49-Relax, Take it Easy

Enjoy the little things today. Try and relax, take a calm approach and just go with the flow.
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48-Some Days Ya Gotta Dance

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47-Quiet Your Mind

So I suppose it's time to account for the lack of updates on my part lately. The honest truth is I've been struggling, in every sense of the word. I'm not complaining, quite the opposite, but I think it's due time that I admit to myself and everyone else that it's not the best of times for me. I've had a lot thrown at me recently, and my life has been thrown in all different directions. Every day I feel like I have a new mountain to climb, and the whole time, I'm wearing flip flops, struggling to get up the first hill.
I'm lucky to have the people in my life that I have. I've got the best friends and family I ever could have asked for. But sometimes it's hard to see through the muck to the brighter side.
Assume what you will, because I know people are going to, but my problems don't revolve around just one thing. I was telling a friend yesterday that 2010 has had my highest highs and my lowest lows. I can't call it a bad year, nor would I want to. If anything, it's taught me some of the most valuable lessons I've ever learned.
I'm beginning again in so many ways in my life, and it's scary, but it's also really, really exhilarating. I know that once this storm (or series of storms, rather) breaks, I'll be able to see the sun and it will be brighter than it's ever been for me. It just takes time, and for the moment, I'll just have to wait.

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45-Put Your Brave Face On

Product Name: Yes to Tomatoes
Product Type: Facial Mask
Purchased at: Target
Price: $$
Purpose: According to the website: "Yes to Tomatoes Facial Mask is a total deep pore treatment that refines, purifies and even moisturizes your skin, while keeping your complexion clean, clear, and balanced."
Review: I've used this mask several times since I've gotten it and I'm absolutely in love. It smells amazing, it takes 5 minutes out of my day, and I've already noticed an improvement in my skin (my pores and blemishes, especially). I have very oily skin, which is what this mask was made for, and I've noticed less oil production throughout the day, but it doesn't dry my face out either. I definitely recommend this mask, but only to those of you with oily skin. The rest of you will probably find it a bit drying. However, the "Yes To..." brand offers different masks for various skin types.
The Bottom Line: A bit pricey compared to your every day drugstore facial masks, but definitely worth the price you're paying.
Overall Rating: 8.5/10


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44-Working Class Hero

I find inspiration everywhere. Whether I find it in people, photographs, places, simple things, whatever, I try to let life inspiration in any and every way. With that said, let me introduce my first guest blogger: Stacy. She has been such an inspiration to me in so many ways (probably far more than she will ever know), and because of that, I asked her to write a guest entry for my blog.
She's a 28 year-old Social Worker who is following her dreams (and her heart) to all of the places that it leads her, which if you know her, oftentimes means a Dave Matthews Band concert. But Social Work is clearly her passion, and I can definitely say that it suits her. She's a woman with a huge heart and a fervor for helping the world, one step at a time.
I could go on and on for days about her, but instead, I'll let her speak for herself:

[photo credit goes to Stacy Anderson]

"You know, I wasn’t always a Social Worker. The heart was there, the thought-process was there, but I didn’t even know what a Social Worker was until a few years ago. In fact, I wouldn’t hesitate to say that I’ve always been a writer. Back in the 2^nd grade, I wrote a story about a trail of money that lead to a haunted house. It was cleverly titled “The Money Trail,” and the protagonist followed the trail to the haunted house, where she discovered a pile of money. When the police arrived, they awarded her the money for being such a great detective. Not many 8-year-olds out there with $100 in reward money, are there?

My love of writing turned into what I thought would be a career in journalism. I wrote for the newspaper in college and had two journalism internships before graduation. I’ve always loved writing, so it seemed like a logical choice. It didn’t seem to matter that I didn’t really enjoy interviewing strangers about boring subjects like going bald, the juggling club, and a new unisex bathroom on campus (yes, actual article topics in my personal archive).

However, my idealism was short-lived when, after graduation, I *gasp* …couldn’t get a job! Journalism is incredibly difficult to break into and it just wasn’t happening. So I applied for anything I could and got a job as a “Community Educator” for non-profit organization.

Thus began a future of having to explain every job title I’ve ever had. What exactly is a Community Educator? What about my next job, Prevention Specialist? Well, unbeknownst to me, there was a much simpler job title I could have used: Social Worker.

