What's the best part about being in college that you can never get back? Well, there are so many things, but as I am sitting here on the the couch in Atlanta, I realized what I miss most about being in college.
You can't walk to get ice cream at all hours of the night.
Being able to go out at 9:00, 10:00. 11:00... when ever, and get ice cream with my roommates. Seriously. We were an ice cream eating bunch, me, Nichole, Emily, and Jenna. We were the roommates that fed off the the cravings of the other three. If one person had bought ice cream, at some point or another, all three of us would see the one eating it and immediately start craving it. It was really weird, and really funny (now at least). We especially loved Ben and Jerry's Fish Food... OMG... there are absolutely no words. And on more than one occasion in the two years the four of us lived together (with various other roommates) we would walk down to the 18th street IGA (yeah-- the super sketchy one) and each buy an outrageously expensive pint of ice cream. And then we would proceed to walk back to our house, a house i miss so much with its giant rooms and fireplaces and my own spaces, and we would eat our ice cream sitting on the front porch, or more often than not all piled into the sofa with millions of blankets and huddled around the heater.
After college, you don't get to do that quite as often I am finding. You can't make midnight runs to the 24 hour Kroger to get groceries (best time ever... no one is there except other college students), or realize that you can stay up until 2 or 3 talking to you roommates, get up in time for an 8am class, come home, nap, work, practice, and still have time to do homework at the library (stinky from practice of course), all before midnight. Or the spur of the moment rafting trip to the Ocoee, or anywhere for that matter. I coming home from a Frisbee party around 3am, grabbing some popcorn, and sitting in my dorm room with Heather and winding down talking about the night until one of us nodded off (usually me). I miss being able to walk 90% of the places I needed to go, or calling a friend five minutes before you are heading to lunch to realize that they are heading there too.
OK, so I'm not sure what prompted this impromptu stroll down memory lane-- i think it was because I wanted ice cream right around the end of Ugly Betty, and realized that after college, all of your friends start to have real jobs and can't run out for ice cream at 9pm, and none of them live close to me for it to be plausible on a Thursday night anyway. It just isn't possible, and you have to work a lot harder for those moments of randomness. Damn... this got sad really fast for me. That wasn't supposed to happen...
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Women's basketball... not competitive?
So I'm sitting here watching the U.S. women's basketball team play New Zealand during the Olympics, nice relaxing Sunday morning right? NO. It was, until while i was partially watching the game and reading a book, I heard one of the commentators say that up until 10 years ago women's basketball wasn't that competitive, that it was more of a social sport. Is he fucking kidding?
This statement completely blows my mind, because if he had ever followed women's basketball, or did any research on the sport at all, he would know that women's basketball is just as competitive as men's. The reason that no one knows this is because no one has taken the time until recently to actually watch the game and follow it. I've been following women's basketball since I was in middle school, especially the Tennessee Lady Vols, and if anyone has ever turned on a game, or read anything on them or Pat Summit, they would know that women's basketball is just as competitive as men's, sometimes even more so. The Lady Vols have won 8 NCAA national championships, have been to the NCAA tournament almost every year since Pat Summit started coaching them (and since it's inception). They have been to the final four 18 times. How can someone say that a team like this isn't competitive? They have produced two of the greatest female players in history, along with more all stars and all Americans that can be counted. AND Candace Parker is the first woman who can dunk on a regular basis. Seriously?
OK... that was my Lady Vols tangent-- I am a fan. Can't help it. But in general, how can someone say it isn't competitive? Up until 10 years ago, women played because they loved the game, they were good at it, and for many it was a way to get an education at a top notch college. And then nothing. Most women, if they were good enough, would play in the Olympics every four years, maybe go overseas to play on European teams, and a very select few would continue to play on the National Team. The majority of female players, post college, didn't play competitively again. Does that make it a non-competitive aspect of the sport? No. It's just the way things were. With the WNBA, things are a little different, but it still isn't as respected as the men's side, but that's OK. It is a way for women to keep playing after college, just as the NBA is a way for men to keep playing.
Another example: My junior year of high school, church league rec basketball. CHURCH LEAGUE. it was the tournament, and we were playing the team that we all hated... and i mean hated. On our home court. And somehow, between my team, our parents, the other advent girls team in our age group, their parents, and all of our friends (advent or otherwise) we filled up the gym so much that there was no where for anyone to actually go. NO WHERE. that was the loudest and the most people that have ever seen me play basketball, or any advent team. And even though we lost, it mean a lot to us, and our friends and families. So, uncompetitive? Try asking anyone that played that night if we weren't competitive players, even at the rec level.
