How about some controversy?

Jon and I found ourselves stuck on Saturday night with nowhere to eat dinner (because of the late hour) but The Cheesecake Factory. This might not seem like a big deal (and it's really not), but neither of us has ever found anything we truly liked at The Cheesec@ke Factory. They have a menu the size of a small phone directory, but they don't seem to make anything superb. I have tried countless of items trying to be satisfied, but I have never found anything that seems to truly hit the spot. This lead to us wanting to create a Top Ten list of the most overrated resaturants in Phoenix.

1. Cheesecake F@ctory (see above)
2. P.F. Ch@ng's/Pei Wei- I know I'll take some heat for this one, but I truly think the Chinese place we go to is just as good and half the price. Seriously!
3. El Enc@nto- I have discussed this restaurant in an earlier post. Although I have no beef with the food, it wasn't so amazing that it deserved a thirty minute drive, above average prices, and a wait to eat even at 4:00 in the afternoon.
4. Flo's- Very similiar to my comments about P.F. Chang's, but this place is so popular and I don't think "it's all that and a bag of potato chips."
5. Dilly's Deli- For whatever reason people love this little Tempe sandwich joint. I simply don't understand why. When Jon and I went there (after hearing countless rave reviews from friends) I was shocked to find one slice of turkey on my sandwich. Come on, people! This is not Europe; I expect some meat on my order!
6. M@ggiano's-An expensive and overrated Italian upscale restaurant (complete with valet parking) close to our home. Go to Oregano's, Olive Garden, or the Macaronni Grill and save yourself some dough.
7. Isl@nds- Ericka LOVES this hamburger joint, but I have never been all that crazy about it. Are the hamburgers better than McDonalds? Of course, but so are Burger King's, In and Out's, and AZ 88.
8. Chick Fil-@- This restaurant I truly just don't understand the popularity of. When they first started opening around Scottsdale about a year ago there were lines out the door to eat inside. I have since come to discover a restaurant that serves you a piece of fried chicken on a bun with one pickle. How hard is that? Hasn't KFC been doing that type of thing for years? Jon did want me to mention, however, that he believes their sweet tea can't be beat!
9. H@rd Rock Cafe-What's the big deal? So we have some old, retired rock stars record albums or get up hanging on the wall. The food is nothing spectacular.
10. Houston's- I went here the other day with some friends and spent $14 for a salad. Some greens and a few pieces of chicken, people. This is not rocket science to create. Plus, the restaurant is so dark I had to guess what I was eating. Along with this, I'd say the White Chocol@te Grill, the new restaurant which opened in north Scottsdale by the owners of Houson's, is nothing special either.

There you have it. The list in it's entirety. I might have a Top Ten places to eat list coming out in the next few weeks. I'm sure you'll all be waiting with baited breath. My only worry is you will start to go there and then I'll have to wait in lines.

Rah, rah Arcadia! Go Titans!

Wow, I haven't said that in years. Although I rarely think about Arcadia High anymore, recently there are several glaring instances which have made me rethink my high school years (and bemoan how long ago it really was!).

I recently heard that "the circle" was being demolished during Arcadia's construction project/renovation. THE CIRCLE? This was a landmark. Rumor has it that Steven Spielberg received his inspiration for ET's UFO from THE CIRCLE. I have numerous memories of classes in THE CIRCLE, hanging out by our lockers in THE CIRCLE, walking up the ramps of THE CIRCLE in trepidation if I wore hard to handle clunker shoes that day. THE CIRCLE is what made Arcadia unique. (Besides the stories of the Black Box, but that's a different post altogether).

Also, I am serving on a district articulation committee this summer that is bringing together high school and middle school Language Arts teachers to discuss and collaborate ideas. When I walk in whom do I see but FOUR of my former teachers. No longer am I their student, but their colleague. (Yes, I'm sure it was scary for them, too). My 7th grade Language Arts teacher was there (I loved that class), as well as my honors sophomore and English IV AP teacher, both of whom were known for their "evil eye" and no nonsense attitude, but good teaching. Finally, my 8th grade humanities teacher ended up showing on the final day. She had an awesome class that studied everything I seemed to enjoy. It was in her class I was first introduced to the goodness that is Les Miserables.

It's very interesting to see a completely different side of these former teachers, much the same as I'm sure it is for my kids to see me outside of the school building in my Saturday sweats or buying groceries (gasp!). I was able to catch up with "Mr. P" and Mrs. Johnson, and they are as friendly of teachers as ever. I told them about many of my former high school/middle school friends whom I'm still in contact with, and they were both glad to hear you are all doing well. Interestingly enough, Mr. P said he has a yearbook with pictures of us (you know who you are!) that he might bring in at the next meeting. Now that's the scariest thought yet...

School's Out for the Summer...Time for an Update

Here I am a week into my summer vacation and Jon has already said to me, "Well, it looks like you got everything you wanted to get done for the entire break accomplished in one week." Although it isn't 100% correct, Jon has pretty much hit the nail on the head. My type A personality has reared its head and I have, indeed, been very productive in my first week off with my summer to do list. Most of it would be quite boring to describe to you, but I have had an opportunity to sit down and read. I just finished The Da Vinvi Code and read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I also am planning on tackling a few more this summer that I'm pretty excited about:

1. The Divine Conspiracy-I heard about this book years ago from my old youth pastor, and I really want to check it out still.
2. Ragamuffin Gospel-I have always heard really good things about it.
3. Martha to the Max: Balanced Living for Perfectionists-I heard about this book from Amazon. I read and LOVED Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World a few months ago, and I was looking for another book like it. Amazon recommended this, so I thought I'd give it a try.
4. Love and Respect: The Love She Most Desires, the Respect He Desperately Needs- Both Jon and I have heard from countless sources what a great book on marriage this is.

Any suggestions from ya'll? Favorite genres include historical fiction with some cute romantic things thrown in! :)

One of my summer "to dos" was to get my hair cut. This doesn't seem like a momentous decision, but I am the type of person that always orders the same thing at the same restaurant every time. Read: I don't like change very much. However, I took the plunge and wanted to get my hair cut...short. I made an appointment at a salon by my house. The receptionist recommended I go with Boris. Now, this name gave me a few qualms. Boris does not sound like the name of a person who is going to be comforting in the face of a big decision. Boris sounds like name of an old, Russian gangster. I was picturing an older gentleman who talked with a heavy accent and would say, "In Soviet Russia, the hair cuts you!" as I walked in. My imagination definitely was incorrect however. Boris looked more like a Tony from New York City...and he was about my age. He ended up cutting about 2-3 inches off, but I am very happy with the change.

A few weeks ago was Ericka's wedding. She was absolutely radiant and I shed a few tears while she was reciting her vows. It all hit me that we talked entirely too much about our future weddings (at my urging, I'm sure) while we were staying up late in the dorms in college, and it was very surreal to actually see her getting married. I know she and Jimy will be immensely happy together.

A few other news worthy events before I sign off:

I am starting a second master's degree in ESL right now. I am taking 6 hours over the summer and a few during the school year. Gotta love the continuing education!

This Sunday is Jon's birthday...his first since we have been married. As usual, I am overanalyzing everything trying to make it *perfect* for him. There have definitely been a few minor "incidents" leading up to this week that I will have to share at a later time. However, it should be fun for all!

If anyone will be in town over summer, make sure you give me a call. It was wonderful getting to catch up with Syd the other day while she was here.

Have I mentioned this on my blog already? I am going to be an aunt effective October ??? Am I old enough to do that? :)

Hope everyone is doing great!