Super Busy. Super Thankful.

My oh my have I been busy.

If you know me, you know that I love to stay busy and productive. And indeed I have been doing that for quite sometime now.

I am keeping busy with work- working full hours and exhausted at the end of the day. My days off, I intern at a family agency learning new techniques of the welfare system and having fun. I have also recently been given the opportunity to use my talent of planning.... stuff. At church, I have been asked to be on the nominating committee. I have also been asked to coordinate a Christmas program at my church, as well as lead out in classes for the young adult. I still tutor when I can and also manage time to stay active and keep in shape.

I am loving new opportunities and new ways to put time in things that matter and I love that I am feeling  useful! Lately, I have been having this sense of fulfillment with were my life is at the moment. I have been finding out more and more about myself each and everyday and that is something I have been enjoying very much. I feel as though the Lord is preparing me for something that is going to happen soon and I have no idea what it is.... but Im excited. I believe that I am where I need to be..... but for how long? Im not sure. In the midst of all of this, I still wonder, where am I going? Where should I be next? What have I not found out about myself that I havent already?

Notice how all of those questions begin with the word "I"? That's because that is all who I am thinking about at the moment. That is all I have been thinking about for the past year and because of that, I have learned to really focus on my needs and what is important to me. You know how amazing that is? Just a thought.

Life is great. Life is busy. Life is happening. I am excited to see how the Lord can use me in as many ways as He can while I am still around Vegas and I hope He doesn't stop there. I am thankful for Him and his ability guide me in the direction that only HE knows is best for me. During this Thanksgiving season, I would like to thank Him for that. I hope you have a wonderful holiday and let's keep in mind the good things that are happening in our lives. :) Until next time...

Cheers.

I'm listening....

So I talked with family.

Some changes will be taking place soon.

So great to have insight from some people I trust the most.

Keepin busy....

Life has been workin out pretty great for me. For those of you who know me, know that I like to keep busy... good thing? bad thing? Not sure, but it's who I am.

Work has been great. I work as a front desk receptionist for an Orthopedic Surgeon's office and it has been pretty fun. Learning a lot and loving the busy-ness of it all. On my days off, I volunteer at a family agency along with other social workers and learning more about the system and how low income families and individuals seek assistance such as medicaid, welfare, food stamps, etc. I've been learning a lot and everyone there has been so helpful. I am tutoring kids from church a couple times a week which has been great because I get to brush up on my algebra and English grammar rules (which I can't complain about!). I also do my best to stay fit and active and finding time to work out when I find a chance. I also work at a farmer's market/pumpkin patch for 8 hours on Sundays in the sun which has been a lot of fun, but tiring. But hey, we sell donuts and cider so what up!

What can I say, God has been blessing for sure. However, daily, I ask myself (and God), am I doing what I am supposed to be doing? Am I where I need to be? Am I making the best decisions in life right now? SHOULD I be in Vegas? Where am I going to be in 6 months? 8 months? 1 year from now? I am here living at home, working in a field I didn't get a degree in to save up money until I figure out what to do as my next step and can start my actual career as a Social Worker elsewhere.

Because I'm human, asking these questions to myself absolutely freak me out. Where my mind is at right now is working, but having fun. I want to travel, see the world, but I have work the next day at 7 am and have bills to pay! Along with those unwlecomed and dreaded school loans I need to start paying. Freakin a.

All in all, I am a happy woman right now. I just need to know that I am where the Lord wants me and needs me to be. How do I know for sure? I don't yet. But I'm listening and I'm keeping Him involved in my plans. He is molding my plans into what He knows is best for me, and I must say that that thought helps me sleep at night.

That is my life update. Busy, questioning, but happy.You know how I do.

The Life of a Twin

I am a twin. I grew up accustomed to sharing a birthday, clothes, a face, and just about anything you can think of (except DNA since we are fraternal and not identical). We also grew accustomed to when we would go to places together, we get the double take. As in, someone takes a glimpse at us, turns around, and quickly turns around again to make sure they are NOT delusional and that there is in fact two girls that look a lot alike. As well as getting the dumb questions of, "So if your birthday is on March 28, when is your twin's birthday?" or the one that I will never forget, "Do you ever look in the mirror and forget if you are YOU or your sister?" (what an idiot).

