Sweaty and Ready for the Holidays

I'm pretty much the worst at saying "I'm going to the gym tomorrow morning", then falling under the "I'm-too-tired, I-don't-know-what-I-want-to-wear, I-won't-have-enough-time, I-don't-want-to-wash-my-hair" spell the minute my alarm goes off in the early morning. 

Little did you know - The first alarm is at 4:50am and then every five minutes after that, which I chalk up as a personal problem since feet usually don't hit the floor until 5:45, maybe 6am at best. 

The problem however, is that if I miss that alarm and I don't get my morning workout, the chances of me missing my daily sweat increase by somewhere around 80%. I'm no statistician, but that just sounds good. I really do want to work out in the mornings. 

I had a great rhythm going over the past 5 weeks taking a TRX / Kettlebell class at work (TRX is amazing if you've never given it a shot!) - but even that schedule made attending a challenge because it was at 4:15, and I was basically dragged away from work and had to always go back for a few hours after. I need morning classes, I need weekend classes - I need variety! 

Why am I telling you this?

Because it was a serious Christmas miracle when I received an email from ClassPass telling me that they were launching in Portland and they wanted me to test out the program*. 

If you've never heard of it, ClassPass offers a monthly membership that gives you the keys to the city and the top-quality studios in your area. 

The fee is a flat rate of $99 per month, so the cost is all the same for you to attend unlimited strength training classes, barre classes, cycling classes, aerial dance classes, meditation sessions, hot yoga classes or anything else offered in your town. And obviously more studios will be joining in on the fun as time goes on and ClassPass gets more people involved in such an awesome program. 

Really the only "rule" is that you can't attend one studio more than 3 times per month - but overall I think that's a great barrier so that it forces me into trying new things, changing up the workouts and meeting all kinds of new people with serious passion for fitness in my city.  The class offerings I've seen so far include early morning times and late evening times - plus multiple studios offering similar workouts - essentially making the 3 times per month rule null and void!  

My pass runs for the month of December - so consider me holiday-ready! There's no sense in waiting until January 1st to set your goals and work toward committing to your healthy lifestyle. 

Aside from trying new awesomeness (like aerial yoga), I'm looking forward to seeing what my city has to offer! 

*I was offered a free month of membership in exchange for a review on my blog and social media accounts. ClassPass is not responsible for my excitement over this program or the many sweaty selfies that will come out of this experience. You're welcome.  Just living the sweaty life. 

Want to know more? Visit ClassPass FAQs

The Hip in Hipster

11:11 - Make a wish!

Since I turned twenty-six last year and came off of my parent's insurance, I have slowly realized the challenges of making my own doctor, dentist and optometrist appointments. It's not the one-stop shopping that I was used to, so having to check what doctors, dentists, lady doctors (oh my!) are in my network can be a crazy-pain. 

Just a few weeks ago I had a certain urgency to make an eye-appointment as I was down to my last pair of 2-week replacement contacts. How I possibly went two years on a year's supply of contacts is unknown to me, but also highlights the huge issue that I keep my "old" contacts in for too long, often fall asleep in them and have my eyes screaming for oxygen most of the time they're open. 

At the same time that I scheduled the appointment, I magically received an email in my inbox from Firmoo because somehow, some way they knew that I would love some new glasses in my life. They probably also guessed that I would pick out the most hipster pair possible since I live in Portland - and they were right!

Don't you agree? 

I was so excited to get these glasses at my home and once I got them - a contact lens didn't touch my eyes for days. The man-friend (from Tennessee) finds them a little too hipster for his taste, but I'm not in Tennessee, they're the right prescription and I seriously love the nerd that they bring out in me - so expect to see this lady as a friendly four-eyes from here on out! 

I'm a little nervous for the first time I plan to wear the glasses to work because I want to have the right outfit (flannel / vest / lace up boots) but I also want people to recognize me. Either way I'm sure they'll think I'm wicked smart (and fashion sensible, right babe?)

Thanks Firmoo for the excellent service, the next time I need glasses I'm coming your way!

*I was given prescription glasses in exchange for a review on my blog - all opinions are my own and all selfies are shameless. 

