Tasty travels and treats.

 ‘Living for the weekend’ suites pretty well with my schedule these days.  Works faaaabulous, having a routine of Monday – Friday 830 – 430.  When it comes to the weekend we try to make the most of our two precious days off our week.    This weekend we decided to take a wander round Harvard Ave, which coincidently  we HAD to go to as we had difficulties setting up our TV and Internet packages, leading us to the customer service branch for a consultation with a pro- which resulted in a lovely long conversation and Internet and Cable for our apartment- YAY!.   … . Whilst exploring we stumbled upon cardboard boxes on the pavement stacked high with old used books which were being given away for free.  We could not walk past something free- and walked away from the stressed boxes with multiple freebie books ranging from books which I’d rather not name to historical and geographical guides which will come in handy for our year in America.   

 Before the TV dilemma we had no other plans today than ‘buy pins’ hoping that Staples- the stationery store just a snail paces 20 minute stroll away would supply..  so molly and I headed out towards Harvard Ave and got our pins, which would allow us to pin up our newly bought marvellous wall maps.  From there we decided to check out places Molly had found researching online offering selected new and used items with a stylish yet funky vintage dress aura- called Buffalo Exchange.  ( http://www.buffaloexchange.com/ )

I found these two pairs of shoes amongst the many glorious unique items which were bought at a bargain- we happily left after the rummaging and browsing bouncing down the street into ‘Urban Renewals’ which is purely another thrift shop similar to that of the ‘Goodwill store’ on Commonwealth Ave. 

MIXX was our next stop off truly treating ourselves to the new found filthy love of fro’yo. 

MIXX- a new found FRO’YO seller, the games in the name.  You have a choice of multiple flavoured frozen yogurts, pick and choose, MIXX and match your desired flavour and then compliment the scummyness of the chilling yogurt with as many toppings as you feel you can fit in!  I opted for peach fro’yo and topped of my mini cold mountain with an avalanche of; coconut shreds, kiwi slices, chocolate sprinkles, Oreo and brownies chunks and some mighty murderous m+ms! (non peanut ones, due to allergies ..)  I can safely now say that MIXX is better than CHILL.  Both exceptional chillywilly good fro’yo providers but MIXX pleases the variety of taste and fun that someone might crave!  http://mixxboston.com/ 

Free Outdoor Movies!

Lifes a fillet o’fish.

 

We enjoyed our first outdoor movie being screened – ‘THE MUPPETS’ which shamefully I had never seen until last night.  To my surprise it was almost a musical which allowed me to belt out my nightingale impressions with the rest of the friendly family spectators.  

 We had planned to meet with my work friends though through mobile battery failure and signal loss we could not find them in the flocking fams.  NB:  Arrive earlier than 730 as it starts at 8pm, the early bird catches the worm, and in this case you want to fly their early to catch a good seating position closer to the shell for obvious screening reasons. 

It was a lovely experience, sitting alongside strangers chomping numerous candies, watching the Movie next to the Charles River by the esplanade, which is glistening for the glowing gleaming sun setting sun- 

The freebies which you recieve on entering the esplanade aren't too bad either. EVERYTHINGS better when its free. 

Burny Cuusine

Surnburn sucks.  This weekend we informally introduced ourselves to fried chicken.  Definitely felt fatty and more like a stereotypical American with greasy fingers and burnt tongues.   Our visit to the prudential centre which had many different dining options such as; Mexican grills, organic fresh stations and fried chicken stands.

Mainly browsing the shops in the Prudential centre due to hosting the excellently expensive shops such as Gucci and Swarovski we shuffled past pink berry which I noticed was another fro’yo seller.  Its on the to-do/visit list as my love for the funky frozen freshness is growing contagiously! … .

I did however buy an old style global map from papyrus.  It is supposed to be for wrapping paper, but its healthy to switch things up a little and it is now about to hang on my wall, in which I’m looking forward to gazing at to guess where my next international adventure will be.  I am certainly getting ‘itchy feet’ so to speak, wanting to travel more and more exploring in the future.

The Sunday we ended up at the beach for some relaxing retreat treatment, which did indeed end with two hours of sandy sea sitting and a badly burnt stomach.  – NB: BUYING SUN LOTION.

We headed home with a stop in at Bertuccis, which I have now found out is like a well-known Italian chain restaurant in America.  It was scrumptious, I tried strawberry lemonade for the first time and my favourite dish was the entrée of rugged roasted Mediterranean vegetables! 

