I have two of the most amazing dogs in the world. My babygirl Cleo and my little boy Barney. Cleo is a golden retriever who was my first puppy ever. She is spoiled rotten and knows it. Barney is a boxer-mutt who we adopted and is the sweetest boy ever. It is amazing how much I miss them when I am in Wilmington. I am constantly asking my parents to send me pictures just because.
Just recently we found out that Cleo has cancer. They found it on her tongue, which they have never seen. Originally they did not give her long to live but looking at it more they expect to get the cancer fully with little treatment required. Cleo, like most goldens, is epileptic and has a thyroid disease (finally it explains why she is fat... not because we over-fed her!). She has lived with both for years. Completely normal dog. This was like a stab to my heart. My sweet girl who is the closest thing I have to a sister is sick. It tore my whole family up. And yet she still thinks she is a puppy needing constant attention. In the past two weeks she has been shaved, poked, proded, tested, and now gone through surgery. Has not phased her a bit. She just thinks she is getting even more attention than usual.
All of this got me thinking about how we hold pets, especially dogs, close to our hearts. They are our family and almost always the ones who are there for us no matter what. You have a bad day and they are right there to love you... or make you scratch them. Nothing makes me as happy as to wake up in the morning and see Cleo laying next to my bed waiting for me to get up and play with her. Barney will climb up on the couch and curl right up next to me. He is not a needy attention wanting dog but when he comes up to me and begs me to scratch him, there is no way to say no. Dogs are the most amazing creatures because unlike some humans, they love unconditionally. You take care of them and in a way they take care of us.
If there is one thing that tears me up it is when people mistreat dogs. If you feel as if you can take care of a dog, truly love that dog. They are always there for us. We need to make sure that we will be there for them too. I love my babies so much. I am sure that Cleo will pull through. She is 10 years old and probably will eventually die from this but for now I cherish the time I have with her. I love my sweet Barney too. I was the one who found him and was so happy to have saved him. But if there is one great thing I have learned from these two creatures is to always love unconditionally.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
ECU = Heart attack
I know my blogs are slowly becoming about baseball, and well we already have one baseball player blogging. I hate to say it but it is becoming my life, seeing as how I am at a game 4 out of 7 days usually. Last night though was the most intense game I have ever witnessed and that was against ECU. I don't know about many of ya'll but I cannot stand ECU. I think they are a dirty school who has good sports but the rudest fans ever.
Last night, not only did I almost get in a physical fight with silly fans behind us, but there was almost a brawl out on the field. Our guys are very intense players and last night's game was a struggle to stay in the dugout. From the start of the game, the fans were heckling us like crazy. Even with the 8 to 1 pull out, the fans would not let me forget where I was. The game took forever, with five innings completed in two hours. The young men behind me kept saying how slow the game was and I said then go home and they told me to shut up and turn around. HOW RUDE! Especially with all of the parents around them, it was like these guys sat there just to push us around.
Maybe I am one to blame the umpiring, but last night's was TERRIBLE. It was unbelievable how on both sides the umpire was calling obvious strikes balls. Mid-way through the game UNCW pitching coach calmly walked out to the mound and said that he did not have anything to say, just wanted to yell at the umpire when he came up to warn them. When that happened, the coach went all out talking about how awful he was and then proceeded to home plate to brush it off and throw his hat down. This was all after he had been thrown out already. But the part that makes me the maddest and caused an all out brawl is when the ECU head coach came running onto the field after their batter was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. He thought it was intentional but really why would UNCW walk in a run intentionally? He had to be held back by the umpire and attempted to claim the UNCW dug out was starting something along with Coach Scalf, who was walking out to change a pitcher. For five more minutes, he proceeded to yell and cuss and the entire ECU team was on the field. And he did not even get thrown out.
