it runs deep

[image]

first of all, i can't take an ounce of credit for this post. i was going through my blog doing a little spring cleaning and i found this in my drafts from eons ago. and by eons, i mean 5 years ago. i meant to post this way back when, but nothing has changed so i figure there's no time like the present.

my fellow tar heel athlete pal phabienne wrote a blog in march of 2011 that said all the things my tar heel heart wants to say on the regular. so instead of re-inventing the wheel, i'm just going to share what she said because i would say the exact same thing. every single word. (except that we aren't both living in branson anymore. we migrated to the motherland and are both within striking distance of our beloved chapel hill.)

according to phabienne...

I have been conditioned.

I am a product of my environment, and I am not ashamed about it.

For four years I inhaled, ate, heard, watched, smelled, touched, embraced, and loved everything there was to love about my alma mater, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and I know I didn't even get to everything that beautiful town has to offer.

For four years I wore Carolina blue to practice, to class, to meets, to bed, to breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

I saved hats, posters, newspapers, shirts, cups, and pom poms from games.

I watched the Tar Heels on TV, in Kenan Stadium, on the track, in Carmichael gym, in the Dean Dome, on Fetzer field, on the turf, and on the diamond.

In the four years my red blood turned Carolina Blue, my heart became hard-wired to anything having to do with Carolina, my emotions inextricably linked to the wins and losses, my breathing conditioned by last second plays, and my stomach tightened into knots during fierce rivalries.

I make no apologies for it.

I am a Tar Heel.

I am Carolina way over here in Branson, MO.

So, believe me when I say, it runs deep.

I yell, jump, scream, fist pump, clap, shout, pace, rock, and hold my breath when I watch the Tar Heels from the Midwest.

And during March Madness, it only intensifies.

I have been conditioned that for every positive reaction, there is not an equal but a greater opposite reaction for anything related to dook.

I am a Tar Heel.

GO HEELS!

i couldn't agree more. here's to our heels dancing their way to another national championship.

bekah

[original post from phabienne]

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally

what would you defend?

in light of some negative discussions lately about something very dear to me, i've been thinking about the things i would defend. the things about which i'd say, that's enough. don't take another step or i will fight you. this is a hill i'm willing to die on. if you missed it last week, here's the rest of what i had to say.

that being said, there are two things i would give my last breath fighting for. i'm not including relationships, spreading the gospel, caring for widows and orphans, or anything else of that sort. to me, those are givens. i'm talking about the things that are unique to each of us, because i'm confident we all have at least one thing we'd ruthlessly defend.

and since i know you're dying to know what mine are, here they are...

CAROLINA

specifically the athletic department and my carolina volleyball family

credit: UNC

KANAKUK

specifically k2 and the institute

credit: Kanakuk

it's no surprise to me that these were the two things i decided would cause me to rise the quickest, and fight the longest, to defend when their reputation or character is in question. but why these two? well, because they're the two "things" that have had the most profound impact on my life thus far. who i am and how i relate to the world is due in large part to the character development i gained from each. i will use my last breath defending them.

[side note: it's probably wise not to pick a fight with me about either one. i'm not a fighter and i try to speak kind words. i'd like to keep it that way.]

all of this got me thinking...i wonder what my family and friends would say are the hills they're willing to die on? any takers?

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

i wasn't going to say anything

okay, humor me for a minute. think of three things that mean the most to you. i'll give you a second. you got 'em? okay, now pick one. any one. it doesn't matter which one it is. it just needs to be really really important to you. as in, you'd die on that hill defending it. ready?

now, let's say a bunch of strangers (and even some friends) start speaking ill of that thing. hurtful, negative, partial-truths...some intentionally hurtful, some accidental. is your blood pressure rising? heart hurts just a little? now imagine that this goes on for several months with no end in sight. one sucker punch after another.

you're officially in my shoes now, so let's take a walk together.

