Ode to all the plushies of the world.

Peace, Love, Kawaii

I'm pretty psyched. I'll say that much. I finally, finally have a hair appointment set up, so I won't have to deal with this huge mop on my head. I think all the people who said that once I go short, there's no way I'll go back to long, were very correct. Not only did I not have to deal with deciding what type of hair-do I want every day, but I could get out of bed, mess it up as much as I wanted, and still go to class feeling like a rockstar. (Well, maybe I didn't look like one, but man, did I ever feel fun and free.)

The hair appointment is for this Wednesday, and I'm thinking of taking the whole color thing up a notch, so the excitement is plenty, let me tell you. I never had color in my hair before this last time, so it's pretty fun experimenting with ideas for this next time. I never thought I'd be into the whole hair dying scene, but surprises and change is just plain fun.

I do have to add that the photo to the left was taken for pguyton, just because he took a pretty amazing one of himself doing the peace sign in a Santa hat a few days back. Go us!

Fishy Painting by Maz

I've been having a pretty wonderful vacation so far. The presents continued to come even after Christmas and my birthday, which was pretty unexpected. I received two very special presents from maz, a pink fishy drawing that I had my eye on when she first posted it in her journal a while ago, and a freaking adorable iPod plushie. I adore all of Marion's plushies, so this one was a special treat for me. Plum and Narnia immediately kidnapped the plushie, which I named (of course) Bebop.

Shawn has also been in a pretty wonderful mood lately, which is another contributing factor to my good mood. Like I said in my previous post, it's so rare that he's so positive around this time of the year, so having him upbeat and happy makes me more than happy myself. This is probably one of the best gifts I could have hoped for.

Another gift, in a very different form, is what I discovered on my birthday. I found out that the last grade I was waiting to find out was an A-. I've been putting a lot of long hours into my schoolwork ever since I transferred, because I realized how important doing well really is to me. I'm not spending four years of my life in college for the hell of it-- I'm doing it because I'm proud of my favorite creative skill: writing. Seeing my final grades was one of the greatest rewards possible:

Now, I've gotten straight A's before, but I've never achieved the chain of A's in college, just grade school and high school. Ever since I transferred, I've been working my butt off in order to attain this achievement. I've been able to boost my cumulative GPA up to 3.695, and right now, I'm trying to get it to at least a 3.7 average. I'm determined to make it onto the dean's list before I graduate. Now that I'll be entering my last year of college (hopefully, even though I'm technically a senior right now), the classes are getting more challenging. It's odd how I do better when the classes are more tough. An example of that are two of the grades above. My English Studies class was an type of introduction class, a basic English class, that I needed to take in order to declare myself an English major. I got an A- in it. The level 300 class that I took, Film and Literature, was a lot more challenging for me, yet I got an A. I do so much better in advanced classes, rather than all the simplistic ones. Oh, well.

Princess Peach DS Game Holder

Squee! Besides that, at this very moment, I happen to be quietly counting down the minutes until midnight. Tomorrow (the 31st) is Shawn's birthday and I'm pretty excited about it. He's in the next room, talking with Beth and playing Fable on his Xbox, and he sounds so happy. This is a very good sign for tomorrow.

Oh, and I didn't mention one of my favorite gifts yet. (Jeez, I know. There's so much random stuff to show.) Because I was so down on my birthday about not getting my camera right away, Shawn cheered me up by buying me a game holding case for my pink DS Lite. Not only does it serve a very important purpose-- to hold my games-- but it's heavenly cute and pink, not ot mention its main design: Princess Peach! I've been drawn to her character ever since I was little. Mom, back then, was the Nintendo fan and she's the reason I became hooked to the gaming systems. Princess Peach was my idol. Most girls loved Barbie, but no, Princess Peach was my obsession. ^__^ I like that the case matches my DS's.

This was another long entry, and I feel as though I should apologize to those that I haven't wrote to or kept up with lately. I've been busy with the holidays and all these birthdays. I plan on catching up with all of your Voxes tomorrow (see, I'm sacrificing some Shawn time for you!) and the next day. I really hope everyone is doing well and I can't wait to see how the holidays have been going for you.

Comments

[Phillip]

go us!!
Hair wow! wish i had some of that lol
I can't wait to see the new you, i'm a little worried b/c i love your current look, but i'll trust your judgement -- i expect pictures!

congrats on the grades, way to go cuteness!

Peace!

[Jessica]

Happy Birthday to Shawn. (: I hope you both have a wonderful time doing whatever it may be this weekend.

I love love love the DS game holder. I love Princess Peach as well. I want one now. Lol.

Oh, and I always enjoy seeing those cute little pictures you design like the one above. I wish I was as creative as you.

I haven't received my gift in the mail yet but I'm sure I will receive around Tuesday or Wednesday since the mail doesn't run on Monday because of New Year's.

