Sore Losers or True Fans?

I am a crazy Pittsburgh Sports fan. 

When it comes to the Steelers: I'm used to being good, the AFC North champion, hating the Ravens, and seeing them lose in the AFC Championship year after year. This year, the Ravens did it. They beat the New England Patriots (after losing last year) and are headed to New Orleans to compete in the Superbowl. 

And...I want to say congratulations. 

Haha, who am I kidding. No i don't.

"You're going to know a little bit more about yourself after you play the Baltimore Ravens." -Mike Tomlin

Such a true quote. Steelers, Ravens. Definitely one of the most physical & entertaining rivalries in the NFL. The players, the staff, and the fans are built to hate each other. And oh, they do.

"Good Morning, AFC Champion Baltimore Ravens" 

-Segment on ESPN.

Like, get over it Kelsey. Good for them. They did it finally. 

No, not good for them.

It's like a back and forth exhausting battle in my head. 

"Why do you let things like that bother you." 

-The wise words of my father.

The answer: I have no freaking idea.

I think they raise us like this. In Pittsburgh, we get SO passionate about our sports. Penguins, Steelers, Pirates. We don't like to lose and when we build a rivalry with another city's team, it's a hatred. 

The Ravens, the Browns, the Bengals, the Patriots, the Capitals, the Flyers.....the teams we want to see fail in every way. 

As the Superbowl gets closer and ESPN continues to inform me that the Ravens are partaking in it's events, it makes me think. What is the difference between a sore loser and a true fan?

 I thought I would be fun and urban dictionary it.

Sore Loser: 

A sore loser is someone who loses in a fair competition but whines about it on a constant basis, blaming everyone around them for their loss except themselves. Fun to taunt, but no fun to play with. True Fan: A term that describes a person's blind loyalty to a team individual, or product.

I always see people make fun of Pittsburgh fans when our team may not be succeeding. 
They call us sore losers from the "way we act".

I disagree. 

I don't think that our attitudes after a loss are because we are sore losers. I think they are because we are true fans. We are so loyal to our team that when we lose, it's almost like a sharp pain is sent through our bodies. We are so passionate about our teams that we want to see them succeed. When they win, we are happy. But we will still discuss what we can do better. 

It's almost like we are coaches and analysts. We sit down and fret, get excited, get mad, get sad. We've witnessed winning championships, losing championships, getting SO close to .500 and failing, missing the playoffs, barely making the playoffs, and more. Pittsburgh fans may have it good with 6 rings and a couple Stanley Cups, but we also have it rough with two Superbowl losses and two decades of a losing baseball team.

Sore losers blame failure on everyone but themselves. Pittsburgh fans don't do that. I think we may be the hardest on our teams then any other fan in the league. It's almost like we are never completely satisfied until we are holding that trophy above our heads.

So what does this have to do with the Ravens or any of our other rivals? 

It's not that I am mad they are going to the Superbowl. It's not Ray Lewis, it's not the Harbaughs, it's none of that. They played great this year and they deserve to be there. (You'll never hear me say that again).  It's because it's them.  It's because they are the Baltimore Ravens. It's because my city & I have been programmed to hate them and their fans. 

The best thing is, they are the same way with us. That's the beauty of sports. We root against the teams we don't like and love ours. 

I love my team even though we are going into the 2013-2014 season on an 8-8 record. I love my team even though we have been the "running joke" of the MLB for two decades. I love my team even though we are only playing half a season this year. I LOVE MY TEAMS. 

We are true fans.

LETS GO PENS.

Xoxo,

Kels

Daddy's Little Girl

My dad and I have always been very close.

I always blame that on the fact that we have so much in common. We are both obsessed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, we both love to work out, we are both big budgeters, have a good sense of humor, and don't take crap from other people.

But lately, I've got to thinking.

Sometimes there are consequences to being such a daddy's girl.

When it comes to meeting that special guy in your life, it can almost feel like you are betraying your dad.

Don't get me wrong.

Finding my boyfriend, Zachary, has been the best thing that could have ever happened to me.

From the moment we met, I knew he was the one.

Some people say it's early, but when you know...you know.

As happy as I am, I'm sad. 

I know nothing between me and my dad will ever change and I am so grateful for that. 

