From an e-mail I got...a cute "awww" thing...but these are all true things, and for some reason, really mean something to me tonight.

1. At least 2 people in this world love you so much they would die
for you.

2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.

3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.

4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.

5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.

6. You mean the world to someone.

7. If not for you, someone may not be living.

8. Someone that you don't even know exists, loves you.

9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.

10. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely turned your back on the world.

11. When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won't get it...but keep believing in yourself, and I bet that, sooner or later, you will get it.

12. Always remember the compliments you received. Throw away the rude remarks.

13. Always tell someone how you feel about them; you'll feel much better when they know.

14. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.

haha. I hope I'm not known as the elmwoodstrip.com loser who puts up sappy away messages. =0) Although I suppose I have fit that category quite well..

By the way, Mike, we need to do some shopping down South asap...you raised an excellent point!

Chinatown, Seattle style.


Some Chamber Screamers in the press conference room of the Seattle Mariners.


I guess this is some famous landmark of Seattle?! =0P


This is us looking up at the ceiling in the Seattle Experience Music Project...their version of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Actually I never made it past the gift shop. But the restaurant was good. And the ceiling was neat.


Prom picture! Well, actually Chris and I in our Chamber Singers gear. What cuties.


One of the several "artistic" photographs that Pat took of my eyes in the rearview on our way to the city one day. Ooooh, deep.


The original Starbucks!

Ok well those are the most interesting ones I thought to put up but I'll probably put more random pictures up because I am obsessed with them all!

: (



p.s. did anyone else notice i ended two entries in a row (almost) with going to eat with my sister? ...wacko.

So here are a few pictures from the wonderful Seattle tour of the Fredonia Chamber Singers...



The beautiful Seattle skyline from Queen Anne Hill, one of the best places to see the city from.



Brian, Chris and me at the apartment Brian and Chris stayed at for almost the whole time. We actually are not drunk at all, despite the wacko faces from everyone.


Mmmm, a great hamburger place in Seattle.


My favorite picture...Kyle, Sean, Brian, Chris, Laura, and Lindsay and me kneeling. We're right by the Space Needle, in the Seattle Center.


me and Lindsay planning our move to Seattle...


After hiking all the way down this really gorgeous mountain, Chris and I are standing triumphantly on the rocks in the water. Wooo I felt so buff! (Notice I'm smiling...we haven't attempted to go back up yet...hahaha).


So we went to Baskin Robbins. I pull the van into a spot and right in front of me is this huge NO written in red marker on a huge piece of looseleaf paper. We all were just baffled and laughed for like ten minutes and I was like, guys, should I park here? and they're like...um...it just says no. Anyways, Chris asked the worker and she told us it's meant to imply that it's only meant for Baskin Robbins parking. Yes...very well stated by a giant NO ...also, please note the face Chris is making in this picture.



MB and me in our lovely Chamber dresses before a concert in Everett, WA.


The big tourist attraction (other than the NEED!) Pike Place Market - where the guys throw the fish around. Remember, Real World Seattle...??



THE NEED!!!...aka, The Space Needle. =0)


All righty, I have to go eat with my fabulous sister, who let me use her shower this morning, as my shower consisted of one stream of cold water. haha, why does my school have so many water problems?!?! More pics soon! =0)

and if you were with me tonight, i'd sing to you just one more time
a song for a heart so big, God wouldn't let it live...
may angels lead you in






always missing you and love you so much Lauren

Wow it has been so crazy long since I updated! Well I got back from seattle on Monday after a ten day long tour with the chamber singers. I had a really great time. Seattle is such an awesome city...it's really nice and laidback, not all crazy and in your face like New York. Not that I don't love NYC either, and can't wait to spend my big 21st birthday there ;0) But it was so much fun and I will put up pictures soon and go into more detail about some stuff.

So now I'm back and it's the first day of classes. I only had a music therapy class, chamber and studio. We had to do all these funny acting things in studio. I got my jury sheets and I sorta stunk. Oh well, it's a new semester and I'm gonna be fantastic. hahaha. Gerald Thomas Gray gave me the highest score of anyone :0)

I've started writing down all my dreams and stuff. I just bought a lil notebook to keep by my bed because Lindsay has this book all about dreams and stuff and I think that stuff is really fascinating.

Well time to go eat with my wacko sister. Sorry for the lack of updateage. More lata.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAUL!!!

It is a bit early on Thursday morning. Well it doesn't feel early because normally by now I would be in the office but now I am just home and sitting around. Today we leave for Freddy and then tomorrow at 5:30 AM we leave for Seattle! Now I've heard there are some random wicked snowswtorms. But maybe bad snow for them is an average day in Buffalo. Who knows? Anyways, I'm pumped. As long as no terrorist bombs go off and we sing well. =0)

I finally found the Harry cd I've been looking for for awhile, YAY! I actually bought it at FYE, which is rare. I was hoping they would be having big sales like the one at the best mall, but alas. Anyway it was only $13.99 so that's about average. Not the usual mall prices. Then last night I packed and hung out with Chris and listened to music and picked out books. I think I am aiming a little too high...I have like 5 books I want to read on tour but I know that is crazy. Chris's mom recommended I read East of Eden by John Steinbeck. However since I couldn't find the book by itself, I ended up taking out a large hardcover book containing five Steinbeck books. That will be nice and light to carry around, eh? I've already read Grapes of Wrath but maybe I'll have time to get through all four other ones, HAHAHAHA....

