Simply Lauren.

It's Official - I have a VLOG

2010-10-13T20:20:00.001-05:00

So - I actually do have a VLOG now.

Check it out - it might be better than this.

http://www.youtube.com/user/sigdogg1222?feature=mhum

I think you click on that.

xoxox,
SL

Student Quote

2010-10-07T07:26:00.002-05:00

Good morning,
Thought I'd start you off with this gem that I overheard in my Homeroom class.

"You know that Filipinos used to be black? Yeah, the sun like scorched their skin and then like Mexicans came over and like turned them into Spanish. I swear."

This kid is not only clearly an idiot, but also an asshole so I feel perfectly fine calling him out like this.

I hope that this cheers you all up on Thursday.

Jose, you were once black.

Sorry it's short, but it's sweet!

Love,
SL

Online Class & Dressing

2010-09-24T08:33:00.003-05:00

Brian just gave me a hard time over email about not blogging. I am in a lull right now since I'm off this period and am trying to focus on doing this online class for reading which is so stupid. I'm trying to post responses to the other people in my class about their postings. It's so fake.

"Ryan, I really loved how you talked about illustrations in books you read when you were younger, I too loved looking at pictures as well as the words and following along."

Barf in a cup. That's how it is though. It's supposedly a hybrid class and the online parts and more difficult than the in-class parts. SO OBNOXIOUS. :)

So my mentor teacher is out of town until October 4th. It's good and it's bad. I really like that I can teach the class fully but it's also hard b/c I have to do everything and my 7th period is full of crazies. Today we are going to try and use the computers to type up essay's but...we'll see.

I just finished re-vamping some plans for Monday so I feel psyched about the class. I'm going to incorporate art and stuff into the lesson and do a compare and contrast of Athens vs. Sparta in that way. I'm going to have them predict things too and also maybe do some awesome activities. YAY for art history incorporation into social studies!

It baffles me how some teachers dress. I mean, I know that on Friday we are allowed to wear jeans but...some of the things that are worn are so unprofessional. For example, the teacher who is teaching right now in my classroom is wearing a Ravens jersey, like tevas (barf in a cup again) and some shorts. Yes, fucking shorts. She sucks and so does her outfit. Jeans = with a slash cargo shorts.

Psyched for this weekend but also I have so much work to do! Grad school is tougher than I thought!

Love to you all!
xo, SL

Headache & Tailgating

2010-09-12T08:20:00.004-05:00

Yesterday was a glorious day! For all of you in the DC Metro area, I hope that you ended up doing something outside. It was awesome. In the morning I had a golf lesson. It went well, we worked on chipping and short game. It was the first time that I'd ever done that. I did ok. Tim taught me some tricks. Mike was at the club too and he came over and gave me some more tips too, especially with the pitching wedge. As soon as he gave me the pointers, I was hitting really well! Then, on my way home, I get a text from Jake that says, "If you see Nicole (Mike's wife), don't tell her you saw him at the club." I started laughing.

When I got home I asked Jake what that text was all about. Apparently he was supposed to be doing errands and instead it just went to the driving range. Ha! I hope that Jake never lies to me about doing errands and then going to play golf instead. :) We can only hope right?

Then, we went to the store to get all kinds of tailgating materials! :) The Maryland game was last night at 6 so we invited Steph and John to come tailgate with us. It was so fun. It was sort of hot. Jake made burgers and dogs and we had lots of delicious refreshing beer! :) It also helped that Maryland CRUSHED Morgan State. It was almost a shut out! Go terps!

I'm now relaxing on the couch and Jake is making me breakfast. He's good at that. I'm so spoiled. I have SO much work and chores to do today, it's crazy!

So, about the headache thing. For the past like three days I've had a headache in my left temple. It's soooooo annoying. I've taken Advil a few times and I'm getting sick of it. Ugh, I hope it goes away soon.

Ok - I need to focus and also enjoy my breakfast.

Love to you all!
SL

Sneek Kill & Stumic Punch

2010-09-01T19:39:00.006-05:00

So this first week of school we have homeroom for extended periods of time so the middle schoolers can get used to the rules they'd forgotten over the summer. We did an activity that asked them to think about what the world would be like if there were no rules. Then, we asked them to write down their thoughts in a paragraph.

See the attached that I saw left on a desk. I have no idea who wrote it, which is obviously a good thing or I would have to judge that student.

Please note: the AWESOME spelling, the infatuation with obesity, and that there were things even too terrible for the student to name.

Sorry that this is short but I thought this would speak for itself.

Happy Thursday!

Love,
Mrs. SL

First Day & Vampires

2010-08-30T16:13:00.002-05:00

So, not sure how many of you are actually friends with me on facebook. Probably all of you do since only my friends read this. Ha.

I am relaxing with a beer after my first day of school with students at Wilde Lake! I love the middle school kids! I have four 7th grade classes and two 6th although I'm not technically supposed to teach the 6th graders, because they are considered elementary school kids. The GT class is so excited about learning that I could barely handle them. I can't wait to see the true colors of the kids come out since they will be getting to know me and each other over the next few weeks.

So, I'm into True Blood and it's cool or whatever but I just have to say that I'm in love with Eric Northman and if he does from the sunlight with that douche Russell, I'm going to stop watching the show. He is so hot. He makes the show. There are too many new weird characters with weird magical powers that it's getting overwhelming. Anyway, I just wanted to reiterate that I love Eric. Thanks.

I'm excited to spend the weekend with my sister in New York. We are leaving on Friday and get back Monday. We don't have that much planned but it should be a good time regardless since all we really need is food, some wine and hang out time! :) I'd be perfectly happy doing nothing!

Luna wants to go outside or eat or something because she is getting up in my grill and getting her hair all over my laptop computer. Niiiiice, Luna. Every time I make a move she thinks I'm moving to play or feed her.

Love,
SL

p.s. i have a student named Lexus.

NYC & Carpet

2010-08-19T08:00:00.003-05:00

Good morning!
I'm sitting here watching Fresh Prince of Bel Air and eating my amazing bowl of yogurt and fresh peaches, raspberries, strawberries and blueberries. I know you are jealous. But what I know you aren't jealous of is the fact that there are two guys here that are installing our new carpet for upstairs. Do you KNOW how expensive that shit it? Wow, we were shocked when the Empire Carpet guy gave us the estimate. Oh, well, hopefully it will look great when it's done. :)

New York was awesome per usual, can't ever expect anything less than that. I stayed with Leah for a few nights in Brooklyn, which worked out really well for me since I needed a place to park my car since I drove up. My days in the city were fun. I did a lot of exploring and got a lot of shit done. Let's go through some of the highlights:

1. getting a bikini wax
2. buying "starting fire" in Union Square and then reading it in like three hours.
3. drinks with Jason and Caroline - was able to catch up with him! Seems like I can run into him in all corners of the world
4. dinner with Leah (x2)
5. dinner with Jess - major catch up session needed!
6. Private tour of the Frick Gallery courtesy of Julian, including when we were locked in the basement for about 5 minutes.
7. Chatting and catch up with Brianna while walking around the Whitney
8. Picasso exhibit at the Met
9. seeing "The Other Guys" because it was too hot to continue walking.
10. happy hour with former Lehman ppl!~
11. dinner and drinks with Tanzer - my favorite!

I did a lot and walked a lot but it was such a fun time. I wanted to profile two people that I saw riding the subway. The subway in New York is an excellent way to get some good people watching skills in. I saw one creepy guy that looked like baby huey kid, maybe about 28 years old or so sitting on the 4 train with two HUGe packets of sweet tarts, like the kind that come in big rolls. He was eating them like there was no tomorrow. It was like, before he was even done chewing one, he was shoving another into his mouth. It was so gross. Although I love sweet tarts and would have asked him for one had he not looked like the most disgusting person on earth.

Ok - this entry is only average. I'm going to write more things soon.

Love, SL

WMST Scandal & Maggots

2010-08-03T15:45:00.002-05:00

So, I'm sure that you are really curious about my title. I want to talk about the serious one first and then the second part is not serious, just totally disgusting. Let's go.

My professor for one of my classes works at a charter school in DC. It's called WMST. She taught AP World and also was the staff development person for the school. She worked closely with the principal and the a few others on the administration staff. This year they just learned that they did not make AYP. For those of you that don't know, AYP stands for "Adequate Yearly Progress", it's a sister acronym of the No Child Left Behind Act. Basically is consists of meeting proficiency tests in both Math and Reading. Not only did they not make it but their scores dropped by 60% in Math and 40% in Reading. WHAT? How is this possible? Also note that the past 7 years that AYP has even been in existence, they passed, so their benchmark of proficiency was really high. This past year they improved 8% in math and 5% in Reading. They were on their way to improve. My professor and the principal were dedicating to improving the school and really getting them out of this whole. If you think that there is some test number fudging....read on. I mean, how can students drop scores by 60%? No teachers changes were made, it was the same teachers teaching the kids! Read on...

What really happened was that Pearson Vue, you know, the testing company, had sent a report to the DC Governing Education Body (OSSE) letting them know that WMST tests had a SIGNIFICANT amount of eraser marks on their tests. Normal range is like 3-4%. They had 14%. WTF. OSSE also told the Board of Trustees of the Charter and they did NOTHING. In fact, the report was pretty private that my professor just found out about it. Someone at WMST was doctoring the tests so that they would make AYP. But, since it was only the first year that both the principal and my professor were at the school, it makes it look like since they took over, the test scores dropped.

Both of them were FIRED, along with one other admin person. The person who most likely fudged the scores is now the new principal. They were escorted out of the school building by fucking cops. It is insane. It's such a fucked up system. Oh, and the board now realizes that they made a mistake in firing them since school is opening in three weeks so they are trying to negotiate some sort of transition package for them. How fucked up is this? This is like some Erin Brockovitch shit. Tell everyone you know how insane this is!

Ok, last week there was a crazy storm here and my parents lost power for quite a few days. I did too, but for less than 24 hours. It was annoying, but I obviously survived. My mom was freaking out about how she was nervous about all the food that was in the freezer. I told her since I have an extra freezer I would store it until the power came back on. The problem was that we had a bunch of old nasty shit in there, like old hamburgers and meat and hotdogs - all expired. I used this as an excuse to throw it all out.

Fast forward until this morning when I'm taking out the trash. I open up the bin to throw away another bag of trash and there ARE MAGGOTS ALL OVER THE BAG. THEY ARE CRAWLING ALL OVER THE PLACE AND IT SMELLS LIKE DEATH. After about five minutes of straight dry heaving. I finally was able to drag the bin to the street. I swear I almost wrote and apology note to the trash people. I also almost wrote another note that said, "just throw away the whole trash can". So I drove to school all while trying not to visualize those disgusting maggots. Sorry if all of you now have a visual image of the situation. After school I was so scared of the bin. I opened it with a stick and then dumped massive amounts of bleach into it and ran away leaving the lid still open. There were still some maggots left at the bottom but I totally murdered them. I will spray the shit out of it later on when my stomach has settled down. Any suggestions?

Lesson of the day: don't throw away pounds of raw meet in the trash during the summer and expect there to be no consequences.

Ok, must get back to all the crazy paper writing!

Love,
SL

Skunks & Plum Bread

2010-08-02T18:10:00.006-05:00

Good evening my fellow friends,

I a pleased to exclaim that today I did not get sprayed by a skunk, much to my perpetual fear. Is this irrational? I'll tell you why I don't think it's so irrational. Whenever I run in the neighborhood, I ALWAYS smell skunk at least two separate times along the streets. Is there anything else that can smell like a skunk like that? If not, then there are totally some crazy-ass skunks hanging out in Woodmoor. So, my fear is not irrational. I would be especially annoyed if I got sprayed before my panel presentation at school on Thursday. I wouldn't want people to think I smelled like ass. My mom also told me, and so did TV, that taking a bath in tomato sauce or tomatoes, or whatever, doesn't work. What would I even do? Do you think there is some sort of skunk "off"? I'm curious now. Do you think they have skunk repellant? I'm considering investing in some.

So, yesterday I made plum bread out of these mini plums that I bought with my parents at Baughers. The plums were really ripe and delicious raw but....

Basically I'm trying to tell you that the plum bread sucked. Who wants to eat fucking plum bread? I should never have made it. I gave it to my mom, who can't taste and my dad that will eat anything homemade. Thank god for them! I was able to pawn it off to them without feeling like a complete failure.

I have to say that today was a pretty good day. I feel like accomplished a lot. Whether or not that's actually true - the jury's still out. I just feel like a bad ass. I like this feeling.

Erin - if you read this, which I'm pretty sure you don't. Thanks for peaking my interest in "Criminal Minds" now I'm obsessed and also have increased nightmares because of it. It's cool - I don't blame you. I blame my brain lobes and my subconscious.

Susannah - so great to see you the other night. GREAT catching up and also it was much needed.

Hope everyone had a great Monday. I love you all.

Love,
SL

Early AM & Hot Trash

2010-07-30T15:28:00.003-05:00

So, I woke up really early in the AM to babysit Braden across the street. His little sister Lila has a brain tumor, she's 2 and she had to go to the hospital for a hearing test. I know that's really sad but I try and look at the bright side of life. Anyway, I had to be there at 5:30. I just went back to sleep on the couch until B woke up and then we ate breakfast together (or rather he ate and I drank coffee).

I guess the only real highlight so far about the babysitting gig was when for about 2o minutes we played the "You smell like..." game. Oh, you don't know what that game is? Let me explain: You play with two people, in this case, Braden and myself, and go back and forth and tell each other what you each smell like. Bonus points for double bodily functions or using animals. Examples from today's match:

You smell like dirty trash
You smell like hot trash
You smell like a dead rat
You smell like poop
You smell like a plate full of worms
You smell like snot
You smell like blood
You smell like the wall

I think you get the drift. Anyway, this was a solid game. Braden also has a badass powerwheels and while he was driving in the backyard he drove through like 8 pounds of dog poop and it got all wedged in the tires. So, then we played car wash on the tires. 4 year old kids are amazing.

Have you ever noticed that Law & Order is ALWAYS filmed in the winter? They are always outside in the freezing cold or the rain or just wearing really heavy coats. It's a bummer that they can't solve crime in the summer although the dead bodies would probably would smell a lot worse right? I have a girl crush on Angie Harmon but that new show that she is on "Rizzoli and Isles" seems lame. I will not be watching.

TGIF! I hope that you all (which might be like the two people that are reading this blog again) have a fantastic weekend and that you are as or MORE productive than me - although I'm not sure that's possible.

Chillin',

SL

Me & My Return

2010-07-29T21:47:00.003-05:00

Hey everyone!

I don't want to make that huge of a big deal out of the fact that I'm back with a vengeance. I really think this is going to be great, life changing, and obviously, funny and an insight into my brilliant mind.

So, I'm at the University of Maryland at the MCERT program. I started in June and I'm ending next June. I love the program so far and have met some amazing friends. I'm not sure if I'm going to alert them of this blog because I don't want their opinion of me to be you know...tainted.

I hope to continue to be a badass/robot (as Andreas like to liken me to) for the next year. I hope that you can keep up bitches!! If you think this blog is cool and want to share it with other people who do not have the pleasure of knowing me and my awesome self, please do!

Since this is just an introductory blog posting for my new life, I won't give you a taste of what SimplyLauren can bring. You are just going to have to keep reading. I know that my life may not be particularly more interesting than, let's say, yours but my brain is more interesting than yours, for sure. :)

TO all my fans, I love you and please START READING AGAIN!

Love,
Simply Lauren

Alicia and Obsessions

2009-04-02T11:42:00.003-05:00

So there is this woman at my office. She works on another team but we share the floor with them. This means that she walks by my desk a lot and also I see her in the kitchen/copy room, etc.

She sucks. She's one of those people that when she walks by you are praying that she doesn't open her mouth and say anything because whatever she's going to say is going to be awkward and you aren't going to know how to respond. This is an example from this morning:

Her: Believe it or not, I'm going to get some coffee to calm down.
Me: (while still pretending to work on something and not looking up) *Awkward laughter*
Her: *Actual laughter*, and then she walked away.

See, she probably wanted me to ask her "Hey, why do you need to calm down?" But I knew that if I did that I was going to get some horrible stupid annoying story where the bottom line is that she was a bitch and then no one understood her point of view. But - instead she made her awkward announcement. Ugh, she is so annoying.

Another story about her consists of the time when I made some sort of treats for the office and I had a bunch extra and so I put them on a plate in front of my desk. She came over and randomly started telling me this story about how there was this birthday party for some kids and her and her mom were there (she CONSTANTLY talks about her mom in stories) and how her friend had baked some cookies, the kind where you press your thumb into them or some shit, I don't know. Anyway, apparently these cookies are to die for and her friend had baked her a box and her mom a box. The kids were looking for some treats and her mom offered her box of cookies to the kids. Which to me, was really nice and thoughtful and something that mom's would think to do. Well, when her mom suggested that she also offer up her cookies she told me, "I was not going to share my cookies from my friend with those stupid kids." And when her mom asked to have ONE cookie, Alicia (yes, that's her name) was like "No, sorry you can't have any." She was going on and on about how she doesn't share things. What a bitch. They are just fucking cookies.

I had to pretend to agree with her and nod and smile the whole time or I might have wanted to choke her.

Ok, enough of stupid Alicia and onto my current obsessions:
1. Tomato Basil soup from Le Madeline
2. Orangina
3. Anthropoligie but a hatred b/c everything is over priced in the god forsaken catalogue.
4. Compressed Air (Current ne Consistent)
5. Jake

I hope everyone is having a great day. Tomorrow I leave for MIAMI!!!!! It's going to be so amazing and I can't wait to spend the weekend down there with all these fun girls! It's Erin's bachelorette party and I am so ready to rock out.

I MUST go now or I will ramble on forever.

Kisses, SL

Radio and List

2009-03-24T11:11:00.005-05:00

A few comments:

1. I had an amazing bridal shower last (oops, two weekends ago) weekend. Thanks to Stephanie for putting it on and also to all my friends that came. The only downside to the shower was that I had to wear a blindfold while my dad was driving me all around Maryland to trick me as to where the party was. I also had my black pashmina on my head making it look like I was being kidnapped and/or wearing a burka.

2. What EXACTLY is twitter? I'm sorry that I'm not so like obsessed with it like everyone else seems to be. It seems like something that I could and would like and so I'm afraid to start using it.

3. I was on the radio this morning. They were talking about this list of the top 10 men that OTHER men have like man crushes on. They asked listeners who they thought their men would want to like sleep with, but not really, mostly like "want to be". I called in and said James Bond. Jake loves him and also specifically Sean Connery. I wanted to say Magnum P.I. but I also didn't want to look like a loser on the radio. They totally aired me telling everyone that it was awesome. Not two seconds later Jose called me from the beltway saying he heard me and also that I have a recognizable voice. Which I don't think is true.

4. This shit with Leah is getting out of control.

5. Wedding invitations went out last week and we've already gotten responses. Yippee! It's all so exciting!

6. One last thing re: #4. Billy Mays was on the list of man crushes. WHAT? PLEASE...can SOME GUY please leave a comment as to why the FUCK you would want to hook up with Billy Mays. He NEVER stops screaming and he's a douche. He sells oxyclean and those stupid little burger molds. WHAT IS WRONG WITH MEN! Most of the men on the list were totally awesome but Billy Mays?! GET REAL!

7. I ate too much at lunch. I'm stuffed but the food was so good I can't stop eating. :)

That's all for now.

I heart radio.

xoxox, SL

Office Commentary and Shout Outs

2009-03-12T14:25:00.005-05:00

So, it's high time that I explain a little bit about the people that I work with. I pray to Christ that they will never see this blog but if they do, maybe it will be after I've moved on or something.

Brent: Brent is my boss. He is the head principal of the group. He's pretty short, has decent hair but he dresses like he's supposed to star in a 1982 GQ Magazine. He wears navy blue with black, and not in a good way. He sometimes wears retarded belts and cowboy boots. He has flare jeans too. He just got glasses for the first time and is obsessed with them. He' the guy that is always taking them on and off to clean them and mess with them. He drinks more coffee that any man that I've ever met. Literally, he's always drinking some. ALWAYS. He is obnoxious, I often end up having to treat him like a child. It's his way or the highway, or rather that your way is significantly inferior to his way. He works insane hours. He lives in Kentlands and has a little daughter who is really cute. Her name is Cassidy. I like him although sometimes I want to choke him.

Chris: Chris is so nice. He's another principal in the group and hes like almost 40 I think. He's single and he is looking to buy a condo somewhere in a nice neighborhood. He doesn't really have much of a life (his words, not mine) but he is so great. We hang out sometimes. He went to Univ. of Delaware and says he needs a girlfriend. I think he's pretty cute, but he works too much. Like Brent but Brent is already married. The other day I was straightening some of his jackets on the back of his door and I broke off the hook.

Michael: Michael is from Israel. He wishes he was working for Lehman Brothers or something and he wants to do stock valuations for a big bank. He's very savvy and smart and is jealous that I have my Series 7. We get along really well. He showed me this radio station that's on this Hebrew channel that is like AMAZING. Sometimes they speak in Hebrew but it's ok, I only really care about the music. He also drives a motorcycle. We talk about Jewish stuff a lot.

Tara: She's a manager and she RULES. She grew up in Astoria and she's my homie. I really can't say enough nice things about her. She's cute and has a biting NYC talk that I love. She's my gossip buddy since there aren't that many women in my group. I love Tara.

Kyle: Kyle rules. He is possibly the most awesome person. He is really funny and once you break his first shy-ish layer, he is pretty much hilarious. He works like 70 hour weeks, especially during this time of year. I really like him. Kyle can also bake, which is shocking. He is married to this lady Hillary and they made these like fancy cookies one day. Kyle lives in Gaithersburg near Brent.

Jordan: Jordan has a cute son Jesse. We talk about Jesse a lot. He's effing adorable. I make Jordan send me pictures of him and we talk about how cute he is a lot. Jordan is a laywer and is also really smart. He wears sweaters a lot, but so do a lot of men in my group. Jordan wears glasses too. He sits next to Kyle in the corner.

Kumar: Kumar is indian. He just had a baby girl. Kumar is a little slovenly. He a lot of times has food on his face. He eats lunch at like 10:30am and usually its some nasty ass microwave meal. He drags his feet and has a belly that hangs over his pants. He's sort of annoying and is constantly asking me for office supplies that I've never heard of and then insists I must have them. He talks weird and in circles and I rarely can get a straight answer out of him. He's late a lot and I don't really understand that. Kumar is not my favorite person in the office.

Dhar: Ah...Dhar. He was shy at first but now we are homies. He is actually younger than me, he JUST turned 26 yesterday. HBDD! :) Tomorrow as a team we are going out to lunch to celebrate. He has kind of wild black hair and I think he's pretty cute too. He wears cologne, which is sort of cute. I like Dhar, he makes me laugh.

Melanie: Melanie does a lot of work on real estate valuations. She is REALLY pregnant. She is married to this Ethiopian guy and her other two kids are GORGEOUS. She is from Germany and she has a German accent, it's cute. She brought me back German chocolate from her trip and I ate it in one second. She also broughtt me this German candy bar that I thought was dark chocolate and so I took a big bite out of it and then realized it was marzipan. I had to spit it out. I think marzipan tastes like death. She sometimes has lipstick like on her face too. She is super nice though, I like her.

Gillian: She was from England and she wore a wig and she got fired yesterday.

SHOUT OUTS:

Jess Povtak: Hi! I hope you are well! I miss you!
Stephanie: Yo homie, so glad you are in town, it's been amazing hanging out with you every night!
Jake: Hey dude, two months from Monday! Love you!
Tanzer & Vance: Raise your hand if you miss working in the same office as each other!
CK: Don't worry about the invites. They were just re-printed and it was no harm no foul! xo

Well...I think this is enough for today!

Tonight I'm having Jerry's Pizza (HELL YEAH!) for dinner with my family as we work on wedding things. If your invitation has a pepperoni smudge, don't worry about it ok?!

XXXXX,
SL

Lay Offs and Other Things

2009-03-11T14:04:00.003-05:00

I know, it seems like I lied when I said I would be updating my blog more, but It's ALWAYS on my mind. Work has been INSANE ever since my bacherlorette weekend. I have a few things to say.

First of all: Wedding planning is out of control. OUT OF CONTROL. I'm sort of overwhelmed but also it's exciting. My sister is in town this week b/c my bridal shower is on Saturday and she planned it. I can't wait to see all my friends again! It's like never ending fun!

I'm sure all you Lehman people remember that usually my desk was neat and organized but my desk today looks like a shit show. It's so messy. There are papers all over the place and it's nutso.

Tonight Stephanie is coming over for dinner. Jake is making some delicious thing.

One horrible thing right now is that my firm (where I just started working in December) is laying off people. This afternoon was the first round of cuts. It was 15% of the workforce. One lady got laid off from my group and I feel bad for her on a personal level but she did sort of suck and never did anything right. I'm not one for "deserving" to get fired, but people need to know that this economy sucks and they always need to be on their toes. They can't just skate by anymore. People need to take their jobs seriously and not take them for granted. It also sucks for people that are looking for jobs, like right out of college kids. We have totally halted our recruiting process and taking massive cost cutting maneuvers.

Raise your hand if your wedding invitations were all printed and then your sister was looking at them and pointed out that marriage was spelled wrong.

*Me raising hand*

Don't even get me started....

Ok, I know this was not a juicy entry or anything but I barely had time for this. I'll try more this week.

Happy Hump Day!
SL

Updates and Bachelorette Weekend

2009-02-26T09:26:00.006-05:00

Good morning everyone!

So---I gave up Facebook for lent. Usually I give up something that I definitely eat/do/etc, but this year, I am giving up something that I just spend too much time on. Facebook isn't blocked at work. WHich honestly, is a HUGE mistake. I don't understand why it's not. I'm sure that people (ahem: me) go on it periodically throughout the day. Honestly, I'm sure that there are people that actually spend HOURS on it wasting time and not working.

I have to comment on some of the comments that people have left me.

Steph: I hope you are having a fantastic time in Espana. I love that country and am so jealous you are there! Live it up, studying abroad was the best thing I ever did!

Jess: Ok, so the crab cookies. I love your idea. I think it would be even better if I topped the cookies with little black sprinkles, like ACTUAL crabbies, like you know - the ones in your crotch. Hahahaha, I think it would be hilarious. I'm getting giddy just thinking about it. How is your abrasion situation btw?

Please spread the word about my blog to others! :)

Ok - back to the real story.

Tonight I'm flying up to NYC for my bachelorette weekend. I.am.so.excited! I can't wait to get all my friends in the same place at the same time to have a blast with me! Yay! Tanzer and Vance and I are hanging out tonight when I get in, really low key. Tomorrow I'm going to go into Lehman and say hi to people/friends and then I feel like there are a zillion things I need to do before all the people arrive! We are going to have a great time. Biggs/Vance/Tanz did such a fantastic job planning and I really am so excited. I even packed last night instead of like throwing things into a suitcase early this morning per usual. Phew! Leaving right from work and it can't come soon enough!

I also wanted to alert everyone of some new blogs/links I've changed on the right of your screen. The first is Dr. Jane Shure's blog. She is the shrink for a really close friend and I almost feel like I know her personally b/c of how much she's helped my girl. She is amazing and also has a great practice if you need someone in the Philadelphia area. So, check it out. If you like SimplyLauren, you've GOT to check out her blog (even though they really aren't that much the same at all, lol). The next one is the link to my cousin's new book that they wrote. It's pretty awesome. You can read all about them/their book/their movie on the webpage. They are twins on my mom's side and they live in Cali like the rest of my extended family with the exception of me, my sister, my parents and Amos/Liz/Kate. Finally, There is Ethan World which is the blog that is run by Timmy's sister Jacque. All the art and things on the page are made by her son Ethan, who is an AMAZING artist and young man. I've had the pleasure of hanging out with him on multiple occasions and wanted to pass his art along so that others can enjoy!

Happy Birthday Charlie! I hope you have a great day! I'll be thinking of you! xoxxoxox

Ok, that's all for now, I totally have to get back to worky.

Love, SimplyLauren

Bald Eagles and Brewery's

2009-02-24T14:22:00.005-05:00

Hey everyone!

So----just for the record, it's really annoying for me to sign into blogger b/c I originally signed up with my yahoo email and how it's like trying to be exclusively a google thing so I was prompted to sign in with my gmail email account, which I haven't started using it yet because it has my new last name and like---I didn't want to be that freak girl who wrote with her married name on an email before she was even married----so anyway, I need to find a way to switch this already existing blog to my gmail account without it being like messed up and having to start over b/c lord knows I am SOOOO not doing that.

