Why It's Hard to Talk About Robin Williams

I was coming out of a faculty meeting when I checked my phone and saw the unusual amount of text messages I had received, all from different people. That's how I found out. I was looking down at my phone and walking to my car and then I wasn't. I froze half-stride, shocked and suspended in disbelief. I recovered enough get into my car, put on my sunglasses, and surreptitiously shed a few tears as others were leaving the parking lot to go home. I deplore getting emotional in public. I avoid crying and am not prone to it. This doesn't make me stronger. In fact, I am a bit jealous of people who cry so easily and comfortably in front of others. But this news broke me.

I went home and cried more. I talked to my mom numbly on the phone. She was the reason I had such a strong love for Robin. I grew up with books about him decorating our living room end tables and his films lined our tv cabinet. Robin and I shared the same birth date, a fact of which I have been so proud growing up. I shared my birthday with my favorite entertainer and comedian of all time. I felt blessed.

I shared my reaction on Facebook so my friends would know I was aware and to pay tribute, then I stepped away. It was still too near for me to keep seeing the barrage of articles, lists, criticisms, and statuses about our loss of such a kind, generous, joyful man. The next day, I logged back in and before I even had time to scan my newsfeed I saw the crass headline, "Robin Williams: dead by asphyxiation due to hanging." I lost my breath again. I retreated to the bathroom and wept for the second day in a row.

It's hard to talk about this. It's hard to think about it at all. It is too painfully familiar.

I lost my closest friend, my cousin Marcus, the same way as the world lost Robin. Marcus was brilliant, hilarious, warm - many of the things that I loved about him were the things I loved about my favorite actor. I just saw an article about why funny people struggle with mental illness and depression. It all hits so close to home for me. I identified with Robin. While neither I nor anyone else have anywhere near the same talent for comedy as he did, nor do I struggle with addiction, I have seen my share of doubt, self-loathing, and depression. I love to make people laugh. I love to add to the joy in the world. But sometimes those talents turn into walls around my own vulnerability and personal demons.

The world doesn't like it when the comedian cries.

That's why it's hard to talk about Robin Williams. I feel like I've lost a part of my own identity; that my hero has fallen under the sword of some of the same demons I battle. But I am also left with an example of a life that was overwhelmingly lived for others through laughter, sincerity, and an open heart.

Thank you, Robin, for your life. You were a gift to me in some of my most hopeless moments. I hope you now have found the peace that eluded you in this world.

July Bliss + 5 Photos That Make Me Feel Beautiful

Linking up again for Heather at No Bologna's and Meg at Borrowed Heaven's Blog Bliss! This has been a pretty good month for me.

Travel and Celebrations!
For my birthday weekend, I got to see two of my best friends, Heather and Lacy. We spent the weekend dancing, going to VegFest (which was even better than I expected), and lazing around by the pool. It was great to see them. Heather blogged about that trip, so I'll just link up here if you care to know more.

My birthday (the 21st) was pretty quiet, itself. It fell on a Monday so I worked and then bought my favorite Ben and Jerry's ice cream, Americone Dream, for myself. As good a birthday as ever. :)

I have also been doing some more exploring and, although it was right in town, I took my kayak out for the first time. It was a lovely 2-hour paddle and I really enjoyed it. No pics since I didn't have anything to protect my phone, which is a good thing since I immediately almost capsized getting in the dang thing. Graceful.

I'm also taking a quick trip to Austin this weekend. Even though it'll technically be August by then (holy cow), I'm counting it in with this month!

Craft-wise, I've been pretty productive this month. I made my lamp which is now happily at home in my office, and I have other projects under way. I am currently wrapping up some Mason jar lanterns for my gazebo! Pics to come when they're done.

Five Photos That Make Me Feel Beautiful
This was a little more difficult than I thought. I very rarely feel beautiful. Not in a sad, feel-bad-for-me, no self-esteem kind of way. I think it's rare for most people to really feel beautiful. But then I realized that I have some great photos that make me feel accomplished, happy, loved, and yes, I look pretty good in 'em, too! And those things make me feel beautiful.

