aimee's day out

Sunshine and a high of 40 degrees (F) has never felt so good.  I rode my bike to Boston to meet up with Marie and Will at the New England Aquarium.  Thank goodness for student vouchers - ticket prices are so exorbitant that you'd think it was Sea World.  (That is an exaggeration - I just googled it and a single day pass a Sea World is $70.)  We looked at all of the exhibits, but of course we were most excited for the adorable PENGUINS!

After the aquarium we headed back (I biked, they took the train) to Cambridge to have dinner at my favorite - The Friendly Toast!  Their menu is so big, and I tried something new this time - New Hampshire scramble: asparagus and goat cheese.  So good!  I swear, everything I try there is my favorite.

I checked on google maps, and my round trip bike ride was today was about 7.5 miles.  I guess the beginning of winter is a bad time to think about becoming a super sweet biker, but I'd really like to become a super sweet biker.  Nothing too intense, but ~40 mile day trips around New England would be nice.

One more note about winter cycling - Will sent me this article about using zip ties to make snow tires.  Unfortunately it won't work on my bike because I have rim brakes, but isn't it a great idea?  My brakes are mostly useless in the winter anyway because my bike has steel rims, but the zip tie isn't able to fit between the rim and the brake.  I'll just bike on sunny days like this, and spend the rest of the winter walking around town.

Chinatown

Today Marena and I went to Chinatown for some seriously good Chinese food.  I'm sure I will never be able to find that restaurant again - and I don't even remember its name!  But the tofu... and the garlic snow pea sprouts... yum.

Boxing Day

I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas! I certainly did. I talked to Phil on the phone (he's visiting his family in Portland, and I am still here in Cambridge), and he told me that my Christmas present was hidden in the closet! That man is so sneaky. And he has excellent taste - he gave me a chunky oatmeal colored sweater. Just two days before I had stopped at the goodwill on my walk home from lab and bought myself two more. My collection is becoming quite impressive.

I had Christmas dinner with Marie and Will. We made two dishes from recipes out of her Trader Joe's cookbook.  I made garlic mashed potatoes because I don't think I've had a Christmas without mashed potatoes.  For dessert we had a brie fondue, also from TJs, with baguette and green apples.  And I made mulled wine, which no one liked but me so I had quite a bit of it. :)  After dinner with watched Despicable Me.  It was adorable.

Today I had grand plans of post-Christmas shopping, but then I realized there was a blizzard warning.  Which means the three miles or so between my apartment and the mall become much longer.  I still got bundled up and walked to Mass Ave and Harvard Square for a look around, but I didn't end up buying anything.  I did stop at Whole Foods just before home and bought some more coffee - Marie and Will gave me a french press for Christmas (yea!) and I used up the last of my beans yesterday testing it out.

It is still blizzarding and blustery outside.  The scene outside my window looks sepia toned.  I don't mind a night in if it means a chance to knit, drink chai tea, and watch movies with Rizzo curled up next to me.

Tea Party

This morning Marie informed me that today is the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party.  To commemorate the event I am drinking tea and dressed like a native American.  Not really - I'm drinking coffee, but I am wearing my moccasins.

ice skating

 photo of John Belusi ice skating via here

Yesterday a few friends and I went ice skating!  There is a rink in the MIT athletic center that is free for students and just a few dollars to rent skates.  My first go round was super wobbly and I stayed right next to the wall, but after a few go-rounds I was feeling a bit better, looking slightly less stiff and awkward, and having fun!  It was a fun way to see each other before everyone leaves for Christmas break and IAP.

compiling

Super exciting scientific data is being collected on my behalf by a robot.  I think I'll go Christmas shopping!

a gift giving guide

So far this season I've been a bit of a grinch: I don't have any Christmas decorations or a tree, all of the ridiculous products that appear in stores this time of year make me roll my eyes, and I'm not even going home to visit the fam until January!

My school has a program called Giving Tree - you pick up a card with the name and age of needy child in the area, and what she wants to Christmas, and then you buy it for her!  My 13 year old girl K asked for makeup and perfume.  This is what I bought for her:

Nail polish, body spray, and lip smackers from Target.
Sparkly make-up bag, lip gloss, and some serious bling from Forever21.

Please remember to think about those less fortunate than you this Christmas.  It gives you a seriously good feeling inside. :)

Dawn Treader

Yesterday I went to a free screening of the new Narnia movie "Voyage of the Dawn Treader."  (I am not as cool as Krys, who goes to Hollywood premiers and stands five feet away from Halle Berry.)

Watching the film I was a bit obsessed with Lucy's hair and wardrobe.  You can't quite see it in this frame, but her off center ponytail is held in place by a little leather braid.  It's so chic.  (If I ever grow my hair out, I'd love to try this style.)  And wouldn't you love to wear her boots and white puffy shirt without feeling ridiculous?