CURRENT MISSION

To enjoy & experience life, travel & see things, meet new people, & glorify God along the way!

ABOUT ME

I'm Laura. I grew up in Oak Ridge, TN (where part of the atomic bomb was made) and left when I was 18 to move down to Tampa, FL. I lived in Tampa for 7 years, graduated from USF in May 2005 with a degree in Special Education and taught for two years. I taught for Hillsborough County schools as a PreK Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) teacher. Some days I wished I'd chosen a job that makes more money, and then I went to school and saw my kids...

If you haven't heard of AUTISM, research it and help spread awareness. Autism affects 1 in 150 of our children and is 4 times more likely in boys than in girls. There is not a known cause or cure at this time, despite popular yet irresponsible documentaries that bring false hope. For more information, go to autismspeaks.org or other similar sites. ::stepping off my soapbox now::

Since starting this career, my life has drastically changed and so I have a major problem keeping up with friends. I think about everyone tons and frequently look through old pictures, but just can't find the necessary time to call and catch up, or worse...meet up.

I am a very go-get-it kind of person. I'll fight for something I want...and am not afraid to speak my piece (especially in defense of my students).

::Sidenote: Please don't use the word RETARDED...you should just be thankful that you are not::

Having said that :o), there are several things I'd like to accomplish in my life...
- go to Heaven & take as many people with me
- make a difference in my students' & their families lives
- understand more & raise awareness for AUTISM
- live in NYC for a year or so...or a big city (D.C., Boston, etc.)
- TRAVEL: ITALY!, Egypt, Spain, France, South America (anywhere), Canada (Niagara Falls again), all over America: NYC, Cali, Washington/Oregon, Grand Canyon, Vegas, D.C., Boston, etc...
- own a house eventually (probably in FL)
- have a happy marriage (for life) & family (one day)
- find more time to play the violin & piano...i miss it!
- brush up on my Spanish (I studied 5 years so I can understand but please don't ask me to speak it!!)
- see more Broadway musicals: I've seen "Lion King," "Wicked" 3 soon to be 4 times, "Spamalot," & my FAVORITE "Phantom of the Opera" (seen 3 times)
- become a National Board Certified teacher (need 1 more year of experience to apply!)
- learn to fly a plane (OR get to fly in a jet...blue angel??)
- get to bed at a normal time each night!
- HAVE FUN & LIVE LIFE WITH A SMILE!

I've learned to have a sense of humor as much as possible when faced with stress or challenging times. I like to surround myself with people that will make me laugh and not take life so seriously that you forget to enjoy it. Sarcasm is a dying trait for people these days but only because others don't get it. Luckily, I work hard to keep it alive.

I love to meet new people and get reacquainted with those that I used to know or have things in common. Mostly, I love to have fun...!

PHILOSOPHY

Live life with a smile - we are all blessed! Praise God!

"The best way to make God laugh is to tell Him your plans."

"Friendship is like peeing your pants,
everyone can see it,
But only you can feel the true warmth."

"Never frown because you never know when someone is falling in love with your smile."

Favorite pickup line: Did you "toot", cuz you just blew me away!

Busier than a 1-legged man in a butt-kicking contest... (mental picture)

"TAWANDA!!!"

Brian Reagan:
- Pop Tarts
- "I eat fig newtons by the sleave."
- food mixtures
- Yoga
- 'I had black socks on. "Where we goin' Thunder?"
- "Kirikas Vardigardin"..."we're having goolash"!
- "Put that down, it doesn't need to be up there! You're back's gonna snap like a twig!"

Jim Gaffigan: HOT POCKET

They recently invented the Breakfast Hot Pocket. FINALLY. I can’t think of a better way to start the day. Good morning...you’re about to call in sick. Now I can have a Hot Pocket for breakfast, a Hot Pocket for lunch, and be DEAD by dinner. There is even the vegetarian Hot Pocket for those of us who don't eat meat, but would still like diarrhea." - Jim Gaffigan

Lenny: "Oh, I'm not here with these fellas. I've got a pig in competition over at the livestock pavilion, and I am going to win that blue ribbon!"

