The Perks of Being an SO

Bom dia amigos and hope all is well.  Paul and I just flew in from Brazil (and boy are our arms tired! Hahaha) but since I have a few minutes to myself, snuggling with my kitty and waiting for our appointed bed time of 9:00 tonight, I thought a little reflection would be necessary.

One year ago, Paul was accepted into the MIT LGO program and we could not have been more excited.  We were both applying to grad schools, but I knew that for Paul, it was MIT or bust.  I knew I would be in Boston, and I was ready for a change.  Little did I know how much I would love the change.  I didn't know how awesome it was to be a significant other in the LGO community.  It rocks!  There are so many perks to the role that I had no idea about:

Comedy club

Going to the '90s pajama party

Bachelorette party for the SOs in pink

Perk #1: Instant friends

I am considered an extroverted person, but this time, I didn't have to work hard at it.  Within the first month of meeting the other LGOs and SOs, I felt completely at home.  Everyone is so relaxed and sweet, that it would be difficult not to like people.  Usually, I tend to stay away from all female groups because of cattiness, but there is literally non to be had.  I love everyone and feel at home with this large group of people.  

Perk #2: Constant fun

I have yet had a boring evening.  In fact, most times when Paul and I stay in, it is because we are tired or think we need some alone time, not because there is nothing to do.  During the summer, I always had friends either come sit on our rooftop, go to a free exercise class with me down on the Esplanade, or just walk around with a friend.  MIT sponsors so many events and sometimes, we just have to say no.  But we always have the FOMO- Fear of Missing Out :).  MIT and Boston are too much fun.

Our Thanksgiving with friends

Before going out on the boat cruise with MIT

Apple picking fun

LGOs on the MIT boat dock on July 4th

Perk #3- the Community and responsibilities

I am an actress and singer as most of you know, and moving to Boston was a little hard on my creative side, especially when I got into BU.  I had a hard time adjusting to not singing and acting a lot.  So, getting involved in clubs on campus was a helpful way to alleviate my itch through the a capella group The Muddy Chords.  It feels awesome that once a week, I have a rehearsal to go to and that I'm totally included in the MIT community.  Even though I am not the one who goes to school here, I feel very much a part of the group.  Plus, I get to help out with the new SOs!  Fun!

I helped with the staging of LGO's Antigone!

Perk #4- International Plant Trek

I'm sure this goes more in the vein of constant fun, but if you can get the opportunity to go on the International Plant Trek, do it!  I think next year it is China, but this year was Brazil and it was great fun.  No, you don't go to the manufacturing plants, if that's not your thing.  SOs are the ones running around, actually seeing the fun stuff and the LGOs get jealous :).  In Brazil, the LGOs saw some great plants...we saw monkeys in the wild.  I don't think I need to say anything else.  (Sorry, no pictures yet!)

Perk #5- Support and Connections

When I withdrew from BU, I felt like such a failure.  The LGOs and SOs though were so positive for me that I felt much better about my decision.  Everyone shares their triumphs and concerns and if a helping hand is needed, it is given.  Most people may feel concerned about leaving family behind in a town due to support, but the thing is, there is a family is Boston to help.   I never had to search too hard for someone to watch our cat when we are out of town and I try to pay it forward as much as I can.  It's great.

Also, the connections to other people often lead to help in finding jobs or (this may sound gold diggerish) having great new adventures.  We were able to go on several vacations because an LGO invited us.  We never say no to free lodging :).

There are a whole lot more to write, but those are the top ones that I think encompass what it is to be an SO here.  I have loved my first year in Boston and I fear for May 2014, when it has to end.  We will all separate, but I hope that the majority of us will stay in contact.  Ugh, I don't think I want to write too sappily, but for those who are wondering, this is the SO experience.  Your LGO maybe busy, but you are every bit as integrated in the program.  

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You're not forgotten!

I'm so sorry!  I have been meaning to post, but I wanted to do it in an exciting manner.  I'll just update everyone.  Paul will be interning with Kimberly-Clark in South America!

