This weekend I jetted off to meet Jefe in NYC thanks to some frequent flyer miles.  I started writing today’s post on Monday about my top 10 favorite things about New York…. but it quickly became clear that I just didn’t feel like talking about New York anymore.

I, like, the rest of the world, was glued to the TV, Twitter and Facebook for updates of any kind.  My best friend lives in Boston.  I knew 3 people running the marathon.  It is by far one of my favorite places on earth and I just couldn’t believe what was going on in such an incredible place.

Luckily everyone I knew was safe.  But I couldn’t stop thinking about those that weren’t and can’t shake this feeling of helplessness as I watch from 3000 miles away.  But as Mr. Rogers once said “find the helpers.”  And there were plenty.

So today I want to spread the love for a city that I would love to some day call home.  Amidst the chaos that’s still going on, the questioning of who did this and why, and the constant news cycle speculation, I wanted to offer a little glimpse in to why I think this city ROCKS and I know will pick itself up and get right back on it’s own two feet.  And then run another marathon.

Here are my top 10 reasons why I love this great city:

1. The people.  They can be rough around the edges but they all have hearts of gold.  They are a unique breed and unlike anyone I’ve ever met before.  They can go from swearing like a trucker in a snow-storm to swaying arm in arm during “Sweet Caroline” in 5 seconds flat.  Those Boston rebels were the one’s that dumped the snotty English’s tea in the harbor.  And high-fived each other afterwards.
2. The Sox.  Baseball fan or not, there is something magical about attending a game in Fenway Park.  It truly is breathtaking.  You step foot in that stadium and you can just feel the incredible history seep in to your bones.  I wasn’t even a fan in 2004 and I still get choked up watching anything about that year’s World Series; it’s impossible not to knowing the history a team that toiled for so long.  From “Sweet Caroline” to the teeny tiny seats to the Green Monster, there’s no place like it.
   

   Jefe & I at Fenway for my first Red Sox game

3. The history.  Follow the red brick road and the Freedom trail will take you all over the city for the nation’s greatest history lesson.
   

   Paul Revere looking badass on his horse

4. The architecture.  Red brick everywhere.  They embrace the old and only integrate the new when necessary.  If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. 
5. Cambridge.  The home of Julia Child, Harvard, and my first Hong Kong scorpion bowl.  And my bestie who is just as important.
   

   Julia Child’s home (Courtesy of Out and About in Paris)

6. The T.  Any city with such smoothly operating public transit is a-ok with me.  They just need to extend the running time to last call and they’d really be on to something.
7. The food.  Clam chowder.  Lobster.  Cannoli’s from Mike’s.  I’ve eaten my way through this city more than once. 
8. The accent.  I will pahk my cah in the yahd any day of the week if asked by a Walhberg, Damon or Affleck. 
9. The attitude.  This is similar to #1 but there’s just something about the unapologetic yet openly welcoming attitude that the city just exudes and invites you in.
10. Fall.  You’ve never seen foliage until you’ve walked along the Charles during autumn.
    

    Courtesy of Virtual Tourist

Boston, you’ve had my heart for years and always will.

I’ve mentioned a few times that I love me some power tools. This Tim Taylor kind of love didn’t come from my dad, step-dad, or my grandfather, all of whom are particularly handy. No, my friends, it came from my sorority sisters during the 4 amazing years I spent in college at Carnegie Mellon.

Every year, alumni return to campus not for fall Homecoming like most colleges but for our Spring Carnival during which most sororities, fraternities and other large campus organizations each build a structure on a 10 foot by 10 foot plot set to the theme of their choosing.

At the start of the booth construction season, the older sisters would teach the newbies how to find their way around a miter and jigsaw, a staple gun and my favorite, the cordless drill. We had a smattering of tools of varying quality, all of which had been donated over the years. The DeWalts were everyone’s favorites and always chose those over other brands.

Well my friends, I’m here to tell you I am repenting for my old DeWalt-loving ways. I bring to you, my Christmas-in-March (yes, I’m a few weeks behind) gift to myself, my new Ryobi cordless drill.

Jefe and I have been in need of a new one for quite some time, and figured the day I was supposed to drill holes in to a brand new piece of furniture was as good a time as any. So we headed to the local Home Depot and found the nearest tool expert/employee, Dave (aka – my new best friend), for his opinion. Per Dave, the Ryobi is above and away the best bang for your buck. It’s much cheaper than the fancier brands like DeWalt and as he put it “you won’t be totally heartbroken if it’s stolen off the job site” after he explained it was popular with both the DIYers and professional construction workers.

This particular model, the Ryobi 12-Volt Lithium-Ion 3/8 in. Cordless Drill Kit, came with two 12 volt lithium batteries, a charger, and a fancy carrying case all of which were in a great bright green. It’s got a magnetic base for a stray screw or nail as well as the standard features like a keyless chuck, forward and reverse settings and offered some serious power. It is also MUCH lighter than the competitors which is a serious perk for those lacking in upper body strength (now where is that gym membership…..). I also had to buy a set of drill bits so this was not a problem for me, but my one gripe is that it did not actually come with a drill bit (unless it’s some how magically still in the box that I emptied).

Overall, it did a great job while Jefe and I assembled the furniture for his parents’ office. After I measured not 1, 2, or 3 but FOUR times, it also drilled perfect holes in to the drawer fronts of the Besta we got for extra office storage. It was a purchase well worth the $79.99. Here’s a parting shot of my new baby: