Another week...more Adventures..............

NOTE: First, if you are reading this blog AND the DSP Interns blog I create they are similar, but mine also has a lot added to it so please read through! Again, there are lots of photos in this post, remember you can click on them to see them bigger!

It's hard to believe that another week, almost two, have gone by since I last updated! To be honest, there has been so much happening I just haven't had the time or energy. This long span between post will teach me to stay on top of things better!! Now, where to start...

On Thursday night I went with the students to their class. Their Professor was taking the group on a walking tour of the area. We started in Copley Square, then walked through the Public Garden and up Beacon Hill in the Boston Common by the State House. In Copley Square after exploring the inside of the public library for a bit we walked out to see cotton-like fluffs floating all over. We couldn't figure out what on earth it was, until one of the students spotted the fountain across the Square...someone had put a large amount of soap in it so there were bubbles everywhere!

^^Inside of the Public Library


^^^Trinity Church

^^^fun in the bubbles.... ^^^

^^^The tortoise and the hare...some of the interns having fun ^^^

^^^In the Public Garden

The photo above with a bunch of students is of them sitting on duckling statues. Jessica is the "Mother Duck" and all her ducklings are following. If you don't know, here's a little Boston trivia for you...the statues are made after a book called "Make Way for Ducklings". The book is sold all over the city and is a children's book about Mr. and Mrs. Mallard, ducks who are trying to find a place to settle. They eventually end up in the public garden. Each year Boston hold a make way for Ducklings parade where little kids can dress up as ducks and parade through the Boston Common and Garden. I really like the picture of everyone. [From front to back: Jessica, Angela, Stevie, Megan, Sam, Krysta, Ashley, Beth and Katherine]

Now, I can't forget to mention our Friday morning drama...So, I will admit to everyone that I don't set an alarm most mornings, nor do I get up while the students are still getting ready in the morning-- there's no point since I don't have to be anywhere by a certain time usually. So here it is, Friday at approximately 7:50am. I had slightly heard the girls on my floor getting ready but rolled over and fell back asleep. Then I heard a loud beeping, which many of us thought was a truck backing up outside. It then hit me that it was the fire alarm. So me, in my lovely pajamas, grabbed my keys and cell phones and went downstairs. I called the BU Police department to report the alarm. Here's a transcript of the conversation:

BU Police Guy: "Hello. BU Police..."

ME: "Hi, I'm at 184 and 186 Bay State Road and we have fir...."

BU Police Guy: "Ya, your alarms are going off....we're on it already..."

ME: "Ok...so are you just testing them again or what's going on here??"

BU Police Guy: "Umm...No, you'd better all vacate the building and the fire department should arrive shortly."

ME: "Ok...!?!? Goodbye"

So here we are standing on the sidewalk...some of us in pajamas, some in dress clothes nearly ready to go to work, and others half in pajamas, half in dress clothes. 5 minutes later a police car and 2 fire trucks roll up. The firemen jump out of the truck in their gear with these ax-claw like things and go in the house. They come out a couple minutes later, get in the truck and drive off...not saying a word. Well, one of the firemen wave us back into the house as the truck is pulling away. All this time I am asking people if they were cooking breakfast or anything...after talking to the maintenance guy for a bit I confirmed it was a shower that set the alarm off. There was rumor it was us third floor girls that set it off, but it was actually the guys! They won't live that one down...they took such a long hot and steamy shower that it set the fire alarm off! All is well though and it is a story that I'm sure we'll keep for the summer.

Friday late morning my friend Samantha arrived. I drug her throughout town so I could eat at the Mexican place I was craving and then over to Haymarket, where there is a massive Farmer's Market every Friday and Saturday. They have some cheap stuff...a pound of strawberries or grapes for 99 cents (my favorites) as well as other great deals.

While out shopping sometime throughout the weekend I came across these cute little sayings. I LOVE the one in the bottom right corner. Grandma...I took this picture just for you!! :D

Friday evening I got about 14 of 23 people to go out and try Ethiopian food with Samantha and me. I think there are mixed feelings on it...some liked it, some hated it. Here's a photo of my dinner (chicken weirdly cooked with a small greek salad).

After Ethiopian Samantha and I stopped by the Cheers' bar for a midnight snack and to buy some souvenirs. The second photo is from the other night when some of us met there for dinner after work.

