Not the Best Friend...the Leading Lady.

It's done.

2010-02-28T15:59:00.000-08:00

I'm now officially a tumblr bandwagoner. :)

Follow me: Robindayle.tumblr.com.

Good-bye blogger.com....it was a fun 4 years.

Tumble Bumble

2010-02-02T16:08:00.000-08:00

I'm thinking of leaving blogger and switching to tumblr.

Everyone and their mom has started tumbling, and I'm thinking I like the graphics/layouts much better.

Thoughts?

....

This may get me excited about blogging again too. Something needs to. I blogged a ton when I had no time to do it, and now I have all the time in the world and never blog. Lame.

Matt Chandler on how I learned morality, not the Gospel.

2009-12-07T14:41:00.000-08:00

For some reason, blogger won't let me upload this video, so here's the link.
Go to it and enjoy, I promise you won't be disappointed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzTm3W2Ai7s

Thanks, D.

2009-11-30T22:45:00.000-08:00

This was created and posted on the blog of one of my fellow small-groupers...and it resonates deeply with me.

Lord, teach me to let YOU define my worth, not numbers. Let me find my contentment, comfort, self-worth, and beauty in You alone.

It's just been one of those days.

2009-11-28T17:22:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, being a grown-up sucks.

Maybe I will...?

2009-11-11T12:52:00.000-08:00

The more articles I read about the food/farm processing business, the more I want to give up all forms of meat. Over 2 years ago, I gave up eating red meat because it contributes to my already genetically-inherited high cholesterol. It wasn't, and hasn't been, difficult whatsoever. I still currently eat chicken and turkey (the assumed 'healthier' meat). I have always toyed with the idea of giving up all meat, and am slowly being convinced I should.

Before I continue, don't confuse me with those silly "animals have souls and are equal to humans" animal lovers...I am not. In fact, those of you who know me know that I've grown into a person who doesn't really care for animals all that much. However, I cannot get past all of the research that has been coming out about the filthiness of our farms (where America's food is being raised!) For example, one statistic that I read said that Americans consume 3 billion pounds of antibiotics a year, yet our livestock consumes almost 18 billion pounds per year! That is what we are eating! Animals who are sick, therefore pumped full of medicines and steroids and growth-hormones. Oh, and speaking of that, growth hormones in livestock is considered the #1 contributor to young girls beginning puberty as young as 7 or 8 years old!

There are a ton more facts that I could go into, but when I think about it, it kind of just grosses me out. So, I'm deciding whether or not I'm gonna go vegetarian. I do love me a good turkey sandwich, but there's got to be yummy/healthier alternatives, right? (If you know of any, let me know!)

Angels and Turtles

2009-11-06T23:20:00.000-08:00

I don't like Halloween, but I dressed up anyway. :)
My friend Shelly and I wanted, so very badly, to dress up as Batman and Robin (cute, right?), but every female Batman and Robin outfit we found was quite scandalous (and REALLY small...who fits in these things?!?)
So, with time running short, we found some cute wings and decided to be a light and dark angels.
Both of our boyfriends and their 2 other roommates decided to be Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I think they did a wonderful job creating their costumes!
All in all, we party-hopped 2 different parties, and it ended up being a really fun night. Although I realized that evening that I just don't stay up til 3:30 a.m. all that well anymore... :/
Haha....enjoy the pictures!

Ruben and I.

Cheesy couple picture with our turtles, Jesse (Leonardo), and Ruben (Michelangelo). :)

Shelly and I, as dark and light angels.

These 3 are my heart.

2009-10-22T15:26:00.000-07:00

Desperate

2009-10-07T13:29:00.000-07:00

You know you're desperate when you apply to be a teacher in Hemet.

...

Real

2009-10-05T14:34:00.000-07:00

I'm frustrated I'm not teaching this year.

Really, really mad and frustrated. Confused. Unfair. Sad. Angry.

...

This past week... (stolen from Kimmy)

2009-10-03T14:01:00.000-07:00

WHAT I’M READING: Crazy Love by Francis Chan with my small group. We are being so very challenged.
Stick Figure: A Diary of My Former Self by Lori Gottlieb...I finished it in a day.
The Poison-wood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver...because it's relatively famous and I hadn't read it yet. :)

WHAT I’M WATCHING: Felicity (always), The Office, The Biggest Loser (I still cry every episode), So You Think You Can Dance (wednesday night date-night with Kinsley)

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO: The new Colbie Caillat album: Breakthrough....she is soso good.

WHAT I’M WEARING: skinny jeans...yep, I finally gave in to this particular trend. They are slowly growing on me. Sweats..yay for comfy clothes weather.

WHAT I’M EATING: Just finished an AMAZING turkey melt from Subs and Spuds...I love hole-in-the-wall places near my apartment.
Oh, and I'm down to 1 Starbucks coffee a week...how amazing is that?! It's been tough...

WHAT I’M ENJOYING: A new relationship. :) My roommates. My small group. Running. Reading. Candles. Fruit. Going to the movies. Learning.

WHAT I’M SNIFFING: The different spicy candles in my apartment.

Hope this finds you all doing well. :)

12.5

2009-09-18T22:29:00.000-07:00

Roughly 12.5 months ago I returned from Rwanda, Africa.

I didn't go overseas this past summer...and I'm so so itchy to go. Where? Doesn't matter. Anywhere. I miss it. I miss children's faces that light up when I talk to them in a language they don't understand. I miss them slipping their tiny hands into mine.

Consequently, those pictures are roughly 12.5 pounds ago as well. :/ I need to jump back on the fitness train.

Oh Francis Chan...

2009-07-31T14:25:00.000-07:00

Just started reading "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan these past couple weeks with my small group...and it's kicking my butt already.

Good. I've needed a good God-centered butt-kicking for awhile.

One of the many quotes that has, so far, slapped me in the face:

"The goal of American Christianity is often a nice marriage, children that don’t swear, and good church attendance. Taking the words of Christ literally and seriously is rarely considered. Most of us want a balanced life that we can control, that is safe, and that does not involve suffering."

...

Wow. Did he write this book for me?

Surviving the church as a single adult...

2009-07-22T21:18:00.000-07:00

So there's this website I'm pretty fond of...it's www.stufffchristianslike.blogspot.com, and it's pretty hilarious.
Mostly it's hilarious because it's so full of truth.
This is one of his (the author, Jon) best entries to date...and I resound with almost everything it says; and I'm only 24.
Thanks church... :-)
Without further ado....I give you Stuff Christians Like: #550 Surviving Church as a Single. Enjoy.

Surviving Church as a Single
by Prodigal Jon

Single adults, I have failed you.

Although I’ve written a handful of ideas about being single at church, I’ve never really done that topic justice.

So today, I created a list of all the different stereotypes and challenges singles have to navigate when they go to church. From the “get married right this second” friends to the “this guy has a pulse and so do you so maybe that’s enough in common to fall in love” friends, it’s all here.

And I can’t take credit for it. I read your comments about real things that have happened to you at church, got ideas from my single friends, and received a great email from a pastor named Jeff. I took it all and created a point based scorecard.

Ready to play?

The Surviving Church as a Single Scorecard

1. Your church doesn't have a singles ministry. = + 1 point

2. Your church has a singles ministry but it's combined with the college ministry which creates opportunities for conversations like this:
Student: "My roommate bought a microwave for our dorm room. I love being a Freshman!"
Single: "My 401K is underperforming." = +2 points

3. Your church has a singles ministry but it's a triad that combines college, single adults and divorce recovery. = + 3 points

4. Your church has a singles ministry but it's the dreaded quad, combining college, single adults, divorce recovery and retired widowers that refuse to move to Florida. = +4 points

5. Someone pays you the world's most backhanded compliment, "I just don't understand how someone as great as you isn't married yet." = +1 point

6. Someone told you, “If you stop looking for love you’ll find it.” 2 points for each time you’ve heard that.

7. At church, people give you weird looks if you refuse to sit in the “singles” section of the sanctuary. = +1 point

8. When people introduce you, they say, “This is Matt, my single friend.” = +2 points

9. When people introduce you they feel compelled to list out your accomplishments, “This is Sally, my single friend who owns her own home, drives a luxury sedan and has a very, very stable job.” = +3 points

10. Your friends that have been married for 15 minutes act like they suddenly don’t remember anything about dating and therefore can't give you any advice. “It’s been so long since I dated, things have changed so much. I’m just out of that whole scene.” + 2 points

11. People are constantly volunteering you for things because, “you’re single, you’ve got so much free time.” = +1 point

12. People at church act a little surprised when they ask you, “How are you doing?” and you respond with, “Things are great right now. I love my life!” = +1 point

13. Married friends try to live vicariously through you, asking questions like, “What did you do this weekend? Road trip? I bet you went on some crazy cool, singles road trip, right?” = +2 points

14. Someone you just met for the first time said a sentence like this to you, “If you want to get married, you need to ______.” = +2 points

15. Whenever married friends call you at noon on a Saturday, they start the conversation by saying, “Did I just wake you up?” = +3 points

16. You assume that if you don’t get engaged by final exams of your senior year in college you'll never get married. = -2 points

17. You’ve secretly always wanted your own cat but are afraid that ownership of a single kitten will become some sort of gateway drug to becoming “the cat lady.” = - 2 points

18. You’ve ever given an impassioned, enraged monologue on the injustice that men who are single get to age gracefully and be considered “bachelors” while women are instantly judged as “crazy cat ladies.” = – 3 points

19. You’ve got a “don’t perpetuate the cat lady stereotype,” monologue locked and loaded at all times and have already stopped reading this post so you can put it in the comments section. = - 5 points

20. Someone has quoted the “it’s not good for man to be alone” Bible verse to you. = +2 points.

21. When friends invite you to their church they start the invite by listing both the quantity and hotness of the singles that go there. = +1 point

22. That friend was named Jon Acuff and he said, “No one in Atlanta should ever involuntarily remain single with so many awesome single people at North Point Community Church.” (I've said this a lot. My bad.) = + 3 points

23. Your married friends tip toe around you during February because they think you're too delicate to handle the completely made up holiday, Valentine’s Day. = +1 point

24. You are too delicate to handle Valentine’s Day and have been known to describe it with a rich tapestry of words no Christian should even know exist, never mind actually say out loud. = + 1 point

25. The person that leads the singles ministry at your church got married in 1964. = +10 points for each decade they’ve been married.