Rainy Day Ritual

My real life lady friend Melissa (who also happens to be a blogger) started an October blogging challenge (see prompts here) and I feel like a real punk for not participating or mentioning that I plan to participate. 

Well Melissa I'm here meow!

Don't be silly, I'm still unlikely to blog EVERY day in October. Nonsense.

Where I come in as a native Oregonian (born and raised) is with a certification to talk about rainy days. It rains just about every day here (that's not true, but it's the stereotype) so I've seen a few in my day and know how to spend them. #WhenItRainsItPortlands

(oh hey, is that a gif? It's been a while)

Now there's a big difference how my day is spent whether it's a work day or a weekend.

The weekend option includes laying in bed for an extra hour while listening to the pattering of the raindrops outside my bedroom window.

The only exciting thing about the work day option is deciding what rain boots to coordinate with which outfit - because let's face it, even though Oregonians know their rain, they sure as hell don't remember how to drive in it. And I mean they don't remember every...damn..day...that.it.rains.here.

Bah, that's feeling like another rant for another day, so let's get after the inner monologue of my rainy Saturday rituals.

5:30am - "Eff. no. Why didn't I turn off my alarm? See ya never, 5am on a Saturday."

8:47am - "Oh hey rain! You're the perfect excuse for an intentional lazy Saturday!" (goes back to sleep)

9:52am - "Hpffh, ok I've been in bed for 12 hours now (maybe 14, who's counting? Shut up Friday nap haters) What's on instagram? Any new hashtags I haven't checked lately?"

10:40am - "I should make breakfast. Scramble or a smoothie? Or should I work out first? Wait, I need to organize my bookshelf first."

11:04am - [Gets bored with attempted organization - gets wrapped into Netflix]

12:40am - 'Just one more episode"

2:30pm - "damn it I missed breakfast again. And my workout.

3:15pm - [impromptu hallway dance party after another Netflix]

4:30pm - Decides to do something with day, packs up computer and heads to coffee shop - naturally for sitting and more time in front of the computer, but this time with music, headphones and people watching.

7:02pm - [gets kicked out of coffee shop] "I didn't sweat today - how should I sweat? DVD workout or circuit workout, or my favorite arm workout?"

7:32pm - Drenched.

8pm - Showered and impromptu quick run to Trader Joes for nothing in particular, except if there's peppermint things there then ideally I'm quite basic and get ALL of the peppermint things.

9pm - Just one glass of red wine? With candlelight and a book? Maybe with this fancy fireplace?

10:20pm - "Maybe a Netflix movie I've never seen? - but really when does Season 3 of House of Cards start?"

10:28pm - Haha- just kidding. I can't stay awake watching a movie.

And just like that - you've had the pleasure of spending a rainy Saturday with me. Hopefully more of my Saturdays this season will be spent in Seattle with my brother or somewhere in the USA with the man-friend.

Come to Portland anytime for the real thing! It doesn't really rain that often.

One to Portland

What!? MacKensie came to Portland this weekend?

It's true, it happened. My long time blogger crush sent me a text last week wanting to know when was a good time to visit. I started to look out into September for weekends that made sense, but then said "this weekend is great, but it's probably not the cheapest way." Looking at flights, I was right - but when we figured out how much it would cost to drive AND that miss Ziggy could come along we planned a three day whirlwind trip of all the Portland fun.

I wanted to show miss Mary Mack just enough to make her love it, but hold back that much more to make her want to come back and/or consider moving here. She's been flirting with the idea for a little while now. 

The just enough meant hipster bars, the best sushi in town, voodoo donuts, the accidental walk-in to a strip club because we needed to use the restroom - then the non-accidental stay at the strip club because... Portland. 

The things I kept from her were my paleo cooking skills, my love for lazy Saturdays at cute coffee shops, the hottest brunch spots on the weekend with fried okra and of course the music scene. A girl has to keep some cards up her sleeve. 

Saturday evening Brooke was finally able to squeeze us into her busy schedule (kidding, this girl is busy and killing it right now) so we went out to dinner with her college friends and made a mess of some tasty thai food and craft beers. 

