Expedition #2: Dogtown Commons and the Babson Boulders

I decided to continue with my theme of rock obsession with my next adventure. My cousin Kendra was in town for the weekend, so the two of us took off Saturday morning to drive north towards Cape Ann. This is about an hour north of the city, and is quite possibly one of the most quaint and beautiful places I have been since I have lived here in Massachusetts.

As we got to the area, we went looking for Dogtown Commons. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogtown,_Massachusetts. This interesting "settlement" was once home to settlers who chose the area because of its shelter from pirates and enemy navies. The best part about this area, I thought at least, was the massive boulders with inspirational messages carved into them. Roger Babson (who would later go on to found Babson College in Wellesley, MA), commissioned unemployed stonecutters to carve these inspirational messages into boulders along the trail. Kendra and I hiked around and found at least 10-12 of teh 36 boulders. It was like a treasure hunt - except for the mosquitos the so vicously attacked me - those were no treasure.

After we were done at Dogtown Commons, we went NorthEast onto the Cape. We had lunch at a place called "The Lobster Pool" and sat out at a picnic table that looked out over the harbor. AMAZING! All in all, it was an inspirational day.

Happy Birthday Harry!

Tonight was the much anticipated release of the seventh and final book in the Harry Potter series. Coincidentally (or not so much so) it is also Harry Potter's birthday! I have been dying to get my hands on the book, and will probably have to die a little bit longer due to a "Sirius" lack of funds - pun intended. Tonight, as I mentioned in my previous entry, was the official birthday party/slash book release party. Harvard Square was turned into something of a cross between confused muggles (those who didn't realize that the square would be taken over by people in capes and hats, carrying wands) and magical people AND objects. That's right, I'm pretty sure I saw a snitch or two walking around, not to mention the giant squid that happens to live in the lake by Hogwarts. The night started out with the Hungarian Horntails - a punk rock band consisting of three kids. That's right, kids - maybe 8 or 9 years old. Then out came Draco and the Malfoys and finally Harry and the Potters. In between sets, the MC would rile up the crowd about how we can all be like Dumbledore and Harry and fight evil in the world; that there are real live Voldemorts in our lives - like genocide? I think that it was an awareness group that was hosting the show, and I totally respect what they are supporting and promoting - but it was a little funny that they were using Harry Potter-esque language to push their cause.

The highlights of my night were the TWO times I made it onto camera for TV. The first time I was stopped so they could interview me about my hat that I made, and the second time was at dinner. They interviewed my friend Chelsea about her thoughts on the upcoming book and they did a nice little camio of all of us. We were told it would be on tv Monday at 8. The channel is CN8 - a local channel I think? But they said would be "on demand". I think that means satellite . . . not quite sure. The dinner we went to was in a restaurant called "Upstairs on the Square" They had it ALL decked out - I mean, incredible. They had a sorting jar and everything so everyone could see what house they were in. I donated my hat to the restaurant to use instead of the jar, I thought it might be more authentic for them. They were really grateful, and I was happy to help. We could have waited in line to get the book, but as I said before - I'm broke. SO the book will have to wait, and hopefully I can keep myself separated from the world and gossip and people wanting to spoil the ending, until I can get my hands on it for myself.

What a night. Here a few pictures. Including my rendition of Professor Sprout (compared with Hollywoods version). I almost went and bought a cabbage patch kid so I could put weeds on its head and carry it around and call it a mandrake. There's wasn't enough time in the day . . .

Hollywood's Professor Sprout . . . .

My Professor Sprout (with my friend Carly aka Luna Lovegood, notice the handmade radish earrings and butterbeer cap necklace.)

Me and my cousin Kendra Worsley aka Ginny Weasley.

I was a little nervous about what house they would put me in - as Professor Sprout, naturally I wanted to be a Hufflepuff, but alas they put me in Slytherin :(

Practicing my magic skills - looks like I'm doing pretty good.

One too many butterbeers (they were actually cream soda with butterscotch flavoring AND whip cream on top . . . mmmmmm)

Harry Potter Frenzy

Ok. I'll admit it, I'm hooked and it's taken over my life. Thank goodness for free days with absolutley no obligations - this leaves plenty of time for me to get through all 6 Harry Potter books by Friday when the newest and last comes out. Yesterday I read Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone and today I read Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The Goal is one per day . . . do you think I can do it - I know I can . . . :) This Friday Harvard Square will be turned into "Hogwarts Square" http://www.harvardsquare.com/newsdetails.php?id=48
I can't even tell you how excited I am . . . .pictures of the actual event will be posted later.

