What Is To Be Expected.

I went to Wal*Mart last night to get a pack of water. I have been dying for some water, and sadly my fridge is still broke and is unable to have some nice cold water. Therefore, I took a trip to the unwanted. I hate Wal*Mart. Every time a trip is made to this superstore there are certain things that are always to be expected.

(1) being the fact that you will always see at least one person there that you know, and you are forced to put on a smile and make polite small chit-chat, because that is to be expected.
(2) there are always some weird high school "gang" wearing all black; walking about the isles making strange noises and acting totally their age. Just in and out of isles, because really; what else is there to do in Cambridge?
(3) Couples crunching to get everything on their list in a matter of minutes. Wife spots Husband browsing at a coffee maker and she asks, "did you get the, fill in the blank here, and he dumbfoundedly looks at her and replies, "What?" Which then aggravates the Wife most likely thinking, why did I bring him here with me?
(4) Everything you want, is most likely going to be out of stock, so that is a trip wasted to be totally honest.
(5) People see other people in the isles and decide to talk for about an hour blocking the only thing that you really need.
(6) A very odd looking couple from high school walking extremely slow, and not to be rude, but it just makes you think, if they are seriously a couple, then why am I not in a relationship?
(7) Running into people you really don't want to see, so you avoid them at all costs, to only bump into them in the next lane and they awkwardly smile or make a gesture that clearly states, "get out of my lane."

This is all to be expected every single trip you take to your local Wal*Mart. I am switching to Target, full time.

With my own two eyes.

I was driving to work this morning. The weather has been nice to us today so not only was it feeling different but it was looking different. Every day as I cross the Burger King bridge the water and its surroundings always look different. Even on certain mornings one side of the bridge looks completely different then the other side. But this morning it was peaceful, breath taking, calm and gorgeous. The fog/mist had made the colors of the water and the air and the trees so soft and pastel like. As I was driving across the bridge trying to savor every look I could glace at to embed in my mind what a wonderful scene had taken place, I wanted to just turn around, and park my car, walk and stand on top of the white concrete median that divides the roads in two; with a camera in hand. I don't have a nice camera that could take the kind of picture that I was given the ability to see through my eyes what I saw, nor do I have the gumption to even stand on top of that concrete median with cars flying by at high speeds. Someone would have thought I was crazy. But it was beautiful none the less and I thank God I got to experience such a sight.

A new thought in a new day.

It is a beautiful fall day. October 2nd. This month is already looking up. When the month starts out smoothly, it will most likely go that way throughout the month. And for that I am grateful. So I have been pretty addicted to Grey's Anatomy lately. It has taken my life away pretty much. Not a good thing, or really a bad thing. But it has put me in a different perspective about life and how things have been thrown at me in wierd directions; catching me off guard. I have been having a rough year. I'll just say that. No need to go on with the details. But one thing that I have always hated hearing is, someone has it worse than me. I don't like to hear that when I am at my lowest. I really don't. I want to wallow in my feelings and feel like I am the only one who is breaking, suffering, depressed, having a bad day in the whole entire world. Even though I know that that is not true, it's just the way that the feelings come most of the time. This week has been a pretty good for me. Because I have MADE it a good week for me. That really makes a big difference. Something that I have not really done before. Always waiting for my day to get better by unexpecting things. I need to make that decision myself. If I want it to be a good day, than I make it a good day. Things will bring me down, but that is just a part of life. I know that.

I was watching Grey's this morning and there was this one episode where this married man had been asleep for about 16 years. A disease that he didn't realize but he was asleep for 16 years. I can't even fathom that. His wife had married someone else, and was pregnant and due in December. He awoke for the first time on Thanksgiving day. And their only son was about 16, had no idea who his father was, and had no real impact in eachother's lives at all. When his family realized that this man, that was once apart of their family, could be woken up again they were not at all excited. He was the Richard Gilmore type. It made me really sad to see this situation happening, and my heart went out to him. I couldn't even imagine! Well when he awoke, his son came in and said a few words and than left. The man decided to go ahead with the surgery, knowing that it might end his life. But after he realized that his life was not the way that it was when he went to sleep for so many years he knew that nothing would really change. He also called his mother earlier on the day before going into the MRI so talk, and realized that she had passed away 8 years ago. If that doesn't get you all teary-eyed.. I don't know what will! He than later on died in the surgery. I was litterally a basket case. Now, I know that this is just a tv show. Nothing more, but it will tug at your heart strings and slap you real good in the face showing you something that you may have wanted to see. And not have been able to see before. It made me realize really... that people have it so much harder than you do. And it made my problems seem as little as a grain of rice. Which is fine.. I needed to get out of my funk. I am grateful to be alive, and to have the friends and family that I have. I am grateful for the Lord Jesus Christ, and the fact that he will always forgive me when I mess up; because I will. I am grateful that I have a job right now, even though I need another one. I am grateful for a lot of things today. And I am realizing that I do have a place in this world. And I know what I need to do. Pray for me.

weekend.

