These are my confessions...

being a grown up sucks. let's reminisce

Tue, 02 Aug 2005 02:28:50 GMT

10 Years Ago - prolly very awkward looking...12 years old and trying to act cool
5 Years Ago - I was 17. Steady boyfriend, working at Fashion Bug, vacation with the fam at Rehoboth Beach, summer before senior year of high school...so nervous and excited too.
1 Year Ago - summer before my senior year of college...not even expecting that the last would actually be the best!

Yesterday - Luau at Linda's house...too many Coronas for me!
Tomorrow - I'm taking a half day off and going to the Pirates game with Jarrod...i think.
5 Snacks I Enjoy - fudgerounds, tortilla chips, ice cream, oreos, cheese
5 Bands/Artists That I Know the Lyrics to Most of Their Songs - Madonna, Dashboard Confessional, Kelly Clarkson, Rascal Flatts, 50 cent
5 Things I Would Do With a $100,000,000 -pay off debt, new car, vacation, quit job!
5 Locations I Would Like to Run Away to - Germany, Aruba, San Diego, Paris, Australia
5 Bad Habits I Have - biting nails, smoking, tanning, drinking, riding ppls butts on the road

5 Things I Like Doing - movies, shopping, eating, gossiping, traveling
5 Things I Would Never Wear -spandex, fur, overalls (unless i'm pregnant), vest, daisy dukes
5 T.V. Shows I Like(d) - Seinfeld, Law & Order, Sex & the City, Desparate Housewives, Extreme Makeover Home Edition
5 Movies I Like - Austin Powers 2, You've Got Mail, The Shawshank Redemption, Love & Basketball, Saved
5 Famous People I Would Like to Meet - Jesus, Renee Zelwegger, Oprah, Dr. Phil, Conan O'Brien
5 Biggest Joys At the Moment - helping others, being healthy, having family close, my bf, and my friends!
5 Favorite Toys - laptop, mp3 player, dvd player, fish tank, cell phone

batman begins, seduces me, and ends

Thu, 14 Jul 2005 02:58:51 GMT

I've come to the conclusion that Batman is the ultimate social worker. Ok, some of you may think this is a stretch. Go see the movie. Bruce Wayne AND Rachel Dawes are both extremely idealistic people in the movie.

Example A:

"It's not who you are underneath, it's what you do that defines you." -Rachel Dawes

Example B:

Bruce: You can't save the world by yourself.

Rachel: Do I have a choice?

So just like all the other "steal from the rich and give to the poor" heroes (Robin Hood, Spiderman, etc.), Batman is no exception.

time flies when you're having fun

Tue, 05 Jul 2005 13:42:30 GMT

What a 4th of July! Definitely one of the best weekends by far. Friday night Sarah and I went out to the small ships revue in downtown Sharon and for some reason had an urge to go dancing so we ended up at Georgia City Lights. On Saturday I drove down to Pittsburgh because Jarrod was moving to the South Side that day. It was so gorgeous outside and we went to the Cheesecake Factory with his parents. Mike Farner came to the apartment later that night and we went out to the strip and then on the south side with him and his friend Matt. Of course we found ourselves crammed in Primanti Bros. at 2:00am with about 50 other people. Sunday Jarrod and I spent the day with his family and yesterday we went up to J-town to see my relatives.

How is it that this summer is absolutely flying by? Maybe it is because my "summers" now consist of 40 hours a week in an office building and trying to cram all my fun into eight or ten weekends. There are really only 6 weekends before Jarrod goes back to school and 7 before I have no life either. Fortunately, I'll have some fun towards the end of August when Fitty comes to Post-Gazette with Ciara and Luda!!! I would say that I can't wait but in fact I CAN because that concert will probably mark the end of my social life for the next four months or so. So get at me in the next month and a half so we can live it up together! =)

definitely time for an update!

