our seats at Fenway: how Anna became a real Red Sox fan

I never thought I'd be the person who missed baseball season. I hadn't even been to an MLB game until Ian — a dedicated Cubs fan — and I started dating. I had fun at the games, but the appeal was mostly basking in the summer sun while indulging in ballpark food. And while we adopted the Sox as our team when we moved to Boston, I was not a fan of what home games did to my commute.

That all started to change last year, when Ian decided to get us a pack of Sox tickets for Christmas. Instead of our usual one game per season, we were going to four. Ian, the consummate sports fan, patiently answered all my questions during every game, and over the course of those four games I learned a little bit more about baseball strategy and the players on the team.

April 13 (marathon weekend): Sox 2, Rays 1 (10 innings)

June 8: Angels 9, Sox 5

July 21: Sox 8, Yankees 7 (11 innings)

September 19: Sox 3, Orioles 1

By the time the playoffs started, I was hooked. And when the team we knew and loved finally made it to the World Series, we couldn't stay away from Fenway. We strolled around the park before Game 1, inhaling the aroma of fried dough, Italian sausage, and roasting peanuts while bumping into thousands of beaming Sox fans. After the year we had been through, a championship felt inevitable, and the streets were full of confidence. We picked up dinner at Tasty Burger and headed to the only to the seats we could afford, on our sofa, and turned on the television.



We stayed up late for every game. By the time game 6 rolled around, we were exhausted but confident. The Sox were back at home. Of course they would win the World Series at Fenway, Boston Strong signs waving in the stands. We made sure we were home safe and sound well before the end of the game, and popped open a bottle of champagne when Koji threw the final strikeout to win the game, and opened our windows to catch the roar from Fenway.

Three days later, we tuned in on TV to see the World Series victory parade festivities at Fenway, then biked to the Cambridge side of the esplanade to catch the water portion of the duck boat parade.



Since the parade, I've been keeping my eye on the calendar for today: the Sox home opener. We don't have tickets to a slew of games this year, but I know I'll still be watching. And when the green line is packed with a sea of red and navy, I'll just remember how much fun it is to sit in the sunshine, eat Tasty Burger and soft serve ice cream out of a miniature Sox helmet, and see my team come together and win the World Series for the city they love so much. Go Sox!

thankful list | March 2014

01. planning for the DR trip with Nate and Danielle over a delicious dinner.
02. an afternoon with an amazing family (and meeting their newest baby).
03. catching up (and nerding out over grammar) with friends from my copyediting class.
04. sharing sushi with a friend I hadn't seen in months.
05. a fun afternoon shopping in the South End with Ingrid.
06. new delicious flavors from David's Tea.
07. a new teeny tiny adorable tropical plant (that I hope I can keep alive).
08. a shop that is an amazing resource in my efforts to be greener in my skincare.
09. a great community group coach.
10. finishing our taxes and discovering we get a refund.
11. reliving our Paris trip by watching Midnight in Paris.
12. blankets, snuggles, and movies on a cold Saturday.
13. a productive weekend of cleaning (a belated start to Apartment Therapy's January Cure).
14. a night of celebrating some big wins for the people in our community group.
15. catching up with Todd and Danielle after their trip to India.
16. Boston firefighters, who risk their lives every day to keep us safe.
17. an hour of financial coaching leaving us excited about our home ownership timeline.
18. the reminder that our hard work and financial discipline is worth it.
19. half a dozen bright and happy balloons for a surprise birthday party.
20. successfully pulling off said surprise birthday party.
21. the delicious food at Cuchi Cuchi.
22. after months of procrastination, a haircut.
23. two teaching series in a row at REUNION that are just what we needed to hear.
24. warmer weather and disappearing snow piles (even if it's still cold and wet).
25. a closet concise enough that I can pull together a cute outfit without thinking.
26. L.L. Bean boots on a rainy day.
27. new socks, organic and made in America, so my feet feel good and I feel good.
28. friendship bread.

Ian + Anna in the DR 2014

For the last three summers Ian and I have taken a week-long service trip to the Dominican Republic. Our church has an ongoing partnership with Pastor Luis Vargas and his family, and each summer we send a team to work alongside them. We are so happy to be a part of this partnership and to co-lead our 2014 trip. The Vargas family's joy and hope is infectious, and it draws us back year after year.

Luis Vargas, photo by Erin Glabets

Luis and his family serve in La Mosca, a squatter community next to a trash dump. Many families survive on less than two dollars a day, and for many, picking trash is their main source of income. The community is plagued by disease, addiction, crime, illiteracy, and malnutrition.

