Sounds of Silence.

A phrase often used by my friends and I is: "It's only awkward if you make it awkward"
But is it? Is silence something that is considered awkward no matter what?

In my opinion, there are two types of silences:
1) When people don't know what to say or how to react
2) When people have nothing to say or don't want to react

The first one is the one that most people think of when talking about the 'awkward-ness' of silence. Often in this type (from my experiences) follows an argument, comment, or meeting between acquaintances or random strangers.

The second one, although it is still silence, is definitely less awkward. One example of this is my car rides to school. Usually we say hi to each other when we get into the car, but then majority of the ride is spent in silence. Not because we don't like each other and we are doing it out of anger, but because we each use the silence as our own personal time to reflect and relax before the coming stresses of the day ahead. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our thoughts that we don't even realize that we aren't talking.

So is silence awkward?
Well my answer to that has to be, its only awkward if you make it awkward.

Lauren, Defined.

Who Am I?

Why is that simple question so difficult to answer?

I'm Lauren, I have brown hair and brown eyes, I'm 5'8.
but what else? I can't seriously be defined by what I look like

So what defines me?

If I was a dictionary entry, what would it say?
Lauren is funny, outgoing, hardworking...
Wow, way to sound like a college essay there, Lauren.

Who helps define me?

My family, a given. My mom taught me how to be strong and hardworking. She once told me to CHOOSE MY BATTLES. I thought she was crazy until it actually came into play. Don't get worked up over the small things because they're not worth your time. My Dad taught me hard love, he pushed me until I got it right, which eventually I did.

My friends, They have gotten me through my best (getting into every single college I applied to) and my worst (breaking my ankle, losing my cousin in January) . They have shaped me throughout all of my 'awkward' teenage years, and have made such an impact on my life I couldn't help but include them in my definition.

What helps define me?

My experiences. From moving to a new school in fourth grade, to spending almost a month in a wheelchair during junior year, my experiences have taught me to be more understanding and accepting as well as outgoing and laid-back.


So, Who Am I?
I'm Lauren, because that's my birth name. I Have brown hair and brown eyes because my parents do. I'm outgoing because I get pushed into new experiences all of the time, I'm accepting and understanding because I've been bad off before. I am laid-back because I choose my battles.

I am me.