One other day randomly at work this was blocked, so it's uber annoying trying to publish things when I'm supposed to be working. Anyway, I wanted to write about last weekend. It was so great.

So, for the past five weeks, Jake and I have been dog sitting for his parents dog: Doodle. Yes the dog's name is Doodle. Do you want to know why that's his name? Well---he's a goldendoodle, which is a cross b/t a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. Jake's dad had the "bright" idea of creating a "unique" name for him: Doodle. But, I usually call him "Dude" or "Doody" which is also funny. Anyway, so he's really cute but he's kind of young, like a little puppy or a little toddler. He looks like a muppet, yes, that is the best way to put it. He is the best cuddle dog and I sort of miss having him around. Anyway, while his parents were away and we had Doody, we couldn't really go anywhere so we had decided that after they came back, we'd go away for a weekend. The Chesapeake Bay Hyatt was running a special where it was like $99 a night and so we booked a nice water view room for this past weekend.

After I got home from work on Friday, we drove up. It was like perfect b/c it was about an hour and a half away. We ate a yummy (but a bit overpriced) dinner at this resto that was right on he resort and then we just drank champagne and relaxed for the rest of the evening. On Saturday, that's when all the cool stuff happened. We had breakfast in bed and then headed out to the Blackwater Reserve. It is like a wildlife reserve where they have all types of animals, but specifically blad eagles. I know it seems quasi-logical that since a bald eagle is America's bird, that they would be easily spotted and found all over. They got over their endangered hump, I think they are actually off the list right now but I had still never seen one. We REALLY wanted to get a glimpse of one that day.

First we walked down this road and we saw an eagle flying. But it was REALLY high up and you couldn't get the full eagle effect ya know? So---we drove down this other path right by the water and we saw a group of snow geese that was like 1000 strong. Jake took out his camera and started taking pix of them and all of a sudden, this small group of like 10 birds got up to fly and then the rest of the pack flew away for their like "fly-away" hour or whatever. It was INSANE. It was like a cloud of moving feathers honking away for like ten minutes. Jake got some GREAT shots. There was this dude next to us on the road that was also taking pictures of the fly-away event and his camera was like the size of my whole body. Seriously people, the lens was like INSANE long. Then, right as the whole bird flying thing was happening, we saw a bald eagle fly by us and then land on a dead tree in the middle of the water. It was exactly how you would expect to see a bald eagle. A big as FUCK bird like totally dominating over the immediate area. They are so effing badass, it's not even funny. We have a kick ass national bird for shizz. We were also snapping away at this bird too, so was the guy with the super-lens. I asked him if I could look into his lens to see how close he could get and seriously it was like zoomed into the birds pupil.

Then we were driving away and saw ANOTHER one!? Jake took more pix. It was really stunning, and I'm not trying to sound like a nature loving nerd, even though I sort of am. It's the truth. We grabbed a quick lunch and then drove about 2o minutes to St. Michael's. It's a cute little eastern shore town with a bit of poshiness to it, but it's still cool, not stuffy. We walked up and down the street a little stopping in some shops. I was really excited b/c we stopped at this one craft store and I bought a crab cookie cutter. I am SO EXCITED ABOUT THE CRAB COOKIE CUTTER! :) I just need a reason to make some crab cookies. :)

Then we went into this brewery. It's the only brewery on the eastern shore and it sort of looks like a barn, it's pretty cold inside but it's AWESOME. The owner was there and his partner and then the owners parent's came in. They were so interesting and fun to talk to. Jake and I sat at the bar and drank there for about three hours. Then we were tipsy and hungry and walked down to his amazing resto called "Bistro" right on the main drag. The food was delicious and yum. After dinner, we rolled our stuff selves bak to the hotel for more wine and more fun.

Sunday was sort of gloomy and rainy so it was the perfect morning for lazy, sleep in and relax. We got a late check out and then drove home. It was such a great weekend. I suggest you all check it out!

Ok----well, I have to get back to work now.

Loveskies,
SL

Annoying Boss and Nasty Candy

2009-02-18T11:47:00.003-05:00

So, as many of you know. I really like candy. Like A LOT. I recently discovered a candy that I actually hate. I had lots of Valentine's candy in a dish oat my desk for people in my office to share, etc. I had hershey's kisses and also peanut m&ms. Most normal humans like those. I also thoroughly enjoy reeses peanut butter cups as well. Anyway, my co-worker (and one of my bosses) brought in these things called "Kissables" and they taste like A$$. The bag smells like shit when you open it. It's like a combination of hershey's chocolate kisses but then covered in a candy shell like m&ms. It's like two worlds you shouldn't combine. Anyway, I hate them but I feel obligated to put them at my desk to share. I'm more than happy to share since I think they are rancid.

In other news my boss is being super annoying today. I don't really have an any specific examples I want to explain, but he's in one of those moods. It's like my coc-worker Tara explained, "you know when you are little and 'mom' is in a bad mood, then everyone else is in a bad mood because she is like the catalyst?". THat statement is EXACTLY how it is here. However, since I'm so usually cheerful in nature and rarely have blow out attacks, I am not going to let him dictate my mood. Screw that!

This bad economy sucks, I wonder how much longer it's going to last. Who wants to do an over under on three years until things start to bounce back, even remotely. This stimulus package isn't going to do jack shit in my opinion. Or at the very least, do minimal to help the average American.

Trying to decide what's for lunch today. I have to get lunch for the boss man but he's on a call right now and it's not like I can just go in and ask him. Oh well....

Happy Hump Day!

xo, SL

P.S. Sorry I thought I posted this last week!
xo

Comeback and Excitement!

2009-02-16T10:49:00.004-05:00

Hello my friends!

I am happy to announce the comeback of SimplyLauren. Occasionally, I'll be in a group that remembers when I used to post regurlarly and they will mention that they "miss" the blog or they ask what happened to my aspiration to be "blogfamous". Well kids, I'm back and I'm back with a vengenace. Just kidding, I don't have vengenance or anything I just wanted to write that to be funny.

A LOT of things have changed since I was last a blogger. I mean, BRIEFLY, I should give those of you an update about what is going on in my life. If you want any more details about my life if you are REALLY out of date on things, I'll be more than happy to elaborate in the comments section.

1. I now live in Maryland
2. I work in Bethesda, at a Tax and Accounting firm where I work in the Valuation and Transaction Advisory Group. I like it.
3. I am engaged to Jake and we're getting married in May. May 16th to be exact.
4. My sister moved to Atlanta. Dr. Bora is 10 now...and his answers will be not nearly as cute and endearing.

I think that's all the real big deal updates for the time being.

Today is President's Day and when I worked at Lehman I used to get this day off because the market is closed. Unfortunately, my company now does not observe the market being closed as a holiday. Which is SO stupid. SO Stupid. Anyway---I can't do anything about it so there is no point complaining. Also---I have a lot of awesome vacations and things going on this year so not having one day off is totally fine.

So one thing I'm really excited about is that I just applied to be a volunteer EMT at the Wheaton Rescue Station. I did my ride along last week with the Wednesday crew and they were so awesome. I loved all the people there and I'm really excited about the prospect of joining the squad.

This past weekend Jake and I did a TON of wedding stuff. It seems like we have to plan out times to NOT do wedding things, but for the time being it's ok. Today the wedding is three months away. I can't effing believe that it is so close! It seems like just yesterday we were engaged! We did a cake, or rather, cupcake tasting yesterday and it was amazing. I could NOT be more excited about the flipping cupcakes. :) I also bought my wedding band, it's exactly what I wanted to I'm excited about that too. We didn't get Jake's b/c we are still deciding on what he wants and also, the men's ones were WAY more expensive that I thought they were going to be. Seriously, mine has diamonds and was still cheaper than some of the rings we looked at for him. Oh well...it's not really a rush just yet.

I know this post isn't particularly funny or witty but I just am getting back into the swing of things. Give me a few days!

Hope you all have happy, healthy President's Days!

Love,
SimplyLauren

I'm alive.

2007-10-19T09:39:00.000-05:00

Hey---It's been a tough two months or so. Bunch of stuff going on. I'm ok-

Much is on my mind. I promise I'll start this thing up again.

I've just had so much on my mind lately.

I miss and love you all,

Lauren

Swig and Waxing

2007-08-16T08:03:00.000-05:00

Good times last night girls! I think we found our new Kates!!! There is this new bar that opened about a month ago near mi casa uptown and it's really awesome. The bartender there is from Scotland and his name is Scott. Isn't that funny. It has photo hunt and good happy hours! What else can you really ask for. Since Lindsay is moving right by me at the end of the month, there is no doubt that we will be frequenting there often. After a few beers and a few first place Photo Hunt rounds, we walked over to Noodles 28 where we stuffed our faces per usual. Quality time with the chicas. It's so great to see them at least once a week to keep my sanity.

I got a bikini wax after work with my girl Rosa. She is so cute. I really respect a job where you look at people's vag-es all day as if it was a piece of paper or a computer screen you were staring at. Throughout my appt. we talked about completely normal things, even as I was all spread eagle on the table. She told me about this yummy recipe of barley and tomatoes and how she cooks and browns them on the stove. It sounded so delicious. Anyway, so I got waxed and learned about this new tomato dish. Life is good.

I have a work softball game tonight. Exciting. I can't really stay out too late for drinks b/c I have to pack for MD since I'm leaving right from work tomorrow. I might try and catch the earlier train back to DC instead of the 6pm. It all depends on how work is going etc.

Kate---thanks for the advice about the DD Coffee. :) I don't know who you are (do i?) but thanks!

Happy Thursday people!

Love,
Lauren

DD and General Life

2007-08-15T07:17:00.001-05:00

I've basically become obsessed with Dunkin Donuts Iced Coffee. I mean, I was pretty much obsessed before but now it's part of my daily routine, not just something I like to drink when it's hot outside or I have a craving of sorts. It's an absolute part of my mornings. Not so sure as to how this really affects my or my blog or if it's something you are even interested in, but I thought i'd mention it.

This week (like, the last two days) has left me feeling back to New York normal. I am doing the things I used to do before MLW took over my life and smothered me. I am busy with my usual deluge of extra curricular activities. This whole marathon training is still taking over my life, don't get me wrong, but it's way more manageable I think. It's more of a daily exercise than this chore that I think I felt it was before. It may also have to do with the fact that my endurance has totally skyrocketed. It's pretty much a joke for me to run 5-6 miles. I used to train for races that were that distance, but now it's like my "easy" low mileage runs during the week. It's ALMOST amusing. I think I need to become a better stretcher. I tried to stretch on the grass next to the Met yesterday after my run, but when I stood up to walk back home I got this horrible itchy feeling on the back of my legs and it was so horrible that I'm probably never going to sit on grass again in my life. I hate grass.

So what ELSE is going on? I get to see Jake this weekend which is pretty exciting considering I haven't seen him since that one time back in July that I made the trek up to the catskills to hang out with him for about a day and a half. We have a pretty fun weekend planned though I have to say. We are going to KINGS DOMIONION!!!!! I seriously can't even remember the last time I was there so I'm totally boosted. :) yay! We are going to also make a cameo at the pool on Saturday after I run 13 miles that morning. Should be fun and relaxing.

So---one thing that is on my mind now---funnily enough, is that today is Matt's last day at work. You all remember Matt right? My lovely office crush that I sit very close to. He got into business school at Emory and he's starting in a few weeks. It's really weird. We are pretty close even though we aren't BFF really. I'm going to miss him and thinking too hard about this being his last day is frustrating and makes me sad. Is this normal? I mean, I am totally setting aside the fact that he's my office crush. When you work near someone for a bunch of hours each day it seems like you have this inate closeness that when taken away, seems awkward and foreign. Whatever, I'm being way too much of a weirdo about this. Sorry to take your time.

In other news, my Gator's softball team is probably the most pimp team on the planet right about now. Yeah, we are going to the finals for the first time in franchise history. That's right. I'd like to say that it's because of me but obviously that would be a prevarication. I played like crap during our semi-final win. I think I need to play second base. I think I'm pretty good at stopping the ball. I want to try in the finals game. Whatever. I'm so over talking about softball.

I miss my MLW friends a lot. I'm really jealous b/c they all get to hang out down in MD and DC. The only problem is that I love NYC so much that I really don't want to move down to MD anytime soon. Work, etc. is going so well and i love all my friends here that I can't really consider moving to MD. In fact....I just renewed my lease on my apartment yesterday ---exciting stuff people.

Ok, I'm really procrastinating and I need to get back to work.

A shout out to my IC!

Love,
Lauren

Cable and My Life

2007-08-09T07:13:00.001-05:00

As I've mentioned before there are a bunch of things that annoy me about New York in the summer. This though---annoys me no matter what city it happens in . When it's raining outside and then you get on the bus and the air conditioning is so forcefully on that you might as well be in the artic for 20 minutes during your commute. What is up with that? I'm so tired of being some temperature to the extreme!

Drumroll------------I ordered Cable for my apartment! I know most of you know that I don't really watch that much Tv, etc. etc. which is true b/c I never really had the chance. I'm very excited to say that from now on I'll be able to participate in many of your conversations starting off with, "did you see that commercial where...?" or "That movie was on AMC last weekend, did you watch it?" Or even the simple question, "Lauren, can I come over and watch the news?" Ha! I can say YES to all of those questions in just a few weeks.

I'm going through a life organization process of which, there are several components. I'm very excited to sort of have a life plan in mind for the next few years. They involve me working here at my job for a while still and then applying to Business School for an MBA. I plan to graduate and work at MLW in the executive director role or perhaps even in an art museum somewhere. I think it's a perfect blending of worlds and interests. Anyway---that is my plan for now. Knowing me, it will change in about two weeks. :)

Work has sort of been annoying today. Lots of crap going wrong and stress. It doesn't help that outside is totally disgusting and rainy. Luckily I don't have anything really to do after work and I'm just going to go home and take a nap. Then I'm going to wake up and clean and organize. i have the BEST life!

I want to just finish this entry so I can go back to work, etc.

I love all of you.

Love,
Lauren

P.S. Lindsey! Thanks for the shout out! I miss you! Me, you and JB have to hang out---which reminds me, i think i may know a way that can happen! xoxox

Decipticons and Autobots

2007-08-07T06:40:00.000-05:00

Obviously this post is going to be about the end of MLW. It was my first summer directing with Jackie. It was an insane summer full of things to do and no time to anything else but those things. They are starting to return to normal although I miss my staff and friends so much!

Last night the Gators clinched a win in the 2nd round of the playoffs! We are in the semi-finals for the first time ever in Gator history. I'm proud to be on the team at this juncture. Yours truly had a GREAT game, probably my best ever. I was two for two last night and ROCKED it. My first at bat I got a solid single after a hustle to first. Then, my second, I got to first again, with two outs. And then when Josh was up---he hit me a nice grounder in the hole and I pretty much did the best base running EVER---and made it all the way home. The "vipers" or whatever the hell the other team was started to come back in the 6th inning making a for a tough 7th, but we made it in the end!

I'm totally in MLW withdrawl right now. Nothing is the same. Work feels different. I"m not printing out handouts on my neon paper and responding to a bazillion emails about random site questions. I"m also remotely frustrated b/c I have to delete a BUNCH of text messages from my phone. I actually really don't like texting and everyone else seems to and that annoys me. So many of them are from MLW and so many of them I have no idea what I was talking about anyway.

Last night was a tornado. And if my tornado I mean a hurricane, and if by hurricane I mean it was POURING. I woke up to thunder and lightening and it just never stopped. I love thunderstorms but when they wake me up and keep me from sleeping in my comfortable bed-----I don't like it. Whatever. I woke up sort of late and rushed to the bus to get to work on time. It worked. Everyone else is late b/c all of the subways are really messed up. Seriously, like ALL of them are broken down. The train that goes right to my office---the E, floods like EVERY time is drizzles. Apparently Grand Central was flooded a little bit this morning. I guess something like the Day After Tomorrow really could ruin New York. I hope I'm not alive or living in this city when it happens.

Yesterday was pretty productive. I ran 4 miles in the park listening to staff jams, a quality pick I must say. It was really humid and that was the only problem. I stretched and then I showered up and went to go see Harry Potter 5 for the second time. It is growing on me. The whole time though I kept thinking about how I need to read books 6 and 7 back to back to get the full HP experience. What do you think?

I still haven't unpacked from Cybertron. It's a disaster in my living room. Also most of my kitchen is filled with mail and trash. Not like food trash, just like papers and clothes strewn about. I hope to start cleaning this weekend, why push it right?

I have a mini-season softball game tonight in Central Park but with all the thunderstorming, I'm not sure it's really going to materialize. The central park in-charge people are really strict about playing on wet fields. I think it will be cancelled. I sort of hope so just b/c I really want to try and get to bed early b/c I'm still completely exhausted from MLW.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM AND POP! It is 42 years today. Can you believe that? So long. They are old. I love you guys.

In other news: I'm hanging out with LB, Beth and Zach Tessler tomorrow night after my training run. Should be really fun. I feel so out of the loop pre-and post MLW so it will be nice to get into the swing of things. Also Jake comes home from camp in about 2 weeks. This is exciting to me. I haven't seen him in a MINUTE. We will have some fun times that weekend when I go down and see him.

Want to hear something REALLY exciting that I found out RIGHT before MLW that I forgot to write about?

I'm going to the 2008 summer Olympics in Bejing. Well---I'm not actually PARTICIPATING in the games, but I'm going to be a spectator. And it's for work! One of our clients is going to be in the Olympics and we get to go and watch! Are you jealous! It's a paid work vacation. I am probably going to end up working at the Bejing office for some of the time to make it worth my while. So exciting. Next summer is going to be wonderful!

So for the end of MLW the staff signed this cool Optimus Prime poster for me (and one for Jaxx too) and I dropped it off to get it framed at the place near my house. I got a really good deal. It's going to look so bad ass. I'm going to put it up in my room, which has the least amount of framed items. I think I have a decent amount of wall space in my apt. but I also have BUTT LOAD of posters and prints that I want framed at some point in my life. It's really expensive though. I also dropped off this print of a church in Ravenna that I picked up when I was there back in 2003. I haven't decided where I'm going to put it. I might move my MD flag from my living room into my bedroom and then start putting prints out there. What do you think?

OK, I really should get back to work as I have a decent amount of things to take care of. Peace out and expect a more regular posting schedule going forward.

Love,
Optimus Prime

List of Things---Finally a Post!

2007-07-19T07:57:00.000-05:00

Mike was right----I am never going to be blogfamous if I don't blog. I don't know how people do it! There is so much pressure to post and gain popularity!
So much has happened too! Really Honestly! I think I should go through a run down of things I've been doing and things I've been thinking. This might be the most random list of things ever, but that's how I roll. Especially when I don't really have time to write witty and uber creative posts.

I've gone to NWB a few times to relax. All times have been fun and awesome. It is great to catch up with old people, etc.
I went to go visit Jake in upstate New York at Timberlake. It was so beautiful up there and we had a great time together. He bought me a new iPod. I met all of his camp friends. It was so nice to see him. Now I have to wait until like mid-August to see him again. Totally worth it.
I saw the following movies: Knocked up, Oceans 13, Die Hard 4, Harry Potter 5, Nancy Drew*
I officially am working hard core for Courtney. It's a great gig and I love working for her. I'm already learning a bunch and it's really fun too.
I'm leaving for MLW on Friday July 27th. Can you believe it.
Marathon training is going really well---this Saturday is a 10 miler. My first time in the double digits!
I hate crocs. I have been seeing them so often recently and unless you are a 6-8 year old child, you SHOULD NOT BE WEARING THEM. They are hideous!
I am losing weight b/c of running and eating more protein. It's cool. I feel lighter.
I miss my friends b/c I'm so MIA all the time. I'm officially hanging out with Lindsay next Monday. I hope Beth can come.
Carolyn, I promise I'll call you back. It was good news by the way.
Becca---got your msg. thanks for calling. The conversation with her was Ok. We'll talk more about it later. I'll call you soon.
I am officially a godmom---Amos and Liz asked me to be godmother to Kate. Yay!
I'm going to LA with Jake over Labor Day weekend. Amos and Liz and Kate aren't going to be there but we are still going. I'm going to try and meet up with MIchelle for dinner on Monday night.
My newphew is going to MLW. I'm excited for it.
Softball is going really well. I have two games next week, should be ultra exciting. Our game the other day got rained out.
Yesterday it was monsooning in New York when I woke up. It was horrid. I hate pouring rain when I'm wearing work clothes.
This weekend I'm going to catch up on my corespondence and also get a bunch of errands done. It's incredible how much I have to take care of. It's the first weekend that I am not going to MD in a month. Can you believe that?
I ate pizza for lunch today.
Tonight I'm going for a 5 mile run, and then I think that Jess is coming over. Mot sure what is on the docket. Possibly a house clean?
Why is it always wet on the sidewalks in NYC in the mornings? I hate that they clean the sidewalks, it gets me wet when I walk and I hate it. Is it really making a difference? I don't think so.
BC is still alive. I LOVE that fish. He effing rules.

That's all for now. Hope this sort of catches you up on things. Most posts soon I swear.

Love,

Lauren

*I saw it with my mom, give me a break people

Hello and Alive

2007-07-06T15:59:00.001-05:00

I just wanted to say hello to everyone and that I am alive. I promise that there will be more than two posts per month. I just have to come up with a schedule that works.

Life is good. Busy but good.

It's a bunch of stuff that seems smothering at time but eventually balances out to an even burning candle at both ends. Just the way I like it.

Family is good. Jake is good. Friends are (mostly) good.

Hope everyone had a very happy 4th of July!

Love,
Lauren

Cookies and Camp

2007-06-22T06:30:00.000-05:00

So last night I made a bunch of cookies. Some of them are for this care package that I'm putting together for Jake. The others are for my co-workers. I have so many since I made two batches. I might have to sell them on the street for a profit this weekend. I'm just kidding about that although I think I'd give that Mrs. Fields bitch a run for her money. I made chocolate/caramel chip and chocolate chip walnut.

So at work since Brette left, she packed up all these boxes and they are sitting in front of me on this file cabinet. I can't really see anything and I really want them to take them away. It worries me though b/c she's supposed to be at her new office on Monday and like---they are still at this office. I'm wondering who I can call to get them moved. I'll do that later on.

So Kimmy is in town from Germany. She is in town this weekend. Last night she came in and we hung out after work. She came with me to the grocery store to get materials for the baking escapade that I was going to have with Jess and also she helped me carry my cleaning and my laundry. Finally I have clean underwear. I was seriously down to my last few pairs. I also have to mention that that is really indicative of how much dirty laundry I actually did have because believe me---I have a TON of underwear. I should actually run over to Victoria's Secret at some point this weekend to get some of the stuff done that I need to take care of.

Anyway, so before Jess came over Chris came uptown to get Kim and take her out to dinner at this French place. I'm assuming they had a killer time because I didn't get a chance to talk to Kim last night b/c she came in late and I obviously was in no condition to chat. It was weird though. I feel like I didn't sleep very well last night. Not sure why since I was totally tired. Who knows?!

Today she is doing stuff in the city to keep her busy and then I'm at work. Not sure what we are doing tonight although I'm assuming it's going to be dinner or food of some sort and then some sort of hanging out thing, possibly a movie. I definitely need to sleep in tomorrow though because I'm pretty tired from this crazy week at work. The post that went up yesterday wasn't really written on Monday, I wrote it yesterday but because I started it on Monday, it made it look like it was from right after the weekend. Sorry for the time lapse.

Things with Jake are OK. Honestly, right now it's pretty shitty because I pretty much don't communicate with him that much. It's like the occasional five minute phone call here and there and emails during the day but because we are both really busy it's hard to even stay in contact. I never talk to him at night and really not in the mornings either. I'm not sure how to deal with this. I think I'm going to start pretending that he's like away or deployed or something and I'm just waiting for him to come home. Does that sound like a plan? Anything else just really stresses me out and makes me all like sad and frustrated. He asks me to be patient with him being at camp, and I am, because I really understand what it's like to be busy and running around and all but it's different. He says summer is going to fly by because we are both so busy, but I'm ALWAYS busy. Also, my life isn't changing that much. Other than more MLW and that it's hotter, I still come to work everyday and to the same things after work---like softball, happy hour, and eating. Anyway--his life is totally different, like running around at camp playing with tools compared to his academic year of teaching, etc. So---it is different for him but not for me. Whatever. Having a hard time grasping the idea that I'm pretty much not talking to Jake on a regular basis. Was this paragraph to debbie downer to put on the blog? Sorry if that's the case.

I also feel really badly becuase my dad sent me something in the mail that I was supposed to get last Friday but I didn't get the package slip until Monday and because I can't really get home by 6 to go to the post office to pick it up----I still haven't gotten it and I know he feels bad. It totally went out of his way to do something nice and I can't even pick it up! So annoying. Remember how annoyed I got at the PO when I couldn't get the package that Jake sent me? Similar feelings, different sender.

I hope that everyone has a very happy Friday. I know I will (read: maybe).

Love,
Lauren

Summer and Work Stuff

2007-06-18T07:56:00.000-05:00

Finally the GRE is over. It was a tough weekend though. I didn't do as well as I'd have liked and that was frustrating---especially given the amount of work and time and effort I put into it. I'm ok though. I made it through and I'm ready to move on from it. I hope the rest of the summer will be fun and "relaxing". Obviously I'm never really relaxed during the summers because of MLW and all the work that goes along with that.

This week has been crazy---hence my lack of posts. Work is out of control. The amount of responsibilities I have in my new position and also while still covering from others is really hard. Sorry if you call and I hang up on you....etc. I'm just really swamped.

Dr. Bora is going well. Keep the questions coming. He loves when I call around lunch time to ask him the questions. So----hopefully we'll keep it up.

Things that SUCK about NYC in the summer:
1. the whole city smells like piss and trash---the heat and humidity bring it out, nasty. You really can't escape it
2. more people: there are just bunches of people around constantly.
3. I sit inside all day and can't venture out to run errands (especially with my current workload).
4. A/C overload. It's so hot outside and yet so artic inside. I'm sitting at my desk with my suit jacket on. Redick.
5. Going along with the more people----the more kids running around since they are out of school. I love 'em, but they are annoying.

SO---bottom line. Thanks for everyone who asked about my test. :)

Also----I'm running the NYC Marathon in November. If you want to donate---please do! The link is below for you to donate via online. I also can mail you information if you'd prefer to write a check. Leave your 411 in the comments section. Hopefully if you are reading this blog, you already know me on some level so I may not even need you info.

CLICK ON THIS LINK
My entry #: 157363
And enter my last name.

If you don't know my last name---too bad. I"m not telling you. Only people that know me can donate b/c this blog is private and I'm not giving out my information to anyone. Even if you claim to want to donate for my cause. How do I know you aren't some shady stalker?

Ok back to work people!

Love,
Lauren

Summer and Dr. Bora

2007-06-15T07:06:00.000-05:00

Dr. Bora is BACK!!!

Check out his site! He's around all summer for questions and he's really excited. He's also 8 now so he has a lot more life experience to give him more seasones answers to your many questions!

Bring it!

One problem with being busy is that a bunch of other things fall through the cracks. I'm not talking about hanging out with my friends and stuff, because I obviously haven't done that yet.

Let me give you an example. Many of you know that I'm a highly organized person and that I like things clean. There are several exceptions to this rule though. The first is my apartment. Right now it looks like complete crap. No really. My bathroom is probably the grossest example of my hygene now. I'm not talking about my personal hygene, but just my general bathroom cleanliness.

SO---My bathtub has mold on it. My shower curtain DEFINITELY has to be thrown away because they mold is so expansive. The little froggy anti-slip things in my tub are all brown and I don't even want to talk about the drain. Does all of this disgust you? Well---it should because it's the grossest thing ever. I'm going to clean it this afternoon as part of my GRE detox. I'm totally excited about going home after work---NOT studying and relaxing the day before my exam.

Tomorrow my schedule will be as follows:
-Wake up around 10am
-Eat some sort of nutritious breakfast
-Gather all materials I need to bring to the Test Site
-Do relaxing exercises
-To to test center
-Take GRE
-Get good score
-Go home, take nap b/c I'll be very mentally exhausted
-Go out to fun parties on Sat night (Junette and Katie BDAY parties!)

Upcoming Posts are going to be about Summer in the city: Loves and Hates.
Get excited!

TGIF!
Love,
Lauren

GRE and Stress

2007-06-14T14:46:00.000-05:00

How come Lindsey can blog with no problems and she seems just as busy as me?! It's unfair. Things have been so crazy with me lately that I think I'm like half drowning.

Literally it's been a week where on Tuesday (and Monday) I wanted to crawl into bed and then not come out until Saturday after the GRE. Which someone else would end up taking for me. Ugh. Such is my life.

