It's a Christmas Miracle!

SNOW!!!!

In Georgia! On Christmas!!!

Christmas this year was way above and beyond wonderful! I got to go to my home church with the fam on Christmas Eve...

....and was totally spoiled on Christmas Day by Santa. I got an iTouch - a total surprise and waaay too much fun! I also got this stunning Georgia Snuggie...

....which I will be modeling for the bowl game on Friday! Gooooo Dawgs!

And we haven't even started talking about all the delicious Christmas food... mmmm. Good times with the family! More catching up with friends coming this week before I head back to DC on Sunday.

Merry Merry,

Lauren

Ho Ho Ho

This picture sums up my day's accomplishments.

Merry Christmas from the Caldwell girls!

Hope Santa is good to you,
Lauren

I'd [drive] a thousand miles

And now, a much anticipated update on the first weekend of my Christmas break!! [where I actually traveled 1000+ miles. for real.]

The last week + a few days was crazy. I repeat: crazy. It was one of those stretches of time where you just do. not. stop. moving. Between finals for classes and work, I did not have a spare minute to think. It did snow the day before I left, which put me even more in the Christmas spirit! :-) I didn't have time to really think through my packing, so I just ended up throwing anything and everything into a great assortment of bags. An embarrassing number of bags, actually. But I digress...

Friday, class was canceled (a huge blessing because it gave me time to finish my final!) and I got on the road around lunchtime. Notice that I say THE road. I really do mean it. I-95. For 600+ miles. That is a whole lot of I-95. We're good friends now.

So, a mere 10+ hours later, I was in good old Brunstank, Georgia!!
Saturday morning I got to catch up with my dear friend Troy. We don't get to see each other very often but it is always a joy to hear how things are going in each other's lives. Perfect start to a fabulous day!
That afternoon was the big day for Jack and Teresa [as detailed in the previous post].
Saturday night, Mary and I headed to a Christmas Party for a local SSI outdoors store, complete with kayaks hanging in the trees. With Christmas lights. Yeah, it was awesome. We also caught up with a summer time friend later that night over a delicious Chick-Fil-A dinner. [mmm. oh, Chick-Fil-A, how I've missed you!]

Sunday we went to a double dose of church at The Chapel. Super fun to be back [this is the church I've gone to for the past four summers] and see everyone! Plus being back in the old familiar Methodist church was pretty great. We had Sunday lunch with the Ricker fam [my summer boss, his wife and their sweet kiddos]. I love this family, even though I don't get to see them very often, so it was so much fun to catch up with all of them!

Sunday afternoon we took a trip to the village and pier on St. Simons.
Gaaah. So gorgeous!! This is why I love this place.

We also had a Sunday dinner at my favorite Mexican restaurant, Bubba Garcia's [yummm. so good.] and watched as much of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation as we could before falling asleep.

Monday afternoon [after video chatting into Fellows final presentations] Mary and I headed over the island one more time for a. meeting with the boss b. lunch at our favorite island barbeque c. a second trip to the village d. a trip to the beach. Yes, the beach. I realize we had on sweaters and were shivering outside - but I just really, really wanted to see the beach.
and wasn't it worth it for this sunset?!?

So, after heading back to Brunswick and packing up my [still embarrassing number of] bags, I got back on the road to drive north to the ATL! I made it home late Monday night and I've been enjoying relaxing with my sister ever since!

Lots of relaxing and Christmas celebrations on tap for this week!

Lots of love from home sweet home,
Lauren

The Caldwells!!

Jack and Teresa are hitched!! Yahoo!
The wedding Saturday was simply b-e-a-utiful! It was in Lovely Lane, a sweet little chapel at Epworth. Teresa looked gorgeous (Jack cleaned up pretty well too) and the ceremony was perfect for the two of them (i.e. "He is Exalted" as the processional and "I Feel Good" as the recessional. perfect.)

The reception was even more fun because of all the old counselors who were able to make it!! Who knew working together at summer camp would bring us all together for a wedding three years later!

Beautiful wedding, beautiful couple, beautiful friends. So excited for the Caldwells!

More updates coming soon!

Lots of love,
Lauren

Oh Happy Day

There is just too much goodness happening this weekend! My heart is going to be in approximately three different places at once, and I feel the need to share a little excitement about each one....

First, my family will be celebrating my Granddaddy's 80th Birthday this weekend!! I am so grateful for him - he taught me very early on that "no Caldwell woman should ever have to open her own door". :-) He came to our piano recitals, church plays and band concerts when we lived in Texas and even made the long trip out to Georgia for both Hilary's and my high school graduations. I wish I could be out in the Texas with the fam this weekend, but I will be sending lots of love and birthday wishes his way!

Granddaddy and his grandkids last Christmas.

Second, E-darr is getting married!! I met Elizabeth in the high school marching band when I first moved to Georgia. We both ended up at UGA where we were constantly together our first year - between living in the same dorm, Redcoats and our sorority, we got to be pretty close friends! Even when she decided to transfer and become a rockin' NICU nurse, we got to stay in touch. We may have the most mutual friends known to man (literally). She is marrying Greg this Saturday, and I am so very excited for her! She is going to be a stuningly beautiful bride!!!

