That One Time I Played Soccer..

I have never been interested in soccer.  Maybe that's because I really don't know the game.  I know what a goal is (obviously) and that a penalty kick (PK) is when a penalty happens inside the box.  And that's about it.  I don't even really know what a penalty would consist of, to be honest, and I'm still clueless on the whole clock situation.

I played one season when I was 5 and it was painful- for both me and my parents.  I dreaded every game, always doing cartwheels on the field and excited for the after-game snack, but my parents made me finish out the season and I went to every game!  My parents always tell this story about me playing soccer:

One of our games must have been rained out because at the end of the season we had a "make-up" game.  Apparently I was sooo, overly excited for this "make-up" game and couldn't wait to get to the field- my parents had no idea why since I hated it all season.  The game was just like any other game, but when it was over I went over to my parents' blanket and said, "That was the worst make up game ever.  We didn't even get to play with any make up!"  My parents laughed hysterically and it's been a running joke in my family ever since.  

I started cheerleading that next season and never looked back.  It was the closest I could get to football, which had already become my favorite sport!  I continued to dread soccer even as I watched my sister play on her travel team for years...

But then four years ago when my summer job was watching 4 boys all day, everyday, we watched the World Cup, talked about the World Cup, played soccer every day in the yard and I didn't mind it.  And lately, I've been intrigued by soccer.  I've been interested in the World Cup and actually looked forward to it.  Though I barely know what's going on during a game.

I've also been following the evolvement of the new New York City Football Club team and wishing I was apart of it.  From the hiring of former Rutgers AD, Tim Pernetti, to the fan-voted logo and the signing of their first player, David Villa.  I've been immensely interested in the sport.  Who am I?

I wore my red, white, and blue and cheered the United States to victory last Monday night against Ghana and couldn't believe that last second score by Portugal in Sunday's game.  I'm excited to watch today's game, as the country I was raised in takes on the country I was born in! haha I'm totally rooting for the USA, I might start cheering for Germany if they make it further than us though!!

Anyone else have a new interest in soccer (or at least the World Cup), but still confused as to what's going on on the field?!

GO USA!! I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN!!  I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL WIN!! :)

Where I've Been

I know I've been really absent from blog-land in the past few months, not only here, but with reading other blogs as well, and I've really missed it.  I just felt uninspired about things to write about and what direction I wanted my blog to go.  Though I haven't figured it all out yet, I wanted to start writing again- whether it was sports, music, traveling or just stories to share.  I'm still thinking about re-branding- either coming up with a new name, which I have some ideas for, or incorporating this blog into my professional website, but ultimately decided to give this space a little face lift for the time being.

Last you heard, I was moving to Louisiana for graduate school.  That happened and I loveddd it.  I formed a great, close-knit group of friends, loved my job, and was thoroughly impressed that I wasn't completely living in the boonies.  But what I wanted was bigger than Monroe, Louisiana.  I had moved there sorta on a whim with the first opportunity I was given because I was soo hungry for a change.  I spent weeks weighing my options and seeing what would be best for me personally and professionally.  It wasn't easy.  But after my hot water heater busted while I was visiting home, I took it as a sign to GTFO. I packed up the things that survived (the hot water sat for days before anyone realized what happened, yuck!) and moved to Athens, Georgia.  I will be continuing my education at the University of Georgia and could not be more excited to be a part of Bulldog Nation, though I'm definitely going to miss the numerous drive-thru daiquiri places in Louisiana.

I hope you'll follow along as I explore the wonderful town of Athens, my passion for sports grows, and I navigate through my twenties trying to figure out who I am and make a name for myself'.

Preakness 2014

One of my family’s favorite things to do together is to go to horse races.  It’s one of the only sports we can all agree on and truly enjoy.  We love the atmosphere, the excitement, experiencing different racetracks, and of course winning a little bit of money- if we’re so lucky!

Last year my dad and I took the trip to Kentucky for my first Kentucky Derby experience and it was everything I wanted it to be, even with the rain. 

But this year all five of us took the short drive down to Baltimore for the Preakness Stakes to see Triple Crown hopeful, California Chrome, run up close. 

We arrived at Pimlico Race Track on Friday for Black Eyed Susan Day, similar to Oaks Day at the Derby, a day dedicated to the fillies.  My dad’s company was sponsoring events taking place that morning, and we got to reap all the benefits!  We had great seats in the grandstand and access to the Turfside Terrace located on the edge of the infield (not to be confused with the frat party atmosphere of the actual infield, where you can see virtually nothing)!!