It is finally the weekend and I am so happy! These last few weeks at work has been painful for me; especially yesterday! I just woke up and it's 8:00. Hoping that I could sleep in, but that never really seems to happen. Today is my landlord's wedding, and I got a phone call last night to babysit because they forgot about a wedding that they are attending. Hopefully I can babysit, because they hadn't called me back. I should probably get ready and go on to the grocery store and than wal*mart. Hope all of your weekends are as great as I'm hoping mine will be! This picture is Philly! When I went to go and visit Kyrie one weekend. I wish I was there again, visiting and having fun.

Valentines.

Today Is Valentine's day and I am so happy and excited to see my new banner up and beautiful! Thanks to my dearest friend Kyrie Anna! :) I told her it gives me a great inspiration to write a new blog, since she has informed me that I hadn't done a post in about a year.



I just arrived home from some training I had to do over at the Bank. We started at 9 and I just got out around 2:15. I learned some stuff but it's well informative anyway, but totally exhausting! We are learning this brand new system and it's like we are all being trained again. We are supposed to convert to this new system sometime next month. Whether it runs smoothly or not is another thing, but they are trying to get every piece of information in our brains in just one day.

So tonight on my plate I am babysitting for a family that is new to the area. I have never even met them yet so I go over at 6:00 and am pretty excited. One boy that is not even one year old yet and I believe a girl around the age of 3.



Looking at the huge mess that my cat, Vienna has left me in my kitchen. She tore up my whole paper towel roll and all the pieces are scattered about. I better go and clean this up.



Happy Valentines Day!

Money & Women

Hey everyone! Last night on my Thursday night of spring break I was laying in bed. About to go to sleep, kind of tired about playing Donkey Kong for a while, but I turned on the TV. I was flipping through the channels to see what was on and I went to PBS. It was Suze Orman doing a conference for a ton of woman about financial situations and comments like we do not need to be mad at money. Now, I don't know a lot about Suze Orman, I have never really heard of her until last night, but that comment seemed to set for truth in my mind. Being angry at money, because we don't have enough or to spend on things that we(I) really don't need, really makes sense. It's things that are like, if we are angry at money, our financial situation than we need to go out ourselves and do something about it. Not sit there and wait. Possibly get a job, most of us already have one. But finding one when you don't, can really be hard! A 29-year old woman got up to ask a question, all teary-eyed and what not. Talking about her financial situation, and how she has a house and she has started her own business, and she is feeling overwhelmed. She has like 6,000 dollar credit card debt, 60,000 dollars of student loans she has to pay off, just things are totally overwhelming her. At the end of the conversation, Suze told her that if she is feeling that way, than she needs to get rid of something if she is in the hole like she is. She said, pay off the student loans little by little, and than she told her to sell her house. And that 29-year olds really don't need a house. But a house is something that we live in, something that we call "home", is wonderful to us, and being in that environment is more calming and relaxing than any other place imaginative to us. Our home is important, but to hear her comment, may have lifted off some weight. Maybe she really sold her home, and is now living with her parents, paying off everything and her current bills. Maybe it really wasn't a bad idea, but to me, selling your home because you are in the hole, just didn't seem that right to me. Like, maybe selling her business, and getting a better job with times that were convenient to her.. I don't know.

But than she talked about how money is very important to us, which it is! And what significance does money bring to our lives? The woman she asked, did not get the question right, but it was to help us in our lives. Like keeping us alive, is what I had said. We need food, and necessities that we need to keep ourselves alive, and that is where money comes in the picture. I agree with Suze when she says to not be directly and angry at money itself. Money is a good thing, which it is when you look at it in different perspectives, but what is really troubling you, evaluate it. Sit down and think about it, and than go out and do something about it. Get a job or sell things that you really don't need anymore. Like a big spring cleaning. But don't be mad at the money.

Lastly she talked about our names. She said when she talks to woman and asks them their names, they say what name? Like their maiden name, their divorced name, or their married name? But than I got to thinking, oh my goodness! Like I have said for years, and I know many others have as well, but men really get it easy. I could go on for a list, but not really necessary. But their name does not change. For anything. They are, who they are. So she asked for everyone to stand up and say their name to the person in front of them, and beside them. At this moment it was just loudness and names ringing from wall to wall. Kind of enjoyable. But than she asked a woman to come up to the microphone and say her name. And she said something like, Betty --- something. But anyway she didn't say it with depth, according to Suze. She than told her to close her eyes, and all this stuff, and than to say her name again. She did so, with more attitude. But the point I believe is to be proud of WHO YOU ARE. Your name is valuable, and when someone asks for your name, say it with pride and boldness, because you are, who you are! Than at the end of her conference, pretty cheesy comment, but it worked. She said something about money and than about our names, and than said, "And ladies, I AM Suze Orman." And that was the end of that. But I wanted to share with you what I had watched, and what I thought, and agreed and didn't agree on some things that Suze Orman said.

