Otokosho

Mirrors

2011-01-02T11:03:00.007-05:00

It occurs to me that 2010 was a big year and I haven't done much reflection on it. Not that all people reflect but somehow I have the idea in my head that reflection is cathartic, and like many things, it takes a little consideration on the past to move forward.

In terms of travel, my year went like this:
January: New York/Connecticut (work);
February: California (work);
March: New York City (fun), Florida (work);
May: New York City (fun), North Carolina (work);
June: New York City (work), Hawaii (fun);
July: New York City (work);
August: New York City (fun), Missouri/Illinois/Kentucky/St. Louis (work + fun);
September: Florida (work);
October: Cape Cod (fun);
November: New York City (work), Connecticut/Massachusetts (fun);
December: Hawaii, Philippines (work).
What did I do in the month of April one may ask? Saw the cherry blossoms at their peak, saw the Shakespeare Company's Richard II, did a March of Dimes Walk for Babies, and went to Opening Day at Nationals Park (with President Obama's first pitch). It was also a banner year for attending professional sports - 2 Nationals Games, 2 Yankees Games, 2 Capitals Games.

I think based on the above, I could say that my general productivity levels have greatly increased. Some of those travels have been described in previous posts here, some haven't. Some were not all that pleasant in intention and experience- my recent trip to Hawaii was to honor my Great Aunt Harue who passed away in her 90s. The trip to the Philippines was a great experience, resume-builder etc but was quickly organized and ended up costing more money than intended. Work in general lost a lot of its varnish in 2010 with the departure of my boss and our most greatly revered and controversial colleague.

2010 also began with the great Snowmageddon that now all DCers compare all winter weather against. It will be something remembered for years to come and will always be a fond memory of living in DC.

2010 also brought Matt and Jen to the point of co-habitation in the summertime and the revelation that Woodley Park is a lovely area of DC to live in. Co-habitation also meant that Jenny basically has a self-appointed resident chef that has not incurred any complaints from me except that my cooking pales in comparison.

Every year here has been a wave (a tsunami perhaps) of experience and surprises. I can't tell you what 2011 holds. Uncertainty never seems to pull away from hovering overhead but I think thats because none of us are fortunetellers. We can do our best to live the lives we want, strive to improve on ourselves (if we're so driven), and pursue our own exuberant and individual forms of happiness. I don't think we can't ask for more than that.

Impressed and Amazed

2010-10-28T11:32:00.004-04:00

So last week the year of Shakespeare continued with Henry VIII at the Folger Theatre associated with the Folger Shakespeare Library on Capitol Hill. Where to begin on how awestruck I was by the venue and the play itself. I think one aspect of exploring and enjoying a city is being open to saying Yes to things. Sometimes they could be for events that fall flat, may not have been as interesting as they sound, etc. But more often than not, I find myself pleasantly surprised - actually more than surprised, impressed and amazed by what Washington D.C. has to offer when it comes to arts and culture.

I had been wanting to visit the Shakespeare Library mainly because I've never been to a library specifically devoted to one author, let alone The Bard himself. I had no idea what it looked like or what to expect. I found discounted tickets through this online ticket promotion email I receive weekly and I'm fairly interested in the Tudors so I thought why not. The library building is marble and block-length art deco in sight of the Capitol Dome. The exterior of the building is lined with Shakespeare bas-reliefs, and once you pass through thick wooden doors its like entering a time warp to Elizabethan times. The Great Hall boasts dark wooden trims with priceless works on display. Since the play revolved around the rule of Henry VIII, the works on display and on loan were significant to his specific rule. During intermission I enjoyed some complimentary coffee and happened to peruse the first bible ever published in English just subtly on display (!). The theatre itself is built to be a functioning English Theatre from the late 1500s. The acting and the costumes were both exquisite. The staging, the lighting, the music all were beyond expectation. Sadly they only produce three plays per year but you can believe we'll be there.

WIIFM

2010-10-21T13:16:00.003-04:00

I recently took a webinar about approaches to learning and they talked a bit about "WIIFM" - Whats In It For Me. Making sure that any training includes an understanding of why the audience should value the lesson and how it applies to them. I have been trying to keep this in mind when creating new trainings but its a fine line between getting preachy and thereby losing your audience, and still trying to have them learn something with which they can then apply to their business. In passing by this blog, I asked the same question of readers. What is in it for anyone reading this blog? Another form of distraction and time suckage? Indeed. Perhaps a forum only for me to put some thoughts out there to the world? For sure. Because I'm too lazy to handwrite something? Yeah.

But am I really doing anyone any favors by barely updating this thing? No, clearly not. There's more than an abundance of things to write about, so what's my problem? Maybe by the time I think to write about them, the excitement has worn off. Maybe recently I've realized there are people I can lament to instead of writing it down. And maybe recently I've been reading a beautiful novel that is all about melancholy, lament and the human condition and I've therefore become a receiver instead of a projector. This is probably all true. No matter. I do still intend on maintaining a blog - because there is excitement that needs to be shared once in a while!

For instance, the debut of my first ever attempt at rum cake! Let the excitement begin!

Seasons of Rent

2010-10-02T17:54:00.003-04:00

Autumn is definitely upon us and I love it. First, a salute to Summer.

Summer, thank you for another great season of sunshine, storms and ripe produce at the farmers' market. Now that I have my own place to enjoy the outdoors, I've been able to take time to appreciate the outdoor air, the birds chirping and the occasional distant hawk call. For the first time, I've noticed the grand abundance of butterflies that flit throughout the neighborhood and the greater part of North America. A butterfly bush guards the back gate to my alley and from my comfy perch on the fire escape, I can watch the multi-colored mariposas rest on a violet flower or float on a breeze and up to greet me. Butterflies have carried a special place in my heart as well as my family's because they revive the memory of my uncle who passed away in 2001. I like to think that my summer has been filled with warm memories of those around me as well as those that I miss. That my new building is guarded by loving memories has reinforced the joy I feel by walking down my street, sipping morning coffee on the escape or capturing a glint of tangerine light of a sunset reflecting on a neighboring building. So for all of these things, thank you, Summer.

Autumn, I can't wait to wear my jackets and scarves for you and fill my camera with scores of photographs attempting to capture your colors. Also your NBC Fall line-up on Thursdays isn't so bad.

Sense and Midwestern Sensibility

2010-09-04T08:40:00.005-04:00

August has been rife with activity and little rest. Our third trip to New York had me cheering on the Mariners, viewing priceless art, relishing fine Korean barbecue and getting drenched in an enormous summer downpour. All of course, attempted to be captured by camera. Among these highlights included seeing $10 improv comedy at the Upright Citizens' Brigade (founded by familiar SNL cast members), exploring the Guggenheim and Whitney museums, and discovering Dorsey's Irish Pub. Another fantastic adventure.

Upon returning home the very next day I started my midwestern work trip to Missouri and the neighboring states. Just me and my rental car, I ventured to Washington, Missouri, Litchfield, Illinois, Mt. Vernon, Illinois, Louisville, Kentucky, Bowling Green, Kentucky and then back to St. Louis, Missouri a total of over 300 miles. Fields of corn and what was possibly soy, beautiful sunrises and sunsets and down to earth people (not at all backward like the stereotype suggests). Someone mentioned to me- if I want to listen to NPR, its at the left end of the dial, the further right you go on the dial, the further right you go. That made a ton of sense to me.

I ended the trip with a weekend vacation with Matt in St. Louis. Staying in the Central West End, I saw the very best parts of St. Louis, old Victorian homes (we stayed in one!); fun bars and restaurants, and one of the best city museums - the St. Louis Art Museum (SLAM). We met up with Matt's good friend Erin to hang out in the eclectic Delmar Loop neighborhood, eat as the locals eat at Hodak's for fried chicken, and hung out at a vodka bar boasting 100+ vodkas and a bar made of ice. Needless to say, I had a great time but was ready to head home. Flight delays and rerouting later, I made it back to capitol city and a week-long offsite training for work.

It was only on Friday that I was back at the office and settling back in. And like good DC residents that we are, we entered the lottery to win free tickets to the Shakespeare Theater Company's fantastic production of Twelfth Night. Fell right back in love with DC when we won tickets and realized just what a gift it was to the city to have a high level production completely FREE for everyone, all one need do is enter the lottery. The production itself was topnotch: hilarious, well-staged, well-acted and beautiful- all with the intention of exposing more audiences to the fun and genius of Shakespeare and theater in general. Despite all the travels, DC is sometimes just the place I want to be.

Relief

2010-07-30T12:48:00.003-04:00

July has been an unbearably hot and humid month in DC. Freak thunderstorms have knocked down trees therefore wires and people have been without power for days. And 90-100 degree weather has been a daily un-pleasantry. Being outside has been a persistent deathtrap.

Until today. Today! Today is bright and sunny and incredibly pleasant. Mid 70s perhaps outside at lunch today. I bought a sandwich and sat in Farragut Park just watching the world go by. People taking pictures of blooming flowers. Office workers lined up at the now-trendy lunch mobiles. A gentle breeze even made a brief appearance. Makes it hard to return to the office, particularly since its Friday. DC has installed free wifi in this part of town and I'm tempted to undock the laptop and head back. What sweet relief... even if August is still to come with its own weather theatrics I'll take whatever Mama Nature cares to give us.

Summer

2010-07-14T12:52:00.004-04:00

As summers tend to go in DC, things have been happening fast.

In June I spent a week with family in Hawaii to celebrate my Grandma's 90th (!!) birthday with her. Grandma is looking great and she continues to inspire.

July as usual is exceedingly hot and moving in to that humidity that somehow reduces everyone to simple perspiring mammals. The 4th was great- we decided to commit to have the National Mall 4th of July experience (simply to have done it and never live with the regret) and it was well worth it. Thousands of people picnicking, waving flags, etc. and beautiful views of the National Monument, Lincoln Memorial and the reflecting pool. No sunburn so I'm feeling like a winner!

July also marks the end-of-lease season for Jen and once again, I'm moving neighborhoods. Dupont has been great and it was lovely to have the DC Dupont life but I'm looking forward to living in a bigger more peaceful space (though still on the Red Line!)

Its also coming up on a year since I started hanging out with the Italian Yankee and we're celebrating by taking an apropos trip to NYC to see the Yankees play the Mariners. I'm sure people could guess which team I'll be rooting for! Ganbate Ichiro!

Shakespeare and Fireflies

2010-06-12T09:56:00.003-04:00

Its that magical month again when dusk takes on that most peaceful and ethereal time of the evening when fireflies swirl among us, singeing the air and illuminating the dark. Last night was another perfect example of why living here can be such a pleasure. I had the great opportunity to hear Sir Derek Jacobi and others perform a reading of Shakespeare's Tempest complete with musical consort, baritone and incredible countertenor. The Strathmore Music Center is a gem on its own, beautifully designed with birch wood paneling, curvaceous lines and maple wood floors, it may be the most beautiful modern concert hall I've ever seen. Scientifically designed for acoustic superiority- like being in a musical instrument. The grounds surrounding this gem include rolling hills, trees and manicured fields that can be viewed from the Strathmore's expansive outdoor lookout. Its from this vantage point that I confirmed one of the most transcendent elements of living in this area. Lightening bugs, as if performing their own silent concert of light, flickering throughout the Strathmore landscape- in trees, in meadow, in bushes- left, right and center. This coupled with seeing one of the most preeminent living Shakespearean actors perform Shakespeare made for another once-in-a-lifetime evening.

Celebrity Sighting

2010-05-25T12:11:00.003-04:00

So yesterday morning I had my first non-political celebrity sighting. The comedian John Pinette! I know that perhaps many people have not heard of him... its too bad, he's great. Back from the days when I watched Comedy Central and Who's Line is it Anyway.

America's Hometown

2010-05-22T17:43:00.005-04:00

Driving down I-95 for five hours allows one to reflect and reminisce about many paths in life. Driving and staying along 95 means crossing paths with those Eastern snowbirds on their way back home from Florida for the summer. Makes me think of my grandparents and how elderly travelers still seem so young to me. I'm at the end of my three day jaunt to Fayetteville North Carolina and all those elements of work-travel that are quickly forgotten swiftly come back. Chain restaurants with large menus but little choice. Large truck SUVs. Debating on a drink to celebrate the end of a busy day away from home. Regional accents, Southern hospitality and the realities of a national economic downturn. A keen ear and quiet observation reveal populations of Americans looking for work. Friends of the hotel employees borrowing the business center computer to apply for jobs. The front desk fielding phone calls inquiring about openings. Fayetteville deemed "America's Hometown" is clearly seen better years. Here now in Richmond, VA, someone is conducting a job interview at one of the tables at Starbucks. I'd like to take this as a sign that things are looking up.

Empire State of Mind

2010-05-22T17:02:00.004-04:00

Last weekend was another fantabulous jaunt to the Big Apple. Its almost as if we need to top ourselves every time since the previous visit was so fun-filled. How to recap all the details and every experience, I'm finding that a real challenge. Photos seem to do a good job but can't illustrate the taste of the ramen broth or the bustle of the subway system or the frustrated inability to hail a cab in Brooklyn.

Friday
Checked in to Hotel Roger Williams
Searched for ramen
Menkui Tei- gyoza, tan tan ramen (ground pork)
St Patricks Cathedral
Baskins ice cream
Nap at hotel
Complimentary hotel prosecco
Subway to Yankee stadium
Old Yankee stadium demolished
Monument park
Stadium Terrace
Game
Empire state of mind (Jay-Z song now anthem for all things New York, including the Yankees)
Derek Jeter #2
Rain
More Stadium Terrace
Hebrew National Hot dogs
Early exit to beat the subway rush
Missed an Arod grandslam
Watched rest of game at Rattle and Hum Irish pub
Ballyshannon / Donegal signs and decor

Saturday
Hotel coffee in lounge - retro cereal mugs and a warm older Brazilian man as host
Subway to NY courthouse
Chinese kids playing basketball
Chinatown
Golden Unicorn dim sum
Shrimp, taro, lookfun
Corner Market
Security guard relayed directions to
Brooklyn Bridge
wooden planks above cars; tourists galore
new construction in financial district
no towers
Sunny minimal wind across bridge
Statue of Liberty
Skyline
Brooklyn
No taxis
Junior's cheesecake looks good
More basketball
Subway to Brooklyn Art Museum
American art, period rooms, contextual music,
Jewelry, European art, fashion, Asian art
Visted with Josina and her family (Old McGill friend!)
Prospect Farmers market
Prospect Park
Nelson & Scott (Jo's family)
Hilarious Dudes on metro
Pizza
Planetarium- Sonic Vision visual/musical experience
Moby Coldplay Radiohead Goldfrapp Prodigy Stereolab
Back to Rattle and Hum
Watching SNL season finale knowing it was live up the street (Alec Baldwin hosted)

Sunday
Coffee again in the hotel lounge
Subway to upper East Side
Walk to Central Park & reservoir
Cafe D'Alsace for brunch
with Hanna (another McGill friend) and husband
Subway back to Midtown, gathered things and bussed home.

