my weekend; in photos

here's a list of things that i enjoyed this past

weekend...and as you can see, a lot of it was yummy food ;)

long walks with trey outside in the amaazing weather we had -- home cooked meals -- saturday morning shopping trips and exploring with mike -- standing in line at a shoe release! -- neato burrito for lunch -- going out for sushi on 2nd street with my wonderful family -- family style sushi! yum! -- fried bananas. wow. -- buffalo chicken dip while watching hilarious SNL skits -- bowling with the family! (and beating mike once) and improving each time! -- milk and oreos -- long peaceful bus rides -- dark chocolate -- dad's famous french toast -- sunny rides in the miata with some ice cold sheetz coffee -- hanging out with the fam.

it was a great, relaxing weekend and exactly what i needed, heading into this busy week. hope all is well with everyone else-i'll be in touch!

[the sushi place we went to is called Miyako. It's a little restaurant on 2nd Street downtown. If you're a fan of sushi, I totally suggest that you go! And if you're not, they have a pretty big variety of other dishes too!]

---  

my thoughts on Valentines Day:

When I woke up this morning and signed on to Facebook and Twitter like I normally do, I was immediately faced with posts about Valentines Day. And most, to my dismay, were pretty negative. Yes, Valentines Day is only a holiday—and by no means, does it suggest that we only care about someone else one day out of 365. It’s a holiday. We take the time to celebrate every other holiday out of the year, so why should a day like today be any different?

Valentines Day is a nice gesture, damnit. It’s a day to go just a little bit above and beyond for the people that we love. It’s not a day limited to couples. We shouldn't be drowning in our own misery because we don't have a significant other. There are too many other people in our lives that we're forgetting about. And our love shouldn’t be limited to just one other person. Because today is one day out of 365 that we should really stop to think about all of the people that have been put into our lives. Our mothers, our fathers, our brothers and sisters, our friends, our significant other, our teachers, the staff that cleans the buildings, the security guards that keep us safe, those that make food in the cafeterias. Our love should have no boundaries.

And really, love is what we make of it; love is how we choose to view it. It’s not just a word, or a feeling—it’s something that can’t necessarily be grasped. And today, on Valentines Day, I experienced love all around me. I saw it in the man selling roses on the corner in the rain, in the heart-shaped lollipop that my advisor gave me at 10 o’clock this morning, and on the faces of dozens of boys and girls carrying bouquets of flowers around campus. I saw it in the red, white, and pink clothing, the old man running across the street to his wife, the homemade cards sitting around the lobby, and the box of chocolates that teachers handed out to their students. I saw it in the little white package I received, in the a cappella group that asked a girl to be their valentine, and in the free heart-shaped cookies offered every where that I went.

Love is about not only experiencing things, but about taking the time to let them sink in. And even though Valentines Day is just a holiday, I absolutely love its message—to spread the love and joy to those who spread it to you every day that you live.

 ---

Today, even though I couldn’t be with you all, I’d like to wish everyone in my life a Happy Valentines Day. You all mean more to me than I could ever express in words. Thank you for making me feel like the luckiest person in the world.

-lauren

  

  

a little late...

too many times i think we focus on the negative things in our lives. we let them linger. we dwell on them. we let them bring us down to see the world in shades of grey. thats why i like this little blog. it gives me a chance to really reflect upon the positive things--no matter how big or small they may be. and when you add all the little positive things that make up your day, you find that they outweigh the negative by far.

so here's a list of the good things in my life lately
as far as my memory can recall ;)

sleeping in on a saturday morning
the smell of fresh laundry
a snow-covered city right outside my window
cooking a fancy dinner with friends
playing football with two packaged chickens
valentines cups at starbucks
spending an entire friday morning in a cafe writing a paper
a bowl of oatmeal after night class
study sessions in the library
free music from itunes
a superbowl party with friends
a game of apples to apples and the laughter that ensues
the anticipation of going to see a good movie
a week of birthdays
visits home
walks outside in february with the pup
baking brownies and bringing them back to school with me
long bus rides
the thought of spring break being just 19 days away
quoting your favorite television show
cancelled class ;)
cookin dinner with my awesome dad
salvo trips and crafts with rachael

and well, i'm pretty sure that this little list of mine could go on for quite some time...i've got two more busy weeks ahead until i find myself on a big blue megabus to see my wonderful and beautiful friends at penn state :) and i'm definitely taking advantage of the time to get as much work done ahead of time as i can! going home last weekend was probably the best idea i've had in a long time--i miss you mom and dad! (and trey!) i hope everyone is having a good month of february so far, and happy valentines day! don't forget to let those whom you love, know just how much they mean to you :)


and, since i didn't really have time to blog about all of these wonderful people in my life earlier this week...HAPPY BIRTHDAY! to four people who mean oh so much to me. i wish you all another year of uncontrollable happiness :)

steph--feb. six

to a girl who can make whoever she is surrounded with

laugh - a gift that i truly admire about you.

