I've lived in New Jersey since I was two years old. I've grown up at the Meadowlands, which is the complex where MetLife Stadium is located. Literally. My first concert was there. It was the site of the high school state championship game I would attend to watch the game, not the cute boys in the next row. Now it's hosting the Super Bowl. How cool is that?

Here are my ten things to do, eat and know while in New Jersey for the Super Bowl.
 
1. If you want to make friends, don't ask if they know Snooki or the Situation. Ask about Springsteen vs. Bon Jovi. Or James Gandolfini.  This is a common problem that tourists have with New Jersey. Snooki and the Situation are not from New Jersey. They don't represent our state in a positive manner and we know it. Instead, ask if they like Bruce Springsteen or Bon Jovi better. Most people fall on one side or the other in that debate. If you really want to avoid any sort of Jersey conflict, ask about James Gandolfini. The actor's recent death rocked the state and someone will be able to tell you where they were when they found out.

2. It's ok to joke about the George Washington bridge problem. Just maybe not to the governor. (If you have no idea what I'm talking about, come out from under your rock.)  New Jersey residents have a pretty good self-depricating sense of humor. (If you don't believe me, read this article by The Star Ledger's Jerry Izenberg.) The absurdity of the whole George Washington bridge controversy is not surprising to anyone and you can definitely joke about it with residents. They'll appreciate the fact that you're trying to fit in. 

3. Pizza. It's a must have while in the Garden State. My favorite is Brooklyn Pizza in Hackensack, which is about twenty minutes north of the Meadowlands. Their crust is thin, tomato sauce light and full of flavor and they use fresh mozzarella. If you can't get up to Hackensack, then find a mom and pop joint. Ask the locals. They'll tell you their favorite spot. 

4. There are cool places that are not in New York. Everyone keeps talking about how there is nothing to do in New Jersey. Completely false. Obviously, I'm biased, but Montclair has some amazing shopping and isn't too far from the stadium. If you're an Italian food fanatic, get a reservation at Giotto Montclair. (Ask for their off the menu specials. Out of this world.) If you're looking for a great bar scene, but maybe not the New York touristy-standard, check out Hoboken. It's a younger crowd, but older folk are welcome for a night! The best part: you can take the PATH train back to New York if that's where you're staying.
  
5. Breakfast Sandwiches on Bagels. Trust me. If you ever do one thing for your taste buds, this should be it. Your perception of breakfast and bagels will be forever changed. Einstein won't cut it anymore. My favorite is a classic- bacon, egg and cheese on an everything bagel. Eggs scrambled. Every bagel place in the state knows how to make it. 

6. Be forewarned: Not everyone is happy the Super Bowl is there. NJ residents are used to all the big sporting events happening in New York. They can go into the city for the day, then return to their sanctuary. No mess. No cleanup. This is a different situation. It's on their turf now. They have to deal with the construction, the massive influx of people and the aftermath.  However, there's still a pretty good chunk of people that are ecstatic about it. 

7. We're nice. I promise. NJ might get a bad rap for mean residents, but if you're genuinely in a jam, there are plenty of people that will help you out. Like the guys in the lighter blue jackets with the yellow triangles and the cool hats. They're called the New Jersey State Troopers. They're awesome, so be nice to them. 

8. The accent is charming. You got a problem with that? Never take on someone's Jersey accent.  It's not Joisey. Or "Cawfee" or "Watah". Don't even think about going there. It's not going to end well for you, especially where you won't have back up. Everyone who lives in the great state of New Jersey will go to Mars and back to defend the accent. It doesn't matter if they lost theirs or are a new resident, they will always side with the Jersey resident. The whole Jersey Strong concept was a unspoken thing before Hurricane Sandy. Now, it's a common greeting. 

9. Traffic is going to be bad. We know. We deal with it every day. Our drivers are a little more aggressive, so don't take offense to it. If someone honks, don't feel badly. It's just a gentle NJ nudge to move out of the way. Also-the left lane is reserved for Jimmy Johnson level of speed demons, so don't go 45 there.

10. Have a Designated Driver at the game. Or take Mass Transit. The Meadowlands is literally on a swamp. There's NOTHING around it. Those nice guys I talked about earlier called the Troopers? They'll pull you over if you're driving while intoxicated and then they won't be so nice. Take Mass Transit. Call a cab. Don't drive drunk (period) but especially here. 

If you're heading to the game and need more tips, Tweet me @TessQuinlan and I'll be more happy to share some more Jersey wisdom with you. #JerseyStrong
 

Before last week, I knew one thing about the Premier League. 

