Where's My Bro-mance?

I just got done watching an episode of "House" on Fox tonight and had to blog about this. I love the "bro-mance" (a recent term where the relationship between to men can go beyond the high-fives to an actual deep relationship without one wanting to jump into bed with the other) between House and Wilson on this series -- in fact, I'm downright jealous of it. They bounce off one another, banter back and forth, can dish it back as easily as they can receive it, anticipate each other's moves and motives, pull the pranks, show up at each other's doorstep in the early AM and can be flat-out honest with each other. The synergy between these two is amazing to watch and can be just as envious. I know this is a television show with writers manipulating the characters and their relationships with each other to their whims but that doesn't deter the jealousy much. I can't remember a time in my life where I was "that" close to anyone and I think to have that kind of person in your life would be truly comforting. You wouldn't be embarrassed to call them at 3am or burst into tears in front of them or be afraid to call them out on something. I do have many great people in my life who I love to be around and maybe......... someday, some of those relationships will go deeper than I could imagine and I can have a sis-mance of my own. Haha....bro-mance does sound better, doesn't it? Until next time!

Get Out the Bats and Gloves

Every day I drive past this small town which houses an area of three baseball diamonds. And from now until the middle of summer, when I drive past I will always see either a baseball practice or game happening. I love it because the sport of baseball is something that is sentimental to me. It was a part of my childhood since I started playing softball in the 4th grade and continued until my last year in high school. There's just something about playing on the summer nights.....its starting to cool off from the hot day, the endless supply of gatorade bottles line the bench, and it's much less political than high school sports. I miss it and watching those kids play as I drive by makes me miss it more. There are memories there of games and teammates and after-game ice cream runs and practices and the coaches that meant more to you than you know. I want to get out of my car and tell those kids to let loose and not worry and enjoy every game and not let one bad moment ruin their entire game because sooner than later you become the person driving by and reminiscing. And hopefully one day, I can be my kid's coach or at least the parent dragging around my fold-up chair and extra gatorade bottle. I will revel in those days. I

Things I Learned at the South Side Irish Parade

For those of you who don't know what the South Side Irish Parade is, let me fill you in. The Sunday before St. Patrick's Day is designated as the South Side Irish Parade that takes place down Western Avenue on the South Side of Chicago. It consists of a parade featuring all things Irish including kilted-men playing bagpipes, curly-haired Irish dancers, and lots of knitted Aran sweaters and there is lots and LOTS of green. Plus, it is about the only day and place where you can witness a parent pulling their child in those little red wagons along with a 24 pack of beer. And this is the one day that it is absolutely OK to drink in the morning, afternoon, and night. So in the Irish spirit, let me share with you what I've learned from being a part of this momentous event.

1. Wear Green -- there are boas and hats and shirts and tuxedos.....get in the spirit!
2. If you are taking the train, get in the first or last car -- everyone congregates in the middle
3. Even if you aren't Irish, you are allowed to be and say that you are on this day
4. If you are a Cubs fan, be a Cubs fan on the inside -- you are on the South Side.....
5. Wear comfortable shoes -- You will walk (or stumble or crawl..) everywhere!
6. Be an excellent maneuverer -- the crowds at this parade and at the bars are worse than Black Friday shopping
7. Tip the bartender -- they are working their butt off...show some appreciation
8. Apologize and Forgive -- If you spill your drink on someone or bump into them or anything that could start a fight...apologize and offer amends. The battle or fight isn't worth it and the most people usually get is some blood splatters, bruises, and get thrown out of the bar that they just paid a $10 cover to get into. And if you are the person who gets bumped into or spilt on, ...forgive and move on. Another way to put it -- If you are a mean drunk, don't bother coming.
9. Do watch some of the parade -- the Irish dancers are fun to watch and the bagpipe players really show off the Irish culture with music
10. Meet People! Everyone around you is most likely there for the same reason you are....to celebrate and have a good time. Talk to people. Laugh with them. Drink with them. They are your best friends for that day. Be joyful and be happy.

I'd Rather Fight With You...

Valentine's Day is approaching sooner than later. As a single girl, I will battle the onslaught of depressive and lonely thoughts that attempt to weave its way into my mind. But on this day, maybe I'll try to celebrate the fact of love itself, and that it is out there and it causes great things to happen to people, between people, and among people. And what celebrates the many different kinds of love than the portrayal of it in movies. Romantic movies have kept women's dreams alive that they will find their match, or the man they are dishing on will finally take a hint and make a move, or the troubled relationships will work through the rough spots. So here is a tribute to some of my favorite romantic quotes in Cinema. So get ready for some lov'n!



Movie Quotes Baby! My Fave!

