In December of 2006, I purchased 2 tickets to see Brett Favre play in the legendary Lambeau Field. After growing up idolizing #4, I was finally getting the chance to see him play live. Or so I thought. I couldn't find anyone to go to the game with me. And as a young female, I didn't think it was safe to drive from Kentucky to Green Bay and spend the day there by myself. I chickened out. Didn't go to the game. And tried to sell the tickets to no avail. So not only was I not going to see Favre play, I was also out 300 bucks. Oh yeah, and then the guy goes and announces he may retire. Talk about regret.
I still have those tickets to remind myself to just follow your dreams and have no regrets.
Well I was pleasantly surprised the next year when Favre came back. This time I was going no matter what. I ended up getting 2 tickets for the NFC Championship game. The weather was crazy. Just how it's supposed to be at the Frozen Tundra. I was beyond excited. The plan was to drive from Louisville to Richmond, KY on Thursday night to return to school. Friday I would be heading up to Green Bay. The game was scheduled for Saturday. Well lo and behold, I pull up in front of my dorm and proceed to get sick in my car. Food poisoning or 24 hour stomach virus. One of the two. Every time I even sat up in bed, I got sick. I could barely move. I'm sure you can guess, I didn't make it to that game. I wouldn't be leaving my room let alone heading off to Wisconsin. Instead I watched in agony, both physical and emotional, as the Packers lost to the New York Giants. And again, Favre announced his retirement.
And this time, it didn't seem like he would be coming back...
But he did. And as crazy as the whole fiasco was, I was happy. Because somehow I was given one more chance at seeing THE Brett Favre play. Although I would be seeing him in a different shade of green this year, it didn't matter. I grew to love the Packers by association. But suddenly I became a New York Jets fan.
On Sunday, November 23, I drove by myself to Nashville and watched Brett Favre and the Jets un-undefeat the Tennessee Titans. It was INCREDIBLE. I had endzone seats, 6th row. And as I made my way down to my seat, I saw that my seatmate would also be a hardcore Favre fan. Hm, in a stadium of 60,000+ Titans fans...I could not have asked for a better experience. I finally got to see the great Favre play, and made a new friend in the process. Just to see him play was an experience in itself, but the win made it so much sweeter. So this year I finally saw Beckham and Favre play. Life is so good!
So that's another item checked off the life to-do list! I pray to God I never get Alzheimers or some other ailment degrading my memory. Because the memories I made last Sunday...and continue to make in life...are remarkable. Dreams are coming true.
It took me a long time to finally see Favre play, and it didn't happen at all in the way I expected it. But it was definitely worth the wait. And we all know...third time's a charm.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Louisville Zoo & Glacier Run
Wow. It has been way too long since I've posted. I will be sure to fix that, don't worry. Here's what has been happening in the meantime:
In the heart of the Louisville Zoo, construction has begun on the $25 million Glacier Run exhibit. Upon its completion, Glacier Run will house polar bears, sea otters, seals, sea lions, and Steller's sea eagles. Currently, our polar bear is staying at the zoo in Cleveland (makes me somewhat happy to know my polar bear is at my former home zoo). There will be more room for the animals at Glacier Run, and visitors will have a better viewing and educational experience. More information can be found at http://www.louisvillezoo.org/glacierrun
Now some people hate zoos. They say zoos are bad for wildlife. And as a wildlife lover myself, I understand their concerns. But zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) can be wonderful. Not every zoo is accredited. If done correctly, these zoos are not about entertainment. They are about education. These zoos give a name and face to wildlife (many endangered) that people wouldn't pay attention to otherwise. I hear all the time about children and adults alike learning new things about these animals and becoming inspired to help conserve habitat and fight to protect these creatures. Without zoos, these people might never pat attention to what's happening in the wild. I know this for a fact because my grandparents visited the Louisville Zoo just last week, and when I went home my grandma and I talked about the "green" movement. That's not something my grandma would normally pay attention to.