Sun, 12 Jun 2005 23:00:26 GMT

Hi kids! It's been...A LONG TIME since I've written in this thing. May went by so fast with finals, senior week, graduation, and getting moved into my apartment. I'm living in New Castle about a mile and a half from my office. With the price of gas, I couldn't beat the location. I love the apartment. It's a two-bedroom so I could always add someone on the lease if I end up finding a roommate. Thank god there it's air-conditioned unlike last year when I lived in Haines!

Jarrod and I have been doing really well since graduation. I honestly thought it'd be the exact opposite once we were out of Westminster and farther than one mile away from each other. We've been trying to see each other every weekend and he comes up once during the week since he's working in Aliquippa this summer and it's actually the same distance to come up to New Castle as it is to go back down to B-town. We've checked out his place on the south side, hung out in b-town, went to the pirates/orioles game last week, and drove up to j-town this past weekend to hang with my friends. It's been a good summer so far. =)

I've also been having a real good time with the girls from work. We've gone out to the Jai Alai for crab races and to the Crane Room. I think we're going to try and see Mr. & Mrs. Smith this week. There are pics from the Jai Alai on my photo website:

http://photos.yahoo.com/andersle24

Now, I just hafta find a time when I can get together with Dobi and Mega. I miss my Westmin girls!!

UNSTABLE

Fri, 08 Apr 2005 17:12:31 GMT

Update since last post: Went on Spring Break with Patrick to San Diego. HAD A BLAST! I love the west coast and can't wait to visit again. It was so nice to sit back and relax for a week. The worst part was the plane ride home then driving up 60 and being super depressed with western PA weather. Pat and I did some sweet stuff and I'm glad we got to spend some QT together. Since then, I've been busy with school and I found out that I got accepted to YSU for graduate school. So things are falling into place for next fall. Next up: apartment shopping. Last weekend was the Sig Ep formal in Canada. I had a great time with everyone who went (yeah Officer Dobi!) and realized that I've made some great friends through Jarrod. Knapp, Bero, Heath, and Colin made the trip especially memorable.

That brings us to the past week. Holy crap this week has been hell. School wasn't particularly busy (even though I'm screwing myself for the next two coming up) but my personal life was a mess. Like Bridget Jones said, "It is a universal truth that when one part of your life seems to be going well, another part falls spectacularly to pieces." How true, Bridget, how true! So I think I need some ME time and I'll be going home at some point this weekend to unwind, see the fam, and relax. I doubt I'll get a chance to go home again before graduation. I've been a bit unstable which is unlike me...I seem to have a knack for going with the flow...until I have a week like this. I just ask prayers for my sanity. =) Thanks peeps. ~L

spring break is JUST around the corner!

Wed, 09 Mar 2005 21:12:29 GMT

Hey kids... Haven't updated in awhile but I guess I don't have much to say. School was hectic the past couple weeks but this week is super easy for me and next week looks the same. It's been nice to catch up with the J-town girls since they're on spring break. I think they're coming up tomorrow night too for Pat and Tara's dance theater performance!! (GET EXCITED) Two fridays from now I'll be on a plane to the west coast. I've never been more west than Wisconsin so I'm definitely pumped. I also got some HOTT pants to wear and a new swimsuit. *blingbling* Most of all, I'm lookin' forward to spending some QT with Patrick since I haven't seen him too much in the past month. Every weekend after spring break is totally full and I know that May 14th will be creeping up faster than we want. I STILL haven't heard from YSU which has been delaying my ability to apartment shop. Hopefully things will fall into place here soon. Until then...

"the sweetest thing that you'll ever see in the whole wide world is a happy girl"

Wed, 16 Feb 2005 18:38:11 GMT

I've been pretty darn happy lately with my love life. This is scary 'cause it doesn't happen like this very often. I can honestly say that I've only been close to being this happy a maybe once in the past 3 1/2 years. I mean yeah, the timing isn't the best. I told myself I wouldn't get involved with anyone this last semester since there really is no telling where anyone will be after May 14th. BUT on the other hand, it's so hard to pass something like this up. The cliche that I've long-hated is coming true: It'll happen when you least expect it. Jarrod really treats me well and makes an awesome attempt to get to know my friends too. Valentine's Day was wonderful but then again so is everyday that I see him. "This is easy as lovers go so don't complicate it by hesitating This is wonderful as loving goes This is tailor-made, what's the sense in waiting?"

never a dull moment...

