day 237
Yesterday was absolutely insane. We woke up bright and early to attend a class and a seminar, said goodbye to our parents, and then went on the Mystery Bus Tour, which these photos are from. They took us to downtown Portland where we walked around the streets. I have never seen so many huge trees or fun old buildings like that (or at least, not that I can remember). It's much different than Anchorage. There are a ton of bridges, huge buildings, and even a street train, which I learned is called the MAX. So cool!
Apparently in Portland there are always festivals going on, and this day there was an Italian festival. All of us students went down in front of the stage and started dancing, and even local people joined in with us. I haven't felt so much positive energy shared between strangers like that ever before. It was really beautiful watching people get lost in the music (and music no one had even heard of or could understand, no less) and dance and clap and sing the tune all together.
After we rode on the MAX back to the buses, they took us to a local amusement park. Of course my friends peer pressured me into riding the crazy rides, which I will admit were a ton of fun. Yeeeah, you guys were right. ;) We didn't get back to the college until about three in the morning, so I wasn't even going to try to put up any photos. Hopefully I can put up today's 365 photo, but we shall see!
Hope you all have a great day!
day 236
Hello everyone! I am blogging to you live from Newberg, Oregon! My parents and I left Alaska at 12:55am and have been going nonstop ever since. Today has felt like the longest day ever, but one of the most amazing ones too. Right now I'm in my very own dorm room with my roommate Annette. There are girls unpacking from the 11pm Fred Meyers run and everyone is getting incredibly excited--at least I am. It's been so fun meeting new people, and I can say I've done a pretty okay job with it so far.
For those of you who are like me, you just have to be confident and know that everyone is wanting to make friends right now. No one will think you're awkward or weird because everyone is too worried about making a good first impression, ya know? Matt has helped me a lot--he always tells me to be confident and to not worry about what other people think; to just go out there and, as George Fox's motto says, "Be Known."
I have a bit more organizing to do. I ended up stuffing things in (neat) piles in the various drawers, but I want to do a more thorough cleaning once I have a spare moment. Those may be few and far between, however, as tomorrow's schedule is just as busy as today's. Oh and guess what, I have my first job interview tomorrow! It's with the costume department with the theater, so of course that would be the perfect job for me. Let's just hope I can find the place easily. Wish me luck!
Hope you guys have an awesome day.
day 235
This is my crazy, awesome family. They have had to live with me (aka insanity) for the past eighteen years, so hopefully they'll be okay without me. ;)
I had thought of a lot of things to write on my last day in Alaska. In less than an hour my parents and I will be driving to the airport. My boyfriend Matt and his sister said it a lot better than I ever could, and since I don't really have that much time to write, you guys can just read what they wrote.
My brother wrote this as his facebook status, and I just want to put it here for my own rememberings,
"Today my oldest sister goes off to college. Today she will leave home. With her she will take crazy awesome photos, loud obnoxious hiccups and amazing acting and painting skills away. In her absence I will assume the role of oldest child in the house. With it will come the responsibility of keeping my younger siblings alive for the next three days and...for that matter, until I leave. It is a heavy burden. But I will have God to aid me.
Lauren may God bless you on your travels. May He show His ways to you. That He will show you your purpose and place in life. May God bring times of joy on all your days. May you constantly be happy and healthy. And even when rain falls and the thunder rolls, just remember that God is there by your side.
Good luck Lauren and God be with you."
Alaska has held a lot of things for me, memories both happy and sad. But now my chapter in Alaska is about to close, and as my friend Wolfe wrote on a facebook status, "Ahead is a new chapter, I can't wait to read it."
day 234
Tomorrow the love of my life is going to hop on a plane on a grand ol' adventure. I am so so incredibly excited for you, Matt, and I am thankful we will be able to go through this new chapter in our life together, even if we will be just a couple hundred miles apart.
Thank you so much for being my best friend and my partner in crime. I would say we make a pretty good team. You are the most amazing, talented, genuine person I know and I'm so glad I am a part of your life. Thank you for being my biggest fan and my shoulder to cry on, my cab driver and my arcade buddy, my rock and my everything.
Words cannot express how much I adore you and love you, but you already know how much I do. I know these next four months (and four years) will be hard, but there is no one else in the entire world I would rather face them with than you. You are more than worth it, Matt, and I would do anything for you.
I am going to miss you so much, but I love you even more. My love for you grows every day, baby, and I am so excited to stand by you. Thank you for all you do for me. I love you.
(On our one and a half year anniversary (August 19th), we got each other these rings. Don't worry, they're not engagement rings, but they do show that we are committed to each other.(p.s. I made the dress! I'll do a full outfit post on it once I get to college for you guys.))