So---the most important thing I'm dealing with right now is the GRE. If that wasn't obvious from my previous paragraph. I'm definitely nervous about taking it. It's on Saturday at 1pm. I've been getting random scores. Sometimes pretty high and sometimes just OK. I really need to get above 600. My vocabulary skills are like 8 million times better than before the Kaplan class. Anyway---I go through periods of like extreme stress and then others where I'm totally confident. It's annoying actually. I want nothing more to be done with this test. Can you HEAR ME??!?!?!?

I just emailed my teacher about my stress level and hopefully she'll write back something encouraging. Tonight I have a softball game. The first of the season that isn't the Gators. Actually you people don't evem know that I'm on the gators. I"ll write more about that next week. But in a nutshell: The Gators are the team and Tim and I are on and it's weird. Everyone on the team is Jewish. I feel left out. Just kidding. I love Jewish people! But anyway---they are also all in their 30s again---totally cool, but I'm the baby by a bunch of years. Whatever. That team is realy fun though. We are also pretty good. I missed the game last night b/c of a few reasons. I had to meet Matt from Temple to talk about Alumni stuff----yes, nothing that I'm volunteering for or anything like that. Thankfully even if I wanted to say "yes" to something, my brain would explode right then. We just had a drink. Then I went home and studied for the GRE---shocker right?

But----my softball team tonight is for work. I'm excited the jersey's are great. Obv. me and Berny designed them. Would you expect anything less? We are def. going to win tonight too. I love being on winning teams. Phew!

So---again, focus right now is GRE. Another "focus" is that Jake is RIGHT NOW driving to camp for the summer. Not really sure when the next time I'm going to see him is. It could be one random day where I take the train up there in the middle of the week to stay on camp and see everything, but that isn't going to be until July at the earliest so----it's going to be a while nonetheless. I miss him already. But he is a GREAT boyfriend and sent me flowers today at work---that are pink and gorgeous---for good luck on the GRE. He gets and A+ for boyfriend attentiveness for the day (always).

And yes---things are great with him. I love him and he is the best boy a girl could ever have. He also has a cute dog. Which is a point in his favor. Send cute ideas for care packages up to camp so I can reciprocate on the good girlfriendness!

To my friends: I'm sorry again for being so out of touch. I love and miss you all and I can't wait for after work happy hours, evenings at Kate's with beer and wings, MLW stress instead of GRE stress, sleeping in on the weekends (oh wait----that's never going to happen!), and just generally having a fun summer!

In other News: I'm moving jobs----wait, don't get too excited. Well you can but I'm staying at my same nameless company. I am working with Courtney starting on Monday. It's all very exciting since I've wanted to work with Courtney since the inception of time. So---I'm snagging the opportunity to do so! We are both really excited. More on the drama surrounding the situation later. Because, trust me, there was a lot. Don't let me forget to tell you!

I'm sure I've lost a BUNCH of readers b/c of my writing hiatus, but I really needed the break.

I still look the same though. My hair is really long and it's still blonde.

Jess Stewart graduated from high school. She is such a bad ass. My nephew graduated from 5th grade. He too is a bad ass. A bad ass like Optimus Prime.

Birthday's This Week:
Monday---Mom!
Tuesday: Katie!
Wednesday: Michael!
Saturday: Father's Day! (oops I forgot to do anything for this day! I'm sorry Pop!)

You are so happy I'm back. Don't lie!

Love,
Lauren

I Am the Worst Blogger Ever.

2007-05-29T08:13:00.000-05:00

I'm sorry for my lack of posts. The past two weeks have been crazy. I wanted to highlight some of this weekend's activities and fun before I totally forget and don't end up posting for like 8 more years.

So---I'm sorry.
Right now I'm currently juggling:
1. working 50+ hours a week
2. running 2-3 times a week
3. being an MLW director in the busiest part of the summer
4. traveling almost every weekend.
5. studying for the GRE like it's my full time job
6. Fitting in meals and sleep here and there

So---bear with me for a while people.

Congrats Jessica on graduation! Love you!

Love,
Lauren

Blair Teachers and Mother's Day

2007-05-14T07:17:00.000-05:00

So---this weekend was pretty eventful. I'm going to start off with the most interesting parts and then work backwards.

But first:

HAPPY 25th BIRTHDAY LINDSAY! I LOVE YOU! Have a GREAT Day!

So--Jake hosted a "May Babies" bday party at his house for a bunch of his teacher friends at Blair. I was def. nervous before the party but then realized that I had nothing to worry about and most of the people coming would be cool and not ever really my teachers, so it was ok. I need to tell everyone though:

1. Mrs. Diodati: She got married. Her husband Jim is so cute. She told me I had to call her Maureen. She gave me a huge hug and is adorable. I love her. She also told me that if I accidentally called her Mrs. Diodati, that it was ok b/c she understood how hard it would be to all of a sudden change. She was drinking wine. I seriously love her. So my girl. Oh Jake just reminded me that she was so funny b/c she was talking about how good she was at flip-cup and beer pong. She won some sort of championship, although I'm pretty sure it was just like a little game that she won. HILARIOUS!

2. Mr. Horne: "Horne" to most of his co-teachers. But sometimes Jake will say "Mike" and then I get all confused. Luckily I called him "Horne" when I was in high school. He was my lacrosse coach btw---for all of yu that didn't know that. I resented him a lot b/c I think he didn't know what he was doing and should have played me more. He got WAY fatter. It was funny. Carolyn---he was all like, "Yo---I heard CK got married." He apparently talked to your mom or something. I corroberated and then he proceeded to tell be about all the people he's seen, etc. He wants to have an alumni game in 2009, to celebrate 10 years of the team. He was pretty normal I have to say. But I don't think he's that normal in reality. I only made the mistake of calling him "Mr." once the whole night and it was really embarrassing I have to say.

3. Mr. Henry: Luke---Well he's getting married to this lady Joy, who I didn't meet but who is apparently cool according to Jake, and I trust his opinion. I'm going to the wedding in November. That should be cool. He seems pretty normal. He's really skinny though. Skinnier than I remembered.

Then there were all these other teachers that I didn't know or weren't there when I went to school. Which was FINE BY ME since less the better. It was a fun party. It was really weird to be drinking beers with them (esp. Horne) who is still obsessed with Canada and hockey and this group Rush. It was nice to make fun of him for being old. Ha!

Anyone that cares can totally call me and I'll talk to you about it b/c it was hilarious.

Jake, if I forgot any deets, let me know b/c I don't want to forget anything.
---------------------------------

I'm slowly taking control over my life and all the million things on my plate right now. It's a bit overwhelming I have to say. Long are the days (really though---when were they?!) of going home after work to chill on the couch or go to happy hour (read: happy night). I now have a neverending list of events and checklists. It's partly b/c of the GRE. Partially b/c of MLW and just partially b/c I like being busy. Is that such a crime?

Anyway---I was supposed to have a softball game tonight after work but I think we are going to have to forfeit b/c not enough people can go. That's what you get when you are trying to make people that have to work until 6 and later---make it up to Harlem for a game that STARTS at 6. I'm only mildly annoyed. I kind of wanted to go for a run anyway, so I'll be able to since there will be no softball. Then I have to eat something and then work on GRE stuff. Oh the joy!

Mother's Day was also really great! I went over to my parent's house. Chilled with my mom. Got some old files from my computer from college and put them on a flash drive and then we went out to lunch at Thyme Square Cafe. I had good memories about the place but really the service was HORRIBLE! It took them 45 minutes for our meals, and like the dessert took so long we had to cancel it. We. ordered. sorbet. How long does it take to scoop out two effing bowls?! We got popcicles at the supermarket instead. They were delicious. Then my mom and I studied vocab flashcards and then I took a nap on the floor of my living room like a loser.

Jake picked me up and drove me to the airport. I love him.

Oh I forgot: Dr. D. is retiring. FYI!

I hope everyone has a great day!

Love,
Lauren

GRE Rocking and Friday

2007-05-11T08:36:00.000-05:00

Do you ever have that feeling that you should be worrying about something but right then you can't remember what it is you are supposed to be worrying about? I have that feeling and I'm not so sure that I really know what it is.

I think it's probably GRE stress although I'm excited about all the new vocab that I'm going to learning and memorizing. :)

I get to see Jake tonight and I'm SO EXCITED!!!!

This entry stinks, but yesterday's was relatively OK.

I hope everyone has a fantastic Friday!

Love,
Lauren

List of Stuff & Girl Things

2007-05-10T06:31:00.000-05:00

Today is going to be a good day I think. I woke up really tired but it's going to be nice outside and I feel happy.

GRE studying is kind of kicking my ass. I'm not gonna lie. I come in to study at work so I don't get distracted and also I haven't set up my computer to do it at home. There are like system requirements that I don't understand and I think I have to call the helpline and lord knows I have no interest in doing that at all.

My test goals:

Quant (aka Math): 700
Verbal: 730
Writing: 5.5-6

The first time I took the GRE I got a 5.5. on the writing which is the most important aspect with respect to my program---it's in the 90% percentile. So I just have to make sure I get that high of a score again. Math really isn't that important. Verbal is REALLY important, but I don't want to strive for an 800 or anything b/c I think that's relatively unrealistic and I don't want to get my hopes up.

My co-worker Kerri just discovered Forever 21. She's now obsessed. :) It's cute!

Girl Reading ONLY!
I got my bikini waxed yesterday after work. I go to this cute lady Rosa over on 6th Ave. She is hilarious. She is always trying to get me to wax everything off. I always tell her I want a little hair left b/c if not it makes me feel like a little kid and that's just gross and freaky. Anyway---she was all like, "OK, on your wedding I wax all off ok Mami?" Yeah, that's seriously how she talks. Have you ever noticed that right after a wax when you go to the bathroom, the pee sometimes almost runs down your leg when you are sort of reaching to wipe? I mean, I guess it's because there isn't any hair there to sort of catch it before it drips, but it's annoying and I am always caught off guard.

On a more serious note:

If you are in the MD/DC/VA area and are remotely paying attention to the news you will be sure to have read or heard about THIS story.

That is Nate Thomas. I went to MLW with him as a kid and I also staffed and taught with him. Now he's under arrest and could go to jail. He's also being removed from the PG county school board for allegations of third degree sexual assault on some teenagers that he taught.

What? Are you kidding me?

It's horrible and I pray to god it's not true. It's an awful awful thing and I can't believe that I know someone that could and possibly has done something like that.

-------------

Yesterday was a day FILLED with things I did. I was a busy bee. Want to hear the run down? OK---So work was relatively busy. It's not like I can do anything other than work there (isn't it funny that I'm writing this post at the office?) so I can't just come in and study GRE stuff. Yesterday after work I:

Walked over to Rosa's (see above) and got waxed
Hopped on the bus on Madison
Went home, changed----
Went down for a pedicure since I was going to seeing a bunch of Blair teachers on Saturday night at this party Jake is throwing (AWKWARD)
Bought pinkberry for dinner instead of eating a healthy dinner
Changed into running clothes, went for a great 3.5 M run in the park. I felt GREAT! I could have kept going. I was sweating like a mad woman.
Came home, jumped in the shower b/c I was totally disgusting (remember how red my face gets?)
grabbed my GRE books and jumped on the bus again to go down to work to study for 2 hours.
came home around 11ish, talked to Jake and then went to bed.

BOO-YAH~~!

My boss just told me that everyone should go on Lipitor because it prevents heart attacks. I told Jim that there was no way that I was going to take a random pill. Ugh, he's such a hypochondriac though---seriously.

OK---Back to work.

Love,

Lauren

SHOUT OUTS:

Carolyn: I totally got your message and I'm sorry I didn't call you back. Things are really busy with GRE and MLW and work. I promise I'll call you back soon! How did your blogging assignment turn out? Let me know! I want to see it! xo

Jess: Congratulations on being done with exams! Yay!

Susannah: Congratulations on being donw with SCHOOL! I'm so proud of you. Move to New York! Thanks for the shout out in the 008 email the other day too!

Beth/LB: I am missing our quality time. Can't wait for summer nights on the patio with beers!

Jose: I'm sorry I gave you a hard time about not knowing about Nate. I still love you.

Swamped and Nate

2007-05-08T14:30:00.000-05:00

Sorry I've been bad. I've been swamped with GRE studying, regular work and MLW things.

Nate Thomas what the hell are you doing?

If anyone wants to come over one night and drink beers and practice vocabulary---I'm available.

Liz---I still have the gummy steak on my desk. I'm sort of afraid to eat it but everyone asks about it and picks it up. Some (idiots) people ask if it's a real steak.

Abbey's in charge of softball shirts this year---I hope they are good and not shitty. I'm sure they will rock. I hope they have our names on them. I want mine to say Bada$$. Just kidding. I want it to say my last name. Which you don't know b/c I don't tell anyone my last name to be anonymous.

Keep it real everyone.
I'll be back in full force at some point in the near future.

The market's about to close. Gotta get back to work.

Love,
Lauren

Package and Busy

2007-05-02T06:17:00.000-05:00

I finally picked up my package! Jake had bought me this like interactive book on the human body: AKA, the best present ever. It's really cool. It goes through each system and explains a whole bunch of stuff about the functions. It even talked about poop, which I thought was cool.

New guilty pleasure: Pinkberry.

I know I talked about it yesterday but seriously I have an addiction. It's so delicious. I've decided that it's best to eat it after running though or else I'm still hungry for dinner afterwards.

Tomorrow is my first GRE class. I'm actually sort of nervous because it's the first class ergo it's when I have to take my diagnostic. I'm nervous that I'm going to suck at it. :( I have been learning vocabulary and I'm excited about taking the class and learning stuff but I'm also nervous?! Did I just really ramble that much? Anyway---it's cool. The month of May and the first half of June are going to be nuts I think. Between MLW and work and GRE and running, I'm going to be overwhelmed.

Did I tell you all that I registered for the NYC Marathon? Well I did earlier in the week. I'm very boosted about it. I hope I make it in the lottery. If I don't I'm absolutely going to run for a charity which will get me guaranteed entry. I think I'm going to either run for the Leukemia and Lymphoma socety or Team for Kids if I don't make it in through the lottery. I made this running schedule this morning and it's pretty aggressive but I think I can do it. My first race this month is on the 19th, it's a 10K. I think I should be fine, but I definately have to step up the training.

OK. I have to focus and start working.

I hope everyone has a happy Wednesday.

Love,
Lauren

Pet Peeve of the day:
Opening DVD's---why do they have to wrap them so tightly and THEN also have that annoying super sticky and super tight sticker on the top, bottom, and side of it. WTF?! Does it really have to be that way????

Running and Pinkberry

2007-05-01T06:27:00.000-05:00

I was pretty productive last night getting a lot of stuff taken care of that has been on the back burner for a while now. I decided that I was going to have a take no prisoners attitude yesterday.

I was initially frustrated because I left work as soon as I could yesterday at around 5:20. I raced home on the bus trying to get to the post office before 6pm. Jake had sent me a package ages ago and I finally got a note that said that my package would be sent back if I didn't come and pick it up this week. So I'm totally busting my butt to get there before 6pm. I roll in at about 5:58 convinced that I'm going to grab my package and get out of here. I stand in the line and this dude, that looks like the bald guard in night court is like, "I said three times that the line is closed."

I stare at him thinking a few things inside my head:
1. I obviously just got here so I didn't hear you announce that the line was closed the three times prior.
2. WTF?! It's not even 6pm. My god-damn package is going to get returned.
3. How do people with jobs like mine get packages anyway? Do they all get returned? What is the deal?
4. How I hate that post office and that night court man.

I storm back out onto the street unable to complete my first errand and then I go home, pound some scooby doo fruit snacks like a champion and throw on my running clothes. I run up to the reso. and run around it once. I'm pretty out of shape it seems. I did OK though. I may or may not run today depending on how I feel and also depending on whether or not I'm going to hang out with Lindsay. Hey---are we hanging out tonight?

After my run, I walked over to Duane Reade to pick up my prescription. On the way I stopped at PinkBerry. I pretty much love that place. It's like the most delicious place. I got an original with yogurt chips, granola and strawberries. Yeah---it was my dinner. I chowed down on it all the way down the block and then did my shopping.

I get home and think that it would be a good idea to file and start to organize some of the things in my house. So I pop in "Annie" and watch it and file. I get a phone call from DR saying that I had left my prescription at the pharmacy and that I could pick it up tomorrow. Yes, lets all join in a say that I'm a complete idiot together! :) Alas, I'm going back today.

I finished my filing (sort of) and read a bit and then went to bed.

I'm so cool.

Love,
Lauren

Bobby Van's and Sleep

2007-04-26T07:40:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was my first day at my new desk. I spent a fair amount of time re-arranging and everything. My desk looks cool----it's really cute and has lot so fun stuff on it. Does that even surprise you? I like that I can stare at myself out of the window when it gets darker b/c then it acts like a mirror and you know about my vanity problem. (read: my staring at every reflective surface problem)

I had some quality time with my girl Bridget last night when we went to Bobby Van's to have a drink (or two). It'd been a while since we caught up. The last time was before she went to Rome and sat down with her and went through all the places that she had to see while she was there. We were in high need of a get-together. Anyway---when we first got there, it was really packed, but slowly as most people end their happy hour excursions, we just stayed and eventually got a seat. We chatted about everything. I have a full knowledge of what's going on with her and that's always nice. I'm giving her a shout out even though she doesn't even know I have a bloggy.

Speaking of blogs, CK is doing a HW assignment on blogs. She has to layout a magazine page for one of her classes and she's doing her part on blogging. I have to answer some of her questions about blogging and how I started, etc. If any of you have insight---feel free. I'm probably going to try and get it out to her today though since it's relatively time sensitive.

MLW is getting into full swing. Jackie and I are working away at planning everything and getting everything organized for our bomb staff.

The reason that this is titled "sleep" is b/c I went to be at like 9:15 last night. Jake called and I was already in my like 2nd REM cycle. Sorry buddy.

SHOUT OUT'S:

Chris Druhan: You RULE dude. I'm psyched about my adult readership and that you totally like barly rissoto. One day I'll actually make it. I want to try it again with the right kind of barley. I hope I can see you this summer and you can feed me and let me hang out in your backyard. Word. :)

Amos & Liz: I'm sorry I've been out of touch. I got the adorable announcement card and I promise I'll write you an email soon. How is Kate?

Kimmy: Again, I'm such a delinquent when it comes to keeping in touch sometimes. A lot has been going on. I swear I'm writing to you soon. I'm excited for you to come to NYC.

Courtney: I'm boosted we are sitting near each other now. More fun for everyone!

Jess: Let's hang out this weekend dude? Movie or something? Poss a matinee? Jake is coming up for this camp thing and going out I think on UES----you should come! I think LB and Beth want to. :)

Becca: How are you? What weekend are you coming up with the boy? Sorry i'm the worst correspondent ever. Love you.

I'm out! Have a great day everyone!

Love,
Lauren

Mouse Story and Randomness

2007-04-24T12:13:00.000-05:00

Mouse Story (second hand from my sister): I talked to her around lunch time today and she was saying that she has mice (it must be a sister thing)** in her garage. She was cleaning up some of the poop. Which by the way, is revolting. Mouse poop is repulsive and also like so pervasive. SHe noticed that on this one bookshelf there was a pile of poop and then shredded paper. I think she was keeping some books outside on a shelf. Although I'm not really sure if that's true because why would you keep books on a shelf in the garage? But I possibly could have not heard the garage part right. OK, anyway---she got really annoyed that one of her books had been chewed up. She looked to see which one it was and guess what book the little guy ate up?

Stuart Little.

Classic right? I love cute stories like that.

Last night was great! LB, Beth and I decided to hang out (shocker) and I decided that I was going to make dinner for them at 238. I brought pasta and pesto and a greek salad. Lindsay bought vino and Beth, the bread. It was delicious. We ate outside on the patio b/c it was so glorious outside. Molly came over, she's moving out soon, which is really

Bora Story: Bora has a quarter collection that my dad helped him start. He found the South Carolina one and he kept yelling-- "Mom, it's the one with the Lehman Brothers on it! Come and look!". My sister looked at the coin and saw two guys standing next to a bi-plane. He meant the Wright Brothers. He's so cute!

Stupid A-Hole President Bush is landing his stupid helicoper in Central Park and there are all these street closures. How come he has to inconvienence everyone? You know---with his helicopters, his bad policies, etc. Go away!

I have softball tonight. We are going to get crushed. I'll write about the smack down tomorrow I promise. It's really annoying how Coly signed us up for this uber intense league and we uber suck.

I also have to move desks this afternoon. It's annoying.

But---I'l off.

Love,
Lauren

Barley and Wine

2007-04-18T06:32:00.001-05:00

Last night, Jess came over for dinner. We had a blast. I was making Barley Risotto with Asparagus and Parmesan that I got out of the May issue of Real Simple. I was really excited. I picked up all the ingredients from the magazine.

Dear Real Simple,

I was so excited to make your recipe for Barley Risotto on page 310 of the May issue. I invited my friends over for dinner and we made it together. I bought all the ingredients for the recipe and planned on serving dinner around 7:30 pm. I was horrified when after an hour we had only added half a cup of the chicken broth. Basically, it's been 3 and a half hours since we started cooking this recipe and we are resigned to eating a flavorful, but very crunchy, version of your risotto. Please note: there are two types of barley, hulled and pearl. Hulled barley pretty much never cooks, and pearl barley is what was needed for this recipe. There was nothing "real simple" about this recipe at all. Next time you suggest a recipe with barley, please be sure to specify what type of barley is required to make this a 45 minute recipe and not an all night endeavor. I love your magazine! But you have to make you idiot proof it for your readers!

xo, SimplyLauren, NYC
------------------------------
We drank bunches of wine and had a blast.

I woke up this morning to my alarm. I thought it was Saturday.

Love,
Lauren

Costa Rica and April Updates

2007-04-17T09:32:00.000-05:00

It's just sad how bad I've been about posting. I have such good intentions but they never materialize. It's kind of like when you get an email from someone and have all intention of writing back to them right away and you sort of compose an email in your head about what you are planning on writing back to them---so much so that you actually believe that you wrote them an actual email. You act all surprised when they are pissed at your for not writing back and you stand there an insist that you did----you can even tell them specific points that you mentioned in your very real email to them. But this is clearly besides the point.

I guess I should highlight a little of my vacation for all of you since there are a few comments asking about it and plus, it will make me feel better about this being somewhat of an update entry. I think it's going to be more list like---which is whatever----but it gets the job done.

Costa Rica with Jake:

laying out at the pool every day, remembering to wear sunblock, drinking costa rican beer: Imperial all day long
having the freshest fruit ever every morning for breakfast, also the fruit juice, the coffee, and "el tipico" the rice and beans breakfast that Jake and I devoured every morning.
taking a tip in the pool when it would get too hot to stand in the chairs
eating the fries from the bar, or some other delicious sandwich from there
talking with Ronni---the cool bartender/waiter
talking walks on the beach, drinking beers at the beach bar at sunset
going sailing on the catamaran, snorkeling and seeing cool fish, swimming and jumping off the boat, eating delicious food, drinking yummy beers, and watching the sunset
watching Jake fall when he tried to get back on the boat
the live music at our hotel a lot of nights
going surfing: getting a black eye from getting hit from a board, standing up, actually being decent at surfing, watching the intense waves at tamarindo, eating the delicious fresh seafood.**
getting burned a little bit---ugh, i couldn't reapply when I was surfing
Ginger restaurant---the yummy tapas
meeting Joe and Kate from MN---having dinner with them up at Finnesterra and surfing with Joe
reading a lot of great books
waking up to a rooster, hearing howler monkeys, seeing little lizards all over, seeing an iguana walk across the road, also seeing a dead ant eater on the road
being and relaxing with Jake the WHOLE time and not getting sick of him!

**the same delicious seafood that gave both me and Jake the runs at the end of the week. Nice huh?

Anyway, it was a fantastic trip and I'm super glad I went. I heart vacation.

Ever since, work has pretty much been a whirlwind, which was nice b/c it kept me not focused on the fact that I wasn't in Costa Rica anymore---but also b/c I was getting some nice overtime, since I spent so much money on CR anyway!

The first game of the EMS softball league starts on Thursday. I'm pretty boosted about it although I think the league is pretty competitive. I think we'll be ok. I guess the first game will be a test. Whatever, I'm just there to have fun. I have to break in my new mitt. The one I was borrowing from Becca I had to give back to her b/c she was playing in a league in the fall.

My GRE class was cancelled because the a$$holes from ETS decided NOT to change the exam in the fall. I had to register for a new class, which isn't that bad and I'm just being whiney and stuff---typical.

So there is a whole bunch of drama right now with Leah---at first I wasn't going to write about it on here, but it's just a real pain in the ass and also----I don't think she even reads this blog. Besides, even if she did---I don't care. It's a public blog and anyone they want can read it. It's just really hard b/c I think what she did (write me a really mean, hurtful and judgemental email) will really impact the dynamic of our group of friends, but more importantly, us. Not sure how much she actually realizes this. I'm inclined to say that she didn't realize this, or if she did, she didn't care. I don't know. It's a shitty shitty situation that I don't even really want to be a part of---but I was sucked in by the power of pressing send. You know what? I'm going to put this on the backburner right now, I can't deal with any more issues. "Peace" I love it Lindsay.

I haven't caught any mice recently, which is clearly a good thing...but also Ollie died. It's just BC left, he's a trooper. I think I might wait until this weekend when Jake comes to visit----he wants to help me pick out a new fish. I think that might be a cute romantic thing we can do together when he's in town. I still need to figure out what the hell I'm doing with him this weekend. All in due time I suppose.

Jackie and I are starting to flesh out our theme for the summer and all the different ways it's going to be incorporated into the summer, the schedule, the staff, etc. Very exciting. One of the most fun parts of directing. I also just found out that Mary Alex is going to be onsite! This is very exciting news!!!

I'm getting pretty sick of this cold weather. It's royally vexing me and I'm absolutely ready for real spring, not this winter bull shit. Although---I think the people tend to forget how cold and relatively miserable April usually is. Hurry up May! Bring us flowers!

Alright, I should really get back to work.

Love,

Lauren

SimplyLauren's Vacation

2007-03-30T11:43:00.000-05:00

Well----this afternoon I'm driving down with Jake to DC so that we can catch our EARLY EARLY flight to Costa Rica for the next week.

I'm afraid there will be a brief hiatus in postings for the next week or so. More fun adventures when I return.

Happy Easter!
Happy Passover!

Love,
Lauren

Temple and Fun Evening

2007-03-29T06:36:00.000-05:00

Last night was really great. I had invited my dad up for the evening b/c Temple's symphony orchestra was playing at Lincoln Center for an alumni event that I wanted to attend. I thought my dad would enjoy the show, so I invited him. Anyway---everything worked like clockwork. I met him at Lincoln Center and we walked over to the NY Ethical Society where our new president was speaking and there was a reception and cocktail hour beforehand. That was really nice. I'd heard great things about the new president, she's the first woman, and I got to meet her. Awesome.

The concert was really the highlight of the night for sure! They had a great program:

Berlioz: Overture to Benevenuto Cellini

Grondahl: Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra

Debussy: Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune

Respighi: Pini di Roma***

**that was my favorite. It was incredible.

Then, my dad and I walked home through the park and stopped to get some dinner b/c neither of us had been properly nourished. We split some pasta and caprese salad. My dad had wine too. It was great. We totally caught up and I told him a bunch of stuff that was going on with me and everything. We also talked about grad schools, etc.

Thanks for coming Pop!

Tonight I'm seeing Darren for drinks before I finish my final packing escapade. :)

Love,
Lauren

Productivity and Lists

2007-03-27T06:56:00.000-05:00

Last night was REALLY productive to say the least. I'm going to write a list of all the things that I did from the hours of 5:45pm to 8:00pm. Get ready:

went to the ATM machine
dropped off two packages, one for Charlie and one for Stephanie and Cem
dropped off my clothers at the dry cleaners
had a set of my keys made for Beth so she can come and feed my fish when I'm in CR
picked up my laundry from the Chinese place
went back down to the hardware store to have them open this pacman game that Jake gave me that I couldn't open b/c I didn't have the right size screwdriver
bought Jake's dad his birthday present-- "wrapped it" (read: the man at the store wrapped it)
went upstairs and played pacman
went to the Gap to see about their sales and get some summer clothes for CR
went to Victorias' Secret to buy a push up bra----later realizing I have no clue what size bra I actually wear. Needless to say, I have to return the bra
Bought two new fish at petco---oh BTW---Ollie died. BC is still alive though and now he has two new brothers, names are TBD.
Went to the bagel store to get some dinner
ate dinner while waiting for Jackie to call and watching Harry Potter: The Prisoner of Azkaban
Jackie and I decided that we'd have our scheduling/staffing call today at 5pm instead

Talk about productive huh?!