It existed.
 
Ok, maybe a little bit more. I knew the names of some of the teams.  I didn't know anything about the players, the cities, the rivalries, nothing. But I needed to learn. And fast. There was a few spots that I went to find out information, but most of them were using terminology that was what felt like lightyears ahead of me. 

Side note: If you can tell me about the home grown player rule, this might be a bit elementary for you.

The Premier League is comprised of the top 20 teams across England. Each team plays each other twice, resulting in a 38 game season that lasts from August to May. A team earns three points for every win, one point for every draw. There is no playoff, the top team at the end of the season is crowned champion of the Premier League.  

The Premier League is the top level of English soccer, known as the top flight. From there, there are several leagues below the Premier League that subsequently count down (second, third, etc). The second flight is the Football League Championship, known as the Championship. While in other sports, the secondary league doesn't matter, the Championship is key to the Premier League because of promotion and relegation.

At the end of each season, the top three teams in the Championship are promoted to the Premier League and the bottom three teams in the Premier League are relegated to the Championship. Translation-Best teams from the Championship move up, worst teams in Premier League move down.

While that's a really cool feature, it can also mess with the league's cross-town rivalries, which are called derbies. Pronounced "darbies", these matches are normally based on geography.

•  For example, the Merseyside Derby is between Liverpool FC and Everton FC. Both clubs are located about ten miles apart in Liverpool. 
• The two Manchester clubs, Man City & Man United, have the Manchester Derby. (Surprise!)
• Arsenal and Tottenham participate in the North London derby.
• For the first time ever, the Premier League will have a South Wales Derby with Swansea and Cardiff City. 
• Newcastle and Sunderland face off in the Tyne Wear Derby.

While winning your club's derby is crucial for local bragging rights, international acclaim comes from winning the Champions League. The most successful teams in the Premier League, normally the top four teams, will also qualify for the Champions League, which is a tournament made up of only the best teams from leagues across Europe. While most Premier League games happen weekly on Saturdays, the Champions League happens during the week, mostly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

While the Champions League is like the NCAA Tournament for college basketball, the Europa League is the NIT. It's another European-wide tournament, but is for the teams that don't qualify for the Champions League. There are multiple ways to qualify for the Europa League from the Premier League:

• Finish fifth in the Premier League
• Win the FA Cup-(an English exclusive tournament) unless you have already qualified for the Champions League. Then the FA Cup runner up will get that spot.
• League Cup winner-League Cup is a tournament between the Premier League and the Championship
• Say the FA Cup winner and runner up, League Cup winner already qualified for Europa. Then the next highest finisher in the Premier League gets the spot.
• Fair Play-Clubs that exhibit exceptional respect on the pitch will get a spot. This is strictly a statistical decision that is calculated based on specific sportsmanship criteria.

(For me, understanding the Europa League is still a work in progress, so don't worry if you're confused.) 

Possibly the biggest thing to understand about the Premier League is their fans do not mess around. Their passion is incredible. Imagine the fan bases of every California team merged together-the Raiders, Giants, Lakers, Clippers, 49ers, Kings, and on-all cheering for one team. That's what the Premier League is like in England. Whatever you think about it, just don't be like this guy. 

Interested in finding a club to support? Someone once told me, "It's almost like the club picks you, like the Sorting Hat from Harry Potter." If you don't want to wait for your Hogwarts letter, check out the NBC Sports Picker and decide what club will have your loyalty.  

A friend of mine reached out the other day and was having a minor breakdown. An accomplished sophomore, she has interned for multiple broadcast outlets and has become an instrumental part of her college's student media team.

But she hasn't found an internship for the summer and was, in all honesty, freaking out. She asked for some guidance on what her next step should be.

After rehashing multiple internship scenarios, I said, "Would it be that bad if you just went home and got a job this summer?" 

She proceeded to launch into how she really wanted to be on orientation staff this summer at her school. It was something she was passionate about. She wanted to show the incoming freshmen exactly how great her college can be. She wanted to have a different experience than working for a television or radio station or newspaper full time for the summer.  

College is a time to figure out exactly what you want to do. Participating in activities, like orientation staff and service projects, are a way for students to find out exactly what they enjoy. However, in a field like communications, internships can make or break your future career. And the pressure to get them is intense. They are so crucial to success. 

But summer activities like O-Staff or Service Projects or tour guiding also provide another important feature. They prevent early burnout. 

