A Timely Update!

After a couple of "unique" posts, I think it's time to just re-engage with my blog and write a little about what's going on in my heart. :)

 I'll start by saying that I'm writing you this from a sun-filled kitchen in a glorious two story Spanish Villa overlooking the majestic pillared stone buildings of my college campus. The blanket of snow has made everything look spotlessly clean and pure... what's more, I'm listening to Enya.

What a perfect opportunity to take some time to update you on what's going on in my life!

A Fool for School
I'm well into the third week of classes at the University @ Buffalo, and I've really been enjoying all my classes. I'm taking Managerial Accounting, a science course called "Great Advances in Science, the Micro-world: Medical Implant Controversies", World Commerce, Statistics, and Jazz Band. Yes you read this correctly. I've really been enjoying all my classes.

I've had a major attitude shift towards school and I love the satisfaction from getting A's in every class, on every test and quiz so far!  And I know I'm only a month into it, but you know what? I'm already doing better than I was last semester, and I see this as being my best semester in college yet- not only based on my performance, but also my level of enjoyment and fulfillment.

So, I'm looking forward to keep chipping away at this semester and experiencing the rewards of my enthusiasm and hard work.

Wedding and a Birthday...
 Earlier this month, I attended Mark's (my third-cousin) wedding and got a hefty helping of family, love, joy, and celebration that has not really satiated me but instead left me craving more! Everyone, have more weddings! ha ha I'm so happy that Mark has met Jessica and that they've made this dedication that is just between them and God. Let me tell you, I was there and it was a beautiful demonstration of their faith and commitment. It was also an honor to sing for their ceremony and praise God that He allowed me to contribute to their wedding in that special way. :)  I was so happy to meet my little 2nd cousin Christopher Simpson for the very first time. It had been years since I'd seen my cousin Philip (since his wedding) so this was a really great reunion for us. With my amazing family, the 12 hour drive from Saugerties, NY to North Carolina was not just tolerable, it was actually enjoyable! Yes, you read that right as well. Pop your eyes back in now. haha. I quote my Mom: "Bananas? ... Rotten Bananas??" Yah... you'd only know if you were there. :) Mom, if you're reading this, I love you.

Speaking of my Mom, last weekend was her birthday! :) I wrote her a little card and gave her some reading materials (Better Homes & Gardens, mind you) as well as a year subscription to their magazine. Although I couldn't be physically there for her birthday, I heard it was great- lunch at PF Chang's, watching the new flick, "Avatar" on I-MAX, enjoying Godiva chocolates, man oh man. As an added bonus, my boyfriend Robin sent her a package with a lovely letter and a book called 100 Years of Solitude which she told me yesterday she's already 150 pages into! Whoa! So needless to say, she really likes that gift. I'm sure she also read her Better Homes & Gardens cover to cover that material is time sensitive!! (Are you still reading this, Mom? haha) Also, my Dad took her out to a special dinner the following evening. Go, Dad! ;)

Knock knock, it's the IRS...
 So you're probably wondering, what the heck were you doing on your Mom's birthday, Laura? Well, my dear inquisitive friend, I was being trained to be IRS certified to do people's taxes. Yes, I know, it doesn't get much more masochistic for any fun-loving 22 year old. And you certainly are right. But they're going to be holding a free tax-preparation service for low-income families right across the street from me and I really want to be a part of that. Not long ago, my friend Jeannie replied to one of my blog posts saying that a good way for us to give when we can't give financially is to instead give of our time. I believe that God made this opportunity to serve the community clear to me, and I'm looking forward to it. I'll let you know how that all goes. :)

This Weekend, A couple faces I've been aching to see...

 I'll be doing a little drive to Oil City, PA to visit my Grandparents and spend a couple days with them. Grandma Simpson and I have a very healthy pen-pal arrangement going so I'm always really anticipating my visits there. :) This I think will be the third time I've been to visit since I came to Buffalo back in June and I hope to do this even more often so long as I'm this close.

BIG, BIG NEWS!

My Uncle Eric proposed to his girlfriend, Melinda, and she said YES! Not that I'm surprised she did, haha, because he's a really cool guy. We all love Melinda so much and are really excited to have her as a part of our family. No word on the wedding date yet, they are still exploring options for the destination! Congratulations to the both of you, we couldn't be happier.=D
 
 On the horizon...