"I'd rather fight with you than make love to anyone else" -- The Wedding Date

I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible." -- When Harry Met Sally

"I love that you get cold when it's seventy degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you're looking at me like I'm nuts. I love that after I spend a day with you I can still smell your perfume on my clothes, and I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night."
-- When Harry Met Sally

"I am just a girl standing in front of a boy asking him to love her." -- Notting Hill

There are only four questions of value in life. What is sacred? Of what is the spirit made of? What is worth living for? What is worth dying for? The answer to each is the same. Only love."
-- Don Juan DeMarco

"I know what it is not to feel like your in the room until he looks at you or touches your hand or even makes a joke at your expense, just to let everyone know... you're with him. You're his." -- P.S. I Love You

"If you can promise me anything, promise me that whenever you're sad, or unsure, or you lose complete faith, that you'll try to see yourself through my eyes. Thank you for the honor of being my wife. I'm a man with no regrets. How lucky am I. You made my life, Holly. But I'm just one chapter in yours. There'll be more. I promise. So here it comes, the big one. Don't be afraid to fall in love again. Watch out for that signal, when life as you know it ends." -- P.S. I Love You

"Here's looking at you kid." -- Casablanca

"What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey. That's a pretty good idea. I'll give you the moon, Mary." -- It's a Wonderful Life

"I'm going to miss your lips and everything attached to them." -- Elizabethtown

"Just tell me you love me and get it over with!" -- Elizabethtown

"Kim: It must have been awful when they told you whose house it was.
Edward: I knew it was Jim's house.
Kim: You... you did?
Edward: Yes.
Kim: ...Well, then why'd you do it?
Edward: Because you asked me to." -- Edward Scissorhands

"Iris, if you were a melody... I used only the good notes." -- The Holiday

"These years that I have been in love have been the darkest days of my life. All because I've been cursed by being in love with a man who does not and will not love me back...........And sometimes you can even convince yourself that he'll see the light and show up at your door. And after all that, however long all that may be, you'll go somewhere new. And you'll meet people who make you feel worthwhile again. And little pieces of your soul will finally come back. And all that fuzzy stuff, those years of your life that you wasted, that will eventually begin to fade." -- The Holiday (because sometimes love means to let go and look ahead)

"Bridget: Wait a minute... nice boys don't kiss like that.
Mark Darcy: Oh, yes, they fucking do." -- Bridget Jones Diary

"No. I like you very much. Just as you are." -- Bridget Jones Diary

"Sometimes I miss you so much I can hardly stand it. I wish I knew how to quit you." -- Brokeback Mountain

"I will not leave Cold Mountain. My last thread of courage is to wait... for you." -- Cold Mountain

" I love you more than all the words in all the books in all the world. " -- Why Did I Get Married

"Ever Mine. Every Thine. Ever Ours." -- Sex and The City

"Look, in my opinion, the best thing you can do is find a person who loves you for exactly what you are. Good mood, bad mood, ugly, pretty, handsome, what have you, the right person is still going to think the sun shines out your ass. That's the kind of person that's worth sticking with." -- Juno

"We need a witness to our lives. There's a billion people on the planet... I mean, what does any one life really mean? But in a marriage, you're promising to care about everything. The good things, the bad things, the terrible things, the mundane things... all of it, all of the time, every day. You're saying 'Your life will not go unnoticed because I will notice it. Your life will not go un-witnessed because I will be your witness'." -- Shall We Dance

"What a pain in the ass you are. And it's true: you're not young, you're not new, and you do make people laugh. And me? I'm still with you because you make me laugh. So you know what I got to do? I got to sell my plot in Key Biscayne so I can get one next to you in that shithole Los Copa, so I never miss a laugh." -- The Birdcage

"They say when you meet the love of your life, time stops. And that's true." -- Big Fish

"Sandra Templeton....I love you and I will marry you!" -- Big Fish

"We saved each other." -- Nights in Rodanthe

Wow, that was a lot. You probably knew a few of these and maybe some that you didn't. These were moments in the movie that I stopped and thought "wow, I never thought of it like that" or "Awww..." or it was a moment in the movie that stuck with me or resinated through me even after I've turned the movie off. Credit to amazing writers who give us hope. And hope is a good thing. Until next time!
Steph

It Really is a Small World....

So after spending five years on my university's campus as an undergrad and now working there while obtaining my grad degree, I didn't think that my home life had any connection to the university. I went there knowing no one -- students or faculty -- and many had never even heard of my town.....until today. Today I found out that a teacher, who had a meeting with a co-worker of mine, knew that small town of mine. In fact, her father had taught at that school -- had taught me. He was one of my favorite, most memorable teachers in school. After he retired when I was in high school, I found out that his young granddaughter contracted a rare illness and died very suddenly. Although I didn't know the family personally, I still remember her name and how upset I was that something so tragic could happen to someone so young and happen to the granddaughter of someone who was so genuine and had such a down-to-earth enlightened view of life. That really stuck with me......so here comes the revelation that had eluded me for the past five years. On my campus is a tree. I have past this tree so many times without a second glance but I don't think I can do that anymore. I found out today that this particular tree was dedicated to the memory of that little girl. I guess it really is a small world and we are all just a a couple connections away from each other. And, honestly, I don't think I'd want it any other way.
Until Next Time......

You Need To Go....