That was my valued and cherished weekend plans over and now for another interesting week to start at work.. .  I wonder what I’ll learn!

NUgym-note.

On the exercising topic, I am pretty sure that I can join in on the NU gym classes that are offered for the summer students in the Marino Center which is a massive big gym area, since I am staff at NU. 

However I've opted to stay closer to home, and luckily the zumba is taught at the Gym right beside our apartment which is  very handy, and of course there is the lake in which is great for running round.

Happy gymming..

ZUMBBBA

oi-oi!

Molly and I have been going to ZumbaaAAAAaa (three times now) and absolutely love it!

It is taught 3 times a week on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturday mornings which is really handy as it’s a great schedule to make at least two out of the three party dance classes!

The thing that makes the Zumba much better than what they were when I exercised in Scotland is that they are taught by a overly enthusiastic lady Ketty, who just loves what she does getting the full class 100% involved shaking there flab to infinity!  The even better thing is that it’s great fun and I don’t even know I’m trying to exercise!!

The picture shows the amazing lively lady herself doing what she enjoys in one of her Zumba classes.

http://www.northeastern.edu/news/2012/01/zumba-2/

I can't wait for tonight to roll up as it'll be ZUMMMMbAAAa time.

My office.

FINALLY, I have taken the chance to take pictures of my Office.

Hopefully I'll be able to personalize it a bit more, and make it more of a professional me theme.

I love coming here for my work placement, its so fresh and freindly!

This is a picture I took a few days ago of our amazing visitor center, its just an experience to be in!

More news on my workplace within the Northeastern News.

http://www.northeastern.edu/news/2012/07/visitor-center/

Works a Carnival..

Wednesday at work it was a lovely beaming hot day as normal, except Northeastern had a free event going on in the central common area, which was a miini carnival!  Having my lunch hour we took advantage of the festivities and headed over for some free cotton candy and popcorn!  Following up with making sweet sand sculptures, which has now been christened my first work office decoration.  Its perks like this that just enhance my placement here at Northeastern, its a delight heading into work wondering whats going to differentiate my days!

Yesterday at work I was able to particiapte in a very important event whilst hosting international councillors interested in our university for prospectful students to apply.  I felt I had a lot of advice to offer even though I had only been here two weeks, I am an international student so to speak and could answer niggling questions on what it is like to move from a foreign country and arrive at such a wonderful place.

These little beauties were my handy craftmanship, I prepared 39 of them to be exact which we gifted our guests to welcome them to Northeastern University.  I hope there experience was a pleasant one even if it was just for a short day, reflecting my pleasurable experiences I have had settling in over the past few weeks. 

evenMOREdonuts.

I was surprised to find a little present as I arrived to work this morning, one of the students who works part-time in the visitor center had kindly gave me a Boston Cream Donut as I had never tried one!

I can safely say it was truly delicious!  Again very sweet and sugary, but- oh.so.gooood.

I'm hoping to take everyone down to a Scottish themed restaurant in the Jamaican plain called The Haven, which offer sticky toffee pudding, Scottish fry ups and of course deep fried mars bars.  I'm sure that'll be a fun experience.. ...

PhotoOFtheDAY!

Today at work I got a tad excited as I was shown that yesterday I featured in the photo of the day at Northeastern University News.

The new and improved shiny amazing fantastic fabulous visitor center has been open one whole week now and it is receiving a lot of attention from fellow students and press on the visiting store. 

There have been a lot of astounded families walking in our doors and its obvious why, the space allows a tranquil environment welcoming newcomers and friendly faces to explore more about our University.  The genius software on the walls allows touch sensitive play, bringing up a source of information, photos and videos highlighting information, encouraging play and learning at the same time.  The mood walls softly beam out various colors changing throughout the day, enhancing the full experience whilst visiting northeastern.

I am pretty proud to say that I have been able to work and learn here myself, and look forward to working here and in my office for the next 11 months!

Highlighting our new visitor center in the news, I appear in the last photo on the sequence.

http://www.northeastern.edu/news/2012/07/welcome-to-the-new-visitor-center/

This picture can be found on the northeastern website; http://www.northeastern.edu/news/multimedia-items/welcome-to-the-new-visitor-center/    Photo by Brooks Canaday

DELICIOUS DUNKIN

So- yesterday.. . I am rather proud of the tan im glowing today which is nice as it helps to make me blend in more rather than having my pale pale Scottish white arms..

