Bowl Game Trip SLASH Why I love Carolina

White Horse came to pick us up at 6am the day after Christmas. Waking up was no problem -- I had been up since 2 because I found out my best friend got ENGAGED!! (Which, if you know us, basically means I got engaged. I'll let her wear the GORGEOUS ring though.) Trying to sleep on the train was like a kid trying to sleep on Christmas Eve -- the excitment just makes it impossible.
We arrived in Charlotte and as soon as we walk in our hotel I see Deunta Williams. OH.MY.GOSH. So I call my brother over and tell him and we jump up and down and scream like little girls. Next thing I know THE ENTIRE TEAM is coming down the escalator. I could have gone back to Raleigh after that. It was amazing. Butch said "Merry Christmas" and "Go Heels" and I talked to Greg Little. (Actually I sort of stalked and pointed and said, "There's GREG!!" and he proceeded to come over and shake my hand and say "Whats up, How are you?" -- Again, could have gone home then).
We then went to lunch at this precious restaurant called Zinc. The food was delicious -- Daddy got some random beer and Lis and I split a bottle of wine (GAME DAY!). After lunch, we went back to the hotel where they were doing the equivalent of the "Old Well Walk" through the hotel. The team came through and high fived everyone. When TJ walked by Lisa yelled, "WE LOVE YOU TJ" and I honestly don't think I've ever seen someone look happier. Poor TJ has had the weight of the world on his shoulders. Everyone is giving him such a hard time when 2 years ago 2 eight win seasons in a row seemed impossible. But anyway, I digress. Back to the story. This is the part of the story that reaffirms my faith in athletics, gives me chills, and reminds me why I love my university more than anything. Marvin Austin came through on the Old Well walk, sunglasses on, per usual, but he was sobbing. SOBBING. I have never seen a guy cry so much in my life. If there was every any doubt he was leaving, it exited my body when I saw him. But can you blame him? And the fact that he loves Carolina enough to sob and visibly shake when he thinks about playing his last game, gives me CHILLS. Thank you, Marvin Austin, for reminding me why I love Carolina and college sports. You will be missed.

(What's Supposed to be the) Monday Morning Review

I took Monday off after a busy weekend in Charlotte so the Monday morning review is coming a bit late today. I will just talk about sports here and about the actual bowl trip (along with Christmas, why I love Carolina, etc, in a later post). Carolina football lost a CLOSE one to Pitt in the Meineke Car Care Bowl Saturday. Carolina lost 19-17. Pitt's a really good team and it was a very exciting game, albeit heartbreaking. Football season, I miss you already.

Carolina bball won a (too) close one Monday night versus Rutgers. We had very balanced scoring with 6 players in double digits (including LD and Dex). Dex had a pretty breakout game with 16 off the bench. Marcus was out with a sprained ankle. I hate that he's having to miss games again this season after last season. Next game is tomorrow night versus Albany.

Monday Morning Review

Thank goodness the holidays are here to give me some Christmas cheer because Carolina certainly did not do that with their loss to Texas on Saturday. We hung around for most of the game, but played INCREDIBLY sloppy. That includes my baby LD :( It was an all around dissapointing game.

SO SO SO hopeful for the bowl game next Saturday, but so so so scared. Pitt is a ridiculously good team with a defense that can also make the claim to be one of the best in the nation.

On another note, Dukie Jay Bilas had this to say about my baby:
Point Guard Larry Drew, the biggest question mark entering the season, has played more like an exclamation point. Drew has played with poise and control, and is averaging 9 points, 6.8 assists, and 2.9 turnovers per game. While not a speed merchant, Drew plays with good pace and has done a very nice job running the team. He has also hit some really important shots and has greatly improved his shooting from last season.

My dad's response? "Bilas obviously didn't watch the Texas game." BOO.

Snow?!

WRAL is reporting that snow could be heading to the Triangle tomorrow afternoon through Saturday morning!! SO EXCITED! Snow around Christmas?? That never happens here! Well, snow never happens here, let alone snow at Christmas! I just have to make it to 5pm today -- then pilates, Daddy's bday dinner at Coquette (YUM), holiday festivities at work tomorrow (hopefully including snow and leaving early!) Yayyy! Happy Holidays, bundle up and definitely use the weather as an excuse to rock some winter white :)

Brush with Greatness

If you are familiar with Chapel Hill, or if you consider yourself somewhat of a fashion afficianado, or even a sports buff, then you have heard of Alexander Julian. He is an acclaimed clothing designer, though his most notable contribution to fashion comes in the form of basketball jerseys for the UNC men's basketball team. Yes, Julian is responsible for the argyle that makes me feel we are better than every team in the country, even when we aren't playing better than every team in the country. Basketball + fashion? Definitely a man after my own heart.

Saturday I got the opportunity to meet this legend at his store, Julian's. He donned a bright red jacket and green pants - definitely festive - while sipping some varietal of red vino.

