Floyd

I have three things for Michael Floyd: This post, respect, and a hug. The first and second I can give to him easily and without his permission. The last...eh, not so much. As for the first, though, I would like to say this: Michael Floyd, the least I can do to show you my appreciation for your selflessness is write this post for you. There are a few things I would like to address.

I copied this off the und.com report about Floyd and his decision to stay:

"'This was one of the toughest decisions I have ever had to make in my life,' Floyd said. 'On the one hand, there was Notre Dame. This place has been an incredible home to me and the relationships I built here are ones I know I'll have for the rest of my life. On the other hand, there was the NFL. It has always been a lifelong goal to play football at the highest level and that is something I look forward to doing at some point. However, I'm pleased to say I will be returning to the University of Notre Dame for my senior season in 2011. I'm returning to Notre Dame for three reasons: to earn my degree, return Notre Dame to the top and improve myself as a player. First, I promised my mom I would graduate from Notre Dame and I am 40 credit hours shy of attaining that goal. I chose to attend Notre Dame in part because I knew it was a 40-year decision and not a four-year decision. Graduating from Notre Dame will help me for the rest of my life. Second, I want to get Notre Dame back to a BCS game. I believe we are very close to returning the Irish to where we belong and I want to be part of something great. Lastly, I want to show everyone in the country that I'm the best wide receiver in college football in 2011. There are many things I need to improve, but I feel with the coaching I have at Notre Dame, I can become the best at my position in this game.'"

Before I go into talking about your reasons, let me just say, I only hope to be able to experience the University's hospitality someday. However, this post is about you, not me, so let me continue.

Earning your degree is a wonderful reason to stay. I've been trying to explain that to people who are still mad at Andrew Luck for choosing to stay at Stanford; however, people don't seem to understand the value of a good education. You did and you then acted upon that realization. I give you major props for that.

Returning Notre Dame to the top once more is, in one word, AMAZING! That is quite selfless of you and I'm confident that I can speak for every Notre Dame fan out there by saying we couldn't appreciate it more! You are a wonderful person!

Now as for improving yourself as a player, I'm no expert, but I don't see the possibility of that. You are fantastic already! I would start listing my reasons for believing that, but then I'd start gushing--and no one wants that.

Whether you had chosen Notre Dame or the NFL,I would have been content. Like I said about Kyle Rudolph, whatever made him happy, makes me happy and it's the same for you. So thank you, God Bless, and I cannot wait to see you on the field in South Bend next season. A little less than 9 months now...it couldn't come too fast if I wanted it to.

There's No "I" In "Fan"

Call me a horrible person if you want, but I got the idea for this post today during the priest's homily at Mass. He talked about how the most word used in the English language nowadays is "I." Thinking carefully about it, I realized he's right. It's very hard to say anything without saying "I." But he did go to mention that in the Catholic Church, it isn't about "I"; it's about us. His concrete example of this was the Lord's Prayer. "Give US this day OUR daily bread and forgive US OUR trespasses...." As he was saying this, I instantly thought of the Notre Dame community.

I don't yet belong to the actual Notre Dame community. In fact, I'm 13 hours away (by car) geographically and 1.5 years away chronologically. But technologically, spiritually, and emotionally I am right there under the Golden Dome, praying at the Grotto, standing in the tunnel in the House Rockne Built, and cheering my heart out for the Basketball teams at Joyce Center. All day, every day. How is this possible? I am a true, full-fledged fan. There are a few things that make my fan-ship more convenient. I've sung the praises of the main one already, but when you like something, there's never enough to say about it. So here we go...

The New Notre Dame Nation (Twitter: @thenewNDNation) is the group of people I can talk to about Notre Dame and they will NEVER get annoyed by me. And that's really good because no one I go to school with really cares. If I want to talk about KU or K-State, then they'll care, but unless it's that, they don't want to hear a word from me.

