i can still recall our last summer

I am looking quite foreward to 2009. It even looks good on paper. 2009. There's power in that nine. It's going to be a good year.

I don't usually do the whole New Years Resolution thing, but I have some things in mind for next year...

1. Acid Reflux (heart burn) diet.
Less grease. More water. Not eating late at night. Lots of small meals a day. Actually taking medicine daily. I plan on doing more research to see what will help, because I'm tired of chest pains.

2. In regards to romance, let the pieces fall where they may
No more stressing out. Need to work on being happy in a relationship, being happy single, just being happy. Also, as we resolved in Italy, don't do weird things.

3. Keep my room clean
hahahahahahahahhahahahahaha. But it's worth trying, right?

4. Wake up no later than 9 on school days
Some days classes don't start until 12, but sleeping in makes me feel so crappy and I really do love the mornings. Only problem is I love staying up late too.

5. Daily scripture study
I have never been good about this, and I really want to be. Especially seeing as I want to serve a mission.

6. Reach out to people more.
Because it's really a simple thing to do.

7. Moderation
I have this horrible habit where I push myself really hard, stressing, not eating/sleeping enough, until I get sick and have to sleep for like a week to get over it.
I also obsess over things and don't think about balance. Like listening to the same songs over and over and eating only Crispix, burritos, and Starburst.

8. Stop letting people control my life
It's getting old bending over backward for people who are just in a habit of manipulating people. But worse, I've forgotten how to make my own decisions.

9. Use my planner
I bought a cute one in Italy that is in four languages. And red. So there is no excuses anymore.

honey, honey, how he thrills me.

quick overview of past days:
too many late nights.
indiana jones....for nine hours straight.
board games two nights in a row.
fun with families (the scott/laws dinner).
stressing over an application that probably won't matter.
8 eps of M*A*S*H in a row.
first married friend.
ABBA.
not packing enough.
and the inexplicable emotions that come as a result of being home.

don't go wasting your emotions.

The following post is brought to you by BURT'S BEES Replenishing Lip Balm, proud sponser of Scrabble (that's right, spooned, for 16 points).

Christmas was excellent and festive. I got a lot of simple things I've been wanting. You know, furry hats, blue/yellow tennis shoes, half a dozen pairs of knee-high socks, an owl necklace, a variety of my usual scent. You know, all a girl needs in life...

Christmas day mum, aunt Sybil, Zoe, Katie and I watched Mamma Mia (song along version) and sang and danced along (okay, I was pretty much the only one dancing). It was amazing. I am going to admit something here...I love that movie WAY more than I should...Especially the first half. But I'm also a total sucker for musicals and ABBA is undeniably catchy. Add that to the hot old guys and gorgeous scenery and you've got a fun little flick. I have been singing the songs non-stop (to everyone's amusement I am sure).

Got bored while playing Scrabble (because I only had vowels!! And was horribly, horribly behind [but I had won at Settlers earlier, so I've still got some street cred]) which means....I played with Star Wars figures and made Burt's Bees Ads. ... Note: Ukiah's face got in the way a lot.

My lame tiles. I was talking (as I tend to do) and said, "A, E, I, O...All I need is U. Awww." So then I thought we should take sad face pictures (Candy was lame and erased hers even though it was good...)

all that's missing is yoU.

Notee: I had a REALLY hard time making a sad face. This was the best of about 100 million tries (or the amount of time it took Nick to make his word)

We can walk out after dark
Because it's Christmas time
Colored lights glow from the park
Because it's Christmas time
And the bells on the reindeer sled say
It's Christmas time
And the quilts on the back of the bed say
It's Christmas time

I think about how we could run away
Now that it's Christmas time
We travel in a one-horse open sleigh
Now that it's Christmas time

There's your father with his pipe
He says it's Christmas time
He might let us stay up all night
Because it's Christmas time
I might wish you all the best
Because it's Christmas time
I might kiss you on the back of your neck
Because it's Christmas time

I think about how we could run away
Now that it's Christmas time
We travel in a one-horse open sleigh
Now that it's Christmas time

'cause it's Christmas time

After 2.5 days without power we got it back last night! Hooray.







