Author Archive for Amanda Robbins
The History of the Heart
I found my true love when I was in kindergarten. The transition to first grade was rocky, but we lasted nonetheless. Everything changed, however, on Valentine’s Day 1996. The night before, I painstakingly scribbled my name on my Pocahontas Valentines, setting aside the two special half-page ones for my teacher and my beloved.
When I looked [...]
Are You Afraid of the Dark? We Still Are (Among Other Pretty Scary Stuff)
Traci: I’ve always been easily frightened. All you have to do is mention the possibility of a zombie uprising and it’s enough to send me hiding under my covers. I remember seeing that scene from “Star Wars: Episode V” where Darth Vader cuts off Luke’s hand when I was five years old and running to [...]
Baby It’s Moderately Cold Outside
One night near the end of fall quarter, I was dead asleep in bed and then suddenly I was awake. The night was silent, my roommate slept on peacefully across the room, and here I was sweating and awake for no apparent reason. Then I realized that it was December but felt like a hot [...]
Grrrrrl Power: The Reason We Love and Hate Feminist Power Anthems
Hidden in the depths of our iTunes are songs we never like to admit to listening, but we believe it’s time to turn up the volume and confess: We love Girl Power anthems.
We sometimes play them secretly through our headphones or scoff along with the rest of our friends when those overplayed tunes are amplified [...]
We (Still) love the ’90s
Back in the days of cassette tapes and Walkman personal stereos, a single genre of music dominated our FM radio waves. It was called simply “pop music” back then, but all you need to call it today is “‘90s pop” and everyone knows exactly who and what you’re talking about: The Backstreet Boys. ‘N Sync. Christina Aguilera. Britney Spears. If you didn’t know all the lyrics to “Baby One More Time,” then you must have been living in a cave.
Old Foe, We Meet Again: When the Turkeys Steal My Birthday Thunder
There is a picture of me in the family photo album dressed as a little lady pilgrim, standing next to a little Indian boy with construction paper feathers in a construction paper headband. It was taken in 1994 when I was a wee kindergartner.
Smarter Than a 5th Grader?
(10:53:09 PM) Traci: I’m doing that thing where I’m trying to name all 50 states…I only have 39…
(10:53:15 PM) Amanda: hahaha
(10:53:19 PM) Amanda: love it
(10:53:21 PM) Amanda: let me see if I can do it
Neopets Are Still Cool: Zimbabowie and Me
Zimbabowie, my rainbow Gnorbu, is very special to me. After a long day of class, work and social engagements, Zimbabowie is my patient and kind companion. He watches me with that bright grin of his while I lay an extensive pipe system to deliver juice to thirsty Meepits.
