tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31109946096797169922024-03-05T08:32:10.453-08:00(Mis)Adventures in Theatre...and in life. Because all the world's a stage...yadda yadda yaddaLaurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06677496769432140915noreply@blogger.comBlogger252125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110994609679716992.post-42318209937685490022014-02-12T20:09:00.001-08:002014-02-12T20:09:55.357-08:00Writers Workshop: (Self) Love Edition<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Thought I would try my hand at the Writer's Workshop this week, which also allows me a small update about my Mexican vacation. Yay double duty posts!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">First I would like to say, I had an AMAZING vacation. I still can't actually believe it happened, it's so surreal. The reason I can tie my trip into a love post is because it was a retreat all about getting back to loving yourself. I think a lot of us are guilty of not taking time in our busy days to really take care of ourselves. Putting ourselves last is noble, we think, saying, "I'll make sure to do what I can today and if there's time maybe I'll take a bubble bath." This is such a backward thought. By taking care of ourselves - both mentally and physically - we are much better equipped to help others. I really think in the back of our minds we all know that, but we just don't make the time. And that's just it, we have to MAKE the time, like you would for anything else that's important.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Being given the opportunity to take the trip I did was probably one of the best gifts I could have given myself. Thousands of miles away from my daily life, what else did I have to do but take care of me? Also, because it was a retreat, I was surrounded by 18 other truly amazing women who were all doing the same thing. We had meals cooked for us, daily yoga and meditation, and group talks about what was holding us back from really loving who we were. I am only speaking for myself here when I say I've always used acts of service as a means of distraction. If I'm too busy doing things for others, I can use it as an excuse for a number of things, the main thing being my health. I've been unhappy with my body image for almost as long as I can remember, but instead of doing something about it to make myself happy, I turned to doing other things to prove my worth. Need a babysitter? Sure. Have a garden that needs weeding? On it. Need your house painted? I'm your girl. While being helpful is obviously not a bad thing, the reason behind it was not entirely pure. I didn't realize that though until the last year or so.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">While I started my self-love journey a couple years ago, going to Mexico really did a lot to cement all the things I've been working on. The group of women was (and still is) SO supportive, I couldn't ask for a more wonderful group of soul sisters. Probably one of the biggest steps though that I've taken so far in self-acceptance was wearing a bikini for the first time in my life. I'm 29. There has not been one time in 29 years that I've felt comfortable enough to go out in public in a bikini. I had decided though when I bought my plane ticket, this was the time. Then the day came. I got dressed in my cabana, put on my cover up, and walked to the beach. With everyone else laying in their own suits sunning on the sand, I did what I never thought I could do. I took off my cover up and joined them. And you know what? It was awesome. They didn't think twice. There was no public ridicule, no humiliation, no looks of disgust. In fact they all said, "Good for you!"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This is a small thing, but its hugely significant milestone for me. And while I can't say that I look in the mirror with total satisfaction just yet, I'm much, much more comfortable. I learned that the only opinion of myself that matters is mine, and that if I take time and love myself for how I am, that will show when I'm out in the world as well. So even though I'm single this Valentine's Day, I'm still feeling the love.</span>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06677496769432140915noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110994609679716992.post-84537323355717904082014-01-13T21:23:00.002-08:002014-01-13T21:23:28.123-08:00Remember that one time...<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">...when I went to Mexico?!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Seriously.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Fo' realz.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm packing my bag (and a LOT of sunscreen), and leaving for Mexico this Sunday! It's kind of a long story, and even the journey from ticket purchase (mid-November) to now has been quite a ride worthy of a post in itself. I have been FREAKING OUT, as many of my wonderfully compassionate friends can tell you, but finally - FINALLY - the week before I leave I am feeling some real, legitimate excitement.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I won't have my computer or cell service while I'm there, but I plan to take lots and lots of pictures. One of the things I want to do this year (as I say EVERY year....*sigh*) is make some more time for blogging, and what better way to start than with an amazing trip? I'm still in a whirlwind of emotions and craziness, with packing, prepping my travel arrangements, getting all my stuff caught up at work, etc... And when I'm slightly less discombobulated I'll regale my full story to you in agonizingly minute detail, but for now I wanted to just pop in and say...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I AM GOING ON VACATION Y'ALL! :D</span>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06677496769432140915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110994609679716992.post-59351206374866303822013-12-02T22:30:00.000-08:002013-12-02T22:42:10.139-08:00Book Review: Perhaps I've Said Too Much<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A few weeks ago, Rodney (better known around the internets as <a href="https://twitter.com/moooooog35" target="_blank">Moooooog35</a>) put out a call for folks who would like to review his newest book, <i>Perhaps I've Said Too Much</i>. I said, "Well, if you'd like the opinion of a random girl in Montana, I'd love to put in my two cents." Shockingly, that worked. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've read Rodney's blog <a href="http://www.midgetmanofsteel.com/" target="_blank">Mental Poo</a> for quite a few years now, and I've always really enjoyed his writing style. His stories are endlessly entertaining, and told with such fervor that you can't help but get sucked in. I can't even count how many times I went to read "just the new post" and then wound up down a rabbit hole, hours later, just laughing to myself in the corner. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZzKcw9eyhxFE04979HXLTNSlCX_SDNDtl4AVhZ5ejK-e48LqcUP_mQuvfywK5tvDeuT4SV6WSRtzmasioZq7wIQpjQzIchawksERtDEkWkGVWkr6rc1txEL7gav4b7K_ofPUCh_YCKc/s1600/perhaps-cover13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZzKcw9eyhxFE04979HXLTNSlCX_SDNDtl4AVhZ5ejK-e48LqcUP_mQuvfywK5tvDeuT4SV6WSRtzmasioZq7wIQpjQzIchawksERtDEkWkGVWkr6rc1txEL7gav4b7K_ofPUCh_YCKc/s1600/perhaps-cover13.jpg" height="320" width="222" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For anyone with a good sense of humor, I would highly, <i><b>highly</b></i>, recommend <i>Perhaps I've Said Too Much</i>. It's a collection of stories about ridiculous situations he's gotten into (or created) by lying. As you're reading, you can't help wonder if he's just twisted or if he is, in fact, some genius mastermind. You'll also wish that you were as on-the-spot the clever as the 8-year-old Rodney, playing off his new "bionic finger" for his classmates. Or how he threw a party in college and managed to escape the repercussions for almost a month by spinning tales of clumsiness doing household chores. That in and of itself is super impressive. Not to mention any number of clever, crazy, or amazingly off-the-wall things he's pulled off at work!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Oh and let us not forget the pictures. I know, I know. It sounds silly to compliment a book for it's pictures, but they are a great supporting cast to what are already outstanding stories. They exist for comedic value and attempted clarification (read: often exaggeration...such hilarious exaggeration), and fully succeed with their purpose. I love them and the Brain Nuggets, because much like the author, I tend to get distracted easily, and they're fun little addendums that keep things interesting. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I thoroughly enjoyed reading <i>Perhaps I've Said Too Much</i>, and couldn't put it down. From the very first page you just wonder what outrageous adventures you're going to be led on, and Rodney does not disappoint. I laughed out loud almost every page, and absolutely could not get enough of the crazy antics. It officially releases today, and I would strongly urge all of you to go check it out! The links below will take you to purchase pages and his Facebook fan page. Also, if you do decide to enrich your life with <i>Perhaps I've Said Too Much</i> (a wise choice), be a dear and leave a review on the Amazon page!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Official Synopsis and Links for your viewing and buying pleasure:</span><br />
