Oh My Gosh, I Don't Believe It!

Okay, so I pretty much made straight B's with one C and one A this semester on all of my exams leading up to finals. I knew I had to work my butt off to pull out an A in each class. Honestly, I was expecting B's across the board even though I worked hard in hopes of pulling an A out of my ass. Evidently, I work well under pressure. My basketball days could have told me that. I somehow scored a 96% on my final for ECO 3411, which is insane! That final was worth 46% of my overall grade so it super boosted my overall grade past the 90% mark I needed to make an A in the class. I owned my business law final with a 98%, so I passed that class with an A, too! Finally, Financial Models, the class I needed a perfect score on the final in order to pass the class with A... Well, I was one point shy of getting the A. Overall I scored 179 out of the possible 200 points in the class, which is an 89.5%. However, my professor was kind enough to round it up to an A! My first thought was: no fucking way! I'm feeling pretty lucky right now.

I made three A's across the board. I'm so glad I didn't give up and settle for a B in each class. Hard work doesn't always pay off, but when it does it's a beautiful thing. I never dreamed this semester would end like this. There's another life lesson I'm trying to learn: Dream bigger dreams.

Thankful for Taylor

So, I got a text from Taylor this morning that read: "I have to see you tonight to give you your gift." How lucky am I? I got to see her one last time before she leaves tomorrow! =) It made my day and yet I'm swimming in tears as I write this. This time it wasn't a pathetic goodbye. She wrote a going away parody for me based on Frozen's 'Do You Want to Build a Snowman?' She serenaded me with the karaoke music playing in the background. It's pretty much the story of our best-friendship  She even had a story script to go with the instrumental parts of the song. It's called 'Do You Want to Be My Best Friend?'

Excuse me

Do you want to be my best friend?

I know we just met

But I am new to this town and you look like a clown

Come on let’s go and play

We could be best buddies…or not…But let’s give it a try

Do you want to be my best friend?

DOOOO YOUUUU WAAANNTT TOO BEEE MYYY BEESTTT FRRIENND?

Ok bye. 

(Taylor wouldn’t give up. She kept sitting next to her in class every day. Lauren had to give in some time, right?) 

Do you want to go to Blueman Group?

Come on it’s my birthday

You don’t have to be afraid. God’s planned it this way

If only you could see the best friends we will be

As the time goes by ****** 

(Time did go by…three years. Although it did take Lauren three months to admit to being Taylor’s BEST FRIEND lol they did everything together; laughed, cried, learned from each other, and told each other their deepest secrets. There was some planking days and plenty of days teaching Taylor to get over CLOWNS. Living together was the best!  POOP POOP and more poop. Lol Taylor did most of the cooking and Lauren did most of the eating. The three years that God gave them together were the best three years ever. But now it came time for Taylor to move away and start anew. She didn’t want to leave, but she knew she had to.)

Lauren…

You know I don’t want to go

But it’s not that far away

They say have courage and I’m trying to. I’ll always be here for you

Because I love you

We’ll always have each other

Me and you

That will never change

 Do you want to be my best friend?

 

As she started singing the part that begins with "Lauren" she got choked up and couldn't finish it. My emotions were in check until I saw her lose it. The music played in the background while we shared a hug full of tears, love, gratefulness and best friend magic. Once the music stopped, I whispered, "Yes."

 

I'm extremely thankful for Taylor. Words can't even begin to explain how much she has influenced my life.  She's the kind of friend that you don't think exists until you meet them. For me, it took a while to convince me it was real even after I met her. The friendship we share is everlasting. That's comforting to know as she moves away.  My name is Lauren and Taylor is my best friend.

 

P.S. Now I'm balling like a depressed mess.

The Orlando Science Center with Savanna

          Trust me, I wanted to sleep the day away. I couldn't bring myself to let Savanna down though. I've been planning on taking her to the Orlando Science Center (OSC) for a couple of weeks now. All she knew was that I was taking her to a surprise. Plus, I can't even remember the last time I saw her and I missed her. I couldn't let this scarce free time go to waste. She does this thing whenever I haven't seen her in while where she'll stand on the other side of the room when she first walks in, make eye contact with me, say my name and run with open arms towards me as I bend down and open my arms to catch her in a hug. I love it! Those hugs are the best. She wraps her arms and legs around me tightly as she whispers in my ear, "I missed you." Meanwhile, I'm elated that she remembers who I am. And it kind of made me feel a little better, or at least it made getting out of bed worth it. We played with my sister's bunny before leaving for the OSC.

 
          I dislike how frail I look in this picture, but this pic really captures the joy in Savanna's heart. I love her.

          My mom, Kelly, Savanna and I made a quick stop to eat lunch at Wendy's before going to OSC. Savanna got two fantastic Care Bear bracelets in her happy meal. My wrist fits comfortably in a children's bracelet. Should I be worried?

 

          OSC was a lot of fun. Though it was a workout to keep up with Savanna and all the exhibits. It's the perfect place for kids to explore and learn new things. When she was digging for bones in the Dino Digs area I was fascinated by how quickly she befriended a couple of other girls. She sat right next to them and asked their names. They began talking and working on digging up the same bone together. When one of the little girls, Leah, asked if Savanna's mom was there, Savanna said that her mom was at work. When Leah asked if Savanna's dad was there, Savanna said that she was there with her sister and pointed to me. I wondered, does she know what a sister is? Does she know what a dad is? After some time passed with them talking and digging, Savanna followed Leah to meet her family (sister and parents) who were sitting on another bench watching them.  I wish I found conversation with strangers as easy as Savanna does. I think Savanna had a great time. I know I'm glad I got to spend some time with her. I love how carefree kids can be. It doesn't mean I want any kids of my own though. I don't want to deal with anymore diapers than my own. lol Speaking of which, I'm jealous of the size of Savanna's turds.



