6 weeks until Spain!

It's been awhile since I last wrote, but not too much has been going on lately.  I had a great Thanksgiving in Tulsa with my mom's family.  We had a Nintendo wii bowling tournament that was so fun!  My 89 year old grandpa even got in on the action!  Now I am just gearing up for finals.  It is hard to believe that this semester is almost over.  That means that I am getting that much closer to leaving for Spain.  I am very excited, but at the same time nervous since I am going to a country that doesn't speak english!  Hopefully I will get along with my roommates and meet some new friends!  And let's hope my "Senora" is nice (and a decent cook)!  While I am over there I will try to keep my blog updated so you can see what life is like in Espana!  First things first though, I need to get all my stuff into 2 suitcases...I dunno if it can be done haha!   

President Elect Barack Obama!

So election season is finally over and I could not be happier.  The past few months have been so stressful because I believe in Obama so much and really think that he will help our country.  He isn't going to fix everything because there is a lot to be done, but I think he will be able to inspire so many people to go out and help one another.  

Election day was definitely one of the most stressful days ever!  Student for Barack Obama made their presence known and we definitely tried to make sure that everyone exercised their right to vote!  I don't care who people vote for, as long as they vote because they do have a voice and every vote counts!  As the results started coming in, I was nervous.  Even though I knew Obama couldn't get every state, I was nervous whenever he lost a state.  But then, more and more blue states started coming up on the tv.  When I saw that Pennsylvania and Ohio went blue, I knew that we were close, but I wasn't celebrating yet.  Every few minutes, my mom and I would call each other, excited...yet nervous.  At 9:00, the west coast results came in and I lost it.  I started screaming into the phone, accidently hung up on my mom, and then literally fell to the floor crying tears of joy, relief, and hope.  At that moment, I was so proud of all the hardwork the campaign did here at UNC and around the country.  I felt like I had made a difference.  Because of the people I spoke to, the calls I made, and the doors I knocked on, I made a difference in the election!  That, I think, is the power of Obama.  He makes you feel like you matter and that he cares about every single one of us and wants to make our lives the best that they can be.  I also feel like we now have respect around the world and we have definitely shown the world what an amazing country we are, electing an African-American to the presidency!

Whether you voted for Barack Obama or not, you wistnessed history being made.  I saw a great quote today that said: "Rosa Parks sat so Martin Luther King Jr. could stand.  MLK stood so Barack Obama could run.  What will Barack Obama do for this generation?"  As I spoke to a guy from France, he told me that if Obama was elected, it would send a message to the world, and it has!  Worldwide, Obama is being welcomed with open arms and I wish more people would at least give him a chance.  I know not everyone agrees with what he stands for, but at least give him the opportunity to help our country.  You might not believe me, but I would have supported John McCain if he had become president because we all need to stand behind our president and fix this country!  I would have been upset, but I would have given him a chance to show me what he can do.  I am not asking you to like Obama, but I am asking you to support the next president of the United States because he supports you.  Like he said last night, "I hear your voices" and he will be your president too!  There are not blue states and red states, but there is the United States of America.  Our country needs us to come together, put aside our differences and solve our problems together.  Please, just give him a chance.  Don't knock it til you've tried it!

Halloween!

Go vote everyone! 

Getting ready to go out!

So this Halloween was definitely, by far one of the best yet!  I thought it was going to be terrible because both of my roommates were gone for the weekend and I had no idea what I was going to do, but luckily my friend Sara (Pippi Longstocking above), invited me over for dinner with a couple of her friends.  We had amazing pasta and then got ready for the night.  It was quite interesting getting ready.  I was Daisy Duke so naturally, I had to make me some "daisy dukes."  Well, the first pair of shorts I cut way too short so I had to ruin another pair, but it's all good!  They turned out pretty well I thought.  We then had to get Sara's hair braided like Pippi Longstocking's so we put a hanger on her head and braided around that and it turned out so well!  We then made our way to the Rio and had a lot of fun dancing.  We also saw some really cool costumes like a guy dressed as Blossom (the tv show) and a guy made his own Halo costume (it was amazing) and a guy in a ginormous hooka.  At the Rio, I ran into a couple guys I used to work with at Nike tennis camp so that was fun.  We then hit up a couple of parties and I met another Obama freak so it was fun talking to him!  Definitely had a good time with these girls and loved my costume!  

