Weekend Happiness

Two great things happened this weekend. 

1. My Blackberry died. Which is a good thing, because then I picked up this beauty:

Consequently, I spent all Friday and Saturday instagraming everything I came in contact with, as well as playing enough Words with, Scramble with, and Hanging with Friends games to leave me with a visually impairing headache right between my eyes.  

2. My Giants won the Super Bowl. (Just in case you were living under a rock and didn't already know.) 

To make the win even more memorable, the last time the Giants won the Super Bowl (against the Patriots I might add) was my senior year of high school. Now I have two Super Bowl celebrations for each of my senior years. Pretty cool, huh? 

Happy, happy Monday! 

PS: Is anyone else having a hard time wiping the grin off their face after this weekend?!

Final Final

According to my Twitter and Facebook Feeds, Finals are amongst us. Yesterday was our last day of classes, and apparently everyone is "living in the library." 

Not I. For as a student Intern, I have no finals. (And if you are jealous, don't be. I can give you a list of reasons we were tortured during times that were not designated as college-wide exam periods. How about 5:30 wake up calls? Or early move in? Just to name a few.)  I have had my final final. I have had my final class of Fall Semester. One would think I might be happier about these facts, albeit, I am moderately dispirited. 

The word "Final" has a whole new meaning to me this time around.  I am in disbelief that I have experienced my last first day of college. I have had my last last day of a fall semester. AHHHH. And not to mention everything in between... How about my last home football game? The last time registering for classes? My last day working at the CYC??? (This is where I stop before I start balling my eyes out.) 

I hope I am not being too premature in my sentimental reflections, but fall semester is generally my favorite of the two, and I can't believe how quickly it has passed us by.  

Let's reminisce briefly, shall we? 

{Me, Kate, Sar, Jillie}

The first home football game of freshman year .. Katlyn and I were Froshie roommates, and Sarah and Jill were roommates. Together we made a quartet of really fun dorm-residing Terps. 

{Me, Sar, Kate, Jillie}

Here we are,  in our Senior year, at our very last first Terrapin Football game as undergrads. And all living under The third year our of four we all have lived together. 

It's crazy to look back and see how much has changed, and conversely, how much hasn't changed even a little bit.

We may have had our last football game. We may have had our final move-in. We may have taken our last final. But our memories are perpetual, and ever-emerging. 

Fall semester is over, and I am relieved, terrified, nostalgic, and hopeful all at the same time. 

Here's to winter break and anticipation for the final, final semester. 

The End of an Era?

Since sophomore year of high school I have looked forward to the weekends, sitting on cold metal bleachers, sporting #50, or more recently, #49 across my back, cheering on my favorite football player until my throat was sore.  In high school I looked forward to sitting under the Friday night lights, cheering on number 50, all the while praying my high school crush stayed injury-free for the entire night so we could enjoy our weekly post-game trip to the diner.  

Senior Yr HS '08 

C's Groupies @ Snapple Bowl '08 

Freshman year @ MU

Sophomore year @ MU

Junior year @ MU

Senior year @ Villanova


(For the record, we didn't take a picture at the actual last game of the season. He claims we have too many that look exactly the same.  Point taken, but I still don't care how many of these we have!)

Seven years later, a senior in college,  I found myself teary-eyed in the Monmouth University stands as I heard #49 called out onto the field to be recognized as a Senior; hearing his name called over the sound system made the end of an era of collegiate football games that much more real.  

It is not certain that C walked out onto the turf for the last time on Saturday, as he is eligible for a 5th year of representing Monmouth University Athletics.  However, he has not yet made a decision about whether or not he wants to go through another physically tolling season of the sport that has defined the last 16 years of his life with hard work, determination, sweat, teamwork (and concussions.)

Maybe it's the uncertainty of what is to come that has my stomach in knots still... 2 days later.  

