A Little Snow

We got some good snow last night. I picked James up from work and as we were craving good mexican food we stopped by our favorite hole-in-the-wall place on the way home. Our friends James and Bri had the same idea. So we laughed together and ate spicy enchiladas as it dumped snow outside.

Last night James and I cozied up on the couch with hot chocolate and blankets. We read for a while and watched the snow fall out our front window. There was probably 6 inches on the ground and we discovered our new favorite thing. See, we live on a hill and our road starts to incline right in front of our house. Last night we watched as over and over again little cars tried to get up the hill in the snow, only to come slipping and sliding right back down.

The snow reminds me of home. The quiet as it falls and settles all around the neighborhood, the sounds of plows scraping on the road, the thick thuds on the roof as the wind blows it out of the trees, and the crunching of it under my boots.

New England is officially a winter wonderland.

Our First Christmas

 James peeking out the window at the snow. 

Christmas breakfast. 

 Sleepy face. 

Our Christmas was pretty magical. James was so excited he woke up at 5am to wrap one last present and then woke me up around 7 to make sure I knew it was snowing outside. His first white Christmas. We snuggled in bed and watched it snow outside through our window. Cinnamon rolls, coffee, and mimosas for breakfast, we opened presents together from friends and family. We saved every present you sent us until Christmas morning, it was perfect.

There was so much anticipation leading up to Christmas this year. Maybe it was the over 25 cards we received, or the packages that kept arriving from my gram, but it all felt brand new. We also taught Sunday school this month and have taught on the Christmas story and advent, leading up to Christmas.

We spent the afternoon at James and Bri's house and they made us a scrumptious dinner; pumpkin pie and Cream Cheese Braid for dessert. Beth Hernandez introduced me to this delicious bread and in following her tradition I baked some for our neighbors as well. As James and I got ready for bed, we called my grandparents house, right in the middle of fireworks. My family has a Christmas fireworks tradition (because its illegal in our county over 4th of July due to fire hazard). My dad and uncles light all kinds of loud and colorful fireworks off the back deck into the snow. As we were talking to each family member we could hear them whizz off and explode in the air, our family laughing and yelling in celebration. I love this tradition.

The snow has melted, however we're expecting some more tonight and tomorrow. Back to work tomorrow and school will start soon. Where has the year gone? This Christmas we spent time together, creating our own family memories. However, we missed you all a whole lot.

Sick Day

James and I took the day off today. He called in to work early this morning and we didn't get out of bed  until almost ten. It was a much needed day of rest, as both of us have battled sore throats and sniffly noses the past few days. James has had a cough for almost three weeks now. Today I loaded him up on decongestant and nyquil, I think he sounds better.

We read and slept all day while it rained outside. Lunch was macaroni and cheese, dinner was a new winter squash pasta dish and tuna melts. I talked to a few friends on the phone and other than that it has been relatively quiet around here.

About six I went outside for the first time, and there was a pile of packages on our front doorstep! Gram sent ornaments for our tree and this evening we had a second tree decorating, complete with hot chocolate and christmas music.

We're re-reading Harry Potter over Christmas. I haven't read the books since they came out and I figured winter break was a perfect time to enjoy them again. Christmas happens every year at Hogwarts, the school Harry Potter attends, and it's usually wonderful.

I'm hoping to wake up feeling better tomorrow. It was lovely to have my husband home with me on a gray, sleepy day. These are the things we've dreamed of, lazy days at home together.

Morning Routine

Some days my alarm goes off first.

It's so hard to get yourself out of bed when the temperature is 28* outside. The house isn't that cold, but something about the dark and the winter--I could stay in bed all day. I quickly shower and get ready; on the days I work, I rarely put any effort into how I look. Just going to get covered in coffee anyway.

I have a twenty minute walk to the train, if I'm lucky the sun is already rising when I walk out the door. The leaves are crispy with frost and any little puddle on the road is frozen over. The bank is my halfway point, their sign shows me the temperature (this morning it was 31*) and tells me how much time I have before the train comes. At this point I either relax, or start jogging.

