Football!!

Some of my favorite recruiting girls and I

As most of you know, I have spent the past four years (going on 5) dedicating my weekends in the fall (as well as some in the spring) to the Alabama Football Program. We definitely have a love/hate relationship. I LOVE working with the program because I am a huge fan and it means the world to me to see my "boys" out on the field each Saturday. However, I have a tough time getting up early (we have to be there 5 hours before kick-off so no matter what time the game starts, it's a long day)and getting pretty for every football game. Sometimes I would love to be your typical fan, throw on a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and pull my hair back in a ponytail. Despite my desire to be a normal fan, I still volunteer to work EVERY game (I've only missed one and it was because I was in New York!).

Anyway, I worked for Coach Shula and his staff until last season when he was let go and we got Coach Saban. Because I am one of the few veterans, it was hard to adjust to this new staff (and some of them were harder to deal with than others). Needless to say, with the burnout and the new staff, last year was my least favorite year and I thought that I would make it my last. My least favorite person (and also one that caused a lot of my distress) resigned about a month ago so I decided to give it one more shot. The staff held us an appreciation party tonight to kick-off the new season, so I decided to go. We had such a great time!!! I'm really looking forward to this year because after talking with some of the staff, they are changing a lot of the horrible things that happened last year and changing it back to what it was like before which makes me unbelievably happy!! Anyway, here are some of the pictures from our fun night at Mugshots!

Images (L-R) 1) My Boss Ashleigh and I, 2) My friends Rebecca, Sam, and I, 3)My friend Patricia, her boyfriend Zane, and I, 4) Patricia and I, 5) The football GA, Rachael, and I (She's amazing! :)), 6)My friend Brandy and I (we go back to the first season :)), 7)Sam and I, 8) Rebecca and I

45 more days....

until Graduation!!! Although this does not seem as eventful as the first one, it's kind of a big deal to me. I have always set certain goals for my life and although no one else seems excited when I accomplish them (they keep saying "I knew you would"), I am ecstatic each time I mark that goal off my list. One of the things I have always wanted to do is to get my master's degree. I of course wanted to graduate with my bachelor's, but I was more concerned with getting that Master's degree. Well in 45 days, I will be walking on the stage one more time and receiving my degree...now I have to find another degree to work on ;)

Anyway, I went today to the Graduation Celebration for the supply store. Each semester, the campus supply store hosts a "celebration" which is basically a one-stop shop for all things graduation. Since I've already done this, I thought "This will be a breeze". Boy, was I wrong. First of all, I started off with the invitations. Because I had decided that I was just going to send these announcements to close family and friends because where I'm from although no one really gets their master's degree, no one makes a big deal out of it. I spent the majority of the time on the phone with my mom going, "Ok is this what we got last year, because that was too much". She and I both finally decided that 15 invitation/announcements would be sufficient. I decided not to get a package because I had the lovely embossed thank you cards and seals left over form last year so I did get to save some major money there (it was still 51 dollars just for the announcements and the envelopes!) Then, I get to the diploma frames. I of course want a diploma frame, but they are extremely expensive which is why my Bachelor's diploma is in an envelope in my room at home and not in one of these fabulous frames. Maybe by my third degree, I'll have 1 frame that I can just rotate my degrees in and out :). Next stop were the gowns. I was under the impression (no one told me this, I just came to this conclusion on my own), that I would luck up and not have to buy a gown which would save me more money. I mean a black gown's a black gown...why would I have to buy another one when I have a perfectly nice gown already hanging on the back of my door in my room. I just assumed they would hand me the lovely hood thing and a new black tassel and I'd be on my way...but boy was I wrong. Not only did I have to get a new gown (which by the way has these strange arm things which just makes it look like it was sewn incorrectly but apparently it is supposed to look like that) it was twice as much as the bachelor's gown (i was able to compare because my friend that was with me who is getting her bachelor's degree). I was informed that if I get an EdS, I could wear the same gown again, I would just have to buy a new hood, but when I get my PhD, I have to buy yet another gown...now I see why people decide not to walk. So the grand total for me to attend the ceremony (including the fee they already charged to my account)....$163.00. Of course, that does not include the over $20,000 dollars I've already spent just to get the degree....UGH. Anyway, I know it's a symbolic thing but you would think if you pay them that much money that graduation stuff would be included...that's what I would do if I ran a University :) Anyway enough of my ranting, here is a picture of my gorgeous gown (which sadly costs more than many of my dresses). I'm sorry that you cannot tell much about the lovely arms, but at graduation, I'll try to take a picture with my arms out just so you can see :)

In the world of Maegan...

