Random

I'm tired, my throat hurts, pretty sure I'm sick. Time for some tea and honey.

I'm exhausted and sleepy and ready for bed, though college studying is calling my name - joy. Well, it WILL all be worth it, someday.

I can't remember my dreams hardly ever.

I like artistic things.

I would love a chocolate milkshake with whipped cream and a cherry right now.

I don't know how I do it, but I can drink about a gallon of iced tea in about 5 minutes, stat. It's crazy.

I love to read new books.

I enjoy chocolate.

I think pancakes are the best breakfast ever.

I haven't had a doughnut in forever.

I wish studying did itself.

It puzzles me how a room can get messy so quickly after being cleaned. Talk about the second law of thermodynamics (there's my geeky side coming out).

I could watch the movie Pride and Prejudice over and over, and I do. (There's my girlyness coming out).

I wish I had a bigger bed because I like to stretch out in my sleep, and I have no room on the floor to put all the stuff that's on my bed.

Fall makes me happy.

<3

The Adventures Of...

... Woah. This past week has been an absolute whirlwind!

It started with mine and Erica's birthday party last Friday, 10/22. Amidst all the hectic-ness, we had food platters to prepare, decorations to set up, a house to be cleaned, wasps to be killed, and more... when the guests finally decided to trickle in, we still had yet to set up the bungee run, and inflatable bounce house. There are two lanes for two people, and each is attached to a vest; they have to run down their lane and try to place their velcro strip as far as they can. Whoever places theirs the farthest wins. A group was gathered as I demonstrated how to set up the bounce house; turning on the blower, I went around it adjusting the velcro flaps to make sure everything was in order. Of a sudden, I heard people say, "Hey look, it's Josh." There was another Josh at the party, but I perked up just a bit, subconsciously; "Lacy, it's your man." Peter shouted. I looked up to a familiar face staring at me from across the yard, only about 6 feet away. I did a double take, staring at Josh for seconds before I realized he was actually there. My face must have looked so silly, but I didn't care. I was shocked and in awe. I went over to him after realizing that he was actually real and hugged him. "You came?" I asked, in disbelief. "That was a horrible drive!" He told me.

It was the best surprise ever.

The rest of the party was filled with swimming - where I discovered that the game Spoons is not contact-friendly in the pool (I wear contacts), everyone hitching a ride in the back of my truck (about 20 people) as we rolled the windows down and blared loud music, friends, painting curtains for when Erica and I leave for college, a crazy obstacle course that Mr. P set up, and lots more...

The rest of the weekend I hung out with Josh, completely neglecting schoolwork, but I managed to make it through this week in one piece and juggle it all. We saw Paranormal Activity II, Inception, The Expendables (In other words, we got completely movied out). We painted, went out to eat lots, and visited lots of stores. One of my favorite things that we did was go to the Millenia Mall and walk around, viewing all the stores. I hardly ever go there, and Josh had never been there, so it was a fun experience for us both to look inside the Sony store, at $150 jeans, and lots of other places. After a great afternoon, we went to Olive Garden. Then we went to the movies, and concluded the night.

What I got at Olive Garden. It was so good!

What Oshie got for dinner - also really good. I hadn't been to Olive Garden in years!

For dinner we got this amazingly good baked apple vanilla ice cream thingy - definitely not good for you, but it sure did taste good.

The day Josh planned to leave, he came to my house to see me. We went to the park just down the road and had a great time admiring the scenery - minus the mosquitoes. As darkness began to fall, we headed back to the car. All of a sudden, Josh stops and realizes his keys are missing. We cooly return to the pavilion where we were sitting, sure they're there (hoping they're there). But they weren't. The keys had disappeared somewhere between the car and the park, in the middle of a huge grass field, and it was growing darker by the second. For hours we looked - we got the help of the police, about 4 different golf carts, and several different people. But no luck. The keys could not be found. Exhausted and disheartened, we got a ride from the police back to my house. Josh wouldn't be leaving that night. We took a trip to Walmart to get him some shorts and a shirt to wear, and we stopped at Wendy's for some food, hungry after the long hours of searching. After showering and watching TV, we headed for bed.

