Memories of a rain delay dance-off

The Texas Invitational started out with that misty annoying type of rain where it's not really raining, but you feel like the wind is blowing spray from a sprinkler onto your face. I should've known better than to get up and straighten my hair on Friday morning. I was the hostess for the medical needs of this tournament, and found again that all three visiting athletic trainers were very cool and nice. Brittney (from Pitt) and I reminisced on our teams' rain delay dance off last year at LSU. The Longhorns were up with 2 outs in the bottom of the 7th and the skies opened up with thunder, lightening, and some serious rain. So, we waited. About 20 minutes into the delay, they played YMCA or something, so the 'Horns started doing the dance and then Pitt joined in from their dugout. At that point, it was officially on. Each song that came on sparked a new flurry of dance moves. First the 'Horns would bust out, and then Pitt would reciprocate. It was a ton of fun, probably more fun than we would've had if the game had been called and we had gone back to a warm hotel. The dance-off continued for about an hour, and it was awesome. If you're wondering, yes, I did join in. :) I saw it as a bonding opportunity. At this tourney, I had only been with Texas about 2 weeks. The girls didn't know me, and I didn't really know them. So, when "Jump On It" by Sir Mix-A-Lot came on, I saw the opportunity and seized it. I can say that by the looks on their faces they had not begun to figure out what type of gal I really am, because it was clear they expected a white girl in her late 20's to dance like Elaine from Seinfeld. They got more than they bargained for, and I think while that might not have been the most professional decision, it did a lot to create a bond with the girls. As the Dixie Chicks say, "sometimes, you gotta dance!" Anyhoo, back to this weekend. The first two games were completed successfully between the other teams and at 3:05pm the Horns took the field. When the game was postponed due to rain, we were up 6-0 with a runner on 2nd. They stopped play for the day. I was on my way home by 5pm which was amazing and totally made my night. Primarily because I had time to do laundry. I also hung out with Mo, the athletic trainer from U of Illinois. We went down to 6th street and had a good time checking out a few bars. My favorite was Rebel's Honky Tonk, which isn't probably a surprise for those of you who know me. Saturday we came back to the field to get ready for a 2pm start to finish the rest of the Friday game against Pitt. It rained. And rained. And rained some more. We made it to the top of the 6th and the skies opened up and the rest of the day was cancelled. Horns win 7-2. It turned out that today, Sunday, was a magical day for the Horns. We were ranked #13 going into the weekend, and Tennessee was ranked #7. This was the most important game of the tourney for us. And praise the good Lord above, the sun was shining and rain was not going to be an issue. The game turned out to be a pitchers duel for the most part. Our pitcher had 13 strike outs, and the score was 0-0 for almost the entire game. Check out this link to read an accurate portrayal of what happened http://www.texassports.com/sports/w-softbl/recaps/021912aaa.html, but long story short is one of our girls - luckily the fastest one on our team - drove a pitch into the right-center gap and it made it to the fence. This girl has some serious wheels, and that combined with the throw from the outfield being off, she barreled toward home and scored. 'Horns win. It was awesome, and showed some great promise of what this team is capable of when they believe and work together. Seriously, I love my job. :)

