Reminiscing . . .

In the last few weeks, I have had some time to reflect and really think about my life. Anyone close to me will tell you how scared I am, as I search for the "next step" in my life. I guess I am only scared because I do not know what is to come.

 When I was little, two things were important to me. My family and the time I spent "playing"/ doing what I wanted to do. My fondest memories are playing outside in our pool (especially when we made our parents let us take bath's in the pool); Mr. Mackintosh with my cousins Lindsay and Shannon and brother Jeffrey; My Grandma Flaherty's Green Pump's which I LOVED to sport with every outfit imaginable; and all my fabulous birthday parties.I also remember some of the crazy things my siblings and I used to do, such as the afternoon Jeffrey drug a large bag of naval oranges down our Valley View driveway and started throwing them at cars. Another fond memory was when my mom sang to me every day. The song was:  "Do You Know The Muffin Man". I'd look out my window in the morning and see if he was walking down the road. But, for some reason, I always missed him. Probably because he was make believe :)

During the next stage of my life, the only thing that was important to me was shopping, doing what I wanted, and FRIENDS. This is about the time when I met my best friend, Ann Fajt. (Now Ann Fajt-McKee) The "story of us," which sounds kind of weird, but it just describes HOW WE ARE, is a funny one (and I can't believe I am telling it here.) I met Ann on the bus one day in 6th grade. I sat down next to her and proceeded to tell her: "Hi, my name is Jacqui and I like to shop. Do you like to shop?" (I waited for her answer; and she thought I was crazy.) Then, I proceeded to tell her, "I like to shop so much, that I keep a list of every store I have ever shopped at." Now, if I was Ann, I probably would have gotten up and ran away, but this is the "love story" that started our beautiful relationship. I had to tell this story, because this literally marks the time where I would wake up every Saturday morning and call my Grandma Helen and ask her to take me shopping. I swear, I inherited that "shopping gene" from her. ;)

When I started high school my priorities were to do good in school and to spend as much time with my friends as I could. I wanted to be as far away from my family as possible. (Oh how times have changed!)

Now, as I sit here, a college student (almost an alumni!) my priorities are as follows: my family, my boyfriend (and his family), my best friends, doing good for the community--I have an urge to do things for others who need it more than I do, being happy, and traveling.

And as I reminisce on all the great memories I have from the past, I know that the future will hold some pretty good ones too. I guess I am nervous and EXCITED about what is to come.

So, bring it on GRADUATION! Bring it on! :)

Relaxing Snowday

As I sit here on my second SNOW DAY of 2011, I finally have the time to reflect on all good things that have come out of 2011 already. And its only been a month! :) (Ohhh...and this is probably the first time in the last month and two days, that I have had to RELAX... snow days are perfect for some relaxation time!)  I celebrated my 23rd birthday on the 15th of January, with lots of good friends and family. Also, in January, I made my first trip to TEXAS! I interviewed with Southwest Airlines, for a post-graduate internship position. Sadly (and thankfully,) I did not get the internship--as I am not sure if was ready to make a big move, so soon, anyways. I really enjoyed Dallas and the surrounding areas, as I was able to explore for an entire weekend opposed to just a day. I arrived in Dallas on a Saturday and was able to spend all day Saturday and Sunday with Bruno's Aunt Clare and her husband, Todd, and children Alex and Nico. :) It was a really great time and I can't wait to head back to "The Big D" for another visit in the near future. The day before I headed to Texas, Bruno and I went to our first Cavs game of the season. It was a bittersweet moment as my Cleveland Cavaliers weren't able to keep up with a less-than-perfect team. But, I can't wait to see what is in store for them in the next few seasons... my love for Cleveland sports (especially Cleveland Basketball,) has had so many ups and downs through the years! My internship with the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon is going wonderfully. I am really enjoying all the time I am spending there and have had a great experience thus far. Hmmm.. other than that, not much else is going on. Classes are good; ZPN is still so much fun (I love all of the exec board... and it is sad to think I will be leaving "all this" behind in just a few short months!); and I have to mention, I love living with Stacey Lynn :). Stacey is just one of those people that makes you feel so happy all of the time! We have so much fun watching "our shows" on Monday nights and sharing countless bottles of wine. I have to say... this year is already proving to be fantastic and I can't wait to see what is in store in the future. Cheers! :)