Public transit

 Upon arriving in Bean Town, J and I traded in our car keys for Charlie cards. Having parked our cars in our respective parents' garages we rely on the "T" the bus, a bike, and our own two Gos given legs to get us to and from here and there. 

My main method is the train or what we affectionately refer to as the "T" I get to pay $70 a month (that's right only $70 as opposed to the 140 or more I spent on gas per month in my mustang!) for a monthly pass of unlimited rides on my Charlie card. These cards are what you scan upon stepping into the bus that deduct fare. 

It's very nice here for the color coordinators, they have the t divided by colors and letters within that color!We live on the green b line and it's about a thirty minute commute into the city. Boston university is right along this track too, so it's very convenient for Josh.

The green is known for being sloooow because it's above ground and rides along with cars on either side. This means it has to stop for red lights and such. The red and orange are mostly underground and cover more ground with fewer stops.The silver is a bunch of buses that go to the airport and more along the coast of the city. 

There are rush hours beetween 7:30-10 am and 4-7 pm, where you surf the rails between someones backpack, a briefcase, and another person's art project. Otherwise, if you're lucky enough to have a seat, you just read a book, listen to music, talk to the person next you, people watch, catch up on your correspondences, etcetera. 

There are times when you turn the corner to see your train accelerating away-bummer. Then the next train arrives, without a care in the world, even though it's 15 minutes later than the schedule google maps gave you. It's as if your time and your schedule are not the only one in the world  (oh perspective, you can be a harsh friend) -bigger bummer. 

However,  public transportation has a sort of "Que sera,sera." feel to it, as your one and only job is to get to the stop on time and the rest is out of your control. It's much better than getting honked at in your car on the busy Boston streets. 

Speaking of honking, don't get caught in front of a T when it's taking off; you will need a new pair of ear drums and everyone will know that you weren't paying attention to where you were going. 

We do miss our cars but mostly it's the action of driving, the isolation and radio that we miss more than the "convenience." We are in better shape thanks to all the waking and it really helps us be intentional with our time and planning ahead. 

J and I joke that we'll move back to Texas and hear "There goes that Methodist pastor and his wife walkin' to the iga. Never seen anythin' like it." :) 

Snow

It snows here.

It REALLY SNOWS here. 

6-10 inches on Saturday which did not melt before the 4-8 inches that is currently happening. 

Autumn is a dirty trick.

It's beautiful, enchanting, downright breathtaking; luring you into a false security that the world is a lovely place bursting with color and rapturous scenery. No. These leaves  are leaving before the bitter bully known as the northern wind can throw them down onto a hard icy ground. 

Of course many of you are wondering "what did you expect moving to the north?"  Let me assure you I love Massachusetts, but snow is just not my cup of tea. (Although a hot cup of tea has soothed my pain)  

I promise I am making an effort. I'm trying to stay positive and enjoy it since we likely won't live in a climate like this again. I tell myself it's pretty, and magical and sparkly. 

(These are of Trinity church in Copley square.)

But then I fall three times in one day and I find myself saying rather rude things about the snow. 

One good thing is that we don't have a car here so we don't have to dig it out of the mounds of snow. We also don't have to worry about it rusting from the salty slush that results from city driving. 

It's all in how you look at it, right? 

.....How many days until summer? 

On a positive note Mrs. Mallard and her  ducklings don't seem to mind the ice and snow. 

Thanksgiving

This thanksgiving we had much to be thankful for such as our smooth transition to Boston and life here, we had friends and family to celebrate with, we have a sweet puppy, each other and we have a God who loves us tremendously. 

Cody, Josh's younger brother came To spend the holiday with us and arrived on Wednesday from Annapolis. It was so nice to have family in town especially our first thanksgiving without mom and dad.

Cody, Josh and I spent Wednesday night preparing Steve, the turkey, for his big debut the next day. It was my first turkey to be in charge of! Thankfully Cody took out the insides... 

We used this recipe www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/8389  

And it turned out delicious! 

Thursday,  Holly and Eric, who is in his second year at Boston University's School of Theology, joined us for thanksgiving lunch! What a joy to have a full table of food and loved ones! 

Friday and Saturday Josh, Cody and I toured parts of Boston. We walked part of the freedom trail. We  climbed 298 steps to the top of the bunker hill monument, explored the USS Constitution and left the trail to see the light show "Blink" at Faneuil Hall. 

It was such a fun ending to the holiday and month! 

November

So this post is titled November but I'm going to start with the end of October when Ryan and Robert, from the United Methodist Northwest Texas Conference flew up here to check on how we are doing and how Josh's classes are going. It was a nice time and a treat to see some fellow Texans, talk about ministry, what to expect in the following years and to be reminded that there is a great support system in our home conference.

At the end of October, the Red Sox won the World Series! So Boston CELEBRATED! We got to go to the Championship parade and see the duck boats and the trophy!

Then my parents came to visit! It was a sweet treat! We went to the museum of fine arts. Here are just a couple of my favorite paintings...

We went to the New England Aquarium which had great penguins!

We took a train out to Salem to eat at the Lobster Shanty, famous for lobster martinis (gross!) and lobster Mac and cheese which was delicious!! As it was November much of the witch festivities were closed but I can't wait to go next October.

(The first "witch" hung in result of the unfair trials. )

It was so nice to show my parents around our new home and to have them here to share in the city!



As many of you already know I have taken a new job (Praise God!) as a nanny for a family that lives in downtown Boston! It such a fun job and so nice to be in the city. I adore the kids and we are always on the go! It's a sweet baby boy and preschool aged girl! I have been there three weeks and I can already tell we are going to go on lots of adventures!

