20-Something’s Holiday Bananza

Oh, the holiday season is in full swing and my calendar is feeling the squeeze:

Tonight: Dinner at Tup Thim Thai and an 8 p.m. showing of I Am Legend at the Imax Theatre in the Pacific Science Center
Tomorrow: Land of the Sweets: The Burlesque Nutcracker at The Triple Door
Wednesday: Downtown Christmas shopping (to hit up Urban Outfitters in an attempt to find a cute, clever or useful gift for Baby Daddy) and a sleepover with the lil’ sis
Thursday: Drinks and mingling with high school girl friends who are in town from San Diego for Christmas
Friday: Drinks and debauchery with the fifth addition to the College Clique who is in town from L.A.
Saturday: Ugly Christmas Sweater party and gift exchange at Vanessa’s house (Which I borrowed the most perfect sweater from my mom, shoulder pads attached)
Sunday: Post-Seahawks game birthday party in Pioneer Square for my friend Abe
Monday: Christmas Eve party at my parent’s house
Tuesday: Down south to my dad’s house for Christmas celebration number two
Wednesday: Back to work

And, between all this stuff and working full time, I have to squeeze in last minute gift buying and time to complete the craft project gifts I’m making for my dad’s side of the family. YIKES!

Currently Feeling: Busy, obviously. And a little short on time.
Currently Anticipating: Getting the last-minute gifts ironed out.
Currently Loving: Cozy winter nights.

Happy Halloween 2007!!

Halloween is my ALL TIME favorite holiday. Seriously. I’m usually planning my costume for next Halloween on Halloween, and perfecting my plan months before October 31st actually rolls around. But, it’s not just dressing in costume that I love. It’s the scary movies, the decorations, the candy (damn fun-sized candy bars!), all the events and especially the Halloween spirit. I really brought my Halloween obsession to new levels this year.

Sarah and I decorated our apartment to be SUPER SPOOKY. I’m somewhat regretting having to now take down all the SUPER SPOOKY spiderwebs that are on every surface of our house, but whatever. We threw a really fun girly pumpkin carving party with a champagne Witch’s Brew, treats for our guests and lots of laughs with some of my closest girlfriends. Sarah and I carved PARTY CREEPY pumpkins, basically because we like to party creepy. Totally classic. Thanks for all who came:

In the meantime, I’ve been working hard on my Jem costume. The Dolphin Sisters and I decided that I’d be Jem and they’d be The Misfits—Jem’s rival rock band from the 80s cartoon. My mom and I printed out pictures of Jem’s original costume, and then we spent hours at the fabric store, picking out the fabric and patterns to make it exact. My mom couldn’t have done a better job. While she sewed it, I looked at approximately 50 different Web sites, trying to find the perfect wig. I finally found one in white, then had to look-up directions to dye it the perfect light pink. This, of course, ended up in a huge mess and pink spots all over me and Sarah’s white bathroom rug and accessories. Sorry roomie! It’s a tough price to pay to be the perfect Jem for Halloween:

Jem and The Misfits—Pizazz and Stormer—at Damon’s 30th Surprise Party

Jem and her Pirate Wench at Kelly’s Oktoberfest/Halloween party

Pirate Wench stole my microphone—that bitch! She is not truly outrageous!

Jem and Eve and Eve’s Halloween party

Glamour and glitter and fashion and fame…Jem, Jem is my name!

So, friends, it’s been a TRULY OUTRAGEOUS Halloween. I’ve got one more stop tonight at the Underdog Seattle Halloween party, where I’ll try to hide my sniffles and illness in an attempt for one last night in my best costume to date. The only thing that worries me is how I’m ever going to top it next year…

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Currently Feeling: Sick and icky. Blech.
Currently Anticipating: Possibly seeing the Incredibly Sexy Man in Great Jeans during my one last hurrah as Jem.
Currently Hating: Paper and boxes.

From Leavenworth to an Impromptu Date

As most of you know, I spent last weekend in Leavenworth for Oktoberfest. Six of us—Bri, Kevin, Kristen, Adam, Larisa and myself—rented a condo within walking distance of downtown and brought plenty of food and booze, a couple of sexy costumes and good tunes—the perfect recipe for a party weekend away from home. Being the wild and crazy group of friends that we are, I knew the weekend wasn’t going to disappoint. After too much vodka, a trip to the local bar and a mishap with some harvest vegetables on Friday night, we woke up with killer hangovers on Saturday morning, but refused to let them drag us down! We ate breakfast with a side of jello shots and Bloody Mary’s, changed into our sexy German gear and headed to town.

