Larissa Does Germany

Correction: I only partook in their food ... in Arkansas. I know, I know. I wouldn't expect much from Arkansas and their take on German food, BUT The Bavarian Inn KILLS IT!

I pretended to be a food critic for a minute. I could not help documenting the huge feast I partook in. Sauerkraut soup, and roast duck. Needless to say, I'm a little less mad about that whole World War II thing.

I bring this up, because I did the annual Cross Family Venture to Eureka Springs this past weekend. Always a good way to start off the summer. Today is Wednesday. Thursday I am meeting up with a photographer as a precursor to becoming a model for him. No worries. He's not a perv, so I won't end up nude in shot 64. I'm excited. Mainly because I have never done anything like this and there's nothing like a new experience to spice life up life a bit. However exciting this may be, I am LIGHT YEARS more excited about what Friday is bringing. Friday, I will be traveling to Shell Knob, Missouri, to pick up the missing piece of my life. A bloodhound. I'm buying him from Country Lake Bloodhounds. Their homepage has the Beverly Hillbillies theme song going, so you know it is legit. I have wanted a bloodhound for some time. I've put a lot of hours into figuring out whether or not I need this dog, and it just feels perfect.

I'm real satisfied on life right now. Everything is just perfect. Expect an update of my joy with my dog later this week.

-LC

Closing shot of me and my parents dog heading back home.

A Late, but Still Windy Chicago

Well, it has been well over a month since I have returned home from Chicago and I am just now getting a chance to sit down and blog about it. This should tell you something about how ridiculous this semester has been lately. I'm so burnt out on school, it is ridiculous. I need summer like crazy. I want river time, sunshine, sunglasses, bare shoulders, star watching and late nights. Anywho, CHICAGO!

I went to Chicago with the Sociology club at MSSU for the Midwest Sociology Convention. It was my first time in Chicago and it blew me away...Literally! We stayed at the Mariott Mile High Hotel and It was the perfect way to see the city.

We were right in the heart of downtown and literally minutes away from everything. The second day, the roomie and I skipped out on classes and took a trip to Boys Town. It is the largest and first official Gay Community in America. The shopping was out of this world, the people were friendly and we took in plenty of good sightseeing. In Boys Town, the bars stay open till 3 a.m. during the week and 5 a.m. on the weekends. We went during the day, but the area was practically alive with activity and overall good vibes.

One of my favorite things about the trip, was getting to spend A LOT of quality time with people I find substance and admire as fellow students. And of course I got to hang out with my favorite professor, Dr. Conrad Gubera.

I have him and the convention to thank for giving me the solidity I needed in my decision to change majors and put my faith in Sociology being the direction I need to take my college career.

So, to keep this post from being a novel, I'll wrap up with saying Chicago did not rule out the possibility of going to the University of Chicago some day. I am adverse to cold weather and wind, but the city itself is darn near perfect. I found it exactly to my liking and if I call it home some day, I won't complain... That is if the whole state of Illinois doesn't implode before I get there. : ) Here's a picture Ms. Quakenbush (The Chicago roomie) snapped of me on the subway at 2 a.m.. Needless to say, I SURVIVED THE SUBWAY! It was my first time and being a midwestern girl, I was pretty darn proud of my ability to manage myself in such a large, foreign environment.

-LC

P.S. EVERYONE IN THE MIDWEST IS A BUNCH OF LIARS!! If you ever want REAL Chicago style pizza, go here:

And get the four cheese and think of me when you are going to heaven on a little garlic and cheesey cloud. Graffiti is strongly encouraged here, so Glendola busted out her finger nail police and we got our vandalization on. Here's a closing shot of me with my handy work.

Home

Yep. Got a House. Stay tuned to see if I can keep it ; ) Move in date is the 26th. Until then I'll be pretty scarce. Wedding on the 27th and back to school on the 29th. Chicago for the Sociology Convention on the 31st - 3rd of April and Jefferson City on the 12th and 13th. Too bad I won't be able to enjoy this little beauty too much for a bit. Can't have your cake and eat it too, right? More to come.

-LC

Ryan Adams & Me

For all the hours here that move too slow

There's all this letting go, that don't pass

If all this love is real, how will we know?

If we're only scared of losing it, how will it last?

If I am a stranger now to you

I will always be, I will always be

Stronger now then me, stronger then you

Our love will always be

And if we let it go, I will try to be there for you

If I can, what if I can't?

