Graduation of the Class of 2011 at Boston College

The question every body asked quietly or loud: Where will the graduation be? Inside or Outside? Overcast yesterday and rain this morning, we were guessing 'inside'. To our surprise it was outside. Good, because there was no limit on guests to come and partake in the ceremony.
Inside would only aloud two guests of the graduate to come (we were nine family members) and the others would have seen it only on a screen.
Now we were all placed in the Football stadium's benches hoping for no rain and keeping warm with blankets and jokes. The festivities with speakers and music and the receiving of the diplomas took 5 hours. More then 2 000 graduates and each of them very of happy.

Perhaps you can see the video of the 135th graduation in the history of Boston College under:
http://www.bc.edu/offices/commencement/

Graduation weekend starting

The sun is shining and the cousins arrived from Seattle, the Graduation festivities can start!


We took a walk around the Newton Center area where old Victorian houses are and this is one of the finest examples (with cousins in front).

For more info on the Newton History Society

The 6th day of rain and greay sky

Remember the dry summer in 2010? We should be glad that we get rain in advance for this summer. But it would be nice to have some blue sky for the Graduation weekend. Many Universities are putting up tents to be safe but the pictures taken of the graduates with their families and friends will look more festive with sunshine. We will hope.

This morning I took a long walk in the neighborhood and the flowers continue to open up.
The Rhododendrons and Azaleas are getting ready as well as peonies - one of my favorites.

How are these houses built?

When European visitors come to New England they often wonder and ask how these wooden houses are built.
In the neighborhood they just are putting the finishing touches on one and plant an instant garden. (How I wish we could do that in ours...)



6 months ago it looked like this:



At that time I peeked inside and there you recognize the wonderful work of the carpenters.



With insulation and tight windows these houses are comfortable and cozy.

Look up Newton City

Perfect Museum day

The entrance to the McMullen Museum in Devlin Hall


Already in the night was such a heavy rainfall that I woke up. More or less all Sunday grey and wet and cold. Perfect day to visit the McMullen Museum of Boston College. An interesting exhibition with artifacts excavated in the ancient town of Dura-Europos. This exhibition will be up until June 5. Do not miss it!

A multicultural city for 600 years and then forgotten and covered with sand for 1600 years........
puts our multicultural life in perspective?

More info: Boston College

Why Martina Johanna?

This is the official engagement photo of my parents: Martina Creszentia and Johann William.

Three years later they had a son Bernhard (named after his grandfather) and five years later a daughter Martina Johanna.

Being seen on 'Martina Johanna blogspot' would have been unimaginable Science Fiction for them! You never know!

Peabody Essex Museum in Salem

From Boston it is about a one hour drive to Salem where the Peabody Essex Museum is located.
Everybody is talking about the special exhibition with Dutch Paintings and furniture from
Holland's Golden Age in the 17th Century. Of course we had to visit and combine it with a luncheon in their restaurant. Then a visit in the well filled book/gift store and back to Boston at 4 PM before the Friday traffic became too dense.



For more information on the Peabody Museum: http://www.pem.org/

The little dog painting was a favorite!