goings-on: June 2010

Our first Boston week has come and gone, and already I'm losing track of the days. I realize I haven't written much lately despite and due to all that's been going on. Here's a rundown at some length, for those of you interested and my own record...I've separated this week into two parts to break it up a bit. Hang on for part two! If you'd like to skip the wordy details, there will be pictures below! :)

Our last few days in Washington were easy. We were kept busy most of the week before packing boxes and selling the last of our things. By Friday (the 28th) we had shipped out most everything and were quite relieved. Nathan had rented a car for the day to finish running errands, so after a large FedEx trip we enjoyed one last trip to Burgermaster and the Crest Cinema (finally saw Alice in Wonderland!)

Saturday and Sunday were spent cleaning and finding homes for leftover free items...so much stuff, ugh...now that we're here, I hate to buy some of those same things again. Anyway, on Sunday we finished packing our suitcases, all 4, and stayed at a hotel to get out of our empty apartment. My friend Naomi had a housewarming party, so we were able to say goodbye to all my friends...sad, but a fun night too. We took a cab to the airport on Monday and with one straight through 5-hour flight, we made it to Boston! We arrived late, so we stayed at a hotel and ordered Chinese food...I think this is our ceremonial meal of choice for any new place.

We settled into our new apartment on Tuesday, or at least dropped all our bags. We wandered the streets a while before grabbing a pizza around the corner at Angelo's--cheap and delicious! A fall-back for this cook's lazy nights. Wednesday was hot and humid, but we managed to take a walk to the Paper Source store so I could talk with the manager--all went well because I am the new shift supervisor! :) Happily employed in my first week, a pleasant contrast to my arrival in Washington. Nathan waited for me at a coffee shop down the street, and we had gyros after the meeting. We then picked up Metro passes and took the T down to MIT. The trains are easy and a lot like Chicago's system, so we felt at home. MIT sits right next to the Charles River and overlooks the Boston skyline.

After two days of eating out we made a grocery trip on Thursday. A large grocery, a la Safeway, is a mile away and on a frequent bus route. I was pleased to find that most things are even less expensive than in Washington. I feel like something else happened this day, but I've already forgotten. hm.

Friday, we went to Target...got a little lost on the bus, but eventually made it there. That night we went to a diner around the corner called Zoe's. I had a mushroom reuben--how awesome is that? Vegetarian dream, that's how awesome. :) Apparently they have amazing frappes, but we'll have to go back and let you know.

Saturday morning we awoke to an alarm in our building that continued to beep for 2 hours, no lie. I had to call the management company to check it out. Right after, the bulk of our FedEx boxes arrived and were hauled upstairs. I was a tad grumpy by this point, but a trip to the big library across the street made the day better. The old stone portion of the library has been connected to a new glass expansion, and it's beautiful. We now have library cards and access to books from all over Boston! Woohoo!

Afterward we took the train to the South End to visit the neighborhood where Nathan goes for work. He showed me his building and the beautiful old brownstones along the street. We walked a short way up to Boston Common and then had lunch at a pub across the street. A long but fun day! I hope all this walking pays off, but for all the eating we like to do, it probably won't. ;)

Phew! And that is our first week in Boston/Cambridge!

Last night in Seattle: Pasta Party! Oh, how I'm missing these awesome ladies!

The dome at MIT, with evidence of graduation celebration

The Harvard Lampoon building, apparently the site of humor publications, and a fun architectural neighbor

The library as seen from beneath the big willow tree. People love the park here too!

Brownstones in Boston's South End

Also in the South End, this amazing building. Almost like Paris.

Look, Mom! Revisiting Make Way for Ducklings at Boston Common. :)

The Washington Memorial at Boston Common

Good Morning! We made it. We're here. Sigh of relief. We flew in late Monday night and on Tuesday started settling into our summer apartment in Cambridge. We have been taking long walks around the neighborhood trying to become familiar. Our task this morning is to venture out to a grocery. It has been pretty hot for these spoiled Northwest kids, but it's great to have some summer sun.

We are staying just a few blocks from the Harvard campus, which means...lovely parks, lots of restaurants, bars and cafes, cute shops and leafy tree lined streets. So far, I'm smitten. I think Nathan is loving it too. I'll leave you with just a few photos before we dash out!