What's New Wednesday: A photo, a dream

Tomorrow marks a two-year dream brought to fruition. After countless hours planning, organizing and executing, the idea to create an arts component stemmed from literature within a program supporting at-risk youth has become a reality. Thanks to my supervisor, partner organizations, volunteers, teachers and of course, our students we will host our first ever Words Alive Teen Services Student Exhibit at Space 4 Art.

Based on the American classic The Great Gatsby, our objective was to unify the Words Alive Adolescent Book Group (ABG) sites within the Juvenile Community & Court Schools (JCCS) while enhancing the book reading experience and encouraging students to think critically between themes in books and their own environment.

Students completed a two-part photography workshop designed by Words Alive partner, Project Love Out Loud and were tasked to take photos of core themes from The Great Gatsby: conspicuous consumption, the American Dream and the pursuit of happiness. The photos were curated by the Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA), and the exhibit was installed by Mesa College Museum Studies students. The exhibit is scheduled to run May 1-May 31, Tuesday through Saturday from 11am-4pm at Space 4 Art, located at 325 15th Street, San Diego, CA 92101. A special "VIP" reception will be hosted May 1 from 6-8pm with a public reception on May 17.

Visit, support and enjoy!

Motivation Monday: Anew

Negril 2008 - best buds always together

In an effort to grieve, heal and move on, I decided to close the book on 2014 and start anew. With deaths, funerals, the CCU, life support, sadness, frustration, life insurance discussions and sleepless nights, I'm just over it. I'm ready for a fresh start and not willing to wait until 2015. So, I decided to create my own 'NYE' and plan to not accept any more bad news.  Or at least not let it affect me and rather focus on the silver lining. Take that, 2014. =)

With not much else to type or proclaim, I turn to these words...

“A bridge of silver wings stretches from the dead ashes of an unforgiving nightmare 

to the jeweled vision of a life started anew.”
― Aberjhani, The River of Winged Dreams

A symbolic sandwich

On the day of Grandpa Jerry's viewing, I cannot help but think of a sandwich. A peanut butter and pickle sandwich. An unlikely pairing that serves as a family staple, passed down through generations as if an heirloom.

As an 'in-law', the PB&P is a type of initiation - a rite of passage. While disgusting as it sounds, I've learned to tolerate the taste to appease my enthusiastic husband's wishes - until he comes home from Costco with an industrial-sized jar of pickles and a dual pack of peanut butter, that is. =)

In doing a bit of research on this cult-like sandwich, I learned the PB&P sandwich appeared on lunch menus during the Great Depression and within cookbooks in the 1930s. Basically, a lot of people’s grandparents used to eat them. And still do - just in heaven.

So, here's to you, Grandpa Jerry and your affinity for the peanut butter and pickle sandwich. May your spirit - and the PB&P - live on in our hearts and bellies.

RIP. Godspeed. Eternal love.

Motivation Monday: Stop comparing

By virtue of being human, I think most people are innately competitive - whether they admit it to themselves or not. It's ingrained - within our genetic make-up. And while boasting a healthy competitive drive is somewhat necessary for success, it should not dictate one's life. Nor should it lead to comparisons. 

Thanks to the blog Becomingminalist, here is a list of why comparing is a slippery slope.

1. Comparisons are always unfair. We typically compare the worst we know of ourselves to the best we presume about others.
2. Comparisons rob us of precious time. We each get 86,400 seconds each day. And using even one to compare yourself or your accomplishments to another is one second too many.
3. You are too unique to compare fairly. Your gifts and talents and successes and contributions and value are entirely unique to you and your purpose in this world. They can never be properly compared to anyone else.
4. You have nothing to gain, but much to lose. For example: your pride, your dignity, your drive, and your passion.
5. Comparison puts focus on the wrong person. You can control one life—yours. But when we constantly compare ourselves to others, we waste precious energy focusing on other peoples’ lives rather than our own.
6. Comparisons often result in resentment. Resentment towards others and towards ourselves.
7. Comparisons deprive us of joy. They add no value, meaning, or fulfillment to our lives. They only distract from it.

And here is a guide to stop comparing.

• Become aware of your own successes
• Pursue the greater things in life
• Compete less. Appreciate more. 
• Gratitude, gratitude, gratitude. 
• Remind yourself nobody is perfect
• Find inspiration without comparison
• If you need to compare, compare with yourself.

Tasty Tuesday: What's for dinner?

Here's what we cooked up tonight! Cobb salad topped with pesto chicken.

Ingredients:

• Salad mix
• Grape tomatoes
• Cucumbers
• Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• Avocado
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Chicken breast
• Pesto

Directions

• Wash and dice veggies
• Wash salad
• Cut up boiled eggs
• Cut up avocado
• Arrange salad
• Wash chicken and place on grill
• Top with pesto
• Cut and place on salad

Easy peezy...

Motivation Monday: Celebrating Life

Saying goodbye is never easy. In my lifetime, the goodbyes have proven to be some of my most difficult, gut-wrenching, surreal yet precious memories. Saying goodbye to my mother 12-years ago and most recently making the heart-breaking decision to remove my older brother from life support, I know what it's like to say your final words and cherish your final embraces. Those moments stay with me; they are now a part of my internal make-up. 

Despite the overwhelming sense of helplessness when saying goodbye, the ability to share your loved ones' final moments is a gift. One to be treasured.

Sadly, my husband and his family are faced with this reality. Grandpa Jerry is in hospice. In a few short days, we will be traveling to Chicago to say our goodbyes. I know the family is hurting as grandpa Jerry is the pillar of strength, connector and glue. It's grandpa that provides advice, stability, tough love, memories and of course the family song. He is the strong one and now is in the position where he needs his children, grandchildren, and family by his side. The winds have shifted.

But as my husband and family grieve, the one thing that has become very clear to me is that this is an opportunity to celebrate grandpa Jerry - it's a time to honor his life, preserve the amazing memories and let him know it's okay to go.

Regardless of the beauty in life and death, the idea of celebrating is the furthest thing from our minds. But it's important to remember death is the only guarantee in life, and if given the chance, we should embrace these final moments to let grandpa Jerry know he is loved. So, here are some ways to say goodbye.

• Touch your loved one in a way that is comforting. Let your physical presence be part of what nurtures a place of trust.
• Tell your loved one you love him/her. Share memories. Cry. Laugh. Sit in silence.
• Forgive your loved one of any past estrangement/ behavior/words
• Give your loved one permission to let go 

We love you grandpa Jerry. 

Thrifty Thursday: Scarf Pants

 

Channel the 70's and step into the comfortable, soft yet funky scarf pants. Check out some inexpensive options.

F21 $17.80

Love21 $24.80 (actually wore this pair on Wednesday!)

Love21 $29.80

Tasty Tuesday: Healthy Lunch

Here's proof! Thanks to Trader Joes, I have supplied myself with easy, healthy lunches. Check it out.

 

I simply toasted sourdough bread, added spicy/jalapeno/cilantro hummus and topped with sprout peas, tomatoes and cucumbers. Then for my sides, I added a cutie for a little sweet factor; then, cut up peppers and crackers with a 70 calorie individualized brie. It was almost too much to eat...almost.