"Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth." - Muhammad Ali

Here's a crazy picture for ya.

Wrote a post for Two Teens Two Continents today. I think I might use the same idea for my personal narrative? http://www.twoteenstwocontinents.blogspot.com/

Funny thought: today my friend told me he forgot to put on underwear and didn't notice until 4th period. Seriously though, I kid you not.

RUN AWAY.

STUPID CRITICAL ANALYSIS PAPER I HATE YOU. I ABSOLUTELY HATE YOU.

You guys... I need a punching bag, honestly. I really do. I need to get my frustration out somewhere or else I'm pretty sure I'm going to be a very stressful and horrible person. School is pushing me over the dang edge. Luckily I'm going Saturday (at like 6 in the morning) to play soccer with some guys and maybe that can be my chance to push people and shove and be aggressive and crazy. Wow... I'm starting to freak myself out.

Holy cow. I wish I was in Austin.

Whathehayshuhnaynay

Freaking Math. I hate it. I got a 92% on the last test (one of 3 who got higher than 90 because she's such a dang harsh grader), but the upcoming one on Thursday is going to kick my booty. If you're good at pre-calculus, let me know, and I shall bake you some cookies or something.

Today at lunch it was like Sarah, Keaton, Travis, Lydon, Julia, Ben and me, and I almost died. Keaton is SO FREAKING HILARIOUS. I was laughing my head off and I was like "Keaton, I'm going to pee my pants" and he goes "I already did." He is so insane, I swear he has diarrhea of the mouth and doesn't filter anything. He just says whatever comes to his mind and it's like alllllll the time. I love it. Not to mention his ridiculously amazing noises. You would think he'd be some cocky pretty boy, but he's just crazy. LOVE IT.

Favourite music right now:

The Maine

Flying Lotus

Sophie & Tessa Barton

Pomplamoose

Regina Spektor

Iron&Wine

Okay gonna go write a 1,000 word essay. JOY

Clueless Person of the Day Award.

Hang onto your butts people. This is a hilarious story.

I don't know if any of you heard about this, but I thought it was priceless. In Oregon, there is a man named Ryan Homsely who just recently was found out to be the 'Where's Waldo Bank Robber'. Now this bank robber wasn't just any old bank robber... he was a stupid one.

He began to post some of his successes on facebook, changed his statuses involving bank robbing, and uploaded a profile picture of the Where's Waldo bandit. One of his statuses even said that he 'was now a bank robber.' I love how he just outs himself on Facebook. Like seriously? I could rob a bank better than you.

When I heard this story I logged onto facebook, searched 'Ryan Homsely' and found his profile. To my excitement it was an open profile and I could see his wall. It's absolutely hilarious, look at it if you have facebook. Do you want to know what I did next?

I added him.

I'm a lucky one.

This is Spencer. He is one of my best friends in the whole entire world. I love him more than you could ever comprehend, and he's pretty much my brother. I used to say little brother then I realized he's taller than me... crap. But that's besides the point. He is abso-freaking-lutely one of the coolest kids you'll ever meet. I miss him. You see, he lived in Switzerland the same time as me. It was pretty much the best two years ever. We laughed so freaking hard all the time, and it was so sad when I found out I was moving because I knew I was going to miss him a TON. But then I realized that when you have a friend like him, you don't ever not see them again. You'll find a way. And boy howdy, I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to see him next. What an amazing kid.

That's my post for the day:)

Aw chika aw

I miss these times. That's me in the middle.

Today we went to an AFS thing (AFS is the program Siri is with) and I got to meet a TON of foreign exchange students. I love them all. Seriously, I had the absolute best time with some of them. I'm going to have a movie night with just foreign exchange students soon and it'll rock. It was amazing how we just clicked, like we'd been best friends since ever. And there were two from Switzerland. I almost cried just talking to them... Not really, but really.

Well last night was a fail, so I'm going to try and laugh it off and not worry. Except one problem: I'm a chick and that's like impossible. But hey, I had a learning experience. Whatevah haole, I'm just a lolohead and last night all I could think was 'hana okolele'. BAH.

I have a plan. I prayed and prayed and this was my answer. This plan is going to make me a really happy person, I already know. Plan help change the world will be in operation soon.

Brent Weaver has Ewing's Sarcoma, has been battling since 2008, and is now doing more chemo to keep fighting. If you could attend this or donate to support him would mean the absolute world to me. http://brentevent.org/ I will be there, so if you need a ride or something call me.