I am that girl who everyone knows that if they talk to me for a decent amount of time, Notre Dame will come up in some form. Whether it's the school, the football, or the fans, I'm likely to talk about it. Kansans don't really understand my passion for the Irish. I go to school with fake and fair-weathered fans. Fake as in, "I'm going to wear this sparkly KU Sweatshirt because it's a) cute or b) the team my crush likes." Fair-weathered as in, "I'm a KU fan...in basketball season. I'm a KSU fan in football season." *sarcasm alert* Yes, being a fan totally works that way.

Let me assure you, I am not fake or fair-weathered. I did not become a Notre Dame fan because of a boy or a good season. I can't say why exactly I did become a fan though. There was just something about it that drew me in. My dad says maybe it was because ND games were the easiest to access because the home games aired every Saturday on the same channel. But I don't think he's right. I think that was just a circumstantial bonus, if you may. Why I became a fan doesn't matter. What matters is that I am a fan and I am surrounded by a great group of other fans.

Now how does my title work in to this post? You're about to find out. When you're a true fan, you don't care about yourself. You care about the players, the coaches, and the community. I am sick of seeing negativity and selfishness everywhere in the sports world nowadays. To those negative, selfish people, take this into account: These sports are, for you, a hobby and a (maybe) passion. For the athletes and the coaches, it is a living, a lifestyle, and a true, unfaltering passion. What am I trying to say? There's more at stake for the athletes and coaches at the event of a loss or an injury. All you have at stake is a few bucks you bet or your bragging rights. So do two things for me: get over yourself and either be a true fan or don't be a fan at all. Fake fans are not a help; they're a hindrance.

With that, I'd like to say one last thing.

To Lynne, my "big-me", fellow dome-hard (ND die-hard), California girl, and wonderful, caring, kind woman, I wish you the Happiest Birthday and a great year. I also need to say thank you again for the kind words and support you've given me. I haven't "known" you long, but I know that you're one of the best people I've ever met. I really can't stress or say that enough. You rock!

Footballism. Not Feminism.

When people find out that I watch football more than a lot of guys we know, they usually have one of three different reactions: shock, suspicion, or sexism. The shock is usually, "Wow! You really do love football, don't you? That's pretty cool." The suspicion comes usually from girls: "So who are you trying to impress? You're trying to get a guy out of this, aren't you?" The sexism comes from people who don't want to accept that it is now 2011 and women can like football just as much as men.

A few months ago, I was listening to The Bobby Bones Show. This morning radio show has four different anchors: Bobby, Amy, Carlos, and Lunchbox. My least favorite of these is Lunchbox. He's loud, pompous, cocky, and sexist. Ranging from comments about how drunk he got over the weekend or how attractive he thinks he is, his opinions never fail to make me ask, "Who does this guy think he is?!" A particular instance I recall that made me quite angry was when they were talking about certain things men can and cannot do as well as things women can and cannot do. On thing men cannot do: Yell-leading.(Personally, I have no problem with that. Since when was screaming at the top of your lungs and throwing women up into the air not masculine?) On the list of what women cannot do: Commentate on or watch football.

Excuse me? Did he really just say that? Does he know that there are over 30 FEMALE anchors and reporters on ESPN alone and even more on other TV networks? Back to my daily question: Who does this guy think he is?!

Clearly, I was quite angry about that. "Women shouldn't watch or talk about football." It kept bouncing around in my mind. I was trying to grasp that concept. Women shouldn't watch or talk about football? WHAT?! I don't mean to brag, but I know more about football and I get more excited about games than MOST of the guys I know. How many of them are as well-acquainted with the roster and depth chart as I? How many of them know both team and player stats? How many of them get as happy about a win or as angry about a loss as I do? I don't have a head-count, but I do know that it isn't as many as you'd think.

Here's a funny thing that was said to me that just shows how sexist people can really be without thinking about it. I was talking to my dad about football at the dinner table when my older brother (who has never played or watched sports in his life) said to me, "Anna, you're such a guy. Okay, that's cool. Whatever. But if I'm a a guy for liking sports and talking about them, does that make you a girl for not doing that? See how by trying to diss me, he dissed himself instead. Two-bladed sword, bro.