My roommates!

So thus far, this semester has been so much fun!  At the beginning, I was worried about living with new roommates, not sure if we would all get along, but it was been wonderful.  I feel like we aren't just roommates, but we are really good friends and I can go to them whenever I need something.  We have movie nights all the time (scary movies are the most fun because we are all pretty jumpy, me especially) and just love hanging out and talking.  My roommates last year were great and and they are amazing girls.  I just needed a change, people that I could really hang out with and have fun with.  I just want to say thank you to Cait and Paige for making this semester awesome!  I will truly miss you next semester and I am already looking forward to coming back for more good times ha! 

P.S. Sorry for all the political stuff you guys have had to endure over the past couple of months, but it is finally over!  

Celebrities at UNC? No way!!!

This past weekend, Eva Longoria, Kal Penn (House and Harold and Kumar), and Adam Rodriguez (CSI Miami) came to speak at UNC!!! They were there for a Barack Obama rally, trying to get people excited for the upcoming election. As Eva walked up, she pointed directly to Riley and said something along the lines of "Aww." It was pretty awesome. After the event, the UNC Students for Barack Obama volunteers got to personally mean Eva, Kal, and Adam. As Eva walked in the room where we were waiting, she went directly to my dog, Riley and pet him for a couple minutes and told him he was an angel and she loved him. Then Kal Penn came by and told me he was going to take Riley, and I might never see him again. Finally, Adam stopped by to pet Riley and knew that Riley is a Wheaten Terrier (impressive). Overall, it was a really cool experience and they were all so nice.

Eva pointing to Riley

Eva and Adam

Group photo!

Rocking with the Eagles

Kelly and I were interns for the Eagles last season and we had some good times. After the Eagles lost to the Sundogs in the championship, we kinda went and partied with the Sundogs! This past summer, she moved to Dallas and started working for the Texas Brahmas. This past weekend she came back for a wedding and I got to see her. Her mom made us an awesome dinner and then we went to Windsor and this time, partied with the Eagles (and played a lot of Rock Band). Some of the guys knew who we were, but mainly because they knew we had partied with the enemy. It was fun to actually get to talk to them, now that it is allowed.

(When I was at the Avalanche game, I actually saw Les Borsheim. He played for the Eagles, but was in a terrible motorcycle accident over the summer. He was in a wheelchair, but it looked like he was having a lot of fun at the Avs game. He is in my thoughts and prayers and I really hope he makes a full recovery).

This was from the night we partied with the other team :)

Roommate fun!

On Wednesday, Paige, Cait and I met my friend Lauren in Denver for an Avalanche preseason game. On the way, we stopped at a Quizno's in Brighton and definitely wreaked havoc while we were there. We had a lot of fun flirting with the high school boy working behind the counter who couldn't stop laughing at us. At the game, I noticed a bunch of guys sitting behind us in suits. I had my suspicions as to who they were, but Cait and Paige asked and I was right: they were guys from the L.A. Kings. One of him had a hair on hiw jacket, so naturally I helped him get it off haha! We also flirted with some guys sitting across the arena from us. On the way back to Greeley, we rocked out to old school Britney Spears and Backstreet boys! We had such a good time!

At the game

Notice the guys in the suits behind us!

Together Again!

In high school, Danya and I were practically inseperable. We helped out at football games together, ate a lot of Taco Bell, spent time with her amazing mom and sisters, and had so much fun!!! After graduation, we lost touch and just a couple of weeks ago, we reunited! It felt just like old times and we felt like we were back in high school. The whole thing made me realize how much I missed Danya and regret losing touch with her. She is such an amazing friend and I am so happy to have her back in my life!

Danya came to visit me in Greeley.

At the Rockies game!