Expedition #1: America's Stonehenge

The last time I was home, I expressed my concern of boredom this summer to my dad. He suggested that over the next 6 weeks I pick somewhere unique and go and learn about it and then let him know. I get to pick 4 places that interest me, and 2 that interest him. I love the idea, and I love my dad. So today was my first adventure. Because of my newly found fascination with stone walls, I chose to go to America's Stonehenge, located in North Salem, New Hampshire. The ruins date back to about the same time as stonehenge in Europe, AND they are described as "archeoastronomical". Basically, the different sights and monoliths lined up with the different soltices and equinoxes. It was really intriguing, and beautiful. It was set on top of a hill, which was originally called "Mystery Hill" because they didn't know what these rock formations and chambers originated from. I was even more fascinated when I saw a map of the world recording locations of other stone formations or chambers from the same time periods.

America's Stonehenge Rock Chambers

Temple of Ta Prohm in Camobia - This would be a really cool place to visit one day.

Poverty Point in Louisiana . . . how great is this?!

Feed the Birds . . . and Raccoons . . .

So, I have an interesting occurance that keeps happening, right here in my third story bedroom. Small animals repeatedly attempt to get into my room and this morning one succeeded. It all started about 3 months ago. I was sitting in my room, working on my computer which just so happens to be situated next to my window-which was open at the time- when I felt like someone was watching me. I turned to look out and right there about 2 feet from my face, with no screen or window between us, . . . .was a raccoon!! Now I've heard stories about how vicious these little guys can be (if anyone knows the Montgomery's, they lost their little dog Scooter to a pack of blood thirsty raccoons), So I screamed, slammed my window shut as fast as I could and backed away from the window. Now there is more to this story. I actually was not alone in my room when this happened. My good, loyal, never let anything hurt me friend-Erica, upon hearing my scream, thought there was a murderer or something coming in my window. So what does she do? She screams, runs out of the room. Shuts the door behind her and leaves me trapped inside with my would be assassin. You learn your friends true colors in those situations . . .
Well, this was not my only experience with critters coming into my room. I woke up this morning to the sound of something moving around in my room. My first thought was, well maybe it's coming from outside my door - a roommate in the hall perhaps. But no, this sound was definitely coming from INSIDE. I got up cautiously, I wasn't sure if Rocky Raccoon was going to jump out and attack. Then I saw the perpetrator - a sparrow had weaseled it's way in my room via the tiny little crack of space between my AC and the window. The scary thing was it couldn't get out. So what did I do? I ran out of my room and shut the door. I wasn't going to be the one left behind this time! Then - I realized how silly I was being and went in to assist the poor trapped little thing. It got out, I fixed my AC, and I don't think that I will have any more little friends in my room. However, I did just notice that the cute little bird left me a present . . . it pooped on my AC! How rude.

I wanted to hurry back to Boston for a few reasons, mainly to get settled back into routine. Vacation is nice, but if it lasts too long you tend to forget that there is a real life waiting for you when you get home. I felt myself getting to that point, so I was sad to leave my family, but happy to get back. The moment I stepped off the plane it was non-stop. Home to drop off my bags, off to the beach (well that was the intention until we noticed my friend's car had been broken into), off to get the window fixed, then to lunch, home to shower and on the the Boston Pops dress rehearsal performance at the Esplanade. I woke up early the next morning to watch the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean, on to breakfast, barbeque, and then 5 hours in the rain to watch the infamous Boston Fireworks show over the Charles. It was incredible, I felt like 5 year old giggling with excitement at all of the new and innovative fireworks that I saw . . . parachuters? jellyfish? It's madness. I finally got home at about 12:30 last night, and woke up this morning with the anxiety of my much put off to do list. Welcome back to life.

Fellowship of the unashamed

There have been poems and quotes in my life that have changed the way that I look at things and the way I react toward things. My freshman year of college, I was given the following poem by a good friend of mine, Kate (Willardson) Stoker. It has since then been pasted to my mirror, tacked on my wall, and passed on along to numerous other friends who seemed to need a little extra something to keep them going. This poem correlates with Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is the power of salvation to every one that believeth . . . .

I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. My die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labor by power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my Guide is reliable, and my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, preached up for the cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me-my banner will be clear.