Here's the view from the foot of my bed, out my window. It was raining that night, and having the window open let in the sounds of the rain and the smell of wet concrete. Beautiful. I sat in front of the window and smelled it for like half an hour.
And the silhouette of my coin vase (as I have trouble keeping plants alive, I now grow money) against my dresser.
... the eerie color of which is reminiscent of some glow-y artwork I saw while out at an art opening with Dustin and Mitch.
Another photographic obsession, mirror photos, continues.
On my way to take Shannon out to dinner the other evening, I passed by this "activist group" protesting outside the Whitney museum. Something tells me this is performance art.
My love for text art (even if it's on a window) and mirror photos collide!
This is the fabulous out-of-the-way paninoteca where I took Shannon for her birthday dinner. It has been suggested that they have the most authentic cappuccini in the city (which I would certainly agree with from my previous experiences there), but we didn't have any of that, oddly. We each had some amazing soppressata panini that reminded us of the great ones we had whilst galavanting in Italy. Oh God it was delicious.
I don't know why but while I waited for Shannon to show up, I was enchanted by... a puddle. Or perhaps simply the reflection of the trees during sunset. (Ugly/lovely, remember?)
Later that night, I waited for the bus at 79th Street and 5th Avenue. There is this gorgeous building there that overlooks the park - I think it's some kind of private school for boys or something. But anyway, that night we saw a familiar New York sight: a movie or TV show being shot. The rumor going around the bus stop was that they were filming "Gossip Girl." How titillating.
And here are two sights I just thought were beautiful this week.
Also: according to an audiologist, I have supersonic hearing. Hooray! So how come I can never understand what people are saying?
I've been hanging out in a place called New York City. Let me show you!
At a whiskey bar a couple Saturdays ago, this was scrawled in the girls' room. Girls' rooms are usually filled with demoralizing and cursory words from one chick to (or about) another, and in NYC it can get particularly viscious. This seemed so different and so sweet, I had to capture it. I wonder, who is Kristy Malm?
This is a classic from the side of the Mister Softee truck, and I liked it particularly because the night before I had hung out with some pals from the Superhero Store, with whom I work some Sundays, and so we call ourselves "sundaes." Represent!
Last Sunday I happened upon a weekly flea market on West Columbus Ave, which sounds so gross, but it was pretty cool. They had some interesting and unique things. Sadly but ultimately luckily, I didn't have cash on me so I couldn't be overtaken by impulse buys. There would have been a lot. So I satisfied myself with taking photos.
I'm a sucker for chandeliers. Someday I'll have one.
After that, walking down the most gorgeous block on (I think) West 73rd Street, I saw this little pretty garden. I like the beauty of it beside garbage bags and the gritty ground. You can't keep the beauty of life down, I tell ya. As long as it's around, the ugliness' days are numbered.
To cap it all off, someone from the past sends good vibes to you and me!
New York grocery stores are weird (and kind of gross). I don't know what kind of cheese these people think they're selling, but I would like to meet them and hear their argument.
Oh to be cool and young in the city. Isn't this the stamp that everyone would like to bear?
One more random thing I saw, from a cab: a bedroom outside a comedy club with cameras. Hmm. I will not sign THAT waiver.
And finally, the Thing I Did This Weekend. On Saturday, Shannon was sweet enough to invite me out to the beach with her, Morgan, and some of their peeps. It was 100 degrees and humid that day, so I was all, "Stay in the city? Oh hell no!" and got outta there. I made the trek out to Long Beach, then we got some delicious Italian sandwiches of my design (salami, mortadella, pepperoni with provolone, lettuce and hot peppers on a baguette) and headed to the sandy sunny beach.
It was really the only place to be that day. We soaked it up. Well, Shannon did. I wore my sweater of sunscreen and my big straw hat.
Happily, of course.
We went swimming and the water was perfectly icy. I was happily thrashed about in the waves, to Shannon's amusement. Then Shannon got stung by a jellyfish. Don't worry, she survived.
We stopped by her house on our way back to the city for some Saturday-nighting. I love her wood paneling.
And the cracks in the plastic trash container at the train station. (see what I mean about beauty and ugliness?)
On Sunday I worked at the Superhero Store and had a grand time spending a whole hour showing toys to one adorable blonde little girl and wearing Invisibility Detection Goggles to goof around with my co-volunteer. As I got back into the city, I was overtaken by hunger and stopped by a Thai restaurant for some takeout. But even ravaging hunger can't stop me from noticing and attempting to capture the sunlight on a closed antique shop.
