Growing up, the very first sport that my family introduced me to was baseball. But not just any baseball, I'm talking about Philadelphia Phillies baseball. My dad says that when I was two weeks old, he sat me on his lap and I watched my first Phillies game. Then came the learning of how to catch and throw a ball. And shortly after that, learning how to swing and hit the ball. When my brother was born, my family taught him just like they had taught me. It seems like most American families tend to do the same as my family did with my brother and I.
Many people say that baseball is the traditional American sport. And I would have to agree. There is no experience in the world quite like seeing your very first ball game in a major league stadium. The feeling of excitement as you walk through a crowd of people, all dressed to support the home team, can be very overwhelming. Walking up those big stadium steps, heading towards your seats...hot dog in hand of course... and finally viewing the field for the very first time is pretty surreal.
I don't exactly remember my very first Phillies game. My parents took my brother and I to so many games that I can't really remember my first. We have created so many memories for ourselves going to the ballpark over the years, especially going to Veterans Stadium, when it was still around. Like the time when my mom and brother were on the jumbo tron. Or the fourth of July where we got to watch fireworks on the field. Or even the time where a Chicago Cubs outfielder threw my brother a ball during batting practice. I'd have to say that my all time favorite memory from Veterans Stadium was getting to meet John Kruk.
When I was really little (and yes I'm talking about when I was younger and not referencing my small size), the one Phillies player who's name always stood out to me was first baseman John Kruk. My family still teases me to this day about me going around the house chanting "John KRUK, John KRUK" whenever being asked who my favorite baseball player was. The last game I ever saw at Veterans Stadium happened to be a fan appreciation game, and we had heard that a couple of former Phillies players were walking around the stadium. As soon as we walked up the stairs into the stadium, we saw a crowd of people circled around someone. It was the "Kruker" signing autographs. Meeting my favorite childhood baseball player is something that I will never forget.
Whether it's watching your favorite baseball team on TV, being at the game, or even having a catch in the back yard with your dad, baseball is something special and I do believe that baseball is the traditional American sport. So throw out the first pitch and play ball!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Thanksgiving: The Official Kickoff to the Holiday Season
Thanksgiving has always been the start of the holiday season for my family and I. There are so many traditions that my family and I take part in on Thanksgiving Day.
My mom and I like to get up early and watch all of the parades on TV. The Philadelphia parade has always been a favorite of ours, one of the reasons being that the Pennsbury Marching Band, my high school's marching band, has always been invited to march and perform in the parade. This year, the marching band was chosen to be the special marching band that led Santa Claus to the Art Museum steps for the parade's grand finale.
Thanksgiving is also the first day that my family is officially allowed to listen to Christmas music. Well, according to my mom and grandmother it is. My mom has always cooked Thanksgiving dinner, and we host my mom's side of the family for dinner. For years my grandmother always brought over her favorite Christmas cassette tape and during dinner would be the first official day that we all listen to Christmas music. Since cassette tapes are no longer popular, and the fact that we don't have the means of playing one anymore, my mom has taken job of the Christmas music selection.
When we're done eating delicious turkey, my grandmother asks all of us grandchildren to give her our Christmas lists. I've began to notice that as we all get older, our Christmas lists seem to get smaller and smaller, but oddly enough, the prices of the items seem to go up higher and higher. Go figure!
My dad's side of the family comes over for dessert, and that's when the sweets arrive! Chocolate cake and pumpkin pie...oh my!
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, but not because of the parades, giving away of our Christmas lists, or even eating chocolate cake for dessert. It's because I get to kick off the holiday season with all of my family together, under one roof, at my house, looking forward to the holiday season to come.
Let the holiday season begin!
My mom and I like to get up early and watch all of the parades on TV. The Philadelphia parade has always been a favorite of ours, one of the reasons being that the Pennsbury Marching Band, my high school's marching band, has always been invited to march and perform in the parade. This year, the marching band was chosen to be the special marching band that led Santa Claus to the Art Museum steps for the parade's grand finale.
Thanksgiving is also the first day that my family is officially allowed to listen to Christmas music. Well, according to my mom and grandmother it is. My mom has always cooked Thanksgiving dinner, and we host my mom's side of the family for dinner. For years my grandmother always brought over her favorite Christmas cassette tape and during dinner would be the first official day that we all listen to Christmas music. Since cassette tapes are no longer popular, and the fact that we don't have the means of playing one anymore, my mom has taken job of the Christmas music selection.
