Birthday bounces for Tanya!

Tonight in our weekly Zumba class which we shake it out for a full hour with the most amazing instructor I have ever had before, Ketty Rosenfeld.  She is full of happiness, exhilarating everlasting energy and just throws an hour long party for friends to sweat it out to. LETS ALL DANCE.

 

Today was even more fun when we ended the class singing to Tanya for her tenth birthday.  This girl is a fabulous young lady who has a fruitful future infront of her filled with happiness, love and success! I hope she had a great week of celebrations, entering a new decade into her life.

 

I am so happy to have met my Zumba friends in this class, and I enjoy our movie nights and little plans we make outside of the gym.

 

Lets all get fit for the future.

 

HappyHelpers!

Everyone appreciates a helping hand, and recently we have been giving the help of our little Scottish mittens to the Boston community. With the help of the NRHH student organization on campus, I have participated in some community service days around Boston with other students.

The first day of help we all grouped together after work and headed into south Boston to one of their community servings voluntary organizations.  This was a great way of experiencing what aid their was available to families which have a member who is extremely ill, unable to go out and get food to help them survive daily.  Community servings volunteers group together and form an almost production line, after our very serious healthy and safety talk, followed by giggles with everyone’s dazzling hair net poses- we got busy and the work began.  From preparing the packaging, filling the containers with food to be frozen for future meals, sorting and coding food and maintain all the highest cleanliness work area possible, we were all given an important role in the process of serving Bostons Community- Community servings.

The second day of help I, again joined the NRHH during their give five week and went to the Boston food drive organization for a day of separation and driving food to those in need of satisfying that HUNGER need.  The give five week organized by Northeasterns University was certainly an amazing week for students to get involved in organizations and events around them which opens there eyes to communities outside of the college campus.  I think it is important to also spread out to those around you, and surely makes you feel happy and giving knowing that you spent a good few grafting hours contributing to making others who need it, happy. Happiness in life is important- being able to share my everlasting happiness is just a great feeling.  Once we arrived at the organization we were informed that today was our lucky day. (isn’t every day a lucky day, if you make it!!?) But, today really was an interesting day food d rive colleagues as the Mayor of Boston had stopped by to help volunteer some of his time and give back to the Boston Community. After making note of the Mayor, as I had never seen him before- we let the hard work, once again, begin!

We all got to our little production line, which as a group had designated specific sorting roles t different people to run as smoothly and effectively as possible.  The results of the day were phenenominal, our amazing group had sorted tonnes of food, which we were informed would go out and help hundreds of people in Boston. Now if I don’t have a great sleep tonight after that, I don’t know what’s going on in my Brain.

For those of you out there who have not done anything voluntary before, I would highly recommend it!  Not only is it a great way of meeting people, helping those around you, boosting your ‘I AM REALLY NICE’ confidence, a great experience to learn and give back and the skills you adapt to whilst working for free in groups is also very interesting as you are not made to be there- it’s all on your merits.

So far, being in Boston I have now took part in the Boston Food Drive, Boston Community Servings, Walked the Boston marathon for Breast Cancer and participated on man student organization events helping with the behind the scenes, nitty gritty tasks which help the clubs host excellent gatherings and events for the Northeastern HUSKIES!

Technology makes things FUN

As I sit here and type on my new Microsoft RT, I am finding the slightest of things like checking my email and updating this, so much more exciting! (slight exaggeration… . ) but none the less, having this RT means I will now be able to sit on the T (as I am currently) and read, write, listen and watch things during my commute to work. Which is an hour both ways, sigh.

I cannot wait for the summer/spring to arrive as I will be able to walk in to work, of course not taking advantage of using the mighty RT but I will be able to get fit, get healthy! Onwards to advancing technologies…. …

These past few weeks I have also been fortunate enough to work from home.  During this extremely busy period of the Admissions Cycle, I have been allowed to save two hours commute daily, and work in the comfort of my own apartment. Being given this opportunity was very rewarding as my Supervisor trusted me to get on with my daily targets and goals, which I met and tried to exceed with the extra hours of work now available taking away my commute hours.  What a another experience to have. .. .

ICA Thrusdays

With the lovely arrival of a fellow scot (I’ll say she’s a scot for ease of typing she is actually from many different places, traveling around as a kid with her family, so a scot she shall be for the time being) we were keen to try and see some more of Boston, and there is nothing like a fee event which intrigues your interest over to the goody.  The ICA, The Institute for Contemporary Art, hold free nights every Thursday for Bostonians to experience and enjoy most of their exhibitions at free admission!  So, of course this enhanced our variables as to go or not to go and onwards we headed after work Thursday Night.  We met each another in Downtown Boston to stroll 15-20 minutes down the harbor to the location of the ICA. Nicely, we enjoyed the pretty festivities of fairy lights and sparkles around Faneuil hall, snapping a few evening shots!

