2013 in Review!

As today is the last day of the year, I wanted to take this time to look back on a year of ups and downs, but more importantly what was truly a year of wonderful experiences, that I am truly grateful for!

I rang in 2013 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming on a ski vacation with 2 of my college roommates!

In February, I went to Mardi Gras in New Orleans with 2 of my cousins.  It was one of the most fun, wild and culturally thrilling experiences of my life!  I highly recommend everyone putting this on their bucket list!

In March, I went to Chicago for the first time with one of my college roommates to visit another for her birthday!

Besides celebrating my 23rd Birthday, April was uneventful!

In May, I took my dad to the Kentucky Derby!  We drove to Louisville and were able to visit with dear friends of ours.  Horse racing is one of our favorite things and it was awesome to be able to experience such an iconic event for the first time with him!  I highly recommend this as well!

In June, I was on stage with Brad Paisley and my youngest sister graduated from high school.  

In July, I had the honor of attending the SEC Media Days as a Media Relations Assistant.  I also went on vacation with my family (which apparently I didn't blog about) and a Royal Baby was born!  July was a big month! :) 

In August, I completed the Jersey Girl Triathlon for the second time and kicked off the football season as a Media Assistant at the Chick-fil-A Bowl Kick-off Game and served as a liaison to the University of Alabama.  Again, awesome!

In September, I went on a few College Football Adventures to Penn State and The University of Georgia!  I also went to a few Rutgers Games.  

In October, I went to more Rutgers games and we also threw my dad a surprise 50th Birthday Party!  None of which I blogged about!

In November, I went to even more Rutgers games and celebrated Thanksgiving with my family!

And finally in December, I got offered a job in Marketing with the Athletic Department at the University of Louisiana at Monroe and also got accepted into their graduate program.  It's been a month of joyous Christmas celebrations and tearful "See You Later"s, but I am so excited and blessed for this opportunity!  I'm moving this Friday, but plan to post more about this and my new life in Louisiana!

2013 was a year of many firsts and a year of many wonderful and unforgettable experiences!  With that, I am so excited and ready for 2014.  I am excited for my new life as I move below the Mason Dixon, start a new job and start working towards my masters degree!

But for now, I'm off to NYC to ring in the New Year with my friends!  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I Still Believe in Santa

I saw Santa every year growing up.  Not just the mall Santa, the actual Santa delivering gifts on Christmas Eve.

Every year we spend Christmas Eve with my dad's side of the family- we exchange gifts, eat dinner, sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus, walk to church and then have to drive the hour back home before Santa comes.  We would usually get home pretty late which meant Santa was waiting for us to get to bed quick!  Sometimes we would "catch Santa in the act" or see him walking down the street to his sleigh! (We didn't have a fire place/chimney so our parents used to tell us that he parked at the end of the street and would come through the door.) Whenever he would see us he would run away, we would freak out, my sister would cry and we would hurry to bed!  This happened every year!  Literally, it wasn't always the same way, but we saw him.  

This is what had me believing long after the "normal age" of believing but how could you not when you actually saw the man every year on Christmas Eve?!  

Sixth grade was my first year at the middle school and even though it wasn't the cool thing to do, I still believed in Santa!  I heard a lot of other kids talking about how he wasn't real and yada yada yada, but they didn't know what I knew! So I became a little skeptical but didn't want to risk not getting presents by not believing in him!

That Christmas was the last one that I truly believed in Santa Claus (cause I still believe in the Magic of Christmas and even at 23 I'm told if you don't believe, you don't receive!)

It wasn't until after Christmas that it was confirmed that Santa "wasn't real".  I had picked up on things throughout the season, like when my sister got something from Santa that I could have sworn I saw my mom buy or that the wrapping paper looked very familiar.  But the icing on the cake was when we went on a Ski Trip the days following Christmas.  We were with a few other families and this one kid that was about 7 years younger than me had gotten a "cool" computer-like toy (kinda like a leap frog pad or whatever those things were).  All the kids his age loved the toy and I knew he had gotten it from Santa.  Then I heard the other moms ask where the boy's mom had gotten the toy and when she answered, I knew!

This brought tons of confusion.  How was I seeing him every year late at night on Christmas Eve?  Who was the Santa I saw walking down the street, running through my back yard, jumping on my trampoline, and even running from my house and leaving the back door open?  I found out that Santa was one of my mom's brothers.  Every year, before they had kids of their own, they (and my grandparents) slept over my house to be there when we opened presents on Christmas morning!  Before they came over one of my uncles would play Santa for us.  

