12:01:44 AM Loris Saprid: & BTWWWW . HAPPY LAST DAY OF 2008 ! :O
YAY HAPPY LAST DAY OF 2008
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Read him like an open book
I have rediscovered the joys of reading. My current reading list:
1. Slaughterhouse Five - Kurt Vonnegut
2. Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
3. The Fountainhead - Ayn Rand
4. A Passage to India - E.M. Forster
5. The Sound and the Fury - William Faulkner
6. A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess
1. Slaughterhouse Five - Kurt Vonnegut
2. Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
3. The Fountainhead - Ayn Rand
4. A Passage to India - E.M. Forster
5. The Sound and the Fury - William Faulkner
6. A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess
Saturday, December 27, 2008
I believe the children are our future
I just survived the first of undoubtedly many heated "discussions" with my parents regarding my future in college and beyond. At least that's what it was supposed to be. It really felt like an interrogation. It was a little difficult for me to participate, because your future is never an easy thing to talk about, especially with parents such as mine. However, every time I felt ready to say something, my parents would interrupt, making me feel somewhat trapped.
During the discussion, my mom constantly asked me, “WHY do you want to go into pre-med? Answer me that.” What kind of question is that? I mean, that’s something I would have had to answer during senior panels, or college interviews. But now? Just because my grades slipped a bit, my mom has to overreact and question my career path?
I know that next semester, things must change in order for me to stay on track. I know I must make sacrifices, give up a good chunk of my social life, eliminate most of my time spent online. It just stung a bit that my parents had to repeatedly rub it in.
I suppose by the end of winter break, I’ll need to have a plan ready to be executed. Sigh, why does college/life/pre-med have to be so hard?
I probably would have ranted more, but I’ve cooled off by now. Yay for me. Geez, I’m not ready to be an adult yet.
UPDATE FOR DAY 2: FRICK MY PARENTS PISS ME OFF. They seriously need to stop getting in my face every minute of the day. It’s hella annoying. I really can’t stand them right now. However, I can’t tell them that, because, knowing them, they’d just retaliate by pulling me out of college and sending me to the streets. Sucks. So much for freedom of speech.
2nd Semester Plan:
• Eliminate AIM
• De-activate Facebook?
• No more texting (already enforced by the parentals)
• Spend more study time away from my room (in the library, at VKC, etc.)
• Biology:
o Talk to professors more; establish a personal relationship with them; find out what they’re expecting. I seriously studied as hard as I could for the previous Bio midterms, but without positive results. I’m sure the missing key lies in the professors, so I need to take advantage of that.
o Stop underestimating those pre-lab quizzes. Every point counts.
o For lab practicals, find out what the TA is expecting, rather than trying to study completely on my own.
• Chemistry:
o Do every single one of those practice problems ahead of time, instead of waiting until a few days before the midterm to do select problems. The more practice, the better.
o Complete lab write-ups earlier in the week, instead of waiting until Sundays to do them.
o Talk to TA more about expectations for lab exams.
• Writing:
o Stay on top of writing assignments; start them as soon as they are assigned.
o Utilize the Writing Center as frequently as possible.
o Talk to professors regarding their expectations in essays.
o Get friends to read over my essays for support.
• Check grades every week
• Return parents emails and phone calls immediately
• Sleep earlier
• Take advantage of all extra credit opportunities
During the discussion, my mom constantly asked me, “WHY do you want to go into pre-med? Answer me that.” What kind of question is that? I mean, that’s something I would have had to answer during senior panels, or college interviews. But now? Just because my grades slipped a bit, my mom has to overreact and question my career path?
I know that next semester, things must change in order for me to stay on track. I know I must make sacrifices, give up a good chunk of my social life, eliminate most of my time spent online. It just stung a bit that my parents had to repeatedly rub it in.
I suppose by the end of winter break, I’ll need to have a plan ready to be executed. Sigh, why does college/life/pre-med have to be so hard?
I probably would have ranted more, but I’ve cooled off by now. Yay for me. Geez, I’m not ready to be an adult yet.
UPDATE FOR DAY 2: FRICK MY PARENTS PISS ME OFF. They seriously need to stop getting in my face every minute of the day. It’s hella annoying. I really can’t stand them right now. However, I can’t tell them that, because, knowing them, they’d just retaliate by pulling me out of college and sending me to the streets. Sucks. So much for freedom of speech.
2nd Semester Plan:
• Eliminate AIM
• De-activate Facebook?
• No more texting (already enforced by the parentals)
• Spend more study time away from my room (in the library, at VKC, etc.)
• Biology:
o Talk to professors more; establish a personal relationship with them; find out what they’re expecting. I seriously studied as hard as I could for the previous Bio midterms, but without positive results. I’m sure the missing key lies in the professors, so I need to take advantage of that.
o Stop underestimating those pre-lab quizzes. Every point counts.
o For lab practicals, find out what the TA is expecting, rather than trying to study completely on my own.
• Chemistry:
o Do every single one of those practice problems ahead of time, instead of waiting until a few days before the midterm to do select problems. The more practice, the better.
o Complete lab write-ups earlier in the week, instead of waiting until Sundays to do them.
o Talk to TA more about expectations for lab exams.
• Writing:
o Stay on top of writing assignments; start them as soon as they are assigned.
o Utilize the Writing Center as frequently as possible.
o Talk to professors regarding their expectations in essays.
o Get friends to read over my essays for support.
• Check grades every week
• Return parents emails and phone calls immediately
• Sleep earlier
• Take advantage of all extra credit opportunities
Friday, December 26, 2008
Christmas!
Pre-post note: I finally realized that, regarding blogging, I experience peaks and valleys. There are times where I am so enthusiastic about making posts, that I wish I could make multiple posts each day. Other times, I feel so lethargic about doing so, and a week would pass before I'd feel obligated to post. I am currently going through a valley.
Pre-post note #2: How much longer must I continue blogging before I feel the need to take a peek into my life of the past (a.k.a. reading my early posts)? I suppose 7 months isn't long enough. Perhaps in a year...
Alright, other people have said it, and I'm not exception; Christmas definitely snuck up on me this year. I keep thinking it's because it doesn't snow here, but then again, it didn't snow in SoCal 10 years ago either. Perhaps studying for finals killed the Christmas mood. Perhaps I was just sitting there waiting for the mood to come to me. Whatever the case, I'll try harder to get in the mood next year.
I spent my Christmas with relatives in San Diego. It was funny; I tried to get them in the Christmas spirit by putting on Christmas music, but they always switched the stereo to Vietnamese music. So much for that.
I watched a Blu-Ray movie for the first time while at my relatives' house. It was The Dark Knight. Honestly, the quality isn't THAT much better.
Pre-post note #2: How much longer must I continue blogging before I feel the need to take a peek into my life of the past (a.k.a. reading my early posts)? I suppose 7 months isn't long enough. Perhaps in a year...
Alright, other people have said it, and I'm not exception; Christmas definitely snuck up on me this year. I keep thinking it's because it doesn't snow here, but then again, it didn't snow in SoCal 10 years ago either. Perhaps studying for finals killed the Christmas mood. Perhaps I was just sitting there waiting for the mood to come to me. Whatever the case, I'll try harder to get in the mood next year.
I spent my Christmas with relatives in San Diego. It was funny; I tried to get them in the Christmas spirit by putting on Christmas music, but they always switched the stereo to Vietnamese music. So much for that.
I watched a Blu-Ray movie for the first time while at my relatives' house. It was The Dark Knight. Honestly, the quality isn't THAT much better.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Update me with your deepest feelings
Today was my first time at South Coast Plaza. Truth be told, I've never felt so inadequate (I swear someone's used that word in regards to SCP before). Yes, Rodeo Drive made me feel inadequate as well, but it was outdoors, so I could at least look to the sky if I didn't want to look at the stores. Inside SCP, however, I was completely surrounded by high-end stores, resulting in such a suffocating atmosphere. Everywhere I turned, there was a $3000 price tag on something. Geez!
I also bought some items from H&M today for the first time. I am very excited.
Okay, happy/interesting things from this past week, before I forget:
Monday: Got to see my family again; rediscovered home cooking, memory foam, and soft toilet paper.
Tuesday: Roaring Tiger :)
Wednesday: Disproved my June woes that I would never be at a pep rally again; witnessed a sophomore boy ask TWO girls (seniors, too) to Winter Formal; attended Eric's jaj presentation; reunion with Bernard, Loris, and Brian, as well as Josh; visited a bunch of teachers; reunion with Jamie, Emily, and Tiff (not really for the last two HAHA) along the way; reunion with In-N-Out; failed attempt to watch The Day the Earth Stood Still; attended the band concert at night; unexpected reunion with Greg Taniguchi o.o
Thursday: Hung out with Eric for half a day at the mall; failed attempt to find a job at the mall; second and final failed attempt to watch The Day the Earth Stood Still.
Friday: Mega-huge reunion with c/o 2008 people at school; mini-reunion with Chipotle; Roaring Tiger.
No, I haven't begun replying to people on Facebook yet. So bad.
No, I haven't begun tagging my music. Not so bad.
Yes, I have cleaned out my email inbox! Excitement.
Kinda in the process of getting music from imeem.com.
I've started reading again! Currently reading: For One More Day, by Mitch Albom.
I also bought some items from H&M today for the first time. I am very excited.
Okay, happy/interesting things from this past week, before I forget:
Monday: Got to see my family again; rediscovered home cooking, memory foam, and soft toilet paper.
Tuesday: Roaring Tiger :)
Wednesday: Disproved my June woes that I would never be at a pep rally again; witnessed a sophomore boy ask TWO girls (seniors, too) to Winter Formal; attended Eric's jaj presentation; reunion with Bernard, Loris, and Brian, as well as Josh; visited a bunch of teachers; reunion with Jamie, Emily, and Tiff (not really for the last two HAHA) along the way; reunion with In-N-Out; failed attempt to watch The Day the Earth Stood Still; attended the band concert at night; unexpected reunion with Greg Taniguchi o.o
Thursday: Hung out with Eric for half a day at the mall; failed attempt to find a job at the mall; second and final failed attempt to watch The Day the Earth Stood Still.
Friday: Mega-huge reunion with c/o 2008 people at school; mini-reunion with Chipotle; Roaring Tiger.
No, I haven't begun replying to people on Facebook yet. So bad.
No, I haven't begun tagging my music. Not so bad.
Yes, I have cleaned out my email inbox! Excitement.
Kinda in the process of getting music from imeem.com.
I've started reading again! Currently reading: For One More Day, by Mitch Albom.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
End-of-semester evaluation
So now that my first semester in college has come to an end, it's time to look back and review the points made in a Facebook group, entitled "40 Things College Admissions Forgot to Tell You About College." I will list out each point, then follow it with commentary.
1. Quarters are like gold. [Maybe for laundry, but then I have a discretionary account, so maybe not]
2. Two meals a day is standard. [True. No breakfast ftl]
3. Road trip whenever possible. [If parking weren't so dang expensive]
4. Going to the mailbox was never an ego booster/breaker before. [Might have been true, except I always kept forgetting to check my mail]
5. You will begin to nap again. [SO TRUE]
6. Your bookstore bill will almost equal tuition. [Not possible at USC]
7. Squirt guns = stress relief. [Squirt guns = $300 suite repair fee. however, airsoft guns + laser pointers = stress relief]
8. E-mail becomes your second language. [True I suppose, but it's always my second language]
9. College students throw paper airplanes too. [Yeah I've seen my suitemates do it...]
10. You never realized so many people were smarter than you. [Except I went to Whitney High School...]
11. Western Europe could be wiped out by a horrible plague and you'd never know, but you can recite last week's rerun of Seinfeld verbatim. [Insert Scrubs in place of Seinfeld, then YES that would be true]
12. You will never rent more movies in your life. [Hehehe...]
13. No one is too old for video games. [TOO TRUE. Stupid N64 during finals week...]
14. The health service nurses are there because they couldn't make it in a real hospital. Never, ever forget that! [Good thing I haven't been sick yet]
15. Care packages are right up there with birthdays. [I haven't experienced it yet, but I've definitely seen it with my out-of-state friends]
16. Campus is only clean for family weekend and freshman orientation. [HAHA that's funny, but USC is generally a clean campus. Except for that horrific stench surrounding The Lot]
17. It never sucked so much to get sick. [Good thing I've never gotten sick! YEEE]
18. Nothing you want to register for will be open. [True, but only because Admissions accidentally put my account on restriction -_-]
19. Beware of the freshman 15. [Me? Yeah right]
20. Be creative in the dining hall. [Mixing drinks ftw!]
21. Classes: the later the better. [Very true. Stupid 8am Bio labs]
22. You are no longer thankful that fire alarms are here to protect you. [Huh?]
23. Disney movies are more than just classics. [I guess...]
24. Asleep by 2:30 AM is an early night. [TOO TRUE]
25. Cereal makes a meal any time of the day. [I should open my cereal boxes...]
26. New additions to food groups: Jolt Cola, Ramen, and Pizza. [All except Jolt Cola]
27. ATMs are the devils advocate. [Sigh...]
28. Duct tape heals all wounds. [Especially my longboard!]
29. Pro Wrestling is suddenly cool again. [When was this list written? The late 90s?]
30. Keys have never been so important, yet you seem to lose them even more. [Thank goodness I always remember]
31. Showers become less important, sleep becomes more important. [Agree with the 2nd part, but I still take my showers]
32. You will eat anywhere that is a buffet. [That's usually the only choice most nights]
33. You realize college is the ideal lifestyle, except for those pesky classes. [So true]
34. Procrastination is an art form. [That's kinda been always the case]
35. Jeans may be worm as many times as the wearer desires. [YES INDEED]
36. The only time to dress up is when all your jeans are dirty. [Haven't quite gotten to that point yet]
37. You'll eat anything if it's free. [HEHE]
38. College football is the coolest thing on the planet. [At USC? HELL YEAH]
39. Cartoons are for all ages, especially Scooby Doo. [Haven't watched Scooby Doo since school started, but yes, cartoons are always fun]
40. No matter how hard you try...you are never alone. [HOLY CRAP HOW TRUE; I CAN NEVER BE ALONE]
Done. All 40 points have been assessed. Time for sleep -_-
1. Quarters are like gold. [Maybe for laundry, but then I have a discretionary account, so maybe not]
2. Two meals a day is standard. [True. No breakfast ftl]
3. Road trip whenever possible. [If parking weren't so dang expensive]
4. Going to the mailbox was never an ego booster/breaker before. [Might have been true, except I always kept forgetting to check my mail]
5. You will begin to nap again. [SO TRUE]
6. Your bookstore bill will almost equal tuition. [Not possible at USC]
7. Squirt guns = stress relief. [Squirt guns = $300 suite repair fee. however, airsoft guns + laser pointers = stress relief]
8. E-mail becomes your second language. [True I suppose, but it's always my second language]
9. College students throw paper airplanes too. [Yeah I've seen my suitemates do it...]
10. You never realized so many people were smarter than you. [Except I went to Whitney High School...]
11. Western Europe could be wiped out by a horrible plague and you'd never know, but you can recite last week's rerun of Seinfeld verbatim. [Insert Scrubs in place of Seinfeld, then YES that would be true]
12. You will never rent more movies in your life. [Hehehe...]
13. No one is too old for video games. [TOO TRUE. Stupid N64 during finals week...]
14. The health service nurses are there because they couldn't make it in a real hospital. Never, ever forget that! [Good thing I haven't been sick yet]
15. Care packages are right up there with birthdays. [I haven't experienced it yet, but I've definitely seen it with my out-of-state friends]
16. Campus is only clean for family weekend and freshman orientation. [HAHA that's funny, but USC is generally a clean campus. Except for that horrific stench surrounding The Lot]
17. It never sucked so much to get sick. [Good thing I've never gotten sick! YEEE]
18. Nothing you want to register for will be open. [True, but only because Admissions accidentally put my account on restriction -_-]
19. Beware of the freshman 15. [Me? Yeah right]
20. Be creative in the dining hall. [Mixing drinks ftw!]
21. Classes: the later the better. [Very true. Stupid 8am Bio labs]
22. You are no longer thankful that fire alarms are here to protect you. [Huh?]
23. Disney movies are more than just classics. [I guess...]
24. Asleep by 2:30 AM is an early night. [TOO TRUE]
25. Cereal makes a meal any time of the day. [I should open my cereal boxes...]
26. New additions to food groups: Jolt Cola, Ramen, and Pizza. [All except Jolt Cola]
27. ATMs are the devils advocate. [Sigh...]
28. Duct tape heals all wounds. [Especially my longboard!]
29. Pro Wrestling is suddenly cool again. [When was this list written? The late 90s?]
30. Keys have never been so important, yet you seem to lose them even more. [Thank goodness I always remember]
31. Showers become less important, sleep becomes more important. [Agree with the 2nd part, but I still take my showers]
32. You will eat anywhere that is a buffet. [That's usually the only choice most nights]
33. You realize college is the ideal lifestyle, except for those pesky classes. [So true]
34. Procrastination is an art form. [That's kinda been always the case]
35. Jeans may be worm as many times as the wearer desires. [YES INDEED]
36. The only time to dress up is when all your jeans are dirty. [Haven't quite gotten to that point yet]
37. You'll eat anything if it's free. [HEHE]
38. College football is the coolest thing on the planet. [At USC? HELL YEAH]
39. Cartoons are for all ages, especially Scooby Doo. [Haven't watched Scooby Doo since school started, but yes, cartoons are always fun]
40. No matter how hard you try...you are never alone. [HOLY CRAP HOW TRUE; I CAN NEVER BE ALONE]
Done. All 40 points have been assessed. Time for sleep -_-
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
I'll be home for christmas
It's really great to be home again, with home-cooked pho, my memory foam, and...yes, softer toilet paper.
