PSU | Keeping up with Kate

PSU vs. WI – 2012

Posted on December 1, 2012 by keepingupwithkate91

Last week was the final game of the PSU Football 2012 season. I won’t go into the details as to why – you know.

It was a cold and windy day (with snow flurries making an appearance too). Did I say cold and windy? – boy it sure was! It was so windy, my canopy was a no go (and I left if there as the wind bent the frame and put holes in the tarp) and I couldn’t get my heater to work. Thank goodness for the group from Altoona and Allentown – we hung out with them to stay out of the wind (and got my heater to work).

It was a great day for a final football game in November – Big 10 Football. We got into the game early as it was Senior Day (a favorite game of mine). This year it was special since this year’s Seniors truly showed what it mean to be Leaders and what Success with Honor really means. Here is a great tribute to them prior to the game and a tribute to the entire team – 2012 will always be remembered in the Stadium not for an undefeated season or a championship but because they stayed and due to their leadership and commitment have showed all of us what ONE TEAM really means!

The game was exciting (and did I mention cold?). Although at halftime I had the best HOT CHOCOLATE EVER!! After lots of back and forth and a great show of force of the defense the game was TIED and we went into OT. PSU had the first possession and put 3 points on the board. WI had a chance to tie with a field goal and it went wide left. The jubilation that erupted in the stadium was amazing (I can’t find the right words to describe)!

The singing of the Alma Mater with the team, students and fans was the best ever! And BOB closed it out with a WE ARE… and he was met with a resounding PENN STATE!

I’ve been a Penn State fan for as long as I can remember. I remember watching the 1986 championship game against Miami – the interception at the end of the game was amazing. Penn State wasn’t the best team when I was in college, but my Senior year in 1990 – I remember watching the team beat undefeated (& #1) ND (at Southbend) on a 13 inch tv with my roommate – and the celebration downtown was awesome! I still have The Daily Collegian from the following Monday. Another favorite was the 2005 game against OSU – my favorite game in the stadium (until now) – it was the time for us to prove we were BACK and the stadium was rockin’. I’m so glad my brother and I were there to watch it together. Another memory is the 2008 PSU vs. MSU game – a great football day – cold, snowy, Senior Day and in the end a Big 10 Championship and a trip to the Rose Bowl (and another great trip with my brother). As I remember all of those great games and personal memories – I have to say that last Saturday is now my favorite PSU game – not only for the WIN (what a way to end a season), but because the Penn State family pulled together – the Players, Coaches, Staff, Cheerleaders and Blue Band needed the Alums and Fans as much as we needed them. We fed off of each others energy! And in the end – adults had a chance to learn from some young men – 31 Seniors to be exact about Leadership, Commitment and Success with Honor! For the Glory!!

WE ARE…

PS: Here is a link the the Football Letter published by the Penn State Alumni Association and written by John Black: http://www.imakenews.com/footballletter/e_article002572182.cfm?x=blN4tl6,b2VBTTNL

What happened to September?

Posted on September 30, 2012 by keepingupwithkate91

Have you missed me? I can’t believe how fast time flies. I know it has something to do with getting older. Where did September go?

Here is what I’ve been up to this past month via my weekends:

I started off the month heading to Central PA and PSU’s season opener against Ohio with my Mom. We had a great time – it was an emotional day too. We didn’t walk away with a win – but I’m so glad I was there.
The second weekend of the month was my birthday weekend – where I just chilled out at home, relaxed, had some reflexology and went out with friends.
Back to Happy Valley for the PSU vs. Navy game with my college friends. The group keeps getting smaller each year, but we always pick up like it is was just yesterday we were in college. I’m sure there will be a time when we are all able to get the larger group together. It was a great time, great win, great way to show our American pride – a great weekend overall!
Back to Happy Valley for the PSU vs. Temple game with my college roommates from my Junior year. We had so much fun. We hit a lot of our favorite spots, enjoyed the game (and stayed dry during the little bit of rain), got our picture taken at the LION and as a reward got some Creamery Ice Cream.
Milestone Alert – Monday afternoon I went back to the Nutritionist – happy to say I’m down 11 pounds since May! Wahoo!! He is pleased with my progress. And I haven’t missed out on enjoying the festivities of the weekends in September. PS: Although I am a bit impatient – I have to remember ‘Slow and Steady Wins the Race’! 🙂
And this last weekend of September – I chilled out at home most of the time – watched the game with friends and joined some other friends for dinner Saturday night.

