Just a Regular Morning

Noise. Ringing. Bells. So loud. Be quiet.

MAKE IT STOP!!!

Light.

Turn on the light.

Ouch. That hurts.

Get up.

But it's warm.

Get up lazy butt.

Cold. So cold. 

Warm shower.

Cold and wet. Mornings are evil.

Clothes. Look like a person.

I don't want to be a person.

Too bad.

"Good morning, dear."

CAFFEINE 

"Need to make coffee."

Hurry up.

"You look cute."

"Thanks."

"What classes do you have today?"

Zip backpack. Computer cord? Check.

"Math...lit...and chemistry"

"Okay. What time will you be home again?"

"3:30ish. I have to go. Now."

"Oh. Okay, bye! Have a good day!"

Stop hugging. Have to leave.

"Bye. Love you too."

Score. I left on time.

No. Blow warm air, you stupid car.

Drive faster. Slow pokes. Move. I'm gonna be late.

Score again. Got here on time. 

So. Cold. 

Almost there. Almost inside. 

Aahh. Warm air.

Early. Time to read. 

Ew. Don't sit next to me again. You smell like pot. Or cigarettes. Or something. 

Good. Alden's here.

"So how was your weekend?"

"Uh..."

Think! What did you do?

"It was good. Did homework. Worked. Went to church. Ate lunch with some friends. How was yours?"

"Pretty good. Didn't do much."

"Okay guys, let's get started."

Numbers are dumb.

***

End part one of the totally random and uncalled for internal monologue of a college student. (Namely, myself. Mostly because I didn't have anything else to go off of.)
Part Two to follow some day. Hope you all enjoyed. :)

Love,
Robin

Fat Books

This is truth. 

You don't notice it until years after you first bought the book. You pick it up, and look at it. You take in the battered corners, the way the edges are peeling back on the paper of the spine. The spine is covered up and down in a thousand creases. How the paper back cover that used to lie so flat is now creased and doesn't rest flat on the page any more. The pages aren't sharp paper cut material any more, they're sort of....fluffy. And you realize just how long you've had that book and how many times you've read it. You open the front cover and a strange sort of nostalgia comes over you. It's like the excitement of opening it for the first time all over again, only you know what happens. You're walking on an old road you've traveled a hundred times, returning to meet old friends, but you still feel that sense of adventure and suspense like that first time you opened the cover. 

I read so many books over the course of my childhood, I couldn't even begin to list them. But whenever I think about the books I read when I was a kid, the dominating ones that come to mind are the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings. 

I loved them. I read the Hobbit first. I've read it the most. 

I read it the for the first time in sixth grade. 

I read it because my friend said it was really good. And she was right. 

I read the bit on the first page telling about Hobbits. I adored the story. I've reread it several times over the years. 

That book say me through that awkward stage of life we call middle school, was used many times as a boring evening's entertainment, gave birth to a brief obsession of riddles, and was still listed among my favorites by my junior year of highschool when I used it in an essay. (still among my favorites. always will be.) That paper was my favorite assignment all year and I couldn't wait to write it. 

Now I open it up again and smile the way you do when you find your stuffed animal from when you were a kid. You know the one. It looks like its been soaked, run over, tread on, maybe used as a napkin. I see the familiar first page heading "And what is a Hobbit?" I flip through all the pages and find that some places lay open better than others. 

I remember that first reading and all the subsequent ones. I remember nearing the end and clutching the pages in fright in a chair in my living room. I remember reading it another time at the pool waiting for my sister. I remember reading it my room when I was bored waiting for my parent's small group to finish so my sister and I could come out. I remember all the times I reread certain parts, and searching for quotes for my paper. 

Bits of my life really are preserved for me within those pages. 

Each time I read it, I understand a bit more. I bring new experience and new knowledge to it every time I read. 

So every time I open it I'm greeted by some old friends, and younger versions of myself, getting a bit older each time. 

Sorry about this completely random, slightly not-flowing post, I'm feeling a little nostalgic over here, and kind of missing childhood. Also the Hobbit just came out, so it's on my mind. 

Love ya!

