tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90451505998454002922024-03-04T23:43:48.985-08:00A Work in Progress...I'm just a goof looking for my ball.Lauren MacKenzie Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437287251358008129noreply@blogger.comBlogger142125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9045150599845400292.post-7122935656404956652011-09-25T23:30:00.000-07:002011-09-25T23:32:20.374-07:00Movin' the BlogHi everyone!<div><br /></div><div>Just a quick note to let you all know that I will no longer be posting on this web address. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you still want to see what I've been up to, check out my new blog, <a href="http://elleemsee.blogspot.com">here</a>!</div>Lauren MacKenzie Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437287251358008129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9045150599845400292.post-36098123559670524922011-09-19T21:14:00.000-07:002011-09-19T21:30:40.765-07:00My New Favorite Thing<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Hello Blogging World! Long time no post.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >This is going to be short because I'm already exhausted (and it is only 9:15). </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I have this app on my Google home page that give me "Art of the Day" even though it refreshes and gives you a new piece of art whenever you leave the website. ANYWAY, I saw this and froze. She is gorgeous. The lines and the colors - not to mention the texture the piece (oil on canvas is one of my favorite mediums).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br />The piece is <i>Boreas </i>by John William Waterhouse, painted in 1902:</span></div><div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3S18rZJJrmJOHqEieMY1jfmgPwpm5A0ePtFJHZkmr5n9gzZNyHJDfmM4q2hsvG83ojHlhEUYQ86hbz2bJQf7zy6CPX3HzmSMgs3PZhmPtpfPRcfhYLOZZTdy9kQ_andu9BUQax_IimkWT/s1600/waterhouse_boreas.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 227px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3S18rZJJrmJOHqEieMY1jfmgPwpm5A0ePtFJHZkmr5n9gzZNyHJDfmM4q2hsvG83ojHlhEUYQ86hbz2bJQf7zy6CPX3HzmSMgs3PZhmPtpfPRcfhYLOZZTdy9kQ_andu9BUQax_IimkWT/s320/waterhouse_boreas.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654290511698090562" /></span></a><div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >When I first saw it, I thought it looked vaguely familiar, but I knew I had never seen this before. So, I googled John William Waterhouse and figured out why this looked familiar. You may recognize this beauty:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; " ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3S18rZJJrmJOHqEieMY1jfmgPwpm5A0ePtFJHZkmr5n9gzZNyHJDfmM4q2hsvG83ojHlhEUYQ86hbz2bJQf7zy6CPX3HzmSMgs3PZhmPtpfPRcfhYLOZZTdy9kQ_andu9BUQax_IimkWT/s1600/waterhouse_boreas.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdaT5YUH8fwybwVDJzSdYZrnTGiMJMDhRuk4dckwJwXlT-1HJu9AaJ_K9EEJJdJst6jA82CS1lxQ8tsNsqKkr9OBxuTOVSCIjNZUmmZ5LrMP3XtQv5WTB4GIETslL4Lwyfq8SiOrX3NVA/s320/waterhouse_the+lady+of+shalott.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654291920025714642" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></a></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>Lady of Shallot</i>. (This always reminds me of that scene in <i>Anne of Green Gables.</i></span></div><div><div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Once I googled John William Waterhouse, I found SO MANY pieces that I love. I don't want to post them all, because that is ridiculous, but here are just two more that I wanted to share:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNMLBrGeV4jqjTwgt1kFiRPHrlpLpoKytjhMQwLTkkaopnhggwmd7IzHs0bL2E5HUnU79uq9Xkz0f0I6uPxgXfAvLR0qGlmr9a1yXuNT-kcIKwZkv6uNsx9gY9IZfk-jbCX1pNNxLYb9N/s320/waterhouse_rose.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654292382967127890" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 260px; " /></div></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >My Sweet Rose</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div><div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >and, finally, <i>Ophelia</i></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_6NgIGgOnDp9cQG10Mz6DuAAAgwAxsvWyuPmId9nUKUlCCB_dY-g2d177XR0oqCGCnQsLnHWzNMTnxFX5og_JURTTlheYCOg3qMCO97pkMrkmB16D6TeW8F51pWObjJw-mdHGPqi9CTu/s320/waterhouse_ophelia.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654292968744909442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 178px; " /></div></div><div><br /></div></span></span></i></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >1. A great find.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >2. I'll be blogging about my recent trips to Seattle. Someday. Soon. Ish.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >3. Seeing Blue October in concert yet again. Chelsea and I sat down and figured out that we've been seeing them every 6 months for the last 2 years. I hope we can keep it up!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >4. I bought a MacBook Pro and I LOVE it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >5. My new ergonomic keyboard for work. HEAVEN.</span></div>Lauren MacKenzie Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437287251358008129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9045150599845400292.post-77310553031726937252011-07-20T21:35:00.001-07:002011-07-20T21:52:45.869-07:00Naomi Anne<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); font-family: georgia; line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >For those of you who didn't hear the spectacular news - I have another niece!!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); font-family: georgia; line-height: 20px; " ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qkm8KhshOStf7RWCU18lLBSwdpOmvumKcWUGJ1Hg_8ZGhk-e3BtvOj_ekwAC-wmACO3-BvHIDlMurkV6hoggoD_B8mSsmgjC5ffVfpc-Tb202gx4r6etcnKt9_mWFPHwyXiKqbSXA5ew/s320/282600_10150234191831471_584411470_7737909_4159038_n.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631662355589921266" /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Naomi Anne was born on 12 July 2011 at 3:30am(ish). She weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces and was 20 1/4 inches long! From what I hear, everything went well!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOPlKtp85XkKvE0DkLnq47As5gSC6AjXMkkdrzJpRMGwa7oCb7zn4Sdp1msOd-joCA9p81xeKk-0dOQ_Fu7K8z1x1hdZ-PTRFkvavpzYMt6IoOEZIgx3NlblNuY6bGxvNVBe-BXIyF9vu/s320/Hannah+and+Naomi.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631662538787176706" /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Congrats to Dan, Ashley, Hannah, and Rachel! I can't wait to meet you, Naomi!!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimquQc-H_Fm6dl9ubPJu_ue2Un2kcBbZ_Tte8bgI7LC1aDk6Pc1KS9P4LXqWeHubM-D9lH8020K2xemVJFAbFllzZr1ffPC9kBt98RvmWrLczsPEg3M4YHolVaDdlfVJo-eABkZyeOlYX7/s320/Rachel+and+Naomi.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631662710925189746" /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); font-family: georgia; line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcodfoLLp0eh53C6ivHP87zcNVuXyck745TRFrOXhORFWd_nbUI7tiIn8q9WIgy9m8_X8Im8mleXI0RC-F7L0AWtkrgYswJUVx3uU9NIAxs01ayS1VQLad5i5_8O8WrL_mNg9XAH55JkqZ/s320/Conley+Girls.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631663700280829186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); font-family: georgia; line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >1. All of my nieces. I can't stand being away from them.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >2. Mary Martin's <i>Peter Pan</i>. Holy cow, I love this movie. I'm watching it now and can't stop laughing.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >3. I'm surrounded by pictures of people I don't talk to anymore. Must remedy this.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >4. Maureen O'Hara. She has to be the most beautiful, classy woman ever to grace Hollywood.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(21, 34, 43); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >5. <i>Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows</i> (the book and the movies). Seen it twice and can't wait to go again!</span></span></div>Lauren MacKenzie Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437287251358008129noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9045150599845400292.post-81577886357385505272011-07-18T06:00:00.000-07:002011-07-18T06:00:16.519-07:00Skipping Through the Rest<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; ">Before I start giving you all the last day's activities, I did promise an update on the <span class="Apple-style-span">cemetery</span> - it is St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Cemetery in Leytonstone. MILLIONS of graves (at least, that's what it looks like...). See?</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span"><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7Z3rQm4-g7WzIFcnvafWsvny3Y7ACxUsPKH_4JWlm33tLEiuR43ADB0hOzUc8KRrM2dsFRBYSonwh7giLMT9fRthlJ_iZ8n1K_Pp7eHcLVhGI79wtni5Uy3PIUyJOPeXhJbSG0LxVz-b/s320/st+patricks+roman+catholic+cemetery+in+leytonstone.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 188px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630498006088735138" /></b></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small; "><b>Day Seven</b></span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Our last full day in London. How depressing.</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Once we got into central London, we headed to the British Museum and skipped around. We didn't have a ton of time in the city and I wanted to see the museums - as much of them as possible within the one day we had. We stopped at the Rosetta Stone and the Egyptian History sections, then headed over to the Greek and Roman bits.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOk6Wu7kRhvkhBCHMqaZiv-btxvViZ4a4WYsIzoXdTjOk9LreUySmG1IBQUomoIxCizyH4q_nut8UGBnl7Jrpjvbqm_4jMKD8bfAjBZeKnOu_SIp-MseyttqPYdjgYp8Dy7ouopnj6u1CP/s320/101_2804.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628703200511333138" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >And then we found the clocks. My life will never be the same.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYfNY6iWH6KN6WnoF-3zcOQqHqCmae4Nb1YgXZdol33z3CoBOfvPAPPprZBBnqQChF4Y1bMI8wFEAxSeDuHTy0ak0dbU5MEGMUIIb1l-TaL2AR5lFyfSCtZ6FSQriDRtNzpLadoY8EikF/s320/101_2836.JPG" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628703544313276754" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Once I was able to be pried away from the clocks, we headed over to the National Gallery and worshiped the likes of Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Durer</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >. I got to see <i>Madonna of the Rocks</i> by Michelangelo and good ole Arnolfini. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I can't get over the sensation of being within touching distance of multitudes of pieces of art that you dedicated 5 years of your life studying (I was a humanities minor with a penchant for artwork in particular). </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I could smell the paint, see the brushstrokes - admire the ludicrous amount of paint that Van Gogh insisted on having on his brush at all times. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >When I die, I want God's vocabulary.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9oGfeaODonW98uSThH-twfxkekn-g6qJF5IdtrobywCctgzY1wWDkoRdDadr_fWi1gzi_2-C4g7GLAbb-ipDcfIxJc148jhVV21fMi8wzVPqVu15hgSHSffeDR6mVL28jbvqOODVaANZO/s320/101_2867.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628703825471688754" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >1. Apparently, the National Gallery doesn't let you take pictures inside anymore. Woops.