Except being a Social Worker isn’t simple. Even after holding a Master’s Degree in Social Work, I still have to explain what I do (and gladly do so). The stereotype that Social Workers take away children and give buckets of money away is still alive and well, and while some Social Workers do this, many others work in hospitals, schools, private therapy clinics, non-profit organizations, and in local and national government programs.

The best way to describe Social Work is as the “Helping Profession.” Everything Social Worker’s do is rooted in helping those in need.

My newest title is “Coordinator,” and while vague enough to satisfy most inquiries, it still doesn’t accurately describe what I do (for the record, I help people with disabilities find jobs in local school districts).  But I find for most Social Workers, their job title cannot possibly describe what they do, because how do you describe a job where you serve those in society that no one else wants to help? The downtrodden, the disabled, the victimized. The old and the young. Those down on their luck and those born without any luck at all.

We help those who can’t help themselves."

Stacy, aside from being an amazing, heartfelt Social Worker is also a blogger (and one of my favorites, to boot). So please be sure to check out her blog "Every Little Thing".

And I can't forget a massive thank you to the wonderful Stacy for being a guest blogger for me! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

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43-Different Kind of Fine

Things don't always work out the way you want. That's just life, and it's a hard realization for a lot of people. Everyone struggles, day in and day out, with their own demons. Some people shout their troubles from the rooftops and others keep it all bottled up. I can't personally say which is right, because everyone is different.
I just know that when things seem like they couldn't get any worse, and when you feel like you'll never be able to find the strength to pick yourself up off of the ground, something...even the smallest moment, breaks through and proves otherwise. Even the tiniest detail can turn your whole day, your whole outlook around, and it's in those little moments that everything gets turned around. Let the little things into your head and your heart. Don't shut them out, don't turn them away. Embrace them, and listen to them because it's in those moments that (if you're really listening), you'll realize that everything is going to be okay.

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41-Food in the Belly

So today was my mom's birthday, and I decided to bake her a cake (with the help of my adorable little sister). I'll admit before I even let you see the finished product that I was a bit ambitious when choosing my recipe. I may have over-estimated my baking/cooking abilities (and/or the size of my kitchen and extent of my baking utensils), but all in all, the final product came out looking alright and tasting delicious.
Without further ado, I present to you another food porn post!

40-Some Kind of Nature

My first attempt at a video. Honestly, I kinda dig the way it turned out, even though it's pretty short.

I just wanted to put this together so that I could take a second and enjoy all the things nature has to offer. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Song is "Swept Away (Sentimental Version)" by The Avett Brothers

ps-keep an eye out in the next week for my first contest (there will be a prize giveaway!)

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37-The Book I Read

As some of you may or may not know, I'm a very, very avid reader. A few years ago, I actually built my own book shelf in order to have one place to put my books. Well, enough time has passed that my book shelf is now overflowing and my books are spilling out onto the floor. The overflow books need a new home of their own. Since I've been on a cleaning/redecorating/organizing kick, I took to the internet to see what could be done about this. As much as I would love to make another book shelf of my own, I don't have the time or resources (and frankly, I don't have the room). So with space being my biggest roadblock, I scoured the internet looking for the perfect solution, and of course, I found it. A bookcase headboard. Please tell me this isn't the most genius idea ever?! I honestly never would have even thought about something like that, but alas, they exist, they're cute, and they're the perfect solution to my problem! I'm still juggling back and forth between a few options, but this is definitely next up on my list of things to get.

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36-Too Much Food on My Plate

So it's finally time! As promised, here are a ton of photos of my grilling, cooking, and baking adventure with my best friend. I know I took a ton of pictures, but let's be honest, who doesn't love a little bit of food porn every now and then?! I know there are some days I just can't get enough of it. So enough rambling, and on to the food. I hope you enjoy, because I know that we sure did! All the good stuff is after the jump, so click, click, click!

30-In My Darkest Hour, I Will Be Free

Sometimes a little piece of good advice is all you need:

Especially when it comes at just the right time in your life.

29-The Sunrise, The Sunset. You're Hopeful and Then You Regret

Sometimes it's just good to take the time to enjoy the sunrise.