Because of our partnership, Luis is able to serve food to 100+ hungry kids six days a week, provide medical care, and seek out and meet the needs of those in his community. We are starting to see the results: at the medical clinic last summer the team doctor and nurses celebrated that the overall health of the community is finally showing noticeable improvements.

Luis and the team playing with kids in La Mosca, photo by Erin Glabets

We are excited to return this August to serve and spend time with Luis and the community we have grown to love over the past three years. But we can't do this trip alone. We would love to have your support as we head back to the DR.

• You can sponsor us financially — together we need $4,000 to cover airfare, room and board, transportation, and supplies for the medical clinic and construction work. You can give online via our Rally page. (If you prefer to make a tax-deductible donation online or via check, visit www.reunioninthedr.com.) Once our trip cost is funded (hey, we can dream big!), additional donations will go toward other trip costs and to support the Vargas family's ongoing work in La Mosca.
• You can donate medical supplies. Let us know before procuring the supplies, so we can coordinate with the medical clinic leader. We also are happy to accept toys and/or warm weather clothes (as much as we can squeeze into our luggage after medical supplies are packed).

For more information about the trip and our partnership, please visit www.reunioninthedr.com and check out stories and photos from our past trips here on the blog.

Dios te bendiga!

the ups and downs of a figure skating fan

When I was six years old, I fell in love with figure skating while watching Kristi Yamaguchi skate for the gold at the Albertville Olympics. I decided I wanted to be just like her. Unfortunately, the nearest skating rink was four hours away, so I channeled my newfound passion into becoming an avid fan. I checked the newspaper for the TV schedule every week so I wouldn't miss the Grand Prix circuit, Nationals, or Worlds. When I knew we wouldn't be home, I set the VCR (yes, the VCR) to record everything.

Two years later, I cheered on Nancy Kerrigan as she battled back from "the whack heard round the world," and was devastated when she finished second to Oksana Baiul. At that moment, I should have realized that under its elegant lines, exhilarating jumps, and breathtaking spirals, figure skating is a cruel mistress.

At the same nationals Nancy Kerrigan could not compete in due to her injuries, I noticed an Asian figure skater who was only a couple years older than me. Within a year, I was one of Michelle Kwan's biggest fans. I followed as faithfully as television schedules allowed, rejoicing in her record breaking national and world championships, and mourning as her dream of Olympic gold eluded her.

But my departure for college coincided with the sunset of Michelle Kwan's career. My busy new schedule left little time to devote to watching the competitions, and no one else I knew seemed interested. Slowly, figure skating faded into the background.

But it all came back this January, when I discovered Nationals were in Boston, and Ian thought we should go (even though he's never been a fan). Ticket prices for the ladies short program and free skate were steep, and I wasn't very familiar with anyone currently competing. Instead, we decided to attend the Smucker's Skating Spectacular, showcasing all of the medalists, including the entire Olympic team, with their exhibition skates.

We watched the competition on TV all weekend, and I did my best to educate Ian on the finer points of figure skating. Sunday night, we bundled up and headed to the TD Garden. It was my first figure skating event ever, and I was giddy.

The program started with the younger competitors, working up to the the senior level athletes. The younger skaters were fun to watch, and I'm curious to see where their careers take them next. Mirai Nagasu, who was passed over for the Olympic team despite a third place finish, had a beautiful and heartbreaking performance.

Before the Olympic team took the ice, the loudspeakers announced intermission would be followed by a program "you don't want to miss." Once the lights dimmed again, the announcer declared they were honoring the American Olympic gold medalists, and out walked America's first Olympic champion figure skater, Dick Button, the commentator I had listened to for years. By the time Brian Boitano and Kristi Yamaguchi walked on the ice, I couldn't contain myself. If Michelle Kwan had made an appearance, I would have burst into tears (I couldn't help but think "it should have been Michelle" when the final two ladies walked out).

After a standing ovation, the program continued with the Olympic team. Even Ian was impressed with the grace and athleticism. Realistically, we knew they were not all medal contenders, but we were optimistic they would represent the United States well.

Once the Olympics started, I watched every moment I could. I was reminded of what a roller coaster this sport can be. I cheered Jeremy Abbott during his short program as he picked himself up after a hard fall and kept skating. My heart broke as I saw Canada's Patrick Chan fall short of his dreams for Olympic gold (and had flashbacks to Michelle Kwan). I nervously watched Meryl Davis and Charlie White compete, afraid that once again I would see my favorite skaters experience bitter disappointment. But for the first time in two decades, the skaters I wanted to win gold actually landed at the top of the Olympic podium. My joy was short-lived. I was shocked and disappointed when Russia's Adelina Sotnikova upset Korea's Yuna Kim. Artistry is what made me fall in love with the sport, and I was indignant to see it take a back seat to athleticism.