Merry Christmas, you wonderful people, you.

fall on your knees

It's the winter solstice in the Northern hemisphere, summer solstice in the Southern hemisphere, and Haiku Day in the U.S. Does that inspire you to write a three-line poem with five syllables in the first and last lines and seven in the middle line?

it is icy out

i could skate on the porch

but instead i won't

we had no power

no lights, oven, or TV

made fudge in the dark

my little brother

wore headphones, sang beatles' songs

and it made me laugh

iz called me today

said our new house is kick a

cheap rent and a dog

it was really, really cliche but we carried on anyway

Watched Mamma Mia last night. A very fun film. I am a sucker for musicals. I have to say, that I liked the first half a lot better than the second. Creating a musical based off ABBA songs was just a good idea. Also watched Lucky You and was lost most of the time because I know absolutely nothing about poker, except the things that are the same in Yahtzee.

FreeRice is really great. But also frustrating/addictive I donated over 11,000 grains of rice last night just trying to get to a higher level on the vocab. It's really cool that they have other subjects now. Caleb is practicing his multiplication tables, I am practicing Italian words. French is fun too. I got to level seven before it became obvious I've never learned french.

More later.

Today in Pictures...

Alex and I constructed an incredible ramp out of snow and created joy for all the children. We went over it one by one...

two by two... three by three...
and 4x4 (photo credit goes to Caleb)


Hilary's mom gave her a light fixture that made a great sled..

until it broke into a million pieces...

Then we played a stimulating game of Pass the Pigs

And our Scrabble game got off to a great start

Not to brag, but I won both Pass the Pigs and Scrabble. :)

And another great moment was when Hilary and I decided to sled down my driveway and I ran into the curb at the bottom and wiped out magnificently.

are you sleeping?

The Past Few Days Have Been Full of Snow and Ice.

We rescued Zoe from her prison (home) in West Salem and she spent the night. Katie came for dinner which, in the preparation stage, involved jumping around the kitchen singing, "Oi! To the world!"

We watched Elf. Which is just a really hilarious movie.
Speaking of Christmas movies, I saw It's a Wonderful Life for the first time Sunday. I do not know why this vital bit of Christmas was not a part of my childhood. I loved it. And I'm sure everyone else in the world knows why I love it.

Today I had breakfast with Hil and Meg. We (and by we I mean Megan's wonderful mother) made French Toast. And ate it.

I hung out with Alex and we explored the cemetary behind his house (after jumping a short fence). Then we had cookies and milk and worked on a puzzle. And this is why I adore Alex, we can go a year or so without seeing each other and then hang out and it's like first grade all over again.

Wanted to go to Dallas, but figured driving on an icy highway with six other lives in the car was not a top dollar idea. Instead went to Muchas Gracias with Cands, Linds, and Leanns.

Also wanted to give blood today, but I have a cold.

i really can't stay

25 things. about me.
inspired by megan knowles
one of those silly facebook things.

1. I have a scar on my lip from a firework
2. My middle name is spelled three different ways on official documents
3. The green mini-van i used to drive was sold to a mariachi band
4. I enjoy public speaking/teaching
5. and I'm not afraid of spiders (so, take that top two most common fears...I'm not afraid of death either!)
6. I know three phrases in Croatian
7. I almost had the Hungarian police called on me (but I'm pretty sure she was bluffing)
8. My friends say I ruin serious conversations by making them laugh
9. I told an Italian the boots didn't match her purse
10. I like star things (even more than Sharlie does :p)
11. Improv is my favourite kind of acting
12. My great-grandma didn't speak English
13. I always want to buy things off infomercials
14. My family didn't get cable until I left for college
15. I dipped my feet in the River Jordan...when I was ten months old
16. I wish I knew a little bit every language
17. I like photography and documentaries because I think the world around us is fascinating
18. I like gummi bears in ice cream and don't care if they get hard
19. I sing when I'm driving alone and get strange looks
20. I think something neon colored should be a part of everyone's wardrobe
21. also argyle socks
22. I hate tabbed browsers
23. I was born at 10:13 on the 23rd of the 5th month. 10+13=23 2+3=5
24. The only time I played commandos/cops n' robbers/run around through the streets like fools i fell off a fence. and later fell into a fountain
25. I often tell stories that have no point
26. I like to be different

Found this video today while looking through pictures. It's mostly hilarious because it's so candid. And exactly how we always acted in Italy. Me trying to get people to follow some obscure plan I came up with. Sharlie helping and encouraging. Cailey worrying about her shoes. Kimberly watching and laughing. And Elizabeth capturing it all and laughing.

Pretzel fangs!

behind my house, in front of my house

winter is lonely.
in a lovely way.

want.

these are just a couple of my cravings

I watched Good Night, and Good Luck and I have to say I really appreciated that they used trebuchet for the font.