Slideshow!

Nation Hopping

2010-05-02T09:41:00.008-04:00

This weekend kicks off the Around the World Embassy tour in DC. This is the first time I've done it and it won't be the last. Saturday was sunny (hot!) and a perfect day to cruise Embassy Row (the stretch of Massachusetts Ave from Dupont up to the National Cathedral) and visit Embassies that are participating. This weekend, foreign embassies opened their doors to the public, welcoming residents and tourists to visit their buildings and learn more about the country. In about 2 hours, Matt and I traveled to Colombia,

Haiti,

Croatia

and Zambia

We saw some beautifully elaborate old mansions-turned-Ambassador's residence and learned a little about each country. Hundreds of people lined the sidewalks, walking, waiting in line but the atmosphere was jovial and spring flowers (roses, peonies, tulips galore)

made the walk all that more whimsical. Next weekend the EU embassies are opening... and we're already planning our route!

Lunch Find

2010-04-20T21:08:00.005-04:00

Today I was particularly delighted to take advantage of a little known find in DC: The National Geographic Society cafeteria. Its pretty much like any other cafeteria- salad bar, soups, grill to order capabilities and specials. But the prices are extremely decent! The food is fresh and its a lovely walk through the NGS courtyard to get there. Its only open to employees and "special guests" which also means subscribers. With my trusty membership card I received with my first edition of National Geographic, I receive access to the cheapest place in Dupont for a decent lunch. Today I had a 12oz cup of hearty chili, a piece of artisan bread and a hummus & pita cup (for later) all for $3.38! Unheard of in the District. Also tickled to have strolled past the Vice President's motorcade when I passed the Mayflower Hotel. Just another day in DC for the geek in me.

One Week

2010-04-11T21:33:00.007-04:00

Another whirlwind week in DC...

Monday- Opening Day at the National's Ball Park! Had decent seats and a good view of the field and Obama's first pitch.

The week at work consisted of webinars and early mornings in the office. Wednesday was a great mid-week treat going to see the second half of the Shakespeare Theater's "Leadership Repertory" - a production of Richard II. Having never read or seen the play before, I don't feel equipped to be a critic but it was an impressive performance considering that the same cast has also been portraying characters in Henry V (the other half of the Repertory) on days when they're not doing Richard II. Two types of leaders- weak, overprivileged and insecure Richard and honorable, masculine and rugged Henry. The theater itself is a treat and I hope to be back there as much as possible.

The week of work was all worth it when it came to the weekend. Friday a few of us headed to a "Hapi" hour at the Textile Museum where a showcase of Japanese-designed fashions (mainly Issey Miyake pieces) were about to wrap up. The selling point- a lovely courtyard with a band, drinks and sushi. The downside- despite the blue sky, the temperature was in the 50's and guests huddled around space heaters in the lovely garden. The memorable moment- being serenaded into the event with terrible karaoke blaring from the Embassy of Myanmar next door. Here we were, in the loveliest part of Dupont Circle, with stately mansions, cherry blossoms and colonial columns, hearing nothing but off-tune singing in a foreign language. Was this part of the kitsch of the Japanese-pop Hapi Hour of the Textile Museum? No, despite the tents and events taking place in the Museum Courtyard, in the neighboring yard, a Burmese family with a karaoke machine set up in the yard, took turns singing what must have been the hits of Myanmar... most of the songs were reminiscent of Bette Midler's 'From a Distance.'

Saturday was a treat, taking the day to drive to Manassas, Virginia to the famous Civil War battlefield. Another beautiful day, slightly warmer this time. We started at the visitor's center and toured the nearby Henry House- complete with civil-war-costumed docents. We walked on to the next hill, Matthew's Hill and then walked through the woods (a mile or two at least) til we made it to Bull Run, a lovely river adorned with fields and forests of bluebells. All in all, we estimated walking approximately 5 miles around the loop, at one point unsure of which trail to take, the first time I've seen the National Park maps be insufficient. Our instincts worked in our favor and we were always on the correct path to our destination. View our adventure here.

We finished the night with a few friends over for dinner, I made my classic spaghetti sauce and played Wii 'Just Dance'. A full day to be sure.

My Sunday has been mainly a day of rest: sunshine, a movie, leftovers, a nap, a stroll, yummy tart yogurt from Mr. Yogato (with fruity pebbles for toppings!) and another Sunday dinner a la Matt. Heading into another week of DC life.

Sakura 2010

2010-04-04T08:15:00.007-04:00

Springtime is here which means Benadryl Benadryl Benadryl. Its difficult to fight that which you know is seasonal... just got to get through it, bear the itchy watery eyes, the sneezing. But Spring also means cherry blossoms blooming at the Tidal Basin! I did it last year with Erin and again this year with Erin and with Matt. This time we did not just stroll... we strolled/walked/trekked the entire Tidal Basin two weekends in a row. My Wii Fit confirms the shedding of a few Wii- years and pounds, and really what better way to do it than surrounded by natural beauty that makes me whisper excitedly under my breath, "We live here!" It is also the one time of year where I wish I remembered all the words to "Sakura" that I learned as a small child growing up in a Japanese American household... "Sakura... sakura..." thats all I remember darn it. What I find inspiring is the number of people who find the DC cherry blossoms such an attraction. Next to monuments that are a constant attraction, yes, but here we are, throngs, hundreds of people, walking this walk just to be among full pink and white blossoms. Somehow that must translate for the average tourist as something worth seeing, worth appreciating. For me, I have never seen anything like it anywhere else. The petals falling like snow and I'm suddenly in the middle of a Chinese wuxia film like House of Flying Daggers or pretty much anything with Zhang Ziyi in it.

Last Saturday started with a picnic at the annual Kite Festival on the National Mall. I brought my kite, only to see that it was aerodynamically flawed. I made spam musubi and Erin brought cupcakes and we picniced near the National Monument and took in a sunny day in DC. After the kites we met up with Matt's friend Emily and we explored the blossoms that were not quite peak. Despite this, as usual, they were magnificent.

Friday after work was excursion to the blossoms Part 2. We took the metro to Smithsonian and arrived on a beautiful late afternoon National Mall and realized what we were getting into... the Smithsonian metro stop is one of the closest Metro stops to all things tourist Washington- the Tidal Basin, museums, and its on the National Mall. When we emerged from the depths of the metro tunnel, there were metro officials cordoning lines of tourists that went down the Mall and up Independence Avenue all waiting to get down into the subway. Yikes. Never seen that before. But as usual we weaved efficiently through kids and strollers and towards the Basin. As we circled the water we found pockets where we paused, realized it was a pretty spot, and took oodles of pictures. It had been a beautiful day and the sun was beginning to set with that warm golden glow that artists have trouble replicating. We continued to weave, determined to catch as much light as possible from different angles. At points I twirled in a frenzy of sakura ame (cherry blossom snow), stood behind an artist painting a scene of blossoms and Washington monument, and took the picture of a couple with blossoms and water in the background for them. After the blossoms we walked down to the World War II Memorial and the reflecting pool, more incandescent photos. We found a spot nestled away from the memorials and monuments with its own reflecting pond and willow trees that neither of us had any idea existed. It was a discovery that paid off in a few peaceful moments and some great images. Definitely a picnic destination in the future.

Here is the photo-catalog of events:

Good Morning DC

2010-03-24T08:34:00.006-04:00

Thoughts on my walk to work.

My walk takes me past the headquarters of the SEIU- the Service Employees International Union. Their first floor has big glass windows with large glossy photographs of SEIU rallies and efforts on vast display. This morning in addition to the glossy professional photos, banners were taped up with varying forms of the phrase "WE DID IT!" and "Thank you, Mr. Obama". Whatever the political tactics of SEIU, I can't help but smile, maybe get a little teary, that something this week was done for the people of this country and people are grateful.

So it is day three and counting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been in DC, and more importantly, staged somewhat of a compound at the Mayflower Hotel, around the corner from my work. Roads are blocked, temporary barricades have been installed and numerous police cars, heavily armed security and bomb-sniffing dogs roam the closed-off DeSales St NW. I don't think its out of the realm of rationality to have an imposing but temporary fear that the building could suddenly explode on my walk to work or my walk home. The fact that the world comes to DC is one of the reasons I was happy to move here. The US has so few outlets to be plugged in to something outside of itself. But clearly that comes with some additional necessary precautions!

And lastly... living on the mainland means RANDOM DAFFODILS growing out of the ground! Hooray for Springtime!

Florida!

2010-03-22T21:06:00.007-04:00

Work sent me to Florida last week. A handful of us arrived into a rainy Orlando to stay in proximity to the Orange County convention center. We stayed at the Peabody Orlando which was the highlight of our time there. Ducks were the theme and live birds waddled around the indoor fountain and were the kings and queens of the hotel. The CAMEX tradeshow was pretty much the same tradeshow as last year in Anaheim... but this time in close proximity to Megacon- the ultimate in nerdy! (ComiCon multiplied by 10) Here is me and my coworker with a samurai stormtrooper. I presented on the program I manage and I think I did a pretty good job.
After the weekend we drove 2 hours southwest to Venice, Florida for a day of training. It was Sunday but Venice seemed like another town of the past, where once there may have been a lively community by the Gulf shore but today there are only a few commercial stores, a few restaurants and many older homes and condos. We had a chance to dip our toes in the water at Venice Beach and had dinner at an old timer's Italian restaurant- Valenti's. For a while, we were the youngest ones there. The Best Western was no Peabody but it sufficed and the training - an Orientation- was quite successful. It was in the facility of a tumbler manufacturer- one of our affiliated companies- and we toured the factory at the end of the day.

New York 31

2010-03-22T09:33:00.004-04:00

The following recounts my birthday weekend in NYC in bullet points recorded on mine iPod.

March 6
Megabus
Flower District 28th St
Subway
Mabo ramen at Sapporo
30 Rock
NBC store
Rockefeller plaza / today show
St Patrick's Cathedral
Subway to Met
Central park
Met
Kristin
Egyptian art, Temple of Dendur
Byzantine art
Medieval art
Modern art
Gaugin Monet Renoir Vermeer Church Picasso Pollock Warhol Seurat van Gogh
Medieval texts
Sculpture - Michelangelo / Roman / Greek
The Mourners
American - Tiffany glass
Parisian rooms 18th century
Subway to east village
St mark's place
Vietnamese sandwiches Baogette
Subway to 33rd koreatown
Empire state. Building
Hotel Chandler
The Godfather part ii

March 7
Morning walk to the dunkin donuts baskinrobbins subway
Subway to 8th st
Washington square
Greenwich village walk
Otto (Batalli)
Union square
Heartland brewery - beach boys
Walk to Penn station
Madison square garden- ny rangers jerseys
Matt pretending to not have a bad cold
Megabus
DC Taxi
Academy Awards
Sleep

Slideshow

Channeling Gene

2010-03-08T12:13:00.004-05:00

Good Heavens! Has it really been a month since last updating you, dear blog? So much has happened!

My warm trip to California feels like a memory montage of Beach Boys and Eagles songs. I've ticked another 'tick' on my count of John Mayer concerts attended! Another healthy dose of the National Gallery reminds me what an extraordinary gift the Smithsonian truly is. A fantastic visit to the Shakespeare Theater Company has had me recollecting my teenage years quoting Branaugh movies! And most recently, and worthy of an extensive blog entry, my Birthday trip to New York City this past weekend has left me rejuvenated yet sore with attempts to pay tribute to Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly's escapade through the Big Apple. ("New York New York its a helluva town...")

Spring has definitely arrived in the mid Atlantic region. The winter blues are fading away and the year is opening up to endless possibilities... And is apparently making me sound like a fortune cookie. Ni hao!

Snolicious

2010-02-06T20:50:00.001-05:00

Nothing like lounging in the snow with an Irish coffee and an Italian.

Twenty plus inches of snow started to fall Friday afternoon and let up around 5:30pm Saturday. Matt and I ventured out last night and today to witness the historic blizzard blanket the DC area. Forced to walk in the streets, avoid fallen trees and lookout for silently roaming cars on the road, I know I have not seen this level of winter wonderland since Montreal. We walked down to Dupont Circle and ventured around the surrounding roads, leaping through snowbanks and rolling through un-plowed streets... trying to capture in photos the natural wonder we were witnessing first hand.

Cafe Dupont, a bar in what used to be the Jurys Hotel, got creative and built a bar out of the snow, pumped out some chillaxing music and served alcohol, coffee and hot chocolate. With snow continuing to sprinkle, life could not have been better sitting out, watching the people and snowfall and sipping my coffee and kahlua.

Here are some photos from the weekend to share.

Into the Snow

2010-01-30T23:07:00.009-05:00

The following is an account written by guest blogger Matt.

Today in Images

The snow was falling when I woke up in the morning. The forecast conservatively called for a mix of rain and snow, so the plan was to stay inside, warm, and enjoy a day of movies. By 10:30am the snow had accumulated into a white blanket over the street and sidewalk. Snow in DC is rare, so the plan impulsively changed and Jen and I would make our way down to the National Mall before the snow stopped, and then head back to Swann Street for dinner.

Bundled up, scarves wrapped around our necks and chins, we headed into the cold. The snow and wind were swirling, which was quite the departure from the forecast. We turned down 19th street to see a bird crash high into the leaves of a magnolia tree. A hawk emerged from the leaves with a dove in its talons and perched on a limb. The last thing we expected to see in the District was an attack and kill appropriate for PBS’ Nature.

Jen and I stopped at Cosi and Lawson’s, respectively, for breakfast and coffee. To pick up more snow-appropriate shoes we stopped by my eerily empty office on the fourth floor of the Jefferson building. I drew up the office blinds so we could see the cascading snow against the modern buildings on 19th and the colorful row houses on Jefferson.

