This is Good Sportsmanship!!!

By Associated Press

MONMOUTH, Ore. (AP) - A senior with a .153 career batting average hits her first home run, a three-run blast, to help Western Oregon move closer to a spot in the NCAA's Division II softball playoffs.

That was improbable. To 70-year-old Central Washington coach Gary Frederick, what happened next was "unbelievable."

Sara Tucholsky, the 5-foot-2-inch right fielder, sprinted to first as the ball cleared the center field fence Saturday in Ellensburg, Wash. Given that she had never hit a ball out of the park, even in practice, she was excited. So excited she missed first base.

A couple yards past the bag, she stopped to go back and touch it. But she collapsed with a knee injury."I was in a lot of pain," she told The Oregonian newspaper on Tuesday. "Our first-base coach was telling me I had to crawl back to first base. 'I can't touch you,' she said, 'or you'll be out. I can't help you."'

Despite the agony, Tucholsky crawled back to first.

Western Oregon coach Pam Knox ran onto the field and talked to the umpires. The umpires said the coach could place a substitute runner at first. Tucholsky would be credited with a single."

The umpires said a player cannot be assisted by their team around the bases," Knox said. "But it is her only home run in four years. She is going to kill me if we sub and take it away. But at same time I was concerned for her. I didn't know what to do."

An opponent did.

Central Washington first baseman Mallory Holtman, the all-time home run leader in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, asked the umpire if she and her teammates could carry Tucholsky around the bases.

The umpires said nothing in the rule book precluded help from the opposition.Holtman and shortstop Liz Wallace lifted Tucholsky and resumed the home-run walk, stopping to let Tucholsky touch the bases with her good leg."

We started laughing when we touched second base," Holtman said. "I said, 'I wonder what this must look like to other people."'

Holtman got her answer when they arrived at home plate. Many people were in tears.

The second-inning homer sent Western Oregon on its way to a 4-2 victory, ending Central Washington's chances of winning the conference and advancing to the playoffs."

In the end, it is not about winning and losing so much," Holtman said. "It was about this girl. She hit it over the fence and was in pain and she deserved a home run."

Frederick, the Central Washington coach, said he later got a clarification from an umpiring supervisor, who said NCAA rules allow a substitute to run for a player who is injured after a home run. The clarification doesn't matter to those who witnessed the act of sportsmanship.

"Those girls did something awesome to help me get my first home run," Tucholsky said. "It makes you look at athletes in a different way. I

t is not always all about winning but rather helping someone in a situation like that."

Baskin Robbins Ice Cream

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

Tomorrow is .31 cent scoops of ice cream at Baskin Robbins from 5pm--10pm!!!

That's right...you can go to BR and get .31 cent ice cream cones...how cool is that!!! There is a limit of 10 scoops per person, but hey go as a big group and you can buy tons!!!

Yum, I'm going to get a Jamocha Almond Fudge and Chocolate Chip Mint Cone! My fav!!!

American Idol

Ok, so not everyone cares to hear about American Idol; however, this is my first post of this season. Last night's departure was a complete shocker!! Really America how could you vote to keep Jason Castro on and not Carly Smithson? Granted, I don't think she would have won...I believe one of the David's will take that honor...but still, Jason Castro? He didn't sound good this week...he didn't really know who Andrew Lloyd Weber was...he didn't know that Memories comes from the musical CATS and he didn't take Mr. Weber's advice on how to sing the song!!! It is sad that this is a population contest and not an actual singing contest as Simon tells us constantly!

From Snow...to Heat Wave

All in one day!

Yep, I went out to my car this morning and saw snow on top of my poor baby! Yesterday, it was nice out...windy, but nice. And now this evening, I'm melting from the heat of the sun shining through the windows. I'd like to be one of those people that talks about "Mother Nature" but I know it is God who has the say about the weather....is he just trying to make sure we are all awake and paying attention? Is he trying to get our attention for some reason? Hmm....me thinks He is trying to show us something.....I mean really, SNOW on April 21st?

In other news....Happy Late birthday to my baby sister Camille! She turned 26 last Wednesday the 16th...she's not really a baby anymore...she's a mom of a 3-year and MEGA prego with #2.

Yesterday, Maddy and I went to visit my Grandparents. It was my Granma's birthday yesterday! They are doing well. A bit frustrated with all the medical issues that my Grandpa is still facing. He doesn't really seem to be getting better, in fact, he almost seems worse. He has a hard time talking to you, and is constantly tired. The talking is due to the loss of salivary glands and the tired is because his blood seems to always be low. He was in for another transfusion last week, and they go into "town" every week so that he can have dialysis and be checked by the doctors. My Grandma is hoping that in a few weeks they will be back up and running with dialysis at home and won't have to go into Spokane constantly. Another sad realization that he isn't going to get any better is that they are selling their boat. To some that doesn't seem like a big deal, but for them it is life changing. They are very active outdoors people, but haven't been able to enjoy the activities that they normally enjoy such as fishing and hunting with my Grandpa being sick. Keep him in your prayers!

Today I met with the principal at Moses Lake High School to talk about doing pre-clinical experiences at his school. These are clinical experiences PRIOR to me actually student teaching in January. I'm a bit nervous. You wouldn't think so since I've been subbing for a few years; however, there was never a "real" teacher in the classroom critiquing me!!! AHHH...the joys of becoming a teacher. Breathe, Rachel, Breathe...it'll be all right!