Mon, 31 Jan 2005 20:04:15 GMT

Hey kids! I realize I'm real behind on this "updating" thing but I thought I'd say hi and give ya'll a quick run-down of what's been happening.
First week of school --> rush week...exhausting, exciting, and SO worth it
First weekend --> bonding with sistas and watching the Steelers at Theta Chi
Last week --> nothing exceptionally exciting...just trying to get in the swing of things with classes/work/meetings - getting a flat tire didn't help.
This past weekend --> probably one of the craziest in awhile...mixer @ alpha sigs, makin' an appearance at the eps, jake's 3-keg party @ Pitt...let's see if I can catch up on sleep during the week!?

I'm definitely living up this last semester even though I don't have the typical senior slacker schedule. Canada on Friday + guys pick up = a freakin' fun weekend comin' up!

my nose is slowly recovering...

Sun, 09 Jan 2005 04:41:37 GMT

Don't worry! I'm alive! haha Ok, so I might have been taking this surgery a bit too extreme but it still was an experience I'll never forget. I'll try to give you the cliff's notes version:

Monday - got to the hospital @ 7am, surgery was scheduled for 9am. Didn't get into the operating room until 10:30am. Woke up from the anesthesia in the recovery room very groggy and not happy. Everyone was talking around me and I just wanted to pee. So the nurse got a bedpan as I shook my head NO like it was Freddy Kruger coming after me in a horror flick. I told her that I could hold it. I wanted to take off my oxygen mask but she wouldn't let me. Finally they wheel me back into my OWN room and I fall back asleep only to wake up to a massive amount of liquid in my bladder. I make my mom walk me to the bathroom while I wheel my IV bag with me like an 80 year old nursing home resident. (Keep in mind that my delicious booty is sticking out of the back of my hospital gown this entire time.) I get home around 3:30pm and just want to eat! (go figure) Mom fixes me toast and jello and I'm doing pretty well. Around 8pm I crave a milkshake...or a smoothie...either one will do. Mom makes me a chocolate milkshake and it had never tasted SO good. Unfortunately, my mom (who is a nurse mind you) and I forget that I can only have CLEAR liquids and the milkshake comes up. twice. not fun.

Tuesday - wake up extremely congested and not feeling well at all. lay in bed most of the day and watch my daily schedule of TV shows: TLC from 10am-4pm then Oprah followed by Dr. Phil. Somehow the day flies when you're staring at a TV set.

Wednesday - time to get the packs out of my nose! yipee! My appt. at Dr. Te's was at 10am. Don't actually see Dr. Te until 10:40am. not happy. I'll spare you the details but lets just say he had to open up my nostrils and pressure wash my nose with anesthesia in order to numb it. that didn't work. Second attempt: stuff 6 inch soaked gauze into each nostril. that worked. Too bad they had to be in there for 20 minutes. That was the fastest 20 minutes of my life and I'll tell you the story if you're really that interested...just ask. Sooo...small Asian doctor comes back into the room and pulls out my packs. He continues to give me instructions on how to spray my nose daily, etc. As he talks, my mind wanders and I stare at the office door. Sweat beads are falling down my forehead and my Sigma Kappa sweatshirt is getting damp. I become extremely light-headed. My mom and Dr. Te both realized that I was about to pass out so they lay my head back and fan me with typical doctor office magazines like Good Housekeeping and Parenting. I get my strength back and I leave the office.

Since then, my days have been filled with nose spraying and antibiotic taking. Last night was the first night I could sleep by breathing through my nose...it's coming along. I can't blow my nose for 10 days and I can't do any hardcore physical activity for 3 weeks. Damn! Guess all that exercising will have to wait! =P Thanks for all the messages while I've been recovering...it really made me feel better!