Always remember, that our names are very important. Don't ever be afraid to say your name, or to say it so you know you are proud of it.

And friends, and family, and who ever else is reading this post... I am Katie Lin Blackmon. (Hahaha)

My Spring Break

My spring break is this week. Nothing but laziness! It has actually snowed here in Cambridge, and Church and PM activities were cancelled for the night. I was pretty dissapointed about that one, but there will be others!I actually upgraded this blogger thing, so hopefully it'll work with this new blog. Kind of a test run.

Have a great night!

Happy Valentines Day!

I hope everybody had a great Valentines Day! And I wanted you all to know, that I love you! I will fill you in tomorrow about what my big plans were!

Sad news.

This article is about the two little boys who live next door to my family. As you read this story, please share the message of prayer! Please have people you know, or family, pray for the Robinson Family, and the rest of the development, who knew and loved these two boys! This is something that is going to take a lot of time! Thank you!




Sunday, February 11, 2007 · Last updated 10:25 p.m. PT

2 brothers die after falling through ice
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
CAMBRIDGE, Md. -- Two brothers, ages 8 and 12, died Sunday after the younger boy fell through a sheet of ice covering a pond and his brother tried to rescue him, authorities said.
Jarris Robinson, 8, and Aaron Robinson, 12, were pronounced dead after they fell through a sheet of ice covering a shallow pond at the housing development where they lived, Cambridge police said.

According to police, Jarris climbed a fence, walked onto the frozen pond and fell through. Aaron ran onto the ice in an attempt to save his younger brother but also fell into the water.
Jenise Robinson, the boys' mother, said she warned them not to go over the fence, but Jarris didn't listen, and Aaron went after him.

"He went out there to try to save his brother. They must have been underneath the water for about 10 minutes," Robinson told WBAL-TV.
Three other children ran for help. Dive teams pulled the boys out of the water, but efforts to revive them were unsuccessful.

Eight responders were treated for mild to moderate hypothermia, said Cambridge EMS Director Bill Watkins said. "All that could be done was done," he said.

Cruise Pics from Mom's camera.

Old & New

New family Picture done during Christmas. This one is just Gracie and I.

Back in the day. A Gracie Jean & Katie Lin Picture.

Start of the Cruise pics!

Well the cruise pictures will all be coming soon! I promise. But these are just glimpses of the excitement! :)

Me on the last night for the dinner. Gracie and I had so much fun that night!
Gracie and I in Cozumel!

Gracie and I on one set of the stairs in the ship.

More will come! and I promise!

"Have a Happy Hair Day!"

Thanksgiving at Grams house in North Carolina.

Random.

My new hair dryer! Hello Kitty! I got it this weekend! I love it! It's not as powerful, but it's great regardless! On the hair dryer it says, "Have a Happy Hair Day!"

So that is my wish for all of you!

Saturday in the park....

These are my desirable collectors items. I love my records. It is a growing collection in progress as well. This past weekend me and my mom went to the monthly book sale at the library. I enjoy those very much! I left a huge hole in the sociology section. A lot of great psychological books, how excited am I! We also went to LMS, and Salvation Army Thrift store. I got a few more records to add to my collection. Some old ones like The beach boys, and a Barry Manilow I don't have, and some more musicals to add. I just love music so much, I could not function without it. Literally! I could go on and on about music, and my beloved records, but I wanted to share with you my saturday with my mom. Books, clothes and music, are the big top 5 on my list of life. Haha.. lets see.
1. God.
2. Family than friends.
3. Music.
4. Clothes.
5. Books.

oh how I love life. Amen.

New job!

Okay. For all of you who may not know, I have a new job! or I should say, another job. I am currently employed at Mullaney Insurance in Cambridge, and Hollister in Salisbury. Oh how fun! I am soo excited, considering that this is my favorite store! however, there has been some bumps as some new stores have. Well.. people may categorize this as a blonde moment, I call it leaving information out. When my boss was hiring me, he failed to tell me the job positions and what they meant. Now, here is what was opened, a model or an Impact team. Now, a model is just what it says, so I thought. Silly me, it's not. It's actually the job that I wanted. The interaction with all of the customers, and the cash register, and the, "hi how are you, my name is Katie Lin and I am here for all of your Hollister shopping needs. Please let me know if you need any help, or a shirt size. Have you felt our fleece today? man you have got to feel it! by the way, have you met Malika and Jake?" I mean come on! I am fit for this wonderful position! As many of you know, I am a customer service kind of person, not an inventory girl. Now, on to the impact team. This is where you #1, stay in the back unless told to come out in the front. #2, tend to everyones needs, including the models. #3, fold all the clothes, clean up, and get all the clothes out of the dressing room. Oh my goodness! are they serious?! That is sooo not me! I belong in the outside world, with the Jukebox, not the Brittney Spears burnt cds. Well I talked to my manager about it like a week and half ago, and he said that he would let me be a model, and I am a devoted worker. Example : I worked today, b/c I signed up to work from 6-11 on fridays when I got hired. Turns out, I wasn't even on the list to work tonight. Soo I didn't even have to work. I got a "thanks for coming in anyway." haha.. not really. So anyway, I really love the atmosphere though, and it's my favorite of them all! so yes indeed I am excited. A very busy girl, but also very excited.

