* Warning: Visuals Overload *
Finally, an updated entry of my short stay at Massachusetts. Took me such a long time to get this post done. On paper, it’s supposed to be a 5d4n trip but seeing that we took about 10hrs to drive from Buffalo to Hopkinton, MA … you can thus pretty much say that in reality, we only had 3 short days for exploration. Nevertheless, get ready to embark on a short journey away from Buffalo and over to Boston!
The state of Massachusetts is to Universities, just as how the state of New York (Well, although mainly just NYC) is to Fashion and Style. Some of the first few things that come to mind would be Ivy League universities such as “Harvard” and “Massachusetts Institute of Technology”.
Need me say more?
2nd Day : Thanksgiving with the Briners
“Thanksgiving is a time for tradition and sharing.” A holiday that is of utmost importance to many Americans. As such, what’s a better way to celebrate our very first Thanksgiving in the company and home of an American family? Organised by ISI, this Thanksgiving trip gave many international students (like me) the rare opportunity to have a homestay with a family, as well as the chance to see abit of USA outside of just Buffalo. Like I mentioned previously, it was pure coincidence that Tian Tian and Anita were also assigned to the same host family as me. Seems like I can never ‘get rid’ of those gals lol. We also had Phyllis (the co-ordinator of this trip) and Yan Li, a doctorate student from China here with us too.
You know how they say that it’s always the company and people who makes a difference? I wouldn’t reveal much about the family here cz I don’t think that’s the respectful thing to do. But bottomline, each and every of us agreed that we were so fortunate and blessed to have them as our host family. It felt like a home away from home, felt good. Wanting to get a wider perspective of the different cultures from around the globe, the Briners often participate in programmes that enable them to host international students from around the globe. Not only that but April also teaches them something new about a foreign country each week – the different aspects, both physically and culturally.
Let me introduce … … The HAPPY FAMILY ! Joe, April, Braelyn, Brooklyn and Blake 
It’s a huge family that the Briners have. That is if you include their 2 gerbils, 1 hamster and of course their papillon dog, Zara, that everyone loves. Zara adores me, you’ll see why later. She’s so full of energy … always nudging us to play ball with her and she’s speedy at that too. Dashes back within 5 seconds after you throw the ball at her. And we can play rounds with that, she never gets exhausted.
Started off the day with an early morning stroll around the neighbourhood. Think big space, plenty of land, huge houses with large backyards. And some with their own mini-playground and swimming pool too.
Anita and lil’ Blake on his bike.
Braelyn and Zara.
Zara, the dog that loves to pose for the camera.
Back at home, where we let the games and fun began.
I don’t want to say “I told you so…” but see, I told you before that Zara loves me. She can’t resist planting a wet kiss on my lips lol.
Thanksgiving 8-course Buffet-style feast. All dishes cooked from scratch by April. She’s such a gourmet cook, we have mouth-watering and scrumptious meals that could even rival against some well-known restaurants. The typical fare including turkey, green bean casserole, waldorf salad, sweet potatoes, mashed potates, apple and pumpkin pies … you name it, we have it all. Just like a mother, April narrated to us the origins of Thanksgiving. Here’s a summarized version of it. Pilgrims who left England and in search of a new world over in America encountered alot of challenges along the way – harsh weather conditions and the lack of proper food. Many died, leaving only about 50 who survived the first winter. It was the Native Americans (Red Indians) who taught these pilgrims how to plant the various crops – sweet potatoes, beans, corns- and it was thanks to them that the settlers had beaten the odds and survived. A such, this was how Thanksgiving got to come about – a time to show thanks and gratitute to everyone who had sheltered us with love or care along the way.
Our attempts at painting and art after a hearty meal. Do you think we can carve out a career as an artist?
What’s the next big holiday after Thanksgiving? Let me give you a hint * Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells.” That’s right, it’s Christmas Time. And so, together as a ‘family’ we began assembling the different parts of the tree together. Reminds me of home when my family does it annually. Look, April even sewed Xmas socks for everyone in the household, including a tiny one for Zara!
3rd Day: Cambridge
No one comes to MA and not visit the 2 famous academic establishments. Like a typical tourist, we did the usual tours around both MIT and Harvard. The last I checked, Harvard came in No.1 and MIT, no. 4 in terms of National University rankings.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Welcome to America’s most prestigious univeristy – Harvard University. The 1 univeristy that has educated and nurtured the minds of everyone who subsequently graduated to become successful businessman to U.S. Presidents and Academic Prize award winners. Cracks me up to see so many students purchasing Harvard hoodie and stationeries. In case you’re wondering, NO .. I didn’t buy any of those. I have a UB hoodie though, and Im proud of that
* Statue of the 3 lies*
1) There is no-known portrait of John Harvard. 2) John Harvard is not the founder of the university. It was however, named after him. 3) Havard University was found in 1636, not 1638.
Massachuseets Hall (the oldest university building) , Widener Library, Adminstrative building, Fogg Art Museum (the world’s largest and most comprehensive art collection museum).
