Tomorrow is the big day. Actually, it's a day that I've been dreading for quite some time now. At 7:55 am EST, I have to be ready on my laptop, ready to beat every other Arts and Science freshman out for a spot in classes that I really want to be in. I don't even usually get up before 11 am. What's worst is that I forgot that the university had sent me a letter a few weeks back with cancellations and changes to classes and one of the classes I picked was actually cancelled. Thank God it was just a backup class anyway. So here's hoping I get up bright and early tomorrow morning without a finger cramp making it impossible for me to raise through the registering process.
My sister keeps telling me that I shouldn't worry about it because I'm only in my first year and if I don't get a class I like or need, then I can just take it next year or make up for it before my fourth year. She also says that first year students usually get more spots in classes anyway because they're bigger. Nevertheless, I think I've come to realize that I'm a control freak. I want everything under my control at all times. As such, here I am with my entire schedule and back up schedule and back up schedule to my first back up schedule posted to the table right beside me.
On another, less stressful note, I'm thinking of getting an on-campus job this year. First, I think the experience will be good for me to put on future applications and forms. Second, my parents are paying for my residence and my tuition fee without asking me to put in any money, so I figure I can help with my miscellaneous costs if I get a job. Finally, there's this thing going on next year called an international season ticket for the Seattle Storm and I don't want to ask my parents to do that for me since they get nothing from it. Time to start saving up.....
Monday, July 31, 2006
My Road to Being a Storm Fan Part 4
Several things have to be said about why I became a Storm fan. One major reason I did become a fan was the presence of www.stormfans.org, a fansite filled with an incredible wealth of information and things that I love like pictures and a forum. The forum, although I don't post often, has been my "home" for the past two years. It's a place where I go practically everyday to read Storm fans' interesting thoughts. It's a forum with people who are well-versed and intelligent, and I remember just being so impressed with how they'd express themselves, mostly diplomatically. As an international fan, the presence of a site like this increased my love for the Storm and it has helped me keep up with the team. It also helped me read about the other fans of the team, making me want to be a part of that group. In other words, without this site, I don't know if I would have kept my interest in the Storm long enough to foster it into what it is today. Check the site out. It's truly a fantastic place.
Another reason I love being a Storm fan is because of the great coverage on their official site. They put up their Stormvision segments, as well as doing a weekly podcast. This is another thing I'm extremely grateful for.
As a final word, I'd like to say that the Seattle Storm has captured my heart for a number of reasons. They play great basketball. Their players are approachable and are not conceited. They've got a group of incredible fans. They have fantastic coverage both in their local media and on their official site. They have a great organization behind them.
If someone asked me on the street if I was a Storm fan, I would grin proudly and say yes. Wholeheartedly. So check the Storm out and see why it is a great thing to attach yourself to. You won't regret it, just like I will never regret it ever.
Another reason I love being a Storm fan is because of the great coverage on their official site. They put up their Stormvision segments, as well as doing a weekly podcast. This is another thing I'm extremely grateful for.
As a final word, I'd like to say that the Seattle Storm has captured my heart for a number of reasons. They play great basketball. Their players are approachable and are not conceited. They've got a group of incredible fans. They have fantastic coverage both in their local media and on their official site. They have a great organization behind them.
If someone asked me on the street if I was a Storm fan, I would grin proudly and say yes. Wholeheartedly. So check the Storm out and see why it is a great thing to attach yourself to. You won't regret it, just like I will never regret it ever.
My Road to Being a Storm Fan Part 3
2006.
Living in Toronto has its perks. One of them is that it is much cheaper and easier to fly to Seattle. That's exactly what I did as soon as my school year was over. My family and I flew over to Seattle to catch 2 games!!
We won those two games (one against the defending champions, the Sacramento Monarchs), and my experience in Seattle was probably the best trip I have ever had. In fact, watching those two games in person reaffirmed everything I have heard about Storm fans. They are loud, friendly, and overall just a fun bunch of people.
