A Season in the Press Box

This has been a football season to remember.  I know it’s technically not over yet, but we’ve shut the lights at Sanford Stadium for the year.  I can’t put into words how fast these last 14 weeks have flown by or what they’ve meant to me.

Since first stepping foot on the beautiful campus of the University of Georgia in Athens last September, I knew this was a place I needed to be.  Fifteen months later, I’m living in that wonderful town and just wrapped up my first season as a Bulldog.  This was also the first time I’ve spent a season watching games from the press box. 

Every Saturday that the Dawgs were home in Athens, I was in the press box at Sanford Stadium.  Being a part of the communications/stat team this season has been unreal and not a day went by that I didn’t feel grateful or have “pinch me” moments. 

Saturdays in Athens are wonderfully hectic and exciting.  Distributing information/stats and making sure the press box was set for media personnel was the first thing we’d do.  With a credential around my neck, I would spend some time on the sideline with my co-workers during warm ups.  I would make my way back up to the press box in time for the team to make their dramatic entrance and the singing of the National Anthem.

I usually felt a string of butterflies as the teams were getting ready to kick off and the crowd was wild with anticipation.  The string of butterflies was often joined by giddy excitement and just like that the Dawgs were ready to tee it up Between the Hedges. 

The atmosphere at Sanford Stadium never ceased to amaze me.  I’ve never experienced anything like it.  It’s an experience not adequately described with words but with emotions that simply over take you- the passion, intensity, camaraderie and tradition that is Georgia.  If you’re a sports fan, it’ll change your soul. 

A part from being proud to be a Georgia Bulldog, I am extremely blessed to be learning from the best of the best here at Georgia.  I’m not only immersing myself in the culture of this wonderful town, but taking full advantage of every opportunity to enrich my career.  Athens is a special place and I can’t wait to see what else it has in store for me.  

Tips for a Lasting At Home Manicure

I'm the type of girl that always has to have her nails painted and I hate when they start chipping.  I also like to constantly change my color and call it a win for the day if my outfit matches my nails.  I don't have the time to redo my nails every few days when they start to chip so I've come up with a way to make my at home manicure last at least a week with no chips!  You're Welcome!

At the start of your manicure make sure your nails are clean and prepped for painting.  I usually start by  doing minimal filing- I like to keep the length as much as possible so I usually just make sure they're all the same with a clean shape. Then I soak my nails in soap water for a few minutes before I push back and cut my cuticles.  Clean nails/nail beds make it look like a professional manicure.  Next I wash my hands and get ready to paint them.

Once I've picked my color, which could take longer than I'd care to admit, I apply two even coats of the color and let them dry before applying the top coat.  The Top Coat.  This may be the most important part.  I have struggled with finding the perfect top coat, one that applies smoothly and isn't super sticky, if you know what I mean.  The top coat I've fallen in love with is the Sally Hansen, Complete Salon Manicure, 170, Clear'd For Takeoff!  Buy it.  You won't be disappointed.  As someone who doesn't really care for Sally Hansen polish, this is a good one.

Next I apply Julep Quick Dry Drops- which really do dry my nails incredibly quick.

BUT the real secret is what comes next.  About 2-3 days later I apply another top coat to really seal the deal.  This happens before my nails chip and makes sure they last a few more days.

The picture above was taken 5 days after I originally did my nails. After a weekend of football and tailgating my nails hadn't chipped and I added another coat to make sure they lasted a few more days!

Try this trick and let me know how it works for you!

I Believe In The Underdog

I believe in the underdog.  I've always believed in the underdog, because more times than not, that's the team I've been rooting for.  One of the things I love most about College Football and sports in general is that on any given day an underdog can rise above.  Growing up a Rutgers fan I've been used to losing the rivalry games and being overwhelmed with pride and excitement when my team overcame adversity to come out on top.  It's really a great feeling, but ​this weekend I was on the other side of that spectrum as a Georgia Bulldog fan.

I took the trip to Jacksonville with tons of confidence it would be 4 in a row against the Florida Gators.  It was incredibly cold and windy- totally unexpected weather conditions. The Bulldogs scored first, as to be expected.  Then the Gators scored on a fake field goal attempt and just like that the momentum and atmosphere at Everbank Field completely changed.  I won't bore you with all the gory details- Georgia lost to Florida, 38-20.

The loss left a gut-wrenching feeling within me.  All the hype and excitement for what the rest of the season may hold was suddenly tarnished, yet again.  After losing our best player to a suspension and winning 2 games against teams that had a better chance of beating us, I couldn't believe the way this one unfolded.  And even more than that, I can't believe how quickly I got used to winning.  Or how fast I expected wins.  Like I said, that feeling's new.  And to be quite honest, I'm not sure which one I like more.

It's always fun to win, but it may be more fun to be the underdog and pull the upset.

No wait, it's definitely more fun to win, always! 

There's still plenty of time left for the College Football season to take a few more unexpected turns and I'm very excited for the ride.  It's not over yet!

Fly High Drew

Drew Ferrandino

February 1, 2002- September 30, 2014 

For the past week or so I have been trying to find the words.  The words to say to Drew in the days after he passed.  The words to say to my dear cousin who just lost his brother.  The words to say to my aunt and uncle as they mourn the loss of their son.  The words to say to my mom as her heart breaks for her younger brother.  Or even the words to get me through this.  The thing is, there are no words.  My heart just hurts.

My heart hurts for my Aunt Katie.  Drew was her world.  Her days revolved around taking care of him.  She knew his needs and his comforts like no one else.

My heart hurts for my Uncle Tony.  He would have done anything for Drew.  He is a human encyclopedia (my aunt is too) about the disease and spoke at many conferences about finding a cure and what it's like to raise a child with special needs.

My heart hurts for Gavin.  He was the greatest big brother to Drew.  He included him in his baseball tournaments where Drew was an honorary mascot.  He was also so gentle, caring and loving to Drew.

And my heart hurts for us as a family.  What will life be like? Holidays? Birthdays? Trips? And all the other get-togethers?  How can we ever call it a "cousins" picture again, because we'll forever be missing one.

Though to most of us 12 is way too young, for Drew it was a full life.  We celebrated his 5th birthday a few days early because doctors told us he wouldn't make it until then.  Then he was given a life expectancy of 8-12 years.  With a number of scares, Drew lived a full seven and a half years after being diagnosed with Batten Disease.  He did live a beautiful life- full of love and memories.

Drew was an inspiration to all whose lives he touched.  From his first seizure to his diagnosis to his stem cell trial to his spinal surgery and every hospital visit in between, his strength never wavered.  Drew inspires all of us to defy the odds and keep smiling no matter what is thrown our way because that's what he did until his very last breath.

Though I'm sad for us, I'm happy for Drew.  I'm happy that he gets to run and play and jump and laugh and be a jokester- all things he loved to do before the disease took them away from him.  I'm glad he no longer has limitations.

My heart may hurt forever, but the comfort of knowing he's with Jesus and at peace takes the sting away just a little.  I'm grateful for the years we had with Drew and the countless lessons he taught me about strength, fight, courage, hope and faith.

The coming weeks and months are going to be hard, for all of us, but I know we'll get through it and live each day with Drew in our hearts.  His inspiration will live on forever.

For more information about Drew or to make a donation to help find a cure for Batten Disease please visit www.drewshope.com