I hurt my wrist

OMG I hurt my wrist.  jk - it's a gnarly bracelet.

2010 Year in Review

3 more days until 2011...yikes!  I can't believe I'm saying this, but where did 2010 go?  Let's review and remember good and bad times of O-ten.  January, February, March - who knows what really goes on in those months.  My life was humdrum and I lived at work.  Ahhh, but when April rolls around, I'm a new woman, I mean girl, especially when I see all of my Messiah teammates on alumni game day.  {btw, how is that even fair? best team in the country, fit, practicing every day, vs. older, slower, once a year-has beens}  In May - USA all the way (!) for World Cup 2010, but as expected they failed miserably.  {I started my quest of getting ripped in 90 days.}  In June, my church softball team was o-so-close to winning the annual church softball tournament.  My niece also celebrated her 1st birthday.  One of my roommates at the time moved out in July {tear}.  I was very sad to see her go, but didn't mind the cats going with her.  yesssss.  August always begins with a great week of soccer camp at Messiah.  I get to train with a bunch of champions!  Shortly after, I finished up P90X and was ripped - I'm talking washboard abs, girlfriend!  yessss.  September was a very eventful month.  I went to the Jersey Shore for a mini vaca.  My car broke down, so I bought a new car.  I went to my first NFL game in New York (Jets v. Ravens opening day).  I ruined my ankle and September started a 3 or 4 month period of lying on the couch and watching TV.  Luckily, I started coaching soccer again at Loyola University - the women's club team...and the best yet, I started blogging again.  yessss.  October - the Phillies failed to make the World Series, but I loved every moment of the playoffs {including Doc Halliday's no-hitter}.  yessss.  In November sadly, I said goodbye to 2 roommates, but excitedly welcomed 2 new ones.  yessss.  Sheesh - December is almost over now.  Messiah men's soccer won an NCAA championship (AGAIN) and MWS was robbed of theirs.  The Phillies signed Cliff Lee.  Yessss.  There you have it...in a nut shell.  I need a solid and challenging list for nineteen ninety...*Gasp*  I mean, TWO THOUSAND ELEVEN!

Merry Christmas!

You prolly thought that I wasn't gonna post.  Today is Christmas 2010 and it was the greatest day ever.  Christmas was at my house this year and come on, my house is awesome, no?  yeah, you know.  My sister and brother-in-law made dinner, which consisted of a coriander and fennel glazed ham, mashed carrots and parsnips, and garlic green beans with pine nuts {plus salad and bread.}  AND key lime pie bars.  This was preceded by some pear-prosciutto apps.  ohhhh, yeah.

Tasted soooo good on my lips.  I also got to see my niece who is such a cutie!!  Presents were nice, but it was great just to have a nice laid back conversation with my family {i.e. talk about the Phillies and the E-A-G-L-E-S!}  I heard we are getting some snow tonight/tomorrow - woOOO!  yessss.  btw, if you must know, I did end up getting a sweet new coffee maker and some new dishes +$.  blah.  but those things make me happy...and then I decided to re-organize my cabinets.

Thankful - Josh Groban

I've been listening to Josh Groban's Christmas Album, Noel - AMAZING!  Love the number 6 track - Thankful.  The lyrics are very powerful and it makes me stop and reflect on how God has truly blessed me with my family, friends, health, a house, job, car, etc., etc...WOW, there's so much to be thankful for!

THANKFUL

-Josh Groban

Some days we forget to look around us

Some days we can't see the joy that surrounds us

So caught up inside ourselves

We take when we should give

So for tonight we pray for 

What we know can be 

And on this day we hope for 

What we still can't see

It's up to us to be the change

And even though we all can still do more

There's so much to be thankful for.

Look beyond ourselves

There's so much sorrow

It's way too late to say I'll cry tomorrow

Each of us must find our truth

We're so long overdue

So for tonight we pray for

What we know can be

And every day we hope for

What we still can't see

It's up to us to be the change

And even though we all can still do more

There's so much to be thankful for.

Even with our differences 

There is a place we're all connected

Each of us can find each other's light.

So for tonight we pray for

What we know can be

And on this day we hope for

What we still can't see

It's up to us to be the change

And even though this world needs so much more

THERE'S SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR!

