2015: A Year in Reflection

2015 will be over in eighteen days. EIGHTEEN DAYS.

How crazy is that?!?! 

 It seems like literally just yesterday that I was reflecting on the events of last year...and now THIS year. Speaking of which, this year has been an interesting one for me. A lot of new tests and trials throughout the year, but laughs and smiles to balance them out. It hasn't been a great year for my health, but I keep hoping and praying it will turn around and I'm crossing my fingers that 2016 may finally be the year! ;)

Here were some highlights:

As you can tell, most of these are Living Waters related things: it was another fantastic spring, summer, and fall at my most favorite place on earth. Whether it was kayaking Labor Day Weekend with Nicole, my impromptu birthday party during Columbus Day Weekend, or saying goodbye to my old home...the girls dorms (RIP), it was a blast once again!

But the others include my spontaneous trip to Boston in September, Superbowl (AKA the snooze fest) with Miah (bottom right corner), and I can't forget anything and everything that had to do with my favorite guy, JB.

I don't really have any resolutions for 2016 (I wouldn't be able to keep them anyways...), but I wish you all a safe and happy New Year! 

- Laura xx

HAPPY 1-YEAR!

Well, technically the anniversary was yesterday, but who's counting? ;)

Overall, I can say it's been a wonderful year since I started this blog. Full of...*interesting* times...but nonetheless, good.

I don't think I have too much to say, but to thank you scattered readers who might once in a blue moon read this blog! Even if it's not a regular read for you, I enjoy writing it for you all! Hopefully over the next year as I get a new camera and perhaps a website, this blog can expand and become more of a constant thing for me. (and perhaps for you too!)


Onward and upward, my dear friends!!

Laura xx

Five Movies Which I Can Watch Over and Over!

If you did not know, I'm a film junkie...so these are five movies which I guess you could qualify as my favorites!

1. The Princess Bride

Is this really a surprise? Definitely my all-time favorite film, this follows Buttercup as she fights her controlling fiance so she can marry her "twue love." ;) If you're looking for a movie that could be in many genres, this is perfect! (By the way...I can literally quote the entire movie. Just ask my family!)

2. Sleepless in Seattle

Part 1 of my movie OTP- Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. This definitely is a tear-jerker as Sam is a widower finally looking for a new love. Annie has overheard him over a radio program and she gradually falls in love with him...while pondering her relationship with her fiance. So cheesy and cliche...but lovely.

3. You've Got Mail

Part 2 of my movie OTP- Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. (First of all, this movie has a FANTASTIC movie soundtrack and supporting cast, as does Sleepless in Seattle.) But anyways, this was in the heyday of the bursting internet (actually the year I was born....kinda sad), and Joe Fox and Kathleen Kelly meet over the internet, but don't know each others names. As it turns out, they are rival business partners...and it just turns out really funny because they're in love with each other...but hate each other at the same time! 

3. Bridget Jones's Diary (and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason):

OKAY FIRST OF ALL, COLIN FIRTH AND HUGH GRANT. Need I say more? Just kidding, but this is a relatively new favorite series for me. I think I watched them for the first time over February break? I don't know, but I became obsessed with these movies. Based loosely on Pride & Prejudice (AKA pretty much my favorite book besides the Bible), this follows 30-something Bridget Jones on her quest to find a sensible man. Chaos ensues when she wins the heart of Mark Darcy (Firth) and Daniel Cleaver (Grant), who are rivals. Hilarious movie, and basically I feel like Bridget Jones 99.9% of the time. (PS, who DOESN'T love Colin Firth? Ughhh!)

5. Clueless:

As if! ;) Honestly this is another movie I can actually quote word for word. If you've never watched Clueless (which you must if you're a teenage girl, it's like a rite of passage), it's based off of another Jane Austen novel, Emma (another favorite of mine!!). In a sense, Cher is well...clueless! It follows her as she tries to constantly improve the lives of others around her, while she is not paying enough attention to things in life involving her. By the way...Paul Rudd plays her charming ex-stepbrother Josh...it's wonderful. ;) 

Honorable mentions: "13 Going on 30", "Sabrina" (1995 version), "While You Were Sleeping", "Runaway Bride", and "The Cutting Edge". 

What are some of your must-watch movies?

Laura xx

Summer: My Reflections

Man, you guys, I have to be honest...this summer was hard.

After six weeks at Living Waters, I'm STILL not used to my immediate family working along beside me. It was just an odd summer...but I was supported by SO many people, who I am beyond grateful for.

While the summer was tough on me emotionally, it also opened me up. It was WAY beyond my comfort zone to be completely alone at LW, but I learned how to cope. I was kind of babied when my family was there, so I had to learn to fend for myself. (Which is sad because I'm almost 17; I should know how to fend for myself.) It also was a cruel reminder that I'm not serving people, but the Lord. I felt that God was pulling me away from camp along with my family, but I've now realized it's the complete opposite. I needed to be there to he could mold me into a stronger person and bring me out from that tight comfort zone. (My wonderful two staff bosses, Shauna and Allie were also tremendous helps in figuring that out. Shout-out to them!) And so of course I bawled my eyes out the entire way home.

But this is not the end!!

I still have numerous weekends to soak in the last bits of Living Waters, and my fellowship with the people there. And to my utter relief, it is looking up that I still get to work there again next summer. So cheers to a summer well spent, and cheers to my junior year of high school starting tomorrow!!

          - Laura xx

Blogs I LOVE!

To all of the...I don't know, perhaps five people who actually read my blog...these are blogs I highly recommend!

1.) Lucky Day Blog

Who DOESN'T absolutely love Shelby Revis?! Her blog is probably my favorite fashion blog, everything she puts on is splendid, and I love seeing her Disney Style especially! Check her out for great style tips, and adorable, preppy clothing!

Link: http://www.luckydayblog.com

2.) Skye Marie

This girl hits close to home, literally. Skye is a good friend of my friend Adrianna, and she runs this spiritually challenging blog. She speaks the truth in love, and her posts always cause you to really about your relationship with Jesus. I so admire her for her courage to stand and proclaim truth!!

Link: http://www.skyemariegraham.wordpress.com

3.) Southern Belle in Training

Another Maine blogger, and she's a gem! I highly suggest you check out Annalise's blog! She is a Maine girl transplanting herself down in NC for college, hence her title. She recently got to visit France and her escapades are always fun to read about. She also is a Christian, and her faith plays a major role in her blog. 

Link: http://www.southernbelleintraining.com

Do you have any fashion/lifestyle bloggers you particularly enjoy??

Laura xx