Fun Galore

It's only half way through the month of June and already I have a lot to report.
First, at the end of May my dear friend Tina came over for a little visit. It was so nice to have her all to myself and we kept ourselves busy with typical Tina/Jenny activities, namely eating, napping and watching tv. Actually, I was very impressed with the amount of actual activity we managed to squeeze in. We accomplished my first ever trip to the beach in Chicago, shopping at H&M and Anthropologie, the King Tut exhibit, Cherninns and a Cubs game. Much time was spent at delicious restaurants. David was in town and joined us for dinner with mom at Angelina's, and then brunch at Kitsch'n. We also ate at Earwax and Gejas. Let me just tell you, I was close to taking Tina to bed with me after our meal at Gejas, where she generously treated me to the best fondue in the world. While it is one of the most simultaneously romantic and gluttonous restaurants in Chicago, we were able to both keep our hands off each other and stand up at the end of the meal, though barely. It was one of those delicious meals where it physically hurts to continue to put more fondue chocolate covered strawberries in you mouth, but you just can't stop. There was only one position that was comfortable and that was horizontal with pants unbuttoned. 15 days later I am still digesting. Tina also brought a generous amount of seriously delicious Seattle Crabs. They were cooked to prefection. It was as if I was eating at a 5 star seaside cafe on the coast of the pacific northwest. I don't see Tina nearly enough so I really have to absorb her while I can. It was a wonderful visit but already I am ready for more.

Next it was off to Los Angeles to visit the handsome Jascha. It had been about 3 months since I had last seen him and three months is about 2 months 6 days too many. I was a little skeptical about los angeles but I have to say, I enjoyed it. I brought Radley along with me to be reunited with his alpha dog. While there were a few tears and near misses to nervous breakdownville, the dog survived the plane ride and was happy to be back with Jascha. We spent time in Venice, Santa Monica and Hollywood. Overall the trip was entirely too short. I don't know what I was thinking only going for three days. But it was better than nothing. Jascha had been bragging to me about the sushi quality there. I figured it would be better, but really, how much of a difference in taste does it make being right by the ocean. A BAZILLION PERCENT DIFFERENCE! I have tasted heaven and its name is California sushi. The fish just melted in my mouth and whatever is the best word to describe fresh, insert it here. I could have eaten only sushi the entire time I was there. But we did have several other wonderful meals, including a 2 am trip to Carl Jr. Thank God for 24hour food! The only thing I didn't get to do while I was there that I really wanted was to eat at In and Out. It was closed when we went by. Oh well, that will be one more reason to go back soon. That and challenging Jascha to a bowling match at the Big Lebowski Bowling Alley. I just love the beach and I think what I was most suprised by was how quaint some of the houses were. Of course on the beach they were enormous, but a few blocks off the beach were these colorful one story beach houses that were just beautiful and unpretentious. I guess that really suprised me. I was expecting mansions everywhere within walking distance of the beach. I'm not saying these places weren't expensive, but they were original and charming. It was such a nice weekend I didn't want it to end. Alas I had to return to Chicago. It was a tearful goodbye and now it's back to getting used to not seeing Jascha everyday. But I have to say I am proud of him. His work is awesome and he has a nice group of friends, so I feel at least he is well taken care of and happy. I miss Radley too. My apartment is lonely and my snuggling buddy is gone. Add him to the list of reasons to go back to LA soon.