Laura's loop

I'm back

2006-11-06T16:44:00.000-08:00

After a long hiatus, I'm back in blogger mode. I can't attribute my absence to one particular reason, but it was a combination of factors ranging from my laptop being stolen in the summer (eek!) to staring a new program (???) to working 2 jobs (crazy) that has cut into my designated blogging time quite signifigantly. It could also be that I have nothing worthwhile to write about... however that never stopped me before when I documented my adventures in infectious diseases.

I suppose I could have told you all about my wisdom tooth extraction, but frankly it
was a bit anti-climactic...except that I looked like I'd been punched on the face for a month after the procedure.

If you look closely, you can see evidence of this adventure in my engagement photos, seen here.

That's about all for now, I promoise a more insightful post in the future.

Laura

Rain

2006-07-12T10:21:00.000-07:00

I'm lying in bed (as per usual), watching the rain come down. Its pretty relaxing, just listening to it hit the trees. Being sick has forced me to slow down, take it easy and enjoy the small, everyday stuff I generally take for granted. Like ice cream. I've enjoyed my nigthly ice cream outing- the one time I actually get out of the house. Don't feel to sorry for me. I've watched a lot of movies and tv shows (Arrested Development is comedic genious for those who aren't aware), and read quite a bit. I also have written some emails which is good becasue I'm sometimes not great at keeping in touch. All in all, except for the discomfort and pain last week and the missing work/being paid part, mono has not been an entirely terrible experience. I have some good friends visiting me tonight, so that should make for some excitement- maybe even more than ice cream, who knows?

The leper.

The Mononator

2006-07-10T09:36:00.000-07:00

So I learned today that officially have mono. It's not so bad, really. I don't feel really super sick anymore, my thorat isn't as sore and I'm not really weak or anything, I just get tired after a few hours awake doing nothing. Apparently the only way to get batte this to sleep and drink fluids and not exert myself at all. So my treatment is that I get to lie around and be completely lazy and eat popsicles all day- doesn't sound too terrible, does it? In fact, if you ever want an excuse for not working, I suggest you get "the kissing disease" ( I guess it depends on who you kiss- that still doesn't explain my sickness) I, on the other hand, actually wish I was working and back to my normal, healthy life. Its getting pretty boring just being a blob-person. I've tried to read, but after a while I sort of zone out. My concentation and critical-thinking skills aren't what they should be, or it could be the codine I was on for pain, who knows. I really do miss having people around to talk to, and I'm not alowed to kiss my finace for the forseeable future. T.R.S. (This really sucks) I'm trying to keep it positive though. As a way to modivate my body to kill all the mono-virus evilness in me, I've given myself a new nickname THE MONONATOR.I think it has a nice ring to it. Mono, be afraid- I'll be back!

These are my options?

2006-07-05T19:54:00.000-07:00

So if you have spoken to me recently, and not recognized my voice, you are not in the minority. I was informed yesterday that I have either streap throat or mono to be confirmed (T.B.C.) upon the results the throat swabby test.
When I was told of the two possible sources of my symptoms (I won't get into it-not pretty), all I could think are "these are my options?"
Frik, T.S.
(this sucks)

Are you the one?

2006-06-26T18:44:00.000-07:00

I think I may have found what I'm looking for. After countless attempts, some good, some bad, some very, very ugly, I've finally found "the one".

Wedding Dress.

Apparently this is a very big deal for the typical bride. I'm not going to lie, its becoming more and more important to me, as I begin to realize this one little detail will haunt me for the rest of my life. The dress may only be worn once for a couple of hours- but those photos are forever.

In communicating with a couple of helpful girlfriends, one a fellow bride-to-be and another a old married lady ( just kidding Jess), its becoming clear that some how women just instinctually know things. Like the dress, you put one on and instantly, but the way it looks, but mostly by the way you feel- you know. Suddenly its not just a size 14 that they've pinned up all the way down your back so you can barely move- you can see past all that and fall in love with it cause its your dress.
Like Liza reminded me, its the same thing with the guy who gave you the ring. You say yes because you know... just like the dress, that he's the one.

Sorry about the incredible cheese factor... it had to be said.

Laura

The end..and beginning

2006-06-07T20:21:00.000-07:00

So tommorrow I officially "convocate" from university. This is just a fancy way of saying I get to shake a few important people's hands and recieve my degree. After four years it seems a little anti-climatic, maybe because school seems like a loooooooooong time ago plus I know I'll be back in classes next Sept as usual. At t he same time, it's pretty cool an end to a chaper in my life. I can't wait to see old classmates and reminice about the hours spent in the library or stressing about assignments that I've now thrown out. It was not all in vain, now I have a piece of paper!

I really am starting to realise how much I changed and learned over the course of 4 years. Not just academically, but also personally and spiritually.

This week I had a change in jobs at work, I won't get into the details but basically now I'm a research assistant involved with work on a very interesting topic (however one I know very little about!). It's a honour to be asked to be a part of this project which makes it even more intimidating. Somehow I feel like 4 years isn't enough to really get prepared for "the real world". The key I suppose is realising that life is about these transitions. Nonetheless, I'll still worry about tripping on the stage tomorrow. I guess some things will never change.