Despite my renewed frustration, seeing figure skating in person has renewed my respect and passion for the sport. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for the promising young American (and international) figure skaters. I know more disappointments are inevitable, but so are captivating performances. And this time, I don't need a VCR to see it all!

and the 2014 nominees are...

For the sixth year in a row, Ian and I watched the Oscar-nominated animated shorts (our fourth year watching at the Coolidge Corner Theatre). We've had a fairly good record predicting the winner (going 2 for 3 when we've seen all the nominees... and I really wish our predicted winner won last year), and are trying our luck again.

Get a Horse!  — This Disney short first seems to be a long lost Mickey Mouse animation, with a wagon full of beloved characters on a pleasant afternoon ride. Then Peg-Leg Pete picks a fight from his newfangled car, and the ensuing chaos crashes into the theater. I learned after the fact that this appeared in 3D before Frozen, so we missed the full effect of Mickey & Co. erupting from the screen. I can imagine this as a technical masterpiece, but the characters and storyline, while charmingly nostalgic, remained two-dimensional.

Mr. Hublot  — The obsessive compulsive Mr. Hublot is drawn out of his carefully ordered world by the barks of an abandoned robot dog. He soon finds himself torn between maintaining his measured and meticulous life and upsetting the familiar to make room for something new. The visuals are a beautiful and quirky portrayal of a futuristic and mechanical world, and the story is heartwarming and unexpected. I found myself thinking about both the cost and the value of inviting new people and things into my life. The field seems tight this year, but we're guessing (and hoping) Mr. Hublot takes home the Oscar.

Feral  — A hunter finds a wild boy in the woods and brings him home to civilization, which may not be as civilized as it seems. The stark and haunting style of animation effectively conveys the confusion and distress of the wild boy as he encounters a strange new world, but the story and its themes were quite perplexing. Am I happy at the boy's rescue? Angry he is forced to change? Is his wildness nature or nurture, and should it be accommodated or tamed? Is the kindhearted hunter better off without this feral boy? Are the flaws of society irredeemable? I appreciate movies that make me think, but this short could have benefited from a stronger focus and direction.

Possessions — A lone traveler gets caught in a storm and takes shelter in a dilapidated shrine. He soon discovers it is inhabited by broken and discarded household items that have, as described by Japanese folklore, developed souls and are ready to take revenge. The traveler's wise responses to each challenge feel like part of a long line of fables where wit, not might, conquers the foe. The anime style of the film seemed a bit disjointed at the beginning, but in retrospect, I can't imagine the story visualized in any other way.

Room on the Broom — A kind and cheerful witch and her cat unexpectedly pick up a few extra passengers on their broom, to the cat's chagrin. But soon they discover they have bigger problems: the witch has inadvertently caught the attention of a dragon, whose favorite meal happens to be witch and chips. As fans of The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child, we were tickled to see some of those characters make cameos, and the claymation, once again, was delightful. The story didn't build quite as expected, but as a children's story it offers an important lesson on friendship and flexibility.

Highly Commended Shorts

A la Française  — A day in the life of Versailles during the reign of Louis the Fourteenth is full of big hair, big egos, and big drama. The short starts with empty shots of Versailles, which we were excited to recognize thanks to our trip last year. When the first chickens finally appeared on screen, I laughed out loud. The concept is so creative and full of humor. Each tableau of court life is delightfully comedic (don't miss King Louis's tail: a fleur-de-lis), and slowly builds to a surprising finale in the Hall of Mirrors.

The Missing Scarf  — A squirrel out searching for his lost scarf bumps into several friends, who are each too preoccupied with their own fears to help him find his scarf. The chipper and optimistic squirrel offers each of them conventional advice for conquering those fears, which they follow to unexpected results. The animation was inventive, and we both loved the use of infographics to build suspense. We loved the visual style and the dark humor.

The Blue Umbrella — While waiting at a crosswalk, a blue umbrella is smitten when he bumps into a red umbrella. They exchange a few shy glances, but too soon their owner's paths diverge. Determined to spend more time with the red umbrella, the blue umbrella escapes his owner's grasp, only to end up in the middle of a dangerously busy street. It is up to the setting to fix this dire situation. Although the storyline did seem to be missing that Pixar creative spark, the photorealistic animation is breathtaking.

We enjoyed all of the shorts, and highly recommend catching them if you have the opportunity. Have fun watching the Oscars, and may the best films win!

*update: we were right — Mr. Hublot took home the Oscar!

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