Field Perspective

Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to stand on the sidelines during an NFL game? I definitely have. I used to dream about being field level, especially for my Indianapolis Colts. I have always had a small dream to be an NFL photographer, but knew I would never land a sweet job like that in my lifetime. On Sunday, I got my one shining chance to finally live my dream.

Thanks to the amazing people at Canon and the Indianapolis Colts, I had the fan experience of a lifetime. I had a field access pass to the Jaguars' game during pre-game, 4 front row seats in the end-zone, and the use of a very nice pro quality 70-200mm lens to fit my newly received Canon Rebel T2i camera.

Here is just a taste of a few photos I took on my exciting day:

Yesterday, I was required to submit an action photo to Canon for the "Shoot Like A Pro" Contest. To see my entry photo and my competition for the Grand Prize, check out the website at: http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=2010_canon

A Good Day for the Whaleys

Although Zach and I are still sick and coughing like crazy, today was a great day at the Whaley household. To start it off, I found out that school was cancelled. Normally I don't like this because we have to make it up, but since I've been feeling miserable I knew it would be a day of nothing but relaxing. That hasn't happened in awhile and trust me that's all I did!

Also, Zach took his last final EVER today! I was worried about the weather, but it was timed perfectly. His final wasn't until 11:00 so he was able to leave after rush hour once the roads were a little clearer. When he came home he said it was the hardest one he took this week and we found out later he got a 95 A on that final (just a little bit of info for you in case you wondered). Only one more semester left and he's officially a PT!!!

To top off the day, Zach received his "SPECIAL GIFT" today from the UPS man. Yesterday they tried to deliver it but no was here to sign for it. But since I didn't have work, I was able to be here to sign for it and not have to have it delivered to the office and go through that extra hassle. Below is a picture of what he received inside the box.

A Canon Rebel T2i camera kit, camera bag, 2 SD cards, 4 tickets to the Colts game Sunday and a parking pass to Lucas Oil's garage. He was so excited and so was I (even though he is the one who won). But I got really excited when I looked at the tickets...

In case you can't see that is Section 117, ROW 1. That's right...were in the very first row at Lucas Oil on Sunday right next to the endzone!!! We are both pumped for the game and excited to try out our camera. Thanks again "Canon Shoot Like a Pro"...and for Zach applying every single day for the last 2 years!!! It was definitely a good day for the Whaleys.

No More Lectures

I am not yet officially done with graduate school. I still have 19 weeks of being a student, but it sure does feel over. I am down to a week of finals and 18 weeks of clinicals and then I am Dr. Whaley. I have now completed my very last lecture. No more 8am classes. No more fighting to stay awake listening to someone talk about gait for the 300th time in 3 years. I am done with classes.

Yes, everyone has that day in their life where they never have to go to class again, but I never thought my day would come. I have been a student for 20 years...if you include kindergarten. That is a rather large chapter of my life that I will be happy to finally close.

I am writing this with some hesitation because I am leaving a place I just started to feel comfortable in. I will no longer see the faces of my "friends/classmates" that I have come to know quite well. It is kind of bittersweet to say goodbye to these people because they have been there for me and understood what I have been going through. Below is the future of Physical Therapy...Heaven help us!!

The Yellow House in Maxwell

Most of you (my faithful followers) have seen the house in Maxwell, IN that has the clown in the upper right hand window waving at you as you drive by. Mom has been telling me I should do a post about it because 1) it is something to write about and I don't post enough and 2) who has a clown in their room waving at people who drive by?!?

I think about it every time I drive by, but don't have the camera with me or don't have time to stop and take a picture (I know that isn't a good excuse but I'm sticking with it). Well last week as we drove by the house we saw something different. So last night I told Zach we're getting up early to drive into Maxwell to take a picture of the house.

Here is the entrance to Maxwell, IN...pretty exciting I know. I've always wanted to stop at "Mom and Pops" just to check it out but that is beside the point!

As you get through Maxwell, there is this nice yellow house that looks inviting until you look up the upper right window. I usually see a clown waving at me which is creepy in itself but ever since Halloween this is what you see...
The Grim Reaper waving at you. I know it is hard to see (it was foggy this morning and my camera doesn't have very good zoom) but who has one of these?!? I thought the clown was creepy and weird but this is even stranger! Who would want to visit someone with this in their window upstairs...but maybe that is their point.