I always liked knowing that every Saturday I had something to look forward to, that if one week's game went wrong, there was always next week - or next season. I appreciated knowing that my boyfriend's dedication to the year-round challenges being a student-athlete would inspire me to work hard and motivate me to do my best. I fell in love with the sound of the never perfect, but always spirited, college marching band. I looked forward to the blue and white pom-poms I collected at every game but never remembered to bring the following week. I even stocked my closet in accordance to my beau's team colors. In high school it was red, which was nice as I moved forward into UMD where I could continue to wear red proudly.  Since 2008, however, I've been steadily collecting as much blue and white as I could get my hands on.  Looks like I'll be wearing a lot of blue from now on, even if C won't be.  

It is his decision to make, but I can't help but selfishly think of all the reasons I hope he continues to play. I'm not yet ready to be rid of Saturday games that hold so much meaning. Not to mention the way a pair of tight football pants so wonderfully enhances a defensive end's rear end ;)  (As C would say, "hey, it was lookin at me.")

Who doesn't love a man in uniform ;) 

Whether C decides to come back for another season or to end on a high note (with the second most tackles on the team against Wagner thank you very much) I will never forget the seven seasons of weekends revolving around football.  I am thankful for the excitement each weekend held, wins and losses, and for the amazingly dedicated man #49 has become in part due to this incredibly demanding sport.  He definitely loves this game more than most things, and I was fine being second to football for seven years; I truly believe it has made him who he is today: strong, motivated, and disciplined. Even if he laced up his cleats for the last time on Saturday, these are qualities that will last a lifetime, and Lord knows I will cherish the memories forever. 

All good things must come to an end, anyway. Right? 

Love this one - all his roommates/ the best of the D-Line :) 

Love you, Chris.  

I Need A Weekend from My Weekend

The past four days have been a whirlwind of Halloween costumes and homework, and I have totally been slacking on my blogging game. I apologize, dear friends. I hope you all had a wonderfully busy weekend as I did, maybe with a little extra time to breath, and I hope you all stayed warm!


Also, can you believe November is already here? Seriously, where has time gone? 

There really are no words to describe my weekend beyond exhausting and unpredictable, so allow my pictures to do more explaining:

Halloween Night One: Toddler in Tiara

Saturday: Our Annual Parent Tailgate for the football game was endured through snow and sleet. Thanks for driving all the way from the blizzardy state of NJ, Momma! xoxo I get my tough side from her ;) 

Too cold to take pictures outside, we were the smart ones hangin' in the heated bathroom! 

More of my favorite chicas xxoo

Unlike most students, we actually made it to the miserable game. Hey, at least we checked one thing off our bucket list: front row seats baby!! 

Mom was bundled to say the least! Ha! 

After we warmed up on Saturday we ventured to DC for "Nightmare on M Street." A really fun costume bar hop - I dressed up as a toddler again because how could I not? 

And finally, on Monday we had huge plans to go out for the reaaal day of Halloween, and I decided to dress as a Grandma. Too bad I got SO in character that I opted to stay in to watch Hocus Pocus and write lesson plans. What can I say? The old lady really came out in me, but I'm ok with it.

Happy November, everyone!

I PASSED

I came out of Body Pump Training alive... incredibly sore, but alive.  It was a very exhausting 27 hours but I already feel stronger and more capable as a fitness instructor.  I can't wait to launch the class next semester here at UMD!

Unfortunately I missed all three of my weekend football games. Even more unfortunate was that all three of my teams lost :( Looks like I'll need to be available to cheer next weekend for the sakes of all my boys.

Since BodyPump consumed my entire weekend, I have not much else to report. And now while I watch "Kim's Fairytale Wedding" (I'll admit it) I will prepare for tomorrow, the first day of my full week of placement at my Student Teaching assignment! Ah! OH, and my intramural soccer team's playoff game. AND our attempt at beating the Guinness World Record for largest Zumba class right here on campus this Tuesday! (Totally come - 6pm @Cole Field House, everyone is welcome!!!!) Aaaaaand the exhaustion continues ...