We stayed right beside Key Arena, but during the day of the game, my sister and I loitered around Key Arena from about 9 in the morning because I just didn't want to do anything else but be at the Key. Nearing game time, some people outside the arena spoke to us (hence, the friendly part). I loved everything inside the Key (despite everyone thinking that its so outdated, I loved it...but I haven't been in a lot of arenas so maybe I don't know what I'm saying). There was even this guy that gave me a lot of Storm stuff (for free!) when he found out I was a huge Sue Bird fan from Toronto. It's too bad I lost his email address when I got back so I didn't get to thank him properly.
I loved the seats, I loved the court, I loved the people sitting beside me, in front of me and behind me, I loved the cheers, I loved the clips they showed on the jumbotron, I loved the posters around the arena. In other words, I was in Storm basketball heaven.
When I got back to Toronto, I continued to follow the team, and this is where I stand right now. The Storm are my team, and I'll support them no matter what happens this season or the next.
Living in Toronto has its perks. One of them is that it is much cheaper and easier to fly to Seattle. That's exactly what I did as soon as my school year was over. My family and I flew over to Seattle to catch 2 games!!
We won those two games (one against the defending champions, the Sacramento Monarchs), and my experience in Seattle was probably the best trip I have ever had. In fact, watching those two games in person reaffirmed everything I have heard about Storm fans. They are loud, friendly, and overall just a fun bunch of people.
We stayed right beside Key Arena, but during the day of the game, my sister and I loitered around Key Arena from about 9 in the morning because I just didn't want to do anything else but be at the Key. Nearing game time, some people outside the arena spoke to us (hence, the friendly part). I loved everything inside the Key (despite everyone thinking that its so outdated, I loved it...but I haven't been in a lot of arenas so maybe I don't know what I'm saying). There was even this guy that gave me a lot of Storm stuff (for free!) when he found out I was a huge Sue Bird fan from Toronto. It's too bad I lost his email address when I got back so I didn't get to thank him properly.
I loved the seats, I loved the court, I loved the people sitting beside me, in front of me and behind me, I loved the cheers, I loved the clips they showed on the jumbotron, I loved the posters around the arena. In other words, I was in Storm basketball heaven.
When I got back to Toronto, I continued to follow the team, and this is where I stand right now. The Storm are my team, and I'll support them no matter what happens this season or the next.
My Road to Being a Storm Fan Part 2
By the time 2005 rolled around, I managed to convince my dad to take me to their preseason game in New York. This was an easy trip for us because my mom had a friend living there and she wanted to visit her anyway. Seattle, on the other hand, was just too far from anyone we knew. I didn't really care if it was just a preseason game. The fact was that I was going to get to see the Storm play in person.
When we got to MSG, it didn't take me long to realize I was one in a very tiny group of Storm fans. There I was in my # 10 jersey amidst a sea of Lib jerseys. I remember thinking it was a good thing I didn't follow through on my idea to paint my face Storm green. My dad and I stayed as close to the court as we could while we didn't have to go to our seats yet. I watched as the Storm players were warming up. The good thing about being one in a few Storm fans is that you're noticed quite easily by the players. My dad was snapping away and I was just kinda staring in complete amazement.
Then came, possibly, the most embarrassing moment of my life. I consider myself a pretty calm and collected person. I guess I wasn't thinking clearly at that point. Sue Bird looks in my direction and waves at me. My eyes widened. In my head, various thoughts began swirling. There's no way in hell that she's waving at me. But wait, she's still smiling. So I smile and begin to wave back when an awful thought hits me. Crap. What if she's waving at someone behind me??? I quickly snap around to see if anyone's there (Insert embarrassed emoticon right here). I didn't see anyone and I look back at her. She then kinda laughs and nods and points at me and waves again. Well, forget embarrassed, I was ecstatic. Sue Bird was waving at me! Heck, Sue Bird SAW me. I grinned stupidly and waved back. In fact, I think the adrenaline kicked in and I began jumping....ugh...Later on, my dad pushed me to get a picture with her and to get her autograph, even if I couldn't even breathe anymore because I was so excited. She was signing for someone else when my dad kinda just pushed me over. He said that we might as well make our airfare worth it and get a shot with her.
"Hngg....." I said....it was supposed to be a very cool "Hey!"
"Can I have your autograph?" finally managed to make it out of my mouth. She nodded and signed my Liberty game card (it was the only piece of paper I was holding). I wasn't even thinking straight so I made her sign it upside down. Smart me.
