Y'all, the bloggy neglect is out of control. You don't have to tell me. This I know.
With the athletic season cranking up, I haven't had the extra time that I usually do to spend blogging away about the nonsense around me. Plus, those episodes of Friday Night Lights and Rachael Zoe Project on my DVR aren't going to watch themselves.
Anyway, to break the silence on the blog today, I thought I'd share some webby nuggets I've either found or been introduced to this week. So here goes...
1. This video by our Director of Multimedia Services here at Samford Athletics makes me proud to work with such talented people. And it gets me excited for next Thursday night.
2. Another incredible post by Don Miller. I love how he focuses in on character on everything he does. Becauser really, that's what we are. And the post is so fitting for me right now as I try to figure out what the next step is for me in life. It's so true that knowing where you are going keeps you out of trouble.
3. Also another fantastic post by Mr. Acuff. So good and again, so fitting for me right now. Sometimes I think what I want to do is impossible. Or even living life the way God wants me to is impossible. And I wonder why God makes it so hard. But His Word says that when we are at our weakest point, that is when God loves to show off. Read it. You won't be sorry.
4. Allow me to introduce you to Catalog Living, if you don't already know what it is. Brilliant.
5. And last but most certainly not least, I hope everyone is as pumped for tonight's MSU vs. Auburn game as I am. I'll be watching with a few State fans and a few Auburn fans and well, y'all pray that I'll display a Christian attitude toward the opposition.
Showing posts with label Samford. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Samford. Show all posts
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Video Wednesday
I hate that I've been neglecting my little blog here but the past couple of months have been nothing but insane. So whatever energy I would've had to blog about the fun and weird things that have happened in my life lately has been spent on one athletic event after the other and restored on my trusty old couch watching American Idol.
However, today I did want to share a few videos with you guys because they make me happy.
First, Hanson. I loved them then and I love them now. This video makes me want to go do choreographed steps in the street.
Thinking 'Bout Somethin'
HANSON MySpace Music Videos
However, today I did want to share a few videos with you guys because they make me happy.
First, Hanson. I loved them then and I love them now. This video makes me want to go do choreographed steps in the street.
Thinking 'Bout Somethin'
HANSON MySpace Music Videos
Second, Dave's new video premiered today on AOL.com and it's just as precious as he is. And it even features his cute little wifey, Annie, at the end.
Click here to watch it. You won't be disappointed.
Lastly, this is our freshman closer on the Samford baseball team. The kid is multi-talented and could be playing in the majors right now but decided to come to Samford and get an education. And he's a Mississippi boy. Tupelo, to be exact. This is what he does to get his team pumped up before games. Seems to be working too. 22-14 on the year. Second place in the SoCon.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
A Different Kind Of Different
I woke up this morning in a different place than I have for the past year. Same bed. Same alarm clock (boo!). But a different place.
This day was officially different.
This past weekend I moved. I moved up. Like the Jeffersons. "To a deluxe apartment in the sky." Well, not really deluxe. It's more like a "one-bedroom apartment in the sky." But really not even the sky. It's just up a big hill on the side of Shades Mountain. But ask my momma and she'll tell you I practically live on Mount Everest. Up the long and winding road.
So I woke up in a different place. And in a different way. I didn't immediately turn on the television and grab my iTouch and check Twitter like I ususally. Basically because I don't have cable and internet yet. But I woke up to a quiet place.
I then pulled out the handy-dandy Samford-issued AT&T Wireless internet air card, plugged it into my computer and dialed up K-Love. Because if there is one thing that the 'Ham is lacking is a quality (emphasis on the word quality) Christian music station. A.K.A K-Love.
This day was officially more different.
Then I went on about my business.
As I was getting ready, I thought, "Hmm, wouldn't it be great if the left turn signal at the bottom of the hill turned green right when I approached so I wouldn't have to sit for 45 minutes (slight exaggeration) to turn onto Lakeshore?"
And then guess what happened as I approached ye olde light. Go ahead. I'll wait.
Not 100 yards from the light, it turned green, making my trip to work, officially 3 minutes and 42 seconds.
And this day was officially more different than it was before.
Isn't God awesome? The way he shows himself by answering prayers you didn't even know you prayed?
I be-bopped into work with a smile on my face, basking in the greatness that God just showed me. I hadn't been there 15 minutes when my boss came in my office and said, "Hey, can I talk to you for a second?" And then proceeded to close the door behind him.
Those aren't exactly words you want to here first thing in the morning. My first reaction was, "Humble pie? Don't mind if I do. What the heck have I done wrong now?"
But no wrong had been done on my part. It turns out that one of our men's basketball players, Jim Griffin, passed away in his sleep last night.
And this day was officially a different kind of different.
My heart sank. Although you could probably count how many conversations I've ever had with Jim on half of one hand, Jim was one of my favorite people. I guess you could say that I knew him vicariously, if that is even possible. I've heard so many stories from his coaches and my volleyball players, that I feel like I know him all too well.
Jim was the kind of player that you always wanted on your team, no matter what his talent level was. I would say that last year, his junior year, was his breakout year. Jim was the most fun to watch, not because he was a part of any amazing plays or because he could dunk over a 7'2" center or because he drained three-pointers from eight feet behind the arc.
Jim played with his heart. Moreso, he played with is soul. You hear people talk about "leaving it all out on the court". That's what Jim did. Every game. It didn't matter weather he played four minutes or 40 minutes. You knew that Jim was going to give you everything he had. And it was completely evident. Transparent.
I always joked about how Jim always looked like he was petrified and on the brink of death when he was on the floor. But that's how he played. You could literally see him go through the full range of emotions right there on the floor.
His friendships all over campus are a testimony to what kind of guy he was. Everyone knew him. And he was usually the life of the party.
My prayers go out to the Griffin family and all of his friends. My heart broke this morning for our student-athletes as reality started to set in. Almost six months ago, I lost a very good friend and I know how hard it is to understand how someone so young, who has his whole life in front of him, is here one day and gone the next.
However, what got me throught that time, and what I've tried to convey to my girls on the team and our student-workers here, is that we are not in control. No matter how bad we want to believe it and how mad it makes us feel, we are never in control. There is One True God, who is the Master and Maker of this universe, and he holds everything in the universe, and outside of it, in the palm of his hand. He makes the decision around these parts and we are merely the little colored squares in God's big ol' rubix cube. Except God already knows the solution.
But we must also understand that He does nothing without a purpose. And that purpose is bringing glory to His name. That may sound selfish to some, but the more I've studied His Word and the closer that has drawn me to him, the more I count it all joy when bad things like this come my way. (James 1) Why? Because I get to see Him work in a big way. My reaction has turned from feelings of helplessness and confusion, to feelings of peace and comfort because I know that there is One person that I can fully lean into and trust that He will support me when I'm weak.
And when I'm weak, y'all...that's when He shows off.
I don't know what's going on in the lives of those of you who are reading this, but know this: My God is the God that forgives. He's the God that saves. And He's the God that restores. And He can be your God too. He makes ALL things new. And one day we will all be made knew, those of us that confess Him as Lord and believe in Him as the God of salvation and restoration.
And right now, I believe that Jim's sporting a nice new body. One that isn't sore from workouts. Or tired from playing two hours of pick-up. And he's feasting on an everlasting buffet of Krispy Kremes and shrimp.
Please somebody tell me there are Krispy Kremes and shrimp.
