I've been here nearly two weeks now and I have to say I love it even more than I thought I would. I'm finding the most insignificant 'American' things ridiculously exciting, popping to the 7-Eleven, getting a paper from those vending boxes on the street, fire hydrants, wine being ridiculously expensive, ok so maybe not the last one but the others are still fun.
I've still not done much exploring by day what with work and everything, though am going to try and remedy that this long weekend (hurricaine Irene permitting). I have seen a few more bars though - priorities and all that.
On Thursday night it was a colleague's birthday and we went here http://www.libertyhotel.com/, which used to be a prison, for drinks. The fact that the cheapest bottle of wine was around £30 made my eyes water a bit, but it's a really lovely place with a great terrace, lots of swanky people and I got to pretend to be a fancy lady for a while. Not being able to sustain this for too long however I had to move on to a dive bar whose name I don't recall but whose drinks were much more reasonably priced.
Went to watch the baseball last night at http://www.thebaseballtavern.com/ which is 2 minutes walk from my apartment. You can see over to Fenway park from the roof, and apparently it's one of very few places you can just sit outside with a drink (as opposed to eating) over here. I had the basics of baseball explained to me, apparently 'it's basically rounders' doesn't quite cover it, who knew? I don't really think you can live where I am and not get caught up in it, so I'm going to try really hard to get to grips with it and will report back.
Saturday, 27 August 2011
Sunday, 21 August 2011
Boston Baby!
So I'm here. I've been meaning to update the blog since I got here, but in all honesty I'm a little overwhelmed and unsure where to start!
The goodbyes were difficult, the journey was long but pretty smooth, and before I knew it we were coming into land and the views of the water, the skyline, the distinctive style houses were breathtaking and I just kept thinking 'oh my God I live here now'.
My apartment is tiny and there's a few bits I need to do to get it how I want it, but I'm really starting to love it. I've mostly been focusing on work, practical things like sorting out a bank account, getting a phone etc etc, but I've also had chance to see a few things.
We went to the Bleacher Bar at Fenway Park, which does exactly what it says on the tin, it's a bar under the bleachers of the baseball stadium with views over the field.
Yesterday we got the 'T' down to the ICA to watch Red Bull Cliff Diving 'World Series':
Some great views of the skyline down by the harbour:
Followed by a little bar tour working our way back to Fenway, stopping at http://www.cheersboston.com/pub/ and http://wallyscafe.com/ amongst others.
That's it so far, I promise to try and be more expansive and interesting in future when I'm not so tired!
The goodbyes were difficult, the journey was long but pretty smooth, and before I knew it we were coming into land and the views of the water, the skyline, the distinctive style houses were breathtaking and I just kept thinking 'oh my God I live here now'.
My apartment is tiny and there's a few bits I need to do to get it how I want it, but I'm really starting to love it. I've mostly been focusing on work, practical things like sorting out a bank account, getting a phone etc etc, but I've also had chance to see a few things.
We went to the Bleacher Bar at Fenway Park, which does exactly what it says on the tin, it's a bar under the bleachers of the baseball stadium with views over the field.
Yesterday we got the 'T' down to the ICA to watch Red Bull Cliff Diving 'World Series':
Followed by a little bar tour working our way back to Fenway, stopping at http://www.cheersboston.com/pub/ and http://wallyscafe.com/ amongst others.
That's it so far, I promise to try and be more expansive and interesting in future when I'm not so tired!
Sunday, 14 August 2011
Some goodbyes
Had a little leaving party at home last night for family and a few friends. It was lovely and sad at the same time.
There was a rum punch, some lovely and thoughtful presents and cards, and some really heartfelt goodbyes.
My brother's was my favourite though 'if it's shit Em, I'll just come and get you'. I think that's how I have to think about it from now on, if I hate it I'll just come home. But I won't hate it, I'm pretty sure.
There was a rum punch, some lovely and thoughtful presents and cards, and some really heartfelt goodbyes.
My brother's was my favourite though 'if it's shit Em, I'll just come and get you'. I think that's how I have to think about it from now on, if I hate it I'll just come home. But I won't hate it, I'm pretty sure.
Saturday, 6 August 2011
10 more sleeps
Fnrrggaaaaahhh. And other noises like that.
I haven't really accomplished anything since my last post. I've said some more goodbyes, spent the day in London with my lovely friend Kelly who took me to see the Wizard of Oz (inclusion of small dogs and lots of 'there's no place like home'-ing led to the presence of something in both my eyes) and bought me an impressive profusion of Union Jack items so there's no chance of me forgetting my British roots. I particularly liked the earrings, and can't wait for an excuse to break them out. (Kelly's suggestions included a UK theme night or a Pat Butcher theme night, both of which sound plausible to me).
I've been spoiling Fred absolutely rotten and I don't think a dog has ever been more cuddled. I've explained to him my reasons for going and the many ways I plan on making it up to him in some detail, I'm not sure he understood much but he did a very big sigh and a couple of his more positive sounding sneezes (as opposed to his angry sneezes) so I'm taking that as a good sign.
