Thursday, November 27, 2008

Being Injured..

I have lived my life hurt, in pain, or with something in my body feeling uncomfortable. I am an athlete and a competitor, but I am getting physically old much more rapidly. I am 18 years old and have bones of what seems to be a 60 year old. Every joint pops and cracks, I know when the cold weather has arrived, and I can even predict when it is going to rain by the swelling of the pins in my ankle.
I have battled injuries all my life. From a broken ankle, ribs, hip, fingers, elbow, and nose; to pulled and strained muscles EVERY WHERE. Waking up with something swollen on my body is so typical for me.
I play volleyball for MC, and this season I got hurt yet again. My left knee was diagnosed with tendonitis about a year ago. During preseason, I ran on it wrong and I felt an awkward movement of my knee followed by a pop. Come to find out, my knee cap moved out of place and “sprained” my MCL in the same knee. Later on after crutches and treatment, and ever more treatment, the pain did not subside. I found out much more was wrong and it was very devastating. Surgery is soon to come and I pray I will be able to play next season.
People talk all the time about resiliency, but it becomes very hard when u have to live everyday of ur life hoping you don’t get hurt again so you can do what u love to do most. Volleyball is my life, and along with that comes injuries. Injuries is one thing I will live with everyday of my life.. All I have to say and HELLO ARTHORITIS!!! Grr!

Moving..

So this past weekend I was asked by my mom to come home and help my family move. Although I have known for awhile that we would be moving across the lake before Thanksgiving, reality didn’t set in completely until we picked to moving truck up. Moving and starting over is all about new beginnings most say, but to me moving is hard. My room at my old house in uptown New Orleans was painted, decorated, and designed by my Grandmother, who just recently passed a year ago. Leaving what all I had left of her was the most difficult part about packing up what remained in my already abandoned room. Memories will last a life time, but not being able to wake up in my hot pink room on those days I am missing her and then feel her around me is going to be difficult.
My brother and I grew up in that house, from our height measurements on the wall to the many uhh ohh moments we had when playing too rough are no longer going to be there to remind us of what once was. I know it is not good to dwell in the past and to move forward every day, it is just going to take awhile.
I love my new house. It is in a much better area, more quaint suburban feeling, rather than the busyness of the city. Slidell is where I went to high school and where my parents work, now it is what we call home.. it will take some getting used to, but I think I am going to like spending the little time I have to spend at home there.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

As it rears to an end..

So this weekend was our last volleyball game. How bittersweet that was. I love playing volleyball but when you are trying to manage 18 hours of classes with all of the many assignments that are necessary to turn in, as well as the vigorus tests that i have to study for. It was overwhleming leaving campus all the time and missing classes, missing assignments, and not always knowing whats going on. I have been hurt this year and unable to fully play, so games were always tourture for me. On this off season I have to PT and get my knee back in shape.

Colliegte sports is intense. 545 am workouts and three hour practices everyday but sunday, takes a toll on your body. Meeting new girls that i will be spending four years of my life with was fun, they are great people and have truely touched my life. Ive learned about more cities and states. I have learned how to deal with 18 other peoples attitudes. I have learned how to smile and get along with everyone even though I am having a bad day. Playing volleyball at MC has furthered my game knowledge and mechanics, but most of all i have learned how to hide my emotions and control my body language. I have grown as a person as well as an athelete this season at MC and plan to grow more.

COming back on the bus lastnight i thought of what i would be missing as this is over. The fun times I spent with my teammates, the late hotel nights, the inside jokes. But I realized that these girls will always be my friends, we will continue to hang out, and we will always talk no matter what.

Im going to miss the games, but unfortunatly we still have practices, my life is so hectic. ugh.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Homecoming Weekend...

Hello there..

Well this weekend was MC's Homecoming weekend.. and it was very action packed. Starting Friday with follies and continuing on untill the late hours of the night lastnight. Follies, little skits our tribes put on in competion with each other, a boy's tribe won. Each skit was very funny and entertaining.. there wa never a dull moment. After follies there were so many parties to choose from and activities on campus as well. I started my day off Saturday with our volleyball game against our alumni.. of course we won. I then went on our quad and enjoyed the festivites that were set up around the areas. The volleyball alumni were tailgating and had really good food, so of course I went and visited along with most of my teammates as we enjoyed some cooking from back home in louisiana.. gumbo, boudan, and sausage. very very good. Time passed so quickly and it was game time.. I went inside the "reservation" and enjoyed majority of the game untill it got entirely too cold, and at the point where we lost!!! How do u lose a homecoming game.. i would just like to understand that. After the game I went to a costume party, lots of fun, and very entertaining as my friends and I were confused by some of the others girls costume selections.. hmm. All and all it was a great night and now I am laying in bed and just relaxing. Yesterday was a beautiful and today is as well a gorgeous day. Therefore I do believe I am now going to get dressed, while watching the saints game of course, and go enjoy this beautiful day... Hope everyone had a great weekend! I know I did!!! :-)

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Fall Break...

