7 x 7 = 49?

All through my educational path, I've never been the one to be able to pull off a decent grade in any math class. I hated math, despised math, and quite frankly wouldn't have been sad if all the math books disappeared and I never had to pick up a calculator and pencil again. English, I can enjoy. History, I love. Math = a deep dark depression!

I'll be honest, I mean we are all friends here... right? Elementary school, for the life of me I could never remember 7 x 7. My Dad still makes fun of me to this day that I can remember every single word to any song that comes on the radio, but math - I block out as much as I can. Taking the "dumb" math at Ohio State, was a struggle. I am not sure it was a struggle because I opted to do about 25% of my homework assignments and never studied for tests, or was it a struggle because I really don't like numbers and I really couldn't do it. One fall day, I convinced my Mom that maybe I had a learning disability and maybe I should get tested. She figured it was a good move considering my lacking in math was nothing new and maybe there could be a reason for my mediocre work (other than my inability to do my homework!). Entering Pomerene Hall, I was fully prepared for the news that I suck but on the bright side would receive special tests and for the choice of 1st pick of classes. I take all the tests, a wait the results, am pulled into the little special room (let's face it, no good news come out of sitting in those sheltered rooms), and BAM! "Rebecca, your tests came back absolutely normal. You do not have a learning disability. By the way, your hand writing is absolutely beautiful." OH COME ON! So, we're looking at the fact that my grades were coming from my lack of studying and doing homework. Eh, why change anything now?

Fast forward: September 24th, 2009.

Until about 2 months ago, I've done everything in my power to avoid math in my everyday life. I did a little bit of math in figuring out Paid Time Off for new hires that come in, or using a calculator to figure out a bi-weekly rate of a salary - but that is all. That's all simple math. Lately, I have had to do a lot more thinking in the math department in figuring out Sales Compensation plans for our Sales Reps. I have felt pretty smart, and it feels pretty good that I can help someone else through those tricky percentages.

This past Thursday, our VP of Sales Ops came into Dublin and gave us a Comp training - complete with a pop quiz. Lord help me. I had a nightmare of numbers all over again, and broke out into a small sweat. I hold a high regard for this VP, and I do not want her to think that I am learning challenged (even though those people at Ohio State claim I am normal, I still doubt them!). I do my math, and I hope for the best... going over the answers, I learned that I did every single one of them correctly! What in the world has happened to me?! All of a sudden my brain is processing numbers - and not only numbers but WORD PROBLEMS!! Whhhhhattt!??!! I mean, are you kidding me? I, Rebecca C. Warren, ACED a math POP QUIZ! I was so happy, I literally could have cried. I called my Mom and told her on the way home from work, and I am pretty sure that she shed a tear of happiness as well!

I've learned from this experience that I am not as dumb as I think! Doing those math problems and doing them correctly, I have realized that I can do almost anything I put my mind to! It is true, as we mature and grow in life, we realize that is important. Homework and studying was not important to me for about ohhhh 24 years of my life. Now, I realize that I am smarter than what I appear and if I put my mind to it - I can do anything.

I'd like to end this note with: 7 x 7 = 49.

Welcome to 328 6th Street

Welcome to 328 6th Street

The "328" has been apart of my family since the early 1940's. It was the home of my great grandparents, Henry & Iona Rohlman. This is the place my grandpa was raised until he went into the military and married my Grandma. This is the place that I spent many years of my childhood visiting and having family get togethers. This is the place that my great aunt moved into when my great Grandma died. This is the place that hold very positive childhood memories for me. Lastly, this is the place that the entire Rohlman family all stay at when we roll into town and we call it home for our time back in Seattle.

328 is only two blocks away form the Western Washington Fair. It is also two blocks away from the every Saturday Farmer's Market. Three blocks away you find the Pioneer Bakery with donuts the size of your head; and the interior has not changed since when I first entered the doors in the early 1980s. Four blocks away, the trains constantly go throughout the day. "Honk, honk!" This is the only place that I can tolerate listening to trains and not get irritated when they keep me awake. It instead makes me smile knowing that I am back at old 328.

Walking in the door, I look at the dark wooden stairs going upstairs and picture my cousin Jaclyn and I on our hands and knees pretending to be Annie and singing "Hard Knock Life." I walk into the kitchen, and see the pantry with that accordion door. The place that where Jaclyn and I would shut the door, sit on the stool and pretend it was our rocket ship.

