The Wonderful (and sometimes not) World of Sports

Let's start with the not so wonderful. Awhile back I posted on how I think sports can bring out the worst in people, we saw it in action on Friday. Jonny and I are playing on an intramural team with Kirstin and people from her ward. The team we played was WAY too physical it was ridiculous. I got knocked over by several guys, on guy stepped on my hand (no apology), then one girl grabbed Jonny from behind by the shoulders and threw him down, pushed Kirstin from behind and knocked her on her stomach, pushed me from behind and then grabbed my arm and pulled me to the ground. Also, no fouls on any of these. The team was also killing us score wise but never stopped beating up on us physically. It was one of those games you just leave being mad about how everyone acted. We were hoping to play for fun but teams like that aren't fun.

Now the wonderful...the BYU vs. SDSU basketball game. BYU was ranked 9th and SDSU 4th. We had all sports passes so we could get in the game for free. It was quite the drama to get the wristbands to get us into the game but long story short we got the wristbands that guaranteed us a spot in line. We then had to get to the game at 4 (the game started at 8 and the doors opened at 6) to get in line.

So we got to spend 2 hours sitting out in the cold before the game but it was more than worth it! Plus it gave us time to work on our signs for the game.

It was the most amazing basketball game I have ever been to and arguably the best game ever at the Marriott Center. Jimmer Fredette played amazingly and gets the crowd going every time he scores. The defense was also amazing blocking shots and getting rebounds. The Marriott Center was painfully loud with everyone on the feet screaming. It was amazing.

The game ended with a win which led to a "You got Jimmered" chant and the crowd rushing the court.

I'm so glad we were able to get into the game and have good seats (thanks Kirstin!) it's a game that will be talked about for awhile.

Homecoming

Last weekend was the Homecoming game. It really didn't feel like homecoming, probably because I wasn't on campus at all and didn't see any of the activities. I had to work in the morning but I got off in time for the game. It was an awesome "free stuff" day, on the way to the game I found $15 on the ground (yes I kept it, there was no way I would have found the owner), when we got to the game our section had free sports backpacks and visors and then at the end of the game I found some pom poms. The game started out amazingly, the team played really well but it slowed down a little bit but we still won! It was lots of fun.

Smiling after our win. I made the matching "game-day headbands." It was while making these headbands that I dropped a piece of felt cover in hot glue on my thumb giving me a nice, large and very painful blister.

Rivercats, Rivercats!

Jonny and I have been talking about going to a Salt Lake Bees baseball game for awhile. We figured the perfect time to go was when the Sacramento Rivercats were coming. Our plan was to go to the game on Saturday night but on Thursday Aaron, a guy I work with, offered me free tickets to the game Friday night. He was given them and going to be out of town so he couldn't use them. So Jonny and I just changed our plans and went to the game on Friday night instead. The seats were good to begin with and when we got there the people who were sitting next to us asked if we wanted to move up. They wanted 6 seats together and couldn't get them so they just bought two random seats and hoped they could move around. So we ended up on the 4th row on the 3rd base line. The view from our seats.

I was cheering for the Rivercats, but like every other team I have cheered for this year they lost. We still had lots of fun.

One of my favorite parts of the game was this cute little guy.

We were sitting right by the Rivercats bullpen and he kept running down yelling at the catchers and pitchers who were warming up and trying to get them to give him a ball. He just sat there yelling, "Hey catcher, catcher, number 45! Can I have a ball? Cause I want one!" This is a picture we snapped of him turning around and trying to get his brother to join him. He would get so upset when his brother wouldn't come down with him. I had fun watching him and he gave us a few good laughs. It was a fun game I'm glad we got to go. Thanks Aaron for getting us there for free!

Sports: Olympics to Pick Up Games

I have decided that sports either bring out the best or the worst in people. Whether it be in the Olympics, a college game, intramurals or a pick up game. I really started thinking about this as Jonny was playing basketball with some guys today. He always gets so excited to play and it puts him in a good mood. There was a guy in this game though who was ridiculous. He was acting very childish and if someone asked him to stop he freaked out at them. When someone accidently fouled him he yelled the f-word and complained for the next half hour. I have noticed the same thing in intramural games. I think those games cause people to do things they would never do in normal situations. (Funny story found here.) Or take college sports. There was a football game this year where one of the players who rarely played got a touchdown. He was so happy and he and the rest of the team celebrated together. On the other side you have this girl. (Crazy video here. If you haven't seen it I recommend watching.)

Is winning the game really that important? I have also seen it in the Olympics. You have people like Lindsey Jacobellis who has missed out on gold twice now and still remains positive.