So, I did not blog from home as I thought I would because we are still on dial-up and it is not as convenient to get online (I know, I'm so spoiled by my high-speed and wireless). I went to go see my baby brother play baseball in Hoover and I was proud of him! Although he is very good, he just got released not too long ago from his ACL injury so the coach told him he'd rather save him for play-offs at the end of the season instead of exhausting him during the regular season so he hasn't been playing a lot. Anyway, he got to bat at one of the games (which was the first time he'd hit from a live pitcher in a year!) and hit it well, but right to a shortstop. He was pretty bummed, but he did just as well, if not better than most of the guys that have been playing all season. They ended up getting second place in the tournament :) Needless to say, the majority of my spring break was spent watching baseball and lying around the house. I came back to Tuscaloosa early Saturday morning to get ready for my friends' couple's shower. It went really well and everything turned out better than I would have hoped! (You can see pictures at her blog here ) Although I saw Alex for most of the day on Saturday, we still had our date night on Sunday. He grilled steaks and we just watched a couple of movies on TV and then I went home to rest.

I am still fighting this horrible sickness thing I have and the pollen that now covers Tuscaloosa is not helping. Now that things have slowed down a little, I'm trying to get my house in order for my parents visit next weekend, and my final class in Gadsden YAY!! I will update soon!!

Much love,
Maegan

Being sick is no fun :(

I know in my last post I said that Alex and I were both fighting a cold after our icy visit to Nashville...we definitely both lost that battle. The past week and a half has been rough on the both of us. Alex got the full-blown cold first so I spent the majority of last week trying to make it through my last few days of work and take care of him. My throat has been sore since the day we came back and it has been gradually getting worse so needless to say, Alex and I have been a pretty pitiful couple. We both had plans to go out of town (Alex to the beach with some buddies from the bar and me going home and to Birmingham to watch Josh play in a tournament) since it is our spring break, but our plans were shot thanks to our sicknesses :( We didn't even do anything Monday for St. Patrick's Day!!!! :(Alex is doing a little better, but I have not had a voice for the past few days. I am going to try and go home tomorrow and go see the doctor just to make sure it's not an infection that I need medicine for. Anyway, on a happier note my little brother got to play some yesterday. It was only a little (like half an inning) but he caught two outs so I'm sure it helped his confidence tremendously. I'm going to his game tomorrow night on my way home so I hope he gets to play! Also, my dear friend from college called me today to let me know she's having a baby girl!!! I'm so excited for her! She had a little boy while we were in undergrad (actually 3 years ago exactly cause he's having a birthday this week) and we all adopted him as our own so I'm very excited she's having a little girl that we can spoil now :)

Anyway, I'm going to raid my arsenal of drugs and see if I can find something to keep me from coughing the entire night...I'll try and update tomorrow or Thursday from home (if I can get the dial-up to cooperate with me ;)) Take care and have a Happy Wednesday!

Love!
Maegan

It's that time of year again: Wedding Season!!

Well, not your typical "Wedding Season" but in my world, wedding season has officially begun because I attended my first wedding of the year this weekend. It was for my friend Lauren who, although we have not talked in a while, I still consider one of my dear friends. We met doing Avanti orientation together back when we were Freshman and it is really hard to believe she's now married!! She has exquisite taste and her wedding was nothing short of a magazine/TV-worthy wedding. She, much like me, is a stickler for the details so I had high expectations for this wedding and she certainly did not disappoint :) Here is a picture of Alex and I at the reception:
Unfortunately, my camera died (I thought I had grabbed new batteries, but apparently I grabbed some old ones) so this was the only picture I got. However, another friend of mine took a great deal of pictures (she was a bridesmaid) so I'll "borrow" some from her when she uploads them :) Alex and I did have an amazing time though...and as always, Lauren threw a fabulous party! :) We spent 4 hours driving there to get ready, head to the wedding, the reception, go back to the hotel sleep for a few hours and then drive 4 hours back to Tuscaloosa. Needless to say, we were exhausted when we got back on Sunday evening. On top of that, we've both caught a cold (probably because it was snowing and icey in Nashville) but all and all is was a good weekend.