This past weekend, I went to a wake. I have always felt an obligation to go to wakes, even if I only knew a surviving family member, and I now stand firm in that you should, if at all possible, attend them. I really did not know the man who died. He was the father of my uncle and I remember very little about him except a few snippets from when I was a kid. My parents debated whether we should drive the hour and a half to go but I felt that we needed to be there....and I was right. As much as I wanted to be there to pay my respects to the man who had died, I especially wanted to be there for my uncle, who just lost his father, and my aunt, who lost her father-in-law, and my younger cousins, who have lost their grandpa. It is just as important to be there for the people who are still living as it is for the person who died. And it seems I am not the only person who feels this way because after I hugged my uncle and saw his tears and felt my own tears, he said something that will always stay with me. He said "it is times like this where you find out who really loves you."

So even if you feel uncomfortable and are debating whether to make the trip.......make the trip. You have no idea how much just showing up will mean to that surviving person. And even if you can't quite find the right words to say and all that comes out is a meager "I'm sorry" and a hug, that is really all it takes. Because everything else that you may have wanted to say or that you believe should have been said is being said. It is being said by your presence there. By showing up, you are saying "I'm here because I love you and I want to help honor the life of someone you love. You are important to me and your pain and sorrow are mine as well. I will always be here for you." It doesn't need to be spoken. In fact, sometimes it is the silence and the "just knowing" that makes the bond even stronger. So just be there. You never know what an impact you may have.
Until Next Time!

Stephanie

The New Loves

So 2008 definitely brought some new loves into my life. Let me count the ways.....

1. Trying out new restaurants -- So the picky, only-want-to-eat-at-this-or-that-place person has turned a 180. I now love discovering new places and trying new foods and taking in the new atmospheres. Among the little treasures I have found include Obee's in Ottawa, Savannah's in Sandwich, Eastern Europe in Romeoville, and The Cove in Morris.

2. Winchester Chimes -- the tune takes me back to my grandma's huge, old house where the clock (which took up half of the wall) chimed the same tune on the hour. That house was my heaven until my grandparents decided to move into something smaller and sold it in 2004. I never knew what the chime was until I was in a small resale shop and heard it again. There on a shelf, was a small clock that chimed the same tune. The clock now sits on my shelf.

3. Chess -- a game that before this year I had given up even attempting to learn. But with a little patience on the part of a couple of good friends, I have a new-found love for the classic game of war. Mind-warping, extremely frustrating at times, but by the end, you will probably find me smiling. Plus, there's nothing wrong with exercising the brain a bit with strategically planning your moves and anticipating your opponents. #1 Plan: Don't Die.

4. Over Easy Eggs -- Was always a scrambled eggs girl until I found the delicious combo of dipping my toast into the runny yolk of the egg. Um, orgasm in my mouth!

5. Wrapping Christmas Presents -- after years of crappy wrapping, I finally have straighter edges (not perfect....cutting is not my fortay), nice folds, curly ribbons, and not so much tape. I applaud myself this year!

6. Batman -- I have always been a Batman-loving girl before people even thought about "Batman Begins" or the "Dark Knight." After riding the bus home from school, Batman: The Animated Series was on at 4pm and I did not miss it as a grade-schooler. So, imagine my glee at finding out the entire series was released on DVD seasons. Throughout 2008, I purchased them and now own all of the seasons.

7. Sherlock Holmes -- Always knew who he was and what he did but never really delved into his world. I'm loving Sir Arthur Doyle's much aclaimed character and his historic adventures.

8. Tic Tac Chill Mints -- they are my addiction -- my cocaine.

9. Thin Mint Shots -- Peppermint Snaupps with a bit of chocolate syrup and you have a delightful new shot with all of its alcoholy-goodness.

10. "Homework" -- No, not the school kind. I learned about doing your "homework" from Scott Smith who runs a "Motivation to Move" website and also has a "Daily Boost" podcast that I listen to. His idea of "homework" is to sit down once a week and just reflect on your life -- where you are at, who you are, what you value, where you want to go, who you want to be, and what kinds of things you do to get there. You just jot this stuff down and answer the question -- am I where I want to be? Am I who I want to be? You may just jot down some stuff you want to improve on or do in the coming week. Self-reflection is a good thing.

11. Podcasts -- I had an iPod for 2 years before I discovered what podcasts were. These free audio and video "casts" have enough subjects for everybody. I have subscribed to the "Kathy and Judy" podcast which plays highlights from their popular radio show, a podcast to teach me spanish, one to show me how the play the piano, one that has interviews with paranormal researchers, and one that plays Joel Osteen's preaching. Variety right? With thousands of podcasts, you can find what you are looking for.

12. Work -- No matter what the work is, if you have awesome people working alongside you, you will love your job. That's my theory. Tested and proved.

13. Flossing -- my whole mouth just feels cleaner afterward

14. A Bit of Faith -- Believing that everything happens for a reason. I happened upon the concept while an undergrad in college but I have fully grasped it and am holding on tight.