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >2. One week of no cell phones.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >3. Reading an entire book on the flight home. And watching a few movies.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >4. I don't understand how I get homesick for London, but I do.</span></div>Lauren MacKenzie Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437287251358008129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9045150599845400292.post-71735179010392755252011-07-17T06:00:00.000-07:002011-07-17T18:29:37.990-07:00One Wicked Day<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>Day Six</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >We left Francis and Trevor's house and Surrey all together and made our way over to Newbury Park in London for the remainder of our stay in England.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Newbury Park doesn't LOOK far away from central London on the map. Guess what? About an hour's train ride outside the city. Luckily, our hotel there was quite nice and the train ride was fairly interesting because of this one cemetery. In fact, I'm going to try to Google it and see if I can find pictures or something online. You'll have an update tomorrow.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Anyway! Once we figured out how to ride the trains with our massive suitcases and got settled into our room in Newbury Park, we made our way into downtown London. After discovering that the two different sets of directions we got from the Receptionist in Newbury Park were dreadfully wrong, we found what I was looking for: the original Hard Rock Cafe. There was a crazy wait, but it was worth every juicy bite.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span">After our VERY late lunch, we headed to Portobello Road f</span><span class="Apple-style-span">or souvenirs and so that Mum could watch <i>Bedknobs on Broomsticks</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> and say she'd been there! Another tip if you ever plan on traveling to London: do all of your souvenir shopping on your last day and do it on Portobello Road. Blocks and blocks of street vendors selling everything imaginable at fair prices (for fairly good quality) - most vendors will even haggle with you and are more apt to haggle the closer they are to closing down (5PM). You're welcome.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I bought presents for practically everyone in one stop. Among the gifts: scarves for 6 women, 1 pair of earrings, 2 different pendant watches, 1 necklace, and a magnet for Lizzie.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Once our shopping was done, we headed to the Apollo Victoria Theatre right outside the Victoria Station (right next to Buckingham Palace) to see <i>Wicked!! </i>I have no words to describe the show. I had chills from the moment the show began until the very last person stopped clapping at the end. The show was riddled with understudies and it was still <b>that</b> mindblowingly stellar. It is coming to LA in December, but I doubt it will live up to the high standard the London cast set.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCrX4mcCni51l5_Uz446IP37hG-hDCSWsstEm1-boxqb800kKtM5I43blQrsCefRlQkh_5_b650KrfkMGcMqIDasejqI4U4LEPy7ddpCohQ6O4EiUcydmKCvqLEttSz-lvTAp17W0xgjQ/s320/101_2803.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628688399291611394" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >1. I'm in love with the guy who played Fiyero; what a twirling, singing, stud.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >2. People watching on the Tube. 'Nuff said.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >3. Shauna. You are one amazing person.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >4. The best thing about being a nerd? Randomly finding other nerds through your nerdy shirt collection.</span></div>Lauren MacKenzie Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437287251358008129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9045150599845400292.post-23295589577614666822011-07-16T06:00:00.000-07:002011-07-17T18:30:41.374-07:00It's a Tudor (and Pirate?) Life for Me!<div><div><span ><strong>Day Five</strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span>Linda left early in the morning. It was NOT fun saying goodbye and was really hard to watch Mum say goodbye. These women are practically her sisters and she never gets to see them.</span><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span>Francis always needed a day off the day after we had been out and about, so she stayed in Surrey while Mum and I headed to Hampton Court - home of Henry VIII and his insane court and later to George II. The place was quite exquisite, actually.</span><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span><div><span >There are two different palaces on the grounds at Hampton Court - one was the original structure (Henry's palace) and the other structure was built several hundred years later by King George on the grounds. It looks a bit weird having structures from two different periods, but they were both beautiful!</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99uGDnjhLlA781vrlr2r2_d8lOefg22tDSfzZgA7FM5OYEj9jjQGZ7a3DrWzAdTvxcw_ESscfigwfdlvrx2eJAZtD0llRMCPvPFyHOfWIZg24PmidoEDy3DOqrudXjyDN045vRVpkDaev/s1600/101_2785.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628325760628749426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99uGDnjhLlA781vrlr2r2_d8lOefg22tDSfzZgA7FM5OYEj9jjQGZ7a3DrWzAdTvxcw_ESscfigwfdlvrx2eJAZtD0llRMCPvPFyHOfWIZg24PmidoEDy3DOqrudXjyDN045vRVpkDaev/s320/101_2785.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /></span><p></p><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><p></p><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /></span><p></p><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span><div><span >Henry's Palace: </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span><div><span ></span></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628324414719245890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrB44BPSuYDVtlvO5pMGNb0ZXa_TjykeLMUhuatLPRGI0y234vB491oS8U_lh439oPjZ2tzIRsFwvf8ZD3to7dlpqKf5TpBc5dRrhqssrxP_WsVdN7bsyY7mWKptOZVrvCoxAZNcElPwP-/s320/101_2716.JPG" /> <span class="Apple-style-span" ><span>George's Palace:</span><br /><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfQTAkzbyS_oztWx07ku14aFh6lD-SBasRvZM3ye1nUcna674pPLBDCaN6Z6quncKoLlsOQQOoVeuluKnkD4hMaNv8GRo_lLcDZfPdsAORMVA0cm5ZbBMrBQrm8XPq6Ghl482bwh0OLXX/s1600/101_2772.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628325089550145042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfQTAkzbyS_oztWx07ku14aFh6lD-SBasRvZM3ye1nUcna674pPLBDCaN6Z6quncKoLlsOQQOoVeuluKnkD4hMaNv8GRo_lLcDZfPdsAORMVA0cm5ZbBMrBQrm8XPq6Ghl482bwh0OLXX/s320/101_2772.JPG" /></a><br /><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><p><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div><span ></span></div><div><span >There were period actors walking around the grounds to help you imagine you were in Henry's court. There were different areas to teach you about each of Henry's wives (divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived) and living in Tudor England.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span"><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div>George's palace should look familiar to anyone who saw the most recent <em>Pirates of the Caribbean</em> film.</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628326333559684226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJ5lPamHjFPKza8-G9ka0_zRbGPPlB4wVQYyogwBmhuwkRu3kk7wRZVKtmKiKIAOrRfgMfuWFLQ7m-LXXqK7cSVJPN0of96kEQTqZbmHqCx4H0y8y9KlBlYfqNUYgdTPZyux98c6K_e8O/s320/101_2734.JPG" /> <span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span><div><span >I had fun taking pictures - the weather was perfect and the grounds were immaculately kept. As if Henry would tolerate it any other way - even in death!</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span><div><span ></span></div><div><span >Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:</span></div><div><span >1. Skyping with Peter (aka: Harrison Ford).</span></div><div><span >2. Snowdrops.</span></div><div><span >3. My aunt was Queen of England after Henry VIII died for 9 whole days.</span></div><div><span >4. Horse-drawn carriages. </span></div></div>Lauren MacKenzie Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437287251358008129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9045150599845400292.post-37951865468809989082011-07-15T09:00:00.000-07:002011-07-17T18:31:29.255-07:00Chaucer, Fudge, and Romans, Oh My!<div><div><span ><strong>Day Four</strong></span></div><div><span >When I booked this trip, I had lots of grandios ideas about traveling to other cities around London to see some of my favorite sites. Alas, we didn't make it to all of them, but we did make it to CANTERBURY!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628317523275870082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwbj7i8yYvlagNymLMQGdHtoDC40-QL6pCuccp5Mkj_XJGCaoKTDNJtaqveocwQBGc3ILPVAdkLmu_F8CFBfQ_Z8pz4N8JWTC29Zv55DLdbfLBgabhNTW4AkEnJfaEBiDEQlLEtUCT0G3/s320/101_2619.JPG" /> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span>Francis, Linda, my Mum, and I drove passed Hever Castle (heave a brick at Hever Castle!), out to Canterbury to see the Canterbury Cathedral. There are no words. I love St. Paul's (still my favorite), but there is something almost other-worldly about Canterbury. This place is MASSIVE and was originally built in 1070 (it has had some work done - the most recent major work was in 1834). The stained glass, stone carving, and intricate sculptures are amazing. I think m</span><span class="Apple-style-span">y favorite part, though, are the graves. Yes, I'm weird. Make peace with it - I have.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ZA6rtFwhDgalLNOVT1e7zrPVpfv3m3K7YP0Nxvr863fF8uy2kSsI5I5282G_iwRbOF5w36OzYA04JIuyzRGq1yJk-fN4LDK8Wbj70ybOLjvUm7jLqEhgF1RRFWB7a3kyyZxvsvdt3Kws/s1600/101_2714.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628318548608042146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ZA6rtFwhDgalLNOVT1e7zrPVpfv3m3K7YP0Nxvr863fF8uy2kSsI5I5282G_iwRbOF5w36OzYA04JIuyzRGq1yJk-fN4LDK8Wbj70ybOLjvUm7jLqEhgF1RRFWB7a3kyyZxvsvdt3Kws/s320/101_2714.JPG" /></a></span><div><span >Francis and Linda had been to the cathedral a few weeks before, so they shopped while we toured the cathedral. I always love to see Edward, the Black Prince's tomb!</span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2e3kr_hI6Q5YTEMELNCKDf7Sv01ogG4K9WMbtkUOTZF7W1CHZGzATQvaO9ZBC2T4FchaA2K4v35wGALj6rd2HW4QheVXaECsyvPuyXIU1uB65GBANB9VUoB7yq33TJcNnsyUtjyckPdV/s320/101_2652.JPG" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628675462191190354" /></span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span">The thing about Canterbury is, there's this fudge shop. I have been dreaming about this fudge shop since 2005. I said I wanted to find it as a joke while we were on the way up. I honestly didn't think it would be there. IT WAS!! So, I bought some fudge. :)</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span">Turns out that there is a Roman village underneath the city of Canterbury. (</span><span class="Apple-style-span">I do not remember this being here before, but it must have been!) </span><span class="Apple-style-span">There's this strange hole-in-the-wall of a museum with some interesting artifacts (most of which are NOT from the area, oddly enough) and even the remnants of an old house.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span">Pretty neat!</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span><div><span >Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:</span></div><div><span >1. Free fudge. </span></div><div><span >2. The fudge shop ships around the world!