vacay. i need it.

(source: google images)

busy days like today makes me wish i were at places like this.
oh, Vegas with 30 people this weekend will do just fine.

hope your Tuesday isn't as busy as mine!!

birthday shout out.

happy birthday to one of my most favorite people.

ms. katie oddo.

i love you with all my heart.

you are beautiful.

smart.

funny.

a kick butt soccer player.

caring.

and most of all a wonderful friend.

wishing you the very best of birthdays.

busy weekend/emmys.

(me and my lil sis lupe)

my saturday looks a little something like this:

6am sort work emails
8am run
9am yoga
11am lunch w/ my lil sis
3pm last fitting with my client for the emmys
5:30pm dinner at katsuya for our pre game meal
7:30pm other client's game
11pm drive to Long Beach to hug my favorite lady LP
(she will be leaving me for aussie land in a week)
sad. sad. sad.


phew. i am exhausted thinking about it.


and sunday i will be prepping my client all day for the emmys.
hair/make-up/dress/car service
show time!
oh boy oh boy.

little letters.

photo source: google images

dear running shoes,

thank you for being so good to me. i promise after this marathon i will never abuse you again. just please let me survive it. thank you in advance.

dear house owner,

please choose us to move in. we would really love living there.

dear lupe,

i can’t wait to see you tomorrow!

dear katsuya,

thank you for being our fancy pre game meal. looking forward to eating sushi at your restaurant tomorrow with the gang. and of course a Galaxy win.

dear polaroid camera,

i wish i could find you.

dear car wash,

i can see through my windows again! thank you.

dear emmys,

i can’t wait to watch you and see my client rock it on the red carpet Sunday.

dear glee,

i can’t wait for your return. please hurry.

iphoto & the buck.

um, i love iphoto.
i don't know why people have it other than to make funny photos?
it's kind of silly, but so fun when you are bored and want to send people funny emails.


i wish i wasn't addicted to starbucks.
next time you go get a:
grande iced non fat carmel macchiato upside down.
it will change your life.
you are very welcome.


it was 91 degrees yesterday.
i love summer dresses.
speaking of summer dresses, i just got one from guilt
i got it for $12 and it was originally $82.
what a deal!
(i told you i was obsessed)

oh and in case you were wondering my new favorite Mexican place is called panchos.
it's in manhattan beach.
you should definitely try it.
i did last night.
it's just delicious.

dream a little dream.

one of my favorite kiddie blogs - modern kiddo posted this.
this is seriously just so stinkin cute. and creative.
major props to mommy Adele.

while baby Mila is sleeping Adele sets a "scene" around her child.

aren't these just the cutest?
when i have children (someday) i will be doing this.
you may even get this in your mail for valentines day and my baby will be playing the part of cupid?
just an idea.
(too soon? hey, a girl can dream)


a little ray of sunshine:

attack of the 50 foot baby:

candyland:

meet me in outer space:

surfer baby:

Adele is so creative and quite the little artist.

check out her website asap because these were only a few!!

I'M GUILTY.

Lately I have been browsing “guilt group” more than normal.

i just love finding treasures that are 75% off the normal price!!

I’ve decided I totally deserve something cute.

I mean, why not?

So I purchased the above (simple, yet cute) items.

if you aren't a member and would like to be (you need to be invited) please let me know and i will send you an invite!

so worth it.

***Update on my funny grandmother: My mom told me last night that Maw Maw called her to chat and she told my mom that I had called to say hi. The following night she called my mom and asked my mom the same question "did i tell you Jen called me"

I cannot make this up. Ask my mom, it’s just too funny.

not me monday.

here you go!
it's been a busy work week/busy fun week/ and most importantly a busy ME week.
all the things i did not do this week.
you smart kids know the drill.
here goes nothing.

