Some thoughts lately

Just some things going on in my head recently:

1. In true stalkerish form, I found out that Jeremy Sumpter (the Hollywood love of my life)(is a person considered "Hollywood" if they aren't A-listers?) at least used to consider The Giver to be his favorite book. And that's when I knew that he and I are meant to be, because out of the millions hundred(ish) books I read for Children's Lit, that was my favorite. Seriously, I'm not just saying that to agree with him. Dr. Adams asked us all what we liked best, and that's what I said. So it's for sure true love. You are all invited to the wedding.

2. Is it acceptable to stalk people on Instagram? Not that I do that, I'm just wondering...

3. Story time. The day before I moved out of the Brooks' after school got out, I decided I needed more shorts. And why not use jeans that were already pretty trashed, and save a couple bucks? Well...I forgot that I had two veeery similar pairs of jeans, one in great condition and the other...not so great. Instead of taking a second glance, I literally grabbed the pair on top and cut them...and you can probably guess where this is going. I cut the good jeans. And at that point, I really only had two good pair that I wore. So I was down to one. Well the other day, I was dusting up in the living room because we were having a few ladies from church over for a game night. After I dusted I vacuumed, and then I was hungry so I went to the basement to grab something from the big freezer for lunch. While I was in the basement I realized that my backside felt a little too...chilly. I went upstairs, and sure enough, somehow I had ripped a 4-inch gash into my only pair of jeans I brought to Maine with me. (That night I wore my holey sweats for our company...let me tell you, that'll humble you!) But it gets better, because yesterday I went jeans shopping with my mom and now I have a couple pair to hold me over til I can do more shopping.

4. Last week I wrote this post on contentment because it was something I had been thinking about and fighting for recently. And I can't explain it, but since then, it's been pretty easy to be content. It's funny because it feels as if writing that out and admitting it in public would make it harder. But it has been easier lately. Confused, but happy about that.

5. If you haven't watched The Rocketeer you are missing out, my friend. Yes, it came out in 1991 (I was a little bitty baby) so the effects are...simpler. Haha. But it's so cute and good and I loved it.

6. Also, even though this truly deserves a post of it's own, I'll just put it here. I really should be broadcasting to the world at large, but I won't. Here goes: a few nights ago, I, Laurie Bannister, willingly watched an entire Star Wars (episode IV) movie and DIDN'T FALL ASLEEP. C.R.A.Z.Y. But it happened. And I may just have plans to watch the next one with my parents soon.

In honor of summer...

...here are some pictures I've found that are summer-related. I know it's technically spring but it's vacation for me so I've deemed it officially summer in my book. :)

little starfishy in the sea
[love the ocean]

a beach bike ride

truth.

#1 beach rule.
[sandals sometimes are the exception]

that time of year where it's normal
to drink my favorite drink constantly

swinging on the beach

it's not summer without a little
zac brown band

if I had a beach house...

summer thunderstorms are great!

nothing like a popsicle on a hot day

just kidding, I wear flip flops and my hair down all year

while I'm a beach girl at heart,
lake days are great - so calm

that's right. summer is my best friend.

one of my life philosophies.

bring it.

Changes

Well, the last week or so has been a little bit crazy. Last week was finals, and then there was graduation, and then the day I said my tearful goodbyes to the Brooks family. I had not anticipated that it would be so hard leaving their family. They have been such an immense blessing to me, by providing a place for me to live for the semester, by doing my laundry, by feeding me (whenever I wasn't too busy to sit down for a meal!), but also by the immaterial things they did for me. Welcomed me into their family, became good friends, brought comfort when I needed it. There were several occasions where I cried with one or more of them. The fun atmosphere in their home made constant laughter inevitable. I could go on and on about what a blessing it was, and maybe will another time.