I introduced my family to my latest love in the store, the Glen Carolina bamboo scarf, and made hints that it was definitely atop my Christmas list.

Julian embodies the idea of a perfect mess by taking two seemingly unrelated things, fashion and sports, and marrying them into a beautiful, superior, national championship winning union. :) The fact that those two seemingly unrelated things are my two passions -- that's just the cherry on top. :)

Monday (Supposed to be morning) Review

No football news to update on as the Heels are resting up, practicing up, and otherwise swaggering up for the Bowl Game in less than two weeks! The Basketball boys took on Presbyterian. It was the game my brother and I go to while my dad and Lisa celebrate their anniversary at Elaines. We had such a good time. We won by over 40 despite Dexter and Marcus being out, and Marc Campbell playing 20ish minutes.

In other news, LD is 3rd in the nation in assists. That makes me happyhappyhappy. :)

Winter White

I lovelovelove the idea of winter white. Something about it screams I'm fashionable, I'm fresh, I'm clean, I'm crisp, I'm a snowbunny. I love that. I think I have a huge desire to be a snowbunny because we never get snow around here. And when we do? MAGICAL. The snow on the pines is gorgeous. Seeing the Old Well covered in snow is something I'll never forget. Yet, these snowy moments are few and far between for me, so until the next time I'll just wear my winter white and pretend to be a snowbunny. :)

Monday Morning Review - Depressing Style

It was a sad weekend, both basketball and football wise. The bball boys took to the hardwood at Rupp Arena vs. #5 Kentucky. The matchup was one that was discussed to no end because of Kentucky's freshman phenom, John Wall. Wall is a Raleigh Word of God graduate, but someone that we ended up not wanting because of character issues. (Or as Roy puts it, "Sometimes the shoe just doesn't fit.") Kentucky dominated for most of the game, but only ended up winning by 2. I'm really proud of the boys for fighting back the way they did; I wasn't sure if this young team could do it.

Last night they announced bowl games. Meineke. Again. Not happy. The plus side? The money we saved not flying will now go to a Bahamas trip in March. :) At least we're going to a bowl. We're playing Pitt who is #17 in the country and not a very good matchup for us...

National Champions Part Deux

A rematch of epic proportions took place at the Dean Dome last night as Number 11 North Carolina, defending National Champions, took on Number 2 Michigan State, defending National Runner-Up. Carolina started out hot and aggressive, shooting well and driving to the basket with more ease than normal. The game was a fast paced one and Carolina went into the half with a 16 point lead. The lead would not stay 16, however, as Michigan State battled back in the second half. Carolina fought to keep ahead, led by the scoring of Ed Davis, Deon Thompson, and Larry Drew. Dexter Srickland, Tyler Zeller, and John Henson played critical roles off the bench and the Tar Heels defended their title with a win over the Spartans.

"Increased confidence, increased playing time - just overall experience. I was born to play this game and this position. As long as I'm out there, I'm going to make something happen. I came out here to run the team and to win games." - Larry Drew II (18 points, 6 assists).

Everyone, remember I was there in the beginning. When fans got nervous when Drew came into relieve Ty Lawson. Remember that. All the rest of you -- bandwagon.

Cyber Monday!

Yesterday was Cyber Monday, the online equivalent to Black Friday. I am not quite sure how I have missed this phenomenon in past years (maybe the lack of an actual paycheck factored into the equation), but I was a proud participant yesterday. One of my best purchases? A gorgeous silk blouse (see picture, left) from Ann Taylor that I have been craving for some time now. It's normally 85.00 but I got it for 40% off yesterday. It's going to replace my silk white and black Banana Republic blouse that has taken a beating over the years.

To continue the shopping spirit, albeit not cyber, I headed out to Target at lunch with a $50.00 gift card in tow (Thanks Wes!) There I got a gorgeous feather headband, an incredibly comfy robe, and the most "I vacation in the Hamptons" slippers you have ever seen complete with cable knit detailing and pom-poms. I wore them last night as I began writing my Christmas cards. Happy shopping and happy holidays! :)

(What's supposed to be) The Monday Morning Review

I got up at 6:45 Saturday Morning in 35 degree weather to go support my boys at Carter-Finley. Thank goodness the tailgate was fun because the game itself was entirely and utterly depressing. We officially blew it. I can't write anymore without getting really upset about it.

Sunday evening the bball boys pulled out a close one against the other Wolfpack, Nevada. The game was entirely too close but LD had 12 points, 10 assists, and 1 turnover. :) It was a bit sloppy (per usual) but I was proud of us hanging in there when we went down late in the second half.

Tonight at 9:00 (break out the holiday coffee tomorrow am) I'll be in the Dean Dome watching a rematch of the National Championship. MSU is currently ranked 2, while we are 12. It should be a good game and a HUGE test of our ability to hang tough with a MSU team that has 4 of its 5 starters from last year back. Will post tomorrow. GO HEELS.