Okay, immediately get your minds out of the gutter.
Now, let's proceed... :)
This is a follow up about one of the topics I mentioned in my last blog. I have a huge desire to be passionate about what I am doing in life. I feel like I go through life day by day working at my job because I cannot figure out anything else I could do to make this much money and not commute into San Francisco. For my lovely readers from other states, the traffic is absolutely horrendous during rush hour, if there is an accident, if there is bad weather like fog...etc.
However being around the amazing Bobbi (http://www.bobbiandmike.com/index2.php), I decided there must be a way to absolutely LOVE what I do every day. I hate the feeling of waking up and inwardly groaning that I have to go to work. I'm not saying I don't want to work. I'm saying I want to be passionate about what I do. Watching Bobbi take pictures, it was very clear that she not only loves what she does but is also really good at it. That's what I want.
I was talking to David about this, and he told me that most people don't love their jobs. To this, I replied that I don't care what most people decide to do with their lives. If people want to schlub through life day by day, that's their choice. Not me. I want to live an extraordinary life. What I'm doing from 8am-5pm right now just isn't cutting it.
My other issue is that I'm not one of those lucky people who immediately know what they were created to do--Musician, dancer, teacher, doctor, whatever. I'm really not sure what God has for me to do. Also, I do not have a special talent. (This is probably the only reason I was not Miss America...nothing to do during the talent competition! Um yeah.) So, what does this average Jane do? No really, I'm asking. What do I do? How do I live a life where I am passionate about what I do every day?
I feel like this was a little dramatic today. So be it. I feel dramatic.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Goodness
This past week was filled with so much goodness.
I shared in one of my very best friends' weddings. I am beyond happy for Jess and Bobby. They have a beautiful life ahead together. I told Jess a long time ago when they were in the "falling in love" stage that my life and marriage with David are so good that if anyone settles for less than what we have I feel sorry for them. I think Jess and Bobby have what David and I have. It is not a quality I can name but some indescribable combination of things that I know when I see. Truthfully, I don't see it very often, even in married couples.
Jess was one of the most beautiful brides ever--I know people say that at everyone's wedding, but this is true. All of the bridesmaids would just stare at her because she was that breathtaking.
I got to play dress up with a couple of old friends and a couple of new friends. There is really nothing I like better than doing hair and make up, putting on beautiful clothes and jewelry, and feeling fabulous. Love the hair, love the shoes, love it, love it, love it.
I did not have to work! I was much in need of time away from email and my outlook calendar. (I'm back at work now and already dreaming of my next time off...) Consequently, the wedding photographer inspired me to figure out what I love doing and then start doing it. Hmmm....the tricky part is figuring out what that is. Any suggestions from my wonderful readers/stalkers?
I loved being around a sister and friends who know me so well that I can just be myself without any explaining. That level of friend is hard to come by, and I really do cherish them. I leave you with a final pic that is a keeper. Love these ladies like whoa.
Many more thoughts and insights from last week to come in future bloggage, so stay tuned for more!
I shared in one of my very best friends' weddings. I am beyond happy for Jess and Bobby. They have a beautiful life ahead together. I told Jess a long time ago when they were in the "falling in love" stage that my life and marriage with David are so good that if anyone settles for less than what we have I feel sorry for them. I think Jess and Bobby have what David and I have. It is not a quality I can name but some indescribable combination of things that I know when I see. Truthfully, I don't see it very often, even in married couples.
Jess was one of the most beautiful brides ever--I know people say that at everyone's wedding, but this is true. All of the bridesmaids would just stare at her because she was that breathtaking.
I got to play dress up with a couple of old friends and a couple of new friends. There is really nothing I like better than doing hair and make up, putting on beautiful clothes and jewelry, and feeling fabulous. Love the hair, love the shoes, love it, love it, love it.
I did not have to work! I was much in need of time away from email and my outlook calendar. (I'm back at work now and already dreaming of my next time off...) Consequently, the wedding photographer inspired me to figure out what I love doing and then start doing it. Hmmm....the tricky part is figuring out what that is. Any suggestions from my wonderful readers/stalkers?
I loved being around a sister and friends who know me so well that I can just be myself without any explaining. That level of friend is hard to come by, and I really do cherish them. I leave you with a final pic that is a keeper. Love these ladies like whoa.
Many more thoughts and insights from last week to come in future bloggage, so stay tuned for more!
Friday, July 2, 2010
WORD for your Friday
I LOVE my new Bible. I think I say that quite often. It is the Life Application Study Bible in the NASB version. I HIGHLY recommend it. I am more excited to read the Word than I have been in a few years. It has many amazing features including footnotes about historical context, footnotes about life application of verses, profiles of different people from each book, an overview of each book, and many more really useful tools. Warning: It is also a fatty version of the Bible.
It is literally like I'm reading the Bible for the first time again. Amazing. It is so good that my Bible scholar of a husband keeps trying to steal it from me. I have held firm though insisting he will have to get his own!