My favorite train conductor operates the back half of the 7:10 train. One day I forgot my cash for the ride home and he was angry, accused me of cheating the system, and told me that I better bring both fares next time. I think he had a bad day, because the next time I saw him he refused to take the three dollars I owed, smiled, and joked around with me.

Now when I see him he smiles at me and calls me the trouble maker.

This morning was no different. I adore my train ride to Belmont in the morning. The train is warm, and when I exit the smell of pine and Christmas from the city's tree farm envelopes me. Work is one block away. Upon entering I order my cup of coffee and relax for just a few moments before my shift begins.

Which is what I'm doing right now. Me, you, the New York Times, and my doubletallsoy latte.

A Picture of Community

This, for me, is a picture of community. These are the children of our church in San Antonio, they represent three different families that give their hearts, homes, and time generously to everyone around them. These kids are a joy to spend time with and celebrate. They do life together, they live richly.

This Morning

It's foggy and cool this morning and all I want to do is stay snuggled on the couch reading today.

I have to leave for work in fifteen minutes and will go straight to class after that. I'll arrive back home at 10:30 tonight and promptly fall asleep. Until then I'm going to do my best to enjoy the day, look at the positive things, and give thanks for work, for education, for friends.

Wednesday is a new day.
Christmas break is on its way!

So far I have planned to re-read the entire Harry Potter series and bake a lot.

Christmas at the Pierce House

Our first Christmas as a married couple.

Yaay!

I've been putting up little decorations here and there, mostly with ribbon and pinecones. Tonight our friends the Harveys let us borrow their amazing Subaru to run and get a tree! I've never bought a Christmas tree before, and this was actually the first time I can ever remember picking one out.

You see, the Wells family lives in the forest.

When I was a tiny girl my dad used to ride his snowmobile out into the woods, cut a tree down with a chainsaw, and drag it back to our house. Lately he goes out to our backyard, or an empty lot somewhere within 5 miles of our home, chops one down and falls it onto the bed of his truck. He gets white fir trees. They're always tall.

We decorated the tree as a family. Most of our ornaments are my mom's from when she was young, handcrafted ornaments from our elementary school days, or gifts given to us over the years. Each has a memory and each year we talk about them, rediscovering our favorite ones. James and I will be here this year, in Boston, to celebrate our first Christmas as a new family. We've begun talking about different Christmas traditions and thinking about which we'd like to begin, and continue, for us.

So far we have five ornaments, plus some little red and gold balls I picked up. James is now dozing on the couch and our living room smells of pine and cinnamon.

A Magical Season

The seasons bring a texture to life that I've missed. This morning I boarded the inbound train as it began to snow. There is something romantic about the train making its way along the track, pushing through the snow, harboring me inside as I watch the flurries blow past my window.

Very J. K. Rowling-esque.

Last night James and I went out for dinner after my meeting in the city. He met me at the bus stop, we crossed the street and walked into Sabatino's; a little italian place in Waltham. The four employees there all looked up when we opened the door. We sat down next to the window and the waitress brought us menus with hot ciabata rolls.

We had the place to ourselves.

We ordered two huge bowls of pasta and they came out steaming, full of fresh mushrooms, squash, oysters and shrimp. We couldn't finish. The cook came out and asked us how everything was, told us that James had ordered a dish that they had just made for the first time, for him. What a fantastic way to spend a Monday evening, cozy while its cold outside.

Tonight I walked slowly through the Common, watched the snow fall and the city lights glitter in time with the twinkle lights strung in the trees.

California native at heart, but this urban Boston is growing on me.

Exploring Boston and Friendship

Last weekend my dear friend Jessi (Jessica, Jessi, Jess, Duke) was here for a visit and it was absolutely lovely to have her. We spent time cooking, wandering, book shopping, exploring, walking, talking, laughing, and walking. The weekend was full of good conversations and little adventures. We went to Cambridge, walked the Freedom Trail, and traveled to the North End with James and our friend Tim on Sunday.

We laughed.

I took Jessi to the grocery store at 7:30 in the morning and she loved it. We took the T from Harvard to Central Square and then decided to wander down another road, only to find ourselves back in Harvard! She got inspired by the city and our little urban life and refreshed me in the process. We found an epic honey shop and now I think we need to become honey connoisseurs. She was patient to ride the bus with me, and happy to spend time in our cozy apartment. She even did the dishes.