26. Someone told you, "Maybe you need to focus on being more like a Proverbs 31 woman." = 2 points for each time it wasn't sincere encouragement.

27. You didn't know you were supposed to be unhappy as a single adult until you went to church and found the singles ministry to be akin to a support group. = +3 points

28. Upon hearing that you went on a first date with someone, your single friends at church stop inviting you to the single events because "you're in a relationship already." = +2 points

29. Upon hearing that you went on two dates, your married friends at church start telling you, "I'll be praying that this is the one!" = + 3 points

30. Your best friend of 15 years gets married and then suddenly acts like a magical gap has opened up between you and decides that until you get married too you can't be close again because you just don't understand each other anymore. = +3 points

31. To justify giving a four week marriage sermon series to a congregation that is 60% single, the pastor throws out one blanket statement like this at the beginning of the series, "And you single people listen up to this too, this well serve you well when you get married too." = +2 points

32. You set your alarm to "not going to church today" after the first week of the marriage sermon series. = - 2 points

33. The only time your married friends invite you over is when they need a babysitter. = +3 points

34. Someone throws the "Paul was never married" card on you. = +2 points

35. Friends assume that the only qualification that matters to you when it comes to finding a date is that she's available and set you up with people you have nothing in common with. = +2 points

36. You've ever said the rhyme, "I'm a bachelor til’ the rapture." = - 1 point

37. During a prayer at church celebrating wedding anniversaries, the person praying says a special prayer for all the people that are still single and lonely. (True story) = +1 point

38. You have a friend that feels like creating a dating profile on eHarmony is a sign that you might not be trusting God enough to provide a soul mate. = + 1 point

39. You've developed highly sensitive, "They're about to throw the bouquet" radar and know exactly when to leave a wedding. = +2 points

40. Instead of saying that you're "single" your friends describe you as "Not married yet." = +2 points

Dream

2009-06-15T20:33:00.000-07:00

I dreamt last night that I was teaching kindergarten at a new school somewhere...somewhere I had never seen before.
I was happy.
My co-workers were my friends, laughing the the lounge.
My students were adorable.
I was happy.

...

I woke up encouraged: I still desire to teach.
Knowing this much, at least, is a step in the right direction.

Thank you, Lord.

Unknown.

2009-05-29T15:23:00.000-07:00

Today, I am disheartened. I am down. I am frustrated.
In 2 weeks I am done teaching...for how long? I honestly don't know.
This wasn't my plan, this wasn't by choice.
I'm sad. Confused.
I worked hard for 5 years...really, really hard. Harder than a lot of my friends. I was dedicated. I persevered.
Only to get laid off after 1 year.
There are no teaching jobs in California for this next year.
Spent my lunch hour looking up jobs in other states, other countries...
But I don't really want to leave, do I?

...

I wish I trusted God more than I do.

I need a hug this afternoon, and a safe, soft place to cry.

Where do You want me now, Lord?
...I wish I knew.

Peace.

2009-05-25T19:11:00.000-07:00

I've been obsessed with that word lately.
Not in the "I'm a hippie, would-be-woodstock-going, hug-a-tree, war-is-bad" sense of the word, but the Biblical sense of this word.
As a woman with serious control issues, my prayer for myself, what I seek after most often, is simply peace. I long for rest.calm.peace.

Today, at the beach, I felt it. It lasted for few precious moments, but it was there. I breathed in the smell of the ocean, and breathed out all the worries/stresses that cloud me daily.

He is good.

"You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you." ~Isaiah 26:3

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” ~John 16:33

Worth it? I must believe it will be.

2009-05-06T10:21:00.000-07:00

The thing about faith is, it takes just that, faith. As a Christian, having faith in Christ, faith that "no good thing will He withold from those whose walk is blameless", faith that God will keep His promises, faith that everything you do makes a difference.
Somedays this is tough...especially in the world we live in. Everything around us, media, friends, family, school, music, etc. wants to tell us that our faith is pointless. That the way we are living is for no reason. That God is trying to trick us out of the "fun" of here and now. It is as old as Adam and Eve.
So why am I so susceptible to believing it still? Believing the lies that the serpent feeds me daily?
I have to believe that living for His will, in His way, will be worth it.
I have to.

"It will be worth it all someday
It will be worth it to go the straight and narrow way
When we finally see His face
And feel His warm embrace
It will be worth it all that day

These present troubles don't compare
To all the glory our God, He has prepared
'Cause when we finally see His face
And feel His strong embrace
It will be worth it all that day

And I can see the angels as they celebrate and call your name
And I can hear the Father, with a tear in His eye,
As He says well done my good and faithful servant
Well done.

It will be worth it all that day"

Lord, I pray that I will live my life in such a way that you will look at me and say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

Deep

2009-05-01T23:12:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is CBU's graduation..and it also marks 2 years since I've walked across the stage to receive a diploma myself. Little did I know, as a smiling, excited 21 year-old, what those two years would hold. All of the laughter, excitement, fun times....to all of the sadness, broken hearts, and tears.

The ups and the downs. I've come to realize, since leaving, that this is what life after college is made of. High times, and low times.

Yes, there were high times and low times throughout my college experience, but for the most part, it was a pretty easy, fun-filled, Spiritual, as well as academic, growth time in my life.

Life is not as kind as what we affectionately refer to as the "bubble" of CBU. It's hard. Your decisions, good or bad, truly become your decisions. They are not your roommate's, your professor's, your FOCUS leader's, your parent's or your friend's decisions: they are yours. This is where it got tough for me. The true test of character, integrity...yes, I could walk the walk well with all eyes watching. Who was I/am I outside of the bubble?

This is where is has been tough. Where I have failed over, and over, and over again. Will I ever get it right?

I am so sorry Lord.

"When Satan tempts me to despair,
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look, and see him there
Who made an end of all my sin.

Because a sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free;
For God, the Just, is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me."

Today's favorite postsecret:

2009-04-12T17:08:00.000-07:00

Postsecret posts new secrets every Sunday...I think I'll start posting my favorite from each batch every Sunday. :-)

Emotional

2009-04-11T16:03:00.000-07:00

Felicity (talking to Ben): "The truth is I can't be with you like this. I mean, I know I said that I could, but I can't. I just can't compromise myself like that. I mean I'm an emotional person. I feel things and I need to be able to get upset and talk about how I'm feeling. I mean that's just...that's who I am and I can't change it. I don't want to. And the thing is you know that, you knew it and you still pursued me because you want something with me, you just aren't strong enough to have it which...in a way makes you a coward. And the saddest part is that...one day you're gonna wake up and you're gonna realize what you missed and it's gonna be too late."

...

My favorite quote from all 4 seasons of Felicity...there are lots of similarities between her and I. Perhaps that's why I can spend all day watching episodes of her drama-filled life with my roommates.

New Definition

2009-04-05T10:07:00.000-07:00

Saw this on Post Secret this morning: fits perfectly with where I'm at in life right now.

Then whoever wrote it added this:

"That rejection letter was a difficult day. At the time, I thought it was the worst.

As it turns out, it was my best. I know it sounds cheesy, but sometimes things happen for a reason and life takes you on amazing journeys and experiences that you may not have let yourself go on had everything worked out "perfectly." That rejection letter led me to the best years of my life and experiences that defined who I really am."

...

I'm excited for where the Lord wants to take me next.

Use This Time

2009-04-04T01:22:00.001-07:00

Stole this from GirlTalk...one of the best blogs I've ever seen/read.

Recently, I've been "re-given" the gift of time in this upcoming season of life...lots to think about, decisions to be made, waiting for God...and this blog gave a me a good direction on where to start. Enjoy.

Use This Time
Every Christian is a theologian; but as a single woman you have a unique opportunity to study doctrine. I don’t want you to miss it.

May I give you some motherly (or sisterly) advice?

I sit here today as a fifty-three year old wife and mother of four. My youngest son is in high school and for the first time in over thirty years, more and more of my time is “my own.” For the past three decades I have had very little discretionary time—and when my children were little, almost none at all. While I still made studying doctrine a priority, the reality is that my time was severely limited.

As a single woman you are probably very busy. You may be in school, have a job, serve in the church, maintain relationships, care for family…whew! I’m tired just thinking about your hectic life.