But maybe they do it so people like Zach and I will notice and tell everyone else which will then check it out for themselves and tell everyone they know, etc, etc. I now can't drive through Maxwell without checking out the upper right window in the yellow house. Someday I'd like to stop and meet the people who own the house, but for now I'm content at just looking in their window and imaging what kind of people they are while staring the Grim Reaper in the eyes!

The hardest job I've ever had to do...and failed trying!

This Thursday and Friday I've been on Fall Break from school. I really needed this break after volleyball has taken up so much of my time. I enjoyed getting home at a decent time on Wednesday and on Thursday I had to go over to mom's to put together a dvd from Brandon and Amy's wedding. So on Thursday when we were finished, I went with mom, Dana, and the boys to Pizza Hut buffet in Anderson (since it was only $4.99 a person).

In order to only have to take one vehicle mom or I had to crawl in the back of Dana's van. Mom quickly said I could do that and I agreed. However, I didn't know I'd have a job to do when I got back there. My job was to keep Kaden from falling asleep. On the way there, that was no problem. He was giggling at me while I was acting crazy and playing with his toys. Job completed successfully!

However, on the way home was another story. That boy had just eating A LOT and then the van was nice and cozy. Who wouldn't want to fall asleep?!? I did okay until about Middletown and then it all went downhill from there.

So I moved from where I was sitting and starting tickling Kaden thinking that would help since his eyes were about closed. By the time we hit 400 W his eyes were SHUT but he was still giggling while I was tickling him. It has to be the cutest thing I've ever seen. Mom handed me her small camera and I took a couple of pictures which are posted below.

Aren't these precious? I loved the giggles even while he was asleep. This was by far the hardest job I've ever had to do and failed trying, but I loved hanging out with the boys for a few hours on my fall break!

Fall Is A Beautiful Time For A Wedding

Let me just tell you...I really love Indiana in the fall, having great friends, and seeing two them get married on my birthday. The weekend of Oct. 2nd was one I will never forget. It marks my 26th birthday, my first best man speech (which I rocked if I might add), and is now the anniversary of my best friends Brandon and Amy Downer.

The wedding was held in Montgomery IN. For those of you who don't know where that is...you are not alone. It is down in southern Indiana about an hour outside of Bloomington. It is where Amy grew-up and where she wanted to get married. The drive from Greenfield was quite long, but the scenery was beautiful. As the following picture will show.

It was of course a fall themed wedding; with shades of brown, orange, yellow, and red all around. Amy was beautiful like most brides are, Brandon was calm like most grooms are, and the wedding went off without a hitch like most well planned weddings do. It was just a wonderful day and a ton of fun had by all. Here are a few pictures to enjoy, so you may share in the moments of a great fall day.

The Table Arrangements

The Cake Table (with hot apple cider, a cake made by Amy's sister, and individual cupcakes)

The Gang

Really? Was that...NO WAY!!!

Have you ever had one of those, "I wish I had my camera out for that" kind of moment? I had one of those today. I rarely carry a camera with me on campus because honestly I never see anything that exciting. Between the two of us, we have 3 digital cameras (of varying quality) and 2 phones that take pictures. So then why today would I have no camera and a phone that I couldn't reach fast enough? I guess God wanted to surprise me with something awesome, but not allow me to have proof.

I saw something on campus today that I can honestly say I never expected to see. My cell phone was in my pocket and I just barely got my phone out for a picture and it was gone. I swear I tried for the picture, but I am just not that fast. I don't think too many people are that fast...

Ok, I know, enough with the build-up...

I saw a black Indy Series Indy car driving down New York St. in downtown Indianapolis. That was a little unexpected. Everyone on the street just stopped and looked at the car drive past. I didn't even think they were street legal. It is an Indy car...that I was 5 feet away from and couldn't get a picture. I think it was past me in like .03 seconds and out of sight in 5 seconds. By the time I processed what I saw it was too late.

I have always hated racing. I have never understood the obsession in Indiana. I have never had the desire to go to the Indy 500. I think racing is stupid and designed for simple minded people to be entertained. It is a hillbilly "sport" where everyone in the stands drinks excessively. It is a waste of time and money. It is dangerous and a great way to break your neck. The cars look like little toys with engines. They are loud and annoying (both fans and cars). Racing is just plain not my thing...BUT, wow. That was kind of cool to see.

Interesting Fact:

RACECAR is my personal favorite palindrome, but did you know the longest palindrome in the English language is: tattarrattat used for the sound of a knock on the door. Yes, I know I'm a dork...who really has a favorite palindrome?