The Cape

Another amazing weekend in Mass. I went to Cape Cod with Sarah from Boggy. She grew up there, in Mattapoisette, which is the cutest beach town ever. A place where Dawson's Creek could be filmed! We had this discussion about how everything here is called, 'The __'. For instance, The Cape, The Vineyard, The Farber, The Brigham, etc. So officially I went to 'The Cape'. Enjoy the pics! View of Martha's Vineyard from the ferry
Mansion in Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard
Gingerbread houses also in Oak Bluffs, MV. The Methodists originally used the island as a resort area. Way back when, they would travel there for a week or so for their big revivals. They built these 'gingerbread' houses- the architectural theme is referred to as 'Campground Gothic Revival.' So random. They are wicked cool though.. probably 50 houses or so all with different themes!
Sarah next to a house- they are so petite!
Coop de Ville

Saturday night we went to Providence, RI. They have this event called Waterfire. They build 100 bonfires in the river that goes through downtown. These fires are built in brazers (sp?). It is beautiful! They have this great soundtrack of Christian and Russian Orthodox music and Tibetan chanting. You can ride a gondola down the river- so romantic. Providence is quite the cultural center.

Cherry Garcia

So really it was Jerry Garcia... my Somerville friends and I ran in this 'fun and run and stay fit' race along the Charles that somehow got Jerry Garcia in the title. It was a 4.2 mile race with BBQ, Beer, and a Dead Head band afterwards. It is amazing to me how people can down beer after running like that! The most random thoughts went through my head as I was running... how humbled I am to have a body that works well enough to exert myself that way! Then on the other hand, I was wishing it was a Cherry Garcia race (are you familiar with the Ben and Jerry's flavor?) Just kidding... it is good preparation for Pheonix 07. Anyone interested? By some miracle the Cards/Cubs game is on in Boston! I am just in heaven! I'll be in STL the first week in September- anyone interested in a date to Busch stadium?

'C' cubed

Claire and Adam

'C' cubed, Claire, Coop, Carrie

For the last week, my wonderful friends Claire and Adam have been in Boston visiting. Their visit was a wonderful blessing of good times, food, travels etc. Claire was one of my roommates Senior year at Mizzou, and Adam is her wonderful, long-time BF. We were able to get out of the city some this weekend. Got into Manhattan Friday evening and were met by Beryl (the 'tropical' storm). Via very scary and wet cab ride we made it to Brooklyn to visit our other roommate from Senior year, Carrie and her great boy, Ted. I felt like no time had elapsed since we were all together, but our lives are much more settled now. I think we are all glad about that! It is a joy to see such wonderful girls grow up into women who are changing the world! I also found out on Monday that I will get to see much more of Carrie as I am moving to the Big Apple in September. I'll be working at NY Presbyterian/Cornell Med... stay tuned for more details on the next big step!

Unwritten

I have posted the lyrics to the song Unwritten. I am totally aware that this is a silly Top 40 song that is a few months old, but I just feel like they are so poignant, especially in our 'adult youth'. Enjoy!

I am unwritten, can't read my mind, I'm undefined, I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned.

Staring at the blank page before you, Open up the dirty window, Let the sun illuminate the words that you can not find. Reaching for something in the distance, So close you can almost taste it, Release your inhibitions!

Feel the rain on your skin, No one else can feel it for you. Only you can let it in. No one else, no one else can speak the words on your lips. Drench yourself in words unspoken. Live your life with arms wide open.

Today is where your book begins The rest is still unwritten .

I know I am corny, but I just feel like we all have this blank page, and it is up to our attitude to write the book of our lives... no one else can feel it for you. It is very applicable to the 24 year old me anyway! Sort of on the same lines, I have some spiritual insight for the day. I went to the Park Street Church today (it was built in 1809), and it's gorgeous on the inside. I am so glad that someone so long ago started the trend of beautiful buildings to worship God in. Doesn't he deserve the most intricately detailed beauty? Clearly you could worship in a cardboard box, but I love that token of affection for Him. So Park St. Church was the most diverse church I have ever been too, and I was so excited about that.... there is just so much grace in that. The multicultural body of Christ. Isn't that just exactly how it should be? What a refreshing change. What a friend we have in Jesus!

ps- another great weekend here in Beantown. Danced and went to the Davis Square Artbeat with Lauren from last weekend and enjoyed a great dinner at the Elephant Walk with Laura Kheir who is the college roommate of my Nashville Julie. Connections are great!