I felt really great about my ability to get things done. There are still a few things that I have to make sure I do before the week is up and def. before my trip!

make sure I have an outfit for church on Easter Sunday
refill my prescription and pick it up from DR
pack for the trip (this is a HUGE thing considering I loathe packing)
clean house b/c my dad is spending the night for this concert/Temple alum thing tomorrow night. I have to make sure everything is spick and span.
leave beth detailed instructions on how to feed my fishies.

Questions for my readers (if there still are any...):

Do I need to bring a towel?
Do I need a beach bag?
What about changing money? Here or there?
Do you have any other helpful hints for me?

oh---HAPPY BIRTHDAY SABRINA!!!!! I didn't know it was your birthday until today but I have to give you a real shout out nonetheless!

Sorry this entry was all about lists. I'm scatterbrained right now.

Love,
Lauren

Harry and Lazy Weekend

2007-03-26T07:27:00.000-05:00

This weekend was very relaxing. It was wonderful not to have to travel or anything. On Friday night I had arranged a Happy Hour for Bernadette since it was her birthday last Thursday. We headed over to WHiskey Blue at the W Hotel after work for a few drinks. At first is was a small crew, me Berny, Elana and some girl I didn't know very well. Then everyone started piling in---it was a really good time. Timmy came, which was very exciting for me. He apparently is on this diet called "Fit for Life". It must work really well b/c Timmy looks so skinny! He says he lost 20 pounds in three weeks. I'm not kidding people. The last time I saw him he had a gut. He said ti's working awesome for him and that he's going to gym more often, etc. Good for him. I think Tessa's annoyed b/c that is what she wanted him to do while they were together and now that they've broken up---he's totally changed his ways and everything. I'm proud of him but am hoping to have a talk with Tessa soon about what the hell is going on with them.

Anyway---after drinks at WB, I headed over to Lindsay's apt. One major problem was that I was about to piss in my pants. I stupidly didn't go in the bar b/c it was up so many flights of stairs into the hotel. I don't know who thought that would be a good idea, but honestly! So---I am frantically banging on LBs door holding my crotch as not to piss all over the hallway and then I decide to call her. She's at Grand Central. W.T.F?! I run across the street to Kate's pee my bladder out, leave my wallet on the sink. Realize like 10 minutes later when LB and I are about to go back over there to watch the Georgetown game. I get my wallet back from Simon. It was glorious. Drank some more, ate wingies and old bay fries--- :) I headed home shortly afterwards and it was great. Talked to Jake, passed out.

Slept in on Saturday morning, shocking I know...

Did some errands and cleaned a bit. Watched a few movies. Made an anniversary present for Stephanie and Cem. It was quality. It was good Lauren time. Jess and I went out to dinner later at this Thai place---yumtastic! Then we went and saw Zodiac. It was pretty good. It was scary in the first half but then got more and more interesting. I recommend it, but it's a bit lengthy.

Inspired by Jake, I decided to re-read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. It's like my gazillionth time reading it, but it's amazing how much i forget and have to re-read. I am basically preparing for the movie release in July. I probably will end up reading it again in the summer. I

Sunday, I pretty much did nothing. I read Harry and chilled. I ate some bagels too. It was a wonderful relaxing day. I also ripped out my vocabulary cards for my GRE class. I'm learning new words every day. It's kind of exciting.

Happy Monday!

Love,
Lauren

IRA and Schedule

2007-03-22T07:16:00.000-05:00

I think that my fish are going to die soon. Of course, now that I was so happy that they were swimming along just fine, but then last night they started acting strange. Like the way that CT and Dog were acting before THEY died. I can't deal with any more deaths in my apartment. The PetCo guy told me not to get too attached. I just need to get a heater and get some "heartier" fish, as Mike likes to say. I just want to come home to cool swimming cute fish, instead of in the corner, not swimming, dead fish. Ugh.

One thing I'm really annoyed about right now is that at work I'm dealing with this crap right now. I apparently "messed" up something for a client but really the fact is that I didn't. This client wanted to invest in this new offering, but it wasn't like an IPO through my company or anything---it was like a private placement or something. He sent in the paperwork on Tuesday. Mike told me that I had to interoffice this paperwork to get the stock into his IRA---so I sent it to the IRA department b/c IRAs are special, you have to be careful about money in and out b/c it's not taxed and not like a regular brokerage account. Anyway---I got a call from the IRA lady today and she didn't understand the document. Basically, the client lost his 100K investment b/c of MY fault. Actually---it wasn't my fault at all. It's so annoying. Mike BLEW up at me and like totally blamed me for it. He later apologized for getting mad b/c it wasn't really all my fault, but like---still. WTF?! I'm the one that comes in at 7 and leaves at 6 to get everything done and finished----what's UP with the blame! No one else around here does anything, it makes it that much harder to deal with things when you know you are the one working hard and busting your butt all the time. Ok---I'm almost over it.

Last night I saw the Departed. I liked it a lot but it was def not good enough to be the best picture. I thought that Blood Diamond was WAY better. Leo was good in both, but whatever. It also was really long. Jake was right, Goodfellas was better than the Departed. Maybe it's like when Gladiator won best picture that one year.

Tonight is Beth's opening and I'm REALLY excited about it. I am changing into my little black dress and hurrying uptown to go sip on coctails and look at Beth's awesome exhibit. :) It's about fascism and the Spanish Civil War and how it's related to NY. It looks REALLy cool. Tonight is also dodgeball, which is going to be fun. We are playing the top two teams and we are most certainly going to lose. I kind of can't wait until the season is over. :)

OK, I promise I'm going to get better about blogging. My life is just so chaotic right now. lol. That reminds me---I have to email Jackie right now.

Ta Ta.

Love,
Lauren

Happy Birthday Katherine!

2007-03-20T09:03:00.000-05:00

My cousins Amos and Liz just had their first baby and I want to be the first blogger to welcome her to the world. She's pretty cute for a newborn I think. :)

Anyway---I have been bad about updating things but I want to write about Whitlows, MLW interviews, etc...I have plenty to write about. Like I said before, I was sick a little last week and really overbooked. This week---not as much.

Some Quick Shout Outs:

Lindsey: It was SOOOOO fun hanging out with you on Sat night and meeting your boy (who I think is really great). Thanks for the comment too! :) I miss you!

Amos & Liz: Nice work on the cute kid. :)

Jaxx: Directing partners for life. Word.

Beth: Good luck plugging away this week for your opening! I can't wait to see it. I'm sure it's going to be amazing and awesome. I also can't wait to meet the judge.... :)

Love to all and more updates soon---promise promise!!!

Love,

Lauren

Sick and Worn Out

2007-03-14T09:24:00.000-05:00

This past weekends interviews and shenannigans wore me out for the upcoming week. I'm tired and sick. I'm burning the candle at both ends as my boss Mike likes to remind me.

I'm sorry for the lack of posts. I can't tell you how many incomplete posts are saved as drafts in my files. I will at some point soon get a chance to finish them but who knows when that will actually be.

I have a lot of work to do and I have to take care of a few things.

I'm in a haze. I barely remember taking a shower this morning. I do remember that the water was sort of cold. I felt way better this morning than I do now. Perhaps the NyQuill that I took last night is wearing off.

It's annoying right now b/c it's about 10:30 and Dolores still isn't here. I mean---I slept in a little bit and still got here before the market opened. Oh wait---she just showed up. Enough venting. I have no energy.

Tonight I'm having dinner with Junette from Rome and also baking cookies with Jess. I know----i'm wearing myself out. But I have to do both those things. Thankfully I baked the carrot-coconut cupcakes for Sarah's birthday yesterday. I even made the white chocolate cream cheese frosting all by myself. I'm such a badass. :) I also made the cookie dough for the sugar cookies that Jess and I are going to bake and frost tonight. I promised Jake I'd bring him a cupcake (or two) and some sugar cookies for this weekend.

Alright, back to the grind, and back to the tissue box that I've come to love.

Happy Hump Day!

Love,
Lauren

Congrats and Kates

2007-03-06T11:46:00.000-05:00

Katie---Congratulations on getting a summer internship job. Katie got a job (one that she interviewed for THAT MORNING) yesterday for the Federal District Attorney's office. I'm very boosted for her but also hopes that she gets the Citigroup job too which pays. yay!

Yesterday was supposed to be game night but instead it consisted of me, Katie and LB sitting on the corner of out favorite bar: Kates, drinking Bud Lights, eating wingies and old bay fries. The cute bartender Lauren (coincidence?!) was working and when she found out that Katie had gotten a job. Which wasn't hard b/c Katie was yelling it so that everyone in the bar could hear, she made us a delicious shot, it was an "Apple Kamikaze" or something like that.

Lauren looks like Kristen Bell, Veronica Mars people!!!! I told her that VMars was my hero. Also----we played this trivia game and did horribly. Beth wasn't there. She is the one good at the trivia games. I'm a complete idiot when it comes to those. Also especially when they are timed. Bad under pressure.

I cabbed it home and then called Jakester to chat. I had cleaned my apartment on Sunday night so it was nice to come home to that instead of the usual clothes tornado path that is usually there. There are of course, undone dishes, but that's to be expected.

Today's To-Do List:

drop off clothes at cleaners
go to Papyrus to get cards for all the occasions in March
do dishes (ha!)
go to gym to run
get fish from Petco and also rocks for my new St. Patty's day themed votive.
talk to Annabelle
pick up prescription from DR

Sorry for the lack of posts. I'm a busy girl.

SHOUT OUTS:

AB: I can't wait to talk to you tonight.

IC (esp. Jose who better come): Can't wait for Whitlows!!!

Balls out for Shizzle...: We are going to win this week!

Happy Tuesday!

Love,

Lauren

Rubber Balls and Getting Hit

2007-03-02T09:51:00.000-05:00

Good morning everyone.
I'm so sorry for my lack of posts. I've had a crazy week.

So last night was dodgeball. I need to vent/talk about this for a little bit ok?
I generally like competitive sports and playing hard and winning. I also like sports with balls---no really---playing balls, not the other kind. I was really in a bad mood when I left dodgeball though b/c I got hurt. It seems like I get hurt all the time in the game and getting hit with those stiff ass rubber balls in the face is not exactly my idea of a fun recreational activity. Our team name is "Balls out For Shizzle". FYI....

My Team:
Jackie: I love this girl. She's the captain and she's so cute and fun. She's the one that got me into this. She works on the Rachel Ray show and knows like everyone else in the league for some reason. The team she used to play on is really really good. They crushed us yesterday and it was a disaster. Anyway---she is fun. She can catch and is a good player. We bonded last night on how we both can't really throw that well.

Lindsay: Obviously you all know her from being one of my best friends here in the city. She is scared of the ball like myself but can totally hold her own. She's a good dodger. It's hard to throw well at the boys that like always catch the balls and then chuck them so hard right back at you. I love that she's on the team. She wore really cute spandex pants yesterday to the game and little cute braids. Hi LINDZ!!!

Darren: He is the powerhouse of the team. He's Australian and he gets to fired up when we play badly (read: all the time). He has a cute accent and is REALLY good at the game. He can throw hard, dodge well and catch really well. Basically he's one of the best players EVER. I love him and he always has good strategy.

Bill: Also really good. Likes to play like a team, almost as good as Darren. Really nice, I like him a lot. I basically have no issues with him whatsoever.

Brandon: He's also australian, but he's not nearly as good as Darren. Cute and nice though and tries hard.

Fernando: OK---here's where my real venting starts---He is huge. You would think that would be really great and intimidating in dodgeball, but the problem is that he sucks. He throws the balls as hard as he can like at people's heads. WTF?! Also---then he has the nerve to give me advice on my throwing, which I already know is inferior. Um---also, he's always gross and sweaty. But the main reason I get annoyed is b/c Darren always tries to get us to play as a team instead of the one-off crap that gets us all out. But as soon as he is in the game, stupid Fernando like forgets and just keeps throwing balls at people's heads. What is up with that?!

That's really all the people I wanted to talk about in this entry. I hope we win next week.

Love,
Lauren

New Blog and Business

2007-02-28T07:42:00.000-05:00

My eyes hurt this morning. I think I might be falling apart. I think it's because I'm wearing my glasses and sometimes when I wear my glasses my eyes get sore, it's like they are adjusting or something. Who the hell knows. I just took them off. Luckily, I can see the computer screen with JUST my regular eyes. It's annoying though when I have to look up at something and can't see jack shit. Yesterday was a shit show that's for sure. Between my massive stomach ache in the morning and the market all day being in the red---record red, nothing seemed to be going right. It's ok, because today is a new day and I feel better about the way today will unfold.

Last night after work I met Jess in front of my building and we walked home. I talked a lot about work and all the crap that goes along with it and a lot of of other frustrating things that are going on right now. She listenened patiently---as always. On the way home we stopped at "Associated" to pick up some groceries for the dinner we were going to make. I love making dinner with her---the total food stuffs cost about $5-8. We made that tuna pasta thing that Beth invented in OBX. Yummy----it's so easy and delicious.

I have some left over tomatoes from my Valentine's day dinner with the girls and I think I'm going to make some gazpacho. Beth has a good recipe that I should probably ask for. I want the easiest one possible. I also want to use a blender b/c I think that blenders are great.

Jake and I are going to the Stewart's for breakfast one of the weekends I'm home. Excited for that. I think they'll like him...I mean, how can you not? Mrs. Stewart asked if we should eat in the dining room. I think that's a bit much? I don't want to get his ego up by saying that we never eat in the dining room and all of a sudden----we do when he comes over? The kitchen table it is.

I added a new blog to my links today---it's my friend Lindsey's. She RULES! I've known her forever and she's part of the MLW awesomeness. I also added MLW as a link thanks to her. I'd never thought of that before and she, being the genius that she is----gave me the idea. So---check her out (after you read my postings that is...). "Hi Linds!!! xoxoxoxo"

Fun fact: Today when I came into work there was this little booklet on my desk from the group in my company that is like the African Decent organization or something like that. I learned that one of our employees was part of the Little Rock Nine! That is so cool. I want to go and like interview him or something. Although I'm pretty sure he's high up in the company and won't want to talk to me anyway.

I'm already for today to be over.

Love,
Lauren

Jake Weekend and Oscars

2007-02-26T09:54:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Charlie!
I hope you have a great day and that all your wishes come true.

This weekend Jake was in town---we had a blast. It was the first time he'd been up to NYC to see me so it was cool to show him around and everything. We managed to fit a lot in considering it wasn't that long. Weekends are never long enough. Highlights:

Dinner at Piccolo Angolo
Waking up lazy----going to breakfast at the diner, yum.
going to the Met---teaching Jake about art a little bit
drinks/snack at Mustangs for a few hours, playing song game
Dinner at Rare with Becca, Jess, Eddie and Beth
Out at Joshua Tree with Becca and Jess---lots of drinking
waking up hungover on Sunday
eating bagel sandwiches at H&H, starving
walked to the planetarium---watched space show and Mars Rover IMAX---loved it
walked back through Central park
we were both really tired, relaxed until he left.

I took a KILLER nap after I dropped him off at the train station and before I headed over to Tessa's for Oscar night. It was good times. We finally got a chance to catch up and chat/hang. QT with my girl. Oscars were great. I was boosted about Martin Scorscese b/c he's so cute and short. I didn't see the Departed though---T will have to rent it stat.

The only downside was that I had to wait for a cab for like 30 minutes b/c it was icing and also freezing. Ah well----I eventually got home.

Love,

Lauren

Cleaning and Dodgeball

2007-02-22T11:38:00.000-05:00

It's amazing what a little cleaning can do to your apartment.

Jake is coming this weekend and I wanted to clean the place up a bit. I dusted (?!) and I also vacuumed under my cabinets and in my under-the-sink cabinet in the kitchen. It was crazy! I got all these little crevices and everything---it was a miracle.

The real miracle was when I decided to change the lightbulbs in the living room and the kitchen. You could not believe how bright it is in there now! It's awesome! I can see everything and I don't need any other lamps like I usually have to turn on!

I still have a significant amount of work to do as far as cleaning. I have to unclog my drain in the bathtub b/c it's horrifying to look down there and it's starting to get all clogged and flooding when I'm in the shower. How gross is that? It really is gross. I also have to put away clothes, drop off my laundry, go to Bed, Bath, and Beyond to get some new sheets and a new pillow I think and then I also have to vacuum more in my bedroom.

I was supposed to do like eight things that are planned for tonight but I really cancelled all of them except dodgeball. I LOVE dodgeball. I play with Lindsay and Jackie and a bunch of dudes, including one Austrialian one that is really good. I like playing with him. He's really intense. I hope we win both games tonight! That would be awesome. :)

I snapped my finger on a mouse trap last night as I was moving it to another location. It HURT SO BADLY! It's all black and blue now and is a constant reminder that I have mice. I caught one over the weekend when I was in LA.

OH--about LA, I'm still working on that entry. It will be coming soon. Probably later on this week. My bad. I'm just a busy girl! Don't you see how much crap I'm doing?!

I ate such a healthy lunch today---I had a salad with spinich, feta, tomatoes, cucumbers, w/balsamic vinaigrette. I also had water. :)

OK---I need to stop rambling.

Love,
Lauren

V-Day and Travels

2007-02-15T09:44:00.000-05:00

Good morning!

Well, I'm pretty tired considering my adventure last night. Even though so many of you had your fingers crossed for my flight not to be cancelled, it was. I checked online at like 2pm and found out that pretty much all the shuttle flights were cancelled b/c of the storm up the ENTIRE eastern seaboard. I called Jake and was desperately bummed out.

B/c I was so looking forward to seeing him and having Valentine's day dinner with him I bought a train ticket to DC. It was on time and perfect. The only bad thing was that I was so anxious about seeing him that it seemed to take forever. I finally got there in the bitter cold.

He is seriously the best boyfriend ever. He made me dinner---I will elaborate on the menu in a moment. He had this great bottle of wine that his mom had given him for xmas that he wanted to use on a special occasion---which is EXACTLY what last night was. Ok---he made these incredible lamb chops marinated in like rosemary and some other green stuff---he put those on the grill and then put this like tart sauce on it that was delicious. He also grilled shrimp and put pesto on it---omg. He made scalloped potatoes that was perfect and then the salad he made was to die for---it was spinich, orange pepper, pear, feta with this incredible vinaigrette.

For dessert, NICE champagne and this chocolate cake this his co-worker made for us (it was so cute that she baked that) . Jake put gummy bears on top b/c he knows I love them. We had an incredible night and it was literally perfect. Worth every penny of the train ticket. :)

The roses he got me smell so good right now at my desk. I wanted to take them home tonight but I have my suitcase from LAST night and my work bag and I can't carry a HUGE vase of roses too. I'm not that good. I will make sure to trim the stems and refresh the water before I leave for LA.

Speaking of LA---can I please tell you how excited I am about it?! It is 70+ degrees there right now. I can wear flip flops, sunglasses, and my awesome collection of capri pants that I've been wanting to break out for a while now. Too bad the artic chill has put a damper on my capri dreams. Can't wait! Don't be jealous....

I also have something else to say. Yesterday, Alexi called me while I was on the train and told me the most ridiculous thing EVER. She said that since she works by this big tower---when it snows or like gets all icey and then the ice starts to melt, these HUGE ice slabs fall hundreds of feet off the tower and smash into peoples cars and total them. Alexi said that THREE cars were totaled yesterday. The employees aren't allowed to leave the building b/c they might die if they get hit by a falling icicle.

Lets examine this for a second:
1. WTF?
2. people's cars getting totaled? people getting seriously hurt? liability much?
3. don't you think it would cost LESS money to protect the cars/people than paying money out after they are totalled? it's called prevention!
4. i still can't believe what Alexi told me. She also said that they ordered pizza for the whole building so no one would leave and then possibly die. again, would save money if they did something about the icicles.
5. WTF?

Ok, I have to get back to work.

Love,
Lauren

Anniversary and Valentine's Day

2007-02-14T07:34:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

I want to take a moment to mark a very special day in the life of SimplyLauren. Today this blog is one year old. A whole year. Oh how we've grown so much together. So many stories. So many travels, rodents, friends, boys, food, parties and friends. Here's to many more years and many more life experiences. If you want to take a look back at some past entries, now is the time to do it. I hope you enjoy your reminiscing. :)

Last night the girls came over for dinner. It was delicious. I didn't make any mistakes really except for the one where when I used Vanilla Vodka in the Penne alla Vodka instead of normal. Thank god you couldn't taste it. The salad was fantastic and the Red Velvet cupcakes were AMAZING. I wish I could give you a virtual taste of them. Honest to God they were awesome. I'm not even trying to like talk it up or anything, they were da bomb. We had a great time all together. Yay for holiday dinners!

Tonight I am going down to see Jake for the evening. Yes, I'll literally only be gone for 12 hours, but to me it's worth it to see him. He's making me dinner but he refuses to tell me what it is. I like surprises. I'm getting nervous though b/c the weather is not exactly sunny and warm. It's all snowy and rainy and stuff. I am praying that there are no flight delays. It sucks b/c these planes come from Boston and stuff where it's probably colder and more snowy. I am thinking there is going to be some sort of delay. Not sure what I'm going to do if that happens. Probably cry a lot. I don't want to think about that. It's like----go tonight or go never b/c I can't take off tomorrow since Kerri is on vacation and I'm the only one that knows how to do this spreadsheet thing. It's like also tough b/c I'm leaving for LA after work on Friday to go out and see Amos and Liz. So much traveling!

So----for tonight, think happy airport thoughts, not bad ones.

There is a woman in one of my managers office right now and she is weating a clazer with red lips all over it. Yikes stripes! Also, as a sidebar, she is one of the ugliest people I know. I already know I'm going to hell--no need to remind me.

SHOUT OUTS:
Jess, Beth, LB: Thanks for coming last night. I had a great time! I love you all! xo

Darren---Yes, Jaxx and I are "running 'SEL". Want to staff? Let us know!

Jake: Happy Valentine's Day! xoxox

Keep reading and send my link to your friends!

Love,
Lauren

Baking Champion and German Chocolate

2007-02-13T08:09:00.000-05:00

Last night was a shit show of sorts. I had so much to do and totally not enough time to do it.
I'm having another infamous dinner party tonight---theme: Valentine's Day. Shocker.

I'm really excited about the menu and of course everything surrounding the night. I would write about the menu on this blog, but it's a surprise for the people attending and I don't want to ruin it in case someone decides to read the blog and then find out what is going on. The only thing I told them is that the theme is "red". I mean, obviously the underlying theme is Valentine's Day, but everything they eat is going to be red.

So----I had to bake some sugar cookies, and frost and decorate them for the girls tonight. That took like two hours. Then I had to venture out to try and find a german chocolate cake mix.

TOO BAD NO GROCERY STORE ON THE ENTIRE UPPER EAST SIDE HAS THAT!!!

Luckily I did find a red velvet cake mix that I ended up using and I think they came out great. I spent a long time making them. It was seriously so annoying to walk to every store to try and fine this ficticious cake mix. Anyway---the only thing that changed was that I didn't have to add red food coloring.

I baked a butt load last night. I didn't have to stay up too late thought. Mostly cause I'm such a bad ass.

I will report tomorrow on how everything went. Be jealous.

Love,
Lauren

Cute Boyfriend Story:
Jake sent me a dozen long stemmed roses to work for Valentines' day. He also wrote me the cutest note about how it's his first good Valentine's day and that I was worth the wait. OMG---how cute is he??? I was so embarrased carrying the HUGE flowers back to my desk. Matt and Adam were giving me SUCH a hard time about it. My face was as red as the roses. I think that's part of the reason he sends them b/c he knows how embarrased I get. Ha! Anyway, they are gorgeous so I'm not complaining.

FDNY and MLW

2007-02-12T07:58:00.000-05:00

Good Monday Morning! Remember when Donnie Simpson used to say that every morning on the bus to school at the old Blair when I actually used to take the bus? Anyway---I totally thought Donnie Simpson was white until I saw him at some PGC thing that I went to. I was shocked. You know how you are totally thinking what someone looks like after listening to them on the radio and everything and then you meet them and they are nothing like you'd imagined? Well that was the situation with me meeting Donnie Simpson. I just thought he was white. I know it didn't even technically make sense for him to be white since it was such an "urban" radio station and everything but like----still, I thought he was.

Anyway---Friday night I spent on the phone with Jackie planning MSEL 2007---get ready people. It's going to be amazing. I'm so excited about everything about the program and I think that everyone should come back and staff!!! I also spent it cleaning my god forsaken apartment. There were clothes every where. It seriously took me over two hours to put everything away. I still don't have ALL the clothes put away b/c I ran out of skirt hangers. I need to get some more.

Valentine's Day is coming up. I'm flying down for the night to see Jake. He's making me dinner and we are just going to hang out. He won't tell me what he's making, it's a surprise. I'm in that place right now where I want to know but I don't at the same time. It doesn't matter anyway b/c it's not like he's going to tell me either way. Should be good times. I'm praying for good weather on the flight down (and back for that matter) . It's supposed to snow and stuff---that wintry mix crap. What does that even mean? Is it like chex mix? A mix of what? There is only so many types of preciptation right? How can they all be coming down together? I might have to defer on weathergirl Alexi on this one...

Bottom Line: I'm excited.

On Saturday morning I woke up early to meet Jess at this bus stop in Harlem so that we could travel together to Randall's Island to the FDNY training facility. Jess is dating this REALLY cute guy Dillon who is a fireman. Yes, a fireman. Can you think of anything sexier? It was seriously one of the coolest things ever. There were like 200 fireman all in uniform and everything showing off their stuff. There was only ONE girl. She was my hero. Ok anyway----they were doing all these type of stunts and everything. Dillon=so adorable. I took a bunch of pictures and for those of you that actually know me and know how to hang out with me----I will show you them or send you to the link on yahoo.

For the rest of the weekend---it was great. QT with Jake. :) Fantastic as usual.

Alright----I'm getting sidetracked and I need to focus on work stuff. Mike just brought in these peppermint patties that are heart shaped and have pink insides. Yay! candy!

Have a great day everyone!

SHOUT OUTS:
Cem: Happy Birthday Yesterday! I hope you had a great day and I wish I had been down there to hang out with you and the gang! Also---good luck on your interview in Boston! I hope you get it.

Jake-:)

Jaxx---Can't wait to work with you this summer. It's going to be da bomb.

Love,
Lauren

Rested and Money

2007-02-08T08:27:00.001-05:00

Last night I seriously went to be at like 10pm. I was so tired. I haven't been home relaxing after work in like longer than I can remember. I just needed to get some sleep instead of like pushing through each day like half asleep with my eyes burning and stuff. I felt great this morning when Jake called me to wake me up. It was such a change.

Jess came over after work---a much needed break from my crazy day. We made rice and beans and chowed DOWN! It was delicious as usual. I love making dinner with her. It's so easy and we are both so low maintenance. It was glorious. We shot the shit for a while in my apartment.

Speaking of my apartment, it's so messy right now. I think practically all my clothes are piled onto my couch at the moment. It's almost a disaster. The only part of my apt. that is "clean" are the dishes, which is a miracle in and of itself, but really it's b/c Jess did them after dinner. She's such a good friend.

There is a girl in my office, named Lauren, and she works on like Matt and Adam's team, so obviously I'm a little bit jealous of her because of that but really she's kind of immature. I like her I guess. I don't really know her b/c she doesn't talk to me. I think she's sort of intimidated by me or something but anyway she takes a cab to work every day. I heard her once talking about her boarding school. I mean the pieces are starting to come together about where she comes from (read: money). She lives 15 blocks away. I can't imagine taking a cab 15 blocks, even if I had the money, it's like a waste in every possible way.

I think that a lot of people in this business come from money. I also think that's fine. I mean, literally the great people I work with still to this day don't understand how I got a degree in something like "art history and political science". Degrees to them are like tangible skills that the learned for a job like the one they have now. I just find the differences between people fascinating.

This entry is sort of boring and I realize that. Maybe one day my entries will start being more interesting.

SHOUT OUTS:
Amos: You are a great cousin and I'm really boosed to see you and Liz next weekend. Holla!!!
Leah: B/c it seems like she needs a shout out right about now.
Jake: Obv. b/c you rule and are the best boyfriend ever.
Matt: Happy Birthday Yesterday!
Adam: This morning you have bed head and I made fun of you and then your come back was "hey Lauren, it's not valentines day yet (because i was wearing a pink sweater). Good one. (not)
Jess: for dinner and good conversation last night!