Out the backdoor behind the garage:The grape arbor! I spent many summer days as a kid picking grapes, eating grapes and admiring grapes.

Within this house, you will also find a little bit of mystery to it... if you are younger than the age of 10.

The bedroom upstairs with two very old twin beds. It is dark, it always has been dark, and is pretty scary. It is not until I was nearly 25 years old that I finally realized that the room isn't scary, it isn't haunted rather is just lacking in sunlight! I bust open the blinds and curtains, and the room is already full of life.

In the bathroom, there is a door. A mystery door. This door was ALWAYS shut growing up. Sitting down on the toilet as a kid looking at that closed door is TERRIFYING! I thought for sure that there were ghosts, monsters, goblins hiding behind that door. Booga, booga! Finally, in my 20's, the door finally was left open for the first time in my entire life and I can see that there is nothing exciting in there other than luggage. How boring! The suspense was totally shattered.


Great Grandma Rohlman's room has absolutely had a few "things" happen since she passed in 1994. Since then, her room randomly has lights turn on and off and there is always the feeling that she is with us. This was her house that has always been filled with so much love. Though she is not with us anymore in person, every time you enter the house you feel her spirit and know that she wants us there visiting and will do anything for us to have a fantastic time. It is hard to imagine not visiting 328 when traveling to Seattle, and I cannot wait for us to have more family vacations there down the road. I can only hope that since I had so many childhood memories in that house, I can take my own future children there to experience all of those happy memories that I had. Whether it is playing Annie on the stairs, eating grapes in the sunshine or wondering what was behind that crazy door... I will treasure every single minute in that house!

I am my Father's Daughter

My Mom might be the smartest person I've ever met in my life, seriously! The other day driving down the road, I had a question about Russia and she rattled off for about 10 minutes on the in's and out's of Russia's current political status. She absolutely amazes me with the knowledge that she has built up in her brain! There is no question in my mind why she is so knowledgeable... she LOVES to read. I mean LOVES IT! She wakes up in the morning, she reads. She eats lunch, she reads. She "watches tv," she is really reading her book. She goes to bed, again - she's reading. She can probably finish one book a day if she truly could dedicate her entire day to reading. She has been this way since she was a kid. Kathy can always be found with a book in her hands.

She has one daughter who actually doesn't mind reading. She would prefer to lay in bed at night and read a biography on Audrey Hepburn than watch tv. Her other daughter (me, obviously), follows in the steps of her father and does not read. I am like my Dad - the only book(s) I read is if I am on an airplane or in a situation where I have absolutely nothing to do. If there is a tv in front of me, forget it. Reading is a lost cause, and I'd much prefer to watch my DVDs, or whatever the current show addiction is. Last year, I found an author that I truly enjoyed and I actually finished 3 of her books within a month period. I was so proud of myself - but again, I was on a work trip to San Diego when I finished 2 of the 3 books. I was stuck on a plane, I was stuck in airports on lay overs and had nothing better to do with my time. I was able to squeeze in book #3 somewhere between watching tv shows.

A few months later, I hear of this series called the "Twilight" series. All of my friends were reading it, all of my friends were talking about it, and I felt like I needed to read them to join in on the fun. I mean, who is this Edward Cullen guy? It takes place in Forks, Washington - birthplace of my darling cousin... I should give this a try! So - I read Twilight... and LOVE IT! Next step, book #2: New Moon. Maybe people didn't like this one nearly as much as the 1st one. I'm not prejudice, I liked it just as much! Next one, Eclipse. Just as amazing as book #1 and book #2. Finally, Breaking Dawn - which is literally the size of a phone book! (The phonebook from my last blog that is STILL sitting on my neighbors door mat.) I read... I read... and I read... and then in typical Becca fashion - I come to a stand still. For the life of me, I cannot pick it up again to continue reading it. I am told that I am at a very critical part of the book and one of the most amazing things I will ever read - but I can't do it! ADHD has kicked in. I have hit my quota and I just cannot read anymore! I come home from work, exhausted and the last thing I want to do is read.

