Life of Rinn

This was kinda fun...

2011-09-22T23:38:00.002-05:00

Stuff My Students Write 2

2011-08-24T20:21:00.000-05:00

Cigarette fogs (smoke) are destroying the sky (atmosphere).

Is it wrong that I imagine he has a French accent?

Stuff My Students Write 1

2011-08-22T19:00:00.000-05:00

The quotations around "chair" in this particular essay had us dying. We knew they meant the Turkish people, but that's not what they wrote.

And some more news...

2011-08-20T19:00:00.000-05:00

And you may call me Professor. Oh, and Laura got me this great PIZZA JOHN John Green shirt so the Nerdfighters here can find me.

He Saved My Skin, But Not Like Buffalo Bill...

2011-08-18T20:15:00.000-05:00

When Daniel heard I got the position, he invited me to share the house with him, and his current boyfriend who is staying here as his car has been trashed. So, I got this sweet little house in the suburbs, with a yard full of tomatoes and lots of neighbors who are quiet, and a water tower a bit behind us. Downside, there is an erratic train. No schedule, no rhyme or reason. it appears at the weirdest times. Oh, and it's cicada season in the Midwest... (sorry Joe, it will take a bit to learn to draw you right).

We're Back!

2011-08-16T20:15:00.000-05:00

I walked into my new office to find the window closest to my desk, which is quite large (I HAVE MY OWN FILING CABINET, WOOOOOT) is, of course, the desk next to the brick wall. The other windowss don't have a much better view, but there is sky for as far as the eye can see.

Update

2011-05-23T01:46:00.000-05:00

Wow, so much has happened since I went on hiatus.

First of all, I graduated with my M.A. in Linguistics/TESOL on the 14th, and I'm back in NY for the summer, so, if you're one a home fry, you should probably get in touch.

Second, I HAVE A JOB! I've been offered a position as a full-time instructor at the University of Iowa, and I'll be moving there at the end of July, and living with Daniel! Sadly, this meant I had to turn down the camp job, as they overlap.

Here's a doodle drawn in paint, with my finger. I guess it's finger painting. Just for you!

Hiatus

2011-04-16T20:42:00.000-05:00

I've gone on hiatus due to packing up. I'll be finishing up my MA Linguistics/TESOL in 4 weeks, and then it's bye bye IL and back to NY for a few weeks. I will keep everyone posted on the job hunt!

Big Brother-He Watches You

2011-03-01T22:58:00.000-06:00

I had an interview today. No, not for an instructor position, although, keep your fingers crossed, but for a camp position as a Literacy Director. I got it, because I'm awesome (and oh so humble), but during the course of the conversation, the interviewer brought up this here page of pagieness, and that ooged me out a little. She thought it was a good idea, and neat. But, what about the professor types looking to hire me? So, I made it a little harder to find, and some of the less PG comics went poof. It was a good reminder that the internet is watching me, and I don't need facebook to blow things. With all of the teachers getting trouble in the world these days for having real human lives outside of teaching, I don't want to lose my chance before I even step into my classroom for the first time.

So what's with the block of cheese? Oh, that's my bubble milkcrate. It's where the Lappie lives. And the feet. I have a futon, so i usually just elbow up and tappity tap tap. Mystery solved.

Now with REAL Bears!

2011-01-29T19:06:00.000-06:00

I've been spending the afternoon trying to save some old fruit before it goes bad by making preserves. I'm having my doubts about it, which would stink, because I will have waster 4 cups of fruit, so I decide to tell Jules about my experiment. The following is our conversation:

[18:39] Rinn: well, it was a jello recipe
[18:39] Jules: ah
[18:39] Rinn: 3 cups sugar, 4 cups fruit
[18:39] Jules: when i've made it it's just a certain amount of sugar + berries, boiled down
[18:39] Rinn: boil down and add a jello packet
[18:39] Jules: hmm
[18:40] Jules: how bad can it be lol
[18:40] Rinn: so I did blueberries, bear and red grapes, and used apricot jello
[18:40] Jules: i'm sure it'll be good
[18:40] Rinn: to make it a fruit medly
[18:40] Rinn: pear..no bear...
[18:41] Rinn: I think I will call it Emmet Cullen preserves...
[18:42] Rinn: i'm drawing it...
[18:43] Jules: hahaha
[18:43] Jules: YES

For those of you who don't get it. Emmet Cullen, Edwards older "brother" nearly died, leading to his unhappy glittery state, by being mauled by a bear. He now eats bears as retribution. And this has been a "the more you know" segment.

King of the Madagascar Lemurs

2011-01-25T20:41:00.001-06:00

This is John Bernardy. Or a cartoon rendering of him anyway. I'd show you a picture, but John has now been MIA for about 3 1/2 years, and I've pretty much given up on him. See, John used to be one of my inner circle, and my roomie, but I moved, and he got weird, and that's pretty much the end. But not to my subconscious! Oh no, with me in Carbondale, a mere 2 hours away from our old place, my subconscious has been full of "Hey, we should hang out with that furrball you used to live with!" Since I've been ignoring it, being slightly miffed at John not keeping in touch (okay, majorly miffed, I'd like to kick him in his bad knees), my subconscious has set to reminding me what it is all about.