I love you all.

Lauren

New York and Dinner Last Night

2007-02-07T07:11:00.000-05:00

This morning was cold. I walked out of my apartment this morning to a dusting of snow on the group and a seemingly silent city. I love New York in the early mornings. It really provides me with a sense of calm and it's a great start to my day.

Last night before I went to bed, when I was talking to Jake---my bedroom was freezing. It was particularly cold in my room. My windows suck and it's like my radiator can't emminate enough heat. I cranked it up, stuffed a bunch of old Blair t-shirts in the window bottom and then crawled back into my bed. This morning was great! It was warmish in my room and not like artic breeze that it was last night.

Last night after work I was talking to Jake on the phone and we were figuring out our Costa Rica plans. It turns out that we, being the un-researching idiots that we are, were flying into the wrong airport. We were flying into San Jose, which is the capital instead of the smaller airport, Liberia which is a 20 minute drive from the beach instead of a FIVE HOUR drive from the beach and the hotel we want to stay at. Are you kidding me?

*enter Lauren flipping out*

So---I basically made him take care of everything and he called up the airline. It turns out that we have to cancel our old tickets and buy new tickets into the right airport. It's way easier. Then we have like a butt load of credit on the airline (Taca Air---I know right?!) for another trip within the year. Anyway---it definitely sucked and I felt totally bad about the error, but now everything is ok and today we are booking the hotel. Whoo-hoo!

Then I went over to Lindsay's to hang out with Robert who was in town on business. We were supposed to hang out with him on Monday night but his flight kept getting delayed and stuff and Beth and I were too tired to hang around. We were really excited when he blew off his dinner to come hang out with us. LB was cooking dinner and we were chillin' with brewskys in her apt. Unfortunatly, I already had a dinner planned with my friend Matt from college. I seriously haven't seen Matt since graduation. We swam together on the club team and we had a mutual friend Aaron that was in like all my political science classes. Anyway---he works at Deutsche Bank downtown and we met up. We were supposed to go to the phatty burger place "Rare" but when we got there. I never made a reservation, like an idiot. The wait was going to be really long so instead we walked over to 3rd and found this italian place "Rio Grande" and had Mexican. It was really yummy. We had a great time and it was totally great to catch up with him. We should probably do it like every month---but you know how that goes.

Then I headed uptown in a cab in the FREEZING cold artic weather.

Today's Matt, my office crush's birthday. I just found out. Aww..... It's ok. Jake knows all about my office crush and everything and he's totally cool with it. He knows he's my main man.

Today should be a good day. But every day is a good day recently. I think it's b/c of Jake. :)

Sorry about the lack of posts, I'm really busy. It's almost insane how busy I am. I will work out some sort of schedule I promise.

Love,
Lauren

008 Weekend and Last Week Highlights

2007-02-05T09:30:00.000-05:00

This weekend was 008 girls get together. We hadn't all been together since May of 2004 when we all went to the Outer Banks after graduation. I messed everything up when I got hit by the drunk driver and couldn't go to CK's wedding. Anyway---it was totally worth driving to Frederick for the trip. Carolyn has an awesome house and Frederick was pretty awesome as well.

A bunch of stuff happened last week that I kept meaning to write about in the blog but I never really got a chance too.

Had dinner with Court and Gianna after a long ass meeting for work. We went to Bobby Van's and I had a killer steak. We all caught up and it was so great. I love the feeling of reconnection after so long without knowing what's going on with people.
On Tuesday I went to see Sarah Silverman at Caroline's with Jess. She is so cute and hilarious. I'm really glad I went but Jess said that she was annoyed b/c a lot of her routines were from her movie which Jess already saw. It's cool how someone that is so cute can have such a filthy mouth.
Caught TWO mice b/c I was smart and removed the peanut butter, made the traps more sensitive and doused them in vanilla extract. It was horribly disgusting but I totally caught TWO!!! I'm a rock star.
Went to Timmy's send off party at Papillion for open bar and tons of work people fun. A bunch of us were planning on taking a trip together in March but really...my schedule would JUST not have it! So---a few people are going on the trip and the rest of us aren't. But I'm going to Costa Rica with Jake so it's totally OK.
Was supposed to go out with Tessa and Sarah on Thursday night but I ended up staying at work a bit late and then going home to clean, organize and get a whole bunch of crap together for the 008 weekend. I was leaving right from work so I had to have everything ready, none of this----pack in the morning last minute shit.

OK, back to the 008 weekend. Lindsay picked me up from work right at 5 and then we drove uptown to pick up Bethy and then our adventures began. I was rainy and icey and just generally the worst weather possible to be driving for a bunch of hours. I finally made it out of the city and then began our tour of the Philadelphia area. Of course, since I was in charge for part of the way, we got lost. Finally we pick up Susannah in Philadelphia and then proceed to drive three more hours to Frederick. We were all so excited to be there and be together.

The first night we just drank wine, talked and lounged around. It was really nice to see everyone and talk about crap that we just needed to update each other on. We all eventually realized we needed to fall asleep. Then in the morning we woke up, took our GRAND old time and we all made breakfast. I was in charge of the bacon, Leah---the eggs and Susannah the pancakes. Carolyn made coffee and helped out with setting the table and everything. The food was so good and also---I was so jealous that CK had a griddle. It was awesome and I wish I had one. You can cook EVERYTHING on there. It was great! Then, we slowly took showers and headed out to the OUTLETS!!!!

I spent more money than I should but I got a whole bunch of really cool stuff so I don't feel that bad about it. The coolest thing I got were these two awesome pairs of shoes from Nine West Outlet, seriously, they were $40 bucks each, it was glorious. Then----I also snagged a pair of camo capris from the Gap Outlet that I've been wanting since I was born. I felt very happy with these purchases. I almost bought a suit from Banana but the jacket was weird an I didn't like that it had this extra pocket and stuff. So I only got the pants. I figure that I can get a suit jacket (it would be black) at one of the Banana stores here and be just fine.

We drove back home after a long day of shopping and relaxed for a bit until we had to head out again for our wonderful Indian dinner. It was so yummy. We were there for seriously three hours. The service was really bad but we didn't care too much b/c we loved hanging out with each other. Emily and her fiance Tom also live in Frederick (Susannah's sister) so she joined us for dinner as well. Then we went back to the house and proceeded to play loaded questions (with Christian!) for about three hours. It was awesome. Christian was such a trooper and he played awesomely and blended right into our raunchy discussions and gross antics. He was one of the girls....

Finally passing out----we woke up earlish, thre on clothes and then drove off into the sunset. And if my "into the sunset" I mean---drove to philly, and dropped off Sho and headed back to NYC. I took a nap in the back seat, since I'm not allowed to sit in the front, for about an hour, and then LB dropped Beth off and then me.

I cleaned my apartment a little bit, which was awesome. I found some mice poop and cleaned that shit up (pun intended) and also did the dishes. It was very nice. Then I headed down to Lb's to watch the Superbowl and chill. We ordered pizza and hung out and drank beer. It was fantastico.

OK---I think that's all the recap I can give.

Love,

Lauren

Waxing and Butter

2007-01-26T07:24:00.000-05:00

It was a nice surprise this morning when after waiting in the artic chill for five minutes (read: eternity) the bus to work had NO HEAT. I knew something was wrong when I could see my breath and that my ass was so frozen from sitting on the seat I thought I'd never be able to feel it again. It's still cold and I've been at work for about 30 minutes already. Are you kidding me? That poor bus driver! On a day like today there should be no busses allowed on the street like that. Seriously!

Another problem is that I got my first brazilian bikini wax yesterday after work and since there is no hair there or on my legs-----my lower extremities get colder faster. You wouldn't think that it would make much of a difference, but really----it TOTALLY does.

After my waxing appointment yesterday afternoon I met up with Lindsay and Beth b/c we had reservations at Butter. I was very siked for the dinner and for hanging out with them. As usual...

Food was pretty good. Our waiter kept hovering and was a little annoying and I think that Beth said something like, "I'm not really connecting with our waiter." which was right on the ball. We had wine and it was glorious.

Oh, I meant to say something yesterday on the blog but I forgot and I didn't want to edit the post after I posted it. I hate doing that. Ok, well...on Tuesday I think Annabelle called me at work b/c we were both relatively bored and she informed me that Dave---yes, asshole Dave---is moving back to the States (read: MD) with his new adorable wife. Ok, so remember that I really don't like Dave and I think he's a jerk and I could give TWO shits what he's doing but...I was secretly/publically hoping that he would stay on a different continent forever. I just don't really feel like running into him.

I also want Jake to come to Whitlows in March. I want to make it a mandate that Dave and Marie don't come, but honestly, I actually don't give a rats ass. I think it's fine and whatever. I just wanted to make sure that my readers knew about this new development.

Ok---I have to work today. I have a bunch of crap I need to take care of and I can tell that the shit is going to hit the fan today with problems. It's always when you want to have a nice relaxing day that everything goes wrong and you end up dealing with REALLY stupid people.

Love,
Lauren

Annie the Tranny and Death

2007-01-25T07:17:00.000-05:00

I have to write about the dinner that Jess and I had on Tuesday night. She really wants me to write about it. I have to warn you though. Nothing was better than being in person. It is restaurant week and Tuesday was the first night that I actually went out to dinner. It was with jess---my restaurant week buddy. We went to this place on the west side called Cite'. Actually you shouldn't go there b/c it's not that great. I'm absolutely glad that we ended up there for the following reason: We witnessed the worst date in the history of the planet. Actually I shouldn't say that b/c I think the girl (and unfortunately the dude) were having a good time. It was really hard to tell though.

The Girl: a skinny asian/korean hooker tranny type. Let me explain. She was really bony and skinny. She had a big face that was covered with makeup and you could tell she had really bad skin under it. She was wearing lots of makeup and it looked horrible. She was not really that good at english. Again: think tranny hooker.

The Boy: Handsome, curlyish brown hair, tall, businessman, nice smile. Unexpectedly strange and a bad story teller. Good date---asks a lot of questions.

Throughout the meal Annie the Tranny (henceforth: AT) was getting more and more intoxicated. She started being more stupid and more annoying and more flirty. It was hoffiric to watch. As Jess tried to describe her---it was if she was an immature as an 8 year old child, as stupid as a retarded woman, and as arrogant as like a model. She was a ridiculous combination of personalities wrapped up into a bad date. Here are some highlights of the date (please try and imagine these quotes by her with a stereotypical Korean accent:

"Oh---my ideal man would be a widow. Because then I wouldn't have to worry about ex-wife. No ex-wife. I also get to keep kids. The kids would be mine!"
"I look just like my mom. we like identical."
"I so skinny. I have 22 inch waist. I no want kids because I don't want to get fat and lose my 22 inch waist!"
" If I have kids I gonna have c-section and then tummy tuck...they same scar...so I can keep 22 inch waist."

That is just scratching the surface. I'm not even including the time she laughed out loud as if it were a huge joke when the boy said he wouldn't take his ex-wife back. Or when the boy told a really bad story and she had some crazy comment after this. Now imagine this with a girl getting more and more drunk. Oh and she ate fois gras, which I'm totally against. WTF?!

Jess, you also have to chime in in case I forgot anything. I'm sure I did. We were eavesdropping for a long long time. We barely even talked to each other! :)

Last night was a different story. I did a whole bunch of errands that I needed to get done and vegged out. I even went to bed relatively early. It was a good day for SimplyLauren.

SAD PART:

Please resist the urge to laugh or make fun of me because what I'm about to write makes me really sad. CT and Dog died last night. Let me explain what happened. After my sister left on Sunday I noticed that the fish started acting weird. CT wasn't swimming as much and Dog resorted to hanging out in the corner all by himself. I called Petco and they told me I was over feeding them. Funny thing about that: I was following the directions on the food container! They said the fish are probably in shock. So I didn't feed them for so long. I went to petco last night and got this salt that is supposed to reduce stress and help the fish and they looked better when I went to bed and then when I woke up they were dead. Apparently you are only supposed to feed them like every other day. I'm really bummed out. I have to say that it's not my fault and that I tried really hard. I am going to purge my tank of death for a week or two. Anyway, that's what happened so don't ask me how my fish as b/c they are dead and I'm sad. :(

SHOUT OUTS:

Jessie: I don't like to write people's last names on this b/c it incriminates them and me. Instead I like to keep in simple. Jess! What's up! Be sure to tell Natalie about this blog. If she writes a comment maybe I'll even give her a shout out. It was really great chatting with you last night. Congrats on Ohio State and your scholarship too. Whoo-hoo! xo

Jake: Thanks for the morning wake up call. I think it's going to end up working out. Jim was so impressed that I was here before him. I told him that I was never going to be late again. I told that to Matt too---but he just rolled his eyes and gave me a hard time. Thanks again. Sorry if I was bitchy or rude. I seriously contemplated going back to bed after I talked to you though but I had to pee so badly that I decided against it.

Ok, time to get started on work. You know---since I get paid and everything. :)

Love,
Lauren

Spelling Bee and Mars Rover

2007-01-23T12:58:00.000-05:00

This weekend was fantastic I think. Stephanie was up and we had a jam packed weekend full of fun and excitement and FREEZING cold weather. Let me give you the run down...

Friday

Pick her up from the airport. It was perfect timing. We took a cab back into the city. It was snowing/sleeting on the tri-boro when we returned.
Relaxed a bit at my apt. She saw my fish we were really hungry.
Walked to the Italian restaurant by mi casa and ate a delicious dinner and drank good wine. I had this shrimp thing and Stephanie had lasagne. I told her about Jake---she was really supportive and excited for me. :)
Went home, put on warmer clothes and then we went for a walk b/c we were so full. We walked down and then back up Madison avenue to look at the boutiques and all the cool stores.
Came back home, crashed

***2am***

SHK: Lauren! Lauren! Come in here! Something's breaking! Help! Oh my god! What is that?

SL: (Running in from room) What? OMG!

SHK: I think it's a mouse. I think it's in the trap. Turn on the light and check.

SL: (turns on light) Yes, there's one in there. Ew. I'll take care of it in the morning.

****

Saturday:

Clean up and throw away dead mouse
Didn't really eat breakfast. Headed downtown to use up Stephanie's gift certificate to Bigelow's in the village. Bought a whole bunch of stuff we didn't need.
Ate breakfast/drank hot chocolate at Starbucks
Was really freezing, trying to find a place where Steph could by a hat/scarf that were warmer
Wandered into Benetton, b/c they were having a sale. Tried on a few things. Bought a suit for $109---talk about a good deal!
Headed uptown to Broadway---we had tickets to "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee". Got there early and filled out this survey about being in the bee. They pick 4 people to participate in the show as spellers
I GOT PICKED! I spelled so many words right. It was fantastic. I was on stage for about 45 minutes! Awesome.
Talked with some of the actors after the show---stephanie and I walked over to the 6 train, hopped on it----grabbed a slice, dropped off stuff at my apt. Headed back downtown.
We had tickets to SNL---Jeremy Piven hosting. Word. It was great. The line was long and obnoxious but once we got there is was hilarious. Amy Poehler is hysterical. Quality!
Came home---pretty much crashed.

Sunday:

Went to H&H while my sister took a shower and got bagels and OJ for breakfast. Ate it.
Walked over to the Natural History Museum through Central Park. It was really cold.
Saw the planetarium show called "Cosmic Collissions". I saw the same one when Alp came to visit in the summer. It was still really awesome.
Then we walked around the museum a bit. Went into the gift shop---Stephanie got some cool stuff for her boys.
Saw the IMAX movie called "Mars Rover". It was possibly the coolest movie i'd ever seen. Yes, I cried. I cried at the part when the scientists are all celebrating b/c Mars Rover (there are two by the way---Spirit and Opportunity) landed on Mars and started taking the first pictures of the planet EVER. It was so emotional. **
Walked to Kate's paperie so that she could get invitations for Bora's bday party this weekend.
Walked back home----stopped at bagel place again to get a sandwich. Ate it.
Relaxed a bit. Took a cab to the airport. Dropped her off. I took a bus home.

Then later on with Jess and Viviana---after a nap----I headed out to Sutton Place to watch the Colts/Pats game. It was quite intense. I want to have sex with Tom Brady. Too bad they lost after a double digit lead! It was so upsetting to me. Oh well----Go Bears!

**feel free to make fun of me about this.**

Stephanie and I also decided that she is going to come up twice a year to hang out with her cool sister (that's me by the way).

Love,

Lauren

Soreness and Fishies

2007-01-19T11:20:00.000-05:00

So I went to gymnastics yesterday and I didn't really experience soreness yesterday, well definitely a little bit but nothing that impared my motion. This morning though, is another story. In the middle of the night I woke up and tried to roll over and absolutly could not. I had no muscles to move whatsoever. They were all in pain and screaming at me to stay in the same place and not roll over. It was a big disaster. When my alarm went off in the morning I didn't get up b/c I couldn't physically not because I was tired.

When I walked outside to grab the bus to work I noticed that it was SNOWING. Yes, snowing. I was very unprepared for this and sort of annoyed. After you graduate high school and snow has no positive effects on your life like it once did, it becomes a burden. In New York, snow is the worst thing ever. Is sticks everywhere and then there is traffic and then the snow plows push the snow onto the sidewalk just to make my life miserable by forcing me to walk in dirty black snow with pee and dirt all mushed into it bearing the souls of the boots of thousands of New Yorkers.

Work today has been alright, with the exception of the few sneezes that I've had that have sent me into unbearable abdominal pain. I also have a hard time laughing or moving any body part.
I have neglected to eat dinner for the past two nights and it is putting my stomach in a weird mood. No lectures about unhealthiness people. I can deal just fine.

Tonight after work my sister is coming up to visit! I'm super excited. Some fun things on our agenda are:

going out to a great italian dinner tonight, drinking wine
going downtown to shop and walk around the village/soho
seeing "The 25th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee" on Broadway
going to SNL, where Jeremy Piven is the host
and going to the plantarium, my favorite museum in all of NYC

So---I'm sorta kinda dating Jake. For those blog readers that know him but didn't know that-- I'm sorry I didn't tell you before. I just didn't want to make it some huge thing. It's very exciting. Things are going really well and I like him a lot. For the 008 girls that don't know about this development---I'm sorry you had to hear this way. I just didn't want to write an email about it. I'd rather tell you in person. But I thought that this bit of information was important to include in my blog since it's a part of my everyday life and that's what this blog is all about. I'll explain everything at our get together (which I'm really excited about by the way). I want to reassure you that he is great, amazing, and we have much different relationship than we had before---in every possible better way. Again, more details to come but you all should be happy for me b/c I'm happy. :) And for those of you that don't know him. You'll meet him one day and you'll like him. :)

The mice have resurfaced in my apartment. I put out traps with peanut butter but the little guys are somehow managing to eat the PB without getting snapped. The traps aren't even going off. I have trued a new tactic, that will hopefully work. We'll see tonight. :) Stephanie is going to be so boosted to come home to a dead mouse in a trap.

Other Items for Attention: I FINALLY purchased fish for my awesome tank. I went and got them this weekend and they are so incredibly cute. I got two goldfish types. Let me tell you a little bit about them.

CT (her name is short for Carrot Top): she is white with an orange afro and kind of fat and short. She's totally cute and I love her.

Dog: Dog is black and white spotted like a Dalmation, which is why his name is Dog. He also has some orange. He's longer and skinnier.

Dog likes to swim next to CT and sniff her butt a lot. I'm not really sure how much she actually likes it, but she is good at tolerating it b/c he is constantly doing it. CT swims really cute like moving her whole body. I love them and I hope they never die.

Ok, I took some advil and hopefully it will kick-in in a bit so I can sneeze without wanting to die.

Back to work!

TGIF!

Love,

Lauren

Karma and Crazy Day

2007-01-12T07:56:00.000-05:00

Thank god today is Friday. This week was the first five day week that I've worked in about a month. At least it's over practically. I just have to get through today.

So you will not believe who I saw on the street yesterday as I was walking to Duane Reade?!

Diana.

W.T.F?!

Am I going to be seeing her non-stop now? Luckily I was on the phone when she walked by so I didn't have to talk to her or anything and I just kept going. *Phew* Crisis Diverted.

I started this entry at about eight am. It is now 3:20 am and I am totally ready to leave for today! What a shit show! Every idiot client that ever walked the earth decided to call today and ask for things and trade and be annoying. Anyway, finally (now the market is closed and it's 5pm) I can take a breath and get ready for Happy Hour. A much needed respite.

Have a fantastic weekend everyone.

Love,
Lauren

Lesbian Question and Accomplishments

2007-01-11T07:24:00.000-05:00

This morning, as I was taking the raisins out of my raisin bran, which I do every morning practically---there was a mega death raisin. It was about the size of a super huge peanut m&m. What a horrible sight to see. Obviously this went into the trash. I hate raisins and the fact that my boss gets me raisin bran every morning just exacerbates the situation. But, as the old adage goes: Beggers can't be choosers.

Since my second mouse catching experience over New Years, I have to say that I've lost my trap-setting touch. Remember how hard it was for me in the beginning? Well---for the past two days I have NOT been able to set the mouse trap under my sink to save my life. It's so frustrating. So much so that I really end up having a temper tantrum of sorts and then give up. I know I have another one b/c when I actually did get it set up, the peanut butter was gone and the trap never went off. Damn this world! I will have to try again tonight maybe but I guarantee that it will result in my finger getting snapped off and screams and cussing.

OK. So I have a problem. There is this girl Diana that I met at one of the Sons of Norway events that I sponsored. She goes to NYU for like art history or something---maybe it's art preservation or something. yeah, I think it's conservation---where you have to know all this chemistry and stuff that I have no interest in learning about. Anyway, she was really nice. She also ended up being from like Rockville and going to Walter Johnson or some random shit like that. She also lived aprx. 1 block from my apt. There were a lot of weird uncommon commonalities and similarities and stuff. She also runs. OK. So we walked home from the bar that night together, exchanged numbers if we ever wanted to hang out or anything. I got a call from her about two weeks after that or so----asking if I wanted to come over and like hang out with her-- and "she's going to open a bottle of wine" or something like that. I played it for James---I know commence laughing---to see if it sounded lesbionic or anything and he said it didn't. But then like a week later I played it for Beth and she was like----"woah, shady." So, I trusted Beth over James. Obviously. So, last night as I was coming home from my lecture on Bernini I thought I saw her running. By the way she totally ran like a duck. So----then like I hear, "Lauren?" And this is our conversation:

SL: Hey, I thought that was you, but I didn't want to say anything in case it wasn't.
Diana: Yeah, how are you?
SL: I know you are running, you can keep running I know how people get about getting their runs inturrupted.
Diana: No, I can talk for a sec
SL: (crap) Sorry I never called you back. December was really busy for me.
Diana: Um, it's ok.
SL: Are you on a break from school?
Diana: Actually, this week we have this huge thing, I should actually be at school right now...
SL: Oh, well...yeah, so it was good seeing you. Take care.
Diana: We should hang out sometime.
SL: Yeah, gimmie a call.
Diana: How about Monday night? I have no school and.....(something I blocked out)
SL: Yeah, maybe I have to see.
Diana: I dunno...I just feel like....entertaining.
SL: Right. Ok, well gimmie a call. Have a good run.
Diana: Bye.

Ok, so many of you may not think that it sounds lesbionic or anything from my written portrayal, but really I get all these weird vibes from her. Do I have a "I like girls vibe" that I'm unaware of? I feel like this thing always happens to me. What should I do? I need your advice. Also, keep in mind that I really don't want to hang out with her on Monday. I have plans with Jess already so it's easy to say I'm busy, b/c it's not even a lie. But---like what if she calls again or something?! I dunno. Rock + Hard place = me in between.

Shifting gears a bit, tonight I have a conference call with the MLW directors. I'm also baking cupcakes for Tessa's bday with Sarah at mi casa afterwards. Should be a good time. I have to remember to clean up the place a bit.

Things I have to do after work:
1. Vacuum living room and bedroom
2. Do dishes
3. Clean off kitchen table
4. File things
5. Pick up prescription
6. Buy a fish/two fish*
7. Pick up contacts
8. Hide all incriminating things in my apt.

*Yes, my fish tank has been sans fish for over a month. I'm going to get some today after work I think.

Last night was an accomplishment for me. I actually put away my clothes and made a real dent in the cleaning of my living room area. Phew...just small details left today. Additionally, I have this metal shelf thing in my kitchen that holds a lot of stuff and it was built wrong. Yes, of course I built it. It was all crooked and it was REALLY starting to annoy me. So I fixed it, but not without problem. There were a few slamming parts down and times where I had to walk away, but it's finally finished and not crooked. YAY for determination!

Ok----I think I've written enough for today.

Have a great Thursday!

Love,
Lauren

Rite Aid and Game Night

2007-01-10T08:37:00.000-05:00

Ah, last night was great. I did several amazing things that I have to tell you all about.

First is that I went to the chiropractor and he fixed my back. If you haven't noticed, I no longer have an enormous crush on my chiro. Instead, we have a very friendly relationship. He cracked my back and neck and I feel better. I want to make sure I'm all stretched out for gymnastics next week. Which can I TELL you how excited I am about that?!

I have some goals for bars by the beginning of the summer of skills I'd like to be able to do without killing myself:
1. back hip circle/clear hip circle
2. front hip circle
3. kip
4. long hang kip
5. really good giant swings---possible layout/back flip dismount
6. long hang pullover

Goals for floor:
1. round off back handspring (prob 2 in a row)
2. front tuck
3. front handspring front tuck
4. round off back whip
5. round off back handspring back tuck
6. aerial

I know that for a lot of you those mean nothing but I just wanted to write down my goals so that I could see them on paper. Get my drift?

After the chiro I headed over to the city parks pool on 54th and 1st. I joined. Listen to this deal: It's $75 for THE ENTIRE YEAR. Dude, that's pretty much what I was paying at effing NYSC PER MONTH. So I'm def quitting the gym, as I mentioned yesterday.

I'm going to go quit the gym after this lecture I'm attending at the MET after work on Bernini. For all of you that don't know who he is, he's a really famous italian baroque artist that worked mainly in Rome. He was an architect, sculptor, and a painter. Pretty much a baroque Michelangelo. He was the bomb and I'm going to hear a talk about him by this guy who is totally WASPy that I've seen talk before, but I like listening to lectures as it reminds me of being in school. I almost forgot about the lecture but luckily I wrote it down on my trusty calendar and if my wrote I mean typed, b/c it's on my computer.

Game night was a blast. I got to LB's chilled and shot the shit a little bit, and then when everyone got there we ordered chinese and then got beer. Let me tell you a little about my getting beer situation with LB. We head out to Rite Aid (you know this is important since it's in the title) to grab some beers. We get in there and walk over to the case. LB and I then proceed to have a five minute disussion about which beer we would choose: Miller Lite, Coors Light, and Bud Light. Out of those Bud light is DEF my favorite, but LB wanted to change things up---and wanted to get Coors Light. We actually decided on Miller lite since there was like a competition to win something on the box. Miller lite is gross, we should have gotten Bud Light. :) As we are walking over to the register it started to wreak ok BO. It was then that LB and I noticed that there were about three people there that were "special" adults.

Characters:
I will refer to them as Helen, Jack, and Martin.
Strange Man in Line will be SML.
Cashier Lady will be CL.

Thanks. This is how the conversation unfolded..

Helen: Hey you know what movie I saw? Brokeback Mountain.
SML: How did you like it?
Helen: It was good.
SML: Would you recommend it?
Helen: Yes, it was good.
SML: Was it a dirty movie?
Helen: No, not that dirty. There aren't dirty party, not really.
Martin: Hey, someone go get me a box of that raisin bran. Helen...go get it.
Helen: Ok.
SL/LB: Laughing
SML: You guys think Brokeback Mountain is funny?
SL: No...*snicker*
SML: You know---you should see "History of Vengeance" it's on HBO on demand. You can watch so many movies for free on demand.
*SL moves to the counter to pay for beer and LB going to ATM machine, leaving SL alone with these freaks*
CL: Please can I see your ID.
SL: Yeah, no prob.
CL: This is not you.
SL: Yeah, it is. Really I swear.
CL: No, it doesn't look anything like you.
SL: I have more ID's with pictures on them. Here look
*SL shows her work ID and this other ID from the rec center with my picture*
CL: I don't understand. This one doesn't look like this one, and this one doesn't look like you at all!
SL: Lady, Obviously these are me. I look EXACTLY like them.
CL: Ok, I guess I believe you.
SL: Get me the hell out of here.

The End.
It's much funnier if I do voices.

I need to stop for today. I'm tired and need to leave work soon.