Now that my sisters and I are older,  my dad plays Santa for my littler cousins.  We rush back from our Christmas Eve festivities so that they get to experience the excitement (and sometimes tears) of seeing Santa on Christmas Eve.  This tradition still gets me giddy about Christmas, makes me believe every year and definitely makes me feel like a kid again.

So even though Santa isn't "real", I still believe!  I still believe in the magic of Christmas!

 How did you find out Santa wasn't real?  Or what are some of your Christmas traditions?!

Merry Christmas!  Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy, and joyous holiday season! :)

Country Music Favorites of the Year

This was a great year for country music.  A lot of great artists released albums or singles.  There were a ton of tours to catch as they rolled from city to city and there were a bunch of great new-comers to the genre.  In my opinion, these are the best albums, songs, and shows of Country Music in 2013!  

1.  GOLDEN, Lady Antebellum (Hands Down favorite/best album of the year!)

2.  Caught In The Act: Live, Eric Church  (One of the best live albums, ever!)

3.  Pioneer, The Band Perry (Still can't believe I didn't write about this one!  It's awesome!)

4.  Fuse, Keith Urban (We Were Us may be my favorite song of the year!!!)

5. A.M., Chris Young

1.  I Drive Your Truck, Lee Brice

2.  All Kinds of Kinds, Miranda Lambert

3.  Running Outta Moonlight, Randy Houser

4.  Southern Girl, Tim McGraw

5.  Sure Be Cool If You Did, Blake Shelton

6. Hey Pretty Girl, Kip Moore

7.  Crash My Party, Luke Bryan
 8.  Redneck Crazy, Tyler Farr

9.  Whatever She's Got, David Nail

10. When She Says Baby, Jason Aldean (obsessed with this entire album, released in 2012)

(I purposely left songs off of this list that are found on my favorite albums of the year.  It should be a given that those are my favorite songs of the year!)

Kenny Chesney, No Shoes Nation Tour

 This year I didn't go to as many concerts as I usually go to.  I'm not really sure why that is, but I guess it just didn't work out.  I thought long and hard about this because although The Day I Was On Stage With Brad Paisley was by far one of the best experiences of my life, I have to say that the Kenny Chesney Concert was the best show I saw this year! Eric Church definitely added a little something extra to the show!  Kenny and Eric are very different but worked great together on this tour to make it one hell of a night for their fans!  I can't wait until I can see each of them again!

What are your favorites in Country Music this year, or just music in general?

I'm linking up with Helene for The Best Songs of 2013! :)

Holiday Favorites

(Excuse the sloppy edges.)  Loving the entire OPI Mariah Carey Holiday Collection.  I bought My Favorite Ornament and love it.  Might have to go back to get more! Click here for a few I did last year!

What are some of your favorite things this holiday season?!

If I Had A Heisman Trophy Vote

The Heisman Trophy is the "Most Prestigious Award in College Football".  According to the Heisman Trophy website, "The Heisman Memorial Trophy annually recognizes the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work. The Heisman Trophy Trust ensures the continuation and integrity of this award."  

The winner is not only a fantastic football player, but also someone with great character and integrity.  It is and should always be an award given to an admirable player both on and off the field.  There is a high level of prestige and honor that comes along with the Heisman Trophy, an award to not be taken lightly by voters, candidates, winners and even fans.

The Heisman Trophy Ceremony is tomorrow, Saturday, December 14th.  This year's six Heisman Finalists are:

Jordan Lynch, Northern Illinois University

Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M University

Tre Mason, Auburn University

AJ McCarron, University of Alabama

Andre Williams, Boston College

Jameis Winston, Florida State University

Jameis Winston has been a stand out candidate for the trophy from the beginning of the season.  The red-shirt freshman Quarterback has put up ridiculous numbers and beaten all of his opponents by an average 40-something points.  The odds that he won't be our Heisman Trophy winner are extremely slim.  I heard (aka, saw on Twitter) that you have to bet $150 in order to win $1.  Jameis Winston definitely deserves the Heisman Trophy for his efforts on the field, there's no doubt about it.  But what about off the field.  What about his character and integrity, things that are more important in a man than his football statistics. 