This was the life I knew.... until I moved to California for college.

When I was off at college, people knew me as JENN and not "Jessy", "twin", "Jessy's twin", or "I'll-just-guess-who-you-are-since-I-cant-tell-you-guys-apart".

It was just wonderful. I was Jenn. I had an identity. I was an individual.

Annnnnd now I'm back.

My life is now back to having to tell people "YES we are twins now quit looking at us like we have 8 arms." Walking into church every week, it is almost a guarantee that at least 3 people will come up and hug me and greet me. I then have to stop them, "I don't know you. You think I'm my sister. Hi, my name is Jenn." Just the other day, I was at the gym and two random girls were waving at me and I had this confused look on my face. Almost right away I had to explain that I am not Jessy, I am her twin. I'm not a negative person, but it's ANNOYING. And I have no choice but to deal with it. I feel like just announcing to the huge city of Las Vegas, NV-- " Hey, Vegas. There are two of us. We are twins. PLEASE learn to tell us apart"... but I'm not going to hold my breath.

Such is the life of a twin. On the bright side, I have met new people and have received more hugs from people I don't know. Could be worse.... I guess.

Travel Bug

Due to the fact that I am in a point in my life where I am absolutely unattached or have any major obligations in life, I have found myself itching to see more of the world and what it has to offer. I would like to see and experience new things. Nothing drastic, but a little bit. I have never really left the country (just for half a day to Mexico with my family when I was 12) and someday, I do in fact plan on leaving the country to see what is out there. However, before I pick up and "see the world", I really want to go see what this country has before I seek outside the country for adventure.

I was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV, attended college in California for 5 years, and now Im back in Las Vegas. There is still more that I want to see! I understand that it's not the end of the world if I have not traveled, but I sure would like to check out some places. See different lifestyles and cultures and I don't believe that I have to leave the country to do just that.

Here is a list of places I have been wanting to see and become acquainted with:

                                                                       
                                                                     Portland, OR

                                                                      Denver, CO

                                                                          Boston, MA

                                                                     Washington DC

                                                                        Seattle, WA

                                                                              Alaska

                                          New England (Vermont/Connecticut/Maine)

Yes yes. To some of you, you may be thinking, "Oh Jenn, you've never been to these places? Really? Do you live under a rock?" Well my answer is no, but thanks.

I want to travel. I want to see what else is out there. I am in my 20's, single, up for adventure, and curious about life outside of Las Vegas and California. I always hear people saying, "Travel and see the world now while you're young. Now is the time to do that... blah blah blah." I totally get it, but how in the HAY am I supposed to fund these much wanted random trips? Oh, and who would want to come with me? I dont know anybody in these places so who would I stay with? How will I get around? How do people go about this? I'm new to all of this so some input would be appreciated :)

So for now, I'll just keep workin and saving up my hard earned money until I find a way to venture off to new places.

Who's comin with?

Nature Girl

Man I miss this.....

 

There are many things that are difficult about the transition from moving back home from college- especially with the fact that I am absolutely in love with the place that I resided in for the last 4 years. In my 4 years at Pacific Union College, I made one of MANY self discoveries. One huge discovery I made was that I am simply happy when I am in the presence of nature. I miss having easy access to the outdoors and being able to actually ENJOY it. In Las Vegas, access to nature is possible.... except the sort of easy accessible nature in Las Vegas: Rocks, cactus, and palm trees. Sorry, just doesn't cut it for me. I have access to beautiful mountains 45 minutes away. But that's just the thing... 45 minutes away. I am a full time worker with a busy schedule, I can't drive out 45 minutes just for a quick hike in the mountains. AHHH.

I miss nature. I am having withdrawals. Adjusting back to a life that is different than what my life HAS been in the last 4 years is just a part of life. It is apart of growing up. I understand that. But I sure miss my green.

Maybe I should just buy a plant or something.

Self Discovery #13

I don't really like Mediterranean food. Too strong.
No Greek Salad for me or dont take me out to a Greek restaurant. Let's go get a sandwich instead.