Love,
Lauren

Working Out and Bludgeoning

2007-01-09T09:57:00.000-05:00

So, trying not to stress out about the lack of postings I'm going to slowly regain my momentum in blogging. Seriously though people, the no postings have really been stressing me out and causing me lack of sleep. Well not really the sleep part but you get my drift.

I'm totally starting a new workout routine. Since I pretty much never go to the gym. And by never I mean never---I was seriously thinking about cancelling my membership. I have a hard time doing this b/c it's like---maybe one day I'll wake up and want to go to the gym but then I can't go b/c I'm not a member anymore. Seeing as this has not yet happened in the past six months, I don't consider it an emminent threat to me cancelling. I was going to quit and then join Asphalt Green, this really nice swimming complex not to far from mi casa. However, the cost of the god forsaken pool ONLY, not even including the gym, is like more than my gym membership. For those of you that are wondering, yes there is a pool at NYSC, but it's not regulation size so i get really dizzy doing so many flip turns and everything. I'm not 100% opposed to the small pool but it would have been nice to swim in a real life olympic sized/at the very least, a 25 yd. pool. *sigh*. I'm keeping my gym membership. Also----I'm starting a new endeavor. if by new I mean rekindled. I'm going to start doing gymnastics again. I'm not going to start with floor b/c we all remember what happened when I tried to move the next day---right, I couldn't. So, instead I'm going to take the aparatus class on Wednesday nights, where I can work on bars. I bought grips and I'm so ready to be jacked. This isn't just another Lauren pipe dream. I'm actually going to stick to this. I forked out 35 bucks for the grips so you better believe I'm going to be using them. Also, I figure that I can take the tumbling class whenever I want if I decide to do so. I think that it will be good. I also know that I can re-learn a lot of the skills that I was doing when I quit gymnastics those 12 years ago. So. very exciting for me.

I told Charlie that he would make the blog this week and I'm not going to let him down on my promise. For a fact though, he doesn't even read this thing. This is a testament to how much I love you anyway Charlie. So---this story is not for the faint hearted. Whatever that means. It's about Charlie assasinating a rat that lived in his house on Capitol Hill. First things first: in my little mind, I've always associated mice for living inside and rats for living outside. This incident clearly shattered my world view of these vermin. Charlie had rats INSIDE. Gross right? Well---he and his housemates decided they needed to do something about it and so they set traps. Rate snap traps are REALLy huge compared to the little mice ones that I use in my apt. Charlie had set it up perpendicular to the cabinets on the floor. So much so that when the trap snapped down, it would clip the side of the cabinet. He obviously didn't realize this until.....

He was upstairs and heard the trap snap. He came downstairs and saw all this blood, and also this rat. The rat was stunned, but he was laying down. Charlie knew that he wasn't dead though. All of a sudden, the rat got up and looked him. Charlie didn't know what to do! He did the first thing he thought of. He went into the closet, grabbed the vacuum attachment that is that metal pole thing and bludgeoned the rat to death. Yes, Charlie murdered a rat in his kitchen. Blood spraying all over and Charlie looks like he just had a blood bath. It's a miracle he didn't contract some infectious disease.*

So---I thought my vermin killing expeditions were exciting. That takes the cake C-Diddy.

SAIL: This program was a success. It was a crazy busy say on Saturday but so many kids came and the schedule worked out really well. I, however was so exhausted after the whole thing was over b/c I had stayed up so late on Friday night getting ready with Ron. Ron, thanks for punching all those buttons for me. They looked great. Yay! SAIL is over.

The WCM was also really productive. Jackie and I got a lot of really good ideas from our staff and I'm very excited about working everything out with her. All the directors have a call on Thursday evening to discuss the summer and the schedule and get everything hammered out. I can't believe that we are starting everything already. So exciting!

Today is going alright. I got a lot of work done this morning and I'm feeling relatively productive, hence the new blogging expedition. I feel likt 2007 is going to be a great year. Don't you?

Tonight is Game Night at 238. We are playing Apples to Apples I think. Game Night is a new tradition coveted by the members of 238 and Lago, Karen, me and Bethy. We order/cook food and drink alcoholic beverages and then play some game. Last week we played pop-culture trivial pursuit and I was horribld at it. Beth, shockingly, was excellent. It's going to be great!

Please leave comments about possible future entries, etc. I'm going to be more a readers blogger from now on. Disregard previous statment. I don't even know what it really means.

Have a fantastic Tuesday!

Love,
Lauren

*the last few sentences are a bit of a hyperbole.

Christmas and End of Year Stuff

2006-12-28T09:03:00.000-05:00

So, I'm going to try and post today. This week has been good so far. I had a fantastic Christmas with my family in Maryland. Literally, one of the best ever. We just relaxed, played (with my nephews of course) and ate a BUNCH. It was a bit insane actually. My mom every two seconds would ask us if we wanted something else to eat. I'm sure I gained a bunch of weight. But, like most other Americans I'm going to try and exercise more in 2007 and eat better.

I'm going to run the NYC marathon in November of this year. I'm very boosted about this. I signed up for my first race for 2007 in February, just a little 4 miler, but I have to seriously start thinking about my training schedule for this thing!

I bought my little nephew Berk a medical kit for Christmas and we played hospital for like hours. It was hilarious. It came with this little cell phone and beeper that he would like clip on his pants and stuff and wait for my "calls". I was the secretary and his brothers rotated being the patients and being sick with different things. We gave my oldest nephew Scott heart surgery with a plastic scalpel. We also played hide and seek outside. I made them all hide in this like ravine that was so sketchy and gross, but Alp couldn't find us so it was perfect.

It was really annoying b/c when we went to put up the Christmas tree, we realized the the white lights that we put on had one string that was burned out. Cem and I went out and bought multi-colored lights. Both Stephanie and I hate multi-colored lights, but we had to suck it up this year. We decorated the tree and basically hung out/played for the rest of the day. It was QUALITY.

Yes, so Christmas was great. :)

I came back to NYC for New Years after the Corporation Meeting and hanging out with Jake for a bit. It was cool to see him again and catch up and all. I made pimpking cookies and we straight chilled. Tessa had a party up here and it was a blast. I did way too many Jello shots and I think I kissed like every boy at midnight. Not like hard core kissing, don't get any ideas, but a friendly peck on the lips for everyone is my motto. My friend Timmy went around to every girl and grabbed our heads and kept saying "lips only, lips only!" Hysterical. I pretty much spent the next day wallowing on the couch at Tessa's place. We managed to rally and head out to a diner and then we came back, cuddled on the couch and watched "Don't Tell Mom the Babysitters Dead". It was fantastic.

2007=good year.

Oh, quick anecdote. I couldn't get a cab down to Tessas that night so I had to get into a town car or whatever. The guy was so weird that was driving. He was giving me my fortune and stuff and telling me all about the upcoming year. He said some really freaky things. Like that I was really lucky and that I would have to choose a man this year. ?? Yeah, that it what I thought too.

Ok. must go!

Cheers and Happy New Year!

Love,
Lauren

Birthday and Xmas

2006-12-22T08:04:00.000-05:00

I know I hate when people lump these together, but I am for today.

Happy 24th Birthday to me! I'm having a good day so far. Partially b/c it's my bday and partially b/c I'm going to see all my friends tonight at my party! If you are going to be in DC tonight and are in/around the area-----call me and we'll hang out! Whooop!

This will be a short post. I'm sorry. I essentially took a holiday from posting. It's been a stressful month on so many levels. I can't wait to recount the tails but it will have to be next week.

Coming up soon:
1. Thanksgiving re-cap (I realize this is disgraceful)
2. Parents weekend
3. Boys
4. 2006 in review list.
5. more simplylauren that you are going to know what to do with---tons of retroactive posts that were started but never finished and also my cynical wit that keeps you coming back for more. :)

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Festivus, and that indian holiday---there is one right?

Happy Holidays everyone!

Love,
Lauren

James and WilliamsSonoma

2006-12-05T09:31:00.000-05:00

James came and visited this weekend.

The Segway is the most asinine invention ever. Can you believe people still actualy ride them in public? When I see people/cops on this. I want to push them off them and hope that they tumble onto the cement.

I am not in a negative mood but I have to say I promise I'll finish my Thanksgiving entry soon. I'm just really busy at work and don't have a lot of down time to write things. Plus I think that the holiday's have sucked the creative and funny juices from my brain, those which normally enable me to write entries.

On Saturday night, I think I could have had a lesbian encounter. There was this girl Diana who is in the Young Vikings, yes, I know this is corny. We exchanged numbers, she also lives in my neighborhood too. Anyway, she called me on Saturday night asking if I wanted to come over and relax b/c she popped open a bottle of wine....yikes. :)

As many of you know, I'm very obsessed with cooking things and household items.

Here is a list of things that even I don't need:

1. horseradish grater: they comment that "grating horseradish can be a tricky task". My thought would be that one should just BUY HORSERADISH ALREADY GRATED

2. Le Creuset cookware: Ok---this stuff is amazing. I def want this at some point, but it's like up the butt expensive. I wish that I could get this though I absolutely don't need it right now.

3. Cephalon Pepper Roaster: I don't like roasted peppers particularly, so I don't think that I would actually want this item.

4. de Buyer V-professionnelle mandoline: this machine chops vegetables in special ways, julienne, thin slicing, and waffle cut (this is actually cool)

5. Snowman Cake Pan: I want this but I definately don't need it.

6. Personal Embossed & Stand: I would be beyond bourgie if I owned such a thing.

This entry blows considering it's taken me practically a week to write it. I'm sorry. The holiday's are really screwing with me.

Love,
Lauren

Sorry...

2006-11-30T16:08:00.000-05:00

I'm pretty busy and haven't had the drive to post in the past few days. So, I apologize for that.
I'll try to post some day this week. I know I'm a loser. There is a Thanksgiving weekend post on back-log. I'm waiting for the most appropriate time to finish up.

Love,
Lauren

Thanksgiving and Family

2006-11-27T11:14:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone. I realized on my way home for Thanksgiving last week that I forgot to wish all of you a nice holiday! So---I hope you all had safe, fun, and food-filled Turkey Days! I had a fantastic weekend in Maryland and would love to share some highlights with you. I think that a four-day weekend is too long to write in paragraph forms so I'm going to be doing bulleted facts and things about each day. Hope that is good enough.

Wednesday Night:

Bus to airport was so crowded, took a cab with three random strangers
By a miracle of God, my plane was on time
Went to Stained Glass Pub with Nick, Jess, Becca, Paul, Jared and Sam.
Drank Tequila and Beer
Sang Karaoke with Paul to a Britney Spears song---tons of crowd support
Saw Eileen Kennedy at the bar. Time has not done her well.
Drunk txt messaged Jared

Thanksgiving Day:

Woke up, made stuffing, helped my mom. Minimal hangover.
The crowds came (Stephanie, Cem, the crazy lovable boys) and the party started.
Maire and Peter also came. :) Good times.
Played with Berk for SO long. Practically all day.
Berk Story: My mom had just carved the Turkey and Berk looks down at his plate full of meat and says, "Where is the Turkey?!" and my mom was like, "It's on your plate!" and then he says, "Na-uh! This is chicken!" and then proceeds to laugh hysterically for 10 minutes.
Was stuffed, more playing with nephews. Alp and I watched this movie and Berk did too. It was cool. It was a wrinkle in Time. Remember that book from like 3rd grade? The book is way superior.
Went to be eventually. Adults played apples to apples later on that night.

Friday after Thanksgiving:

Family trip to the Air and Space Annex---so awesome. Saw all these amazing planes and stuff.
Saw a rocket at the museum
Ate lunch at Jerry's
Hung out with Leah, Biggs and Jay. Biggs told me that I was dark and cynical in a lot of my emails. I had hurt feelings, but everything turned out OK in the end.

Saturday:

I honestly can't remember what I did during the day at all. It is sad my memory is so bad.
I probably took like 40 naps.
Went to Blair Bar Night with Becca and Leah
There were crazy peeps there, like Julia Tate, and Margaret King. Also like a bunch of people who graduated after us that I can't remember right now.
James drove me home

Sunday:

Again, I can't really remember what I did except I flew home.

God bless Turkey Day Weekend!

Love,

Lauren

Weather and Messages

2006-11-21T07:34:00.000-05:00

Man. Today is freezing. I was literally dying on my way to work. I had a hat, scarf, and gloves on---the whole works. I wore a skirt today. I always pick the WORST days to wear skirts. When I wear one---it's either freezing or raining. If you see me wearing a skirt, be sure to bring your umbrella or heavy coat. It's a great predictor of the weather. And yes...I've already thought of "tricking" the weather by pretending to wear a pants, and then at the last minute, switching into a skirt on my way out the door. I'm already ahead of you on that. And no, it doesn't work.

We also have to take a minute to talk about the weather in general, other than in relations to my skirt problem. I was reading this article this morning in New York Magazine and it was all about the weather in New York and how it's going to be in the next five years. Read it HERE. I was pretty much having heart palpitations at my desk about how scary some of the parts were. One part mentions how it could flood so bad in New York, b/c of the weather and something called the AMD and also El Nino---and the way that New York is shaped and the rivers and stuff---would exacerbate everything. The city would be split into two islands, above Canal street and the rest of Upper Manhattan. They said that all public transportation would stop, tunnels and everything would completely be submerged and water levels as high up at 96th street could reach like 18 feet. W. T. F. Anyway, read it. It's depressing and eye-opening at the same time, regardless of whether you believe in global warming or not. (but I have to say if you don't believe in global warming, you are an idiot) I don't mean to be Debbit Downer about it---but it's a very interesting article. :)

All of a sudden my stomach really hurts. I was definately having some digestive problems yesterday after work for some reason. It really sucked. I feel better today. I also went to bed early which was smart since I have felt sleep deprived for the past like---lifetime.

I have a few personal messages to people---that I don't think can really qualify as "shout-outs" per se, but still, I think they need to be addressed:

1. Susannah: I think that we have a one sided relationship. I know that you read this and know everything that's going on with me but like---I don't know what is going on with you at all. I know this is a direct result of our non-existent verbal communication. I just want to let you know that I'm thinking about you and that I hope we can hang out at some point. Also---have a great time in Spain with Izzzzzzz. Tell her I said, "Hola".

2. Becca: I'm happy you are continutally reading this. I'm sorry you are doing dry until finals, but I guess it's something that you feel you have to do in order to do better. That's cool. But there is one thing I won't promise: I will not. I repeat: I will not, do your shot of tequila that Nick buys for us "unexpectedly". I can't wait to hang out with you!

3. Darren: I don't know how often you read this or anything, but it makes me happy when you sometimes write comments out of the blue. Thanks. I love and miss you.

I'm really excited for out Blair get together on Saturday night. I hope a lot of people show up. I think the email is being passed around a fair bit. If you read this and went to Blair around the same time I did----come out to Steve's Bar Room in DC on Saturday night. It is a guaranteed good time.

I wish more exciting things happened to me last night. I talked to Leah on the phone for the first time in like a century. It was great. "Hi Leah!".

Oh---I noticed that a lot of you have been asking me offline about the whole "anal sex" thing from yesterday's entry. Let me just tell you that I'm going to tell you in person and not on the blog. It has nothing to do with me not wanting to write about it but more b/c the conversation between Jess and Magic was long and complicated and I don't feel like writing about it.

Ah---one more day until Thanksgiving vacation.

Love,
Lauren

Friday and Daniel Craig

2006-11-20T07:27:00.000-05:00

I usually try and post on Monday's and hopefully I'll be able to finish up an entry today. I'm in a really good mood and I'm hoping that work isn't too busy so I can write something of substance today about my wonderful weekend. Anyway, Friday night was really really fun. At work Tessa, Sarah and I decided to go clubbing. I was walking home and thought i'd ask Jess if she wanted to come out. I figured that we hadn't been dancing in a while and that she might like it. So we finally touched base. She wanted to come. We were going to this place called "Stereo" around midnight.

I had this lame Sons of Norway thing that I was in charge of at like 8pm at Metro 53. It was pretty cool I guess. I met this really cool girl Diana who goes to NYU Fine Arts for Art Conservation. Anyway, we live right by each other and also both grew up in Maryland. She went to Walter Johnson. Small world huh?

After that, I went home to chill for a bit before the club and then get ready. I headed out the door. I was going to meet Jess at 53rd street so that we could take the E together down to Chelsea/Meatpacking. Tessa, her two roommates and Sarah met us in a cab a bit later when we were already standing in line. We got in with a discount. Of course the drinks were expensive. I decided to get a Long Island Iced tea to maximize my money and get more alcohol in one drink. It was worth it. Then we headed to the back of the club to get our groove on. One random guy noticed us and asked us if we wanted a private table with free drinks all night. Obviously we said "Yes." Then he took us to this back corner where the alcohol was free and flowing like a waterfall. Figuratively, not literally. We danced the night away. It was really really fun. Finally, and got knows what time, we decided to head over to Lotus b/c Linlee knew someone there that could also get us a table and free drinks. We pretty much had the hook up all night. So we get there---pay no cover and skip to the head of the line. Once we get inside we realize instead of Lotus we were actually in a sardine packing plant. It was so crowded. We could barely move. I went to the bathroom and by the time we got out, we were leaving b/c Linlee couldn't find her friend anyway. Jess fell down the stairs and that was pretty funny, but I was drunk at that point and couldn't really fully appreciate the hilarity of it.

So lotus blew and we walked across the street to Gaslight. By the way, Gaslight was the place where 008 went before we had dinner at Pastis when they all came up for SS05 in 06. It was even MORE fun on Friday night (if that's possible). Meatpacking is fun if you go at the right time in my opinion. We get in and start dancing. I didn't even get a drink here. It was like 3am now and all of us were still going strong.

Upon immediately entering the bar these two weird jewish guys started talking to us. One was butt and the other one was too--Tessa was like---ew, stop talking to him. And I did. Anyway, the other one was named "Magic" and Jess apparently gave him her number. He CALLED HER THE NEXT DAY. Honestly, there is a funny story that goes along with this but like---it's way too long and drawn out and I've already written a butt load already. You can ask me or Jess to tell the story how about that? Key word is: Magic and Anal Sex. :) Does that peak your interest?! Ha!

Jess and I left finally and walked to the subway, passing a crowd of drag queens and a bunch of guys working on the new Will Smith movie. I believe I tried to make small talk with them about how they should tell Will Smith I really like him, but I'm still not really sure. We caught the E train b/c Jess won't take a cab until she is sedated and doesn't know she's in one. I just rode it with her all the way to Queens and when I told Tessa she said, "Wow, that's agressive." But really it made the most sense. It was like---stay on one train or----transfer to the 6. Which one do you think I'm going to choose?!

I woke up at noon. I had a headache, but it was the good kind of hangover. Jess was not feeling so well. I just watched Discovery Health in the living room until she woke up. She barfed. She felt better. I left b/c I couldn't wait any longer to go to the diner. She said she felt too sick. Of course there were no trains running into the city from Jess's stop so I had to go farther into Queens and then come back---that took forever. By the way I was wearing jeans, boots, a old hoodie, no bra and my eye makeup looked like a raccoon. It was a disaster. Anyway, I finally got home, showered and chilled for a bit. I made pasta, it was delicious. I did a few errands but mostly I just layed around. I did nothing. I was too tired and still was hungover. I was supposed to go watch the Michigan/Ohio game with Tessa and Friedman at like 4 but I had to bail b/c I was so tired/sicky. It was probably better that way.

Sunday morning I woke up, headed over to Central Park for the "Race to Deliver". It was a 4 mile race. I haven't been running as much as I was before so I was nervous I'd be really out of shape and exhausted while running. I was ok actually. There were a lot of parts that were uphill and that was annoying. I had to use a lot of energy to get through those but I finished. I walked home, and got a bit cold. Then I showered, changed and then headed down to the village to have brunch with Kelsey and Jess. Kelsey and I waited outside of 7A Cafe for a while. We had to put our name in and Jess wasn't there yet (shocking....just kidding Jess I love you) . Finally we got in and sat down. It was so warm and toasty in there compared to the frigid November outside. I had a GREAT brunch. I got steak and eggs, everyone's bacon, yummy toast, and delicious salad. I ate every last bite of it.

Jess and I walked around for a while. Went into the Crate and Barrel to look for some things that i didn't find. Jess ran into a friend of hers from college and we chatted a bit. Then we went over to Kips Bay to buy tickets for "Casino Royale". We got tix and then had to wait for a while since we were early. To buy time we hung out in Borders for a while reading this book called, "would you rather?" It was quite hilarious. Then we waited in line at the theatre so we could get good seats. We sat right in the middle at the perfect level.

I want to have sex over and over with Daniel Craig. He is the sexiest man alive. I really can't handle him. I almost couldn't handle watching the movie b/c I was getting too riled up. I can't even type how hot he is. Is this the way that guys feel about Angeline Jolie? OMG----I would give anything to do him.

Ok---sorry that was rated R.

I should just stop now.
Let's get to work people!

Love,
Lauren

Smell and Vikings

2006-11-17T07:31:00.000-05:00

Yesterday sucked. The entire day was crazy as shit. The best part of the day was BY FAR----when Mike and I got goodburger for lunch. It was delicious. It's a new burger joint that opened right by our office and everyone was excited to try it. I'm glad I did. The meat was fresh and delicious. But...as a disclaimer, anyone who plans on going there anytime soon allot like 30 minutes to go b/c the line is out of control.

Anyway---yesterday I had a mini conference call with Marcy and Mary Alex. The call was about assistant directing and everything. They were totally supportive and awesome about everything. All while giving me honest feedback. Now THAT's what I'm talking about! So, it was great. If you are reading this---thanks guys! (although I know they don't read this)

I swore that I had something interesting to write about today. Let's think hard about it. Well...yesterday when I came home from work I walked in my apartment and it smelled like 100% disgusting trash. I thought that I had forgotten to take the trash out. I was right, but usually when the trash is smelling, it gets REALLY bad when i go and try and close the trash bag and everything. But, it didn't do that so much this time. I sill thought it was the trash though. It turns out that it was the gross dishes in the sink. Oh---and it still smelled this morning b/c I didn't realize that is still smelled in the apt. after I took out the trash. You know...sensory adaptation.

It's going to wreak when I get home from work today. Yikes.

I'm in a really good mood today. Don't really know why. Maybe b/c it's Friday.

Tonight I have this "Young Vikings" happy hour tonight at 8 at Metro 53. If you want to come---please do. I hope people show up. If people aren't there by 8:30. I'm totally bailing. I don't know why in the effing world I volunteered to be the head of these people. Oh wait...I know. It's b/c I can never say no to anything.

Ok---must go.

Love,
Lauren

X-Fish and Thoughts

2006-11-16T07:34:00.000-05:00

**See updated weekend post. There should be a few good stories there.**

I have so much to write about this morning. You all should be really excited. I guess I should go in chronological order as to make sure everything makes sense.

Last night I hung out with Jim. We walked over to Petco and bought my two lovely fish: Juggernaut and Jubilee---my X-Fish. They are so friggin' cute! I named one Juggernaut, and he even has this cute little black "helmet". He is kind of a pig, he ate all of it before Jubilee could. Ah well...I love them. The tank looks so tight with it all lit up and everything.

After that, we ate pizza at the place on 86th and 2nd. And when I say "we ate pizza" I mean that Jim ate it and I just sat there. I wasn't hungry and my tummy was hurting. Then we went to our movie. We were seeing Stranger than Fiction. It was really really good. I suggest that you go and see it. Will Ferrell was really good in it and it was the first time I actually thought that Maggie Gyllenhall was remotely attractive. She was also really good and cute in it. Emma Thompson, was of course brilliant. One annoying thing though was that the movie theatre was FREEZING. I was like shaking in my boots (or shoes) the entire time. I mean, I know it's been warmer recently, but do we really need to keep the theatre at like 45 degrees? I think now. But---go see it. Then Jim walked me home and I told him we'd chat soon. Alas, this brings me to my next point.

In conclusion, I have to write about what's on my mind right now. It's Jim. I have been out with him several times, as you all know and I've spent significant time with him over the phone and things. I have been taking things slow with him b/c I didn't want to rush into things and also b/c I wasn't exactly sure how I felt about him. I had these crush like feelings about him, and I love talking to him and everything, but when push comes to shove. I really don't want to hook up with him. There isn't chemistry between us.

Problem: He likes me. I know it b/c he keeps wanting to hang out with me, blah blah....
I have to some how relay the message to him that I don't want to pursue anything serious or resembling a relationship where we will have to be hooking up. Read: friends. My co-worker Adam at work had the following advice for me. This is a conversation that we were having at work over IM. Names have been protected so that you don't actually know who Adam is. :)

07:45AM Lauren: i'm absolutely not attracted to him romantically. what do i do?
07:45AM Adam: what do you mean not attracted to romantically? isn't that the most important thing?
07:46AM Lauren: well, initially i thought i was.
07:46AM Adam: uh oh
07:46AM Lauren: when we first started hanging out.
07:46AM Adam: it's supposed to work the other way around
07:46AM Lauren: no---listen. i worded it wrong.
07:46AM Adam: ok then
07:46AM Lauren: ok---i like him a lot. but...i don't want to make out with him.
07:46AM Adam: is he not cute?
07:47AM Lauren: he's cute. actually. but----he just doesn't do it for me.
07:47AM Adam: does his personality and charm overwhelm this flaw
07:47AM Lauren: well, i was trying to figure that out....
07:47AM Adam: ha
07:48AM Adam: no point forcing anything, if its not there then its not there
07:48AM Lauren: and like---i've been in situations where i thought the guy was like "cute" before and then i got to know him more and then he got "hotter" but....i don't think this is one of those situations.
07:49AM Adam: well i think then you know what you should do, no point delaying the inevitable
07:49AM Adam: if you can't make out with him how are you going to date him
07:49AM Adam: we're busy people, don't waste your time!
07:49AM Lauren: ok mr. popular. listen...i already know all of this----:)
07:49AM Adam: haha smart ass
07:50AM Adam: then what's the problem
07:50AM Lauren: the whole letting him know about this problem.....is where it gets me.
07:50AM Lauren: what should i say?
07:50AM Lauren: like---"sorry i'm not attracted to you"
07:51AM Adam: just avoid it, i mean i don't know how serious you guys are, but don't hang out with him, kind of slowly eliminate contact
07:51AM Adam: thats what girls do to me
07:51AM Adam: it works
07:52AM Lauren: are you serious? you think that's the best plan? wow.
07:52AM Lauren: i thought you were going to say something like----"just tell him, he'll suck it up"
07:53AM Adam: not the best plan, it just avoids hurting his feelings and saves you from actually having a confrontation

So there you have it people. A boy that is suggesting that I be passive and non-confrontational. I've love your opinion about this. Obviously our conversation kept going but I was getting tired of highlighting the text and changing the color. If you were wondering---Adam is very cute and sits very close to me at work. He is one of the many boys that I have a office crush on. He happens to work in the same group as Matt, THE OC. Anyway----this is all beside the point. Dear readers, what do you suggest?! I this this stuff. I want to mention that Adam also pointed out that if we were sleeping together, which we're not, it would be a lot different. I agree with him though this small stuff keeps me up at night.

Ok---so now that I have written an serious/interesting/awesome post. I expect the same sort of comments.

Tonight I'm going to this gala thing with Bernadette at the Copa Cabana. Should be interesting and fun. And there is free booze and appetizers. *cha-ching!*

Happy Thursday!

Love,
Lauren

Fish and Annoying Eyes

2006-11-15T09:55:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Kimmy!
Hope you have a wonderful day in Germany! I miss you!

Yesterday sucked. I woke up with pink eye and didn't go into work. It really sucked. Can I please reiterate how annoying it is to be so succeptable to that fucking thing? Anyway, I didn't get anything accomplished other than dropping off my clothes at the clearners and going grocery shopping. No, I was actually really happy about the grocery shopping. I finally have food to eat at home. :)

On Monday night when I got home from work, I chilled for a bit. I was going to go running, but of course I didn't b/c it was raining, but really a few weeks ago, the rain would NOT have stopped me. Anyway---I thought it was high time that I set up my fishtank. They say that you are supposed to set it up a few days before you put fish into it b/c that way the tank has stabilized and everything. It looks so awesome. It took a long time to fill it up with water. Way longer than I had anticipated. But now I have the filter running and everything it is looks amazing.

Tonight Jim and I are getting together to buy the fish for my tank and then go see a movie. We are either going to see "The Departed" or "Stranger than Fiction". I think at this point, I'm leaning toward the latter b/c it's not depressing and about death and everything. Ah well. I'm sure he'll be up for it. He's in charge of looking up times and everything. I should really email him now that I think about it. I'll be sure and let you all know how it goes. Just kidding. B/c I really like Jim I don't want to write too much stuff about him on my blog. First, he doesn't know I have a blog. Well, actually I think I mentioned it to him, but he doesn't know the URL or anything.

