This week I felt like I was behind from the beginning. I didn't sleep well on Sunday night and as a result I was late getting to school on Monday (well late for me...8:00 vs. 7:30.) I felt like I couldn't catch up, then I missed my early week climbing, and all of a sudden it was the weekend. I knew this week was going to be really busy so I had planned my fun outing of the week to be a trip to 1369 Coffee for a hot chocolate and reading session. I never got and this weekend was already booked solid.
So when my friend texted about an evening outing I didn't hesitate to say yes. We hit up IKEA, there and back in about two hours, before having dinner at The Precinct Bar. I have adored this restaurant since JO and I found it last spring. There are a lot of choices on the menu, a great drink selection, and everything tastes so good!
Tomorrow is Cheese Fest and I'm excited to try all of the different kinds of wine and cheese.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
A Night Out with No Plan... Spontanaiety takes Over
Last night we headed out into Boston with no specific plan in place. We decided to just roam around and discover something new... and that's exactly what we did!
We got off the T at Copley Plaza and started walking around Boylston St. It wasn't too cold which was nice. As we were walking down the street a free wine tasting sign caught my eye. We made a buzz line for Best Cellars and at the same time almost took half the people on the sidewalk. Oops! I've seen this place a lot but never had the time to go in. I'm glad we did. It's a really neat wine shop, with lots of variety and wineries that you don't see in most stores. The free wine tasting was fun and most of the wines were very reasonably priced.
Since we were pretty hungry by this point we started checking out the restaurants. We thought about going to Solas Bar but we've been there before so we decided on Vox Populi. We got a great table in the "living room" portion of the restaurant. The food was really good, they had a lot of fun drinks, and the creme brulee was excellent. The only downside was the fact that there was a television right in front of our table and they had put it on CNN's live coverage of the Haiti earthquake, including a segment on the mass grave sites.
By the time we were done with dinner it was only about 8:00 and I was a bit sad that we were heading home so early. I think JO realized this because he suggested we do some urban hiking and get off the train at Kendall. We never really walk around Kendall, and since I was armed with the mega-poofy jacket, I was all for it.
I'm so glad we decided to do this... I love to explore. The first fun place we discovered was the Kendall Hotel. I've done some investigating of this place before but I've never seen it in person. It is a gorgeous hotel in an old brick firehouse on Main St. The Black Sheep Restaurant is part of the hotel and the menu looks delightful. We are definitely going back.
Next up we found this gem Central Bottle Wine. I wish we had stopped in, but we'll certainly be going there soon.
Then we stumbled upon a hidden Bertucci's, and who doesn't love Bertucci's and Cuchi Cuchi. My friend Kendra had first introduced me to this restaurant but we've never gone. After seeing the adorable outside I want to go asap.
Our last stop was the MIT Museum. We heard they were having a holograph art exhibit. I have to admit that it was pretty cool.
What a lovely start to the weekend!
We got off the T at Copley Plaza and started walking around Boylston St. It wasn't too cold which was nice. As we were walking down the street a free wine tasting sign caught my eye. We made a buzz line for Best Cellars and at the same time almost took half the people on the sidewalk. Oops! I've seen this place a lot but never had the time to go in. I'm glad we did. It's a really neat wine shop, with lots of variety and wineries that you don't see in most stores. The free wine tasting was fun and most of the wines were very reasonably priced.
Since we were pretty hungry by this point we started checking out the restaurants. We thought about going to Solas Bar but we've been there before so we decided on Vox Populi. We got a great table in the "living room" portion of the restaurant. The food was really good, they had a lot of fun drinks, and the creme brulee was excellent. The only downside was the fact that there was a television right in front of our table and they had put it on CNN's live coverage of the Haiti earthquake, including a segment on the mass grave sites.
By the time we were done with dinner it was only about 8:00 and I was a bit sad that we were heading home so early. I think JO realized this because he suggested we do some urban hiking and get off the train at Kendall. We never really walk around Kendall, and since I was armed with the mega-poofy jacket, I was all for it.
I'm so glad we decided to do this... I love to explore. The first fun place we discovered was the Kendall Hotel. I've done some investigating of this place before but I've never seen it in person. It is a gorgeous hotel in an old brick firehouse on Main St. The Black Sheep Restaurant is part of the hotel and the menu looks delightful. We are definitely going back.
