My friend Kelley was visiting me this past Monday when the Boston Marathon Bombing happened. She's a born and raised Boston girl, and currently lives and works there. For her this tragedy hit really close to home, and it was hard for us to concentrate on anything else after she got that first text. For me, I went to school 45 minutes south of Boston, at UMass Dartmouth. Many of my friends are from Boston, or currently work there. I've visited the city many times and call Massachusetts my second home. Although I was involved in many a debate over which was the better city, New York or Boston, I can honestly say there really is no "better" of the two.
Boston is amazing for many reasons. What I've collected from my 4 years of living in the commonwealth is that I've never seen a greater sense of unity and pride than I did when I lived there. I always felt this way since my freshmen year. It was hard being an outcast from New York, and I was constantly having to defend my state and my city. Never have I ever had to do that in any other state, and I'm not gonna lie I really hated it for a while. Bostonians have ties that are unbreakable, along with incredible bravery and passion. Passion, is the main word I would use to describe Boston.
Perhaps you recognize the name of my school, UMass Dartmouth. We've been in the news quite a bit since Friday. On my way to work early Friday morning, I got a text from a friend. It was a picture of the UMD website saying campus is closed; one of the bombing suspects is a registered student.
I felt my heart drop deep into my stomach as I frantically texted some of my friends that still attend the University. I, myself am still a registered student finishing up the last online course I need to receive my diploma. They said it was true, and that the campus was being evacuated. Throughout the day I refreshed my twitter feed, and was texting back and forth with my UMD colleagues for updates. The bomber in question, he-who-must-not-be-named, lived in my old dormitory, that alone gave me chills. I was an Orientation Leader when he was a freshmen, what if he was in one of my groups? One of the many students I helped with directions, or sat with at lunch to make them feel welcome? Of course that means nothing, but still it makes you think.
I found myself unable to do anything all day, my mind in gloom. What if this person, decided he would set a pressure-cooker bomb off at my beloved University, instead of the Marathon? It's insane to think that this person walked my campus a regular student that nobody would have ever questioned. I know for me, this hit extremely close to home and makes you hold your loved ones a little closer.
UMass Dartmouth is not a bad school, in fact it's a great school. We are second for public universities in Mass only to UMass Amherst. I know that every time I came home to New York and someone would ask where I went to school, they had never heard of UMD, and assumed I went to the Amherst campus, or the Ivy League Dartmouth. Now, they probably will but for all the wrong reasons. Anyone who attends UMD remembers it by its concrete and strange architecture, partying in the Dell, eating at Res, Thursday nights at 908, and hating your life when you realized you had an 8am class in the Dion building. I refuse to let this incident taint the reputation of my Alma Mater. Not even a year ago I sat through my graduation commencement, and cried realizing how many memories I had on that campus, and how I'll never forget any of them. I met Dylan there, along with friends that I'll have for a lifetime, and for that I'll always be grateful. UMass Dartmouth made me who I am today, and taught me more about life than anything else ever has.
In Dedication to UMASS DARTMOUTH
Boston Strong
For those of you that are unaware, it is still -3,000 degrees here in Minnesota. JK, but it's like 30, there's snow on the ground and today April 22nd the forecast also says: snow.
Keeping that in mind, I've been trying my best to transition into spring. It hasn't been easy! It's hard enough to find motivation when it's this cold, let alone have my toes bare the snow. That being said, I've been dressing more like it's fall than spring. I know all of the fashion who's-who's say to wear bright colors, white pants, and light layers to deal with this, but I just feel extremely out of place when I try that. So, here was an outfit I wore yesterday to do a little shopping for more spring clothes, while it's still practically winter.
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| Scarf - Alpaca Farm in Massachussetts Jacket - H&M (On sale for $15!) Black Shirt - Zara Jeans - H&M (old) Flats - Sam Edelman Bag - Milly NY |
I've also been trying to keep fresh flowers in the Apartment, to make us a little more cheery on these dreery days.
I was so excited to find this jacket. I'd been on the lookout for a leopard coat, and this one is PERFECT for spring, and fall. It's incredibly light (which isn't very practical with the current spring weather), and overall a good pattern of leopard. I hate when they're too brown, or too small of a print.
I'm in love with this Milly purse. I don't usually carry a brown bag, except for my Speedy which I feel I've worn to death. This one is very ladylike, and has that Celine feel with the stitching pattern on the front.
As you can see, Oscar wanted to come with...but it's just too cold for him outside! Hence, sweater.
Warm weather is approaching next week, so come back for a real Spring post!
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