Whew! Busy weekend...and Father's Day!

This was quite the weekend! Rather busy, but productive as well! Thursday night, we went to a concert at the House of Blues in Boston, which was pretty fun. A small group of my classmates went and although I didn't know who was performing, it was fun to be there and hang out with new friends. The act we went to see was Matt and Kim, which was pretty good. They are a rock group I suppose with just a drummer (Kim) and piano and vocals (Matt). They are on youtube if you so desire to check them out. The House of Blues is right across the street from Fenway Park, so I got a few pictures of the outside of the park as well. Someday, I will go inside for a game. The game that night was called early due to rain, and I believe the Red Sox lost after a six game winning streak, or something like that. (WARNING: There are quite a few pictures in this post...I hope you are able to enjoy them!)

House of Blues in Boston just opened in February or March of this year

Part of Fenway Park

Fenway Park on the right, House of Blues on the left

Friday, Shirin and I slept in just a bit and then went to study for a few hours before going to Relay for Life that night. We stayed up the whole night and walked off and on throughout the whole time. There were five people from our class there as well as maybe ten or so second DPT students. One of our classmates picked us up and we drove over to the high school together. Traffic was really bad for her from her house to our house and then we got lost on our way from our house to the high school, so we ended up getting there a bit late so we missed the opening ceremonies and such, but it was a fun night and a neat experience and something I had not done before. Cancer survivors were there with a sash around them distinguishing they were a survivor and there was a survivor lap during the opening ceremonies, which we missed out on. There was also other entertainment (music mostly) and other special laps throughout the night. As a team, we were able to raise just about $2,000 for the American Cancer Society, which is really exciting! If you wanted to donate, but didn't have the chance or forgot, donations are being accepted through August 31! Click here to donate! Here are some pictures from the event! :)

HOPE spelled out with candles shined throughout the night

The a cappella group that performed Friday evening

Me, Thomas, and Kristina eating cookies while walking

Thomas, Kristina, and Shirin during the backwards lap

Most of our team after winning the "keep the beach ball in the air all the way around the track" lap...the bucket of goodies had brownies, glow sticks, and bubbles

Our campsite...we played a bit of catch phrase during the night

Me, Kristina, and Thomas participated in the three-legged race as a three-man, four-legged team at three a.m. and we won! The prize was a $25 gift certificate to Stop & Shop

We were walking at 5:30 am and it was rather bright outside...it started to get bright at around 4:15 or 4:30. I suppose that's what happens on the eastern side of a time zone

A few laps in the fog early in the morning with my roommate and the sleeping bag Jessie and Charlie left for me! It was a bit chilly.

The seagull was looking for food in the bags with the candles that spelled HOPE in the morning and attacked three of the bags before giving up and leaving.

There was a little morning dance and yoga session Saturday before the closing ceremonies.

After coming home from Relay for Life Saturday morning at about 9:00, I took a shower and slept for a few hours before studying some more. Shirin and I studied all Saturday evening and then this morning, I had the treat of going to church with one of my wonderful roommates from SLO! :) It was wonderful to see her and go to church with her. We went to City Life and she was able to introduce me to a few of her friends there this morning. After church, we went to the Prudential Center (a mall) for lunch at the food court and then we went to see UP, which is a pretty cute movie! Enjoyed it lots, and even more so because I was with Jessie! :) After the movie, talked to my dad...HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD!!! Then, went to see The Color Purple with a group of people from school, which I enjoyed a lot. It was at the Wang Theater in Boston, which was so pretty inside! I'll put up pictures of it later...my camera battery died, so I need to get pictures from Shirin. The end of a busy, but great weekend has come and now the second week of classes begins in the morning! Then, off to California on Thursday night and I don't think Thursday evening can come fast enough for me!

Father's are such a crucial part of a child's life. Nobody can replace the role of a father and I am so grateful and thankful for the father the Lord has blessed me with. Dad, it is such a privilege to be your daughter and I love the time we have spent together throughout my life, no matter what we are doing. I have learned so much from you and you have inspired me and encouraged me to work hard and reach for my goals. Thank you for the man you are and for always supporting me and cheering me on. I appreciate the advice and truth you have shared with me, whether I want to hear it or not. Thank you for taking the time to invest in me and my life and for being an example of what it looks like to be a great father. I love you and am excited to see you soon!!! :) To all the fathers out there, young and old, Happy Father's Day!

