Ethan Alan

Ethan Alan Voges

November 28th, 2009

6 lbs 10 oz 

20 3/4 inches long

My brother Dustin is no longer the only Voges boy. My sister in law and brother had their baby this morning!

I got a phone call about 7:10am and it was my brother. Calling to tell me that I was an aunt. again. 

I was am so excited! Another boy for the Voges family!

I am also so sad. Sad that I will not get to see this little boy until May. 

Congrats Dustin & Heather! You're going to be great parents!

Courageously saying that I haven't held a little baby in years,

Lauren

Too Long...

I have been absent for far too long. Please forgive me. 
My wireless internet is on the fritz. I have been working a lot. It is the holidays. I've just been busy.

Yet not busy enough. Not busy enough to not miss my family.

It's funny how that happens. Sometimes my family drives me crazy. We are loud. We are mean. We are crazy. We don't always get along. We get on each others nerves. We don't always do the dishes. We cry. We are emotional. We are 5 girls and 1 boy.

But, because of all of this, I love them. They are the craziest people I will ever meet, but I love them because of that. We play phase 10. Kaitlyn quits a million times every game (do NOT deny it Keena!) and Mike (Breanne's husband) created a game within a game. We count & see how many times Kaitlyn actually quits. It's really funny.

My sisters sang at my aunt and uncle's church. They sang the song we sang at Breanne's wedding. I was not there to be the alto. I missed it.

I hate missing out on things, yet I know that I will appreciate them so much more when I see them. I already do appreciate them so much more.

I miss my mom and dad. I miss watching the Timberwolves with my dad, and I miss watching movies with my mom until she falls asleep. We usually make it about 20 minutes (if we're lucky.)

So family, here is to you. Here is to me loving you, and all of you crying while reading this. 

Courageously admitting that my family is crazy and that I enjoy it,

Lauren

Sigur Ros & Snow

and New Moon. Yep. Friends, I have officially seen New Moon...! It was great. 
The plan was for me to go the Sunday matinee showing at 1:30. I bought my ticket before work on Saturday, and was ready to go the next day. I received a call from work Sunday morning wondering if I would be willing to come into work for a couple of hours to take some of the kids to a matinee. I explained to them that I had already purchased my ticket, but that I would be willing to take them to the movie. So, my quiet day turned into a workin' day. However, I will not complain about getting time and a half for 4 hours for watching a movie. Not going to do it! :)


The movie was great. I loved it. I cannot elaborate because many people that I know have not seen it, and would kill me if I did (cough, Kaitlyn, cough). You will just have to stay tuned for *possibly* next weekend when I go see it again. However, I can say this: I have been listening to the NM soundtrack for the past few weeks, and totally called approximately where 3 of the songs would be placed in the movie. I am good!


Anyway, back to the title of my blog. It is snowing. a lot. and i am listening to my recently played playlist on shuffle. Sigur Ros has been coming on frequently and it's beautiful to listen to with the snow falling against the mountains. It has been snowing frequently here. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I'm thinking that once my time in Alaska comes to an end, I need to move to a warmer climate. I have lived in Ireland, Minnesota, and now Alaska. Maybe Hawaii...


Anyway. All of that to say, it is snowing and I am currently listening to great music. I may switch it over to Fleet Foxes. I have heard that Fleet Foxes are a great winter listen. 


Well, maybe I should keep this day going somehow. However, before I do that I am thinking about doing a giveaway. I love music, and am thinking about making a sampler for one lucky reader. Thoughts? Suggestions? Stay tuned for further updates!


Courageously admitting that I saw New Moon on opening weekend and waited in line outside,
Lauren

Nothingness

I have nothing witty to write. 
Or to share. 
I am attempting to write from my heart
but it's hard to write from the heart 
when it doesn't feel fully connected.


I've made 2 different playlists this morning. 
One that expresses my sorrow and despair.
Another that expresses my hope.
How completely different
Yet how completely similar.


Here is to a new day.
A better day.
A day where the sun shines
and the air is crisp.


A day where I can feel
and experience 
Joy.
Elation.
Confidence.
Love.
Peace.


That is what I want from today.
That is what I am praying for today.


Courageously baring my soul,
Lauren

Short & Sweet

As the title says, this is going to be short & sweet. 


I finished orientation today... WOOHOO!!! Yesterday was a bunch of paperwork stuff, but today was a bit more interesting!
The last class focused on cultural awareness. LOVED it. I found out that my raising of the eyebrows (if youre ever around me for 5 minutes or less, you know i do this often!) can be taken as the answer yes. Interesting! I'll have to be careful with that!


There is more to it than just this little segment, but I am off to babysit...! WooHoo! I am honestly excited!


There will be more tomorrow. Have no fears!


Courageously leaving you hanging,
Lauren

AFI Update

WooHoo! On Sunday I checked out 3 movies from the library that are on the AFI movie list. I then proceeded to watch 2 in one day! Woohoo! I was super pumped about that!


