"I know that we all think we're immortal, we're supposed to feel that way, we're graduating. The future is and should be bright, but, like our brief four years in high school, what makes life valuable is that it doesn't last forever, what makes it precious is that it ends. I know that now more than ever. And I say it today of all days to remind us that time is luck. So don't waste it living someone else's life, make yours count for something. Fight for what matters to you, no matter what. Because even if you fall short, what better way is there to live?" 

Gwen Stacy Spiderman 2 

**don't mind the high school bit.  I saw the movie today and thought this quote was important to remember.

Motivational Monday

Because let's be serious, who actually enjoys Monday?

Let's start writing some beautiful stories friends

 

America the Beautiful.

I was sitting in an art class when the principal got on the intercom to tell us that two planes had hit the twin towers.  


I didn't realize how these attacks would change my whole world.  I didn't realize that my "family" would lose such a dear loved one whom they would remember at dances throughout the past twelve years.  I didn't realize the huge impact these attacks would be to our whole lives.

I don't want this whole post to be about those vicious attacks, but rather a celebration of those wonderful souls who were lost on that September day.  To the innocent souls of those people on the planes, in those buildings and all those amazing first responders.

Twelve years ago yesterday, we witnessed one of the most horrific acts against our country in recent history.  We also witnessed the best in our society, how our country came together to support those who went through such extreme loss and tried to restore a beautiful city.

To all the people who lost a loved one twelve years ago yesterday, I want to envelop every one of you in a hug.  And to those souls who were lost that day, rest peacefully; you are American heroes.

I love this Flag of Honor which was featured at the Michael Miller dance in 2011 with all the victims names on it.  What a beautiful tribute.

Wordless Wednesday

I Keep Gushing

Ever read something and just smile because someone absolutely NAILED every emotion you felt?  Cause that definitely happened just now.

I have never been that girl, but I know how it feels to feel broken.  I know how it is to share yourself completely with another, only to be left broken and hurting at the end of the day.

So once again everyone, enjoy one of the most inspiring people of my generation.  Seriously, taking on matters of the heart one day at a time.

Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning....

Yesterday was an important day in America's history, but also for some of my dearest people in my life. September 11th 2001 changed the world that we live in completely.  It showed Americans that even in during one of the biggest tragedies that ever happened to our country, we can come together as a group of people, and help each other mourn and grow and stand tall and heal with one another.

Thousands of lives were lost on that day, caused by an act of hate.  Millions of people were affected, from those who lost family or friends in those towers, or on those planes.  To the men and women who went to defend our nation during a time of crisis in our military.  To those military families who have supported our troops every day that they are away.

There is a man from Milford who had the biggest smile in the world.  His name is Michael and he is cherished by some of the people that I love the most in my life.  Michael worked in one of the towers on that fateful day and it's my understanding that our world lost such a bright star.

Yesterday, when I was at the memorial service in West Haven, I couldn't help but think of my friends who lost Michael 11 years ago.  Michael is a man whose legacy lives on every time a story is told by Kate or Emily or Brad.  Every time we see a lady bug outside.  I got emotional yesterday listening to the speeches and remembering how my friends hurt every day because they miss Michael so much.

And I grew extremely proud of my country.  For a country that pulled together in the darkest time and built itself back up.  For a country that showed that we were stronger then even we expected.  I cried watching that flag go up, and hearing songs for America. Because we are America. Home of the brave.

Happy Monday Ya'll

I love this quote.  
I love Winnie the Pooh.  
And I love that this can give all the people I care about faith that they are amazing and will do great things in this world.

Living Just to Find Emotion....

If there is one thing I want to do, it is make an impact on someone's life.  When people tell me they always see me with a smile on my face, or that I always look happy, that means a lot to me.   It makes me realize that we can project an image to those around us, and if a smile on my face can make someone's day, then that is amazing.

But I want to make a change.  When I was younger, I had the idea of making a change with wanting to be a teacher.  And I'm not saying I'm giving up on that dream, but I am thinking that my dream, at least for now, has changed.  I want to help people who aren't as lucky as I am to have amazing friends or family.  I want to help my friends who have done so much for me.  And I want to help good causes.

I don't know how to start this great change that I have in my mind.  Sometimes I don't think it's possible, but then I'm reminded that my smile sometimes makes people's days.  Go figure right?

