Twirling

This may be my favorite picture of Emma, ever.

Shoot! I forgot one...

Really, I probably forgot more than one. But this one is worth an addendum.

We'll call it 5.1.

5.1 The Final Four

The 2010 Final Four was in Indy and dad and I thought it would be fun to go, so dad entered the lottery and we got tickets... long before we knew who would be playing. It was such a fun week in Indy, full of pep rallies and festivities for the home team. I had to go to Texas for work the Monday of the final game, so my pre-Butler-in-the-Final-Four plan was to go on Saturday, then dad would take someone else on Monday. All season, I kept saying that if Butler was in the final game, I was changing my flight, thinking there was no way that would happen. But then it did. The game didn't turn out the way we'd hoped, but it was still a good time. We left Indy at midnight that night, got to Louisville at 2am, then I slept till 4am, caught a 6am flight to Texas, and worked all day before crashing around 6pm. Totally worth it.

Another Top Ten

Yes, I will fully admit that I am copying Jeff and Meg's idea. They are, after all, two of the coolest people I know. (Plus, it wasn't really an original idea anyway.)

So here you go: Steph's Top Ten of 2010

... and don't pay too much attention to the order. I didn't.

10. January 1, 2010

I had a really fantastic start to 2010, which consisted of brunch at my house that lasted 10+ hours. It turned into the most wonderful day of doing nothing with people who are pretty darn fun.

9. Reconnecting with Old Friends

I heart Summer Project friends, and this year I got to see three of them who I hadn't seen in a really, really long time. I met up with Chad in Colorado - I think the last time we had seen each other was 2001. I also saw Raffy there, who I hadn't seen since 2000. Then I saw Jess in Florida - hadn't seen her since 1999! It's really fun to be able to catch up and still share a common bond with these folks.

8. Concerts

This is a category that could have its own sub-top ten list. I think number one would be Garth Brooks. There was also Bon Jovi (x2), needtobreathe (x3), Steven Curtis Chapman, Train, Tim McGraw and Lady A, Michael W. Smith, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Rick Springfield, and probably some others I am forgetting. What can I say... I love me some live music.

7. Getting a Roomie

I'd decided I was finished with roomies sometime back in 2009. But it turned out that my neighborhood was less scary than Jessica's apartment complex, and I had an extra room. It was just going to be for a few months, but then she started making coffee every morning, not to mention martinis in the evening. And I realized I had a keeper. (Bonus: this helps support my previously mentioned concert habit.)

6. My Birthday

As most of you probably know, Bono ruined my birthday. I had a fabulous plan to spend my 30th at the U2 concert in Denver. Then Bono had to go and mess up his back, forcing the cancelation of all the summer shows. We already had plane tickets, though, so Jess and I headed to Denver, then Holly flew in from Seattle, and we still had a great weekend. Also, it rained most of the time. But we went to the Coors Brewery, did the Celestial Seasonings tour, and had some fabulous food. Plus, how could I go wrong spending the day with two of my most favorite ladies?

5. Friends, in general.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I like my friends. A lot. The little moments with them are what make life meaningful. Late night pie dates, trips to the State Fair, neighborhood walks, watching The Bachelor(ette), attempting to stalk celebrities, playing bocce in the backyard, going to the spa... this is the stuff life is made of. And it definitely wasn't an easy year for some of those dearest to me. There was darkness, sickness, sadness, and loss. But these folks continually amaze me with their faith, resilience and love for others.

4. Painting Pumpkins with Emma

Emma is a popular chick who has many a family member competing for her attention. So I was pretty excited to have a couple of hours on a Saturday afternoon with her. We sat on a blanket in mom and dad's backyard and painted pumpkins on a beautiful October day. Simple pleasure. Good times. Good company (even though she said my pumpkin was plain).

3. Japan

Japan isn't really one of the places that was on my life list. But it was on Mark's. And I'm that kind of friend. It really is a lovely place and I'm glad I had the opportunity to experience it. Plus, everything there makes so much more sense than in China. (You can read all about the trip here, if you haven't already.)

2. Graduating

For about a week in May, I insisted that friends refer to me as Master Steph. That didn't really work out too well, but I do have a piece of paper in a lovely frame to prove that I worked my butt off for two and a half years. Graduation was a time of celebration, relief, and wondering how the heck I managed to do that and work full time and still have a little fun. Sitting on the National Mall listening to Michelle Obama address the GWU Class of 2010 was a pretty surreal experience.

1. The Olympics (specifically, the Opening Ceremony)

No longer Olympics virgins, Holly and I went into this one kind of knowing what to expect. The fact that the Games were held in an English-speaking country was icing on the cake. The day I received an email telling me we had gotten the Opening Ceremony tickets, I nearly fell out of my chair. (Admittedly, part of that was probably because I saw how much my Visa had been charged.) I was soooo excited. I love, love, love that Holly got the money shot (above).

Up next, in 2011? You'll have to wait and see. Can you handle the suspense? (Don't worry, I am waiting, too.) I have a feeling it's going to be a pretty spectacular year. And probably in ways completely different than I am expecting. Because that's how life works.

All-Time Favorite Albums

Recently, while I was sitting on an airplane for 11+ hours, I started making a mental list of my all-time favorite albums. Because there's not much else to do on an 11-hour flight.