Please, please please do what you can. Don't forget to keep him in your prayers.

V is for VICTORY.

So. This weekend could have just been the best weekend it could have ever been. It. was. so. much. fun.

Friday night was fun, when downtown with a friend. Then Saturday morning the stake YW had a volleyball tournament, which we WON. We absolutely rocked the house, and it was a lot more stressful than I thought it was going to be. Haha, Mormons are so competitive.

Then we went to lunch, went home, and got ready for the dance. Kate, Brynn, Siri, my mom and I drove to Richmond but it took us forEV-AH because the dang GPS took us to freaking Cinco Ranch. We were like what the? But we eventually got there and it ended up being the funnest dance ever. Oh my heavens, it was AMAZING.

Not to mention church today was especially amazing... I love missionaries. As well as that, I don't have as much homework as I thought so I think I'll be able to go to bed before 1 tonight! DANG RIGHT!

I love my life.

-lo

I don't believe that old cliche that 'good things come to those who wait'. i think good things come to those who want something so bad they can't sit

I uploaded a different version of this onto flickr... http://www.flickr.com/photos/lauren-dautel/4996904411/ I don't know why because I like this version better! Haha.

You guys. I am so tired. Would you like to know what I'm supposed to be doing right now? Writing an essay about how women are 'marked' and will never be 'unmarked.' Whatever that means... HI actually really like this topic, I just don't feel like writing right now. It's going to be a lonnnggg night but hey- it's all good. Tomorrow is Friday. Fridays are great.

Anyhoozle, you know that awkward moment when you're trying to get past someone but you both keep going the same way? That happened to me three times today. THREE. I was like holy cow, I am so sorry. I don't know how to work my legs.

YOU GUYS. I am slacking so hard on reading the B.o.M. This is not okay with me. We're in D&C this year and I haven't had time to do my reading. I need to make time, this is getting ridiculous. I should order D&C in French eh? I have the B.o.M. in French but no D&C.

If I had all the time in the world, do you want to know what I'd do with it?

I would dance so hard, every day for hours. Street, urban, hip hop-none of that ballet stuff, I would suck at it. But I would work so ridiculously hard on that and I know I would love every sweating second of it. I would travel the world, and I know that's something that gives me more happiness that most things. I can't even explain it... but I love it more than words. I would have photo shoots every day. This summer I got a glimpse of that when I had several shoots every week. It really is one of the funnest things, trying to capture a person in a picture. I would dedicate time to serving friends, family, strangers. I know I would learn so much from that, because every time I do it makes me feel like I know myself better and better, uncovering who I am. It's a cool thing. I would sing. Sing my heart out, learn a great song and sing it in front of a great audience. I would better myself by learning as much as I can. I love learning about new things and I think it would be so amazing to be able to pick and choose things that interest me and broaden my horizons by learning about them, languages included. Knowledge is something no one can take away from you. If only I had time like that.

But that's just me. What would you do if you had all the time in the world?

I'm a lyrical gangster.

Picture: nerd day. I put the camera on self timer and then when I went to go retrieve it I tripped. On nothing.

You guys. I am so happy today. SO HAPPY! Last night was probably one of the crappiest nights of junior year, but then everything turned around at midnight. It was a happy, happy time. And today was absolutely amazing for no apparent reason at all. Well, maybe a couple of things did factor into it... yes they did.

You know what song I like right now? Massage Situation by Flying Lotus. Mhmmm freak yeah. I get to thank Jolly for that one, what a stud. Every time I think of him I think 'ho ho ho' and I don't know why.

So I was looking through old photos and I found this one. That's the 'rents with a cute little Indian family that converted and was in our ward. They were amazing and their dad was the sweetest man you've ever met. I miss them.

You know what is super cool? The world is a very small place. It's even smaller when you're Mormon. And it's even SMALLER when you're an expat. It's just craziness all around.

Yesterday I was driving Brynn home from my house and we were blasting Like a G6 (making up our own lyrics... best thing ever) and it might just win the award for funniest driving moment of my life. I love her and I almost hit the curb. Here is a quote from her that captures her essence perfectly: "If you don't ask him you'll end up like me! And now I spend all my time learning about terrorism!"

I'm stressing about homecoming... Like legitimately stressing. I am so stupid sometimes you guys, it's ridiculous. Hah oh deary me what am I going to do with myself? I don't know. I just don't know. Oh one more thing... you know what absolutely tanks? When you spend a LONG time stressfully doing something for someone and they don't even acknowledge or see what you did. Not like I'm asking for a thanks, but they didn't even get what you were doing for them, and it was something really important to you. And in the end you're like "Great. I fail at life and you didn't even get to see what I worked on for you." argh, sorry I just complained. Sorry sorry sorry.

