By Kirthana Iyer
Okay, so I’m not going to lie to you, I’m a pretty predictable person. Whatever I do, most people expect it. When I wanted to go into law, almost all my friends told me they had already assumed. When I said I was going to Boston University, no one was really surprised. When I said I was going to major in Journalism, there were a couple “really?” reactions, but for the most part, everyone had an idea.
So yeah, I’m pretty predictable.
But imagine everyone’s surprise when I impulsively booked a ticket to Chicago for a weekend.
Let me just say: PEOPLE WERE SHOCKED. I mean I had friends saying, “Wait, Kir what? This is so not like you.”
And I couldn’t agree more! This was by far one of the rashest moves I have ever made. But it was honestly one of the best decisions I have ever made.
So here’s a lil preface:
My best friend from high school, let’s call her M, goes to Northwestern University. My other friend I grew up with, let’s call her S, was on spring break but goes to school at UIUC, which is about 3 hours from Northwestern. (P.S. I didn’t know this, but Illinois is basically cornfields, then Chicago.) Finally, my friend from BU and another person who grew up with us, C, is on BU Jalwa.
Here’s us :’) Now that all the characters are established, LET THE STORY BEGIN!
On March 24th the Boston University Bollywood Dance team, BU Jalwa, was going to Northwestern University to compete in a big Indian dance competition. That meant M and C were going to be together. Then, I found out that S was going to come back early from spring break to see both M and C and watch the dance competition. Mind you, I am not going to be seeing M again until August because we’re both studying abroad at different times.
So, this meant that M, C, and S were all going to be together. The three girls who I basically grew up with were all in one place. Meanwhile, I was just going to have a quiet weekend in Boston.
Great.
The weekend before the competition I had lunch with C, her mom, one of C’s friends (N) and her dance friend, K (same letter as me but different person). C’s mom told me I needed to go out and I should do it. Then K and C backed her up and said “Yeah! Come!! It’ll be fun!”
So as the kids say, “YOLO.” And I booked a really cheap flight that left Boston in the early morning on the 24th and left Chicago on the morning of the 26th. It was a 2 day trip to Chicago. I had never been so terrified.
SATURDAY
(Btw, this whole time my dad had no idea I was going. I reached Chicago and he sent me this text after I booked my Uber.)
He was confused, to say the least. WHOOPS.
I got there and I got to see my best friend, M. We caught up after so long. Midterms and college, in general, made it really hard for us to talk, but this trip, even if it was only 48 hours, helped relax me.
It reminded me that there are people who came from the same place as me who are fighting to do well in college too. It’s hard. But we are all doing it wherever we are.
Then came S. S showed up and it felt like I was back in high school. We were all in one place, and nothing could have made that moment better. We met up with some of S’s friends, and then went and got ready for the show with C and K performing!!
Dressing up with your girls is honestly so much fun. Don’t get me wrong, I love all my girls here in college, but there’s nothing quite like dressing up with girls you have grown up with.
And the show. Oh my gosh. It was fantastic. Everything was beautiful, people were excited, and it was just a great time. We were all together and nothing could take that away from me. It was a different city but the same us :)
My eyes are closed (no judgment, flash gets me)
SUNDAY
We woke up at around noon, and S’s bus left for UIUC at 2:30 so we had to be quick with our day. We all went to Starbucks in downtown Evanston, and then went to say good morning to C and K and the rest of BU Jalwa! After that, S left :(
Then, M and I went back to Northwestern, got ready, and met up with C and K in Chicago! I have never been to Chicago and it was so much fun. We went to see The Bean, of course, and then ate a deep dish pizza (even more typical). I loved every second of being touristy with C, K, and M.
It was different from doing things here in Boston. I felt safe, and I knew these people loved and cared about me.
We spent the whole day out till around 11. It was fun walking around Chicago and having the time of my life with the people I love.
MONDAY
Time to go! I got ready for the airport at around 5:30 AM with M but we were going to different airports. So we had to say goodbye at Northwestern.
Honestly, saying goodbye sucks, especially when you grew up with the person. We went from being attached at the hip to being in different states. But, we said goodbye and we will see each other in August :-)
BACK IN BOSTON…
Coming back was honestly relaxing too. It was a nice break, but BU is my reality and I love it. Regardless of how stressful it may be, it’s home for me. It’s where the new people I love are, the place where I will grow, and where I will graduate.
There is always going to be good days and bad days during this weird testing season, but remember that there are always people rooting for you wherever you’re from and seeing them after all of this chaos is going to be worth it!!
Also, impulse trips are the best and I highly recommend if you feel like you are stressed because of school. Lots of love!
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