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.

Simplicities

It just dawned on me how little things in life can bring me such happiness. Honestly, it doesn’t take much to get inside a women’s heart or at least not mine. Simple things are typically better off than some overly exaggerated thought out gift especially if it goes over my head. Which by the way doesn’t take much…one second I’m right there and the next I’m gone. Poof just like that… seriously it’s like my mind has no control over my selective hearing and concentration.

Last night I had the opportunity to just swing back and relax. Now I know you’re wondering there goes Lauren’s selectiveness and how easy it is to get off track. You see my two closest friends Valerie and Berto bought me a swing set for my 25th birthday. They understand how such a child like gift brings great joy to my life. I light up like a child on Christmas every time I see a swing…I just can’t resist, some odd gravitational force comes over me.

So as I laid on my swing set last night swinging away in pure bliss, I realized how small things can change my mood. When I’m having a bad day or just an average time items like: dark chocolate, light touches (coqitas), naps, sweet gestures, and simple “thinking of you” messages make my day. As I was pondering through the list I noticed my lips started to curl up and form this funny smile. It was as though a puppeteer was pulling on the strings attached to the corners of my lips in order to get me to perform. Ahh…the simplicities of life enough said!

A moment of Fame

Today a star was born. Actually not even close, I had a small moment in the spotlight on television. Now mind you it wasn’t the top network or the hit TV show, but inside my head the paparazzi was out snapping my photo and the crowds where shouting my name. The funny part is I was a mere extra in piece to a puzzle. My school was being recognized for our accomplishments from last year. For which I’m truly thankful for seeing how much weight I lost during the countless hours of running around getting things done, and the sweat poured out trying to make impossible deadlines happen. So to my astonishment we were asked downtown to the school board meeting. It was there where the magic began and my moment of fame took rise. Lights, Camera, Action, and there I was in the background of my students on channel who knows what smiling and shaking hands with school board members. Snap! Just like that I became a star. Interestingly enough like most moments of fame it ends without a minutes warning. It was at the end of the day and I was crossing the street with my fellow colleagues laughing and waving to all the fans while stopping to pose for pictures that I almost got struck by a car. And there it would have been front page news of the Herald “Glory and Tragedy all in one Day.”

Time Well Spent

Wow…I finally took some time to unwind today and man, was it needed. It’s the first time in a really long while, if you haven’t noticed by my absence in the blog world. Things have been insanely busy between work and a hundred other activities. As if I don’t have enough on my plate I always seem to add something new. Apparently I’m like a kid in a candy store who thinks everything is appealing and can’t say no.

Thanks to the many talks by Rey and Anne Marie, I have finally been convinced of my madness and how I’m going to burn myself out. Of course in my stubborn mind, I’m thinking I can do anything and I’ll show them how wrong they are (or in Rey’s words: stick it to the man).

I was beginning to look like hells fury had taken over me. So I decided to cancel practice with just one rain cloud lingering overhead and to top if off I left early from work. That rain cloud however, disappeared within an hour. Oh well, it was nice catching up with Anne Marie over a late lunch. I was remembering how much I missed our witty banter. Laughter is absolutely contagious and I can’t get enough of it. You see I’m making a case without even realizing it (and…there’s the point). After an amusing time, we went back to my house to relax and work. Yes! That’s right work. It seems to follows me everywhere, even after I tried to denounce my workaholic tendencies a moment ago. Thankfully we found time to fool around (…that’s what she said) and get things accomplished at the same time. The sad part about today is: that it will be another 6 weeks before I even think about clearing my schedule on a moment’s whim. In the meantime, I will try to update everyone on my many thousands of activities.

Its Over

So its official …summer is over. Sadly it came and went, however I would not take back one moment of this past summer. I truly can’t remember a summer this fun filled and packed at the same time. The friendships I built the places I traveled and the hours of endless laughter will not be forgotten. I just wish summer could be continued onward, although I know it’s not possible, I’m trying to keep the same mentality. Believe me it still shows, my coworkers keep on telling me to snap out of it and get with the program. BUT NO!!! I constantly keep telling myself like a little kid kicking and screaming. It is so cliché but true: time flies when you’re having fun. Why does it take forever when things seem so slow? Can anyone please explain that concept to me?

Just a small glimpse of my summer: First I traveled to Lake Mary, Fl, then to my birthplace Kansas City, Mo. Only to stay home to do laundry to head out for camp in South Carolina, and make it back in town for my 25th birthday. Before I knew I was packing up again for my first missions trip in Guatemala (memorable experience). Just when I thought I was done I left for Ft. Wilderness Orlando for the college retreat.

Between all the city hopping I found time to hangout with friends between birthday parties every week to sleepovers and girl’s night out, I managed to start a brand new relationship which is going really well.

Seeing that this summer is regretfully over, I guess it time to get back into the swing of things. I on the other hand, am not going without a fight. I’m taking kicking and screaming to a whole new level.

Guatemala Missions Trip

Well it’s been a while since I’ve last blogged, but to my defense I was out of the country in Guatemala. I was fortunate enough to be able to serve the Lord overseas in Guatemala City. I had forgotten what it was like to be in a 3rd world country for sometime there. Once I had arrived I was taken back by the poverty level, it reminded me much of some parts of Brazil almost. I was truly amazed by how they functioned on simple things such as traffic. Seriously they have no concept of spotted white lines much less lanes in general. At one point I was sitting at the front of the bus and this monstrosity of a semi was heading right towards us. Of course I was sitting there freaking out and I started to say my Hail Marys' as if I were catholic, anything just to help me get through it. At the last minute and what I really mean is the very last pico second the gigantic semi cut someone off as if nothing had happened. It was at that precise second that I told myself “from here on out I was going to sit in the back of the bus” and boy did I stick to that rule.

While in Guatemala I had the opportunity to work with Shalom Batista putting together a camp for the middle and high school students. Rey and I were mainly in charge of games and outdoor activities for 400 or so teenagers. We had planned a vast array of games to play, however when I first arrived I looked at the field and quickly realized I had to switch to plan xyz and that’s not an exaggeration. Thankfully the Lord understood my frustration and placed wonderful people in my life to help calm me down and me plan. As the week progressed I was able to relate to the kids and form friendships with a few of them. I thought at one point that the language barrier would be difficult but the Lord provided greatly. There was this one moment in which I remembered walking away from Isabel (my new friend pictured below) and saying to Anne Marie “wow I just spoke for 20 mins. in Spanish and she completely understood me.” Of course Anne Marie laughed and encouraged me to continue on.

Now having been back in the states a couple of days now, I've had a chance to reflect on my experiences in Guatemala. I’ve realized how much we take for granted in this country, from clean running water to showing respect to other people. Guatemalans are so appreciative of anything you give them from material items to acts of love. I was in awe of how thankful they were of the Lord even in their poorest of moments. It was marvelous to see small children huddled together praying over each other in their time of need. There is a lot to be learned from the Guatemalan culture that can’t even be explained. As cliché as it may sound, you have to be there to understand and take in the reality of their situation.

Guatemala Missions Photos