Another thing that riles me up so much about this is that I, apparently, can't possibly be right about anything pertaining to football. A good example of this happened just yesterday: someone made a statement expressing that they thought Andrew Luck would be better off going to the NFL instead of staying in school. My opinion? He's pretty set either way. It's a win-win for him and I don't think anyone really cares that much what he does right now. (Except for the Carolina Panthers.) The guy I was arguing with got pretty heated and eventually cussed me out. I will say, though, that I enjoyed the fact that he cussed me out because it just meant that he knew he was at risk of losing the argument and he acted out aggressively to make himself seem more macho.

Some people may think I'm a feminist for believing that women should have just as much right to enjoy sports, but I am not a feminist at all. In fact, feminists annoy me. They are the reason chivalry is dead. The belief I'm standing up for is what I like to call "footballism." Now please don't think I'm saying that all men are anti-women-watching-football. I have actually met a handful of guys who openly accept the fact that I like watching the sport and talking about it more than many people. However, to the men who are sexist when it comes to football: If I can't play the sport, at least let me watch and enjoy it in peace without men telling me I can't.

Dear Kyle

Dear Kyle Rudolph,

I've heard time and time again, "If you care about something, let it go." I care about every single football player on the Notre Dame football team, including you. As injuries came to the team this season, I began to hurt. Every look of pain on players' faces made my stomach knot and I cringed much like the hurt man. When I heard you were out for the season, the knot and the cringe came knocking. When I heard that you were entering the 2011 NFL Draft, I was actually happy.

I was not happy because you'll be leaving Notre Dame--that, in fact makes me sad. Rather, I was happy that you decided to enter the Draft despite messages begging you to stay. I wish I could do that. I am a people pleaser. I do whatever it takes to make the majority happy even if it is to my own dismay, but you have done what makes you happy, which in turn makes your true fans happy as well. This is your opportunity to find out who is a fair-weather fan and who is really a true, caring fan.

Although it won't be at Notre Dame, I'm glad I will still get to see you play the sport I love to watch. The only difference is I'll have to wait until Sunday next season. A 24-hour wait shouldn't be too bad. With that, I wish you the best of luck, happiness, and health. Go with God! Carpe Diem!

Sincerely,

Anna S. Gonzalez

Call Me "Pigskin": An Essay

Most biographies begin by telling of a birth. Mine will not do the same because I was not born; rather, I was produced with many others of my kind in a factory somewhere. I do not know much about my past. Supposedly some Europeans played a game with something that looks like me and other countries saw, changed the way I looked, and now I’m quite popular. Some humans throw me, some catch me, some sign me, some cradle me, some put me in a glass box to display on the mantle, and some see me as a symbol, but most just have fun with me.

I suppose I should now describe myself. I have very rough, brown skin with a few stitches here and there, but the most obvious ones are on my belly. My name, Wilson, is tattooed on my side. My makers must like that name because they give it to many of us. (Occasionally, my kind will be stamped with other logos. They usually read “NCAA” or “NFL”—it depends on who is going to use us.) Maybe I used to be a perfect sphere, but now I look like someone grabbed my sides and stretched them out to a point. Some people say I have the shape of an egg. Whatever an egg is, I’m not sure. The “sphericals” unlike me are symmetrical and beautiful.

Those “sphericals” have many different looks. Some are white and pleated with Japanese cousins named Tachikara. Some are formed from hexagons and have black and white skin. One kind has rough skin much like mine, but it is orange rather than brown with black lines circled around it. Finally, the smallest of them are either white wearing red stitches proudly or bright green with furry skin and white lines circling it. Whilst being so physically different, we all have one common purpose—recreation—but my purpose sometimes extends further than that.