Robin

How to Not Annoy Fast Food Workers

1. If you have a huge order, go inside instead of the drive through if at all possible. Because in the drive through, we're supposed to keep our times down. And when some lady comes in, orders two plates, three wings meals, a grilled cheese, and two orders of fries, then it takes us forever to make it, and then our drive times go up and that does not make anybody happy.
2. When you order, you don't have to taaaaalk liiiiiiike thisssss aaaaannnnnd saaaaaaayyyy eeeeeeveeeryyyythiiiinnng suuupeeeer sloooooowwwwwwlyyyyy. See how annoying that was to read? That's how it sounds to listen to as well. As long as you're not speaking at the speed of light, and you're enunciating your words like a good English speaker, I promise we can understand you. I've seen people take like 3 minutes to order, (although that may have been a combination of this and the above, but still) and then our drive times are blown.
3. Know what you're asking for. Please. I understand if you don't come to that place often, but, news flash guys, THAT'S WHAT MENUS ARE FOR!!! Don't sit there telling the cashiers, and there by the cooks, that you want something that's not on the menu. One time this guy came to the drive through asking for something none of us had ever heard of before. Not even at other restaurants. So. If you're unfamiliar, read the menu really quick, or if you can't GO INSIDE! Because in there, you can sit and stare at that menu as long as your little heart desires without affecting us.
4. This follows along with the last one. When you get to the drive through, order, and then don't change it at the window. That also causes drive times to go up. When we have to make another whole meal. And if you do do this, kindly remember that it is not our fault when you have to wait longer. (not saying people do this, I'm just throwing it out there) We are not the ones who have decisiveness issues.
5. Please, please, for the love of all that is good, KNOW WHAT YOU WANT!! When you pull up to the drive through, our clock starts running. And when you sit there going like this "Umm....I want a umm......hmmmm....I think I'll have a hmmm....a...no, a umm..." IT IS THE MOST ANNOYING THING IN THE WORLD. Or this one: "Ok, give me just a second" makes everyone want to say things like "I'm sorry, we don't sell those here,"  While you're sitting there, deciding what exactly you want and changing your mind a bajillion times, and using all the variations of "um" known to human kind, precious seconds are ticking away on our clock. And we can't start making YOUR  food until YOU order, so for Heaven's sake know what you want, don't sound like a sea sick whale, and order your food!!! And when you have kids with you, I have a ground breaking idea! While you are driving to the restaurant ask your children what they would like to eat. NOT when you pull into the drive through. ON THE WAY THERE say "We're going to such and such a place, what would you like?" So that you're not sitting there going "What do you want honey? No, I don't think they have that. Yes, you may get a kid's meal. Are you sure that's what you want?" And on and on it goes. Yes, we CAN hear you. And what you say in the car.

Okay, I'm done ranting now. It's safe to uncover your ears. No more shouting. So. I know I've been absent for awhile. School starts soon orientation is this Thursday. (Yikes!) And one other thing. Hopefully I will be posting a much longer, more interesting post soon. It's a  story I'm working on. No promises on how soon though.

Love,
Robin, the annoyed fast food worker. ;)
 

This Cube of Rubik

If you don't recognize that line, get of the internet this instant and go watch movies until you do. I'm not even going to tell you what movie to watch. Just leave and don't come back until you can tell me the movie and scene that line is from.

Recently, I learned how to solve a Rubik's cube. And it makes me happy. The first time I ever solved one, I laughed so hard I cried. But I couldn't do it by myself. My friends had to help me. But that night, my friend (who had also just learned to solve it) and I went to her basement, turned on Hercules, ate Reese's and solved Rubik's Cubes. It was great.

But then I went home and kept practicing it, and bringing it to church so I could ask what the next step was, and yesterday, I rode to the airport with some friends to meet the team our church sent to Croatia this year, and I solved the thing like 3 times in the car, and a bunch more in the airport. And each time, I got closer and closer, until I finally could do it myself!!!

So the whole point of this random little ramble is that I can solve a Rubik's Cube with no help at all and it makes me very happy! This is quite possible the stupidest most pointless post I've ever written, and I have no excuse. Only that I am bored, and so I thought I should tell you guys a story so you could join me in boredom. I will not be offended if you decide not to read this post.

Love, 

Robin  

I Jumped Off the Face of the Earth

It's been ages since I posted. The truth is I jumped off the face of the earth and explored the great void beyond ran around like a crazy person at work camp and vbs. I always said, "Oh, I'll post later," and then....later never came. Later is not a faithful friend, you guys. Never shows up on time. Ever.
So. Typical but hopefully not generic update on what I've been doing while I have been absent form the internet.

First, I got a job. I work at Zaxby's, and no, I am not sick of their food yet. It's a nice job, even if I do have to wash a ton of dishes. :)
I was a councilor at my church's Kid's Camp for the first time, which was great fun, as kid's camp always is. A little rain will never stop us! Our team was the Blue Eggs and Ham (don't knock the Suess) and our theme was Return of the King, and we referenced LOTR constantly. The green team was called the Green Dragons, and their cheer was the song Pippin and Merry sing about the Green Dragon pub in Two Towers. Only they changed the words so it wasn't about a pub. :) One of my dear friends came back from Indiana for camp and made camp all that much better!
Then there was a week's reprieve and VBS started. I was in the skit that we performed at the end of each day, and it was a blast! I had to learn to speak with a western accent, and not burst out laughing at the funny parts. Especially when I could see all the kids laughing. It was a great time though, involving much laughter, and the consumption of copious amounts of coffee.

