April 21, 2008

A Weekend in Boston

Just when I was about to hit "Publish" last week a "Warning" sign popped up and claimed that the our blog had been LOCKED by blogger spam-blog prevention robots and that until it was verified that this was an actual blog, we cannot publish anything. I was flabbergasted! What IS this?? Blogger really needs to rethink this strategy of theirs. I hope this is only a one time thing. We were beginning to worry that our blog will NEVER be verified. Thank god it has! FINALLY. But yes, in case you were wondering, that is why we haven't been posting for the last week.

****

Deciding to take advantage of my excess mileages, status as a part-time senior (read: minimal school work) and free housing before my friends graduate in May, I went off to visit Boston this weekend since I've never been and it is definitely on my list of places to go.
My first stop (since I was living there) was Tufts. I absolutely love the collegiate feeling of the campus. Everyone had so much school spirit! The Tufts mascot, Jumbo (left) was everywhere. Now I'm really sad my school does not have a mascot.... Another point of interest is the painted canon (right), sorry I forgot to take a larger picture of it. It is tradition for Tuft students to paint this canon and then stay overnight to guard it while it dries. From this close up picture of many many layers of dripping paint, you can see how many Tufts student has carried on this tradition. One suspects what the original size of the canon might have been. When we went that morning, the paint was still wet.
The next stop for us on the T was Harvard Square. I'm afraid I didn't know the Harvard campus very well and got tired once we reached the quad with the library/cathedral and took a picture with John Harvard. And no, I did not touch his feet... it is rumored that it has been peed on many times. Later on I found out that I missed paying tribute to the first computer ever made and some other Harvard sights as well, but oh well maybe next time. I did walk around the area though, and it was very quaint and cute.
Then we hit Quincy Market (left), which for those who don't know is a big long food hall (like those in a mall) in a pretty, classical looking building. The area around it was also very interesting. Cobbled stone and lined with restaurants, I imagine it would be really cute on a nice day. There was also a restaurant named after "Cheers" (the TV show from many years ago that Fraser was in) there complete with a gift shop. But I hear the original one, named the Bull and Finch, is actually near Boston Commons.
Then we walked over to the North End, which I guess is their waterfront (think The Rocks & Darling Harbor in Sydney and Fisherman's Wharf in San Fran). Compared to the bustling waterfronts of Sydney and San Fran though, this one was a bit quieter (prob because it was a gloomy rainy day). But it was lined with adorable lamp posts and gorgeous townhouses and the effect was just wonderful. Its so nice to walk along.
Near that area, is Little Italy, which has a lots of delicious Italian restaurants on a series cute little streets. After dinner, we stopped by Mike's Pastry and tried their canoli's. It was really good. And the place was bustling with people. My friend claims that she thinks that the canoli's taste even better than some of the ones she's tried in Rome!
The next day, we hit the downtown area. We went to Boston Commons, the MA State House (left) and then strolled along the elegant streets of Beacon Hill (right: the prime real estates of Boston).
We passed by the park (left: sorry I forgot the name) and onto Newbury street (of course) and stopped by for lunch in one of those cute little cafe's there (right). I'm SO glad that Saturday morning was such a nice, sunny day.
After lunch, we went to do our touristy thing at Copley Square, taking pictures of the Boston Public Library (left) and the Trinity Church (right).
I especially LOVED the Boston Public Library. It was surprisingly gorgeous, with a lovely peaceful courtyard (left), an beautiful mural stairway (right) and a room that had a huge dome ceiling, rows and rows of tables with little green lights on them and lots and lots of people studying there (again, I didn't catch the name). But once you walk in, you are instantly accosted by a sense of awe, as if you've entered a sacred study sanctuary. It was so sacred that we didn't dare make a peep or a camera click before we hastily left, in fear that we'd disturb any of those intently studying there. I've never professed to love a library, but I love this one. It actually makes me want to study!
One of the most interesting shops I visited in Boston was Johnny Cupcakes on Newbury Street (*gasp* not fashion related!). Upon seeing Johnny Cupcakes, I insisted we go in, because as most of you know, I LOVE dessert. But once we entered, I immediately looked for the cupcakes.... and saw none. Instead there were only t shirts being sold in baking trays and freezers.. where the cakes were supposed to be! Then we caught "story" of the store, which began with, "I started this as a joke." We had a good laugh.