Texas Classic = Domination

It's been an exciting weekend for the Longhorns. Wednesday was the evening before our first game. I was very excited, since practicing without playing games can be quite monotonous. I was ready for the excitement of competition. The girls were ready, too. The energy around Red and Charline McCombs field was seemingly ideal - excitement, focus, and committment all wrapped up in one amazing group. What seemed ideal proved to be so as early as the first competition. The Texas Classic tournament this year included CSU Fullerton, University of Texas San Antonio, Colorado State, and my Horns. I am the host of this tournament when it comes to medical stuff, which means I am at the field for every game. I set up the locker rooms and dugouts with water, Gatorade, injury ice, and anything else the other athletic trainers might need. I actually like hosting, because I have been to tournaments where the host(s) was/were less than friendly and helpful. This really sucks, so I try to not be that person. The only thing I don't like about hosting is being at the field for 14 hours/day. But, even when I'm exhausted I try to set an example of how I would like to be treated when I travel. I try to be friendly, accommodating, accessible, and visible. Hosting a tournament is a great opportunity for networking. I've met all the athletic trainers who are here this weekend before, so it's great to see familiar faces. We were going to all try and hang out one night but as is typical with athletic training, treatments ran longer than expected and/or each of us were exhausted and as we considered the time we had to be up the next morning we decided sleeping was a better option. Okay...I decided sleeping was a better option. I was a lame-o, I'll admit it. But in my defense, I am almost 3o years old. And it is currently 40 degrees outside, so going outside is not all that appealing, even if you're going outside to go somewhere and be inside. My last excuse - to be the hostess with the mostess, I need to get my beauty sleep! :) Anyhoo, our first game was Thursday night. We played CSU Fullerton. I have a soft spot in my heart for Fullerton for a few reasons: Julie Max, Jenni Rieger, Anna August, and last year when we played in their tournament they did an amazing job of hosting. So, it was a bittersweet victory, mainly because we spanked them 23-0 in a run rule victory. This was a new record for the 'Horns. Basically our bats were on fire and our pitcher threw a 2-hitter. Our next game was against UTSA. We beat them 12-0 (also a run-rule game) and we had 19 hits in the game, one hit shy of our existing record of 20 hits in one game, I believe. Our third and fourth games also ended up in the 'Horns' favor, beating Colorado State in 7 innings, and beating UTSA once again by a run-rule victory. This put us in the championship game, played today against Colorado State. We beat them 8-0 in five innings - our 4th run-rule victory of the 5-game tourney. Oh, and this was the first time I've ever seen softball played in freezing rain and snow flurries. (Yes, those of you with The Longhorn Network, it was me you saw jumping up and down like a 5 year old girl on Christmas morning. I love snow, okay?) The high temp during the game was a toasty 39 degrees. Needless to say, with a 70-hour work week in the books, I am relieved to be in my warm apartment in my sweats getting ready to nap on the couch! Until next weekend, Hook 'Em!

Operation: Best Year Yet

I'm over a week into 2012 and I've decided to set some goals. There are some things I hope to improve upon this year and I don't really make progress unless I have goals to reach for. This is mostly because I'm turning 30 this April and the more I think about it, the more I feel the need to do better. I'm not freaked out by turning 30, but I want to hit 30 in stride and make sure it is not my peak...especially since I'm still single. I want to be a more complete person at 30 than I have ever been. But, I don't just plan on hitting my goals and slipping back into current habits as I age. I want to be more content, more spiritual, more fit, and have more fun. I want to stress less. That said, my goal date is 4/6/2012. The day I turn 3o. By the day I turn 30 I hope to have made some lifestyle changes that will last for the next 30 years. Here they are:

1.) The necessity of a gluten-free diet has made keeping weight on a bit of a challenge, and it has also made it hard to perform the endurance exercise (triathlon) I have enjoyed over the last 12 years because I can't consume carbohydrates like I used to. I know some of you may be rolling your eyes thinking "this girl can't keep weight on and she's complaining!?!! HMPH!" But bear with me and you'll begin to understand. On April 6, 2012 I hope to be the most fit I've ever been. This time I want a different kind of fit, including 6-pack abs (I have to include this or I'll skip working my core like I have all of 2011). After all, after 12 years I'm ready for something new. I want to focus more on building muscle and strength and less on endurance. Decrease fat mass and increase lean mass. So I will utilize our state-of-the-art weight room and set a goal of working out for at least 45 minutes 5 days each week. I would love to work out longer and more often, but realistically with my team being in season I'd be setting myself up for failure. I'll be forced to utilize hotel gyms regularly which will present a challenge also. But, I embrace this challenge, knowing that I can do this. Anyone who knows me well probably thinks I'm nuts because I've always been disciplined in working out. This week, though, I've been honest with myself and admitted that save the 3 months I trained for a triathlon, my exercise routine in 2011 was abysmal at best, and more out of obligation than enjoyment. I think the only reason you can't tell is because the fat I've been eating is on my arteries, not my waistline. So, starting two days ago, that's changing. I lifted yesterday and I cannot successfully sit on a toilet seat today without wincing. That means I've started off right. It also means I'd forgotten the love-hate relationship I have with delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and was perhaps too ambitious yesterday.