But whether you feel like it or not, you have a distinct advantage over the mom with small children: your time is your own. Despite the many, legitimate, demands on your life, you have great freedom to choose how you spend your time.

Please don’t waste a moment of this precious and limited season. Be a student of God’s Word. Study eagerly, study deliberately, study faithfully.

When you dedicate your time to growing in your knowledge of God, you’ll make deposits into your future life that will yield blessing upon blessing.

Itchy

2009-03-31T08:26:00.000-07:00

I'm getting the need to travel again.

I haven't been overseas since July (8 months!)...I know that doesn't seem like long, but I know there's still so much of the world (Europe!) that I've left to see.
Anyone want to travel around Europe with me anytime soon?

...

What I've been needing to hear for months

2009-03-17T19:39:00.000-07:00

Thank you, India Arie.

Pink-slipped: It came today.

2009-03-12T18:09:00.000-07:00

Some of the thoughts going through my head this afternoon, in no particular order:

Sad/shocked/expected/numb/new adventure?/moving/job/rest of this year/health benefits/move home?/embarassing/Master's/bummed....

...and it's not even pink. Liars.

America's Next Top Robin

2009-03-06T23:52:00.000-08:00

I just found out that auditions are currently being held for the next cycle of America's Top Model, and that for this one, they are ONLY considering women 5'7" and UNDER.

....

It's my true calling people.

:-)

Biggest Loser: Season Robin

2009-02-28T19:09:00.000-08:00

Here's the thing: I love the show, The Biggest Loser. No, seriously. I LOVE it.
I've watched it, faithfully, since season 2 (we are in season 7, currently).

The past few months, there has become quite the gathering at my apartment on Tuesday nights of my friends/roommates who come to enjoy the 2-hour show with me. I love these nights. I get to see my friends during the week, we eat (mostly) healthy food, having push-up competitions during the commercial breaks, root for the person we want to win...it is so fun.

....

All of this to say, it's time for me to turn the biggest loser around on myself. I realize I am no where near the status required for me to be on the show, but I am "rounder" than I used to be, and that's no good. I am no longer the healthy girl I once was.
This past summer, I came back from Africa roughly 123 lbs...and quickly settled in at around 125.
Then...I started teaching. I'd like to say that I blame teaching for the weight, but truly it's my own fault. I have stopped making it a priority.

Today, I went to my parents house and Dad showed me their Wii fit. Uh-oh. You know what it told me? That my weight is now 134. 134! That's 9 pounds heavier than 6 months ago! And I am only 5'2"...so a lil weight shows up very quickly. It also told me my BMI, which was 24....the heavy end of 'normal', and thisclose to 'overweight'.
That's what hit me.

So, here goes: In an effort to be authentic, those 2 of you who actually read this, my goal is to get back down to 125. I need to begin making my health a priority again. I truly love running when I make myself do it. I need to be eating healthier again too. I'm a lil person, I don't need to be eating everything I see.
How is this going to work? My goal is to blog once a week (at least) and let you know how it's going, my weight loss, and how my week has been.
What I desire from you: Encouragement, prayer, motivational tips, advice, etc.

This is my favorite inspiration from the show-Ali, the show's first female winner. She got down to 123 (the goal!)

And this post would not be complete without my Bob. Oh I love Bob Harper. He is one of the trainers on the show, and is SO encouraging. And yes, I own his Yoga DVD...and he encourages me as I do it in my living room. :-)

For the week of January 31-February 6.

2009-01-31T16:41:00.000-08:00

I stole this from Kimmy... :-)

WHAT I’M READING: Marley and Me. I really want to see the movie, and I don't see movies that are based on books until I've read the book. It's a weird thing I have.

WHAT I’M WATCHING: Felicity: My roommates and I are almost done with season 2. LOST: Best show on television. Biggest Loser: It's positively changing lives. America's Best Dance Crew: Because it's just fun (and I secretly would LOVE to be in a dance crew).

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO: John Mayer: always. John Legend: amazing. Shane and Shane: awe-inspiring.

WHAT I’M WEARING: Jeans, flats/or/rainbows, and shirts. I love 70+ degree weather in January/February.

WHAT I’M EATING: Starbucks. Caesar salads (favorite). Avocados. Lean Cuisines (the loveliness of being teacher).

WHAT I’M ENJOYING: The ever-growing crew of people who come over on Tuesday nights and watch Biggest Loser. Late nights of Felicity with my roommates. Running.

WHAT I’M SNIFFING: My signature scent: Chanel Chance.

Now it's your turn. :-)

Daleyhake.com

2008-12-27T14:38:00.000-08:00

Impromptu Christmas night photo shoot with Daleyhake.com.
Good times with a good friend.
Check him out....Daleyhake.com. Hire him for your wedding/family photos/whatever. He'll make you laugh, too.

Happy new year. :-)

I'm a Doris...yep.

2008-12-24T22:14:00.000-08:00

You Are a Doris!

You are a Doris -- "I must help others."

Dorises are warm, concerned, nurturing, and sensitive to other people's needs.

How to Get Along with Me
* Tell me that you appreciate me. Be specific.
* Share fun times with me.
* Take an interest in my problems, though I will probably try to focus on yours.
* Let me know that I am important and special to you.
* Be gentle if you decide to criticize me.

In Intimate Relationships
* Reassure me that I am interesting to you.
* Reassure me often that you love me.
* Tell me I'm attractive and that you're glad to be seen with me.

What I Like About Being a Doris
* being able to relate easily to people and to make friends
* knowing what people need and being able to make their lives better
* being generous, caring, and warm
* being sensitive to and perceptive about others' feelings
* being enthusiastic and fun-loving, and having a good sense of humor

What's Hard About Being a Doris
* not being able to say no
* having low self-esteem
* feeling drained from overdoing for others
* not doing things I really like to do for myself for fear of being selfish
* criticizing myself for not feeling as loving as I think I should
* being upset that others don't tune in to me as much as I tume in to them
* working so hard to be tactful and considerate that I suppress my real feelings

Dorises as Children Often
* are very sensitive to disapproval and criticism
* try hard to please their parents by being helpful and understanding
* are outwardly compliant
* are popular or try to be popular with other children
* act coy, precocious, or dramatic in order to get attention
* are clowns and jokers (the more extroverted Dorises), or quiet and shy (the more introverted Dorises)

Dorises as Parents
* are good listeners, love their children unconditionally, and are warm and encouraging (or suffer guilt if they aren't)
* are often playful with their children
* wonder: "Am I doing it right?" "Am I giving enough?" "Have I caused irreparable damage?"
* can become fiercely protective

Totally me. Weird how this site knew. :-)
Take it and let me know what ya'll are...oh, and Merry Christmas.

http://www.helloquizzy.com/tests/are-you-a-jackie-or-a-marilyn-or-someone-else-mad-menera-female-icon-quiz

Recent words that have encouraged me lately:

2008-10-26T15:23:00.000-07:00

"Grant, O Lord my God, that I may never fall away in success or in failure; that I may not be prideful in prosperity nor dejected in adversity. Let me rejoice only in what unites us and sorrow only in what separates us. May I strive to please no one or fear to displease anyone except Yourself. May I seek always the things that are eternal and never those that are only temporal. May I shun any joy that is without You and never seek any that is beside You. O Lord, may I delight in any work I do for You and tire of any rest that is apart from You. My God, let me direct my heart towards You, and in my failings, always repent with a purpose of amendment".
~St. Thomas Aquinas

"Life is likely to continue to hold many forms of torture and dismay for that unhappy person and for all who refuse to receive with Thanksgiving instead of complaint the place in life God has chosen for them. The torture is self-inflicted, for God has not rejected their prayers. He knows better than any of us do what furthers our salvation. Our true happiness is to be realized precisely through His refusals, which are always mercies."
~Elisabeth Elliot

"Let me remember that when I question God's dealings. I don't understand Him, but then I'm not asked to understand, only to trust. Bitterness dissolves when I remember the kind of love with which He has loved me-He gave Himself for me. He gave Himself for me. He gave Himself for me. Whatever He is doing now, therefore, is not cause for bitterness. It has to be designed for good, because He loved me and gave Himself for me".
~Elisabeth Elliot

"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness'. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me".
~2 Corinthians 12:9

"Ultimately, contentment is more a shift in attitude than a change in circumstances.... God, don't let my pain be wasted. Use it to conform me to Your image. Use it to teach me how to be content".
~Linda Dillow

I miss my niece.

2008-09-30T19:55:00.001-07:00

You would too if yours was this cute.

...and my newest niece is due November 14th, and because of work constraints, I won't be there to welcome her into the world. Lame.

My nieces are my favorite.

...

2008-09-29T18:58:00.000-07:00

I admit it. I didn't find this love letter by Beethoven on my own. It was quoted in the Sex in the City movie (which, I also admit, is a guilty pleasure of mine). Neverthelss...I love it, and would absolutely melt if it was ever quoted/written towards me.

...the woes of being a hopeless romantic I suppose.