We left the office and took the Metro to the Smithsonian. The National Mall was layered with snow. The snow was so thick that we couldn't see the Capitol building to the east, and barely see the shape of the Washington Monument mere blocks to the west.

After tramping through wind and slush we entered the Smithsonian Museum of American History. Jen is obsessed with the movie Julie & Julia so we visited the Julia Child kitchen. Following another hour of exploring, seeing everything from C3PO and Kermit to Rosalyn Carter’s inaugural gown, we heard singing from the direction of the Greensboro lunch counter exhibit. Two young performers demonstrated non-violent protest in the African-American civil rights movement through song. Let me tell you, this pair could sing. They performed a range of songs from “This Little Light” to “We Shall Overcome.” They enticed the audience to join in. I have not clapped like that since I was in a Georgia church.

Following a stop at the Sculpture Garden for coffee, hot chocolate, calls to our respective families, and a look at bundled-up ice skaters on the pond, I coerced a reluctant Jen to walk north the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The snow continuing to fall, we walked headlong into a gusting wind. Jen trudged behind me as I took a stab at chivalry, shielding her from the wind. Arriving at the museum we walked into the Smithsonian’s beautiful atrium. After grabbing a glass (well, the plastic kind) of wine at the café, we sat in the atrium and toasted this serendipitous day. The accumulated snow on the atrium above looked like the Milky Way.

Our starry gaze led to a spontaneous decision. A poster in the lobby told us of a discussion and book signing beginning soon. The book was a graphic novel, so with Jen’s persuasion we attended the discussion. Graphic novels and comic books are an integral part of my past, and poor Jen has humored my extolling the virtues of the work of Will Eisner and the genius that is Batman the Animated Series. The writer/illustrator was Darwyn Cooke, whose resume included not only the Warner Brother’s film New Frontier, but also illustrating the Spirit for Will Eisner and working with Bruce Timm on Batman. It was like seeing a hero of my past I didn’t know existed.

Cooke’s captivating speech was marvelous as he broke down his graphic novel adaptation of Richard Stark’s the Hunter. He was intelligent and gloriously Canadian. Jen smiled, “It’s like listening to Matt if he stayed with comics.” Following the discussion Mr. Cooke signed my copy of the Hunter, adding a sketch of the lead character Parker.

Happy, and magnificently geeky, we walked out of the museum into continued snow. Chicken was thawing in the fridge, but how could we go back to Swann Street? This blizzard was not supposed to happen. The day was ours. We crossed the snowy street and stepped into Ella’s for our favorite DC pizza. One word: Arugola. Following the pizza we took the Metro back to DuPont. We stopped at Bar DuPont for one last toast to the day. We sat in the corner window and watched the snow continue to fall over DuPont Circle.

Now typing from the warm apartment on Swann Street, I realize that there remains an exuberant world to explore here in the Capitol. Sometimes we need to be encouraged. Today we were encouraged by the surprise of snow. As I type it is still snowing.

Flying

2010-01-16T20:33:00.002-05:00

The writer of this blog has had a love hate relationship with flying. She loves the traveling part, the seeing new places, experiencing different parts of the world- part, but the journey itself is often painful. And whether that misery is self-created or the end result of logistical chaos it is nevertheless part of modern living. Despite how people my age today like to scoff- I am one of those products of feel-good movies and happy endings that believes the journey is as important as the destination, regardless of the cliche factor. And sometimes it is a challenge to recognize the journey for what it is. And yes, I am writing metaphorically at the moment, perhaps to a fault, but these days I've been feeling extremely well-traveled and just a little over tired. Nevertheless the journeys continue. Whether I'm in Seattle, DC, New York, California, all of these are just side stops, via points, on a larger path to a greater destination. I guess it just depends on where I want to go!

Holiday Questions

2009-11-25T08:52:00.003-05:00

Hi! How are you?! How is DC? Do you love it? Whats it like? How's the job?

During the holiday season, visits and family are on the agenda. I usually do not prepare in advance for the questions small talk promotes, maybe because my autopilot always kicks in for me and people can get the blanket answer they are looking for. But perhaps I should think about it a few more seconds than in the past.

How am I?
I'm great! Despite the cold I'm just getting over and the amount of sodium I've consumed in the past week, I'm great! I just made some party mix, here have more sodium, on me! I'm thinking of investing in bottled water.

How is DC? Do you love it? What's it like?
DC is DC. The weather seems to me to be warmer than November (in my mind) should be... low 50s. Its been rainy and misty, gets dark around 4:30pm. The motorcades have still not gotten old for me... and now I can even recognize when one is coming in the next hour or so and when one is passing by a few blocks over (either from my office or from the apartment). There are still reminders that DC is where the crazies come to make a point. Yesterday a man held up traffic a block from work with a Uhaul van with an enormous banner demanding $200 million and 'justice' while throwing Molotov cocktails from the roof of the vehicle. I didn't see it personally but it only goes to confirm that anything can happen in this city. That's how DC is. Not sure love is the right word but living here is an enriching experience.

How's the job?
The job is also more than I could have expected. There are some ultimate lows but the highs still make up for it. To have worked for for-profit companies and with little motivation for or dedication to my work, there is nothing that competes with actually getting paid to come up with inventive ways to make the world a better place. Success isn't always the outcome but the fact that I get to try 5 days a week leaves me feeling silly to complain.

So during the next week and through December, when friends and family ask me these questions, I will thank them for their important questions and the opportunity to share just how beautiful life can be.

The Piedmont

2009-11-04T20:49:00.008-05:00

The first time I ever heard the word/name "Piedmont" was in reference to a fictitious ghetto policed by the 21 Jumpstreet kids. Apparently, it is also this area of Winston-Salem / Greensboro North Carolina. What did it take to get to the Piedmont you ask? Planes. Trains. Automobiles. Yours truly flew out of Baltimore, which meant walking 3-4 blocks from the apartment with travel gear, catching the redline metro to Union Station, purchasing a train ticket to Baltimore airport, catching the train, taking a shuttle bus to the airport, hopping on a 1.25 hr plane ride to Charlotte, renting a car and driving 1.5 hours to Winston-Salem. In total it took about 7 hours from apartment to hotel. How long would it take if I drove from DC here? According to Google maps- 5.25 hours. Hrm... I'll need to learn from this lesson in travel crazy. To add, the leaves here are falling but the North Carolina sunsets are of particular note. I snapped the above shot just outside the headquarter offices we spent the day in. This is their campus.

I'm here on a work trip which you could easily gather. Its the first time that I'm participating in an official visit on behalf of the organization to assess a company's compliance program in preparation for accreditation. Its here that I was reminded why I like my job. Yes, some of this review was document-heavy and process driven but all in all, I still get to learn how companies manage their social responsibility efforts and provide feedback and build relationships. How cool is that?! And to large companies that have the presence and ownership of facilities to make legitimate improvements. When we identified gaps and the company took notes to start making changes to their processes, I felt useful again. Some things that I would take for granted in my experience and understanding were new and unconsciously missing from theirs. While I wasn't the lead on this visit, I still felt like I earned my salary today, and those moments are worthy of note.

Not to mention, I had fried green tomatoes at dinner!

Catching Up to Fall, Part 2

2009-10-29T21:33:00.005-04:00

This week hasn't seemed like Fall at all, 60 degree weather! Nevertheless, it is October and the leaves are falling and turning warm shades of red and rust. Last week's chilly weather meant the perfect climate for soup. It was great to discover the one ramen place inside the Beltway is in Bethesda.

Weekends have consisted of ways to enjoy Fall's colors. A trip to Butler's Orchard in Germantown, Maryland saw us with warm apple cider and misty mounds of pumpkins.

Oh, and those baseball playoffs. Is it wrong to root for the red team? I think I will choose to root for the sport. Go baseball go!

Catching Up to Fall, Part 1

2009-10-19T09:56:00.009-04:00

One thing that is challenging when maintaining a blog is when numerous events take place in real life and creates a back log in updating one's online presence. Not that I feel the need to share just everything that happens to me over each weekend but I've been doing some fun things that I'd like to share but now, at this late date, simply noting them in a line or paragraph does not do it all justice. And with that disclaimer, I attempt to catch up here.

APA FILM FEST
The first week of October saw a flurry of activity surrounding the DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival. I came across the event when browsing through some movie listings at the Smithsonian and started researching. The fact that they had an APA Film Fest here made me a bit more than excited to say the least. They were looking for volunteers so I signed up and was able to coax the Hobbes to my Calvin to sign up as well. Went to the volunteer happy hour, met some cool people that ran the event and signed up for two shifts of volunteering, knowing that there were at least three other films I wanted to make sure to see, not necessarily volunteer for. The first night of volunteering, at the Navy Memorial, was uneventful, I guided people from the Metro to the theater and then Hobbes and I manned the door. We did get free T-shirts out of it!

The next night we invited friends to the screening of White on Rice- which was hilarious and had Director Q&A at the end. At the time I remember thinking I needed to blog about this because all of these APA movies had a common theme- that despite all the 'uniqueness' of being APA, really its how we are the same that ends up being the point. The Director of White on Rice, this young, hipster white kid had no idea how to respond to this large mostly APA audience despite the fact that he made an Asian American film. It was as if the fact that these characters were Asian, Japanese to be precise, was a coincidence. When really, so much about it was particular to Asian American life. I would not have guessed that he was the director at all.

Sunday we volunteered at the Smithsonian Freer Sakler Gallery - the Asian Art Gallery- for another screening (see the beautiful courtyard above). This one was called Operation Babylift . I again directed people; this time from the lobby to the direction of the theater. Our volunteer leader let us sit in on the film as well and we watched an opening short called "Parallel Adele" about mixed race young people in the US and how we have the ability to play the role of spy for our Asian heritage amongst those who might think us average white people. I know I have inadvertently played that role before... the farther away from Hawaii, the more it happens. Operation Babylift was a documentary about the Vietnamese orphans 'rescued' at the end of the Vietnam War. Hundreds were airlifted out of Vietnam and placed with American foster parents. Now in their 30's the film followed a few of these people as they searched for their lost history and what its like dealing with their identities. A few of them were in the audience at the Smithsonian and took questions at the end. It was a beautiful and uplifting film and I'm glad we saw it.

Volunteers were also invited to see the screening of another documentary, this time by an Asian-Canadian, at the Canadian Embassy. Hobbes and I attended that screening on Monday night at the Embassy where I ran into my McGill friend Debbie. The world here is small. The film, a documentary called "Twelve" was surprisingly thought-provoking. It followed the internal and external journey of the filmmaker as he searched for answers about himself, an immigrant from the Philippines who immigrated at age 12, by interviewing other Canadians who moved to Canada at that age.

Also during this weekend Hobbes and I attended the Taste of Bethesda. Delicious food, large crowds, and entertainment down every block. Amongst the crowds, I ran into a friend from high school in the middle of the street, what are the odds! The best part was the copious amounts of mussels available! Mmmm... MUSSELS...

U2 Lunch Break

2009-10-06T12:30:00.003-04:00

So many things are going on this month including an extreme amount of work at... Work! I'm taking a quick break during lunch to share some of my photos from the U2 360 tour. After 4 hours of driving back from Stroudsburg, I headed right into town, dropped off my coworker, picked up my friend Liz, and proceeding to sit in 2 hours worth of additional traffic to get to FedEx Field for the U2 show. Only for U2 would I sustain such pains! And it was worth it.

Some of the highlights included dedicating songs to Eunice Kennedy Shriver (Beautiful Day); Ted Kennedy (New Years Day) and the President of Rwanda (I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For). I freaked out when they played Sunday Bloody Sunday (Jen's favorite song) in Iranian green lighting with images of Iranian struggle. Freaked. Out. Also of note was the tribute to Aung Sun Suu Kyi and the inclusion of Amnesty International volunteers that came on stage with Suu Kyi masks... something about how we are all one, the same. A great show.

After the show, we proceeded to get lost in the parking lot, and spent a good 45 minutes walking around lost, looking for our parking area. Both sides of FedEx Field look EXACTLY THE SAME. I have vowed never to return. All in all, a good show, and an adventure only worth experiencing when seeing these amazing performers /humanitarians/ artists is the reward.

The Town Time Forgot, Part 2

2009-10-01T11:33:00.008-04:00

After our Orientation, the three of us came to the conclusion that we should have a meeting to review what could be done better next time. Regardless, we were happy to have it over with, since the next day would be observing a trainer from a partner service provider take over the sessions. We ventured to a place for dinner down Main Street- diplomatically called "Everybody's Cafe". If Stroudsburg was the town that time forgot, Everybody's Cafe is the centerpiece of that characterization. In an old Victorian house, the restaurant was blanketed by florals, dark wood, little white lights and old world charm. Gatsby crossed with eccentric old curiosities and handmade crafts.

One room was dedicated to the sale of handmade textiles, jewelry and stationary. I bought placemats and an apron with brown velvet trim.

Hats for sale.

One of the dining rooms. We sat out on the porch.

In addition, the menu too was over the top. Pasta (create your own 'pastabilities'), meat, seafood, tapas- cuisine from Africa, Italy, Asia, France, Spain. Its was as if the Cafe was trying to encapsulate everything and everybody in an abundance of tastes. Much like the spooky aspect of Stroudsburg itself, the Cafe reminded me of the Overlook Hotel where any moment, a beautiful pale woman in a beaded flapper dress might appear- a ghost from a time long since faded but not forgotten here.

The Town Time Forgot

2009-09-27T17:41:00.008-04:00

This morning I woke up at 7am, made some coffee and dedicated myself to my presentation slides for Monday's event. The weather in DC was cool. Just a fan, an open window and fresh coffee was all I needed. To complete the morning I had some Beethoven playing to keep my mood serene and focused. I captured this still life because I was just in the moment.

This afternoon I arrived in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania- a small town in the Pocono Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania. I'm here for a work training where I'm doing a third of an FLA orientation session tomorrow. The drive was four hours and in retrospect, I would seriously rethink the effort to come out here.