My purpose is to fill people with a desire to compete, a hope to win, a dread of loss, a passion to practice, and a need to show the world of what they’re capable. These feelings start young in the hearts of elementary school boys. They carry them to high school and use them to show colleges why they should play at that school. After college, some men still have those feelings so strong that they utilize them and go “pro.” I rarely have the luxury of being held by small, soft, delicate hands. The hands that do hold me are large and rough. Some have tape on them; others, gloves; and, still, some go bare.

When I’m being used, I go through many different situations. I’ve flown, been dropped and picked back up, sat on, tripped on, thrown to the ground, pushed across lines on the gridiron, kicked, hugged, sweat on, bled on, and held up for the world to see as a symbol of not only six points on the scoreboard, but also the struggle by eleven men to get those six points.

I recall January 10, 1982 where I was thrown by a man in a number 16 jersey that read “Montana” on the back and “49ers” on the front. He threw me with 51 seconds left in the game. If his team didn’t score, they would lose the game to a team called the Cowboys. This “Montana” from Notre Dame let me go. I flew through the air for what felt like an eternity. I was high up in the air and a man in a number 87 jersey labeled with “Clark” jumped to catch me. It was miraculous. The “Hail Mary pass” resulted in not a catch, but The Catch. It’s still famous over a quarter of a century later.

No matter where I am, who’s using me, what’s written on my side, or how many points are scored with me, I have the power to make people extremely happy and proud or I can put them through a miserable week and a horrifying loss. That’s a lot of pressure to put upon an object that has no control over itself. Some people call me a football for the sport that uses me and what people do with me, but you can call me “pigskin.” It’s what I’m made of. Everyone should be known not for what they say or do, but for their gumption, passion, heart, and temerity—what they’re made of is who they are.

Shout Out!

I want to use this post as a shout out to a couple different groups of people. First, to the New ND Nation:

I feel unbelievably privileged to be a part of such a wonderful group of people. I've met so many people who share similar interests, the biggest one obviously being Notre Dame athletics. Living in Wichita does not give me much opportunity to meet many Notre Dame fans. Here, I'm surrounded by KU's Crimson and Blue Jayhawks, KSU's Wildcat Purple, the WSU Wheat Shockers, Oklahoma Sooners, and a few Missouri Tigers, but very few Notre Dame Fighting Irish. However having met these wonderful people, I feel much more a part of something that puts me so close to South Bend while being so far away. Thank You, Nation and GO IRISH!

Second, to the Notre Dame athletes and coaches:

How many people get to be in contact of any sort with their favorite athletes? It's very few, but I'm one of those few. When I first got my twitter account and found these athletes, I was starstruck. These guys are celebrities to me! I couldn't care less about Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, or Justin Bieber. Who cares about them? The fact that you guys are on twitter makes you so much more human! That sounds weird, but think about it. You see these movie and TV stars constantly, but when you really look at them on your TV screen, it barely seems like they're real unless you get to talk to them regularly. I see the ND Football players on TV every week in Autumn, but they still seem so human. It's because they interact with their fans and when you see their posts on twitter, you realize that they really are just like anyone else. Even the players who have gone to the NFL seem more human. Golden Tate, Jimmy Clausen, Brady Quinn, etc. all seem more personal to me than Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, or Ben Roethlisberger. I still get giddy when I get a reply from my favorite ND players. (All of the ND players are my favorite, by the way.)

I used to be very against getting a twitter account because I didn't want to conform, but I realized recently that it is actually helping me be myself more. I don't feel like I have to impress anyone and I can just share my thoughts with the world, which is really cool. I've made friends and "met" people who are phenomenal--people I never would have had the chance to meet otherwise. I am one lucky girl. Fighting Irish, thank you for being so awesome.

New Year!

Welcome, readers! This is my first post of 2011! I don't know what I'm going to talk about in this post. I guess I'll just go with the flow.

Okay...I got something to talk about. Ready? Here we go.

