Da Champs

Tonight I was able to experience the rush of a great win again. It seems to come par for the course being a student at UA.

One of my great friends in Tuscaloosa, Kelvin Williams, helped his team earn the championship title of intramural basketball. It was a great game. The players were very physical and vocal which made it even more fun for our fan section. Most of the fans were there for Da Champs...Kelvin had his own section of about 15.

The majority of the game was pretty standard. Two points here, three points there. Throw in a few fouls and some testosterone induced temper tantrums and there you have it. When the last few minutes of the second half ticked down, though, it was just a three point game with Da Champs in the lead. The crimson clad players gave their all and maintained their lead--Kelvin got in some last minute free throws and helped to maintain the lead. Then, the black team was fouled and received two free throws. At this point, our entire section was standing. One look and slight gesture from Kelvin resulted in a massive eruption of screaming. The player missed the shots. **I knew our loud skills would be useful one day.

Da Champs were then in possession of the ball and let the clock wind down to zero. All of our 'little white girls' ran to give Kelvin a congratulatory group hug. It was a great moment for all of us. We were all so proud of 'our' Kelvin. He's always there for us. In him we have a shoulder to cry on, hands to help carry bags to our cars, height to reach the top cabinets, and a heart that loves us and our craziness. He's a great guy and we loved seeing him have his shining moment.

We may look odd walking down the street; it's not every day you see one tall black guy with 10 white girls. But what's really unique is what we have that you can't see. It's a bond not many people experience. I love my Tuscaloosa brothers and sisters. We may be a strange group, but it's that one-of-a-kindness that I love so much.

I can only end this with a Roll Tide. :)

More Reasons to Love the Red Sox...

So I know this is an old story, but I haven't been writing to I've gotta update everything. I will now be taking my Garciapara jersey out of the closet. I'll actually probably wear it for opening day. What a classy guy.

**Background: After fourteen seasons, Garciapara signed a one day contract with the Red Sox and then retired. He had to wear the uniform one more time and finish his career where he was most loved. Here's a link to the story.

http://www.usatoday.com/communities/dailypitch/post/2010/03/nomar-garciaparra-retires----as-a-red-sox/1

Never Going that Long Without a Post Again

SO many things to cover in this entry. I have no clue how I let an entire month go by without writing a single thing. This week the posts will more than likely be sporadic as I try to fill in the blanks to connect my last posts to now. Yikes.

First off. I'm sorry!!!! It has been entirely too long, I know. My focus has been pulled into a million directions in the last month, but I am finally regaining focus and motivation.

Now to catch everyone up on my life...

As I mentioned above, I'm at a turning point with my efforts and focus in life. I'm really trying to put my all into a few things that are centered around furthering my future career. I'm cutting out all of the noise and distractions of meaningless clubs and activities. Not to say I'm quitting the things that I love. I will continue to play music and tutor kids (I totally just realized I haven't written about LITE. It's a literacy program I'm involved in and I tutor a precious little girl named Ali once a week. I love it), but I have a new perspective for my future endeavors. I know that I want communications to be my life. I absolutely LOVE it. I wake up in the morning craving my daily dose of newspapers and the Today show. I walk into my MassCom class eager to learn the basic fundamentals of all that is communications. Like dad has always said, I was born with ink in my blood.

All of this leads me to my fantastic news of my acceptance into SEC (Student Executive Council). It is a group of 12 students from the College of C&IS who work to promote unity and service between the students and faculty within our school, the campus, and the community; somewhat of an ambassadorial/service oriented body. I was one of 20 interviewed and 12 chosen. I am very proud of this accomplishment as are my roommates (my acceptance letter is highlighted and stuck to our refrigerator). I'm excited to see where I go within the organization.

I am also in the process of applying to be a contributing (possibly, hopefully, even a staffed) writer for the Crimson White. I should have done this a long time ago, but I didn't for fear of failure. I can't resist it anymore, though. My desire to write and report is too strong to stifle any longer! Many people waste their time online on Facebook and playing games. My biggest form of distraction? News blogs and blogs for journalists. I can't get enough of it. I love learning about the world around me. I'm essentially a talking newspaper for my roommates, and it is a role I love to take on. It would be an infinitesimally greater joy to be a news source for the campus. I'm hoping this works out.

I just got off of Spring Break. It was a pretty good break, nothing of too much significance to report on. I went to the beach a couple of times, but overall it was simply too cold and windy. I spent a lot of time with my family. I did spend time with friends. I love them all very, very much, but it is easy to see how things are slowly changing. The growing pains of becoming adults are starting to take effect. I know that my future is not in Baldwin County. After I leave UA, I will go to grad school and move on. It's a strange feeling to go 'home' and have it feel like a vacation spot. Outside of the house with my family, it doesn't feel like home anymore. I think this is a coping mechanism within me making it easier to move away. It's crazy and cool how every time I go back to Baldwin County I learn a little bit more about myself. College thus far has been an amazing experience. My first year is almost over. It's flying by even faster than high school did. I think this realization is part of my push in motivation and focus. I want to take advantage of everything and not waste a single moment.

I did not realize how difficult it would be to go back to class after the week of nothing. While I was ready to get back on campus to be with my Tuscaloosa family, I was not ready to start studying for my math and geography tests. I looked at my calendar yesterday and realized that April is a longer and scarier February. I only have six weeks left, but I have to get more accomplished in those six weeks than the past twelve. It will be a challenge, but I've never been one to shy away. I do my best work under pressure and deadlines. I suppose it's the journalist in me coming out again. :)

I could go on and on about all of these things, but I think this one is long enough already. Gotta get ready for class anyway.