my friend has a tumor on her brain

Yep, one minute she's fine, at the beach with her daughter, best friend and her kids, having a ball. Two weeks later, she can't see and instead of being told she needs glasses because she's now 40, she's diagnosed with a tumor on her brain. Yes, 40 years old, we just celebrated her 40th last October on a cruise. Now, she's in the hospital, having all sorts of tests. I know in my heart that Karen will be okay. She is strong and she will be healthy again. She's in great hands of a phenominal doctor at Duke, and she has so many people praying for her everyday. The good Lord is not ready to take her yet, so she will be fine and will see her little girl grow up to do wonderful things.

Things like this really make me think. Life is so precious, and we can't waste a minute of it. I had a scare of my own last year that I pulled through, thank God. But we aren't promised tomorrow, so that's why we have to live for today and enjoy every moment of it. I really look forward to all the exciting things in my future, but I am also thankful for the small things that I've been blessed with today. I woke up this morning, did some chores before leaving the house and still made it to work on time. I was productive at work. I was blessed to have the means and the good sense to nourish my body with healthy food. I spent 90 minutes practicing my Bikram Yoga, where I took care of my body and my mind and soul. I chatted to my mom for really cheap thanks to the technology of skype and my iPhone. And after all that, I came home and prepared a meal that my husband and I enjoyed together on our "island" (kitchen island that it). All these things singled out may seem small, but to really think about them and look at all the wonderful things I experienced in a plain old Tuesday, well there's something to be said for that and it's Thank you Lord! I am so blessed! Jamey told me a really good quote today, and I can't remember the exact wording but it basically said the richest person is the one who finds happiness and contentment with what he already has. I feel really rich today.

Bikram Yoga

Today I went to my 4th Bikram Yoga class. I love it. You are in a room that's set to about 100 degrees and you do yoga. It's really hot and really sweaty, but it's great. I know it sounds nuts, but it's amazing. I already feel so much better, and I have more energy. I've had a hard time finding my routine, for a long time now. I've had so many things going on for the past year, with traveling to the US, planning the wedding, having the wedding, moving from Reading to London, the honeymoon, yeah, I've been a busy girl, and I've let things that are important to me get put on the back burner. I feel really motivated now to pick up some of the things I've let lie for awhile. My Bikram is a really great start to doing that! I love it and I'm going to keep it up, for as long as I can afford it! :)

first blog

The posts prior to this one are the ones that I had posted on myspace. I decided to put them on here to keep them all together. The below is my first "blogger" blog post, so hopefully not too confusing!

So I'm posting my first blog entry. I've posted some photos, and they are mostly all of my recent wedding and honeymoon. On December 1st, 2007, I was married to a wonderful man, my best friend, the love of my life, Jamey. We had an amazing wedding, with entertainment by none other than Chairmen of the Board. We met at their concert, so we had to have them play at our reception! It was fantastic! We waited a few months to go on our honeymoon. We went to Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora. Amazing!!! We are living and working in London at the moment, but will surely return to NC one day. I'm currently filling my time with reading (I just finished "The Last Lecture" and it was great), working, and my newest favorite thing is Bikram Yoga. For those who don't know, it's "hot" yoga, as in the room is cranked up to nearly 100 degrees! I have never sweat so much in my life. I also enjoy jogging and other forms of exercising. I'm trying to get back into jogging, but... yeah I know, just do it. My brother is coming to visit us soon and I can't wait! I'll try to post blogs at least weekly, just to keep a written record of what's going on with me, here in London, as a newlywed, etc. To be continued...

Last Labor Day for me!!

Yep, I'm off this Labor Day, but starting next Monday, I'll be working at my new job in London (and the UK doesn't celebrate Labor day, but that's okay because we get the Monday before Labor Day off, I know, it's all a bit strange.). Anyway, the point is I'm starting a new job next week and I'm really excited!!! Now, if I can just get this dissertation done, I'll be in great shape.By the way, how about those App State Mountaineers? 34-32 over 5th ranked Michigan, how do you like them APPles (ha ha)??? Go ASU!!!

Run Jaclyn Run!!!

I've just finished my 5K run for Cancer Research and I feel great! It was such a good feeling to be out in the park with about 6,000 other women who were all there to run/jog/walk for a cure for cancer. The men and the Nivea male cheerleaders were there to cheer us on along the way. The weather turned out to be nice, not too hot and no rain. I definitely plan to make this a yearly tradition. Maybe I can work my way up to a 10K run next year. Thanks to all who have donated, and if you haven't yet, you still can. Just visit the link below:
http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/jaclynhocutt

Thanks for your support!Jaclyn xoxo

Here Comes The Bride!

I can't believe I haven't blogged about this yet, but we all know what it's like to be busy. Especially when you are completing a second Masters degree, searching for a job, and, oh I don't know, PLANNING A WEDDING!!! That's right, I'm engaged! Enjoy the story.It's funny how much of a blur it can all seem, due to the excitement and the feelings that just can't be put into words. My description here does no justice to the actual day, but hopefully my memory serves well in telling the story. On the 30th of September, 2006, Jamey asked me to marry him. We were in Barcelona Spain for a holiday/vacation. The weather was beautiful the whole time we were there. We spent the later part of the week sightseeing and enjoying the Spanish food and culture. On Saturday, we rented a private sailboat for the day. It was just the two of us and our skipper. The sailboat was fabulous! It slept up to 12 people, so it was pretty big. It was equipped with a kitchen, 3 bedrooms, a living room, and 2 toilets (or in America, bathrooms). It was a gorgeous day for Sailing! We sailed from Barcelona to another town called Baddelona, where we had an amazing Spanish lunch (Lobster Paella). On our way back, I was sitting at the front of the boat, soaking up the sun and enjoying the relaxing moments of the day at sea, when Jamey came to join me. We were sitting together for awhile, taking in the beautiful surroundings, when he asked me if I was enjoying myself. When I told him that I was enjoying myself so much that I wished I could bottle up the day and take it home with me, he went to reach in his pocket. I encouraged him to take a picture of the two of us, as I was certain he was reaching in his pocket for the camera. As I looked down, I realized it was not a camera he pulled from his pocket, but a small blue box wrapped with white ribbon. Tears immediately filled my eyes, and I was speechless. Jamey opened the box and inside was the most beautiful ring I have ever seen in my life! He presented the ring to me, told me that he has known for a long time that this day would come, and then proceeded to ask me to be his wife and spend the rest of our lives together. I graciously accepted! We arrived back to Barcelona and later went out to dinner to celebrate the exciting day. My mom and dad were the first to know, as Jamey asked for their blessings just before our trip. They did a very good job keeping it from me, because I was completely surprised. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect, or magical proposal! I'm marrying "MR. RIGHT" in more ways than one! I am truely blessed.

Back to my "roots"???

So, I'm thinking about ditching the blonde for a while and going darker. Something warmer for the winter, perhaps. I'm naturally dark red, but I think I want to go more chocolate brown. Any comments or suggestions?