grand champion ornamental bird

Good Afternoon!

I had to tear myself away from the new Kate Spade Saturday website... sheesh. These are dangerous times.

...Yes, the website already knows my name.

True to my word-- let's recap San Fran, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Tucson. All at once?! She's crazy. Yes, yes I am. 

San Francisco.

I was mostly sick the entire time I was there but braving it with a smile and a secret stash of tissues. The weekend was so jam-packed that I almost (almost) forgot I was sick. Spencer moved to a new apartment and boy oh boy is it lovely!

That's the view from his window. He's fancy.

I did miss the old Haight/Ashbury neighborhood... but I must admit the pretty green trees lining the street and the lack of homeless twenty-somethings trying to sell me drugs was a nice change. I flew in late at night-- just in time to see the new Bay Lights display on the Bay Bridge, with a perfect view just a couple blocks from Spencer's apartment. 

Check out the website here for background information and videos.

Lovely! Just lovely.

I spent sunny Friday with Jimmy. Jimfi, my main man. He and I could talk for hours and hours-- and we did just that. Jimmy moved to the bay area recently so I haven't seen him in a few months. We lounged in various parks before wandering through the city to a macaron cafe that Spencer recommended. It was a very windy walk.

I hope you can see the motion going on in this photo.
The wind was practically knocking us over.

After calming down from the windstorm with tasty macarons, we headed to Spencer's office to share some cookies and play some ping pong.

As soon as 'work' was over, we hit various bars in the city, the highlight being "The Tonga Room"...

The three of us shared this... 

I'm not sure if you can tell from that photo above, but this Polynesian-themed bar most certainly has a pool in the middle of it. And the live band is in the middle of it, floating on a boat. Just as weird as it sounds. We finished our punch bowl-sized drink and headed to the waterside dance floor. After much festive dancing we went home, dressed up half-assedly like pirates, and attended a midnight screening of HOOK that Spencer's friends had arranged. The theater was full of silly people, it was BYOB, and we had a big bag of popcorn. A perfect evening, if you ask me. Spencer is quite the host.

And really, you can't beat Dustin Hoffman as Captain Hook. 

Saturday morning we stopped for some irish coffees at the Buena Vista Cafe before heading to the bocce ball courts by the bay. Spencer just became a member (sheesh) so we spent a couple hours getting in the swing of it. Not quite the most athletic game, but very fun nonetheless! In the afternoon we caught the Arizona basketball game at the Brick Yard, grabbed some ice cream, and then unintentionally called it an early night after falling asleep on the couch while watching Chapelle's show. 'Twas a good day.

Sunday Spencer and I caught a cable car (...I'm easily wooed by SF charm) into town to pick up a couple of things and get some lunch. The better part of the day was spent at Fort Mason soaking up some much needed sunshine.

I unfortunately had a flight later that night which cut into any big plans. We had some fancy tapas and wine before I reluctantly took a cab to the airport. Time to work... in Las Vegas!

I am so lucky to work with Camp Bravo as the Assistant Director and a traveling liaison for the program. I can't say enough good things about Camp Bravo and how it has changed my own life-- and I see it happen for kids every summer. This is the second year that I have traveled to Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Tucson to talk to high school students about Bravo (I'll be in Northern California next month). First it was off to Vegas, where I stayed with Ashley's lovely family and was upgraded to a Toyota RAV4 from an economy car. Score for me.

This might be the next car I get. If I can ever handle the pressure of a car-purchasing-situation (...in 2070).

I spoke with schools during the day and had the afternoon and evenings to do what I like. Last year I spent most of the time on the strip with friends, seeing bizarre hypnotist shows and gambling $20. This trip I spent the whole time with Ashley's siblings-- they're a hoot! I picked Angela up from middle school, watched a marathon of The Client List with Ana, and helped AJ build a leprechaun trap. I felt like the (honorary) oldest Nunes sister.

Building stairs so the leprechaun can climb into the box from the ground.

Before heading out of town I got to meet up with my dear friend Katie from U of A and Natalie from Bravo! I love the two of them so much and I'm so lucky they call Las Vegas home. 

Natalie and I ate some naughty italian food. 

I dropped off the rental car and flew to Phoenix to visit more schools. Jamie's friend Erin opened her home to me, which I appreciated endlessly. And the bonus? She has an english bulldog named Winston. I was in doggy heaven. ...I also just realized I'm in a bath towel in this video. Awesome.

After talking with Phoenix schools and judging the entire area for it's poor taste in mascots (Boo ASU)...

Phoenix... there has to be more options than devil-themed mascots.

...I drove down to Tucson! Hallelujah! I had the next four days to spend with Alison and fam/friends.

Wednesday night we went to see West Side Story in theaters. That movie is just too good. The romance! The music! The dancing! Go watch it again. Even if it is just to watch all of Tony's songs and stare at how many teeth he has in his mouth. It's crazy.

