Places I want to go/visit/live

-Mexico
-ITALY
-France
-Greece
-Australia
-South America (I haven't decided where exactly yet, but I would love to experience Latin American culture firsthand, because I already feel such a connection to the Spanish language and the parts of the culture I am familiar with.)
-Cuba....mainly because of Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights...so maybe not current Cuba...but the Cuba of 40 years ago.
-New York City
-California...I've been there many times, and I believe I inherited a large amount of "California blood" from my mother, a beautiful, "beach-loving" California girl.
-Stars Hollow....somewhere like that.
-Denmark...preferably Copenhagen. My parents visited there and told me that it seemed very economical and efficient.
-India
-South Africa
-Spain...wow Ican't believe I didn't think about that one until now.
-Germany
-Okay, basically everywhere in Europe.

I want to go these places, live there for a time and learn the languages. The Ultimate Goal.

-LC

"It's not worth the calories..."

I remember several times hearing my mother use this phrase in relation to some sugary candy, mediocre macaroni, or the like. This is not saying that my mother or I are overly obsessed with counting calories and dieting. Hardly. But now that I am older I realize there is definite truth to this phrase, some food really isn't worth it. If you are only eating it because it's there, because you are bored, because what you really want isn't available at the moment or takes more preparation, or for any other reason than for the simple enjoyment of that particular food, it really isn't "worth the calories."
For several weeks earlier this fall my best friend and I decided to go without sugar, just for the heck of it. I really feel like this experience refined my tastes and made me realize which sweets are worth it and which I would've eaten for any of the above reasons. For example, store-bought cookies are okay, but my mother's homemade chocolate chip cookies are worth the calories every time.
I don't mean to sound like I only ever indulge in foods that are of the highest quality and taste, I am often guilty of eating something just because it is there or because I am too lazy to make what I really want. I think it's also really hard to only eat what you really want because we live in a society surrounded by food. At almost every gathering, there is bound to be an array of mediocre goodies and sweets determined to sneak into the hands and eventually the mouths of unsuspecting guests. The "I'll just have one" mindset rarely finds success at such events.
Anyway, I guess this has sort of turned into a rant about mediocre cuisine (ironic phrase, I know) and I really didn't mean for it to turn out that way. I might need to go on another no-sugar kick in order to purge my body of high fructose corn syrup and refine my cravings once more. Maybe not...
I'm off to eat dinner...and I will probably have ice cream for dessert...but in lieu of this recent post, maybe I'll only have one scoop:).

-LC

ps: still not eating meat....pushing two months...does that mean I should identify myself as a vegetarian?

music will change the world

current favorites:

-gravity, sara bareilles
-wasted, cartel
-lighted up, gabriel mann
-eres mi religion, mana
-someone to watch over me, when ella fitzgerald sings it
-mack the knife, louis armstrong
-sing to you, table for one/caleb blood
-things i'll never say, avril lavigne...story of my life
-congratulations, blue october

music is powerful...it touches emotions that the spoken word cannot...it is both a refuge and a celebration.

Temporary Vegetarian...

So...one of the goals that I mentioned in a previous post was to be a vegetarian for a week. Well, I did it! I've actually been a "vegetarian" (I don't feel comfortable saying that I'm a vegetarian yet because I don't know how long it will last) for almost 3 weeks. It's honestly not as hard as I thought it would be. Considering I rarely eat meat for Breakfast or Lunch and cafeteria meat never really piques my appetite, it's been fairly easy. I think the biggest challenge is finding other things that fill me up, and learning to like salad. I guess the salad part isn't a requirement to be a vegetarian, but I figured I should like vegetables...since it's kind of in the name. Anyway, I'm not sure how long I'll keep this up. So far, so good. I doubt that I'll never eat meat again (especially when I get home and am around my moms venison tacos, or my grandmother's pork roast), but I like the fact that I can handle it. Anyway....just some thoughts. I felt like posting something.

word of advice: do something to change your world, and do it now.
~LC

ps: I can't wait for next year when I'm no longer without a kitchen. I would love to fill my apartment kitchen next year with organic food and local produce. And be able to cook and not rely on mass-produced cafeteria food. Hooray for getting out of the dorms!

Must run in the family...

So if there are more than 2 people that actually read this blog....check out my mom's "Eat Local" blog. It's another issue that is incredibly important.

http://flavorsoftheumpqua.blogspot.com/

Check it out!

-LC

What a waste....