Barack and Roll

On Tuesday, September 16th, Paige and I went to Colorado School of Mines to see Presidential candidate Barack Obama speak! We had to leave at 6:00am in order to get in line, but it was worth it cause we had great seats! Actually, it was pretty amazing that we were able to "get" Paige a ticket. (The weekend before the event, I stood in line to get tickets to the event. Unforunately, we were each only alotted 1 ticket, which meant I didn't get one for Paige. Being the resourceful person that I am, I went to a scrapbook store and was able to find the exact same paper that the tickets were printed on. Yeah, I lied, but it was so worth it, and we only took up one seat between the two of us lol). When we got inside, everyone was sitting, and then people began chanting, some lady sang the national anthem from her seat, and random people told everyone why they were voting for Obama. Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and Governor Bill Ritter each spoke. When Obama came onto the stage, Paige and I started jumping up and down, screaming and I lost it and started bawling. I really feel like Obama cares about each and every American and really wants to make this country better for us all. As cheesy as it sounds, it really was a life changing experience. It inspired me and gave me hope. I believe that our country can be great!

Me and Paige with the stage in the background

Barack Obama giving his speech

Waving in our direction!

ELECTION SEASON IS UPON US...

Last week the Democratic National Convention took place and Barack Obama rocked the house! 40 million people watched his speech (that's more than the number of people that watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympics). I just think that means that Americans are eager for change and wanted to see what Barack has to offer. Since 2004, I have been a Barack Obama supporter. I think he has a different view of the polictical scene and wants to unite all Americans, even if the may not have his same beliefs. Many people ask my why I support Barack Obama since he "has no experience." At first, I struggled to really come up with a solid response, but now I have my answer. I believe in almost everything Barack Obama stands for. I think gays should be allowed to have civil unions, which would give them the right to visit their partner in the hospital. I also believe that health care should be more affordable for Americans. We should have never entered Iraq and think it is time we get out of there. What is our reason for being there in the first place? Didn't Osama bin Laden attack us, and not Sadam Hussein? Ya, that's what I thought! I also think that we need to find alternative energy sources and do our part to help the environment. I think that McCain is out of touch with younger generations and has made it clear that he really doesn't know how to use a computer. He also thinks that our eceonomy is sound and has stated that he doesn't know much about economics. During this election though, the economy is a huge issue. Finally, his VP pick, Sarah Palin is a joke!!! She thinks that by being a mayor and a governor in Alaska, she has more experience than Obama. I think not! Obama has travelled overseas and has met with other world leaders. Palin just got a passport a couple of years ago! She also has 5 children, including a disabled child. If I was her, I would want to be able to spent as much time as possible with my kids, but if she becomes VP, she won't have any time! Finally, it is possible that McCain could have health problems while president since he is fairly old and has a history of skin cancer. (His father and grandfather also died before the age of 72, McCain's age). There is no way that Palin would be able to take over the presidency. It terrifies me that she is SOOO pro-life and doesn'y even believe in abortion in instances of incest or rape! I don't even know what else to say, I am just so insulted that McCain would choose this woman! K, that's my venting for now, but I am sure I am just beginning!

Goodbye Summer '08

So it's hard to believe that summer is already over and I am starting my junior year of college! Summer started with my last Eagles game of the season and they lost in the finals to the Arizona Sundogs. My friend and I met up with the Sundogs in Fort Collins and I met my favorite former Eagles player, Marco Emond! A few days later I headed home to have surgery for a deviated septum...no fun, but I can finally breathe. Then,the Eagles took all the interns to a Rockies game as a "Thank you" for a great season and we had so much fun. I also made a trip out to Grand Junction, my old stomping grounds and spent a few days with my good friend Leah. She then came out to Denver for the 4th of July and we had a good time hanging out by the pool. This summer I worked a few weeks as a tennis camp counselor and I also worked at Nono's Cafe. My friend Jill and I went to a Sky Sox game where we met Clint Barmes and then to a Rockies game where we met half the team! Finally, my family and I spent a few days in Wisconsin with my dad's whole family! The best part of summer was spending time with my friends and my mom and dad! Oh, and becoming hooked on Twilight!

Me and Marco Emond

Some of the Eagles interns before the Rockies game

In Grand Junction with the beginnings of a crazy weekend

Meeting Clint Barmes

Jill, me and MATT HOLLIDAY!!!

