I've decided to use this blog for family stuff and other blogs for more humor, local Rochester news, musings, etc. If you would like to check out my newest blog, it's located at http://www.aroundtownroc.blogspot.com/. I'm looking forward to using this for all thinks Jaime Barclay and all things ROC.

Thank you for checking out http://www.barclayupdate.blogspot.com/, but if you're more interested in things other than my puppies and pics of my in-laws I invite you to wander over to http://www.aroundtownroc.blogspot.com/. Looking forward to seeing you there.

Jaime

In the here and now…

I remember when I was a little girl people always asking me "what do you want to be when you grow up"? I don't think I was unique in remembering all of these kinds of questions… "where do you want to go to college", "How many kids do you want to have", "who do you want to marry"? I can remember being very young when my responses started being, "A lawyer", "somewhere like Harvard", "I don't want to have kids", "I want to marry a guy like Kurt Cobain".

I did have my Kurt Cobain boyfriend in about 1996; his name was Erik. He had blond hair like Kurt, played the guitar like Kurt, and even wore a Kurt Cobain t-shirt. This boyfriend was more of a casual relationship, but however short it was it had a profound impact on me. He was going through an "existential phase" (as his parents called it) and I remember him always saying to me- "Jaime, time is short, life is long". In my 19 year old psyche this was super profound. I wrote it down and said it to myself many many times until I understood what he was trying to tell me. After I finally got it, I wrote in my own quote next to his in my journal "The experiences we have had through the circles of life are both priceless and irreplaceable".

What I learned from Erik is this: My experiences allow me to know myself and if I'm present I can enjoy the moments as they occur.

I have given myself permission to not worry about pleasing other people or having the right answers to those ridiculously crazy questions like "What do you want to be when you grow up", "How many kids do you want to have", or "where do you see yourself in 10 years".

I think I learn more from teaching my classes than my students do. Right now I'm teaching Interpersonal Effectiveness and these past 3 units have gone through "Why do we need Interpersonal Skills"?, "Self-Disclosure", and now "Trust". One of the most pervasive themes throughout the entire course is how important living in the present is to strong interpersonal skills; being time-competent allows us to know ourselves and therefore, know each other. If we don't like something about ourselves we can change it, but we cannot change other people. If you do not trust yourself, how can you trust others? We live in the moment by being in the moment; trusting in ourselves and having confidence.

My message for today is to enjoy today. Do not drag around baggage from the past, do not live life in the future. The only life we have is happening today. Or as Erik would say (forever in my mind as a 21 year old artist wearing a Kurt Cobain t-shirt) "Life is long, Time is short".

Really enjoying Little Will & the "All Stars" a.K.a Tristan Greene & Justin at Lovin Cup at Park Point.

Our Dear friends Leslie & Erik do such a wonderful job!

Watching Ry clean our walls and amazed what a broken bottle with just a TOUCH of liquid will do to a house.

Tuesday, Dear Tuesday….

This morning my contemplation was in regards to Tuesday's…. I don't know if it would be a ridiculous notion to feel sorry or even contemplate the overall perceived thought on a day of the week, but that's where I am at this morning. Let's reflect…

Monday is "special" because it is the FIRST day of the week, it's met with optimism by some and dread by others. It has its own cute sayings like "Does someone have a case of the Mondays?" (OfficeSpace), "I HATE Mondays!", or "It's a FRESH week with no mistakes in it YET". TUESDAY's are a different story… it's as if Tuesday is the middle child of 5 with no particularly unique qualities. The world at large sort of "forgets" it exists and it's as if Tuesdays are a black hole of the work week, month, and year. Wednesday's are humpday, Thursdays are for going out with friends, and Fridays—well, TGIF BABY…. Saturday's are for working around the house, dinner with family or friends, and the VERY best day of the week… and Sundays are for God, Family, and Rest!

Have I convinced you to feel sorry for Tuesdays yet?

My friends and I made a resolve about two years ago that we were going to make EVERY day special… even Tuesdays…. So, we call them "friends drinks Tuesdays"…. There are many pros to this idea… we start our evening out together much earlier, the restaurants and bars are empty, and we get the best specials and service. BUT the best thing about it is that we can spend that time together without the conflict of a million and one OTHER things going on around us. So, my thoughts are….

