He shoots....HE SCORES!!! and the crowd goes wild

So the Buckeyes hosted their annual classic this weekend in which 3 other teams come and each plays two games. They were supposed to be on Friday and Sunday but the weather had other plans. After getting the first game in with only a minor delay on Friday, the Buckeyes game got going and about 30 minutes into the first half was delayed for lightning. After an hour and a half wait, the lightning still never left so they called it for the night. The only time to make up the game was at 200 pm the next day during opening day of football season. Not exactly the most convenient time but we pulled out a 2-1 win over Florida Gulf Coast U. Today, we suited up again and had an amazing game. It reminded me of why I love sports so much.

The Buckeyes went into halftime tied 0-0 with U. Central Florida. We came out in the 2nd half and were controlling everything but UCF managed to find the goal on a defensive breakdown with about 22 minutes left in the game. The rest of the half was a flurry of substitutions and attempts to tie the game up. Our magical moment came with about 1.30 left on the clock. We found and open shot and put it home to force OT. After no score in the first overtime, the Bucks came back out and put the win away with about 3 minutes left. The crowd went crazy and it was a great way to top off the game. Despite putting in over 20 hours this weekend as hosts....I loved every minute of it. I cant wait to see what the rest of the season has to hold for the team.

Man or Beast....or Both?

So I met this guy this winter when he came to a qualifying competition at Ohio State's pool. I was doing athletic training coverage at the facility and got to see him race and then I wrapped an ice bag on his shoulders. Not that this makes me cooler than anyone else but I'm just putting it out there as a possibility.

Two-a-days: Real Life

So I haven't posted in a while for a couple of reasons. Two-a-days started for soccer on Tuesday and have been going non-stop for the last week. Practice early in the morning and in the afternoon. In the mean time, I stay in the hotel with the guys and haven't had my computer to update. Things are great though. I get all my meals paid for, I get per diem when they don't feed me. I get clothes and lodging sometimes. The weather has been perfect. And the guys are a lot of fun to be around. Not to mention watching soccer is the best thing that could have happened to me. I'm finally in a routine with practices and things of that nature and the other night, we took a team bowling adventure to a local alley. I was over my average every game.

I'm really looking forward for this year, even though school doesn't start for another 36 days. Wow, that's a while away. Anyways, it should be a good year with soccer, less class, and a wonderful girl to spend it all with. I can't wait.

Back to the same ole' place...but with a new ride

So I just got back from my 5.5 days at home back in the Vern with Sarah. It was a great weekend/half of a week where I was just able to relax, have fun, and enjoy the family before getting going hardcore into soccer season. As I stepped out of the car in my driveway on Friday, my hood started smoking and smelled of some burnt transmission oil. My transmission had stalled as I came around the last road before home. On Tuesday, it was finally able to be looked at and we found out that my $600 car needed a $1000 transmission replacement. Not good. Anyways, I'm extremely thankful Sarah and I made it home without any problems (somehow). Tuesday afternoon after we heard the "good" news (it's all in the perspective), my dad, mom, Sarah, and I went car shopping. We found a 2003 Pontiac Vibe which I am now the proud owner of. Talk about a stressful car search though. I was basically limited to Tuesday evening to find one since I had to come back to Columbus today. This car was going to be a graduation present next year but came a year early. I can't be more thankful.

Overall, the weekend was great. Grandma's on Saturday, relaxing Sunday with some bogge pong, Six Flags on Monday with the whole family plus my aunt's family. It was soooo hot but entirely enjoyable. Tuesday consisted of car shopping. And I drove back today. It was all so nice. Plus I got to eat some great homecooked food. Can't complain there.

Time for soccer for the next year. I hope I'm ready.

The GRE...Does it really matter?