I am not complaining about the game because UNCW did come from behind to win in an extreme nailbiter. I am extremely disappointed by the disgusting nature of their fans. They were all out rude and absurd. Most of them proceeded to cuss and dirty talk players' parents. THEIR PARENTS! I am all for some good hecklers, but you do not turn to players' family and cuss them out or treat them rudely, especially if they are just watching a game. I was very excited to see our hecklers out there loud and proud, but the rudeness they received as did I makes me not even want to return to ECU. Half way through the game I was ready to leave. I was actually worried for my parents to walk through the stadium to leave because of the grief we had already received. A game's atmosphere should never be that way. An intense game is high quality. It is the type everyone hopes to see. And for the team to have pulled out the win made it even better. But for visiting people to be scared to leave and to not even want to watch a good game because of the comments made toward them is just rude.
I am proud to say that UNCW's much smaller stadium provides a better atmosphere. We heckle and yell, but we do not scare. We allow the visitors their own section, as well as a good piece of mind. No one should ever fear being a fan of whomever they support, whether it is on their home turf, or away. That is all for the baseball blogs. Thanks for reading!
Last night, not only did I almost get in a physical fight with silly fans behind us, but there was almost a brawl out on the field. Our guys are very intense players and last night's game was a struggle to stay in the dugout. From the start of the game, the fans were heckling us like crazy. Even with the 8 to 1 pull out, the fans would not let me forget where I was. The game took forever, with five innings completed in two hours. The young men behind me kept saying how slow the game was and I said then go home and they told me to shut up and turn around. HOW RUDE! Especially with all of the parents around them, it was like these guys sat there just to push us around.
Maybe I am one to blame the umpiring, but last night's was TERRIBLE. It was unbelievable how on both sides the umpire was calling obvious strikes balls. Mid-way through the game UNCW pitching coach calmly walked out to the mound and said that he did not have anything to say, just wanted to yell at the umpire when he came up to warn them. When that happened, the coach went all out talking about how awful he was and then proceeded to home plate to brush it off and throw his hat down. This was all after he had been thrown out already. But the part that makes me the maddest and caused an all out brawl is when the ECU head coach came running onto the field after their batter was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. He thought it was intentional but really why would UNCW walk in a run intentionally? He had to be held back by the umpire and attempted to claim the UNCW dug out was starting something along with Coach Scalf, who was walking out to change a pitcher. For five more minutes, he proceeded to yell and cuss and the entire ECU team was on the field. And he did not even get thrown out.
I am not complaining about the game because UNCW did come from behind to win in an extreme nailbiter. I am extremely disappointed by the disgusting nature of their fans. They were all out rude and absurd. Most of them proceeded to cuss and dirty talk players' parents. THEIR PARENTS! I am all for some good hecklers, but you do not turn to players' family and cuss them out or treat them rudely, especially if they are just watching a game. I was very excited to see our hecklers out there loud and proud, but the rudeness they received as did I makes me not even want to return to ECU. Half way through the game I was ready to leave. I was actually worried for my parents to walk through the stadium to leave because of the grief we had already received. A game's atmosphere should never be that way. An intense game is high quality. It is the type everyone hopes to see. And for the team to have pulled out the win made it even better. But for visiting people to be scared to leave and to not even want to watch a good game because of the comments made toward them is just rude.
I am proud to say that UNCW's much smaller stadium provides a better atmosphere. We heckle and yell, but we do not scare. We allow the visitors their own section, as well as a good piece of mind. No one should ever fear being a fan of whomever they support, whether it is on their home turf, or away. That is all for the baseball blogs. Thanks for reading!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
UNCW Baseball
UNCW Baseball has started and the team is going strong after a rough start at 9-7. This season has taken on a whole new aspect for me because now I am no longer just a fan, I am a girlfriend. It is a lot harder to enjoy a game when you are close to the players on the field. My boyfriend, Daniel Cropper, is a starting pitcher on the team and I think that before games where he pitches, I am more nervous than him. He is a strong pitcher, who like any other player, has his highs and lows.
It is my job to be whatever he needs before, during and after his games. That may sound silly but baseball is so important to him and it always has been a favorite sport of mine. I am learning his rituals and needs prior to a game and adjusting around them. The day before and the day of a start I try to be less needy than I typically am. He is extremely calm going into a game. I, on the other hand, am not! I am nervous and testy and anxious. My family and friends are learning quickly that I am not one to mess with prior to a start.
