the shook and the artist-friend

Meet the Shook.

It is Jerusalem's crazy outdoor Costco-like market. We often venture to the Shook Friday afternoons right after lunch to pick up Shabbat Bread and any other treat we may want for Sabbath (we are only served breakfast and dinner on Sabbath; a little fruit is definitely needed to tide the stomach over between the meals). I love the Shook for its people, its variety, its busyness, its life. 

Cool little place, huh? Cool little pics. My friend Lani took them. 

Meet Lani.

she is
almost a former undergraduate student

lawyer-to-be

photographer by day

comedian by the minute

artist at heart (clearly)

one dear, dear friend

Lani designed the new blog header for me. Sweet of her, eh? I thought you all might want to get to know her a little better. Here's a smidgen of an interview, conducted so professionally on the fourth-floor landing this very Sabbath day:

Jeni: So you read a lot. You read on the stationary bike in the sixth floor gym; your books almost always have bent corners and battered covers. What’s is your current read, what is your favorite read of all time?

Lani: K. current read is “everything is illuminated” by Jonathon Foer.

My favorite book of all time?...probably…let me think. I think it would “like water for chocolate” by Lora Esquivel. It’s dreamy – it’s like reading someone’s fantasy.

Jeni: Cool. Let’s say you’re leaving the JC in seven days on another international adventure. Where are you going? For how long will you be there? You can have any meal en route to your destination – what is it?

Lani: I’m going to Thailand. I’ll probably stay for three weeks for some rest and rejuvenation – ride a couple elephants, do a lot of yoga, and definitely eat a veggie burrito from Chronic Taco en route.

Jeni: Okay, your list of favorite child names?

Lani: [laughter] it’s pretty long…

Regan Knox Carter Romney Avery Jackson Bailey (girl) Chase Fin Dylan Collins (girl) Cannon Price (boy) Charlie Sutter Georgie Kennedy Rex Mason Gradey Benson Zoey Charlotte.

Jeni: Wow, that definitely beats all lists that I have thus far seen in my life, and baby-name convos are not uncommon at the JC. Impressive, Lan.

Next quest, final quest (this has to be somewhat of a secret) – what is something that nobody knows about you?

Lani: Provo > Paolo Alto

I got into Stanford, and came to BYU instead.

No regrets. Secret revealed. 

And that's my wonderful friend, Lani.