I LOVE California :)

Seriously, this place is beautiful. It's pretty chilly here, in the 60s, but it's still very nice. Yesterday we roamed downtown San Diego and Coronado Island and hung out at the beach there. I promise you there are gold flecks in the sand there, it was so pretty. We got some expensive, but very good, ice cream there on Coronado. Then, we took a ferry ride back out to the mainland and stumbled upon Fred's Mexican Restaurant, which was yummy. Today the group I was with went to the Zoo here, but I wasn't that interested nor did I want to spend that much to see animals (I hope that wasn't a dumb decision). Myself and another girl decided to pretend we were locals and bought a day pass for the city bus...you can meet the most interesting people on buses. We met these three extremely cool South African guys who were surfers visiting for a conference on our way to La Jolla beach or cove, whatever it's called. This place is just WOW, unlike anything I have seen before. There was a little section of the cove where some seals had beached themselves, we got to walk right up to them which in my opinion is better than a zoo :) We went to this sushi restaurant called Tadashi...first time with sushi, interesting. Seaweed has a strong taste but we also had chicken terriyaki, tempura and some fried pork dumplings...all for under $20. It was a lovely, inexpensive dinner. After that we went to Pacific beach, which was amazing. By far the biggest waves I have ever seen...and there were real surfers! I just got back from this cozy, yet upscale, little Italian restaurant. We once again used the bus and sat next to a Louisiana hater, or should I call it "Loserana". Funny...not! I had this really good linguine pasta with broiled chicken, mushrooms, tomatoes, broiled chicken tossed in a white wine cream sauce. It was really good, too bad I can't pronounce the name of it. Kinda expensive though. Tomorrow is the actual conference but after that we will be enjoying all the perks San Diego has to offer. Still hoping to go to a Padres game. Basically, I am enjoying sunny California and am enjoying being considered a "foreigner" here by my supposed accent. If you haven't come here; you should really consider visiting.

I heard the Yankees have won their past two games and that A-Rod recovered pretty well from his injury. That is so good to hear. Also read Joe G. got thrown out of a game tonight, and Cano had a walk-off homer...wow!

Hope everyone has a great Friday :)

Hello from Dallas!

I am sitting in a computer lab at the Holiday Inn Express right outside DFW airport...and thought why not make a new post.

I am so extremely excited that A-Rod is playing today, too bad I can't watch. Hope having him back sparks something in our team...surely. Did you hear about Lester's no-hitter last night? WOW...even if he is a Red Sox pitcher that still is great. And to know he bounced back from cancer makes it all the cooler. He is an inspiration to many who are fighting cancer I would assume. I will be away from Yankee baseball for the next week...so if anything exciting happens, let me know :)

Tomorrow I am flying to San Diego for a conference/lots of fun. We just booked a rental car to drive up to Los Angeles...so I am EXTREMELY excited. I just printed off the map for it and it looks easy and beautiful...all the way up the coast! -While in San Diego, I will be relaxing at a beach, going to the zoo, seeing the Padres (possibly) and of course trying out the local cuisine. Don't be too jealous...joking!
Hope everyone is having a great day, and don't forget...GO YANKEES!

What is going on?

I know we have done this bad/worse in past years, but this is getting really old quickly. I am 100% positive the Yankees are going to rebound, I just hate this whole waiting patiently thing. I also don't like turning on the TV and seeing more Mets fans at Yankees Stadium than our own. I wouldn't have left...you never know what could possibly happen. I hate to see Wang get roughed up...and then to see Ohlendorf not deliver effectively. On a brighter side, A-Rod seems to be recovering nicely and Posada got some practice catching in...so maybe we can start seeing some light at the end of this tunnel. Not that those two are going make the team win necessarily, but they certainly will be great to have back.



I just got done playing 9-innings of some pretty intense wiffle ball. I am not the most athletic girl in town, but this baseball-ish game is right up my alley. I was observing all of us play, and thought the Yankees could watch us for a few pointers. We had fun, laughed a lot, and encouraged each other. And boy oh boy were we all bringing in some runs. There was even a 4 year old and 2 year old playing and I think they looked better than some of the guys right now....that was a joke, but pretty close :) The score ended at like 24-19 or something like that and my team lost. I am pretty sure I drove in a couple of runs but also allowed some by several errors at my first base position. It was so much fun though!