Next up we found this gem Central Bottle Wine. I wish we had stopped in, but we'll certainly be going there soon.
Then we stumbled upon a hidden Bertucci's, and who doesn't love Bertucci's and Cuchi Cuchi. My friend Kendra had first introduced me to this restaurant but we've never gone. After seeing the adorable outside I want to go asap.
Our last stop was the MIT Museum. We heard they were having a holograph art exhibit. I have to admit that it was pretty cool.
What a lovely start to the weekend!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Winter Jubilation!
This week was spent recovering from a crazy, but awesome, weekend. Last Saturday JO and I headed down to Gampel Pavilion for the North Carolina vs. UConn game. This was supposed to be the first "close" game I've ever gone to. Someone should have told North Carolina that! The game was a 41 point victory for UConn... needless to say it was pretty amazing. The game was on CBS and the energy in the building was unreal!
The next day we headed down to Whitman Hanson for the Miss Majorette of Massachusetts contest. It was such a fun day... great twirling and great celebrations. I sometimes look back and wonder how empty my life would be without the twirling world. I learned so much about myself and have made so many great friendships.
This week's "city outing" was to go to the Winter Jubilee at the Castle. The weather was so mild, it made me wish for spring. I can't wait to read in Harvard Yard, walk around the Public Gardens, and hit up some outdoor dining.
The next day we headed down to Whitman Hanson for the Miss Majorette of Massachusetts contest. It was such a fun day... great twirling and great celebrations. I sometimes look back and wonder how empty my life would be without the twirling world. I learned so much about myself and have made so many great friendships. This week's "city outing" was to go to the Winter Jubilee at the Castle. The weather was so mild, it made me wish for spring. I can't wait to read in Harvard Yard, walk around the Public Gardens, and hit up some outdoor dining.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Sunset in the City
Last week I made a resolution to do one thing in the city each week. I really feel like I need to take advantage of the amazing opportunity that I have to live where I live.
I was telling JO about the resolution and immediately starting complaining that the first week of the new year was too busy and that I would already have to break it. I had three meetings this week and my weekend is full of basketball and twirling contests. I also desperately needed to get a new pair of rock climbing shoes since I can no longer wear my current pair without extreme pain.
JO saved the day by suggesting that on Friday night we hit up the EMS on Commonwealth Ave. and then check out one of the many restaurants in the area. Score!!!
The EMS staff was quite amused when I told them I only cared about comfort and wasn't worried about performance at all with my new shoes. The man tried to convince me of the power of performance shoes but I resisted. I was able to get a new pair of climbing shoes, EVOLV Women's Elektra Climbing Shoes, that feel like slippers on my feet.
Our original plan had us eating at Brown Sugar Cafe which is a great Thai restaurant, but that's when I had a brilliant idea. I knew the Sunset Cantina was in the neighborhood and after a long week back at work I thought that was the better destination. I couldn't believe that they have Lindemann's Raspberry Lambic on tap. I'll definitely be going back!
I'm very glad that even though things were crazy this week I was able to find time to enjoy the city! It gives me hope for the rest of this year!
I was telling JO about the resolution and immediately starting complaining that the first week of the new year was too busy and that I would already have to break it. I had three meetings this week and my weekend is full of basketball and twirling contests. I also desperately needed to get a new pair of rock climbing shoes since I can no longer wear my current pair without extreme pain.
JO saved the day by suggesting that on Friday night we hit up the EMS on Commonwealth Ave. and then check out one of the many restaurants in the area. Score!!!
The EMS staff was quite amused when I told them I only cared about comfort and wasn't worried about performance at all with my new shoes. The man tried to convince me of the power of performance shoes but I resisted. I was able to get a new pair of climbing shoes, EVOLV Women's Elektra Climbing Shoes, that feel like slippers on my feet.
Our original plan had us eating at Brown Sugar Cafe which is a great Thai restaurant, but that's when I had a brilliant idea. I knew the Sunset Cantina was in the neighborhood and after a long week back at work I thought that was the better destination. I couldn't believe that they have Lindemann's Raspberry Lambic on tap. I'll definitely be going back!
I'm very glad that even though things were crazy this week I was able to find time to enjoy the city! It gives me hope for the rest of this year!
Friday, January 1, 2010
29 Work Days
29 work days. That's what stands between me and my next vacation. I can handle that, right?