The park where we lost the keys. As you can see, it's huge! Finding keys was a big task for two little people.

The amphitheater we sat at in the park before we lost the keys.

The next day, I woke up and made Josh french toast. From there, we headed back to the park to search. No luck yet; no one had turned any missing keys in. It was a hot day (gotta love Florida when it's almost NOVEMBER). After 5 minutes of searching, Josh calls me over and holds up the keys - they were in a tire track, slightly buried. They must have been run over when we were searching for them! We couldn't believe it. So after a relatively painless searching experience, we retrieved Joshua's Neon from the park, drove back to my house, and Josh spent the whole day with me! Looking back, I'm really happy everything worked out as it did - the extra day spent with him was wonderful, and I'm so happy we found the keys. God certainly works in amazing ways, even if it's just giving me yet another day to spend with my wonderful boyfriend. Josh left later that evening. I miss him very much, but I know I'll see him soon for Thanksgiving, and that's just around the corner! Until then --- here I am, bored in Fl... but not for long! (Now to hit the books and continue studying).

My life in things that make me happy

Joshua
Pancakes
Waffle House
Zaxby's
Sweet Tea
Tulips
My betta fish
My kitty
Mamabird, Jakey, Papabird, Marleigh, & all of my awesome Georgian friends
Good cell phone reception
A clean bedroom
My car working
Free things
No homework
Days off of class
Autumn
The fact that Oct. - Jan. is all like one huge stretch of holiday
Buying gifts for people
Animals
Rainy days
Comfy beds
Bare feet
Sundresses
Boots
Florida friends
Vacations
Road trips
Listening to music in the car
CD albums
New books
New clothes
Doing well in a class
The feeling of knowing what I am doing
Dances
French vanilla coffee
Cheap gas
Good smelling cologne and perfume
Face painting
Showers
Sleeping in
Hugs

& more.

[Forgotten Language]

Today is October 18th, 2010.

There will never be another October 18th, 2010.

That's pretty weighty, isn't it?

So go out an do something special with today, and make it count, because you'll never get today back.

Forgotten Language by Shel Silverstein

Once I spoke the language of the flowers,
Once I understood each word the caterpillar said,
Once I smiled in secret at the gossip of the starlings,
And shared a conversation with the housefly
in my bed.
Once I heard and answered all the questions
of the crickets,
And joined the crying of each falling dying
flake of snow,
Once I spoke the language of the flowers. . . .
How did it go?
How did it go?

Felling leaves on falling trees

These Autumn Days

Fall brings onslaughts
of daydreams back to this time-- last year's this time,
Soft remnants of distant memories I keep ever-close,
cherished like the most valuable treasure

Pausing to find a quiet moment to reflect
I think back to the days that happened so seemingly long ago
A world away
Hardly stirring, I hardly stir...
Daring not even to breathe; I find that I am not;
As if even the slightest breath would muddy the memories
So as to not be as exact and whole
As my mind has preserved them
Like stirring the silt at the bottom of the pond
Clouding up the water

No, these memories are left perfect; untouched;
Thought about in these quiet moments of fall
Bidding the time until I once again see you
Like I did last year.

---

you being in love... (XII) by E. E. Cummings
you being in love
will tell who softly asks in love,

am i separated from your body smile brain hands merely
to become the jumping puppets of a dream? oh i mean:
entirely having in my careful how
careful arms created this at length
inexcusable, this inexplicable pleasure-you go from several
persons: believe me that strangers arrive
when i have kissed you into a memory
slowly, oh seriously
-that since and if you disappear

solemnly
myselves
ask "life, the question how do i drink dream smile

and how do i prefer this face to another and
why do i weep eat sleep-what does the whole intend"
they wonder. oh and they cry "to be, being, that i am alive
this absurd fraction in its lowest terms
with everything cancelled
but shadows
-what does it all come down to? love? Love
if you like and i like,for the reason that i
hate people and lean out of this window is love,love
and the reason that i laugh and breathe is oh love and the reason
that i do not fall into this street is love."

