Alive and Well in the City

As soon as our classes got out on Friday afternoon, Sophie, Dakota, and I hopped on the T and made our way to Chinatown for some bubble tea! Neither of them had ever had it before so I figured (me being half asian) that I should be the one they should try it with. Dakota and I actually ended up getting the same kind - passion fruit green tea with lychee jelly - while Sophie got almond milk tea with bobba. We sipped on our bubble teas, gradually making our way back to campus from Chinatown, making stops at Park Street, Boston Commons, and even into my work to pick up some socks. It was definitely a wonderful Friday afternoon to be alive and well in the city.

Orientation

It  has been just about a week since the first-years moved in. I'm not quite sure whether I feel that it has been a day or a century since they first moved in. Looking back on these photos, I can still feel the chaos and confusion that is move in day in Boston. One of my tasks this day was actually to walk around a capture a bit of this madness. The day went much smoother than we had anticipated and we all spent our time on the street team or assisting with check in. It was all-in-all a very good start to orientation!

Roommate

On Sophie: reworked tank and shorts, thrifted belt, Calvin Klein button-down, American Eagle sandals, Minnetonka leather hat, thrifted belt, thrifted stone necklace, pendant necklace from Forever 21.

My roommate finally moved in yesterday! This is Sophie she and I lived on the same floor last year. We got pretty close last year and decided to become roommates this year! It felt so awesome to come into our room and see that another person is living there too! I'm excited for the two of us to finish decorating our room!

I had the morning off from my orientation leader duties so the two of us made our first roomie trip to Newbury St. We spent the morning going in and out of a few of our favorite shops, finally pausing to take some photos in the Victory Gardens. I can't wait for more roomie adventures!

a peek at my dorm!

Things have been so ridiculously hectic in my life in the past few days that I have hardly had anytime to take photos/post! My schedule has been jam-packed with orientation leader duties (training, folder-stuffing, etc.) My roommate, Sophie has yet to move-in, but here a few shots of what I have been able to set up!

Top bunk!

I'll be making another post as soon as Sophie moves in and gets settled!

Farewell to Summer

Today I bid farewell to my childhood home and returned to my home in the city! I said goodbye to the crowded flower beds and shady trees and welcomed in the sounds of sirens and the skyscrapers. 

I write this to you from my half unpacked dorm room (no photos yet because it looks like a disaster.) I am reflecting on this past summer. I made a to-do list right before the end of the school year; I completed some of these goals while others went forgotten.

1) Finish On the Road by Jack Kerouac.

Nope.

2) Road to see Dakota (my freshman year roommate)

Nope.

3) Maybe fall in love.

PIFF! Yeah right!

Yeah so those weren't such a success...

My little house plants taking a ride in the front seat!

These on the other hand were a success!

4) Craft my heart out!

5) Take photos.

6) Go to a flea market!

Sophie and I at the Brimfield Antique show.

7) Make $$$.

I worked  as a cart girl at Four Oaks Country Club. I learned a lot - not only how to properly open a bottle of wine, but also how to connect with customers. I also did quite a bit of free lance work as a photographer, taking senior portraits for incoming seniors as well as my first ever baby portrait session!

8) Concert weekend with Sophie!

My roommate, Sophie and I were reunited in Boston after about a month of not seeing each other. We had a blast, shopping and exploring by day and getting lost in the music by night.

Devendra Banhart playing at the Wilbur Theater.

XX performing at the Boston Pavilion.

While there were some goals/plans that I was unable to achieve, there were quite a few that I did do. I really think that that is all you can hope for - in the short-term as well as in the long-term. 

I am very excited to be back at Simmons College. I am so ready for the next few months of city-living. Walks to Newbury Street, hanging out on the quad on residence campus, and especially spending time with all of the friends that I have made in the past year.

It is crazy to think of where I was a year ago.