Its over! ...Yet its just begun!!!!!

WHEWWW! First semester...DONE! All the anticipation, all the sweaty palms, and all the late night starbucks runs finally paid off! Well, lets hope so! I haven't yet received my final grades for the semester, but when I do I will certainly let you know.
So to begin with, allow me to elaborate on the semester a little more! After all, that's what this blow is here for! Lets start with Algebra, with Ms. O'keffe. Boy was this class a challenge. Besides the fact that I HATE math with an ABSOLUTE passion, my teacher was not the most interesting person to have to be around! Some people liked her (the ones that wanted to suck up to her) and others, like me, found her very strange! So my advise would be to NOT take her class! There was SOOOO much homework and the tests were not a walk in the park either!
Next we have U.S. History after 1877. This class however, was an absolute blast! My professor, Mr. Latona, was a hoot and 1/2! He made me want to learn about the dates and times that I once considered a waste of my time! Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10:00, I became engulfed in every small inadequate detail of American history, and believe or or not, I actually enjoyed that! So, advise on Latona... TAKE HIS CLASS, TAKE HIS CLASS, TAKE HIS CLASS!!!!
English 1101 is a MUST with Ms. Gassle! She is young, yet she knows exactly what she is talking about! I love English, writing, and reading so the class was not that hard but the logistics of the class could often get monotonous. But she made them so easy and actually fun! I am taking her 1102 class next semester and can not wait to hear more of what she has to say!!
GRRR yes, I have to talk about this one! Physical Science = waste of my time! End of story...... need I say more? Ok no, I do not... so I am not! Thank you and good night!
This semester was filled with excitement and TERROR! but I made it through! and learn a lot! Can not wait to see what the next few hold!

Give them HOPE

It was cold, wet and miserable Friday night. I could not feel my nose and I was praying my fingers had not fallen off due to the bitter cold I was experiencing on the rigid night. As I opened my eyes I looked around and all I could see was the soggy brown box that would be my home for the next 7 hours. I lifted my frozen body off the box only to see many other boxes, all cold and soggy, with other members of my homeless village in them. At that very moment it hit me - This could be the live I led; No future of a college education, no beautiful wedding, no spectacular home to come home to and raise my children in. Just in a snap I could be out on the streets, in a cold, wet, soggy box, with a old t-shirt to lay under my head.

Last weekend I participated in a "sleep out" at the Albany Mall call "Hope For the Homeless and the Hungry." We ate soup and drank water as if to put ourselves in a soup kitchen for the night. But the real kicker was where we all would lay our heads for the night. You see, we didn't bring nice tents to set up, and we didn't have trailers to sleep in! No! Everyone that came would sleep in brown cardboard boxes and pray that they didn't leave their blankets at home.
This was such an eye opening experience for me. I got a total of about 78 minutes sleep that night due to my tossing and turning about. I am SO BLESSED! I have a house I can go to. A bed a can crawl in, a warm shower I can use! I mean as I was laying there in my "home" I couldn't help but PRAISE God for all He had blessed me with! Every time I would wake up I would thank Him for blessing me so! It really blows my mind to think that in the blink of an eye, that could be me! I could have it all taken away and I would be left with nothing but the clothes on my back!
Thank YOU GOD! You have blessed me BEYOND my wildest imagination!

Why Me...Why Now?

Ahh! There was no day like that day. I woke up early, got ready quickly, and arrived at work promptly and on time! IT MUST HAVE BEEN A FRIDAY! And it was! I love Fridays! I can start my day a little easier knowing that the weekend is just hours from sweeping me off my feet! But I was particularly excited because on this FABULOUS FRIDAY I was going to the beach with my wonderful boyfriend and our families!
The day piddled along, like they always do when you want them to be over!!! Well I went to lunch with Michael at Corner Cafe, and was having just the best time when I received a call from my next door neighbor. I answered the buzzing phone and Don (my neighbor) said, "Lauren, I'm talking to your dad!! Gotta go NOW!" Well I immediately started to panic! So I called my mom, no answer. I called my dad, no answer. They were already down at the beach so I am really starting to worry here.. Finally my mom called me back and with the call came some rather disturbing news. MY CEILING HAD CAVED IN IN MY LIVING ROOM!!!!! My neighbor had gone over to check on our dogs and found the mess! Well after composing myself and finding a few last words I headed back to work to finish out the day so I could then go home and see what the mess was about!