i did not love home cooked meals 6 out of the 7 nights. pretty impressive if i say so myself.
i did not love thinking of those fun recipes....... and mastering them like poppa robin.
i did not however like that i didn't take pictures. i mean? who forgets that! apparently me.
next time.
i did not love running 6 out of the 7 days. my body hates me, but my jeans love me!
it's a give and take.
who says i can't run another marathon? well, i have been...and i'm certainly not saying that anymore.
(if i don't finish, i do know i can at least run half!)
i did not love seeing that we have raised a little over $4,000 for my dad's run. i mean............ $1,000 more and we will have hit our goal. amazing. 1 1/2 months to go!
i did not love house hunting. please oh please let me find something fast! i am over looking!
i did not love shopping on guilt group. oh man, new favorite thing to do. (see post tomorrow) i found some really cute items! eeeeeeeeeeek.
i did not love the bachelor pad this week. i hate that i love this show. oh well.
i did not love emmy dress shopping (not for me silly, for one of my clients)
her stylist is amazing. and she will look stunning. as usual.
i did not love coffee dates with old friends.
i did not love a "ME" weekend. it was just perfect.
i also did not love dinner & a movie with my favorite greek. we even got ice cream from the cutest ice cream shop. i decided that the next one of my friends who gets married will be taking their engagement photos outside this shop. it's so darn cute.
i did not love calling my maw maw (mom's mom) to chat.
here's how our convo went:

me: hey maw maw, it's jen
maw maw: who?
me: jen, andre and Mona's daughter.
maw maw: oh! jennifer. how are you?
me: i'm great, just calling to say hi!
maw maw: where are you?
me: in manhattan beach
maw maw: where?
me: in southern california
maw maw: where?
me: in california
maw maw: are you with your mother?
me: no, just me.
maw maw: where are you?
me: in the united states
maw maw: ohh, that's nice.
me: gosh i love you.
maw maw: i love you too mona.
jen: no, it's jen (followed by a laugh)


um. i love her.
maybe i wasn't talking loud enough?
but i was shouting at one point.
so who knows.
how fun are grandmas?
especially mine, she's just as cute as my momma.
but with white hair.

post your not me Mondays!
it's so much cheaper than therapy.

EAT. RUN. LOVE.

i've been eating.
running.
and loving.
a whole lot lately.

sorry i have been talking an awful lot about food. and running.
i love daily, so i don't really need to talk about it.
although it never hurts to mention how great my momma and brother bear are......................
(because you guys are, ya you! i know you are reading this)


i have decided "i run so i can eat"

(and also because i need to finish this marathon in october.)
(don't judge me... it's okay i know you are)

i want to put this on a t-shirt.

like the old 24 hour fitness commercials with everyone working out with different sayings on their shirts?

like:

"to watch my son grow up"
"to inspire my patients"
"to find mr right"
"to turn up the sexy volume".

mine would definitely say
"i run so i can eat"

i'm a foodie.
i am not ashamed.
as long as i am still......
working. it. out. girl.
(and snap yo' fingers when you say it.. you know what i am talking about)

so, my question to you is...........
what would your t-shirt say?

thinking of B today.

a very dear friend of mine lost her father a week ago today.
it breaks my heart that all the great ones go way to soon.
i will be thinking of her all day today.
and hoping i can take away at least an ounce of her pain.

i wrote her a card and in it it stated the poem my brother read at my fathers service:
(it's one of my favorites)


When tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes,
All filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry the way you did today
While thinking of the many things,
We didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too;
But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try and understand,
That an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand.
So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I'm right here,
In your heart.

fun photo friday.

momma and me getting down on the dance floor last year at a friends wedding.

(I've obviously learned all my moves from her)
thank you Michelle for giving this to me.


enjoy your weekend my friends...
drink a glass of wine (or two)

motivation.

i had a good run last night.
6 miles good.

how pretty is my running canvas?
just me & the sand.



it's funny how i wasn't motivated at all this week.
not. one. bit.

the thought of running 26.2 miles or even 13.1 was literally making my stomach hurt.

i guessed i lost motivation along the way.
i was so into the thought of completing another marathon....
i forgot how hard it is to stay focused.
(especially when you work 15+ hour days)
well folks.... i think i found my motivation last night.
and boy did i use it.

