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!

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!

My Life in Hawaii: A Retrospective, Part I

I have a lot of free time this summer; it's given me time to look back through old photos and think about the ups and downs I've experienced since moving to this lovely, godforsaken, sunny, rainy, lovely, disorganized island. I don't know where we will be this time next year, but it is likely to be someplace much colder than this, so I'm enjoying the weather while I can. A lot can change in two years. Here's what's happened to the Winskyes:

From July 2011...

Saying goodbye to family and friends...

Bidding farewell to my childhood home

...To July 2012

Teaching summer classes in Ewa Beach

Exploring history at Honolulu Hale (city hall)

Independence Day with our Canadian friends?

From August 2011...

Moving across the country to discover sushi served on conveyor belts!

Living on the floor out of boxes with my brother

Being fiercely in love

...To August 2012

Dealing with an unfortunate knee injury

Enjoying Hawaii's beautiful beaches

Still ridiculously in love- our 3rd wedding anniversary

From September 2011...

Getting a house in Kaneohe with Shawn and Kris!

Starting Grad school at UH Manoa

Having quality sibling time and enjoying the view

...To September 2012

Running around town on a scavenger hunt with Murray!

Getting up way too early to exercise with Ray

Still very much in love (see how we can share a desk?)

Lots of good stuff and lots of good friends. Mahalo to our Hawaii ohana for being there for us during all this change. So far, it's been a memorable experience! To be continued...

Kamehameha Day

Hawaii has more state holidays than I thought possible, so when I found out yesterday that I can't go to work today, of course I found the beach to be my only other option. As did the rest of Honolulu.

Today is Kamehameha Day in Hawaii, in honor of King Kamehameha. What's that all about, you ask? So did I. Read all about it here: http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/kamehameha-day