Wish me luck as I battle gluteal soreness and overall muscle exhaustion in teacher-high-heels tomorrow, (and the next day, and the next day,) up until Friday when I think I can finally relax.  Forgive me in advance if I don't make many appearances in the Blogosphere this week, my brain already hurts.

Fall Firsts and a Weekend Recap

Well, this weekend marked the long awaited season premiere of two pieces of my fall wardrobe.

I slipped on my fall boots for the first time of the season, and it felt good. I missed the instant style factor a good pair of boots adds to any outfit this time of year. Although, the leather on my favorite pair is getting quite worn, and the heel is barely there any more after hitting too much pavement.  It's going to be difficult to replace such a perfect pair of boots, so I guess I should start looking now before I am forced to literally take my last steps in them.

A less welcomed premiere: jeans. It was chilly on the Jersey Shore Saturday morning before C's football game, and I will not lie, I panicked.  What would I possibly wear if it was too cold for shorts to be socially unacceptable? I called C's mom in an outfit emergency frenzy, which resulted in a convincing pro-denim proposal. I pulled out every pair of jeans I owned from the depths of my closet, and with despair tried on the first pair of full-length jeans to touch my skin since late April. The feeling was suffocating, and if my legs could breathe they would have been hyperventilating.  I chose a pair that would best complement a grey MU t-shirt and immediately took them off until moments before I had to leave the house. But then I put them on, and I indeed wore them for the entirety of my public appearance. And now jeans are officially part of my daily autumn vocabulary, because it's October and seasonably chilly. And because my legs aren't very tan any more anyway...so it's ok.

In other, more exciting news, I drove home on Friday with my sister to have a girls night with our Momma :) Mom took us to the Papermill Playhouse to see our FAVORITE FAVORITE FAVORITE Disney movie growing up, Newsies, adapted into an on-stage musical.  If you've never seen Newsies, shame on you, because you missed out on dreamy teenaged boys dancing and singing in scruffy Newsboy outfits. Christian Bale never looked cuter than he did in 1992 singing as a Newsie.

Anywho, the play was fantastic and I highly recommend it. We had such a great time - thanks Mom!!

On Saturday I cheered on the Hawks in their own fall fashion debut- new blue-on-blue uniforms! They looked tough. I'm a fan. Although they did endure a tough loss by 3 points to a team that definitely did not deserve a win.  Luckily it was an exciting game nonetheless, and after sufficient sulking, C and I were able to enjoy the night with some of his friends.

How good does my 49 look in all blue?

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month I made C a batch of "themed" cookies. Here's a picture of one of the decent cookies embellished with an MU brassiere. Needless to say, these guys cheered him up. And I win best girlfriend of the year. 

Thank gosh for Sundays to turn around any losing-induced sorrows; I spent the morning being lazy with loverboy watching Toy Story 3 (love that movie!) before the Giants beat the Cardinals!

And there you have it, my weekend of fall fashion, a musical, football and some QT with the handsome BF.

Happy October, and happy Monday!

Another Football-Filled Weekend

During college football season my Saturdays are dedicated to two teams: the Maryland Terrapins and the Monmouth Hawks. No matter which game I decide to be present for, have no doubt I will be following the tweets of the opposite game minute by minute.

It's fun to have two teams to cheer for, because it increases the chance for celebration.  And celebrating is the best part about football. 

Week one of college football, I suffered a MU loss, but celebrated an MD win. Week 2 was unbelievably boring with two byes. Week three MU had a huge win, and MD had an unfortunate loss.  This week I was hoping to FINALLY have double the reason to celebrate with a W across the board.  

