I got a letter today from William Woods University today. I've officially been accepted! I'm so super excited. I got a call Wednesday informing me, but something about getting an official letter just feels awesome. So, Lord willing, I'll be an owl next fall. Woot! 

  

Cheers, 

Lauren 

This is one of my favorite Christmas songs. I really like the way these guys sing it too, but they all "know" they're cute. It's kind of annoying. But I like pulling up the song, and then checking my mail/facebook. -That way I can listen and don't have to watch them. :)









Also, mom told me that there isn't a link back to my blog from the automatic e-mail that some of you get when I post. So I'm going to try to remember to hyperlink my name back to the posts. Basically, if you want to see my page instead of reading my posts as an e-mail, click my name at the bottom of the post. 


Cheers,
Lauren 

This is an essay I had to write for school last week. It's a personal essay about Thanksgiving. Hope you enjoy it! ~Lauren 

~~~~

For many families, Thanksgiving is a joyful day of giving thanks, yummy food, family and football. While this is certainly the case for my family, I can’t help but think that most families don’t have what I’ve grown up with. Our most recent thanksgiving holiday stretched into a four-day weekend, starting with a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner, and ending with a fantastic Sunday lunch, but the fellowship with extended family through the weekend is what made it one that I will remember for a long time. 

While football is part of our holiday weekend, I love it solely for entertainment reasons. When my aunts and uncles watch football, they are very vocal. Listening to them whoop while doing their victory dances, or yell at the players to run faster is much more entertaining than the actual game. Of course, our weekend wouldn’t be complete without also having a chick-flick movie night. We usually have one “girls only” movie night, while the guys watch sports and play video games. This is always fun, and we get to enjoy having some girl time while watching period-pieces. 

Another tradition that my cousins and I have established over the years is coloring Disney pictures with crayons, while listening to musical soundtracks. This tradition was a big part of our holiday this year, including an eleven-man parade to the store to buy coloring pages. Another tradition we love is playing “outside” games, such as ultimate frisbee, basketball, mafia, (a made-up game based on a card-game) and tag. These games are especially great because we can all enjoy time together, even though our group this year varied in age from 11 to 20. 

Sunday morning Church is also a great blessing because the relationships we’ve built up during the week are fortified as we worship our God together. This is something that I’ve never really thought about before, but this holiday season has really helped me appreciate the amazing blessing of a wonderful family. 

This holiday season, I really feel like I’ve had an epiphany. I’ve learned that I’ve been blessed with a wonderful childhood, with great family, and memories I will never forget. I’ve learned that crazy families are the best, tradition is good, and the future will be amazing. As we have built up relationships and memories together, I have learned what a gift my grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins have given me: the gift of a close family. That is what I am thankful for this year.  

Happy Birthday :)

November 30th

I found out a few days ago that today is Jonathan Swift, Sir Winston Churchill, and  Mark Twain's birthday. Pretty cool, huh? So, in honor of them, I found a bunch of their quotes. (What is it with me and quotes??) :)

Anyway, they were all pretty interesting men, so I hope you enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~

Difficulties mastered are opportunities won. ~SWC

There are two things that are more difficult than making an after-dinner speech: climbing a wall which is leaning toward you and kissing a girl who is leaning away from you. ~SWC

You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life. ~SWC

“A kindness spontaneously offered to him who needs it, is doubly gratifying.” ~JS

Too often the strong, silent man is silent only because he does not know what to say, and is reputed strong only because he has remained silent. ~SWC

I think we never become really and genuinely our entire and honest selves until we are dead--and not then until we have been dead years and years. People ought to start dead, and they would be honest so much earlier. ~MT

Never tell the truth to people who are not worthy of it. ~MT

Oh, this infernal Human Race! I wish I had it in the Ark again--with an auger! ~MT

Nothing is so great an example of bad manners as flattery. If you flatter all the company, you please none; If you flatter only one or two, you offend the rest. ~JS                                 

God's noblest work? Man. Who found it out? Man. ~MT

I never knew a man come to greatness or eminence who lay abed late in the morning. ~JS

Power is no blessing in itself, except when it is used to protect the innocent. ~JS

I don't mind what the opposition say of me so long as they don't tell the truth about me. But when they descend to telling the truth about me I consider that this is taking an unfair advantage. ~MT

“Vision is the art of seeing things invisible.” ~JS


The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is. ~SWC

“May you live all the days of your life.”  ~JS

The length of this document defends it well against the risk of its being read. ~SWC

Soda

I'm considering taking sodas out of my diet. Thoughts? Opinions?

Cheers,

Lauren

A bucket full of dreams

Someday I'm going to look back on my 17-year-old self, and laugh at the things I think (thought) are (were) important. Oh well. Anyway, I know some people write letters to their future (or former) self, and I've been thinking about doing that, but it would probably just end up unbearably awkward. So instead, I've decided that I'm just going to publish (on the world-wide-interweb,) a list of things I hope to do in the future. Sort of like a bucket list, but not really.

Enjoy!

Someday, I want live in the middle of no-place, own several wooded acres, and have a blueberry farm and llamas. 

Someday, I want to grow a garden like this: 

Someday, I want to hang-glide. 

Someday, I want to mountain-unicycle. 

Someday, I want to milk a cow.

Someday, I want to climb a mountain.

Someday, I want to be a published author. Like of a book. Preferably Books. 

Someday, I want to be a Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Great-grandmother. 

Someday, I want to travel the world.

Someday, I want to be an amazing cook.

Someday, I want to speak in front of 1,000 people. Or maybe 10,000 people.

Someday, I want to run a marathon.

Someday, I want to be a good snowboarder. ( I guess this mean I should snowboard someday?)

Someday, I want to live (for at least 2 years,) in another country.

Someday, I want to pogo a mile.

Someday, I want to be an American Sign Language Interpreter.

Someday, I want to work with kids.

Someday, I want to (short-term) work in a museum. (Smithsonian? Library of Congress?)    

Someday, I want to look back on my life, and say "I have really lived. And not because of me, but because I have lived for God."