Sunday we slept in like champions and rolled out of bed around noon to get our butts up a mountain. We declared that Sunday was "Ziggy Day!" so we let the little bundle of cuddles lead us all the way up Angel's Rest (2.3 miles and 1500 feet elevation). 

We reached the breathtaking views in under and hour and spent our time at the top overlooking the Columbia river below while Ziggy searched for some shade in the shrubs. 

We made it down the mountain, cleaned up and met Brooke & Brad for dinner in the cutest part of town, NW 23rd. After some sangria, grilled stuffed bacon wrapped jalapenos and way too much good food, we lined up for our "blogger bestie" photo and turned it to black/white to mask our sleepy weary weekend faces.

To finish off the evening we went home to get Ziggy and took her to the Lucky Lab - a bar where furry friends are welcome and encouraged! We had to finish off Ziggy day with a bang! She thanked us by prancing around on the tabletop to show us that she could get wild and crazy too. I think she liked her visit. 

Sadly, MacKensie drove all the way back to San Francisco (close to 700 miles) and I'm sitting here hoping and wishing that she and Ziggy come home to Portland soon <3

...Or at least come back and try a donut with some bacon on it!

Weekend Resting

Oh hey! It's time again to talk about the weekend! 

Things were pretty busy in these parts with home things and baby shower things, but I was thrilled to get out and experience some nature on Saturday with an amazing hike. I set out bright and early with a friend who loves exploring and has recently taken up hiking with some serious passion. 

The destination was Angel's Rest which is just under 5 miles round trip (elevation 1,500 feet) and is about 30 minutes away from my doorstep. 

We'd had some rainy weather in Portland during the week, so it was a pleasant surprise to be blessed with such blue skies and not much competition out on the trails in the early morning. 

There's nothing like the feeling when you get to the top of a mountain. Physically and mentally you feel alive! Let these less than perfect iPhone photos give you just a hint at what I saw this weekend!

Then come to Portland and let me show you in person!

Amazing right? Is there anything where you live that's like this?

The Weekend Blate

I'm positive that I've never crammed as much awesome into my weekend as I did over the past 5 days that Melissa was in Portland. 

Not only did I get to meet this beautiful and confident lady in the flesh, Brooke and I were able to show her some of the "greatest hits" that the Portland Metro area has to offer. She's got the cutest Canadian accent and we enjoyed pointing out how it was even more obvious when she'd get excited. Trust me, there was tons to get excited about.

Food, scenery, girl chats, good music, wine, meat(!!!). Such a packed weekend that I don't even know how to recap it all.

Let's list some of the yummy places that took my moneys this weekend. So many meat sweats I can't even count them all.

- Casa Del Matador

- Smokehouse 21

- McMenamins Blue Moon

- Tilt

- Willamette (rhymes with "Damn it") Valley Vineyard

- Stoller Family Estate

- Red Hills Market

- McMenamins Edgefield

- Deschutes Brewery Portland

Each day was something differently epic. Wine tasting, hiking and taking advantage of the beautiful things I sometimes take for granted in this city I live in. I know the song is "Don't go chasing waterfalls" but why?! They are beautiful, I want to chase them all!

On Melissa's first night she even got to see the unicycling bagpipe playing Darth Vader ride by while all of the Portlanders looked at him and immediately went back to what they were doing without taking a second look. #KeepPortlandWeird

Maybe the biggest win was that Melissa realized how not-normal Brooke and I actually are. Surprisingly she seemed to be okay with that!

Blate weekends rock. Can't wait to see you again, Melissa!!

Songs About the Rain

Sunday night I could hardly fall asleep as wind crashed against the side of my house, the rain pounded on the rooftop and I laid there excited to wear my Hunter's Monday expecting a tree to crash through my roof at any moment. I laid there and tried listening to music, turning that off and instead listening to the rain - then found myself unable to quiet my mind.

@JumpingJE

The funny thing about the rain is that it forces you to stop collaborate and listen. What is normally silence, or space occupied by music in the evening - was instead filled with the rhythmic ebbs and flows of light and heavy rains hitting the pavement and my siding.

