On turning 39...

My birthday is tomorrow (actually in about an hour) and I'm turning 39 years old.  Even writing that makes me feel weird.  My mom was this age when my sister got married...but my mom was OLD!  Something's not right - I don't feel old - I feel like I'm still 21 or so - and that feels great! 

So I thought I'd write 39 memories to celebrate and to figure out how I've gotten to this place in life.  If you can think of one, please COMMENT!

TIDBITS about how Robyn became Robyn:

1.  I was born in a place not too many people have in common:  Turkey
2.  I "flunked" kinder because I was deathly shy and wouldn't come out from under the tables
2.a   I was a very picky eater - the joke was that I had a list of only 10 things I liked!
3.  I became extremely afraid of dogs in kinder because my best friend, Tammy Jean Dunnigan, was
4.  I loved playing with Tracy and Stacey in elementary school in Texas
5.  I didn't come out of my shell until I was 12 and met Cathy Camp
6.  I made ice cream pies with Sadie one summer to make money
7.  My leadership skills/curse came out in junior high band - recycling project
8.  I played alto sax for years, then french horn and xylophone (and cool percussion instruments so I wouldn't have to "march" in marching band - I got to hang out and be cool in the "pit")
9.  I loved parking my car all caddy-whompus at seminary in the mornings (until I got kicked out)
10.  I enjoyed playing volleyball and softball with the ward/stake competitions
11.  Girls Camp was the be-all and end-all.... I've now attended 17 years of girls' camps!
12.  I became an aunt as a junior in HS and spent as much time as possible holding Sarah after school
13.  My first "real" date was with Larry - at Redrock - he kissed me - I practically slapped him and made him take me home
14.  I wore a 'pebbles and bam-bam' dress to homecoming with Charlie
15.  I got my heart broken by Jeff - in time to ruin Sadies.  What was I thinking anyway???
16.  I babysat/nannied for Amber's kids after school - Landon was the first 'boy' I slept with (he was 6 months old and we'd nap together on the couch)
17.  I drove to St. George often to visit my friend Rebecca who moved there - she later had an 'affair' with her uncle by marriage and moved to Germany with him after she graduated.  Can I pick 'em?
18.  I graduated from HS with honors
19.  Attended UNLV with Nicole that fall - lost Cathy Camp - devestating experience
20.  Joined institute - best part of college - LOVED going to the Rebel basketball games together - met STEVE there - almost married him......met lots of friends, had lots of fun, and learned lots
21.  Took a Hitler & German Constitution class where I met Deanna, Chris and Lance.  We became inseperable...until we all left on missions
22.  Went on a mission to Guatemala - most amazing experience of my life thus far - got Dengue Fever and almost died!
23.  Became Institute vice-president and loved every minute of it.  Lost Brother Utley - very sad.  Graduated from Institute (did NOT from seminary) 
24.  Taught early morning seminary for 2 years
25.  Managed Latter Day Book store while owners served mission - my family completely remodeled it - and we opened a second location - amazing professional experiences of a lifetime. 
25.a   Had my heart ripped apart when Chris got married - took almost 10 years to fully get over the ramifications of it.
26.  Graduated from college with a degree in Spanish and went on a Church/US history trip with Amy, Leah, and Chad for 3 weeks to celebrate - LOVED broadway, Hill Cumorah Pageant, DC, and Amish Country the best
27.  Approached by school district to become bilingual teacher on their dime - master's degree - went through ARL program and got master's in TESL...later was approached to take over the program and be the facilitator full time
28.  Went on cruise to carribbean with Carolyn, Jennifer, and Tammy
29.  Fall road trips with Carolyn - Mt Rushmore Trip, Calif-Oregon trip, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona trip, Yosemite trips
30.  Brianhead weekends with our single friends - like 20 of them!  Rented 2 condos for a few years
31.  Taught bilingual 1st grade, then moved schools to teach 3rd ESL, then became a Teacher on Special Assignment to work with new teachers, then opened a new school teaching 3rd for 2 years, then became their ELL specialist for 5 years, moved schools and am ELL facilitator there now
32.  Traveled to China to host an English camp with 8 Americans for 5 weeks - traveled all over.....
went on an Alaskan Cruise with my parents and brother and walked on a glacier!
33.  Toured 6 countries with my sister's family and some friends (tour group) for 3 weeks - England, France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, and Germany - awesome trip - followed World Cup games
34.  Got to be the Laurel advisor to the most amazing group of young women ever and got to be the stake YCL leader for 2 years and Stake Camp Music person as well - I love working with the YW
35.  Traveled back to China to study Chinese and culture at a university in Chengdu - on the district's dime. Got to pet a real-live panda!   Came back to teach basic Chinese to 4th and 5th graders in a 'club' for 2 years.  Also took 2 classes at UNLV in Chinese and Chinese history through film
36.  Taught Relief Society, Primary, Gospel Doctrine, and then Seminary - now in RS presidency as assistant secretary
37.  Have been blessed with 3 Wiser nieces (and a nephew in law) and 3 Duncan kiddos
38.  Have taught graduate courses for Nova Southeastern University, Sierra Nevada College, and now currently at Nevada State College
and
39.  Bought a home 9 years ago and have enjoyed remodeling, decorating, painting, and 'coveyizing' it with my dad.  It's a great place to live, with good friends in the neighborhood, and in a great ward. 

