Update

Oh my GOSH. The wedding is in less than a week, my parents fly in in 3 days, and I'm going to be MARRIED soon!

Happily, things are going very well, and I think we're going to have a great time. I have a meeting over at the hotel this afternoon to determine whether the sound system will work with my computer. This is the only potential problem we've got going on. We also bought a large spinning-light disco ball, and I think that will add a little something special to the party.

But aside from the impending nuptuals, I have other big news... I got a new job! If you've read posts preceding this, you'll know that I have a love/hate relationship with my current job. I enjoy the access I have to powerful officials, the potential that my ideas might make it into policy, and the people here are great. However, in recent months, the "hate" side of the relationship became much stronger. I was really frustrated and upset about some of the changes that my position underwent, and so, when the opportunity for me to move on came along, I jumped. I'll start as a Senior Planning Analyst on May 28 at the Commonwealth's Board of Higher Education. In that position, I'll be doing much more policy than budget work, will have a chance to work at the intersection of my 3 main policy interests (ed, workforce and economic development), and will have great potential to grow within the job.

I could not be happier about this change, but I have to say, I will miss the people here, particularly Ashlee and Abbey (picture right), who have become two of my best friends. They are pretty awesome and I will definitely miss seeing them on an 8-hour a day basis.

Can't wait to see you this weekend! YEA!!!!!

Saturday Activities

Hello all!

Goodness! Time passes quickly. Just yesterday, it was January, freezing outside, and I had so much to do. Now it's April, freezing outside, and I have so much to do!

I am getting so excited to see all of you in a couple weeks. We're going to have a great time at the wedding itself, but I'm also excited to tell you what we've got going on for Saturday during the day. Keep your fingers crossed for nice weather.

I've arranged for us to take a walking tour of the Freedom Trail, complete with a guide dressed in Colonial garb. Now, honestly, in other situations I might josh a bit at participating in something so touristy, but this will be a great way to take a nice walk through the city, see some good sights, and get to know a little bit about the history. We'll be looking at the Boston Common, New State House, Park Street Church, Granary Burying Ground, King’s Chapel, Site of the first Public School, Old Corner Bookstore, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Site of the Boston Massacre, and Faneuil Hall. And if you feel like a canoli, we can take a little jaunt down to the North End and see Paul Revere's house and the Old North Church.

We'll meet at 11:30 in the Boston Public Garden, which is located in the Back Bay/Downtown between Charles and Arlington Streets. I will leave directions and T-stop information for you at your hotels.

If you feel like looking, here's the website for the tours. www.thefreedomtrail.org

YEA!!!!!

Also, big news to report in a day or two!!!! YIKES! So much happening this spring!

Love,
Haley

Some More Information

This is a joke, but I think that after you visit for a couple days, you will understand why sometimes, I feel like Boston is on a different planet. :)

Information on Boston and the surrounding area:
There's no school on School Street, no court on Court Street, no dock on Dock Square, and no water on Water Street.

Back Bay streets are in alphabetical 'oddah': Arlington, Berkeley, Clarendon, Dartmouth, etc. So are South Boston streets: A, B, C, D, etc. If the streets are named after trees (e.g. Walnut, Chestnut, Cedar), you're on Beacon Hill. If they're named after poets, you're in Wellesley.

Massachusetts Ave is Mass Ave; Commonwealth Ave is Comm Ave. South Boston is Southie. The South End is the South End. East Boston is Eastie. The North End is east of the former West End. The West End and Scollay Square are no more; a guy named Rappaport got rid of them one night. Roxbury is The Burry, Jamaica Plain is J.P.

How to say these Massachusetts city names correctly:
Worcester: Wuhsta (or Wistah)
Gloucester: Glawsta
Leicester: Lesta
Woburn: Wooban
Dedham: Dedim (like denim w/ a D in the N pace)
Revere: Re-vee-ah
Quincy: Quinzee
Tewksbury: Tooks berry
Leominster: Lemon-sta
Peabody: Peabuddy
Waltham: Walth-ham
Chatham: Chattum

Definitions:
Frappes have ice cream, milkshakes don't.
If it is fizzy and flavored, it's tonic.
Soda is CLUB SODA.
'Pop' is Dad.
When we want Tonic WATER, we will ask for Tonic WATER.
The smallest beer is a pint.
Scrod is whatever they tell you it is, usually fish.
If you paid more than $6/pound, you got scrod.
It's not a water fountain; it's a bubblah.
It's not a trashcan; it's a barrel.
It's not a spucky; it's a sub.
It's not a shopping cart; it's a carriage.
It's not a purse; it's a pockabook.
They're not franks; they're haht dahgs. Franks are money in France.
Police don't drive patrol units or black and whites they drive a 'crooza'. If you take the bus, you're on the 'looza crooza'.
It's not a rubber band, it's an elastic.
It's not a traffic circle, it's a rotary.
'Going to the islands' means Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket.
If something's good, it's 'pissa'. If something's really good, it's 'wicked pissa'.

Things not to do:
Don't pahk your cah in Hahvid Yahd .. they'll tow it to Meffa (Medford) or Slumaville (Somerville).
Don't sleep in the Common. (Boston Common)
Don't wear Orange in Southie on St. Patrick's Day.

Things you should know:
There are two State Houses, two City Halls, two courthouses, three Hancock buildings (one old, one not so old,one new.)
The colored lights on top the not so old Hancock tell the wetha:
'Solid blue, clear view....'
'Flashing blue, clouds due....'
'Solid red, rain ahead....'
'Flashing red, snow instead....'(except in summer; flashing red means the Red Sox game was rained out)
Route 128 is also I-95 south. It's also I-93 north.
The underground train is not a subway. It's the 'T', and it doesn't run all night.
Order the 'cold tea' in China Town after 2:00 am you'll get a kettle full of beer.

So, please, my wonderful friends, use this information judiciously, PLEASE don't go to Chinatown after 2:00 in the morning, and practice up on your "wicked pissahs." I use it all the time, and in no way is that weird.

Menu

Hello!!!

I am so excited to post this. We've been waiting forever for the restaurant to come up with the spring menu, and finally, we have it.

First Course

Caesar Salad
Hearts of Romaine Tossed in our House Made Caesar Dressing
With Toasted Focaccia & Pecorino Romano Cheese

Second Course

Herb Crusted Misty Knoll Statler Chicken
Served with Potato Pave, Asparagus & Madera Jus

Tournedos of Beef Tenderloin
Marinated In Garlic & Fresh Herbs, Grilled & Served Over Rillon Potato Hash & Haricot Vert.

Fresh Rosemary Pasta
Accompanied with Grilled Asparagus, Shiitake Mushrooms & Olive Oil Poached Tomatoes. Served with a Smoked Melted Gouda Cheese.

Perfect Ending

White Chocolate Crème Brulee
With Fresh Berries & a Sugar Cookie.

I've had the tournedos. They're divine.

Love,
Haley