New Blog!

Check out my new blog: http://journeywithaslightlycrunchymom.blogspot.com/
It is about my life as a new mom and a newlywed.

Adventures in Portland

At the beginning of this school year I moved to Portland to go to PSU. It was a really big change for  me, because when I was little I had grown up on a 5 acre farm. Then later on I lived in the city of Wood Village with a population of around 3,000 in 600 acres. For one thing Portland is different. When I first moved here I noticed the tall building that are taller than any sequoia I have seen. And the people, lots of people.

Now that I have lived here for  8 months I come to the conclusion that Portland is not for me. I will stay here and get my associates degree while my fiancé finishes his bachelors degree and then we will be on another adventure to look for someplace new.

My next mini-adventure is to move from a 975 sqft apartment to a 450 sqft apartment closer to campus. Let's see how this goes. :) Hopefully Benjamin, his father, and I can draw up some design plans to build a free-standing bunked style loft. I move in this Sunday so let's see how it goes.

Family Time

Today I  got to hang out with my best friend Libby after church, I haven't seen her in ages. And she finally got to meet Ben (she is at a different college four hours away.) We got to spend time with her family (which is like extended family to me.) It was nice to spend time away from the city on the farm again.

Then later in the evening I got to spend time with two of Benjamin's brothers, Stephan and Andrew. Dinner was nice with them and I got to know them better and hear stories about the crazy stuff that Benjamin used to do.

Adventures in Ikea!

So today my fiancé and I went to Ikea to put together our wedding registry. He now refers to it as the "the adventures in the bowls of hell" or "entering the great beast ikea." Benjamin is now demanding matching t-shirts that say "We Survived Ikea." Needless to say I love the store for the design concepts in the rooms and now we shall recount our adventure in "There and back again."
We found some wonderful items such as:

-A Pax Wardrobe

The Malm Storage Bed that raises and things. <--- It's cool. :)

-The Norden Table

-The Kallax Bookshelf <--- Ikea hack plans in progress.

-The Poang <--- Most comfortable chair I've ever sat in.

-The Kivik Chaise <--- So comfortable my fiancé fell asleep on it.

-The Stenstorp Kitchen Island

We are moving into our own apartment after we get married so that's why we asked for furniture :)

Pictures of Benjamin on our Adventure in Ikea aka The Bowls of Ikea or Men's Purgatory :)

Ben "Claiming this room as his "man cave."

And Making funny faces.

He didn't want to leave this spot.

This was the longest amount of time he sat still in one spot.

Ben in front of the Pax unit Serious & Funny. Such a clown :)

Ben being silly messing around on the ikea desk chairs.

He's faking his death...

Finally Ben finds his favorite piece of furniture after 4 hours of "torture" and falls asleep.

Needless to say he wants that couch now.

Engaged!

On March 28, 2015 I got engaged to the most wonderful man in the world. Recently I just got my wedding dress and we are currently in the process of planning our wedding :) Does anyone have any cute military themed wedding ideas? I would love to hear from you.
Soon I will be a cadets wife and someday I will be an Army officers wife :)
We are planning to get married on August 8th or 9th due to all of the military training weekends and drills. I realize though that I have it lucky, because some of my friends' boyfriends and fiancés are currently deployed.

You can find out more information here: http://danarobertsonauthor.blogspot.com/p/wedding.html

Raising my APFT Score

     I have decided to undertake the 100 push-up challenge so I can improve my APFT score through ROTC. My goal is to max the push-ups in my age group which is 42 perfect form push- ups. In my first APFT back in October I was only able to do 17, but I want to be able reach greater goals with my APFT. After I finish the 100 push-up challenge I will be moving on to the 200 sit-up challenge to raise my sit-up score. The max for sit-ups for my age group is 78 sit-ups in 2 minutes.
    My goal is to improve my score in the long run through the push-up challenge and the sit-up challenge along with doing PT with ROTC three days a week and Remedial PT the other two days a week. I would also like to implement  daily doubles into the days that I have remedial PT by doing this workout.
Daily Double Workout:
-100 Push- ups
-Sprint a lap
-100 Sit-ups
-Sprint a lap
-40 Burpees
-Sprint a lap
-40 Squats
-Sprint a lap
-20 Pull-ups

What Are You Thankful For?

Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Have you sat down and thought of what you are thankful for this year? Personally I'm thankful for that my stepmother with whom I am quite close to survived cancer this year. That my grandparents that have health problems are still with me for another year. I'm thankful for the opportunity to pursue higher education, because I realize that not every individual gets that chance. I am also thankful for my siblings growing up together was tough, but I still know that I have their back and they have mine. I'm thankful for my wonderful boyfriend who loves me in the good times and the bad. Mostly this year I'm just thankful for the wonderful family, friends and that have always been there for me. Before the rush of thanksgiving hits and everyone gets excited for Black Friday, take time to realize what you are thankful for and maybe think about giving back to the community. Whether it be helping at your church, at a homeless shelter or an elderly couple who needs help maintaining their yard. We all have countless things to be thankful for why don't we show that thanks by lending a helping hand to others!

One Word: College

These past few months I have been too busy to update my blog, because I have undertaken a new endeavor and the next step in my life. College. Currently I am studying Criminology & Criminal Justice and I am really enjoying these courses. I am also participating in the ROTC program on campus, and it has really opened up doors for new friendships. College has also opened my eyes a bit that not everyone in this world is alike. I had been sheltered for the last 18 years and there are several things I wish I had known about this world prior to entering college. One: Some people will knock you down and tear you apart for what you believe in, but you just have to stay true to yourself. And you have to come to the conclusion that you just must agree to disagree. Two: That your friends in high school won't always be your best friends forever. And finally Three: That college is hard. It's nothing like high school. You can't just not study and expect to get good grades. But in the end as the first semester is nearing to a close I have learned that throughout everything you still have God by your side. Through exams, to dating, to even when you are out in the middle of the field for leadership lab God is always with you. Come hell and high water you know that someone always has your back. And that's why I'm glad to have God as my battle buddy.

The Soldier's Creed

Even if you are not a soldier this is a good creed to live by!

From High School Grad to Wait What's Next?

Summer has hit and with it, the realization that I will be a College Student in a few short days. It's all coming so fast, but I realize that I need to get organized and actually get ready for the onslaught of work. Which means postponing my publishing date for my book. Setting aside other work that will have to wait. I am delighted though at the fact that all of the classes that I will be taking are both beneficial to pursue my degree in Nursing, but also interesting to me.
 For starters I'm taking a class over the Literature of the Trojan war. I looked over the required reading and it was already books that I was planning to delve into anyways. And then the other classes I'm taking are General Psychology and Statistics.
 I decided to take summer classes to jump start my learning, and in the long run, hopefully I can graduate in three years instead of just four. Maybe I will stumble across new adventures along the way, but who knows?

Class of 2014: Graduation

    Wow I just can't believe it. I finally graduated, it's like a breathe of fresh air, yet fear fills me as I anticipate the unknown. The real world. Life filled with college, work and careers. I plan to pursue nursing and I know what I want. But everything that you can plan can still be blown to smithereens. 

     Between online classes, work, color guard and my boyfriend my summer will be packed. Will life fall into a monotonous pace or will a new adventure be waiting for me around the corner. Sometimes I wonder what God has planned for me, but I know that it all will be revealed in due time. Right now I have to focus on the most important thing and make it the most important thing.

       High school has taught me a lot and that I need to be careful about who I trust, what I am involved in and what I focus my mind on. Overall the graduation was everything that I expected and so much more and I can't wait to take on the world. I am planning for the future while living in the present. I have goals and I know that I can accomplish them. But this fear of college still finds a way to creep itself into all of the cracks. 

      So in the long run when you are feeling down Jeremiah 29:11 might help. :)

 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 

Young Military Marriage -- Right Choice? | Military.com

I found this article awfully interesting... Maybe it is the right choice.

Young Military Marriage -- Right Choice? | Military.com

NEW BOOK COMING SOON!

"The Sunburn Demigod" Coming to Wattpad July 2014!

Check out my book the "The Sunburned Demigod" it is coming to wattpad on July 1, 2014. I am hoping to get the first ten chapters written before them. You can read the introduction of the book HERE! Also Follow me on twitter @DanaNewNovember for more writing updates!

