Spark a Fire in My Soul

After the ECU game last Saturday I was able to finish my Labor Day weekend with a trip to Wilmington. Living two hours away from the beach is convenient, except I haven't been to the beach all summer! With Labor Day officially ending the summer season I guess it was perfect timing that I went. My college roommate Allison lives in Wilmington so I was fortunate to continue spending the weekend with her before returning to the "real world." After going with her to Port City Church Sunday morning we spent the day at Topsail. Taking in God's beauty we enjoyed the sights, smells and sounds of the beach before the fall weather brings us indoors. Being in Wilmington was the perfect way to rejuvenate and relax after an exciting football game. 

ECU Football 2012

 It's that time of year again - Football Season! I could not contain my excitement before my trek to Greenville this past weekend. I apologize for the numerous Facebook updates and Twitter comments about my upcoming trip to see my ECU Pirates take on Appalachian's Mountaineers. Not only does Appalachian have a great football team and this game gives a chance for the east to meet the west, but it is also a sibling rivalry since Appalachian is where my brother went to college. Being back in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium was electrifying as both crowds went crazy for their two teams. (I do think the Pirate fans were louder though!)

Being back in Greenville I got to see a lot of old friends, but most importantly I got to go to the game with one of my college roommates, Allison. (Check Out her Blog).We went to our first college football game together as freshmen at ECU and seven years later it is still a tradition for us to cheer our team! I had fun looking back at these pictures below of me and Allison at ECU football games. 

2012: ECU vs. Appalachian State

2005: ECU vs. Duke

This game was even more exciting for me because I got to see my former student, Mitchell, perform at her first game as a member of the ECU Dance Team. I have taught Mitchell since she was in 2nd Grade and now I get to see her perform on a collegiate level. I was a proud dance teacher at Saturday's game. Mitchell is my first student to go on and perform after high school.

After the game's 100+ degree temperatures, we were both really sweaty!

Days back in Greenville are always special ones! I can't wait for my next opportunity to make a trip to see my pirates play and to catch a smile from PeeDee himself! 

Buffalo Wild Wings

Just like Kenny Chesney says, “My Only Friends are Pirates”.. ok well.. I have friends who aren't pirates too! But some of my very best friends are pirates! Seven years ago I began my college career at ECU. Little did I know the people that I shared a dorm, ate dining hall food, walked to classes, went to the Rec Center and attended FCA with on Monday nights would become my family. We helped each other through everything. Learning how to live on our own, making trips to the grocery store, learning how to cook and clean and solve life’s little problems – we got through them all. One of my favorite quotes says “The best memories are from the nights that turn into mornings and the friends that turn into family.” This is truly what we did. Since college we have all gone our separate ways and live in different towns, and unfortunately we don’t spend every waking moment together like we did for four wonderful years. When we all have a chance to get together we make the best out of it, and making the best of our time together – we certainly do! Last Saturday night, fifteen of us gathered at the new Buffalo Wild Wings at Southpoint Mall for a reunion. First we were excited to see each other and second we were beyond excited to eat at “Bdubs.” We ate at Bdubs all the time when we were in college. They have the best wings a pirate could ask for! The closest Buffalo Wild Wings to Raleigh is either Greenville, NC or Burlington, NC. Having a grand opening in our vicinity is very exciting. Most of us have not had the opportunity to eat at Buffalo Wild Wings since we graduated and our meal Saturday night was like heaven! We are a very talkative group and did not stop talking the whole dinner. But as soon as our food arrived, our large table of 15 hardly said a word. Sadly, not everyone could make it to our reunion Saturday night but we had a great time with those who could make it! We will be having many more Bdubs dinners now that we can have a taste of purple and gold so close to home.