I enjoyed the people I met at my previous job, and I was so thankful for God's provision in it, but now I have a job that speaks to my heart and my gifts and it's such a blessing.

Josh is really enjoying his classes and has written many papers. After this week is finals. I have no idea where the semester went.  I'm so proud of the hard work he is putting in to succeed  and pursue his calling.  His youth group is coming together and doing many things. He is preparing to teach confirmation classes in January at our church.

Lily has enjoyed the cooler weather that November brought and seems to be doing well! We need to find a dog park for her but that might have to wait until April...

So that's November up until thanksgiving (which I'll post about soon!) it was a fast month but one where we felt we were finally settled here!

Josh on B.U.

This post is to show off my (Josh) new school: Boston University School of Theology.

Established in 1839 as a Methodist Seminary called the Newbury Biblical Institute, Boston University has grown to become one of the largest private universities at nearly 30,000 students. This campus literally has everything. Downtown Boston and Fenway park are right in its backyard. However, I spend the majority of my time in central campus at the School of Theology.  

This is Marsh Chapel. It stands next door to my school and serves as the central point of campus. Beautiful inside. In front of the chapel is what's called Marsh Plaza which is a large space where everything from a weekly Farmer's Market to the filming of the Ellen Degeneres show takes place. In the center of Marsh Plaza is a memorial to Martin Luther King who walked the halls of the School of Theology. 

This is tough to read in this picture, but it is the MLK memorial. BU has several known alumni from MLK to Howard Thurman to Bill O'Reilly to Howard Stern to Bill Simmons.

This has been one of my favorite spots on campus so far this semester. We've been lucky enough to have gorgeous weather so far. This place has a great gym, a fantastic library, and some cool restaurants, bars, and coffee shops, but I'm trying to take advantage of the outdoors before the long winter ahead. This space has been inviting and it's right behind my school. 

BU runs along the Charles River which is the border between Boston and Cambridge. There is a jogging/biking trail that runs along the entire river along with several parks. Its peaceful to watch the sail boats after class. 

Everyone has been concerned about how I get around. Well, the public transportation system is very well organized and simple. However, many students bike as well. The city is very bike friendly. Its been fun biking to campus. I am not planning on facing the weather though.

It has been an interesting time thus far. I look forward to the rest of my time in seminary and experiencing New England.

Autumn Festivities

Last Saturday we went to the Johnny Appleseed Festival in Leominister (pronounced leminster) which was followed by apple picking with our good friends, Zach and Kendra. It was such a blast!

I had never seen apples on trees or so many apples on the ground! And the SMELL! Oh, that was the best part! It was so fresh, crisp, clean and sweet; it smelled just like fall.

He was getting down an apple for me! :)

We split half a bushel with Zach and Kendra, gave Kendra's mom some apples and we still had more than 30 to take home! I had fun baking and Josh had fun eating! 

Today we volunteered at our church's pumpkin patch. Our church is raising money to do some renovations, and they do this every year to help fund a scholarship for a graduating senior, to give money to a navajo reservation in New Mexico and much more. Apparently this is  what the church is known for in the town of Needham, Mass. 

We got to meet some sweet families from the community and enjoy some rainy weather!

So far I sure do love Boston in the fall!

It's only been three weeks?!

So we've been in Boston for three weeks now, I'm going to catch up to where we are now!

This is the Charles River and a picture of the Boston skyline

 from a running trail near Boston University. 

Our first week consisted of cleaning and unpacking! J started school Tues. Sept 3rd. We learned to ride the T ( thats what they call the train/subway here). As I looked for a job I explored the city! The first week I went to Boston Commons and the Boston Public Library!

Mrs. Mallard and her eight ducklings Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack and Quack.

These are from the popular children's book Make Way For Ducklings. I highly recommend it.  

The famous swan boats in Boston Commons.

So if you didn't know the Boston Public Library is an historic library and it's beautiful. The above three pictures are from the library. 

That Saturday Josh had a field trip for school and That Sunday the 8th we went to Carter Memorial UMC and we were greeted by so many friendly people.

The second week was a little less hectic as we started getting a routine down.  That Tuesday I started a temporary receptionist job that I'm still doing! Because of it I'm being considered for another position within the company. Fingers crossed that something comes from it!

Last Saturday, J took a break from his studies and we spent the afternoon walking the Freedom Trail and seeing downtown Boston.

The Trail starts near Boston Commons and these were painters there. I plan to join them someday this fall to capture some of the foliage!

                 

The Trail is the path that Paul Revere took as he warned that the British were coming. 

This is his grave. There are three graveyards on this trail and it's remarkable how old the grave markers are and that they are still standing. 

This is the Old North Church Steeple where the two lanterns hung

 that told Revere that the British were coming by sea. 

This is the USS Constitution a.k.a "Old Ironsides" 

It's in the navy yard that Paul Revere rode to along his path.

We got to go on board and below deck!!! SO exciting!!!

 

The Bunker Hill Monument and end of the trail. 

It was so neat to see all these historical buildings and sites that you just read about in history books.  That Sunday we went to church at Community United Methodist church, where our good friend Zach is the pastor. It was wonderful to hear him preach and meet all the great people in the congregation. They are focused on bringing the Kingdom here and now.

This past week, fall was upon us as the weather got crisp and cool!

Today, we explored Coolidge corner seeking out a new grocery store. We went to a cute little creperie where we had frozen nutella hot chocolate. and we went to a lovely old and large bookstore called booksmiths!

           

Lily is enjoying Boston too!!! :)