Hope you had a great September – sorry to see Summer go – but if it has to go I’m sure glad Fall follows!

Ready for a fun and busy October!

PSU Reunion Weekend + / –

Posted on October 17, 2011 by keepingupwithkate91

This past weekend, I headed up to Happy Valley (State College, PA) for homecoming to see my Penn State Nittany Lions take on the Purdue Boilermakers. This wasn’t just another football weekend for me. I went with my college roommates from my Junior year. The three of us haven’t been to State College in years and probably haven’t been together since LH’s baby shower for her oldest (let’s just say it was a long time ago).

Here are the +s / -s from the weekend:

– I had to work Friday morning (but for a really good reason)
+ Bunny Burgers at the Red Rabbit (en route)
+ Hitting some local establishments over the weekend
– Paying $15 to get some Pita
+ Tailgating
+ PSU Win over Purdue
– The guys behind TB and I during the game – one was a Debbie Downer and the other a Negative Nellie
– No nap
+ Original Sins at the Adam’s Apple
– Getting in very late two nights in a row (I can’t hang like I used to)
+ Souvenir Shopping on Sunday
+ Picture at the Lion (in our new PSU tshirts)
– Waiting in Line at the Creamery
+ Waiting in Line at the Creamery for some yummy PSU ice cream – WPSU Coffee Break, Keeny Beany Chocolate and Butter Pecan were our selections
– The weekend ended way too early!
+ Planning already started for next year

Bottomline – An AMAZING Time had by ALL!! 🙂

Vintage 'S' Zone

Fun Stuff

Posted on September 18, 2011 by keepingupwithkate91

I know I’ve been posting lots about my journey of self-discovery.

Thought I’d let you in on some of the fun I’ve been having this very busy September. I love summer, but if summer has to end I’m glad fall follows it. I went to Penn State and love, love, love college football…especially my Nittany Lions. I’ve been a season ticket holder for 9 seasons now!

September 3rd was PSU’s first game of the season against Indiana State. I didn’t go to the game, but went to the Central NJ Chapter’s of the Penn State Alumni Association (www.pennstatecnj.org) football watching party. We raffled off a pair of tickets to the PSU vs. Alabama game. We raised $2k for our local scholarship fund. We had a great turnout at our watching parties and it was great to see so many friends and Alums out for our parties.

I headed up to Penn State on 9/7 to meet my Mom and one of her friend’s for lunch at The Quarterback Club of State College. What is it? Lunch in Beaver Stadium and a chance to hear coaches and players speak after lunch. AWESOME!! I’ve had a chance to go to a luncheon for the last few years…and I always have a great time. My Mom and I stayed in State College for the remainder of the week to celebrate my birthday (I think this might be an annual event from now on). I took her to some of my favorite spots in town (Pickles, Cafe 210 West, Corner Room) (the ‘Skeller is next year) and discovered a new one (Allen Street Grill). My Dad joined us for my birthday celebration at The Tavern. We capped off the week with lunch at The Mt. Nittany Inn. The views were fantastic…too bad it was a bit foggy. There isn’t a bad view in the place. We sat on the glass enclosed deck…it was awesome. I took some pictures…they just don’t do the views justice due to the weather. The trip to State College was capped off with the PSU vs. Alabama game. I had an opporutnity to sit in club seats for the first time ever. The seats were great (even if there was someone behind us who didn’t like us standing for every play…seriously…watch the game from home if you don’t want to stand up). It was a beautiful day but sadly my Lions did not win.

This past Saturday, Penn State took on Temple at the LINC. I went to the game with my Dad and brother. We had a nice, simple tailgate. Nothing better than bagel sandwiches and beer to start the day off right! 🙂 We had great seats in the end zone (last row and seats starting on the aisle). It was a bit of a nail biter to say the least. PSU won by the skin of their chinny chin chins! We made the fastest exit out of a parking lot ever…it is the little things! And I had a fantastic time hanging out with my Dad and brother.

Next week, I’m off to State College again for the PSU vs. Eastern MI game with a bunch of my college friends. Looking forward to a great weekend and the hopes that PSU has a much better performance next weekend.

For the Glory!!

WE ARE…