The Sparty Countdown... #6 & #5

Continuing to move up and on in The Sparty Countdown, here are numbers 6 and 5. And let me say, it's getting harder and harder to write these... wow, have I been blessed!




#6 - The Red Cedar River

We all know how it goes, "On the banks of the Red Cedar, there's a school that's known to all!" I do love that fight song, but I'll get there in just a minute. Before that on my list is the famous river itself that runs through campus. When asked by John Kreger, our radio announcer for volleyball, what my favorite spot on campus was, I couldn't pick one specific location. Instead, I said this, the Red Cedar. Now I know that it has a pretty bad rap for its filth and supposed diseases; but don't worry, I never actually went in it. Instead I loved the river and paths along it that I would walk so frequently through campus. The beauty and serenity of the campus, in my opinion, is epitomized by it... the Beal Botanical Gardens run right along it, countless trees hang over the river (which are gorgeous in fall... and spring... and winter... ok all the time!), the ducks are always around the paths and river being their cute little duck-selves, and the rapids by Wells and the Administration Building offer a soothing peace found no where else. I only wish I would have had more free time during the days I took classes to just sit or walk alongside it and soak up the beauty of campus even more! But,  I will say that I enjoyed plenty of walks along the river and it definitely made our summer runs just that much more enjoyable!

#5 - Spartan Nation
What can compare?? I mean, we did get a movie made just for us (300 was produced specifically for MSU, right??), and Gerard Butler even came to State to address us Spartans personally (but I regret to say we couldn't see him because of volleyball)! Now, I've always been a sucker and enthusiast for team spirit - in high school I headed up multiple spirit activities and game events. So it should come as no surprise that I felt an equal - no - a greater connection and sense of belonging to "the school that's known to all!"

I love being a Spartan. I love everything about it! It didn't take long for the affection of going to the best school in the state of Michigan to set in for me, that's for sure. To put it simply, I'm pretttty sure that if you accidentally (or purposefully for that matter) cut me, I would bleed green. I actually heard from a few people that they were shocked I was leaving East Lansing and MSU for my new job, because they knew how much I've come to love being a part of it all. And here are some of the things I love most about my Spartan Nation:

• The MSU fight song, obviously. "Fight! Fight! Rah team Fight! Victory for MSU!" I may or may not get overly excited every time I hear it. 
• Being a part of something bigger than myself...  Now I can't lie, sometimes I was selfishly upset that there wasn't this seeminly worldwide love for the volleyball team like there was for football or basketball... but when it comes down to it, Spartan fans are Spartan fans. Period. It doesn't matter their major or profession (well, technically that's all the same, right? haha) or background... Spartans are there for each other and made me and those of us who were current students feel important and as though we were part of something big and exciting... because we are! 
• This is similar to being a part of something big and important... but the commradarie associated with my fellow Spartans is awesome. The equal and substantial hatred for the School Down the Road, the cheering, the loyal support, the pride. Un-matched. This was especially true in my experience among the athletic department and various teams. We were all there for each other and in each others' corners fighting for one another to pull out the win and do our best. 
• Sparty!!! The best mascot in the nation. Seriously! A) Who doesn't love the crazy, smelly, acrobatic, enthusiastic, tough guy? B) We have TWO statues honoring the fierce and brave Spartan warrior... Hands down the best. 

• Michigan State in general. Let's be real, we really are one of the best... to have one of the top Medical School, Veterinary School, Business School and Study Abroad Programs in the nation? Yea, can't really argue with that. Plus, as I've been finding out as I look at and attempt some things from this 101 Item Bucket List for MSU, we have so much to offer that is unique and extraordinary. Being the first land grant college in the nation. The Cyclotron. Beaumont Tower. Adams Planetarium. The Observatory. The Wharton Center. The Izzone. Yes, even the cows and farmland. Clearly the list can go on and on. 

MSU is awesome. And even if I might not feel the same commradarie as I did while I competed, I will always bleed green and be proud to be a Spartan!

The Sparty Countdown... #10 & #9

It's hard to believe that this is my final week in East Lansing and as a college student. I still vividly remember packing my room up at home the night before preseason, crying, being upset because our dog Lacey got sprayed by a skunk so no one was helping me (hahaha, yes, true story), and scared of what was to come at college. And now, here I am, 5 years later crying because I have to leave what has become my new home and life! Is this what they mean by the circle of life?!