I hope that this Christmas season finds you surrounded by those you love.  May God bless you and your family in the coming year.
Jesus, Savior - thank you for your birth and sacrifice.
Merry Christmas everyone!  {dreaming of a white Christmas}

Can't wait

Yo - can't freaking wait till this!  Got an email yesterday for my 17-game plan tix for the 2011 Phillies season!

Can't wait till Thursday night - last day of work bf the long weekend and the beginning of the holiday season.

Can't wait to see my little niece again on Christmas day.

Can't wait till next Thursday for the first time snowboarding this season (and with my new board!)

Can't wait till the New Years weekend to be spent in NYC with friends.

yesssssss.

The Best Part of Waking Up

Don't you just love this commercial?

Ready for Christmas? I'm not.

Cliffmas in Philly

Sweet billboard off I-95 in PHILLY.

via visitphilly.com

Playlist 12.17.10

Here's my (non-Christmas) playlist currently on my iPod :

1. Sweet Serendipidy - Lee Dewyze
2. What's My Name - Rihanna (feat. Drake)
3. What I'd Give (Remix) - Sugarland
4. What If - Jason Derulo
5. Don't You Wanna Stay - Jason Aldean (feat. Kelly Clarkson)
6. Love the Way You Lie (Part II) - Rihanna (feat. Eminem)
7. Kiss Goodbye - Little Big Town
8. Follow Me There - Third Day
9. Walk Me Down the Middle - The Band Perry
10. Church Pew or Bar Stool - Jason Aldean
11. Easy - Rascal Flatts (feat. Natasha Beddingfield)

 ...but since it's Christmas, I will mention my favorite Christmas album of all time is A Christmas Story by Point of Grace.

8 days till Christmas!

Gingerbread

I love gingerbread anything...like those gingersnaps.  the tang of the ginger is outstanding.  I'd also love to make a gingerbread house, not really to eat it, just to design and decorate.  If I wasn't an accountant I think I'd be an architect.  I've always loved modern design.  I'm not talking about those 4 sided boring gingerbread houses with the gay colored gumdrops and candy canes.  I want a modern slick lookin' pad.  Yo - check these out!

 ...these are also pretty sweet.  little gingerninjas!

Hump day overRRR.  Heading to the gym to do some damage.  I pretty much ate yogurt and lettuce today.  Yessss.

Cliff Lee is BACK.

This morning when I got to work, I did the usual.  Check my email, daily blogs, twitter, and news.  I was shocked to see the greatest news of all time.  WHAT!?!  Cliff Lee back in Philly?  Yessss...ssssss.  I miss my Phillies.  I immediately retweeted about 15 Philly news tweets.  Even better is the fact that he turned down a more lucrative deal with the Yankees and he signed a 5 year deal.  New rotation:  Halladay, Lee, Oswalt, Hamels.  Legit baby.  (Sorry O's fans.)  This is a good day even though I feel like crap.  Cliff Lee AND the Biggest Loser finale...and it's sunny outside-all in the same day.  It's like Christmas without the presents or family or being off work.

...btw, how awesome was DeSean Jackson's celebration on Sunday night?  so awesome.

Wood briefcase? - monEY...Literally - it's $400, but schwweeeet.

A productive day

Today was a very productive day.  This is the first time that i've gotten a REAL Christmas tree - Home Depot baby.  It smells so good! and this is also the first time that I have ever decorated for Christmas at my house.  {Yes, I tend to be a grinch...or maybe just lazy.  seriously, who wants to spend time to decorate when you have to spend the time later putting everything away.}  Anyways, I spent all day decorating my tree and did a little baking and then cooking.  I did some laundry.  I did some cleaning.  I did some shopping.  I wrapped presents.  I listed to Christmas music.  woo.  I'm awesome.

It has been really cold.  I guess that's normal for December though.  There are def some things that I try to enjoy during the cold winter months.

• snowboarding.  I don't get to go much, but I DO love catching the freshies.  Thrilling.
• boots.  I got some sweet leather Frye boots last this past summer and they keep my feet so warm.
• soup.  I eat soup all the time, but a warm bowl of soup in the winter is yay.
• chunky sweaters.  I love the look.  Love.
• my bed.  mmm.  I never wanna get out.  

Today, my bro and niece came over.  She is so cute.  Give her 2 years and this will be her:

CRAP

Have a great weekend!

