Boston Skyline Photograph by Elizabeth Thomas Photo
I’m really loving living in a city again. I love the busy-ness of a city, the variety of experiences. We explored Chinatown last week and tried some delicious new kinds of food … there was a strange bulbous brown thing on top of one of the dishes that turned out to be some sort of delicious marinated egg. Plus, I finally got to try bubble tea .. in mango, my favorite fruit!
Our little girl turned 5 within a few days of arriving in Boston, and her main present from us was that I told her that sometime soon I would get a day pass for the subway, and she and I would just ride all over the city exploring and riding the train together as much as she wants. She LOVES riding the train, so she was “a hundred, a thousand, infinity!” excited about this, to use her own words. We are planning to do that today. :)
Subway art photography by The BQE
There are always adjustments to be made, though, when moving from one area to another. There’s almost a culture change in some ways .. and then in other ways, it is more just logistics. For instance, realizing just how handy a messenger bag would be on the subway! Especially when we’re only our way to Bible study, and have Bibles and notebooks to carry and such. A briefcase … ehhh, not so much. So, we ordered a messenger bag.
Also, it is getting cooler here a LOT earlier than I expected. Which in one sense, I am looooving, because it already feels like fall, my favorite season. On the other hand, my warmer clothes are packed away and less accessible. While I was packing just a few weeks ago at the end of August in Kentucky, it felt like time for maxi dresses and white skirts and flip flops still had a long life to live – now, though, I’m craving jackets, light scarves and tights. I am so looking forward to the leaves changing – I’m sure I’ll be sharing pictures of that with you!
Large carry-all bag by HandmadeTherapy
Getting organized in a small space and with fewer belongings is also different. I can be organized when I NEED to be (for instance, in my craft biz), but organization does not come naturally to me. I’ve been reading Lori’s series over on In My Kitchen, In My Life, about “cerebral homemaking“, and it has definitely been a big help, and I hope to put more of her advice into practice, especially when we are a little more settled.
But in the end, I am just so tickled to be here. I keep squeezing Tim’s arm as we walk down the street near Boston Commons saying, “We are HERE!” We’ve been wanting to move here for so long, sometimes I forget that this isn’t just a visit – we have moved! And that our friends here, who have been SO kind and helpful during our move, are now our neighbors.
I feel so blessed.
Now I just need to find some shoes that aren’t flip-flops or high heels … that’s mostly what I have, and that’s not exactly great riding-the-subway-in-cold-weather material. ;)
Ballerina Shoes Photograph by magalerie
What about you? Do you like city life or country life?
Boring is not on the menu of my life. This is all about making home a more flourishing place - no more ho-hum, let’s do extraordinary! Let’s turn off the tv, and turn on life. Let’s go exploring, let’s experiment in the kitchen, let’s play, let’s flourish!
7 Comments
So great when your city feels like home, right? Sounds like you’ve snuggled on in and embraced the concrete jungle…
I love both city and country. I grew up in a big-ish city (for Canadian standards!) and now live in a small town surrounded by forest. There are merits to both. I sleep in complete serene quiet and breathe clean air all the time. When I’m in the city I am inspired by the colours, lights, culture…
We are richer for appreciated the blessings that both have to offer!
Popping over from the EBT…
Oh, yes, I definitely agree about the blessings of both! Largely, I like “new” and change and exploring different areas. I had fun exploring the small town we were in before, and now I’m enjoying the more urban area. I think I really do prefer the city though. :) Thanks for stopping by! :)
I never used to think I would like city life for longer than a visit — I’m a former farm girl and might adult life has been spent in small towns — but in the last few years I have had times of wishing to live in a city for…
…I dunno — maybe longterm temporarily? Actually, The Husband might need to work in one of his agency’s regions for awhile someday — Boston is one of the possibilities! There is something enticing about the idea of a year or two of city lights. It really would be like another culture for me.
Oooooh, you should coooooooooome! :D
Boston sounds neat. I grew up in the country and I do love the wide open spaces. I think I’ve become a suburb girl though – I feel like I get the best of both worlds that way. Love taking the T (Pittsburgh’s light rail transit) to town. I’ve often found myself wishing I lived in a small enough town where I could walk to the grocery store, etc. But no wish to live right in the “city”!
I’m so excited for you guys! Moving to a new place must be such a thrill. Get ready for a lot of snow!
I’m a city person for sure. My family lived in a small town for a few years when I was in high school and I hated it. I immediately moved back to the city for college, haha. I need the hustle and bustle. In fact, we just bought our first house in a really quiet neighborhood and it’s super weird not to hear road noise.
I really appreciate both, but my head feels clearer in a country atmosphere. I love seeing when God’s creation outnumbers man’s. However, I also love how everything is accessible in a city. And a little hustle and bustle never hurt anyone. My favorite thing about cities is architecture and lights!
Boston is my favorite city so far. Quincy Market, the Pru, South Station, all the historical locations… And have you heard about the free concerts on the lawn of the Hatch Shell on Wednesdays during the summer? Hmm, I think it must be time to plan a trip to Boston!