I moved! (My blog that is..)

Hi everyone!  Thanks so much for reading about my adventures in Boston this far!  I decided to move my blog over to wordpress, so please head on over there for updates and new posts.  Thanks everyone!

http://shawnsbostonbite.wordpress.com

Much love,
Shawn

Why Boston?

            When I tell people I’m from Nebraska, I get two different responses somewhere along the lines of: “What did you just say?” and “Wow, that’s quite the distance.”  Normally, it’s followed by “Why Boston?” And then comes my spiel about how Boston was/is my dream city and I had the perfect opportunity to get here and just ran with it.  It’s really fun to turn the tables on the person though, and ask them, “What’s your favorite part of living in Boston?”  The most popular answer amongst people I have asked this question: “There’s SO much to do here!” They are RIGHT on the money.  From farmer’s markets to free fitness classes, and sporting events to sweet eats, my two weeks here have already been filled with so many adventures around the city.  Then I remember that I am actually a graduate student with lots of reading to do…the struggle is real folks.  I just want to see and do everything here!  I feel like a puppy who is over stimulated by either being around people, treats or Frisbees.  But then again, I’m probably just relating myself to my dog.  Good thing I have a decent amount of time to live in this awesome city.

Here’s how I spent my week around the city.  Don’t worry, I got all of my studying done between all of this. ;)

Fitness

            Boston is so centered on health and wellness.  The city is loaded with free fitness classes.  This week, I checked out a few different groups.  I went to two different workouts put on by The November Project.  You should check out their story here!  Their goal is to get people moving in the morning by providing really hard workouts…for $0.  This has helped to get hundreds of people fitter in Boston, as well as other participating cities.  More programs like these should be around in this world! Anywho, Monday was a 16-minute tabata that gave me my yearly dose of burpees.  Friday, was seriously, one of the hardest work-outs I have ever done.  Running + a SUPER steep ½ hill.  That’s all I’m going to say for that one.

100+ people at The November Project Monday morning

            When I was here for the marathon, I stopped into the local running store to just check it out.  I was instantly greeted and told about their group runs that they put on every Wednesday.  So, I decided to check it out this week, and I just absolutely loved it!  The path is around the Charles, which is just gorgeous at all times of the day.  I got to talking and running with two other fairly new girls to the group, which made the experience that much better.  Plus, there was champagne at the end of the run to celebrate the run’s 3-year anniversary.  I picked the right day to start these runs, I guess. ;)

Awesome view along the Charles River during the group run

            Finally, Saturday, I went to a yoga class in Copley Square with some classmates.  Ombe, an intregrative health center in Boston, put on the class.  My classmate, Amanda, works there, so that was how we got invited to this sesh.  The instructor rocked!  She challenged us with every move, which is what I really look forward to in a quality yoga session.

Morning yoga at Copley Square...so much green in Boston!

My classmates, Pam, Jenna, and Amanda after morning yoga

Sports

            Monday + extreme spontaneity = First Red Sox Game.  Here’s the story.  One of Sara’s friends, Caleb, contacted me Monday afternoon letting me know he was in Boston.  He mentioned going to a Red Sox game, so I obviously couldn’t say no to the chance.  We got tickets for $12.  TWELVE dollars, people!  It was such a steal for the seats we had.  I seriously don’t think there’s a bad seat in Fenway Park because we could see all of the action!  Another highlight of my night: getting a new Red Sox hat.  Now I am actually Boston-official.

Nice view of the game @ Fenway in the "Grand Stadium"

Caleb and I at the Red Sox Game...notice said hat

Sweet Eats

            Everyone should just prepare themselves for the excessive amount that I will talk about food.  There’s too much good food to be had in this world, and I’m going to find it.  And then eat it.  Moderation and a good relationship with food itself are what keep me in check.  But I digress…that will be for another post.

            Let’s see…so Monday, before the game, I was really in the mood for a burger.  Caleb and I decided to hit up Boston Burger Company.  Whoa.  Talk about serious flavor combinations/mash-ups.  Check out their menu, and you’ll know what I mean.  We ended up splitting two burgers, The Hot Mess and The King.  The King was a twist on the classic Elvis Presley sandwich and had bananas, bacon, peanut butter AND cinnamon sugar.  I love sweet + salty, so I totally digged this burger.  The Hot Mess was as it sounds – just full of random stuff plus sweet potato fries piled on juicy burger.  This burger called for two napkins.