Of sweet tea, green lights & pillow hearts

This weekend has been so busy! I would actually love a free weekend at least once, but I haven't had a single one since I've been back in 407-land. Between work, school, volunteering, family and other obligations, it seems I hardly have a chance to breathe anymore. Free time feels strange to me.

Today I volunteered at the Winter Springs Art Festival. I 'booth sat', which was basically watching an artist's booth while they went to lunch. I saw a lot of interesting things at the festival - beautiful jewelry, several amazing paintings, baskets, woodwork, and spoons. I would have love to by something, but $750 and $7500 price tags are, unfortunately, out of my range. I did get a pretty handmade ikebana, though - Ikebana is a type of japanese "vase", if that's easier to envision, though instead of a hollow hole in the vase to

put flowers in, ikebana are shallower and secure the flowers on a bed of needles. You would think this kills the flower, but no, you just put water inside and your flowers do just fine.

Mine doesn't look like this, but I tried to find a picture that shows a good view of the inside so you can know what I'm talking about.

I booth-sat for a man who did woodwork, carving bowls and random things out of beautiful hickory wood. He gave me a cute little carved wooden acorn that I can use as a christmas ornament or doorhanger as a thankyou.

Now I am TRYING to get myself to study ... so I should probably get off now to hit the books.

Write more later.

Birthday Day

Well, yesterday, October 13th, was my 17th birthday... I don't really feel much different!

For my birthday, I got another book in a series I've been reading for the past couple of years. It's taken awhile for all the books to come out. I'm looking forward to reading it soon --- I love the feeling of reading a brand new book! I also got this really beautiful handmade, hand-crocheted purse! That was my favorite present.

I went out to brunch with mom, which was yummy. It was at Mimi's, a really cute restauraunt that's great for breakfast/lunch/brunch. I left restauraunt mispelled (in case you notice) because, even though I'm a spelling bee champ, never for the life of me, no matter how many times I correct myself, can I spell restauraunt correctly. Just a bit of trivia about me, haha. 

My birthday " brunch" was supposed to be breakfast, but I ended up sleeping in, so we arrived considerably later than breakfast-time. But it was fun nonetheless! I had a really good quiche and a coffee cake muffin. It kept me so full, that that was all I ate all day.

From there, I had to run errands, which included visiting my old school/church to get papers signed for Wesleyan scholarships. It was so amazing to see all my old friends, who I went to preschool with, now in 12th grade, soon to be high school graduates! It's so weird to know we've lived all of that time out, knowing each other through our entire grade-school careers. I hadn't seen any of them in at least 11 years, so it was truly a 'blast from the past'.

A picture of me on my seventeenth birthday, 10/13/2010.

I then had to go to work. I chose to work on my birthday, but I made money, which I was happy about. I'm saving up as much as I can when I leave for college, so every little bit counts. I saw firedancers and talked to lots of interesting people. The catering job I did was on a beautiful lake and was a luau. It was a really neat experience. 

On the way back home, I got lost on I-4, accidentally going South towards Miami instead of going North towards Ocala. Of COURSE there were no exits anywhere in sight... it was about 12am and I was low on gas, and I had to drive a long ways before I could get off and get turned around in the right direction! But thankfully, I made it home safe, just in time to see the end of my birthday out and fall asleep before classes the next morning. I got an orchid from my job there, it's really pretty and I put in in my new fishes' tank. I think he likes it; it looks very nice in there, and Kobe, my cute red betta fish, likes to go over and stare at it quite frequently.

Well, that was my birthday! My party is next week and I am looking forward to it. Maybe by then, I'll feel a bit more like 17. For now, well, I really just feel like me.

I Do Not Love You Except Because I Love You by Pablo Neruda

I do not love you except because I love you;
I go from loving to not loving you,
From waiting to not waiting for you
My heart moves from cold to fire.

I love you only because it's you the one I love;
I hate you deeply, and hating you
Bend to you, and the measure of my changing love for you
Is that I do not see you but love you blindly.

