It's a GREAT year to be a UK fan (and have season tickets)! While several games have managed to kick my anxiety into high gear, Monday night was not one of those. The Cats cruised to a comfortablelead and kept it up all through the game, managing to clinch win number 2,000. This makes Kentucky the first NCAA team to have 2,000 career wins. The winningest team in college basketball (yes, I think I just invented a word there...). And since I believe that pictures say more than I can, enjoy!
A home game tradition
eRUPPtion zone
Final score. Did I mention the comfortable lead?
Players celebrating
Former coach Joe B. Hall says a few congratulatory words.
(Coach Rupp's son also said a few words.)
Brother and I were excited.
Confetti Showers
Congrats Cats!
We're gonna party like it's 2000 wins!
So with the Kentucky victory, a spontaneous trip to visit an old grade school friend in Louisville last weekend, only 2 days of work and being home for the holidays, it's been a wonderful week. I'm already itching to take a peep at the presents under the tree....
As a little shout out to my good friend over at Southern Charm in the City, I'm following up on her post about all of her favorite Christmas things and sharing mine, too! I guess I should start by clarifying that I do celebrate CHRISTmas. It's important to remember this time of year, as we all get caught up in the hubbub of parties and decorations and gifts, that the real reason for the season is the gift of a little baby a long, long time ago. I went to a Catholic school for 9 years, so all of our classes included Christmas songs and projects. It wasn't taboo. I'm amazed listening to my roommate, who just finished student teaching, how politically correct they have to be in public schools...and less than 10 years after I got out of elementary school. In her class' "Winter Concert" they couldn't sing any Christmas songs. They couldn't even sing Let It Snow! (They actually sent home a note asking parental permission to perform the song and had too many people not grant permission. Then after the concert the principal got yelled at by a parent because the kids didn't perform any Christmas songs. There is just no pleasing.....) The kids instead provided vocal accompaniment to the joyful melodies of Stand By Me and Eye of the Tiger. Both great songs, but not exactly in the spirit of the season. So just know that I will wish you a Merry Christmas with a smile, because that is what I believe and that is what I celebrate. If I know your faith, I will respectfully wish you a Happy Hanukkah or Kwanza. (I always thought that "Happy Holidays" and "Season's Greeting" were just phrases to sum up "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year." I didn't realize it was to be politically correct and say "Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Have a wonderful Kwanza, and Happy New Year too...and whatever we may have left out.") So on that note....let's get going!
First up, favorite Christmas song: Mary, Did You Know? I don't even have words to describe why this is my favorite. There is just something about the lyrics and the melody. It's almost like a lullaby, but the message is so powerful and soulful.
Favorite Christmas Movie: Elf. Or The Holiday. Or Love Actually. Oh, but I do enjoy a good classic, too. Hmmm...decisions never were my forte. Especially with movies...
Favorite Christmas Gift This Year: Invicta Watch Well, I cheated a little because this is the only gift I've gotten so far this year. But I think it's absolutely beautiful! The boy got me this Invicta watch that I had spied on the Rue La La boutique one day. (Interested in joining Rue La La? Click here and get a $10 credit towards your first purchase!) I'm not sure where he ended up getting it, possibly through an eBay seller, but I believe it is still available on sites like Amazon and Overstock.com.
Isn't is gorgeous? It's a chunkier style, which I worried about since I have small hands and wrists. I actually had to have all 6 of the spare links taken out. But I really think it is more of a statement piece rather than seeming gaudy or too large for me. It has a sapphire coated face too, which I was pleased to discover. That way it is more scratch resistant (especially since there is a larger surface to scratch!) without being as pricey as a sapphire faced watch.
Favorite Christmas Gift as a Kid: Barbie Dream Boat (circa 1994). Don't remember this one? Let me remind you with the commercial that won my heart.
It had a pool that you could actually fill with water. And a blender! Because what 7 year old doesn't need a blender?!?! I remember begging my mom to buy me this. And then I remember in my bed time prayers every night: "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, but if I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. God bless Mom and Dad and brother and (whoever else I would think to pray for)...and please let Santa bring me a Barbie Dream Boat for Christmas. Amen." Christmas morning I ran to the top of the stairs and looked down...and there next to the tree was a big package wrapped in a black garbage bag with a big red bow. (It never occurred to me that Santa probably would have elves use their fancy Christmas paper. I wasn't about to be picky.) And MY name was on it. I just knew it was my Dream Boat, and I was one heck of a happy kid that Christmas. Bless my parents' hearts, but they are not the greatest gift givers. Dad does well if you ask for technology -- laptop, camera, etc. Otherwise, he doesn't have a clue. Mom likes to know exactly what you want and is much happier if you pick it out and she pays you back for it. (Side: I personally love giving - and receiving! - gifts. It just feels good. And it makes other people happy. And I am inherently, as anyone can tell you, a people pleaser. It's a blessing and a curse...). But THAT Christmas was a slam dunk. Mom will tell you now it's because one Christmas she didn't buy my brother some ninja turtle toy he wanted, because she thought it was just a stupid piece of plastic. My brother apparently was heart-broken and thought Santa forgot to bring it. Mom felt soooo bad about it that she went right out and bought it for him. I guess it's one of the perks of being the youngest child that your parents learn that lesson the first time.
Favorite Christmas Joke: I'm only including this because I just heard it this week. Q: Whats the difference between Santa and Tiger Woods?
A: Santa stopped at 3 hoes.