So, I thought I would share a couple of thoughts from my recent reading:
1. John 20:1 "Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance."
We read elsewhere that Jesus basically was no longer governed by physical law when he suddenly appeared in a room where the disciples were hanging out. Why then, did he roll away the stone to the tomb? He did not need to do that to get out of the tomb. Jesus rolled away the stone, so the disciples could get into the tomb and see that He was risen. A lot of times, God does things in our lives a certain way, so WE can see His actions and recognize what He has done.
2. John 20:13-16 'They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?" "They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. "Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).'
Mary did not expect to see Jesus. It was beyond her reasoning that He would be there and be alive. She was looking at her grief and not her God. How many times are we blinded to recognizing Jesus because we don't expect to see Him in our situation?
Shabaaam.
It is literally like I'm reading the Bible for the first time again. Amazing. It is so good that my Bible scholar of a husband keeps trying to steal it from me. I have held firm though insisting he will have to get his own!
So, I thought I would share a couple of thoughts from my recent reading:
1. John 20:1 "Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance."
We read elsewhere that Jesus basically was no longer governed by physical law when he suddenly appeared in a room where the disciples were hanging out. Why then, did he roll away the stone to the tomb? He did not need to do that to get out of the tomb. Jesus rolled away the stone, so the disciples could get into the tomb and see that He was risen. A lot of times, God does things in our lives a certain way, so WE can see His actions and recognize what He has done.
2. John 20:13-16 'They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?" "They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. "Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).'
Mary did not expect to see Jesus. It was beyond her reasoning that He would be there and be alive. She was looking at her grief and not her God. How many times are we blinded to recognizing Jesus because we don't expect to see Him in our situation?
Shabaaam.
Monday, June 28, 2010
What's on your ipod?
Most of the time, my plane travel is mundane (like that vocab?). However once in a while, life throws me a little gem. The following events happened recently while I was flying to Oregon.
I was sitting next to a twenty-something lady. We were both reading and minding our own business. All of a sudden, techno music starts playing loudly in the row behind me. I assumed some teenager was probably behind me was enjoying their music. Being the world traveler that I am, I do not stare or comment on travel issues--I would spend all my travel time upset about something. Crying baby? It happens. Bad smell? It happens. Etc. Etc.
After about 10 minutes of techno without singing, the music transitioned to a techno version of "Don't You Wish Your Girlfriend Was Hot Like Me?" Now, if you are familiar with techno at all, you understand that most techno songs are REALLY long. After about 8 minutes of "Don't You Wish Your Girlfriend Was Hot Like Me," the girl next to me starts to fidget. I look over at her, and our eyes meet. We silently communicate, "Really? How much longer can this possibly go?" I notice the other passengers across the aisle starting to grow restless. I just couldn't help myself. I turned around....to see this guy--headphones on, staring straight at the back of my seat totally oblivious:
I busted out laughing as soon as I turned back around, and so did the girl next to me. I guess he thought his headphones were plugged into his ipod but really the music was playing out loud and not through his head phones.
HILARIOUS. I guess you just never know what is on someone's ipod. I am still laughing as I write this.
P.S. I secretly snapped this photo as we were standing up to deplane because I already knew I had to blog about my techno friend. Sneaky. :)
I was sitting next to a twenty-something lady. We were both reading and minding our own business. All of a sudden, techno music starts playing loudly in the row behind me. I assumed some teenager was probably behind me was enjoying their music. Being the world traveler that I am, I do not stare or comment on travel issues--I would spend all my travel time upset about something. Crying baby? It happens. Bad smell? It happens. Etc. Etc.
After about 10 minutes of techno without singing, the music transitioned to a techno version of "Don't You Wish Your Girlfriend Was Hot Like Me?" Now, if you are familiar with techno at all, you understand that most techno songs are REALLY long. After about 8 minutes of "Don't You Wish Your Girlfriend Was Hot Like Me," the girl next to me starts to fidget. I look over at her, and our eyes meet. We silently communicate, "Really? How much longer can this possibly go?" I notice the other passengers across the aisle starting to grow restless. I just couldn't help myself. I turned around....to see this guy--headphones on, staring straight at the back of my seat totally oblivious:
I busted out laughing as soon as I turned back around, and so did the girl next to me. I guess he thought his headphones were plugged into his ipod but really the music was playing out loud and not through his head phones.
HILARIOUS. I guess you just never know what is on someone's ipod. I am still laughing as I write this.
P.S. I secretly snapped this photo as we were standing up to deplane because I already knew I had to blog about my techno friend. Sneaky. :)
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Deep Thought: Soccer
Deep thoughts by Jack Handey, I mean Lara Jackson.
Okay, I'll share one from Jack:
http://www.deepthoughtsbyjackhandey.com/media.asp?file=150
Now, here's my deep thought. Sorry for the slightly bitter tone, but it's my blog, and I'll be bitter if I want to.