</span></div><div><span >3. I got to Skype with my Mum's other cousin, Chaz, whom I've never met. He seemed very kind - I wish I could get to know him more!</span></div><div><span >4. The delivery boy at the restaurant where we had lunch set off the fire alarm. It was LOUD.</span></div></div></div>Lauren MacKenzie Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437287251358008129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9045150599845400292.post-81562514614307551972011-07-14T06:00:00.000-07:002011-07-14T06:00:16.458-07:00Touring London<div><div><div><div><span ><strong>Day Three</strong></span></div><div><span >Mum and I took off on our own our third day in London. We caught a morning train to Victoria Station and I fell in love British public transportation all over again. Seriously, America - what is your deal?! The trains and buses in Europe are all well-maintained and affordable - nobody drives! I wouldn't dare ride a bus anywhere around here! Anyway - I digress.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span><div><span >I owe an apology to my mother. I am not a patient person and I'm afraid I was curt with my mother more than once while trying to teach her about the trains/buses/tube systems. Sorry, Mum!</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span><div><span ></span></div><div><span >When we got off at Victoria, we found a group of French school children. My advice to anyone traveling to England: find a group of French school children and <strong>FOLLOW THEM</strong>!! Their schools go to England every year and they know the fastest routes to all of the tourist traps. You won't regret it. Plus, they're fun. We followed our group to Buckingham Palace, but the guards were doing a trial run for the royal wedding and it was even more insanely crowded than usual. So, we took a hop, skip, and a jump through Green Park to the side opposite the Palace and hopped on a Red Bus. Another piece of advice if you're going to England: <em>TAKE A RED BUS</em>! That had to be the best decision of our trip. We saw EVERYTHING and if you get on the original Red Bus Company, you can hop on and off whenever you like along the way throughout the day. </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span><div><span >The buses are terrifying if you sit up top. We sat on the top, in the first row and I had to hold in my gasps of terror more than once. Motorcycles and smartcars disappear under the bus like you would not believe. At one point, I decided to stop paying attentiong and try to focus on what the guide was telling us (our first guide was AMAZING) and taking everything in.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span><div><span ></span></div><div><span >We hopped off first at a little pub for some fish and chips and then headed up the street to St. Paul's Cathedral - my favorite place in the world (that I've been to). Another apology to Mum - we spent a tad over 2 hours in St. Paul's. SORRY! </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628307973377841762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSl8C-SICx1MQAm-0srwsuo7GDmGGK5bDXHIZYzH2qFwiNDoRibwKlN2006rfhIbyQYRfFc-vcmmaDHiAW1rB-4BNwRfDpV7SCQ-r20vMZNZr0pusSerVsG1LtDJ9178a4drEcyxPR4Mq/s320/101_2586.JPG" /> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span>After St. Paul's, we hopped back on the Red Bus and had the worst tour guide ever. Everything he said was complete bullocks and even I knew it. What a load of pork pies! I ignored him as much as possible as we wound our way through downtown London over to the Tower of London so that we could see some family history! Our great-great-great-great-aunt, </span><a href="http://tudorherstory.tripod.com/janegrey.html"><span>Lady Jane Grey</span></a><span>, was held prisoner and beheaded in the Tower. We saw the site where she was actually beheaded and the glorious monument erected those precious few who were beheaded within Tower walls. We walked through the building she was held prisoner in and saw her name etched in the walls by her ladies in waiting. Then, we went in the chapel where she is buried, also within the Tower. I had been to the Tower before and never knew that I was related to this woman from the past. What an experience!</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCLoXJZA5A-RlBsayFVcoirdwXGYxmju_vY1ZGbkkNnid5v3WQZwScII3AAFhcUzQ5zdpZMK7EPpCQcKmZfj1gzCvyyBqcqhMyr5lMlCzwm_3S7RG7CA0RBADQXYyISz5bEhHVCAiusJd/s1600/101_2590.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628309469116265906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCLoXJZA5A-RlBsayFVcoirdwXGYxmju_vY1ZGbkkNnid5v3WQZwScII3AAFhcUzQ5zdpZMK7EPpCQcKmZfj1gzCvyyBqcqhMyr5lMlCzwm_3S7RG7CA0RBADQXYyISz5bEhHVCAiusJd/s320/101_2590.JPG" /></a></span><div><span >We spent so long in St. Paul's and the Tower that we didn't do much else, except complete the cycle of our tour. We saw all of the highlights of the city, but didn't alight from the bus for all of them.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /></span><div><span ></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynpZ-Lm-n1T7ddemOkk4w24H-H5s6axeLQl2CMP9YHaTUTq4etmKYQybY34xtcX-QMX7o5o0CUzovZOzqBhE_feyqGLUDKYJq7Egtp2m5jq1ycKCa_r_165CyHznoCd0b7nRUR_0iDw9h/s1600/101_2597.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628310087892568098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynpZ-Lm-n1T7ddemOkk4w24H-H5s6axeLQl2CMP9YHaTUTq4etmKYQybY34xtcX-QMX7o5o0CUzovZOzqBhE_feyqGLUDKYJq7Egtp2m5jq1ycKCa_r_165CyHznoCd0b7nRUR_0iDw9h/s320/101_2597.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div><span ></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div><span >It was a great day!</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span><div><span ></span></div><div><span ><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628310731531662626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6Uay2rbpzooifL4TY-T-N-6IeBP9z2AjgxI8ppITxY1lH82iViEQHkQIPsSmQ6g4VceDsG-0XhYqQohxwLKqi11U0whsAeLCzCxFW6Hzhe5INZE9Xbeqi97qs9LYT1_b93OPcm-_GmqY/s320/101_2599.JPG" /></span></div><div><span >Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:</span></div><div><span >1. Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.</span></div><div><span >2. Authentic fish and chips. YUM!</span></div><div><span >3. I wish I had words to describe standing at the grave of your beheaded relative. Talk about moving.</span></div><div><span >4. Pasties. :P</span></div><div><span >5. I think I'm the only person in the world who enjoys British food.</span></div></div></div></div>Lauren MacKenzie Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437287251358008129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9045150599845400292.post-86014774494314625292011-07-13T06:00:00.000-07:002011-07-17T18:33:05.288-07:00The (London) Temple<div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>Day Two</b><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span>The London, England temple is not in London. Actually, it is quite far from London considering it is called "The London, England Temple". The temple is actually in Newchapel and is farther from London than Surrey. </span><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span>Regardless, it is breathtaking, as are the grounds. I wanted to go inside SO BAD, but, I'm not endowed, didn't have a limited-use recommend, and the temple was closed that day. Also, my cousins are absolutely NOT religious.</span><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span>I was so moved walking the grounds that I had to wipe away tears more than once. There is such a strong Spirit at church sites in England; I'm not exactly sure why. It is definitely something I wish that everyone could experience. </span><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span><div><span >I think I'll let the pictures speak for this post:</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3_SoqqJMxaqlBY4fBE8tR7OmqTJYSsnqbJI0O5xsxTC-fc-D5-l1g_KsCkuXtlIVC35-AT_u0ubG1e0LpgorhiD9Mw0p9OG-VUx_pls_byHegQSj9ojQkQxa0RBKdHvdZI8b1m69Skw1/s1600/101_2554_2.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628301123995750706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3_SoqqJMxaqlBY4fBE8tR7OmqTJYSsnqbJI0O5xsxTC-fc-D5-l1g_KsCkuXtlIVC35-AT_u0ubG1e0LpgorhiD9Mw0p9OG-VUx_pls_byHegQSj9ojQkQxa0RBKdHvdZI8b1m69Skw1/s320/101_2554_2.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /><br /></span><div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /><br /></span><div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /><br /></span><div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /><br /></span><div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /></span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628300683281041074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCFWQRKn34g137Ky28NXHcyIMmmliHf1ykryj4pSTDe1hVK9rTHgSKWXV-aGBWrMu_L8EerFDMAlLRAYPrBAmRjFaKrBBphkbIM8TVasql8JMEl9FabuakvO7KxGsLyPdJh6uuqbQ8ybO1/s320/101_2532.JPG" /><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_voD2P4GnDpQ-khLjoyYTf_-F7n8thczqcXS3HpB_zLmlz0t2eDCj6p1_m8R-Dc4019jNqCqqJjy63q2VCr9jYJWGQYAnaaocyJ6kndN-tcFs-Wa7AS6LrrmvdUaa8sRKxWHdWPT_s7U/s1600/101_2531.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628301670735409730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_voD2P4GnDpQ-khLjoyYTf_-F7n8thczqcXS3HpB_zLmlz0t2eDCj6p1_m8R-Dc4019jNqCqqJjy63q2VCr9jYJWGQYAnaaocyJ6kndN-tcFs-Wa7AS6LrrmvdUaa8sRKxWHdWPT_s7U/s320/101_2531.JPG" /></a><br /><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /><br /></span><div><span ></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /></span><div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >1. Francis and Linda can be a bit catty - even with each other. Poor Francis was constantly being compared to a pirate by her sister!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >2. I bought a dress in Surrey this day - it is SO cute!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >3. We went to the park in Surrey for a bit also. The schools were off for Easter break while we were there and the weather was actually quite hot, considering it was England.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >4. Magnum bars.</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div>Lauren MacKenzie Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437287251358008129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9045150599845400292.post-72222737403065881842011-07-12T06:00:00.000-07:002011-07-12T20:29:11.503-07:00Woops!<span class="Apple-style-span" ><span>It has been ...quite a while... since I have blogged. *shame*</span><br /><span></span><br /><span>So, when last I left you lovely people, the mean folks over at LDSPlanet were trying to encourage me to no longer a be a disappointment to my mother. That has not changed. (:</span><br /><span></span><br /><span>I did, however, go to England! (This post actually takes place BEFORE me being a disppointment was brought to light, but in case you haven't noticed, I am not the best blogger these days.) I'll break this up into a few posts so that I don't overwhelm people TOO much.</span><br /><span></span><span></span><br /><span><strong>Day One:</strong></span><br /><span>Mum (haha) and I arrived at Heathrow airport in London a bit later than planned and Francis and Linda were worried that we had missed our flight. Luckily, they waited for us outside of Customs and there was a happy reunion in the middle of the walkway for a moment - until we realized we were in the middle of the walkway and then moved. I hadn't seen Linda in probably around six years and I don't recall ever meeting Francis, although, I know I have. None of that mattered though - instant best friends and close family.