Rabbit! Rabbit!

I don't remember spending hours upon hours of watching TV when I was a kid. My sister and I were pretty creative with the plethora of Barbies, stuffed animals, games, and characters our parents and grandparents showered us with. Since I didn't watch much TV, I remember what little we did watch very well.

Nickelodeon was our fave. Fortunately, the Golden Age of Nickelodeon coincided with our childhood. Rugrats, Aaahh!! Real Monsters, Global Guts, Doug, Stick Stickly's Nick in the Afternoon, The Adventures of Pete & Pete, All That, Clarissa Explains it All, Legends of the Hidden Temple... Geez, maybe we did watch a lot of television.

In the early 1990's, Nickelodeon had a program called Nick Days, which had an event for everyday of the year. During the commercial breaks, it would announce some fun fact or another that coincided with that day. The first of every month was "Rabbit Rabbit Day." The commercial said that saying "rabbit rabbit" when you wake up on the first day of the month would bring you good luck for the rest of the month.

This tradition has stuck with our family ever since. We used to get notes in our lunches with pictures of rabbits on the first of the month. I've also shared this superstition with most of my friends throughout my life.

So tomorrow morning, just say "rabbit rabbit" before you groan about the alarm.

SHOCK

Gator Nation was touched by an angel this past weekend. As the Gators were dominating the UK Wildcats late in the third quarter, the revered Timothy Richard Tebow was sacked by a UK defensive end. The sack was bad enough as he was hit square in the chest. He obvi didn't see the 250-lb dude running at him at full speed. But the scariest part came as he was falling from the blow. His neck snapped forward as he collided with another UK player's knee. As the Wildcats celebrated their sack on one of the greatest athletes in college history, Tebow remained motionless on the ground.

We had just finished dinner Saturday night when this all went down. We were only midly paying attention to the game while we were cleaning up when the announcer utters the scariest words in the history of Gator football.

"Tebow is down. Tebow is down. Tebow is down."

*silence*

All 5 of us stopped what we were doing to see an idol laying on the ground. All of the articles, interviews, and conversations I've witnessed since last season were immediately on rerun in my mind as they replayed the clip of his fall. All of the predictions of Tebow leading the Gators to an SEC championship, national championship, and possibly picking up an undefeated season along the way. Another Heisman was not out of question. The dedication to his team he demonstrated as he ogranized and ran a grueling summer training schedule. Even the (in)famous speech after the shocking loss to Ole Miss.

Both teams were on the field, waiting for him to sit up, move his arm, wiggle a finger. Any movement to allay their worst fears. UK and UF fans alike began chanting "Te-bow, Te-bow, Te-bow" as he lay there.

That minute stretched on forever to what seemed like an eternity. But someone was looking out for this guy as he got up moments later with the help of Urban Meyers and the UF medical staff. He looked dazed and confused but managed to come out of it with only a concussion. He stayed a night in a Kentucky hospital with Meyers monitoring him throughout the night and flew home the next day.

I'm not usually religious but I definitely think something is definitely looking out for him and this team. Freak accidents like that have prematurely halted tons of peoples' atheletic careers and lives. I'm not saying that a concussion is a minor injury; it's not. But it is so much better than the worse-case scenarios that were racing through everybody's minds. The fact that we also have a bye week this weekend is also a huge blessing. This team recently has been plagued with "respiratory illnesses" and "stomach problems". Tebow and some other players even had to take a quarantined plane this weekend to Kentucky to decrease the rest of the team's exposure.

Or maybe it was all just good Karma for his work circumsizing babies.

Today in History

September 27, 1777 - Lancaster, PA is the capital of the United States for one day

September 27, 1905 - Albert Einstein introduces the world to E=mc²

September 27, 1908 - First production of the Ford Model T

September 27, 1928 - The United States recognizes the Republic of China

September 27, 1982 - Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. is born

September 27, 2008 - Breski, Jana, and I witness the Gators lose to Ole Miss at the Swamp. I am told my a (giggly) Jana that I should go back to my dorm.

This is waiting for me on my laptop:


Of course I say "YESSSSS!!!!" And so begins the best year of my life.


Happy one-year anniversary, PDubbs. Thank you for being you: caring, loving, funny, loving, smart, patient, and loving. I can't wait to see what the future holds for us next year.

I love you!

Surprise!

I'm not a very impulsive person. I have used a planner religiously since 9th grade. I like having a plan. I get anxious when I'm late. I thrive off to-do lists.

But last night I had an impulse. Well, an impulse by my definitions. You see, PDubb's dad was recently transferred to Louisiana for work. This weekend was his first weekend back home in a couple of months so PDubbs decided to go home to spend some quality time with him. PDubbs had been asking if I wanted to go home all week but I declined all week.

Friday rolled around and PDubbs was going to give me a ride from campus to my condo on his way out of town. He asked me one last time if I wanted to go home. You can imagine how surprised we both were when a resounding "yes" escaped my lips. I really had no reason to stay in Gainesville other than the fact that I went home last weekend, too.

