Psst!

They're sprouting. :)

This weekend sure was jam-packed! My old elementary school friend Stephanie spent a couple nights here and it was just one celebration after another. On Friday we (Steph, Kyle, Robin and I) got the Anchor Bar out of the way, there we shared the obligitory bucket of buffalo wings, talked of life, literature, and education.

On Saturday, Rachel joined us on our trip to see the magnificent Niagara Falls, and we walked so much that I got to explore the wild outskirts of the US National Park for the first time. At first I was a bit critical of their attempts to preserve the natural beauty of the area. Soon my heart was changed, as I stood small beside the roaring, rolling rapids on shards of ancient rock, no bars or ropes, mere inches from disaster! :) Real nature isn't safe. It humbles you and terrifies you- instead of being just another photo-op.

Later that night I had a little house party with a few musician friends Jamie and C.W. , as well as my roommate and her best friend. With Steph, Kyle, Robin and myself included that made a good 8 of us, just enjoying one another's silliness with a game called Apples to Apples (a good one but I prefer Baulderdash) unto the wee hours of the morning.

Robin and I were able to attend another of Pastor Jerry's great messages on Sunday morning, which was especially great because I was reminded of the significance of Palm Sunday, the day that Jesus entered Jerusalem on Donkey-Back, fulfilling prophecy and stirring some pretty serious rebellion against Roman rule. I've really been enjoying going to church with Robin this past month and I love the meaningful conversations it sparks.

Yesterday I left work early due to construction materials and drywall leaving a dusting on my computer, my back, my hair, and just everything. Soon I found myself in a more glamorous position- getting some top notch dance instruction at Chow Chocolat. On Mondays they hold $5 tango lessons, I always recommend it to friends and I hope to get a few of you to come with me some night. Robin and I are learning to be graceful, elegant, sophisticated and one-minded together... and learning an important art form in the process. After some beautiful dancing, Robin took me to Shango, an excellent (maybe even 5-star?) creole restaurant on main street. It was tasty to be sure but we both enjoy Japanese cuisine worlds more. Isn't it nice when you're with someone who shares the same or similar unique tastes as you? Well, the answer to my rehetorical question is YES!

What a great few days it's been, I've experienced so much in such a short amount of time. I'm learning to "Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish". I'll be continuously pursuing those things that I love, taking risks, and having adventure after adventure with the man I admire most. That's how I want to live every day!

LOVE,
Laura

Spring Things :)

Finally, finally FINALLY! I'm able to start my little viola seeds in my eggshell greenhouse...

The oregano plant on the left and the seeds were both gifts from Mom :) I hope the tiny viola seeds grow as strong as the oregano has!

I think seeds have got to be one of the best gifts you can give someone. It's a low-pressure gift since the recepient isn't stuck with a live plant to take care of, a plant which would probably die a week later anyway! What's more, they can germinate the seeds whenever they want if and when they are so motivated. And nothing compares to the satisfaction of a newly sprouting seed, or budding branch, or blooming flower, a plant coming to life from your effort.

Using tweezers to carefully tuck each seed into its shallow hole, I realized how much patience I must have gained from working in that Nevada greenhouse. I used to spend hours every day just sowing seeds, and thinking about life, or thinking about nothing. The good days are the ones when your mind easily rests on the feeling of sun on your skin and the bird-songs, the bad days- when any thought gets in the way of that bliss. As for now, I've got a lot on my mind. Planting things and making them grow puts me back in step with my breath, and I'm breathing easy.

I came home one day to a surprise bouquet.

Robin had gotten me a whole lot of flowers, which I made 8 small arrangements from and distributed all over the house in my mini-vases, which fit perfectly on the windowsills here! :) Thanks to my formal education in floral design, I have the confidence to just wing it, and I know that one bouquet can go a long, long way. ;) I'm only posting this one photo because it's one of my favorites, it happens to be the most clean and simple of them- This one brings some life to the little blue bathroom.

I'm pleased to say that I have officially SURVIVED my first Buffalo Winter!  It wasn't as bad as they say, you know. I knew it wouldn't be. hehe plus, now I'm "strong like bull!" errr... anyway, tomorrow is the first day of Spring and everything here is already popping out of the soil. It's good for the soul, and so worth the wait!

It's amazing having Robin here in Buffalo. Things are joyful.

While I started my Gladiolus bulbs in my back porch flower boxes, Robin began a project of his own. Here's that blowfish I mentioned earlier. Using a picture from my camera phone, he replicated this awesome blowfish from a flag hanging in a sushi restraurant in New Paltz, N.Y. Now that he's made this fun stencil, he can paint it on pretty much everything! A couple weeks ago, he also made a Narwhal stencil from a picture we drew and made me a shirt from it. :) Maybe I'll model that for you. But only if you ask.

Till nextime,

Change the world! Love someone.

 

Schkoawangunks (sp)

I don't know how you spell them, but they're beautiful.

Yesterday, Mom, Dad, Robin and I took the hour drive up to this world famous mountain range. World famous for rock climbing! On the way, Robin told us how in his teens he'd watched the movie "Big Ups" on vhs over and over- and it was filmed (at least in part) in the "Gunks" here in NY just outside New Paltz

We weren't able to do any climbing of our own, but we did stop in to a really nice visitor's center and gathered information for our future visit, hopefully on a nice sunny day. It was raining yesterday :( mohonkpreserve.org
I think New Paltz is an awesome place. What's funny is you when you're on the 32, you feel like youre in the heart of it, but then you cross a bridge and suddenly you're in the middle of farmland! It's a trip ;)
We had lunch at Neko Sushi which was my favorite. I also got a great photo of a blowfish but I won't share that with you just yet.... big plans for that blowfish. You'll see. thenekosushi.com
Out of curiosity we visited The Inner Wall climbing gym hoping that it would be enormous and incredible. It was pretty small actually (about the size of Niagra Climbing Center in Buffalo, NY) but I was tickled by the great white shark strung on the wall, and the alien in the back room. You will have to go to see what I'm talking about!!