Ok well I'm not really sure if we have to write one today or not seeing as its fall break but my alarm went off on my phone and i am sitting at the saints game.. so hey.. might as well play on the safe side..

So I came home for fall break! YAY! It is my second time being home since I left for school and I love it.

My younger brother is a junior this year and is finally going to a school dance, although I think his little senior girl friend is making him.. So as soon as I got home, my wonderful duty was to take him shopping for a shirt, pants, and a tie. I was a tad aggravated because I was tired and assumed he would be all day. I remember dress shopping.. how it took hours upon hours to find the perfect dress shoes and jewelry and we went to a thousand different stores.. wellllll I was completely wrong.. We walked into J Crew.. walked straight to the pants, got his size he picked a shirt and I found a tie.. It seriously took 10 minutes. lol. I of course could not resist being in a mall with daddy's black card so i most definitely advantage of that.. having to bribe my brother to let me shop.. telling him I would buy him an outfit for some party he was going to.. lol. That was all to easy. I love having a younger brother now, of course we never got along when we where kids.. there were many of fist fights..

We got home and he tried on his outfit.. and it made me miss high school and all of its activities... wow how life was so much more carefree.. I used to complain about the two hour practices after school.. HA! What i wouldn't give to trade my 6 am workouts and three hour practices for a smeezy 2 hour practice.. jeez! So i decided while I'm here i might as well take a trip to my old high school and pay my old teammates and teachers a visit.

Alright well I'm at the saints game and we just scored again! 34- 3... so i think i am going to cut this one short! Sorry!

... thank goodness for iPhones.. lol. ok well everyone have a great fall break and be safe.. i know i will be enjoying this entirely! AAAAHHHHH the raiders almost scored.. ok adios!

Sunday, October 5, 2008

What is maturity?

Throughout of adolescent years we are taught that the ultimate perfection of an adult is responsibility and maturity. Although I find there are still those whom are considered adults but have not struck me as mature. Therefore the question that pokes my thoughts are what is maturity in perception?

Maturity to me is something that does not necessarily reflects ones age, but yet it is established with the mental growth of a person. I have ran across many adults who I feel I am more mature than. For example, the men that never grow up and stay boys, the women who like to believe they are still in their twenties, and even the parents who continuously go out on weekends leaving their children with a babysitter. Being 18 years old, I find myself having already met the maturity stage very young. My mother traveled a lot with work so therefore when our nanny was at home with my brother and I, I took it upon myself to watch after him. I feel as if I was catapulted into a different world with more responsibility at the age of 7 or 8. I didn't mind it of course, always playing protector. I learned how to cook, spaghettios of course, but still I enjoyed the feeling of taking care of my brother. As I have grown and high school was approached I found that I was above my years. Always hanging out with the upper classmen, not enjoying the pettiness of the freshman activities. I never enjoyed parities, I never drink, and going out isn't always on the top of my to do list, yet it is rarely on my to do list at all. I am always the designated driver.. and if my friends ever need advice they always turn to me.

Getting to the point of this story is to merely express my aggravation when someone older than me takes it upon themselves to assume my opinion is obsolete due to our differences in age. Yes I am still a young adult, but an adult none the less. I just for once wished that "older more wiser". ha. adults would realize that not all "kids" are stupid and irresponsible, although there is always those few. Take into consideration people grow at different rates, mentally and physically. Well I guess I just wanted to get that off my chest. Thanks for listening..

oh btw.. The volleyball team had a tournament this weekend.. in Abilene, Texas.. we played really well, as we faced some of the hardest teams in the conference.. Good job ladies!

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Home

People say "Home is where the heart is..." and I couldn't agree more!

Being at MC since august 17th, I have yet to be home.. Ive seen my mom once, but it hardly seems to fill the void that I have. At home there seems to be this ultimate comfort, this extreme tranquility. Not only is it the city I was born and raised, not just the house where I lived most of my life, not even the fact that it is where my family is. I think it is because it is a place where I can go anywhere and feel safe, have familiarity, a place that i know and love. Home is not necessarily just a building on a slab with a roof, it is much more. It is a place that welcomes you with it familiar smells and sounds, the hallways and bedrooms, your pets and the food in your refrigerator, and most importantly the people inside, your family.

Family to me is the most vital thing in my life. Although I do not have a big immediate family, I still hold a lot of value in them. My mother, step-father, brothers, sister, nieces, and nephews are by far the most important things.

