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July 30, 2012

$5/day and Being Healthy

Yes, we are still eating on $5 a day. A lot of the time we eat on less than that. My new strategy has been to use the weekly grocery budget only to stock up on things that are on sale and to buy any essentials we are out of (milk, cheese, bread, eggs). This has led to more creative meals and a few good finds in the dining department. At the top of this site I have a Food! tab. Click on it to see all the recipe posts in one place. I have a few more to add over the next couple of weeks.

Another result of this experiment has been calorie counting, which I've been rather successful at. Before the internet cries out "you look great, you don't need to count your calories!" (which I've heard from everyone I've mentioned this to), let me explain something. I do not have image issues. I know I look fabulous (seriously, have you seen me in a bikini? No? Do you want to go to the beach? I'm dying to go to the beach). Ok, I'm glad we got that out of the way.

I know, it's only half a bikini and some shorts, but that's what I had on that day. I look hot.


I live in the United States. We eat CRAP in this country, and lots of it. When I count my calories I become keenly aware of what I am putting into my body and I eat better because of it. Eating better leads to feeling better, which leads to having the motivation and energy to exercise, which leads to feeling even better. It's a scary downward spiral of better health and good habits which ultimately make me more focused, less depressed and more motivated to keep up with my creative endeavors. It gets you hiking pictures, too!

Also, I have lots of clothing from when I lived in Florida. Clothing that is two sizes too small right now that I want to wear again. Ok? There, I said it. I wouldn't mind if I lost some weight. But only because I can't afford to buy new clothes.

Joe, as is typical, is exercising every day, and sticking to low-carb, healthier foods. Which means that's what I have to cook. His workout routine is a combination of pilates and the P90X workout, which I find to be insane. Check it out. I'm into pilates, hiking and Just Dance 3 for the Kinect. Check that out, too!

Anyway, the eating for less and cooking at home is going well, but I have no doubt it will all fall apart once the semester starts and I have the more than full time course load and the part time job. That is why a couple of weeks ago I borrowed Nicole's kitchen and cooked up 3 lbs of chicken and 4lbs of veggies and put it all in the freezer for consumption later in the year when life gets busy. I was so proud of myself. Everything is in individual portions and labeled with "use by" dates. I am feeling very homemakery right now. Anyone have other tips (that don't involve high-carb foods) on making food go further? Leave them in the comments.


July 27, 2012

Top Secret

I don't have a lot I can tell you about today because I've been super busy and we have a lot of projects in the works. I'd tell you about them, but then I'd have to kill you.

Ok, I'll tell you a little, but only enough to make you desperately intrigued.

We are developing a board game, and tonight is our big test night. We've had some folks helping us with play testing for a couple of months now (thanks Nicole, Brie, Andy, Tristan, Elise, Evelyn and Gerkmeister D!). I can't give away all the stellar details, but I can let you know it is both farm and devil themed and there are plenty of puns for both. Also, there is a chicken and lots of dice.

Another project that has been in the works for the past year is a novel that Joe and I are co-writing. I'm hoping that as we near the finish I'll be able to post some sample passages here. Writing a book is simultaneously incredibly frustrating and incredibly rewarding. Much like any time I'm working on a script. I'm a very reluctant writer, even though I love it once I get going. The key to success (for me, anyway) is to have a writing partner (luckily I married a wonderfully creative guy who loves to write and who shares my passion for telling cool stories). I wish I could say more about the book, but we are almost done with the first draft and I'll be able to say more at that point. What I will say is that it's a Young Adult novel in the Supernatural genre (it's what all the cool kids are reading these days) and we hope it will make us enough money to pay off all our grad school debt. We're very optimistic people.

We are also working individually on secret projects, but I can't tell you anything about Joe's because it is a secret and he won't tell me about it. I can't tell you about mine either, because Joe reads this blog and I can't let him know. Our anniversary is in a few weeks and we can't spend a lot on a trip so instead we got creative (cue ominous music). Whenever the Winskyes get creative the world runs for cover. I understand, but here we are.

So that is the state of things I can tell you nothing about, but we are very industrious and with a little luck will actually finish some of these projects. Updates forthcoming...go do something creative of your own, and then tell us about it (or don't, we probably deserve that).

Since I told you basically nothing, I offer this stunning view as recompense:
View from Koko Head

July 23, 2012

Honolulu Hale

Last week we took a trip to City Hall to take care of some residency paperwork. That didn't go exactly as expected, but things seldom do. It was still worth it though, because I was completely distracted by the beauty of the building and surrounding area the whole time.

City Hall, or Honolulu Hale, as the building is named, was completed in 1928. It's an amazing building, with gorgeous detail work on the ceiling, oversize doors and antique chandeliers. The style is considered Italianate Spanish revival and is reminiscent of many of the buildings you'd see if you visited St. Augustine.