Speaking of memory foam, I could NOT sleep in for crap this morning. You'd think that after all this time on a hard mattress at college, a memory foam would cause you to love your bed too much to allow you to wake up. But NO, all the memory foam did was rest me up more quickly, so by 9:30am, I was too well-rested to continue sleeping. Freaking.
I'll probably talk about more meaningful things as winter break progresses, but for now, I'm really looking forward to the first worry-free break (NO FINALS/PROJECTS AFTER BREAK YAY) in like 6 years. I'm also looking forward to seeing my high school friends again, but I'm not gonna lie, I already miss my friends at USC.
Lastly, here's my meaningless to-do list for winter break:
1. Reply to all those dang Facebook wall posts
2. Stop being lazy about properly tagging my music
3. Clean out email inbox
4. Get more music from imeem.com
Meaningful to-do list:
1. Roaring Tiger HAHA
2. Catch up with high school friends
3. Keep in touch with USC friends
4. Take more pictures
5. Get some reading done
6. More to be added!
Speaking of memory foam, I could NOT sleep in for crap this morning. You'd think that after all this time on a hard mattress at college, a memory foam would cause you to love your bed too much to allow you to wake up. But NO, all the memory foam did was rest me up more quickly, so by 9:30am, I was too well-rested to continue sleeping. Freaking.
I'll probably talk about more meaningful things as winter break progresses, but for now, I'm really looking forward to the first worry-free break (NO FINALS/PROJECTS AFTER BREAK YAY) in like 6 years. I'm also looking forward to seeing my high school friends again, but I'm not gonna lie, I already miss my friends at USC.
Lastly, here's my meaningless to-do list for winter break:
1. Reply to all those dang Facebook wall posts
2. Stop being lazy about properly tagging my music
3. Clean out email inbox
4. Get more music from imeem.com
Meaningful to-do list:
1. Roaring Tiger HAHA
2. Catch up with high school friends
3. Keep in touch with USC friends
4. Take more pictures
5. Get some reading done
6. More to be added!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Cute as a button
My mom can be so adorable.
Away message: studying for chem final...IN A SECRET PLACE!
6:24:13 PM Mom: good for you! A super secret place, I hope, so that your suitemates and buddies can't find and bother you. No AIMing from people, no music from next rooms, no phone call or text. I hope! And keep the place hush-hush so people can't find you every final!
Away message: studying for chem final...IN A SECRET PLACE!
6:24:13 PM Mom: good for you! A super secret place, I hope, so that your suitemates and buddies can't find and bother you. No AIMing from people, no music from next rooms, no phone call or text. I hope! And keep the place hush-hush so people can't find you every final!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Damsel in distress
I am so frustrated right now. I thought I was done with high school dances.
I can't afford to think about this. Not during finals week.
I can't afford to think about this. Not during finals week.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
:D :D :D
I swear, my happiness level is at an all-time high. It may very well be euphoria in its truest form. And it's not because I just watched Love Actually (AWESOME MOVIE, not gonna lie). It's not because I managed to touch Travis McCoy's wenis during the Gym Class Heroes concert from the front row yesterday.
FJR;AOIWFJAWHAU;HFAEIRO;WJIO;JIO;JHGFIORUAHGURA
:D :D :D
FJR;AOIWFJAWHAU;HFAEIRO;WJIO;JIO;JHGFIORUAHGURA
:D :D :D
Monday, December 1, 2008
Happy December!
If it weren't for the fact that I'm waiting for the shower right now (yes, at 3:45am -_-), I wouldn't have had time to write this post.
As this Thanksgiving break draws to a close, I figured I should take time to reflect on what I'm thankful for. I'd like to look back upon this post a few years from now and be able to recall my precise thoughts (as usual). But this post is especially important, probably the most important in a while.
My family: When I came home over break, I realized how much I had really missed my family. I seriously don't know where I'd be without them. Dad, thanks for being so supportive of me. Yes, I've had to deal with your yelling in the past, but I nonetheless appreciate the mellow attitude that you display most of the time. Mommy (YES I call her that, ain't nothing wrong with being a momma's boy), thanks for always being on my case. I do get annoyed sometimes, and I feel that you're being far too nosy. But in truth, I know that, at the other end of the spectrum, other moms simply don't care about their children, and I'm thankful that you show your love for me, in your own way, even if I get ticked off from time to time. Brendan, thanks for being my best friend. Parents may yell at me, and friends may ignore me, but I can always count on you to talk to during such dark times.We've been through so much together, and I'm glad you've always been there for me. Best of luck in high school!
Suite 3312: I don't think any of the guys are gonna read this, but whatevers, I'LL WRITE WHATEVER THE HELL I WANT TO WRITE. Anywho, I am so lucky to have you guys as my friends. You all have been such an integral part of my life at USC over these past few months. I know other people who aren't that close with their suitemates, and I am glad that we, in contrast, are all so close as a group, that we generally hang out in the same group. I joke with my high schools friends that the term "3312" has become the equivalent of area codes of LA gangs, but this reminds me of the unity we share. I shant forget this bond that we have developed, and shall cherish it in the years to come.
Friends: To friends I have made at USC...thanks so much for being a part of my life over these past 3 months. How would I make it through college without friends to talk to, to laugh with, to share memories with? Truth is, that wouldn't have been possible, and I am grateful for each and every one of you. To friends from Whitney...OKAY, I KINDA PURPOSELY LOCKED MYSELF UP DURING THANKSGIVING BREAK BECAUSE I HAD TOO MUCH WORK TO DO. I PROMISE I'LL CATCH UP WITH YOU GUYS DURING WINTER BREAK. THANKS FOR...BEING PATIENT :]
And last but not least:
1:44:00 AM Kevin Nguyen: thank YOU, ------, for being the endless source of happiness for me over these past 8 months
1:44:15 AM Kevin Nguyen: for being the single bright light in my life when all else was dark
1:45:25 AM Kevin Nguyen: for your inspiring words, your headstrong attitude, and your contagious smile
1:46:04 AM Kevin Nguyen: for meaning the world to me, and regardless of how cliche that is, i mean every word of it
1:47:01 AM Kevin Nguyen: i'm not gonna say that i'd be lost without you, but i sure as hell wouldn't be as dang happy as i am right now
And now, I can cry (MANLY TEARS) over my upcoming schedule.
Monday: Spanish oral examination
Tuesday: Biology lab practical
Thursday: Chemistry lab examination
Friday: Biology midterm
As this Thanksgiving break draws to a close, I figured I should take time to reflect on what I'm thankful for. I'd like to look back upon this post a few years from now and be able to recall my precise thoughts (as usual). But this post is especially important, probably the most important in a while.
My family: When I came home over break, I realized how much I had really missed my family. I seriously don't know where I'd be without them. Dad, thanks for being so supportive of me. Yes, I've had to deal with your yelling in the past, but I nonetheless appreciate the mellow attitude that you display most of the time. Mommy (YES I call her that, ain't nothing wrong with being a momma's boy), thanks for always being on my case. I do get annoyed sometimes, and I feel that you're being far too nosy. But in truth, I know that, at the other end of the spectrum, other moms simply don't care about their children, and I'm thankful that you show your love for me, in your own way, even if I get ticked off from time to time. Brendan, thanks for being my best friend. Parents may yell at me, and friends may ignore me, but I can always count on you to talk to during such dark times.We've been through so much together, and I'm glad you've always been there for me. Best of luck in high school!
Suite 3312: I don't think any of the guys are gonna read this, but whatevers, I'LL WRITE WHATEVER THE HELL I WANT TO WRITE. Anywho, I am so lucky to have you guys as my friends. You all have been such an integral part of my life at USC over these past few months. I know other people who aren't that close with their suitemates, and I am glad that we, in contrast, are all so close as a group, that we generally hang out in the same group. I joke with my high schools friends that the term "3312" has become the equivalent of area codes of LA gangs, but this reminds me of the unity we share. I shant forget this bond that we have developed, and shall cherish it in the years to come.
Friends: To friends I have made at USC...thanks so much for being a part of my life over these past 3 months. How would I make it through college without friends to talk to, to laugh with, to share memories with? Truth is, that wouldn't have been possible, and I am grateful for each and every one of you. To friends from Whitney...OKAY, I KINDA PURPOSELY LOCKED MYSELF UP DURING THANKSGIVING BREAK BECAUSE I HAD TOO MUCH WORK TO DO. I PROMISE I'LL CATCH UP WITH YOU GUYS DURING WINTER BREAK. THANKS FOR...BEING PATIENT :]
And last but not least:
1:44:00 AM Kevin Nguyen: thank YOU, ------, for being the endless source of happiness for me over these past 8 months
1:44:15 AM Kevin Nguyen: for being the single bright light in my life when all else was dark
1:45:25 AM Kevin Nguyen: for your inspiring words, your headstrong attitude, and your contagious smile
1:46:04 AM Kevin Nguyen: for meaning the world to me, and regardless of how cliche that is, i mean every word of it
1:47:01 AM Kevin Nguyen: i'm not gonna say that i'd be lost without you, but i sure as hell wouldn't be as dang happy as i am right now
And now, I can cry (MANLY TEARS) over my upcoming schedule.
Monday: Spanish oral examination
Tuesday: Biology lab practical
Thursday: Chemistry lab examination
Friday: Biology midterm
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Arcadia Festival of Bands
First thing's first: November 12 marked the 6-month anniversary of my blog. A bit delayed, but whatevers. -cue fireworks-
Okay, some thoughts on the Arcadia Festival of Bands:
-It feels kinda awkward to be ogled at by all the color guard girls
-AHS's marching band has a wonderful sound, but marching isn't that great
-I am so proud of my (used to be mine) horn section. GREAT JOB
-Congrats to Andrew Park for winning the Mace Drum Major division for the second year in a row! ...and for beating out the Military Drum Major winner as well!
Basically, I was really glad to see my old marching band play, and it was really interesting to be in the competition from a spectator's point of view, as opposed to a performer's, as I had been one for the past 4 years. It was also cool to see Arcadia High School march for the first time. Since I was a performer for the past 4 years, I never had the chance to see AHS's "legendary" band perform. After the parade, I was glad that so many of the younger people in band still remembered me. I'm not gonna lie, it was a special feeling to see all these people yelling, "OMG IT'S KEVIN." Although, I did get kinda tired of telling each person how college was different from high school. But generally, I enjoyed catching up with friends who I haven't seen in SO long.
Time to introduce a new tool: ScEne Creation REcall Time (SECRET). HAHA this is so lame. But basically, sometimes I forget to take pictures of a scene I want to remember later. So here is SECRET #1 (around 10:10am):
1. I encounter WHS Marching Band at the overpass.
2. I wait under the bridge.
3. All the color guard girls turn their heads and stare.
4. Someone whispers, "KEVIN!"
5. I turn to look.
6. "OMG. TEEHEE HI KEVIN." Other color guard girls follow suit and ogle.
7. I slowly look away, towards the band.
8. Band passes by. Mr. England sees me.
9. Mr. England: "Hey, you look familiar!"
End of SECRET #1.
Elton picked me up from Bryant's house after the awards ceremony, and we went to watch the field show competition for the first time (for me). It was such an amazing experience. I have to admit it, the top competitors surpass USC's marching band in terms of precision. I loved the originality and skill level of each of the class 6A bands (that's all I saw, and those are usually the top bands anyways).
Notable thoughts of the field show:
-Field show color guards have so many more toys than WHS's color guard does! I saw Riverside King's color guard use this hollowed-out crescent as well as a saber. Rancho Bernardo's color guard used this strange 3-rod contraption (so much for descriptiveness HAHA), and Mt. Carmel's color guard used this 4-disc thingamajig.
-Chino's color guard was the best that I have EVER seen. They performed with such grace and precision. How the hell can a spread-out formation of girls twirl the flags in complete unison?! The outermost girls are 100 yards apart, and they're still together! Plus, in this one extremely compact circle formation, all the girls (around 30) threw up their rifles in complete unision as well. Even the way the rifles spun in the air was in unison! How do you accomplish such a feat in a tiny compact formation?!
-I really liked El Dorado's sound. They were really jazzy, and it was cool to see a marching band accomplish that. Props for the electric guitar!
I'm extremely happy right now. For an obvious reason. :D
Okay, some thoughts on the Arcadia Festival of Bands:
-It feels kinda awkward to be ogled at by all the color guard girls
-AHS's marching band has a wonderful sound, but marching isn't that great
-I am so proud of my (used to be mine) horn section. GREAT JOB
-Congrats to Andrew Park for winning the Mace Drum Major division for the second year in a row! ...and for beating out the Military Drum Major winner as well!
Basically, I was really glad to see my old marching band play, and it was really interesting to be in the competition from a spectator's point of view, as opposed to a performer's, as I had been one for the past 4 years. It was also cool to see Arcadia High School march for the first time. Since I was a performer for the past 4 years, I never had the chance to see AHS's "legendary" band perform. After the parade, I was glad that so many of the younger people in band still remembered me. I'm not gonna lie, it was a special feeling to see all these people yelling, "OMG IT'S KEVIN." Although, I did get kinda tired of telling each person how college was different from high school. But generally, I enjoyed catching up with friends who I haven't seen in SO long.
Time to introduce a new tool: ScEne Creation REcall Time (SECRET). HAHA this is so lame. But basically, sometimes I forget to take pictures of a scene I want to remember later. So here is SECRET #1 (around 10:10am):
1. I encounter WHS Marching Band at the overpass.
2. I wait under the bridge.
3. All the color guard girls turn their heads and stare.
4. Someone whispers, "KEVIN!"
5. I turn to look.
6. "OMG. TEEHEE HI KEVIN." Other color guard girls follow suit and ogle.
7. I slowly look away, towards the band.
8. Band passes by. Mr. England sees me.
9. Mr. England: "Hey, you look familiar!"
End of SECRET #1.
Elton picked me up from Bryant's house after the awards ceremony, and we went to watch the field show competition for the first time (for me). It was such an amazing experience. I have to admit it, the top competitors surpass USC's marching band in terms of precision. I loved the originality and skill level of each of the class 6A bands (that's all I saw, and those are usually the top bands anyways).
Notable thoughts of the field show:
-Field show color guards have so many more toys than WHS's color guard does! I saw Riverside King's color guard use this hollowed-out crescent as well as a saber. Rancho Bernardo's color guard used this strange 3-rod contraption (so much for descriptiveness HAHA), and Mt. Carmel's color guard used this 4-disc thingamajig.
-Chino's color guard was the best that I have EVER seen. They performed with such grace and precision. How the hell can a spread-out formation of girls twirl the flags in complete unison?! The outermost girls are 100 yards apart, and they're still together! Plus, in this one extremely compact circle formation, all the girls (around 30) threw up their rifles in complete unision as well. Even the way the rifles spun in the air was in unison! How do you accomplish such a feat in a tiny compact formation?!
-I really liked El Dorado's sound. They were really jazzy, and it was cool to see a marching band accomplish that. Props for the electric guitar!
I'm extremely happy right now. For an obvious reason. :D
Saturday, November 22, 2008
A thing of beauty is a joy forever
I'm currently working on my bio lab report...at Bryant's house in Arcadia. How cool is it that his parents would let me stay overnight?
Extremely excited for AFOB tomorrow (I can't believe I had never heard of that term until I heard AHS people use it). I get to see Arcadia High School march for the first time ever; I get to see (I hope to see) Rancho Bernardo march for the first time ever; I get to see the field show competition for the first time ever. Basically I get to do what I couldn't have done as a participant of the competition for the past 4 years. How exciting!
And plus there's the cherry on top...hmm I need a better analogy. BACK TO WORK.
Extremely excited for AFOB tomorrow (I can't believe I had never heard of that term until I heard AHS people use it). I get to see Arcadia High School march for the first time ever; I get to see (I hope to see) Rancho Bernardo march for the first time ever; I get to see the field show competition for the first time ever. Basically I get to do what I couldn't have done as a participant of the competition for the past 4 years. How exciting!
