I'm Thankful for... (Day 1)

my education.

There isn't a day that passes without me being consciously aware of how much my education from Marshall University has benefited my life.  I took a huge leap of faith when I moved to Huntington in the Fall of 2002; I moved 3 hours away from home and chose to attend a school where I'd never received a formal campus tour.  I left behind a home on the mend, as my mom, brother, and I were still in the process of picking up the pieces and moving on from the untimely death of my father. Little did I know,  Marshall University would FIX me for life.

It's where I moved on, overcame grief and shock, and grew up.  I began dating my husband there, learned the concepts of hard work and team effort, and found a real sense of belonging in this big crazy thing we call "life".  I really became my own little woman in the city of Huntington, discovered a serious need for challenges and adventure, and developed the beginnings of a ruthless attempt to live life to the fullest.  I became brave.  "What's the big deal?", you ask - "it's just Huntington, it's not like it's New York City or anything."  For me, it was!  I grew up in a town of 3,000 in rural West Virginia, scared to go anywhere and do anything.  The four years I spent as a student at Marshall University were all I needed to realize that I can do anything. (OK, not anything. But lots of things.)

My education also benefited me employment-wise.  Moving to Southeastern Ohio doesn't exactly guarantee a large pool of job opportunities.  No, I'm not a lawyer. Or doctor. or dentist.  I'm definitely nowhere near having as much money as I would like, but I have a sweet office inside the building of a non-profit organization that most would die to have. I work with fantastic co-workers that have become friends. Most importantly, I found a sense of belonging as a working person in a college town that is basically made up of the college and various pizza chain restaurants, and have been able to live happily and fully with my husband and our little fat house cat.

I earned a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from the Marshall University College of Liberal Arts in Criminal Justice.  The confidence and sense of accomplishment that I feel is still overwhelming, even after 5 years of sporting the cap and gown and shaking president Kopp's hand on stage as the late Senator Byrd looked on from his seat. It's not just a piece of paper on the wall; it's my love life, my work life, and my entire future.  It's a great past, an unforgettable experience, and a tradition for my husband, sister-in-law, and I.  How could I not take time out to be thankful for something that resembles love, livelihood, and special bonds that will last forever?

   

What is one thing that you're thankful for today?

(Go Herd!)

Last day for the B&B works giveaway! and super fast weekend round-up

I will be notifying the winner of my Bath & Body Works 'summer isn't over" goodie bag giveaway tomorrow, so make sure to enter by midnight! For details, read the official giveaway post.


I've had a super busy but awesome weekend!  I visited my fam and hung out in Huntington Friday evening thru Saturday Morning, for the Friends of Coal Bowl.  Marshall lost to WVU in OVERTIME!  It was a complete heartbreaker, and I totally whimpered and cried about it.  Aside from the WVU fans who sat at home and watched it on tv, then harassed me on Facebook when it was over, it was a great game - so great that the WV governor renewed the Friends of Coal Bowl contract for another 10 years!  It's going to take me a whole year to recover from that experience.  My husband still has a sore throat and no voice, two whole days later!

 

Saturday evening we hopped off our home on the hill, down to Peden Stadium and watched our Ohio Bobcats play the Toledo Rockets.  I was completely moved and teary-eyed when the Bobcat football players came running onto the field carrying an American flag before the game started.  September 11th has touched everyone in a personal, emotional, mental, or even physical way.  I must mention that I really enjoyed everyone's September 11th memorial posts this weekend - I didn't get time to comment on them, but I loved them all - especially the "where were you?" posts.  Great writing!

September 11th Memorial
Marshall University Campus

Today is a lazy NFL Sunday.  I just watched my Tom Brady with his flowing hair, and the rest of the awesome Pats team beat the Bengals!  I also ate an entire box of Great Value brand chocolate filled cupcakes and two mini sized Edy's ice creams (i'm super PMS-ing, ok?!?) I'm feelin' a little rough, I've watched way too much football, and now i'm ready to read, write a little, and perform my duties at the ironing board.  