Molly and myself went shopping for our weekly food etc and on stop we visited our first 'thrift store'.  I have always wanted to go to one as on the american fashion websites, a lot of the vintage looks gather their inventories from these stores as its 2nd hand and CHEAP.  which is pretty good.  I didn't see anything which I liked to improve and so left with nothing. 

From there we went to DUNKIN'DONUTS for lunch.  MY first time in the well known American  coffee retailer, I think it matched up to Costa or maybe a Greggs back home as there is one in every street, and it sells food bites as well!

It was DELICIOUS.  I did have have fun with the donuts.. .. the strawberry donut design was far too much like the Simpsons donuts, I just wanted a police cop to walk in and buy some to top off my dunkin experience.

To top off our weekend we baked some cookies in the apartment, baking them just rightly cooked with the chips still melting in the middle.  I was glad I went for a run after shopping today, as I would be getting majorly fat with all these sweet tasties around me here.

We enjoyed the cookies so much I think we will make more tonight.. .. as it is Adam and Heathers last night in America since they have finished placement and are returning to Scotland to complete there 4th year Honours degree - also to celebrate Mollys first day in her placement within NU Global at Northeastern University!! .. ..

FollowME

I had my first sugarCOOKIE today which are basically just cookies, with no chips and a very sweet sugary taste as apparently they have more sugar in them than normal, I think.. but I can say they are good!

But on a more reflecting note, this week has been a lovely learning curve.  I've started off knowing very little, the basics about Northeastern University, an outsider’s view on the campus and surroundings.

This week I have participated in many information sessions in which they allowed me to learn more about the American college systems, private tuitions, the massive deal about experiential learning (it is a big huge deal as it can offer so much for when a student graduates) .  I've attended the weekly info events which specialize in our Engineering College and our Bouve College for Health sciences and walked along the International Tour with some keen students to find out more of what is here on the campus.

I am beginning to feel more apart of a team here, rather than an outsider.  It's strange to think that three weeks ago, I arrived in America, knowing very little.. And here I am now in America for three weeks, working for just a tiny two weeks and everything is clicking into a good happy jigsaw puzzle.

Revere Beach-Sand Sculpture Festival.

Yesterday was sOOO much fun!

SUNfun!

The sun was shining (as normal since I've been here) so we decided to head to Revere beach as the lovely Ketty had recommended we went since a festival was taking place to celebrate the end of a three week long sand sculpting competition!

We arrived a tad early, so Molly and I enjoyed walking the promenade- gathering our freebies (which is always great) and bought some snow cones.  We had never had one before and since we are now in America we thought why not.  They had such a sugary candy taste, and a ravishing refreshingly good savior from the hazy hot day.  Poor Molly dropped hers half-way through and didn’t get to experience the bubbleGUM ball at the bottom.. .

We met with Ketty along with her family and host students on the sandy warm beach facing the sea.  It was great to relax and chat about life in Boston and what we had to look forward to getting hints and tips of where to go, and what to do.  She kindly bought us the most thirst-quenching selection of melons, cherries and strawberries for dinner which was so generous and tasty! 

We tried American Freshly Squeezed Lemonade, which was good though my gosh it was sweet.  We watched her make the lemonade in front of us and we saw roughly 3/4 full table spoons of sugar, ice, water and 1 lemon juice go directly into each of our cups.  So ZESTY. I will most definitely take this back home and let everyone try some real fresh lemonade next summer in Scotland.

To top off our night we sat back watching a fantastic fury of fireworks BOOMandBANG in front of us for a good 30 minutes to celebrate Revere Beach and all its past along with the festival accommodating the sand Sculpting competition. 

 That night I also tried my first McDonalds in the U.S... Having a southern fried chicken burger as the menu is a tad different from that in Scotland with no McChicken Sandwiches!

All in all a lovely day.

What a Way to Make a Living...

I have just finished two weeks on my placement, meaning I have been in America for 3 full weeks now.

So far so GREAT.

I have been allowed to meet more students which are enrolled at Northeastern University, themselves are a part of the Husky Ambassadors group which means they volunteer to help visitors (prospectus students and their families) around the campus on tours which lead them through the full campus itself, into classrooms, student dorms, around International Village or even an Athletics tour to allow people to see what we offer here at Northeastern University.