</span><br /><br /><span></span><span>We drove out to Francis' house in Surrey, completely in awe of the beautiful countryside. I don't know that I will ever get over how absolutely gorgeous England is. And of course, Francis and Trevor live in this beautiful little suburb that has a country feel to it with a quaint little downtown. When we got to the house, I met Trevor (again - I know I've met him before, but I don't remember). He has to be my favorite person ever - he has that naughty, cheeky Brit thing going for him and he looks kind of like </span><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://pcm-tv.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Mick-Jagger.jpg&imgrefurl=http://pcm-tv.com/news/%3Fp%3D6299&usg=__41ZG8PKxtXmXUpi4ANBERa5ElSU=&h=1094&w=800&sz=271&hl=en&start=0&sig2=WyqCoqKL6eIydrNlCcpzkA&zoom=1&tbnid=WZwUQSqDtw7RUM:&tbnh=148&tbnw=116&ei=hrUbTuPSGpC8sQOgiu2yBQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dmick%2Bjagger%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1G1GGLQ_ENUS366%26biw%3D1366%26bih%3D653%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=338&page=1&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:11,s:0&tx=86&ty=53&biw=1366&bih=653"><span>Mick Jagger</span></a><span>. Anyway! We visited for a bit and then off to bed (I didn't sleep at all on the flight over and I don't know that Mum did either).</span><br /><br /><span>The next day, we hung out at the house with Francis and Trevor's sons and their families. I have never met Mark or James - let alone their wives and kids (or soon-to-be kids). I was pretty shocked when I saw James; he looks A LOT like Josh. And then Mark looks like a mash up of Jereme and Josh, with more Jereme. It was REALLY funny. I love their families, too! James' wife, Meaw, was a bit sick, so we didn't visit much, but she is very sweet and keeps her kids in line like only a good mother can. She was a bit hard to understand because she's from Thailand and has a British accent on top of it all. James' wife, Eva, is from Slovakia and wonderful! She's expecting their first child and was very loving.</span><br /><br /><span>After a while, Francis, Trevor, and Linda took Mum and I to my great aunt and uncle's resting place - this charming little memorial park in the center of town. It is beautiful and very peaceful there. </span></span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628295609094280130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VUIF1VBNSe7tzSpKE0QXhVhzweFuqYEYiTtdrf1aJ0noHNvIKg5sEY1qufkYaqVGtxT9EWCn4Co2AMchxNdE6KSQgpybdbEJ4pjQPfklCpjOfZrB9zI-SNNttuVcbJgqqIga4kLO-1K2/s320/101_2521.JPG" /><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEHWRj2w7zlYHcxZsjyoasB3g-zYTdNA8l1qYj2IoxwbmLPcQj9jndSj0ys2zjIjME14jhaj4uEAjP_OPLvp3wqpuuKWzqPJHdrtJecaG3r-44Cw7mfH5XzyCibLFb7QJ3UbGm8EEn2KMX/s1600/101_2524.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628296257935115090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEHWRj2w7zlYHcxZsjyoasB3g-zYTdNA8l1qYj2IoxwbmLPcQj9jndSj0ys2zjIjME14jhaj4uEAjP_OPLvp3wqpuuKWzqPJHdrtJecaG3r-44Cw7mfH5XzyCibLFb7QJ3UbGm8EEn2KMX/s320/101_2524.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><p><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span></span><span></span><span></span><span></span><span>Alright - that's it for this post. More to come!</span><br /><span></span><br /><span></span><br /><br /><span>Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:</span><br /><span>1. The guys on the flight to London who played cards THE ENTIRE FLIGHT. I kid you not - the ENTIRE FLIGHT from when they were first seated until we landed and they HAD to put the deck away.</span><br /><span>2. James is almost as cheeky as his dad!</span><br /><span>3. I think I watched 3 movies, 2 episodes of <em>Big Bang Theory</em> and one episode of <em>IT Crowd</em> on the flight over.</span><br /><span>4. Trevor making everyone a cuppa before visiting the Land of Nod.</span></span></div></div>Lauren MacKenzie Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437287251358008129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9045150599845400292.post-87526857461352056772011-05-08T20:53:00.000-07:002011-05-08T21:20:21.157-07:00How to Not Disappoint Your Mother Any Longer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNUDa69UH1PgajNztyTR_OfAsX0WUIrofOVpCJ8zk61qTDU2WHSPhDgMVx1hLwPbAZ10zVBG21noIFB5D6IL0aW2Madatl-MohxcrKSKmCkrunapiXTMkV0ciYCHZ0Iy5HHuWQYHTbJCg4/s1600/Disappointment.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNUDa69UH1PgajNztyTR_OfAsX0WUIrofOVpCJ8zk61qTDU2WHSPhDgMVx1hLwPbAZ10zVBG21noIFB5D6IL0aW2Madatl-MohxcrKSKmCkrunapiXTMkV0ciYCHZ0Iy5HHuWQYHTbJCg4/s400/Disappointment.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604564325881186786" /></span></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" >For those of you who can't read what the e-mail says, allow me to illuminate: "How can you make mom happy this year? Meet a special guy." </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Because you can't make your mom happy without a special guy.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Gee, whiz!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >1. <i>Pleasantville</i>. I LOVE this movie.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >2. Magnum bars. Yum.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >3. The sound of my nieces' voices. They are SO precious.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >4. A day with my family in my home ward.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >5. Movie quotes and Wii.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >6. Pain happens for a reason.</span></div>Lauren MacKenzie Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437287251358008129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9045150599845400292.post-29272866619469536082011-03-31T20:43:00.000-07:002011-03-31T21:29:15.324-07:00Vacation - FINALLY!<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span>I'm taking a real vacation and I can't believe it. I know, I know...I went to K-Town to visit my Stella in September, but that only involved ONE DAY of no work. (An AMAZING trip, but not really a "vacation".) <span class="Apple-style-span">A few amazing things about this vacation, though. Are you all ready?</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span">1. I'm going with this wonderful woman:</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 129px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590462832013507746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTRPDa-8OLqA4_yuacBnr0OBZTL-ECg8tJlGGrr5V76kGHrTFK1Q-7ZDtEJRkxYcl-UV7K_PSmJm47IflG4uwgJd9iLJPawrixa7oosqgd1MNjc41EmtjQSZLDUnmpWw9S7ifDKgbQ-73B/s320/DSC_0040-1.JPG" /></span></span><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span>MY MOM!!</span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div><span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">2. We'll be gone from 08 April though 18 April.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div><span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">3. We're going here:</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590463181399779362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpyH-eA3wVYfPKutTqIc7Nt4xff8xpD1lWmDjwksI97Xud13b5x3x_hXPg3cI-wz4iW5cpIq6-wB9XSEivZn-qMVKVB_LtsZ_rfW1Bv33hXooroQWdhWQ1CfWWwxUJDMSPCUQhGzq5nbU/s320/London.jpg" /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div><span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div><span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div><span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div><span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div><span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div><span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div><span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div><span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div><span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div><span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div><span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div><span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div><span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div><span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">LONDON!! (AKA: Home <3)</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div><span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">4. And quite possibly, here (for one day):</span></div><span><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590463571884474130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvtXwAswHTio1rh-bs3oov534qeeGMEVHLXdyunfqD88fTvjfEe3C1IhGEpQTaOHTdgLHCr3sVlQxSijzxQMpZyyPMqsR9edk0ijUS771tyZPWRI16sr4ji1jV-TNSJCE1WFAD6Gyaf9C5/s320/100_0527.JPG" /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left; font-size: small; "></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span">PARIS!! ('Cause Momma's never been and I wouldn't mind a delicious gyro from that one place that Andrew and I ate at every day we were there. And yes, I still remember it is and how to get there).</span></div><p><span>"I love Paris in the spring-time..." </span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">la-di-da-di-di-da...</span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div><span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span></span></div><p><span class="Apple-style-span">5. My work loves me, so they're giving me and my mom tickets to see ANY STAGE SHOW we want while we're there, which means:</span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590463782745081010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZ_PL2fpvtyfazEt-dbBnZyCJAG4QJwve-R0wkg1CnNZtqDhK80KEgA80ygbh52BVDE_LPZ42lReUl9iLME9xHatoxOE7-aSpPA9nyWrU7qPsTgFErdSRMuXJIvUQYjELWLD9wPnXdle5/s320/wicked.jpg" /></span></div><div><span><i>WICKED</i>!! (At long last!) - Not just <i>Wicked - </i>FREE <i>Wicked! </i><b>IN LONDON!!</b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div><i><span></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">6. Family. We're staying with my mom's cousin, who lives just outside of London, in Surrey. I have only met Frances once and am SO excited to see her again, and meet her husband and the kids of hers that I have not yet met. AND my mom's other cousin, Linda, is coming from Germany for a few days, as well! </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I am SO STINKING excited it isn't even funny!</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">1. Uh, this ENTIRE post. Happy 25th birthday to me!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">2. Shauna's home!!! Congrats on a mission well-served.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">3. My 2 countdown widgets for my phone. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">4. Replacing those 2 countdown widgets pretty much the day they expire with other exciting things!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">5. SALISBURY, HERE I COME!!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">6. Portobello Road.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">7. Oxford.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">8. A glorious 9 days free of work.</span></div></div>Lauren MacKenzie Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437287251358008129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9045150599845400292.post-86391362964592964122011-02-09T21:28:00.000-08:002011-02-09T22:06:28.043-08:00Stunning<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I love art. If I could, I would spend the next 5 years of my life (at least) visiting museum after museum in country after country. I always wished that I could draw, but learned fairly early that somethings must remain a dream.<br /></span><div></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span">I saw this painting today and it has stayed in the recesses of my mind all day.