There is a certain group of American males that cannot seem to appreciate the sport of soccer and complain throughout the World Cup on facebook, twitter, etc about it. (I typically picture this group of males grunting while they watch AMERICAN football. You know the ones I'm talking about--they say soccer is boring, too slow, blah, blah, blah. It does not take a genius to figure out that AMERICAN football scores would be lower if each touchdown were not worth 6 points--I think this math may be too difficult though as many of them cannot seem to understand.) If the entire world says that soccer is the best sport, why can they not appreciate it or at least shut up until the World Cup is over? It's not like those of us who like soccer complain throughout the year while football and basketball dominate the sports channels and a lot of network prime time. Needless to say, their ignorance (is that the right word?) bugs me and makes me want to kick a soccer ball at their faces.
Love,
Lara
P.S. Soccer is the most popular youth sport in America.
P.P.S. I bet if the U.S. wins the World Cup, the previously mentioned group of men will be waving the American flag and acting like they actually know what off sides means.
Okay, I'll share one from Jack:
http://www.deepthoughtsbyjackhandey.com/media.asp?file=150
Now, here's my deep thought. Sorry for the slightly bitter tone, but it's my blog, and I'll be bitter if I want to.
There is a certain group of American males that cannot seem to appreciate the sport of soccer and complain throughout the World Cup on facebook, twitter, etc about it. (I typically picture this group of males grunting while they watch AMERICAN football. You know the ones I'm talking about--they say soccer is boring, too slow, blah, blah, blah. It does not take a genius to figure out that AMERICAN football scores would be lower if each touchdown were not worth 6 points--I think this math may be too difficult though as many of them cannot seem to understand.) If the entire world says that soccer is the best sport, why can they not appreciate it or at least shut up until the World Cup is over? It's not like those of us who like soccer complain throughout the year while football and basketball dominate the sports channels and a lot of network prime time. Needless to say, their ignorance (is that the right word?) bugs me and makes me want to kick a soccer ball at their faces.
Love,
Lara
P.S. Soccer is the most popular youth sport in America.
P.P.S. I bet if the U.S. wins the World Cup, the previously mentioned group of men will be waving the American flag and acting like they actually know what off sides means.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Food so good....
Restaurant review: Tommaso's Italian Restaurant
Yesterday, we ate at one of the best restaurants I have visited in many moons. Tommaso's Italian Restaurant is in a pretty seedy part of North Beach (aka Little Italy) in San Francisco--think many places for adults only nearby. We chose to ignore the surroundings in favor of the rave reviews. I am sooooooo glad we did.
We arrived at ~5:30 on a Sunday evening, and there was already a line out the door. Tommaso's has a pretty small dining room and does not take reservations. So, I recommend you go early to avoid a long wait. We were seated around 6pm, and it was very worth the 1/2 hour standing in a crowded entry. David and I split a small pizza with italian sausage and a bowl of spaghetti with meat sauce. The pizza at Tommaso's has been voted the best in San Francisco multiple times, and it is certainly the best I have tasted--maybe anywhere. You could taste the fresh wood-fired dough, amazing cheese, home made sauce, and mild italian sausage simultaneously. The meat sauce on the spaghetti was rich and had deep flavors...so refreshing in a day when most restaurants dump Preggo on noodles.
Friends, this food was so good, I literally just wanted to stuff it all in my mouth so I could taste it more. I probably won't go anywhere else to eat in Little Italy from now on. A-MAZING.
Check it out: http://tommasos.com
My review? Food so good, it makes you wanna slap yo mama...
Yesterday, we ate at one of the best restaurants I have visited in many moons. Tommaso's Italian Restaurant is in a pretty seedy part of North Beach (aka Little Italy) in San Francisco--think many places for adults only nearby. We chose to ignore the surroundings in favor of the rave reviews. I am sooooooo glad we did.
We arrived at ~5:30 on a Sunday evening, and there was already a line out the door. Tommaso's has a pretty small dining room and does not take reservations. So, I recommend you go early to avoid a long wait. We were seated around 6pm, and it was very worth the 1/2 hour standing in a crowded entry. David and I split a small pizza with italian sausage and a bowl of spaghetti with meat sauce. The pizza at Tommaso's has been voted the best in San Francisco multiple times, and it is certainly the best I have tasted--maybe anywhere. You could taste the fresh wood-fired dough, amazing cheese, home made sauce, and mild italian sausage simultaneously. The meat sauce on the spaghetti was rich and had deep flavors...so refreshing in a day when most restaurants dump Preggo on noodles.
Friends, this food was so good, I literally just wanted to stuff it all in my mouth so I could taste it more. I probably won't go anywhere else to eat in Little Italy from now on. A-MAZING.
Check it out: http://tommasos.com
My review? Food so good, it makes you wanna slap yo mama...
Friday, June 18, 2010
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