From Champaign to Chitown

On the way to Champaign: Realizing that every cloud has a silver lining.

So these last two weeks have been incredibly busy, but I am glad I am at the PASS program in Champaign.  I am being taught to look  at and learn medicine in a completely different manner than the past.  Instead of just memorizing everything and forgetting it right after an exam, I am beginning to learn why everything in our body happens the way it does.  This experience will not only make me more prepared to take my board exams, but will also help me to better understand how and why the human body functions and dysfunctions in the way it does.  The long hours we put in every day will be worth it in the long run...

This weekend is the halfway mark before the program ends.  I needed a night of relaxation, so my friend Erum (she officially DID NOT flake) and I went up to Chitown to meet with some friends.  The two hour ride flew by as we were both excited to forget about studying for one night.  I was looking forward to trying good sushi for the first time, meeting Jay and SK, and just relaxing and talking with a fun group of people.



In Chicago we picked up Erum's sister followed by the infamous Rachel who is in Chicago for the weekend chillin with her friends from her alma mater.  On the way to dinner at Sushi Samba Rachel told me all about how unadventurous her life has been without me in Beavercreek.  That is why she hasn't updated the blog since I left.  I have really missed making fun of her on a daily basis over the last 2 weeks.  She retaliated by cracking up every time I tried to use chopsticks while eating sushi.

Sushi Samba is probably definitely the most hip place I have ever eaten at.  

We arrived at Sushi Samba only 40 minutes late (Sorry SK and Miladin).  As we were walking in, I was following Jay whom I had grown up with but had not seen over the past 6-7 years...  She was on the phone, so I didn't let her know I was right behind her since we entered until we almost reached our table.  "Juhie!" and then I got all the hugs we had missed over the time we've been apart in ONE GIANT HUG.  haha. It was the kind of hug where you didn't want to let go because you weren't sure if it was going to be another 7 years before the next one...

After reuniting with Jay, I met SK for the first time.  I was waiting to get slapped for all the times I have made fun of her when we talked online, but she decided to forgive me and gave me a hug instead.  Haha.  I really hope she had a good time, I couldn't tell if she was really comfortable around the random group that had assembled to hang out last night...  I am really happy that I got to meet her though, she is just as predictable as I thought she would be ;P


At dinner Rach and I decided to split Sushi Rio Rolls and Spicy Tuna Rolls between the two of us.  This sushi was so much better than the stuff I had in Akron.  Before I didn't see what the big deal was about sushi and why every one made a huge deal about it.  I liked the sushi at Sushi Samba.  It didn't taste like eating raw fish/lobster.  And the Wasabi definitely had a nice kick to it.

The bathrooms at this place were also pretty baller.  Once again I'm not used to high class and having people open the stall door for you.  Squeeze soap on your hand.  Or give you a towel to wipe up with.  It was definitely unique.

After dinner, Rachel headed out to hang out with cooler people than me.  I wish she could have hung out for longer but it was nice that she could meet up even for a lil bit.  It was like having a familiar piece of home with me for the night. :)  The rest of the group moved the party to Arabia Hookah.

We got our hookah on.  Jay almost had a decent amount of smoke by the of the night.  Erum and SK with their powers combined became Captain Fob.  and I proceeded to repeatedly embarrass myself by continually confusing Albania with Serbia (where Miladin is from.) Thanks for being patient with my ignorance man haha.

The night ended early aka right before the belly dancer arrived.  We all said our goodbyes and headed our separate ways.  The ride back to Champaign seemed so much longer than the ride to Chicago.  There was nothing to look forward to.  However, me and Erum had a good chat on the way back.

All in all. I couldn't have asked for more from my night of relaxation and friends.  Thanks Chitown :)