Style of the Sirens: Katharine Hepburn

Yes, yes, we all know how beautiful, classic, and fresh-faced the other Hepburn girl was. However, it ought to be noted that Katharine Hepburn was more than just a pretty face. She always seemed pulled together with her wits about her.

Whether rolling down the river in a wide-brimmed hat with Humphrey Bogart, or sporting chic cigarette pants while beaus Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart fought over her, Katharine Hepburn always brought class and sophistication to her roles.

Enjoy this youtube tribute from delanoca.



XOXO!

~K

Playing House

While I don't want to jinx it, my roommate and I may just be getting into a DREAM condo. Sigh. It is in an extremely convenient location, it's 2 bed 2 1/2 bath, and is absolutely amazing. Already I have visions of how I'm going to furnish "my" living room. Yes, there are two living areas, so we will each get to figure out our own.

I'm thinking that I will want to save up a bit and maybe get a synthetic leather sofa or microfiber couch. I already have a coffee table, but it will be so lonely without a couch...poor thing.

It's just wonderful thinking that I may be moving into such a grown-up place! Sigh.

Happy Friday!

~K

Things to do on Oahu

Having visited the island of Oahu twice, I will admit that I am not quite an expert. However, everyone has a different experience and I would like to think that mine may help someone else in conquering that eternal question of "what is there to do here?" These suggestions are from things I did, as well as things that I didn't do and may one day get to do!

1. Stock up on 100% Kona coffee. This stuff is amazing, smooth, and goes great with chocolate. You can find quite a few different kinds at the ABC stores, and it's usually cheaper than the $30 bags you get on the mainland.

2. Go to a luau at the Polynesia Cultural Center. These sound amazing, but the luaus can be a bit pricy.

3. Shop at Ala Moana Shopping Center, the world's largest outdoor mall. You may need a couple days to do this if you want to visit every store.

4. Go on a kayak tour of the island. I saw some ads for at least one kayak tour company that would take you into little inlets and lead you over to some sea turtles.

5. I may get a bit of crap for mentioning this one, but you need to try Gyu-Kaku Japanese (but really Korean) BBQ. You get your own little fire pit to cook your meat on, and it's all very affordable. Be ready to wait in line! While we waited, Meng pointed out that, of a group of drunk men getting off a party bus in front of the restaurant, was Jason Acuna. Not sure if it was actually him.

6. Most obvious thing to do: Sunbathe! Lay out on the beach and work on that melanin! Try to keep the pigeons off your towel, as I learned the hard way that they do not know where their restroom is located.

7. Browse the shops along Kalakaua Avenue. You can find anything from a ukulele to designer shoes.

8. If you don't feel like Japanese/Korean food, head to Chinatown for some authentic dim sum. I have been informed by my favorite Chinese girl that Chinatown has some of the best dim sum ever eaten.

9. Tour the rainforest. Lyon Arboretum is approximately 200 acres of greenery, and is a relatively cheap spot to visit.

If you've been to Oahu, what have you done?

~K

Labor Day in Paradise

A few weeks ago, my best friend and I decided that the distance between us was just too much. There was, of course, only one thing to be done.

I needed to fly out to Honolulu for Labor Day weekend.

This was not my first time to Hawaii; I did have a nice little visit for Meng's wedding last October. Now I was going back to see Meng in her new neighborhood. Definitely a step up from Spokane, but I miss the convenience of being able to drive a few hours to see her. Now I have to plan, pay over $500 for a ticket, and stay in a hotel. Oh well, it was worth it.

We didn't really do much touristy stuff (like visit 'Iolani Palace or take a kayaking tour), but we had a lot of fun doing other things.

Ala Moana Shopping Center offered a real shopping adventure as the largest open-air mall in the world. While there, I had one of the best food court lunches I have ever experienced. Meng and I found the Aldo shop where they put all of their sale items, and we bought matching "friendship purses."

Waikiki beach is beautiful and so warm. I could have laid there forever if my skin hadn't begun reddening. Sigh. The shops along the main strip in Waikiki are cute, with ABC stores popping up every few feet. Down a side street was a duty-free shop where Meng and I purchased new lipsticks.

