NCAAs 2010

NCAAs start today for D3 soccer.

"In last year's finals, Messiah College defeated Washington University (Missouri) by a score of 1-0, to win the championship.  It was Messiah's second consecutive national championship."  Let's make it a third.

Yesterday, I went to NYC.  Many many things to blog about, but I will keep it at a minimum.  Yo - Burton snowboard store was outta control.  I wanted to get some new outerwear, but held myself back since I had already splurged elsewhere and I probably won't be the usual snowbunny that I tend to be in the winter.  {ankle is getting better though!}  Top 6 (from Burton's website - store in SoHo had rad stuff not included on the website):

I wanna be a millionaire so frick'n bad.

{Soccer} Weekend Review

Today is NCAA Monday, the day that the NCAA tournament brackets are announced.  I am very excited to see the draw and the potential road to another NCAA championship title for MWS.  We shall see later today.  Regardless, how about a three-peat? 

Saturday, MWS won its 10th Conference Championship in 11 years.  Do the math - that's incredible.  In addition, I believe the 1-4th conference championships were years 2000 - 2003, the first 4 titles of the Frey era and also shared by yours truly.  Such a lovely memory. 

MWS dominated.  Arcadia tried hard.  They played a bunker defense, which is smart, tactically.  If you don't have a chance at winning, go for the tie and try and win it in PKs.  That's what I would do too.  FAIL.  Although the win was only 2-0, with both goals coming in the second half, MWS dominated like whoa.  Maybe Arcadia had one legit chance and maybe Arcadia completed one or two passes - maybe.  Playing against a bunker D is a tough setting.  One that is easy to strategize against; but incredibly difficult to break down and score.  Difficult only to the degree of frustration and playing in a panic-stricken frenzy when you realize what could or what might.  I think that's why this team is so great though and what makes any team so great...when a team can perform outside of their comfort zone and outside of their own game.  Having the abillity to recognize how to change your own game and adjust the system to beat your opponent.  Hmm, sounds like some good advice for life. 

But wait, one more thing...I cannot overlook another key ingredient...CREATIVITY!  I think that this is one thing (of many) that makes a good player great.  Who would have thought she was going to pull the jabstep, quadruple sissors? the run behind the defense and slotted ball?  the killer 40 yard diagonal ball to the overlapping run on the weak side? or the turnaround shot outside the 18?  That is hard to defend and quite honestly unstoppable, when executed properly.  How creative are you? 

Hey - snowboarding season is just around the corner.  Excite!

Gretchen Bleiler's board!

Messiah bound

Today, I'm off to Messiah College to coach and then to watch the best in the country.  It is beautiful weather for a soccer game.  Then again, it's always a great day to play - never forget that!  

I've decided that I also need this kitchen cart for my house.  I just need some more space for stuff to free up the counter space, that's it.  How about this cart from ikea?  

My sister has this in her kitchen and I might copy her style.

Talk'n about the Phillies

Baseball season is O-V-E-R; but my love for the Philadelphia Phillies has not dwindled, despite falling short of expectation.  (I'm still asking for a new Phillies hat for Christmas.)  There is so much talk about Jayson Werth and his free agency.  I mean, serioiusly, he's pretty freaking awesome...my roommate definitely is in love with him - and his grizzly-like beard. 

I'm def. in agreement with Gary, dude who wrote an open letter to Jayson (and Ruben Amaro).  My words to Jayson are simple:

     Dear Jayson, 
     Please stay.

     K, thanks,
     Jamie

Additionally, the Phillies announced that they will be increasing ticket prices for lower level seats next season.  Darn.

Thank goodness it is Friday.  (That means that tomorrow is Saturday.)  Friday also means casual dress and football jersey day in the office (i.e. purple Friday in honor of the Ravens).  Yay.  First of all, sorry, but I'm not a true Ravens fan.   Second, I def wore my David Beckham long-sleeve (superseded) Real Madrid jersey.  It might be a stretch, but it is a real futbol jersey and I always get nice compliments and/or dirty looks for wearing it.  Well, it's much nicer than your purple mesh f-ball jersey.

iPhone 4

Yesterday, I picked up the iPhone 4. 

Today, I am shopping for accessories and apps.

I also realized that my macbook is too old.  Like so old, that I can't synch my iPhone to iTunes or anything like that.  It merely charges.  I will be making a special trip to the apple store. 
additional expenditure

also, what's with capes this season?  i hate them.

Happy Hump Day

I really like this...a platform bed, or maybe a bed on a platform.

