And then I get a Croissant...

It's easy to get into a routine. Take me, for example. I get up almost every morning at 5 am, go for a quick 30-minute run, take a shower, go back to sleep for an hour and a half while trying not to mess up my freshly styled hair (don't ask), get up at 8:00 am, scarf down a bowl of oatmeal (slightly under-microwaved like I like it), leave the house at 8:20 am, squeeze onto the subway at 8:30 am, and arrive at work at 8:50 am (just in time to get a croissant to supplement my boring breakfast). Monotonous, eh? But there's something nice and comforting about a routine. You know what to expect and how to tackle the challenges ahead...because you've been there before....many, many times.

So this weekend, Adam and I went to see 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.' If you haven't seen it yet, I won't ruin it for you, but it tells the story of a man (Brad Pitt) who is born old and slowly grows younger across the course of the movie. If you're a woman and prone to crying for no reason at all, throw a box of Kleenex in your purse. It's heartwarming...and clever...and makes you think... 'What would I have done differently had I begun life with the wisdom of old age and been able to apply it to my youth?". Thought provoking stuff.

But in the movie, Brad Pitt says something I'd like to share...

"For what it’s worth, it’s never too late, or in my case too early, to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit... start whenever you want... you can change or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. I hope you see things that stop you. I hope you feel things that you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life that you’re proud of and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again."

It's nice to be reminded that it's never too late to change your circumstances. Some things are obviously out of our control, but more often than not, our circumstances are dependent on how we choose to respond to them. If you're not pleased with where you're heading, don't be afraid to do a 180 and go the other way.

Just a thought....

Love you all,

LAUREN

P.S. I pulled this picture from the archives... one of my favorite nights with some of my favorite girlfriends...

Who Needs A Psychiatrist?

I've always wanted to write a book... not a self help book (because clearly, I'm the last person to offer sound advice, Exhibit A: I moved to one of the most expensive cities in the US with no job and no place to live)... not a work of fiction (because I hate the way authors take 10 pages to say what could have easily fit onto 1 page...and I doubt I could bring myself to elaborate like that)... but rather, a book about my life. Now before you go and label me narcissistic, let me argue my case.

For those of you who know my father, you know that he 'lives by the seat of his pants', as my mother often says. You ask Johnny what he's doing this week, you get an answer to the effect of 'ah...i've got some stuff going.' Stuff? Going? What does that mean exactly? You ask Johnny where he's going when he takes off in the Jeep down the driveway, and he yells 'i'll be back.' I've often wondered if even he knows exactly where he's heading... hmmm.

For those of you who know me, you know that I am my father's daughter. I look like him... I walk like him (fast and determined)... I have his entrepreneurial spirit... and I definitely live by the seat of my pants. Although I'd like everyone to think otherwise, I moved to New York with NO plan. I knew that if I didn't find a job in 2 weeks, maybe 3 tops, I would be on a plane back to Atlanta because I only had enough money saved up to last me that long. It was do or die. Thankfully, I 'did' and avoided the 'die' part. Even back in college, I decided to jet off to Australia and Fiji for the summer after my friend Claire mentioned that she was going. My guess is Claire had been thinking about this for awhile and had been sorting through the finances with her parents. I, on the other hand, turned in the application within a week, and began the business of daydreaming about befriending a kangaroo.

I guess you could say my motto is 'seize the day,' or something along the lines of 'you only live once... you might as well give EVERYTHING a try.'

...which is why I've dabbled in a million different (and some slightly odd) things... I've sold Tahitian Noni Juice, been a certified travel agent, pawned Sunsetter Awnings to old folks, been in fine jewelry road sales, trained as a hairstylist, catered weddings and bah mitzvahs, worked as a bank teller, sold children's clothes, traveled the country to manage trade shows, painted my way through college, headed up a neurology job search site, and finally ended up on Wall St (doing something totally random as well).

