Oh yeah, it's my birthday!

So today started out sort of stressful. I had to take Finn to the hospital for a spinal tap, or lumbar puncture in the doctor vernacular. He has been diagnosed with papilledema which is swelling of the optic nerve. It was noticed during a routine eye exam when Finn's eyes were dilated. He had never had an eye exam with dilation so we don't know if this is a new development or not. Anyway, he was referred to a neuropthamologist who ordered a barrage of tests including a visual fields test (normal results), photographs of his optic nerve (cool and definitely not normal), an MRI to check for a brain tumor (negative), a blood test for Lyme disease (negative) and finally this lumbar puncture which did not show any increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure and all signs look good. I was not particularly worried that we would get bad results today, just more worried about the procedure itself and the fact that since Finn is a minor, he required anesthesia during the procedure. Well, the procedure took maybe a half hour from start to finish and he was just fine. In fact, the anesthesia part was pretty funny. Finn is a hoot. The reason I wasn't really that worried is that some of the McCarters have the exact same condition so it is probably genetic/physiological but we decided to do the test because I just needed to know everything was fine. The prognosis all looks good. Afterwards, Finn was pretty much ravenous since he hadn't eaten in 16 hours so we went to the nearest Five Guys and we both indulged since a good burger cures everything. We came home and vegged out. I even tried to take a nap, but my neighbor's dogs prevented that. (If you are a neighbor and are reading this via Facebook, it was not your dogs.) Craig came home and cooked a delicious salmon dinner. I got some awesome gifts, exactly what I wanted, including a surprise: a pink Orioles ball cap! Evan actually called from camp to wish me a happy birthday. Craig and I went for a long walk with Owen trailing behind on his skateboard. Yeah, figure that one out. At least he still doesn't mind being seen with us. I should be grateful. And everyone in Baltimore who experienced this beautiful, gorgeous day of weather should be grateful to me because I ordered it exactly the way it occurred as my birthday wish!

Back to Beantown

So Evan and I traveled up to Boston again. This time it was to drop him off at uberNerd computer camp at MIT for two whole weeks! Before check in, we went over to my hotel, dropped the bags and headed out to Northeastern University for a looksee. The campus was nice. I am just not sure it is what Evan is looking for. After our walk through, we met our niece/cousin, Emily, who studies at BU. We had lunch at a sushi place although none of us actually had sushi. It was about time for Evan to check in so we parted ways.

After maneuvering around all of the Japanese tourist buses (seriously - BUSLOADS), we arrived at Evan's dorm. Evan's camp seemed pretty cool and was very organized at check in. He got a big room for three people but he's only sharing with one other guy. The rooms are not air conditioned which might be rough, but he and his roommate both brought fans. They have a Charles River view. Plush!

As I walked back to my hotel room, I will admit I was a little sad. Well, a lot sad. Next year will be the real deal.

So I get back to my hotel and they had upgraded me to a two room suite, complete with kitchen, fireplace and jacuzzi tub. I sort of schmoozed with the receptionist at our bag drop off and she gave us some info on Northeastern (she goes there) and I guess she wanted to help sway at least my decision. I was grateful for her effort. The room was fab as was the hotel overall. It was a renovation of an old firehouse and had great artwork as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a great night's sleep and a great breakfast, I headed out to explore some of Boston as my flight was not until later that evening. I decided to go to Harvard Square and then to walk through Harvard University just to see what it was like. After maneuvering around all of the homeless people and people living on the fringe (I think they were having a convention in and around the Square), I headed over to the Christ Church Cambridge and The Old Burying Ground which dates back to 1635. It was of course locked probably because of the nearby gatherers. 

 

 

After maneuvering around all of the Japanese tourist buses (seriously - BUSLOADS), I decided that Harvard is designed to look big and I guess the word is intimidating, maybe. Everything is built on a very grand scale. I can see why people who go to Harvard want to go there.

 

 

 

 

 

Litruhlee Ivy League

Memorial Hall

Summer camp kids were eating in here as their refectory although it looked like a church.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The Harvard Museum of Natural History

I didn't visit but want to one day.

 

 

 

Many animals are shown in the brickwork along the upper facade of the building. Like the bricks were shaped to make the animals. Incredible if you ask me.

 

 

 

Anyway, I had a great walk through the campus and then an adjoining historic neighborhood on Garfield Street which is where I would choose to live.

Then I decided to walk part of the Freedom Trail. 

 

My chosen route started in the North End and

 

 

 

It was neat to see such an old house and it reminded me of Oliver Cromwell's house in Ely, England. 

 

The North End is inhabited by many Italian restaurants and quite a few almost lured me in, but I wanted to press on and see a few more things before I ate. I headed over to St. Stephen's Church where Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy was baptized on the same day as I was there only 122 years ago & born 122 years plus one day ago. 

 

Then I walked through Paul Revere Square and listened to a ranger's talk near the Paul Revere statue. 

 

 

It was a nice park and had a moving tribute to those who have died in Afghanistan.

 

I headed to the old North Church where

 

 

and then the Copp's Burying Ground where the gravestones were awesomely similar to those we have seen in the UK, especially Scotland.

 

After that, I was hungry and went to a pizzeria for lunch.

Whilst eating, I received a text that my flight was delayed by an hour - I later heard there was bad weather out of St. Louis. So I took my time getting back to the hotel and then to the airport.

 

The Zakim Bridge

very cool, follow this link

There were tons of people grousing about delayed flights and missed connections. I was grateful my flight was direct and that it was actually leaving albeit delayed.

Maryland was very sultry upon my return. Evan should be happy he is sleeping in Boston with no A/C near a breezy river.