A Win, A Loss, and A Birthday

Two weeks later and I finally have a post. A little over a week ago, the family traveled 8.5 hours to South Bend, IN. Not many good things can be said about Indiana. But, one very good thing is that it is the home state of the great University of Notre Dame. I only wish that I had $42,000/year to go there when I was 18. But, I digress. This year's trip did not disappoint. The weather was beautiful. The whole family arrived safely. Eric and I rented an SUV so my parents could ride up with us. Dustin (my brother for those who don't read regularly) and his wife Sarah flew up from Jacksonville, FL.

Friday we took a stroll around campus and spent too much money in the book store. We learned the hard way to not go near the bookstore on game day it is complete chaos.

The campus is amazing. South Bend isn't that pretty of a city but when you walk onto campus it all changes. This is the famous golden dome. It serves as their administrative building.

One of the new attempts of Notre Dame to make game-day weekend fan friendlier is to open up the famous tunnel for fans to come take pictures on Friday. If you are not familiar with the famous tunnel, it is the tunnel in which the players run out of before every game. If you need further clarification, check out the movie Rudy. This was an emotional moment for my family. I am not sure if the emotions came from the surrounding environment or the horrible memories of last season.

This is looking up the tunnel. All the National Championship banners hang there in all their glory. ND has the most National Championships of any college football team. They are third in college football history for most wins just behind Michigan in first then Texas. ND decided to help Michigan widen that gap this past weekend.

There are a few sites that have to be seen every time we go. The Grotto is a replica of Grotto of Massabielle in France. In 1878, St. Bernadette claimed to have a vision of Mary. St. Bernadette reported that Mary directed her to an unheard-of spring in the grotto. The site in France is popular for Pilgrims because it is believed that the water has special healing powers. In the upper-right-hand corner of the photo you will see the bottom of a statue. This is a statue Lady of Lourdes (Mary). This is always the quietest place on campus. When we go to the USC game, I will try to get a better picture of the grotto and of the lake it faces.

This is my brother and wonderful sister-in-law. Sarah is a huge UT fan but is always great when we head up to ND. She stays in good mood even when Dustin and Eric give her a hard time about being a UT fan. Sometimes they are ruthless. Let's just remind Eric he went to UT.

We take one of these pictures every year in front of Touchdown Jesus. The actual name for this 1964 mural/mosaic by Millard Sheets is "The Word of Life" a reference to the scripture John 1:1-5. The art is located on the side of the university's library.

About 3 hours before kickoff, the players all attend mass. They attend mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart seen in the background of this picture. This is one of the most beautiful churches I have ever been in. It also houses that largest pool of holy water I have ever seen in my life. The fans are waiting for the players to walk from mass to the stadium. We always wait for about an hour for a good spot along the walk. It is over in less than two minutes. Hey, when you are a fan you are a fan. I will try to get pics of the inside of the church next time.

As you enter the stadium, there are statues honoring the great coaches and players of ND's history. My family's favorite is Lou Holtz. Holtz was the head coach of ND from 1986-1996. Interesting fact about Holtz, he had the names removed off the back of the jerseys to promote team unity. The names have not been on the back of the jerseys since. I love him even if he makes crazy claims like ND is going to play Florida in the National Championship this year. Dustin and Eric were excited to get their pic with Lou.

This is our view during the game. The stadium is very small so there isn't a bad seat in the house. There isn't even a jumbo tron. See the sea of gold in the left? That is the famous student section. Watching them makes me miss college.

The whole family after the Nevada game. It was great we won 35-0. Maybe Lou is right. But wait, Michigan beat us this past Saturday. Ughh.

Eric and I after the game. He is always happy around sporting venues. Just a note, Eric doesn't have a white circle on his neck in real life. He is white circle free.

It was a great long weekend. As noted earlier in the blog, ND lost the following weekend to Michigan. I was really hoping to see Rich Rodriguez cry again. It was also my 27th birthday this weekend. No big celebrations just stayed at home with the hubby. So, not a bad couple of weeks if I say so myself.

It is Almost Time for Football

Eric, Me, Dustin, and Sarah

Three years ago Eric's boss graciously bought us 50-yard-line tickets to watch Notre Dame play football against UNC. I have always been an ND fan but Eric has always cheered for UNC. I am lucky because one of Eric's co-workers is also a huge ND fan. So, the boss decided to buy the tickets - UNC for Eric and ND for Chris. Ever since that faithful day, Eric has been in love with ND football.

