know i lived it to the fullest

via happy things

you're an idiot.

and i'm incredible.

there will come a time, you'll see

via happy things

all that i can do right now is dwell in this moment,

embracing all of its perfection.

i'm finding my own way

today my lovely teacher-friend, sarah, taught me some valuable arabic phrases.

via mary ruffle

shway shway.

definition: little by little, step by step

so many big and exciting things are happening for me right now.

and life will never quit busting out the surprises, but at least we can say that it never gets old.

in spite of all of the craziness i have floating around inside my head and heart,

i am covering some serious ground.

and at the end of the day, there are some basic realities, that i can accept and cling to, to get me through:

i have everything i need.

i was born to smile.

i can do this.

the journey makes everything worth it.

so, for now, i'm just taking it all...shway shway.

when we dance you have a way with me

via mary ruffle

breakthrough:

no longer letting life happen to me.

chasing after the life i want.

whew!

well...you may {or may not} have noticed that i have been somewhat out of the picture lately when it comes to blog life. turns out, when you neglect an entire semester of school, the last two weeks become infinitely valuable.

after many late nights in the city,

countless shots of espresso,

weeks of chipped nail polish,

30 pages of jordan's original thought,

and 2 fat exams,

i've hit my target.

summer.

freedom.

dun-zo.

in all honesty, the semester felt a bit like a routine on the uneven bars in gymnastics- i hopped on, did lots of spinning and turning and jumping and kicking, and somehow pulled off a pretty decent dismount. still awaiting the judges' scores though {aka my grades}. and for another moment of truth- i don't even care what the judges have to say. the semester took so much out of me {mentally, emotionally, spiritually} and i really feel like i have grown so much as an individual that my grades are just one element of the culmination of my Spring 2010 semester.

and today i slept until 9:45 {glorious}, took my sweet time getting ready, painted {okay, re-painted} my nails black {don't worry, it isn't mourning...it's sass...my toes are definitely fire engine red}, and am now sitting at the cafe blogging, drinking a cappucino, and waiting for my boy. the perfect prescription for "the morning after" my insane semester.

so glad i've had you all to join me for the ride. i like to think of you as my teammates in the gymnastics meet that is life.

gotta go...i'm up on vault.

"i KNOW you're ready!"

big, fat old testament exam this morning.

i started studying on monday {SO not like me}.

i woke up at 5:30 in the am, and made my way to starbucks to secure everything in my brain.

i fell down on the sidewalk outside. i guess my eyes were still adjusting to the early hour.

bff's response when i told her: "omg! was your computer ok?!" {we are so alike in this way of thinking...i stick my arm out to protect my computer when i have to slam on the brakes while driving}

this was my recap: "only my hand, my toe-nail polish, and my pride were hurt."

anyway, now for a visual on how i felt leaving the classroom post-exam...

You Make My Dreams Come True from Lauren Natasha on Vimeo.

i. rocked. it.

and now i am enjoying marin coffee roasters in san anselmo. delish.

free wi-fi. cappuccino. lots of light and windows. and this nice little touch...

flowers make me smile.

i love thursdays.

after work, i have my dance class at the gym. so ready. i just love it.

and then i have the night to myself.

no homework. no responsibilities.

i plan to light the candles. cook myself some din din. read just a little {for pleasure}. and watch you've got mail in its entirety.