Hawks vs Falcons: GO HAWKS!

I finally got up the strength to tell you guys about my trip to Atlanta. I was a bit sad after our loss but I am ready to share my amazing trip with all you Hawk fans out there!

Oh! I forgot to tell you. This isn't Torie. This is Tony. I'm the official Seahawk's mascot in the house and was lucky enough to go to Atlanta with her and Jordan! Even though we didn't win, we still had a blast! GO HAWKS!

Before dawn on Saturday January 12, we were up and ready to rumble. We got up around 4am and my friend Torie, got in a small work out while Jordan and I slept in a little longer. Between you and me, we think she is a bit nuts. I mean seriously, she wasted 30 extra minutes of sleep for a workout!!! What a psycho!

Anyways, we made our way to Sea-Tac in minimal traffic which was nice. Even the security lines were incredibly short but Torie and I had to go through the X-Ray machine. It was so weird! I hope I don't end up growing another arm or something...

Then we had breakfast and man was I hungry! I also indulged in a mimosa...come on its vacation!!!

    

I kept things modest with my drink, but Jordan is so scared of planes, he had another drink after breakfast. We had a long time until our flight so he indulged a bit more than I did. I love planes though so I was excited!

One of things I was not able to get a picture of were the fans on the plane. I swear to bears everywhere that half that plane had people dressed in their best blue! From mardi gras beads, to jerseys, hand made signs and their favorite Hawk's hat. We constantly cheered before, during, and after our flight. It was impressive. It invoked this kind of camaraderie among us passengers. That's what I love about team sports. Without a word you are a part of a community. Instant family. Instant recognition and acceptance into an organization without prejudice. If only the rest of the world could act that way...

Ok I'm done with the mushy gushy. That crap is for pansies, we got a game to win people! Had...ok anyways...Once we landed in the ATL, we hoped over to the gate next to us to wait for Jordan's buddy, Grant. When he got off the plane we made our way to our hotel room and get this...it was basically an apartment!!! It had 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, full kitchen, living room AND dining area....talk about fancy! The decor was terrible but who cares. It was very roomy. I took a nap when we got there to save my energy for the big game!

                                       

That night though, we all went out to STATS. It was bar about half a mile from the Georgia Dome where ALL the Seahawk fans partied. It had 3 levels and we started at the top and worked our way down. Torie even met Paul Silvi! The sports guy for King 5 news! We didn't have a camera with us though because in case any of us had too much to drink, we didn't want to lose or break the camera. 

At the top of the bar there were three people with over sized cardboard cut outs of the heads of Pete Carroll, Marshawn Lynch and I think Russell Wilson. It was hilarious and fun. Everyone seemed a bit tossed up there so we went one level down and it was a little less crowded and more controlled. We came across a couple people that were on our plane and then we got some raffle tickets for the night's drawing!

And guess what....I won the #1 prize! An autographed Bruce Irving ball!!! WOO HOO!!!

Shortly after that we headed home. There were a lot of people asking to trade things for the ball and buy it. Before we left though, we got invited to a tailgate! Another reason why we left early was because we needed to get beer before the stores stopped selling it so we had something to contribute to the tailgate.

The next day, I was up and ready to go!

The following pics are of us in the cab as well as our own, DIY tailgate. See...the cab driver didn't know where the parking lot was that were trying to describe so we had him drop us off anywhere. As we walked into Falcon territory, engulfed in black and red, we spotted two lonely Hawks. We dropped in with our two cases of beer, joined them, then handed out free beers to Hawks fans!! It was SO much fun!

 

 

 

The energy in the entire place was insane! I mean absolutely insane. The Falcon fans weren't to bad, but my favorite insult was from the guy that yelled, "TREE HUGGERS!" Yeah, big insult. I'm crying...from laughing!!!

We met so many people. We even met Cam Chancellor's middle school and high school football coach!!!! SO CRAZY!!

The game of course was also quite the event. We had a few beers, heart attacks, cheers, and high fives... 

...All for it to end just as abruptly as it had started. Although, I can't WAIT till next year. We are going to be a power house!

After the game, we found our way to a tailgate and discussed the game with some fellow fans...

...Then we walked to STATS and had a beer with a couple of cordial Falcon's fans and then finally made it home. Where we continued the night's festivities.

All in all, it was a fantastic weekend. The Hawks played their ass off and the rest of us cheered our ass off. There's nothing like being a part of such an awesome and supportive community as the 12th man allegiance. GO HAWKS!

2012 in Review: What is in Store for 2013?