And plus there's the cherry on top...hmm I need a better analogy. BACK TO WORK.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
BAM! Hit that little nigga with a freeze pop!
This video is nearly guaranteed to make you laugh at some point. HAHAHA
Thanks for the share, Justin!
Thanks for the share, Justin!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
2 favorite quotes
Hugh Jackman (when asked "how do you keep the passion alive?"):
"It's easy with my wife. She loves the idea of me coming home in costume because it makes her feel like she's having an affair in a good way. When we met, I was cast as a prisoner with tattoos and she'd say, 'Don't take your tattoos off tonight!' and I'd be like, 'All right!' But what works best with her is the stockbroker look. She also says, 'Do your sexy dance for me -- an '80s-like, hip-swiveling number -- and that works for me."
And...
11:50:38 PM _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _: call me
11:50:45 PM _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _: and ill whisper sweet nothings in your ear
"It's easy with my wife. She loves the idea of me coming home in costume because it makes her feel like she's having an affair in a good way. When we met, I was cast as a prisoner with tattoos and she'd say, 'Don't take your tattoos off tonight!' and I'd be like, 'All right!' But what works best with her is the stockbroker look. She also says, 'Do your sexy dance for me -- an '80s-like, hip-swiveling number -- and that works for me."
And...
11:50:38 PM _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _: call me
11:50:45 PM _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _: and ill whisper sweet nothings in your ear
Monday, November 17, 2008
Life wasn't meant to be easy
My suitemate Bryant's laptop got hacked yesterday. He found a text file on his desktop:
Hello,
As you probably already noticed, your files on this PC/laptop are encrypted.
That means you can't use them before you decrypt them.
Decrypting these files without password and proper software is impossible.
I'm the only person in the world who has password and software you need to decrypt your files.
If you want to get ALL your files back to normal, that is,
decrypt them, you'll have to buy decryptor. To buy decrypting tool contact me at: brandos87@yahoo.com or brandos87@gmail.com.
I'll reply within hour or two, and you can have your files back within few minutes after that.
Price for decryptor and password is ow, so anyone affected by my encryptor could afford buying it.
I'll also help you delete my encryptor, that you installed on this machine without realizing that.
Also note that most of your private information is collected and sent to me.
In case you don't contact me, I'll sell your private information data (like email account logins, credit card numbers, paypal account logins, etc).
In case you do contact me and we reach agreement, I'll also remove spying tool from your machine,
and your private information will be destroyed from my system.
IMPORTANT:
If you want to get your data back, do not remove or install anything on this machine from now on, until you decrypt
all your files.
As I told you already, I'll reply in shortest possible time, most probably minutes, or in worst case few hours after you send me your message.
I'm sorry for trouble I caused you, but this is mostly your fault :)
I hope we will solve your computer problem, and I'm looking for friendly relationship with you.
Please be smart :=)
Good day.
Freaking creepy. ITS had no way to beat it. Best of luck with your laptop, Bryant!
In other news, class registration is tearing me apart. My registration time should've been at 3:30pm today, but when I logged in, I found a restriction on my account: "NON-DEPOSITED APPLICANT." I called the Registrar to sort things out, but they told me that it was an Admissions Office restriction, so I was to call them. I did just that, but the representative said she had no idea what to do. Apparently, the restriction was there because I hadn't paid my fees, but when she checked my files, all fees had been paid. She told me to physically go to the Registrar and register on one of their computers. So I had to go all the way to the Registrar, but once again, they told me to go to the Admissions Office. I did that, and the lady there finally had an answer:
...I am a transfer student, and I live on Maurice Ave. -_-
Turns out that someone else's file had merged with mine, and that someone else had the restriction, not me. The lady tried to contact the person who could lift my restriction, but with no success. So here I sit, awaiting an email from her. Meanwhile, my desired classes are filling up. Stupid stupid stupid...
Hello,
As you probably already noticed, your files on this PC/laptop are encrypted.
That means you can't use them before you decrypt them.
Decrypting these files without password and proper software is impossible.
I'm the only person in the world who has password and software you need to decrypt your files.
If you want to get ALL your files back to normal, that is,
decrypt them, you'll have to buy decryptor. To buy decrypting tool contact me at: brandos87@yahoo.com or brandos87@gmail.com.
I'll reply within hour or two, and you can have your files back within few minutes after that.
Price for decryptor and password is ow, so anyone affected by my encryptor could afford buying it.
I'll also help you delete my encryptor, that you installed on this machine without realizing that.
Also note that most of your private information is collected and sent to me.
In case you don't contact me, I'll sell your private information data (like email account logins, credit card numbers, paypal account logins, etc).
In case you do contact me and we reach agreement, I'll also remove spying tool from your machine,
and your private information will be destroyed from my system.
IMPORTANT:
If you want to get your data back, do not remove or install anything on this machine from now on, until you decrypt
all your files.
As I told you already, I'll reply in shortest possible time, most probably minutes, or in worst case few hours after you send me your message.
I'm sorry for trouble I caused you, but this is mostly your fault :)
I hope we will solve your computer problem, and I'm looking for friendly relationship with you.
Please be smart :=)
Good day.
Freaking creepy. ITS had no way to beat it. Best of luck with your laptop, Bryant!
In other news, class registration is tearing me apart. My registration time should've been at 3:30pm today, but when I logged in, I found a restriction on my account: "NON-DEPOSITED APPLICANT." I called the Registrar to sort things out, but they told me that it was an Admissions Office restriction, so I was to call them. I did just that, but the representative said she had no idea what to do. Apparently, the restriction was there because I hadn't paid my fees, but when she checked my files, all fees had been paid. She told me to physically go to the Registrar and register on one of their computers. So I had to go all the way to the Registrar, but once again, they told me to go to the Admissions Office. I did that, and the lady there finally had an answer:
...I am a transfer student, and I live on Maurice Ave. -_-
Turns out that someone else's file had merged with mine, and that someone else had the restriction, not me. The lady tried to contact the person who could lift my restriction, but with no success. So here I sit, awaiting an email from her. Meanwhile, my desired classes are filling up. Stupid stupid stupid...
Monday, November 10, 2008
Happy-go-lucky
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=was-the-dinosaurs-long-reign-a-fluke
A new study shows that the dinosaurs' long reign on Earth may have been due to luck rather than superiority. Early dinosaurs were contemporaries of crurotarsans, the ancestors of modern crocodiles. The existing fossil record shows that the crurotarsans had a comparable rate of evolution with the dinosaurs, but was even more diverse in terms of body type. If not for an extinction event at the beginning of the Jurassic some 205 million years ago, the dinosaurs might have been outcompeted by the crurotarsans.
Daang. Interesting article.
A new study shows that the dinosaurs' long reign on Earth may have been due to luck rather than superiority. Early dinosaurs were contemporaries of crurotarsans, the ancestors of modern crocodiles. The existing fossil record shows that the crurotarsans had a comparable rate of evolution with the dinosaurs, but was even more diverse in terms of body type. If not for an extinction event at the beginning of the Jurassic some 205 million years ago, the dinosaurs might have been outcompeted by the crurotarsans.
Daang. Interesting article.
Friday, November 7, 2008
You can't swing a dead cat without hitting one
1. Since 1992 the Humane Society and the Department of Fish and Game have documented 480,000 incidents of pinata related violence against animals.
2. Most pinata related attacks occur within 48 hours of a child attending a pinata party.
3. The average of a perpetrator who engages in pinata related violence: 8.
4. Over 75% of violent offenders in the California prison system have actively participated in the bashing of a pinata.
5. An estimated 60,000 adults will be attacked by their children with a bat or stick following a pinata party this year.
6. Despite clear links between violent behavior and pinatas, California public schools continue to include pinatas in grade school festivities.
7. You are 10 times more likely to be the victim of pinata related violence than a terrorist attack.
8. Legislation to ban pinatas has been proposed in 32 states. So far none have passed because legislators dismiss the risk.
HAHAHA this is absolutely hilarious. The statistics in bold are my favorites.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Dance an Irish jig
November 6, 2008: Greatest personal choreography feat.
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=52148295816
Loris, thanks for brightening my day with your response. :]
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=52148295816
Loris, thanks for brightening my day with your response. :]
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Chemistry+Elections
I had the greatest time in my Chem lab today. It involved mixing hydrogen peroxide with potassium iodide, and collecting the oxygen product in an inverted graduated cylinder.
I then proceeded to lift the graduated cylinder and breathe in the oxygen.
Oxygen highs are pretty trippy!
Next: Elections
It felt so good to be able to vote. The people there were so friendly, and really made me proud to be an American. Still, I had thought the voting process would be a bit more glamorous than it actually was. At least the punch holes are freaking tight.
When we came out, it was cool seeing the anti-Prop 8 activists on the streets. All of them held signs reading "NO ON PROP 8: UNFAIR AND WRONG," and almost every car would honk as they passed by. Being part of that cause must have been so uplifting, I'd imagine.
Congrats to Obama! CHANGE IS HERE. I'm a bit unsure about Obama, though. When I broke down my vote issue-by-issue, he only beat McCain 9-7. So I'm slightly uneasy about my presidential pick, considering he wasn't a dominant pick for me. I guess I'll have to see how it goes. I hope his tax model doesn't eff me (or my parents) up in the next couple of years.
So now, we're rapidly refreshing CNN as we await the results of Proposition 8. Can't believe 53% have voted YES so far...
I then proceeded to lift the graduated cylinder and breathe in the oxygen.
Oxygen highs are pretty trippy!
Next: Elections
It felt so good to be able to vote. The people there were so friendly, and really made me proud to be an American. Still, I had thought the voting process would be a bit more glamorous than it actually was. At least the punch holes are freaking tight.
When we came out, it was cool seeing the anti-Prop 8 activists on the streets. All of them held signs reading "NO ON PROP 8: UNFAIR AND WRONG," and almost every car would honk as they passed by. Being part of that cause must have been so uplifting, I'd imagine.
Congrats to Obama! CHANGE IS HERE. I'm a bit unsure about Obama, though. When I broke down my vote issue-by-issue, he only beat McCain 9-7. So I'm slightly uneasy about my presidential pick, considering he wasn't a dominant pick for me. I guess I'll have to see how it goes. I hope his tax model doesn't eff me (or my parents) up in the next couple of years.
So now, we're rapidly refreshing CNN as we await the results of Proposition 8. Can't believe 53% have voted YES so far...
Monday, November 3, 2008
More confused than a woodpecker in a concrete forest
Quote of the day:
Background: Tim's trying to make a movie with picture stills with iMovie. However, the default setting places all images in a Ken Burns effect, which embeds still photographs in motion pictures, displayed with slow zooming and panning effects, and fading transitions between them.
Me: Tim, you have to turn off the Ken Burns effect.
Tim: WHO'S KEN BURNS?!
Background: Tim's trying to make a movie with picture stills with iMovie. However, the default setting places all images in a Ken Burns effect, which embeds still photographs in motion pictures, displayed with slow zooming and panning effects, and fading transitions between them.
Me: Tim, you have to turn off the Ken Burns effect.
Tim: WHO'S KEN BURNS?!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Loud and clear
My new computer speakers make my chair vibrate. At 10% volume.
CLOUD NINE HERE I COME.
CLOUD NINE HERE I COME.
Friday, October 31, 2008
What a night
Congratulations, Kevin.
You just pulled an all-nighter the night before your Biology midterm. The midterm which you had been studying for during these past 2 weeks. The midterm which just ripped you to shreds nonetheless. Congratulations, indeed.
My schedule of studying as of 8pm last night (when I got back from filming for a Spanish project):
8:00pm-8:30pm: Eat ramen for dinner
8:30pm-9:00pm: Finish protists (Ch. 28)
9:00-12:00am: Study all of plants (Ch. 29, 30, 35, 36)
12:00am-1:30am: Study fungi (Ch. 31)
1:30am-3:00am: Study origins of life (Ch. 25)
3:00am-4:00am: Study bacteria (Ch. 21, 27)
4:00am-5:00am: Study viruses (Ch. 19)
But then I took an hour to eat ramen.
Adjusted schedule:
9:00pm-9:30pm: Finish protists (Ch. 28)
9:30-12:00am: Study all of plants (Ch. 29, 30, 35, 36)
12:00am-1:30am: Study fungi (Ch. 31)
1:30am-3:00am: Study origins of life (Ch. 25)
3:00am-4:00am: Study bacteria (Ch. 21, 27)
4:00am-5:00am: Study viruses (Ch. 19)
But then I didn't finish protists until 10:45pm.
Adjusted schedule:
9:30-12:00am: Study all of plants (Ch. 29, 30, 35, 36)
12:00am-1:30am: Study fungi (Ch. 31)
1:30am-3:00am: Study origins of life (Ch. 25)
3:00am-4:00am: Study bacteria (Ch. 21, 27)
4:00am-5:00am: Study viruses (Ch. 19)
Fast forward to 4am. I'm still on plants. Horrible. And I need a nap.
Adjusted schedule:
4:00am-4:30am: Nap
4:30am-5:30am: Study fungi (Ch. 31)
5:30am-6:30am: Study origins of life (Ch. 25)
6:30am-7:30am: Study bacteria (Ch. 21, 27)
7:30am-8:30am: Study viruses (Ch. 19)
9:00am: Take midterm
Unfortunately, stupid Gladys, my study partner, pulled an EPIC FAIL and let me sleep until 7am.
Adjusted schedule:
7:00am-8:30am: CRAM FOR EVERYTHING
9:00am: Take midterm
So, to recap, this is what REALLY happened last night:
8:00pm-9:00pm: Eat ramen for dinner
9:00pm-10:45pm: Finish protists (Ch. 28)
10:45pm-4:00am: Study plants (Ch. 29, 30, 35, 36)
4:00am-7:00am: Epic fail nap
7:00am-8:30am: Rush-cram for fungi (Ch. 31), origins of life (Ch. 25), bacteria (Ch. 21, 27), and viruses (Ch. 19)
I'm sick of bio.
You just pulled an all-nighter the night before your Biology midterm. The midterm which you had been studying for during these past 2 weeks. The midterm which just ripped you to shreds nonetheless. Congratulations, indeed.
My schedule of studying as of 8pm last night (when I got back from filming for a Spanish project):
8:00pm-8:30pm: Eat ramen for dinner
8:30pm-9:00pm: Finish protists (Ch. 28)
9:00-12:00am: Study all of plants (Ch. 29, 30, 35, 36)
12:00am-1:30am: Study fungi (Ch. 31)
1:30am-3:00am: Study origins of life (Ch. 25)
3:00am-4:00am: Study bacteria (Ch. 21, 27)
4:00am-5:00am: Study viruses (Ch. 19)
But then I took an hour to eat ramen.
Adjusted schedule:
9:00pm-9:30pm: Finish protists (Ch. 28)
9:30-12:00am: Study all of plants (Ch. 29, 30, 35, 36)
12:00am-1:30am: Study fungi (Ch. 31)
1:30am-3:00am: Study origins of life (Ch. 25)
3:00am-4:00am: Study bacteria (Ch. 21, 27)
4:00am-5:00am: Study viruses (Ch. 19)
But then I didn't finish protists until 10:45pm.
Adjusted schedule:
9:30-12:00am: Study all of plants (Ch. 29, 30, 35, 36)
12:00am-1:30am: Study fungi (Ch. 31)
1:30am-3:00am: Study origins of life (Ch. 25)
3:00am-4:00am: Study bacteria (Ch. 21, 27)
4:00am-5:00am: Study viruses (Ch. 19)
Fast forward to 4am. I'm still on plants. Horrible. And I need a nap.
Adjusted schedule:
4:00am-4:30am: Nap
4:30am-5:30am: Study fungi (Ch. 31)
5:30am-6:30am: Study origins of life (Ch. 25)
6:30am-7:30am: Study bacteria (Ch. 21, 27)
7:30am-8:30am: Study viruses (Ch. 19)
9:00am: Take midterm
Unfortunately, stupid Gladys, my study partner, pulled an EPIC FAIL and let me sleep until 7am.
Adjusted schedule:
7:00am-8:30am: CRAM FOR EVERYTHING
9:00am: Take midterm
So, to recap, this is what REALLY happened last night:
8:00pm-9:00pm: Eat ramen for dinner
9:00pm-10:45pm: Finish protists (Ch. 28)
10:45pm-4:00am: Study plants (Ch. 29, 30, 35, 36)
4:00am-7:00am: Epic fail nap
7:00am-8:30am: Rush-cram for fungi (Ch. 31), origins of life (Ch. 25), bacteria (Ch. 21, 27), and viruses (Ch. 19)
I'm sick of bio.
Friday, October 24, 2008
As luck would have had it
Dear Kevin,
Congratulations!
You have been selected to purchase the quantity of tickets that you requested from the student lottery for UCLA / USC football game, December 6, 2008, at 1:30 PM, to be played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
*Lottery recipients must claim their tickets in the USC Ticket Office.
