My First Week!

Today I stepped off of the bus into my first true weekend after my first work week! My new job is great--mostly because I work with really wonderful people. The Children's Hospital is an unbelievably positive work environment so far, and I've already met a friend. I am working as an "Ambulatory Services Representative" in the Cardiology clinic, the hospital's most prestigous area (their cardiology department is in the top 5 in the nation). I am basically one of two people that schedule echocardiograms for the entire group of hospitals in the central Boston area. We bring echo machines to other hospitals, too--these are called "portable echos". I'm already learning the lingo! And I've already learned a ton about cardiological diseases and disorders. It is quite interesting. I have truly been pleasantly surprised with the job. I'll try to get some pictures of the inside of the hospital sometime--it is almost as much fun as a theme park, with waterfalls, murals, sparkly colorful things, and beautiful children. I am so thankful that God provided this place for this time. Thank you all for your prayers!

Airy Autumn Space

Just thought y'all might like to see our new curtains! It's the little things, you know!

Smell The Sea Air...

I'm sitting with my laptop during halftime of the AU-State game--War Eagle!--after our first adventure to the North Shore. It's hard to describe the emotions we had when we, for the first time in a month, walked down a quiet street without the constant hum of the city. To top it off, we found our way to a little rocky cove dotted with sailboats on the horizon. The perpetual grins stayed on our faces for the better part of the afternoon.

Shannon spent about an hour watching the host of sea creatures swim arond in a tidal pool. Serious, an entire hour--I love my wife!! I took pictures, listen to the gulls, and thought about the Mayflower, Kennebunkport, Myles Standish and maise. But most of all we relished the fresh air and relative quiet during our day outside the big city. We miss you all!

matt and shannon :>)

By Popular Demand...

I've had a few people ask for more pictures of our wonderful little apartment, so here ya go! It is not totally clean, but these are some decent shots. The living area and kitchen are all one room. We have a small bathroom (not pictured because it is not much to look at right now) and a small bedroom with a great window! I'll put some pictures of the bedroom up once we get our new bed soon!

Celebrating in Style

Well, Matt started school this week and also got a new appointment at Starbucks. I also FINALLY got a job! I got offered a position at the Boston Children's Hospital cardiology department. I'll be doing administrative and scheduling work for the families that come in. The hospital is wonderful--it doesn't even feel like a hospital--it is filled with art and color. All medical facilities should feel that way. Both Matt and I are really looking forward to getting in the swing of things in our new life, but we decided to have one last fun night to celebrate before he hit the books and I hit the bus to work!

We got dressed up and went to a fancy martini and appetizer bar downtown. I had the most festive drink ever--a gummi bear martini! Matt had a crantini that was great, too. It was alot of fun! Wish you all could have been here to celebrate with us! Thanks to so many of you for all your encouragement in the job search.

Freedom Trail and Food!

For one of our first ventures into the big city, we decided to walk the "Freedom Trail". The trail is a walking tour of all of the historic sites in Boston from the Old South Church to the Bunker Hill memorial obelisk, and many more. Of course, Matt (a history major in college) ate it up. I loved being able to see so many facets of the city. The trail takes you backward in American history while also being surrounded by the modern art and architecture of a developed city. We stopped in Little Italy at Mike's Pastries and had one of their famous canolis! It was UNbelievable--a crisp pastry tube filled with sweetend ricotta cheese and chocolate chips! And at the end of our walking tour we stopped at an old Oyster House that claims to be the oldest restaurant in America (we're a little skeptical), and it was great. Matt had oysters on the half shell and I had their catch of the day, Haddock with sweet cornbread and red potatoes. And to wash it down, of course, a Sam Adams! So, maybe I've focused too much on food here, but y'all know me!

Welcome Home!

Well, as it begins, we pulled up to our new apartment at 80 Bay State Road exhausted, but excited. Things had gone smoothly except for some major traffic in Connecticut. We pulled up and double parked the huge Penske truck and waited for our movers to arrive. Yes, we hired movers, and it was the best money I've ever spent! After unloading the truck in only an hour and a half, we realized that even though we had already downsized by half, we still had WAY too much stuff for our 398 square feet! (I had remembered it larger in my head....) After about a week, we had finally settled in. We took things to Goodwill and got really creative with storage. Now we have a small space that we truly love--especially the bay windows in our living area. Welcome to our home! We hope some of you can come see it in person sometime!