2.) Eat less sugar and less fat. Cut back on cheese intake, sweets, and soda. Again, back to the gluten-free diet. While this diet has dropped me down to my weight in high school, it has also eliminated the foods I used to snack on which has forced me to eat and develop severe cravings for chips, cheese, soda, and chocolate. I hope that by 4/6/12, my diet will be firmly centered around veggies, lean meat, rice and corn, and fruit. I will have a handle on my sugar cravings. Even this week, I have improved. The first day I thought about chocolate all freakin' day, and today, 6 days later, I no longer have those strong cravings. One day at a time. I will only drink soda on Friday and Saturday, and will limit to one soda/day.

3.) Grow in my faith and my relationship with God. Like my exercise commitment, my relationship with God has suffered this past year. This year I have already begun a one-year reading plan and have thoroughly enjoyed taking time to read the Word each day. This will surely become more challenging as softball starts up and I'm going all over the country and working 12 hour days routinely. But, I will persevere and I will make time for it. I find that when I am consistent with exercising it is easier to get out of bed that 15 minutes early to spend time with the Lord. I'm hoping this proves true for the next 3 months. I also commit to including prayer time each day, whether it be 5 or 20 minutes, I know that without prayer I cannot draw near to God so I need to change that.

4.) Be more social. I have a solid group of friends here in Austin now, and really do love it here. I need to keep branching out and making new friends, too, though. Again, this will be hard during softball season, but I accept the challenge. I started this challenge off with asking a guy to dance last time I went out two-stepping. He said no because he was with someone, but hey...I tried, right? I am also going to have a drink on Thursday with a guy I met when I was out dancing another night. I'm not super interested in him as of yet, but hey, why not go out and let a guy buy me a drink and have some good conversation?

So, that's it. Simple. To the point. At least for now. When softball starts up on Monday that may change to seemingly impossible, but I am committed. Here goes nothin'!!

Almost one year as a Texan from California

It is a new year, and I'm pretty excited about it - not that 2011 was all that bad. It was a significant year for sure. In February of 2011 I became a Texan - coming up on my one year anniversary! I also became a licensed athletic trainer in the state of Texas (adding more initials behind my name), and I became a full-time collegiate athletic trainer. No more of that teaching and researching stuff on top of being an athletic trainer. Well...I guess based on my job description it was "athletic training stuff on top of being a professor and scholar." Therein became the problem - I wanted to get back to basics, and this opportunity has proven to be such a blessing. I have learned a lot about being an athletic trainer, including how much I love all that is athletic training.

It is currently January 3rd, T minus 10 days until the Longhorn softball players are due back in town. While I'm sort of dreading it, I'm also sort of excited about it. Last year was 98% magical, 2% heartbreak...although that 2% heartbreak sort of tainted the 98% magical. After all, an absolutely amazing season loses it's charm when you don't make it very far into the post season. I hope that each one of us learned something unique about themselves and about what is required to go all the way. I sure did. From February 2011 - June 2011 was a blur. Every day was a challenge, and everything was new. The athletes tested me. I was forced to problem solve like I never had before. I had to adjust to the break-neck speed of working at one of the most prestigious athletics departments in college sports. I was awed by several kick-ass thunder and lightning storms. I had to pick my jaw up off the ground as my girls hit bombs over the fence like it was going out of style, something I had never seen before. I was unfortunately put back in a position of really having to live within my means and be frugal. Maybe a certified athletic trainer will someday be paid as well as an assistant professor (my title at La Verne), but that day is not not today. I had to figure out what it was like to live thousands of miles from the most important people in my life. 2011 was a year of change, challenges, and growth, and I am so thankful for it.

So, as "doomsday" approaches, I am excited to see what the team will do this year. With the Longhorn Network, all of our games will be televised which is sort of stressful. But, as the girls roll into town - some I am still getting to know, some I know too well, some that make me shake my head in befuddlement, and some that make my day by making me laugh - I am excited to see what the 2012 season will bring.

I do realize this post makes it seem like my life is my work, and it's not. It's just what I chose to blog about today. I hope to keep up with my good friend JoDangles http://jodiatc.blogspot.com/ as she blogs about her adventures as an ATC. I'll hopefully also have some good stuff to share about life outside of work. That's the plan anyway.

Until next time, Hook 'Em Horns! Oh, and how 'bout them DUCKS!

