And the winner is ...

Did you watch the presidential debate? I did ... and was so proud that this election has brought about something truly extraordinary. What's so extraordinary? Well, people are watching, listening, and making decisions; and for the first time in history, many more young voters are engaged in the voting process and being voices for the candidates they believe will best support their current and future plans.

This, by far, is no typical election. For starters we've had the extraordinary representation of our country through the voices of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Sarah Palin, who aren't our country's typical presidential/vice presidential candidates and/or nominees; and that alone pulled masses of people into political movements. People are getting onboard in ways that I've never seen ... everything from campaigning on corners, to knocking on doors and hosting neighboorhood parties, to donating funds and wearing T-shirts, to making phone calls and volunteering, to help on college campuses and making YouTube videos, and so much more. I have personally been more active in giving, speaking to others about voting, and being well-informed about who these candidates are and where they stand on the issues that affect our daily lives and country as a whole. No longer am I a child waiting for the next leader to decide what direction my life heads for the next 8 years ... I'm a adult with the power to be an integral part of determining who that leader is and what he says is of value or worth for me and the world I'm a part of.

What do I want you to know? I want you to know that you matter! Your voice matters! Your decision matters! And please believe that your vote matters! It's not enough to know the candidates name, to hope for someone to win, and to stand on the sidelines and clap. You absolutely, positively, must take advantage of your right to "vote!" People, both Democratic and Republican alike, triumphed over many, many challenges to secure that very freedom for all. America is a country where we can exercise that freedom; and I want to encourage you to stand up and say, "I was a part of the decision ... I spoke for myself (and my family if you have children or other loved ones who aren't able to vote). My voice was heard."

That's what living in this beautiful country is about ... freedom, in every way ... from sea to shining sea. So register to vote by Wednesday, Oct. 8. And I look forward to standing with you in line on Tuesday, Nov. 4 to cast a 2008 Presidential vote.

God bless one and all ... LJ

Check out "Hollywood Declares Themselves" on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olpCyDA4kYA

Starbucks Coffee, here I come!

I'm not an avid coffee drinker. Sometimes, drinking coffee will even give me a bit of a stomach ache. But now that school is actually "in" session (i.e., TEST taking time has started) I had to make a pit stop at the famous coffee house, Starbucks. I didn't want to make a second trip there later this evening, so I grabbed two hot beverages with caramel (honestly I don't even know exactly what I got) and hit the road back home to prepare for this evening. Tonight will be a late night of reading HUGE textbooks, filling out study guides, and preparing for my first test in Adult Health I.

I had to pull nearly an all-nighter on Thursday for a test on Friday. Why I do that to myself, I don't understand. Yes, I passed the test, and quite well. But procrastination in Nursing school must come to a end. It's such an unhealthy and grueling way to get things done. Not to mention, the frappuccino's I bought only kept me awake for so long. I told a nursing classmate, "we should invent coffee IV's so we can actually stay up longer." Who would've thought Starbuck's thought the same (see image ... LOL!!)

At least I did get to enjoy a picnic this Saturday, and my two sons had a blast being able to "run free" in the park. Sunday will bring about church time, family time, and more studies. Monday will start up the weekly school routine. A typical Monday for the Jackson's includes ...

• Awake, dress, walk Elijah to the bus stop; exchange hugs and kisses and good-byes
• Grab school bags, daycare items, and "Isaiah" too, and off we go
• Drop Isaiah off at daycare; exchange hugs and kisses and good-byes
• Arrive at school, class time, lunch break, more class time
• Pick up kiddos, grab snacks, drop off kiddos
• Off I go to Christianity II class at Rockhurst University (http://www.rockhurst.edu/)
• Head home, arrive home to all my guys; give kiddos baths, read books, exchange more hugs and kisses and put them in bed
• Eat, shower, grab a textbook and read/study until sleep calls my name

Yes, so much to do and only 24 hours per day to do it all, including some quality time for fun, family, cleaning, relaxation, and so much more. Who says you can't have it all? Can't do it all? Be a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a student, a nurse (in the making) ... and a person who loves, and gives, and receives, and honors, and respects, and thanks, and worships, and laughs, and strives, and fulfills. I'm a living example that "Yes, you can!"

Be who "you" know you are ... the rest will fall into place. LJ

Lunch, education, and so much more ...

I can't believe another week has zipped by, but it did. Last Monday I had three classes (two nursing and one Rockhurst course). Tuesday & Wednesday were off days from class, but "on" days for reading, studying, housework ... and a bit of fun too. Now that I've got a Kindergartener, I want to be one of those mom's who goes to the kid's school often to have lunch and participate in events. So on Tuesday night we attended open house; ate hot dogs, cookies, chips, and had juice; saw my son's classroom and met his teacher and classmates; bought some T-shirts with the school logo on them; and we signed up for the PTA! It's official ... if my husband and I didn't figure it out in the past five years, we are definitely "parents!" PTA sealed the deal. (Smile) On Wednesday, I went back to my son's school to have lunch with him. What an event! What a bunch of little people with en-er-gy. If I could harness half the energy in that room, bottle it up and sell it ... I could make millions and even trillions of dollars. Nevertheless, it was a fun time eating "school lunch" with some of our future leaders.