~~~~~~ 

"In my world everyone is a pony, and they all eat rainbows, and poop butterflies!" 

Fears

What I fear most, is coming to the end of my life and finding I've wasted it by doing nothing, or by fighting for the wrong things.  If I"m going to live, I want to make a meaningful difference.

Confession: If I died tomorrow, my worst fears would come true.

What do you fear most?

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

- Emily Dickinson

Going For Water
The well was dry beside the door, And so we went with pail and can Across the fields behind the house To seek the brook if still it ran; Not loth to have excuse to go, Because the autumn eve was fair (Though chill), because the fields were ours, And by the brook our woods were there. We ran as if to meet the moon That slowly dawned behind the trees, The barren boughs without the leaves, Without the birds, without the breeze. But once within the wood, we paused Like gnomes that hid us from the moon, Ready to run to hiding new With laughter when she found us soon. Each laid on other a staying hand To listen ere we dared to look, And in the hush we joined to make We heard, we knew we heard the brook. A note as from a single place, A slender tinkling fail that made Now drops that floated on the pool Like pearls, and now a silver blade. ~Robert Frost

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!"

He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time the manxome foe he sought--
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood awhile in thought.

And as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!

One, two! One, two! and through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.

"And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!"
He chortled in his joy.

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
                           -Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There, 1871

To be alive is power-
Existence in itself,
Without a further function,
Omnipotence enough.

To be alive and will
'Tis able as a god!
The further of ourselves be what-
Such being finitude?
                         -Emily Dickinson, c. 1864

It's poems week. Emily Dickinson is probably my favorite poet, so most will probably be by her. Enjoy! Also, Happy Halloween. 

Witchcraft has not a pedigree-

'Tis early as our breath;

And mourners meet it going out

The moment of our death.

                            -Emily Dickinson, undated 

A few mornings ago, I biked to the lake. The weather was just wonderful, and I had a lot of fun! Anyway, I took a few pictures and thought I'd share some of them with you. Enjoy! :)

The Smells of Summer

I stand at the end of the street. The first day of fall is tomorrow, but the smells of summer still dance around me. This is my reminder, why I love this time of year. I have been walking through the neighborhood, enjoying twilight's end. Darkness is fast approaching, and now I stand and simply breathe.

As I look around,  I see that the sprinklers have somehow manage to elude crispy grass in more than one yard; they have soaked pavement instead. A neighbor has recently mowed, leaving behind the smell of cut grass to mingle with warm wet pavement.

It has been hot today. Now, in the twilight, dryers are being started. The fast approaching night has promised cooler temperatures, thus luring some industrious person to finish a job started hours earlier. Dryer air piped through vents adds a third layer in this last aromatic dance of summer.

The BBQ party down the street has also generously contributed to this final salute. Cooked meat and burning leaves add a rich and almost woodsy aroma about our subdivision.

I am content to watch another delightful summer come to a close. Open window weather has just arrived, and I am now more grateful than ever for the hot weather we've had.

Fall is here. And this closing, this page turning, brings hope for a new and glorious season, not just for the cooler temperatures and gold-burnished leaves, but also for my life. My senior year has begun, and as I get ready to transition into college life, I can say with confidence, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." I can look forward to the challenges of this year, and the changes of the next.

I will walk home now; twilight has just ended. The dance is almost over, but the song will last. Welcome, Autumn.

