Six Months in Boston!

19 November 2017.

When I realized this week was the six month mark for my time in Boston, my first thought had been “What have I accomplished so far?”

Long story short, after 18 months traveling, I returned to the States but based myself in Santa Monica for about 3 years (experiencing the California dream!) instead of returning back to the East Coast. In mid-May, I relocated to Boston because I had a received a job offer I couldn’t refuse and missed friends and family.

My first full day in Boston, I decided to not waste time and start apartment hunting with a relocation consultant my new company had provided. The first apartment I saw was in Beacon Hill, a “competitively priced” 1.5 bedroom with a rooftop deck, a ten minute walk to work. Amazing, but out of my stated budget so I saw other apartments but kept thinking about that sun-drenched rooftop overlooking the Charles River… I was the first person to see it that first day it went on the market and ended up going back as soon as I realized I wanted it. I didn’t have my checkbook since it was in storage so the mostly immediate solution I came up with was taking out a full month’s rent in cash (which required a slightly urgent call to the bank) for the application/broker fee. A quick reference and credit check later, my application was first to be processed and the apartment was mine. Victory!

My second day in Boston, I started my first day of work. Yay! My team is awesome and I love my role. Everything is excellent!

My workplace has the entire top floor but this is my favorite view, overlooking Boston Common, the Public Gardens, Beacon Hill, Back Bay, and the Charles River, essentially my favorite places in Boston.

I reconnected with old friends, made new ones, and wandered everyday around to see what had changed in the 9 years since I’d last lived in Boston.

Summer was in full swing and everything was fun. Best friends came to visit! <3

Pride!

Sports!

Sunset picnics on the docks by the Charles River was beautiful.

Sunset from my rooftop deck.

Celebrated my birthday with Boston best friend and good friends. This is aptly named the Happy Spoon.

I went to visit parts of southern Maine a few times as well.

Trains to NYC. I think I’ll head down at least every other month going forward.

Flights to DC.

A wedding and hiking in New Hampshire.

And the Big Island of Hawaii for 10 epic days.

That will be another post haha.

YAY! At work, I was granted responsibility over the main US account within 3 months instead of the planned 6 months. I had proven myself worthy!

As fall came and the foliage changed colors, I made another trip up to the White Mountains. East Coast camping is definitely different from West Coast camping.

My first Late Nite at the Museum of Fine Arts was fun!

My first opera in years was Tosca, which was great.

I bought the Broadway in Boston season subscription essentially so I would be guaranteed tickets to Hamilton. The Boston Opera House is one of my favorite buildings in Boston. The pictures don’t do it justice. I recommend everyone to catch a show here at least once!

Philadelphia for two nights on my first business trip! I’ll be back again in December!

Halloween in Beacon Hill was so festive!

I’m trying to pick up the violin again after a good 15 years of not playing. I play predominantly Disney songs haha.

I also started hosting monthly-ish Disney/Pixar-themed potluck dinners, where we pick a movie (such as Ratatouille) and prepare a menu inspired by the movie, and then we watch the chosen Disney movie.

Went to Connecticut to visit a new friend I made over the summer!

I learned some basic crochet from a teammate. I’ve made a few scarves (everyone’s getting scarves for the holidays! ;) but blanket was my biggest project yet!

And now we’re caught up on the new Boston life. :) I think I’m going to try learning ice skating next!

I plan on blogging about past trips so when people ask me for information/recommendations, it’ll be a lot easier to remember. :D

Cheers!
V

A Day in Saigon’s Countryside! Part 1!

December 22.

Cuc invited Neel and I to visit her family in rural Saigon all day Saturday. They were going to throw a party for us, she said. The opportunity to see “real” Vietnam and hang out with my childhood best friend in our parents’ home country sounded fantastic. Not to mention party in Vietnamese culture means tons of delicious food!!! ;D

Neel and I met Cuc and Ian at the Renaissance. Cuc’s aunt picked us up in a big Mercedes van and off we went!

The capacity of the van confused me until we picked up some more of Cuc’s family members from the other side.

Meanwhile, I did some drive-by photoshooting haha. It was an hour or so ride into the countryside.

Kids! They were interesting to watch.

Since we were “in the area,” Cuc’s aunt took us to some historic temples, one of which was where the local villagers had successfully attacked French military ships.

There was a small, humble temple that the villagers had built. And then a massive one the government had constructed.

One of Cuc’s family members was this adorable little girl. I couldn’t stop taking photos of her.

Some of the exhibits in the government’s temple/museum were… graphic.

Surprisingly violent, we thought.

Didn’t end well for the Vietnamese leader.

Next, we stopped by some markets to buy some food to bring to the party.

Observing local life.

Different kinds of rice.

For a while, I figured I could just steal Neel’s and Cuc’s photos, so I didn’t take any. *Neel’s photo.

Cuc’s family’s backyard.

THEY HAD FRESH COCONUTS!!! <3

Fresh chopped, yum!! <3

Couldn’t help myself.

SO CUTE! :P

“Let me show you the garden,” Cuc’s cousin(?) said. I thought to myself, This isn’t a garden, it’s a jungle!

Love this photo of us!

Back at the house, food was ready… it was a FEAST! This, I warned Neel (and myself), was round one. Pace yourself!

Our view of the fields.

I was so hungry! It was nearly lunch time and I hadn’t had breakfast because I thought we’d be eating much sooner. Venus monster, ready!

We were sitting at the “kids” table hahaha.

Group photo!

The uncles were already drunk. This one was like “I LOVE HIS BEARD!!” in Vietnamese.

It was hilarious because the uncles loved Neel and Ian, but they couldn’t understand each other. Ian’s faces and reactions to the uncles constantly trying to get him drunk were a riot.

Kids playing.

THIS IS FUN!!! :D Cuc’s family was wonderfully hospitable and welcoming to us. We’re all family!