My Mom is my Mom and she would never judge me for not reading. It breaks her heart, but let's face it I am her daughter and she loves me for me and not my ability to read. She is understanding that I am my father's daughter and I would rather read the side of a cereal box or People magazine than read a 700 page book. Word went around to some of my posse that I have not yet finished Breaking Dawn and thus the threats begin. Not only does one of my longest standing best friends continue to give me a hard time in saying that me quitting reading at this point is basically like quitting school right before graduation. (Point taken, Courtney!) She is one of the only ones who know that I have not finished... until last night. I receive a text from my dear cousin ripping me a new one because a little bird by the name of COURTNEY ELLEN SCOTT had sent her a text letting her know that I had not finished yet. At this point, I was threatened by my own flesh and blood when I touch down in Seattle on Tuesday that she is going to basically beat me. I have two of the closest people in my life threatening me!!

I'm flying to Seattle on Tuesday, and I cannot have my 6 mo pregnant cousin beating me for not finishing Breaking Dawn. Tonight, I bought it and downloaded it onto my ipod. Brilliant idea, I know! Now on the plane, I can actually listen to someone read to me and do my search-a-word at the exact same time. This is absolutely brilliant! If this works out - you can be sure that I will start "reading" more. Maybe I'll "read" while I work and listen to audiobooks during the day! Then, maybe just MAYBE, I can be as smart as my Mom and not have to live my life in fear from my dear friend and my dear cousin. Regardless of their threats - Courtney & Rhiannon - I love you both anyways! :)

Times Square Dublin or Times Square NYC?

Many years ago, a new and fresh apartment style living was brought to Dublin, Ohio. The first time I remember hearing of these cool new apartments were when Edwards Communities built a new complex called Times Square. It was being built right behind Tuttle Mall, which is appealing in itself that you can over look the mall from your front door! What was more eye catching were the adorable little store fronts that are visible from the main road. Obviously, it is nothing like the real NYC Times Square, but has a fun little atmosphere!

When Kate and I decided to take the plunge and be roomies, we decided that it was only natural that we tour and look at the complex for the possibility of calling it home. We toured the complex, fell in love with the complex, and jumped onto getting on the guest list. The location was fantastic for the both of us to commute to work. It was a tad more pricey that we truly wanted to spend, but from all the money we saved from commuting from Delaware to Dublin daily - we were saving a lot on gas money.

We found our "luxury" (I use the quotations because my idea of luxury will be obviously different than other peoples!) on the 3rd floor. High ceilings. Big rooms. It is honestly the perfect set up for 2 roommates. I mean look at the view from our patio - it's beautiful during the Spring & Summer!
Another great thing about our complex is the noise level. My floors do not bump with the music in the middle of the night. My walls do not shake from people yelling next door to me. Additionally, my neighbors are quiet. Regardless that I am pretty sure that the people below us throw each other up against the wall or something. Either that, or they fall down a lot! Lots of "thuds" to be heard. Small price to pay! I am very proud of my complex, and truly love living here.

Speaking of neighbors, we have 2 new sets.

To the right of our door: A young couple who look as if one of them is a doctor (wearing scrubs gives it away), and possibly just newly married. I wouldn't really know because they hide in their apartment and I think are night owls or something! Our new lovely neighbors must have a problem with their backs. I say this for the reason that about 3 weeks ago, we all received new phonebooks. The phonebooks were placed by our doors - and obviously there for us to take and utilize. My neighbors continue to walk by daily and essentially just walk over the bag and into their house. I know that they are alive, and I know that they leave! I've seen them! What do they have against this poor phonebook that just wants to have a home and not be homeless forever!? They must have a medical condition that makes it impossible for them to bend at the waste, and pick up a little orange bag.

Our neighbors on the left are also very private people. I know that he drives a black BMW and has used window paint in his car to say: Go Buks! Which - has been there since he moved in a few months ago. (Window paint should probably come with spell check for the "Buks.")

This neighbor must REALLY like to paint. I came home from a small roadtrip this weekend to an adorable home-made welcome mat in front of his door! Please take a look and enjoy the world's best welcome mat!

*Call me crazy, but I am not so sure that Kenny Chesney would be too proud to have his song lyrics on something so incredibly tacky!*

Clearly, my Times Square is no where near the sophistication of NYC. However, I love Dublin, I love having my own bathroom, I love my room, I love my daily commute to work, and even more importantly - I love my sister who quite possibly is the best roomie in the entire world!! How did I get so lucky with her!?