I'm looking forward to the VMAs tonight!  I hope you all had a great weekend!

Play until the whistle blows!

3 days.
I will be excited - and nervous.  
I will  be wasting my agency's money by surfing the web for the latest college football stories during office hours.
I will be nervously toying with my green and white football charm bracelet.
I will be wearing a collegiate tee with a black blazer, black dress pants, and heels.
I will be holding on to some kind of hope that my team, the Marshall Thundering Herd, can "play until the whistle blows" and avoid the embarrassment that the opposing team could possibly serve them - but, I have a feeling, it's not going to be as big of a beating as some of my Ohio friends suspect.
I will hope that grandpa Lou Holtz has something nice to say about the Herd, a young team with a brand new coach and a brand new outlook.
I will be defending my team to no end, as Ohio State fans badger me with ignorant, bold and disrespectful comments at the office (I'm exaggerating here - really, they're nice people.)
I will hold my head up high, because even though the Buckeyes are one of the strongest powerhouses of this college football nation, my Herd has soul, respect, and gorgeous kelly green uniforms. And awesome fans, like me.

Thursday, September 2nd, 7:30 pm

  vs. 

Say a prayer for me on Thursday night, will you? (At least I will be noshing on good food.)

I love Football.

Sure, I'm a girl - and I totally don't know every single thing about the game, but I understand enough to know that I love it.  When it's not football season, I'm in mourning! Lucky for me, NFL preseason has begun and college practices are well underway.

I love the Marshall Thundering Herd!

When I was a freshman at Marshall University, Byron Leftwich was the star quarterback and the Thundering Herd was ranked 7th in the nation.  Sadly, I had no clue what any of that meant. I began dating the lucky man who is now my husband, and joined him at Marshall games with an extremely open heart and open mind my first fall at MU; this is how I learned about the sport, and I fell in love - with both him, and football.  The rest is history.

I love the hype.  Excited fans and media coverage get me going!

I love the clothes.  Buying team gear is my favorite thing to do to get ready for the season (I'm a girl, remember?) If i'm going to a game, the team shop is always my first stop! You can never have to many spirit beads.

I love getting sunburnt on only one half of my face during those late afternoon games. It's worth looking stupid the following week!

I love fall Saturday mornings - I know a day full of football is coming, and the guys on ESPN are the best at building the anticipation! 

I love mascots.  So hilarious - they kill me!  I'm like a kid, I have to get my picture taken with 'em when I'm at a game.  If i don't get to, I POUT!

I love spirit beads.  Did i mention that already?

I love halftime - I'm a sucker for a great marching band performance.  (Ohio University's Marching 110 is AMAZING! You tube them!)

I love cozy autumn Sundays filled with NFL madness.

I love Tedy Bruschi.

I love the new Victoria's Secret Pink Loves the NFL clothing line! (I'm already rocking the Patriots gear for preseason!)

I love Lou Holtz.  Seriously.  He's like a grandpa to me.

I love a good backstory.  I enjoy learning about team history, legendary players and coaches, and school rivalries.
I love watching Ohio University head coach Frank Solich wander around the gym - he seems so lost in thought, probably thinking about football, and seems to forget where he is and what he's supposed to be doing.  I almost fall off the Eliptical giggling at him every time.
I love cute kids dressed up as football players and cheerleaders. It makes me want one. (A kid, I mean.)

I love gameday snacks.  It's the perfect excuse to indulge in dangerously delicious unhealthy food!

I love those crazy, exciting, rare plays.  This is my favorite (it's only 38 seconds!):

Yes, folks, Byron had a broken shin.  He left the game to go to the hospital, then came back and played in the game later.  This video is also part of the football clip montage at the end of We Are Marshall - it brings tears to my eyes every single time I watch it!

Most importantly, I love a good game.  A win is great, but a loss followed by a strong team performance is fine, too - this is especially the case when I'm watching two teams that I have neutral feelings about :)

Did I miss anything?

Oh, and I love the Marshall Thundering Herd. I even love the scary looking Marco!