As the events of last week unfolded JO and I felt like it was important to get back out in the city and enjoy it. We felt like it was important to support the businesses of Boston, to be out in our city, and most importantly see our friends who had lived through the same traumatic events we had.
We headed out last night to meet up with friends at Sonsie on Newbury Street. It was so great to be back out in the city, returning to some sort of normal routine. It was even better when our friends arrived. We knew they were safe but it was really nice to see them in person. Over dinner we swapped stories of the past week. It was nice to be able to talk to people who had really lived through the past week in a similar way to you. These were friends who had to frantically track down loved ones to make sure they were ok. These were friends who raced out of their apartment after the bombing to help the stranded runners. These were friends who underwent the same "shelter in place" order you did. There's something extremely meaningful to share experiences with people who didn't live this from afar, but were right there in the thick of things.
Dinner was delicious, and Sonsie is definitely a restaurant we'll be going back to. After dinner, we wandered down Newbury Street looking for a place to continue the evening. I'm pleased to say we had difficulty finding a place that had room. Normally, this would be super annoying but I loved seeing this last night. We finally crossed over and walked past the memorials at Boylston at Berkley. We stopped for a minute to take it in and remember before making our way to Grille 23.
As the evening continued our conversation switched from reliving the events of the last week to more normal topics like work and upcoming weddings.
Last night was certainly not a normal night out in Boston, but it was probably the best I've ever experienced.
The evening ended with the following wisdom, "There's no growing old when you live in the city."
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Cambridge Is!
Cambridge is not the home of terrorists. Cambridge is a community that prides itself, and builds strength from, it's amazing diversity.
Cambridge is the nation's most diverse high school.
Cambridge is an incredible collection of cultural spots concentrated in one city!
Cambridge is Harvard Square, Central Square, Kendall Square, Porter Square, and my personal favorite~ Inman Square!
Cambridge is award winning restaurants, James Beard winning chefs, and countless places to hang out with friends!
Cambridge is Oktoberfest, Mayfair, and the Caribbean Carnival!
Cambridge is thousands of people all speaking different languages, with different backgrounds, living as one!
Cambridge is the People's Republic!
Cambridge is Harvard Yard on a summer morning!
Cambridge is the Charles River Regatta every October!
Cambridge is an incredibly special place to live, a place I am proud to call home. I truly hope that people never forget what Cambridge really is, because it's not a home to terrorists, it's a diverse community full of amazing people and places that deserves to be celebrated!
Cambridge is the nation's most diverse high school.
Cambridge is an incredible collection of cultural spots concentrated in one city!
Cambridge is Harvard Square, Central Square, Kendall Square, Porter Square, and my personal favorite~ Inman Square!
Cambridge is award winning restaurants, James Beard winning chefs, and countless places to hang out with friends!
Cambridge is Oktoberfest, Mayfair, and the Caribbean Carnival!
Cambridge is thousands of people all speaking different languages, with different backgrounds, living as one!
Cambridge is the People's Republic!
Cambridge is Harvard Yard on a summer morning!
Cambridge is the Charles River Regatta every October!
Cambridge is an incredibly special place to live, a place I am proud to call home. I truly hope that people never forget what Cambridge really is, because it's not a home to terrorists, it's a diverse community full of amazing people and places that deserves to be celebrated!
Friday, April 19, 2013
Code Red
When JO and I went to bed last night all that calm I had achieved from my trip to Boston was slowly disappearing as we listened to helicopters flying over Kendall Square, investigating the shooting at MIT. It took me forever to fall asleep. There was just something different about the police response that made it seem like the shooting had something to do with the bombings.
We woke up at 6:30 to a Code Red phone call from the Cambridge Police Department telling us to stay inside, lock our doors, and not answer the door. While we were sleeping there had been a shoot out in Watertown. Basically the entire city and surrounding areas were thrown into lockdown.
As time went by we found out that these two horrible people lived two blocks from us. The entire street has been shut down and we've seen so many police and bomb squad vehicles driving by. Yet another day spent trying to get updates on friends and get the word out that JO and I are safe. Reports have a car used by the suspects last night having been found in Cambridge. Awesome, is this psycho running through the neighborhood? Who knows? We're currently in lockdown rummaging through leftover blizzard supplies trying to find something for lunch.