Poll: should I tell him the URL?

I don't think he'll disapprove or anything, but anyway I was just wondering what you all thought. If anyone still reads this thing.

Ok, must get to work.

Love,
Lauren

Folks and Meatheads

2006-11-13T16:52:00.000-05:00

Sorry it's taken me so long to post this--I'm finally catching up on all the things I wanted to add, etc. :) Thanks for being so understanding.

It wouldn't be a family visit if there were no home-improvement involved right? Good thing we kept up the tradition this weekend! Friday my parents came into town. They even came up to the office. Everyone enjoyed meeting them and it was a cute and fun but thankfully short visit. After we left we walked up Madison Ave. so we could get some exercise as well as window shop. I think it's cool to look at the stores at night on Madison and 5th. It's like pretending I'm rich as if I could actually afford anything in those stores. There were some neat galleries up there as well.

They dropped off their things at my apartment and then shot the shit for a while until we figured out what we were supposed to do for dinner. There is always a big production about where we are going to eat. I didn't do my part and plan out anything, no reservations, nothing. So---I failed there, but one would think that a smart family like us could figure out something as easy as finding a place to eat right? Wrong. I couldn't find my Zagat's and then I was online searching for a place to eat on menu-pages. My dad started to complain about the time and so I was like---we'll just walk around then then we'll find something. I can't really explain to you how bad of an idea that is. Everytime we do this, we walk around until we are so starving and cranky that we end up eating at McDonalds. So, I vowed this wouldn't happen this time. But of course, it did. We walked around for a while and luckily we found a place close to my apt. that was yummy. It was called Annie's. I had the pork tenderloin. YUMMY!!!

Saturday---
We woke up early. Well I did, it's not usual that I wake up at 8am on a Saturday morning with no hangover or am not extremely exhausted. We were slow to get out, my dad took a shower and then while I was in the shower they went out to get bagels at H&H. I informed them that I couldn't go there b/c Manny was always asking me out and stuff and it became a nuissance. I decided that I could only go there sparingly and/or never.

We headed down to Container Store and Home Depot to look for something to hold my fish tank. I'd been literally sitting with an empty fish tank for over a month. It was getting a bit excessive. So----finally we found this thing that would hold everything. :) We dropped it off at my apt. and then we headed over to the Frick to see this Domenico Tiepolo drawings. They were incredible. We all really enjoyed the exhibit. At this point though we were starving and tired. We walked through the park and headed over to Carnegie Deli. My mom had really wanted to go there for lunch. We get there---stand in line and then proceed to order IMMENSE amounts of food. The portions are insane. We were all bursting at the seams after we left. We walked around a little bit and then decided that it would be smart to take the subway downtown so I could show my parents the village and the cuteness that it is. That was good----but then it started to get dark, I had to pee and we also were getting tired. We had walked all the way back to the east side---and took the 6 uptown back to my apt. We were so tired. We were also still stuffed from dinner. We relaxed for a while, walked around some more. Oh right, we went to PetCo to get gravel and plants for my fish tank that I was going to set up. The instructions said that you had to rinse off the gravel in a bucket that is 100% devoted to fish care. Anyway, we couldn't find a bucket. I had decided at that point that I would set the tank up on Monday night.

We then, got into out pjs and watched Harry Potter and drank wine. :) It was a good night.

Sunday---
Pop and I made one last trip to Home Depot to get some wood so that the furniture in my apartment doesn't lean since the floor is so crooked and ghetto. Then we got bagels and walked back home. We also stopped at Bed, Bath and Beyond so that I could buy a spice rack to eliminate clutter on my countertop. Success. While we were gone my mom thought it would be a good idea to clean the floor, and not like swiffer wet-jet the floor, but hard core pine-sol clean the floor. It smelled so lemony fresh. She also cleaned the bathroom floor and scrubbed my stovetop. I honestly, didn't even know that my stove could get that clean. Thanks Mom!!

We headed off to my football game. We were so confident in winning and beating the asshole SEC tailgaters that we were all flustered and everything and we lost. My first taste of defeat. It was horrible. We were very depressed so after I walked my parents halfway to Penn Station so they could catch their bus back and then I drank my sorrows away. Actually my team got pretty wasted. We ended up drinking a TON of beer and did some shots of Yaeger, etc. etc. I also remember eating this thing of herring that made my breath sink so badly for a while---me and Tim ate it. I have no recollection of who ordered it and why. Anyway----we stumbled out of the bar at around 6ish. Michelle and I live close to each other and we somehow were going to get home, although the method was not discussed. Justin was walking with us when Michelle went to the side of the road and started booting all over the place. It smelled and out of fear that I would start booting too---I moved away. It was then when Justin suggested that we come back to his place to rest up for a while before heading home. It was the best idea ever.

It is now that one should remember that I have a date with Jim for dinner at 8pm. It is now 6pm and I am very much passed out on Justin's couch. Michelle is passed out too, but not on the couch. She is riding the porcelin bus. Poor Michelle. I somehow by the grace of god remembered that it would be a good idea to set my alarm. I did for 7:30. I wake up and it's been going off for about 15 minutes. How no one else in the apt. murdered me is beyond me. I stumbled out the door at like 8pm. I txted Jim to tell him I was going to be late.

A few things:
1. I was still wearing my disgusting football clothes from the game.
2. I looked horrible
3. I was humgover/still a little drunk.
4. i was exhausted.

The fact that Jim wants to hang out with me again on Wednesday is a miracle. But it could just mean that I'm a badass.

He walked me to the subway and then we kissed goodnight. :) Then I went home and passed out.

Love,
Lauren

Metro 53 and People

2006-11-10T09:09:00.000-05:00

Last night was super fun. Two of my co-workers were guest bartending at Metro 53, this bar by our office. Jo and I had planned to meet up right after work to walk over together. We were one of the first people in the bar and slowly tons of Lehman people started to trickle in after they were done with everything. Pretty soon the bar was packed. I was trying to make my rounds to say hello to everyone but the bar kept getting more and more filled. I was happy b/c I was drinking Blue Moon---which always reminds me of Wisconsin, b/c I think that's the first time I had it. Julia was sitting on the steps in front of her house in Madison, and was like---try it, it's so good. At that point, I was hooked. So---yeah, Blue Moon=Wisconsin.

At one point, I was walking downstairs to pee, they had an extensive downstairs and it was taking me a while to find where the hell I was supposed to pee. Anyway---

**side bar: I HATE when you go to a bar/club whatever and there is some random woman in the girls bathroom that has confiscated the soap and towels only so she can then pump soap into your hand and give you a paper towel for a buck. WHAT THE FUCK? I can't get my own soap and paper towel? How is this legal? It's so unfair. I never pay those bitches. I don't care if they are trying to make a living, it's not an honest living in my opinion. Find something that is a REAL JOB. I also hate how they try and sell you gum and mouthwash and everything. I'm sure that shit is poisoned.

On my way down the stairs I look over and see KATIE!!! She is randomly there with Karen. I mean, granted, she lives RIGHT by the bar and has every right to be there, but it still was random. Of all the days to be at the same bar as me. At this point, my brain was on overload with people that I knew in one place. I pretty much couldn't handle it. Then I guess Katie called Lindsay and she showed up too! It was super awesome.

Tessa finally got off work and came to hang out. We were shooting the shit, Berny too. Good times. Robbie was in the mix also. I finally decided it was time for me to leave, b/c I was drunk and it was getting late. I hopped in a cab home and passed out. *sigh* what a night!

Love,
Lauren

Jesus Camp and Sea

2006-11-07T08:20:00.000-05:00

There is this one girl in my office that always wears really really low cut shirts and she has really big boobs. It's annoying. She's not even pretty. The funny/ironic thing is that she is Ukrainian!!! Anyway, I told her I'd been there before and she got all excited about it. But that was really the end of our commonalities. She desperately needs a haircut and a dye job----also just a major purge of split ends.

Last night was really awesome. I ran home, picked up my cleaning and laundry all nice and folded and washed and then I changed, talked to Jaxx on the phone for a while and headed down to the Village for dinner and movie with Jess. I really hadn't seen her for a while so it was going to be great to catch up with her. Now that she's in nursing school our hangout time has severely diminished. It sucks. I still love you Jess and I had a great time hanging out with you!!!!!

So----first we planned to go see the movie "Jesus Camp"----and independent movie. Pretty much is was one of the scariest movies I've ever seen. It was a documentary about this like evangelical (read: jesus freaks) summer camp for kids. It was all about those people that believe in getting "saved" and also about hell and stuff. The most frightening part of it was the fact that the kids were so into it. Like what are these kids going to grow up and think? It is depressing that they are so brainwashed about the ideas of salvation and how to live their lives. They don't have fun like normal kids, b/c everything is like sinning. It was horrifying. You should see it though, it's playing in some independent theatres. Check it out! But be prepared to get all riled up with every word the kids say! :)

After which, we walked around the village a bit to find a place to chow down. At this point I was hungry, but I had already reached my hump of starvation. We finally found this cute tucked away place called "Sea". It was like Thai fusion or something. It was DELICIOUS!!! I had this coconut encrusted salmon with beans in this delicious thai sauce. Jessica had chicken with veggies that was thai tasting. Yum-o-rific. We were stuffed and we walked back to the subway---finally ended up at home. What a fun night!

Love,
Lauren

Borat and Marathon

2006-11-06T10:15:00.000-05:00

Yes I say Borat on Saturday with Annabelle and Jessica. It was hilarious---run...do NOT walk to the theatre to see it. After which, we headed back to my apartment and shot the shit for a while. I knew that I wanted to hang out with Jim that night so I didn't want to committ to anything serious with them. So, we walked down to Mary Ann's to eat some mexican food. It was so yummy. I was pretty much stuffed b/c earlier that day I had scarfed down some Chinese. I was set for a while after that. I came home and cleaned my apt. a bit more with intents of getting organized for the coming week. Clearly that stopped when Jim called and asked if I wanted to head up to the Big Easy for a bit, him and some of his buddies were up there. So, I took the hike and had a really great time. I met a lot of his friends and they were all really cool----you know what they say, looking at someone's friends says a lot. :) Then, he walked me home and we planned to meet up again on Wednesday. I like him. I hope things work out.

Marathon:
First and foremost, I'm 100% running in the marathon next year. I'm going to raise money for charity, etc. No matter what I have to do, I'm going to run. I can't wait. It was really awesome to see everyone on Sunday. I went over to Karen's apt. in the morning for some mimosa's and bagels. She even made blueberry muffins. Don't worry Karen, I won't tell anyone that they were they "just add water" kind. :) It was great. Her apt. is right on first ave practically so we could just look out the window and see everyone running by. We saw the woman winner and the pack of men as well. When I went downstairs to meet up with Laura, I passed Lance Armstrong running with his entourage. I couldn't even MEET Laura b/c there were so many people in the way and there was no human place for me to enter. So, I went back to Karen's apt. and chilled there, watched more people run by and drank more mimosas. :)

PureMeathead Posse Game Re-Cap:
So--yes, we won and beat the SEC Tailgaters. I HATE HATE HATE them! Let me just say that we started down 9-0 b/c we didn't have a ref for the 2pm game, cause we are retarded. Then---we were losing pretty much the entire first half. We were playing a man down too by the way---and then we started to come back. We had SICK defense and they only scored once against us. There was this old dude that was marking my friend Tessa like up her butt and he was an a$$. He was the most jerkoff of anyone on the team. Oh, they were TOTALLY maroon by the way. Then, we had this crazy interception and a breakaway downfield. We scored two times and then missed the extra points once. I think then it was 18-16 us. It was then like-----30 seconds left in the game. Our QB lobbed a nice one right into the end zone and was scored an extra f*** you touchdown.

BUT-----they complained b/c we crushed them and they said they didn't think we had roster players on our team. We had one dude that wasn't on our roster. So---we are going to have to forfeit. But in my mind we crushed them, we TOTALLY did. But in Zog's eyes, we are now 6-1,and so are they, but b/c they "beat" us, they are in first place and we are in second, which really doesn't matter b/c we are going to CRUSH them in the playoffs. It's funny b/c they think that we had like extra ringers on the team not on the roster, but they are going to kiss the title goodbye when they see our actual rostered team. We have some SICK players. we'll win. :)

But they blew. I hated them as a team. Especially that old guy.

Happy Monday!
Love,
Lauren

Recovery and Fame

2006-11-03T07:38:00.000-05:00

Hi. I hope this blog message finds you well. I am so tired this morning. I got home late from my hot date and I want to crawl back into bed and stay under the covers all afternoon. I didn't even take a shower this morning, partly b/c I had taken one last night before the date and partly b/c I wanted as much sleep as possible. I'm even wearing glasses today too. Uhhhhhhhh...

TO answer a few questions people keep asking me:
The date was great. Jim is great and I really like him. I realize this may not be the detail that you hoped for in today's blog but I had a fab time with him. We are going out on Saturday night.

I'm just too tired to write a good entry. I'm so sorry.

Again, I'm famous---got printed in the Washington Post. Yep it's true!
------------------------------------------------
Dear Amy:

In response to people who have written in concerned about unhealthy snacks that are being offered after kids' games, I used to play soccer, and after games one mom or dad was in charge of bringing oranges and another was in charge of bringing pretzels or goldfish crackers.
These snacks were a hit. I know that my teammates and I always liked a little something after the game, and this combination offered just enough sugar and salt to satisfy us.

Lauren in NYC

I respond to those magical cheesy goldfish the way Homer Simpson responds to doughnuts: Yummmm. Goldfish. Oranges and pretzels or goldfish sound like a great postgame combination.

-----------------------------------

TGIF everyone!

Love,
Lauren

Uneventful Post

2006-11-02T08:18:00.000-05:00

I have to say that last night was truly uneventful. I was going to go home and then run but instead I came home, unpacked a little and then I got a mani/pedi. Went home, made zatarans beans and rice and watched Old School. Jim called me and we talked for a little bit. Then I went to bed.

Again, trying not to jinx this whole thing. I really like him.

Tonight is the night. Can't wait. Hopefully tomorrow's post will be very informative and positive!!

Wish me luck.

Love, Lauren

Phone Call and Apartment

2006-11-01T07:29:00.000-05:00

This morning is glorious. I have to say. It's beautiful outside and I wore a skirt. I wasn't sure how great yesterday was going to be but it ended about 800 times better than it started. Let me explain why. First work was alright. I was eagerly pigging out on candy and having a fine day!
The only remotely annoying thing is that rent is due this week. And honestly that's not even really annoying b/c rent is due every month and it's not like I'm getting charged any different than usual.

I was finishing up my Norwegian homework toward the end of the day. I had some translations to do as well as some exercises. I was on a roll. I went over to 238 to change my clothes. It was hot outside. Not like the usual fall weather. It was such a great change. I also popped a frozen pizza in the over and then ate it on my way over to the Seaman's church. Class was starting earlier b/c Anita, my teacher had to go to a Halloween party. She was dressed as Henrik Ibsen. She looked cute. :) After class I headed back to 238, talked with Katie for a while. Mostly we talked about boys. I really hope her guy calls her. If he doesn't, I'm going to get Jim to beat his ass. Wait now we have to talk about Jim. But honestly, I don't really want to talk about him too much, just for a little bit.

All I'm going to say is that last night Jim called me at aprox. 9:15pm. We hung up the phone at 11:45ish. Yep. He's great. He's really great. Ok, well I don't want to jinx anything b/c I really like him. I am just going to chill and lay low for a while until at least our date tomorrow. Will probably (definately) do a little run down tomorrow afterwards.

My apartment no longer smelled like disgusting chemicals last night after class. I unpacked my room and bathroom and a lot of my living room and closet. The big bookshelf in my living room was just too much of a feat for me. As was the dishes that I have to wash b/c they are all covered in gross chemicals. That might take me a few days. I also want to spend some time and go through my things and giving things away and thowing things away. It's high time I do that. Especially for this junk drawer thing I have that is full of complete crap.

In other news, we got our championship softball mugs yesterday. They look tight! I put it right on my desk with the Brother Jimmy's gator sticking out of it. My halloween ghost basket, which I named Milton, is also representing on my desk today---full of candy.

Ok---nothing exciting happening at the moment. I'm gonna go.

Cheers & Love,
Lauren

Fumigation and Halloween

2006-10-31T08:54:00.000-05:00

Happy Halloween everyone! Boo!

My co-workers say that I have to slow down and that I over committ to things. This is 100% true. I wear myself down and then I get sick. Blah blah...well I'm going to try and not do that anymore. It's a new years resolution even though it's only almost November. We'll see---it's supposed to be healthier. I'm working on it. Any suggestions?

After work yesterday I went back over to 238 and changed my clothes. Then I headed uptown to Bed Bath and Beyond to pick up some stuff, including but not limited to a new mattress pad and a new pillow. It's funny that I just wrote "new" in front of those things. Obviously they are new since I'm buying them at BedBath. Anyway, then I continued uptown and went home to drop off the things at my apartment.

For all of you that forgot---my apartment was fumigated yesterday morning. Supposedly it was safe to go back in the apartment that evening. Oh god, I'm getting a headache just thinking about my place right now. I walked in and noticed that my apartment smelled HORRIBLE. Like pure chemicals. Chemicals that were designed to kill---bedbugs, but it felt like I was going to die of asphyxiation. Man---I got out of there as fast an humanly possible. God bless anyone who tried to sleep there last night. I went back to 238 and then LB and I decided that we were going to Kates. Major problem: Devin wasn't working. Devin is my hot fake boyfriend bartender. It was this new bartender LB and I had never seen before----subsequently, her name was Lauren. She was cute...obviously though b/c everyone named Lauren is cute. Got some wings and fries to chow down on and some Bud lights. It was excellent. We were stuffing our faces. We sort of felt like alkies being at the bar on Monday night. Oh well.

I spent the rest of the night watching CSI Miami and talking to Ron about MLW. Which was a bit of a disaster. Anyway---I'm not going to write about that on my blog. There are some things that need to be kept private believe it or not.

Woke up on the downstairs couch before my alarm went off. The new sunlight in the morning threw me off and I thought I was late for work. I was actually early and then got to sleep a bit more even though I wasn't particularly tired at that point.

Tonight is Norwegian class and then going back to my hopefully not smelly apartment to clean things up a bit. We'll see.

Trick or Treat!

Love,
Lauren

Beckham and Craziness

2006-10-30T07:30:00.000-05:00

I couldn't really think of a good title for today's entry. It's going to be a crazy one. I must say. I also have to finish the entry that I started on Friday. It will contain lots of other fun things that happened to me on Thursday night. Ok, back to this weekend.

Friday night was the Halloween/Bday for Jackie Party at 238. I'd been looking forward to it all week but like I was really tired on Friday at work and all I could really think about was going home to take a nap before hand. I was also really semi-freaking out about not having a costume. I had been emailing back and forth all day with my friends about what the hell I could be. I finally settled on being a cop because Karen had some cop gear. So I threw it on and like---wore a button down shirt, blud jeans, and some Tims. It was perfect. I also had this kick ass "Special Forces" hat. Anyway---it was a great (free) costume. I am glad that I didn't end up being something lame or cliche, and that I was actually something legit. There were a ton of people at the party. So anyway, there was this really cute/hot guy there---dressed as Beckham (hence the title). His real name isn't Beckham however, it's Jim. I like Jim. He's totally cute. And he's funny and sarcastic and nice---he's like a nice guy with an edge. I love that! So---we were flirting the entire night and totally hanging out. :) Anyway---we exchanged numbers and we talked yesterday! We are going out on Thursday. I know he doesn't read this but I am REALLY REALLY excited. He was flipping great and I hope that we continue to hit it off. Whoo-hoo! Of COURSE I'll keep you updated.

Got home SO late on Friday. Slept in on Saturday and then headed up to my football game around 12:30. It was really nice outside and it was strange b/c they said it was supposed to rain all day. I hopped on the subway and then got out at 145th and Lennox (read: the hood). It was TORRENTIALLY raining. Of course I didn't have an umbrella and I was totally soaked. Tim, et al. finally showed up. Tim had practically recruited his entire family to play for us since all of the guys on our team are flakes. The most annoying thing was that right as it started to stop raining, we realized that the team we were supposed to be playing against, didn't show up. No call, no nothing. We tried to go play in a pick up game in Central Park but because they fields were so wet, CP had closed them. We went to Brother Jimmy's instead. Fun times. Bernadette came too. :)

Oh---must talk more about the party----you know how girls go to the bathroom together? Well, I was in the bathroom with Lago, we were shooting the shit. Then all of a sudden Lago says, "Shit". Then she reaches down into the toliet and pulls out her cell phone that she just PISSED ON. It took all my strength to not laugh. She washes it off with water and then tries to use the hairdryer to dry it off. It totally didn't turn on. She got really sad about it and then started to complaing how it was a new phone, etc. etc. I still thought it was hilarious (sorry Lago). Anyway---thought that was an important tid bit not to leave out.

I babysat for my co-workers nephew after BJ's down in Tribeca. Their apartment is INCREDIBLE. Like, the New York apartments that you dream about living in but in no way can afford. Anyway---babysitting fine. The kid was cute :) So anyway. They put me in a cab home afterwards but there was a lot of traffic all over the city b/c it was Halloween and lots of people were out and about. It took an extra long time to get home. I started to feel sick like around 70th and Amsterdam. It was totally obnoxious. At first I thought I was getting car sick cause sometimes I do in long awful cab rides, but soon I started to realize that I felt like I was going to boot all over the place. So I get home, throw down my stuff and run to the bathroom. I then proceed to throw up like my entire lunch from Brother Jimmy's----pulled pork sandwich and all. It was so nasty and disgusting. I finally was done and then drank some coke and brushed my teeth. I was in bed around 1.

I was supposed to run in the Poland Spring Marathon Kickoff 5 mile run the following morning. Emphasis on the word "supposed" to. I still felt like CRAp when I woke up and there was no way that I could actually run 5 miles in the morning. So---I stayed in bed to recover. It was so annoying, especially since I'd spent a really long time training for the race and everything. I woke up eventually and then began my day long apartment cleaning and organizing and preparation for the exterminator for my fucking bed bugs. That my friends, was a nightmare. Pretty much I packed up my entire apartment. Imagine moving---but then not moving and just keeping everything in the middle of you apartment. It was disatrous. Finally I finished and headed down to 238. It was chill and fun and I got to talk to Molly more about Jim which was great.
--------
My boss should seriously be on TV. This morning I have this weird red flush on my cheeks. Like, it looks like an allergic reaction or something even though I did nothing different this morning. Anyway---here is our conversation just now.

SL: What do you think is wrong with my face?
Jim: You are having an allergic reaction. You probably are allergic to something.
SL: Well, i didn't eat anything weird or do anything different to my face. It's strange.
Fran (other co-worker): You probably have measles.
SL: I don't. I have an innoculation for that. *grimacing*
Jim: No, it's not measels, she is allergic to something. What's that stuff you need....oh yeah. Benadryl.
SL: They have the non-drowsy kind right?
Jim: Yeah. Maybe you got bitten by something. My face gets like that when I get bit by hornets.
SL: !?!?!?

Have a great day everyone!

Love,
Lauren

Compliance and Softball Party

2006-10-27T06:27:00.000-05:00

My crush on Justin at work has not yet subsided. In fact, it grows stronger everytime I hang out with him. He is so adorable and nice and cute and really---great in every way. He works really hard and he's really smart and he's traveled all over the world cause he's an army brat or something. His dad was the pilot for President Reagan, or something. Anyway---I like him and I have a HUGE crush on him but----he's a player. It's cool. I think we'd be better as just friends anyway.

I've decided that this lady I work with is a complete Freak. I mean, I always knew that she was a total loon, but like just the more and more I learn about her the more it makes me realize that face in its entireity.

Last night was the Annual Compliance Meeting. We had to trek all the way over to the other building for it. It was actually not that bad. As a "new twist" by having this interview section at the end. Basically they interviewed this guy that has been with the firm for 40 years. He is also hilarious. It was a great and I think it was the best meeting I'd ever been to at work.

Afterwards the championship softball team headed downtown to SouthWestNY for this like banquet and trophy presentation. The New Jersey championship team ws also there. It was nice. Free booze and free food for a few hours. Good times. Timmy, Tessa, Berny, and Justin and I were mostly hanging out. I was tired around 9:30 honestly and shared a cab home with Motto. I think I went to bed shortly thereafter.

This post sucks. Sorry.

Love,
Lauren

Bed Bugs and Shampoo

2006-10-25T06:37:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Courtney! You are the bomb!

There is a guy at my office that I don't really know but he sits near me. He must have gotten really messed up this past weekend b/c he has this like huge bandage on his forehead. On Monday it looked like he got stiches from something. Now he looks like cyclops b/c of the imposing bandage right in the center of his forehead.

Work is going to be stressful today, I really can already tell. Bad sign. Bad sign. Actually not so bad as of yet. I'm about to walk into a lunch meeting. It won't be bad.

So here comes the bad news of the day. So---yesterday after I came home from Norwegian class I have a note in my door about a serious extermination my entire building is going to have on Monday the 30th. Two apts. on the top floor have bed bugs. I know---all of you are relulsed. YOu have to know that I don't have any but if they go untreated---i surely will get them. I go to bed every night fearful of getting attacked by the little guys. How annoying. I also want you to know that bedbugs are rampant in NYC right now. If you've been keeping up with the New York Times you will know that there have been several long and serious articles about them and how they in no way reflect the cleanliness of the apartment of anything. They are just everything right now. So----the exterminator gave us a list of everything we have to do to get ready for them next week. Read on....are you kidding me?!

Recommendations:
1. Tenants must vacate their unit for a period not less than four hours.
(this means i'm sleeping at Lindsay's on Sunday night and also probably on Monday night b/c I don't want to die from the fumes leftover from the fumigation)
2. Clothing must be laundered and/or dry clearned befor our arrival.
(what? does this mean only the dirty things? or everything. I'm not rich you know?!)
3. Carpeting and/or throw rugs must be vacuumed prior to our arrival and the vacuum bag disposed of immediately.
(Fine. That's actually the easist thing on the list)
4. Pull furniture (couches, sofas, dressers) away from wall perimeter at least three feet.
(What? This blows. I can't do that. It's going to take me forever.)
5. Empty dresser drawers, closets, and cabinets completely.
(Are you kidding? Where the eff am I going to put all of it once I empty it from everything?)
6. Pack personal items in a box or storage container and place in the center of the room.
(I don't think these people understand that once I move the furniture out and put things in the center of the room---there is oging to be NO room. How is the exterminator going to move around? Clearly this is impossible. And what exactly do they mean by personal items: everything i own? Yikes)
7. Separate mattress and box spring from frame.
(This is also relatively easy but still annoying.)

Nothing else is really new with me. Norwegian class was fun.

Oh actually something is pretty exciting right now. I went to Duane Reade and got new shampoo and now my hair smells amazing. I used Dove shampoo and conditioner and am taking like HUGE wiffs of my hair every five seconds. It's so great.

Ok---I'm actually personally getting bored with this entry. Comments please!

Love,
Lauren

Cold and Diversity

2006-10-24T08:07:00.000-05:00

Good morning everyone!

I have a few exciting things to say. The first is that I'm a badass. I just wanted you all to know that. Mostly I'm saying that b/c I'm proud of myself. I've been running a TON---which leads me to the point in explaining the "Cold" part of the title. Last night was the first time where I was kind of cold when I was running. Luckily I only was chilly for the first mile or so. Then I started to warm up and being cold wasn't an issue any longer. I'm running in the 5M Poland Spring Marathon Kickoff on Sunday and I'm trying to get good mileage in after work and (eeek!) in the mornings. Supposedly I'm running in the morning with my friend Laura from work who runs in bunches of marathons. I think it'll be around 5miles tomorrow but who knows. (read: who knows if I'll be able to wake up)

I seriously need to get some winter running gear. Courtney and Kerri said that they would both help me figure out what the hell I needed to buy. I want to be able to run outside for as long as possible in the winter time. I hate treadmills, and I especially hate them when I'm trying to run long distances. I get so bored, even with an iPod and TV. It's just not the same as looking at the ground or the trees and the park outside. Get my drift? Plus, training for races on a treadmill is really not practical since all of the races are outside on real ground and paths, not on a moving belt in a disgusting gym.

Yesterday after work----well right after the market closed, I had to hustle over to our other building in Times Square. And as most of you know already---I HATE Times Square. Anyway, I had a meeting: Diversity Awareness Training. Or something like that. It was actually not bad, but when push comes to shove----I am probably the least likely person to be a candidate for needing Diversity training. I mean, between me growing up in SSMD, going to Blair, TEACHING Diversity at MLW and like----just my general love of HipHop....I am diversity qualified.