It’s always baffling to me after days like this, where the day went and what the hec I did the whole time. I know it was a mish-mash of drinking authentic German beers, eating pretzels, dancing the chicken dance in attempts to swing arms with the sexiest man at the festival, taking trips to the Porta Potties, schmoozing with sexy men and getting our photos taken with random, drunken people. (I’m worried about how many different people’s camera I’m really on). We must have taken at least 30 photos with the Leavenworth background cutout, and finished off our night with Mexican food and more drinks at a couple local haunts. The weekend was most fantastic. Oktoberfest in Leavenworth is something that should not be missed. I’ve been to the celebration in Fremont for the years past, but this by far took the cake. Read why I think the Leavenworth Oktoberfest was so much better than the one in Fremont here.

As most of you have read in the previous post, a gay friend of mine sent a photo of me in my German Oktoberfest wear to his friend in an attempt to set us up. (Unbeknownst to me). The straight guy sent a photo of himself in lederhosen at Oktoberfest back to me, and we ended up chatting a bit over email yesterday. In one of the emails, Lederhosen Nate talked about how he and his friend got a lot of attention for their outfits, then sent this photo to me:

I looked closely at the photo and laughed out loud—his friend in the photo was the Little German Elf that Kristen, Larisa and I took at least six photos with! We ran into him in a beer tent and LOVED his outfit, which immediately caused us to molest him and take tons of photos with him. I sent the photos of us with the Little German elf to Lederhosen Nate, who thought it was equally as funny. Apparently, we had just missed each other and spent all day in different beer tents. To think about how one moment changes life…

As yesterday wore on, I received another email in my inbox—This Friend wanted me and Lederhosen Nate to meet, and I was to join them for dinner at Elemental at Gasworks around 8pm. Nothing like an impromptu date. How random and weird is my life sometimes? So, I skipped the gym, skipped the soccer game I was supposed to go to Sarah with and ran home to change into my best “non-German girl” outfit. I’d previously heard of Elemental from a friend. It’s a super exclusive, expensive and swanky restaurant with only 20 seats. This Friend is acquaintances with the owner and chef, so we had a special little table reserved for five, apparently quite a rare occasion. How lucky—a random date night at a classy little restaurant—and free, for that matter.

My first impression of Lederhosen Nate without his lederhosen was: Cute! Nice! Well Dressed! As shallow as it is, Sarah and I both expressed our worry about the possibility that he could be wearing tapered jeans. I mean really, every photo sent to me was of lederhosen or shirtless, so it’s hard to tell if he’s going to have his style guide together or not. (I hate to admit it, but it’s a huge deal breaker for me. So lame; I know.) FYI: He totally passed. He was wearing nice jeans with great leather dress shoes, a cute faded grey T-shirt and a nice brown blazer over it. (A girl’s favorite combo.)

The chef started bringing out small plates, one by one, each accompanied by a new glass of wine that matched the culinary treat. I couldn’t drink my wine fast enough before it was being replaced with another glass of red or white! We had shrimps with a creamy dill sauce on top a small little puff pastry, amazing pork in a nutty green sauce and pomegranate seeds sprinkled on top, braised beef with soy-flavored noodles and bok choy, garlic flan with roasted artichoke, spicy gnocchi with pine nuts, three different desserts, etc., and countless glasses of wine.

By the time the night was over, we’d lost two of the five of us to extreme cases of wine drunk, and This Friend was talking grandiose wine-induced schemes and demanding that Nate and I go to a bar to continue our impromptu date. As fate would have it, the date wouldn’t continue with just the two of us, but we talked about getting together again—in costume—at a German bar to play The Boot Game with friends. Whether this chance happening that all started with costumes in Leavenworth results in little Gretchen and Greminwald babies or not, I couldn’t have asked for a better impromptu date.

Currently Feeling: Like I need to seriously buckle down before Halloween.
Currently Anticipating: My little sister coming home next weekend so we can got to Canada and go to a bar together! Yikes! (She’s 19 today)
Currently Loving: The randomness that life is sometimes.

Because We All Need a Little Bit of Faith…

Last night, one of my all-time-favorite, proof-there-really-is-true-love, totally amazing and crazy cool couples got engaged.