is it cheesy that i was motivated after seeing EAT. PRAY. LOVE for the second time?
it is seriously better the 2nd time around!
gosh, it is SUCH a feel good movie.
i needed it.


i am so incredibly sore.
i love that feeling.

now off to stretch.....
a lot.

write a thank you list.

i cleaned out my life last night.
i am starting to do this seasonally.
it's silly. i know.
but it's my life, and i make the rules in my life.
i went through boxes, drawers, closets, bathroom, work space, etc.
i even put down my milk duds and went running.
(if you are my facebook friend or follow me on twitter, then you know what i am talking about)

so, in doing a "cleaning out my life" night i decided to make a list.
a thank you list.
i am known for my silly, color coded, (cute i might add), to do's list.
my THANK YOU list is what i am thankful about today. right now. in this moment.

you should probably make one too. preferably listening to your favorite music.
makes ya feel good.
i dare you.



here is my list for today:

1. this blog. i am thankful i have the chance to write down my daily ramblings. one day i will make into a book. an online journal of my life. i am thankful for it. and for you, yes you! who actually read this daily.

2. great books. lately, i can't put the books down. when i get time of course, but i love reading.
especially on my cute ipad.

3. my family & friends. they are on every list i make. i love them. all of them.

4. my health. i am thankful that i can exercise (or try!) to sweat as much as i can. daily. i love the feeling after a good workout. really wish i had my 12 year old self's 6 pack right now.

5. twitter. i am very thankful for this silly thing. i love checking this before i go to bed.

6. my job. i look forward to each and every day. i am thankful i have found that at the age of 24.

7. trips home. i look forward to booking flights to visit my home. i love the countdown days.

8. movie theaters. i am thankful i can afford to go to the movies (they are so darn expensive these days!) nothing like seeing a great movie right when it comes out. i don't know why i get so excited, but i just love it.

9. cooking. i love finding a new recipe and making it (or baking it). if i had time i would definitely do the julia & julia challenge. maybe one day.

1o. nail polish. i love changing my nail polish to either match my mood or my outfit. it's sick, i know. my new favorite color is "Chinchilly" by Essie. google it. it will be your new favorite too. it looks much cuter on. trust me.


i am thankful for a lot of things today.

dancing fever.

i woke up this morning in such a goofy mood.
i have no idea why? do you ever have those days?
well, i am having one. as we speak.
i put music on while i got dressed and danced around like i was Madonna or something.
i was preeeetttty entertaining this morning.
if i do say so myself.

it reminded me of the mornings my dad would blast music and try to sing (and dance)
with his infamous headset on.
or when he would try to get us out of bed by blasting the lion king.
no idea why he would always choose that?
pretty funny if you ask me.

i love the goofy mood i am in today.
hope you get dancing fever today too.

kisses.

a huge thank you!

(photo source: unknown)

thank you to everyone who has donated to my dad's run.
as of this morning we are at $3,765.00.
we are so close to $5,000
i will be working on thank you cards this week....


if you haven't donated yet, and would like to:
http://www.active.com/donate/runtoremember2010/JRobin9

thank you to everyone!!

now off to run on the beach..

a week off.

what a week it has been.
i needed some time away from work, my computer, life.
and with that came my blog.
it was a good {much needed} break.
but, i am happy to be back.
and happy to be back on track with life.

this past week involved a lot of emotions.
being home for 5 days celebrating my father's life was perfect.
being with my mom, brother, and the people we love...
all celebrating a wonderful life.

we had Mikuni's Friday night.
(big dre roll of course)
homemade sushi Saturday.

shrimp boil in his honor Sunday (too many margaritas for this girl)



Monday was a quite, beautiful day with momma and brother bear for his 1 year.
(movies, popcorn, dinners, snuggling, and laughing)
it was very nice to be home with them.



Wednesday when i returned i went to see LADY GAGA with amber.
hands down, best concert i have EVER been to.
she was amazing.
our seats were perfect.
i still can see her crazy dancing with her crazy outfits.


gotta love the gaga fans too! it was like Halloween for the little monsters!
so nuts.

house hunted all weekend and saw Eat. Pray. Love.
i absolutely loved this movie.

