Hayden

UAB "Spirit Week"

2008-10-19T18:35:00.000-07:00

Yeah it's Homecoming week at UAB! With being the dedicated Blazer fans/students that we are, we all participated in the Homecoming spirit events! The events for Homecoming week are an official building decoration competition, a gurney race, the Homecoming parade and of course the big game. I will have to say we did not get to participate in all of the events of the week, but we did sport our green UAB Physical Therapy shirts on Tuesday. We also went out in front of our SHP (school of health professions) building and cheer for the Blazers, as the decoration committee came around and judged. I'm not really sure who was in charge of the whole decorating, but they did an excellent job. We had a popcorn machine, SHP cheerleaders, Majorettes, and a boxing ring in which the dean of our school boxed Marshall's mascot. I am not sure of the winner yet, but I will let everyone know the outcome. Also, I do not know who won the game, because of course I was in T-town for the weekend. . . there is more on that to come. So I guess, GO BLAZERS!

The boxing ring!

Catherine Jones was really excited about the popcorn!

Marshall's mascot, I think she was a bison? but it was great!

And the River Won!

2008-09-05T11:48:00.000-07:00

Little Cahaba River

When things get a little boring around the 'Ham, you can always count on someone to think of a great plan or as we like to call them "an activity" to do. Last Saturday was one of those days, but not too worry, the day was saved with the idea to brave the river. This river would be the "Cahaba", and for all of you, yes it does flow near Selma. In high school we would buy fun rafts and pack a cooler and enjoy a lazy day on the river. There were several events which included the traditional mud fight and of course the initial jump off the bridge for the crazy ones.

Well, although it is the same river, I have to say things are much more "advanced" (take that lightly). If you take a short drive down to Montevollo, AL and go a little further, you will end up in Limestone park. The river tubing was previously referred to as BullDog Bend, but now I guess its just the "Cahaba". The crazy back roads take you to an opening where usually there are several cars parked and just beyond a sketchy shack with a woman taking names of who is going on the river. I'm not really sure, but I think that it was a waver or something. Anyway once you pay for a tube the really nice "good ole boys" will drive you down to the river in the back of an old pick up and drop you off. From there you are on your own.

This time on the river, the brave ones were KK, Bethany, Sparks, Alex(Katie) Conway and myself. We were going pretty good, after some assistance getting in the river. We had even gone down the first two rapids great but on the third rapid that's when things went wrong. I decided to go down first, being the veteran, but that was a mistake. I lost one of my shoes and then realized that the rocks were scraping my back. At this point by reflex, I pushed down on my feet to raise my back and that's when it happened. Yeah i scraped my foot, or maybe ripped my foot on a rock is more of the term. I wasn't really sure what had happened, but at the end i had a pretty bloody battle wound.

I am very luck to have a doctor in the fam so of course Dr. Logan took care of me. He put 6 stitches in my foot, or Statches as Lola called them. The pictures below might be a little graphic but it really is not that bad. So in the end, the river did win, but there will be a rematch!

Alternative Forms of Transportaion

2008-08-24T09:31:00.000-07:00

Ryan and Anna on the bike!

At UAB and probably every other college campus parking passes are a must. At good Ole' Samford, your parking pass showed not only where you could park, but also where you lived. The good days of having a purple sticker when you were a freshman, green if you lived in "The woods", Yellow if you lived on "West Campus"(gotta love the chi o house), and finally blue if you were a commuter. I will have to say that in my four years at Samford I had all four colors.

Well at UAB things are not as color friendly. They have all these numbers that correspond to different lots, but there are several lots with the same number. Also, the map that shows all of these same numbered lots is not color coded like SU. Thank goodness I am a grad student and not a new scared freshman who has no idea where to go. Along with the certain non-color coded lots that we have to park in, we also have to pay for a pass to do so. It is rather expensive to park at UAB compared with SU, but I have to say tickets are not as expensive. I will always remember my semester at Samford when i collected a personal best of $250 worth of parking tickets. I'm pretty sure Campus Safety had a stellar Christmas party on me that year.

Anyway all of this to say, the way to go is to help the environment. Yeah at UAB they give you incentives to "Go Green". For our good friend Ryan, pictured above, he chose the bike route. He basically can park anywhere (on the grass and what not) and he doesn't have to buy a parking pass. The only downfall, yeah when it rains its kinda a sad day for him. So for now, we hope for sunny days and the occasional ride to our cars on the back of Ryan's YEllOW BIKE!

Check that bike out! Now who would not want to ride that?

We Jumped Out of a Ducking Plane

2008-08-22T11:49:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I'm in the Air!

