Reading Public Library

After a month of neglecting my long to-do list, I decided it was time to get serious (two days before returning to school). I spent a few hours at the library this morning working on my application to be an RA next year and a summer internship application. If you think the building looks like a school, you win the million-dollar prize because it was, in fact, a school many moons ago.
Location: Reading, MA

Purty Shirt...y?

I forgot to take a picture of the highlight of my day, which was breakfast with my aunts and my grandmother, so here's an artsy picture of a shirt that I bought today. I quite like it and I'm excited for an occasion to wear it. 

Winchester Unitarian Universalist Society

This is the church I attended with my parents as a wee one (if you can believe that I was ever wee). Dad is still involved in the church and I was here to pick him up today. I'm sharing a picture of the back of the building, because the picture I took while stopped at the red light in front of the building was a little rushed.
Location: Winchester, MA

Ephemeral

Location: Sturbridge, MA

Karaoke Time!

Shaunna brought me to her usual Thursday night haunt, Mexicali, for karaoke. If you know me, you will not be surprised to hear that I did not sing. Neither did Shaunna, actually. We had fun hanging out, listening to music, and chatting with people instead.
Location: Spencer, MA

Pilot For Hire

I'm spending a few days at Shaunna's house this week so I can spend some quality time with her and the kids. Tonight I hung out with Solomon who is still excited about the remote control helicopter he got for Christmas. Later on I spent some quality time with Noah and Darius, so it was a good night.
Location: Sturbridge, MA

See Ya Later, Comcast!

Today, Mom and I spent some quality time with Louie, the Verizon guy that installed FiOS for us. Now we have more channels, OnDemand, and DVR. This is good stuff. 

Nostalgia

Today is a cleaning and purging day at the McIntosh house, so I took a picture of my old crayons, markers, colored pencils, and poker chips that I have been reluctant to let go of because of their nostalgic value. In the spirit of cleaning and for the purpose of creating more space, I decided that I could take a picture of them and let them go. Then Mom told me that we'd keep them for when the grandkids visit. Figures.

Yankee Swappin'

Mom, Dad, and I went to another annual Christmas party today where we always have lots of yummy food and do a Yankee Swap (or White Elephant). Dad hung onto his silly hat for a while, but alas, it was taken from him.
Location: Walpole, MA

Toasting the New Year

Carey, Amelia, and I spent New Year's Eve together, as usual. This year we stayed in to swap Christmas presents and watch the ball drop on TV. At midnight, we toasted the new year with sparkling cider.
Location: Carey's House, Reading, MA

Not Quite A Pro Yet

Over the past two weeks I've worked some hours at Victoria Gourmet to earn some money over break. A lot of those hours were spent making boxes and filling them with partitions so they could later be filled with jars of seasonings and spices, that I highly recommend you try.
Location: Woburn, MA

Rest In Peace, Aunt Terry

This is a picture of my mom's Aunt Terry and her husband John. I did not take this picture but I want to share it with you because it captures how full of life Aunt Terry was. I did not know her very well, but I can say without a doubt that the world lost a beautiful and inspiring woman when she passed away earlier this week. My deepest sympathy to the loved ones who buried her today. 

I See You Too

Location: Woburn, MA

Dinner and a Movie

Carey, Amelia, and I got together for a yummy dinner and a movie this evening. We try to save our money by occupying ourselves with free activities but we decided to make an exception tonight. Panera was delicious (I might be addicted now.) and Sherlock Holmes was great! My apologies for sharing a picture of pieces of paper instead of Carey and Amelia.
Location: Woburn, MA

Travels With Grammy Carol

Mom, Dad, and I had lunch with my grandmother on my dad's side today in Salisbury. It was a perfect destination for lunch because one of Grammy Carol's favorite restaurants is there and I love the beach. After lunch we went out on the cold windy beach to walk around for a few minutes (and take pictures of course). We took the scenic route back to Grammy Carol's house which was a very pretty drive at dusk and I saw a buck in the woods.
Location: Salisbury, MA

We're Basically Professionals Now

Mom and I spent hours working on Shaunna's Christmas present today. Even though it took a long time to get the pictures printed, framed, and wrapped we had fun working on it together. It was worth it too; Shaunna loved this set and the individually framed photos we gave her.
Location: Living Room

When In Doubt, Read The Directions I Guess

Mom knows she's getting a new printer for Christmas because she bought it for herself. What she doesn't know is that instead of wrapping it, Dad and I set it up after she went to bed. Now she can print wirelessly whenever she wants...tomorrow for example, when she'll be printing pictures for Christmas gifts.
Location: Living Room

Grandpa's Jade

My parents and I had brunch with my grandparents at their house this morning. We sat around chatting for a while with grandpa's jade in the window. Mom was commenting on the flowers just before we left and asked me to take a picture. I'm glad I did.
Location: Grandma & Grandpa's house, Westwood, MA

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

Our creation is complete! Mom, Dad, and I trimmed our tree tonight and now it's covered in everything from glass bulbs to homemade cloth ornaments. I love that so many of our ornaments have a story behind them and it's fun to talk about them as we search for the perfect spot on the tree.
Location: Living Room

¿Tú hablas español?

I have studied French since the first grade and in May I'm going to Central America, where French will do me no good. So it's time to start teaching myself Spanish. My thanks to the Reading Public Library for these educational materials.