Skywalk Observatory

Felt like I was on top of the world – 50^th Floor Prudential Center, Boston's only sky-high vantage point for sweeping 360 degree views of the surrounding area and beyond. Terrific spot to see the sun setting in the darkening sky and a bright white moon beaming down on the coast. The audio guide gave some interesting facts and emphasised the unbelievable fact that 60% of Boston is built on landfill.

Zumbaa time

Ketty Rosenfeld not just a friend, work contact or placement advisor but a phenomenal Zumba class instructor. A lady of many hidden talents it seems. Her enthusiasm and vibrant dance routines had me both exhausted and grinning from ear to ear as a result of the physical exercise and energizing loud music. Any excuse to boogie and I am there! There are no right or wrong moves. You follow along and learn the routines as best you can while everyone has a riot of a time. It’s a satisfying way of shimmying off the office work thoughts!

A recent article was posted about the classes and as Ketty put it, “I cannot live without dancing.” Music, she added, “is the heart­beat of entertainment.”

Island Hopping...

34 Islands make up the cluster situated in Boston Harbour so we had an urge to do a little boat trip to explore. Our two destinations included Spectacle and Georges Island.

Spectacle was superb for a hike up to the picnic point and to get astonishing views across the sea to the Boston city sky line. Students were also acting out Shakespeare on the pier which was amusing.  

 

Fort Warren was a memorable monument that has hosted a remarkable array of individuals from soldiers to prisoners of war. It’s safe to say I am glad I didn’t have to serve time behind its bars, especially in the bitter cold east coast winters. Such a great visitor attraction nowadays as you can scramble around the entire structure and get a true feel for the eerie chambers.

Completely surreal moment on the ferry journey back to the mainland when the salt air is whipping our faces, sky a bright blue, sun twinkling on the water surface and the Captain playing ‘Shaggy’ tracks out the speakers on deck.  

Harbour Walk Sounds

ICA hosts live music every Thursday for free in the summer – Harbour Walk Sounds. Chilled out in the sunshine on the waterfront listening to R&B tracks performed by COSMODROME.

 

The ICA is an architectural beauty which has a creative, arty interior with statement masterpieces as decorations.

We timed our trip just right to see the World Series Cliff Divers plummeting off the roof top into the depths of the harbour.

 

RSA BBQ... sizzling

Proudly sporting our Husky tops and with the BBQs successfully blazing flames we were prepped to chef up a feast of burgers and buns as active members of the Residents Students Association. Sand sculpting bottles, a surf board version of a bucking bronco and smoothie hand-outs being wizzed up were just a couple of the seasonal delights on offer.

As I blether to new people and tracks are blasted from the speakers on campus, I can’t help but adore American University culture.

Pottery Painting

In my absolute element, painting Pottery in the ClayRoom.  Stumbled across another of Bostons hidden activities so thought we would give it a go as a belated birthday present for Molly! All feeling completely content after embracing our crafty side and decorate some mugs for our office desks. After a couple of hours perfecting our pieces we are held in suspense for the next few days awaiting to see what the finished cups will resemble after being fired.

New Moon Festival & Mikes Pastry

Chinese Dough Art –Folk Dancing – Martial art demonstrations – delicate origami – turtle sales and a HUGE selection of market stalls are all part of a significant celebratory event that marks the Moon Festival in ChinaTown, Boston. We browsed the streets soaking up the rich aroma of sweet dishes being freshly cooked among the Chinese population who had turned out on mass and proved their presence in this culturally diverse city! I was particularly taken by the distinctive wooden toned instruments that bounced of all buildings and echoed oriental tunes.

Harlen acted as our tour guide as we traipsed through Quincy Market that was buzzing with weekend visitors. We stopped to watch a number of street performers that were entertaining the mobbing crowds. My favourite were the street dancers that called themselves ‘Black men dancing’ and managed to wipp out some extraordinary tricks and routines.

