I'm coming up on my one-year residential anniversary with this city, and yet
just this morning I was snapping away pictures right alongside the tourists in
their Harvard and “I’m the real Green Monster” t-shirts. I was walking along
the outskirts of the Common, rushing to the Park Street station to get to my
lunch meeting at least somewhat on time, when I looked to my left at the
picturesque Massachusetts State House with the golden dome (that is covered in
real 23k gold leaf, as I remember from my duck tour eleven years ago) and
decided I couldn’t pass without taking a picture. What a tourist.
But I do this quite a lot. And I justify my frequent trips to
American Eagle and Urban Outfitters because they’re located in Quincy Market,
and the H&M is mere steps away from the old state house. So obviously I should be spending time in these
historic places, no?
One of my favorite things to do downtown is to see how long
I can walk on the Freedom Trail
inconspicuously. I mean take each step right on that wide red line—without mowing
down little children who get in my way.
At least I find a way to have fun every day, even if it makes me no better than a tourist. I like to think
I see the good in things and try not to take even the simple little joys for granted.
“If you awake every morning with the thought that something
wonderful will happen in your life today, and you pay close attention, you’ll
often find that you’re right.”
(I’m not sure who first said this, but it’s on a lot of yoga
and meditation websites…)
And vitamin gummies? Best invention ever.
