Heaven on Seven

When I knew I was going to downtown Chicago on my last trip up north, I searched the internet for interesting restaurants to try. Heaven on Seven was one I came across, and when I mentioned it to my friend Abigail who I was meeting downtown, she said we should definitely go. When I visited New Orleans a number of years ago, I enjoyed the food, and this place claims "The Best Louisiana Cookin' Outside of New Orleans." The food was excellent. We had the Shrimp and Andouille Eggrolls with spicy mustard and ginger mango sauce and Asian Slaw for an appetizer. And I had the Angry Chicken Po' Boy Sandwich. I like the atmosphere of the place too--all sorts of Mardi Gras beads, masks, etc on the walls and hanging from the chandeliers and the wall of hot sauces was pretty cool. There are various sauces on each table as well with names like "Ass in Antarctica" "Asbirin" "Slap My Ass and Call Me Sally." I tried as many of the different sauces as I could. Great dining experience, and I hope to go back sometime. http://www.heavenonseven.com/index.html

"Christ Be My Leader"

Christ be my Leader by night as by day;
Safe through the darkness, for He is the way.
Gladly I follow, my future His care,
Darkness is daylight when Jesus is there.

Christ be my Teacher in age as in youth,
Drifting or doubting, for He is the truth.
Grant me to trust Him; though shifting as sand,
Doubt cannot daunt me; in Jesus I stand.

Christ be my Savior in calm as in strife;
Death cannot hold me, for He is the life.
Nor darkness nor doubting nor sin and its stain
Can touch my salvation: with Jesus I reign.

Text: Timothy Dudley-Smith
Tune: Irish; setting: Lutheran Service Book, 2006

This is in my top 5 favorite hymns. I need to be reminded of the words often. I especially love the last verse; it is very comforting and speaks clearly of the only confidence we truly have.

Clue

The movie based on a board game--what a concept! To me, this movie is so fun and silly. Great cast; I especially love Madeline Kahn and Eileen Brennan. Martin Mull is pretty good in this too.

Some dialogue--

Col Mustard: Are you trying to make me look stupid in front of the other guests?
Wadsworth: You don't need any help from me, sir.
Col Mustard: That's right!
____________________
Wadsworth: To make a long story short.
Other Characters: Too late!
____________________
Mr. Green: Let us in! Let us in!
Ms. Scarlet and Col. Mustard: Let us out! Let us out!
____________________
Col. Mustard: I can't take any more scares!
Chandelier falls to the ground and breaks right in back of him.
Col. Mustard: (In high pitched voice) Ahhhh. Falls into chair.
____________________
Mrs. White: Yes, I did it. I killed Yvette. I hated her sooo...much...it, it...the...it...the...flames...flames...flames...on the side of my face...breathing...breathless...heaving breaths...heaving (mumbles on)

Smoking Guns

I love this computer game! Using your mouse, you shoot stuff on the screen. The harder the level, the faster things pop on and off screen. And of course there are "friends" and if you accidentally shoot them, you get points deducted. There are thousands of variations too so it can be different each time you play. It's such a fun game, and one that is good to play as a taking a short break from stuff kind of game. Plus shooting stuff is a good way to get out one's aggressions!

Jean and Gene

Jean and Gene are such dear friends to both my mom and me. Actually, I consider them more like family. They were (and continue to be) members of the church I grew up in, so I've known them for awhile, but it is in the last 6 years or so, that we've really become close. What I have always admired about them is that they live their faith. They are always willing to help anyone in need. Jeannie, I consider a kindred spirit--we are very much alike in how we think about things, how we feel about certain things, how we need resolution to things. Our conversations can run pretty deep talking about the Bible, faith, relationships, etc. And we also laugh a lot together. Gene has a great sense of humor! All of us always have fun in our game playing--whether it's Pit, Sequence, Texas Hold'em, etc. We get so silly and into it. Jean and Gene are such a blessing in my life.

American Idols Live 2007

This was the first year I was into American Idol for the whole season. I enjoyed watching the show, and thought it would be cool to see the Top 10 when they toured. It was a fantastic concert! They each sang a song individually, but throughout the show they sang duets, sang as trios, were in various groupings. I think some of these guys and gals will go far, and there is something exciting to me about seeing people at the start of their career like that. Melinda is my favorite, so I enjoyed seeing her perform. Some of my favorite performances were Melinda and Sanjaya singing "Proud Mary," the girls singing some Motown, Lakisha singing "I Have Always Loved You," Phil in his navy uniform singing "America the Beautiful," Blake singing "You Give Love a Bad Name," and the songs where they all sang together. I enjoyed seeing Gina again too--I think she should have made it a lot farther. It was a great night, and such a great variety of music to appeal to many different people.