But when I think of all of the letters he has written to me over the years, the band-aids he put on my scraped knees, teaching me to ride a bike, watching Steelers games with me, listening to my problems, never missing a soccer or softball game, leaving a card & chocolate in my Jeep in high school when I got broken up with, the roses on Valentines Days, getting up at 4 in the morning when I was sick, helping me move, and just being an amazing dad...it feels wrong of me to make him share.

One thing he has told my sisters and I ever since we were little is:

"The only thing i'll ever ask of your boyfriends is that he treats you the way that I do."

& he does. Zach does. He treats me like a real man should. 

It's life right? 

Growing up, everything changing.  

Ten years ago, I was 12. The thought of having a full time job, being worried about bills, marriage, student loans...never crossed my mind. 

Now, I'm 22. Yes I am still young and still have a lot of life in front of me. But all of the above mentioned is where I am in life. People say it's normal to worry, to have mini freak out sessions. I trust God with my life and I know he is leading me in the right direction. But is it ok to feel sad?

I think about that and I kind of laugh. Of course it's ok to be sad.

I feel bad for the kids out there who didn't have a father in their life. Because I can't even imagine what my life or my sisters lives would be like without mine. Some kids grow up and wander down the wrong path. My dad always kept me straight on mine. When there we plenty of times I didn't think he was being fair, I now know he only wanted what was best for me. Now look at me. 

I graduated from a Division I University with a 3.8 overall GPA. I am living on my own and a reporter & anchor for a television station. I know how to balance my checkbook and I treat others the way I want to be treated. I'm in shape, I eat good, and I have never smoked a cigarette in my life. 

Lessons Learned.

I'm all grown up. My dad did his job. He raised me and now it's my turn to make my own life decisions. Where I will go next in my career, who I will marry, etc. 

So is it wrong of me to love another man? Of course not. 

The man whose finger took one of my first grabs in the hospital on June 14th, will always have my heart no matter what.

I know my dad is proud. How do I know that? Because he is my best friend. I'm proud of him too. I'm proud to call him dad.

Thank you for who I am. 

Kelsey

Study Abroad!

This is something SO important that I encourage everyone at West Virginia University to do. 

I have a ridiculous amount of people that can back me up on this one too!

 I went to Italy for Spring Break in 2010. 

& It was the best ten days of my life.

Something terrible happened in 2009 (something i'll get into at a later time) right after I put in all of the paperwork for Italy. 

I went through a pretty rough depression...but I promised myself I would go.

And I did. 

I went alone. I knew absolutely NO ONE going on the trip...and to be honest, that was the best part about it. 

I set up a Facebook group and invited everyone that was going on the trip into it. I met so many people, including Chelsea who I ended up rooming with while I was there! 

Chelsea and I went out to dinner a couple times before the trip & went to the meetings together.

Chels & I when we FINALLY got to Italy!

The day we were leaving, we met Liz and Justin-- who were awesome. 

Us 4 spent the entire trip together. 

There is nothing more amazing then learning about a different culture. Their likes, dislikes, what they do for fun, what they think is rude, what they wear, what they drive...

Its amazing how different it is. 

Italians love wine. And so do I.

You learn so much. My trip was only for Spring Break and it was way too short. 

Tours didn't do it justice. Yes, I learned. But I really learned when I went out with just my group of friends.  Living the Italy life without a chaperone is when you truly get to sink it all in.

After the tour of the Vatican.

You get to experience it's beauty. 

Venice, Italy

I have never felt so free in my entire life. I was thousands and thousands of miles away from my real life. And I after I went through my rough patch in 2009...it felt so good to break free & learn about a new culture, while learning about myself again.

On a boat in Venice

We went to Rome, Venice, Florence, Orvieto, and so many more places. Wineries, boat rides, cathedrals, the Coliseum.. it was never ending.

Coliseum in Rome

I think the most amazing thing about traveling abroad is seeing your school textbooks right before your eyes. It's almost unreal. The first time I saw the Coliseum I was in disbelief. The first time I saw Venice, I think I might have cried. Its gorgeous and so surreal!

Florence, Italy

I have so many friends that studied abroad for a semester. They may study in Italy...but they travel Europe. How cool is that? 