And then I got my picture taken with her. This may seem like a small thing, but it reaffirmed my belief that she was an incredibly accommodating individual. Instead of just looking up and smiling, she actually walked over to the other side of the scorer's table, where I was standing, stood beside me and put her arm around me.
I said thanks and she smiled and nodded and left to go to the locker room.
Highlight of the year. By far. And I moved to Canada that year so I have plenty of memories to choose from.
After that trip, I was an even bigger fan of the Seattle Storm. I've been to other sporting events in the Philippines and I've seen other athletes. The fact of the matter is that these ladies were special. Most other athletes would just ignore you. The fact that Sue Bird (and lest I forget, the other players were friendly too) acknowledged my presence was astounding. She wasn't just an off the bench player excited to see someone wearing her jersey. She was a superstar with lots of fans, yet she made the effort to make this one fan (me) so happy. She didn't have to do it. In fact, had she not even looked at me, I would still have been content. But the fact that she did what she did has made an incredible difference in my life. This may sound strange, but after that day, I told myself that, no matter who I become in the future, I will treat people like Sue treats them.
2005 was a little bit trying for the Storm. I lived and died with them as they won or lost games. Of course, I once again had to do it from my trusty computer. In the end, they made the playoffs anyway, but were ousted in shocking fashion by the Houston Comets. Unlike in the past, however, when the team that was winning more would be my main focus, I found myself still loving the Storm and still rooting for them. This is why the Storm is so special. They are the only team I have known that can endear me whether they are playing well or not. I rooted for each and every player on that roster because, heck, they were Storm players.
When we got to MSG, it didn't take me long to realize I was one in a very tiny group of Storm fans. There I was in my # 10 jersey amidst a sea of Lib jerseys. I remember thinking it was a good thing I didn't follow through on my idea to paint my face Storm green. My dad and I stayed as close to the court as we could while we didn't have to go to our seats yet. I watched as the Storm players were warming up. The good thing about being one in a few Storm fans is that you're noticed quite easily by the players. My dad was snapping away and I was just kinda staring in complete amazement.
Then came, possibly, the most embarrassing moment of my life. I consider myself a pretty calm and collected person. I guess I wasn't thinking clearly at that point. Sue Bird looks in my direction and waves at me. My eyes widened. In my head, various thoughts began swirling. There's no way in hell that she's waving at me. But wait, she's still smiling. So I smile and begin to wave back when an awful thought hits me. Crap. What if she's waving at someone behind me??? I quickly snap around to see if anyone's there (Insert embarrassed emoticon right here). I didn't see anyone and I look back at her. She then kinda laughs and nods and points at me and waves again. Well, forget embarrassed, I was ecstatic. Sue Bird was waving at me! Heck, Sue Bird SAW me. I grinned stupidly and waved back. In fact, I think the adrenaline kicked in and I began jumping....ugh...Later on, my dad pushed me to get a picture with her and to get her autograph, even if I couldn't even breathe anymore because I was so excited. She was signing for someone else when my dad kinda just pushed me over. He said that we might as well make our airfare worth it and get a shot with her.
"Hngg....." I said....it was supposed to be a very cool "Hey!"
"Can I have your autograph?" finally managed to make it out of my mouth. She nodded and signed my Liberty game card (it was the only piece of paper I was holding). I wasn't even thinking straight so I made her sign it upside down. Smart me.
And then I got my picture taken with her. This may seem like a small thing, but it reaffirmed my belief that she was an incredibly accommodating individual. Instead of just looking up and smiling, she actually walked over to the other side of the scorer's table, where I was standing, stood beside me and put her arm around me.
I said thanks and she smiled and nodded and left to go to the locker room.
Highlight of the year. By far. And I moved to Canada that year so I have plenty of memories to choose from.
After that trip, I was an even bigger fan of the Seattle Storm. I've been to other sporting events in the Philippines and I've seen other athletes. The fact of the matter is that these ladies were special. Most other athletes would just ignore you. The fact that Sue Bird (and lest I forget, the other players were friendly too) acknowledged my presence was astounding. She wasn't just an off the bench player excited to see someone wearing her jersey. She was a superstar with lots of fans, yet she made the effort to make this one fan (me) so happy. She didn't have to do it. In fact, had she not even looked at me, I would still have been content. But the fact that she did what she did has made an incredible difference in my life. This may sound strange, but after that day, I told myself that, no matter who I become in the future, I will treat people like Sue treats them.