Rain brings clarity doesn't it? So much more than a clear day, so much more than sun shining and birds chirping. Rain causes me to look inside myself and think a little deeper, finding the light when outside is dark. Back when I was a die-hard runner, my very favorite was the first rain run of the fall. The clarity that I found in the raindrops hitting my face and washing over my skin was free therapy. 

This week I found myself listening to Fleetwood Mac's song "Dreams" and the lyrics of the song + the Portland weather lately inspired me to put together some songs about the rain.

Stevie Nicks knows two things:

1. Players only love you when they're playing.

2. When the rain washes you clean, you'll know. 

I think we all need to let the rain wash us clean, don't we?

Enjoy some songs about the rain, and if nothing else just listen to "dreams" for the same experience I had. 

<3 Jessi

The Magic Bus

So I'm 26 years old and have lived in Portland my whole life. I've traveled to major cities alone and to foreign countries alone. I've figured out taxi's, buses, trains, shuttles, streetcars and bike paths - but for some damn reason it was THE most perplexing thing for me to figure out how to get to Seattle without a car in a snow storm for a girl's weekend. 

For one thing, I think public transportation is amazing and I'm proud to live in a city that has so many options. But, also being the proud owner of a reliable (knock on wood) car, I don't depend on it often nor do I care to learn the system. Does that make me a snob? Moving on. 

The original plan was to be budget savvy and take this amazing Bolt Bus up and have dear mother drop me off at the bus-stop. Easy right? Well then she got snowed in, I had to move up my trip to an earlier time by three hours, I hadn't packed and I was working with glorious 3rd day hair. 

I was tragically close to canceling the weekend plans because I didn't have a means to get downtown without a car and wasn't going to take a taxi for 7 miles that would cost more than the entire 175 miles to Seattle. (sorry Amanda, I love you but like I said I'm on a budget). 

I'm not above taking the bus, obviously. But the transit system confuses the heck out of me. What if I have to change buses? What if my bus is late to the connecting stop? What if there's creeps on the bus or people who smell bad? I don't have any cash and they only take exact change!?

So many things that can cause panic in my mind and mom, bless her heart, stepped in and walked me through how I could still make the no-fuc*s-given weekend possible. 

First I'd need $2.50 exactly. I don't carry cash so I had to go to the ATM, treated myself to a latte and got the right amount of green & silver. 

Second, the bus was empty and I sat in pure anxiety mode as the driver took a wrong turn and got us stuck in a residential neighborhood, delaying us 15 minutes. I lost all faith and texted my mom the route he was taking me so that she could confirm it was right and/or so that she'd know where to find my body.

Third, I realized that for just $2.50 this bus thing is pretty awesome. To my Trader Joe's, to my favorite sushi restaurant, to downtown when parking isn't free? Um, duh!

Finally, Friday was the first day I've appropriately worn my Hunter's for the weather. It was so worth it. 

I made it to the Bolt on time and she was the most magic bus of all time.

All Over the Place

Today's post might be a little scattered seeing that I'm so happy the weekend is here. at last. 

First Point.

I have a confession to make. I haven't gone for a run the entire month of December. First reason is because the temperature has been in the teen's to high 20's for a few weeks here in Portland. You know that I'm no stranger to running in the rain - but running when my feet will freeze off?? Uh no thanks! 

When I was out on the road for the quick 4 miles on my usual route I realized how much I missed the meditation run provides to a wandering mind. For me, it's not just the cardio for the body, it's the therapy for the mind! 

The second reason I've only done 4 miles this month is that I've been strength training instead! After my run I grabbed some weights and did a squat-press, push-up, ab circuit then stood in front of the mirror [flexin'] amazed at how I'm starting to see definition and tone. Moral of the story? More weights, less running (but still running!)

Second Point.

The next topic today is how I've had a disastrous week of trying to wake up. I don't know what's going on, but I'm somewhat convinced that the alarms aren't really going off. I do hear the first one then hit snooze - but the other 14 I sleep right through I have zero explanation for. When I wake up finally 15 minutes after my "Last chance safety net" alarm was supposed to go off, I shoot up out of bed and try to make something out of my dirty hair. Thank goodness the 5-minute makeup challenge that I call "shit to chic" is perfected. 

Maybe this article on 11 surefire ways to get my azz outta bed will help a sister out. 