First Day of Anatomy Lab

Today was the day we met our cadavers.  My group has a woman and we cut open the thorax (chest) today.  The other members of our group came in half way into the lab time and should have opened up the thoracic cavity after we left.  I'll find out Thursday!  Pretty interesting day, although a little bit different than what I expected.  I won't go into too much detail, but I think I will enjoy lab, especially as I get more used to being there and more comfortable with the dissection.  

After lab, many of us mentioned that we were rather hungry.  I'm told the formaldehyde will do that to people.  So, on the way home, Shirin and I stopped at Christopher's Bar and Grill in Porter Square and had a bowl of Clam Chowdah.  It was SO tasty and definitely met my expectations.  We were both pleased with the choice and decided we'd go back to that restaurant for more of a meal some time.  :)  We sat outside and the umbrellas over the tables had Sierra Nevada Brewing Company logos on them!  Thought of you, Stephen!   

I definitely was enjoying the chowdah!

Shirin giving her chowdah a thumbs up!

Here's to you little bro!

Walking home from school

I think the last time I walked home from school was a couple years ago while living in the Mill St. house in San Luis Obispo.  And before that, maybe once or twice in high school? (although I can't remember any certain time) and a couple times in middle school and everyday in elementary school.  Yesterday, Shirin and I decided to walk, instead of take the shuttle, to North Station (to take the T) with a fellow classmate.  When we arrived at North Station, we decided we wanted to keep walking.  So, we walked to the hospital to get on the T.  When we were on the platform about to get into the train, we decided that the train was too crowded and we didn't want to get on the crowded train right then.  So, instead, we decided to walk to the next T stop thinking we'd get a less crowded train there (which would not be true since it's the same line and same route.  So, while were were leaving the T station, we looked at each other and decided to walk all the way home!  It was a pleasant walk and the weather was pretty nice outside!  So, after three hours of walking and almost five and a half miles, we arrived home from school with a great experience, quite a few pictures, and a pair of lab goggles.  And, we didn't have to break out the map even!  We just walked and found our way back home!  It was a lovely walk and although I wouldn't do it everyday, I'd definitely do it again!  :)  Below are some pictures of our walk!  However, we missed pictures from the first part of the trip and it begins on the bridge after we decided to walk all the way home.

Random thoughts/observations:

More people say San "Louie" Obispo than I thought.  When I've heard it over the past two weeks from people who have visited or know someone who went to school there, they say "Louie."  I feel like telling them it's Luis, pronounced with the "s" but I always hold my tongue.  It's kind of like me saying "Waltham" with a separation...Walt-ham or "Worcester" (wuhster) differently...war-ces-ter or "Gloucester" (gloss-ter) like it looks...glou-ces-ter.  Maybe their learn one day. 

Some time a while ago, I was cleaning my blinds on my windows and they were really dirty.  Mom, you would be proud.

The other day I was talking with a couple classmates about where I am from.  He is a bit familiar with the east bay considering he has family there, so when I told him Walnut Creek, he knew about where it was!  I continued talking about Walnut Creek and once, I unexpectedly said Walnut Crick.  After that came from my mouth, I had to stop and question myself...where did that come from?  I've never said Walnut Crick before...Grandpa says it, but I haven't.  I took a small moment to think about that after I caught myself.  Thinking about you Grandma and Grandpa!

The Charles River with walking and bike paths right next to it.

Shirin and I on the bridge crossing over the Charles River.

One of the trains we could have taken home and the one we normally take home too.

A building at MIT, although I'm not sure what it is used for.

The Cambridge City Hall and Municipal Buildings.

A building at Harvard with really pretty doorways.

Shirin and I with Mr. John Harvard.

Sitting on one of the rock chairs in the outdoor classroom at Harvard.

Our patriotic neighbor's front yard and house.

Shirin welcoming us to our street!