Maybe January light will consume
My heart with its cruel
Ray, stealing my key to true calm.

In this part of the story I am the one who
Dies, the only one, and I will die of love because I love you,
Because I love you, Love, in fire and blood.

Politics Rants

When our founding father's created this country not even 250 years ago, it was much different than it is today. With the upcoming elections for Florida's Governor, as well as governors everywhere, and just the large amount of hype politics is receiving lately, it's just really got me thinking. I watch ad after ad of mudslinging candidates advertising for their party, hear of democrats supporting democrats, republicans supporting republicans.

Did you know that when America was originally founded, the father's didn't even want parties at all? Apparently that didn't work out. Naturally, people took their own views, and found groups of people who supported their views, and so on. Thus, the parties were born, from federalists to anti-federalists. The list of parties today goes on and on and on - and yet, if they're so great, is this the reason why so many people are registering as independent's these days? I almost can't really blame them. I'd be sick of the mudslinging from party to party, the disgust with which each treats each other. That's not what America is supposed to be like. That's not what we're supposed to treat each other like.


I do support the Libertarian Party, am a libertarian-conservative, and hold many of those views. I support gun rights, the legalization of marijuana, the benefits that would result from major tax cuts, less government spending, smaller government, and many other things. However, I do believe in keeping my eyes open and looking at each candidate not just for what party he stands for, but for what he stands for. And I can really see how parties can be a bad thing for several reasons.


Firstly, they split us up as Americans. We are supposed to be the United States of America. Back when America was first around, the British saw us and joked about us being the Disunited States of America - well, just look at us now! We seem very Disunited indeed. Hating our fellow neighbor and not letting him get a word in if he dares to oppose your views. We should ALL be proud to be Americans. Not just proud to be a Republican, proud to be a Democrat - we're still all people. We're still all a part of this country. We should act like it. I'm not saying parties are completely bad - but at the same time, I think people take them a little too seriously. We should all - and that means YOU TOO, candidates - be treating each other with respect. Guys, there have been some great republican presidents. Ronald Reagan, of course, namely -Teddy Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln. And there have been some equally great Democratic Presidents! - John F. Kennedy, and even Clinton come his second term, did wonderful jobs. My point is, there's something that everyone can bring to the table as both president and as an American, whether Democrat or Republican or another party. Those people are still unique people and the men I listed - and many more I did not list - each and all did amazing things for our country. 
If we opened our eyes long enough to look past democrats and republicans, we'd see that both of these parties have some good ideas and there's a lot we could learn from them. In life, we are both teacher and student - we learn some, we teach some. You don't know everything, no matter what party you belong to!


Secondly, if we were less inclined to vote for someone merely because of party affiliation, I think American voters would be far more encouraged to learn more about a candidate and educate themselves on government better. I believe many candidates are guilty of hiding behind party lines and affiliations, not called upon enough to truly present their views and what they're all about. You can  never really be sure of who you're voting for based on what he or she says alone. You need to find out for yourself as well - and that doesn't just mean watching the news or listening to political ads. Check different sources, see what information can be validated. I'm a big supporter of being educated before voting. Call me ridiculous, but I do think that if you should have to take a citizenship test, drivers license test, CPT's and SAT's to get in college, and get a permit to carry a weapon, then you should have to take a test to vote. Basically, if you are not educated enough to know how the American system works, and who it is you are voting for, YOU SHOULDN'T BE VOTING! It's as plain as that. Voters NEED to know what they're doing. Regardless of whether a candidate says he is republican or democrat, or another party, you need to learn about him or her! What do they stand for, what have they done, what are their goals? Research, research, research. And form your own views and opinions on the way! Does said person agree with you on this point? Maybe not, but what's the most important thing you're looking for in a candidate? Do you honestly think they would do a good job in office? What is their background like? Ask questions, and find answers. Voting is not a privilege - it's a right our ancestors fought and died for. That's a pretty hefty price to pay for something you take for granted today. Get out there and educate yourselves.


