Fall break was filled with a lot of first time experiences. I took the Amtrak with Laura and Melanie to Champaign-Urbana, IL, which is where Melanie lives and Laura lives 30 minutes south from. Laura lives in a small town called Tuscola, IL. Her family is very close and loving. Everyone in her town knows everyone and pretty much everything about each family, which is not exactly what I am used to.
Her home is surrounded by corn fields and at night it is extremely quiet and you can see the stars, it’s a beautiful scene. Her family grows a lot of their own food. Her dog, Charlie loves to select pears from their pear tree to eat. I got the chance to meet her father and mother’s parents. The two nights that I stayed with Laura over break, both nights we went to the U of I (University of Illinois) which was a lot of fun to experience a different way of “having fun on the weekend.” First off, the university has three campuses and just at the one campus I went to there are over 41,000 students who attend, which is over thirty times the amount of students at my school, LFC, which is a little over 1,300 students. So, it was a major scene difference, but it was fun to experience, although I prefer the size of my school.
Thanksgiving Break:
I get to go home for Thanksgiving! I’m very excited to see my family, friends (Lemore & Caitlyn), Cubby (my dog), and of course my car! Oh and daily yoga classes!! This will be my first time home since I left for school in mid-August. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday right next to Christmas! I am also excited about BLACK FRIDAY, and seeing all the stores and malls decorated for Christmas, along with my favorite… CHRISTMAS MUSIC! I love this time of year! I won’t be having much of a “break” because I’ll also be working on a 10 page paper over South African music, a 2-3 page paper/project over immigration/emigration in Peru, and if I don’t have time to complete my 3 concert report that are 2 pages each, then I’ll be working on those too! I’m hoping I’ll have time to also go see two shows, The Rocket Summer at the House of Blues, and The All-American Rejects with Taking Back Sunday at the Palladium Ballroom! So I have a lot to get accomplished while I’m in Dallas for 4 days!
Chicago:
Chicago is about a thirty minute train ride from my school. I would definitely have to say that I have been in Chicago more times this year, than my freshman year. I have been to Chinatown twice; I went once with UA and the second time I went with my Geography class. I have also been to “Boys Town” which is a gay neighborhood in Chicago. It is a very entertaining place, fun shops, great restaurants and of course gay couples everywhere! I love going downtown to just walk, day or night! Of course I go with a friend or two to just explore and get lost. I also go into the city for concerts, musicals, and other types of shows. Recently, I went to go see “The Blue Man Group,” and I had the time of my life!
One downside, or exciting experience, depending on how one looks at it, is that because we have to rely on public transportation, sometime we lose track of time and either get stuck in Chicago, or have to wait around for the next transportation time. I am slowly beginning to learn the transportation system, maybe by the end of my senior year I’ll be an expert!
