"I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” – Susan Sontag. This is a blog about my life as an au pair, my travels, and occasionally other thoughts thrown in… oh, yeah, I also take my Aggies EVERYWHERE :) Enjoy!!
So it seems I’ve gone from a bad blogger to an even worse blogger. It’s months and years between posts now. I’m sorry to everyone who follows me. I’m currently in “upstate” New York working for a family comprised of a single mom and two adolescents. I have also recently re-enrolled in school, this time at Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, NY. Paralegal Studies.
Okay, now for the real reason I’m writing: I have an informational speech coming up for my public speaking class and my topic is “Traveling on a Budget”. I’ve spent nearly a decade traveling on a budget, but I want to hear the ideas and stories from everyone else. What did YOU do to get around for cheap? Room/Board, working, adventures, etc. Who did you meet? I want it all… or at least what you’re willing to share, even pictures.
I’ll even make some more posts about what’s been happening in my travel/nerdy world soon.
Help Lauren Go Blue!!
When all of my friends dreamed of being doctors or princesses, I was the kid in the corner pretending to be a police officer. I could sing the “Cops” theme song before “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” dancing like a dork all the while. According to my mother, my favorite past time as a little girl would be to go up to any police officer I saw and talk to them, saying “you are the good guys, I can talk to you!”
In order to enroll in the academy, an unsponsored cadet must pay required the tuition by August 8th for a course lasting from September 6, 2016 to April 14, 2017. I’ll only be attending part-time because I intend to continue working full-time to help pay for the rest of my living and working expenses. The tuition is $2300 for the course. The remaining expenses of approximately $2000 are books and materials, equipment (belt, gun, uniform, protective pieces, etc), and required medical/psychological testing.
I am hoping to you will help me reach my goal of $4500 in preparation for this major change in my life. This not only helps me, but helps you as friends, family, and my community. Any support is appreciated and welcome, so please remember… Help Lauren go BLUE!!
You stay alive you stupid asshole Because you haven’t been excused… –Tony Hoagland, from “Suicide Song“ Depression is a wildly confusing, exhausting trip to someplace you didn’t actually ever intend to go. Let’s say you set out for Austria, had in mind a little singing on mountaintops like in The Sound of Music, and […]
Over the last few years, I’ve written blog post after blog post about making changes with a mind towards writing. I quit paid work. I quit volunteering. I set up my study, surrounded by books, many of them about writing. I am supported by the people in my life. I talk about writing. I read […]
Happy New Years from Kawau Island, New Zealand!! I spent NY 2015 in a temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia… now I’m spending NY 2016 on Kawau Island, north of Auckland and it’s amazing!!
This past weekend was the 20th anniversary of the Armageddon Expo in Auckland. I, of course, had to go! Booked my tickets, borrowed the car, drove 7 hours to couch-surf with one of the presenters. Zero trouble until I actually got into Auckland. Y’all remember I don’t do well driving in cities?? Yeah, well, still don’t. Ridiculously hard for me, haha.
Did the normal morning routine and got the kids off to school and took off north a couple of hours later. I hadn’t intended to go to the expo Friday night, but ended up going anyway. Learned my way there, got my photo/autograph tokens early before the massive rush on Saturday morning. Also bought myself a new shirt to wear the next day… and one for Kate as her comic con present.
How do you get a good parking spot for a con that starts at 10am? You get there at 8:30am and wait. Yup, that’s what I did, haha. The first panel I wanted to see didn’t start until noon so that means wandering around exploring more and looking for friends. I found a few and wandered some more.
First things first on the second day of Armageddon is get your picture taken with Natalia Tena. Tonks from Harry Potter!! and also Game of Thrones. She’s so skinny!! I thought I would break her!! But she’s so lovely 🙂
Natalia
Starship Troopers panel on Saturday. (warning: suggestive language and actions)
Casper Van Dien and Dina Meyer
Waited for the first 10 minutes of the Arrow panel to see Michael Rowe, Manu Bennett, and Sean Maher… then they announced a special Skype in which turned out to be Paul Blackthorne.
And of course right over to the picture booths for my photo with Casper and Dina!! We could hear Casper out over the rest of the crowd. That man is a literal 5 year old. He’s hilarious!
Casper and Dina from one of my favorite movies – Starship Troopers!!
Then straight over to the next booth for a photo with Manu Bennett (remind me, I’ll tell you a funny story about when I met him during signings).