{COMING JULY 2014} All Annie has ever done is run. Constantly chased. And always evading capture. But what happens when people start asking questions. Will they discover that she is harboring a secret that could destroy all of humanity? And will she be able to stop the destruction of San Francisco?

Jem Long: "The Runner"

Hey guys check out Jem Long's somg "The Runner" on indie.com. Let's get him to 1st place so vote for his lovely Original Song!!! CHECK IT OUT HERE!!!!
Follow Jem Long on twitter here: @Jem_Long_

Just Eleanor by Dana Robertson

Just Eleanor

By Dana Robertson

The fairies were perched in the trees

Danger lurked in the depths

The songbirds no longer sang their cheery tune

And one had to always watch their step

Not far from this dreary land a cheery castle gleamed with light

Its halls were always filled with song

Outside of the glimmering castle stood a small abode

It was dwarfed by the large throng

A small family lived in this serf's shack

No longer did they live in the castle bright

This fallen family had lost their prestigious place

Because the old noble had left the light

Now only the mother and her fair daughter lived

Banished to a life of toil

The girl longed to once again be a fair maiden in the courts

No longer forced to work the soil

So she set out to see the castle

Filled with Lords and Ladies for the ball

To her uncle the earl to whom her family was a vassal

The maiden, Eleanor, went to call

Dearest Uncle, will you help us

My mother is dying

What will become of me?

Shall I be left to crying?

My father paid dearly for his crimes

Why should we still suffer in shame?

So your sister has sent me to your castle

To regain fame for our family name

My mother would like me to attend the ball

Since we have done no wrong

To betroth me before she dies is her wish

So I will have somewhere to belong

I have heard your please said the earl

Since you are my sister's daughter I shall show you grace

Some fine knight will want to make you his wife

As soon as he gazes upon your face

Eleanor was taken to the wondrous ball

Her gown shimmered in blue

She danced with her suitors

And several left her a clue

Nobles elegantly bowed

To the fairest of them all

To think that the poor maiden shimmered

And became the Belle of the Ball

-----

This is a poem I wrote for my book "Just Eleanor"

Check it out here: "Just Eleanor" on Wattpad!

1 Corinthians 13:1-10

New International Version (NIV)

13 If I speak in the tongues^[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.

Hello from Sacromento!

For the 2nd day of music tour we arrived in Sacromento! We sang at a grade school today.I had a solo for one the songs... Lets just say that I got really nervous and half way through the song I forgot what my solo was... Luckily O remembered just in time! Today has been a lot of traveling, but we went to the sky  trampoline thingys today. I got to play dodgeball on a trampoline! It was so awsome!
Anyways today has been a lot of fun but it's not over yet! Pooltime later! Today I also worked on some of the covers I'm goimg to record! They are all songs by Wilhelm Tell Me & I Heart Sharks.
Set List:
Neuzeit by I Heart Sharks
Surburbia  by I Heart Sharks
Trouble by Wilhelm Tell Me
Kite by Wilhelm Tell Me
Aviary by Wilhelm Tell Me

If you have any other song ideas just commemt below!

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Posted via Blogaway

I'm here... But My Heart is in Rabi...

I was sitting here looking at pictures from last year's mission trip and I realized something... No matter where I go or what I do I always think back to Rabi. Well more to the fact of 'I wonder what Rebo and Teatu are doing today.'  Or 'I wonder if Uncle Buren will ever settle down.' Or 'I wonder what Ma and Mary are making for dinner tonight.'  To tell you the truth I fell in love with Fiji.
Not just the fact that it was Fiji. To most people it would be that they missed the warm beaches and 'paradise'  as they would call it. But even I know there is trouble in paradise. Just like Eden.
As I set off on journey for music tour tomorrow my mind will be over 1,000 miles away. In a little village called Lasilasi.
One of the many things that Teatu taught me was that no matter what church we belong to whether it be Seventh-day Adventist, Baptist, or Mormon; that we all are brother's and sisters in Christ. Our Heavenly Father made every single one of us and He doesn't want us going at each other with torches and pitch forks. So show as love today & and hug a brother!
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Verse of the Day: Day #3

Psalm 23:5-6

New International Version (NIV)

5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

The 10 Most Popular Books of the Bible (and Why)

The 10 Most Popular Books of the Bible (and Why)