At a quarter of a century old, I think it's about time for me to actually start doing things.  Just take that leap of faith and soar.  Yes, this may be a complete cliche, HOWEVER, if I ever want to be successful in jumping Signal Rock, I gotta be open to jumping in all aspects of my life.  Because life is not going to sit around and wait for me.  There have been a handful of times I have taken the plunge and been brave.  And all those times have been pretty successful.  

So I'm thinking it's about that time again.....to be brave for myself.  To start making a change in my own little world.  To smile a bit more because you never know who just needs that smile to make their day a little bit better.

If I Fall For You, I'll Never Be the Same

Love is said to make the world go round.  And recently, at least in my world, love letters have become the cool thing to make.  Or maybe, it's just that love letters have been flooding my Facebook feed because one girl from town is changing the world by writing love letters to strangers.

I haven't written to a stranger, but I have written them to some people in my life.  Back in high school, I would write notes to my friends gossiping.  Last summer at work, Tom, Holly and Tara all got various love letters from me.  I still receive love letters from Holly, even if they say how much she hates me after a busy day.  When you get that note in your hands and read what your friend wished to share with you at that moment, there is nothing better. Letters can be so personal even if they are a simple, "You make my life better by being in it," type of message.

Anyway, I wrote my share of letters to people because I know that they always make me smile when I get them and I want to make the people I love smile.  I think I'm going to start sending them to my friends.  I've become inspired by Hannah, the girl from my town who is going to change the world one letter at a time.

From what I understand, Hannah started out writing letters the exact reason why I like to write them.  To make others feel special.  But her people were strangers in the city and they were left throughout the city for complete strangers to find and feel seen for the time it takes to read a letter about how special they are.  Can you imagine how your whole week can be made by a letter from a stranger?  I wish I could find one of those special things.  From there, Hannah made a blog and began what started a movement.....and I have to say, she has inspired me to write more love letters to my friends. Because sometimes it's nice to have that physical evidence that someone loves you enough to write to you in a world that is obsessed with technology.

Friends, or whom ever still reads this wonderful little blog that could, be on the look out for a letter.  Yes, I will need addresses from my friends who are far away.  But to those who are close by, be on the look out for letters to be popping up in purses, or houses or cars.  Because I feel like it's important to make the people who have carried me the past few years to realize how much I really do love them.

And if you want to peep Hannah's blog click here: Her Blog
And an inspiring video that flooded my Facebook a few weeks ago: More Love Letters 

Let's get back to the basics.  Love letters.  They have never been more important if you ask me...

 

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things.

Let me share with you some of my current favorites on this beautiful Saturday.

Favorite song/music video: Both of Us- B.O.B. ft. Taylor Swift

Yes, I'm a typical girl that LOVES Taylor.  I think she makes songs that resemble my life completely and as a girl that loves song lyrics, I find meaning to most of her songs.  I love this song because I know people that I wish I could be strong enough to have them still in my life.  But now I gotta work on me as selfish as that is and eventually if life allows, I will have them in my life again.  Plus I think this video is stunning.  Not only am I a lover of song lyrics but I love images.  Photography is a hidden passion of mine, and I think this video has stunning use of light and filters.  

Favorite saying:

Yesterday a girl at work joked with me about my status on Facebook saying I would love to be a beach bum.  But I grew up spending every weekend at the beach from early in the morning to dinner time. I love how my hair looks after a beach day.  I love the feeling of sand beneath my toes.  And I'm totally happy sitting around in a bathing suit chatting with all my friends.  My motto in life has been and always will be that there is no problem in life that can't be solved at the beach.

Favorite current trend:

 

Love letters.  I may only see this trend because a girl from town is making a huge difference in the world by writing love letters, but I also really enjoying writing people notes.  Holly left me a love note at work which really said how much she disliked me after a crazy day, but it came from the heart.  And last summer, we use to write each other tons of love notes and leave them in each others lab coats.  Love letters though can make a person feel invincible and be a reference point whenever they are feeling down.  They let you know someone really does care and love you no matter what you are going through.  

I want to post more on the girl from town later, but I'll leave you with these few favorites of mine before I go enjoy this beautiful Saturday.  Enjoy everyone!

My Absolute Everything....

This weekend I had the pleasure of celebrating some very amazing people in my life.  Friday was Mom's birthday.  We went out for drinks with our neighbor Joe and his daughter and son in law.  We ran into an old neighbor and she cried and cried when she saw how grown up Chris was and my parents for the first time in years.  Then we went out to dinner at Kumo and had a lot of fun.  Hibachi can be a very stuffing experience and I look forward to our yearly trek there for Mom's birthday.