I arrived separately from my colleagues because I need to drive my car in order to return early Tuesday afternoon. The trainings continue through Wednesday but I am not staying. Getting here early meant I had a chance to explore a bit in the daylight and go at my own pace (and belt my own music in the car). As soon as I got off I-80 I realized that this was going to be... interesting. Old homes weathered and shutters lopsided off windows. Teenagers in windbreakers hanging out on a porch, a little boy barefoot in the street. Where the heck was I? Where had I heard of the Poconos before? My guess was right- this is the land of the old resort hotels of the '50s and '60s... just like Kellermans resort from Dirty Dancing. A quick Wikipedia search informed me that Stroudsburg has roughly a population of 6,000 people, 20% of which are below the poverty line. As I drove through, granted it is a Sunday, homes and buildings were closed up, deserted, empty. I couldn't find anything about their economy.

I walked from the hotel to Main Street (2 blocks), took some photos and walked back.

Established by Quakers, the above cemetery is the only original tract that remains intact of the founding townspeople (circa 1811).

Tomorrow will be what it will be, but I hope to build a few relationships with some of the companies in attendance and build up my experience speaking to what we do in a meaningful way. So far all my clocks are still working and I'm pretty confident I'm still in 2009.

Going Pro

2009-09-08T12:39:00.002-04:00

I don't normally write about consumer products and consciously provide free marketing content to something that promotes further commercialization of our society however this weekend I broke down. Its happened. I paid the $24.95 and went Pro on Flickr. Was it out of peer pressure? Not really. More out of convenience. Going Pro on Flickr means I can upload an unlimited amount of photos and create an unlimited amount of "Sets" (in Flickr vernacular) or photo albums. Considering that I was already at my limit of uploads for the month of September and it was only the first weekend and I'm striving to embrace my new camera and its functionalities, I had to make a decision and I caved.

Which to you means that now you can view my lovely photos from Saturday's tour of Annapolis, Maryland! What a lovely little capitol town it is.

Watch the slideshow of the photos here:

Yes, I had a crabcake, toured the Naval Academy (including the crypt of John Paul Jones!), had homemade ice cream, enjoyed sunshine and the Chesapeake Bay. Annapolis is full of little boutique-y shops, restaurants and tchotchky stores all trailing down from the capitol building that rests at the top of a little hill and looks out to the Bay. The capitol building is the oldest capitol building still in use today and we were able to walk right in and take photos of its marble pillars and leather furnishings. Its astounding to think that this little town was where slaves docked and arrived in America. There is a statue of Alex Haley reading to school children at the boat dock. The piece blends in with the loud street activity yet exists with such quiet significance. The memorial to Thurgood Marshall provides a similar feeling near the capitol building but is not as visible from Main Street. I highly recommend visitors to Maryland check out this important town.

Abundance

2009-08-31T09:36:00.005-04:00

These past two weeks have been a series of life adventures that have basically overflowed my queue of notable mentions designed for this web log! Summarizing through images:

~ Spent the previous weekend in Cape Cod, MA with Dad and family. Had a great time relaxing out on the deck...

...eating great food...

...enjoying amazing views...

...and being in good company.

Was able to attend a work meeting in Boston and a factory tour in Worchester before heading back down to DC where I experienced an exercise in poor code-share management between United and US Airways. Then proceeded to seriously maim my right index finger which basically put me out of efficiency commission for the next week. Tapping these keys with a large fumbly gauze bandage on my finger has been... er.. fun. Been feeling like I have muppet hands. It got me out of playing and drinking after kickball but then realized that its actually sorta fun to do both of those things.

Yet so much continues to happen. My cousin Kimo has a baby boy! My Mom moved to Japan! I'm spending time with new people and enjoying the newness of it all. Did I imagine a year ago that this would be my life? The answer is a definitive No. Am I alright with it? I think the answer is Finally.

August

2009-08-19T08:37:00.005-04:00

August is becoming such an exercise of tolerance and exception. Everyone is either on or just back from vacation. Everyone. In the city and everywhere else. Its like August is the unofficial month of un-productivity. And I can see why. I don't know if its because everyone else is on a nice holiday or if its just the time when everything comes to a head but now that its been a year (wow!) at this job, I am feeling burnt out. Despite all the good that I can feel about what I'm doing, the energy has been zapped out, extracted. Never before did I truly feel like I need to say honestly. "I need a vacation." That being said, I've been taking advantage of my weekends, not doing errands and practical things, but engaging in more life-enriching activities. But two days just isn't enough. Mondays are like shifting from 4th to 1st in one motion.

This weekend I went to the National Gallery of Art...

...where the collection becomes overwhelming. I had to make a conscious choice to NOT see everything in order to appreciate what I did see. Saw some Seurat, more Cezanne, Monet, Degas, Gaugin, Vermeer, Calder, Pollock, Rothko, Warhol, the 'hidden' Dali and others.

And I also went to Shenandoah National Park...

It was a pleasant surprise to find out it was a fee free weekend for all National Parks! Did the skyline drive along the top of the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia. Very beautiful views and windy roads. One thing about living in the DC area, there is such an abundance of things to see and do.

To top it off, I came home last night to my neighbors barbecuing in the front of the building. All mid 30's sarcastic, hilarious and doing amazing things with their lives. I had a beer with them and some grilled pineapple and did another mental reality check. I think I'm gonna like it here.

Nationals Ball Park

2009-08-13T23:05:00.006-04:00

Finally got my act together to share a couple photos of the Nats stadium at the Navy Yard in DC. This was about 20 mins before the game started... not many more seats filled up. Granted, it was almost 100 degrees that day.

(Potomac in the background)

But they (we?) won against the Diamondbacks! Good game. I'm quickly becoming a fan of Nyjer Morgan... and perhaps night games. It seems like such a waste to set off fireworks at a 1:30 game!

Liminal Space

2009-08-09T08:29:00.005-04:00

In high school and university English classes a common theme of discussion is the author's use of images or locations that represent a liminal space. A liminal space may be a beach (between land and ocean) or a hallway (in between an entrance and an exit) - all trying to get at the concept of being on the threshold of something. When I can't think of truly fruitful things to write, I tend to think of myself as in this liminal space... between the last eventful thing and the next. Honestly I often think life itself is just a series of liminal spaces before and after whatever we deem life effecting. The challenge may be in recognizing when I'm in a liminal space and when I'm not. This week felt liminal.

So it seems like the world itself continues to be fruitful. Babies are being born left and right in my world. A friend, Kim, just had her third son and named him Apollos! Racheal is about to birth the newest member of our family! Allison at work is about to expect her second child and the previous tenants of this very apartment moved out only because they were about to have twins. Babies babies babies everywhere. How does this effect me, you ask? My subconscious has decided to handle this subject by issuing nightmares that are so disturbing I wake myself up in the night. I considered describing it here but I don't want to relate the imagery any further. I think it will suffice to say (via the most basic of dream interpretations), that my subconscious is depicting a sense of fear I may have of ever being responsible enough to take care of a baby. A fear that common sense will at one time or another black out of my mind and I'll do something so unconsciously stupid that I would not be able to live with myself for having done it. I guess just like anything, one must take a leap of faith. None of this is to announce any sort of personal baby news of course, but in thinking of things to write, this subject has been the most current. I guess biologically you could say I'm on the beach and in the hallway, on the threshold of that part of life. Always curious how long I'll be here.

If anyone's looking for more practical updates from Jenny, I can report the following tidbits of life and times in DC:

~ Last weekend's IKEA run now means I have a sofa bed loveseat ready for guests! The white Ektorp, if anyone is curious. I also have a kitchen block for my microwave and my white wardrobe is pending assembly as we speak. It will be beautiful but I'm challenged with finding enough floor space to put it together. I think it will go another week in the box at this point.

~ I've realized that I live below someone with a small child and nowhere near the 80% carpet-covered floor area as required in our leases. The kid likes to drop and slam things. But he is very cute.

~ DC is heating up and living in the city means a common sour smell of garbage. The walk to work is great and so far this is my only complaint about city living.

~ Thursday I had a great opportunity to see the Phillips Collection- an amazing private collection of priceless works of art- Monet, Cezanne, Renoir, Manet, Kandinsky, Picasso- you name it- at the Phillips After Five event. The collection is housed in what was once the Phillips mansion now turned art museum. The event included wine and hor d'oeuvres and live jazz. I would be there all the time if I had the means.

~ Today is to be the hottest day on record so far this year. How am I going to avoid the heat? Going to an outdoor afternoon Nationals game. Ha! I've got my hat, picking up sunscreen on the way, planning on staying well hydrated. Not sure what else. They're playing Arizona.

So maybe this week wasn't really that liminal.

18 Minutes Flat

2009-07-27T08:36:00.003-04:00

Sometimes I wonder if its kind of a burden to be continuously aware of the meaning of things. I'm not saying I'm always cognizant of it, but when it comes to me, I definitely have the larger self awareness thing going on. I wonder if that's why I write a blog. Who knows. So as you probably figured out, this week marks the first week of the rest of my life. Finally. After five months of emotionally volatile residential bondage, I'm finally able to molt off the pretty apartment that no longer reflects reality and get on with things. Even doing all the very last load ups into my car was a stressful sad time, I have to admit that. Mainly the fact that I was working hard and doing it alone. I am grateful for the monetary support I've received for movers but nothing quite replaces the individual wear and tear of the act of moving.

It was truly a blessing to have Mom here last week. Not only for moral support but also for the physical support- (this week, my one-year no-common cold streak ended)- I can't imagine what the state of my move would have been had she not been here to help. Last night unpacking my kitchen things, my heart filled with an overwhelming renewed sense of appreciation for her- there was no way I would have been able to pack all those things in the state I was in on Wednesday. I'm glad that she will not have to do her own packing for their move to Japan, she deserves a break!

The new place was at first a sea of boxes but diligently, I have been going through what I can to consolidate, put away, and note what I need to find room for- all while keeping in mind the need to continuously purge. It is a sad truth that my couch did not fit up the three narrow little stairs to my apartment door and my Beloved was donated that day. On to redder pastures I'm sure. So now I sit on the floor, on my lovely brown rug, or at my little dining table where I can actually properly eat a meal in my Perennial Gold-colored living room. It means I will be on the furniture market once my deposit is returned. Cooked my first meal last night, another rendition of Chicken with Avocado Salsa and discovered that the cable in the wall actually works. This morning I walked down 18th St. to Connecticut in humid 72F weather and made it to work in 18 minutes flat, Depeche Mode keeping me company.

Ode to My Beloved Cranberry Couch

2009-07-24T19:06:00.004-04:00

Oh lovely red couch, what times we've had!

Tomorrow the chances are slim that our time together will continue. Life has chosen separate ways for the two of us and alas, your plush width will no doubt fit not into the hallway of my future abode. This realization saddens but also lifts me to a state of reflection on the precious times we've had together and the perfection you have symbolized as my first piece of 'real' furniture in the precise style and color of my dreams. You will always be part of a special time in my life where very few material items are recorded, equal only to Mrs. Bunny. At times I will no doubt tell stories of "once I had this perfect cranberry couch..." And although where I am going you may not follow, you will always have a plush cranberry place in my heart.

Love Always,
Jenny

Just Duckie

2009-07-16T16:20:00.003-04:00

So with all the positivity I can muster, I do believe that the gods are smiling these days. The weather, for one, has been spectacularly beautiful. Warm, pleasant, slight breeze, blue sky. I've been lunching at Farragut Park and still keeping cool. I have the keys to my new place and I'm eagerly making plans to get this show on the road. Learning how to paint thanks to the interwebs and YouTube in particular.

Some highlights from the past week:

Finally made it to Eastern Market! Perhaps a good (or bad) time to go in that I was not looking to buy anything (trying to conserve funds til after the moving fees have all been paid). But the Market itself reminds me of markets in Europe, where artisans display their wares and farmers, butchers, cheesemongers all greet you with a smile as you walk past or sample their merchandise. Since it has recently reopened after renovations due to a fire, the market is packed with throngs of people- residents and tourists alike. Once I'm settled, I can't wait to make it back there. This is the only aspect of Southeast DC that I'm jealous of.

As mentioned in my last post, finally had the means (ie. an equally dorky companion) to explore the American Film Institute and spend a sunny afternoon seeing a classic French New Wave film- Francois Truffaut's Shoot the Piano Player. I'd never seen it before and I knew it would be great. Brought me right back to Cinema du Parc in Montreal and the comfort and quiet dignity of film as art. The theatre itself is a little piece of the past when movies were grand events with billowing curtains, cascading balconies and popcorn was fresh. Can't wait to see another great work there. Ended the day exploring Bethesda, Maryland- and discovering its actually quite quaint. Who knew?

The weekend also included a Bon Dance out in Northern Virginia. Erin was kind of enough to suggest that we go and I'm very happy we did. It was at the Ekoji Buddhist Temple and it was quite a big affair in the temple parking lot. Small booths of Japanese food (more Hawaii influenced I'd have to say- Teri chicken, potato salad, rice, etc) and a few games for the kids. The traditional Bon Dance area was complete with lanterns and taiko drummers and older Japanese ladies in kimono and fan, gracefully teaching all of us gaijin the different dance moves. With platform in the middle and dancers encircling in a series of concentric circles, Japanese music blared and we waved our arms and stepped in time around the circle. It was fun. I think because there were so many haoles also learning, I didn't feel as shy to participate as I would have back home! The first thing we noticed upon arriving was that this was clearly where the small amount of Japanese Americans in Virginia came together. We had found the El Dorado... the lost city of the Japanese Americans... coming together in this backwoods hidden Buddhist Temple to enjoy Japanese (and Hawaiian really) culture. Complete with their beautiful hapa babies! It made me reminisce about Esteban and the Mysterious Cities of Gold...

Keep on Truckin'

2009-07-09T08:36:00.004-04:00

July has been busy. BBQ's, new friends, silent fireworks, MJ and '80s dancing to name a few highlights.

T-minus six days til I get the keys to my new place. You better believe that I've been counting. I have some leads on the colors I will be painting the walls but it will really all come together once I can access the unit and see for myself. I'm having a growing fear about the amount of stuff I have... and that my new place is probably roughly half the size of my current one... It doesn't feel like I have a lot, I'm just nervous that the truth will reveal itself in 6 days and force me to question my decision to take this place. This would be on top of the other fears I have brewing in terms of neighborhoods, safety, parking, etc. But I'm trying to stay positive, no matter what the people who mean well say. Up next- having a painting party to get help painting the place, then moving the last weekend in July. The moving company I settled on- Two Marines and a Truck Movers.

