OCTOBER :: How'd I do?

At the beginning of the month I posted a few things I hoped to accomplish in October.  I felt like the year was flying by and I had barely made any progress of my New Year's Resolution.

Here's how I did in October :: 

A Healthy Lifestyle.

I was the best at this goal.  I made a conscious effort to eat clean.  I packed my lunch everyday and meal prepped for the week.  I did have some slip-ups, but overall I'm happy with my effort.  I also feel so much better.  It's amazing what taking control of your habits can do for you!  I also bought a NutriBullet!!!!! Can't wait to use this baby!

Be a consistant blogger.

Well, with this post I will have posted once more than I did last month, so that's a start.  It's still not where I want to be though.  I have some posts saved in drafts that are a little more vulnerable than I'm ready to be.... Here's to being a better blogger in November!

Take the GRE/Apply to Grad School.

I've started the application process.  I'm still scared to GRE, I don't know why though!  I'm getting it done in November though, for sure!!!

Read.

I re-read Catching Fire this month since the movie comes out at the end of November.  So here's to reading a few more this month.  I also want to find a way to organize all of my books.  I want a cute bookshelf or to display some on a table or something, ya know, like you see on Pinterest.  I don't have the room for that now, soon though, hopefully soon!

Did you have goals for October?  How'd you do?

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Game to Watch :: Week 9

Oh mannn, this game has been getting a lot of hype this week.  Traditionally the Alabama- Tennessee rivalry is known as "The Third Saturday in October".  Historically, one program will dominate the rivalry for years and then the tables will turn for the next few years and continue the vicious cycle.  As you could predict, Alabama is on their winning streak, winning the last 6 games against Tennessee. 

Tennessee is a program that is slowly, but surely rebuilding "Brick by Brick".  They've struggled the past few years, but I honestly think that Coach Butch Jones is the perfect guy to turn things around on ole Rocky Top.  The Vols have shown their hard work and improvement over the last few weeks after being so close to upsetting, then ranked #6, Georgia and coming out on top over a ranked South Carolina team.  This is the first time the Vols have defeated top ranked opponents in years.    It's going to take time, but they're doing it, and I'm so excited to see the program transform.

Everyone knows Alabama is the Power House team.  Not only in the SEC, but throughout the country.  (I don't think Oregon gets enough credit, but that's a whole other issue entirely!)  They're back to back National Champions and undefeated, so far, this season. 

As much as I want to see continued success for Tennessee, I don't think the Vols can pull off the upset against the force-to-be-reckoned-with in Tuscaloosa.  I really hope I'm wrong though!


What games are you excited to watch this weekend!  It's sure to be a great fall, football weekend!


I'm going to have to DVR this game because I'll be at the Rutgers Homecoming game!!  Ru Rah Rah!! ;)

Linking up with Sarah for Fan Friday!

Game to Watch :: Week 8

This week the leaders in the ACC face off as #5 Florida State travels to #3 Clemson.  The teams are a great match-up on both sides of the ball, making it the game to watch this week!  Both quarterbacks have had a stellar season, thus far, but Tahj Boyd has experience over Freshman quarterback, Jameis Winston (FSU), which could ultimately be the difference in the game.  Clemson has the advantage of Death Valley, where no opposing freshman quarterback has won since 2007. 

Don't miss this game! 

I also wrote a preview of the UCLA @ Stanford game this week for Project CFB.  Check it out! :)

Which games will you be watching?  Who are you rooting for?

Music Review :: Chris Young, A.M.

I fell in love with Chris Young after I purchased his last album, Neon.  I couldn't stop listening to it.  I have an obsessive nature with things that I love, as if you didn't already know that.  I have a habit of listening to songs non stop for days.  And right now it's Chris Young's newest album, A.M., that's on repeat!!  It's not like anything he's ever done before.