I wish I had this.  I would go nuts and stamp it everywhere.

Soccer Powerhouse Emerges From Pennsylvania Hills

(ok, I lied...one more thing...)

Last year Messiah soccer was featured in USA Today.  This year...the New York Times! well, NYT soccer blog.  Sweet.  "How do we do it? It’s the intangibles"

Real quick

So I've been away this week thus far on a business trip in Connecticut and I don't have time right now for a real post, but I just wanted to share one thing...Don't you hate when people call you "hun"?  I do.  esp. when they are 10 times younger than you.

Epic Fail

A few months ago I shared some goals/wishes that I would like to accomplish (or see happen).  Well, none of them happened.  I'll have to think of a new list.

NCAA D3 WSOC Final Four - Finger Lakes Times previews the semis

Good Luck MWS! {playing for their 3rd straight NCAA National Title}  You guys are amazing!   

The Finger Lakes Times {William Smith College area paper} reports that it will be a tough feat for WS College to come away with a win. 

Here's their Messiah Soccer scouting report: 

No one wins 42 consecutive matches and goes unbeaten in 75 straight by accident. The Falcons trot out Division I-caliber talent at most positions on the field, starting in back. Goalkeeper Autumn Reilly has 20 shutouts to her credit while playing every minute this year. Katie Hoffsmith, a starter two years ago when the same teams met, anchors a defense that has conceded three goals in 23 outings. Fellow back-liner Kelsey Gorman is an attack-minded defender. Messiah’s unusual style centers on midfielder Alex Brandt, a transfer from Division I Central Florida in her first year with the Falcons. Fellow midfielder Amanda Naeher, who popped in a goal against the Herons two years ago, leads the nation in scoring; her 107 career goals are eighth in NCAA Division III history. Senior forward Erin Hench, last year’s Division III Player of the Year, succumbed to a knee injury following the Falcons’ third game. Messiah has barely missed a beat, as Corinne Wulf and Alicia Frey have combined for 32 goals and 24 assists.

I couldn't have summed it up any better. Looking forward to celebrating later with the team. {Btw, the men's team just beat UW-Wisc 4-1 and advanced to the final!} Why am I not in TEXAS! Dumb. job.

Lady Gaga Broach

Yazbukey Lady Gaga Broach.  Yeaaahahhh.  It's actually plexiglass and I would totally buy this and proudly wear it if it wasn't $160.

Then again, what a weirdo!

...but she is nominated for 6 Grammy's and her new album comes out in February 2011.  She also has a sold out tour in Europe! {but still a weirdo}

It's December!

Wow, today is December 1, 2010, as in only a month until the new year and a month until my life ceases to be what it is today.  {I wish it was April 15th right now.}  OMGosh, that also means 25 days until Christmas!  I haven't gotten any presents for people yet (except for the gift for my parents that my sister already got - yessss).  I really need to get some of that done.  The last two years I waited until Christmas Eve to attempt all of my Christmas shopping.  Poor choices were made those days.  But, it def will not get done this weekend...I am going to visit some college teammates in PA to watch the NCAA final four games (online).  YAY.  MWS is playing at 7:30 (8:30 EST) on Friday and then later on Saturday if they win the semis.

Check out these sweet sculptures from Peter Gronquist:

Muhaaaaha.  You know you want one.

Pet Peeves

I had a few friends over for dinner last night and one of our short conversations was about my pet peeves.  Notice I said "my" since I don't even think that they ever shared theirs, but I am very passionate about this list (i.e. don't be annoying!)  So there's the inspiration for this post - hope you are not offended by any of these:

#3 pet peeve:  wearing sunglasses indoors:  seriously?  It's not sunny inside.  Do you think you're cool or something?  sunglasses are to block the sun so you don't have to squint.  NO! Take those off!

#2 pet peeve:  female athletes wearing their hair down while playing sports or working out.  seriously?  Please tie your hair back.  you are embarrassing me.  Ew, how can you stand hair sticking to your sweaty face during a workout? 

#1 pet peeve:  slow walkers.  seriously?  step aside.  don't get irritated that I just bumped your arm trying to pass you.  you were in the left lane and you were walking too slow!  or what about that time when you are with a group of people and you have to stop every 5 minutes to wait for the slow walkers?!  ugh - annoying.

