The bartender, the taxi driver and the flight attendant

I will write more about my Vegas trip later, but for now I just want to tell you about three people we encountered this weekend...

The Bartender: Loves the Cable Car

I was first introduced to Nobhill at the MGM Grand a couple of years ago. They have a drink called the "Cable Car" and it's one of my favorites. On Friday night when we went to get one, we met an interesting character. Will has been bartending at Nobhill since it opened 11 years ago. He loves his job. We talked to him for quite awhile, about everything from iPhones to gun control. (Yikes.) When I asked him what was in my fave drink, he gave me the recipe, along with its story. He discovered the recipe in San Francisco several years ago, and began serving it at Nobhill. Within the next few years, it had won all kinds of national "best drink" awards. If you have a drink that you want to market, he is your man.

The Taxi Driver: Loves the movie "Titanic"

After a rough "bad shoe" night on Friday, we decided to cab it to Planet Hollywood for Miss America on Saturday night. We got into the car, and there was some lovely classical music playing. A couple of minutes into it, I recognized the tune and asked if it was the "Titanic" soundtrack. Why yes, it was indeed. "Did you like the movie? Did you see it more than once?" the driver asked. He then proceeded to turn it up really loud and say, "Remember the part where Rose is wearing that hat and getting out of the car? Remember that? This is the song that was playing." Wow. This man loves him some "Titanic."

The Flight Attendant: Loves the passengers on her flights

We all know that flying can be quite a hassle these days, but our Southwest flight attendant made it a little more bearable today. She sang a song that she'd made up about being cleared for takeoff, to the tune of "Heartbreak Hotel." When we landed, she sang - to the tune of Meet the Flintstones - "Thanks for, flying Southwest..." She received more than one round of applause on the flight. And not only did she sing, but she also went above and beyond while serving snacks and drinks. The world needs more people like this!

One of the fun parts of travel is meeting different people and learning a little about them, or seeing how they love their jobs. These three people all exhibited a passion that I can only hope others will see in me.

Chutes, Ladders and Wisdom

I have played a lot of Chutes and Ladders this weekend. Emma generally does well with it, but occasionally, when she is losing, she decides we don't need to play anymore. 

Earlier today when Em was behind and whining about it, dad said something very wise. 

"Sometimes you get the chutes. Sometimes you get the ladders. That's how the game goes."

Hmm... sounds like life. Every once in awhile, you feel like you've taken a giant leap forward. Life is good and things are going your way. Other times, and probably more often, you feel like you're losing ground - like you're regressing and ending up in a place where you've already been. But you can't quit just because you're behind. Eventually it all balances out, and you make it to your goal... your "100." 

Winter Weekend Getaway 1 of 3: Orlando

Welcome to my winter weekend getaway series! This is part one of three. Yes, I am a dork, but I think we've already covered that.

On Saturday afternoon, I left the Indiana cold and hopped a plane that took me to warm and fabulous weather. I think a Florida weekend in January may be a new tradition. Sun does a soul good.

I am so proud of Josh, who totally rocked the 26.2 miles through all four Disney parks on Sunday. We were able to see him at the Magic Kingdom (mile 10), Animal Kingdom (mile 17) and EPCOT (finish). We capped off the day with a fantastic dinner at California Grill on top of the Contemporary Resort.

Monday, we not only slept in, but also managed to make the most of our remaining hours at the parks. Five hours. Two parks. Eight rides and lunch. Not bad. I hopped in a cab at EPCOT at 4pm and was at my gate at the airport at 4:50.

Here are a few photos:

Josh crossing the finish line! Woo hoo!

The whole gang with our favorite mice.

I think everyone who's ever been to the Magic Kingdom has this photo. (But most people's photos don't have that beautiful crane in the background.)

Finally, here are a few parting thoughts and questions from this fun and fabulous weekend...

• If you are chosen to participate in some way at one of the attractions, please cooperate. It's much more enjoyable that way. There was dancing guy, and way-too-concerned-about-my-hair lady. Guess who was more fun?
• Spaceship Earth, I am disappointed in you. The photos were the main reason I wanted to ride!
• Can't Disney create some kind of magical way to get rid of the annoying birds who nearly attacked us at lunch?
• I wonder who ever decided that a family reunion t-shirt would be a good idea. (Exception: A bedazzled family reunion t-shirt IS a good idea.)
• Attention marathon runners: You might want to consider planning your park visits before you run. Some of you were looking pretty rough on Monday.
• Will the Carousel of Progress family EVER learn how to cook a turkey?

Florida Toes

There's something really magical about sitting in a massage chair for 45 minutes while a person who barely speaks English clips your toenails, massages your feet and legs, and then adorns your toes with the color of your choice. And let's not forget to mention the razor that removes all the nasty dead skin. Even in the winter, pedicures are like a little glimpse of heaven.

But this one was necessary. I'm headed to Orlando this weekend -for a whole 48 hours - to enjoy a little warm weather, Mickey Mouse, and some time with my friend Josh. He is running his first marathon. I'll be at the finish line singing, "JOOOOOOOOOOSH!" (That's a High School Musical 3 reference in case you are confused.) 