It's Wednesday, finally. What?, it's only Wednesday? Ugh.

Today is cold (as was yesterday). Of course this means that my office is even colder. Nothing beats a cool day like a warm cup of coffee. Ah. I'm on #2.

Jason Aldean's new CD came out yesterday and I downloaded a few songs. I love it. I love him. I love country music. "Turn it up a little bit louder; turn it up, I love this song..." Days Like These


I just got an email at work (yes, I'm multi-tasking), which included a link to some candid pictures that were taken at work for some official marketing materials. Diversity. ewwwwww.

Lexi, the Lamb

I couldn't help myself. I had to post some pictures of my little niece, Lexi. She was a lamb, dressed for Halloween. aww.

She may be the cutest of all time.

Undefeated

MWS went undefeated after Saturday's win, undefeated in the conference, undefeated in the season. Wednesday starts playoffs. If they win {obvio} they will play on Saturday night. Funny thing...my club team (Loyola University) plays the Messiah club team, at Messiah on Saturday. Game time is at 1 pm. This will be the first time I will have to root against Messiah. Of course, It's not MWS; but still, I feel like a traitor. I will stay for the MWS game, which will probably be night time - well, lets hope.

In other good news...yesterday, I kinda practiced with the football team. I jogged through a few plays. My ankle/foot is not 100%, but you know, it felt decent. I had a flimsy ace wrap on it and sneakers (not cleats). Today, my ankle feels really good. Maybe there was just some scar tissue or something in there that just needed to be broken up. Because today, my ankle is not as stiff as it usually is. Thank you God. I see signs of healing.

It's the weekend!

Today is a busy day. This morning I ran a bunch of errands in town {the county}. Wow, I forgot how beautiful fall days are in the county. The trees were amazing! There's something about the sights and smells of fall that takes me back to rec soccer. I wish I could go back. I wish I could play right now. MWS plays Etown tonight. I expect a win. Etown used to be better than they've been the past 5 years. MWS also gets better every year, every day I presume.

I am currently baking pumpkin chocolate chip cookies for the bake sale tonight. My church football team is fundraising tonight at the concert. Saving Thomas and Jason Min will be at church as part of this weekend's revival! Woo!

But wait, that's not it. Ugh - I have a First Aid/CPR class all day, starting at 1:30 through 7:30 at Loyola first. Then to the concert {late}. Buy cookies! mmmmm...They taste so good on my lips!

Movie posters

Moxy Creative House has these sweet posters that I want:

...By the way I haven't seen Anchorman in way too long.

Ultra Light Down

I am loving this Ultra Light Down Jacket from Uniqlo. The great thing is that it looks good and is only $69.99. Anyone going to NYC? Can you possibly pick one up for me asap? Thanks.

NCAA Rankings National Women D-III {10.27.10}

I realize you already knew that I am obsessed with MWS, but just in case you doubted the program's superiority and awesomeness, below are the rankings for 10.26.10:

NCAA Rankings National Women Division III

Rank School W-L-T
1 Messiah (Pa.) 15 - 0 - 0
2 Hardin-Simmons (Texas) 15 - 0 - 0
3 Illinois Wesleyan 15 - 0 - 1
4 Otterbein (Ohio) 14 - 0 - 1
5 Loras (Iowa) 16 - 1 - 0
6 Emory (Ga.) 12 - 1 - 2
7 Trinity (Texas) 13 - 1 - 0
8 William Smith (N.Y.) 12 - 2 - 2
9 Wheaton (Ill.) 15 - 2 - 0
10 Eastern Connecticut State 13 - 0 - 3
11 Ithaca (N.Y.) 11 - 2 - 1
12 Wisconsin-Stevens Point 14 - 1 - 1
13 Dickinson (Pa.) 12 - 2 - 1 [beat 6-0]
14 Williams (Mass.) 8 - 3 - 2
15 Augustana (Ill.) 12 - 1 - 3
16 William Paterson (N.J.) 11 - 2 - 4
17 Johns Hopkins (Md.) 13 - 3 - 0 [beat 2-1]
18 Stevens Institute of Technology (N.J.) 14 - 2 - 1
19 Rowan (N.J.) 14 - 1 - 1
20 California Lutheran 16 - 1 - 1
20 Thomas More (Ky.) 12 - 0 - 3
22 College of New Jersey 13 - 2 - 1
23 Carleton (Minn.) 11 - 2 - 1
24 Rochester (N.Y.), University of 10 - 3 - 2
25 Centre (Ky.) 14 - 2 - 0

Also receiving votes: Brandeis (Mass.), Lynchburg (Va.), Puget Sound (Wash.), University of Chicago, Concordia-Moorhead (Minn.)

