Top Ten of March

March madness = March mayhem = March mania…they have the right description for March!

1.  Portland with Polly

I spent a great rainy weekend hotel-living in Portland with my lovely roommate Polly.  I was graciously asked by Polly to attend her best childhood friend’s wedding as her guest and I accepted.  We got to go out drinking with her college friends, we got to stay downtown in a boutique hotel, the Vintage Park, we had great food, fun and drinks at the wedding, we stopped at the legendary Powell’s bookstore, and (legendary in my book) Nicolas Lebanese Restaurant.  I needed some Polly time!!

2.  Workout Regime

As I have already written before, Bryan and I have recently started a workout regime.  This entails 30 quick minutes in the morning before work, waking up a tad earlier than normal.  I’ve been doing the 30 Day Shred program but it has also gotten me more motivated to attend yoga classes and go running outside whenever the weather calls me.  It’s great to have Bryan’s motivation to be more active and I have my company’s motivation as well with their mini fitness incentive competition.  My body and mind feels better.  I definitely need the endorphins and release while I am studying.

3.  St. Patrick’s Day Party

Saturday, March 15th, marked my third party at the Lee house.  It was the first time every roommate was there though and it was an Irish blast. We had Irish music, drinks, clothing, decorations and a lot of Irish-enthused guests attending.  We had a great time and a great turnout.

4.  Dinner at Ivar’s

Ivar’s is an iconic restaurant in Seattle.  This restaurant is known for its view and its patio on Lake Union but Ivar’s has expanded into many seafood bars around town, in the airport, and at malls.  For my second time dining at the sit down Ivar’s on Lake Union Bryan and I had a fantastically inexpensive fine dining experience.  I had Pacific fresh halibut, salmon and dungeness crabcakes, a great bottle of wine and possibly the best view in the city.

5.  Vancouver with Bryan

For a weekend (actually only one night) Bryan and I hightailed it to Vancouver.  I got to spend another rainy PNW weekend in a fancy hotel (the Marriott this time) retreating to a spa, sauna, and steam room.  A good dinner, brunch, the best gelato ever, and a refreshing sunny and warm walk around Stanley Park completed the weekend.  A bittersweet weekend but a good escape from Seattle for a bit.

6.  March Madness Takes Over

I LOVE March Madness.  I love the passion of the fans, I love the competition of the brackets, and I love the excitement which seems to happen in each and every game.  It has only gotten better for me over the years.  I still get to cheer for MSU, who always gets a bid and usually a few wins in the tournament.  But now I also get to see my Michigan team make a name for themselves in what is probably my favorite sport to watch.  I really likeBelein, his style of play, and the players he has recruited over the years.  I really love getting to follow these teams over the dreary winter and I really like kicking some arse in the tournament.  I’m a goodgloater and this tournament offers that entitlement nicely.  We didn’t make it to the Final Four this year but I have a feeling we have an even better shot next year!  Stauskas = Fiance #2

7.  Michigan Defeats Texas

And furthermore on that gloating and winning bit was the instant that Michigan beat Texas this year in the tournament.  I was super nervous, not because I really thought we would lose, but because I really couldn’t have stood losing to my boyfriend’s team.  It was not going to happen.  Luckily, we came right out of the starting gate shooting the lights out and not giving Texas a chance, so my lunch at the ski resort watching the game because a very enjoyable experience for me.

8.  House of Cards

Boy do I love this show.  I’m really hooked.  I think this ranks 2nd only to Breaking Bad.  I love that it is on Netflix, I love that they release the whole season at once, I love Kevin Spacey, and I love suspense and crime.  It sure gets your heartpounding and it sure gives you a conflict of emotions.  Can’t wait for season 3.

9.  FareStart Forever

It never gets old, really.  Even nights where I am so exhausted and just want the night to speed up, sitting down to a great dinner with all of my friend’s there after knowing that you have done a good deed in helping a charitable organization is addicting.  And to top it off this month we had some really great restaurants to cook for us:  Tilikum Place Cafe, Millers Guild, Tulalip Casino, Urbane, and Teatro Zinzanni, all knocked them out of the park.

10.  Dinner Dates

For awhile we were in dire need of more couple friends and for awhile we hadn’t seen any of our friends for quite some time.  We fixed both of that this month.  In just the past week we had Billy and Valerie over for dinner to grill and Sara, Philipp’s girlfriend, had us over to her house in North Green Lake with her and Philipp.  Both couples were great company and a lot of fun to share a good meal and bottle of wine with.

Madness!!!!

Chelsea