Do they really matter?

Last week, while waiting for the Cleveland vs. Chicago game, I was talking to my friend Heidi. We were talking about the Jazz/Spurs game that was about to tip off. I was telling her how it could possibly be a big game for the Jazz due to their recent 4th quarter meltdowns. Her response was "It's early in the season, these games don't matter. I get into the NBA closer to the end of the season." I laughed to myself as this was not the first time I have heard someone say this. You hear it amongst family, friends, colleagues, and even the media. Not much hype is put on early season games in the NBA or MLB due to the extensive length of the seasons. A NBA team plays 82 games between late October and mid April, while a MLB teams season lasts a daunting 162 games spanning over 6 months and 3 seasons of the year. So the question came to my mind, are early season games important? My answer is Yes. And here is why.

How many times do you see the Wild Card race in baseball come down to the final day of the regular season, or like this year, a 163rd game? Ask the Detroit Tigers if they wish they would have won their season opening game this year against the Braves? They win that one, the 163rd game against Minnesota never happens and they are the ones partying in the playoffs. Ask the Utah Jazz if that November 9th loss to the New York Knicks last year meant something. They win that game, and they avoid playing the eventual World Champion Lakers in the first round. Now are you thinking differently?

Let's go even deeper. How often do you turn on a game (basketball, baseball, football, etc.) and you see the stands half full, people still filing in, and the front row "money" seats sitting empty? Almost every time right? The people who eventually come in 5 minutes after the game start think they haven't missed much. After all, isn't the end of the game the most exciting? The first few minutes of a 48 minute basketball game are insignificant in the big picture. But just think...if your team would have made one more shot in the early minutes of the game, overtime would have not been necessary. Add in those 3 missed free throws in the second quarter and that 1 point loss turns into a 2 point win.

So when you find yourself saying "Ah, this game doesn't matter because it's only November", jot that statement down somewhere and re-read it to yourself when your team misses out of the playoffs by 1 measly game. Or when you lose home court (or field) advantage throughout the playoffs because that winnable game in December ended in a loss. We expect the players on our team to come out every night and play their best, but yet we are not willing to give them our best effort as fans. If you are a fan, every quarter should matter, every half should matter, every game should matter. So before you go get mad at Boozer, Okur, D-Will, or whoever your favorite player (team) is for not showing up one night, ask yourself if you didn't show up one night also.

Girls will be girls

The past few weekends have been dedicated to my favorite friends in the world! Once you get a boyfriend, you tend to lose touch with your girlfriends. Luckily, my boyfriend was friends with my girlfriends first so I am lucky enough to keep them in my life. Every once and a while though you need a little time to yourselves.

We were suppose to go to the Colorado State game, but last minute decided to save the money. We lucked out since it was 18 degrees and the freeways were shut down. So instead, we went to dinner, got a hotel, and watched TLC shows...oh ya and eavesdropped on the drunk people next door fighting.

Then last weekend was Heidi's birthday. Dinner at CPK, the most wonderful Red Velvet Cake, and presents made for awesome Thursday night.

The very next day we headed to Vegas for the football game. 2 years ago when Heidi and I went down, we witnessed one of the worst games Utah football has ever played. Luckily this trip turned out much better for everyone involved! A little In-and-Out Burger, cheering the Utes on to a win, and girls simply being girls made for a much needed weekend away from reality! Here's to the Single Ladies...One two three...or four? On the floor? Can't wait for the next girls weekend!

Who I am?

I have been thinking the past few days of that very question....Who am I? What makes me the person I am today? What do I need to make me happy? Lately I have been trying to figure that out. How would I describe myself to someone who didn't know me? I had a hard time sleeping last night, and so I really thought of this question. So I figured the best way to figure it out was to write it down...

I am a Child of God...I believe strongly in family...I have come to realize how much I want a temple marriage...I am a Utah man sir and I will be 'til I die...No matter how hard I try, I still strongly dislike BYU... I have a PASSION for teaching...I love to learn...I REALLY need my alone time..Even though I need my alone time, I love when Brian is around...I cry at EVERYTHING...Even though I am not even close right now, I want to be a mother some day...I get a thrill out of finding things on sale...I can be extremely self-conscious...I don't always realize when I am in the wrong, and it gets me in trouble...I have to write things down...I really dislike talking on the phone...I am trustworthy...I am loving and caring...I will be loyal as long as you are loyal to me...I hate hurting people..I am happy...