                                                  

With Tekita and Brittany, two of my best friends from grad school. I am proud and lucky to know them.

My bff/sister from another mister, Stefani, during my Christmas trip to visit her in Scotland.

You can find her blogging at Caught Read Handed!

My "little," Katherine. She is such a blessing to me and is possibly the best person I've ever known.

Lacy, Heather, and I enjoying desserts on a trip to run the Disney Wine and Dine Half-Marathon

last November. One of the best experiences of my life with the best people.

My precious baby cousin, Aven. I am not much for kids, but I love her and her

twin brother, Major, a whole awful lot.

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What has brought you bliss this month?!

Finally Sharing My Own Music

I've been hesitant to share my own music mostly because I wasn't sure how to post it since everything on here technically belongs to Blogger. However, I don't think the instrumental version of my newest song will be at too much risk! I finished the lyrics (so far; may add another verse) last night, but again I don't want that to get stolen...not that anyone would want it. This is fresh off the press so is still a bit rough, but I'm liking it a lot so far. As for what the song's about, it's a lurv song entitled "We Should Just Dance." Not sure who I wrote it about. The most serious relationship I'm in presently is with the pint of Ben and Jerry's in my freezer. Anyway, here you are! Short, sweet post for your Friday. Happy weekend!

"Howl" To: Easel Floor Lamp

You like that little play on words? Yeah, you do!

Anyway...I finished my lamp! It's at home in my office now and providing some great ambient light on this rainy, grey morning. I promised a friend of mine that I would post a "how to" for making this lamp. However, you may find that this is really a "how to not make a how to." I think I took only one picture during the actual process because I spent much of my time cursing the dang thing and looking at my dog for affirmation that I wasn't a completely useless imbecile. According to him, the jury's still out on that. Now to the good stuff!

What I've Been DIYing: Let There Be Light!

Maybe it's the warm weather, but I've been bitten hard by the DIY bug lately. My recent rampage seems to have taken on a "lighting" theme. I've got several ideas in the works. However, I NEED YOUR HELP! I have done plenty of DIYing in the past, but I'd love to get any helpful tips or feedback.

What I've Learned from Living Alone

As of this week, I have officially lived alone for a month in my super mega awesome rental house. I LOVE living alone (with my pup, Rigby) but it is certainly something different. In undergrad, I lived in a single room my sophomore year, but living in a residence hall stuffed with people your age is completely different than living alone in a house. I have certainly learned a few things about myself over this past month that I thought you might find interesting, entertaining, and probably a bit concerning.

Wolf Wednesday Playlist

Good morning, friends! I promised you a playlist and I'm delivering. I decided this one would be wolf-themed in honor of both the blog name and my patronus/spirit animal. Turns out that wolves are pretty common themes in music, but I wanted to curate a playlist of songs that are 1) actually good and 2) sound good together. This playlist is available on Spotify (embedded below).

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Classics

The blogging goddesses over at The Broke and the Bookish host a link-up each week of various "Top Tens." This week's topic is classics. Many of these were ones I was assigned to read in school and ended up truly enjoying (sometimes long after I had to finish the report). A specially curated playlist and a book review coming at you later this week!

Coming Soon: Book Reviews!

It's like Christmas come early! I just got my first book from the Blogging for Books program. I'll have my full review of it next week. I'm so excited about this book already and I can't wait to dig in!

I have to confess that I have been denying myself the pleasure of reading at leisure for while now. Grad school tends to suck away all extra time and energy that I usually devote to such endeavors. Now that I've got some actual free time on my hands and am not writing papers every single night, I can read again!

Blogger Bliss - June

Today, I'm posting for a monthly link-up hosted by my friend, Heather, and her amazing blog friend, Meg. The point is to share the wonderful moments, people, places, and other bloggers/posts you've come across over the month. Feel free to link up with Heather and Meg and share your bliss this month!

Two Dates in Two Days

So...I've been on two dates in the past two days. They were awesome. I really enjoyed being with the other person and I intend on doing it again. My first date was on Sunday night with a new friend I made and her pup, Baron. The other was with myself.

