145/365

I've caught up on QC. Meaning I've read it from first post to last (as of now). Whatever will I do with my time now? Heaven forbid I should start reading bio and writing my English essay, both of which are due tomorrow...

144/365

Karishma's birthday party today was pretty awesome. Lots of yummy food, although the drinks took forever to be made! I had some fun entertaining her cousins too (with helium and a rather epic rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" among others, including "Baby" and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"). But yeah, it was fun. =]

The epitome of self-pity: sitting in a corner with a fuzzy blanket, stuffed animal, and ice cream.
The epitome of depression: all of the above plus pills (and possibly a razor blade or pocket knife).

143/365

.

This is amazing. xD

142/365

We (prosecution, to be specific) beat Alhambra today!!! And Northgate beat Miramonte on Judge's Choice (surprisingly)! So defense is going against Northgate on Tuesday; I'm so excited and amazingly nervous! But we're going to beast it up, and win this thing!!! =D

I really hate how people so blatantly lie sometimes...

Straight 5s in the Antioch trial! That's what I'm talking about! =D

141/365

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Strawberries and Nutella ♥

140/365

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Yay for being slightly more dressed up than usual for school! And super dressed up, as usual, for Mock Trial! xP

It's funny how...

Whenever I'm unbearably sad, I want nothing more than to get a hug. Yet I push people away. There's no reason for them to have to deal with me like this, when I just can't keep smiling. If I have to be hostile, then I guess I will be. Most of you have never seen me cry, never seen me sad. And there's no reason you should have to.

Happy Birthday Ross!

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139/365

The rain came down endlessly, pounding on the rooftops and beating the sidewalks and roads before turning into vast lakes of dull, muddy water. Dark clouds covered the sky, concealing the sun behind their black visage. The monotony of the rain combined with the fearsome tearing of the wind through the trees. Everything was bleak and dreary - even the people. They dressed in heavy coats and bore matte umbrellas that blended in with the darkness of the world. They walked quickly, not stopping to look at anything or anyone, intent only on accomplishing their own selfish goals. But one boy was looking. He looked up to the crying heavens, and saw the flickering light in a topmost window of an apartment building, where a little girl about his age sat by the window, watching the people.

What happens when you can no longer do well the one thing that you ever could?

138/365

I made an omelet today! And I didn't burn the house down!!! =D I feel so accomplished. xP

137/365

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Top seat going into Quarterfinals! Come on, this is the year we claim that championship!!!

136/365

There's being honest... Then there's being a bitch. Don't try to pass off the latter as the former.

Hercules Scores

We sort of crushed them - beat them by about 10 points on each score sheet. Our scores were pretty good; I really need to stop getting 4s though. 5, 5, 4 against Campo and 5, 5, 4, 5 against Hercules. I'm happy with my scores, but I really want scores of straight 5s. Guess I just need to work harder and win that one person over... In any case, great job guys!

135/365

I just love absolutely BS-ing information for apps. I mean, everything I put is truthful; I just blow it out of proportion. Like this:

I worked as a Kumon tutor at the San Ramon Kumon center in the subject of math from May 2009 to May 2010. Often working non-paid overtime to ensure that my students understood the material assigned, I prided myself on their success and increasing grades. Sadly, due to conflicts with my schedule, I was forced to cut back on my work schedule in May, and was unable to continue working over the summer. Because of my extensive participation in extracurricular academic clubs, I have been unable to return to work at Kumon, despite having been personally asked by the owner, Mrs. Sue Monahan.

But oh well, it's fun. On another note (well, it's related, but whatever), why the crap does Berkeley ask for programming experience? I have no programming experience. I can position text and embed pictures/videos... That's about it. I can program the quadratic formula and other nice formulas into a TI-84 Plus graphing calculator! xD

134/365

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I love my Mock Trial family!
Defense v. Hercules (2-15-2011)
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Left-Right, Top-Bottom: Steven Lau, Will Carson, Lisa Huang, Julia Du, Tate DeLano, Karishma Pareek, Nick Fajardo, Marnie Lowe, Tiffany Ko, Erica Tsai

Tong Hua - English/Chinese

.

133/365

I REALLY need to stop getting C's on APUSH tests... This is ridiculous...

Happy Valentine's Day!

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Decide For Yourself

You know what annoys me? Actually, a lot of things annoy me, so it's unfair to ask that question. xD But anyways, it's mainly people who want to go to Ivy Leagues or prestigious colleges simply for the name. I'll ask around, and this one person will want to get into UPenn, but she'll know absolutely nothing about the campus or its strengths and weaknesses. You're searching for the wrong things. They're reputable because they're great colleges, yeah, but that doesn't mean they're the only ones out there. Just because they're famous doesn't mean they're right for you. People always ask me if I want to go to an Ivy, and seem amazed when I say that I don't know. I'd have nothing against finding a smaller university that, though not as prominent, has the same caliber of classes. When I go to college, it isn't going to be the name that attracts me.

