photogenic.

Slowly, over the past month or so, Boston has begun to feel a little more comfortable - and, on good days, downright homey. Some of you Southerners might scoff at this concept and worry that I've grown delusional up here in the land of Red Sox Nation. While I'll give you that New England isn't exactly hospitable (the below-zero wind chills proof enough!), Boston has this undeniable charm that's hard to match elsewhere, at least in my experience.


I'll let you be the judge.



pretty streets after a snowstorm.

the state house, after said snowstorm.

this is downtown.

I just like this shot. :) it was taken near the Harbor.

cute houses. i happen to live nearby.









I was riding with my roommate last weekend on the way to a wedding reception. About halfway to our destination, she turned onto a road that snaked beside the Charles River for a while. I cross the Charles every day en route to work and, though I find it a welcome diversion from the dark subway tunnels, haven't been overly impressed. This day, however, something about the way that the late-afternoon sun shone through the trees and illuminated the water caught me off guard, and I found myself thinking, "Wow. I live in a beautiful city!!" I've been told that it only gets better as Summer approaches - so, I'm pretty excited. :D

When I'm not admiring my surroundings or discovering one of the many hole-in-the-wall shops and restaurants around where I live, I'm likely doing one of three other things: working, playing, or churching.

Work is both incredibly challenging and fulfilling. I haven't ever done anything as hard or as wonderful as spending 40+ hours a week at the Boston Rescue Mission. Already, I've seen numerous men and women relapse, return to the streets, and continue down the path of destruction. Each time that it happens, I find myself wishing that I could somehow impart the strength needed to stand against the pull of addiction - and, then, am quickly reminded of my own frailty when faced with such obstacles. Thankfully, I've also been witness to the beauty of men and women succeeding in their recovery. I'm learning from them that it's important to deal with my struggles one day at a time, trusting that God is my portion and will give me, as Jesus prayed, "my daily bread."

My play time has been limited, but I've been having a lot of fun when I DO have a free few minutes. Through my roommates and co-workers, I've met some great people who have pretty much taken me under their wing, inviting me to lunch, dinner, parties, movie nights, and so on and so forth. I'm pretty much convinced that I couldn't have picked a better group of people to hang out with. :)

and as far as church goes, I've been visiting one of the Presbyterian variety for about a month and a half. It's different from what I'm used to in more than a few ways, but I'm really enjoying it - and, hey, different is generally a good thing in my book. :)

so, to wrap up - Boston is pretty. Work is challenging. Life is good. <3