Manu
From Manu’s picture session to getting autographs and I was the first one in line for Dina and then she handed me straight over to Casper (sorry ppl in Casper’s line!!)
Natalia’s autograph on the picture and a few others like the one I picked up for the kids:
I think she was surprised because outside of mentioning that the kids loved her as Tonks, I didn’t really mention Game of Thrones or Harry Potter. I love her music with Molotov Jukebox and her movie “10,000km” was so good. She jerked her head up right after I said “btw I loved 10,000km” and she “oh hey thank you thank you thank you!!” Really surprised expression on her face, haha.
Basically most of Saturday was me rushing around the signing/photo hall trying to get in all the photos and signings that I could. Sunday was the day that had most of the panels I really wanted to see. My way of time management, lol. Not very good, is it?
Do you ever just sit and think “how would I react if I met a celeb that I really love and admire”? Well, apparently it’s something like this
and then this
because I met Sean Maher and pretty sure I was like Sheldon
Sean: “Are you ok?? Don’t pass out!! (while giving me a hug and rubbing my back).
Me: “I’ll try not to!! (internally: breathe breathe breathe he’s human too… OMG OMG OMG)
Look!! I’m all red faced and I could barely breathe!!
Gathered my pictures to be signed, jumped in Maggie Roswell‘s line for a quick chat and she remembered me from our chats on Twitter 🙂 She’s the voice of several characters on The Simpsons.
Hopped it back over to Manu with my photo for him to sign. Ok, so here’s the story I know you probably forgot about. Seems I panicked when I got to the front of the line and since I was one of the last ones in line, I had a bit of extra time to speak with him. I haven’t seen much Arrow, only maybe half an episode. I’ve seen Spartacus and really liked it. Now he plays Crixus in that show, but Slade Wilson/Deathstroke in Arrow. Who else does he play, but we don’t really see much of him? Azog the Defiler. Yup, the white orc from The Hobbit movies.
Manu: (grabs my picture and smiles) “So which of my characters is your favorite?”
Me: (stuttering) “Uh.. A-.. A-.. Azog” (deer in the headlights)
Manu: (smirk) “Really?”
Me: (oh no oh no oh no) “Y-.. yes?”
Manu: (full laughing now) “Well, alright then. How about a cuddle from Azog?”
Me: “haha okay” (and I’m freaking out internally).
And that’s a bit of how I freaked out in front of Manu Bennett and then felt horrified later. Ryan, Chelsea, and I proceeded to laugh about it the entire weekend. Like laughing till we’re crying. I still feel bad about that, haha.
I was also one of the last ones in the line for Sean Maher and got a chance to speak to him a bit as well. Dude is even more amazing up close (don’t judge me, I don’t care if the man is gay, married, and has kids – doesn’t matter to me). I love him!! I got a few autographs for friends and then my large photo signed. That man is a gem and I had to get away fast before I was back to being Sheldon with his paper bag. This is exactly how I was the entire weekend anytime he was in the same room as me. Yes, I know he’s just a normal person. Yes, I have issues. No, I don’t need you to tell me that because not only do I already know, but my friends see to it that I remember it all the time, lol. His panel the next day, I recorded nearly all of it and completely forgot every single question I had for him. I mean, seriously… ugh 😦
I guess I should leave you at the end of day 1 and 2 of Armageddon. “Would you like to know more?”
I’m going to admit, I nearly cried. This game… I can’t even…. That final 5 minutes was just… Texas A&M 23 Alabama 41. We are now 5-1 going into week 7. We’ll be playing Ole Miss Rebels.
I listened to the first quarter and half of the second over Aggie Radio on my phone while sitting with the rest of my host family watching New Zealand destroy France 62 – 13 in the Rugby World Cup on Sunday morning. I think at one point I yelled “NOOOOOOOO” right when Julian Savea scored a try and the family looked at me weird. Awkward sorry and back to trying to pay attention to both. Unfortunately, I’m going to miss this weekend’s game against Ole Miss and NZ vs South Africa due to Armageddon Expo in Auckland. Hear that Trey? You have to keep me updated! or at least keep facebook updated.
Oscar: It was the offense struggling this time. The defense got into the game this time and weren’t the problem. Really thought they would run Allen more.
Honestly, I’m there with you Oscar. I seriously thought that Allen would have that ball down the field quicker than it was whether he was throwing it or running it himself. I think people are quick to forget that he isn’t Johnny Football. This is a whole different quarterback.
