Headed to Houston (In Spirit)

Our Dawgs are heading to Houston for the Final Four!! David and I watched Butler overtake Florida on Saturday with a big group of our college friends (about 25 of us). We went to BW3's downtown, where they had the game on every single TV! It was so awesome, and SOOOO much fun to cheer on the Dawgs with so many of our friends. Looking forward to doing it again this weekend! :)

Bulldogs for Life

The moment I stepped on Butler's campus in the fall of 1999, I knew it was where I belonged. There's a special feeling you get on Butler's campus. A feeling of community, friendship, tradition. A feeling of family.

I've always been so proud to be a Butler Bulldog for so many reasons. In addition to the outstanding education and amazing teachers that made my academic experience so fulfilling, Butler offers a little extra something that keeps us alumni coming back for more -- a place to call home.

Butler was my real home for four years. It's where I grew up, essentially, into the woman I am. It's where I made the most amazing, life-long friends. It's where I fell in love. It's where I learned some early life lessons. It's where my life changed forever. Butler was more than where I went to college. It was, and is, a lifestyle. One of character, integrity, intellect, class, and tradition.

As the Bulldogs progress to the Elite Eight in this year's NCAA tournament, I've never been more proud to be a Butler alumna. And it's not because our boys are playing so well on the court. It's because they are exemplifying to the nation what Butler's all about.

No doubt you've heard the term "the Butler Way" after last year's run to the championship game. It sounds like a marketing ploy, but I assure you it's real. The Butler Way is bigger than our basketball team and has been around longer than Matt Howard's stretched out socks. The Butler Way is about the team, about supporting each other, about working together. It's also about character, integrity, and class.

Did you know Butler's team has the best academics in the whole tournament? Check out Inside Higher Ed's take on what the NCAA tournament would look like if teams advanced based on their outcomes in the classroom.

Did you know Butler's star senior Matt Howard is frugal, shy, and has an odd sense of humor? Check out the Washington Post's post-ODU interview.

It's these kinds of stories that make me so proud. Our boys may not win another game in the tournament. They may not even make it to the tournament in the next 10 years. But it doesn't matter to us, and it certainly doesn't make us any less proud. It's not about winning, it's about playing the game. And at Butler, we're all about playing every game, on the court and in life, with dignity and class.

Am I Bulldog? Hell yeah.

Let the Games Begin

This is how we roll in the Stelsel household come March Madness. Must make sure I don't get too excited and break something and/or tinkle on the couch! Those Butler Bulldogs sure do get me hyped up!!

Reflections by Dana

The other day I was looking over our contract for our gym membership because I remembered it was set to expire soon. Sure enough, it was a good thing I did. Our contract states that memberships will automatically renew on a monthly basis unless you send written notice to Unknown Financial Firm in Random Location, USA. Oh, and did I mention that it is the member’s responsibility to follow up with said Unknown Financial Firm to make sure my contract is cancelled as stated in my written notice?


What?!

Now how does that make any sense? Why doesn’t my membership end at the end of the contract? That would make the most logical sense AND it would save everyone a lot of time. I’m not (typically) one to complain, but this really bugs me. Not only is it a total rip off, it means extra hassle on my part. And it makes me really annoyed at my gym, which until now I had an okay opinion of.

This got me thinking. If the gym can do it, why can’t I?

So from now on, I’m invoking new contractual life obligations. Ahem.

1. My salary shall automatically renew every year with a minimum 8% increase.
2. If I’m having a bad day, I have the right to stop what I’m doing, go home, and snuggle with my dog and watch movies until I feel better.
3. The clothes in my closet shall automatically update to the latest trends and fashions each season at no cost to me.
4. My hair will do what I tell it to at all times.
5. Someone will clean my house every week, preferably using magic so it gets done instantly and without disturbance to my plans for the day.
6. I get to purchase gas at a fixed low price.
7. All my wishes will come true within six months of first proclaiming said wish.
8. Any person or persons who has a problem with the contractual obligations written here may voice their concerns by sending a written notice to I Could Care Less Financial Firm in Deal With It, USA.

I’m inciting change here, people, that’s going to change the world! Who’s with me? Raise your hand and sign on the dotted line!

On second thought, maybe read the terms of agreement first. :)

Cabin Fever

I suppose it's been a quiet few weeks around the Stelsel household. When David doesn't have his head in the books, we spend our hours together in leisure mode (i.e., reading, watching movies, walking Chase). Unfortunately, it's that time of year when his study hours far exceed our hours together as a couple. But by now, as you can imagine, we're used to it. We will BOTH be thrilled when he passes his last CFA test in June!

So while David studies, I stay busy with book club, hanging out with friends, and relaxing to no end. You might find me visiting with Lindsay and baby Corwin for several hours. Or doing a Zumba workout DVD with Lindsay (which is quite a hilarious sight to behold). Or at the library checking out new books for book club. Or snuggling with Chase as we watch bad movies. :)

Random note: Last weekend I attended my first Thirty-One Gifts party (think, the Avon of purses and bags). I hadn't heard of Thirty-One before, but they have some really cute stuff. I bought a new tote bag to use as a carry-on bag when I travel, a new lunch bag, and a gift for a friend. If you ever have the opportunity to attend one of these parties, do it! The hard part was deciding what to buy because I wanted so many things!