That's about it, and now that my life has calmed some what, I will hopefully begin to post more often. But as this is summer, and summer tends to be spontaneous, no guarantees.

Until the next time, 

Robin      

Suck It Up

So I've been thinking. Awhile ago, everyone was doing these things where they came up with a manifesto, or a life motto or something like that. And I was like, "Eh, that's cool. But I don't really have one." I don't really have one thing that can sum up how I view my life. I could tell you lots of things in life I enjoy; rainy days, cool breezes, good stories, the feeling of sticking a landing, a hug from my coach, but none of that is the sort of thing I could use to sum up my life, or how I try to go about living my life.

Well, the other day I was thinking about gym, and I was laughing about all the things our coaches say to us. The most common being some version of "Suck it up!". This, I realized should be my life's motto.

Suck it up!

I know you're all probably thinking, "Isn't that more like a sports thing, Robin? That doesn't apply to the rest of life." I know it sounds like something you would only hear in the gym, or the pool or the playing field. I know it sounds harsh and mean, and usually life mottos (or whatever you want to call it) are sweet or inspirational or something like that. And this, well it sounds like an irritated coach who is tired of complaining. (Probably because it came out of the mouth of one). But it really actually applies.

When I'm at gym (logical place to start), and I start complaining about how my arms are about to fall off, or it's not my fault my legs aren't straight, they have a mind of their own, or how I'm not flexible and this really hurts, I hear, "Suck it up!" (or some variation there of) from my coaches. Or sometimes from my self mentally. Suck it up, and deal with the pain. Get over it, you're not going to die.

In school, when I have tons of homework and I'm driving home thinking that all I want to do is lay on the floor pretending the world doesn't exist, I have to remind myself of this (hard). Suck it up, girlie. Just get home, get the work done. Suck it up, and deal with it. You can handle a little extra work.

When my plans for the week get thrown off, and I have to be super busy, or someone forgets to tell me that something needs or doesn't need to be done. I have to say, (you guessed it), suck it up. Pull yourself together, and get a move on. So you have to stay up till midnight writing a paper. Suck it up. Sleep is for the weak.

It even fits in with my Christian walk. Okay, now I know you're probably thinking "What in the world? That one really doesn't make sense." Who knows. Maybe you're not and this all makes perfect sense. Either way I'm going to explain it. When trials come (even little ones) and I want to get grumpy, and not do the right thing, I need to say to myself, "Suck it up!" No one ever said the Christian life would be easy, in fact, Christ said it would be hard. So when bad stuff happens, and I want to complain, or take the easy way out, I need to suck it up and deal with it. Even in the small things like reading my Bible every day. A lot of times I say I'm to tired, or to busy. Too bad. Suck it up, kid. Get yourself out of bed and do what you have to.

So there you have it. Life motto. Suck it up.

Crayons Can Melt On Us For All I Care

That is how I feel at this point. Crayons can melt on us for all I care. Everything is crazy right now with graduation and finals. Again. crayons can melt on us. Unless they're poison crayons. Then that would be bad.  Extremely so. I mean, who wants to be covered in poison crayons? Anyways. Whatever. 

I want to have a Disney movie marathon. My sister is watching Cinderella right now, and earlier she watched The Emperor's New Groove. And now I want a marathon. Any one interested?

(a picture for your benefit)

This is quite possibly the most random post I've ever written. Mainly because I'm avoiding my anatomy homework. But I really should get off the internet and work. But I really don't want to. Oh well. Maybe I'll get my Hogwarts letter, or the TARDIS will show up in my yard, or I'll walk into my closet and find myself in Narnia. That would be nice. Or maybe my cup will magically refill with coffee. Sorry, I'm rambling. 

This made me laugh. Hopefully you can see it. 

If not, take my word for it. It's funny.

Also, before I go, the title for this post is the title of a song by Relient K. Here are the lyrics. 

(Trust me. Watch the video.) Enjoy! =)

Until a later time when I don't have homework hanging over my head, 

Robin

A Heartless Hero

"There are lives at stake, Sherlock. Actual human lives. Just so I know, do you care about that at all?"

"Will caring about them help save them?"

"Nope"

"Then I'll continue to not make that mistake"

...