So I thought I'd finish my list and put it in writing. Here they are, in no particular order... Steph's Top Ten Favorite Albums of All-Time:

Jennifer Knapp - Kansas

Ok, so I said they're not in order, but this one probably really is my #1. After this they aren't in order. I love this album and there's no way I could ever count the number of times I have belted it out in my car beginning to end.

10,000 Maniacs - Unplugged

Going old school here... not sure what it is about this one that I love so much. I think it's just that it's Natalie Merchant + Unplugged. And who doesn't love These Are the Days?

Bebo Norman - Between the Dreaming and the Coming True

A long-time Bebo fan, this is easily my favorite of his work. I love the piano, and the strings, and especially the song I Will Lift My Eyes.

Third Day - Third Day

This reminds me of good times in high school. Maybe that's why I love it so much. It's classic Third Day. I can't listen to it without thinking of the time I met Mac Powell and said, "Hi. You're left handed. And you play the guitar. I'm left handed. And I want to play the guitar." Yikes. Not my finest moment.

Bon Jovi - Cross Road

Easy. This has all my favorite Bon Jovi songs.

Steven Curtis Chapman - Beauty Will Rise

I think this is the most recent release on my list. I love the honesty, pain and hope that are so eloquently expressed in these 12 songs. The title track is my favorite.

Jars of Clay - Jars of Clay

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to go to a small Jars of Clay show where they sang this album, beginning to end. The crowd's enthusiasm leads me to believe that I'm not the only one who has this on her top ten list.

Alanis Morrissette - Jagged Little Pill

I've never been a huge fan of the phrase "coming of age," but I think it's a good descriptor for this album. It's another one I can sing beginning to end, and it reminds me of my 1996 purple Ford Probe, the JHS yearbook staff, and good times in general. You Oughta Know has to be one of the best angry girl songs ever. And if that's not enough, there's that hidden song about being a stalker...

Nouveaux - And This Is How I Feel

I'd love to see a Nouveaux "where are they now." I couldn't even find a Wikipedia page for them. Maybe Tomorrow has long been a favorite song of mine. But it's just not the same unless preceded by the 11-second track Nice.

Robbie Seay Band - Give Yourself Away

I listen to this a lot when I'm on an airplane. I'm not sure why. I guess it's just the perfect kind of mellow for traveling.

If there were honorable mentions, they would go to Mark Schultz's Broken and Beautiful, Nichole Nordeman's This Mystery, Blessid Union of Souls's Home, Five Iron Frenzy's Upbeats and Beatdowns and Kendall Payne's Grown.

So there you have it. What's your favorite?

Wise Words

I read this over on Bowen's Heart today and thought it was worth sharing:

"I don’t think there is any good answer for what to say to someone after they’ve experienced a tragic loss. I think the answer lies in what you’ve said, and how you loved, leading up to these moments, before tragedy comes.

None of us know when tragedy will come.

Love and speak now as you would wish to love and speak in the midst of loss. When that time comes, your past will speak through your presence, and being there will be enough."

~Matt Hammitt

The Japan Blog

It's hard to believe we leave for Japan in just two short weeks!

Here's the blog where you can follow along...

http://youregoingtojapantodowhat.wordpress.com/

Steph's Guide to Breakfast

Since traveling and breakfast are pretty much two of my most favorite things in the world, I usually try to have at least one fantastic breakfast per trip. I love finding new breakfast spots via word of mouth, random google searches, or Urban Spoon.

While a "Steph Meets Breakfast" Food Network show would be ideal, I don't see that happening in the foreseeable future, so I thought I'd post some of the gems I've found around North America... mostly for my benefit so I can remember the names of them.

Cincinnati, Ohio

• The Echo Restaurant - Just had a fantastic breakfast there today, thus the post.

Baltimore, Maryland

• Miss Shirley's - The photo is of my white chocolate raspberry pancakes from there. Yum.

Denver/Boulder, Colorado

• Sam's No. 3 - I first ate here in 2005, and had the pleasure of returning this summer. It's a diner with a Mexican twist.
• Walnut Cafe - Found this by googling "Best Breakfast in Boulder."

Vancouver, BC, Canada

• Paul's Place Omelettery - We checked this out while in Vancouver for the Olympics. How could you not love a restaurant that has "Omelettery" in the name?

Chicago, Illinois

• Yolk - One of my favorite hotel salespeople told me about this place, and I've been there several times now. Popeye's Favorite is my favorite!

Redmond, Washington

• Pomegranate Bistro - Holly has taken me here a couple of times when I was there visiting. Besides the yummy food, they also have some lovely coffee drinks.

... and I would be remiss if I did not share my fave hometown spots:

Indianapolis, Indiana

• Cafe Patachou - I heart the omelette you can't refuse. I really can't refuse it.
• Omega Pancake House - This one's pretty new to me. I've only been there once, but there was a lot of food. And a lot of laughter.
• Good Morning Mama's - ok, so I haven't actually been to this one yet, but it is on my list to try soon. If it's anything like it's sister restaurant, Mama Carolla's, I already know I will love it.

Louisville, Kentucky

• Toast on Market - A trendy little place downtown
• Lynn's Paradise Cafe - A Louisville institution. Good food and ugly lamps.
• Wild Eggs - they have this amazing everything muffin...

What's your favorite breakfast place?