Though still in bed, my thoughts go out to you, my Immortal Beloved, now and then joyfully, then sadly, waiting to learn whether or not fate will hear us - I can live only wholly with you or not at all - Yes, I am resolved to wander so long away from you until I can fly to your arms and say that I am really at home with you, and can send my soul enwrapped in you into the land of spirits - Yes, unhappily it must be so - You will be the more contained since you know my fidelity to you. No one else can ever possess my heart - never - never - Oh God, why must one be parted from one whom one so loves. And yet my life in V is now a wretched life - Your love makes me at once the happiest and the unhappiest of men - At my age I need a steady, quiet life - can that be so in our connection? My angel, I have just been told that the mailcoach goes every day - therefore I must close at once so that you may receive the letter at once - Be calm, only by a calm consideration of our existence can we achieve our purpose to live together - Be calm - love me - today - yesterday - what tearful longings for you - you - you - my life - my all - farewell. Oh continue to love me - never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved.

ever thine
ever mine
ever ours

My new favorite Sandals worship song...

2008-09-22T21:54:00.000-07:00

There's a new song we've just begun singing at Sandals called "Oh death, where is your sting?" It has been rocking my world, and this past Sunday, as Pastor Matt talked about washing our hands and purifying our hearts, the chorus of this song just brought so much peace and joy to my heart. Even when I stumble, when I fall, He is my redeemer.
Awesome.

'Cause my Jesus is my fortress and in Him there is no shame...
Even the worst in me has been redeemed,
so every saint can say,
Great is the Lord, who took my sin away.

Obama...A message for you sir.

2008-09-19T17:26:00.000-07:00

This is probably one of the greatest commercials for President hopeful John McCain that I've ever seen.
I love it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he6XsfDSJrA

I'm not a Donald Miller fan.

2008-09-14T17:33:00.001-07:00

But I do, however, LOVE this passage from Blue Like Jazz.
It is beautiful, honest, and real. I hope to emulate this in my relationship currently, and for the rest of my life. Selfless love...the way Christ inexplicably loves me.

I will give you this, my love, and I will not bargain or barter any longer. I will love you, as sure as He has loved me. I will discover what I can discover and though you remain a mystery, save God's own knowledge, what I disclose of you I will keep in the warmest chamber of my heart, the very chamber where God has stowed Himself in me. And I will do this to my death, and to death it may bring me.
I will love you like God, because of God, mighted by the power of God. I will stop expecting your love, demanding your love, trading for you love, gaming for you love. I will simply love. I am giving myself to you, and tomorrow I will do it again. I suppose the clock itself will wear thin its time before I am ended at this altar of dying and dying again.
God risked Himself on me. I will risk myself on you. And together, we will learn to love, and perhaps then, and only then, understand this gravity that drew Him, unto us.

5th Grade

2008-08-18T18:40:00.000-07:00

The phone call came today.
I am Riverside Unified's newest 5th grade teacher.

The Lord is good and He is faithful.

...

I now have less than a week to set up a classroom and be prepared for 30 sets of eyes looking to me for knowledge. Deep breath, say a prayer, and jump in...wish me luck. :-)

Over it?

2008-08-17T20:13:00.000-07:00

Hello all.
Much has changed since I've blogged last...
1. I've returned safe and sound from Africa. Hard trip. God is good.
2. I've moved into my first non-calbaptist, not my parent's house, post-college apartment. It's beautiful. And I have fun roommates.
3. I started dating my first boyfriend...and recieved my first kiss. ;-)
4. I've had 3 interviews at 3 different schools with 3 different principals...and no job offers yet. I've got a sparkling resume with everything but experience. I'm realizing a job worth having for the rest of your life is pretty hard to get...harder than your everyday retail job I suppose.

Adjusting to adult life is difficult...but exciting...all at the same time.

I don't have a computer currently (I will have a new mac in 2 weeks!)...but I'm thinking I'm kinda over this blog thing. I still like to read others...just don't like to do my own. What do you think? Should I keep this thing?

Let me know.

Africa.

2008-06-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

I'm leaving in a couple hours to meet my team, and then we're off to Rwanda, Africa for 3 weeks.
Pray for safe travels, healthy bodies, and that above all, Christ is glorified through us.

You can keep track of our team on the calbaptist website:
www.calbaptist.edu/isp then click on Rwanda Social Justice A.

I'm gonna miss you all...see you in 3 weeks!

Ragamuffintop Challenge: Week 4

2008-06-20T16:54:00.000-07:00

I'm starting to get this whole moderation thing down. Eat when you're hungry, stop when you're not. Don't eat when you're not hungry. Choose healthy foods; they are good for you and fill you up better and longer. Drink water. Exercise.

As of 30 minutes ago, my scale read: 127.6. YAY. That's down 2.4 pounds from last week, and a total of 4.6 pounds overall. Nice.

I'm getting so close to my goal of 120-125. Perhaps in a couple weeks?

...

On another completely unrelated note: One of my best friends, Ruth, is getting married tomorrow. I am a bridesmaid and I couldn't be more excited. I love you Hooch....Yay for your wedding!

Ragamuffintop Challenge Week 3: Much Better!

2008-06-13T22:42:00.000-07:00

Welp...as of this morning, I am:

::::drumroll please:::::

130.0!!!! Yep, I lost 2.2 pounds this week. Gym 4 days this week, and cut back slightly on my snacking.
I've also been busy almost every second of everyday (totally by choice however, I'm not complaining), which helps with the not snacking thing.

Yay for finally starting to lose! The goal is still 120-125, so here's to about 5-10 more pounds! :-)
Wish me luck!

Other ragamuffintop challengers: How did YOU do?

Ragamuffintop Week 2.

2008-06-08T19:01:00.000-07:00

Welp...I had other things on my mind and my agenda this past week, so I only had 3 days of hard exercise.
So, my weight currently is: 132.2.
Yep, exactly the same as last week. Ah well, at least I didn't gain! Haha.

So, here's to trying this weight-loss thing again this week. Wish me luck!

Gosh darn-it Carlos...

2008-05-31T22:56:00.000-07:00

Okay...So, my good friend and "being-real" encourager Carlos Whittaker at Ragamuffinsoul.com started a weight-loss challenge, called Ragamuffintop...as in, "muffin top", which no one likes to have.
The rules are as stated:
1. You must have a measurable goal.
1. I would like to work out (break a sweat doing something active, probably running) 5 days a week.
2. I would like to either be comfier in my current size jeans, or drop a size.
3. Cut out all soda.
4. Cut down on Starbucks (like, don't have it daily like I currently do).
2. You must place a photo or video on your blog each weekend and give us the scoop on how you did.
Here's the thing, since my amazing lil apple ibook "blossom" died, (I spilled water on her a month ago...totally my fault. Very sad) I have not been able to be as tech-savy as I would've liked...so, I probably will not be posting pictures. I will, however, state my weight each saturday. You'll just have to trust me. :-)
3. You must link back here so that the readers of your blog get to see how the rest of us are failing or succeeding.
4. You fill out the linky thing below and then people can get to your blog from my front page and we can cheer each other on.

Okay, time to get real (thanks Carlos):
I have always gone up and down with my weight, and was at my highest my freshman/sophomore year of college at 5'2" and 155lbs. That's alot for a short, small-boned lil frame. Not good for the heart, cholesterol, etc. I then took a health class sophomore year and watched "supersize me", which jump-started the healthy-living. Last spring, just in time for graduation from CBU, I was down to 125...which was about the goal. I stayed at that weight until I began student-teaching for my credential this past january....somewhere between january and now, the end of May, I have packed on 7 pounds. Not a lot, but trust me, when you're short, 7lbs. shows up pretty quick. So, I'm stating my measureable goal as: 120-125.
As of tonight's weigh-in (I HATE night weigh-ins, but that's how the ragamuffin likes it), I am : 132.2. Boo. So, check back each Saturday as I track my weight loss of those pesky 7-12 pounds. :-)

If you feel like joining in, go to www.ragamuffinsoul.com and join! :-) Let's do this together gang.

Love you all.

Numb

2008-05-19T12:29:00.000-07:00

I had 4 cavaties filled this morning.

4.

The entire right side of my face was completely numb. I thought I was okay to try and eat some lunch. Took a sip of my diet pepsi...

Yep, all over my shirt. Awesome.

Me too.

2008-05-14T16:02:00.000-07:00

One of my all-time favorite movies is a little known one called "Someone Like You", with Ashley Judd, Greg Kinnear and Hugh Jackman.

After Ashley is dumped by Greg, she goes to a doctor, and says one of my favorite movie lines ever:

Ashley: "I want my erotic nose brain removed. My emegulata. The organ that processes erotic senses deep within my nasal cavity that then connects to memory".

Doctor: "Why would you want to do that?"

Ashley: "Well let me see if I can explain this. I had this boyfriend that smelled really really good. Like soap, fresh laundry and vanilla...and whenever I smell any of those things I'm reminded of my boyfriend and how happy we were before he dumped me for no good reason and then I get really really sad and angry and before I know it I am in the throws of an all out emotional breakdown and I was just thinking that if I could short circuit my nose somehow, I might actually have a chance of living a semi-normal life someday."

We could be friends, her and I. Ha.

23

2008-05-13T10:22:00.001-07:00

I'm 23 today.

:-)

Why?

2008-05-08T20:49:00.000-07:00

Why did I spend 5 years getting my degree and teaching credential when there are NO jobs avaliable in Southern California?

Here's to subbing for the next year.

...

I'm sad.

Some very random thoughts:

2008-05-08T15:50:00.001-07:00

~I'm going to Rwanda in 1.5 months. I'm still unsure of what to expect.

~I'm officially a California credentialed elementary school teacher. All I need now is a job.

~I'm pretty excited to watch LOST tonight.