Jameis Winston was recently accused of rape.  It was pretty clear, to me and to everyone else who cares, that the Heisman Trophy voters were waiting/hoping for a decision to be made in Jameis Winston's sexual assault case before casting their ballots.  Understood.  Why would you vote for someone who's just going to get the trophy taken away soon anyway. (See also: Reggie Bush)  What a waste.  So when I tuned into the press conference held by the Florida State Attorney last Thursday (December 5th) I was thinking Jameis Winston was either going to be our Heisman Trophy Winner or he was going to jail.  Pretty opposite extremes, but it was the truth.  As I continued to watch the press conference I grew more confused and uncomfortable.  There was a lot of snark, smiles and laughter for such a serious matter.  It was like after they announced that Winston would not be charged, the rest didn't matter.  I felt the prosecutor was proud of the fact that he did not know that Heisman ballots were due in the coming days and that Winston was a potential favorite as if not to give preferential treatment to an athlete, when in fact, that's his duty.  The whole things seems a bit fishy to me.

The attorney said that there was not enough evidence to prove that he did rape the girl, meaning there is a chance that he did.  I guess the whole innocent until proven guilty thing comes into play here, but I have to question the character and integrity of a man (boy, really.  He's only 19) that is being accused of rape.  I wouldn't vote for Jameis Winston because the mission of the Heisman Trophy clearly states, "outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity".

The Heisman trophy needs to go to an admirable player both on and off the field!  That may not always be the actual case, but that's what is supposed to happen.  So what about the other finalists, or perhaps some that didn't make the cut?  My top 4 candidates for the Heisman Trophy would be: Johnny Manziel, Tre Mason, Aaron Murray and AJ McCarron.  

Johnny Manziel was the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner and a very deserving one.  He is an exciting player to watch.  Maybe the most exciting in all of college football.  I may not agree with his actions but you can't knock his playing style.  He can make an 11 yard run look like the run of the year!  Numbers wise, he had an even better 2013 season than he did in 2012, but I would not give him the trophy again this year in part due to his irresponsible actions in the off season.  

Aaron Murray is an outstanding QB dispute his team's overall record.  I think if the UGA defense was better or if they hadn't suffered so many injuries this season we'd be having a totally different conversation about the University of Georgia right now!  But the team's record doesn't make Aaron Murray any less of a quarterback.  He put up record-breaking numbers this season and still deserves recognition after his season-ending torn ACL the second to last game of the season.  I already told you he is a wonderful QB and from what I can see he is an all around wonderful guy!  Check out this string of tweets from Heisman voter, Gene Sapakoff, on why he would have voted for Aaron Murray if Jameis Winston was guilty and charged with rape.  Very Compelling.  

 

But, if I had a Heisman Trophy vote, I'd vote for AJ McCarron.  I know the stats are for the current year, but the kid is a great football player and quarterback with 2 championships, 3 losses, and only 13 interceptions.  For his career.  He handles himself well in all situations that I've seen.  He knows he is a leader and a role model and does not take that role lightly.  He is a fantastic football player and if this story doesn't prove his character and integrity, I don't know what does! 


So who deserves the most prestigious award in college football?  Who would have your vote for the Heisman Trophy?

Linking up with Sarah for Fan Friday!

National Championship Predictions

As sad as it is, this week is the last time we will have BCS standings, ever.  It's the last time College Football players, coaches, and fans will anxiously await their "fate".  Next year College Football adopts a playoff system starting with 4 teams.  Those 4 teams will play for their spot in the National Championship Game.  This weekend is the last time the National Championship contenders will be determined by "campaigning" and votes.  College Football is changing, in some ways for the better and others for the worse, but regardless of opinion, it's really the end of an era.

There are currently 5 teams in contention for the No. 1 and No. 2 spots in College Football and a shot at the National Championship Trophy.  Those teams are:

#1 FSU          

#2 Ohio State

#3 Auburn    

#4 Alabama  

#5 Missouri   

The SEC (Auburn vs. Missouri), ACC (FSU vs. Duke), and Big Ten (Ohio State vs. Michigan State) Championship Games are all this weekend which will ultimately determine the final rankings/fate of these teams heading into Bowl Season.  Alabama is the only team not playing this weekend.  If FSU and Ohio State both win, they will have undefeated records and therefore the No. 1 and No. 2 spots in the rankings and bids to the National Championship Game.  Done deal.  Regardless if people think a one loss SEC team is better than an undefeated ACC or Big Ten team, an undefeated season for any BCS team is not easy and that alone deserves a shot at the title.