Seeing as I have yet to be home, after my game today I decided to hit the road and travel back to New Orleans, Louisiana and visit my building on a slab with a roof. Driving down I-20 to 55 then on to I-12 was the most exciting feeling Ive had in a long time! Knowing that at my house there would be food and familiar faces to welcome me. As I walked in it seems as nothing has changed.. merely the absence of my clothes in my room and all of my junk in the bath room. My dog was the first to greet me.. jumping rambunctiously, then my mom... we hugged and I don't know what it is, but seeing her always makes me cry. Then onto the little brother.. It seems as every time I see him he gets taller and taller... 16 years old and much taller than I ( myself standing at 6'1). Although I am not here everyday it still feels the same.. as though I never left. I guess that's the beauty of your "home", no matter how long you are away, the moment you return you feel as though you have never left. Amazing isn't it.

Well I am currently watching the LSU vs. MSU football game and am about to throw my computer at the television if they turn the ball over again! I guess it is time to spend with the family.. Have a good night everyone.. and GUEAX TIGERS!!!!!

Monday, September 22, 2008

My Weekend

The volleyball team is out of town this weekend. We are playing three games in our trip to Texas. The first is our rivals East Texas Baptist, then on to Longview Texas where we will play Letourneu, lastly we will travel to Marshall and play UT-Tyler. This should be a fun trip. Coach is letting us stop in Shreveport so we can get some shopping in.... that's always a big plus.

Moving on.. Ok well I have been thinking of things to write my academic essay on, and so far nothing really stands out. I guess I have to keep racking my brain a little more in order to find the thoughts that are obviously surrounded by cob webs! lol.

Has anyone ever read the twilight series by Stephanie Meyer? I am absolutely addicted! I can't ever put the book down long enough to do anything else. I mean its Wednesday night and I am packing for my trip and it just doesn't look like its going to get done!! Although it is a fairly lengthy book, I am more than sure it will be completed on this trip! The characters are so intriguing! The scenes are so real, ugh I love them! I cannot wait for the movie to come out! As soon as it hits theaters I will surely be there!! The second book is titled New Moon and I am anxious to complete this first one and move on to more action!

Well I need to pack, I have a paper to write, and some studying to do, and of course READ! lol. So I suppose I am running out of time and things to share... looks like an end to this weeks blog! Night everyone!!



p.s. Ok so I am a genius and accidentally chose save now instead of publish.. and I just realized this as I went to go check this things. WOW! that was a good move. Ok well I am publishing it now. Way to be late... btw we got home last night at 11 and I am exhausted.. we won 1 and lost 2. Shopping was great.. Games not so good. :-(.. Better luck next time ehh??

Saturday, September 13, 2008

So Far...

Well, this week has been good. Early morning workouts are never fun, especially with an 8 o'clock class following, but other than that all is well.

We had two games today and won both. The first more exciting due to the fact we beat our biggest rivals.. Millsaps of course! Then on the Paul Quinn College, beating them quickly and easily. After spraining my MCL in my left knee three weeks ago (preseason), I finally got to play today! Very exciting!!! PLUS, My mom came! I think I had a heart attack when I finally saw her! Of course, we cried lol. After my games I have been spending my time catching up with my mom! Defiantly fun! I missed her so much, and have been very homesick these past few weeks. We went shopping and riding around seeing as we are not from here, and all of these places are new to us. My mom of course tried to be tour guide and help explain to me where shops and things were, only to go the wrong way. We went to dinner in Jackson and spent most of our time at the mall in Ridgeland..? I think.

All and all I can summarize my weekend so far as great! I am not looking forward to saying goodbye to my mom tomorrow though! :-(.., but i think we are going to lunch and a movie, not quite sure.

Well I have been up for quite some time, so it is to the bed for me!! Goodnight!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Getting to know me...

Well today we were given the assignment to start a blog... So I might as well introduce myself just to make this more perosnal.

I am a freshman a MC this year and am here to play volleyball. I am a right side hitter on our volleyball team, number 16, if you want to come to the games. I love playing and have played for 8 years now. Dedication is very imparrative when playing a college sport! We had a 5:45 work out this morning!! CRAZY!

A little background information I guess. I am from New Orleans, Lousisana and absolutely love it! I miss home very much and can't wait for the first oppurtunity to go back! Hurricane Katrina did effect me, but our city is resilant and we are doing great economically.

Things I enjoy doing include SLEEPING! When I have time that is. I text message way to much, thank goodness for unlimited! I am in love with my Iphone.. sometimes I think its my child! Umm i enjoy reading.. there is always time to pick up a new book. Swimming and being in the sun period is what I enjoy most about the summer... which is my favorite season. Winter is pretty.. good hair days lol... but then again back home it really doesn't even get that cold.. mmaaaayyybbbeee if we are lucky it will get past 45 degrees. I have never seen actual snow fall from the sky. Ice yes. Snowflakes haha not! Great part about living in the south!

I am a middle child, but kind of like the oldest.. my sister is 15 years older than me so I never really lived with her.. I also have an older half brother and a younger brother (2 years younger) and I would go to the end of the world for him! My mom is a commercial mortage lender and my step dad is an attorney, but has his own construction company.. (result of katrina) lol.

Well there isn't much more to say i suppose and I am very positive we will be writing more of these.. So have a good day!