UNC BASKETBALL

I guess that we all have those off days and apparently Saturday was definitely one for the Heels. We lost to Maryland... ugggh! Well honestly, there is a lot to be said for a loss. For one thing, it's behind us and over. Anyone remember that loss to Santa Clara in 2004 (National Championship year)?? Who is Santa Clara? haha Yes, the referees in this game absolutely were horrible, but our boys just weren't playing with their hearts in it. The only saving grace of the game was the good company and the snow. The game was sloppy.. that's a nice way of putting it. Our guys looked slow and tired. So, next game the guys are going to get pumped and since we have now lost one game, the target that was on our backs has lessened just a little bit. No, they aren't going to lay down and let us walk all over them... but we're no longer the "undefeated" team. I would rather lose now, and win a national championship than win now and lose the national championship. So here's to the boys in BLUE.. we love you! Keep your heads up and lets play ball. GO HEELS.


Just in case you don't know... here is the UNC fight song (please stay until the end of the game and sing it with us... it's rude when you leave) and "Carolina Victory"

"Hark the Sound"
Hark the sound of Tar Heel voices
Ringing clear and true.
Singing Carolina's praises.
Shouting N-C-U.
Hail to the brightest star of all
Clear its radiance shine
Carolina priceless gem.
Receive all praises thine.
I'm a Tar Heel born
I'm a Tar Heel bred
And when I die
I'm a Tar Heel dead.
So it's Rah, Rah, Car'lina-lina
Rah, Rah, Car'lina-lina
Rah, Rah, Car'lina-lina
Rah! Rah! Rah! (Go to Hell Duke)

"Carolina Victory"
There'll be a Carolina victory
When cross the field our foe has fled
Cheer our team to Victory
For we are Tar Heels born and bred
Glory, glory U-N-C
Our hearts will live with thee
Rah, Rah, Rah!
Fight! Fight! Fight! For the blue and white
Are rolling to victory!

Back in the swing of things....

Welcome back to the blogging world, Leslie..

I'm currently putting off reading Wordsworth and writing a paper because I feel like this blog needs some attention. Recently, I have been pondering the premise that life is all about the choices you make. My question is, what happens when the choices you make aren't really your choices at all. For example, someone chooses for you. In your best interest, they might have chosen to withhold information from you, or they might have chosen to tell you something that truly rocked your world, or they might have chosen to end your relationship. All these things go to say that they were done "in your best interest," but is that the reality? Sometimes it can be a mutual sharing of interests, but what about those other times... The times when people say they are thinking about your best interests, but in reality, their decision will effect you greatly and it will also greatly effect your outlook on the person who made the decision for you. This is just a ramble, but it's crossed my mind.

At times I wonder, wouldn't it be better if I was given the truth and allowed to make a decision myself, rather than having someone make the decision for me, so that I might look more favorably upon them. Honestly, I think that I'd just rather have the truth. The point at which, I could take that truth and work with it. I think that is what I pray for the most, the truth. Even the truth about myself and how I relate with those around me is something that really interests me.

On the same token, the truth can be really really painful. We don't want to inflict pain upon those we love, but there are times where the truth needs to be spoken, with the intent of loving on the person you're being truthful with and letting them know that you're going to continue to love on them.



Ok.... I really don't know where I was going with this, but I now need to read some Wordsworth poetry because he really makes me happy. Read.. "I wandered lonely as a cloud." It's cute.

Sorry

Forgive me for ignoring my blogging for a while, I'm sure no one really cares. I'll probably be increasingly absent until next semester, or at least until exams are over. I had my first exam yesterday and today I've been sleeping, sleeping, cooking, and chillin. Oh, I worked out too. Tomorrow begins another day of studying!! Uggh! Well Cheers to everyone! It will all be over soon!

Go West Montgomery tomorrow! We're playing in the state championship game!! WAHOO!!

What have I been doin?

Naturally, life has been hectic here on the hill for the past few days. I have finished 4 of the 5 novels that I need to finish. I've already read the last on in a previous year, so I will be taking full advantage of sparknotes.. :)

I've been in a tizzy of sorts about those darn books, but I'm beginning to calm down. Oh... my time in Troy will not come soon enough. I am EXTREMELY excited to say that tomorrow is my last day of Economics EVER!!!! WAHOOOOO... with the exception of the exam!

On another note, praise God for Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, it has definitely helped me relax before bed.

Stay in prayer for our campus, this time of year is crazy!

Christmas Season...

So I'm in the midst of going crazy getting some books read for classes and finals next week. However, I just want to say that there are Christmas gifts sitting in the corner of my room and they want to be wrapped. So I might just go take some time to wrap a few. I feel like this would make me feel good. Good luck with exams everyone!!! It's gonna be fun!

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

Sweet Baby Jesus...

I am beginning this blog by reiterating how much crap that I have to get done for finals. I have 4 NOVELS to read (omg...), an econ homework to do, a paper to write, and somewhere in all of that, I need to sleep! Luckily, I'm still on the God high and I'm still being reminded about how much I am loved. God doesn't forget his children, so I'm resting in the thought that this is temporary stuff. He won't give me any more than he thinks I can handle. With that being said, I'm just going to keep treading water... :)

Luckily, I was reading a book this morning and the author is speaking about Mary and Martha.. and I turned to my Bible for a little refresher.. I'm going to take Jesus' words to heart.

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."


Right now.... Jesus is saying Leslie, Leslie...

Stress

I'm sitting in the union taking a break from doing any kind of work. I'm so tired! Finally falling asleep last night was nothing short of a miracle. I watched the clock until 3:30ish. What can you do?? By the time it is that late, you can't take anything for fear that you'll be so drugged up in class or you won't even wake up for class. Seeing that I had a paper due this morning in my 9:30 class, the pills weren't an option. Anyways, I fiddled around until I felt tired enough to sleep.

So here I am in the union watching people and I find it interesting how we all cope with stress. Places like the union and Davis have become increasingly packed due to the rapidly approaching exams. So here's a little update on people. One girl is going to town with her many highlighters on an unsuspecting paper... poor thing. Another chick is stretched out in a chair (head and neck hanging over the sides) with her book lying on her chest. So many people are blankly staring at the screens on their computers. Others seem to be doing the same thing I'm doing.... taking a break. Oh exams! We all start getting anxious and begin realizing that some classes were an absolute waste of time and others were the best of the best.

Here are a few helpful stress busters...
1) Breathe Slowly and Deeply
2) Maintain good posture (bad posture can lead to muscle tension and pain)
3) Drink plenty of water
4) Eat small nutritious snacks
5) Go outdoors for a brief break
6) Plan something rewarding for yourself at the end of the day