And why do you think the Christian Children's Fund shows dirty, adorable children or the ASPCA shows way too cute dogs and cats in cages looking so sad in their commercials? To pull at our hearstrings and educate us. To give us a face. People wouldn't pay attention unless they could see these animals and these issues right in frton of them. Then they become attached and want to do something to help.
Zoos accredited by the AZA, inluding the Louisville Zoo, work hard everyday to educate and conserve. The Species Survival Plan (SSP) program works to ensure species survival and genetic diversity (http://www.louisvillezoo.org/conservation/SSP.htm). Being able to work with the animals close by lets us learn things we might not learn by observing in the wild, so we know how to better protect them.
So I encourage everyone to visit your zoo and make sure it is accredited. Specifically, visit the Louisville Zoo! The exhibits have won numerous awards. We have lots of new animals as well as old favorites. Come see what's new. And please donate to the Glacier Run capital campaign. The Louisville Zoo is a non-profit, so your donations mean better space and care for the animals. We received 4 stars from Charity Navigator (the highest rating). And we are always working toward "Bettering the Bond Between People and the Planet."
And most important of all, educate yourself about the world around you. Humans are animals. We share some DNA with many species. If bad things are happening in the environment and are negatively affecting other animals, it could spell bad news for humans as well. Ever heard of the canary in a coal mine? Speak out. Educate yourself. Choose a cause and fight for it. And conserve the planet.
In the heart of the Louisville Zoo, construction has begun on the $25 million Glacier Run exhibit. Upon its completion, Glacier Run will house polar bears, sea otters, seals, sea lions, and Steller's sea eagles. Currently, our polar bear is staying at the zoo in Cleveland (makes me somewhat happy to know my polar bear is at my former home zoo). There will be more room for the animals at Glacier Run, and visitors will have a better viewing and educational experience. More information can be found at http://www.louisvillezoo.org/glacierrun
Now some people hate zoos. They say zoos are bad for wildlife. And as a wildlife lover myself, I understand their concerns. But zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) can be wonderful. Not every zoo is accredited. If done correctly, these zoos are not about entertainment. They are about education. These zoos give a name and face to wildlife (many endangered) that people wouldn't pay attention to otherwise. I hear all the time about children and adults alike learning new things about these animals and becoming inspired to help conserve habitat and fight to protect these creatures. Without zoos, these people might never pat attention to what's happening in the wild. I know this for a fact because my grandparents visited the Louisville Zoo just last week, and when I went home my grandma and I talked about the "green" movement. That's not something my grandma would normally pay attention to.
And why do you think the Christian Children's Fund shows dirty, adorable children or the ASPCA shows way too cute dogs and cats in cages looking so sad in their commercials? To pull at our hearstrings and educate us. To give us a face. People wouldn't pay attention unless they could see these animals and these issues right in frton of them. Then they become attached and want to do something to help.
Zoos accredited by the AZA, inluding the Louisville Zoo, work hard everyday to educate and conserve. The Species Survival Plan (SSP) program works to ensure species survival and genetic diversity (http://www.louisvillezoo.org/conservation/SSP.htm). Being able to work with the animals close by lets us learn things we might not learn by observing in the wild, so we know how to better protect them.
So I encourage everyone to visit your zoo and make sure it is accredited. Specifically, visit the Louisville Zoo! The exhibits have won numerous awards. We have lots of new animals as well as old favorites. Come see what's new. And please donate to the Glacier Run capital campaign. The Louisville Zoo is a non-profit, so your donations mean better space and care for the animals. We received 4 stars from Charity Navigator (the highest rating). And we are always working toward "Bettering the Bond Between People and the Planet."
And most important of all, educate yourself about the world around you. Humans are animals. We share some DNA with many species. If bad things are happening in the environment and are negatively affecting other animals, it could spell bad news for humans as well. Ever heard of the canary in a coal mine? Speak out. Educate yourself. Choose a cause and fight for it. And conserve the planet.
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