When I got home, I was NOT prepared for what I am about to show you! It was more then a mess, it was a nightmare! All the pictures, all the books, all the lamps, chairs, couch, rug.. EVERYTHING was ruined! We later found out that their was a water pipe that had exploded and then.... well I'll just show you!!!

The couch

The ceiling!!!

The floor

The room

The chair

The floor again

Everlasting Love!

God is love. God is eternal. God is true, just, mighty, peaceful. God is love. Whenever I think of attributes of God, I also ways come back to love. God could not be true, just, patient, or jealous if He didn't love us. Well, I guess He could, but what would be the point? Why would God need to be patient, or peaceful if He did not love us? He wouldn't!

I say all of that to say this. Just when you think all hope is lost and you want to give up, close every door of your home, and shut off the rest of the world, God opens his arms to you and says, "You are still mine. Even though the rest of the world has turned their backs on you and disappointed you once again, I WILL NEVER FAIL YOU." He promises that!

Thank you God, for being my love!

Crazy, but BEAUTIFUL!

These past few weeks have been a little more than chaotic for me! (that's the reason I have not written to you beautiful people in so long) Lets see, there was a beach trip, a failed test, a passing test, an anniversary ring, and a little of EVERYTHING in between!

Lets start with the beach! - Labor Day + me, Michael, Emily Reynolds, and Jason Hunnewell + a free place to stay + a back to school retreat = an amazing time! Michael, Emily, and I left that Friday at about 3:00 and we didn't get there a minute to soon. Jason and his band were playing at a back to school retreat so OF COURSE we were more than willing to go down and lend our moral support for them! The reason we got to stay for free and yes this is a little confusing! but.... my mom has a friend who has a friend that lives in PC and she willingly opened her home to us and let us stay with her for the weekend! I was a little skeptical at first, not having met the women, but it turned out to be an AMAZING weekend with amazing friends!

Next comes the tests! WHOOOO ok so we have math and science.. and then we have Lauren! And they DO NOT go together, they do not like each other, and they certainly should never be graded together! But unfortunately there is this unfortunate place called college, and despite my despised desires of these subjects we still have to meet once a day, five days a week! Well I have my Algebra test first.... and I wont drag this out.. it was a 55!!! :) and I told my teacher that at least I knew 1/2 the material! haha o well! but I made a 71 on my physical science test and let me tell you!!!! I have NEVER in my life been so excited about a C in my ENTIRE life!!!

But now, for the moment you have all been waiting for.... THE RING! lol! and no it is NOT an engagement ring! goodness, goodness no!!!!! But on Wednesday, September 9, 2009, Michael Stahl and I celebrated out two year anniversary! And here is the funny part, we started dating on his little cousins Malorie's birthday, so when I tried to tell him that our anniversary was on AUGUST 10Th, he said no.. remember Malorie's birthday. Well on September 8Th, Michael's mom walked in his room and asked him if he had remembered to call Malorie and tell her happy birthday. He, assured of himself, replied, "No, her birthday isn't until tomorrow!!" And his mom promptly corrected him! WE HAD BEEN CELEBRATING OUT ANNIVERSARY ON THE WRONG DAY FOR THE PAT 2 YEARS! Well I got a kick out of it! By this time it was about 9:00 so we decided to "change" out anniversary to the 9Th and just keep it that way forever! lol Well the next day rolled around and I was so ready to find out what my honey had done that made him so proud of himself!!! That night he picked me up from my house, with 3 roses in hand (he said the store wouldn't just sell him 2) and we then headed to Mikatas for dinner! It was such an amazing meal! I love that place!!! After dinner we went to the Veranda because that is where we stared dating! I love my little sentimental man!!!! When we got back to the car he asked if I was ready for my gift and I OF COURSE answered YES!!!!!!! so he told me to close my eyes and he handed me this little ta and black box! I was about to scream!!! I then turned to him and politely said," Michael, if this is an engagement ring... I'm going to hit you then request you take me home!!!" But to my delight when I opened the box, there sat a BEAUTIFUL blue topaz, emerald cut ring!!!! I was so happy I could have screamed! and well.... ok I did scream! lol! It was so amazing! What a wonderful way to end a wonderful evening!

