This is another
long story about my adventures, brace yourself. Unlike the first part- moving out- I didn't cry and it wasn't one single day of total insanity. It was more like many days of stress and not being able to sleep at night. As soon as I arrived in Utah, I spent my days searching Craigslist, making phone calls, studying maps, and trying to make sense of everything. I was just listing apartments like crazy, and then I realized I wasn't remembering which apartment was which and who I had talked to...so I buckled down and got organized. I really did a lot of studying of maps and bus routes so I would know good spots to live in. I even familiarized myself with some resident laws so I couldn't be lied to by some sleazy realtor/landlord. I was stressed to the max.
When Taylor and I went out to look for a place to live in Santa Barbara, we slept in our car even though we had the bishop's # and the relief society president's #. Pathetic I know. There were many people who would have been more than happy to help us out. SO...if there is one thing I learned while moving to SB, it's that there is no reason to be afraid to call other members of our church in the area. Having said this, I took action and got the contact info for all the Bishops in Boston. I was absolutely right. They were AMAZING. I was getting emails from people wanting to help. A Relief Society pres offered for my mom and I to stay at her place while we house hunted, another lady who was moving out of her apartment said for us to come check it out, 2 other Bishops called to ask what they could do for us, another guy emailed and called to tell me all about going to Harvard and what to expect living in the area, and one of the "move-in specialists" sent me a whole packet about living in Boston- utility companies, insurance, stores, fun things to do and see. Isn't it wonderful to have such an organized church community where people can trust each other and work miracles? I couldn't have done it without them.
The day finally came and my mom and I were on our way- thanks to my mom-in-law who provided us with buddy passes (which as we all know come with consequences). We made it to Boston no prob, rented a car and plugged in our trusty GPS. That little gadget became my best friend during the trip. The home that we stayed in was beautiful and the typical New England home you would imagine. I'm not sure why I got a picture of the cute house across the street and not the actual one where we stayed in, but it looked just like this only bigger and yellow with a purple door.
Driving in Boston was TOTALLY insane, and it will definitely take some getting used to. Someone there referred to it as a contact sport where nobody, including cops, obey the rules. I think I'm going to need a GPS this year for my birthday because you seriously cannot tell which direction you are headed
ever. I just loved everything from the lushness to the cute houses and neighborhoods. The Harvard campus is lovely, and I'm totally excited! The only other picture I took was this one at Waldon Pond, which was a simply perfect place where I anticipate spending plenty of time swimming and relaxing.
Most of the places I had planned to see were gone by the time I got there. So I picked a few more up on craigslist and spent a whole lot of time on the telephone. Trying to work with and schedule time with a bunch of realtors is a pain- especially trying to keep them all straight and who I talked to when and what time we had scheduled...ugh. In the end I only looked at 4 places. The first was decent, the second was amazing, and the third was a close tie. I was convinced it was between those two. I decided to check one more out the next morning, and although it was
incredibly close to Harvard and a great price for Cambridge, it was a "garden level" apt. with one light and 3 windows-all of which looked out to a concrete wall. I just couldn't do it-especially if I will end up staying home all day with a baby. So I had to decide between the two good ones, and for those of you who know me well (esp. Taylor) you know that I am not good at deciding which type of body wash to buy...so I was in a bad way. I think I knew all along which was the right place, but it just took a couple more miracles to figure it out. But I did it! A fantastic little place that is in GREAT shape with 2 bedrooms, a/c, utilities included, brand new kitchen, beautiful hardwood floors, laundry and storage in the basement, 2 parking spaces (come visit!) and is a short walk to the bus that will take Taylor right to Harvard Sq for $1350. There are only 4 apts in the building too, so we won't have a bunch of crazy neighbors. It's only like 5-10 min from the temple, which we will appreciate SO MUCH after having to drive 2 hours. Finally, I could relax.
We had to get up at 3:30 am (Boston time) to catch our 6:00 flight. We get to the airport to discover that it has been cancelled because of bad weather. So my day flying standby went as follows:
lady at the ticket counter gives us a very sad look once she realizes that we were not only on the cancelled flight, but are standby "maybe you'll get out today?" she says...
Couldn't get on the 7:15 flight. Couldn't get on the 8:15 flight. Couldn't get on the 9:15 flight. Maybe flying to Denver instead of Chicago is a better idea? Mom-in-law switches us. Couldn't get on the 10:30 flight to Denver. Buy a book because I'm going crazy. Couldn't get on the 2:30 flight to Denver. At last- after 13 hours in the Boston airport, we kiss the gate agents feet as we board the 6:00 flight. The Denver airport was crazy insane because flights were all messed up from the weather. What's the deal? Fortunately, we get on the 11:30 flight to SLC, and at 1:30am I hit the pillow after a 24 hour day of airports. But hey, I saved like $200.
Finally, my relaxing and job free summer has begun.
And you don't have to hear anymore about Boston until September.
Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays. Not necessarily because of the traditions, but because of what it means. I have patriotism pulsing through my veins, a passion for my country that I've never really found the words to express. I have so many amazing experiences from my life that I know have contributed to this. For as long as I can remember, I would wake up on the 4th to the best of John Philip Sousa blaring so loudly you could hear it down the street. My dad would march us all outside as we raised the flag and said the Pledge of Allegiance. To this day, he raises the flag up every morning, and takes it down every night. He was a fine example to me of what it means to love your country. For four years I spent my summers working at Boy Scout Camp where every morning I stood at attention as young scouts raised the flag, then stood in salute as we recited the Pledge. Every Friday evening I would listen as "The Ragged Old Flag" by Johnny Cash was recited, followed by singing the National Anthem and a flag retirement ceremony. When I was 17 my closest brother joined the Marine Core, and left to serve his country- not to mention my 2 brother-in-laws who were already in the service. When I was 18 I went on a music tour through Europe...I could never make it without crying when the band would play Stars and Stripes Forever and I realized what it meant to me, and how much I loved sharing it with the people there- it was a crowd favorite; and after a performance in Germany, a women from Florida came up and enthusiastically told us she has never been more proud to be American. I'm sure the next experience I will have to add to my list will be my trip to China, and realizing what life is like without the freedoms we enjoy.