BBQs
Been to at least 3 that I can remember in the past couple weeks. One hosted by yours truly on a particularly non-humid 4th of July. My skin is now a fun pink polka dot pattern due to the fact that DC was a swamp but nevertheless, the outdoors were calling.

New Friends
Old Punahou buddies have been reconnecting left and right as well as Punahou classmates that I didn't know then but have a solid connection to now. As an aside, since I'm mentioning my fair alma mater, 2nd year in a row as the best (#1) high school Athletic Program as rated by Sports Illustrated! Makes me almost wish I had done sports in high school. Almost. Also made a random connection with someone who used to work for my Uncle in Springfield. Now I henceforth have a fellow pretentious-movie buddy, woohoo! Its been ages since I had one of those. Seeing some Truffaut this weekend at the AFI.

Silent Fireworks
Yes, so the Post said that a good view of the 4th fireworks could be had up at the National Cathedral. We walked up there, encountered hundreds of others with the same idea and staked out a spot. When the 'works started, half of the view was no view at all, so the mass of people stood up and shifted to the 50% of space that was viewable. The fireworks were rather disappointing since they were pretty far away at this point, and no music or loud booming noises accompanied, just whining kids who couldn't see. Next year, I'll be down on the Mall- after Inauguration, crowds I can handle.

MJ
Not sure what to say about the Michael Jackson news. My words would not be eloquent enough and lost on those who remain cynical about it all. Lets just say I've been watching as many of the MJ retrospectives as I can manage without cable and listening to my Essential Michael Jackson CDs at work. Its easy to forget how much an artist had a place in your life until something like this happens. This week I realized just what a big Michael Jackson fan I was and have been since I was a kid. When I was little, I used to stay at my grandparents' house a lot, sleeping on a twin-size bed in my grandma's room. The wall next to my bed had nothing but a Michael Jackson poster tacked in- I remember the brown leather jacket, blue jeans, and those smiling eyes that would follow me no matter where I was in the room. For years, that poster was up in my Grandma's room, long after the sleepovers deminished. He must have been the first popstar to grace my walls for me (little did I know how many more would follow...) His music was my musical foundation and I am ever grateful for that. His presence as an artist, dancer and humanitarian will be missed.

Everyday Food

2009-06-28T19:36:00.003-04:00

I'd like to dedicate this entry to the wonder of the red onion. Red onions have not been a regular ingredient in many of my culinary endeavors but they make everything just a little bit better- and they are the coolest color ever- red / purplish white! So as some may know, I subscribe to a magazine called Everyday Food - a Martha Stewart Omnimedia magazine. Tonight I made dinner based on a simple recipe for chicken with avocado salsa.

Chicken with Avocado Salsa

chicken breast
favorite seasoning
1 avocado
half a red onion
lime juice

Season chicken and pan fry. Add two tablespoons lime juice to diced red onion. Fold in chopped avocado to onions and season with salt n pepper. Serve on a bed of arugula for some extra flavor. Tasty!

Coming to you live... *

2009-06-27T13:35:00.009-04:00

*Now with spelling!

This is my first attempt at mobile blogging. Enjoying an iced latte and a few bites of a cupcake here at Baked and Wired in Georgetown. This is definitely slower than regular keyboard typing... Being on my iPod Touch here.

So one concept I have been meaning to blog about was going to be based on my thoughts out of last weekend. But now it's next weekend and there are sure to be even more observations to come. I even had a great title for it: Pride and Prejudice.

Pride
Last week was Pride week in DC which meant large drapings of rainbow bunting and flags throughout Dupont Circle. My intent to blog about Pride week was not so much about Pride in particular but gay men in DC in general. My thoughts on DC gay men? From those I've met, they are the catty-est cats I have ever met! And some of my readers might think "well, gosh that's harsh for a nice girl like you to say" but that is the way I feel about it. I've never been looked up and down with such disdain as the flaming boys in this town. And I guess it's only fitting since they rule DC, at least Dupont, and they have the right to be proud of who they are just like everyone else. But its like high school all over again! Sheesh.

Prejudice
So my thoughts in prejudice are a bit deeper. Last weekend I began to think about the origins of prejudice in this town and how it can begin in someone reasonable, open minded and accepting of all forms of humanity. Saturday night I went to a friend's house party in LeDroit Park- an area close to Northeast and still considered on the lower end of 'transitional'. Their house was nice on the inside but next to other run down row houses common in DC. My friend's boyfriend had to leave his party in order to escort me through the neighborhood to catch a cab home. On the way through the dark deserted streets, a girl wandered yelling and flailing in the street with tears down her cheeks, her eyes jittering around and obviously high. A man following her and yelling. Then there's me, trying not to be scared while attempting to carry on a harmless conversation. Fear of course permeating but, as with most things, without consequence. I hailed a cab and thanked Mark for the escort. On Sunday I ventured during the day to Elia's neighborhood, also a transitional area but relatively nice. Had a great time, met some nice people. This time I drove. I was able to offer her friend Adam a ride somewhere nearby and in the car we discussed this imposing racial prejudice we were both beginning to feel, even by parking in an unfamiliar neighborhood. We both marveled at the guilt (is this 'white guilt'?) we felt in harboring fear simply through preconceived stereotypical interpretations of certain DC neighborhoods. Self imposed segregation based on fear. Some fears warranted of course, I just read a blog noting violent crime being up 200% in Columbia Heights- a so called transitional area in Northwest. I admit, living in Glover Park has been nice, less to fear... But at the expense of less diversity. The area I'm moving to will be slightly more 'risky' but also more diverse. So was Montreal, so was certain parts of Seattle. I don't want to segregate or self imprison. Otherwise I should just save myself all this money and move to the suburbs. I'd like to erase these emerging fears and know my neighbors.

2009-06-17T21:05:00.005-04:00

More DC Truths:

- It is indescribably hip to blog about being Anti- _(insert DC noun here)_. Although in some form these blogs are beneath the surface some form of celebration of DC, they are more or less bastions of a higher standard to the city that they find continuously disappointing. As if the city brings them up just enough to tear them down. I read them because they are educational, tapped in to DC, and always sarcastically fun.

- It is also extremely hip to film movies and tv shows in DC. Now that its cool and happening to have a cool and happening President, DC is coming in to its own for the big screen. State of Play (scenes filmed down the street from my work); Burn After Reading (tons of Georgetown); Paul Rudd/Owen Wilson/Reese Witherspoon are filming in Adams Morgan this week; the Real Housewives of DC are starting filming; and the Real World DC (yes, that show is still on!) house is a block and a half from my new apartment. DC is it, the bees knees.*

*To note, several anti-DC-realitytv blogs have cropped up...

Thunderstorms & Fireflies

2009-06-10T21:48:00.004-04:00

Just as an aside....

Today's events at the US Holocaust Museum are a reminder that Washington, DC can be a target high an a fanatic's hitlist. This should only reinforce in us the need to disarm intolerance where ever we see it in our own lives.

Now, more elements to life in DC...

Thunderstorms. The past week has been a series of hot sunny days turned in a matter of minutes to dark humid thundering electric storms. As I've realized thanks to DC weathermen... DC's location is storm central...located between the cool northern air system and the hot southern air system... perfect for thunderstorms and prompting me to swing between being truly awed by the light show in the sky to anxious and paranoid about getting hit by lightning. Some such storm is occurring out there as I write this.

Secondly, fireflies! I live in a town of fireflies at night! Its beautiful. I'm not certain I've ever seen real ones and Liz will attest to my 5-year-old-like excitement as they flitted about the Victorian Dupont homes this evening. She caught three just as we walked down the street. Theres just something about a quiet evening with silent yellow bursts of light floating through the air... that just gets me.

2009-06-05T18:20:00.003-04:00

Heading into another weekend of activity and distraction. I'm a little beside myself at how social I've been... so unlike my usual state of being.. at least in terms of life in Seattle. I wonder if its because of my intentional use of the word "yes"... or perhaps I've just gotten better at being outgoing and likeable? Who knows. My inner nerd is searching for a logical set of variables that may have led to this. I actually have conflicting plans this weekend (ha!). Take that, low self-esteem! Instead of going to a friend of a friend's house party and attending the lei draping at the Capitol, near-family friends have invited me up to their house in Pennsylvania to hang out, enjoy sunshine and be goofy with their 3 year old twins. I'm feeling overdue for some optimism and I think this visit will be the oasis I need from the cynicism and hyperactive schmoozing of DC. Last night excepted.

Last night I had a blast with some work friends at the 18th Street Lounge happy hour. Our awesome intern, Corbett, was finally leaving us for a real job and we went out to celebrate. Corbett is a few years older than me, very tall, Texan and married to the cutest and tiniest Japanese girl I've met in DC. Corbett taught English in Korea and met his wife when visiting Japan. Accompanying early birds Corbett and myself was Kenan, our part time employee/PhD student of Turkish decent. So the three of us grabbed some lovely chaises at "ESL" and enjoyed some good conversation. Upon mentioning I'm planning on getting a canine, Kenan turned to me quite seriously and proclaimed in his Turkish accent: "I shall house-sit for you!" Perhaps you had to be there but I get such a kick out of how excited people get by this news that I will, at some point in the future, be getting a dog. Christine, Susan, and Jada (Kenan's wife) joined the party not long after. Kenan and Jada will be in essence neighbors in my new 'hood, only a few blocks away. I truly enjoyed hanging out with them and I hope we become good friends. By the end of the evening, Corbett was on his 4th martini and proclaiming that he will find me an good Korean man. I think in response I said something like, thats great, but I don't think I could handle his mother. (For those of you who don't watch Korean dramas- never trust the Korean mother-in-law!).

With the exception of last night, socializing in DC, as I've seen it so far, is a series of alcohol-fueled networking hookup fests. Conversations are shallow and there is always one eye scanning the crowd for hotter possibilities. Since I don't enjoy binge drinking I usually find these events less than fulfilling. I know there is potential for real conversation in pockets of DC, I just need to find them.

I realize I keep blogging about how I keep myself entertained... I'm not intentionally trying to prove that I'm all better. For those perceptive readers, I'm sure you can detect the underlying melancholy in many of my posts. While many who blog have a set mission or purpose for their blog's existence... mine is really just to share. And I find the positives probably a little more interesting (and bearable) to read than the pity parties I could be throwing in the blogosphere.

Swing

2009-05-31T16:22:00.003-04:00

Life these days swings like a pendulum in a vacuum. There are some low moments like when when I come home from work or from being out with friends... One large swing in that direction, and my life becomes one big musical montage of Barbra Streisand's "One Less Bell to Answer"...

But then I get up the next day and push on. Often finding my calendar filled with fun activities with friends and coworkers. This weekend has been great. Friday night I helped my coworker Christine ring in her birthday at this excellent 9-floor free art exhibit called "Artomatic" showcasing many kinds of local art- photography, painting and other craftiness. Saturday I saw the musical "Rent" complete with two original cast members at the Warner Theater downtown with friends. Cried hard when Angel died and loved the performer who played Collins- sounded a lot like a young Luther Vandross. Now enjoying a sunny Sunday evening writing, reading about dogs (in preparation for my move to a dog-friendly apartment) and playing my eclectic mix of music on iTunes.

... Swinging that pendulum in the opposite direction... with any luck a metaphorical crescendo in a jubilant rendition of U2's "City of Blinding Lights"...

P.S. Here is one of my favorite songs from Rent, sung by Collins and Angel, and one of my favorite love songs in general. Seeing Rent again reminded me just how much farther we have to go in our society, where not all those who love each other are free to express it.

DC Truths

2009-05-25T21:15:00.003-04:00

I've been meaning to list a series of observances I've taken note of since I've come to live in DC. I plan to list them here, on a regular basis as they continue to present themselves. I'll index them with the label "dctruths" to reference my various blog entries that qualify.

Here's what I have so far:

~ Drivers in DC have no qualms about making U-turns in the middle of busy streets.

~ Chirping birds are melodic but the amount of bugs detracts from the outdoors being truly pleasant.

~ DC cab drivers' dislike for DC centers around the hot weather... but most of them come from places far hotter...

~ Only new transplants and tourists get excited by motorcades.

~ The high ratio of women to men and blond women to brunette women mean brunettes are free from drunken male pickup lines on U Street.

~ Wildlife (deer, snakes, raccoons) still exist in DC proper.

~ The exorbitant taxation of residing in the District is equal to the gall of Congress to be comfortable with the District's lack of representation.

Thats all for now folks.

Mine!

2009-05-23T14:57:00.008-04:00

So saw an apartment today that has tons of potential and I'm the only one who knows about it so far. I have this weekend to make the decision.

Pros:
* In the middle of everything fun- Dupont Circle, just west of U Street nightlife, south of Adams Morgan funkiness and walking distance from work.
* Affordable and still in Dupont!
* 1 block from two friends.
* dog friendly!!
* hardwood floors one bedroom
* quiet neighborhoody street.
* walking distance to Safeway, outdoor restaurants, funky coffee place!
* full size kitchen (including regular gas stove/oven)
* available mid July- just when my lease in current apartment will be winding down.

Cons:
* parking will be a regular challenge & a different parking zone than my prepaid parking permit.
* living room a little dark.
* an older less fancy building.
* no outdoor bbq area.
* coin operated laundry you need to walk outside to get to.

Here are some photos:

I'm pretty sure I'm going to take it!!

2009-05-21T22:34:00.002-04:00

Reality check: Tomorrow I'm going to my first ever work-related meeting at the World Bank while simultaneously all items that are not mine are being moved out of my apartment by former life partner. Change has officially come to Jen's life.

Idealism

2009-05-12T12:26:00.002-04:00

So something just happened on my way to getting some lunch... and I feel like it might have greater implications that I've only brushed the surface of that have to do with race relations, generational differences, good intentions co-mingled with complex and negative results. Today is a beautiful cool sunny day in DC. Everyone is walking about, excited to be out of doors. I walked by this old African-American man sitting on a bucket at the corner of my street at work. He was asking business people as they walked by if they could buy him lunch. I was on my way to pick up something so I bought this man a bag of pretzels. To be honest, I was a bit scared thinking about whether he would do something scary or follow me back to the office or something, but its a lovely day and noone was stopping. I went back to where he was sitting at the corner, I handed him the bag of pretzels, said something like "how about a bag of pretzels?" and he just looked at me with a blank stare- like how dare I give him a bag of pretzels. He did take it but said nothing and I hurried off down the sidewalk, feeling stupid and embarrassed for my efforts.
Now, am I the quintessential white upper middle class gal that I see thousands of in downtown DC... idealistic, ready to change the world, wanting to do good in the most naive but simplistic way... and utterly failing and perpetuating a much more complex problem that faces urban and rural parts of this country? Should I not have stopped to consider this man's request for food on this the bluest of blue sky days? Was he offended by my age? My gender (his line had been "please 'sir', can you buy me some lunch")? Was this part of a larger begging scheme that didn't fit into his plans? I don't know if he ate the pretzels or threw them at me... but I kept walking, feeling stupid, and not looking back.