Saturday night we went dancing at Zanzabar in the Waikiki Trade Center. No sign of cute boys, and one ugly had the audacity to tell me "You're beautiful, but your outfit's ugly!" To this I simply replied "At least my face isn't ugly like yours!"

Sunday night we walked around trying to decide where to eat. It turned out that the Ruth's Chris location in Waikiki doesn't have the late night prime hour, so we ended up at Senor Frog's. Oh my word! This place was amazing. The food was really good, our drinks were fabulous (except for some random tequila a waiter gave us), and we were immediately pulled up to the stage to dance in a conga line. After we finished our meal, we walked around a bit, played around in their foam party, and watched some Capoeira up on stage in honor of Brazilian Independence Day. 


All in all, this was definitely the best Labor Day weekend I've ever had. 


Aloha!


~K

Evenings out in Seattle

As we tend to do, this past weekend my roommate Stacy and I went out dancing. Friday night we joined our friend Liz at Trinity. The radio station was doing their thing in the red room, and DJ Kazan was mixing Bollywood with some house and hip hop in the blue room. Unfortunately, someone forgot to tell all of the other attractive people in Seattle about this event, as there were mostly Creepers and Butterfaces. Sad times. Oh well, we looked good and had fun.

After visiting with my family for a bit on Saturday, I came home to Stacy telling me that she wanted to go out again. I was up for it, especially when she suggested we get out of our Trinity rut and try a new place. "I did put our names on the guestlist at Trinity," she mentioned while blow-drying her hair. Well, it's good to have a back-up plan.

We went out to Amber, a bar/lounge in Belltown. While I loved the drinks we had, and there were definitely a good mix of people, it didn't really seem like anyone was branching out of their own little groups. So, we threw back the rest of our drinks and headed to our back-up. And it was like night and day!

Suddenly Trinity was reliving its former glory! The girls were few and far between (but more attractive), and the men were gorgeous! This is what should happen every time girls go out. A good ratio (80% men), attractive members of the opposite sex (hubba hubba!), and a good friend looking out for you.

Stacy and I may just have to do more exploration throughout the Seattle nightlife. I will be sure to update y'all on this amazing quest.

Back to work!

~K

Another blow to the fairy tale

Once upon a time there lived a beautiful peasant girl named K. Her head was filled with notions of romance, a charming prince, and happily ever after.

Upon reaching young adulthood, K was going about her merry way when Reality showed up out of nowhere and slapped her in the face.

"Ouch!" the startled girl cried. But it came again. "AUGH! What was that for?"

"That," Reality replied, "is what you get for walking around with your head in the clouds."

The truth of it is, life doesn't always live up to the expectations. My little-girl dreams are not the same as my big-girl dreams.While I am a hopeful romantic, my optimism is constantly being chipped away by the cruel beast of Cynicism. Perhaps my happily ever after will come in a different form than in the fairy tales.

May the adventure begin.

~K

Stagnancy

Sometimes in my life, I get so caught up in the cycle of life. Day after day I find myself going to the same places, doing the same things, and never stopping to enjoy the life that keeps speeding by. Once in this rut, it is such a tricky thing to get out. I've done it before, and I sincerely hope that I can do it again.

Just a few short months away, I will have been on this earth and out of the womb for a quarter of a century. Perhaps in the grand scheme of things, it isn't that long, but it sure seems like a lot of time to have so little accomplished. Every passing moment reminds me of the things that I still have yet to do. My passport remains empty, and I have the last name that I've always had.

Facebook constantly reminds me of all the fabulous things that those around me are doing. I suppose that it's only makes sense to highlight all of the wonderful things you do for the world to see, rather than the dull day-to-day activities (though some people post those, too).

I want to do so much, but I hate facing my own disappointment when I don't make my goals. While the lack of a degree may not change the way my family and friends see me, I see it as a failure. Meeting up with old friends or out-of-town family members and one of the first topics of discussion is the love life. In my case, it is a lack of one. One boyfriend in my entire life, with the relationship only lasting 5 months, seems a bit sad. I've dated on and off since, but it's mostly off. At 24, I still have no idea of "what I want to be when I grow up."

As my life changes, it also stays very much the same. The seasons change around me as I stay still.

Right now I need a jump start.

~K