</span><br /><br /></span></span><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I hope that you all know the story of Icarus. Icarus was the son of Daedalus, a great architect in ancient Greece, for King Minos. Daedalus failed Minos one day, and he was imprisoned in a tower, with no escape. Daedalus managed to construct two sets of wings, one for himself and one for his son, Icarus. Being such a brilliant architect, Daedalus understood that he would need feathers of all sizes, some of which he secured with string and some with wax. </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family:arial;">When both sets of wings were complete, Daedalus instructed Icarus not to fly too low as the moisture would damage the string and feathers and not to fly too high as the heat from the sun would melt the wax. Icarus was eager and flew too high. The wax that held his wings together began to melt and feathers began to fall off of the set of wings. Icarus panicked and flapped his wings faster, causing more feathers to fall. His wings destroyed, Icarus fell to the sea and drowned. Daedalus found the boy's body and buried him, naming the place Icaria.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 262px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571936488072630434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhC7zwSItovo1Ipl04tI86HVjk_dyo4UZA0xS0OO6MXZaIlN48Y4vbciAnUdiXCPlTj3FFl52j5DTc8evW9P9M5VzXTDUAInbpqg6IqY6DpTdhRkVAVzppA-sDBHgQkQoN7M83dJaGuRZ/s320/draper_mourning_for_icarus_display.jpg" /> </span><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Herbert James Draper painted <em>The Lament for Icarus</em> in 1898. Isn't it breath-taking?</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">1. Art of the Day by Google.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">2. Gil telling me all about the shots he had to get in his butt. Everyday. For 3 days.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">3. The world's longest <em>Alias</em> marathon.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">4. Chubby men. I LOVE me some chubby men.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">5. The shoe is on the other foot.</span></div>Lauren MacKenzie Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437287251358008129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9045150599845400292.post-29643750155416508382011-01-06T08:00:00.000-08:002011-01-06T08:00:00.825-08:00Nicole's Bridal Shower<div><div><div align="left" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Nicole is getting married on January 8 (holla, KP!) in the LA temple to Ben Hansen. Heaven help him!</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div><br /></div></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span">Chelsea threw Nicole a very relaxed bridal shower/get together. </span><span class="Apple-style-span">And what is a bridal shower without a stripper? ENTER BRYCE! (I was excited.) </span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558197931804240306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyZ0Dj6A8nqqmM9g3bJkfzZmnr8xFeC99LvqvBc4Ap6I4MauiiHlBKsb4o_ic-l79Rco0UgvMysfZMYE7Rn1gYwSvHb-NY5t2t43vJWOFSy5n5UygYi1Z5lWWY0QJ8BKEDIoZREdmTuAB/s320/101_2433.JPG" /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" >A picture is worth a thousand words, so you go, a few thousand words:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558195817939130818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRYlzgnhXkPW8RmKTfNNwL03H-v3uiuVTz-LX9-1MjvVvGuuAN9Y6NoMQYJasODmeGTdlWf8MWduuxuJTNYXazlCX6k1Lo2sWonnZeGcEM8NQ9BIKDd7fAkEyP9_9YFzo52YrWFbChlNW/s320/101_2432.JPG" /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTU1YEiGchgbID-VyfQ_9n1u8-OnyImqDHQ2VBRO4btmRNDoRGgdlx7y0W9z1CPENsX3efy2T9jXf43EKl9u7CoKTQYW7ffTtf1u_O_yjS0n39zYLiDxnOCJ90oGlZ_1StH9ZA5JiRfOX/s1600/101_2439.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558197277572231234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTU1YEiGchgbID-VyfQ_9n1u8-OnyImqDHQ2VBRO4btmRNDoRGgdlx7y0W9z1CPENsX3efy2T9jXf43EKl9u7CoKTQYW7ffTtf1u_O_yjS0n39zYLiDxnOCJ90oGlZ_1StH9ZA5JiRfOX/s320/101_2439.JPG" /></a><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558196095206138274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT38KWguFdwzrtILU9VfUCCTQa6Gjc2AtFigOTp7JIKaJuFKWNKSmTULjzfc7ZqZD4F3P7mHxjiAfzSFwhdYtOJ6FLANF418zS4GuB_CHD0nFQ7NNv8qHPg0fn1ifVC3TjQmqEgdKjaQOx/s320/101_2438.JPG" />I also have a video, but it's too huge to upload. One day, I'll figure out a way to shrink it so the joy can be shared!</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">1. Skype-ing with Kyle all night long. He's the best friend I've never met.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">2. Jereme and Christy just brought me 2 three-packs of my favorite gum from Missouri! They're the best!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span">3. I made pan cookies. I miss Shauna.</span></span></div></div>Lauren MacKenzie Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437287251358008129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9045150599845400292.post-7352549934262742012011-01-05T08:00:00.000-08:002011-01-05T08:00:00.717-08:00SQA Christmas Party<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">...Are you noticing a theme here? The company I work for LOVES holidays!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Our Christmas party was at <a href="http://www.terranea.com/">Terranea Resort</a> on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. (Click the link. I dare you. You'll be jealous.)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Everything was GORGEOUS! The party was ridiculously expensive (Chelsea is the assistant office manager; she told me a ball park) and it showed. We filled their largest ballroom, overlooking the ocean. The food was delish as well. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7rx10mIZwwH6EQddm0bjWiIrs8tu8C7dDuAlwTEuIOqxklTbP-QATpY7l0Z0fS5d4TQeX7wG2HU9eeyA0-nkjkJAXX9PYbkj21f5_YsFEwe4n57CAN5cWG2HCYrhP45GB6VcUkYmGxKG/s320/101_2395.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558185835988739474" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Unfortunately, I only have the one crappy picture of me (thanks, Chelsea!) and then a few of the view from my room. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfnBDkLae5UWJRgr2JfzckX64HttUYS-dQ5yxBwM3aTloYe5Oe-Df1K2OJTsvO6XlAvrsWU9iM2nGpxNQSeRdDk2aggjHwPLkIUT-gfq-3NZNIZKcfjg6jpprvCyRV2kUazzDk8PDkHn1O/s320/101_2396.JPG" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558186206911275778" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I live about 15 minutes from the resort, but we got discounts on rooms (nearly 50%) and I knew I would never get a chance like this again, so Chels and I split it. All I have to say is: Worth. Every. Penny.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NKKk6QaTuFelt0uHe-5yScIJV5zB8LK8zZ75xEp-xH5gHGGpTsl58tHbKmJjvcIs2cxurPcsbNlwPyAU3u_B8lcFHhn52GFYa5cVPr4mu5bTcPHdNBTOFTAtGCCTGOzkRYQr615rlDu_/s320/101_2397.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558186468052784402" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">1. I bought myself the HTC Evo 4G for Christmas. I'm still figuring out everything it does, but I LOVE IT!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">2. I bought my parents one day park hoppers to Disneyland. Now that I've thought about it, I should have just bought them the lowest level passes. They're only like $50 more a piece. BLONDE MOMENT.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">3. Nicole is getting married on Saturday. Stay tuned for another post tomorrow. Quite possibly my favorite post...</span></div>Lauren MacKenzie Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437287251358008129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9045150599845400292.post-45407677391328661432011-01-04T08:00:00.000-08:002011-01-04T08:00:03.505-08:00SQA Halloween Party<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">Ok, ok, I know. Halloween?! What is the matter with me?? The answer: I'm a horrible blogger. </span><span class="Apple-style-span">This will just be quick because I'm pretty sure I've already at least mentioned the SQA Halloween festivities.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">I was Batgirl and my geeky friend from work, Ted, was The Green Lantern. His ring even glowed!! </span><span class="Apple-style-span">Ted is a blast and I'm glad I have a fellow geek to be weird with.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtrJoXxdJ9j8qn7BBgs7tSHSYxW3eb2NNqcwNiDmVc1-VKmKyAiE0YF7BlUzdVs8mCPG0xy9-18DMR1ozLhTW9GEwfwHXZ5PwMAalPJ93Rm8lnX80oqHf2B34re9x0TrSYOZRXafIz3sB/s320/101_2367.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558181686841915858" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Mayu and Sarah were ninjas (from Naruto for all of you Manga/Anime freaks out there...anyone? Bueller??) Sarah hand-made the ninja costumes and they were AMAZING. They even won a prize for them!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGny4onBBUkiHGTmQcTL56XGOSxQSJLIVsZWW0jpOy0AcV2f1C1u15WUv6sE7seslygQa_feOREWSbQy5SGQJb8HlA4XonU6y85dKnrEABBzYEYpE1v7M4K8P0JxDx3DBfDKdOIMRLV3rW/s320/101_2368.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558182121922341490" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Christy was V from <i>V for Vendetta, </i>John was Mr. Incredible (biggest lie EVER), and David was Venkman from <i>Ghostbusters</i>. Unfortunately, I don't have pictures of these guys...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">SQA has a horrendous tradition of walking from our office to the Starbucks a block and a half away that is located inside a rather crowded mall. I LOVED it!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">1. I have no concept of time. Or consideration for my few readers who don't care about Halloween now that it is January.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">2. Jereme and Christy come home today from an 18-day vacation to see her family.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">3. I love picking up a favorite book and spot reading all of the sections that make me feel whole.</span></div>Lauren MacKenzie Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437287251358008129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9045150599845400292.post-16845846198698681242010-11-28T19:24:00.000-08:002010-11-28T20:06:00.095-08:00The Grass May be Greener...But I Don't Care!<div><span style="font-family:arial;">Of course I'm ecstatic that my brother got married. I am NOT ecstatic about the sympathetic looks I was getting all night long at the reception.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544817815539093058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUr4rT8PSj7fybxA80_W9dRfQ9vA3L-O_ugjqyu1ydpSr5uG6_cWDZXi5uBmqz9mRRyj43kOZ0j6dF1blZLJ9jm_SIevCtQFE-Q6KBm3hCf9T5wz22dCMIuuXxKbmMX3-4luU6nd6Hq6v/s320/101_2311_2.jpg" /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">What the heck is it with Mormons that make them think that just because you're aren't married you <strong><em>must </em></strong>be miserable??</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I began to count how many people told me that I would be next, but quickly gave up after 12. I got everything from sympathetic head nods followed up with the patronizing tones of "How are you?" to a full 10-minute "pep talk" from a guy who, quite frankly, gives me the creeps. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I never seem to notice that I'm single until someone points it out for me. And then, when they do, they make me feel like I'm doing something wrong. I don't get it; if <strong><em>I'm </em></strong>okay being single, why does it matter to everyone else?!?! I can almost understand why my parents want me to get married, or at least date someone, but to the creepers at the weddings who feel it is their obligation to "cheer up" the poor, single people: STOP IT.