A Proud Duke Momma x 3!

Just when you thought the basketball madness had ended with the Dallas Mavericks being crowned the 2011 NBA Champions, yes folks are STILL talking about that, something happened that added to the wonderment of the National Basketball Association, the NBA Draft. Players from every college team across the United States, sat with family, friends, and fans alike to await the announcement of where they would start their professional careers. As if I wasn't excited to see where this array of talent were heading, my heart suffered near palpitations...times 3!

Among the talent being fussed over and ultimately drafted, 3 of my Duke Blue Devils had the honor of being drafted tonight: Kyrie Irving, Nolan Smith, and Kyle Singler. Needless to say, I was overcome with joy because every academic year, my heart and my schedule belongs to Duke. 2010 NCAA champions Nolan Smith, who was the 21st pick in the 1st round, will be heading to Portland while the 2nd round 3rd pick Kyle Singler will be headed to the Detroit Pistons. Freshman phenom Kyrie Irving was an impressive 1st round 1st pick who will be going to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

I am more than proud of what these guys have accomplished under the tutelage of Coach K and I truly wish them and EVERYONE who was drafted tonight nothing but the best. In the hopes that there isn't an NBA lockout next season, I look forward to seeing these men play and showing off their talents.

Congratulations to players who represented the NCAA well & knock them dead y'all!

XOXO,
Whitney

You Know You've Heard About UConn

College is comprised of 4 amazing years filled with friends, parties, academics, possible love interests and sports. Sports for a college is a huge deal and if you're lucky enough to attend a school with a Division 1 Men's and Women's athletic teams, then you're in for an added treat. Every school year, students buy season tickets to watch their favorite teams play for a chance at the coveted NCAA title, and while it would seem that college football reigns supreme in all schools, let's not forget about college basketball.

Fans of college basketball dress up, paint their faces, and cheer in the spirit of school pride. There's nothing like watching your team battle for months for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. A tournament filled with upsets, tears, and victories, it never disappoints and this year was no exception. We saw a bountiful of old favorites, Duke for me, and new teams fight for a spot in the big dance....the Finals. This year, we were graced with the opportunity to see the Butler Bulldogs play against the UConn Huskies and Butler was back for blood after being embarrassed last year. Unfortunately, they had to contend with the bold Bronxite Kemba Walker and his clan of warriors.

After a back and forth match, UConn took the game and ran with it and was crowned the National Champions. This is certainly a huge win for the state of Connecticut and the borough of the Bronx as we celebrate this fantastic victory. Congratulations to both teams for their effort and for UConn on their win. The college basketball season has come to a close and I look forward to seeing everyone again in September.

XOXO,
Whitney

You Can Pinch Me 46 Times And I Still Won't Believe Andy's Gone

Most of us have big families with multiple aunts, uncles, and of course cousins and with this big family comes the many options in having that one brother, sister, or cousin that winds up being your best friend. The Yankee family is comprised of millions of members but for every fan, there's one player that's a best friend. For me, it's Derek Sanderson Jeter but for others it's Andrew Eugene Pettitte. You've spent every waking moment looking at, reading about, and falling in love with Andy. Every season, right before April, you made sure you had enough in your "Yankee Fund" account to see Andy pitch in person. Thing seemed good until the day your best friend broke your heart. Today, February 3, 2011, Andrew Pettitte shattered the hearts of his many best friends by announcing his retirement from baseball.

If you're like me, you still haven't fully comprehended the fact that Andy won't be in pinstripes this season. You won't hear that Southern gentleman's accent, you won't pierce into those big brown warming pools called his eyes. Funny thing about those eyes is that one minute they're calming and the next they are sending sharp pains to your heart...they're deadly. Every movement, every sound, every smile, every curse word that encompassed Andy will be leaving the Bronx and permanently settling in Texas. I want to scream, I want to cry, I want to be supportive but the separation is too real and too much to bear right now. So fans, where do we go from here? How do we cope?  Moreover, how do we prepare for his press conference tomorrow?  The answers to those questions aren't so cut and dry and I haven't thoroughly answered these for myself. I do have something in the form of bullets for what we can all do. Want to hear/read them? I know you want to.

The season is nearly a month away and the Yankees have to continue to uphold the principles of perseverance and excellence which means to crumble now will be bad business. As an Economist, personal issues take a back seat to remaining in the black every quarter. They can grieve Andy's retirement but they have to play the balancing act with being excited over new prospects and keeping current players happy. There's a lot on the emotional plate of the Yankees right now and God only knows what the owners are really thinking behind closed doors. As I re-read what I just wrote, I'm a little glad that we fans aren't the organization so to speak but just an extension of it. We can all grab our Kleenex tissues and cry because our best friend has packed up and shipped out.

