Lauren

Hey guys.

I can't possibly express how wonderful it has been to spend time with you these past few weeks. You all make me so happy. I will miss those of you who are not going to UF more than I can say.

I love you all. I really mean it.
<3 Lauren

Hey guys.

It always surprises me how rare true, selfless kindness is. In my eyes, every day is meant to brighten the lives of others. Is it true living if all you do is fulfill your daily needs and desires? I am filled with sadness when I look at the world and see people plagued with self-absorption, arrogance, jealousy, and even hatred.

However, I have been fortunate enough to meet some very special people who have demonstrated great kindness towards others. People who have seen potential in me and helped me to become who I am today, and who have done the same for so many others. People who have kept their doors open for those in need. People who have dedicated hundreds of hours towards improving the lives of others, through hospital visits, nursing home visits, fundraising, tutoring, mentoring, and so much more. People who have taken the time to say a kind word of encouragement to someone or to do a favor for someone without being asked to because they knew the person was having a hard day. It is people like you who make the world worth living in.

At Key Club Convention, I was completely humbled by the speech Kiwanis International President Steve Seimens gave. The actions he has taken to help others during his lifetime are greater than all those of 100 or even 1000 other people put together during their lifetimes. He has personally saved lives, held in his arms and comforted a young dying child, and even given a complete stranger a key to his house. Although at this point, I am afraid to be as trusting as he is to do the last thing I mentioned, I aspire to be like him. Imagine if everyone was as kind and generous as he is. The world would be such a better place to live in.

Last night, I was very impressed with one girl's kindess. It was Senior Awards Night, and Robyn had not received a paper saying she should attend, even though she was supposed to have received an award, as we found out today. She called me to tell me that she would love to come for support, even though she would not be receiving anything. She sat next to me, and after I came back from receiveing each award, she congratulated me with a huge smile on her face. She was not thinking of herself, as most people in her situation would. In fact, she was more happy for me than anyone else. Thank you, Robyn. You truly are a very kind person and a great friend. Congratulations on the award that should have been announced at the awards night. You deserve it! I am so happy for you, not only for finding out that you received an award for your hard work, but for other reasons as well. ;)

Also, Thomas, you and your family are so sweet. I can't thank you enough.


Love you guys,

Lauren

Life is stressful right now, but you guys keep me smiling! :)

I owe you guys a lot of thank you's today.

THANK YOU!!!!

Katie, for giving up your time to teach me all the calc last night.

Robyn and Katie, for making part of your lunches my breakfast and demanding that I didn't feel guilty about it.

Trevor, for surprising me and taking me to your clubhouse for lunch.

YOU GUYS ROCK!!!


Time for more Convention planning. NINE MORE DAYS!!! Then I'll have all the time in the world on my hands. :) Convention is going to be AMAZING and so is this summer!!

<3 Lauren

Whew! The first chance I have gotten to sigh all weekend.

There's no point in talking about it because that doesn't make it any less work, but it seems there is a point in saying this:

Again, I am sorry if it is and will be difficult for me to go out much these next few weekends. I don't mean to miss anything that is important to anyone. If only I had the words to explain the work involved..

Lately, I've grown to appreciate the quote (whoever it's by): You can't make everybody happy all of the time.

But nobody's quotes, nobody's lyrics, can express well enough the fact that I am trying my hardest.

Lauren

Hey guys.

It's about 11:30, and I've just finished as much Key Club work as I can do for tonight. Wow - they tell you going into IB that you won't have a social life. Then they tell you becoming Governor you won't have one. IB and Governor? Yeah right!

Somehow, I've managed everything. Well...It seems that that is going to change for the next two months. Convention planning is taking up all of my time. I still love you guys the same, though!

I should really go to sleep...Pathfinders interview is tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Love,
Lauren

Hey guys.

