SIXBURGH

I can’t go without a post saying……

YES!!!!!

STEELERS ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!!!

And that was an absolutely AMAZING game! The apartment was split, since the Roomie is from Arizona.
I did feel for the Cardinals, being that this was their very first trip to the Big Game. If they had won, I might have been….”okay”….with it. Just to be supportive. You know.

BUT. The Steeler’s kick ass, and they won, aaaand we have SIX Super Bowel Championships. Oh, and we are the only team that has 6. Yup. Amazing.

Okay, I’m done now. Wow, I love football.

California Love

Yes, Penn State lost to USC. Yes, it was a little tough to watch. But…..that certainly isn’t enough to ruin a trip to California! Leaving the freezing cold temps and non-stop snow falls here, I thoroughly enjoyed a few days in the Sun with the fam and a LOT of Penn Staters. So much love.

I can’t explain how happy it makes me to be surrounded by Penn Staters. Even across the country, we freakin represented. But, if your team is at the Rose Bowl, you better represent damnit. That’s serious football business! Honestly, walking around the tail-gates and staring out at the stadium, there was a good mix of Blue-and-White with all that crazy Maroon-and-gold. Take a look……

Bud Light Tent....with a sea of Blue-and-White

a few beers deep, stocked and ready for kick-off!

on the sideline

and in the stands!

It was a blast (despite the loss) and the Trojan’s around us were pretty good sports. I’m already waiting for August!

I heart football, and I loooove those Nittany Lions.

Smelling Roses

Yes, yes….HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! *2009*

Penn State vs USC

But more importantly (well, just for today….) LETS GO PENN STATE!!!!!!!

I’m going to the Rose Bowl today with the fam, to watch my team and I’m um, Reallyyyyy excited. Being part of the ‘alumni’ during football season blows. No student section?! No ‘cheap’ tickets available for me to purchase?! Whaaaat?! Gah.

We spent yesterday at Universal Studios Hollywood and wow, Penn State, well done. At least 1 out of ~20 people I saw were wearing Penn State things. I’m not kidding. It was seriously impressive. There were a few tables set up in different corners full of Penn State Rose Bowl Gear. Yessss. Then we saw one of the buildings in the park with a marquee reading “Penn State Alumni & Friends”. Hey! Thats me!

We asked what was going on, only to find out it was a “private” part with the Alumni. Which I guess wouldn’t include me quite yet, since I don’t have $$ to donate…..yet. But they blocked off a corner of the Studios for this little fiesta around 4:30, and it looked classy. I need to get in on that next time.

Then they (workers) told us that the Football team / Blue Band had the lower part of the park reserved for the night, starting at 7. Penn State is taking over!! After dinner on the City Walk we headed out, and saw them all coming in – - special green bracelets and VIP access and all that jazz. Really??? I need to start making connections, I need to get in on that next time.

Anyway. Gotta finish getting ready!! Watch the game! And cheer for Penn State? K  Thankssss*

Now that December is here

I’ve got things to do!

My “to-do” list has become a little bit daunting. It’s not even on paper yet, just swarming around in my head, intimidating me in theory.

Don’t worry, it’s not stressful (ehhh, maybe a little bit. but I’m sick of that word. sooo, No).

It’s just….December. As in, the end of this year. As in…..whoa.

I have to start Christmas shopping. This is always a little bit tricky, since I have to pack all the extra things I buy and bring them home with me. And this year, I have to think a little bit harder. For the past 4 years there was at least one person that got Penn State stuff. Yup, it’s a cop out. But people looove it. So it’s a good excuse. And by ‘people’, I mostly mean my parents. They’ve got quite a collection of paraphernalia now, and not one complaint. The siblings have also received their fair share, but only upon request! And I ask for their stuff in return. Who wouldn’t love to sport some home-state love on the other side of the country, right? Right.

I have to prepare for my first ‘office’ Christmas party. Not that I work in an office, or even with the same people on a monthly basis. But there are 8 of us interns, and we have all been invited to the Director’s casa for some holiday celebrating. This gives me an excuse to buy a cute holiday dress, which would be the first non-work clothing item I’ve purchased in quite some time. Yesssss.

I have one more topic of homework to turn in, which is currently about 75% done. I couldn’t begin to tell you how good that feels to type. Almost.DONE !!!! Then I have a Major-Case study to do after the break. Which is next year, so we won’t think about that just yet.