Redcoat trip to Florida

Bud buddies

Sorority Social Night

Finally, Jack and Teresa are getting married!! I'll actually be at this one to express my excitement in person. :-) But let me give you a little preview...
I love these two so very much. I met them both when we all worked at Epworth way back on LT '07, and I've been good friends with both of them ever since!

Teresa is affectionately known as Sweet T, and she totally lives up to her nickname! She was the girl's head counselor my second year at camp, and set such a great example of a servant leader. She even went out of her way to help me out when I was HC the next summer, and makes an effort to stay in touch even though her schedule is beyond busy. I always feel so loved by her!!

Dressed up for the last supper in '07

Painted up for counselor CTF in '08

UGA vs. Georgia Southern game

Jack and I conveniently have the same last name, so we've joked about being brother and sister for the past four years. As it turns out, that is exactly what he is to me - like the big brother I never had! We got to work as head counselors together our third summer, and working with Jack made the entire summer so much fun!

Goofing around after the last supper

HC Skit - Steer Cheerleaders!

Being kidnapped by our counselors

Painted up for CTF

Anyway. I love these two separately, and I love them even more together. They are an awesome couple and I can't wait to see them get married!!

Could there be any more exciting things happening this weekend?!? I argue that there could not.

Hope your weekend is as blessed as mine!

Love from an excited soon-to-be-traveler,
Lauren

Joy to the World

Joy to the world, indeed! Or, at least for the moment, my little corner of it. :-)

Life these few weeks of December are, I must say, pretty darn grand.

Last night all of the Fellows went to the annual DC Benefit Dinner for International Justice Mission (IJM), an organization that works to end slavery internationally. It is an amazing organization that is doing really inspiring work and truly changing our world! It was a great experience, especially since I have never been to such a fancy "Benefit Dinner" before - we all got to dress up, enjoy a delicious dinner, hear a great speaker and some musical entertainment from the band Sanctus Real. Such a fun evening!

This morning, during class, it SNOWED!! Just a few flurries, nothing stuck, but still..... SNOW! It's like my own little Christmas miracle!!!!

Tonight, some of my fellow UGA-grads-now-in-DC and some of the Fellows will be coming over for a festive Christmas get-together! Cookie decorating and Elf watching sounds like a pretty awesome celebration to me. :-)

Work this weekend, followed by even more Christmas festivities - youth party on Sunday night and Fellows Christmas Round Table Monday night. Plus, somewhere along the way, I am going to finish a final assignment, project and essay exam. (how many hours in the day??)

and then.....

GEORGIA!!

One week from today!

Can life get any better? I argue that it can not.

Love from one happy DC elf,
Lauren

'Tis the Season

Usually, it takes a few weeks for me to get into the Christmas spirit. I get really focused on my end of the semester craziness - papers, tests, projects, etc. - and sort of let all the holiday cheer pass on by. A few days before Christmas eve, I start to enjoy the season, and then it is suddenly gone.

BUT

I am on board this year!! Bring on the carols! The lights! The wreaths! The trees! The ornaments! As many jingle bells as possible!

Why the change?

1. I am soooo stinking exciting for being home for Christmas. I haven't had any real quality time back in the peach state since Labor Day, and I am very very ready for TWO WEEKS of that quality time!

2. Three words: Tacky. Christmas. Sweaters.

Last night a few of the Fellows attended a Tacky Christmas Sweater party thrown by one of our church's youth volunteers. It was so much fun - fun with the Fellows, fun with other awesome youth volunteers, lots of dancing, food and, of course, Christmas tacky-ness. Obviously, we couldn't resist taking a Fellows Christmas card photo in all our tacky glory.

Merry Christmas from Steph, Zach, Lauren, Ashley, David, Nathan and Caryne!

Ho Ho Ho,
Lauren

By the Numbers

Goodness. It has been far too long since my last blogging expedition!! Listen. Life has been a bit hectic lately and blogging didn't make it high up on the list. But here I am, back on the horse! (You can all breathe a sigh of relief).

So. In the interest of not writing a novel to update you all on life lately, I'll employ my favorite, hand-dandy numbering system.

1. I went to Dallas. Had an interview at UT Southwestern. Got to stay with my friend Erin before the interview and with my aunt and uncle afterwards. We ate Mexican food and I was a very happy camper! Also watched The Hangover (oh my word. how does it get funnier every time?!?) and It's Complicated. Super fun, super fast weekend.

2. I got into two med schools! I've been accepted at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia and Medical College of Georgia. The process goes on, but a HUGE weight has been lifted! I'm going to be a doctor! :-)

3. Fellows-ing is going well too. We are moving full speed ahead into the end of the semester, so there is a slight crunch in classes and wrapping up ministry stuff for the year. I'm going to start getting involved with the youth group in the spring, which is super exciting! I am really loving my fellow Fellows - we are all real friends now, which makes my life in Fellows that much more enjoyable.

