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.

Thanksgiving Weekend

What a weekend....it all started when i scored awesome seats to the heat game on Wednesday. Yannick, Rey, and Myself sat in the second row behind the visitor's bench. I could feel the sweat pouring off of Wade and Shaq's bodies. We had an awesome time until we got our phones stolen. Rey and I the geniuses that we are, left our phones in his car during the game (what were we thinking) only to return to no phones. I have spent countless hours trying to figure out how those thieves got a hold of our phones without any sign of entry. I'm tempted to contact the CSI team to investigate this crime of passion. I forgot what it was like to be without a phone for a few days. At first I was bothered by not having any contact with anyone, however the tables turned unexpectedly. Turns out I actually enjoyed it there for awhile, it was refreshing not to worry about my phone, be annoyed by a beeping sound, and stress out about people contacting me. I then realized it was time to get back in touch with the world.

I had a lot to be thankful for this year the Lord has truly blessed me. My family, friends, oddly my work, my love Rey and his wonderful family, and many more countless blessings. Thanksgiving day was spent playing flag football, cooking dinner, and eating at both families houses. By the end of the day I was absolutely exhausted and was looking forward to black friday...ha what a joke that was.

Beth & Casper's wedding took place on saturday afternoon. It was wonderful beach wedding which captured them perfectly. It was nice to run into old family friends, and laugh with current ones.

Overall, this weekend was one filled with surprises, laughter, and much need bonding time with loved ones. I am grateful for all that the Lord has provided for me, He really is an Awesome God!

p.s. please send me your contact information via email

Classic Laughter

Today was an absolutely awesome day for once.(Okay I lied, not for once but in a long time)There was great weather, which I'm excited about, it was Friday, payday, and it's a long weekend. You stack those up how could you go wrong. While outside with my co-workers some how we engaged in the antics of "that's what she said" I don't think I've laughed so hard in my life. Its official there's a new rule: After a "that's what she said" comment there is a guaranteed followed up "that's what she said." I never realized how many phrases can have double meanings. For example:

Coworker 1: Lauren you know how to work that well, your good at what you do

Me: (laugh) that's what she said!

Coworker 2: Are you kidding me...(on the chair laughing hysterically)

Me: It comes easy

Coworker 1: (quick to respond) That's what she said

All: ( laughing loudly)

The best thing about it was, we were referring to a soccer goal I was assembling, and that was only a small portion of our conversation. You see how easy its to give double meanings to things.

Mini Me

Yesterday I had the opportunity to spend time with my Merari. After church we decided to have Thai for lunch. So we pull up to Bangkok Bangkok only to find out its closed. But thanks to our quick decision making and sense of smell we were able to find this incredible place to eat. “Off The Grill” was this little Spanish restaurant off of 125th ave and Kendall. We were amazed to find awesome food and portion sizes for such cheap prices. As we devoured our food, we enjoyed the Mana concert on DVD, and then the sweet sounds of Sade. Of course we engaged in the typical girl talk. It was then that I realized how much Merari was like a mini version of me without the loud voice but made up for with her incredible spunk. It was funny; I could picture in my head a filmstrip of future events we would par-take in. Laughing sinisterly at people when they fall or get hurt (I know its mean but you would laugh at first too), or dancing under the stars during a jazz concert (she knows how to sweep me off my feet) this is just a small glimpse into my filmstrip. All in all yesterday was time well spent.

A Needed Laugh

This week has been particularly crazy for me. I know some of you are wondering how much crazier could things possibly get? Outside of my hectic schedule of working with clueless individuals and dealing with hormonal children all day, I managed to tack on a soccer tournament with high school girls which involved getting up at the crack of dawn.(actually earlier than that) Things got so bad that there were times I forgot to eat and add in sleep, which hellooo! are two of my favorite things to do. Don't worry I'm not trying some weird new diet, although it seems that way since my shorts are falling to my knees. It got to the point that I was writing on my hand food which may seem ridiculous, but even that method failed me. Thankfully though I made it through it, how exactly I cannot explain. One thing that brought my spirits up was this video sent to me from a co-worker of mine. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.



Thanks Kristel for the monthly reminder...I'll try harder this month please no wrath...I beg of you.