I miss having scrapes on my knees...

I looked down at my knees today, and noticed that they are absent of scrapes. I haven't made any additions to my collection of scars in years.

What does this say about my life? I'm not active enough? I'm not adventurous enough? I love being outdoors. Why don't I get out there more?

Dallas is all about cars. We drive everywhere here. Whether our destination is across the street or 30 minutes away, we're taking our cars.

But this does not excuse me from walking, from running, from moving.

I miss having scrapes on my knees... So I'm gonna go out and get some.

Happiness is on the way/ don't believe me/ then listen

Happiness, hit her like a train on a track

Coming towards her, stuck still no turning back
She hid around corners and she hid under beds
She killed it with kisses and from it she fled
With every bubble she sank with a drink
And washed it away down the kitchen sink

The dog days are over
The dog days are done
The horses are coming so you better run

Run fast for your mother run fast for your father
Run for your children for your sisters and brothers
Leave all your love and your longing behind you
Can't carry it with you if you want to survive

The dog days are over
The dog days are done
Can you hear the horses
Cuz here they come
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/f/florence_and_the_machine/dog_days_are_over.html ]
And I never wanted anything from you
Except everything you had
And what was left after that too. oh.

Happiness hit her like a bullet in the back
Struck from a great height
By someone who should know better than that

The dog days are over
The dog days are gone
Can you hear the horses
Cuz here they come

Run fast for your mother and fast for your father
Run for your children for your sisters and brothers
Leave all your love and your loving behind you
Can't carry it with you if you want to survive

The dog days are over
The dog days are gone
Can you hear the horses because here they come

The dog days are over
The dog days are gone
Can you hear the horses because here they come.

Decay

This is what I used to be able to do:

I'm in the white jersey!

I struggle with the fact that I no longer play volleyball every day. The sport used to take up hours and hours of my week, and leave bloody bruises on my hips, but you know what? Four years later, there's still no feeling in the world like scoring a crucial point or making an unbelievable save. 

I miss being part of a team. I miss pushing myself beyond my limits. I miss struggling, gasping for air, telling myself "I'm almost there." I miss the physical challenge with which volleyball provided me. I miss the pride associated with being a player for a national team, and the rush that came from wearing my team's colors and logo in front of the competition. I miss knowing that I killed myself to get somewhere. I crave that feeling.

Not About Me

Not about me?
What a question to ask,
In this day and age,
Selflessness is not a common task.

Why not open a door?
Donate a book to the poor?
Do something for someone else today.

Say hi to a stranger,
Protect someone from danger,
Do something for someone else today.


Make someone smile,
Pick up a garbage pile,
Do something for someone else today.


Not about me?
A puzzling concept it can be.
But it's not rocket science,
So join the feel good alliance!


DO SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE ELSE TODAY : )


-Jess Johnson

Myself, Sr. Judy, and the 6th grade volleyball team we coached together. Some of my favorite memories come from this team!

I haven't been totally honest...

I've kept a wall up.

I haven't shown you all of me.

Myself.



Concerned about perfection.

About not being good.

Be free.  

Art by Adrienne Vita

Thank goodness the world isn't like high school...

Because if it were, we'd be in serious trouble.

America would fill the "secret b*tch" roll. We all knew one in high school. She made cutting remarks to those whom she didn't consider important, but was nothing but butter and sugar to those whose friendship or acquaintance could gain her something. 

Democratic nations other than America would fill the "trusty sidekick" roll. Many of these nations harbor varying degrees of negative feelings toward America. However, because of America's tradition of dominance over the international system, none of them can do anything about it.

Brazil and China would be considered the "wannabees," as both countries are emerging markets focused on the gaining of power.

Switzerland could be considered the "good girl," as it is always care-free and conflict-adverse.

And they say it gets better after high school. Some things never change!

Sit! Stay! Boop?

I just told my dog to "SIT." I was surprised by the harsh sound of my voice. I felt a little bit bad. Then it occurred to me: why not teach a dog to sit by saying "boop"?

Since dogs can't understand spoken languages, saying the word "sit" is only beneficial for the trainer. Instead, dogs act according to the sounds they hear from our mouths. So why not associate a word a little bit more pleasant than "sit" with the command to sit. Why not "boop"? Or perhaps "bop"? Or maybe you're more of a "MOOO" person. Whichever one you choose, it will be more fun to say than "sit." And your dog won't know the difference. 

Once again, my little pup taught me a lesson: make everything a creative experience!