When we got back to Saugerties, the first thing we did was purchase some chicken wire. My little brother, David is making himself into a bush for arbor day.
... :) Pictures to come.

A Timely Update!

After a couple of "unique" posts, I think it's time to just re-engage with my blog and write a little about what's going on in my heart. :)

 I'll start by saying that I'm writing you this from a sun-filled kitchen in a glorious two story Spanish Villa overlooking the majestic pillared stone buildings of my college campus. The blanket of snow has made everything look spotlessly clean and pure... what's more, I'm listening to Enya.

What a perfect opportunity to take some time to update you on what's going on in my life!

A Fool for School
I'm well into the third week of classes at the University @ Buffalo, and I've really been enjoying all my classes. I'm taking Managerial Accounting, a science course called "Great Advances in Science, the Micro-world: Medical Implant Controversies", World Commerce, Statistics, and Jazz Band. Yes you read this correctly. I've really been enjoying all my classes.

I've had a major attitude shift towards school and I love the satisfaction from getting A's in every class, on every test and quiz so far!  And I know I'm only a month into it, but you know what? I'm already doing better than I was last semester, and I see this as being my best semester in college yet- not only based on my performance, but also my level of enjoyment and fulfillment.

So, I'm looking forward to keep chipping away at this semester and experiencing the rewards of my enthusiasm and hard work.

Wedding and a Birthday...
 Earlier this month, I attended Mark's (my third-cousin) wedding and got a hefty helping of family, love, joy, and celebration that has not really satiated me but instead left me craving more! Everyone, have more weddings! ha ha I'm so happy that Mark has met Jessica and that they've made this dedication that is just between them and God. Let me tell you, I was there and it was a beautiful demonstration of their faith and commitment. It was also an honor to sing for their ceremony and praise God that He allowed me to contribute to their wedding in that special way. :)  I was so happy to meet my little 2nd cousin Christopher Simpson for the very first time. It had been years since I'd seen my cousin Philip (since his wedding) so this was a really great reunion for us. With my amazing family, the 12 hour drive from Saugerties, NY to North Carolina was not just tolerable, it was actually enjoyable! Yes, you read that right as well. Pop your eyes back in now. haha. I quote my Mom: "Bananas? ... Rotten Bananas??" Yah... you'd only know if you were there. :) Mom, if you're reading this, I love you.

Speaking of my Mom, last weekend was her birthday! :) I wrote her a little card and gave her some reading materials (Better Homes & Gardens, mind you) as well as a year subscription to their magazine. Although I couldn't be physically there for her birthday, I heard it was great- lunch at PF Chang's, watching the new flick, "Avatar" on I-MAX, enjoying Godiva chocolates, man oh man. As an added bonus, my boyfriend Robin sent her a package with a lovely letter and a book called 100 Years of Solitude which she told me yesterday she's already 150 pages into! Whoa! So needless to say, she really likes that gift. I'm sure she also read her Better Homes & Gardens cover to cover that material is time sensitive!! (Are you still reading this, Mom? haha) Also, my Dad took her out to a special dinner the following evening. Go, Dad! ;)

Knock knock, it's the IRS...
 So you're probably wondering, what the heck were you doing on your Mom's birthday, Laura? Well, my dear inquisitive friend, I was being trained to be IRS certified to do people's taxes. Yes, I know, it doesn't get much more masochistic for any fun-loving 22 year old. And you certainly are right. But they're going to be holding a free tax-preparation service for low-income families right across the street from me and I really want to be a part of that. Not long ago, my friend Jeannie replied to one of my blog posts saying that a good way for us to give when we can't give financially is to instead give of our time. I believe that God made this opportunity to serve the community clear to me, and I'm looking forward to it. I'll let you know how that all goes. :)

This Weekend, A couple faces I've been aching to see...

 I'll be doing a little drive to Oil City, PA to visit my Grandparents and spend a couple days with them. Grandma Simpson and I have a very healthy pen-pal arrangement going so I'm always really anticipating my visits there. :) This I think will be the third time I've been to visit since I came to Buffalo back in June and I hope to do this even more often so long as I'm this close.

BIG, BIG NEWS!

My Uncle Eric proposed to his girlfriend, Melinda, and she said YES! Not that I'm surprised she did, haha, because he's a really cool guy. We all love Melinda so much and are really excited to have her as a part of our family. No word on the wedding date yet, they are still exploring options for the destination! Congratulations to the both of you, we couldn't be happier.=D
 
 On the horizon...

In a mere 2 and a half weeks, I will be aboard a flight to Vegas, N.V. With our planned cross-country road trip,  my boyfriend Robin will become a part of my daily life! He's decided to eliminate this land gap that has kept us apart for the past 6 months. Our situation has undoubtedly challenged our determination and dedication to eachother. But we've been doing incredibly well despite the distance, and by finally being able to enjoy his presence, things can only get better.


 Until next time!
Well, that's all I have time to share right now but thanks for reading. I hope you really enjoy this day God's given you and find ways to somebody smile.

Laura