2013...2014...and beyond!

I know many of you have been wondering where the Winskyes are going to end up. So have we! We've finally determined that for at least the next year, we will be in Florida, living in ither Tampa or Orlando, depending on where the work is (so if you need to hire a Stage Manager/Production Manager/Theatre instructor or professor/Event Planner, hit me up!). We will be back in Orlando June 25th, and in Tampa July 2 through at least the end of August. In all the packing and cleaning, I'm once again looking back.

This time last year:

Waikiki

And this year:

Kailua Beach

Different beach, same lovely day with friends

Quick hike before breakfast!

May 2013:
Hanging with the girls

Silly shopping

Craft night

May 2014:

Having another degree!

April 2013:

Homework

April 2014:

A little less homework, though a thesis did have to be written

And a lot more fun!

March 2013:

March 2014:

Back at USITT- Who wants to join me there is 2015 as well?

jingju (with Jamy and Yining) Lady Mu and her Great Grandmother-in-law

Working on my thesis with my lovely and talented students

 It's been quite the year!

Tourism at Home: An unplanned adventure

As we gear up to move in a couple of weeks, we are taking time to explore some of the sights that we haven't yet had the chance to. We have a list that we are slowly checking off, and we are even accidentally discovering other fun places that we didn't mean to go.

Saturday we visited the Punchbowl Cemetery (National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific) and  then the Honolulu Museum of Art.

I wasn't expecting to have the emotional response to the memorial that I did. I'm not a history buff, nor do I have any strong military ties, but I have to admit, I found myself standing in front of the dedication stone at the foot of the memorial, surrounded by the Courts of the Missing, and I was moved to tears.

IN THESE GARDENS ARE RECORDED

THE NAMES OF AMERICANS

WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES

IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY

AND WHOSE EARTHLY RESTING PLACE

IS KNOWN ONLY TO GOD

rest in peace

 After the cemetery we intended to go to the Hawaii State Art Museum, but due to a typing incident ended up at the Honolulu Museum of Art instead (you have to look more carefully after you type in "art museum honolulu"). So we went in anyway, and I'm so glad we did. I loved wandering through the exhibits from Asia, especially those from China, Indonesia and India. Here were some of the highlights for me:

Nandi's (Shiva's mount or vehicle) Head--Kerala (late 18th Century)

Jain Temple Niche--Western India (ca. 12th Century)

The detail work on the marble is stunning

Handle of a ceremonial kris (dagger)--Bali (18th Century)

Oh, the masks! I was so excited when I walked in and saw these! Collection from Bali, Java and Madura (18th-20th Century). It feels good to walk into a museum and know more about some of the items than is on the signage. Thanks, UHM.

Chariot Panel--South Kerala (late 17th Century)

Depicts scenes from the Ramayana

There was also a video installation titled "The Empty City" by a Chinese artist named Chen Qiulin, which really captivated me. Part of the blurb on th museum's website reads:

"Chen grew up in the small city of Wanzhou, which was submerged under the Yangtze      River by the controversial Three Gorges Dam project in 2003. Wanzhou’s entire population was relocated, and the remaining parts of the region that are still above water have been absorbed into the Municipality of Chongqing. In Chen’s most recent video series, The Empty City, she returns to the remnants of Wanzhou, while at the same time coming to terms with her new life in Chongqing."

You can read more from the artist on the museum's blog. 

We followed up our museum visit with a late lunch at the Rainbow Drive in because Joe had never been there (!!!) even though we live just down the street from it.

 

After lunch we decided to keep exploring since we were on a roll. We drove around the Diamond Head neighborhood, and then Joe took me to the one place I've wanted to go since we moved here: Fisher Office Supply. Heaven.We waited until 30 minutes to closing so that I couldn't bankrupt us. 

But look how happy I am! They had Sharpies in 4 different shades of purple, for individual sale. I may have to go back, just so I can make the other stage managers jealous ;)

And if we hadn't seen enough art already, no worries:

We stumbled upon this amazing painting on the side of a building

And this. I'm just realizing how much amazing street art there is in Honolulu

Then we came home and packed 7 boxes for our move. I declare Saturday a success!