Call me crazy but I only used my Kleenex for roughly 5 minutes because I don't want to mourn his retirement but celebrate the 16 years he gave us. Call me crazy guys but I think this is how we have to cope with the situation. Dwelling in the sorrow only makes us sadder and speeds up the aging process. When you replay the last 16 years, that should overshadow 24 hours of bad news. Also, are we really that selfish? We were the best friend, brother, father, mother, and sometimes wife to a man who legitimately had all of those members to love and be loved back from.  It hit me today that for 16 years we all cherished a man who left his wife and 4 children in Texas to make me smile. We played the "mistress" to a man who wore a wedding ring and said his vows before God while his children spent birthdays, parent teach conferences, and school plays wishing their father was home and not entertaining thousands each night. That is purely unacceptable so once again call me crazy but I'm kind of glad Andy has decided to step out of the spotlight.

As we all watch the press conference tomorrow, I hope we can learn to value what's truly important in life. Ok ok so it won't be easy watching Dandy Andy say his goodbyes but we're classy folks and after all he's done for us, the least we can do is watch, cry a little, and applaud his being. I'm going to miss you Andy but I'll feel a little easier knowing that 4 children have their father again and a wife has her husband to hold and yell at for not cleaning the dishes. Andrew Eugene Pettitte, born June 15, 1972 in Baton Rouge, Lousiana, I wish you nothing but the best. Y'all come back now and visit us up here North sometimes....it'll do us crazed Yankee fans some good.

XOXO,
Whitney

What The Folk Just Happened?

Football Saturday, yes Saturday, was one for the ages. The evening started with the defending Superbowl champion Saints playing the I-never-would-have-thought-I-would-see-them-in-the-playoffs Seattle Seahawks. If we all slept on the below .500 team before then you were in a rude awakening because Seattle kicked ass and defintiely took names. New Orleans lost to Seattle with a score of 41-36. Onward to the Jets game.

The New York Jets took things a little personal against Indianapolis as they were ready to grind it out for a victory. Let's just say they didn't disappoint. The back and forth tempo of this game left everyone on edge and praying that their bets be fulfilled. There's no need to recap the game because if you saw it, you're shaking and if you didn't then catch the highlights my dear fans. I have two words though and that is Nick Folk. Nick Folk redeemed himself from earlier in the season for kicking the winning 32-yard FG and sending the Jets to New England. 

I'll be with my boys as they take on Brady and the Pats. I have faith in my team because like I've been saying all season: Jets Rule Everything Around Me! Good job tonight boys!

XOXO,
Whitney

How Old Is Coach K? 880?

Last night the Duke Blue Devils battled UNC...ok not the famed UNC Tar Heels of Chapel Hill but UNC-Greensboro Spartans in what was an enjoyable game nonetheless. While the score of 108-62 was a gift in itself for Duke and its fans the night really belonged to something bigger...Coach K's new record. Yes folks Mike Krzyzewski is now 2nd on the all time wins list putting him 22 wins behind Bobby Knight!

With the pace that the blue devils are on Coach K can take the coveted #1 spot some time in March which is dependent on his team's run during March Madness. The ever humble Coach K didn't dote on his accomplishment but rather offered this piece of commentary as seen in The Greensboro News & Record, "I talk to Coach Knight about once a week, but we don't talk about number of wins. We talk first of all about whatever he's shooting at that time, wherever he's hunting. I always ask him 'Who, um, what did you shoot?' And hopefully it's not somebody, it's something".

Well said from a guy who has captured North Carolina's heart and of course mine. Congratulations once again Coach K!

XOXO,

Whitney

Top 10 Things I Hope Santa Brought Me This Christmas

My oh my look how time flew! Christmas is here which means the new year is a week away and while we're all excited and anxious to let 2010 rest and welcome in 2011, we're clamoring to open up those presents we've wanted since January. Some of you are pleased with what Santa has given you and others are scrunching up their faces. Well either way be thankful and be grateful so here goes....the top 10 things I hope Santa brought me this Christmas:

10. A long/peaceful vacation- I've worked hard this year and after exhausting time, sleep, and sometimes funds to ensure that my students were successful in school, it's time for me to let my luscious brunette hair down and start it up....vroom vroom...start it up.

