FEAR

A distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.

There I was, sitting at my desk, typing away, minding my own business, when all of a sudden I see something crawling toward me. I turn my head just in time to see the BIGGEST Cockroach moving at an unbelievably fast pace, headed straight for me! In a complete panic, I jump up on top of my chair and start yelping like there's no tomorrow. "Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh, Help, A, a, a, a, HELP!"

My two co-workers come running out. I jump over my desk (it's true) explaining to them that a cockroach has just tried to attack me. They both act somewhat concerned when all of a sudden the thing comes darting out from under my desk and runs across the office floor. All three of us ran away screaming.

Being the only people in the office at this point (there were no boys around) we decide that we better take care of it ourselves. (I say we but I mean everyone but me. I ran straight for my camera. I figured I could do more help by documenting the incident than by shrieking every time the thing moved.)

Judy grabbed something heavy, Barbara opened the door just in case he ran that direction and I stood way back ready to run. As the cockroach came out from under the couch, Judy threw the box on top of him and jumped up on top of it . . . you know, just in case.

You are probably wondering what a man is doing in the picture. Let me explain.

After Judy jumped up on the box we stood there for a long while not knowing what to do. None of us wanted to move the box, I mean what if it wasn't dead under there. All of a sudden it hit me, "Let's call security!" We were all in agreement that Charlie our amazing doorman would come to our rescue. I picked up the phone and told him the situation. His reply, "I'll be right there." (I love that man)

Charlie was laughing and laughing and laughing. He couldn't believe Judy was stuck on top of the box while Barbara and I were huddled in the corner ready to run in case the thing was strong enough to knock Judy off the box and come after us. Ever so carefully, Charlie moved the box to reveal the dead monster underneath. It was HUGE! We all gasped. Charlie laughed.

When we asked Charlie how he knew it was our office that called (I forgot to say my name when I called him) he said with a huge smile on his face, "Oh I knew who it was." Not sure what he meant by that. :)

Summer Time Fun

Boston has been wet and cold this summer, so on the good days I try to get out and do as much as I possibly can. Here's just a few of the fun things I've been up to lately.

Outdoor movies at the Hatch Shell. This particular night we watched Kung Fu Panda. If you haven't seen it yet, you should. I laughed and laughed.

Backyard Barbeque's! Chen Ying's landlord lets her use his beautiful back yard. It comes with lots of shade, a huge grill, a nice sitting area and a pool. Backyards like this are rare in the Cambridge area so it's a real treat to be able to use this one!

Just look at all that food!

Here was my contribution. It was the easiest thing I've ever put together and it got tons of compliments! It's cool whip, strawberries, blueberries and an angel food cake. So Simple!

Enjoying a nice hot day with good friends, good food and an awesome backyard . . . priceless!

I also attended the Revere Beach Sand Sculpture Competition again this year. The weather was perfect for it. We went in the evening, took in the sculptures, ate some fried dough and watched the fireworks show.

This one was probably my favorite. The birds are overtaking his whole body. A little disturbing but still very cool.

Here's the winner! (below) It was by far the most impressive.

Boston really is a great place in the summer! There are always things to do as long as the weather stays good. So, pray for good weather so I can keep playing outside!

Unexpected Happiness

It's Thursday night, I'm at the airport trying to hold it together after being told that my trip to Minnesota is not going to happen. I was devastated. I was so looking forward to laughing all night with Jana, seeing Minnesota for the first time, getting away from the rainy mess that has become my home and sharing the 4th of July with some of the best people out there, the Kucera Family.

I thought my 4th of July was ruined . . . but boy oh boy was I wrong! The weather was perfect the fireworks were great and the company was superb.

It all started on Thursday night. Matty lifted my spirits by taking me out for Mexican food (my favorite) and to see Up in 3D which I highly recomend.

The following night we ventured out with some friends to watch the dress rehearsal of the 4th of July concert.

(Chen Ying, Me, Emily, Anna, Amy)

The Boston Pops played, Neil Diamond sang, Craig Ferguson cracked some jokes there was a sing a long . . . It was tons of fun.

(Anna and Chen Ying)

They even tested out the confetti machines!

On the 4th Matty and I went out to Marblehead, MA. We packed ourselves a great picnic in one of the coolest picnic baskets I have ever seen and had lunch on the beach.

After lunch we played in the water, did a little hat shopping and looked at some local art. Marblehead was having some kind of local arts festival along with a little kids sand castle building competition and kite flying. It was so fun to people watch and discover a new place.

On our way back to Boston, we drove around Nahant. It was absolutely beautiful!

That night we met up with some of our friends by the Charles river to watch the fireworks. We were sitting under the speakers, right across from the barge where the fireworks are shot off. We had the perfect spot thanks to Lumina and Rene.

We got ourselves some BBQ, played some games, danced to Neil Diamond (who I think is a little weird by the way), sang patriotic songs and watched an amazing fireworks show.

(Lumina and Rene)

Even though I wasn't able to spend my 4th in Minnesota, it turned out to be one of the best weekends thanks to Boston and the great people in my life.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

HAPPY 4th of JULY!!!

These are some of my favorite 4th of July pictures! Thanks Shelly and James for being such great models!