This is the best teeth pic I could find... go watch... and count.

The next couple of days were packed--- with pictures apparently.

Homemade pizza with Alison

Chicken cordon bleu with my favorite second family!

Sunset admiring. This is with no instagram filter, you guys. Arizona magic.

I drove to Phoenix on Saturday to get Jamie and Paul--- who were visiting from Boston! Paul is deciding between two grad schools right now, so on their way out to visit University of Washington they made a stop in Arizona. You know... cause it's on the way. It was actually purely coincidental that we were in town at the same time; in fact Jamie and I haven't been in Tucson together in over three years. This was Paul's first time visiting the Tucson side of our family... and I think he had an interesting experience.

I mean, it is Arizona, after all.

Paul's first visit to In-N-Out

Jamie and I also had plenty of time to catch up on memories of our very colorful childhood. Like plaques for our Grand Champion Ornamental Bird (the artist formerly known as Trudy the turkey) hanging on the wall. 

Classic.

Hanging out with Marley-- our pool has a brown bottom, it's not dirty.
That's what we like to call natural solar heating.

This palm tree randomly is yellow? And still living?

The little chickies.

The good ol' goat stanchion-- back in it's heyday and now.

We worked on our darts skills... 

...And Paul got to experience Guadalajara Grill and the magic of tableside fresh salsa.

Lots of food. Lots of laughing. Lots of family time.

I was gone for a total of eleven days. Eleven! I had such a fantastic time-- breakfasting with friends, sipping strawberry eegees, going to a family friends' St. Patrick's Day celebration. Believe it or not though I was a bit relieved to be back in my own bed by Sunday night. I do love adventuring but there's something oh so charming about being snuggled up in your own bed with a warm kitty. Yes?

Thanks for reading. More updates tomorrow. And hopefully more concise posts in the future... One can dream.


Kisses,

Jenny

NYC: day 5 or reju(ju)venated

Hello! I'm back!

Hope you are all doing well in this hazy March weather. I have been running amuck for the last few weeks -- between San Francisco, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Tucson. I am le pooped. I am all too lucky that my job lets me have some free time to stretch my fickle twenty-something wings... and get paid in the mean time.

My plan was to catch you all up on my last day of New York City before I went on my whirlwind trip, but things got crazy--as always. I've got some 'splainin to do.

This week's agenda calls for a couple things:

Wednesday: Re-group and NYC
Thursday: SF/LV/AZ trip
Friday: Goals and announcements

Yes, new things are on the horizon. Thank goodness!

Today is the first day of spring, which is now... officially... good news for me.

I don't know if any of you experience this, but certain times of the year are more difficult for me than others. I am in my prime towards the end of summer, right when it gets a little chilly and the holidays start to pile up in the distance. Fall! Pumpkins! Camping and cookies and cozy music! I'm perky and optimistic and toasty inside. And then spring hits.

Of course this is a personally created mental block but unfortunately I have come to identify with it. I've traced it back to my last year in high school when I ended a long term semi-serious relationship (ha) and was waa-waa-ing and nervous about starting college life. Ever since then, like clockwork, I am on edge from March through mid June. Go figure. After discussing this with Alison and Johnny in the past week,  I have decided that this spring shall be different. I am turning my juju around and I am putting my best foot and smile forward.

Step one in the process of reju(ju)venating my life: Getting head shots.

...just a preview! Thanks, Sabrina!

You see, I was going to write a blog post yesterday but I fell into this deep, dangerous pit of vanity that comes with receiving a 300 picture album of just my face. Today I am grounded from looking at said pictures until I write a bit. I'll share them on here in a couple days. Maybe Friday! It was a fantastic experience and exactly what I needed to give myself a little happy push. Spring's the best! (Fake it till you make it, guys).

But before we get too deep into present Jenny-life...  let me finish up that trip I went on... a month ago. Sheesh.

Who's ready for more pictures?

Day 5:

Rachel and I were feeling pampered by our six hours of sleep and hit the road early. First stop: Alice's Tea Cup for a delicious breakfast. I wish I could eat here everyday of my life. Peaceful and magically inviting.

I enjoyed some delicious Earl Gray tea and a waffle covered in fresh berries. They had real maple syrup so it was a no-brainer. 

I take my tea with cream and a kitty on top.

Who looks tired?

After an exquisite breakfast Rachel and I headed straight to Central Park. At first I thought I was disappointed to see the park in February. Where was all the lush greenness? I needed it!

All it took was a few short minutes before I could see the beauty. The stillness, the crisp air, the earthy patterns and shapes and the big blue sky. Lovely.

As we were walking through the park I made some calls-- one to Ryan, one to Damian, and one to Danielle. I have several friends who live in the city and I had been so busy with shows and adventures that I hadn't seen a single one! 

