Sunday, September 11th, 2011

Today is a day of laziness and recovery following yesterday's long day of tailgating and celebrating Iowa State's 44-41 victory over Iowa!  The game started a 11 AM, so we had to get to the student lot EARLY... we were parked and started our fun around 5:30 AM!  We had quite a few friends there to help celebrate including Erick Ude, Jenny Manser, Abbey Podliska, Matthew Kovarna, Tim Nevins, Kaitlin Michaelsen, and Abby Grace to name a few.  This week we didn't have tickets to actually go into the game, but we had plenty of fun just hanging out and having "a few" drinks :)  Later on we walked over to Welch Ave. Station to watch the last part of the game... I was able to watch the end of the 4th quarter and overtime.  There were quite a few silly Hawkeye fans cheering at the bar, but it was fun to see them completely quiet at the and of the game!  Iowa State's win was the first time the two teams had every played an overtime against each other in their long history.  It was also the second-largest crowd in Jack Trice Stadium history.  Today my voice is shot from all of the cheering I was doing (a condition known as Ames voice). 

Cheering after we hear a touchdown announcement from the stadium.

Casually enjoying a cold beverage.

These officers were friendly enough to have their picture taken with me.  They told us how the week prior they had ticketed many more UNI fans than ISU fans.  Very smart.

Flippy cup and beer pong were the games of choice.

Kaitlin, Abby Grace, Elizabeth, and Kovarna at the tailgate.

Me, Kaitlin, Abbey Podliska, and Kovarna.

I can't finish my blog today without mentioning that it has been exactly 10 years since the horrible terrorist attack on 9/11/01.  I remember that I was a senior in high school at Laurens-Marathon when it happened.  I heard of a plane crash during first period, but didn't realize it wasn't an accident.  Then during second period Government class, they brought a TV in and let us watch what was going on.  We saw the second plane crash, and for the rest of the day all of our classes just had us watch TV.  We watched both of the buildings collapse, and it was like a bad movie.  That really was a crazy time because it didn't even seem like reality.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the people affected by the events of that day and to all of the people who tragically lost their lives. 

Saturday, September 3rd, 2011

Wow today was one busy day, and we are exhausted... about ready to pass out!  Amy & Brandon drove over from Omaha to watch the football game with us (Brandon's first ISU football game ever).  It turned out to be an exciting but stressful game!

Before the game I drove over to Nevada for the wedding of Ryne & Megan Foster at 2:30.  I was able to meet up with some old friends from DMU which was fun.

After the wedding it was back over to Ames and an hour of tailgating in the student section.  We met up with Jeremy Seago and may have played some games.  By this point it was lightly raining and continued to do so for the rest of the first half of the football game.

The first half of the game was very slow paced, damp, and not a lot of fun.  UNI was leading for the entire first half due to a pair of field goals, and Iowa State kept turning the ball over.  However, at the very end of the first half ISU managed to score a touchdown on a 1-yard run by quarterback Steele Jantz.  Foreshadowing possibly??

The Panthers also lead for most of the second half in what was appearing to be a very gloomy day for us Cyclone fans.  Iowa State was down to a 4th and 10 play with about 4 and a half minutes to go when Jantz miraculously managed to find Josh Lenz for a 26-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-13 Iowa State.  Very exciting!  We thought that was probably enough for ISU to win, but the game was just getting warmed up.  On UNI's next drive they scored on a 80-yard pass down the west sideline that seemed heartbreaking!  No fun at all there.  Iowa State had one last drive and managed to work their way all the way down to the goal line.  After what initially looked like a sure touchdown (but the refs marked them down on the 1-inch line) Jantz managed to sneak in to make it 20-19.  Excitement returned to Jack Trice.  After a last-ditch hook-and-ladder play failed for UNI, Iowa State was able to finally secure the victory.   Elizabeth shot silly string everywhere.

Tailgating in the student lot.

Iowa State's new scoreboard

Amy, Brandon, & Elizabeth in the game.

Another pic of the stadium after ISU's first touchdown.

Amy & Elizabeth happy at the end of the first half.

The tradition of shaking the keys during kickoffs.

I believe this play ISU was stopped on the one-inch line, but it looked like a score to me.

All is well as Iowa State wins 20-19.

Wednesday, August 31st, 2011

I can happily say that Elizabeth and I have successfully moved to Ames, IA and no longer have to deal with old Illinois (read "Il-annoy").  My parents were kind enough to help us move over the weekend, and we've spent the time since trying to organize our new place.  Our apartment turned out to be great as it is very spacious (1400 square feet), and now we have room for guests to stay over if need be.  It's fun being close to lots of friends and family also!  Amy & Brandon will be coming out to visit us this weekend, and we bought tickets to go to the Iowa State/UNI football game.  ESPN gives Iowa State a "92 percent chance" of winning, which is just arbitrary but encouraging.  The Cyclones will be led by a new junior college transfer quarterback, Steele Jantz.  They will also be unveiling a new scoreboard on the north end of the football field.  So it will be fun to tailgate, to spend time with good company, and to see the new (and hopefully improved) Cyclones!  The last time I went to a game was November 14th, 2009 when Iowa State beat Colorado 17-10.  I'm so happy that football season is finally here!!