Something I wrote once that I found interesting.

I'm not exactly the fragile kind of girl. I'm not the kind of girl who is sensitive when you argue with her, and I'm not the kind of girl who tries to make you feel bad for her by telling you all her misfortunes and making you feel sorry for her. I'm the kind of girl who swallows her tears as easily as she swallows her pride. I'm the kind of girl who loves good walks and conversation. I'm the kind of girl that could never be a wallflower. I'm the kind of girl who likes golden hours and girl talk, but will get down and dirty as soon as she can. I'm the kind of girl who writes out absolutely everything. I'm the kind of girl who makes a million and one mistakes but loves it. I'm the kind of girl who was born to make something- maybe not perfection, but excellence is good enough for me. I'm the kind of girl who hates math, but loves the fact that one plus one equals two. I'm the kind of girl who wishes she was a lot more than she is. I'm the kind of girl who will embarrass herself because she's clumsier than all get out. I'm the kind of girl who will open up to most anyone she meets because she loves a good story. I'm the kind of girl who worries about really stupid things. I'm the kind of girl who will look problems in the eye and say "Bring it" but I'm also the kind of girl who won't be afraid to shed a tear in front of those she loves because that's what life is about. I'm the kind of girl who cries when she's happy, more than when she's sad. I'm the kind of girl who has endless amounts of dreams and goals and is constantly trying to find out how to make them happen. I'm the kind of girl who wishes the girly side of her wasn't just a school act and the guys' basketball shirts and shorts wasn't really a part of who I am. I'm the kind of girl who's main concern is the happiness of her family as a whole. I'm the kind of girl who doesn't even want to know where she'd be without God. I'm the kind of girl who knows what she wants, and one day, just one day, I'm going to get it.

I'm just that kind of girl.

Dude... some guy in a wolf costume with a light saber just said hi to you.

Picture: when we went to Sarah' apartment downtown. SO fun and SO cool. I love downtown.

Tomorrow's pep rally is Nerd Day. I don't know whether I'll dress up or not. I mean, do I even need to dress up?

Anyhoozle, this blog is better because it's combined with my friend Kim, but he hasn't posted in a while so I'm going to scold him soon. http://twoteenstwocontinents.blogspot.com/

I don't have much time (nor ideas for that matter...) to post so I shall come back later or post tomorrow if my brain starts working again. Wait... I have to write at least one thing substantial. Hmmm. Today in seminary Bro. Harris said something really funny about tye dye and granola and I laughed pretty hard. Oh, and I got a 105 on a french test. Wahey!

Keep Austin Weird.

So I never got to report back on my trip to Austin! It was amazing. The fam and I (I keep on forgetting Siri is my sister...) had SO MUCH FUN. The drive up there was so hilarious, my mom, Siri and I just laughed and sang and partied the whole way there. One of the funnest things was when we went farther out into the country to this small little town and went to a bunch of antique shops and flea markets. Something weird about me... I have this weird obsession with old pictures. Like, super old ones with random people in them. There was this one of a boy (probably 18?) with his graduation hat and robe on, and it was black and white and reeeeeaally old. I was going to buy it but then we had to leave and I was so upset, I wanted it so bad. Even though I had NO idea who this random person was, I just felt special looking at it knowing that this person has a story.

We went to a bunch of cool places, and hit up the UT campus. My dad showed me around and showed me everything he did and places he went and all that jazz. It was really cool- he showed me the scholarship plaque his name used to be under and all this awesome stuff. You know, I just realized how proud of my dad I am. My dad is such a beast, he works hard and loves us so much. Best man I've ever known.

OH YEAH and I got peed on by a bat, can't forget that one. It wasn't funny, but everyone was laughing their heads off. Austin is really cool though, kinda indie, kinda rock, kinda crazy. It's just... weird. Now I get those "Keep Austin Weird" shirts haha! But I had so much fun and Siri and I spent every night talking out butts off. She's so fun, I'm seriously so grateful she's here. I love have 3 sisters.

Boy, smile.

I'm entering a photography (feedback much appreciated, tell me which ones you like!http://www.flickr.com/photos/lauren-dautel/) as well as writing contest. I think I might combine the two articles I wrote on Jeff. We shall see what I use for both. I'll keep you posted. And I have the best family and friends that support me. How did I get so lucky? I don't know. But I'm sure grateful.