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
"It's not a lie if you believe it."</div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
Bionic fingers. Self-combusting Tiffany lamps. Rubber spiders and ventriloquist dolls. Vindictive mothers throwing women down stairs.</div>
<div class="p2">
Rodney Lacroix has lived his life trying to fool people. Some of this is on purpose. Some of this just comes naturally. But no matter what the story he spins, there is always retribution - and it is very rarely a happy ending.</div>
<div class="p2">
Join Rodney as he walks you through hysterical stories told through the eyes of a perpetual liar. Wince at his untruths, told in the same unconventional style that won him two awards for his 2012 release, "Things Go Wrong for Me." Feel his pain. Shake your head. Learn some lessons.</div>
<div class="p2">
As usual, all of the stories contained herein are true.</div>
<br />
<div class="p2">
Or are they?</div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Paperback: </b><a href="http://amzn.to/1aWcJsM"><span class="s2">http://amzn.to/1aWcJsM</span></a></span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="s3"><b>Kindle:</b></span><span class="s4"> <a href="http://amzn.to/1c8rOsh"><span class="s5">http://amzn.to/1c8rOsh</span></a></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Autographed copy: </b><span class="s2"><a href="http://www.rcgpublishing.com/?op=order">http://www.rcgpublishing.com/?op=order</a></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="p4">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And go 'like' his fan page here:<a href="http://on.fb.me/1iuww9a" target="_blank"> http://on.fb.me/1iuww9a</a></span></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06677496769432140915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110994609679716992.post-85117671839285096742013-06-23T07:00:00.000-07:002013-06-23T10:02:57.758-07:00Adventures in Singledom: How to Meet People<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The hardest part of being an adult is making friends. While I've never been in a super popular crowd, I've always been lucky enough to have a good collective of friends to call on and cause mayhem with. Turns out though, once you're not in school, you have to actually <i>seek out</i> other humans to interact with on your own time. Sure you'll probably meet a couple folks through whatever job you do (unless you work from home...lucky), but I think most of us can agree that we don't really want to see a majority of our coworkers once the day is done. So what do you do? Where do you go? If you're here looking for a guide to help you, I will tell you now that's not what you'll find. I'm only speaking through my experiences and trying to learn as go, so if you have suggestions, please do tell.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Seems to me, and I could be grossly misinterpreting my demographic, that a lot of people my age meet people in bars. Which is totally cool, I'm not judging you if you do or did. For me though, it's really uncomfortable. As I've mentioned, I'm not terribly articulate, especially when talking with guys I don't know. And in the rare event that one of them says something nice to me I pull one of these:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://fsb.zedge.net/scale.php?img=NC8yLzcvMy8xLTUxNjI4MDEtNDI3MzQ5MC5qcGc&ctype=1&v=4&q=81&xs=620&ys=383&sig=ac2c8d8f6140a557d7a7e7ce24b117fe1775db05" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://fsb.zedge.net/scale.php?img=NC8yLzcvMy8xLTUxNjI4MDEtNDI3MzQ5MC5qcGc&ctype=1&v=4&q=81&xs=620&ys=383&sig=ac2c8d8f6140a557d7a7e7ce24b117fe1775db05" width="191" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I feel like bars are for people who thrive on being in large crowds and like small talk. Again, cool if you do, more power to you. I also feel like especially people my age who are in bars are looking more for hook-ups and not really a relationship, which is totally not my scene. So when debating on how to go about broadening my social circle, I didn't even consider this an option.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What I did consider, were the cooking classes. At least that was part of my hope. And while I have yet to meet any nice, single men my age (with the exception of the really nice guy who taught us to make pizza...I should look into that) it's always a win because I wind up with a delicious meal and tons of recipes. I've been to three so far: pizza, curry, and pie. PIE. I had a whole dinner made up of different pies that night...I am not at all sad that it was full of middle-aged and up women. Plus the teacher was amazing and really helpful. But alas, no lasting friends or subsequent dates came from any of them.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What I did NOT consider (but maybe should have!) was just going places alone. People are more apt to talk to you if you are by yourself and not actively involved in conversation with someone you already know. I had this particular realization when I took myself to go see Man of Steel. Being the nerd that I am I had decided to go to a late show on opening day, and I also showed up an hour and a half early. Getting in line and having a good seat and all that. So I poked my head around the corner and saw a tiny group of people sitting on the floor waiting and I asked, "Is this the line for Man of Steel?" They all nodded reassuringly and I went and took a seat next to the guy who was at the end. He asked if I was a big Superman fan, and I looked a little sheepish and admitted that no, I wasn't really, but the movie trailer looked so good I thought I'd give it shot. He perked right up and said, "Really?! I'm the same way! Superman is usually totally overrated, but this one looked really good!" And so started our friendship. As it turned out, he was also there by himself, but some friends of his called and said they might come closer to the movie time (which they did, and they were all awesome). We talked about jobs and how we wound up there, what we actually went to school for, other places we'd lived and how we got there, and which super heroes we really did think were the best. It was a great time. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">*Side note: This is one glowing example of why I love the geek community. I have yet to go somewhere where there is a large population of geeks and not feel welcome. Even when I go to the comic book store, I wind up having a brief conversation with some nice boy playing Warhammer in the back. It is a kind, welcoming culture, and one that I'm very happy to have embraced and that has embraced me.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Roughly an hour into our conversation, one of his other friends shows up. She joins us, he introduces me, and then we all just carry on like we've been BFFs forever. At one point I said, "I feel a little weird cause I literally just met you guys, but do you mind if I add you on Facebook?" They were both very emphatic and replied, "Of course! And it's not weird, this is how you meet people now. It's cool." Friends. I made friends! Right before they let us in to sit, his last friend showed up and it was the same round of introduction, same awesome good to have you, and we all went in and sat together for the show, and discussed it on the way out through the parking lot and just generally had a really good time.