I have to say that the hair salon was by far, the worst decision of my life. Other than my designated mannequin head, who I fondly christened 'Charmagne' and toted around town in the HOV lane, this was a pretty bleak period in my life. I could never seem to get the hair dye off people's necks without creating 'Niagara Falls' down their back. One lady even screamed at me in front of all the customers. (I'm sorry, but it's hard to wash other people's heads.)

I recommend tipping your shampoo-ist a little more next time you're in the salon. I can tell you, she's probably been through hell already...and if not, she'll be there by the end of the day.

But other than my silly job ventures, I have a few other things I'd like to include in my memoir. Like the time I jumped out of a plane (correction: flung myself from the plane with a fervor you have never seen), or the time I ate a kangaroo (oopsy... i had intended to befriend, but 'ate' instead), or the time I partied with Curtis 'Rampage' Jackson of the UFC, or the multiple times I screwed up petsitting assignments, or the time I slept in a village in the South Pacific beneath a mosquito net, being tormented by angry mosquitos all night long, or the time I hitchhiked in Fiji, or the time I slept on an air mattress for 3 months straight (note: this air mattress had a manual pump and deflated within about five minutes), or the time I stayed at a Red Roof Inn in the heart of winter in Minnesota and had to drive a rental car around on the ice with no working side mirror.

Let's just say... I'm pretty sure my book would not disappoint. I already have a title picked out... 'Because the Fortune Cookie Told Me So: Living by the Seat of My Pants.'

Let me explain... my fortune cookie the other night said 'Do what you love and the necessary resources will follow.' Profound, right? I don't know about you, but me, I usually get ridiculous fortunes ...which I'd like to argue are NOT really fortunes at all... like 'You have a very generous spirit' OR 'A kind word goes a long way.' So to get a fortune cookie that spoke volumes to me really knocked my socks off. (Literally, my socks flew off in a fit of joy.) This is my whole idea about how life should be spent! Doing what you love! Taking chances! Doing things that make you happy!

I had a moment...and it was then that I realized, it would not be unlike me to quit my job, take off to another country, and never look back... just 'Because the Fortune Cookie Told Me So...' What a great reason! Who needs life coaches, mentors, or psychiatrists, when you can order some 'Mongolian Beef' and get a fortune cookie more capable than the whole lot of them?

So... stay tuned... you may just see my name on the 'Best Seller' list before too long...

-LAUREN

P.S. If you have connections with anyone in publishing, tell them I will treat them to 'Mongolian Beef' and fortune cookies...

Ho. Ho. Ho.

For the first time in my life, I went 'home' for the holidays. Usually, this would entail fighting major crowds, dealing with major flight delays, and popping major quantities of Tylenol for the major headache that ensued BUT my first holiday travel experience was a breeze (minus the first-time flyer who threw up on the rocky landing...poor kid). Both of my flights were on time and my luggage arrived in one piece!

Other than driving like an old lady when I got behind the wheel of my Jeep for the first time in 3 months, everything felt totally right. I got to see my family, most of my friends, and eat at all the spots I'd been missing. Saturday was Cale's 22nd birthday, so about half the neighborhood came by the house to watch the UFC fights. All of my picks lost, so thankfully I didn't put money on anyone.

But sitting on the plane now is bittersweet. It feels great to go back to my new home, see all my friends, and get back into my routine BUT at the same time, it's hard to fly away knowing it will be awhile before I'm home again. I have a wonderful family, and I will miss them. I guess this is how you feel when you 'grow up.'

On the bright side, New Years Eve is right around the corner! One of my best friends Claire is coming Tuesday to spend five days with me, and all of my friends here in NYC have friends coming as well. I have high hopes for 2009. Of course, I have lofty goals and so forth and so on...but instead of taking resolutions too seriously, I always remember to make some that are just a little LESS serious and therefore, easier to keep. For example, in 2009, when asked 'how are you?' or 'how are you doing?' in casual passing, instead of always saying 'fine, thank you', my resolution is to answer with complete and utter honestly, no matter how I'm feeling. If I am running late for work because my alarm failed to go off and someone asks me how I'm doing, I will answer "Not so hot. I'm probably getting fired today because A) I am running 2 hours late for work, B) I have two different color socks on because I dressed in the dark, C) I am starving because I didn't have time to pick up breakfast, and D) My hair resembles Tina Turner's.... BUT other than that, I'm doing fine, thank you." Adam already adopted this resolution before Christmas, and got an extra 10% off at Macy's for telling the sales lady EXACTLY how he felt (which was...completely OVER the whole Christmas shopping thing).