"Don't make people into heroes, John. Heroes don't exist, and if they did, I wouldn't be one."

~ Sherlock and John, The Great Game

When I watched this episode and heard those lines, I paused netflix. I looked at my mom, and I said something like, "That was the best line of ever!" I like it for what it reveals about Sherlock. To the world, even to the person closest to him, he shows the face of the heartless brilliant detective. To him, crimes, murders are nothing more than cures for boredom. People have even said so to him. People call him a freak, a psychopath, even John calls him heartless. 

But his response to John's question reveals something about him that no one else ever sees. The softer side; the side that cares without caring. He cares enough about them to help them, but he knows that to be efficient in solving the mystery, he cannot care about them. He is a paradox. He doesn't care because he cares. He acts like he doesn't care so that he may work more efficiently. He does one of the hardest things a man can do: He does not allow himself to care. And no one sees it. At best, others assume he is apathetic. At worst, they see him as a freak who takes other people's misfortunes and uses them to entertain himself. He rejoices in a murder committed and is discontent when there is no crime to solve. And so people call him heartless. 

He tells John that heroes do not exist. And he says that if they did, he would not be one of them. He admittedly doesn't care for people so that he may help them, and so he says he would not be a hero.

But Sherlock is a hero. A heartless hero.

So, obviously, I've started watching Sherlock. But just so everyone knows, I have not seen past the end of season one! So no spoilers please!! (Although I AM dying to know what happens!)

Until I know whether or not anyone dies, 

Robin   

More Poetry

This is what happens when I go to math class in the evening with a lack of sleep.

Math Class

Numbers and letters swirl,

Across the board they spread. 

Teacher speaks words I cannot comprehend.

My head dips, my paper moves.

I can't think, 

A great fog covers my head.

And my mortal form demands sustenance.

My mouth opens wide in a yawn.

A spaceship, a sword and a coffee

Pop in amidst the numbers.

Click my phone, find the time,

Another 45 minutes to go.

I wish I had my calculator,

I love my teacher's markers.

Only four minutes have gone by, 

Which rhymes with five.

Peas and pods and variables

None have anything to do with me.

I have the TARDIS on my phone!

It's 5:08, time is running slow.

Late to bed, early to rise, 

Definitely does not not make a man wise.

Papers, words and grammar all in one night.

Sleep? It's overrated.

So. More poetry. I was thinking I might dedicate one day to poetry and write a poem once a week. Because, surprisingly, I'm finding myself enjoying this. Good idea? Bad idea? Let me know what you think!

Until I've had sleep, 

Robin

Stick Girl

Once upon a time, there was a little girl.

Stick Girl was a happy child. She liked to play pretend; she would pretend almost anything. 

She imagined herself as a pioneer on the Oregon Trail, a sailor on a ship, 

an Elf in Middle Earth at the time of the War of the Ring, a Jedi apprentice who seemed a magnet for trouble.

She imagined herself as an orphan in an orphanage, part of poor British family in London, or an inhabitant

of CandyLand.

When she wasn't pretending, she was writing stories or reading stories. 

But no matter how many different lives she led, she knew who she was; she never wondered who she was.

She was sure.

But at last, the inevitable happened.

Something Stick Girl had always dreaded.

She began to grow up.

It was subtle at first.

She almost didn't notice.

But when she did, she railed against her fate, but she could not change it.

Until one day, when she realized; the change had come whether she wanted it or not.

Now she looks more like this:

And she is no longer sure.

She leads less lives than she did, yet struggles now to find her place.

She asks, "Who IS Stick Girl?"

Something she used to be sure of.

She still writes stories, and she still reads them, but much else has changed.

It's been years since she last pretended she was a Jedi, or any other of those things.

School, work and sports have taken up much of the time she to spend playing.

Instead of playing pretend with her friends, now she simply sits talks.

Most of the time she is still happy.

But other times, she wonders.

"What happened?" She wonders.

She cares for things now she never did before: Her hair; her clothes.

She struggles to find herself, despite that now she lives only one life instead of many as she did before.

Sometimes she wishes for the old days back.

The times when everything was simpler.

A time when she could be whoever she wanted and still be herself.

She wonders when everything changed.

And she wonders why.

It's a Monday

Today at school I got bored. And so I did the same thing I always do when I get bored: Pick up a pen. Only today, I did something a little different. I wrote a poem. Or tried to. You see, I'm not all that good at poetry, and I don't know that this even counts as poetry, since it doesn't follow much of a pattern, and doesn't really rhyme. But it came straight from my head of it's own accord, and was inspired in half from a character in a book. (If you name the book and character, I will send you chocolate through my computer screen) Anyways, here it is!