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I cannot tell you how happy I was going home that day. Not because I had actually met a single boy my age that was really nice and I could talk to (bonus!), but that I had actually made new friends. I honestly really like going to movies by myself, and do most of the time when I decide to go see a movie, but that's the first time since I graduated in 2008 that I've met people outside of a work setting totally on my own. It emboldened me a little, and I have to say, good things come to those that take adventures. Even if the adventures are small.</span></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06677496769432140915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110994609679716992.post-13236615199420466492013-04-07T11:36:00.001-07:002013-04-07T11:36:12.315-07:00Monday Miiiingle!<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's back! And so am I! I really love vlogging and I was just thinking that I should start doing stuff like that again, so I was super excited when I saw Speedy post that MM would be live tomorrow. Ya'll should go check it out over at <a href="http://eightymphmom.com/category/memes/" target="_blank">Eighty MPH Mom</a>. And with that, here's my triumphant return to vlogging. I like to talk so I ramble a lot...sorry in advance. Password for the video is: misadventure</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Enjoy! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="375" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/63513022" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/63513022">Monday Mingle! 4.8.13</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/misadventures">Lauren</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06677496769432140915noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110994609679716992.post-29766985984063077342013-03-24T19:24:00.000-07:002013-03-24T19:26:29.043-07:00Adventures in Singledom: The Epihany<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am at the age where I'm "supposed" to be an adult. Right. Tell that to my Cat in the Hat footie pajamas, of which I am wearing right now. They even have pockets. I know, you're jealous. Anyway, I digress. I'm also at the age where a very large majority of my friends are in long term relationships, married, are pregnant/having kids, or some combination of the three. I am just about the only single person left among my group of friends, which gets really old after a while. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me: "Want to come hang out?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Oh no thanks, we can't get a sitter." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Oh it's date night." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Oh sorry, we're having couples trivia night." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fine. I wanted to sit here and watch the new season of My Little Pony on Netflix while I drink beer and crochet anyway. Because I'm a bizarre combination of tiny child, old lady, and 20-something. Truthfully, I'm really ok with this most days, but every so often it nags at me. I'm running out of single friends to do things with, and the energy to even leave the house to want to do something.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got a random text from one of my married-with-children friends last week that said, "Hey, hubs has a thing tonight, would you want to hang out?" I of course accepted with great enthusiasm, because my social life is about as exciting as a snail race through molasses. At some point during the evening, my friend said, "You know I'm really glad you could come over, I assumed you'd be busy." I laughed. Me? Busy? Right. I told her, "Nah, I rarely doing anything besides work and go home." (Sad but true) She said, "I just always assume that single people are out doing exciting, fun things all the time." And then the epiphany came. Why <i>wasn't</i> I out doing fun, exciting, single-y things? Besides the fact that I'm totally introverted, painfully awkward at making conversation with people I don't know, and broke as hell? No idea. Regardless, I mentally made the decision that I should probably start acting like the young single person I am instead of the old lady I keep (only half) jokingly telling people (and myself) that I am. Or at the very least try to not become a crazy cat lady before I'm 30.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If nothing else, it should make for some good stories.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In true stereotypical fashion, the first thing I decided to do was sign up for a cooking class. I'm actually super excited about it, I've been wanting to do a cooking class for forever and just never have. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The class is in three weeks, but they fill up so fast you almost have to book your spot a month in advance if you want to make it in.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> This one is going to be taught by the owner of one of our local pizzerias</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> so I'll learn how to make dough, toss it, make sauce, etc. I mean come on, who doesn't like pizza? This could very well be the undoing of my 30 pound weight loss...or the start of an epic pizza diet. Only time will tell.</span>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06677496769432140915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110994609679716992.post-47121354338095200172013-03-20T12:07:00.000-07:002013-03-20T12:07:05.209-07:00Anti-Social Media<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In recent years for Lent I've tried to become more creative with what I abstain from. One year I gave up ice cream (which is huge for me...I practically live on ice cream). One year I gave up swearing. Last year I paid a quarter for every negative comment. This year...I gave up Facebook and Twitter. I had made this decision toward the beginning of the year and had actually kind of thought that it was cheating a little. JUST giving up social media? Is that really going to matter? I mean, I rarely posted to either in recent months, and there were days that I'd go without checking them anyway, so it shouldn't be that hard. Right?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Wrong.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Oh, so wrong.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The VERY FIRST thing I did on Ash Wednesday was poke the Facebook app on my phone out of habit. To which I went, "Ah crap! No no no!" And as the day progressed I had to keep stifling urges to check my phone. As it turns out, while I didn't post excessively, I DID check both compulsively. It was like when you check the time but you don't actually see what time it is. I was just doing it out of habit. I also realized that had no idea where else to go on the internet. I was finding links to other things from my social media sources. Even with just those two site restrictions on myself, I've found that my internet use, and also my phone use, has sigificantly decreased.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Overall, it hasn't been too bad, but you don't (or I didn't) realize how much people rely on Facebook to get information out until you're not using it. I can't even tell you how many times I've heard, "Well didn't you see it on Facebook? I posed it today." Or "So and so is pregnant/married/engaged/graduating! They posted it this morning!" Or "This super fun thing is happening today, didn't you get the invite?" NO. I. DIDN'T. Can't you just text me or call me like a normal person? Is this really how far we've come?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Lent is 6 weeks long, and I've now got a week and a half left. I'm not going to lie, I really miss it and am very much looking forward to catching up after Easter. I have a handful of friends who are posting things in excess because they know I still get notifications...and they're trying to drive me slowly insane. I just keep thinking though that I'll have SO MUCH to look forward to when I'm back. I will say too, that although it's been a bit of a rough detox, it's made me appreciate things a little more. I've certainly become more mindful of my time, and that is never a bad thing. It also made me realize that I miss actually communicating with my friends. Not just over some user interface, but on the phone, sending a card, having coffee. My hope is that I'll become better at making "real life time" for my friends now, as well as seeing what they're up to in my news feed.