This day was officially different.
This past weekend I moved. I moved up. Like the Jeffersons. "To a deluxe apartment in the sky." Well, not really deluxe. It's more like a "one-bedroom apartment in the sky." But really not even the sky. It's just up a big hill on the side of Shades Mountain. But ask my momma and she'll tell you I practically live on Mount Everest. Up the long and winding road.
So I woke up in a different place. And in a different way. I didn't immediately turn on the television and grab my iTouch and check Twitter like I ususally. Basically because I don't have cable and internet yet. But I woke up to a quiet place.
I then pulled out the handy-dandy Samford-issued AT&T Wireless internet air card, plugged it into my computer and dialed up K-Love. Because if there is one thing that the 'Ham is lacking is a quality (emphasis on the word quality) Christian music station. A.K.A K-Love.
This day was officially more different.
Then I went on about my business.
As I was getting ready, I thought, "Hmm, wouldn't it be great if the left turn signal at the bottom of the hill turned green right when I approached so I wouldn't have to sit for 45 minutes (slight exaggeration) to turn onto Lakeshore?"
And then guess what happened as I approached ye olde light. Go ahead. I'll wait.
Not 100 yards from the light, it turned green, making my trip to work, officially 3 minutes and 42 seconds.
And this day was officially more different than it was before.
Isn't God awesome? The way he shows himself by answering prayers you didn't even know you prayed?
I be-bopped into work with a smile on my face, basking in the greatness that God just showed me. I hadn't been there 15 minutes when my boss came in my office and said, "Hey, can I talk to you for a second?" And then proceeded to close the door behind him.
Those aren't exactly words you want to here first thing in the morning. My first reaction was, "Humble pie? Don't mind if I do. What the heck have I done wrong now?"
But no wrong had been done on my part. It turns out that one of our men's basketball players, Jim Griffin, passed away in his sleep last night.
And this day was officially a different kind of different.
My heart sank. Although you could probably count how many conversations I've ever had with Jim on half of one hand, Jim was one of my favorite people. I guess you could say that I knew him vicariously, if that is even possible. I've heard so many stories from his coaches and my volleyball players, that I feel like I know him all too well.
Jim was the kind of player that you always wanted on your team, no matter what his talent level was. I would say that last year, his junior year, was his breakout year. Jim was the most fun to watch, not because he was a part of any amazing plays or because he could dunk over a 7'2" center or because he drained three-pointers from eight feet behind the arc.
Jim played with his heart. Moreso, he played with is soul. You hear people talk about "leaving it all out on the court". That's what Jim did. Every game. It didn't matter weather he played four minutes or 40 minutes. You knew that Jim was going to give you everything he had. And it was completely evident. Transparent.
I always joked about how Jim always looked like he was petrified and on the brink of death when he was on the floor. But that's how he played. You could literally see him go through the full range of emotions right there on the floor.
His friendships all over campus are a testimony to what kind of guy he was. Everyone knew him. And he was usually the life of the party.
My prayers go out to the Griffin family and all of his friends. My heart broke this morning for our student-athletes as reality started to set in. Almost six months ago, I lost a very good friend and I know how hard it is to understand how someone so young, who has his whole life in front of him, is here one day and gone the next.
However, what got me throught that time, and what I've tried to convey to my girls on the team and our student-workers here, is that we are not in control. No matter how bad we want to believe it and how mad it makes us feel, we are never in control. There is One True God, who is the Master and Maker of this universe, and he holds everything in the universe, and outside of it, in the palm of his hand. He makes the decision around these parts and we are merely the little colored squares in God's big ol' rubix cube. Except God already knows the solution.
But we must also understand that He does nothing without a purpose. And that purpose is bringing glory to His name. That may sound selfish to some, but the more I've studied His Word and the closer that has drawn me to him, the more I count it all joy when bad things like this come my way. (James 1) Why? Because I get to see Him work in a big way. My reaction has turned from feelings of helplessness and confusion, to feelings of peace and comfort because I know that there is One person that I can fully lean into and trust that He will support me when I'm weak.
And when I'm weak, y'all...that's when He shows off.
I don't know what's going on in the lives of those of you who are reading this, but know this: My God is the God that forgives. He's the God that saves. And He's the God that restores. And He can be your God too. He makes ALL things new. And one day we will all be made knew, those of us that confess Him as Lord and believe in Him as the God of salvation and restoration.
And right now, I believe that Jim's sporting a nice new body. One that isn't sore from workouts. Or tired from playing two hours of pick-up. And he's feasting on an everlasting buffet of Krispy Kremes and shrimp.
Please somebody tell me there are Krispy Kremes and shrimp.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Sunday's Post #1 (Samford Baseball Edition)
So today is not only Mother's Day, it's my Blogoversary. I just realized this. I'm throwing a party right now. Or I would be. If only my city-wide search for cookie cake had been successful today. Because everyone knows that no party is a real party without cookie cake. It's just a fact of life.
Anyway, that's a whole 'nother post for a whole 'nother day.
This day has had enough action of it's own.
Today was the very last baseball game of the year and oh my word, at the emotional bittersweetness of this day. And y'all, this was the last sporting event on our campus until August 28, 2009.
It's a fact that I didn't go to a lot of baseball games when I was in college. I did in high school, especially my sophomore year because I dated the center fielder. Anywho. But I definitely think that I attended more baseball games my last year in Starkville (grad school year) than I did in my four years put together in undergrad.
And it is a fact that I've attended more Samford baseball games this year than I have in the last two years combined. But it's also a fact that one of my new bfries does marketing for baseball and I've gotten to know several of the players really well also. Precious kids. So obviously I wanted to go cheer my new little bros on. And it also helps that I got to work on my tan in the meantime.
Anyway, so today was Senior Day and oh, how I'm going to miss three out of the five of those kids. (No hard feelings against the other two. I just don't know them that well.)
Although we were there for nine hours, and we got beat 16-3, and lost our chances of making the tournament (and all them are right now saying please stop talking about this), it was a fun day overall and a great way to end the season.
We were in a rain delay for about four hours. At noon, the monsoons came and forced us to put the game on hold for about two hours. We all left to go eat lunch and returned to, well, more rain. As always, boys will be boys. They all returned with play clothes in hand and after a quick change, the slipping and sliding on the tarp commenced, as documented below.
Anyway, that's a whole 'nother post for a whole 'nother day.
This day has had enough action of it's own.
Today was the very last baseball game of the year and oh my word, at the emotional bittersweetness of this day. And y'all, this was the last sporting event on our campus until August 28, 2009.
It's a fact that I didn't go to a lot of baseball games when I was in college. I did in high school, especially my sophomore year because I dated the center fielder. Anywho. But I definitely think that I attended more baseball games my last year in Starkville (grad school year) than I did in my four years put together in undergrad.
And it is a fact that I've attended more Samford baseball games this year than I have in the last two years combined. But it's also a fact that one of my new bfries does marketing for baseball and I've gotten to know several of the players really well also. Precious kids. So obviously I wanted to go cheer my new little bros on. And it also helps that I got to work on my tan in the meantime.
Anyway, so today was Senior Day and oh, how I'm going to miss three out of the five of those kids. (No hard feelings against the other two. I just don't know them that well.)
Although we were there for nine hours, and we got beat 16-3, and lost our chances of making the tournament (and all them are right now saying please stop talking about this), it was a fun day overall and a great way to end the season.
