Monday, August 25, 2008

My Sad Story

I am (slowly) getting packed and ready to move to a new apartment this weekend, however, when one of my Russian friends, Vika, e-mailed me and said she would be in New York, AND I found bus tickets for $30 round trip, AND I realized it's been almost seven years since I saw her, AND how often do I get to see anyone from my mission... I decided to go for the weekend. Saturday morning, I woke up at 4:15 am so that I could catch the 6:30 bus, made it down to New York around 10:30 am, then waited... and waited... and waited... but Vika never came. I called her hotel to see if she was waiting for me there, but they couldn't find her name in their system. After an hour and a half, I went to the hotel, but still couldn't find her. I determined that I was still going to do something fun, though, so I went and bought a ticket to see the matinee of Mary Poppins, the musical, on Broadway.
I really enjoyed the play. Mary Poppins is probably my favorite Disney movie, but I was glad that I read the playbill before the show started and had some warning... only about half of the music is from the movie and the rest is new. They also reworked the lyrics to some of the movie songs. They added additional stories from the books. It made me want to read them. There were of course some magical Disney moments... Bert walks up the side of the stage and upside-down across the top during Step In Time, they shower the audience with stars during Anything Can Happen If You Let It, and Mary Poppins flies up and out over the audience with her bird umbrella for the finale. Feed the Birds always makes me a little teary-eyed. Did you know that was Walt Disney's favorite song?
After the play, I went back to Chinatown and took the bus home. It was a very long day and I was very disappointed not to be able to connect with Vika. I had even been practicing speaking in Russian. I hope that nothing terrible happened to her. I realized how much I depend on my cell phone now... don't know how I ever got along without it. Very frustrating and sad. :(

One good thing was that I saw how easy it is to go to New York from here. I can't believe I haven't gone at all in the last year. I think that I may go more often... and my cousin Jenni, who loves musicals, just moved to DC. Jen, do you want to meet up in New York for musicals every so often???

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Coast to Coast Friends

Kim & Lisa
Cassie & I
Last weekend, my good friend Kim came to visit me from San Diego, California, where she moved to about the same time I came to Boston. She dragged along her friend Cassie that she met there. Our friend, Lisa, from Utah also came along for the fun. On Saturday, we decided to take the ferry to Salem, and it was a beautiful day.

Our first stop was The House of Seven Gables, of Nathaniel Hawthorne fame. In case you weren't aware, they explained that a gable is created when there are extension from the ridge of the roof, creating the triangular wall. Much of the house and furnishings is original (which I'm not used to, since most old houses I've toured are pioneer recreations because the originals were destroyed). I loved the secret staircase hidden in the panel next to the fireplace. I always wished there were a secret passage in my house and remember pretending the deep storage closets in my Grandma Turner's basement would actually go somewhere. My friend Kristie's parents are building a secret passage in their new house and I think I'm going to have to do the same if I ever build a house. :)
The grounds also contain the house where NH was born and exquisite gardens. NH was somewhat of a recluse, which makes it surprising that he was able to write about people so well. It was interesting to get a glimpse of his life, growing up near the ocean. I adored the beautiful gardens... have I mentioned that I love flowers?




Just a quick plug... I had the best gelati at this cute shop called Rita's. I had the cherry Italian ice flavor with deliciously creamy custard. Loved the "Guide to Ordering Happiness", with signs showing us where to Order and Pick-Up Happiness. There are only two in MA, but if you are ever in Salem (or near one of their other locations), make sure to try some. You won't be disappointed.












Another highlight was the Salem Witch Museum, where we enjoyed quite the theatrical presentation about the history of the Salem witch trials. I won't spoil it, but one misconception is that the "witches" were burned. They were actually hanged, with one man pressed to death. One interesting fact, people placed in prison were charged for their room and board there. Pretty much, once you were placed there, whether or not you were guilty, you couldn't ever get out... you couldn't pay the debt because you weren't working, and you just fell deeper and deeper into debt until they took away all your property.