And it is all about silliness.

So, the other night I had a dream about Mr. Bernardy. He was reading poetry to the Madagascar lemurs, and it seems he was king of the lemurs (no idea what happened to Louie, but he was not king and his fruit basket crown had been retired). Not that I was entirely surprised by either. He liked fuzzy things, is a furrball himself, and a poet don'tcha know it.

Anyway, wherever you are Bernardy, I hope things are going as well for you as they are for me, and I guess I miss your face, although not your hair in the drain.

Back to the Grind

2011-01-24T20:40:00.000-06:00

And so begins the final chapter of my master degree seeking life. Ah yes, it's back for the last semester before I get the ever elusive Master's degree. Amazing really, when you think about how much of a screw up I started off my 20s as. Alas, my 20s are now over, and next week is the dreaded 31. 31?! Where did that come from??? It's like it snuck up on me in the dark! Like the boogie man, only uglier.

My Inner Child

2010-12-08T23:18:00.000-06:00

Recently, Janet asked my what my inner child wanted for Christmas. She told me to be ridiculous. Now, my inner child is usually 5 or 15, depending on the day, but it seems on this particular day the 5 year old was being corrupted...

Sorry for the Terrible Lack of Updates

2010-12-02T00:16:00.000-06:00

'Tis the season for grad school final projects and tests and grading papers! I'm on hiatus until Dec. 16th, at which time I'll be writing y'all from NY with my Winter Break Adventures!

Evil Geniuses

2010-11-02T22:36:00.001-05:00

This year my big present to myself was a Nook. Why Nook and not Kindle. One simple reason really. The Nook had the ability to take an SD, and the Kindle didn't. Also, I have had a serious B&N problem since I worked for them in my 20s (store loyalty even if I thought the general manager was, despite being an Amazon, Rosemary's baby). I love the smell of books, but, I also like tidiness on an evilly minimalistic level. This is because I am, naturally, untidy; so, if I don't want to be constantly cleaning, I have to own as little as possible. And, I read a lot of junk books. You know, the ones you don't tell your friends about, but you read in droves. (Think Twilight). I figured, get a Nook, and get rid of the mass markets cluttering your shelves, and save paper, and a wee bit of cash per book.

I never thought I would love a gadget so much. Too much in fact. I have probably read more books in the last few months than I did all of last year between the free classics and some probably less-than-legal pdfs I have come across floating out there. In addition, I have about 6 gigs of music stored on the bad boy, all legal (girl has to know where to draw a line, and books can be borrowed at the library, music rarely can be) and since I have a jack in the car, it has become my long trip best friend.

I rarely will push a product, but, despite a few glitches initially (all covered under my extended super crazy warranty which I got because new things always have glitches) I have been impressed and happy with my rather expensive new toy. Now if the 3G would just let me surf the web too, I think my life would be complete. Hey, can we get a phone in this? Not an i-something either.

Don't get me wrong, special books are still for Hardcover, and I want a whole room (or more, really, I'm not picky) of Hardcovers some day in a healthy, personal library, but this was a great way to keep my home from turning into a used book store. The kind where you are lost for years under a pile of books before they find you.

Can't Sleep, Tim Curry Will Eat My Feet

2010-11-01T20:54:00.000-05:00

What I have been doing lately can not be considered a good night of sleep. I have, quite a few times in the last few weeks, resorted to Ben of the Dryll. Sometimes I wake up from weird nightmares, like Doctor Frankenfurter is under my bed with Neil Gaiman's creepy mouse circus from Coraline and they're playing a song. Sometimes it's homesickness keeping me up, or worrying about my phonetics grades. Sometimes it's the wolves in the woods that I am never quite brave enough to approach. Then OMGosh did I leave the iron on? I must get up and check! Hits. You know the drill.

Anywhoo, this is what my brain is like, and it's still being tame. I am obviously stressed about the nearing end of the semester, and my nearing gradumication from my Master's program. I have a lot of decisions to make, and no idea where to start of course. Apply here, apply there, pray, repeat.

Wall Bounces and Flying Arm Bars

2010-10-13T21:01:00.002-05:00

My "little" brother Jeff shaves his head to look mean and eats steel wool for breakfast. He uses boa constrictors for jump ropes and lifts elephants instead of barbells. When I'm home, we like to watch MMA fights together, where I mostly cringe and he yells HELL YEAH. His major in college is kinesiology, so he does science AND takes a bajillion gym classes in a day. To make things worse, he is an evil genius (seriously, graduated 3rd in his class and would have been first if he would have just done band). Sometimes, however, he forgets I'm a girl, and he says things about wanting to do something like "flying arm bars" and "wall bounces." My brain chooses to interpret this in a much more amusing way than I am sure it was intended.

I tried to make him look like he was fending them off while bouncing, but I don't think I got it quite right. :/

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOPPY!!!

