“ALL the little things will add to a happy journey,” so said the fortune cookie I got after finishing my buffet plate at Bamboo, an Asian restaurant where our American colleagues took us for a welcome dinner. I just came straight from an 18-hour flight then, joining my teammates who flew in two days earlier over in Acton, Massachusetts for technical training. It was the eve of Chinese New Year and we each received a red lucky envelope containing a dollar inside. The walk back to the hotel was shivering. It was my first winter.

The ensuing work week was rather hectic, what with left and right meetings and shadowing sessions. I even had small writing tasks done for my mentor. Snow fell on Wednesday. On Thursday we went to Salem, New Hampshire, where it’s tax-free to shop. At Target, the first thing I picked out was an ugly doll: this robot-with-heart to make it up with Rach who’s being emo back home. Bought digital picture frames (which girlfriend also really likes) for half the price and also bagged some books. On Friday night, we were driven to the company's old office location, passing by Victorian-style houses of the surrounding towns.



The four of us in the group looked forward to a weekend of day tripping. Saturday we planned for Boston and Cambridge, scrapping an originally 8-hour commute to NYC. We took a cab to the rail station before we hopped the subway train for our first stop: the Science Museum. The walk in and out of the building was so chilly. I thought the exhibits were a made-for-kids variety but I was particularly drawn to the Math room and the UNIVAC diorama. The exhibit halls showcased geek stuff: comic books, solar-powered cars, old computing devices. As a souvenir, I bought a rock that when poured with vinegar produces popcorn crystals, for my brother.

We scuttled back to the subway to get to Harvard University. From the subway station, it's an understatement to describe the walk to the Museum of Natural History as challenging for tropical islanders. I thought I’d lose my ears off: it was freezing cold, aggravated by our hunger and the blowing wind. We ate at a pizza joint and looked around the Coop before we explored the campus ground's hallowed brownstone buildings. At one point, we couldn't help but laugh at our situation, wheezing and whimpering under below-zero degrees. But the museum was such a blast! Dinosaur bones, hand-made glass flowers, and ancient relics. Couldn’t ask for more, and I got to rub John Harvard’s famous shoe for luck (or wisdom, whatever). Afterwards, we went to drink at Grendel's Den. We speculated whether the place had Filipino context clues - they serve a house brew called "Chimay" and, offering no explanation for the absence of popular beer brands, ends their menu with "Basta".



Sunday’s temperature improved, which made a walking expedition of the 13th-century era seaport of Gloucester a real marvel. I went with Ms Adel this time, en route from a one-hour rail ride. Gloucester was surprisingly a compact place. We gawked at the city hall, churches, and brick buildings. Sea gulls flew and loitered all around. Interesting little shops dotted the snow-covered streets: pubs and delis, specialty boutiques, bookstores even. We found ourselves at the monument and memorial by the bay dedicated to those who perished at the sea. A companion statue for “those who wait” was at the bridge end. On our way back to the train station, we had a lucky discovery: a directional marker to former US commonwealths, the Philippines included. Home beckons, and I’m just as eager to get over with the rest of my second week here.