Third Point. 
Taking my macros for a spin this week was simply amazing. I've never felt more productive and the reactions from my co-workers on how much time was saved was a validation of my hard work. Every 'standardized' thing that my job requires of me is not completed with the click of a button. Can we get a round of applause?

Fourth Point.

I'm a huge advocate of treating yourself to massage therapy, mani/pedi's and spa experiences. Yesterday I scheduled my first 90 minute float session at the Float Shoppe here in Portland and will be going to visit next week. I can't wait to tell you all about it!

All random posts like this one should end with a pensive sloth.

Stay cool this weekend, you. 

First World Problems: iOS 7

This post is going to seem like a rant, but really I'm thrilled with all of the pretty happening on my iPhone.

Here's how it happened - I'd forgotten that the iOS 7 update was yesterday and didn't even check social media to see how much fun everyone was already having without me. When I finally caught the news it was 4:45pm and I had only a few more things to finish up at work. Knowing that Dan always is the first to update iOS besides those in Silicon Valley, I asked how long his took from start to finish.

Disbelief and excitement his me when he texted back "like 10 minutes".

My "like 10 minutes" was "like 90 minutes" and once I began the update there was no backing out.

So like any eager iPhone 5 user I waited.

Then verified...



and updated firmware...



and software...



and waited...

The next thing I saw on my screen was a 'fatal error' message that kicked my iPhone into recovery mode.

Recovery mode is a dark and terrifying place where you're told that your only option is to restore to factory settings and all you can do is agree to it, then agree to the Terms and Conditions, then cross your fingers that your latest back-up saved the perfectly lighting selfie from your bathroom this morning. We all wish to be so lucky.

After 90 minutes of horror and worry about my baby and even a few app casualties, this story ends happily and I'm smitten with my iPhone. So beautiful that I wish the entire world could be seen through the lens of iOS 7 (Chrome, where you at?).

After I updated all of my apps and got everything organized the way I wanted it, I was happier than this puppy in a room full of balloons:

If you haven't updated yet, check out the Apple video and back up your phone!

Cheat So Hard

Some of you may remember two months back when I announced that I was going to go down the Paleo path to help myself eat cleaner, reduce stress and improve my overall health.

I flood your Instagram feeds with my #hashtag #Paleo #omgSOyummy meals because Paleo is my main squeeze and I can see us in a long healthy relationship together.

As a promoter of a healthy lifestyle through food and running I feel that I owe you a sincere confession for all of the cheating I've been doing lately (on Paleo, sweetheart!)

It all started to fall off the wagon when I was in Toronto for the second time and had a piece of pizza here, a few tortilla chips there, maybe even some delicious croutons on a salad.  Beer and wine added into the mix and I forgot the reasons I'd started Paleo. Through travelling back and forth I was able to use that as an excuse for not being strict with a schedule, a meal plan and even my food prep has been non-existent.

I still do an amazing job at avoiding latte's, yogurt, cheese, bread and some of my bigger past offenders, but there's been a few 'occasions' where the amazing food groups you see below have been devoured, craved and even begged for.

#OmnomNom

- Fiery Doritos Locos Taco | Taco Bell

- Endless Shrimp | Red Lobster

- Steak and Endless Shrimp | Outback Steakhouse

- Reese's Blizzard | Dairy Queen

- Grape Licorice | All the places

I act like Dan is the instigator but I'm pretty sure even the golden retrievers would be witness to Monday night when Dan was looking in the produce drawer asking what I wanted for dinner and only a quick "TCBLL" was blurted from my mouth. Like I was ashamed to be saying it out loud but knowing that it was going to feel so right.

That fateful night Dan didn't hesitate to jump in the car and get almost every food group on the menu so that I could 'sample'. As always, he picked up the slack when I was too full and my eyes out-ordered my stomach.

Our meal included but was not limited to:

• Mexican Pizza (1)


• Fiery Doritos Locos Tacos (3)


• Cheesy Gordita Crunch (2)


• Smothered Burrito (1)


• Volcano Nachos (1)


• Fiesta Beef Taco Salad (1)

None of that was paleo, by the way.