Screams

He weeps,

He holds death

In his hands.

They haunt him.

Screams, screams.

The voices of many,

Voices of the Lost Ones

The lonely assassin.

They haunt him.

Screams, screams.

He closes his eyes.

Still he sees them;

He cannot hide. 

They haunt him.

Screams, screams.

He sees their faces,

Blood drips down,

It proclaims his guilt.

They haunt him.

Screams, screams.

Sharp blade of steel,

Instrument  of death.

He holds in his hand.

They haunt him.

Screams, screams.

He wonders, "Why?"

Bloody footprints 

Trail behind.

They haunt him.

Screams, screams.

They hurt him. 

His soul twisted

In agony cries.

They haunt him.

Screams, screams.

And there you have it. I promise I'm not like suicidal or anything. It's just easier to write sad stuff than happy stuff. But I am not depresses; I swear! That's all for now, so have a lovely Monday, everyone! Except it's a Monday, which makes that statement a complete contradiction, but whatever. =)

Until I can think again, 

Robin

That Feeling

I stand carefully outside the white line; waiting. Head up, shoulders back, hands turned palms neatly behind me. I force myself to breath, trying to sooth the crowd of butterflies flapping desperately in my stomach. I run through everything in my head, all the things I must remember. Then I hear my name called. I look up at the speaker, who sits with one hand raised, lift my chin, and raise my arms above my head. I walk out onto the floor, kneel down arms in front, crossed at the wrists. I take one more deep breath. For a moment I am very conscious of the silence all around me, the silence that permeates even the voices calling out encouragement. Then the music starts. i am in a world all my own. I dance into the corner, take a step back, breath, and go. A few seconds later I am on my feet again, and I realize that I did it. I cannot stop the grin that spreads over my face. That feeling that comes only with the knowledge that weeks of hard practice payed off. I dance again, and I don't have to concentrate as hard, but then I once more find myself in the corner, taking a deep breath as the heavy feeling of concentration settles over me. I run. I move my legs as fast as I can for a few short seconds, then the world spins and I am once more on my feet. Again I feel the pleasure of not falling; saving the landing. The rest will be easy now.

Now I stand head up, shoulders back, waiting again. I shift me feet uncomfortably on the blue plastic mat, trying to keep them from sweating to much. I want for that hand to raise up, my signal to start. "Why is she taking so long?" I wonder, as that familiar nervousness settles over my stomach once more. But then her hand goes up and I begin. The first skill is hardest. I am upside down on my hands. Then one foot lands. Then the other. My toes grip the beam as though my very life depended on it. But I don't fall. And that feeling of relief, pleasure, pride in completing that which is difficult for me, it all bubbles up in my heart as I relish the feel of my feet sturdily thudding down on the beam, the satisfaction of my toes holding me in place as I stand. That indescribable feeling.

Hey guys! What do you think of the new design? Thanks to Natalie from I Dream in French for doing it for me! She's wonderful. :)  This post was inspired by my first gymnastics competition of the season, which was this Saturday. Other than that though, nothing happened, and I don't go back to school for another week.

So, until I get a perfect 10, 

Robin  

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

It's almost here, guys! It's almost Christmas!! All year it's felt as though time has just flown by, and when we hit December 1st, I still felt as though Christmas must be a long way off. But recently I realized that it's in just a few days! Like it was far off in the future, then BAM! it's almost here. But it's a good feeling. I like Christmas. My sister and her fiance will be here on the 23rd, and are staying through the 27th, my Dad's home form his job in New Orleans, he and my sister are setting up the train, while my mother and I watch and offer occasional assistance. I just got back from my last gymnastics practice before Christmas break, but I finished school two weeks ago.

We made Christmas cookies. This is what happens when I 

decorate cookies. My mom made the Angel. 

My sister and I got to decorate the tree. So before we got 

started we, naturally, put on our Santa hats. :)

I pushed her hat over her face. 

Mount Ornament. 

(this is actually probably a little less than half our ornaments.

We are a little ornament crazy.)

We can't be first class Tree-Decorators with out Eggnog.

My sister almost spilled it.

I love Christmas time. I believe I'm repeating myself here, but I can't help it. I sit here drinking my sugar plum tea, the Christmas tree glowing softly behind me, I love this time of year. It doesn't hurt that my sister will be here the day after tomorrow, either.  ;)

So have a Merry Christmas for me!

P.S

Well, it's well beyond NaNoWriMo, and I have neglected to post. No excuses. I'm sorry. Also, my friend is helping me redesign my blog, so be on the lookout! I'm super excited about it!