2005 was a little bit trying for the Storm. I lived and died with them as they won or lost games. Of course, I once again had to do it from my trusty computer. In the end, they made the playoffs anyway, but were ousted in shocking fashion by the Houston Comets. Unlike in the past, however, when the team that was winning more would be my main focus, I found myself still loving the Storm and still rooting for them. This is why the Storm is so special. They are the only team I have known that can endear me whether they are playing well or not. I rooted for each and every player on that roster because, heck, they were Storm players.
My Road to Being a Storm Fan Part I
I've loved sports for as long as I can remember. I'd watch the sports channel every day, watching everything from soccer to golf. I'd usually discover a "sports hero", someone I'd look up to and follow religiously. Often, however, my interest would fade after a few months and I'd just stop paying attention. I would also support sports teams that were doing extremely well and just lose interest when they'd start doing poorly. In other words, I was a fair-weathered fan.
I chanced upon the Seattle Storm by chance. I was channel surfing one night in the summer of 2004 when I came upon the Solar Sports coverage of the WNBA. I was planning to catch just a few minutes of it just because I was bored. It was what I saw in those few minutes that really opened my eyes to the world of women's basketball. I remember just being so amazed by the game of Sue Bird. She played the point flawlessly. She took charge of possessions and orchestrated the offense like I've never seen before. She scored when she could, passed when she should and was instrumental in getting her team the win.
I remember looking for information on the Seattle Storm and on Sue Bird online right after that. That's when I began learning about the WNBA. The official website of the Storm was my first stop and then I stumbled upon Stormfans.org, possibly the best fansite I've ever encountered.
I was hooked. I followed the Storm for the rest of the season, even if it meant getting up at ungodly hours in the morning just to keep refreshing a page of stats to see if they were winning or not. It's worthy to note that I lived in the Philippines back then and my dial-up connection was painfully slow.
That was the season the Storm won the championship. Although I was a new fan and I hadn't been there for their trying years, I was still elated. The Storm, with their brilliant play and the unselfish personalities of their players, had endeared themselves so much to me that I felt like I was emotionally with them whenever they won and whenever they lost. Admittedly, the fact that they won on my first year as a fan made it easier for me to follow them. My sister was still not convinced that this was not another one of my stages of sports hero worship, and, to tell the truth, neither was I.
I chanced upon the Seattle Storm by chance. I was channel surfing one night in the summer of 2004 when I came upon the Solar Sports coverage of the WNBA. I was planning to catch just a few minutes of it just because I was bored. It was what I saw in those few minutes that really opened my eyes to the world of women's basketball. I remember just being so amazed by the game of Sue Bird. She played the point flawlessly. She took charge of possessions and orchestrated the offense like I've never seen before. She scored when she could, passed when she should and was instrumental in getting her team the win.
I remember looking for information on the Seattle Storm and on Sue Bird online right after that. That's when I began learning about the WNBA. The official website of the Storm was my first stop and then I stumbled upon Stormfans.org, possibly the best fansite I've ever encountered.
I was hooked. I followed the Storm for the rest of the season, even if it meant getting up at ungodly hours in the morning just to keep refreshing a page of stats to see if they were winning or not. It's worthy to note that I lived in the Philippines back then and my dial-up connection was painfully slow.
That was the season the Storm won the championship. Although I was a new fan and I hadn't been there for their trying years, I was still elated. The Storm, with their brilliant play and the unselfish personalities of their players, had endeared themselves so much to me that I felt like I was emotionally with them whenever they won and whenever they lost. Admittedly, the fact that they won on my first year as a fan made it easier for me to follow them. My sister was still not convinced that this was not another one of my stages of sports hero worship, and, to tell the truth, neither was I.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Seattle Storm vs. Los Angeles Sparks
LA- 71
Seattle- 70
Ugh....
