Writing « Robin Writes

Now, we all know about saving dryer lint for a firestarter, and even about saving used toilet paper rolls to fill with said lint. But something rarely discussed, after SHTF, is toilet paper itself – or the lack thereof.

I saw a post on FB about, um, what to do, and I can tell you from experience to be very, very careful which leaves you grab to er, take care of your business. All of this prompted me to look into – yep, the history of toilet paper.

Best I can tell, from my “in-depth” research, is that toilet paper wasn’t widely available in the US until the mid- to late-1800s. I’m sure we’ve all heard about using catalog pages for this chore, and all I can think when I remember reading this is OUCH. Talk about scratchy, but guess it’s better than nothing. Maybe.

My point is that toilet paper might be something you stock up on for SHTF. You know, for Number Two only – I mean, seriously, this is going to have to be rationed. It takes up a lot of space. Now, guys, obviously for Number One you don’t have this issue, but ladies, I have two words for you: drip dry.

Gross? A little. Deal with it.

How many of you, when camping, use those disgusting vault toilets? All of you? Really? I’ll take a tree or a shrub any day over those. Ick. Yes, I can be a little squeamish, but think about it – you’re sitting on a metal can-like object, hovering over a small lake of… Okay, let’s not go there. Sure, if you use the woods you do run the risk of, oh, small insects getting up in your business, but to me it’s more preferable than… Alright, I’m done!

So, to wrap this up: stock up on toilet paper, learn to drip dry, ration what you have, and hope for the best. I’d also suggest saving some of those catalogs, too. Fortunately, today, many are printed on recycled paper so they’re a bit… softer. Maybe. Or, there’s always a squirt bottle. Seriously.

So the time has come for my last blog post here at Rocking Horse Publishing, and soon I will be back on my way to Cape Girardeau. My senior of college at SEMO. Things just got intense, guys. It’s so hard to believe that I’ve been a college student for the past three years and will be graduating in less than a year. I just have one more school year to go before I go into the real world, or hopefully grad school as I’ve mentioned a few times before. But I have a feeling that my senior year is going to be my most stressful year of all. I plan on getting a second job at a bookstore alongside my university job, plus 15 credit hours of classes. I’ve honestly never had a “real world” job and I’m a bit nervous to work outside my comfort zone. But I have faith that it will all run smoothly.

My reasoning for a getting a second job is so I can afford to live on my own come grad school. Currently I am applying to eight grad schools: 2 in New York, 2 in Missouri, 2 in Chicago, along with 1 in Mississippi and Maryland. My two dream schools are NYU and Columbia College Chicago, but more than likely, I will be going to UMSL.

But if I know I’m going to UMSL, why am I applying to 8 schools in total? I think it’s pride and to prove to myself that I could be good enough to get into the harder colleges. I don’t want to be thinking “What if I had applied to my dream school? Would I have gotten in?” ten years from now. I’m in a place in my life where “what if’s” aren’t an option. I’m determined to do my best. And also, my advisor has so much faith in me and believes that I will go far, and without her motivation, I don’t think I would even be applying to any schools outside of the St. Louis area.

My dream of going to NY started about a year ago when my family went to visit the city on a family vacation. I fell in love instantly. Everything about the city blew my mind. I couldn’t contain how many emotions were flowing through my body. I wanted to write an entire novel about my experiences because I was that inspired by the city. I also fell in love with the area where NYU’s campus is located: right in the heart of Greenwich Village where so many famous artists and musicians began their own careers.

Yet of course, reality can get in the way of our dreams, financially and realistically. Will I attend school in NY or Chicago? Probably not. Can I dream about it? Yes, of course. But since last summer, my dad has always told me that if I’m destined to be in NY, I’ll make it one way or another. Whether it be grad school, or getting a job there, or simply visiting, I know I’ll find my way back there.

My senior year at SEMO will be a hectic, but exciting year. I’m excited for all the opportunities that are in my near and distant future. Whether I make it to NY next year or not, I know life will be a hell of a ride. But before I sign off for the final time this summer, I wanted to just thank Robin, Dennis, and Rachel for everything. It’s been a wonderful summer. See you around.