Here's to New Experiences

I like the idea of having as a goal one new experience every day. You could wimp out and read a new book or make a new recipe, but I guess I'm really talking about meeting one new person, maybe.

Yesterday I was not called to sub and I did not have much in the way of obligations: going to the farmers' market, making dinner, maybe some more cookies...T was not expected home until after 5:30. There was a phone call from a prospective employer scheduled for 3, but I needed a little something more to make my day. I checked the church web site  (first parish cambridge UU church in Harvard Square) and they were preparing food for their Tuesday night dinners for the hungry, starting at 11. There was also a yoga class at 9:30, but I thought I would probably need a mat for that...and I would have to rush around a little more than I wanted to be there at that time.

I walked with Molli for a ways, then took a different way home, through some back streets, with tall multi-family houses and sidewalks. There were people and cars, but not too many. "I could live here," I thought. I did find myself having to clean up after the dog...with no bag. I'm pretty sure I am not in favor of having a dog in the city...or a cat. Maybe a bird or an aquarium. And plants...I'll need a balcony.

It was over a mile walk and I rested for a while and showered and dressed. A little before 11, I wandered down the street to the church and asked if they needed help. A couple ladies, Jane and Louise, were making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, something I had no trouble helping with. Pam came by and asked who I was..."I didn't know you were coming," she said. Louise was the oldest and most talkative, although I enjoyed them both.

The Country Mouse in the Big City

Even though this is not my first time among the city dwellers, I do feel a sense of amazement at the things to see and do. I am not even talking about the restaurants or museums. I just mean the many people and buildings. You could (and do) see new things every day. Not that it can replace the joy of nature and the changes in it every day, but I get a real thrill out of feeling like I could never be bored for long.

I arrived a week ago last night, and a lot has happened. T gave up her bedroom for me and I unpacked my things. I have mostly been sleeping well here; the bed is comfortable and I have what I need. (One of the joys of city life is that it is very easy to buy anything I didn't bring, in fact, too easy to feel like I need many more things...easier, perhaps, to live the simple life away from temptations.)

It was very hot last week, hotter here than in Georgia, incredibly. There is a window air conditioner in the living room and the apartment is small. It wasn't really a problem, definitely cooler at night, less humid here, and usually a breeze. There were only a few nights we kept the windows closed.

One of the things I researched first were the farmers markets. Just in Cambridge, there is at least one every day. On Monday, we walked to one and had some amazing sweet corn and lots of other goodies...not cheap, but I'm happy to spend my money on good local ingredients. I have yet to buy a meal in a restaurant, so I can spend on ingredients instead. Tuesday's market was at Harvard, not so much of a walk. Not quite as excellent a market, but I didn't need much. I did buy more corn.

Molli and T started their new year on Tuesday and I was left on my own, quite happily. After I walked Molli part of the way (and the dog), I did some meal planning and began my job search. Partly, I am curious as to how easy it would be to get work here. If I got a really good job, I would probably move here and take it. I applied for a job with Harvard, one with MIT, one with the Cambridge Public Schools, one with the City of Cambridge, and as a substitute teacher for the Somerville schools (next town over, home of Tufts).

I have walked for miles almost every day, carried lots of bags of groceries, and walked up and down two flights of stairs whenever I come and go. There is an elevator, in case I just can't do it one day.

When T comes home, we do some chores, cook or bake cookies, play games, watch TV, and make sure her homework gets done. We've seen her friend Fiorella sometimes too. When Molli comes home, we eat, play games, watch TV, and go to bed.

The next day, though, I had an email from the Somerville schools. On Thursday, I trekked up to the Healey school to talk to Marie about being a substitute. I filled out paperwork and chatted with her and headed home, walking a couple miles and stopping for groceries.

Friday I went to the farmers market and took it a little easier. Molli's friend came over and we had homemade pizza! They went out for a drink and T and I stayed in.