This album is full of energy and sure to get you moving to the music. Some of the lyrics are wonderfully sad, but somehow they make my heart happy!!  I just feel the songs.  I know I'm crazy but Chris Young just has a way of speaking to me.  I felt the same way after Neon.  I only know him through his songs and what he sings about.  I mean if a guy was like the way Chris Young portrays himself in his songs, I would probably fall in love. I loveee his deep, twangy voice- it literally makes me weak in the knees!  I often wonder how he's single.  I met him once and he was just the nicest.  He hung out with us back stage and didn't act like a celebrity though most of the country artists I've met haven't acted like that either. 

Seriously, though.  Check out this album.  You won't be disappointed.  

Here are my favorite songs from the album and trust me, it was hard to limit it.  Definitely listen to the entire thing.  Do you love Chris Young as much as I do?  What do you think of A.M.?  And wouldn't you know it, that as soon as I figure out this whole grooveshark thing, they don't have the songs I need to make this playlist.  I didn't feel like uploading them and doing all that jazz, so here's links to YouTube versions...  

Hold You To It

Lonely Eyes

A.M. 
Nothin' But the Cooler Left

Forgiveness

Game to Watch :: Week 7

I'm sure you could have guessed that my game to watch this week is Rutgers' biggest rivalry game for the season!!!  Tonight the Scarlet Knights take on the Louisville Cardinals at Papa John's stadium for what is potentially the end of a rivalry.  This is the last time the teams will meet as conference rivals in the American Athletic Conference, formerly the Big East.  Next year Rutgers moves on to the Big Ten, while Louisville will become part of the ACC.

The rivalry between Rutgers and Louisville really took off after the Scarlet Knights upset the Cardinals, then ranked #4 with BCS potential, with a score of 28-25 in 2006.  This is considered the greatest win in Rutgers school history.  Since then Rutgers has only beaten Louisville twice in 2008 and 2009.  The 2012 loss to the Cardinals was a devastating one.

This year, Rutgers defense has struggled against NFL level quarterbacks like Carr (Fresno State) and Gilbert (SMU), where both teams put up 50+ points.  Teddy Bridgewater is a potential #1 draft pick as well as Heisman candidate, which spells trouble for the Scarlet Knight's defense.  In Rutgers favor, Louisville's leading receiver, DeVante Parker, may be out due to a right shoulder injury.  Though the Cardinals have a lot of depth at wide reciever, it will force them to play untested players into the line up on a short week.  This is Louisville and Teddy Bridgewater's first true test of the season and possibly without a key player.

The last six times these schools played each other the games were decided by three points or less.  Will Rutgers be able to keep the streak of a close and exciting game alive, especially with the end of the rivalry in sight?

All I'm saying is::

Side note:  Obviously I'm wearing red and black today to support RU.  It's a shame Louisville has the same colors.  I tried to take an outfit picture and it didn't work out.   It's definitely more difficult than it looks.  Props to fashion bloggers....

Go here for more posts about everything Rutgers is to me!!!  :)  

Happy Gameday, folks!!

Who are you rooting for this week?  What games are you excited about?!

Music Review :: Keith Urban, Fuse

via

I've always been a huge Keith Urban fan!  To this day, he is one of the best concerts I've ever been to!  I remember being on cloud nine for like a week after the first time I saw him.  He's seriously that good.  Some of my all time favorite songs are by Keith too (& yes, we're on a first name basis!). 

circa 2009

Keith Urban recently (I know I'm a little behind) released his new album, Fuse.  And of course, the album does not disappoint, in fact, it may be his best yet!!!  Keith combines heart-felt, fun, mid tempo, sequences with his crazy good musical/instrumental abilities.  I love how Keith Urban experiments and takes chances without losing his sound.  No matter what, it's recognizable and I like that about him as an artist.  He stays true.  And with this album, more than ever, his vocals are a prominent component to the songs.  I'm head over heals for this album.

We Were Us, with Miranda Lambert, is by far my favorite song, with these others falling not far behind.  The whole album is worth every penny and was definitely worth the three year wait!

