captian's ball!!

this past saturday was captian's ball. it's basically. prom for college kids. the dances i went to in high school weren't that great. i went to two homecomings and one prom, and although they were fun to dress up for, they weren't much else. this however, was totally different. my girlfriends and i had all planned to go together so i was really looking forward to it. being girls, we started getting ready really early. everyone was helping each other do hair and fix make-up. my friends gretchen helped with my hair (it looked amazing) and erica did my make-up. i wish they could do it everyday!! :)

of course, once we were all ready we had to take a million photos of everyone. i got photos with all my gorgeous girlfriends (from left to right they're taylor, erica, and kim), as well as the whole group together.

the rest of the night was spent dancing with my friends, cheering on my hallmates as they attempted karoke, munched on chocolate covered strawberries, pretzles, and marshmallows, and dancing more. one of the best parts was that for once in my life i didn't waste time worrying about guys. i simply flirted, laughed, and let myself enjoy feeling pretty and being silly. we sang and danced our hearts out in a big circle and it was hilarious. afterwards we all went to ihop (yes, at 12 something in the morning). apparently we weren't the only ones with that idea because everyone was eating there in their fancy dresses and suits. i loaded up on chocolate chip pancakes and didn't worry about the calories because i had probably burned them off from dancing. in case you can't tell, all of my friends had such an amazing time, and so did i. i can't wait till next year. and check back on friday because for "silly photo friday" i'll be posting a few more pictures from the ball. how was your weekend??

xoxo, Lauren

back to college-land!!

i got back to college on saturday and classes started on monday. as hard as it was to leave my family and my animals, i was so excited to get back. even after just one semester it already feels like home and i have a little "college family" that i love. one of my goals for my blog this year is to blog more about my life and my college adventures. this semester is going to be a little busier than last semester.

(my super awesome planner!!)

the first semester is one of the harder semesters because people are adjusting, finding themselves, meeting people, and learning to live on their own. my stats grade wasn't the greatest but i passed which is what matters most. i have one more math class this semester and once i'm done with that i'm freeeee of math. i'm also fundraising chair for the ballroom dance society, meaning i get to plan all the fun little events to build up funds. i'm already working on the first little event that should be held later this month. i'm also on the sketch comedy team, hanging out with friends, working on my etsy and blog, and getting ready for our huge formal event, the captian's ball, coming up later this month. more on that laaater... ;)

so far my classes seem okay. i had to switch one that doesn't start till next monday, but hopefully that one will be good as well. i'm in one of the easiest math classes and 2 of my ballroom friends are in there so i should be able to get by. my history class actually seems pretty cool. the professor was well-recommended by a friend who had him and he seems pretty rad so far. i'm in 2 psych classes, 201 and 202, and i have them back-to-back so tuseday and thursday evenings from 4 to 7 will be all psychology. the first professor seems amazing, but the second...not so much. during the first class he lectured for almost an hour without stopping. i'll try not to complain too much but i don't think i'll be praising the class much either. i do need to get my study habits in order, however. i have my binders (but i still need cover pages!!) for each day, my super colorful pens, planner (50% off at Barnes & Noble!!) and most of my books are in. Now all that's left is actually starting to study.

(supplies)

we had a "ballroom free dance" last night and it was sooo amazing to see everyone again and start dancing. i had so much fun dancing with all my friends that i've missed. damian, my cha cha partner, and i had an especially great time dancing together again. we were cha cha partners at the dance competition we went to in november, and missed advancing to the next level by one judge. our plan is to practice like crazy and take no prisoners at the competition next november.

tonight we have our first official ballroom lesson of the semester and rumor has it this guy i've been talking to a lot recently will be there. more on that later. ;)

xoxo, Lauren

A Small Revalation of Sorts

This week has not been the best week for me. I've had multiple assignments due which means a crazy amount of work and as mentioned previously, an issue with one of my closest friends here. We talked tonight, and it'll be okay, but we both need some time to get back to where we were. However, I was still pretty upset about it and the conversation ended with me going back up to my room and crying. I was texing Patrick (also known as Mystery Badger) and he was being so sweet about everything.