There's no reason to believe that Florida State will not win on Saturday.  The numbers they have been putting up game after game are just outstanding.  And especially now with charges being dropped against Jameis Winston, I can't see the Seminoles losing.

Ohio State had a sub-par performance against Michigan last week, but ultimately came out with the win.  I think the hype of rivalry week and playing in The Big House got the best of them, they'll shake it off before heading into tomorrow's Championship game against Michigan State.

But what if one of them loses?  What if they both lose?  What will happen then?  In the event that FSU or Ohio State loses, that's when the SEC has a fair case for one of theirs to head to the National Championship Game for the ump-teenth year in a row.

If Auburn wins, they will have beaten 9 bowl eligible teams this season.  Pretty impressive, but Auburn also got extremely lucky this year. (See also: Johnny Manziel getting injured against Auburn, last minute answered prayer against Georgia, and well, beating Alabama).  I have to admit though, I was rooting for Auburn in the Iron Bowl.  How could I not root for the underdog, a team that went from zero conference wins to competing for the division title?

Alabama's dramatic, late-in-the-season loss to Auburn is enough to take them out of the National Championship talk for good.  If God is an Alabama fan, Ohio State and Auburn will lose on Saturday (and if FSU loses, we'll know for sure that God wants Alabama for compete for the title for the 3rd consecutive year).  If none of that happens, I believe we've seen the end of this Alabama dynasty!

What about a case for Mizzou?  Missouri is a great all around team.  They're great at passing and running; stopping and blocking.  Numbers don't necessarily show their dominance, but that's because they've blown their opponents away.  If Mizzou wins and Ohio State loses, they'll have to make a case against Alabama.  A Mizzou vs FSU National Championship game would be a great match-up between two teams who have showed pure dominance over their opponents throughout the season. 

Regardless of who plays for the National Championship Title, no one wants to see a boring blow out like we had last year.

My prediction is Florida State vs. Ohio State!

There's a slim chance we could have Ohio State vs. Alabama.  A game that would have been played out last year, had Ohio State been eligible... the suspense and excitement of this weekend literally has me on the edge of my seat, but I doubt it will top the events of last week!!!

What do you think will happen?  Who are you rooting for?

Click here to see my prediction at the beginning of the season!

Linking up with Sarah for Fan Friday! :)

Holiday Season Bucket List

I can't believe December is here.  It honestly feels like this year just started.  I love the holiday season and Christmas is now in full gear, so here is a list of things I hope to do this holiday season!

::Watch all of my favorite Christmas movies
:: Listen to my Christmas Playlist on repeat (with the addition of the Duck Dynasty Christmas album)
:: Watch the CMA Christmas Special
:: Decorate for Christmas (-the tree's already up and decorated!)

:: Take our Christmas Picture/ send Christmas cards (getting three girls with totally different shapes and styles to agree on matching/coordinating outfits is not easy!)
:: Festively paint my nails every week

Last year's nails.  I did both mine and my sister's!.. I need to be a neater painter, though!

:: Display/ keep up with my advent calendar & wreath!
:: Creatively wrap presents (says the worst wrapper in the history of wrapping presents!!) 
:: Make a festive cocktail
:: Pay for someone else's coffee in line behind me (!!!!!- the spirit of giving!)
:: Make Christmas cookies
:: Find the perfect matching pajamas for me and my sisters  (yes, I'm 23, but my sisters and I still wear matching pajamas every year, hell we still wear matching outfits in our Holiday card and on Christmas Eve!- my mom loves it, so we oblige)

Last year's pajamas!

:: Go to Rockefeller Center in NYC to see the tree & go shopping.  (Every year it's the same thing, but we go anyway & I secretly love it, don't tell my mom!)
:: Go to the Shady Brook Farm Holiday Light Show.  (A farm around the corner from me puts on a huge and magnificent light show every year.  It's seriously spectacular and people literally come from all over to see it!)   
:: & most importantly, keep the Christ in Christmas!

What are your plans for the holiday season.  What are some things you want to make sure you do before this time of year passes us by?!  Any great deals you're excited to scoop up today for Cyber Monday?!