Well, I have to go for now! but I promise I wont wait this long to write again!

Gang.. Bang.. Shoot Em' Up!

The day started out like any other- hit the snooze 16 times, showered, dressed and out the door by 8:30! Just a typical morning in the life of one not so excited college freshman, until I got to school. While I'm sitting in my first class I see my mom and dad calling me, and then again, and then again, and then again.. and again.. and I think you are getting the picture here!!! I was getting text after text, call after call, and started to get a little freaked out! If I hadn't been in the middle of one of the hardest problems OF MY LIFE I would have gotten up and called whoever it was back! But I decide to wait till class was over and take care of business then! I picked up the phone and called my dad back first and after only one ring, he picked up! "Lauren, is that you??" he frantically asked. "Yes dad, it's me! Is Nana alright, and mom, and everything.. why the heck did you call so many times?" "Lauren you need to get a stomach bug and come home NOW!" Okay so by this time I am seriously wigging out! Then he finally told me that not only had Darton called our house, but also the sheriffs department to let us know that there was to be expected gang related activities at the school today! I MEAN COME ON PEOPLE! You have nothing better to do then hang out at a college and scare people. But non the less I was scared and decided then to go home. Well that impulsive idea was then shot down by my next thought -"English Quiz!! So instead of getting to my save haven, I had to stay and wait out the day with all the potential killers around me! haha! But as you can already tell...nothing happened! Because I am sitting here writing to you about it!

Julie & Julia...

From the Eiffel Tower to the city scape's of Queens, New York, Julia Child and Julie Powell are fearlessly united despite time and space.
If you have seen the movie, then you know that Merril Streep and Amy Adams play impeccable roles as two women that profess their love for cooking through books and blogging! Julie Powell and Julia Child both learn fairly quick that the art of cooking, once obtained, is something that is not easily let go. They take their daily struggles and release their stress with their cooking- somehow together. There is no problem to big or small for the two ladies that a little chicken, salt or BUTTER wouldn't fix!
Some of my favorite quotes from the movie include:
"I was drowning, and she pulled me out of the ocean." - Julie Powell
"What do you love to do?" - Paul Child, "Eat, and I'm so good at it!!" - Julia Child
"Are you home?" - Julie Powell, "Whats for dinner?" - Eric Powell
So all in all, this was ABSOLUTELY the best movie I have seen in forever! You will leave the theatre, or your couch with a warm fuzzy feeling that will entice you to fly into your cozy kitchen and screw up.... I mean mix up any and everything you can get your hands on! It's late for me now so I will have to do my experimenting at a later date, but when I do I will let you know- whoever you are! Instead for now I leave you with this thought...,"Bon appetit, and good night" - Lauren Stotler

Cats and Cheesecakes!