9. A higher credit score- Christmas isn't really about over indulging on gifts and yet manufacturers have suckered us into carrying 5 or more bags out of the store just to feel better about ourselves. As an Economist I understand the game and yet I've fallen into a small trap that might have hurt my credit score. So, in the spirit of giving, giving love, gifts, warmth, etc., Santa can get my credit score back to the 800s.

8. Extended Optimism- This year has really been bountiful with silver linings and it was all made possible because of me always looking at the glass half full. I pray that Santa blesses me with extended optimism because there's nothing like carrying a smile on your face during rough times to truly make any bleak situation brighter.

7. A playoff appearance from the New York Knicks- well who would have thought that the NY Knicks would capture NY's heart and the world's attention again...for the good. The NYK have shut the haters down with their amazing teamwork and winning capabilities. Jersey sales have sky rocketed, well mainly Stoudemire's jersey, and New York is bleeding orange and blue. I look forward to amazing things from this team.

6. The recession to be over- while we're almost out of this crippling depression, it can only get worse before it gets better. I hope the past 2 years have taught you all the value of paying your bills on time and truly studying the ins and outs of your banks so you won't swindled into sub-prime mortgages and tapping into your home equity.

5. The Duke Blue Devils being NCAA Champs again- March Madness this year was by far the most enjoyable in a LONG time. This year Jon Scheyer and Kyle Singler led the blue devils to another NCAA title in 9 years...yes, the last time they won was in 2001...and the universe was right again. This year, Santa can help Duke repeat and win the title again!

4. Best wishes for my friends and family- It's my greatest pleasure in life seeing those I love succeed and win and this year the blessings were abundant as they continued to climb the ladder of success. For Christmas, I hope Santa has given them all that they've asked for and continues to shower them well into 2011.

3. 2011 Yankees Opening Day tickets- I had the pleasure of going to Opening Day 2009 which was the christening of the new Yankee Stadium and boy did I have a BLAST! Being the diehard Yankee fan that I am, I hope Santa got me tickets....I've been a very good girl =]

2. Longevity so I can ring in 2011- I don't know about you but with the constant hustle and bustle of life, sometimes we don't realize just how important our lives are until something tragic happens. About two weeks ago a dear friend of mine Steven Smith died at the age of 24 and I've been trying to recover ever since. No more hip hop tweets, no more ragging on Duke tweets, no more making my nights calm and peaceful, and no one to celebrate Christmas with or ring in 2011 with. I hope Santa has given me extended life so no one else has to mourn another life gone too soon.

1. The Jets winning the Superbowl- New York is a trophy town, mainly the Yankees, but once we fans have chosen our teams to root for, we're stuck to them like glue. We eat, breathe, and sleep our teams and we might even sell our children to see them win a championship. I have no children but seeing as both myself and my dad are Jets fans he might sell me to see them win again. All I'm asking is that Santa help Sanchez, Holmes, and Rexy Rex Ryan win so I attend the parade chanting "J-E-T-S JETS! JETS! JETS!"

There you have it folks...my top 10 list. Happy Holidays! Joyeux Noel! Feliz Navidad! Buon Natale! Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia!

XOXO,
Whitney

For Coach K...3 Is A Magic Number

Tonight, the Duke Blue Devils faced the Bradley Braves and like every other game, the Blue Devils came out swinging...or should I say shooting. Let's dig in:

In the first quarter, the Blue Devils were all over Bradley as they had to stop at nothing to score because superstar phenom Kyrie Irving sat out due to an injury. Seniors Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler continued to prove why they're the overall leaders on the team with their impressive play and great shots. As Duke and Bradley approached the half, Duke lead 32-18. At one point, I questioned whether Bradley had even stepped on to the bus to ride to Duhram because of their non-existent defense. Bradley was clearly there but they were no match for the fiery devils.

After the half, Duke continued to play great basketball and when the clocked finally stopped, Duke had won with a score of 83-48. Not only did Duke improve their record to becoming 9-0 but the most AMAZING feat happened: Coach Mike Krzyzewski has passed Adolph Rupp on the "All Time Wins" list to take a comfortable seat at 3rd. Coach K needs 3 more wins to pass Dean Smith for a total of 880 wins and to take the coveted 2nd place spot. I'm so excited I can barely type.

I hope you all had a wonderful night watching our beloved Duke Blue Devils. I know I'm a die hard Cameron Crazie and I look forward to watching them on Saturday.

XOXO,
Whitney