                          

Guest Post from Abbie

Hey, so this is a piece that my best friend Abbie wrote awhile back. I really liked it, so I asked her if I could post it, and she said yes. (Yay!) You can check her out here. =) 
Toodles! ~L.

~~~~~~ 

"So, at Oneblaze, God spoke to me. He said, "Go talk to those people."

And I said, "Mmm, no." Here's a hint. When talking to an all powerful God, don't say no. It doesn't usually end up well.

God spoke again. He was like, "No, really. Go talk to that family. Look, Isaac is sitting with them. You already have an open door."

And I said, "Okay, God. You win."

Apparently, God is smart or something, because he knew what he was doing, sending me to talk to these people. Funny how that happens, the God of the Universe being in control of situations and all. But anyways.

There's this girl. Her name is Olivia. She has long blonde hair and trusting blue eyes. She's five years old. This is her brother, Hayden.  This is John. He takes care of them. She likes this movie, How to Train Your Dragon. She's seen it before. She laughs at Isaac for being scared of the dragons. Olivia's not scared. She doesn't even flinch when they come roaring on screen.

Olivia likes Justin Bieber. Her seven year old brother doesn't. They argue for a while about whether or not Justin is gay. And I wonder... do they really know what that means? Or are they just spitting out the gossip they've heard over and over?

There's a pause.

And then, out of the blue, Olivia states - "My dad is in jail. Sometimes, Mom doesn't have enough food for us."

I think my heart will break.

But Olivia doesn't seem to be in pain. She doesn't act embarassed. These are just more facts about her life, stated in the same way she describes how much she likes popcorn.

We talk about her dad for a little while. How long has he been in jail? Does she miss him? But Olivia's five year old brain can't stay focused for long. Soon, she is talking about the movie again.

I feel like crying for her. But I can't. She doesn't need my sympathy. She's independent, tough. She doesn't want my sympathy.

So what can I do for her, God?

Almost without thinking I ask Oilvia if I can braid that long, blonde, beautiful hair. She looks at me then, and there is something in those eyes - a longing, a hunger for love.

Oh, Olivia. What is your life like?

I take my time doing her hair. It's difficult, since she won't stay still. She keeps turning her head around to look at me and talk to me.

There. Finished. Olivia runs her hands over her hair several times, and then looks up at me -

"Can you do TWO?"

I laugh, and take out the braid to being again. Breanne sacrifices her own ponytail holder for the cause. This time, Olivia sits more quietly for me. Once, she shivers. It's getting a bit chilly.

She watches some people hugging, and seems a bit werided out. Why are they doing that? I ask Olivia if she likes hugs, and she thinks for a little bit before responding. Yes, she likes hugs. A hug like this? She giggles. "Do it again!" that hunger in her eyes pleads. So I do - and this time, she hugs back. Her laugh is loud and clear and beautiful. I smile.

No sooner is the second braid finished before she is asking "Can you do THREE?" Three braids? Are you sure? I've never done three before, I tell her. It might look funny. But she just turns around, sits in front of me, and waits.

I beg another ponytail holder from Ambar. But the minute I begin braiding again she is already asking...

"Can you do ELEVEN?"" 

Who inspires you?

I've come to realize that there's a difference between inspirational "heroes" and people who inspire me. While no one would refute George Washington as an iconic leader, or Mother Teresa's impact on the world, most "inspiring" people don't get me motivated in the mornings.

What really inspires me is the teenagers my age who are not afraid to speak out. I've learned over the last several years that many teens and young adults have passed into a 'political burn out' phase. So many politicians are self-serving and harsh, leaving little room for spreading anything close to a message of hope for a lost world.

So we sit at home deciding to leave politics to the political nuts because in our books, we can't show love to people if we are politically involved. (Note: 'politically involved' could mean anything from running for office, helping on a campaign, or simply holding up a sign saying abortion isn't the answer.)

A recent example: I've heard people say that abortion is evil, but laws aren't going to change the people. It's the people we should be working to help. This is one of the hardest ideas for me to face because there really is some truth in that. Changing laws will not necessarily change people.

So, the problem I run up against is not liberal lefties who want to challenge my views, but disillusioned teens who want little or nothing to do with political anything. They agree with what I'm saying, but have no plans to actually get involved.

Just to be clear, I'm not saying that working to change hearts is not important. I think it is, but I feel that we can't be afraid to change things politically as well as changing individuals.

So, who inspires me? Teens who will step out and tell anyone who will listen what they believe. Teens who will share their dreams for the future. Teens who are not afraid to be labeled as "out there" or "that political kid." Teens who want to make a difference.

Those are the people who make me want to get up and do something.

There is no frigate like a book to take us lands away