Then you have athletes like Plushenko who publicly complain about the results and insult the skills of the winner. Saying "You can't be considered a true men's champion without a quad." (Full article found here.) Now I agree that Lysacek should be doing a quad but when it comes down to it he executed every jump far better than Plushenko. I hate responses like this because it takes the focus away from the winner who deserves to be celebrated. I must say that Lysacek has handled everything very well. He makes it known that he thinks he deserved the gold without being rude to Plushenko. Compare that to Shani Davis who went up and congratulated and hugged the guy who unexpectedly beat him. Finally, I love the passion people in the Olympics have for their sports. I think this is sports bringing out the best. Take Lindsey Vonn. She always has injuries and set backs but she has never let that stop her. When she won gold I was so happy for her.

I actually teared up when she was celebrating with her husband. I love to see the dedication that these people have. I love it even more when their sport brings out the best in them and they enjoy celebrating and competing with those who share their love.

Super Bowl!

I love Super Bowl Sunday. All the food, the commercials and the game. I have come to appreciate the game more as I have gotten older. I didn't know who to cheer for this year so about 2 minutes before the game I decided to support Austin Collie (being a former Cougar.) Guess I picked wrong. This year we were having a big group of people so we made lots of food. Karleigh brought her roommate and friend. Kirstin brought a bunch of friends. And Katie came.

I made two platters of 7-layer dip, a buffalo chicken dip, chili/cream cheese dip, pigs in a blanket, and cake pops (of course!) Then Karleigh brought a dip and Katie brought fruit pizza. I bought 6 pounds of chips and Kirstin brought 4 bags of Fritos. People didn't eat very much this year so we will pretty much be eating chips and dip for the next month or two!

Karleigh, Kirstin and I made these cake pops the day before the game. I think they turned out awesome. I am seriously addicted to making them!

Now the question is what cake pops do I make next?

I haven't posted in awhile. Mostly it is because not much has happened. I finally went to a BYU basketball game. When Jonny and I walked in BYU was losing 15-16, five mins later I think we had scored about 20 points to their 9. We're good luck. BYU ended up winning 91-47 (or close to that.) And we did double their score at one point. It was fun, even though I don't really enjoy basketball, I'm a football girl. I also subbed two days this week with Ashley. It was fun to go back to the same class and know who the kids were and have them know who I am. Some kids are so cute and listen well, while talking to others feels like banging my head against a brick wall. It's been fun being able to talk to Ashley about all these kids she tells me about. We did an art project last week and one this week. It is funny to watch the kids trying to figure it out and see how different each one turns out. They were cutting out paper to make a horse today, we go through it step by step showing them what to do, but still people don't pay attention and they still don't quite get it. My favorite ones looked more like a cow and a dragon than a horse. At the end of the day I was waiting for parents to come pick up the kids and I was telling one girl to get off the fence, when I feel something (or someone) slam against me. I look down and one of the little girls is giving me a hug and she looks up and says, "I love you." It kind of made it all worth it (even though she is one who is kind of a handful.) Ashley, I can totally see how your job is worth it, just for little things like that. It was also slightly awkward because we aren't allowed to touch them so I had to just stand there and say thank you. The kids also compliment you a lot. Multiple kids told me they liked my hair. It helps boost the self esteem, hahaha. That and the job search are pretty much what I have been doing. I'm also taking a few online classes for Los Rios Schools (the school system my dad teaches for) to gain some useful skills and for insurance. So that will be "fun," I'm just hoping I don't have to write too many papers.

BYU vs. Utah aka The Holy War

I came back a few days early from Thanksgiving so I could go to the BYU/Utah game. I was really sad to leave early but at least I got to go up to Apple Hill to get the Christmas tree. It was the fastest decision made on a tree ever. Which was nice since it was pouring rain. We may have insisted on looking longer if it wasn't raining but the tree we got was beautiful and we usually

find one at the beginning, keep looking for awhile and then go back to the original tree and get it. So we just cut out the extra. Our tree was 17 feet, we ended up cutting off 5 feet to make it fit. I love it. Sadly I left before we got to decorate it but I get to see it for Christmas.

Then on Saturday I went to the game. I was a little worried when it started 6-0 Utah. Then it got better when we scored 20 points and they didn't score anymore. We were feeling pretty confident and then some play calls lead to a tie game that went into overtime. Luckily we held them to a field goal and Max to Andrew George lead to a touchdown and a win! We rushed the field and ran the 100 yards to get to the team. It was lots of fun even if it was frustrating that we let the come back!

This picture is after we got back off the field and half the people had left. Jonny's mom got a picture while everyone was on the field. The whole field was completely full.

I saw this picture in a few places and thought it was funny. This is the play that won the game.

Before and After

So I am a little behind with the blogging so here is an update of some of what has been happening, as before and afters.
So first is moving. Ok, so here is the before.

