WHEW!

let me just give you the breakdown of my week so far.

Sunday: wrote all of my law school application essays. (see previous post for details of the rest of the day)
Monday: Worked out early am. Finalized all points for the SMA trip to DC (decided who gets to go and who doesn't)..VERY STRESSFUL. Also ran around like a chicken with my head cut off getting more application stuff done all day and night.
Tuesday: Overslept on accident. My car got hit (huge dent on the bumper) and I have no idea who did it. Overdrafted...twice. Had to go to EMCC to get transcripts (which I had to miss class to do). Work was crazy with planning the DC trip. Crusade Ministry Meeting (almost had a breakdown, but held it in). Then had my SMA Meeting. THEN had Bible Study-which was really good, despite my attitude going into it...God definitely helped me with that one. (All back-to-back). Then a brief break to hang out with some old friends on Raymond St (the ONLY thing that got me through this day). Worked on Law School app. some more.
Wednesday: Worked out early am. CRAZY day at work (worked on DC and Debates all day). Got almost all recommendation letters in. Paper due at 5, which I started and finished in like an hour. Class from 5-8 (shoot me). Ran into my parents in the Union...had to tell them about overdrafting TWO MORE times that day. had a COMPLETE EMOTIONAL BREAKDOWN right there in the Union food court. My parents prayed with me and offered to help me de-stress. (and put money in my account, which was huge)
Thursday: Woke up early and went for a long run. Then finished the final stuff for my law school application this morning before class. My boss offered to overnight it for me for free today...what a good man (who also wrote me an amazing rec that made me cry..of course). I JUST SENT IT OFF! Have spent the remainder of the day working on DC stuff, and learning to delegate duties to people in the office.

I am pumped about the weekend...Lee Thorne picked me up a ticket to the basketball game this weekend (what a sweetheart) and besides that, I am planning on CHILLING and not thinking about school/work all weekend. Probably going to watch a massive amount of movies and sleep as much as possible. I thought the weekend would never come....but I can see the finish line, and it feels AWESOME. I know I say this all the time, but I wholeheartedly believe it...GOD IS SO GOOD.

a change in plans??

this weekend was a big one. bare with me.

well, the actual events of the weekend were pretty lame...i slept all day Friday (thanks doc foglesong for your massive amount of maroon alert texts letting me know that it was icing on all "elevated surfaces" and not to go outside under any circumstances...geez) and got off the couch just long enough to take my roommates to Bops (the second night in a row for me...oops) for some free ice cream (excuse me...custard). On Saturday, me and my mom went to Jackson to shop for some showers we are hosting next month (including yours, Amanda...yay!) and I got a dress for Molly and Tyler's wedding...which I am in LOVE with, by the way. We got a few other things along the way and got back in time for a late dinner with my Dad in Starkville. Today was actually pretty eventful...went to church with the parents, ate some lunch at Mi Hacienda (of COURSE..ugh), and spent all afternoon FILLING OUT MY LAW SCHOOL APPLICATION! yes, you read it right. In the past few days, I have really felt God telling me to pursue applying to law school, and the law school's application that I am most interested in is due FEBRUARY 1st. SERIOUSLY?? That is this coming Friday!! Needless to say, I have my week cut out for me. I cannot explain the reason I feel so strongly about going ahead and applying to this school except that I know that God has laid this on my heart and I want to do everything I can to stay in the will of God for my life. So we will see how this goes...I would appreciate everyone's prayers in this process (applying usually takes weeks or even months, and I am attempting to do it in less than one week!!) I know that on my own, I cannot do this...but with God...ALL things are possible, including getting into the Law School I want...if that is God's will for me this year after all.

I got a brief break from the application process tonight when a big group of us went out to my parents house to eat...we had roast, mashed potatoes, green bean bundles, corn, rolls, grape salad, and italian creme cake....my mouth is watering again just thinking about it. My mom is the best cook in the ENTIRE world, and she just happens to love to entertain...score for me. and my friends.