Another shop of interest was Black Ink (right) at Harvard. It sold a variety of very cool gadgets, games, kitchenware and gimmicks. I especially want the cute plates and the baking recipe box filled with Betty Crocker recipes! It is an awesome place to get people fun and interesting gifts.
50% of the reason why I wanted to come to Boston was because I wanted to try the desserts at Finale. Everyone I know whose been to Boston has come back and told me that I'd LOVE Finale. And so, on a rainy night, we went to the Finale at Cambridge. And I DO love it. The upscale decor and the gorgeous looking desserts got me instantly hooked. I wanted a cupcake, a cheesecake, a boston cream, a chocolate cake... I wanted everything. In the end, my friends shared a Fantasia (right)...
and I settled on a creme brulee (left) and a molten chocolate cake (right). Yes, I got both. And yes, I finished both too. Our server was very impressed. They're both the "signature" dish there and really, you can't take either home, what else can I do? After trying both, I must say, the chocolate molten cake was only so-so, but the creme brulee was absolutely DELICIOUS. Completely divine. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I also took home a cheesecake, a tiramisu and a Boston cream. The Boston cream was ok. But the cheesecake and the tiramisu was quite good. Not too sweet, with a rich milky flavor.

Over all I really loved Boston. It was just so quaint and collegiate- something I do not feel in my own college. And I'm already missing the creme brulee!!!!!!!

30 Comments:

Blogger Unknown said...

Sounds like you had an awesome trip! Congrats on getting your blog back. *Weird*

4/22/2008 12:05 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh Gawwwdd. I can taste the pastry now. I think I am going to drool on my keyboard. I wish I was back in Boston at Finale....wahhhhh! Okay. Now I'll stop. BTW, great, fabulous post!

4/22/2008 12:09 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"It was just so quaint and collegiate- something I do not feel in my own college."

Why is that? Where do you go anyway? :)

4/22/2008 2:35 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i grew up in boston!
but now i moved away...

i still love it with all my heart! A great city!!!!!! (especially love newbury street with the boutiques and harvard square)

4/22/2008 8:09 PM  
Blogger AR said...

yay boston <3 i live there =) i have never been to finale though! i definitely have to check it out because those desserts look delicious.

4/22/2008 9:10 PM  
Blogger Sarah said...

I grew up outside of Boston, yet I've never been (but want to go) to the Boston Public Library. It's funny how there's certain "touristy" things you never think to do in the city you live in or near.

4/22/2008 10:11 PM  
Blogger ..... said...

looks like Boston is not that much boring !

4/23/2008 2:21 AM  
Blogger Amanda said...

glad you enjoyed your visit to Boston:-) I live like 5 blocks from Harvard Sq, it was neat to see you post photos taken from there:-)

4/23/2008 3:36 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

it was so much fun to read this entry! i live half time with my dad on boylston street, right near newbury street, so it was fun to see all of these places i recognize! and i always do my homework at the public library! anyways so glad that your blogger was fixed, i was missing all your entries :)

4/23/2008 3:55 AM  
Blogger Boston Knucklehead said...

hmm cupcakes. Nothing beats a warm moist dessert in Boston.

www.bostonknucklehead.com

4/23/2008 4:27 AM  
Blogger Siru said...

You just made me hungry :D...

julit xxx

4/23/2008 5:33 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm actually moving to Boston from Montreal this summer, after I graduate. I'm a little "euh" about it, but your post made me excited. The dessert looks delicious!

4/23/2008 6:32 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

You skipped out on another great university.. MIT !! The MIT campus is right along the Charles River and has some of the most cutting edge architecture mixed in with very classic, beautiful old buildings.. next time you visit, make sure to stop here! I'll even give you a personal tour.

4/23/2008 10:23 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Did you do much shopping in Boston? Can you post pics of what you bought?
Did you check out Filene's Basement??