Saturday was spent like most of the rest, wake up early, clean, clean, clean, nap, and then clean some more! This past Saturday required even more cleaning because our pastor and his amazing wife were coming to our house for dinner! So you can imagine how fun preparing was! Well, my dad did the cooking, as he always does! He takes his culinary skills VERY seriously - even more so then my birth! So instead of helping my mom and I clean up that morning... he began cooking! He started with his famous cheesecake! Once it was done, he laid a towel over it and let it cool, while he went to the store to buy the rest of the needed items for the meal. I then walk into the kitchen to get something to drink and saw the most HORRIFIC SIGHT OF MY LIFE! MY CAT WAS LAYING ON TOP OF THE CHEESECAKE!!!!!!!!! How or why I do not know, but I couldn't run fast enough over to him to get him off! I pulled the towel off to see the beautiful cheesecake mushed and holey! (He has punched his little foot right in the middle!!) Well I immediately scream for my mom to come see the catastrophe, and so she then comes running! If you have ever been to our house you know that our kitchen is open to the foyer and it separate from the den. Well I was in he kitchen and went into the den, while my mom went into the foyer looking for me in the kitchen. Then we switched, she went into the den and I went into the kitchen. This went on for about four more times until my mom finally screamed, "BE STILL!!!" So I followed directions, and she came to where I was! She immediately busted into laughter as well as I!! When we finally reclaimed our composure, we had a quick prayer (for my dads temper) and then proceeded to "fix" the problem! In the end, the cheesecake was fine and tasted delish! But have you ever heard of such a thing! Cats and cheesecakes... devastating but delicious!

The Start of Something NEW!

White or black??

Awake at 6:36, showered by 7:00, dressed and ready by 8:00, and coffee in hand by 8:30; I was finally ready! I woke up earlier than I had expected, but could not make my feet hit the floor for fear that reality would soon take over! IT WAS MY FIRST DAY OF COLLEGE! Every other suspenseful "first day of school" had taken place only to prepare me for the one that would really matter! Encouraging texts came swarming in from the people who loved me most (Fowler, Anna, Mrs. Cathy Lynn, Mrs. Rhonda, Emily, and Michael- just to name a few!) As I pulled onto the college and I felt terrified! I was so nervous; not of my classes at this point, but rather of hitting one of the dodging pedestrian's that were shooting out right and left! Luckily I found a spot near the front of the parking lot (which still meant that I had to walk 1/2 a mile to reach the building!) I waited for my partner in crime, Christina, to arrive and we walked in together.

I thought my first class was English, but much to my dismay it wasn't!!! It was Algebra which meant I had to run to the other building as fast as I could, only to find that I wasn't as late as I thought I would be!! I was met by a room full of girls - none which seemed as excited to be there as I was! I walked in and found an empty seat.... in the VERY front. Yes I could have snagged one in the back but my attention would have most likely been on everything besides the review of the syllabus and WEBTC!!! The next 50 minutes flew by and before I knew it.. class was dismissed! YAY! One down, two to go! I quickly grabbed my things and headed to U.S. History- after grabbing my phone and checking my texts and fb of course!

When I arrived at room 210 I was relieved to find an open seat in the back which my tush quickly claimed!!! I met some people, whose names have escaped me, that were very friendly and before I knew it, I was engrossed in conversation! But the acquaintance was ended by the voice of my second professor, Mr. Latona! A jolly fellow who I believe is going to be an amazing teacher! We looked over the syllabus and then had a time "bonus discussion". He called out dates and if we could tell him what was significant about them, we got an extra credit point. I am not really a history buff, but did however manage to snag July 4 :). After history I walked over to the student center where I met my loverly boyfriend, and some other friends! We then walked inside the student center and "chatted" until English comp. We waited outside the English room for FOREVER, but the time was not spent in vain for we (Anna, Emily and I) met a new friend! :) The new 50 minutes were spent laughing, leaning, and lecturing over the material that would help us get through the next nine weeks of our lives! But soon enough, that class too was concluded all to soon!

So overall I have had an AMAZING first day and I can not wait to go back! :)

Small fish in a big pond!

Today I went with some of my besties (Rachel Adams and Christina Rose) to scope out the perimeter and find our classes! "HAHA" sums up the experience! We must have been asked 11,000 times, "You ladies appear lost, can I help you?!" And of course we gladly took the help and were then on our way!

When we got there Christina and I parked in the student parking and waited on Rachel to arrive. Well a few minutes later we see little Rachel flying by to zip her little tush in the teachers parking lot! (she is such a rebel) After we gathered our composure from laughing (because she didn't even notice where we had parked) we all walked in, holding hands, and skipping. Okay that last part was a lie, but we did begin our search "together." - a word I have come to love and respect.

