Poor Derrick

Leslie commented on our last posting, wondering if Derrick was studying at all because it looks like we are just having fun. However, I think maybe all the craziness of the move and starting school got the better of him this week--he broke out in shingles. :( He is now taking some good meds and is feeling much better, though. Nick and Grandma Oman--you now have company. The above picture is Derrick (ever-dramatic) lying in "pain" at his appointment (if you look carefully you can see his tongue sticking out the side of his mouth--he wanted to be sure that I pointed this out)

The Perfect Lobster...Er Storm

Yesterday we decided to go north to Rockport and Gloucester. We ate a delicious lobster meal at a quaint restaurant right on the coast in Rockport. Yummy. We also stopped in Gloucester at the fisherman's memorial. There is a very large plaque that lists the names of several thousand men who have died on fishing voyages since 1623 when the Massachusetts bay colony had its beginnings. The movie, "The Perfect Storm" was filmed about/inspired by this fishing village. We never realized that fishing was such a dangerous profession! It was a really neat memorial.

We also walked down to the waterfront where they had advertised they were having a "festival", but all the shops were closed (it was only 6:30, but I guess the small towns close up shop early). We still enjoyed walking along the rocky coastline and exploring around the large boulders and seaweed covered rocks. The northern towns have so much charm.

Gettin' Towed

When we first moved in some friends from our ward warned us "watch out for the street cleaning dates when you park your car on the street, we totally go towed after we moved here and it cost us like 80 bucks." After the warning, Derrick and I have been super conscientious about trying to watch the days. Despite our efforts we got towed for the SECOND time today!! Our friends are right--it's 80 bucks, plus a 30 dollar ticket. The tricky thing is that one side of the street will say you can't park there on the second Tuesday, the other side of the street will say you can't park there the second friday, and around the corner will say you can't park there the second Thursday. Hopefully we get it straight soon or maybe we need to just sell our car. :)

The Boston Shopping Experience

We began our shopping experience this morning at the haymarket downtown. As you can see...you can buy ANYTHING! It is basically a free-for-all. One seller, an icon of customer service, yelled to the guy in front of us "move it! you standin' theya like a stick in the grass! get movin'!" (I guess he didn't like him staring at his produce--I sure don't like people staring at my produce when I'm trying to sell it either, I tell ya). Actually, the haymarket is an AMAZING place to get yummy food and it is super cheap, you just have to sort of inspect things for mold and bugs (and don't stare too long at the veggies).

I ended the shopping experience today at a grocery store called the "Market Basket"--the only supermarket for miles where you can buy Cheerios and frozen juice. The aisles are super narrow and I had a shopping cart with one of those wheels that keeps veering left so by the time you finish shopping your biceps are burning from trying to keep the cart from running into everyone else. The store reminds you of the United Nations and a sawmill at the same time. You have people speaking every language imaginable (and purchasing every food imaginable--I know, I broke the cardinal sin of peeking into other people's shopping carts...) and instead of wiping up spills on the floor they just pour sawdust over it (this also makes driving the cart that much more exciting because you not only are using all your muscle to keep the cart from veering left, but your back wheels stop turning and slide around every corner). This is the coolest town ever. :)

On a random note--our favorite add right now is for the boston aquarium shark exhibit. It is posted on those adds that they put on top of taxis so people see them as they are driving around. It is a big blue sign that says "SHAAAAAKS".

Martha's Vineyard August 2, 2008

On Friday after Derrick's professional ceremony we decided to take a road trip down to the Cape. We found the last room available at a hotel close to the port (in Falmouth) and stayed overnight. Saturday we took the ferry to Martha's Vineyard. When we got off the ferry we saw a place to rent bikes for the day. There was a fun bike path from Oak Bluffs, where the ferry landed, to Edgartown. Edgartown is an old whaling village (the port is also famous as "Amity" in the movie Jaws). We rode part way to Edgartown and realized that it was way too hot for what we were wearing. We found a thrift store and bought ourselves clothes to wear for the day (Derrick is modeling the swimsuit he purchased above, which--for those who have seen his usual choice, was much longer than any suit you will ever see him wear again any time soon :)) We also rode our bikes up to a lighthouse overlooking the ocean and spent some time at the beach. The day turned out to be so nice---the weather was beautiful until we were waiting in line for the ferry and it started to rain. It was a fun last "hoorah" before Derrick starts school (tomorrow).