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Honestly, on those rare days that I actually do notice that I'm single and should probably care a bit more about that fact, the last thing I want is someone to point it out and then try to cheer me up about it.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">It will happen when it happens people. Until then, LEAVE. ME. ALONE. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">1. I love having bookshelves. More especially, I love having FULL bookshelves.<br />2. I have really cute nieces.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">3. I got 2 whole days off of work.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">4. Cute new blue shoes!</span></div>Lauren MacKenzie Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437287251358008129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9045150599845400292.post-58345510838630526792010-11-27T21:50:00.000-08:002010-11-27T22:10:17.101-08:00I Have a New Sister-in-Law<div><span style="font-family:arial;">Jereme got married on 20 November!!</span><br /></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6L0DZcRVsGNSm6OMd5jAv8TL7yEs-SnMvIa7KErXNj559k7yjYZ_as7BWs4ZzPWr3OBz1YlP0gT2yHYD6yU4iQIKygdoTAMRubj6R1uKGPvNZo0Hgx4MdXmSR39UUxIix6R4jgOJGG3no/s1600/74828_460327149199_735014199_5684667_3786417_n.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544478281209134514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6L0DZcRVsGNSm6OMd5jAv8TL7yEs-SnMvIa7KErXNj559k7yjYZ_as7BWs4ZzPWr3OBz1YlP0gT2yHYD6yU4iQIKygdoTAMRubj6R1uKGPvNZo0Hgx4MdXmSR39UUxIix6R4jgOJGG3no/s320/74828_460327149199_735014199_5684667_3786417_n.jpg" /></a></p><p></p><div><span style="font-family:arial;">It's been crazy having all of my family here and trying to juggle seeing everyone and working and trying to squeeze in time to see Nicole while she was here (didn't really work...).</span></div><div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The wedding was great! They were married in the San Diego temple and it was RAINING on Saturday!! Christy and Jereme were troopers through the rain and were all smiles. Right after they got out of the temple we all headed back up to LA for the reception, which was GORGEOUS!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">You know I love my brother because I was DANCING. IN PUBLIC!!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylPfXZW96Zpy9yeiWjuK_STwwxxmCqSFsgdYH1jhmylcPdSG4k2zkpjXyZGOzEseUv_K0fQ94TqrdSRlZ9jxrgXnTgG9_onC6zUUV-beSsD8ptxXVsEwABgWcLiiAqEORBSylXs3-QE_o/s1600/76553_460327569199_735014199_5684678_2163378_n.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544478561571525474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylPfXZW96Zpy9yeiWjuK_STwwxxmCqSFsgdYH1jhmylcPdSG4k2zkpjXyZGOzEseUv_K0fQ94TqrdSRlZ9jxrgXnTgG9_onC6zUUV-beSsD8ptxXVsEwABgWcLiiAqEORBSylXs3-QE_o/s320/76553_460327569199_735014199_5684678_2163378_n.jpg" /></a> <div><span style="font-family:arial;">I'm so glad that Jereme and Christy picked each other. She's amazing and I'm grateful that she is my newest sister.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">1. Having all of my family here (minus my brother-in-law, Dan). We missed you Dan!!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">2. Bonuses from work. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">3. Staring at my computer screen for around 7 minutes, trying to think of the third thing to put on this list since I decided I would always have at least 3 things.</span></div>Lauren MacKenzie Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437287251358008129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9045150599845400292.post-23626830458664349982010-11-14T11:04:00.000-08:002010-11-14T11:55:09.196-08:00Geeking Out<span style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span">I had to post about this because it basically made my day.</span> </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">As you should all know by now, I'm a MASSIVE <i>Dr. Who</i> fan. I am especially fond of the current Doctor, Matt Smith. He's dreamy - see?? <div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"></span></span> </div></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 230px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539495249551994946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveEBMZQP7gOJKcNZxFdvAEZS8vtapNkEeUhVoE1iGyhHzaxSa0mMPYhsx_yweApxLzwpUHDyCGbFIVXYWgR-lm6MllkSF-mHlUGX85de_a6YZ4Nc_6jdc00-UnsyUQIP4Ak_R0uevYvvx/s320/dr+cas.jpg" /></span></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><div>I even bought myself a t-shirt from<i>ThinkGeek.com</i> that has a picture of the TARDIS and says, "You never forget your first doctor".</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"></span></span> </div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539495347066286050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9lq2qeSDeNo0xuW3leiDacbglsAtpeFgqjzTjLxyf03bUM8fvu_PcOvdel6qt72jgE-2tOqJhk90sSkgikgyRvs18SZi9MM8aHawisszoK5KK2ynrx3_zKHUEQNL-OyhqdzAWh9yBxDv/s320/dr.jpg" /></span></span></div></span></span>For those of you who don't know (and you'll need this bit of background for the story, I'm not just being a geek...) <i>Dr. Who</i> is in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest running SciFi TV show in the world. It's got to be the biggest thing to come out England aside from The Beatles. Because the show has been on since the '60s and the storyline follows one Time Lord known as the Doctor, there are several men who have played the Doctor - 11, to be exact. Hence why my shirt rocks.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">So yesterday, I'm running errands with my mom and Christy, totally rocking my <i>Dr. Who </i>shirt, and we end up in the Disney store. I got distracted by a Tinkerbell t-shirt and as I was digging for my size, one of the employees came up to me and said, "I really like your shirt." I kind of thought she meant the one that I was holding, but she followed up with, "Who is your first doctor?" We then started a discussion about our favorite Doctors. Hers was 10. Mine is 11. 10 is my second favorite and I absolute hate 9. It's a good thing 9 was only the Doctor for one season. She agreed.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I love geeking out like that!!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">1. All those fictional men that I love: The Doctor, Ian, Ron Weasley, Edward Rochester, Sean, Sirius Black, Severus Snape, Jace Herondale, Amon Byrne, and Po just to name a few.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">2. All the real men that I love: my brothers, my dad, Bryce Fisher, Married Boyfriend, Elliot, Matt Smith, and Alan Rickman. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">3. Speaking of geeking out, last night we had a work function for my department at my boss' house. Everyone (save John and I) got mildly drunk and, instead of putting in a movie like we had originally planned, we played Trivial Pursuit. Yep, we're nerds.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">4. Josh, Karissa, Ashley, Hannah, and Rachel all come next week!!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">5. Christy is FINALLY going to <i>officially</i> become part of my family on Saturday!!!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">6. I got an answer to something I've been struggling with for quite some time and luckily it's the answer I was expecting. But it's really hard to work with...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">7. I have my next big purchase decided - it just needs tweaking...</span></span></div>Lauren MacKenzie Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437287251358008129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9045150599845400292.post-78313121704714238172010-10-21T07:00:00.000-07:002010-10-21T07:00:01.391-07:00Work Update<div><span style="font-family:arial;">It's been so long since I've blogged, that I figure I have to dedicate at least one whole post to work.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">*collective groan*</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span> </div><span style="font-family:arial;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529982393786590194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bMBjQ8R7HgTmuQ1D__bmOFABlEBImiuFH85y4OwhW_0UNhHpNE2UWUjGvr1W3ia87Ny1d1wZ5mjCLh6C1Hvwd4gFpYyP-ZH1YlehZqoJLJMURLSoZsb1uWB18F2eGNC4hMKyfgt8ed0C/s320/60354_477524980925_516860925_7266009_4054743_n.jpg" /></span> <div></div><span style="font-family:arial;">(This isn't work - it's from when I was in Oregon. I just think it's a FABULOUS shot of us. Plus, I love my outfit/shoes.)<br /></span><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">There is no other way to put it: I am a workaholic. That is ALL I do.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I was recently made manager of our newest (and largest EVER) Client. The day before I left for Oregon, Nick (the manager of the program I manage - It makes sense, just trust me) came to my boss, Christy and closed her door, which never happens. She came in a few minutes later as I was closing up for the weekend and told me that we had to change my signature in my emails. She changed it from "Content Associate" to "Content Manager" and then said, "Congratulations." It was great! I was so overwhelmed for quite a while there, but after last week (this update will come in a minute...keep reading) everything took a turn for the better.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">When I was in Oregon, John called me to tell me that he had an interview and test set up for my department the Wednesday I came back from vacation. That was quite an experience. It was super weird hearing him in an interview and then seeing him for the first time in almost one year. I don't think there are words. Christy and Mayu both loved him in the interview and then his test was surprising in a few ways. He didn't use "track changes" correctly - he did it the hard way - and he got REALLY far. He's been with us for almost 2 weeks and is doing really well.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Thursday, 14 October was our all hands meeting at work where they do all the major updates for the past 2 months and announce the employees of the approaching 2 months. Mayu was announced as one employee of the month and then Christy kept talking and announced the second employee of the month was yours truly: ME! I was so touched by the things she was saying about me. There is no better feeling than hearing how appreciated you are by your co-workers (and superiors). I'm so greatful that I could make her proud and ease some of her stress at work. I love her and the leadership she brings to our department.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Ok. I think that's it for the work updates for now.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">1. I told you all that John would be in more posts, more frequently. Maybe one day I'll even put a picture up or something.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">2. Chelsea is getting to know John a lot now because she works with him, goes to church with him, and John lives with one of Chelsea's closer friends. She is constantly telling me how John is NOT AT ALL what she pictured. hahahaha. I never said I had good taste or that I was only going to date the popular kid.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">3. I have 2 new books to read. ...I just need to find the time.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">4. Along with employee of the month came a bonus. I'm putting toward my next big purchase.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">5. John sings in the choir that I joined with my boss. He is EVERYWHERE.