~My sister and my niece came to visit last week, and now I miss them so much that I'd give anything to hear my niece call me "Rah-Rah" again.

~I took a yoga class the other day, and I'm still ridiculously sore. Oh, and I was like, 1/2 the age of everyone else in the class. Lame.

~I've been thinking of Turkey a lot lately, and I just spent like, 15 minutes looking at pictures of Bebek, Besiktas, Istiklal, and various other places in Istanbul.

~I'm thinking I've got to go back to Turkey one day.

~One of my favorite things to do is give myself a pedicure. My toes are currently summer pink.

~I made a new rule for this summer's reading: I am only going to read books that were New York Times bestsellers. This helps to narrow my options when I go to a bookstore.

~I'm currently on "Kabul Beauty School". It is soso good.

~I'm turning 23 in 5 days. Weird.

~I've recently discovered ebay. It's pretty fun.

~I need to jump back on the fitness train...I've taken like, a 2 week detour and I think it's starting to show. It's almost bathing suit season for cryin out loud.

~It's almost the middle of May in Southern California...why the heck is it only 70 degrees and overcast outside?

Happy Thursday, all. :-)

Happy 3rd Birthday Nephew

2008-04-10T18:14:00.000-07:00

Three years ago today, my nephew, Paul Hudson Rogers, was born into Heaven. I still think of him often and miss him dearly. I still have moments when I cry, and mourn the loss of time that I never got to spend with him.

My brother-n-law wrote a blog today which I am going to post here for you to read. He writes better than I could ever hope to. Enjoy.

"Today is our first son’s birthday. We would love to be planning a birthday party, maybe with a baseball or a truck theme. I would love to have stayed up late last night putting together some ridiculously complicated toy. But instead, today we are planning to go out to dinner in order to celebrate his short life, and last night we stayed up late talking about how we miss him.

Paul Hudson Rogers was stillborn 3 years ago. He was 8 lbs 15 ounces and very cute. He appeared perfect in every way, except that his heart had stopped, inexplicably, the day before his due date. We held him for a short time and then said goodbye. We named him Paul after the Apostle Paul. We named him Hudson after the great missionary to China, Hudson Taylor. We prayed almost daily that God would use him to impact the world for His glory, and that God would use Paul Hudson to take the gospel to the nations. His impact on the world seems to have been much less than we had hoped for. But his impact on Stephanie and I has been immense. I never had the privilege of teaching Paul anything, but here are a few of the things that my son has taught me:

There are a multitude of reasons to praise God which I too often take for granted.

For all of our efforts to control our circumstances, the truth is that we have no control over the most important things in life.

A newborn baby’s cry is the most beautiful sound in the world.

The goodness and faithfulness of God is not just something I believe in because things have always gone right for me. Because of Paul, God’s goodness and faithfulness is more real to me now than it ever was before. He provided and sustained us through dark times with a steady and gracious hand.

I have the most wonderful wife God could have given me.

It is always a good idea to visit someone at the hospital. They do appreciate it, even if I don’t know what to say.

Funerals are important, and I should always go if I can.

I should never complain about the difficulties of parenting. Being a dad is a great privilege and joy. It is never an annoyance, or a time-waster, or an obstacle to other goals.

God’s giving His Son to be crucified for me is unfathomable.

I should pick up the phone or write a note or take a mourning person out to lunch and ask them how they are doing.

Every life is amazing and beautiful and precious, no matter how short or broken.

My daughter throwing up on me is a great gift, not something to grumble about.

Children really are a gift from God.

God can give us true and abiding hope in the midst of unconscionable pain. Hope is not a political slogan or the result of wishful thinking. Hope is based on the great, and sure, and unchanging promises of God. This hope that God's word gives us is truly an anchor for the soul.

Sometimes all we have is hope.

The only fully happy ending will come at the resurrection.

We miss you Paul! See you soon."

Your Auntie RahRah loves and misses you Paul, Happy birthday love.

John Mayer

2008-04-05T17:31:00.000-07:00

He really is my favorite...which is why I love when we updates his blog. His newest is amazingly refreshing.

http://www.johnmayer.com/blog

Read it. Let me know what you think.

::::::::::::

Oh, and happy weekend to you. Also, it is officially my spring break, which means no 6th graders for a week. Now if it would only get warm enough to enjoy a day at the beach...

Kyle tagged me...

2008-04-03T16:39:00.000-07:00

4 jobs I have had in my life:

Vans shoes at the Galleria Mall
Starbucks Barista
CBU bookstore employee
Teacher

4 Movies I have watched more than once:

Dirty Dancing
Pretty Woman
The Notebook
Fever Pitch

4 Places I have lived:

Riverside, CA
Istanbul, Turkey (almost 2 months)

4 TV Shows I watch/watched:

LOST
America's Next Top Model
The Biggest Loser
Friends

4 Place I have been:

Istanbul, Turkey
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Paris, France
Honolulu, Hawaii

4 People who email me regularly:

My sister
Christie (Pacs)
ISP Rwanda team members
Facebook...hahaha.

4 of my favorite foods:

Thin Crust Pepperoni Lovers Pizza Hut Pizza
Caesar Salads (BJ's and CPK have the best)
Fruit: Apples, Bananas, Avocados, Grapes...
Real Mexican food (like made by Ashley's family...yum)

4 places I would like to visit

Africa (This summer...in 2.5 months...) :-)
Italy
GREECE!!!!!
New York

Things I am looking forward to in the coming year:

Getting hired, and then beginning my first year as a real, credentialed teacher! Finally!
Continuing my Master's degree.
Moving out....starting my real, "grown-up" life (career, etc...)
Making new summer memories (either in Africa, or at home with my girls)

I am tagging: My sister-Stephanie Rogers, Ruth, Ashley, and Daley (even though I doubt he'll do it, haha).

Unexpected Truth

2008-03-21T18:09:00.000-07:00

Saw this on Postsecret this past Sunday...and it's been with me all week.

Thank God.

2008-02-18T23:20:00.000-08:00

"I do not nullify the grace of God, for if justification were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose".
-Galatians 3:21

I am so utterly amazed at God's grace...and the fact that my salvation and justification is not through my works and what I do and do not do, but through His love and grace.
When I fail, when I succeed...that is not what makes or breaks my salvation...it is His grace alone.

Thank God.

Step Up...Again.

2008-02-16T22:54:00.000-08:00

So, I went and saw Step Up 2 the other day...I really loved Step Up, so I went, hopeful that the second was just as good.

I was not disappointed.

Say what you will about ghetto dance movies or whatever, but the moves were insane. Those that know me well know I absolutely love to dance and can somewhat hold my own in a setting like that...so I came out of the theater inspired. Also, the soundtrack is super fun...and is the best treadmill music ever.

Who wants to take a hip hop class with me?

:-)

...

2008-02-07T13:02:00.000-08:00

I'm overwhelmed.

There's too many things on my plate right now...and it's almost overflowing.
When it does, I just might break.

Change

2008-01-31T19:54:00.000-08:00

Sometimes the Lord speaks to you at the most random times, in the most random ways.

It's been kind-of a long week, physically, emotionally...and I was tired, tired, tired. But, school got out a little early today, and after a short coffee date with a friend, I decided I'd still haul my butt to the gym.

As I was on the last mile of my usual run, with my ipod set to random, a song came on, one that I knew God had sent, at that moment, for me.

The song is called "Change" by Bethany Dillon.

"My pockets are empty
Fear's such a thief
You know how that goes
I used to think
You couldn't love a mess like me
Then You came in so close

As my heart settles
You do the impossible

You change me, You change me
Thank You, Jesus
I can see You change me

Like a bullet in a wound
It needs to be removed
But only by You, only by You
And though I feel so stuck
The hope in Your eyes is enough

To change me, You change me
Thank You, Jesus
I can see You change me"

Thank you Jesus...for never giving up, for giving me hope, and for never tiring in the endless process of changing me.
My heart is Yours.

Psalms 37

2008-01-27T17:13:00.000-08:00

It had been a tough morning.
It was a tough morning because it had been a tough night.
No, no car accidents or anything, just internally tough. Fighting for joy; for contentment.

As I sat in my car this morning before church, I flipped through my Bible to read a little before going in. I landed in Psalms 37. This is what I read:
"Trust in the Lord and do good...
Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will act..."

And then...

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him".

There was my answer, my action plan to fight the giant of fear in my life.
Trust the Lord, delight in Him, commit to Him, and then be still before Him.

Trust. Delight. Commit. Be still and Wait.

Oh if I could only get it right...

Daley and Starbucks

2008-01-21T18:05:00.001-08:00

DaleyHake.com took this while I was enjoying my black-iced-tea-two-splendas this morning.

He might be my most-talented friend...and one I enjoy spending time with and learning from.

Happy New Year 2008

2008-01-02T23:40:00.000-08:00

Hope you rang the new year in with as much fun and good friends as I did.

I started off the new year with a run up Mt. Roubidoux...wind and all. And it was on top of that mountain where God and I had a good conversation, and I made some resolutions.

Time to go live them out...

To my family and friends, I love you; Happy New Year.

Hope says "Merry Christmas!"

2007-12-05T16:52:00.000-08:00

Well...she would if she could talk, that's probably what she would say. :-)

16 days. Then it's Auntie Robin and baby Hope time.

