Baseball Dry Spell

I don’t really know how link-ups/ blog hops work, but I’m doing my first one today...hopefully I did it right! It’s with Sarah over at Venus trapped in Mars. I seriously love that blog. That chick knows so much about sports, is pretty hilarious, and her designs are awesome. My blog hopes to grow up and be like her :]

So we’re pretty much supposed to blog about anything sports related (favorite sport, team, player, a game you went to, something happening in the sports world, etc.) every Friday. This was introduced earlier this week and the timing couldn't have been more perfect because I had a Padres game today. For those that don’t know…4 of my friends and I have season tickets to the Padres games and it’s probably the best investment I've ever made!

Season ticket crew: Ashley, Marcus, Lime, Chels, and I.

Home is section 134

What a great view!

One of the perks of our seats...stretching!

Last night I made the tough decision to switch out tonight’s ticket (and tickets to 3 other games) to tickets on 6/16 for Father’s day. I graduated college (2 weeks ago!) and jumped head first into work. I usually take a Monday or Friday off every week over the summer but I've been so busy these last 2 weeks that I've had to work M-F! Hopefully I get caught up by next week and I’ll have some time to chill…except that my family is in the middle of moving and we've spent the last week sprucing up (paint, flooring, windows, etc.) the “crack house” as I like to call it. I just couldn't justify taking off from work early when I has so much to do AND losing a night of working on the crack house.

My last ball game was May 19^th, and my next game will be June 14^th…there’s a 25 day gap where I will not have been to a baseball game! Thankfully, that weekend will be full of baseball! Yankees vs. Angels on 6/14 & 6/15 and Padres vs. DBacks 6/16!   

Class Of 2013!

Let’s talk about my first day of college ever. I went to the local community college, Palomar College (UCP!) The year was 2006 on a nice summer/fall Monday morning of September…or was it August? Anyways, my first class was softball practice at 10:00 am. I probably left at 8:45, thinking 1 hour and 15 minutes should plenty time to drive the 25 mile distance, and it was. I remember arriving with 30 minutes to spare but ran into trouble when I pulled into the parking lot…and couldn't find an open spot to save my life. After spending an hour going through all of the lots, I finally found an open space! But now I was at least 30 minutes late to class. I struggled to decide if I should go to class or not and after crying to 2 of my best friends over the phone and talking to my dad, I decided not to go. Yep, I did not go to my first class of my college career. Instead I went to the retired softball coach’s office to talk to him about missing class since I knew him personally and was the reason I had decided to go to Palomar and play ball. He told me the new coach was chill and to just talk to her about what happened and she’ll understand. At that very moment, the new coach had stepped into retired coaches office to talk about her first day and there I was, the chick that didn't go to practice. I had to explain myself and she understood…but I had to pay for it and run sprints the following day.

Fast forward 7 years, I graduated from California State University, San Marcos with a Bachelors of Arts in Liberal Studies with a depth of study in Arts & Education on May 18,2013! 

Check out the grad pics:

Jumbo-tron action!

WOOOOOO!

martywiththeparty

with the parentals <3

grandma (mom's mom) and grandpa (dad's dad)

my family.

some besties!

school loves!

life long friends...and a photo bomber

with moniqueqee!

I seriously couldn't have done this without the support of my parents, family, friends, and work. It’s been a long time coming, but I finally did it!

I've still got a few classes, tests, and credential program to get through until I’m fully legit to become a teacher so here’s to the next 3 years!   

PBR & ROC Race

1^st blog as a college graduate. Whaaaat?!! Actually, that’s kind of a lie considering I’m not completely done for the semester. I did walk at commencement this last Saturday, but because  I am split between 2 schools, I’m done with everything at Cal State San Marcos, but still have 2 papers to write and 1 final to take this week for Palomar College. Hopefully I have everything done by Wednesday! Because I've been so focused on school & graduation I’ve kind of been a sucky blogger…so let’s play catch-up!

2 weekends ago I went to the PBR (professional bull riding) with my dad. I probably should have stayed home and done homework…but whatevs. I love me some country music and cowboys, but these bull riders were a different sort of hotness. I was in love. And decided if I don’t marry a ball player, I want a bull rider.

Last weekend I did the ROC (ridiculous obstacle course) Race. Some friends and I signed up in like March and the 2 months it took to get here seemed life for.evvvvv.errrrrr. It was a 5k with 16 obstacles throughout the 3.1 miles. Once of my favorite t.v. shows ever is wipeout and the ROC Race was as close as I would ever get to being on the show. Check out the pics!

Our team!

Caroline and I, before and after.

 Funny story about the shoe donation...I wasn't planning on donating my shoes, because they're the only ones I had but when I walked over with Caroline to drop hers off, I caved into peer pressure and left mine as well. This last Friday [2 weeks after the race] I got dressed to run graduation errands, and looked high and low for my running shoes for 15 minutes...until I remembered that I had donated them. Oops! 

