Mentally: Exhausted. Being sick is exhausting. Missing school, work and internship creates backlog of mental work regarding the needs-to-be-done pile. Reassessment to come next post.
Physically: HA! Finally went to school and had energy to study. So I overdid it and am back home feeling like doodoo. *sheesh*
Emotionally: Lots of feelings come up with sickness. About worth, capabilities, insecurities, vulnerability. Sitting with and through all the feelings and allowing myself to be taken care of. Actually, on the downswing and Mr. Man is sick so I will soon be doing the taking care of. (yes!)
Spiritually: Grateful. Grateful for love, for the animals, for the people in my life. Feeling less connected than post-yoga class but more so than April 5th, 2009. Certainly more so than January 20th, 2012. Every day is better than the last.
Keeping it short. Take care this weekend and if you get smooties, put that immunity boost shit in it.
Becoming Jennie 
Neil W
September 21, 2012
The mental and physical stuff is simply the crap which comes along with being sick. The emotional stuff may be ongoing fallout from the journey you’re on, baggage which is still there even though you’re working on it.
You’re doing good. You’re doing good for yourself and you’re doing good for others. Keep your chin up.
Charlie Fuhro
September 21, 2012
Hi Jennie,
Being sick is no fun. I sure hope you feel better real soon. Since you love animals, I though I’d pass along a couple of ideas that may lift your spirits a bit and give you a laugh or two. There are two websites that I subscribe to: loldogs, and lolcats. The subscriptions are 100% free, and every morning, they will send you a dozen or so photos of dogs and/or cats doing normal animal things. What makes the photos so funny are the captions that folks attach to the photos. Some of these captions are HILARIOUS!! I’ve saved some of my favorite photos on my thumb drive, and any time I get to feeling down, I’ll take a look at a few of these photos. In no time, I’m back on top of things again. This is a GREAT way to start each and every day with a smile or a laugh or two, and the photos remind me not to take myself, or my life too seriously. Just thought I’d pass on the two websites, for whatever they may be worth to you.
And if you’re interested, the website that sponsors loldogs and lolcats — icanhascheeseburger.com — has a number of other websites that take a look at things such as news items, the political scene, etc. and offer funny captions on these photos as well. While these items are funny, they don’t involve the animals, which is what I really enjoy. Anyway, if you’re interested, you can take a look at what they have to offer. You can subscribe to any and all of their programs that interest you, and they are all free. Take care of yourself, Jennie. Hope you’re feeling better real soon. Peace!
becomingjennie
September 21, 2012
love lol cats and Icanhascheeseburger.com … I had a developmental psychology professor who often used these pictures in his slide show. Always got a few laughs. Thank you for the great suggestion, I can always use an early morning pick-me-up.
Charlie Fuhro
September 21, 2012
You’re very welcome, Jennie. Enjoy the little kitties. We can all use a smile or a laugh on a regular basis, and this website gives you a way to get your minimum daily dose of happiness in a quick, easy, and fun way. So enjoy!
salmacis99
September 21, 2012
Sorry to hear you haven’t kicked it yet, Jennie. But as long as you’re still spiritually healthy, then the rest will follow in short order 🙂 Get better soon, and you have a good weekend as well!
Douce Gen
September 21, 2012
Thanks for being there, take care.
Kristianna Berger
September 21, 2012
You’ve got this. You’re all over it. Keep keepin’ on and do take tender care of yourself! Love, Kristianna
Ian
September 21, 2012
You are going to be an astonishingly effective therapist, if that is what you choose to do. Was a fan of Penny Flame, but a bigger one of Jennie Ketcham. Bravo.
Ljbishop
September 21, 2012
“Put that immunity boost shit in it.” Best quote ever, it’s going in my quote journal. Feel better!!!
John A. Cargo
September 21, 2012
Feel better soon. I can certainly relate to regretting not taking my education more seriously. Not to say that I didn’t take it seriously, but I didn’t recognize the value in studying until my third year.
Remember that education–learning–doesn’t stop at school. You learn something every day just by leaving the house, keeping your eyes and ears open, and asking questions.
