My Saturday was full of fun and firsts. It was that day that I took on one of my biggest challenges to date... a 5K road race. 3.2 miles of me moving my mostly lethargic ass through the streets of Salem. This has been something I have been training for, but still wasn't quite ready to run.
I ran a race called the Ladies Night Out Run with my friend Marina. Main reason we ran it... chocolate, wine, and flowers at the end. Talk about a sweet reward! I won't get into the nitty gritty of the run, but there were a lot of things that threw me off, and I wasn't able to do a straight run of the course. However I pushed myself, only taking small walking breaks to catch my breathe. But Marina kept me going, acting as my amazing support system, and we finished the race together at 34 minutes. I have to say, that is quite a record for this kid! I'd be lying if I didn't say I was EXTREMELY proud of us for pushing through it all and kicking some ass... which was our own.
After the run and fun, I rushed on home to get ready and head on out to Providence! I went down there for a date that I couldn't have been happier to have experienced... especially as I had no idea what the heck he had planned for us. All week long I had to deal with the taunting and teasing of an awesome date, that would remain a surprise til I got to Rhode Island.
The date began with us eating dinner at Lim's. What was so special about that? It was a place I had tried to eat at the first day I met him, but sad for me, the restaurant was closed. Luckily he has a good memory, and took me there so I could finally try out their "Incredible Hulk" sushi roll. It lived up to expectations, and was insanely tasty!
Next, I was taken into the heart of the city for a major event that comes only every few weeks in the summer. Water Fire. An amazing display on the water of... well, fire! Tons of people, beautiful sights, some good/bad music, and some salsa dancing. We just walked along the full length a couple times, talking and enjoying the view. Truly beautiful, especially on such a gorgeous night.
After our alone time, we met up with a couple of his friends to keep the night on the town going full steam ahead. We began our group outing at a fantastic bar and restaurant called The Dorrance. All I can say is wow! This place was beautiful. A modern restaurant, making its home in the city's old Union Trust Building. Exquisite architecture graces every inch on the inside. So much detail etched into the marble walls, and tile ceilings. And the drinks... to die for! The bartenders are professionals, and each drink shows their work in all its glory.
But it wasn't all glitz and glam, we ended the night slumming it up at Providence's Fat Belly's Bar. Let me put it this way... when your beer glass contains the information of an attorney who specializes in DUI's, you know you are at a dive bar. All the same, it was a blast as the company kept the party going.
It was just a perfect day filled with many great memories. From the small little gestures that helped push me through my first race, to the small gesture of just remembering something so minute as a restaurant and a dish I was hoping to try.