Josh and I have shared some interesting adventures, to say the least. I think one of my favorites was when I was puking on an airplane on the way to Germany and he was next to me flipping my overhead light on and off while singing DC Talk's "In the Light." Then he even carried the bag of puke to the restroom after the flight attendant gave him a dirty look when he tried to hand it off to her. Hopefully this weekend won't involve any puke, but if it should, I'll be there to clean it up. Maybe.

Best news so far this year...

We all know that I'm a little addicted to the Olympics. Holly and I requested tickets for 2010 shortly after we returned from China. Today, I got an email confirming what event tickets we received. Then I almost fell out of my chair. We got tickets to the Opening Ceremony! I am so excited! I might even have to make one of those paper chains to count down to February 12, 2010. But probably not.

The other events we got tickets to are figure skating and ice hockey. I love having things to look forward to!

Expectations & Reality

A few weeks ago, Aaron's sermon was about how we go through different seasons in our lives, and one of his points was that when we're going through winter, it seems as if it will never end. We often become impatient because we have an idea of what we think our life is supposed to be like. But many times, our ideas don't align with God's. One of the things Aaron asked us to do was complete the thought "By now I thought my life would be like..." 

Tonight, over a delicious new London Fog Tea Latte, I thought about that. Most of my readers probably have a good idea of how I expected things to be by now. Yeah, that's frustrating sometimes (and really frustrating at other times). But here's the kicker - I began thinking of all the things that have happened that I never could have imagined. Things I couldn't have planned if I'd tried. If my life had happened the way I'd planned, how many amazing things would I have missed out on? Lots of them.

2008: The good, the bad, and the ugly

I thought I'd take a few moments to reflect on the past year. First, there's one thing I want to clear up. This will, like most of my blog posts, be kind of a shallow, silly reflection. For some reason I feel the need to let you know that there is (at least a little) more to me than what I write on my blog. I actually do spend time at the end of most years reflecting and journaling about accomplishments/frustrations of the past year and goals for the next. I just don't care to plaster that all over the internet. So with that disclaimer, here goes...

The Good: These are a few of my favorite things.

• School. The thing in 2008 that was most different from 2007 was school. I started grad school in January, and it pretty much changed my life. I was forced to learn how to better manage my time. I'm still not good at it, but I like to think I've done a decent job with balancing school, work, friends and family. School has provided me with something to work toward, and I needed that. It has been both challenging and rewarding.
• Friends. One of the best things I have going for me is some pretty stinking awesome friends. This year, I met a few new people who have become very good friends. I have deepened relationships with existing friends, and really feel like we're "doing life" together, and I like that. My friends put up with my ridiculousness, constantly amaze me with their hilarity, encourage me, humor me, and sing and dance in my living room. Literally.
• Travel. After last year, I convinced myself that I should "settle down" a little. After all, I am in my late twenties. But who was I kidding? The bite of the travel bug has not yet healed. It may never heal. This year's big trip, of course, was to a little country called China for a little event known as the Olympics. But other trips along the way were pretty fun too... Disneyland with mom and dad, NKOTB in Chicago with Kelly and Jess, Phoenix with Julie, Bon Jovi with Kate, Gatlinburg with small group friends, and Nashville with Jordan, to name a few!
• Emma. It's always fun to spend time with my awesome niece, and this year she has been more fun than ever. I love when she randomly says things like, "Stephanie, you are a good reader." And of course the biggie... "I love you, Stephanie." I have to admit I was caught off guard a couple months ago when, on the phone, she said in her whiniest voice, "Stephanie, will you take me to Disney World? I really want to see Mickey." [Guess who said yes...]
• High school reunion. Our ten-year reunion was a highlight of my summer. It was such a blast, and so fun to see old friends again. It was not awkward or pretentious. Just plain fun. Plus, I uncharacteristically stayed out till 3am!
• Little, sometimes spontaneous things. Summer nights at Rick's Cafe Boatyard. Going down the slide at the Children's Museum. Hours upon hours at Paradise Cafe. Colts games. Random concerts. Facebook stalking. (Watch out. I might mean you.) Leisurely Sunday afternoon lunches when I should really be studying. Marrying off one Meghan and getting a new Meghan. Setting up a pinata with two ladders in the middle of the street. Wine on the ceiling. Playing "pretend we're wives of rich doctors and the kids are with the nanny," and enjoying a day of food and shopping. Writing haiku at Steak N Shake (or anywhere, really). Laughing until I can no longer breathe. Making a pre-party drink without a recipe. Attempting yoga in the living room and falling down. It's a collection of little things like this that make up life.

The Bad/Ugly. (I am combining these. And hoping for a shorter list than the "good" list.)

• School. Ok, I know I used that on my "good" list, but school is a double-edged sword. It was often a source of frustration, and occasionally sucked the life out of me. Sometimes I think of all the things I could be doing if I weren't studying. (The grad school word for that is "opportunity costs!")
• The break-in. This one's pretty obvious and doesn't require much explanation. But let's just say that I STILL don't have a window. I must admit, though, that firing the contractor brought me joy. :)
• The other break-in. Well, not really a break-in, but a broken car window. Funny how that was replaced in less than 24 hours.
• Lots of other stuff. There are plenty more things to add to the list, like that S-word that so often rears its ugly head (selfishness!), and my inability to prioritize, but I am saving those things for the privacy of my journal...

Overall, I'd call it a good year. Here's to an even better 2009. And may your "good" list be much longer than your "bad/ugly" list!