We were in a rain delay for about four hours. At noon, the monsoons came and forced us to put the game on hold for about two hours. We all left to go eat lunch and returned to, well, more rain. As always, boys will be boys. They all returned with play clothes in hand and after a quick change, the slipping and sliding on the tarp commenced, as documented below.
No one players were hurt in the process of fun-having.
Anyway, so after the rains stop and the sun came out, play commenced and we got our hineys handed to us on a silver platter.
But the game ended with my favorite player, our best closer, batting. If you know nothing about baseball, pitchers don't bat. It's just never a good thing. The coach decided to let him go bat and he ran the count full...and then struck out. But that is a moment that that kid will never forget and I am so thankful that our coach let it happen.
I don't know what I'm going to do for the next four months with no sporting events to cover or plan for or score or attend. I know I've done this for the past few years, but this year is different somehow.
I've become more invested in the lives of these kids and it's hard to see them go. This year has had it's ups and downs. Major downs. Downs that have made me question why I am doing what I'm doing. But so many times in the last few months, God has shown me why. And today was one of those times.
I can see clearly now the rain is gone.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
A Couple Of Things...
1. I led "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" at Samford's baseball game last night. And I sounded like a seven-year old, according student worker Nate. Which was my intention. Because who really tries to sing that song in a serious way. Yeah. That's what I thought.
However, it seemed to give the baseball team a boost because every single player came out of the dugout and looked up to the press box to see that it was in fact, "the Katie" that they thought it was. And then Ballard hit a home run. I don't want to take credit for it but I was in the bathroom for his first (career) home run earlier this year and then I sing and he hits another one out of the park. Go figure.
2. Has anyone else out there heard of the PS22 Chorus? Yes? No?
Check them out.
Also watch this video and this one.
These kids rock!
That is all for now.
However, it seemed to give the baseball team a boost because every single player came out of the dugout and looked up to the press box to see that it was in fact, "the Katie" that they thought it was. And then Ballard hit a home run. I don't want to take credit for it but I was in the bathroom for his first (career) home run earlier this year and then I sing and he hits another one out of the park. Go figure.
2. Has anyone else out there heard of the PS22 Chorus? Yes? No?
Check them out.
Also watch this video and this one.
These kids rock!
That is all for now.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Whirlwind Tour Down 20/59
People. I think I spent more time in my car in the past 48 hours than I did on land. It was all for great things though. Promise.
Sunday, I woke up 45 minutes later than I had planned and booked it to Jackson for my sweet Julie's wedding. And yes, I still got there with 22 minutes to spare, in one piece and without a speeding ticket. Folks, I've learned my lesson about the speeding. Seven tickets later. At least, I think that's the count.
Anyhoo.
Yes. You heard me right. Julie got married on a Sunday. And it was fantastic. It was at the Fairview Inn in Jackson and it was the most glorious outside wedding I've ever been to or had the privilege to be a part of. It was out on the patio where the gazebo was and the area was shaded just enough and the wind blew every so lightly that it was not hellaciously (I think I just made that word up) hot like we thought we would all be in our own little black dresses. Yes, you heard me again. No expensive bridesmaid dress to buy. Just told up all to go buy a black dress, gave us a few parameters, and sent us on our way.
I love low-maintenance friends!
Julie's dress was perfectly classic and fit her style and personality so well. Tall and slender with the classic birdcage veil to match.
Sunday, I woke up 45 minutes later than I had planned and booked it to Jackson for my sweet Julie's wedding. And yes, I still got there with 22 minutes to spare, in one piece and without a speeding ticket. Folks, I've learned my lesson about the speeding. Seven tickets later. At least, I think that's the count.
Anyhoo.
Yes. You heard me right. Julie got married on a Sunday. And it was fantastic. It was at the Fairview Inn in Jackson and it was the most glorious outside wedding I've ever been to or had the privilege to be a part of. It was out on the patio where the gazebo was and the area was shaded just enough and the wind blew every so lightly that it was not hellaciously (I think I just made that word up) hot like we thought we would all be in our own little black dresses. Yes, you heard me again. No expensive bridesmaid dress to buy. Just told up all to go buy a black dress, gave us a few parameters, and sent us on our way.
I love low-maintenance friends!
Julie's dress was perfectly classic and fit her style and personality so well. Tall and slender with the classic birdcage veil to match.
It was a great ceremony and the Lord was definitely glorified through it. There's no doubt about that.
The best thing about it though, was that I got to see my friends!
From left to right: Casey, Me, Jules and Hollye
Great food, great friends, great fun.
Although I somewhat got the day off, I still had to work on Sunday as well. My softball team was back in Birmingham playing their final conference game and my track team was at the conference championships so I had some major writing looming in the distance for me for the night.
FBC Jackson's choir, of which my mom is in, was recording a CD and DVD Sunday night so I decided to head on over and enjoy some great music all the while praising the Lord. And let me tell you, I did not regret that decision one bit. It was AMAZING!
However, after I left the Julie and Marshall's reception, I stopped by the Walgreen's to change clothes because I didn't think about changing clothes at the reception. It just didn't cross my mind.
After I changed, I headed down the street to church and with computer in tow, I snuck up to the rafters and set up my own little personal work station. I wrote my softball story as it couldn't be put off any longer. Those folks needed to know about the big win. So I'd write a paragraph, stand and sing, and then write another paragraph and the stand and sing.
And y'all, that was the most PERFECT place to watch that service. Because our sanctuary is so enormously massive, it's kind of fun to go sit at the very top and watch instead of sitting in our front section eighth row seats like usual.
I saw people praising the Lord in ways I didn't know FBCJ knew how to praise the Lord. It was so neat. Plus, up there, you really do feel closer than the Lord. And you know what, I had no inhibitions about standing up and raising my hands and clapping like I do in my church here in Birmingham. It's a such a great worship experience.
And I got finished with my work just in time to fully enjoy Derek singing "I'm Amazed." Y'all, that man just makes my want to cry every time he opens his mouth.
So after leaving church, I went home and got back to business as usual, only saddened to find out that my track team didn't do as well as I had hoped.
I got up Monday morning and headed back to Birmingham to get to work by noon only to turn around and leave at 2 p.m., just in time to start getting ready for the SAMSPY's. It's Samford's version of the ESPY's and it was the first edition. And it was fabulous. We handed out 23 awards and I couldn't have been more proud of all of our award winners. They were completely deserving.
I wish there had been more though.
If I could've handed out my own awards, I would've. But nevertheless, there is next year.
It was so exciting to see how much the student-athletes enjoyed it and how excited they are about next year even now.
Here are few pics from the night.
Here are my precious, beautiful volleyball captains on the red carpet (or the step and repeat, as the professionals call it) after accepting their award for Most Outstanding Team (and y'all? They for real deserved it. 28-5. Regular-season division champs!)
This is what the awards looked like. They are really cool.
And then me and my girls - Jessica, Lauren and Hollie (Yay! Hollie is feeling better! She doesn't have the Swine Flu, only Walking Pneumonia!)
So, needless to say, I did not want to go back to work today for a WHOLE day. I have serious Spring Fever. And it's not just because the weather is rockin' my socks off right now and all I want to do is be outside. I'm am totally just...over...work right now. I really just don't care.
