Blue Hills Reservation

Last week I managed to get out the "city", thanks to one of my coworkers and their car, to explore some of the Blue Hills Reservation area. Our original plan was a hike, but the area we looked into ended up being more of a walk around a pond (Houghton's Pond). Even though there were other people it definitely felt like a mini escape from the city. Next time we'll have to research and plan a more intense hike. I'm thinking a hike with the fall foliage would be spectactular. After our strenous "hike" we headed into Canton, a nearby town, for some grub and beers at a local pub. Fun way to end the day watching a Patriots game with the locals, enjoying good food and a few cold ones. Overall a great day!

Washington State

Man, I feel like I am just zig zagging back and forth across the country- AZ to MA to WA back to MA. I headed out to Washington for one of my bestest friend's weddings. The ceremony was in a beautiful location near Snoqualmie,WA at her parent's cabin. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate, but everyone had a good time.


The reception tent. A lot of work went into making this place look fabulous and it did!


One benefit of rain is that you end up with this beautiful, lush, greenery.


Reid, Meghan's now husband, built this arbor for them to stand under while they got married. We were all impressed!

We went to Pike's Market for floral arragangements for the wedding. The flowers looked great and we had a lot of fun picking them out.







Of course along with making the venue looked great came making us ladies look fabulous too. We headed in early, on wedding day, to a salon to get beautified.


The Bride


Jenna the maid of honor getting her make-up done


All done! That is all hairspray. They slicked the sides back and sprayed my hair straight up!


Amy


Meghan and her parents. Who would guess that this girl spent her summer chasing pygmy rabbits in Montana : )



Having not started my new job I was able to see some other friends and enjoy some extra time in Washington. I made it to Tacoma to visit the Grays and tried some of their favorite local hotspots including a delicious hot dog from Red Hots. We went into Seattle one day, toured around and even added our own contrabution to the gum wall.





I even made my way back up to Bellingham to see my friend Melissa, her husband Brian and their newest edition, Riley. It seems like another life ago that I lived there. It was great to catch up!


Melissa, Riley and I at Bob's


Bellingham Harbor and the sun has decided to make an appearance too!


The house I use to live in. Not sure who picked out this color scheme, but honestly, I am not digging it.


Whatcom Falls

I had a wonderful time visiting my old stomping grounds and seeing friends. This state truly is beautiful. I have to admit though I was happy to leave those gray skies and head back to some sunshine.

Brookline,MA

The big move... I am happy to report that I have successfully completed my move across the country, largely in part to Kate, who helped to keep me sane and motivated while I was unpacking and decorating my new space. She was a huge help.



Seriously, it was great to have her. The place looks great. I think my roommates were impressed.






I am loving my new location. There is so much to do around here. I am starting to get out and explore some of it. All I have to do is walk out my front door and there are restaurants, stores, even Trader Joes is just a few steps away. There is even a Farmer's Market, every Thursday, with an amazing selection just up the street from my home. This picture is me, in front of the door to the building I live in.





Along with unpacking Kate and I also had a good time exploring Brookline. There is a reservoir only about a mile up the road from me, lots of delicious food, plus my roommates were nice to take us to some of their favorite spots. We even tried some dance and yoga classes.







Kate and I also made it into Boston. Which is a very convient and quick "T" ride. We did a lot of walking and saw Fanueil Hall, Boston Commons, The North End, Harvard, and China Town/Theatre distict which is where my work is. It's amazing how convient and easy this city is to get around (At least without a car)


Not sure where the professional hookers enter


Love that there is a low clearance warning on this door



I'm working on getting myself settled in and into a routine here. I know it's never easy going to new place, but so far this move has gone smoothly. I am enjoying my life out here and hope that some of you will come visit me some time.

Flagstaff, AZ

You may have taken Pluto from us, but you will never take our hippees!



"In '65 tension was running high..." Ok, so I don't think that this is even the first verse of this song, but writing this blurb reminds me of Bruce Springsteen's "My Home Town." I'm moving across the country from here, but really this is a pretty cool place to call home. I'm going to miss my friends... I love them all!! Unfortunately, I didn't have a picture of everyone, but here are a few of the ones that I do.


Sara and Maurice outside Beaver Street Brewery.


Lance!!! My study budy from nursing school and continues to be one of my bestest friends ever!


Brandi!!! This is one hot mama! I still think we can convince people that "Hermione" is a boys name : ). I'm super excited for little Leo! and honestly the world can always do with another Sag in it. Come on December 4th!!!



Oh my goodness I don't know what I would have done if I had missed you before I left for the east coast. Always the bestest times hanging out with Angela. We are on for another round of "Code Word" when I come back. Can't wait for your visit foxy lady!


Ok so I confess this pic was actually taken in Scottsdale. But here is some of my beautiful Az family that I am going to miss tremendously.


Cuteness!! Really what more can be said?

Along with great people Flag also boasts great scenery...




And culture...


Belly dancers at Heritage Square.

I'm very fortunate to always have a reason to visit here : )

Boston,MA

Back to Beantown... As most of you know I am going to be making the move from the hot,oppressive Southwest Summers to the cold, frigid New England Winters. I'm sure my body will go thru shock, wondering about my sanity with such a decision. I am, however very excited for the change and just took a quick trip get things in order regarding my move. I now officially have a place to live. It is in Brookline, which is only a few minutes "T" ride to downtown Boston. I am right smack dab in the middle of Coolidge Corner. For those of you that don't know this area, there are restaurants, stores, theatres- everything one could possibly need. Very cute! I'll be doing the roommate thing again, but I'm sure that our schedules will allow for us to have our own individual space as well. I had an interview while I was out there also. Hopefully I will hear back next week with positive news regarding the job. Next steps include packing up my current home (not looking forward to this) and learning to spell m-a-s-s-a-c-h-u- (oh whatever that can wait) Even though it was a quick trip also managed to pack some touristy things into the day. Did the "Duck Tours"- a land/water vehicle where they tour you around, tell you about Boston's history and then drive the vehicle into the water and tour you around on the water. Also walked around several neighborhoods, ate lots of seafood, and saw a friend. Overall a great trip again. I'm excited to officially be living there. Hope I can get some visitors!

Princess Cruise- Mexico Riviera

Why did the Mexican throw his wife over the cliff? te quil a (to kill her)

Just spent a week on the Sapphire Princess ship with my friend Kristall and had a wonderful time. Our cabin was amazing with a balcony to sit on and an extra sitting room.





The ship itself was also beautiful with a couple of pools, several restaurants, shopping, and a Titanic-esque stair way. I couldn't get over how huge it was





We enjoyed the muster too. Although I don't think they were too happy when we started laughing. But seriously- when they say and I quote "If ciggerette butt is thrown off the ship into the ocean and then is thown back onto the ship and the ship catches fire..." Mmm first off I'm pretty sure the water of the ocean would probably put the cigerrette out, secondly we should probably be more concerned about the wave thats big enough to throw the butt back on deck, but hell what do I know. I think we had an equal chance of being attacked by a fire breathing dragon.



They had quite a few activities on board. We enjoyed a cooking demonstration and tour of the ships galley- (152 tons of food on board for 1 week!!!) Went to tea one day in one of the dining rooms, dressed up for formal night, danced, played trivia, ate, drank, swam in the pools.








Of course we also enjoyed our ports too-Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo. playing in the ocean, lounging on the beach and checking out the towns. I was shocked that first thing you see when you come to port in Puerto Vallarta is a Super Wal-Mart. Pretty disgusting actually.