National Signing Day 2011

2-2-11
Mark has been awaiting National Signing Day as if he were 5 years old again and counting down the days until Christmas morning...
I don't blame him, though.  It was just funny watching him read and review (on a nightly basis) the potential players coming in and even hoping for the ones he has had the opportunity to meet in the past.

There was no doubt about this year being a turning point for Florida State Football. This signing day was going to be the outcome of all the the hard work put in by FSU Administration, the coaches, the players, FSU Boosters, and even the smaller-nationwide Seminole groups who all put time, money, and energy into seeing that the program attracts young talent. Last year was Coach Jimbo Fisher's first year as head coach, and it was a great kick off to what is just the beginning. He did great with what he had, and now has all eyes on his program. Florida State, as many people my age sometimes do not realize, was a powerhouse. The years I went to FSU was a turning page and regrouping. Learning what we were, and could be again is exciting to me. Even if you are not a huge football fan, the attraction it brings on a national level makes an impact for the University in all areas. It all works hand in hand. 

Back to signing day on Wednesday...

We were invited by a friend of ours to the Seminole Boosters, Inc. event at Hugh's Catering.

Mark, Patrick, and myself

Here we were to watch a live reaction and commentary by Coach Jimbo Fisher and others about the entering class and watching highlights of the previous season's games.

The venue was great! It was the first time I had ever been, and excited because I learned that they even host wine tastings and cooking classes! :)


the entrance (from their website)



One of the rooms inside (from their website)

They had an open bar and amazing food. The mini crab cakes were addicting and hard to stay away from!
For the live broadcasting, the Boosters logged in and watched above on a projection screen.

It was a great night seeing friends of ours and meeting new ones as well.



Mark and Neil



Talking with Patty :)



The evening was a great way to celebrate the efforts of all those involved with the program. At this event alone, the Seminole Boosters (If I heard correctly, do not quote me) raised about 2 million dollars. The revenue for the University and Athletics Program are in integral part of making Florida State University a dominant institution all around. Mark and I enjoyed meeting people that play such an important role on the National and Local level for FSU. We are very excited to become even more active this year with the Seminole Club of Broward County.

http://browardnoles.com/?DepartmentID=7&ArticleID=45

Our old friend, Ashley Leiper. soon to be- Mrs. Koval

I decided to dedicate one of our blogs to our friend, Ashley Leiper. Many of the people who read our blog are family and close friends of mine who also know Ashley. I met Ashley in 6th grade at St. Anthony School. She was "the new girl" in class, and shortly after we became friends... It wasn't too long until I told her I had a crush on this boy named Mark McGuire. He didn't attend our school, but a middle school down the road called Sunrise Middle School. She met Mark and we then basically did everything together. Later on, Mark started to drive as a sophomore in high school. Ashley and I, being only in 8th grade went along for the ride but always together. I know when you're that young, the age difference seems quite extreme...I know Mark received the backlash for hanging out with the two of us for being "so much younger," from his "friends" at the time...
 Ashley's and my parents trusted Mark- even at that age. It is not hard to see that Mark was a 40 yr. old stuck in a teenager's body. He was always the responsible guy and so it was never odd for us to all hang out together. For those of you girls reading this, and even guys I suppose- you can probably understand that girls like their girlfriends to be with them during new situations or events that can make you nervous. Even today, guys joke and girls know its true, when girls all file up to go to the ladies room...talking, advice being given, make-up touch ups, and who else knows what goes on when you're with only your girlfriends...



A typical weekend or even weekday after -school day.


To me, Ashley was a girlfriend of mine that was always there for me. I could count on her for great advice, help when needed, or basically to wake me up and show me the bigger picture at times. Ashley is a very level-headed person, even though many new mutual friends of ours have come to know her later in high school and  can see her as a fun party girl :) She has bartended and worked in the hospitality industry for many years now, which fits her fun personality to a "T." But, back then before jobs and going out, my friend was the one who went through the beginning of my first love with me.
Later on, as we headed to high school, Ashley and I went to St. Thomas Aquinas High School together and remained friends. We hung out in different circles, as old friends sometimes do when growing up.. but I always felt like she was still right there.



A visit during college.

 We were kind of the "sister- type friend" that you know is there even if you are meeting new friends and doing different things on the weekends. It was the kind of friendship that you share with someone that no one else may really know or understand, and that was fine with us. We had our memories and shared stories, and we still always knew that the other one was always there no matter what... those unspoken understandings that rare but special friendships have.