2010-10-08T09:01:00.000-05:00

I tried to get you the best present in the world, but Alice totally saw it coming.

Get Your Bake On

2010-10-01T00:00:00.005-05:00

I love to bake. Loads. All the time. Every Sunday I make some treat for the following week. Soemtimes it is bed from scratch, sometimes it is muffins. Occasionally it's even bearclaws. I would love to partner up in or own a bakery someday. I even have a name, but I can't share it, because then you will steal it. But, I have a problem. My food, though tasty, never comes out the same twice. Also, it's ugly. Always ugly. Doesn't matter how delicious it is, it looks like the side of the Phantom's face he does NOT want you to see. So, the question is, how does one sell ugly food? Kitchy logo and name aside, cuz' I got that down.

WTHeck?

2010-09-26T11:25:00.000-05:00

So, I don't know what happened kids, but a whole bunch of posts went missing. I'll see which ones I can find and get them back up.

Promises Promises

2010-09-06T00:21:00.001-05:00

This is what happens when we talk...

[23:59] Rinn: I promise if you every go weird

[23:59] Rinn: I will feed you cake until you're too fat

[00:00] Rinn: to do anything interesting

[00:01] Juliane: i appreciate that <3

[00:01] Juliane:: tie me to something too, so i can't waddle at you and trap you in my rolls

[00:01] Rinn: the fridge of course

[00:01] Rinn: which will be an old 50s model

[00:01] Rinn: filled with cake

Lipstick and Cows

2010-07-30T00:00:00.001-05:00

We also hit the Fort Worth Stockyards over the weekend. it was pretty nifty. We watched the cattle drive, went to the museum and cowboy museum, hit up the stores, watched the train, and then I almost peed my pants because there was a gunslinger show. Gunshots, city, you know the feeling. I got a cowboy hat, some fudge, and we ate dinner at Billy Bob's Honky Tonk.

Float Trip

2010-07-29T00:00:00.000-05:00

Once in TX, James took my on my first float trip. We do this in MO and IL too, but I've never had the chance. It was pretty awesome. We got tubes, and some with crates which were filled with coolers filled with beer and snacks, and just lazed on down the river. This resulted in shenangigans and sunburn.

The King Lives

2010-07-28T21:25:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the late updates this summer. I've been traveling. This last weekend I went down to Denton, TX to visit James, and on the way I hit Memphis for a few hours. Unfortunately, it was a game night AND there was a concert going on, so Beale Street was an absolute crush and my timid little self went to Denny's and then back to the station to read a cheezy werewolf novel rather than get hooted at (and oh boy did I get hooted at by drunks in the street).

Skipping Sunday

2010-07-22T00:35:00.001-05:00

Updating late, as I'll be in Texas this weekend! Yeeee haw!

My New Best Friend

2010-07-21T00:00:00.006-05:00

I got a Nook. It may have been a bad idea. I now never run out of book. This means that I don't show my face in the light of day at proper hours anymore without outside influences, like almost running out of food. I still read under the covers, even though there is no one to catch me.

Blast from the Past #5

2010-07-20T00:00:00.004-05:00

The deer shirt continues to maliciously plot the end of civilization, ensured of it's survival by it's master's new energy generator, which runs on Chinese food oil.

Blast from the Past #4

2010-07-19T00:00:00.000-05:00

Daniel and I are embarking upon year 2 at SIUC, the final chapter of our Master's lives. In addition, we're finishing up our first publication! Let the new school year begin!

Blast From the Past #3

2010-07-18T00:00:00.001-05:00

Zach, or Moppy as we call him, has just taken a Full Time RD position with Oswego. I hope he's invested in chap stick, because Oswego's known for it's wind. Wind so bad that they have ropes along campus to help students out in the winter! Hang on, duck your head, and have a blast Mopps!

Blast From the Past #2

2010-07-17T00:00:00.000-05:00

Krystal disappeared into the arms of a boyfriend no one else much likes. Rumor has it they're living together now, while she finishes her MFA in painting. I'm sorry that the friendship didn't last, but I've never been much for the special type of drama llama she keeps close to her heart.

Blast From the Past #1

2010-07-16T22:09:00.001-05:00

A year after graduating, Jules has joined the ranks of Grad Students. She's also RDing for a nifty place in Buffalo, NY starting...oh...about now. She left yesterdayish. I'm super proud of my friend who has decided to do her Masters in Student Affairs. Like me, she has no intention of every leaving college, she's just doing it a different way! I plan to visit her whenever I go home, and eat some real buffalo wings every time. because that's our thing! I miss you Jules! Good Luck!

We Have Come to an Understanding...

2010-07-08T23:00:00.000-05:00

I really hate it when people mess with my family. If, by chance, I ever get solid proof that who I think is messing with my family is, I will ruin them. That is all.

Pew Pew Pew

2010-07-07T23:01:00.003-05:00

I was feeling single and old today, but Jules whipped me out of it.