I ended the weekend with delicious mama d's (AMAZING bread sticks)

i am back to realty and back to business.
hope you all had a lovely weekend.

one year later.

Dearest blog readers,

As most of you know, today is the year anniversary of my father's passing.

i thought it would be appropriate to share with you what my uncle read for me at my dad's service about a year ago.

since you all have been on this journey with me, i decided it was okay to share this with you. after all, your love and support is what has gotten me through this tragedy.

i will never regret being able to say these things to him with all of his family and friends by his side.

he would go on to pass, knowing he was my everything.

thank you for all your love and support over the last year.

truly, means the world.

spending today with my mom & brother...

honoring the best man we knew.

the below is what i read for my dad's 60th birthday, 2 months before he passed.

(i changed a few sentences for his service)

About 2 months ago we threw my dad a surprise 60th birthday party in celebration of his life. He was so surprised and overwhelmed by the amount of people and love that was there that night. The next day he had written me an email saying how it was the best night of his life and how his candle is only going to burn brighter. He also happened to set his own expiration date for 2036. For my dad, that meant he had a heck of a time at his party, and that he knew he would be drinking his gifted wine for quite some time after. Which he was thrilled about none the less. As you could imagine.


I couldn’t find the words to say today because I think everyone in this room knows exactly how I feel about my father. And how deeply sad my family is by this tragedy.


So, I just printed out some of what I had said in my speech 2 months ago where I am so happy he got a chance to hear it.

Dad, you are my very best friend. You are the most amazing father any girl could ask for. Your sense of humor, and your passion for life, has made me strive to be better. I look up to you in so many different ways, and I love you more and more each day.


You have been my rock and my guidance through everything and I can’t thank you enough for supporting me in everything I do. You have always loved me unconditionally even when I made mistakes.


My favorite memories of you of is when I would come home to a noisy house thinking we were throwing a party of some sort, when in reality it was just you rocking out to Elvis Presley on the karaoke machine, with your head set on, all by yourself, when no one else was home.


Or the nights when I was in college and you would tell me & my friends to wake you up when we returned from the bars, eager to cook us the perfect filet when we got back. I have to tell everyone that when we would come back from being out, we’d wake him up, with one eye open and still half asleep he would say is “are we ready to do this or what” … it still gets me every time.


Dad, hands down, you are the greatest man I have ever known. And I promise I am not just saying that because I want to live with you and mom forever– rent free of course. But because you truly are one in a million.

Every person that meets you is instantly drawn to you. Every gathering we go to, you are always the life of the party and have the best stories to tell because you are the big fish. Your love for people is unconditional and infectious. People are better because they know you. I am better for knowing you. You are the love of my life, the light of my everyday existence, and this world will never be the same.

If there’s one thing I do know for sure is that I loved you more than life itself. All I want to do is hug you and tell you how much I love you and how thankful I am that I had you as my dad. There was no bigger bond then the one we shared. And I love you for that. I love you for the way you loved mom and lit up every time you talked about her, or the way you were so proud of Dre and how he turned into such a great man. I love you for telling me every morning in the kitchen before work how much you love me and were so happy to have me home. I’m so glad I got to hug you everyday and tell you how great you were. I know you know how great you were too, because you would always say “I’m kind of a big deal” which always made me laugh, because I knew it really was true. I just want you to tell me it’s going to be okay. Because you would be the one that normally would do so, or say some silly inappropriate joke that would make everything better.


I know you are up there making people laugh, drinking a fine glass of wine, and cooking for god in the heavens. I don’t think they knew what was coming. But how lucky are they to have you.


We miss you so much here but we know you’re always with us in our hearts. And will never forget all the beautiful memories you made for us.

We love you Dad, and if there was one thing you would say right now to everyone is, “there better be some good food at the after party.”

RIP big pimpin poppa.

forever in our hearts.