I felt that I had to recap that in order to relay how excited I am for Ashley and her soon to be husband, Joseph Koval. When I first heard about her getting married, I was excited, curious, and had so many questions. As I said before, we had grown up doing different things. We went to different colleges, moved to different cities (and states at times) and obviously different jobs. I found out that they had one of those love stories that you watch in a movie. Joey is in the army, which adds that much more to their story. I won't get into the mushy details as I didn't even tell Ashley I would be writing this blog, but will say that the two knew right away that they were perfect together. It is how you hear, "you just know" type of love. From flying her out to Germany to see him, to building their relationship over the phone which was their only option most of time, one could see how they really got to know each other. I tell Ashley that people who say the long distance thing doesn't work,  are wrong. I know from first hand, as well as with her, if you want it- you can have it. Their relationship was all communication, and to me, many couples often struggle because once that physical attraction isn't so hot and heavy- you need to know that you enjoy each other's company with words, ideas, and interests. They have that, and through that, will be great in whatever their futures may bring them in the service.

I recently spent time with Ashley during her bridal shower and bachelorette party. I was so nice to catch up with her parents, extended family, and new friends...

Ashley and Joey will be married on Valentines weekend at our childhood church, St. Anthony. It will be beautiful and I cannot wait to stand up on the alter with her as her bridesmaid. I have a feeling I will be crying like baby...but am so excited to see my friend as a bride. Marriage is a huge step in a person's life that changes everything. So for her to have found her partner, and us getting to celebrate that with her as she was with us on our wedding- will be very special. We love you, Ashley.

Ashley with me on my big day.

Recap of our 2010

 

January

The end of 2010 is here and what a year it has been. Mark and I celebrated last new years, Jan 1 2010, with friends at the Gator bowl in Jacksonville for Bobby Bowden's last game as head coach for FSU.




...Kicking off the year with a new beginning with FSU, we also started planning for our new beginning. We had just gotten engaged 4 days prior...so the wedding planning began from our home at the time, Chicago.


February
...Mark's company sent the top producers to Jamaica! (which was a great trip during the Chicago winter)









March...We experienced St. Patrick's day with Ali, Lee, and Aldo and watched them dye their river green....



 

April

I shopped for my wedding dress and had some luck :) I had to send pictures via iphone email to my mother since she was in Florida and I was in Chicago. Luckily I got her approval and we were in business.

 

May
...We had BBQs and last goodbyes before leaving Chicago to move back to South Florida...


This is Ali and I fist pumping Jersey Shore style in some bar.










June

Said goodbye to
Chicago and packed up our moving truck...





Bye-bye Chicago






Our ride home





Hello Fort Lauderdale, FL !




...We were fortunate to have spent some time with Mark's great grandma before she passed away this past summer...RIP Grandma Chapa





 
June & July
...bachelor party, bridal shower & and a week long bachelorette party in the Bahamas occurred...

 

August

...we had family dinners planning the wedding and getting everything bridal rolling...

 
September
...and then on Labor Day weekend 9.04.10 we became a Mr. & Mrs.




October
...then it was FSU Football Season time :) great season.

Highlight #1 - beating UM





November

 Highlight #2 - beating UF



 
November & December
...then the holidays rolled around and we had double thanksgivings and double Christmases with both families!






...and for the end it has come full circle- we are with Jared and Jacki Roche heading to Atlanta, GA. for another FSU bowl game :)
Can't wait to see what 2011 will bring!
Happy New Years everyone! ...and Go NOLES. >>----;;->



Christina McGuire

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

My "Name Change Experience" at the DMV(s)

Mark and I got our marriage license about 3 weeks before we had our wedding. At the courthouse, they told Mark and I that I should wait about 2 weeks after our wedding (after our "witnessed" form signed by our priest and witnesses gets mailed in) so that it has time to process. Well, 2 weeks after the wedding...I put off going to the Social Security office...for obvious reasons. The lines, the time waiting with not being allowed to use your phone, and all the other reasons people hate going into government agencies. Well, I finally went. After talking to a man about his church (not by choice) and then being invited to attend his church, my number was finally called.
The lady helped me and I was out of there in about 1 hour. I consider that good time.
After that, weeeeeks go by and I still have yet to get a new driver's license. My new Social Security card had been mailed to me and life was good. Not good enough for Mark. Day after day he asked me when I was going to change my driver's license. For him, our marriage wasn't official if my name was still "Vega" on my license?! 

About a week ago, I made our plates of dinner and skipped putting Brussel sprouts on my plate. I added all of the other vegetables except those (I HATE Brussel sprouts!)

 As Mark kept making me eat brussel sprouts he said, "If you go and get your license changed tomorrow, you don't have to eat the brussel sprouts." Obviously he was playing around with me, but I knew it meant a lot to him. And let's be serious...3 months after our wedding was probably enough time to put off going to the dreadful DMV.
I told him that I would go Wednesday morning (6 days after the brussel sprout incident). Well this morning crept up on me and my alarm was set for 6:30am. My goal was to wake up, shower, get pretty for my new picture, and beat the line at the DMV on Atlantic Blvd. by getting there before 8am- when they open.

