Surprise!

Boston
June 18 -23, 2010

This week I was in Boston with two of my best friends. Bailey and I decided it would be fun to surprise our friend llsa who was chosen as one of Boston Public Schools teachers of the year. Ilsa is the queen of the random surprise visit, so we decided it would be fun to turn the tables on her. It’s not all that surprising that I would randomly show up for the ceremony, however, it’s downright shocking for Bailey to appear. Ilsa has lived in Boston for nine years and this is the first time Bailey has gone to see her.

Friday morning I made my way to Spokane to pick up Bailey. We then flew through Denver to Boston. We got in around midnight, so we decided to stay in a hotel before surprising Ilsa in the morning.

Saturday morning Jesse (Ilsa’s boyfriend) picked us up at our hotel. Ilsa had a meeting at the Lulu Lemon store where she works, so we decided to surprise her with Jesse when he went to pick her up. Bailey and I peered through the store windows like total creepers. Many of the other women inside the store were looking at us going, “what is wrong with those girls?” Eventually Ilsa looked out the window. It was hilarious as her expression went from “look at the weirdo” to “that looks like Bailey” to “holy crap that is Bailey!” and then she started to cry ;~)

The weekend was great. We got to spend a lot of time with Ilsa’s friends. I had never met many of her Boston people, so I really enjoyed getting to spend some time with them. Ilsa’s family was also there. It was great to see them even though it took all of us traveling 3000 miles to do it.

Our only “touristy” activity on this trip was a trek along the Freedom Trail. Ilsa had to work on Monday morning so Mark, Mia, Bailey and I decided to stroll from Ilsa’s school through the streets of Boston to the trail. We took in the highlights and made quick work of the trail. I bet we saw 80% of the trail and walked 6+ miles in around four hours. We made extended stops in the Old South Meeting House, Paul Revere’s House and the Granary Burial Ground.

On Monday night we celebrated Ilsa’s wonderful accomplishment. There was an awards ceremony, a reception and then a bunch of us went out for drinks and appetizers. Again Bailey and I both really enjoyed spending time with Ilsa’s Boston friends and seeing Ilsa soak up some much deserved recognition.

Tuesday we got up and had breakfast at Ilsa’s apartment with all of her family that made the trip in for the ceremony. Before too long it was time for Bailey and me to head off to the airport. Bailey and I made it back to Spokane a little before midnight. We then went to a local hotel to sleep. In the early AM on Wednesday B started her drive back to Moscow and I got up to watch the US World Cup game (what a game!). I then went back to GEG one last time to catch my final flights home.

Until the next adventure,
Katy