It is funny how I changed from a simple fan who will cheer when something good happens to a support system and protective girlfriend during a game. Having three brothers I have always loved baseball. I understand it and I enjoy it. But if someone crosses me or my boys during a game I am the first one to stand up for them. I yell, I heckle, I protect. My boyfriend is 6'4" and confident. I am 5'3" and a force of nature. The first weekend was in Jacksonville, FL and they had quite a group of hecklers. It took me yelling one comment to shut them up. I think everyone found it so funny because I am so small and held back until it comes to games. Even the next day the hecklers tried to test me rather than the team and I shut them up again. Needless to say they did not show up at the final game. I do not heckle unless heckled first. Even last night in a 14-1 outstanding performance by the team and an 8 strikeout, 3 hit, 1 run performance by Daniel, I was the loudest one out there.
I am extremely proud of Daniel and everything he does. I do not necessarily want him to be the best one out there and I am not cocky about being his girlfriend because really I have nothing to do with it. All I hope is that Daniel does his best. As long as he does that I am happy. I am the one who is there for him after a bad game so he can gripe and groan about whatever changed the game around and the one who is the first to hug him after a good game. It is funny how I have gone from not even knowing who he was when he introduced himself to me to being his biggest fan (or next biggest to his Dad). Baseball has become a way of life for me. I have way too much UNCW Baseball gear and try to be at as many games as possible. It could be Daniel's future, having been already drafted by the Washington Nationals this past summer, but even if it is not I will always be a fan of baseball and of anything Daniel chooses to do. I do not rely on his future, but it is wonderful to see a dream of his actually coming true.
I really hope everyone comes out to a game this year. They have struggled but are on a great roll and are finally finding their spot. The team loves having any fans at all and UNCW has such a wonderful program. I am sure that if you come out, I will be there, loud and proud. Lets just hope the rest of the season goes this way. GO SEAHAWKS and #22!
It is my job to be whatever he needs before, during and after his games. That may sound silly but baseball is so important to him and it always has been a favorite sport of mine. I am learning his rituals and needs prior to a game and adjusting around them. The day before and the day of a start I try to be less needy than I typically am. He is extremely calm going into a game. I, on the other hand, am not! I am nervous and testy and anxious. My family and friends are learning quickly that I am not one to mess with prior to a start.
It is funny how I changed from a simple fan who will cheer when something good happens to a support system and protective girlfriend during a game. Having three brothers I have always loved baseball. I understand it and I enjoy it. But if someone crosses me or my boys during a game I am the first one to stand up for them. I yell, I heckle, I protect. My boyfriend is 6'4" and confident. I am 5'3" and a force of nature. The first weekend was in Jacksonville, FL and they had quite a group of hecklers. It took me yelling one comment to shut them up. I think everyone found it so funny because I am so small and held back until it comes to games. Even the next day the hecklers tried to test me rather than the team and I shut them up again. Needless to say they did not show up at the final game. I do not heckle unless heckled first. Even last night in a 14-1 outstanding performance by the team and an 8 strikeout, 3 hit, 1 run performance by Daniel, I was the loudest one out there.
I am extremely proud of Daniel and everything he does. I do not necessarily want him to be the best one out there and I am not cocky about being his girlfriend because really I have nothing to do with it. All I hope is that Daniel does his best. As long as he does that I am happy. I am the one who is there for him after a bad game so he can gripe and groan about whatever changed the game around and the one who is the first to hug him after a good game. It is funny how I have gone from not even knowing who he was when he introduced himself to me to being his biggest fan (or next biggest to his Dad). Baseball has become a way of life for me. I have way too much UNCW Baseball gear and try to be at as many games as possible. It could be Daniel's future, having been already drafted by the Washington Nationals this past summer, but even if it is not I will always be a fan of baseball and of anything Daniel chooses to do. I do not rely on his future, but it is wonderful to see a dream of his actually coming true.