A lot of people I know are jealous of all of the vacations that teachers get, but if they only knew that four times a year you have to go through major "back to work" blues they might change their tune. It's so hard to rev yourself back up. I'm dreading Monday so much!
A lot of people I know are jealous of all of the vacations that teachers get, but if they only knew that four times a year you have to go through major "back to work" blues they might change their tune. It's so hard to rev yourself back up. I'm dreading Monday so much!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Out with the Old and In with the New... 2010
2009 was good to me... other than the last few weeks. I've been fighting a pretty nasty cold for almost two weeks but I'm finally on the mend.
2009 was filled with amazing trips- Disney World, the West Coast, and a fabulous staycation in Boston. I'm hopeful 2010 will be just as exciting. Work has been so stressful lately that I've decided to put a new plan in place to keep me sane. In addition to my resolutions from September:
1) 5 servings of fruits and veggies a day (I was really sticking with this until the last few weeks)
2) Purell, Purell, Purell! (Apparently not enough!!!)
3) Going to the gym 2-3 times a week (I just signed up for a new gym membership today)
4) Minimal use of frozen lunches (Only 1 all year)
5) Mandatory blogging time- I find it therapeutic
6) Monthly maintenance of communication with friends that live far away (I have to get going with this one)
7) Read each week (more than just a magazine) and watch one movie per week
8) Regular attendance at "Book Clubs"
9) Leaving school at school (Not even close to achieving this)
10) Cooking more! (see number 1)
I'm going to try to plan one fun city outing per week. I think part of my problem over the past few months, in terms of stress level, has been that I haven't had any dedicated "me" time. As a result, I feel like I haven't been taking advantage of this amazing opportunity that I have in living in Inman Square!
2009 was filled with amazing trips- Disney World, the West Coast, and a fabulous staycation in Boston. I'm hopeful 2010 will be just as exciting. Work has been so stressful lately that I've decided to put a new plan in place to keep me sane. In addition to my resolutions from September:
1) 5 servings of fruits and veggies a day (I was really sticking with this until the last few weeks)
2) Purell, Purell, Purell! (Apparently not enough!!!)
3) Going to the gym 2-3 times a week (I just signed up for a new gym membership today)
4) Minimal use of frozen lunches (Only 1 all year)
5) Mandatory blogging time- I find it therapeutic
6) Monthly maintenance of communication with friends that live far away (I have to get going with this one)
7) Read each week (more than just a magazine) and watch one movie per week
8) Regular attendance at "Book Clubs"
9) Leaving school at school (Not even close to achieving this)
10) Cooking more! (see number 1)
I'm going to try to plan one fun city outing per week. I think part of my problem over the past few months, in terms of stress level, has been that I haven't had any dedicated "me" time. As a result, I feel like I haven't been taking advantage of this amazing opportunity that I have in living in Inman Square!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Christmas in the City
This weekend was filled with all things Christmas. Friday night JO and I went into Boston to see all of the holiday light displays and have dinner in the North End. The Public Gardens looked beautiful with the bridge lit up.
We walked through the Gardens to the Common and down through Faneuil Hall. The tree in Faneuil Hall is massive, and absolutely gorgeous. The only problem is that it is so bright the closer you get to the tree the foggier your eyes become. Our theory is that the part of your eye that receives white lights is on overload and starts to "wig" out. Real scientific right? It is a breathtaking view and I really do recommend visiting it if you get a chance.
We finished the evening with a delicious dinner in the North End. Lasumma Restaurants is a really cute restaurant just off of Hanover Street. It was nice to be away from the crowds and the food was quite yummy!
On Saturday we woke up early to get our Christmas Tree because we wanted to beat the storm that was quickly approaching. This is the part where I brag about my neighborhood... we walked 5 minutes down the street to get our tree. We didn't have to worry about tying the tree to our car, and getting needles everywhere. We just bought the tree, from Ricky's Flower Market and walked down the street. I've never had a real tree so it was a lot of fun to shop for a tree. We
certainly were a sight to see. We spent the afternoon decorating and I will say that I think our tree came out fantastic!
We ended the evening by celebrating a friend's birthday at Solas Bar. It was a lot of fun to sit inside a great bar in Boston and watch the snow fall outside. I have to say this weekend was extremely fun and was exactly what I needed.
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