Guilford College Women's Tennis

A New Year; A Fresh Start

This was the first year I didn't have a New Year's resolution.  Yes, it's good to have that extra motivation to better oneself, but I personally have been working on all that I want to change.. There are a few things I want from this New Year, however, including but surely not limited to: New adventures, new friendships, new relationships and the cliche answer, happiness for my friends and family. 

My year has already proven to be amazing thus far. I won't bore you with the details, but I will tell you that I am happy.  What else comes with the start of a new year? Tennis season! This starts up soon(ish), but I can tell you that I will not let it affect my work ethic or internships.  It is a release that I enjoy, though. I did decently last season, but I naturally strive for more. At this point, doubles partners are also up in the air; I'm nervous but I'm completely confident that everything happens for a reason.

I'm contemplating taking Coach Parke's conditioning class, as well. Thus, the plan so far is to wake up early and go running daily, around 7 AM and take the class twice a week at 8:30 AM, followed by some classes/nap time, working out & practice. The last part of me that I need to improve to be the happiest I can and want to be is to get back into my active lifestyle; I've lost touch the past couple months.  My goal is to run a half marathon before the start of 2011 - wherever I happen to be.

Well, I thought it was time for a post, but it's 2:42 AM and I'm tired! Keep it classy.

Rock on.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Connecticut is too cold for me! Ughh! I cannot wait to be back in Greensboro :) I'll by back by the 4th and broadcasting the men's basketball game on the 6th! Let's gooooo!

So, I'm in this local (kind of) coffee shop located in quaint Putnam, Connecticut called Victoria Station.  It's incredible; the food is great and the hot apple cider is even better.  This has become a spot where my better friends and I come back to when we're together; right now I'm with Eileeny! (Aweeee, this seemingly high school aged boy was sitting at the table next to us with a gift and just got up, sadly.. I really hope some jerk girl didn't think she was too good for him and stood him up, but he definitely left).  Some holiday spirt.. 

On a more positive note, on my first night home, I got snowed in at Eileen's cottage at Alexander's Lake with our friend Chris.  To get how much this meant to me, you have to know about Eileen.  She and I got off to an awkward start because I met her playing tennis with out mutual friend, Christina (who is getting married August 14, 2010!).  I was rude because I am super competitive and playing terribly.. She disliked me but we started working together at Camp Wallaby (formerly Owen Bell Day Camp) and hit it off! We were inseparable this past summer and I thus was happy to see her!  Anyway, when the snow began to fall, we went and took a plethora of pictures at Davis Park (which is about 50 yards from my house).     More pictures are on my Facebook, if you'd like to check them out! 

I'm embracing this time at home, although I'm more than slightly anxious to return to Greensboro, for I'm not sure how much time I'll be able to spend with my family in the future, with some moving to Arizona and me starting to live my life and gaining the experiences necessary to be successful.  

But, Greensboro has my heart.  I completely love being there, love all my friends: love love love it! And, more recently, I've slid out of my merely content phase; I'm HAPPY! I'm kind of nervous about it all, but I'm welcoming it - which is very unlike me.  Regardless, I'm not going to fight something that seems like it's the best thing that has been in my life.

What else does being back in Greensboro bring? Tennis season; I'm pretty sure we start back up very shortly after everyone returns! This is bitter sweet to me, as it is cold & it will be cold looking cute on the courts, which is a must.  Also, my free time is gone & I'm going to have to be better with time management if I want to continue working out (haha...who am I kidding? I HAVE to do that) and have an extra class on the course load this semester. 

Well, that's my input for now :) Come back soon & in the meantime, stay classy.

Rock on.

Winter Break!

I'm finally done for the year; this semester was miserable.  However, I managed to learn a ton about friends, life, relationships and bunnies! Some call him Al, some call him Lil' Richie - but, to me, he's Bram: Bram Cracker! (I sincerely hope you understand the play on words.. Graham Cracker, Bram Cracker haha!) Regardless, I bought a bunny as a gift for one of my best friends at home! He's small, white & fluffy.  

