The Road to the Final Four

The term "The Road to the Final Four" is known by college basketball fans as the journey each team begins at the start of the season as they chase the ultimate goal: The National Title. This year, I was fortunate enough to watch my KY Wildcats take a crazy journey through the season and end up in the Final Four in Houston. I was even lucky enough to see them play, but sadly we did not make it to the title game. However, as I reflected on my life and the years that led up to me having a seat at Reliant Stadium in Houston, the term, "The Road to the Final Four" took on a very different meaning for me. It somewhat became a metaphor of sorts for me.

You see, I'm a huge believer in fate and destiny. And as I became overjoyed with the excitement that I was going to get to see my Cats play in the Final Four, I began to reflect upon the years, people, places, and events that led up to me sitting in that arena.

Picture it, Mandeville, LA, 1996. That was the first year that my family lived in Louisiana. I hated it. I hated just about everything about it. I hated the weather, I hated my school, I hated the food there, the way people talked. I HATED EVERYTHING. Also, in April of that year, my Cats also made the journey to the Final Four and clinched the title that year. Their first since 1978. I remember like it were yesterday, watching the game in our living room with my family, so proud to see our boys take it all, and a little sad that I wasn't in the Bluegrass State to celebrate with my fellow Wildcat fans. I was even fortunate enough to share the same feeling of pride when we won again in 1998.

Fast forward to present day. I have come a long way from that living room in Mandeville. I have made my peace with moving to Louisiana and I have even learned to love some things about it. I even take credit for recruiting some new members to the Big Blue Nation.

Last week, I found myself sitting with my family in Reliant Stadium watching the Cats as they made a memorable run for the title. And as I sat there I couldn't help but all the events that had taken place for me to get there. Had I never left KY, I may never had such a passion for KY basketball (ok...that's a lie...it's like religion in that state). Also, if my family had never made that first move to Mandeville, would my parents have eventually ended up in Houston, which made us going to the Final Four convenient? There is no way to know. But what I do know, is that fate has lead me to where I am today. Even on my saddest days, when all I could think of was how my life might be better if I still lived in KY, I had fate that it was all for a reason. I had fate, that one day I would know why destiny took me on so many moves and changes through life. Also, several recent events and random twists of fate, have helped me to realize that it was all for a REASON! When, I look back on the years I spent bitter over a move, I realize that had I not moved, I would have missed out on some many wonderful people, places, things, and experiences. People who have come and gone, things that I may not have otherwise tried, places I may have never seen, and experiences I would never have gotten to cherish.

My Road to the Final Four was a crazy journey. But I wouldn't have traded sitting in Section 115, row AA, seat 19, the other night for the world!

FATE: the will or principle or determining cause by which things in general are believed to come to be as they are or events to happen as they do : destiny

There are just some things you always love.....

Thirty for 30

Recently, I was reading my grandmother's sister's granddaughter's (so I guess that makes her my 3rd cousin) Whitney's blog: Witty Whits Words, and she did an awesome entry entitled "28 for 28", which was basically 28 random things about her life for her 28 trips around the sun. After reading, I was inspired to compose Thirty things for 30. Although, it would rather be 18 for 18 or 21 for 21 again, I realize that my 30 trips around the sun have been purposeful and I must pay them respect. After all, this blog was inspired in the beginning by my turning 30 in the first place. So here it goes: Thirty for 30. Please don't judge me!

1. I love my hometown of Paducah, KY. For people who have never moved around, they may not understand the love that you can have for a place that you lived that you are no longer close to. I love going back to visit and try to go once a year. Also, I plan to make the trip once a year for the rest of my life so that I never forget my roots, where I came from, or how peaceful it can be to sit where the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers meet and be at peace.

2. I love to write. I have always loved to write. However, it's only been in my recent adult life that I have been confident enough to share it with the world.

3. I love college basketball (especially KY). Although I love most sports, I think that football and baseball are just buffers between March Madness and the Tip Off Classic.

4. I had the mumps when I was 3. I may never win the lotto, but I had a one in a million illness.

5. I have a tattoo of a shamrock on my back. My mom hates it, but I love it. It reminds me of my Irish heritage and the people who came before me so that I could live the privileged life that I have.

6. When I was 6, I told my mom I wanted to be a special education teacher. Guess there are some things in life you are just sure of.

7. The first time I flew alone was when I was 14. I flew from NOLA to Miami to meet my friend Elizabeth and her mom to go on spring break in Key West. I still can't believe my parents let me do that.

8. I believe in signs from the universe. I always have. I agree with Oprah calls them, "God Whispers". I think that sometimes, God or the Universe whispers a little something into your ear to remind you that it's going to be OK.

9. I honestly believe I have the worst hair ever. I know every girl says that, but I wake up in the morning looking like Flock of Seagulls.

10. The older I get, the more I realize the importance of family. I also realize that they have and have had my best interest at heart, when I didn't think so.

11. I the year 2006, I got in 3 wrecks, none of which were my fault. I'm convinced my insurance premium will never recover.

12. I love to eat Jack in the Box....sober.

13. I drink black coffee every morning and I have since I was 4. Every morning I would go to my grandparent's house before school and my PaPaw and I would each have a cup of coffee. Occasionally, we would each have a pipe (mine blew bubbles).

14. When I was in second grade, I was on Good Morning America. They did a spotlight on Paducah and I was one of the school kids picked to be filmed standing in front of City Hall, waving and saying "GOOD MORNING AMERICA". I still have it on VHS for all who are interested.

15. I'm a democrat and proud to be one. And no, I'm not one because I jumped on a bandwagon or I listen to rhetoric from one news outlet. I have always considered myself one and I believe that my core values are those represented by that party. There was a time when I was scared to say my beliefs out of fear of offending people, but I now realize that life is too short to run scared.