Eric, Me, Dustin, and SarahNotice how small the stadium is. Also how bundled up we are. It was cold to say the least.

Most people absolutely hate ND, mainly because they are ND. But I challenge anyone to go to a game in South Bend and not fall in love. The following year Eric and I took my brother and his wife up to Notre Dame for their birthdays. This was more for Dustin than Sarah. She is such a good sport.

Eric and I. Again, it was very cold.

We had so much fun that the next year Dustin and I bought Mom and Dad (he is the reason Dustin and I are even fans) tickets to a game and made it a family trip. We had a blast. So now it is a Kosak (my maiden name) tradition. This coming weekend we will be heading up to northern Indian again to watch the Irish open the season against Nevada. Hopefully I will have some great pics to share. But, before I blog about the big trip, I would like to share some things that I look forward to each year we go to ND.

Yes, that is me about to run a route.

1. Little kids in jerseys playing football on campus.
2. Watching the players walk from pre-game Mass to the stadium.
3. Throwing football with my husband. I know this is a shock for some of you.
4. Watching the Irish marching band.
5. Seeing the gold helmets through the tunnel and out onto the field.
6. The food - I always enjoy a good grilled hamburger.
7. If it is cold, they have the best hot chocolate.
8. Cheering so loud that I lose my voice.
9. Spending too much money in the bookstore.
10. Spending the weekend with my entire family.

Not a Good Friday Afternon

I just completed my first full week with the students for the 09-10 school year. I was ready to come home Friday and get my weekend started. Well, God has a way of letting you know that you are not in control of your life. I got in my car to go get Eric. I was looking forward to a nice dinner with my husband. Then, the car didn't crank.

I handled this pretty well. I texted Eric to let him know that the car wouldn't crank then called AAA to have them come jump the car. No problem. My evening would just have to be postponed for about an hour.

Maybe not. The car had to be towed. At this point, I am starting to get nervous and on the verge of tears especially since I am going to have to ride with a stranger to the repair shop. Once the car was dropped off, I walked over to McDonald's to wait for my very amazing in-laws to pick me up. See, Eric's battery in his car is dead. So, we had no car.

Eric's wonderful parents picked me up then took Eric and me to Wal-Mart to get the necessary parts for Eric's car to be fixed. After a dinner, a battery change, and a tire change, Eric's car was good to go. I can't thank Eric's parents enough.

My car is still in the shop. We were lucky that the damage is only around $100.00. I get to pick her up Monday.

Let's get week number two started.

Apologizes, School Days, and Zombies

I have truly been neglecting my blogging duties. So, I apologize to my millions of readers who have been dying for me to post something about my oh so interesting life. The past couple weeks have just been hectic with school starting and getting back into a routine. Today was the first full day with students. I have to admit, I am starting my 6th year teaching, and I still get nervous for that first day of class. For those not in education, here is a list that will describe what it is like for me (and I think other teachers as well) each fall...

1. Worry about what to wear the first day of school

2. Can't sleep the night before the first day of class because I wonder what my new students will be like or praying what they won't be like

3. Get excited about new school supplies (this one may just be me)

4. Nervous about meeting new people (at my school, there were over 20 new people)

5. Look on the calendar to see when fall break is

6. Endless lines at the copy machine to make copies of letters to parents and my syllabus

7. A sore throat from talking so much the first few days

I am sure there are more. And, if you are a teacher, please feel free to add to this list by posting a comment.

I do want to mention one last thing. I recently purchased the book Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith. It starts out as follows,

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in

want of more brains."

No, I am not making this up. It is actually a New York Times bestseller. I just couldn't leave it on the shelf. I am currently about 100 pages into the book. So, keep your eye open for a

future blog about Elizabeth Bennet saving Mr. Darcy from the flesh eating zombies.

Who Lives in a Pineapple Under the Sea?

My cousin Nic celebrated his 4th birthday this past week. I have not missed one of his party's yet. I just can't say no to cake and family. This year was especially exciting because his party theme was Spongebob Squarepants.

I love buying presents for little kids. Before the party, I stopped by Toys r Us and ended up with a bag full of Spongebob toys...

• Ants in the Pants game - Spongebob theme
• Spongebob book
• Krusty Crab play set
• Spongebob Candy
• Spongebob Memory Card game

As you can see, I am a person who likes to stick to the theme.