4. Work is great too. I'm working solo and I've moved up to full-time status, so I am spending lots and lots of quality time at the hospital!

5. I had my first grown up [relatively speaking] Thanksgiving this year. I worked several shifts this week, so getting home to Georgia wasn't really an option. So, Thanksgiving afternoon I had a beautiful lunch with my host parents, their daughters who were in town, and Wendy-san. Somehow, Wendy and I also made it to Jill's apartment that night to have Thanksgiving dinner number two and watch every Friends Thanksgiving episode we could find (for the record, it was 5). I was soooo full. But it was a fantastic Thanksgiving!

6. I'm going home to GEORGIA in LESS THAN 3 WEEKS!!! I am pretty darn pumped. There are lots of fantastic plans, places to go and people to see for my glorious 2 weeks off - weddings, family and friends, oh my! Many hours in the car loom ahead of me.... but oh, they will be so very worth it! Let the countdown begin.

7. UGA beat Georgia Tech today. All is right with the world. Glory, glory to old Georgia!!

Whew. I think we've hit the highlights, my friends. Hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving!

Gobble gobble,
Lauren

Dr. Caldwell

SO very much has happened since my last post, it is a little ridiculous. I owe you all a major update!!

But for now, a little teaser...

I GOT INTO MED SCHOOL!!!!

Woohoo!!

Just call me Dr. Caldwell (in four years).

Love from your future favorite MD,
Lauren

The Jacksons!!

Introducing.... Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Jackson*!!

*I don't actually have a picture of the happy couple. But trust me, they are married. And excited. And excited to be married.

So. It was one crazy, exhausting, wonderful weekend! Katie was beautiful, the wedding was gorgeous, the food was delicious (seriously. unusually delicious) and the people were a blast! Friday we had the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner of true Southern food, complete with cowboy outfits. Friday night the bridesmaids spent the night at Katie's house which was so fun! It felt like a little girl's sleepover (except one of the little girls was getting married the next day). Saturday was a remarkably calm day with all things considered... Katie's dad made us pancakes in the morning and we all took our time showering, doing our hair and packing up. Made the drive to the church (stopped on the way and got Katie a free soda at QT! haha) and spent some time doing makeup, getting dressed and eating lunch (not necessarily in that order). From there it was time for girl's pictures and then the looooong wait for the ceremony to start. It was only an hour but we were all going a little stir crazy (especially Katie!). Once the ceremony started it was full steam ahead for the rest of the night!

Here are a few pictures...

The bridesmaids dressed in Western gear for the rehearsal dinner

164 together again!!!! As promised, I freaked out.

Wedding day with the bride!!

164 a little more dressed up than usual...

Fun reunion with UGA friends!!

I made it back to Virginia Sunday night and promptly 1. wrote a paper for class and 2. went to sleep. Yesterday was a looooong day with class and my first solo shift at work!! woohoo! More work this week before heading to Texas for the weekend!!!

Love from your favorite bridesmaid,

Lauren

Sales Pitch

Guys.
Listen.
I am SUCH a fan of Amtrak right now.
Seriously, they should hire me as their spokesperson because I am totally on board.

I took the train from DC up to Philly on Tuesday and back last night. Like I said... huge fan. More leg room than an airplane. Had a whole seat to myself. You don't have to turn off your cell phone. They have wifi. No security check. No hassle getting on the train. Just print your ticket and hop on.
Have I sold you on it yet?

Interview #3 went well (obviously my newfound love of trains helped). It was actually... can you use this word for a med school interview?... fun! My granddad went to this med school, and lots of people in my family after him, so it was pretty cool to be at his school that I've heard so much about so many years later. Philadelphia is a pretty cool city, too! Plus I got to stay with my cousin and her cute cute son the night before! All around, great two days.

Today I'm off to the ATL, tomorrow interviewing at Emory, and Saturday Katie GETS MARRIED!! Should be a stellar few days!

Love from the crazy traveler,
Lauren

P.S. Yes, the Georgia Bulldogs lost last weekend. But they put up a good fight and made it a great game!! I am proud of my Dawgs. Plus, we will always be more classy school thanks to Gator fans like this.

Glory, glory.

Five Reasons

FIVE Reasons why the next 2 weeks (and 2 days) are going to be pure greatness:

1. The Georgia/Florida game is this weekend!!! This is a big one, folks. First of all - I really, really don't like the Florida Gators. Secondly - we actually have a great chance of winning this year! It is going to be a great game. Third(ly?) - I get to watch the game at a fun Georgia sports bar in DC with some of my favorite UGA grads!

Jill, Wendy, Jane and I watching the game last week. So fun!

2. Next week I am traveling to Philadelphia for my interview at Jefferson! I am super excited because a) a lot of people in my family went there, so I get to experience what they've been telling me about for so long and b) I get to stay with my cousin, her husband and super cute son the night before and c) I am taking the train!! which should be lots of fun.

3. Next Thursday I'll be flying back to Atlanta and I get to spend another night at home (before my Emory interview on Friday! yay!) with the parentals and the crazy dogs, which is always fun!! So nice to have visits home, even if they are short ones.