My Brain Spazed

This is something I started awhile ago. I feel guilty about not posting, even though it is for NaNoWriMo, and thought I'd post this. Basically my brain had an explosion of sorts and this is what resulted. This will probably be the last post until November ends. I know it's not much, but hopefully it's better than nothing.

Thoughts, unclear images swirl in the fog, laughing, daring me to capture them and bind them with words. Still, determined, I grasp at the letters that form little things of large power. I try to in them grasp the mysterious things that live there in the mist taunting me. Again and again I try but nothing works. And still the laugh. "You thought to bind us" they scream, "You never will accomplish what you seek" Angry I throw every word at them I know. Still they evade me, cackling wildly in the fog I cannot quite penetrate. At last I give in. Push away the paper and pen, nothing will work. Then the voice whispers. As it always does. "You've no power at all. That's why the words do not respond to you. That's why the furtive mist-livers taunt you. They know you are powerless, never to reach them." I stay still, despairing of ever binding thoughts to words; of ever successfully using that singular brand of magic so few ever master. And still, still they run wild in my head, flying with increased fury, knowing I am down, they fly as though on the wings of a great maelstrom, thinking to torment me in my anguish. At last I rise up, tired of listening to their screams and taunts, and again I throw words at the unclear ideas; the mist-livers. And again they laugh.

Sad News (For November, Anyways)

I am so sorry for my lack of posting, lately. I however, have some sad news for you. Depending how you look at it. It might not be sad from another perspective. But anyways. Getting off track. Sad news. I won't be posting again for awhile. At least for the month of November. You see, I'm doing NaNoWriMo (write a novel in a month) this November. So while November lasts, I won't be posting. Or doing any of my other normal pleasure activities except writing while the month lasts. I hope you will forgive me. I'll make it up to you somehow. I promise. Sorry this post is so short; I'll try and make up for that too!

Until the end of November,
Robin

Answers, Answers, Aswers

Sorry it took me so long to post this, I've been way over loaded with school work lately. Like I said, the education system needs to be convinced that math is not necessary for an English degree. We should start a petition. Anyways. Answers. Here you go!

Have you been baptized, and what is your testimony?

Yes, I have been baptized, just last month actually. :) My testimony is rather unexciting, I was raised in a christian home from the time I was little. But here it is: When I was six, we moved to Georgia from Illinois. At that time my parents were not Christians. Somewhere between then and the time I turned seven, my mom become a believer. Sometime after that, my dad became a believer. For a long time, I can't remember exactly how old, I believed I was saved. As I started getting older, I still believed that I was saved, but for me salvation was all about being good. And my motives for being good weren't God's glory. It was to make me look good, to make everyone thing I was "good enough". I was a good little pharisee. Whenever I had a big fight with my parents or something, I would pray and "repent", but it was never real; it was always just to solve my problems, and get a temporary peace. I remember being able to see how my mom had changed, since she had been saved. I could also see that she was different form me. I used to always ask her, "What is it you have?" And she always told me, "All I have is Christ," But that never satisfied me, because I wanted a simple, do these things and you'll be saved. This went on until I was around 13 I think. Then I began to question my salvation, because I could see how my life didn't look like what the Bible described, or the lives of those around me who claimed to be believers. That went on for probably around a year, and I honestly didn't know if I was saved or not. Then I think when I was fourteen, I finally realized that I was not a believer, and that all my own efforts failed. I remember thinking, "I can't do this anymore" I realized that there was absolutely no way I could save myself. My only hope was in Christ, and if I were going to be saved, I couldn't do any of it myself. That's when I became a believer.

If you could have one thing, no matter how expensive, what would it be?

Wow, that's a hard one. There are lots of things I would want. My own bathroom, a dalmatian (I've always thought they were cute!) books....books...more books....my list of books never ends. So, ultimately, I think I would get a library in my house. A really nice one, with those sliding ladders, and all kinds of cool little reading nooks, and those old-fashioned lights and things. Balconies with scrolled railings....you get the idea! That (I think) is what I would want. That would be so incredibly cool, I think I would choke of happiness!

If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be?

Another hard one. I can't just pick one, there are so many people I want to meet for different reasons! Ronald Reagan, my favorite president, is one. Not only did he govern our nation well, but he had a great sense of humor, and he had an easy-to-understand way of speaking so that average people like me could understand when listening to (or reading) his speeches. Also he kept Jelly-Belly Jelly Beans on the Oval Office desk. :) Tolkien is another one I'd love to meet. I'd ask him all my questions about Middle-Earth, and then I would be like, "Master teach me your craft" That would be amazing. Absolutely so. J. K. Rowling would be another person. And she's alive! I'd also ask her to teach me! :) Peter. I'd love to meet the apostle Peter. And C. S. Lewis. He was amazing! That's a little more than just one person....but like I said, I couldn't pick just one!