Thanks to my Buffalo crew for making this break really great, I needed it! Mike, I'm glad you finally are putting up the soap even though I failed you. If you need any help just ask. Yay for the mall and thanks for my Rolling Stone subscription. Jill, can't wait for our little road trip. I'm sure Connor will rock our worlds. Di, I wish I could have seen you more before I left. Good luck at the box factory and I hope I will see you in February in Boston! Jen, sorry you had to go so soon. I'm glad you liked your Christmas presents. Thanks for being just as drunk as me on New Years. hahaha....Beast, same to you! Thanks for being our supplier, and you should come see Bright Eyes too! Jesse, thanks for my little present and it was awesome to see you. Don't go to Europe so much! Mo, you too, hehehe. And I want to come see your apartment in big old Schenectady. Maybe on tour I can bring the whole Chamber Singers group. Besides we never took a picture of me for your phone, therefore I must come see you! Yo, what did I see you like once?!?!?! CRAZY! That is just not enough!!!!!!!! I will see you sometime soon and thanks again for the DD duty.

Wow I feel like I just wrote a yearbook entry. haha. Ok I have to shower and pack and yay all that fun stuff! Hopefully I'll update from Seattle, stay tuned... =o)

So my sister bought Grease 2 yesterday. Yes, Grease 2. Out of every movie ever made, she picks Grease 2. How do you feel about this? I know at least 2 people who believe that Grease 2 was better than the original. I fail to see the logic behind this. I admit Grease 2 is amusing, with classics such as "We're Gonna Score Tonight!" and then that Sex Ed song I've still never seen cuz it's always censored and then of course "Cool Rider". However there's no comparison to the original.

So I'm just updating for the heck of it. While I am excited to go to Seattle, I'll miss it here. It's been a great break, thanks to everyone for making it rock my world. I'm so determined to make 2004 great. I want a whole lot more than the boy next door, I want hell on wheeeeels.... hmmm sorry Grease 2 moment!

oh heck i don't like forced entries. You really have to be feeling it. I can't wait to get our apartment, =o) I feel like we should have our own branch of elmwoodstrip.com. Maybe an MK and Mike special edition Elmwood radio channel or something. That could be an edition to our glorious cd wall...a special radio station. I won't lie, it would be quite the mix.

The 3rd Harry Potter movies comes out in June. I feel like that is a little ridiculous, since we are already on the 5th book. This kid will be like 30 by the time all the movies are out. Have you jumped on the Harry bandwagon? I latched on last summer...I couldn't help it. I didn't love the first book right away, but once I kept reading, mm there was no turning back. You should give it a try. Some people might not want to because it is too "commercial" but they really are fun. And pretty easy too.

Do you believe in soulmates? All this perfect couple talk has made me think about that. I like to think of it not so much as having ONE soulmate, but many. I don't really know if I believe there is one person for everyone. I know there are several people in my life that I feel undeniably connected with, and how is that not a soulmate? But I don't necessarily want to date them. I might not believe in perfect couples...but I know that sometimes two people are so ridiculously great together that it might as well be perfection. Even if it takes them forever to get together, people just know that it's supposed to happen. YA KNOW!?! ....... ahhh, amour. Who does that whole thing anyway?

So, bed time? Yes I believe. I must get up in like 6 hours...haha I'm such a cranky mofo when I'm tired. I get to go into the office YET AGAIN TOMORROW! I feel like an attorney when I'm working there, haha. So yes bed time. go buy the album Clarity by Jimmy Eat World. NOW.

so tonight was so great. a harry cd for $2.50, an amusing waiter at applebee's, high voice galore, a legolas tin (THANK YOU J-DAWG!!!), an exclusive european treasure from mo (thaaaaaaaanks!!!!!) and a male j***e b******** sighting (censored). ahh these crazy buffalonians =o)

even though I sort of think resolutions are dumb because they are usually just things people should do normally, and are usually forgotten by january 6th...i will make a short list, similar to Mike's, but of course not as entertaining, as usual =0)

1) to travel...this is a bit cheating, because I am leaving for seattle on the 8th, so this is like a guaranteed resolution. I would just like to add on to that. I'm thinking about making a trip to pittsburgh with jill and beast in february, and have promised to go to guilderland, and then there's new orleans hopefully...and of course, CHAMBER SINGERS TOUR! (turning 21 while in new york city...=0)

2) to make money. and actually keep it. What an annoying thing, but essential if I wish to afford the best apartment ever. Well, the apt plus all the other essentials (i.e. rain forest room, sliding ladder, ICE CREAM MAKER, waffle maker, 30 to 60 magazine subscriptions, sandwich maker...)

All right well that's all I can think of. And I'd like a higher GPA. And to see Jimmy Eat World in concert again. Well, hopefully they will go on tour, haha. And to find the most fantastic apartment everrrrr. AND TO SPEAK IN HIGH VOICE!! (written in high voice)

good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite

happy new year, again! i can't say i am sorry to see 2003 go...i am looking forward to making 2004 a great one. paul's was a lot of fun, thanks for having us!! i'm really glad di and matt came. i was nervous about the whiskey but it went down quite well and certainly did the trick =o) sorry for no making out but there was plenty of other making out to go around.

i would like to say i'm a superstar at guesstures, by the way. i really stole the show tonight, if i do say so myself. yessss team hotness.

so i have to be up at 7 am tomorow, and its 1, yay! i feel like i'm back at school. but i get to make money, soooo that is nice.

oh i can't wait to go back and see my screamers on the 8th!!! yay seattle.

why is harry connick jr sooooo amazing...i leave you to ponder this...mmmmm.....