Bikram was great tonight. I came home feeling ready to take on the next few months of my life that I need to go through in order to be where I want (aka back here). I think one reader mentioned that I seem happier here. Hah! It’s because I AM. Truth be told, I really don’t like living in Orlando. Not one bit. I have lived away from home now for five years so its not like I miss living with my parents all that much (haha), but being away from Ryan is very very difficult..and lonely. Our entire relationship, which is about to hit the 2 year mark next month (!!), has been long-distance. I’m readier than ever to just move back and live an ordinary life and do ordinary couple things that we have never been able to do. It’s not that I regret my decision to move to Orlando and go to culinary school….I don’t….but its one of those things that you just have to get through to get what you want in the end. I want the finished product of having the Cordon Bleu diploma from Paris—to get that I have to go through it all! I know that if I didn’t do what I was doing now, I would regret it later. I’m sure of that. Just gotta keep on truckin’!
Anyways, I’ll end my rant and tell you all about my food! This afternoon I snacked on an apple and almond butter about an hour and a half before yoga…..perfect for getting me through the tough practice and I wasn’t even starving when I got home around 7:30. Instead of rushing to eat while gross and sweaty, I slowed down and showered first, eating around 8:00.
For dinner, I had the riblet I found in my parent’s freezer! I turned my mom onto these things–they are SO freakin’ good!!! With my riblet I had sides of a steamed purple artichoke (found at W.F. the other day! I dipped mine in a mixture of nayonaisse and lemon juice), frozen organic butternut squash that I reheated and sprinkled with cinnamon, and to balance it all out, a slice of whole wheat bread. With my dinner I sipped on a glass of wine and finished “Change of Heart.” Speed reader I am—I started this book last night! I wasn’t an English major for nothin’! 😉
After dinner I gave Mikan a long walk and then came back in to clean up and have a carrot cake cupcake for dessert. Ryan had a late meeting and is out to dinner with a friend but is stopping by later to say bye because I’m headed back to Orlando first thing in the morning.
Think about this: my Ashtanga teacher read this quote to me a long time ago and it has always stuck in my memory.
“Life is short. Move very slowly.”Â
natalie
May 8, 2008 at 1:26 amaww Jenna i love reading about updates of your life!
I can really relate to that quote right now because tomarrow is my last day of high school and I really wish I knew who quickly it would fly by.
How long will it be before you can move back to Tampa?
Ella
May 8, 2008 at 2:02 amWow, great quote.
I love your musings on life, jenna! Esp becasue being done with college leaves me feeling a little lost at times.
I can’t wait to start yoga again this summer when I have more time! It’s so much more fulfilling than a lot of other bland gym exercises.
Romina
May 8, 2008 at 2:07 amPondering on life is important, and it’s a good thing you’ve decided that you didn’t make a bad decision going to culinary school, it will make moving back and spending most of your time with Ryan that much more worth it!
VeggieGirl
May 8, 2008 at 2:10 amYou’ve got the right idea, Jenna – as you said, you just have to be happy with your decisions, and keep on truckin’!! :0)
Purple artichoke?? Gorgeous!
Steph
May 8, 2008 at 2:15 amI can definitely relate to having a somewhat long-distance relationship. When my now husband and I were dating, we couldn’t see each other very much. Never lived together, and were often not in the same city due to college, work, etc. Now that we are finally married and living together, it is just that much more special. I appreciate every day with him!
Any marriage plans in the near future for you? =)
raybelle
May 8, 2008 at 2:57 ami concur with stephanie–my now-husband and i had a lot of distance and a time before we were married and together–it is so precious once you finally make it to that point. i think its so important for relationships to stand the test of time, and if need be, distance. cliche as it sounds, so many of the good things in life require time, patience and commitment! not much comes easy or without perseverance.
on a lighter note–im watching top chef! I love this show.
Nat
May 8, 2008 at 2:59 amI know how hard it can be to live far from the people you love. Im about 5 hours away from all my family and friends and its tough! but just realize how much you will benefit in the end! not to mention you got to really prove to yourself you are independent! 🙂 And if your relationship can survive long distance, it can survive anything!!!
Ashley H
May 8, 2008 at 4:04 amJenna it seems like you have really found what you need to do so go for it. You totally have to love yoga, it helps you see what inside!
Oh and by the way, I totally NEED that recipe for the carrot muffins!!
Megan
May 8, 2008 at 5:47 amOh, how I do relate! I on the verge of graduating college and moving closer to all my siblings. Knowing I will get there and be able to spend more time with the people I love is what keeps me going.
All the yoga you have been practicing this week has been very inspirational. It has made me realize how much I miss it and need it in my life.
healthyceliac
May 8, 2008 at 11:03 amThanks for that quote! It definitely is a great idea to think about as I’m starting my day.
And I’ve made those muffins before. They are excellent. I’m surprised at your willpower to make them last so long!
Lizzy
May 8, 2008 at 11:20 amHey, at least you did manage to stay together for two years even if it was only long-distance. You’ll probably be the happiest couple in the world when you can finally be together all the time.
I’m very impressed that you’re doing this. You’re working for what you want and make compromises without really complaining. You deserve that cordon bleu with sprinkles on top 😉 and then settle down at a place where you really want to be!
And I love this quote, it’s something I often repeat in my head when I start getting stressed.
Katherine
May 8, 2008 at 12:16 pmI understand about long distance relationships! My Honey and I live apart because I’m in grad school and he has a 2 yr internship at a hospital as a recovery room nurse. We are getting married in 2 weeks 🙂 We will be living apart until November of 2009, but we get to see each other most weekends. I feel lucky that I get to see him that much; i always think of military families, where one is over seas, i have a friend whose husband lives in Texas and her in Maryland, and another whose husband lives in South Korea! It proves that strong relationships can survive anything! Congrats on two years.
Also – I happy to see you are able to take time off during this unfortunate time with your family. Good luck with catching up 🙂
Katie R
May 8, 2008 at 12:39 pmI love your positive outlook, Jenna! Your blog has become so much more than just a food blog!! That quote is fantastic, I definitely need to remember that!! A two year long-distance relationship is inspirational! Congrats!!
NJ
May 8, 2008 at 1:24 pmJenna,
Does Ryan never come over here to Orlando? It does suck being apart but you should get out here and discover O-town a bit, you might really like it.
I have lived here 4 years, the prior 4 in college in South Florida, and my entire family is in my hometown in the Midwest. Once I got out, discovered downtown and all the happenings, volunteer opportunities and people I loved it.
Side note: my boyf and I have been together over two years now and live an hour apart. Don’t tell him, but it works out well NOT seeing each other every day/second. We’re just pretty independent people.
Anyways, get that boy to come this way sometime and get on out there!
Kelly
May 8, 2008 at 2:32 pmI think the others all make great points. I think there is also value in living on your own. I’ve been living alone for 3+ years now since I graduated from college and it’s been a fantastic experience. Even though I am quite certain my bf and I will move in together eventually I think I’ve learned a lot aout myself by living alone and have become a much stronger person. I’ve realized I can take care of things on my own and make time to pursue my own interests and hobbies.
NJ
May 8, 2008 at 7:10 pmKelly,
AMEN. I never thought I would want to live alone and it has been a great experience.