Some of my favorite quotes from some of my favorite books. :) --My absolute favorite book/quote is the last one. Enjoy!

"God," he said,  "God of the green pastures and still waters. I'm not praying for help because I am David and that's something that can't be altered. But I want You to know that I've found out that green pastures and waters are not enough to live by... nor is freedom. Not when you know there's love in the world. And you haven't anyone to belong to because you are different and only a boy who's run away. I'm only saying this to tell You that You needn't help me anymore to escape from them. It doesn't matter. Thank you for the times You helped me when I thought life was worth living. I am David. Amen."                                                             
                                                                                           -I Am David

"I've begun to realize that you can listen to science and learn from it. It has a quality and dimension all its own. It talks to me sometimes. I feel myself alive in it. It talks, and I can hear it."
                                                                                           -The Chosen

[Mr. Hyde] seems hardly human! Something troglodic, is it mere radiance of a foul soul that thus transpires through and transfigures its clay content? If ever I read Satan's signature upon a face, it is on that of your new friend!
                                                                                           -Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

He is not easy to describe. There is something wrong with his appearance; something displeasing, something downright detestable. I never say a man I so disliked, and yet I scarce know why. He must be deformed somewhere; he gives a strong feeling of deformity, although I could not specify the point.

                                                                                           -Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde 

 Bombardment, barrage, curtain-fire, mines, gas, tanks, machine-guns, hand-grenades- words, words, but they hold the horror of the world....How long has it been? Weeks--months--years? Only days. We see time pass in the colourless faces of the dying, we cram food into us, we run, we throw, we shoot, we kill, we lie about, we are feeble and spent, and nothing supports us but the knowledge that there are still feebler, still more spent, still more helpless ones there who, with staring eyes, look upon us as gods that escape death many times.

                                                                                           -All Quiet on the Western Front 

Oratory Contest

It is 7:32. Roughly 15 hours until I have to give my speech. It has just hit me that I only have one shot to get into the second round. There will be five of us per room, and only two will be chosen. 15 hours to work, not including sleep. Subtract a good 8 hours, and I'm left with a mere 7. Subtract time for going to the hotel gym, eating, showering, makeup, hair, and dressing, and I am left with approximately 4 1/2 hours. I begin to wish I'd practiced more in the car; I had the time then.

I've been standing in a circle of contestants, lightly chatting about tomorrow, our plans for college, the weather, food. As I tune back into the conversation, I catch that they are discussing past speaking experience. One girl mentions that she's been in theater productions for the past 14 or so years. She is used to giving long memorized speeches. Another states that she's been competing nationally for speech and debate for 5 or 6 years. As more people talk about their speaking history, I begin to feel...out of place. 

3 1/2 hours. I forgot to subtract time for this event - a meet and greet for the contestants. I've met several girls competing; most seem genuinely nice, although a few remind me of competitive barbie dolls. I feel bad; everyone  has been nice, and polite. No outrageous attitudes of superiority, it's just a vibe I feel. A little questioning inside of myself. If they knew how little experience I've had, they'd probably laugh and ask why I've even come.

Inadequate. Ill prepared. Step up to the plate, hon. They aren't gonna cut you any slack.

I spend the rest of the evening practicing my speech. Wandering the hotel halls, listening to the recording I made of the speech on my ipod. I grimace a few times. The inflection on that line is off. I can almost hear the pause in my train of thought as I recognize that this is the spot where I had to grab my speech and read from it until I regained my place. Could those glitches in the recording somehow stick with me as I give my speech from memory tomorrow? Will they be able to tell I didn't have it down until tonight? I decide to ride the elevators. As people come in and out, they see that I'm not going anywhere. A girl riding the elevators with her ipod in. 19 floors, up and down. I don't care. 

The people coming and going give me a chance to pause in my practice. Keep me from focusing too long on how nervous I'm growing. I don't know if I'm really doing myself any good, but I'm having fun.

I do this for fun. This is not about winning, it's about the love of speaking and passion for the innocent. If the passion comes across, I know I have done my job well.  

I have no time to really  practice the next morning. I get up early to work out, then get ready. It is suddenly time to check in. I'm told that I must draw for speaking order. Last. Rats. I have been hoping for second or third, but I'm told that fifth really is the best spot as I have more of a chance to leave my impression.