The first one that I watched was "Annie Hall." It's a Woody Allen film starring Woody Allen & Diane Keaton. It was an interesting movie. I am not 100% sure why it was on the list, and am needing to do a little homework about that. Anyway, it was sweet and endearing. I had never seen a Woody Allen film, and was intrigued by it. It was sweet and cute and fun and pretty mellow. It was a good older movie. 













Later that evening a friend and I watched "Taxi Driver." The word we used to describe it at the end of the night was "strange." The plot lacked, the ending was so weird, but the acting was pretty good. A few big names were in it: Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, Cybil Sheperd, & Peter Boyle. All in all it ended up being nominated for 4 oscars. That's great! I'm just wondering why. De Niro was great in it, but like I said, the plot seemed to be lacking. Why was the senator so important? What was that all about? Either way, I have one more checked off the list...


It was a pretty good day for movie watching! I fell asleep watching "Coraline" and am excited to finish it tonight! 


Tomorrow I head back to work for day 2 of orientation. Sorry if this post arrives late! Better late than never! :)


Courageously making up a song about Coraline, 
Lauren

OOH! I found a blog giveaway that would be awesome! I would love to have an Alaskan journal.. just talking about that last night! Check out this this site to register for it!! :)

Random Thoughts

Last night I got home at 12:30am and had so many random thoughts running through my head. Here they are:


Mac or PC? MAC


I would rather drive in MN ice than AK snow/rain


I chatted with someone in Ireland last night. It was 11:00pm. They were just getting up and ready for the day.


2 of my sisters, Kaitlyn & Tyanne have their musical this weekend. I've cried a couple of times knowing that I've missed it.


I had a lot more thoughts last night that I did not write down because I thought that I would remember...HA!


I finished Lawrence of Arabia! I now have 4 movies left to see in the AFI top 10. Then only 75 to go after that. Yikes!


New Moon comes out on Friday. I cannot wait! I might even go see if after work. That would kick some serious... butt.


My ipod is dying. I need a new one. I want a new one, but the need outweighs the want. 

64 GB ipod touch or 140 GB ipod? Not sure...


It has been raining. I have been rocking my xtra tuffs. 

My Asics are dying a slow death. They have holes. They are too awesome to get rid of. I need to look for a new pair. 


Last night I was told that I looked 30 years old when I had Levi with me. Someone also called me 14 a few weeks ago. The average of the 2 is 22.5. That is how old I really am.


Here is my new current fave playlist:
1. Apologize-One Republic
2. Troubled-Ray Lamontange
3. Latter Days-Over the Rhine
4. Laughing With-Regina Spektor
5. Roslyn-Bon Iver & St. Vincent
6. Flightless Bird, American Mouth-Twilight Soundtrack
7. City of Blinding Lights-U2
8. Til Kingdom Come-Coldplay
9. For Emma-Bon Iver


I always wear 2 long sleeve shirts to work. Last night I was cold. I was told that I am not truly from MN.


I have to go to work in 20 minutes.


Courageously living my life,
Lauren

*Snow*

While driving home from work last night, I experienced the first real snow of the season. When I woke up this morning, I encountered a wonderful dusting of snow on the ground. When I walked on the sidewalk this morning I encountered something slippery under the snow. I then realized that underneath the "wonderful" (I like snow, just not the building up to the accumulation of it) snow was a little bit of rain that had frozen overnight. My friend, Erin, told me that studded tires are a must here. I must look into that if I am going to be driving 10-20 minutes to and from work every night. 
So, here is to the snow. Here is to a winter in a new land. Here is to being from Minnesota and knowing what this white stuff on the ground is. 
Speaking of Minnesota, tonight I will be working with a guy from Brainerd. I met his cousin last night who went to college at Bethany in Mankato. HA! What are the odds of someone in Alaska having heard of Janesville?! Amazing.


Well, here I go. My hair is wet, my face is dry. Have a wonderful weekend! My Friday is technically tomorrow, so I will have to enjoy that later. 


Courageously admitting that I am not loving the snow,
Lauren

I have a feeling that this picture is a foreshadowing of what is to come of me. I enjoy my high heeled boots. I will not give in. Not even in Alaska. 

Thursday

It is technically Thursday. I know that my time will be limited today, so I'm going to blog right now. Start (and end) a day out right. 


There have been a few songs lately that have been speaking to my soul. This song has been hitting me so hard lately, and I have no idea why. It comes on, and my soul is open and receptive to whatever lies ahead. I listen to it before work, after work, with Levi, in the shower, while I'm falling asleep, etc. I don't know what it is, but there is something there. It is one of those songs that when it comes on, I am unable to contain any emotion that may come along with it. I cannot explain it in words without sounding extremely crazy, yet that is the only way to explain it. I just started playing this song again, and I started to hear the rain fall on the roof right as it started playing. That is what I call beauty. 
Please enjoy it. If you do not, please do not share. I will not be able to deal. I recommend that you listen to the song without looking at the video. It is not amazing. Listen to the song, look over the words, and let the flow through you.


