sprinnggggg breakkkk

yes, it's that time of year, spring break! For many athletic trainers (and me in the past) spring break means a time to relax, recuperate and celebrate the end of winter sport season - and most importantly, the end of the "over-lap" period. Not for Albion ATs this year! We are on the road and helping our teams get some WINS.

Yesterday, I flew from Detroit, MI ---> Charlotte, NC ---> Savannah, GA then drove from Savannah, GA ---> Tallahassee, FL then TODAY we drive from Tallahassee, FL to Panama City Beach, FL

phew. it's gonna be a lot of driving (didn't mention that at the end of the week we go from Panama City Beach, FL to Huntsville, AL then drive back to Albion, MI.

More fun about these trips to come, I'm sure.

But this brings me to this point: SUNSHINE MAKES EVERYTHING SO MUCH BETTER.

Being from a ((sometimes)) dreary state like Michigan, sunshine is scarce in the winter and I forget how much of an effect it has. It's amazing that now in Tallahassee, it's 45 degrees and SUNNY but it just feels sooooo good. And even better to be in new flip flops I bought at the end of the summer last year and haven't really had too much of an opportunity to wear. :)

Can't wait til we hit out "final" destination of Panama City Beach. I hope to get a burn/tan on. It's been wayyyyyyy too long since this body has seen sunshine.

Happy Sunday! :) 

it's been a little while...

Been a little while since I have posted something, life gets too crazy sometimes! 

I've spent the past week recovering from the stomach flu. yuck. Definitely made me realize that:
a) I'm not invincible
b) I have an absolutely amazing boyfriend. Period.
c) My room is pretty far from the bathroom
d) Tinsley can only be relaxed for 1 day and then she becomes psycho
e) It's hard to watch Friday Night Lights when sleeping every other episode
f) Vanilla milkshakes aren't always what's best
g) My co-workers are awesome.

All-in-all, I'm on the mend and despite some exhaustion, lack of appetite and dehydration. It's amazing how much is missed at work when you have 2+ days off. Phew, didn't think it was possible for an athletic trainer to miss so much, but it's a great thing everyone I work with is understanding and supportive.

Tomorrow I leave for spring break. Wooohoo! Right? Well, it's a work spring break trip.... I'll be with our track and field team in Savannah, GA - Panama City Beach, FL - Fultondale, AL. And then, we make the lovely 24 hour trip back to Michigan, in 15 passenger vans. So lucky :)

The other interesting fact that I have recently discovered is that Panama City Beach, FL is THE spot for college spring breaks. Awesome. So much for my relaxing poolside vacation? I'm picturing laying by the pool with my headphones on while college kids dance and make out all around me. At least I'll get a sunburn? I mean suntan?

At any rate, I am excited to get to know the team and coaches a little better, help them compete the best that they can, and get some sun! While it'll be a work trip, I am sure I'll find some time for some much needed relaxation (I hope) :)

Wednesday Feburary 15 = just like Christmas morning

Well, I knew it was near. The rumors have been flying all over antsmarching.org and my wonderful bf even tried to convince me Wednesday February 15 would be the day of all days (to which I quickly said 'no way, you have no idea'. But of course, I was wrong.

The Dave Matthews Band released their tour dates.

Yessssssssss, Christmas morning. The planning has begun as we prep for several "Dave-cations" this summer. I mean, one of the best things about being an athletic trainer/professor is that I don't work summers! :) Should I probably pick up some camps, yes. But, come on.... Dave Matthews Band! My love(s)!

Below is the list of dates, and of course the bolded ones have already been requested off by MSD. Most importantly, we work to top his record of 7 shows last year. It's a good thing I started saving money for this a few months ago.... :)

"life is short but sweet for certain" ~~~~~"the future is no place to better your days"

5/18/12

The Woodlands, TX

6/26/12

Camden, NJ

5/19/12

Dallas, TX

6/27/12

Camden, NJ

5/20/12

Gulf Shores, AL

6/29/12

Hershey, PA

5/22/12

Atlanta, GA

6/30/12

Bethel, NY

5/23/12

Charlotte, NC

7/3/12

Darien Center, NY

5/25/12

Hartford, CT

7/6/12

East Troy, WI

5/26/12

Hartford, CT

7/7/12

East Troy, WI

5/28/12

Scranton, PA

7/10/12

Clarkston, MI

5/29/12

Cincinnati, OH

7/11/12

Maryland Heights, MO

6/2/12

Toronto, ONT

7/13/12

Burgettstown, PA

6/3/12

Cuyahoga Falls, OH

7/14/12

Burgettstown, PA

6/5/12

Mansfield, MA

7/18/12

Tampa, FL

6/6/12

Mansfield, MA

7/20/12

West Palm Beach, FL

6/8/12

Saratoga Springs, NY

7/21/12

West Palm Beach, FL

6/9/12

Saratoga Springs, NY

8/31/12

George, WA

6/12/12

Wantagh, NY

9/1/12

George, WA

6/13/12

Wantagh, NY

9/2/12

George, WA

6/16/12

Bristow, VA

9/7/12

Chula Vista, CA

6/17/12

Virginia Beach, VA

9/8/12

Irvine, CA

6/22/12

Noblesville, IN

9/9/12

Mountain View, CA

6/23/12

Noblesville, IN

really cool website I wanted to share

I came across this website in Real Simple magazine - they were advertising twist-band tie-dye bands at $2.50. They looked ally cute so I wanted to check them out!