They give your life perspective; Remind you that not everything is about work. They let you regroup and rediscover your passions, while still being productive. 

That's exactly what happened to me last summer. I had a rough spring semester in terms of my career and was incredibly stressed out. I needed a breather from balancing the academic and journalism grind, even for a little bit. I was leaving for London in July to work with NBC at the Olympics, but felt that I probably should make some money before I left. 

I went and worked at a Gifted and Talented Summer camp at a local university where I worked with bright students ranging in age from 6-12. What an experience! It was a lot of fun, helping with academic classes they would take in the morning and ensuring they had a fun time in the afternoon with regular "summer camp" activities. Those munchkins brought me back and reminded me what I loved.

My passion for sports journalism and broadcasting was probably saved by splitting that summer with work and an internship. I was lucky in the sense that I had the opportunity and the support to do both. I can't say the same for a lot of my friends.

And that has to change. 

Family traditions are unique to individuals. Some people vacation in a specific place, others have a Sunday dinner together. For my family, the Big East Tournament is our family tradition.

When I was little, I became obsessed with basketball. Growing up in an athletic administration household, you either quickly turn into a gym rat or reject athletics all together. I obviously fell into the first group. Since fourth grade, my parents and I would always get dressed up, make the trek to Madison Square Garden for the championship game as a family. 

I would sit in between my parents, listening for my dad to make observations or tell a story about a coach as I would be explaining the most recent charge call to my mother. I relished those moments in the second half when my dad would say, "You want ice cream" and take me to get Carvel or when my mom would say, "You want to come with me to see people at halftime?" There were years that my mother and I would sit by ourselves at the semi-finals or the earlier rounds, as my dad's team was competing, but we always watched the final together. As a family.

There were so many memories that we shared at those games. Sitting next to a out of control and crazy coach (who shall remain nameless) who was stunned to hear a ten year old me yell "Sir, I politely disagree" at an official. Shadowing an ESPN broadcaster. Learning how good our friends were after a challenging time. Getting a fever and convincing my parents that I could stay until the end of the game. Driving home the next year and talking them into stopping at the Tick Tock Diner for milkshakes.  

Seeing Gerry Mcnamera hit the three to give Syracuse that monumental win in 2006. Georgetown walloping Pittsburgh, much in part to Jeff Green. Internally hoping that Jamie Dixon would win a championship because of how nice he was to me, and being overjoyed when he did in 2008. Remembering how I thought Kemba Walker would be tired in 2011, and being shocked when he carried UCONN on his back again. 

Since we've made it a tradition, I've only missed one final game; It was my senior year of high school and my own basketball team had just won the state championship earlier that day. My parents still went, but a little bit of me still regrets not being there for that family tradition that I hold so close. 

Now, as a Marquette student, the Big East tournament is so much more meaningful.  Along with the other Catholic 7, we'll be in it next year, but will it be the same? I don't know. But I'm sure looking forward to the new memories we'll make.

As a family.  

At halftime of the Rutgers/Notre Dame Big East tournament 2nd round game, Seth Greenberg of ESPN said, "Ladies and Gentlemen," and proceeded to launch into an explanation about Marquette. While Greenberg was praising the Golden Eagles, Jay Williams looked around and said, "Where are the ladies? I don't see any ladies." While I'm sure Williams didn't mean it maliciously, it got me thinking.

Where WERE the ladies? 

This is the final Big East Tournament as we know it. The last time the original Big East will be infiltrating the Garden with "Hoya Saxa" or "Let's Go Orange".  Women should be a part of it. 

I understand that the Big Monday broadcast team is on the larger side. Sean McDonough, Bill Raftery and Jay Bilas provide phenomenal analysis and have incredible chemistry. Andy Katz asks professional and relevant questions each and every time on the sideline. Was there really no room for a woman to be a part of this historic event?

I understand that different schedules permit different reporters to cover different games, but was there really no way that a woman was able to get to New York? I find that hard to believe.

Five days after International Women's Day, and this article by Sarah Spain, I don't understand why there is no female representation on this broadcast. Whether it be in studio, broadcast booth or on the sidelines, women add another dimension to any broadcast and thwart the "Old-Boys Network" mentality that has frequently been associated with sports. More specifically, men's college basketball.  

Where were the ladies, Mr. Williams? Right here. Louder than ever. 

Whenever you encounter on a new journey, there's a slight feeling of apprehension. Will it all work out? Did I make the right decision? Am I doing things right? 