For exampke, I watched a telecommunications contractor install a fiber optic cable into a library. I saw the equipment they used to splice the fiber optic cable to the fiber optic patch panel (a cross between a microcope and a glass welder), and how they strung cable between telephone poles (a labor-intensive process that required hard hats, high-visiblity jackets and temporarily stopping traffic). If nothing else, you know where the $10 per foot to run a fiber optic cable goes. That doesn’t count the work done beforehand, which included engineering the route, getting permits to either run conduit underground or use existing telephone poles, and keeping everyone involved in the loop who needs to do things like get permission from the townships and make sure they have access to the buildings.
That’s one rambling example that went a bit off-topic. :-). For whatever it’s worth, you’ve got a plan and are both smart and brave to change it if need be.
firstverb
September 21, 2012
Miss Jennifer,
Happy that you and your sickness have come to terms. Sometimes it’s better just to give up fighting and denying the ickyness, surrender to the illness and work on fixing the symptoms and letting the medicine work it’s magic. It’s hard to believe yet you are human, an exceptional unique and special version, but still human. I hope Mr Man recovers soon, not that he will want to get completely better once you start nursing him back to health. The both of you are being prayed for. I’m sure you will be back to the crazy schedule soon enough.Happy weekend dear lady.
Invisible Mikey
September 21, 2012
As you continue to follow the right road, balance will support and strengthen your immune system. I suspect you still try to do too much all at once, an old habit you are learning to outgrow. (Peace)
willis
September 21, 2012
I take my education seriously and I’m still depressed. My greatest regret will be all the girls I didn’t get in my youth.
calebdb8
September 21, 2012
I think each day gets a bit better for me too since April 2009. If I compare September 2009 to September 2010 and September 2011 to September 2012 I can see that I am still getting better and stronger. OK, maybe not stronger. But I have learned soooooooo much in the last 3.5ish years. Wiser, I am getting wiser.
Shannon
September 21, 2012
Hi Jennie,
I’m sorry to hear you are still under the weather. Try to take good care of yourself this weekend.
Sending you thoughts of comfort and healing.
Shannon
L
September 21, 2012
What a nice, “normal” post. Who would have ever thought it possible! Seems hard work and commitment has paid off. You are connected and doing great. Major cool!
P.S. Love the statement “Would we live with less regret if we dared more often to reach and venture out, risking failure, but at least having tried?”
Who would have ever thought that smart ass, know it all human, who made fun of Celebrity Rehab and how she was going to play it for all she could in the kink van, would post what she did today and come this far. You done good.
Holli
September 22, 2012
Hope you BOTH get better soon!! it sucks to be sick. takes everything right outta ya but does give you an excuse to lay around all day and watch tv 🙂
John Hanes
September 22, 2012
Try eating grapes when you feel drained. They have a lot of glucose and its been show to replenish willpower in experiments. Psychologist Roy Baumaster’s book on Willpower goesngovernthe details. Obviously you could probably use some rest too. Hope you feel better soon, I’m sick too and it totally sucks. Reishi Mushrooms help a lot, but it takes 3 weeks to accumulate enough for an effect. Be well.
DG
September 22, 2012
Jennie, And how about fiscally? How are things on that front? I only ask because of your recent Fear and Finances post. Hopefully less fear. Take care. DG
foofoo5
September 23, 2012
I swear, you best shut my shit down fast, Jennifer! My favorite album as a kid? The Temptations, Live at London’s Talk of the Town. Circa 1970. “Long as I got shoes to put on my feet, & food for my babies to eat, everything is ‘gonna be alright…” Audio only on YouTube. R&B. Chris Brown? Fuck you, pal! This OG will wup you with that Grammy! Now, where was I.. Oh, Jennifer, do you really want more platitudes? From me? Pat you on the head – turn that ballcap around (back-in-the-day, best man in my life said, “only reason your cap ain’t pointed forward is because you ain’t sure of your direction” – Holy Cow!), give you some coin for lunch (Don’t you dare spend it on cookies!)? Hard to imagine at 4:00 am here in the psych ER.