The goodbye was mixed of equal parts of bitter and sweet, though. Because saying goodbye to them meant saying hello to my grandma and sister Holly. I hadn't seen her (H) in several months, and it had been four and a half years since we'd spent time together in So Cal, so I was excited. It was so good to see them again and to do fun things like go to Downtown Disney and Balboa Island, and play games with them and just chat and laugh.

Early evening on Monday Holly and I flew up here to Sacramento to spend the week. It's been fun having her here with our "California family" (Dad, Kathy-stepmom, and Riley-brother) because it has been a while! She hadn't seen our stepmom or brother in 3 years, so it was time for a visit!

Though last week was only that, last week, it feels like it was forever ago. So much has changed from just one week ago til now. So many goodbyes said and tests taken, not to mention the fact that I moved out of my home for the previous 4 months. A lot has happened in the last week. A lot of changes. With the close of the semester and my time at the Brooks came the close to another short chapter in my life. While I am not vehemently opposed to change in general, sometimes when it comes, it's painful. But change is always good, even if it doesn't seem to be so, because we have an all-wise, all-knowing, and all-powerful God. He really has "got the whole world in His hands" and He is so loving and kind and good. So while change can be both bitter and sweet (have I mentioned it's SUMMERTIME?!), we can trust in His plan.

Saturday brings another change: Holly and I fly to Maine. I'm so excited to be there and spend time with my "Maine family" (Mom, James-stepdad, Sarah and Abby-sisters) like I do each summer. Again, it's going to be weird, though very exciting. It will be weird because I'll leaving for Maine exactly a week after leaving the Brooks, but so much has happened in between. I don't know how these things affect you guys, but sometimes it just hits me how crazy this thing called life can be! Again, thankful for a sovereign, good God.

Hope that wherever this finds you, whether it be your summer break, finals week, last part of the school year, mid-week of a regular work week, or whatever, that you are well and that my randomness didn't totally bore or confuse you! Good night!

Makes Me :)

perfect little room for a cabin

you choose.

cozy blankets <3 

love is a worthwhile risk

dixie cup light strand. simple

watched this again last night...it's so good!

summer's comin! though you can't tell by this weather

it's about health not weight

if only rain was always this glamorous..this week it's been a pain!

Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
(makes my heart hurt a little bit)

Prague castle (also hurts my heart)

little cottage

love anonymity

especially the questions and the tears.
just keeping it real.

Forever Reign, Hillsong.

mmm. peace.

will do this

pink and yellow dessert bar

simple life tips from RR

Funny Question

Last night we had a meeting to go over information for working at the fair [which starts tomorrow:stoked]. There are a few people here with a foreign exchange program, one from Turkey and two from Vietnam, who will be working with us for a few days. Last night, I talked for a while with a girl named Tahn (or something like that, forgive my ignorance) from Vietnam who just graduated college recently. We were talking about food in America, and she asked if we eat anything besides burgers, because that's pretty much all she's eaten since she got to Sacramento. So I explained to her some of the things we eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I explained the different foods we eat chronologically, so of course I began with breakfast. The first thing I said was cereal. She asked, "What is cereal?" Not at all what I was expecting to hear. I turned to Lindsay and asked, "how would you describe cereal?" So for the next couple minutes, we tried to explain what cereal is. It's not as easy to describe, especially to someone who isn't totally comfortable with the English language.

This job is going to be fun.

There's something about this picture that just makes me happy.

I love colors and balloons and beautiful buildings, and this has all three. Maybe that's why. 

Anyway, I know it's random but some things just need to be shared.

Musing

Jet lag is a funny thing. In Maine, I'd go to bed anytime between 12:30 and 1:30 on a normal night. But now that I'm back in California, which is 3 hours behind, by about 7:30 I have to fight to keep my eyes open. My stomach is also completely off schedule. I'm hungry for meals 1 or 2 hours before the normal meal time. But I force myself not to eat until a normal time so that I can get on track as soon as possible. Then, by the time I sit down to eat, I'm barely hungry. So silly. I just hope to get back on track completely before I start work.