New Thing #31: Would Rather Not Be an Adult

I take it all back. All the talk of feeling like an adult or eluding to the fact that I wanted to be an adult is null and void. I came home last night to realize that my brand new road bike I received for Christmas and my birthday was missing. Come to realize it had been missing since Sunday but my family thought I had it. Someone broke into our house and stole my road bike! So today, my least favorite new thing happened, I had to file a police report. They didn't take me seriously for the most part, although they did bring out a detective and the crime-lab which I appreciate, they pretty much told me it is gone. No I didn't leave it outside, or lend it to a friend, or misplace it. What do these people take me for! Dealing with New Orleans finest was not the most pleasant experience, the officer didn't even know what a road bike was!!! 

"What kind of bike was it?"

"A road bike."

"Like a mountain bike?"

"No, a road bike."

"You mean a mountain bike."

"No, a road bike.

"Like that bike (pointing to a beach cruiser)?"

"Do you know what a racing bike is?"

"No."

"Never mind"

It is true the wisdom I received from a new friend--Loving this city can really hurt sometimes.

New Thing #30: E equals MC squared

Tonight I went to a lecture in honor of Albert Einstein's belated birthday. Einstein's birthday is March 14 so I have no idea why the UNO Society of Physics students decided to celebrate it this week, but they did, and I got extra credit for going, so I did. The lecture was entitled "Today's Death Star: Cosmic Gamma-Ray Bursts: Signals of Warped Space-Time." Now say that five times fast. It actually was a very interesting lecture, being that I have a secret love for astronomy. I don't think anyone really knows that about me, but I do. When I was little my dream job was an astronaut. How that relates to public health I will never know. All in all, it was a painless experience with both personal and academic benefits, i.e. bonus points :)

gamma ray bursts are caused by exploding stars. now tell me that is not amazing.

the belated birthday boy himself

New Thing #29: Which of These Things Is Not Like the Other

Now I know you are all singing that Sesame Street song in your head after reading that title. Tonight I decided to take the Mensa online test. It is imperative that everyone know on their site that this is just for fun and in no way is an I.Q. test or indicative of your entry or rejection into Mensa. Pretty much like the title states the questions are related to word games, patterns, and number sequences and which thing does or doesn't belong with the others. The score is irrelevant but they did tell me I may do well on the actual Mensa test, which is an I.Q test, which I took sometime in 2nd grade which I have no desire to know the results!. Try the test for yourself!

New Thing #28: As Seen On TV

Monday night I decided to become a product analyst and use an "As Seen on TV Product". I remember as a kid being mesmerized about these elusive products that could only be purchased on television, and dreamed of the day that I would be old enough to call in and order. Well now it is not so glamourous because they have whole stores devoted to these products or in my case you can just buy them at Walgreens.

I purchased the PedEgg Professional. The ultimate foot file for smooth, beautiful feet. Or better known as a cheese grater for your feet to put it bluntly. I must admit at first I was not impressed and didn't think that the product worked that well. It took a long time for little results. I was pleasantly surprised when I woke up this morning because my feet were much smoother! I will give this PedEgg a chance. Please check out the RIDICULOUS infomercial: PedEgg 

If there are any other products you would like me to test let me know!

New Thing #27 Officially a Louisianian

This Sunday I attended my first crawfish boil. Believe me, I have been to a boil. With most of my friends in college being from Savannah I have experienced many low country boils, but here in Louisiana it is done differently. Crawfish instead of shrimp, tobasco sauce and cajun seasoning galore, and eating on the ground out of cardboard boxes with your fingers. Now this is what I call classy. 

I remember the day last year when I had to turn over my Georgia license to the Louisiana DMV. I felt like I was moving to another country and having to denounce my citizenship. Although Georgia will always be on my mind, (sorry I know that was cheesy) I am at home here. This is where my heart is and where I am supposed to be. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

New Thing #26 Officially an Adult

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I am officially an adult. Saturday for the first time I did my own taxes. I agree with you that it is ridiculous that I have never done them before, but I haven't so it made for an educational new thing. It's funny, even though I am 25 I still don't view myself as an adult. In my mind I am still 21 or so, and in the eyes of others I am often mistaken as a teenager or young college co-ed (the worst was two years ago when they didn't think I was old enough to sit in an exit row, the requirement is 15, come on people). 

With that said I feel like Saturday was my right of passage into adulthood. No, not turning 21, being able to vote or purchase alcohol, not having a job, not being considered financially independent by the federal government for 3 years now, not being on my own health insurance, no none of these things make me feel like an adult, just taxes. 

Ironically, and in good taste with me not acting like an adult whatsoever, I will be using my return for my Europe trip this summer. Now that's the Lauren I know :)

New Thing #25 "What kind of bear is best?"

Yes, for this 25th new thing in this 25th year of trying new things I wrote a fan letter to a celebrity. This celebrity was none other than John Krasinski, better known to you and I as Jim Halpert. I included a picture to be autographed, and I have read that he actually returns letters. If I get an autograph in return you will definitely be reading about it here. I have a scanned copy of the letter but I will not be posting it. For mine and John's eyes only :)