When you first enter the Hale, you are met with the bell from the USS Honolulu, a ship that was active in WWII. The inscription at the bottom of the plaque reads: "In memory of those who have struggled and died that freedom and peace shall endure."


The next thing I noticed was the ceiling. It is beautiful, but my picture came out blurry from low light. If anyone wants to donate to my camera fund, I'm saving up to get a better one and bring you, my readers, better quality photos (I have a digital point and click camera with no real control over any settings and a digital zoom).

Tried and failed to find better pictures on Google Image search
The US flag, Hawaii flag and Honolulu flag are proudly displayed in the entrance hall.

Again, poor quality picture, but no one on the internet has anything else

The area surrounding the Hale is beautiful, too.


That's Honolulu Hale...and some trees

The building to the right is the Land and Natural Resources building, but believe me, it's nicer to look at hidden by those trees.
While it was a little difficult to find anything (these buildings are named, but no signs to say what they are, so if you don't know that the City Hall is called Honolulu Hale, there is no sign that says "City Hall") it was certainly a pretty walk through the area and I got some pictures I hadn't anticipated taking that day!

July 20, 2012

Things Heard Around the Theatre

I started my new job as the House Manager for the Kennedy Theatre at UH a few weeks ago. I'd forgotten what it was like to be on the lobby side of a production and all the fun things you overhear in the crowd.

We have shows this week Thursday through Sunday, and they are all sold out. SOLD. OUT. Which means big crowds and long lines at the ladies' room. Why am I telling you this? So you will understand how sincerely I mean it when I say we need and appreciate our volunteer ushers (speaking of which, anyone want to usher to see a show for free?).

This evening one of our ushers, an elderly woman with a German accent, told me that I look like a picture from a cabaret in Berlin from the 30s. And she would know, because she was there. She absolutely made my evening. She said that when I came out of my office I startled her because she thought for a moment that she was looking at a picture and that my hair and the way I "shake" myself when I walk was right out of a Berlin cabaret. I must have thanked her six times and then she told me, "It's a compliment!" To which I replied, "yes! And you just made my whole day. Thank you so much!" Best compliment ever! (also, makes me think of Katie Delsandro and Careena Cornette, right?)

The next fun thing I heard was during intermission. The show we have in right now is called "Happily Eva Afta" and is a pidgin retelling of several fairy tales with lots of local style. At intermission I overheard a father explaining to his eight year old son when it is appropriate for him to use pidgin and say "happily eva afta" (when it doesn't matter, like when he's with his friends) and when he needs to say "happily ever after" (in more formal situations). Then the dad broke out in full pidgin to give his son this example:
"When you are with your friends you can be like, 'howzit, brah? I jus seen one show called Happily Eva Afta' but it depends on who you are talking to..."

His son responds by saying, "But it sounds so much cooler the other way!" Shoots!

Finally, during the second act while witting in the lobby, I caught sight of a couple in front of the East-West Center across the street from us waltzing under a street lamp.

And then....AND THEN....Kristina Tannenbaum called me from Indonesia! About two seconds after we mentioned her name (no exaggeration, either). So I got to talk to a dear friend to finish off the day. Thanks, T-baum, for thinking of me! It was nice to hear from you and we're all glad you are well. She sends hugs to all her nerd friends, by the way! 

If any other friends floating around the world in other countries want to call, your phone call will be blog-worthy, too!

It's been a delightful day.






July 18, 2012

But It's Pretty!

Whenever I get frustrated with Hawaii (like dealing with traffic, street signs or any government agency at all) I remind myself that this source of extreme frustration is happening in a setting of incomparable beauty:




July 12, 2012

I didn't understand but now I do


That is the greatest thing I can ever have a student say to me.

Today was my last day at one of the elementary schools I've been teaching at this summer. I finished with the intermediate school kids last week. Tomorrow marks the end of my summer teaching all together.

Despite the sadness of leaving these students, most of whom I'll probably not see again, it was a day of joy. When I walked into my first class they had already moved their desks and were sitting silently in a circle in the center of the room; this is how we start every class. They were excited to perform the story we'd been working on, with no direction from me, and eagerly showed their classroom teacher at the end of the period. Then they presented me with an envelope of letters they'd written.

Then they all hugged me. The first to hug me was one of the least focused boys in the class, who constantly needed to be reminded to pay attention and follow directions. I find that teaching theatre usually reaches these children the most. These are the kids diagnosed as ADD or ADHD or the ones that are "too wild" or "unfocused." This school was no exception. This boy told me that he was sad that he wouldn't see me next summer because he is moving to Virginia. *sigh* :)

Here is a sampling of my favorite comments from the letters (this is a 3rd grade class- I have not corrected any spelling or grammar, but I've translated in a couple of places):


"thank you ms Lani doeg drama weth us and pantomime and pasing aroad invesubl itums (passing around invisible items)"

"When we started drama I was so nervous. But when we were done I was't scared any more. When you said pantomime I didn't under stand but now I do."