First off, the Irish played a great game yesterday and defeated Miami 33-17. Tommy Rees threw for two touchdown passes to Michael Floyd (who may be entering the NFL draft in the spring) and Harrison Smith caught for 3 interceptions. Beasts? I'd say so!

Also, I put myself out there (took another risk, much like the one I took almost a year ago--see previous posts) and asked Mr. Rees to my prom. According to a report on und.com, he had trouble finding a date to his own prom last year, and I figured, "He's a cute guy. Seems nice. Can't hurt to ask," so I sent him a tweet. Still waiting on a reply...that is, if he ever replies.

But now the Irish are all done until September 3, 2011. Now I turn my focus to Basketball and then Baseball. But football will always be my favorite.

Brian Kelly, I'm pretty sure you'll never see this post, but let me just say, you have reformed the Notre Dame Football program in so many ways! You adopted these players who were brought up by Weis and you taught them how to play under your reign...successfully. That's rare. Look at Turner Gill (KU)...he didn't do so great. At all. Also, you're the FIRST coach to go to a bowl game AND WIN in his first year at Notre Dame. Color me impressed. I look forward to seeing you back next year. I have faith that you'll be able to get the Irish nationally ranked and they could definitely win the BCS National Championship. Just keep doing what you're doing and God Bless you!

Today disappeared. I guess that's what happens when you wake up way too late. Grr. But I had an interesting New Year's Celebration. However, my friend and I missed midnight, so we went out at 1 and celebrated with Mountain Time. I'm pretty sure her neighbors hated that we were using poppers that late.

School starts again on Tuesday. Break, like today, disappeared. I've told myself that I need to do much better this semester than I did last semester. My grades were far from perfect. I dropped from Superior Honors to Secondary Honors. Not so good. I need to fix that and make Superior again. Also, this semester, I need to take my SAT and ACT tests. I'm dreading those, but I have to take them at one time or another. Better get them out of the way. Especially if I'm so determined to go to Notre Dame.

I believe that is all for now. I hope you all have a joyous New Year and your resolutions are fulfilled! I'll be back soon. Don't miss me too much.

Anna's Year-In-Review and Resolutions-to-Come

It's been far too long since I last posted, and I know that I say that a lot, but a month and 4 days is pushing it. That's why this post will be quite the lengthy one.

BEING THAT THERE ARE ONLY 2 DAYS LEFT IN 2010, I'd like to review the year. In January (Specifically the 24th) I asked "that guy" to the Sweetheart (Sadie Hawkins) dance, got a "no" for an answer, had a hard time dealing with it, got over it, and now I don't know what the crap I was thinking. He is no fantastic human being. I also found out he is an unexpected party boy. I don't know what my type is yet, but I can tell that Party Boy is definitely not it.
Skipping a bit...in May, I finished 2nd Semester better than 1st Semester and MUCH better than I had expected. (I do, of course, live by the motto: Don't expect much, and you can never be disappointed; only uplifted.)
In June, I chopped 5 inches off of my hair. It has grown about 4.5 back since.
In July, we had a rainy 4th of July. Payback for a White Christmas and warm, sunny Easter.
In August, I began my Junior year, a.k.a. the hardest year of High School. Especially for a Cum Laude (all honors) student such as myself.
In September, I became an official Football Photographer (DREAM JOB!) and Notre Dame kicked off their football season with a new coach, Mr. Brian Kelly. They played a good season for Kelly's first as head coach! I could only be happier if there had been fewer injuries on the team.
Not much happened in October. Just more Irish football.
in November, I turned 17!! WOOT! Also, the Irish went undefeated that month WITH a new, young starting quarterback, Mr. Tommy Rees! (I must say, I find him pretty adorable...and what a player! I was blown away!) Oh, and another thing, they ended an 8-year winning streak by USC. Score: 20-16. My facial expression: Priceless. I wish I had a picture of it.
And it's December now. Not much has happened this month either. Christmas, obviously. On Friday, my Irish will face Miami in the Hyundai Sunbowl located down south in El Paso, Texas. A short history on the ND-Miami rivalry:
They played for quite some time, then in the late 1980s, their games became too violent, and any scheduled games between the two teams were called off for future seasons.

