Never Say Never

I have a fever. And the only prescription is...

MORE BIEBER.

That's right, my friends. Believe it or not, I have officially caught the Bieber fever! (stand clear. this thing is ridiculously contagious.)

Last Sunday, I firmly cemented my love for the Biebs by going to see his movie, Never Say Never. On opening weekend. In 3D. (I mean, if you're going to go, go big, right?!?) Along with two of my girlfriends, we journeyed through Justin's (we're on a first name basis now) life and career, enjoyed 3D scenes from his concerts, sang along (of course), and learned all about the oh-so-crucial hair flip.

If you want a true movie experience - complete with squealing preteen girls - this is the movie for you!

And if you think you'll never catch the Bieber fever...

NEVER. SAY. NEVER.

Lots of Bieb-a-licious love,

Lauren

Happy, Happy Birthday!

Guys. My apologies. I have neglected my blogging duties like woah.

But have no fear, all (2) of my readers! I have returned!

The past few weeks have been crazy, wonderful, and busy (hence, no blogging). Allow me to catch you up!

I turned the big 2-3! My parents came up to DC to celebrate the big day, and we had a wonderful, busy weekend together. Sadly I do not have nearly enough pictures from the weekend, but just to share a few...

Thursday (the actual big day), I picked up the 'rents after I got off work and we got settled at their hotel (complete with happy birthday sign!). We went to Alexandria and got a quick tour of the Torpedo Factory (super cool art galleries and shops!) before heading to dinner. We ate at Gadbsy's Tavern just like George and Ben (Washington and Franklin, that is) to celebrate the big day! Yum yum. It was delicious!

Friday after my morning class, the three of us ate a yummy Irish lunch at the Old Brogue before heading to Great Falls Park. It was a b-e-a-utiful day to walk around and see the falls!

Friday night we journeyed into the city for a night at the Kennedy Center and the NSO! This was my birthday present from my parents and it was soooo much fun! Between taking in the view of DC lit up at night from the Kennedy Center balcony, champagne around the fountains before the concert, and the gorgeous music, it was a night I won't soon be forgetting!

[The view of the stage from our seats.]

Saturday started early with a "host-parents-meet-real-parents" morning. So fun for me to see everyone finally putting names and faces together! After coffee we headed into the city one more time and had a tourist-y day around the National Mall - we saw the WWII Memorial, Washington Monument, the White House, and the National Archives on our own, and then met up with some of the Fellows for a personal "highlights" tour of the American History Museum! After a thoroughly historical (and exhausting) day, we went back to the hotel to just hang out for the evening. Wendy got to come visit and brought one delicious homemade birthday cake with her, complete with candles! I got to make a wish and we didn't even set off the fire alarm. That, my friends, is a great success.

Sunday, my parents headed back nice and early to the ATL, and my crazy DC life continued! Details coming soon...

Lots of love from your favorite newly 23-year-old.

Snowmageddon

Meet Snowmageddon 2011.

It begins: Wednesday, 3:30pm

It continues: 6:00pm

Here to stay [and still falling]: 10:30pm

My accomplishment for the week [at least], an independent driveway shoveling: Thursday, 1:00pm

SO. MUCH. SNOW.

Just one pile of my independently shoveled snow [insert flexed muscle here].

Even the tree branches were down. [and covering the driveway and preventing me from getting to work. you know, as if the snow wasn't already doing enough...]

The pretty pretty winter wonderland of a backyard. Which I loved looking at from inside after a shower, a lunch, and a hot chocolate.

Lots of love from a snowed in Lauren.

Foodie Weekend

This past weekend was faaaabulous.

I also literally feel like I ate my way through it.

Let's discuss.

Friday: fun times with the Fellows over chili, cornbread, brownies, ice cream and one ridiculous game of Celebrity. I know I've said it before - but this really is such a fun group that I'm in this year. We are all still very different, but after five months together we are like family.

Saturday morning: The Fellows were graciously hosted by a couple from our church for chocolate chip pancakes, egg casserole, fruit salad, pastries, coffee and conversation about being a good employee in the workplace. Food + solid advice = bueno.

Saturday night: delicious Mexican food with Wendy and her roommate Stephanie. At a hole-in-the-wall place. And by hole-in-the-wall, I mean attached-to-a-gas-station. Go ahead and judge. This place was legit.

Sunday afternoon: Fellows post-church lunch at a local Thai restaurant. My dish came in a pineapple. For real. Too cool.

Sunday night: Wendy, Stephanie and I traveled into DC to take advantage of Restaurant Week, where super fancy no-way-you-can-afford-us places have fixed price 3 course meals for us average Joes. Yes please. So, Acadiana and its "low country" menu was enjoyed by all. [My meal: blue crab and roasted sweet corn soup, duck entree, and creme brulee dessert. Mmmmm.]

The weekend in summary: Great people, great food, good times.

Love from a still full Lauren.

Lessons Learned

In the past week, I've learned...

It is, in fact, possible to stay awake to work 20 of 26 consecutive hours in the ER.

It is also a good idea to eat a real meal somewhere in those 26 hours.

3+ weeks off of work does not mean you forget everything! (thank goodness)

Patience is a true art. (I'm now on two med school wait lists. wait wait wait.)

Vacations are good. Routines are good too.

Gap dresses for 85+% off do exist. (summer dress in the dead of winter, but still...)

It is possible for your car to ice itself shut.

It is not a good idea to have your ice scraper in your car when this occurs.

You should budget at least 45 minutes of effort to free your car from the driveway.

Love from a wiser (and only slightly older) Lauren.

Winter Retreat-ing

So, after 10+ hours in the car with Wendy back to DC...

Unpacking...

Repacking...

Leaving again 12 hours later...

And 5+ more hours in the car up to Pennsylvania...

I sure was glad to be winter retreat-ing in this gorgeous scenery.

Welcome to Troy, Pennsylvania, where I did nothing but look at the snow, read, go to class, eat delicious food, watch old movies [BBC Pride and Prejudice, anyone?] and hang out with my Fellows for the past week. If it sounds too good to be true - it was.

Ah, relaxation. This week it is back to the usual grind - work and classes are here again!! I also have an interview at UVa on Wednesday - cross your fingers and your toes for that one! I am excited for my trip to Charlottesville.

Hope everyone is enjoying the first few weeks of 2011!

Lots of love from a very cold Lauren.

Year In Review

2010 was a huge year for me. For real. It was BIG!!!

So many exciting milestones, events, trips, etc. happened this year. For example...

I survived the MCAT! [and celebrated accordingly]

Not only survived it, but... I used it to apply to med schools. I interviewed at said med schools. And was accepted to two of them.

I arrived at the ripe old age of 22 [and once again celebrated accordingly]

I went on an awesome spring break camping trip to Edisto Island and Charleston, where I was introduced to the glories of a pop-up camper.

I played my senior recital!! Four years of a music performance major summed up in a one hour performance.

I performed in a group hip-hop dance. On stage. For an audience. Whaaaat? [Restoration 2010]

I met the President. Of UGA, that is!

I GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE!! [with some amazing friends]

I went on a girl's graduation trip to the beach. It. Was. Perfection.

I went to Argentina - my first trip to South America!

I hiked to the beginning of the Appalachian Trail!

I spent my fourth summer at Epworth as camp nurse!

I moved to Washington, DC!!! Started my first real job, graduate classes and became a Capital Fellow.

I was a bridesmaid for the first time for my sweet roommate!

I celebrated the holidays at home and rang in the New Year with some of my favorite people!

Thank you, 2010, for being one of the fastest, craziest, most challenging and most blessed years of my life.

Here's to 2011!!

Cheers,

Lauren