The ICA was a hit, I thoroughly enjoyed their 70s/80s exhibition which was leaving the studios that week.

Ending the night with mochas in the restaurant, the staff welcomed the three of us in their suave surroundings, knowing we were only wanting to have coffees which I appreciated as the restaurant itself was very busy on the open night.

NU State of Mind

I came accross this video today during my lunch break, which was uploaded and made by NU Business  student Drew D'Agostino and friends two years ago.  Being on campus for my second semester of placement, six months, has allowed me to experience and enjoy everything in this video.  It gives you a little sneak peak at just how 'AWESOME' Northeastern is, with all its known 'states' which make it the best place for Huskies to pack together!

 

 

http://blog.drewdagostino.com/post/1592124375/northeastern-state-of-mind-complete-lyrics-i 

Happy New Years!

After my down day of catching up on me time, laundry and cleaning the apartment it was December 31st.

First night in Boston. "First Night, Inc. is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to building community and celebrating diversity through the arts... ..Boston’s First Night Festival of the Arts, annually showcases the work of 1,000 artists in 200 performances and exhibits at 35 indoor and outdoor venues located throughout the downtown area on New Year’s Eve. This signature Boston event is the oldest and largest of its kind in North America, typically attracting about one million people from throughout the region. The day-long celebration runs from 1 pm to midnight each year on December 31. "

Myself and friends met for Brunch at The Pourhouse on Boylston to start our day of strolling the new and old streets in Boston.  http://www.pourhouseboston.com/ Sadly when we arrived at 1130, Brunch had been taken off the menu as it was not the weekend, but I none-the-less enjoyed being served my wrap and fries in a red basket, typical American style.

I'm glad we had actually ate a bigger meal as we ended up wandering around most of Boston in so little hours.

From Boylston, we headed onto Newbury St, to the Charles River, upto the Hatchshell, over to the Boston Common Gardens and onto the Frog Pond Gardens.  Where we watched lots of lovelies spinning and stumbling on the iceskating rink.  We then headed into Bostons Northend, past Mikes Pastries and Modern Pastries, which were both just as hectic on the busy day.  Our feet carried us onto the Boston Harbour front and into Fanieul hall to enjoy some various foods, warming us up and a quick rest stop. We then visited the Aqarium where we watched the sea lions cruise on their backs swimming around unaware of the changing of years ahead of them.  The financial district was our next walk through part of town, back into downtown Boston where we finally got the T back into Northeasterns Campus.   Throughout our footsteps around Boston we were able to witness the First Nights traditional acitivies of colossal ice sculptures dotted in various spots.

The evening proceeded onto three house stops celebrating with friends the end of 2012, and the beginning of 2013.  It was lovely to meet new friends that welcomed me with cheer and laughter!

January 1st.  After the celebrations from last night we continued onto Thorntons, a popular Husky brunching spot with friends to start the new year with a delicious meal.  http://www.thorntonsboston.com/ After I filled my stomach with pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausages and the rest- the girls and I headed into Newbury St for some shopping.  I bought my jacket which I had wanted to get, along with a heapful of Lindt chocolates, it was a New Year afterall- I'll start the gym soon, don't worry.. .

A slumber party ended our night with preparations for us all starting back on co-op the next day, January 2nd.  No rest for the wicked.

It was a lovely few days with friends for the future.  I am looking forward to whatever 2013 has in store for me.

Looking back on 2012- I can truthfully say it has been the best year so far of my little life.  Having enjoyed the Highlands in Scotland, Amsterdam, a brief visit to London, being offered and accepted the internship with Northeastern University, moving out to Boston in June and having a 'whale' of a time so far throughout America.  Being able to enjoy Thanksgiving in New Jersey and New York, seeing Washington DC for a long weekend, and becoming a Canadian for the week for Christmas 2012- I dont think I could have imagined this all happening, this time last year.

BRING ON 2013!

Chistmas in Canada 2012!

Sometimes plans go through the window, and its times where you are left alone that you really appreciate the meaning of family. Unfortunately due to an unforeseen family issue for my roommate, colleague and best friend, our Christmas plans were diminished within a few hours.  Being alone in Boston was now a prospect I was going to have to endure during my time off work from December- January for 2 weeks.