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Mon, 27 Dec 2004 16:12:07 GMT

I absolutely love the holiday season. Seeing my family and hanging out with high school friends plus not having any school work to worry about = bliss! The only thing that would make it complete bliss would be if my Westminnies lived closer. =( I did see Dobi though! We had lunch last week in Greenville. Hopefully we can get together again soon.

Christmas was good to me. I got my digital camera! Clothes, CDs, books, and jewelery were a lot of my other gifts. My dad, who I think rarely pays attention, got me this adorable panda shaped bead pillow and the tag said To: Lauren FROM: Santa Kappa. How cute is that?! Also, he got me a tour book for San Diego for my spring break trip with Pat! So yeah, I've got a lot of reading to do over break! Ian got me the Bridget Jones sequel, Gram & Gramps Anderson bought me a book that I wanted called "The Myth of the Welfare Queen" (success stories of single moms that've been on welfare), and Uncle Jim got me a contemporary translation of the Bible called The Message. It's a very loose translation but it's really easy to understand...it's more in story form than chapter & verse form. Besides these books, I'm halfway through a book that Lisa let me borrow called "One Child." I highly reccommend it especially for those of you who want to be teachers.

What have I been up to you may ask? Let's see. Last week Ben, Gregg, Ame, BBK, and Sara came over and we ended up playing BOARD GAMES for like 5 hours. *pushes up glasses* We finished at about 2:15am...you know, when most people are driving home from the bar. It was really great though just to relax and catch up with everyone. Oh! I went to the eye doctor because my right eye still hasn't cleared up and he thinks I have a bacterial infection from something in my eye makeup so I threw all of it out and haven't used any lately and the redness it totally gone! Sweet! On Christmas Eve, I went to church with my fam. Christmas is always hectic. Ian woke me up at 7:30am then we headed to Blossom's for lunch & gifts then to the Anderson's for gifts and dinner! After that I stopped at Amy's to say hi. My aunt and her two kids from Kansas City got here yesterday so we celebrated with them and then Ben picked us up in the hummer and we went to see Meet the Fockers. I must've had high expectations for the movie because I wasn't too impressed. Don't get me wrong, it was really funny but sooo predictable and somehow I think I'm the only one who gets tired of the "Gaylord Focker" joke over and over and over and over...like Ben said, "The whole premise of the movie is that they have a funny last name." I wish that would've been said on the trailer 'cause I could've saved $7.50. =P

This week I'm working and doing random things around j-town. Amy and Kristin are going to NC for a couple days and they better bring some sunshine home for me!!

remember me?

Wed, 22 Dec 2004 18:00:27 GMT

I'm back in action. (or something like that) I will have a lot of time over break to update so hopefully that will make up for the last for months of not posting. I am working two days a week over break down at LCSS (Mondays and Wednesdays) in order to keep up with my clients and the paperwork that goes along with it. I have one client, "Julie" (for confidentiality reasons), that I am now doing intensive case management with. I'm really excited about it but it's also a huge responsibility to help her become self-sufficient in two years.

So,yeah, I'm back in Jamestown for about a month. I've already seen Amy and Kristin a lot...it's been fun catching up with them. Last night we rented 13 going on 30 but didn't see ANY of it because we were too busy talking about this past semester and what's been going on in our lives. I think Gregg and Ben are coming home today so hopefully we'll get to hang out over the weekend. Speaking of this weekend, I am not ready for Christmas AT ALL! I haven't done any shopping for my immediate family yet. YIKES! I better get on that tomorrow or something. My aunt and two younger cousins are coming up from Kansas City this Christmas so that'll be exciting. We're actually going out to visit them for the first time right after I graduate in May.

I got my grades online today and I ended up with a 3.6. Not too shabby but would've liked it to be a bit higher. Damn criminology!! However, I pulled off an A in capstone so I'm pretty psyched, I can't lie.