Hello, oldies, basking in the evening light...
Reclining and soaking like me and Shannon. Ha.
Mmm. Lovely. Enjoying the summer and sending kisses to you...
Good Monday to you all! Finally, a bedroom update. It's not as tantalizing as you'd think.
I was at a thrift shop and saw this funky little woven box. Bold red and unusual-looking, I was curious.
I pulled on it and it popped open like this:
It reminds me of that kids' rhyme where you fold your hands: "Here's the church, here's the steeple, open it up and see all the people." Only this is, "Open it up and see all of Jenna's fabulous earrings." I figured that any contraption that could make me gasp with delight and squeal, "Oh cool!" in public was worth $8.
Also, check out this big comfy chair that my boss at PS so generously donated to my cause. Actually, they tried to sell it on Craigslist but no one even responded to the ad, which seems odd to me because it's in absolutely perfect condition, and very comfortable. They were actually going to toss it when I said, "No! No! Let me rescue it!" I fit into it like a kitten in a (very large) lap. Pillows from a Pier 1 sale.
I simply adore this necklace hang. It's so earthy.
I snagged this medicine cabinet for TEN DOLLARS! at a thrift shop and redecorated it. I use it as my Getting Ready Center, as it has a mirror and holds all of my makeup.
And finally, the grandest part of all - my bureau. Well, I don't know if you can call it that. It has two drawers and a set of double doors that open up to two shelves. It also bears the burden of my li'l television. It was pretty ugly when I got it - dingy white paint and corny country-home decals of birds and hearts half scraped off. But I saw it in (yes, of course) a furniture thrift place and, though it hadn't been priced out yet, immediately proclaimed, "I'll take it!"
I liked it because it was sturdy and old and there was no assembly (and inevitable frustration and half-assed failure) involved (unlike the bureau I was going to get for twice the price at Ikea). And I knew I could make it my own. Ergo, vòila:
I painted it gold and found this amazing paper at Dick Blick for the highlight, black with gold accent:
... and cream with gold accent:
Certainly one thing you can't get at Ikea is a recycled fortune. I found this in one of the drawers and painted it right on front.
What do you know? My lucky number's even on it. I love it so. Every day my room feels more like home, which is a strange and lovely feeling.
So, after the requisite nothingness of two or three days of vacation, I often find that the best way to relax and feel refreshed is to DO something. I found this to be true during the last half of Cancùn and the entirety of Italy. Activating the mind and the body is usually pretty effective in helping you forget about your troubles. And as I found myself all wound up the first two days of Hawaii, my mom pointed this out to me and encouraged mixing activity with maxing/relaxing.
I began my Monday with a good, quiet, 2-hour cup of coffee on the balcony with my two best friends: Discman (playing Kings Of Convenience) and Blue Bird Journal.
That afternoon, Tom and I went a-sailin'. The parental units had gone out during their last visit to snorkel and were told that if they DIDN'T see dolphins, their next trip out would be free. They didn't see any dolphins. And my mom realized the full potential of her fear of open water. Thus, I took her place and went out with Tom.
We went out on a boat called "The Cat" and they served us lunch AND drinks! Gnarly, dude!!
And we DID see dolphins! WOOOO! They were so cool, and only about 30 feet away from us. This is actually their sleeping pattern as they are nocturnal dolphins - they swim up to the surface for air, then swim down to the bottom and glide in a resting pattern that repeats for hours throughout the day. From the day they are born, they never stop moving.
I donned some snorkel gear, which happens to be the least attractive sporting gear imaginable. I overcompensated with my best pin-up pose.
Then we snorkeled for about an hour, which was totally amazing!! There were so many different kinds of fish that we saw - and even an eel. Tom spotted an octopus. It was great fun and I had a waterproof camera, but I haven't developed the film yet and I don't know how it'll turn out, since I may or may not have accidentally exposed the film (whoops!). I'll post it if I can later. Until then, enjoy this tropical fish.
Post-snork, Tom and I chilled and snacked and shouted "Aloha!" when the guide ("Captain Chad") took our photo.
And I took pictures of our feet. We rode the rest of the trip on our stomachs on this net, watching the bottom of the ocean race by.
From the shore, Mom took this pic of our ship approaching the harbor.
Oh, hello Glorious Sunset. I had almost forgotten about you!
I dare you to grow more beautiful.
Very well, then. I shall sketch you in my words-and-drawings book.
'Twas a beautiful day. Mahalo.
The next day was Greg's and my last full day in Hawai'i. I had been dying to learn how to surf, and the boys wanted to do some cool stuff too, so all five of us went down to Waikiki to bum around.