Having looked at flights back to Scotland it was a tad ludicrous pricing due to the very last minute booking and so close to Santas arrival, I really wanted to just stay on this side of the pond- so why not visit distant family in Canada.

My Mums Aunt and Uncle live in Canada and have started their own Canadian life and family in the Capital of Canada- Toronto. I had once met this part of my family many years ago, at my Grans house in Ardrossan, Scotland.  Having them being a lot closer to me in Boston, than they ever have been whilst I stayed in Scotland it made perfect sense to get in contact with them in my situation and see if they would take in a humble lodger for the festive period!

Within a few days of contact since many years, I had been welcomed up to Canada to stay for a whole week during Christmas.  I could not have been more happier at the time I booked my flights (eventually to the correct Provence, as my Canadian geography wasn't upto scratch..) to know I was going to be with family, to be able to re-connect and enkoy the merry season with them.

I flew on December 29 via Porter Airlines which was fun, it was my first time in a smaller jet plane! We flew slightly delayed due to technical problems, and landed in Billy Bishop Island Airport- which I must add is a terribly small run way, I really thought I was going to have to swim over to Toronto. Taking the 2 minute ferry after I collected my luggage I was now walking on Canadian soil, and meeting my distant family!
Holly my mums cousin, my second cousin kindly, waited for me and picked me up at the airport- and took me to their lovely family home where I met her husband and re-met her daughter, my third cousin (thankfully we both looked a tad older from our younger days). . .

My time in Canada FLEW in. I was so lucky to have explored some of Torontos sights, met the most amazing people, be hosted on Christmas day with family and gifted lots of love and presents on Christmas.  I hopped between my Aunt Mays house, and Hollys' house, which was great as it allowed me to steal lots of family stories and past from their Canadian lifes. Being able to re-connect with this part of family was just great, and I am so thankful for them welcoming up to share their love and warmth during December!

Whilst in Canada I:
-Wined and dined at more distant families house and won a few games of pool (I honestly am normally really bad..) Enjoyed a great palette of food and tonnes of cheer!
-Explored the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) for an interest few hours, learning about the mighty dreadful DinoSAAAAAURS from the past and historical seeings.
- Walked around Queens Park, trying to capture some snaps of the brown and black squirells which are in their teams scurrying around the trees and bushes! I found them hilariously intriguing as I am only used to little grey furry squirells. (easily amused, I guess)
- CHRISTMAS DAY. - Spoiled by the Coopers and Co on the Merry little day, indulged in heaps of scrumptious food and welcomed as a Canadian. It was as if I had known them for a lot longer, I could not have been welcomed any more- it was lovely!
- Enjoyed Boxing Day shopping in Yorkdale Mall. I enjoyed wandering around the many sales, unlike other manic shoppers who go ALL out and get a tad insane with crunching prices which are offered... followed by a tasty lunch in Jack Astors, which let you draw on the table with crayons and create a 'work of art' whilst awaiting the fine foods. I created a stunning castle, accompanied with Highland Cows and sheep. (spot the scot) I really think my drawing will be cherished..
-Enjoyed a chinese buffet whilst meeting more third cousins which again was lovely to extend the family love! We watched Brave the Scottish film, which was great- I really didn't realise my accent was that strong.. ohmy!
-TORONTO TOURS. - Given a priceless tour around Downtown Toronto by my lovely cousin Holly. We explored the CN Tower which gave you breathtaking views of the city, it was a tad misty a few miles out in the view due to the snow but I still got fabulous shots of the Lake, and city surrounding the 346m high tower http://www.cntower.ca/en-CA/Plan-Your-Visit/Attractions/LookOut.html
-Being able to take in some of the many districts in Toronto, my favourite being the Distillery District where we enjoyed lunch and the many quirky shops. Ending the night with MINCE and TATTIES at my Aunts house, it was a grand meal- cheers!

My flight home on the 29th felt slightly like a rollercoaster simulator at points.  With the heavy snow that Boston was experiencing, we hit a snow storm in the clouds which gave us all a good shake and bump in the jet plane.

When I finally got into my apartment, a tired little scot I rested my head looking to unpack tomorrow, delighted with my past week in Canada.

It was better than I had imagined, and I could not have asked to be welcomed with any more kindess and love than what I received.  It was an amazing Christmas 2012, in Canada- and I will cherish the memory for years to come!

Thank you for a great week, christmas and time in Canada Coopers and Co! Love and Hugs, Nicole X