Off Roading

Rey and I had the chance today to experience the outdoor life of North Carolina. First, we started off fishing off the New River and of course I managed to catch more grass than anything else, go figure. Just when I thought it was going to be a slow relaxing day I was wrong! We got the chance to go off roading in Rey's uncles' ATV. It has been years since the last time I've been on an atv, let alone with Rey driving. If any of you have heard Rey's stories of off roading than you'd know I was in for a treat. We went around the mountains, managed to make our own trails, and my favorite of the day getting chanced by a German Shepherd. I have never laughed and feared for my life at the same time. You see the dog was coming straight at us, it was either going to be us running over the dog or making a sharp turn, which on an atv is not easy especially when your right next to a hill over looking a river. ( I could imagine the song "rollin' rollin' rollin' " or more like "tumblin' tumblin' tumblin' ")

In a Rut

Lately(the past few weeks)I’ve been very apathetic towards everything, and I have no clue why. I resist getting out of bed and heading to work. Every Monday I get up I wish it were Friday, and every Friday I hope for a long weekend. It’s odd because I’ve become extremely introverted in social environments, whereas in the past I thrived off social interaction with others. I noticed the other day that friends of mine who are typically introverted have now switched. I can’t seem to figure out if its stress, life transitions, important decisions to be made, or just being stuck in a rut that makes me so apathetic towards any and everything. I make it a point to hang out with friends to catch up, however, I have to constantly convince myself of the fun I will have. I honestly do enjoy the company of friends and family, but there are times I seem to space out during conversation and just wanting to go home. I’m hoping I snap out of this rut and get back to being Lauren again.

Missing Crispani

This past Thursday I was at home relaxing when, my best friend called and asked if I wanted to catch up and eat at Panera Bread. “Of Course,” I shouted into the phone, for she knew I never turn down a food proposition. I quickly shut my laptop and jumped into the shower. The whole time I was anticipating the Tomato & Basil Crispani. You see every time I go to Panera I look forward to my Crispani; however Panera plays a little game with my head. I get there and order my food only for them to look at me and say “sorry it’s not 4pm yet.” Ahh… (in disapproval) they did it to me again enticing me with their tantalizing aromas and descriptive pictures. I’m truly a sucker for their advertisement scheme.

Once I was out of the shower I hurried over to Panera on 137th ave. and Kendall, finally it had opened. I walked inside knowing full well it was past 4pm at least by 2 hours. So I pranced, that’s right I pranced in there excited as can be and ordered my Crispani. Now I was expecting Joshua the cashier to tell me my total, only to hear something completely different. Were my ears deceiving me yet again, did I hear him say we don’t make Crispani’s anymore. So I asked in a confused daze, “sorry what did you say.” The only time I wanted my ears to deceivie me they weren’t. My best friend stood there in astonishment because she understood my madness. At that precise moment I looked back at her and a small tear began to form in my left eye. I went from this overwhelming joy to this complete disappointment and sadness. Once again I had to settle for something else.

As I stood at the counter waiting for my order this young girl named Nicole greeted me. She asked if everything was to my satisfaction. Are you kidding…you take away my Crispani and you have the nerve to ask me that question…is what I wanted to say. Instead I said no as nicely as possible which was hard at that moment. I continued by explaining my whole dilemma with the Crispani.

Nicole took me by surprise, “I know what were they thinking I love the Crispani especially the basil one,” she responded with such passion. At last someone got my frustration and best of all she worked there. She continued to inform me that Panera was soon stopping all the Crispani’s at all the chains. This was due to the inadequate training of employees burning them, thus resulting in a loss in revenue. Just when I thought it was all down hill from here she gave me great hope. She said her fellow employees were writing to the corporation to express their opinions on the Crispani issue. She told me that I could join in on the effort by going to the website and writing them a letter as well.

I could see it now an uproar of dissatisfied customers and disgruntled employees waging a strike against Panera. Wow…that would be something, however I’m sure that is far from reality. So my dear friends, if you too are saddened by this unfortunate event, join me in the effort to bring back the Crispani.