So since I've been at school...this semester and the past semester...I've been trying to recycle as much as I can. Mainly, bottles and paper. But there are, of course, items that don't fit in either of those categories. I've realized two things: 1) that I can find a second or third use for a lot of things and 2) that I used to waste SO much.

I think since I've been in this mindset, that I look at things I used to throw away and see potential to make them into something else. Seriously the three R's are not just good for the Earth, but they're beneficial to a college student's budget. I don't waste money on buying new things because I've remade my old stuff into what I need. I realize this isn't going to work for everything, but still. Lack of cash breeds CREATIVITY and ORIGINALITY. Gotta love it.

Well...that's all for now...pretty simple...but just the thoughts of a wants-to-save-the-earth-and-likes-making-her-own-stuff chick:).

-LC

The above pictures are not my own creations...but I thought they were cool:)....if you can't tell..it's pop cans:) and candy wrappers

Random thoughts...

Things I want to try:
1. Not buying anything new (except food) for a week.
2. Going several days/a week with as little power as possible...aka indoor plumbing is a given, but no blow-drying, that sort of thing.
3. Someday...only buying fair trade.
4. Being a vegetarian for a week.
5. Reusing/Recycling as much as I possibly can.

Well if I think of more I will post them later. Time to go. :)

-LC

Just for fun.... www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator

It's been a while...

Hello anyone who might come across this, or has been checking it even though I haven't posted in years...Welcome.


On a whim, I decided to start this up again, at least for the time being, but I want it to be more than just another journal.

I want this to be some sort of impetus for change, something to make me actually get my bum in gear and start doing all of the things I feel so passionately about. There are so many places I want to go, things I want to do, and people that I want to help. I want to travel everywhere and feed, clothe and teach people, and I want to be able to talk to them in their own language.

I feel so blessed to be born into the circumstances I was. Simply the fact that I'm typing this on a computer, with internet proves that point.

I don't know yet how I'm going to organize this project, or even if anyone will read it, but it's a start in the right direction...I hope.

So for anyone who reads this or cares, it's kind of fun actually....I wish they had it in other languages...

www.freerice.com

It's time to change the world, one grain of rice at a time...

Other websites:
www.oxfamamerica.com
www.freethechildren.com
www.leaderstoday.com
www.metowe.com

sick sick sick sucks

I hate being sick.

My head feels as big as The Brain's

(off Pinky and the Brain brain brain brain...)

Anyway...See ya all monday.

Later gators

-LC

Update!!! haha

Yeah I know I've kind of neglected this thing for a while. But I didn't really have anything interesting to say. I don't really have any exciting news but I felt like posting. Life has been going pretty well lately. Not feeling too depressed, which is good. Guys are catching my attention again, after my lil break from not worrying about them. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not, but we shall see ;). Still don't want a boyfriend, but it might be fun to have a crush for a while. I don't know. It's weird that school is like 3/4 over. Seems like it just started. Senior year is going to seem like it went by really fast. Either that or it will go by really slow. Hmm...anyway. There LL I posted haha. But I've been checkin yours and you haven't posted in a while too. Anyway well I gotta go. Life is good. Smile...it takes more effort to frown anyway;D. I'm out. -L

Well I know I haven't updated this thing in a while. I've been pretty busy lately. I know I always say that. Anyway. How is everyone doin? lol. (funny how I still pretend that more than just LL reads this) Oh well. So life has been goin pretty well lately. Friday night at Kortney's party was....amazing. Seriously one of the best parties that I've been to. I love meeting new people and hanging out with my friends and getting to know them better. So Kort's finally 16! and Clayton gave her the star....sooo soo sweet:D. As for boys in my life right now, let's just say no one's really catching my fancy. But I love my guy friends. They're awesome. and HILARIOUS! haha. The Taylor boys still crack me up. All the guys from the swing/tango class are great and all the guys at school that make me laugh are awesome. So my mom and I have been watching the show "Dancing with the Stars" It's way good. It's all ballroom dancing. I want to learn how to ballroom dance SO badly. It looks like so much fun. Hmm....someday. Tomorrow in Musical Theatre, this guy is coming to teach us how to salsa. It should be really fun. Britt and I are so excited. The snow trip on Saturday was pretty fun too. Katelyn and I had a blast:D. Hmm...well is anyone goin to the Dance at school this saturday? I'm prolly not. 10 bucks and school dances pretty much suck. lol. The mormon dance on the 25th will be way more fun. LL, you should definitely come this time.:D Well sorry this was kind of a random jumble of thoughts. I'm gonna go to bed now. good night & peace-LC