I have been helping out a great deal in the Visitor Center, attending tours and info sessions as a visitor but now a faculty member to enhance my learning of the wonderful University.  I do feel that I have learnt a lot through these sessions, but being given the chance to meet so many people throughout these weeks I now have a great feeling of Northeastern University, what it has to offer- and my important role throughout the next 12 months I will be here for.

I do love working 830-430 it allows me to have evenings to enjoy by the park, running, baking, exploring or even just to relax.

This is where I wait every morning on the Green line to transport me to my wondrous workplace. 

'Heeling'

Sadly I haven't had the best of weekends.  My blister which was on my right foot became really big one day when I tore of my band aid which did not help matters in the slight.  From there my ankle and heel all ballooned up from working on it weekly, the heat and my irritating new leather shoes.

 I had been given two free tickets for the Boston Freedom trail to use that Saturday.. unfortunately I could not do it so I had to give it a miss and I stayed put all weekend in my room watching a total of 7 movies, researching LOTS on Boston and eating. 

 On a BRIGHTER NOTE.. I have just finished work and my foot has HEELED tremendously which means no more icepacks, bandages or plasters which is good news.  Tomorrow is Tuesday 10th July - which can only mean after work I am heading to the airport to meet Molly!  She is the 2nd of three co-ops which are interning with Northeastern University, me being the first and Molly now the second.

EXCITING STUFF!

My July 4th.

To my surprise we had July 4th off work, I never assumed we would get a holiday off work but understanding the importance of independence day it’s obvious to have a day of to reflect on Americas history and to enjoy your day celebrating Americas past, present and future.

On my July 4th, I headed into the Boston Harbour area, which I enjoyed watching the many big old tall ships sailing the sea, showing off their elegance fabulous structures.

Meeting some sailors testing boys strengths at their pitch tent, indulging in free goodies which were getting given out in celebration of today. 

Walking alongside the Charles River was a treat, there were so so so soo many people out with tents, blankets, towels, BBQs and drinks awaiting the fireworks which were taking place at night.  I managed to go into the Hatchshell area and experience where the Boston Pops concert was going to be taking place, which was cool as there were just as many people crammed into the area happily awaiting for the concert to start later on in the evening.

It was a great atmosphere anywhere you went with Blue, White and Red floating around everywhere showing of the colours of the American Flag!

  

I'm hoping next year to do celebrate more, but I think I did not too bad at experiencing some of the festivites of July 4th considering it was only my 2nd week of being in America.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

 Since I am in America and today is a really really big important celebrated day here,  I have the day off work, going out later to the Charles River to watch the celebrations and the many mighty fireworks!

"Fourth of July is Independence Day

The Fourth of July, or Independence Day, is a federal holiday that celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of the Independence on July 4th, 1776."

http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Independence-Day.shtml

Newby..

My first two days within Northeastern and I am loving it!  Everyone is so friendly, slightly unsure on everyone’s names but I’ll remember them all soon!  So far I haven’t done much computer work as it was not ready for me to become added onto the system!   

Though I have learnt so much about the campus… actually wishing I could enrol here to study!  Getting adjusted to the different grading systems is going to be a long process, but there is lots of manuals and help available for me to pick up my answers!  I attended about 5 or 6 of the NU visitor guides, which gave me a real feel of what the university has to offer.  It truly is a great university for students to arrive to, and feel in a massive family.  

Sadly my new shoes gave me a MASSIVE blister, which hurts a great deal.  Moral of my first few days is to wear socks when wearing new shoes and avoid painstakingly sore ankles!

All in all, I am excited to continue learning and growing a part of the NU admission team for my 12 month placement!

Buuterflys..

Well, its 2100 and I am lying in bed, all ready- set to go.
Tomorrow is the first day of my placement, even though I know where to go, how to get there, whom to meet ... ..I still feel nervous.

Its a good thing though!  I can not wait to start my placement, a full year ahead thats pathed out infront of me on unpredictable pebbles.
Exciting.

Good Night...  ..  ... .

Pinchpunchfirstofthemonth

I visited and used the laundry station just a 3 minute walk from the apartment today – my clothes are now so fresh and so clean clean!

Visited Northeastern university today, taking pictures and getting to know the campus a little bit more, hopefully I’ll not get lost now tomorrow on my first day of placement!

This is an on campus volley ball court! I'll need to join in one day

.

The very welcoming chairs all around campus! I LOVE.

GO HUSKIEEES