We caught a glimpse of the waterfront and the North End which holds a romantic European essence before our last stop of the afternoon… the HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ‘MIKES PASTRY’ bakery. After guzzling my first cannoli it’s safe to say I will return to this end of town to sample some more of the local delights in the near future!  

1st few tasks in the Office...

Perched in the centre of the Co-op Central Offices – 5^thFloor – Northeastern University. My desk is located front of department so anyone venturing through the building checks in with me. After the 1^stcouple of shifts, I am already delighted with my placement and feel privileged to be working with such a cheery bunch of professionals.

At the moment my day-to-day tasks range from administrative duties to online social media and even getting involved with the marketing materials. It’s a fruitful mixture of responsibilities and allows me time to get up to speed with the technological side of things. My colleagues are so knowledgeable in what they do and never hesitate to help me in the adjustment to new work methods.

Although my days in work are busy and eventful, it is always uplifting to know that when I eventually escape from the office I can head back home on the T for dinner with the girls and a 2mile run around the Chestnut Hill Reservoir!

FRO-YO, Books, Maps and Fire Dancers...

Ben &Ben & Jerry's and Bonnaroo bring you a FREE Fair Trade Music Festival here at The Shops at the Prudential Center! Local Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop will have Fair Trade sampling and local artists performing – great to have live music on the street from talented young musicians such as Cara Brindisi.

We were blown away by the magnificently grand interior of the Boston Public Library – such a prestigious landmark of a building bursting inquisitive minds and words from years of inspirational writings.

 

 The Mapparium is a three-story tall glass globe of stained glass that is viewed from a bridge through its interior. It is a unique exhibit and well worth a visit. We especially loved the acoustics - the whispering effect in the gallery was incredible, a ‘Harry Potter’ film feel! A person at one end of the bridge can hear clearly the whispers of someone at the other end, an obvious aural illusion.

Hungry Tiger Street Food Festival – Fire dancers aplenty, Chinese lanterns and an abundance of oriental sweet smelling food sizzling from market tents. Remarkable evening.

Free Friday Flicks

In the USA, outdoor cinemas are the entire craze. To me this was just too cool! KUNG FU PANDA 2 being screened while the sun sets and we lay sprawled on the grass with friends… paradise.

And if the family movies are not to your taste there is the option of live Shakespear performances at Boston Common.

 

My sides literally aching from fits of giggles! One of the best parts of being enrolled at Northeastern is that we get the low down on things that are happening around the city. On the odd occasion there is the opportunity to nab free tickets from Student Affairs too. We were lucky to get the chance to see ‘The Sheer Madness Comedy Show’.

Shear Madness is a part-scripted, part-improv murder mystery where depending on the news from the recent week, the audience input and questioning, the ending is never the same.  I found myself cackling uncontrollably from start to finish.

Cheesecake Factory

The Cheesecake Factory - Escorted through the cool, glistening marble interior which nicely contract the scorching temperatures outside. When presented with the menu, we were faced with the problematic decision of which tantalising treat to taste. The list of cheesecakes on offer was incredible! Ranging from fruity, to sour, to sweet and all other options that sounded generally delicious.

I couldn’t resist the cookie dough masterpiece. The portions were huge and the thick, creamy’ness was tremendously filling so we called in the assistance of doggy bags. We took the leftovers with us and scoffed them as a midnight feast!

 

The Haven

This may sound ironic I know BUT my first meal out in the US was a highland dinner at ‘The Haven’, a Scottish Restaurant. A troop of us thought we would sample the cuisine and musky pub atmosphere. This is a gem of a restaurant planted right in the heart of Jamacia Plain, complete with delicious dishes including haggis and our American friends were surprisingly tempted by its taste.  Jason who has a wonderful personality and takes much pride in his establishment was thrilled to meet some fellow Scots and welcomed us to enjoy the live music. Cannot turn down a sing-along to ‘500 miles’!