I've got several other weddings coming up in the near future and although mine is no where in sight, it's still fun to think about planning it. Since I'm addicted to event planning, I've begun killing time at work reading planning blogs which of course do a lot of wedding stuff. I've had fun rifling through all of the stuff and making notes in case I get married someday :) Too bad you can't just have a wedding for the heck of it! ;)

Anyway, I've been lazy this afternoon since I'm not feeling well, but I'm about to have to trek back to the office for a meeting so I'll try and update again later :)

Love,
M

Big News...

When I arrived home today, I checked my mail as I usually do and as I was pulling the mail my heart stopped when I saw the last envelope...it was from the College of Ed which could only be my comps results. I hurried into my apartment (just in case I needed to cry) and opened it. I've learned over the years just to look at the first word and that usually gives the indication...and thankfully the first word was CONGRATULATIONS so needless to say I was ecstatic. So now I know I will definitely be graduating in May :)

To celebrate, Alex took me to Chuck's. I cost him way too much money, but being the amazing guy that he is he didn't even flinch. :) He is too sweet!! :) It was great to spend some time with him and have a dinner during the week :)

Anyway, just wanted to share my big news! :)

Lazy Sunday's

I must begin by saying, I'm loving this gorgeous weather. Although I keep trying to pull out my bright colors, I am old-fashioned and just can't make myself do it until after Easter. Since it is much earlier this year, I won't have to wait long!

My parents went down to South Alabama this weekend to watch Josh (or his team) play in a baseball tournament. I had originally planned to go, but since my family members are not people that plan ahead, I just couldn't get everything in order to go with them. Unfortunately, Josh's leg was bothering him so he still didn't get to play. I feel so bad for him because he's been released to play, but he forgets that he had a major injury and tries to push himself way too hard. He's like me...he wants instant gratification. Please keep him in your prayers that he makes a healthy and speedy recovery!

Since I had originally planned to go with the fam, I didn't make many plans for this weekend. It was nice though because I got to catch up on some sleep (and I actually think I got a little too much!) and relax. I had planned to do some spring cleaning, but of course that did not happen! I did watch a lot of "Chick Flicks" and the entire 3rd season of "Sex and the City" (I've been putting it off because it's my last set I own...I need to go out and purchase the rest).

As most of you know, Sunday is mine and Alex's "date night". We've had so much going on this semester most of our date nights have turned into us sitting and watching TV. Alex had told me on Saturday night that he just wanted to sleep so I didn't bother to call him and at about 6ish he called me saying he was up and asked me what I wanted to do for food and for our date night. We finally decided on dinner and a movie. Since Alex and I have been dating a while, we don't go out on many stereotypical dates (we did that in high school), but when we do I get excited because they are so rare :) Anyway, we are both indecisive people so it is always tough for us to decide what to do but we finally settled on Olive Garden for dinner. When we left, we went by the movie theater and decided to see Semi-Pro. It's a typical Will Ferrell movie, but if you like his stuff...you'll love this. Since we were getting home fairly early, we decided we'd watch another movie at his apartment because there was nothing else to do (with his big screen and surround sound...we love watching movies over there!). We started watching Wedding Crashers on TV while we decided on a movie from On Demand. We finally chose "The Brave One" watched that, watched TV for a bit and saw and advertisement for the "Heartbreak Kid", so we decided to watch that as well. So we had our own little movie marathon! It was nice and relaxing and we got to spend some time together and for the first time, neither one of us had anything pressing to do so we got to truly relax and enjoy each other's company.

What can I say, I love my lazy Sundays with Alex :)

Have a happy Monday!

Maegan