*The City*
Dubbed as the Renaissance City, Providence is a city like no other... The people, the culture, the atmosphere... The language! LOL I could not get over the heavy Italian accent I heard EVERYWHERE! Or was it just the Rhode Island accent that suddenly sounded stronger than ever after being away for so long? Funny thing is, after a couple of days, I sounded just like them... It all came back! I'm still amazed at how one city can be so beautiful, yet so ghetto all at the same time... On a couple of my strolls through certain neighborhoods I caught myself wishing I had my pepper spray with me... I was actually questioning my safely... Something I haven't done in Seattle yet...
*Family*
My dad is whipped... I can't believe it. I salute my stepmom, she is awesome! She has completely transformed my dad into a person I do not know. I suspect my adorable 3 year old half sister might have had a little to do with that as well... I guess (new) parenthood changes men... Still, some things about him are (sadly) still the same... Oh well, as long as he loves my stepmom and Sophia, I'm cool with whatever... My stepsister is a different story altogether... How bad was it of me to actually not want to be around her :(... Her bf and I get along great though!
*Friends*
True friends aren't necessarily the people you see everyday... They are the people you don't see for months, but when you do, you just pick up right where you left off... And it's like it was only yesterday... :) I guess what it came down to was that I saw people who wanted to see me. It was a random selection really... An ex bf, a high school reunion, some old co-workers and a mix of friends from college and church. Seeing them happy put a smile on my face. Seeing them struggle made me sad... In the end, all I could do was make sure they knew I loved them and was there for them. So many of them have been affected by the economy (RI has the highest percentage of unemployment in the country) and it has devastated them (esp. guys). I know that most of these people will always be in my life in some way or another because our connections are just so strong :)
*Dancing*
I don't know if I'm totally accurate in saying this, but from what I've seen while I was there, the Latin dance scene in RI leaves more to be desired... Maybe I am biased. Maybe I was just missing my friends, my cozy little dance hubs and Nick's amazing music, but dancing in Providence just didn't do it for me... I missed "my" leads - dancing with the people I know, love, and can affectionately hug afterwards :) I guess I can't fully enjoy dancing without connecting with the person I dance with :)
*Food*
Can you say I T A L I A N? Providence is truly famous for its strong Italian heritage, and that is clearly evident in its cuisine. Its restaurants and chefs are top notch, which is not surprising since one of the top culinary schools in the country, Johnson and Wales University, resides downtown. Providence is also famous for its many bars, lounges and "upscale" socializing. In a city run by mafia, what can you expect? ;)
Dubbed as the Renaissance City, Providence is a city like no other... The people, the culture, the atmosphere... The language! LOL I could not get over the heavy Italian accent I heard EVERYWHERE! Or was it just the Rhode Island accent that suddenly sounded stronger than ever after being away for so long? Funny thing is, after a couple of days, I sounded just like them... It all came back! I'm still amazed at how one city can be so beautiful, yet so ghetto all at the same time... On a couple of my strolls through certain neighborhoods I caught myself wishing I had my pepper spray with me... I was actually questioning my safely... Something I haven't done in Seattle yet...
*Family*
My dad is whipped... I can't believe it. I salute my stepmom, she is awesome! She has completely transformed my dad into a person I do not know. I suspect my adorable 3 year old half sister might have had a little to do with that as well... I guess (new) parenthood changes men... Still, some things about him are (sadly) still the same... Oh well, as long as he loves my stepmom and Sophia, I'm cool with whatever... My stepsister is a different story altogether... How bad was it of me to actually not want to be around her :(... Her bf and I get along great though!
*Friends*
True friends aren't necessarily the people you see everyday... They are the people you don't see for months, but when you do, you just pick up right where you left off... And it's like it was only yesterday... :) I guess what it came down to was that I saw people who wanted to see me. It was a random selection really... An ex bf, a high school reunion, some old co-workers and a mix of friends from college and church. Seeing them happy put a smile on my face. Seeing them struggle made me sad... In the end, all I could do was make sure they knew I loved them and was there for them. So many of them have been affected by the economy (RI has the highest percentage of unemployment in the country) and it has devastated them (esp. guys). I know that most of these people will always be in my life in some way or another because our connections are just so strong :)
*Dancing*
I don't know if I'm totally accurate in saying this, but from what I've seen while I was there, the Latin dance scene in RI leaves more to be desired... Maybe I am biased. Maybe I was just missing my friends, my cozy little dance hubs and Nick's amazing music, but dancing in Providence just didn't do it for me... I missed "my" leads - dancing with the people I know, love, and can affectionately hug afterwards :) I guess I can't fully enjoy dancing without connecting with the person I dance with :)
*Food*
Can you say I T A L I A N? Providence is truly famous for its strong Italian heritage, and that is clearly evident in its cuisine. Its restaurants and chefs are top notch, which is not surprising since one of the top culinary schools in the country, Johnson and Wales University, resides downtown. Providence is also famous for its many bars, lounges and "upscale" socializing. In a city run by mafia, what can you expect? ;)
*Loose Ends*
I do love Rhode Island and I do love Providence. However, I do not miss it. True, every time I visit I get overwhelmed by a wave of nostalgia that sweeps over me with the memories of the past, but it's a past that's dead and gone. My new life is in Seattle :) Seattle is home :) I love it :) It's just... me!