I will not get nervous. I am prepared. I have spent hours and hours getting ready for this; I can give my speech without messing up. I will nail it. 


The first speech blows me away. It can't get better than this. Or can it? I begin to think about the kids yesterday. Have they all been ''speeching'' for years? I listen to the second and third speeches. They are both really good. I think my delivery is better than the second. The third, I'm not so sure. She looks so comfortable up there. Can I pull that off? The fourth speaker stands up to speak. He is tall, and only stands four or five feet away. I have to look way up to see his face. As he starts speaking, I can tell his speech is going to make the room emotional. Call it a speaker's premonition, or maybe it's just my fear that I'll lose it. He tells of his family's history of choosing life. He tells of his adoption and his brave birth mother. And then the shocker: she is here, now. In this room. I am having a hard time keeping the tears back as he finishes up.

What a great story. Keep it together; you will be up soon. Look up, show that you are listening. Don't be rude. Look down. Blink. You can't cry. Tears may be appropriate after that story, but they won't help your speech any. Focus. 


And then he is done. We all clap. I know I will have roughly 45 seconds before I have to get up. Should I give my title? Mom says I should. Stories, Lies, and Propaganda. I haven't practiced with it. How long should I pause? Better not; no need to put extra strain on my nerves at this point. Maybe next round, if I get through.

"Lauren Hayden." They call my name. Slide my brave, confident, outgoing face on. I will pretend that I am afraid of nothing. They can't know how I'm shaking inside. I pretend I am a con artist. This is my turn to act. 


"I love stories." I have started. Just a few more lines and I feel my confidence coming back for real. I don't have to act as much.

And then it is over. I am done. Last speaker. I look over to Mom and then to Granddad. We will soon walk out; back up to our rooms. We have just over an hour before we will find out who has made it, and who hasn't. I need to eat lunch, but I'm not hungry; surprise, surprise.

Roller coaster ups and downs. This is how my emotions and energy levels have acted all day. Pull it together. I won't even make it to the next round. I steel myself for the inevitable. There are so many kids who have been speaking much longer than I have. 


I sit with my friend Leah. We have decided that when we both don't make it to the next round, we will go swimming. They read the names off in order of scores. Lowest first, ending in top scores. Suddenly, right in the middle, we hear my name, then hers. We are both through!

The roller coaster has just taken off again! Up for the long hill. Soon you will be inside out and upside down. Enjoy the ride. 


This time I am speaking to a larger audience. It is easier this time; I like bigger groups. I know when I am done that I won't advance. It's not like last time when I thought there might be a chance. This time I know. It does not bother me; I've done as well as I had hoped - my best. I really feel I given it my all. And there's always next year, right?

I stick around to hear the results. My plan is to then go change, and come back in time to hear the last four speeches. As we all wait, there is a kind of charged silence. Everyone has worked so hard for this day. And then, as we wait together the top four contestants are called. Nicole, Christina, Alexa, and Caitlin. All wonderful speakers. What a day it has been. Being here has been a great blessing; and as I listen to the final round, I think about coming back next year. You better believe I'm coming back! What will I do differently? How can I improve? I know I have a lot of work to do.

I am still on that adrenaline high; this is what I love doing.

                                              This is something I will remember forever.
                                                             
                                                                                               This is me.
                             
                                                                                                         I am speechless.

Take it all with a grain of salt. Or a bucket of salt; that works too.

Okay, if you know me, you probably know I'm a reader. You might also know that I've been preparing for the nrtl oratory contest. So, obviously, what does a girl who loves speechifying and reading do while she is preparing to go to a national contest? She checks out books on speaking and then compiles a list of points to remember while preparing for and giving a speech. Duh. Unfortunately, I kind of ran into a problem. What type of problem you ask? Well, here's the list I compiled from about eight different books. [In my own words.]

•The easiest trick for remaining calm while speaking is to picture the audience naked. (Duh?)

•Never try to picture the audience naked. This can be distracting and it very rarely works. 

                                                             ~~~
•Always have water on hand, dry mouth effects even the most professional speakers.

•Dry mouth can not be cured by drinking water; you will just end up needing to use the bathroom. Instead you should try biting the inside of your mouth, or thinking about a juicy lemon. 

                                                            ~~~