To pick up tickets students must present a valid Student USC ID, with a Student Football Season Ticket validation for each ticket requested. Only one ticket will be allowed per I.D.
*Recipients must pay for their tickets upon claiming them. Tickets are $35 each. Acceptable forms of payment are Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and Discretionary.
*Tickets will be available for pick up the week of November 17.
USC Ticket Office
WOW I NEVER WIN LOTTERIES! YAYAYAY
Congratulations!
You have been selected to purchase the quantity of tickets that you requested from the student lottery for UCLA / USC football game, December 6, 2008, at 1:30 PM, to be played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
*Lottery recipients must claim their tickets in the USC Ticket Office.
To pick up tickets students must present a valid Student USC ID, with a Student Football Season Ticket validation for each ticket requested. Only one ticket will be allowed per I.D.
*Recipients must pay for their tickets upon claiming them. Tickets are $35 each. Acceptable forms of payment are Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and Discretionary.
*Tickets will be available for pick up the week of November 17.
USC Ticket Office
WOW I NEVER WIN LOTTERIES! YAYAYAY
Friday, October 17, 2008
Try as hard as you can, you can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Man
Dr. Parr wasn't here to lecture for my Chem 105 class today. So Dr. Quinlan substituted in. Here was his introduction written on the board:
I AM NOT DR. PARR
1. FILL THE TANK!
2. DON'T GIVE RIDES TO LOSERS!
3. DON'T GO TOO FAST!
I pretty much got as far as "I AM NOT DR. PARR." For the remainder of the lecture, I felt like such a doofus listening to Dr. Quinlan speak. His lecture, which was supposed to cover energy/wavelengths (how is this a chemistry and not a physics topic?), began with slides titled "Who is Jed the Fish?" and "How long is a car antenna?" None of these slides seemed to make sense, yet Dr. Quinlan somehow managed to connect all of them. On top of that, he spent an average of 7 seconds on each slide, so that eliminated any chance of note-taking.
This man is too brilliant for me. I miss Dr. Parr. HAHA.
I AM NOT DR. PARR
1. FILL THE TANK!
2. DON'T GIVE RIDES TO LOSERS!
3. DON'T GO TOO FAST!
I pretty much got as far as "I AM NOT DR. PARR." For the remainder of the lecture, I felt like such a doofus listening to Dr. Quinlan speak. His lecture, which was supposed to cover energy/wavelengths (how is this a chemistry and not a physics topic?), began with slides titled "Who is Jed the Fish?" and "How long is a car antenna?" None of these slides seemed to make sense, yet Dr. Quinlan somehow managed to connect all of them. On top of that, he spent an average of 7 seconds on each slide, so that eliminated any chance of note-taking.
This man is too brilliant for me. I miss Dr. Parr. HAHA.
Friday, October 10, 2008
There will come a day when all the work is finished or when it is too late to finish it
No words can describe how relieved I feel right now.
This past week has been hell for me, and the interesting thing is, I rather enjoyed it. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't volunteer to undergo the experience again (although it shall inevitably occur countless times in the next 4 years), but I found this week to be...fulfilling. Maybe it was because it was the first time in college I actually felt pressured to get work done. Maybe it was because I'm actually used to sleeping at 4am now. Maybe it was because at the end of the day, I've scored well on 2 out of the 3 exams this week (3rd exam result still pending; I just took it). Whatever the case, I didn't really feel "overwhelmed", per se. For this entire week, regardless of the amount of work I had, I nonetheless managed to maintain control.
I believe I have finally gained this sense of responsibility that comes with being a college student.
So what now? After 3 grueling exams in 3 days, how shall I enjoy life?
I'm going to do laundry. -_-
I need my USC shirt for tomorrow's game. BEAT THE SUN DEVILS.
This past week has been hell for me, and the interesting thing is, I rather enjoyed it. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't volunteer to undergo the experience again (although it shall inevitably occur countless times in the next 4 years), but I found this week to be...fulfilling. Maybe it was because it was the first time in college I actually felt pressured to get work done. Maybe it was because I'm actually used to sleeping at 4am now. Maybe it was because at the end of the day, I've scored well on 2 out of the 3 exams this week (3rd exam result still pending; I just took it). Whatever the case, I didn't really feel "overwhelmed", per se. For this entire week, regardless of the amount of work I had, I nonetheless managed to maintain control.
I believe I have finally gained this sense of responsibility that comes with being a college student.
So what now? After 3 grueling exams in 3 days, how shall I enjoy life?
I'm going to do laundry. -_-
I need my USC shirt for tomorrow's game. BEAT THE SUN DEVILS.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Cat Got Your Tongue?
Something I found in Sunday's Parade:
What causes the feeling of a lump in your throat when you're emotional?
The sensation occurs when excess activity of the autonomic (involuntary) nervous system causes a certain muscle in the throat to go into spasm. This muscle helps keep the esophagus closed when you're not eating. So, when the muscle misbehaves, you feel you can hardly swallow.
So now I finally know why I feel the way I do.
What causes the feeling of a lump in your throat when you're emotional?
The sensation occurs when excess activity of the autonomic (involuntary) nervous system causes a certain muscle in the throat to go into spasm. This muscle helps keep the esophagus closed when you're not eating. So, when the muscle misbehaves, you feel you can hardly swallow.
So now I finally know why I feel the way I do.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Eighteen
Dammit I'm always lagging with my posts these day.
I suppose I should reflect about my birthday by now. Actually what I SHOULD be doing is my online Spanish homework, but let's forget that exists right now.
So how do I feel that I've finally reached the big ONE-EIGHT? Well, let's see what I can do...
1. Vote
2. Buy porn
3. Smoke
4. Get a tattoo
5. Gamble at Indian casinos
6. CLUBBING
Doesn't feel that different. What DOES feel different is that my friends ordered a freaking ULUWATU for me. WOOOT. Plus I have enough money to order a Logitech Z-2300. 400 WATTS BABY. Plus I got the greatest gift of all from some silly girl, and I just can't stop looking at it.
Truth be told, it does feel great to be 18. Yet, I still am cautious, as I transition into manhood. With this transition comes greater responsibility, and independence. I feel I am ready to accept this, but I have no idea of the outcome. In 10 years, I will look back upon this moment and...feel old HAHA.
With this new year, I'm going to try to become more aware of the choices I make, as I know they will very soon have a direct impact on my life. Gone are the days of depending on my parents to make the choices of me. Adulthood is approaching fast, and I must be ready for it, to, as they say, "hit the ground running."
In the meantime...let the good times roll! (how unfrackingbelievably cheesy)
UPDATE: Highlights of the night
1. While we're taking group pictures in the suite, we're trying to decide what pose to do. Kevin Wu yells "FOB POSE!" And Sean, who comes from Indonesia, is like, "What's a fob pose...?"
2. While we're taking group pictures in the suite, Brian yells "4 MORE SHOTS!" which refers to picture shots. However, at that point, our RA passes by and thinks we're getting crunk. We almost get in trouble.
I suppose I should reflect about my birthday by now. Actually what I SHOULD be doing is my online Spanish homework, but let's forget that exists right now.
So how do I feel that I've finally reached the big ONE-EIGHT? Well, let's see what I can do...
1. Vote
2. Buy porn
3. Smoke
4. Get a tattoo
5. Gamble at Indian casinos
6. CLUBBING
Doesn't feel that different. What DOES feel different is that my friends ordered a freaking ULUWATU for me. WOOOT. Plus I have enough money to order a Logitech Z-2300. 400 WATTS BABY. Plus I got the greatest gift of all from some silly girl, and I just can't stop looking at it.
Truth be told, it does feel great to be 18. Yet, I still am cautious, as I transition into manhood. With this transition comes greater responsibility, and independence. I feel I am ready to accept this, but I have no idea of the outcome. In 10 years, I will look back upon this moment and...feel old HAHA.
With this new year, I'm going to try to become more aware of the choices I make, as I know they will very soon have a direct impact on my life. Gone are the days of depending on my parents to make the choices of me. Adulthood is approaching fast, and I must be ready for it, to, as they say, "hit the ground running."
In the meantime...let the good times roll! (how unfrackingbelievably cheesy)
UPDATE: Highlights of the night
1. While we're taking group pictures in the suite, we're trying to decide what pose to do. Kevin Wu yells "FOB POSE!" And Sean, who comes from Indonesia, is like, "What's a fob pose...?"
2. While we're taking group pictures in the suite, Brian yells "4 MORE SHOTS!" which refers to picture shots. However, at that point, our RA passes by and thinks we're getting crunk. We almost get in trouble.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Wisdom!
Any tool when dropped, will roll into the least accessible corner of the workshop.
-Anthony's Law of the Workshop
On he way to the corner, any dropped tool will first strike your toes.
-Corollary to Anthony's Law of the Workshop
Every instructor assumes that you have nothing else to do except study for that instructor's course.
-Fourth Law of Applied Terror
If you are given an open-book exam, you will forget your book.
-Fifth Law of Applied Terror
If you are given a take-home exam, you will forget where you live.
-Corollary to the Fifth Law of Applied Terror
What you don't know will always hurt you.
-First Law of Blissful Ignorance
The remaining work to finish in order to reach your goal increases as the deadline approaches.
-Bove's Theorem
If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the next morning you will have a flat tire.
-Cannon's Law
The only things that start on time are those that you're late for.
-Cayo's Law
No project was ever completed on time and within budget.
-Cheops Law
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
-Clarke's Third Law
Copiers will break down when there is only one more copy to make.
-Copier Breakdown Principle
Opportunity always knocks at the least opportune moment.
-Ducharme's Precept
In approaching a double door, you will always go to the one door that is locked, pull when you should have pushed, and pushed when the sign says pull.
-Ehre's Double-Door Law
The other line moves faster.
-Etorre's Observation
If an experiment works, something has gone wrong.
-Finagle's First Law
Information necessitating a change of design will be conveyed to the designer after and only after the design is complete (Often called the 'Now They Tell Us' Law).
-Fyfe's First Law of Revision
Complex problems have simple, easy to understand wrong answers.
-Grossman's Law
When you are served a meal aboard an aircraft, the aircraft will encounter turbulence.
-Gunter's First Law of Air Travel
The strength of the turbulence is directly proportional to the temperature of your coffee.
-Gunter's Second Law of Air Travel
There is no limit to how bad things can get.
-Hane's Law
The probability of someone watching you is proportional to the stupidity of your action.
-Hartley's First Law
It always takes longer than you expect, even when you take Hofstadter's Law into account.
-Hofstadter's Law
No amount of genius can overcome a preoccupation with detail.
-Levy's Eighth Law
The most important leg of a three legged stool is the one that's missing.
-Lyall's Fundamental Observation
If the facts do not conform to the theory, they must be disposed of.
-Maier's Law
Logic is a systematic method of coming to the wrong conclusion with confidence.
-Manley's Maxim
The shortest point between two points is under construction.
-McGregor's Revised Maxim
If at first you don't succeed, read the manual.
-Montgomery's Maxim
Negative expectations yield negative results.
Positive expectations yield negative results.
-Non-Reciprocal Law of Expectations
You cannot successfully determine beforehand which side of the bread to butter.
-Perversity of Nature Law
If you keep anything long enough you can throw it away.
If you throw anything away, you will need it the next day.
-Richard's Complimentary Rule of Ownership
When working toward the solution of a problem, it always helps if you know the answer.
-Rule of Accuracy
If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you have tried.
-Rule of Failure
If you put a spoonful of wine in a barrel of sewage, you get sewage. If you put a spoonful of sewage in a barrel full of wine, you get sewage.
-Schopenhaur's Law of Entropy
A man with a watch knows what time it is. A man with two watches is never sure.
-Segal's Law
Anyone can make a decision given enough facts.
A good manager can make a decision without enough facts.
A perfect manager can operate in perfect ignorance.
-Spencer's Law of Data
If you file it, you'll know where it is - but never need it.
If you don't file it, you'll need it - but never know where it is.
-Tillis' Organizational Principle
Assumption is the mother of all screw-ups.
-Wethern's Law
People are always available for work in the past tense.
-Zymurgy's Law of Volunteer Labour
-Anthony's Law of the Workshop
On he way to the corner, any dropped tool will first strike your toes.
-Corollary to Anthony's Law of the Workshop
Every instructor assumes that you have nothing else to do except study for that instructor's course.
-Fourth Law of Applied Terror
If you are given an open-book exam, you will forget your book.
-Fifth Law of Applied Terror
If you are given a take-home exam, you will forget where you live.
-Corollary to the Fifth Law of Applied Terror
What you don't know will always hurt you.
-First Law of Blissful Ignorance
The remaining work to finish in order to reach your goal increases as the deadline approaches.
-Bove's Theorem
If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the next morning you will have a flat tire.
-Cannon's Law
The only things that start on time are those that you're late for.
-Cayo's Law
No project was ever completed on time and within budget.
-Cheops Law
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
-Clarke's Third Law
Copiers will break down when there is only one more copy to make.
-Copier Breakdown Principle
Opportunity always knocks at the least opportune moment.
-Ducharme's Precept
In approaching a double door, you will always go to the one door that is locked, pull when you should have pushed, and pushed when the sign says pull.
-Ehre's Double-Door Law
The other line moves faster.
-Etorre's Observation
If an experiment works, something has gone wrong.
-Finagle's First Law
Information necessitating a change of design will be conveyed to the designer after and only after the design is complete (Often called the 'Now They Tell Us' Law).
-Fyfe's First Law of Revision
Complex problems have simple, easy to understand wrong answers.
-Grossman's Law
When you are served a meal aboard an aircraft, the aircraft will encounter turbulence.
-Gunter's First Law of Air Travel
The strength of the turbulence is directly proportional to the temperature of your coffee.
-Gunter's Second Law of Air Travel
There is no limit to how bad things can get.
-Hane's Law
The probability of someone watching you is proportional to the stupidity of your action.
-Hartley's First Law
It always takes longer than you expect, even when you take Hofstadter's Law into account.
-Hofstadter's Law
No amount of genius can overcome a preoccupation with detail.
-Levy's Eighth Law
The most important leg of a three legged stool is the one that's missing.
-Lyall's Fundamental Observation
If the facts do not conform to the theory, they must be disposed of.
-Maier's Law
Logic is a systematic method of coming to the wrong conclusion with confidence.
-Manley's Maxim
The shortest point between two points is under construction.
-McGregor's Revised Maxim
If at first you don't succeed, read the manual.
-Montgomery's Maxim
Negative expectations yield negative results.
Positive expectations yield negative results.
-Non-Reciprocal Law of Expectations
You cannot successfully determine beforehand which side of the bread to butter.
-Perversity of Nature Law
If you keep anything long enough you can throw it away.
If you throw anything away, you will need it the next day.
-Richard's Complimentary Rule of Ownership
When working toward the solution of a problem, it always helps if you know the answer.
-Rule of Accuracy
If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you have tried.
-Rule of Failure
If you put a spoonful of wine in a barrel of sewage, you get sewage. If you put a spoonful of sewage in a barrel full of wine, you get sewage.
-Schopenhaur's Law of Entropy
A man with a watch knows what time it is. A man with two watches is never sure.
-Segal's Law
Anyone can make a decision given enough facts.
A good manager can make a decision without enough facts.
A perfect manager can operate in perfect ignorance.
-Spencer's Law of Data
If you file it, you'll know where it is - but never need it.
If you don't file it, you'll need it - but never know where it is.
-Tillis' Organizational Principle
Assumption is the mother of all screw-ups.
-Wethern's Law
People are always available for work in the past tense.
-Zymurgy's Law of Volunteer Labour
Monday, September 29, 2008
LOL: Roger Ebert Responds to Disaster Movie Fan
It’s not funny enough that someone out there actually liked Disaster Movie, e-mailed Roger Ebert in almost unreadable internet shorthand, but Roger actually took the time out to respond using the reader’s native language.
Question: Yo dude, u missed out on “Disaster Movie,” a hardcore laugh-ur-@zz-off movie! Y U not review this movie!? It was funny as #ell! Prolly the funniest movie of the summer! U never review these, wat up wit dat?
Ebert’s Response: Hey, bro, I wuz buzier than $#i+, @d they never shoed it b4 hand. I peeped in the IMDb and saw it zoomed to #1 as the low$ie$t flic of all time, wit @ lame-@zz UZer Rating of 1.3. U liked it? Wat up wit dat?
HAHA thanks for the link, Ashton.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Sleepcrawling
Old news:
I got to watch the USC Thornton Symphony a few days ago. It was really weird to be sitting in the audience for an orchestra concert for once, rather than performing on stage as I had done for the past few years. The concert was definitely one of the most interesting I've ever been to. The first piece, Wagner's Overture to Reinzi, featured a really powerful horn section. Impressive indeed. The second piece was the most interesting, in my opinion. Titled Turangalila-Symphonie, it's an 80-minute piece composed by Messiaen, who required 2 years to write it for the Boston Symphony. I cannot describe how fascinated I was with this one; every section seemed to have its own rhythm, its own melody, and yet the entire orchestra was together. There was no unifying rhythm, as with traditional classical pieces. Finally, the 10th and final movement featured one of the most unusual instruments I've ever seen, called the ondes Martenot, which replicates both the human voice as well as the chirps of a bird. The woman who played it, Mary Chun, is one of only two people in the United States who can play the instrument. Freaking cool.