I got to eat my favorite food ever this weekend, crawfish! It was soooo good. Also got to hang out with my family and just relax finally now that school is done with. Tuesday I am driving to Dallas and flying to San Diego for a week! So ready. I'm thinking about going to a Padres game...I think they'll be playing the Reds. Hope everyone has a great Monday!


Doesn't it look good? I was at the bottom of my tray. I decided not to show you pictures of the already eaten ones. You are looking at some good ole Louisiana crawfish...now go try some :)

Good Bye Junior Year....

This has been a great year for me. Made better grades, solidified some new friendships, and got to go to several fun places. Can't believe I only have ONE year left of college, panic mode is slowly starting to set in as far as future plans are concerned. I had 2.5 hours of sleep last night, and of course it did not pay off. There is nothing worse (well I'm sure there is) than walking off campus, done with tests and feeling more stressed than I was before I took the tests. Oh well. it's over with until fall. I made the drive back home and went with my grandparents to pick my aunt up from the airport. Then we met my parents at this amazing little greek/lebanese restaurant called Jerusalem. Oh so good...I had a gyro plate which is a combination of lamb and beef. I am so glad I have grandparents and parents who have encouraged me to absolutely love food from all cultures. Tomorrow is my sister's graduation from high school. Way to make me feel old Liz :) I finally get to start watching Yankee games again...maybe they'll start winning a lot. Tomorrow, weather permitting, the Yanks are taking down Santana so all the annoying trade arguments can cease. We're only like, what, 5 games back...it could be a lot worse. Hope everyone has a relaxing weekend!!!














This was seriously one of the best meals I have had in a long time...go get some Greek food ASAP!














Big ole party for the sis tomorrow...cake and junk food and then lots and lots of CRAWFISH! It sure is good to be home at last!

All-nighters bite.

So here I am...1:30 am and I still haven't accomplished all I need to for tomorrow (or I guess today). I am sitting in a local coffee shop that stays open 24 hours for finals and am surrounded by people who are all hyped up on caffeine. They help me fight the urge to fall asleep, doesn't help that it's -100 degrees in this place. Still haven't watched a Yankees game in like 2 weeks...sad story there. I haven't been missing much though. Mariano allowed his first run tonight...he's still a remarkable pitcher no matter what. The most frustrating thing is the lack of runs. I just read others blogs for info when I find time and that seems to be the main thing that is holding this team back. A-Rod will be back soon, hopefully, but the team doesn't need to wait for him to win ball games. There is a ton of talent on the roster...why aren't we seeing it? Things will come around, they have to eventually. Patience, patience, patience on our end...we won't give up on them this easily. Ok, back to studying. So much fun (not).

This is what I have been looking at and will continue to look at until Friday at noon....computers, study guides, notecards, and LOTS of medium roast coffee!

Finals...

I absolutely dread this time of the quarter. I wont get to watch any games this week or update this thing. Pretty bummed actually. I would so rather be watching baseball than studying for tests and writing papers, but I will do it anyways. My sister graduates this weekend and my aunt is also coming in town who I don't see very often, so blogging will be limited during that time too. Next Wednesday I am going to San Diego for a conference/vacation. While everyone is going down to Tijuana, I am thinking about going to a Padres game. I've never been to California, or anywhere on the western part of the US so I am very excited! 2 whole weeks without watching any Yankees games :( maybe I can squeeze a game in hopfully.

Hope everyone has an enjoyable week.

Whew. We needed that one.