Second Sunday in Boston

After spending some good bonding time with a few classmates last night, I decided to go to City Life Church this morning, which is just a couple blocks away from the Boston Common.  I was maybe going to go to Park Street Church, which is also right next to the Boston Common.  However, when I was trying to look at the websites last night for directions and service times, the Park Street website was not working (it is now though) so that made the decision easy, since I knew when City Life was and not Park Street.  Church was good this morning.  I felt so welcome and had the opportunity to talk to a few people/families at the church.  After the service, there was a group of newcomers and visitors that went to lunch with a couple people who have been going to the church for quite some time.  We went to PF Chang's and it was fun to meet the others and get to know some people outside of school as well.  There was actually one guy who just moved to Boston three weeks ago who graduated from The Master's College and we found out that we have some mutual friends!  It is a small world!  A bit of home and familiarity here in Boston.  And, this same guy is working as a digital media person for Harvard Medical School and is working in the same building where my anatomy class/lab is being held.

On my way back to the T (train station) there were a lot of people in the park (Boston Common) on one of the grass sections and I was wondering what the group was doing and what they were all about.  As I got closer to this group, I heard worship music.  So, then, I proceeded to look around and found one of the canopies they had set up had a piece of paper that said "Ask Us" on it.  So, I went and asked them.  Low and behold, it was Park Street's annual service and celebration in the park!  It reminded me of Grace Church in San Luis Obispo and their Fall kickoff in Mitchell park across the street!  And, as Grace celebrated their 75th anniversary a few years ago, Park Street is having their bicentennial celebration this year!  Wow!!!  Everything is so much older on this side of the country.  It was kinda cool.  Today was a combined effort of four different churches in the area and they were having a party in the park all afternoon long, ending the day with an afternoon service.  So, I stopped and got some information from the table and now, I know when they meet so I can go next week and see what a more regular Sunday looks like at Park Street.  Interesting...City Life was meeting in a different room today as well.  It was the Sunday of differences!  

Speaking of differences...I had a different/interesting(?) interaction with a guy today.  Oh my.  After checking out the Park Street celebration, I walked around the Boston Common a bit and looked at all the children playing and everyone walking about.  It was so different now than when my mom and I were there in February when there was snow and not many people out.  After taking a few pictures, I started walking (for real this time) to the T and I was stopped again.  By Dan is his name.  It was a bit awkward because he just came up to me and started talking and told me I was pretty and pretty much said he wanted to take me out on a date.  WHAT?!?!  Do guys really do that?!  Shirin suggested that it might be because we are more in a city and there are more people around that guys are more willing to put themselves out there.  I don't know...city guys vs. small town guys?  I'm not sure.  Whatever the case, he was rather forward, took me by surprise, and I didn't know how to respond or what to say.  After talking him for too long, I finally was able to leave and continue to the T to go home.  

Random thoughts/observations:

Quite a few churches in Boston, or in the area, meet in hotels, which is something new and different for me...kinda cool.  :)

A few pictures from today....

 

Park Street in the park celebration

The empty frog pond that people were ice skating on last time I was here.

(With frog statues at the end)

So many uses for the pond--ice skating, reflecting, and wading!

Depending on the time of year...multi-purpose pond.

Children playing on the Tadpole Playground 

(right across from the frog pond)

Relay for Life

There is a group of DPT students, from different classes, at the MGH Institute of Health Professions who are participating in the American Cancer Society's Boston Relay for Life.  It is an overnight event that will be held at a high school track next weekend (Friday afternoon to Saturday morning) in which we spend the whole time walking around the track as a team.  While we each will not be walking the entire time, there will be at least one representative from our team on the track for the duration of the event.  There will be themed laps, activities, and other events going on throughout our time there.  This event is designed to celebrate the lives of those who have fought and are battling cancer and to remember those we have lost to cancer.  It is also a fundraiser to raise money to fund cancer research as more is learned and discovered to end cancer.  If you would like to donate any amount to Relay for Life under my name, or my team, you can go to our team's Relay for Life website and click on my name.  Thanks so much and I'm looking forward to sharing with you how it all goes!

