Wordless Wednesday: Spring Break Edition

Thanks to my wonderful work schedule this week, my list of things I need to accomplish before my trip seems like a mountain when it really is just a bump along the road.  Packing, laundry, nails, calls to all sorts of places, and packing again, I don't know how I'm going to get it all done.

But I just have to remind myself, I will be in Miami on Friday morning as everyone I know heads to work.  Does that make this all worth wild?  Yes, yes it does.

And while I am nervous about this whole cruise thing due to my wonderful health issues, I'm so excited to be able to go on vacation with some of my favorite people and spend my days in the sunshine.

Sunshine makes everything better.

It's Time to Begin.

I really enjoy this song so I hope you all would give it a chance as you read this lovely little update.

I'm trying my best to get back to my ordinary life, but sometimes my stupid stomach and leg hold me back.  This weekend I was able to go out with my friends, some of my favorite people in the world.  Shannon and I got spent the whole weekend together along with Tom and his friends.  I have known those guys for a few years now and they always put a huge smile on my face just because they are guys guys who enjoy hanging out with one another, drinking beers and talking about sports.

This weekend was exactly what I needed to get my mind off the fact that my stomach is taking longer to get better then I expected.  Last time I ended up in the hospital with a flare, I was already back to eating regular food, especially with the amount of steroids I'm on.  And now I just feel like my stomach is taking five years to bounce back and I don't have the patience to wait for it to be better.

That's not to say I haven't been able to enjoy my food.  Unfortunately, sometimes, my stomach just hurts a lot after I eat.  Whatever, I make sure to enjoy eating and just deal with whatever pain may come after the fact.  I mean when one goes up to the casino, how does one simply ignore Margaritaville nachos.  Spoiler alert: They don't.

Today is a stay in bed type of day because my leg has been hurting me a little bit.  Natasha and Boris are mad at me from all the fun I have been having.  The leg hasn't swollen at all, but the pain which had all but disappeared is there a bit right now.  As I am typing, I have my legs elevating on a folded over pillow.  

Story of my life.  

And sometimes, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Throwback Thursday: Summer Jam

When I posed the question of the ultimate summer playlist to my friends, Shannon sent me a list of some ideas.  This happened to be one of them. 


I can't remember what grade I was in, but I remember really enjoying the song.  And while I never saw the music video until today, who doesn't love popular culture's spoof on the 80's.


Unlike some of the other songs I have posted here, I don't like the song because it has some grand meaning to it.  I just like it because it makes you want to dance around with your friends singing it on the top of your lungs.  To just get out of your head and enjoy the music I did back in high school.


So thank you Shannon for this amazing gem on the ultimate summer playlist.  I really have to hop on that list now.

Dear May--

2012 has been a rough year for me and I'm willing to make a little deal with you.  I promise to stay as positive as I can, as long as you promise to give me a little good vibes and good luck my way.  I have been through everything, even breaking my resolution of not going to the hospital!  And last year, I ended up spending a week in the hospital, and while I am not planning on doing that ever again, I do want good vibes all to myself.  Everyone around me seems to be living easy; it's my turn now.  So starting today, May 1st, 2012 is going to start rocking. Fun pictures, times with friends, good things happening at work.  I'm taking the bull by the damn horns and starting to rock 2012.  Everyone better watch out, and jump on the positive life, Jen is gonna rock this train, because it's going to be a fun time.

Sincerely,
Me

Here Comes the Sun....

I'm all about the summer.  It's my best time.  If you notice, the past year plus I have been dealing with these stomach things, I am best when it's the summer.  It's winter or spring when I have a flare up and while the steroids might not let me feel beautiful, summer is when I feel the most like me.

Now because summer is starting, I am making plans.  Big plans.  Because last summer was a magical time, and I want this summer to be the same, if not better.  How are you going to do this Jen, you may be asking yourself? Simple, I'm gonna share some of these plans with you.

1. Jump Signal Rock.  It's not even an option at this point in time.
2. Start running in preparation for my first 5 k at the end of the summer.
3. At least one concert on the green complete with picnic and good friends
4. Beach days
5. Bar crawl with the Milford kids
6. Tons of pictures
7. Backyard BBQ's--including christening Shannon/Brendan's place with a few
8. Bluefish games that include Seas visit after
9. Classy night out with everyone---we get dressed nicely and go out for a nice dinner somewhere we normally don't go. 
10. Dave and Busters
11. Beat Tom at Scramble with Friends
12. Create the ultimate summer music mix--obviously including Everything Tonight

Since I was a little kid, I have always believed the summer was a magical time.  This summer is not going to be any different.  With all of us together, we are going to have a wonderful time kids, just you watch.

Hey, I Just Met You....

I believe in friendships that turn into family.  Always have, always will.

This weekend I went up to Boston for my little sister's birthday.  And as some may be scratching their head wondering if I even have a little sister, let me explain.  My mother is one of the lucky ones still friends with her high school friends.  Yes, I have a whole second family that includes some wonderful women and men and a bond that many people just don't understand.

This family includes Kate, Ricky and Emily.  Kate's birthday was this weekend and us "kids" decided to trek up to Boston to help the little one celebrate.  We have spent countless hours at the beach, we have had countless meals and hanging out time, and even trips.  But a trip of just the kids has not happened until this weekend.  To say that we laughed our butts off and made countless memories would be an understatement.  I don't think I have had that great of a time in forever.