4. KATIE IS GETTING MARRIED!!!!!! Next weekend!!! Holy cow. I can hardly believe it. I am going to be a bridesmaid and I am so pumped to be part of her special day! Plus when the four of us are reunited...

.....I am going to FREAK OUT!!!! Love these ladies. Love love love. It is going to be a fabulous weekend!

5. The weekend after that (yes, the awesomeness keeps going....) I am flying to Dallas for my interview at UT Southwestern. I get to see my aunt and uncle, possibly some Texas friends, and enjoy being back in the Lone Star State. One word, people: TEX-MEX. mmmmm. I can hardly wait!

Whew. Can you even handle all the greatness?? I'm not sure I can. I'm pretty darn pumped.

Happy Halloween!
Happy Reformation Sunday!
Go Dawgs!!
Lauren

Kid At Heart

You know how when you are a kid, you think that life only happens wherever you are? You forget that things keep happening in other cities you don't live in?

Apparently, I'm still a little bit of a kid.

I tend to get caught up in the "I was in Georgia three hours ago and now I'm in DC" phenomenon. I don't know why it always blows my mind. But it does. Somehow eating lunch in Atlanta and dinner in DC is simply amazing to me. Even though I play it cool. :-)

At the same time, I am feeling terribly grown up, folks. Got myself to Atlanta on Tuesday [literally by way of plane, train and automobile]. Got to eat dinner with my parents!! Drove myself to Augusta Wednesday. In a suit. And pantyhose. Look out, world! Had a med school interview!!!! Woah. [More on that later]. Made a side trip to Athens!! Got to have dinner with the ladies of the 164 [Kaitlin, Sarah and Jules] and pop into Starbucks and see my favorite barista [Imaad]. More planes, trains and automobiles got me back to my Virginia home on Thursday. Whew.

So, to answer the most frequent interview question, "how did it go?".....
Uh, I don't know.
I did get the typical "why do you want to be a doctor" question, but I did not get "why do you want to go to school here" or "tell me about yourself" or "what is your greatest strength" or really any of the other questions I had prepared for. Perfect.
We did, however, discuss a really intense ethical question, health care and insurance reform, music and medicine, music and mathematics, and my family.
And he gave me a pair of tweezer/scissor things. "Keep them as a souvenir".
Anyway. The moral of the story is that I'll get an answer in 2 - 8 weeks!! Eek.

In the meantime, my hotel is booked and I am ready to drive to Pittsburgh in just a few days! Nothing like a quick turnaround, huh?

AND now I get to book a flight to DFW to interview at UT Southwestern! Woohoo! Interview #5. In less than a month.

Just keep breathing,
Lauren

Meet The Fellows

Please meet the 10 wonderful people I am sharing life with this year.

First, our [very] awkward "before" picture.

This picture was taken 10 minutes - literally - after we had first met. We shook hands, exchanged names, "how was the drive" conversations, and then took this picture. Which was then distributed to the entire church congregation the next Sunday.

Yeah. It's awkward.

This past week, we got an insider tour of the Capitol from the Historian of the House of Representatives. We got to be on the House floor, find out lots of super cool facts, and, my favorite part, go on the Speaker's balcony, which overlooks the National Mall and has an amazing view of the Washington Monument.

So we decided to take another, significantly less awkward, "6 weeks later" picture.

[That's the Washington Monument next to my head. No big.]

So, please meet [L to R]: Nathan, Caryne, Katie, yours truly, Ashley, Mike, Sarah, David, Zach, Steph and Molly. The Capital Fellows Class of 2011!

Catching up on work/sleep/rest this weekend. Studying for my scribe final so that I can go solo at work! Getting ready for my first med school interview on Wednesday!!! So much to do, so little time.

Love from your favorite Fellow,
Lauren

Productivity

A few quick updates, so that I can go back to being oh-so-productive!

1. Work is awesome. I mean really, stinkin awesome. I love it. I worked an 11 hour shift yesterday with one 15 minute break and it was GREAT. It was the busiest I have ever seen the ER!! We had patients in the hallways and things just never stopped. I was technically training, but after about 3 patients my trainer said - you got this. I'm off to help somewhere else. So she ran around, helping out other doctors, scribes, etc., and I flew solo!!! Exciting. Scary. Busy. So anyway. Now I just have one more shift, a final to take and I am done training!

2. My Georgia Bulldogs made the beginnings of a comeback this weekend - Go Dawgs! We beat Tennessee, which brought back great memories of our Ducktown/Knoxville/Chattanooga weekend extravaganza last year...

[horrible game. amazing weekend. wonderful friends. great memories.]

3. Next week kicks off my 3 weeks of interview madness! MCG [flying to Atlanta], then Pitt [driving], then Jefferson [driving? train? who knows] and then Emory [hey again, atl]. I am going to be a traveling machine, folks!

4. I did some Columbus weekend shopping and I think I am a little more ready for the cold weather to hit! Winter coat is ready to go and a few extra sweaters too. Bring it on! [famous last words]

5. read read read. this is the life of a grad student.

