Family and Football

Texas Christian University played against Brigham Young University last Friday, October 28, at Cowboy Stadium. The screen is bigger than I remembered! That night, the Horned Frogs beat the Cougars 38-28 while we watched the St. Louis Cardinals take the World Series title against the Texas Rangers.
In regards to the TCU football game, fans were confident they would walk away with a win. The game was close enough to keep people's energy high all the way until the close of the 4th quarter.

My parents flew in, Thursday, from California for the game. I took them to the Junior Varsity Football game at All Saints Episcopal Schools where we watched my YoungLife girls cheer in the pouring rain. None of us were equipped for the rain so the 3 of us used plastic bags as shelter. The game was an interesting experience, but a great memory! You know your parents love you when they will stand in the cold and pouring rain to watch girls, whom they do not even know, cheer at a high school football game. 

That night we went Texas two-stepping at Billy Bob's where we also watched the Cardinals win game 6 against the Rangers. This brought the World Series to game 7 on Saturday when the Cardinals again defeated the Rangers and took the 2011 World Series title. We went downtown for a nice dinner Friday after the game and Saturday was dedicated to shopping at Northpark Mall in Dallas.

My parents left Sunday night. I will not see them again until Christmas so, it was hard to say goodbye. But, it was nice having family in town, even if it was just for a short while. I was happy to show them why I love Texas and how it has become a second home. I look forward to the next time they come out so I am able to show them the new things I have found to love about Texas.

Family For The Weekend

It has been 3 months since I have seen my parents. There flight comes in Thursday at 2p.m. and I am eager to pick them up from the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. I have many fun things planned for us to do while they are here for the next 3 days.

After I pick them up from the airport I plan for all of us to go eat lunch and go shopping around town. I am most looking forward to taking them to All Saints Episcopal school's- Upper School- Junior Varsity football game. While there my parents will get to meet the freshman YoungLife girls I mentor. Tomorrow night is also college night at Billy Bob's so I plan to take them there, after the game, so they are able to experience the World's Biggest Honky Tonk. 

Friday is the TCU v. BYU game at Dallas Cowboy Stadium. Both my parents and I bought tickets to go to the game. My dad is a huge Cowboy fan so he is looking forward to being in the stadium and both are eager to tailgate with a group of my friends before kick off.

Not only have I missed my parents these past few months, but I am excited for them to see the life I have established for myself here in Fort Worth. With the first year of college under my belt I finally feel at home here at TCU.

Fantasy Football

Originally I was extremely excited to be part of a fantasy football league. Now, I am just disappointed I do not have a sufficient amount of time to dedicate to it.

Because Sports Broadcasting is my major I thought fantasy football would be a great way for me to understand the game better, know the players and their position, the different teams and stats. Unfortunately I have been so busy with being a Resident Assistant, Young Life Leader on top of taking17 hours, plus homework and still trying to have some semblance of a social life.

Many say I am stretching myself thin. This may be true, but the things I am committed to are all things I love. I would not trade one minute spent with my residents, the high school girls I mentor or doing homework for an extra minute of sleep or alone time. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be involved, meet people and build close relationships with the people around me. I am blessed.

As for fantasy football, there is always next year! Hopefully then I will have more time to dedicate to my fantasy team and really learn about football. Hopefully then I will not have to call my dad for help about which players have the most points, whether or not I should make a trade or who should go on the bench. I look forward to the day I understand the workings of the game, and then who knows, maybe it will give me that edge in competing to be a sports reporter.

College Football Scandals

English- Writing as Argument- is one of the most difficult classes I have taken. The first essay we wrote was a Narrative Argument Argumentative essay; I stayed up all night trying to re-write and edit that paper. I ended up receiving a "C". The assignment we are working on now is a Rhetorical Argument Essay. We pick and controversial event to write about and then analyze an "opinion article" written about the subject.

The subject I chose to write about is the controversy regarding college football scandals. Although this has been a recurring issue for years, it has become increasingly worse in the past few years. Upon doing research I learned about the most recent scandal involving the University of Miami and big-time Ponzi schemer, Nevin Shapiro.

Shapiro was involved in the real estate industry during the housing market "boom" as well as a co-owner of a sports agency. He was making millions and was therefore, able to give millions, as a booster, to the University of Miami. His "generosity" to the players cost around $930 million (2002) in cash, gifts and parties at his mansion.

Although this occurred many years ago, it is just now being revealed to the public. University of Miami quarterback, Jacory Harris recently admitted to the public that he had accepted extra benefits his freshman year. He formally apologized to the University president, Donna Shalala and his fans. Because of the illegal payment and recruitment of players, the University of Miami was close to receiving the "death penalty" like SMU.

The current debate is whether or not players should be paid. Some argue that giving them a paycheck is fair and it may be the solution to eliminating corruption. Others argue that amateurism should be maintained because no matter what the corruption will proceed.

Not only has the reasearch and writing process helped me in my english skills and writing ability, but I am even more excited to jump into my major- Sports Broadcasting. I now feel more confident in my knowledge regarding sports and feel that I have something to contribute to a sports centered conversation.

YoungLife Club

FORT WORTH, Texas-- Being a YoungLife leader is not an easy position to hold because it is all about taking the initiative to meet high school students, build relationships with them and then make it a point to spend time with them. YoungLife is all about contact work and forming relationships because ultimately, in this life, everybody just wants to be loved and understood. What better way to show someone you care than to simply spend time with them.
My life has purpose. I am living my life for something far greater than myself-Jesus Christ and His will. The other day I went to eat yogurt with one of the girls in my group. It was great hearing about her life, where she comes from, her interests and what goals she has for her life.
I have grown up an only child which I feel has caused me to mature faster than most however, I would have given anything for an older sibling to look up to. It would have been nice to know that if I had questions, needed advice or even someone to talk to- besides my parents-that I could count on them to be there for me.
That is the goal in this YoungLife leadership experience. Not only am I learning things about myself and other people, but I am able to be that reliable person, ( the mentor or role model that I never had), for these high school girls who may also need someone to be consistently present in their life.