Long Time Coming...

Well, to Kim Bateman and my other three readers of this blog, I am now posting a new blog. It has been a while to say the least. I have seen many new places during the last time I blogged. I have been all the way from Pensacola to Miami, FL. And let me tell you, Miami is another country. The stereotypes are true. Watch CSI: Miami and you really will get a good sense of what Mee-am-mi is all about. I will say, though, that the Cuban food is incredible. You also need to know Spanish fluently to visit. Just a heads up.

I have been going non-stop since I began working for the University of North Florida. I am worn down, and ready for a break. Thanksgiving break begins Thursday and it cannot get here any sooner. I can't wait to see family, great friends, and play some golf. Also, the St. Andrew Baptist Ski Trip is about a month away. YEAH!!! I have been waiting for 3 years to go skiing again. I am excited to be going with my former church. Hopefully I will still remember what I am doing, so I don't fall on my rear and embarrass myself, but knowning me, I'll embarrass myself.

Also, change is coming. No, not the Obama kind. Change in J.'s life is coming in 2009. I can't put it out there publicly on the net just yet, but I will post it when I can. My closest friends know what's up. Man, I like being all cryptic. Let's just say the change is educational....

Hopefully this blog will do for Kim Bateman. I will try and not make such a big gap inbetween posts, or Kim will send me Facebook messages reminding me that I never update my blog.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!

John 3:30

Peace,

jwr

Surreal...

As I sit here on a wonderful Sunday evening, I still can't believe I am back in Jacksonville.  It is still a little surreal.  It still feels like I am attending a conference at UNF, then heading back to Panama City in a few weeks, but that is not the case.  I am ecstatic to be back in Jacksonville.  Today, I went to the beach.  Yes, you read that correct, J. Robinett went to the beach.  If you know this white boy (seriously, really white here) then you know I like the beach but don't frequent it a lot because of the sun burn that I usually get.  Now, let's not get crazy, I went at around 5:30, so I didn't get the crazy hot sun.  I got to see all my fellow pasty-white sisters and brothers out on the beach.  I also never realized how relaxing it could be to take a beach chair, book, towel, and a large iced Dunkin Donut Coffee to the ocean and just chill.  I will definitely be making plenty of future stops there, especially since I live 10 minutes from the ocean.  

Life is great right now.  I am excited about the future and what God has in store for me.  I am contemplating several different options on my future school plans.  I am going to go after my graduate degree, but I am praying in which direction to go.  I feel like I know, but I am feeling things out right now.  

The LIT Conference is coming up this coming weekend.  If you read this blog, then guess what, you get to go for free.  I don't care if you live in Jax. or not.  Fee will be leading worship and DecembeRadio will put on a great southern rock n' roll concert.  Cody Deese will be speaking and several other speakers and worship leaders.  Again, if you want to come just send me an email or leave a comment here, and let me know.  I am excited to see friends and met new ones next weekend.  Speaking of church-related areas.  I found a new church that I am excited about.  It is called Church at Chets Creek.  Still checking it out, seeing how it goes.  

Be in prayer for the Brazil Mission Team from St. Andrew Baptist Church in Panama City, FL.  They are in Brazil, safely, and are beginning their week of missions.  I know my boy, Mark Bateman, was a little worried about the travel, but it looks like everything is ok so far.  

To my P-City peeps, miss you all, and I will be back September 11-13.  

Peace,

J.

I Am In Duval...