I've had a look on meetup.com and tentatively joined a couple of bookgroups, as well as looked into a few other groups I might be interested in. I've also found a gym, a yoga centre and some burlesque dancing classes that might all be worth investigated. A website I absolutely love www.thehairpin.com is having a meet up in Boston the week after I arrive, and if I'm feeling particularly brave that day I might go along. And of course there will be masses of stuff to do with work, getting my apartment set up, finding my way around, getting a Massachusetts driving licence, a social security number, a bank account etc etc. I think the key will be to keep madly busy in the first few weeks and hopefully that should be easy enough.
There's still plenty to be done before I go of course. I've made a very long list, and several sub-lists, but not actually packed a single thing yet and have a sense of vague but non-specific panic about my person at all times. I also just bought a new suitcase, so I now have 3 large suitcases. That's enough to pack your entire life into right? RIGHT?
I haven't really accomplished anything since my last post. I've said some more goodbyes, spent the day in London with my lovely friend Kelly who took me to see the Wizard of Oz (inclusion of small dogs and lots of 'there's no place like home'-ing led to the presence of something in both my eyes) and bought me an impressive profusion of Union Jack items so there's no chance of me forgetting my British roots. I particularly liked the earrings, and can't wait for an excuse to break them out. (Kelly's suggestions included a UK theme night or a Pat Butcher theme night, both of which sound plausible to me).
 |
| Presents! |
 |
| Pat Butchers |
I've been spoiling Fred absolutely rotten and I don't think a dog has ever been more cuddled. I've explained to him my reasons for going and the many ways I plan on making it up to him in some detail, I'm not sure he understood much but he did a very big sigh and a couple of his more positive sounding sneezes (as opposed to his angry sneezes) so I'm taking that as a good sign.
 |
| He's not angry, just disappointed |
I've had a look on meetup.com and tentatively joined a couple of bookgroups, as well as looked into a few other groups I might be interested in. I've also found a gym, a yoga centre and some burlesque dancing classes that might all be worth investigated. A website I absolutely love www.thehairpin.com is having a meet up in Boston the week after I arrive, and if I'm feeling particularly brave that day I might go along. And of course there will be masses of stuff to do with work, getting my apartment set up, finding my way around, getting a Massachusetts driving licence, a social security number, a bank account etc etc. I think the key will be to keep madly busy in the first few weeks and hopefully that should be easy enough.
There's still plenty to be done before I go of course. I've made a very long list, and several sub-lists, but not actually packed a single thing yet and have a sense of vague but non-specific panic about my person at all times. I also just bought a new suitcase, so I now have 3 large suitcases. That's enough to pack your entire life into right? RIGHT?
Monday, 1 August 2011
Countdown
2 weeks tomorrow!
I finished at my current job just over a week ago. It was sad, and felt very scary to be leaving the place I knew and felt like I was close to knowing what I was doing (well sometimes anyway). People were lovely though, I had lovely cards and presents, and a fab assembly where the children sang 'Kids in America' and 'Star Spangled Banner' for me. It was all lovely and touching.
I had a fab 'leaving do' / night out with my friends, tapas, cocktails and dancing like loons all night. The photos show that I was a sweaty, drunken mess but I don't care, I felt brilliant and had a ball.
I went on a course at Greenwich University related to the new job. I met some people who are going out to the new school with me, and some who already work there. I got answers to some of my niggly questions and feel better that there will be a few familiar faces when I get there.
After the course I went to spend some time with my sister and nieces. We went to Battle of the Proms at Highclere Castle on Saturday, with my mum, other sister, and friend Jo. Lots of pimms drinking, flag waving and Land of Hope and Glory singing, a very English goodbye!
Home now, and have to start the process of packing up. 15 more sleeps!
I finished at my current job just over a week ago. It was sad, and felt very scary to be leaving the place I knew and felt like I was close to knowing what I was doing (well sometimes anyway). People were lovely though, I had lovely cards and presents, and a fab assembly where the children sang 'Kids in America' and 'Star Spangled Banner' for me. It was all lovely and touching.
I had a fab 'leaving do' / night out with my friends, tapas, cocktails and dancing like loons all night. The photos show that I was a sweaty, drunken mess but I don't care, I felt brilliant and had a ball.
I went on a course at Greenwich University related to the new job. I met some people who are going out to the new school with me, and some who already work there. I got answers to some of my niggly questions and feel better that there will be a few familiar faces when I get there.
After the course I went to spend some time with my sister and nieces. We went to Battle of the Proms at Highclere Castle on Saturday, with my mum, other sister, and friend Jo. Lots of pimms drinking, flag waving and Land of Hope and Glory singing, a very English goodbye!
Home now, and have to start the process of packing up. 15 more sleeps!
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