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 |   This will include story ideas, my opinions, and general layouts of the day. |
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** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Welcome to Jessica's Ramblings! WARNING!This journal is pretty creative and can be off the wall! But, I think most people enjoy that anyway.  As I'm getting back into journaling, this journal will contain my picture party blog from Blogger, story/poem ideas and highlighting of pieces I'm proud of. Sometimes you may even get a review of my day.  Sit back and enjoy!
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Secret Life of Blogger's Blog Party: Hoping Dawn Will Bring a Sign  I am sitting at SocraTea in Detroit; 3.5 hours until my bus departs to Toledo, OH then back home. I have a lot to be thankful for this week. Two of the apartment complexes I looked at were full, but the third one should have openings in June. The land lord liked me and handed me the application to fill out when I get home. She has no doubt that now I can say I'm moving that doors should open for me. :) I just inquired at SocraTea; the owner is not in tonight, but the employee is going to get my information. I feel like things are finally falling into place, but I still have my fingers crossed. I am proud of myself for not giving up and the determination. Ah, life feels so good and I just feel grateful for everything with people helping me and believing in me.  |
| Hi everyone! I hope everyone had a good week. Mine was pretty good; I heard from two apartments in Michigan (one in Roseville, MI and the other is in Fraser, MI... I'm looking in the Roseville area and Fraser is 7 minutes away from Roseville and also on a bus route). I booked a trip to Michigan and I will be leaving on Amtrak on May 12, will arrive in Detroit then Roseville/Fraser on May 13th, staying for 2 days and I'll be home on May 16 (I have to order that ticket tonight... I bought the ticket going already). I'm so excited. On Monday I am going to call Kelly Temp Agency and maybe the Office Team to let them know I will be moving and if I could send them my resume. I am also going to try libraries: Roseville Public Library Detroit Public Library (This one was featured in the travel guide we have at the library) It seems like most libraries are like the UM Library; you have to apply in person. I'm going to give them a call on Monday as well, see if they're hiring and I might try grade school libraries. I hope I don't need a masters for a school library and hopefully my experience with UM (and West Chester although that was more technology writing) can help. I'll see what university libraries are hiring too (I know that will be experience because most of those want a MLIS). I'm really, really excited, but also a little nervous. I can't wait to start this new path in my life. Tomorrow I'm heading to the Kitty Cottage in PA (where we adopted our cats in 2008) just to see the cats. I think I might ask them if they know any places in Michigan because I'd love to volunteer in the future. Oh, I finished the National Poetry Write Month challenge on Wednesday. Take a look: "Invalid Item" by A Guest Visitor Please check out my blog: The Secret Life of Blogger's Blog Party: Somewhere I Belong (4/26-5/2) Here are other things I worked on this week: "Invalid Entry" "Invalid Entry" "Invalid Item" by A Guest Visitor "Invalid Item" by A Guest Visitor "Invalid Item" by A Guest Visitor I hope everyone has a good weekend!  Jessica** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
| Hey everyone, It's been a good week: I hope everyone had a good Easter and week. I accomplished quite a bit, which is on my blog: The Secret Life of Blogger's Blog Party: Bringing Me Back Like Encore . Enjoy!  ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only **
The writer is the engineer of the human soul.