This could go on for days, but even just sitting here I am getting some realizing more and more of who I am

A constant cycle

Well its here... It inevitably comes no matter the state of the economy or the weather pattern. It's talked about on the news, the radio, blogs, around the water cooler, and yes...even in church on Sunday's. Some people say the only two things that are certain in life are Death and Taxes. In my world, there is one more certainty, and it could quite possibly be the best certainty of all. This certainty is College Football, and it is OH SO GOOD!

The cycle begins with emotions of excitement and uncertainty leading up to the season. Every fan has the highest expectations for their team, no matter the way the previous year ended. Some players have moved on to bigger and better things, and other players are stepping up to take their place. Newcoming players have their eye on the prize and feel like they rule the world. Coaches tell you that they are pleased with the progress their team has made throughout the spring and summer. After Week 1, 59 teams will be 1-0, and 59 will be 0-1 (1 lucky team will still be 0-0, who this is, I have no idea) So in all reality, half of the country will be celebrating and half will be mouring.

Within a few weeks, 30 (or so) groups of players, coaches and fans will still be living life on the high road. Yes there might have been a speed bump or two along the way, but the road is still paved for a successful season. The excitement and uncertainty of the pre-season is gone, and everyone has a pretty good idea of where their team sits. A different feeling of excitement is building as potential is now fairly clear. Some teams still might be on the way towards an Undefeated Season, some moving towards Conference Championships, and a handful are in the hunt for a National Championship. On the other end of the spectrum, 30 (or so) groups of players, coaches and fans are found asking themselves the question "What Happened?" or "What if?" or saying things like "If only..." and "Maybe next year".

Then there comes that fantastic week in November...Rivalry Week! Simply the best games of the year. A good season could become a great season by beating your rival. A bad season could have some of the bitterness put to rest because you won the "only game that really matters". But most of all, all of the questions will be answered. Who is on to the National Championship Game? Who is busting the BCS? And where will you be traveling for your Christmas break?

No matter the outcome, whether good or bad, the season inevitably comes to a close. Depression sets in as you deal with the dreary January and February weather. But there is that day in April when you get a glimpse of heaven, and the excitement again begins to build. Its a constant cycle that is as certain as the sun rising and setting every day.

So here's to the 2009 sunrise beginning tonight!!! I am ok with the uncertainty and excitement because the greatest day of the year has finally come...and you better believe I will be soaking it all up! See you all tonight at the best place on earth...Rice-Eccles Stadium!!!! A U-tah Man Am IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII GO UTES!!!!!

Leap of Faith

Thinking back 3 years ago, I was starting back at the U for my final semester of college. I had just a few classes to take and I was so excited to be done. What was funny is I had no idea what I was going to do once December of 2006 came. I knew I would get a job, but I had no idea where to start. I went through the semester having the time of my life! I had just started dating Brian, I was serving on Lambda Delta Sigma's Interchapter Council, and living it up! Reality hit me that winter when January came and I had no school and no job.

Here I sit 3 years later a completely different person! If you would have told me then that in August 2009, you would be starting your second year as a Special Education teacher, I would have laughed in your face! I can not believe how much I have grown and learned in these past few years. Even looking back last year, I was a brand new teacher having NO IDEA what I was doing. Today as I walked around the halls of Sprucewood Elementary, I found myself excited for the new year. I know what to expect (to a point, being a teacher brings new experiences every day) and I feel like I kind of know what I am talking about. It is a great feeling!

I am so thankful for this windy road I have been down over the past 3 years. I have gone from a naive college graduate, to a fill-in aide, to a Literacy coordinator, to a potential Social Work Graduate Student and now a 2nd year Resource teacher. I have complete faith that you have to pick something and do it, and if it is not what you are suppose to be doing, something (or someone) will come and let you know. I can honestly tell you that all of those decisions were never "confirmed" to me that it was what I should be doing at the time. But I can tell you that every one of the choices I have made have lead me exactly to the point I am at right now.

So to all of those people who are in my shoes right now, hang in there! Everything will work out...don't wait around for someone or something to tell you it's right, just take the leap of faith and do it! You never know where it might take you and who knows, maybe 3 years from now you will be writing this exact same post on your blog. Happy Back-to-School time to everyone!!!

Utah Football...

...Where Amazing Happens...

Let's...Go...Utah!!!!

Yes I know....

He has to be one of the cutest babies on the planet...and he's my nephew!!!