Of course I am right! In two weeks I'll be up for the conference final. More on that to come.

Love

Love

1 Corinthians 13 (New International Version)

{I saw this great picture and was reminded of God's love and this passage from 1 Corinthians}

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

New Roommates?

I may be getting some new roommates next month. I will be sad to see my current roommates move out :( but am excited for my two friends from church to move in. Nothing is set in stone. I mean, they did not give me a definite that they are moving in, but I am pretty certain that they are. I love that they play church flag football with me on Sunday afternoons. Well, I have yet to play, but upcoming, I will be right there with them. I've been very fortunate of always having good roommates; ones that respect me and my house. Ones that give me my space, but also are easy to get along with and like watching TV and sports with. I hope my streak of good luck continues. Welcome friends!

Hope you are having a great weekend!

I'm in Philly. No, not for the Phillies game, but for a soccer tournament. No, I'm not playing, but coaching. We lost this morning. It is very difficult to stand on the sidelines unable to really do anything to help. Our second game is this evening and hopefully, the team can put one away, like score a goal. That's what you're supposed to do in soccer right? Phillies play at 8 and they had better send the series to a game 7. MWS plays Albright on the Shoe today. There should be no contest there. Hope you are having a great weekend. Go MWS! Go Phillies!

Goodwood

I am def loving this watch. It's wood. Legit Good Wood NYC

These are my 2 faves (besides some of the custom pieces)

Dopesauce is prolly pretty fitting.

I wish I lived in Hawaii

I wish I lived in Hawaii so I could live this life: (super cute music vid)

My day off

Today, I decided to take the day off from work. No real reason. I just had some things I had to get done, like annoying phone calls to the insurance company and set up a few appointments. I also had a few errands to make and some cleaning to do. I actually read the mail. It felt really weird to not be up at the crack of dawn and not having to rush around. I am actually sane right now, sitting on my bed blogging and listening to some calming music, specifically, I believe that would be John Mayer. It's such a brisk fall day. I have the windows open and the cool breeze is refreshing. I'm staring right now at my new snowboard that I bought at the end of last season. Man, I wish that I could be on the slopes right now. I just have an urge to shed! but then again, there's my retarded ankle that has been forever nagging and has allowed me to do zero activity. Hmm, that reminds me, one year ago from now, I would have been anticipating tomorrow, my first and probably only marathon. The 10th annual Baltimore marathon is tomorrow. Good luck crazy runners! Don't get me wrong, running a marathon is a thrilling experience...well, at least it is when you cross the finish line. The actual race (between mile 18-26) sucks; the training sucks, but looking back and realizing what you have accomplished is unreal! Maybe the aches and pains, the calluses and the black toenails are worth the bragging rights. Maybe, just maybe. Tonight, I will be getting my pasta fix even though I'm not running tomorrow. My friend is in town to run the half tomorrow. Woot! Good luck Baltimore, run fast!

MWS update

I just discovered this:

MWS has its own YouTube Channel - schweeet!

Btw, MWS is undefeated and still #1 according to NSCAA and D3soccer. The team beat Lycoming 10-0 last night. ew - so good.

Next week, Johns Hopkins (t-10) plays The College of New Jersey (3) and I will be at Homewood to see two great teams and no doubt some good soccer.

Looking fresh

2 looks I love from Madewell's sale rack. Ok, so I realize that being on the sale rack, they are so last season, but still...

I also want a new bike. Check out Republic bikes - custom made and relatively affordable; cool fresh colors too:

Cool Companies that Give

So I know that you have all heard of TOMS Shoes.

There was that cell phone commercial that featured the company and introduced the "one for one" purpose. Pretty cool company; plus, the shoes are legit stylish and cute...and they have size 5. Thank goodness! In my opinion - genius business model! I ended up buying the little blue cords a few years ago, but unfortunately I rarely wear them. Hopefully, the kid that got a new pair of shoes has worn his out for me. In their latest campaign, TOMS has teamed up with Element to donate skateboards...rad!

