In Memory and Merry Christmas

This week we got a call. One of those calls you never hope to receive but cannot avoid. A longtime family friend had passed away in November and his wife had wanted to let us know. We first met Timo the Clown at our county fair when I was very young. I am fondly reminded of those summers when I clean my desk and find ribbons and photographs from the hula-hoop contests. My parents tend to make friends with people that we often come across, and Timo quickly became a close family friend. I still smile when I remember one of my birthday parties at the park where he let me drive the clown car—I remember feeling like the coolest kid alive. Years later, we had not seen the family but kept in touch during the holidays. Timo and his wife had sent me an email this summer asking how I was doing and about college. The correspondence was miraculously well timed, as I was in Rome and able to send them this blog and catch up with them. Even though we had not seen them in years, it was hard to hear of his passing. I remember him as a person who simply cared about people, with a heart big enough to hold the entire universe. His wife said that he was always watching over me from above and I believe it. He is there, along with others who have moved on from this life. When I consider that group I realize that I have the best guardian angels out there.

If Timo’s life and death taught me anything… well they taught me a few things. First, love everyone. Our hearts are perfectly designed to hold enough love for everyone. Everyone is worth our time and our love. Next, go out of you way to make someone’s day. I guarantee you, whatever energy you expend will be paid back tenfold. Finally, if you have an odd feeling that you should send someone an email, send him or her a text or give them a call, do it. It may be something that they really needed or it could be something they fondly look at when they miss you.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and my wish is that it is shared with at least one person that they love more than life itself. I am blessed; surrounded by love to say the least.
Again, I have been bad at keeping up the blog so I have decided to make a New Year’s resolution out of it. I will attempt to blog once a week (probably with the deadline of Wednesday or Sunday night) and blog anything else as I feel like writing.
I stumbled upon Timo’s facebook page while looking at his memorial online. I want to end this post with one the quotes on his page, “Whenever you see someone who doesn't have a smile give them one of yours”. Merry Christmas.

Not a Creature Was Stirring

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.

Got Rhythm?

Once again, I have been a bad blogger.  What can I say besides finals?  Not much.
BUT I am about 14 hours from being done with finals for this quarter and then starting Christmas break. :)
In the meantime, here's another one of my favorite songs at the moment.  I can't say the video is incredibly creative/ground-breaking but the song is amazing and the video does make me smile and anticipate beach weather all the more.

Until next time :) <3

My Take

I'm back!  So sorry for the delays, again.  But I'm back in San Diego and my computer is fixed.  So let the blogging begin.

To get back into things I thought I would give you guys my take on the movies I have watched recently.

Life as We Know It: Easily one of the best romantic comedies I have seen in a long time-- and I am a sucker for romantic comedies.  The polt is not what you would expect and the story takes its time developing.  You will feel like you are on an emotional roller-coaster and I recommend bringing a tissue, just in case.  A very refreshing take on your stereotypical feel-good movie.

Morning Glory: This movie has a bit of everything.  It is witty and that alone got it major points with me.  I would not classify this as a romantic comedy although there is a decent amount of love in this story.  Overall, though, it is the story of a young woman finding a work-life balance who ends up helping others do so on the way.

Love and Other Drugs: I had extremely high expectations for this movie.  I thought the story was interesting and I liked how it, again, isn't your typical rom-com.  However, the highly-publicized nudity is a little disheartening.  I felt like the multiple instances of nudity did not contribute to the storyline in the way that it was intended.  Regardless, I understand why the movie is rated "R" and would hope that it would be despite the nudity.  The topics addressed run deeper than PG-13 appropriate.  Overall, a very well-written, emotional and intimate story that feels, for lack of a better description, true.  But I could do without the multiple awkward scenes.

Tangled: Disney surprised me with this one.  Yes, it is the story of Rapunzel but revisited.  They added the perfect amount of spice to make for an interesting movie.  The music and animation were extremely well done.  Still doesn't come close to the Disney movies from when I was growing up, but definitely one of their better movies from the 2000's.

I would recommend all of these movies depending on the audience.  Morning Glory and Tangled are more appropriate for kids while Life as We Know It is a good "going out with friends"/"date" movie.  Make sure to see Love and Other Drugs with someone who will laugh off the naked scenes with you.

Thankful

"Stay the Night" James Blunt

Hey guys!  Sorry for the lack of posts, my computer is currently undergoing repairs.
For now though, Happy Thanksgiving.  I am thankful for each and every person that reads this.
Enjoy one of my new song obsessions :]
Love, Lauren

Your Love is a Song

I'm sorry for the lack of regular posts.  I was getting better for awhile and then.. midterms, presentations, projects, quizzes... you get the idea.  I miss blogging and I promise I'm getting back to it soon.  Meanwhile, enjoy this song.
Daphne and I had a marathon Switchfoot day last weekend (doing homework and listening to all of their songs).  Oddly enough, last night I was completely stressed out (I was buying things and preparing for a chemistry presentation) so I turned the radio on absentmindedly and focused on what needed to be done.  The song that came up before I parked was this one, which I loved when it was released.  But especially after the Switchfoot weekend with Daphne, I couldn't help but smile at this "coincidence", blast the music, and relax for the first time that day.  God's a pretty legit dj.

Romesick

It always starts with an idea.  A half-hearted (but hopeful) "let's go (insert awesome, random activity or place here) tonight!!!!".  So tonight my mission was to study in Little Italy with most sincere desire to find coffee that could take me back to Trastevere.  Accompanied by Yoyo, Daphne, some homework and an address we determined this night was going to be good-- regardless of the coffee.

Caffe Italia welcomed us with gigantic Venetian masks, cannoli, biscotti, espresso, gelato and the flavor of Italy.  The minute we walked in I felt like this was the right place.  I decided on a "Caffe Emmline", a blended gelato drink.  I figured that would be the closest to the real thing that I miss so much.  Their recipe calls for two shots blended with espresso bean gelato and I asked for some chocolate syrup.  My first sip was heavenly.  I was back in Rome.

We studied and relaxed there until closing time and decided to drive and get lost in San Diego.  The end of the evening consisted of blasting the radio, singing to every song we knew and stopping wherever there were awesome shiny lights to take pictures.

The night with my favorite roomies (<3) was just what I needed.  This week I was feeling a little bit homesick and really can't wait to go home and see my parents and my dog.  I think tonight was the motivation I need to get through the next two weeks.  So dearest Daphne and Yoyo, thanks and I love you guys.
"I'll never be the same, If we ever meet again, Won't let you get away-- said if we ever meet again, This free fall's got me so" --Timbland ft. Katy Perry