I pull up to the DMV and there are only 3 people waiting in line at the door. "Thank God!" I thought to myself. Well, 8:05am came along after waiting out in 40 degree weather, the door opens, and the kind man yells, "If you don't have an appointment, we can't help you! This is an appointment only office!"

"CRAAAAAP!!!!" I think to myself (Well, I was thinking another word but I will keep this PG. rated.
 I huff and puff to my car and start typing away on my iphone. Trying to find another DMV near by in Fort Lauderdale, I call one to find out if they are appt. only. NO ANSWER. As I am about to have a melt down, I get home- get on the computer- and look up another DMV with no sign of "Appt. only" anywhere. Let me just add here that when I looked up the hours of the previous DMV- I had not seen the "Appointment only."

I almost through a hissy fit and was just going to tell Mark that I would go another day once I calmed down, but I was on a mission. I didn't want to prepare for this DMV trip on another day. I wanted to get it over with NOW.

So now it is 8:30am...I get in my car, with coffee to-go mug in tow, and head out to DMV #2. I was mentally preparing myself for a line out the door now that I was 30 min late of opening time.

To my Shock and Surprise, I walk in and there were 3 people in the "walk-in" line. THANK. YOU. GOD," I thought.
I gave the pleasant lady all of my documents proving that I was Christina Maria Vega and had received a marriage license stating my new name, Christina Maria McGuire.

Documents needed:  Old Driver's license obviously...
1. Passport
2 .Social Security Card
3.Vehicle Registration
4. 2 forms of mail (from a bank, credit cards, ect.) to your name and current address

Once I was cleared, I took my number and waited in the next room until they called my number. After entering in all of my new information and taking my new picture, I paid $25 and was set to go! They told me to wait about 5 minutes as my new card was being made and that they would call me over by name.
As I waited, my mother was calling...(Probably making sure I wasn't freaking out) Then, as I'm talking to her, apparently the called once for me. As it had only been about 1 min, I wasn't fully paying attention thinking that I had about 5 min. (My fault)
I then hear the last part of "McGuiiiiiire!" and literally jump up and drop my phone. Running up to the desk yelling "here!" like a 2nd grader being called into class attendance, the lady laughs saying "You don't even know your new name yet!!!"
All 20 people now in the DMV and myself had a chuckle, she handed my my new driver's license, and I was a happy girl. It was about 9:20am. Taking about 30 min. from walk in to walk out, I was done!
"Christina Maria McGuire" is officially on my Driver's License. Now Mark can be happy and relax :)

Our 1st : Art Basel MiAMi Beach 2010

Art Basel in Miami Beach
(December 2 - 5, 2010)

Description run-down from the Art Basel Miami Beach website:

"Art Basel Miami Beach is the most important art show in
the United States, a cultural and social highlight for the Americas. As the sister event of Switzerland's Art Basel, the most prestigious art show worldwide for the past 41 years, 

Art Basel Miami Beach combines an international selection of top galleries with an exciting program of special exhibitions, parties and crossover events featuring music, film, architecture and design. Exhibition sites are located in the city's beautiful Art Deco District, within walking distance of the beach and many hotels.

An exclusive selection of more than 250 leading art galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, . And every year, a greater number of art collectors, artists, dealers, curators, critics and art enthusiasts from around the world participate in
Art Basel Miami Beach - the favorite winter meeting place
for the international art world."   -http://www.artbaselmiamibeach.com/

This was the 1st year my mother, Mark, and I had ever been to Art Basel. My mom had heard about it and asked me if I would want to go. I mentioned to Mark one night how much my mom had wanted to check it out and an hour later he handed my mom a gift bag with the "Payment Confirmation for 3 tickets to Art Basel." Mom was thrilled...
Not knowing what to expect, we headed out preparing for massive lines and crowds...Once we got there, parked and headed toward the convention center; it wasn't that bad. Mark hopped over to Will Call, picked up our tickets, and we were on our way in. Once we were in, we were accompanied by hundreds of "artsy fartsies" as we endearingly called them and little cafe booths were one could get some champagne- coffee-wine- sparkling water...whatever your artsy heart desired. :)
I grabbed un cafe' and headed out for some art analyzing...these are just a couple that I took my phone out for a picture.

We like to think this is a Seminole tribe preparing some gator meat for a meal :)

What I feel like in the morning after a long night





I told Mark I would go hunting if I got to put rhinestones all over the antlers like this interesting piece...




This had Brillo pads for hair. Quite creative I must say.



Watching "LOVE" light up.

Mama Maria is fascinated

 Mark had more fun people watching I think.

This one is just about 1/20 of the entire piece. If you looked closely to it, you could see that it was made all from buttons, stickers, pins, ect. This one was fun to look at.

