My Newest Gadget

Earlier this semester, I bought one of the most amazing gadgets! I was about to leave for the Tennessee game and knew that if I was going to spend the money, I'd really like having my new toy for the trip. So, with two days to spare, I made my purchase and started learning how to use my brand new Apple iPod Touch.

This is something I can't live without anymore. Because we are on a wireless campus, I can check my mail, facebook, and favorite news sources constantly! It's so portable! No, it doesn't replace my laptop, but I love how easy it is to use! The typing took a while to get used to,though. On long trips, I have my music and plenty of games to help time pass more quickly. There are 2-player games like air hockey, connect 4, and a game similar to guitar hero!

People ask me all the time why I didn't just get an iPhone. Really, I just didn't want a new phone service. Yes, the two devices are essentially the same except for phone capabilities, but the expenses that come with an iPhone just weren't worth it for me.

For someone who doesn't have as much access to wireless internet as I do, I'd probably tell them to pass on the iPod Touch, but for Alabama students, it is definitely worth it!

Sweet as Sugar

In case you haven't heard, Alabama football is headed to the Sugar Bowl! Now, some of you may be disappointed, but think back to the last week of August. If someone had told you that Nick Saban would carry the Tide all the way to Louisiana (and NOT SHREVEPORT) would you have believed them? I doubt I would have. We started this thrilling football season with a big win against a highly-ranked team, and the rest is history. We've snapped streaks, broken records, and seen a whole lot of awesomeness from people like Javy Arenas, Terrence Cody, Julio Jones, Glen Coffee, John Parker Wilson, and the list keeps going. (Anyone else think they'll always remember the day that Julio signed with Alabama? I heard about it as someone screamed the news from the window of their dorm room last spring. Yesterday he had 5 catches for something like 124 yards!)

I got back from Atlanta today, and trust me, there's a smile on my face. Our team accomplished more this year than we could have hoped for. They maintained an amazing level of play even as the critics kept saying "This is the week the tide will fall." Well, after seeing an amazing game last night (which was definitely NOT a landslide) I am ecstatic. I know where I'll be spending New Year's, and it's going to be sweet.

So, if you're feeling bitter about last night... remember, a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down. :-)

Roll Tide, fellow Bama Fans. We're back, and we're ready to roll for years to come.

It's That Time of Year...

No, the title of this post is not alluding to one of my all-time favorite Christmas songs.

I'm blogging about finals. There are "Shhhh!" notices all over the residence hall, Gorgas is buzzing (at least on the first floor where you are allowed to buzz), and students are stressing out left and right. The Auburn game is over and even though we have a rare 13th game before the end of the semester, it's time to study.

I have two big group projects due, a paper to write about a speech that I gave a few weeks ago, a 90-ish page screenplay to write, and general studying to do. The screenplay is the big obstacle right now. Though I know exactly what happens and how my movie ends, the actual typing is the hardest thing to do, and since this is the grade of my Screenwriting class, I'd better get it right!

It's a tough time of year, and my progress has been slowed by the ah-mazing football season. I keep day dreaming of this coming weekend (ATLANTA!). Unfortunately, that isn't going to finish my screenplay.

Now, I'm going back to work so that I can make good grades!

Good luck!

Cabin Fever

For the first time this semester, I had a 100% free weekend in Tuscaloosa. It's been great, but I also feel like I've been stuck inside a little too long. Now I have some more work to do, and I feel like I could explode if I don't escape. Today, I'm blogging about a few of my favorite places to study other than my dorm room.

First, I love to sit on the front steps of Gorgas and study when it isn't too cold. It's oddly peaceful, and the view of the Quad is awesome.

Another place I love to study, is actually off-campus. The Barnes and Noble in Midtown Village is so quiet and peaceful, that I often do my last minute cram sessions there while drinking a cup of Starbucks coffee.

Have you ever been to Riverwalk? It's another great place to study because you can sit on a bench overlooking the Black Warrior River. Very peaceful!

My roommate has a few favorite places to study as well. She said she likes to study on a blanket on the Blount Lawn when it is nice outside. Also, she said the basement of the library is usually so quiet that she has nothing to get distracted by, so she writes her papers and studies for exams down there.

Next time you need to escape your little dorm room (or apartment) try visiting a few of these locations to study in peace!

Twilight Fever

I've been looking forward to the Twilight movie since I first read the books in August. When I started reading Twilight, I physically couldn't put it down. I finished the book in no time, and loved it thoroughly. I kept up with the news about Twilight and all of the new trailers. When the soundtrack came out, I started getting even more excited. The songs really are perfect together! It features bands like Muse, Paramore, Linkin Park, Collective Soul, Iron & Wine, and ROB PATTINSON.

(Think I'm the only one who liked the soundtrack? Maybe you didn't realize that they played a song from the CD in Bryant-Denny before the Mississippi State game. It was "Spotlight" by Mutemath.)

The Twilight fever keeps spreading, and now that the movie is out, the low-budget film is making tons of money. Is it getting great reviews? Heck no. The acting isn't necessarily oscar-worthy and the wirework is very awkward. I know there are flaws... but as a reader of the book, I was thrilled with the movie.

I can see how people who have never read the books will watch it and not like it. Some people think Bella is annoying. Kristin Stewart's Bella is very true to the book, in my opinion.

Overall, my roommate and I enjoyed the movie a lot. It was well worth the money, and it left me wanting more...



PS: The sequel, New Moon, has officially been green-lighted!

Happy Better Relations Day!

Hello, Alabama! Happy Better Relations Day! You may have noticed the greeting to the Auburn visitors on campus in the Crimson White today. I don't know much about the whole "Better Relations Day" thing except that a small pep band played some cheers for the visitors in the stadium.

To me, a day of trying to improve relations between Alabama and Auburn is great in theory. And that's what it is... theory. How many of those people (AU and UA alike) walked away from today's festivities with any difference of opinion? My guess is that not many even cared. One of the students involved from Alabama even wanted the band to play Rammer Jammer. Suuuure. Nothing says "let's be friends" like yelling that we're going to beat the heck out of you in a week and a half.

The Auburn/Alabama rivalry is epic. Alabama has never beaten Auburn in Bryant-Denny! That's really depressing! I had no clue about that, to be honest. But that is why this rivalry is fun! We call them the "cow college," they call us whatever they call us, and it will probably never change. Giving the Auburn delegates orange University of Alabama folders (ew!) isn't going to smooth things over. I'd be interested to hear what the other activities included.

Honestly, I think today was for show. It's fun having this in-state rivalry. I love going back to my hometown in Alabama clothing and joking with my Auburn friends. I think it makes the football season even more interesting. Some fans take everything too seriously, and I hope that is something that will evolve and get better over time... but for now, I'm going to keep thinking that Alabama is superior and look forward to a big win over them in the Iron Bowl. Who's with me?

Alabama Volleyball

Have you ever been to an Alabama Volleyball game? No? Trust me, it's amazing. On Friday, I went to the Alabama-Ole Miss match to play with the pep band. I enjoyed it so much that I went again on Sunday for the one against Arkansas. Alabama won both!

If you don't know much about Volleyball, that's okay. It only took me a set to understand the basics and to really start enjoying the sport. I thought it was very interesting to see how much skill was involved. Alabama's team plays with such intensity!

The Tide only plays one more home game this season, and I want to encourage you all to attend! The match is Friday, November 28, at 7:00 p.m. against Mississippi State. It is an amazing way to spend an evening!