[credit: UNC's official seal (obvi)]

let's be clear. i'm not asking you to love carolina. i'm not even asking you to like it. i'm just asking you to hear me out. given all the jaw flapping that has gone on about carolina and its athletic department lately, i've been inclined to keep my mouth shut. i wasn't going to say anything. i don't want to pick a fight. i like to keep the peace. however, if you punch me enough times, i'm going to fight back. especially when you're talking about my family.

i can't speak for every carolina student-athlete, but i can confidently speak for myself and the few that i know well.

it was hard.

there were no free passes. i probably needed some tutoring. i took the carolina CREED. i went to class. i went to study hall. i met with my advisor and chose my own classes. it was, after all, my education. i also earned every C i was ever given. i even have my book report on the oxford english dictionary to prove one of them. i worked for my degree; it was not given to me. i juggled 15 credit hours every semester on top of weights, practice, meetings, conditioning, film sessions, rehab, more meetings, matches, and away game travel. like i said, it was hard. i could've used a free pass or two actually.

i, and so many others that i know, competed and studied with utmost integrity. so yeah, i take offense to blanket statements regarding fraud and scandal at my university and in my athletic department in the same way that i took offense to the daily tar heel editorial in 2004 claiming that "all unc athletes are dumb jocks and should take a modified EXSS course load" because that's all we can handle. try me. or better yet, try my pre-med, business school, journalism school, and honors program teammates. and don't even get me started on the gymnasts and their curve-wrecking selves.

here's the deal: i get it. i'm not naive. there are elements of truth to the recent allegations and i won't argue with you there. mistakes and poor choices were made. but please, don't throw us all in the same pot. these individuals are the exception, not the rule. of that i am absolutely confident.

i'm bekah brinkley, and i'm proud to be a tar heel.

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

the best one yet

it's no secret that fall is my favorite season. in my opinion, all things wonderful happen during the fall...

football season

my birthday

changing leaves

fire pits and s'mores

volleyball season

cooler weather

pumpkin waffles

boots and sweaters
the yummiest scented candles

...just to name a few. living in florida for the last two "falls" of my life was taxing to say the least. i missed a lot of my favorites because fall in florida translates to "milder summer." some love it. i just wasn't one of them. i made up for it as best i could with trips to asheville, branson, and denver but trips are temporary. i'm happy to report that fall (and its wardrobe) is back in my regular rotation now. and hopefully forever if i have my way.

this may just be my favorite fall yet. why? because i got to spend it in all of my favorite places with many of my favorite people...

:: asheville ::

waddells + harts

:: branson ::

 
jackie + jenny

april

jane + lindsay + mallory

shayla

lauren

:: chapel hill ::

heather

gracie

i just don't think it can get any better than this, but i'm hoping it does. grin.

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

to hate like this...

credit

"The basketball rivalry between Duke and North Carolina has become the greatest rivalry in college athletics, and one of the greatest in all of sports. It is Ali versus Frazier, the Giants versus the Dodgers, the Red Sox versus the Yankees. Hell, it's bigger than that. This is the Democrats versus the Republicans, the Yankees versus the Confederates, Capitalism versus Communism. All right, okay, the Life Force versus the Death Instinct, Eros versus Thanatos. Is that big enough? This is a rivalry of such intensity, of such hatred, that otherwise reasonable adults attach to it all manner of political-philosophical baggage, some of which might even be true." 
- Will Blythe, To Hate Like This is to Be Happy Forever (p.5)

i couldn't have said it any better myself. GO HEELS!!!! beat dook.

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

what few can claim

"it's not about getting a scholarship, getting drafted, or making sportscenter. it's a deep need in us that comes from the heart. we need to practice, to play, to lift, to hustle, to sweat. we do it all for our teammates. when we miss something, we don't let down an entire state, but we let down our teammates, coaches, and fans. but the hurt is the same. we train hard, lift, throw, run, and go to class. it's about pride, in ourselves, and our alma mater. it's about love and passion for the game. when we walk off the court for the very last time, our hearts crumble. those tears are real. but deep down inside, we are very proud of ourselves. we will forever be what few can claim: college athletes." -unknown

...on that note, i'm headed to God's country (a.k.a. chapel hill) this weekend to reunionize with my teammates for some volleyball, football, celebrating, and the inevitable creation of more inside jokes. yes, Lord, yes.

go heels :: ram it :: turn it blue

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

september is my favorite

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september is my favorite month for several reasons. and because this is my blog, i'm going to make you read them and pretend to be just as excited as i am. drum roll please...