My dear I hope to see you soon. Please come stay any time.
Our doors are always open.


(Sidenote: I can't find my camera charger, so I can't load pictures from it. I'll post more later.)

Inclement Weather

As I sit here in our little apartment I'm trying to figure out what to write about tonight. Upon review of the last 10 days it seems that each day has held an adventure of its own.

1. The car accident: James was on his way home from work and an elderly gentleman pulled out in front of him, the right front of our car looks terrible.

2. Two days after said car accident: A moving truck sideswipes our car while it is parked outside our house. Thankfully the man driving the truck stopped to leave his information. Now both doors of our car are incapable of opening.

3. The day before Hurricane Sandy: We acquire a rental car. It is a Dodge minivan and I feel like I'm driving a hallway. The news begins to allude to how bad the storm will be and we make plans to hunker down for the day.

4. Hurricane Sandy: James and I were given a day off and we spent it at home with homework, puzzles and apple crumble. We drove the red car to the shop, knowing that if we kept it here, a tree would fall on it. On the way home we stopped for apple-cider donuts and scones. There was some rain, lots of wind, and not much else.

5. Monday: I went down to the basement to put in a load of laundry and see a steady stream of water coming from the water heater. Great. I quickly researched how to turn the heater off and the next day a new one was installed. Yaay!

 6. Tuesday: James tells our landlord that our fridge was leaking AGAIN and he ordered us a new one. It was installed Thursday and its great! We also voted Tuesday, at the school on our street. It was the first time I'd voted, as four years ago I was living in England. I felt blessed to participate in something fought for by so many men and women. I also turned in another ten page paper that day.

7. Wednesday: Obama begins his second term of presidency. Regardless of how you or I voted, I believe we are blessed to live in a country that considers each person's opinion valuable. We are blessed  with the ability to agree to disagree and that freedom is not something I consider lightly.

7a. It SNOWED on Wednesday! James and I experienced our first Noreaster and James got to drive in the snow for the first time. He did great!

8. This post is much more of an update on our lives than anything else. The car business is still outstanding and we are praying for some resolve tomorrow. Our little family is going through a lot of transition these days and we are thankful for the family and community that surround us. We are eagerly anticipating some visitors these next two weeks and until then, school and work will keep us busy.

Niahmaya Lily

I'm in love.

Gradschool

I was returned a paper today from a professor who I enjoy completely. In the margins he told me that my writing is excellent, and he also ripped it apart.

All at once.

I think this has something to do with two factors. The first, during the last year or so of my undergraduate degree professors learned that my papers were usually A quality. The classes are small and one comes to know their students well. I noticed sometime after I studied abroad professors stopped reading my papers closely. They did not comment on grammar or word choice, sometimes not even content.

I would simply get, "A."

The other factor that weighs into my lack of correct comma placement and at times poor word choice is that these last few months have seen the first papers I have written in the larger part of two years. My sentences don't flow out as smoothly and even my typing skills are not what they used to be. I remember the last morning of my undergraduate career I woke up and wrote a 10 page paper in my pajamas, due that same afternoon.

Can you guess the grade I received?

So I'm beginning to realize that I need to refresh my grammar memory, turn on the technical language. This dedicated professor has offered to meet with me and help me get started, and recommended practice. Can I consider this practice? I am blessed by his offer and plan to drop by his office soon. However I also have another paper due on Tuesday, and I'm now second guessing every line I write.

Hurricane Sandy

Boston and the greater New England area is all shut down and buttoned up waiting for the arrival of the storm. Hurricane Sandy has the schools closed, the T stopping service at 2:00 and officials encouraging everyone to stay home today.

James and I got up this morning and took our poor car (it was struck by two bad drivers on separate occasions this week) to a body shop. We were afraid if we left it parked out front today the tree in our front yard would inevitably fall on it. On the way home through the rain we listened to the NPR reports coming in about the hurricane and stopped to get cider donuts from a local bakery for breakfast.

