Not-So-Small-Town Girl

The sweet, salty ocean air is calling my name, yet I’m about twelve hours away from it and four years of an education too short. Some people don’t belong in small towns; some people belong in the city, and others belong on the sandy coast. I’ll take either of the latter two.  

Enjoy the Moment

Sometimes I ask myself, "Lauren, are you happy?" The response always seems to depend on certain factors in my life.

Then, I began to reevaluate my poor, pathetic priorities. I'm breathing, aren't I? I have a roof over my head, right? Then why do I still yearn for this contingency which I try to make glitter enough for the silver screen? The answer is, I have most likely seen way too many movies. 

I try to make my life a shadow of those cinematic moments made in front of cameras in Hollywood, and it hadn't struck me until recently. Sure, we've all seen those movies where the guy falls in love with his best friend, but she is temporarily unavailable because she is in a bogus relationship with the football captain. The end soon comes, the best friends realize this romance, and then they begin their little fairy tales full of love. 

Gag me.

You see, I've learned to take life as it comes. Will I ever meet my soul mate? Maybe. Have I already? It's possible. I'm beginning to "let the pieces fall into place," if you will. This lifestyle leaves me content with the way my pieces are falling. While friends are arguing with boyfriends or trying to balance their schedules between work, school, and dates, I currently focus on me, myself, and I. It's a feeling of being constantly at ease with my surroundings and daily outcomes. 

Ah, I can breathe the fresh air once again.

Until next time, enjoy each day without the need to perfect each moment.

Future

Many times, people ask me, "Lauren, what do you want to do with your life?" I never know how to respond to this question because, well, what don't I want to do with my life?

I want to see the Amalfi Coast in Italy. 

I want to visit Paris and ride around the city on a bike with a baguette in the front basket.

I want to visit London and ride a double decker bus.

I want to truly visit New York City and drain every ounce of excitement I can out of the flurry of commotion, which represents everything I dream.

But most of all, I want to be happy. To do this, I need to experience life. In all honesty, I don't understand how people sit in a cubicle at a desk for eight hours a day while managing computer software and systems. What is the joy in that?

Oh, boy. I can't wait to start my new Excel spreadsheet today!

I'm sorry, but no. That sounds like a slow, painful death to me. And frankly, I'd rather walk the green mile.

My happiness comes from laughter - pure and sweet. I enjoy seeing the smile on people's faces, and hearing the life story of another.

This is where my journalism career comes from when I inform those who ask the aforementioned question. I want to truly share the lives of those living in extreme poverty and the social conflicts they face, as well as the death-threatening struggles they face every single day of their lives. Some of us can't even comprehend what a true struggle is. Most of us have grown up with the love and support of parent figures, with rooftops over our heads, and food at the dinner table. What if we had ten cents per day to satisfy our hunger, and had to work at an assembly line for fourteen hours each day? This puts our problems into perspective, and is why I want to share these lives with the readers of America.

One day, I will visit the wonders of the world. One day, I will visit those living in third-world countries. For now, I share my thoughts with you.