•Never wear old clothes. You are more likely to have undiscovered holes, stains, or rips. Instead, wear something semi-new. 

•It is best to wear clothes you have worn a lot and are very comfortable with; you don't want to be
uncomfortable in what you are wearing.
                                                        ~~~

•Heels empower women; wearing them not only gives the more stature, but also more confidence. 

•Wearing heels is a silly and old-fashioned idea. Totally unnecessary. 

                                                      ~~~
•Telling jokes is a terrible way to open a speech because it can be nerve wracking if jokes fall flat, and also jokes can make a bad impression, depending on the setting. 

•Telling jokes puts your audience at ease, and shows everyone that you are comfortable in your own skin.

                                                      ~~~
•Eating a good meal before speaking is always advisable because you do not want to be thinking about food while giving a speech, and you also don't want your stomach growling.  

•Always give yourself two hours between eating and speaking. You don't want to have problems with what you've just eaten while on stage. 

                                                   ~~~
•Memorizing your speech is a bad idea because then it will sound stilted. 

•Memorizing your speech is the only way to go because notes distract and you don't want to go way over-time. 

*Sigh* So, what do you think? What advice should I listen to? :) I think the best advice I learned from any of the books is that it just takes experience.

Chocolate

Hey guys! Today I thought I'd post an update on chocolate, but I also would like to encourage you to consider a few things--more on that to come later. :)

The other day I realized that it has only been about a year since I decided to stop eating non-fair-trade chocolate, but then again, it seems kind of crazy that it's already been so long.

At first, I thought I'd never really be able to not eat chocolate. I mean, yeah, it is possible to find fair trade chocolate, but I don't really know anyone who stocks up their candy dishes with it. Plus, come on: it all tastes the same! Sometimes I would just forget, and then I would feel really bad. But then I sat down and wrote a post about only eating fair trade chocolate. In the process, I really had to look at my motivations. This turned out to be a really great thing because saying something and and sitting down and clarifying it for myself and anyone else are two different things.

So then I couldn't find anything fair-trade, and I just resigned myself to not eating chocolate ever. Thankfully, I found out a few months ago that wal-mart carries a fair-trade brand (green and blacks,) and although the bars are more expensive than others, they are way better, and have totally satisfied the few chocolate cravings I've had.

On a (rather long) side note, when I went back and re-read my first post about chocolate, and found I was really vague when it came to statistics. So I thought I'd actually give some facts, and just encourage you to think about what you consume.

75% of America's chocolate is sourced from the Ivory Coast, where over 15,000 child slaves are forced to work for little or no wages. They are there because they have been kidnapped or sold by family members, or are born into slavery. (BTW, the Ivory Coast is a country; it's circled in the picture below.)

I have also read that there are as many or more than 269,000 child slaves in surrounding countries in West Africa. This is just so sickening, and although I know most people like chocolate way too much to give most of it up just as a reminder to be thankful for what I have, and remember to try to make a difference, it's really opened my eyes.

People have asked me before why I have just quit eating chocolate. "There are so many other products that we buy every day that are produced in places where conditions are terrible, and don't you care about those too?" Or "do you really think you can make a difference?" Well, I know that if I tried to find out about everything we consume in just our household, I'd probably be opposed to just about everything in one form or another. But I can't possibly do that. That is not my mission. My mission is to raise awareness in those around me, and maybe plant a seed to get others thinking. I know that just my eating chocolate will not change the fact that there are literally millions of slaves in bondage today. But like I said in my last post, it's not about trying to change the world yet, it's about me. Do I really want to live life in an oblivious state? This is my reminder not to.

So, that is my update. HERE is my challenge. Take some time this month, and learn about a group of people who don't have it as good as you do. It doesn't matter if it's child slaves in Africa, or homeless families in New York. Find out about what they go through, and see if you can make a difference. If you don't think that you can really do much, think about simply changing your lifestyle. It can be something like I did in only supporting fair-trade chocolate and using it as a reminder that I am crazy blessed, or raising money for a specific cause. Even sending care packages to someone, or recycling boxes as a reminder that some people live in cardboard boxes. 

So, what are you going to do? 

Cheers, 

Lauren 

speeching

I 've been speeching lately. It's a lot of fun, but my thought process is always really scattered, leaving me kind of drained afterward. Anyway, in a spurt of semi-creativeness, I tried to re-create what goes through my mind. Hope you enjoy! :)