I know that sounds bad. But ya know what? It totally gets me through the day. Instead of stressing, I just say, "The heck with it," and do what I can do at the moment.
I am so ready for May 12th. That is when softball is over with. For good. Hopefully.
Now that my marathon post is done, I think I will go sleep now.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
The Sky Is Falling...Oh Wait, That's Dollar Bills
This is what happened after my Samford baseball boys beat Alabama last night in extra innings, 14-13! We did a promotion to get fans there; we dropped #1000 cash from a helicopter after the game was over. This is what it looked like.
(Look closely. You may see me holding back a few football players with my evil stare. They cower in fear at that stare. It didn't so much work for the drunken frat boys, but those football players, they fear the 5'3" passive-aggressive monster that is "Assistant Sports Information Director Katie". They know that I hold their future in their hands. Stats and all.)
(Look closely. You may see me holding back a few football players with my evil stare. They cower in fear at that stare. It didn't so much work for the drunken frat boys, but those football players, they fear the 5'3" passive-aggressive monster that is "Assistant Sports Information Director Katie". They know that I hold their future in their hands. Stats and all.)
Monday, February 2, 2009
Christmas Decorations, Second Chances and Packed Out Gymnasiums
Happy Monday, everyone! I hope everyone had a great weekend. I had a busy one but still had some major brights spot despite a few set backs.
I'll first start with the unrelated news of my Latino neighbors who refuse to take their Christmas decorations down. Yes, people, they still have their light-up nativity scene set up in their front yard accompanied by a plethora of running lights. Don't believe me? Take a gander...
It's a smidge blurry but you can tell that they are in fact, still up. Too bad you can't see the running lights on the house in the background. I'm just glad they've stopped parking in the yard so you can see the spectacle. Y'all, I swear there are about five cars parked in a driveway that should only fit about one and a half cars. Maybe two mini coupers. Possibly four smart cars.
Anyway, I applaud them for keeping the spirit of Christmas alive. I think I've come to the conclusion that they are really religious (instead of lazy) and they are keeping them up until Easter. For symbolic reasons, ya know. We'll see.
But onto my weekend, Friday night was good. I didn't leave work until about 7:30 p.m., but for good reason. We went out to the third floor entrance of the Pete Hanna Center to document the Sigma Nus camping out for the basketball game. This may not sound like that big of a deal for most of you but for Samford this is huge.
We are talking about a school whose majority of the student body would rather study for a test or go home than see a college football or basketball (or any other sport for that matter) game on a nice Saturday afternoon. Granted, most of the excitement had to do with one Stephen Curry (pronounced stephin like 'effin and yes, the kid has his own Wikipedia page) coming to campus as Samford faced Davidson on Saturday, looking to bust the Wildcats' 40-game conference win streak.
Anyway, campus was electrified and the Sigma Nus were pumped. Long story short, the place was packed out on Saturday. A sight no other facility has ever seen on Samford's campus. Not even during graduation. Check it.
Students sitting behind the goal, decked out in their white.
A view of the other end. This is about an hour before the game. It was packed with people standing at the top by tip off.
The students' section with my volleyball girls coming down all painted up.
More of the students' section. Basically a picture of the whole football team. Our athletes get good seats because they show up on time.
A view of the line outside. This is unheard of at Samford.
The volleyball girls.
Sigma Nus getting their cheer on.
I'll first start with the unrelated news of my Latino neighbors who refuse to take their Christmas decorations down. Yes, people, they still have their light-up nativity scene set up in their front yard accompanied by a plethora of running lights. Don't believe me? Take a gander...
It's a smidge blurry but you can tell that they are in fact, still up. Too bad you can't see the running lights on the house in the background. I'm just glad they've stopped parking in the yard so you can see the spectacle. Y'all, I swear there are about five cars parked in a driveway that should only fit about one and a half cars. Maybe two mini coupers. Possibly four smart cars.Anyway, I applaud them for keeping the spirit of Christmas alive. I think I've come to the conclusion that they are really religious (instead of lazy) and they are keeping them up until Easter. For symbolic reasons, ya know. We'll see.
But onto my weekend, Friday night was good. I didn't leave work until about 7:30 p.m., but for good reason. We went out to the third floor entrance of the Pete Hanna Center to document the Sigma Nus camping out for the basketball game. This may not sound like that big of a deal for most of you but for Samford this is huge.
We are talking about a school whose majority of the student body would rather study for a test or go home than see a college football or basketball (or any other sport for that matter) game on a nice Saturday afternoon. Granted, most of the excitement had to do with one Stephen Curry (pronounced stephin like 'effin and yes, the kid has his own Wikipedia page) coming to campus as Samford faced Davidson on Saturday, looking to bust the Wildcats' 40-game conference win streak.Anyway, campus was electrified and the Sigma Nus were pumped. Long story short, the place was packed out on Saturday. A sight no other facility has ever seen on Samford's campus. Not even during graduation. Check it.
Students sitting behind the goal, decked out in their white.
A view of the other end. This is about an hour before the game. It was packed with people standing at the top by tip off.
The students' section with my volleyball girls coming down all painted up.
More of the students' section. Basically a picture of the whole football team. Our athletes get good seats because they show up on time.
A view of the line outside. This is unheard of at Samford.
The volleyball girls.
Sigma Nus getting their cheer on.Although, we lost by three due to a missed last-second three-point shot, it was one of THE BEST college basketball games I have ever seen or had the privilege working. The atmosphere was crazy and I hope that the Samford students and the community that was there saw something they liked and will come back for more. There is no doubt that the electricity in that arena is one reason our team played as well as they did and kept Curry from scoring more than 20 (he averages around 29 points) for the second time this year.
Another low point was Mississippi State losing to Ole Miss by four in Starkville. But I shan't comment on that. I'll just say, live and die by the three. Live and die. No excuses.
Although I was completely exhausted by 5 p.m. on Saturday night and my feet were revolting against me because I chose to be cute over comfortable for the game, my night was far from over. I left the office around 6 p.m. and headed home to eat before I headed back out to a former neighbors house to play with my favorite 5-year-old and almost 3-year old. Wyatt and Mary hold a special place in my heart because they treat me like family, and since I don't get to see my family and my sweet nephew a lot, it's good to be able to love on and get love from such precious children. Their parents aren't half bad either. Just kidding. They are one of my favorite couples.
I spent two wonderful hours with my favorite dynamic duo before I insisted they go to bed or mom and dad would be mad at me. The Boehm's returned around 11 p.m. and I headed home and straight for my bed.
I awoke on Sunday and rushed to get ready for church because the alarm clock is never nice to me and in this battle of wills, I won. I was about 10 minutes late for church but didn't really miss much. Church was fantabulous as always but I had to rush home and eat before heading back out to visit another former neighbor.
The Debour's were my first babysitting adventure here in Birmingham and I've watched little John grow up into a "two-and-a-half" year old little man who could talk to a wall. He's precious and has the most infectious smile ever. I'm so blessed to have families like the Boehms and the Debours who allow me to pour my life into their families and they into mine.
The Debours returned around 6 p.m. and I immediately went home to catch what was left of the Super Bowl. While watching, I did a round of laundry and wrote a track and field recap. The work never stops.
Later on in the evening, my iPod Touch decided to quit working and it's practically brand new. I've made an appointment to go to the Apple Store to get it checked out and the guy on the phone assured me that the problem was fixable and no big deal.