I guess, what I'm saying is don't knock the women's side, because more than likely, they are going to beat you anyway. And if you really want to see how the game is supposed to be played, watch the 2008 NCAA women's final. Watch TN's all star, Candace Parker, have a hurt shoulder, and score the least number of points in the season, if not her career. And then watch the rest of the team step it up on defense, literally watch them do it, and beat Stanford 64-48, It wasn't a flashy win, but it was the most decisive example of what basketball and a team should be.
I mean-- I'm just saying.
This statement completely blows my mind, because if he had ever followed women's basketball, or did any research on the sport at all, he would know that women's basketball is just as competitive as men's. The reason that no one knows this is because no one has taken the time until recently to actually watch the game and follow it. I've been following women's basketball since I was in middle school, especially the Tennessee Lady Vols, and if anyone has ever turned on a game, or read anything on them or Pat Summit, they would know that women's basketball is just as competitive as men's, sometimes even more so. The Lady Vols have won 8 NCAA national championships, have been to the NCAA tournament almost every year since Pat Summit started coaching them (and since it's inception). They have been to the final four 18 times. How can someone say that a team like this isn't competitive? They have produced two of the greatest female players in history, along with more all stars and all Americans that can be counted. AND Candace Parker is the first woman who can dunk on a regular basis. Seriously?
OK... that was my Lady Vols tangent-- I am a fan. Can't help it. But in general, how can someone say it isn't competitive? Up until 10 years ago, women played because they loved the game, they were good at it, and for many it was a way to get an education at a top notch college. And then nothing. Most women, if they were good enough, would play in the Olympics every four years, maybe go overseas to play on European teams, and a very select few would continue to play on the National Team. The majority of female players, post college, didn't play competitively again. Does that make it a non-competitive aspect of the sport? No. It's just the way things were. With the WNBA, things are a little different, but it still isn't as respected as the men's side, but that's OK. It is a way for women to keep playing after college, just as the NBA is a way for men to keep playing.
Another example: My junior year of high school, church league rec basketball. CHURCH LEAGUE. it was the tournament, and we were playing the team that we all hated... and i mean hated. On our home court. And somehow, between my team, our parents, the other advent girls team in our age group, their parents, and all of our friends (advent or otherwise) we filled up the gym so much that there was no where for anyone to actually go. NO WHERE. that was the loudest and the most people that have ever seen me play basketball, or any advent team. And even though we lost, it mean a lot to us, and our friends and families. So, uncompetitive? Try asking anyone that played that night if we weren't competitive players, even at the rec level.
I guess, what I'm saying is don't knock the women's side, because more than likely, they are going to beat you anyway. And if you really want to see how the game is supposed to be played, watch the 2008 NCAA women's final. Watch TN's all star, Candace Parker, have a hurt shoulder, and score the least number of points in the season, if not her career. And then watch the rest of the team step it up on defense, literally watch them do it, and beat Stanford 64-48, It wasn't a flashy win, but it was the most decisive example of what basketball and a team should be.
I mean-- I'm just saying.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Thoughts for the week of August 10-16 2008
So... i figured that this is as good a time as any to start this. so, every once in a while, either once a week or when the mood strikes (whichever comes the most often), I am just going to type up some of the random thoughts or angry tangents from the week.
No matter how bad the day, a glass or red wine can cure all problems and stresses.
If you are going to go to the gym, work out. Do NOT sit on a machine, an actual wight lifting machine that someone is trying to use (especially if it is the ONLY one) and read a newspaper for ten minutes, lift once, read for another ten minutes, etc. Actually work out. If you want to read your newspaper, go sit on the incline bike. No one who is actually trying to get a workout is using those.
There is a difference between being friends with someone and being friendly. Don't get the two confused.
Sometimes, they just aren't interested.
My list of stupid boys keeps getting longer, but the list of nice, sane boys keeps getting shorter, no matter how many new people I meet. This does not bode well for the future.
I love seeing friends from my past-- especially when I get to gossip and be slightly bitchy with them.
I'm going to hell, but it's ok. I'll know LOTS of people there.
No matter how bad the day, a glass or red wine can cure all problems and stresses.
If you are going to go to the gym, work out. Do NOT sit on a machine, an actual wight lifting machine that someone is trying to use (especially if it is the ONLY one) and read a newspaper for ten minutes, lift once, read for another ten minutes, etc. Actually work out. If you want to read your newspaper, go sit on the incline bike. No one who is actually trying to get a workout is using those.
There is a difference between being friends with someone and being friendly. Don't get the two confused.