My surgery is coming up and the closer it is, the more scared I become. I had an appointment to fill out paperwork yesterday and I had a pre-op appointment this morning before I headed to New Castle. They just took blood pressure, weight, and they drew blood. I've been getting all this paperwork with what to do before/after surgery and possible side effects that may occur. I can't have ibuprofen two weeks before or after surgery and bleeding/crusting could occur for days after surgery. I'll have packs up my nose for two days...ewwww so unattractive! =( At least it will help my chronic sinus infections?!? :-/ I guess we'll see.

getting things in order

Fri, 12 Nov 2004 18:43:30 GMT

The semester is winding up!?! Yeah, hard to believe, isn't it? On Monday, I had a revelation that I AM, in fact, OLD. I registered for my last semester in undergraduate work and I passed on the torch of president of Sigma Kappa. Everything I'm doing now seems to be final touches. Summary of this week: a final touch on my capstone paper, completing my grad school applications, and taking the GREs tomorrow. On Wednesday, LCSS offered me the full-time w/benefits caseworker position (seriously) and I am able to start as soon as I graduate. That's hard to pass up! Of course I said I was interested and I'm starting to get really excited about it. Hopefully it will constitute my field practicum in graduate school (IF I get into YSU)...that would be icing on the cake! Things are falling into place which is scary but pretty sweet too. Now more questions have popped into my head. Where am I going to live? When should I start looking for places? (haha...I guess if I can find homeless people apartments then I should be able to find my own, too!) Should I drop everything and move to Baltimore if I'm accepted to U of M? What if I am NOT accepted into YSU? I like having heart-to-hearts with Dobi 'cause I think she's going through the same cognitive load about her graduate school situation.

But for now, I'm going to plan some fun trips for next semester. Places I HAVE to go: State College to visit Benjamin & Hughie, CU of course to see Ame and Travis, and I'd like to finally be able to party down at Pitt with Jake! GET EXCITED!! =P

senior year is flying by :-/

Mon, 01 Nov 2004 18:26:37 GMT

I can't bring myself to the realization that it is ALREADY November 1st. This semester is flying and I'm not sure how I feel about that. As much as I complain about school, I admit that I'm scared about what is to come. I pretty much have the same feeling right now that I had when I was a senior in high school:

What's this next phase in my life? Who are my friends going to be? Where will this path lead me? Who will my roommate be and will they piss on me in the middle of the night when they come home completely obliterated?

Ok, that last question deals mainly with my concern about coming to Westminster, not so much about going out into the "real world." But seriously, what is this "real world" that everyone talks about anyway? Well, I think I had a taste of it this past summer. Let me tell you, it is BORING! Cmon, we've all complained about the dull Westminster/New Wilmington life but compare that to a 40-hour work week in the office, grocery shopping on the weekends, going to bed at 10:30pm, and making just enough money to cover the rent?! Yipes...I'll opt for Westminster any day. Sure, I have experienced bits of senioritis this smester but along with that, tears have already formed when I think about leaving the people that I have been lucky enough to meet in Amish Country.

Wipe your eyes, I'm done for today. =)

yay for getaways!

Mon, 04 Oct 2004 19:22:59 GMT

Hey all! It's been awhile since I've posted so I'm just going to give you a brief update on what's been going on. :) The past few weeks have been pretty hectic with Sigma Kappa, exams, and capstone. I'm in my data collection phase for my capstone project which means I'm traveling to different social service agencies and interviewing caseworkers. I really like this part of the project despite the fact that I'm crunched for time already and this is definitely a time consuming part of my thesis.

This past weekend, I went to Pittsburgh with Pat for his cousin Erin's wedding. Friday afternoon, though, I spent the afternoon in the doctor's office and found out that I'll need to get limited sinus surgery this Christmas break. =( I realize that I need to go through this procdure though because my sinus pain and pressure is out of control.

On Friday night, I shopped with D at Robinson while Pat was doing the Rehearsal thing. We are HARDCORE shoppers! ;) Saturday was fun-filled hanging with the Sandora crew and getting drunk with them of course. hehe Here's a pic from the reception:

In other news, grad school decisions are approaching and I'm really looking into YSU's MSW program. Since I'll have my job @ LCSS, Youngstown really is the practical school when it comes to location, cost, scheduling, etc. I'm still really nervouse about this huge decision and haven't even taken the GRE's yet. I need to get on the ball!