P.S. Diana left this week. We will all miss her so much. I hope that we can all take a road trip sometime and visit her. That would be AWESOME!! Good Luck Banana w/all you do. You're amazing and I love you! -papaya

Yays

Yay for...

ice cream
friends
CHEESE (lol)
Cold Stone
road trips
late night conversations that last forever
Vanilla Gorilla/thrifting in general
sweater vests haha
sexy heels that kill your feet:D
slippers
my parents..I love them
getting dressed up
dancing just for fun
country music (don't kill me LL!)
sweet songs that make me cry
southern accents
accents in general
ballroom dancing:D
sweat pants
love
disney movies
movies that make you feel good
ice skating
singing your heart out even if your voice cracks
laughing with friends
LL's noises (haha i ♥ them)
saturday morning cartoons
pogs:D (we need to bring those back)
warm blankets
rain pouring outside while I'm goin to sleep
Teenage mutant ninja turtles (especially Michaelangelo)

I decided that although there are a lot of people that HATE country music with a passion, I am not one of them. I used to not really like it, but I do now. Some of the sweetest songs ever are country songs..and I've been listening to 103.1 a bit more now. Not saying it's my favorite kind of music now, I don't really have a favorite, but I like it. Anyway...see you all later -LC:D

ps: Terri Clark-She didn't have time, George Strait-Check Yes or No
both WAY sweet.

Hap! Hap! Happy New Year!!!!

It's 2006!! Crazy...Like LL said...this year has gone by way fast. 2006 is the year I turn 18...ahh..I don't want to grow up. Pretty soon I'll be in a rockin chair..knitting pin cushions....ah! Lol. Well 2005 was a pretty good year. I mean every year has it's ups and downs, but this one was pretty good. I feel like I have a larger circle of friends...and of close friends. I don't know how much I've changed, as a person. Maybe I'm more outgoing. I think maybe I don't worry so much anymore. Especially about how I look. (I mean I still worry about that, I'm a girl lol...but hopefully not as much as before.) And I'm still workin on not caring what people think, but maybe I'm getting better at it. Who knows. I know that I've grown stronger church-wise this year, that my faith has been strengthened.

Well who knows what this year will bring. Hopefully something good:D. Thanks to all my friends, for bein there for me. Thanks for all the good times we had this year, especially this summer. Continue the memories this year and make it AWESOME!! Love you all so much!! -♥Laura

Double post! whoa whoa!

Bleah! so it's like 1:57 am...crazy. ♣ I should be in bed. But I'm not goin to bed yet. Oh goodness..I can't believe Christmas break is almost over. I'm so sad. Anyway...Hmm..well I wish I had something of worth to say.

"Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious." -Peter Ustinov (but we can just pretend that I'm that clever. lol. just jokin.)

Live a life less ordinary
Live a life extraordinary with me
Live a life less sedentary
Live a life evolutionary with me

~Good song...Carbon Leaf:D I ♥ them! check them out (www.carbonleaf.com) Anyway...well I love you all! listen to good music, dance in the rain and love yourself. -LC:)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year:D!

Hey everybody...all 2 of you..lol. Hope you all had a FANTABULOUS Christmas and are going to have a flippin awesome New year! Well my week's been goin pretty good so far. My Christmas was great:D...and I'm excited for New Year's Eve:D Last night was super fun at Ryan's..mormon party all the way ..then alex and peter and david showed up..funny boys Wish I hung out w/them more. I love my friends:D..they're awesome. Don't know what I'd do without them. I miss summer....:( Hmm..well this is going to be a short one..since I dont have anything important to say (like I ever do) Anyway...talk to you ALL lata:D

-LC:D

shout outs to:

~LL the main reader of this thing lol..you're the best!
~All my buddies:D Love you all! thanks for everything


HAPPY NEW YEARS!!! WOOOHOO!!!

Yay Christmas! Yay Break! Yay Christmas Break!

Hey everybody who reads this (All none of you lol.) Yay it's christmas break! I'm so happy. I definitely need the time to de-stress and stuff. I slept in until like 1:15 pm today..it felt....soo good. I'm excited for Christmas and New Year's too. Our New Year's dance at church is going to be soo fun:D. Kara and Becca and Liz and I are in charge of it. We need to get plannin on that too..but it'll be fun. Anyway...No school for two weeks. YES!! I'm finally gettin over being sick. (hopefully I didn't just jinx it..cross my fingers) Right now..life is good. I have great friends, Christmas is coming, I get to sleep in, and stay up late. Except I need to clean my room...I should do that tomorrow. Hmm...I'll think about it. :D Well I'll try and update more...see you ALL later:D -LC

Life is...
...full of love
...being yourself
...never letting go
...sharing a bowl of ice cream with someone special
...dancing in your bedroom
...blasting Spice Girls and singing along
...learning from your mistakes
...loving through the tough times
...smiling every day

3 more days!! woohoo!