I had so much fun with these girls. I have known Kim for ten years, and was even her roommate for a few months after my mission. She is a nurse and helps me learn more about medicine... sometimes by listening in on her conversations with nurse friends, one of whom is Lisa. :) I met Lisa through Kim on a trip to Mexico. The next year we all went to Brazil and Argentina. Lots of good memories with them. It was so fun to be around these girls and feel like I could act as silly as I was ten years ago when we met, and know they wouldn't think I'm crazy. Who can't use a little silliness now and then? Thanks for coming!

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Birthday Goodies

I think my sister was inspired by the shoes I bought for myself for my birthday, because she sent me two more pairs of high-heeled shoes in my birthday package. Along with the cute gray dress pictured above and a bunch of other goodies. Everyone here loves the shoes and wants to know if you can buy them some too. :) I'm rather lucky in the fact that my mom and sister have good fashion sense and love to shop. Not that I don't have any fashion sense... I've come a long way in the last fifteen years... but I really have little patience for shopping. They really love it and can spend hours finding the great deals. Many a time I have needed something and just give my sister permission to spend my money. Works great for all involved. Thanks to the fam!


I got so many kind wishes from family and friends, even when I was in another country. One special birthday gift that I have to mention came from my friend Bethany. She didn't want to let this milestone birthday pass off uneventfully... she with the help of her mom, gave me 30 individually-wrapped gifts and even shared her rhyming skills on the tag. It was so unexpected and so sweet and thoughtful. Thanks a bunch, Bethany! I don't know how I would survive work without you.

Adieu

Saturday we said farewell to Prince Edward Island... one last walk to the beach and a little stop to see the Anne statue before crossing the bridge. This year was proclaimed the Year of Anne, as it is the 100th anniversary of Anne of Green Gables being published. It was a wonderful week. I fully intend on returning to PEI sometime... probably in springtime when more flowers are in bloom. We had a long drive home, but we made sure we got some cake and sang for Miranda's birthday!




This picture is for my brother, Patrick... You'll need to go to Canada sometime. I know how you love ketchup.




Here are a few pictures of the adorable Beach House Inn, the bed and breakfast where we spent the week. We ended up staying in a few different rooms...
The Bay Room
The Islander Room
The Seaview CottageThis is the resident fox. They like him because he keeps the raccoons away.
Breakfasts we enjoyed:
DAY 1 - yogurt and fresh berries, strawberry muffin, egg & ham souffle, tomatoes, home-made croissant
DAY 2 - bran apple bread, french toast with chocolate drizzle, bacon, orange and banana slices
DAY 3 - oatmeal raisin muffin, "sunflower eggs" (eggs in a flower-shaped phyllo dough), sausage, croissant, cantaloupe
DAY 4 - german pancake with topping of yogurt & blue/rasp/strawberries, pineapple, cantaloupe, whipped cream, nuts and golden raisins

Last Day on PEI

We started our last day on PEI off at an Anne of Green Gables museum. This is the house that Lucy Maud called Silver Bush as in Pat of Silver Bush. She was also married in this house.
Inside was the cabinet where Lucy Maud had her glass friends, you'll remember Katie Maurice from the Anne stories. She was on the left side. Outside, we enjoyed Matthew's carriage ride around the grounds with stunning views of the "Lake of Shining Waters". I love the quote below about how LM hated to admit Anne was not real. I also love the story about her mother, who died when she was an infant. She must have been lovely.

Next we went to LM's birthplace. She lived here with her aunt and uncle after her mother died. It also served as the post office for the area. Because she had access to the mail before anyone else saw it, she was willing to send out her stories to publishers, knowing she could hide the rejections and no one would know. We also learned here that she was secretly engaged for five years before being married. Her aunt was sick and LM took care of her and wouldn't leave her.


Afterwards we headed to a town called Greenwich, where there are sand dunes. I was picturing a little more sand, but still beautiful. People are not allowed to walk on the dunes, because of how fragile the roots of the plants are, being in sand and all. Anyway, there is a board walk leading out to the beach. It was an evironmentally friendly site. They also had windmills for power and a special bathroom system that didn't use water. Yikes.






