The Underdog Diaries

Underdog: one at a disadvantage and expected to lose

Underdogs are common in today's world, in politics, competitions, athletics, relationships, academics, etc. They are everywhere you look. There cannot be an actual competition unless one of the competitors is an underdog, even if it's only a slight one. Now there are positives and negatives to being labeled an underdog. I know that from personal experience, it can be fun and frustrating to be one. On the positive side, it gives you motivation. Nothing gave me more determination to win than when other people doubting my ability. I needed to prove them wrong at all costs. Flying under the radar is also a positive. Nothing like sneaking up on your opponent and shocking them into disbelief. While I usually liked being an underdog, it was not always a good thing. There are times when you know the underdog has no chance, I mean absolutely no choice of winning. So instead of being motivated by this, I become saddened and lose some of my fight. I had those moments, but I am not proud of the fact that I became so discouraged.

Now you are probably wondering why I decided to write about this. If you read my earlier posts, you will find that I am a self proclaimed sports fanatic. I love to play, watch, and coach sports. I would major in sports at college if possible. (Instead I chose a major that gives me the opportunity to work with athletes, a win-win situation.) I spend a lot of times with the t.v. turned to the ESPN family of channels much to the dislike of my roommates. So over the last couple days I have become increasingly more obsessed with my home state Milwaukee Bucks stepping up in the playoffs. They lost the first two games of the best of seven series to the Atlanta Hawks. Then the Hawks came to visit the Bradley Center. Judging by the media coverage and the first hand accounts I heard, that place was nuts. The fans were amazing and the place was rocking. The Bucks ended up holding onto their home-court and evened the series at 2-2. Now many of the talking heads were still not sold that the Bucks could go back to Atlanta and steal the all-important Game 5. Well needless to say, the underdog Bucks fought back from 9 down with about 4 minutes left in the game to win by 4 points. They have gone from a big underdog to a favorite as the potential series ending Game 6 will be played back in Milwaukee. It would be an understatement to say that Bucks fans are excited for the game. I would kill to be at the Bradley Center when the ball goes up for the opening tip-off of Friday. But that doesn't mention my favorite two things about this. Number 1: The Fear the Deer slogan.

(Photo Courtesy of Gaea Times)
And Number 2: Brandon Jennings. Between them, basketball is relevant back in Wisconsin and this sports fan could not be happier.

(Photo Courtesy of Getty Images)

And while all this sports action has cut into my studying, I could not be happier. But I will have to make an effort to not watch some much once next week comes. I feel like I am an underdog when it comes to some of my classes. However, I have every intention of proving them wrong and rocking my finals. Bring it on classes, bring your best. I'm ready.

So I need to hear again, "There is no finish line."~Nike

AJ

The Joys of Registration

I had the unfortunate task of registering for my classes for next semester. This is something I have hated doing since high school. Luckily for me, I went to a small high school so my options were limited. At one of the largest universities in the country, you can just imagine all the options I have when it comes to classes. So on my weekend to do list was writing down all the classes I wanted/have to take and make a tentative schedule for what we week would look like. But I found some unexpected obstacles along the way. As I was recently admitted into my degree program, my classes are no longer general classes or for liberal education requirements. Instead, I have a list of 10 classes I have to take between now and graduation. This became my first obstacle when only two of them are offered next semester. That left me with those 2 classes, not bad but I was planning on taking 2 other classes off that list so I had to adjust from there.

My next obstacle was finding a physical education class that I could actually participate in. With my two knee surgeries, I am severely limited in my athletic abilities. So I was left with weight training class. Not a bad thing, except when I find out it's an 8 am class twice a week. Ouch.

With that, my schedule was getting closer to being done. Now my toughest task needed to be tackled. I had one outstanding liberal education requirement I had been putting off. It happens to be an Arts/Other Humanities class. Well I am one of the least artistic people you will ever meet. So my list of 200 classes was cut down to about 15 rather quickly. Of my options, only 3 peaked my interest enough to do more research about them. Following some communication with my advisers and more research, I decided on the easiest class of the 3. Yeah, I'm not above being a slacker when the rest of my course load is going to be daunting.

With that last class picked out, my schedule was complete. 16 credits, only one class on Thursday and Friday, and hopefully more time to work. I can't really complain now. But I reserve the right to change that once I start next semester.

So now I have only 25 days left of the semester to get through. Once that's over, this is the first place I am headed. So looking forward to home.


As Nike says so well, "There is no finish line."

AJ

Making Videos for Class

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Reliving my Favorite Trip

So I should have been doing homework, but I wandered into my photo gallery instead. I found so many pictures I had forgot that I took. From my first college football game here at school to the random Saturday trip to the Zoo, all these photos brought back so many amazing memories. But there was a group of pictures that stood out more than others, my trip to Spain a few years ago. It's not that I didn't remember going on the trip, it was how much of it I couldn't recall doing off the top of my head. With that said, I want to share some of my trip including photos and little stories about my favorite trip yet.
This was one of the first places we headed. It looks like an indoor rain forest, which is pretty much what it was. In fact, the building still serves as an active train station. We even got to see the turtles and frogs living down in the ponds by the trees.