Hey Everybody!! Only three more days until Christmas break:D. I'm so excited. I love Christmas. And I get to catch up on some MUCH needed sleep. I probably looked like such a goober in math today sitting there half asleep with my mouth open desperately trying to keep my eyes open. My big 2 projects for history are DONE!!!! From Sea to Shining Sea has been finished, and My family history project is done too!! woohoo!!! I have a test en Espanol tomorrow. It'll probably be pretty easy though. Anyway...we finally got the new floor put in our dance studio. It looks beautiful. Way better than before.

I'm so excited for the New Year's Eve dance for church! Kara, Becca, Liz and I are gonna plan it again. (with help from other people of course) It was a lot of work last time but it was sooo much fun. Everybody should come! even if you aren't a mormon, our dances are way fun!:D

Boys...Meh...I don't have time for them and that's fine by me. Right now, I'm perfectly content with just having a bunch of guy friends. Although dates are always fun (Hint, Hint..lol) Anyway..just thought I'd try and update, just to see if anyone still reads this thing. Anyway that's all for now. -LC :D

Smile...it makes your tushy tingle;)

Hey All 2 of you that read this lol. Maybe not even that many. Oh well. I'm pretty excited because this Saturday is my December dance recital. Saturday at 7 pm at UCC Jacoby Auditorium. Everybody should come because it's going to be great (hopefully!!) and then you can make fun of the guys in tango. Haha just kidding, all the guys are doing AWESOME! I hope the tango turns out well. I'm really nervous for it. But I think it'll be good. It's been so much fun. Today was a pretty good day. It started out bad, but it got better. I was like 10 minutes late to English, which I'm usually late, but not that late. lol. Anyway...the test in math today was easy as pie. Seminary was awesome. Spanish was uh...interesting.. I got in trouble for talking too much and "not focusing"..lol oh well. Then chem wasn't too bad. Mr. Thiessen is funny..in his own way lol. Gotta love him singin "Kwanzaa...." LOL. I have like 25 more pages to read in my history book (From Sea to Shining Sea)!!!!! I'm going to be soo relieved when I finish that baby. Anyway I gotta go work on my project for that class so I gotta go. Live. Love. and eat your ice cream without guilt:D Laura's advice for the day.

-L:D

Happy Turkey Day tomorrow!

Hey everyone. Sarah's house last night was super fun! I love Disney movies:). Aladdin's probably my favorite, but Little Mermaid is good too..except conner kinda ruined it. lol just kidding. Anyway...I love parties at Sarah's. After all the guys left it was fun, we went in the hot tub and watched TV:D It was me, Laura, sarah, em, rachel, jenny, talana and angela. I agree w/ Laura, yay for friends! Then this morning Laura and I went to Henry's for a donut run:D. Yum! and Chocolate milk:D. Then we watched some more disney movies:D. yay..happy turkey day to everyone! Eat food! peace-LC

Shout outs:
~Everybody at the party last night, you guys are awesome:D Luv you all!
~LL cuz she's like one of the 2 people taht read this lol. We're always so hyper when we're together.
~Guy friends that crack me up:D

hello

Well well well..This week went by fairly fast, considering it was a 2 day school week. Gotta love those. The 5 day weekend is going by fast too though, which is a bummer. Wednesday night at Katelyn's was lots of fun. I had to get up really early today though. Kids from my church went and put up flags at the VA, since it's Veteran's Day. Even though it was at 6:30 in the morning, we still had fun. And we got donuts afterwards. I'm not sure if I'm goin to the playoff game at RHS tonight. I might go to the Glide one instead w/Kortney. Or I might stay home and read my history book considering I'm sposed to read until at least 372 by monday and I'm on 180. Yeeeahh..lol. It's a good book though. I don't have dance today, which is nice. We decided to take the weekend off, and I'm glad. But I kind of wish we still had tango, because Marshall wasn't there on Wednesday and we still need to practice. I think ballroom dancing is my favorite style of dance. The tango class has been a blast so far, and any time that I've done swing or latin it's been really fun. Well this one's pretty short...as are most of my posts. lol. ttfn -L:)