Justice for All

So I just had the privilege of semi-meeting Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia at a Pre-law meeting on campus. This is HUGE. I mean, there are only 9 Supreme Court Justice's in the United States (him being one of them) and lately, it seems as though they pretty much determine EVERYTHING about our judicial system and how we should follow it. I have always loved Justice Scalia...his opinions in the cases I've read in college are usually right on with what I believe about the Constitution, etc. He is a big advocate of interpreting the strict meaning of the Constitution as our founders meant it to be, and he made a really good point in his talk today...That this kind of thinking (the strict interpretation) may not be perfect in every case, but it's a heck of a lot better than the looney's that like to think our Constitution changes like the color underwear they wear to work everyday and want to bend the Constitution to allow anything that seems appropriate in their liberal little minds at the time. (my words, not his...can you tell I'm a Republican??) Now, I don't ever want my blog posts to turn into deep political, theological, or philosophical meanderings, because I get MORE than enough of that in my classes on a daily basis..but giving a little props to a brilliant conservative Justice of our great country never hurt anybody. I am planning on going to see him again tonight...I considered just going to one of the meetings today, but I mean it's not everyday I get to meet someone doing my dream job...and doing it WELL. I would also like to point out that, MISSISSIPPI STATE, not OLE MISS, got him to come to our campus. Take that, pompous D-bags. (AND i should add that Mary Annette's (my roommate) Uncles took him hunting on her grandmother's land the other day..so I feel like that makes her, and therefore, me...a really big deal. BAM.)

jumping on the band wagon

This is such a typical girlie "blog post"...but R.I.P. Heath Ledger. I guess my favorite Heath Ledger movie was "Ten Things I Hate About You"...but he was in so many good ones that I hate to have to pick a favorite. I fortunately never had to endure the torture of watching "Brokeback Mountain" so I can't say much for that one...but I will miss that Australian accent and those dimples. I was shocked when I first saw it on Fox News yesterday when I got home...but now its getting a little old..I mean, I am sad and all, but is that all Fox has to talk about today? and probably the next five weeks to come? Maybe that was a little harsh..I really am sad. Here's to you Heath...you'll be missed. I have to go to the Union for my daily Starbucks fill-up with Dylan now (who sends his regrets or whatever for Heath as well), and there really isn't much more to say anyway. It was good to know you, Heath. I'll pour out some skinny vanilla latte for you on the way back.

Livin' the Dream

Just got back from the weekend in Destin... It was fabulous. Me and Harris drove down Friday evening and got to the beach just in time to pass out from exhaustion from the trip. Two of the most map-challenged girls with only a piece of paper of directions+ navigation system that we couldn't figure out+ lots and lots of rain in the dark+ playing the "favorite game"= an interesting drive. (oh and a short trip to KFC...yum) The weekend consisted of sleeping in, gathering up courage to go to the beach in the sub-zero temperatures (ok, it was like 40 degrees, but still...colder than I care for it to be at the beach in any season), eating ALOT, and some hardcore shopping. We had originally planned on a few more people coming with us, but when they backed out, we already had our hearts set on coming and didn't really care if we had to come alone. It ended up being a blast. Although we had to take all of our pictures pretty much "honeymoon style" (you know, the awkward solo pics....I normally hate those), I am glad we documented our trip with pictures (but then again, when do I NOT document a trip?!). I will share some of the highlights with you..
Our not-so-humble Abode for the Weekend



The ONLY picture that wasn't taken by one of us. At Rum Runners....taken by our interesting new local friends.





And I will end with this little conversation Harris had (mostly with herself) this weekend:

Harris: You know, I really think I have always had a little hippy in me, deep down.
Me: yeah, i could see that.
Harris: Yeah...I think I am just a closet-hippy. (a few min. later)....Now I know how gay people feel!!Sorry, Harris. Your Hippy-ness is officially exposed.

big-timers.