And in addition, not to be mean (especially since this can't even apply to those of you reading this), but some one you that I overhear talking about wanting to get into Stanford or Yale... If you really do, you're going to need to spend more time on academics and less time at parties. And get at least over a 2100... Be realistic. Unless you have some crazy talent that I don't know about... You're just like everyone else out there; what makes you special so that they would want you?

Hell, what makes me special so that they would want me?

132/365

You'd think that getting a freaking 2400 would make you lay off for more than 3 days. But noooo, now I have internships, programs to help me get into Ivy Leagues... Gawd. Couldn't you at least have given me a week?

131/365

I completely got a court case ruling wrong in my ACT essay... It was just a line though... I hope they just take my word for it and don't go through the process of Googling what I was talking about. xP

On a semi-tangent, I know colleges can see your SAT and ACT essays, but do any of them actually read them? Anyone know?

130/365

I keep re-checking my SAT score. It's just so unbelievable... I can't help but think that one day, my score will change and College Board will send me an e-mail apologizing for messing up my score...

On the other hand, I hope I do just as well (or close enough) on the ACT tomorrow! It'd be awesome to get a 36 with a 12 essay, but missing one question gives you a 35 for that section, so... -shrugs- I'll just try my best. =]

129/365

Best day that I've had in a while. =]

SAT scores made my dayyyy!!! Although apparently people DO read my blog. Even when I post something at 2 am. Specifically Robyn. Who proceeded to go around telling people my score. -.- But whatever. Robyn, if you're reading this, please stop broadcasting my score...
Then we got extended corpse pose time in yoga, but it wasn't as nice as usual since I was still on a semi-high from the score reports, so I couldn't relax. =P
Calc MC wasn't too bad; a few questions were weird, but I'm pretty sure I got most of them right. =] Although I missed a point on the FR since the equation I put was apparently a semi-ellipse and not an ellipse due to the fact that I didn't put a +/- in front of the square root sign. I was taught that is there wasn't anything in front of it, the answer can be both positive or negative, but whatever... Still got over 100%. =]
History was alright. I checked the test I failed and I really did fail it... So sad... Hopefully I'll be able to bring it up though.

Mock Trial. I love you. We completely beasted tonight!!! Good job everyone!!! The judge says it was close, but I'm pretty sure we got Campolindo. ;D I'm so proud of everyone! Everyone performed AMAZINGLY.

HELL TO THE YES

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Only slight disappointment is the fact that I only got an 11 on my essay this time - I got a 12 last time. But hell, I don't care. I thought I failed that thing. I'm so deliriously happy right now... =D

So Colleges...

I'm glad you're supposedly interested in my "high academic achievement" and "intellectual mind," but receiving 13 e-mails from you in a day is just ridiculous. I thought getting 45 in a week was bad... Plus I don't even know like 95% of you... Seriously, the only familiar names have been Colgate, Rochester, Santa Clara University, Ohio State, U. of Chicago, Brown, Columbia, Duke, Rice, and Dartmouth.

I like that you're interested, I really do... Could you just tone it back a bit? I'm sort of overwhelmed as it is without having to check up on 13 colleges a day, trying to figure out if they're worth applying to. Besides, these e-mails are based on my PSAT score, and my SAT score isn't that high, so you might want to reconsider asking me to apply anyways... In any case, thanks for the offers, just don't send out your e-mails on the same day s'il vous plait.

SAT scores are out in like 4 1/2 hours... Please, please, please don't make me have to take it again...

128/365

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Kitten Love ♥

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I wonder if it's possible to kill yourself overdosing on Advil. And if so, how many freaking pills is that?!

Sometimes I really want to punch people in the face. Do you not know when to shut up?

127/365

So it would seem that however hard I already fail at school, I fail even harder at extra-curriculars. Definitely screwed up the AMC today; I'm so damn retarded... Some of the questions I missed/skipped weren't even hard either. Ughhh. And I have this nagging feeling that my SAT score is going to suck... And the ACT will definitely suck... Hopefully Mock Trial will be good though. I wonder how prosecution did today.

I really need to get my act together and stop wasting my life away. I mean, I do decently enough, and I'm at least nice to people (I would hope? Correct me if I'm wrong) so it's not like I have any super major character flaws, but I just feel like I should be doing more. I don't know, studying for stuff like the AMC so I can get into AIME and maybe USAMO. Volunteering more maybe. Finding something to actually dedicate my time to, instead of sitting here blogging. -sighs- I just don't know...

Oh For Sure ♥

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Day 15 ~ Your Statement to the World About Marching

Marching band is a hell of a lot more than you think. It's not just walking around on a field or street playing music and twirling stuff. It takes discipline. A LOT of discipline. There's a proper way to march, and even "walking around" gives you a workout. And I think I ran more miles in two weeks of band camp than I did my whole freshman year of PE. And they say it's not a sport? Hell of a lot more sport in it than golf. (That's something from my Kaiser doctor, not me. =P) Then there's the whole air-preservation thing (I'd assume) that the band has to deal with, and spinning a 4-5 lb block of wood and tossing it in the air gets pretty tiring after a while...

Marching backwards and stuff takes skill too. And especially when the band and guard pass through each other? Or even just the guard? Have to trust whoever's going forward to not have their eyes on the rifle triple they're tossing so they don't run into you.