In a mere 2 and a half weeks, I will be aboard a flight to Vegas, N.V. With our planned cross-country road trip,  my boyfriend Robin will become a part of my daily life! He's decided to eliminate this land gap that has kept us apart for the past 6 months. Our situation has undoubtedly challenged our determination and dedication to eachother. But we've been doing incredibly well despite the distance, and by finally being able to enjoy his presence, things can only get better.


 Until next time!
Well, that's all I have time to share right now but thanks for reading. I hope you really enjoy this day God's given you and find ways to somebody smile.

Laura

Music :)

I don't think my last post made any sense. haha I guess that happens when you're a little sleepy =P so here's a different song by the same band

Laura Simpson, Vocal Jazz

Hey there, I know I haven't written in a while. I woke up unusually early today, with a bit of a jolt. I think its because my mind keeps dredging out memories of my professional singing days and asking me what to do about them. My final year in high school, only year at UNLV and my summer in Philadelphia have been hanging out in my mind's recycle bin for a quite a few years now, I'm not sure how to file them and it's frustrating so I want to throw them away.

If you asked me why I stopped singing I might give you one of these answers.
- I was in it for the wrong reasons, and because of that, grew impatient.
- My voice deteriorated, singing became difficult and disappointing, so I lost interest. It would take a lot of work to be able to perform the amount I used to at the same quality.
- With all the distractions, I couldn't get serious about it in my first year of college.

I think it's a mixture of these things and maybe a couple more. So when those memories pop up, I bury them in some new hole, covered by a fresh layer of newly manufactured excuses.

I don't know how to identify with the mistakes I've made in this area of my life, or how to categorize all the foregone opportunities. I don't want to call it failure, because I know I'm too young to have actually failed at anything. Only death throws the gavel down. Who's to say that my every wrong won't be made right before I leave this world.

Even if I'm given just 10 years more on this Earth, I hope I'll have already circled back to jazz and cried into the microphone some more, being broadcast from some antenna somewhere, or before an audience who claps not because it's customary but because my performance has caused their hands to spontaneously collide.

Maybe you'll hear my ridiculous, clumsy guitar playing again. My voice'll come out with a limp, and fall flat on the ground instead of making every molecule within range vibrate in agreement the way it used to. This is just the sound of my life malfunctioning a little, with a past too big to throw away, and yet too much a part of me to ignore.

Today

- Took my love to the airport and watched him fly away.
- Printed stickers and typed invoices into a spreadsheet for an oil distributor.
- Drove in some of the worst snowy road conditions I've ever seen.
- Purchased a sledgehammer and with the help of my friend Kyle, destroyed my favorite desk on the side of the road.
- Snuck into a house.
- Drank the best Latte of my life.
- Danced the Argentine Tango.
- New England Clam Chowder, need I say more.
- Was encouraged by my man to follow my dreams and live the life I was born to live.
-Fell asleep in a nice warm bed.
okay, the last one is just a guess ;)

The Protagonist

I have days tied to my ankle, they scratch the black asphalt up from under the snow. I wait for him in the car, allowing it to warm up, watching as he pushes the perfect snow off from all the windows. My throat is sore and my hands are dry so I clutch the steering wheel, put on the whole armor of jazz and turn up the volume. This car makes me want a horse instead. In fact, it makes me want to shed all layers of want, and that's something I've wanted only recently. Content, I reach for the passenger seat warmer, set it on high. He'll notice it just in time to appreciate it.

As I drive and drive through the driving snow, the thin layers- white silk on rough black skin deceptively delicate- drift and make the road look like it's crawling along with me. Of words exchanged from around then I remember only that he's glad I'm patient and have a good attitude, that he hates snow, and that I shouldn't walk like I'm sick.
 
The protagonist is at the bar tonight and comes home smelling of cigarettes not his, with a smile, asking how I'm feeling, now singing in the shower improvised lyrics that include my name.
 
The days I'm dragging clank like cans tied to the fender of a car. There are ribbons and there is confetti. It's a good sound and leaves the idolizable glories of 2009 just a residue from the bliss that is me in the present moment. Then again, I guess it's weird to have this thing tugging on my ankle like this. :)