28-Without a Doubt, You're Ahead of Your Time

So this blog is about to become what it was originally intended for: a mish-mash of all the things that come to my head, all the things that make up my life, whether or not you find them interesting, they're just me. I've been doing a lot of abstract and removed entries, and I'm going to try and do a proper update while I have the mind to do it.

Everything is so incredibly different in my life now. I'm a raft guide on a beautiful river, I am doing anything and everything that I want to, exactly how I want to do it, and if it doesn't work out, I only have myself to blame. It's the first time in a long time...in fact, ever, that I've been able to say that, and I love this feeling.

It's damn near impossible to sum up the last 5 months of my life in a single entry, so I'll just let it flow out as it comes, if it comes, and that'll be that.

I've met some of the most amazing and influential people in the last few months, and I've learned so much about myself and the world. I don't think I've ever been more myself in my life...it's amazing.

Taking photographs is something I've always done for myself. I went through some rough times, personally, and the camera kind of got pushed into the background, but I've been taking it with me everywhere lately, and I've been getting some great results out of it. I saved a ton of my pictures to a disc so that I can print them out and make the coffee table book I've been wanting to make for ages. I swear I'm going to make it happen...eventually.

I plan on going West with some friends this Winter and I'm very excited about it. Plans haven't been finalized, so I'm going to keep mum for now, but I promise to update with the details as they come.

24-Bare Trees, Grey Light

15/365-Tree, originally uploaded by monica jennison.

I walked outside this morning and saw this. The weather is warm today, and just catching this (both on camera and with my eye) made my day. It's such a beautiful sight.

23- I am a Rock, I am an Island

14/365-Trip, originally uploaded by monica jennison.

While this is one day late, it perfectly sums up my day. I spent the day with my beautiful friend, Ashley. We walked around Little 5 Points for a bit just browsing everything they had. I managed to score the Simon & Garfunkel album "Sounds of Silence" for $1. Needless to say I was beyond pleased. Of course, we went back to my place to listen to it. Honestly, nothing sounds as good as it does on vinyl. I just love the mood it creates! We spent the rest of the night driving around and talking. 

It was definitely a wonderful day, and one that I won't soon forget.

21-I am my Own Ragged Company

13/365- Tilt, originally uploaded by monica jennison.

It's been a tough week.

20- It's Hard to See Beyond These Walls

12/365-Dress, originally uploaded by monica jennison.

This is my senior year prom dress. I heard this song on shuffle, and it prompted me to pull the dress out of the closet and put it on and start snapping photos. I'm just glad it still fit.

It got me thinking though. The dress and the song. When you're in high school, you're being shaped into the person that you're going to become, and you think you know everything but really...you know nothing. And at the time, anyone trying to tell you that is crazy and, obviously..wrong. But when those four years are over, you realize how naive you truly were. You hold on to the memories you made, of course, but who wore what, and who tripped during lunch...none of it matters. We all know that now, but why couldn't we be convinced then?

18- Gladly I'll Do Your Bidding

11/365-Bun, originally uploaded by monica jennison.

Some days you just want to sit at home, watch tv, and do nothing. That's what I plan on doing today.

Hope everyone is well.

17-I Can't Take my Eyes Off of You

10/365- Hide, originally uploaded by monica jennison.

I've always been a bit of a people-watcher. I like to watch people from a distance and just observe them. Places like malls, parks, airports are perfect for it. Personally, I think that's one of the quickest and easiest ways to tell if someone is truly a good person. What they do when they think no one is looking is a reflection of their true self. 

If those little moments when you thought no one was looking were actually being seen by someone, how would they perceive you? Would you like the person they saw? Would you feel the need to explain to them "okay, I know what you saw but"? You would have to back-track and explain yourself or validate and excuse your actions. You might think it sounds a bit far-fetched, but a lot of people do this on a daily, hourly basis without even realize it.

Just think about it. You need to be the person you want to be all the time and not just when you think people are watching.

16- Some Days Ya Gotta Dance

9/365-Wall, originally uploaded by monica jennison.

Today was a really great day. It was beautiful outside, even with all of the snow. It just seemed like such a positive day. The kind of day where you crank up the radio and sing at the top of your lungs and turn on something you love and shake your ass like you haven't got a care in the world. So that's what I did, and it felt so liberating. I almost feel like a new woman with a brand new outlook. All I know is that tomorrow is going to be a brighter day, and I'll be sure to bring my dancing shoes.