from Philly to Thunderstorms

Hey everybody,

It was SUNNY for the past 4 days and now there are thunderstorms. Sad......

This past weekend I went to Philadelphia to visit Olivia! We got cheesesteaks, ate at Lorenzo's, walked around South Street, ate at China town, shopped, and saw the Liberty Bell! It was a short trip and there was some drama getting back bc my bus was over an hour late. But it was only a dollar bus ride- so I got what I paid for. UPenn is a great campus and it made me miss UCI. I was only in Philly for about 24 hours but I feel like I got a good jist of the city.

Why was I there for so little? On Saturday I watched a wheelchair ballroom class. It was really sweet to watch the two couples waltz around the room. One person was in a chair and one was standing. I hope someday someone will take a ballroom with me if I am in a wheelchair.

The move went well, I have yet to unpack everything. The girls, Rosa and Sarah, have everything already so I didn't need to bring much. The apartment is similar to a Villa Sienna apartment in Irvine. Getting there is a bit of a pain but I think it is just an adjustment.

This next week is filled with work, dance, and meeting up with friends for meals. Hopefully I won't get sick with all the rain.

Is there anything you would like to know about DC? Just message me!

I love and miss you all.

and I miss the great state of CA too

-Chrissie

shout out 5

a Philadelphia cheesesteak- $7

a slice of pizza at Lorenzo's-$ 2.75

a bus ticket from Philly to DC- $1

Having friends to show you around a new city-Priceless

Thanks to everyone that has hosted me so far!

-Chrissie

NYC and after

Hey everybody! Sorry it has been so long since my last post.

So last weekend was one of the best weekends ever. No joke. I saw Rock of Ages, went to a museum, walked through central park, tried different bakeries for red velvet cupcakes, and so much more! I went to a dance class with a woman in a wheelchair, Kitty Lunn, who is one of the most inspiring dancers I have ever met. She takes class nearly everyday in her chair! I had the best company and enjoyed hanging out with old and new friends.

When I got back from NYC I was on this unnatural high. I left my favorite city in the world craving to go back. I really want to go to NYU for grad school and I thought it would be so great to live there and have a good weekend- every weekend. I could apply and be at NYU by next spring.

But then reality set in this week.

On Tuesday I had a complete meltdown. I figured it was bound to happen sooner or later. I wasn't enjoying my time at Copper Canyon, I was shredding paper at my internship all day, and I was so unhappy with my life. I truly felt like I wasn't doing anything worthwhile in my life. I should be out in Haiti helping people or in the Peace corps, not teaching rich kids ballet. I was feeling awful, I even left work for an hour just to walk around.

Thank God for my sister and Josh, who put a lot of things in perspective for me. I am so young, I have time to do everything I want in my life. If I don't go to grad school by 23, then so what? I don't have to live in DC and work at a restaurant until then either. I can be flexible and I am more than just a dancer, or a host, or a receptionist. I am a child of God.

So I started looking at other jobs. Other intern jobs at various non profits. But I don't really qualify for any of them. Then my boss calls me into her office.

I am now the new administrative assistant for the National Dance Education Org. She thinks my work (my paper shredding skills) are valuable to the organization. So now I work less and get paid! Funny how things turn out?

Now I work 3 days at the NDEO, 2 days at MYB, teach 2 days at MYB, and work whenever I can at Copper Canyon. I don't officially start teaching until April though.

In case you didn't know, I am in DC indefinitely........

I love and miss CA.

-Chrissie

shout out 4

6 piece bed set-350 dollars

my new lamp-20 dollars

bus ticket to NY-23 dollars

A boyfriend who is incredibly supportive, can calm me down during a breakdown, and is 3000 miles away- priceless

Thanks Josh for being an amazing person and bf. I am so lucky to have you in my life!