First Weekend of Grad School

First day of gross anatomy was yesterday.  Not too bad--had a little introduction time, went through the syllabus, lecture about the skin and embyology, went to the lab and found our dissecting groups and our bone boxes.  Oh yes, got our lockers as well.  Have a bit of reading to do this weekend, but other than that, nothing special planned.  I like not having class on Fridays...it will definitely be helpful in studying and being able to keep up on everything (although compared to the Fall schedule, summer is not nearly as full).  So, maybe these free Fridays will give me the opportunity to explore the city and area a bit more.  

Went grocery shopping yesterday (at Shaw's again...I'm told there's a Market Basket nearby too, so I'll have to check it out soon--next time).  I decided I kind of miss cooking and real food, so I am looking forward to actually making real food this weekend!  And, then the best part is that I'll have leftovers!  :)  I've had Anna's Tacqueria twice in the past two weeks, which is a burrito place that is pretty good and not too expensive.  I'm definitely a fan!

It rained yesterday for a bit and quite a bit last night.  Falling asleep to the sound of rain is something I really enjoy....during the winter.  But, raining a significant amount in June?  I don't know if it's normal for the Boston area, but I hope it doesn't continue.  I am definitely missing the California summer sunshine.  Maybe the nice (or at least the sunny) weather will come back soon.  Today is overcast again...but I don't know if it's warm or cold since I haven't been outside yet.  

Homesickness...yes, it does exist.  For me, it comes and goes.  For the most part, the transition has been alright.  I've cried myself to sleep twice in the past two weeks and the emotions will come in waves.  Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement through phone calls, emails, or other notes.  It has definitely helped to meet a few other fellow classmate believers and I think it will help even more when I find a church and meet more people there.  One might think that talking to family and friends from home would help with the homesickness, but that is not always the case.  When I don't think about home too much, I'm okay because I am keeping myself busy and not missing home.  But, when I have time to think about it or am talking to people that I can't be near, but want to see, that brings up something that is not feasible, so it makes me miss home even more and that is when the emotions come.  Thankfully, Nathan and Erin are getting married in just two weeks, when I can come home and see people!  I am so excited for them to get married, but I'm excited for their wedding for selfish reasons as well, because it means I get to come home and visit family and friends.  Thanks for planning it for now you two!  :)   

Orientation is Over

Well, our three days of orientation are through and we are now oriented to the school.  (kind of)  Yesterday was the fun day.  After a session in the morning about IT services and all our different usernames and passwords and what we use each one for, a couple second year PT students talked to us about the different opportunities available for us to get involved in as PT students, namely, the PT club.  About the usernames...we have three different usernames: email, class information online, and online student account information.  You'd think they'd be able to do something about that so we could use the same one for all three functions.  At least they could just have two.  But no, I don't think Massachusetts is quite up to the same caliber of technology as the west coast yet.  (See random thoughts below.)

Moving on....the anatomy teachers then came in and talked to us a bit about the class and a little bit about what to expect tomorrow.  I'm excited for anatomy!  But, I am not excited about the size of our class and that there will be eight people to one cadaver and that we'll be broken up into two different groups--early afternoon and late afternoon.  The faculty told us that they would only accept 50 students into the program and no...they decide to bring 67 DPT students now, and they didn't tell us until this week.  Fifty was already big and now 67?!  That's ridiculous and what none of us were expecting at all.  Surprise to us!  Maybe some people will drop out...as much as I don't want that to happen to anyone, it would reduce the size of the class, which would be nice.  Oh well, it is what it is and we're going with 67.

Alright...the fun of the day was this scavenger hunt/amazing race type activity around Boston.  We started at school and went to the Bunker Hill Monument, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Common, Fenway Park, the North End (which has a lot of restaurants), Paul Revere's grave, and we ended at The Four's, which is a bar kind of by school, where we were able to hang out with our class as well as some of the second and third years, although I didn't meet many of them, which was part of the goal of this social event.  It was a pretty fun day...A LOT of walking, and speed walking or jogging at that, but it was fun to go around town and see some places I haven't seen and do a little bit more exploring.  I definitely want to go to a Red Sox game, or at least be in the Fenway area before a game--I hear it can get pretty crazy!  :)  Boston fans sure are true and loyal fans!