I am going to admit on of my secrets right now...are you ready? I love Spongebob Squarepants. Now, don't start thinking I am crazy (Amy). I do not own anything with Spongebob print on it. I just really enjoy the show. It is actually my favorite show to go to sleep to at night. If you haven't seen it, try it. If you don't like it, I don't blame you. It can be annoying at times, but I have fallen in love with the characters. Squidward wants to be miserable and cynical but Spongebob won't allow it. Patrick isn't smart and he is fine with it. Spongebob loves life. Simple characters, simple stories.

My favorite quote from the show is said by Squidward to SpongeBob, "in case you've forgotten, here's how things work. I order the food, you cook the food, the customer gets the food. We do that for forty years and then we die."

You now know one of my deepest, darkest secrets.

Pictures of Mamaw and Papaw

I just found some pics of my Mamaw and Papaw enjoy!

Edwin Dennis
I am not sure what year this pic was taken. I do know that he is at least 90 years old in this picture, no more than 94.

Margaret Dennis

Mamaw is in her late 80s in this picture.

Friends

I have never been one to have lots of girlfriends and to the girlfriends I did have through high school I probably wasn't the best friend. It isn't that I talked about them behind their backs or played tricks on them, I just started dating Eric at a very young age, and he has been my best friend ever since.


Through college to the present, I believe I have improved on my friend abilities. This is not because of some great effort on my part. I have just had the privilege to meet some of the greatest women in the world.


Alayna Adams

If you could pick two people more different (personality wise) and put them in the room together, it would be Alayna and me. Alayna and I were pot-luck roommates our freshman year at UT. I went into the arrangement knowing I was going to be living with a stranger. Alayna on the other hand had been hoping to live with her best friend (a very sweet girl that Ms Woodward is). Well, she was very upset that it didn't work out, and assumed I was going to be some hillbilly that didn't wear shoes. To set the record strait, it isn't like Alayna is from Manhattan. She is from Memphis. I on the other hand thought she was going to be stuck up and rude. Because that is how all rich people in Germantown are.


Well, God knew we needed each other. I was a perfectionist to the point of being unhealthy. And, well, Alayna was not. Her motto in college was, "D is for degree." I thought this was blasphemy. She use to storm into the dorm room and yell, "Are you studying again?" But as the weeks went by, we rubbed off on each other. I didn't stress as much. She studied more (a little more).


I credit Alayna with saving me that semester and semesters to come. She taught me to relax, have fun, and that worrying will do no good. She is a true friend. She is my best friend. I will always love her as if she were my sister. Love you, Alayna.

You should check her blog out SassyMcSmartyPants. There is a link to the left.


Amy Williams

First, I want to point out that I am blogging about this particular subject because of Amy. She has been begging me, "when are you going to blog about how great I am?" I hope I do you justice Amy.


I met Amy 3 years ago at Powell High School. Amy and I had similar clientele so I would often go to her to seek advice. Over time, these mentor sessions turned into true friendship. Any time I need anything, Amy is just one phone call away. She is a beautiful woman with a sweet spirit and great sense of humor (which can be rather crude sometimes...Please consult Eric for clarification). My day is always better when it has involved her. I am a better person for knowing her. I adore you, Amy.

Kandi Seals MacMahan

Kandi has by far the sweetest heart of anyone I know. Kandi and I have known each other since high school but didn't become good friends until college. We became roomies our sophomore year and lived together until the end with Alayna. We were in each other's weddings, cried and laughed for each other during hard times, and never got on each other's nerves, at least she never got on mine.

I just had dinner with Kandi the other night to catch up. It was an extremly over due get-together. Nothing about Kandi has changed and that is what I love about her. Love you, Kandi.

Beth Whitlock Brown

I have known Beth since 1st grade, longer than I have known anyone. We have been the dearest of friends ever since. I moved away at the end of 6th grade, and with the help of our wonderful parents, we managed to stay in touch. Although, I wish I spoke to her more. Beth and I have shared some of the most precious moments together. The most important is the fact we got baptised on the same day and have grown in our faiths together ever since. Even though time and distance have separated us, I know with out a doubt we will remain friends forever. Thank you for always being there, Beth.

Dinner Divas

This is a group of young women that makes me smile every time I see them. I have been blessed to have monthly visits with them. The Divas (aka female version of a hustler) are: Amy Williams, Kacey Wright, Melinda Lentz, Logan Thress, Leah Thress, Hannah Thress, Sarah McAffry, Steph Sherrod, Johanna Bullard, and Allison Mcgregor. I am happy they invited me into their group. They hold me accountable and make me be a better person. But, I do like to think they would fall apart without me though. Until next month, Divas.