The electricity from Saturday's game can still be felt on campus. The Crimson White's front page featured a glorious picture of the block. We were talking at lunch today about how Cody must feel. There is now a group on facebook that says, "Terrence Cody Saved My Life 10-24-09". I mean, what must it feel like to know that you caused that eruption of excitement? Crazy.

I came home from studying in the library last night to discover Brass, Brynn and Grant watching Aladdin. I was so excited and joined in on the fun. The next week or two has been deemed Disney Marathon Week. Tonight is Little Mermaid, tomorrow-101 Dalmatians, Wednesday-The Fox and the Hound, Thursday-Beauty and the Beast, and I can't remember Friday. The best way to cure college stress is to revert back to things that made you happy when you were a kid. Disney just works wonders. Old school Disney, that is. They just don't make movies like that anymore. What a shame.

I keep getting migraines. I'm working on drinking more water to see how it helps. I also need to get more sleep. I have to say, I am growing very tired of having to read so so much every night. I have read six books already this semester. Though I hate all of this required literature consumption, I must say that it makes me feel very accomplished and educated. I'm reading classic, essential books that most people don't read in their lifetime. It's cool to be able to say that I've read all of these important works.

Worked out my schedule for next semester. I'm going to have 16 hours, 6 of which will be honors, 7 of which will be communications. :D I'm very excited. I can't wait to really dive into my major. I reeeaaalllyy can't wait for internships. I have my eye on a few. We'll see how it goes.

I made a 100 on my Spanish quiz!!!! I was so happy when I saw it. I'm doing better in there. My main problem is having confidence in myself, as always. I know a lot more than I give myself credit for.

A Block Party in Tuscaloosa

Going into the Tennessee game, I have to be honest in admitting that I didn't think UA would have any problems. I woke up, tailgated on the quad and went into the stadium without a worry in the world. I knew the Tide would pull through and make me proud. Then the kickoff...

The game was played so sloppy. I screamed myself hoarse. You would have thought our offense had lost their brains and bathed themselves in butter--and, in the words of Katie Fay, "SPECIAL TEAMS!!!!!!???!!!". They weren't catching or reading anything. And Mark Ingram fumbled?!? What was happening in the world? This was the first game I had been to in which Alabama did not score a single touchdown. Thank goodness Tiffin showed up and gave us four field goals, two of which were from 49+ yards away. The game became a serious matter of survival rather than previously assumed domination.

A glimmer of hope returned when Tennessee missed a field goal at the end of the half and then, miraculously, Terrence Cody blocked a field goal at the beginning of the fourth. I knew the Tide would win, but this win wouldn't be as sweet. Singing Rammer Jammer would not be as satisfying. Then, the unthinkable occurred. Our defense was totally failing against UT. They scored a touchdown in the fourth with 1:16 to go--after recovering one of our fumbles. When we were finally going to receive a kick, UT sent on on-side kick---UT also recovered the onside kick. The faces of the student section were filled with despair and agony. 48 seconds to go and UT was penalized for a false start. The clock ran down as UT gained yards and got within field goal distance.

It was in this moment that we all realized how much Alabama football really meant to us. We were mentally preparing ourselves for the loss. Some students were on the verge of tears. Hearts were pounding. Eyes were unblinking. With four seconds left in the game, UT set up for a field goal. Our hopes of an undefeated season and a trip to the Rose Bowl were quickly fading before our eyes. We cringed away almost unable to watch the inevitable heartbreak that was to follow. (Katie Fay literally could not, and would not, watch. She instead buried her face in a jacket.) The stadium roared in an attempt to distract the kicker, but at the moment of play, the stadium became silent. The ball was passed back, kicked.....and BLOCKED BY MOUNT CODY!

The chaos that ensued was an incredible eruption of emotion. People were screaming, jumping and hugging strangers. Within 48 seconds, we had all experienced extreme feelings from opposite ends of the emotional spectrum. It was entirely too much to process. The overwhelming adrenaline took over as we yelled Rammer Jammer at the top of our lungs. We walked out of the stadium filled with the electricity of our victory.