If you could live in any time period, which would you choose?

Well, there are a few that I would choose from, but the ones that enchant me most are medieval England/Ireland, either one would do, revolutionary America, or Ancient Rome. Ever since I was in grade school, I've loved the revolutionary time period, so that's one place I'd go. Medieval Europe...that desire was mostly sparked by things like Robin Hood and Beowulf. I know, it wasn't really as nice as it sounds in the books, but I'd still love to see it! Or Ancient Rome. So much power, grandeur, and knowledge. For some reason it just sparks my interest. Maybe someday I'll build myself a TARDIS and go to all those places!

Would you rather have A. Have Kelsier and Haymitch meet, B. See Kristen play Katniss, or C. Have a house full of fantasy worldy stuff?

Well just on principal I think I'd have to say no to Kristen Stewart playing Katniss. I think I would die. I wouldn't be able to help thinking of Bella the whole time, and I would simply die inside. As for the others......hmm. Kelsier and Haymitch meeting would be pretty great....but so would a house full of stuff from fantasy worlds....I think I have to go with Kelsier and Haymitch meeting though. That would simply be hilarious and I wouldn't want to miss it!

What's your favorite thing to do when it's horrible and wet out?

Definitely  read or write! Preferably with coffee! When it's raining and cold outside I like to curl up in a comfy chair with a full warm mug of coffee and a good book, or my notebook and a pencil. The rain provides a nice backdrop for traveling to far away lands. And the coffee? Well, let's just say coffee is the answer no matter what the question is! Coffee is always necessary!

Name something that you aspire to do but haven't found the courage/will to do yet.

Well the first thing that comes to mind is back tuck (back flip with no hands) on floor at gymnastics. I know that I'm physically capable of doing it, but getting myself to actually go is hard. So far, I haven't done it. I'm still working up the courage. But I don't know if that counts, so here's another one. :) Publish a book. I always think about how when I finish it, I'm going to publish, but then I get all worried, like, "what if no one buys it?" and stuff like that. That is, if I ever finish one. I guess that could be something I haven't quite gotten the will for yet, but I'm working on it. I just write slowly :)

What is you favorite TV show?

I would have to say either Dr. Who or Merlin. Both are BBC. British TV is better. It just is. Accept it. :) The two show are so different though. I can't really compare them to pick a favorite. Dr. Who is a crazy, weird, and amazing sci-fi show, and Merlin is a retelling of the stories of King Arthur and Camelot...before Arthur is king. So I can't compare them. But those two are my top favorites. Next would have to be Avatar/Legend of Korra. That's awesome too! But again, you can't compare. These two are cartoons, the others aren't! I find it hard to compare them with enough similarities to pick a favorite. But those are my top four. :)

Do you prefer rainy grey days or  bright sunshine filled days?

Another one I can't give a straight answer to! It depends on what I'm doing and my mood. Usually, if I'm going places and have stuff to do, I feel more motivated on sunny days. But then there are days (alot of them, actually) when I just want it to be grey and rainy. I like both. Alot of times, I prefer grey and rainy, but if there's been to much of that, (or if it's summer) :) I prefer the sunshiny days.

What is one thing in the world you are dying to do?

This one is easy! :) Go to Ireland. Of all the things I could ever do, I think that would be at the top of my list. I've always loved Ireland, and I've always wanted to go there. I think it's one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen, and I want so badly to see it person. Not to mention the accents. Irish accents are simply the best. Scottish and English hold second, but Irish will always be my favorite. And they have all these old castles and things, and New Grange, and sweet little towns...aaah! I'd love to go there! More than any other place in the world! That's what I'm dying to do!

Thanks for all the questions, I loved answering them!

Until I go to Ireland and acquire an accent, 

Robin  

Question, Question, Questions

My dear readers, I apologize for my horrific neglect of posting lately, and hope you can forgive me! The truth is, I've been very busy with school lately, and haven't had time to post. Maybe if you can convince American colleges that college algebra is NOT necessary for someone who wants and English degree, maybe I'll be able to post more often! But for now, I'm posting this: Ask me questions. Any kind of questions you want; weird ones, normal ones, long ones, short ones...you get the idea, put them as a comment on this post and I'll answer all of them in the next one.  I probably won't post again for a few days, but I can't wait to see the questions you ask! Oh, and feel free to ask more than one! :)

Love,
Robin 

Apples and Fall Weather

I'm sitting here, staring at the blank screen in front of me trying to think of something to write, but my ornery mind keeps wandering to how good this apple tastes. Which in turn makes me think of how the weather's cooling. AHA! Something to post about. Fall. And the beauties there of.
I love Fall. It's probably my favorite season of the year. It's so pretty. The trees come alive with color. Now, don't get me wrong, I love all the innumerable shades of green in summer. But there's something about those fall leaves that just radiates loveliness.