It works... His experience is proof enough for me.

So as this year comes to a close, and we have the opportunity to start anew, I wish you all a Happy New Year. And just remember, we've all come a long way. This time ten years ago (1999), we were all scared the world was going to end. Y2K! AGH!

Love you all and miss you much,

LAUREN

P.S. The picture is of our 'Charlie Brown' Christmas tree. Who needs a $100+ organic NY Christmas tree, anyways?

P.S.S. I have posted all my new art pieces on my website www.laurenyarbrough.com (click on the 'Custom Work' tab on the left-hand side).

Aruba, Jamaica, Ooo I Wanna Take Ya

I spent Thanksgiving in a little town called Kokomo. And I'm not talking 'Bermuda, Bahama, Come on pretty mama' OR surfboards and bikinis... I'm referring to a little town in the midwest. Kokomo, Indiana, to be exact. When having to choose between spending the holidays alone in my little apartment with a turkey sandwich and glass of cranberry juice OR going home with my boyfriend and some of my closest friends here, I chose the latter. So Wednesday afternoon after putting in half days at our J.O.B.s, we took off for the 12 hour, all-night drive.

And wouldn't you know?... about 3 hours into the trip, we had a lovely flat tire in the black of night in snowy Pennsylvania. I've never been so cold. But those boys took charge and changed the tire like pros, and off we went.

I couldn't have asked for a better Thanksgiving. Adam has a very eclectic family. His aunts and uncles have adopted children from all over the world, as well as taking in foster children. On Saturday, his grandfather rented out a huge space, and 50+ family members got together for Thanksgiving. I'm pretty sure the kids outnumbered the adults. By the end of the day, I was giving piggyback rides, bouncing toddlers on my knee, racing elementary schoolers, etc. And I ALMOST won my round in the Wii Bowling Tournament, but then I lost the tie-braker to a 2nd-grader named Gracie. Shoot. I guess there's always next year...

And another highlight was the fact that the night we arrived, a stray kitten wandered up onto their porch and it was love at first sight. I spent the next four days carrying that thing around like it was my child. I tried to sneak it into Adam's coat when we left, but there just wasn't enough breathing room. And in addition to the kitten, his family has four dogs and four cats. So between the kids and the animals, I was showered in love (and slobber) all weekend long.

When it was time to leave on Sunday, we woke up to about 3 inches of snow. It was a nice way to end the trip.

Although I missed my own family, I was extremely grateful for the wonderful people that shared their Thanksgiving festivities with me.

I hope you all had a Happy Turkey Day! Now onto Christmas! Hanukkah! Kwanzaa! Festivus! Time for the airing of grievances and the feats of strength!

Love,

LAUREN

One More Thing...

And just for a good laugh...take a look at the hottie in the left corner of the picture (circa the early 90's). I've always had a beef with my mom about the size of the hair bows she put in my hair when I was little...and I'm pretty sure this picture supports my argument that they were, in fact, bigger than my head. ...I win.

Since the early 90's, it has been my mission to rid the world of hair bows. 'What about head bands?' you ask? Well, I'll accept a head band here and there, but JUST SAY 'NO' TO HAIR BOWS. They are hideous and parents should be locked up for decorating their offspring with them. This is how I feel and I just thought you should know.

...And just in case I wasn't clear and you are still unsure about where I stand on the hair bow issue, 'NO', I will NOT be wearing a hair bow for Thanksgiving.

-LAUREN

Gobble, Gobble!