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">But some days, you just need a funny cat picture, you know?</span>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06677496769432140915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110994609679716992.post-64465287735277157882013-03-18T12:40:00.001-07:002013-03-18T12:40:59.697-07:00And this is why I'm not allowed to watch House<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As usual, I'm getting over being sick. I've been sick with alarming frequency and with the weirdest things ever since I got this job. My track record so far includes:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">A cold roughly every three months</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Chillblaines</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Chicken pox</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Numbness of feet</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Overall poor circulation</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Carpel tunnel</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">That's all in a year and a half. Stupid, isn't it?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The dumbest part is that when I worked retail I was rarely, if ever, sick. Maybe once a year. And I was in constant contact with different people, children, dust, money...I mean it was a germ playground. What gives?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I have gotten especially fed up today because I felt pretty good this morning when I left the house. I could breathe out my nose, my cough was dry and faint, I seemed to be on the mend nicely. I got to work and within 10 minutes of being here it was like someone had turned on a faucet in my face.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">@)#$(#*$()#@*$!!!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Clearly, I'm allergic to work. I have to be. I'm not allergic to anything else. Nothing. Not a plant, food, or animal causes me any sort of reaction. Pollen season? No sweat. House full of 7 long haired cats? Bring it on. Shrimp pad thai with peanut sauce? Yum. You get my point.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So, being me, I have come up with outrageous explaination for this ridiculousness. *puts on House lab coat and grabs stethoscope*</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">You see, there are these giant water spots above my cubicle that have gone without attention:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaM61UV74b2rXdM2Fxpo6XwxYbLykZhlW4URa0w4Z_f9JlHJ1PjOfIPmu31IHSgWxsjdKNwTk-8qyPCgYx4yD8U9STl6V_3vBOPE6hs-CphHKC0hL3Kb1vhuAaXFZ1p3OGhudFZSdaeSA/s640/blogger-image--1736981888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaM61UV74b2rXdM2Fxpo6XwxYbLykZhlW4URa0w4Z_f9JlHJ1PjOfIPmu31IHSgWxsjdKNwTk-8qyPCgYx4yD8U9STl6V_3vBOPE6hs-CphHKC0hL3Kb1vhuAaXFZ1p3OGhudFZSdaeSA/s400/blogger-image--1736981888.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The way I figure, those water spots have started growing mold on the side between the tiles and the roof where the ductwork is. And not your garden-variety green mold, oh no. Black mold.</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Then, when the fans come on periodically throughout the day to circulate air* (<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">*read: move around disease-ridden stale office air)</span>, the mold spores get blown out through this vent above my desk, roughly 10 feet from all those water spots:</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF54Nl1gA_vS7LkU5Yar2OEUR3b6KV05jGT9Yo-ZACA-TpXsoN7E5bBGtKyxRvsv3-Bu9cWUzxflgUWFLBaRA1dR4oQ5YMBQ7JIdmHri4t8jbzUij8IcFfD3p4upVg_MvdzYAJ6RsiFNM/s640/blogger-image-1510361328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF54Nl1gA_vS7LkU5Yar2OEUR3b6KV05jGT9Yo-ZACA-TpXsoN7E5bBGtKyxRvsv3-Bu9cWUzxflgUWFLBaRA1dR4oQ5YMBQ7JIdmHri4t8jbzUij8IcFfD3p4upVg_MvdzYAJ6RsiFNM/s400/blogger-image-1510361328.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So perodically throughout the day, I breathe in tiny little mold spores. This goes on over the course of months. The mold starts attacking my resperatory system, making me more susepable to the cold virus. Then it spreads and starts working on my nervous system. This causes my circulation to slow and my nerves to spasm, causing random, unrelated numbness in my legs and periodic tingling in my fingers.</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Basically, I'M BEING SLOWLY POISONED BY MOLD GROWING IN THE CEILING.</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">This is why I stopped watching House. And also why I was originally in theatre. Over-dramatazation was my job, and as you can see, I'm pretty good at it.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06677496769432140915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110994609679716992.post-56802767239580626102013-02-12T21:17:00.002-08:002013-02-12T21:21:59.871-08:00O_o<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Whoo. What a day.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6:45am: Phone alarm goes off as usual. I reach to turn it off...nothing happens. I push all the buttons...nothing happens. I open one eye to look at my phone. I set it to update last night while I sleeping, and what I didn't realize is it takes "finalizing" by me before it functions as a phone again. I hold my phone up, still squinting through one eye, trying to read and do whatever my phone wants me to do and agree to whatever it wants me to agree to, drop it on my face, then get through the stupid process and make it happy.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6:50am: Alarm is finally silent. Glasses go on, waddle to the bathroom. Put contacts in eyeballs, blink excessively. Turn on the shower, flush toilet, get in shower, realize toilet has not stopped running, get out of shower, jiggle the hell out of the toilet handle, get back in shower.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">7:15am: Get dressed and ready to leave for work. Go to take lunch out of freezer, combat (successfully!) an avalanche of frozen chicken and mini quiche. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">7:50am: Sit down at work computer, look at the screen. Everything is blurry. Blink several hundred more times to no avail, shrug, and start working.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">10:15am: After a morning of not seeing and also getting a headache, give up and decide to go get contact solution at grocery store across the street.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">10:30am: Go into work bathroom, pull out right contact, rinse, put back in eye. Pull out left contact, promptly drop on floor, get on hands and knees to look for lost lens. Retrieve from under sink, rinse VERY thoroughly, put back in eye.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">10:45am: Still can't see. On a whim, switch lenses. See perfectly. *headdesk*</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">12:30pm: Work on home budget durning lunch. Break math and the space-time continuum. I somehow manage to make less than I spend but have extra in the bank...?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3:40pm: After working on company reconciliations, brain is broken. Math is still broken. There are mysterious dates for things and nothing makes sense. Coworkers and I have a moment of insanity and ponder the meaning of the Universe.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4:59pm: Get into car to go home, sit down, and am pretty sure I somehow broke my thumb GETTING INTO MY CAR. Stabby pains coming from my hand the whole drive home.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5:07pm: Get home, immediately fling off clothes and change into pajamas. Trip on too-long pant legs and almost break my face. Go to kitchen to get dinner in the oven...which will take about an hour.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5:45pm: Internal dialogue:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm going to starve to death"</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Eat some protein"</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Peanut butter has protein!"</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Yes, but-"</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I have a giant jar of peanut butter!"</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I know but you should-"</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">*grabs spoon*</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Oh mix it at least for goodness sakes! You're an animal."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And that's how I wound up ending my day by standing at the counter eating half-mixed peanut butter out of a 5lb jar with a spoon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrUJuNI6sUPxXaMG0kE0EtaUJKl5wwt9Za070RKcVVwXL18M7tX054BWnjppWhRmRDRNhzO76DH3A-dC-MZ8Qhpxs-CSRVa2S9TuqqFGJhnK6jylq3Qkv2CFwh04Rr4ytQbnNwFGlbbE/s1600/photo-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrUJuNI6sUPxXaMG0kE0EtaUJKl5wwt9Za070RKcVVwXL18M7tX054BWnjppWhRmRDRNhzO76DH3A-dC-MZ8Qhpxs-CSRVa2S9TuqqFGJhnK6jylq3Qkv2CFwh04Rr4ytQbnNwFGlbbE/s320/photo-5.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06677496769432140915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110994609679716992.post-1265126047460483292013-01-04T22:10:00.000-08:002013-01-04T22:10:31.368-08:00New Year, New LessonsWell, another year has come and gone. I did some things I wasn't expecting, did some things I had planned for, and have a few things I wish I had gotten around to. So overall, basically the same old same old. One thing I have been doing however, is getting back to being me. Or shall I say, finding out who the new me is. It's a slow process, but I'm making headway.<br />
