the law of attraction

i've made the following statement to my dearest friends several times the past few weeks:  "i just don't feel like myself".  it's been unexplainable and utterly depressing.  i haven't even felt inspired to choreograph.  an uninspired artist is like a round of golf with no ball.  i can't figure out if the lack of inspiration happened first or my "limp brain syndrome" occurred from the effect of something else, but nonetheless i've just been in a total slump and it has been affecting my entire outlook.  

alas, i'm proud to announce that the dark days are over.  i am on cloud nine.  back on track.  back to where i belong.  back to being me.  i spent this weekend in kansas city doing extensive bikram yoga practices and choreographing with my best friend, who is brilliant

 and inspires me more than ever.  i also learned that there may be a bikram yoga 

studio opening closer to home, so i don't have to drive three hours for psycho bikram weekends, but rather practice daily like i used to in hawaii.  during the drive home this morning, i felt lighter....like i used to before my "slump".

when i arrived at my office this afternoon, i received a call from my roommate in hawaii informing me that she may be accepting a job in st louis and is visiting soon to 

check out the area.  very exciting.  i am driving there this weekend to see her.  the following weekend it's back to kc to judge a dance audition and attend a kick ass concert (iglu and hartley, the zeros and the english beat).  i am totally the kind of person to book up my social schedule (lunches and dinners with friends,

 private dance lessons in the evenings, girl's nights as

 often as possible, the occasional dateski, and fun weekends out of town) but the past three weeks i have been setting aside time to sit at home and be blah.  today, i booked my social schedule for the entire week and i am so excited to catch up with friends and family.  i've also decided to perhaps attend a kings of leon concert (my fav band) in santa barbara during may.  the spontaneous jenna has returned.

i won't go into details about the secret.  if you haven't heard of the secret or read the book, you should.  in a nutshell, the secret is all about the law of attraction, and if you believe that you are meant for greatness, great things will be delivered to you.  i've always had great things just happen to me, because i've never had doubt that the universe will deliver them.  sometimes i get off track and forget that i have power in the secret and that is what truly sets me apart from the crowd, but i remember now.  don't worry.  

i'm back.  : )

listen to...my happy song:  In This City by Iglu and Hartley...."and I found that 'round here (in this city) that I won't disappear (in this city)"

listen up boys

i've become comfortable enough with my blog to where i can be real about a few things....or maybe i've realized that very few people actually read this.  i certainly hope that the bloggers i subscribe to don't religiously read my blog, because i'm sure pastor of the times square church, david wilkerson, wouldn't thing very highly of this post.

men, listen closely...these are a few rules that must be taken to heart.  disclaimer:  i am not a high maintenance woman.  there are a number of traditional "rules" that i throw out the window.  i don't care if you leave the toilet seat up, i can put it down.  i don't care if your job requires you to work late or travel extensively, mine does too.  i don't care if you go out with the guys, because you sure as hell better not get mad when i go out with the girls.  lastly, i don't give a shit if you notice my new hairstyle (see bullet point five below).  i do, however, have some things to say about the following......

1)  take women out on dates.  remember...a date?  "what, chillin at home isn't a date?"  NO.  a date is two people, having dinner or going to a movie.  kudos to you if it is more creative than that.  don't get me wrong, "chillin" at home is great, and one of my favorite things to do with members of the opposite sex, but it gets old after three months (check that...three weeks).  you should drive to and from the date location.  also, no one likes a social retard.  so even if you really don't have any friends or the ones you have are total scrubs, go meet some fun and intelligent people who won't fart in from of your woman.

2)  suppress the ex factor.  it's great that you and your ex are still friends.  i am also friends with my ex(s), but i have never felt compelled to mention them at least once every conversation.  if you and your ex are friends, what is the harm in simply saying "friend"?  is there a specific reason i need to know that the lame joke you just told was told to you by your ex rather than your friend? 

3)  be confident dans la lit.  i'll keep this one short and sweet:  get that goofy, virgin grin off your face and get sweaty.  at least pretend it's not the best you've ever had, because i may be sitting there like, "is that it?".  not good for you.

4)  control your drinking.  this is a tough one for you alcoholics, but it's important.  it is not hot to be with the sloppy drunk at the bar.  i'd rather be with the nerd playing darts with his star wars groupies than with frank the tank.  women like to feel protected and secure when out in public, no matter how independent they are.  if you can't be strong enough to turn down another flu shot, how will you be strong enough for her when she needs you?  think about it.