We are Americans. We are supposed to stand for freedom, liberty, and justice. Don't just sit back and let the government take over - don't take the easy route out and let them feed  you all that they're saying about how they'll give you free this, free that. A government with enough power to give you anything you want, can just as easily take it all away. Don't let America lose the principles it once stood on that made her the most prosperous country in the world. Despite her present shortcomings, America is still an amazing country, one we should be proud to be a part of. And then we should use this pride to take action - to educate ourselves, to defend our rights, to keep this country the land of the truly free and the home of the brave. Stand up for yourselves, Americans, or one day it may be too late.

Coffee and tests and morning drives [There is another sky]

This weekend was one of those weekends you can't really wait to get over with. I survived round 2 of SAT's this Saturday - hopefully I did even better and 6 endless hours of my time which I can never get back will pay off. For those who know me, you'll know almost first off that I'm not a morning person... at all... however, I will say that I was rather proud of myself for waking up, making coffee and being all ready to go bright and early before 7:30 am. Apopka High is right down the street, so I got into my truck at 7:20 am and headed towards my destination. The area in Apopka where I live must be one of the only hilly places in Florida - it's quite pretty, actually, driving down roads that wind and shape to the contours of the green and grassy hills, dotted with oak trees, ponds and lethargic cows. Turning onto the street that would take me to the school, I was rather shocked to find a very pleasant surprise waiting for me - the road was enveloped in fog! The hill rose before me, enveloped on either side by hills, and to my left lay two ponds. The sun was just rising over the hill, still yet to gain later-day strength, the sky was a brilliant autumn-blue, pink and orange -- and cloudless. It was like entering another world, a faerie-land, a place that exists only in story books and old hidden away child's dreams. I can't quite describe its beauty - but as I intook a breath and drove as slowly as I could along, the world was perfect for that moment, and God's glory was truly apparent to me.


Maybe I should contemplate waking up early more often.


... just not tomorrow.




There is another sky
Emily Dickinson

There is another sky,
Ever serene and fair,
And there is another sunshine,
Though it be darkness there;
Never mind faded forests, Austin,
Never mind silent fields -
Here is a little forest,
Whose leaf is ever green;
Here is a brighter garden,
Where not a frost has been;
In its unfading flowers
I hear the bright bee hum:
Prithee, my brother,
Into my garden come!

Random Lacy Update 5 Min. Later Following Last Post

I dyed my hair for the first time! This is the finished product.

Tough Decisions

Daily I find myself barraged my a flurry of mail from colleges; I'm receiving scholarship offers and acceptance into a few; but really, I have no idea where to go. I'm so confused as to where to choose!

1. Wesleyan College (Macon, Ga)

Originally my first choice, I've been accepted and received a scholarship. By the time I raise my SAT score even higher (this Saturday when I re-take it hopefully), I will get more scholarship money, and then be in the running for the big, full-time scholarships. I still have lots of chances to get bigger scholarships from here, plus pell grant and Phi Theta Kappa scholarships will cover virtually all tuition costs, even if I don't - and housing and books if I (hopefully) do. I'm really impressed all-around by Wesleyan so far. Wesleyan being out of state really appeals to me, as I've always wanted the chance to live somewhere new, even if it's only a state away from Florida. It's private, so it does not have out-of-state fees. I know Macon, plus I really like how small and how attentive everyone is to you here. It's a beautiful school, and I love small, private colleges far better than big universities, even with the extra expenses. With scholarships those expenses don't figure in as much, afterall. Plus there is a massive resident cat living in the library. However, it is all women, and you are required to live on-campus. These might be potential downsides for me - maybe I wouldn't like the lack an all-women's school? Maybe I'd want to get an apartment? Housing is a lot of $$$. Still deciding whether or not I should attend, but it's still my first choice. I'm definitely waiting to see what they offer if I can get some bigger scholarships as well - plus what Grad Schools I can go to for Physical Therapy, and a potential deal with Pruitt that would pay for all college costs in exchange for employment.