i'm so thankful to have you here at pitt with me;

for the ear you lend to listening and the

nonstop fun that we have together each day.

you've made my second year here at pitt a great one,

and i cant wait for two more to come--

happy 19th woman!

leah--feb. seven

to a cousin who has always been more like a sister to me.

who lived with us for three weeks straight and who really

knows how to put away some lunch meat ;)

it's such a cool feeling to know that, if i ever come home for

a short weekend, that you're just right down the road.

you're one of the hardest working people i know and you

always persevere--

happy 23rd!

ash--feb. eight

to one of the realest girls i know. someone who never fails

to think of everybody else - who has done so much for me over

the years that i'll never be able to say thank you enough. 

i know that, any time we hang out, that i'm going to have a good time,

cus that's just the type of person that you are. even at two totally different

schools, i know that i can always count on you to be there 

for me. you have one of the biggest hearts.

happy 20th woman!

mike--feb. eight

to one of the best big brothers i could ever ask for;

to one of my very best friends. i feel so lucky to have not only

one, but two, big brothers who i don't fight with. who i can call

up any time during the day and just talk. you're probably one of the

only people who i can have a conversation made up entirely of television

show and movie quotes with and have it actually make

sense. thanks for never ever failing to make

me laugh.

happy 25th man!

its such a perfect day...

I am awfully sorry for my lack of blogging lately, but the truth is--I've just been so busy this last week! And it feels like today is my first day to just totally relax (and not even completely--I have a big exam to study for! ahhh!! procrastination!!!) But I figured that I should update this before even more big things happen in my life! So here it goes: the rundown of my life, as of late:

We held Open Meeting for our Service Fraternity last Wednesday, and after hanging up hundreds of flyers, tabling all week long, and passing the word on to friends, I'd say that our fraternity did a pretty damn good job at recruiting people! We had about 80 students show up who are interested in joining! It was really exciting to see so many people become interested in something that has really changed my experience here at Pitt, in the best possible way.

Thursday I went to an "Ice Breaker" game-night event to meet a lot of the new pledges and it was a blast! Everyone was so excited to be there and so sooo friendly--we have a really good group of people coming in. Afterwards, a group of my friends and I headed down to Nordy's Place at the bottom of the Union. They were hosting an Open Mic Night of singers, guitar players, and comedians. And we had a BLAST! The opening band was actually a local Pittsburgh Band, and afterwards they came over to meet us and thank us for their support! We must have been there for a good three hours, but it was just a really really good time. And it made me realize that, somehow, Thursday nights always turn out to be one of my favorite nights of the week...

Friday, I spent most of the daytime doing homework (lots of reading this semester!) in preparation for a busy night! APO met in the Union to make blankets for underprivileged children. Luckily for me, I just happened to be a certified pro at it thanks to my mom who taught me that skill waaayyyy back in the day at one of my birthday parties ;) THANKS MOM--the kids appreciate your talents!! hahaha

Afterwards--David, Daniela, and I took an adventure downtown to the Cultural District for a play at the Byham Theater. We saw Spring Awakening. It's a musical set to rock-themed songs and it's about a bunch of teenagers in the Victorian Era...it was pretty entertaining! And I had a great time enjoying the night with D and David.

I spent the rest of the night just hanging out with my wonderful and crazy friends, and I have to admit, I think this turned out to be one of the funniest nights ever--everyone was definitely on their A-game ;)

We woke up bright and early Saturday morning to take part in "Adopt-A-Block." We went out and picked up trash along the streets of South Oakland. There was a big group of us, and we ended up having a really great time. Afterwards we went out for coffee and bagels and talked to our new friend, Wiki, an exchange student from China. He taught us some Chinese and told us tons of crazy stories about his world travels--the best part about him though is definitely his British accent! He had us alllll cracking up!!

And THEN the beautiful Ashley arrived!!!! Steph and I picked her up from the Megabus station and spent the whole day together. She's just wonderful, and I was super happy about her arrival/spontaneous visit! It's always great to have visitors and something like that to look forward to. We spent the night with our friend Pags, making lots of yummy food and laughing the whole night through!!