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| It's day 17 of NaPoWriMo and 2 years since my tuxedo cat, Olivia, crossed the rainbow bridge. In honor of Olivia, I'm going to be writing an elegy. An elegy first began as a Greek form then expanded to include "the elements that mirrors three stages of loss. First, there is a lament, where the speaker expresses grief and sorrow, then praise and admiration of the idealized dead, and finally consolation and solace." A famous elegy is "O Captain! My Captain!" by Walt Whitman that captures the death of President Abraham Lincoln. For My Baby Tuxedo (Cat) Girl: Olivia Oh, Olivia! my Olivia! Although you spent years in squalid conditions and neglect, your struggle was overcome once you were placed at the Kitty Cottage, you warmed up quickly. The elderly volunteers just doted over you and thus put you on my lap to hold! We welcomed you into our house, along with Mimi, and instantly filled our hearts with joy! Oh Olivia! my Olivia! wipe your tears and rise; Rise for the heavens are filled with warm blankets Party Mix and now nan's gentle hands that you loved so, Olivia, your tuxedo coat shines in the glistening sun, For you everyone called you, their faces lighting up as you licked; playing with catnip or belly rubs! dear Olivia, we all loved you! Nan especially, her hand rubbing under chin! That night she heard of your demise, she cried, and it seems like this cold year death surely did win. My Olivia does not answer, her eyes are closed and still, my Olivia does not feel my tears, she has no cuddles nor will, for thirteen years she struggled, the last four safe and sound, we were her refuge from abuse; her journey now done, from a turbulent and calm sail, it was her heart that won; Praise! May she bring others hope! But, as dad and I drive home awash with dread, in a white Styrofoam container, my Olivia lies soggy, limp, cold and dead. I'm thankful that Olivia was in my life. When we adopted both Mimi and Olivia in 2008, we only intended to adopt one cat at the Kitty Cottage (dad's old co-worker used to volunteer there). On a hot August day in 2008, mom and I split up to look at cats. An elderly volunteer saw me playing with a few cats, motioned me to come and placed Olivia on my lap. We just bonded and I fell instantly in love. Mom then came and saw Olivia. She found Mimi and mom connected with Mimi. We were torn. The following week mom and dad went back to the Kitty Cottage (dad asked me the name of the cat I was playing with and I told him, "Olivia."). When they came back home, both mom and dad announced: "We're going to adopt both cats! We just love them." Olivia was technically my cat, Mimi my parents, but Olivia was dad's best buddy as well. Olivia was 13 when we adopted her, a lot of people were surprised we adopted an "old lady." She was rescued from a house of 40 and only had 3 teeth left. Mimi was 4 when we adopted her. It was sudden when Olivia urinated on the floor and then collapsed. Dad thinks she died before we got her to the car - dad managed to get dressed, but I was in my nightgown when we went to the ER, the ER that was 30 minutes away, but they couldn't resuscitate her or revive her heart. I called nan after Olivia was pronounced dead and she was very sad because Olivia was nan's buddy too. It's sad to think that 9 months later I would lose nan - 2012 was an up and down year. Anyway, I read a book today after work about the death of an animal. The book suggested if there is another pet, pets grieve and they suggested showing things to the animal. I remember when dad carried Olivia's box inside and placed it on the kitchen floor. Mimi knew something was wrong and Mimi came over and looked at the white styrofoam container and her eyes watered. Dad said, "Yeah, Mimi, your sister died." We all cried that night. Mom had a business trip the next day and I had to stay later at work for computer club; dad buried Olivia in her favorite spot: in the backyard next to the flower bed in the sun. Nan, dad and I couldn't really eat that night. Even Mimi felt weird, she was sniffing and licking the places Olivia used to like. Olivia was a matriarch, so I think it was different for Mimi to get full attention now. However, Mimi still lays next to Olivia's resting place from time to time when she's in the backyard. She likes to visit her sister. Olivia is one of the few cats I've had in my life that has passed over the rainbow bridge and I'm glad I had her and the others in my life. |
| Here are a few new items to my portfolio! My goal this week is to write at least 3 poems. I've added a new entry to my book, "Invalid Item" :"Invalid Entry"