Tennis starts up shortly after we get back from break. Unfortunately, I have classes later in the day and this will affect practice.  Maybe I can practice with the boys' team.. who knows! I won't have my internship as much, so that'll help, although it makes me so sad :( I'm completely enthralled with the ACC!

On another note, it's almost the new year.  New Year's to me is a chance to change or tweak ideologies, beliefs, morals and how you live your life.  I am making several changes, although none crazy severe.  Some of this comes from my time with the ACC and our time in Tampa - which was incredible.. I caught a glimpse this past weekend of what I want to do for "work" for the rest of my life, or a good portion of it.  I am becoming more focused, as I will be the first to admit I allowed myself to get distracted this semester. However, a good portion of that distraction is gone and I'm back to being myself.

Part of the optimism comes from the fact the semester is done, partly considering my internship but mostly from me.  I've generally been a happy-go-lucky gal but recently let myself think too much and was naive.  The truth is that you cannot get upset at situations of which you have little to no control.  You live, you learn and you smile.

After all, every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end :) Try something new; wish on every 11:11, 1:11, 3:33, etc. Let go of your worries & be you - the only person you have to spend the rest of forever with is yourself!

I'm sure I'll blog from my cold hometown of Killingly, CT. Until then, rock on.

Cold Weather & That Finals Fever

It just doesn't mix well. I guess we'll all be that much happier when finals are finally done (pun intended).  I have 3, one on Monday, one on Tuesday and one on Wednesday.  Post-finals, I shall go to the gym to celebrate and nap until the boys' basketball game that night.  I'm still deciding when I want to drive home.  I suppose by the rules, I should be out by 3:30 on Thursday - it'll probably happen :) However, I have a ton to do before then! I have to pack (I'm bringing a ton home that I don't really need here), donate clothes to Plato's Closet and make sure my room is clean for inspections.  

I'm excited to get away from school for many reasons.  Naturally, I'm going to miss friends, but I am excited to see family & friends at home, not to mention my puppy! I miss him like crazy (I guess he's not really a puppy anymore-he's almost 6..) The only thing I'm dreading about home is that it is so cold (Connecticut is just so far away!).  But, I'm helping coach an 11-year-old boys travel basketball team with my favorite coach growing up. That's exciting :) As is seeing family that just moved to Arizona and relaxing with my mother.  

With finals comes a new beginning.. We can start fresh with classes, with those New Year's Resolutions, new relationships, etc.  Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.  I think this might be extremely true for me, as I always welcome a nice change! 

I'm sure I'll blog after finals - but until then, best of luck! And celebrate thoroughly when you're done! 

Rock on.

Sorry It's Been So Long!

I'm sorry I haven't updated the blog in awhile; I've been extremely busy preparing for this past weekend. For those of you whom are unaware, I am an intern with the Atlantic Coast Conference. We flew down to Tampa for the ACC Championship this past weekend! It was extremely exciting! I don't even know how to describe with words how important and meaningful it was for me.

I met some really amazing people, got fabulous photos, worked extremely hard and enjoyed the game from the field! If you want specific stories, please find me; there is far too much to write on this blog.

Regardless, I caught a glimpse this weekend of what is truly important to me in life and what I really want to do. I felt so special being a part of something so incredible. I want people to ask me questions because I'm wearing a blue jacket with the ACC logo and a walkie talkie. I want to market a product. I want to be on the field for football games. I love seeing what truly goes on behind the scenes - and trust me, it's a ton more than I had even imagined!

I'm writing this as I'm watching the BCS Selection Show, which is just another part of my life that has changed.. I have become obsessed with football! I can't lie, I love it.

Okay, I need to unpack, watch this show and get to sleep; I'm so wiped!

Keep it classy

Life, Laugh, Love

I'm changing up the font a little bit, hope you don't mind! It's late on Wednesday night (almost early Thursday morning) and I just finished cleaning my room entirely.  I mean, entirely. I vacuumed, organized my drawers & shoes, put my hat collection out for all to see, organized where I keep my books and my desk, etc.  When things just aren't going right, I clean, but I love every second of it.  

Today was the eighth anniversary of my best friend Kaitlyn Dawn's death.  She was twelve and two months years old.. she died of a brain tumor.  Kaity was one of the most genuine people I have ever met.  A lot of the things I do today are in her honor, such as donating plasma.  Regardless, it was a rough day all around.  Silver lining: I know she's watching over me and helping me out as I truck along.  