Quick background on each:

Ryan. One of the first friends I made at U of A, not to mention my first boyfriend at U of A... Ha!  We met working backstage on Neil Simon's Broadway Bound and we've been great friends ever since. He's the nicest person ever.

(This is where I would post a photo of Ryan and I through the ages. Due to Ryan's current protestation of Facebook and the loss of my Facebook circa 2007-2009--long story-- I have no access to them. We were young and adorable though, use your imagination.)

Damian. Or D-dog as I have lovingly referred to him over the last six years. We met in our freshman acting class and we were scene partners all year. I adore him. Damian and I auditioned together and got into The Charles Darwin Experience improv group on campus our sophomore year. That means I was seeing this kid... everyday. And I loved it. He is a true lifetime friend.

We were eighteen/nineteen year old babies in this blurry photo.

Danielle. I cannot say enough good things about Danielle. We were in a musical together my freshman year at U of A called Lucky Stiff and we've been friends ever since. We were also in Darwin together for three funny-filled years. Just thinking about Danielle's laugh or smile makes me feel at peace, and I really mean that. Her and Ryan have two of my favorite laughs of all time. It was heaven being with them again.

Danielle and I lounging between improv workshops at USC's annual improv festival, FRACAS.  2011.

Come to think of it... I just so happen to have a really terrible video of Danielle and Damian and I in Lucky Stiff together! Like, really terrible quality. But it's kind of hilarious. Danielle and I are sitting in the back of the "train" bouncing around and pretending to be drunk southern ladies. Damian comes to serve us wine after :50 (he has a great entrance). Danielle and I get up and sing after 2:00. At 3:40 the rousing finale begins. Danielle, Damian, and I each had five-six different roles in this show. This was one of them:

Man, that show was fun... and I'm a bit off-topic. But you get the idea-- they're the best and I was so excited to see them.

Ryan had an audition, Danielle was fast asleep, and Damian was wandering around Brooklyn, so Rachel and I had some time to kill. We enjoyed some coffee (Diet Coke for Rachel) and a cookie in a nearby cathedral café in the meantime. 

Unfortunately the Met was closed on Mondays... dur. Luckily we had so much else on our agenda that we couldn't fit it in anyways! Ryan finished his audition and we headed to the Guggenheim.

Doodling in the lobby.

These are made out of long pieces of plastic and colored water. How crazy is that?

They change the center exhibits frequently. 

Rachel and Ryan analyzing the center piece. The plastic looked so thick and the colored water was so stagnant that we initially thought it must be blown glass. Amazing.

After wandering around the Guggenheim we stopped at Shake Shack for a quick milkshake and french fries. You guys. This place is delicious. Why oh why are they not on the west coast?! After downing the scrumptious lunch, we headed to MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) to meet Damian and Danielle. 

And Frida.

This Monet was huge and absolutely breathtaking.

Picasso pondering with Ry and Danielle.

Ah! Mark Rothko! Belinda and I went and saw RED at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles a couple of months ago. The play is about Rothko so I was all too excited to see one of his pieces in real life. It has amazing presence.

Dot D and Danielle! Ah.

My second favorite photo of my trip. Ain't it magical?

Ryan, Rachel, D and his lady friend, and Danielle.

We headed towards the subway to go our separate ways in the hopes we'd meet up later. We had just missed our train and had to wait another ten minutes. And then this guy happened and I could care less about that next train.

He was amazing. Song after song after song. 

We put a couple of dollars in his guitar case and hopped on the subway, chatting and laughing a bit before heading different ways. Rachel humored me and took me to... Kleinfeld. I love Say Yes to the Dress and I don't care who knows it.

Don't worry, I didn't go in. I'll be back some day, Kleinfeld! (...Like 2070). 

Rachel and I were hungry so we headed to Malatesta for dinner. I had actually heard about this place from a woman I follow on Instagram. She had posted this exact meal and I knew I had to go, too. Spinach gnocchi in a gorgonzola sauce? Yes, please! Everyone there was incredibly Italian and handsome, to boot. Cash only, swanky little corner restaurant and I can't recommend it enough. You know, the next time you're in New York City.

Unfortunately that night Rachel got pretty sick so we had to head home early. We were exhausted to be honest, not to mention I had to leave at 4:00am to catch my flight back to LA. It was an incredibly jam-packed week so we deserved some downtime lounging on the couch.

I had such a wonderful time in New York City and I cannot wait to go back. I would especially like to thank Rachel for being such a hospitable host and friend-- the week couldn't have been better. Food, entertainment, friends, adventuring... just how I like it.

If you missed the two NYC posts before this one, here they are:

NYC: day 1-2 or sleep no more

NYC: day 3-4 or live from new york

I love you New York City. But only as a friend.

Kisses, 

Jenny