Lauren's Loot: A day in the life of Lauren!

I had a request for a post on "a day in the life of Lauren" so this is my best attempt at a full play by play to really give you an idea of what I do! (You're going to be sorry you asked for this! hahaha) Right now I'm required to study 60 hours a week on campus at LECOM in addition to any time I spend studying at home. So this is a typical day for me:

I set an alarm for 5, 5:05, 5:10, and 5:11...just in case. This morning I have absolutely no recollection of the 5 and 5:10 alarm. I think I finally rolled out of bed at 5:11.

Each morning, I excitedly jump out of bed anxious to get things done.

Okay, that's a total lie. I set reminder alarms to myself saying "get to school by six and you can leave by dinner" or "GET UP- BOARDS IN 3 WEEKS". That one usually gets my heart racing and ready to move.

I run up to get Lucy who is always so excited to see me :)

I love how peaceful it is (for about 3 minutes as I sit and wait for Lucy to do her business) outside in the crisp morning air as I watch the sun creep over the trees.

Despite the sleepy eyes in this picture, Lucy is always up and ready to play!

I am SO thankful for daylight saving's time! It is much easier to get up when the sun is up!

I quickly shower, get dressed, make coffee,

gather my pre-made lunch and all my books, kiss the wonderful hubby and say bye to baby Lucy and rush out the door!

Here's my huge pile of stuff...I'm seriously considering bringing a suitcase tomorrow....

Definitely can't forget the blanket and sweatshirt- it gets FREEZING on campus!

Today I left a few minutes later than usual (550-I usually leave by 540) so the sun was RIGHT in my face the whole way! It took me a good ten minutes to focus my eyes once I finally got in school! After months and months and months of never-ending dreary weather, I certainly won't complain though!!

This is the front of the school (don't worry, I pulled over before taking all the pictures!). It has this big fancy entrance and a pretty forum but we are NOT allowed to touch foot in that part of the building!

I was a little too late in taking a picture of the school- they just started the construction and tore out all the landscaping at the back (main) entrance. It does make it look a little more like the prison I feel like I'm in when I study there 60 hours a week though!

This is the door I've gone through a bazilion times now to get into school.

(The sign says "No food or drink beyond this point" and the tv screen above it reminds us of the dress code---as if we'd forget! ). Monday-Friday a security guard stands at the door and watches to make sure we all badge in properly (our ID tags open the doors) and another man (a retired professor and physician) sits in a chair making sure we are all in dress code (professional dress--guys have to wear button down shirts and ties!)

Here is my usual corner in the cafeteria. When you walk into school and pass the night shift on their way out, you know you are there too early! But it also ensures your pick of any table in the place so I always get the best seat! My friend Bri sits at the next table, then Vicki, then Mary. Misery loves company!

So yep- this is where I've sat for the last few weeks for 12+ hours a day. Looks comfy, right?

NOT.

After spending a few hours at the main campus this morning, and going stir crazy being in the same hard chair, I decided to try out the Bayfront Campus. It's usually reserved for a different pathway than mine but since they are doing construction on the main campus we are allowed to study there.

A friend of mine (Swati- she is moving to York soon too!) said she was going to try studying there so I thought I'd check it out too!

The fancy entrance:

It is in the middle of a big park and right close to the lake so the trees are beautiful! For a split second I thought I was on vacation! Then my heavy backpack wearing down on my shoulders snapped me back into reality!

Look how precious this little study area/50s diner is!!!
I chose the booth in the far left corner of the picture where I'd be surrounded by sunlight!!

I mean seriously! Look at this scenery out the window where I studied!!!

Look at the pretty bright orange flowers!

Do you see the lake in the back of the picture?! It's so close I could throw a rock in it!

Okay, maybe it's not that close but it seemed like it.

To help you get the full effect of my awesome new study place I set my timer to get a picture of me in the corner studying away...obviously. hahaha.

Note the dry erase board- THE big exam is computerized so we can't write on it or anything but we are given a small dry erase board to make calculations, notes, etc. on so I thought I should practice!

After I FINALLY finished my 12 hours of studying at the Bayfront campus (and no, I did not include the taking of all these pictures in my hours!), I got to leave while it was still daylight!

My brain is still tired though!

As usual, I was "starving" when I left so I had to decide what to do for dinner. Sometimes when I really really want to run through taco bell but know I shouldn't like today, I stop by Wegmans to get something fresh for dinner like veggies for a salad or a pre-made meal.

It's been really nice having a Wegmans on the way home! I snuck a few pieces of bread from the Italian loaf I bought for dinner (I didn't want to pass out of starvation lol!). It was really yummy.

I finally pulled back in at home and on the way inside I always check the mailbox- I LOVE GETTING MAIL ;)

That reminds me, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU Mimi and K for sending me another package!!!

Did I mention I love getting mail?! ;)

Anyways, I go inside and put my heels on the stairs...I'm usually too tired to actually take them up the stairs and put them in the closet, lol.

It's nice to come home to a cheery, handsome husband!

After eating breakfast, lunch, AND dinner at school yesterday (I studied there from 6am to 8pm!), I decided to go all out tonight-Wegman's ready to cook parmasan tilapia for me, pork with stuffing for J, and fresh corn on the cob!!!

After dinner each night, I pack my meals for tomorrow---yes, I take a huge cooler to school with me- since I'm there for 14 hours I need more food than will fit in a normal lunch box!

Watermelon, beans and rice, grapes, Yep- those are lucky charms---breakfast of champions!

Then I pick out what to wear tomorrow- 5:00 is way too early to make such decisions!!