Besides that there were other things I liked.

First of, I really, really like George Clooney. I think he is a classy man. And his voice is perfect.
Second, I like black and white movies in high definition. They just look really good. I love color, don't get me wrong, but sometimes black and white is just really great and when he's holding up ties and she says, "I like the blue one" my brain got confused.

Speaking of HD black and white. I want one of these. In my house.

I really should have written something more intelligent about how I feel about aforementioned movie, but I'm lacking in sleep and trying to write an episode synopsis for a sitcom about college students raising foster children.

One We Used to Know

I'm sorry, Ramble About Something Tuesday didn't happen because I was up 'til 2.30 am writing the final essays for my 0nline religion class and my heart just wasn't in it.

But, I do have something else for you in the way of
Ode to an inanimate object Wednesday

Blogs.

I know what you're thinking, You like blogs, Lauren?? We hadn't the foggiest!!

I don't know if anyone (myself included) can quite comprehend to the extent that I like blogs. I've had a blog since I was in 7th grade. Six years ago, before they were even called blogs...Back when internet was dial-up and school was uphill both ways.

In the begining I was so unreserved, so...Well, I really don't know what I was thinking. I was reading over it yesterday and it's just embarassing. Can anyone comprehend the mind of middle schoolers?? I said whatever was on my mind and updated 5 times in a half hour period (alright, I still do that sometimes).

I think blogs have been and are a good outlet for me, because I like to express myself (aka I would talk all the time if people would let me and sometimes do regardless). And with a blog I can trick myself into thinking someone is listening/reading every word and I suppose I get some sort of satisfaction out of that. Whatever it is, I haven't been able to stay away for long since I started (for whatever reason) over six years ago.

I also like to tell myself it's improving my writing, but it is probably just making it worse as I write incredibly stylized and with poor grammar.

I enjoy being a blog reader even more though. I think how people write in their blog is great insight on their personality, not to mention you get to know their thoughts on random subjects. I love it. I wish everyone I knew had a blog. Sometimes I find myself reading blogs of people I don't know and I can't decide if it's flattering or creepy. Personally, I find it flattering and worrisome if people I don't know read this, because I am sure they have something much better to be doing with their lives.

The worst is when you go to tell someone a story and they cut you off, "Oh--I already read that on your blog."

So from now on I am only going to post really boring stories on here.
Who am I kidding? I've never told a boring story in my life!

(I almost typed kissing instead of kidding, that'd be a great expression. Who am I kissing?!!)

just leave me your stardust to remember you by

Things That Have Been Said Monday

Girls don't eat. They just look at food and then jump on the tredmill.
-Loreli, Gilmore Girls

I am not threatening you...I love you.
-Pam, the Office

If something in the deli aisle makes you cry
Of course I'll put my arm around you and I'll walk you outside
Through the sliding doors, why would I mind?

And when you're holding me
We make a pair of parentheses
-Parentheses, The Blow

You gotta walk up to her casually. Then you want to say, ‘Hi,’ and if she says ‘Hi’ back, you’re off to a good start.
-Alec

you'll read it in a book tonight

moment from my youth Sunday

In seventh grade I was on AIM talking to Ryan Bridges and after talking for a bit the conversation went something like this:

jaynsilentbob08: will u go out with me?
hyperpsychopuppy: what?
jaynsilentbob08: o sorry, wrong box

genuine leather with manmade trim

So, Chris wrote a song, and it's really pretty. And I know what it's about and no one else does hahaha! Well, maybe three other people might know what it's about, but they probably weren't paying attention.

Today we got to listen to Heather sing and she's SO amazing, even though she was sick. And I'm really, really glad she's going to be a part of our family.

I went to church and it was great to be home. Everyone loves me and told me I looked good and that I'm amazing and intelligent and such a brilliant little world traveller and that of course I could do anything I wanted. Got lots of hugs and handshakes and fist pounds. Not that I am the type of person who loves attention or anything (ha)...But it was nice to be loved and worshipped a bit. And good to see my extended-extended family.

Sufjan Stevens. Everyone likes him. Some people (*cough*Jordan*cough*Chris*cough*my mom) think they won't like him, but once they give him a chance they do. So, if you haven't, go listen to him and you will like him, because Fact: No one can resist a down-to-earth man with a banjo and obnoxiously long song titles.
Go listen. And don't stop. I can't get sick of Casimir Pulaski Day.