On SUNDAY, I ventured out to the Pittsburgh Zoo with three other girls from one of my classes. We're in a sort of Nature/Global Politics class together and we have to give a presentation soon, so we chose the zoo! We lucked out with a somewhat warm day, and the animals were all really active! I just love going to the zoo. Unfortunately, the polar bears weren't out :( But we had a great time! I haven't had time to load the pictures from my camera onto my computer yet, so here are a few from my phone...and I promise, more to come! Cus who doesn't like to look at pictures of cute animals??

We dropped Ash back off at the Megabus stations and headed to an E-Board Meeting and finished the night with some homework. I'd also like to mention how much I've enjoyed skype dates with my amazing friends Rach and Colleen this past week! You guys are da bomb! And all of the delicious meals I've enjoyed with my friends here at Pitt. I'm so thankful for everyone in my life :)

Oh, and before I forget, last night we made Valentines Cards for The Children's Institute! It was really fun to get to be creative! Here's the card that I made, and here's David! He's going to be my travel partner in March! Yay!!

I'm heading back to Harrisburg this weekend, and I honestly cannot wait! I can't wait to see my puppy! And Rach! And my parents and cousin! And to drive! And to see movies! And all that good stuff--hopefully I have lots to blog about!

Take care everyone!--time to go finally study for this exam! :P

  

big belly laughs

today, i am simply thankful for my friends.

old and new.

near and far.

those who make me laugh

those big belly laughs.

and those who lend a listening ear

when things just don't seem to be

going all that great.

for the little messages i receive

throughout the day from each and

every one of them.

thank you for making me smile.

round tables.

This past weekend I got to experience the pleasure of being surrounded by family. The art of getting away without really going away. And I guess that’s one of the many many perks of having relatives so near.

This past weekend we celebrated my Grandma’s 80^th Birthday. She’s an amazing lady, to say the very least. And probably the thing that I admire most about her is her ability to find the best in everyone.

And while I sat at one of the round tables at her party and listened to each of her children talk about what she has taught them over the years, it made me realize how very lucky I am to have my mother. And not just my mom, but my entire family. Because they all teach me about different aspects of life. Whether it’s how to “work in a circle” or play a game of gin rummy. Or maybe how to shoot a basketball. Or even just how to look at things in a more artistic way in order to appreciate them on a whole new level. I am so very blessed. And no matter how small these things may seem, they’re really big to me. Because they have helped make me exactly who I have become. I am so very lucky to have a family that enjoys every moment we get together—a family that laughs more than any other that I’ve been around. Thank you.

And so I think it’s obvious to say that I really enjoyed my little weekend “away.” I got to spend the night at my Mimi’s house and watch as she went to town with her new laptop (that’s pretty damn impressive in my book!) I got to sit around the breakfast table with my aunt and uncle, eating scrambled eggs and buttered toast (and a really delicious coffee blend might I add!) I got to eat some of the best seafood ravioli I’ve ever had and talk about what I want to do with my life and about bus routes and what I’m learning in class. I got to laugh endlessly with my older cousin who’s always felt more like a sister to me. And I got to listen to my crazy parents talk endlessly about their “moves like jagger” too! It was a pretty awesome weekend in my book…

And this week is full of loose papers. Stains in the bottoms of my coffee cups. An assortment of teas. Little post-it notes all over the place. Scarves and rain boots and a couple layers of socks. Rain outside the window and slush on the ground. Music playing in the background. It’s full of flyers and fraternity recruiting. Meetings and projects and essays to write. And that feeling you get when you have two wonderful weekends to look forward to…

Happy Monday everybody!

a little bit of thanks for the little things.

the little things make all the difference:
a long (almost) 6 day martin luther king weekend. breakfast at eat'n park. seeing a movie in the theatre. caramel flavored coffee. laughing with friends (old & new). peanut butter & nutella sandwiches. lifetime movie marathons. homemade cinnamon sugar soft pretzels. late night card games around the kitchen table. silver christmas trees. burritos. being elected as PR chair for APO. foreign kids in class. IM-ing with alex. phone calls & skype dates with my brothers. the feeling of giving a good presentation. getting to say goodbye to kaylie and becca. knowing that theres only 42 days until im sitting on the beautiful beaches of california. getting out of (night)class early. new restaurants. the golden globes & fashion police. buffalo chicken dip for dinner. 500 days of summer on television. midday 90s dance marathons. knowing that i get to see my wonderful mom & dad in just two days.

mmmm. don't they look good??

also: i read this post on another blog yesterday, and since then i've already seen it reposted a couple of times over the internet. i thought it was a pretty cool concept. so, if you have some time, read: this awesome piece of writing.