Well. I'm leaving for the beach this afternoon...me and Harris are going to Destin (staying at her bf's beach house...thanks Ryan!) for MLK weekend...it's going to be freezing, but I am just going to man-up and put on my sweats, scarf, fleece, thermal socks and underwear, and ear muffs and plant it in a beach chair in the sand. I wonder if i will get a good tan? hmm. I have the strangest obsession with water, especially the ocean. It NEVER gets old to me...I could sit and look at it for hours and still leave wishing for more. Water (specifically the Ocean) is where I see God the most in nature..it's just SO huge and pretty and always moving. I can't wait to get there....shoppping, eating out, pretending we're famous and attempting to make music videos (if you know me and Harris together, you know exactly what I am talking about), and some QT with my best friend in the world. Big-time fun.


next thing.


I have yet ANOTHER shout-out to give....this one to a for-REAL Big Timer. My awesome roommate, Jennifer Glaze, just accepted a job as the Event Planner for the President's Office. (of MSU, for clarification) For anyone who knows anything about our new President, Doc Foglesong, he LOVES to have events. (and fly his planes over football games, but I will leave that story to Hank Flick..who tells it way better than I ever could). This means Jenn is going to be VERY busy!! This is a HUGE job, and one that normally someone just out of college would not even be considered for. But Jenn is no typical recent college grad. She is the most talented decorator I've ever met (for proof, come to my house during any season) and she is ridiculously organized and gracious. Talk about the whole package. It kinda sounds like I have a crush on her or something...and maybe I do. (don't worry...i still love boys...you know what I meant) So if you are ever invited/attending a Mississippi State University function from here on out, you can thank Jenn Glaze for the amazing event. Congrats Jenny! I love you!

The Dream Job

This is my official shout out to my office and office buddies....since they are the fortunate ones who get to hear all about the craziness of my life and give input into my postings lately. I am mainly referring to my co-workers in the closet/room that four of us are shoved into...but I do love my ENTIRE office. Joanna and Dylan are my work-besties....We all come into work around the same time everyday, and although we sit with our backs facing each other most of the time, we constantly g-chat with each other about the most ridiculous things you can imagine. I just changed my mind about Dylan being my work-bestie...he used to be until he started calling me Laurey. Not cool. But back when we WERE besties (like a few minutes ago), we made each other watch funny youtube videos and listen to new songs...even if that meant that everyone had to stop whatever they were doing and watch/listen to it. Man, I miss those days. (Actually he is playing one right now...and I really want to go watch it, so maybe we are still friends after all) . Marianna is the other student worker in our closet...we have somewhat attempted to "take her under our wing"....I think she just thinks we're crazy more than anything. And we are. But she's sweet i love her. I'm obsessed with my boss, Dr. Wiseman, who I think I have given a shout-out to before. He is the EXPERT on Mississippi politics, and I love listening to him talk about anything and everything political...He calls me the "Colonel". He's so legit. There are always people coming in the Depot, so we always have someone to talk to (or about..on g-chat...to each other...behind their back, of course)...it makes the atmosphere really laid back, which as we all know, is right up my alley. If you go to State, you like politics, or just want to hang out with me, Jo, and Dylan...come see us!! PLEASE!!!

has-beens? some think not...

I've been pretty under the weather (which has been under as well) today, so no big post. nothing exciting going on except for the fact that i FINALLY went to a basketball game last night...MSU v. Kentucky- we won...pretty big deal, apparently. Went with Mary and Jenny..we pretty much just laughed the whole time and started watching the game towards the end...totally worth going.

ok so here is my question....are Wallabees totally outdated? I very much have thought so for at least a year now (maybe longer), which is just sad because those bad boys didn't come cheap...and I thought for sure they'd last forever when I originally jumped on that ban wagon and bought them...like the new flip-flop for winter or something. But just as I'd given them up for dead and was about to head to the Salvation Army with em, Stuart and Lee Thorne announce that they are going to "bring the wallabee back". (well, mainly Stu...I only think Lee will do it if he realizes Stu made them cool again) hmmm. I laughed in their faces, of course, but then something weird has been happening lately. EVERYWHERE I go, I am seeing more and more people (guys, mostly) wearing them, looking better than ever with them on! Seriously, like these are really hot and stylish guys I'm seeing here...so I mean, is it just me that thought they weren't cool anymore?? Can I get mine back out?!