I really hope everyone comes out to a game this year. They have struggled but are on a great roll and are finally finding their spot. The team loves having any fans at all and UNCW has such a wonderful program. I am sure that if you come out, I will be there, loud and proud. Lets just hope the rest of the season goes this way. GO SEAHAWKS and #22!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Hi, My Name is Hannah and I'm Addicted to Target.
Hi Hannah! Okay so whomever created Target needs a reward because it has turned me into a Target-a-holic. When I am alone or bored I will take a trip to Target just for the heck of it. I thoroughly enjoy going there with my friends or for any item I think I need. I just love dragging my boyfriend into Target for any miniscule object that calls for my attention.
Why Target? Why not Wal-Mart? I'll tell you why not Wal-Mart. I feel much safer at Target. I am not afraid to go in there by myself (which just happens to be something I enjoy tremendously). Wal-Mart has everything and more but sometimes I question its quality. I wonder what they buy and what they sell just to maintain that they are cheap. For me its quality over quantity. I know that if I go to Target and get some clothes (which I often do), the clothing will last me a long time. And as much variety as Wal-Mart has, Target has such cute quirky items. I truly believe that if I get something at Target, it will not just be cheap but cute.
I know Wal-Mart claims to be the cheapest but on multiple occasions I have been to both Wal-Mart and Target and gotten the better deal at Target. I was searching for a movie and Wal-Mart had it for $19.99 and Target had it for $15.99 - The day it was released! Now really? Don't claim to be the cheapest when you aren't. Sure Wal-Mart has a full produce section but I trust my produce to an actual grocery store like Lowes Foods of NC Born and Bred Food Lion.
I just love Target. Not because it is better than Wal-Mart, but because its awesome. In fact I just came from there and in the process of buying snacks and drinks for a 7 hour drive to Florida I came out with a few magazines, a shirt, and chapstick. It calls my name. It demands my attention and begs me to buy something, anything! Just kidding, but its probably true. I cannot just go in there and get one thing. Unless it is something pretty special or significant. I think that Target is the solution to all of the world's problems. You can't be upset when you go into Target.
I hope that everyone else enjoys Target as much as I do. Maybe one day I will go cold turkey but not any time soon :-)
Why Target? Why not Wal-Mart? I'll tell you why not Wal-Mart. I feel much safer at Target. I am not afraid to go in there by myself (which just happens to be something I enjoy tremendously). Wal-Mart has everything and more but sometimes I question its quality. I wonder what they buy and what they sell just to maintain that they are cheap. For me its quality over quantity. I know that if I go to Target and get some clothes (which I often do), the clothing will last me a long time. And as much variety as Wal-Mart has, Target has such cute quirky items. I truly believe that if I get something at Target, it will not just be cheap but cute.
I know Wal-Mart claims to be the cheapest but on multiple occasions I have been to both Wal-Mart and Target and gotten the better deal at Target. I was searching for a movie and Wal-Mart had it for $19.99 and Target had it for $15.99 - The day it was released! Now really? Don't claim to be the cheapest when you aren't. Sure Wal-Mart has a full produce section but I trust my produce to an actual grocery store like Lowes Foods of NC Born and Bred Food Lion.
I just love Target. Not because it is better than Wal-Mart, but because its awesome. In fact I just came from there and in the process of buying snacks and drinks for a 7 hour drive to Florida I came out with a few magazines, a shirt, and chapstick. It calls my name. It demands my attention and begs me to buy something, anything! Just kidding, but its probably true. I cannot just go in there and get one thing. Unless it is something pretty special or significant. I think that Target is the solution to all of the world's problems. You can't be upset when you go into Target.
I hope that everyone else enjoys Target as much as I do. Maybe one day I will go cold turkey but not any time soon :-)
Thursday, February 4, 2010
February - My month of LOVE
As we all know, February brings a lot of LOVE. There is that specific day where we all get silly little cards and candies. But here is my issues with Valentine's day: why just the one day? Why not every day? But at the same time, why hate on it so much?
