It always comes back to the music.

A lot of things I do seem to revolve around music. Karaoke, concerts, singing in the car...

Last night, Jess and I headed to Purdue to see the United tour again. Yes, the same one we went to last fall with Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith. And yes, the same one we will go to again next month when it comes to Indy. Groupies? Maybe. But it's a great show! This time, I snagged 5th row seats!

A few photos:

Geoff Moore (on the left) was there, too, to help promote SCC's organization, Show Hope. He sang a few songs with them, but we didn't get to hear any old-school Geoff Moore and the Distance songs.

Michael W. Smith!

Steven Curtis Chapman!

We parked at the top of a large parking garage, so after the show, we had a good 30-minute wait before we even moved. It's not often that I find a friend who, like myself, knows every word to every song on Jennifer Knapp's Kansas album. But Jess is that friend. It's our favorite album for singing on long drives late at night. Here's a little video of us:

Overall, another evening of great music and great fun!

Why I don't cook.

I wish your computer had smell-o-vision so you could share in my experience right this very moment. 

I am the snack-maker for Bible Study tomorrow night. Last time, I was stressed out and took cookies from Paradise, so I decided I'd make something this time. I found an easy recipe on the Kraft web site. All was going well until I had to melt the chocolate to drizzle on top. 

Does it not make sense to melt the chocolate in the microwave?

There was steam. Lots and lots of steam.

When something is burning, aren't you supposed to put water on it? Apparently not. Because water makes a very loud popping sound and breaks one of your favorite glasses.

And now the smell... Ew. Must light candle(s)!

I have started over on the chocolate. This time on the stovetop. On low.

Business Trip Haiku

Q: What does Steph do while on a flight home after a long day of meetings?

A: Write haiku in her head!

Texts during meeting

Had to know who Jason chose

Unprofessional

Oh, Heavenly Bed

I wish I had you at home

Morning came too fast

Lots of smart people

All together in one room

Progress will be made

The room is too cold
People next door are too loud
The room is too hot

Breadsticks for dinner

Time to kill at the airport

I heart picture mail

At ten thousand feet

I can turn my iPod on

I wait for the ding

Blood clot in your leg

Don't know why you flew tonight

Hope you are okay

Most improved writer?

Last night, a conversation with friends prompted me to dig out my old diary. I got the diary on my 9th birthday (1989), and used it on and off through middle school. Many of you know one of my dream jobs is to be a travel writer, and apparently I started at a very young age. I thought I would share my 1989 trip to Florida:

Saturday, June 17, 1989

Dear Diary,

Today we drove a lot. At the H. Inn we saw a drunk jump off a 2 story rail.

Bye, Bye!

[I totally remember this night. It must have had a big impression on me! And I love that I abbreviated "Holiday."]

Sunday, June 18, 1989

Dear Diary, 

I'm in Florida now! It is fun. We drove around. Then we played golf. We went to the beach, too.

Bye, Bye!

Monday, June 19, 1989

Dear Diary,

Today was rainy. We went to see Ghostbusters 2. It's funny. There was a roach in our room. It was grose. [sic]

Bye, Bye!

Tuesday, June 20, 1989

Today we went shopping. I got a shirt and lots of postcards. Then we went to M.S.A.P. It was fun. 

Bye, Bye!

[I have no idea what MSAP is... anyone?]

Wednesday, June 21, 1989

Today was fun. We went to the beach and we went shopping. Then we went to golf. It was fun.

Bye, Bye!

Thursday, June 22, 1989

Today we went to Shipwreck Island. It is fun.

Bye, Bye!

[Apparently I had a lot of fun on this trip!]

Friday, June 23, 1989

Today was fun. We rented a trike for the ocean. We went on bumper boats and golf. It's almost time to leave Florida. I guess I'm ready.

Bye, Bye!

Saturday, June 24, 1989

Today was our last day in Florida. All we did was go to the beach, and swim, and pack.

Bye, Bye!

Winter Weekend Getaway 3 of 3: New York City

What does a single girl do for Valentine's Day? Why, head to the top of the Empire State Building with a girlfriend, of course! Jess and I decided last fall that we should get outta town for the sometimes-dreaded holiday, and New York City was our getaway of choice. It was a fantastic weekend!

We arrived Friday afternoon and headed to the tkts booth to pick up some half price tickets for Pal Joey that evening. On Saturday, we slept in, went to the top of the Empire State Building, and then met up with my friend Christopher. We ate at Penelope, then we did one of the most fun things I've ever done... ever. We went to Little Korea, to the fourth floor of a random building, and rented this tiny room where we sang karaoke for an hour. Just the three of us. There was a couch, two flat screens, and a giant book of songs for us to choose from. Some highlights were my version of "All By Myself" (think Bridget Jones), Jess' "I Wanna Dance With Somebody," "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Footloose." And many, many more!

Jess and I had a late dinner at Asia de Cuba, which was way trendier than we are. It was a good time though, with excellent food. On Sunday morning, we did the Sex and the City tour, and got to see some of Carrie Bradshaw's favorite spots! Then there was shopping, and one final meal with Christopher before heading home.

Here are some photos:

What DO people do all day?

I've always wondered that, myself. I'll be sure to ask Emma next time I talk to her.

Salad's Dirty Little Secret

For years, salad has been living a lie. It has been trying to convince you that it is synonymous with "healthy." Besides, when someone asks you what you had for lunch, doesn't it just sound good to say, "I grabbed a salad?" 

But the truth is, many salads are just the opposite of healthy. Let's consider my three favorites:

Southwest Chicken Caesar | Paradise Bakery

I eat this one for dinner almost every Tuesday. Really it's more like chicken nachos with a side of lettuce. It includes chicken, those little tortilla strips, cheese, and dressing with a little kick. Oh yeah, on a bed of lettuce.

Champps Americana Chopped Salad | Champps

... and by "Americana," they mean bacon and candied pecans. But on the bright side, it contains apples and dried cranberries.

Chicken Cantonese | When Eddie Met Salad

This may be the healthiest of the three. It does have carrots, oranges and almonds on it, after all. But the sauce the chicken is cooked in probably isn't so great. And I'm sure that mandarin ginger dressing can't be good, either.

At least cookies don't try to be something they aren't.