I have a checkup appointment for my eyes this Saturday morning. I need a new pair of glasses. My current pair are a outdated since my contacts prescription was updated a few times (yet not my glasses). I am excited to get a fresh new pair, one that I can wear to the office and one I can also wear to watch TV at night without squinting. Like TOMS, Warby Parker is a similar company - stylish (and affordable!) and they deliver a pair of glasses to someone in need for every pair of frames that they sell! (Their slogan is Buy a Pair Give a Pair) In doing so, we we have the opportunity "to share the gift of vision with someone who can’t see today and give them the opportunity to read, to work and to live a fuller life." Awesome! I'm digg'n the Roosevelt. What do you think? They also come in black, but I'm thinking to spice things up a little and go with the striped tortoise. I also like the Digby, but they are a bit larger, and more rectangular as opposed to the rounder Roosevelt.

Today is hump day, baby - looking forward to the weekend already (go Phillies)! but significant amount of rain in the forecast - boooo.

Unashamed

In church on Sunday, we sang that song Unashamed by Starfield. Love it. the words are so powerful. i hope that you will take the time to understand the words and meditate on its meaning in your life.

Unashamed

- Starfield

I have not much

To offer You

Not near what You deserve

But still I come

Because Your cross

Has placed in me my worth

Oh, Christ my King

Of sympathy

Whose wounds secure my peace

Your grace extends

To call me friend

Your mercy sets me free

And I know I'm weak

I know I'm unworthy

To call upon Your name

But because of grace

Because of Your mercy

I stand here unashamed

I can't explain

This kind of love

I'm humbled and amazed

That You'd come down

From heavens heights

And greet me face to face

Here I am at Your feet

In my brokeness complete

by the way, i love this band! http://www.starfieldonline.com/

Last night

Last night, I went out with some friends to Royal Taj. I love Indian food; it tastes so good on my lips. Last night MWS spanked Eastern University and last night was also game 1 of the NLDS for my Phillies. (Thank God for DVR.) I was not disappointed.

Girls' night out is always fun. The Royal Taj had the best service i think i've ever had at a restaurant. Good friends, good conversation, good food. One thing that I will mention is that this place was not casual. Some were dressed for dinner dates, the atmosphere was dim, and even my friends came well-dressed (some straight from work, so i can understand). I however, was very proud to wear my Phillies jersey to dine. Fist pump!

MWS played Eastern last night at home. It was no contest (duh) as the Falcons proved that they ARE the best in the country. We win 7-0. I asked my friend how the game went and congratulated the team for being awesome. She replied, "we are good and they were not so good, but that's what happens on the Shoe." - Junior Leah Sipe.

Because I went out to dinner last night, I was only able to watch the first 3 1/2 innings of the Phillies game live. Fortunately, when i returned home, i was able to rewatch history. Ew. Doc Halladay is siiiiick. Roy Halladay became the fifth pitcher in baseball history to have two no-hitters in one season, and the first to have one during the regular season and one in the playoffs. I was truly inspired and i am now even more excited for the game on Friday. I think what I think a lot of people think. The Phillies are THAT good. With H2O unbeatable and the best line-up in baseball, it will be a very exciting playoff run. by the way, good thing i put a deposit on my ticket plans for next year, because they are already freaking sold out. Chumps. One more day till Friday - Praise Him.

New record

MESSIAH WOMENS SOCCER, awesome, dominant and in the record books...again! a new record was set in DIII women's soccer (previously set by OWU, the team that beat MWS in the finals in 2002). MWS beat York College last Tuesday 3-0 in York, PA (also witnessed by yours truly), which marked 61 unbeaten contests in a row. the team's last loss was during the 2007 NCAA national championship in 2008. can you imagine NOT losing? dang. i can't. i feel like losing is part of athletics and i can also say that in my career, losing is what builds character and what drives you to work that much harder. now, i cannot say that i would feel the same way if i was a part of a dynasty. the team has 3 ties during in this streak and therefore, i suppose that a tie = a loss. a tie is not a win and knowing MWS, the tie should have been a win. but in either case, congrats team. congrats coach frey. thanks for dominating.

I smell Autumn

Autumn is such a great season. Not only does it mark the greatest season of the year, that is soccer season, but you can never complain about the weather and beauty of creation. The leaves are so beautiful, the crisp air, apple cider - yay! Right this second, I am looking forward to bust'n out the boots, turning the AC off, and standing on the sidelines, watching a good game of soccer.