16. When I was 4, I was at a baseball card show with my dad and St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith came over to me, picked my up, and asked my what my baby dolls name was.

17. I am absolutely terrified of mice. Finding one in your washing machine after you've done a load or two really does you in on the little critters.

18. I love to take road trips alone because it gives me the opportunity to clear my head and get back to reality.

19. I want to sky dive.

20. I'm a sucker for reality TV. The trashier.....the better.

21. I really enjoy school. I love teaching it and I love going to it. I started preschool when I was 3 and have been in school pretty much every year since then, with only a brief hiatus for 2.5 years when I was deciding on what to go to graduate school for. And although I'm done with grad school, I found myself back in school.

22. My sister Kellie and I are just about as opposite as you can get, but some how manage to be the best of friends.

23. I realize now that I took the time I had with my MaMaw as a child for granted. She was one of the best story tellers that I have ever met. She could tell a story that made you felt like you had traveled back in time.

24. I want to travel Australia one day. As far back as my memory reaches, I have been fascinated with the country.

25. When I was say, about 4 or so, I was completely over taken by Mary Lou Retton. I had a Team USA leotard that I would wear everywhere in hopes that people would think I was her.

26. Donnie Wahlberg is my favorite New Kid and is my one celebrity gimme!

27. I'm a news junkie. The first think I do every morning is check the news on my phone so that I can know what is going on in the world.

28. I still hate Laettner.

29. I sometimes tell people I'm a natural red head. It's up to them if they want to believe me.

30. I've recently come to realize that it's OK to take chances and go at something with a leap of (blind) faith.

Waiting to Shave...

Recently, I had a conversation with a friend of mine about how excited we were as little girls to get to shave our legs. It just seemed so exciting at the time. We just couldn't wait. As a kid, there was just something that seemed so grown about it. I think I felt as if shaving was like crossing the threshold from a little girl to a woman. As our conversation progressed, we began laughing about how now its like a chore...almost like dusting or vacuuming the house.

After I had that conversation, I began to think and reflect on it. How, waiting to shave my legs, was kind of like a metaphor for how impatient we get to go through life. How we are wanting to always hurrying through things. I was so preoccupied with wanting to shave and "be grown", I was forgetting to stop and smell the roses. Because trust me, if I could turn back time now, I would laugh a little more and enjoy being young an innocent more than I ever thought possible.

Also, as I continued to reflect, I thought of all the things in my life I couldn't wait for, and now they're gone. I dreamed of high school and college, and now I'll never get that experience ever again. I couldn't wait to be grown and live life on my own. Now, I often miss those family dinners where we would discuss our day. I also realized, that there are many, many other things ahead of me in my life I can't wait for, but this time, I'm going to stop and smell the roses. I'm going to make it my personal quest to live life one day at a time, and not worry about what the future holds. Before I know it, the future will be the past. I realize now, that it's OK to be just where you are.

Wrigleyville Rooftop; Throwin' some bags

Chicago 2008

The End of 10......

I'm a little behind on my blogging. It's crazy how we get so overwhelmed around the holidays. But it's a good kind of busy. Enjoying friends, family, fun, laughter, and delicious treats that for some reason we only indulge on at the holidays. And here we are in 2011.

Although this sounds cliche', I can't help but stop and think about is where does the time go? It seems like it was not that long ago that we were fearing Y2K. Now, we have surpassed the first decade of the 21st Century. So much has happened during this decade, that it's impossible for me to even recall half of it. I began the 21st Century as a wide eyed and somewhat naive 19 year old, and I leave the first decade this Century as a 30 year old on the brink of living a wonderful life. In those fist 10 years, I have learned so many things. Things that I will carry on with me through the decades to come. I have learned the value and benefits of a good nights sleep, how a song can take you back to a wonderful place and time, how to be a good teacher, and how years ago can suddenly seem like yesterday.

Many people, places, and things have come into my life during these 10 years, some have quickly gone, some have stayed for a while, others will last a lifetime. Here's to the next 10!

30 Great Trips around the Sun......

8th Birthday

1988, Paducah, KY

(I've always had bad hair)

As of 8:08 pm yesterday, it's official. My 20s are gone, and a new decade has been born. Hard to believe that I've had 30 trips around the sun. Some trips were better than others, but any trip around the sun, is a good one. I've met many people, learned many lessons, and fallen in and out of love. It's amazing how things that happened years and decades ago, seem like they were only yesterday. Here's to the past 30 trips around the sun, the many more to come, and the fabulous journey along the way!

A Party: 30 Years in the Making

This past Saturday, I had my Dirty Thirty party. Although I have a few days of my 20s left, this past Saturday was the time to celebrate. The theme was "A Funeral to my 20s", because I wanted to give them the honor and respect that I deserve. My 20s were filled with fun, adventure, laughter, and tears. Some of my closest friends even read to me eulogies to my 20s, in which they recalled their favorite memories. It was almost surreal to to sit back and think of the many things that have come and gone in this decade. The things we did and the things we should have never done.

I've also realized, that my life may not be where I "think" it should be, but it's right where it is suppose to be. Had the things that I "thought" were suppose to happen in my 20s took place, there is so much that I would have missed out on. My number of Dave concerts would be significantly lower, I may not have seen Times Square in NYC, or celebrated my 29th birthday in Vegas. I may not have the friends that I have now, and would not have those girls to laugh with and call up to cry with.

Turning 30 is only a stepping stone in my life. It's the dawning of a new decade in my life, new people, new places, and new things. Also, time to start thinking of my Fabulous Forty party!