08.09.09

home is where the heart is.

i can't stop crying.
when i wake up,
middle of the day,
driving,
showering,
in the grocery store,
on a run,
going to sleep.
i'm a mess.

it hit me really hard this week.
maybe because it is starting to feel real?
or maybe because it's been the hardest year without him...
and i can't imagine having to do this year after year after year.
all the birthdays, holidays, celebrations.
it's never right anymore.
my life is different now.
i'm coming to terms with this.
it is a hard realization that we have all lost someone so great.
everyone's life went back to their routine.
and yet, 1 year later...
i am just as devastated as the day my mom told me the news.
how do you ever get over this?
how do you ever start feeling like this is your life now.
losing someone is the hardest thing you can deal with.
losing your father and your best friend is heart numbing.

i just want my dad tonight.
just for one night.
just to talk.
laugh.
swap stories.

god, for all those nights him and i stayed up talking about life.
i would give anything for that.

i miss him terribly.
heading home today to spend 5 days celebrating and honoring his life.
please send prayers to heaven on Monday.
i need it.
my family needs it.
anyone that has ever met him needs it.

overwhelmed.

i am going to do it.
i am going to admit it.
i am officially overwhelmed with life.
i know it happens to everyone.
just trying to keep it all together.
but instead i am onto plan b.
plan b: i am taking today to throw myself a pity party.
my pity party started when i woke up.........
and won't be done until i go to sleep tonight.
that is if i actually sleep tonight.
my list of to do's are all color coded and cute.

separated like this:
1. Client #1 to do's
2. Client #2 to do's
3. Personal to do's

color coding makes it seem like i have less to do.
or better yet because it's cute.... makes it at least fun.
wrong.

i need to do too much for the amount of time there is in a day.
instead of 24 hours i just wished there were 35.
not too much to ask? right?

my work list is being multiplied as the day goes on.
i didn't even have time to grab coffee today. or shower. gross.
my running shoes are staring at me because they know i only have 2 months until i am running 26.2 miles.
my laundry pile is gathering more & more clothes.
the power went out today so had to fix it (why? it's not raining)
i am emotional with the upcoming year mark of losing my father.
i miss home & my momma.
thank goodness i am going home friday.
the fridge is empty, i need to get groceries.
i have sticky notes galore on my desk of random things to know/do.
my phone won't stop ringing (not because i am popular but because everyone needs something)
ya, i said it.
it seems as if every car has a car light on....... must be time for an oil change. do the cars speak to each other? "let's all mob Jen this week and turn on every fix it light possible."
my phone was broken for 20 hours (finally fixed after 4 hours at apple)
waited for an appointment that never showed. love it when that happens!
happy i rearranged my entire schedule in order to do this.
perfect.


geez.
is it tomorrow yet?

ps. sorry. i needed to vent. tomorrow will be better.

p.p.s i know it is my job to be busy. but some days i am allowed to vent.

some days like today ;)

not me monday (on tuesday)

here we go again!
geeeeez. another week down.

here you go!
all the things i did not do this week.

i did not love a few days in Houston for the MLS all star game. glad we missed the humidity.
i did not love the box seats we had, however i really did not like seeing the all star team lose 5-2. yikes.
i did not love reunion dinner with the girls. tapas and sangria. yes please!!
i did not love working all day and missing the ultimate 6th man in manhattan beach.
don't worry, i'll be ready next year. look out.
i did not love hectors for lunch with pj. gosh i love that place!!
i did not love walking around manhattan beach chatting with my bestie. she brings such joy to my life. i love her dearly.
i did not love the galaxy game with the girls, katsuya, and dance parties.
i did not love meeting my new friend Sara (finally!!!!!!!!) i love her already.
i did not love reuniting with my favorite people and did not love realizing what great people i have in my life. i am truly blessed.
i did not love my broken phone.............but i did love a new iphone (with the only rule "don't tell anyone you got this for free!") um, consider it a deal apple man. done and done.
i did not love planning my weekend at home starting Friday. with my great family. oh boy. excited.
i did not love wahooooooos! new favorite MB spot.
i did not love running on the beach. gotta love living so close. icing my knees as we speak (i'm old, i need to do so).

back to reality........... back the the grind.


post your not me Mondays.
it's so much cheaper than therapy.