Tumultuous

June 25th? Really? That was my last post.

Tumultuous.

The last two months have been nothing short of tumultuous.

In August, our dear golden retriever, Gertie, got sick and was unable to recover. We let her go on August 31st - less than two months shy of her 10th birthday.

It was miserable and I doubt any one of us will ever let a day go by when we don't have her on our minds. It's been a month and I still cry about it every day. Is that terribly sad? If so, I don't even care. She was my unconditional companion, my protector and my secret keeper. She was an angel.

"When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight." - Kahlil Gibran

Ah, dry the tears...

The good part about the last couple of months is my decision to move to California to be closer to my boyfriend, Steven. I'm perfectly aware that there are people in the world that just quit their jobs, sell their belongings and move away from their friends and family - without a second thought. I, however, am not one of those folks. So it was a really big deal for me to make the final decision. It was absolutely the right decision to make and now I'm getting on a plane in two weeks with a couple extra suitcases and going to live in Petaluma, California. No more long distance, worrying about when we'll see each other next and for how long we'll be able to stay for a visit. I'm so ready for that stress to be gone.

What am I going to do while living in California, you ask? Did I get a new corporate job? Am I going back to school?

I don't even know the answer to that yet! A Master's degree on an MBA are definitely possibilities - but I had a rough time concentrating my way through undergrad, so there will be a lot of deliberation before pulling the trigger on that new endeavor.

For the most part this winter, I plan to continue volunteering - just as I have been here in Atlanta. I'll be working with a Golden Retriever organization called Canine Companions. They train aid dogs to give to people with disabilities.

Then, as usual, I'll be on both sides of the camera - photographing whatever I can photograph and also taking modeling assignments in the San Francisco area.

ANNND, I'll be running around all of Northern California with Steven. We have so many adventures planned - we don't even know where to begin! Well, ok, actually, we're starting with a hiking/camping trip into the Hoover Wilderness. But after that... who knows. :)

For now, I'm fighting off a stomach bug and a bad cold/cough at the same time. Let's hear it for green tea and echinacea.

Time for bed and hopefully getting through one of my last days at the office tomorrow without getting sicker.

xo,

Jen

the untweet.

If I was a twittererer, these are the kinds of things I might tweet:


- Tour of Missouri dresses are in. Hopefully we'll win in round one. If only Erin's bubbies will cooperate. [hint, hint: the dresses aren't blue this year...]


- I hate Brittney Spears. And I hate anyone who thinks she's worth a crap. [who, soapbox...] Why does she talk like she's trying to squeeze one out? Sorry to be crude, but honestly...


- I downloaded "Battlefield" by Jordin Sparks this morning on itunes. True story. I know, I know, hate me for it.


- Uneaten bananas do not offer a fresh aroma for cube life. [Erin's voice in my head... "then eat the damn banana."]


- Its amazing how happy I am this summer as opposed to last summer. Let's hear it for amazing friends, an incredible boyfriend, and some much-needed common sense that showed up a little too late last summer.

Girl Crush

I have a new girl crush in the world of cycling.

Erica Allar.

I have serious envy for girls who can smash a race, throw on a cap and still look feminine and purdy on a podium.

Now I will proceed to learn more about her to make sure this crush is legit.

Yep.

Summer Skin

Time flies when you're having fun.

Has it really only been 5 days since I returned from Spain? It feels like weeks already...

I fell in love with Girona. The air, the history and the lifestyle lured me in and with charasmatic Steven at my side, I was at the mercy of the city.

There's no point trying to describe those 10 days. Words would fall short of the beauty - not just in the city or the language, but in the way I grew as a person and in my relationship in such a short time.

Anyway, now I'm back and up to no good - as usual. Erin and I have been invited back onto the podium for Tour of Missouri ambassador duties. We're happy to take the work and to work with such an incredible organization. What color should our dresses be this year? I've worn red once and blue twice. I wonder if only the Credit Leon girls get to wear yellow...

Activity Line-up:
Fun Friday Lunch :: tomorrow :: Lauren and Sam! Yay!
Better Than Ezra :: this Sunday :: con Linz y Eric
Warner Robins :: Father's Day weekend :: everyone will be home :)
Northern California sweep :: 4th of July weekend :: Cozzas and Russian River Cabin festivities
Back to School Classic :: Mid-August :: 5k run to benefit a scholarship in my grandmother's name

holding back the word vomit...

I have mean things to say... mean things that are too awful to post on this blog because everyone will think I'm a shallow, raving lunatic.

What do I do???

upstairs investigation

Ah, apartment living.

In the time I have lived where I currently reside, I have had 2 upstairs "neighbors". I have the most fun trying to figure out who these people are and what they do. The first lady I was convinced was a stripper. Really tan... as in - too tan for January. Reeeally thin. Reeally big boobs. She worked odd hours and always seemed to be rolling in around 4 or 5 am. She was really nice, but her little shit dog was not.

Well, she moved out and the space above me has taken on a new personality. My latest guess is single dad, two kids and a dog. Why? Because it gets exponentially louder on weekends and the footfalls racing down the hallway during that time are far too quick for any full-sized human.

So I think "single dad" must have a subscription to skinemax. The music coming from directly above me sounds like some seductive one-hit wonder from the 80's. Except its not fading in and out, in a Top Gun montage sort of way. It just keeps going and going...

That's not going to help me or Gertie get any sleep. And we need it. I hope this isn't his weekend to keep the rugrats.

Ah, wait (in real time), the music has stopped! Yesss!

Doctor's appointment is first thing tomorrow morning. Hopefully I'll figure out why my eye sockets feel like they're about to implode. Sinuses? Maybe? Any guesses?

Ok, g'night all, from me and the Gertie Girl. Its extra cold in the house, just for her. :)

did you get the memo?

Um, yeah... so Tour of Missouri announced today that Quick Step will be joining the race this year.

Please note that I am doing a happy dance all by myself in my cube right now.

Is that a pun, Erin? Quick Step / doing a happy dance? Hmm. Ehh, who cares.

Tour of Missouri is kickin' it with the line-up announcements. I'm so happy for the state, the organizers, the sponsors and the fans. This race continues to elevate North American cycling with every step. I love it. There's going to be one hell of a showdown in the midwest this September!