Today, we went to school and talked about what it means to be a professional for about three hours or so.  It was a good topic to promote a comfortable discussion time among us as a class and was relevant to our future profession.  Nothing astonishing or mind-blowing, but informative nonetheless.  Then, we paid for and collected our anatomy course materials while also paying for our lab coats and medical supply kit.  I also joined the APTA (American Physical Therapy Association) today, which was strongly recommended (pretty much required).  Tuition is so much money and then we have all these fees for all these other smaller things as well.  Why, why, why?!?!  So much money that I will have to be paying back--yikes!  Maybe God has something amazing planned for me when I am done with school and a job all lined up that will have a loan forgiveness program in which they will pay back ALL my school loans if I work for them for a few years.  If not, I know He'll provide the funds in another, maybe more creative, way.  Somehow, someway, I will be able to make those loan repayments someday, sometime.  But, I will choose to not think about that too much right now.  I need to finish school first!  :)

Well, tomorrow is the first day of anatomy lab and we start at one in the afternoon rather than nine in the morning, which will be nice to sleep in a bit and have the morning to not go to school.  My anatomy teachers seem to be great and I think I will really like this class, except that there are only eight cadavers for 67 students....

Random thoughts/observations:

Many places around town have signs that say "Cash Only".  Really?  Who carries much cash around these days?  Why can't they take plastic?  My goodness. 

The milk jugs don't have the screw-on caps.  They have the caps that you just put on and take off, like what we had in CA as I was growing up in my younger years (since I kind of am still growing up).

There are still real garbage men who stop the truck at each house, get out of the truck, manually put the trash from the cans (normal cans with a lid that is not attached) into the truck.  Except, I only saw one garbage man on our route last week, so I think he does it by himself even!  The driving and the dumping...he's working a lot harder than the garbage men in the Clayton neighborhoods!  

Okay...that's all I have for now...I'm sure there will be more fun/random thoughts later.  :)

First Day of School

Well, I'm sure you are all curious how my first day of grad school went.  It was pretty good.  Nothing amazing, but a good, slow introduction to the program and all that it entails.  Shirin and I left our house at 8 am and got to school at 9:15.  Yes, mom, we did take first day of school pictures.  Once we were at school, we checked in and received a little packet with some program information and the schedule for the week.  There was a welcome session, then a what it means to be a graduate student session in which we discussed grad school and what it looks like to be a grad student and how it differs from undergraduate studies or even from working, which many students were doing before coming to school.  Then, we had a roundtable discussion time with current second and third year physical therapy students where we were able to ask them questions that we didn't want to ask the faculty and whatever else came up that we wanted to talk to the current students about.

Then, the Office of Student Affairs provided lunch for us which was a pasta mix with chicken and broccoli (which was rather tasty) and lasagna and bread and cake with a cream and strawberry filling for dessert.  During lunch, we had the opportunity to meet faculty and staff at the Institute when they introduced themselves and shared a short blurb about who they are.  There were only a few faculty there to introduce themselves since this week all but the few who stayed behind, are at a pretty large APTA (American Physical Therapy Association) conference somewhere not near here.  So, we will really get to meet them next week.  After those who were there (the ones who stayed behind), each one of us (all 67) did the same as we went around the room.  There is a wide range of experiences and ages of students in my class, and I am really excited to see how the summer pans out while I have the chance to meet them all--there are so many of us!  After lunch, some more people talked about logistical information and where to find things and get our questions answered.  Then, safety and security in the Navy Yard were discussed and then we did our lab coat fitting.  After all that was done, we were taken on a short tour of the campus and surrounding areas before heading home!  

Overall, it was a good day.  I had the opportunity to meet a few people and talk to them a bit more than others, which was good.  I have forgotten that friendships take time to form.  Coming from SLO, where I had such close friends, I forgot what it was like my freshman year, five years ago.  I didn't know anyone and making friends was a whole process, just like it is now.  I was imagining that I would have fast friends and be good friends with at least one person right away.  However, that is not the case.  Oh, how much easier it would be!  But, I am reminded that friendships take time to grow and I can't give up on people quite yet.  

