the sunday currently, volume 27.

These photos couldn't be more indicative of my life lately: eyes glued to my phone, coffee after coffee ingested.

Do you ever have to police yourself on how much time you're spending on your phone? Because I do. The other night, I realized I was feeling a bit dizzy, nauseous even. I couldn't figure out what was wrong, until I put my phone down, acted like a normal human being for a while, then felt completely better. I had seriously been staring at my phone so much, it had given me vertigo. This is unacceptable behavior. Obviously. 

In a similar vein, the other morning, I had two very strong cups of coffee, back-to-back. Since I'm one of those people who feel remarkably zombie-like in the morning, sometimes I feel like I should over-compensate by pumping my nervous system full of caffeine. Finished the first cup, felt great, wanted to feel even greater. Finished the second cup, felt even greater. Thirty minutes later, though, when the drug had completely infiltrated my bloodstream, I felt like a crazy person. Long story short, two cups, back to back, is too many. Just stick with one, Lauren, just stick with one.

Enough about my addictive behaviors. 

reading Little Women, although I must admit I've fallen off of my schedule. This means I'm going to have to re-calculate & formulate a new schedule to finish it by March. Why can't I get through this book? I love it when I'm reading it, it's just the sitting-down-to-read part that I'm having problems with. I guess I'm just not in a reading mood lately. I want my next book to be something I can't put down, even if I'm not in a reading mood. Any suggestions?

writing a book. For real. Thank you so much to everyone, for y'all's words of encouragement. I've always wanted to do this, & I've always had the support of all the people in my life. I just decided the other day, that it was time. 

listening to words of advice & encouragement from a bunch of wonderful people, regarding the path(s) I'm going to take with my career. I am extremely grateful for all the great people in my life.

thinking that sometimes a simple phone call can erase the distance between friends. I miss all of my mine, but it's so comforting to simply know that they're out there, only a phone call, text, tweet, email, etc., away.

smelling Sensual Amber, & realizing it's one of my all-time favorite Bath & Body Works scents. And also deciding I'm not going to limit its usage to the colder months, even though it feels like a cold-weather scent. Still thinking Sensual Amber is a lame name, though.

wishing teleportation existed. This would make travel from Wilmington to Shreveport much easier, thus alleviating a lot of stress.

hoping my skin continues to clear up. The prescription I got has really worked. I feel so much better about the state of my face, & that makes me happy.

wearing the nail color I wore when I got engaged. It's Ciate's Cocktail Dress, & my sister gifted it to me for my 25th birthday. It's one of those any-time-of-the-year colors, though right now it feels decidedly Spring.

loving cleaning my house lately. I mean, what?! I am not someone who enjoys cleaning, but I have lately. This is such a lovely, lovely thing.

wanting more spinach & artichoke dip from Copper Penny. We had it at lunch yesterday afternoon, & it was ridiculously good. It was also a huge portion size, so we had plenty to bring home & enjoy later.

needing more nights like Friday night. Basketball, beer, socializing, frozen yogurt, & hilarious group texts from friends back home. It was the best night.

feeling so fantastic, due to our consistent workout habits as of late. Nothing compares to being in a good relationship with food, as well as in a good routine with the gym. I am just LOVING it.

clicking this list of Canadian books, in search of my next read. Also, this post by Tina. And this one, by Laura. Especially loving this line: And there's something to be said for realizing that home can exist in more than one place. Also, Penzu is the site I'm using to write my book. I'm a fan.

photos: embarrassing self-portraits taken in public, surrounded by people, at port city java \ photobooth