Well, for those of you that haven't heard, I'm in the middle of a new journey myself. After spending two years working with student media at Marquette, I moved to work with GoMarquette.com in Marquette Athletics' internal video department as a feature reporter, producer and videographer. 

Recently, I followed the Marquette Women's Soccer team during their final home game of the 2012 season and their senior day celebration. The team was incredibly welcoming, but remained focus on their ultimate goal: beating USF. The team's theme for the year was Family First. During my time, I definitely felt like a part of their family. Take a look at the final piece below.

As one of the students that attends school far away from home, I can tell you that watching the coverage of Hurricane Sandy is hard, but only one word describes it effectively:

Helpless. 

I'm 800 miles from home, watching one of my favorite places in the world be ravaged by flood waters and destroyed by debris. Places that I know and love are gone, snapped in half or swept away into the Atlantic. I can't physically help with clean up or assess the situation first hand. And I didn't even get the worst of it in my hometown of Montclair. (Sidenote-Everyone's safe. My family's extremely lucky; no major damage and we got our power back.)

While I grew up in northern New Jersey, I spent a significant amount of time at the Jersey shore. My cousins have a house in Seaside, one of the hardest areas hit. Good family friends have houses right on a lagoon next to Lavallette, which is about fifteen minutes north of Seaside. Honestly, I'm not sure if some of my childhood summer hangouts still exist. This video of the new Lyman St. Inlet stretches across the island and across the main thoroughfare of RT. 35. If Most of my friends on the East Coast don't have school and if they were able to, got home and started to help clean up. 

But if I know one thing about New Jersey, New York and Connecticut residents, it is that they are incredibly resilient. They come back from anything. The communities will rally. They will support each other in any way that they can. That extends across the country, including right here in Milwaukee. Almost every New Jersey student that I know has reached out to see if my family was OK. Even people at Marquette that have no connection to New Jersey have double checked to make sure that my family is safe. That genuine feeling is something that cannot be repaid or replicated. 

There's a reason that New Jersey's favorite son, Bruce Springsteen has songs entitled, "We Take Care of Our Own" and "My City of Ruins."

Because New Jersey will rise up. Together. 

One of my favorite things in life to do is travel. Visiting a different country or place can be exhilarating. You never quite know what you're going to see or who you will meet. However, when you travel to somewhere that you've never been before for a sporting event, it is an entirely new experience. 

The host city or country is alive with this palpable buzz. It is evident the second you step off a plan or out of a car. The people are kinder, the criminals nicer. The food is better, the streets cleaner. You feel a sense of pride coming from the residents.  They ooze enthusiasm and helpfulness. They want to show everyone that this is their home. The home that they have come to love. And they want you to love it too.

I've witnessed this transformation before in Indianapolis and San Antonio for the Final Four of the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship. As I sit here in London at the 2012 Olympic summer games, I realize that this event brings out another dimension.

I arrived this afternoon with another friend who is interning and we were greeted by two volunteers. After dealing with the proper paperwork, I thanked the volunteers for the amount of work I know they have done and will continue to do in the coming weeks. In perfect English, one of the kind men said to me, "Well, I consider it an honor to be here with you."

No sir. The honor is all mine.

Since my last blog post was a little serious, I figured I would have some fun with this one. 
If the NBA Finals have taught me on thing, it is that the NBA is hiding something. No, it is not that Celtics actually have a chance. Nor is it that the Spurs requested to start a sixth player, who just so happens to be named Ginobili.

This big secret I'm eluding to that rivals Watergate? The one thing that David Stern doesn't want you to know?

All of the players in the NBA have degrees in theatre.

You read that correctly. I'm convinced that in the off-season, these NBA superstars went back to school and studied Shakespeare and Oscar Wilde, just so they could practice and mold their flopping technique. That is the only explanation for all of the flopping that has happened during this season.  

Maybe the guys at Second City in Chicago swapped some flopping lessons for courtside seats and a few autographs. Why do you think Jack Nicholson and Zac Efron sit courtside at Lakers games? They've been helping them for years! And those Knickerbockers? Well, if you want to be in a Spike Lee film, you better help the newest big guy learn how to fall. Otherwise, you might not receive your starring role.

All of this flopping is getting ridiculous. If you touched these guys with a feather, they would fall over and cry wolf. Quit being dramatic. Leave that to the guys with the frosted tips accompanied by the women with too high heels that are sitting courtside.

According to Kevin Garnett, you are true professionals. Quit acting like you aren't.