To end this update of my life in a nutshell (where did that phrase come from anyway?) I want to honor my Green Friend Marcie (no she isn't related to Kermit)...she is green in that she is doing her best to be Earth friendly, recycle, reduce, and reuse. She has lots of great ideas over at her site...and I've been thinking of her all day because she sent me an incredibly funny email about her husband the recent purchase of a VW Bus!!! If you are lucky she will share with all of us in bloggerville the story! Till then...TTFN!

Flummoxed

Nice word isn't it?

Know what it means?

Confused...Perplexed....

Why do I share it with you?

Because I am flummoxed at this point in my life as to how to study for a test that isn't happening until JULY! Yes, you heard me...JULY!!!

I hear you all saying, "Don't panic Rachel, you have lots of time!"

You don't understand what this test entails! UGH!!!

I sat down last night to start studying and hit a wall. The amount of information I need to know is overwhelming. Where to start studying is overwhelming. How to study is overwhelming. Yes, it is just ALL overwhelming!

If anyone has an OVERWHELMING desire to help me study for the Washington State Social Studies Content Test (aka...the Praxis) feel free to drop me a line....you are more than welcome!

I Love Jesus

The finalists on American Idol always sing a song together on elimination night, tonight was no exception. However, what was different tonight was me sitting in my chair with tears streaming down my face.

Why?

Because I love Jesus, and remarkably His presence hit me through American Idol.

The finalists sang, Shout to the Lord, probably my favorite worship song. I love singing worship songs to the Lord, and this is one that simply means a lot to me. And I sat there and thought , WOW...they are singing to God and thousands and thousands of people are hearing it. God is trying to get someone's attention tonight!

Here are the words for you...

My Jesus, My Savior
Lord there is none like You
All of my days, I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love
My Comfort, My Shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You

(Chorus)
Shout to the Lord, all the earth
Let us sing. Power and majesty, praise to the King.
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands
Forever I'll love you, forever I'll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in
YOU!

(chorus)
My Jesus, My Savior
Lord there is none like You
All of my days, I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love
My Comfort, My Shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You

(Chorus)
Shout to the Lord, all the earth
Let us sing. Power and majesty, praise to the King.
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands
Forever I'll love you, forever I'll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in
YOU!
(bridge)
let the earth sing
i declare your great name
all of my life i will
with all of my breath
i will praise you
lift it up, life it up

(chorus)

nothing compares to you
i shout your praise
nothing compares to you
Nothing compares to the promise I have in YOU!

Stunned Stupefication

I am a TV nut! Yes, I admit it! I love TV and I can talk to you about entertainment news for hours...in fact, I have done this on occassion. But enough of that!

Of course, being a TV addict I watch TV (ahem, alot!!!)

As I was flipping through the channels last night I came across a new "reality" show (I love reality) and sat in my chair with my mouth hanging open and a glazed look in my eyes...it was something called....The Secret Talents of SuperStars...uh, ah, um, well....it was LAME!!! OMG....they are taking celebrities and having them "explore" their secret talent and then perform...you the viewer then goes online and vote for their favorite during the actuall broadcast (so I don't know how us on the West Coast even can vote) and then the two with the highest scores move on to the Semi-Finals, and then all of those in the Semi-Finals compete! I watched the "directions" of the show and the first star...Sasha Cohen and had to turn it...it was turning my mind to mush!!! Like celebrities aren't stars already...and many of them have branched out into arenas other than the one they started in...do we need to give them this? Really?????

And to top it off? The host is John Hurley! He is an ok guy...but his hosting skills are lacking...he is so droll and boring...UGH!!!

I'm sure this is one show I WILL NOT be watching much of, actually NONE of it!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

UPDATE: READ THE NEWS ARTICLE I JUST FOUND...

By Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) - The secret talents of celebrities will remain hidden. CBS is axing its new reality show "Secret Talents of the Stars" after only one episode.

The first airing Wednesday had former "Star Trek" actor George Takei singing "On the Road Again." Only 4.6 million people tuned in - and thousands tuned away as the hour continued.

The reality show also had Clint Black doing standup comedy and Mya tap-dancing. Danny Bonaduce is among the celebrities whose secret talents will be kept to himself.

CBS officials say news programming is expected as a temporary replacement.

9:16

This is my 916th post!!!

I wasn't going to write about this specific post number; however, 916 is an important number to me!! It is my birthday: September 16th....9:16!!!!! LOL!!

If you don't know me very well, then you don't know how much I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE birthdays...especially MINE!!! I'm all about celebrating birthdays and making a big deal that it is your day! I mean come on God did decide to let you be born on that SPECIFIC day!!!

Anyway, I came to say I am still here, even though it has been a week or so since I posted. Life is ok....not grand, not spectacular but ok. But you know what? It is fine to be ok...as long as you are still depending on the Lord for everything in life...and I do! I know that He has my life under control and in the palm of his hands. There are multiple reasons for just ok...not going to get into all of it...because not all of it is mine to share. But I am struggling with living in Moses Lake. It is hard to be in a place where I don't really know anyone or have any real activities to go to. I go to work and I go home. Occasionally, I go to the bookstore for free internet and free books (LOL...that is where I am at right now) and I go to church on Sundays. I am complaining but not really complaining...just letting you know where I am at with life.

So how are all of you?