Maegan - my first and best Boston friend. I met here during our year as Corps members in Sacramento. She wasn't on my team but we did develop a small friendship. When I was thinking of moving to Boston, she (as well as her terrific roommate, Katie) offered her couch to me for as long as I needed. Luckily, when I found a more permanent place to live, it was only a 10 minute walk from her house. I don't know what I would have done without Maegan. She was my chef, my chaufer, the person I could rant to and one of my best friends. It killed me when she went to do an internship in Africa and she is still trying to convince me to stay in Boston. I am now in the process of convincing her that she needs to move to Portland. Mae, when you read this, know that I miss you bunches and I can't wait until we are in the same country once again and we can have dinner and watch terrible TV together. (below is a picture of Maegan in Africa that I swiped from her facebook. How do we not have a photo of us together?)
Jess and Amanda - while I enjoy these ladies separatly, I have come to view them as a pair. They were Corps members in my unit when I was a support team leader in Sacramento, but I got to know them when I moved to Boston. When they lived together in JP, they were always warm and welcoming, even having a birthday dinner for me. These ladies are very special to me and I hope that we can continue to keep in touch. (This photo was taken when some of their team mates came to Boston for a mini-reunion. Amanda is sitting next to me and Jess is on the top left of the group)
Erin - My shiny penny. I met Erin when we were support team leaders in Sacramento. She is from Rhode Island and, as I mentioned in my last post, showed me the sites around her tiny little state. Even though she was on the other side of the country for most of my time in Boston, when she was home I loved to spend weekends with her. She is another example of how you can find best friends through AmeriCorps. I am working on getting her to move to Portland too. (below is a picture of us at her favorite beach in RI)
My Jumpstart VISTA Sistas - These four ladies, Emily, Monika, Jess and Molly, kept me sane as we served as VISTAs at Jumpstart. I always looked forward to our standing Wednesday lunch dates where we could chat, vent and gossip. Even though we worked in different departments, we had a bond and commeradery that I will always remember and cherish. We have all now finished our year of service at Jumpstart, but to me they will always be my VISTA Sistas and my VISTA Vixens. (below is a photo taken at our last get-together/brunch. Clockwise from top-left is Monika, Molly, Me, Jess and Emily)
Jumpstart Staff - I've said it before, but it bears repeating: the staff at Jumpstart is a really terrific group. They have dedicated their careers to the Jumpstart mission of working toward the day when every child in America enters school prepared to succeed. But I don't only love them for that; they are truly great people. Even with the economic climate the way it is, there was always laughter in the office and friendly smiles as you passed their desk. I was especially sad to be leaving the newly formed performance management team, comprised of the evaluation and operations teams. I left just as the team was coming together as one unit and I wish that I could be a part of the great things that they are doing and are going to do for Jumpstart and early childhood education. So I want to especially mention Dean, Kristen, Ashley, Lauren, Melissa, Regina and Tessa. If any of you read this, please know that I wish you all the luck in the world. (below is a picture taken at the Boston Public Library on Read for the Record day)
Alison - We didn't get to hang out as much as we both would have liked, but Alison still gets on this list because I like her and for sheer coincedence. I met Alison in my sophomore advanced geometry class in high school when she was a freshman. We worked on math homework and projects together that year and the next and we were also in band together. I lost touch with her after I graduated and went to college. She went to college and then moved to Boston to work at MIT (I pick smart friends). Through the power of facebook, we saw that we were both in Boston. Then I find out that she lives in Somerville, where I live. And then I find out that she lives on Highland Ave., the street that I live on. And then I realize that we only live one mile apart! Sometimes I really can't believe what a small world it truly is. Then I find out that she will be (and is now) entering the Harvard PhD program in biology (or something smarty-pants like that) that my then-supervisor's wife was currently in. And one more thing! She went to the same college that one of the new Jumpstart VISTAs went to and was friends with the VISTA's boyfriend! So strange, but totally true! It was really great to reconnect with her and I hope that we can keep in touch. (I don't have any photos of her and I, so here is another one I swiped from her facebook of her looking all deep and pensive)
Brianne and Yami - See Boston Favorites: Places
While Boston and the east coast never felt like home to me, these people made me feel like I belonged. Thank you for the great times and memories!
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