Stand Up Paddle Boarding and a Pathetic Goodbye

          After I took my last final of the semester on Saturday, I didn't take a nap. I went on a two hour paddle board tour with Taylor in Merritt Island on the Canaveral Barge Canal. I felt shittier than shit. I woke up the day before with a cold. I had a terrible headache that nothing would cure and being in the bright sun made it worse. I didn't eat much of anything all day because I've had the craps lately and I didn't want to have to crap while I was in the middle of nowhere on the paddle board. Could you imagine? Oh yeah, and that thing called energy is still avoiding me like I'm the plague. Any other time I would have asked Taylor for a lazy day, but I couldn't this time. She's moving away in two days, so I wanted to spend time with her doing something we'd remember.

          If you've never been paddle boarding, I totally recommend doing it. The feeling of the wind hitting my face as I paddled through the water was liberating. I experienced a rush when waves from boats rocked the board I stood on. I let out a few unrestricted screams of delight along the way. How great it was to paddle along side Taylor. I think we will be paddling along side each other in this life for many decades to come.  We got to see three manatees fucking, literally. They rolled around in the water like wild animals. One even swam right along side of my board for a bit. It was very cool. Our guide said that since it's mating season they like to get friendly with the kayaks and paddle boards. On the way back, we had to paddle against the current and against the wind. I was exhausted and didn't seem to be moving anywhere fast, so the guide in the kayak was kind enough to give me a tow back to the dock. I am so weak that it's annoying.

          Taylor and I were supposed to go to dinner after we got back to her place, but I was fatigued, indescribably tired and didn't feel well so I went home to go to bed instead. I know, it was a pathetic goodbye. I guess it's a good thing I don't ever say goodbye to people I want to stay in my life. I say see ya because it's like a promise that I'll see you later . Unwanted tears found my cheeks on the car ride back to my place because I'm sad she's moving. Then I scolded myself for being selfish. I'm selfless, too.  I'm glad she's found a new job with great potential of moving to the top quickly. I'm not only excited that she's starting a different chapter of her life, but I'm also happy that she'll be beginning another chapter with her boyfriend by moving in with him.  I admire her courage in this life-changing move.

Dear Taylor,

I can’t say that I’m not a little sad

I can’t act like you’re not the bestest friend I have

I can’t say please don’t go. Don’t go and leave

I can’t ask you to stay in this old town for me 

I can say best of luck. I’m excited for you

I can sing our song because I believe it's true

I can say you should go and chase your dreams

I can ask you to never forget about me

 

Your wings are ready and so am I

Your next chapter awaits

May you find much success in Sunrise

As you go on your way

Spread your wings and don’t forget to fly 

 

Plowing Through

I'm drained! That's the understatement of the day. Two finals down and one to go. I just have 48 pages of handwritten, business law notes to sort through and learn before I take my last final of the semester on Saturday. I'm procrastinating on plowing through, learning things that can be dumped from my brain in four days. At least I already know most of the property law stuff thanks to work. I need a nap. I need to study. I need to poop. I need a hug. I need to get back on the social grid. I'm done... almost.

FINALS WEEK!!!

Shame on me, I didn't spend Easter with my family. I spent it with my school books, laptop and calculator. I had 4 Rivers leftovers all to myself, so it wasn't bad. I got caught up in the one class I was a few weeks behind in, ECO 3411, just in time to take the final for it tomorrow. I have to get at least a 92% on the final to pass the class with an A. I'm certainly not going to hold my breath. I'll write a overall review of my semester once this week is over.

I'll take my Financial Models final Wednesday morning. I have to get a perfect score on the final in order to pass the class with an A. Fat chance of that happening, but I'm still going to study my butt off for it because this is my favorite class of the semester and I want to be able to say that I did my best.

Finally, I'm not sure when I'll be taking my Business Law final because it depends on how much new info we go over tomorrow.  Yeah, for some dumb reason finals week doesn't technically start until Tuesday so I still have all three regularly scheduled classes tomorrow. Two of which have homework due and will be going over new material. Thankfully, ECO 3411 opens the exam after class tomorrow afternoon so that I can get that one out of the way. I've self taught the material to myself, so I'm ready regardless of whatever we go over tomorrow in class. The window to take the Business Law exam opens Thursday and closes Monday. I'd love to be ready on Thursday to take it, but since I have to work this week I doubt that's going to be possible. I need a 91% on that final to pass the class with an A.  My goal is to take it Saturday morning at the latest.

For the past week or so I haven't been very successful at keeping up with people. Heck, I've even had to cut back on me time a/k/a naps, so you know it's been bad. I feel heavily distracted and I'm hoping after this week I'll be able to get out and do something fun!!!  At least, I know I'll have fun on May 3rd when I celebrate at downtown Disney with my sister, Kim, the day before she graduates from Seminole State College with her A.A. degree. Speaking of... I need to do a proud big sister post about her accomplishments.

Get Your Belly Out

I wanted to share this  IBD awareness video #getyourbellyout:

http://youtu.be/r-4h0x1wlf8

By the end of the video tears soaked my cheeks. How blessed I am even when I feel cursed. I wish I could hear the story that goes with every photo. Who am I to complain about Crohn's?

#getyourbellyout

I love how fearless those faceless bellies seem. My belly looks normal on the outside, but the photos from the inside would tell a different story. Even photos of my bottom would tell a different story. Anyways, I was inspired to #getmybellyout