I'm thinking of making a folder for Monoxide. I do write about him a lot. :D http://clayxmatthewsxfan89.blogspot.com/2014/03/100-days-of-happy-day-78-monoxid... |
| Last night the library held diversity night 2014. I ran the German table and I believe it was successful. On Monday, my bear celebrated his 7th birthday, so I figured for a project I could have children make him a birthday card. Let me tell you how interesting it was to teach young children how to say "Herzlichen Gluckwunsch zum Geburtstag!" or "Happy Birthday" in German. I had a few four year olds who didn't know how to write, so I was teaching English and German at the same time. It was fun, though, and they enjoyed making the cards. They loved my stuffed animal. That put a smile on my face. Oh, I did end up shortening it to "Frohe Geburtstag!" to make it easier. Everyone also enjoyed my travel pictures from when I went to Germany, Austria and Switzerland in 2007. Everyone enjoyed my stories about my trip and loved seeing my Dirndl, or the traditional dress a lady would wear. My German chocolate cupcakes were popular, but the German potato salad... not so much. Here is the recipe: 3 cups diced peeled potatoes 4 slices bacon 1 small onion, diced 1/4 cup white vinegar 2 tablespoons water 3 tablespoons white sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper Place the potatoes into a pot, and fill with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook for about 10 minutes, or until easily pierced with a fork. Drain, and set aside to cool. Place the bacon in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Fry until browned and crisp, turning as needed. Remove from the pan and set aside. Add onion to the bacon grease, and cook over medium heat until browned. Add the vinegar, water, sugar, salt and pepper to the pan. Bring to a boil, then add the potatoes and parsley. Crumble in half of the bacon. Heat through, then transfer to a serving dish. Crumble the remaining bacon over the top, and serve warm. Sadly, I couldn't really leave the table to see the Irish, Hindi, and Spanish dances, but when everyone was watching the dances I did have the opportunity to walk around the other cultural tables and trying some Peruvian and Polish food. The food was delicious and I enjoyed the Peruvian cola. It was a really nice time and I hope to carry on this idea to wherever I work in Michigan. |
Written For:"Blog City Prompt Forum" by Lyn's a Witchy Woman  Prompt:Today is the beginning of Mardi Gras. Have you ever been? What do you think of the festivities? If you did go, what carnival costume would you pick? If you live else where are there similar festivities? Inquiring minds want to know. I never have been to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, but I would love to go some day. I'm 24.5, I'll be 25 in July, so I guess I'm still a newbie to the drinking world. I think it could be fun, but I wouldn't get crazy and I wouldn't flash anyone for beads either. I think that's really sexist and doesn't appeal to me at all. I'd pick a Jester or Wizard because those appeal to me. I live outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but will be locating to Detroit, Michigan. I know my town doesn't really have anything similar, but I'm not sure about Detroit. Can't wait to find out next year! :) |
Day #50: Half way through 100 Days of Happy and I have noticed a difference. :) However, today is my 8 year anniversary on Writing.com. It has been a great 8 years! I remember when I joined Writing.com on February 24, 2006. I was in 10th grade, it was a month after the school called voicing their concerns about me and my suicide attempt. I was in computer writing class and my friend at the time was on Writing.com. I actually was a member in 2002, but I forgot my username and password. I decided to give it another try, especially as an older teen and someone more serious about writing. I'm glad I did and here I am 8 years later. It's funny, 8 years ago I was worried about work much like today and had some other things going on. I'm hoping in the next 8 years I will be settled in Detroit and have a wonderful job as well as some wonderful new friends. I try to post a look back every year, but I didn't last year. I think I was just overwhelmed with grief from nan's death, was getting off of some medication and a bunch of other things going on. I feel better this year, which is great, but I still do have something I need to overcome. I know I'll be writing about it and will be posting it to writing.com. For my surprise today, I edited my website and I added some poems I wrote last year to Lily of My Heart. I will be working on more poems tomorrow. :) Enjoy (please sign the guest book)!