[Brandy]

Aww man I know exactly what you're talking about with Princess Peach! LOL When I was little I remember going to Toys R Us. I remember being in line and I saw a Princess Peach figure. It was really small. I played with it constantly I loved it! Then I moved to Sicily and we had to wait a long time to get our stuff and it eventually came. I was reunited with my favorite toy, we lived on a balcony at the time and I ended up losing it by falling off the balcony. It made me sad. It still kinda makes me sad to this day.

But I just loved that little toy. haha

[little wonders]

[this is good] Happy Birthday Shawn.
I hope you both have a great new year's eve and 2007.
Glad I made you smile, by putting you on my list.
Guess I did use the word amazing, and amazingly amount of times (LOL).
Congrats on your straight A's.
It was interesting to hear that it was your mom who got you hooked on Nintendo, and you gameboy case is cute.

[reesie]

 Awww.. happy birthday to you and shawn! I hope the new year is great for both of you!    

[Lauren]

Don't worry. I don't plan on going too crazy with the new hair. I'm just hoping that I can find a style and colors that I'll be happy with for a few months. (Hope, hope, hope...)

And yeah, go us. Mwa ha.

[Lauren]

Thankies, hon. Yeah, the Princess Peach holder is so much fun. I like it just as much as my DS's, haha.

Don't worry, I'm sure your package will arrive soon. Silly mail is so slow at this time... Poo.

[Lauren]

Yeah, that was a fun surprise seeing myself in your Vox. Weee. ^______^ I think New Year's will be pretty fun. I always like low key holidays-- there's a lot less pressure. I hope you have a great one, too.

[Lauren]

Thank you, sweets. ^^

[Lauren]

That's so sad. (-___-) I know how it is to lose a toy when you're little. The memory of it sticks with you forever. I hope you can one day come across another one. Snatch it up right away. <3

[***]

Wow, congrats so much on the straight A's!  You are so clever :)  I'm sad now though, I miss being an undergrad :(  Stupid Masters degree, I wish I could take different classes again, I'm sick of working on the same piece of writing for forever.


I'm getting a DS Lite soon and was all set to get a white one but you are making me want to get pink now!


Happy Birthday to Shawn :)

[TechMusicGospel]

[this is good] Tell Mr. Shawn I said hello and happy birthday. The grades you received is so awesome. Handle your business first(school, shawn, family), your Vox neighbors will be here for you. :-) Have a blessed, safe, and fun New Year's Day Ms. Lauren. 

[littlev]

Congrats on the good grades!!!!!!! I got the deans list twice in college and I was sooo happpy...
College is a gift. Im glad you enjoy it.

[kinsiekins]

i hear you on the hair thing. except i lelt mine grow and do nothing with it. i think i only cut/trimmed my hair once this year.... i get so lazy with it.

[maz]

hey lauren, im happy you like the things i sent, he he!

congrats on the brilliant grades, from reading your vox i know that youre a very talented writer. good to see your hard work paying of ; D

[Mikey]

[this is good] Very kawaii! So, you have an iPod - what kind?? Pink no doubt! ^^ I gave my 3 year old "niecelet" Emma a 1gb Nano with a Speck Products Canvas Sports case in Pink - looks like pod version of Chuck Taylors! ^^

http://www.speckproducts.com/nano-canvas.html

See loves it, and it's hard to harm with that protective rubber around it. She figured the Nano out all by herself - Must be that Hapa thing! ;)

Two capricorns, huh? Sounds interesting. Congrats on the great grades and much happiness in 2007! ^^

[Lauren]

Mikey- I like those cases. O__O I bet your niecelet liked it. That's a really thoughtful gift. I know I would have loved that when I was little. I actually have a pink (yes, you were right!) iPod mini. Shawn bought it for me for our three year anniversary-- he caught it right as the minis were getting expired. Yay! I love it. (My Mini's name is Kisse.) You can see Kisse in her Tokidoki skin here and here. I think you're right about the hapa thing-- that was so smart! I'll admit though... I couldn't figure out the whole iPod thing. I had Shawn download all of my songs, haha. Happy New Year. ^__^

Maz- Oh, I love everything. I carried the two gifts around with me for the entire day, haha. And thankies for the congrats, sweets.

kinsiekins- I've been there with the hair. Don't worry. Something usually kicks in at a random time, and you'll all of a sudden feel like doing something with it. Go with the urge!

littlev- Thankies, hon. I bet you were proud of your grades. Now I know how you feel, tee hee.

Tech- I'll make sure to tell him that. ^^ That's really sweet of you. Aw, and I enjoy catching up with everyone on here. Shawn seems to want to sit back and play video games and have a relaxing day anyway. I think everyone wins today. Happy New Year, Darren.