New news:
I sleptwalked for about the 2nd time in my life (1st time was in Houston over the summer). I took a nap on top of my sheets at 2:15am and told Tim to wake me up at 2:40am. The next thing I remember is that I woke up at 10am...UNDER my sheets. First thought: "How the hell did I get under my sheets..."
Apparently, according to Tim, this is what happened:
1. 2:40am: Tim wakes me up. I sit up, then fall asleep.
2. 3:30am: Tim wakes me up. I sit up, then fall asleep again. Tim lets me sleep.
3. 4:00am: I'm still sleeping. Tim closes the door, turns off the lights, and goes to sleep. He says I was still on top of my sheets when he went to sleep.
4. 10:00am: I wake up, apparently under my sheets.
So how did I get there...? o.o Sleepcrawling HAHA
I got to watch the USC Thornton Symphony a few days ago. It was really weird to be sitting in the audience for an orchestra concert for once, rather than performing on stage as I had done for the past few years. The concert was definitely one of the most interesting I've ever been to. The first piece, Wagner's Overture to Reinzi, featured a really powerful horn section. Impressive indeed. The second piece was the most interesting, in my opinion. Titled Turangalila-Symphonie, it's an 80-minute piece composed by Messiaen, who required 2 years to write it for the Boston Symphony. I cannot describe how fascinated I was with this one; every section seemed to have its own rhythm, its own melody, and yet the entire orchestra was together. There was no unifying rhythm, as with traditional classical pieces. Finally, the 10th and final movement featured one of the most unusual instruments I've ever seen, called the ondes Martenot, which replicates both the human voice as well as the chirps of a bird. The woman who played it, Mary Chun, is one of only two people in the United States who can play the instrument. Freaking cool.
New news:
I sleptwalked for about the 2nd time in my life (1st time was in Houston over the summer). I took a nap on top of my sheets at 2:15am and told Tim to wake me up at 2:40am. The next thing I remember is that I woke up at 10am...UNDER my sheets. First thought: "How the hell did I get under my sheets..."
Apparently, according to Tim, this is what happened:
1. 2:40am: Tim wakes me up. I sit up, then fall asleep.
2. 3:30am: Tim wakes me up. I sit up, then fall asleep again. Tim lets me sleep.
3. 4:00am: I'm still sleeping. Tim closes the door, turns off the lights, and goes to sleep. He says I was still on top of my sheets when he went to sleep.
4. 10:00am: I wake up, apparently under my sheets.
So how did I get there...? o.o Sleepcrawling HAHA
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Play Kiss
Even without words what volumes do kisses speak. Its books are written by lovers who've made a pact. "Speak" carefully, for few words are so sweet yet so bitter when broken.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Point and Shoot, Point and Shoot
I made a new friend at a Bio review session. Her name's Nicole, and she's from Hawaii. Great, that makes about the 25th Hawaiian person I've met at USC. The session ended at around 9, and since we were like the only two people who haven't eaten dinner yet, we went to get food at EVK. And there, she fed me what is perhaps the strangest sandwich ever.
Ingredients:
1. Raisin bread
2. Mayonnaise
3. Mayonnaise with sun-dried tomatoes
4. Mustard
5. Tomatoes
6. Ham
I think it was this sandwich that bloated my stomach to unexplainable reaches. On top of that, I had to walk with that stupid food baby all the way back to Parkside. It was without doubt the most painful yet most laughable walk across campus I've had so far. Back at Parkside, I experienced my first food baby sneeze. It was freaking PAINFUL. What followed was half an hour of clutching my food baby while kneeling next to the toilet, wanting to rid myself of the pain by puking, but not quite wanting to give up. Then I got to spawl on a chair for another hour, during which my suitemates actually thought I'd died.
Next followed a wonderful conversation:
12:04:24 AM [censored]: okay so you know how you have
12:04:29 AM [censored]: sympathetic/parasympathetic
12:05:05 AM [censored]: so parasympathetic is involved in erection
12:05:11 AM [censored]: and sympathetic is involved in ejaculation
12:05:22 AM [censored]: so Parasympathetic = point
12:05:27 AM [censored]: and Sympathetic = shoot
12:05:31 AM [censored]: point and shoot
12:05:31 AM [censored]: HAHAHAHA
HAHAHA
Ingredients:
1. Raisin bread
2. Mayonnaise
3. Mayonnaise with sun-dried tomatoes
4. Mustard
5. Tomatoes
6. Ham
I think it was this sandwich that bloated my stomach to unexplainable reaches. On top of that, I had to walk with that stupid food baby all the way back to Parkside. It was without doubt the most painful yet most laughable walk across campus I've had so far. Back at Parkside, I experienced my first food baby sneeze. It was freaking PAINFUL. What followed was half an hour of clutching my food baby while kneeling next to the toilet, wanting to rid myself of the pain by puking, but not quite wanting to give up. Then I got to spawl on a chair for another hour, during which my suitemates actually thought I'd died.
Next followed a wonderful conversation:
12:04:24 AM [censored]: okay so you know how you have
12:04:29 AM [censored]: sympathetic/parasympathetic
12:05:05 AM [censored]: so parasympathetic is involved in erection
12:05:11 AM [censored]: and sympathetic is involved in ejaculation
12:05:22 AM [censored]: so Parasympathetic = point
12:05:27 AM [censored]: and Sympathetic = shoot
12:05:31 AM [censored]: point and shoot
12:05:31 AM [censored]: HAHAHAHA
HAHAHA
Monday, September 22, 2008
Phenom?
My brother told me today about this guy I knew from elementary school.
1. Name: Corey Neilson
2. Sport: Football
3. Position: Quarterback
4. Last year, he was ranked first in the state in passing (for high school players)
5. Last year, he was ranked second in the nation in passing (for high school players)
6. Last year, he led Gahr High to a CIF title, and was MVP
7. Last year, he was a JUNIOR
o.o what the...
and he's Filipino too...?
CRAZY
1. Name: Corey Neilson
2. Sport: Football
3. Position: Quarterback
4. Last year, he was ranked first in the state in passing (for high school players)
5. Last year, he was ranked second in the nation in passing (for high school players)
6. Last year, he led Gahr High to a CIF title, and was MVP
7. Last year, he was a JUNIOR
o.o what the...
and he's Filipino too...?
CRAZY
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
BIG BALLS PETE! BIG BALLS PETE!
Old events:
1. Came within 10 feet of Akon at the Beverly Center last last Saturday
2. I'm now registered to vote!
Okay, on to the new (well now it's old) news...
I attended my first football game EVER last Saturday, and it honestly rates in the top 10 of my greatest experiences. It felt so great to be immersed in the full spirit of USC that makes me so proud to be a Trojan. It was also fun learning the fight song on the morning of the game. FIGHT ON!
1. Came within 10 feet of Akon at the Beverly Center last last Saturday
2. I'm now registered to vote!
Okay, on to the new (well now it's old) news...
I attended my first football game EVER last Saturday, and it honestly rates in the top 10 of my greatest experiences. It felt so great to be immersed in the full spirit of USC that makes me so proud to be a Trojan. It was also fun learning the fight song on the morning of the game. FIGHT ON!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
WHERE MY PARTY PEOPLE AT
I took a hip hop dance class today. And I think I'm going to drop it now. I seriously cannot dance the way the instructor did. As in, dirty-south-ghetto hip hop. I think it's fun to dance like that, just not for an entire semester. Good-bye, hip hop dance class!
My suite held a dance party tonight. It was a pretty good party, considering we didn't really start planning until this morning.
Unfortunately, the party only lasted an hour, because DPS eventually came -_-
My suite held a dance party tonight. It was a pretty good party, considering we didn't really start planning until this morning.
Unfortunately, the party only lasted an hour, because DPS eventually came -_-
This Should've Been Posted 2 Days Ago
Yeahh...I was too lazy 2 days ago, so here's for a late blog post.
I got checked out by a girl o.o I was walking back to Parkside with Alejandro, when this girl walked by me and smiled at me. I think I unintentionally smiled back because the sun was in my eyes, so I was actually squinting. When the girl was gone, Alejandro was like "DAAAYUM BOY, that girl kept checking you out even after we passed her!"
I wonder if she was hot...stupid sun HAHA.
In other news, my left buttcheek is sore. I was doing some *hardcore* ballet the other night. Massage anyone? HAHA
Nicole once again broke the record for latest time stayed in my/Tim's room. 3:30am. I need to start enforcing my sign.
I got checked out by a girl o.o I was walking back to Parkside with Alejandro, when this girl walked by me and smiled at me. I think I unintentionally smiled back because the sun was in my eyes, so I was actually squinting. When the girl was gone, Alejandro was like "DAAAYUM BOY, that girl kept checking you out even after we passed her!"
I wonder if she was hot...stupid sun HAHA.
In other news, my left buttcheek is sore. I was doing some *hardcore* ballet the other night. Massage anyone? HAHA
Nicole once again broke the record for latest time stayed in my/Tim's room. 3:30am. I need to start enforcing my sign.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Already September?
Back at USC! And as hate as it hurts to say it, I kinda looked forward to coming back. At home, I realized how much of a bubble Cerritos is.
Two moments of the day:
1. Eric randomly called me, essentially to tell me that he was thinking of me. Dangit man, why'd you have to make me feel so special? I miss you so much, man.
2. While I was talking to Loris via Skype, her mom came in and asked where my voice was coming from. While Loris was explaining, her mom was like, "IS HE UNDER YOUR BED?!" HAHAHAHA
Two moments of the day:
1. Eric randomly called me, essentially to tell me that he was thinking of me. Dangit man, why'd you have to make me feel so special? I miss you so much, man.
2. While I was talking to Loris via Skype, her mom came in and asked where my voice was coming from. While Loris was explaining, her mom was like, "IS HE UNDER YOUR BED?!" HAHAHAHA
Friday, August 29, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Clothes Clothes Clothes
I did laundry for the first time at college today. It was so fracking epic. HAHA.
New potential facebook group: "I like to study/socialize with other people in the laundry room!" -_-
New potential facebook group: "I like to study/socialize with other people in the laundry room!" -_-
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
First Real Day of College
I had my first day of classes today, and it was honestly really chill. I woke up at 7:40am, got ready, went downstairs to eat breakfast with a friend, and strolled to class. I got out at 10am, and strolled to my next class. I got out at 11, and strolled back to my dorm. I mean, how much more chill can you get than that?
Oh. Wait.
At lunch (around 12pm)...
KNguyen: Hey, so what class are you guys headed off to after lunch?
KWu: Erm...I'm done with class.
Jialin: Erm...I haven't started.
Wow. HAHA.
My Spanish class later that day was 95% white people. Before class, this girl was like, "So are all of you rushing?" *everyone nods* And another girl says, "Yeah, dude, I've only met 4 girls who aren't rushing. I mean, what the hell is up with that?"
Can you say, cultural differences?
Funniest random moment from yesterday:
So Tim and I are hanging out with two friends in our room. Kevin Wu is also in the room, and he's brushing his teeth. Brian suddenly rushes in.
Brian: "DUDES, KWu JUST RAN OUT OF BOXERS!"
...
Brian (to the two friends): "Oh, hi, I'm Brian."
Funniest icebreaker line ever.
Oh. Wait.
At lunch (around 12pm)...
KNguyen: Hey, so what class are you guys headed off to after lunch?
KWu: Erm...I'm done with class.
Jialin: Erm...I haven't started.
Wow. HAHA.
My Spanish class later that day was 95% white people. Before class, this girl was like, "So are all of you rushing?" *everyone nods* And another girl says, "Yeah, dude, I've only met 4 girls who aren't rushing. I mean, what the hell is up with that?"
Can you say, cultural differences?
Funniest random moment from yesterday:
So Tim and I are hanging out with two friends in our room. Kevin Wu is also in the room, and he's brushing his teeth. Brian suddenly rushes in.
Brian: "DUDES, KWu JUST RAN OUT OF BOXERS!"
...
Brian (to the two friends): "Oh, hi, I'm Brian."
Funniest icebreaker line ever.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Little Tokyo!
I went with friends to Little Tokyo today. It was the first time by far at USC that I had a chance to go exploring deep into LA. Honestly, it was a great experience, considering I've been in the bubble of Cerritos for the past 18 years. We ate at this Japanese ramen place. AH it was so good! Definitely one of the best ramen places I've been to in recent memory.
At night, me and my suitemates screamed the lyrics to Backstreet Boys' "I Want It That Way." We were told to quiet down. HAHA. So we resorted to bboying in a dorm room. It was so hilarious HAHA.
I'm continuing to strengthen my bonds with both my existing and new friends. I absolutely love it.
I still can't quite believe I start class tomorrow.
At night, me and my suitemates screamed the lyrics to Backstreet Boys' "I Want It That Way." We were told to quiet down. HAHA. So we resorted to bboying in a dorm room. It was so hilarious HAHA.
I'm continuing to strengthen my bonds with both my existing and new friends. I absolutely love it.
I still can't quite believe I start class tomorrow.
Hellogoodbye!
Hellogoodbye concert was amazing!
1. Posthuman Era: Ehh, they weren't that great.
2. Vogue in the Movement: They were really good, and I love the vocalist. I can't believe I had never heard of them before!
3. The Matches: Okay band, but not that great.
4. Hellogoodbye: AHH SO GOOD. I'm kinda jealous that Tiff and Amanda got both pictures with the entire band and autographs from Forrest Kline. Lucky butts!
The best part of the concert was the dang subwoofers. My leg hairs were freaking SHAKING the entire time, and I could feel my chest vibrating as well. What I didn't enjoy was the mosh pit white kids, who started out in the back of the crowd, and shoved their way to the front.
Other than that, I think I'm establishing stronger bonds with my existing friends, and I'm really happy about that. :]
1. Posthuman Era: Ehh, they weren't that great.
2. Vogue in the Movement: They were really good, and I love the vocalist. I can't believe I had never heard of them before!
3. The Matches: Okay band, but not that great.
4. Hellogoodbye: AHH SO GOOD. I'm kinda jealous that Tiff and Amanda got both pictures with the entire band and autographs from Forrest Kline. Lucky butts!
The best part of the concert was the dang subwoofers. My leg hairs were freaking SHAKING the entire time, and I could feel my chest vibrating as well. What I didn't enjoy was the mosh pit white kids, who started out in the back of the crowd, and shoved their way to the front.
Other than that, I think I'm establishing stronger bonds with my existing friends, and I'm really happy about that. :]
Saturday, August 23, 2008
College Parties!
College parties are so fracking wild. No joke. North Hall=Sex dorm. It was funny seeing people there who I actually know.
Other than that eye-opening experience, I bonded more with my suitemates and others. I'm pretty content right now.
Other than that eye-opening experience, I bonded more with my suitemates and others. I'm pretty content right now.
Friday, August 22, 2008
You did it! You met a white girl!
So today...believe it or not, I made friends with not one, but THREE white girls. My suitemates are so hilarious. They were all giving me high-fives and fist pumps as if I had passed an initiation or something. HAHAHA
So now Brian and I are in a race of manliness to 100 points. I think for now, we've established that meeting a white girl is 10 points.
Kevin: 30 points
Brian: -10 points (he "met" a white girl who turned out to have gone to high school with him -_- that cheater)
So now Brian and I are in a race of manliness to 100 points. I think for now, we've established that meeting a white girl is 10 points.
Kevin: 30 points
Brian: -10 points (he "met" a white girl who turned out to have gone to high school with him -_- that cheater)
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
You did it! You're a college boy!
Holy crap. College. I made it. I'm here.
Long story short, I LOVE it here. No joke. My roommates are really awesome; we all clicked so well, almost immediately too. And oh man, we're all Asian too. When we went to the floor meeting, we were like the only Asian group. Someone even congratulated us for gathering an Asian crew so quickly. -_-
So me, Brian, and Kevin (two suitemates, both from Chicago), have a new goal: We're gonna pick up white girls. o.o We tried today at a social activity for our dorm, but we failed miserably. Brian was so hilarious; afterwards, he said: "DUDE GUYS, WE FAILED SO HARD TODAY. Alright, we gotta have a plan of attack for Friday's Welcome Back Dance..."
I'll have an update on that soon...
Anyways, other than that, I'm really happy to be here. I think I'm really going to enjoy it here! :D
Long story short, I LOVE it here. No joke. My roommates are really awesome; we all clicked so well, almost immediately too. And oh man, we're all Asian too. When we went to the floor meeting, we were like the only Asian group. Someone even congratulated us for gathering an Asian crew so quickly. -_-
So me, Brian, and Kevin (two suitemates, both from Chicago), have a new goal: We're gonna pick up white girls. o.o We tried today at a social activity for our dorm, but we failed miserably. Brian was so hilarious; afterwards, he said: "DUDE GUYS, WE FAILED SO HARD TODAY. Alright, we gotta have a plan of attack for Friday's Welcome Back Dance..."
