Friday Night Lights

Last night, Derek and I finished the entire series of Friday Night Lights. It's one of the greatest television shows of all time and watching it together over bowls of ice cream has meant a lot of cheap date nights. Here are our lists of "top fives" of the series.

Major Characters

 (I know this image is ridiculous, but so is my love for Tami.)

1. Tami.  

Some days all I want to be is half the woman Tami Taylor is.

2. Riggins. 

At first, I thought he was probably a vampire. But bit by bit he won me over. I feel in love when there was a tornado at the grocery store.

3. Matt. 

He is a gem.

4. Tyra. 

Because she surprises me and I love a woman with a strong jaw.

5. Smash.

This show loves redemption and so do I.

Minor Characters

 

1. Lorraine.

I love any scene with Grandma. Her road trip with the Collettes and Landry. When she accosts Coach in the grocery store about starting JD. When she says she will wash her wedding dress in the sink. I just want to hug her.

2. Landry.

 Murder, shmurder. He is a good one.

3. Mindy. 

Stripper with a heart of gold and I love it.

4. Billy. 

Because he evolves so beautifully in Seasons 4 and 5.

5. Buddy. 

Fact: Buddy is Derek’s overall favorite character.

Cutest Couples

1. Matt and Landry.

Give those boys a spin off!

2. Tami and Coach.

Duh.

3. Tim and Lyla.

I think he will love her 'til the day he dies.

4. Luke and Becky.

They break my heart.

5. Jess and Vince.

 So many dimples.

Mysteries

1. Why does Vince’s mom talk like she is from Connecticut? 

Her accent sticks out like a sore thumb and was one of the biggest distractions of Seasons 4 and 5.

2. Why does no one use a cell phone in Dillon?

Everyone think it’s completely normal to drive to someone’s house and knock on the door to discuss something a text message totally could have handled.

3. Where do so many characters disappear to?

Santiago, The McCoys, Waverley, and Skeeter were all sucked into the same black hole.

4. Why doesn’t Tami have any friends?

 I’d totally hang out with her.

5. Where is Dillon?

Based on the true story, it is West Texas. Based on its ethnic make-up, it is East Texas. Based on landscape, it is Central Texas. Sometimes Dallas is a whole road trip away but sometimes the Taylors can drive there and pick up Tyra.

Tear Jearkers

1. Street’s accident

Especially the montage of Coach’s speech about how “we all fall” over shots of the Streets in the hospital.

2. Matt and Grandma. 

Especially when Matt gets drunk after she falls and talks about how everyone leaves him.

3. The death of Matt’s father

And his grief-stricken meltdown about the carrots touching the meat.

4. Tyra's college aspirations

The speech Tyra’s mom gives about seeing her daughters differently, Tyra’s essay, and acceptance to UT.

5. Anything that happens when the song “Devil Town” is playing.

Clear Eyes. Full Hearts. Can’t Lose.

Back to School

Derek is officially going back to school!

 

He has always wanted to go for his MBA at some point and it seems that through all of the recent changes God is leading us along more quickly than we planned. Which is fine by us.

 

So in about 18 months, we will be doing this again.

 

 

On Tuesday, Derek took his GMAT and did very well. He took a course to help prepare and was able to raise his score by 100 points. Through his studying, we both realized how completely lost we are when it comes to basic high school math. Derek has an excuse because he never took geometry, but I don't. I fear that without some serious intervention, we will be utterly useless at helping our children with their math homework someday. Sorry, kids. Go ask Aunt Emily.

Derek is applying to...

 

 

 

 

The programs at UTA and UNT begin in June and the program at UTD begins in August. We won't be moving because we love our little house and I am very happy at my job, so Derek will be commuting if he attends UTA or UNT. If he is accepted to UTD (the most selective of the three) it is so close that he could ride a bike to campus.

 

I've learned a few things from going though this process. First, Derek can accomplish pretty much anything he sets his mind to. I'm so impressed by how quickly and flawlessly he was able to arrange everything for his GMAT and his applications. Plus he does all the grocery shopping, fixes me lunch when I need it and has improved his golf game. To my sometimes scattered self, he is a wonder.

 

Second, we are incredibly blessed by people who support us. Almost everyone loses a job at some point and we are grateful to the many who reached out and let us know they understand. My siblings have gone through supporting each other while one went to grad school and it's been encouraging to learn from them. We also have many friends who remind us that they are praying and we never get tired of hearing that.

 

Lastly, I am reminded of God's faithfulness. One thing that gives me tremendous peace in this situation is remembering what it was like to gain conditional early admission to college. I was so upset that I had to leave home earlier than I planned and I cried pretty much everyday that June. But without that summer it would have taken me much longer to complete my education and put me on a different path than the friends I would meet at college. That summer allowed me to finish my bachelor's and master's degree in four years, which in turn allowed me to marry my best friend at a beautiful September wedding. I learned my lesson. God's timing is good.

Applications are due April 1st.