I have to mentally prepare myself for the ROSE BOWL. Because, um, we’re going! I don’t just mean Penn State, because obviously Penn State is going. I mean WE ARE GOING. My dad bought tickets moments after the Michigan State victory (not even 100% sure yet that the Lions would be there, but um, 99.99999% sure. and hoping.). This means on January 1, 2009 I’ll be sitting in row 77 with my family (decked out in their gear. see above, re: Christmas presents ) watching my team play in the National Championship. Life is good.

There. Now my to-do list is typed. Well, the big things are. Hello December, I’m excited to see you.

Couldn’t procrastinate if I tried

I’m coming off of a Penn-State-weekend-with-the-roomies (and tailgating + FOOTBALL!!!) high.

But. Tomorrow is Monday. Which means it will be promptly deflated.

It also means I have to pack, again. Usually I procrastinate with packing, and make lists, and do laundry, and bring out the suitcase to let it sit empty in my room for at least one night before I think about stuffing things into it.

Well. I just unpacked, put things away, made a new pile for laundry, made a new list for the next trip, and will re-pack in 24 hours. This time in a real suitcase (instead of my little duffel bag), and for a real trip (meaning more than 2 days). All of which will have to be done after an 8-hour “class” day. Everything has to be ready to jet by Tuesday morning, because I’ll be leaving that evening, coming straight from yet another “class” day. Ehhhhh.

I’m definitely ready and excited for a break. I can’t believe it’s already Thanksgiving!! But that can only be a good thing. Right? Yes. That means in 3 weeks I’ll actually be able to go HOME. And nothing sounds better than that right now.

Because guess what I’ll be doing over my “holiday” break…….

GOING TO THE ROSE BOWL!!!!!

((Did you see that WIN on Saturday?!?! Gooooo State!))

To watch Football, cheer on my Lions, see Joe Pa, and spend a few days in Cali with the fam. Oh, yesssss.

Clearly there is too much on my mind to think about packing. And this time, I couldn’t even procrastinate if I tried. That’s rough.

Two weekends of the 134

This is the start of two fabulous weekends.

And then it’s Thanksgiving break. Whoooa. How did that happen?!!

Anyway. Em is comin aaaaagain, and I’m just a little excited. Very Excited. As in I’ve been suffering from temporary turrets all week, randomly shouting things like “It’s almost Friday!!!” or “Tomorrow is Thursday!!!” (which is also exciting. great TV.) or “EM IS COMING! ON! FRIDAY!!” around the apartment. I don’t do it at work though, because that’s unprofessional.

Plans include football, bars in Baltimore (which will be a first! I’m a slacker.), tailgates and sleepovers …thanks to an IKEA pull-out couch….of which I’ve promised no real comfort, buuut it’s better than the floor. I hope.

It’s a little weird to host my roomie of almost 4 years in a different apartment. Last time she was here, she came out of the bathroom and said “I felt so familiar in there, and couldn’t figure out why. And then I realized ‘Ooh! Our bathroom rugs! And our shower curtain!’ “. Love.

In case thats not enough Em-time, which it will not be, we’re meeting up again next weekend. At Penn State. With the rest of 134!!! (our old apt’s name.) LB and Sally and Me and Emily. And the world will once again be as it should be. Yessssssss. Really, people, Never spend 5 months apart from people you love. It’s just crazy.

Oh, and um, one more thing. Since I’ll be in the Raven’s stadium watching Navy beat Notre Dame (*fingers crossed* ’cause we don’t want cranky Navy boys), somebody watch the Lions and cheer just as hard as I would! Maybe even wear a white and navy jersey…ya know…if you have it laying around. It helps. And we need a win again. K Thankssss.

happy weekending!

Follow the sea of Blue & White

For Saturday’s game (mention the result, and you’re not allowed to read anymore.) we headed into Georgetown. There’s an ‘unofficial’ Penn State bar there, which is an idea I’m in love with. The parents and I tried to hit it up for the Ohio State game a few weeks ago, but it was standing room only with four hours until kick-off.
Um, no.

This time I was prepared. I knew how to get there, and I knew to go early. And basically had my fingers crossed that it wouldn’t be as crazy since we were playing Iowa. (Seriously. IOWA. gahhhhh). I sported my jersey, as usual, and the roomie wore navy blue because she’s a good sport. I actually almost walked right past the bar while I was looking for it (who knows…), and I’m like “I think it’s close….” and one of the bouncers outside is like “Um, right here. Upstairs!”.

Oh, he knew. Penn Staters, follow the sea of Blue & White.

