Jodi's Journal

This past weekend I was blessed to go home and spend 4 full days with my lil niece, Lia Jean. She is just shy of 2 years old now & I am in awe of her. Actually, it's quite mutual - as almost every minute she was saying "Jo Jo!"

When Lia was born, on October 10th 2005, she joined the Komitor family as the first grandchild. If you know my family, you can imagine what a BIG deal this was! I was so lucky to live walking distance to her, so I got lots of QT Lia time from the very beginning. When she turned 1 years old, I knew that I was moving across the country & made an extra effort to see her many times a week. Today, Lia & I have a very special bond that makes living so far away from her very challenging.

But I will see her in November for Thanksgiving & have had many great reunions with her since my move out west. I absolutely LOVE and appreciate witnessing her grow & change, develop & thrive, all of which is so evident because of the time in between each visit.

So whereas I used to worry that my niece wouldn't remember me or feel safe to be with me, that was all just useless paranoia. The truth lies in our bond that is sure to never be forgotten, no matter how close or far away we live from each other. I am Aunt Jo Jo!

The hype goes on...this poor surfer boy wakes up every morning with a new outfit! Today he was Flava Flav. Despite his new look, no love from Chants! Lots of love I mean laughs from Cardiffians though!

When a friend of mine from NY read this LA Times article - she wrote me & said "That's classic! Chants peeing on the statue!" It really is. But nonetheless - it's right on with target with our taste.

Read it for yourself. Would be curious what you think!

But from what I have been told, the weather in San Diego in September & October is the most glorious of all. I don't feel those end of summer blues that I used to get in New York...Labor Day weekend, back to school, back to work, no more beach, no more outdoor fun - NOT AT ALL! In fact, the life I live now, it's 12 months a year for all that good stuff & I'm lovin' it up!

I had an amazing visit from my Mom & Dad last week. Short & sweet, but super meaningful. It was my Dad's 1st time seeing me in my new life in Cali, my mom was out here earlier in March. We spent quality time together, relaxing at the beach, walking the hood & eating at my favorite restaurants. I celebrated my parents with a meet & greet the Focker's/Komitor's BBQ with my new California friends. It's amazing how now time with my parents is so much more quality than when we saw each other so often when I was living near them. Funny how that happens.

Also this past week, I received the gift of my Primordial Sound Mantra - the vibration the world made the moment I was born. My dear friend David Ji treated me to the Primordial Sound Meditation course at the Chopra Center where I learned their style of meditation: repeating my given mantra over & over again in order to lessen the chatter of thoughts & increase the power of silence. I have since been meditating twice a day & reaping the amazing benefits of meditation. I am so very grateful for being with myself in meditation, asking who I am, what I want & how can I serve.