There are many others, but these are the 3 that I speak about/complain of most. 

Christmas will be at my house this year.  I need to get a tree! 
I like this look.

The Biggest Loser

The Biggest Loser is prolly my favorite show.  Ok, sometimes I fast forward the talking parts when they cry and say I'm not worth anything.  But I like when Jillian Michaels yells in the faces of the fat people.  Bob? not so much.  He's a little pansy (jk), but he's kinda hot because of his tattoos and his man-pris (the men's version of capris).

  

The best part is when you see where the contestants started and see where they are now, like when they lose 100+ pounds and are young and sexy. {yep, I'm watching The Biggest Loser: Where are they Now?"}  Love it.  How can you not be inspired?  I am.  I am very motivated to go run a marathon or do a triathlon.  ok, maybe just get up from the couch and go to the bathroom.  No seriously, a triathlon.  Anyways, how did those contestants from last season get to run in the Boston marathon??  I thought you had to qualify? sheesh - not that I wanna run another marathon, but that's not fair.  2:58:53 for the SanFran Tri for Tara Costa...hmmm.  What?  and she won $25k for that?  what.  she won $25k for that.  

during season 7 of BL

She is my fave though and is such a competitor...she has that athlete's mentality, a the desire to always compete...so I get that she is a winner, always has to be and always will be because of that. {remember when she won like every single challenge in season 7? - what a rockstar!}

I am catching up on some old TV that has been on my DVR for months now.  Mondo (Project Runway).  He's so gay and I love his style, esp the short shorts that he wears every day.

Mondo from season 8, Project Runway

How was Thanksgiving for you?  Mine was fabulous.  I saw family that I had not seen in years and met relatives who had been new to this world within the last few years.  I also did not over-eat and therefore, was not depressed all weekend.  shew.  Today, I'm resting and preparing for football tomorrow.  As inspiration, here are 2 quotes that were in last month's Eastbay mag (supposed to be a cold blustery one tomorrow-ugh!):

"As soon as you start thinking about the weather, you know you're not focused on the game." - Hope Solo, Goalkeeper, U.S. National Soccer Team

"Everybody runs in the spring, summer, and fall - that's the easy part.  Running in the winter is what makes you a true champion." 

- Simon Bairu, 7 time Canadian Cross Country Champion

Woo.

Thanksgiving Rocks!

Today is Thanksgiving baby!  The 3 best days of the year...eat, shop, and football.  mmmm.  

Hope you have a very relaxing long weekend and let's not forget to give thanks to God, our Father for the boundless blessings that He has bestowed upon us!  

It's cold outside.  Wear some warm socks or maybe a hat and scarf! {don't you love this look?}

I need this for my iPhone.  I'm a sucker for anything wood.

ok, one more...

One week till NCAA Final Four!

5 things I currently cannot live without

Below lies 5 things I cannot live without {a/o 11.22.10}:

1. Athletics:  life is boring without heart, sweat, and blood.  let's be honest, without athletics we'd all be fat.
2. Pizza:  Tastes so good on my lips.  it's been awhile since i've been to iggi's - anyone? anyone?
3. TV:  reality TV is best.  besides being hardcore, i like being lazy.  the best tv is mindless, requiring only a stare.
4. Country music:  Twang.
5. Sweatpants:  ahhh.  I'd wear them every day all day, if i could.  

Back to the Final Four

Yesterday, MWS advanced to the Final Four!  OMGosh - they are soooo good and have a chance become back-to-back-to-back national champions!  That's right - 3 consecutive.  Too bad the NCAA tournament is in Texas AGAIN this year.  I don't like that choice, but I will no doubt be listening/watching/tweeting on that day.  Make me proud MWS.  You will always be my #1.

The annual flag football tournament is in less than a week and the ankle I'd say is about 80%.  Yesterday, we had about a 4 hour practice and it felt good, but there were long breaks in between and I wasn't running many long routes.  I wish I was 100%, but I'm thinking adrenaline will kick in and give me a boost. 

These boots are sweet.

Ed Westwick has style...as does Chuck Bass.

A nice healthy snack!  I may try this.

You can never go wrong with Madewell.

Don't You Wanna Stay Here a Little While?