We had our beautiful tree and they painted over it while we were trying to move out.We stayed up VERY late and then woke up VERY early. Which lead to me wear rain boots with shorts (I don't know why I'm holding detergent). It was a very long process and it was very tiring but now I have a nice new place with my own room and bathroom and a nice big bed.
So here is the after. My new room and a wall in the dining area.

Another quick before and after. Below is our quote board that is now a picture wall.

Next...
Before... This big hunk of raw pork (12 pounds to be exact) was cut down into pieces and all the fat was cut off (not a fun process)...After it became a delicious Cafe Rio style pork salad...So this one isn't the one we actually made but I forgot to take a picture so you get to see this one.
And finally...
Before I was really excited to watch these teams play and was even more excited when BYU won. It was pretty much amazing. I love college football and it is even better when the Cougars win. It was a great game and BYU totally dominated even though the score doesn't really reflect that. And after the three of us went to the Provo Airport at 1:30 am...and joined all of these people...
in welcoming home these guys...It was really fun to be there with a bunch of people. Everyone was cheering and when the plane doors opened it was insane people were chanting BYU and Bronco and singing the fight song. We got to give high fives to lots of the players and Bronco gave a quick speech. Here's Bronco with his police escort. So glad he decided to go for it on fourth and four!
So that is an recap of what has happened over the past couple of weeks.

Domination

My roommate is playing intramural soccer at BYU and so we went to support her. Hailey favorite word is domination, I don't know why but it is. So Ashley and I decided to make shirts for the game with the #4 on the front (her number) and domination on the back.

Here is Ashley and I modeling the shirts. The boys' don't have the sides tied.

We had a group of five of us all wearing the shirt and cheering her on.

Ashley and I at the game.

They won in a shootout after being tied 0-0 the whole game and through overtime. We were excited for her but sad that Karlie couldn't play, since she tore her ACL in her last game.

Karlie and I at the game, she was such a good sport.

Sadly Jonny couldn't come because he was working away at his paper. He has been working very hard for the past week (well all semester but especially hard this past week). He has had lots of projects and on top of that he has had to look for a new place to live on short notice so he has been very busy. I'm very proud of him and how hard he is working but I miss getting to spend lots of time with him We still made him a shirt so he will be able to jump in for the next game. Her team is in the tournament now and so hopefully we will get to cheer her on and wear a shirts all the way to the championship game!

The girls.
Karlie and I show off the back and Seth shows off the front.
The #1 fan section (minus one), matching shirts are a must.
Ashley and I with Hailey after the game. She played so well!

Disappointment

So, I was super excited for the BYU/Utah football game only to be sorely disappointed. It started out with Utah scoring, worried me but then Collie had a 70 yard kick off return and I was so excited. 5 interceptions and a fumble later I was not so happy. We ended up losing 48-24, embarrassing and really hard to watch. It was just not Hall's day, but I still believe in him he did great this year except for in the Utah game, and there's always next year. Maybe Utah will go to a BCS bowl and win and so we can have a better ranking next year. We still had fun at our football party at Jonny's, ate lots of food, had cool stadium seating, done by Jonny and so that was fun. Now I just get to look forward to going home tomorrow! Here are a few pics from the party!

Karleigh and Lexi before the game on their cute laptops!

Me, Katie and Hailey still trying to smile even though we're losing. (I did this picture bigger in hopes that you could see my new haircut but it is still hard to see. Yes I changed it again.)

The Acedemy Is...Amazing!

Today was an awesome day. Over month ago Ashley convinced me to buy tickets to The Academy Is concert and we have been looking forward to it and it was tonight. But before the concert Jonny and I got to go to the BYU football game, sadly it was because Karleigh is getting a cold and didn't feel up to going, so thanks for the tickets Kars and feel better! We won YAY go cougars! but we should have won by more but that's ok. The people sitting behind as were EXTREMELY annoying and rude, even when someone on OUR team was seriously injured, they were being jerks but whatever. Then we went to Salt Lake to the Gateway for a bit then to the concert which was totally awesome I loved it. We The Kings and The Academy Is... were co-headlining and they were both amazing and then Hey Monday and Carolina Liars opened for them, they were also really good. Jonny and I totally jumped in and pushed our way to the front and we were jumping and going crazy, his watch got ripped off and so we had to try to find it with tons of people smashed together jumping on us, one guy helped, so thanks to him that was really nice, we did eventually find it I have no idea how. I am also very proud of battle wound, a bruised and swollen ankle! Yeah, so my ears are still ringing and everything sounds muffled but that's ok I had a great time. But now my body is sore and I'm exhausted. I put a few pics up here and I'll put more on facebook so you can check that out!