Month 5 update: Whee!!*

I’m half way through my 6th month now but I still wanted to reflect on March.  When I do my updates I usually don’t reflect on how I’m feeling but mostly on things that I notice from being in Korea.

For me March was a month dedicated to myself, my aspirations and my concerns.  I left my home, a place of extreme familiarity and understanding to have this valuable time, so it was a fair trade.  I say it was a fair trade because there are few people who get a chance to really contemplate, to really be alone to discover and reformulate- and I got this chance.  

So what came out of this month that I took for myself?  Well, for as long as I can remember I’ve had two dreams: To own a restaurant and To work in a hospital.  As ‘luck’ would it, these are rather conflicting dreams which is how Korea acted as a fork in my road.  I couldn’t leave Korea still fighting for both dreams as I was before, I had to come back to America knowing which direction I would take.  Armed with all my new decisions I chose the “work in a hospital” route, I applied to UIC to pursue a Masters in Nursing. 

The next couple of weeks were out of my control, I had to hold steady and think some more.  If I didn’t get in to UIC, I would take the “own a restaurant” route, which is in no way a backup route.  Having duel dreams is difficult. Which one do I go after?  Which one will better benefit my future?  Which one have I worked for harder in the past?  Which one do I want more, is not really a question though- I want them both. 

Be that as it may, I have chosen to become a nurse and work in my free time at opening a restaurant.  In my book March was a successful month of reflection!  I got an acceptance letter from UIC last week and my direction has never been so clear.  I have an agenda now. :)  Thank you tumblrs for keeping your fingers crossed and most of all thank you to my boyfriend Jared and my BFF Nadine for supporting me and talking it out with me, over and over ;) I love you two.

*This is an original collage by dadadreams titled, “Speeding Down Life’s High-way”.

and enjoy alphabet collections when you find them in your letter.  I probably will not be buying Peter Blake’s original prints but I still appreciate his art. :)

I love stamps.  It probably goes along with my adoration for post card and letters ;)

Dear God,

I know I wrote a letter before thanking you for all brilliant things you’ve given me but I wanted to thank you again today.  :) Thank you, as always for my family and friends that support me.  For speedy mail delivery, cities that are safe at night and free translation.  Thank you for a friend in foreign countires, well behaved kids and students that do their homework. 

Thank you for affordable airfare, cheap hotels, and for the incredible places I’ve traveled.  Thank you for Skpye.  Thank you for the Internet, which has made the world such a smaller place.  Thank you for my imagination and passion.  Thank you for the little things, for tiny jars with tiny messages on them.

As I’ve promised before, I’m going to try my best to spread this joy inside me all around and never sweat the small stuff.

Love,

Lauryn

My dad told me that the Big Guy wrote him the kindest letter.  It was fairly lenghty he said :) It made my day.

[via quellequaintrelle]

baaah!! L cupcakes :) These are perfect.  These are for my other L-babies out there.

from Lovely: a Bakeshop @ 1130 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago IL 60622