1) March Madness Tournament- Towards the end of the month of March, there are conference tournaments throughout Championship Week and they determine teams who make the 68 team field of the NCAA Tournament. After the tournaments conclude on Sunday afternoon, millions anxiously await as their team either makes the tournament or is on the outside looking in. Teams that are "on the bubble" hold their breath and hope that they were able to convince the selection committee enough to take one of the last spots. 1 spot doesn't guarantee you anything, but it at least gives you a shot. For the next couple weeks, teams travel to locations around the US, playing games in the morning, afternoon and evening until we have our final four teams. If you reach the final four, consider your season a success, because not many teams make it. The 4 teams then battle it out to see who is the National Champion of the NCAA. My favorite 2 days are the Thursday and Friday that begin the tournament. Games are on from 10:30-10:30 and many of the games end so closely. In the last couple years I can remember layups at the buzzer, 3 point shots in the opponents face, and half court shots that you would never in a million years think would go in. In 2010 we saw the National Champion (Duke) almost lose on a shot from Halfcourt that was so close to going in that my heart stopped dead in its tracks to this day when I watch the replay. I still don't know how it doesn't go in. Not every team makes it to the big dance, but the ones who do, have their chance for their "One Shining Moment"
2) Spring Training- The beginning of the month of March brings baseball back into our homes and even with the weather at -10, we can see that Spring is just around the corner. I am currently listening to the Twins Spring Training Game against the Marlins and I am picturing mid 80's and people in the bleachers. I am picturing many with a nice cold beer, a backwards hat, and items they are waiting to have signed. I see young players who are playing their heart out to try to make a spot on the roster and others who are just glad to be back playing the game that they love. The end of this March brings about the first regular season game against the Chicago White Sox. Many complain about our baseball team and the recent seasons we have had. I realize that they have not done their best but for me, every March brings back positivity. It might end up harming me in the end, but it is my nature. I just hate being negative. If I can be positive about something, then why not? I can't wait to get back to Target Field this Spring and enjoy some baseball games with friends and family.
3) Shamrock Shakes- If you have had one, you know why this needs to be included on the list. I will take mine without whip cream and a cherry though.
4) High school tournaments. Over the weekend I attended the MSHSL Wrestling Tournament as I do almost every year and it was another weekend of success. Rogers had 7 wrestlers down at the Xcel and almost made it as a team as well. The wrestling tournament is my favorite Winter Sport tournament to go to because of how intense it gets, especially on Saturday night when wrestlers are going for their chance at being the best in the state. Everyone cheers against STMA and Apple Valley because they always win, and cheer for the feel good stories. I usually don't attend the hockey or basketball tournaments but they bring many communities together to cheer for kids who are 15-18 years old.
So that is why I like March. I can't explain it but it is my favorite month of the year. Followed by July and then November and December.
In other news, this is my first day at Monticello High School. Today I just observed and got used to my new routine. Tomorrow we are started the executive branch with the 9th graders and I am excited to start teaching a different group of kids. I felt very welcomed because many of the kids remembered me from the fall. Many also commented how I looked way different because I was about 40 pounds heavier back then. Below is a picture of the wrestling tournament from over the weekend and also a picture of Cassidy and I from opening day last year. You have probably seen it as my profile picture forever but it just reminds me how close we are to warmer weather (even though Opening Day 2013 was Freezing!) Also, look how different I look!
Have a wonderful Tuesday! I hope to have a student teaching update for you next week once I have jumped into the classroom a little more. Thanks for reading :)
"If you never try something new, you can never truly succeed"
-J-