Next we headed to the east coast of the island to a beach called Basin Head, recommended by the owner of the B&B we stayed at for its squeaky white beaches. I couldn't exactly hear the squeakiness, but we were able to enjoy the sun for a couple of hours before the clouds rolled in. There was a bridge inbetween the docks that kids jumped off of. None of us did, though. I think that I'll keep my cliff diving to exotic places like the cenote in Mexico.
And... just to take full advantage of our last full day, that night we got Pizza Delight for dinner and had a little picnic at another lighthouse. Below the lighthouse, we ducked under a fence to a little hike down to a clearing of rocks. It was so peaceful to sit and listen to the ocean during that magical twilight time.

Outside Expeditions

Thursday was a fabulous day. We started off with a kayaking tour along the North Rustico harbor. It was a little cloudy, but the rain stayed away, and it kept it cool. This was the first time I kayaked on the ocean. I loved the feeling of being on the water, so different from a big boat, just close down to everything. I could see jelly fish swimming by. It made me feel very small with all the ocean expanding out before me. We kayaked out along the red cliffs for about an hour, then stopped for snacks before turning back. We saw different kinds of birds, including Great Blue Heron.



After kayaking, we hopped on some bikes and went six miles to Cavendish, the town on which LM Montgomery based Avonlea. Here is where she is buried next to her husband, a reverend she married when she was thirty-six years old. While there Anne and Diana shared some homemade raspberry ice cream with me.

Green Gables


Lover's LaneThe Haunted Woods

I read all eight of the Anne books a couple of months ago, in preparation for this trip. It was thrilling to be at the places that she wrote about. The island is so beautiful, it was easy to see where Lucy Maud got her inspiration. Anne could always see and appreciate the beauty around her. If anyone hasn't read the books, I highly recommend them.

The bike ride back to North Rustico was a little harder than the way there... but I did it! I don't think I've every biked 12 miles before. Maybe I should train before I try it next time. ;) Nevertheless, the ride along the coast of the Gulf St. Lawrence was beautiful. The contrast between the red roads, the green trees and blue ocean was amazing. There were several little beaches along the way. One was full of families with bright-colored umbrellas, children running around, flying kites. Just like a postcard.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

It's MY-town

The next morning Kristie and I went for a little jog to the French River beach, just down the road from where we stayed. We could see the lighthouse there from our room. I loved the old run-down pier (with broken lobster trap) and the grass swaying in the wind. The sound of the ocean is so calming. I feel like I just want to breathe it in.

Afterwards, we headed to Charlottetown. It had the cutest little shops, where you could find everything Anne. I liked the little street called Victoria Row. We had been lucky with the weather up to this point, even though it was supposed to rain every day... but our luck ran out. It started pouring cats and dogs, so we ducked into a little place called Cafe Diem for lunch before seeing the matinee of Anne of Green Gables the musical. It was a very lively interpretation of Anne (and Gilbert wasn't as cute as in the movies). The music and dancing were fun, though, and it always makes me cry when Matthew dies. Overall, it was a delightful play. In the Confederation Center where the play was shown, there was an art gallery that featured Anne of Green Gables. The author, Lucy Maud Montgomery, kept two scrapbooks, one blue and one red, where she put clippings of photos, poems, and stories from magazines and newspapers, as well as some of her own. She actually experimented with the new (then) medium of photography. She would be fascinating to learn more about. I also loved the dress with puff sleeves. We spent a little more time walking around the harbor, eating Cows ice cream, and listening to a marching bagpipe band.

For dinner, we headed to Dalvay by the Sea, the White Sands hotel of the Anne books. It is situated just above a lake, with cute wooden chairs on the lawn to enjoy it. We arrived just as the light was starting to fade. The food was incredible. I had halibut with a lobster/pepper/mango salsa (yes, I ate more seafood). Then an amazing dessert. Delicious!