4/24/2008 9:59 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I currently live in Boston, and actually live near a lot of the things you photographed. Also, I actually went to Tufts, and still have many friends who go there, so this was a really special post for me! (I can't believe you have Jumbo and the cannon on this blog, that's so great! And I love Finale too).

I really love your blog and this is the first time I've posted a comment, I was just so excited to see this post. You guys do a great job, keep it up! So glad to hear you enjoyed your trip, I hope you had a wonderful time in Boston.

4/24/2008 10:07 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bostonian here. It's not called Little Italy. It's the North End.

4/24/2008 11:24 AM  
Blogger trendsetterdiary said...

I know someone that goes to tufts!
Its such a beautiful campus
love how you included the cannon and Jumbo!
xo

4/25/2008 12:24 AM  
Blogger polkadotqueen said...

Ooooh, I visited Copley two weeks ago. I agree that Black Ink is too adorable too! I <3 Harvard Square. Plus I'm going to school there next fall so I'm super psyched.

4/25/2008 3:44 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh! thank god you guys are BACK! i was wondering the world wide web aimlessly for the past week

4/25/2008 6:17 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I am so excited that you had such a great trip to Boston!!!! Finale is definitely an obsession of mine!
I added you to my blog roll and now that you know Boston maybe you could return the favor?!??!
Thanks so much!
xoxoxoxo
Bostonista

4/26/2008 11:33 PM  
Blogger Rachel said...

Oh HURRAH, how nice to see my beloved hometown with your adorable narrative...it's funny to see how things change and how they stay the same since I lived there (and then moved away 10 years ago). I'm so glad you got to see the library--isn't it just magical? My mom used to take me there when she was in grad school at Harvard and I loved it even as a tiny girl. It's too bad that Harvard Square is now SOOO commercial...it used to be full of really neat little one-of-a-kind shops and now is much more Abercrombie-and-friends-oriented. But places like Black Ink are still neat :) And your Finale experience sounds divine...I should ask my mom to bring me something from three when she next visits!
Oh, and P.S., it's the Public Garden that you passed by :)
love from the ex-Bostonite and current Angeleno, MG

4/28/2008 11:08 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

AHEM! Boston is a very nice city, thank you very much. :)

Nikki aka "A True Bostonian"
-Fashion Frenzy

5/03/2008 8:47 AM  
Anonymous Absolom said...

To my mind one and all ought to look at this.
water damage repair | White Water Rafting Tennessee | cottages Ontario | bahamas destination wedding | Quebec City hotel

11/02/2011 2:12 PM  
Anonymous Barnabas said...

Little doubt, the dude is totally just.
russian girls

11/08/2011 1:31 AM  
Blogger mmjiaxin said...

herve leger dresses
louis vuitton handbags outlet
coach outlet store
ralph lauren outlet
ray-ban sunglasses
kobe bryants shoes
tiffany and co
karen millen uk
coach outlet online
phone cases
rolex uk
nike free 5
swarovski crystal
louis vuitton handbags outlet
ray ban sunglasses
cheap oakley sunglasses
michael kors canada
nba jerseys
mlb jerseys
michael kors handbags
mm1130

11/30/2015 9:41 AM  
Blogger alaa said...

I have to thank you for the efforts you've put in writing this blog

5/16/2017 2:51 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

hogan outlet online
balenciaga sneakers
jordan retro
balenciaga sneakers
nike mercurial vapor
nike air zoom structure 19
lebron 15
kate spade outlet online
yeezy boost
yeezy

11/27/2017 4:41 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

chicago bulls
cheap ray bans
michael kors handbags
coach outlet
new york jets jerseys
michael kors outlet
michael kors handbags
chargers jerseys
pandora outlet
nike air huarache

11/29/2017 4:17 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Ajrin Construction Inc. is a privately owned firm and has been providing bathroom remodeling services https://www.ajrinconstruction.com/bathroom-remodeling/ to clients all across the boroughs of County NY.bathroom remodeling staten island

12/12/2017 12:37 AM  
Blogger Home Renovation Boston said...

This is very nice blog post. Thanks for sharing this great blog with us. We create the right bathroom interior design for you based on your vision, lifestyle, and budget. Let our bathroom remodel Boston professionals design and build your dream space!

1/10/2022 1:32 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home