So That Sucked ---and Then It Didn't

Whelp...after setting a record for most wins in an entire season, not only did the Lightning lose 4 out of 7 games, they lost 4 IN A ROW and were swept by the Bluejackets. No one alive would probably have predicted that outcome. (Whomp...Whomp) Nothing they do next year, short of winning the cup, will impress me. 

The Magic also did not win again after game 1 but then no one was expecting them to. It would have been nice if they had won game 3 - and they almost did - but that was the only remaining game they were able to keep within reach. 

But after the playoff loses --- I had a huge personal victory. I passed my GKT.  

Teachers in Florida need to pass a general knowledge test to apply for a teaching license. I had a 2 year temporary (that expired in November) and needed this exam to get a "permanent" one. I put " because even that has to be renewed every couple years. 

Anyway, last summer the exam was not kind to me and I was unable to pass the Math portion (because Math is not my thing) and the Essay part (because I had accidentally deleted 1/2 of the essay and time expired before I had a chance to paste it back in). Thankfully, my school owner and administrator were willing to offer me this one year position that did not require a license. But I am anxious to get back inside the classroom. I am happiest when working with children and this position has way too much paperwork. 

Again, I was not at all worried about retaking and passing the essay portion. I am a pretty decent writer. But I was scared to death about the Math. I studied endlessly the week leading up to the test by watching Youtube videos, working on Khan Academy, and printing out tons of worksheets for practice. During the exam I tried to follow the advise I give to the kids when talking about the FSA - to answer all the questions that are "easy" or guaranteed to get correct, and skip the rest...then go back and do the ones that I could most likely get but would take a lot of time to figure out... and finally, go back to the ones I had no idea how to solve but it's better to take a guess than to leave them blank. 

It worked! I walked out with this

But before walking out, I ran into the bathroom and cried like a baby!!!!  

I am so relieved!  

I Got the Magic in Me

So let's switch to a team that actually knows how to win a playoff game - the Orlando Magic.  (see Vuch back there?)



I remember sitting in our seats during game one of our package back in February and texting a picture to a friend of our great seats.  She commented about the lack of attendance at the game to which I replied, "yeah, they're not very good." 

Since then, they have gone on a 20-8 run and slipped into the payoffs. The first thing Magic fans have had to cheer about in the last 7 years. 



Going into Toronto and stealing game one was the icing on the proverbial cake. Hoping they can win another one (Friday night when CJ and Zack are there would be nice). 

Ending My Relationship

Copied from my Facebook page

I've just endured a heartbreaking break-up. After taking a long time to do some deep and thoughtful soul searching (1 night), I have decided to end my relationship with the Tampa Bay Lightning. I am not joking and no it's not because, once again, they are choking in the playoffs. I am not a fair weather or bandwagon fan. It is because of Kucherov! I know it's hockey and to each its own, but for me, I will not support a team that has a dirty player on it, and what he did last night was inexcusable! I've seen him made a couple of questionable dirty plays this year (like tripping a defensive player so the Lightning could score a goal) but thought they were probably incidental.Obviously, they were not. It'll hurt for a while but I will be fine...I went through the same thing 3 years ago when I severed ties with the Green Bay Packers. I will survive.

Game One ---It Just Sprinkled

To say game one made me sick to my stomach is highly accurate. I started throwing up last night about 6:30 and it continued until about 2:30 this morning necessitating a sick day today. 

I know they're not going to win every game but I feel bad for people (my son) who spend good money to watch games like last night's. Especially when the game started out so promising. Then they seemed to relax a bit in the 2nd period, and then completely fall asleep in the 3rd. 

oh well...on to game two 

A Big Storm Brewing?

The Tampa Bay Lightning joined an elite group last night when they beat the Ottawa Senators 5-2. 

With that win, the Lightning (60-15-4) became only the 3rd team in the history of the NHL to reach 60 wins in a season. 

The other two teams were the 1976 1977 Montreal Canadiens (60-8-12), and the 1995-1996 Detroit Red Wings (62-13-7) 

With three games left in their season they have a chance to tie, or even top, the 62 win mark. But I have a feeling they will pump the brakes on these last three games (all on the road) and do everything possible to avoid injuries. 

It's been an amazing ride for them and it's been just plain fun to watch the season play out. Of course the goal is crossing the finish line the winners and, not gonna lie, if they are not hoisting that cup at the end, it's going to be a huge disappointment. 

It's crazy to think a team that only lost 15 games all year could then lose 4 of 7, but it happened to the 1995 - 1996 Detroit Red Wings so.....yes, it's very much a possibility. 

Here's hoping that this is their year. The year of the big storm.