I decided I would spend the rest of my night in my room on my laptop trying to get homework done. About a half an hour in, no homework had even been started and I was still just as upset when my phone rang. It was Patrick, telling me that I was going to meet him and Molly, a good friend in the making, at Einsteins, our library's version of Starbucks and a favorite place for students, to do some homework. I didn't want to, but he was a little insistent so I figured after making him listen to me being all sad I could at least agree to meet him.

I'm so happy I did. I ended up running into a few other friends, talking with people, laughing, and even got a little homework done. By the time one am came around and they were kicking us out I was laughing and smiling and feeling much more like myself. I thanked Patrick for making me come out about 50 times, but he deserved it.

So here's the part where my revalation comes into play: As I've said before, this is my fresh new start. I'm still working through the past and that will take a long time but I'm working on it and I'm making sure to do things differently here. Yeah, bad things are still going to happen. Upsetting things too. But what I realized tonight is that it's already different. Had this been high school, none of my friends would have called to make me go out. They would have let me be in my room alone. Here, I have people who care enough about me to do something to make me feel better. I have people that I can trust. I have people that think I matter. Because I do. Things may not be perfect, nor do I want them to be, but I'm still a pretty lucky girl.

Creativity Must be a Family Trait

A few weeks ago over fall break my mom asked me to take some pictures of her pottery. I was happy to do it. She's been taking pottery classes for over a year now, and she's started to get really good. I love how every time she finishes a new piece she brings it home for me to see and critique. Of course, I always tell her I love it and usually ask to keep a piece. It's cool that we have something in common to talk about. We both love arty stuff like that and both support each other in everything we create. These are a few of my favorite pieces of hers. Enojy!!



This is one of my favorite pieces. I use this bowl at craft shows to put my business cards in.




This is a soap dish we use.

This is a bowl that sits on the kitchen table that we put sugar packets in.



These are 2 bowls she made to put a plant in. I love being able to tell people she made the stuff they see around the house.

On the left is a little bowl we use for sugar packets on the kitchen table. It looks so pretty when the light hits it. On the right is a bowl and shallower bowl she put a plant in. I love how I can tell people she made the items they're looking at when they're in our house.

Why Girls Flock To Ballroom

Before comeing to college, I made myself some goals to make sure my freshman year was good. Stuff along the lines of get good grades, meet people, join clubs, push myself out of my comfort zone, meet guys, ect. One of the clubs I joined was the Ballroom Dancing Society, which is now my absolute favorite thing to do, and every week I look forward to it. The awesome people are a major plus as well. Before joining this club, I was nervous. I am awful at dancing, and considering how accident prone I am to begin with, this didn't seem like a great idea. However, in my mind it seemed like a perfect way knock out two of my goals in one hit: to meet guys and push myself out of my comfort zone.



A few tiny problems. As much as I love ballroom dancing, it didn't exactly match the fantasy I had in my head. You know, the fantasy most girls have entering ballroom. Dancing with that totally hot and brooding guy in the corner. Being swept across the dance floor. Finding that perfect "dance partner" both on and off the floor. And on, and on, and on. Basically a total movie moment, think Take the Lead, with Antonio Banderas. which I wish my whole life could be made up of.

A few startling truths about ballroom. More girls tend to come to ballroom than guys. That means some girls are left dancing together. I have no problem with that, it's just annoying I can't be flirting with a handsome stranger while I dance. There are some guys there, however. Which brings me to the next point...

