Life, Etc. – Page 3

Basement to Home

Only about a month after my initial move-in date, I finally feel like I have a home.

From a basement unit to what I would like to call my home…

Sure I still lack furniture in my living room, and I still sleep on just the mattress and no bed frame or box spring. But regardless, little touches like framed pictures, a large shoe rack and my very own puppy-print comforter set make the basement apartment so much more cozy and welcoming.

When I first moved in, I slept on an air mattress, and for about good two weeks, more than half of my clothes stayed in my suitcases. Partially my fault for loving to shop and partially the house’s fault for not having a built-in closet unit. However, two clothing racks from Amazon and a free desk later, my bedroom is… well a bedroom!

Never mind the living room because it sure is a work in progress, but the kitchen, already well-outfitted with a large bar area and spacious countertop, now boasts pictures, a coffee maker (essential) and a vase of flowers.

Take a look!

(My fridge)

(Kitchen…)

(Area behind the bar)

(Desk)

(TV… and yes, I was watching Real Housewives…)

Where the Locals Go

After two-ish weeks on the Vineyard, I am slowly getting comfortable with directions and finding the “spots.” In fact, last week during my lunch break, I even gave directions to a couple of ladies who were looking for Z Burger. When you can give directions, that means you’re becoming a local, right?

Regardless… The island living certainly differs a whole lot from the city living. I still cannot believe people here leave their cars unlocked while they grocery shop, not to mention I still identify more with the mainland than with the island.

What I miss the most about Boston thus far is simply my favorite spots. The fallback places I always go to for games… The bar that all my friends and I go to every weekend… But have no fear, I’ve tried out a couple places on the Vineyard.

Sharky’s in Edgartown serves as a great game spot. I went there to watch one of the Mavs games – by the way, GO MAVS! WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS! – and last night, went there to watch the Bruins game.

Honestly, if any restaurant has a TX flag hanging on the wall, I am in love.

Sharky’s serves Mexican food and though I haven’t tried any yet, apparently has delicious margaritas.

The other spot I’ve discovered is the Wharf, also in Edgartown. A tiny place, but equipped with two bars and a dance area.

Other than these two, Nancy’s restaurant in Oak Bluffs seems like a good place to try in the near future. I went there on Saturday to cover the oyster shucking contest. Yes, in a search for that one bad motherShucker, fishermen, tourists and other residents stopped by for one-on-one shucking competition.

Actually, here’s my story: http://www.mvtimes.com/marthas-vineyard/article.php?id=6146

Nancy’s boasts a nice deck that overlooks the harbor – probably gorgeous sunset view in the evening.

But I know there are more places on the Vineyard that I must try, so my search continues…

Hello ISLAND!

A lot of you know already, but in case you didn’t, I have officially moved to Martha’s Vineyard for a job. I already started yoojincho.tumblr.com in my brief effort to create a blog for my island living. After realizing how much I miss WordPress, however, I decided I should continue my Yooj(in)________ blog series.

It all began with Yooj(in)London when I spent a semester in London, England. Then I switched over to Yooj(in)Boston, and now, I am here, Yooj(in)VineyardHaven.

Vineyard Haven is one of six towns on Martha’s Vineyard. Luckily I found a place to live in VH, aka Tisbury, where most year-round residents live. Other towns include Oak Bluffs, Edgartown, Aquinnah – formerly known as Gay Head, West Tisbury and Chilmark.

I have officially been here for 11 days. I have been at the Martha’s Vineyard Times for 8 days as web coordinator. So far I’m enjoying and taking everything one small step at a time.

I’ll definitely keep everyone updated on my island living and post my work here as well!

ps. if anyone was wondering, my latest scoop tells me Lady Gaga is building a house on Chappaquiddick, an island within an island.

Exactly a Year Ago…

August 2, 2010. Exactly one year ago, I received possibly the most devastating news EVER. Now as I look back on what happened, I realize how precious and valuable each and every friend I have are.

August 2, 2009. I remember I decided to go home for a bit since I had been giving campus tours twice a day in the extreme Boston heat and had not taken any time off at all. I knew I wanted to spend my 21st birthday in Boston, so I went home to good ol’ TX during the first week of August.

First few days consisted of the typical “home” itinerary: eat Mexican food, go shopping with mom and grandma, eat A LOT of home-cooked meals, watch TV, buy shoes. You know the drill.

Then with about three days left in Plano, one of my best friends from high school texted me. “Please pray for Ted. He had been in an accident.”

What?

Okay.

I went to bed wondering what in the world had happened. The next morning, I woke up to another text message. “He didn’t make it. He passed.”

WHAT?

Just like that, I lost one of my best friends.

Ted donated his organs and saved many lives, including that of a small child.

He taught everyone he knew how to be a good friend.

I miss him dearly because as my guy-bestest-friend-who-wears-cowboy-hats, I could talk to him about everything, and he listened and knew exactly what to say.

I miss his huge smile, his bear hugs and his lovely Oklahoma/Texas accent.

And it’s already been a year. Wow.

So Ted, Teddy Bear, my best friend, here’s to you. Rest in peace.

(Yeah, we were M&M’s for Halloween. So what? Freshmen year, was it? Oh man. I’m old.)

(Sophomore year trip to Boston & New York where I decided I was going to college in Boston.)

(I believe this was our senior year in HS. We both look a little more normal than in previous pics.)

(Right before we all left for college. Reunion Tower dessert. Yum.)