Something that amazes me is the love and affection that comes out on Valentine's Day. Secret admirers become brave enough to admit their affection, boyfriends (yes I am hinting at mine) are not afraid to be mushy and gushy. As much of a Hallmark day it has become, its nice to be reminded of something we feel every day. I may be 22 years old but I still get the sweetest cards from my parents. And though I love my parents and they know it, nothing says it better than a homemade Valentine. I am a terrible hopeless romantic. I dream of mushy stuff happening, so I love seeing it happen to everyone in that one day.
Here's my first issue. Why shouldn't our love be professed daily? I think in some ways it is, and maybe the extravagance on Valentine's Day is not necessary daily. Something I learned from my mama, who is me, but older, is that you should never go a day without expressing your love to those who you love. This can be anything from a sweet smile to a kiss on the cheek to even just making the ones you love smile and laugh. The feeling of knowing that I am truly loved is inexpressible. Valentine's Day needs to be every day. It is that feeling of being loved that can pull a person from the depths of dispare, and I know this because it has for me.
Second issue: Don't hate on Valentine's Day. Don't discuss how sick of all of the mushy gushiness you are and how you think that it is a day for singles to realize that they are so. This upsets me so because everyone in the world has someone who loves them and someone that they love. Valentine's Day has turned into such a couples' day, but it doesn't have to be. Express your love to everyone you love.
I am certainly not trying to tell anyone how to act on Valentine's Day or around it. I have had my fair share of disgust. BUT if there is one thing I have learned its that the most important thing to do in life is to share and show your love. You never know when there will be a time that you won't be able to anymore. Love is the most incredible thing in our lives and it can be expressed in so many ways. If Valentine's Day is your chance to express that love, go for it. If you hate it, hate it, but make sure that you don't waste time expressing love.
Something that amazes me is the love and affection that comes out on Valentine's Day. Secret admirers become brave enough to admit their affection, boyfriends (yes I am hinting at mine) are not afraid to be mushy and gushy. As much of a Hallmark day it has become, its nice to be reminded of something we feel every day. I may be 22 years old but I still get the sweetest cards from my parents. And though I love my parents and they know it, nothing says it better than a homemade Valentine. I am a terrible hopeless romantic. I dream of mushy stuff happening, so I love seeing it happen to everyone in that one day.
Here's my first issue. Why shouldn't our love be professed daily? I think in some ways it is, and maybe the extravagance on Valentine's Day is not necessary daily. Something I learned from my mama, who is me, but older, is that you should never go a day without expressing your love to those who you love. This can be anything from a sweet smile to a kiss on the cheek to even just making the ones you love smile and laugh. The feeling of knowing that I am truly loved is inexpressible. Valentine's Day needs to be every day. It is that feeling of being loved that can pull a person from the depths of dispare, and I know this because it has for me.
Second issue: Don't hate on Valentine's Day. Don't discuss how sick of all of the mushy gushiness you are and how you think that it is a day for singles to realize that they are so. This upsets me so because everyone in the world has someone who loves them and someone that they love. Valentine's Day has turned into such a couples' day, but it doesn't have to be. Express your love to everyone you love.
I am certainly not trying to tell anyone how to act on Valentine's Day or around it. I have had my fair share of disgust. BUT if there is one thing I have learned its that the most important thing to do in life is to share and show your love. You never know when there will be a time that you won't be able to anymore. Love is the most incredible thing in our lives and it can be expressed in so many ways. If Valentine's Day is your chance to express that love, go for it. If you hate it, hate it, but make sure that you don't waste time expressing love.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Oh My... the First Blog
Well here goes nothing! First a little about me. My name is Hannah (obviously :-) ) and I am a senior at UNCW, graduating in May! Oh my gosh I can hardly even write those words. I am majoring in Communications with a focus in broadcasting and field production, and I am minoring in Spanish. I have a wonderful family including my amazing parents and three brothers, Josh, Zack and my twin brother Sam. I also have amazing friends and a wonderful boyfriend, Daniel (who just happens to be in this class as well). My dogs, Cleo and Barney, are the most important beings in my life. Cleo, my fat spoiled golden retriever who can make anyone feel wanted and needed and Barney, my sweet mutt who I saved. Anyone with dogs can understand my love for them.
