west coast girl, east coast culture.... bawlmer style, hon.

Monday, August 30, 2010

first day of school

Shawn and Nova went back to school today.  I start my nursing prerequisites tomorrow.  Big week.
This always brings back first day of school memories posing for my mom.

I swore I would never take excessive photos of my child in public..... so embarrassing!

But I'm just so PROUD.  Ok I'll stop, just one more.

Nova, I can't help it, you know I get emotional.  I'm sure other parents are crying too.
Ooops, last one I promise.  You might notice that sticker in the corner of her desk.... it says team captain.  Big, big girl!!!!
And so begins third grade in her first non-Montessori, non-Japanese, school in Baltimore.  I need a drink. :)

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

BINGO!

We celebrated my new friend Trish's birthday last week at the Fullerton Bingo Hall, not far from our home.


Shawn and I arrived a little late.  The hall was all florescent lighting and stale cigarette smoke.  Rows of lunch room tables seated true blue bingo matrons.  It was DEAD SILENT except for the squish of the daubers and the caller's spectral voice.

It is advisable to stock up on drinks and snacks cause bingo moves fast.
That's Dave, Trish and Becky.  Shawn went to Frostburg with these three. 
My usual chatty antics are not appropriate in this venue.  Bingo is serious in these parts.  With single card winnings up to $350 I can see why.

Serious.
Serious.


Not serious.


This friendly lady let me document her dauber cozies.  I had no idea there were bingo accoutrement!


Here's the birthday girl.  One stamp away!  Its devastating to be so close.  With every number you feel the tension building, knowing that soon someone will call BINGO!.... someone that IS NEVER YOU!  I got a little obsessed after three hours.

The whole lot of celebrants.


Thanks Trish for great birthday fun at the bingo hall!

New York Friendstravaganza

My third week on the east coast and west side friends converge to hold loneliness at bay.  I spent four fabulous days in New York City (first time ever) with Our Lady of Hearty Laughs and Sophistication, Christina.  While there I also met up with Miss. Pennikins of Ketchikan fame and then was greeted at B-more's Penn Station by none other than Laydles and Luke from Juneau.

Christina and I stayed in a swanky hotel right next to grand central station.  It was so fancy in fact that I was too embarrassed to take photos of the lobby, which I now regret.  Fifteen bucks for oatmeal, who knew?!

People-watching aplenty.  I could have done this all day long.  Oh wait, I DID do this all day long!  I don't know any of these folks but I liked what they had goin' on.






Hula-Hoop girl was all about posing for this.
The subway was rank and filthy and stiflingly sweaty-hot and I loved it.
Maybe if I take a photo of these cute french boys in the window they won't know it.
Everything consumed was delicious.  We ate at a place called Raoul's http://www.raoulsnyc.com/ and were seated in a glassed atrium/courtyard through the kitchen.  Tres cool.
Here is the french menu and Christina looking a little french herself I think.  

I couldn't believe the natureyness of central park in the middle of all the cityness.  I've given up on eloquence here.  What can you say that hasn't been said already?  NYC and it's landmarks are so renowned and well described.  I definitely felt a sense of familiarity despite having never been.  In the end I landed on.... It is everything and more.


Singing group taking advantage of  amazing acoustics.


 Taking the Staten Island ferry to see Lady Liberty was another fave.


Everything is better from the water.
I would describe the architecture as iconic, intricate and dizzying.  I happily came away from this trip with a crinky neck and very sore feet.



Pictures of people taking pictures.  Good song by the way.... http://jackjohnsonmusic.com/music/detail/to_the_sea/

Until we meet again NYC.
And great to come home to a short but sweet visit from Juneau friends....
Piglet and Pooh, together again.