Just like it was a surprise for me, I decided to make it a surprise visit for the fam. I was already in the middle of a texting conversation with JJ so I let her in on it. We didn't get on the road until 8:30 at night so I knew we wouldn't be getting back until after 10. So JJ kindly left a key under the doormat for us before she went to bed (do NOT try this at home, kiddos). We figured everyone would be asleep by the time we got home.

Boy, were we right. Needless to say, they were a little freaked out when they saw us come in. But in the best possibly way. Dr. Brother and Dad were awake long enough to recognize me, say hello, and passed out again. Mom stayed up while I ate dinner and showed me her new project from the past week: converting my old bedroom into an office for my dad. It looks fabulous! She left some of my stuff in there so it still feels like my room only with a new paint job.

After she went to bed, Dr. Brother was left sitting on the couch while I bonded with the DVR. All of a sudden he sat up wide awake. He turned to me, gave me a disdainful look, and began shaking his head at me

Me: "Dr. Brother, what's up?"

*head shake*

Me: "Hey man, whatcha doin'?"

*head shake*

This proceeded for a good minute before he slumped back to the couch fast asleep. I asked him about the incident this morning and homeboy doesn't remember one bit of it. After all that work, I guess I wasn't such a memorable surprise.

Small Things

The internet is a cool place. There are so many interesting sites, videos, and photos floating around. Here are a few cool links to start your weekend off right.

Paintball Art

TV Buildings

Sumo Suit Olympics (and a video)

Christmas gift ideas?

TGIF and have a fab weekend :)

Wordless Wednesday

Let the Countdowns Begin

Mondays are always rough. Here are a few things that kept me going yesterday.

Days until...
my 20th birthday: 149
I hopefully leave for España: 128
Timmy and the boys win another national championship: 109
Christmas: 95
end of classes: 84
UF vs. FSU: 68
Campout: 33
Teach for America 5K: 13
October: 9
Fall: 0

Happy Autumn :)

Every Time I Look Around

Today I witnessed one of the most bizarre incidents of my natural-born life. (As opposed to my unnatural-born life?)

After my 2 classes, I was waiting at a bus stop on campus that just happens to be outside one of the dorms. As I walked up, a Domino's delivery truck pulls up. I was already wary of the situation considering it was only 10 AM.

A few minutes later, a kid with fiery orange hair and a full-on beard walked by me. The hair was obviously the first thing I noticed but something else was different that I just couldn't place...

Oh wait. Homeboy was still wearing his pajamas. I'm not talking boxers and a t-shirt. No way, this guy went all out. Flannel pants with a matching top. Every square inch covered in images of Superman. He was even wearing slippers. I kid you not.

The ginger manboy walked up to the delivery truck, exchanged some greenbacks for a box of breadsticks and a personal pizza, and retreated to his dormitory.

Only in college would you see such a spectacle.

While this guy may be having the best Friday ever (?), I'm pretty excited this week is over for several reasons.

1. My to-do list is significantly smaller on the weekends.
2. All the academic planets aligned this week for one heck of an examfest. But now it's over!
3. The Gators are going to pummel Layla- I mean, Lanie Kiffin and the Volunteers tomorrow on their journey to another BCS Championship
4. I'm going home! The whole fam is coming to Gainesville tonight to watch the UF vs. FSU soccer game and then taking me home for a glorious 2 days.

TGIF and hope everyone has a great weekend!

GO GATORS!

Wordless Wednesday

Lesson Learned

My phone accidentally gave me my second consecutive 4-day weekend.

Friday morning I woke up at 3:43 AM wide awake. Since I couldn't fall back to sleep right away, I checked my backpack for the morning, set out clothes for the next day, and made sure my phone alarm was set for 5:30 AM. I only have class from 7:30-9:30 AM Friday mornings so I planned to come back home and nap after class. With happy thoughts of naps swimming through my noggin, I finally fell asleep soundly.

I woke up to my phone going off. Groggily, I sat up in bed and noticed light streaming through my window. Now, at 5:30 AM the sun is not even thinking about getting up, let alone streaming through my window. I turned to my phone to read the text and check the time.

9:03.

There went my education for the day. By the time I pulled a t-shirt and shorts on and walked to the bus stop, my last class of the day would be over. And since I don't have class Thursdays, it turned out to be a 4-day weekend. I hope I can remember what a full 5 days of classes feels like this week.

In other news: I bought a new alarm clock this weekend.

Pit Stains are Not Cute

Apparently I am terrified of public speaking.

I learned of this attribute Tuesday night as I was standing in front of a room full of people. Monday evening I was asked if I would speak at a Meet Night for our fraternity the next evening. They wanted one of the newer brothers to speak about why s/he joined and what the fraternity means to them. I was happy to help and I thought I could provide some valuable insight about what I love so much about the organization.

I asked around to see what others had said when they were in my shoes. I reflected on my own answers to the questions. I even prepared a note card with points I wanted to cover.