Being Socially Responsible

2009-05-08T09:12:00.002-04:00

So its been a bit of time since my last entry- mainly because its hard to follow pretty Hawaiian flowers with more of my boring dribble. Instead I thought I’d share some of the activities I’ve been up to, trying to propel myself into the future and not look back.

Last week it was if I had a normal social calendar!
Sunday- hung out with Liz, where we did a Target run in 90+ degree weather. Had cool drinks from Dunkin D’s and then we sat out back and I hosted my first real cookout at the Glover Park house. Grilled shrimp with garlic and lemon- that was a good idea. If only shrimp weren’t so shrimp-sized… there’s never enough. Drank many Coronitas (also with lemon) and talked into the evening about everything and nothing.

Tuesday- met up for drinks and Thai with Debbie, who has recently become one of the many unemployed lawyers this mess has created. She is hilarious and I’m reminded of how we became fast friends back at McGill after that long drive to New Haven and back to go to that conference. Had Thai, walked around Dupont and despite full bellies and leftovers, bought homemade ice cream from Larry’s and sat in Dupont Circle, people watching for at least an hour. Had great discussions and added ‘hapa’ to my wishlist of male-companion traits.

Wednesday- Astounded myself again by how well I feel after going to the gym these days. Doing gym-related activity feels like stretching out and releasing all that pent up grief my psyche is creating.

Thursday- Attended a McGill alumni reception at the Canadian Embassy. I was in Canada! It felt great to be back. Appetizers, wine and Canadian beer were all provided in abundance. Liz and I discussed the complexities of mingling and enjoyed the cheese and Canadian beer (poured in wine glasses). Debbie also met up with us and we were a trio, scoping out all of these alums we did not know. It was well over 100+ people, it was reassuring to see such a turnout. We were all led down to a screening room where we watched a substance-less video about McGill and then heard from a series of speakers about fund raising. Ran into old friends from the History Students Association (HSA) that Liz and I were both involved in. Reconnected with Dror, Rachel and Steven. Highlights of the evening included: being excited to see Dror and discover that he’s recently married; trying to keep conversational topics light with Rachel and Steven who are arch conservatives (this still amazes me that anyone who lived in Canada could be so right wing); and observing Liz and Steven get into a heated debate over the right to carry firearms in National Parks- for some reason this was hilarious after three drinks. I laughed a lot that evening and felt great.

Friday- My new-found social life somehow wigged out my body and I took a sick day and slept on the couch. Also became extremely paranoid about swine flu.

Saturday- Movie double-header with Erin! State of Play (filmed a block from my work!) and Wolverine. In brief: both movies worth seeing. Wolverine particularly on the big screen.

Sunday- Liz and I attended a Unitarian Universalist Church service in Arlington. She surveyed the church itself (as the professional architectural historian that she is) and both of us were interested in attending their services. So in pouring rain we ventured forth, and sat amongst Unitarians and drank their coffee. We agreed to make it a regular thing… I enjoyed their service and their commitment to human rights and open mindedness. Perhaps there will be more to come in future updates on this late breaking news… Jenny Attends Church Service Voluntarily!

This past week has been very mild on the social calendar- on purpose. Still not 100% feeling right so keeping it mellow. Also the weather has been very poor- thunderstorms, rain, etc. No more of this hanging out in the park type of activity anyway. Tomorrow Debbie is taking me to her parent’s Chinese restaurant in Annandale, VA- can’t wait for real Chinese food in this town! Sunday I’m checking out a possible apartment that’s dog friendly and cheaper- before heading to see Star Trek with Erin! Great times ahead and much to look forward to.

Other events to come: dim sum with other Punahou alums including Mom's friend Diana who works for Mazie; Dragonboat races on the Potomac; possible MLB game with the Kusunoki’s; New Kids on the Block 2009 Tour (!!); Green Day concert, U2 concert in September. Woot woot!

Wrapping Up

2009-04-22T21:49:00.005-04:00

OK so I'm back in DC but I have more photos to share of Hawaii. Below are some lovely photos of Mom and Clay's beautiful flowers throughout the house grounds. Unfortunately, I couldn't tell you the names of these tropical flowers but perhaps their color and intricacy speak for themselves. Enjoy.

(this one I know is bougainvillea)

Couture Cupcake

2009-04-18T21:58:00.002-04:00

Couture Cupcake,
originally uploaded by jkkc97.

So to continue my quest to find the perfect cupcake, here is the closest to that in Honolulu, Couture Cupcake in Aina Haina. Thanks to Cec for continuously raving about this during our monthly luncheons with the Punahou girls in Seattle. Missing that right now!

Kam Sa Ni Da

2009-04-17T18:41:00.010-04:00

The trip continues with more greetings and opportunities to eat tasty food hard to find anywhere else. The night after Roy's, Dad and I went to our favorite Korean restaurant - Choi's Family Restaurant. There is no place like it anywhere. Its unfortunately usually empty but it has by far the best Korean food and the attitude to go with it. Mrs Choi is a small woman with a unique tone of voice and is continually out of breath. I'm not sure Dad can understand her most of the time unless she is demanding we sit down or she is offering some large complimentary plate of veggies. The small parking lot is in the back of the restaurant and encourages patrons to enter through the back door.

All entrees come with the usual Korean accoutrements, kimchee, soup, etc and the barbecued meat is delectable. Thank you, taste bud gods!

Kal-bi, BBQ chicken, mandoo, complimentary spinach and cold tofu.

Ono

2009-04-15T02:57:00.006-04:00

In the past Hawaii has served as a place of solace as well as a place of heartache, nostalgia and filial piety. This time is no exception. Over Easter I had the privilege of seeing all my closest relatives and feeling back at home with the family gatherings. I'm particularly excited since my cousin Nicole was accepted and is matriculating to Punahou to start 7th grade next year! She will be the second in the family to attend Punahou. Not bad in my book!
Tonight Clay and Mom treated me to Roy's in Waikiki. Roy's to those of you not from the Islands is probably the highest class place you will find locals as well as tourists dining in the same island fusion fancy food venue. Uncle Gary used to treat us to dinners there when I was in high school and we had some familial connections to the place when it was just one location in Hawaii Kai. Now Tyler, my stepbro, works there and the ties continue. Tonight was particularly tasty for some reason. I had my usual - the steamed fish prepared 'Chinese style'. The fish this time was 'suzuki'- a fish I had never heard of before. It was a great light fish slightly similar to mahi. It was topped with a light pesto and tomato salsa with ogo (seaweed) and cilantro. The filet rested on a bed of bok choy with tasty greens in a light soy-ginger sauce. It was so very very good that I proclaimed at the time that I must blog about it. So here I am!

2009-03-31T08:44:00.001-04:00

Despite what one might think, I’m actually feeling well today. Again reflecting that the past few years have been a series of emotional roller coasters on many fronts. And as I continue to coast on those rails, I remember some of the highs and lows and fascinate over the lyricism of it all. And I am just one soul living life. I like to ponder how my one life story is multiplied across the world. The abundance of history in human existence overwhelms!

From Grandpa passing away, my Dad’s illness, losing a job, to finding a new job, embarking on a new adventure across country and seeing a real man become President of the United States- and everything in between- I honestly believe learning from and appreciating these events will enable a life of abundance and purpose. I am exceedingly grateful for this awareness. Domo.

2009-03-30T08:35:00.002-04:00

Its amazing how one large event can suddenly change you. With my anthropologist's hat on again, I sit here at work amazed. (Perhaps by having my socio-anthro hat on again, it gives me an opportunity to remove myself from the immediate while trying to help me gather some perspective on the situation.) Being told that 2 + 2 no longer equals four... but instead some other anomolous number that fluctuates on a minute by minute basis but sometimes equals four, it somehow devolves you into a childlike state of mind where anything can happen but you don't know what that is. Your mind just floats along without asking for sense to be made of the world. My body can kick up some leaves or stand in the rain or stare off through a window but there is a sense of self missing because there is just the being without the mind. Perhaps the 'heart' (whatever that truly is) begins to lead the rest of me (normally led by the mind) but she doesn't know what to do. (yes, I just feminized and third-person'd that). She feels like a survivor but weak and listless. At work, she can let the mind take over while she sits back on the sidelines. But after work and when the mind fades, she is back in control and pushes me from place to place because she thinks thats where I should be, but not really knowing why.

Lack Thereof

2009-03-26T12:50:00.003-04:00

I think it is the anthropologist in me who wants to reflect on how life affects the human being. Everything has its place as an observation and an attempt to qualify the feeling or the happenstance to somehow log it for prosterity. When matters of the heart turn to the forefront of one's life and devastates everything one has built to function in everyday Western society, the sheer pain a human can create for oneself out of no external physical cause just blows me away. Its fascinating and is another sign to me that there is something greater than physical existence.
To experience that pain, however, is not something easily enabled by society. For physical cuts, burns and breaks, you go to the hospital where they help you to heal. There is no equivalent place when your heart breaks. At least I couldn't find it on my lunch break. Bathroom stalls are inadequate and the sidewalk is just socially unacceptable... and the woods are not all that safe. Society forces one to retreat to ones private residence, even if that is the source of the greatest hurt.

The SocialWay

2009-03-22T21:05:00.003-04:00

Not since the Capitol Theater in Olympia have we experienced a space that exists in its own separate reality and rules. I'm talking about the Georgetown Safeway. Yes, the grocery store. While the building and parking lot are common place and similar to any semi-urban picked-over small to mid-size grocery store, the people and the overall vibe of the premises leads me to want to get my goods and leave as soon as humanly possible. Having lived in DC now for almost 8 months, there has not been one instance where something weird or odd hasn't happened. Whether its a crazy older man talking to himself in the parking lot only to get into a luxury sedan and drive away or for the entire grocery store to be almost empty of groceries, there never fails to be something odd- without explanation- occurring under the surface. The place is often filled with young 20 somethings shopping for one or loading up for a House barbeque. There are also those older shoppers that you know have to be influential dignitaries or older retired political mainstays. All of them stop at this Safeway, titled on some maps as the "social way" due to the networking and hookup potential it has for the young people. Somehow something triangulates to create this vortex of strange feelings and weird behavior. I've tried to explain. I'll let you know if there is anything worth noting in the future.

Cuteness

2009-03-10T18:59:00.001-04:00

Stroganoff

2009-03-01T19:54:00.009-05:00

Found a great recipe in Real Simple that I went ahead and tweaked. Its so simple, healthy and tasty all at once!

pork loin (the RS recipe calls for steak)
salt & pepper
olive oil
plain Greek yogurt
chopped fresh dill
sliced mushrooms
1 sliced onion or shallot
1/2 cup white wine
pasta of choice

Boil up the pasta. Mean time, season the pork with salt & pepper (I've been using Montreal steak seasoning) and then slice up pork (I like bite size). Saute the pork and then set aside. Saute sliced mushrooms and onions. Add the wine and let cook down to 2/3rds liquid. Add back the meat. Serve on top of the pasta. Top with a large dollop of yogurt and drizzle with the chopped dill. There you go!

I Spy

2009-02-21T08:30:00.004-05:00

Last night Kyle and I embarked on our first super secret spy mission at the International Spy Museum at Gallery Place. Through another International Club of DC event, we enjoyed a drink called "The White Knight" and in groups of 15, entered the third world country of "Khandar" where we used our deductive reasoning skills and suspend our disbelief to stop a nuclear trigger from getting into the wrong hands. Complete with sets like a marketplace, warehouse/ special ops base, freight elevator, underground tunnel, ministerial office, back of a hauling truck, a middle eastern living room/interrogation intercom room, helipad and ultra cool cocktail bar; we traveled through different rooms with missions to get closer to the truth. We interacted with our guide and with touch screen super cool surveillance equipment and video communication with "The Chief" to proceed with our mission. Once the operation was over, the fun-house like adventure winds up at a bond-esque bar where you watch how the media interprets the international tumult we had a hand in... with a cover story. I would suggest this production for anyone coming to DC that has an interest in covert stories or James Bond movies. Next time we hope to actually see the museum itself!

My Account of 1/20/09

2009-02-06T19:49:00.003-05:00

(and the embellishment is totally intentional and warranted :)

Inauguration Day January 20, 2009

Today it was official yet after spending 10+ hours in below freezing temperatures with thousands of others, I knew that change had already arrived to Washington DC. Change came from all corners of the country and the world. And together we braved the cold, waited patiently and politely (mostly) in long massive lines before sunrise this morning. It seemed like the only way to withstand the freeze and the wind was to start the party and a few jovial people helped the rest of us along. Through invisible blankets of chill and air we shouted chants of Yes We Can! Fired Up! Ready To Go! The same way our hearts maintained that excited glow, random cheering warmed up our arms and faces, kindled by the arrival of this day. We did The Wave and sang a few songs. We were finally released from the confines of the lines and we leapt at the chance to position ourselves in the best standing area. Once we were in our designated section, the sun had risen and the excitement set in. We ended up in the middle, directly in line with the Capitol dome, at the very beginning of the standing area. Behind us, the reflecting pool and thousands upon thousands of others, just like us, freezing and excited. Here we stationed ourselves for what ended up being a few more hours, in even closer quarters, against strangers-turned-friends.

When the United States Marine Corp Band began to play, it started to sink in just how much this meant. This event, right here, was the epitome of American pomp and circumstance. This event. There was no getting more pompy than this. These thoughts, running constantly parallel to the flow of elation and realization that Barack Obama, mixed race hapa, raised in a divorced family in Honolulu, Punahou graduate- (like myself!) was about to become President of the United States. When these two streams of thought and coincidence collided like they did in small bursts throughout the day, there were moments when my feet left the ground and the tears fell freely.