5)  suppress the metrosexuality.  i love a groomed man with good taste, but when he makes the statement "i love shopping" more than me, it's a little bothersome.  i am not against metrosexuality at all, just don't flaunt it.  i have plenty of gay friends who can give me advice on which strappy sandals look best with my new bebe cocktail dress, ok?

a few more short thoughts to leave you pondering...take off your socks (you know what i mean)...at least act like you're interested in what she's saying...and shave your damn face once in a while (if i wanted to make out with a mountain man, i would move to the alps).

i'm going to hop off my soapbox for now and do some yoga.

listen to: "Glass Onion" by The Beatles..."Lady Madonna trying to make ends meet, yeah"

a letter to you, blog

dear blog,

i'm sorry i've been neglecting you. i just haven't been myself lately. i promise i'll make it up to you soon with wild stories of my latest travels and deep thoughts that stem from my recent revelations. here is a summary of the last few weeks of my life: a failed attempt at a carefree night of birthday debauchery that led to a new male interest; a weekend in st louis with some of the best friends i could ask for, who made up for my less than subperb birthday party via drunk karioke and a simple, less-than-extravagent night; some choreography and quality time with the love of my life (dance); a potential new opportunity to break into studio (i long for my own class in which i can teach my uninhibited style of dance); new friendships; old friendships that have been questioned and temporarily dismissed; the flu (ugh); potentially winning two bracket challenges (love march madness); and lastly: some peace and some love Love LOVE. when i check back with you i will bring many stories from a vegas get away with my boo and details on my freelance life. speaking of my boo, i must go eat sushi.....he is off work and dinner is waiting for me. love life.

you are not forgotten, blog. i'm just building some anticipation right now. something big may happen soon.

regards,

jenna lyn

listen to: "Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon...."someone like you and all you know and how you speak"

quarter century

this week, i am turning twenty-five years old, so i would like to dedicate this post to myself.  : )

in a quarter century, i can honestly say i've done a lot....

i've had the job of my dreams,

i've attended a church service at westminster abbey,

i've made someone cry tears of happiness,

i've hosted my own tv show,

i've fallen in love,

i've fallen out of love (and survived),

i've recited the lord's prayer at st paul's cathedral in central london,

i've lived in hawaii for a year,

i've had my breath taken away by ocean views and green mountains,

i've been blessed with the best friends a girl could ask for,

i've been scuba diving in the riviera maya,

i've learned that making people's day is the best feeling in the world,

i've discovered that you don't have to live your life by some kind of mold,

i've survived my parents divorce,

i've acquired two more wonderful parents and four amazing step-siblings,

i've made a commitment to develop a personal relationship with the lord,

i've been surfing in kauai,

i've accepted my mistakes and learned from them,

i've won the unwavering affection of a child (actually, two children),

i've reconciled relationships against all odds,

i've watched the sunset on the beach on new years eve,

i've driven almost halfway across the country to get home,

i've judged the most prestigious dance team competition in the world,

i've felt emotional pain that transpired into physical pain,

i've fallen to my knees in agony and despair,

i've learned how strong i am,

i've had some amazing experiences with my uda family that i will never forget,

i've developed friendships with people all over the world,

i've impacted thousands through dance,

i've learned to make my own decisions about my health and avoid quackery,

i've camped on the beach,

i've coached the most amazing dance team i could ever dream of,

i've worked hard to develop a strong resume for my future,

i've developed a strong, meaningful relationship with my brother,

i've partied my face off in times square and vegas,

i've choreographed dances that have been done throughout the nation,

i've learned to love myself unconditionally.  

twenty-five is going to be a great year.  trips on the schedule include a summer wedding in mexico, another great summer of dancing across the country, a two week trip to india for work/dance, a thanksgiving dubai visit, and another work/dance trip to rome over new years (tentative).  life couldn't be better.  

here's to the next twenty five years.  cheers.

listen to:  Come Home by One Republic...."i get lost in the beauty of everything i see, the world aint half as bad as they paint it to be"

deepak said it best

"in the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you." ~ deepak chopra

the past few days i have been beyond the point of frazzlement.  when i decided to take 12 grad credit hours while teaching and pursuing my dance career, i laughed when people said i was crazy.  i get it now.  this week alone, i have a take home midterm, the first draft of my research paper due (which i am trying to get published), midterm grades for my classes due, my regular assignments for online courses, lesson plans to create, and friends/family/personal time.

this morning i had a nice little reminder to slow down and breathe that i would like to share.  kids always know the right thing to say at the right time.  it's fascinating.  my niece came in to my room early this morning.  i was happy to see her, but i have to admit that a little annoyance crossed me because i knew she wouldn't leave me alone for awhile (we love pajama time).  she had a little note rolled up in her hand, like some magical scroll, and presented it to me.  i opened it, only to reveal some pink squiggles (she can only write her name right now....she's the innocent age of four).  i asked her to read it to me, and this is what she said: 

"dear aunt jenna, i hope all your wishes come true.  also, remember to sing everyday".  

: )

listen to:  My Girl by The Temptations..."I've got sunshine on a cloudy day"