I didn't really eat dinner, it's a bad habit I've developed since running extensively after work. Sometimes I make eggs...but like---last night I had a few bites of the pumpking bread that I made for the girls last week.

My chapstick fell into the bathtub as I was putting in my contacts this morning. I hope it doesn't roll down the drain. I didn't feel like reaching in and getting it out.

Oh---I almost FORGOT to tell you something??!?!?!!?

ADRIAN Myspaced me! It's so random. He even told me he reads my blog sometimes. Which I think is awesome. :) Anyway---i was excited. Yeah, Adrian if you are reading this I was excited that you messaged me. :) Hope we can hang out soon!

Ok, work calls!

Love,
Lauren

J Stew and Policy Board

2006-10-23T06:55:00.000-05:00

First I want to extend my congratulations to all those appointed positions yesterday at the (very long) Policy Board meeting. Annabelle and Jackie especially b/c they are my GIRLS and are going to rule school in their new positions. Yay! I am in the process of applying to assistant direct SEL, we'll see what happens. I'm excited at the prospect and if I end up working with Jackie---it would be absolutely amazing. :)

Congratulations to Beth who did AMAZING on her LSAT!!! Harvard Law here she comes! Just kidding, I don't think she wants to go there.

It sort of reminds me that I should think about the GRE class that I want to take in the spring so I can get the test out of the way and focus on MLW in the summer and then the actual applications/essays in the fall. Why does time fly. I remember when I thought about starting grad school in 2008 it was like AGES away, but now it seems right around the corner. Funny how that works.

This weekend J Stew came to visit me! It was super fun. She reminded me of all the new slang/Blake words that I have to catch up on in order to keep my Silver Spring street cred. Friday night we went to chinese and it was amazing. Then we rented Kicking and Screaming and watched it with popcorn. It was hilarious. If you haven't seen the movie---then you should walk to the video store and rent it right now or put it in your Netflix queue. Another Will Ferrell favorite.

Saturday morning we woke up relatively early---for me at least, and went to the diner for breakfast. It was so delicious. We got a seat by the window so that we could people watch. Jess is obsessed about how "trendy" people are in NYC, compared to Silver Spring, or DC. I kept telling her it was nothing, but she was pretty insistent. Ah well...then we went home, watched part of "Stick it" because I told her that she would become obsessed with it like me and I was right. We watched the first half and then we took the subway down to Soho to do a little bit of shopping and walking.

Things I bought:
1. cute black pin stripe wool pants from H&M for like $20. Word.
2. cute brown and pink vest from Old Navy
2. HOT new shoes that match my pink and brown vest.

Things Jess bought:
1. cute headband from a street vendor
2. earrings to match her oh-so-cute homecoming dress

Then after all that shopping, we were starting to get hungry for lunch. We were walking more uptown and it wasn't that great of an idea b/c it was getting too businessy and there were less and less cute places to eat. We ate some sandwiches at Lenny's finally b/c we were both about to die of starvation. (exaggeration much?!) Then we WALKED ALL THE WAY FROM UNION SQUARE TO MY HOUSE. For those of you that know where I live---it's not a short jaunt. It was a good long walk. We even took a detour through the park, b/c we were actually more on the west side than Union Square actually is.

We rested. Then we watched the rest of Stick It. And for those of you that care, Jess LOVED it! Then we got pedicures and ate our leftover chinese and watched Harry Potter! Holla'! WE both passed out and woke up early only to pretty much guarantee us missing the train. Good thing I thought to take a cab at the last minute. :)

MLW MEETING:
Long. Brutal. Though very productive. It was really great though b/c we are heading back to Washington College in Chestertown. It's really exciting in my opinion. Dirctors got appointed and all that jazz. :) I ran home and inhaled a pizza my mom made for me, chatted with the rents for a bit and then it was off to NY again. I'm not as tired as I should be this morning.

Running tonight after this crazy meeting I have over at my company's other building. I REALLY don't want to go, but I have to. Then, I may or may not make dinner and then go to bed early.

I gotta run.

Love,
Lauren

Online Banking and PAR-TAY

2006-10-20T07:38:00.000-05:00

I was in a FINE mood when I woke up and got here and now I'm in the most pissed off one EVER. Let me explain why. So I got paid this morning. I have direct deposit and everything so it went right into my checking acct. Then what happens is that I go in and move some money into my savings account so I make sure I have money for rent at the end of the month. Something weird happened I guess I pressed the transfer funds button twice or something but like three transfers happened and the way the online system worked was like....there wasn't enough money in checking to transfer that much into savings and so like the accounts (like my inner accounts) kept like overdraft protecting each other until i had no money. Right now if I look at "My Accounts" on the page it says zero. The money I transfered (or didn't mean to transfer on the fucking system that duplicated my fucking transfers) is like sitting in purgatory until tomorrow. I'm 180% annoyed by this. WTF Chase? So, all the money will be in my savings by tomorrow. Which is fine and I'm not losing money or anything but like I wanted money for tonight and now I have to use my credit card and I didn't want to use my credit card for tonights activities with Jess. I'm just SO annoyed. I know that I shouldn't be freaking out that much, but it's the biggest pain in my ass. Like are you kidding me? The accounts can't tell that the tranfers are like inter-account?! And the thing is that they wouldn't let me reverse any of them! The lady on the support line had to. It is the most asinine thing I've ever heard of. Like thousands of dollars just poof! In money limbo until tomorrow or some shit. The ONLY thing I'm worried about is that like----what if a check clears today or something---there is no money so like wtf is going to happen? This is so obnoxious. I can't even tell you. How come shit like this ALWAYS happens to me? I never hear about people having this sorts of fucking up issues with like online banking. I hate today.

I have to try and stop thinking about the whole thing or it's going to ruin everything about everything. Ok, I'm already feeling better. Bounce back Lauren.
---------------------------
I guess we should talk about the dinner part last night. It was great! I left work a little bit early to scramble and get ready for everything. The menu included:

Pomegranate Champagne Chillers
Bruschetta with Homemade Artichoke Dip or Tomato Topping
Mixed Green Salad with Cucumbers and Grape Tomatos with Fresh Parmesan
Pumpkin Ravioli with Sage Hazelnut Butter
Homemade Halloween Sugar Cookies
Mulled Apple Cider

Delicious! All so good and really all the recipes were relatively easy to make, esp. the ravs depite their complex name. :)

We had a great time pigging out and talking. Thanks for coming ladies!

Jess comes tonight! Whoooooop!

TGIF!
Love,
Lauren

Bonus Lists: -guys thanks for letting my plagerize***--start from the bottom and move upwards. cause Jose started it***

Jaxx's LIST
Things I hate:
*Waking up early Friday morning because you didn't stay out late Thursday night even though you had Friday off (loser).
*Cat barf
*Rain and dreariness on your day off - WTF Mother Nature...

Things I love:
*Dunkin Donuts coffeee ("the world runs on dunkin")
*Not working a five-day week in the last month
*Halloween swiftly approaching - (yo voy a ser una pirata!!)
*K Street Lounge (even though my lame SAT-proctoring-ass didn't go last week...)

Charlie's LIST
Things I hate:
* bitch ass non driving-in-the rain mo'fo's who cause accidents and delay my timely arrival to work
* wakin up Friday morning after staying out late Thursday night (word up)
* being invited to a "Biggie/Tupac" party where they don't play any Biggie or Tupac songs
* Black Tom Cassidy

Things I love:
* Jamaican Colors
* A fully employed IC* crew
* K Street Lounge
* Lauren/Jose lists
* IC* hang out sessions
* Ketchup

SimplyLauren's LIST
Things I Hate:
- Wakin up friday morning after staying out late Thursday night (word to that Jose)
- when you are so tired/overworked that you feel like MLW
- when you realize how much your weekend is going to consist of zero rest.
- when homeless people get on the subway and start talking like that crack magazine seller in OfficeSpace and are like, "Good morning. I'm sorry to disturb you. I am homeless and I just am looking for some food and a place to sleep. Any money will help me. Even if it's just a penny. Please help me out. God bless all of you." and then proceeds to shake a cup in the crowded subway.
- raining and cold weather like now

Things I love:
- thinking about Jose driving with a trashbag over his windown like a hooptie.
- the outfit I have on today
- the IC*
- that it's Friday
- the cookies I baked last night

JOSE's LIST
Today, I hate...
- People who dont know how to use the Metro gates
- People who STAND on the LEFT side of the escalator, instead of the right, and make me miss the next train leaving
- People who take up the entire 2 seats of a crowded metro car aisle
- People who smell on a crowded metro car aisle, esp. in the morning when they should still be clean
- People who don't hold elevators
- Wakin up friday morning after staying out late Thursday night
- My car window because it broke in the open position, and I had to drive soaking wet last night, and i had to put trash bags over the window and i looked ghetto

What I love,
The IC.*

*If you don't know what this is. Too bad for you.

Overworking and To-DO

2006-10-19T06:37:00.000-05:00

I'm beginning to feel that burnt out feeling today. I'm working too hard on this crazy dinner. Thank god it's tonight!

I feel really bloated this morning b/c of my period. It's totally annoying. It's not like I can't deal with it or anything, but it's an added nuisance to my everyday lifestyle. It's totally obnoxious right now too. Neither of my co-workers are even here yet. Leaving me to man the fort until they get here. Ah, they both are here now. Phew!

Let's go over my To-Do list for today after work:

pick up pumpkin ravioli and peeled hazelnuts at Citarella
set table
finish putting cookies away, organize all dinner foods
quick last minute shopping
go to Le Pain Quotidien for bread
vacuum living room floor
clean bathroom

Tomorrow Jess Stewart comes to visit! I'm so totally excited! I still haven't figured out what exactly we are going to do or anything but I think it be a wise idea to begin thinking about it. Ok. Lauren stop. Must. concentrate. on. one. thing. at. a. time. As soon as the dinner party is over I will then commence thinking about weekend plans. Tomorrow after the party I will write about the party (of course) and also----give you a weekend update.

Ta-Ta for now!

Love,
Lauren

Sugar Cookies and Good Mood

2006-10-18T08:10:00.000-05:00

I'm in a really good mood today. Not really sure why but I am. I think it has something to do with how awesome my life is. I just am at this point right now where everything seems to be falling into place and anyway---things are finally working out.

Again, another really busy day. Work was busy b/c I was doing a ton of different things and afterwork was no exception. I finished up my Norwegian homework and then headed off to class---in the pouring rain. by the time I got to class my pants were soaking wet. Class went well, we started a new chapter, "Familien Min". The chapter about the family. I like talking about the family, it is more interesting than talking about "Huset" (house) b/c my family is more interesting than my house/apt.

I walked to the subway in the pouring rain. Yes, it was STILL raining and it was still totally disgusting outside. I walked home and immediately took off my pants and changed into my baking clothes. I ordered chinese and sat down to watch oceans 11 while I ate. Once I was done----I began the cooking baking extravaganza. It was great! I made TONS of cookies. Pressing and cutting like it was my job. We are going to have PLENTY of cookies for Thursday night. I am going to have to bring some into work on Friday. This again, will hopefully put my in the high ranks with all the hotties that I sit next to. :)

My legs started to hurt a lot from standing and slaving away over the oven all night after a long day of work. I also quickly made some salad dressing before I went to bed. I was REALLY tired. Finally at around midnight, I passed out.
--------------------------------------
Since so many people leave comments, I have to begin a comment response section. Just kidding Jess asked a question that I think deserves answering from yesterday's post:

Did the beaver tail have little bits of debris in it? Yes, but mostly there was just a BUNCH of matted hair and some bobby pins. Why that woman needed bobby pins is beyond me.
Could you detect an odor? No odor thankfully.
How much money would I have to offer you to use it as a pillow for a night? A lot of money.
Would you do it for $700? Ew, but I'd probably have to say yes. $700 would help me out a lot.

So much to do in so little time.

Happy Hump Day!

Love,

Lauren

Commuting and Beavers

2006-10-17T06:33:00.000-05:00

So---one thing I've noticed recently is the difference in my commute depending on what time I'm out the door on any given day. I really try and get out the door by 6:40am. This generally enables me to catch the local bus that stops RIGHT outside my apartment. I get on said bus, along with about 5 other people (it's even a double length bus) and then arrive at work at aprox. 7:02 or something. However, if for some reason, I over sleep and I get out the door at 6:45am instead of 5 minutes before...forget about it! I either see the local bus pulling away from my stop or it just is none in sight. I walk down the few blocks where the limited stop is to wait for any bus to stop. The funny thing is that the bus stop is full (unlike my empty local one) and the next bus that comes is a Limited bus. This is fine b/c since I'm running late I like to hop on the limited only to have to walk an additional two blocks to work. But---check this out. Just 5 minutes after my normal leaving work time----the bus is practically full. I mean not 86 crosstown bus during rush hour full, but I had to stand. This is crazy. What is the deal with people commuting hard core at quarter of 7?

I think that there must be some dichotomy between those that leave at 6:40 and those that leave at 6:45 and after. I mean, there just MUST have to be because I have no other way of explaining the tripled amount of people on the street and on the bus. Anyway, it really aggrivates me too b/c the traffic is also worse within this five minute window getting me to work at like 7:15am. It's like a strange New York commuting anomaly.

Next to the word "productive" in the dictionary should be a picture of me. Last night was the perfect example. You know how I was explaining yesterday all the stuff I had on my to-do list from yesterday's post? Well---guess who did practically ALL OF IT? If you are thinking SimplyLauren, then you are RIGHT!!!

After work Courtney invited me to drinks at the Bull and Bear with Tommy G. It was great! I had two, but then they had to go to the Women in Sports dinner and I had to go all the other things on my list. I hopped on the bus home and then went grocery shopping for my dinner party on Thursday. I got practically all the things I needed with the exception of a few that I'll get today or tomorrow. Then, I unpacked and put everything where it needed to be and threw on running clothes and headed out for a 3.5 M run. It was really nice. There was practically no one out and it was a beautiful night. Maybe because it was like 9pm on a Monday. I came home, ran out to get some stuff from Duane Reade. I needed some last minute things for later on that night.

While I was standing in line, which I have to say I hate doing---there was a woman in front of me who looked pretty normal right? Except for one thing: SHE HAD ONE BIG DREADLOCK. IT LOOKED LIKE A BEAVER TAIL. It was horrific. In fact, it was one of the most horrific things I'd ever seen in my life. I was in one of those moods, like a giggly one and I really couldn't stop laughing. I was trying my best not to laugh too loud or too obviously at the woman with the beaver tail for hair, but like---I couldn't help it! Then, a couple got in line after me and were whispering about it and that just set me off even more. I totally couldn't hold it in. I was convulsing in line trying not to drop all the stuff I had in my hands. Anyway, it was so funny/disgusting. You had to be there I guess.

Then I went home and made cookie dough for Halloween cut outs that I'm having for my party. I made a double batch. I even did the dishes!! (A feat in and of itself!) Then, I took a shower b/c I was so disgusting and covered in sweat from my run and also covered in flour and other things cause of baking.

The only thing I didn't do was my Norwegian homework, which I'm going to try and do today at work (shhhh...).

I'm busy today.

Happy Tuesday!

Love,
Lauren

Almost Skins and Surprise

2006-10-16T06:32:00.000-05:00

Friday night was nuts. Let me explain why. I am walking home after work, excited to get back to my apartment and relax for a bit. I get a call from Courtney. She tells me that she has four tickets to the Redskins game on Sunday but she can't use them b/c JMan is sick and she can't easily travel down to DC from Philly. I tell her that I wasn't originally planning on going home but that I would seriously reconsider since she had these tickets. She said she would UPS the tix to my parents house. So I frantically called my dad on his cell asking him if that would be OK. It was Stephanie's birthday on Sunday so I thought I could kill two birds with one stone, come home, play games with the fam, play with the nephews and see my sister, and then also go to the Skins game in a box with friends of my choice. It was a perfect situation. I booked my flights down there and I was really excited to go. I asked Alex and Jim if they wanted to go. Along with a slew of other people but most of them couldn't go. (Why don't I have any friends in DC anymore?!)

Friday night I met up with Beth at Jack Russels pub, right by mi casa. It was very convienent. Her co-worker and friend Paula was having a birthday thing after work. She also happens to live in my building---it was really fun. Mostly chillin' and chatting with Bethy. Then, I went home and read and then went to bed early. I was planning on going for a long run on Saturday morning.

When I woke up on Saturday morning, it was really cold. Like, stay in bed, under the covers and read cold. So that's exactly what I did. It was great. I ate breakfast and relaxed. I did a few errands, but I really was mostly doing nothing. I packed for home for the night and then headed uptown to the west side for my Pure Meathead Posse football game. It was def. sketchy up there and when I arrived, Michelle, Coly and Chad were already there. Soon GT came and then we made 5 so we could play. It was rough in the beginning with only 5 on 7, but then the rest of our team showed up and we dominated. We won 34-28 or something like that. It was awesome! Then we stuck around for a while after the game to wait for Justin to finish ref-fing for the game after ours. There was a fight b/t this fat kid and then his older brother who looked like Charlie Sheen came into it to try and break it up. It was quite a sight. The fat kid was apparently throwing elbows if someone from the other team got a touchdown. What an ass.

I had to head home, Michelle, GT and I took the 86 crosstown bus home and I finished up last minute packing and inhaled a slice of pizza before walking back to the subway to catch my flight. On my way my mom called to tell me that the tickets never arrived. I got a bad feeling and I called Courtney. She said she was just about to call me and tell me that she messed up. She said that she gave the wrong UPS number for our work code and that it never even left Philly. I was like really bummed, but I didn't want her to know how bummed I was cause I didn't want her to feel bad about it. She has enough stuff to feel bad about now and so I didn't want to make her feel worse. So---then I had to make a decision. Should I STILL go home, despite no Skins game? I didn't know what to do? I would totally save money if I didn't fly home, but then I was in a really bad mood about it and thought that I might just end up moping around the apt. for the rest of the weekend if I didn't go. So then, my dad said that he thought I should come home anyway b/c everyone would be happy to see me. I took his advice.

I got home and....oh I forgot to mention that it was a surprise, my sister had no idea that I was coming. Cem and my dad came to get me saying that they had to go get sodas. But obviously they were coming to pick me up. They came in first without me and my sister started yelling at Cem asking why he didn't have any soda and why he took 45 minutes to buy nothing. I started to hear her yelling so I came and and surprised her. She was totally shocked. Then I made her apologize to Cem for giving him such a hard time about it. I played and said goodnight to the boys and then I hung out with the grown-ups until pretty late. Sunday morning I had waffles with everyone and then played more. Ate more, played more. I even took a nap. After my sister left my mom and my dad and I drove out to Michael's to get some stuff for my Halloween dinner party. :) I'm super excited about it. It's going to be awesome.

Last night flew home, unpacked, tidied up and passed out. My room is really cooooooold b/c of the air conditioner that I installed poorly in the middle of the summer. A lot of excess air gets in and makes me freezing at night. I think that tonight I'm going to attempt to remove it and then find SOMEWHERE to store it. I also have to bake some cookies and do food shopping for dinner on Thursday. I almost forgot, I have to fun 3.5 miles tonight to be on schedule for training for my race at the end of the month. So much to do and so little time!

Keep in touch!

Love,
Lauren

P.S. Of course, Lil Court just called me and asked if I wanted to come out for drinks with big Court before the Women's sports banquet. Of course I said yes...should be fun to try and pack that in with all the crap I have to do. Wish me luck!

Yagermeister and Photo Hunt

2006-10-13T07:52:00.000-05:00

So yesterday was REALLY busy at work. It was good busy, but I was being spread a little thin during the morning, but it all worked out fine in the end. Today not so much.

I've discovered a new obsession: mini muffins. I really really love them. Does anyone remember that episode of FRIENDS where Ross really wants ugly naked guy's apartment and to try and win the apt. he sends him a basket of mini muffins. Anyway, I just thought of that.

Last night I went to HH with Lindsay at Kates---our usual hangout. Devin my hot bartender boyfriend was there. Oh Devin. LB and I sat at the end of the bar, as usual and ordered our usual Bud Lights and wings. We asked for a small wings, half medium and half spicy (for LB of course). Devin brought us back two larges, one medium, one large. Devin was getting off at 6 and sometimes he stays and drinks with his buddies or something and we were hoping we'd do that. He did. Pretty soon we were staring at a Yager shot. And then another. We had started to play PhotoHunt at this point and there was nothing stopping us. It was all downhill from there. PhotoHunt practically kicked us off b/c we were doing so badly. Anyway, we both stumbled back to Lindsay's house and then I got in a cab home.

I chugged a HUGE thing of water and ate some Advil and I was good to go this morning. That trick works miracles. Life is good.

I love Devin. He's going to be my new boyfriend. I just decided that.

Shout outs to Gina, Simon (the other hot bartender with an irish accent, and the cute blonde one I forget your name) for dealing with us the whole night.

Liquor fun fact: Did you know that "Yagermeister" in German, means "Hunt Master"? Well, it does. That fact is courtesy of Jason Miller (holla!).

Love,

Lauren

Rain Running and Mentoring

2006-10-12T06:23:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was really busy. Well---it just felt really busy I guess. :)

Work was fine. It was busier than normal but still manageable. But still----nothing exciting to report. There was a plane crash around 2:45 up on the upper east side (where I live). One of the Yankees pitchers died in the crash. He had just learned to fly and obviously made some sort of mistake. Anyway---it was big news over the tape for a while yesterday afternoon.

After work I ran home to change my clothes b/c I was sort of cold and I didn't want to be cold all night. Mostly b/c I had to over to the Upper West side for training for this new mentoring program I'm going to be a part of. That starts next week---like when I get my kid and everything.

***written on Friday***

I decided on Wednesday night that I would go for a run at night even though it was pouring rain and dark outside. Jess convinced me that I should try it. So I did. It was a great run. Althought I was thoroughly soaked when I was through. Anyway, just thought i'd share.

I'm going to go now and write today's post.

Love,
Lauren

Fillings and Norwegian Class

2006-10-11T07:05:00.000-05:00

So I woke up EXTRA early this morning. No....not to get to work earlier so I can stare at the cute boys-----it was to go to the dentist to get my last two cavities filled. It was a joyous experience. Actually, I was being sarcastic just then but really it wasn't that bad. At this point I'm used to it. And the sad fact is that I shouldn't be used to getting cavities filled. I have to say that this time was markedly better than the last. I didn't cry. I wasn't shaking. I was not hysterical. In fact, I remained quite calm, if you can imagine me being calm about someone drilling in my precious teeth...

I am sitting at my desk now and half my face is numb. I knew that it would be a bad idea to get these filled so early in the morning. My dentist comes in SO early. My appointment was for 7am.
It's 10am now and I feel like I've gone through so much already this morning...

One MAJOR problem I'm having right now is that I'm starving. I can't really eat anything cause my face is numb and they don't like you to eat so early when you are still all numbed up b/c you might bite your cheek or something. It's very frustrating. I haven't eated a thing and I'm going to die of starvation any minute. This is horrible.

Last night I had Norwegian class. It was great. There are some really great people in the class but then there are some totally annoying people in the class too. I don't like these three girls/women in the class b/c they are like really elitist. I hate people that aren't nice and seem like they are better than everyone else. Ironically enough, they are the three worst people in the class. Not that I'm amazing or anything, but I'm in the middle ground, better than those stupid three. I hate annoying people.

I can't really concentrate much to keep writing b/c I can't deal. My mouth also hurts where they shot me with novacaine. I'm miserable.

Love,

Lauren

SHOUT OUTS:
Mike---got your message. I'll call you back soon I promise. I hope you are well. :)
Bethy/China/Cam: Sorry I didn't come last night. It was a pain. I'll come this weekend to catch up on the episodes I missed.
Derryck: Do you still read this? Sorry I've been MIA.
Susannah: Hey, did you get my msg? Are you reading this still? I hope so. I miss you.

Court and Headaches

2006-10-09T14:38:00.000-05:00

I know, I'm out of practice. My title sucks, and already I'm overwhelmed with the amount of things that I have to write about on this thing today! Let's start with the most current and then do backwards, mostly b/c I have the weekend in my memory and the other stuff I have to pull out of the Lauren brain vault and that could take a while.

This morning (being Monday) started off rough I think----my alarm went off and I wanted to die. It was ok though. I hit snooze and then rolled out of bed only to then immediately get dressed, etc. I got to work early and I knew it was going to be a good day. So far, it's been a good but busy day. I'm supposed to meet Edu and Leah somewhere for coffee at some point although not sure it's going to happen b/c Leah is waiting for some other girl to call, etc. Anyway, today is cool. ***

Ok. So the weekend was totally 100% boring. Let me tell you why. On Thursday afternoon I started to get these horrible flash headaches. They would come on really strong, in my left temple and then be unbearable for a few minutes and then all of a sudden go away. This went on all afternoon. I went home early b/c I REALLY wanted to participate in the "Light the Night" Walk with my company. I raised $1,500 for it and I really wanted to go. So, I left early and took a nap and then I went to the walk. I felt fine the whole night until I was going home, then the headaches started up again.

I felt them in the morning and then I went to the doctor. The doctor told me there was a lot of "stimulation" in my brain and that I needed to lay off the stimulants like coffee, alcohol (even though it's a depressant, still) and gum, which often irritates heads or something. So---I decided then that I would take it easy this weekend and not go to Baltimore. Hope you girls had fun though?! I'm sure you did.

**writing on Tuesday***

The weekend was totally relaxing. I did normal dorky Lauren stuff like buy cards at Papyrus, get halloween decorations for my apartment, clean, organize papers, and sit around and watch movies. Oh---I also ate some stuff too. It was a nice weekend at home alone. The only person I saw was Beth and that was for 5 seconds on Sunday when she came over after dinner with Jeff. No big news really. I skipped my football game b/c I wasn't feeling well that morning and I didn't want to get sicker or something or exacerbate my headache. So I just laid around and read instead. Tessa told me yesterday that we won, which is great!

Last week a bunch of stuff happened too. I guess I should totally talk about court and my experience down there.

So---I flew home on Monday night and there were all kinds of flight delays. I was so frustrated, that I pretty much started to cry on the metro platform. My mom came and got me from Silver Spring and we drove home. It was good to be home. I ate a delicious pasta dinner, even though it was really late and then passed out. We left the house at 10:30 the next morning to drive to Westminster, MD----where the hearing was. It was the traffic court, but it was like the serious traffic court, not the place where you go and appeal a ticket, it's more like DUI's and other relatively serious vehicle violations. The lady that helped me after the accident was there, Sherry. We had lunch with her. I was in such a bad mood about this whole thing---I really just wanted to be back in New York at work (if you can imagine).

My case was called---I pretty much had an idea about who Francisco was (the defendant). I saw him and he was with his laywer and a translator (he didn't speak english). He pleaded not guilty. Not only that but in his police statement, he said that I HIT HIM! Can you believe that? Anyway, neither Sherry nor I had to technically testify. The judge found him guilty and then he asked me my opinion about his sentence. His laywer kept talking about how difficult jail would be for him and how it would affect his family, etc. etc... The thing is....I did feel bad for him. He made a BIG mistake and now his poo family has to pay. Actually, I feel bad for his family mostly. So I recomended that he be taken off the road and also that he go to jail. He got both. His license was suspended and also he went to jail, but only on the weekends or something. So---that was that.

We drove back to SSMD and then I took a nap, I was tired. Then my mom made dinner and she dropped me off at the metro. It was great! I got home with no problems except for minor delays. I mean seriously, what would traveling back and forth to MD be without flight delays and major annoying inconvienences!?

Tonight is Norwegian class. I'm FINALLY going to another one! It's going to be totally fine from here on out b/c I have no more conflicts. :) I can't wait for the class so that I can get back on track. Anyway, I'm like 95% finished with my HW for this evening, but I have some time after work to finish up the workbook pages that I didn't do.

Yesterday I signed up for a 5Mile race at the end of the month. I realize that I now have to train for it. I mean, it's not a marathon or anything, but I still have to make sure I'm comfortable with the mileage and that I can finish easily without killing myself. Last night I ran 2.5 miles. Tonight I don't have time to run b/c of the Norwegian class but tomorrow after mentoring, I think I'm going to run on the road---that way I can run outside (which I LOVE doing) and also be where it's light and not sketchy. I think that running at the resovoir is a bit sketchy when it's like pitch black at night, that is the kind of place where people get raped so....no thanks. :)

Ok, I promise I'll get back on the blogging track this week!

Love,
Lauren

***btw---I never did meet up with Leah and Edu. I'm never going to meet the Kenyan suitor am I?!