Today was such a good day. Except it was pouring- which I actually love by the way- so I couldn't go run which I was really quite excited for. But hey- life is good.

For an hour and a half today after school I put up 12ft long banners around school for the football team. By myself. I was so proud that I got them up with just two hands. Can I get a WOOT WOOT. Tomorrow will be busy since I have seminary (wake up at 5:30), then a PB & J Project (for kids in Africa) meeting at 7:15, school, homework, studying, reading, then mutual. Hopefully I won't have some other meeting I don't know about after school.

I'm in a good mood.

It's called RETALIATION!

I took this picture today.

Would you like to hear a totally un-inspiring quote? I love this one, could just be one of my faves.

“Have you ever been in love? Horrible isn't it? It makes you so vulnerable. It opens your chest and it opens up your heart and it means that someone can get inside you and mess you up. You build up all these defenses, you build up a whole suit of armor, so that nothing can hurt you, then one stupid person, no different from any other stupid person, wanders into your stupid life...You give them a piece of you. They didn't ask for it. They did something dumb one day, like kiss you or smile at you, and then your life isn't your own anymore. Love takes hostages. It gets inside you. It eats you out and leaves you crying in the darkness, so simple a phrase like 'maybe we should be just friends' turns into a glass splinter working its way into your heart. It hurts. Not just in the imagination. Not just in the mind. It's a soul-hurt, a real gets-inside-you-and-rips-you-apart pain. I hate love.” -Neil Gaiman.

This is such a messed up, bi-polar post. Totally confusing I know- story of my life.

Trying to make life decisions but it's pretty hard when you're still in high school.

So the past 3 weeks have been possibly the most stressful 3 three weeks of my life for multiple reasons. And since I'm on my three day weekend up in Austin, I was like "Yes! Perfect time to relax and not worry!" But being me, I found something to worry about. Always.

It shouldn't even be something to worry about, I mean it's not like I have to make this decision RIGHT NOW or even in the next couple of years... But I've been putting a ton of thought and effort into what I want my life to be like when I grow up. I used to want to be something along the lines of 'queen of corporate america', or maybe someone who runs a buisness overseas. I'm pretty set on the whole living overseas dealio because that's what I've grown up doing and I've loved every second of it. And I know I would do absolutely anything to get that.

Then I realized that buisness might not be my thing. I just don't know how interested I'll be in it. I never seriously considered photography as an option, and mostly because my parents are always like "It's a good hobbie." Hobbie. Not job. Hobbie. Interest, activity, not something you do to sustain yourself. But right now that's where my heart is. That could change (knowing me, all this could change tomorrow), but right now that's what I want. This past summer has been really exciting for me- photorgaphy wise- and it has planted something in my heart. I had so many shoots for people, and whenever I've been asked to do a shoot for someone/someone's kids it just makes me the happiest person ever. I love it, and I love the feeling I get when I can capture someone's personality, or emotion in a picture. Not just people but everything.

I also recieved a message from the graphics department at the church headquarters in SLC asking to use some of my pictures and that made me so, so ecstatic. So I guess I've let my mind wander, and I think it would be the most phenomenal thing ever to be a photographer for the AP (associated press). Photographers don't normally get paid well, but if you're good enough you can be stationed overseas (obviously that's what I'd be aiming for) and that would just make my life. I've also been told if you graduate from Colombia University, jobs for photographers, photojournalism, stuff like that is a breeze to get. Maybe I could go there for graduate school after majoring in photography at BYU... You know what? I don't know.

Again, this all could change in a heartbeat. I tend to play around with many different ideas and this is just one I really like right now. But I had to vent and talk somewhere because I don't think my parents like me thinking about photography as an actual job... infact I'm positive they don't.

However, today I realized I love being in the country. I love small towns. I love when everyone knows each other. I love when you feel like a close knit community. I love when everyone is so friendly. I love southern hospitality. I honestly think I could be happy working at a diner serving pancakes every day in a small town. But then there's the side of me that wants to change the world but doesn't exactly know how to do it.

I just want to do something that will make me happy and I'm trying to find out what that is.

Deep in the weeds.

I hate high school right now. But oddly I'm okay with that. Lately I've realized even if I really don't like what's going on, it's fine. I am so blessed, and what I have to be grateful for outweighs completely what I have to be moody about.

Plus there are no good or bad experiences, just experiences. It all depends on how you look at it.

-lo