Boston, MA 2006

Ever since I first went to Boston for the Fourth of July in 2000, I have maintained that Boston has the most creative firework-shapes. The fireworks and Boston Pops concert on the banks of the Charles River are famous. I also had time to hit a few more popular spots in Boston including a (not-pictured) delicious cannoli in the Italian North End.


Charles River and the Esplanade


Jaime and I find a comfy spot in the grass before sunset


Smiley-face fireworks


3-D Cubes


Nice view of the skyline


Jaime and Pete at Sugar and Spice Thai restaurant in Cambridge, July 5

  Me and Jaime outside


Dave Matthews Concert at Fenway, July 7


New England Aquarium and IMAX theater, July 8


Shark at the aquarium (better than Shark Week?)

Salem, MA 2006

Salem is such a fun town. It's probably perfect for older kids and um, me. Much of the city's tourist attractions reflect that it was the location of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Also, a lot of the local culture also addresses it: Police cars are adorned with witch logos, a local public school is known as the Witchcraft Heights Elementary School, the Salem High School football team is named The Witches, and Gallows Hill, a site of numerous public hangings, is currently used as a playing field for various sports.

Daily witch trial in the center of town

Tourists know Salem as a mix of important historical sites, New Age and Wiccan boutiques, and kitschy Halloween or witch-themed attractions. The most recent (and controversial) addition of significance is a bronze statue of the Samantha Stephens character (played by actress Elizabeth Montgomery) of the Bewitched television program in Salem's Lappin Park on June 15, 2005.

The Bewitched Statue!

At the Pirate Museum

Scene from The Crucible at the Witch Museum

I am a cheese ball.

Giles Corey exhibit at the Witch Dungeon Museum

Wands on sale at a local store

Provincetown, MA 2006

I flew into Boston on Friday and yesterday took the ferry to Provincetown to visit with my family.

On the Ferry from Boston to Provincetown

Provincetown

Aunt Elaine and mom- changed forever by "Hat Day"

Provincetown is all set for 4th of July

Shopping at Marine Specialties

At the beach

The Shell Shop has taffy and fudge! 

Back to Boston

Emerald Isle, NC 2006

I finally finished my first year of law school on Thursday! Sarah had invited me to her family's beach house in North Carolina, so on Saturday morning, we left. Her best friend from high school Rachael came with us too. The first thing we did when we got there was get BBQ sandwiches at one of Sarah's favorite places in the area: the Big Oak Drive In. It was delicious.

Rachael and me in front of Big Oak

New buddies!

Sunday we hung out, relaxed and played in the water a little, but it was chilly!

May 14

May 14

May 14

On Monday, Sarah's brother Jack and his friends from Emory Law arrived at the beach . Which was handy, because Sarah and Rachael made their best attempt to drown... and Jack both noticed and saved them. I thought they were just having fun playing in the waves.

Jack saving Sarah and Rachael

Boys playing baseball

Since we had six people we also had a little Game Night which we spruced up with the addition of wearing hats. Everything is more fun with hats.

Hat time!

Rachael contemplates her next move

Sarah is suspicious of Jack

Covering my cards

The rest of the week was pretty uneventful in a good way and we headed back to Charlottesville Wednesday night. Sarah and I start work soon so we wanted to be back to straighten everything out at home and be relaxed before work starts

 

May 16- More beach baseball

May 16- Beach time

Sarah's happy place

May 17- Rachael and Jack playing in the water

Edisto Island, SC 2006

Spring Break!! We got here late Monday, and it's heaven here. Even though apparently I still have tax homework in heaven.

View of the beach at Edisto Island

Me, happy journal tryouts are over

Sarah

Wally!

Girls' week! Woo!

See what we did here?

Heaven for Sarah requires a hammock.

Also Katy's mom had us over for dinner last night which is so nice. We also met Katy's dad, brother, and future sister-in-law. We had Frogmore Stew, a delicious concoction of  shrimp and corn and potatoes, that I've never heard of before, but is apparently a traditional dish in South Carolina. Katy's mom also left us a lasagna in the beach house freezer. Thank you!!

Visiting DC- January 2006

Though I was recently in DC for New Year's Eve and stayed with Janice, I came back this weekend for Anna's wedding and stayed with Janice again through Tuesday. I took the bus down to DC on Friday, went to Janice's to take a nap, and then met up with our other friends at Ozio's for Happy Hour. (For some reason, I failed at photos here.)

Janice walking Crash

 

Crash is blind so she might not know what's what's up with the couch.

Saturday was Anna and Mike's wedding but it was over fairly early so Cathy and I met up with my law school friend Akure afterwards. We went to my old hang out the Deluxe Diner in Crystal City.

Me and Akure at Deluxe Diner

Akure and Cathy bonding

Monday I went to the Spy Museum and crawled through some fake air ducts to prove how 007 I am. Monday evening I went to Bethany's poetry reading at Bossa Bistro on 18th street in Adams Morgan. Fun! Anyway thanks for hosting me Janice, and thanks to everyone that came out to hang out! I can't wait to come bug you again soon.

The least serious-looking spy you ever saw... in air duct