Well, that's a basic sketch-outline of some of the things that came off the top of my head.  I've finally got to the point in my life where I don't worry about not being married with kids - it just didn't work out that way for me and obviously I've had a great time developing other skills and keeping busy.  I love learning, traveling, teaching, and playing.  I love good music, broadway plays, and great books.  I have good friends - in Vegas as well as in other places - from growing up, from college, from my mission, from teaching.  I have a great family who supports me even though I contribute very little.  I couldn't ask for more.  So, happy birthday to me and may the next year be adventurous, too!

OK - I'd love to hear your COMMENTS - I'd love to hear something that you remember about me that maybe I have forgotten!!

Transiberian Orchestra

Transiberian Orchestra Concert

(Listen to song playing - that's the orchestra, in case you didn't know!)

This evening, I took Alli (niece) to see the Transiberian Orchestra concert at the TMC - we had great seats waaayyy up in the balcony and due to HORRIBLE traffic, we missed the first song or two.  We both enjoy the Christmas song on the radio that they play and were hoping for a lot more music like that.  I guess we should have studied up more and listened to more of their music beforehand.  I found myself disappointed.  I thought it would be more like Manheim Steamroller (who I LOVE), but it was much more air guitar noise than anything.  The pyrotechnics were good, the singers were good (but lacking in my opinion), and the narration was a cute Christmas story.  I'm not a hard-rocker fan.  But I'm glad we went - I took her for her birthday/Christmas because it's hard to find things for the girls these days - I'd rather find things to DO with them versus buy them something they don't need, want, or care about.  So I'm glad we went. 

A word on the traffic, though - OH MY GOSH!  It was bottleneck from Valley View ALL the way to the parking lot of the Thomas & Mack Center.  It took OVER an hour to get there!  It was only 4:00pm on a Saturday, I mean, where could ALL of those people been going?  THIS is why I avoid the I-15 and anywhere near the strip as much as possible.  Am I getting old or what?  Complaining about traffic!  But I was being a good example to my niece - didn't cuss or yell at cars but once or twice.  We even let people in for good karma.  We had a good chat about PATIENCE and SAFETY. 

It was a fun way to kick off the Christmas season - since I've successfully avoided ALL shopping this long weekend!  I HATE CROWDS, LINES, and RUDE PEOPLE.  So I will avoid stores, parking lots, and shoppers as much as possible.  Again,what's that about getting old???

THANKSGIVING



The art of carving a turkey's breast...



Today was Thanksgiving at Mom and Dad's.  This is a very traditional meal with little room for variation.  I was pleased as punch to bring "green bean casserole" to replace our usual "peas with mushrooms" and it was a hit.  I also provided the usual "chocolate" brownie alternative to pumpkin pie and cobbler.  I really cannot make ANYTHING else of that meal.  So sad.  Everyone (except Steven) was there and had a good time.  The sun was out, yet we enjoyed a nice cool day in the 50's.  The food was tasty, the drinks were bubbly (thanks, Sarah) and the entertainment was...well...entertaining as usual. 