[22:33] Juliane : you look like you're 22 [22:33] Juliane : and you're also going to fall in love this year[22:33] Juliane : i know this because i made a series of robots [22:33] Juliane : and they're on their way [22:33] Juliane : but i have a master plan, you see.

[22:33] Juliane : what's actually going to happen is that when i'm ready for the cake shop that's when i'll just power down the robot [22:34] Juliane : you can't control humans like that, not so easily at least[22:34] Rinn: so true[22:34] Rinn: lol[22:35] Juliane : dont worry, you'll have a choice. unfortunately you weren't supposed to know of the plan so i'm gonna have to erase your MIND[22:35] Juliane : i'd say forgive me, but you won't remember this[22:36] Juliane : [activate memory eraser sequence][22:36] Juliane : pew pew pew pew [22:36] Juliane : [activation complete, short term memory 0%]

I would, however, argue that I look about 25. Still not bad for a single 30 year old...

Drama Llama Is Not Amused

2010-07-06T00:39:00.000-05:00

Sometimes things just get out of hand...

The 100 Foot Drama Llama

2010-07-05T00:00:00.000-05:00

We couldn't resist...

The Drama Llama Returns

2010-07-04T02:40:00.000-05:00

It should not surprise me that here, 1000 miles from home, Drama Llama has reared his head again. Luckily, it's not my drama. I don't deal well with drama. But, the summer is hot, and the clothing is scarce, so boys will be boys and drama will run high right along with the tempers.

At least he's not Osama Bin Llama.

And So The Lion Fell In Love With The Lamb

2010-07-03T19:32:00.000-05:00

Poor Edward! Will Moppy ever let him be? I don't know. There was that Zach Effron stage and all....For those of you who are confused, go back to the beginning foos!

No art of day yesterday, due to a bout of illness, but I'm back up and running today!

Hitting the 10-er tonight with the girlies. Yes, I knooooow it's horrible and silly, but that is why I loooove the Twilight Saga. Get over it.

Art a Day

2010-07-01T22:11:00.000-05:00

I'm participating in an art challenge. A piece of art a day for the month of July. For obvious reasons, I'll be posting it here. This of it as a makeup for my horribly sporadic end of school year shenanigans.

So, today as I was walking across campus, I found myself in the middle of a dragonfly horde. It was one of those amazing moments. I caught some of it on video, and I was so excited. I've never seen anything like it.

"I Should Just Cut It Off."

2010-06-27T00:00:00.001-05:00

So, we're not even 2 weeks into the summer session, and Dan has a catastrophe. It involves a fall, a stubbed toe, knocking over hot irons, and a toe broken in two places. It's a nasty mess, and car-less Dan is gimping all over Carbondale. All of this, in the middle of a move. So, he has the right to complain. But, when he was, he said "I should just cut it off." And THIS was what I thought of.

We're Back on Sunday!

2010-06-25T21:28:00.000-05:00

After a nice, long hiatus,we are back on Sunday! Follow us through another wacky year of Grad School! Things to look out for: new TAs, student stories, squirrels....

We Were like, Totally Tripping on Marshmellows

2010-05-02T23:27:00.002-05:00

My brain has been known to do weird weird things, but this one just about took the cake.

I had a dream that one of my professors, Zach, Juliane, Krystal and someone else were all chilling in the basement of the house I grew up in, but with all my brothers neat toys, and the new basement couches. All of the sudden, my professor pulls out a bag of marshmallows and everyone around me is all ooo and aaah. I'm like what? Everyone got really weird and was like "You mean you've never tripped on Marshmallows?" Now, even in the dream my thought was, "Don't they mean Mushrooms?" Everyone gasped, and told me how awesome tripping on marshmallows was, so I gave it a try.

We were watching TV, and it was some discovery show about swimming cats, and one of the cats bumped into the video camera and all of the sudden the TV burst open and the room was flooded with wet, angry cats and fish and water. I was like whoa and everyone was like "See, now you're trippin' on Marshmallows!" Then my brother, Jeff came home from work and was MAD because we had been tripping on Marshmallows without him. Then I woke up.

Hello Windy Cindy

2010-04-18T18:26:00.003-05:00

Over spring break I was stuck in Chicago for two days due to Amtrak scheduling, a decided to go exploring. First things first, I hit up the Sears towers, ate breakfast downstairs in a lovely panera-type cafe, then went up to the Skydeck to PSYCH MYSELF OUT! It is REALLY hard to stand on those ledges, even though you know they're safe, that little lizard part of your brain keeps screaming "WHAT ARE YOU DOING! OMG STOP IT! MOMMY!"

After that I mosied on down to the Navy pier, rode a ferris wheeel, hit up DePaul's Barnes and Noble, and then read in the train station until the next train.

Chicago was a nifty place, but I like to see the sun, and the buildings made it a big no.

A Spot of Tea

2010-02-24T00:00:00.002-06:00

I have, it seems, nearly reached my limit with coffee, which is fine because tea is making a comeback and all of these awesome flavors are out now. Stash's chocolate hazelnut decaf is my morning sip now. I know, no caffeine, what am I thinking. Actually, I drink coffee in the morning to BREATHE again, not to wake up!