Favorite Christmas Tradition: Traveling to see family. We travel. Every Christmas. For as long as I can remember we have gone to mass on Christmas Eve, then hit the road Christmas morning to St. Louis or St. Charles to visit Dad's side of the family. Then the day after we skip over to Illinois to celebrate with Mom's side. The only change to this routine that has ever been made is when (**spoiler alert**) we had finally accepted that Santa wasn't real. We started opening gifts, etc on Christmas Eve instead so we weren't rushing around in the morning. I think I'll have a very difficult time adjusting once...I mean if ever...I get married and have to adapt this tradition. I have a fairly large family, so Christmas always included lots of people and gifts and food and I can't imagine not celebrating in this fashion.
Favorite Christmas Treat: Again, decisions aren't my forte. My mom used to always make this strawberry pretzel salad. I could never figure out why it was called a "salad" because you cut it in squares. It had a pretzel-based crust, with a delicious cream cheese layer, topped with strawberry jello (with real fruit in it). Aunt Peggy always makes heaping mounds of cookies -- of which I immediately go for the gooey butter cookies. I think it's a St. Louis thing, but this is the only place and time of year that I know I can get gooey butter cookies. Yum! Although since I've been "of age" the traditional mimosas, Bailey's and eggnog that make their rounds Christmas day are working their way up my list.
On a totally unrelated note, I found this text I received last night quite humorous. One of my oldest and dearest friends sent a random message that said "If you get engaged and don't tell me, I will cry. I'll be happy for you but I will cry." I called her immediately, despite it being 10:30 p.m. and us both having to work in the morning, to find out what the HECK that was all about it! I made it very clear to her that I am no where close to being engaged. Apparently a good college friend of hers got engaged and she found out 2 weeks after the fact via Facebook. We laughed about it and caught up for a while, which made me smile. And since this post is already long enough, I'll sign off now...Sleep sweet, blog world!
So, the weather this week has been absolutely crazy. Monday I left for work and there was a dusting of snow on the ground. Tuesday it rained....and it rained...and rained some more. Oh and then there was a little more rain. There were a good couple inches on the ground. Today it was just windy....somehow it went back up to 50 degrees (it had been in the 30's). The wind was coming in 40 mph gusts - light poles falling over and trees on the ground. It's a little scary! If it can't get any more unpredictable, tonight is supposed to be in the teens with chances of sleet/snow. Why can't we just get a real snowfall! The soft, pretty kind that makes the world seem flawless and quiet. And then you can curl up with hot chocolate and stay home all day. I could definitely go for a snow day.
Well...I'm catching up on So You Think You Can Dance right now, then the finale of Glee! The Cats also play UConn tonight. We're going for a 9-0 record! And I've got to listen to my roommates hilarious stories from 3rd grade student teaching. (Kids these days are so funny. I don't ever remember being that funny as a little kid.)
Quote for the Day: "Dwell in Possibility" - Emily Dickinson
So my roommates and I have gotten into a bit of a habit. Every Tuesday night is Biggest Loser, and every Wednesday we watch So You Think You Can Dance and Glee! I'm slightly addicted to these shows. Seriously. I look forward to them every week and schedule around them. But tonight was the finale of Biggest Loser, and tomorrow is the last episode of Glee! What am I going to do? What am I going to watch? There's a new show called Sing Off that looks like I might enjoy it, but at the same time it seems like it's been done. Bachelor starts in January, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to get into it this season. What is everyone else planning on watching? Any ideas?
I guess really I should get a new hobby instead....like working out, or cooking, or decorating...
As far as being a recent college graduate goes, I'm pretty blessed. I was hired right before graduation, so I was able to start working the same month. I have a great house to live in, great roommates, and I truly believe in the mission of the University I work for and enjoy the individuals I work with. I mean, how many people can say they spent an entire afternoon at work creating this:
Or doing this:
Oh and then I get to rub elbows with coaches, like Kentucky's next head football coach, Joker Phillips:
And then I also get front and center seats to see people speak, like Kentucky Basketball's Coach Calipari:
Yeah, overall I have it pretty good. Not to mention that because of work I have season basketball tickets. Which means that tomorrow I'll be right in the action when Kentucky takes on North Carolina - the 2 winningest teams in college basketball! Go Big Blue! P.S. I'm new to this whole blogging thing...so if anyone wants to offer advice on how to jazz up my little page space here, please let me know. Thanks :)
Well, I don't know that anyone will ever read this (or why they would want to!) but I just thought it would be nice to have a little place to ramble about those silly little things in life that make everything worthwhile! I also thought that maybe it would be a nice creative outlet. With all the changes I've had in the past few months (graduation, starting a full-time job, etc.), I sometimes feel as if I've gotten a little stale. I used to always be busy running from class to meetings, planning things and sending e-mails. (I think I was pretty good at being in college!) Now I'm trying to adjust to post-grad life and find new creative outlets and hobbies. It's been slow so far, but I suppose it is better to grow slowly than not at all.
So...in honor of it being my first blog post and the first day of December, I'll share a few pictures of our Christmas decorations! Here is the tree(s)....
And here is the fireplace....
My roommates and I rent, so most of our decorations were donated by mom or found in the bonus room. It still adds a nice touch though, don't you think?
Maybe my next post will be an Outfit of the Day or quote...who knows!
A recent college grad just trying to find her place in the "real world." This is just a place to ramble about life, love, pretty things and to remind myself to always have a little faith.