<br />
She is someone that, while having noble goals and making the best of efforts, cannot keep up with grad school and a full time job at the same time. Today, I emailed my professors and told them that after much thought and deliberation, I have decided not to continue with school. I thought that by putting my life "back the way I found it" it would help me find a place of stasis, make things better, be comfortable. Silly girl. I should know better by now than to think I'm the same person I was 5 years ago. Turns out even though I'm not that old, I am too old to live the way I did in college. I can't keep up the same lifestyle, nor should I really. I also never had a job during college (yeah, I was lucky) so trying to work and go to school just about made my brain explode. <br />
<br />
This decision was actually a big step for me. I realized a couple things: that there is no one that I have to impress, nor do I have to constantly be "doing" something. I can just be. Truth is, I like just being. Sure I go to work everyday to a boring 8-5 job. Most days I go home, cook dinner, watch tv or a movie, read and go to bed. Its not a life of excitement, I'll give you that, but its nice. And while I long for adventure and excitement, I realized that you have to have moments of quiet to make the exciting times that much more worth while. Whenever someone asks the question, "So what are you up to?" I like to be able to answer with what I deem fun and exciting things, which I think is where I got the pressure to always pursue something different. I always felt like I was constantly planning or waiting for something, there was never any down time.<br />
<br />
So this year, the only thing I'm planning for is happiness. Sure I'll try out something like a yoga or dance class, and like most of America I'm constantly chasing the dream of ideal fitness and health. But really all I want is to be comfortable with who I am in this moment and be the best me I can be. No pressure. No promises. No commitments. <br />
<br />
I'm really excited to see what's in store and where the Universe might steer me. So here's to a great new time of being present and living in the moment.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06677496769432140915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110994609679716992.post-49938432102641211662012-12-21T07:39:00.002-08:002012-12-21T07:44:24.525-08:00The Apoxalypse: Or, How I Got a Week Off Without Even Trying<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Soooo... I thought I would blog today, and as it turns out I typed this post a *while* back (*cough*October*cough) and apparently forgot to hit publish. *facepalm* Story of my life. Also, since today is apparently the End of the World, I thought my post about the Apoxalypse would be appropriate. Enjoy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ah the chicken pox. Probably the most common childhood disease ever, and one that most everyone gets by the time they're 7. Except me. Because I like to be different.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I very clearly and very distinctly a visit with my pediatrician when I was very young. My mother was talking to him about the chicken pox and how I had be exposed to not one, but three, different kids with them and hadn't gotten them. Not one spot. He told my mother and I that some people, like myself, are immune to them, and in addition I would probably never have cold sores or the like either. I went on to have a happy, pox and cold sore-free childhood, which continued well into my (supposedly) adult years. Until last Thursday.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I woke up feeling...off. I was achey, woozy, and pretty certain I had a fever. "Ah, the flu," I thought, "great..." And so, I called in sick. Friday, same thing, only I had what I thought was a couple little bug bites that were slightly itchy. Saturday, I woke up, went in to take a shower, looked at myself and said, "Oh. my. God." and then I swore for a little bit. I was covered in tiny, red, awful-looking spots from head to toe. Seriously? I'm 28, I thought I had safely made it past the point where I wouldn't have this problem. That's what happens when you get too sassy I suppose. So I emailed my boss, talked to my doctor, and was officially quarantined to the house until all my spots fall off.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was mad about it for a little while, but it's really so ridiculous it's hard to be mad for too long. At the end of the first day I had decided in the spirit of Halloween I would dub my disease the apoxalypse, settle in, and just try to make the most of my time at home.</span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So far the best use of my time has been playing Left 4 Dead 2 with some friends of mine, because, as they so nicely put it, "You can shoot the Infected while you become one. It's all very poetic." I have such good friends.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I still haven't had any cold sores (knock on wood), and I hope to keep it that way. But the lesson learned here is never say never.</span></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06677496769432140915noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110994609679716992.post-39994401891908509662012-10-11T10:56:00.000-07:002012-10-11T14:49:23.844-07:00An Adventure in Sizing<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It occurs to me that I’m not really sure how to wear clothes anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, part of this is due to the ever-changing world of “fashion”…but the other part is definitely due to being overweight most all my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I, like most pudgy people in the world, always dressed bigger than I was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baggy clothes “hid” the fat, and after all, if I hid my real shape, you’d never know if the fluff around me was a McDonald’s-induced mid-section or just a large sweatshirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least that was the theory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realize now that I most likely wasn’t fooling anyone but myself, but I digress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having perfected this method of clothing my body over many years, now, as an adult who is (slowly) becoming more fit, it occurs to me I don’t know what size I actually am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also doesn’t help that clothing companies don’t have any sort of consistency in woman’s sizes, ESPECIALLY with pants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good heavens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can wear a 12 one place, go somewhere else and I’m an 18.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or better yet, I flux between 3 sizes IN THE SAME STORE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seriously people, this is why women have issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, moving on.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is very evident to me today, as I bought some Rockstar cords from Old Navy very recently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are labeled as “super skinny” and “flattering on every shape!