Cupcake Cakes of Awesome

2010-02-22T00:00:00.003-06:00

For Christmas, Miss Juliane got me one of those awesome cupcake cake molds. They're a little smaller than what the TV makes them look like, but still awesome. It takes one box of cake made at high altitude specifications. I did mine with devil's food, nutella filling, and chocolate-almond frosting and snowman fondant decorations. It was gnawed upon happily by a mass of linguistics majors.

Super Villains Week Final Chapter!-The Lamb

2010-02-20T00:00:00.000-06:00

Don't let his fuzzy exterior fool you. The Lamb is a viscous stalker of Edward Cullen. He has been known to hoof the eyes out of anyone named Bella, and has trampled clumsy, brunette girls with boyfriends under the suspicion of being vampires of the glittery persuasion in typical serial fashion.

Thanks for following us for Super Villains Week!

We now resume our regular programming.

Super Villains Week-The Human Fetus

2010-02-19T00:00:00.003-06:00

Deformed in a freak medical mishap, Juliane lived a somewhat normal life, but finally snapped when her father chewed off her ear in a fit of madness. Under the stress of her mangeled ear, and years of childhood torture, Juliane became the Human Fetus, strangling her victims with her mummified umbilical cord...

She was warned, just to be clear.

Pop by tomorrow for the last installment in Super Villains Week!

The Grave Robber

2010-02-18T23:45:00.002-06:00

A mild-mannered Archeology Grad Student, James was maimed in a horrible accident excavating the Lighthouse of El Dorado. Embittered by his new, freakish appearance, because jump-roping his arms was weird enough, he turned to a life of crime with his detachable shovel hands doing the only thing he had been trained to do...

Digging up dead things and stealing their riches to sell to collectors on the black market.

Super Villains Week-Silent But Deadly

2010-02-17T00:00:00.003-06:00

Oh, you know his super power alll to well. He can clear a building with the twitch of a buttox.

Super Villains Week-Every Villain Needs a Sidekick!

2010-02-16T00:00:00.000-06:00

Da na na na nana na na FRAT BOY!

The power to make booze and beer appear out of seemingly nowhere! Beware, Frat Boys seems harmless, but once he gets you drunk you better have good body armor!

Super Villains Week- The 9am Vacuumer

2010-02-15T00:00:00.001-06:00

Someday I am going to go all Batgirl on this mystery man. As some of you know, I didn't have time to find an apartment before heading to grad school, so I'm living dormitory style for the first year. Yuck. This gem likes to wake me up once a week, usually on my only sleep in day, with his vacuuming prowess. I know it's a man, because, well, he farts...A LOT. And occasionally grunts. All of this combined makes him the number 1 super villain of the week!

Posting MTWRF this week as a present for your undying devotion and patience! Come back tomorrow!

Happy New Year and Happy Valentines Day Friends!

2010-02-14T02:32:00.003-06:00

A Very Happy New Year to my Asian friends, and a Happy Valentines Day to everyone too!

One of the great things about being an ESL teacher is I meet so many awesome people from so many places. My department is full of people from all over the world and the states. I, unlike many people, honestly love my job 99% of the time!

Tell someone you love them today, and wish your friends a Happy New Year-you never know who celebrates it!

2010-02-12T00:00:00.002-06:00

I have a hair problem. I go back and forth between being a brunette and a blonde. I decided for my big 3-0 that blonde would be in for awhile, but now I'm finding a lot of my clothes look weird. Sigh...a girl can never win.

Back From Oz and Other Stories

2010-02-11T18:17:00.003-06:00

I went home for break. Home being my mother's spare bedroom and the place where I steal my brother's booze. It was awesome, outside of suffering the plague. I had a wonderful Christmas and a great time with my family and friends back on the east coast. More stories to come as I catch up.

I also took my first plane!

It made me almost ralph!

But I got my exercise in Chicago and Detroit-and those flat escalators. I LOVE THEM! I was trying not to run...

Anywho, I apologize for the extreme delay. It seems, this semester, I must actually do work, and I've been a bit buried and busy, after all, a girl only turns 30 once!

More to come this week!

Sick

2009-12-24T15:14:00.002-06:00

I've been sick, travelling, and all around busy wrapping up 2009, so I apologize heartily for the long delay in comics. I don't have my normal materials with me here, so I might have to MacGuyver a way to update over the break! Something soon, I promise!
Rinn

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BANANA!

2009-12-11T00:00:00.000-06:00

We don't always get along. Sometimes she really makes me want to bust out the bread knife. But, that is what little sisters are for.

Happy birthday brat, and many many more.
<3

Day 4 of Hell Week-SIUC Edition

2009-12-10T00:00:00.000-06:00

An lions are supposed to eat them.

So, we DID go to see New Moon the night after opening, and it was crazy. The movie, itself, and like it's predecessor is nothing trippy, but I like a good mushy drama and if you can add glittery vampire and werewolves you are native into the mix, you have my full, undivided attention. However, the lack of shirtery on the boys part made me feel like a pedo.

