Spring Break 2013 - Day 1 - Train to New Orleans

A little while ago, I decided to go on a Spring Break trip to New Orleans with my friends, so I can PA for them. It was a really hard decision.

On one hand, it was really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I get a free trip with pay; I would only have to pay for food and souvenirs or whatever. In addition, I get to experience the culture and the community of New Orleans. I've been to the North, East, West, Midwest--I can finally get a taste of the South. Lastly, I get to help give my friends a trip of a lifetime! Being in wheelchairs, there are perceived limitations when it comes to travelling. However, they overlooked the obstacles and decided that they were going to go on this trip! Why wouldn't I want to be a part of that.

On the other hand, I would only be able to be back home for half of Spring Break. It was tough because at this point in the school year, I was already incredibly homesick. I wanted to be home and see my family and friends. That's it--plain and simple--I missed my family and friends. 

After talking to my mom and sister, they encouraged me to go on the trip. They understood that I missed them, but they knew I may not have such an opportunity again. They reasoned that I would still be able to be home, even if it's a little later and for a shorter amount of time--and I'll have fun in New Orleans, so why not? 

Come today though, I was regretting my decision. My UIUC friends were staying another day or so, but I had to leave a day earlier to catch my bus. When I was saying bye, I just kept thinking, "I don't care about New Orleans. I just want to hang out for a little bit longer and then go home to my family!" It felt horrible. It took a long phone call with Becky to finally calm me down. 

Once I was calm though, I remembered why I was going on the trip again--and I was super excited! I met up with the guys, helped them pack their things, headed off to the station, and got on the train. Nineteen hours from now, we'll be in the diirrrty South in good ol' New Orleans. 

I Got Bit By A Squirrel

Feeling giddy as I ever was around squirrels + Feeling lucky from this experience + Buttmunch squirrel

=

This was a period during the school year where I always carried around peanuts and one happy day after an exam or something, I wanted to go out and feed a squirrel and pet it. I found this one curiously, cute little guy  who wanted my peanuts. After feeding it for a while by just placing the nuts on the ground, I built up enough faith and trust in my squirrel friend to hand-feed it. That's when things all went awry and the rascal duped me! He was so smart about biting me too. First, he grabbed my by the fleshy parts of my palm (so I can't escape), then he bit into my thumb and thrashed his head around (so he can make it as painful as possible) and lastly, he made me drop the nuts from my hand (so he can eat em).

In conclusion,...

I'm glad I had this experience. I have the privilege of saying I pet a squirrel and now also that I was bitten by one. I would even say it was a pretty good experience. It actually didn't hurt that much, though it looked like a dreadful, dreadul injury. I was dripping blood everywhere and it didn't stop bleeding until like an hour after.
And I also learned a lot:

• Squirrels are not tame
• Squirrels have very sharp claws. If they're sharp enough to hold onto trees, they're definitely sharp enough to break skin.
• Squirrels have very sharp teeth. If they're sharp enough to break through nuts, they're definitely sharp enough to break skin...and deeper.
• Squirrels like nuts. If you're stupid enough to feed it to them with your hands, they're definitely crazy enough to bite your hand along with it.
• Squirrels are still cute.
• I want to pet another squirrel
  
  AND THE BIGGEST LESSON THAT I TAUGHT EVERYONE WHO KNEW ABOUT THE BITE...
• Squirrels RARELY carry rabies. But they DO carry tetanus. Tetanus can kill you. I got a tetanus shot. Now I won't die. I love squirrels.

World Of Dance Chicago 2012

Wow! This is my first World of Dance post even though this is my third year attending. Well, I guess it makes sense since I wasn't a very active blogger in 2011 and 2010.

Just to sum up this event, just like many other dance showcasing events, it's a great competition where a spectrum of different hip hop crews around the area display their talent, love, and passion for dance. It's a great, wonderful, and always super hype show. It's one of those things I always look forward to months in advance. It's just.. great!

This year, a few of my favorite acts included...

Versatile ENT

I don't know what this style of hip hop is..

But I like it.

I'm still trying to find out if there's a more specific term for it.

Vicious

Work in Progress

And lastly,

The Puzzle League (1ST PLACE)

Not only do I love watching dance, I love watching it live. There's this raw energy and feeling that you can't capture in video. It's still wonderful to watch and relive the event. For you readers and watchers, hopefully the cheering and screaming can give you a little understanding of just how hype it gets.