Sarah's bubbly concoction



Drooling over the ham

Ran out of napkins...had to
resort to anything around!



My sister, the "boozer"



After dinner, Emily and Katie ran to Walmart to get this new game we HAD to try out (feeling sad for Walmart workers - if people like us would ignore their stores on holidays, maybe their employees could enjoy the holiday, too!) It was called QUELF and was a lot of fun. You are represented on the board by weird characters and have to choose from several piles of cards.  Sometimes you have to ACT things out, like talking like a parrot at the end of a basketball game or spinning around 7 times while whistling a tune.  Other times, one or more people have a quirky thing they have to do everytime a certain thing happens.  For example, if someone takes a drink, then everyone with a drink has to toast the same funny-worded toast.  Or once Corey had to sit with his arms and legs straight until it was his turn again.  Emily had to "scratch" him and give him drinks.  I had to speak in 3rd person for 3 rounds.  Alli had to drink a glass of water from the opposite side of the glass - a feat I had no idea could be accomplished!  There were strange trivia questions as well as "name that..." type questions.  It was really entertaining.   Hopefully one of the MANY video clips I took will turn out below.  Dad played a Sequence game with Abby, who talked his ears off, as usual.  He has such patience!

Mom, Kristi and I took dinner over to a gal who just had a baby yesterday, and YES, we got to hold him! Too fun. I got mom's iPod all set up and she had fun trying to figure out all the "apps" and "music" and everything else it does. It was a nice afternoon and we're all sufficiently tired tonight.

  

Dad getting his hair did...

For my mom's birthday, we headed over to Kristi's for a great dinner and much laughter.  She's a 65 year old getting her first iPod - and is sooo excited.  She's even more thrilled because some young thing in her ward was impressed with her TEXTING abilities as a "grandma."

In the process of enjoying our evening, we talked about my dad losing his hair in the next few months, so we had fun giving him some different style choices for the meantime.  See what you think!  We also discussed the option of all of us shaving our heads in solidarity, but that got nixed pretty quickly.  We haven't ruled out the wearing of a bald cap, though.  What we'd do for our dad!

 

A Challenge of all challenges

In planning for our trip to Peru this June (well, Carolyn and Linda are doing all the research...) we're considering taking on one of the most amazing adventures in the world - HIKING THE INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICHU.  It's a 4-day backpacking hike through the Andes Mountains - about 30 miles total, up up up, then down down down into Machu Pichu at sunrise the 4th day.  You camp in tents, there are no "facilities" or showers, but you see the most majestic vistas, untouched villages/people, and see everything from condors to llamas.  We're also considering getting a much nicer hotel room for the day we get back :o).  This something I've had on my bucket list ever since my friend Nicole did it 2 years ago.  What an amazing experience it would be - I can't even imagine.  If I could do THAT, then maybe I could do the 2-night 20 mile backpacking 4th year hike that I've always avoided! hahaha 

So, this may be THE thing to get me back on an exercise and diet regimen to help me drop the next 30 pounds.  Having a goal like that would definitely help (it sure did for Hawaii and it was nothing CLOSE to this adventure!)   I'm cautiously excited.  We're all going to our respective doctors to make sure there's nothing hindering (Carolyn's back, Linda's heart, my whatever).  Then we'll make the decision, but I'm hoping for YES YES YES!  What a GREAT way to celebrate a BIG birthday!

Ginger Ale

About 2 months ago, I had an upset stomach.  All I wanted was some ginger ale and some saltine crackers.  My friend brought over some ale and had no idea what kind of a monster she was creating.  You see, I have been addicted to it ever since - not daily, but....  . 

No, I don't buy the 12 can pack for $2.50 - that would mean I would have it around and drink it all and just think of all that sugar!  No, I buy the 1 liter bottles (one at a time) for $1.00-1.69 every week.  One bottle.  Spread out over a week.  Suck out the extra air before replacing the lid keeps it nice and bubbly the next day (and the next!)  I think it's the carbonation I crave...