Chris, Me, Catherine, DWinn, Anna, and Lucy

Yes, so it's true. . . We jumped out of a plane. "Actually, Hay Hay"(as Lola would say) We actually flipped out of an airplane. Several months ago we(Anna, Lucy, Catherine and I) got bored one night and decided to watch Catherine's skydiving video. After that it was just a matter of time before we were calling and planning our trip. Each day in class Lucy would write a note, which contained the number of days before we "jumped out of a ducking plane." We ended up going down to the beach for our "break" from PT school and it just so happened that we found a Skydiving place in Elberta,AL. Emeral Coast Skydiving was our place and what a special place it was. We laughed on our way that it was going to be a sketchy place and guess what we showed up to . . . Yeah it was basically someones house with an additional building out to the side and a large field. I have tons more pics so just let me know if you would like to see them. Also i got an amazing video of the whole thing, so get ready. If you are wanting to skydive let me say it was one of the best experiences in my life and I highly suggest you go for it!!

Our Plane!

Catherine and Anna showing off their goggles

Anna is so proud!

In Flight

Lucy and I getting all geared up

Landing safely on the ground

My Instructor, He was great!

The Big 23!

2008-07-27T17:12:00.000-07:00

Happy B'day Alicia!!

23 People, the 23rd of July, and Alicia's 23rd Birthday what more could a girl want? Every now and then our PT school class likes to have some fun, so this time we went on an outing to Vestavia Bowl!!! Although it was not cosmic bowling, we made it fun. I have to say that I am not the best bowler, but I will say I got a strike during the many games we played.

Everybody Enjoying the games!

It looks like cosmic bowling, but the lights stayed on!

The girls: Catherine, Kim, Lucy, Hayden And Anna!

Check out Keith's skills

"Sipping and a Stroking"

2008-04-07T20:20:00.000-07:00

The fun night

Who says that people who are science minded cannot also be creative? Well I hope we proved them all wrong a couple of Tuesday nights ago when we attended most of our very first "Sips and Strokes". For those of you who do not know what "Sips and Strokes" is let me inform you. Basically it is time for you and your friends to drink wine or beverage of your choice and paint a really cool painting. If you are not the best artist or are a type A person, you can so do this. You have a blank canvas, really fun paint colors, and an instructor who just guides you along. It really doesn't matter if you follow right along with the painting or kinda do your own thing, it is just really fun. About half of our PT class went to sips and strokes and we all loved it. We all painted a variation of the same pic, so if you live in Birmingham, let me strongly suggest that you try it out. If you live elsewhere I am sure you will have it soon, so be the first to suggest a fun and creative night out!!

Natilie, Anna and I during our first break

My final masterpiece!!

Our PT group!! Yeah we have a creative side too!!

Bonding in the Woods!

2008-03-02T08:01:00.000-08:00

I know it sounds kind of silly, but yes, we had our Physical Therapy Class Retreat this weekend. It basically consisted of two days and one night at Camp McDowell, in Navoo, Al. For those of you who do not know where that is, I have one word JASPER. It truly wasn't that bad, we played a lot of football, went on an amazing hike, and made s'mores. The not so great parts involved small group activites and get to know you games, I mean we are together almost all the time, I think we know each other. The really interesting thing was we watched these videos called 30days. They are by the guy who did the movie "Super Size Me." The guy goes for 30days and does a certain thing, i know thats vage, but here is an example. The guy went and lived on minimum wage for 30days, and you got to see the struggles and everything he went through. It basically shows a person the other side of a situation. I highly recommend these, and he has made more. Well the retreat was great we all love each other and it gave me something to blog about!

The wonderful bridge we crossed

(Brittany, Kathleen, Anna, Hayden, Trent and Daniel Winn)

Chris Lee, Daniel Winn, and Trent

On the hike we went in the "Do not Cross area" such rebels

(Lauren, Hayden, Anna, Brittany, Trent, Matt)

The rest of the Hiking group

PT Class of 2010 (minus Trent, he got Staf)

Momma G's is Here

2008-01-26T09:57:00.001-08:00

A staple for anyone who has ever visited, lived or gone to school in Auburn, AL has finally made its way to Homewood, AL. That's right, Momma G's is here!! Momma Goldberg's has found it's new home in downtown Homewood, right next to O'Henry's coffee shop. For those of you who are familiar with the area, it took the place of the Papa John's Pizza. Momma G's is "The home of the Momma's love" a sandwich with everything on it. They also serve build your own sandwich and so many other sandwiches, you are bound to find something you like. I will say that the Turkey delite is my choice of sandwiches. One of my favs at Momma G's is the Nachos. They are Doritos with melted pepper jack cheese and peppers for those of you who like to spice things up. This is a must try for all you first timers. So if anyone need a new place to grab lunch or dinner, my suggestion: Momma G's in Homewood!