Well, I just unpacked everything in my new apartment in Jacksonville.  And, when I say unpack, I mean boxes are littered throughout and the place and will be there for a while.  I am excited that the Comcast people will be hooking up some HD goodness tomorrow.  Mark Bateman taught me the goodness of HD television.  Gator football will be glorious this year.  I am very tired right now, but I had some Dunkin' Doughnuts coffee and am catching my second wind.  I was driving around j-ville tonight, and I just smiled because I feel like I am back home.  It is good to be back.  Work will, of course, hit me in the face on Monday, and I will come back down to earth.  I am excited to not be reporting to Roy Smith on Monday.  It feels really good to be excited to go to work.  Well, no one is excited to go to work, but I know I won't get harassed by my new boss.  The new apartment is actually bigger than my old one in Panama City.  I didn't think it was, but I was wrong.  Once we put all my stuff in there, I still had plenty of room left.  If anyone comes to visit, there will be room for you.  No long stays though, or I will have to charge.  Just kidding...but seriously...gotta pay rent.  Aight', I'm going to go watch First Coast News (in Live Oak it's now news, we treat it like reality t.v.).  Talk to you all soon.  

j.

Packing...

Well, this post is pretty much for Kim Bateman.  She has been sending comments about my lack of blogs.  So, I figured I would drop in and type of a little something.  

I am officially moving to Jacksonville, FL this Saturday (7/12/08).  This will probably come as a shock to no one that reads this because you already knew that I was leaving the Panama City area.  It is sad and happy all at the same time for me.  I am happy to be leaving Gulf Coast Community College because it has made me miserable for the past year.  Let me be clear though, it is not the school that made me miserable, it would be my ex-boss.  And, if you know my situation then you know who he is and what he has done.  The people at Gulf Coast are wonderful people and I will miss them.  The sad news is leaving my college students at St. Andrew Baptist Church and all the friends that I will be leaving in Panama City.  Mark, Kim, Stacey, Ryan, Lee, Northstar Small Group Peeps, etc.  The good thing is that we have the world wide web to communicate with each other.  I'm also now pretty regular on Facebook.  I don't have to worry about what my layout is like on Facebook, and I like that.  I will be continuing on in music in Jacksonville.  I'm going to make some calls and see what I can get rolling over there.  I am also going to continue my education and receive a master's degree while I am in Jacksonville (God willing).  Well, I need to go back to packing, which by the way I detest.  Leave me a comment, let me know what's up, and I will talk to you all soon, hopefully.

j.  

Sick Time...

I'm typing this and talking to my sister on the phone, so this could be an interesting post (and yes, Becky, I was listening to you).  I took the past two days off of work because I have been fighting a sinus infection.  I hate being sick, but I don't care too much for my current job right now, so things evened out for me.  

Last night was the season finale of LOST.  If you do not watch this show...shame.  If you haven't been with the show since the first season, then you are probably completely lost on what is happening.  It was a great 2 hours of excitement, drama, and action.  My favorite character, Ben, made it through alive, so hopefully he will be around for the end.  

In just a few weeks, I should know what is going to happen for the next few years of my life.  That's all I can say about that as of now on the world wide web.

I'm continuing to work on a young adult novel.  It will center around a boy named Cotton Woods.  So far, everything that I have mapped out looks really good, but I'll see what happens once the story goes forward and the writing process really begins.  

I hope that all six of my readers are doing well, and that life is treating you to the fullest.  As summer begins, remember, if you are as white as I am, put on some SPF 100.  

I want to encourage you all to go out and buy Francis Chan's new book "Crazy Love".  In the book, Francis talks about how we really need to build up the church because he is tired of people saying the church is the reason that people don't want to know more about God; instead, just admit that God is the reason you don't want a closer relationship with Christ.  Good read, check it out.

Peace,

j.w.r.

PT Cruisers and Blizzards...

Ok, I am sitting here in my hotel room completely exhausted.  I have been up since 6:30 am and it is currently 10:45 m eastern time.  My flight this morning was smooth.  I believe it was the first time a flight that I have been on was actually early.  My rental car ended up being a...everyone say it with me...a PT Cruiser.  Listen, I'm not going to dog the Chrysler people..ok, who am I kidding, yes I am.  PT Cruisers are terrible.  If you own one, love it, have even given it a special nick-name, then I apologize, but this is the second time that I have had one of these vehicles as my rental car.  Terrible blind-spots, no get up and go, and this one was actually a smokers vehicle.  I'm not going to continue to rant.  I'll just leave it alone and finish with saying that Chrysler needs to rethink the Cruiser.  Because cruiser it is not...

