Easter Sunday

Brunch at Athan's Bakery with Nicole and Rosalind! I enjoyed a House Roasted Turkey Breast with brie, roasted red peppers, bacon and rosemary oil.

However I would say... do not go here if your inclined to crave every calorie-laden sweetmeat or salty snack in existence. You, your wallet, waistline and pride will regret it. But overall it was a perfect treat and little glimpse of European essence amongst the bustling Bostonians.

Farewell to Rozzy as she boards her flight back to the UK - see you in 5 months mi mejor amigo!!

Moll's Dad, Sam and Josie have flown into the fine city of Boston for a vacation and had invited us for a Sunday dinner at their rented apartment. The 3rd floor holiday let was one of a kind - very ARTYfarty and revamped to be a quirky layout. We got the chance to BBQ on the terrace that overlooked the Boston financial district from across the water. It was such a cozy atmosphere and I soaked up as much of the cherished family sentiment as I could while we sipped on wine and devoured the smoked burgers. 
 

Carnevale Gala Finale

For ONE NIGHT ONLY, the ISSI Staff, the Carnevale planning committee, everyone who loves anything and everything about Carnevale come together to celebrate the end with an amazing finale!

** PERFORMANCES**

1. Yatra- a fusion band composed of 13 students/musicians trained in different backgrounds

2. Aftab- a Persian dance group that performs all over Boston- returning from Gala Night 2012

3. Martial art- Kungfu and Tai Chi from Chinese Student and Scholar Association

4. Revolve Dance Crew- a passionate and diverse dance crew with members from a variety of backgrounds/cultures

5. Chinese Pipa- by one of our talented senior students- Yan Zhao

6. Asian Student Union- Asian and Asian-American interest group aims to expand their talent and recognition into the form of dance

7. Singing performance by Olivia Nguyen- our very own Carnevale 2013 International Idol winner

8. Sinha Capoeira- Brazilian martial art- returning from previous Gala Nights

9. "Radha over the years" by Sanskriti- the dance portrays Radha, the embodiment of love, passion and devotion

10. Dance Revelasian- a premiere Chinese dance group in Boston promoting Chinese heritage through the art of dance

 

21

The weekend was full of outstanding birthday surprises which will be lasting memories! I can quite frankly say that I was overwhelmed, completely spoiled and I will treasure all the beautiful gifts that were flung my way. What more could I ask for than to celebrate this milestone with a chirpy bunch of friends. Just wish I could have gathered my loved ones from home to witness the fun packed long weekend.

Friday

New York Cheesecake Pancakes

Rozzypop had made the trek across the Atlantic and my girls from Connecticut completed the jigsaw when they rolled up on Friday night. "Get er' done" - Molly McLaughlin.

Saturday
 
Saturday commenced with pancakes at ihop (International House of Pancakes). It was simply everything we LOVE about breakfast and filled us up for our stroll around Harvard Square and prestigious University.

We scrambled back to the apartment laden with party supplies and I was overwhelmed when I walked through to door to find the living room plastered in photos of me as a youngster and colorful magazine cut outs of all my favorite things. Balloons were swamping the floor space and a heap of cards with international air stamps were awaiting my tearing. 

The entire night I was surrounded by bubbly characters that have honestly become close to my heart throughout the past 7months. The beer pong was a competitive high, Saf's Brazilian cocktails were refreshing with a lime buzz and when the lights dimmed... I HID. The room burst into traditional birthday tuneful singing and Nicole and Rozzy revealed the iced masterpiece of a cake that mum had organized. After making a wish and puffing the candles out, I couldn't resist sticking a finger into the thick layers of sugary sweetness and catching my guests off guard by smearing the icing on their faces - cake got everywhere.   

 
Sunday 

Sunday brunch was served at the Tavern for Rebecca's birthday merriments. Many people ask 'How hungry is America?' and yes it is a common scene to see an all you can eat buffet but this place had such a vast spread of delectable treats, its like nothing I had every seen in my life.

 

To top off our active weekend we attended the musical performance Love, Sex and Drugs at Northeastern - 8pm - Blackman Auditorium. It was based on typical American students at college and the threat of these three potentially corrupting components to a kids life. There were a couple of catchy songs and humorous scenes but my favorite number by far was the last one when they sang 'Come What May' from the Moulin Rouge.

Monday

25TH MARCH. I am officially an adult that can buy a bottle of wine in Boston. I was showered with precious birthday wishes and even when I switched on my work computer, Google wished me a happy birthday. The messages were never ending and I tried to sum it up in a single status but I can't express how much love I felt for all the miraculous people drifting in and out of my life.

THANK YOU for the showering of messages! Been living a birthday dream in a bottle over the last few days, surrounded by best friends and tremendous colleagues to celebrate my 21st out here in the United States! I will treasure all the wonderful gifts and champion memories that have been flung my way. Wish I could share these moments with all of you back home. Another year older, wiser and more grateful! lovelovelove ♥

And yet another surprise . My colleagues had been collaborating with ideas on how to treat me for my 21st and it was settled that a Symphony Sushi lunch would be the best spot. I tucked into the Curry Pork Bento while wearing my birthday sash and crown courtesy of Molly. After we had demolished the tasty dishes with the fiddly chopsticks YET ANOTHER cake was brought out. The team indulged in the creamy cheesecake that was laden with fresh berries and composed with a chocolate crust.

Rozzy arrives in the USA

Lingering around the airport, scanning the clumps of people for the familiar red haired smiler who I have missed so dearly from home. Best friends mean so much and the distance Rosalind had ventured for her trip to visit was touching, couldn't wait to catch up! Anticipation was growing as I watched the other arrivals reunite with friends and family. Some couples running and embracing, others keeping it a little less dramatic but the gleam in their eyes showed their relief of being back together. Content. People watching never gets old but the postponed sight of Rozzy caused anxiety and I became frigidity with the expectancy. Finally she appeared. Fur coat, baseball cap and all swag I could have hoped for. Despite the long journey she was perky and I was so happy to see my girl.