With that, it will be an even earlier day tomorrow and a longer one as well.  It is supposed to rain and we are having a social event, which they didn't tell us what it is, but I think it might be a scavenger hunt type thing around the city where we end up at a bar where the social activity will continue with second and third year students.  I'll find out tomorrow!  All they told us was to wear comfortable shoes and that we would be active and whatever we bring, make it something that we could easily carry around all day tomorrow.  I'm on the red team (meaning I gotta wear red).  We'll be wet and it'll be fun!  Thank you for all of your prayers, emails, texts, notes, phone calls, and support you all have given me especially this last week.  I definitely appreciate it and know that I would not be able to make this transition without the Lord or without you and knowing that you are loving me and caring for me across the country.  Thanks so much; it means the world to me!  Good night!

A bit around Somerville

This morning, I went to Cornerstone Church, which is in Cambridge and about a twenty minute walk from my house.  It was a good service and good teaching.  Different from what I am used to, but still good.  The sermon today was on Psalm 73 and feeling doubts and uncertainty of our faith and of God at times, which is okay and Godly men have felt that way (as written about in Psalm 73).  The church is comprised of mostly college-aged, young families with a few "older" people there.  I'll try somewhere else out next week, but I may go back (at least once) to Cornerstone.  

This evening, Shirin and I took a little walk down to Davis Square, which was maybe a twenty minute (or more) walk in a different direction from church.  Davis Square is bigger and has more restaurants and cafes to go to than Porter Square, which is closer to us.  But, it was good to walk down there and do a little exploring and see what kind of restaurants we could go to and try out in the future!  Then, a bit of grocery shopping on our way home!  We also saw this super cute house that has a great porch, with a little rotunda type structure at one of the ends of the house.  And, it has multiple entrances from the outside to different parts of the house (for different apartments).  Maybe one of them is empty???  We can only hope!  :)  Orientation for school starts tomorrow and goes from 9 to 5 with a few different sessions throughout the day.  I'm excited to meet other classmates and professors and learn more of what I will be doing for the next three years.  Three days of orientation and then we begin our anatomy class on Thursday!

Random thoughts/observations:

There are no blue markers in the middle of the street to mark a fire hydrant in MA.  (at least I have not seen any)

Sometimes there is not a button to push on the light post at an intersection...how do the signals know I want to cross?  There must be a sensor in the street or something.  But, sometimes, there is a button, so at each intersection, I have to play hide-and-go-seek.

Somerville (I suppose Boston area) is rather active.  Every time I walk down the street, there are always a lot of people riding their bikes or running or just being out.  I suppose they do it while they can, since the scene will be drastically different once the snow comes, I'm sure.

New Friends!

Today, I ventured to Hull, which is "down the cape".  Don't really know what that exactly means because I haven't looked at a map yet to find out where I went, but I'm assuming down the coast, kind of towards Cape Cod.  I met a couple of my classmates at school (after an hour commute) and one of them drove us to another classmate's beach house.  The beach we went to was very different from California (well, more specifically southern CA and SLO) beaches.  It was cold and the beach was rather rocky.  No warm sand to sink my feet into nor warm sun to soak up.  People did say it was a chilly day, so there might be a slight bit of hope for at least a warmer beach.  There were maybe fifteen of us there, so a good group to be familiar with when we start orientation on Monday.  It was fun!  And, one of my classmates said that he has outlined 200 pages of one of our textbooks already!  Wowsa!!!  Us others said, man, I read the introduction and I thought that was good!  :)  Kind of a far drive, but great to start to meet my new classmates.  Most, maybe half, of them today are from the Boston area, and the rest of us are from all over....Dallas, Portland, Ohio, Los Angeles, San Francisco (me--haha), Maine, and that's all I remember right now.  Then, I came home and Shirin and I had a Chicago style pizza in Porter Square at Uno's Pizzeria, which was super yummy.  

Some more random thoughts:

My favorite part of the ride on the red line is going over the Charles River and seeing the water, and especially seeing all the sailboats when they are out--there are lots of boats when they're out--maybe 15-20 sailboats and windsurfers, and then there are also motorized boats anchored down as well.  I just like to see the water and go across it.  :)  I actually saw an advertisement on the train for sailing lessons, which looked enticing.  (I'm really glad I still live next to water.)

I want to go on a duck tour--land and water!

I'm really excited that I'll be in Boston for the fourth of July. 