It's more than it seems. You have to actually be a band geek or a guardie to know what it takes.

Day 14 ~ Design Your Own Dream Show

Harry Potter field show. Definitely. It would be a super win.

Costumes - Colorguard can deck out in robes (Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin)! And the band can wear witch/wizard hats instead of shakos! It would be so awesome...

Equipment - Not applicable for the band. =\ We can spin broomsticks, or flag with like Snitches on them and such. Or just the colors (maroon/gold, yellow/black, blue/bronze, green/silver). The drum major can conduct using a wand. ;D

Dots - We can make the lion, badger, eagle, snake, a Snitch, a wand shooting sparks, etc.

Score - There are so many possibilities! A sample could be...
Opening: Fireworks
Ballad: Hogwarts's Hymn
Closing: Sky Battle

126/365

Every time I fail at something, I feel like sh*t and cry myself to sleep... Yet when an opportunity comes to redeem myself, I make no effort to do better. And so the cycle repeats. Am I just un-motivated, or am I the worst kind of retard out there...?

125/365

February is the month of suckiness. So many tests and crap... All the competitions seem to be this month too... This week especially sucks - chem test, calc test (two if MC and FR are different, since they're on different days), bio test, three English quizzes, AMC tomorrow which I haven't prepared for and have no idea how to do, SAT scores are out Thursday, first Mock Trial competition Thursday, and the ACT Saturday... Not to mention that I've already had the AcaDec comp... Blah. So dead.

124/365

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Day 13 ~ A Note to Your Section Leader(s)

Dear Mellen (Melanie + Ellen),

All I have to say is that you guys are absolutely, superbly, wonderfully awesome! I love your bubbly personalities and happiness. I love your willingness to help others, and I love how you guys have a weird grandma/granddaughter relationship. I love you! =D

Why do you care about what other people do?

Day 12 ~ A Note to Your Director(s)

Hey Mr. J!

It's been blast marching under your direction. I know how you love your guardies, and we love you too! Although, it would be nice if you could be nicer to the band at times... And you seem to have lost a lot of appreciation for the guard this season - keep in mind that we only had 5 returning vets. I still wish we did field this year too; parade just didn't have the same vibe to it. Same freezing temperature, but no stadium lights. =[ Don't get me wrong, parade shows are awesome in their own way, but I just find that the whole setting of a field show - the marching to dots, the bright lights, the crowds and the box - irreplaceable.

And I do have a slight thing I need to talk to you about; I hope you won't get too mad... I haven't heard anything about spring season, but if we have one, it starts right before AP testing... I know you'll probably cut back on practices and stuff because of that, but Mr. J, I have 4 AP classes, and likely 4 AP tests that I'll be needing to study for... So because I value my AP scores, I don't think I'm doing spring season. Plus we have to pay again! To march the same show!

Ah well. I'll be back next fall season! Hopefully, you'll grant me the privilege of being co-captain to (most likely) Laura's captain. =]

*****

Elaine,

I have to say, you are the chillest instructor that I've had yet. And Nick and Gage are so cute! I can't wait to see the new guard baby in March. =] Anyways, it's been a pleasure this past season, and hopefully the next as well. I was definitely worried about having a new instructor for a new type of marching this season, and I have to say that you made the transition really enjoyable.

Although, I do have to say that you could be a teensy bit stricter. Not a lot or anything, but it seems as though the practices this season were a bit too... relaxed? What with the rifles meandering outside to practice basics, the ID gossiping in the halls, and the flags taking water breaks every so often... I can't say I never missed the strictness of Kelly and Jhay. Practices were definitely a lot more fun with you as our coach, but maybe they were a bit too fun?

In any case, it was a minor issue. Our show turned out extremely well, and I personally think that was a result of the love and care you showed us this season. I love how you continue to support us (or certain members of us) even after the season ended by showing up to Tri-Valley/Blue Devils Winterguard competitions and such. I'm sorry your Winterguard plans for Cal didn't work out; maybe next year? =]

123/365

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This is so going to be me when I need to cook for myself...

Cuddle Buddies!

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These are my cuddle buddies. Study cuddle buddies, sleeping cuddle buddies, drama cuddle buddies. They're here when I'm sad; they keep me warm when I'm cold. They're there when I want to give something a hug, or if I just want to snuggle. I guess you could say they're my rock?

S.A.D

I was just randomly thinking, and wouldn't it be ironic if there was a club called Students Against Depression, or S.A.D for short? I sort of want to make one, but I feel like it would be in bad taste...

122/365

I'm sick of failing.

Day 11 ~ Favorite Marching Tradition

CHS Live!!! One of the greatest parts of marching band... And the bonding events (everyone loves getting pelted with water balloons!).

121/365

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I want some right now... =[

Day 10 ~ Greatest Marching Achievement

I learned some pretty schnazzy rifle work this past season... ;D

Day 9 ~ Biggest Marching Disappointment

For the 2010 season? Dropping both the first and last triples of the show... And ONLY the first and last triples...