Good-bye Quicksilver

2007-11-30T10:33:00.000-08:00

Yesterday morning I was on my way to go babysit. I was driving down Victoria, after I stopped at a stop sign, I proceeded to roll into the intersection.
WHAM!
A guy flew through a stop sign and plowed right into me. Spun my car the entire way around. Several windows shattered, glass was everywhere.
I remembered getting out of the passenger side door.
I remember a nice lady, sitting next to me on the curb, pulling glass out of my hair.
I remember shaking. A lot.
I remember being laid down on a stretcher, my neck in a brace.
I remember thinking that we couldn't leave until my mom got there...that she wouldn't know where I was.
I remember the ambulance ride, and the funny paramedics, trying to make me laugh.
I remember feeling glass on me everywhere, bleeding cuts on my hands, down my pants and scraping my butt.
I remember the paramedics pulling glass out of my belly button.
I remember them cutting my sweatshirt.
I remember x-rays.
I remember pain. Lots.
I remember them telling me I had a sprained shoulder/shoulder blade. Bruised ribs.
I remember getting a shot in my butt....and I remember thinking that it hurt more than it should've.
I remember getting a perscription for drugs.
I remember thinking that I was really thankful for my parents.

So, there you go. I got home, and was a lil drugged up the rest of the day. Had to learn how to sleep on my back last night.
I'm ridiculously sore today.
My car, quicksilver, is gone. Totaled. The entire left side is bent inwards...I don't know how I'm not more hurt. God...that's how.

Good-bye quicksilver.

Color Me Yours

2007-11-07T17:40:00.000-08:00

Kinsley and I went to Color Me Mine today and created/painted amazing ornaments.

I'm a fan of that place. Something about being able to just sit and create is so soothing.

Is this how my musician friends feel? :-)

So, if you're ever down for a color-me-mine date, let me know. Starbucks is right next-door too.

Proof

2007-11-05T15:59:00.000-08:00

You can take the girl out of cheerleading, but you can't take the cheerleading out of the girl.

:-)

CBU homecoming, 2007. My first as an alumni. Weird.

Laguna? Huntington?

2007-11-02T12:28:00.000-07:00

I'm leaving in a few minutes.

Meeting Kinsley.

Getting Starbucks...probably.

Driving West...getting away from Riverside.

Meeting up with our old friend, Mr. Morin.

Either sleeping in Laguna or Huntington. As of right now, I don't know which one.

Let's hope this helps.

Not myself

2007-10-29T23:06:00.000-07:00

"Suppose I said
I am on my best behavior
And there are times
I lose my worried mind

Would you want me when I'm not myself?
Wait it out while I am someone else?

Suppose I said
Colors change for no good reason
And words will go
From poetry to prose

Would you want me when I'm not myself?
Wait it out while I am someone else?

And I, in time, will come around
I always do for you..."

I'm not myself lately...and I'm not sure why.
Frustration level was at an all-time high today with the education department of california baptist university.
You'd think they'd want to do all they could to help me see this whole-teacher thing through...

I woke up with horrible back/neck pain. sigh...

I just want my own class already. I'm sick of jumping through the hoops that make up the credentialing process. I'm sick of being in this "in-between" phase of life. I'd love to be financially independent from my parents. I'd love to...just be.

I'm normally very positive, and an optimistic person. I'm just...not myself.

And that's okay for right now.

On a completely separate train of thought...I'm on the lookout for a new journal. The moleskin is almost filled...and this time, I'd like something different. Thicker. Maybe leather? Cool/fun design. Original. No lines on the inside. Ability to lie flat when I'm writing in it. If you find something with these distinctions, let me know...or just get it for me. ;-)

Oh, and bonus points to you if you can guess who wrote the lyrics above. No cheating.

Frustration

2007-10-25T22:05:00.000-07:00

I could use a hug and some encouragement.

Whoever said this whole "career and life after college" thing was gonna be easy...

...they lied.

Brilliant Bows

2007-10-23T16:13:00.000-07:00

Do you, or does someone you know, have a baby girl who is constantly mistaken for a little boy? Mothers, stress no more: www.brilliantbows.com is here and to the rescue!
Created by my fabulously talented sister, Stephanie Rogers, these bows are sure to stay put in even the smallest amount of hair. Seriously, they really do! My niece was quite bald her first few months on this earth...and so she lived in these bows.

There are all different kinds of bow types and styles, as well as a zillion different colors to choose from. Oh, and they make a great gift for a baby shower!

Go to the site, order some bows for a baby girl in your life, and show some love...okey dokey?

www.brilliantbows.com

I failed...

2007-10-22T12:23:00.001-07:00

This past week, I had Starbucks 5 times.

I started out good...bought it on Monday, bought it on Wednesday (I subbed for a preschool class where everyone but me spoke Spanish...I needed it, I was a lil frazzled by the end of the day). :-)

Then I didn't have it again, and wasn't going to since I had already bought my two for the week, until Saturday morning. Mom offered to drive down to our local (Canyon Crest) and get us some Saturday morning fun drinks. Hey, I figured it's not cheating since I didn't pay for it. Then, Saturday night, I worked on TPA #2 all night with a friend who was also doing his TPA #2, and went and bought us some Starskies. Again, not technically cheating since I didn't purchase it.

Then Sunday, I gave in. Kinsley and I drove down to Newport to walk around Roger's Gardens and look at all the fun Christmas stuff there...and who can do that without Starbucks in hand? So, I got one.

So there you go...I broke my vow by one (technically, since the other two were bought for me).

Addictions take time to break I suppose.

TPA's and Kanye West

2007-10-21T00:05:00.000-07:00

I just finished 5 hours of work. Yes, I sat in front of this computer and worked on TPA (Teaching Performance Assessment) #2 from 7 p.m. until 12 a.m...and it is still not done. I am on page 11 of 19.

There are four TPA's you have to complete as part of the credentialing process. Two before student teaching and two during student teaching. They are roughly 20 pages long each, and you must pass them in order to get a credential. So, yes, even with the mounds of homework I have to do for actual grad. classes, I spent 5 hours doing something for credentialing instead.

I just really hope this teaching thing is worth it in the end.

...

On a totally unrelated note, I'm sort-of watching SNL and Kanye West and his ego bother the heck out of me. I hope his next album flops, he continues to not win awards, and that someone gets the guts to tell him that they are not "honored by his greatness".

Tonight

2007-10-19T11:58:00.000-07:00

Yep.

See you there... :-D

Addiction

2007-10-15T11:49:00.000-07:00

No, I do not think it's okay that I visit Starbucks daily, and yes I realize that I have a problem.

I've been told that admitting you have a problem is the first step.

Now it's time to make some changes to slowly kick the addiction:

Change #1: I will only purchase Starbucks twice a week. This means that even if I go to Starbucks to sit and read/do homework/ponder life/whatever...if my 2 times that week are up, I will only order a venti ice-water.

Since I am blogging about this from a Starbucks this morning, and have already had my iced-grande white mocha, that counts as number one.

To have you hold me accountable, I will be blogging each Monday to let you know how I did.

In the meantime, does anyone know of a Starbucks Anonymous I could join?

:-)

Yum

2007-10-14T13:20:00.000-07:00

Those of you who know me, know that in the past fews years, I've changed....

...my eating habits, that is. :-) I love to eat healthy, and love a good workout. I abhor fast food and never eat it anymore....and long ago are the days of Diet Pepsi.

However, as I was driving home from church today, I drove past that yellow arrow and red palm tree place...and it called to me. And you know what?

Sometimes, nothing hits the spot like a Sunday afternoon lunch from In-n-Out.

:-)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

2007-10-11T22:07:00.000-07:00

I had always been told in high school that I should read this. It was recommended to me by various sources, and almost every book club I joined/website/book I read told me, "If you like this book, you should read 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower'." So, the other day I was wandering aimlessly and happily around Borders and decided to finally purchase it and see what the big deal was about.

From a literary standpoint, I loved it. I always like books written in diary-form anyways (Megan Mccafferty's are some of my favorites), but this one was different. He wrote like I think (and write sometimes)...stream of consciousness. Sad story, funny story, important story.

I never had to deal with being the "awkward/loner" kid in high school. Cheerleading pretty much made sure of that...but I was different. Christ in me, His place and Lordship over my life made me different. I didn't live for the things my girlfriends lived for, didn't do the things they did or talk about the things they talked about....so, in a way, I felt the lonliness. Books became of huge importance to me in my high school years...a passion I continued throughout college and still continue now.

Most of all, I just felt for Charlie. I would like to think that if he had been in my English class, that I would've befriended him.

I hope the Charlie's in high schools all around America always have someone in their life that pushes them, believes in them, and tells them that they love them.

Isaiah

2007-10-10T23:48:00.000-07:00

30:18
Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you,
and therefore He exalts himself to show mercy to you.
For the Lord is a God of justice,
blessed are all those who wait for him.

32:17
And the effect of righteousness will be peace,
and the result of righteousness,
quiet and trust forever.

Good times with the Lord this week.

:-)

River Trip...Part 2.

2007-10-01T13:20:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, Ashley, Alana, Josh and I went back to the river in Arizona again.
It was way different than last time, but still, fun times were had. Usually I'm good if the sun is out and I can fall asleep in it. Which I did. :-)
Overall, it was a good way to say good-bye, officially, to summer. I was holding on for dear life, but fall has come...I can't deny it.
Ah well...bring on the stinkin' sweatshirts and punkin spice lattes.