I’ve been to a number of racetracks including Monmouth, Saratoga, Gulf Stream, Churchill Downs and Keeneland.  I was shocked at how Pimlico holds such a prestigious event, but is very run down.  The paddock area was especially disappointing.  But the Preakness itself definitely lives up to the hype!  It’s an iconic horserace with its traditional flowers and signature cocktails.   There are races all day leading up to the big event- on both the turf and the dirt. 

The Turfside Terrace was a wonderful area to spend the day with great views of the horses, great food and drinks, and exclusive betting windows.  We found a spot close to the fence and stayed there for most of the races.  We were exceptionally close to the races that ran on the turf.  You could feel the breeze and the rumble of the ground and the horses raced by. 

Before we knew it the trumpets were sounding for the race we’d been waiting for all day.  The contenders paraded down the track to the starting gate.  Once set in their post positions, the whistles blew, the gates flew open and they were off.  Running past us in the blink of an eye, around the turn and down the stretch before breaking for the final lengths to the finish.  The crowd was wild, yelling for their horses to win.  California Chrome surged ahead with Ride On Curlin’ finishing one and a half lengths behind.  It was a wonderful race. 

And now I can’t wait/I’m so nervous to watch California Chrome race in the final leg of the Triple Crown at the Belmont Stakes.  I love his story (the colt of a $8,000 mare bred with a $2,500 stallion to a one horse stable) and would love to see him achieve a Triple Crown win!!!  I’m supposed to be in NYC seeing Aladdin on Broadway with my family that day.  Any chance we can exchange our tickets and head to the Belmont?    #CHROMIE

I Moved to Louisiana

These past few weeks have been such a whirlwind.

Just before Thanksgiving I was offered a job in Marketing with the Athletic Department at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.  This offer was contingent on my acceptance into their graduate program.  Of course I was so happy about the job offer, but still so nervous about getting into grad school.  I obviously told my family everything but that was it.  My friends and extended family had no idea about the offer until I finally was accepted about 2 weeks before Christmas.  They knew I was applying to schools and looking for positions to work in College Athletics, but they (and I) didn't expect it to happen so quickly.

Quickly is a relative term.  I've been working with Athletic Development at Rutgers for a few years, and have volunteered at events such as the SEC Media Days and the Chick-Fil-A Bowl Kick-off Game in order to network, make connections and gain experience.

I say quickly because this particular position happened quickly.  I applied, was offered the job, applied to the graduate school and got accepted all within 4 weeks.  And then planned a move within the next 3 weeks mixed in the hustle and bustle of Christmas and New Years.  It was a whirlwind of joyous Christmas celebrations and tearful "See You Later"s!

My wonderful family threw me a "Going Away Party" with all of my closest friends and family!  I am so blessed to have so many wonderful people love and support me as I follow my dreams (about 1,300 miles away)!

My mom, dad, and sisters drove down to Louisiana with me!  We took my car and a U-Haul on the 20-hour drive from Pennsylvania to Louisiana.  We left around 4 o'clock on Saturday (1/4) morning and drove until we stopped for lunch in East Tennessee.  We then continued to Chattanooga where we stopped at Rock City.  Rock City is a spot on Look Out Mountain where you can (apparently) see seven states from the one spot.  There's nothing to differentiate the states, so I guess we all just have to take their word for it.  It was pretty cool though, and the views were great.  (Of course I don't have any pics of this cause my mom took them on her camera..)

We then continued until we got to Birmingham, Alabama where we stopped in time to watch the Eagles lose to the Saints :(  We spent the night and got up to drive the last 5-6 hour leg in the morning before arriving in Louisiana and getting the key to my first apartment.

The next few days my family helped me move in and explore my new town of Monroe, Louisiana.  Being big Duck Dynasty fans, we of course went over to Duck Commander and even saw Willie pulling into the shop.  He ran into the shop really quick and we weren't able to get a picture, but we definitely saw him, which was pretty cool.  I'm finding some new and fun places to eat which is exciting.  And there's even a drive-thru daiquiri place right down the road from my apartment which is probably going to be dangerous!!!

I'm so excited to start classes and working today!  Once my apartment is more put together and I'm completely done unpacking I will post pictures.  :)

Does anyone have any suggestions for hiding wires without making wholes in the wall?