I never realized how obsessed I'd become with that little piece of technology until I almost cried when I couldn't listen to my music on the two-minute drive to work today. Sadness.
On a way less related note, did anyone hear about Michael Phelps smokin' it up with a bong at a recent party? Notice I didn't refer to him as "my beloved Michael Phelps". I'm pretty disappointed. I would have hoped that an extreme athelte like him would know better but I have to give him the benefit of the doubt. Or a second chance. Whichever applies here. The kid is 23 years old and basically never had a college life. Although I never did anything remotely resembling smoking weed, and I disapproved majorly with a certain friend who did (who is still in college and suffering the consequences of those actions now), I have to hope that MP has learned his lesson and realizes how much of a celebrity he is now and that he is watched like a hawk.
Just remember, MP, cameras, Facebook and MySpace are never your friend unless you are in a speedo winning a gold medal.
Make note of that.
Another low point was Mississippi State losing to Ole Miss by four in Starkville. But I shan't comment on that. I'll just say, live and die by the three. Live and die. No excuses.
Although I was completely exhausted by 5 p.m. on Saturday night and my feet were revolting against me because I chose to be cute over comfortable for the game, my night was far from over. I left the office around 6 p.m. and headed home to eat before I headed back out to a former neighbors house to play with my favorite 5-year-old and almost 3-year old. Wyatt and Mary hold a special place in my heart because they treat me like family, and since I don't get to see my family and my sweet nephew a lot, it's good to be able to love on and get love from such precious children. Their parents aren't half bad either. Just kidding. They are one of my favorite couples.
I spent two wonderful hours with my favorite dynamic duo before I insisted they go to bed or mom and dad would be mad at me. The Boehm's returned around 11 p.m. and I headed home and straight for my bed.
I awoke on Sunday and rushed to get ready for church because the alarm clock is never nice to me and in this battle of wills, I won. I was about 10 minutes late for church but didn't really miss much. Church was fantabulous as always but I had to rush home and eat before heading back out to visit another former neighbor.
The Debour's were my first babysitting adventure here in Birmingham and I've watched little John grow up into a "two-and-a-half" year old little man who could talk to a wall. He's precious and has the most infectious smile ever. I'm so blessed to have families like the Boehms and the Debours who allow me to pour my life into their families and they into mine.
The Debours returned around 6 p.m. and I immediately went home to catch what was left of the Super Bowl. While watching, I did a round of laundry and wrote a track and field recap. The work never stops.
Later on in the evening, my iPod Touch decided to quit working and it's practically brand new. I've made an appointment to go to the Apple Store to get it checked out and the guy on the phone assured me that the problem was fixable and no big deal.
I never realized how obsessed I'd become with that little piece of technology until I almost cried when I couldn't listen to my music on the two-minute drive to work today. Sadness.
On a way less related note, did anyone hear about Michael Phelps smokin' it up with a bong at a recent party? Notice I didn't refer to him as "my beloved Michael Phelps". I'm pretty disappointed. I would have hoped that an extreme athelte like him would know better but I have to give him the benefit of the doubt. Or a second chance. Whichever applies here. The kid is 23 years old and basically never had a college life. Although I never did anything remotely resembling smoking weed, and I disapproved majorly with a certain friend who did (who is still in college and suffering the consequences of those actions now), I have to hope that MP has learned his lesson and realizes how much of a celebrity he is now and that he is watched like a hawk.
Just remember, MP, cameras, Facebook and MySpace are never your friend unless you are in a speedo winning a gold medal.
Make note of that.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Full Circle
Ok...
A) it is wicked cold outside. So cold that the water pipes at my house are frozen and therefore, my relationship with hot water at home is suspended indefinitely. Or at least until it gets above freezing, which I'm about 95% positive didn't happen today.
B) Don't you just love when God throws a brick of truth at you?
Yeah. I totally got a brick of truth yesterday. And I'm not talking the little red bricks. I'm talking one of those ginormous concrete bricks they make interior walls out of. Yeah. That kind. I'm still a little bruised.
See this is what my mind has been doing lately: You know, I'm suffering from a quarter-life crisis, right? No? You don't? Let me catch you up. Read here. And here.
Caught up?
Good. Now I may continue.
So I was thinking yesterday about how I see my life in seasons. Not like fall, winter, spring, summer. Or even football, basketball, baseball, summer. (Although, the latter could most definitely be true.) I mean, I guess it's easier to describe it as chapters in a book. Or verses of a song. Or movements of a symphony. Yeah, I like that one.
Anyway, I've been on this roller coaster lately, trying to figure out how I feel about my life. Why would God have brought me to Birmingham (which I most definitely feel He did) just to pick me up and move me again three years later, only one year after I get a "real-big-girl-full-time job" (which I still don't know that He's actually going to "move" me yet)?
Then yesterday it dawned on me.
Birmingham is where I had my first "crisis of faith" (if you can call it that) and where I really figured out what FAITH was all about! I was 14, about three weeks away from 15 -- the breaking point of all adolescent life.
Just a little background here: I grew up in church. I was the churchy-church girl at school. Goodie two-shoes (except for those few wild years in 1st-3rd grades when my parents had to bribe me with Little Caesars pizza so I wouldn't get my name on the board. But I digress...).
We were there every time the doors were open. Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night. Sunday School, Discipleship Training, Bible Drill, Children's Choir (Perfect attendance! Woo! Woo!), Mission Friends, Girls In Action, blah blah blah. You name it, I was there. And when the fair came to town, and all my friends went to the fair on Wednesday night, which was the cool night to go, I was at church. Except for that one time in eighth grade.
I "asked Jesus into my heart" when I was seven. I saw a dramatization in "big church" by the youth of Ray Boltz's "Thank You". Still one of my favorite songs ever. Right there, a seven-year-old's heart was touched in a way I still don't understand. All I knew was that I wanted to be in Heaven with Jesus and God when I died and that everything else would fall into place. I didn't have to understand it all at that point but I would someday, somehow. I just wanted to go to Heaven.
Y'all, I cried. Wept like the seven-year-old little girl I was. I wanted Heaven so bad I could taste it. That night, as I said my prayers with my Daddy, as I did every night, my Daddy led me to the Lord. And for that I am eternally grateful. And I know he is too.
Flash forward about seven and a half years. I'm sitting in the Wright Center on the Samford University campus. (Yep, the same Samford University that I work at right this moment.) I was at Friends Forever '98. Thank God I had my sister in tow, or rather she had me in tow, or I don't think I would have gotten through the week. That was a seriously spiritually draining week for me. I was a new teenager trying to find my way through a seriously rigid teenage wasteland. One in which I was a popular kid. That's not easy.
Anyway, so I became friends with a friend of a friend (are you following me?), we'll call him Kenny. (Lame, I know.) Kenny was a stud. Like seriously, dude was a cutie. But Kenny was seriously lost. LOST. (That's big-time lost for those of you following along.)
Every night, the camp pastor would ask people who wanted to be a Christian (in so many words) to raise their hand (while all heads are bowed and eyes were closed). And every night, without fail, Kenny would raise his hand. EVERY TIME!
And everybodoy knew it.
Preacher Man finally called him out on it one night. He asked him why he kept raising his hand and Kenny said, "Because I need to be saved...again." Then Preacher Man explained the "once saved, always saved" clause to my dear friend. He explained the phenomenon of what I know now as "We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone" and that nothing we can DO FOR God will save us. It's only through what Christ did on the cross for us that puts us right before the Almighty God.