Mon, 13 Sep 2004 18:25:28 GMT

The Soundtrack to Your Life Survey

Make a soundtrack for your life, matching songs with the following:

Opening song: Dixie Chicks - Wide Open Spaces

Waking up: Jo Dee Messina - I'm Alright

First date: Dashboard Confessional - Hands Down

First kiss: Faith Hill - This Kiss

Falling in love: Gavin DeGraw - Follow Through

Seeing an old love: Garth Brooks - Unanswered Prayers

Heartbreak: Jessica Andrews - Unbreakable Heart

Driving fast: CKY - Close Yet Far

Getting ready to go out: 112 - Dance With Me

Partying with friends: Fat Joe & Terror Squad - Lean Back

Dancing at a club: Ying Yang Twins - Salt Shaker

Flirting: Clay Aiken - The Way

Feeling sexy: Christina Milian - Dip It Low

Walking alone in the rain: Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway

Missing someone: Babyface - When Can I See You Again

Playing in the ocean: Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Summer vacation: Bill Medley/Jennifer Warnes - Time of My Life

Fighting with someone: JoJo - Get Out

Acting goofy with friends: Juvenile - Slow Motion

Thinking back: Keith Urban - You'll Think of Me

Feeling depressed: Celine Dion - All By Myself

Christmas time: Amy Grant - Grown-Up Christmas List

Falling asleep: Selena - Dreaming of You

Closing song: Rent - Seasons of Love

Take The Soundtrack to Your Life Survey

Get more cool things for your blog at Blogthings

ho-hum

Thu, 02 Sep 2004 16:26:12 GMT

I'm back at school but don't have the internet yet. >:0 IT'S A LONG ASS STORY. Hopefully, this journal entry will suffice until I can speak to each and every one of you loyal journal readers through the information highway.

Things have been a bit overwhelming this week but it always is when you get syllabi (sp?), have sorority bids, pick-up, and pinning. Pair those things with working at LCSS and you have Lauren's first week of classes. It seems that two of my classes (sociology of gender and psych of women) have pretty much the same content so they shouldn't be too bad. Criminology isn't really up my alley but I think I'll learn some interesting stuff regardless. Capstone is making me a little nervous because I can just feel the work piling on already. And the hardest part about my swimming class is that it's at 8:25 in the morning.

I'm still trying to adjust from living in an apartment by myself to living on a floor with 24 other girls. All summer I've been going when I please and just simply doing my own thing. Don't get me wrong, I can still do that but it's just a different atmosphere.

Here are some orgasmic items as of late:

(In case you can't read the title of this book, it's I Used to Miss Him But My Aim is Improving - Not Your Ordinary Survival Break-up Guide...I HIGHLY recommend it!)

nervous about lots o' things

Sat, 28 Aug 2004 04:50:20 GMT

Blah. I'm really not ready to go back to school. And I mean ready is every sense of the word. Mentally, physically (i have nothing packed), etc. This semesters is going to be sooooooo busy I can't even stand to think about it. I'm trying to not look at it down the road and just take one week at a time. Otherwise I would be too stressed.

This week has been eventful. I've had the opportunity to catch up with a lot of my friends who I had'nt seen much this summer. Tuesday 10 of us went to get wings and hung out around a bonfire at Jake's afterwards. Trash made her Jimtown debut that night and we both lived up to her nickname! She spent the night at my house and was a trooper getting up the next morning to go to LCSS. Wednesday I worked at Camper's Kitchen...nothing too exciting there.

Thursday was too much for me. I had an appointment with Dr. Te in Greenville who is the Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist. I've had 5 sinus infections in the past year and get sinus headaches constantly. My PCP wanted me to get it checked out before she will prescribe anymore meds. I figured Dr. Te would just take some x-rays while I was in the office. Well, it turned out that he wanted to do some major investigating into this problem of mine. So he numbed my nose (ew-weh) and stuck a scope up into it to take a look. It turns out that I have this anatomical flaw where my left nostril has no drain for my muscus causing it to stay in my sinuses and create pressure/pain (and eventually infection). The solution: take meds the next two weeks + a nasal spray + a CATscan when I'm finished with the meds. After the CATscan, I have to go back to Dr. Te and see if we need to procede with surgery. All this has to be done in the next month which = BIG BUMMER! :-( NOT a fun afternoon.

