Who says Ohio isn't football country?

As the 2009 college football season kicks off, I'd like to bring everyone's attention to this lovely fact (brought to you by USA Today):

And while less than 4% of the U.S. population lives in Ohio, 15% of college football's major-conference head coaches were born there, the most from any state, according to the Journal. These also happen to be some of the nation's most successful coaches: 14 of the last 18 teams to make it to the national championship game had head coaches with Ohio connections.

Some current examples:

Jim Tressel, The Ohio State University -- Born in Mentor, OH
Bob Stoops, University of Oklahoma -- Born in Youngstown, OH
Urban Meyer, University of Florida -- Born in Ashtabula, OH
Bo Pelini, University of Nebraska -- Born in Youngstown, OH
Mark Dantonio, Michigan State University -- Grew up in Zanesville, OH
Les Miles, Louisiana State University -- Born in Elyria, OH
Gary Pinkel, University of Missouri -- Born in Akron, OH
Ron Zook, University of Illinois -- Born in Loudonville, OH
Mike Stoops, University of Arizona -- Born in Youngstown, OH
Jim Harbaugh, Stanford University -- Born in Toledo, OH
Mark Snyder, Marshall University -- Born in South Point, OH
Nick Saban, University of Alabama -- Played at Kent State University in Kent, OH


Read the rest of the USA Today article here.
And then read some more about Ohio being a college football goldmine:

• Successful College Football Coaches from Ohio Reflect State's Culture
• Why Ohio Makes the Best Coaches

GO BUCKEYES!! :)

GainesVegas Baby!

Yesterday I went to my second Gator game at THE SWAMP! First, I really really really love getting out of Orlando on the weekends. Maybe because I really don't like Orlando that much (have ya'll caught on to that yet?). So my friend Matt and I headed up to Gainesville yesterday morning to go to the UF/Citadel game. Obviously, we knew it was going to be an incredibly easy win for the Gators, but it was still a ton of fun! We stopped at Jess's apartment first and walked with Jess and Paisley (awww Paisels) to go get some lunch before Matt and I headed down to the stadium. Jess had to work on some homework so she met up with us at halftime. We left a little early from the game (in hopes to beat the crowd. ha, that didn't work) and then headed to Gators Dockside so Matt (a diehard Penn State Fan and Alum) could watch the rest of the PSU/MSU game. Of course, the Lions dominated that game too so it looks like they're Rose Bowl bound. Which hopefully means my Buckeyes are Capital One Bound...right here in ORLANDO!! Yes, I will be going and I will proudly be wearing Scarlet and Gray and my super awesome Buckeye necklace. Then, because I'm a great friend, Matt and I went to Burrito Brothers to get Ryan a burrito because he's obsessed with them. And then it was time to head home. I was exhausted after a great day.

Enjoy these lovely pictures from our fun day:

The super awesome Graffiti Wall.


Gator Chomp!!!



Matt's first game at The Swamp!!!

Now I'm trying to motivate myself to clean my apartment for my parents arrival in 3 days!!! (And let's hear it for 3 day work weeks!!).

Life Recap

I keep putting off writing a real post because I have so much to write about that I can't decide which to write about first. So instead, I'll recap it all, here, in this post. And then if you want to know more, email/call/text/facebook me.

Running--It's been going well. I'm trying to avoid burnout, but I'm sure it's happening. I really really think this marathon will be my last for a while. I'm going to try to stick with just 1/2 marathons after that. Training just seems to be consuming my every thought and all my time. Today, though, I had a really good run. My long run was 16 miles and I was running with my running buddy, John. The weather was beautiful this morning--nice and cool and then when we got to around mile 12, we were running by a small lake when I saw something out of the corner of my eye. It was an otter!! It was only a few feet away and it jumped in the lake and swam around and then came back up on the shore and kept looking at us (we had stopped to look at it for a minute) and then it jumped back in the lake. It was so cute!! Also, I ran a 10k last weekend and I got my PR!! I was excited to see that despite what it feels like sometimes, I am improving and all the miles are paying off!

Football--I went to my very first Florida Gator football game yesterday (Against South Carolina and Steve Spurrier!!). It was an amazing experience!! We had 50 yard line seats and the game was really really good (despite the rain). I'm going again this weekend to see the UF/Citadel game. Very excited!

Here's a picture of Ryan and I from the game:


Gainesville--Ryan and I went up Friday night before the game to stay with Jess so we could hang out for a bit. I laughed so stinkin' hard at both of them. Saturday morning Jess told me she'd go running with me so we set out on our run...and lasted about 6 mins before we decided to walk. But then I got a nice tour of campus from Jess instead. It was great. And this might have been the funniest things from our hour long walk:

(Walking through campus as people are already tailgating):
Kristi: Aww, I wish I looked cute right now so the guys would hit on us.
*About 30 seconds pass*
Random Guy: Hey girls!
Jess: Heyyyyy! (then kind of whispering) if you're talking to us.
Kristi: Jess, I think he was Hispanic
Jess: Omigosh, we have to go back and find out!

Hahaha sooo funny. My other favorite conversation:

Jess: (coming out of the kitchen with a box) Guys, I've really been craving some coffee cake lately, so I went to the grocery and bought a box Krusteaz (as she prounces it Crusty Ass).
Ryan: Uh Jess, that's German and it's pronounced Krusteaz (and he prounces it the right way).
Jess: Ooooooh, I really thought it was prounced Crusty Ass.

Later we told the story to Ryan's parents and his dad proceeds to tell Jess, "It's times like these that I worry about you, Jess" Hahaha.