Courageously feeding my soul,
Lauren

What a beautiful piece of heartache
This has all turned out to be
Lord knows we've learned the hard way
All about healthy apathy

I use these words pretty loosely
There's so much more to life than words

There is a me you would not recognize, dear
Call it the shadow of myself
And if the music starts before I get there
Dance without me, you dance so gracefully
I really think I'll be okay
They've taken a toll, these latter days

Nothing like sleeping on a bed of nails
Nothing much here but our broken dream
Oh, but baby, if all else fails
Nothing is ever quite what it seems

And I'm dying inside to leave you
With more than just cliches

There is a me you would not recognize, dear
Call it the shadow of myself
And if the music starts before I get there
Dance without me, you dance so gracefully
I really think I'll be okay
They've taken their toll, these latter days
They've taken their toll, these latter days

Tell them it's real
Tell them it's really real
I just don't have much left to say
They've taken their toll, these latter days
They've taken their toll, these latter days

Wednesdays...

 Today is Wednesday. Today I work 2-10. I have not yet written it on my calendar, but I will. I will also include all of the other times that I work this week. And next week. YAY! I am a working girl! Last night was my first night, and it went very well. The kids were great, & I really enjoyed working with the staff. I even got to help make tacos. Yummy.  I go in again today from 2-10, and am excited about it again. It's nice to have a schedule of my own, and be able to have something new to look forward to. To actually be immersed into the Juneau culture. It was a great night, and pretty low key. I know it won't always be like that, but am thankful for a great first night!
On another note, when I got home last night i watched Dancing With the Stars. I was so sad to see Aaron & Karina go. He might be labeled as a whiney little kid, but that's what he is (in a sense). He's young. He has maybe not had all of the time in the world to grow up the "right way."
I was sad so see them go, but am so glad that Kelly & Louis are still in it! I would love to see Mya go home. She's great, but she's a dancer. I don't know... I guess I'll just say that I'm not her biggest fan...!


Hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday! There's a show called "Glee" on Wednesday nights at 8pm. I enjoyed it. One of my sisters enjoys it. You may enjoy it. Check it out! You know I will after work!


Courageously working it,
Lauren

!!!

Today at approximately 1:30pm AK time I will be leaving to start my new job!!! I am so excited! I am not nervous, by any means but very excited! I'm anticipating this new step & could not be any more excited! I will be training & such today, and then next week I will have 2 full days of orientation. I am so excited, & so blessed to be doing something that I'm pretty sure I am going to LOVE!


Thank you so much for your prayers. I'm always open for continued ones, too!


Courageously taking this step,
Lauren :)

Update

I am officially employed. 
Thank you for your prayers.
YAY!


Courageously excited!,
Lauren

AFI

This is a goal of mine. To watch all 100 movies on the American Film Institute's top 100 list. This is their 10th Anniversary edition, so it's pretty great!

How did this get started? Well thank you for asking! 

     *I love movies. I love watching movies in the theatre, my home, friends homes, my laptop, anywhere! I just love watching movies in general, & am always looking for a great movie. I came across this list a few years back when the AFI special aired on CBS (I dont remember watching all of it, but I'm trying to find it somewhere... any ideas?!). I fell in love with some of the older movies, & have been in awe of the cinematic genius from years past. How amazing is it that they had such technology then! I have currently seen 20 out of the 100. Wait. Let me change that. I remember seeing 20 out of the 100. If I have seen it in the last year, or if I remember seeing it multiple times (or can remember more than a line of 2 of it) then I will check it off. There are a couple that I saw in high school, but don't necessarily remember watching it, so I won't check it off until I have seen it again. 

The best part about some of these movies is that they are so old the only place I can rent them is at the library. The Library! The best part about that do you ask? They're free! I can check them out for a week without paying a penny! It's amazing! Since I've been here in Alaska I have seen 3 movies from the list, with a 4th one sitting on my shelf, and I haven't had to pay a pretty penny to rent any of them. I think I am in love...

All of that to say, wouldn't you love to join in on this adventure with me?! A thing to consider in all of this is that not all of the movies carry a "PG" rating, so some are not as appropriate to watch with children. Other than that, these are timeless movies that can be usually enjoyed with the whole family! 

How can I join in on this crazy adventure?

     *I am so glad that you have asked! go to the AFI website, and become a member (or you can email me for the list). It costs nothing to join, & if you live in California there are tons of opportunities to go check out some great movies with great deals!

As for the picture, it shows the top 10 movies of all time. At this time I have seen 5 of the top 10. Can you guess which 5? The person to guess the top 5 that I have seen, will win a million points! WOW! A million points! (hehe :)

Courageously watching movies,

Lauren

Evolution

Evolution of hair that is! I'm feeling a little feisty today. I need to not write about anything too opinionated, or I will let it fly! Instead, I have decided to give you a little insight into what my hair has looked like in the past week. Usually it's just straight & ready to go (after a little work), but this week I decided to spice it up a little. No reason. Just something new!~ Enjoy!

Courageously Evolving,

Lauren