This race was SO much fun. Definitely worth the $60 we paid. Here’s a list of the obstacles. Not sure what my favorites were though. I did learn that I’m completely out of shape and pretty much could only run a mile of the course. Walked most of it. Blah. There’s another race happening up in Orange County, I think we might sign up! Definitely check it out if it comes to a city near you!!!

Padres v. DBacks: Batting Practice And A Loss

My plan for the weekend was to chill out and work on all of the school work I need to get done before the semester ends to kind of make sure I actually graduate. Instead, I got an e-mail Friday afternoon about a VIP opportunity to check out the Padres batting practice before the game Saturday night. I actually should have passed on it because I have lots to get done and little money, but it was a sick opportunity that I had to take advantage of!

The boys were stretching real good. XL pictures so you get the full effect :]

Padres were showing the Kentucky Derby on the big screen during batting practice.

Yonder was pretty happy with the results of the race. I think he won some money!

Natasha & I

Scored some autographs :]

Top: Houston Street. Bottom: Buddy Black.

I was a little sad when they rebuilt the bull pens because they took out the vegetable garden with the  remodel and weren't planning on putting back it. It was cool to see they changed their minds!

It wasn't much of a fun game to be at considering Richard giving up 5 runs early on in the game plus 3 more later on, the mood was kind of suck-ish. The freezing cold wind wasn't fun to put up with, but we stayed for the entire game. There was one Padres homerun, but it wasn't enough to close the gap. Final score was 8-1.

I'm going to another game tonight, hopefully we fare better than we did Saturday.

100 Things To Do Before You Die.

Like 2 weeks ago I pinned this link titled "100 things to do before you die." It has been on my mind since then, so I figured I would type it out here and cross out what I've done in these 24 years of life of mine...and decided I want to cross off 6 more and have 35 done by my 25th birthday, in September. 

1. Set foot on all continents. 

North America and South America, check! Need Europe, Asia, Australia, Antarctica, Africa.  

2. Live in at least 2 different countries with completely cultures.

3. Solve a Rubik's cube.

4. Learn at least one foreign language. 

I live in the U.S. so Spanish is foreign, right?

5. Swim with whale sharks.
Rob @ the Fantasy Factory serves as inspiration for this one. Shark Attack!

6. Get drunk a least once in your life. 

Many times in my life.

7. Bungee jump.

8. Do the Mongol Rally.
The what? I might have to pass on this.

9. Swim with dolphins.

10. Go on a safari.
And check off Africa at the same time!

11. Learn how to surf.
I've been trying to get out to the beach to make this happen but it never works out.

12. Scuba dive. 

13. Fly an airplane.

14. Give a public speech. 

Speech class/class presentations/thank you toasts.

15. Get your body in the ultimate shape at least once in your life. 

Working on it!

16. Run a marathon.
26.2 miles. Ahh!

17. Run a triathlon.
Swimming, biking, AND running?! Bigger AHH!

18. Hot air ballooning.

19. Ride a motorcycle.

20. Sing to an audience. (Karaoke counts)

21. Volunteer 6 months abroad.

22. Have your own business.

23. Fish and eat your own catch.

24. Own a pet.

25. Renew your vows.

26. Watch the top 10 movies of all time. 

27.White water rapids.

28. Try rock climbing.

30. Learn how to make sushi.

31. Go to Disney World.

32. Learn how to sail.

33. Paint and frame your painting.

1/2 way there!

34. Help a stranger in distress.

35. Ride a roller coaster.

Disneyland. 6 Flags. Knotts Berry Farm. Del Mar Fair.

36. Drive the autobahn.

37. Spend Christmas on the beach.

Does the day after Christmas count? It's my tradition to go to the beach on the 26th and chill.

38. Get your B.A. or equivalent.

Wooooooo!

39. Find of job you love or create the job you love.

40. Read the top 5 novels of all time. 

41. Sleep under the stars.

<3

42. Make a fool of yourself.

All. The. Time.

43. Drive across an entire country.
Baseball Road trip!

44. See a solar eclipse.

45. Spend the night in a haunted place.

46. Learn how to play a musical instrument. 

Clarinet in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade.

47. Drink beer at the Oktoberfest.
Barf. I hate beer.

48. Sleep in an igloo.

49. Brew your own beer.
Remember how I hate beer?

50. Go to the Superbowl.

51. Go to the Olympics. (Summer or Winter)

52. Write a book. (At least try)

53. Plant a tree.

54. Learn how to dance.

I can bust a move!

55. Ride a camel in the desert.

I rode a camel once at the fair. That was near the beach and far from the desert. But I'm gonna count it.

56. Ride an elephant.

57. Grow a beard at least once in your life.

That might be a little weird.

58. Shave your hair off.

59. Go skinny dipping.

60. Go to your favorite band's concert.

I've seen Drake, Jack's Mannequin, Alicia Keys, Lady Antebellum, and Dierks Bentley, Need John Mayer and JT.  

61. Climb a mountain.

62. Learn how to swim.

Never been good at it though.

63. Party until sunrise.

Good times.

64. Go wild at La Tomatina.
I heard you had to be a dude to do this.

65. Go to the opera.

66. Cross a country using public transportation.

67. Get to know your neighbors. 

No witty remark for this one.

