Espresso Yourself

I want to start this post with the following statement: I love my job. Please remember this as you read through this post.

I love my job. That being said, working in a coffee shop has really made me miss one thing that I used to love: going to coffee with friends. I remember calling up a friend, suggesting a time and a place (usually a Starbucks) and then meeting said friend. And connecting. Catching up. Encouraging one another. Laughing. I can remember so many conversations I had over a cup of coffee that have enriched, encouraged and solidified so many of my friendships.

And now I work in a coffee shop, and as a result, I don't get together with my friends over coffee anymore. Or if I do, my stupid "coffee shop" manager goggles are on and I notice stupid things. Especially at other Starbucks. My thoughts are constantly "they need to do a lobby" or "eek, that RTD/E case needs some love" or "wow, someone needs to check in with that pastry case". I am a standards junkie, as well as a slave to Starbucks so it actually physically hurts my heart to go into random Starbucks and see them not doing things to standard.

And so I try to avoid going to coffee with friends at Starbucks because I am distracted like no other and that's just plain rude.

Today I went to the 'non-Starbucks Starbucks' here in Seattle. 15th Avenue Coffee and Tea. Not only did I have the best vanilla latte this girl has every had, but I was able to chat with my friends about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It felt really nice, a throwback to the days of trips to The Service Station or Rockwood Bakery in Spokane.

I really miss that natural connection friends have over coffee. I have a lot going floating around in my head these days and sometimes I think what I need is a friend, a tall vanilla extra foamy latte and the rest will take care of itself.

Little Drop of Thoughtfulness

Head on over to Seven Dames A Week to read my post entitled "A Little Drop of Thoughtfulness"

Over the Top Award

Melissa is the best blogger ever. She did this on her blog and was nice enough to include me in the 'award', so here are my answers. I won't be nominating anyone on the grounds that I don't anyone that blogs.


Where is your cell phone: Sitting right next to me. I'm addicted to my Blackberry. It actually did my laundry last night.
Your hair: Still stuck to my forehead from my basketball game earlier
Your mother: is the most amazing woman
Your father: is a gem of a man
Your favorite food: sushi. love it. crave it. need it.
Your dream from last night: I don't really dream that often. Last night was a dreamless night
Your favorite drink: beer and coffee. or the best of both worlds: coffee flavored beer.
Your dream/goal: to reach a point of self satisfying success at some point in my life.
What room are you in: my roommate's room. She is being nice enough to let me use her computer since mine decided to crash last week.
What is your hobby: anything outside. Or reading. I do love to read.
What is your fear: tornadoes. Even a slight breeze makes me uneasy.
Where do you want to be in 6 years: In Seattle, in my own house with a little bulldog running around in the background.
Where were you last night: went for a run late and crashed on the couch for One Tree Hill
Something you are not: a shopper. hate it.
Muffins: remind me of the Setons. I spent alot of $1 on those Costco goods.
Wish list items: my very own place. i've been watching WAY too much HGTV.
Where did you grow up: Montana
Last thing you did: play basketball
What are you wearing: sweats
Your TV: is on way too much
Your pets: are not mine. I have 3 vicarious bulldogs who I walk 2x a week.
Your friends: are more than I deserve
Your life: an over-caffeinated, sleep deprived mess. And I love it.
Your mood: generally pretty agreeable.
Missing someone: always
Vehicle: as of Sunday, 2010 Ford Escape. Love comes quickly.
Something you're not wearing: my heart on my sleeve. At least I'm trying not to anymore.
Your favorite store: REI or Whole Foods. Again, not a shopper.
Your favorite color: purple or green. it's complicated.
When's the last time you laughed: tonight with Averi and Lisa. As per usual.
When's the last time you cried: Monday when I dropped my parents at the airport. Yep, 26 years old and still cry when I leave them.
Your best friend: is one amazing, gracious, intelligent, patient woman.
One place you go over and over: Green Lake.
One person who emails me regularly: Gina G. My little Spanish Curly Haired Nugget.
Favorite place to eat: Sam's Sushi here in Ballard rocks my face off every time I go there. And Ultimate Bagel. Duh.

So there you have it, completely pointless information about the ins and outs of my life. Yes, it's true: I really AM that boring.

and people wonder why I am attracted to red heads:

Hello. I'd like you to meet Sheryl Swoopes. A little background on Miss Swoopes:

Swoopes won a NCAA Women's Basketball Championship with the Red Raiders of Texas Tech. She was also honored as the Naismith College Player of the Year. To this day, Swoopes is considered "one of the best collegiate players of all time". Swoopes was the first player to be signed in the WNBA. Swoopes is a 4-time WNBA champion with the Houston Comets.She is a three-time WNBA MVP and a 3 time Defensive Player of the Year. She is also the proud owner of 3 Oympic Gold Medals.

A pretty impressive resume for any athlete. Sheryl Swoopes has long been on my favorite basketball players. The very first number I ever picked for basketball was 21, because she was 22. I couldn't pick 22 because I would never be able to live up to the real 22, so one less was what I picked. And she was the first women's basketball player to have a Nike shoe named after her: the "Air Swoopes". Those where the shoes I wore in high school.

Last Thursday, I had the honor of playing basketball with Sheryl Swoopes. She is living in Seattle and she started a 4 on 4 basketball league. A friend of mine asked me to play and I jumped at the chance to play basketball one more time during the week and obviously meet Sheryl Swoopes.

I walk into the gym and go over to her and say "Hi I'm Jen." She extends her hand and says "Hi, I'm Sheryl". She hands me a jersey and tells me that I'm going to play on her team tonight. By now, my heart is beating out of my chest and my hands are shaking I can barely lace up my basketball shoes.

So we play. And I'm focusing on my defense pretty good and Sheryl keeps telling me 'Great D, Jen!', and "Nice hands!" and a "great stop!". The 3 time Defensive Player of the Year is telling ME that I'm playing great defense? Wow. It's a tight game, way above any level of basketball I've ever played, but I'm trying to keep up. I hit the 3 pointer that gave us the go ahead lead with 1:07 left and then Miss Amazing does the rest. We end up winning by 6 points. After the game, I ask her where she wanted me to put the jersey. Her response? "Oh, I'm keeping you on my team. You'll need it next week. We play at 7."

Are you kidding me? She just told me that I, Jen Neill, am on her 4 on 4 team. I pick my jaw off the floor and say 'Oh okay. I'll see you next week then! Good game!'

So, if you call me on Thursday nights, I won't be able to answer because I'm playing basketball with my teammate, Sheryl Swoopes.

"When we long for a life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure".
-Peter Marshall, in prayer

Zag 4 Life

As I check out the status updates on my Facebook page, I've grown nostalgic from all the updates that have to do with the Zags and the WCC tournament going on in Vegas this weekend. One of my best college memories is from sophomore year when me and my 4 closest friends packed up the Impala and drove down to San Franciso to catch the WCC tournament at Santa Clara.

I can't believe it's been nearly 5 years since we rushed the court after the exciting win against Santa Clara--seems like just yesterday we were sportin' Kennel Club shirts and chanting Go Gonzaga G-O-N-Z-A-G-A at the tops of our lungs.