I didn't think much of the meeting that day. I was more nervous/ excited to meet new people. But I was relaxed as I "flirted" with the 30+ prospective pledges in attendance as I got to know more about them. I was totally chill during the power point presentations about what the frat is all about.

Then it was my turn.

Now, I've had plenty of experience with public speaking over the years. I've given numerous presentations in school, pep talks to rally our soccer team before matches, even directed an entire marching band. I prepared to the best of my ability and felt confident about the things I had to say.

But when the president called my name, I immediately began sweating bullets. I don't know how my legs didn't give out as I made my way to the front of the room. As I began my spiel, I could hear my voice shaking like a vibrato. I had to kung-fu grip the podium to keep my hands from shaking out of my shoulder sockets.

I've never experienced anything like that before! And, based on brothers' reactions, I guess it went alright because I don't really remember. For the next 30 minutes my heart continued to race and my voice remained shaky.

Maybe it's that I'm out of practice since I haven't had to talk in front of large groups of people since high school. But I'm guessing it had to do with the fact that I didn't know most of the people in the room. Which is so silly because you would think that it would make things easier. These students were there to learn from people already in the frat to learn more. Compared to them, I was an expert on the subject. That should give you more confidence, right?

Oh well. I suppose it was a good experience. But I could have done without the sweating.

1 Down

13 more games to go! The Boys of Ol' Florida absolutely crushed the Charleston Southern Buccaneers Saturday night 62-3.

I don't know if I can go back to sitting in any other row BUT the 2nd row. It was absolutely amazing.

I think their faces say it all. This is actually a picture of our frat's block. I'm there holding up my camera behind one of those big guys.

It was beautiful. I can't wait to beat Troy next week :)

Dun dun dun dundundun

GATOR BAIT!

It's finally here! UF season opener against Charleston Southern University in The Swamp.

It doesn't get much better than that.

Except it does because I'm on the 40-yard line.

Oh, and in the 2nd row.

GO GATORS! BEAT THE BUCS!

One of Those Days

"Hello, my name is Megan. And I'm a facebookaholic."

"Hi, Megan."

It's nothing too serious. The doctors say, "It's just a phase. She'll grow out of it. We see this all the time."

During one of my facebook sessions today, I noticed a trend in everyone's facebook statuses. Everyone seemed to be either having a really super great day or a really sucky awful day. Some samples?

Really Super Great Day:

• M had a amazing day and it's just getting better.

• R is ecstatic that this week is finally over and that she's going home today! :)

• Tonight is gonna be a good night :)

Really Sucky Awful Day:

• J hates it when the people who built his apartment complex suck at life and are more concerned about the front of the apartment flooding instead of his actual room. He has no room to sleep in until Monday. [Freaking] awesome.

• My nap in the Reitz was rudely interrupted by the fire alarm. Uncool.

• W needs a ticket to the game. Anyone have an extra?

That last one might have been the worst. Because...

24 HOURS UNTIL GATOR FOOTBALL!!!

50

hours until GATOR FOOTBALL starts :)

Wordless Wednesday

It is a far, far better thing that I do

The goodies do not stop...

-------------------------------------------------

Way back when in 8th grade, I checked a little box next to King High School, a local International Baccalaureate school. It was completely 100% my own decision. I was a diligent worker. A smart cookie. I knew I needed a challenge and I knew this school was my ticket to Duke Univer- er, I mean UF.

I replayed my first day of high school in my head for weeks leading up to it. I envisioned all of the friends I would make. I daydreamed about the hot senior drum major, Brent. I packed my backpack and laid out my cutest outfit. And I didn't stop there; I imagined celebrating with all of my new best friends in walking across the stage, grabbing that diploma and tossing our caps up in the air at graduation.

That last one never happened because some kid poked an eye out with his own cap. Big whoop.

The faithful day finally comes. I was way too excited to sleep very much the night before. I woke up in earnest before the alarm even went off. We took our obligatory First-Day-of-School pictures and made the 30-minute trek to our new institution of learning. Prepared with a school map and schedule in hand, I set off to find my classes.

The first half of the day goes off without a hitch. A loony Biology teacher first period and a Vulcan saluting Algebra teacher. It was also the first day I laid eyes on this cutie.

Third period was English with Ms. White. She was well-spoken, friendly, and encouraging. She was unlike other English teachers I had met. Or so I thought.

After making her introductions and going over the course syllabus, she begins the class. From behind her desk she whips out a book. At first glance it looks like your typical American classic novel. Kinda like this.

But, on closer inspection, it looked more like this.

And on even closer inspection...


It gets better.

It's like those tabs are marking the places where I cried as all of my hopes and dreams came crashing down around me. I had never even written in a book, let alone dissected it.

What's worse is that we destroyed two perfectly good works of literature this way.

It looks like a rainbow threw up all over this book.

Needless to say, I was a bit intimidated by the whole ordeal. These annotated books were the band of my existence the first semester of that year. Thankfully we never had to dissect a book to this degree again. Now, they're like trophies, proudly on display on my bookshelf. And to this day, I still feel a bit of shame and guilt when I write in a book.