Every girl—whether coupled or singled—wants to know how he did it. And maybe even some of you guys are looking for ideas…

Brett orchestrated an entire photo album of pictures with each of Angie’s best friends and family members, holding signs in the following pics:

• The girls she nannies for, holding a sign that says “Mango,” their nickname for her
• A few random signs from their friends
• Two of her best girl friends from college, holding a sign that says “Angie,” in the town she grew up in
• Her best friend (who also lives in her hometown), her husband and their baby-all holding a sign that says “Will”
• Two of their good friends and neighbors, holding a sign that said “You”
• Angie’s parent’s, holding a sign that said “Marry”
• Brett, holding the sign that said “Me?”
• Then Brett’s family, holding “Say Yes!”
• Her friends from Dental school
• And even her good friend from from New York city

Then he gave her the ring, and a few of her friends were at the neighbors’ with champagne to celebrate after she said yes.

As an endlessly hopeless romantic, it’s moments and relationships like these that make me hold out that much longer for true love. If Brett and Angie can find their best friend to spend the rest of their lives with, then there’s hope for all of us searching too. You just gotta have a little faith.

Well, and cross your fingers that you don’t end up a GGG wife.

Currently Feeling: Queasy.
Currently Anticipating: OKTOBERFEST IN LEAVENWORTH. Counting down the seconds.
Currently Hating: Confusion, complication and stickiness.

I get by with a little help from my friends

Sometimes, when life seems a little mundane (weather or need for a change, not sure), I stop and remind myself that it could be a lot worse. At least I have a great job, and both my legs, and a family that loves me, and a roof over my head, and all those other quintessential things that your mom likes to remind you about. But what really makes my world go round, what really makes me who I am and breaths life force into my lungs everyday are my friends. The plans. The inside jokes. The trips. The love. The laughs.

I spent a particularly friend-packed last four or five days that make me look back and reflect, why me? Why do I feel like my life is overflowing with people who care about me? (Well, besides the fact that I’m ridiculously, ridiculously funny and good-looking.) Other than that, sometimes I feel like I’m too lucky.

Lucky to know all my Queen Anne friends—just because I stumbled across them in a bar one night a couple years ago and haven’t lost touch since. So lucky to know all their beautiful girlfriends. So lucky to be able to call them anytime and meet up somewhere in the neighborhood. I spent last Thursday with all of them for Caitlin’s going away party. We enjoyed a great dinner at The Pink Door where I sipped wine, devoured halibut and stared out onto Elliot Bay. We then traveled over to Kell’s and ended the night with a silly dance party.

I’m so lucky to know all of you.

I’m so lucky to have solid friends from college. I’ll never forget all our memories—before and after the shit show of Western. I love that we’ve worked hard to cultivate friendships even though life after Western has taken each of us in different directions. Friday night, Sarah and I stuck around town to attempt to catch Pearl Jam at Pike Place Market’s Centennial Celebration. (Didn’t happen. Too disappointed to function.) Adam met up at my place where we took the bus (oh the agony! the pain!) to meet Stewart and Sarah for happy hour at Tia Lou’s. A couple double margaritas and some chicken tacos later and I was ready to PAARTÉ! After a couple more drinks at Kell’s, we went to stake out spots to watch the show. The concert venue set up for The Market celebration was fantastic. The stage was facing up the street, with the water as a backdrop, and everyone was standing in the streets and sitting on the hill. It was like a mini Gorge. Unfortunately, Pearl Jam didn’t show up, but we did get to hear a little Heart, Jimi Hendrix and two major Pearl Jam players—uncensored! For the rest of the night, Adam and I bebopped around town—The Frontier Room, See Sound Lounge, Peso’s. It was a fantastic, liquor-filled night, which of course ended up in me having a hard time walking home in those damn heels! They’re so tricky when you add a little bit of vodka!

I’m so lucky to know all of you.

Lucky to have a core group of girlfriends from high school. To know that I can call and count on most of you, and I’ll always be part of our traditions—Christmas parties, cabin trips, Bunko parties, weddings, etc. Saturday morning, Sarah and I left town for Vanessa’s cabin for a weekend getaway with my closest high school girlfriends plus a few college and boyfriend additions. We arrived at the cabin and spent a hilarious evening with Shannon and her husband Phil, Vanessa and her boyfriend Mike, Larisa and her boyfriend Dave, Abe, Sarah, Erin and her boyfriend Adam, Tara and Kendra. We enjoyed fantastic meals together, went through two bottles of vodka, and 2.5 half-gallons of Crown Royal, plus a Pyramid keg. Sarah and I spent a combined four hours in the hot tub, where we watched Adam fall from the hot tub to the cement, and Tara attempt to get out of the hot tub at least four times. Larisa and Adam tried to jump in the lake, but it was too shallow and Larisa—accident-prone central—was left with a scabbed over leg. Vanessa was babbling and Mike passed out on his computer in the middle of his online Poker tournament. Adam and Tara were wrestling on the ground. Larisa and Vanessa were tried to carry 250-pound Phil in their arms, but dropped him on the floor. And Erin passed out on the couch in her dress, only to have everyone stick cigarettes in her mouth among other random items, and take her picture. It was a crazy silly night, which just confirmed my love for my Dolphin Sisters even more (I got a new promise ring.)