Red meat filling for a month...but seriously, these burgers were delicious! (Hot Mess on left, King on right)

            The roommates and I have rightfully dedicated one night each week to cooking a meal together.  Thursday, we decided to take Janny’s new spiralizer for a whirl.  I whipped up some of Mom’s real good pasta sauce to put on top of the spiral zucchini noodles and BAM! Let dinner be served.  Go check out the entire experience over at Janny’s blog.  Plus, she has a super awesome camera (wink, wink, Mom and Dad), so the pictures of the night are flawless.

Zucchinis + Spiralizer = Zoodles = Veg on veg on veg

            After yoga on Saturday, we ventured to Flour Bakery, a renowned bakery in Boston.  Apparently, the owner had a Throwdown with Bobby Flay for her sticky buns, so it was even cooler going to this place (I am slightly obsessed with anything Food Network related).  However, I didn’t get a sticky bun.  I was really tempted by the spelt currant scone, but I was fortunate enough that my classmate, Amanda, let me snag a bite of her sticky bun.  Ooooh my, I basically regretted my choice of getting the scone, that’s how ooey, gooey, and delicious it was.  Next time.

The inside of flour...so colorful and immaculate

My very delicious scone, but it doesn't compare to...

...THIS.  All hail the sticky bun!

Farmer’s Markets

            I am so lucky that my school hosts a farmer’s market each week.  Since it’s right on campus, I was able to take a peak before my class.  I wasn’t able to get much due to having class right after, but I did get a perfectly green cucumber and the juiciest peach I’ve had in a awhile.  I can’t believe there are just a few short weeks until farmer’s markets retire for the wintertime.  Next week, I’ll have to take serious advantage of the local produce offerings and buy more.

Notice the orange raspberries...buying these babies next week!

Vegetable stand right on BU's campus.  Happy place.

            In other news, this kid turns 23 tomorrow!  If you see him around the UNMC campus, give him a BIG birthday hug and lots of love.  Happy Birthday Carl!! I wish I could be there to help celebrate!

I hope everyone had wonderful weekends.  (And GBR for beating Fresno state at 2:30am, Eastern time!).

Much love,

Shawn

Last Stop: Boston

Folks, I finally made it to Beantown (about a week and a half ago actually, but who’s counting?).  I was so extremely fortunate to have both of my parents help move me through 7 states to get here.  We had oodles of fun pulling a uhaul trailer behind the Pilot, right Dad? ;) Honestly, it was actually a very scenic road trip.  It was really awesome getting to see the country and all it’s beauty.  Who knew that New York was so green?! It was absolutely beautiful; as were the lush forests we drove through in Massachusetts.  We also made a quick detour to see one of the Nation’s wonders, Niagara Falls.  It was a pretty breathtaking sight, I must say.

The selfie was a must.

Niagara Falls

After 3 days of traveling and living out of a suitcase, we pulled into Dedham, Massachusetts, a little suburb outside of Boston where some of our family friends live.  I had to be at orientation for my program at Boston University Friday, but couldn’t move into my apartment until Monday.  The family friends in Dedham, Chris and Joan, very graciously offered to take us to their house at Cape Cod for the weekend.  We had no hesitations in gladly accepting their offer.  It was the perfect timing between my orientation and moving in/starting school.  I was able to seriously relax one last time for the summer.  We did a lot of walking around the Cape, biking, ate some really great seafood, and kayaked.  Yes, friends.  I kayaked.  On the ocean.  And yes, I got wet.  Regardless, it was so fun trying something new (plus, it was a great arm workout!).

The marvelous Cape Cod

Gosh, my parents are wonderful!

Mom getting her kayak on

Evidence that I really did kayak

Move-in day quickly arrived.  Joan and Chris have two sons that live in the Boston area, and they kindly helped moved my things into the apartment.  I had so much stuff!  I mean, I basically did move my life, so that’s a justifiable reason, right?  I say yes.  After getting everything moved in, my parents and I made a “quick” trip to Ikea, which is right outside of Boston.  One very important thing I have learned about Boston and the surrounding area, is that it can take WAY longer to do something or get somewhere.  But it’s all a part of the experience of being in the big city.  Anywho, we got back to the apartment and spent the next 5 hours putting together a nightstand, a dresser, and an organizer.  Cue the thumb-ups.  One of my roommate’s boyfriends helped us assemble the organizer, so that saved us some serious time!  We were ready to be done for the day when we realized it was 8pm, and we hadn’t eaten anything since 1.  We had a recommendation to check out ‘Anna’s Taqueria,’ which was very close to my parent’s hotel in my neighborhood, Brookline.  We used this dinner as my birthday celebration.  The inside reminded me of the Amigo’s fast food joints we have in Nebraska, but I swear the food was SO MUCH BETTER.  We each tried a different taco, and let me tell you, they were delicious.  For a quick meal, it was the perfect way to end the night celebrating my birthday early with the parents.