It's amazing ... even around such young children, I couldn't help but think, "this is where it all starts." Our future doctors, lawyers, NBA players, astronauts, politicians, scientist, community activist, electricians, carpenters, professors, pilots, military forces, celebrities, and soooooooo much more, all begins here ... in Kindergarten classrooms around our country. Educators have such an important job; one that certainly cannot be taken lightly. And the responsibility is just as great, even as I sit at Rockhurst University (http://www.rockhurst.edu/), that the professors have such an important role in molding, shaping, and developing the leader that I will become in the world. But I, too, have a responsibility to understand and accept the knowledge that they share with me, use it in my personal and professional life, and most importantly share that wealth of information with those whose life I touch. Education ... it has such an incredible magnitude of the part it plays in our life, yet it's so delicate and precious just as a newborn child.

Each day we have such a profound choice to learn something new; and not to just learn, but to give what we've learned "new life" through our own living, through the careers we give ourselves to for the betterment of ourselves and our world, and through the very eyes and ears of children who are starting where we once were (not so long ago). Those children reminded me how sacred my opportunity, or better yet my blessing, is to be a student at Rockhurst. Before my journey has even neared the finish line, I already know that I can learn anything ... do anything ... and become anything. It started long, long ago in a Kindergarten room ... but even now, I am just beginning so many things. I hope everyone realizes the gift they have in being a student, at Rockhurst, or whatever college/university (or institute of learning) they attend. Learn today and watch life continue to blossom for so many more tomorrow's.

Now ... back to my books. LJ

Meet Corey Ciocchetti

On Friday, Sept. 5, Research College of Nursing held it's Fall Convocation. All students and faculty were in attendance so the auditorium literally became standing (or sitting on the floor) room only. What I can tell you is that any seat was a good seat. We were blessed with the honor of having Corey Ciocchetti as our key note speaker. While the theme of the event was "living with and dealing with stress" Corey's presentation reflected on "Leading an Authentic Life." I wish so many more people could have been there to hear him speak. If you missed it, here's a few snippets of what he shared.

Keys to leading an authentic life:

• Find your passion. Not what's going to earn you wealth or fame, but what you're actually passionate about. That will sustain you long after money comes and goes.
  
• Make a list of priorities. What's important to you? Work, family, spirituality, relationships? Place them in the order that they are ... and on another list place them in the order you "want" them to be. Connect the lines. If there's a mismatch it's time to reprioritize those things that are actually important to you and get them where you desire for them to be.
  
• Seek to live a virtuous life. Practice those things such as honesty, integrity, and character. The more often you practice it, the better you'll get.
  
• Seize your opportunities. If you prepare now for those opportunities that may come in the future, you'll be ready when that moment happens. Watch this video on YouTube to understand this one better. Jason McElwain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fw1CcxCUgg).


• Laugh every day and love more. Life is too short not to enjoy it.

Tips to reduce stress in your life:

• Watch a sunrise (or a sunset for those of us who are "not a morning person").
  
• Watch a cartoon! I love that one, because I've recently been watching Tom & Jerry with my kids. Talk about funny!
  
• Take a nap or go to bed a little bit earlier.
  
• Clean up! Mess equals stress.
  
• Play with a kid. Take notice of how resilient they are.

There's so much more to share and I'm sure I can't tell it all. So here are a few Web sites where you can read more about him. Enjoy! LJ

http://www.coreyspeaks.com/
http://www.ethicspost.com/
https://portfolio.du.edu/pc/port?portfolio=cciocche

What a week!

So much can happen in just a few short days, and this week has been full of activity for me. Monday, Sept. 1 was Labor Day. (Wow! It's September already. It won't be long before it's time for all the year end holidays like Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the best of all ... Christmas!) Anyway, this past week I've done a bit of everything from enjoying BBQ on Labor Day ... to staying up late one night to make "campaign posters" for a 5th grader who was running for Student Council ... to waking up early for the first day of Nursing Clinicals ... to attending the Fall Convocation held at Research College of Nursing (I can't wait to share more about that event, which I will post separately) ... to writing a condolence for a funeral ... to printing programs and videotaping at a wedding. Yes, all that and more in just one week.
Now, I sit in a quiet house. All my guys are asleep, and I'm enjoying my favorite dessert ... ICE CREAM! When I finally decide it's time to rest for the night, I may grab a Christianity or nursing textbook to secure my flight to the land of sleep. LOL. And if I'm really lucky, I'll remember some of what I read and it will make its way to long-term memory. I'll let you know how that goes. Now, let's move on to who I think Rockhurst (http://www.rockhurst.edu/) should invite to speak to the graduating class of 2009 & 2010 ... Corey Ciocchetti. Who's Corey? Read the next post!