~~~

All eyes are staring; waiting expectantly. But it's not about speed. Am I comfortable? In the company of friends, right? No firring squad -just like minded people. Don't over-think. Smile. Ready? GO.

I take a breath and start. The words flow through me; muscle memory of the vocal chords. But I'm not telling just any story. I feel my words working through the numbing effects of the adrenaline pulsing through my veins. Do they see yet? My story is unfolding, and they will soon know. Focus. Passion. Don't be too dramatic. And then suddenly I drop my grenade. Weren't expecting that were you? Now you know my secret too. But I must wrap up now-- carry through. I've gotten through all the hard parts. But don't forget, the ending is just as important. Slow down, remember? Last sentence. 1-2 *pause* 3 breath. 4 *contact*....5.

And it's over. Last sentence nailed. Step back. Breath. It's done.

Cheers!
Lauren

How can you not want to make a difference?

WARNING: this post is a rant. If you don't want to read my complaints please stop reading here. Thanks. :) 

~~~~~

Some of you know that I am taking an online history class this year. Over all, it's been pretty good, but there have been times when I've gotten really frustrated. One such time was during an all-class discussion. We had been studying the industrial revolution, and the question was asked of my class if we thought that it would be a good idea for someone to make a new version of How the Other Half lives, by Jacob Riis.

Now I have to admit, before this I'd never heard of the book. So I did a little research, and found that it was a really eye opening book when it came out in 1890. Basically, because there was such a economical gap between the classes, many upper class people were oblivious of the life-styles of lower class people. The author, Jacob Riis, was working to change that.

Anyway, the question asked of my class was a simple, "do you think society needs a new version of the book?" Obviously, I said yes. But for others in the class the answer was not the same. Here's my point of view: Americans seem very self-absorbed. We don't want to notice anything outside of our self-centered bubble of a life. An eye opening book, or TV show might force us do just that though. Yeah, it sounds harsh to say that our nation as a whole is self-absorbed, but it's how I feel right now. No apology there. And no, I am not saying that I am exempt from this bug.

Anyway, I checked back in with the message board a few days later, and the responses that I read from the other students really shocked me. Instead of agreeing that something needs to change, most either said that there are enough eye opening books out there, or that poverty will always be here no matter what we do.

I'm not going to lie, this made me very frustrated. I don't see how people can say that we don't need to do anything to learn about, or to help others. It just doesn't make sense to me. *Sigh* 

So, I wrote the above post about a month and a half ago. I didn't post it because I wanted to go back a re-read what I wrote when I was in a less rant-ish mood. I feel the same way now as I did then. Needless to say, I'ma gonna post this. :)

Oh, and if there is any possibility that anyone is interested, here's what I posted to the class.

I think that it would be very helpful to inform Americans about the 'other half'. I don’t think that many Americans sufficiently understand what living conditions are really like in other countries, as well as in parts of America. Yes, the book by Jacob Riis probably gives a very shocking picture, but so much has changed since the early 1900s that I think that there would have to be a lot of outdated material. I do not understand how anyone could say that no good could come from an updated form of the book. It might be better if it was in the form of videos, or maybe webzines, so it could reach a broader audience, but just because there was a book published in 1890 does not mean that there is not need to be an updated version of it 2011.

Cheers,

Lauren

quick update

Whew. This has been a *mostly good* emotional week for me. Several things have happened, and it's kind of hard to decide where to start. :D

I guess I should start by telling you that last Tuesday I quit dance. Yup. I've been dancing for nine years, and I quit. Hopefully, I'll be able to start back up next fall though, so it's only temporary. This was a very, very hard decision for me to make. But I've been terribly overwhelmed with school, and have been having a hard time keeping up in most of my studies. This was really the only thing that I could possibly drop. So, while I am sad to not be dancing, I'll be back next fall. And now I hope it will be easier to keep up in school. So long for now dance! I'll miss you a lot!

Also, I've been preparing for a state oratory contest for several weeks, and traveled to Little Rock Saturday to give my [seven minute] memorized no-notes speech. It went fairly well-- I won. But there were only two of us, so it's not like I beat out a room full of people. Which makes the next step super scary. --Nationals will have anywhere from 20-40 people competing.

The down side of this is, I don't get to go to Summer Excitement this year because I will be at nationals in Florida. This is the first time in three years I won't go to SE.

Last bit of new info: I'll be speaking tomorrow at the 40 days for life kick off rally, in the Planned Parenthood parking lot if Fay-town. It's the same speech as the one for Little Rock, but I'm adding a new ending specifically for the event. It should be fun!

Well, now I'm going to go crash. Sorry this is a kind of boring post.
Toodles.
~Lauren

letters make me happy

Recently, I've taken an interest in old letters. Silly, I know, but I feel like no one communicates snail-style, and that just makes me sad. Then there's also the whole "you probably won't be able to keep any kind of special letters for years and years to pass down to you grandchildren if they are in your e-mail only."

Anyway, here's a letter that Mark Twain wrote his wife Livy on her thirtieth birthday. I think it's sweet.

~~~~~

Livy darling, six years have gone by since I made my first great success in life and won you, and thirty years have passed since Providence made preparation for that happy success by sending you into the world.

Every day we live together adds to the security of my confidence, that we can never any more wish to be separated than that we can ever imagine a regret that we were ever joined. You are dearer to me to-day, my child, than you were upon the last anniversary of this birth-day; you were dearer then than you were a year before—you have grown more and more dear from the first of those anniversaries, and I do not doubt that this precious progression will continue on to the end.

Let us look forward to the coming anniversaries, with their age and their gray hairs without fear and without depression, trusting and believing that the love we bear each other will be sufficient to make them blessed.

So, with abounding affection for you and our babies, I hail this day that brings you the matronly grace and dignity of three decades. 

Always yours,

S.L.C.

Toodles, 

Lauren 

P.S. If anyone is looking for a terribly inconsistent snail-mail pen-pal, I'm interested. :)  

Be thou exalted over my reputation

A friend shared this video on facebook a while back, and I really really like it. Not much more to say--watch it!
Oh, and I'm posting this instead of a QOTM. I've been super busy lately, and don't have the time or energy to go find quotes now. Toodles, Lauren

Pink diaries are out of style. Unless you have one.

Lately, I've been journaling. This has been an interesting experience, as I've never really been very into the whole  journal thing before. Yes, I've had journals in the past, but I never kept it up for more than a week or two tops.
The last few months of journaling have really changed my perspective. For me, it's not about the writing everything that has happened each day, or super-deep thoughts that I just have to get out. It's about keeping a clear head. Almost everyone has had fights, good laughs, odd conversations, fun movie nights, old friends, new friends, crushes, drama, trips to cool places, the like.

For me, the best way to evaluate what is as well as what should be important in my life is to write about it. Some things are very silly. For example, the paragraph I took up congratulating myself on finally getting up enough nerve to ask a guy I have a crush on....to be my friend on  facebook. Yeah, that's right. True story. Other things are serious-- prayers to God; questions about how I should really be living. It is therapeutic.