The best way to describe the immediate reaction after the game is, "It was like when you're filming something and the camera is crazy shaky"...."but really, it was God holding the world and using it as a shaker screaming, 'ROOOOLLL TIIIDDDEEEE'" (Conversation between Brass and I)

Though UA has a lot of work to do and should never, ever, EVER play a game like that again, I can't help but be proud and excited about today's game. The energy was so contagious and exciting. I have never felt so energized within 4 seconds. I love UA even more.

This is Alabama football.

P.S. I got the block on camera. How awesome is that?

I was up until 2AM again last night. It was pretty productive though. I wrote three papers and went to a required concert. The lack of sleep is catching up with me though. I meant to get up around 9 this morning but slept in until 11. That is very uncharacteristic of me. I guess I needed the sleep.

Caroline (RA on the fourth floor) wants to use our dorm for prospective student tours on Friday. Guess that means we're going to have to clean and get rid of our contraband items....hahaha

I went to Target today because I could not put off grocery shopping any longer. I was in and out in thirty minutes exactly. I was so proud. Why are ink cartridges so expensive? I think nearly $30 is a bit ridiculous.

While in Target though, I saw a little girl that reminded me so much of Lilah. She talked like her, looked like her, and went to the princess section of the toys. I started crying in the middle of Target. I guess I'm a little homesick. I've been emotional this week anyway. No clue why. Most likely due to exhaustion. Either way, I looked absolutely ridiculous all teary-eyed and red faced in Target. Oh well.

This was a very uneventful post, but like I said, I'm going to try to start blogging more. It's more of a journal for me. Sorry if I bore you!!!

Just Another Journal

The night before last, I stayed up until 5AM doing homework and studying. Last night I was up until 2AM doing the same. My classes just decided to put the bulk of the work all together at the same time. Awesome. It's ok though. I am managing it and I actually feel like a college student now. This may sound like horrible logic, but being busy like that makes me far more productive and the quality of my work improves. I'm glad it's finally getting busy.

I am not glad however, about the whole rowing situation. It made me really upset when I had to take myself out for awhile first for mono and now for my shoulder--which I am STILL waiting to hear the verdict on. I was walking around campus and saw some of the rowing girls....they got all of their gear this week. :( I miss it so much and now seeing all of my ex-teammates decked out in crimson nike backpacks, shirts, pants and shoes just reminds me of how much I miss it. But then again, I remember that God has a way of opening and closing the right doors. I can only try my best in all that I do, remain in prayer and trust that He always knows best.

He has already improved things. I got a job!!! After an entire summer of unsuccessful applications, I finally found a job. Yogurt Mountain is opening a new store in Tuscaloosa. I applied as soon as I could and got an interview and the miraculous phone call letting me know that I got the job. I start next week. I will be able to make some extra money for myself and put some away for my future and study abroad. It makes me feel so much better about myself.

Saw two good movies during study breaks last night and the night before: Dead Poet Society and Newsies. Both are very well written and produced. Newsies is a musical (which equals instant satisfaction for me) and Dead Poet Society is one of Robin Williams' few serious films. It's just an all around excellent story.

I'm going to try to start journaling everyday. I want to remember my college years, and they say journaling is just a good thing to do. (Whoever "they" are. ;))

Time to do some studying. Getting advised today. :)

Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer...

It was a cold, cold game last night, but so much fun. The Crimson Tide won their Homecoming game against South Carolina 20-6. Granted, they played sloppy and our offense could use some work. However, I wake up this morning to find a new team in the number one spot on the AP poll. ROLL TIDE!

I just need time and space to breathe.

It has been entirely too long since my last post. Things have just been CRAZY around here. Where to even begin....

Alright. I was stoked about rowing the last time I wrote. Practices were crazy intense, but I was so excited to be a part of a team and to be getting into shape. Being on the water in the shell (boat) is such a cool feeling. Rowing is definitely an under-appreciated sport. It is very very cool. Being on the river was relaxing, too. I love being outside. I almost quit, but stuck with it, even though coach was getting intense (two-a-days, 530AM and 530PM) and my times weren't exactly where I wanted them. Then I pretty much ran into the worst luck I've had in a while.

