Blogging, Beaching, Running

This weekend was so jam packed with fun and friends I totally need a day off to recover from it all!

A weekend of OC Bloggers, brunch, beach views, and the Brea8K race!

The weekend started off with an OC Blogger event.  I saw Melyssa advertise it on her blog The Nectar Collective that there was going to be a brunch for Orange County, California bloggers and I felt like I had to go, and I am so glad that I did.

The event was held at Great Over Good in Santa Ana and was a perfect, creative space.  It was a joy to meet other bloggers in person, eat some amazing food, and pretend I am crafty.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="717"] I made a craft and even tied a ribbon on it. Please do not notice that the ribbon could have been shorter.[/caption]

One of my favorite movements came from Jess from Jess Loves This Life.  As soon as she met me she said "Penny!" and I knew I would love her.  I told Penny she had a fan and she has been unbearable ever since!

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="717"] Jess from Jess Loves This Life![/caption]

Another highlight for me was meeting Rachel, Nicole, and Raewyn in person. I had already read their blogs so it was cool to meet them face to face after reading and sponsoring their blogs.

I think the best part of the day for me on a personal note was not just meeting more bloggers, which was amazing, but being encouraged that pursuing my PhD was the right thing to be doing.  I was kind of getting discouraged and considering not doing it next year.  Some of the ladies that were there were are actually working as professors already or were in school.  They totally gave me the encouragement I needed to know that I was making the right choice and that even though it would be hard it was worth it.  Um hello working 3 days a week!

After the brunch I decided I needed some "Erica Time" and went down to San Clemente for a few hours to walk around and soak up the beach.

I love San Clemente.  It is my favorite beach town to just go and hang out and shop, eat and walk along the beach.  It is not overcrowd like some of the beaches in Southern California and it is relaxed and welcoming.

While I was there I tried my hand at using my camera a little more and took a few photos to document the lovely day. The first four photos were of a cute little shop on Del Mar that had awesome shabby chic furniture and handmade signs. I would have spent my whole paycheck there if there was a way to get it all home.

Then I went down to the pier and took some photos of the scenery.  Sorry if you do not like beachy ocean photos.  This would be the time to quite reading my blog if you hate beauty.

[caption id="attachment_891" align="aligncenter" width="620"] San Clemente Pier[/caption]





I also had the opportunity to participate in an 8K this weekend, I thought it was a 5K but whatever, I owned it.

Truth be told I didn't run that much. I ran enough so that when I say "I ran in an 8K" it isn't a lie.  It was a very fast walk though and I beat all those old people and children so that as all that mattered.  If you are thinking about a 5K or 8K or half marathon or whatever, just do it.  It was really fun and not at all terrible.

[caption id="attachment_894" align="aligncenter" width="620"] I ran in the 8k Brea Classic and the picture a stranger took of me was tragic so all you get is this to prove I did it.[/caption]

One last note before I leave you for today.  I just want the world to realize I am so smart when it comes to hockey.  I made the following prediction on Friday's post, A Girl's Guide to Olympic Hockey, and I was right!  If only I was in Vegas at the Sports Book and I could have made a few dollars.

[caption id="attachment_868" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Bam! I called it![/caption]

Linking up with Rachel and Emily today as I provided a wrap up and I am grateful for the great weekend I had!

I also ail be continuing my series on starting a blog tomorrow with the following theme:

Girl's Guide To Olympic Hockey

After watching my twitter feed blow up today with new found hockey fans I realized there was much confusion over the fine sport of hockey and I should do something about it.  So I put together a VERY basic hockey guide for you fans out there.

I know I left a ton off and I hope I got nothing wrong.  Stick with these simple rules and ways to make the games fun and you will go far in life.

The basic things you need to about Olympic Hockey finals this weekend.

Periods

Hockey games are 60 minutes long.  The game is divided in to three Periods of 20 minutes each. There are two Intermissions of 20 minutes between the first and second period.

How Many People Play on Each Team


Each team has 25 men on the roster.  During the game each team can only have 6 men on the ice.

1 Goalie

2 Defensemen

3 Forwards

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="475"] Via[/caption]

Points

Players and teams get points for scoring

Goals - the puck goes in net and the team and the player get a point

Assists - the person or 2 people who pass the puck to the player that scores the goal get a player point for the assist.

Major Penalty - If a major penalty is called the player that it is against has to sit out of the game for 5 minutes in the penalty box.

Minor Penalty - If a minor penalty is called the player has to stay in the penalty box for 2 minutes.

