It's the last week of school. I love college and I'm sad it's the summer. I was talking to Marie about this at lunch and we decided that it's definitely healthy to go home and be away from people for a while, but I've really never had a more fulfilling time in my life. College-age people are amazing. For the most part my friends are honest, they love freely, they joke around, they want to be better, and they are still hopeful. It seems the older people get the more they lose their hope. But I love that so many of my friends here are looking for improvement and transformation in their lives. I never want to lose my hope. I know life will be difficult at times but I seriously hope that Jesus reminds me of the dreams, desires, and longings that I have right now. Without desire we welcome depression and all the things that bring us down. I know Jesus to be the ongoing fulfillment of my desires and so I never want to neglect them.
So now I ask myself, what are my desires? I think it a good exercise, so here's a list.
Love
Intimacy
Transformation
Freedom
Life
To get up every morning loving my tasks for that day
To be a good friend
To be beautiful
To offer myself without selfish restraints
To not worry at all about what other people think
To go on an adventure

I guess there's probably more... but who knows. I just hope I stay hopeful.

Now

Right now I'm typing this blog on holland's iPod touch. We're with a big group. People are funny and weird and awesome and ridiculous. I wish I were more gracious in my mind toward others. I'm in process... It'd be nice if the process weren't so long. I'm done here.

33 things I like [because I don't want to copy Marie]

pedicures
JMH
family cook-outs
North Carolina
waves in the ocean
funny people
clothes
Books about life
back rubs
high heels
new underwear
The Band of Brothers series
My lab group
Open Dorm
dancing
Moms
Mason
Jeremy
Jai Ho Jai Ho
Guys who dress awesome
Journals
Eye shadow
Milk
Nail polish
Freedom
Music
Driving with the windows down
Kresge Roof
Running
Spanish
Painting
Nice calves
Beards

I needed to procrastinate. Thanks for the idea Marie.

Biology

I'm in biology class. I've given up. My worst grade is in this class and it's a gen-ed. I wish I cared about biomes.
I just discovered this photo on Corbis, and I feel pretty good about biology now. God help us, this poor child. I want to "scoop him up" [as Kate would say].
One more reminder that I don't have to complain.

Anyhow, class is over. I get to go eat lunch now. Happy Wednesday!

Easter Sunday

We just got back from church, it's sunny outside, and I'm eating a Russell Stover Coconut Cream Egg. I feel quite picturesque.

No but seriously this is the best candy to ever grace my tongue.

Now I need a drink.

BRB.

Ok I'm back. This Holy Week has been an adventure of emotions, activities, etc. How much more of an adventure must it have been for Christ. The anticipation he lived with truly took the strength of God to push through. He's the bravest of us all and I'm thankful to say that I am a fortunate one who is alive because of His life and resurrection.

So anyhow, I hope everyone's had a marvelous, wonderful, restful, blessed Easter. Christ is Risen!

Let's Friends

As a response to Marie-Claire's last blog I have been thus inspired to write my own about all our dear friends. A shout-out if you will. Order has no baring on importance. I love them all the same.

Elizabeth: We have lived together for so long. It's been grand and outrageous. Our mid-night rantings, spontaneous dates to the mall, her crap everywhere, the scent of nail polish, and 57. I will miss the pitter patter of her beating heart in the night next year when I'm living alone. I don't need to say anything else. I love Elizabeth Prillaman.

Katelyn: Every time I glance over at her blond locks my heart skips a beat. She's always joyful and kind and she touches like no other. If she wasn't here no one would play with my hair. But what's more she loves her friends and loves Jesus and has a beautiful heart. I love Katelyn Nichols.

Marie-Claire: We hang out all the time. I can talk with her soooooo well. That's inadequate, but we have had the most precious conversations this past year. Life at the 'bury would be seriously lacking if she weren't here because she's such a loyal friend and can handle anything you have to dish out. She likes to pray too, which is cool. She's honest and hilarious and beautiful and I love her.
Dottie: Dorothy Jean, DJ, Deej, Deejeeey, Dot, Dottie. It doesn't matter. I love her because her name is so versatile and so much more because she's awesome. She writes lovely notes to her friends all the time and is probably one of the kindest people ever. She has awesome outbursts of honesty and it's hilarious. She thinks she needs a filter but I disagree. Also, her laugh is precious and she's beautiful. I love Dorothy Jean Ennis.
Taylor: So lovely, so genius, so thought-provoking. She says the most hilarious one-liners and never misses a beat. She's probably the most creative person on our hall. One day she's going to write some incredible stuff and for the first time in my life I will read. She's beautiful and fun and I love Taylor Brantner.Kate: She's a Brannen through and through. I love it. I love that she's so witty and that she loves pink. She wants to run so bad. I want her to run so bad too. I have high hopes that before graduating Asbury we will run together. We have great talks and Kate is always understanding. If you need to cry just go to Kate because she'll tell you that it's okay to cry. She's beautiful and I cherish our friendship. I love Kate Brannen.

Anna: She's in love. It's precious. But more than that she loves everyone. She rarely meets someone that she just doesn't like. She always thinks the best of people and unless someone has totally dissed her she never says anything bad about others. She's encouraging and always is excited to see her friends. We had a sushi date the other night and it was so fun. Anna has great insight and a beautiful heart. Plus her exterior is super pretty too. Ryan would agree. I love Anna Mozley.

Jenelle: She's in Spain right now. She's awesome. She was a pond for Halloween. Seriously, how cool is that? She's so energetic and fun and always wants to do something crazy and spontaneous. She loves her friends and people and we can't wait to have her back next semester. I love Jenelle McClean.

Es Viernes Otra Vez

Acabo de terminar mis clases para esta semana. Ya me siento libre. Estoy planeando disfrutar este fin de semana por que hay muchas actividades y cosas divertidas que hacer. Bueno, now in ingles.

Today my best friend in the whole mundo sent me a text that said, "Lauren, I am a pooping machine." Surprised and delighted by the hilarity of her text, I began to expound on the topic of bodily functions. That's the kind of relationship we have. It's good. Having friends you can talk about poo with is a good thing. If you don't have one, get one. Your life will be fuller.

However, I am under the impression that nowadays people aren't lacking in friendships that permit them to talk about excrement. That sounds sick. What I mean though, is that the world we live in is in the process of adopting the "anything goes" mentality. Look at art. The definition is so blurred because anything is accepted as art. But that's a large topic. All I'm saying is poop. Just poop. This is getting out of control. I'm done with this blog.