The first class we arrived at was my English Comp. class.
Next we have FYE (first year experience)
Then Algebra

Followed by Physical Science

And we ended our journey at U.S. History after 1877!!!

I am VERY glad that I took a lunch break to go check this out! I may still be lost, but at least now when the stranger asks me if he can help me.. I'll feel a little better saying, "I came and looked at my classes, I don't know why I forgot!" SHEESH! haha I did find out too that Rachel is not in my Algebra class or my U.S. History.. Sad event! :(

Anticipation....:)

"There is no terror in a bang; only in the anticipation of it." - Alfred Hitchcock
Nerves are kicking in, and breakfast is setting in. Four days, and a few meals from now I'll be sitting in my first real "big girl" class at college. WHAT THE HECK??? I know! I didn't think I would be this nervous, but the truth of the matter is that I have never anticipated anything so much in my life. Graduating from a tiny school in SW Georgia did not prepare me for the monstrosity that I fear will slap me in the face on August 14, 2009. Okay so I AM over reacting a little, but who cares.... it's my blog :)
Nerves were put at a slight ease Sunday when I found out I would not be COMPLETELY alone in this first year jungle. I was comforted by the fact of finding out that some of my "tight peeps" would be walking the halls with me! College Algrbra as well as U.S. History after 1877 will be tackled with my dear friend Rachel!

Anna and Emily will be by my side in English,

and Michael will be pulling my attention from every word that escapes my professors mouth in Physical Science. YAYYYY! However, I do have to take DART (First Year Experience) alone, but I think I can manage!

How it Began...

"Ending on chapter and starting another", "Finishing the high school book and being the college novel", "Simply a new beginning". All these quotes are examples of what I have looked forward to for the past four years of my life. Getting out of the "high school scene" and escaping to adulthood turned from a dream to desire to now a goal in the forefront of my brain!I have always had a passion to do something spectacular with my life, I just never really knew what that was - until my senior year of high school. To be perfectly honest I wasn't exactly "excited" about graduating until about my senior year either. I loved the thought of freedom and adulthood, but leaving everything I had come to know was not exactly filling my stomach with roses, but instead butterflies.But as that graduation day came and went I began to feel at ease with my future plans of attending Darton, and then transferring to Georgia State University in Atlanta. My ULTIMATE DREAM is to one day own my own wedding planning firm (STURNS & CO.)

But to begin with I would love to work at another firm or with an organization such as Girl Talk, which is a non profit that targets middle school girls in helping them get through their "drama defining days."So where do I start on this journey... well 2400 Gillionville Rd. sounds good to me! I filled out all my papers and was accepted to Darton in early April and since then I have spoken with someone at the college probably once a week. WE ARE ALL ON A FIRST NAME BASIS!!! :) Okay not really, but I have tried to stay up to date on everything I need to do and everything that needs to be done. The first big issue I ran across was filling out my HOPE application! HAHA describes the experience so very well! ok no really it was a nightmare! I had called the college several time and could not get a definite date on when my financial aid information was due. So I made a few more calls and finally reached a lady that knew enough to give me a "for sure" answer (which was something that was not easy to come by!!) My next step was then to actually fill out the information with GSFC so I proceeded to fill out the application online - like any other AMERICAN would have done!!! I filled it out and as I press send I notice at the bottom of the screen there is a little warning that states..and I quote,"Any false information will result in 5 years in federal prison and a fine up to $2,500 for participant." So I checked over my information once again - just to be sure!!! I proceeded to press send and when I looked at my e-mailed receipt I noticed that it said I had a bach degree and that I was independent on my taxes. BOTH WHICH ARE """""WRONG""""":) As you can probably guess I began FLIPPING OUT!!! I e-mailed GSFC and called and got it all worked out, but my word! Prison and a fine! It was a scary situation!
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