Seeing my beloved neighborhood on tv with crime scene tape, FBI agents, bomb squad is gut wrenching. I love this neighborhood so much and this just isn't right. I wish I could go down and let some of the stranded come back to our apartment but we can't get to them.
We woke up at 6:30 to a Code Red phone call from the Cambridge Police Department telling us to stay inside, lock our doors, and not answer the door. While we were sleeping there had been a shoot out in Watertown. Basically the entire city and surrounding areas were thrown into lockdown.
As time went by we found out that these two horrible people lived two blocks from us. The entire street has been shut down and we've seen so many police and bomb squad vehicles driving by. Yet another day spent trying to get updates on friends and get the word out that JO and I are safe. Reports have a car used by the suspects last night having been found in Cambridge. Awesome, is this psycho running through the neighborhood? Who knows? We're currently in lockdown rummaging through leftover blizzard supplies trying to find something for lunch.
Seeing my beloved neighborhood on tv with crime scene tape, FBI agents, bomb squad is gut wrenching. I love this neighborhood so much and this just isn't right. I wish I could go down and let some of the stranded come back to our apartment but we can't get to them.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Boston Strong
The last few days have been truly unreal. You never think something like this will happen in your own city. Over the lat few days I've gone in and out of fits of tears and uncertainty. Every time I read an article or heard a story about one of the courageous stories or poignent memorials coming out of the devastating marathon bombings my heart ached and the tears flowed. Yesterday I didn't have a choice, I had to go to school to work on my educator evaluation evidence. I sat in my classroom and tried my best to focus on gathering evidence that I have been doing my job this year but I just couldn't. I kept thinking about facing my 4th graders on Monday. As if Newtown wasn't horrific enough, now these kids need to deal with this. I kept thinking of our friend who was running her first marathon, didn't get to finish, and whose family was very close to the second blast. Imaging her heartache and whirlwind of emotions is almost too overwhelming to comprehend.
Today I watched the interfaith service "Healing the City." I was especially struck by Mayor Menino's words, "Nothing can defeat the heart of this city. Nothing. Nothing will take us down because we take care of one another. Even with the smell of smoke in the air… blood on the streets… tears in our eyes… we triumphed over that hateful act on Monday afternoon. It is a glorious thing the love and the strength that covers our city. It will push us forward and it will push thousands and thousands and thousands of people across the finish line next year. Because this is Boston, a city with the courage, compassion and strength that knows no bounds." And when President Obama said, "You’ve shown us, Boston, that in the face of evil, Americans will lift up what’s good. In the face of cruelty, we will choose compassion. And this time next year, on the third Monday in April, the world will return to this great American city to run harder than ever, and to cheer even louder, for the 118th Boston Marathon. Bet on it," I stood up in my living room and cheered. We will be back, we may not be the same, but we will be stronger and we will not succumb to terror.
I woke up this morning determined to go into Boston and after these powerful words I couldn't get there fast enough. I expected to feel nervous getting on the train but I didn't at all. There was a sense of unspoken unity. When the train emerged from the tunnel and crossed the Longfellow Bridge the majority of people turned to take in the dazzling skyline. I got off the train at Park Street and walked down to Faneuil Hall. There was certainly a heavy police and National Guard presence but there was also that festive atmosphere that you are always greeted with when you walk down the steps of Government Center and walk into the Marketplace. I had lunch and took in a very funny street performance. It was so nice to see so many people laughing. I was also struck by how many foreign tourists were out and about. I'm glad they are enjoying the great city of Boston!
As I looked down the street, FBI investigators still combing the area, I was struck by how the street seemed frozen in time. Marathon barricades were still lining the sidewalks, what was left of the grandstands and finish line were there.
It felt so good to walk around Boston today! Sure some things were different, National Guard troops on trains, unbelievable amounts of news crews, and heavily armed police officers on the streets. But so much was the same. We will never forget, we will never be exactly the same, but we will never give up our city and our city way of life! #bostonstrong
Tomorrow is "Wear Boston Day." Think high school spirit day taken to the next level. If you have something with the word Boston on it, wear it. Lets unite together to show our support for the city but also show just how #bostonstrong the city and the country are.