6. If I owe you a catch-up phone call, I promise it is coming! I haven't forgotten about you!

Lots 'o love from up north,

Lauren

Dear ESPN

Dear ESPN College Football Announcers,

I love you guys. I love hearing your recaps of important games, amazing plays, and inspiring players each week. Since you have helped me fall in love with college football over the past five years, I feel like we're pretty close. We're friends. Buddies, even. Which is why I have to be honest with you, no matter how difficult it is.

My dear friends.

Tim Tebow has graduated from college.

He has moved on, and I think it is time that you do the same.

Please stop showing video highlights of his top plays at Florida, because he doesn't play for them anymore. Don't show them side by side with clips of Florida's new quarterback. No, they are not the same person, and they never will be, no matter how many video clips you show.

Please don't bring him up during a football game between Auburn and Kentucky. Just a reminder - he didn't go to either one of those schools.

Please don't compare an Alabama quarterback's press interview with Tim Tebow's press interview in 2008. It is 2010. And again, just a reminder - Tim Tebow did not go to Alabama.

Admitting you have a problem is the first step. I think you and Tim will be much better off if you just make a clean break. You guys are strong and I know you can get through this tough time.

Your friend,

Lauren

P.S. It wouldn't kill you to say something nice about the Georgia Bulldogs every now and then, either.

A Recipe

To prepare the perfect mix before your first night shift:

3 Friends re-runs

2 reality TV re-runs

1 2 a.m. workout

1 YouTube video

1 study session

3 cups Diet Coke

1 cup tea

Generous Facebook stalking and iTunes browsing

Mix well and enjoy.

Made with love,

Lauren

Life These Days

....is pretty darn good. I am blessed. :-)

My first shift at the hospital was wonderful!! I had a great trainer to show me around and a really encouraging and understanding doctor who didn't mind if we took an extra minute or two for me to figure something out. 11 hours went by incredibly fast. I am loving being back around medical stuff because it just helps confirm that I can't wait to be a doctor!!! I love not knowing what the next case will be, constantly meeting people and helping them through some scary or uncertain moments. Looking forward to going to work is a great feeling - I hope it sticks around for a few more years! :-)

Fellows-ing is going well too. Classes are in full swing, which means my reading is too [hello, grad school]. The good news is that I am interested in what we are learning and enjoying the discussions and professors. Really, I just like school. I'm a true nerd at heart!

I flew solo in Children's Church for the first time today! AND led Sunday School opening for the first time! Whew. It was a little crazy. But oh so much fun. I know kids aren't everybody's thing - but I sure do love the little ones!

I'm trying to get out and explore DC as much as possible. Yesterday Wendy and I made it to the Natural History Museum and the National Archives [which means that I saw the Hope Diamond, Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights and Magna Carta all in about 4 hours!]. And of course, after all that history... we got dinner at Chick-Fil-A. Can't beat a taste of home! :-)

So.... that is life these days. Until next time...

Much love from the District!

Lauren

First Shift

I may or may not be freaking out just a little bit.

My first shift at the hospital is tomorrow.

A big 11 hour trial by fire [complete with a quiz at the end of it!]

So think happy thoughts tomorrow. [pretty much all day]

Updates coming soon!

Study study,

Lauren

Busy, Busy

First of all, I am really and truly going to try to blog more. I have way too much to catch all you faithful readers up on to only blog once a week!

Second, it has been a pretty wonderful week. Let's have a recap, shall we?

Last Thursday night: met my mentor at the Fellow mentor dinner [we are all assigned mentors from the church community to be a little extra guidance over the Fellows year]. Basically, I think my mentor is the coolest thing since sliced bread. We have so many things in common it is a little scary, and she is just so down to earth and hilarious. We are going to have a great year together!

Friday: Job orientation with the company I am working for. Guys. My only real, paid job has been at summer camp - this world of non-compete contracts, tax forms and payroll offices is totally new to me. I feel like I am learning a ton about business in general through all of this. Which is exciting, no?

Friday night: I finally got to see Wendy-san! I am SO very glad she is up in DC for the year - it is such a blessing to have a familiar face in a new town. We had dinner and explored the Adams Morgan neighborhood in DC [younger, intern type crowd].

Saturday: Met up with our friend Emily who is also in DC for the year [the bulldogs are taking over up here!!] to cheer on the Dawgs against Arkansas. Sadly, we lost the game... but it was a close one and you can't deny that it was entertaining! I may or may not have been a little hoarse after the game.

Sunday: Church, Children's church, lunch with my mentor and her super cool family, helped with the youth group mall scavenger hunt and found a fun local pub for dinner. Whew.

Monday: First real live graduate class I got to attend - "Reading the Word and the World". We listened to Lady Gaga, guys. It'll be an interesting one for sure! Went to see "Going the Distance" with some of the girls Monday afternoon - much more funny than I thought it would be! Round table dinner, prayer and discussion Monday night.

Tuesday: All day job orientation at the hospital where I am working. Did I mention I'm learning a ton about the business world??