Chili verde taco with guac & chips. Drooling.

I somehow ended up not having class on Tuesdays (whoop whoop!), so we ran a few errands in the morning.  Dad went to visit his company in Lynnfield, so mom and I did one of our favorite activities to do together – exploring and trying new foods.  We were in the North End, and figured we needed a morning pastry.  When we were here for the marathon, we got cannolis at Mike’s Pastry, so we decided to try the pastry shop right across the street, Modern Pasty.  Both are renowned for their VERY decadent desserts.  Mom and I shared an apple tart and a Lobster Tail, an Italian dessert that is very popular around Boston.  Imagine a croissant, but with a crunchy crust and filled with a perfectly sweet combination of whipped cream, lemon custard, and ricotta cheese (ummm, definitely got my dose of lactose for the day).  Mom got a regular coffee and I got an espresso.  Oh my, had I missed those from Europe.  Strong and delicious like I like it.  This was really the ideal way to spend my last morning before Mom and Dad left for Nebraska.

Morning pastries and coffee/espresso (the back pastry is the Lobster Tail). Again, drooling.

We walked around for a bit to find a station to get my subway pass (aka, a CharlieCard), ran to Bed, Bath, and Beyond, and lastly, the grocery store.  Before we knew it, it was 4:30pm.  I had to be at a meeting at 5 at BU, so it was a very quick, teary good bye.  It was probably better that way because I had much less time to be distraught and sad.  As short as it was, it was still so difficult having to say “see you later” to my parents.

Wednesday through Friday afternoon was mainly spent on unpacking.  School work didn’t come until today.  Oops.  But I got officially all moved in, so that was quite a relief!  And our apartment is seriously so wonderful.  It has a lot of 'character' as Mom would say.  Thursday, my roommates, Jenny and Janny, and I made dinner to “christen” the house, as Jenny likes to put it.  It was my first birthday away from home, my family, and my twin sister, so I am so fortunate to have had them around.  I couldn’t have asked for anything more for my 23^rd.

Friday night, two girls from my program and I went to dinner in the North End.  We found a little hole-in-the-wall joint with a chalkboard menu called ‘The Daily Catch.’  They are known for their Italian food, black pasta (homemade pasta dyed with squid ink – no, your mouth will not turn black!) and seafood, which is freshly caught that day.  Jenny had told me about this place as well, so it was extra exciting kind of knowing where I was eating.  Between the three of us, we split a calamari appetizer, seared tuna in a rich sundried tomato and basil sauce, and the black pasta in a puttanesca sauce.  Wow, did we wine and dine WELL on Friday night.  For the rest of the night, we walked to the harbor and went to two different bars.  The first one was Tia’s, which was right by the harbor and full of young people.  It didn’t disappoint.  We also had a classmate who was at a bar right across from Fenway, so we took the T there after Tia’s.  This bar/club reminded me of the Brass Rail, but classier, if you Nebraskans can let yourselves imagine that.

Max, our server, getting in on the photo op while we waited for our table

Super cute & quaint chalkboard menu

The famous 'black pasta'

My classmates, Mindy and Pam, and I dazzled by the city lights

Saturday, I met up with one of my friends who drives the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.  My friend, Matt, and his driving partner, Alex, were in Worcester for the week, so it was perfect timing that I got to see him.  Alex also had a friend in the city so it worked out perfectly for them to venture to Boston. Matt and Alex drove the Wienermobile into Allston, MA, where I met them.  Little did I know that Alex’s friend was a girl in my BU program!  Seriously, it was such a great surprise.  The Weiner Mobile is what drove us to dinner in a town outside of Boston.  It’s not easy parking that bad boy, so it was just easier to go away from Boston.  It ended up being such a fun night getting to see a friend from Nebraska, and having special treatment of riding in the Weiner Mobile.  All in all, it was the ideal first weekend at my new home.

All of us at dinner (Alex, Jenna, Hannah, Matt)

Matt and I in front of the Wienermobile

Thanks for reading all the way down here!  I apologize for the lengthiness of this first post.  Bear with me as I also work on getting the blog to look better! Have a great week everyone! :) 

Much love,

Shawn