Today I watched the interfaith service "Healing the City." I was especially struck by Mayor Menino's words, "Nothing can defeat the heart of this city. Nothing. Nothing will take us down because we take care of one another. Even with the smell of smoke in the air… blood on the streets… tears in our eyes… we triumphed over that hateful act on Monday afternoon. It is a glorious thing the love and the strength that covers our city. It will push us forward and it will push thousands and thousands and thousands of people across the finish line next year. Because this is Boston, a city with the courage, compassion and strength that knows no bounds." And when President Obama said, "You’ve shown us, Boston, that in the face of evil, Americans will lift up what’s good. In the face of cruelty, we will choose compassion. And this time next year, on the third Monday in April, the world will return to this great American city to run harder than ever, and to cheer even louder, for the 118th Boston Marathon. Bet on it," I stood up in my living room and cheered. We will be back, we may not be the same, but we will be stronger and we will not succumb to terror.
I woke up this morning determined to go into Boston and after these powerful words I couldn't get there fast enough. I expected to feel nervous getting on the train but I didn't at all. There was a sense of unspoken unity. When the train emerged from the tunnel and crossed the Longfellow Bridge the majority of people turned to take in the dazzling skyline. I got off the train at Park Street and walked down to Faneuil Hall. There was certainly a heavy police and National Guard presence but there was also that festive atmosphere that you are always greeted with when you walk down the steps of Government Center and walk into the Marketplace. I had lunch and took in a very funny street performance. It was so nice to see so many people laughing. I was also struck by how many foreign tourists were out and about. I'm glad they are enjoying the great city of Boston!
After lunch I walked down to the Aquarium to see the seals. The seals always make me happy! I wound my way back through Faneuil Hall and down through Downtown Crossing. I even stopped to do some shopping. I felt somewhat normal again.
I then walked through the Boston Common, stopping to view the memorial at the bandstand. As I headed out of the common, on my way to the Public Gardens, I stopped to snap some pictures of the National Guard and police stationed on the Common. In a way, it reminded me of what it must have been like in Colonial times when they used the Common to muster troops.
I crossed over into the Public Gardens, the one place I can always count on in the city to make me feel at peace. Today was no different. Even with police and guardsmen walking through the Gardens it was still the Public Gardens. The Swan Boats were on the pond, the tulips are starting to grow, and the incredible peace and tranquility was still there.
After the Public Gardens I headed over to Boylston Street.
As I looked down the street, FBI investigators still combing the area, I was struck by how the street seemed frozen in time. Marathon barricades were still lining the sidewalks, what was left of the grandstands and finish line were there.
I really felt it was important to see the memorial. I'll let the pictures do the talking.
No one could read this letter without tearing up.
Mr. Rodgers leads the way.
Touching.
It felt so good to walk around Boston today! Sure some things were different, National Guard troops on trains, unbelievable amounts of news crews, and heavily armed police officers on the streets. But so much was the same. We will never forget, we will never be exactly the same, but we will never give up our city and our city way of life! #bostonstrong
Tomorrow is "Wear Boston Day." Think high school spirit day taken to the next level. If you have something with the word Boston on it, wear it. Lets unite together to show our support for the city but also show just how #bostonstrong the city and the country are.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
4.15.13
I was all ready to update my blog since I'm on vacation. I was even going to complain about all of the school work I have to do over this vacation but all of that seems distant now. Instead, I'm going to reflect on the horrific events that occurred on Marathon Monday.
I often go to Boston to watch the marathon since it coincides with my April Vacation. I have great memories of watching the race with my parents when I was little. Even after we moved to the South Shore, Marathon Monday was one of the days I could count on for a trip to the city. As an adult, I loved going to the marathon for the jubilant crowds and party atmosphere. Marathon Monday is always such a time of celebration for the city of Boston.
Yesterday I decided to stay home because I have about 10 pounds of school papers to correct. I watched the winners come in around noon and then I wasn't feeling well so I took a nap. I woke up around 2:45 and texted JO to let him know that I wasn't feeling well. He wrote back telling me he would bring me chicken soup and I responded with, "There's been an explosion at the finish line." At this point I thought it was probably a man hole explosion or a transformer explosion but then I saw a picture on Facebook and I knew it was much worse.
