Good Bye, February 2013!

February 28th, 2013. This month will be over in less than two hours, and I think I'm about finished with it. Another Winter month will be behind us, and next week, we'll be turning the clocks ahead for Spring Solstice! It's time to say our good byes to this cold and dreary month.

Aside from some special birthday celebrations, time spent with friends, both new and old, and my awesome Brazilian hair straightening, February was not my favorite month, thus far. I must say, though, that I am glad it came and went without too many memories, or stressful moments.

In this twenty-eight day span, I managed to say good bye to someone who proved not to be a true friend, and encountered another individual who has proven to be a sweet, fun, and enjoyable addition to my life. Its been said, 'If someone brings ya down, they shouldn't be in your life.' I'm paraphrasing, of course, but we've all heard this & it's a simple truth. I'm finally realizing the validity of that statement, and it makes a world of a difference to put it into practice. I rather have a handful of true friends in my life than too many acquaintances.

So, as the month comes to an end, I look back and and am thankful it was not like the February of last year, nor like one prior to that. I'd say that's a good thing. In retrospect, I suppose it was a decent month. I'm slightly wondering what March has in store for me, aside from marathon #8 in 3 weeks and the road trip to DC with Shan. I'm so looking forward to that weekend! However, one rule of thumb I try to keep in mind (and try to live by) :: no expectations, no disappointments. Instead, I try to take one day at a time, so when something special or sweet does come my way, I can be pleasantly surprised.
*Here's to a new month, new experiences, new memories.*

Late Night Thoughts ...

Just recently, I experienced two nights that each felt all too familiar ... I had two conversations, with two different individuals, that brought me back in time to places in my past.

These places were ones I didn't want to revisit because they each tugged at my heart in different ways: one -- heart ache, the other an old love. Neither was a conversation I wanted to be having while I was having it. Still, they were each entertained and entertaining. And I walked away with something from both.

Love ...
It's not always easy, but the expression, 'It's better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all,' is proving to be more true than it is cliche.

I've loved many, but only a few, truly and deeply, in-love, with my entire heart. When I love, I love hard. Will I ever have that again? Only God knows. I do hope so, but minus all the unnecessary drama. I'm looking, waiting, hoping and praying for the happiness, love, excitement, honesty and genuine fun that I do believe exists.

Until then, I can only reflect on what I've experienced, learn from my mistakes, and try to be the 'best Jess' (as my friend, Ellie says) I can be. One day, I will meet the right person who will reap the benefits of all that I've learned along the way. Hopefully, there'll be no more heartache & no more regret; no more loves lost, but there do need to be lessons learned.

Every day, every experience equals a new lesson learned; new growth as a person, as a couple. What I do with those lessons, those experiences, those conversations is what matters the most.

Until then ... I continue praying, being me, enjoying life and growing.

February Already??

Goodness, time is flying! Yes, it's only February, but I can hardly remember all that went on in January. It was a pretty eventful month, though ... That much I do remember.

January's Highlights::

New Year's Eve @ Shan's;
Nets Basketball Game with Shan & Joey;
Post-Holiday Work Party;
Long Runs, Dinners and Laughs with friends;
Made New Friends;
Making Peace with certain things in my life.

January was fun-filled! Many new memories were made, which I love. I'm glad the year got off to a pleasant start, and while I know there'll be hills to climb along this year, I'll conquer them one step, one prayer at a time.

I'm still not settled in this apartment, but it's mine, one mortgage payment at a time. Lol. I want to do so much, regarding decorating and redoing rooms, but for now, it'll do.

And now February is upon us. I'm eager to see what it brings. It's going to be a busy month, which is no different than any other. Perhaps I'll make more time for writing this month. In fact, I'm making the decision now to do just that.

This post's photo :: The view from my window during Blizzard Nemo , the first big snowstorm of 2013. We all hope it's the only snowstorm of the next 5 weeks.

Here's to writing in February!