Today was Father's day and I got to spend some time with Dad.  It was a beautiful day weather wise and we got to go on some errands this morning.  Dad wasn't too happy upon hearing about the picture I took when he was sitting on the outdoor patio while we were at the store.  Only for the fact that he didn't know I snapped it.  Bazinga, Dad, Bazinga.  He laughed when I went to give him his card because I lost the damn envelope, but he used Chris's card as he was dying laughing at my huge blunder.

I am glad I got to spend quality time with the people whom are always there for me regardless of what I do.  My family.  Dad, Chris, Mom and I had some really good laughs, especially at dinner on Friday.  I don't say it often to them, which is a downfall of mine, but I really do love them.  I am proud to call them my family every single day because they are such amazing people.  They change the world every day without even realizing they do.  Guys, I love you.  Thank you so much for always standing by my side even when I am at my worse.  You take my good and bad sides, even when I don't seem to deserve the  love you so openly give it.  Love you.  So happy to be stuck with you for the rest of my life.

Let's Set the World on Fire....

This is my wonderful brother and I.  It's from a few summers ago, when we traveled to the Jersey shore for a family trip.  And during this wonderful photo shoot, I tried to force my brother into taking a picture with me.


Tomorrow, my "little" brother graduates from University of Rhode Island.  To say that I'm proud is a complete understatement.  I have told EVERYONE at work that he's graduating this weekend and how proud I am of him.  I'm sure everyone is sick of hearing me talk about this.


I've always admired Chris because he has lived his life to the fullest.  Seriously, during high school he was Homecoming King and a three sport althete.  For the least coordinated person in the world, I was always his biggest fan.  College, he has made a nice group of friends up there in that tiny state.  And while he parties a lot, he has learned how to buckle down to get that studying done.


I have watched Christopher grow up into a wonderful young man.  He and I used to fight like cats and dogs, but now?  We stick up for each other and make sure that nobody, and I mean nobody, hurts the other.  My little brother has gotten so many compliments about how well he's raised and I couldn't agree more.  He really is a special human being.


And tomorrow, he's closing one chapter of his life, and going to make some amazing changes in this world.  I get choked up whenever I think about how he is going to embrace the real world and just rock it completely.  I already know I'm going to cry tomorrow because I am so proud of him.  And I don't tell him that often, but I really am so proud to be his big sister and see him become the young man he is today.  Tomorrow, I will be the one clapping the loudest, with the biggest smile on my face, because my little brother is going to do some amazing things in this world.  Just you watch.

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.

An Angel Got His Wings....

Yesterday the world lost another amazing guy to leukemia.

I've been numb since I read the text messages this morning.  It's silly because I have only hung out with Christian a handful of times, and yet I burst into tears multiple times today.

Sometimes I just don't get it.  Why are there so many amazing people who are taken away from us and yet people who don't exude happiness and all that jazz are still around.  He was amazing.  He always smiled.  Always.  In the handful of times I have hung out with him, he just shined.  You wanted to be around him.  And from what I have seen on his facebook and the group about him, everyone else believes that as well.

If I am busy, then I don't think about it.  If I sit around, I can't deal with it.  I said multiple times today that it was one of those days that I needed to just stay in bed and sleep all day.  

And I'm absolutely terrified to go say goodbye to him.  I regret so much not going to see him a few weeks ago.  And now I have to go say a final goodbye.

Christian, you were an amazing guy....seriously one of the few honestly good guys.  And I am so blessed to have gotten to know you.  Even for a little time.  I hope you finally find peace from this difficult battle in your life.  You will be truly missed and have inspired so many people around you.

Stay Relentless

About a year ago, I heard about this guy who was in the grade below me having cancer.  I had a few classes with him through out my high school experience, and he was always such a nice kid, with a huge smile on his face.  He got along with everyone it seemed and I did not know one person who had anything bad to say about him.

Today I woke up to find on Facebook that this wonderful guy died.  Instead of wallowing in this awful disease that has claimed so many people's lives, he started a non profit and tried to turn this into something so positive.  His determination is such an inspiration to all that knew him, and even those who have heard his story through friends.

It's moments like this that make me feel so small in this world.  Here is this great guy who was doing such amazing things to fight cancer and he was taken from this life.  Your positivity and inspiration to those around you will continue your message and legacy for many years to come.  You told people to stay relentless against cancer.  Don't worry, everyone is going to be a little more relentless to keep fighting your battle.

Rest in peace.