"By'n by hard times comes a-knocking at the door, Then my old Kentucky home, good night!"
_ Stephen C. Foster, My Old Kentucky Home, Kentucky state song.

It was a glorious week! We were working hard and could not wait for Wednesday afternoon. Why Wednesday? Well, coach Sylvia Hatchell said that if we worked hard throughout this week, then we would have an early practice on Wednesday and be off until Sunday night. This bargain came with a rough price though.

Monday started very early. It was 6 a.m., and no sun to be found when I was making my way up to the weight room. We lifted for a little more than an hour and then I had class at 9. I finished all my classes at around 2 p.m. and we then had practice around 6 p.m. I then went straight from practice to study hall until about 9:30. I cannot stress enough to you the importance of resting your body in college. You will take your body to limits you have never reached before and you must give your body adequate time to recuperate or you will not be performing at your best abilities.

Coach Charlotte Smith-Taylor was kind enough to take Italee and me to the airport. We sat there very eager to get onto our planes and finally go home. While I was in the air, the view was so beautiful and I could see all the way to the ground because there were no clouds. It felt like the plane was going so slow because I was so eager to finally get home. The plane landed and I was speed walking to the baggage claim. I grabbed my bags and was on my way back to Georgetown, Ky., or what I call home.

My parents were fortunate enough to pick up and move down to Chapel Hill, N.C., with me, so I flew back to Kentucky by myself. I’m not going to lie, I loved being back home. There is something that "home" offers that cannot be found anywhere else. That sense of comfort that always seems to fill you up with happiness. I enjoyed the ride from Louisville to Georgetown. It all was so familiar riding down I-64 and it made me happy knowing I was close to home. Now, going to college is no easy task. It is even harder when you no longer live where you grew up. Being homesick is very normal and will get easier progressively over time. Just think about it this way - it is only four years and you get to go back home. That helps me through out the hard days when I miss my friends and familiar faces and places. Know that this is a part of growing up and it is just something you have to do.

It was a beautiful Friday in Georgetown. I spent most of the day with my best friend and boyfriend, Mason Karrick. We went to Lexington, about a 10-minute drive from my house, and stayed there all day. We were at the mall for the majority of the day because I had to find some UK gear for the football game on Saturday. After shopping, we ate and then I had plans for later that night. We met up with a whole bunch of my friends for a "surprise" that they had for me. I was so shocked when I pulled up at their apartments to see signs posted everywhere that read, "Welcome Home, Bee!" They had a picture of me being silly, along with one of me and Mason, and finally one with me and some other friends. I think it is safe to say that I have some of the best friends that anyone could ever ask for.

After Gameday, it was time for some tailgating. This is usually my favorite part of the day because it involves food. I absolutely love to eat and I would say it is my favorite thing to do, actually. It was me, Mason, my high school coaches Steve and Tara Helton, and some other close adult friends of mine. I swear there had to be at least 100,000-plus people tailgating close to Commonwealth Stadium (where UK football plays its home games.) It was ridiculous. The fans are loud and every time you walked past a car with open windows you would hear, "GO CATS!" and everyone around just turns and blurts it out as well. I ate until I could not eat anymore, and above all else, just enjoyed people's company. It was finally close to game time, and unfortunately, Mason and I could not get tickets. It was a crowd of about 71,000, give or take.

Mason and I rushed back to the car and went back to his house to watch the game on TV. We fixed our nachos and we were set for some good ole college football action, Kentucky style. It was a great game and came down to the wire. Tim Tebow, the Florida quarterback, is an absolute beast. How many quarterbacks do you know who can bench 400 pounds? In my opinion, after his leadership in defeating UK, he will be the Heisman winne, hands down. UK lost 45-37. It was an awesome game, though, and neither team embarrassed themselves at all. After the football game, Mason and I figured since it was his twin brother and sister's birthday, we would show them a good time.

Bowling is the game, and man I am good! We went to this place called Cosmic bowling in downtown Georgetown. It was too cool because everything was glow-in-the-dark and lit up. I put my shoes on and, boy, it was on from there. I had not bowled in forever, but, for some reason, Saturday was my day. We played three games and I won all three. I had never had a strike before in my life and that night I had eight or nine. I had a blast and I know the others did as well.

Sunday afternoon, it was time to fly back home. I loved my visit so much and it was hard to leave, but I had to. I got on my plane, flew back to Chapel Hill, and had practice that night at 7. It was basically a run-through to review everything we had learned the week before. It was not too bad at all and it felt good to be back on the court.

It was such a great weekend and I do not think it could have gotten any better. I am so happy to have the friends that I have back in Kentucky and my support from the people that are in that great state. I want to say thank you to the Karricks and the Heltons for showing me a good time and providing the love and hospitality that they always have provided me. Home is always a good thing. Now, it is back to work in Chapel Thrill. Our first exhibition is Halloween and we still have room to learn and improve. These next few weeks should prove to be busy and exciting for our team.

"The time has come when the people have to part, Then my old Kentucky home, good night!"
_ Stephen C. Foster, My Old Kentucky Home

Stay cool and keep ballin' ya’ll.

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