So all I'm asking is for someone to help me be more like this adorable baby koala please and not be so bad at life? K Thanks!

Don't Make Me Get Out Of Bed

There's something about end-of-summer weekends with long runs, football and cozy time that make it difficult to find the motivation to pull out the laptop and blog about my weekend - much less blog five posts for the entire week! I've come to terms with being an inconsistent blogger with so much travel and added work hours lately, but I also attribute it to doing my best to enjoy the last few days of summer before the forecast turns to muck.

I have a happy boyfriend today because his Chicago Bears won a close one yesterday and he has the entire week off from the office.

You have a tired Jessi today because, well, it's Monday and I have a list of reasons why I didn't want to get out of bed this morning. 

1. I fell asleep at midnight after we watched the 3rd to last episode of Breaking Bad.

2. Dan and I are house sitting for my jet-setting parents and their puppies are just too cute.

3. Dan has the entire week off from work. (booo-hissss!)

4. It's dark all the way through to 7am and I'm on the road by 5:20am (get a life Jessi)

5. The commute while house-sitting is 20 minutes longer

6. We destroyed the Steak & Endless Shrimp dinner at Outback Steakhouse last night (something about weekends and endless shrimp)

7. Destroying the eats below = no desire to wear pants. period.

So there you have it!

Running, Football, Cuddles, Naps and Face-stuffing filled my wonderful weekend.

Can you blame me for wanting to hang out with these adorable faces all day? (Bailey not pictured)

Linking up with Sami!

September's Eight Great Goals

Oh my it feels nice to be back in the blogging groove.

I still feel a bit sidelined as I'm not as available to read / comment or reply to your lovely comments. That means if you get a response you know you've made it big time or just caught me in a free moment - lucky you! Also don't be alarmed if my responses and online presence is all on the weekend. A girl does what a girl has to do.

This post is a little belated as I'm normally slinging this at you on the first blog-day of the month, so hopefully that's not a sign of what's to come in the upcoming 26 days.

I am so jealous that my mom and dad are heading to Luxembourg today to get two weeks with brother and meet his wonderful girlfriend who I've seen a few times over Skype. I usually get to make a trip to Europe in the summer - especially since he's lived there - and am missing that flight across the pond to see my brother.

Look at what I'm missing!

Enough moping about a trip I don't get to take as I've been travelling enough lately - It's time for goal setting!

September's Eight Great Goals

1. Go Get My Diploma's

Did you know that I graduated from Portland State in the Spring of 2009 and still haven't picked up my three pieces of paperwork? I'm not sure what I'm planning to do with it when I have it - but enough is enough, Jessi!

2. Celebrate our 1 Year Anniversary

We missed celebrating last month and I'm not going to let it happen this month. I don't care where you take me honey just make me feel like I'm the most important thing in your world. No phone, no distractions, just us.

3. Watch an entire Chicago Bears NFL Game

Dan has challenged me to watching an entire game with no phone and no laptop. I don't believe I can be that extreme but I can at least make sure I don't choose to go running (conveniently) while the kickoff happens. Plus, day drinking.

4. Appreciate Myself

Sometimes when you feel like you're not getting what you need from others, you have to find ways to give what you need to yourself. Right now I feel like that's appreciation, support and care - so why can't I offer that up to myself? ... I can!

5. Spread Out the Running

100 Miles again - it never changes. Let's do myself a favor this month and not make excuses when I could be getting ahead of my mileage and not piling it all on myself for the weekend - especially if an unplanned Toronto trip comes my way!

6. Sister Time

Since mom and dad will be having a blast in Europe, Dan and I will be watching the blonde Golden Retriever sisters for a week. I want to make sure that I get some time with them as well since we don't get them very often - and especially since Dan has taken a week off from work to play!

7. Insert and Be Assertive

I've been unlike myself at work lately. I'm such a servant and will do what I'm asked/told -  but I'm also cocky and proud of the work I do. I hope to use this month to own up to the great work I'm doing, speak up when I am the expert on something and really turn this project around when it comes to the way we are handling the hundreds of issues coming our way. Own up to my greatness and stand tall because I know I deserve to feel proud.