Saturday, May 10, 2008 I will be singing at Katie Silcox's wedding.  I have stated that before, but I did not know that I would be flying back to Panama City Saturday morning.  Katie does not know that I am doing that, so if she reads this then, sorry Katie.  I should get back to P-City in the morning, so I can take a nap and get to the wedding.  

Sunday is Gulf Coast's graduation, in which it is mandatory that I attend.  I loathe having to go to graduation.  It is long, boring, usually hot, and did I mention boring?  No Sunday afternoon nap ritual, which is horrific.  

By the way, I had a chocolate chip blizzard tonight and it could possibly be one of the best I have ever had.  It definitely met the standards of my former Live Oak Blizzards.  I suggest everyone go and get a blizzard.  Treat yourself.  Hot Eats, Cool Treats.  DQ.  Nuff said.  

Dear Dairy Queen,

My now 6, count them 6, readers will be coming to visit your glorious store soon.  Please send me blizzard coupons as a thank you sometime.  

Your Fan,

Jrob

See you all later.  If you are going to be at the wedding tomorrow, I will see you then.  If you attend SABC, I'll see you Sunday.  If you live in Daphne, AL...well, we'll just have to see.  Ah, yes, iChat.

peace,

j.

Ahhh, May...

Is it May already?  Actually, to be honest, I feel like April lasted long enough.  Time to be refreshed with a new month, and a new start.  This coming week will probably be the busiest of the 2008 year for me.  I have many events to host for the college, I have my church duties for SABC, I am flying somewhere this weekend for a night, and then I am singing at Katie Silcox's wedding on Saturday.  On a side-note, congrats Katie on your soon-to-be marriage.  For my closest of friends you know where I will be going later this week.  For everyone else, be in prayer that my week is smooth and somewhat stress free.  Also, be in prayer for a 10 minute presentation that I have to make this week.  It may be the most important presentation of my life.  We'll just have to see.  

Since my stomach is killing me right now, I will tell you all, don't eat at Triple J's.  Even though you would think everything would be great there since it boasts my name in it's title, think again.  Grilled chicken sandwich and onion rings were a bad choice.

I should be asleep right now, but I'm hoping that typing in this blog will make me dreary enough to fall into la la land.  It's sad, but I already feel a nap coming on for tomorrow afternoon after work.  

Here's a random thought.  You know in movies when people come over for a dinner party or housewarming, etc. and bring a certain beverage as a gift?  Look at my pic. for this blog and you will know what to always bring to my pad.  Diet, the post-college drink.  Enjoy regular sugar-filled while you can....

Back to May.  May is a month that signals the end of some things for people, and the beginning for others.  I've always enjoyed May.  Everything is in full bloom (sorry allergy people, I am one too).  Warm enough to swim, even though some people have been doing that since March.  My golf game starts warming up.  And, we celebrate our mothers.  Since I know my madre checks this blog out, "Hey, Mom!"  Thanks for being the 5th reader.  I'm on top of searching for your gift this year, and I suggest the rest of my 4 readers do the same for their moms.

peace,

j.

Pike Place Roast

Ok, if you know me, you know I am a lover of Dunkin' Doughnuts coffee, but Starbucks is fast closing the gap with their new Pike Place Roast Coffee.  It is delicious and I believe it has an exorbitant amount of caffeine in it (which is a good thing).  I had a Venti Pike tonight, and I am not sure if I will be able to sleep at all.  Actually, tonight would be a good night to stay up all night, but that thing called work gets in the way.  

Tomorrow night, I have to do a College Workshop 101 in Franklin County.  This would be fine and dandy if my boss would allow me some comp-time.  That would mean that I would be able to either come in late the next day or leave early the day of the event.  But, my boss would rather have his employees fall into a coma at work than be productive workers.  