The Program: The crisp blue and bright sun of the winter morning did not go without notice and meant millions of photos of the Capitol dome would be like postcards. The procession and introductions took a while, especially when the dignitaries presented were in miniature and the anticipation could not be greater. We took that opportunity to take photos of each other, blind shots with my camera held high above my head and turned around to the crowd behind us. When the program officially started, everyone stood still and listened. Despite my reservations about the Reverend Rick Warren, and his introduction met by a series of ‘boos’ from the crowd, his invocation disarmed us all. The clear words he spoke I can’t recall until the end when he began the Lord’s Prayer. I am not the most religious of women my age but capturing the voices and whispers of men and women, young and old, African American, White, Indian, Alaskan, all of us with eyes closed in unison reciting the Lord’s Prayer, I felt my spirit rise. “Our Father,” he began. By the time he spoke the word “Heaven” he had carried all of us into a heightened state of spiritual community. I had never felt the presence of spirit like I did at that moment, in the warming sunshine of that chilly morning, with tens of thousands of other souls all focusing our energy towards a higher grace. When I opened my eyes as we all said Amen, I felt renewed, and ready.

With all the concentrated ‘American-ness’ enfolded in the production of this event, I turned to Kyle and said I hope they play some Aaron Copeland. When Itzak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma and others began to play ‘Simple Gifts’ the perfect setting was complete and I bounced in place with jubilation. I loved being in that moment. I thought about all the gifts we’ve been given as a people. And yes, to freely elect our chosen representative is a most precious gift and right. I am grateful for all the various gifts that combined to give me this day where I could be enjoying this American moment, on this most perfect of January mornings.

The swearing-ins were surprisingly simple and short. In no time it was upon us, and we heard the words, the oaths, and screamed at the moment it was official. Dictionary.com defines the word ‘surreal’ to mean “having the disorienting, hallucinatory quality of a dream; unreal; fantastic.” The events of this day trumped the most vivid of dreams and brought so many hopes into the realm of historical fact. Even as we dispersed from the crowd, there was a lightness to my step that I know others must have experienced. As we strolled through the Capitol Hill neighborhood with the intent of somehow making it back to Dupont Circle, everything I observed took on greater meaning and significance. Smiles on faces, kind regards among strangers, a million people uplifted in one DC morning.

This Week in Photos

2009-01-25T22:24:00.006-05:00

Here are links to my photos from this week:

Inaugural Evening Festivities; 1/18/09
Inauguration Day; 1/20/09

Inauguration Weekend- so far

2009-01-17T09:16:00.006-05:00

Its Saturday morning and its beautiful! Mom and Aunty Geri arrived Thursday during the large frigid cold spell that surged through DC- putting temperatures in the teens. We took pictures of us all bundled up and I couldn't help but be tickled by the idea of all these Hawaiians venturing to DC and experiencing this chill. Its been Canadian cold here, and unusual for DC. Thursday night we braved the cold and went to the Italian restaurant Paolo's in Georgetown. Whats great about seeing Georgetown is that the whole neighborhood has been decorated with ultra patriotic American flags on the lampposts and red white and blue bunting on buildings, something reminiscent of a 19th Century celebration. I didn't know we even still used this type of bunting!
Today we plan to do some shopping, I'm getting my hair done and Kyle needs to pick up his tux.

Our plans so far:

Sunday
Punahou Trustee Reception, the Case Residence (just Jen)
Hawaii for Obama Gala, Hay Adams Hotel

Tuesday
Inauguration, Capitol Steps

More to come!

Prodigies

2009-01-09T21:59:00.003-05:00

So we just got home after venturing to a performance at the Embassy of the Russian Federation. The event featured young prodigies under the tutelage of Vladimir Spirakov's school for the Arts. They started off with a beautiful girl who played Chopin magically for her age. Then another girl with amazing skills on the violin. There was another violinist, a clarinet prodigy (think The Bees), and then a smart aleky genius balalaika player... who couldn't be older than 12. His fingers moved so fast across the strings it was only a blur. Also part of the program were these young and quite small Russian folkdancing kids, in full Russian costume, on point and kicking up their legs and floating like ghostly fairies. It was all very surreal.
Then we went to the video store to rent more Battlestar Galactica- complete with thoroughly snarky video-rental dude. A good evening in DC.

Back

2009-01-08T18:28:00.003-05:00

Back in DC and preparing mentally and physically for the inauguration festivities. Weather has been cold and at times exceedingly rainy. Kyle has yet to unpack but he has agreed to do it this evening (2 suitcases currently open and splayed in the living room for now). As a birthday/yay-Kyle-is-in-school present, we now have a breadmaker. Which may seem like a luxury but was on sale and will keep us eating / shopping smart. This isn't my best entry but just I thought I needed to enter something new.
Saw Alan Greenspan climb out of his chaffeur'd towncar this morning. Weird reality this is where one of the constructors of the mess we're in, goes to work around the corner from me. Hmm.

Night

2008-12-27T20:06:00.007-05:00

About 8pm last night, the power went out in Kailua. When was the last time there was a island-wide black out?? When I was home in October 2006 and an earthquake hit. I don't remember this many island-wide disasters (not really a disaster, more like another unique potential crisis that can only happen the way it happens here.) But when the power goes out, the light goes out, blanketing everything around you in darkness. Which doesn't seem so bad until you realize you don't remember where exactly you are in relation to the furniture, the flashlights and the wall.

Clay was in the middle of cooking dinner for us, his daughter, son in law and son who arrived just as the world went out. Of course being Clay, he was well prepared with camping lanterns and my mom had already set out the decorative candles usually only used for Christmas dinners anyway. So Clay finished cooking the beef tomato and we had a nice dinner by candlelight. Equipped with a few bottles of wine, a bright lantern and a battery-powered radio dial, we played Apples to Apples at the living room table and laughed heartily. Even as the kids left (kids=20 somethings that are younger than me) the street was pitch black, only revealing the neighborhood when headlights grazed by. It would have been a perfect night for star gazing but clouds covered most of the sky through the night. Kailua power was restored shortly before I woke up this morning about 6:30am. Dad's power wasn't restored until 8am-ish and Grandma's house in Kaneohe was powerless till almost noon!
We had theories about the whole blackout thing, since President Elect Obama is staying close-by. But in the end, I believe the lightening strike-scenario and think its great that everyone pulled through with minimal issues. Way to go, Hawaii.

I'm Dreaming

2008-12-25T11:20:00.003-05:00

Merry Holidays! I woke up a few minutes ago to this outside my window! What a wonderland! I think I remember one Christmas in the past where it was actually white... I think it was back in college when we came to Seattle instead of flying to Hawaii. This is so great!
I'm very thankful to have the ability to wake up to this beautiful view this morning. It was really the stroke of some form of luck, blessing, cosmic mandate that Kyle and I make it to Seattle on Christmas Eve. All logic being the case, we should not have made it like we did. My thoughts are with the other Seattle-bound couple that chose to give up their seat to stay together and who may be snowed in in Cleveland this Christmas like we would have been. Instead we were able to make it to the Thomas Christmas party and celebrate with a large sum of relatives.
The Thomas clan has a full house this Christmas, just like the last, with all sons and daughters present with the two significant others, Ewan and myself, accompanying. Its around 8:30am Seattle time and I hear the house stirring. It is currently softly snowing outside and I'm a little overwhelmed by the perfection of this Christmas.

Nectar

2008-12-04T19:45:00.004-05:00

So after many years of waiting and searching in various Seattle and Washington supermarkets, only in New England can you find the Nectar of the Gods: Ken's Steakhouse Italian Dressing & Marinade, the jewel of the Ken's Steakhouse Salad Dressing chain. Most enjoyed with cold iceberg. I now have four bottles which should keep me until summer when we hope to visit relatives on the Cape.

New Englandy Holiday

2008-12-01T19:23:00.003-05:00

So we made it. After an 11 hour drive Wednesday night to Springfield, MA, Thanksgiving weekend was great. In addition to copious amounts of turkey and tasty starches, also involved in the weekend was a delightful hike up a nearby hill to see views of Massachusetts and Connecticut, catching up with cousins, paying respect to loved ones who had passed, hanging at The Apartment Shops in West Springfield, peeking into the new Basketball Hall of Fame, purchasing hard-to-get salad dressing, going to community league 8th grade basketball games and playing with Barbies and toys with my cousin's kids. Hampden was cuter than I remember: brown and red fallen leaves, winter forests, old cemeteries, rolling hills, colonial style homes. Staying on the serene grounds of my uncle's house, every morning I spied out the window, looking for the herd of deer said to roam the area. Never did catch a glimpse but regardless, enjoyed being on vacation, taking naps and watching sports in my uncle's den in front of a warm fire like I did with my dad in past family visits.
We left early Sunday morning, headed towards Groton, CT to visit Kyle's cousin Jeanie and family over breakfast. Drove through snow and sleet and spent nearly 15 hours inching down I-95. Discovered that I love the New York radio station 106.1. Subjected Kyle to my constant singing and rhythmic arm waving on the New Jersey Turnpike. Returned home about 10:30pm.

Preparations

2008-11-23T20:04:00.009-05:00

So winter has arrived and I seem to have forgotten what it was like to be cold all the time. Now I remember. This week we head to my Uncle Jack's house in Hampden, MA to give thanks and be New Englandish. I was also warned today to prepare for the annual Thursday mid-day 'hike' that the family embarks on when in Hampden. Good-ie, I thought, Uncle Jack's hikes are more like treks where full traipsing gear is necessary. You'll know I survived if I ever have another blog entry.

This is all good anyway as I've resolved to attend the gym on a much more regular occasion because of the fact that I have new motivations: we got Inaugural Gala tickets!!! Which one? The Hawaii for Obama Inaugural Gala! Wee!! I need help finding a dress for the ball (tee hee, just wanted to say that!) and a tux rental place for the Guy. Any suggestions welcomed! Peace out.

And just for side kicks, another reason why I can't help but adore John Mayer:
"And maybe from now on I'll give you some more updates so that you don't feel as if I've disappeared and been replaced with a robotic clone, like in that movie The Last Starfighter, though if I had been, I'd want you to know that I'm very happy where I am defending the great planet of Rylos, long may she prosper." --JM

The Moment

2008-11-09T11:04:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow

2008-11-05T20:11:00.003-05:00

We did it.

DC

2008-11-04T07:57:00.003-05:00

Its finally here. The day that America finally chooses to change and learn from past mistakes. Its overcast and grey here today but you can feel a light shining beneath the surface. Today people are making eye contact as if everyone is at last acknowledging their common belief that change is coming. I wore my Obama Ohana 2008 pin proudly this morning and saw others wearing proud pins as well. Polls are open and people are lined up around street corners waiting to do their part. Despite the grey, its a comfortable high 50 degree temperature that will deter noone today. So now I sit at work, distracted, and enjoying the best free Starbucks coffee I've ever had.

Yes We Will

2008-11-03T22:05:00.002-05:00

Melange

2008-11-02T14:26:00.005-05:00

So I've been attempting to make delicious salads that will entice me on a regular basis. The past couple weeks I've realized that the only salads I really crave are those similar to CPK chop chop salads. So why not make my own? Theres only one extra step from regular salads, chopping! So here is my first of what I hope to be many variations of the same thing, relatively healthy. You'll notice I included some low fat ham slices... I'll probably go with less in future salads, maybe one or two slices.

1 handful of bag salad fixings, chopped
1 hard boiled egg, chopped
2 slices of thinly sliced low fat ham, chopped
1 large pinch of dried cranberries
1 large pinch of shredded 2% mozzarella
Italian vinagrette

Foliage

2008-11-01T15:08:00.007-04:00

Today is the day after Halloween. I took a stroll through my neighborhood in an attempt to capture the colors before winter sets in. These were some colors I found.

Kyle's Good Works

2008-10-26T20:42:00.001-04:00

Audacity

2008-10-24T21:00:00.006-04:00

More than anything, it is that sense- that despite great differences in wealth, we rise and fall together- that we can't afford to lose. As the pace of the change accelerates, with some rising and many falling, that sense of common kinship becomes harder to maintain. Jefferson was not entirely wrong to fear Hamilton's vision for the country, for we have always been in a constant balancing act between self-interest and community, markets and democracy, the concentration of wealth and power and the opening up of opportunity. We've lost the balance in Washington, I think. With all of us scrambling to raise money for campaigns, and unions weakened, and the press distracted and lobbyists for the powerful pressing their full advantage, there are few countervailing voices to remind us of who we are and where we've come from, and to affirm our bonds with one another.
- Barack Obama on opportunity in The Audacity of Hope

Most of all, she possessed an abiding sense of wonder, a reverence for life and its precious, transitory nature that could properly be described as devotional. During the course of the day, she might come across a painting, read a line of poetry, or hear a piece of music, and I would see tears well up in her eyes. Sometimes, as I was growing up, she would wake me up in the middle of the night to have me gaze at a particularly spectacular moon, or she would have me close my eyes as we walked together at twilight to listen to the rustle of the leaves. She loved to take children- any child- and sit them in her lap and tickle them or play games with them or examine their hands, tracing out the miracle of bone and tendon and skin and delighting at the truths to be found there. She saw mysteries everywhere and took joy in the sheer strangeness of life.
-Barack Obama writing about this mom in The Audacity of Hope

Grace

2008-10-19T18:27:00.000-04:00

Tonight I'm overwhelmed by the poetry and genius of Jeff Buckley. On a day that would have been seen by everyone else as a beautiful fall day, cool, bright, blue, with a slight breeze to kick about the leaves, I chose to stay in, reflect and attempt to find meaning in the negative space. My revelations: I miss Seattle; community is a lovely thing; and cooking does not fill a void.
I tend to arrive at things in a delayed fashion, after most others might have thought it obvious that I arrive at a point, or a trend or an interest. So it was with my John Mayer interest, so it is with Jeff Buckley:

I know the tears we cried
Have dried on yesterday
The sea of fools has parted for us
There's nothing in our way
My love

His voice, I don't have the words to describe. But if a burning heart had a voice, it would sound like Jeff Buckley.