</span></div>Lauren MacKenzie Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437287251358008129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9045150599845400292.post-50923995166671061682010-10-20T07:00:00.000-07:002010-10-19T21:42:41.000-07:00Trip to See a Friend<span style="font-family:arial;">I needed to take a vacation before work spiralled out of control. So, I packed up and flew to Klamath to see my Stella!</span><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529971968664582738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxTIvNcYTj_OXhGr6kGMVC7qiebi07XC4ruQBGD4qKjdAHPBg25Z0Yfn-TwOcMffrYsce0QiQluyK3Pv8uK0Zb2tCZP5Z1XcDcKaa8HE6g4b6QEVUp1j4b0-asm9Im_kUxdde7MJbAVD_/s320/101_2302.JPG" /><span style="font-family:arial;">I flew right in to Klamath and guess what? NO ONE WAS WAITING FOR ME!</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><span style="font-family:arial;">*guilt trip*</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><span style="font-family:arial;">It turns out, my flight arrived like half an hour early. So really, I was only alone for approximately 3.8 minutes and then Alli and Nic were there to get me. With a sign. Hahaha!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3NNaJD4KX8isjxUcgK4db8JcG-3m5aQBrfTx0U5H_HSHRymYAtF6-yTC83jmaYgXHyq2UA3RBDKcWs2cKXXYeDP59Zr3_CF0JgPOop1C2enh5t5igeZFQhmoIFJqi-5YHQxZqI-0I0sx/s1600/59846_477524405925_516860925_7265981_7215095_n.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529973953261605858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3NNaJD4KX8isjxUcgK4db8JcG-3m5aQBrfTx0U5H_HSHRymYAtF6-yTC83jmaYgXHyq2UA3RBDKcWs2cKXXYeDP59Zr3_CF0JgPOop1C2enh5t5igeZFQhmoIFJqi-5YHQxZqI-0I0sx/s320/59846_477524405925_516860925_7265981_7215095_n.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">I cannot thank Alli and especially Nic enough for letting me come and crash at their place. I don't think that Nic knew what he was getting himself into when he agreed to let me come for the entire weekend. </span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycJ4XhLOz0I6pBNyQwfEIzn_H_F82DERp-DS0GYDu_PbBpdyy9vqfd0xKiMh6mtI46KeZcKjJfMiQ3u-rHbHUqwYoToZbIsT9fyh6PE4QlCgzoDKG4ddCM8cu3Ezgavm2QP-8uTX7fA5j/s1600/59846_477524410925_516860925_7265982_2595293_n.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529974896864155858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycJ4XhLOz0I6pBNyQwfEIzn_H_F82DERp-DS0GYDu_PbBpdyy9vqfd0xKiMh6mtI46KeZcKjJfMiQ3u-rHbHUqwYoToZbIsT9fyh6PE4QlCgzoDKG4ddCM8cu3Ezgavm2QP-8uTX7fA5j/s320/59846_477524410925_516860925_7265982_2595293_n.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><span style="font-family:arial;">We went hot tubbing at Alli's parents house.</span><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529975404547261442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvnrtezD6pSJcZwsFoPXIHvZnzWtY0Jys2iOxWYHZ8A3cSUA11CFHL-zYBiVzGf1ygz0JrjjT1wXGJJpnmU-q2vfP97QkZpBBIA8TJvcacMXU_NLbrVKNileIemsuDvjzfgszMC8xFbQV/s320/33454_477524835925_516860925_7266002_4366486_n.jpg" /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Nic had coupons for free 15 minute fabulous water massages (I don't think I've been more relaxed since before Gramps died). </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529976106744136418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWG2NUN-ygKeRDLDOfJO8SYET7lblQqJTCXEjOHVU1Ch9EVtmyGC60fAAjyB-7weyzgE0kbnfDlzJtd6BeCI1-XZVRZb9oS_PT3DCu-VVuY6YRwHA-yyw2W66UG5hXSChrAf0WeYCvsOJ/s320/33565_477524940925_516860925_7266007_6442349_n.jpg" /> <div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">We, of course, made treats, treats, and more treats. </span></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529976823148133202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkERKmgh84U3TJdwQdv8vXgajoaglcA_AyhfOSdp3tQum0mk5oaY1u5LqueymSF1viWx6z5U05Y9XQENDhJz7AfD9qnmY2WwrosKeijZqYYXGBtgqhQXe2zDkP4C_QdvVpJFCKeBBNaaKD/s320/101_2301.JPG" /> <div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">This is just scratching the surface. Needless to say, I was SUPER depressed to come home. I can't wait to go back one day.</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5-fQjg9BbxPs5dOOD27j9ElFv_iuykqhnvKB0O6R0gZLXaROhC6t9JEd6QHEEOv2gLJD8aJR1r8kSiHs_0M4CNyYt97oqblq4qVHnNztrx8M2H0rENOGYKKwwiSajcMSAPFxhqthW-XY/s1600/61842_477524340925_516860925_7265980_2150151_n.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529977639732279682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5-fQjg9BbxPs5dOOD27j9ElFv_iuykqhnvKB0O6R0gZLXaROhC6t9JEd6QHEEOv2gLJD8aJR1r8kSiHs_0M4CNyYt97oqblq4qVHnNztrx8M2H0rENOGYKKwwiSajcMSAPFxhqthW-XY/s320/61842_477524340925_516860925_7265980_2150151_n.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Thank you again, Nic, for letting me steal your wife's attention for a few days. I love you both!!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">1. United screwed me on my flight home. BUT, I got a $150 certificate to use on any flight in the US. Now, I just have to decide if I want to use it to go to Shauna's homecoming (HOLY COW she'll be home soon) or go to Seattle to see my sibs/nieces.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">2. I love having my sister-in-law (future) live with me. She's a constant buddy and I adore her. She fits right in with all of us. And John commented on how close we are last night. (Yes, John is back...brace yourselves for future posts.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">3. I've started going to choir practice with my boss from work and I am in HEAVEN. I can't comprehend how it is that something as simple as singing is relieving so much of my stress...</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">4. I have so much going through my head 24/7. I can't think...</span></div>Lauren MacKenzie Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437287251358008129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9045150599845400292.post-81344036663048501032010-10-19T19:59:00.000-07:002010-10-19T21:45:54.619-07:00Blue October ...again...<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I'm super behind in my blogging and I apologize. Allow me to back-blog for the next few days.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In case you all haven't noticed, I'm a HUGE Blue October fan.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Their latest tour is called, "Pick up the Phone," and goes towards raising suicide awareness. There's a suicide hotline out there that the lead singer, Justin, is a large advocate for because he's called it.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /></span></span></span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529964632908199762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-R4GDIJhhOp3-HNcuSmw4jPxFfYq_2AHVyT4RWimDE18oETagG3Cr8R4RC19nrHdSZZ1zK-pce263n2dOjr3qDkQKVH2W8Sv8hRvD660MchLmYL1VxQmtK-uTQSxhjV_5eBdMUuPqCcV/s320/101_2223.JPG" /><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The opening act was Parlotones from Johannesburg, South Africa. They were slightly more emo (in fashion) than I prefer, but they were actually pretty legit and decent. I'm going to look into buying their CD as soon as I have life enough to go and search a music shop. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWNPxEnLlnCfRvAX6RvpcnCx7WmJXfzdc7t7MnTDi3KpGQG00vWXU4v41LH7XVvZnYsDgRT2olfzlTsGzQmDlrQ0sEu4H3d5OUxYMoZTQ1D8JZJcq100Bwt37yOd2-bQ0php0iUkvZpE1/s1600/101_2214.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529965808576949314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWNPxEnLlnCfRvAX6RvpcnCx7WmJXfzdc7t7MnTDi3KpGQG00vWXU4v41LH7XVvZnYsDgRT2olfzlTsGzQmDlrQ0sEu4H3d5OUxYMoZTQ1D8JZJcq100Bwt37yOd2-bQ0php0iUkvZpE1/s320/101_2214.JPG" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I always enjoy seeing newer bands that don't have that much live exposure because of their quirks. For example, the Parlotones drummer was visibly keeping time. I could read his lips and see the beat count. It was classic.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Then, Blue October came out. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">OH.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">MY.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">GOSH.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBoTyLtj2CARWmrhS_uWRqW2pDilc9x_kv566Ogb54wc_Cx-PLsKr5xo5XcY7i7W9j-u_hc9h1j1LgpgYLXoyp8bh2pmZHjQoVhQyGaGPKrX6-s8rpkVf6BsCnKaKYp4mdN6lMEMOi3jo/s1600/101_2286.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529966673594899346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBoTyLtj2CARWmrhS_uWRqW2pDilc9x_kv566Ogb54wc_Cx-PLsKr5xo5XcY7i7W9j-u_hc9h1j1LgpgYLXoyp8bh2pmZHjQoVhQyGaGPKrX6-s8rpkVf6BsCnKaKYp4mdN6lMEMOi3jo/s320/101_2286.JPG" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I still can't believe how amazing they are live, even after all of this time. Just thinking about it makes me yearn for another concert!!</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1. CB Hudson.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2. Justin Furstenfeld.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3. Ryan Delahoussaye.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4. Matt Noveskey.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">5. Jeremy Furstenfeld.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">6. Chelsea. Thanks for going with me again. :)</span></span></span></div>Lauren MacKenzie Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437287251358008129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9045150599845400292.post-1712447877037357152010-08-22T17:20:00.000-07:002010-08-22T17:57:17.419-07:00Chelsea's birthday party<span style="font-family:arial;">I don't know how - and I don't WANT to know - but Bryce knows about this little restaurant in Hollywood that does a nightly drag show, Hamburger Mary's. We went there to celebrate Chelsea's birthday and had a BLAST!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508399783486219522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGGewrvGyOM2MdXgauMP9o0o3QWfWVH5GEv7PdCC3oKGFIcXpIRt6Hu5kqGLJAG4oMCr8f7FKMS8bhowmrPkD4D6YHa8-c_7o1m_NmwumLSm3RGkO75EmvWlixkly5S8F0HQ-6UACImcn/s320/101_2082.JPG" border="0" /> The queens: </span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49ag2DYnB1ynUsHnS93WTIwJn1u3RfPW-MmOUv-B1QQ1l0xrc7wFfrCrI4yQmDBnOXf74xQsuN8Ly0vQS9oKJazfWW4jQeqpKK2eqtaOEXj2BuvIHkqHIT-dLJSWrlZn9_9ELeicror2_/s1600/101_2143.JPG"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508401890880806546" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49ag2DYnB1ynUsHnS93WTIwJn1u3RfPW-MmOUv-B1QQ1l0xrc7wFfrCrI4yQmDBnOXf74xQsuN8Ly0vQS9oKJazfWW4jQeqpKK2eqtaOEXj2BuvIHkqHIT-dLJSWrlZn9_9ELeicror2_/s320/101_2143.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508400906571416370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgHGZhhE3wyliJCAqs6O8FO8xDWN78oCUx7RNuBKsiGEdqfcYq6fXWvfHi2wuGj_PFuoe-o0IlOyZYEoXONpXE_7Lus1-IncXGG42dLud5cZg6RmKGzeoXA2iLmDgSrEgSMF8vOTbm8ei/s320/101_2138.JPG" border="0" /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbNPaGebSA9BQXQaj_-Iez7KlpJMrMsVM0ulHR753bye_0SNdB5aT6wulQkP585DNqBjL_qTtlT4oCM-TGoGDA-WbiHZXDkPeWVdo5y1w5gHtqGYnPFoO9G3w4cgJnYJUKmXp-wR5h68r/s1600/101_2123.JPG"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508400201199720466" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbNPaGebSA9BQXQaj_-Iez7KlpJMrMsVM0ulHR753bye_0SNdB5aT6wulQkP585DNqBjL_qTtlT4oCM-TGoGDA-WbiHZXDkPeWVdo5y1w5gHtqGYnPFoO9G3w4cgJnYJUKmXp-wR5h68r/s320/101_2123.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJB4fe99NwEg-DobqKmItTEjBZHcT3BMPMSGXhnutoS1tAr2q4Hv4-tTDnytPNr2BCTkNlYNwhOlPDzID5PHLFGnGxH8K4_HfTYUU37FdL7iDaztObmpjntgBn5zB5S96HAtWcMY3GseP/s1600/101_2147.JPG"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508400552065162114" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJB4fe99NwEg-DobqKmItTEjBZHcT3BMPMSGXhnutoS1tAr2q4Hv4-tTDnytPNr2BCTkNlYNwhOlPDzID5PHLFGnGxH8K4_HfTYUU37FdL7iDaztObmpjntgBn5zB5S96HAtWcMY3GseP/s320/101_2147.