Because of this, today is just one of those days, annually, that I look at everything in my life, analyze it and decide whether or not it should be there; life is too short to be merely content.  Luckily, I can say that I am happy.  I just figured out my ideal schedule for next semester; it's amazing! I'll have no classes on Friday, two on Monday: 6-8pm and 8:10-10:10 pm, one on Thursday: 1-2:15, one on Wednesday (lab from Monday) 6-8, and two on Thursday: 1-2:15 and 7:25-10:10.  Thus, I can work, put in more office hours for my internship, work out like I would love to have the time to do everyday and just enjoy life, including that sunshine that is vital for my complete and utter happiness.

Another plus: I have four classes that double-count, so I can indeed double major: Sport Management and Business Management.  I'm very excited about this; I love school, I love learning.  Call me a nerd and I'll tell you that you are 100% correct.  

OH! The POWDERPUFF game is this Friday (November 13, 2009).  I am quarter back, naturally.  I have been waiting and waiting for this event.  Granted, it was postponed for good reason, however I am glad to get it underway.  Let's just hope this weather holds up!

My Title IX article is coming.. I promise.  It HAS been pushed a week though; I promise it's good.  There's nothing quite like getting your thoughts to come through without directly editorializing.. I can dig it.  

I'm thinking about getting involved with WQFS - what are your thoughts?  I'd like to have a show: Ask Paulette.  I think I am rational and love giving advice enough to make this work.. It's something I've been interested in. 

Hmmmmm, something to think about.

Rock on.

Vraiment

Or, directly translated from French: "Really." Yes, that really did happen, truth.  Sometimes you come to realize the important aspects of life through television.  For example, in "He's Just Not That Into You," Jennifer Anniston is dating Ben Affleck.  They dated for 7 years and she was frustrated because he did not want to get married.  On a smaller scale, what do relationship titles really mean?  Nothing.  It's just a way to broadcast to the world that you are 1) not single and 2) used to hold yourself back from other potential temptations.  Who's business is it anyway?

What I'm saying is that personal business should remain just that .. personal.  As long as you're on the same page, literally or figuratively, with your work, boss, friends, etc, that's all that matters - an understanding.  A bond is, after all, stronger when this is accomplished and sometimes made more exciting when things are kept on the DL.

This relays into everyday life, sports, etc.  As long as you are happy, more so than solely content, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. It's your life - you have earned the right to be selfish.  You get to decide who you want to spend time with, what you want to do, how productive you are going to be, etc.  The only person that will always and forever be in your life is you - take steps now to improve your relationship with yourself.  

On an uneasy note, tennis is starting this week. Wednesday & Thursdays, although I have my internship on Wednesdays.  It's cold outside. There are variables. We shall see how this turns out.

Take my food for thought and snack on it .. you cannot truly love anyone or anything completely until you can completely love yourself. Until then, surround yourself with those who mean a lot to you, may it be best friends or what have you. Be true to yourself and for heaven's sake, stay classy.

Rock on.

Keep On Keepin' On

Tennis is starting up again this week! We are having our captains practices, if any new girls would like to come out.  Please e-mail me or comment me on here!

Halloween was yesterday.  'Twas a great time.  During the day, at the ACC, I was a Back Judge, which made it humorous that I was wearing a white referee hat, courtesy of R. Douglas Rhoads.  Regardless, I was a pink skittle at night.  It was a success and I ended up sleeping for twelve hours! This was something much needed.

I would also like to say that I lost to my boss in tennis the other week, after trash talking so much.  In my defense, I was ready for some scrub who'd played once or twice - not someone who admitted, after the match was done (0-6, 1-6) that he had the opportunity to walk on at Florida State. Not only was he good enough to play D1, he was good enough to play ACC tennis.

Anyway, I'm going to go read Breaking Dawn before the Celtics come on.  Hopefully Ray Ray and Sheed can continue this great start to a great season!

Elon basketball starts tomorrow; you'll see me there if you attend!

Rock on.

