I HATE bugs. If it is smaller than a quarter and it has more limbs than any normal living creature, it is a bug and thus the target of my indomitable wrath. Not any ordinary mosquito bite, or even a plain vanilla bee sting. This was a monster, mutant bug bite, inflicted by a monster, mutant bug. One of the first things I noticed upon my arrival in Charlottesville was the enormous bee population.
Bees are literally everywhere.
My Italian class was subject to an unwanted invasion several days ago when two colossal yellowjackets descended upon our unsuspecting TA and my fellow students. Panic set in as our TA clawed furiously at the air while the elusive monstrosities buzzed around her head. Thankfully, my clear-headedness allowed me to recall the emergency measures we were taught in Israel at the onset of the Gulf War. I dropped to the floor and took cover under my meager desk, arms flung back over my head. I recited every prayer I have ever heard and promised God that if I made it out of this one alive I would never say bad words again.