1.  I love the CMAs and country music.

2.  I love this duet by Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson.

3.  I love Kelly Clarkson's hair at the CMAs.

4.  I am currently watching Trick my Truck.

the holidays are near

Today is Wednesday, November 17, 2010, a week and one day until Thanksgiving which means a little over a month until Christmas...and then OMG it will be 2011!  This year will be the first time spending the holiday season without any grandparents.  How weird is that (?)  I guess I am going to my aunt's house to see family, but it will definitely be different not seeing g'rents this time of year.  I miss them all.

Good times at Grandmom and Grandpop's house for Christmas when I was little.

Ugh! it's a gloomy Monday

I'm not very excited for today - it's Monday, duh.  buuuut, two things that I am excited about:

 1.  MWS made it to the sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament!  woot woot.  They play Dickinson College on Saturday.  Not that it really matters, but MWS beat Big Dick earlier in the year, 6-0.  MWS won both games this weekend, 4-0.  yep, they dominated. 

2.  Madewell is coming to Georgetown!

That's it.  Love being sore today.  Ahhh, the sting of a good workout {I've missed you!}.

A relaxing Saturday

Today I didn't do much.  I spent several hours cleaning my house and oh yeah, i got my car washed.  It was just one of those days.  I def didn't feel like doing anything and I'm fine with that.  I wore my fave sweatpants all day - yessssss.  Everyone needs a day like that right?  The one semi-productive thing that I did:  I (kinda) helped one of my new roommates move in. I found this awesome pic {love it!}.  I wasn't sad, but I was just blah.  I'm trying to be awesome right now.

My MWS girls pulled through with a 4-0 win over Manhattanville in the first round of NCAAs.  No contest there.  3-0 after like the first 20 minutes.  Tomorrow is round 2 and they play Rowan.  

I have to say though, as I had planned for one of my new roommates to move in, I was motivated to do some cleaning/organizing.  There's this one closet that I have all of this random stuff in.  Yeah, you know you have one too.  Anyways, I rediscovered all of these MWS pics and scrapbook-like memories - awww {sniff, sniff}.  so fitting for this time of year.  i hope that feeling never goes away.  {excite.unstoppable.awesome!}  

I can't believe it's November 13th.  The weather outside was beaut today...cool but not cold and sunny!  yay.  Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away.  I'm a bit of a stickler when it comes to holiday decor.  Honestly, I hate it.  Like, way clutter and way too much work for me.  Buuutttt.  I saw this pic today and maybe I've changed my mind {partially}

Ok, let me clarify.  I don't love the style here, but I kinda dig the wreath hung with the striped ribbon.  If you stop by and see this at my house, you'll know where i got the idea from :)

Tomorrow will be a test.  for me personally, a physical test.  our football team has a scrimmage against another church.  my ankle is still a little bit sore.  {i did some striking with my keeper on Thursday - shhhh!}  i am hoping no pain.  but wth, no pain, no gain, right?  suck it up weak-sauce!

NCAA regionals - 11.13.10

Listen at 11 am!  MWS v. Manhattanville

They dominate!

a little bit AWK

Love this post about Awkward and Awesome things. 
Girl is super cute.

Here's my go:

Awkward:

- laughing at Korean jokes when you don't understand {at all}
- trying to use chopsticks {but I'm getting better}
- running into someone (literally) in the grocery store bc I was texting away
- shopping sample sales in NYC
- going to Wegman's to check out Bobby Flay
- hugging my brother-in-law

Awesome:

- MWS
- making a huge play in women's flag football
- the Jason Aldean duet (feat. Kelly Clarkson) performed on the CMAs
- the great weather today - sunny yet a brisk air
- the goat cheese salad I packed for lunch
- a crisp apple
- a solid outfit with my J.Crew puffy vest

I wish I had a good story, but my life is rather boring at the moment.  Hey, but it's Friday!

Timex watch

So I figured I would let you in on my secret.  I've had so many compliments on my Timex watch.  You know, the one from J.Crew.  Actually, I say, it's from Target and I paid only $39.99.  I have this first black one and I have purchased several interchangable bands from J.Crew.  It looks legit for about 1/3 of the cost.  Can you tell the difference?

  These are the color bands I've purchased for my watch.

Believe me, the differences are very subtle and the difference in cost is worth the slight downgrade.