Life is good. I had my Pathfinders mock today, and I am excited about Wednesday. Mr. Will let me sit at his desk, in his comfy chair, during math class. Could the day be any better? :) lol

It's a really beautiful day out today -- warm with a nice breeze.

Maybe it's just the first time I have been able to notice the weather in a while. I came home today during my no class and could actually relax. It's also the first weekend without travel in two months.

No, I'm not on happy drugs -- I promise.

BUT there are some simple things that I have learned can make your day more enjoyable.

1. Clean your room and open up the windows -- A bright room equals a bright day :)

2. Take time to enjoy the weather, even if it is only for a few moments.

3. Look around the cafeteria at school. If there is someone sitting alone, invite him or her to sit with you. You will make someone else's day and make a new friend. :)

Food helps too, but that's another story.

I'm hungry--can you tell?

Lauren

When I get older, I'm going to start a stable family. I want to show my kids what stability is.

Yesterday morning, on my way to school, there was an ambulance approaching behind me. I quickly moved to the right lane. The guy in front of the ambulance wanted to make his left turn and sat there, making the ambulance wait behind him. I thought about how the person waiting for help might feel if he or she knew this. I was on Atlantic Avenue.

I took a bio test after school yesterday. You all went home at 2:50 or earlier, so you didn't see it. There was a horrible accident. On Atlantic Avenue.


Several vehicles were involved. One was overturned.

I found out today that a woman was killed.


Someone was driving by our school in her daily routine yesterday, and her life suddenly ended.

Guys, please drive safely. Yesterday really frightened me. It made me more careful about how I drive. I hope this does the same for you. I don't want to see anything happen to you.

Love,
Lauren

Hey guys.

I have decided to give LiveJournal another chance.

Yesterday was my (and Lee's) 18th birthday party. Tomorrow, I will be 18 -- officially an adult. But I don't believe it is time that matures you, but rather, what you do with that time.

Eighteen years -- I've tried to live them to the fullest. I have learned a great deal in that time. Some things, I have had to learn the hard way. Other things I have learned from the wonderful experiences I have had and the amazing people I have been fortunate enough to get to know.

Those who I am close to know that this has been a difficult year for me. I have had to learn a lot the hard way.

The responsiblities I took on in Key Club have dealt me more obstacles than Governors in the past have been confronted with. But I would not trade my year in for another's, for getting passed these obstacles has helped me to grow so much.

Other parts of my life this year have been a lot more difficult. Chances are that if you are reading this, you have at least a vague understanding of what I am talking about. Unlike that which I have learned through Key Club, I learned some things that I wish I never had to learn. But hey -- truth can't always be gentle. Learning it early just makes you more prepared for life.

So why am I writing this journal entry? I want to express how grateful I am to the people in my life who have made the hard times easier and and the great times unforgettable. :)

About two weeks ago, I had probably the hardest day of my entire life. In the following two days, I learned how much the people in my life mean to me. When others are having a difficult time and it is very complicated, some tend to turn their heads the other way. I am so lucky to have friends who were there for me during and after that day. I can't possibly express how grateful I am -- especially to you, Katie. You mean so much to me.

Inspirational writer, Og Mandino, once wrote: "Live each day as if it were your last." If this was the last day of your life, who would you say you are sorry to? Who would you say, 'I love you' to?
If we all lived each day as if it were the last day of our lives, we would say, 'I'm sorry' and 'I love you,' a bit more.

We tend not to tell people how much they really mean to us. We assume they just know. I want to change this. To all my friends, thank you for being so amazing. Thank you for always making me smile. I absolutely love spending time with you.

If you are reading this and we do not know each other very well, I am sure you are an amazing person, and I would love to get to know you.

My mom has no idea how much I love her. I say the words, 'I love you' to her all the time, but it is not nearly enough. She is a mother, a friend, and a hero to me. Someday I will tell it to her this way. Maybe I will ask her to read this.

Anyway, I really need to get to my schoolwork.

Signing off, :)
Lauren