Derrick's Professional Ceremony August 1, 2008

Derrick started Orientation for school on Monday. He seems to be liking it a lot so far and has already met a bunch of people who seem really nice. There is a group of guys who play basetball all the time after school so he is feeling at home already.

On Friday, the school of dental medicine hosted a professional ceremony where all of Derrick's class was pinned and they all recited an oath promising to use the skills they learn not for their own benefit or selfish interests, but to benefit humanity. Each person in the class came up and received a pin at the ceremony. The video of Derrick receiving his pin is attached.

After the ceremony the school put on a barbecue on the grounds for all of the family members. It was fun to get to know some of the other students and families better. Derrick's school class is a wonderful mix of cultures and backgrounds and they all seem like quality people. I am sure Derrick will be spending a lot of time with all of them. :)

One If By Land, Two If By Sea!

We finally arrived in Boston on July 22, 2008. We enjoyed the 2300 mile trip across the country, but were also happy to be "home"! It was quite the adventure getting moved in. It was nice weather every day of the week until moving day and it was raining torrents and there was a tornado warning. Fortunately (and thanks to a lot of prayers) the rain stopped just prior to the moving van's arrival and it did not rain again until after we had finished unloading.

We were nervous because we had a piano in the back of the moving trailer. We hired some movers to help us since we had limited time, but it was two small guys and we weren't sure how we were going to get the piano into our house. To our surprise, the two guys just picked up the piano and walked up the stairs. Boo-ya!!!!!

Since that time we have been upacking boxes and getting organized. We are FINALLY almost settled. Yay!

We are really enjoying living in Cambridge. Above is a picture of our house and the Charles River, which is just two blocks west of our house. There is a pathway that goes for miles along the river reserve and it is the perfect place for running and biking. We have already put it to good use. :) Both Harvard and Central square are just short walks from our home so we have had fun exploring the fun shops and things to see nearby in the evenings. We are excited for our friends and family to come visit :) (hint, hint)

Palmyra, New York July 20, 2008

After we left Kirtland, Derrick kept looking at the map and noticing that Palmyra, New York was right en route to Boston. We decided to take the detour and it was well worth it. What an amazing place!

Apparently we arrived in Palmyra just after the Hill Cumorah pageant ended. The missionaries at the sites said that it had been really crowded and busy until the day we arrived. They had several people assigned just to "crowd control" and were over-staffed so we got lots of special attention. We were able to have the Sacred Grove to ourselves and spent a lot of time walking around. It is such a peaceful place.

President Hinckley also initiated a renovation of the Smith home that was located on the land so that it has now been restored to its original condition and is 85% of how it appeared when Joseph obtained the plates and hid them in the fireplace mantle (among other places).

The church has also now recreated the log cabin that the Smith's lived in when Joseph had the first vision and it sits on the original foundation.

We also walked up to the Hill Cumorah and saw the area where Joseph's record indicates that he obtained the plates from the angel Moroni. There is a nice monument at the top of the hill. The props were still up from the Cumorah pageant and there were large random statutes of sphinxes and panthers on the way up the trail.

Kirtland Ohio July 18-20, 2008

We stopped in Ohio to see Mom and Dad on our trek across the country. We had a great time. We went to the Jacob Moreley Farm, the Johnson Farm, the Kirtland Temple, the temple Quarry, the historic sites in downtown Kirtland (sawmill, visitor's center, Newel K. Whitney store and home). It was amazing to see the places where so many revelations took place and also to learn about the people about whom many of the revelations were given. It has given both of us a completely new perspective on the Doctrine and Covenants.

We also enjoyed our trip to Amish Country and a yummy homecooked meal at Yoder's. :)