Happy October everyone.

Why I love being a teacher...

2007-09-25T19:13:00.000-07:00

Today I subbed for Mrs. James' 1st grade class. Here's some things that made my 7am-3pm day go by a little bit faster:

~"Ms. Moore, you are beautiful"
~"Ms. Moore, can I play with your hair while you read?"
~"Ms. Moore, your nails are lovely"
~"You better stop talking, we don't want to make Ms. Moore stop being so nice"
~"Ms. Moore, I like you better than Mrs. James" (haha...I'm not sure how to feel about this one)

You know, I could get used to this... :-)

Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

2007-09-20T09:15:00.001-07:00

It's raining....enough said.

:-(

Online schooling

2007-09-19T17:18:00.000-07:00

I have an on-line class every other Wednesday night. Now, it's not your average on-line class, I actually have to sign in on my computer to this website at the designated time and join in on discussion (I can hear my professor and peers). It'd be really cool if it wasn't class.

I am so bored.

Help me, please. I have 2hours left.

Random thoughts and a pumpkin scone

2007-09-18T12:30:00.000-07:00

So Robin, when you don't get called to substitute teach, what do you do on those days?
Welp...this morning, I set my alarm for 8, woke up, threw on some sweats and went down to my local starbucks (Canyon Crest...it's my favorite one), and got not only my usual (Iced White Mocha nonfat, no whip), but a delicious pumpkin scone! I lovelovelove the appearance of the pumpkin spice latte and pumpkin scone every year around this time. If the weather is determined to start getting colder, (which I don't like), then at least I can find solace in Starbucks pumpkin spice things. :-)
Now, I am sitting at my living room table, writing a 6-page paper for my grad class, "The History and Future of American Education". Fascinating.
I later plan on going to watch a flag football game at CBU, then come home and go for a run, and then enjoy dinner with my mom.
So...that's my day. It's a lot different then my days used to be when I was in the Calbaptist bubble, but, that's okay. Humbling and much learning are taking place, and it's a good place to be. :-)

Quick brag-time...

2007-09-12T23:30:00.000-07:00

Totally already a beach babe...all she needs now is to be living in So.Cal. with her auntie.

Seriously, who doesn't love a baby girl who can make a face like that?

So could my sister and niece be any more beautiful? I don't think so.

That's all there's time for right now...enjoy :-)

Where I've been...or, summer '07 in quick review.

2007-08-26T18:37:00.000-07:00

Sorry I've been lacking in the blog department lately...life, towards the end of summer, got both busy and fun. I'm actually very very sad summer is ending...there is nothing like long lazy warm days.
So...here's some pictures to show where I've been and what I've been up to. Enjoy :-)

Kinsley bought us John Mayer concert tickets for my birthday, so, June 10th, we rocked out at the Hollywood Bowl with the man himself...he really was amazing. I sang every word and was in awe the entire time. :-)

Kimmy and Derek got married July 21st...it was a beautiful wedding with beautiful people. I had a blast on the dance floor...and I'm so excited for the Imai's! (Oh, and photo credit goes to their photographer, Trever Hoehne, he's amazing!)

Sarah got married one week after Kimmy, July 28th. Another beautiful wedding, surrounded by the girls I love most in this world. Instead of Saraho, she is now Sarah Curry. I love you Sarah!

My parents and I got to go to Louisville, Kentucky the first week of August because my wonderful niece Hope turned one. Here we are having Auntie Robin and Hope time, and Hope's just having milk-time. :-) It was a good time of hanging out with family, I love my sister and brother-n-law very much.

We got to go to the Louisville Zoo while we were there, Hope loved the Bongos. Don't know what they are? I didn't either, look 'em up! :-)

When I got home from Louisville, a day later I went to the river in Yuma, AZ with some of my best friends. It was the funnest weekend I've had this summer...and believe it or not, I learned a lot through it as well. Here's Me, Ash and Alana, doing what we did 3 days in a row...laying out on the front of the boat. :-) It was absolutely wonderful.

Here's the whole gang of River Trippers '07 at Cracker Barrel for dinner one night. Worst service/food ever, but definately the funniest time I've ever had in a restaurant.

Yesterday, Pacs, Alana, Ruth and myself had a beach day in Huntington. We layed out, shopped, and met up with Pacs' and Ashley's parents in Irvine for dinner. It was a goodtime for us girls to get together before Pacs leaves (this Friday!) for a year.

Today was the Whittaker family's last day at Sandals church. Carlos and his fam are moving to Georgia where he will be serving Buckhead church. I'm not sure if Buckhead knows yet just how great of a family they are getting, but they better get ready. I'm proud of myself for not crying today, but it is definately going to be very sad not having Carlos lead us to the throne every Sunday. He's personally my favorite staff member (besides Kimmy of course!), and I'm brokenhearted that he is leaving, although I'm thankful He's following God's leading. We will miss you Whittaker's!

And of course, I can't talk about the Whittaker's without posting a picture of my favorite lil Korean, their baby boy Losiah. He spent a long time in my nursery flip flop class, and I'm very sad I won't get to love on him every Sunday. :-( I mean, look how cute he is! Hmmm...maybe I should arrange a meeting between Losiah and Hope... ;-)

Welp...this is a really long post, so I'm gonna go now. I hope you enjoyed the mini-update...I'll write again soon! :-)

Just what I needed to hear...

2007-08-19T22:52:00.000-07:00

Walk By Faith
by Jeremy Camp

Will I believe you when you say
Your hand will guide my every way
Will I receive the words You say
Every moment of every day

Well I will walk by faith
Even when I cannot see
because this broken road
Prepares Your will for me

Help me to RID my endless fears
You’ve been so faithful for all my years
With the one breath You make me new
YOUR GRACE COVERS ALL I DO

well i will walk by faith
even when i cannot see
because this broken road
prepares your will for me

Well I’m broken- but I still see Your face
Well You’ve spoken- pouring Your words of grace

Well I will walk by faith
Even when I cannot see
Well because this broken road
Prepares Your will for me...

...Thank You, Lord, for these words of encouragement. You knew the time and the place when I would need them...which is now.
Thank You for loving me unconditionally, even when I seemingly fall away and confusion and blurred vision affects me...You are there to pick me back up.

Thank You for continuing to teach me to walk by faith.

This kid...

2007-07-11T22:55:00.000-07:00

I'll be with her in exactly 3 weeks. She will be turning one. I expect hands and face in the cake, and a trip to the Louisville, Kentucky Zoo.

I know the jealousy must be killing you.

:-)

The best medicine

2007-07-02T22:59:00.000-07:00

I enjoy being around people who can make me laugh. Not just giggle, but like, whole-heartedly-pee-your-pants-belly laugh, you know?
Extra points if tears fall from my eyes and my stomach feels like it just had a workout.

Don't get me wrong, there is a time for eveything, so you serious people, I love you too...but this post isn't devoted to you. Sorry. :-)

Thanks to those who just enoy life, use their God-given gifts for making others laugh or being entertaining...I'm a happier girl because of you.

So...I'm a Harry Potter nerd.

2007-06-17T15:58:00.000-07:00

Get this and other HP countdowns at LeakyNews.com

Seriously, I am a huge nerd when it comes to Harry Potter. I know all you cool kids out there who think it's dorky, I used to be ignorant like you too. Then I picked up the first one at the age of 17 and couldn't put them down. I re-read the series ever summer.

As you may or may not know, this is a pretty big summer for Harry Potter fans around the world. The fifth movie comes out, as well as the seventh and final (supposedly) book. I am very excited for the book...then movie too, but more so for the book.

I've already got it pre-ordered at Borders. I know that Borders will be swamped with people dressed up like the characters, and hardcore HP fans when I go to get my copy that night at midnight...so I don't really wanna go by myself.

Friday night, July 20th, at around 11pm-ish...anyone down for going with me to fight the masses so that I can get my book?

:-)

The Summer To-Do/Goal List:

2007-06-06T20:29:00.000-07:00

So, as I was sitting in class tonight very bored, er, I mean paying close attention to my professor, I decided that for my first summer as a real adult, I should have some goals, or just general things that I would like to have completed by September 1st. It is my hope that if I post them here, ya'll will give me some sort of accountability in doing them. I will re-post this list again in the end of August and let you know how I did, and if I accomplished said goals.
With that said, here they are in no particular order:

~Go to the beach at least 5 times. (It'll probably be more, but as I'm working 5 days a week now, I didn't want to get my hopes up).
~Pass both summer Master's classes: EDU520 and EDU/RDG515.
~Visit Ashley in Irvine during one of her shifts at Olive Garden, and order an excessive amount of breadsticks.
~Go to Louisville, KY to see my sister, bro-n-law, and the cutest niece ever born.
~Go surfing, and stand up more than 3 times (my previous best was only 3 times).
~Read all 7 Harry Potters. (I've read them all already, but as the 7th and last comes out this summer, I've started reading them again, in hopes of having the first 6 done just in time for the last to come out).
~Run up Mount Rubidoux
~Go to the doctor, have my cholesterol checked, and start taking the necessary medications if required. (I'm hoping it won't be, but with my heredity...meds here I come).
~Go to Disneyland at least one more time before my pass is blocked out for the summer.
~Complete, and pass, my first 2 TPA's (yay for CA teacher credentialing).
~Lose five more pounds.
~Join a Sandals small group.
~Go to an Angels game.
~See 3 movies: 1.Oceans 13 2.Harry Potter 5 3.?