This weekend, we walked to the grocery store together and got lots of food. Molli went to a party and T and I stayed home. There were fireworks in Harvard Square, but she did not want to go anywhere. We listened to them booming and then went to bed. 

Sunday morning, we went to the UU church in Harvard square, First Parish, walking, of course. They have a big old building with an organ and were very nice. There was lunch afterward and we talked to a couple people. They have lots of committees and activities that I want to join! We did a few errands (on foot) and spent the rest of the day doing laundry and relaxing.

Today! I went to sub at an elementary school in Somerville! I walked to the bus stop. Then I realized I didn't even know how much it costs. I had a ten dollar bill, but the driver didn't take it, so I never paid at all. Silly out-of-towner! I got to the school at 7:45, the official arrival time for subs, went to the office and was told to report to Mrs. Reynolds' room, where I would be working one on one with a 6th grader named Ned. Mrs. R wasn't there when I got there and I wandered around, looking at the books and the things on the walls. She arrived, but she was not feeling good. She was talking about suing the city, because the building is making her sick! Not making me want to work there...She said Ned wasn't bad, I just needed to redirect him and keep him on track. I didn't mind working one on one with him at all, much less intimidating than a whole class, but I didn't have much idea what was expected. I listened and watched him, and occasionally tried to encourage him to follow the teacher's directions. He was unbearably slow and I often would say the same thing several times with no result. Pretty frustrating. Other times, I felt like I was able to get through to him and he would do good work. After lunch, he had math and science with a different teacher who was much harder on him and he seemed to do better, although he did get two warnings.

Friday 1

I wake up. I wonder what time it is. Yesterday I woke up too early, 4:45. I reach for my phone on the small bedside chest. I bring it close to my face and unlock it with my finger. I am still amazed at this science-fiction technology. 5:24! very good. I slept 8 straight hours, as best as I can remember. I feel good. Perhaps it is due to the incredible amount of walking I did yesterday. Maybe it is the cool weather. I can hear cars splashing through puddles on the street below. Perhaps it is because I have a job. Sort of. 

The woman I talked to about substitute teaching in Somerville seemed to find me acceptable. I would even say we hit it off. I felt at home in Somerville, land of my forebears. My mother was born and raised in Medford, the next town over. My parents met here, at Tufts. It seems familiar, big old clapboard houses on steep hillside streets. The feel of the air, not far from the ocean, the gray clouds and the rain coming on. Anyway, I got where I was supposed to go, made a good impression, enjoyed myself, navigated the transit system, bought groceries and carried them home. I am to let her know my availability for next week. They will run my background check today. I have two weeks to get fingerprinted. 

I think it is the wealth of choices that makes city living so appealing. Shall I go to the cheapest grocery store, crowded with a variety of people, or shall I try the butcher shop and see if the meat is that much better? Will I work hard and make lots of money and buy a big house? Or shall I be part of the fringe counter-culture, starting a small business and walking lightly on the land? 

The morning is my time, has been since I was in college. Other people might sleep in and groan and moan about getting up. I thrive in the early light of day, waiting impatiently for enough natural light to heat water for tea (in the microwave here). I put some bread in the toaster oven (on top of the refrigerator, in the small but not-bad-for-an-apartment kitchen), get out the yogurt and strawberries. Nobody else is moving yet, not even a peep from the dog. 

I'm casually reading e-mail and eating breakfast when someone (T) comes out and goes into the bathroom to shower. The plan was that I would start Molli's coffee for her if she would set it up the night before, but that has only happened once. I put the filter in the machine, but don't dare try to measure the right amount of grounds for her. I peek into the bedroom. She is awake and I say hi. We talk some about the day until T comes back to get dressed. 

Molli rushes in the bathroom. T comes and gets her breakfast. She is clearly ready to go before Molli appears. A second bathroom would be a big plus here. I put on my boots. We get the leash and go out the door. I turn the key, saying, "you have everything?" they both say yes. Down the two flights of stairs (we rarely use the elevator, but it's nice to have the option) and out into the cool gray dampness. Osa is excited, pulling on the leash and sniffing places. By the time we get to the corner, Molli says, "I have to go back for my purse." We say goodbye to T and she goes on to the school, right across the street. Osa watches her go. I give Molli the keys and she goes back to get her purse. Osa and I casually saunter in the direction Molli will go.

