Thursday, September 30, 2010

Oh Auburn ... :)

I thought this was a worthy repost after Tuesday's update ....

Auburn hospitality sets standards

Gamecock fans can show team pride without being rude, disrespectful
By Josh Dawsey, Ellen Meder and Kara Apel
The Daily Gamecock

Welcome to Auburn.
Seriously. Welcome to Auburn.

Everyone said it - while giving directions, offering food, serving free drinks and speaking to all.
They shook hands. They thanked you for visiting.

And some even apologized just in case someone else was mean to you. It almost felt like there was a planned hospitality committee in this gorgeous, quaint town on the Plains. We all were in awe- the only rude fans we saw were wearing garnet and black.

Jordan-Hare Stadium was an incredible experience due to a raucous crowd, a fantastic gameday environment and a gorgeous eagle that swooped over the stadium and sat on the sideline. The crowd chanted the entire game, but there were no rude catcalls toward USC or untoward motions to the fans, at least from our vantage points.

This small town was the best of the best. Before the game, friends told us all the campus was like Clemson. Not true. This place was pristine with class. It had character. And the people had character. They even recycled.

Contrast that with nine days ago during the USC-Furman game. Our students screamed obscenities at a measly out-of-conference opponent. There were boos when the other team took the field. We were rude to Furman. Yes - Furman.

And that's not even considering Georgia. We all saw horrible exchanges during that game, from our students cursing out older fans to belligerent drunks throwing up in the student section to security guards escorting our students out by the multitudes.

Sure, other schools are rude. LSU and Georgia are among the worst. But as some of us have noticed, we're getting a reputation for being among the worst, too. Do we want that? Football is fierce and intense. But we believe our student body should desire to be above the fray - above the substandard, juvenile conduct of others. What does that say about us? Are we holding to our ideals?

This is not to say we should care less. Let's care more. But let's show some class, some respect and some South Carolina hospitality. Let's not scream obscenities or racial slurs at the other team.

It's sometimes said football is a lot like life. If so, we're leaving a lot to be desired.

Thank you, Auburn. You set the standard for what SEC football should be. If we have to lose, we'll lose there every time. From what we saw, you gave us the best of the South and the best college football has to offer. Let's do the same for Alabama in two weeks.

(sigh) I love Auburn. WAR EAGLE!


Tuesday, September 28, 2010

The loveliest village on the Plains

It is no secret that I love Auburn, AL, Auburn Univeristy, the Auburn area. I am a pretty big fan! It was even noted when I reconnected with some friends from when I was younger on Facebook "Of course you went to Auburn, you always did love it."
More than just loving Auburn I love Auburn in the fall. It's amazing. I don't know if it is the hype in the air over football, the leaves changing, the weather cooling ... it's just good. My mom and I keep talking about how much I'll miss it when I leave here. It's true. I have never lived anywhere as long as I lived in Auburn. This is a huge record: August 2003 - now. Auburn will always have a special place in my heart. Here are just a few pictures from my favorite town during my favorite time of year.
This is the first sign of Fall ... RV's rolling into town for football season!
The "normal" sign of Fall. This leaf was in our yard - I thought it was cool because it's massive!

We got free tickets to the Auburn vs. South Carolina game! I was THRILLED to be inside Jordan Hare Stadium. Jack (the Alabama fan) was just glad to see good SEC football for free. I just kept hollering "War Eagle!" Also, there is nothing like singing the Alma Mater in the stadium packed out with people. (sigh)
I love Auburn.

This was our view at the game. It was my first time to sit in the upper deck. It wasn't that bad at all. Other than the feeling that I was going to fall off the edge every now and then. It was good. We won ... it was GREAT!

Looking back I know the Lord has used my time in Auburn thus far to teach me about Him and stretch me in new ways. I am thankful for this "season" in Auburn. What a blessing that no matter where I go He will lead, guide and direct me.

WAR EAGLE!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Presents, Friends & Babies


It's been just one of those days for about 4 days now ... but a few things made today better!
#1 My sweet friend, Jennifer sent me these from Congo (via B'ham & her parents!)
It's a Congolese Doll and my favorite cookies from Africa! haha

#2 I got a call from a number I didn't recognize and it was SCHOOL TEACHER KYM!
She was with us in Zambia and finished up her 3 year stint in Malawi and is now home!
As she traveled yesterday from Washington (state) to Arkansas she called - I was sooo excited!

#3 Some friends/youth workers had a baby 2 weeks ago and I got to take them a meal and hold that sweet baby boy for about 45 minutes. This pic is not from our time together but this is what he did the whole time I held him! :) Isn't he sweet?

I ended the night with some friends, yummy dessert and prayer ... somewhere in all this my sweet Jack cooked supper too!

Jack and I still don't own Season 6 of The Office but hopefully that will be fixed today!


Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Our extended family ...

  Ok, so they are not literally our extended family. We do like them a LOT! Jack and I don't have cable so we watch episodes of The Office Seasons 1-5 - over and over. TODAY Season 6 comes out on DVD. We are especially excited because we didn't get to see the last several episodes due to our trip to Africa. If you're looking for us the next few days in the evening we will probably be on the couch watching "home videos" hahaha :)
Michael, Jim, Pam, Angela, Dwight, Andy, Ryan, Kelly, Toby, Stanley, Phyllis, Meredith, Oscar, Kevin, Creed, and Erin - we have missed you!