I’m so lucky to know all of you.

It’s moments and friends like these that will always be the memories of my 20s. Things happen, friends come and go, but I will always look back at this time in my life and have years, days and months of love for those who’ve touched my life during my crazy, single, unruly and undetermined 20s!

I’m so lucky to know all of you!

Currently Feeling: Slightly annoyed. Slightly confused. Slightly nervous. Slightly silly.
Currently Anticipating: The effin weather to stop pouring!!
Currently Freaked Out About: The World Clock.

Your Aura is Purple…PURPLE!

Twice in the last two months, I’ve had a complete stranger make a comment about my “aura.”

At the terrible, horrible no-good, very bad Lock and Key party, I was briefly talking to an Indian guy. (And by that, I literally mean, from India) for a while, trying to be as nice as can be. Finally, he made a motioned in a circle around my head and told me that I had an aura that people can pick out of a room. And since he’s been in Seattle, he’s met a lot of people with an aura like mine. Most of which, don’t eat meat or practice yoga, etc. I was very intrigued by this conversation—it was actually the only time I wasn’t yawning, feeling creeped out or checking my watch. I mean, he’s from India, which means he’s most likely Hindu, and they believe in chakras, auras and things like that, right?! He must know a little about what he’s talking about…

Then last Thursday, I was at a bar with some college friends, celebrating a birthday. At the end of the night, I found myself outside, chugging down my Fresh ‘n’ Clean and taking hits from the ole nicotine. I started talking to an older woman, I can’t remember about what. But, she stopped before she left the patio to tell me that I have a beautiful aura—“like Kate Hudson or something.”

My aura is purple…PURPLE!

Telling me I have an aura like Kate Hudson is pretty much the best compliment anyone’s ever given me. No matter how farfetched, far-reaching or bull shit it could be. But, after hearing this from two people recently, my interest was piqued. What, exactly, does it mean to have a good aura? And why, may I ask, do people feel the need to comment on mine?

Now, I’m one to believe in funky hippie beliefs like reincarnation and karma, far more than I believe I was made from an effing rib and my savior walked on water. Maybe that’s just me. Maybe I’m just crazy. But, auras?! Do they exist, and if so, what color is mine? I started to do a little research, and here’s briefly what I discovered:

• Auras are believed to be a representation of your inner energy.

• They exist in different shapes, colors, sizes and positions.

• Chakras are spinning vortexes of energy where spiritual energy flows into the body. The seven main chakras are located in line with the spine. The energy typically flows in through the front and out the back.

• Aura readings can help you identify and release blocks, and also help you get in touch with your own energy, so you can know your own truth and make the highest choices for yourself.

Here are the basic color auras:

RED: lifeforce, survival, raw passion, anger, frustration, menstruation, determination, sense of importance, feeling overwhelmed by change

ORANGE: sensuality, physical pleasure, emotional self-expression, creativity, lacking reason, lacking self-discipline, health, vitality

YELLOW: mental alertness, analytical thought, happiness, optimism, child-like, ego driven, thinking at expense of feeling

GREEN: healing, peace, nurturing, new growth, fear, need for security, jealousy and envy, balance

BLUE: verbal communication, freethinking, relating to structure and organization, emphasis on business, male energies, sadness, possibilities

PURPLE: wisdom, authoritative, female energies, matriarchal, sense of superiority, controlling, imagination, intuition

BROWN: grounding, down to earth, practical, male energies, invalidating, emphasizing body and denying spirit, feeling worth-less

BLACK: issues relating to death, hatred, lack of forgiveness, unresolved karma, dark intentions, shadow games, needing compassion for self

PINK: self-love, tenderness, female energies, gay energies, emphasis on physical appearances, being ‘nice’ at expense of being ‘real’

WHITE (CLOUDY): New Age or religious energy, lacking consciousness, a cover-up, denial, being ‘good’ at expense of being ‘whole’

WHITE (CLEAR LIGHT): very high spiritual vibration, godly, divine, inspiration, seeing spiritual big picture, compassionate

GOLD: high spiritual vibration, integrity, respect, freedom, clearseeing, integrating spirit and body, creating as spirit

Now, I wish one of these two “aura believing and seeing” people would have commented on what color I was because I find a little bit of myself in each category. However, what I’ve concluded from this whole aura business is that they must be seeing some of the inner energy I’ve been feeling lately—happy, content, lucky and blessed (in a non-Jesus way).