My fall wish list:

1. The Phillies to make it to the playoffs and win another pennant. They are currently the hottest team in baseball - yeah baby, tonight's win is 10 in a row and 6 up on the Braves. What the...? I love them and love watching them. I hope I can win a bid to buy playoff tickets. PS. - Chase Utley is HOT and so is Jayson Werth.
2. MWS to win another national championship. Currently, the Messiah Women's soccer team is dominating the NCAA DIII field. Must I say untouchable? The NCAA Championships will be held in Texas again in December, but it is thrilling to hear my team dominating the east coast. Still ranked on top, the team remains undefeated and boasts a record of 7-0.
3. Rehab my ankle back to full strength by Thanksgiving. My ankle is still bothering me. I am still walking with a limp. I hope it will get stronger by next week so that I can at least go for a casual jog. I will make up my own rehab.
4. Win the women's football Turkey Bowl with Hope Chapel. I do not believe my church football team has ever won a football championship. I believe that this could be the year. With the addition of several speedy players and great personalities, I believe that we will be giving any good team a run for their money! Women's flag football...I'm ready to dominate.

Now, is that too much to ask? Believe me, I have so many other things that I could have slapped down, but I will hold back. Sweet. Happy Autumn, Marylanders!

Injury is a B

Last Thursday I severely sprained my ankle. Judging by what it looks and feels, I presume that it is much more than a sprain, perhaps tearing ligaments of some sort. I must say that it has been very frustrating not being able to be active, and I don't even mean running and playing soccer, but merely walking! Plain and simple it sucks. I have only been able to do pullups and pushups, but you can only do so much of them and anyways, I'm done with P90X. It's soccer season and I wanna play soccer! It's football season and I wanna play football! waaa.

My poor ankle and look at my foot - it's enormous!

Recently

I joined a fantasy football league.

I got a new roommate.

I ate a cookie for dinner.

I went to the Jersey Shore.

I bought a new car.

I went to a Lady A concert.

I spent the night at college.

I went to opening night at Jets stadium.

I did not vote.

Goals of the season

As I had posted earlier, I got to see the best in action over at Homewood field. As expected, the good guys pulled through and looked stronger than ever. Messiah never gave the Blue Jays any room to breathe - the team just continuously and unforgivingly attacked their back line like it was the first minute of the game. Impressive? Of course, but it is only the 3rd game of the season and, no doubt, this team will only get better! Check out these clips: Goals of the season from the first weekend. Well done, my friends, well done. I shall see you later in the season and most definitely in the playoffs; but hopefully, I can catch the team in action on the Shoe. “The girls are always excited to play on The Shoe,” Coach Frey states.

On a totally different note, I am going to buy a new car today. Yay, boo...I mean, Yay. I mean, Boo. Ugh, one of those bitter sweet moments, for sure!

MWS

I look forward to a lot of things. For me, the fall is not football season, it is soccer season. And not that long ago, I played for the greatest collegiate program in the country, at least now it is. Messiah College Women's soccer is an awesome thing. If you have any respect for the game, take a night and go watch this team play. They are back on top this 2010 season and tonight they play right here in my town, Baltimore, MD baby! #1 MWS plays #8 Johns Hopkins. This is the game I look forward to every other year. Not only is it in my back yard, but JHU is a fierce team, always athletic and always a team that plays well on their home turf - you know it will be a great game, quality soccer, quality. I hope this debacle won't interfere with my plans to attend. Otherwise, I'll be waiting another two years for this!

I broke down

Today on my way home from New Jersey, my car broke down. Booo. I now have to take another day off of work and pay many many dollars. Prolly won't be getting that new pair of shoes that I wanted. Eff.

The Boys of Fall

One of my favorite songs on country radio today is "The Boys of Fall" by Kenny Chesney. What great great song, but guess what? The music video is even BETTER! omg! The emotion that takes you back to your youth. Of course I did not play football in high school, but just the emotion that one feels when you compete athletically in any sport; the feeling of being untouchable and knowing that nothing else matters, because you are playing a game that you are pouring every part of your being into: physically, mentally, emotionally...even spiritually. What an unbelievable feeling. Well, just watch the video:

What I wouldn't give to do this again!

Winter, Spring, Summer 2010

Haha! I'm back, maybe. I got annoyed with the art of blogging. In the midst of reviewing my blog in 2009, I decided I was a big dork for blogging, so it went to bed. As of now, I no longer think that, so I will post my first of 2010, now that it's almost fall. The summer is almost gone (sad face) and this weekend I'm going to visit my sister at the Jersey Shore. Must I differentiate between Seaside Park and Seaside Heights (?) - approximately a 1/2 mile bike ride. The guidos and guidettes abound only at the boardwalk. I must admit, I'm excited to have off a few days and lounge at the beach (stay away Earl!) and get a new bike at Brielle! Thanks Phil :) Perhaps a red shiny one? Happy Labor Day! I leave you with this hilarity as you travel this holiday weekend: The crap we put up with getting on and off an airplane: