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.