8. Use My Lovely Camera

I adore my camera but haven't had much use out of it since I'm not home during normal daylight hours. Weekends are my opportunity to get back in the swing and enjoy the last few short weeks of evening sunlight before the skies turn dark and the weather is gloom. Maybe even an outfit post....?

Thanks everyone for loyally coming back and reading after I took a pause in August - you mean the world to me!

Jessi

Five Things

Do you know why I adore Brooke?

1. Our friendship basically started over Pinterest-stalking each other
2. She's hilarious and one of the most down to earth people I know
3. Girl always tags me!

(Okay so there's many more reasons but that would be a post in itself)

Last week Brooke accepted her tag in the 5 Things post and she decided to sent it my way.

She promised this post was going to be easy so I'm going to give it a shot (from 30,000 feet) en route to Toronto for the week.

5 Things I'm Passionate About

Running

I've considered myself a runner since my Junior year in high school, but really kicked it up a notch the first year out of college when I no longer had a routine workout schedule. Since December of 2009 I've had a goal of running 100 (or more) miles per month and I've happily met and exceeded this goal. Running allows me to think, process, be accountable and push toward a fitness-happy goal.

Health

My health is very important to me and above all its important that those around me are healthy as well. As I think about the adult and mother I want to be, I have a fit, energetic, happy, relaxed and easy-going woman in mind.

Laughter

Laughing is my absolute favorite thing to do in this world. Dan captured me with his wit and sense of humor, I associate with hilarious individuals and have a deep appreciation for people who can make any situation laughable.

Being in Love

I'm so in love with my Daniel that it would be hard to not list him as something I'm passionate about. He makes my tail wag like a puppy.

Education

I have always been a sponge for new information. I soak it up. Three degrees in college and I'm still hungry for knowledge. I think that the more we know, the better informed we are to live our lives happily and courageously. While I don't know if I plan to continue down the road of higher education, I'm always game for getting better at my photography, understanding human psychology and getting to the bottom of the things that inspire me.

5 Things I Want to Do Before I Die

Get Married
Raise children with good hearts and good values
2 week (at least) international vacation with Dan (get your passport!)
See the Northern Lights
Retire young

5 Reads I Love

Blogs on Blogs on Blogs

I'm a serial blog addict. Once upon a time I unfollowed a ton of blogs to close my world, but over time I'm back up to (maybe 50) that I read on a daily basis and love it all. This counts as reading, yeah?

Hand Written Letters

I love mail that comes in the actual mail. My dear friend Tanna is great at sending me hand written letters and I'm thrilled every time I open the envelope to an adorable card and an update on how her beautiful family is doing. I need to pay this forward more often.

TED Talks

Ok I know this isn't reading, but its some of the most intellectual content I digest. Yes, I'd still love it in print format. What I love about the talks is that every person is an expert in their field and the topics are always fascinating, have information I didn't know before and almost always an idea that has never entered my brain.

Chelsea Handler

To get my giggle on I turn to my kindle on iPad for any silly excerpt from Chelsea. If you have a good sense of humor you know that anything from her is gold.

Guilty as Charged

Yes, I've read all 7 Harry Potter books, all 3 Hunger Games books and 2.5 of the Fifty Shades trilogy (not exactly sure why I never finished). I also have been known to geek out over Excel handbooks, leadership strategy books an supply chain efficiency cases. Go ahead make fun, I'm judging me too.

5 Places I Want to Travel (and haven't been to!)

Cancun
Brazil
New Zealand
South Africa
Canary Islands

5 Movies I'll Never Get Tired Of

Shawshank Redemption
Step Brothers
The Lion King
Forrest Gump
Sandlot

5 Tags!

I know it says to tag somebody, so I'm going to throw it to the following girls that I hope will read this post and join the party.

Rachel @ Tossing the Script
Tami @ Friday Morning Buzz
Anna @ A Dash of Quirky
Lauren @ Method to my Madness
Macey @ Macey Perseveres

Easy post I promise!

Hi, My Name is Jessi

Hello and welcome back!

