Explorations

This past week has been a mixture of laziness and explorations throughout the city. I think the mixture of a 3,007 mile move, the heat, being without my network of friends, and just the general stresses that follow those things has slightly overwhelmed me a bit. I haven't yet gotten on a regular sleep pattern and I am still adjusting to the time differences- I am able to operate on the east coast schedule but my body doesn't fully follow my mind in my new schedule. As a result, I am often found chatting with my friends online with fans pointed on me to escape the crazy heat- I am getting better about doing more exploring though.

I have put up a few of the pictures I have taken while around the city. The first is the view of some of the Emerson buildings from downtown, the second was taken at the top of the Common near Park Street Church, and the last is a building I found while walking through the Harvard Yard.

I have dropped off about 7 applications to different places, gyms and retail locations. I don't want to work more hours than I can handle while juggling school and clinic, but I want to have a little play money while I am here.

I have been carrying my Boston book around town and crossing off landmarks as I visit them. I have made quite a dent in the short time that I have been moving around the city. (I feel like I have spent more time in the apartment than in the city... which at this point I probably have.) Since being here I have made it to a few new places and a few that I tend to frequent when I have visited in the past. Here is my laundry list thus far: Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, Long Wharf, Copley Place, Copley Square, the Westin Hotel, Boston Public Library, Tufts University, Harvard University, the Harvard Yard, Boston Common, Arlington Park, Charles Street, Emerson College, China Town, Downtown Crossing, Granary Burial Ground, Government Center, Coolidge Corner, Brighton Center, and the west end of Newbury Street.

When I get it all down on paper I don't feel so bad about the time I have spent being a vegetable. Truth be told, in about two weeks when school starts I am going to be longing for that time! Still what I have seen and/or been back to again is still just a fraction of what the city has to offer.

In reading the random things that pop up on Yahoo when I sign in to my email, Boston was on the list of the 10 best places to grow up because it is one of the safest big cities in the country. Just thought I would share. :)

Finally here!

Well, it sure has been awhile! I am finally here and I have functioning internet now- a nice change from trying to grab internet from the closest wireless line I could pick up...

I left the heat of Sacramento on Wednesday for what I thought was going to be the cool weather of Boston. Not so much. It has been 85+ everyday that I have been here with at least 50% humidity. Not the California heat I am used to at all.

The first two days were spent shopping for everything I thought I may need and a few "wants" that I determined were "needs" instead. Whoever said that Boston drivers were crazy has never driven in L.A. While it wasn't the easiest thing I have ever done, it was no big deal. After trips to Ikea, Kmart, Target, Kohl's, Target (again), CVS, the Star Mart, and Trader Joe's, I now have a nicely stocked apartment. Thank you to all of you who have provided me with gift cards to the aforementioned locations over the past year- they came in very handy this week!

This morning I got to trade in the air mattress for the real bed. I am so thankful that it was delivered so quickly. My room is now complete and I feel like I can relax! Sitting back and looking at what I put together, I am surprised at how feminine it turned out to be. This tomboy created a very purple living space!

Ashley and I went to Constitution Beach (yes, everything is historically named- I plan on hitting up Revere Beach next!) today just north of Logan Airport to try to escape the heat for a few hours. We enjoyed the breeze and watched planes take off for about four hours. The time went by faster than either of us could have imagined. At one point they cleared the water and the life guards went diving in to the water to grab something. We watched

intently hoping it was not a child and laughed when we saw them push up a life guard tower that had been washed into the water by the high tide. Ashley got a kick out of the 5 men who attempted to drag it out of the water- Boston boys don't have the skills of Wisconsin boys.

Now sitting at home with the fan pointed in my direction I am planning on a great night of sleep tonight. The next weeks will be spent searching- job search, class search, city search... there is much fun to be had. Hopefully the weather will come down just a little- I am not used to this sticky feeling!