Last night, though, was the big concert with Sarebear and Amester. We drove to Cleveland to see Usher, Kanye, and Christina Milian. I really can't describe how awesome it was except to say that it was definitely worth the money and much, much more! The show was three hours long and I don't know anything that could've improved it's entertainment value...I had a blast. :-D

I'm excited for tomorrow 'cause I'm going to drive over to CU to see Amester, Travis, and the football game. One last hoorah before school starts...

POISON IVY IS THE DEVIL! >:0

Mon, 23 Aug 2004 17:50:46 GMT

:( Mine looks similar and it's bothering me...grr...

"There's a whole lot of breathing room but I can hardly move"

Mon, 23 Aug 2004 14:50:10 GMT

What a jam-packed weekend! Working at Camper's Kitchen was a good time even though it rained most of Friday and business wasn't too good. They are really short-handed this week since Sara and Amy left for school today and another girl broke her thumb at volleyball practice. Being the nice ex-employee that I am, I agreed to work again this Wednesday from 3-9. My biceps needed to scoop some ice cream anyway.

Saturday night a bunch of us were going to go to Georgia City Lights but somehow a bunch ended up being just me and Skee. Instead of heading to Hermitage, we decided to stick around the area and go on a hillbilly bar tour in Greenville. We started out at Meek's and hung out with Bob and Casey for a little bit. After that, we crossed the street to Danny's and had a beer with one of our old high school teachers! It was definitely a good time! We ventured to the Brass Tap, The Hilltop, and finally the New Englander. For my first time out in Greenville, it was no doubt an eventful night! Thanks Skee!! :)

Yesterday I woke up and went to Fredonia, New York to move Ian into his college dorm. I can't believe it's been three years since I did the same thing. Time flies. The campus at SUNY Fredonia is beautiful! I'm excited for him and believe it or not, Mom only cried a little bit...not the entire ride home like I was expecting. hehe. Last night the crew went to Paxton's for a little bonding time since Ben got back from L.A. Saturday afternoon and Ame and Sara move back to school today. We called Pat in Kentucky just to complete the night. He's doing well and will probably get leave this Christmas.

No word on my guy situation...if there even IS a situation. Bah humbug!

all i ever do is move

Fri, 20 Aug 2004 00:47:16 GMT

Here I am, back in Jamestown. This morning Mom, Dad, and Ian helped me move out of Apartment #6. It didn't take near as long as I thought it would. The rain definitely wasn't helping though. I looked like a drowned rat by the time everything was packed in 3 different cars. Tomorrow I'm venturing to Erie with mom and then I'm doing a favor for Camper's Kitchen and working from 5-close and again on Saturday from 10:30-4:30. It'll be like old times...my biceps needed to scoop some ice cream...haha...actually it won't be too bad getting paid to hang out with Sara and Amy.

Somehow, I ended up getting poison ivy from cleaning up the park in D.C. last week. This is my first time getting it but it really isn't that bad. I just have a small patch on my right arm and it's not even itching. I think I got lucky!

I was doing some thinking and I really respect people who can just pick up and leave on a dime just to follow their dreams. I hate that I'm such an indecisive person, especially when it comes to big decisions. Take grad school for example. Should I go? Should I go somewhere around here? Should I just get away for awhile and see how that goes? I DONT KNOW!! I need to decide. STAT. Mostly because I need to take the GREs but also because I'd like to know where I'll be a year from now. Nothing is really holding me back at the moment...I mean, I know I should do it. Another 2+ years of school is just not appealing to me right now. I feel like I've learned so much in my internship that master's classes aren't going to be worthwhile. They'll be motions that I need to go through in order to get a certificate that says I have a Masters and can now make twice as much money. Grr. Sometimes I try to convince myself that I could easily get a Masters level job with just my bachelors + the experience I've had. That is a big part of it, you know. Experience. But how realistic is that thought? Yeah, I dunno either. Decisions, decisions...

what would i do without my friends?