What do I have playing in my “vestibular system” at the moment: Govt Mule, “Live With a Little Help from Our Friends.” Warren Haynes featuring Derek Trucks (We’re takin’ Allman Bros. Band here). Song: Steven Stills’ “Almost Cut My Hair.” Unbelievable! Then, I read from you, ” I will soon be doing the taking care of. (yes!)” And so, I propose we play “employ a mature defense against every every psychic fear in the briefcase!” Today’s defense is “altruism,” not as a cheap “diversion,” of the ego, but a “loaning of ego strength outsider myself to someone in need.” Case in point: ME. In specific: MY HAIR! Dilemma: It’s not quite as long as yours, but damn near! And when It’s humid, I end up looking like an ad for the “Johnson Products Blow-Out Kit” from S-O-U-L Train. It is a source of frequent – shall we say – “rabble” with my wife, and for heaven’s sake convicted felons in the state of CA feel entitled to “critique me; “What’s up with the hair?” “What’s up with you driving up the cost of a haircut because you think you have a right to steal?” Issue: I can’t tolerate people messin’ with my head, punkin’ up my hairs. I believe you have enough information. Climb out of that “sickness” thing and focus. I’ll be back.
Dave
September 23, 2012
Aw. Poor Jennie. Im sure your love is being quite the good man nurse for ya. Being sick can sometimes be the body’s way of saying relax, cool off and just show yourself some love and kindness. Or, it just means you happen to be one of the lucky ones to just get sick 🙂 Either way, take it easy and indulge in some tlc, meditate and pick up a good, hearty book that makes ya feel good. Be well!
Dennis
September 23, 2012
Jennie,
In a way, making those first couple of steps towards healing and wholeness are easy compared to the strides that have to be taken as we further look at ourselves deeper and face the issues of our past.
I can tell this must be difficult when there is such a strong connection between our emotional and physical health… and how they are interconnected with each other. I can see
it my own battle of addiction…when I am have positive emotional feelings, I am likely to have good physical health. So I just want to encourage to fight through the tough times, knowing there are better days ahead.
Dennis
kathleenr08
September 26, 2012
Dear Jennie,
Thank you for being you! I have been reading your blog and it has brought tears to my eyes. I have gone through so much in life (abusive teachers, boyfriends, siblings ashamed of me) but if you can survive, which you have and WILL, I can get through my troubles too. Whenever you feel down, remember there are people out there who love you very much.
Love,
Kathleen
anonymous
September 28, 2012
“Asian and Western”
what about Russia, Africa, … Middle East…
SuperProudOfYou
October 2, 2012
Hi Jennie,
We’ve never met, but I just finished reading your book and wanted to let you know that I think you’re incredible. You are literally one of the strongest human beings I’ve ever encountered, however vicariously, and I am rooting for you. You are an amazing inspiration, please keep writing (your writing is AMAZING), and hope you’re feeling better than you were on september 21st, because being sick and behind on work sucks!
Sincerely,
Rivka
becomingjennie
October 3, 2012
You are so sweet! Thank you for the support, and I look forward to seeing you in this space 😉
koleinutiger
October 6, 2012
I’ll be around! 🙂
michael92105
October 2, 2012
Miss you…hope you are okay.
Victor
October 3, 2012
Interesting… Citing the book: “…the most commin regret was not taking their education more seriously”. Seriously, it is never too late to take education. The whole life process is a continous learning process. Without it, it won’t be possible to progress, and we would still be living in the stone age…
Graham
October 3, 2012
Hey Jennie
Couldn’t sleep, 20 super random links later I stumbled onto this. Crazy how that will happen. Too tired to read much now, but I’ll check back another time. Glad to see you’re doing OK. Always wondered what happened to you after Terzetto.
becomingjennie
October 4, 2012
Wow! hahaha… Didn’t even put it together until I saw Terzettos… life has changed quite a bit since then. You are well I hope? Finally found sleep?
LucN
November 24, 2012
Just finished reading your book, one of the best books I read in the past few years. I hope you’ll write another one soon. Congratulations. PS: I hope the book is doing well.
becomingjennie
November 27, 2012
Thank you Luc! I hope so too hahaha!