I know - its been a while since my last post. Not going to lie - for about a week, I forgot all about it. Then, I started to write a post to recap the entire week lost and got distracted. Typical. So, instead of trying to fill you all in what's been going on for the past 2 weeks in an extremely long post, I am just going to bring you up to speed with this weekend's events thus far.
Yesterday was the start of the men's basketball alumni weekend. Unlike at VCU, I was actually invited to all of the gatherings! Matt even brought home 2 brand new Nike dry-fit t-shirts that Coach Purnell had the graduate assistant order for me. Apparently, girlfriends even get taken care of here! The night started out with a caravan to a bar downtown where drinks and food were free. The entire bar was full of DePaul fans and alumni which was a really cool thing to be a part of. There were a handful of returning women's basketball players there along with two returners from the men's team. All I can say about the women's team is that those are some BIG corn-fed girls! They definitely belong in the Big East.
After 3 drinks, 4 pieces of pizza and three cake balls (free dessert too!), we boarded the bus down to Navy Pier for the second part of the evening - a boat cruise. But lets call it what it was - a booze cruise. We left the current players behind and headed out for a 3 hour booze cruise. Again, free dinner and drinks for the entire 3 hours. I met a lot of different people from the athletic department - Tracy, the academic advisor - Jackie, the director of operations for softball - Jessica Thomas, former UNC women's player and current development officer. Tracy is simply a saint. She has to basically babysit the entire men's team when it comes to their academics. A little fun fact - thanks to Tracy, the men's team last year boasted the best GPA the team has had in a long time -3.0!
Back on the boat, we were surrounded by former players who were part of the team when DePaul was actually a powerhouse. I wonder what those players think of the program now. Had I had one or two more drinks, I might have walked up and asked them that very question. But, I was not feeling quite that bold, so instead, I just took in the sights and sounds of DePaul basketball. About 45 minutes into the cruise, the DJ kicked in. You have to understand - I have never been a part of this type of event where I have to keep in mind that I am the girlfriend of a staff member. Can I drink if there are players around since Matt can't? Who can I talk to without having Matt introduce me first? Its all very new to me and I know in some places there is definitely a code. So, when the DJ turned the music up, I panicked. I didn't know if I should go out on the dance floor if Matt wasn't dancing. And I love to dance. I mean honestly - even if you hate the song, who can resist the Cupid Shuffle? Tracy answered that question for me when she pulled me on the dance floor to Michael Jackson's Pretty Young Thing.
Next thing I know, I am out on the dance floor with an academic advisor, a development officer, a softball coach, 2 former players and who else but Coach Oliver Purnell. Yes, Coach Purnell made an appearance on the dance floor! Then his lovely wife of 32 years (Vickie) showed up. Mind you, I have only met OP once and have never met Vickie. It will be a nice ice breaker for when we do finally officially meet. "Yes, we haven't officially met but I remember you from the dance floor on the booze cruise...nice moves"
After the Cupid Shuffle, we headed up on the top deck to enjoy the skyline. It was breathtaking. Matt and I just kept looking at each like "I can't believe we live here..." We watched as Andy unsuccessfully tried to pick up some random older woman on the cruise with a different party. Its always painful to watch Andy strike out. It happens a lot and you see it coming from a mile away. Don't get me wrong - he is a very good looking guy. He is just TERRIBLE with women and has no clue. I have tried to tell him that before. He disagrees with me. We finally docked around 11:00, and after stopping for one last drink at our corner bar, we headed home where I passed out from exhaustion (it really was from exhaustion this time).
This morning, I was up by 8:00 because Tracy and I were going to head over to the open practice the team was having for staff and alumni. Tracy and I took our friendship to a whole new level this weekend when she showed up with not one, but 6 hot-out-of-the-oven, homemade cinnamon rolls from a neighborhood restaurant. We brought them into practice with us for our breakfast and only intended to eat one each. Matt said every time he looked up in the stands, he saw us eating. So, not surprisingly four cinnamon buns disappeared before we decided that we should probably stop. We passed them off to Andy after practice who informed us that in the future, he could 100% be bribed for those cinnamon rolls. Noted.
After the practice, we boarded a shuttle up to Wrigley Field where we had roof-top tickets. For those of you who have not been to Wrigley, I will try and explain what that means. There are about 8 buildings that are actually across the street from the Wrigley Field outfield. On top of those buildings are stadium seats. So, you can see the game as if you were sitting in the outfield. BUT, you also get free food and drinks. And its catered food by a local bar. I'm just saying - after seeing a game in that style, its going to be hard to pay $7 for a beer and $4 for a hotdog next time we go. DePaul spoiled me and I am not ashamed to admit it.
We stayed for about 6 innings and headed out when the Cubs went up 10-2. For normal teams, that would mean the game is over. Not for the Cubs though. No lead is safe. I am assuming they won, but if anyone else knows anything different, please correct me. Matt had to get back for practice at 5 and all the other coaches were already back in the office. Tracy and I headed out for a run when we got back to TRY and make up for all the alcohol, sugar and friend food that we ate throughout the past 2 days. At this point, we probably would have run a half marathon...
Tomorrow, I am headed out on a lazy river tubing adventure with Living Social. Oh yeah, I get PAID $80 to do it. I would PAY $80 to do what they are paying me to do. Not a bad weekend.
The team leaves for France on Thursday and are completely booked up with events and practices until then. So, I probably won't see much of Matt until he is back in the states. Probably for the best though - I need to cleanse my body. I tend to be more successful with that when I am eating at home by myself and not drinking and eating out. That will give me a good 10 days to get back on track.
I will let you all know how the tubing event goes tomorrow! I guarantee you something interesting is going to happen. Its just in my nature.
More importantly - good luck to my dad and sister who are about to run a half marathon tomorrow! They are laying poolside at my cousin's house as we speak. No doubt mentally preparing for tomorrow :) Its my sister's first half marathon, so wish her luck!
Best part about this post: Jacoby Ellsbury just hit a 3-run jack to put the Sox up over the Yankees 7-2. Against C.C. Sabatheia. Got. To. Love. It.
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