As I'm sure you are all aware Boston was bombed during the Boston marathon and I won't bore you with the details that I'm sure you all know. I just wanted to say that I am so grateful for a Heavenly Father that protects us and guides us. Jason's work is literally a block away from where the second bomb went off. I am so glad that he is safe. My work is very close to where the most intense searches for the fugitive were taking place. I am so grateful that everyone is still safe from that. There are just so many things that could have happened but things turned out all right. Our city was on the alert for a week and then for one intense day we were all under lockdown. It was an amazing experience to know that millions of people were locked in their houses but we were all oddly connected by the news channels that tied us all together and united us in our solitude. (poetic huh?) :) I am just grateful more than I can say that so many people were saved and that the majority of the people were ok.
And now the most important news! Jason Graduated this last week!! Hip Hip Hooray!! It was a very fun graduation too. Normally you sit through a graduation and its hours and hours of people talking and then the procession of the students seems like it will last for eternity. But this was a bit different because its a music college, these people know how to entertain, It's their business. So the night before graduation we went to the commencement concert which was really exciting. Every year Berklee gives out honorary doctorate degree to people who have dedicated their lives to music. These people usually perform in the concert. This year Berklee gave these degrees to Annie Lennox, Willie Nelson, and Carole King. They sang and then in the commencement ceremonies Annie Lennox spoke/sang her talk. I was entertained, Jason was a little ornery due to the very little sleep that he had had all week so he didn't get to enjoy it as much as I did. Finals are rough. But now they are over and He's a gradgiat!
Jason's parents came to visit for the graduation and we were able to do a lot of fun things while they were out here. Boston is a city for tourists! there are millions of things to see and do it is so full of history and natural beauty. I hope some of you at least are able to make it out here to see the amazing things that are here. The Freedom trail is a top hit with all who are visiting Boston so of course we traveled along that for a little tour of history.
The trail takes you through all the important buildings of the revolution and all the cemeteries where people like Paul Revere are buried.
Also in our journeys we were able to visit the aquarium which is right on the ocean so it is full of interesting sea creatures. The sea lions entertained us greatly with their queer behaviors and loud barks. But my favorite were the sting rays which we were able to touch and the jelly fish which were just cool to look at.
The sting rays were squishy and soft and a little slimy but very cool to touch
This guy was in the "dangerous" fish tank
Whatcho lookin' at
This is the male sea lion and he was HUGE. At least half the size of my car.
The Jelly fish were hard to take pictures of because their tanks were dark so you could see them glowing.
We also went Whale watching which turned out to be more exciting than planned for. We got on the boat and everything was fine. The water was a little choppy once we got out onto the ocean and started going fast but it was exciting... at first. We went up front to the bow and it was so much fun but the ocean on the east coast is very cold so we quickly decided that we needed to go inside the boat to warm up. Jason bought us some hot cocoa which was nice and we continued on our bouncy way FOR AN HOUR. Anyone who can withstand that without getting sick has my admiration. Needless to say I was one of the MANY who threw up on our way out. Unfortunately I was the only one who had holes in my bag. We had bought a bag of grapes before going out and we had poked holes in the bottom to let the water drain. In the rush of trying to get me a bag to barf in no one remembered the holes until the bag had drained onto my lap and the seat and my camera. It was awful! Right on par with the Barf Mobile incident. My enjoyment of the Whales was slightly diminished because I had to experience it in my own filth but it was still really cool to watch them. There were over half a dozen whales a dozen dolphins, sea lions and I don't know what else. I wanted to watch them but every time I looked at them in the water my stomach would turn. Jason was a real trouper and took excellent care of me (poor guy, he had to sit with a barfy, barf covered wife for at least three hours). Luckily my father in law got some great pictures with my camera which was handed into his care (out of reach of the vomit). Enough of the grossness here are some pictures.
"Basten" from the Harbor as we headed out
We were right off the coast of Cap Cod where they have their Whale Sanctuary. The tour guide said the sanctuary was the size of Rhode Island I think. Anyway, they were amazing to watch. Hopefully next time the sea won't be so choppy and we will be sure to take precautions.
We love you all and miss you. Can't wait to see some of you this summer.