At that point, I hit a wall. I started crying. And I had doubts. DOUBTS. About my salvation! This was not good. At least in my eyes it wasn't.
My sister could definitely tell something was wrong and I was tenderly led out of the auditorium by my big sister's comforting hand. I talked it out with two of my spiritual heroes -- my sister and Karen Stewart.
The above was explained to me like it can only be explained to an emotional, hormonal 14-year-old. At that moment, I understood. Nothing I do can merit me salvation. Good things don't happen to good people, bad things don't happen to bad people. Bad things don't happen to good people, good things don't happen to bad people. IT'S ALL UP TO GOD. (I never would have guessed I would be standing in front of my best friend a year later trying to explain the same thing. Can you see God's handprints yet?)
Still don't get it? Click here and read Romans 8. Plain and simple.
"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3:26-29
So I became the Christian I wanted to be, at that moment. I did what I thought I should do according to what I thought a Christian girl should do.
My faith stayed strong throughout the rest of my high school career and on into college. I hit some major road blocks in college, MAJOR, but I always ended up turning to my Bible for help. Still, I felt a little lost. I felt like nothing that I "did" made me feel better. Nothing made me feel good enough. I was in an intense situation and needed out fast. I think I cried out to God for that relief one night, not knowing that he would actually deliver.
God picked me up out of Starkville and transplanted me into Birmingham, and Samford, a place I swore I'd never see again. (That'll teach you to swear, Katie.) He brought me back to the place where I first struggled with him and he won. Full circle. (Hence, the title of this post.)
My life has been majorly transformed while I've been here. I think I've finally experienced that "faith enough to move mountains" thing. Seriously. I haven't moved any mountains or anything but the more faith I've had, the more God has shown himself to me, in big and small ways. It's been freaky and exhilarating all at the same time. And fun. God is fun.
I was priveleged to be a part of a conversation a few weeks ago with my Daddy and a lady at FBC Jackson. We talked about having faith as small as a mustard seed. And we all agreed that that was all we, personally, had to cling to. We all admitted that we didn't claim to be very smart people, and by smart, I mean like brain surgeon, cardiologist smart. Those guys know a lot about a lot. And they are all about some proof and significant evidence.
But see, me, I don't know a lot about all that science stuff (my daddy did most, okay, all of my science projects and usually the day before they were due) and I don't really want to know. It makes my head hurt. (So does ham.)
All I know is that the thing, THE God, I believe in feels really real. All the time. And I'm a feelings person. I'm a writer. And a musician. Those things are all about some feelings, ya know? Nothing I've ever known has made me feel so safe. That's got to mean something, right?
There is something that a friend in college told me when I was struggling with my best friend's rejection of Christ. And it has never left me. Here it is (not so much word-for-word):
"Think about it this way. If you believe and it's not true, you've gained a lot (knowledge, friends, assurance) and lost nothing. But if you don't believe and it is true, then you haven't gained a thing and you've lost everything. So why not believe, and when it turns out to be true, you've gained everything and you've lost everything and you get to party in Heaven."
Yeah. Let that marinate a bit.
So I guess I say all that to say this, God is poetic. And not poetic in the biblical psalmsy sense of the word (which he is) but poetic in the ironic sense of the word.
Yeah, God, I see you winking up there. Next time, could you use something a little lighter than a concrete block. No? Okay. Just checking.
A) it is wicked cold outside. So cold that the water pipes at my house are frozen and therefore, my relationship with hot water at home is suspended indefinitely. Or at least until it gets above freezing, which I'm about 95% positive didn't happen today.
B) Don't you just love when God throws a brick of truth at you?
Yeah. I totally got a brick of truth yesterday. And I'm not talking the little red bricks. I'm talking one of those ginormous concrete bricks they make interior walls out of. Yeah. That kind. I'm still a little bruised.
See this is what my mind has been doing lately: You know, I'm suffering from a quarter-life crisis, right? No? You don't? Let me catch you up. Read here. And here.
Caught up?
Good. Now I may continue.
So I was thinking yesterday about how I see my life in seasons. Not like fall, winter, spring, summer. Or even football, basketball, baseball, summer. (Although, the latter could most definitely be true.) I mean, I guess it's easier to describe it as chapters in a book. Or verses of a song. Or movements of a symphony. Yeah, I like that one.
Anyway, I've been on this roller coaster lately, trying to figure out how I feel about my life. Why would God have brought me to Birmingham (which I most definitely feel He did) just to pick me up and move me again three years later, only one year after I get a "real-big-girl-full-time job" (which I still don't know that He's actually going to "move" me yet)?
Then yesterday it dawned on me.
Birmingham is where I had my first "crisis of faith" (if you can call it that) and where I really figured out what FAITH was all about! I was 14, about three weeks away from 15 -- the breaking point of all adolescent life.
Just a little background here: I grew up in church. I was the churchy-church girl at school. Goodie two-shoes (except for those few wild years in 1st-3rd grades when my parents had to bribe me with Little Caesars pizza so I wouldn't get my name on the board. But I digress...).
We were there every time the doors were open. Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night. Sunday School, Discipleship Training, Bible Drill, Children's Choir (Perfect attendance! Woo! Woo!), Mission Friends, Girls In Action, blah blah blah. You name it, I was there. And when the fair came to town, and all my friends went to the fair on Wednesday night, which was the cool night to go, I was at church. Except for that one time in eighth grade.
I "asked Jesus into my heart" when I was seven. I saw a dramatization in "big church" by the youth of Ray Boltz's "Thank You". Still one of my favorite songs ever. Right there, a seven-year-old's heart was touched in a way I still don't understand. All I knew was that I wanted to be in Heaven with Jesus and God when I died and that everything else would fall into place. I didn't have to understand it all at that point but I would someday, somehow. I just wanted to go to Heaven.
Y'all, I cried. Wept like the seven-year-old little girl I was. I wanted Heaven so bad I could taste it. That night, as I said my prayers with my Daddy, as I did every night, my Daddy led me to the Lord. And for that I am eternally grateful. And I know he is too.
Flash forward about seven and a half years. I'm sitting in the Wright Center on the Samford University campus. (Yep, the same Samford University that I work at right this moment.) I was at Friends Forever '98. Thank God I had my sister in tow, or rather she had me in tow, or I don't think I would have gotten through the week. That was a seriously spiritually draining week for me. I was a new teenager trying to find my way through a seriously rigid teenage wasteland. One in which I was a popular kid. That's not easy.
Anyway, so I became friends with a friend of a friend (are you following me?), we'll call him Kenny. (Lame, I know.) Kenny was a stud. Like seriously, dude was a cutie. But Kenny was seriously lost. LOST. (That's big-time lost for those of you following along.)
Every night, the camp pastor would ask people who wanted to be a Christian (in so many words) to raise their hand (while all heads are bowed and eyes were closed). And every night, without fail, Kenny would raise his hand. EVERY TIME!
And everybodoy knew it.
Preacher Man finally called him out on it one night. He asked him why he kept raising his hand and Kenny said, "Because I need to be saved...again." Then Preacher Man explained the "once saved, always saved" clause to my dear friend. He explained the phenomenon of what I know now as "We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone" and that nothing we can DO FOR God will save us. It's only through what Christ did on the cross for us that puts us right before the Almighty God.