I'll have an update on that soon...
Anyways, other than that, I'm really happy to be here. I think I'm really going to enjoy it here! :D
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
My Message to the Team
Guys (and Julia),
Let me first tell you how extremely proud I am of you. At the beginning of the summer, I really wasn't very confident in your performance, and I was worried that you wouldn't be ready in time for the competition. However, after this weekend, it was clear that I had been so wrong; you are the greatest group I have ever worked with, which includes groups outside of Spaceset.
Despite the way the Romanian team acted during the competition, you did the best job you could. Even without the leadership positions, you persevered, and at 4 in the morning, with 3.5 hours until deadline, it became apparent that it was your experience and training that was going to bail this company out and allow us to meet the 7:30 deadline.
Once again, I cannot begin to say how proud I am of all of you. Despite not winning, I know that you have learned a valuable lesson from working with the other two teams. You may not have the technical expertise that foreign teams can flaunt, but 14 years of Whitney's battle-tested experience in the Finals has prepared you for another role: to lead. When I held the training session earlier this summer, I wasn't doing it to prepare you for technical debates. What I was doing was preparing you to lead the company, preparing you to put together effective slides under pressure, and that is what I saw you do at 4 in the morning. For that reason, I know that I have trained you well, and there is nothing more that I can do for you. I am sorry that we were paired with such an arrogant team, a team that couldn't recognize and appreciate your qualities until it was much too late.
Obviously, there are some things you can work on. Despite having almost all of the qualities that I could ask for, you are still missing one that my training didn't prepare you for: assertiveness. The Romanian team took control early on, and by not voicing your own opinions, they saw that they could walk all over you, and continued to do so. Hopefully, you have learned from that, and when you next go to the Finals, don't let any technical expertise intimidate you; technical expertise is simply what's going to get information on the slides. You have something more than that: the foundation to ORGANIZE this information and SELL it to the judges. You have the foundation to LEAD the company, not serve as another team's slaves.
Recruitment is another important thing to keep in mind. Structure and Auto each have only 1 returning member, and without sufficient recruitment, Spaceset is dead next year. You guys need to try to get a permanent advisor, someone who will help you initiate more aggressive recruitment.
That's pretty much all I have to say. I wish you the best of luck next year and beyond, and I'll definitely see you around for a playday/banquet!
-Kevin Nguyen
Let me first tell you how extremely proud I am of you. At the beginning of the summer, I really wasn't very confident in your performance, and I was worried that you wouldn't be ready in time for the competition. However, after this weekend, it was clear that I had been so wrong; you are the greatest group I have ever worked with, which includes groups outside of Spaceset.
Despite the way the Romanian team acted during the competition, you did the best job you could. Even without the leadership positions, you persevered, and at 4 in the morning, with 3.5 hours until deadline, it became apparent that it was your experience and training that was going to bail this company out and allow us to meet the 7:30 deadline.
Once again, I cannot begin to say how proud I am of all of you. Despite not winning, I know that you have learned a valuable lesson from working with the other two teams. You may not have the technical expertise that foreign teams can flaunt, but 14 years of Whitney's battle-tested experience in the Finals has prepared you for another role: to lead. When I held the training session earlier this summer, I wasn't doing it to prepare you for technical debates. What I was doing was preparing you to lead the company, preparing you to put together effective slides under pressure, and that is what I saw you do at 4 in the morning. For that reason, I know that I have trained you well, and there is nothing more that I can do for you. I am sorry that we were paired with such an arrogant team, a team that couldn't recognize and appreciate your qualities until it was much too late.
Obviously, there are some things you can work on. Despite having almost all of the qualities that I could ask for, you are still missing one that my training didn't prepare you for: assertiveness. The Romanian team took control early on, and by not voicing your own opinions, they saw that they could walk all over you, and continued to do so. Hopefully, you have learned from that, and when you next go to the Finals, don't let any technical expertise intimidate you; technical expertise is simply what's going to get information on the slides. You have something more than that: the foundation to ORGANIZE this information and SELL it to the judges. You have the foundation to LEAD the company, not serve as another team's slaves.
Recruitment is another important thing to keep in mind. Structure and Auto each have only 1 returning member, and without sufficient recruitment, Spaceset is dead next year. You guys need to try to get a permanent advisor, someone who will help you initiate more aggressive recruitment.
That's pretty much all I have to say. I wish you the best of luck next year and beyond, and I'll definitely see you around for a playday/banquet!
-Kevin Nguyen
Lessons Learned
Over the weekend, despite not winning in my last year in the competition, I did learn valuable lessons regarding management. Yes, while managing the Structural Design department during the year, I was questioned regarding my decisions (ahem, Allan HAHA), but experience usually justified my decisions. The fact that I had been around before to see similar decisions contribute to a winning proposal allowed me to convince my department to follow my judgment.
This weekend was entirely different. Last year, when the Romanian team was with Durango High School, the experience card worked. Durango has been in the ISSDC for many years, and is a powerhouse just like the Whitney team. Last year, it was the Romanian team's first year, which caused them to often submit to Durango, despite their arrogance. Additionally, there were only guys on the Romanian team. This year, some of the girls were complete bitches, and contributed to reducing the quality of the work seen in the Operations and Human Factors departments. Despite having 14 years of experience in the competition, my team's experience card was completely thrown out the window when dealing with the Romanian team.
At least I felt I did as much as I could do. Because the majority of the three-team company was Romanian, they voted one of their own members, Mircea, as the company president. Yes, I would've liked to be president, but I do admit he was really chill, and he allowed to make many of my decisions on my own. Therefore, regarding my own decisions, I didn't really have anyone to answer to, so I was essentially the company president, just not in name. Yet, this shows that the task at hand, to manage the Romanian team members (many of them were voted department directors just through majority), was entirely too large to be accomplished.
There were lessons learned with my own team members as well, not just with me. With the exception of the Automations department, every department was under control by the Romanian team. This competition showed that they were eager to hog the power, but at 4am, with only 3.5 hours left until deadline, it became clear that they needed my team's experience and training to bail them out. Guys, I hope you are reading this; your talents are there, but you do need to be more assertive. Otherwise, other incapable people are going to walk all over you.
It is said that you learn more from your losses than your victories. I had hoped that not qualifying for the finals last year would provide enough lessons, but apparently I was wrong. I hope that next year, my team can come out with this year's undoing and use it to pull out a win. At the same time, don't repeat what the Romanian team did and completely shut out the other teams; retain a sense of openness, but also establish a sense of authority. Unless you're teaming up with Durango next year, there is no one out else there with the experience to efficiently put together a proposal in a short amount of time.
Through this competition, I have learned to deal with people who have no regard for my advantages, whether that be experience or prior training. Perhaps this will serve to be a good topic for some application essay in the future, because this weekend really did have life lessons.
This weekend was entirely different. Last year, when the Romanian team was with Durango High School, the experience card worked. Durango has been in the ISSDC for many years, and is a powerhouse just like the Whitney team. Last year, it was the Romanian team's first year, which caused them to often submit to Durango, despite their arrogance. Additionally, there were only guys on the Romanian team. This year, some of the girls were complete bitches, and contributed to reducing the quality of the work seen in the Operations and Human Factors departments. Despite having 14 years of experience in the competition, my team's experience card was completely thrown out the window when dealing with the Romanian team.
At least I felt I did as much as I could do. Because the majority of the three-team company was Romanian, they voted one of their own members, Mircea, as the company president. Yes, I would've liked to be president, but I do admit he was really chill, and he allowed to make many of my decisions on my own. Therefore, regarding my own decisions, I didn't really have anyone to answer to, so I was essentially the company president, just not in name. Yet, this shows that the task at hand, to manage the Romanian team members (many of them were voted department directors just through majority), was entirely too large to be accomplished.
There were lessons learned with my own team members as well, not just with me. With the exception of the Automations department, every department was under control by the Romanian team. This competition showed that they were eager to hog the power, but at 4am, with only 3.5 hours left until deadline, it became clear that they needed my team's experience and training to bail them out. Guys, I hope you are reading this; your talents are there, but you do need to be more assertive. Otherwise, other incapable people are going to walk all over you.
It is said that you learn more from your losses than your victories. I had hoped that not qualifying for the finals last year would provide enough lessons, but apparently I was wrong. I hope that next year, my team can come out with this year's undoing and use it to pull out a win. At the same time, don't repeat what the Romanian team did and completely shut out the other teams; retain a sense of openness, but also establish a sense of authority. Unless you're teaming up with Durango next year, there is no one out else there with the experience to efficiently put together a proposal in a short amount of time.
Through this competition, I have learned to deal with people who have no regard for my advantages, whether that be experience or prior training. Perhaps this will serve to be a good topic for some application essay in the future, because this weekend really did have life lessons.
Highlights of the Weekend
1. Many of us have Romanian accents (mainly me, Grant, Ian, and Andy) now. Enough said.
2. It's often said that sleeping while standing up is a physical impossibility. Wrong. An hour before the final presentation, I personally witnessed Mel Shin sleeping while standing up. A God-given talent? You decide.
3. I finally experienced sleepwalking for the first time. During the last night, I watched Knocked Up in another room with Grant, CJ, and Ian, and the next morning, I found myself in my own room. Apparently, all the guys had knocked out, and my dad had to bust in with a master key. According to my dad, I then walked down two flights of stairs, opened the door to my room, and went to sleep on my bed. I honestly have no memory of this.
4. QUOTE OF THE WEEKEND (and the source of long-term Spaceset inside jokes): "WiTricity is a very tricky thing. It's like a sneaky snake." *makes snake motion with both hands* "It's a very unpredictable technology. This isn't WiTricity; this is WiTrickery." Obviously, you have to hear me say it in a Romanian accent to laugh a little, and you have to have been a member of the Spaceset team to REALLY laugh.
2. It's often said that sleeping while standing up is a physical impossibility. Wrong. An hour before the final presentation, I personally witnessed Mel Shin sleeping while standing up. A God-given talent? You decide.
3. I finally experienced sleepwalking for the first time. During the last night, I watched Knocked Up in another room with Grant, CJ, and Ian, and the next morning, I found myself in my own room. Apparently, all the guys had knocked out, and my dad had to bust in with a master key. According to my dad, I then walked down two flights of stairs, opened the door to my room, and went to sleep on my bed. I honestly have no memory of this.
4. QUOTE OF THE WEEKEND (and the source of long-term Spaceset inside jokes): "WiTricity is a very tricky thing. It's like a sneaky snake." *makes snake motion with both hands* "It's a very unpredictable technology. This isn't WiTricity; this is WiTrickery." Obviously, you have to hear me say it in a Romanian accent to laugh a little, and you have to have been a member of the Spaceset team to REALLY laugh.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Blue, Yellow, and Red
I AM SO FUCKING TIRED OF THIS FUCKING BULLSHIT.
I don't care what you say, WiTricity IS the future. This is MAGNETICALLY COUPLED RESONANCE, not ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION. What harms humans is ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION, but what we're dealing with is magnetically coupled resonance, which doesn't affect the surrounding environment, including organic matter.
And what is this shit about WiTricity being in development for 100 years? BULLSHIT. Tesla only ENVISIONED this idea; development only began a few years ago, and we have made SUBSTANTIAL progress. This technology can be commercially available in 30 years, asshole.
This isn't point-to-point transmission, like lasers; if you place something in the way, resonance will still continue. I can't believe you fucking laughed at me like I knew nothing. MIT researchers already proved this to be true, so if you're laughing at me, you're laughing at MIT. What a fool.
Speaking of MIT, what the fuck is this about the work being done by an MIT STUDENT? EXCUSE ME. MARIN SOLJACIC IS A FUCKING MIT ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN PHYSICS. HE WILL FUCKING BLOW YOUR HEAD AWAY IN A PHYSICS BATTLE ANYDAY. Shame on you on trying to have a physics battle with me when I clearly don't have a technical background in physics.
So fucking stupid. And you call yourself a physics teacher.
I need to calm down. I also need sleep ><
Less than 6 hours till deadline.
I don't care what you say, WiTricity IS the future. This is MAGNETICALLY COUPLED RESONANCE, not ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION. What harms humans is ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION, but what we're dealing with is magnetically coupled resonance, which doesn't affect the surrounding environment, including organic matter.
And what is this shit about WiTricity being in development for 100 years? BULLSHIT. Tesla only ENVISIONED this idea; development only began a few years ago, and we have made SUBSTANTIAL progress. This technology can be commercially available in 30 years, asshole.
This isn't point-to-point transmission, like lasers; if you place something in the way, resonance will still continue. I can't believe you fucking laughed at me like I knew nothing. MIT researchers already proved this to be true, so if you're laughing at me, you're laughing at MIT. What a fool.
Speaking of MIT, what the fuck is this about the work being done by an MIT STUDENT? EXCUSE ME. MARIN SOLJACIC IS A FUCKING MIT ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN PHYSICS. HE WILL FUCKING BLOW YOUR HEAD AWAY IN A PHYSICS BATTLE ANYDAY. Shame on you on trying to have a physics battle with me when I clearly don't have a technical background in physics.
So fucking stupid. And you call yourself a physics teacher.
I need to calm down. I also need sleep ><
Less than 6 hours till deadline.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
In Order to Prove Oneself...
Tomorrow I embark on an epic trip to Houston, TX, where I will literally be awake all weekend. I'm pretty nervous; failure is indeed not an option. Unfortunately, one of my partner teams has been pretty stubborn through email, and I hope they aren't the same in person.
Communication and cooperation are key. Without one or the other, it's all over.
I also get to eat Texas steak. Top 1% beef in the country. Ruth's Chris? A measly 3%. Take that, beeyatches!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Moment of the Day
Kanjana, me, and my brother are walking towards Edwards Cinema at TC. 5-6 girls suddenly appear and wave to my brother and scream "HII BRENDAN!!"
Me (to Kanjana): Daaang my brother is such a PIMP.
Kanjana: Is that true?! HEY BRENDAN, ARE YOU A PIMP?!
-awkward silence-
Classic.
Me (to Kanjana): Daaang my brother is such a PIMP.
Kanjana: Is that true?! HEY BRENDAN, ARE YOU A PIMP?!
-awkward silence-
Classic.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Am I Ready?
Draft from earlier today:
I'm scared about today. Things seem different lately, but I can't quite grasp why. Perhaps I'm just freaking out. Things have gone up and down before, but I've always managed to pick myself up. I don't know, it just seems different this time. Somehow. I'll just have to let today play itself out and see how it goes.
Update to the draft: So it's finally begun. And there's not a thing I can do to stop it. I really don't know if I'm ready to face reality, to let go.
"What the fuck have you done lately?" I don't know what the fuck I'm doing anymore.
I'm scared about today. Things seem different lately, but I can't quite grasp why. Perhaps I'm just freaking out. Things have gone up and down before, but I've always managed to pick myself up. I don't know, it just seems different this time. Somehow. I'll just have to let today play itself out and see how it goes.
Update to the draft: So it's finally begun. And there's not a thing I can do to stop it. I really don't know if I'm ready to face reality, to let go.
"What the fuck have you done lately?" I don't know what the fuck I'm doing anymore.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Tell Me When To Go
Mannn I absolutely love my job. I went to the CPE today with the kids, and I realized that I'm well-liked by both the big kids and the little kids. I'm like the big strong guy type of figure (okay guys, shut up). For instance, a couple of 6th-graders were riding their bikes, and one of them was like, "OOH KEVIN, RIDE MY BIKE! I WANT TO SEE YOU GO FAST!"
And to think that after the first day on the job, I wanted to get fired.
Also, moment of the week: There were 3 kids playing on the bouncy bridge in the playground...getting hyphy wit it. HAHAHA it was so hilarious. I swear, I could've just played "Tell Me When To Go" in the background, and they would've fit in.
And to think that after the first day on the job, I wanted to get fired.
Also, moment of the week: There were 3 kids playing on the bouncy bridge in the playground...getting hyphy wit it. HAHAHA it was so hilarious. I swear, I could've just played "Tell Me When To Go" in the background, and they would've fit in.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
MAAAAAACBOOK!
My Macbook Pro came in today. About freaking time too; it should've been here last Friday. Needless to say, when I heard the Fedex truck pull in this afternoon, I screamed like a little girl as I ran downstairs to answer the door.
Then my neighbor called and left a message: "Yo, Kevin, a Fedex truck just came to your house. A guy came out with a MACBOOK-SHAPED BOX. HURRY THE HELL UP AND CALL ME BACK SO I CAN COME OVER AND WATCH OPEN THE DAMN THING."
Today was a wonderful day.
