Things I Love / People I Admire

The Naperville Moms Network (NapervilleMomsNetwork.com / @NapervilleMoms) - What a great bunch of women!  I stumbled on to this group from a Twitter article covering the launch of Oprah's LifeClass series and how two of the women went to a live broadcast. I checked it out on the web and discovered a group of warm, gifted, dedicated, amazing women with huge hearts.  They have embraced me as a friend, and I have been forever changed by it.  Bunco anyone??

Jamie Oliver and the Food Revolution (@JamieOliver, @FoodRevTeam).  Healthy food in all schools is there mission.  How can you argue with that?  Hop on to Twitter almost every Tuesday night at 9pm Central, use the hashtag #foodrevparty, and jump in to a conversation with people who are trying to cook, shop, eat, and BE healthy for themselves and their families.

Kathy Freston (@KathyFreston) - her book "Quantum Wellness" is a life changer

Bethenny Frankel (@Bethenny) - her common sense approach to life, motherhood, food, dieting and relationships resonates with me

Kris Carr (@Kris_Carr) - check out CrazySexyLife.com and the documentary Crazy Sexy Cancer.  I wish I was as dedicated to my wellness as she is to hers.  She is an inspiration.

Diane Sawyer & Meredith Vieira (@DianeSawyer, @meredithvieira) - Are there two more classier ladies that can make fun of themselves one minute and then have a serious conversation about world topics the next?  Brilliant!

Aaron Sorkin -  There is a cadence to the way he writes that almost makes his words sound like song lyrics.  Sports Night and Studio 60 were gone before their time (you can find the box sets on Amazon and I highly recommend them).  The West Wing was always better when he wrote it.  The American President, A Few Good Men, and the Social Network are all amazing films.  Can't wait for his new HBO show "The Newsroom" to start!  (Follow @Sorkinese on Twitter for hilarious quotes from all things Aaron)

NFL Football - grew up watching it with my Dad.  My 18th birthday was a Monday Night Football Party.  he came home one day and started rearranging the living room furniture because he bought a new big screen TV (this was when they were brand new).  When I asked why, he replied "it's opening day!".

Chicago Bulls (ChicagoBulls.com / @ChicagoBulls) - After running away from all things sports related for personal reasons, last season I rediscovered by love of the NBA and our Bulls.  What an awesome team!  I went to two games last year and I am HOOKED!  I am teaching my daughters all about the game and they are loving sitting on the couch with us, cheering the Bulls on.  I can't wait to take them to a game this year (well, not the 3 year old yet), and hopefully they will have the same memories about basketball that I have with my Dad about football.

NCAA Basketball - Is it time for March Madness yet???  I have a record to uphold in an 8 year contest between my now ex and I.  I'm winning 5-3.  Can you say mad bracket skills??

Photography - I love pictures.  I take thousands every time I go somewhere.  I am actually trying to stop taking pictures so much and enjoy life's experiences as they happen, not through the lens.  Here's one of my favorites from my personal collection.

Photo Credit:  Just Jen.  May not be copied or reproduced without permission.

Travel - I went back to school at the age of *cough-cough* to study travel and I couldn't be happier with my decision.  In a former life, I had many opportunities to see different parts of the world, and it just made me hungry for more.  Some of my favorite international destinations are Florence, Paris, London, Greece and Dubai.

Art - I love classic impressionists (Seurat, Monet, Turner) and contemporary artists.  Keith Haring is my favorite overall - his work was so original and before his time.  There is nothing like being in a club in an old warehouse in NYC, heading downstairs to a different part, and standing in a stair well full of his graffiti work!  I also really like Peter Max - his work is very bright and graphic.  If you are a contemporary art lover and are in London, I highly recommend the Tate Modern Museum.  It's collections are always interesting and thought provoking.

All things Bravo & Andy Cohen (@BravoTV, @BravoAndy) - It's true.  I'm a little Real Housewives of everywhere obsessed.  Also Top Chef (Masters, All Stars and Just Desserts too), Work Of Art, Tabatha, Bethenny, Millionaire Matchmaker, Watch What Happens Live.  You name it and my DVR is set already.  Super excited to see Andy Cohen on 5 nights a week starting next week!

The Oprah Winfrey Network (@OWN) - Between Oprah (@Oprah), Rosie (@Rosie, @TheRosieShow), Our America with Lisa Ling (@LisaLing), LifeClass, Next Chapter, Super Soul Sundays, The Documentary Club, Master Class, and everything else that they air, how can you go wrong!  My DVR is on overload!

Most competition based reality shows - Amazing Race, Survivor, Hells Kitchen, Project Runway, America's Next Top Model.  If they can vote your butt off and send you home, odds are I'm watching it.

Music - I have a wide variety of musical tastes.  From Christian rock through 80s hair bands to top 40 of today, I can listen to almost anything.  If I was stranded on a desert island and could only bring 5:  Live: "The Distance to Here", Amy Grant: "Lead Me On",    London Cast Recording of "We Will Rock You", Motley Crue: "Theater of Pain", and anything by Usher so I can DANCE!

Patricia Cornwell (@1pcornwell) and Sue Grafton are my favorite authors.  Patricia made CSIs cool before they had 3 TV shows and everyone knew that crazy glue fumes in a fish bowl will show you fingerprints one something.

What are YOUR things that you love?  People that you admire??