It is already 2013...that is insane to me. Actually, I'm a little pissed. I want a hover board or flying car! Come on scientists!!! Let's get with it! ;)

Reflecting back on 2012, it was one hell of a year. There is a lot that can happen in 365 days! Hm...let's take a look at how insane it was for me: (good and bad)

1. Started CrossFit in January
2. Got married February 18
3. Started my second year as head coach of a high school varsity softball team
1.  That season had to be the hardest 3 months of my life. I was tested emotionally and my character and morals were also tested daily. I wish I could have another  year with those girls and that program to make up for the hellish season we had.
4. Quit CrossFit during the softball season, gained weight, resumed training mid-May. Made massive progress and then took my health to the next phase and jump started my new lifestyle with a nutritional lifestyle change. Dropped 8 lbs in 24 days and 2 pant sizes. By August I had dropped 20 pounds and 3 pant sizes and was excelling in the box.
5. Broke my toe in July and ended my summer softball time.
6. Jordan left for 40 days from June through July. We were having a rough go in our relationship. Partly cause it is that first year of marriage and we were most likely testing each other's boundaries, but also because I was not in a good place. I did not like myself physically and as a person. 
7. Alcohol is a bad choice 9/10 times for me. 
8. A strained relationship with my dad's side of the family began before the wedding and stayed that way until the end of November. We reconciled our differences. Made our apologies. Moved on. I learned a lot about myself and others which I wrote about in an earlier post.
9. I understood more and more the strength of my mother. Yeah I think she is a bit nuts and negative but the foundation of who she is and what she strives to achieve is nothing short of heroic.
10. Regardless of how often I talk to my siblings, or whether or not we agree on one another's choices in life, there isn't anything we wouldn't do for one another and we always pick up our conversations right where they left off.
11. Jordan is by far the greatest man on this planet. Of course this is a biased opinion. However, I have never met a person with more drive and determination to be the best at everything, even in our relationship. He always checks in our relationship to make sure we are ok and that there is never any hidden angst towards one another. He does everything in his power to make me smile every day and that is not an over exaggeration. He also supports me in every one of my goals and dreams which is why it is so easy to support him in all of his.
12. When I thought my life was going to crap with work and I was severely unhappy, I changed it. I got out of Old Navy and with perfect timing there was an opening at my CrossFit gym. Jordan supported me in earning my CF-L1 certificate to coach CrossFit and change other people's lives the way it changed mine. I also PR'd my Fran time with a time of 5:25. BOOM.
13. It took me several years but I have some of the greatest friends here in Oak Harbor. They taught me to never be shy when meeting people and to just live life to its fullest all the time. They taught me how to be fearless, take some chances, let go of your limitations, and have fun with those around you. You will be surprised in the friendships you make! Shout out to the Blanchard family, everyone that was on SWAT, the team on base, and especially the U-Bets. If it wasn't for Katie Snyder none of this would have happened in the first place. Thank you to the original group at CrossFit Unbound and your continued support regardless of where you are and to those there now that have taught me so much.
14. Family is family regardless of drama and regardless if they are blood or not. 
15. My dog is by far the coolest dog there is. She has so much personality that it is like having an actual person around. She is fun, she is lazy, she is naughty and won't listen to you if she doesn't want to, and she is there for you if you are feeling extra sad. Best dog ever!
16. Warrior Dash, Jordan's first football game at Century Link (ended up going to two), weekend get-a-way with Jordan to watch the Huskies and the Hawks, Chelan with Emily, my trip to NH and Boston to see my best friend AJ and a plethora of other little events here and there that were soooo fantastic I can't even put it into words.

As you can see, a lot of good and a lot of bad. Although you can't have a perfect year. During that terrible emotional season as a head softball coach, I learned how to fight through the grit with a smile and to focus on things that are good. How to show the people that put in the effort that it isn't for nothing, and how to even make the problems I had smile or to just not get to me period. I learned how to laugh when it got hard. I have always tried to be that way in life, but gave up constantly. Now? Now I can do it with anything. It isn't that I'm faking or hiding my emotions or feelings, it is just that I have learned how to redirect anger and focus on the positives. Highlight the best in life especially when things get rough.

What are my plans for 2013? Goals? Well...there is a lot going on actually, but let me start with a few goals:

• Continue to eat healthy
• Participate in 4 CrossFit competitions (I won't mention them, but I have plenty of goals just within CrossFit in general)
• Participate in Ragnar (google it!)
• Make Jordan smile every day
• Make an effort to let my close family and friends know I'm thinking about them and love them.
• Spend time with said family and friends at least once a month.
• Take a lot of pictures when I'm with my friends and family.

I'm sure there are more but that is what I have so far. Fairly general but anything to better my life and those around me is a goal.

What do I have planned though? Moving to Japan...in 7 months...yeah it is coming up fast. So any time I have to spend with family and friends must be taken seriously! I want and will plan things every month for something. It just has to happen. Oh! And another goal is to not cry when I say good-bye to people. 

It is hard to comprehend how hard our move to Japan is going to be for me. I'm just focusing on the exciting stuff right now. Maybe I'll post more on what I want to do in Japan later.

Hope you all have a great start to the new year! Be the best you that YOU can be in 2013!