In Wisconsin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwIGZLjugKA

Olympics 2008

The olympics are only halfway over, but they have been so much fun to watch!!! I still can't believe that Michael Phelps went 8 for 8...8 gold medals! So hard to believe. It is a record that will be very tough to break, something that might not ever happen in my lifetime. Every night I watched Phelps and now I am sad that he is finished, but so happy for him and Team USA! Can't forget gymnastics with Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson winning gold and silver in the all-around! And Alexander Artemev (from Colorado) winning the bronze for team USA! I love the olympics!!!!!

Family Vacation

My family and I went to Door County, Wisconsin for a family get together. The main reason for going was to have a memorial service for my grandparents, who passed away this past year. They were buried in Wisconsin because they spent their summers in Door County and it became a place close to their hearts, as well as their children's. It was a bitter-sweet trip, but it was great seeing all my family. We had a baby shower for 3 of my cousins and there were little kids all over the place!

At the greatest ice cream place ever with my mom, Aunt Penny, and Uncle Mike

Family photo!

Me in front of Lake Michigan

Beautiful view of the lake

All the ladies at the baby shower(s)

In front of Al Johnson's...best swedish pancakes!

Me and my daddy!

My cousin Sam and me playing paddle ball!

CKP Apartment!

So yesterday I switched apartments and I am so excited to live with Cait and Paige! I love my previous roommates, but was in need of a different lifestyle. Cait was one of my best friends in elementary school, and unfortunately lost touch for awhile, but now we will be living together! Paige and I went to high school together and always had fun whether our testube was flaming or getting sent to the principal's office (on my birthday). I think this semester is going to be great, and then it is off to Spain!

MY DAY WITH ROXSTARS!!!

On Saturday, my friend Jillian and I went to Photo Day with the Rockies at Coors Field. We got to the field around 2:30 and they let us onto the field around 3:15. At that point, we found a spot on the track and waited for the Rockies to come by!

The first player to stop by was Aaron Cook. He was so cool, probably because it was the beginning of the day and he wasn't tired of taking millions of pictures with fans like ourselves.

Taylor Buchholz was a lot taller than I expected, and kinda cute!


Jillian and me with Jeff Baker.


Ryan Speier was super tall! He would be perfect to date ha!


Brad Hawpe is such a cutie!

Matt Herges was very friendly!

Ryan Spilborghs! Can't wait for him to be back in the lineup!

We decided that Fuentes and I have very similar smiles, and look like we could almost be related ha!

Garrett Atkins!

Matt Holliday!!! We were some of the very last people to get a picture with him. The only reason we were able to get a picture was because I called him over and told him how we had been waiting patiently all day! He looked kinda pissed, but oh well...I got a picture!

The Rockies then went on to play the Pirates and won 7-1!

Everyone is Getting Married!

We have been out of high school for two years and so many of my friends/classmates are married, engaged or have found "the one." Congratulations to you all. I am happy for each of you and wish you nothing but the best.

Sometimes I wish I had that special person that I knew I was going to marry, but I know that I am not ready for marriage and couldn't imagine getting married right now. My favorite teacher, Mrs. Pride once told me to wait until I was 26 or 27 years old to get married because people in their 20s are still finding out who they are and what they see for themselves in the future. I fear that if I got married to young, I would change and realize that I had made a mistake. Like everyone, I only want to get married once and want to make sure that I make the right choice. But until I find "the one," I can still look at rings, right?!

My first post...

So I have never "blogged" before, but after talking to one of my great friends, it sounded like something worth doing. I think it will be great to write down what's going on in my life and give my friends and family the opportunity to read it and maybe understand me a little bit better! Not quite sure what I am going to write about, but hopefully something fun will come up!

This same friend got me hooked on Twilight and if you haven't read it yet, you have to! It is so amazing and I haven't been able to put it down. I chose reading over watching the Rockies game yesterday, which is something I never do!

Which brings me to another point, it has been really frustrating being a Rockies fan this season, but hopefully the All-Star break will give the team a chance to re-focus and at least finish the season with a decent record. But if not, I will still support the Rox because I hate bandwagon fans!

One last thing-everyone is talking about Matt Holliday and how he will not be with the Rockies forever because he is too damn good. I guess I better start getting used to him not being on the team just like I have come to terms with Joe Sakic and his imminent retirement, whether it be this summer or next. But in the meantime, I am going to enjoy watching Matty (and wishing he wasn't married ha).

(I think I can get used to this whole blogging thing!)