By then, pale Nate was at tanning level 2.0 and hoping to make it to 5 by his last day, Friday. Clearly, he and I are total opposites.
In paradise, even a soldier can't resist the beee-utiful beach.
Boy do I love my ohana (hawaiian for family).
Tom, ever the adventurer, volunteered to try surfing with me. We found a dude to teach us. His full name is some typical long Hawaiian name, so he told us to just call him High Tide.
As we walked across the beach to get our surfboards, I chirped jokingly to High Tide, "You know, maybe since I'm the only super-pale person on all of Hawaii, that makes me kind of exotic!" He responded by suggesting I lay out with some coconut oil. Er, I guess that means I'm NOT exotic.
High Tide showed us all of the positions to get into from the shore, then we headed out. I tell you, those boards are freaking HEAVY.
And then we were off!
Tom and I both did pretty well, I think. I love this picture of Tom.
I got up on the board every time I tried it - woo-hoo! And most of the time I was able to successfully ride the wave almost all the way back to shore, as you can see from this pic.
It was a completely exhilarating experience. I can see how people get addicted to this adventure, and quit their jobs to move to this place.
I do have to say, however, that I was completely exhausted by the end of the fastest hour of my life. I realized how weak my arms are by having to paddle out over and over and over and over again. But it was certainly a happy exhaustion.
Meanwhile, apparently Nate and Greg had been bodyboarding.
After we rested and rehydrated, the Foster/Warneckes went to Lulu's for lunch. DELISH!
The ladies' room.
Not a bad view for lunch, eh?
These flowers were everywhere on Oahu, and matched the fake flower on my gigantic sun hat.
Does this view look familiar?
Um yeah.
We drove back to the resort in time to clean up, dress up, and go to the traditional luau being held on the lawn.
We stood in a very long line waiting to get in, and enjoyed the pond full of cool fish and water lilies.
When we got in, the Hawaiian boys were making crafts from palm fronds and temporary tattoos as well.
Evidently I wasn't the only female interested in what this Hawaiian boy had to offer - in terms of craft instruction, that is.
As we waited for the luau to start, I stole away to this little nook over a hill, away from everyone and accompanied only by some tidepools and the retreating surf.
There were critters swimming in all the little pools.
Lava Rawk!
Ha. LOVE this phone booth, so Hawaiian.
When I returned, I found that the boys had gotten their craft on, Nate with his faux tat,
... and Greg with his fab headwear.
Tom got in on the action too.
The dude leading the luau - the Luau Master? The Luau MC? - commanded everyone to raise their "hang loose" hands and repeat, "ALOOOOOOHA!" which, of course, means hello, goodbye, and i love you.
Then it was time for some good eatin'. Pork, beef, etc.
While we ate, they performed some traditional Hawaiian rituals, some involving a princess who does nothing but sits there and smiles.
After awhile it looked like her cheeks were beginning to hurt.
This guy climbed a palm tree just like a freaking monkey!
Oh, you didn't think we were going to get through this without some hula girls, did you??
Fear not.
Gotta say, these girls really, REALLY know how to use their hips.
The boys ain't bad either.
Nathan took this amazing photo later in Waikiki (but I still thought I'd use it) of the moon and ocean, which is just exquisite and very difficult to capture, both in photos and words.
Later we received a photo of our family with the native Hawaiians. The MC was really into Tom.
Finally, on Wednesday as we prepared to go to the airport, we stopped by Hilo Hattie's to stock up on souvenirs.
I got totally taken by this woman who was handing out keys and - lo and behold! - my key opened a chest that bestowed upon me a coupon that gave me 40% off a REAL PEARL! I chose the oyster and everything.
I'm such a sucker. But the pearl itself cost almost nothing - where they get you is in the setting. But I'm a New Yorker, you can't sell me anything I don't already want. I just kept my pearl as a token of my trip.
And then it was time to leave. It felt like the week had flown by, which, of course, is the case with almost any vacation. I had finally unravelled my stressed mind, and all too soon it was time to return to regular life, to working until 2am and wearing whatever constitutes "clothes" in public.
And so, after tearful goodbyes, off we went, Greg and I, as Mom, Tom and Nate watched us go (and took our photo, apparently).
Aloha, Hawai'i, mahalo.
The best part of an overnight flight is seeing the sun rise from above the world. There's just nothing like it.
