Monday, January 31, 2011
Petition for Cats in the Workplace
Nothing makes me happier about coming home from a trip than the prospect of seeing Wylie and Sami’s fuzzy faces!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Big Apple 2011
The first vacation of the year is here and I’m so excited! Today, I will be riding the rails with my sister and boyfriend from DC to New York City to spend a long weekend with two of our best friends from high school (including one of your favorite bloggers) and their husbands.
This is the first time we’ve done a trip like this and I’m wondering why it took us so long to plan one?! Even if we spend all of our time sitting in the hotel room just hanging out, I will be happy. Locale makes no difference when you’re hanging out with fun and lovely people!
Here’s some of what I’m looking forward to this weekend:
• The train ride (seriously, is there a comfier mode of transportation?)
• NY pizza
• A million and one photo (and video) ops
• Shopping for Kidrobots (seriously, I may have a problem)
• Three days off from work!
• Hanging out with my awesome and silly family and friends!!
This is the first time we’ve done a trip like this and I’m wondering why it took us so long to plan one?! Even if we spend all of our time sitting in the hotel room just hanging out, I will be happy. Locale makes no difference when you’re hanging out with fun and lovely people!
Here’s some of what I’m looking forward to this weekend:
• The train ride (seriously, is there a comfier mode of transportation?)
• NY pizza
• A million and one photo (and video) ops
• Shopping for Kidrobots (seriously, I may have a problem)
• Three days off from work!
• Hanging out with my awesome and silly family and friends!!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Well That Was Unexpected!
Yesterday, we had our second snowstorm of the winter. But the snow isn’t what anybody will remember. It will be the traffic.
Because last night will be remembered for a long, long, long time as the worst commute in the history of the DC area!
There are stories of some people being stuck on a road for 9 hours because of the unending gridlock. Some people abandoned their cars after they ran out of gas or got stuck in the 5 inches of extremely wet, slick slush.
My story involved sitting in my car for 2 ½ hours to go less than half a mile from my office. After a near panic attack, I made the decision to exit the road to wait out the madness at a local mall. Three hours later though, the conditions remained the same so I anxiously drove back to my office (7 hours after leaving it) to spend the night.
Fortunately, I was able to spend the evening with 3 of my co-workers so I wasn’t alone. We had a few drinks, watched hilarious You Tube videos and got a little loopy. It was basically an office slumber party!
But I count myself fortunate for my experience and the silver lining is that I now have a great story of where I was during the worst commute in Northern Virginia history. And I got a free Wii Fit!
Because last night will be remembered for a long, long, long time as the worst commute in the history of the DC area!
There are stories of some people being stuck on a road for 9 hours because of the unending gridlock. Some people abandoned their cars after they ran out of gas or got stuck in the 5 inches of extremely wet, slick slush.
My story involved sitting in my car for 2 ½ hours to go less than half a mile from my office. After a near panic attack, I made the decision to exit the road to wait out the madness at a local mall. Three hours later though, the conditions remained the same so I anxiously drove back to my office (7 hours after leaving it) to spend the night.
Fortunately, I was able to spend the evening with 3 of my co-workers so I wasn’t alone. We had a few drinks, watched hilarious You Tube videos and got a little loopy. It was basically an office slumber party!
But I count myself fortunate for my experience and the silver lining is that I now have a great story of where I was during the worst commute in Northern Virginia history. And I got a free Wii Fit!
Just hanging out
The problem!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
It Made My Feet Hurt Just Watching It!
Generally I shy away from going out on a weeknight because I usually want nothing more to do than to go home and relax after a day at the office.
But today, I decided that a night at the theater was more important than being a couch potato so I headed downtown after work to see STOMP! at the Warner Theater.
The first time I saw the show was in 2003 and I had forgotten a lot…including how much my feet and hands hurt just watching the cast stomping and clapping for two straight hours!
The sound, the rhythms, the energy and the comedic interludes all came together in an incredible and energizing show! I left the theater stomping my feet all the way to the car and smacking my hands on the drive home.
What a great way to spend Tuesday night!
What’s the last theater experience you had?
But today, I decided that a night at the theater was more important than being a couch potato so I headed downtown after work to see STOMP! at the Warner Theater.
The first time I saw the show was in 2003 and I had forgotten a lot…including how much my feet and hands hurt just watching the cast stomping and clapping for two straight hours!