Pretty impressive game, if I must say so. It's games like these when you really appreciate our offense, who by the way showed up today thank goodness. Moose got into some trouble allowing 3 runs and Mariano allowed a hit, but it doesn't matter because we scored 6 and the Indians scored 3. Johnny Damon said he takes responsibilty for the this team being in a slump. Apparently he didn't enjoy losing too much becuase the guy was hitting great today. Giambi smacked a nice homer, which was so close to being foul, but luckily it was safe. Robinson Cano is finally seeing the light at the end of his dark, deep slump tunnel. He seems like such a great teammate, so it was great to see him have a successful day. Ross Ohlendorf did a nice job coming in after Mussina. Joba....we got to see the fist pump :) He definitely redeemed himself after his uhh, not so good outing a couple of days ago. Kei Igawa will be pitching tomorrow, should be interesting. He'll do fine hopefully.

I was able to work and watch the game today, I am quite the multitasker! It was during the last few minutes of work so it was okay :)

Wow.

I didn't get to watch the game last night, but I certainly got to hear/read about it. I can't help but admire Cliff Lee's pitching, or secretly despise it. Thanks to him, Wang got his first loss of the season. If there was any way to be issued a loss, I would say that's the way to go. He certainly did try, but apparently there was no stopping Lee. The Yankees got some hits, but apparently weren't able to get some runs in. Can't really complain about it because I'm just glad they were able to hit off the guy. Today Mike Mussina (4-3) pitches against Paul Byrd (1-2) in an afternoon game- that I get to watch! Hopefully we get some runs and avoid another sweep.

So Joba really is a human being.

Yankee fans are harsh. Booing Joba last night was seriously uncalled for, even if it did set us back another game. It wasn't his best outing, but I would say what he has done up to yesterday definitely overshadows it. I mean seriously, did people never expect him to mess up? Besides, we should have have more than a one-run lead to begin with. Pettitte had a pretty good game last night along with Farnsworth. Farnsworth's fan number have jumped exceedingly here recently. Never would have thought that, but hey keep doing what your doing Kyle. Hideki Matsui is unstoppable right now, hitting in 15 consecutive games. Giambi had a pretty impressive night as well. Ian Kennedy pitched extremely well down in AAA last night. Hope he is gaining some much needed confidence so we can see him out on our mound soon.

Chien Ming Wang will be gaining his 7th win of the season (yep, I'm that confident). Robinson Cano is going to hit a grand slam tonight...maybe not, but he is going to be fine. No matter how great either team has been hitting, tonight is going to be a test for both of them. Wang and Lee have both been dominating pitchers and they aren't going to make this an easy game.

I had a very good birthday thanks to all of my wonderful family members. I guess I am officially a legal adult, being 21 and all. But to me, 25 is when you REALLY sound like an adult...guess I have four more years to live it up :)

some pictures from my fun night, both of my roomies, and me being pretty excited about cards!

Back at Last.

I was away at the lake Friday-Sunday. It was SO much fun, but while I was gone I missed out on some Yankee excitment. I'm going to recap for myself and for whoever else may have had other plans this weekend as well.

Friday May 2nd- Wang got his 6th win. That guy is seriously on fire and I hope to see it burning with full force for as long as possible. Farnsy, Joba, and Mo pitched just as good, which is no surprise. Good to see Kyle showing some effective stuff this year. Thanks to a few errors from the Mariners and several good at-bats, we were able to get 5 runs on the board. The score was 5-1 Yankees.

Saturday May 3rd- Moose prevailed and got his 3rd straight win. Damon had an amazing game. Read Molina worked himself out of an 0-23 slump. Nice victory for the team with a 6-1 win.

Sunday May 4th- Darrell Rasner got the call up after Hughes had a rough start/a couple of injuried. He definitely delivered, to say the least. The guys back him up offensively and they were able to win the game 8-2 with a remarkable 6-runs coming into the 3rd.

Not sure what happened this weekend to the team, but whatever it was I hope it continues. They showed what they can achieve as a team who has been going through a slightly rough patch. If they can continue to be this good, imagine what can happen when Posada, A-Rod, and the pitching woes are over. Pretty invincible if you ask me. Cano hasn't been producing much, but he will and it's good to know the Yankees are having faith in him to turn around. IPK was sent back down to Scranton, I believe. I bet that was a huge blow to him, but if he is serious about a career in the majors then he shouldn't mind too much. Phil Hughes, on top of everything else, found out he is nearsighted and has to start wearing glasses. Thought it was funny because he said he looks like he "went to college". Best of luck to his recovery. The team has the day off because they heard it was my birthday, and that's pretty much a holiday. So hope the team is enjoying my day as much as I am. (I am slightly vein, I know it!)