Ice Breakers, Anyone?

I HATE ICEBREAKERS. I think they are gay. The worst question ever is on the first day of class when teachers say/write...."tell me something interesting about yourselves." I mean, do you want me to make something up? I have 13 fingers? I can do that roll your hands all the way over your back thing? Talk in 48 different languages? Geez, I'm sorry my parents raised me to be NORMAL. My bad. I mean, seriously, I have NOTHING to say about that. I usually say that Pocahontas is like my 4th great grandmother or something. I mean, she IS, but I don't know exactly how far away she is...so it makes it sound like I'm just claiming her. Believe me, if I was just going to make someone up, I'd do someone like the Queen of England or the Rockafellers or Vanderbuilts or someone. My point...When I am a professor (one of my MANY career plans), there will be no gay ice breakers. I really could care less what flavor ice cream you like, unless of course you are buying it at Bops or bringing it to me next class. Students are going to LOVe me.

HOWEVER, I do like figuring out what all my favorite things are at the moment, so if you DO happen to like ice breakers and such, i will entertain you with a few of my current obsessions. Enjoy. (these get random because Jo and Dylan gave me options towards the end)

Fav. Color: Green and Brown
Fav. Drink: Diet Coke (I am a recovering Diet Coke addict. seriously)
Fav. Foods: Pizza. Jambalaya. Salads. Chicken Salad. Dark Chocolate.
Fav. Restaurant: Chipotle. No question.
Fav. Place: Lake Ouachita, Arkansas or Destin, Florida. It's about equal.
Fav. Memory: College. and Camp Ozark 2007.
Fav. Songs
slow- Battle- Colby Callait
rap- Bow Wow Wow- Lil' Bow Wow
girly- Big Girls Don't Cry- Fergie
worship- In Christ Alone
chill- Colors- Amos Lee
Fav. CD: Hillsong United (all of them)
Fav. Website: Facebook
Fav. Books: "In the Meantime" (Rob Brendle) and "Reedeeming Love" (Francine Rivers)
Fav. Candy: Chic-o-sticks and Peanut M$Ms
Fav. Gum: Trident Splash (Strawberry/Lime)
Fav. Movies: Big Fish and Boondock Saints
Fav. TV Show: Brothers and Sisters, Grey's and The Hills. They make my life semi-dramatic.
Fav. Store: Libby Story (or any boutique..but only when I have money to spend)
Fav. Tshirt: Kappa Sig Summer Rush 2000
Fav. Professor: Hank Flick. DUH!
Fav. Hobby: Wakeboarding
Fav. Person to Text: Anyone I haven't talked to lately. And anyone who doesn't want to have a long and serious convo via text. I hate that.
Fav. Verse: Joshua 3:5
Fav. Animal: Penguins
Fav. Scent: Boys Cologne. The stronger the better.
Fav. Exercise: Crunches. and lately, the Treadmill.
Fav. Thing about Myself: My eyes. And self-confidence
Fav. College Memories
freshman yr- Living in Sessums with Natalie and Rachel
sophomore yr- Raymond Street! (and California SBK!)
junior yr- Lake Martin weekend and Destin New Years Eve Trip
senior yr-Tulane Game and Football Season at Home
Fav. Item in my Purse Right Now: My Planner
Fav. Car: Lexus LX 470
Fav. City: Washington, DC and Austin, TX
Fav. Possession: My Ipod
Fav. Thing to Do: LAUGH!
Fav. Thing of All: WATER. ocean, lake, bay, tap, bottled, rushing, streams, rapids, falls... doesn't matter. i love it all.