The Boys of Ballroom. Most of the intermediate dancers are total cuties and, of course, great dancers. I've even found awesome friends in one or two of them. But sadly, there's only so many intermediate guys, so now we go to the beginners. I've basically divided the beginner guys into 2 main groups; creepers, and possibilities. Possibilities are the guys coming here looking for girls because they know girls are looking for guys. They're usually at least a little cute, polite, nice, and don't totally suck as leads. Those are the fun guys to dance with. :) Creepers, on the other hand, are just that. They usually come to ballroom having never talked to a girl, never touched a girl, barely even looked at a girl. They're the ones that hold you too close or try to grab your butt. (Excuse me sir your hand goes on my back or my knee is coming up.) Needless to say, they aren't exactly what you picture when you think of romantic ballroom dancing.

Lastly, one last thing I for some reason keep forgetting as to why ballroom isn't exactly how I pictured it. I. Can't. Dance. I have two left feet and I am crazy accident prone. It takes me 50 times to even learn a few basic moves and I've stepped on people's feet a bunch. At the moment though, I have not been dropped yet, although I've been stepped on quite a few times.


Just to be clear, I love ballroom. Creepers and swollen toes aside, it's one of the best things I have ever done in my entire life. I've already found out I love the dances like the tango, rumba, and chacha, and when I have a cute guy as my partner, my dancing gets that much better. :) There's actually a competition coming up in November that I plan on entering. I may not be the best dancer by any means but I have fun and that's what I love about it. So for now, I'll wear my closed toed shoes, ask for some "extra practice" from some of the cuter dancers, and wait for my dancing movie moment to happen.

Looking on the Bright Side

I haven't blogged in a few days. Bad me. I've been a little stressed out, to say the least. I'll give you a quick rundown as to why I've been so upset, then I'm going to write about some happier things.

Long Story Short...

I thought my roommate issues were okay, until we had a little fight about keeping the sink clean on Wednesday. That opened the door to a whole other side of my roommate. We resolved it mostly, but things were still a little tense. On Friday we got a letter for one of us to leave and my roommates baiscally told me they expect me to move outbc they want more space. Then my mom and I, who are very close, started having some issues as well. Trying to get out a little, on Saturday I went to williamsburg with 2 friends and had a GREAT day. We had so much fun shopping (on a college budget, but still) and laughing. Once we got back to campus, the roommates were being evil yet again and all I wanted was to talk to my mom but I couldn't bc we were both upset with each other. I was really sad that night and spent it all alone in my room.

This morning I woke up feeling MUCH better. I met the person I am supposed to room with. She seems nice, but I just don't think it will be a great match... However, I am not living with my current situation because the people i live with now have shown me just how hurtful and low class they can be. I finally called my mom :) and she helped me decide that tomorrow I am walking over to housing and asking to be placed elsewhere.

Its been a little tough but I'm going to trust that this is all happening for a reason and it will work out how it is supposed to. I'm not the type of person to be sad and down for long, so I am going to point out some of the positives.

I've only been at college for about a month, and am slowly starting to make friends. The fact that I had people who wanted to know why I was sad, if they could help, and how I was doing showed me that there are some people here I do like and get along with that have the potential to be great friends. Two girls (one a close friend from HS, another we recently met) took a walk around campus with me in our bare feet at one AM. Aside from a few scary bugs we had fun running through the wet grass and laughing at the weird people still awake.

My one roommate has barely been in the room. I guess she's trying to show me how much she doesn't want me here. That makes me a little sad bc I enjoyed laughing with her before but I've used all my free alone time today to recopy my math notes, read for english, organize my desk, wash my huge pile of dishes, and eat really crunchy food without worrying about bothering her.

I can only think of one more good thing, but at least I found 3 good things out of this. The last one is that as I've mentioned before, I was looking at being here as my fresh start from all the crap I dealt with during my senior year. I still am. This little thing will pass and things will continue going well. :) However, I had somehow gotten it in my head that since this was my fresh start nothing bad would happen because I was here. I think I needed to realize there are still going to be problems in my life. I'm still dealing with what happened senior year. That doesn't mean that good things can't happen. I can still be positive, happy, bubbly, and optimistic. I can still keep moving forward and enjoy things. I just have to learn to roll with the punches and know there will be amazing people (like my mom) in my life to be there for me.