I think when you’re happy, it shows. And that is all I can conclude from my “aura.”

Currently Feeling: Confused and perplexed.
Currently Anticipating: Walking Greenlake tonight with my parents
Currently Loving: The Nike +iPod—it tells you how far you have left to run, right in the middle of your workout. It’s genius!

The Party’s Over but the Fun is Just Beginning

Thanks to all of you who ventured out on Saturday night to celebrate 25 years of my life. I had an amazing time with all of my friends, who really are like family. As the night progressed, the food and jello shots dwindled, and my buzz continued to skyrocket, my drunk and generally giddy disposition allowed me to become a little sentimental. I scanned the room and realized that I am more fortunate than I could ever have asked for or imagined. I have so many good friends who support me and love me. The room was filled with some old and a lot new, and a few in-between, but all friendships that are so important to me—friendships I’ve taken time to nurture and progress. I don’t think there’s a better way to ring in my 25th year. And while 25 is definitely mid-20s and halfway through the decade leading to 30, I look damn good. And looking damn good with a bunch of good friends is a ridiculously good way to live life. Here’s to another fabulous 25 years with all of you!

Luv,
Jeanna

(I’ll post pictures as soon as everyone sends them to me. I was having a slight camera malfunction that evening.)

Reason, Season or Lifetime

I found this blurb today while scouring the Internet. Despite all the prayer crap, I don’t think it could possibly make more sense to me. Especially during this week, while I’m trying to figure out the REASON for the relationship with me and Tre. I think it’s a perfect way to look at why people come into your life, good or bad, and a way to let go without being bitter. That aside, I have so many awesome SEASON and LIFETIME friends. I don’t know how one person gets as lucky with friendships as I have in my life. It’s the tie that binds me together…

Important Highlights From My Weekend

FRIDAY: I attempt to replicate my night with the firefighters. Drank myself into oblivion while at Evo’s art gallery opening. Made ridiculous and embarrassing phone calls. Found out some pertinent, shiesty info about my current love interest. Had to take a taxi home at 11 because I couldn’t stand up or see. Woke up the next morning facedown on my couch with my bathrobe on. Don’t ask me why.

Conclusion: The bearded lover is out like yesterday’s trash.

SATURDAY: Up bright and early to go hiking with an old college friend. Drink lots of water, take three Advil, eat toast, eggs, and yoghurt in an attempt to feel better after my wine hangover. Drive two and a half hours to the Olympic National Forest to hike up to Lena Lake. Catch up with Noah about the stories we’ve missed from each other’s lives the past year or so. Jump in the lake, which is the coldest water I’ve ever been in. Sunbathe a bit. Eat beef jerky and drink warm red wine for lunch. Stop on the way back to Seattle in a cute little town called Hoodsport for dinner. Eat broasted chicken…not to be confused with fried chicken…and jojos the size of my forearm. Feel groggy from all-day hike and sunshine, but quickly changed to meet up with Sarah. Go to a new bar in Belltown called Amber. Designers are clever enough to put amber lights everywhere, and I’m impressed. Marvel at all the beautiful people and somewhat scandalous, bizarre outfits. Wrap the night up at Vanessa’s where I play drinking games with Mike-orita…a seriously disgusting margarita mix made by Mikes Hard Lemonade that has 9 percent alcohol volume.

Conclusion: I haven’t slept since 1998.

SUNDAY: Pick up Amanda’s boyfriend Luke from the Princess cruise ship port. Go to Buckley’s to watch the World Cup game. Drink a damn good Bloody Mary and eat a so-so breakfast. Marvel over the head butt incident and the penalty-kick finale. Drop Luke off. Drive to the east side to partake in some bridesmaid dress shopping with Jillian and her friend Alison. Marvel at Jillian in her wedding dress. Laugh at the fat brides trying ugly dresses on and the camel toe. Sift through hundreds of dresses, try on ten or so, finally agree on one that looks good, and then discover it doesn’t come in the color Jillian wants. Back at square one. Wrap up the evening at Las Margaritas where I practically fall asleep in my Coconut margarita. Finally make it home where I try to watch Syriana for five minutes before passing out at 8 p.m. Don’t wake up this morning till 8 a.m.

Conclusion: I’m rejuvenated for another three weeks of binging.

Currently Feeling: Eh.
Currently Anticipating: Finally cleaning my apartment tonight. I bought a bunch of cleaning supplies from Target, so hopefully that will motivate me. Possible movie night with Johnner…
Currently Wondering: What the hell is wrong with the male species.