True Bruins

Photo by Roxanne Neal

Tonight, one of the greatest annual sporting events in the history of rivalries takes place. The UCLA Bruins will face the USC Trojans in an epic crosstown challenge.

Do I sound dramatic? If you aren't a UCLA or USC alum, you may think so, but it's not just me. Check out what Arash Markazi at ESPN.com wrote about the rivalry:

It's special because the schools aren't in different states or different cities. ...[W]e see our rivals every day. We see them at home, we see them at work, we see them at school and we see them while we're stuck in traffic looking at their ugly license-plate frames.

[...] These aren't strangers we see once a year and hate because our fathers and our father's father told us we're supposed to; it's a living, breathing rivalry we live every day. USC is less than 12 miles from UCLA and the rivalry often pits family members, friends and old teammates against one another.

If the rivalry doesn't seem as fervent as others do to those who only view it once a year, it's because we live it every day.

[Read the rest of the article here.]

It's more than just a game; it's bragging rights for a whole year. It's possession of the Victory Bell. It's keeping traditions alive.

Pillow on our couch made from actual UCLA Marching Band uniforms (I LOVE the Solid Gold sound of the UCLA Marching Band!).

UCLA throw pillow I got in college.

We took some of our engagement photos on campus.

Photos by Roxanne Neal

We almost named our cat Murphy, after one of the buildings on campus.

Okay, Scout really has nothing to do with UCLA, but this picture is hilarious. (Do you see Scout's little friend outside climbing up our screen door?)

We support all Bruin athletics.

My new shirt and Terry's usual game day attire (notice the "Beat USC" shirt).

So tonight's dinner absolutely had to be Bruin-themed, but it's tough to come up with blue and gold foods. We decided on blue cheese burgers with grilled onions, which sorta look gold (in the right light...?).

Blue and Gold Bruin Burgers

Serves 4

• 1 pound ground meat (we used bison)
• 1 large yellow onion
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2-3 ounces blue cheese
• 4 buns/8 slices of bread (we used sourdough - what else?)
• Optional toppings: whole-grain mustard, mixed greens, roasted (yellow!) peppers, garlic aioli

Heat a medium pan over medium heat. Thinly slice the onion and add to the pan, along with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes, until the onions are golden (yeah!) and very tender.

Meanwhile, assemble the patties. Split the meat into four patties. Split each patty apart and place a bit of blue cheese in the middle. Top with the other half of the patty and seal the edges. Repeat with the rest of the patties. Then heat a grill pan over medium heat and cook for burgers for about 6 minutes on each side (for medium). Toast the buns and top with a patty, one quarter of the onion, more blue cheese, and any other desired toppings. Enjoy with a vegetable of your choice (we had my roasted yams on the side), preferably during a Bruin game.

A big Bruin burger

The burgers were really delicious, but this game is awful. We're only in the third quarter, but it's seriously ugly. Terry and I are getting ready to drown our sorrows in pumpkin pie.

Still, win or lose, we are Bruins for life. I am beyond proud to hold a degree from such a great university, and I owe a lot to that school: My passion for reading and writing, my very best friends, most of my favorite memories, my character and "True Bruin" integrity, and, of course, my marriage. Terry and I already know that our first child (boy or girl) will have a blue and gold room. We donate to UCLA every year. We attend sporting events and campus happenings whenever possible. And we're glad to know that all our fellow alums feel the same pride and spirit that we do. It's an incredible family, of which I am proud to be a member.