Standing in front of the Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library, which is the largest academic library in the whole world.
.Asian Night.
So, 1 of the requests made by the Briners was for us girls to cook an Asian dish for them. Well, obviously I couldn’t contribute many ideas as cooking is not exactly a forte of mine but thanks to Yan Li and Tian Tian, we finally settled on making delicious wontons for them. I did help out with the filling and rolling, well easy task. Rich in taste and flavour, the wontons got all of us (Well, excluding the kids who found the taste of the Chinese dried mushrooms to be alil too overpowering for them) desiring for more.
April made these delicious Thailand spring rolls and the peanut sauce. Reminded me of popiah. And we all devoured, eating it to our hearts’ content.
What’s a Christmas tree without its jolly holiday decorations and lightings? Day 1 was to get the tree up and now, it’s time for us to continue decorating it with the many delicate and pretty ornaments that the family has.
Nothing delights the kid in you as much as a beautifully decorated and lighted Xmas Tree.
4th Day: Boston
Once the most influential city in the United States, Boston is the historical city in New England. In fact, history records stated that the first Euro-American pioneers arrived and settled at Charlestown, which is a short drive from Boston. Embark on the Freedom Trail that allows you to take in all of America’s Revolution History. The culturally-rich heritage trail is lined with churches, state houses, museums and burying grounds. What that really made me fall in love with this place is the neat fusion of colonial-era architecture buildings and the modern, stylish skyscrappers all in a small city. Parks and hidden corners also provide an oasis away from the hustle of a city, thus making life in Boston seemingly more chilled and easy-going than the populous NYC.
Some sites that we saw along the city streets (4km trail) :
. Massachusetts State House
. Park Street Church
. Old Granary Burying Ground (Lies some of history’s most venerable residents)
. King’s Chapel
. Old South Meeting House (Taxation Protests)
. Old State House (Where the Declaration of Independence was signed)
. Faneuil House and Quincy Market
Quincy Market, which was Boston’s main wholesale food distribution center from the 1825 to the 1960. With the increasing need to catch up with modern times, Quincy undergone through a total revamp and now has indoor retail and food stores. (similar to Bugis) With Christmas being just round the corner, the streets were bustling with Christmas caroling and acrobatics performances that kept the energy levels high.
Christmas Caroling along the streets. Imagine the 20-plus of us gathering and joining in the caroling by clapping and singing along. No doubt about it, we were such attention-grabbers. Tell me, there’s no escaping from feeling the inevitable Christmas spirits in the air.
This real estate sign happened to catch my eye. It says “It’s what’s UP downtown. Luxury Condominiums” right smack in Boston City. So, I saw this sign out of so many others … does this tells you something? :p
Attempting to do a “Victoria Secret” shoot against the harbour-front backdrop.
Following that, it was a night of dinner and talent shows.
Can never get enough of sleep with these mischievous kids around. Looking at the many pictures and videos that we took, I still can’t believe that I went along with them and acted all so-foolish and silly. I truly enjoyed their company and we basically roared and laughed throughout the whole time. Our laughters were so loud and I guess, interuptive that Joe had to come in to check on us. You can just imagine the priceless looks on both Brooklyn’s and Blake’s faces when they were suddenly interrupted by his presence.. Stopped dead in their tracks and stared at him. And let’s say, I was embarrassed too! Caught in the act, when I was supposed to be an older sister to them lol.
Home Sweet Home?
The day where tears flowed. I didn’t want to bid farewell to them. Why is it that we had to say our goodbyes just when we start to get to know one another better? It was especially difficult for me to say bye to both Brooklyn and Blake, having bonded with them the most. Little Blake who’s always asking me to partner with him in games, or to sit beside him at the back of the car during rides. And Brooklyn, whom I never fail to give a teddy hug to whenever I see her. Being able to see a glimpse of both Cambridge and Boston was merely was the icing on the cake, a bonus. Needless to say, the highlight of the trip was to be able to live with the Briners and be “part of their family” for a short period of time. The only disappointment was that it was way too short. The Briners’ optimism in life definitely gave me some food for thought and made me reflect on my life. To them, a simple life doesn’t equal to a boring life. They gave me alot of insights into the many different things in life - such as, keeping the flame burning in a marriage ( Joe and April… man, you can feel the chemistry between them even after 15yrs of marriage), raising kids and education (Well, im not ready for that stage in my life yet but it’s good to listen to parents who’ve been through it) , relocation and having to re-adjust to a new city/location, finding time for oneself even when u are constantly surrounded by people, and i guess … cook new dishes (receipes from April!) ? It is probably 1 thing in my short stay here in USA that impacted a great deal on my life. Was trying to schedule a time to meet up with the Briners again but due to conflicting schedules, I guess we’ve just got to keep in contact with both snail and emails .
*I made a promise to Brooklyn and I will keep my word
~ Up Next: Snowball fights and snow angels ~
It’s someone whom I once said that I can never get rid of lol. :p (T.T)
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) and Miami Dolphins.
blisschic