Below are four of the most common penalties that are called and a brief explanation of what they are.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="509"] via[/caption]

Power Play

When a player has been given a penalty and sits out for 2 or 5 minutes the team continues with one man less.  For example 4 on 5.  The team with five players is on a Power Play and the team with 4 players is trying to kill the penalty.

Short Handed Goal

If a team with less players during a Power Play (Short Handed) scores a goal it is a Short handed goal.

Fighting

In NHL hockey there is a five minute penalty for fighting.  International hockey rules are more strict and result in being ejected from the game

Pulling the Goalie

NOT what you might be thinking!

It is actually not a penalty, but what a team might do if they are down by a goal in the final minutes of a game. A coach may "Pull the Goalie" leaving the net unattended.  They can then send another player to the ice to increase their odds of scoring a goal in a 6 on 5 situation.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="609"] via[/caption]

Rules for Overtime are different in the NHL, International Hockey, and even in Stanley Cup Playoffs.  Here are the International (Olympic Rules)

For each overtime ends as soon as a team scores a goal. So if a team scores in the first minute of overtime the game is over.

Preliminary round: 4 0n 4 overtime for 5 minutes.

Playoff rounds (qualifications round, quarterfinals, semifinals, bronze medal): 4 on 4 overtime for 10 minutes.

Gold medal game: 4 0n 4 20 minute over time.  There is another 20 minute intermission between the 3rd period and overtime.

If neither team scores a goal in overtime the game goes to a shootout.

Shootouts: A team has to choose three unique players to shoot.  If the shoot out is tied the team can send the same men to keep making shots on the goal until one team makes an unanswered goal from the other team.

For example the US vs. Russia Game went to a shootout.  After the first three rounds it was tied 1-1.  Each team sent the same player five times to score and Oshie from the US finally made a goal that Russia couldn't answer.

Choose Your Boyfriend

Look at the rosters for the people on the remaining teams and pick the one you think is the hottest.  Then each time he scores a goal or gets an assist he did it for you!  By the way Teemu Selanne from the Ducks is everyone's boyfriend because he is so sweet and kind off the ice. He is also in his 6th and final Olympics and is the oldest person to score an Olympic goal.  He is just amazing!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="320"] via[/caption]

Make Up Nicknames

Teemu is called the Finish Flash, how cool is that. See how many nicknames you can come up with for the players.

Have a Drink

Drink when ever you want it is Hockey after all!  There need not be a drinking game. A player scored a goal, drink. A Canadian said "Eh", drink.  You have no idea what happened, drink. I of course am talking about coffee because these games are EARLY like 4am early!



All loser consolations prizes or Bieber are based on the following billboard for the semi final game:

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"] via[/caption]

I know it is sad and I should say the US over Finland but Teemu!  Really I watch for the players I love and national pride does not have much to do with it for me.  My loyalty goes 1. Ducks 2. Nation.

If you want to know more about which NHL teams has players in the Olympics there is a complete list here.

If you want to what players I love here is my list

Canada! Ryan Getzlaf and Correy Perry

Finland - Teemu Selanne, Sami Vatanen

USA - Cam Fowler

Sweden - Jakob Silverberg

Now go forth and sing "Oh Canada" because if the US can't win they should!

Sunday Funday With Nina!

Welcome to another edition of Sunday Funday!

Yo Ho, Weekend blog readers!  I am not really sure why I went all pirate on you this morning, but it felt so right.

Today is Saturday and I am posting Sunday Funday.  I decided why not make it a weekend link up and you can post Saturday or Sunday.  I thin I like posting on Saturday because it is more confusing that way.



Today I am so happy to have the lovely Nina from The Grand Adventures of Me co-hositng today's link up.  She is from East Tennessee and is in college majoring in English and Psychology and blogging about her life and is passionate about ending Human Trafficking.  This girl is the real deal and you should be following her stat!

Nina is also training for a half marathon and I thought she could use a little motivation.



On that note this Ryan Gosling Hey Girl Meme always makes me laugh/want him to be Valentine.



And for all my teacher friends out there here is some much needed encouragement that you are doing a great job teaching even in the smallest of details.



On that note I am going to go spend my time watching the winter olympics for hours on end and maybe I will go to my hair appointment in an hour.

I always have wanted to be an Olympian and when I watch curling I know I actually could one day make it.  I also love to watch curling and secretly hope that a huge accident will happen, like one of the broom guys will lose total control of their broom and fall over and the captain will go crazy ballistic and yell at everyone.  Please tell me I am not the only one who wants drama to happen on the curling court (ice, board, surface?)



