TJM: Total Jo Jo Move

Inner Monologue I think you should take a quick break from studying for that final, writing that essay, or watching that episode of Friends. Insert yourself into my thought reel during this week, and see if maybe you relate to some of these struggles and celebrations, too.  If you read my travel blog last semester, you may have noticed a similar post, " Thoughts while going through airport security ."  There's a small twist, however, on this post about finals. It will all be an internal dialogue with myself. Have you ever told a friend, "A part of me wants to do this, but another part of me thinks the opposite"? That's how I felt this week.  Here's a little glimpse into my inner thoughts. Thoughts during finals week... KEY Responsible Me Carefree Me Me:  Why didn't I finish this paper 3 days ago? Me: I could continue typing this study guide or I could crawl back into bed and sleep forever.  Me:   I always...

Tis the Season to Be Thankful It has been entirely too long since I've last written a blog post. I'm annoyed with myself. This is my first blog post of the fall semester, and I'm bummed about it, because blogging every other week during my whole semester in Australia was an awesome constant in my life. I looked forward to it, and it helped me reflect, appreciate great moments that had just happened, and share cool stories. But don't worry, my writing will continue to exist on the internet.  I'm still here! I'm back to grace with your technology screens with my strange commentary, goofy statements and somewhat relevant gif's. I would almost go so far as to say something is missing from my daily life now because I haven't been writing enough, and I haven't been posting the thoughts I want to share with people.  However, the bright side of me not posting in a long time is that I am busy with other things and I'm having a great semest...

I've been home for a few weeks, and it has been nothing short of fantastic! Relaxing by the pool, sleeping in my big comfy bed, sitting with my puppies, laughing with my brothers and sister, having a cold beer with dad... and  of course  eating mom's cooking.  Life is good.  Very good.  Even working is enjoyable, and I'm looking forward to my new classes, new group of U101 students, and everything about being back on campus...  except  actual schoolwork. The catch, though, is that being home sort of feels like an alternate reality.  I once mentioned in another post that living in Australia felt like a separate life from my life at home and my life at USC.  When I first arrived back in the States this June, as thrilled as I was to be home, I also had a feeling I was supposed to be getting back on a plane a few days later and flying straight across the Pacific back to Brisbane. Now, however, I'm getting close to coming to...

This semester, I pushed this blog off to the side while I was writing away on My Brisbane Blog , but I want to pick it up again and improve the content.   Soon, I'll be adding more posts to this blog and trying to update this page every few weeks. I love to write, and though my style and voice remain the same, I do try to mix up my structure and topics as much as possible. Guess we'll just see where this goes as I enjoy my summer and head into senior year. Thanks for reading! Be Excellent. xoxo  Jo Jo #TJM

I love to write.  You may know this about me already, and you may not.  Most people, within 30 seconds of meeting me, pick up the fact that I love to talk.  This is 100% true.  However, writing is also something I need to do to function comfortably and happily.  So here's me formally stating my love of writing and my desire to get a book published someday. Someday, meaning at some point in my life.  There are countless other things I want to accomplish and see in life.  Academically, professionally, personally, socially.  It's good to have goals, right?  That's how I get from point A to point B (oh wow, Fr. Marcin's homilies really stuck in my head.)  Some of these point B's or goals include raising $2,000 for PHCH this year through Dance Marathon, seeing breathtaking views and doing adventurous activities in Australia , and staying close to my friends and family always (shout out to you great people).  Some of these objectives a...

This wintry edition of State of the Union is a general picture of how I feel about Christmas break so far, including some visual descriptions.          IN                                 OUT the big apple                    rude people I adore NYC, and my trip with Lindsey  & Paul was amazing!! I could live there some day, but some of the naturally snappy attitudes of people there drove us all nuts.           IN                                  OUT Campfire smoke     Cigarette smoke  Self-explanatory, and I hope you agree.          IN                                 OUT Sweets/desserts     ...