When we're done eating delicious turkey, my grandmother asks all of us grandchildren to give her our Christmas lists. I've began to notice that as we all get older, our Christmas lists seem to get smaller and smaller, but oddly enough, the prices of the items seem to go up higher and higher. Go figure!
My dad's side of the family comes over for dessert, and that's when the sweets arrive! Chocolate cake and pumpkin pie...oh my!
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, but not because of the parades, giving away of our Christmas lists, or even eating chocolate cake for dessert. It's because I get to kick off the holiday season with all of my family together, under one roof, at my house, looking forward to the holiday season to come.
Let the holiday season begin!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Political Confusion!
I will never, EVER, understand politics...period.
I watch The View everyday, and what is the number one topic that is talked about on the show? Yup, you guessed it. Politics. And with yesterday being Election day, you can bet that the show's main topic of conversation would be...POLITICS!
The lovely lady's on The View usually have one to two politicians come on the show every week. Each political guest has their own personal views on certain topics. Today, former mayor of New York, Rudolph Giuliani, made a guest appearance on the show's "hot topics" segment. Now after 9/11 happened, and though I was very young, I began to learn more and more about terrorism, and nationalism. I especially learned about nationalism with the way Giuliani handled New York City, and even more, the country. He was one of the leaders who brought our country hope after such tragic events. I have high respect for him because of that.
During today's "hot topics" (which is this week's "Red, White & View" segment) on The View , Giuliani talked about the recent election and how he feels about President Obama. Now here's where my "political confusion" comes into place. Giuliani went on to say that Republican Sarah Palin is just as qualified to be president as President Obama is.
CONFUSION! I thought that people took Palin as a joke! Someone who is unqualified! Usually when Saturday Night Live does more than five sketches on you, you know your a joke. Examples of this would be: Eliot Spitzer, David Paterson, and recent Republican nominee Christine O'Donnell. Now Christine O'Donnell hasn't had more than five sketches based upon her because of how "new" she is to the political world, but Spitzer and Paterson, on the other hand, have.
I don't think I will ever be able to understand politics...NEVER EVER. The only conclusion I have come up with about politics is this: There will always be people who DON'T agree with the current president in office and there will always be people who DO agree with the current president in office. It is a cycle that will keep spinning forever and always.
So just when I think I have politics figured out, what happens? Political confusion.
I watch The View everyday, and what is the number one topic that is talked about on the show? Yup, you guessed it. Politics. And with yesterday being Election day, you can bet that the show's main topic of conversation would be...POLITICS!
The lovely lady's on The View usually have one to two politicians come on the show every week. Each political guest has their own personal views on certain topics. Today, former mayor of New York, Rudolph Giuliani, made a guest appearance on the show's "hot topics" segment. Now after 9/11 happened, and though I was very young, I began to learn more and more about terrorism, and nationalism. I especially learned about nationalism with the way Giuliani handled New York City, and even more, the country. He was one of the leaders who brought our country hope after such tragic events. I have high respect for him because of that.
During today's "hot topics" (which is this week's "Red, White & View" segment) on The View , Giuliani talked about the recent election and how he feels about President Obama. Now here's where my "political confusion" comes into place. Giuliani went on to say that Republican Sarah Palin is just as qualified to be president as President Obama is.
CONFUSION! I thought that people took Palin as a joke! Someone who is unqualified! Usually when Saturday Night Live does more than five sketches on you, you know your a joke. Examples of this would be: Eliot Spitzer, David Paterson, and recent Republican nominee Christine O'Donnell. Now Christine O'Donnell hasn't had more than five sketches based upon her because of how "new" she is to the political world, but Spitzer and Paterson, on the other hand, have.
I don't think I will ever be able to understand politics...NEVER EVER. The only conclusion I have come up with about politics is this: There will always be people who DON'T agree with the current president in office and there will always be people who DO agree with the current president in office. It is a cycle that will keep spinning forever and always.
So just when I think I have politics figured out, what happens? Political confusion.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
My First Blog Post!
Hello to whomever is reading this! This is my first blog, made for a Journalism class, but probably to stay for my personal enjoyment. I mean come on, people my age do things like this, right? Blog? I don't really know, but I'm hoping to find out!
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