 

Now link up and share your posts!  I am happy to announce that Jaime from You Gotta Have Hart will be co-hosting next week!  If you are interested in co-hosting let me know in the comments below or send me an email at ericajacquline@gmail.com

One last thing!  This weekend is your last chance to enter my True Love is… contest.  Click here and and write a sentence saying what you think makes up true love.  Voting will begin Monday morning!



 

Don't Even Try To Connect These Dots.

Today I have a stream of random questions I have been asking myself over the last week or so.  They are in no way connected other than I have thought about it recently.  If you try to find a connection you will fail, although I would love to hear your theories.

Also Penny is making the rounds and has a guest post over at You Gotta Have Hart.  Go say hi!

How in the world could Ezra be A?

OK so true confession I really like Pretty LIttle Liars.  It is totally my guilty pleasure show.  I actually could write 20 blog posts about how I do not get many things that happen on this show.  For example, where are girls parents all the time?  Maybe it was just because my mom loved be but she always knew where I was and who I was with.

Anyway, my doubts of Ezra being A do not stem from a "I love Ezra!" stance.  In fact I find him repulsive.  As a teacher I can not even wrap my head around a teacher falling in love with a student.  Perhaps it is because I teach teenage boys who sometimes wear deodorant, but I have never been able to buy into the premise that Ezra and Aria are actually a couple.  She must really be 25 or something.



The thing that I really have a hard time with is the fact that he could presumably be an English teacher and a murderer.  I am also an English teacher, well I was for a year, and there is no way in the world i would have had time to plan, teach and grade work from my classes and lead a double life as a killer.  When I was teaching English I barely had time to shower and yet here he is showered, looking hot, teaching English rather well, and killing people.  If you are going to have a person with a double life pick a profession that actually has a chance of some down time other than summers and Christmas.

Come on PLL you need to get your story lines together, or not cause I still watch.

How is it that McDonald's sponsors the Olympics?

Hello? This is insane to me! It is like Supersize Me never came out.  Really though, McDonald's is the furthest thing from healthy eating for athletes.  Also they serve hair in their coffee.  You can look at this post for a reference if you want.



 

On a somewhat related note I am so excited for the Olympics next week I can not even stand it!

What would happen if you took off Zac Brown's Hat?

One of my favorite bands is Zac Brown Band.  They are such talented musicians and they have a ton of fun when you see them in concert.  One thing that I noticed about Zac Brown the two times I saw him live was that no matter the temperature homie is wearing a beanie.



If you google ZB without a beanie I believe you will understand why he wears one on the regular.

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One thing that I do not wonder about is Bailey at Becoming Bailey.  Bailey is a lovely blogger over in Kentucky and always lifts my spirits when I read her blog.  Read more about her and why you should be reading her blog!



What is your favorite line from a movie?

My favorite line from a movie: "I don't want to be just one thing. I can't be. I want to be brave and I want to be selfless. Intelligent and honest and kind." I saw this teaser clip of the movie Divergent and loved the quote (and the scene that it's from!) I already know I'm going to love the movie because I loved reading the books.

What is your favorite book?

Picking my favorite book is so hard, because it changes constantly as my obsessions change. Right now I love the Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth.



Why did you start blogging?

I started blogging the day before my 20th birthday. I had a "quarter-life crisis" when I realized my time in college was nearly ending and I could barely remember it. Blogging has been my way of sharing my experiences with the world.

You are given a free day and $100 what would you do?

If I had a free day and $100, I would go to the bookstore and buy lots and lots of books. Then I'd stop at Burger King on my way home and buy a large Frozen Coke. I'd go home and spend the rest of the day reading.

Where are you from and what is your favorite thing to do there?

I'm from Owensboro, Kentucky. There's not a lot to do here... except eat. Our barbecue is world-famous, especially our mutton and burgoo. We also have the most fast-food restaurants per square mile in the US.

If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go and why?

I love traveling and experiencing new things. There's so many countries that I would love to visit someday, but I especially want to visit Germany and Ireland because they are my ancestors' homelands.



Who was your childhood celebrity crush? 

My childhood celebrity crush was Aaron Carter. I saw him in concert and my 9 year old self was dying of happiness. I would always imagine that he would come sweep me off my feet and we'd live happily ever after. Hahaha wow I was such a dork.

Make sure you follow Bailey on Bloglovin, Twitter, and Facebook