The website is www.thetwistband.com

Check it out! There is some really cute ideas for hair ties and some cute other gadgets!

motto of the day: keep calm and carry on

well, as I sit here on hour 12 of my work day I am hoping to wrap up the day with a bit of reflection on my life and all of the events that take place every day.

it is seeming to be more and more common that I have days like today where all I can tell myself is to "keep calm and carry on". I am getting SICK of these kinds of days but I am hoping that I will be able to look back and laugh at all that I have gone through.

I think it's amazing to think about the different types of people that I interact with every day. Here are my broad descriptions of those people: abrasive, self-centered, annoying, negative, shy, ignorant, cocky.

I don't necessarily like this list as it's pretty darn negative. I know there's good people out there and there's definitely good people that I come in contact with every day, but today's just the day that strikes that negative chord. Bummer, but truthful.

Sometimes I wonder what some people's motive is.... what motivates someone to be who they are? Do people know when they are described as "abrasive, self-centered, annoying, negative, shy, ignorant, cocky"? I know that there are definitely days (like today) that I can be defined as something not so negative, but I don't think it is the overwhelming thought when people try to describe me.... well, I hope not.

So, the motto for the day today is "keep calm and carry on" I decided I wanted to get the daily calendar for "keep calm and carry on" .... apparently it's $35, I think I can look up motivational quotes each day for free. I did find this poster on www.amazon.com that I LOVE and have considered ordering.... It'd look great in my office, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, living room....pretty much anywhere I need motivation.


Additionally - I have some other big news, that will probably be "announced"/"discussed" later but I have made a decision that's a great one. Before the "KCACO" motto infiltrated my day, I was motivated by this:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
  —Proverbs 3:5-6

If that's not the truth, then I don't know what is.

Sibling Rivalry

When my parents got married - my aunts and uncles destroyed their house... moved around all the furniture, took out all the light bulbs, took all the labels off the cans, etc. It ended up causing a "sibling rivalry war" that went on for many many years until it was called off when my dad perhaps jumped the line with putting my aunt and uncle's house on the market (for a very low price) the weekend of their daughter got married.

Well, magically, when my brother and now sister-in-law got married on October 1, 2011 (see picture below) they came home to a disheveled house. For some reason, the jerks seem to think that I was the one that did it, yet I was in the wedding.

For Christmas, I received 30 wrapped cans (all with the labels off) and some of them had gift cards on them. Instead of throwing away the cans, I have decided to be as creative as possible and make some delicious feasts with the "Christmas Mystery Cans".

Here is the start of what I have created:


1/14/11: Mike and I had a great dinner planned of Chicken Cordon Bleu, mashed potatoes, and a "mystery can". The first can I pulled out expired in 2007 and was quickly thrown in the trash. The second can was opened and it was......

Chickpeas!!!

Well, those were thrown into the fridge and saved til last night and I made roasted chickpeas! All the recipes I have found online and through Pinterest involved cajun seasonings, and I am not a spice kinda gal... so I used some garlic and a seasoning blend and they are delicious!

I drained the can, threw in some olive oil and mixed them around. Then I sprinkled some of the seasoning blend and garlic until I felt they were covered enough. Oven was pre-heated to 350 and I cooked them for about 30 minutes (they probably should have stayed in a little longer but I was tired at 11pm)

ahhh and life begins to speed up...

This weekend marks the end of "freedom as I know it". ((As I type, I am covering the second lacrosse practice of the day))

The business and scheduling of college athletics, or athletics in general, is just amazing. If you aren't aware of the "structure" of college athletics it goes like this.... coaches/athletic directors plan games about 1-2 years in advance. Coaches plan practice schedules about one week in advance. (we are fortunate that coaches are required to plan a a month ahead, kinda - they have to turn in schedules by the 20th of each month). Now, what this means for the support staff is... well, it means that we need to show up whenever something is scheduled. This means Sundays, holidays, mornings, midnights... whatever is scheduled. And it is not much fun. (polite understatement)

At a small instritution, the "cross-over" schedules are the worst. Fall sports (then add basketball and off-season spring sports) then when we come back from winter break, Basketball in season (then add spring sports and fall off-season sports). PHEW - I'll tell you what that means: A lot of practices + 2 locations + classes in session + minimal staff = lots of drinking.

wait, I meant lots of adjusting. i think....

add to this snow, cold weather and the desire for coaches to practice outside just because we have beautiful new turf (thank you, brother). can't wait til next year when there's lights out there too!



I feel like I could go on and on about how crazy this lifestyle is, but the reality is that I picked it. I chose to go into something so insane because I LOVE what I do. Mike and I were just having this discussion today, Normal people don't work on weekends? Most people don't work on Sunday afternoons? Weird... I don't know what I would do with a 9-5(ish) M-F job, it would be very weird, but I'm sure something that will be desired someday.


With all of this being said - I am GREATLY looking forward to things starting back up this week. I can't wait to see all the athletic training students tomorrow in our meeting, they bring so much bittersweet joy to my life :)
We will have a great year with all of our sports this season and all of the academics with our AT students. I am looking forward to teaching two classes - it's such an amazing thing to be able to give back to the profession and give back to the program that gave me my education. If you've never mentored or taught, you should - the reward is incredible and it's even better to know that you have helped others.

So with this... BRING IT ON SPRING - YOU CAN'T BREAK ME!!!!

I have faith that God is living out a divine plan through me. Have faith in God. -Mark 11:22