It feels weird sometimes to be a 'blogger' and try to understand where all of the new readers are coming from, but it's been seriously fun to watch my blog growing over the past few weeks and making new friends along the way. I attribute it all to commenting within the community, making my posts worth reading and keeping the conversations going even after the post (twitter, instagram). You'll see some of my daily reads in the right border --> and hopefully adding more soon (since Wordpress.com doesn't allow ads... and I'm not code savvy for .org and can't imagine merging over to Blogger).

Even though most everyone in blog-land is a lurker at heart, I'll save you the trouble of digging into the archives and re-introduce myself.

Hi, my name is Jessi.

I was born and raised in Portland, OR and have lived within the same 25 mile radius my entire life. My family lives close, I work for the #1 sports brand in the world and I have an amazing boyfriend - all factors that keep my heart in the Pacific Northwest.

I grew up very active in sports and eventually turned my passion and skill as a softball pitcher into a full scholarship to Portland State University. At that same time, I made the most of my education to earn three different degrees - Major in Management, Major in Marketing and Minor in Spanish. After all - you don't just go from high school valedictorian to C level college student, even if you do have so many other things going on.

Blogging...I started this blog-thing as a way to convince myself that I needed a fancy DSLR camera, as a creative outlet for my crazy thoughts and as a way to fill up my days last year when work wasn't as demanding as it is today. I get my inspiration for blogging from the things I'm passionate about, learning more about myself through writing and expression - and lately drawing off of the hilarious and insightful posts I read from other bloggers out there in the community. I'd like to also point out that Buzzfeed articles and perfect sloth GIFs inspire much of my content as well.

^ Also because this is how I look when I've had one too many, and that girl's name is Kitty ^

No, I'm not perfect. I've had my hiccups in my personal life through the years. Self-image insecurity and toxic people around that I couldn't get out of my life really took a toll on me. Angry, misunderstood and victimized shouldn't be how one should describe ages 18-22, but I thank Linkin Park and my discovery of distance running to get me through the rough times. And my family... my family is my rock.

The highest highs and the lowest lows have all shaped who I am today.

The girl you see today is strong, resilient, confident and composed. She's witty and friendly, she's loyal and caring, she's smart and focused and she has the whole beautiful world in front of her to look forward to.

Want some from the archives? Here's some of my greatest hits to know more:

Boyfriend:

|| The Truth about Cohabitation

|| He's the bravest guy I know

Career:

|| I'm a hard worker

|| Where it all changed

Lifestyle:

|| I'm a mother of a furry daughter and a fishy son

|| Running is my jam

|| I'm an Introvert - are you?

Thanks for being my new Internet friends and thanks to those who have been reading all along.

What else would you like to know about JumpingJE?

Linking up today with Sarah and Helene

Lazy Sunday

After my rant on Friday I did everything I could to promote the most stress-free weekend I could manage. No, this doesn't mean glass after glass of wine (why not?), it meant clearing my schedule and doing what I wanted to do, not what I was obligated to do.

A weekend with no alarms. Lazy mornings snuggling with little Holly. Pre-writing posts for the week. Catching up on some running. Spending time with Dan. Well - spending time with him when he wasn't working at the golf course, playing golf or watching golf.

Other than lazy all weekend, Dan and I went to mom and dad's for dinner Sunday night and I got to spend time with my cousins who were staying over for the weekend. It was fun as always to see the golden retriever sisters and especially to see them being cuddly with an eight month old baby.

Sticking true to doing only what I wanted to do this weekend, I didn't do laundry and I haven't yet unpacked for my trip.

I didn't make a stop at Costco and I didn't do my normal food prep for the week. Those things can wait.

via

Since there's not much to share from the weekend, let's wrap up how last week went.

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen that I chose the comfortable outfit rather than the dressy outfit. I also snapped a selfie before leaving the country.

Compression pants, sneakers and a button up cardigan (what?)

I was one phone call away from getting asked to stay another week in Canada but when it came down to it we decided that my ongoing work would be much more productive from Oregon. I was working 14-15 hour days there and even though I had a great short term solution, the long term solutions are going to take some more focus and attention. It's more than just a job for Super Jessi!

It took a lot to get out of bed and come into work today, but being at my regular desk with my big-screen monitor and my noise cancelling headphones will get me through the day.

Linking up today with my weekend shenanigans!