Kendra's Favorite Things

I know, I know.... I've been a very bad blogger. My life is usually busy, but the last few weeks have been particularly insane. I feel like I have been equally tied up between work, Junior League, traveling, friends, family and still not feeling 100%. Sometimes I wish my life would just slow down, but then I remind myself, this is what I choose.

I am even writing now as I wait to board a plane to Tucson, although I'm hoping to get some much needed rest over the weekend. Last night I volunteered at Washington Elementary School for a JLSD Impact Event, but of course afterwards had a glass of wine with Erin. Tuesday night we had a Provisional Training for JL from 6-8.... The list goes on!

I love how full my life is and how much I am able to give back to my career, my friends & family, and JL but my goal for October is to set aside enough time for just ME! Whether it means getting to the Saturday AM yoga class so I'm not rushing to or from the studio or saying NO when someone asks me to hang out on a weekday...I'll make it happen! After all, it is my Birthday month!!!

This week is a MUCH better week. Antibiotics kicked in and I'm finally feeling back to normal AND I'm loving the fact that one week from now I'll be headed home to Tucson, yay! Also, I can't share quite yet, but by this time next week I hope to have some very exciting life-changing news to share! Woo hoo!!! Stay tuned.

I caught a cold this week and ended up having to stay home from work Wed-Fri, which was no fun at all. Today I finally went to Urgent Care and it turns out I have bronchitis. Thanks to the lovely Z-pack and two inhalers I am actually already starting to feel better. Just bummed to have been sick for Lindsey's b-day celebration and wish I had been feeling better. Guess I learned my lesson to get to the doctor sooner... man oh man!

So not only was I home sick and feeling terrible, I'm also feeling homesick and miss my family. There's no doubt that I absolutely love living in San Diego, but sometimes I just miss Tucson and all the people there so much. I feel so lucky to have such a great group of friends here in San Diego that feel like family, but there's nothing quite like setting foot at HOME. The good news is, I have a trip planned in two weeks and I'll get to spend 4 days in T-town. So, looks like both my problems are about to be solved!

While our Provisional training got started almost a month ago, the first General Meeting of our Junior League year is tomorrow night and I know we are all looking forward to another successful and productive year making an impact in the community. People often times ask me, what is Junior League and why do you spend so much time in meetings for it?!

I could go on for a while but the short and sweet answer is this;  we are an international organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community. The Junior League of San Diego is blessed with over 1,000 devoted, smart and talented women that are committed to enriching our community. Throughout my JLSD career I've had the wonderful opportunity of serving on several different committees and councils, but this year Kathleen and I have been given the distinct opportunity to lead the provisional class, which is comprised of our newest members. We have just shy of 100 women that have set out to begin their Junior League careers and we couldn't be more excited about the impact and potential that this group of women is going to have on the San Diego community.

Thinking back on the experiences I've had, the friendships I've cultivated and the hands-on impact I've made throughout my involvement with JLSD, it's clear to me that being a part of the Junior League is something that has changed my life forever. Being in Junior League has provided me with the confidence to take on leadership roles, the determination to make something out of nothing, and the opportunity to learn from my mistakes. These are lessons I've been able to apply to my life outside of the league whether it be at work or in my personal life, and I can't imagine not being equipped with what this has brought to my life.

As we work with our newest and most eager 100 members this year, I wanted to take the time to remind myself what it means to be JLSD:

We are improving San Diego.
We are leaders.
We are well trained.
We are balanced.
We are opportunists.
We are "whatever it takes."
We are JLSD.

I spent the weekend in St. Louis with my two best friends from college and oh what fun we had! It was amazing to spend time with Sarah and Melissa and see Sarah's new life in STL. The weekend was full of great memories, lots of wine and even a Sun Devil Football win!! It's amazing to know that although  so many things have changed over the years for us, we've managed to remain such close friends. We've decided it's time to book more trips together so... Chicago for St. Patrick's day 2012, here we come!
















Why yes, it is! 

No, not the flower; the yoga pose!!! I was able to do this for the first time last night and did it again this morning, such a great feeling to see a deepening in my yoga practice. This after my first hand-stand without help last week... I'm feeling really good. Namaste!

"Be true to yourself always, be kind to others even when they aren't to you, live in the moment, laugh at yourself when the opportunity arises and love with all your heart." -Kendra Lee Dwyer