Trey: The execution was off.. with everything. Extreme off day for the team. We kept making mistakes uncharacteristic of how we’ve been playing so far this season. Bama was highly opportunistic.
Especially in the last few minutes of the game when they stole the ball and ran for their final touchdown before letting the clock run out. Ouch.
Trey: Can the offense find it’s identity?
Jordan: They had better. Irritated with that last punt return.
“Irritated” doesn’t even begin to describe how we all feel, dude.
Jordan: We lost that ‘hurry up’ speed offense. Mid to late 2nd quarter, Bama dragged the defense. They seem to be able to predict our O-line after all that. They could tell what we were going to run. We needed to use Speedy more.
I think maybe Sumlin and Chavis need to bring back former players like Lane, Miller, and Pugh to help whip this team back into shape.
Trey: Allen threw the most half-hearted hand off anyone has ever seen.
Jordan: This isn’t the same team and definitely not the same plays from Kingsbury. We need to open the playbook more. Find something new and different.
Oscar: Rather see Allen throw than that pitiful run attempt.
Jordan: Don’t panic. We got this for the Ole Miss game.
Sorry, Jordan, but I totally panicked there at the end of Saturday’s game.
Trey: We’ve got Myles Garrett. He killed it with 8.5 sacks.
Well, yeah, he was selected SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week and holds the SEC freshman record for sacks.
Trey: Where do you think he’ll fall if he enters the draft at any point?
Jordan: It’s a bit early, but definitely top 10. Unfortunately, since he’s an Aggie, he most likely won’t be #1, but definitely up there.
If you want to follow this podcast on Twitter just look for @AggiesRadio
or any of three commentators
Trey: @TBirdTr3y_10
Jordan: @JordanPugh29
Oscar: @StrykerAg10
If you’d like to follow or contact AggyArk, give one of these a go:
aggyarksecr@gmail.com
@AggyArk – twitter
Don’t forget to look for Trey, Oscar, or Jordan on Periscope as well. Jordan usually Periscopes his interviews on Monday nights around 6:30pm CST. Look for those videos on Twitter or Jordan’s on his YouTube page –
** Disclaimer **
A lot of what is written here will either be my own opinion or paraphrased from these two great sportscasters. Listen to the above link if you’d like to hear the whole podcast. Thanks!
Sara 🙂
Now onto the big game after a riveting bye-week: Bama. We’re set to play another conference rival at home so we’ll be hosting the Crimson Tide and praying for an undefeated season with our new field.
This week’s game seems to be a rather scary prospect. I, myself, am nervous about the game. Bama has always been an issue since we entered the SEC and now with the current hype of the season and the Crimson Tide lack of a proper QB, we may have a chance. On the other hand, they did come back and defeat Arkansas 27-14 in their last game.
Jordan: Special teams making the final touchdown (like a punt return).
TAMU 24
Bama 17
Trey: Says ending on a defensive touchdown.
TAMU 27
Bama 21
Oscar: Seeing Bama take the energy from their win over Arky and moving it to Kyle to take the win there as well (come on now, Oscar).
TAMU 18
Bama 35
Beat the hell outta the Alabama Crimson Tide!! Whoop!
If you want to follow this podcast on Twitter just look for @AggiesRadio
or any of three commentators
Trey: @TBirdTr3y_10
Jordan: @JordanPugh29
Oscar: @StrykerAg10
If you’d like to follow or contact AggyArk, give one of these a go:
aggyarksecr@gmail.com
@AggyArk – twitter
Don’t forget to look for Trey, Oscar, or Jordan on Periscope as well. Jordan usually Periscopes his interviews on Monday nights around 6:30pm CST. Look for those videos on Twitter or Jordan’s on his YouTube page –
** Disclaimer **
A lot of what is written here will either be my own opinion or paraphrased from these two great sportscasters. Listen to the above link if you’d like to hear the whole podcast. Thanks!
Sara 🙂
Ok so I wasn’t that big of a fan of Hamilton. The nice lady I couch surfed with lived outside the city thank goodness, but I had a bit of a (slight) panic attack driving in the city of Hamilton which only has about 100,000 people so I decided to cancel my trip to Auckland. Sorry guys. There’s no way I was going to be able to drive there. Y’all know I have issues driving in bigger cities than my hometown or even this one, haha. During the dinner I cooked (to thank her for letting me stay), we discussed where I could possibly go next. Anita mentioned the Coromandel Peninsula. Bit of a drive, but doable. Boy am I glad I went with her advice. The views of the coast were gorgeous even though the drive was difficult. It’s got it own set of parapara-like roads. I was in Coromandel (the town at the north of the pen) by noon for coffee and New Chums Beach not long after.