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That last statement I took as a bit of a challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I of course tried them on in the store and chose the ones that I thought fit best at the time, i.e. the ones that did not squish out my middle like the breakfast pastry the look was named after.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Excited about my purchase (and that I would have a reprieve from wearing so many skirts to work), I wore my new pants the next day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as I left the house I knew I had a problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pants were too big.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as big as they started out, they only got bigger as the day wore on, leaving me at the end of the day with a butt so saggy and unattractive that the only rock star I was emulating was possibly Steven Tyler, or maybe Sting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This would not do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I packed up my pants, headed back to the store, and returned all three pairs for a size smaller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went to put them on this morning…and there were definitely some aerobics involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to do the very intricate Dance of the Tight Pants (which I’m quite positive was perfected by Nathan Fillion, Cap’n Tightpants himself*).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This involved the Jumping Up and Down While Hoisting From Waistband, as well as the Knees to the Side Squats while Shaking Rump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was quite a production, one that would have brought a tear to anyone’s eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tears of laughter, that is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that ordeal with pants only ONE SIZE smaller, it occurred to me that perhaps I’m not actually sure how clothes are supposed to fit me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feeling like an orange on toothpicks, I went to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I received two compliments on my fancy pants within 20 minutes of leaving the house, so clearly what I deem too small is not seen as such by the rest of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either that or they’re lying to me, but I find that highly unlikely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That brought up the question, if other people think I look fine - cute even - then how do I judge what’s the right size?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Should I just assume if I feel my pants are too small they actually fit?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And seriously, whose idea were skinny jeans anyway, and why do they want to torture people?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So here I sit at my desk, wondering how much these will stretch, if they’re worth it, and what on earth I’m actually supposed to look like in clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Pondering this to myself, I texted three of my friends the following:</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let's say you have cute pants. Said pants stretched out in the first size you bought so you exchanged them for smaller. You're not convinced you don't look like an orange on toothpicks in the new ones. Do you keep them knowing they'll stretch a bit, keep them and work out, or return them and mourn your loss?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The answers I got back:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"LMAO! Keep them for reasons 1 and 2"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"If the orange on toothpick reference is accurate and not an exaggeration, you cut bait and walk away. Otherwise, give it time grasshopper." (thanks <a href="http://www.thefisherofstories.com/" target="_blank">Travis</a>)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">"Return them and by MC Hammer pants instead, bring back the early 90s"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think the general consensus is that I’ll keep them…but probably do a little extra core workout for a while.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">*If you have no idea what this means, you should probably go watch some Firefly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re welcome.</span></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06677496769432140915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110994609679716992.post-7336577823815118712012-09-26T18:01:00.002-07:002012-09-26T19:21:19.488-07:00Getting up to speedAs always, it's been a while. As always, a lot has happened since the last time we spoke. And as always, I silently vow to be a more diligent blogger. <br />
I decided long ago (as is *quite* obvious), that I was only blogging for me and my own purpose, and that the pressure of trying to have consistant updates for my readers was not the reason I started this in the first place. I started blogging to make friends and connect. To help myself emote. And if we're going to be really honest, to help me out of depression. Though I didn't really know that last one was going to be a side effect, I'm glad it was. That said, I've had a few moments lately that I've thought "oh, I should blog about that" or "I should write that down somewhere" so perhaps I might get a post or two down before I drop off again.<br />
<br />
All that said, here's a brief rundown of where I'm at in my life:<br />
I just passed the year mark at my job...officially the longest job I've had since I was 17. There was a lot of stress, pain, and tears between the start of my job and where I am now, but everything has leveled out nicely for the most part. My coworkers and my boss are awesome, the work is not thrilling, but it's fine enough for me to go and not hate my life every time I enter the building. I'm the most financially stable I've been in YEARS...which is a weird feeling. I'm still not exactly where I'd like to be with my finances, but I'm getting there and it's a bit of a relief.<br />
<br />
The biggest and most recent development though, is my decision to go to grad school. I started last month in the Media Arts department, and I'm terrified. Or was. The terror is slowly becoming excitement as I remember how much I've wanted to do this for so long. And it's not a little excitement either. It's the kind of excitement that's bigger than your body and you realize that this, right here, is something amazing. I will be very clear in saying that I am a looooong way from making any movies just yet, but man am I excited to get there. The road to get there is slow: two classes a week, still working 40 hours, and paying out of pocket (long story there...I won't bore you). But all of that will just make it so much more worth while when I'm done. The two classes I'm currently taking are Digital Technology in the Arts and Principles of Cinematography. The former is a researched based class, where we as the students go out and compile information on a specified topic, then the following class we all have a discussion about what we found and how it's all relevant to where we are now and how things are progressing. The latter is at it's heart a film lighting class. Learning how to set scenes, use cameras, adjust settings to get the right exposure, etc. Both are a lot of fun.<br />
This last week I actually learned a couple of things about myself because of my classes. I'm calling them Grad School Epiphanies, and that's one thing I'd kind of like to keep going on here, just because I know there's going to be a lot over the next 3 years.<br />
<br />
Grad School Epiphanies:<br />
1) I really love Cubism.<br />
One of our research topics this week was Picasso, who I have known about and seen works of for quite some time. I mean who hasn't? For whatever reason though, this time I was just like, "WHOA. That. is. AWESOME!" Reading the theorietics behind the art and understanding some of the inspiration made it that much cooler. I would highly recommend watching "Picasso and Braque go to the Movies." It's on Netflix.<br />
<br />
2) I am not as dumb as I thought.<br />
Which truthfully in and of itself is kind of a dumb thing to say, but sometimes I forget. The cinematography class I'm taking scared the snot out of me the first couple weeks, I felt like I was way in over my head. Today though, we assembled set lights, which I am familiar with due to my theatrical background. And then suddenly, things clicked. I felt better. This was something I knew! And that's all it took to make me say in my mind, "Yeah, I can do this!"<br />
