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April 30, 2008
old friend ....

black sands, costa rica ~ canon 20d
she had been through it.
possibly the worst i could ever imagine.
and she has come out on the other side of things.
forever changed but so so real and genuine and beautiful.
she had been through it.
the nightmare that lasted a couple years.
with ugly lies behind every corner.
and she made it out alive and strong and so very wise.
she had been through it.
the thing that would have dissolved my faith in god and humans and life.
but she held on and she never let go of what she remembered
to be most important... and she is lifetimes ahead of all of us and
she doesnt even know it.
not only had she been through it, but those innocent babies had as well.
and though she could barely lift her head on most days, she took charge as a fierce momma lion, and made sure they got everything they needed even when her barrel was broken and empty. and i think she is one of the most bravest moms i know. and those kids are so grounded and so amazing and so so incredible.
we had lunch the other day. and she said to me:
"im really happy with my life today"
and it was like the best news i had heard all year. to see a friend come out on the other side of things is seriously one of the most sacred things in life to witness.
to see a broken spirit transform into strength, courage, wisdom , and love is
a priceless miracle.
im so very proud of you.
Posted by jen at 09:18 AM | link | Comments (0)
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April 29, 2008
Fourteen. . .

little flowers, canon 20d
my prayers, my heart, my thoughts,
to the Cecala family.
When something like this happens, we all go to the place of
"if only..." I know his parents, his coaches, his friends, his teachers, his
siblings, his team mates, are all thinking about the last words spoken, the last
emotions exchanged...
These thoughts can torture.
Guilt drives us to focus on every single thing we didnt do perfectly.
And guilt erases every single thing that we did just right.
I think what we have to remember is that, there is an unexplained mystery to life and death that is beyond our control and beyond our ability to understand.
I would like to believe that once the soul is free from the tangles of this human life, that only the beautiful memories remain in their heart. I am certain that if this sweet boy could leave one last message he would beg of you all to remember the deep love, and the wonderful friendships, and the victories, and the humor, and the joy that each of you shared with him.
But I know, it takes a long time to get to a place of peace when the loss leaves you torn from head to toe. . .
Life gets to be pretty fast.
And life turns on a dime.
And sometimes things just dont make any sense.
"you and me,
walk on,
walk on,
walk on,
because you cant go back now..."
~ the weepies
Posted by jen at 08:47 AM | link | Comments (0)
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April 27, 2008
spring shoe pick 2008

what i wore, canon 20 d
if i have to pick one shoe to plug this spring
it is,
hands down,
these shoes from dr. scholls.
they are seriously the most comfortable shoes i have ever worn.
you can wear them with a cute skirt
or hike through a muddy jungle
all in the same day.
Posted by jen at 01:39 PM | link | Comments (0)
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April 25, 2008
after school special. . . .

playground, costa rica ~ canon 20 d
please dont ever let me forget how much better it is when we take the time to play...
Posted by jen at 12:03 PM | link | Comments (0)
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April 24, 2008
..............

perro perdido, costa rica
Posted by jen at 11:00 AM | link | Comments (0)
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April 23, 2008
pura vida.

mud baths, canon 20 d
one of the most spectacular days of our trip
involved loads of mud and sweat.
after climbing down the mountain, through the rain forest,
we came upon a river that made natural swimming pools
around the rocks.... above us we could here the waterfall
and around us we heard the monkeys, wild birds, frogs, and
noises we couldnt identify.
the best is that no other human was around.
on the banks of the river was this magical mud...the best mud in the whole wide world. you plaster it all over your body and then lay on the rocks in the sun.
and im telling you, it blows any spa treatment right out of the water.
i remember saying,
"this is one of the most happiest days of my life..."
and it was.
in that moment i had no worries, no chatter in the head, no looming heaviness,
no bills, no bad health, no feeling of confinement.
i felt totally free and totally connected to the the earth and god and the sky
and the jungle.
i know i am at my happiest when i am swallowed up in nature, away from all things human.... and on the very deepest and primal level, its where i feel i am truly home.
afterwards, as the rushing waters washed off the mud, my skin was left to feel as soft as silk. this was the first time i can remember actually loving the way my skin felt...
the hike back up the mountain took us by surprise.
imagine a trail so steep that each step took every ounce of
effort and you found yourself grasping at the vines and the roots of
trees to pull your body along. my heart was beating through my head and
i have never, and i mean NEVER, sweated so profusely.
it was like the most ultimate detox experience~
mind, body and soul.
i was completely humbled and honored as a guest in this sacred land.
one of those spiritual mystical times that words have no ability to describe..
indeed, one of the most happiest days of my life....
Posted by jen at 10:25 AM | link | Comments (0)
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April 20, 2008
day 5 ....

