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

"Praise to the Lord, the Almighty"

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is your health and salvation!
Let all who hear
Now to His temple draw near,
Joining in glad adoration!

Praise to the Lord, who o'er all things is wondrously reigning
And, as on wings of an eagle, uplifting, sustaining.
Have you not seen
All that is needful has been
Sent by His gracious ordaining?

Praise to the Lord, who has fearfully, wondrously made you,
Health has bestowed and, when heedlessly falling, has stayed you.
What need or grief
Ever has failed of relief?
Wings of His mercy did shade you.

Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you;
Surely His goodness and mercy shall daily attend you.
Ponder anew
What the Almighty can do
As with His love He befriends you.

Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that has life and breath, come now with praises before Him!
Let the Amen
Sound from His people again;
Gladly forever adore Him!

Text: Joachim Neander; tr. Catherine Winkworth
Tune: Ander Theil Des Erneuerten Gesang-Buchs, Stralsund

Though there are many hymns I love, this is my favorite hymn. It speaks so clearly of the God we have--Who is our health and salvation, Who reigns over all things and sustains all things, Who defends us and daily attends us with His love and mercy. Awesome! V. 4 is my favorite verse.

Seinfeld

Seinfeld is one of my favorite TV shows. It is known as the show about nothing, but what I really dig about it, and what makes it so humorous, is that it focuses on those everyday things we can all relate to--like waiting forever in a restaurant when you're starving, like wanting to come up with perfect zinger and not being able to till the day after and so on. All the characters are funny though I think Elaine is my fav. The episodes I liked best were in the last couple seasons. Some favs include "The Susie," "The Nap," "The Pot Hole," The Merv Griffith Show" and "The Dealership."

Einstein Bros. Bagels

I love bagels. And one of my favorite things about Einstein's is the cream cheese selection. What I've been getting lately at Einstein's is a Six Cheese Bagel with Jalapeno Salsa Cream Cheese. The sandwiches there are good too. I've had the Thai Chicken with Peanut Spread and the Cheese Steak Panini on Ciabatta. Delicious!
http://www.einsteinbros.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/Home.Main

Ben and Jerry's Cinnamon Buns Ice Cream

I like trying different flavors and thought this was interesting. I can't even begin to tell you how good this is. You have to experience it for yourself! "Caramel Ice Cream with Cinnamon Bun Dough & a Caramel Streusel Swirl."

Dad

My dad is a gentle and kind man who has always supported me. He gave me such an example by serving faithfully in the church (and is well respected by many for his work on evangelism committee). And he has a silly side such as when he used to make up stories when I was little about the creatures who lived in the big bush in our backyard including Boo Boo Kitty and Kookaburra. We now share a love of movies and going out to eat! Though we may not always have a lot to talk about, I know how proud he is of me and how much he loves me.

Pit

This game is so much fun. I first played it at my homechurch many years ago at a game night. You try to corner the market on a certain commodity by getting all the same cards of a certain kind, for example all the corn cards or all the wheat cards. You keep trading cards with everyone to try to get all the cards you need, and you don't know what you're going to get in the trade. And if you end up with the Bear card in the end you lose points (and sometimes with the Bull card you do too). It's most fun with lots of players, and it gets kind of crazy! I've played with Gene and Jean and my mom and others, and we really get into it. We add our own touch in that whoever ends up with Bear card and the Bull card at the end of the hand has to make that animal sound.

They Will See His Face by Richard C. Eyer

I just re-read this book again. I love it more each time I read it. Richard Eyer speaks correctly about worship primarily as what God does for us through Word and Sacrament. He speaks of the healing that takes place through worship--healing of our anxiety, self-centeredness, guilt, loneliness, grief, and physical and intellectual sicknesses. This is a great book to go through with the congregation.

"Strong Enough" Sheryl Crow

Strong Enough
By Sheryl Crow
Best Video Codes

I have always loved this song. It's hard for me to pick a favorite song, but this would probably be in the top 5. I can't even explain why--I just dig it!

Listen to a sample or download

Taste of Chicago

Every year toward the end of June, more than 60 restaurants set up booths in the Grant Park area and people flock to the area and stuff their faces. I have been one of the people who stuffs my face at Taste of Chicago for 11 years now. I love food, so of course I love this event! Some of the food I've had there through the years: pierogies, enchiladas, tacos, gyros, pizza, hummus, BBQ turkey wing, pad thai, sauteed goat, empanada, cheeseburger, samosa, baklava, cheesecake, merlot chocolate chip ice cream, sweet potato pie, churro... I could go on and on. I like going with someone and sharing taste portions, so more different items can be tried. In addition to all the food, there are a couple rides, entertainment, and some booths that give out freebies. This event is also special to me in that for 11 years straight, I have always met up with my friend Abigail at Taste one of the days it's going on. It's become such a fun tradition, and one I hope will continue for many many more years. This year had a record breaking opening day--over 310,000 people.