<br />
So that's my current life in a nutshell. I keep pondering making the move to Wordpress, starting a new blog...we'll see how things go. Anyway, until next time!<br />
<br />
Edit: In blogging, I made a bestest best friend. <a href="http://www.thefisherofstories.com/">He has a blog too. </a> You should go read it. :)Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06677496769432140915noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110994609679716992.post-59177581318905967532012-04-21T22:02:00.002-07:002012-04-21T22:02:23.300-07:00*Waves*Well hello there!<br />
Fancy meeting you here! I didn't think I'd see anyone around here since I've been gone for sooooo incredibly long. How am I? Oh, I'm good. Remarkably so, actually. Got the job thing figured out, have a great new roommate, lost (and am losing) quite a bit of weight....just overall doing pretty well for myself these days. I already have lots of stories from this year, and we're only 4 months in. Maybe I'll start with those tomorrow. I'm formulating a lot of ideas for things I'd like to do with this blog, but for right now I just wanted to say hi. So, "Hi!"Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06677496769432140915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110994609679716992.post-65672415240600141312011-10-09T17:57:00.000-07:002011-10-09T17:57:05.675-07:00Monday Mingle!Back at it again with <a href="http://www.eightymphmom.com/">Jen @ Eighty MPH Mom</a>! Link it up or just stop by and visit!<br />
Password is: misadventure<br />
Enjoy! :)<br />
PS - I have one chunk of hair that will not stay put through this whole thing, and it kinda drove me crazy lol.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="396" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/30280414?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="528"></iframe>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06677496769432140915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110994609679716992.post-38611344607227588142011-10-06T18:19:00.000-07:002011-10-06T19:01:13.768-07:00iSad<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I felt like I needed to change the post I had originally had
scheduled for today, which will still be coming later, no worries. In light of the passing of Steve Jobs
yesterday, I thought I would do a little post in honor of him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, I’m not an “Apple Fangirl” per se, though I do tend to
love everything that gets put out by the company. I will also say that since I “made the switch” 2 years ago
and bought a MacBook Pro, I have never had ONE computer issue. Not one. And I adore my computer and won’t ever go back (sorry
Bill!).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You know the thing that I like best about Apple though? It’s not the sleek, simplistic look of
their products. It’s not that I’m
trying to be a hipster. (Lord
knows that is NOT the case…lol).
It’s the fact that they don’t just sell products, they sell a
lifestyle. There is a cartoon that
illustrates this point perfectly:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lni4jpyDDs1qz4cuyo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lni4jpyDDs1qz4cuyo1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For some reason, Apple products make want to be better. They make me feel like I can achieve
things I wouldn’t have achieved otherwise. They make me want to go out and DO things. Is that a lot to be taking away from an
electronics company? Probably. Is it too much to ask that the products
you buy inspire you? Steve Jobs
didn’t think so.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will admit that while I followed the news about product
releases as much as the average Joe, I didn’t really read a lot about Steve
Jobs himself until yesterday. And
you guys, it kind of did a number on me.
It made me sad, much sadder than I really anticipated, that the world
lost such a brilliant mind so young.
He was a man with a vision.
He wanted to inspire, to create, to leave the world making an
impact. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And even though it made me sad, it also inspired me. It reminded me that I wanted to do the
same thing. I wanted to go out
into the world and create things and make the world a little better than it was
when I got here. I’ve been in my
own little Cave of Doubt for so long now that I lost sight of where I wanted to
go. I want to make a <a href="http://news.discovery.com/tech/steve-jobs-dents-in-the-universe-111006.html#mkcpgn=twdsc2">dent in theUniverse</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most of all, I will always remember and follow this advice:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Stay hungry.
Stay foolish."</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06677496769432140915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110994609679716992.post-59852017008089064172011-10-04T08:00:00.000-07:002011-10-04T08:00:01.532-07:00A little introSo....yeah. Here we are again. Not posting on your blog in a while is like having a ridiculously long silence with a person you've just met. It's all awkward and you don't really know what to say.<br />
"So, nice weather we're having..."<br />
*looks at cloudy sky"<br />
"Yeah, great...."<br />
*cough*<br />
Anyway.<br />
<br />
Things are going really well, better than they have in a long time actually. I'm loving my job, I'm starting to get myself in a more stable place financially, and I'm staying busy. Everything is still going in baby steps, but I'm at least *making* baby steps, and quite honestly, that feels awesome.<br />
I'm having the most struggle with my finances...still...because whenever I get money, I immediately find things to spend it on, oops! Seriously, it's a problem. I think that if I kept up with my checkbook instead of putting in all my receipts from 3 weeks at a time it would probably help. Somehow I've worked it into my head that if I don't subtract the money it just won't go away. Makes sense right? Unfortunately, the bank doesn't really agree with my logic there. BUT, I am managing to pay all my bills completely and on time, and that's a big improvement, so YAY. I will take the little wins where I can get them.<br />
My goal this month is to post 2 to 3 times a week....I think I should have enough stories I can make that happen. And my stories, I mean random bits of thoughts that go through my head every day. I'm trying to wrangle them all up to make something cohesive, but it takes some time. My mind is quite random lol.<br />
This month is also when 2 of my charity events happen, so that will be exciting! I'll let you all know how those go. :)Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06677496769432140915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110994609679716992.post-53807934886238978682011-10-02T09:00:00.000-07:002011-10-02T09:00:01.337-07:00Monday Mingle!It's time for Monday Mingle again! To join in or if you just want to say hi, head on over and see <a href="http://www.eightymphmom.com/">Jen @Eighty MPH Mom</a>! <br />
<div>
Password for the video is: misadventure.</div>
<div>
Enjoy!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="396" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/29893586?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="528"></iframe>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06677496769432140915noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110994609679716992.post-29094652642328789172011-09-13T04:50:00.000-07:002011-09-13T04:50:49.115-07:00Monday MingleI'm late but still here! Go over and see <a href="http://eightymphmom.com/2011/09/monday-mingle-september-12th/.html">Jen @ Eighty MPH Mom</a> for more mingles!<br />
Password is: misadventure<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/28971708?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/28971708">Untitled</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/misadventures">Lauren</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06677496769432140915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110994609679716992.post-12260601895425799872011-09-04T08:00:00.000-07:002011-09-07T21:42:39.207-07:00Monday Mingle!It's Monday Mingle time again! Look at me go! If you want to join in the fun, go on over to <a href="http://eightymphmom.com/">Eighty MPH Mom</a> and link up!<br />