At that point, I hit a wall. I started crying. And I had doubts. DOUBTS. About my salvation! This was not good. At least in my eyes it wasn't.
My sister could definitely tell something was wrong and I was tenderly led out of the auditorium by my big sister's comforting hand. I talked it out with two of my spiritual heroes -- my sister and Karen Stewart.
The above was explained to me like it can only be explained to an emotional, hormonal 14-year-old. At that moment, I understood. Nothing I do can merit me salvation. Good things don't happen to good people, bad things don't happen to bad people. Bad things don't happen to good people, good things don't happen to bad people. IT'S ALL UP TO GOD. (I never would have guessed I would be standing in front of my best friend a year later trying to explain the same thing. Can you see God's handprints yet?)
Still don't get it? Click here and read Romans 8. Plain and simple.
"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3:26-29
So I became the Christian I wanted to be, at that moment. I did what I thought I should do according to what I thought a Christian girl should do.
My faith stayed strong throughout the rest of my high school career and on into college. I hit some major road blocks in college, MAJOR, but I always ended up turning to my Bible for help. Still, I felt a little lost. I felt like nothing that I "did" made me feel better. Nothing made me feel good enough. I was in an intense situation and needed out fast. I think I cried out to God for that relief one night, not knowing that he would actually deliver.
God picked me up out of Starkville and transplanted me into Birmingham, and Samford, a place I swore I'd never see again. (That'll teach you to swear, Katie.) He brought me back to the place where I first struggled with him and he won. Full circle. (Hence, the title of this post.)
My life has been majorly transformed while I've been here. I think I've finally experienced that "faith enough to move mountains" thing. Seriously. I haven't moved any mountains or anything but the more faith I've had, the more God has shown himself to me, in big and small ways. It's been freaky and exhilarating all at the same time. And fun. God is fun.
I was priveleged to be a part of a conversation a few weeks ago with my Daddy and a lady at FBC Jackson. We talked about having faith as small as a mustard seed. And we all agreed that that was all we, personally, had to cling to. We all admitted that we didn't claim to be very smart people, and by smart, I mean like brain surgeon, cardiologist smart. Those guys know a lot about a lot. And they are all about some proof and significant evidence.
But see, me, I don't know a lot about all that science stuff (my daddy did most, okay, all of my science projects and usually the day before they were due) and I don't really want to know. It makes my head hurt. (So does ham.)
All I know is that the thing, THE God, I believe in feels really real. All the time. And I'm a feelings person. I'm a writer. And a musician. Those things are all about some feelings, ya know? Nothing I've ever known has made me feel so safe. That's got to mean something, right?
There is something that a friend in college told me when I was struggling with my best friend's rejection of Christ. And it has never left me. Here it is (not so much word-for-word):
"Think about it this way. If you believe and it's not true, you've gained a lot (knowledge, friends, assurance) and lost nothing. But if you don't believe and it is true, then you haven't gained a thing and you've lost everything. So why not believe, and when it turns out to be true, you've gained everything and you've lost everything and you get to party in Heaven."
Yeah. Let that marinate a bit.
So I guess I say all that to say this, God is poetic. And not poetic in the biblical psalmsy sense of the word (which he is) but poetic in the ironic sense of the word.
Yeah, God, I see you winking up there. Next time, could you use something a little lighter than a concrete block. No? Okay. Just checking.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
White Boys CAN Jump
Still tied, 7-7. OU is punting. Just in case you were wondering. But the game will probably be way over and done with but the time all five of you readers are reading this so just disregard the previous statement.
I must talk about tonight though. Samford's men's basketball team played it's first conference game at home tonight.
(Sorry, I have to brag a little bit on the employer.)
Anyway, they played a pretty tough Furman tonight after falling to Davidson (and Stephen Curry) by 21 on Saturday. Samford won tonight. By 11. So that's a positive.
(Tebow is pumping the crowd up. I must watch. Be back in a second.)
See, our guys, although they are 8-6 on the season, have had a pretty rough go of it to start out this year. I mean they lost to Ohio State 59-22 in the fifth game of the season. At Ohio State. And were down 30-6 at the half. Their coach seriously felt sorry for us.
Anyway, so it was good to get a win tonight. At home. (Especially since Stephen Curry and the Wildcats will be making their way to The 'Ham in about three weeks to play us. On national television.) Big confidence points for our boys.
Now, Samford is a pretty small school. Private school. We aren't really big on the sports radar. We've had our moments but we're no Notre Dame or anything. So we don't usually see much excitement on the court in the form of slam dunks and alley-oops. It's just not popular. Especially with our coach. He's a fundamentals, Princeton offense kind of guy.
(Touchdown Gators! I know you're enjoying my mid-post updates. You don't have to thank me. Just send money.)
So you can imagine my surprise to see, two, count 'em, two slam dunks tonight. One by a black player and one by a white player.
See, brothas are supposed to dunk. That's just what they do. They dunk. White boys make free throws. It's an unwritten rule in basketball. So it didn't surprise me to see Trey go aerial and dunk over two guys with one minute left to play in the game.
However, it was all shock-and-awe when one of my favorites (Yes, I have favorites. I can do that) B-Fry, as well like to call him (First name - Bryan. Last name - Friday. B-Fry) got a steal and took it to the hoop for a very humble dunk shot. One-handed might I add.
I had flashbacks to Shane Power's dunk in '05. First and last dunk for the kid. It will probably be the same for B-Fry. You know, white boys just have to prove that they can do it sometimes. But, who knows, there's still a lot of ball to be played and he could surprise me again.
So, I say to you, white boys can jump. And dunk. Even if they don't have all their teeth.
(Seriously, he had like eight teeth knocked out last year. Ok, maybe like two or three but still. He's got a hole in his mouth. And he's not afraid to admit it.)
(And if B-Fry happens to stumble across this post one day in a random Google of himself...Bryan, you know I only tease out of admiration. So no personal business here. I speak out of pride.)
Okay, there are way too many injuries happening in this National Championship right now. I must go and watch.
Go Gators!
I must talk about tonight though. Samford's men's basketball team played it's first conference game at home tonight.
(Sorry, I have to brag a little bit on the employer.)
Anyway, they played a pretty tough Furman tonight after falling to Davidson (and Stephen Curry) by 21 on Saturday. Samford won tonight. By 11. So that's a positive.
(Tebow is pumping the crowd up. I must watch. Be back in a second.)
See, our guys, although they are 8-6 on the season, have had a pretty rough go of it to start out this year. I mean they lost to Ohio State 59-22 in the fifth game of the season. At Ohio State. And were down 30-6 at the half. Their coach seriously felt sorry for us.
Anyway, so it was good to get a win tonight. At home. (Especially since Stephen Curry and the Wildcats will be making their way to The 'Ham in about three weeks to play us. On national television.) Big confidence points for our boys.
Now, Samford is a pretty small school. Private school. We aren't really big on the sports radar. We've had our moments but we're no Notre Dame or anything. So we don't usually see much excitement on the court in the form of slam dunks and alley-oops. It's just not popular. Especially with our coach. He's a fundamentals, Princeton offense kind of guy.
(Touchdown Gators! I know you're enjoying my mid-post updates. You don't have to thank me. Just send money.)
So you can imagine my surprise to see, two, count 'em, two slam dunks tonight. One by a black player and one by a white player.