She is enjoying her new job in the public defender's office. Yesterday she told me, "I forgot how exciting it is." Lots happening quickly, lots of variety, in criminal court. People being arraigned, denied bail, tried. It is sad, but pretty much any kind of law she will practice will be sad. Mergers and acquisitions is not sad, but it would definitely bore her. 

Osa and I walk with Molli down to Beacon Street, where we turn left while she goes straight. We angle back to Kirkland and make a big circle, ending up at the apartment, tired but energized. Osa curls up in her corner of the couch. I sit for a minute before showering. I am happy to pull on jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. Perhaps it is not quite that cold, but I enjoy the anticipation. 

I have most of the day to myself, with no real obligations. I will visit the farmers' market near Harvard, which opens at 12. I will make tomato sauce for pizza. When T comes home at 2:30, we will make pizza dough and let it rise, to be covered with toppings and baked when Molli gets home. We have made it through the first week and it's looking good. 

Urban hiking, without the boots

I may have overestimated my body's abilities today.

In the first two work days that I was here, I applied for jobs with Harvard, MIT, the city of Cambridge, the Cambridge public schools, and a couple other places. Yesterday I put in an application to be a substitute in the Somerville schools, the next town over. Cambridge requires some kind of certification that I don't have, if I read the website properly. I immediately heard back from the woman, Marie, who is in charge of subs for Somerville. She wanted me to me her at 3:30 today, but I said I had to be here then. So we agreed on 12:30 today at the Healey school.

Molli lent me her transit pass and I studied the various options. I was up very early, my natural schedule plus some excited anticipation, I guess. Molli and Tamara were on the last minute side today, so I had eaten and was ready to go when they had showered and dressed. We took the dog and walked T to school, then Molli and I walked a few blocks toward her destination. Osa and I came back Beacon to Kirkland, noting the location of Whole Foods.

At home, I relaxed a bit on the computer and then got ready to go. Shower, put on black pants and lavender shirt, brush hair, eat lunch (leftover pork chop and potato salad). I thought I would be early, but wanted to allow plenty of time for mishaps, mine or the transit systems. I downloaded an app that would tell me when buses were coming, to help. I took my raincoat because it is no longer 90 degrees in Boston, but rain is expected.

First step, walk to Kirkland at the end of Trowbridge...bus arrived as I did. Rode it to Sullivan Square (the famous Sully Square station in the song about Charlie and the MTA), where I got off and waited for another bus. I had two choices, but the 89 came first, if memory serves me. I got off in Somerville, at Main Street, and walked down a steep hill (Edgar street). The neighborhood seems "working class" to me; most of the houses are large, multi-family buildings, with occasional smaller individual homes among them. The sky was cloudy and there was a breeze, but the rain held off.

I found the right door and got buzzed in, as the first drops fell, along with two girls. Marie was at the desk, headset on, dealing with several things at once. We liked each other quite well, I would guess. No nonsense, just fill out these papers and she asked me a few questions. I will have to be fingerprinted and have a background check, but may be able to start as soon as Monday. The pay rate is $75/day...I would probably not take a permanent job that paid that little, but it's about twice what they pay in Athens. Now, can I do it??

Next stop, the grocery store. I only wanted a few things, so I could carry them. There wasn't a very good way to get from the Healey school to the store or the store to the apartment (via transit), so I ended up walking the whole way.

I figured I would treat myself to a drink and a rest when I got to the grocery store, but this was not Whole Foods. Instead of a place to sit down, there was a teeming mass of humanity of all shapes, colors and ages. I felt happy to be among them, buying my few items and waiting in the express line with 10 other people. I did buy 2 pounds of organic grapes, because T finished the old ones yesterday, and I certainly want to encourage her to eat fruit. Ground beef, pepperoni, 1 lemon, a package of yeast, and something else...turned out a little heavier than I had planned. Another mile and I was here, ready to ditch my shoes and set myself down.