The sound, the rhythms, the energy and the comedic interludes all came together in an incredible and energizing show! I left the theater stomping my feet all the way to the car and smacking my hands on the drive home.
What a great way to spend Tuesday night!
What’s the last theater experience you had?
Monday, January 24, 2011
Petition for Cats in the Workplace
So a strange thing happened this morning – I woke up wide-awake with my alarm clock!
But bad habits are hard to break, so I continued to lie in bed for another ten minutes until my second alarm started beeping and I had to physically get up in order to shut it off.
Waking up rested and awake certainly was a nice way to start a Monday! And I think it had something to do with taking it easy this weekend and getting a few extra hours of sleep.
But after a long day at work and a kick butt yoga class, I am more than ready to hit the hay. Which is a good thing because one of this year’s goals is to start a routine of going to bed earlier and consistently getting more sleep so I can enjoy more mornings like this one!
Perhaps I should take a cue from Wylie and Sami and also incorporate more naps…especially during the afternoon when my energy lags the most. Of course, if I took as many naps as the cats did I probably wouldn’t be awake long enough to get much accomplished!
But such is the life of loved and spoiled cats. And speaking of the fuzzy kids, today I grace you with a few photos of the one physical characteristic that they have in common – their cute, white socks!
But bad habits are hard to break, so I continued to lie in bed for another ten minutes until my second alarm started beeping and I had to physically get up in order to shut it off.
Waking up rested and awake certainly was a nice way to start a Monday! And I think it had something to do with taking it easy this weekend and getting a few extra hours of sleep.
But after a long day at work and a kick butt yoga class, I am more than ready to hit the hay. Which is a good thing because one of this year’s goals is to start a routine of going to bed earlier and consistently getting more sleep so I can enjoy more mornings like this one!
Perhaps I should take a cue from Wylie and Sami and also incorporate more naps…especially during the afternoon when my energy lags the most. Of course, if I took as many naps as the cats did I probably wouldn’t be awake long enough to get much accomplished!
But such is the life of loved and spoiled cats. And speaking of the fuzzy kids, today I grace you with a few photos of the one physical characteristic that they have in common – their cute, white socks!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Life Doesn’t Wait for a Chaperone
Have you ever put off doing something until you had someone to do it with…even if you were fully capable of doing said activity alone?
I definitely have a tendency to do that and I’m not sure if it’s something engrained in my head by society or if it’s because I’m a twin and used to always having somebody to do everything with.
In the past I’ve put off taking rock-climbing classes, dance lessons and going to the gym on occasion because I didn’t have somebody to go with me.
But that’s starting to not be okay with me anymore. This past year has created a habit out of activity and I’m not content with pushing things aside any longer.
So going forward I’m no longer going to let others dictate what I do or don’t do. And I already made one baby step in that direction tonight when I went to the gym alone!
That’s not to say that I’ve never gone by myself before, but I’ve noticed that I’ve gotten a bit lazy in the past few months and if my friend and sister can’t make our weekly workout, then I usually take the easy road out and stay home.
But tonight I went it alone and it felt great! Not only was I more focused than usual, but I also didn’t feel like I had to rush through my workout in order to be ready when they were done.
It’s a great feeling of independence to take control over what you want to do and not let anyone (or the lack of someone) stand in your way!
What opportunity or experience have you put off because you didn’t want to go it alone?
I definitely have a tendency to do that and I’m not sure if it’s something engrained in my head by society or if it’s because I’m a twin and used to always having somebody to do everything with.
In the past I’ve put off taking rock-climbing classes, dance lessons and going to the gym on occasion because I didn’t have somebody to go with me.
But that’s starting to not be okay with me anymore. This past year has created a habit out of activity and I’m not content with pushing things aside any longer.
So going forward I’m no longer going to let others dictate what I do or don’t do. And I already made one baby step in that direction tonight when I went to the gym alone!
That’s not to say that I’ve never gone by myself before, but I’ve noticed that I’ve gotten a bit lazy in the past few months and if my friend and sister can’t make our weekly workout, then I usually take the easy road out and stay home.
But tonight I went it alone and it felt great! Not only was I more focused than usual, but I also didn’t feel like I had to rush through my workout in order to be ready when they were done.
It’s a great feeling of independence to take control over what you want to do and not let anyone (or the lack of someone) stand in your way!