Well, C and Co made me proud by ending Central Connecticut State's 15-game winning streak at home with a 21-10 victory. (Yayyyyy) Unfortunately, the Terps were annihilated by Temple at home. I am SO SO SO happy for the Hawks who have already beat last season's record and are making a name for themselves in the NEC. However, I wasn't able to be in Jersey to celebrate with the Hawks like I was last week :( Instead, I was stuck in College Park, land of the depressed.  

There he is, my 49 - ready for the win :)

MD's O'Brien, not so ready for a win.

Sundays are spent watching my NY Giants, who thank GOODNESS pulled out a fantastic win over the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth quarter. With three Baltimore fans as roommates, there isn't much time for celebrating before the Ravens come on, but a girl can gloat. 

Win or Lose, Football definitely consumes my weekends these days ... and I can't say I'd really have it any other way. I hope you guys had at reasons to celebrate this weekend, too. (Sorry if you're a CCSU or an Eagles fan though... can't help you there. 

Weekend Spontaneity

For the typical College Student, the weekend begins on Thursday.  And this Thursday, I was looking forward to a weekend filled with time to relax and catch up on "school stuff" I so effortlessly put off in my state of end-of-summer-denial.  After technically being in school for four weeks, I thought this weekend would be a good time to actually buckle down and get myself organized and into "school mode," as I like to call it.

Oh how quickly plans change. 

After a long week of waking up before the sunrise, I was ready to veg out after our weekly Family (roomie) dinner and enjoy a trashy episode of The Jersey Shore before I passed out for the evening. Little did I know that Jill had planned on making homemade Thai Food, and with homemade Thai Food comes the requirement of wine, and apparently not just one glass. A delicious Thai meal and two bottles of vino later the roomies and I had unintentionally put all things on hold that weren't a) girl talk or b) cookie baking.  Oh, and not just any cookies. We were baking cookies in "fun" shapes for Katlyn's cousin's bachelorette weekend.  I leave most of this to your imagination as my father reads this blog, but I just hope the beautiful bachelorette had half as much fun eating the cookies as we had baking them.  

I'm pretty sure I fell asleep around midnight (late night for me, early night for the rest of College Park) with a bellyache that could have been the result of laughing to the point of convulsions or eating too much raw cookie dough. Probably an ideal combination of the two. 

Friday I took a field trip to the zoo. Yes, a field trip. And no, not with my sixth graders. Purely college students.  And you know what? It wasn't as painful as I anticipated.
 I typically hate zoos. Mostly because I don't really like animals (except for dogs and horses and elephants...don't ask.) But also because they stink - they stink like the feces that isn't cleaned up and also like the B.O. of people who walk around for hours staring at depressed animals behind bars. And they are just boring. So I hate them. 

But I like these guys because I can relate: 

I, too, am a MD Terp who loves the Sun. 

Luckily for me and the poor victims classmates that had to be with me for the two hours inside the National Zoo, it was a beautiful Autumn Day. I was able to wear my favorite attire: shorts and long sleeves, and I wasn't even that angry that I had to spend my Friday at a jail for animals.  

At least I got a cute photo-op out of the deal ;]

Then Saturday, once again, I planned on doing nothing but organizing my school work and reading. Instead, I made an impromptu visit to see my sister at WCU and an even more spontaneous trip to Villanova to see my loverboy and his football team play their second game of the season! I am SO SO SO happy I made the trip because they WON and totally kicked Wildcat BUTT!!!! It was so much fun cheering for C and the Hawks- the adrenaline from the unforeseen upset was inexorable and I couldn't just drive away from the game that pumped up. So I made my second spontaneous trip to MU this month and spent the night celebrating with C and his teammates.  
The three hour drive back to MD felt longer than usual this afternoon, but it was so worth it to see the Hawks earn a well-deserved W and to spend the night with my handsome #49 :) 

Final.  

Boys singing their alma mater after the win. 

Me and my handsome boy 

Now it's almost 9:00 and I haven't done anything I planned on doing this weekend but I think I'll go to bed anyway. 

I hope you all had a spontaneously wonderful weekend :]