Friday, August 26th, 2011

Today is MY LAST DAY WORKING AT BUFFALO GROVE PHYSICAL THERAPY!!  This weekend my parents will be coming out with the trailer to help us move, and then we will be IOWANS again :)  I'm so happy!!  I even think that my subconscious is happy because last night I had a dream that Iowa State destroyed the Iowa Hawkeyes in football 91 to 19.  It was the happiest dream that I have ever had!  So yeah, I'm really looking forward to moving back to the great state of Iowa!  It's going to be a lot of work this weekend moving, but it's going to be worth it!! 

Sunday, August 21st, 2011

Today I was very amazed that Elizabeth agreed to come and try my favorite sushi place with me!!!  I am very happy that we were able to enjoy Sushi Para one more time before we left for Iowa :)

Looking over the menu...

Elizabeth getting her "grabby grabby sticks" ready!

My first plate: Mountain Roll, Under Control Roll (middle), 2 Salmon, 2 Eel.

Elizabeth's order: Spicy Salmon roll, Philadelphia Roll.

Elizabeth trying a spicy salmon piece!

Brian Eben elegantly eating exquisite eel.

My second plate: 2 salmon, 2 tuna, a Godzilla roll (middle), and an American Dream roll.

The American Dream roll pieces were a mouthful!

Ok, to summarize our order:

• Edamame appetizer
• My First Plate:
• Mountain Roll (Avocado & cucumber inside with tuna and chef's spicy sauce on top) - 8 pieces
• Under Control Roll (Spicy tuna inside with shrimp tempura and tobiko on top) - 8 pieces
• 2 pieces of salmon sushi
• 2 pieces of eel sushi 
• Elizabeth's Plate:
• Spicy salmon roll - 6 pieces
• Philadelphia roll (salmon, cream cheese, scallion) - 6 pieces
• My second plate:
• Godzilla Roll (spicy tuna wrapped in seaweed, deep fried, topped with tobiko and chef's spicy sauce) - 5 peices
• American Dream Roll (shrimp tempura, tobiko, cucumber, eel, and avocado) - 5 pieces
• 2 pieces of salmon sushi
• 2 pieces of tuna sushi

 I will miss you Sushi Para!!

Saturday, August 20th, 2011

Elizabeth and I are very excited to be moving back to Iowa soon!!  We've both got only one week of work left out here in the 'burbs before we're ready for the move, yet there still seems like there's so much left to do!  Yesterday I was busy getting a drug screen and a TB test done (which I need before I can start my new job).  Elizabeth had to work until late last night because her office had changed locations.  Then this morning I drove down to Naperville, IL to have my CPR license renewed.  Then this afternoon I finally finished the rest of my thank you letters from our wedding.  Plus we still have to pack!  It will all be worth it though once we're finally settled back in the great state of IOWA :)  Oh, and one more thing I'm looking forward to... Cyclone football starts in 2 weeks from today!! 

P.S. - HAPPY 6 WEEK ANNIVERSARY ELIZABETH!!

Saturday, August 13th, 2011

What I did today:
1) I woke up around 6 AM at the Comfort Inn at Marshalltown, IA.
2) Had a continental breakfast at the hotel with Elizabeth, then got all dressed up.
3) Went to an interview at SportsPlus, a Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab clinic, at 8 AM.  I met with the owner, Scott Carnahan, and had a nice talk & tour of the clinic for about 80 minutes.  I end up being offered a great job there with excellent pay & benefits, and I am set to start on September 6th! 
4) After we check out of the hotel, we meet up with our friends Sam Drella & Dave Helmer.  They showed us their place and then gave us a nice tour of the city. 
5) I drove from Marshalltown to Davenport, IA.
6) In Davenport, we stopped for gas and an early dinner at Red Lobster to celebrate the new job :)

Elizabeth enjoying a salad at Red Lobster.

Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Elizabeth's trout, mashed potatoes, & broccoli.

I ordered a pot with 1 lb of snow crab legs, some shrimp, scallops, sweet corn, & potatoes.

Crab pot.

7) After our nice meal, I relaxed in the passenger seat as Elizabeth drove the rest of the way to Chicago.  Before we got home it started to rain fairly heavily.  Elizabeth maintains that it always rains more often when she drives.  We got pretty soaked just on the walk from the car to the apartment.
8) Now we are watching the movie Paranormal Activity 2 before we wind down for bed.