What opportunity or experience have you put off because you didn’t want to go it alone?
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
You’re Welcome Mario
So my third “first” of the year happened while playing Super Mario Bros. for Wii.
Yes, I love to play video games and Super Mario Bros. happens to be my favorite. Others must be in agreement too because Nintendo has continued to release different versions of it for each of their game systems since the 80’s.
And while I have played every version ever released, there is one thing that I’ve never managed to do…and that is win!
Until now!
Yes, after over 20 years of playing Super Mario Bros., I have finally beat the game!!
My heart was racing and my hands were shaking on that last run-through the final level, but I managed to stay thisfar away from Giant Bowser and make it to the princess in the nick of time!
I was so shocked when it was all over that it took me a second to realize what had happened, but once I did I leapt from the couch in order to capture the historic moment with my camera phone!
Yes, I love to play video games and Super Mario Bros. happens to be my favorite. Others must be in agreement too because Nintendo has continued to release different versions of it for each of their game systems since the 80’s.
And while I have played every version ever released, there is one thing that I’ve never managed to do…and that is win!
Until now!
Yes, after over 20 years of playing Super Mario Bros., I have finally beat the game!!
My heart was racing and my hands were shaking on that last run-through the final level, but I managed to stay thisfar away from Giant Bowser and make it to the princess in the nick of time!
I was so shocked when it was all over that it took me a second to realize what had happened, but once I did I leapt from the couch in order to capture the historic moment with my camera phone!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Petition for Cats in the Workplace
Well hello there - I hope you’ve had a lovely Monday so far!
Mine was particularly sweet because I got to spend it doing three things that I love:
1) Cleaning and organizing my home
2) Spending the whole day with my family
3) And posting pictures of Wylie and Sami
Mine was particularly sweet because I got to spend it doing three things that I love:
1) Cleaning and organizing my home
2) Spending the whole day with my family
3) And posting pictures of Wylie and Sami
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Happy Anniversary…to Me!
Today is the ONE-YEAR anniversary of my blog!
Exactly twelve months ago, I wrote my first post and then sweated bullets as I clicked “publish post” for the first time.
Since then I have posted a total of 149 times, taken an e-course on blogging, revamped my page design and made some new, wonderful friends.
All in all, a great success I’d have to say!
Especially when you consider that I always assumed, in the recesses of my mind, that my venture into the world of blogging might be short lived.
You see, it was all tied into a hope that starting a blog would motivate me to start changing the way I was living life. My theory was that if I set forth goals ‘for all the world to see’, then I would be compelled (due to my always wanting to please personality) to carry them out finally and stop procrastinating on living my life.
While previous attempts had been short lived, the public blog worked better than I ever could have imagined! I spent much of last year trying new things, going new places and filling up my social calendar till it almost burst!
This year I look forward to finding a happy balance between work and play, as well as setting forth AND accomplishing not only more personal goals but also goals for my business.
Thank you for being a part of the journey so far - I hope that you’ll stick around to see what 2011 has in store!!
Exactly twelve months ago, I wrote my first post and then sweated bullets as I clicked “publish post” for the first time.
Since then I have posted a total of 149 times, taken an e-course on blogging, revamped my page design and made some new, wonderful friends.
All in all, a great success I’d have to say!
Especially when you consider that I always assumed, in the recesses of my mind, that my venture into the world of blogging might be short lived.
You see, it was all tied into a hope that starting a blog would motivate me to start changing the way I was living life. My theory was that if I set forth goals ‘for all the world to see’, then I would be compelled (due to my always wanting to please personality) to carry them out finally and stop procrastinating on living my life.
While previous attempts had been short lived, the public blog worked better than I ever could have imagined! I spent much of last year trying new things, going new places and filling up my social calendar till it almost burst!
This year I look forward to finding a happy balance between work and play, as well as setting forth AND accomplishing not only more personal goals but also goals for my business.
Thank you for being a part of the journey so far - I hope that you’ll stick around to see what 2011 has in store!!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Petition for Cats in the Workplace
In the third episode of “The Sami & Wylie Show”, Wylie is typecast as the villain:
The Sami & Wylie Show: episode 3 from Jenn on Vimeo.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Can a Documentary Be Fictional?
At the recommendation of my boyfriend, I watched “Exit Through the Gift Shop” tonight.