T. will be here shortly and I will have to find the energy to make supper!

Highlights of yesterday: corn from the farmers market was delicious! In fact, the farmers market was wonderful, if not inexpensive. Went a little crazy at the Kimball Farm stand: corn, peaches!, Macintosh apples (my favorite), cantaloupe, golden zucchini, I'm sure more... after, we looked at a few other stands, that may have had cheaper items, but none looked as good. There was also a baker, where I bought a lime-blueberry muffin (delish) and a loaf of rustic white bread. It's too hot for me to bake at Molli's for a few more days.

The next plan was to go to the Mall (Galleria)--Tamara's request. She had some money to spend before school started. The question: walk back 20 minutes or so to take the things to the apartment, or go on to the mall? Not sure how we decided, but Molli and Tamara carried everything and we walked on. Naturally, getting hotter as the day went by, and starting to get a little hungry. Stopped and sat on a bench in the shade for a bit. Molli getting directions from her phone, inspecting all the streets and buildings. Neighborhood not great, but not scary. A few other people walking. Saw a man with a skull cap and beard...I don't think Jewish but Muslim. Do some wear caps? A woman with full-length dress and headscarf about the same age behind him carrying something. His wife? Required by religion and custom to walk separately?

We were almost to the mall when Molli asked, "Where's the bread?" I had paid for bread but not gotten it. $5. But I couldn't imagine walking back there.

At the mall, we saw T's friend Fiorella and her sister Brianna. They had bought their Dad a computer for his birthday...wow! Most of T's friends have interesting families. The three of them live with her aunt (I think). Parents never married? Her friend Eric lives with an aunt as well, I think. He is a citizen, born in Texas, but his parents are not.

Molli paid her Ann Taylor bill and resisted buying anything. We went to the food court and got beverages. I sat and rested my feet while they shopped. I also guarded the bags. I ate the rest of my muffin and a small package of corn chips I had brought from the apartment.

Molli checks on buses via an app on her phone, so we made our way out to the bus in time to take the next one headed the right direction. It felt much better to sit in the air conditioning than to walk. I thought of getting off and walking to the farmers market to get my bread, but couldn't muster the strength.

At home, we ate leftover pasta with ground beef and tomato sauce, green beans and cucumber. It tasted great. I got things out for supper and Tamara began working on a math assignment she was supposed to do before school started. Naturally, she had left it until the last minute. I probably would have suggested that she do it before going to the mall...

I rested

Waking up in Cambridge

Labor Day

It's pretty quiet here this morning, a few birds (jays) screaming, an occasional car. I am sure tomorrow at 6 am will be much busier. Back in Athens, the birds are different sounding and I never hear cars or people. It is cooler here; the windows were open all night. It was really noisy trying to get to sleep. I am a little freaked out though, it is supposed to be 92 here today. So much for getting away from the heat of the South. It will be cooler there the next few days than here.

At home, everything is set up the way I want it. Molli and Tamara have made space for me in their lives. This is a nice apartment, as city living goes. It's two bedrooms, hardwood floors and pretty comfortable. I just have to find my place here and create new routines, similar but different. A friend once admired me for "reinventing myself" over and over...that was kind of born of necessity, about changing my work as one door closed and another opened.

Twelve years ago, we finished building our house in the country and moved in for a more rural experience. We know all our neighbors there. We have gardens and even chickens...and a dog. Now we are thinking of changing that life for a different one, one that involves little or no driving. It will have more time with family, every week if not every day, rather than in lovely visits that are never long enough. What else will it look like? Not sure yet. Getting rid of years of accumulated stuff and living "lighter" and more simply? Will I still bake all our bread? I don't know why not. We don't eat much bread anyway. I could bake all Molli's bread too. But I'll probably wait several days until it cools off.