Thu, 19 Aug 2004 14:24:08 GMT

CrazyDucky622: You know what Lauren, SERIOUSLY there are guys who would DIE to go out with you. You are seriously amazing, youve got it together, youre gorgeous, youre down to earth, youre responsible, youre going somewhere, you know how to laugh, and you know how to have fun. And if he has some sort of cataract that disables him from seeing that then moooove aaaaa loooong.
CrazyDucky622: Its the truth though. Ask anyone.
CrazyDucky622: I mean honestly. And you know, I see you marrying some doctor, and volunteering together, and saving the world together, and making it a better place. And having little kids running around, and being an awesome mom. Is he a doctor?

pics from molly's wedding (can you tell i finally have time to scan some?)

Mon, 16 Aug 2004 21:18:10 GMT

orgasmic items

Mon, 16 Aug 2004 20:26:01 GMT

can't things just go smoothly?

Mon, 16 Aug 2004 03:04:19 GMT

Well it's about that time...time to share my experiences from D.C. I know you all missed me last week. We ended up staying in a pretty ritzy part of town, about 2 blocks from the Capitol building. THe townhouse we were in would sell for about one million dollars if it went on the market today. We had a room with 5 bunk beds and it was air conditioning and all. You might think "ok, what's the big deal?" Well, on most of these mission trips, we've slept on church basement floors so I'd say we were pretty spoiled this year. The first two days we worked at an organic farm with some herbal hippy farmers in Maryland(i was lovin' it!). All the produce and vegetables from this farm went to local food banks and soup kitchens. Tuesday was harvest day and we picked tomatoes, basil, squash, and potatoes. Here's an action pic of me picking a potato:

One Wednesday, we worked at a soup kitchen called Martha's Table in D.C. We packed lunches that were going to be handed out that night on street corners. We made about 300 peanut butter sandwiches and 500 hot dog sandwiches. Later that day, we worked with inner city kids at a day camp in the projects. I met this little boy Tavon who (unfortunately) didn't fit into my suitcase or he'd be back here with me as we speak.
Me with Tavon:

Me with Xena and Roy (Tavon was trying to take the picture):

On Thursday, we helped clean out a park that used to be D.C.'s largest drug use area. There were used needles all through the park along with broken glass, brick, etc. I think it really opened the eyes of some of the younger girls I was in charge of (they're in junior high). Most of them hadn't really left Western PA so they were a little shocked to see guys selling/using drugs all around us while we were at the park. I'm not sure how much progress we made there but every little bit helps. Thursday night we served dinner at a homeless shelter for women. I'll have more pics of that day when I finish my camera.

In other news...I hate dating. Well, maybe I just despise men. Either way, I'm only 21 and sick of it all already. I must have this curse on me that tells guys to run away after only "seeing" me for a month. Ha! Maybe I should just suck it up, right?? And it was just when I was getting my hopes up...*sigh* I'll have an update on that situation this weekend I guess. That's when I'll hear the verdict. >:O

updates!

Wed, 04 Aug 2004 20:08:12 GMT

What my week is looking like:
Last night > Quaker Steak & Lube in Cranberry with Matt and his friends from home
Tonight > Jai Alai with bunches of people for hermit crab races and $1 yeunglings
Tomorrow night > no plans as of yet...packing for D.C. I'm sure
Friday night > Theta Chi cool kids/end of summer party!
Saturday > Geauga Lake with Matt, Morris, and Trashley(?) for Eastern Software's company picnic
Sunday > Go home for church then leave for D.C. around 1 o'clock

I like how my week progressively becomes planned even though Monday I didn't know I was going to do any of this (minus the DC trip). New Wilmington is not as boring as you think, folks! Hopefully I'll update before I head off to Washington to chill with the homeless. shorty crunk!