Today is yesterday when you don't know

How to rebuild the walls that someone has knocked down

To tell the truth it's hard enough about a lover

Who you want to hide your darkness from

So they won't let you down

If I am a stranger now to you

I will always be, I will always be

Stronger now then me, stronger then you

Our love will always be

And if we let it go, I will try to be there for you

I will try and be there for you

If I can, what if I can't?

For all the hours here that move to slow

There's all this letting go, that won't pass

If all this love is real, how will we know?

And if were only scared of losing it, how will it last?

If I am a stranger now to you

I will always be, I will always be

Stronger now then me, stronger than you

Our love will always be

If we let it go, I will try to be there for you

I will try to be there for you

I will try to be there for you

If I can, what if I can't?

-Ryan Adams, If I am a Stranger

Today was a good day. Bike ride (I got adventurous and found new roads). Down side = I now have butt calluses and my legs are gonna fall off. Saw a cute boy and made breakfast complete with Cupcake Fruitty Pebbles. I highly recommend them ... the cute boy and the cereal. Went to the store with the roomie and her bf, got some brews, and we're getting ready to chow on some homemade mexican food. Homework time hasn't hit yet, but I am not even dreading it. Like I said, today has been a good day. I'm ready for this week. Lemme' at it.

-LC

A night With Ms. Cross

I am not a photographer by any means. I leave it to the ones with true talent i.e. Mr. Landberg. But seeing as I am going on a few trips in the near future; Chicago with the Sociology club, Washington for Sasquatch, Padre with the Roomie and The deep south to visit a long lost relative, I felt it was necessary to get a new camera and take some quality pictures. I picked up the Canon S90 last friday and I am in love. I took a few pictures tonight while studying to try and get a feel for it, and I thought they weren't too shabby. So keep a lookout for my photography album coming soon to my Myspace page. JkJkJk. Back to the grind.

-LC

Obsessions

So, I've found that the best way to fight stress is to keep myself distracted, busy and intrigued. Here are a few of the things that are keeping me distracted from the fact that I just added on one more class to my already full load;

1.) Johnny Cash

I picked up this little gem last weekend at Vintage Stock and found his greatest hits for 5 bucks at trusty Wal-mart. I would also like to report, that I kicked my friend Cody's rear at "Ring of Fire" on Guitar Hero at a party last week. Not to brag or anything. I can't beat my roommate, because she is basically a fembot when it comes to Guitar Hero, so it felt good to finally win and glorify such a kicker of a song. Anywho, I also picked up Walk the Line last Sunday and it hasn't left my computer since.

2.) NPR App

Thanks to the NPR App, I can be a nerd on the go.

This is the perfect little (free!!) app to pop in the headphones and tune out the noise at work, working out, and just being lazy. Go get it .

3.) Red Diamond Sweet Tea

Need I say more? I'm from Oklahoma, my favorite holiday is the 4th of July and I love back and front porch sitting. Of course I love sweet tea. Also, I'm lazy; therefore, Red Diamond prevents me from having to make my own tea.

4.)SHOES!

Surprise, surprise. What shopping addict isn't obsessed with shoes when all the Spring collections roll around.

These shoes have been calling my name. Unfortunately, I have a "No ordering Shoes online" rule. I have to be able to try them on and see them in person to makes sure they are perfect. As much as I love the sparkle and shine that the fall and winter lines bring around, I am all about the colors and patterns and possibilities that the Spring line brings. It's nice to be able to sit inside hiding from the 30 degree weather with hot tea, and pour over pages and pages of pretty skirts and shorts that are just so full of the awesome prospect of warm weather.

5.) Family

I've been heading back home at just about every chance I can get. This coming weekend, I am picking up my neices from school on Friday and I am watching them until Sunday. We are going to take in some bowling, a movie and some serious trampoline time. It's going to be a good time.

-LC

Nonsense

I found this on StumbleUpon and I just couldn't resist sharing. It makes me miss this past spring when the Star Trek movie came out. Such a good movie and such a good time of my life. Welp, this weekend is a fundraiser for Trisha A. Raney and a Rock the vote event. Plus I'm getting to spend some time with the parents. I'm looking forward to it.

Also, I interviewed this morning for to be a peer mentor for the freshman experience classes at Missouri Southern. I got the job and that means I am adding about 3 hours on top of my 18 this semester. I might have a death wish, but I am so excited to have this opportunity. Did I mention I am a very fortunate individual. Life is good.

LC