Living in Rhode Island

Every state in the nation has its quirks, whether that be a local bar or karaoke night. Depending on the person, there are many ways to enjoy one's time. Although it is safe to say that everyone can benefit from some social interaction every now and then. As a resident of Rhode Island, it is hard not to imagine myself trapped in a small room even though state borders are not physical borders. One might ask, "What is there to do in Rhode Island? It is the Ocean State, after all?" When I hear this question, what immediately comes to mind is the rich city of Providence, a city that is the home to many schools, museums, and cafes. Not only are there establishments to walk into as well as local small shops, but there are also entire streets, avenues, and neighborhoods to consider. To name a few, there is Broad Street, Wickenden, Federal Hill, and Thayer ("Providence Neighborhoods"). I already mentioned Thayer in a previous blog post. Also, I have talked about how the...

 The best coffee shops in RI, based on my personal experience, are the Coffee Exchange in Providence, the Coffee Depot in Warren, and any given Starbucks. The Coffee Exchange is located on Wickenden Street in Providence, RI. It is a small coffee shop that I found upon searching for a new place to study towards the end of my high school career. This venue provides the typical drink variety, including Chai, Matcha Latte, Dirty Chai, and London Fog ("Menu"). The seating arrangements are quite pleasant as well since there are seats along the walls as well two primary lounge areas. The two primary lounge areas consist of a room to the right side of the main floor as well as an upstairs seating area. There is not a great deal of space in between the tables but this makes the Coffee Exchange unique since it brings a closeness vibe. Another perk of the Coffee Exchange on Wickenden is that it is right next to the highway; also, it is situated among several other small shops and restau...

 Who doesn't love to walk their dog? This is a common activity that many people perform to keep their dog active and in shape. In Rhode Island, there is no exception to dog walking. From my perspective, dog walking is commonly seen in the suburbs but dogs are sure to be found in the city, too. As an owner of a black lab mix, my family and I never miss the opportunity to take him out on the streets and sidewalks in our suburban town. Some people have occasionally asked: do you walk your dog or does your dog walk you? This is a deep and contemplative question if it does not cause one to let out a loud rancorous cackle. But truly, it is important to consider the autonomy of your dog; even though he is on a leash, he seems to assume that he is leading the pack of two or three. One who walks our dog may experience a couple tugs and pulls in many directions depending on where the dog wants to go. But of course, my family of dog-walkers stick to common trails on our small town where our d...

       After commuting to and from college beginning in Rhode Island and reaching another state in the US that is approximately four hours away, I decided that I wanted to try living in a new place once again. I am used to living in the small suburbs for about thirteen years. Starting in 2020, I began to reside in a collegiate residential area. Specifically, I found myself nestled in a dormitory on a college campus encircled by a local town. Now that I have finished college and have zero interest in further education or college life at this moment, I initially deduced that going back to the suburbs was almost like a step back. So, after spending the summer as well as a couple fall months at my home in Rhode Island, I ventured beyond the suburbs and into the city. This city is known to be Providence, Rhode Island. The city of Providence is quite a city. It is the capital of Rhode Island that hosts many large buildings and skyscrapers, like many other cities. The talle...

 Once I began my side hustle in the company called DoorDash in the last year of my college journey, I have decided that maybe I will continue with this endeavor for as long as I own a car and possess a Driver's License. With all of that said, many of my recent DoorDash "trips" have been determined by cafes and restaurants in the state of Rhode Island. When I got home from college, I was curious about what local eateries would invite me to complete their necessary business deliveries. That is when I discovered Tracy's Cream and Sugar. My knowledge of this cafe started on an early summer morning when I decided that at 8am, I was going to undertake a shift as a DoorDash Driver. The sun had risen which had created a bright warm day that I was able to perceive before I entered my car. Immediately upon starting the day's shift, I was notified to head to a place called Tracy's Cream and Sugar. I was intrigued since I had not heard of this place before and I was accus...

 The Wampanoag Trail is also part of the highway Route 114. This trail extends from County Road in Barrington all the way to the East Shore Expressway---a highway that leads cars toward the Town of Seekonk and the City of East Providence. Osamaquin is approximately 1.5 miles long and is located in Barrington ( Osamequin Nature Trails ). It is a trail that can be found on the righthand side of the Wampanoag when one is driving North via Route 114. Rhode Island has plenty of trails with which to hike on and to explore the local biodiversity. Osamequin is one of these trails. According to an online article found on exploreri.org, the author(s) explain that the Osamequin trail is named after the Massasoit of the Pokanoket tribe. Massasoit means "Great Leader" while the Pokanoket tribe belonged to the Wampanoag Nation. The Town of Barrington has worked with the Barrington Garden Club to conserve the Osamequin Nature Sanctuary, 42 acres of land; ever since 1968, the Barrington Gard...