Day 3 of Hell Week-SIUC Edition

2009-12-09T00:00:00.000-06:00

A continuation of the Tuesday clip, this was the center of a very weird ven diagram.
The teacher should always be able to walk the fine line between method and theory. While they may become bald at a young age, this is necessary to ensure proper teaching.

Thank You!

2009-12-08T23:12:00.005-06:00

You've been so patient while I deal with the end of my first graduate semester, that I feel I must reward you with shenanigans.

This was the result of our final group project in Teaching Methods and Materials for TESOL the other night. Our professor is young, and a frequent sweater wearer. The Japanese kids egged me on.

Bring Anya Home!

2009-12-03T21:02:00.002-06:00

(NECN: Alysha Palumbo, Marblehead, Mass.) – There was devastating news today for a Massachusetts family locked in an international adoption fight in Russia. The teenager thought to be headed to the U.S. in time for the holidays has been denied a visa.

Back in 2005, Keri Cahill of Marblehead, Massachusetts, adopted a 12-year-old girl from Russia named Nastia.

Nastia had been abandoned as a toddler and was living in an orphanage in Siberia when she was adopted.

Shortly before Nastia came to the U.S., she got a letter from a sister she never knew she had.

When Keri found out, she made it her mission to reunite her newly adopted daughter with her older sister, Anya. She hired a private investigator, tracked Anya down, and even went to visit her in Russia.

But, just as Keri was about to adopt Anya, Russia tightened its adoption laws and the adoption agency where she had spent nearly $10,000 went under.

Anya turned 16 and was essentially put out on her own.

So, Keri has worked for the past couple of years to get her an education visa to study in America. Anya was set to fly to the U.S. Sunday, but when she went to the American Embassy in Moscow, she was denied.

From Rinn:
Anya is couch surfing while waiting to hear from the Embassy. She can't be adopted in Russia because at 18 she has now aged out of their adoption laws, but she can be adopted here, and she has a loving sister, and a mother waiting to do so. Raise a stink and join the twitter and facebook groups, tell any local news-people you know and get this kid into the U.S., into a home and into a college. Because what if it was your sister?

Finals Hiatus!

2009-12-03T00:36:00.003-06:00

It's now time for our semesterly hiatus due to me being buried alive in grading and my own work. For those of you new to Life of Rinn, it is normal that around midterm and finals season I go insane and the comic has to be set aside. I will try to post over the course of the next 17 days, but postings will be sporadic until I am home, safe and sound, in NY and eating stromboli.

Mmmm....stromboli.

You, my fine sir, are hard to draw...

2009-11-29T21:35:00.004-06:00

Sorry for the poor resolution. I had to update using my cell phone, as I seem to have left the ghetto cam in the office tonight.

It's our favorite RD, Zachary, being silly, because, honestly, he's kinda scary when he's serious.

The Future Part 2

2009-11-27T01:07:00.000-06:00

So, I've been working on prelims for the way I plan to go in the future. As you can see. I suck at arms. I'll be working on that a bit more. Here's me and Jules.

From All of Us to All of You!

2009-11-26T00:00:00.000-06:00

Oh Now Go, Walk Out that Door

2009-11-25T00:00:00.000-06:00

After an on-again-off-again relationship of ridiculous proportions, I decided to take a solid one year break from the dating world to reassess who I was, what I wanted from life, and what I wanted in a man. Needless to say, the break is nearly over, and I know who I am and what I want, and I'm kind of sick of going to see movies alone! Let the search begin!

Head Kind of Bounce, Not Roll

2009-11-23T00:00:00.000-06:00

Ugh. I had a lot of unnecessary work, thanks to a group partner not doing their own work. I secretly hope cockroaches infest his underwear drawer...

Some Things Never Change

2009-11-20T00:00:00.006-06:00

Miles and miles separate me and my crew, but thanks to TMobile's MyFaves I can call Krystal and Jules in New Paltz where they are both studying, and even Zachary back in the Dam, at home, whenever I want and blab like crazy. And blab we do! I miss my peeps and can't wait to see them in a few weeks!!!

A HUGE THANK YOU to all of you following me, even if you're not doing it through Google. Trumpets please...

This is strip number 100!!!!

Wow, 100? How did that happen?
Let's see if we can keep this baby rolling into the new year!

So what can we expect in the next 100?

Well, I'll keep working on my style, and I've decided that every time the Google ads hits $100 worth of mula through AdSense, I will donate $50 to the Lisa M. Tyler Memorial Fund. We're halfway there, so keep clicking Google ads for this wonderful cause! For more information, go to:
http://www.endingteenviolence.com/

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

2009-11-18T00:00:00.000-06:00

Megan is the next of sib in the ridiculous line of them I have. She's the girl responsible for what little fashion I have above the shoulders, and quite frequently she picks my clothing too. She's the mother of Madam Mia and the baby Gav, and an awesome one at that.