The main point: journaling has been good for me. It probably would be helpful for a lot of people. It doesn't have to be about recording every detail that has happened in life. It doesn't have to be deep poetic thoughts. It's about being able to gain perspective. Saying "that is where I was, this is where I am." Being able to see that the blessings will always be able to out weigh the trials.

So, I guess all I can say now is if you don't journal, give it a try.

This is all.
Cheers,
Lauren

D.C. Trip

Hey all, I know that I told you that I would post about the D.C. trip soon after I got back. But that obviously didn't happen. So, instead of gushing about it and giving all the details three months late, I thought I'd just give a basic synopsis.

We left home Sunday, November 28th around 4:00pm. The first part of our trip was to Fulton, Missouri - approximately 5 1/2 hours away. The next morning we took a tour of the William Woods University campus, and looked at the down-town area. It was really awesome. I really really want to go to William Woods University. Plus, down-town Fulton reminds me of Rogers, Fayetteville, and Springdale all mixed up, so I think it could easily feel like home.

After we left Fulton, we headed to D.C. by way of awesome cousins in Harmony, Indiana. Lots of fun, although we only got to stay the night. The next morning, we ate a great home-cooked breakfast and drove the rest of the way to D.C. -- a ten hour trip. We listened to music, and a Mitford book on tape, did school, and slept. I enjoyed it quite a lot.

We spent three nights at another cousin's house just out side of the D.C. area, and got to go into town every day. We got in a lot of sight-seeing visiting Gallaudet University, National Right to Life HQ, Fords theater, Smithsonian Museum of American Art, Smithsonian Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian, the

Capitol, Library of Congress, National Archives Building, Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial,
Vietnam Memorial, and the Smithsonian Museum of American History. My favorite by far was the Library of Congress.

Friday night we stayed at the Gaylord National Hotel. The Oireachtas was the next day, and it was amazing. I danced in three figures, or group dances. Our girls eight hand placed twelfth, so we stayed around for the awards ceremony (five hours later than we were originally expecting to leave,) and got to receive medals on stage. Although it was really neat to get to stay I, being me, stressed out way too much about losing so much time, and probably didn't get as psyched up as I otherwise would have. Looking back though, the whole week was one colossal ball of amazingness.

This is all.

Cheerio,

Lauren

♥ snow.

 

The snowflakes are falling by ones and by twos; 

There’s snow on my jacket, and snow on my shoes;

There’s snow on the bushes, and snow on the trees—

It’s snowing on everything now, if you please.

Leroy F. Jackson

quotes of last month...yeah, i'm late.

I checked a quotes book out of the library for some inspiration for a speech i'm writing, and thought I'd just use it for this month's QOTM. Enjoy.

Most of us like a person who comes right out and says what he thinks - especially when he thinks like we do.

God doesn't call us to be successful. He calls us to be faithful.

When we let God guide, He will provide.

If you can't be content with what you have recieved, be thankful for what you have escaped.

A man gave a woman his seat on the bus; she fainted. When she revived, she thanked him; he fainted.

We cannot all be great, but we can attach ourselves to a great cause.

A good leader inspires men to have confidence in him; a great leader inspires them to have confidence in themselves.

Great minds have purposes; others have wishes.

When you feel dog-tired, at night, it may be because you growled and grumbled all day.

Cheese is the goal, right?

We had to write a tanka in class the other day, but I didn't get to finish the one I was working on. So I made a new one. Saying it's cheesy is kind of an understatement, but I had fun. =)

Tanka: an unrhymed Japanese verse form of five lines containing five, seven, five, seven, and seven syllables respectively

January snows

Shall never dampen our days

The happy flakes dance

Across the fields like fairies

Knowing spring will come again.

Cheers,

Lauren

Shaken, by Hawk Nelson

Here are the lyrics to another song I really like. I'm putting the video in the videos I like section.

I've stood alone a million times

That's not the same as being alone

I've felt ignored, and left behind before

But that's not the same as being disowned

Open my eyes, and help me see

that there's a world outside of me

I'm no different, I want to make a difference tonight

The words don't always come out right

And I don't normally cry

But you didn't see the look in her eyes

I've been shaken

From my head, on down to my toes

Lord use me, take me where you want me to go

I can't help it, my heart has been replaced with a face

I'm ready, these hands are dedicated to change

I've hurt before, but held inside

I've seen their tears, 'cause pain is something they can't hide

What makes us different?

We have a chance to listen tonight

The words don't always come out right

And I don't normally cry

But you didn't see the look in her eyes

open my eyes

I've been shaken

From my head, on down to my toes

Lord use me, take me where you want me to go

I can't help it, my heart has been replaced with a face

I'm ready, these hands are dedicated to change

I've been shaken

From my head, on down to my toes

Lord use me, take me where you want me to go

I can't help it, my heart has been replaced with a face

I'm ready, these hands are dedicated to change