See, brothas are supposed to dunk. That's just what they do. They dunk. White boys make free throws. It's an unwritten rule in basketball. So it didn't surprise me to see Trey go aerial and dunk over two guys with one minute left to play in the game.
However, it was all shock-and-awe when one of my favorites (Yes, I have favorites. I can do that) B-Fry, as well like to call him (First name - Bryan. Last name - Friday. B-Fry) got a steal and took it to the hoop for a very humble dunk shot. One-handed might I add.
I had flashbacks to Shane Power's dunk in '05. First and last dunk for the kid. It will probably be the same for B-Fry. You know, white boys just have to prove that they can do it sometimes. But, who knows, there's still a lot of ball to be played and he could surprise me again.
So, I say to you, white boys can jump. And dunk. Even if they don't have all their teeth.
(Seriously, he had like eight teeth knocked out last year. Ok, maybe like two or three but still. He's got a hole in his mouth. And he's not afraid to admit it.)
(And if B-Fry happens to stumble across this post one day in a random Google of himself...Bryan, you know I only tease out of admiration. So no personal business here. I speak out of pride.)
Okay, there are way too many injuries happening in this National Championship right now. I must go and watch.
Go Gators!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Bummer
Not much to say today. My girls got beat in the semifinals of the conference tournament and that's a tough pill to swallow after the stellar year they have had. Plus, the team we lost to was never considered a team we could lose to in the tournament. And there's a lot of history between our team and their team too, so it was tough to lose to them.
It was a five-game thriller/heartbreaker. I felt like I was watching the final. One thing I know though is that not one of those girls can say that they didn't give it all they had. I know they had to be exhausted after that battle and it's tough to go out with a loss, but they cannot say that they didn't leave it all out on the floor. We just got outplayed. For everything we did, they had an answer and there is nothing you can do about that.
We should be on our way home right now but Dex decided to let the girls stay for the night and be able to visit with family rather than jumping on the bus and riding for eight hours. We will be leaving tomorrow morning and should get back by 3 p.m., hopefully.
I'm glad that both my Bulldog football teams pulled out wins today though. Go State! And Go Samford! The Samford Bulldogs have a winning season for the first time in about five years and well the MSU Bulldogs...we'll just chalk it up to another "rebuilding year". Whatev. I'm just proud that Anthony Dixon got 170 yards in his final home game. Way to go out, A.D.!
Did anyone hear about Tony Romo taking a homeless guy to the movies? Yeah. The guy was supposedly begging for money outside of the theater and Romo just told him to come on inside. What a guy! Good to know we still have some gems/gents out there.
I'm completely wiped out now. It's only 8:50 p.m. here in Greensboro and I feel like it should be midnight! I just can't wait for my three day vacay in Jackson which is coming soon.. I'm so excited to see my family it's not even funny.
I hope everyone had a great day. Ole Miss still sucks and Go Red Raiders!
It was a five-game thriller/heartbreaker. I felt like I was watching the final. One thing I know though is that not one of those girls can say that they didn't give it all they had. I know they had to be exhausted after that battle and it's tough to go out with a loss, but they cannot say that they didn't leave it all out on the floor. We just got outplayed. For everything we did, they had an answer and there is nothing you can do about that.
We should be on our way home right now but Dex decided to let the girls stay for the night and be able to visit with family rather than jumping on the bus and riding for eight hours. We will be leaving tomorrow morning and should get back by 3 p.m., hopefully.
I'm glad that both my Bulldog football teams pulled out wins today though. Go State! And Go Samford! The Samford Bulldogs have a winning season for the first time in about five years and well the MSU Bulldogs...we'll just chalk it up to another "rebuilding year". Whatev. I'm just proud that Anthony Dixon got 170 yards in his final home game. Way to go out, A.D.!
Did anyone hear about Tony Romo taking a homeless guy to the movies? Yeah. The guy was supposedly begging for money outside of the theater and Romo just told him to come on inside. What a guy! Good to know we still have some gems/gents out there.
I'm completely wiped out now. It's only 8:50 p.m. here in Greensboro and I feel like it should be midnight! I just can't wait for my three day vacay in Jackson which is coming soon.. I'm so excited to see my family it's not even funny.
I hope everyone had a great day. Ole Miss still sucks and Go Red Raiders!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
The Road To Success Starts With Juggling
Samford MVP senior outside hitter Ashley Adams and head coach Dex Schroeder show the world how to be a 25-3 team in the Southern Conference. It all starts with the juggling skills.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Pumpkin Party
I'm all too ready for Thanksgiving a few days away from work. The past week has been crazy busy and this week is just going to be worse. There is so much to do and not enough time for me to do it the way that I want it to be done.
Anyway, I wanted to share the fun that I had this weekend with everyone. First of all, Samford went undefeated this weekend in every sport that competed. Football beat the Citadel in the Homecoming game 28-10. Soccer swept on Friday and Sunday and volleyball pulled out two crazy wins on Saturday and Sunday. Sunday's match was probably the best volleyball I've ever watched. Two great teams scrapping for a win. It's was fantastic.
However, Friday night I got to have a little fun of my own. My roommate Kelly and I hosted a Pumpkin Carving Party at our house and it was great. We had a crowd there and there were some really creative carvings. Instead of telling you about it, I thought I'd just show you pictures. So here goes...
Jason and Sam getting down to business.
Raymond sports Sam's Hanna Montana wig.
Here I am, starting the process.
Tim is hacking out the intricate details of his design.
Say 'cheese', Dana!
Spiderman made an appearance as well.
This is mine and Kelly's pumpkin. It was supposed to be a rearend with handprints but there wasn't enough time to make it look good.
1st place - Tim's Wolves
2nd place - Josh and Raymond's Pink Flamingo
3rd place - Jason and Reagan's Ship
The girls - Kelly, Me, Dana, Reagan and Christa
Afterwards, we decided to get "Southern Living" with it and put the pumpkins outside on the ladder.
Anyway, I wanted to share the fun that I had this weekend with everyone. First of all, Samford went undefeated this weekend in every sport that competed. Football beat the Citadel in the Homecoming game 28-10. Soccer swept on Friday and Sunday and volleyball pulled out two crazy wins on Saturday and Sunday. Sunday's match was probably the best volleyball I've ever watched. Two great teams scrapping for a win. It's was fantastic.
However, Friday night I got to have a little fun of my own. My roommate Kelly and I hosted a Pumpkin Carving Party at our house and it was great. We had a crowd there and there were some really creative carvings. Instead of telling you about it, I thought I'd just show you pictures. So here goes...
Jason and Sam getting down to business.
Raymond sports Sam's Hanna Montana wig.
Here I am, starting the process.
Tim is hacking out the intricate details of his design.
Say 'cheese', Dana!
Spiderman made an appearance as well.
This is mine and Kelly's pumpkin. It was supposed to be a rearend with handprints but there wasn't enough time to make it look good.
1st place - Tim's Wolves
2nd place - Josh and Raymond's Pink Flamingo
3rd place - Jason and Reagan's Ship 
The girls - Kelly, Me, Dana, Reagan and Christa
Afterwards, we decided to get "Southern Living" with it and put the pumpkins outside on the ladder.That's all I've got for you for now. There are a lot more things I want to share, especially some stuff that's been on my heart and things GOD is teaching me right now. I promise to share soon. Now, I must get to work.
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