Happy Birthday to my baby sister. No matter how old you get, you'll always be just that!

Revelations Anyone?

2009-11-16T00:00:00.003-06:00

Sometimes Jesus symbolism is not so cute and fluffy.

Swine Flu!

2009-11-13T00:00:00.001-06:00

Indeed, I did, and it was grand.

For Halloween I had to have a kid-friendly costume, as I volunteered to face paint at church and my slinky leopard print 30s pinup dress shows juuust a bit more skin than is appropriate, so I made little piggie ears, and a snout, restrung some dollar store wings, and pulled out pink clothes galore and had a blast!

Life of Rinn is BACK!

2009-11-11T22:28:00.003-06:00

So, I've been uber busy, and sick on and off, and then busy again with the grad school stuff. On top of that, I've been sewing like mad, trying to finish the kids' Christmas presents, sock monsters and bunnies, for the year. That's all the apology you're getting.

The Vampire Diaries

2009-09-29T12:00:00.000-05:00

So, I read these books back when I was a tween in the 90s, and when I found out they had made a show I hadddd to watch it. It's horribly cheesy, and right up my alley, although there have been some disturbing changes made. I'm assuming they were on purpose, since if they're going to keep this one up the effects are going to get pretty spectacular and expensive, they had to save money by doing things like combining characters, cutting characters, adding new characters, etc. Although, I'm kinda curious how 32 year old Ian is going to feel when he's making out with the actress who was born when he was in 7th gradeish haha. Yeah, I went there. He's pretty and he knows it, so I can pick on him. The boy playing Stefan, who's supposed to look 16-18ish, is my age, sooooo yeah. This is fun. i like it, and while I don't feel dirty about crushing on the cuties, I bet they feel a little weird at work every now and then!

Imagine How the Apples Feel

2009-09-29T00:00:00.000-05:00

Saturday was the student linguistics association potluck, and I got up bright and early to make my ginger applesauce. It went over fairly well I assume, since there was none left.

True Story

2009-09-27T23:12:00.003-05:00

So, the other morning Miranada's facebook status had something about squirrels and dying. It seems she was biking to school (normal for around here) when a squirrel jumped in front of her. There was screaming involved, but no one was harmed.

Concepts for the Goods

2009-09-27T23:08:00.002-05:00

So, I've been working on fleshing it out, since I can actually draw and all. Here are some concepts for the way I want to be moving the comic over the next year. This is Miranda's first time, she's one of the other Faner 4333 TAs, and I just realized I forgot her glasses, so welcome Miranda, and enjoy!

I Am Sooooo Sorry

2009-09-22T18:03:00.000-05:00

I'm a bit overwhelmed right now. I promise to try to be better!

It Was a Mexican Standoff of the Worst Kind

2009-09-22T18:01:00.005-05:00

He had crossed my path, nearly on my feet and paused in the horror. I was embarrassed that he had caught me on the bright path rocking out to The Donnas. We agreed to pretend it nenever happened.

The squirrels here are rather brave, although not a ballzy as their St. Lawrence or Vanderbilt brethern. Either way, they have been crossing my path in uncomfortable nature moments all week.

Mmmmmm

2009-09-15T23:00:00.001-05:00

I have a new favorite mixed drink kids! It speaks to my inner barista, which slumbers, mercifully, awaiting the day it is released again. Viva La SSS Petite Four!

Move Over Edward...

2009-09-13T23:00:00.003-05:00

Ok, so after finishing this WONDERFUL novel by Amanda Grance, I went back and re-watched Pride & Prejudice, the BBC one with Colin Firth and loved it allll the more knowing all of the wonderfully Vampirey background knowledge.

I Will Call Him George...

2009-09-08T23:00:00.000-05:00

So, it's nothing special. I decided to try TOSHIBA since Dell pooped all over me, and I'm too poor to buy a mac, and so far I'm happy with it. Getting used to all of the touch functions though. Those drive em a tad batty. I'm always accidentally turning on the webcam or muting everything.

Happy Labor Day!

2009-09-07T21:16:00.001-05:00

I was being laborless. Got to No More Than Twice a Week on Tuesdays and Thursday for squirrely madness!

Stubble and Beards Are Never as Cool on Paper

2009-09-03T23:00:00.000-05:00

So, the reason I started talking to Dan was because of his smoking pig shirt. Now, he and the other Japanese speakers have informed me that this pig is an air freshener, but I prefer to think of him as smoky bacon.

A Heart Attack Stalks at Midnight

2009-09-01T23:00:00.000-05:00

Red Dye 40 Anyone?

2009-09-01T20:51:00.001-05:00

So, anyone who knows me, knows I am allergic to red dye 40, and so this bug it seems. When I get tired, I get silly, and the conversation kind of goes to pot. This little gem came from a late night Wally World run with Dan.

Hello Moto!

2009-09-01T20:50:00.001-05:00

Introducing the TAs

2009-08-27T23:00:00.000-05:00

This isn't all of us, just the only ones I could suitably draw. The others will be introduced as they become major players, but right now Holly and Dan have been my saving-grace since getting here, so they get the first introductions.