Last Night

2008-10-03T08:28:00.000-04:00

There are so many things to write on this blog that I've been delinquent on. The subject that has finally pushed me to update this blog was in fact, what happened last night. Am I talking about the Biden Palin debate? No. I'm talking about the 5 bad brothers from the beantown land!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I saw the New Kids in concert for what I believe to be the 4th or 5th time. And it was absolutely the best concert ever. The very closest thing to time travel. Better than any college party or any coming of age epiphany. It was, for lack of words, surreal perfection.

Did they hit every high note? No. Were the just as cute? Better than cute. Did they sing all of my favorite songs? Almost!! Did they do their famous dance moves? Yes! Although we were one row before the very last row of the nosebleeds, it didn't matter. They were still there for ME. And did they ham it up? Heck yeah!! And oh how the thousands of women there sang their hearts out for every "oh" and every "yeaaah". It was almost like we came to hear ourselves, our common adolescent fanaticism burst forth after years of 20-something hipster repression commandeering our egos and reshaping our self esteem. It was glorious.

Songs they sang (the old ones I know, not in order of performance):
Valentine Girl
Please Don't Go Girl
You Got It (The Right stuff)
Didn't I Blow Your Mind
Baby I believe in you
If You Go Away
No More Games
Tonight
Cover Girl
Hangin' Tough
I'll be loving you forever
Step by Step

Other points that ruled:
- Jonathan was wearing an Obama shirt at one point and they not so subtley endorsed our man! You might have heard me screaming as my worlds collided.
- Some of the mega screen art harkened back to favorite videos.
- Significant arm waving throughout.
- Jordan somehow hitting those high notes.
- Proceeds of some t-shirts going to Breast Cancer Research!
- A heart-felt sense of gratitude for those golden years.
- An If-You-Go-Away memorial tribute to those they've (we've) lost since those years (ex. Danny's Mom, Jordan & Jon's granddad, Dick Scott, Luther Vandross, James Brown, Kurt Cobain, etc)
- An excess of Boston-team pride- Celtics jerseys, Red Sox sequined caps, etc!

Large Hadron Collider... Sept 10 baby!

2008-09-01T22:19:00.000-04:00

Mid-Week

2008-08-19T21:39:00.000-04:00

Its been a whole week since we arrived already! Movers arrived Monday, we're now in the slow process of unpacking our lives. Makes me wonder if some things were worth bringing all the way here. Nonetheless, here it is!

Work is going swimmingly so far. I'm eager to dive in. Kyle has been great managing the move and getting our internet connected (at last, hoorah!).

Contact

2008-08-15T21:18:00.000-04:00

A break from the DC updates to say....

2008-08-15T19:34:00.001-04:00

I love this photo!

Barack and fam at Island Snow in Kailua!! Thats the last place I had shave ice too! Sometimes reading through all this stuff, its like its too good to be true... a local boy!!

Arrived

2008-08-14T15:47:00.001-04:00

We've arrived, as many of you already know! Having some challenges finding some internet, hence the delay in blogging. The weather in DC has been great this week, only mid 80s! The apartment is nice, freshly painted a calming greyish olive color. Still trying to air it out a bit from the fresh paint smell. Did some shopping for essentials at the local Safeway and Target. Also getting some of those logistical things done like internet service, driver's licenses, car registration to get our parking permit (there is no free parking ANYWHERE- making it unfortunately necessary to get new licenses, registration, permit and becoming full blown DC residents), getting bank accounts (no Wamu around here). Movers arrive Sunday (crossing fingers!) and Monday the work begins!

Our landlord Judy has been very helpful in getting No Parking signs to block off the street for our moving van. She also lent us two chairs and her spare tv so we don't go crazy in a large empty apartment. Its been great, we can catch all the latest Olympic events. Michael Phelps is a fish.

Joliet, Illinois

2008-08-11T09:00:00.000-04:00

So the only thing I know about Joliet is that there is a prison around here, made famous by John Belushi's character in the Blues Brothers, Joliet Jake. Its a nice little town outside of Chicago. Not very sketchy. The drive through Iowa was not all that interesting. Did see lots of corn growing, and also some colossal wind devices. That was cool. Rapid City, Iowa didn't have much to it, except a strong connection to Tyson Chicken... which could maybe account for the smell of manure outside the hotel.

So it must be noted that the trip hasn't been completely perfect. We have been inadvertently leaving parts of ourselves behind on this trek across country. In West Yellowstone I forgot my one salvaged pillow complete with pillow case and cover. Blah. And after realizing that, I made a vow NOT to leave more personal objects and to be more aware. This is where it then took us almost 24 hours to realize I left my beautiful money tree plant we had been pampering, in Hill City, South Dakota somewhere. The Comfort Inn hotel doesn't recall seeing it but I'm not so sure they are just saying that because they don't want to make the effort to return it.

I'm also encouraging Kyle to write some on this blog... but encouraging him is a slow process and our internet access has been iffy at times. On to Columbus, Ohio today. We appear to be on schedule to get to our new home on the 12th!

guest blogger

2008-08-09T23:32:00.000-04:00

Hello friends,

You're receiving my first blog at an awkward time. Traveling from Hill City SD this morning has left the evening with a dull and hazy headache for inspiration. I'll try to keep my sentences attitude neutral. Try.

By far the most amazing part of the trip I can comment on is the drive through Wyoming yesterday. Unbelievable. Picture your own private grand canyon to drive through the middle of and add the grand Tetons then you will get highway WY 14. Wyoming has a tiny population and they all deserve some respect for recognizing a beautiful place to live. Definitely a highlight of the trip.

It must be a hallmark of moving across country, that every previous state looks more interesting than the one before it. Or perhaps that's the story of going from west to east. Definitely true either way going across Iowa Illinois and Ohio. Rolling hills look wonderful compared to endless cornfields

I thought of my friends many times going through fun family zones of the trip, like Yellowstone. I can imagine Kim and Mike having a blast with their family there. I remember going through the park with my own family camping and having great times. too much to see.

Jenny says I must post this or else, already this one post has taken three days to finish. I hope to improve.

Some Photos from Yellowstone

2008-08-09T23:19:00.001-04:00

posted from Sioux City, Iowa.

West Yellowstone, MT (in retrospect from Hill City, SD)

2008-08-09T01:59:00.000-04:00

Great towns you can turn off of I-90 in Montana: Jens, Anaconda, Racetrack, Opportunity, Phosphate.

West Yellowstone was as quaint as one might think of a town soley in existence for its proximity to the first National Park. Dined at a place called Bullwinkles and headed back to watch the SYTYCD finale. Wireless internet was less than ideal there.

Hotel Comments...

Days Inn University, Missoula, MT- not nearly the 2 stars AAA gave it! Wireless didn't work the majority of the time, smelled funky, dingy hallways.

City Center Motel, West Yellowstone, MT- a 1 star (or diamond by AAA lingo) but about the same as the previous 2 star hotel. More personable service but internet was nonexistent. But this was the last room in West Y so really, no real complaints.

Had a long day today through Yellowstone early- saw mud springs "paint pots", mule deer, HERDS of buffalo (!!) and fantastic scenery. Then sped through amazing mountains of Wyoming through Cody, Sheridan and then all the way to Hill City, SD, near Mount Rushmore. What a ride today!

Some driving tune highlghts that I would recommend: Grant Lee Buffalo, Aaron Copeland hits, Jeff Buckley, Forrest Gump Sndtrk disc 1.

Tomorrow towards Iowa!

Missoula

2008-08-06T22:20:00.000-04:00

Got to Missoula much quicker than we expected! Considered continuing on towards Yellowstone but then decided to stick to the original plan.

Things I enjoyed on the drive through Washington, Idaho and Montana: crop signs indicating fields of potatoes, alfalfa, etc; mountains that are actually purple!! (I say more like eggplant); big sky is right, not sure how that works in Montana but its true! Discovered that we can't even retrieve our voicemails... so we're resulting to skype & email for communication.

Watching the season finale of SYTYCD tonight then heading out early towards West Yellowstone tomorrow!

T minus 8 hours or so

2008-08-06T01:17:00.000-04:00

So its the night before we leave.... Watching a surprisingly good Mariners game like all good Pacific Northwesterners should! The car is packed, waxed and equipped with cooler and caffeine.

Early tomorrow morning we commence the surge to DC. Destination: Missoula, MT.

We're getting this one!

2008-07-19T16:05:00.001-04:00

The front

The back, common bbq area.

1st bedroom

Kitchen at left, 2nd bedroom.

Living Room.

Kitchen from enclosed den area.

Two closets in den.

Kitchen to den, 2nd bedroom at right.

Living room.

Closet in den, window to 2nd bedroom.

Pros: 2 bedroom + Den with exposed brick, 2nd floor, outdoor back picnic area, bbq, quiet neighborhood, good walk to Georgetown fun, sunny, spacious, landlord next door, free w/d in basement, extra storage in basement.

Cons: Not near metro, bus to Dupont 20 mins. Walk a little farther to amenities. Street Parking.

Coming Home Part 1

2008-03-27T00:28:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I arrived in Honolulu around lunchtime. The air was warm as I always remember it and there was an immediate sense of relief and sudden release of all of life's burdens normally aching down my shoulders. This feeling of calm and release ended about the time our car first pulled into downtown Honolulu. The SuperFerry had been dry docked for reasons I have yet to investigate. The day was sunny and virtually cloudless and would otherwise serve as another beautiful day in Hawaii-nei. But Nancy and Dad started to catch me up on the local news about town. Prices had again gone up, condos were developing left and right, and the homeless population had begun to make a striking presence. Conversation in the car eventually moved on to other topics but out my window I saw my beloved Ala Moana Beach Park transformed into what looks like a makeshift campground. Full shopping carts under every shade tree holding people's only possessions while they slept on mats beside them. Shanties behind fenced-off drainage areas behind the Hard Rock Cafe. Families housed under the shelter at Old Stadium Park and more full shopping carts in the shade. I've never seen Honolulu like this before. Growing up, I could recognize the 3 or 4 homeless men that walked about the streets of our neighborhoods, no baggage in tow but always wearing the same clothes. Today they are families that sit or lie stationary alongside their belongings. The notice in my Dad's condominium notifies residents that the recycling station has been moved into the gated garage to keep non-residents from accessing their recyclables. And that night I saw my first local gun commercial on television. Homelessness and guns galore. Where did my Hawaii go?

Thought these photos were great... from the Obama hype

2008-02-19T12:49:00.001-05:00

On the sidewalk on the day of the rally, Feb 8.

Cookies at a Washington caucus, Feb 9.

2008-02-06T22:54:00.001-05:00

Kung Hi Fat Choy

2008-02-02T14:59:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year! Here I am finally getting to my blog as another accepted form of procrastination. The thing is, I really like what I'm studying, its like just knowing that I need to do it makes me want to do something else. I'm currently sifting through a book called Global Issues in Labor Law- a sort of Cliff Notes for prelaw students who want to understand the legislation and issues surrounding labor and global trade. Its a little dry but it has many references that I am now looking for through UW's electronic journals.

Yesterday I volunteered for an Obama rally at UW with Mayor Greg Nickels and Sen. John Kerry. Wore my Obama shirt and a bright excited smile. Not sure if John Kerry was the best deliverer of the Word of Obama to undergrads... but I found his insights to be worthwhile. After all, he was the one who decided Obama should speak at the Democratic Convention in 2004, and thats where it all started for me. If only I could get more people to caucus with me!

I admit it

2007-12-06T20:23:00.001-05:00

OK, I admit it, I forgot I had a blog. Like, for the past month. Its understandable, I have a job again and I'm still finishing up 3 classes.

The job
Not really so great. Trying not to get too down about it. It pays the rent, looks alright on a resume but beyond that, I've considered it a thorn in my side. Kyle believes that this is my opportunity to pay back for the charmed life I had before. He could be right. But it doesn't mean I'm going to be happy about it! The nature of the beast requires overtime, my least favorite idea about this job.

The school
Well, I'm surviving! Three more days of pain next week and then I'll be well on my way to finishing my Masters, focusing mainly on my final research. I see salvation up ahead! School in all its craziness actually serves as my security blanket, to remind me that my brain still works and can do great things!

The boy
As patient and understanding as ever. I often wonder if he's trying to win a cosmic bet of some sort... why else would he stay with the nutty likes of me??

I'll be spending the holidays here in Seattle, if anyone has any great ideas how to lift the spirits about this, let me know!

Dogs & Cats

2007-11-11T11:29:00.000-05:00

So its now the end of the first week of my new life. I have a job and I'm going to school... oh that familiar stressed out feeling! I forgot about you!
Learning the company culture in my new job, I've determined that where I am now and where I was a few months ago, is the difference between dogs and cats. My new company is a "dog" company, and I could consider my previous employer to be more of a "cat" company. For one, my new company actually allows for employees to bring their dogs to work in some buildings! I love that! They must have some real dog lovers creating policy. Its also a lot more laid back at my new place. Everyone respects each other's ability to do good work, expects it, but doesn't say too much about it. I feel like thats very dog. There is also a prevalence of men employed at my new company, a solid change from the heightened female environment of my previous place of employment. Its also very down to earth at my new place, no false modesty or unspoken standards. Fabulous!
So, in the words of little orphan Annie, I think I'm gonna like it here!

Being decisive

2007-10-26T13:46:00.000-04:00

OK, so I've done it. I've accepted the position. I'm going to work for that online company named after that rainforest place...* So the next two weeks before I start I'm planning on being ultra proactive and starting all the big projects for class early and planning my life from now until December 12. Among those projects are the following:
1) an economic/environmental review of the country of Venezuela... What are the particular issues, geography, natural resources, political environment, where are they on sustainability initiatives, etc.
2) Comparing and contrasting a non-profit organization against either a public or private agency (in terms of organizational structure). I'm thinking of a study between the FLA and one of its member companies, perhaps Nike, or perhaps not one of its member companies like Levi's or Gap.
3) Creating a proposal outline and then the actual proposal for my Capstone project.
Wish me luck!

*the company name I'm protecting in case I might need to rant or share about them later... I did sign a few papers.

The tough decision Part II

2007-10-20T19:20:00.000-04:00

Alright, so apparently all I needed to do was rant on my blog and the Fates would listen. I now have one official job offer. The tough decision now is whether to take it. Its a significant decline in pay but a foot in the door for larger opportunities at a successful Seattle company. I've weighed the pros and cons, and I think the only real con is less pay... and perhaps that it isn't applicable to the field I was in before. And that I will have very little time not allocated to a particular goal. No more camping getaways until June! What to do...