1.
it's my birthday month!

2.

i'm currently visiting my faves in branson!

3.

i'm doing a reunion weekend in chapel hill with college teammates!

4.

i'm going to an anjelah johnson comedy show in tampa with the parentals!

5.
beth moore simulcast is on the agenda. love her passion for the Word.

i'm looking forward to the month of september like nobody's business. i mean, the only thing that could possibly make the month of september better is if some fall weather [read: cool crisp air and changing leaves] miraculously migrated itself to florida. that would be the creme to my brulee. but since i don't think it will, i'm enjoying a few more weekends by the pool and occasionally by the beach when i'm feeling really adventurous.

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

more than a basketball coach

well, there's big news for my tar heel basketball fans out there. and college basketball fans in general. or just anyone who watches espn on the regular. i can finally open my big mouth that i've been keeping shut for the past week and a half. hubert davis is now officially the assistant basketball coach at north carolina. yay hubert!!!!

i'm so excited for this chapter in the davis' lives. and while i know it will be a fun change to have hubert home on (more) weekends, i know it will also bring a brand new set of challenges for their family. and if i'm being completely honest, i'm mourning the fact that there will no longer be fun college game day commercials of hubert to enjoy. (my all-time fave is "duke boy" shown below.)





his wife leslie is a rock star. she knows how to challenge and encourage like nobody's business. and she is as honest as honest can be. in fact, i vividly remember our first "meeting" my junior year in college where she told me, and i quote, "i don't care if i offend you to the point that you don't want to speak to me...at least until you have to come back and meet with me again next week." that's leslie. and that's why i love her. she boldly speaks Truth.

dinner with my parents and the davis' : may 2008

hubert and leslie : may 2008

i'm trusting that the Lord will use hubert and leslie in the lives of the guys on the team, the coaching staff, and the athletic department. the Lord has faithfully established relationships and has now opened this door for them in His perfect timing, and i'm beyond excited for them. it may even warrant a second trip to chapel hill before the clock strikes 2013. can i get a GO HEELS?!

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

gone to carolina

part of my weekend adventure in north carolina consisted of time in chapel hill, another one of my many homes. it has been a year since i was there and quite frankly, that's too long. after church on sunday, the sis drove me over to the hill and we snagged her boyfriend (jamale) for a trip out to maple view farm.

i realize i'm letting the cat out of the bag on this one, but it is seriously one of the best kept secrets in the chapel hill area. you need to go. awesome ice cream. rocking chairs on the front porch. open fields with cows for miles. glass bottled milk. it's almost like you step back in time...or at least forget that you're in college and have work to do.

i loved sneaking away for a few hours when i was at carolina and i try to go back each time i visit. naturally, sis and the boyfriend didn't put up much of a fight despite the fact that it was a warm 53 degrees and drizzling. ha! enjoy the picture recap.

because everything is better in carolina blue...even trash can liners

carolina crunch...my obvious flavor of choice

the boyfriend double fisting while the sis put her jacket on

i love the sis

well, aren't they cute?

after we warmed back up in the car, we dropped jamale off at his apt to head to work and the sis dropped me off at the davis' to spend the rest of the weekend with them. sadly, i was so excited to see them again (it's been 3? years), that i didn't take a single picture. major fail. thus, no more pics from the trip. but, i will tell you that the oldest is now a solid 12" taller if not more than the last time i saw him. sheesh! and the other two really couldn't be any sassier and cuter if they tried. i love that family and am grateful that they continue to welcome me into their home and their lives.

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

tar heels: jump around

i stumbled across this and it was too good not to share. i will never think of anything besides carolina athletics when i hear "jump around." the video is almost 8 minutes, so it's understandable if you don't want to watch the whole thing. but do me a personal favor and at least watch around 4:35 when they show all the coaches jamming out. and please note coach in the lower right corner. it made my day.

GO HEELS!!