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMLjPTMEI5SPDV94_B-9cUEYUyzsw5t5xEtVMFya5qmrTjiMHwg4oN0QgSxeHoHIxrKskOJ-Oyqm0-A0Rh4qDaqAXt-RpGYNxuvDVDNI5A3L8478-DzzWozOvGokdevxoMzBrm-uNUbp_/s1600/101_2128.JPG"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMLjPTMEI5SPDV94_B-9cUEYUyzsw5t5xEtVMFya5qmrTjiMHwg4oN0QgSxeHoHIxrKskOJ-Oyqm0-A0Rh4qDaqAXt-RpGYNxuvDVDNI5A3L8478-DzzWozOvGokdevxoMzBrm-uNUbp_/s1600/101_2128.JPG"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508401547165338370" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMLjPTMEI5SPDV94_B-9cUEYUyzsw5t5xEtVMFya5qmrTjiMHwg4oN0QgSxeHoHIxrKskOJ-Oyqm0-A0Rh4qDaqAXt-RpGYNxuvDVDNI5A3L8478-DzzWozOvGokdevxoMzBrm-uNUbp_/s320/101_2128.JPG" border="0" /></span></a></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">Chelsea got to participate in a booty shaking contest with all of the other birthday girls. Chelsea didn't win, but we had a blast cheering for her! </span></p><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508402235868579778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZTuEJ67hWkx-F_MBNs1JJDIxGWPvphChYwSnzzp09jsCtWTPA93TfrqaUdB-YP7TlC8ULRlA-ekLco1ktr7MejrP4-yoQ2YjgN9ypBFwwmu3jVG_wYl37XdGhJwSj0b3Ff7PhQpI3hmw/s320/101_2118.JPG" border="0" /><br />I know its weird, but it was SO fun and we're going to go again soon.<br /><br />Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:<br />1. Jereme's girlfriend Christy came for a visit. She's tons of fun - I like her!<br />2. Enchilladas. YUM!<br />3. I'm not going to San Diego to see Alli. I know you're all wondering why this is on my happy list. I'll tell you: I'M GOING TO OREGON!<br /></span><div><span style="font-family:arial;">4. <em>Mockingjay</em> comes out on Tuesday! I'M SO EXCITED!!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">5. Chelsea got hired at the place I work, SQA!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">6. VH1 Classics.</span></div>Lauren MacKenzie Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437287251358008129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9045150599845400292.post-19321580176432212152010-08-16T21:29:00.000-07:002010-08-16T22:20:02.368-07:00Roots<div><div><div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">My grandfather did quite a lot of research before he died about our ancestry. My uncle took over after and found several famous names we're related to; however, that isn't the purpose of this post.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506240742835400434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyj7VNtlErEIpZMdZxo6yqtpCPKD3mLSFVzjRw0iPTIRJ1ydpj3frKUy0QOgX91Yn6Rha-PgwIJnz_HVQRsY-pQp8rfAbSLPb8SBGB31Q5kMlLz_wAXBvSeWBviWhLlJ1qCdniSFkEqjn/s320/100_0398.JPG" border="0" /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">We have a lot of European blood in us, including Irish blood. Our family name, Conley, is the Americanization of the Irish "Connelly." Connelly is even a family name of legend in Ireland.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZ08ubQBF0ZeIuyV5sy1Xme3w45I1_Q8KSyEvoIG9QRFyddD5XuuNoIVNwqwAConfCJk7VTyezFC1wNvrp2rRHCcnwpNLd9q7ocnhTrh5vlhR3wL77KTeCS32jWJiBfYKYPz1i65sOLPE/s1600/100_0395.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506241365342884130" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZ08ubQBF0ZeIuyV5sy1Xme3w45I1_Q8KSyEvoIG9QRFyddD5XuuNoIVNwqwAConfCJk7VTyezFC1wNvrp2rRHCcnwpNLd9q7ocnhTrh5vlhR3wL77KTeCS32jWJiBfYKYPz1i65sOLPE/s320/100_0395.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div><span style="font-family:arial;">I love my Irish heritage for some strange reason. I've always been a big fan of anything out of Boston (RED SOX, BABY!), I've always had a fondness for St. Patty's Day, and my favorite color, for as long as I can remember has always been green. I love fairies and took two Celtic legend classes in college. A good Irish brogue makes me weak in the knees. I love Irish rock bands; nobody rocks harder. I adore James Joyce and William Butler Yeats. One of my favorite satirists is Jonathan Swift because Irish babies just sound delicious as a main course. And I hear their beer is the best in the world.</span></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFHiBztSbdVdHsUEj38F67SKn4wApQ05A4f1rTnJV3GhxWRuWcXTScVLCz832DbOKfWO7Dz2avF_vx0ts8JC03tjvke-PRklycrP3hZG3tKuT9pHKmQF_2GGyTqVRvrMyJdCri0WRbU2c/s1600/100_0384.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506242044064867890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFHiBztSbdVdHsUEj38F67SKn4wApQ05A4f1rTnJV3GhxWRuWcXTScVLCz832DbOKfWO7Dz2avF_vx0ts8JC03tjvke-PRklycrP3hZG3tKuT9pHKmQF_2GGyTqVRvrMyJdCri0WRbU2c/s320/100_0384.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I had the opportunity to go to Ireland in 2005 with the British Literary Tour and felt at home stepping off the ferry. I fell in love with every part of Ireland I touched, from Dublin to Knocknarea to Innisfree. I stayed in world-class hotels, small and cozy bed and breakfasts, and dingy hostels. I toured castles and rode a bike around a small island.</span></div></div><div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I love Ireland and hope to go back one day.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">And of course, I love "Waking Ned Devine."</span></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506243182806421058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDdnDFGKQBhtQdSzcqXczE3IiqVvViNPfhi_iHFQ5TBbzij15qhWTuFkdvpqtMd4yTW73bNimt2jk76NM1-uAyF1czHhuFfBegDcSiWm9aCwbbyXzwIPQeMsepP5cyVQC-B0JoH4GVFLN/s320/ned.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">1. "American Slang" by The Gaslight Anthem.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">2. The Canny Brothers.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">3. Anna McPartlin's novels.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">4. <i>Mockingjay</i>, by Suzanne Collins comes out in 8 days!!! I CAN'T WAIT!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;">5. How can someone piss you off so much but at the same time make you laugh more than anyone you know?</span></div></div></div></div>Lauren MacKenzie Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437287251358008129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9045150599845400292.post-51695077083143774222010-08-11T19:47:00.000-07:002010-08-11T21:07:45.507-07:00GUESS WHAT?!<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I bought a car!</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504366172430730898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYoU7zI6HxHACigK5wUTk7NaAxy_Q2IIRXo3tG9_aT6XcHjNiN21pvK3aK6Nl2WhV51rsIcyZ4ZFROYvO0XG8Mw0gbV0BRTqYWM0HaAB2WPtwZNPhyphenhyphentpwxW5Y34Lb1R50OhuwYsJQI5v9M/s320/DSC_0379.JPG" border="0" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I got the 2010 Nissan Rogue SL and I am in LOVE!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXn_IB5fL_efi0i-ql1gCy-T0zOhoSbMl7IT9rHZI9dR3jcf1Yx87uHuOBMhCwf-suAlH7nJwpgQZgJroqEtKnzf2Iv4vL0i83cOHOtvJks_GY9lO4VeIatYQRpWB_7vbMC7QT07LoHWW/s1600/DSC_0367.JPG"></a><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvHGaDAOBGXWscNylr79LxvjC0MFBhvzZR53YOu2u9Tw4XMh2bxuJxj_SqIdg5UJ5xZ2RhXIn4TzSPU2qh3ks-OrD-KPhgWkWC74SxXmjYr49z63fEbxnYoikfmykTYtPH9hg2y3uxdX6/s1600/DSC_0369.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504368214883054530" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvHGaDAOBGXWscNylr79LxvjC0MFBhvzZR53YOu2u9Tw4XMh2bxuJxj_SqIdg5UJ5xZ2RhXIn4TzSPU2qh3ks-OrD-KPhgWkWC74SxXmjYr49z63fEbxnYoikfmykTYtPH9hg2y3uxdX6/s320/DSC_0369.JPG" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Its front wheel drive and has a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine and 170 horsepower. I got the premium package, so it came with a Bose sound system, 6 CD changer, 3 months of free satellite radio, a ridiculous amount of air bags, a freaking huge glove box and center console, bluetooth, and its entirely keyless. I mean, ENTIRELY keyless. As long as the remote is within a certain range, I don't need to use my keys or remote to get in or start the car. (There are a lot of other features, but I'm not going to list them all here. It's too time consuming.) And quite possibly my favorite feature: it has a moon roof!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rG2aGqAWCqipzcVM4jDFV23YhCEc2iJhzpFx9UclSUBCoZHJqocaO-qmtb1dBWmf89rEGU7B8yrs9qUMBH98D9OjHGzA8LmFMCELL4Hxk3zZnt6I1R1GfsPmlJ_s-wk9qLxhQtqqztta/s1600/DSC_0372.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504367305411200546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rG2aGqAWCqipzcVM4jDFV23YhCEc2iJhzpFx9UclSUBCoZHJqocaO-qmtb1dBWmf89rEGU7B8yrs9qUMBH98D9OjHGzA8LmFMCELL4Hxk3zZnt6I1R1GfsPmlJ_s-wk9qLxhQtqqztta/s320/DSC_0372.JPG" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I spent quite a lot of time researching cars to buy before I made a final decision and this was definitely the best deal. It's 4 star government rated in front crash safety for both driver and passenger and rollover safety and 5 star government rated in side crashes for front and rear seats. It gets around 22 MPG (city) and 27 MPG (highway), which is practically nothing next to Phoenix, but let's face it: Phoenix was special.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Speaking of Phoenix, my mom, Jereme, and I took him over to Carmax to get him appraised and they only wanted to give me $750. Seriously? For that awesome car??? We decided to take it to the Nissan dealership and see what they would offer -turned out to be a really good idea! While we were discussing the car I wanted to buy I mentioned the [potential] trade-in and they quickly offered to appraise it. They came back and offered $800 (SERIOUSLY!?). My dad said that wasn't enough, we needed at least $1,000. So they obliged. :D! So Phoenix helped me put $5000 down on my car! See? I told you he was amazing!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The total cost of my car: $26,020. I got a better interest rate if my dad cosigned with me, so we did that and then as we're signing the papers with the finance manager, she starts talking about warranties. They have the standard 3 year limited warranty and then there's a special warranty deal with 3 options. I chose the TOP most option (for a mere additional $24/month) and when I did that, she gave me 0% interest for the life of the loan AND my payments don't begin until November 5, 2010. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /><br /></span></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504369004745472338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLF9fy0j7Nwz5gR-YS4ZVjmFBvlDLflDz3w3NHdK7DtfTLVHLUk2JhWbUZ-N78L-7jWxAumsWZeNTKUFkWgff0FhXQi4Ybt762MfTlaldur8IaOMmYLYEZ1fxwBPUh8BzJOixD__W929l5/s320/DSC_0378.JPG" border="0" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Moral of the story: Research pays. Or, in this case: saves!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me today:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1. My car also comes with "Mood Lighting" - I have yet to figure this out. Hahaha!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2. Fat Guy across the street saw me come home from work today and when I got out of the car he yelled, "Congratulations!" I said thanks and then he said, "And you look REALLY good driving it!" ...awkward...</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">3. I can't believe the crap Beetlejuice is pulling.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">4. I GET TO SEE ALLI IN 17 DAYS!! Although, if I count the way Alli's family counts, its more like 5 days. Hahaha!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">5. I'm super excited to take Rogue to San Diego in a few weeks!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">6. Jereme's girl friend is coming in like a week and a half! I better start cleaning...</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">7. I have a massive crush on Ron Weasley.</span></span>Lauren MacKenzie Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13437287251358008129noreply@blogger.com3