I'm bored with this. That's enough.

very important information

Before i get to my "very important information" in this post, let me give everyone a quick update on the weekend. So we left Thursday afternoon headed to Mobile...in the MIDDLE of a tornado apparently (Stuart claimed his truck could make it through anything....i believed him, of course)...and arrived safely in the bay area just in time for dinner at Panera. My first time to eat anything other than a bagel at Panera...it was good. I won't bore you with all the details of the weekend, but I had a great time hanging out with friends and my parents and eating some really, really good meals. We made a quick trip to the Bay to check out some houses and look at the water (my obsession, as most people know) on Friday afternoon...it was legit. My weekend ended with a lovely dinner with Harris at the Veranda, where we were massively macked on (until our waiter realized we had been talking about other boys the whole time and finally gave up...poor thing). I was too tired to go out Saturday night, so i just turned in early and caught up on some much needed sleep. Sunday was fun...went to church with Jenn for the first time to the Episcopal Church...it was good! We met my parents later for a 2-hour lunch session at Mi Hacienda, which I am CONVINCED that my parents own stock in because they want to eat there so much. sheesh....Girabaldis for me, please. So that was my weekend.

On to the important part!! My professor told me about a new website the other day in class that I am now OBSESSED with. It's called stumbleupon.com It is amazing!! Here is the deal...it's FREE...and you sign up on the website and then you click all these boxes of stuff you are interested in knowing/learning/looking at on the web. For example, I clicked things like, "conservative politics", "music", "humor", "travel", "Christianity"....yeah, you get the idea. So after you click your interests and download the toolbar, you just click the "Stumble" button on the toolbar and it gives you a completely random website about something you like everytime you hit the button!! Never again will I be bored at work...WOO HOO!

me? long-winded? nah.

So I was informed by a friend yesterday that my blog posts are "too long" to read all at once. seriously?? wow, someone didn't read enough in elementary. or high school. or college. Whatever, i will keep this one short and sweet. Going to Mobile today for a Bill Johnson conference (Jack's pastor in California...this guy is AMAZING.) I am beyond excited. my parents are already there, and i am driving down with Stuart. Talk about an amazing guy...the only person I have ever met who can talk more than me! The conference is going to last until Friday night, and then we are coming back to Starkville Saturday, just in time to see HARRIS, who is coming home for the weekend! This has been the best year of my entire life, and it's only the tenth day of the new year!! I am about to start leading a bible study at campus crusade with 3 other ridiculously awesome people...I am nervous about it, but so excited to see what God has in store for all of us! If you go to State, I encourage you to come hang out with us..I will post more details when we confirm the time/day. Holler.

so long, farewell

I said goodbye to two very important people in my life yesterday...not for good, but it sure felt like it at the time. Me and mom took Jack back to the airport yesterday in Jackson, and even though i didn't cry when he left (my mom did...of course), I still was really sad to see him go...especially not knowing when I might get to see him again. He won't come home again probably for at least a year, and that's a long time for me! I am so glad he's happy in Cali though..i think Starkville as he knew it, is alot different for Jack now than it used to be. I think its safe to say he "fits in" in California now...i mean he got a skateboard for Christmas...that says enough right there if you know Jack at all. He does still rock the polos and sperries while riding the skateboard...thank God. I would NOT be ok with him starting to wear skinny jeans and stuff. ew. Anyway, on to my next goodbye. Me and mom met Margaret and Mrs. Jennifer for coffee later in the day and chatted about Australia and how in the world Margaret is going to fit everything she owns into two large suitcases. I laugh just thinking about it. As hard as it was for me to say goodbye (and REALLY not knowing the next time i will see her!), I couldn't really be sad because I know how much Margaret needs this and is going to love her new home/life as an Aussie. I told Margaret that she couldn't come home until she had written a song to sing at my wedding...so she better get busy over there.