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

an object in motion

i'm an object in motion. and i'll be staying in motion for a while. my life is once again defined by boxes, labels, tape guns, and suitcases. besides working and coaching (and the occasional workout), my life is consumed by packing. whether it's packing up my house to move across the bridge to st. petersburg or packing a suitcase for one of the crazy adventures waiting around the corner...i pack. between now and may 26th, here's what i have ahead of me:

kansas city, mo :: volleyball

greenville, nc :: see the sis

chapel hill, nc :: visiting the Davis fam again

moving to st. pete :: mom's coming to help!

new orleans, la :: Kat's wedding

st. augustine, fl :: beach time with Ginny and fam

orlando, fl :: volleyball

yeah, i may just not unpack until June. boxes...yes. suitcases...we shall see. i'm about to be on a whirlwind of a rollercoaster, but i'm so excited for each thing on that list that i can hardly contain myself.

back to the boxes...

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

what few will understand

"It's not about getting a scholarship, getting drafted, or making SportsCenter. It's a deep need in us that comes from the heart. We need to practice, to play, to lift, to hustle, to sweat. We do it all for our teammates. When we miss something, we don't let down an entire state, but we let down our teammates, coaches, and fans. But the hurt is the same. We train hard, lift, throw, run, and go to class. It's about pride, in ourselves, and our alma mater. It's about love and passion for the game. When we walk off the court for the very last time, our hearts crumble. Those tears are real. But deep down inside, we are very proud of ourselves. We will forever be what few can claim: college athletes."
-unknown

fall 2004

nostalgia has a way of sneaking up on me at the most random times. but i don't mind it one bit. re-living my years in chapel hill with girls i call family usually brings laughter and a big smile to my face. no one can truly understand the crazy dynamic of life with other weirdos that build their entire life and college education around playing games with a ball...unless you're one of us. and then it's this weird bond that can never be duplicated and is misunderstood 9 times out of 10 when you try to explain it.

but for the select few who understand, who actually get it...it's home. these girls frustrated me to no end and encouraged me to no end. we laughed. we cried. we bled. we silently (or not so silently) cursed our very existence and questioned our sanity at times. but we made it. and we're stronger for it. and i wouldn't trade those years or my teammates for anything. my love for my fellow vb heels is unmatched. (ooh, no pun intended there, but that's a good one!).

so here's to my vb heels. may we always RAM IT wherever life takes us.

beks

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

i'm all about the madness

credit: Jessica Sell

"this is not blue. not sky blue. not baby blue.

and certainly not that other blue.

this is the bell and the well.

this is Dean. number 23. and Roy Williams.

this is a dynasty. five time national champs.

and how the game is meant to be played.

this is domination.

these are the tar heels and this is carolina blue."

welcome to march madness my friends. the time of year when the heels come out to shine. and my heart swells with an unholy amount of pride. i picked my heels to beat kentucky in the finals. a little bit of revenge from last year's match-up. just saying.

tip off today against Vermont is 4:10 EST on TBS. you'll find me at my desk faithfully refreshing gametracker while i work.

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

unc > everybody else

well, i couldn't help myself. after last night's slaughter of nc state's basketball team by our bench, my little tar heel heart is swelling with pride. which of course is only enlargened (is that even a word?) by this lovely little article. yes, nc state, you are not our rival. maybe 30 years ago, but not anymore. nice try. thanks for playing, but you're not the lucky winner.

so, on that note...

GO HEELS. GO AMERICA.

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

kinda like a sorority, but better

i can't tell you how flipping excited i am today!!!!! i'm headed north to gainesville with my friend ali who's in town visiting.

why, you ask? oh, because CAROLINA VOLLEYBALL is playing at UF tonight. and those iz my girlz!! never mind the fact that i never technically played with any of them and only know 10% of their names. eh, they're family. i mean, we're kinda like a sorority, but better. i know the seniors because they were recruits my senior season and i've kept up with them the past 4 years. that counts for something.

image

and........what's really exciting is that one of my teammates is back from playing in italy and she's an assistant coach. hollaaaaa!! can't wait to see my Heather! i'm PUMPED!!!!

i'll be in my carolina blue beaming with pride tonight. let's go heels!! RAM IT!!