Blogging Speed Bumps

Good morning, folks! Hope you had an amazing weekend.

I am doing what I can to maintain momentum on my blog, but I'm struggling with some major "to do" list items that, once checked off, will make this a lot easier. Right now, I still don't have internet at my house. I am hoping to get that taken care of this week! I also have to get a local bank account (my bank doesn't have any offices in Texas), buy car insurance, and transfer my phone bill over to my own account. Growing up and moving out is expensive!

Life of a Blogger: School

Life of a Blogger is a weekly feature hosted by The Novel Heartbeat in order to highlight the things bloggers do when they aren't blogging. You can see the full list of topics HERE. 

This week's topic is school!

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Blogging for Books

I have been wrestling with the idea of doing reviews on this blog. I certainly intend to do some music reviews, but book reviews seemed so much more serious - a much bigger responsibility. After seeing my friend Stefani and other bloggers do them so well, I am giving it a shot.

I have officially registered for the Blogging for Books program. I had some reservations at first after reading another blogger's story about why she decided to stop doing reviews for them. However, after giving it careful consideration I decided that the issues she had were either not important to me or were resolved by the company, The Crown Publishing Group, which is rare and nice to hear. The Crown Publishing Group is an imprint of Random House, for those who care to know. I will be getting my first book from them in the next week or two, so look out for a book review for them soon!

Post-Move Catch Up

"More tomorrow." That's what I told you OVER A WEEK AGO. I am a liar and I am ashamed. However, I feel somewhat justified in my blog break. Last week was my first week of work and I really needed to focus on that and on getting my puppy in a sustainable routine. Now that that's done, back to blogging!

On my second day of work, I had the opportunity to help with a Mobile Food Bank that the university and various local organizations including the middle school and St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry partner to bring to the community. Every other month, the food bank is hosted on campus and I will be the new point person organizing this and getting volunteers for it. At the end of the food bank, over 130 families were fed. In talking with one of my new colleagues, she said that is just the tip of the iceberg. I live in a small town, but there is a high percentage of people without reliable food sources including children and the elderly. A few years ago, I probably thought that people who used food pantries and shelters were living on the streets and most likely dealing with some mental illness or addiction. Over the years, I have come to realize the average person we meet at school or in line at the post office can be struggling for meals. It was a great experience and I look forward to many more.

Moving to Texas: Day 2

So, yesterday I said I'd be unpacking my bedroom today. Promises, promises. That didn't get done for two reasons - 1) I woke up feeling really woozy and generally awful and stayed that way until around 2pm and 2) I ADOPTED MY DOG TODAY! The shelter named him Rigby and I thought it so cute that I kept it. He's amazing and I'm already head over heels for him.

As another amazing discovery of my house, we found a little plate on the front door that reads, "cead mile failte" which is Irish for "one hundred thousand welcomes" and is, according to my 2-minute expert Wikipedia research, a traditional welcome. My house is so full of awesome.

Moving to Texas: Day 1

WHEW! Hi, again. So sorry it's been a while since my last post but moving is already a hassle - adding in the 11-hour drive and all the odds and ends that comes with that has been exhausting. However, I couldn't be happier. This house is amazing in so many ways. It's like I've walked into the Room of Requirement requiring a perfect little house and BAM here it is served on a silver platter. Below are some photos of our progress so far.

Moving to Texas

Hello, I'm Noelle!

Welcome to my blog! I first want to thank the talented Laura Preswich whose designs and insights you can find at http://www.lprestwichdesigns.com/ and http://ohthoseprestwiches.blogspot.com/. She is responsible for the design of this lovely blog. I also want to thank my blogging friends heather Black (http://www.fromheretothere-blog.com/) and Stefani Sloma (http://caughtreadhanded.wordpress.com/). I highly encourage you to check them both out.

Now, enough about them, let's talk about me! (This is sarcasm. I promise to use it with caution.) This blog will be about everything from music to literature to DIY projects. Pinterest would probably call this a "lifestyle" blog so I guess that's what it is. I figured now was as a good a time as any since my life is actually interesting this week.