The Quick Update

I will have a longer, better post on how Winskye life is going tomorrow, but for now, here is the quick version.

Lani:
Reading- Stardust by Neil Gaiman (novel, though graphic novel is on my list). Just finished rereading- first three novels in the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. Fabulous Series. Read it. Next on the list- World War Z by Max Brooks.

Activities- crocheting, pinning on Pinterest, watching my cat sit in boxes in ever-cuter positions, wishing I were at the beach. Little bit of work here and there. Anyone hiring for odd jobs or theatrical contract work for the next 2 months? Dial me up!

Not in a box, but isn't she cute?

Joe:
Reading- Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey (one of MY favorite series ever).
Playing- The latest installment in the BioShock franchise. Beautiful game, fun story.
Other- work. working. lots of time spent working.

More on our other exploits soon...

What's Up?

I have to admit it: I'm doing a poor job of writing on this blog this summer. And last summer I was so good! I have no excuses. So here is what has been going on lately with the Winskyes:

Dr. Doctor Beth came to visit us!

I've created a Pinterest account and it has taken over my life, but it has also been an invaluable resource for researching crochet tips, new recipes and art inspiration for my next tattoo. Want to follow my boards? Come look me up!

I'm also still obsessed with my crochet projects and I still plan on opening an Etsy shop this summer. It will be handmade accessories, plushies, toys and bags, not all crocheted. Here are a few of the highlights from my summer projects so far.

This is the African Flower motif, and I'm almost done making a purse which I will share soon

Joe just finished his inter-island tour with Bento Rakugo. They performed on Oahu, Hawaii (The Big Island), Lanai and Molokai, to the delight of many, many children, librarians and community members. Joe is sure that he broke a few librarian hearts along the way. I'm sure he did.



We've also been on a card playing kick this summer. So far we've been playing Rummy (in many varieties), Crazy Eights, Egyptian Rat Screw, Euchre, Cribbage and Garbage/Spit. We'd like to learn Bridge, but holy cow! The rules look incredibly complicated when you read them online. Anyone on-island want to teach me to play? And can anyone recommend some other good 2 player card games or dice games?

My Life in Hawaii: A Retrospective, Part IV

The final chapter...for now...

From April 2012...

Calling the show that was challenging to me for so many reasons, none of them related to calling cues

Surviving the show experience through the support of good friends

We also produced Late Night's Ubu Cocu, which was wonderful and a welcome break from working on Ocean's Motion.

...To April 2013

Joe performing rakugo at the Buddhist temple in our neighborhood with Bento Rakugo

Creating and performing gombeyata puppets for our Southeast Asian theatre class (with Ray and Matthew)

From May 2012

My brother marrying the beautiful Kristen Kellar!

Visiting Three Coins Diner in Tampa after a year away. Oh, and we also got to see friends and family while in Florida...

...To May 2013

Shopping with Rachael

Spending time at the beach after finals week

And on into June 2012...

Conquering Koko Head for the first (and last...at least for me) time

Getting my library card!

And what are we doing now?

Still going to the beach

Still being ridiculous

Still being stupidly cute in love with each other

Aloha, from paradise. Can't wait to get off the island! This time next year we will be preparing to move to--well, we don't know where. The adventure continues!

Being Healthy

Rachael has issued a health challenge for the summer. Each participant had to declare an amount of weight to lose or a size of clothing that they wanted to fit into. My goal is 10lbs or my size 6 skinny jeans. Because I am not a size 6 anything, skinny or not, which was not the case before we moved here. We have ten weeks (from June 1) to accomplish our goal. Losers buy dinner for winners.

I've been using a pedometer app on my phone, Striiv, which has been great, because it is also a game and you earn new things in game by exercising. It auto-syncs with my calorie counter app, My Fitness Pal. Anyone using either of those who wants to become friends in-app, let me know! The calorie counter is easy to use because it has a barcode scanner. I can scan foods in my fridge and then just input the servings that I ate. It's making me so aware of how much I eat, that I've done this:

If you eat out of a measuring cup, you know exactly how much you've had!

Also, my calves and abs are killing me. Joe says it's because those muscles are remembering they exist. I say it's because exercise is evil.