So after everything that went down in Boston, and realizing I’ve been here for exactly 2 months today, I felt I needed to write a couple things down.

I’ve been trying to figure out a way to put down what I felt about the Boston bombings and insanity down in a post, and every time I tried I struggled. Then I finally figured where I wanted to begin. First I had to creepily and stalkerishly find what my sister and beautiful best friend Sarah Laughlin said when the horrible Connecticut shootings happened in December (don’t be creeped out, I love and miss you) She perfectly wrote, “I believe that the human condition is complex and heartbreaking and contorted, but also the most ridiculously beautiful thing in this world. I also believe that humans are innately good, and that the pull towards virtue will always be stronger, purer, and more powerful than that towards evil.”

I feel like I’m writing some sort of weird academic essay, do I need to cite you, Sarah? Maybe make a bibliography? – Okay, back to my point (Those of you who know me well, know when I talk about serious things I get nervous and go off topic and ramble – classic)

Like a lot of my friends have been saying, we need to remember these two men are also human, and maybe think before you start ranting about how you want them to fry and die. And Dzhokar, the surviving suspect, is just a 19 year old boy. He wrestled, was right from Cambridge, even went to a school where some of my peers went. He has friends, a family, and probably experiences the same sort of drama we all went through when we were 19. I don’t know about you guys, but I was an immature idiot when I was 19. His brother, Tamerlan was just 26, and has a wife and child who he left behind. See? Humans, who I feel bad for, and refuse to hate.

I know so many of us are angry and hurt, but we need to remember that fighting fire with fire will always create a bigger and more dangerous and deadly situation. I wholeheartedly believe in love. Momma B-F and Grandma B always tell me that when I love someone or something, I love with all my heart – it can be a blessing and a curse – and that I get it from Momma B-F…THANKS A LOT! And I apparently am so fascinated by it, that it’s to the point that I did my whole 12th grade project on love and different people’s perspectives of it then wrote songs based off them! (Hooray CSW! SHOUTOUT – wish I could have been at the memorial, much love to Karl, his family, and the CSW Community.)

I have confidence in love and I am convinced the bombings and manhunt chaos truly proved just how incredible people can be. At the marathon – spectators, first response officials, and police officers ran right into the debris and uncertainty in order to save and help the wounded. They didn’t know if more bombs would go off, and kept running towards the danger anyway. Runners who had just crossed the finish line, AFTER RUNNING THE ENTIRE FUCKING BOSTON MARATHON TRACK, kept on running to the hospital to donate blood! People are truly incredible.

When I found out what happened, which was hours after the initial bombings, due to time differences, I was in absolute shock and worried for hours. I couldn’t get into contact with anyone and I was freaked out. Just when I thought the chaos was over – Thursday night happened and the manhunt ensued. I probably listened to a police scanner for 10 hours straight. Then they said Watertown and Waltham and other towns that are right near me. At one point I heard a policewoman say ‘Trapelo road’ and my heart stopped. I drive on that street all the time. Thankfully they never went near there and it was a false alarm, but it still chilled my bones. The courage and absolute solidarity of the city of Boston made me so proud to be from such an amazing place. I have never been more proud to say I am from Massachusetts.

Probably listened to this a million times on repeat:

And I want to take this moment to thank all my friends who I have met in Australia – without you I could not have gotten through last week. You all made sure I was okay and stood by me while I listened to that police scanner for a fucking lifetime. I could feel the care and love emitting from your bodies, and I appreciated that more than you know. So this brings me to my next point…..I am half way done with my study abroad adventure. 2 month younger Chelsea arrived to Australia exactly 2 months ago on this day – February 22. I can’t believe it’s already been 2 months, it feels like I just got here! I have met some of the most amazing, beautiful people who I will always stay in touch with – that’s a promise. I am having the best time of my life, yet I do admit I miss you UMASS, Massachusetts, family, friends, AND EVEN YOU, MOM AND DAD – and even though I was so homesick last week, and it sucks to feel that way….it’s kind of nice knowing that I love everyone back home so much that I do miss you all and can’t wait to see you when I come home. Until then though…I’m not even close to ready to leaving. I’ve only got about 2 months left, and you’d better believe it when I say I’m going to live it UP.

Also I want these.

http://boston.barstoolsports.com/random-thoughts/first-t-shirt-update-on-money-raised-by-the-stoolies-so-far/

Boston strong. Boston proud. So thankful my family and friends are safe. Still thinking of and praying for those still in the hospital and wounded, and those who passed, and all the families and friends affected.

Love to all of you <3

Also random, but this music video makes me want to get weird 24/7 and live life like it’s my last day even more.

Works Cited

Laughlin, S. “The Complete Works of Sarah’s Brain; Ideas, Opinions, Dreams” Facebook inc. 2013. LovingYouCopyright.

LOLZ!!! Worst citing ever.