Any tourist guide nowadays will tell you that New Chums Beach is still a bit of uncharted territory. It’s true. You can only go during low tide because that’s the only possible way to cross the rocky stream and make the trek to the beach. I went and ended up near the end of that window. My mistake. Don’t make the same. I got knocked over and lost my phone in the water. Well, not lost, but it took a swim with me o.O Luckily my phone automatically uploads to my computer…
New Chums Beach
Well that sucked. I made it to Whitianga by 4-ish though and had enough time to book a last minute room at the Cat’s Pyjamas (cute little hostel) and buy a new phone (crap little google phone). Looks like I’d be doing the rest of my road trip like I did with the beginning of it – no GPS. Thank goodness I bought a road map book.
I headed out fairly early the next morning for Cathedral Cove. Now they’re tell you that low tide is at a certain time and there’s no way you’d be able to see the cove at any other time. Wrong. Go when you want. I did. It was a 3 hour trek from car park to cove and back… but I also stopped at Gemstone Bay and Stingray Bay. Completely worth it, but wear proper shoes and bring plenty of water. The views are gorgeous and I’m so glad I changed my plans. I ended up in just my yoga pants and tank top since it got so warm and took a bit of a swim. There weren’t many people there either. Even got a bit of a tan, haha.
Cathedral Cove, Hahei, NZ.
Gemstone Bay
From above Stingray Bay
On the beach in Stingray Bay
Memorial along the walk to the cove.
Isn’t that a sight?
I met this nice CA couple and their little girl along the walk.
Cathedral Cove
How I should have looked vs how I did look, haha.
After that trek, I took a quick drive over to Hot Water Beach. Everyone told me that it’s always full of people. Not from where I was standing, haha. I spent a bit of time there just enjoying the water and quiet.
Hot Water Beach
During the summer, this place is towel to towel people. Not a soul in sight.
So I may have left my mark on the beach. W11OOP!!
As I left Hahei, I made another decision… I didn’t really want to go to Tauranga. I drove through it, but headed towards Rotorua to stay for a few days and meet a friend and her daughter for her birthday. Gotta say, I love Rotorua 🙂
This was quite possibly one of the greatest days in my life. Yes, I know I’m exaggerating, but you get me, right? I’ve been wait 15 years to see this place. I know it’s not the same one that was originally built for Lord of the Rings, but it looks exactly the same. The farm it’s on is also still in complete working order and was also in lambing season with thousands of babies running around there too. Super cute!
The Shire Cafe is about 5km past the sign so just keep driving when you see it. The tour is a bit expensive, but it 2 hours and the guides really know their stuff. Tons of photo ops as well. It was our guide’s birthday so we sang him “Happy Birthday” at the meadow where the party tent was. He was surprised because the bus driver had told us as we were getting off and he wasn’t on there at the time. I really wish I could post every picture, but I won’t torture you that way. Now let’s not get lost like Thorin did, twice, though I don’t know how since it’s so small 🙂
Ahhh yesssssss
Welcome to Hobbiton
We begin…
Tiny scale
Our guide (it was his 19th birthday)
Medium scale
I love hobbit holes…
So cute!
The Shire
More Hobbiton
Look, Mom!! I’m a hobbit!! I fit in the house!!
The Green Dragon down the hill.
Bag End was getting a little TLC.
😀
Can’t you see how happy this has made me??
The home of Samwise Gamgee.
“Oh you can search far and wide, You can drink the whole town dry, But you’ll never find a beer so brown…
Oh you’ll never find a beer so brown, As the one we drink in our hometown, As the one we drink in our hometown. You can keep your fancy ales,
You can drink them by the flagon, But the only brew for the brave and true… ..Comes from the Green Dragon!!”
Behind the Green Dragon
Our bus was named Dori hehe
Yes, I know own the key to Thorin’s home (and heart).
Sorry not sorry for my fangirlnessness (yes, that’s a word… now).
Thank you Toasty Wolfeh (youtube) for making the feels happen today with your comment:
“Gandalf worries for Merry and Pippin because they remind him of Fili and Kili.”