When Meeting Russians

... Make sure you have a Russian name.

This past weekend, I went to Lake Table rock with the boy and some of his friends; and let me tell you, I have never been so thankful to have a mispronounced name in my life. I am named after my dad, Larry Dwayne Cross. Of course, it is impossible to name a girl Larry, so my parents chose the next best thing; Larissa. Coincidentally, it is a Russian name which became poular in the U.S. after the movie Dr. Zhivago became popular. Luckily for me, the Russians aboard the boat I went out on with were big fans of my name and I had an automatic in with the group. It is always a plus when you get the approval of the friends.

After an eight day absence of the main squeeze, it was great to spend the weekend with him and my favorite people. I got to see my roommate and bestie turn 23, my long lost love Savannah came down from Arkansas and my boy returned from Florida on Friday for a night for the books. I love celebrations and my friends. Good things continue to happen and I am a blessed individual.

... And a strong parting shot of Amber showing off my man cave sign.

-LC

The High Fidelity Complex

I suffer from the "High Fidelity" complex. For those of you who have been living under a rock and have not experienced the awesome, cinematic gold that is "High Fidelity" starring John Cusack, I cannot help you. Here is your only lifeline; spend 9 bucks HERE, knock out the movie and then continue reading this.

Anywho, I have the two classic symptoms. 1.) Failure to commit and 2.) Pursuit of the fantasy. I present my case to a jury of my peers. Judge away.

Symptom #1 - Commitment issues

I find relationships intolerable, because I like to keep my options open. Why should I be tied down to one man when Prince Charming could come along at any second. Believe me, I know how idiotic and naive that sounds. I cannot tell you the countless conversations I have had in my head while listening to Belle and Sebastian, kicking back a Honeymoon and porch sitting. The point is, I don't like to limit myself and in the past a relationship has meant I am boxing myself in and therefore I am left option less. I can't help but relate to Rob when he says,

"I can see now I never really committed to Laura. I always had one foot out the door, and that prevented me from doing a lot of things, like thinking about my future and... I guess it made more sense to commit to nothing, keep my options open. And that's suicide. By tiny, tiny increments."

I have never fully committed to someone. I have never allowed myself to because of that whole options fetish. But I cannot simply chock it up to that reason alone. The main reason I am a detached, pathetic human being is because I'm scared. I have been left before. I have had heartbreak, and all that junk you hear on the radio and I would like to opt out of anymore of it, Thank you. But for once in my 20 years of life, I have found that the risk I am taking by thinking about my future, caring about someone, letting them see every aspect of who I am, that there is a pleasure, that just cannot be met by being aloof.

Symptom #2 - All about the Fantasy

I am in love with the chase. I love the fantasy that ensues with every knew relationship. Nothing is boring and everything is a first. You don't have to think about the other persons habits that will potentially drive you up the wall and vice versa. My catch 22 is that, every relationship is perfect in the beginning for me. I only see the good, which is the fantasy and surprise. But every relationship, save one in the past, has ended because I become bored. Leave it to Rob to express how I feel,

Rob: I'm tired of the fantasy, because it doesn't really exist. And there are never really any surprises, and it never really...
Laura: Delivers?
Rob: Delivers. And I'm tired of it. And I'm tired of everything else for that matter. But I don't ever seem to get tired of you, so....

I have finally made the realization it is rare that any of these pursuits will deliver. I don't mean that in the sense that relationships in general are doomed for failure. I mean that in the sense that, every relationship I pursue simply for the thrill of the fantasy is doomed. If I continue to pursue people simply because I am intrigued by the fantasy, then what happens when the fantasy is over? Absolutely nothing.

I am finally understanding that to make a relationship work, it should be pursued because the desire to be with that person, make them happy is the motivation behind it all. Instaed of simply wanting the fantasy, I want it all from someone; the good and the bad and no exceptions, Thanks.

Prescription - Take the Leap

I've got to get off the male hating, relationship fearing, band wagon and, frankly, grow up. It is the oldest card in the world for people to play and I am sick of being Negative Nancy when it comes to relationships. Why am I denying myself the potential happiness I deserve because I'm such a chicken? So, the doctors orders are in and it is time for me to grow a pair, get over my fear and take a risk.

Cure?

Be in a facebook OFFICIAL, sleeping over, meeting the parents relationship with a boy I am flat out crazy about. ; )

I'm excited to see what the future brings. Stay Tuned!

-LC

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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

These!

These!

I lost them. I discovered as of Tuesday of this past week that a SINGLE one of my Sperry's is missing. Overall it has really put a kink in my week. I guess what is throwing me is that I am missing one. Not both, but one. That means I didn't leave them somewhere, because I have never returned home only wearing one shoe and I am never inebriated to that extent anymore.

No, I do not sail. I just have a soft spot for shoes that channel old man tendencies and are too comfortable. Hopefully, I'll get a chance to go sailing some day. I am a huge fan of the fashion and style attached to the sailing and nautical lifestyle. Who doesn't want to look like this? Cute boy and cute shoes. Not much else is needed in life.
On a more positive note, it is uplifting to know that the biggest problem in my life is losing a shoe. School is going good; busy, but good. 18 hours of all upper level is kicking my butt. I'm Prez of the ole' College Democrats. The best part of this is that campaign season is gearing up. City council elections in almost two months and the 2010 election is already heating up. Despite changing my major, campaigns just get me all fired up, still. It's truly a human phenomenon and it brings out the best and worst of people. Just love it.

Life is good right now. Simple at best. I am flat broke. I haven't been shopping in almost two months (sticking to the New Year's resolution). I am definitely learning to appreciate what I have and reduce my consumeristic tendencies. I think I like this dirt poor lifestyle. We'll see how things pan out. More soon.

LC

Once you leave the nest...

You go back for life.

This may be my life very, very soon. Minus the football star dad and the "Naked Room" of course. As of a few weeks ago, my parents and I have been house hunting in Joplin. If we find the right house, and everything falls into place, my parents will be living in Joplin. I'm looking forward to this for a number of reason, the most important being that I have a really great relationship with my parents. Moving back in with the parents is a big decision. Of Course by moving back home I will be giving up some freedoms i.e. acting like a ridiculous, irresponsible college kid. But I don't feel that that is more important than the opportunity I have been given. I am very lucky to have the relationship I have with my parents and why not do something I won't ever get a chance to do again. So, here we go;

Perks of living with my parents:

-No rent

-Less fast food, more home cooking

-No electric bill

-LAUNDRY = DONE!

-My parents are badasses

-No rent

-Start saving for Grad school

-No rent

If you can't tell, I like free. I also like my parents a whole bunch. So, why on earth would I not move in with them??

The only difficulty I am having with making this discussion, is whether or not I want to give up Oklahoma. I'm proud of where I come from, and I love being able to come back home to this state. But other than that, there really is not much here for me. I love Missouri. I love the people, the town, the school and the possibilities.

I'm done worrying about my future, where I'll go to grad school, when I'll get married, where my future job will take me ext... I don't know where I will go in my future, but my present is rooted here in Missouri and I am going to make the most of every second I have here.

So, it's gonna' take a stick of dynamite to get me out of my parents house. And I'm completely okay with that. Stay tuned.

- Larissa