Are You Content or Are You Happy?

They really are two different animals.  I've been finding myself diving into the depths of these words a lot recently .. I am 100% content in Greensboro, North Carolina and attending Guilford College.  There are aspects of life here that genuinely make me happy, although the percentage is not quite as high.  My internship with the ACC, for example, makes me very happy.  But, I find that I crave more. That's always been my personality. Maybe I'll just never be that happy since I always strive for more, but I'm going out on an optimistic branch here and am going to say that I will be. But, is that here?

There are many stepping stones in life and I'm beginning to question whether or not this is one of mine.  Before any of you take offense personally at this remark, let me explain.  Last year, I was in love with Guilford and everything it has to offer.  Now, I'm beginning to think I was naive.  Do not get me wrong, Guilford is a great place, but I'm not sure it's for me at this point in my life. I feel as though I've grown so much in the past year - emotionally and otherwise.  I've met a couple people this year that have completely reminded me of my values and what my potential really is.  Please don't get me wrong, I am far from unhappy here.  However, this feels like a time in my life that I might wonder "What if?" What if I transferred to a larger Florida city where I could bask in the warmth of the sun and simultaneously thrive in the inevitable opportunities of the sports industry?  

On the other side of this balance is my internship with the ACC and my relationship with several faculty here at Guilford.  Ben, Allison, Doug and the rest of my ACC family mean more to me than I'll be able to put into words.  It's not just the personnel - it's also the atmosphere while enhancing my resume simultaneously.  I can honestly say that I enjoy doing tasks such as stuffing envelopes and registering youth participants for the youth celebration portion of the ACC football championship.  If I like this, I can only dream of what might be upcoming.  Might it be more beneficial to stay with the ACC for another two years and have three ACC years on my resume than to transfer having only one and hoping that I get lucky by meeting the right people in Florida?

If you know me at all, you know I psycho-analyze every situation and will undoubtedly write my pros and cons before I irrationally act. However, this is true and also food for thought.  How many people are even at college because they want to learn?  Has it not become the social and respected norm after high school?  Parents' expectations and peer pressure influence the decision of most individuals when looking for a college.  I stepped out of my northern comfort zone to enter the south for an education that I truly want (Yes, when I was a senior in high school, around November, I questioned my reasons for going to school and therefore know my actions are true now). 

Maybe it's a curse that I'm constantly thinking about how to improve myself and situations, but this concept of being happy versus being content is one that I really think will help shape my life. Humor me, think about it. Talk to a friend that you trust - even if you just met them this year; you'll never know - you might have a lot more in common with them than you could have ever expected.

On the tennis front, we're submitting our schedules to captains to begin some captains practices before the weather gets miserable. 

Rock on.

Cough Cough Cough.. Sniffle Sniffle

You guessed it; Paulette Wyatt is sick.  I managed to make it to the ACC this morning, from 10-4, however, which was a feat in itself.  I did registrations and was given two important projects to work on and complete by my Wednesday office hours.  I'm sick, so I will undoubtedly finish the tasks, and well might I add.  Weird, but when I'm all stuffed up, my reading comprehension and problem solving skills are improved immensely; don't ask why.. I won't know.

I was perhaps planning on taking a trip to Asheville today and Raleigh on Monday to visit two friends, but I'm pretty confident I will not make it to Raleigh and I sure as heck didn't make it to Asheville today.  I don't enjoy being ill, not that anyone does. On the plus side, with every cough I am plagued with, my abs get that much more of a workout - that's GOT to count for something. 

This coming week, permitting I feel better, I am playing my boss in a tennis match! I'm thoroughly excited and gives me some hitting practice, as the weather has been pretty crummy. 

Speaking of weather, I think this winter is going to be brutal; I'm not very excited for the cold when I go home, although the figurative warmth will be well worth it; I miss my mom, family, puppy & friends oodles! Also, hot apple cider by the fire sounds absolutely INCREDIBLE! 

On that note, I'm going to satisfy my hopeless romanticism by reading more of Breaking Dawn (book four in the Twilight saga).  I have 700 pages to finish, and think I can be done by Monday, or Tuesday the latest! 

Sleep well; rock on.