Routine:  Empty bottle over a few days, decide to never do that again (sugar-wise), go to store for weekly shopping spree (sometimes I even use a push-cart instead of hand-held basket!), and leave with another bottle.  Repeat...weekly.  How sad is that?  Something reserved for only special occasions, like upset stomachs and flights - always the drink of choice on an airplane...like it's tradition or something) is now being used and abused on a regular basis as if it was a basic Coke or normal Sprite.  I don't even know what's in the stuff.  I should just buy a 12-pack.  Or I should just have willpower.  This is not helping me get back into shape! 

And don't get me started about Raspberry Ginger Ale!!!!!  It's like liquid crack!

At least it's not a nightly glass of wine or a shot of tequila, right?

Thinkin' thoughts

My mind is an interesting place to reside at times.  Sometimes I think WAY too much.  I'm an "over-thinker" and wish to be a "non-thinker" sometimes.  I think about everything.  I think about nothing.  I think I know what I'm thinking, and other times I don't know what to think.  Can you following my thinking?  hahaha

I've been thinking a lot about life.  It's a funny experience we get here on earth - hey, here's an idea...let's put a bunch of otherwise great people on a huge planet to coexist without any knowledge of who they were before and let's let them have free-reign of the place.  Let's make some of them peach, some brown, some blacker-than-the-night.  Let's put them too close together and others too far away.  Let's let them come up with their own rules, laws, and morals and see how it all comes out.  Let's make some fat and diabetic while others are skinny and anorexic.  Let's make some of the LOVE exercise and others abhor it.  Let's make smart people, dumb people, fun people and dull people.  Let's make winners and losers, friends and foes, and even those "People of Walmart."  There must be a lot of laughter in heaven looking down at us....

I think perspective is a grand quality to possess.  How did I get from Heaven to Turkey to California to Texas to Vegas to my current home?  How did I get through elementary school as a deathly shy little girl who flunked kinder because she wouldn't stop crying under the tables to a professional instructor 3 different colleges over the past 10 years?  Why did I struggle so much to learn Spanish in Guatemala only to be using it daily 16 years later?  Will that philosophy work with cooking???????    How come I met some amazing friends in college that 20 years later when I run into them, it seems like we'd never been apart?  Perspective is an interesting talent to have.   It sure makes you go "hmmmmm"

Happy Thots

Since I've been in a slump lately - a combination of it getting darker earlier, finding my place at a new school, thinking about my dad and family, and not being a good friend lately - I decided to review a little book where I record interesting quotes.  Just collected here and there - some serious, some funny, some thought-provoking, and some just good sense.  Here are a few of my favs to remember - in no particular order:

1.  Obstacles don't have to stop you.  If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up.  Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.  (Michael Jordan)

2.  There cannot be a crisis next week.  My schedule is already full.

3.  You are a living magnet.  What you attract into your life is in harmony with your dominant thoughts. (Brian Tracy)

4.  Every morning is the dawn of a new error.

5.  If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.

6.  Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow. (Ronald Osborn)

7.  Strength does not come from winning.  Your struggles develop your strength.  When you go through hardship and decide not to surrender,  that is strength.

8.  Life is just a phase you're going through...you'll get over it!

9.  Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.

10.  What lies behind us, and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.  (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

11.  In the cookies of life, good friends are the chocolate chips.

12.  What if the hokey pokey IS what it's all about?

13.  Lightening - look up and look pretty - God is taking your picture!

14.  I just found out my life is based on a true story!

15.  Never make someone a priority when they only make you an option.

16.  Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down.

17.  To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world.

18.  Truely great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.

19.  True friends stab you in the front.

20.  A friend is someone who knows the song of your heart and can sing it back

to you when you have forgotten the words.

21.  Friendship is born at the moment when one person says to another, "What?  You, too?  I thought I was the only one."  (C.S. Lewis)

22.  God doesn't give you the people you WANT; he gives you the people you NEED...to help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you, and to make you into the person you were meant to be.

23.  I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.  (Douglas Adams)

24.  In the confrontation between the streem and the rock, the stream always wins - not by strength, but by perserverance.  (H. Jackson Brown)

and

25.  Some people are just slower than a herd of turtles stampeding through peanut butter!

Do you have a favorite I can add to my list? 

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