Boston!

Goodness, I feel like I just talked about a Boston trip, and here I am talking about another one! 

Last May, I was able to go to Boston for a major conference, and I had a blast. However, I didn't get to see and do all the things I wanted to while I was there. Too much to do! So when my boss told me I was allowed (and that he would pay!) to go back to Boston for a week long advanced course, of course I said yes!

Now, don't get me wrong, I did have to attend classes while I was there. And there were a lot of classes. Like, 8 to at least 5, usually longer, everyday. But I made it work. I made sure I went back and did the things I really wanted to do last time I was here. 

First up, follow the Freedom Trail. 

 

It's about 2-3 miles long and covers most of the major historical sites Boston has to offer. Now I didn't completely follow it. Instead, I decided to take a tour... with this guy:

Very entertaining chap. Told us all the major gossip that the history of this country has to offer.

One of the things we toured was the graveyard where a lot of the founding fathers and important people in history were buried.

Unfortunately, the weather was not quite cooperative. We did the whole tour, just at a fast pace. And then I got caught in a torrential downpour. I managed to find my way to Fanuil Hall, which was just full of different food choices (yum!) and grab some dinner, but then I had to run back to the nearest T station and try and find my way back to the hotel. Although I ended up quite damp, it really was a fun adventure.

One night, I even managed to catch up with an undergrad who works in my lab. She's currently doing research at MIT this summer. We did a bit of shopping (I managed to hit some of the major stores that are not currently available to me in Montana...) and had some really great pizza. 

After almost of week of sitting still in classes, I decided enough was enough. I still had things to do on my list! So, being the awesome grad student that I am, I skipped a day! And being the cool person I am, I talked someone else into skipping with me!

We headed out to go see the New England Aquarium. But first, we had lunch with this view.

Then we headed in!

...and immediately pushed all the little kids aside to find the tank where we could touch these guys:

 

 

 

We spent awhile watching the penguins lay around.

 

Yeah, buddy, I feel like that some days as well...

And, of course, we saw a crazy amount of fish:

 I think I might have even met my new boyfriend:

One of the cool things about the NEA is they have this monster tank that the whole place is centered around. We could go up to the top and look down onto the sharks, turtles, and fish.

Myrtle the Turtle has been in that tank for over 30 years. She was such a cutie and photo-hog. She like to pose for the pictures.

All in all, a great day skipping class and hanging out at the aquarium!

Instead of taking a cab back or finding a T station, we decided to walk back to the hotel. The path was right on the harbor, but we veered a little so we could stop here:

and eat this:

 Who wouldn't stop at a cupcake truck?!? It was sooooo good!

The walk back along the harbor also helped us walk off that wonderful delight.

That night at dinner, we celebrated our last night in Boston.

The next day we had class in the morning before we all rushed off in our various directions. But, before we said goodbye, we all felt Mexican food was a great way to end our trip.

All in all, a wonderful trip to Boston!

Coming back and desparately writing 3 papers for my comps was not as much fun. I just turned in the papers to my committee yesterday. Now, 5 weeks of studying, stressing, and hoping I survive the stress. Wish me luck!!!

-amyg