Another Rainy Day in Boston

And so I begin to blog again. I'm not promising anything, but I thought I'd at least catch up to living in Boston... a year later. I start a new job Tuesday, so it is during this in between time that I blog.

Rain.

Since I got here. Rain.

It's June and it is chilly and raining.

Its okay though. It doesn't seem to affect my excitement and energy for exploring my new town.

This is my apartment. I live on the second floor with two awesome house mates. Who, until a few days ago where complete strangers to me. Now, we are heading fast to being friends. We live in Porter Square and can walk to the red line.


So on this Wednesday, I decide to go explore Chinatown and the South End. With my Boston book in bag and my camera in hand, I hit the streets and scurry through public transportation. Here I go down, down, down into the Porter Square T. So I get off the Orange line at the Chinatown stop, I emerge onto the street and I have no idea where I am. I hate the feeling of looking like a lost tourist in my new town, on a street corner, juggling my camera and map and umbrella. So I disappear into a Duncan Donuts to study my map. Which by the way, DDs are on every corner in Boston. What's the deal with that? I do like the coffee and can't resist the donuts! So after coffee and donut, I find my way through Chinatown and head for the Gate.



Found it!


I was drawn to the mural next to the Gate. I couldn't help but be intrigued by the fierce Chinese warrior princess and her side kick prince warding off evil hog with bat stick.


I was determined to not let the rain keep me from enjoying the day in Boston. And you know, I think I was able to appreciate the details of the city more vividly because I wasn't distracted by a beautiful day. Especially in Chinatown where the senses are overloaded by foreign sights, smells and sounds.


So after navigating my way through Chinatown and the Theatre District, I find myself approaching the Boston Commons. I see that I am not the only one determined to be outside despite the rain. There are people in the park, strolling, riding bikes and playing tennis in the pouring rain.


Yes, even picnicking.

I see an entrance to the green line on the park, so rather than wandering my way over to the South End I jump on the T and head to Copley Square. My Boston book tells me there's a good Thai place on Newbury street.


Lunch for one at That Basil. I had the Chicken Red Curry which is the standard by which I judge all Thai restaurants. And it was good. On to shopping on Newbury.

I arrive home, exhausted from my excursion and take advantage of my short term luxury of a mid day nap.

Chattanooga to Seoul

So, its official. Cara and Toby are now living in Seoul, Korea in an apartment with a balcony, an oven and a huge closet. That's the gist of what I know so far about the start to their grand adventure. I will certainly miss my "go to" couple for eating out, concerts and chill talks on the porch, but I think they are in for more exciting experiences than these. Cheers to you two for taking a risk and rockin' it international style. We sent them off with quite the celebration- a tribute to all THINGS Cara & Toby.


Peace


Everyone gathered around for Cara and Toby THINGS. Through out the night everyone wrote down: things I will miss most about Cara/Toby; funniest thing I have ever seen Cara/Toby do; favorite Cara/Toby quote; things I hope Cara/Toby will try/do in Korea. Later, I read them out loud.


Favorite Cara quote I believe was the beginning to this story... something about a prosthetic leg... and Cara putting her foot in her mouth...


Work it Cara, work it Toby. You guys better get your groove on in some Korean night clubs.


We're gonna miss you two!

Its Been a While

Wow, I'm lame. Its almost been a month. A real post is coming soon with a good tune and some sweet pics.  

NYC

I was completely stoked when I found out John would need my assistance in NYC. Friday we met with publishers and film producers. John's always got big plans in the works and since I'm project manager I get to work on most of the fun stuff. So Friday was filled with flights and meetings and then I had the rest of the weekend to enjoy the city.


Raymond, Cole and Digger where my hosts for the rest of the weekend and they gave me a little taste of the local life in NYC. The view from their little balcony was quite amazing- Times Square to the left, the Hudson to the right and the Statue of Liberty straight ahead.


Digger was the funniest and cutest little dog/cat eva. She is quite the city dog. She uses the potty in a box and she fits perfectly into a tote bag. I loved her and I let her nibble my ears.


The forecast for Saturday was cold and rainy, but look how lovely it turned out to be. Cole and I took Digger for a walk in Central Park. I was envious of all the NYCers and their cute dogs walking about town.


Daffodils in the park and look at that man face in the side of the tree.


I asked John which art museum I should go to and He said that the MoMA would give me the best education. So Cole and I spent the rest of our afternoon there. I loved the sculpture garden.

Sculpture has a completely new relevance to me now. The steel sculpture in the right background is a Mark diSuvero. When I got back to the studios on Monday, one of his pieces arrived on a tractor trailer that afternoon. Pretty exciting.

Had a great time in NYC on business with John and Katherine and for fun with Cole and Raymond. It was nice to see the city from a non-tourist point of view. I could totally live there if I could afford it.

sky, rock, water

One of the many reasons I love living in Chattanooga, especially this time of year, is the accessibility of the great outdoors. I literally took a 10 minute drive and found myself hopping down the side of the road to this mountain stream. With all the rain we've had recently, the water was rushing. There is nothing more refreshing then feeling the cool mist of a waterfall on your face and cold rock beneath your feet. I couldn't believe my chance of having Suck Creek all to myself on an early spring Saturday, so I sat and rested in the sanctuary of sky, rock, and water. I love the sound of live water. It calms my soul.