He starts in June and will return in December.  I will be with him in the summer (South America's winter) and then return for school at the very end of August.  We are brushing up Paul's Spanish and getting super excited.  We will let you know where exactly we will start out, but we can only stay in a country for 30 days, so it will be a lot of moving around.

So, it's time to think of an inventive name to rename the blog for a little bit!

I will do massive updates, but tomorrow, we are heading off to sunny Brazil for international plant trek with the infamous LGO's!  I'm ready for some warm weather after our snow a couple days ago...and it's snowing again.  I don't care!  I wouldn't trade this place for anything!

Now, just gaze at the map and contemplate where you think we will head to.  I love our life!

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New York with Paul

Hello friends!

Change of pace finally happened this week when Paul and I decided to go to NYC for the weekend.  We left Friday, and as I'm sure so many of you know, we left in the middle of a snow storm.  We were a little nervous to go on our trip in a bus.  But at least we weren't driving.  However, our scheduled 4 hour trip became a 7 hour trip, as we got stuck in the snow on the highway for 30 min- 1 hr.  And Paul and I forgot our water bottles and any snacks.  Such a grave mistake.  Luckily, we got to stop at a rest station, where I proceeded to buy all the Pop-Tarts in the vending machines.

Even though the trip began with a few hiccups, it was still a great one.  I love that I can visit NYC so easily and it is considered a weekend trip to us now.  Better go while I can, as we only have one year left in the program.

Our hotel was near Times Square, so after checking in and eating a half a pizza (we were ravenous), we hurried to the Roosevelt Island Tram, which affords anyone with great views of the city.

Paul's first remark about the city: "Look at all these taxis!"

We then visited Central Park and marveled at how such a large green space can exist in such a huge city.

After that excursion, we had dinner at a hole in the wall sushi place and went to the Eastville Comedy Club.  It was hilarious and we saw a semi-famous person, Janeane Garofelo...who was not great.  But everyone else was amazing.  

That evening, we strolled around and saw Rockefeller Building and the Lego store.  This is for Kris!

The next day, we were rudely awaken by the TV, which apparently had a secret alarm that scared us dumb.  That was at 6:30 and we never forgave it.  Anyway, we got a couple of bagels at Ess-A-Bagel, and then headed off to the Brooklyn Bridge.  We had a great time walking around and seeing the beautiful views.  We took a lot of pictures for you David!

Statue of Liberty, off to the left

Empire State Building

New World Trade Center

Neighboring bridge

After Brooklyn Bridge, we tried to visit the WTC memorial, but found you had to get some reserved tickets of some sort?...we weren't sure, but there were tons of people and we just remembered from a distance.

Sculpture near the memorial

So tall

Paul admired the subway system.  It was quite advanced to us Bostonians.

We got off the subway and went to the High Line, which you viewed in the last post of my visit to NYC.  But, Paul needed to see it :)

Ha!

My favorite

It amazes me how straight the streets are

Love it.

Me, eating cookies and milk at the Chelsea Market, in the Meatpacking District.

That evening, we saw Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, starring Scarlett Johanson and Benjamin Walker (who was in a great musical Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson) and it was grand, of course.  The set was gorgeous and the acting was great, although the accents may have been a little over the top.  Paul said he could give Scarlett some lessons.  

Us in Times Square

Oh Paul

That was about it!  Almost...

We came back to Boston and Paul dashed off to get his hair cut, while I went home to see to Buncombe.  I finished my business and thought "I wonder if Emerson has said anything yet".  Not thinking I would, I checked online to see if any decision had been rendered...

AND I GOT IN!!!

I'm back in the purple and gold this fall as I go to Emerson College for my MA in Theatre Education.  I can finally achieve the dream I had in high school.  I am so ecstatic and am so thankful for everyone's support and love.  I really appreciate it and I just don't know what to do with myself.  Just relax I suppose and wait for September.  

That's it!  My next post will be about Paul's internship and where we headed.  Life is out of control and amazing at the same time.  We are the luckiest.

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