Villapiano: "Know what this is?"
Lenny: [pauses] "Presidential flashcards?" (hahaha)
Villapiano: "A bonus. And do you know why?"
Lenny: "I have no idea." ::goofy smile::
Villapiano: "To entice you back!... The word is out on you o-NEE-ders!"
Lenny: "Hey, that's o-NEH-ders!"

Lenny: "I play a lot of cards. Obviously. Wanna see my deck? [he flashes his cards] See? You gotta be quick! You gotta be quick with me! I'm from Erie, P.A.!"

"Well look on the bright side...he's got more room in his jockey shorts!" (name that movie!)

"Are you going to tell me that Stevie Wonder doesn’t love his wife, just cuz he doesn’t know what she looks like?" - Michael, The Office

"My tail doesn't get bushy until 9!" - Simon from Alvin & the Chipmunks

"Auburn is not in Auburn, Alabama. Auburn is the people who care about Auburn, the people who love Auburn. Wherever they are, that's Auburn, Auburn is in your heart." - Reggie Torbor -

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I was just introduced to this whole couch surfing thing less than 12 hours ago, so I'm a newbie!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

None, yet! Love to get started!

Interests

Actively serving God, teaching, special education, church, friends, goofing off, traveling, Disney World OR Disneyland!, outdoors, hiking, camping, etc., Music (singing, piano, violin, concerts), basketball, softball, watching movies, laying out at pool/beach, hanging out, Guitar Hero, AUBURN FOOTBALL, KENTUCKY BASKETBALL & FOOTBALL!, meeting new people, "Florida College", collecting movies, talking, visiting, & learn to fly!

• singing
• documentaries
• concerts
• education
• dining
• breakfast
• vegetarian
• yoga
• flying
• movies
• traveling
• billiards
• music
• guitar
• piano
• violin
• opera
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• camping
• surfing
• basketball
• soccer
• softball
• teaching
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: I collect movies...don't believe me? Check out http://www.pleonast.com/room.php?&roomID=7143

An Affair to Remember (Cary Grant), Phantom of the Opera, TWILIGHT!, Napoleon Dynamite, Littler Mermaid, Princess Bride, Bachelor and the Bobbysoxer, Anne of Green Gables series, Jim Gaffigan - Beyond the Pale, Blue Collar Comedy Tour, The Boy Who Could Fly, Emporer's New Groove, Flight of the Navigator, Finding Nemo, Harry Potter series, The Holiday, Hoosiers, I Am Sam, Joe Versus the Volcano, Karate Kid, Labyrinth, Miss Congeniality, NeverEnding Story, One Fine Day, The Other Sister, The Pursuit of Happyness, Rain Man, Frequency, Rocketeer, Sabrina, Singing in the Rain, Somewhere in Time, That Thing You Do, 13 Going on 30, Transformers, Two Weeks Notice, Wedding Crashers, While You Were Sleeping, Win a Date with Tad Hamilton, Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken, Reign Over Me, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Enchanted

Music: Josh Groban, Michael Buble, Martina McBride, Idina Menzel, Colbie Caillat, Daughtry, Led Zepplin, James Brown, Straight No Chaser, 1 Republic, Aerosmith, Ben Folds (favorite song: "The Luckiest"), Journey, Jack Johnson, Anberlin, Fall Out Boy, Brad Paisley, Reba McEntire, Amici Forever, Il Divo, Neil Diamond, Frank Sinatra, Englebert Humperdink :o), Carly Simon, 80s, Delilah, Maroon 5, some Hip-Hop, some Techno

Books: Bible, Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" "Eclipse" "New Moon" & "Breaking Dawn", "In the Eye of the Hurricane" (a family's struggle with autism), Harry Potter Series, Glenbrooke Series by Robin Jones Gunn

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." Prov 31:30

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God; Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Phil 4:6, 8

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I was able to hike up Mt. Sinai (Egypt) to see the sun rise...an awesome experience that I would LOVE to complete again!

Teach, Learn, Share

I hope to learn many new things.

Countries I’ve Visited

Egypt, Israel, Italy

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States