Saturday morning, bright and early at 9:30am, the majority of the group headed out to start the Freedom Trail. For those who don't know, the Freedom Trail is a path that leads you to 16 historical sites throughout the city. The trail is on pretty much any map of the area you pick up. It is also outlined on the sidewalk throughout the city with either a thick red painted line or a brick path. It's really kind of neat how it is laid out. Most of us saw the first 11 sites with a great colonial tour guide then finished on our own.

One serious and one Funny pose in front of the State House

One serious and one Funny pose with the Tour Guide

Here are a few other photos from throughout the day...

The State House and Park Street Church

The Graveyard where Sam Adams, Mother Goose and others are buried

This one's for Dad...the boat's name was "Waterfront Wanda".


Jessica, Stevie, Andre, Brandon (some of the interns)....being CLASSIC tourists!


Ashley, Sam and Megan...on the Freedom Trail

Crossing the Bridge to the USS Constitution

On the USS Constitution

USS Constitution


TIRED, after a loooong day of walking! We were too lazy to
walk to the T, so we waited for the bus to take us home...

Saturday evening my group kind of all went their own ways. Samantha and I finally had the evening to ourselves to enjoy. We spent the evening down on the waterfront, looking for a good seafood place for dinner so Samantha could have her lobster! It couldn't have been a more perfect day and night for doing what we did all day and then to have dinner outside. We also shopped around, mostly window shopped, the Quincy Market area and went on a horse and carriage ride. Our driver Jim was fascinated that we were from Michigan. He wants to take a vacation to Mackinac Island soon. Cody, our horse, was pretty cool too. :D

Samantha's Lobster Tetrazini and my Boston Scrod...

After dinner I made Samantha walk some more...this time over to Little Italy for some of the best pastries around. I got my blueberry muffin fix from Mike's Pastries (for the next couple of days) and then we went to my latest crave...the injectable ice cream place...where they inject ice cream into cupcake, brownies, canolis and more!

Sunday was officially named "Do As You Wish Day" for the interns. In other words, I told everyone to do the things they needed to get done, catch up on any missed sleep, explore museums they've been wanting to...whatever their heart desired. I know many opted to use the day for some sleep catch up and laundry time (many doing laundry for the first time since arriving!). Samantha and I enjoyed the Boston Public Garden and have a nice lunch before she had to head to the airport. And yes Dad, we both realize if we have gotten up and moving before 11am we could have had most of the day together. :D hahha...we were tired though!

Another picture perfect shot I've taken...

Monday quite a few people had the day off because it was a State Holiday: Bunker Hill Day. So a few of us ventured out to Bunker Hill since we didn't have the strength on Saturday to do so. We thought there might be things going on but it was actually pretty quite up there. We climbed all 294 stairs to get to the top of the monument. Let me just tell you...those 294 stairs seemed like they would never end! The circular stairs kept going and going and going and going...you get my drift! It took me a few breaks in the stairwell to make it up there! Upon making it to the top, the view was totally worth it! If it was a gloomy day it wouldn't have been the same. Here's a few photos...

from the ground...then at the top!


taken from one of the tiny windows that was on the way up the stairs...


the view from the top...

After dinner I took the girls to the Vietnamese Restaurant some others and I ate at a couple weeks ago for dinner. I still love the fact that we go to Chinatown for Vietnamese food.

As I mentioned earlier, on Wednesday after people got out of work so of us met at Cheers' for Half Off Appetizers for dinner. Though, the funny part is less than half of those who came actually took advantage of the 1/2 off food and they ordered a burger or something else.

Some of my group:

Sam was STARVING after working so hard!!! .... Chas, Krysta, Megan and Erin try to order

Yummy Nachos!

Chas and David being goofy.....Stevie and I

Here it is Thursday evening...the gang is back from class and most are relaxing after a long day. We have a very busy weekend ahead that will include a Birthday party for Beth, the Duck Tour Saturday morning then our Party Bike Scavenger Hunt in the afternoon, and who knows what else. I've heard rumor of some people going to Salsa dancing lessons Saturday evening! What Sunday will hold....who knows! A few of us are going to try get 1/2 price tickets to see the Blue Man group show though Sunday night!

I'll try to update early next week so I don't have to do such a long post!

Until next time...

Stephanie