city – The April Diaries

For those of you who don’t know, Boston was my backyard for 20 years prior to moving to Little Rhody. I remember how resentful I was to my parents for making my brother and I move to another state. My mom later told me, “you’ll be away from the bastards who hurt you in Massachusetts.” I was getting over a break-up at the time, so I agreed with her and never looked back — not even a glimpse of Massachusetts.

This past Friday I actually went back to Boston to visit a friend at MassArt (hi, Kira!). Everywhere we went, including Primark, I said out loud, “Oh, Boston. Oh, how I’ve missed you.” I didn’t realize that I really did miss Boston and was almost reluctant to come “home” to my small town in Rhode Island. The minute I saw the Vera Gas Tank with the “strokes” of paint on it, I said in a Snapchat story, “Boston, I’m home.” It’s true– Massachusetts is all I’ve really known, despite how well I’ve gotten to know Providence. I can’t wait to return to Boston for grad school in a year or two.

Anyway, Providence may be the “creative capital,” but Boston is home to the famous MFA, the ICA, and some of the more creative spirits (not to mention so many publishing houses — a dream!)

I had to make sure I looked my absolute best while staying comfortable at the same time because God knew we would be walking a lot. What I wasn’t really cognizant of when choosing my outfits is that I mostly packed the colors tan and black. So here we go with the outfits!

1.) Cheetah Girl or NAH:

No joke, I swear one of the Cheetah Girls wears this ADORABLE AND TRENDY teddy-bear coat in one of the movies! Here I have it paired with simple blue jeans, a black top, and a pair of black booties with a silver toe and a bit of a heel from H&M. I saw this jacket at Primark, and I knew it was something I had to have. Kira bought one, too!

2.) Black Sneaks Back ALRIGHT!

Good play on words, huh? 🤣 Here I am wearing black jeans, black sneakers, paired with a tan-sherpa vest (that actually does keep you warm in the fall) and a tan striped shirt. This picture was taken at the Prudential Center. Sneakers are actually making a huge comeback this year, and will hopefully continue because they really are comfortable! Whether they are Nike, Adidas, Yeezy’s, or even a pair from Wal-Mart, sneakers are truly fashionable.

One thing I need to learn to master is how to take the T if I’m going to be living in Boston in the near future. Growing up in a suburban town outside of Boston, I didn’t have access to public transportation. But it’s all a learning experience!

Boston, thank you for lending me a second chance to show you how much I cherish you. ❤

Boston. There’s just something about it that makes you feel connected to everyone and everything in it, no matter where you’re from. For those of you who don’t know, I used to live in Massachusetts and went to high school in Newton. So really, Boston was all I ever really known, besides my own small town.

As a part of my birthday weekend, my dad took my cousins and me to Assembly. We first stopped at Cafe Nero, and it’s better coffee than anything I’ve ever had. Seriously, try their Cafe au lait (that’s “coffee with milk” in French).

There’s just something about the city in general that just makes me feel at home. By this time, I’ve lived in Rhode Island for two whole years.

Yes, I’ll be turning 22 tomorrow, May 28. PLEASE don’t play that annoying Taylor Swift song! My 21st year has been one for the books. I’m currently sitting in the Middletown Starbucks contemplating this past year. I’ve grown mentally, in muscle mass (I do love my upper body workouts), academically, and professionally. I said this once and I’ll say it one more time: I’ve lived this year with absolutely no regrets, and that was my ultimate goal in life.

So, for the girl about to turn 21, or turned 21 recently, here’s what you need to know:

1.) ALWAYS have your ID ready. Just because you’re 21, that doesn’t mean your server will necessarily trust you on that.

2.) Your parents (especially your mom) are always right.

3.) Stick up for yourself and your rights as a human being in this crazy, scary world of ours.

4.) It’s absolutely okay to be single.

5.) Don’t use your phone ALL THE TIME.

6.) Try something new.

7.) Find that one older “mentor” that you look up to.

8.) If you’re thinking about transferring colleges, weigh out the pros and cons and just do it.

9.) It’s always okay to say ‘no.’

10.) You don’t have to please everybody.

11.) Focus on YOU and only YOU — don’t worry about what other people think of you.

12.) Pray. God is good.

13.) Follow your dreams, if you know what you want to do with your life. Email that company you’ve been dying to intern at.

14.) Don’t be so hard on yourself. We all make mistakes.

15.) Don’t have high expectations. You’re being introduced to the real world.

16.) Workout — it releases endorphins!

17.) Write — it helps with any situation, especially poetry.

18.) Take a class on something you never thought you’d want to learn. I mean, hey, for my Arts Management minor, I’m taking business classes.

19.) Clean up your social media. Get rid of those toxic people from your friend list.

20.) Cry. It’s healthy. The feeling sucks, but it’s temporary.

21.) Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

22.) And finally, for one to grow on, if you want something to happen, you have to make it happen.

Being 21 definitely brought some realizations of who I really am. This is your chance to find out who you really are, too.

I already know that 22 will be a fantastic year. I’ll be doing what I love: writing and editing. Also, I’m pleased to announce that I’ve been selected as my Campus Entertainment Network’s Public Relations Chair! ☺

The next time you hear from me, I’ll be an intern/working girl. Be ready to hear all about my adventures in Providence!