Then my neighbor called and left a message: "Yo, Kevin, a Fedex truck just came to your house. A guy came out with a MACBOOK-SHAPED BOX. HURRY THE HELL UP AND CALL ME BACK SO I CAN COME OVER AND WATCH OPEN THE DAMN THING."
Today was a wonderful day.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
This New Feeling...
I seriously have never experienced this feeling before. My heart has never JUMPED before, and last night, it jumped three consecutive times. I normally have no problem describing my feelings, but this is totally foreign, something completely new to me. I kept feeling my heart, and to my surprise, it wasn't beating that furiously. How did my heart manage to jump without increasing heart rate? Okay I'm sounding more and more nerdy now, so I'm just going to leave it at this:
REFER TO AIM LOG WITH PIPSKEAK831 @ 2:15AM ON JUNE 19, 2008
That's all.
REFER TO AIM LOG WITH PIPSKEAK831 @ 2:15AM ON JUNE 19, 2008
That's all.
Thoughts on Loris's Debut
LETTER #1
Dear Loris Tapacio Saprid,
Your debut was seriously my first one, and I absolutely enjoyed it. I know my parents kept me from attending a lot of the practices, but all in all, I was really honored to have been in your court. Thank you so much for putting up with me, and even though I was absent a lot, I hope you could see that when I WAS there, I put in so much effort into the two dances, because when I dance, I really pour my soul into it. Thank you for the awesome choreography (I just might remember the dance steps for the rest of my life), and for matching me with a wonderful dance partner in Jainah. Loris, I am so glad that our debut worked out so well, that you were the happiest girl on Earth. I can only wish that if you ever have a girl, she will come even close to having as spectacular debut as you had yesterday. Thank you for everything. :]
Always,
Kevin Nguyen
LETTER #2
Dear Jainah Lianne Gorospe,
I don't think I've ever had a better dancing partner, in terms of both ability and personality. You also have this unique ability to make others better, because when I dance with you, I seem to dance with more emotion than normal. Thank you for all the times you've put up with me and my absences, all the times you've made me smile and laugh, and all the times you graciously offered to give me a ride when my parents wouldn't. I'm sorry you had to be the messenger multiple times, and I feel bad about that. But at the same time, I hope you could see that when I DID get to dance with you, I did it with such passion and effort, rather than dancing like a moving statue. I am so glad I got to know you, Jainah, and I'll definitely see you soon (at that POOL PARTY you'd better be having). :]
Always,
Kevin Nguyen
Dear Loris Tapacio Saprid,
Your debut was seriously my first one, and I absolutely enjoyed it. I know my parents kept me from attending a lot of the practices, but all in all, I was really honored to have been in your court. Thank you so much for putting up with me, and even though I was absent a lot, I hope you could see that when I WAS there, I put in so much effort into the two dances, because when I dance, I really pour my soul into it. Thank you for the awesome choreography (I just might remember the dance steps for the rest of my life), and for matching me with a wonderful dance partner in Jainah. Loris, I am so glad that our debut worked out so well, that you were the happiest girl on Earth. I can only wish that if you ever have a girl, she will come even close to having as spectacular debut as you had yesterday. Thank you for everything. :]
Always,
Kevin Nguyen
LETTER #2
Dear Jainah Lianne Gorospe,
I don't think I've ever had a better dancing partner, in terms of both ability and personality. You also have this unique ability to make others better, because when I dance with you, I seem to dance with more emotion than normal. Thank you for all the times you've put up with me and my absences, all the times you've made me smile and laugh, and all the times you graciously offered to give me a ride when my parents wouldn't. I'm sorry you had to be the messenger multiple times, and I feel bad about that. But at the same time, I hope you could see that when I DID get to dance with you, I did it with such passion and effort, rather than dancing like a moving statue. I am so glad I got to know you, Jainah, and I'll definitely see you soon (at that POOL PARTY you'd better be having). :]
Always,
Kevin Nguyen
Mannnn I Love Blogging
Today, the comic strip Frazz made a really good point, one of those minor details that we don't often stop to think about.
Caulfield: Don't you get it? You're driving along and a truck makes you mad. The trailer says, "How's My Driving? Call 1-800-SOMETHING.
Frazz: Right.
Caulfield: Unless you've got a memory like Stephen Hawking...then you have to write it down, or you grab your phone and dial. Suddenly YOU'RE the distracted road hazard!
Daayum, Caulfield.
Caulfield: Don't you get it? You're driving along and a truck makes you mad. The trailer says, "How's My Driving? Call 1-800-SOMETHING.
Frazz: Right.
Caulfield: Unless you've got a memory like Stephen Hawking...then you have to write it down, or you grab your phone and dial. Suddenly YOU'RE the distracted road hazard!
Daayum, Caulfield.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Talk About Weird
Work just keeps getting more and more interesting. Today, I met this kid who looks, talks, walks, and acts just like Tommy from the Rugrats. It was so un-freaking-believable.
I think I'm going to like working at CEC.
I think I'm going to like working at CEC.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Kids these days...
At work today, this 2nd grader was like, "Mr. Kevin, can you take off my sweater? ALLL the buttons...because i'm sooo HAWT."
I never knew a 7-year-old girl could sound so seductive. That's disgusting.
I never knew a 7-year-old girl could sound so seductive. That's disgusting.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
USC Orientation
I am way too tired to recount everything that happened at orientation, but basically, here's a couple thoughts:
-The USC marching band can play "Brooklyn." That's effing cool. Side note: I also heard "Sell Out" play through the stereo while I was in the bathroom.
-Person 1: At USC, I'm gonna do so many things! I'm gonna join student government, play intramural sports, join a gazillion clubs..."
Person 2: Whoa whoa whoa! You're going in way too fast, way too deep! ...That's what she said!
Person 3 (gay): Dude, let's not be inclusive. It's "that's what she/HE said."
-Student: I heard this lecture takes a really long time?
Hot Orientation Advisor: Yeah, seriously! I remember, it was soooooooooo long."
Student: That's what...she said?
*Awkward silence*
-Culture shock with the white boys. I stayed in a suite at Parkside Arts & Humanities. My roommate and suitemates were mostly huge buff white guys. At night, a suitemate came in and said, "Dudes, you wanna hang out?" I was just about say yes when my roommate replied, "Sure, what do you have?" Suitemate continues with a long list of alcohol. They ask if I want to join. I say," Nah, I'm good." At least they were nice about it; they didn't try to pressure me or anything. Then, while I was starting to sleep, the white guys started getting loud in the next room. My roommate came over and closed the door so I could get some sleep. 5 minutes later, he came back again to get some shuteye as well. *Aww moment*
I discovered that I'm really bad at memorizing names off the bat. I must've met at least 50 people during orientation, but I don't remember most of their names anymore. There's this one girl who I still remember, mainly because her name's Whitney. She's pretty cool. She's been playing the flute for 8 years, plays in several youth orchestras, and is a Flute Performance major at USC next year. Which means she must be freaking good, although she insists she rarely practices. But anyways, I love it when I meet people with whom I share a common background. It just makes conversations so much easier to start.
That's all I can remember at the moment. I'll probably update this if anything else comes up (that's what she said...just for you Eric).
*UPDATE* There is a Vincent Chen in the USC c/o 2012. As well as an Allen Chen. And a Katherine Julius (which I mistook to be Katherine Junus at first).
-The USC marching band can play "Brooklyn." That's effing cool. Side note: I also heard "Sell Out" play through the stereo while I was in the bathroom.
-Person 1: At USC, I'm gonna do so many things! I'm gonna join student government, play intramural sports, join a gazillion clubs..."
Person 2: Whoa whoa whoa! You're going in way too fast, way too deep! ...That's what she said!
Person 3 (gay): Dude, let's not be inclusive. It's "that's what she/HE said."
-Student: I heard this lecture takes a really long time?
Hot Orientation Advisor: Yeah, seriously! I remember, it was soooooooooo long."
Student: That's what...she said?
*Awkward silence*
-Culture shock with the white boys. I stayed in a suite at Parkside Arts & Humanities. My roommate and suitemates were mostly huge buff white guys. At night, a suitemate came in and said, "Dudes, you wanna hang out?" I was just about say yes when my roommate replied, "Sure, what do you have?" Suitemate continues with a long list of alcohol. They ask if I want to join. I say," Nah, I'm good." At least they were nice about it; they didn't try to pressure me or anything. Then, while I was starting to sleep, the white guys started getting loud in the next room. My roommate came over and closed the door so I could get some sleep. 5 minutes later, he came back again to get some shuteye as well. *Aww moment*
I discovered that I'm really bad at memorizing names off the bat. I must've met at least 50 people during orientation, but I don't remember most of their names anymore. There's this one girl who I still remember, mainly because her name's Whitney. She's pretty cool. She's been playing the flute for 8 years, plays in several youth orchestras, and is a Flute Performance major at USC next year. Which means she must be freaking good, although she insists she rarely practices. But anyways, I love it when I meet people with whom I share a common background. It just makes conversations so much easier to start.
That's all I can remember at the moment. I'll probably update this if anything else comes up (that's what she said...just for you Eric).
*UPDATE* There is a Vincent Chen in the USC c/o 2012. As well as an Allen Chen. And a Katherine Julius (which I mistook to be Katherine Junus at first).
Monday, June 23, 2008
So Old!
I started my job today at Cerritos Education Center. It's this learning enrichment place for parents who want their kids to get into Whitney. Meanwhile, I am living proof that an academy isn't necessary...hehe.
So during work, this 7-year-old girl named Toni asked me, "How old are you?" I replied, "Guess."
Her response: "Hmm, you look like you're 21 years old."
That totally made my day.
So during work, this 7-year-old girl named Toni asked me, "How old are you?" I replied, "Guess."
Her response: "Hmm, you look like you're 21 years old."
That totally made my day.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Senior Sunset
So I learned two things from Senior Sunset yesterday.
1. It feels really good to watch an entire AP Bio book burn.
2. Watching drunk people make fools out of themselves is really funny.
1. It feels really good to watch an entire AP Bio book burn.
2. Watching drunk people make fools out of themselves is really funny.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Finally Over
And so today (err, yesterday, since it's past midnight) concludes a significant chapter in my life. Until today, I had never realized what a big deal graduation could be. When I watched the ceremony last year (from the back...grr, no ticket), it looked like just another assembly, with an endless line of emotionless students shuffling through the stage to pick up a worthless piece of paper.
But today, it became clear. Graduation was a wonderful experience, and sent multiple chills down my spine. The performance by Eric and Carissa was truly breathtaking, and nearly made me cry. I'm not one to easily shed tears, but today was seriously something I had never experienced before. Today, I learned to let go. Because true strength is measured not by holding on, but by letting go.
The valedictorian speeches may be the only speech I ever listen to that causes me to be so alert as I was today. Thanks for that wonderful trip down memory lane, valedictorians. It was awesome being able to relate to all these memories, while everyone else around us had no idea what was being said. I LOVE YOU CLASS OF 2008. HOWWWWL WOLVES.
The fireworks display was simply amazing. Who cares that it didn't come close to equaling the pompousness of the CHS fireworks that was audible even from my house? Who cares that Coldplay's Viva La Vida didn't appear even once in the background? (I still think that song should've been played) It was the sentiment, the memories, everything we've been through these past 6 (or for some, 4) years together. The fireworks was simply a symbol that magnified all of this.
I went to In-N-Out afterwards with Alejanzz, David, Gary, Justin Sy, Richard, and Alan Kim (because everyone else freaking left by the time I was done taking pictures). I ate a 3x3 as well as animal style fries for the first time ever. It was, honestly, a great experience!
Tomorrow, I shall wake up as a Whitneyite no longer. I will not be a member of the Almighty Class of 2008 Wolves, but rather the USC Trojans Class of 2012. The people I have grown to love and cherish can no longer be considered by classmates, but they are still my friends. And they always will be.
As I open my world for boundless exploration, I leave my fellow seniors my undying pride to be a wolf. The small size of our class has produced an unparalleled sense of unity, which I could especially feel during that final ID practice (see entry from May 25, 2008). I love all of you. Thanks for all the memories. Thanks for being the greatest class that this school has ever seen. OH WHAAAT? OH EIGHT!
Final notes:
Ong ("grandpa" in Viet), thanks for being there. I know you've wanted to see my graduation for the longest time, and here we are. I'm glad you were able to see me begin this transition from high school student to college student.
Eric, thanks for the final (for now) hugs. They meant so much to me, and never before have I felt so close to you.
Regina, thanks for being so proud of me. Technically, this ceremony wasn't that big of a deal. I mean, yes, it's so sentimental, but all I had to do to get here was to last 6 years at this school. Yet, the happiness I saw in your eyes was just indescribable. To be continued in your yearbook.
Oh, one more. Justin T, I may never see you with a camera in hand again. Ever again. ATTENTION, HE'S CREATING A BLOG RIGHT NOW.
But today, it became clear. Graduation was a wonderful experience, and sent multiple chills down my spine. The performance by Eric and Carissa was truly breathtaking, and nearly made me cry. I'm not one to easily shed tears, but today was seriously something I had never experienced before. Today, I learned to let go. Because true strength is measured not by holding on, but by letting go.
The valedictorian speeches may be the only speech I ever listen to that causes me to be so alert as I was today. Thanks for that wonderful trip down memory lane, valedictorians. It was awesome being able to relate to all these memories, while everyone else around us had no idea what was being said. I LOVE YOU CLASS OF 2008. HOWWWWL WOLVES.
The fireworks display was simply amazing. Who cares that it didn't come close to equaling the pompousness of the CHS fireworks that was audible even from my house? Who cares that Coldplay's Viva La Vida didn't appear even once in the background? (I still think that song should've been played) It was the sentiment, the memories, everything we've been through these past 6 (or for some, 4) years together. The fireworks was simply a symbol that magnified all of this.
I went to In-N-Out afterwards with Alejanzz, David, Gary, Justin Sy, Richard, and Alan Kim (because everyone else freaking left by the time I was done taking pictures). I ate a 3x3 as well as animal style fries for the first time ever. It was, honestly, a great experience!
Tomorrow, I shall wake up as a Whitneyite no longer. I will not be a member of the Almighty Class of 2008 Wolves, but rather the USC Trojans Class of 2012. The people I have grown to love and cherish can no longer be considered by classmates, but they are still my friends. And they always will be.
As I open my world for boundless exploration, I leave my fellow seniors my undying pride to be a wolf. The small size of our class has produced an unparalleled sense of unity, which I could especially feel during that final ID practice (see entry from May 25, 2008). I love all of you. Thanks for all the memories. Thanks for being the greatest class that this school has ever seen. OH WHAAAT? OH EIGHT!
Final notes:
Ong ("grandpa" in Viet), thanks for being there. I know you've wanted to see my graduation for the longest time, and here we are. I'm glad you were able to see me begin this transition from high school student to college student.
Eric, thanks for the final (for now) hugs. They meant so much to me, and never before have I felt so close to you.
Regina, thanks for being so proud of me. Technically, this ceremony wasn't that big of a deal. I mean, yes, it's so sentimental, but all I had to do to get here was to last 6 years at this school. Yet, the happiness I saw in your eyes was just indescribable. To be continued in your yearbook.
Oh, one more. Justin T, I may never see you with a camera in hand again. Ever again. ATTENTION, HE'S CREATING A BLOG RIGHT NOW.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Pre-Graduation Thoughts
September 5, 2002: I enter the cardboard box known as Whitney High School. I am a scrawny, 4'10'', glasses-sporting scrub, and most of my friends are at Carmenita, the "cooler" school. As I walk down the halls, only one thought comes to mind:
The senior girls are pretty hot.
Okay, just kidding. That was only a small part of it. But anyways, to continue...constant bottom-locker trouble, Hutch food that could actually be considered "awesome," 7 whole classes to worry about...such were the highlights of this day.
And here we are. June 17, 2008. 6 years later. C/O 2008, our time has come. I am honestly not ready for this. Yes, I can say to everyone, "Why would you be sad? Graduation is EXCITING! Time to move on and leave this hellhole of a town that has nothing to do!" But deep down, I realize that at the same time, I'm leaving behind fantastic memories as well as wonderful underclassmen whom I've had the pleasure of getting to know these past few years. Yet, I do want to move on, and I'm sure that college life is surely going to rock.
Am I truly ready? The test begins in about 18 hours. *shudders*
More contemplation to come after the ceremony.
The senior girls are pretty hot.
Okay, just kidding. That was only a small part of it. But anyways, to continue...constant bottom-locker trouble, Hutch food that could actually be considered "awesome," 7 whole classes to worry about...such were the highlights of this day.
And here we are. June 17, 2008. 6 years later. C/O 2008, our time has come. I am honestly not ready for this. Yes, I can say to everyone, "Why would you be sad? Graduation is EXCITING! Time to move on and leave this hellhole of a town that has nothing to do!" But deep down, I realize that at the same time, I'm leaving behind fantastic memories as well as wonderful underclassmen whom I've had the pleasure of getting to know these past few years. Yet, I do want to move on, and I'm sure that college life is surely going to rock.
