Reflection

The trip was an amazing experience, even though I walked through it in the haze of a cold. However, I refused to let it slow me down, and in the end, it was quite rewarding. Salem, Fenway Park, Lexington Green, and Shear Madness were all amazing times, although my favorite part of the trip was definitely the cruise around Boston Harbor.
I was sad that we couldn't spend more time in Salem. I would have loved to see some of the sights, such as where the witches were hung, where they were tried, where the witch trials actually started, etc. There seems to be so much to see in such a historically spooky town.
I also got to take my first ever look at Harvard campus. I would have loved to be able to tour it with a student, but the information gleened from that quick tour, such as turning off the water to the pump because one of the students was selling H(as in Harvard)2O. The idea was that the water would make people smarter. It was a briliant buisness idea, but the college did not approve. I also was amused by the idea that, as they had no image of John Harvard, they had a student sit in in his place, and therefore the statue in Harvard Yard is actually of a Harvard Student, not John Harvard himself.
Lexington Green, as well as the walk around North Bridge, were full of fun facts. The idea that Paul Revere did not actually make it all the way to Concord, first introduced on the Freedom Trail, was reiterated as we drove from Lexington Green to Concord. Along the way, we passed the spot where Revere was arrested by the British. Funny enough, a Doctor that had joined the ride in Lexington was the only one that made it all the way to Concord.
The college tours I found to be a very important part of the trip. I loved being able to look at what is to become a major part of our lives in the coming years. Looking at colleges is excruciatingly important to the entire application process. That is something we hear over and over again. I also was able to really get a better view as to what I am looking for in a college. I discovered that I would much rather be in a suburban settting, at least based in the comparison between Boston College and Boston University. I had originally thought that I would lean towards a smaller school, but the tours changed my mind about that as well. I discovered that I would prefer a larger school, with more people, and a larger number of oportunities for its students.
The trip as a whole changed my view on many things. I discovered that it is, in fact, possible for me to like a city, something I believed would never happen. I adored the way Boston was set up, and the feel you got from it. It is not squished togethere the way San Francisco is, nor constantly bustling and crowded like New York. It was refreshing. I also stopped seeing college as a distant future type of idea. It suddenly became a very real project that I needed to get working on, and the trip is what opened my eyes.
I had an increadible time, and hope to return again.

Pictures

Our everyday-on-the-bus look.

Meredith basking in the sun at Lexington Green
Memorial for the Soldiers


We dressed him up. Made him cool. =)

Day Four

Burn the witches! Burn the witches! At least, that's what was being screamed 400 years ago in the town of Salem. We were lucky enough to be able to go around at the memorials of many of those who died, including Giles and Martha Cory, John Proctor, Rebecca Nurse, and Sarah Good, all of whom are characters in The Crucible.
We later spent time in Rockport, where we spent almost three hours shopping. Kaya, Ariel and I all managed to grab food at a seafood restaurant, which unfortunately was not that great, although we then discovered a small ice cream shop just down the road, serving globs of fabulous, sugary tasting yummyness.
Our final destination was one of great humor. The group headed into Boston, and settled in for a night of laughter at Shear Madness. It was one of my favorite memories from the trip.
Tomorrow we fly home.
What an amazing time!

Day Three

Colleges, colleges, Lexington and Concord, shop, sleep. I have decided that I much preferred Boston College to Boston University. Although BU seems to have amazing programs, it seemed a bit more proud to me, and the campus is most definately not as pretty as BC. I also loved the fact that BC was not based completely in the city. Although that particular location can be convenient, I'm more of an outside-the-city type of girl.
Harvard was gorgeous. The petting of the shoe amused me, especially the fact that its been rubbed into another color, although none of the students actually rub the foot, thinking it to be bad luck.
Lexington and Concord were more historically interesting. I loved seeing the burial sights and the monuments, and standing on Lexington Green made me feel like I was really experiencing the history.
I really wasn't sure that I would be able to have some fun at the mall after the walk around the lake, but it turned out to be quite an adventure, what with shopping, and not eating, and then getting popcorn, and then more food. It was quite enjoyable, regardless of the fact that I'm pretty sure I'm getting sick.
Either way, theres more to come tomorrow!

Day Two

Today was much busier than yesterday. Talk about starting early. We were all up, fed, dressed, and on the bus by 7:15. Meaning 4:15 California time. However, the day seemed to improve from there. We started at Fenway Park, discovering the Green Giant, and learning about all the retired numbers, as well as the history of the Boston Red Socks. Unfortunately, being as early as it was, I'm not sure how much of the information stuck, other than the Yankee fan that was hit by the longest home run in baseball.
The bakery stop on the way to the Freedom Trail was nice, though I was more taken by the memorial for all the soldiers who have lost their lives in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The dog- tags-turned-wind-chimes stuck with me the most. Already too many have died.
After the Freedom Trail, we were taken on a tour around Boston College. I have to say, it was a school that never really crossed my mind, but after seeing it I'm quite taken with it. I'll have to keep that in mind over the coming year.
Despite all the amazing stops, the cruise had to be the cap of the day. Although the idea of floating on a boat in the middle of the water held the promise of being quite a downer, the second the music started playing, right after dinner, everything changed. Suddenly people were dancing and laughing, as well as taking pictures. We all game back to the hotel in high spirits.
We now await the promise of tomorrow.
Until then!

A Delayed First Day

We landed!! The flight wasn't too bad, minus a few rough patches as we got closer to Boston, and the flight attendants being not so nice. All livable experiences. The bus is HUGE! Which, I have to admit, is a bit fun. We ate at the Boston Hard Rock Cafe. The food was rather good, although we had a bit of trouble with getting Dustin's salad without croutons. Ah well, we can't have it all go completely smoothly or we'd be bored. =)
See you guys tomorrow!

Airport

It smells clean here. There's really nothing to mingle with the cold morning air, and the starchy-ness of the air conditioner, or heater that is running through the building, keeping it at a temperature liked by most of the population. Every few minutes, one person or another will walk past, though not many are very awake at this hour. A group of Asians are checking in at the counter. The group breaths life and excitement. Wherever they are going, they're ready to be on their way. One says good morning, and then paces, waiting for the rest of his friends to finish checking in. Count-down: An hour and two minutes until the rest of my group arrives. I wonder how awake they'll be...

Test Run

We sit in class, silently typing away at our computers. The clacking of fingers hitting keys, and then keys to the base of the computers is a constant companion. Projects, projects. No one was quite prepared for this turn of events, but we shall adjust our course just enough, change a little bit here, a tweak there, and look what we have, a whole new batch of blogging juniors. Maybe some will even stick with it after the trip. Who knows? More to see coming up.