The next few minutes were chaos as I tried to figure out what was going on. The news was reporting on two explosions. We had several friends who were running or spectating and this was about the time they might be finishing. JO's parents had said they were going to go in and watch the marathon. Immediately, I called my father to tell him I was safe and when I heard his voice I burst into tears. My city was under attack.
Over the next few hours we were lucky to find out that everyone was accounted for. It's pretty surreal to have to text your friends to make sure they are uninjured and safe. It's pretty surreal to scroll through your contacts to figure out who might have been in Boston at the time of the explosions. It's pretty surreal to read the CNN blog only to find a picture of a friend who was running the marathon. It's pretty surreal to think a street I walk down all the time is forever changed, the site of death and destruction.
Although the majority of the news yesterday was heart wrenching and depressing I will take solace in the stories of kindness and bravery: former Patriot Joe Andruzzi rushing to the aid of an injured woman, neighborhoods full of people passing out chips and trash bags to runners who were stopped before the finish line and needed warmth and salt, doctors and nurses who ran in the race and rushed to help the injured on the streets, people who are opening their homes for stranded runners, runners who kept running to hospitals to donate blood. This is what I will take away from this tragedy. In the worst of times you see the best humanity has to offer.
It's really a strange feeling when something like this happens in your city, the city you live in. I always get sucked in to coverage of these major events, I can't help it. But now that coverage I'm watching is happening a few miles from me. This is really real. This is my city! My happy place! And some horrible person tried to take it away.
I am still stunned and shocked that this is happening in my city. I cannot even begin to process the events of yesterday. I don't know how I will sleep tonight and I don't know what it will be like tomorrow to walk around the city. But I won't stop living the city life, enjoying the city I love, because when we live in fear they have won. They will never win... Boston is too strong, too proud, and filled with too many amazing people to not come back from this!
I often go to Boston to watch the marathon since it coincides with my April Vacation. I have great memories of watching the race with my parents when I was little. Even after we moved to the South Shore, Marathon Monday was one of the days I could count on for a trip to the city. As an adult, I loved going to the marathon for the jubilant crowds and party atmosphere. Marathon Monday is always such a time of celebration for the city of Boston.
Yesterday I decided to stay home because I have about 10 pounds of school papers to correct. I watched the winners come in around noon and then I wasn't feeling well so I took a nap. I woke up around 2:45 and texted JO to let him know that I wasn't feeling well. He wrote back telling me he would bring me chicken soup and I responded with, "There's been an explosion at the finish line." At this point I thought it was probably a man hole explosion or a transformer explosion but then I saw a picture on Facebook and I knew it was much worse.
The next few minutes were chaos as I tried to figure out what was going on. The news was reporting on two explosions. We had several friends who were running or spectating and this was about the time they might be finishing. JO's parents had said they were going to go in and watch the marathon. Immediately, I called my father to tell him I was safe and when I heard his voice I burst into tears. My city was under attack.
Over the next few hours we were lucky to find out that everyone was accounted for. It's pretty surreal to have to text your friends to make sure they are uninjured and safe. It's pretty surreal to scroll through your contacts to figure out who might have been in Boston at the time of the explosions. It's pretty surreal to read the CNN blog only to find a picture of a friend who was running the marathon. It's pretty surreal to think a street I walk down all the time is forever changed, the site of death and destruction.
Although the majority of the news yesterday was heart wrenching and depressing I will take solace in the stories of kindness and bravery: former Patriot Joe Andruzzi rushing to the aid of an injured woman, neighborhoods full of people passing out chips and trash bags to runners who were stopped before the finish line and needed warmth and salt, doctors and nurses who ran in the race and rushed to help the injured on the streets, people who are opening their homes for stranded runners, runners who kept running to hospitals to donate blood. This is what I will take away from this tragedy. In the worst of times you see the best humanity has to offer.
It's really a strange feeling when something like this happens in your city, the city you live in. I always get sucked in to coverage of these major events, I can't help it. But now that coverage I'm watching is happening a few miles from me. This is really real. This is my city! My happy place! And some horrible person tried to take it away.
I am still stunned and shocked that this is happening in my city. I cannot even begin to process the events of yesterday. I don't know how I will sleep tonight and I don't know what it will be like tomorrow to walk around the city. But I won't stop living the city life, enjoying the city I love, because when we live in fear they have won. They will never win... Boston is too strong, too proud, and filled with too many amazing people to not come back from this!
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