Tuesday night: GLEE!!! Some of the Fellows got together to watch the premiere and eat some delicious queso. Yum. Spent the night with Steph afterwards so that I could...

Wednesday: ...be a tourist! I rode the metro into the city with all the commuters and spent the day on the National Mall. Although my trip to the Capitol Building was thwarted by the President's motorcade strolling around the city (ya know, no big...) I did make it to the Library of Congress, American History museum and the National Gallery. Which means I saw: the rough draft of the Declaration of Independence, Dorothy's red shoes and the only Da Vinci painting in the U.S. All in a day's work, my friends!

A few tourist-y shots:

Thursday: Errand running and homework day. Got my hospital badge, read a ton and made flashcards for work abbrevs. [SOB = shortness of breath, in case you were wondering].

Friday: Morning class, lunch out with a few Fellows, and a fun evening out in Arlington.

Today: Beautiful Saturday. More school work and work prepping. My first shift is on Tuesday! Celebrating two Fellows' birthdays tonight and watching the Georgia game with Wendy.

Whew. That is all.

Love from the big city,

Lauren

P.S. I got a third interview - this one at U. Pitt! Cross your fingers! :-)

Three Things

1. I got another interview!!!! This one is at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. I think I am going to take the train up there! And that, my friends, is terribly exciting. [both the interview and the train!]

2. I am obsessed - no really, obsessed - with Nova (don't I sound all local!) weather right now. It is gorgeous. For my Georgia friends - it is like those beautiful, perfect two weeks of fall weather we get between the really hot and really cold. I went exploring in the Great Falls National Park yesterday and today, and I was just blown away by how nice the weather and scenery were.

3. I am pumped to start classes. I know that is dorky and I will probably be eating my words in a month or two, but right now I am so very excited. Check out my stack of new books!!

Oh yes. 12 brand new books. I'm so ready!!

Love from Nova!!

Lauren

First Interview!!

I have my first med school interview invitation!! hooray!!

I had hoped I would get interview invitations, and planned on going to a few, but somehow actually seeing the words in an email is just waaaay too exciting!

So. Sometime in October I will be traveling back to good old Georgia to interview at MCG!

Wahoo!

Hope you all have the same excitement this lovely Monday.

:-)

Lauren

Apologies

Okay. I know I owe all your faithful readers (do I really have those?) an update. Actually, I owe you many, many updates. Updates like woah. Here goes.

The last few days before I moved were, in fact, completely crazy.

[Mostly because I procrastinated on packing until the last minute. And I do, in fact, mean THE last possible minute.]

Saturday I went to the Georgia season opener against Louisiana-Lafayette. It was SO much fun to be back between the hedges cheering on my bulldogs!! Plus, I got to go with Hilary and we had tons of fun hanging out before I had to move. Besides some serious sunburns and an extremely anxious wait for tickets at a Fed Ex store, it was an entirely successful and enjoyable day.

Sunday, mom, Hilary and I went shopping and I started the looong process of transforming my wardrobe from college to professional. I took some baby steps, I suppose. Progress is good, yes? Yes.

Then, I started packing. Oh yes. STARTED. To leave the next day. SO ridiculous. SO overwhelming. SO. Much. Stuff.

Monday, it was time to pack the car.

Guys.

I had SO much stuff.

I have never seen my car so packed.

Hats off to dad for a stellar car packing job.

[This is just the back and the passenger seat. The trunk was also utterly ridiculous. HOW do I have this much stuff?!?]

Got a call as soon as the car was loaded that I HAD A HOST FAMILY!!! Yay!! Talked with them and started my drive with a real, live destination.

Monday: 6+ hours to Durham.

Tuesday: 4+ hours to Great Falls (my new hoooome!)

Unloaded my stuff at my new house and went to lunch with my host parents.

Headed to the church where I got to finally meet the other Fellows on the receiving end of all those emails we had been getting since May!

We headed out on our kickoff retreat for the week - no cell phones, laptops or ipods allowed. There are 11 of us, so the first van ride was full of the standard hometown/major/college/internship/host family type questions. Of course, without electronics and lots of free time each day, we got down to much more serious discussions soon enough. And played card games. Lots and lots of card games. It was cold. I wore many, many layers. And used blankets. We laughed a lot. Had a bonfire. Went on the zipline. Slept in the cabins. Went on walks. Cooked together. Prayed together.

Basically, it was a pretty stinkin awesome week.

We came back today and went to a picnic where we all met our host families. Fortunately, I was a little ahead of the game, so my host parents and I just enjoyed lunch and headed home. I spent the afternoon unpacking, ate dinner with them and chatted for awhile.

Tomorrow is our first Sunday at McLean Pres! We are being introduced at church, meeting the kids in our ministry areas [children's! yay! :-) ], meeting the parents of the kids in our ministry areas, and attending the young adult service. Whew. Monday we start our usual class/round table schedule. Things are really starting to get going!