Sometimes, they just aren't interested.
My list of stupid boys keeps getting longer, but the list of nice, sane boys keeps getting shorter, no matter how many new people I meet. This does not bode well for the future.
I love seeing friends from my past-- especially when I get to gossip and be slightly bitchy with them.
I'm going to hell, but it's ok. I'll know LOTS of people there.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Life After Graduate School (ok... i'm noticing a theme here)
So... finally officially graduated from graduate school! i know, i know: I've been talking about this for weeks, most people are pretty sure i finished about a month ago, and that is just not true. what actually happened is that i skipped my last class about a month ago, making my last CLASS of graduate school a month ago (and then i quickly skipped town for a week). then about two weeks ago i finished my last project, turning it in literally the last minute it could possibly be turned in for full credit, thus finishing my last assignment for graduate school two weeks ago. and this week i got all of my grades, and NOW i am officially done with school, with a 3.78 in graduate school (Magna cum laude!). so DONE (haven't gotten the diploma yet, but whatever... close as I'm going to get at this point)
So what happens after graduate school? I'm not sure,because what is supposed to happen hasn't for me yet. I know i sound like a Debbie downer, but I'm not. Not really anyway. I haven't found a job, and that happens-- apparently it has happened to over half of the people in my program. my professional life isn't the only one suffering apparently :) so I'm just hanging out, making sure i have paperwork in and stuff for more counties, subbing, and the counties i actually want to work in. I'm also doing some odd job stuff at the preschool, and will probably become someone's filing bitch here in the near future, just to make ends meet.
Other than that, I've been contemplating whether or not to move. One of the guys in my grad program is moving overseas to teach. Should i do that? i don't know. i have no idea if i should do this, but is definitely something I have always wanted to do. I've always wanted to live overseas, and a very very very long time ago i seriously wanted this. It was part of the dream, the goal for life. but now... i don't know. I can't imagine leaving Atlanta yet, but at the same time i do not want to get sucked in. And the sad thing is is that I can feel myself getting sucked in. So... do i go ahead and apply through some of the online systems for teaching overseas and see what happens, or do i just wait until I'm ready? i have no idea.
basically, life after graduate school revolves around having no earthly idea what I am supposed to be doing, or anyway to do anything i do want to do. basically.
PS: on a side note i realized how good a friend manhands is. as my cousin put it "you know you have a true friend when she will boy stalk for you". hehe :)
PPS: I caught a callahan at EOS!!!!!
So what happens after graduate school? I'm not sure,because what is supposed to happen hasn't for me yet. I know i sound like a Debbie downer, but I'm not. Not really anyway. I haven't found a job, and that happens-- apparently it has happened to over half of the people in my program. my professional life isn't the only one suffering apparently :) so I'm just hanging out, making sure i have paperwork in and stuff for more counties, subbing, and the counties i actually want to work in. I'm also doing some odd job stuff at the preschool, and will probably become someone's filing bitch here in the near future, just to make ends meet.
Other than that, I've been contemplating whether or not to move. One of the guys in my grad program is moving overseas to teach. Should i do that? i don't know. i have no idea if i should do this, but is definitely something I have always wanted to do. I've always wanted to live overseas, and a very very very long time ago i seriously wanted this. It was part of the dream, the goal for life. but now... i don't know. I can't imagine leaving Atlanta yet, but at the same time i do not want to get sucked in. And the sad thing is is that I can feel myself getting sucked in. So... do i go ahead and apply through some of the online systems for teaching overseas and see what happens, or do i just wait until I'm ready? i have no idea.
basically, life after graduate school revolves around having no earthly idea what I am supposed to be doing, or anyway to do anything i do want to do. basically.
PS: on a side note i realized how good a friend manhands is. as my cousin put it "you know you have a true friend when she will boy stalk for you". hehe :)
PPS: I caught a callahan at EOS!!!!!
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Life After Ultimate
Recently I have rediscovered the things i did before i played ultimate. i know, i know-- those things have still been around, so it's my fault that i had forgotten what those were. But in my defense, ultimate is a very soul sucking sport, because i love to play, it is the only thing I've ever been particularly good at, and the people are amazing, and the traveling, and the tournaments... the list goes on and on, and you kinda get the idea. I love the game, more than I've ever really loved anything or so I thought.