We were there and seated (whooo) with almost two hours to spare. So, we waited……

One hour later, we ordered the first pitcher. And this is what it looked like about 10 minutes before Game-tiiiime.

They played the PSU fight song, twice. There was somebody doing the cowbell thing so we could chant “P-S-U”, there was pleeeenty of “We Are…..PENN STATE!!!”s (always politely followed by the “Thank you, You’re welcome!”), and there was “Heyyy, hey Babyyy” playing nice and loud right before the 4th Quarter!! Oh, and they played Journey “Livin’ on a Prayer”.

Yup. Everything was as it should be. Love.

Right before half-time the waitresses/waiters walk around asking whether or not you’re playing Flip-Cup. Uh, whaaat? Just wondering, so they can grab you another pitcher and more cups. Yes Pleeeease!

My side of the table may have lost about 5-2, but now I remember how to play flip-cup. Which is much more important.

I am still amazed at how good it feels to be surrounded by people who understand your obsession with a place, a team, and an old coach that we will love no matter what. I’m also still in shock over what happened in the last minute of the game. Mention it and we can’t be friends anymore.

I might not have stepped foot in Beaver stadium this season, for the first time in four years, but I’ve definitely found the next best thing.

Football, Navy styyyle

Saturday we watched Navy beat Rutgers 23-21!! Goood stuff.

Not quite the crowd of 110,000 that we’re used to, but wow did it feel good to be at a football game. It’s a beeeautiful stadium, nice work USNA. I’m very impressed. There’s even an area of grass, which you can kind of see in the first pic. It’s crowded with people, but it’s right below the actual seats. How awesome is that?! Lounging on a blanket, watchin football, right in the action. Very. Awesome.

Oh, and sitting, at a game. It’s everything I thought it could be. Yesss. 

It’s time for weekends with Ben again!!

It’s football season!!!! In case you haven’t checked out that little link over there —>, I should tell you I’m a liiiittle excited about this.

And by “a little”, I mean…I ordered the BIG 10 Network so I can watch every Penn State game. And I have been mentally preparing myself for the excitedness that is Sunday afternoon STEELER’s games. Hellooooo Fall. Welcome back, I have dearly missed you.

I don’t even know why I like watching football. I’ve said it before, I honestly did not know one single thing about this sport until I came to Penn State. Not one thing. Honestly. I knew that if there was a touchdown, somebody scored. I thought touchdowns were worth 7 points. What the heck is a “kicker”?! Ehhh, yah.

But I know now! I know everyyyything. And I love it. Even if my attention span tends to wander here and there while I’m watching, I’m still there. Don’t worry. I’m still screaming when they fumble the ball, and cringing when they attack (tackle, whatever) each other, and pumping my fist in the air when we score (a touchdown, worth 6 points…aaaand the extra kick, worth 1 point! Yup).

I can’t wait to watch that crazy haired Polamolu, and Big Ben, and Hines, and that new couch who isn’t as crazy as Cower. And before that, I’ll be watching Joe Pa and the Lions in Happy Valley. Still trying to learn all the new players and hoping that we beat Oregon State. Yessss.

Who’s the Best??

Player: Eli Manning. MVP, and definitely deserved it!

NOT Randy Moss! Contrary to his personal opinion.

That was probably the most exciting Super Bowl Fourth Quarter. Nice work Giants!!!

Commercial: Victoria’s Secret.

Completely unexpected, and perfect timing. There was definitely a lack of wit, humor, and general interest to the majority of the ads we just watched over the past four hours. Then, we have VS to the rescue! A simple, silent, clever commercial. That’s all we wanted, and they delivered.

I would have to say that a close-second would be the E*Trade baby. That little peanut was too cute!

Performance: Alicia Keys

This girl defines musical talent. While I am not endorsing her costume selection (where did those pants come from?!), that girl can SING. And play the piano. And write beautiful songs. I am blown away at how amazing her voice sounds every time she performs.

On another note, Tom Petty and his Heartbreakers gave us a great half time show. My only complaint: I didn’t get to hear “Last Dance with Mary Jane”. C’mon now, thats a classic too!

Drink of the night: Bud Select.

Budweiser had a few good ads (one in particular, the horse-in-training), but nothing special. Although apparently they did provide us with our “Aerial Coverage” for the night. Hmmm, good thing I could see the dome from the sky.
All things aside, the Bud Select pulled me through some wings, chips & Salsa, and brownie ice cream. That deserves some sort of recognition!

Overall Super Bowl 42 Rating: B+. Thanks for a great game, work on the commercials for next year!