I want to go to the New England Aquarium.

I'm really excited to experience different seasons this year!  :)

An hour plus commute to school (and back) everyday does not sound like fun or enjoyable.

I can't believe I'm starting PT school so soon, but excited for all that I am going to learn in such a short time!

Getting to know Boston

Well, it has been quite the three days.  Wednesday, I slept in a bit...and woke up at noon...I blame it on the time change, but I'm not sure if it actually was that or not.  I like to think and tell myself it is, and that I won't wake up at that time once I get used to the time change, but you never know.  After that, I went into Boston to check out the Apple store and talk to people more about a new computer and kind of finalize my decision and what I was going to get.  Then, I relaxed the rest of the afternoon and took a break from cleaning and organizing.  It was good to have a first taste of the T (the subway/train system) and a bit fun as well!  

Yesterday, my roommate came!!!  Her name is Shirin and she's pretty great!  She is in the same physical therapy program as I am, so I am excited to experience many new things with her from school to life to the new city!  She's originally from Wales and moved to San Ramon, CA (and lives just down the street from the hospital where Nathan works).  After all her bags got up to the apartment and she got a bit refreshed from the traveling, we decided to embark on a little excursion.  We went to Harvard Medical School to obtain our identification cards.  It was graduation day, which made the area a bit busy, but fun to see all the graduates in their fancy robes and such.  After we were done there, we went to the Apple store and I purchased my new computer.  I have had the same computer for five years and about half that time, the hinges have been broken and I've had to prop the screen up against a wall, a stack of books, or a heavy water bottle, or something so that the screen doesn't fall straight back to the table.  And, since the last few months, it didn't always turn on when I pressed the power button.  I would press the power button and if it didn't turn on, I'd have to wait 20 or 30 minutes until it turned on.  So, now my laptop is more portable and better for me to use, which will make using it easier.  My old computer definitely taught me patience.  

Today, Shirin and I took a trip to the Institute (the school we're going to) to get our school identification cards.  Haha...what a story that is.  We took the train to the North Station (the station we were supposed to go to).  Then, from there, we walked down the street and around some corners for maybe 15-20 minutes.  We found the shuttle we were supposed to take to get from the train to the Institute.  However, once the shuttle started moving, it went along the exact same route we had walked from North Station.  Come to find out, the shuttle stops RIGHT across the street from North Station and continues on to the Institute.  So silly that we walked all that way to the shuttle.  But, at least we got to see Massachusetts General Hospital, since that's where we actually got onto the shuttle and we also were able to make mistakes and take the long way to school this time without any problems since we weren't on a tight time schedule.  And, now, we know the right way to get to school!  Then, once we finally got to the place to get our ID cards, the man who does it was out sick today!  So, we ended up not getting our identification cards, but we did get the chance to see the West End (during our walk).  

Some of my random thoughts/observations: 

The train system is like BART, but bigger and cooler, yet a bit more confusing and more to pay attention to and more transfers and whatnot.

  

There is a lot more diversity in Boston than in Clayton or SLO.  (Quite a few Asians and when I see a Chinese gentleman, I wonder if that is what my grandfather--Papa--was like when he came to the states and what he was experiencing.)

This whole time change thing and thinking about calling my parents at 5:00, but I can't because, right, they are still in school since it is 2:00 in CA.

The hip straps on backpacks are amazing as they really do take quite a bit of weight off the shoulders and back, making a heavy load more easily manageable to transport.

What is that blue flag that is hanging next to the American and white flags?  I know the white flag is the Massachusetts state flag, but don't know what the blue one is yet.

Many apartments and homes are three stories high along my walk from home to the T.

I still feel like I haven't left California yet, despite the time change, the Massachusetts license plates I see everywhere, the Massachusetts state flag I see flying, the super old and super cool buildings around me, and the people around me talking differently.  

That is all I have for now.  I'm sure there will be more later.  I'll let you know when they come.

I made it!