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

carolina pride and national pride

i'm not much of one for sports that have delayed gratification. or lots of running. soccer is both of those. i played it as a kid, but as soon as the boys started beating me to the ball every single time, i quit. i turned in my soccer cleats and i picked up a volleyball. literally. 5th grade was my last year of soccer and 6th grade was my first year of volleyball. the rest is history.

that being said, i've become a soccer fan over the past 7 years. Carolina is famous for our men's basketball team. everyone knows that.

but we're also famous for our women's soccer team. unfortunately, i didn't get enough opportunities to watch them play because soccer and volleyball are both fall sports and usually played at the same time (i always knew when it was halftime at the soccer match bc our fan base would double for volleyball). Carolina is a school of champions. University of National Champions as we like to say. our women's soccer team sets the standard high not only for other soccer teams across the country, but for every other women's sport at Carolina as well.

so, while i could ramble on about how much i loved my years at Carolina, i won't. i already did that. i will, however, tell you about how much pride i feel swelling in my heart every time i see fellow tar heels step onto "the pitch" in Germany to represent the USA in the Women's World Cup. Heather O'Reilly (#9) and Tobin Heath (#17) are in pursuit of Gold in the finals this Sunday on the world's largest soccer stage.

Sunday :: 2pm EST :: ESPN

photo credit

if you haven't watched the quarterfinal match vs. Brazil, you're really missing out. it's the most dramatic athletic event i've ever witnessed. the American spirit was on full display. i've never felt more patriotic in my life than last Sunday when the women's national team courageously defeated Brazil. epic. ESPY Best Play worthy actually. but seriously, youtube it or something. it's two hours of your life you won't regret.

in the meantime, here's a fun 2 minute video of Tobin from Nike Soccer's campaign "Pressure Makes Us".

Go Heels. Go America.


live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

a thousand words

well, since pictures are worth a thousand words and i'm low on time these days, i figured a photo blog to recap my easter weekend in chapel hill would be a fabulous option. the wedding was beautiful. dave owens knows how to throw a party. time with teammates was priceless and hysterically awesome. nothing less than expected honestly. time with sis was a double bonus (and the boyfriend of course). hers, not mine. don't go starting rumors. gallavanting around chapel hill and hitting all my old faves was triple bonus. enjoy the pics to recap!

fun pic with Dayna before heading on to the airport.

Carolina Volleyball past and present with Coach.

Alan was waaaay too nice on this.

gorgeous bride and teammates.

typical.

 

another shot with Coach before leaving.

sis and the boyfriend.

 had to swing by FSPP for lunch. yum!!!!

walking down Stadium to the game.

game time vs. Miami

baseball at Bosh. please note Christie in the background.

YoPo after the game. delish!!

look who flew back from Finland....VON!!!

it's true, i love LP.

4 years with these two was not enough. ram it!!

Easter Sunday sis pic.

they're quite the pair.

chapel hill: you are too good to me. i'll be back to visit soon. i just can't say no.


bekah


live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

checking in

good morning from Chapel Hill!! super fun wedding last night...pics to come later. let me just say, though, you can't beat teammates. it's probably the most fun i've had in a while. seriously. LOVE them. LOVE LOVE LOVE. somebody else needs to get married soon so we can all reunionize again.

i'm off for a fun day of Chapel Hill faves and a baseball game with the girls (KDave scored free tix). i'm sorry, are we awesome or what?! enjoy your weekend, and try not to be too jealous of the fact that i'm in heaven and you're not.

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

YoPo

i'm going to YoPo in three weeks. a trip to chapel hill is incomplete without it. teammates. chapel hill. YoPo. goodness. heaven. i can't wait!!

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

another perspective

a tar heel nation friend here in Branson just posted her thoughts on Carolina over here* on her blog. insanely well-written. i highly suggest you check it out.

side note: she worked in the office across the hall from me (until she had baby boy A in January) and we discovered that we used to stand 3 rows apart at all the football games. oh hey student-athlete section. so glad we're friends now. love you Phabs!!

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.