So many people are worried about cost, & believe me...I was too. My trip cost $2500. 

I went to Financial Aid and literally cried to the lady...and she found a way to give me a grant for $2000.

Plus I applied for the Study Abroad Scholarship which was $500. 

Yes...I went to Italy for free. And you can do it too!

 Tuscany

Venice

If this is something you want to do---and you should---do it. 

I am able to say that I have seen Italy. And now it makes me want to travel all over Europe!

Don't think about the money. You can do it. And it's so worth it.

"You should have seen that sunrise...with your own eyes.

It brought me back to life."

-John Mayer

This is the video of one the guys made of our trip!

Watch, it's awesome.

Sidenote: This is the year WVU went to the Final Four. 

We watched it at 4:00 AM our time! 

Xoxo-

Kels

Go To Panama City Beach, Florida For Spring Break!

Bakini Bobs

Panama City Beach, Florida 2012

This is something I have done twice. I went in 2011 & 2012. 

Obviously if I went back, it was completely worth it. 

Nothing is better then working your butt off all semester long...and knowing Spring Break is right around the corner. 

My friends and I went to Panama "spur of the moment" in 2011. We had NO idea what we were getting into. We booked a hotel that was exactly 11 miles away from where everything was happening.
(Don't worry, I somehow managed to make it to the party spot EVERY day...and I still had a blast!)

Cabana Cay, 2011 (Nice Right?)

SO FAR!

Year One in Panama was A BLAST- But it was definitely a test run. 

Here are a couple things I did learn that prepared me for year two!

-Bring a flag**

It helps you find the people that go to your school and you get to meet new friends from the other schools! 

-Natty Light is cheap & it will become your best friend**

-Don't fall asleep on the beach, people bury you alive.**

-Somehow manage to fit a shovel in your trunk, you'll need it to dig a pong table.**

-Buy the Panaramic Card. Cover is expensive & spending $40 on the card allows you to get in bars for free & you get to take advantage of drink specials like FREE BEER or $1 MIXED DRINKS!**

-Staying in one night is like missing out on a week.**

-Play games!**

-Be open to meeting as many people as possible. You could meet lifelong friends here from other schools. Or in my case...I met my boyfriend here!**

-Subway, McDonalds, & Hungry Howies Pizza are your best friends.**

-WEAR SUNSCREEN.** 

-Have money for cabs....it's usually $5 each way.**

-Don't be a sloppy mess, especially around people from your school...they will remember.**

-Dizzy Bats are a bad idea.**

There is probably so much more.

Year one was a blast...but year two was even better. 

Mel & I

Britt, Lynsie, and I

We stayed at Summit this year!

WV PROUD!

Mel & I at a paint party!

Me on a fancy night!

"WVU Girls Do It Better"

Cheers & Love, From Panama

Here is Luke Bryan's music video..Suntan City.

Filmed on a PCB Spring Break! 

Xoxo-

Kels

Go into the football games... and try to remember them.

Fall semester is by far the best time of year.
Why you may ask?
It's WVU Football Season.

I have always been a HUGE fan of documenting memories. I made videos of anything possible for my friends. That way we have our memories on YouTube, Facebook, and now here.

Check out the video below to see why WVU Football is so so so precious to the university. 

WVU Gameday

Video & Pictures by Kelsey Pape

This university...heck, this state...lives and breathes West Virginia University football. 
The entire day is just amazing and tailgating is SO MUCH FUN.
People get so drunk on gamedays. I never understood that.
Believe me, I'm not a saint. I am a WVU alumni. I drank, a lot. But I did like to remember the games.
As I am sure you realized in the video...my friends and I were crazy. We were up SUPER early...and out drinking and cooking out by 8 or 9. 
Those are some of the times I will remember for the rest of my life.
Don't get too drunk where you can't go into the games.
This is when you get thrown up after touchdowns...

This is when you jump up and down and sing the fight song:

West Virginia 

"Hail West Virginia" 

Let's give a rah for West Virginia 

And let us pledge to her anew, 

Others may be black or crimson, 

but for us it's Gold and Blue. 

Let all our troubles be forgotten, 

Let college spirit rule, 

We'll join and give our loyal efforts 

For the good of our old school. 

