end of the decade - picspam
This picspam includes life-altering moments and some firsts for me. It doesn’t include every year from 2000-2009, just the ones that will always hold significance to me.
Included are my obsessions with The O.C., Kelly Rowan, and Alabama Football.
2001
September 11
Every American should be able to remember where they were and what they were doing when they first heard about the planes running into the towers. I had just recently turned 11 and was sitting in my sixth grade class when an announcement came over the intercom informing us about what had happened. Many teachers turned on the TV and classes were, for the most part, forgotten about.
With each year that passes, this tragedy cements itself further and becomes sadder and more tragic.
First Broken Bone
I always think of my friend, Paige, who drank milk like nobody’s business but, by the time we were 11 and 12, had already broken bones numerous amounts of times. In 2001, I broke my wrist while playing football at recess. I tackled a boy and as we were getting up, he ended up falling on me, resulting in SNAP! It didn’t hurt all that bad but I just kind of knew something was wrong.
My cast was blue. Picture is not of me, by the way.
2005
The O.C.
Back in 2003, when The O.C. premiered, I was a hater. I admit it. Everyone else seemed to love it and I hate all things popular so I had to dislike and make fun of it. Then along came 2005 and on a whim I borrowed my friend’s season one DVDs. I went on vacation in October and watched it pretty much the whole drive up, the whole vacation long, and the whole drive back. I can only wonder what my parents were thinking. They had no idea what was happening or what would become of my life.
I don’t remember there being any Eureka moment but as soon as we returned home, I made my grandmother drive me to Wal-Mart to buy season two. I don’t know what it is about the show that made it explode in my mind but I do know how different my life would be without it.
The O.C. provided other obsessions. Without it, I wouldn’t have my obsession with Kelly Rowan, Canada, or my OTP of Sandy and Kirsten Cohen. Unfortunately for me, these obsessions define me so Thank You, O.C.
Kelly Rowan
My oddest but strongest obsession. I cannot put into words how much this girl means to me. I’ve even become obsessed with her home country of Canada, resulting in maple leaf gifts every year for Christmas. I even have a Canada flag hanging in my closet.
She’s just an amazing person. She’s obviously gorgeous but she’s more than that. She’s independent, driven, and dedicated. She loves her country. She protects herself and her daughter from the public. She creates amazing roles for women. She eats raw meat.
In short, she’s kickass but super polite about it.
2007
The O.C. Ends
February 22.
For me, this show will never end. I have DVDs of every season plus the box set. I own the books, the CDs, and my very own Yamaclaus. But the lack of new episodes and nothing to look forward to each week is still saddening.
There are reasons to be thankful for the too soon ending.
A) It ended before it could become ridiculous. *cough* One Tree Hill *cough*
B) The writers didn’t get another chance to try to murder my OTP.
But we were robbed of several things as well.
- Berkeley!Cohens
- College!Ryan
- Big Brothers Ryan and Seth
- Sophie Rose Cohen
- Subtle Peter Gallagher/ Kelly Rowan moments
The O.C. lives on with its fans but I definitely miss it.
Kelly Rowan gets engaged to David Thomson
June.
I don’t want to delve into this subject. I was not what you would call pleased to hear this news. It was definitely life-altering and I do realize how odd that sounds.
Moe’s Southwest Grill
My first job after the ice pack making business ended. It is definitely not the worst job I could have had but it’s not the best either. However, it did help me get the job I love so I can’t hate on it too much.
2008
Kelly Rowan gives birth to Daughter
Reportedly April 28.
I returned from my senior trip to Disney World to hear this news. It took me a while (considering the details) for the information to sink in. But finally I just concentrated on the fact that my idol had a child, a daughter who, with any luck, will look just like her mother. Of course, that thought turned my thoughts down a more positive road.
High School Graduation
May 23.
Such a bittersweet moment. I didn’t hate high school. And I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life. But I was ready to get away from some aspects of HS life and start the rest of my life.
I wore a hunter green graduation gown and added some flair with bright red high-top Converse sneakers. My last moment of standing out among that group of peers.
First Loss of a Loved One
September 18.
My grandfather passed away. It was the first death I’ve experienced while old enough to understand the significance and register the pain.
First Iron Bowl Attended (and the one that ended the Streak)
November 29.
I live in the South which means football. More definitively I live in Alabama which means a LOT of football. The rivalry between the University of Alabama and Auburn University is, let’s be honest, the biggest rivalry out there. Both schools are in the same state, forcing siblings, spouses, and friends to hate each other when it comes to that sensitive subject of football.
For the past six years, Auburn had exited the annual meeting the victor. But in 2008, Alabama not only beat Auburn, we demolished them! A shut out. 36-0! And I was there!
My best friend had received two tickets for her birthday and chose me to go with her. Forever cementing her as the best thing since sliced bread and the Beatles.
2009
Natasha Richardson Dies
March 18.
I hadn’t been a huge Natasha fan before her passing. I did love her in The Parent Trap when I was younger but she hadn’t really been on my radar since then. Her passing was so sudden, so sad, and so unnecessary. She was such a wonderful person. Gone too soon.
Coldplay Concert
May 18.
One amazing show! These boys are such great entertainers. They have so much fun making the music they love!
The highlight was hearing ‘Fix You’ live. Collision of fandoms? Oh yes!
SEC Championship Game
December 5.
We made it to this game last year also facing the University of Florida as our opponent. We lost last time but this year we came to play! We were the underdog to many expecting us to get massacred by Tim Tebow. Oh, and his gators.
What did we do? We dominated. We outplayed and outperformed them! Leaving Tebow in tears!
Now we are on our way to Pasadena for the BCS National Championship to fight the Texas Longhorns on January 7.
Mark Ingram is Heisman!
December 12.
College football is littered with numerous awards. Throughout the history of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide, most of these awards have been bestowed upon the team or individual players playing for the Tide. The Heisman has always been the one that got away.
The award itself is 75 years old and in that time, Alabama never had a winner. But this year was the year of our running back, Mark Ingram. It is so much fun to watch that boy play football. He loves working hard, playing his best, and giving his coaches what they want. He deserved to win and I would say that even if he wasn’t an Alabama player.
On December 12, the winner was announced and Ingram brought the prestigious award home to Tuscaloosa!
2009 was good to the Crimson Tide. Here’s to 2010: may we continue to make the Bear proud!