see ya later gator, canon 20 d
my inner tom-boy has been in full force down here. .
today we saw these guys in the water below us.
no cages, and no cheesy guy throwing them dead meat.
just wild and free and so close that i had to resist the urge
with all my might to get even closer.
watching chipmunks at the bird feeder back home
somehow isnt going to cut it anymore.
uh yeah. got the bug., perhaps worse than ever before.
drag me kicking and screaming through the airport i fear. ..
*Happy Birthday Dad! Wish you were here!***
Posted by jen at 06:11 PM | link | Comments (0)
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April 18, 2008
day 3....
boa, canon 20 d
boas.
monkeys.
toucans.
coaties. (yeah, we had no clue either)
poison dart frogs.
and none of these were in a zoo!
****HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUE! WE KNOW YOU ARE LOVING THE SNAKE PHOTO!****
Posted by jen at 05:33 PM | link | Comments (0)
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April 17, 2008
day 2.....

sunset stadium, canon 20 d
ocean.
mountains.
music.
sunset.
my kind of day. . .
Posted by jen at 09:48 PM | link | Comments (0)
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April 16, 2008
day one....

whipped but tough, canon 20d
this is me after 14 hours of traveling. ...
and hey,
im not mad, im trying to be a BAD ASS~
as we drive though the part of the country where
folks tend to get robbed. this was my
"dont mess with this chica" face. we were told
not to look too naive or nice.
we arrived safe and sound and a smile is now plastered on
my face...now we're off to walk the beach and say prayers of
gratitude for being able to travel to such far away places.
and to have the experiences of daring adventures fill our days.
Posted by jen at 06:31 PM | link | Comments (0)
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April 14, 2008
escape. . . . . .

norine's escape, barga italy, canon20d
this week im changing the rules.
and i say, you do not need to get married to
go on a honeymoon.
we've planned our escape and we are off.
as always, i hope to collect photos and stories and a whole lot of relaxation....
peace ~
jen
****P.S Should you be considering a trip of your own to take ~ consider traveling to ITALY with my friend Kelly Rae for the most dreamy Tuscan Artist's Retreat! Seriously, how good is that?!
Posted by jen at 02:04 PM | link | Comments (0)
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April 12, 2008
Baby Belle,

Lizzie and Isabella ~ graceland cemetery , canon 20 d
dear baby belle,
we've waited 43 years for you to show up
and now you are only a couple months from
making your grand entrance....
i hope to be the aunt that teaches you things
like the difference between toads and frogs,
that children's music doesnt have to be limited to
"the wiggles" and that funk, and the blues, and acoustic
jams can be just as much fun,
that folks with tattoos and black nail polish are no less important
than the ones dressed in suits living on the gold coast,
and that there are a million pathways to god, and whatever
feels right to you is okay with me.
i hope to provide a place for you to come to when you
feel lonely or afraid or just totally weirded out ~
a place where you never have to pretend about
how you are feeling ~
a place where you know you will never ever receive a
cutting or disapproving look~
a place where you can safely rebel,
and explore all the magical dreams swirling inside your head.
i will be the aunt that will protect you at all costs, will invoke the irish feist
if ever needed, and will stand beside you as you learn to use your own voice and strength.
i will be the one that will be able to tell you about your momma,
and how she traveled the world, and how she cares for the smallest living things, and how music and nature is where her spirit is most free, and how she was the best and most protective big sister i could have ever asked for.
i feel such a strong connection with you already,
and i cannot wait to hear the sound of your voice
and see the curl of your finger,
and look into your baby eyes....
you have chosen a beautiful mom and dad to have as parents ~
and you have uncles and aunts and cousins and grandparents
that are out of their minds with excitement ~
we may be a little wild, a little sassy, a little complex, but we have
truck loads of love just waiting to spill around you....
see you soon little one,
love,
aunt jen.
Posted by jen at 09:18 AM | link | Comments (0)
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April 10, 2008
there was.....

lizzie loo, canon 20 d
there was the extraordinary dinner here which made me feel like i was literally tasting art... and left me curious about if anyone would really ever order that bottle of wine on the menu for $35,000.
there was getting to walk around one of our favorite childhood stomping grounds
with my sister on a rare sunny and warm day.... and really wishing she
didnt live so far away....
there was the little sound bite on deb and steve's web site of their new cd which is being released soon...
there was the discovery of these dolls that i think are way cool.
thats all with there was for today.
Posted by jen at 06:30 PM | link | Comments (0)
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April 09, 2008
april 9, 2008

earth angels, canon 20 d
“Because how we spend our days is,
of course, how we spend our lives.” ~ Annie Dillard
Posted by jen at 07:56 AM | link | Comments (0)
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April 07, 2008
miracles. . .

sisters, canon 20 d
i am going to be an aunt :)
Posted by jen at 05:01 PM | link | Comments (0)
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April 05, 2008
check it out!

boho's hands, canon 20 d
im thrilled to announce that andrea has designed
a brand new and way cool
superhero pendant! ive already got my order in!
please be sure to check it out and see the lovely sasha sporting the goods!
in other news, a big thanks to jimmy
for the opportunity to assist in the photo shoot of
the incredible Jeff Koons. As always, it was a blast.
Posted by jen at 03:46 PM | link | Comments (0)
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April 01, 2008
trying. . . . .

barga, italy ~ canon 20 d
today i was reminded that for the most part,
we are all trying to do the best we can.
and that encouragement works wonders over
criticism.
Posted by jen at 12:09 PM | link | Comments (0)
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