Summer of Cupcakes

I was reading through my blog the other day and remembering how much I actually enjoyed writing this past year, so I decided I would continue sharing my thoughts (in hope that some people may actually enjoy reading it it), but when I sat down at my computer to begin writing I found myself at a loss for words. I'm in the middle of a great internship at Big Sister's Association of Greater Boston, and as much as I enjoy it and am learning a great deal about development and working in non-profits, it's not exactly the most exciting thing to write about (mainly because my days consist of sending out emails and sitting around waiting for a response). I decided that my blog would take a break until a more...vibrant experience came my way, but I didn't realize this new experience would come so quickly.....

I knew that my summer wouldn't be the most exciting, working Monday-Thursday 9-1, picking up hours at Radio 92.9 when I could, and with most of my friends living much further south; so I decided I would MAKE FUN for myself which is why I decided this summer I would: FIND THE BEST CUPCAKE IN BOSTON!

Now my plan was to just do this for myself-- I love cupcakes, I love Boston, so this was just an excuse for me to do something in the city outside of work. When I mentioned my plan to people it was suggested that I blog about it. I thought it seemed like a kind of silly idea until last night when I visited the first stop on my list. I never thought I had so much to say about a cupcake.


The size, the c:f (cupcake to frosting radio), the toppings, the flavor, the monetary value of the cupcake, the bakery staff, the interior design of the bakery---it was all being factored in, and I was excited! SO I decided that I would blog about my cupcake adventures. If you have any suggestions about where I should visit, flavors I should try, other factors that I should consider, PLEASE feel free to share.

Hopefully by the end of the summer I will have named the BEST CUPCAKE IN BOSTON! If not, it will be something fun to keep me and you occupied.

Stay tuned, my first review will be posted soon!

xo.
-A

Couldn't wait to get going, but wasn't quite ready to leave

It’s 7:10am and I’m writing this from bus from UEA to Heathrow. As we pulled out of the campus driveway and I watched the Sportspark, Arts Building, and the lake roll past my window I found myself holding back tears. These places, buildings, and landmarks that I have become so familiar with were disappearing behind me and the reality that I will never see them again began to sink in.

I find focusing on missing places is easier than focusing on missing people. I need to have faith that Kieran, Rich, and Rach WILL come visit me and Phoebe at Dickinson next year; in 5, 10, or maybe 15 years I’ll get an invitation to Kari’s wedding and I’ll jump on a plane to Norway to celebrate with her. These things could happen, they will happen—because thinking I may never see them all again is just too sad. As I hugged my friends’ goodbye I acted like it was any other temporary departure, it was easier—and because of the relationship we have I am confident that this was not goodbye for good, that I WILL see them again.

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Last night at dinner Kieran asked Phoebe and then proposed to me to sum up our time abroad in three words. Well, we never did that, but I’ve been thinking about it and the three words I would choose are:

life-changing, overwhelming, unforgettable

I’ve never had a year when I felt so lost and confused, yet perfectly comfortable at the same time. When I was so incredibly happy, but also always felt a little sad. Where I felt perfectly at home, but also constantly homesick.

This year was challenging in ways I did not anticipate, it forced me outside of my comfort zone, and sometimes that was scary as hell. I was expecting a cultural difference, but I did not realize in an English speaking country there would be such a language barrier. I knew I had fewer classes but I didn’t truly comprehend that that meant I would sometimes only leave my flat four hours a week. I was excited to have my own room and bathroom, but the loneliness was sometimes too difficult to handle.

I do not regret my decision to study abroad for a year, but I definitely would do things differently next time. I love England, and can’t wait to come back, but it’s no longer time to look back at the past 9 months, I’m ready to look ahead to the future. To my final SUMMER VACATION, to my internship, to the Red Sox, to summer concerts, to a summer in Boston, and to my senior year. I’m finishing this up as I sit in Starbucks in Heathrow Airport waiting for my gate number to be put up—this chapter of my life will be coming to a close at approximately 8:10pm EST as I land at JFK in New York, but the next one is just around the corner and I’m ready.



Don’t forget about me, I’m not leaving anytime soon.

xo.
-A