The film is a documentary of the street art movement and is produced by Banksy, one of the greatest street artists in the world. The first half of the documentary is comprised of footage, taken by a quirky Frenchman, of late night art installations by street artists all over the world. The second half of the film follows the quirky Frenchman as he suddenly finds himself on the opposite side of the camera.
Or does he?
After going online to learn more, I discovered that many in the art world question whether the twist in the film is even real…or whether it is all part of another “Banksy event”?
I have a feeling that the truth will remain as secretive as Banksy’s identity, but one thing I do know is that the archival footage is real and it provides a glimpse into the stealthy and secretive world of street art - which I found fascinating!
The film is a documentary of the street art movement and is produced by Banksy, one of the greatest street artists in the world. The first half of the documentary is comprised of footage, taken by a quirky Frenchman, of late night art installations by street artists all over the world. The second half of the film follows the quirky Frenchman as he suddenly finds himself on the opposite side of the camera.
Or does he?
After going online to learn more, I discovered that many in the art world question whether the twist in the film is even real…or whether it is all part of another “Banksy event”?
I have a feeling that the truth will remain as secretive as Banksy’s identity, but one thing I do know is that the archival footage is real and it provides a glimpse into the stealthy and secretive world of street art - which I found fascinating!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Is It Just Me or Was It ‘One of Those’ Days Today?
I’m taking a quick break from my New Year posts to ask the question…”What the hell happened today?”
Instead of being excited that it was already Thursday and I was almost caught up at work, I spent most of the day lethargic, forlorn, unmotivated and slightly depressed.
Perhaps it was the bizarre dreams of Wednesday night, but I woke up feeling off this morning and then spent the better part of the day obsessing about the direction of my life…and other things equally out of my control.
So thank goodness for my sister who talked me through the toughest part of the afternoon and encouraged me to take the night off and just relax once I got home.
Heeding her advice, I took a long hot bath after dinner and immediately started feeling better. Seriously, is there nothing that a good soak in the bathtub can’t cure?
While this journey that I’m on can get pretty bumpy at times, someone wise once told me that the more discomfort you feel about a situation means the closer you are to making the necessary change.
I like that.
Instead of being excited that it was already Thursday and I was almost caught up at work, I spent most of the day lethargic, forlorn, unmotivated and slightly depressed.
Perhaps it was the bizarre dreams of Wednesday night, but I woke up feeling off this morning and then spent the better part of the day obsessing about the direction of my life…and other things equally out of my control.
So thank goodness for my sister who talked me through the toughest part of the afternoon and encouraged me to take the night off and just relax once I got home.
Heeding her advice, I took a long hot bath after dinner and immediately started feeling better. Seriously, is there nothing that a good soak in the bathtub can’t cure?
While this journey that I’m on can get pretty bumpy at times, someone wise once told me that the more discomfort you feel about a situation means the closer you are to making the necessary change.
I like that.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Fireworks and a Marching Band? I love the NFL!
The theme for 2011 seems to be “firsts”.
In the wee hours of January 1st, I rang in the New Year by facing my fear and singing karaoke for the first time.
And on the second day of the New Year, I went to my first NFL game.
While that doesn’t sound like a big accomplishment, it had actually been on my goals list for some time because I’ve been to pretty much every other professional sporting event BUT an NFL game.
And next to the kick ass marching band (who knew?), sweet fireworks and above average temperatures (thank goodness), the best part of the game had to be the free tickets AND parking pass!
It was a pretty nice way to experience my first NFL game and while the Washington Redskins couldn’t overcome their early deficit to beat the New York Giants, it was still a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
In the wee hours of January 1st, I rang in the New Year by facing my fear and singing karaoke for the first time.
And on the second day of the New Year, I went to my first NFL game.
While that doesn’t sound like a big accomplishment, it had actually been on my goals list for some time because I’ve been to pretty much every other professional sporting event BUT an NFL game.
And next to the kick ass marching band (who knew?), sweet fireworks and above average temperatures (thank goodness), the best part of the game had to be the free tickets AND parking pass!
It was a pretty nice way to experience my first NFL game and while the Washington Redskins couldn’t overcome their early deficit to beat the New York Giants, it was still a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Petition for Cats in the Workplace
Today has been a good day!
Tonight is a little bittersweet though because tomorrow I return to work (and a “routine”) after being on vacation for two weeks.