Instead of forgetting Tuesday exists, make each day of your week count—Tuesdays are not the middle child to forget about, but the day for quiet reflection with good friends, good food, and good times.

 

Happy Tuesday everyone!!

Blogging for Bloggings Sake

I was sitting here at my dining room table having my first cup of coffee this morning and felt convicted to Blog. As I reflected on this conviction I realized that it came from somewhere other than my person—it came from social pressure itself. In addition to drinking coffee I was messing around with my Facebook and Twitter accounts and came across an article written on the importance of blogging. I always knew the importance of blogging as it pertains to web presence and blah blah blah, but I thought I could "squeak by" with some micro blogging posts on Twitter and Facebook. Thank you to Smashable for setting me straight! J

 

I believe my last post explained by renewed commitment to this blogger process and I have let down myself, my readers, and the internet at large—for that I am deeply apologizing to all of those people who are weeping in my slacker absence. I'm back….

 

I don't have much more to say this morning other than I am stoked on the sun shining, one more week of classes, and a productive week ahead! Enjoy the sun, enjoy the calm, and enjoy life. Until I write again….

Dinner at Lovin Cup




Cuddled in the Ion watching Fireworks on the Avenue






Rochesters Finest Fireworks from the Wedge










Jay & Megan holding my husband for the last time in 2008 in the middle of the MOrtuary!





Counting down with Carson Daly

25 year old Cooks Zinfindel











Happy New Year!






Getting Schooled by the Lion's feet




The Rump Shaker Song dance-off








Drum Lessons on the D-Dubbs

New Years Eve 2008

Ryan and I always try to plan something extra special for New Years Eve. Last year we spent it in Woodstock, VT (which is one of the most magical places to spend a winter holiday) and this year we wanted to continue on with the magical location New Years holiday, but we came to our senses and rolled into 2009 with a sense and sensibility that has been indicative of the entire Barclay 2008 year.

 

We started our evening with dinner at one of our favorite spots in Rochester—Lovin Cup. Lovin Cup's concept is amazing and the people who dreamt the concept and carry it out everyday aren't too shabby either! Leslie Zinck & Erik Ward are creative, hard working, and plain 'ole fun! Our din din was yummy and the beers were unique and super fresh—what a great place to start off our evening!

Our NEXT stop was the middle of South Ave right around Thread where we were able to enjoy the Rochester City fireworks display. This was unplanned, but super neat to enjoy from the WARMTH of our Saturn! It was quiet in the Wedge with snow falling and fire lighting the sky—a bit spontaneous and romantic.

A parallel park and a melodic ding dong of a doorbell and we were walking into the Schreiber/Kelley Mortuary. As always we were greeted by the two most beautiful ladies on the Ave… Kaya and Dakota. Soon we were singing along to Wilco and eating vegetarian sushi in winter wonderland style. Just as we were settling in and enjoying our evening with such wonderful people we were forced to move on—so many places, so little time. With a woosh and a smooosh we were sliding through the muck and heading to our beloved East Irondequoit. If Webster is where live is worth living, then East Irondequoit is where It's never worth leaving. (another joke for another day).

 

No knocking necessary at the Zapf/Chase household—we roll in with 5 minutes to spare. Mesmerized by Carson and the 56 inch television we drink in the new year with 25 year old Cook's Sparkling White Zinfindel. A sip is all you need when it's 25 years old. Celebratory shots and glasses of Pinot replaced the vintage vino and we were off to the races. We dances to "Rump Shaker", I gave everyone a drum lesson, and Chris schooled us all with the lion slippers. It was definitely a 2008 New Years Eve to remember and the 1^st Annual on Eastway avenue.

3:30am is not a time I see often, but with great friends and lots of laughter time seems to just run away. What a wonderful 2008 New Years Eve we had. Even though it wasn't some grand, elaborate brew-ha-ha it was memorable and filled with new memories and old friends. 2009 is looking forward to being a year for new adventures and time with loved ones.

 

Happy New Year to all of you and I look forward to sharing our year with you!