Like most schools in the area, James' Cotting School is closed. My meeting at Emerson was cancelled tonight. Today we're home in our cozy house with a puzzle and lots of tea. The wind is growing stronger outside and all of my fall leaves are blowing out of the trees. Here in Waltham we are pretty far away from the coast and protected from rising water. The wind could prove a problem however, if it begins to knock down trees over power lines and such.

I have plenty of schoolwork to keep me busy.

Enough arts and craft supplies for a week.

Now if only we could find that last straight edge puzzle piece...

Another Fall Day

Pictures from our adventure to Cambridge yesterday after church. It was a lovely fall day and heaps of fun to explore this well loved bookstore. The leaves are breathtaking everywhere you look and I often find myself distracted by them. Lots of people out and about in Cambridge. We returned to a cozy home and a crockpot full of chili waiting for us. We snuggled up to do homework and watch shows until the Moore's tempted us out with cookies and apple cider. It was a great Sunday!

Hernandi Kids

Look at these goobers. I love them. Hopefully by now you recognize them, I've written about them often. These pajama-clad kids were once part of my daily routine and I miss them tremendously. I adore the way they love each other and play together. I miss the way they got excited when I came home or wandered into my room to see what I was up to. Caleb has really good jokes and makes great lego sculptures. Alina is a love-bug and her imagination is awesome. She's currently one of my penpals. Levi holds a special place our hearts and he's been my buddy since he was a tiny guy. James got to see them last weekend and they called me to video chat.

Melt.

Distracted Thoughts While Studying:

There are moments when I struggle with literary theory. Language that is nearly impossible to access at times and I often find myself searching a passage for something applicable to the text I am reading, while I forget to read the essay as a whole.

I have to use the dictionary while reading theory.

However tonight I am enjoying it. It might have something to do with the book I'm reading it out of. Its small, cloth bound on lovely, thick, uncoated stock paper. Many students have read it since 1993 and consequently it now lays open nicely for me. It is beginning to acquire the old book smell and was published just down the road from here in Cambridge.

Speaking of Cambridge; James and I are going to adventure to the Harvard Bookstore tomorrow. I have a little class project to research and we will make it a date! If I'm lucky maybe with a little coffee too.

Book Proposal

Check out this book I found in the bookstore the other day. 

Oh wait, no this is the cover I helped design for a project at school. Doesn't it look awesome? I'm starting to think this book actually exists. I know what the content is, and wrote some of it myself. We have the design specs laid out, table of contents with authors lined up, publication schedule and timeline, and we can almost guess how much money it would actually make. 

I'm learning a lot in my Book Publishing Overview class, and though I mostly cringe at group projects this one has had its great moments. I just about burst with joy watching this cover come to life. Oh yeah, Sophia Coppola on the cover? That was all me. 

My Day to Day

Someone recently asked me what my weeks look like these days. It is a loaded question.

I'll start at the beginning. Sundays James and I go to church, which starts at 10, and usually we have breakfast together before. The size of breakfast ranges from pancakes or frenchtoast to toast or a cup of coffee knowing we'll be fed lunch. It all depends on how late we were up the night before. Church is usually amazing. I feel like we've connected with most people at this point and we feel at home there. Sunday afternoon is time to relax, play a game, or read. Sometimes in the evening we end up at the Moores, or the Harveys, or we all meet in the middle at the Skellig (a local pub that does live music Sunday nights).

Monday James goes to work and I finish up last minute reading or writing for class Tuesday and Wednesday. I usually try and work from at least 8 to 3 when he arrives home. Lately Monday nights include a meeting for me at Emerson, for the book project proposal I'm working on.

Tuesday I work from 6:45 to 1:15 at Starbucks. Then I usually make it home for a shower and head to Latin American Non-Fiction at Emerson. I am enjoying this class immensely and discussion about the weekly reading is great. We end around 9:30 when I catch the T and the bus home. I usually arrive around 10:30. Tuesdays are my longest days, I'm usually exhausted after.

Wednesday is another work day. I try and get up when James leaves and finish up work for Wednesday night class, Book Publishing Overview. There is a lot of reading and writing for this class, as well as the book proposal I mentioned earlier. However I feel as if I have more of a handle on the industry than when I was working in a publishing house.