"Dear Ms Lani, thank you for teaching us all about drama. It's really fun before I was nevous but now I's not because I got to know you. And now I'm having a lot of fun with you. I really like the pantomime, and acting out the book The circus ship (this was the story that we worked on throughout the summer). and every other fun games that we played. You'r the best drama teacher inthe world."

(in reference to acting out the animals in The Circus Ship) "my favorite animal is momkey I like how they swing to tree to tree"

I then went to my second class, 4th and 5th graders, but I was informed by two of the girls that I wasn't allowed inside the classroom yet. Since they have recess before me, that was fine, and I got in a couple of rounds of jump rope with the girls before class started. I think I'm too old for jumping rope. All the jump rope rhymes are unfamiliar, but they're all still about kissing and boyfriends (apparently I have three boyfriends--the girls told me my husband was going to be upset).

When the kids allowed me into the classroom they each presented me with a handmade card, and then we began class. I beat them at 4 rounds of Simon Says and we worked on the story this class was acting out: "Yuck" by Shel Silverstein. At the end of class there was some suspicious whispering as one girl ran from student to student...they had planned a group hug. One boy woulddn't let go and asked me to take him with me to my next school. They are so sweet at this age! Here is a sampling of the cards:



I love this because he was the least focused in class of all of the students and yet he learned listening and following directions.

I think the "mind" game was the "mime" game. I think.
During the last class we also played a game of invisible hot potato. I've never see a higher stakes game and they were working with an invisible ball. I was so proud. And we ended both classes today playing Freeze Dance wich of course turned into just a dance party at the end.

Have I mentioned that I love teaching? My heart is so full right now.

July 8, 2012

July 4th, 2012: A Retrospective

We had a nice, mellow 4th of July this year, and like the good Americans we are, we spent it with our Canadian friends. It's like a cultural exchange, right?

Ray and I spent most of the day at the beach. And yes, this time I really do mean at the beach. Our usual shady grass was overrun by a tent city of families celebrating. No shade to be found so we hit the sand.

Tents, tents everywhere!
This is Waikiki, folks. I have no idea why we keep spending time here, but the ocean sure is pretty.

Proof that I have again spent time in the sand...sort of. Thanks, USF stadium blanket.

This is us attempting to get a little shade later in the day...look how shady Ray's arm is!
Later in the day Nicole joined us for some sunning, while Joe, wisely, avoided the crowds and did some reading and video gaming at home.

In the evening we headed to Border Patrol (read: Nicole and Ray's apartment) to put together the epic dinner that was planned for us. While Nicole shredded a block and a half of cheese, Ray cooked up some chicken, beef and veggies for Macho Nachos. Joe and I contributed by providing company to the cooks with our stunning wit and charming personalities.

Ray put together a lethal pan of nachos. The amount of cheese in there should have qualified the thing to have a surgeon general's warning stamped on the side. Sometimes Ray has the best ideas! Sometimes. My portion (which I couldn't finish, by the way) looked like this:

This was seriously delicious. Amazing, even.

Seriously.

Follow up a dinner like that with a cheese coma and some fireworks and you've got yourself a Fourth of July!

July 3, 2012

Kung Fu Masters

What happens when rival Kung Fu masters meet in a bamboo forest?

 

 An epic battle to the death, obviously.


Looks just like the movie, yeah?

July 1, 2012

Sandy Beach

A couple of weeks ago Maria took us to Sandy Beach. Yes, you heard right. I went to a beach. With sand. And it was sandy, hence its name. It's a real beach with lifegaurds and everything, which I'm not used to, coming from the Gulf Coast of Florida. Our waves aren't too big and you are generally on your own if you decide to swim.This is also one of the regularly used surfing beaches and we got to watch some surfers "catching waves," as they say. I was impressed. There were a number of people bodysurfing as well, though when surf's up this beach can have a pretty mean rip current.

The beach park has an expanse of beach that turns into a lava jut that I found as a nice place to watch waves breaking. I saw a lot of coral in the sand along with lava rocks and pieces of colored glass. We've been twice now. The lovely sunny pictures are from the day we went with Maria and the cloudy pics are from this past week when Joe and I decided that no weather conditions were going to prevent the Winskyes from enjoying the beach.

Sandy Beach on a beautiful, sunny day

This was a nice shady place where we set up camp


Joe attempted the water but found out how cold it is and immediately abandoned that plan


Of course when we went back it wasn't as nice out, so I explored the lava formation for a while.




I love how this picture captures the clouds rolling in








It was really windy on this trip so I ended up huddled on my stadium blanket (Go Bulls!) wrapped in an oversized t-shirt reading my book. And we were in the same shady spot, so not exactly warm. We ended up leaving after only an hour because I was too cold to stay!