I'm going to take a leap and say not at all. I do not believe it determines how well I will do in graduate school. I've been studying for this college-aged standardized test that I'm scheduled to take September 2nd and it really goes nowhere. Everyone I talk to says it doesn't matter how much you study, it's whether or not you know how to take the test. I mean, the math is stuff I had when I was a sophomore in high school and I still remember a lot of that because it's basic algebra and geometry. The grammar is stuff that only very profound speakers use and that the common person does not understand. I consider myself to have a very good grip on the English vocabulary but some of this stuff is crazy. Words I've never even heard of in my life. I don't see the point to testing either of these categories. They do not prove how successful I can be in my next 2 years of continuing education. But until the man is defeated, this is how it has to be done. So I will be studying somewhat regularly assuming baseball isn't distracting me.

At this point in the week, I only have to get through 3 more days of cheerleading camp and I get to go home. I'm so excited to go and just relax for 5 days without having to do anything...well except go see my grandma, visit with my aunt, go to the dentist for my checkup/cleaning (blugh), and then relax. Haha, breaks are always so full. I love it.

In my fantasy world, I just made a trade that I think can be very positive for me. I got a pitcher who has been as good as anyone in the league and now I have a Big 3 on my staff which I never thought would happen. Hopefully it turns them around. I did have to give up the guy I just traded for a week ago who won the HR derby but I think I'll be ok. Only time will tell how this works out for me.

back pain and busyness

So the last 3 days have been really busy. I've been working a men's lacrosse camp and then staying in the dorms with the kids at night. It's great putting in 13 hour days and then not even getting to come home and chill (aka watch tv and check my baseball stats). However, it's good money so I won't complain too much. Plus, I got to see a kid fracture his collarbone and separate his shoulder. Another parent got smoked behind the net and broke his nose. So it's been kind of exciting. I got one more day left in the dorms and tomorrow is only a couple hours.

In other news, life has been so much more painful recently. I hurt my back playing tennis last week and it hasn't been right since then. It's got me restricted to the point where I can't lift objects that are only a little bit heavy and standing/sitting are very uncomfortable. Hopefully this recedes soon.

In the positives, my baseball team is having a good week. Hopefully I can finish strong and jump some in the standings. I'm positioned to make my end of the summer climb. Can't wait to see what happens.

That's all for now. I gotta get back to the dorms for the evening pretty soon. Hopefully it's as uneventful as it's been all week.

Round 1

So I feel like all of a sudden everyone is getting into blogging so I figured I would jump in with the crowd and start one too. This is something I used to do on a different site but kind of fell away from when I thought that no one even read it anymore. This whole writing my thoughts out is still a little bit awkward, but I'll get used to it. It will help me keep everyone else informed of my life if nothing else.

Summer has been flying by like no other. Granted my break started several weeks after everyone else in school but even so...its already a month and a half gone. I have 10 days of work left, a trip to home for a couple days, and then back to Columbus for clinicals. Speaking of those things, I guess that would be the newest news in my life. I will be traveling home for the first time with the girl that's quickly becoming the love of my life. I am so excited for her to be able to meet the extended family, see some close friends (minus Trevor), and experience the place where I've grown up. This is a huge step for us in our relationship, but I'm totally ok with it. I wouldn't want to take this step with anyone else. Also, new in my life is my clinical assignment for this coming year. I get to spend my whole senior year of college (already?...wow) with the men's soccer team here at Ohio State. They are the defending National runner-ups (yeah, I know another 2nd place...whatever). I've loved soccer my whole life so this rotation is absolutely perfect for me. Along with that, I've been studying for the GRE for grad school and trying to find a place to spend 2 more years studying. It has its moments when it's really stressful and other times are really exciting because I get a glimpse into my future. Who knows what the future holds for me as far as school and relationships go but it seems like it will be a fun ride getting there if nothing else. I can't wait to see what comes of it.

Other than that, not much other news. My fantasy team is hanging in there, hopefully making a push here soon. The football Buckeyes start camp soon in what is supposed to be another run at a Championship? Third time is a charm right? As long as they don't play the SEC, everything is a go.

So thats a wrap for round 1. I hope everyone enjoys this and can actually keep up with the hectic life I lead.