectic – no time to write a second ‘glance’. And I’m disappointed.

The night before I was lying in bed thinking of fantastic topics to write about (and catchy titles to go with them) and I started laughing at myself – here I am trying to use this as a stress reliever…a mini replacement for the missing yoga, meditation and scrapbooking in my life and I can’t fall asleep because my mind is flooded with blog topics. Oye vey!

I’ll leave you with a fun little tidbit from last night – 10:00pm. Week four of Statistics class ends and a few of us decide to head over to the on-campus pub for a drink or two. Confused School Boy meets me there. Confused School Boy turns out to be even more confused then I originally thought. CSB and I decide he needs to figure out his life and he thanks me for being me.

Really people, really.

Hello World.

This is my place. My place to write about my hopes, dreams, fears and realities. This is my outlet. My outlet to let people know I’m a twenty-something, opinionated, rule-follower who actually hates rules and regularly fails at whit and sarcasm although relishes in making attempts. I work full-time in a cool industry, I’ve gone back to school for the next three years, I love the excitement of being single, yet I yearn for the stability of love. I have speed bumps…some big and some small, some exciting and some poignant.

Everyone has a blog these days – anyone who gets married, has children, moves to foreign countries. And that’s the thing? I don’t have one of those reasons! But I’m doing this for me. It’s my place.

I don’t know what you will find when you come to visit – I guess that’s the beauty of blogging. Hopefully I’ll learn more about myself and share some interesting (clever!) morsels..and pictures along the way.