[Tracy]

[this is good] Wow Lauren, congrats on the amazing grades!!! You still have a present
coming from me from Colorado.  Sorry I didn't get it to you by
Christmas or your birthday. :-( I hope you have an amazing new year and
I am truly happy to be friends with you!  Thanks so much for all
your kind comments!  They really make my day! ;-)

[NOOS]

Congrats on your good grades ^^  and Happy New year !

[Baloo]

Be sure to post pictures of the new hair!  Congrats on getting all A's!  That is great!

[Lauren]

Scarlett- Thankies, hon. I'm excited for your present. Wow, I'll have an extended birthday and Christmas, which is awesome. Yay. I always, always appreciate your comments, too. Every one you leave me is priceless. ^^

NOOS- Thank you, and right back at you, sweets!

Krista- Oh, you can bet on it. I'll be taking photos as soon as I get back. (It always looks the best the day the hair is done, haha.) And thank you about the grades-- that means a lot.

[wedgeh]

[this is good] Well done Lauren! Eee, congratulations on all your As :D

[Kristin Parker]

aww...i like your pictures. and i finally saw your video for the raffle - so cute! i wish i could work the short hair do like you. my long hair is just SO high maintanence, but short hair doesn't really look good on me. i like your pink DS too. (i too have a pink obsession! my friends called me "pinky" and "barbie" in high school. haha.)

oh...and congrats on your grades! straight a's are great!

thanks for the comment on my blog. i like tomas a lot...and i hope it all goes well. but i don't want to get my hopes up and stuff. so we'll see.

anyway...talk to you later!!

[st_catherine]

Congrats on the straight A's! I love looking at your blog... I think I found it through one of my Blythe friends, and it's very inspiring to see how colorful and kawaii everything is. 

[bernifest]

hey lauren, i was wondering if you could please tell me what font you used in your graphic that says "thankies everyone". i'm curious. it's a cool font!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! :D

[Cyn]

Congrats on the good grades!  I remember how hard it can be to pull that off.  And it's so great that you're so happy right now, just reading your entry took my mood up a notch!

[Celena]

congrats on the excellent grades, sweets!  all that hard work paid off.  i've very proud + happy for you!!

only downside to having short hair is the maintenance.  if you have fast growing hair like i do, it tends to lose it's shape very quickly.  on the upside, you get to change your look often!  look forward to seeing the new 'do.  ^_^

i chopped mine off in the beginning of dec. .. just haven't taken pics.  perhaps i will soon.  ^_^
i love my short hair!  not sure why i wanted to grow it out in the first place.  weirdo, haha.

[Lauren]

wedgeh- Thankies, hon. ^^

Kristin- I'm glad you liked the video. I was already so worn out from the day, even though it was only noon. After I watched it, I felt that I should have put more energy into it. I couldn't really redo it though, since the winner was already picked. Oh, and everyone has a hairstyle that works better for them. I can't believe it took me 22 years to discover which one worked best for me. Tee hee.

st_catherine- Thank you so much. I know you through TIB. I recognized your name right away. ^_~

bernifest- I'm not on my own computer right now, so I can't remember what the name of the font is. Once I'm back at my apartment, I can let you know.

Cyn- Yeah, it was a more challenging semester, and I have a feeling that it's only going to get more interesting as time goes on. That's awesome how my entry affected you like that. I didn't realize people could be so affected like that-- I'll have to keep that in mind for the future. ^____^

Celena- Thank you so much for your support. That means a lot to me. I can't wait to see your new cut. Doesn't something small like that make you feel like you're on top of the world? I'm hoping that's how Wednesday goes. I've actually had pretty luck with my short hair... The maintenance deal for me is a lot easier than it is with long hair. I can put a little product in, through something like a bandana on (on a bad hair day) and it'll still look nice. I think the many layers allowed me to do that, but I know what you mean about it losing shape after a while. Mine is almost like that now. Oh, well. Change is good!

[Jen]

Congrats on the awesome grades sweets!  You really worked hard for them and definitely earned the grades you got.  Your love of writing and your creativity and intelligence really shines through and is reflected in your grades.  I only wish my grades were that stellar!

I didn't know it was Shawn's birthday!  Happy (belated) Birthday to Shawn!  Don't you love being December babies?  How fun it is to have your birthdays so close together... you can sort of do a double celebration.  ^^  

Ooooh, dying your hair?  What color are you thinking?  Are you going to do just highlights or the whole head of hair?  I actually dyed my hair last night.  I have these really noticeable natural red highlights that start showing in my hair every few months, and while they're pretty, I like having my hair darker, so I dye it every now and then to keep them at bay.  I'm getting it trimmed this Friday, but now that I read your entry, it would be sort of fun to have it cut and styled differently.  I don't know... there isn't really much you can do with longer hair, and I'm too afraid to cut it too short since I've spent so long growing it out (since high school!).  Maybe when I graduate I'll do something different.  ^__^  Can't wait to see pics of the new 'do!

[Pixie Wildflower]

Congrats on those good grades!