But this holiday break has been just what I needed to wind down after a hectic year and prepare myself for all that is to come in 2011.
The one thing I will miss the most is getting to spend so much time with my little family at home…during which I forced my cats to pose for their holiday portraits:
Tonight is a little bittersweet though because tomorrow I return to work (and a “routine”) after being on vacation for two weeks.
But this holiday break has been just what I needed to wind down after a hectic year and prepare myself for all that is to come in 2011.
The one thing I will miss the most is getting to spend so much time with my little family at home…during which I forced my cats to pose for their holiday portraits:
Wylie and reindeer
Sami and Santa
Sunday, January 2, 2011
All About Me
I started this blog in order to change my life.
After graduating from college, I struggled to find myself and quickly fell into a boring routine revolving around an okay job. I didn’t have much of a social life and made up excuses constantly for why I wasn’t doing more.
As I entered my late twenties I realized that I had to make a change and take back control of my life. I wanted to challenge myself to create a happier life – one worth living.
But change is hard and I continued to let procrastination stand in my way.
But once I turned 30, I realized that I had to kick my procrastination habit once and for all and start turning my dreams into reality.
Knowing that I needed to be held accountable for reaching my goals, I decided to start this blog. While I posted for many months before anybody found me, the act alone of putting my thoughts and goals ‘out there’ worked like a charm and I felt motivated to finally follow through on my ideas…or look like a complete and utter failure!
Fortunately, the trick worked and one year later I am happy to say that I’ve made a 180-degree shift and finally feel like I am truly living life! I’ve created a habit of doing things instead of talking about them…but I’m not done yet!
2010 was about growing personally but 2011 is about growing professionally. I still have my okay job and that’s not okay with me anymore. My dreams to turn LIVE LOVE LIFE NOW™ into a full fledged company in order to combine my love of art, design and philanthropy is not going to exist in fantasy-land alone much longer.
I am ready to take that leap of faith and will journal about all of the baby steps here…as well as all the ways I continue to push myself to live life to the fullest!
I hope you’ll join me for the ride and maybe get inspired in the process to challenge yourself to LIVE LOVE LIFE NOW™!
xoxoxo
After graduating from college, I struggled to find myself and quickly fell into a boring routine revolving around an okay job. I didn’t have much of a social life and made up excuses constantly for why I wasn’t doing more.
As I entered my late twenties I realized that I had to make a change and take back control of my life. I wanted to challenge myself to create a happier life – one worth living.
But change is hard and I continued to let procrastination stand in my way.
But once I turned 30, I realized that I had to kick my procrastination habit once and for all and start turning my dreams into reality.
Knowing that I needed to be held accountable for reaching my goals, I decided to start this blog. While I posted for many months before anybody found me, the act alone of putting my thoughts and goals ‘out there’ worked like a charm and I felt motivated to finally follow through on my ideas…or look like a complete and utter failure!
Fortunately, the trick worked and one year later I am happy to say that I’ve made a 180-degree shift and finally feel like I am truly living life! I’ve created a habit of doing things instead of talking about them…but I’m not done yet!
2010 was about growing personally but 2011 is about growing professionally. I still have my okay job and that’s not okay with me anymore. My dreams to turn LIVE LOVE LIFE NOW™ into a full fledged company in order to combine my love of art, design and philanthropy is not going to exist in fantasy-land alone much longer.
I am ready to take that leap of faith and will journal about all of the baby steps here…as well as all the ways I continue to push myself to live life to the fullest!
I hope you’ll join me for the ride and maybe get inspired in the process to challenge yourself to LIVE LOVE LIFE NOW™!
xoxoxo
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Singing My Way into the New Year
A music teacher once told my mother that I had perfect pitch as a child. I guess that’s why I know I can’t sing – I can hear how far (really far) off key I am.
But even though singing has always been one of my biggest insecurities, I decided to face my fears and bring in the New Year with a therapeutic session of karaoke.
And while I won’t be auditioning for American Idol anytime soon, it felt really good to overcome my fear of singing in public.
I think 2011 is going to be a great year.
But even though singing has always been one of my biggest insecurities, I decided to face my fears and bring in the New Year with a therapeutic session of karaoke.
And while I won’t be auditioning for American Idol anytime soon, it felt really good to overcome my fear of singing in public.
I think 2011 is going to be a great year.
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