Big Bird Was Always a Favorite of Mine

Dressing classy is what I like to do.  I don't put time and effort into my appearance to necessarily attract attention, but to show that I do care about presenting well.  I want those around me to know that I plan to do my very best everyday.  Being well groomed is a great first impression in that direction.  I've apparently made a few fashion faux pas's in the last few months, though.  

First of all, I wore a sweatshirt in public.  Sweats are hardly ever a part of my wardrobe, but I bought this nice, soft sweatshirt that has West Point written across the front.  Fridays are Spirit Day, so I wore my sweatshirt to show some army pride.  Within the first few hours at work, some co-workers said to me:

"Jana, what happened?  You usually look so classy!"

"Are you going to be a mom?"

Daaaaah. 

Then, again, trying to show some Army pride I wore an oversized yellow sweater that I actually like very much.  The day I debuted the sweater, my student stopped me mid sentence as I was giving directions and said:

"I'm sorry.  I can't take you seriously when you're wearing a sweater that makes you look like Big Bird."

That time, I had to laugh.  

Sometimes I make mistakes, but I like to think that I do it with flair ;)

I really love my life.  I do.  Funny things are said to me all day long at my job and I get to spend time with children.  I often write down what I heard when I get home from work so I won't forget what made me smile that day.  

For example:

A kindergartner pulls out his juice box and sings:

"I'm a JUICE. BOX. HEROOOO!"

I snicker in the background.

Teacher says:

"No, no, honey.  The song says, 'Juke Box hero!'"

"What's a juke box?"

During a science lesson, Teacher asks:

"What types of matter are there?"

Student responds:

"Gas."

"Ok, what kinds of gases do we know about?"

"Toots."

I said to a student after a test:

"You're a smart girl, you know?"

And with all seriousness, she responds:

"I think we've already established that."

Since the year started, I've had a lot to smile about.  I've spent wonderful time with friends and family and I have even had a few adventures.  

The start off the brand new year, I was able to make it to Times Square and be there when the ball dropped.  Seriously, one of the best moments of my life.

Towards the end of January and the beginning of February, I was invited to attend two different military balls.  It's been awhile since I've been able to dress up.  I had such fun with wonderful company and being surrounded by people who dedicate so much to our country.  

  

Winter came in nicely.  Thankfully, it was only short and sweet.

I have been able to get in some personal photography, which I am so thankful for!

I have now been down to Virginia twice to get in some good old fashioned flee markets and antiquing with my Aunt and cousins.

I'm on a quest to start buying furniture for my first apartment.  So far, so good!  Nothing is set up or finished yet, but I'm working on it!

I found an Italian market.  I stop every time I see one!

On my most recent trip to Virginia, I was able to see some friends that I love dearly:

Sorella Mallory.  She showed me around her town and we enjoyed delicious food and a serious chick flick.   Oh my gosh.  I miss girl's nights so much.  She inspires me and teaches me so much in our chats.  She's one fabulous girl who is taking on life brilliantly and I love that she's so close to me now on the east coast.  More friends need to move to the east coast....hint.

Lovely picture...we need more...with more Italy girls in it. 

I finally was able to get down to Southern Virginia after six years.  I haven't been back since I left Christmas 2006.  Though I only had about 30 minutes in Buena Vista, it was a wonderful 30 minutes.  It looks just how I remember.  This is where my life began.  This is where Jana the teenager became Jana the adult.  I made some wonderful life altering decisions here.  There are days that I wish I could go back and change some of those decisions, but then again, I do love my life.  

And finally, I was able to visit my lovely friend and former roommate, Liz.  She married a wonderful man and moved to Southern Virginia where she now has the most adorable little family.  It was a wonderful reunion and I hope to get back down to see her again soon :)

And my favorite photo so far this year.  Liz and James named their baby girl Jana.  Now...isn't this perfect?  Fun little story:  I'm named after my mother's roommate from Rick's College.  Liz and I were roommates at BYU-Idaho (formerly known as Rick's College) and she named her baby Jana, too.  Maybe someday this little baby Jana will grow up and have a roommate that will name her daughter Jana as well.  Haha...maybe!

See what I mean?  So, I sometimes have bad days (like when I make fashion mistakes) but then I look at what I've been apart of so far this year and I have a lot to smile about :)

-Jana

"You Will Only Ever Be as Young as You Are Today"

Last night my mom walks into my room as I'm ironing (a tactic I use to try and coerce myself to wear old forgotten clothes) and says, 

"Here's a thought for you today:  You will only ever be as young as you are today." We burst into laughter acknowledging the absurdity of this wanna-be "deep thought."  Though I laughed, I did get the message my mother was trying to tell me.  I am still in this "I don't know where my life is going" rut Some days, this often depressing thought gets the better of me and it is hard to remind myself of why life is good.  But my mother, being as wise as she is beautiful, always comes in at the right moments to draw me back in to the sunny-side of life. There is always something good about each day and there are points in life when it's ok to live one day at a time.  