And the only benefit to flying into Newark (except that it's cheaper) is this moment: when the plane tilts a little to the side when landing and you can see, beyond the industrious landscape of New Jersey, the tip of the New York skyline. When I first came to New York I was so panicked that I had made a mistake, and seeing this sight was the only thing that calmed me. I felt like I was seeing home. It's still magical to me.
Of course I had an unforgettable time in Oahu. It was replenishing to spend time with my family in a new and lovely place, even if we got on each others' nerves sometimes. But isn't love despite occasional annoyance the very definition of family?
Thank you so much, Mom and Tom, for making this trip possible, and to Tom for pushing us all to be there together at the same time. It was absolutely wonderful.
Hawai'i holds a special place in my parents' heart. They've been there many times and even had their honeymoon there. One such trip was to a resort to hear a pitch for timeshares. I never thought anybody actually became convinced on one of those trips, but my mom and Tom decided to go for it. They've always wanted to share the Hawaii experience with us kids, so last year, they planned a vacation that all five of us could go on, and finally the week came. Last week.
This trip came not a moment too soon for me, as I've been mulling over a lot of changes in my life and needed to get away from a lot of crap. I know I've already taken a big vacation this year, but really, you can never have too many, right?
My travels consisted of two parts: a five-hour flight to Salt Lake City (which is like Mars to me - I just don't get it), and a 6.5-hour flight to Hawaii. Luckily for me, Greg was on the long flight with me, and a young man sitting next to me was nice enough to move so that we could sit together.
As we flew over the ocean, I couldn't tell the difference between sky and sea.
Soon we approached the islands (we were on Oahu) and I got all giddy.
We were so excited to see the 'rents, and I think Greg adequately portrays our level of exhausted relief.
We drove about a half hour from Honolulu to Ko'Olani, where the resort is.
It was exactly what you'd expect from a Hawaiian resort: gorgeous!
The rooms were plenty spacious, very clean and nicely decorated. As we were driving, Mom said, "The view's okay. You can KINDA see the ocean, if you crane your neck."
YAH RIGHT! This is the perfect view from our balcony.
I was delighted, and happy to be there, with my lovely fam. And, as you can see, very quick to put on the bikini. I tell ya, you can't get me to wear a shirt if I don't have to.
Mom and I walked around for a bit, then met up with the boys for a snack at the restaurant.
Ain't she cute?
There's nothing I love more than the feeling of sand rushing around my feet as water retreats on the beach.
These stunning birds were spotted a few times in our trip, just chillin' on the golf course or inland from the beach.
That was July 4th, and we ended up in Waikiki to watch the fireworks with 30,000 people on the beach, the black ocean vast beside us.
The next day, Nathan arrived and we all crowded into the car to go see the North Shore, site of many righteous surfing waves. Greg navigated.
Tom guided us safely to and from (as we all joked about him getting lost and all of the times he's, well, led us into "adventurous situations," some involving empty gas tanks in the middle of nowhere. Good times).
We hung out at North Shore for a bit, which was one of my favorite destinations on this trip because there were very few tourists, just locals who keep their lives simple - full of surfing and shaved ice and swimming.
You can't see it very well from this photo, but there were 3 sea turtles that swam close to shore, popping their heads up every now and then. This is kind of Loch Ness-y though.
As you will see, I am very fond of taking photos of my and other people's feet. I don't know why this is, and I never realized how much I do it until this trip. It's like my fondness for taking pics of people from behind walking down the street, or looking up at treetops against the sky.
This shell was about half the size of my thumb.
We continued our tour de North Shore, stopping for a snack at this cool li'l pie shop.
This is a weird angle of my shadow - kind of alieny. Or kind of like the lollipop starlets of Hollywood - big head, tiny body.
There were a lot of murals in Hawaii, and this one in particular was great - a giant wave painted as a tribute to a famous surfer from the area.
Nate caught up on some light reading while we ate.
Next we went to a slightly more populated area, where we could swim for a sec.
Which Greg, Tom and I totally did. It felt great to get out of the car, out of the heat, into the water, into the great expanse of ocean that makes you feel so small.
On our way back to the resort, we stopped by a little "Main Street" type of strip, where there were a few surf shops.
Someone made good use of this old car.
I became enamored of signs against the brightly colored walls prevalent on the islands.
We got some shaved ice for like a dollar. I don't know these people, I just liked the composition.
Our group dissipated for a sec, and Tom and I walked around a bit and found this cool shaded area.
This is what teenagers on Oahu do for fun after school. Not too shabby.
We regrouped and hung out with our shaved ice. I love all the different yellows in this shot.
Nothing like some good ding repair.