Plus, his Christmas stuff is pretty. It all sounds kind of the same, but his voice is just so comfortable. Like a massage. Or a down blanket. It is so sweet and full of soul and meaning...Like a peach-mango smoothie (oh, I forgot how much I love similies).

He's real, man. Sufjan is real.

so good to meet you

quick note:
psycedelic layout sponsered by the fact that I just put adobe TWO point zero on my lappy. Don't get attached.

What if...Saturdays

What if I only had sisters?
.I probably never would have been shot with an airsoft gun while in my bedroom
or gagged with socks
.I would walk around the house in my underwear
.I would have seen many more chick flicks
.I would have someone to steal clothes from
.The bathroom smell like plumeria and peaches instead of Axe body wash
.My dad would sigh and watch basketball and generally act like Mr. Bennet
.My mom probably would have gone insane
.I probably wouldn't have thought I was a boy when I was younger
.I wouldn't have been slammed up against the wall so many times
.I would probably know how to do hair and makeup
.I wouldn't appreciate the one sister I do have as much as I do know
.I'd probably have different taste in music
.I probably wouldn't be nearly as cool.

As it is, I think I have the perfect sister:brother ratio.

i'll keep you my...

Exciting Life Moments Friday

Yesterday the gear shift in Angela's car got stuck. Between the three of us we ended up finally yanking it into drive. But this happened while I was in the driver's seat...So after turning the car around, Caitlin held down the break from the passengers seat while I jumped out and Angela jumped in. I don't know how to describe it so it sounds exciting, but for 2.3 seconds I felt like James Bond, it was thrilling.

Today I ate a chocolate chip pancake that was 12 inches in diameter.

jingle bells

Merry Christmas

The thing is, his dance moves bare an uncanny resemblance to a certain Cougarette dance impression I may or may not have performed in our loft room in Italy.

Watch the one with Rainn Wilson (Dwight), it's even better.
And the one with everyone is great.

It won't get better

Movies I Have Watched This Week (on the plane)

in ten words or less:

Miss Congeniality:
Cute.

Eragon:
Any movie with Scar's voice in it = me happy.

The Office:
Not a movie, but hilarious this week. Go Pam.

when we're together it's like hot coals, in a fire

I decided for December I am going to have themed days:

Funny Things That Have Been Said Mondays
Pick a Topic and Ramble for a Bit Tuesdays
Shout Out to an Inatimate Object Wednesdays
Movies I've Watched This Week Thursdays
Exciting Recent Life Moments Fridays
What If...Saturdays
Moment From My Childhood Sundays

money, money, money

after switching currency four times in a week, i am beginning to think there is a simpler way...

words are flowing out

When I got off the plane my mom was like, "Oh! I forgot to take a picture of you."
Because that is exactly what we need in the world, a picture of me after not sleep for 24 hours, spending a night in the airport, and about 16 hours travelling. And it ended up being an awkward close-up as well.

She also found a freaky poster of Edward from the Twilight movie and put it on my door where my mirror is and hung it up to try and scare me. It definately startled me when I turned expecting to see myself and instead saw a close-up, scowling, vampire head.

There are a lot of things to get used to about American life. One being that people are actually online at the same time I am. Another being that the signs around town are in English.

When thinking about how I need to go to the post office I actually sat there and tried to think of the word for flat rate box in Italian before I remembered that they would speak English to me.

This town, this time of year
Smells like nostalgia.

It's the first time I've really missed him since he left.

Sometimes I want to stand up and yell things really dramatically like in the pivotal point in a movie where the main character finally snaps. Profess my love, or have a monologue about all the ways someone has ruined my life, or have an incredible epiphany about the many uses of a pinecone. Well, maybe not that last one so much.

Love Me, Love Me, Say That You Love Me

I just discovered that the phrase is from worse to worst.
I always thought it was from worse to worse...Like a progressive thing, one worse to the next worse.

That aside,
Overcoming Jet Lag, Day 1:
Awoke at 7:30, made the pancakes I have been craving for so long. Put peanut butter and whipped cream on top until I remembered I don't like peanut butter and the whipping cream decided it was foe, rather than friend and splattered all over me and the surrounding areas.
Attempt at smoothie making failed. Result was an overwhelmingly pulpy drink...Like 90% pulp. It was kind of impressive.
Went to make glittery ornaments with my mom for some trees they are going to set up in the church.
Have I mentioned I hate glitter?
Caught up on 30 Rock. I really love Tina Fey. Don't know why, but I do.
Wrapped Christmas presents while drinking Apricot tea.
That's about it.

p.s.
I've missed you, blog.