In the car...

For some reason today I was driving home and just felt peace. That got me thinking. In the car...

I can sing like an idiot and nobody can hear me.

I can sing like an idiot and not care if someone sees me.

I can honk my horn at you and feel powerful when you drive like an idiot.

I can decompress after a long day.

I can prepare for a big/hard day.

I am reminded of the fun road trips I've had with Amy singing Alanis Morissette, Heart, Reba, and Warren G...and MANY others.

I can roll down the window, hang my arm out, and feel a bit of freedom. This has been put on hold until mother nature decides to turn off the furnace that is Texas.

I can get to know my friends better on long road trips across the country. Ellie likes Michael Buble. Jodi pees a lot.

Charlie can rest his head on my shoulder and truly make me feel loved.

Charlie can barf in my car and make me glad I can give him back to his mommy.

I can crank up the Mexican mariachi station when I take my mom's car somewhere and sneakily watch it scare the bajeepers out of her next time she turns the key in the ignition.

I can yell at people who drive horribly and blow off some steam, knowing that I'd never yell at them if they could hear me so I'd better enjoy it.

I can talk to my Dad about life on our way to go fishing.

I can turn the radio off and chat with God.

I can drive down a lonely highway in Texas and see a car like the ones my friends have, and while I am always bummed it's not actually their car, it makes me glad I have such great people in my life.

I can beat Amy at "name that tune" repeatedly.


Thank goodness for the automobile! Now...if only there were no such thing as traffic.........

Inspired...

I just found out that one of my best friends, Jodi, has been secretly blogging. She jokes in her blog that she only has two readers. Maybe that's because she doesn't tell anyone that she has a blog! Reading her blog has re-energized me. Not to mention I'm getting very bored with Facebook.

Not that I really have all that much exciting stuff to say, but I need something fun to do. So, it's been over a year since my last post (I honestly forgot I had a blog) but a lot has happened since May of 2010. I now live in Texas. I am almost 30 years old. This scares the crap out of me. I am still an athletic trainer, only now I wear burnt orange. Hopefully this blog will be a nice blend of funny stories, food for thought, and an overall positive contribution to this crazy monster that has become the world-wide web. Here are some random thoughts to get myself started:

I know it's lame to talk about the weather. I mean, who really wants to read about that? Well I just have to say - I am from the central valley in California where it gets up into the hundreds each summer for a week here and there. But this? This is just crazy. It's been over 100 degrees evert day for about a month straight. People around here are hoping for a hurricane. This also scares the crap out of me.

Ok, I guess that's it for now. I'll start slowly - hopefully I'll come up with something interesting to blog about in the very near future. :)

A Lesson In Grace

The other day I was taught a valuable lesson in grace.

I went for a ride and was going down Bonita Avenue toward San Dimas. I noticed a lady get into her car on the right shoulder of the road. As I approached her, I saw her brake lights come on and then go off and she started to roll forward and into the lane of traffic. I slowed down so she could go ahead. Then she stopped. I kept going slowly, and when she didn't start rolling again and I was right on her rear bumper, I started to go around her. She then began to roll forward and come into traffic again...and right into me! When I got near her door, I saw she wasn't even looking at the road, she was fumbling for her seatbelt. She finally looked up and saw me and I mouthed to her "what are you doing? PAY ATTENTION!" as I threw my hand up in the air. I rode on ahead of her, she passed me and that was all I saw of her.

On my way back home coming the other way on Bonita, I passed a tricky intersection that always makes me nervous. My light was red, but the cars were in the turn lanes so I knew none were coming my direction. I began to proceed through the intersection and one of the cars in the left turn lane decided to go straight and was headed right for me. I hit my brakes and stopped, but he waved me on. I smiled, waved, mouthed "Sorry! Thank you! Sorry!!!" and he smiled at me. That was the last I saw of him.

I immediately thought of the woman I was frustrated with earlier. I should've smiled at her like that nice man smiled at me instead of giving her some serious 'tude. Then it crossed my mind that she was pulling out from a nursing home when she pulled out in front of me. Maybe she had just gotten some bad news about a loved one. And here I was, some crazy biker in spandex running through a red light and I get a smile from the guy.

Matthew 7:3 - "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"