A day in the life...

Today my back and my pride are sore.

We made popsicle stick bridges at work with the kiddos. To declare a winner, each bridge had to go through 3 rounds of vigorous testing. Round 1: 4 dictionaries. Round 2: 4 dictionaries plus ALL SEVEN Harry Potter books...hardback. Round 3: Miss Christine.

My job was to balance all of these books on the 6 inch long bridges by holding one of the dictionaries vertical and simultaneously balancing the other books on top. SORE BACK

In the third round, my job was to stand on the bridges. As these were simply made of popsicle sticks and glue, it didn't hurt my self confidence too bad when bridge after bridge snapped under my foot. Finally, after one bridge did not snap to bits under my weight, I declared to the class, "Jenna's bridge is the winner! It can hold more weight than me and I weigh almost 140 pounds!" At this point a student chimed in, "Really? I would have guessed more..." SORE PRIDE

The end.

Happy New Me!!!

Ok, maybe not a completely new me, but there will be some changes in 2011...hopefully. This is the year I turn 25. Actually, this is the week I turn 25, which puts me at adult status. As I contemplated whether or not to even have a new years resolution, all of these thoughts came into my mind on things I need to change about myself. It was a very negative experience, which is not at all what this is supposed to be about. I'm not responsible enough. I'm too nice. I'm messy. I don't work out and eat healthy enough. There are so many stupid details that bog us down that we fail to realize the amazing little quirks that come from these "imperfections" that make us who we are.

Now, as I sit here eating Hint of Lime Tostitos, surrounded by my clean laundry I have yet to put up, neglecting to ensure my lesson is perfectly mapped out for work tomorrow, I'm grateful for this quote shared today in Relief Society.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all mean to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
Marianne Williamson

As soon as I heard this today, I knew it was going to be a life-changer. This is so true. How often do we talk ourselves down to build others up? We're not being fair to ourselves. Be yourself. Be your best self so others will be inspired to do the same. Do not hide behind fear. Share your talents. You might surprise yourself:)

That's all for now. Happy New Year, everyone! And a Happy 25th Birthday to me!!!

Christmas, oK!

So I'm in class...my final class of the semester actually...and I was just thinking about Christmas sweaters. I think I want to have a bunch of ridiculous traditions in my future family. Tradition #1-My entire family makes ugly Christmas sweaters every Christmas Eve to wear on Christmas day and we get a family picture taken in them.

I'm learning so much in school!

Take 2-squared. 2x the post. 2 years in LA

REPOST: (by popular demand)

My big plan was to come to the Coffee Bean on my break and blog about how I’ve lived in LA for 2 years now (well, almost). Unfortunately, that’s not possible when their Internet isn’t working. This isn’t the first time this has happened to me here. It especially sucks because I don’t drink coffee or tea, therefore, places like this are simply empty, delicious, whipped-cream-on-top calories. While I enjoy every last sip, I wouldn’t even waste my money on them if it wasn’t for the promise of free interwebz. Thanks for making me fat and poor for nothing, Coffee Bean.

Ok sorry about that tangent. For now, I’m simply typing in word hoping to remember to c/p later. Perhaps it’s better if I just leave it for nobody to see…like Creed. So today kind of started off with quite the pity party. Nothing specifically bad happened, but I was tired, hungry, sore, and traffic was extra terrible this morning, so I decided I was going to be a little miss piss pants all day….Then the universe shifted. The teacher I was supposed to observe before lunch was absent, so I got two entire hours and 15 whole minutes to go wherever I wanted (within reason) to eat lunch and watch Modern Family (that was the other Coffee Bean plan;)). I still wasn’t convinced I was in a good mood yet, but as I pulled into the parking garage in downtown Culver City (for Chipotle, of course), I caught a glimpse of a restaurant- UGO. This Italian café just so happens to be the very first restaurant I ever visited while in Los Angeles. It was a month before I moved here, and my mom and I came for the weekend just so sign the lease and get things situated for the big move. It was at this moment that I realized the date, Novemeber 4th. Just 3 days before the two-year anniversary of the day I left Illinois. TWO YEARS!!

I guess if I really think about it, it seems like I’ve been here forever. While these two years have flown by, LA has become so much of who I am, I feel like these sights and smells are all I’ve ever known. This isn’t to say I don’t miss home and my family and friends there (namely my mom and a handful of BFFs-you know who you are) dearly, it just feels like that was an entirely different life. It’s really odd. I think what makes LA home now is the amazing family I’ve gained here. From my roommates, Brittany and Jess, to the countless other amazing people I have had the privilege to call my friends since I’ve moved here, I have a loving support system on the West Coast. I know I have people I can count on and turn to. There are people I love that love me in return. It’s a great feeling to know that I came here only knowing 2 people and now have a plethora of people to include in my LA family.

I think the number one, hands down, no take-backs blessing I’ve received since I’ve moved here is CONFIDENCE. However, I feel as though this is completely ridiculous. In this image-driven city, how do I possibly feel better about myself? I have no idea. Maybe I was just on survival mode for so long, it finally caught up with me and buoyed me up above all the crap. I feel good about myself physically, mentally, emotionally, etc. This isn’t an easy place to live. It’s impossible to get anywhere, let alone park and get inside without spending $50 (ok, maybe that’s an exaggeration). People aren’t always the friendliest. Everyone is BUSY all the time. It doesn’t matter who you are or what your lifestyle is, if you live in this city you have no time for anything. You have to fight to stay above, or at least that’s what it feels like to this primarily small town girl.

When it comes down to it, this city has shaped and molded and beaten me into the person that I am today. The sights, the smells, the people, just the culture in general has sucked me right in and produced this west-coast Christine. Seriously, I’m sitting in a Coffee Bean blogging. Don’t worry, I left my skinny jeans at home today. For real though, if you would’ve told me 3 years ago that I would be in grad school, living in LA, blogging in general, let alone at a coffee shop, I would’ve called you a dummy. Regardless, I’m grateful for who I am today and who has helped me get here. From family, old friends to new friends, stupid boys, temp work, school (USC and Castle Heights), to my little kiddies, I’m who I am because of you, and I think you’ve done a pretty good job.

False Start

Ok, so I gave up on tumblr. Hopefully it will be easier for people to leave comments and for me to put pictures up on this guy. YAY!!!!!