Password is: misadventure<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
I wanted to ask you guys too, I'm trying to come up with a good, geeky derby name. I wanted something along the lines of these things:<br />
Harry Potter<br />
Star Wars<br />
Lord of the Rings<br />
Pirates<br />
Currently, I may default to Death Starlet if I can't think of anything else. Any other sort of good geek theme is of course welcome. If you have any ideas, please leave them in the comments!<br />
<br />
<b>****Also, I would like to direct your attention over to the sidebar where it says "Support Lauren - Extra Life 2011." I am raising money for the Children's Miracle Network and would LOVE your support! Any donation is welcome and it's all tax-deductable! PLEASE stop by if you have a moment. Thank you!****</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/28557241?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/28557241">Untitled</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/misadventures">Lauren</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06677496769432140915noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110994609679716992.post-31246618323606833642011-08-28T15:01:00.000-07:002011-08-28T15:03:25.451-07:00Monday Mingle!I have become the worst at remembering about this. I happened to be in front of my computer when I remembered today though, so yay! Go on over to see <a href="http://eightymphmom.com/2011/08/monday-mingle-vlog-august-29th-sweet-16-toddlers-tiaras-and-cars.html">Jennifer @ Eighty MPH Mom</a> and say hello to her and the other Minglers! My password is: misadventure. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<br />
<object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=28276867&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00adef&fullscreen=1&autoplay=0&loop=0" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=28276867&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00adef&fullscreen=1&autoplay=0&loop=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/28276867">Untitled</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/misadventures">Lauren</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06677496769432140915noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110994609679716992.post-11333504606826258462011-08-23T21:30:00.000-07:002011-08-23T21:30:43.142-07:00Variation of MadLibs<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">I got this meme from <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/subWOW">@subWOW</a> on Twitter, her blog can be found <a href="http://absenceofalternatives.com/">here</a>. And the original link to the text is found <a href="http://www.swva.net/fred1st/wif.htm">here</a>. It looked really neat, so...without further ado, here is where I'm from.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I am from a ship, from Legos and morning sun.</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I am from the South, warm, inviting, and full of sweet tea.</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I am from the honeysuckle, the sweet fragrant blossoms.</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I am from Scattagories on Christmas Eve and stubbornness, from Mom and Dad and my two siblings.</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I am from the leaving ridiculously early and somehow still being behind.</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
From always say please and thank you, and you are perfect the way you are.</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I am from what goes around comes around. Of kindness and acceptance and no judgement.</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I'm from Poland, and peirogies and BBQ.</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
From the traveling cousin who called from Hawaii to surprise us, the random visits, and the many postcards.</div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Georgia; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I am from photo albums and storage sheds, boxes of things forgotten, but when looked at spark so many memories. I am from making memories and keeping them safe with me always.</div>
</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><br /></span></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06677496769432140915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110994609679716992.post-57293258529916172172011-08-05T13:51:00.001-07:002011-08-05T13:51:24.240-07:00More stuff to come<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>I have a few good posts in the wings, but I haven't really had time to sit down and get anything to paper. Or screen, as it were. But I do have stories coming. Promise. And as soon as I get a good night sleep and an hour to myself I will let you in on what I've been up to. <br/>
<br/>
Have a good weekend everybody.<br/>
</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06677496769432140915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110994609679716992.post-55631453234122922982011-08-03T06:30:00.000-07:002011-08-03T06:30:00.983-07:00Things I'm Looking Forward ToNow that I have a job, these are some of the things I'm looking forward to:<br />
<br />
*The occasional cup of morning coffee from the roaster down the street.<br />
*NOT having to work on a ever-changing schedule, holidays, or weekends. F YES.<br />
*Going to have dinner and a beer with friends.<br />
*Sushi. OMG.<br />
*Joining a gym/fitness club/workout class/something to make me less fat.<br />
*Getting back into crafting. Which is a surprisingly expensive hobby.<br />
*Getting a desk that I so badly need.<br />
*Having my own desk/cube that is MINE and I can do with what I please. (It's stupid, but cubicles hold a special little place in my heart.)<br />
*Not wondering where the money for my next bill is coming from.<br />
*Another tattoo perhaps.<br />
*Can we say....health insurance? F YES.<br />
*A professional cut and dye job for my hairs. Maybe even a mani/pedi, I've never had one of those.<br />
*New contacts. The ones I have right now are such little troopers....they're about 4 months old.<br />
*New Chucks! Yeah! I'm thinking a neon color of high tops.<br />
*Affording to travel occasionally.<br />
<br />
There are a lot of other things I'm looking forward to about having a job, but this is just a quick list from the top of my head. I got the official word today, I start next Wednesday. I'm currently out of town and I'll get back a couple days before I have to start. Ahhhhhh.......you don't know how excited I am. SO so excited. Finally, something to do with myself during the week. Finally, I don't have to worry about bills. <br />
<br />
Finally.<br />
<br />
Happy Birthday to me!<br />
<br />
:)Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06677496769432140915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3110994609679716992.post-78015290490078621332011-07-29T23:58:00.001-07:002011-07-29T23:58:39.484-07:00It's like riding a bike....right?<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I feel like I've forgotten how to blog. Seriously. I used to be so good at updating on a regular basis and now I pretty much suck....sorry about that. It just seems like I haven't really done anything exciting or noteworthy lately that's worth posting about. That's what happens when you're broke though, can't go anywhere.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I actually think I might start having things to post about again because.....</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
...are you ready?....</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I finally GOT A JOB!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
*confetti*</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
This is a big stinkin' deal, I've been unemployed for about 3 and a half months now, and I am down to my last penny. But I've made it. I don't know how, but I've made it. And I'm SO excited. Not gonna lie, when the gal called and offered me the job I almost cried I was so happy. I get to start in a couple weeks on the 8th. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Today's lesson: Persistance and faith both have HUGE payoffs. And they kind of go together, you need one to help the other along.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Sorry for such a quick, lame update. More to come in the pretty immediate future!</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06677496769432140915noreply@blogger.com1