Experience New England: Whoa, what a rush

So this past weekend my friends visited me. I havent seen them since March, and its been a long time coming. I honestly cant believe they made it here, and I was so excited to see it happen. Bryan, Janelle, and Casey left New York around 10pm Wednesday night and arrived here in Providence about 5amish. We slept for a lonnngg time and got our day started around 3pm. haha. We went to Trader Joes, played with some puppies at the Rumford Animal Store, and did random running around. We made a huge dinner of broccoli lo mein and Beef on Weck and Matt, Jon, and Eileen were able to join us! Friday we headed up to Boston to do some exploring. We ended up walking alot of the Freedom trail and discovered the Boston Green Festival going on! It was a bunch of tents and displays all set up in Gov't Center. There were free samples of all sorts of tasty "green" foods, as well as live music, and nice people. Im pretty sure it was about 3000 degrees in Boston. Everyone was sweating and it was kinda nasty. But oh well. We walked over the the North End and ate some delights at Mike's Pastrys, went to the Old North Church, and Found an awesome farmers market and water fountain to play in!

Saturday we went to the Beach somewhere in Middletown RI. I think it might have been an illegal beach, as we got a parking ticket, and no one else was really at that area. But.. oh well. It was fun and being in the water was absolutely awesome. Afterwards we drove down Ocean Drive through Newport and saw all the swanky houses. We came back, and I had to go to freaking work at the crabshack, and waterfire was that night, so I went to work and met up with my friends later after I closed. Then we walked to Waterfire and met up with a buttload of other people.

Sunday we woke up, went to church, came home, ate glorious delights of eggplant, mushrooms, feta, onions, bacon, and peppers on a sandwhich. Oh my Lord. Good job Casey. Then we rested, made some guacamole to bring to Bible Study and headed over there. After that we drove around Providence, went to a little indian store, and ended up at India Point Park (where else would I end up?). And that was fun. Until we heard gunshots and we headed back.

They left this morning and I'm sad. It was good to see them though, and combine Providence with Lockporty times. I loved that we've kept in touch so well that it wasnt necessary to have huge ridiculous intense times, but it was just like hanging out back home in Bryan's basement.

We actually set up a lair in my living room, pulled in the extra matress, unfolded the futon, and we basically camped in there the whole time. It was soo blazing hot.

Ahh. So fun times. =) I love my friends.

Found Alot of Things

This week went by very quickly and aggressively. My family was here, along with still having class and some other random activities. It was one of my favorite weeks so far this summer, for sure. My mom hasnt really been in Providence since before my freshman year, and my sister hasnt really seen too much in general. I made it my goal to show them all the things I am fond of plus wherever we ended up. Having a car this week and showing my family around aided in my discovery of some really interesting and new places in New England. (besides the time when it took 2.5 hours to get to Newport from Providence. I like to think "alternative route".. but whatever.)

I went on the Freedom Trail in Boston for the very first time. Surely a very touristy activity but I was sad to realize I have never walked it before. I completely recommend it. Old North Church, North End (with a necessary stop at Mikes Pastries for tasty cannoli), Bunker Hill, Paul Revere House, famous cemeteries... great exercise and it was just a really dandy time. 

Ocean Drive in Newport RI.. otherwise known as the Ten Mile Drive. It beautiful and stunning as you are surrounded by beautiful homes, the ocean, and gorgeous scenery. At one point we found a little cove with dozens of small rowboats and fishermen. Why have I never known about it? Dear lord, I wanted to drive it ten times in a row. 

Pawtuxet Village RI. So, I have vaguely heard of it before, but never really could figure out where it was. We stumbled upon it accidently while taking some misguided turns after admiring Save the Bay and the JWU Harborside campus. Its a little historical nugget of delight tucked amongst Providence and Cranston-ish. Waterside, quaint mainstreet USA, nice area. Definitely worth a drive through. 

We also ate at Harbourside Lobstermania in East Greenwich. They have the most ridiculously amazing lobster bisque, tasty seafood, great service, great atmosphere, and its right on the water. I always get the seafood platter which has baked scrod, stuffed shrimp, and scallops. I recommend it. My sister who has historically only ordered the chicken fingers, actually got a lobster club, and she LOVED it. I would recommend either. The prices vary depending on where you sit. The upscale/upstairs dining room is more classy, and expensive, but after a few visits we have realized that downstairs has the same menu for half the price and minus the salad bar.. which is ok with us. lol. 

Ohh. What a week.  What are your favorite places in New England that you like to show visitors or you like to visit? Any cool secret little tidbits? Please share=)

-Alissa-

"I guess we all get lucky sometimes..."

Pictures from our time in Boston:
click here

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My Lamp Came in Today!!!!!!!

 =) =)  I want to thank Fantabulously Frugal again for the amazing addition!

**Here are some other great little tidbits from my apartment (nautical theme much?) :

Target for  68cents. I could not resist.

in the bathroom.

this is the anchor that Esther bought me for last Christmas. Finally found a home in the kitchen!

And that is all for today. Nothing super exciting. Just quick updates and pics. The family wanted to see what we are up to this week while my mom and sister are in town. I finally have a garbage can, instead of just being all broke college student and hanging a industrial sized garbage bag from the door. My mom made me throw out the dead flowers sitting in the vases, and we bought really great cherry blossoms to go in there. It gives the living room a modern twist. I would say the theme for the apartment is modern nautical americana. Its hot. Okey dokey. Newport today. Peace out.

Go Pro (vidence)!

Man oh man. What an intense week.
The union team has come and gone, and I truly miss them and all that they have brought here. They had such a heart to serve and didnt complain about anything, even riding RIPTA. The top picture is an outreach we did on campus, passing out hot chocolate and little info cards. People could not understand why we were giving out free stuff. Its funny, oh New Englanders, you are so cynical. Surely there is a catch. And (according to one) The only catch is that you have to catch it. hah. They also did some things in Kennedy Plaza and the rescue mission. Now that they are gone, I kinda dont know what to do with myself. Going from a week of pure time usage to one where I can come home and like.. do whatever, its hard haha.
Friday we took a trip to Boston and saw some sights. In the evenning we went over to Tufts University and saw "Into the Woods," which is a twisted musical about fairy tales. One of our friends was playing in the orchestra for it, so that was great. We left at intermission because we were all too tired though. haha. I miss the Union Team and hope to stay in contact, what a great group of people.
Also, this week started my second practicum rotation at the TF Green Airport. I work in the information booth doing whatever needs to be done. Directions, hotel info, flight info, yeah anything. Its my favorite rotation so far and Im loving the general public interaction. I love to help people figure out where they need to go, and what there is to do in RI. Its great, and I would love to do something similar to that for a long long while.
I also woke up late one morning, missed the bus, and was freaking out. Thankfully my kind roommate drove me to the airport and helped me get there on time. I have to be at the airport at 7am, which means I have to catch the bus at 5:50am from my house. HAHA! So missing the bus was not ok. And dang, I cant let that happen again.