This semester is my last and I hoped that it would be somewhat easy but I have realized that to be successful in anything after school, involvement is key. It is difficult to prepare for the future, especially with this economy. With an internship, 15 hours of classwork, extracurricular activities AND somewhat of a relaxing life I am having a difficult time getting through all this work. It is important to me that I gain as much experience as possible, yet maintain some sort of sanity. I am one of those people who likes to participate in everything as well as keep control of it all too. This semester I am learning that I cannot control it all and that is posing to be a difficult problem for me.
Communications is a wonderful area to study in because there is so many opportunities outside of class. My internship is truly giving me a chance to learn through experience more than anything else. In my opinion that is the best way to learn. I am working downtown with the City of Wilmington and the government television station. We produce PR videos for certain areas of the city as well as commercials and a bi-weekly show. It will be the greatest learning experience because I am considered a team member, not just someone who will work for free.
My biggest problem is keeping on top of everything all at one time. With class, a paying job, an internship, Lambda honor society, and filming work for UNCW athletics it is a lot on my plate. I either need to learn to live without sleep or learn to say no. All of the online work is really hurting me because in all of my classes I have multiple assignments due daily. I literally have begun to carry my planner with me and for the first time in my college career have filled out every space given for each day.
Being a big Christian I know that God will get me through all of this but how does everyone do this all the time? Talking with Tammy Bulger she said this is the real world. Oh my gosh if this is how the real world I am not so sure if I can do it all. I would like to take nights off and enjoy spending time with family and friends. As of now my only "free" day is Sunday and as a pastor's child, that is inevitably busy. How do you all get through all of the work and assignments? How does my boyfriend, a baseball player, get through practice, schoolwork, and anything outside of those two things? I would love to know that I am not the only one having such a difficult time and that there are others in the same boat, but are there? Can people really relate to my need for perfection in every area of my life as well as the most experience possible?
Haha this might be my first and last blog if things do not calm down or if I do not get a hold of all this work! Hope you now have insight into the life of a stressed senior!
This semester is my last and I hoped that it would be somewhat easy but I have realized that to be successful in anything after school, involvement is key. It is difficult to prepare for the future, especially with this economy. With an internship, 15 hours of classwork, extracurricular activities AND somewhat of a relaxing life I am having a difficult time getting through all this work. It is important to me that I gain as much experience as possible, yet maintain some sort of sanity. I am one of those people who likes to participate in everything as well as keep control of it all too. This semester I am learning that I cannot control it all and that is posing to be a difficult problem for me.
Communications is a wonderful area to study in because there is so many opportunities outside of class. My internship is truly giving me a chance to learn through experience more than anything else. In my opinion that is the best way to learn. I am working downtown with the City of Wilmington and the government television station. We produce PR videos for certain areas of the city as well as commercials and a bi-weekly show. It will be the greatest learning experience because I am considered a team member, not just someone who will work for free.
My biggest problem is keeping on top of everything all at one time. With class, a paying job, an internship, Lambda honor society, and filming work for UNCW athletics it is a lot on my plate. I either need to learn to live without sleep or learn to say no. All of the online work is really hurting me because in all of my classes I have multiple assignments due daily. I literally have begun to carry my planner with me and for the first time in my college career have filled out every space given for each day.
Being a big Christian I know that God will get me through all of this but how does everyone do this all the time? Talking with Tammy Bulger she said this is the real world. Oh my gosh if this is how the real world I am not so sure if I can do it all. I would like to take nights off and enjoy spending time with family and friends. As of now my only "free" day is Sunday and as a pastor's child, that is inevitably busy. How do you all get through all of the work and assignments? How does my boyfriend, a baseball player, get through practice, schoolwork, and anything outside of those two things? I would love to know that I am not the only one having such a difficult time and that there are others in the same boat, but are there? Can people really relate to my need for perfection in every area of my life as well as the most experience possible?
Haha this might be my first and last blog if things do not calm down or if I do not get a hold of all this work! Hope you now have insight into the life of a stressed senior!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
So new to this
I am so new to this. I have typically been against blogging simply for the sheer fact that what are my thoughts worth. Here goes nothing!
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