Here's a random thought...I would like to be snow-skiing right now.  I realize it is about to be summer, but I have not been skiing in quite a while and miss it terribly.  I'll go watch a movie with snow in it and make myself happy.  This paragraph was sponsored by Too Much Caffeine In My System.

This weekend, one word:  Ironman

Book it.

Or I might go to Live Oak (home town) and try to play golf with my bro, Phillip "P-diddy" Herrington.  

I'm close to making a life decision soon.  Will keep my 4 readers updated.  

Live.

Love.

Life.

Good.

Jesus.

Famous.

Holy.

Beloved.

Chosen.

I am not.

Peace.

j.

p.s. - Pic. is of my newest nephew, Jonathan Gabriel Milstead, or as I call him, "Jonny Gab", and then you have my other nephew, James "j-mil" Milstead throwing up a peace-out sign.  Those kids are as cool as it gets.

Quick Blog-ette

Just wanted to write something before I read some, then head off to bed.  I was just thinking today about all the great people that come and go in your life, and the time you wish you had to spend with them.  This thought began today when I saw I had a missed call from one of the funniest people I know, Frankie Lopez.  Frank "the tank" Lopez now lives in Louisville, KY, so it is pretty tough to hang out.  I remember the times Frank, myself, Stacey, Ben, and Matt P. would spend just laughing for hours, watching really cheesy Kung-Fu movies.  One of my best buds, Chad McLeod lives in Orlando, and we haven't had the chance to hang out in quite a while.  Lee Baker is an inspiration in my life, and he and I are both extremely busy all the time.  

My point in all this is, even though I may not be able to see these people all the time, or talk on the phone for hours, I know I have the assurance that I will be able to spend eternity with these fine fellows in Heaven.  Just another great reason to smile, and praise Jesus for being so good to us.  If Frankie reads this, I'll call you back.  

Also, be in prayer for me.  I have some major life decisions ahead of me.  I feel pretty good about what path lies in front of me, which is pretty cool, since I am usually a nervous wreck in major life decisions.  

May all of you who attend worship services in the morning have an awesome time worshiping the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Chain Breaker, Shame Bearer, Neverending God.

Leave some comments, let me know what's up.

Peace,

j.

More Than Meets The Eye...

Jrob:  Worshiper, Recruiter, now...Kitten Rescuer.  You are reading that right!  Today at work I heard the cries of a small kitten at Gulf Coast Community College and rescued  it.  I can't take the glory though, because my student ambassador Eric "Germ" Reece took the kitten home to feed it, nurture it, and raise it to become a fully responsible adult.  Now that's what I call a day at the office, lol.  

Jesus is so good to us.  The weather this week has been absolutely amazing.  I believe the older I get the more I appreciate the beauty of nature and the outdoors.  When you look around on a picture perfect, sunny Florida day, you can see Jesus in everything.  My week has been very long and I am very tired, but I know that Jesus has been with me the whole way through.  

I attended the Passion '08 Atlanta Regional this year, and one of the many things that I walked away with was talking to Jesus, my Savior, every chance that I get.  In the shower, driving to work (with red bull in tow), during meetings, right before I go to bed.  Having constant communication with Christ makes life that much sweeter, because it doesn't matter how bad a day you have had, or how many times your teacher, boss, parent, etc. have yelled at you, you know that Jesus is never going to leave your side.  I love knowing that tidbit of information, and I hope that you do as well.  

I'm going to head out for the night (bed), but will be blogging to you again soon.  I want to post a pic. on here, but don't know what I have saved, so I'll see what I have.  

peace,

j.

First Blog

I was sitting at my desk at work and decided to become a blogger. This is the first of hopefully many to come. I may have guest bloggers, or it may just be me the whole time. I will share good music, stories, and life in general. Stay tuned....jwr