Have you listened to the album yet?  Do you love it?

Today I start sponsoring my very first blog friend, Erin!  I'm so excited to be a part of her blog for a little while and I'm so grateful for the way she's welcomed me into blog world!  Make sure to check her out! 

Game to Watch :: Week 6

First of all, I want to announce that I am the newest Staff Writer for a College Football blog, Project CFB!!!  My first article is live today, so check it out! :)

And now for my Game to Watch.

If you clicked on the link to my article above you'll see that I wrote about the match up between Michigan and Minnesota in the battle for the "Little Brown Jug", but I think the real Game to Watch this week is going to be Ohio vs Northwestern.  Ohio is a powerhouse team, no doubt about it, but I'd like to see someone shake them up a bit.  Maybe Northwestern is that team.  And if nothing else, this video they made is AWESOME!!!!

Also, If you haven't already, check out my post from Wednesday about my College Football Experiences so far this season.  Lots of tailgating and spirit going on over there! :)

Linking up with Sarah for Fan Friday! :)

Mood Changers

 We all have off/ bad days and yesterday was one for me.  I can't put my finger on what exactly it was but I literally just wanted to go home and go to bed.  Obviously I didn't do that.  I don't think I've gone to bed before 10 o'clock since l was in the 6th grade.  But here are some things that changed my mood around...

I am obsessed with Duck Dynasty.  Honestly this is new for me.  I never thought I'd loveeeee a show about rednecks with big, hairy beards, who hunt anything and everything.  But I do.  They're literally hilarious.  I don't remember what got me to start watching.  But the fact that 11.8 million some odd people watched the premier of the season is a little intriguing, regardless, I'm hooked.  Within minutes of starting any episode I am hysterically laughing.  It was a total mood changer and I was instantly laughing and happy!  :) 

Side note:  The first time I made my dad watch it he said if I don't laugh within the first 10 minutes, I'm changing it.  He laughed.  and laughed again.  He isn't as hooked as I am, but he'll watch it.  My mom is just as obsessed as I am. 

Music can usually cure anything for me... Happy, listen to music.  Sad, listen to music.  Mad, listen to music.  While listening to Pandora, Keith Urban's new single, We Were Us with Miranda Lambert came on and I found myself moving to the beat and smiling.  The beat, the contrast of Miranda and Keith, the lyrics.  It changed my mood.  I loved that song the first time I heard it and now love it even more.  I will be doing a complete review on Keith Urban's new album Fuse, very soon, so stay tuned!

 

Like I said, there was nothing in particular that put me in my little funk yesterday, maybe it was a number of things piling up.   But this morning I had a nice email from a friend complimenting and encouraging me, which was so nice!  Then, I got to the office and had a nice note from one of my bosses in my inbox.  It was random and he was just letting me know that he appreciated me.  It was extremely thoughtful of him and definitely brightened the start of today even more!

Do you watch Duck Dynasty?! What are some mood changers for you?!

5 Weeks, 4 Stadiums, 9 Teams

It's no secret how much I love College Football.  In the first 5 weeks of the 2013 College Football Season I have gone to 5 games, in 4 different stadiums and watched 9 different teams play!  This is the type of thing that makes every girl extremely happy, right?  Well it definitely is for me!  And every experience/game was so wonderful!

Week One.  Georgia Dome.  Alabama vs Virginia Tech.

I went to the Chick-fil-A Bowl Kick-off Game and watched Alabama's sub-par performance, but ultimately beat Virginia Tech.  I worked with the Communications Department in the Press Box of the game and served as the liaison to the University of Alabama Sports Information staff.  Literally, for someone who wants to work in sports, this was amazing!!!!  Read more about it here.

Week Two. High Points Solutions Stadium.  Rutgers vs Norfolk.