Our 1st experience at Art Basel Miami Beach 2010.

 It was interesting to see Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and other artists that Peter Olsen(my grade school art teacher at St. Anthony - who was also an artist himself) spoke about. We would learn how to tell each apart and what the artist was well known for. Now, I was finally getting to see them all in one place. Now I have been to museums and seen pieces like the one I am describing, but I suppose in this case I was a lot more interested seeing hundred of booths from around the world all in Miami Beach. All their own styles, ideas, and ideas of "art." I must say, I definitely think the saying "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" truly embodies what "art" is to the individual...

At times I would look at Mark and he would look over at me as if to say, "REALLY, I CAN DO THIS!" Ha   I will say for all the pieces that looked like someone spray painted a canvas and then framed it...there were pieces that looked like they took several several ...several years to finish and perfect. I think it was a great experience and I recommend that you visit next time you are in town during Art Basel. 

Part I - FSU v UF Game: VICTORY for the Good Guys

Where oh where should I begin? Unless you live under a rock, or merely watch ESPN and their lack of FSU footage (due to being run by uf communication's interns), you may have heard a little something about the FSU v UF game...

This post will be about our gameday experience like my previous posts. Mark has agreed to write the second part of this and give his reaction to the win...so stay tuned.

This past weekend began on Friday afternoon when we rolled into Tallahassee with Matthew and, little sister, Kendall Davenport. We headed to the Ale House for some game watching and beers followed by Ken's Tavern on the Tennessee St. strip. We stayed there as our friends arrived to kick off the amazing weekend that was about to ensue.

Mark and I stayed in a hotel across the street from the bar scene so that "stumbling distance" was possible for this weekend- which was a nice for a typical night at Ken's.

Early Saturday morning I woke up to Mark telling me, as always, that it is gameday (like I don't already know this?) and already heading out to grab us breakfast. My instructions: to be ready when he gets back.
When he does, it is time to kick off the tailgating. I'd say it was roughly 40 degrees that morning but was going to turn into WONDERFUL football weather. We started off as usual, the ladies drinking their mimosas and listening to the fight songs which circulatied through the campus speakers. Glorious.

Our tailgate was like the many of this season except for our new addition of the Roche's deep fryer. Mark had purchased some gator meat for this game, so our lovely friends; Jared and Jacki Roche kindly brought their deep fryer to cook it up just right. Alligator, chicken and hush puppies were the main food attraction.


yum





The men who make it happen every gameday.



Jared Roche frying up some goodness.


This tailgate was one that was looked forward to all season, yet easily awaited for being as it would be our last home game tailgate. Playing corn hole, listening to oldies but goodies, visiting with friends coming by our tailgate to say hello, and of course the usual - busting out the Dougie.



Erika Roche teaching her "hubby" - Matthew Davenport her dougie moves.

 And then came time for gator scalping.....

We headed to our booster seats, fearing that since it was a sold out game, we couldn't move to our "go to" seats and stand/yell the whole game; rather sit and politely clap with the other boosters. Luckily, no one was in the sitting mood. I cannot even begin to explain the energy that radiated through Doak Campbell Stadium. I do not remember the cheering dying down...ever, nor any one in that stadium sitting down. FSU supplied the fans with garnet and gold pom poms and "GO FSU" posters. If I can say one thing, it is that the pom poms were an amazing addition to the chop. The chop is exciting enough to see all in unison but adding on all the streamers throughout the entire stadium was a great view.

And if I can reiterate anything it would be that I was very impressed with the intensity on behalf of the Seminole fans. We were so loud that the gator players were literally waving their arms as if saying "WHAT DO I DO?!?!" They couldn't hear each other at all. Calling and having to use their time outs while we just did what our players instructed us to do: GET LOUD. I love when our players jump up and down and tell us to get louder and louder because well, we listen. So as cheering got louder and only intensifying the whole game, the score got sexier, and I started to realize we were not only winning - we were dominating.

Now for the best part, as the gators headed for hills, the NOLES stayed and celebrated our New Era. "Gator-3rd world country- nation" met Jimbo-Nation in those hours. It felt great to watch our players run out and take in the Seminole fans' gratitude for their hard work and commitment to the program.
As the coaches and players ran out onto the field, the fireworks started and I was one happy girl.

final score

After the game, we stuck around and took it all in. Some pictures were taken, hugs and high fives, and buying up final score posters that were made minutes beforehand.

Then it was time to head back to our booster tailgate spot to eat and drink some more...for celebratory tailgate time.

Mark will be making a guest posting appearance later on this week when his crazy work schedule wraps up for the those who enjoy facts, numbers, and his perspective on the whole thing. Plus, he's a much better writer than I am, so I look forward to reading too!

Go Noles

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