Boz Hot Dogs

I always thought this place was called Bozo's but apparently it is Boz (I always thought that face at the end of the logo was supposed to be another "o"). Anyway, there are several Boz hot dogs up in northern Illinois and Indiana. The one I've gone to in Thornton is basically a little shack. But the food is so good. I like to get a hot dog with everything--everything includes relish, mustard, cucumbers, peppers, celery salt, probably other stuff I'm forgetting. And I love the chili boat--that is a tamale with chili over it. And I get cheese and onions on it as well. Delicious food. When I visit my dad he is willing to take me out to eat wherever I want to go, to nice restaurants or whatever. But sometimes I just want my Boz hot dog and chili boat. (It will always be Bozo's to me though). http://www.bozhotdogs.com/index.htm

"Peaceful World" John Mellencamp

Peaceful World
By John Mellencamp
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I love this song! The first time I heard it on my car radio I thought, "Wow, this is something really cool and different." When they first started playing it on the radio several years ago, if I was in the car and had arrived somewhere and this song was still playing, I would sit there in my car till it was over. I find myself singing it sometimes, and would probably put it somewhere in my top 10 fav. songs. "If you're not part of the future then get out of the way." "Everything's as cool as can be in a peaceful world." Gotta love the Mellencamp!

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Joshua 1:9

9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

This is my Confirmation verse, so it has been special to me for a long time. It is such a comfort to know God continually gives us strength and comfort. No matter where I go, no matter what stage of life I enter in to, no matter what my circumstances, the LORD is there with me. I am never alone. What joy and peace flow from this verse! It is a verse I cling to.

Meet the Parents

I think this movie is so funny. Ben Stiller and Robert DeNiro are so good in their roles. It cracks me up every time I see it--the dialogue, the series of events that happen to this poor guy who just loves his girlfriend and wants to marry her.

Some dialogue as Jack and Greg are in the car:

Jack: Greg, how come you don't like cats?
Greg: (pause) I don't not like cats. I just, I just prefer dogs. I mean, I'm more of a dog kind of, you know...you come home, they're wagging their little tails, they're happy to see you.
Jack: You need that assurance, do you? You prefer an emotionally shallow animal.
Greg: I...
Jack: You see Greg, when you yell at a dog, his tail will go between its legs, and cover his genitals, his ears will go down. Dogs are very easy to break. But cats make you work for their affection. They don't sell out the way dogs do.
Greg: (pause) Huh

DeNiro delivers his lines so dryly. Great stuff!

Tony's

Last night I went to Tony's in St. Louis. someplace my boyfriend has wanted to go for quite some time. This is the only restaurant in the state of Missouri ever to have received the AAA five diamond award. This is the fanciest restaurant I have ever been to. It was incredible! We had a lobster appetizer, I had spinach, avocado, roquefort salad, and then the Lobster Albanello (lobster and mushrooms in a creamy mushroom sauce). The food was so good. We had wine with dinner, and then had dessert and cappuccino. Such a wonderful evening. It was cool how they prepared food and desserts near your table. Fabulous dining experience.
http://www.saucemagazine.com/tonys/index.html

Les Miserables (The Musical)

I saw this play for the first time the other night at the Muny. I was blown away! I didn't really know much about the story or anything before seeing it. It was just so fantastic. Very sad in a lot of places, very moving. It deals with a lot of things including freedom, love, suffering, compassion, God etc. The music was incredible. Wonderful cast in this production; fabulous voices. I really felt like crying at the end because it was just so powerful. Amazing! Can't wait to see it again.

The Crucifixion by Francisco de Zurbaran

There are many crucifixion paintings. But this one is my favorite--The Crucifixion by the Spanish artist Francisco de Zurbaran (1598-1664). It hangs in the Art Institute in Chicago, and whenever I would go to that museum, I would spend time looking at this painting. In some ways, compared to other crucifixion paintings, it is very simple--black background, no other people or things in the background. To me, that is what makes it is so great. The focus is on Christ alone who died for my sins and the sins of the world. Every time I look at this painting, I am blown away at God's amazing love.

Cassie and Berto

There's so much I could say about my friend Cassie whom I consider my big sister. We've been friends over 10 years now, and she is probably the most loyal friend a girl could ask for. Whenever someone has done something to wrong me or hurt me in some way, I think she's gotten more upset about it then I have. To have a friend I know is on my side like that is so incredibly awesome. I really appreciate her protectiveness of me. She is also an extremely generous person. And she makes me laugh so much. We always have fun hanging out together, and I will always remember the trip we took to Cleveland years ago and all the fun we had together. I am so happy for her that she married Berto who is such a kind, sweet man. He is a great guy (even if he is a White Sox fan! :) )

Australian Accent

I love the Australian accent--have for quite some time. So, sometimes I go online to the ABC webpage--Australian Broadcasting Corporation and listen to Australian radio. There are various stations and even video programs that can be accessed, and I love to put them on in the background sometimes. I don't even care what they're talking about--I just love hearing that accent. It is the best accent in my opinion. And their slang is cool.

http://www.abc.net.au/default_800.htm