Lacey getting a tomato juice bath
post skunk encounter

Because it has been difficult to come to grips with this chapter coming to a close, I've been inspired by both SportsCenter's Top 10 (and let's be honest - the Not Top 10 - which is far better) and another blog (a former opponent's, actually!) to create my own top 10 countdown... it's The Sparty Countdown (yes, please read with The Final Countdown song in mind)! I'll be documenting 2 of my favorite things and what I will miss most from MSU a day, finishing with 'the best of the best' on Friday, my final day here. I figure that making my Top 10 will not only serve as a good farewell and goodbye, but will also be a good coping tool for me as I try to embrace my last few days at State. 

My only regret for the countdown? I don't have videos of everything I'm about to share to really make it like SportsCenter! And (I know my mom will say "I told you so!") I barely have pictures of some of my favorite things because they were just me living life! Who would've thought I needed a picture of me in the dorms or studying at my favorite spots... it's so ordinary! And that's what makes this all so great... yes, I may have been named an All-American, and I may have gotten to travel to a countless number of states with volleyball, and I may have gotten a ton of sweet gear, etc.... but the things I'll miss most are the things that made up my daily routines and relationships. I have been so incredibly blessed throughout my career at State that I can barely put it into words - the overflow of my heart in praise to God will have to suffice (and of course my Top 10 Sparty Countdown)! So here goes...

#10 - Eating in the Cafe

Yumm... dessert station at Brody!

I never thought I would ever be saying that! Isn't the stereotype that dorm food is horrible?? But I tell you what, living in the dorms for 2 years with unlimited food always available at my fingertips and then having to be on my own was quite the adjustment. So much so that I actually got a meal plan and then once it ran out, I just started asking the underclassmen if I could swipe with their ID to get in :) And I guess I have to premise this one by letting you all know that we don't have just any old college cafes - 3 of the main cafes on campus have recently been redone, one of which (Brody) offers 9 different food stations and is the largest cafeteria in the U.S. behind military bases! Snyder Phillips was the big hit when I was still in the dorms, and now they've redone and upgraded the Case cafeteria, which was in my dorm's neighborhood.

How I feel when I'm at the dorms -
so much to sample, so little time (and stomach space!)

The dorm cafeteria's didn't make my Top 10 just because they've been redone, spruced up, and have amazing food, but I have a ton of memories in the dorms with my closest friends and teammates. After a hard morning workout or afternoon practice - cafe, hanging out all day studying - cafe, just grabbing dinner to catch up - cafe, watching the big game - cafe, having bible study - cafe, being with all the camp coaches during summer camps (and planning our flash mob)- cafe. I read somewhere that being around food boosts your endorphine levels so that your encounters are more enjoyable and remembered. Well, MSU Cafeterias... you have won me over and made not only your yummy food but also my memories there some that will sorely missed!

#9 - My Study Spots 

Getting 2 degrees while being a varsity athlete certainly wasn't a walk in the park. But I did find some amazing places to study that made doing all the hours of homework and studying a little bit better. To start off though, I will tell you what surprisingly did NOT make my list for study spots - my room (which never allowed for more than 30 minutes of productivity) and the Library (which is for muggles, aka the non-athlete... sorry for the stereotype!). A shame, I know, that I can't cross pulling an all-nighter on the 4th floor of the library off my MSU Bucket List, but the other 51 or so items that I've done on the list will have to make up for it. And now onto what the study spots that I will miss the most:

• Grand River Coffee... best place ever! a) good food and drinks b) best study atmosphere around - comfy chairs and waterfall in the middle for some background noise and serenity c) connected to an old book shop if I need a break d) has a patio e) walking distance from campus and my apartments f) I think you get the picture... Not only was GR Coffee a great place to spend the whole day at studying, but it is also filled with many wonderful memories with friends and mentors - catching up, reading God's word, and just being together. As I've had more free time, it's also become a place for me to go and spend time with God which has been a wonderful blessing as well. 
• Speaking of reading God's word - this wasn't one of the places I originally thought of, and I rarely studied here, but Grand Traverse Pie Company will always be near and dear to my heart for a different reason. It was the first place that my best friend Ashley and I read our bibles together in public! It seems silly looking back that it was such a big deal, but it just goes to show that there is always room for spiritual growth in the smallest of places!
• The Smith Center... Club Smith... The Clara Bell... Smith... I spent many-a-night at our academic support services building in lock-down getting papers done and studying for finals. Not only did I get a ton of homework and paper writing/printing done at Smith, but it will also be a place I miss dearly because of my academic coordinator, Mandy (who will be discussed later in the week). Her office always provided warmth and comfort as I was able to talk my worries and stresses of life away!

That's all for Day 1... 8 more 'things' that have made my time at MSU truly incredible and 4 more days left to enjoy them to the fullest and make it count. "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."