It's West Virginia, It's West Virginia 

The Pride of every Mountaineer. 

Come on you old grads, join with us young lads, 

It's West Virginia now we cheer! 

Now is the time, boys, to make a big noise 

No matter what the people say, 

For there is naught to fear; the gang's all here, 

So hail to West Virginia, Hail! 

This is when you jingle your keys at kick off....

This is when you do the "W-V-U First Down!" Chant...

All of it is so much fun. And all of it should be remembered forever. 

Xoxo-
Kels

If it snowed...and the temperature is in the teens...wear snow boots to class.

Watching people fall is absolutely hilarious.

But it sucks when it's you, right?

Then it turns embarrassing...and everyone else finds it hilarious.

Its a never ending cycle.

I've seen people fall down stairs, fall up stairs, fall while drunk, fall off a ledge, trip over their own feet, slide...and anything else you could imagine.

Interestingly enough...you can ask my friends, I am the most injury prone out of everyone. (You will learn that as this blog continues).

I have done all of those myself.

It's embarrassing. It sucks. Sometimes it hurts. And...about 9 of the 10 times it happens it can be prevented.

Ice comes with snow.

Thank you Captain Obvious, I know.

But I encourage all of you to bundle up one winter day and stand behind the Mountainlair and watch frat row during class changing time.

It's absolutely hilarious. People constantly fall.

Wear a jacket. I'm an idiot.

After the February blizzard of 2010...the University closed for one day only.

So ridiculous because there was like an insane amount of snow on the ground.

So it opened the next day...I walked down to campus.

Cursing the entire way down mind you, because:

1. It was negative three degrees outside
2. Salt trucks didn't go out
3. I fell...I kid you not...six times
4. I GOT ALL THE WAY TO CLASS FOR A NOTE TO BE ON THE DOOR SAYING...CLASS WAS CANCELLED. 

Being Bundled Up is Being Happy.

Buy a good pair of snow boots. And use them. The tread helps. 

Also... a longer winter jacket gives you a little cushion for your bum. That way when you do fall (because you will)...you don't break your tailbone.

Xoxo-

Kels

Make your own schedule.

Scheduling classes can be so stressful.
Especially when your advisors don't seem like they have any idea what they are talking about.


Why a communications professor was in charge of making a broadcast schedule my freshman year, I don't know.
But it forced me to learn VERY early on...that its best to know how to schedule classes yourself and only count on your advisor to sign the finished product/sign you into classes.
I have made my friends schedules SO many times. You can ask my friends Ryan and Krista. 
Poor Krista...I have never seen someone have SUCH terrible luck in scheduling. She eventually started asking me questions rather then her advisor. 


So I am here to teach you how to do the same thing...to save yourself from the agony every WVU student goes through.


Alright, here we go...
As I previously said, I have a bachelors in Television Journalism. 
You can do the same thing no matter which program you are in.
Here is a step by step process from finding the courses you need...to scheduling.

• I googled: WVU, Television Journalism Requirements

• I clicked on BN Requirements and Sample Schedule

• Everything pops up right there that you need to know.
• This includes how many hours you need
• Core Classes
• Electives
• Sample schedule (PLEASE DONT THINK YOU NEED TO FOLLOW THIS...DO THINGS AT YOUR PACE!)

Keep track of the classes you have taken as time goes on.

I had all of the above pages printed...and put checks next to the class once I took them.

I was a crazy person and never took less then 18 credits in a semester. Everyone is different. 

After you decide what classes you are taking...you will then go to your advisor and they will sign off on the needed classes.

The next step is to actually MAKE THE SCHEDULE.

Go to http://www.courses.wvu.edu 

Then put in the classes you need. (You do online classes the same way)

Say you need to take TVJ 386...

As you can see...I put in Fall, 2012, WVU Main Campus...Television Journalism...Course # 300-399. Then click Search the schedule of courses.

The classes available will pop up. You then take down the CRN #...and get the schedule in order.

Do this for every course.

On scheduling day, you just type in the CRN's on your "Star" Account...and Wala! 

WVU gives you all of the resources to do your schedule on your own.

This is not hard and I promise...knowing this will help you out in the long run!

Xoxo-

Kels