Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Gifts fit for a Queen...err, Princess!

So here is the first of my birthday recap posts...

This year I was reminded just how spoiled blessed I am. I was showered with gifts that were perfect for me. It's as everyone in my life thought of something that represented me best and bought it for me. Each gift was hand picked with thoughtfulness and love. I am just so thankful. Here a just a few of the highlights:

My Mom bought me the entire set of the Lilly Pulitzer Kappa bags that I blogged about previously. When I showed them to my mom originally, she said, "Which ones do you like?" My response was, "All of them." What I meant was I would be happy with any of them, but what she heard (and bought) was all of them.

My Dad, knowing my love for keys, owls, and fleur de lis (the blue, the blue, that's for me!) bought me a precious key necklace.

My sweet brother and sister, knowing my new passion for both running and yoga, bought me new running shorts and yoga pants.

My roommate, Becca, knows I love bows and Betsey Johnson. She not only surprised me with a decorated apartment and a birthday cake, she got me adorable Betsey Bow Earrings!

My cousins and my Aunt took time to attend my birthday dinner and gave me a fleur de lis wine bottle cork and a Little Mermaid Christmas ornament.

Jordan knows me better than I know myself on most days. I am proud to display the blue sea horse she sent me. It fits perfectly in my teal paisley/sea inspired bedroom!

I received cards, gift cards, lots of texts and calls, and even Tiff's Treats (Thanks, James.)! What a great reminder my birthday was of how many wonderful people I have in my life.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Ballet--I'm on my way!

I know, I know...I'm slacking on the birthday blog. I will very soon post pictures of my weekend long birthday celebration; however, I wanted to let everyone know that they can rest easy-- I just purchased my tickets to see The Little Mermaid Ballet in Corpus Christi in March. From the diagram it looks like my seats are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I can't wait.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Quarter-life Crisis

John Mayer says it best: "It might be a quarter life crisis/Or just the stirring in my soul/Either way I wonder sometimes/About the outcome/Of a still verdictless life/Am I living it right?"

Today I turn 25 years old. I am a quarter-century old. It is a mixed emotion for me. Birthdays are great. For a girl that loves to be the center of attention, they're top-notch, really. (Ok, I just admitted that I love being the center of attention, I must be maturing...) However, this one is a big one.
 
I googled "quarter life crisis" and came up with the following definition from Wikipedia: "The quarter life crisis is a term applied to the period of life immediately following the major changes of adolescence, usually ranging from the early twenties to the early thirties."
 
It goes on to list the follow "characteristics" of the "crisis":
• realizing that the pursuits of one's peers are useless
• confronting their own mortality
• watching time slowly take its toll on their parents, only to realize they are next
• insecurity regarding the fact that their actions are meaningless
• insecurity concerning ability to love themselves, let alone another person
• insecurity regarding present accomplishments
• re-evaluation of close interpersonal relationships
• lack of friendships or romantic relationships, sexual frustration, and involuntary celibacy
• disappointment with one's job
• nostalgia for university, college, high school or elementary school life
• tendency to hold stronger opinions
• boredom with social interactions
• loss of closeness to high school and college friends
• financially-rooted stress (overwhelming college loans, unanticipated high cost of living, etc.)
• loneliness, depression and suicidal tendencies
• desire to have children
• a sense that everyone is, somehow, doing better than oneself
• frustration with social skills

Ok, so not all of them apply to me. I will say that probably more than anything, I have been experiencing the "nostalgia for university, college, high school or elementary school life." I miss my Kappa sisters SO much. To open a ritual meeting as President again would make my day. My year, really. I would do just about anything to attend a date party, mixer, or formal. I also think back to my Senior year of high school. With Landon just months from graduating, it has really hit me how fast time is moving.

I guess the other big one that seems to "hit home" is financially rooted stress. Yes, I have plenty of college loan debt--and that's just from my Undergrad. Now, I'm working on my Master's. I don't love school, I just love debt. Not.

Luckily, I don't feel any older. And thankfully, I don't look any older. But the fact is, I am older.

With all of this negativity, I think it's time I thought about the great things about being 25. Well, the obvious thing is that I can rent a car without a ridiculous surcharge. My car insurance is cheaper. And...well, that's about it. 

So... Happy Birthday to me. Welcome to your mid-twenties, Lauren. It's all downhill from here.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Race for the Cure 5K

I promised to write about something with a bit more depth than shopping, traveling, or TLM--so here it is!
This year I am running the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K in Austin on November 7th. That's right, you heard correctly. Lauren is running. I'm doing it mostly to support Blake who lost his Mom to breast cancer a few years ago. I also love any excuse to wear a ridiculous amount of pink. What I don't love is running. I have started a nine week training program but I almost feel silly that I have to train to run just over 3 miles. But, I have never been a runner. I don't claim to have any running talent. It does not come naturally to me, so therefore I decided I wanted to prepare my body rather than surprise it come race day. I could almost hear my legs now, "Lauren! Are you OUT OF YOUR MIND?!" The program is fairly simple. It's called the Couch-to-5K Training Program. I am on week one, workout three. It gets easier each time I do it. I am hoping that come race day I can enjoy the run without  sucking wind three steps in.
To donate or join the team, please click here.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

TLM

Looking over my last few blogs I realized that I generally write about shopping, traveling, or The Little Mermaid (TLM). Well, this post is no different...

This morning I thought I'd take a little peek at what's going on in the Ticketmaster world. I selected Austin and surrounding areas and found what concerts, comedians, and sports are going on in the near future. Much to my surprise I came across this:

Concert Ballet: The Little Mermaid (Selena Auditorium At the American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas). Yep, that's right folks...TLM Ballet! I would like to say that on my calendar in November is a little note to check on tickets to the San Fransisco Ballet. They are also doing TLM. I am also still not-so-patiently waiting for the release of the tour schedule for TLM Broadway tour. I asked myself,  "Self, can there be too much TLM in my life?" And quickly I answered myself, "Heck no self!" So, when tickets go on sale on Saturday morning you can bet I'll be buying a couple. So, anyone up for see TLM in CC in March?



PS. I have depth. I am intelligent. Someday I might prove it in my blogging...

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Lilly Pulitzer + Kappa Kappa Gamma

I was doing some "googling" today and came across a treasure! Lilly Pulitzer designed a line of Sorority accessories. So far she has prints for Delta Zeta, Kappa Delta, Tri-Delt, and... KAPPA

Now, if only we could get our sister, Kate Spade, to do the same!