So this weekend was absolutely amazing. I have fallen in love with lakes and would live next to one if I was given the chance. I got to soak up the sun (thank goodness I didn't get burned), swim, and ride a boat. The water was like 50 degrees but it didn't matter...just added to the good time. I could ride in a boat all day, it's extremely relaxing. I was about to be my turn to get on the tube and be pulled around the lake, but unfortunately one of the bearings went out. It was still tons of fun. My parents are coming to town tonight and taking my room mates and myself out to eat to WOW (Wild on Wings) so that should be yummy and fun. Well, my family officially knows about this blog...I'm not good at hiding things. But I appreciate them reading it and I hope they enjoy. HELLO to all of my family :) (Hope yall don't think I'm too crazy for doing this!)













Lake Claibororne ^ Caney Lake sunset ^










We built our own fire!









Doesn't that look healthy?

We made smores!

Pure Bliss.

No cell phones, no computer, no people, no interruptions. Doesn't that sound amazing? Well this weekend I am going to the lake for some serious rest and relaxation. It's supposed to storm tonight (possibly even tornadoes) but I don't really care. We're going to be in a camper that has a tin roof. Have you heard the sound of rain on a tin roof? Pretty relaxing if you ask me. But tomorrow it's going to be sunny and about 80 degrees. Lovely. A bunch of my friends are going and tomorrow night we're going to grill some food. Sunday I get to hang out on a boat all day and hopefully go tubing if the water isn't too cold (this will be taking place at a different lake). So I am pretty lucky to divide my time between two lakes this weekend. I won't be able to hear anything about the Yankees while I'm gone and I am hoping they play wonderfully. I am rooting for Chien Ming Wang's 6th win tonight.

(where I'll be)

Sun + Fun + Games + Water + Friends = an amazingly good time!

Hope everyone has a relaxing weekend, too!

Update- 1:47 PM Hi Mom, hope you like :)

Blow It Off.

It's been a heck of a week. Studied my life away, only to walk out of the class feeling more miserable than before I took the test. But I only have 2 more weeks of this chaos, and then it's summer time! The Yankees aren't having their best week either, good to know I'm not alone. A-Rod on the DL was something I never expected, the guy seems so immortal to me. Hope he recovers fully, but no rush because he needs to be completely healed to prevent future damage. Poor Phil. Things are not working in his advantage so far. Strained muscle then to find out he has a stress fracture on a rib. Possibly out until July (I think I read this). Not sure, but maybe, just maybe the injury has affected his pitching some. Or so I would like to believe. I bet he is going to make a mind-blowing comeback! Can you tell I'm pro-Hughes?

The game was pretty aggravating tonight. They have GOT to stop leaving guys on base, really. I think we should all rally together and sit the guys down and tell them what's need to be done (since all of us are qualified to manage a ML team :)) But seriously, things have got to start changing. I think it would be wonderful to have the guys step up just a little and show everyone out there that despite injuries and all the other crap that has been surrounding this team thatthe Yankees can overcome anything. I'm not expecting a World Series win, this needs to be a rebuilding year- I wouldn't complain though if there is a WS involved :) Something just isn't clicking with the team yet, which isn't new news to anyone. It'll happen soon enough I guess. We just get to sit back and work ourselves up over something we can't control. I NEVER thought in a million years that I would feel so heated about a sport. (BTW I despised baseball growing up and swore to never like it, apparently that didn't last!)

So after the game, a couple friends and myself decided to blow bubbles like we're 10. Haha. It is some kind of stress reliever. So all of you out there freaking out over us being a few games back in May, go get some bubbles and blow away the frustrations. It will work for at least a minute, I can guarantee it! Tomorrow is Friday so there's a big ole reason to smile :)

Doesn't it look like fun? :)