...Don't Call it a Comeback

I enjoy free things... that may be one of the most obvious statements ever. That's not to say that I don't enjoy working and feeling the rewards of a job well done, but at this point in my life, I'll take all the help I can get with the new income and living arangements. So when I moved to Boston and found out that there were unsecured wireless networks in my neighborhood and somehow free cable coming into the house, I didn't really question it.. It was good while it lasted, but it sadly came to an end. There were three networks that were always on, and always open. But, witihing three of four days of each other, they started adding passwords until I was left wireless-less :( Now it's time to do the honest thing and pay for the internet, which is why my website has been stagnant and unchanged for over a week. But, I'm back, so hopefully I can pick it back up and get some viewers back haha.

A lot has happened, in the past two weeks, City Year has been crazy busy, I've applied to come back for a second year as a project leader, and I have an interview for that position in 5 days... hopefully it goes really well because the job really does excite me, and I think I would actually be a perfect fit for it. It's for the communications project leader of CYB. If you remember, I had applied for the communications manager position, which would have actually been the boss of the position that I now have an interview for. Sadly (but not unexpectedly) I did not earn the position, but the person they did hire has an amazing resume that mine pales in comparison to, so if I do earn this position that I am now up for, I think I can learn a lot from her... I'm really excited for it. Wish me luck!

The four gentlemen of the Renaissance team (Chauvinistically self-titled the 'Four Kings') have entered into a little contest. We have a little over four months left in our terms here at CYB and we have decided to see who can get into the best shape in that time. Fueled by Kevin's 'situation' (after his 40 pound loss since moving to Boston) we have all decided to try and follow suit. I am currently in last place, but everyone loves an underdog right? I am trying incredibly hard at this, and more than an actual competition, i'm looking at it as a way to force myself to eat better, excersice more, and make my life a little healhtier. 'The Secret' is going to surprise some people, I promise.

The Zakim

The Zakim Bridge near the North End in Boston. It might not be the best picture of the bridge itsself, but it's more of the area. I loveeee the North End; amazing food, great scenery, and nice people (i think) and the Zakim is just a really cool looking bridge.

Signs of Good Things to Come (Cell Phone Saturday!)

You never know when you'll see a sign.. maybe this is one? I'm not superstitious or anything, but I love when I notice the time being 11:11, especially when it's true 11:11 in the AM. If only it was January 11th too. I always seem to check my phone, or look up at a clock when it's 11:11, I wonder why that is? But it's like clockwork, almost every day. The other day I was walking to my gym near Boston common, looked down for no real reason, and I saw the time, nestled among the trash, made me smile for a bit :)

On a more somber note, yesterday (January 15th) Karla reveived word that her one remaining grandmother passed away in her sleep sometime Friday morning. It was absolutely, completely unexpected, with no warning signs whatsoever. My way of feeling okay with the situation is that she died painlessly in her sleep, next to her husband, after having most of her family visit for an amazing last christmas. It's kind of funny, in my two years with her, we never technically had a real conversation. She spoke next to no english, and I speak next to no spanish. Sure I could thank her for the amazing papusas and rice and all the other amazing salvadorian food she introduced me to, but that was about as far as we got. Sometimes Karla would translate for me, like the time her grandma told me that I looked good because it looked like I lost weight (I contend that I lost nothing, and it was just that I was wearing looser clothes, but I can take a compliment) but more often than not, she would leave me alone, and that's when our true, nonverbal communication really took place. I still wonder if she knew I had no idea what she was saying because sometimes she would talk to me as if I was fluent and understood every word. I would usually sit there, nod a little bit, and laugh every once in a while. She knew, and I knew, and it worked.

It's a little strange that even though we never really spoke to each other, or I should say, understood each other, she was probably the person I felt most comfortable with in the Rodriguez family. My time with her was brief, and she will be missed. Please, think of Karla and her family... it's been a rough year so far for them.. Thank you.

Trees on Fire

The Trees at Quincy Market in Boston. This was taken on a Saturday night in an area where there are maybe three thousand bars, so there were a bunch of people walking by who were dressed to impress. yeah... it's true.. I was out on a saturday night with my camera and tripod, but it was all good, because my schweetie pie was with me haha.. I love the photo walks, I hope she does too.

The Frozen Pond

Today is a winter scene from the northeast. In Boston’s Public Garden, there is a big pond in the middle of the garden, where boats go back and forth with people when the weather is acceptable. Clearly, that is not the case here. I feel like this is a fairly unique shot, seeing as I am standing on the spot where the boats go back and forth. Granted, it’s not water at this point, but interesting nonetheless.

It was after the first “big” storm in Boston, I went walking through the city, looking for some wintery shots, and of course, the garden was on the list of places to visit. Karla and I didn’t know if the pond was safe to walk on, but we did notice footprints, so we figured we were probably relatively safe. Everything turned out okay though, and I succeeded in getting some angles and perspectives that normally would have been impossible… without paying to ride the swan boats that is.