2008-01-19T08:38:00.000-08:00

This is my new home for the next 3 years! Welcome to the Physical Therapy Department of UAB! I know it might sound crazy, but i really do love it. I love my class of 40, which includes people ages 40something to my age and people from China and Canada. All I can say is that we are a very unique class. I am also enjoying Gross anatomy, oh and our Lab is wonderful, but i smell pretty bad afterwards. So if you cannot get in touch with me over the next three years or if my blog post are few and far between I am apologizing in advance. But don't worry Physical Therapy school is not all work and no play.

PT lab, oh and yes that is Julie

They Did IT!

2008-01-19T08:11:00.000-08:00

For those of you who do not know, one of my roommates and her boyfriend of 1 1/2 yeares finally did it . . . They got engaged!! Megan and Ricky are engaged. Ricky and leland (megan) were horseback riding in Utah when it happeded. Snow, horses, Ricky and a proposal, what more could a girls want! Well, they haven't set a date yet, but they are thinking Novemberish in SEASIDE!! A wedding at the beach with all of our friends, sounds like a fun November! More detailes to come later!

The Ring! Ricky picked it out all by himself!

The Happy Couple

Is that Real?

2007-12-13T07:04:00.000-08:00

"Is that thing real?" "Its Huge" " Where did yall get that?" So these are just a few of the comments we have received as people have entered our apartment over the past couple of weeks. The "it" or "thing" they are referring to it our Christmas Tree!! Complements of Steven's Christmas tree farm, I was able to bring it back from Selma,Al. I was determined to get a big, pretty tree this year, but my main goal was a "FAT" tree. And can i say by the pics you can tell, I did it.

The theme of our Christmas tree this year is, what else but Red and Lime green. I know it took a lot to convince Greer the pink just wasn't the right color to go on the tree, yet it looks great all over our apartment. I love you and I love pink and green, Greer. Well most of the specialty ornaments came from a great little place in Selma, called TUTU's. They have the best ornaments and Christmas decor, so if you ever come to Selma, visit. Well i hope that your tree brings as much Christmas joy as our does for our APT.

Some of the Ornaments!!The Three Decorating Elves

The Griswold Family Christmas Tree!!

2007-12-06T07:13:00.001-08:00

One of my fav traditions in my fam, is to attend our annual Tree Trimming Weekend. For as long as I can remember my family has gone out to Steven's Christmas tree Farm to pick out that perfect tree. And no I don't mean one of those stands on the side of the road where the boy scouts put the tree in the back of your car. I mean a real forest see the pic to the left. There have been many fun times, many Griswold Family Christmas trees, and let us not forget the time when Logan drove the tree back on the top of his Blazer... there are no words to explain that. Well to say the least, we have made this a tradition and we all come down the first weekend in December to go to the farm and pic the perfect trees for Mom and Dad's house and now I get one for my own apartment. How can you beat a freshly cut Christmas tree. So here are a few pics of our adventure into the forest this year!!

Michael Cutting Down my Tree, what a great brother-in-law!

Lo and I playing Chase!

CC and I just styling in the forest!

The Best Tree Picker Ever, and the Holiday Princess

Of Course we pick a huge tree, wonder how that's going to fit?
Lo the lumberjack!

"Birfday" Time

2007-12-03T18:54:00.000-08:00

Yes, its true, I just celebrated my 23rd Birthday! The night started out with dinner at Cocina Superior with some of the most amazing people in the world. Greer, LeLe, Dana, Bethany, Elysia, KK, and Trent were among the great people who attended my birthday. One of the wonderful surprises of the night was that Ruthie and Kitty stopped by to "Celebrate" with me too. Also I was surprised by Trent with tickets to the Colbie Calliet concert, it was great!! I had a super 23rd and i thank everyone who was able to share it with me!!

Lele, myself and Greer

Kitty and I, what a great surprise on my B'Day

Most definitely two of my favs, and Elysia! Of course she was late!

Welcome Back!!

2007-11-30T08:50:00.000-08:00

Welcome back, welcome back, wel- come back!! Yes there should be music in the background and someone who can sing belting those lyrics, but for now the typing must do. If you went to Samford you must be thinking "Its not August" and its not time for "Connections." I will have to say I always enjoyed helping with the Welcome Back activities every year, thanks to my super involved friends, but even more than that I am so glad to "Welcome Back" FANCH!!! Yes, its offical Brittany Fancher Faison is back in the Ham and we are all so glad. If you do not know Fanch, then you are missing out on a part of life. She adds so much to our circle of friends which has not been the same since she married and moved to K'town last spring. I am so excited to have her back to be the extra spark in our lives. She is amazing and can basically go into any crazy situation and come out with everything being amazing. I have known Fanch since Freshman year and we have been good friends ever since. We have also shared so much over the years: Sigma Chi Sweethearts, basically a her room Soph. yr., and the joys of Chi Omega, so please join me in Welcoming Back

FANCH!!!!