SO WE'VE REVIEWED THE PAST. Now goals for the future:
1. Lose 16 pounds (as of right now.) I am a girl, and we find it hard to tell what we weigh, but I'm going to do it. I weigh...haha gotcha, didn't I? I'm not going to tell you. I'm just going to tell you that I should weight 16 lbs less than I do now to be at my healthiest BMI.
2. Read more!! I need to watch less TV, be on the computer (mainly Twitter, Facebook, and Sporcle) less, and pick up a book instead! There are millions out there and I need to pick just 1 to start with!
3. Stop complaining. My life is good. I don't know why I complain so much. That needs to come to an end.
4. Avoid negative peer pressure. I've done a good job of this thus far, and I need to keep it up! Drinking and smoking are big no-no's! My vow of abstinence and purity still stands, of course, and will until the day I get married! And even after then, the purity part will still stand!(Yes, I did just say "no-no". Tease all you want. I'm still a child at heart. I still say "boo-boo" on occasion as well.)
5. Get more sleep! I get way less sleep a night than I should. I'm going to try to get 8 hours a night unless there is some pressing issue that prevents it.
6. Be more organized! I think if I'm more organized, the other 5 resolutions will come much more easily. I have to get a good planner and keep it up to date with school assignments, appointments, free time, time to exercise, and things I eat (calorie tracker), all among many other things.

For now, that is all. Maybe this post isn't as long as I'd expected. I think before I post, I'm thinking I have much more to say than I really do. So until then...

Rally sons (and daughters) of Notre Dame!! You all better watch Friday's game! See the Irish kill the Hurricanes!

(See how that kinda rhymed. That was on purpose.)

One final thing: check out my photo blog over at itsbananas-annasophia.blogspot.com

Happy Thanksgiving!

I was surprised yesterday with the best Birthday gift a girl could get. My friend who lives in Springfield, MO (attending MSU) was going to come into town, but she called me telling me she had car troubles. I was then contacted by my friend Maria who was going to hang out with us that night, and she said we'd still hang out, but we'd just chill at my house. So at about 7, the doorbell rings and I go to answer....

Sitting on my porch are packages of Reese's peanut butter cups and roses leading to one of the trees in my yard. I follow it and out pops Maria...and Lauren!! It was the best surprise ever!! They lied and schemed for a week just for that moment! I now have 17 roses, each with a message tied to it, sitting on my dresser, and peanut butter cups waiting to be eaten.

We also went to see "Tangled." I must say, it was fantastic! I loved every minute of that movie! It was adorable!

Oh, also before the movie we went to Freddy's for supper. While there, I noticed a guy wearing a ND hat. I thought it was cool. I was wearing my #10 Notre Dame football jersey and my ND lanyard. As I was leaving, I had to pass his table (he was sitting by the door with his friend) and he said, "Hey, I like your jersey," to which I replied, "And I like your hat." It was pretty tight.

Needless to say, that was one of the best nights ever. Future boyfriend, you have a helluva lot to live up to.

Post #60

DC is out for the season with patellar tendon rupture. I hope he gets better soon, but it's a 6-month recovery. Yikes. Tommy Rees did a good job during the 3.5 quarters that he played though. True frosh=true talent. I'm impressed.

Our first term paper of the year is due on Wednesday. I finished my edits, but I have to highlight the data in my sources, get my notecards put together, and reprint everything. I'm almost there. Wednesday is also Scarlet Letter day. We drew names of our classmates out of a bag and had to make a letter that describes their personality for them to wear from English class until the end of the day. I'm pretty excited to see what people think of me.

Okay. I need to get back to my homework. I just needed a quick break. I have chem to finish and English that is non-term paper or Scarlet Letter day related.

Have a good November! I'll probably post sometime before December comes though.