We have, as of today, all survived our first week as ESL Comp instructors!

Yuuuuck

2009-08-25T23:00:00.000-05:00

So I was walking across the huuuuge pedi-bridges we have here, when all of the sudden I saw before me what looked like Sigorney Weavers alien love child. Turns out it was the fabled cicadae skeleton that many children look for in NY, but rarely ever find. I chocked a little and gave it wide berth. I am now convinced they are in league with the squirrels...

A Short-Lived Alliance is Made

2009-08-23T23:00:00.000-05:00

I was up until 2am doing planning, but it paid off. Lesson one is on my desk, ready to go, as is lesson 2. Lesson 3 is mocking me.

Holy Stinger Batman!

2009-08-20T23:00:00.001-05:00

So, I'm walking to training and I pause for a minute in the sweltering heat, only to be accosted by a bumble the size of my fist. I don't know what they're feeding the bees down here, but I nearly peed my pants!

Beware the TA's Office!

2009-08-19T14:59:00.003-05:00

We were given our office keys and allowed to claim our desks on Tuesday. Unfortunately, the roofing had been removed for maintenance and not replaced before the storm of doom back in may. As a result, our office was covered in plastic and littered with plaster bits and debris. My office-mate, Dan, decided to turn on the printer and was subsequently gassed by the fumes of leakage and aged electronic devices.

Viva! Viva!

2009-08-18T17:05:00.004-05:00

So my first day on the SIUC campus I decided to help myself to some french fries, which as we all know, I love. As I'm sitting in the McD's, right next to a cute little outside patio/park, a squirrel jumps into the transh can, and begins eating the fries, not on the other un-peoples side of the can, but smack dab in front of me, while eyeing my own precious commodity. We continue this way for quite some time, starring each other down and eating fries.

I've found I have to return to updoes here, as the humidity is near smothering most days (and nights) but the rooms have AC so I can at least sleep!

Potsdam Shenanigans

2009-08-18T17:04:00.004-05:00

An extra, for the delay. Unfortuantely, until classes start I will have severly limited internet ability due to my computer not loving the ethernet, and the lack of an ethernet card.

Sorry About the Delays!

2009-08-06T23:00:00.001-05:00

That's right kids. In one week I'm jumping a Greyhound to IL. While I travel and get set up in my new stomping grounds I'll be taking a break. Check back regularly to see if I've updated, but don't count on anything until Sept. 1st, when I torture my father for his birthday!

Thanks for the patience!!!

Rinn

Don't Know When I'll be Back Again...

2009-08-04T23:00:00.000-05:00

Well, this is it kids!

It has been an amazing two years of friends, fun, and random insanity. SUNY Potsdam gave me back my dignity, and allowed me to grow in ways that I wasn't even aware I had in me to grow. I will miss all of my Madstop crew to pieces as we all take off on our new journeys. Krys and Jules are heading to SUNY New Paltz, where Krystal has been accepted into grad school, and Zach will be finishing off his Masters of Ed at the Dam. I, on the other hand, am heading off to Southern IL University to get my MA in Linguistics/TESOL.

Bye Madstop!

This is It!

2009-08-02T23:00:00.000-05:00

Watch out!

2009-07-30T23:00:00.002-05:00

Krystal did a drawing of some cows for her portfolio, and I gave her the nasty little idea of putting a human skull on it. It became forever known as sancto spiritus, in mockery of the South park episode where they sacrifice Brittney Spears. Now, we sing it when we're up to no good.

A Walmart Addiction of Terrifying Proportions

2009-07-28T23:00:00.002-05:00

Zach has literally been going to Walmart every day. I'm starting to fear for the well being of his soul. Not that there's much else to do up here at night, but yeesh!

It's 4am, Where are your Children?

2009-07-26T23:00:00.002-05:00

Jules works at UP overnights, so lately I've been going in to keep her company. We stay up all night talking of the before times, and gossiping while eating PB&J and drinking Mountain Dew. It's one of those weird things I'm going to miss.

Hannibal Lector, or More Sinister?

2009-07-23T23:00:00.001-05:00

Jules is one of those brunettes whose hair gets very very red in the sun. Needless to say, she's well on her way to true gingerhood. No fear though, when the sun goes away we're sure she'll get her soul back!

Despite All My Rage I am Still Just a...

2009-07-21T23:00:00.003-05:00

Hamster in a Ball...eat that Billy Corgan.

So, Krystal and I have been going to the gym every weekday in the effort to reduce our jiggle. It's going well. So far I have lost one inch and 24 lbs. However, walking on the treadmill definitely makes me wonder what our ancestors would think if they could see us!

The Hoodies of Fear

2009-07-19T23:00:00.000-05:00

So, when Krystal is watching TV, and something scary is coming, she pulls up her hood and hides in it. I, on the other hand, seem to burrow into it. This is a common Monday night thing for us, while we watch the newest episodes of True Blood.