Pretty Hollister beach logo.

Makes me happy.

My family and friends.

this is one of the pictures that was on my wallpaper on my phone for like ever! As you can see my sister is one person that I love having with me, in my life, and is one of the people that I am usually doing stuff with. Sad to say she is hanging out with boyfriend A LOT! maybe not sad to say, however I never really see her anymore. I am sad, I guess you could say. however, I am soo busy as well.
This is me and Rachel my cousin at Red Robin in North Carolina. This occured this past summer when my family got together for the weekend. This is my other joy in life! going to North Carolina and visiting my family. Something we can scarcely do every Christmas, thanksgiving, summer and other special occasions. I wish we could move the states closer, because I miss my family like crazy!
Me and Gracie enjoying the summer time in Shalotte North Carolina at my grandmothers beach house. Some of these pictures are actually taken from my cell phone. Nice quality, if I say so myself.
You all already know who we are, but it's me, Gracie and Rachel. This is at our family reunion in North Carolina (of course) the city I will remember like 2 seconds after I post this.
OK... this is one person yall will not know. This is Jeff Russo. He is in my computer class, and he is a really nice guy! I love college cause you get to meet so many cool different people and make so many friends! this is at chik-fil-a, and he really hates taking pictures. But... I think this one is pretty good. We haven't really done anything outside of school except go to lunch and stuff. We went to the mall, and Kyrie, you will be amazed but I did not suggest this. He wanted a hoodie b/c fall was coming. Sooo, we went to the mall and he wanted me to pick out some clothes for him, haha. He has recently told me that he wants a relationship with me, and unfortunately he has somewhat of a jealous side to him. That he is not afraid of hiding. We are not an item, and I had to remind him of that on some certain occasions. I believe that I have hurt him, and I feel bad about it, but I wanted to be honest with him, considering I don't want a relationship right now. I am soo busy, and plus, we just met like in August. I would want more time, and he live in Berlin, so the distance is an issue as well. He went on with this spew about him never having a girlfriend, and made me feel really bad.. however, "no one can make you feel inferior without your consent." - Eleanor Roosevelt.. I still felt bad. As of now, he is not talking to me, and isn't really working out. I thought you would like to know the status, and who this guy really was. Another post will come your way!

after a while...

updates that I have not done in a very long time! I apologize...

I LOVE my computer. The sense of having to set free your own personality in your writings and pictures is just the greatest gift! It is wednesday morning and I am at home right now. I did not go to my computer class considering that I woke up this morning with a sore throat that reached to my left ear. OUCH! but now as I am sitting here I can catch up with my blog b/c it has really been a long time. I have new pics of my redone room, that was done like over a month ago, and I am excited that you can see them now.

I am actually excited for it to reach it's winter stage. To put on my Relient K, and Christmas music, I am psyched!

(can't you tell)

my joy in life.

My favorite kids in the whole world to babysit! I love them to death!

Sara Ann

angel food cake.

Logan Riley (Lo)

strawberry shortcake

Cute as a button.

Dad's birthday.

my family went to the shorebirds game on the 29th of August, because it was my dad's birthday. That's what he wanted to do. Honestly, I don't think that the game was meant to be played, because it rained and stormed real bad, and the game was put on hold due to the conditions of the storm. it was supposed to start at 7:00, but was put on hold until 8:30. We stuck around. This is me and mom sitting on the stairs, waiting for something to happen.


So, it finally started and they played ball! it was a lot of fun. But then not even an hour into the game....

The lights go out of the whole stadium! It was pitch black! then, the game was called off, and rescheduled for the following day around 6:00.

What an event of a night!

discombobulated

My furniture that is built, and in the process of being built.

These are the drawers that go in on the bottom of my bed. It's a day bed, and it can be a double bed. But obviously they are in the kitchen.

This is my old night stand in mine and Gracie's hallway.

My lamp and artwork are in Gracie's room.

My rest of (pretty much all) of my room, is now located in the sunroom.

My temporary room is now the study. Those are only some of my books, and my beautiful cat Oreo is in the corner with the sun.