Wow! What a week it has been! Last Monday, a family (and Jessica) bike ride to downtown Danville. Wednesday, last day of volunteering at the hospital. Thursday, studying for and taking my Lifespan Psychology final. Friday, went to San Francisco and then had some great brother-sister bonding time with BOTH my brothers! Saturday, went to Fresno for India's bridal shower, which was so great! Sunday, drove home from Fresno, met my family at church, my grandparents came over for a bit, had a family dinner (with Erin too! but minus Cari) and began packing. Monday, bought a new backpack (my first one since sixth grade, so it was a mighty exciting outing) and finished packing all day long, had one very last (part) family dinner before going to the airport. Oh my...what a whirlwind, but so great last week for me!

And now, I am in Boston. Well, actually Somerville, MA, but close enough to Boston. I left Oakland last night at 10:45 and leaving was a lot harder than I thought it would be. After tears fell all around, I said one last good-bye for now to my parents and Stephen and went to go through the security checkpoint where the security guards were very encouraging to me as I came to them in tears. Then, with one last wave to my parents and Stephen, I turned around and went to gate 10 to wait to board the plane. While waiting, I saw a flight of people coming out of the next gate from New Mexico (I think) and as they were walking towards baggage claim, I thought, can I go with you? But, I did not and stayed to board the Boston-bound plane that was waiting for me. While in line, I stood behind a boy who was heading back home for a bit after finishing the school year at Cal, and then I sat with a girl who was going to spend the summer with her mom after finishing her school year at Chico State. I don't know whether it was the fact that I was just talking to someone, or if it was that the person I was talking with were at schools I'm familiar with that was comforting, but it made the beginning of the trip a little bit easier. On the plane, I watched He's just not that into you, but maybe half, or two-thirds, of the way through the movie, my personal television screen stopped working, though I could still hear the movie. Thankfully, the girl from Chico was watching the same movie, so I looked on her screen for the remainder of the film. After the movie and a two-hour (I think) nap/sleep, we arrived in Boston a half hour earlier than expected. Then, I waited for my landlord for two and a half or three hours and he took me around town a bit, pointing fun things out to me on our way to my new home. We got to the home, which I'm pretty sure I'm going to thoroughly enjoy for the next three months, if not longer. I chose a room, we (my landlord) brought my bags up--so kind of him, especially since one of my bags was SUPER heavy. I felt bad, but ever so grateful, while he was hauling my bags up the stairs. He showed me around, gave me the rundown on the house and then had to run off to meet someone. He is one busy man, that's for sure, but so willing to help when I need it.

After he left, I made my bed and then laid down on it to see how it felt. I ended up falling asleep for another two hours, which was magnificent. Then, I unpacked a little bit, went to the store to get a bit of food and cleaning supplies. There is a grocery store that is maybe a three minute walk from my house...so perfect! But, my "roommate" (for the week) told me that there is a cheaper grocery store that is a 10 or 15 minute walk the other way. Hmmm....I'll have to check it out and see if it's worth it.

After some dinner, I did some cleaning, then walked down to Porter Square. On my walk, I was thinking about where I am and what I'm doing and learning what it's like to live in a city, although I'm not even in the city. However, I can walk, or take public transportation very easily, to many different places that have a lot of things happening--restaurants, stores, and people! The number of people I saw out and about today walking, riding a bike, driving, going to and from the train was a very different experience than anything Clayton or San Luis Obispo has to offer. And, not only are there more people, not all of them are college students, which is nice to have a bit more of a variety of ages of people around me. Then, it was back home to do some more cleaning and organizing and to turn my computer on and find out that I can get on the internet! So, that means, people will know this blog exists now because I will tell them when I'm done with this post.

All in all, my first day (has it really only been one day?!) in Massachusetts was great and my room is looking kind of put together. Still lots of cleaning and organizing to do, but I've got time. Thankfully school doesn't start until next Monday, so I have all week to get this place together and ready to be lived in! I'll post some pictures when I get a chance (to finish putting things away and the place doesn't look like a disaster). Thanks again Jessie and Charlie for everything you left me! I wasn't expecting a sleeping bag!!! How fun!!! You probably told me, but I forgot, so it was a nice surprise! :) Well, it's midnight and if I was to adjust to the time on the east coast (so weird I'm living on the east coast--it doesn't seem like it yet) I should get going and get ready for bed. I promise I won't be so detailed in the future--today was a big day, and my first of many, in Massachusetts. Off to bed!