68. Travel around the world.

69. Backpack through another country.

70. Go camping.

It's been years since I've done it! Want to go again, ASAP!

71. Feed a homeless person.

72. Take a class you've always wanted.

73. Own a sports car.

74. Go skiing.
Not very good at that...or snowboarding.

75. Shoot a gun.
BB Gun.

76. Trek Machu Picchu.

77. Visit Angkor Wat.
Which would mean I'd be in Asia, another continent down.

78. See the Iguazu Falls.
Before of after I check out the Carnival in Rio

79. Go kayaking.

Once, with Sara. Funniest moment of my life.

80. Dance at the Carnival in Rio.
I've always wanted to do this!

81. See a glacier.

82. Take a bath in a hot spring.

83. Try to beat a world record.

84. Go to a drive-in movie theater.

85. Ride a gondola in Venice.
What's up Europe?!!

86. See the Eiffel Tower.
Can I get the Lauren Conrad experience like when she went there on The Hills?

87. Fly a kite.

Who hasn't?

88. Solve a jigsaw puzzle.

Again, who hasn't?

89. Be an extra in a movie.

Audience of DWTS/SYTYCD/Jay Leno counts. But I might be auditioning for Anchor Man 2 next week!

90. Dance the macarena.

That was my jam when I was a kid.

91. Eat fried oreos/twinkies/cheesecake.

Thank you Del Mar Fair.

92. Float in the Dead Sea.
I just learned about the crazy tension out in that area with Jordan, Israel, and Palestine. Scary stuff! 

93. Travel at least once by train.

To Anaheim and Santa Barbara.

94. Go on a cruise.
I'm terrified of the deep sea. I might pass on this.

95. See the Northern Lights. (Aurora Borealis)

96. Travel by yourself.

97. Ride a horse.
As a kidlet in Meheeeco.

98. Fall in love.

99. Learn how to juggle. 

Couldn't tell you when or where I learned, but I def can do it.

100. Feel like the happiest person on Earth. 

I was the happiest person on Earth that one time I met Zac Efron.

Is there anything on this list you've done that I haven't? Share your experience/tips! I'd love to hear about it :] What about stuff on this list that you'd like to do? 

Weekend Update: Natasha's Birthday Staycation

Maybe once school is over, I’ll become a better blogger. 17 days until graduation, WHOOO HOOO! Seriously though…how are bloggers able to post their weekend nonsense first thing Monday morning?!! I barely have enough time to get out of bed and get ready for school/work.

Here’s my weekend update :]

Friday: Did absolutely nothing for the night…except for homework.

Saturday: Worked in the morning, then got ready to go to downtown San Diego for a little staycation while we watched some Padres baseball for my friend Natasha’s birthday! We didn't sit in our regular seats and switched it up a little.

Keri & I

Natasha & I

Rant: The souvenir cups at Petco Park are like exactly the same size as the cup holders so my drink gets stuck and I can’t ever get it out. Instead, I put my drink (that I had taken 2 sips out of) on the ground. The people next to us had left their seats to get food and came back and knocked over my full drink. I kind of sighed super loud…but as a joke. The jerk didn’t apologize OR offer to purchase me a new drink. Asshole.

It was kind of a stressful game because so many people from our group were coming at different times, some had tickets, others didn’t, some misplaced their tickets, and others were just being pissy pants. By the 7^th inning of the game, a majority of us were in our seats having a good time, and were treated with extra innings and ultimately a Padres win!

Besides it being Natasha’s birthday, we also went to the game because the Long Haul Bombers were going to be there jacking hits out of the park. It was pretty cool to see these guys hit the ball hard and far. Pretty sure they were using shaved bats…but who doesn’t in slow pitch?

We hit up Bub’s at the Ballpark for some post game shots and drinks and then headed to the hotel for some shut eye.

Sunday: Woke up bright and early to get ready for brunch at the park…one of my favorite perks of being a season ticket holder. Lots of food, and some interaction with the players. Natasha played catch with one of the Padres, and we chatted up Cashner for a bit while he was chilling in the bullpen. He let us know that one of our favorites, Hatcher (bull pen catcher) was sick and not going to be there. Sad face.

We had an hour to kill after brunch was over so we headed to our seats and waited for the game to start. Caroline’ beer slipped out of her hand so she owed some quacks. Chelsea lost hers too so she also had to pay up.

It was a fun game with a Padres win AND SWEEP over the Giants. After, we headed to Bub’s again for some dinner…I wasn’t too pleased with what I had (chicken fingers) but it is what it is. I guess we’ll just stick to their bar. Right as we were gonna head out, Casey Kelly walked it. Not a lot of fans know he is because he was just pulled up into the majors last year and is a relief pitcher for the Padres, and probably the most handsome guy on the team. He had tommy john surgery not too long ago so he’s actually not playing right now and actually recovering. We blew his cover and asked for a picture and talked to him for a little, super cool guy!

It was a good little vacation, some chill time before I take on these last two weeks of school and finals!