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

This Is What It Feels Like In Interlaken! (Part 1!)

September 5.

I knew I shouldn’t, but I wanted to anyway. Jumping out of a helicopter at 12,000 feet in the Swiss Alps? Sounds f’n awesome! :D I debated intermittently through the afternoon. It was 430 Swiss francs, essentially US$500. That’s a few days of diving! Two weeks in Thailand! Many international flights or a transcontinental one! vs. Um, epic? As was everything else in Switzerland, a helijump was twice the usual cost of other developed nations. Reason won this argument because I could achieve the same feat in New Zealand (bucket list alternative) in four months for half the price. My inner adrenaline junkie was temporarily placated. Okeydokey!

That left the remainder of the day open for tamer adventures. I was meeting my host later in the evening. There was a spiffy hostel near the Interlaken Ost station that I entered, explained I wasn’t a guest but wanted to leave my backpack there anyway, and discovered they had free luggage storage (2 CHF coin deposit for a locker, returned at the end). Glad I asked! :D

And then I wandered aimlessly.

I definitely was not expecting to find the Joker on the path along the beautiful river haha.

This, yes.

I wanted to jump into the river.

But I didn’t know where I would end up haha.

Passing by Old Town.

Eventually, I went into the “new” town center and was recommended to take the furnicular up the mountain for some views. I decided to wait a few hours for the “after work” special that was discounted by half and came with a drink! ;)

YAY!

I had nabbed a first row seat. Going up! :D

:D

I visited the observation deck that extended past the cliff edge and then proceeded to the Swiss-traditional restaurant.

The WHS famous mountains of Jungfrau and such in the distance. Seriously expensive for the alpine trains. I was not inclined.

Gorgeous day and view!

I imagined jumping out of the helicopter.

This is what I suspect I would’ve been floating into.

The local brew. Dark, of course.

This is my favorite photograph of the day. I could not get enough of this view.

After I finished my beer, I did break away from the edge.

There were a few small trails. I walked for a few minutes. Not sure I’m in the mood for this.

This, yes! HEHE!! :D

The high-altitude area was closing. Time to go! :D