This is one of my favorite pictures I took. The aqueducts were so cool to see. They lasted for several miles. It truly is an engineering marvel that they are still together and haven't fallen apart.


The Valley of the Fallen is a memorial to the many who dies during their war. This cross is almost 500 feet tall and it takes about a 2 mile hike to get up to it. Once at the top, the view was amazing. I could see Madrid from there. I have never been so thankful that my friends pushed me to climb all the way up.


Probably the most incredible sunset I have ever seen. It was amazing just standing on our balcony and seeing this as I looked out over the city.



Sevilla, one of my favorite cities. I loved everything about that city. It was one of my favorite places. The highlight was probably the view from the top of the tower pictured above. From there, we could see all parts of the city. The funniest part was seeing the pools that were on some of the roofs. We asked if our hotel had one, but it did not unfortunately.


The Alhambra is amazing. It is located in one of the last strongholds for the Moors as they were being conquered. It was so cool to see the different architecture they used. The arches, the details, the reflective pools, all of it was truly awesome.


One of our last spots was this amazing garden. We just had hours to walk around and enjoy the beautiful flowers, not to mention the fantastic weather. Some of the flowers looked perfect, like this rose. Also, all the colors were so vibrant. Now if only they would have let us pick some that would have been cool.

So that is just a small portion of my trip to Spain. I never bet tired of seeing these pictures. It reminds me of how thankfully I am that I was given the opportunity to travel and I look forward to visiting many more amazing places.

As always, "There is no finish line."~Nike

AJ

The Balancing Act

When I was a kid, I was an avid gymnast who loved performing on the balance beam. I think it was because that I enjoyed the difficulty it involved. Many of my fellow gymnasts were not fond of it, while I was always asking to use the balance beam more. As a grew up, I became a serious athlete. As an athlete, being balanced is a key to success. If you have ever tried to throw a discus in track or set a volleyball while unbalanced, well all I can say is good luck with that. Because of these experiences, I learned early on the importance of having balance in my life.

Now that I find myself in college, balance is even more important. Between classes, work, volunteering, hanging out with friends, studying, relaxing, going to Church, and watching sports, I have to balance it all out. In order to accomplish this, I have a planner that basically contains my whole life. I write everything down with times and color-code different things by order of importance. That may seem strange but having a written schedule allows me freedom. Before you ask who that is possible, let me explain. Because I schedule everything, including the times at which I will start and stop doing schoolwork and studying, I have the freedom to do what I want after the time is up. So each night I give myself at least 30 minutes to just unwind and watch t.v. or bum around on the internet. This little bit of time is what I think keeps me sane. I would be willing to bet that without it, my roommates not be able to live with me. So I do this as much for them as for me.

Yes life can be crazy and out of control at times. But finding the balance needed can help you focus your energy and get more things accomplished in the day while also having the free time you want to enjoy. Just makes me glad that I learned how to balance everything when I was younger.

-AJ

"There is no finish line." ~Nike

Appreciate the Little Things

As I sit here on the grass of my college campus, I am reminded of the little things in life that we oh so often forgot. Whether these things just become so normal that we forgot or we simply focus on the negative that the positive things just slide right on by unnoticed. I want to take this time to acknowledge the things I so often forget.
- The gorgeous day here. Living in the Midwest my whole life, I sometimes take nice spring days like today for granted.

- The daily text from my mom and/or dad just saying have a good day or good night.

- The long talks I have with my 3 roommates about life, faith, homework, boys, friends, etc. I sometimes don't remember how lucky I am to have 3 fantastic roomies and life-long friends.

- The random facebook posts from friends saying they miss me or just wanted to say hi. I know it makes my day when I see them.

- The fact that twitter can keep me entertained for hours.

- All the electronic devices I use every day that many don't have the privilege of using or owning.

-The fitness center I forgot about or don't use when I'm being lazy. Good thing is that it's only a minute from my apartment door.

- The job I have working with inner city kids. I sometimes lose sight of the fact that my being there is a great help to them and a great opportunity for me to be a positive role model to kids who need one.

- The fact that I am sitting at this amazing University with the opportunity to gain an education. I am forever grateful to my parents for the private schools they sent me to growing up because without it, I am positive I would not have got into the U or been able to survive & thrive here.

And now for a few funny little things
- The ping pong balls I keep finding around the apartment as a reminder of the last party we had.

- The vase of fake flowers in the living room to show that real flowers are dead within a day of being here.

- The pictures that show what it looks like to have random theme nights.

- The package of margarita salt that reminds me that tequila is not my favorite.

So as this day turns into night and we make our way into Spring, take time to remember the little (or big) things we often don't acknowledge. I know that I am not alone in this. After all, it's the little things in life that can bring us the most joy.

AJ

"There is no finish line." ~Nike