Again, feet (Mom's) - I love the look of sand grains on painted toes.
The sun began setting, and we wanted to get home before dark for dinner, so we headed back.
On the way, we passed sugar cane fields.
The sunsets are amazing. Duh.
Now, I'm not sure of the sequence of these photos, what's sunrise or sunset from which day, Friday, Saturday or Sunday. I didn't do much on Saturday. I woke up upset because I got about three hours of sleep the night before and was still so wound up from my life in the city that I just needed some decompression. Ergo, Mom and I spent the day together taking long, slow walks and got massages. I bought us a big delicious breakfast. I don't remember how I filled the rest of my time - probably sitting on the beach and reading.
This was definitely either Saturday or Sunday evening. I enjoyed a Negro Modelo while watching the sunset with Mom & Greg.
Now I know where I got this obsession - must have inherited it from Mom.
Every day you watch the sun go down and every moment you think it can't possibly get better... until it does.
We grilled steaks and I helped by making the world's greatest salad. Or whatever.
There, it just got better...
The boys grilled steaks down on the lawn.
Oh my God, even BETTER!
Nathan, le grill maestro.
Tom couldn't stop talking to Mom for even five minutes, and chatted with her (fifty feet above) while supervising the grillage.
Last week was Ned's birthday. For months we'd been planning our surprise for him - a day when we'd all dress up like Ned. He has a distinct preppy style: collared shirts (often popped), sweater over the shoulders, flip-flops, and unusual shorts. This kid will wear shorts and flip-flops unless it's snowing out. So we all donned our interpretations of Nedediah (I did my hair in a faux-hawk to honor his three days of rawkness).
Katie made a Ned pinata, complete with popped collar and duct tape mohawk.
We gathered in the kitchen for the usual birthday festivities. As it turns out, it's harder than you'd think to keep your collar up. It involves starch. I think Ned starches his shirts. They're always wrinkle-free.
I don't know how he was surprised, since we do this every few weeks for someone's birthday; maybe it was the pinata (damn that tilde! I can't get it to go over the N!!) that surprised him.
I think he was pretty pleased.
Oh those silly runners! Ned IS tall.
Saturday I went with Dustin to a Shanghai Mermaid party, which was thrown partly by Dustin's friend Charlotte, who always throws the craziest parties. The best New Year's Eve party I've ever been to was at her house. Shanghai Mermaid parties move from location to location every month (this time a warehouse in Park Slope), and costumes are strongly encouraged as it's 1920s-Parisian themed. Boys in zoot suits, girls in flapper costumes. There was also a Far East element to it.
Oddly, we ran into one of many erstwhile PS260 runners, Adrian.
It was a crazy fun time.
Oh, and also, there was some burlesque. This lovely lady's first performance of the night yielded not much nudity, but over the course of the night it got more scandalous.
During this performance she was sort of dressed like a koi fish, and there was a huge hook that she would hang her progressively smaller items of clothing, until she floated away on the hook herself. Lucky fisherman!
This chick was just your basic burlesque - and quite good at it.
Very Dita Von Teese - and the live band accompanied her too!
In between the burlesque performances, the band would play old swing, jazz, and bluegrass music. Perfect for dancing - and dance we all did! This couple was awesome.
The saxist went nuts! Totally nuts.
Outside as we were leaving, everyone was sitting out on the steps of the old warehouse, chatting and smoking like it was an old speakeasy.
This girl's costume was absolutely spot-on. She reminded me of Samantha Morton in "Sweet and Lowdown."
A happy time was had by all - and naturally we ran into some fellow revelers on the train back to the city. I have no idea who they are, but they were definitely fun.
Certainly an unforgettable night! I'm already planning my outfit for the next one. It involves a pair of patent leather stilettos I just got from Target.
Gotta share this with you guys... one day a couple of weeks ago, I had had a wretched day at work and was stressed out of my mind. Shannon's sister, niece and nephew were in town and wanted me to stop by to meet them (I'd heard many wonderful things about all three of them). I thought hey, there's no better way to relax than to hang out with an overactive toddler and five-year-old, right?
As it turns out, I was right. Hanging out with these two amazing kids (Gracie and Nathan) was just what I needed - they're both super-smart and sweet and made me so happy, and it was awesome to hang out with Loraine too. Shannon said that before I came over, she was telling Gracie about me and Gracie said, "Is she a city girl?" And from then on, that's what I was known by. Jenna The City Girl. I even taught Gracie how to say "I'm sorry" in Italian (don't ask).
Click here for their family blog. It makes my ovaries ache.