I'm really, really happy and excited to be in Capital Fellows this year. [see my post here for what this program is and how you can get excited too!] The summer was the longest summer, literally, I have ever had. It was crazy busy at times and really calm at others, but by the end of it I was so very ready to move up here and start the next chapter. The church, the Fellows directors, our host families, our mentors, and the Fellows themselves are just wonderful people to be around to learn and grow with and from for this year. I. Can't. Wait.

More soon from a happy Fellow! :-)

Lauren

Crazy.

Things. Are. Crazy.

What do you mean I'm moving to DC in ten days?!?

What do you mean I haven't started packing???

Are you sure I still have secondaries to finish?

Why do I have so many people I want to see before I leave?

Hilary really moved away to college? Really?!?

I've had somewhere to be every weekend? Are you sure? [Oh yes. Helen. Athens. North Carolina. More Athens.]

This is crazy, guys. So much to do, so little time.

Love from one busy kid,

Lauren

Hired!!

yep, that's me! Officially the newest scribe hire at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington! Wooo!! :-)

So excited to have this part figured out.

Oh, and I get to wear scrubs. At work. How official am I?

The big move is only three weeks away! Trying to make it to all my Georgia friends and favorite places in those three weeks. Oh, and finish all my secondary applications. And pack.

But for now, it is just time to enjoy having a JOB.

Love from one happy scribe,

Lauren

DC Cupcakes

Well, I am back from a busy two days in DC! Obviously, many things were accomplished. Obviously, it was a quick trip with much to do.

The real news of this whirlwind trip is obviously not the interview itself.

It's the cupcakes!!

Watch the show "DC Cupcakes" and you will know what I am talking about. An adorable little cupcake shop that has completely taken off and now requires waiting in a line out the door and down the street to even walk in. And now has a reality TV show about the shop and the sisters who own it. And I actually went there! Oh yes. Be jealous. To answer the question I know you are dying to ask, I had a red velvet cupcake. It was to die for. Yummmmm.

Now, the more grown up, "I-was-actually-there-for-a-job-interview" part of the trip. The interview Tuesday went well, I think. It was a group interview and very practical to the job. Basically, I would be working in an ER with a doctor - seeing patients, completing charts, taking medical histories, etc. (SO exciting!!!!) So the interview involved several listening and note-taking type exercises. Praying that this job works out. If not, the search continues!

The most amazing part of the trip to me was not the interview, or the city, or even the cupcakes (shocking, I know). It was the people helping me out from the Fellows program along the way.

See, I had to get to the interview on Tuesday, which was a good distance outside of the city. The Metro couldn't get me there, so I was trying to get creative between the Metro, taxis, and buses. Instead, our director said, here, take my car. and my GPS. see you in a few hours. I mean, that is some serious trust in another person. And a big sacrifice to give up your car for a day. But he did it without a second thought and it made my interview day a hundred times easier.

Our assistant director offered me her apartment Monday night. I had a place to sleep, a shower to use, and coffee to drink in the morning (basically, everything I need!). Not to mention she picked me up at the airport, drove me around town, and answered every question I threw her way (not easy).

I know these people have lives. Very busy ones, in fact. Which makes their sacrifices for me even more amazing. And makes me that much more excited to live, work, learn and serve there in less than a month!!!

For now, much love from the Peach State,

Lauren

Woah.

Woah.

That is all I can say.

Craziness has officially ensued.

This past week, I worked at a high school band camp as their woodwind staff person. It was:

a) super fun to be back in the music world and actually use things I learned in college (what a concept)

b) super rewarding to see how the kids improved throughout the week

c) super long days and

d) super hot. super super duper hot.

Friday, I got home from camp, showered, packed a bag and headed to Helen, Georgia for a family (mom's side) reunion weekend. I have always loved my extended family, but somehow as I get older I appreciate them more and more. We are a pretty cool bunch, if I do say so myself. Fifteen members of the extended Cramer fam made it to a b-e-a-utiful mountain cabin for the weekend from all over the east coast. Between lots of food, great conversation, some hiking and multiple visits to the cabin's hot tub, the weekend was a great success!

And now, the craziest of all.

I'm going to Washington, D.C.

Tomorrow.

Yes, tomorrow.

To go to a job interview for this upcoming year with Fellows. *Send up some prayers! It is Tuesday at 2. :-)*

So, tonight will be spent packing and organizing and tomorrow, I'm off again!

Like I said. Woah.

Love from a (still) happy traveler,

Lauren

Put On

So there is this song. Called "Put On". It is a rap song. It was played at Georgia football games for awhile, and became an essential addition to our gameday/football road trip mixes this year. And I'm sure it means something different to everyone.

But for me, this song will forever and always make me think of Athens, Georgia. Home to the University of Georgia and my home for the past four years.

Now, there are quite a few songs that make me think of good 'ol Athens. But "Put On" is definitely high up there on the list.

All it really says is "I put on for my city". What exactly does that mean?? Who knows. But somehow it just makes sense when it comes to Athens.

This weekend I am making my final move out of my apartment, doing the final cleaning of my room, and the last real "I live in Athens so let's hang out in Athens" weekend. I must say, I love this city. And the people. I really do. It has been good to me.

