Friday, August 24, 2012

Ban College Football?

Tonight there was a debate on PBS (yes, I'm addicted to channel 8) regarding the issue of banning college football. The defending side said that football produces too many injuries, and that more importantly football has no place in the higher education system. The other side argued that college football indeed has a part in the university system, because it gains them more notoriety, provides athletic scholarships to students who may not otherwise have had access to a university education, and provides a cohesiveness and sense of pride for students.

What do you guys think?

During my time in the UK, I couldn't get away from football. University administrators kept asking me questions such as, "what provides ASU's cohesiveness?" "What prompts a sense of loyalty to ASU?" "Why do alumni donate for years after their ASU experience is over?" and I had to answer that football was way up there. The Europeans were confused. "Why?" And that, I couldn't answer. Their systems do not include a football program. They don't have mascots or school colors (can you imagine ASU without Sparky or the pitchfork?).

I couldn't imagine ASU without the football games, tailgate parties, alumni parties, marching band (ho! no marching band!), and maroon and gold. They are inseparable. Sure, we have other traditions such as painting the "A" and Lantern Walk, but I don't think anyone would deny that football brings the most students together. The best solution I could find for my UK university was to find something that instilled that sense of cohesiveness in their students, since they didn't have football. They didn't grasp the interconnectedness between sports and academics, and what place a sports program had in a university setting.

Is it because American universities are run like businesses, and people want football and will pay for football so they get football? I think that is a big part of it. But does that mean football belongs in the higher education system? Personally, I think it does. It was a huge part of my college experience. I was in the marching band, for crying out loud, and how well our team performs does affect our psyche of how great a student body we are. There are winners and losers in life, and that's just a fact. No company is going to give all of their job candidates jobs for showing up to the interview; there will be one person awarded a job. Hard work and determination are the hallmarks of being an American, and football showcases that. Is there corruption in it? Of course. I'm not talking about ASU, but the whole college system as a whole. Anywhere there is freedom and money, there is some corruption. Would it be beneficial to keep developing better helmets for our players, and ways to keep them safe? Yes.

But do we need to ban it? Why can't we just reform it some?


What do you guys think: ban completely or reform?


Friday, August 10, 2012

My Scot

Scot in Morocco a few years ago.
Ye be warned... This is one of those posts. The kind where I brag about my wonderful husband and how great he is, because I can't help but do so. Ready?

Here we go.

Reasons why I love my Scot:


  1. He loves me unconditionally-- he chooses to love me regardless of any other factors. I am his and he is mine. 
  2. He is such an encourager. Every day, he finds something to encourage me about and takes care to lift me up. Every day. 
  3. I so proud of him. He is such a hard worker; he works a part time job while going to college, earned one of the best scholarships to ASU there is, maintains an incredible GPA, does his best in school no matter how tired or stressed he is, and carries these qualities into every area of his life. He works hard at everything, and doesn't feel like he's entitled to life without working for it.
  4. He makes his relationship with God his first priority. He goes to church, a weekly bible study, and makes time to read his Bible despite working and going to school. But more than that, he lives out what he's learning and isn't content to stay where he is. He has this hunger to know more of God, and it's catching. Not in an obnoxious way, but in a very quiet, strong way. 
  5. His strength. Not just his physical strength (although he is very strong! He's carried up heavy solid wood furniture multiple flights of stairs for me), but his strength of character, strength of integrity, strength of, of... himself. He's just strong. He's a leader, not afraid to make decisions he believes are in our best interest. From the music he chooses to listen to, to being content with eating peanut butter and jelly everyday, to what he does with his time, money, and resources... his strength is reflected in everything.  
  6. His courage. He isn't afraid to go mountain biking, whitewater rafting, or to jump into marriage in his early twenties. Rather, he enjoys being challenged and tested, and he comes out on top every time. I can't think of a single thing he's tried to do that he has ever failed at.
  7. His personality. He is wittingly intelligent, goofy, and sweet. He's academic and athletic. He's smart, and informed about world events and politics and cares about children in Africa. Actively. I didn't even know he supported a child in Africa until after we were married, when we were discussing budgeting. Which brings me to my next point. 
  8. His humility. He doesn't brag about any of his accomplishments, but he has quite a few. I haven't heard of anyone else correcting the ochem professor and being right, working on artificial photosynthesis for solar energy applications, and many, many more incredible things... all in one person. Holy moly, batman. I feel like I learn something incredible about him every week that I didn't know before like that. Like the kid in Africa thing, or that he used to lead a Bible study in his home. He continually impresses me with his attitude about it all.
  9. He is a remarkable husband. Here's the scenario: It's morning, and neither one of us are morning people. But, out of love for me, Scot is out of bed before I am to make me coffee, make my lunch, and get my breakfast. When breakfast is over and I still have a few more minutes before I have to leave, he gives me a back massage. Despite how he's feeling, despite how much homework he may have to do that morning, he takes care of me first. Wow am I blessed.
  10. His ability to put things together. He is a great woodworker, car repairman, and handyman. If he didn't love science and research so much, I think he may have had to be an engineer. He can take things apart, like an engine... and then put it together. I know I couldn't do that. He's built furniture, shelving, and requests from me around the house. He's very creative! 
There are many, many more reasons why I love him, but this will do for now. I love you sweetheart! I am thankful for you and all that you do every day. 


-Hannah

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Summer Afternoon Tea Party

Yesterday I had my mom and grandma over for tea. I made apple tartlets.  


I made homemade cherry vanilla scones.



We even had real sugar cubes.



Here's what the table looked like, and we used cinnamon sticks to stir our tea with.



Why? Because I felt like doing something nice for them both. I enjoyed whipping out my china, trying some new recipes, and the company was very good, too. We laughed and giggled over life, and I was so happy to catch up with them on all their goings- on.

Afternoon tea is truly a wonderful thing.

Did you know:


  • The correct way to stir tea is to start at 6 o clock and move to 12 o clock and back? You should never stir it in a circular motion.
  • Napkins unquestionably go to the left of the place setting. 
  • When eating scones, you should never dip them in anything, or cut them in half. Just break off a part and spread with butter or whatever you're having.

I learned those things in England, when I had a tea party with cute little English ladies after church. Not that the tea police will come get you from behind your kettle if you don't follow those instructions, but I thought they were fun to know.

Do any of you have fun and special ways of spending time with the moms in your life?

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Hello August First!


 There's nothing quite like a morning to yourself with some tea in your best teapot and your best china. I have spent all day writing wedding thank you notes, and I am glad I had the tea to refresh me! I used some loose- leaf tea, because this pot has a strainer in it (nifty!), and it tasted like Christmas. I think I found my new favorite! I also know what I'm going to ask for for Christmas this year... little tea spoons to stir your tea with. I still have many more thank yous to write, but I needed a break.



This past Sunday, Scot and I taught Sunday school at church, and we enjoyed our time with the kids. The lesson was on Hezekiah, Amon, Manessah, and Josiah- quite a lot to cover for such young learners. We focused on how during one of the wars, God provided food for the people of Judah for two years without them having to plant anything themselves; and how God always provides for us, too. We had the kids paint pots and then they planted corn... I know, sounds kind of corny, but the kids loved it.


There you have my random, much-needed-break-from-writing-by-doing-more-writing-and-I-know-that-doesn't-make-sense-but-oh-well-post.