Laura

If I'm not already distracted enough...

2006-06-01T20:56:00.001-07:00

I realise its been a while since my last post... what I didn't realise is that people actually read this thing ( who are not fiances). Housemates do too! (Thanks Kat). Speaking of fiances, do you know what the funny thing about being engaged is? You no longer have a boyfriend. You all the suddenly have a fiance and that is weird.

I'm still getting used to it. The ring now fits and is back on my finger after a two week hiatus (not 20 minutes like the lady in the store claimed) Now comes the task of actually planning a wedding. Arg. Throw in a master's degree and a job and I have a feeling next year will be a busy one. Right now I'm enjoying being engaged, taking long walks and enjoying the way my ring sparkles in the morning light.

I decided I'm going to try and post some pics soon... so all my devoted readers stay tuned!

Laura

Big, huge, crazy news...

2006-05-06T21:44:00.000-07:00

Youv'e probably already read this in People weekly already but...

CURTIS AND I ARE ENGAGED!

As of approx. 3 hours ago.

I would go into all the details but engagements are exhusting, apparently.
Thanks to Sara, Amber and Corry for helping with such a amazing surpise. I'll never have to complain that I don't have a good engagement story.
And to Curtis... for everything.

I'll give more updates at a later time when I'm more composed and its fully sunk in.

Laura

To good to be true...

2006-04-28T09:01:00.000-07:00

You know those times when you can't seem to get the smile off your face? They come along so rarely, usually when you least expect it. For whatever reason, life is just good. I found out that I got my dream summer job yesterday. Its contributing to something important, intellectually stimulating, in my field, and pretty good pay (especially for a humble B.A.) On top of that, its really close to where I am living for the summer, with some great people . In addition, my marks are coming back and I pulled of B in stats- a real relief for me (I've never been so excited over a B in my life). I can get pretty stressed despite my cool, calm exterior, and I was worried that grad school would decide that I didn't make the cut after all. All in all, I'm feeling pretty lucky, but as someone always reminds me- there's no such thing.
I guess I'm feeling blessed- cause I know I don't really deserve the life I ended up with. I could have just as easily been born into a very different situation. I guess there is always a part of me that thinks its all going to fall apart tomorrow, but until then, you'll know why I'm smiling.

Cheers,
Laura

Done and done

2006-04-25T20:35:00.000-07:00

So as of last night at approximately 8:30 pm, I finished my last exam of my undergrad career. Yes I'm feeling quite proud/ nostalgic/ confused and many other mixed emotions. Instead of making this all about me, I thought I would thank the people who gave me a helping hand or contributed in some way to this journey I like to call a B.A.

Firstly, Mom and Dad for your emotional, spiritual, and financial support. You probably won't see the return on your "investment" for some time, but on the upside I have another WLU degree to add to the family collection.

To my sis and bro- I know you'll never live up to the high bar I have set, but don't let that discourage you. Thanks for all the family msn chats. Car, stay in college, you'll get marketable skills. Dan, can't wait to be your T.A., even if you are smarter than me.

My roomates, past, present and future. You put up with my Stompyness, my mess, my cleaning sprees, my tendency to watch French TV without realizing it. I love you all.
Angie, Laura, Sara, Rach... you are all winners in my eyes.

I'll give one big shout out to anyone I met at Laurier who have enriched my life, and me yours, whether it be through long study sessions, projects, "campus clubs" , (if I had joined any) Laurier International, Team Awesome or any other randoms that I met along the way. Stay in touch- I'll be down the street (UW) if you need me.

My Church, The Embassy, and all the great people I have and still am meeting- thanks also for the Mon night service so I didn't have to feel guity about not getting up on Sun.

My boyfriend, Curtis, thanks for showing me that I am not an emotional void after all ,and for taking care of me when I get stressed and for your support and totally unfounded belief in me. I love you.

So that pretty much does it. I realize this sounds a lot like an Oscar acceptance speech- and now the music is playing as a subtle hint to exit stage right. Since no one actually reads this blog I'm not to worried about forgetting or offending someone. If by chance I do, thanks and I love you all.

Laura Innis, B.A

Itchy and scratchy

2006-04-20T18:53:00.000-07:00

So I'm sitting at home on on a Thurday night, middle of exam time, with only a finite number of hours left to study for the two remaining exams of my undergraduate career. Why am I not being productive in a cubicle in the library, you ask? Because it appears I am allergic to work. You heard me, allergic. Now I'm not making this up. There are actual symtoms. Such as, a collection of fun little hives streching all the way up my arms. A lovely ichy sensation that makes me want to skrach my face off, but I know that if I give into this senasation, I willl A) be disfugured and B) only be making this experience worse. I'm also tripped out on Benedryl. Its a lose-lose situation. SO to make the best of it I decided not to whine or cry, but to jump on the bandwagon and join the world of blogging so that others can share in my discomfort, if only through the written word. It's the least I can do. I can't guaruntee this blog will have anything meaningful or insightful to say, but at least I get to talk about my skin disorders to a captive audience of myself and... I guess thats all at this point. At least I can safely say I have set the record for the most uncomfortable first post ever. I'll try to live up to the very high bar I have set.
Yours forever rashy,
Laura