I am not a photographer. Pictures from Google.

See what I mean? Beautiful. I also love how the wind picks up in fall. It's a gentle wind that blows a whisper of cold weather to come, but it doesn't block out the warmth from the sun. I love the way the wind lovingly caresses me, and makes me feel simply alive. I love the wind. And fall comes with the wind. Fall is comfortable. It gives you a slight chill that requires a comfy sweater, but still warm enough to make being outside enjoyable. I'm so glad it's fall! Now, if only I could have fall without school. That would make it perfect!

  

My Psych Teacher is Psycho

Excuse me. My psychology Professor is a little bit strange. Nah scratch that, I don't feel like being polite. My   psych teacher really is crazy.

No really. 

She is. 

She would be even if she weren't teaching psychology. Which is a load of rubbish anyways. At least in my opinion. For one thing, she's been teaching for like thirty years and she still doesn't know how the computers work. And when she tries to get the internet up she's always like, "Now pray to whatever your god is that this works". Or something like that. Its super annoying. And when she lectures, she starts out on one train of thought, and then goes of on another, and by the time she gets back around to the first, she's forgotten what it was about in the first place. 

Ridiculous.

And the other day she said at some point in the lecture, "more fuller". That like, hurt my very SOUL. My college professor used improper English. It's a disgrace to this beautiful language we speak!  And the interesting thing is, when I talked to a friend, she said she vaguely remembers her sister saying the same thing about her psych teacher. So. I came up with a theory. Are you ready for this? Good. Cause here we go.

They are all the same.

Which should raise a suspicion in your minds.

They're aliens! They've disguised themselves as humans and gotten jobs as teachers!

They've come to earth to brainwash our young to their beliefs so they can take over the world.

That is a dirty low trick.

Targeting the children.

They are heartless, these aliens!

Ok, so maybe that's a little extreme. But you never know. It could be true. We wouldn't know until they attacked us in order to fully take over. Which is why its a perfect plan. But they do not know that we have....um....Lucky Charms! Oh, yes! We have Lucky Charms! We shall be invincible! ...Until the sugar rush wears off. But who knows? Maybe Lucky Charms are deadly to the aliens. Do you have any ideas?

Until I defeat the aliens, 

Robin

Grey Days

I'm home from work, done cleaning, and now I'm sitting here at my computer waiting for friends to get here for a night of food and football and....contemplating. Contemplating what? Contemplating how grey days make me contemplative. (I'm also wondering whether grey is spelled grey or gray?)

Sunshiny-is that even a word? I mean, if I looked in the dictionary would I find it? Or is it just something people say? Anyways random rabbit trail, there. Back to what I was going to say. Sunshiny days make me just happy. Something about the literally yellow sun the bright blue sky and little puffy clouds, the warmth that beats softly down on your face, it just makes me happy. I think its the way those days are so classic so to speak. Like when some one says "Nice day" you think of (or at least I do) a day like that. Those are the days that you read about when your a little kid in all those story books. Those are the days I have some of the happiest memories of playing outside at the playground or in my backyard.

Windy days make me feel alive. The way it blows in my face and whips my hair back, the sound it makes in the trees, a soft rustling or a strong woosh. How it can be a gentle touch, or hard buffeting. I love them both I love that even though it can't be seen I can feel it. Feel it pushing me and pulling me, and wrapping itself all around me. I love the wind. On windy days I always feel alive and awake, and glad to be so. Windy days, I think, are my favorite.

Grey? Gray? Whatever. Grey days make me feel like a philosopher; contemplative, like I said. I don't know why, maybe its something about how a grey sky makes the world a bit heavier and more mysterious. Not quiet like a storm, but clear and plain like sunny days. Maybe its the fact that the sky seems lower to the ground, the very air sometimes takes on new weight, maybe that's what makes me want to think on days like this.

Wow, I just spent a whole post talking about the weather! But that's what you get when you listen to me! :) Random talks about weather! So what do you think of grey days? Or any kinds of days? What sort of weather do you like best? Storms? I love storms, they're so exciting, they wake up the adventurer in me. They're also great inspiration for writing exciting stories. :)

Love,
Robin