Thursday, sometimes I work at Starbucks, sometimes I get a day off. Usually I sleep in this day, and as it is the start of the "new" school week I either give myself a day to read and relax or I dig in to next weeks assignments. Often we have dinner or dessert with friends this night.

Friday is a Starbucks day. Friday night tends to be James and Ashley hangout time--also laundry.

Saturday both James and I work in the morning. I usually try and work on assignments. A lot of phone calls and Skype happen on Saturdays. We also hang out with friends on the weekend.

Thats my week! It has been amazing to fall into the school rhythm again. I get more done in school than when I'm not in school. When there is a pattern to the week I know when I have to sit down and get work done and when I can just relax. Its great to live in that again.

On a Fall Morning

 

I feel older today. Maybe it is the increasing responsibilities at school and the learning I am doing there. It could also be the fact that yesterday I came home to a mailbox full of lovely things, most of them addressed to Ashley Pierce. 

We've had lots of friends over lately. In celebration of Cake Day Amanda and Peter drove up from Connecticut and brought cake and lovely books for us. These are two good friends I studied abroad with, and I am so delighted that they are planning a wedding together. 

James bought a bike. He's been riding it to his school as often as possible. He's a trooper, its definitely cold and rainy out today. This morning as I was sleepy-eyed and waking up he donned his bike shorts and helmet before he said goodbye. Gotta love those bike shorts. 

Yesterday I took some time to walk around our neighborhood and take pictures of the colors. It was a nice break between work and school. Some of the trees have begun to bloom with red and orange, there are mums on every porch, pumpkins and scarecrows have popped up by front doors. Can you tell I'm completely enamored with fall? 

The Pierces and the Weckers: Camden Yards

James got to tick another ball park off his list at the Baltimore Orioles game last weekend. Camden Yards is said to be the most influential park in baseball, and revolutionized the way all parks were built after it. It is truly stunning.

 Set in downtown Baltimore with brick, views of the city and history adorning its walls this was a perfect place for family to get together and enjoy a game. We all (the Weckers, the Rogers, and tuns of good friends) piled into cars and caught the train to the game.

 Bill! Congratulations friend, you're married! It was the BEST to spend the weekend with you. 

 Steve Wecker, singing "Thank God I'm a Country Boy". He knows all the words. 

 Did I mention the Orioles won that night?! They've been winning a lot lately. 

The Weckers even arranged a fireworks show for us!! Well, almost. 

 What a beautiful night. It was a blast to sit and watch the game with James. We ate peanuts and hotdogs, with lemonade and cotton candy. So many friends to see and talk with. There was dancing, singing and laughter had by all. These guys are truly family to us and it was incredible to enjoy such an epic evening with them. Ry, you are beautiful and I am so thrilled for you. 

Life is great huh?

Rogers Wedding: Baltimore, MD

We love these two and were so blessed to celebrate their wedding this past weekend. You both are a blessing in our lives! 

 For their wedding rehearsal dinner, with close family and friends, Bill and Ryan did a 

crab feast Maryland style. 

 Josh and Faith, way too cute. 

 Old Bay!

 Stephen and Nikki. I love this picture of them. 

Ryan, friend I am completely blessed by you and so honored to spend the weekend with your family. Thanks for loving us the way you do. We pray blessings on your first weeks as newlyweds! Huge hugs, can hardly wait to see you again. I'll post more pictures from the rest of the weekend soon so come back for pictures of the Orioles/Red Sox game!

Sailing to Boston--With the Hudsons

We first connect with the Hudson family as we drove together up to New Hampshire for retreat. It wasn't long after they found out I like to sail that we had our first trip planned. James and I have been looking forward to it for a few weeks. 

 After church yesterday they took us and a few others out, what a beautiful day it was.

This is Gavin, the smallest Hudson with the most energy.

 Our beautiful city! This is a view you don't often see.

Gavin and Kristin, love it! 

 Check out my husband driving that sailboat!

Many thanks to James, who grabbed my camera and snapped a lot of these pictures while I was busy trimming the mainsail. We LOVED being out on the water and had so much fun. New England is full of fun places to sail and I can't wait to explore more of it.