I can not imagine my life without the four of them.  On the ride home last night, I was amazed how much everything fades to the background when we get together and we just are.  It's a very rare friendship that this can occur and I am lucky to have that with these kids.  Age is no longer a concern and we just genuinely enjoy spending time in each other's company.  Words don't seem to articulate the proper feelings I get with these kids.  Yesterday we honestly sat in a dorm room laughing about text messages and feeling popular.  It wasn't anything special, but Emily and I just got silly over it.

Every single one of them is a beautiful person, and I'm not just saying that because that was one of our countless quotes from the weekend.  I really do mean each one of them is beautiful person who cares for those around them and are going to do great things in their life.  And I feel very special to call them my family and to be part of that journey in their lives.

Hi Haters....

As March Madness has descended upon us, I have found this wonderful little video that shows how amazing UCONN at Gampel can be.  When we want to be, this small little arena can make a HUGE impact on any game at all.  Give me a packed/high energy Gampel any day and I would be there.

Part of me wishing I was there for this epic video, because I mean, how much fun is this?

Shots From Washington

The bride looked absolutely stunning....like a Disney princess.  The crappy weather left just in time for a blue sky for the ceremony.  Vicky and Dave looked so happy to be getting married to each other that it brought a smile to my face.  I honestly was honored to be part of such a wonderful wedding, with some of the nicest people I have met in a long while.  And to have so many Disney songs play?  Fabulous

There Really Isn't a Dull Moment With You

A good family friend said the above quote to me this past Sunday when I told him about cutting  my finger with the bread knife.  He sort of laughed at me because he knew about Henry and this whole inside problems

That quote however perfectly embodies my life this afternoon.

After getting my blood drawn and being told I was not needed at work tonight, I realized what a beautiful day it was.  I did not want to do the whole exercise thing without anyone home, ya know in case I get hurt, so I figured now that Mom was home, I could go for a little bike ride.  Because it's beautiful ya know? WELP, in preparations for said bike ride, and to ease my mother's mind, I decided to make a little note on my hand.

I thought this would ease her mind a little, because in case anything WERE to happen to me, at least the EMTs would know that 1. I was on blood thinners and 2. That number could be called to help a girl out.

Overall it felt GREAT exercising again (first real time since the whole adventure began) although my legs KILLED after.  You know when you live in the woods/suburbs when you go by roadkill which completely grossed me out.  Luckily I was on a bike this time and not running by which I have done as well.  I had to walk the bike up the hill.  If you have ever been to my house, you would understand. 

Final Four Bound

Uconn has two teams in the Final Four.  And while the girl's basketball team was expected to do well in the tournament, it's the men team that has shocked the nation behind our star, Kemba Walker.  

Okay, so I'm a typical Uconn fan who has too much pride in their team if they are fans of basketball.  I know plenty of people who graduated from Uconn like myself and have no interest in our sports teams.  But I have stuck by the team throughout the years, thanks to growing up watching the basketball games with my family.

The beginning of this year looked like 2006, where basically the whole team was freshmen and underclassmen with very little experience.  Unlike 2006 though, we have Kemba Walker who has shocked all those who doubted us at the beginning of the year and brought the team not only the Big East Championship but now as the highest ranking team in the Final Four.

The reason this team has been so successful is due to Kemba Walker (Number 15 in the picture above).  He basically dominates every game and his name comes up more so then any other player on the court.  He is getting all sorts of awards this year and is on track to graduate early which more then likely means he's going to the NBA.  Any fan should wish that he ends up staying but after the season he has had, he will be leaving.  When I was a senior at Uconn, my roommate and I would talk about how he constantly messed up, dribbling into traffic and losing the ball.  Now, he has learned to protect the ball and he makes shots that I can not believe actually go in.


Jeremy Lamb, the freshman pictured with Kemba, has become my favorite player on the team.  Now all of the freshmen are pretty awesome, they are all really good players, and step up.  HOWEVER, Lamb is a silent killer, he just does things amazingly with little to no reaction.  See that face in the picture?  That's the face he has when he just sinks a HUGE three, or even on news reports.  He is NOT affected by the hype at all.  Kemba has a confident swag about him, but Lamb's swag is so quiet that if you don't pay attention, you don't notice it.

Unlike most people who cheer for professional teams, I love college basketball.  Saturday means Final Four time, with no teams who were expected to make it to the end are in the mix.  And now I will be watching, with my friends more then likely laughing at me, at my favorite place on Saturday.  Come enjoy the show on Saturday....

Oh Life----How I Wish it Was a Year Ago

This week is spring break and last year, I was in the beautiful St. Maarten with two of my best friends.  We were living in an amazing suite with it's own terrace, waking up to go to the beach and or spend the day by the pool, having family dinners, taking naps under huge umbrellas, and drinking Caribs and free bottles of wine.

I'm pretty sure these pictures are self explanatory, but basically we were walking holidays sharing many many laughs.  But imagine waking up to the first picture every day.  Sigh.

Being a summer child, I wish I was in the warm weather over this type of reality.

This year for "spring break" I get blood work taken, a boss who was a little upset that I didn't check with him about extra hours, an inflamed leg, and a blood clot that has not shrunk since this last ultrasound.  Oh, and windy-rainy weather that has been balancing between 20 to 40 degrees each day.  Plus, my jug of water that I have been drinking almost two a day, and the fact that I have given up candy bars....and all I want is some chocolate.

The first picture is the size of the water I have been drinking.  The second is one of the roads that leads to our house, although this picture was taken last year, this Monday the road was closed due to flooding.  Happens when we get a lot of rain and the rain plus snow melting is causing the massive floods.

Obviously we know who the real winner is.