Beyond Borders Brazil

Northeastern organised a luncheon to focus on the country Brazil, providing the opportunity for American and international students to meet others with similar interests in a casual setting. While learning about the culture we tucked into delicacies from a great Brazilian caterer - Muqueca Restaurant which is based in Cambridge.
  
The dishes were authentic and flavorsome. Plus the presentation painted exotic pictures in my head  of perfect Brazilian beaches and colourful carnival celebrations. 

 

It was a decadent feast of many components, also a fairly healthy for such a heavy dish – the central beans, meat and rice are joined with sliced orange, toasted manioc meal, and kale for a colourful and fully rounded meal.



 

Worcester

My second home! And finally I can pronounce it properly. It must be one of the only place names in American English that isn't said phonetically. So Welcome to Woooooostaaa!

Only a 1.5 hour commuter rail ride away from Boston. Arriving in the beautifully restored Union Station and being collected by a cheery Matthew Guiry in his maroon wheels, suitably named 'big bertha', is always a great escape from bustling Boston and a giddy start to the weekend.

As a student scraping savings, it's funny how I naturally appreciate the homely comforts such as a cosy couch and spongy carpet plus a genuine friend to share stories with. I will take any excuse to cook a tasty meal or flop out in front of a movie in Matthew's snug apartment. It's the simple things in life that urge the smiles! One memory I will never forget is our 'breakfast fit for a king' where we just indulged beyond belief and prepared a lavish morning feast to scoff. Shortly after, we felt the need to stroll around Elm Park and flex it out, while regretting the mindless munching of cine-buns and blueberry cake.

I am always thankful that I have crossed paths with such a chirpy fella and although he beats me at bowling every time, I try not to hold a grudge. We sing the 'Les Miserable' soundtrack at the top of our voices when in the car, sample plenty of restaurants (Steve's Pizzeria, The Olive Garden, Fire and Ice), browse the shops, rent movies from the RedBox, wander around new places, sip on Starbucks and although I know the time will come when I have to say goodbye to some of these special people who have impacted my life. Worcester will always be my home from home.

I questioned why the street signs were printed with a red heart throughout the city and later discovered it is because the city is know to be at the heart of Massachusetts - at the Heart of the Commonwealth. 

This stunning house reminds me of the one from the movie 'The Notebook'

Six Nations

Just because we are living in the USA - doesn't mean we can't cheer on the Scots in the Six Nations - shame about the scores but the atmosphere in the Boston 'Irish Pubs' is a decent replica of the enthusiasm for the sport back home!
OHHH FLOWER OF SCOTLAND. 

Marketing Mind

Becoming and staying an admired company requires a clear mission, a compelling vision and constant vigilance.

If you're just doing the basics, then welcome to the middle.

In today's world, if you're not innovating, if you're not proactive and always learning and improving, you are falling behind.

Stake a claim in the hearts of consumers.

Social media has made the customer the arbiter of the Brand's reputation. 

St Patrick's Day

 

The South Boston, St. Patrick's Parade is Listed as the second largest parade in the country, being viewed by nearly 600,000 to one million people every year

 

Here’s to a long life and a merry one. 

 A quick death and an easy one. 

 A pretty girl and an honest one. 

A cold beer – and another one!

Sporting the green outfits - Bancroft Tower, Worcester

Green Eggs, Green Oatmeal and a Guinness - Hearty St Paddys themed breakfast.

 

 

 

New York

The Big Apple in all its splendor.

 

I couldn't have imagined a better weekend away with the girls to such an iconic city!

Delighted to have checked New York off the list. 

Times Square

On top of the Empire State Building

 

Central Park                                                                                Brooklyn Bridge

 

After being truly razzle-dazzled at the Chicago show we stumbled upon Ellen's Stardust Diner, a retro 1950's theme restaurant located at 1650 Broadway on the southeast corner of 51st Street in New York City. It is regarded as one of the best themed restaurants in New York owing to its singing waitstaff who are all aspiring Broadway performers .

Five Months to go

Ongoing work/projects

Business Journals -employee relations and outreach, researching successful companies in Boston, Philadelphia, New York, Charlotte, compiling information and writing professional letters on behalf of Central Co-op to congratulate the companies on the recognition they have received and inform them of the talent pool of potential employees that Northeastern has to offer thriving businesses. 

Marketing materials - using publisher to clean up our handouts and create flyers to publicize opportunities for both students and employers.

Manage the Ambassador Team - organize meetings every two weeks, create agenda, conduct the discussion, write follow up minutes, schedule events, think up unique promotional ideas, update Facebook group, motivate the students to stay involved.

Administration - answering daily emails, updating spreadsheet for coop history, handling confidential financial aid information,filing and tracking liability waivers and pre-departure documents, sorting mail, dealing with FedEx, keeping in contact with students that are currently abroad, phone calls, reading student blog.

Reception - meeting with students in the office, promoting the program, giving advice, calming down frustrated students, teaching them how to use out Ipad tracking system.

Social media - manage Facebook and twitter feed.

Info session and classes - deliver presentations to large audiences to promote the program and advise on how best to get in touch with our office. Public speaking ability is essential. Engage with students or faculty. Answer probing questions or deal with complaints.

Web design and upkeep - make regular changes to ensure that the information is up to date. Add student feedback and articles about their experience.

Event planning - two major events on campus which our office holds are the pre-departure and re-entry dinners. Ordering food, finding a suitable space to hold the volume of attendees, music selection, presentation preparation, decorations and organization, dealing with facilities department, promotional activity etc.