About two weeks ago i got to go and be a counselor for a middle school trip for the church i grew up in. It was AMAZING! first, i got to go and spend seven days in the woods with no drama, no email, and no telephone (unless i wanted it that is). I got to hang with 30 11, 12, and 13 year olds and watch them go through do some amazing activities that i did when i was their age (yes, i am old and I've dealt with that) and they are also some awesome kids, or at least most of them were. I also got to do some of my favorite things that i haven't done in years: rappelling, ropes course, rafting, hiking, kayaking, even mountain biking (still scary). I also got to hang out with some amazing other counselor/adult type people. three of them have known me since i was a kid and we grew up together, but i also met some people who totally get me, even though we area all totally different, and they don't know anything about my life here which i really important to me.
so i guess what I'm saying is that while on this trip i realized many things about my life:
1. I do still believe in God, I'm just not a church person currently.
Those two things are not mutually exclusive, and I had forgotten that, so it was nice to be reminded in a setting that was OK with that, and people who understand that concept.
2. I have other things (and people) in my life that are just as fun and important to me as ultimate!
I KNOW! it is true-- i like other things besides ultimate! I realized this while kayaking, and camping. I love being outside in nature, and before i started playing ultimate so much, I did kayak a little-- even though i wasn't very good at it and too scared to try anything terribly exciting-- but still. and the fact is i need to do these things, just to be rounded in my life and how i feel. I mean honestly, as dorky as it sounds, when i get away to the mountains, i am a much happier person. Also I need to remember that there are other people in my life, whose function as friends are just as important to my well being and happiness as my ultimate friends. And I need to remember to appreciate them, and spend time with them as well.
3. There was life before ultimate, and there is life after ultimate.
I mean seriously. I know this. I've always known this. I am not playing frisbee this fall, because honestly if i can't commit myself 100% to a team, practice, be there, all that jazz, then I'm not going to play at all. I would much rather spend my money and time doing other things that i love to do instead of playing for a team that isn't going to win many games and that i don't particularly care about. I mean, I'm still slightly pissed that i didn't make a team, and it is kinda bull shit, but ya know what? i shouldn't take that out on others, which would happen, but also i am now open to spend time doing other things that i love with people that i basically have blown off for the last few years while i was devoting my life to ultimate. so there is life after frisbee-- i just have to remember that more often, and take the time to enjoy that life.
So if anyone wants to head to the mountains, or needs someone to go with them, call me up. I'm totally down :)
About two weeks ago i got to go and be a counselor for a middle school trip for the church i grew up in. It was AMAZING! first, i got to go and spend seven days in the woods with no drama, no email, and no telephone (unless i wanted it that is). I got to hang with 30 11, 12, and 13 year olds and watch them go through do some amazing activities that i did when i was their age (yes, i am old and I've dealt with that) and they are also some awesome kids, or at least most of them were. I also got to do some of my favorite things that i haven't done in years: rappelling, ropes course, rafting, hiking, kayaking, even mountain biking (still scary). I also got to hang out with some amazing other counselor/adult type people. three of them have known me since i was a kid and we grew up together, but i also met some people who totally get me, even though we area all totally different, and they don't know anything about my life here which i really important to me.
so i guess what I'm saying is that while on this trip i realized many things about my life:
1. I do still believe in God, I'm just not a church person currently.
Those two things are not mutually exclusive, and I had forgotten that, so it was nice to be reminded in a setting that was OK with that, and people who understand that concept.
2. I have other things (and people) in my life that are just as fun and important to me as ultimate!
I KNOW! it is true-- i like other things besides ultimate! I realized this while kayaking, and camping. I love being outside in nature, and before i started playing ultimate so much, I did kayak a little-- even though i wasn't very good at it and too scared to try anything terribly exciting-- but still. and the fact is i need to do these things, just to be rounded in my life and how i feel. I mean honestly, as dorky as it sounds, when i get away to the mountains, i am a much happier person. Also I need to remember that there are other people in my life, whose function as friends are just as important to my well being and happiness as my ultimate friends. And I need to remember to appreciate them, and spend time with them as well.
3. There was life before ultimate, and there is life after ultimate.
I mean seriously. I know this. I've always known this. I am not playing frisbee this fall, because honestly if i can't commit myself 100% to a team, practice, be there, all that jazz, then I'm not going to play at all. I would much rather spend my money and time doing other things that i love to do instead of playing for a team that isn't going to win many games and that i don't particularly care about. I mean, I'm still slightly pissed that i didn't make a team, and it is kinda bull shit, but ya know what? i shouldn't take that out on others, which would happen, but also i am now open to spend time doing other things that i love with people that i basically have blown off for the last few years while i was devoting my life to ultimate. so there is life after frisbee-- i just have to remember that more often, and take the time to enjoy that life.
So if anyone wants to head to the mountains, or needs someone to go with them, call me up. I'm totally down :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)