1.) My shoulder started grinding and popping uncontrollably. I didn't say anything, but my trainer noticed it while I was rowing and asked to look at it after practice. After barely touching me and watching it just pop like nothing, she taped ice on me and scheduled a doctor's visit. I went to the doctor. "Oh my. You have multi-directional instability like I've never seen before. How are your shoulders even staying in? No wonder your back hurts, you're compensating for the fact that your labrum may not be torn, but it just doesn't even work. Surgery is most likely needed." Awesome. Going for my MRI on Tuesday so we'll see how that goes.

2.)As I walk into the doctor's office for my shoulder, I notice my throat is hurting and I'm all congested. The next morning, I can hardly get out of bed and have no voice. The previous two weeks I had been sleeping an abnormal amount. My roommates basically locked me out of the dorm for fear of the swine flu. I went to the doctor, slept away four hours, and found out I had mono. Awesome. Instant 6-10 days isolation from the team. No practice. Which is an eternity in training time. This means that after all of the training and breaking and tears and sweat, I can't row this season. Because of a virus, I'm out. Kind of crushing, but I'm trying to see it as God's way of closing one door to open others. It was still hard to know there was a Regala in Tennessee that I couldn't be at this weekend. It's still hard when I see the team practicing on the Black Warrior. Things could be worse though, so I move on.

On top of all of this I had a teacher give me a 'B' on my first paper. Granted, this is an acceptable grade for most, but when your scholarship depends on your GPA and aforementioned teacher only gives four grades, a 'B' becomes quite the opposite of acceptable. He said there was nothing wrong with my paper, but he simply couldn't give the whole class an 'A'. Really? Where is the logic in that?

Then my mom gets pharyngitis after she's already been in for an infection. And I am not there to help or make sure she takes care of herself. It is the most helpless feeling in the world. THank goodness for amazing church family. So many people helped and took care of mom. Thank you to all of you. I love and miss you all so, so much.

Then you throw in little things like my internet not working when I have online classes, my alarm not going off and making me late to classes, doctor's appointments and practices. And let's not forget my recent visit and stay in the hospital for cysts in my sinuses. Add the general pressures of adjusting to college--making friends amid 30,000 people, realizing how small you are, being sick without mom, being away from my family and best friends, getting to know professors, becoming independent, finding more scholarships, finding a job, finding time for a job, worrying about money, not enough sleep--and I pretty much have reached the level of emotional/physical/psychological breakdown. It's just way too much to deal with at once. THings have gotten better, but I can only take it one step at a time, and I most definitely cannot do it on my own. Time to ramp up on my Bible and prayer time and finding the right church family.

I have been presented with amazing opportunities. I am looking at going to Tibet for two weeks this summer to teach children English and to interact with monks. I am also going to study abroad in Ireland at some point. Both of these things are so exciting for me, but require a lot of paperwork and money. I really need to get a job and find scholarships. I'm going to try to find a job up here and one back home so I can work through my long breaks at home. I'm trusting and knowing that God will open and close the doors He knows will lead to the best outcome.

Sorry for this ridiculous vent. I actually had a really amazing weekend with my best friends in Cleveland. It was so refreshing to be around familiar faces who understand me and my beliefs and actions. I love them so much. It is hard being away from them, but I have realized how much it has strengthened our friendships.

That's what I've realized about all of these events. They have all contributed to growth. My stint with rowing taught me how strong I am. It taught me a lot about myself. I can do a lot more than I give myself credit for. I appreciate my family so much more now. I take them and our relationship for granted. I miss my little brother and my munchkins. I learned that I have a lot of strength within me, but more strength in God. I don't know how I would have gotten through all of this if not for Him.

There is so much more to write on all of this, but it will have to come at another time as I really need to get a shower and go to bed. Good night and thanks for reading my rants and rambles.