With Thanksgiving a few days away, I thought I'd do the obvious and write a little bit about what I'm thankful for this year. Usually Thanksgiving comes and goes, and I'm really ONLY into the buffet (Let's be honest, homemade delicacies and football...you kind of forget to be thankful for anything but homemade delicacies and football). Oh...and naps. How could I forget naps?

But this year, I have a ton to be thankful for. So much so that I might even forget to eat OR watch football OR nap. I moved to NYC with no job, no home, and not many friends, and less than 2 months later, I have a job, a home, and many lovely additions to my network of friends. But all that aside, I couldn't have done any of this without the help of my family who I adore and miss so much. My mom and dad helped me in a huge way financially, and have yet to charge me interest. :) And right before I left town, my brother GAVE me his laptop since my computer had completely died. They didn't have to do any of that, and yet they ALL did it with a smile. I owe them a lot. I hope that one day when I win the lottery, I can pay them back. But most of all, I am thankful for the amazing people God has strategically placed in my life, and the way they step in and save the day when I really need it. I could sit here and write page upon page about all the wonderful things people have done for me here, but I know none of you have the time to sit here all day and read my blog. So I'll just leave it at that. Those people know who they are...and hopefully they know how much they mean to me.

I hope that you all have a very relaxing Thanksgiving with your families! Chow down... watch some football... and maybe even consider a nap. That's what holidays are for. Plus, your stomach has time to deflate when you're lying down.

Before I wrap it up though, I wanted to leave you with a song by Sarah McLachlan. I had it on a painting in my room at one point, and the lyrics speak volumes to me. The gist is that none of us are perfect, and we should not expect that of ourselves. We should just do the best that we can and realize that we are loved no matter what happens. No matter if we succeed or if we fail. No matter if we make bad decisions or good decisions. No matter if we are with someone or we are alone. We are all beautiful in our own way, and we should rest assured that we are loved and that love is not dependent on our circumstances.

'Don't worry, you will find the answer if you let it go.
Give yourself some time to falter,
But don't forego knowing that you're loved no matter what,
And everything will come around in time.'

I love you all very very much, AND I am very thankful for each of you in my life,

LAUREN

L-O-V-E

I was reminded tonight that you can always make new friends...but the old friends will always hold that special place in your heart, for reasons that only you know. I'm very thankful for all my 'old' friends... those people at home who've made an effort to reach out to me, encourage me, send me care packages, leave me the occasional voicemail. Those little things really mean a lot.

My best friend Caitlin just left today, and I can't fathom a better 4 days. We ate at the nation's first pizzeria (Lombardi's in Soho)... watched breakdancers and comedy acts in Union Square... walked the Brooklyn Bridge... cheered on the Buffalo Bills... and made lots of new friends.

And it turns out that my next-door neighbors are awesome. There are two boys (one from Texas and one from Florida) and a girl (from Jersey). Our doors are always open to each other, and it doesn't hurt that they let us watch football on their High Definition flat screen. So much better than watching it on our old TV and sitting on our fake couch (also known as the 'air mattress').

I love this city more and more. I am continually amazed at how God works things out and knows what I need more so than I ever could. Many of you know that I paint as my artistic outlet, but you may not know that I write as well. I wrote something that I want to share with you below.

Oh...and the girls in the picture are my roommates.

I love you all...

LAUREN

'Hate is such a strong word.
It should never leave the tongue.
It tears into the heart, my friend,
And cannot quickly be undone.
The heart that feels it, festers,
Crumbles 'till it dies.
And when the heart is dead, my dear,
No pain it can disguise.

Love's the language of the wise.
It bolsters and it listens.
It rarely finds a fault, my friend,
And quickly offers forgiveness.
The heart that shows it, swells,
Grows until it bursts.
And when the heart is full, my dear,
It never puts itself first.

Compassion's a gift to hurting hearts.
It always comes in time.
It understands a wrong, my friend,
And rarely chooses to remind.
The ones that lives it, learns,
Reaps the blessings given.
And when they need compassion, my dear,
It always declares them forgiven.'