SO that is what I am doing: taking one day at a time.  Looking back on my life over the last year, I have accomplished quite a bit and it astonishes me to see where I find myself to be today.  Last March I wrote a blog post expressing some frustrations in being jobless and trying to find my place in the world post-college.  In a means to validate myself, I wrote out goals and set about to accomplish them.  Here's a look back at what I planned to accomplish:

Make a quilt

Try a new recipe every week

Take a photograph everyday

Get a job

Volunteer in the community

Wash the dishes everyday

Make my bed everyday

Read a good book

Here's how I did:

MAKE A QUILT- I did it! I made a quilt! It took me a year to complete, but it is finished and it has been keeping me warm for the last two months.  The quilt is beautiful, huge, and so warm.  I don't think I have created anything that I am more proud of.  I'm so satisfied with myself for actually accomplishing such a large task.  The sucker is a queen sized quilt and it was hand stitched.  My mother taught me well.

TRY A NEW RECIPE EVERY WEEK-  This turned into more of try-a-new-recipe-every-month-in-our-best-bites-cookbook.  I fed myself and my family pretty well over the last year.  And I won't be stopping anytime soon.  I can cook people.  I can cook.

TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH EVERYDAY- This has turned into photographing at least once a week.  I actually kept up with the goal of a photograph a day for a good six months, but guess what?  I actually started getting work as a photographer!  I booked over 30 photo shoots this last year to which I'm superbly proud of because it was my first year starting up this business of mine in a place where I had no connections.  As the work piled up and I got busy with photo shoots and editing, I found myself in desperate need of another creative outlet.  So, I moved onto trying a new sewing project once a week and I'm in love.  Sewing is so calming for me.  

GET A JOB- I went from a 7 hour job at a commercial photo studio, to a six month job at the west point golf course being ogled by 80 year old men to a two month gig as a substitute teacher to my current job as a teacher's aide in special ed and an assistant at the arts and crafts center.  I received FIVE W-2  forms in the mail this tax season.  I laughed.  It's been a bumpy year with jobs, but I am so grateful for what I have been provided with.  It's nothing short of a miracle that I have the job that I have now.  I love my work.  I get to spend 7 hours a day with children who teach me so much about patience, love, and how to have fun. I have to say the Lord knows what I need and with hard work on my part, He always takes me where I need to go.

VOLUNTEER IN THE COMMUNITY-I spent six months volunteering at the arts and crafts center on West Point which has now turned into a part time job teaching sewing and photography classes and helping out with crafty birthday parties.  This job is my "fun" job and I love being a part of the community.

WASH THE DISHES EVERYDAY-yeah...right...ha.  More like once a week.  I know my mom would love me if I turned this into a daily thing!

MAKE MY BED EVERYDAY- yeah right again.  Hah.  Though with my new quilt, I am making it more often.

READ A GOOD BOOK-  I have read SO MANY good books this last year.  I have rediscovered why I love reading so much and it is such a thrill reading just for the sake of reading.  A few books, and suggestions for you out there:

1. Little Women- cried through the whole thing because it was so amazing

2. The Picture of Dorian Gray- I'm still thinking about this crazy amazing book.  If you haven't read it yet, you must.

3. Brahm Stoker's Dracula- Talk about a scary book.  So worth your time. 

4. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd- This was suggested to me by a friend.  I never knew how good Agatha Christie books are.

5. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children- this YA book was a good read based on some famous "creepy" photographs.  Loved it.

6. The Glass Castle- my mom begged me to read this for months.  I finally did and my life will never be the same.  

7. The Shoemaker's Wife- I'm in the process of reading this one right now.  The author captures Italy and the Italian culture better than any american author I've read.  Fantastic read if you're missing Italy.  

Looking at how I accomplished these goals over the last year actually brightens my spirits quite a bit.  I'm so happy with what I have been able to do.  I could go on talking about all the other amazing things I've been blessed to be a part of, but for now I'll end with this:

NEW GOALS FOR 2013

Read 12 new books

Learn how to can fruits and vegetables

Own a car (seriously, it's about time)

Start a Garden

Sew a Vogue Pattern dress (this may be a little over my head!) 

Spend more time with Allie (she suggested this one to me :) )

Improve my piano skills

Make my bed everyday (because we all know that a 26 year old should have this down by now)

Happy 2013 everyone!  It's only going to get better everyday.