As a Storm fan, the number one thing you're taught is that the Sparks are the enemy and beating them is a number one priority (ok, maybe that's exaggerating). As I sat here on my couch listening to the game via my laptop, I felt like this was a game that we could realistically win despite all the injuries the team has. The Storm did not play a great game by any means, but by halftime they were only down by three. That boosted my confidence even more. Also, Lauren Jackson hadn't played exceedingly much so I felt like we could have her in the game more during the second half, which is always a plus.
Despite a minor collapse in the third quarter, the Storm ended it pretty darn well and the lead was only four points for the Sparks. The fourth quarter was even better because it seemed like the team would always pull close when the Sparks made a mini-run.
In fact, the only time the game turned sour for me was....well...with a few minutes (I think) in the last quarter. What happened? Turnovers and mental errors capped by an incredibly strange one at the buzzer. The Storm fouled a Sparks player when they were down by two to stop the clock. Jessica Moore misses the first free throw and makes the second. Mission accomplished. The Storm had a chance to tie. They inbound the ball to Betty Lennox, the Storm's ever confident clutch player. She takes the ball all the way to the basket. At this point, people in the arena are thinking she's going to kick it out to an available Storm player on the wing. But no. She takes the layup. Final Score? We lose by one point.
Shocked. Dazed.
What made it even worse was that, apparently, she jumped into her teammate's arms and began celebrating as if she had tied the game. After the game, the coach said that she was trying to get a foul and thought she had it. Someone on a Storm fan forum said it right when he said that you can't depend on the refs to make that last foul call unless it was a completely obvious, hard foul. Not with the game on the line.
The result? The Seattle Storm have fallen to 14-14 for the year, making the last few weeks of my summer even more interesting as they continue to fight for a playoff spot.
I was in shock for a little bit after the game, but this game has helped me realize a lot of things about me and my love for the Seattle Storm, which will be explained in the next entry.
Still, it's on to the next game. Storm vs. the Minnesota Lynx will be on Tuesday. Check it out. It should be a fun ride to the postseason. Or at least one with a lot of excitement and energy.
GO STORM!
Seattle- 70
Ugh....
As a Storm fan, the number one thing you're taught is that the Sparks are the enemy and beating them is a number one priority (ok, maybe that's exaggerating). As I sat here on my couch listening to the game via my laptop, I felt like this was a game that we could realistically win despite all the injuries the team has. The Storm did not play a great game by any means, but by halftime they were only down by three. That boosted my confidence even more. Also, Lauren Jackson hadn't played exceedingly much so I felt like we could have her in the game more during the second half, which is always a plus.
Despite a minor collapse in the third quarter, the Storm ended it pretty darn well and the lead was only four points for the Sparks. The fourth quarter was even better because it seemed like the team would always pull close when the Sparks made a mini-run.
In fact, the only time the game turned sour for me was....well...with a few minutes (I think) in the last quarter. What happened? Turnovers and mental errors capped by an incredibly strange one at the buzzer. The Storm fouled a Sparks player when they were down by two to stop the clock. Jessica Moore misses the first free throw and makes the second. Mission accomplished. The Storm had a chance to tie. They inbound the ball to Betty Lennox, the Storm's ever confident clutch player. She takes the ball all the way to the basket. At this point, people in the arena are thinking she's going to kick it out to an available Storm player on the wing. But no. She takes the layup. Final Score? We lose by one point.
Shocked. Dazed.
What made it even worse was that, apparently, she jumped into her teammate's arms and began celebrating as if she had tied the game. After the game, the coach said that she was trying to get a foul and thought she had it. Someone on a Storm fan forum said it right when he said that you can't depend on the refs to make that last foul call unless it was a completely obvious, hard foul. Not with the game on the line.
The result? The Seattle Storm have fallen to 14-14 for the year, making the last few weeks of my summer even more interesting as they continue to fight for a playoff spot.
I was in shock for a little bit after the game, but this game has helped me realize a lot of things about me and my love for the Seattle Storm, which will be explained in the next entry.
Still, it's on to the next game. Storm vs. the Minnesota Lynx will be on Tuesday. Check it out. It should be a fun ride to the postseason. Or at least one with a lot of excitement and energy.
GO STORM!
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