Whittier

Since I have lived here 6+ weeks, I thought perhaps it is time to highlight my pad!Science Park is my 'T' stop

I live in the 'West End' of Boston
6 Whittier Place
Right view from my balcony; this is beautifully lit up at night!

Left view from my blacony. Highlights: Fleet center, Charles River, Zakum suspension bridge

Wonderful Weekend

Hello from Boston friends! It's been a wonderful weekend here in Bean Town. I mean incredible. I hope that if you are reading this you've had a wonderful weekend to. Come on a journey with me... Friday night after work I met up with Adam, a friend from Mizzou, and some of his friends from camp. We went out to a little pub in Davis Square which is where Tufts is. Who knew? Not me! So turns out this group of people is super fabulous. We danced the night away, and we made plans to dine at a delicious Indian Rest. there in Davis Sq. too.. it is SO cute! I am telling you it was just so much fun. Saturday I pretty much spent the day outside. I took a good run around my favorite route by the river, across the Mass Ave bridge, by MIT, through the woods, and then to Grandmother's house. It's quite the trip=). Spent the rest of the day reading and journaling at Boston Common and the Public Garden. There were tons of kids running around with their faces painted as there was a Watermelon festival at the Common. If only I were still 8... and TODAY, my friend Sarah (that I met at Boggy Creek summer 04..she is in nursing school here in Boston s/p a year in the peace corps) went Kayaking in Rhode Island. This was my first time to Rhode Island, and what a grand time it was! Her friend Rob from high school is a kayak instructor.. we got personal lessons! And, if you are reading this, you know that with anything athletic I need TLC! He showed us a great time on the Narrow River- we rode it down to the shore of Narragansett Bay. B-E-A-Utiful! We then headed back up to Boston to watch Italy beat France in the final game of the World Cup.. oh, and yes we finished out the day with Sushi. I mean I am on cloud 9! The picture above is of us outside Symphony Hall where we took the green line our separate ways at the end of today. What more could I ask for? Oh, I have tomorrow off....

My friend Julie

This is my dear friend Julie from Nashville. She's an original Jersey girl and found her way to TN via Virginia for a bit. Anyway, we both want to save the world and/or live in a hut in Africa forever. She, however, is much closer to that goal than I am because she left for a 2 week mission trip to the Philippines today! She is an incredible nurse and a wonderful servant to Christ. She joins other medical and nurse practitioner students from Vandy and Duke on this treck across the world to spread some hope (and some medicine!) to those in need. The start of her trip is def the coolest thing that happened in my little world today, so I thought it clearly needed a highlight. I am sure their team would appreciate prayers as well. Oh, this is a picture of Julie (no, it's not me...everyone at Vanderbilt thought we were twins) in Boston. We conquered the road from TN-MA together. She's wonderful. God Bless the people of the Philippines!

Celebration of Independence

Fireworks over the Charles (this doesn't even come close to depicting how amazing it was!)
The original. In Beacon Hill
Sam Adam's Seasonal Special... true American style
A Samuel Adams Cow

Happy Belated 4th! So this installment of phots will be in reverse order of the true chronology of events. Britt came to Boston this last weekend and was able to stay Friday-Wed. It was an absolutely phenomenal time! She has most of the awesome pictures on her camera, so I will post those soon I hope. Yesterday on the 4th, we woke up and ran to the Old State House. There they had a 21 gun salute and then an Army officer read the Declaration of Independence from the Balcony. We had burgers and Sam Adams at the original cheers on Beacon Hill and spent the evening listening to the build-up to the fireworks. (note pics above) Get this combo: Dr. Phil, Steven Tyler, Rockapella, and the Boston Pops. The fireworks were over the Charles River.. they were so loud it took your breath away. Absolutely stunning!