2. Jacksonville University (Jacksonville, Florida)

Jax University was never really high on my list of choices for me, but it's really been growing on me and is definitely my number two choice - possibly number one. I recently learned that I have been accepted and have received a $13,000 per year scholarship from them - though I'd still have to come up with $13,000 more - it's $13000 per-semester, being private. However, after pell grant and Bright Futures, it would be virtually free, housing not included. It's a very nice school, I've heard, plus it's got a good pre-physical therapy program for Biology Majors. I'm going to go visit and see - maybe I'll go here!

3. UCF (University of Central Florida) (Orlando, Fl)

I go to Valencia Community College for full-time dual enrollment in Orlando, Fl. Basically, I'm practically going to UCF - Valencia features "direct-connect" to UCF in which Valencia students can take classes at both Valencia and UCF at the same time, and Valencia students are guaranteed admission into UCF. Naturally, I can't rule UCF out. I've only just applied there, but the low tuition costs plus the location (right here) are certainly really convenient. I do a lot of very helpfully profitable entertainment and party work in Orlando, so I wouldn't have to give that up and/or have to rebuild business and clientèle as I would have to in a new place. Phi Theta Kappa scholarships, Bright futures, and Pell Grant will also make UCF virtually free, even with housing - not to mention UCF is the only one of the schools I've mentioned so far that offers the Physical Therapy Doctorate I want, so I wouldn't have to go elsewhere for grad school. Downsides are, UCF is one of the largest schools in the country, so I would lose the benefit of one-on-one teacher experience and small student-to-professor ratios. With the difficulty of my upcoming classes and my major in general, finding a school with helpful professor's and small classes could really make a big difference in my success - so that's definitely something o think about when considering UCF.

4. Mercer University (Macon, Ga)

Mercer is also in Macon. This would be a fantastic school to go to, plus it has one of the best Physical Therapy graduate programs in the country... however, my chances of attending here are about, well, nada. About $30,000 a year for tuition alone means either they give some really great scholarships, or the closest I'll get to Mercer is, well, on this list!

5. University of Florida (Gainesville, Fl)

Go Gators! 'Nuff said. I'd love to go to UF - have ever since I was little. However, UF is a very competitive school to get into. It would be nice, however, not to mention it too features a very nice Physical Therapy Graduate Program (My intended Doctorate after getting a Biology B.S.) I'm going to see how this one turns out, and if  don't end up going here, I won't be supper-bummed or anything.

6. Meredith College (Raleigh, NC)

Meredith is a very out-there possibility, nor have I finished applying - another all women's school, they offer good financial aid, I here, and so far the communication I've had with them seems to be really nice. Everyone is willing to help and seems genuinely interested in you as a person. They seem very personal, also like Wesleyan. It being in NC is really appealing to me - I would love to go to college in NC! One of my favorite states. But NC is awfully far away from any of my family, loved ones, and friends - so I'm not really heavily considering going to Meredith. It's just a thought.

7. Brevard College (Brevard, NC)

Another really lovely college, and in NC - though I hardly know anything about Brevard and, like Meredith, I'm not really heavily considering going there. Yet to send in transcripts - might or might not, it depends on how things with other colleges work out as well.

As for Grad Schools for Physical Therapy, I have a lot of research to do, but so far I've found UCF, UF, UNF, Mercer, and a few Georgia Colleges offer Physical Therapy Doctorates. This is going to be a tough choice, not to mention I have no clue how I'll pay for it since federal aid is not offered in grad school, but I'll save it for later in the future, as I'm worrying about getting my Bachelor's at the moment.

Well, those are my choices for colleges right now! I'm excited to pick and go to a college, whichever that might be. Even if I technically already attend college, this is really a new and fascinating adventure for me. I can't wait to see how it turns out, and can't wait to graduate and be able to get a good job and see all my hard work pay off. I don't know if things will turn out like I expect them to, but suppose that's all part of the process. We'll see how to future turns out. For now though, while I know I'll end up choosing one and hopefully the right college, I'm finding it to be such a hard choice for me. If you have any advice or opinions, I would love to hear them. Please let me know, because it might really help. Thanks for reading, everyone!