So there you have it. A pretty do-able list if you ask me.
I'll let you know in August folks... :-)

The Graduation Mexico Cruise...with lots of pictures!

2007-06-01T21:31:00.001-07:00

All I have to say is it was ah-mazing.

9 of my very best girlfriends, a giant cruise ship, and fun stops everyday made for a very fun week!

Some of the things I loved: Getting dressed up for dinner every night, the amazing dinner itself, laying-out poolside, poolside pina coladas, dancing until 1 or 2 every single night, climbing the rock wall on board, the cool towel animals our room guy left, shopping in Ensenada, the discovery of the Bean Cone in Ensenada (Ruth and I are totally gonna learn how to make it), watching dueling pianos with 2 hilarious comedians, and laughing until my sides hurt at inside jokes and memories with all 9 girls.

That's just a taste...now do you want some pictures?

All 10 of us: Dressed up for dinner on the first night

Poolside Pina Coladas with Sarah

Dressed up for formal dinner night with Ruth and Sarah

I handled that rock wall...heck yeah.

Lunch in Ensenada

The Famous Bean Cone

Ruth and I...we loved to dress up!

All right...this is a long post with a lot of pictures...hope that ties you over for a bit! :-)

Childhood church friends...

2007-05-20T22:33:00.000-07:00

So, this group of people, minus best friend Megan who is not in the picture, were my core group of friends that I grew up with at church. When my family started going to Magnolia Avenue Baptist Church, I was 7, and these were the group of kids in my Sunday School class/age group. This basically meant that these would be my built-in friends the next 10 years or so of my life. We were six best friends, who laughed together, cried together, went through the ugly growing up stages of life together, and learned more about who God is together.
Of course, when college came we all went, mostly, our separate ways. I kept in contact with a few, but sadly not all. We have all changed so much...it's incredible.
By the end of this month, five out of the six of us will have graduated college...by next summer, 3 out of the six will be married...we are all grown up.
This picture was taken, haha, by all of our parents, at Jena's graduation party. Although I really only still see and keep in contact with Megan on a regular basis, I still cherish the memories I have with these five people.
Thanks Eric, Michael, Kevin, Jena and Megan. :-)

How's about a reunion in another 4 years? :-)

Graduation...

2007-05-17T18:48:00.000-07:00

...Yes, ladies and gentlemen, on May 5th, I did it. Graduated from college. Started Master's classes 3 days later. Weird...I'm such an adult.

It was such a blessing to have my sister and my niece there. Thanks Steph for all of the encouragement you provide in my life. :-)

Here's a graduation picture, snapped by my Daddy, for ya'll to enjoy. Real world, here I come!

My Best Friend's Wedding

2007-04-29T12:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my best friend, Megan, got married.
It was beautiful...everything was absolutely perfect. I got teary-eyed, of course. Everything that pastor was saying during the ceremony was so true...I just can't believe they're married.
I am so happy for them, Byron is such a great guy and I can think of no one better for me to leave my best friend to. I pray that all of my friends get a "byron" of their own one day.
Yesterday it was obvious to see that God created marriage as a gift for His people, and how beautiful it can be when two of his children enter into it together...thank you Lord for this gift, and for seeing it be a blessing for Megan and Byron.

I was so honored to be by Meg's side throughout the ceremony, and through all of their 7 years of dating. I'm a blessed girl. :-)

....pictures to come soon, I promise...

Good Day

2007-04-19T22:55:00.000-07:00

So today was a good day:

Phone call for an interview on May 1st to be a Pre-K teacher...yay. Yes, I would LOVE to teach four-year-olds all day! :-D

Then my super cool roommate decides to give me an early birthday present (don't worry, all you out there still have 24 days to buy me a present) and surprises me with tickets to see the man himself, John Mayer. He's the one concert I've probably been wanting to see the longest and the most. June 10, we're there.

Thank the Lord for good days in the midst of crazy ones...

...5 days left of homework...

One week

2007-04-17T19:12:00.000-07:00

One week from right now I will be officially done with all of my schoolwork. ever.

Ok, not ever, but undergraduate at least. :-)

This next week I will have lots of coffee and no sleep....then it's all over.

In the Library

2007-04-14T11:28:00.000-07:00

How do you spend a beautiful, sunny Saturday?

I like to spend mine indoors, inside CBU's library, doing my senior project.

Ok...maybe 'like' is the wrong word to use.

At least I got to have Coco's for breakfast. :-)

...all right...back to it. Wish me luck.

Happy Birthday Paul

2007-04-10T19:32:00.000-07:00

Two years ago today, my handsome nephew, Paul Hudson Rogers, was born into Heaven. Although I never got to hold him, I know he is being sweetly rocked in Heaven by Jesus.
I still miss him all the time...but Praise the Lord we have a God of hope and peace, and I will get to see him again one day.

Your aunt loves you Paul.

Istanbul, Turkey

2007-04-08T21:51:00.000-07:00

When I lived in Istanbul, Turkey last summer, the CBU crew was divided and dispersed into other teams and combined with other college students from around America. These groups were called "takims", the Turkish word for "team". I grew to love my takim (although the only females on it were Shannon and myself).
Every Sunday while we were there, an American family who lives in Istanbul would take my takim into their house and just let us have family time with them. They would cook us a great American meal, we would sit around and just veg out and talk about our weeks...they also let me play with their (then) 3-month old little girl. I came to cherish my Sunday afternoons/nights.
I was browsing blogs tonight instead of doing my homework and I found the family's blog and I really missed my "family" in Turkey.
It was an extreme experience living there 1 1/2 months...extreme in every sense of the word. It was new, exciting, scary, exhausting, funny, great, sad...every emotion that you could have I experienced. Towards the end of my time there, all I wanted was to be back in America, but looking at those pictures tonight...
...I want to go back. Turkey captures your heart, whether you think it does or not. I know it captured mine. The people, their faces, their hearts...I'd love to go back.

Perhaps on my way to Santorini, Greece I'll swing by there first... ;-)

I'll leave you with a picture from one of our "family" nights. Starting at the bottom, going left to right: Kyle (I miss you bud), Bryce, Derek, Elizabeth, Shannon, Myself and Billy. Elizabeth and Billy were our family (their beautiful baby is not in the picture).

...more time...

2007-04-05T17:07:00.000-07:00

The Lord always knows what I need, and He loves to surprise me just when I least expect it.

My two largest projects that are staring me in the face and standing between me and graduation are a 15 page paper for geography and my senior project, which is roughly 30 pages. Both of these were originally due Thursday, April 12th. Which means that this weekend would've been my last weekend to really get stuff done. Needless to say, I had started to stress (which I never do).

I recieved an e-mail today from the education provost saying that our senior projects are not due until the 17th. Then I received another e-mail from my geography professor saying that our research papers aren't due until the 17th as well.

Sigh...another weekend and more time has been added.

Praise the Lord. :-)

The Countdown

2007-04-05T16:17:00.001-07:00

As of today, it is officially one month until I walk across the stage on CBU's lawn and graduate.
Weird.

Here is the countdown of my life these next 2 months...

April 25-My last day of undergraduate college classes

April 26-Best Friend Megan's all-day Bachelorette party (starting at Glen Ivy and ending at Club Silk... ;-) )

April 28-Best Friend Megan's Wedding!

April 29-Going to L.A. to see Wicked

May 3-My sister and my niece come for my graduation...yayayay.

May 5-Graduation is finally here...!

May 8-My first class for my master's degree begins...

May 9-My second class for my master's degree begins... (Just when I thought school was over)

May 13-My 22nd birthday

May 21-Four of my teeth will be taken from me...that's right, they're taking all my wisdom. :-) Jamba Juice and ice cream will be greatly appreciated during this time...

May 28 -to- June 1-Graduation cruise to Mexico with 12 of my favorite girls...yay!

June 2-Real life in grown-up world starts...

If I make it to June 2, I'll be tired, but so very glad that it's all over. I know months and months from now I'll probably regret saying this, but right now I cannot wait to be done with undergrad school, and off of CBU's campus.
Perhaps I just need a break.

Tomorrow is girls layout day at the beach, and then meeting up with the boys to bonfire at 6ish...pray for warm weather...

:-)

Just let me go

2007-04-01T16:07:00.000-07:00

If I could be anywhere else in the world right now, you know where I'd go?

Santorini, Greece.

It's beautiful. Greece has always been on the top 3 list of places I must go before I die (Italy and anywhere in Africa being the other 2)...but seriously, google it and see for yourself how amazing it is.

If I were there right now, It'd be me, a towel, and a book asleep some warm beach...enjoying life. I wouldn't be thinking about how much homework I have left to do in the next 4 weeks, how real-life is starting soon, how everyone's dispersing after graduation, and how complicated everything can get.
I'd be sleeping in the sun on an island in Greece.

I'm going there one day...mark my words.

The Remedy

2007-03-27T14:47:00.000-07:00

When you're having an I-feel-fat-and-not-cute-at-all-and-on-top-of-everything-else-it's-raining-and-I-have-a-stupid-night-class kinda day...you know what hits the spot?

A tall iced non-fat white mocha from dear 'ole Starbucks.

Perfect.