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| Hi everyone! Happy Valentine’s Day! And it’s been a snowy one, even better! At least it’s been a relaxing day, even though I had to go into work for a little bit. We had a three hour delay and it was pretty quiet, so that was okay. I think I just have cabin fever and I look at any little thing to get out of the house for a little while. I’m staying in tonight, though, finally going to update my iPod and watch Cold Case Files. That’s usually what my Friday evenings consist of, though.If you're going out tonight: be safe! It’s been a busy week. On Saturday I participated in the Brandywine Valley Association’s (BVA) Polar Plunge. It was so much fun. I am in the process of typing a creative non-fiction piece about the plunge (I already created poem). I am going to copy what I have so far in this e-mail, but I promised to e-mail Cindy Jaros, the coordinator of the BVA, the final piece and I will send you a copy as well. It’ll be in PDF format because the title is in a special, wintry font (I thought it would be a nice touch). I hope you enjoy what I have so far. I Survived the Icy and Snowy BVA Polar Plunge The weather has finally broke—the sun rose behind the snow covered hills on the morning of February eighth. All week I’ve been worried that the Brandywine Creek would be frozen over, although my Midwestern friends had been joking with me that the Brandywine Valley Association, or BVA for short, could always cut a hole in the ice and that would be a true polar plunge. However, the thaw of 40˚on Friday reassured me when I went to bed that night that the Brandywine should be thawed and we can plunge. The BVA Polar Plunge began in 2008 and being curious to how it began, I e-mailed Cindy Jaros, the development director the Brandywine Valley Association, a few questions. She wrote that the BVA incorporated the polar plunge beginning with plans in 2007 with a trip to the beach to see how the Special Olympics of Delaware manages their plunges in Lewes, Delaware. The idea came about when Cindy started with the BVA in 2006 and a colleague, who is now an executive director of the Brandywine Valley Association now, pitched the idea to Cindy because no one was interested in the idea and he was hoping that she would think differently. The mission of the Brandywine Valley Association is to promote the restoration, preservation, conservation and enjoyment of the natural resources of the Brandywine Valley through education programs, environmental studies and projects, and technological advocacy. Since the Brandywine Valley Association is a watershed organization, Cindy could see that this type of event tied directly to the mission to ensure a clean Brandywine Creek, one that can be enjoyed recreationally. And as far as fundraisers go, most are held in spring and fall so I really liked the idea of a winter event as to not compete with as many agencies fundraising at different times of the year. It has been another snowy week, but I had fun building a snowman. I also took a lot of photographs; I’m finally learning filter features on my DSLR camera. I am going to share them with you along with the polar plunge poem and some other poems: http://clayxmatthewsxfan89.blogspot.com/2014/02/secret-life-of-bloggers-blog-par... I hope you have a great weekend and an awesome week next week. Take care, Jessica |
The West Comes to New Jersey for Super Bowl (The Weed Bowl) Jessica Marie I sit on my tan La-Z-Boy recliner, my rendition of Red Robin's Freckled Lemonade with a half an ounce of vodka in hand. The red strawberries stain the yellow lemonade, while I devour chicken wings and meatballs waiting for the clock to strike six; Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos flying to New Jersey from the West, yet they lucked out with weather-- 52 degrees in February, yet it'll snow tomorrow. I'm hoping for Derrick Coleman, the third deaf player for play for the NFL, his mantra of not giving up remind me, remind me of my struggles and not to give up. Yet, the Seahawks flog the Broncos-- 42-8, blown out, maybe from the pit they legalized? Facebook and NFL Memes seem to think so, but it's interesting, yet embarrassing: I'm going to miss football for six months and I hope 2015 is a Packers/Ravens Super Bowl! I'm going to highlight a piece from my portfolio. It shares my feelings from last night. Here is an e-mail from a friend giving me feedback and the suggestion for the title: I'm certainly not going to say that I like it, as that seems the completely wrong word to use given that I know what the poem is about; however, I do think that it is a good piece of writing. How about "The Packers Fleece"? That name symbolizes what you lost that night, and I don't mean just the jacket. "Invalid Item" by A Guest Visitor Have a good day! It's snowing here. I say we have about 8 inches here. |
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