2 Buck Chuck!!!

2007-11-30T08:27:00.000-08:00

The "Today Show" is truly one of my favorite morning indulgences I guess I get that from my sister, but I really think that they have great products on the show. Yesterday as i was watching the "Christmas party on a budget" tucking away ideas in my head for our party next week, I saw it. Yes, one of the "on a budget" ideas was "Trader Joe's Wine". I have to give credit where credit is due and this one goes out to Katie Bondurant!! Yes, she is the one who introduced me to "2 Buck Chuck" or as it is better know, "Trader Joe's Wine". The name doesn't do it justice, but for those of you who have never tried trader joe's you are in for a surprise. The wine comes in about four different varieties: a Cab, Merlot, Pinot, and one other white. I know it sounds like a normal wine, but the real treat is that it is only $2 a bottle or about $2.98. It is really good too, I promise. On our girls trip to ATL this year we were introduced to the wonderful and inexpensive wine compliments of Bondage and might i say we really did enjoy it. So to all of you who are thinking about having a holiday party, think Trader Joe's, even the Today Show is encouraging it!!

One Little Indian Boy!

2007-11-17T19:45:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my world, or at least my world on Wed. Thur. and Fridays. This is Madison who i nanny for three days a week. He is so much fun to hang out with, even if he doesn't talk at all. We spend everyday playing with every kind of ball, dump truck, and noise making toy you can buy. He loves to play outside and is obsessed with acorns.. . yeah i don't understand that one. As you can tell by the pictures we have been talking about Thanksgiving along with making Indian nosies. For those of you who have children or are going to have children I have one suggestion. . . The Baby Network!! This is the greatest channel for children and both families I nanny for have it. I hope these picture give you a little peak into the joy that come to my life three days a week!! Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Madison loves Acorns!

Yeah I dresses up too

One Day I Saw Kady Heron wearing . . .

2007-11-14T17:53:00.000-08:00

.. . army pants and flip flops, so i bought army pants and flip flops. For those of you who don't know that is one of the famous quotes from "Mean Girls". Today as i was conversing over text message, which is usually how i spend nap time, I was reminded of my wonderful friends. My friends are very inspirational people that share their wonderful thoughts or should I say quotes, with all of our group. I have been sad with the departure of our good friend Megan Bird, mostly because she is amazing and because she is the best quoter I know. Well, to let Bird know that we are trying to follow in her footsteps, and although these quotes are nothing compared to the "Mean Girls", "Elf", or basically any other movie Bird knows by heart, these are just a few of the quotes that our friends have thrown out over the past few years:

1. "How many calories does diet coke really have, because I have got to watch what i eat on spring break"

2. "Dogs are like having kids, except a little more complex"

3. "I do mission work you little s***"

4. "Sit on it and rotate, yeah that's right you heard me."

5. "I think my job is going to drive me to be an alcoholic for at least one year."

6. "One word: HOTTUBE"

7. "Just call me Renita the Raptor"

8. "Dave, David, Dave"

9. "The couple that drunk-raptor-walks together, STAYS together!"

10. "Cheerleaders just choose to use the mean side of their brains instead of the full thing."

So to Bird, your legacy continues and is waiting for you to come back and inspire us to begin quoting in Spanish.

It's beginning to look a lot like. . .

2007-11-10T13:04:00.000-08:00

Christmas!!! I know, I know it is only November 10, but how can anyone say it is not looking like Christmas with all the decorating. I know that most of you work, but if you got a chance to sneak a peak at the Today show yesterday, you would have seen the Christmas tree being raised in Rockefeller Center. The tree is 84ft tall and 48ft around and made its way to Rockefeller Center all the way from Connecticutt. It is actually the 75th year that a Christmas tree has been displayed and will be lit on Nov. 28, 2007 with over 30,000 little twinkling lights. Also for those of you who live in Birmingham and have made the long and very much dreaded trip to the Galleria, you might have been surprised to see the wonderful Christmas decorations that welcome you into a fun filled shopping experience. Along with the all the decorations, can I say that the media has not let anyone down, with all the commercials and specials preparing everyone for the Season. Even Walmart already has its Christmas section open and all its candy ready to go. Well I am usually very much against starting Christmas decorating, buying presents, and basically anything that has to do with Christmas until Thanksgiving is over, but this year I am all for celebrating early. So go ahead and pull out your music, get wrapping, buy some candy canes and get your Christmas season started.

The beginning. . .

2007-11-06T18:18:00.001-08:00

So I have finally done it. I have bitten the bullet and thrown in the towel. Yes you've guessed it i have joined the world of blogging. I will say i owe it all to my sister, Callen Martin. She inspired me to blog and share my life with others. Well i hope you enjoy my life, i don't promise too much excitement but i know there will be some interesting blogs every now and then.