St. Augustine--Fawn and I went on a random daytrip last weekend to St. Augustine. Neither of us had every been there before and we both wanted to go to the Fountain of Youth, so we decided to go for the day! It was sooo much fun. We went on a trolley tour around the city and saw a bunch of touristy things before stopping at the Fountain of Youth where we had the most disgusting water ever. But now we both feel much more youthful. Much. We also went on a Haunted Ghost Tour that night which was soooo much fun! It was about really interesting historical stuff, too. We're hoping to go back again because there was a lot of stuff we wanted to do that we just didn't have time for. Here's a picture from our day:



Baking-I've been in the mood to bake a lot lately! I think it comes with the holidays. I made pumpking cookies with carmel frosting (one of my favorites!) a couple of weeks ago. This past week a tried a new recipe I found on the internet for Sweet Potatoe Zuchinni Bread. It was AMAZING! And it was soooo easy to make! Hopefully I'll get to make some more soon! I'm working on compiling a list of ingredients for Thanksgiving right now, though. My parents are coming here for Thanksgiving so I'm cooking! I'm excited. It'll be nice to see them and just relax and spend time with them. Anyway, here's a picture of my yummy bread (and I promise you, it was soooo yummy):





Music-Omigosh can we talk about all the new songs I'm obsessed with as of recent? Seriously, this should be a blog in itself. Then again, if you've been following my twitter you'd already know all of my new favorite obsessions. But here they are anyway:

"Come on Get Higher" -- Matt Nathanson
"Black Keys" -- Andy Black
"Beautiful Life" -- Fisher
"Be Be Your Love" -- Rachel Yamagata

And in a week, Rachel and I are going to see OneRepublic and Augustana in concert. This would be the 3rd time I've seen both of them this year!! I love, love, loooove these two bands. Especially live! And I'm excited to hang out with Rachel!

Church-I absolutely love my church family. I honestly believe that the highlights of my week are Sunday and Monday evenings. Church is on Sunday evenings (soon to be mornings in January!) and City Group is on Monday evenings. I'm just really enjoying getting to know the people of the church, getting more involved, and feeling like part of a family. It's been a real struggle for me here in Orlando at times to feel at home and I finally found where I feel at home. If I could spend my entire week giving, connecting, helping, etc. at this church, I would. I really believe in their mission and believe that God is doing great things through City Church.

Okay, so that's all for now. Basically the gist is that life is busy and chaotic and wonderful and good and stressful and crazy all at the same time. And I've never felt more of a need to rest in the love of my Savior and more loved by my Savior. I'll tell you more about that if you're ever interested!

1/2 Buckeye / 1/2 Gator

I may be the only Buckeye and Gator fan in the country. And I'm alright with that. (Of course, if there's a Buckeye/Gator match up again...Buckeyes trump Gators). Anyway, I'm very very excited because I'm going to my very first Gator game this weekend!!! Yes, I'll be at The Swamp on Saturday dressed in my Gator Gear! Annnd, I'm going to the game next weekend too!! How exciting!!

Annnd, my dad and I are crossing our fingers that OSU will be playing in the Capital One Bowl here in Orlando on New Years Day!! Dad is already looking up flights to Orlando in hopes that we can go to the game together. How great would that be?!?

Soooo, here's to hoping I get to see 3 college football games this season!! Ahhh I love College Football!! :)

GO GATORS!! :)

STILL a Buckeye

A sad day.  A very sad day indeed.  But the Buckeyes played hard.   And I'm still proud to be an OHIO GIRL!  Because no debate to be had--Ohio Girls are Best. :)  GO BUCKEYES!

(And still excited about going to see the Gators, too, though!  Possibly going to 2 games now!!  yay!)

I heart the Buckeyes!

It's all about perseverence

Check it out

GATOR FOOTBALL!!

Okay first let me preface this by saying that my allegiance lays first and foremost with THE Ohio State University Buckeyes.  So, with the BCS rankings being released I am THRILLED that OSU is ranked where they are.  And I'm still holding out hope for us.

Now, let me continue.  Living in Florida and having many many friends who are Gator (die hard) fans, I've started to become a Gator Fan as well.  I mean, hey, can you blame me?  They're a good, talented team.  So I am excited to say that I will be going to my very first game at The Swamp in just a few weeks.  GO GATORS!!  And I will be sporting Orange and Blue.  It's actually a cute shirt, don't hate.  We have seats on the 50 yard line (!!!!) for the UF/South Carolina game.  OH.MY.GOSH.  It's gonna be sweet.  Sweet, I tell ya.

But all my fellow Buckeyes, don't you worry.  I'll secretly be cheering on the Buckeyes the entire time!!

Go Tigers

It's the middle of May and I'm ready for Fall. Mainly, for 2 reasons. Reason numero uno. Florida summers suck. Like seriously. Hot. Sticky. Muggy. Sick. Don't get me wrong...the other 9 months of the year are super fabulous, but these 3 months of summer I'll live in the AC and/or the pool.

But let's move on to numero dos. College Football. I love College Football. Granted, it's not quite the same down here in Florida, but I can still cheer for the Buckeyes!!! (Don't judge me). Anyway, tonight my friend Rachel and I were talking about how much we love college football. She's a Clemson grad and was saying that she wants to go to the Clemson/FSU game this fall. I told her since I couldn't see the Buckeyes play here in Florida I'd totally go to the game with her. She asked if I'd dress in Clemson colors, too, and of course I said yes. It's so much more fun to be at a game and be cheering for one of the teams than to just go watch a game. So come this fall, I will be a Clemson Tiger fan for a day. Then it's back to Scarlet and Gray for me...