Those goodbyes were bittersweet for me...how can you be sad about sending someone off to such a spiritual environment where you know that they are happier than they could ever be here?? Any sadness I feel is for my loss of having them around and not taking more advantage of those deep relationships all those years before they left. I truly am happy and excited for Margaret and Jack and this new chapter in their lives, and I am so thankful to get to be a part of it and reap the benefits!!

a new year...just in time

I must say, I am ashamed at myself for going so long without blogging. A few people even noted that I hadn't written in a while...so people actually read this nonsense...who knew? Apologies aside, I should catch everyone up on life from the past few weeks. This could get long...bare with me. Rarely am I ever short though, so you should have seen this coming.
Christmas was WONDERFUL. Bo came home and Emily came to Starkville for a few days and hung out with the family. I must say, I really enjoy having her around...having a girl to get ready with, defend myself against the boys with, etc. really is nice. The fam went to Baker's Acres one night, like I mentioned in an earlier post. Lights were great...I took pictures, but they sucked so I am not even putting them up. Just take my word for that one. Christmas day was fun...it was just the 5 of us...sometimes I wish we had a bigger family (some cousins or aunts or uncles or SOMETHING....dang my parents for being only children) but when I really think about it, we are all so incredibly close because it has always just been us I think. We took a family picture for the Christmas cards (that my mom sends out late EVERY YEAR...gotta love her) and I think it turned out pretty stinkin' good. But you decide for yourself when you receive the card...in May probably.

So after Christmas, the boys loaded up the 4-wheelers and headed down to the deer camp. I opted out of that trip and went and hung out with Anna McCarty in McComb instead. It's become an annual trip for a while now...the boys always go hunting and I always call Anna and force her to hang out with me and let me stay at her house. She loves it. We had a great time...she's amazing and I LOVE hanging out with her...I just wish we could hang out more. Too bad we are both too shady to call each other when we are in Memphis/Starkville. Oh well, as long as we are honest about it. So after that trip, we swung through Jackson on the way back to town for some quick shopping. As much as I swore to myself that I would never buy sperries because they are just another outdated wallabee waiting to happen....I broke down. I don't even have an excuse. Whatever. I still swear to myself that I will NOT ever buy chacos....oh Lord, I will be a total follower if that happens.

On to my next trip. For New Years, I went to Atlanta for Campus Crusade Christmas Conference. That's alot of C's, I just noticed. I had to go a day late because Julie got MARRIED on the 29th (same day as the Liberty Bowl....which we won. GO DAWGS) so I rode down the next day with Rachael Kirk and followed some boys from State to the conference. SUCH a good decision...what a great ride with one of the most amazing girls I have ever known. Anyone who does not know Rachael Kirk is seriously missing out in life. The conference was all out AMAZING. The speakers were legit, the band was UNREAL (Tenth Avenue North and Audrey Assad...check them both out on myspace), and I met seriously the COOLEST girls ever. Where have these people been all of my life?? I am officially obsessed with Crusade and everyone associated with it. This was my first New Years Eve not to be out Partying like a Rockstar, and I must say, it was by far the most fulfilling and fun NYE ever. That night, we went out to eat with a huge group for Lindsay Bean's birthday at Dolce in downtown ATL, which is Ashton Kutcher's restaurant!! I felt like I was on The Hills the whole time. After dinner, we came back and had worship for like an hour then all got ready for the "New Years Ball," which was just a big dance for all the conference people. Tons of crazy fun people, getting dressed up, no boys to worry about, and rap music...I mean seriously?? What a way to ring in the new year.

Since I have been home, I have done a massive amount of Facebook stalking, getting caught up on some reading, hanging out with my family before Jack leaves next week, and sleeping ALOT. I just found out that I am going on a cruise for Spring Break with some really legit girls, so I am about to get into "beach-body mode" like, tomorrow. or Monday, cause it's the weekend. but soon. I am so ready for this new chapter of my life. I feel like 2008 is going to be a great year to make a new beginning. As many good memories that 2007 had, I had my fair share of not-so-good ones too. I was just ready for that year of my life to be behind me. I am so excited to see what God has for me this year...hanging out with all of my new friends, graduation, a JOB...with a new city, roommates, friends, etc., and hopefully a little more time to spend with the friends I will have to leave behind. Oh, and I am dropping the "Ann" this year. It's just too confusing for too many people to know what to call me. It's just Lori. A less complicated life needs a less complicated name, I think.

So welcome, 2008. I've been waiting to meet you!!