Am I truly ready? The test begins in about 18 hours. *shudders*
More contemplation to come after the ceremony.
GahhDANGIT
So I realized that I had forgotten to update my blog with such events as Grad Nite and the last Aloha (aka the last high school dance) ever. Well, I think I took enough pictures to tell the story, but I suppose I'll nonetheless jot down some phrases here. I don't really want to go into spend too much time on this post because I'm way too anxious to get on to the pre-graduation post. Sigh...
Grad Nite: No one in sight making out or having sex! Booo. All those stories were fake, at least in my eyes. Power 106 dance floor -> wheelbarrow dance; threesome dancing.
Aloha: I've never danced like THAT before! Thanks for that new experience. You know who you are.
Okay enough time spent on this post! Onward to the pre-graduation thoughts!
Grad Nite: No one in sight making out or having sex! Booo. All those stories were fake, at least in my eyes. Power 106 dance floor -> wheelbarrow dance; threesome dancing.
Aloha: I've never danced like THAT before! Thanks for that new experience. You know who you are.
Okay enough time spent on this post! Onward to the pre-graduation thoughts!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
So there's this girl...
...who really knows how to make my life worth living.
When I'm around her, I feel as if all my troubles have disappeared. She soothes me, gives me strength, and lifts my spirits. I can talk to her about anything, and the communication we share, I feel, surpasses anything I've experienced before.
She draws comparisons to my French horn, the greatest love of my life. And at this rate, she may very well surpass the "instrument of angels."
More to come soon.
When I'm around her, I feel as if all my troubles have disappeared. She soothes me, gives me strength, and lifts my spirits. I can talk to her about anything, and the communication we share, I feel, surpasses anything I've experienced before.
She draws comparisons to my French horn, the greatest love of my life. And at this rate, she may very well surpass the "instrument of angels."
More to come soon.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
International Day
I suppose I should jot down a few thoughts about International Day 2008, "Across the Universe," before they become lost forever.
I'm still in utter shock that we placed 2nd after starting practice so last minute. I mean, yes, technically we started like a week ago, but a lot of the choreographing (all of Atlantis as well as most of the final 2 songs) took place the night before. I'm pretty glad we got it together on the day of, because we looked pretty dang pathetic the night before. I mean, I got to practice after Band-O-Rama (around 7pm), and there was progress being made, little by little. But after 9ish, people started getting tired, and despite various huddles to boost morale, many people were just standing around, wanting to go home.
After the 1st full run-through (around 9:30pm):
Me- "Dang, that run-through was kinda rough."
Eric L.- "ROUGH?!"
Me- "Okay, that's an understatement..."
My parents were getting kinda pissed, and they kept calling me, yelling that they never approved of me staying at practice late, but I persisted this time, for the class. We got some pizza around 11pm, which was pretty cool considering it was free.
I finally left with Shivani and Dimple at midnight, and there were still people there, choreographing the final 2 songs. It wasn't a pretty sight.
INTERNATIONAL DAY (May 23, 2008):
HAHA okay, that day was hilarious in some ways. So when I got back from Senior Retreat, Mel told me that Spaceset was going to be selling nachos on International Day. I assumed he was going to have the ingredients ready by that day, so I was fine with it. However, on the day of, I found out during 2nd period AP Spanish that, no, we had nothing.
I thought, "This is gonna be interesting..."
4th period AP Bio: I grabbed Yolanda, who thankfully agreed to help out, although she could only get out of 6th period.
Snack: I got permission to get out of periods 5 and 6. Then Mel told me that his mom had taken his car. Since we now had no means to go out to buy the ingredients, of course we freaked out. We tried calling Mark to see if he could drive us, but he couldn't get out of class so last minute. Luckily, Mel's mom called to say that she was back with Mel's car. He ran off to go buy the ingredients, leaving me to find our table. So I looked at the handout-map, but when I got to the location, the Spaceset table wasn't there. I spent a while searching around, then I finally asked Sheel, who was thankfully nice enough to force Viet Club to move its table to fit Spaceset in. Go Sheel!
Performance time. I must say, a good "OH WHAT? OH EIGHT!" chant really stirs up the soul! After the first chant prior to showtime, I was REALLY pumped up. This unity really pulled us together, and we totally rocked that stage. It turns out, my own brother (c/o 2012) beat me, but that's okay. His class had been practicing for weeks, and for a class act that had been mostly assembled the night before, 2nd place is quite alright with me.
Props to our final breathtaking performance. The Almighty Class of 2008 Wolves.
I'm still in utter shock that we placed 2nd after starting practice so last minute. I mean, yes, technically we started like a week ago, but a lot of the choreographing (all of Atlantis as well as most of the final 2 songs) took place the night before. I'm pretty glad we got it together on the day of, because we looked pretty dang pathetic the night before. I mean, I got to practice after Band-O-Rama (around 7pm), and there was progress being made, little by little. But after 9ish, people started getting tired, and despite various huddles to boost morale, many people were just standing around, wanting to go home.
After the 1st full run-through (around 9:30pm):
Me- "Dang, that run-through was kinda rough."
Eric L.- "ROUGH?!"
Me- "Okay, that's an understatement..."
My parents were getting kinda pissed, and they kept calling me, yelling that they never approved of me staying at practice late, but I persisted this time, for the class. We got some pizza around 11pm, which was pretty cool considering it was free.
I finally left with Shivani and Dimple at midnight, and there were still people there, choreographing the final 2 songs. It wasn't a pretty sight.
INTERNATIONAL DAY (May 23, 2008):
HAHA okay, that day was hilarious in some ways. So when I got back from Senior Retreat, Mel told me that Spaceset was going to be selling nachos on International Day. I assumed he was going to have the ingredients ready by that day, so I was fine with it. However, on the day of, I found out during 2nd period AP Spanish that, no, we had nothing.
I thought, "This is gonna be interesting..."
4th period AP Bio: I grabbed Yolanda, who thankfully agreed to help out, although she could only get out of 6th period.
Snack: I got permission to get out of periods 5 and 6. Then Mel told me that his mom had taken his car. Since we now had no means to go out to buy the ingredients, of course we freaked out. We tried calling Mark to see if he could drive us, but he couldn't get out of class so last minute. Luckily, Mel's mom called to say that she was back with Mel's car. He ran off to go buy the ingredients, leaving me to find our table. So I looked at the handout-map, but when I got to the location, the Spaceset table wasn't there. I spent a while searching around, then I finally asked Sheel, who was thankfully nice enough to force Viet Club to move its table to fit Spaceset in. Go Sheel!
Performance time. I must say, a good "OH WHAT? OH EIGHT!" chant really stirs up the soul! After the first chant prior to showtime, I was REALLY pumped up. This unity really pulled us together, and we totally rocked that stage. It turns out, my own brother (c/o 2012) beat me, but that's okay. His class had been practicing for weeks, and for a class act that had been mostly assembled the night before, 2nd place is quite alright with me.
Props to our final breathtaking performance. The Almighty Class of 2008 Wolves.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Senior Retreat
3 days in the mountains = utterly amazing.
There are just so many things that I loved about Senior Retreat. I was never once bored, as there were so many activities to take part in, whether that be archery, ping pong, foosball, etc. Ooh, and the eating; I now truly understand the concept of the Freshman 15. There were snacks EVERYWHERE, and I just couldn't stop eating them. I guess I never fail to give in to temptation...
I'm just way too tired right now to recount every minute of Senior Retreat right now, and seeing as I took plenty of pictures anyways, there needn't be a reason to. Still, it's worth remembering last night, the last night of Senior Retreat. At dinner, there was talk of a cabin raid, so that got me pretty excited. And apparently, it did go through, as evidenced by the shaving-cream-soaked towels and tampons at the door of Cabin 10 the next morning. Haha! But over at our cabin (Cabin 7), we just played Truth (no dare) all night long. Almost literally. I fell asleep at 6am, but just because I had a monstrous headache. So here are the top 4 questions of the night:
1. (Initiation question for everyone) When did you last masturbate?
2. (To Alejandro) How long is your cock?
3. (To Andrew Park) Name all of your crushes in the last 5 years.
4. (To Eric) What was your last wet dream about?
Needless to say, it was the most interesting game of Truth that I've ever played. That's pretty much all I need to remember, since I took pictures of almost everything else. I had a blast in the mountains, but I am glad to be back.
In other news: Spaceset qualified for the International Space Settlement Design Competition yesterday. GOING TO HOUSTON BABY.
I am such a nerd sometimes.
There are just so many things that I loved about Senior Retreat. I was never once bored, as there were so many activities to take part in, whether that be archery, ping pong, foosball, etc. Ooh, and the eating; I now truly understand the concept of the Freshman 15. There were snacks EVERYWHERE, and I just couldn't stop eating them. I guess I never fail to give in to temptation...
I'm just way too tired right now to recount every minute of Senior Retreat right now, and seeing as I took plenty of pictures anyways, there needn't be a reason to. Still, it's worth remembering last night, the last night of Senior Retreat. At dinner, there was talk of a cabin raid, so that got me pretty excited. And apparently, it did go through, as evidenced by the shaving-cream-soaked towels and tampons at the door of Cabin 10 the next morning. Haha! But over at our cabin (Cabin 7), we just played Truth (no dare) all night long. Almost literally. I fell asleep at 6am, but just because I had a monstrous headache. So here are the top 4 questions of the night:
1. (Initiation question for everyone) When did you last masturbate?
2. (To Alejandro) How long is your cock?
3. (To Andrew Park) Name all of your crushes in the last 5 years.
4. (To Eric) What was your last wet dream about?
Needless to say, it was the most interesting game of Truth that I've ever played. That's pretty much all I need to remember, since I took pictures of almost everything else. I had a blast in the mountains, but I am glad to be back.
In other news: Spaceset qualified for the International Space Settlement Design Competition yesterday. GOING TO HOUSTON BABY.
I am such a nerd sometimes.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Men vs. Women
1. A man will pay $2 for a $1 item that he wants. A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn't want.
2. A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband. A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.
3. A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend. A successful woman is one who can find such a man.
4. To be happy with a woman, you must love her a lot and not try to understand her at all.
5. Married men live longer than single men - but married men are a lot more willing to die.
6. Any married man should forget his mistakes - there's no use in two people remembering the same thing.
7. Men wake up as good-looking as they were when they went to bed. Women somehow deteriorate during the night.
8. A woman marries a man expecting that he will change, but he doesn't. A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change, and she does.
9. A woman has the last word in any argument. Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.
10. There are two times when a man doesn't understand a woman - before marriage and after marriage.
2. A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband. A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.
3. A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend. A successful woman is one who can find such a man.
4. To be happy with a woman, you must love her a lot and not try to understand her at all.
5. Married men live longer than single men - but married men are a lot more willing to die.
6. Any married man should forget his mistakes - there's no use in two people remembering the same thing.
7. Men wake up as good-looking as they were when they went to bed. Women somehow deteriorate during the night.
8. A woman marries a man expecting that he will change, but he doesn't. A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change, and she does.
9. A woman has the last word in any argument. Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.
10. There are two times when a man doesn't understand a woman - before marriage and after marriage.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Worst Feeling
So I think I've discovered the worst non-life-threatening feeling. Massive headache + extreme hunger = SHIT FEELING.
I got a pretty bad headache after school, and I was pretty much on the ground for 2 hours. I was too scared to walk home out of fear of blacking out while walking. I felt better around 4:00, but that just made me want to stay at school. Then at around 4:30, the headache came back with a vengeance, and I just had to leave before it got worse.
I got home and slept it off, but the headache was stronger than ever when I woke up 2 hours later. My mom came home and found me in complete disarray, and proceeded to feed me a sandwich. She can be pretty hospitable, so I'm thankful for that. I got pissed off after eating the sandwich though, because I had to run to the bathroom to throw up.
So yeah, basically my latter half of the day felt like shit. To make things worse, when I fell asleep again, I dreamed that my mom was dragged away by huge guys in masks in the middle of the night. When I woke up, I gave her a huge hug.
Crap, I still have to complete my senior will.
In other news, Tim, if you're reading this, WE'RE OFFICIALLY ROOMMATES NEXT YEAR. YAYYYY!
I got a pretty bad headache after school, and I was pretty much on the ground for 2 hours. I was too scared to walk home out of fear of blacking out while walking. I felt better around 4:00, but that just made me want to stay at school. Then at around 4:30, the headache came back with a vengeance, and I just had to leave before it got worse.
I got home and slept it off, but the headache was stronger than ever when I woke up 2 hours later. My mom came home and found me in complete disarray, and proceeded to feed me a sandwich. She can be pretty hospitable, so I'm thankful for that. I got pissed off after eating the sandwich though, because I had to run to the bathroom to throw up.
So yeah, basically my latter half of the day felt like shit. To make things worse, when I fell asleep again, I dreamed that my mom was dragged away by huge guys in masks in the middle of the night. When I woke up, I gave her a huge hug.
Crap, I still have to complete my senior will.
In other news, Tim, if you're reading this, WE'RE OFFICIALLY ROOMMATES NEXT YEAR. YAYYYY!
Monday, May 12, 2008
A BLOG?!
June 2, 2007: After taking the SAT II US History test, my last standardized test of the year, I create a Facebook.
May 12, 2008: After taking the AP Biology exam, my last standardized test of the year, I create this blog.
There's something about these standardized tests...
Anyhow, apparently I decided a couple days ago that taking a gajillion pictures each day might not be enough. I mean, sure, pictures help me remember the events of my life, but they're not gonna help me remember what I was thinking at the time. So yeah...BLOG TIME.
I kinda wish I made my blog earlier, because I had some really juicy/explicit arguments with my parents recently. No doubt would they be legendary in my eyes in the future. But alas, such is not so, so I'll have to start blogging on a happy note, seeing as my notorious parents have calmed down since.
I suppose I can just recount my day, since I'm not sure what else to write about at the moment. Holy crap, the AP Bio test decimated just about everyone. Thank goodness the rest of America is (hopefully) even stupider. I mean, what the hell is GTP? WHAT THE HELL IS A G-PROTEIN? And wow, I spent 3 days reviewing nothing but animal physiology, and it turns out the test had almost nothing on that topic. At least the free response section was BS-able.
I'm actually sorta pissed that there weren't that many questions on animal physiology. I spent Wednesday-Friday at the library, from 5pm-9pm, cramming on nothing but animal physiology. Instead, the exam was filled with stupid plant physiology, one of my weaknesses. Sorry, but I just don't know what a ginkgo is.
The end of the exam was pretty anticlimactic. Instead of going out to celebrate the end of my last AP test ever, I just went home to sleep. Whoop-dee-doo. Oh, and Regina helped me create this blog, even though I could've probably figured it out myself. So props to you, Regina!
Next up: SENIOR PRODUCTIONS. I'm pretty excited about it, but at the same time, I sorta feel screwed because there isn't much time left. Time to pull something off in true Whitney fashion.
In other news, my "love life" took an interesting twist today. Well, more like...unforgettable. That's all I have to say.
May 12, 2008: After taking the AP Biology exam, my last standardized test of the year, I create this blog.
There's something about these standardized tests...
Anyhow, apparently I decided a couple days ago that taking a gajillion pictures each day might not be enough. I mean, sure, pictures help me remember the events of my life, but they're not gonna help me remember what I was thinking at the time. So yeah...BLOG TIME.
I kinda wish I made my blog earlier, because I had some really juicy/explicit arguments with my parents recently. No doubt would they be legendary in my eyes in the future. But alas, such is not so, so I'll have to start blogging on a happy note, seeing as my notorious parents have calmed down since.
I suppose I can just recount my day, since I'm not sure what else to write about at the moment. Holy crap, the AP Bio test decimated just about everyone. Thank goodness the rest of America is (hopefully) even stupider. I mean, what the hell is GTP? WHAT THE HELL IS A G-PROTEIN? And wow, I spent 3 days reviewing nothing but animal physiology, and it turns out the test had almost nothing on that topic. At least the free response section was BS-able.
I'm actually sorta pissed that there weren't that many questions on animal physiology. I spent Wednesday-Friday at the library, from 5pm-9pm, cramming on nothing but animal physiology. Instead, the exam was filled with stupid plant physiology, one of my weaknesses. Sorry, but I just don't know what a ginkgo is.
The end of the exam was pretty anticlimactic. Instead of going out to celebrate the end of my last AP test ever, I just went home to sleep. Whoop-dee-doo. Oh, and Regina helped me create this blog, even though I could've probably figured it out myself. So props to you, Regina!
Next up: SENIOR PRODUCTIONS. I'm pretty excited about it, but at the same time, I sorta feel screwed because there isn't much time left. Time to pull something off in true Whitney fashion.
In other news, my "love life" took an interesting twist today. Well, more like...unforgettable. That's all I have to say.
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