Simple Pleasures Sundays and Day 5: Nature Amidst Industry

It has been much cooler the past couple of days in Boston, but the sun has been shining and the days have been beautiful.  I've been having the urge to just sit outside, anywhere outside, to enjoy the sunshine.

In Boston, it's great to be able to walk around and then stumble upon a "bit of Earth", as though I've stumbled upon a secret garden.  Obviously, it's generally not a secret garden in the middle of the city.  But it's still quite impressive that the city has done a fairly decent job of maintaining a green space.

Today, I was going down to Dorchester for the Dorchester Day Parade.  As we were looking for the start of the parade, we passed by the old Baker Chocolate Factory-turned-Apartment.  Running through it was a little brook.

It honestly reminded me of the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (the O.G. one, people) with the chocolate river.  Even more honestly, it kind of looked like it, though I couldn't really say it was from the chocolate.

So, for my Day 5, I present to you this little bit of Earth and Water.

Day 5
Dorchester, MA

Day 4: Mencken Collage

Day 3: Still Sore from Bootcamp Challenge

Holy moly, y'all.

This is actually an "off" week for the bootcamp regular classes.  However, as the trainers like to keep us challenged, they set up a marathon obstacle course for the regulars.

They called it the Gazelle Gauntlet.  From the description, it looked like hell.  It looked like it would be the most challenging thing ever.

Originally, I wasn't going to do it because I didn't want to try to have to feel competitive around the more advanced bootcampers.  I know I shouldn't feel competitive.  But it's almost like performing for me.  I felt like I'd be hoping on stage without any knowledge of what I was doing.

But a week before the marathon, our trainer sent an email encouraging all of us to sign up and go for it.  He also called me out in the email.  I was the only one to get called out in the email for joking about there needing to be an ambulance at the finished line.

After reading that email, I was fired up.  I signed up for it and convinced myself that it would just be like regular bootcamp where I wouldn't necessarily know what we were doing that day.  Though, I must say that not knowing is a lot better than knowing.

When I arrived, I saw a small group of my foundation bootcamp compadres.  It felt good to see the familiar faces and knowing that we were all doing it together.  The majority of folks, however, were definitely some of the more advanced (read: fit) folks.

The head trainer started going through the different obstacle courses, which started with climbing over a 3-foot high chain-link fence, included crawling under barbed wire, running a half mile to another park to do some agility exercises, running back to finish with run up and down a set of stairs 5 times.

Suffice it to say, I finished last.  I didn't run the whole way through, and I'm pretty sure I accidentally missed part of the course.

The worst thing was that I had trouble getting over the freakin' chain link fence!!! My shoes were slipping on the metal, and for some reason I couldn't lift myself over the fence!!  I couldn't believe it.  But I pushed myself to get up there, even though I could have just run to the entrance.

Honestly, I'm really irritated that I had so much trouble getting over the fence.  I know it's silly to be pissed about it.  Don't get me wrong, I can laugh about how ridiculous I must have looked.  But it still got me feeling really defeated, and it was the first thing we had to do.  It's the upper body strength that I need to work on, apparently. 

But it was great to be encouraged by my fellow bootcamp-mates.  It was great to finish it, even though it was the first time I felt like crying during bootcamp.

Two days later, I'm still feeling sore, both physically and mentally/emotionally about the literal hurdle I had to climb.  But I'm also feeling really strong and really proud of myself for signing up, for showing up, and for finishing it.

With that, I present to you my creation for the 30 Days of Creativity.

my very first marathon bib
with a buff mermaid

Day 2: Stormy Spring/Summer Weather

If you're aware of what's going on in the world and in the United States, there have been some extremely devastating tornadoes in the past couple of weeks.

Here in Massachusetts, tornadoes touched down in the center of the state in the cities of Sprinfield and Bromfield.  It's horrible to know that something like that would happen so close to where I live.  I know it sounds weird to say this, but sometimes watching things on the news makes it seem much further away than it is.

But last night, it really felt and looked as though a tornado could make its way through the city.

Before I moved to Boston, thunder and lightening were really quite frightening.  But they are just so intense here, that it just became quite fascinating to watch.  In fact, they became awe-inspiring.

Nature's violent work of art.

I had to capture it on video.



Video taken on June 1, 2011.  Brighton, MA
Song: "Across the Universe" by Jason Falkner on "Bedtime With The Beatles"

2 Year Blogoversary on My Parents' 30th Anniversary with 30 Days of Creativity

Today is quite an auspicious day, if I do say so myself.

On June 1st, 1981, my amazing parents became husband and wife.  Thirty years later, they have 3 *pretty awesome* kids, a beautiful home, and a loving marriage.

I joked the other day to the boyfriend (though it was more of a "hint hint"), that part of the reason why they've stayed together for so long is because they Swiffer the house every day.

But in all seriousness, the fact that they both take responsibility for the household and for their kids is generally a strong indicator of the strength of a marriage.  I told them about my joke, and after they laughed they also agreed.

So, for the love of my parents, here's part 1 of my creative item.

Boston, MA
June 1, 2011

On June 1, 2009, I was inspired to create a blog and write my first blog post about all the changes I've been going through in my late 20s.

There's been a lot of ups and downs and lots of changes.  But I'm glad to say that I haven't stopped looking up at the clouds and in the ocean for inspiration.

I've gone on a couple of trips, and I've participated in a couple of other blog events.  My blog has changed and grown, and still continues to change and grow.  But I really enjoy working on it, both on the design and on writing posts.

I'm not trying to get famous or anything.  My brain is just full of different things, and this has been one of the best places for my regurgitation.

So, for the love of my blog, here's part 2 of my creative item.

Boston, MA
June 1, 2011

Outside of the One World One Heart events, I've not actually participated in a month-long event where I have to post every single day.  I will definitely try my best to do so for the 30 Days of Creativity event.

This month is bound to be an interesting one.  Between attempting to work 40 hours at City Hall, continuing subbing at the after school then going full time at their summer program, pushing to keep my side job appointments, among trying to have a social life and continue going to dance class...well, this month is going to be full.

Though it might not seem like I need another thing on my plate, I really think the 30 Days of Creativity will help to keep me grounded and sane.

Happy June Everyone!