So, farewell, sweet Athens. I'll keep puttin' on, no worries.

Love from the Classic City,

Lauren

China?

This week, I have accepted a daunting task. A major undertaking.

Med school applications? No, no.

Planning/packing for DC? Of course not.

Reading more? Writing letters? Generally catching up with the world? How silly.

This week, my friends, I have decided.......

....to clean my room.

This may sound like a simple job for one afternoon. Think again. Since moving out to begin my freshman year at UGA, I have never been home for more than 2.5 weeks. Epworth every summer and Redcoat Bowl Games every Christmas meant that I have lived out of a suitcase when I have been home for the past four years. That also means that I have let all of my high school papers, notebooks, pictures, t-shirts, etc. stay exactly where they were for four years. And now, I have to move all of my college stuff back. And folks, that room is just not big enough for high school AND college junk. Let the cleaning begin!

Let me tell you, I have found some interesting things. Notes passed during classes. Sweet 16 birthday cards. Old journals. Letters from family. Pictures. Every piece of "come to our college" mail that I got while in high school [no, I'm not kidding].

It's official. I'm a pack rat.

I'll leave you with one find too good to not share. I came across an old journal from my late elementary/early middle school days. One entry came after hearing a message at youth group about the end of the world. My sixth grade self was, apparently, quite distraught and had a great many questions concerning this end of the world. Will it be fire or a flood, I wondered? Will I disappear before other people, or will I see people disappear? These questions led my sixth grade self to more general life questions, for instance, Is there one perfect person for everyone? What if your one perfect person dies? And then, my favorite question of all...

"What if my perfect person lives in China and I never get to see him?"

Indeed. What if?

Ah, how wise you are, my little sixth grade self. How wise you are.

Hoping he's not actually in China,

Lauren

Fallen Soldiers

.....my Chacos.

They have broken.

A moment of silence, please.

These Chacos have seen me through four summers at camp, three years at school, hiking trips, camping trips, and much, much more. They will be missed.

Here is the the tragic tale.

Saturday, my parents and I went up to camp Glisson to visit Hilary on her Parent's Day! (Ok, so it doesn't start so tragic...) It was awesome. She showed us around camp, her cabin, the cafeteria, where she works, etc. After lunch we hiked up to the high elements and Hilary went to work catching people on the end of the zip line. While my Dad and I were waiting in line to zip on down to her, I showed him how the heel riser of my Chacos (yes, I know exactly which part it is now) was fraying and said maybe we should look into getting a new pair. He told me duct tape could fix it. (thanks, Dad). But then, somehow, from the time I left the platform to the time I landed on the other side, the heel riser was no more. Came completely off of the sole. Detached. Done-zo. Godspeed, soldier.

Now, the really difficult part. I will be mailing off my old pair to get them repaired/replaced, and I get to pick a new pattern. My favorites:

Multi-Red

Aqua Zebra. Or something like that.

Opinions? Votes? Ah, the really important life decisions you have to make as a college grad.

In the meantime, farewell, old Women's ZX2 Green. You will be missed.

Love,

Lauren

Extreme Teenz

Remember when I said I might have a few pit stops on my way back to Alpharetta?

Yeah. Make that one, big, week-long pit stop. In Nashville, Georgia.

On Friday afternoon, sitting in the laundromat, I got a call from my friend Aaron. His home church in Nashville was having a youth week starting Sunday and was in need of some college aged, SGAUMC-associated workers who would not be gone on Road Rules. Well, I guess I met the requirements because I found myself driving west instead of north eeeeearly Monday morning.

In a word, the week was awesome. I loved Nashville, the youth (aka Extreme Teenz) and their youth director. Nashville (affectionately known as Nastyville or Nashvegas) is a true small Southern town. I am SO much more of a city girl than I ever realized. Examples? I am used to not knowing everyone at the [grocery store/bank/restaurant/etc.]. I cannot drive you around my hometown and tell you who lives in each house. I did not know everyone in my graduating class, or where they went to college, or what they are doing now. It was so fun to be in a town like this for a week! I got lots of tours around town and met lots and lots of genuinely kind and warm people.

By far my favorite part of the week was hanging out with the youth. I got to meet campers this summer at camp, but I was never able to have more in depth discussions with them. But this week, I got to meet some awesome kids and had a real chance to get to know them. I looooved just hanging out with them. We went bowling, swimming, had a water war, [I got dunked in ice water. perfect.] worked at a local service project, and went on a photo scavenger hunt. I got to lead worship, which was a HUGE blessing for me. Even taught a few guitar lessons to some future rock stars! Sang some karaoke. Ate a lot. And just enjoyed my time in Nashville.

The last day, we were playing a game with the youth upstairs when two or three of them went to the bathroom. It took awhile... and was oddly quiet at the bathrooms... but I didn't think much of it. Until we walked outside... and Aaron's car was TP'd. Good work, kiddies. Good work.

SO much more to update on SOON!

For now, love from the Nashvegas traveler!

Lauren