I went to the Rutgers home opener against Norfolk State where the Scarlet Knights blew the Spartans away 38-0.  It was so much fun to be tailgating with my friends and family again.  My family has season tickets and always does a great tailgate.  It was definitely the start of football season, fall and everything that goes along with it.  I love being back on the Rutgers campus and wish I was still there sometimes.

Week Three.  Beaver Stadium.  Penn State vs UCF.

My sister is a freshman at Penn State and great family friends of ours go there/went there/ are die hard fans.  We planned this weekend trip to State College, PA back in February.  No joke.  We had a Mega-tailgate.  The tailgate was 10 cars wide, had about 60-75 people and started at 10 a.m. for a 6 o'clock kick-off.  WE. DON'T. MESS. AROUND.  Most importantly, it was great to see my sister and spend the weekend with life-long, childhood friends.

The picture on the left is us in 1994.  My youngest sister, the freshman in college, wasn't even born yet!!

Week Four.  High Point Solutions Stadium.  Rutgers vs Arkansas.

Like I said, my family goes to every Rutgers home game and loves a good tailgate.  This tailgate was even bigger than the one for Norfolk State.  We started early, played way too many drinking games and cheered for the Scarlet Knights as they beat Arkansas, 28-24.  I know it's only Arkansas, but it's still fun that RU beat an SEC team!!

Week Five.  Sanford Stadium.  Georgia vs LSU.

OMG!!! This was the best College Football experience I have ever had & technically my first SEC game!!!  I've been to a numberrrr of college campuses over the years and this is, by far, the most beautiful one I've ever been too.  Not only that, the town of Athens is just amazing.  I was literally in awe!  And that was just Friday.  Then Saturday came and that love and infatuation from Friday just grew.  I went to the set of ESPN College GameDay and watched the hype and production of a show I've been a fan of, live!  It was so much fun being there for that.  The atmosphere in Athens on game day was unbelievable.  There was never a dull moment during the game either.  Both UGA and LSU played great offense, but the lack of defense is what made it such a high scoring, nail-biter of a game!  The Dawgs came out on top over the Tigers, 44-41, and the stadium went nuts!!!  WHAT A GAME and great win for UGA.  Go Dawgs, Sic 'Em!

I'm working on taking one more road trip this season (maybe two) on top of going to the rest of the Rutgers home games for the season!!!  So stay tuned for that!  :)

October is a New Month

Yup, it's a new month.  A new starting point.  I feel like time is literally flying by.  How is it already October?  I feel like there are so many things that I've been working on or wanting to do and just haven't dedicated the necessary time to it.  So there's a few things I hope to make time for and accomplish in October...

A Healthy Lifestyle.

I was doing so well with clean eating and exercising regularly and then summer got busy and I didn't dedicate the time to it.  That ends now.  This needs to be my top priority.  I need to be healthy for myself and for my future.  It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle change.  It needs to become a habit, second nature.  Maybe I'll post some recipes or workouts?!  

Be a consistant blogger.

I was on a roll with continuously posting and engaging with readers and other bloggers.  Then work got nuts with a huge event I was planning and I was working on a few side projects.  I want to plan ahead for things like this.  I don't want to have those lulls in my blog.

Take the GRE/Apply to Grad School.

I've made a decision that I want to go to grad school.  I think it's an appropriate next step in order to see my career go in the direction I want.  So here goes nothing.  I've been studying, admittedly not as much as I probably should be, and I'm eager to take the GRE and get the application process underway!  I already know the top few schools I want to apply to, so keep your fingers crossed for me. 

Read. 

I have a ton of books I want to read.  This summer, I didn't read as much as I wanted to and the list continued to grow.  Here's to finishing the one(s) I've started, plus some!  I love hard copy books as opposed to e-books.  I love the smell and being able to hold it and turn the page.  Is this weird?  Whatever.  I hope to have a room full of all different kinds of books in my future house.  

October is my favorite month because of Fall, Football, and everything else that comes with this wonderful season!!  So here's to becoming a better me this October... :)