Anti-Homecoming 10/29/11

Oh wow, it was such a fail. But an awesome fail. xD

Ross was giving us a ride there, so Clarie came over and we talked for a bit while I tried to find a coat to wear. Then I found out Clarie's friend wasn't coming so, oh well, sucks for him. =P Then we get in Ross's car and start driving to Walnut Creek to find out none of us knows how to get there, at which point the "Oh my gosh"s of the day start for Ross. So I call Brandon and ask him to look up directions for us.

We get there, drive around looking for parking, and head off to buy out tickets. So Ross sees some people coming out and just goes in, and we follow him. But all the while, I'm like, those doors didn't have handles on the outside... And yes, we totally just inadvertantly snuck into a movie theater. xD We still went out and bought tickets though. Then we went off to Barnes&Noble and read some books, listened to some music, etc.

Went back to the movie theater, bought some drinks. The cashier dude rang us up wrong because he thought our iced mochas were frapps. I don't blame him, but it was funny. xD

In Time was pretty good - I'd recommend it. I definitely like the idea of time as currency. It would seriously suck, but it's a pretty intriguing concept.

Then we walked around for like, and hour and a half doing absolutely nothing. It was a downtown area, which is basically all shopping and restaurants, and none of us really like shopping or were hungry. So after awhile, we decided to drive back to Danville and do something there, which ended up being bowling. 98 points! Better than that 19 I got over the summer with six frames of gutter balls... xD

Then we dropped by In-N-Out since Ross seemed hungry, but of course wouldn't admit it, and got some food before we went back to my house.

Watch part of Castle in the Sky, but Ross and Clarie both had to leave at like midnight. I felt sort of bad for keeping them so long, especially since Ross's mom phoned at like 11:45 asking where he was and stuff... =\ But it was definitely fun. =]

Highlight of the day? We were sitting watching the movie at my house, and I hear water glugging. I look at Ross since he's the one with the water bottle, and he's completely spaced out, just POURING it on himself. It was so amazingly epic. xD

Homecoming 10/28/11

The morning parades were freaking awesome. The little kids are so cute! Plus we got to go on the swings and stuff at Twin Creeks. =]

Got Chipotle for lunch, yum! Plus a DQ cone. Ross and Peter were talking about cloning me, feeding the clones candy, then putting them in human hamster wheels to power America. -Texas has a blackout- "Oh woops, one of the Ericas must have fainted..."

Homecoming parade was fun too, except my boots super scraped up the backs of my feet... Ah well. -yawns-


*****
The homecoming game was tough. People forgot headbands, shoes, tights... We had a few flags missing so we were short some for a while, which was stressful since we had the exact amount needed. We were still having trouble with work too... Then we had a some drama - I was accused of putting down and talking trash about the guard, which I would never do. They took a phrase out of context which definitely sounded bad, but it wasn't what I meant at all...

The actual show went pretty well, especially considering we only had two days of practice, but half the guard ran off the field at the end and we were supposed to stay to form a "corridor" for the senior royalty to go through. Ah well, no harm done.

Then we lost our homecoming game... It was a good fight though. We totally could have won - it was literally down to the last second, and the ball was passed to a guy in the end zone, and he had it in his fingers, and fumbled... I felt SO bad for him...

In any case, it was fun. I need to find a dress for tomorrow now...

Halloween/Homecoming Parades Tomorrow!

Guard all day tomorrow! Super excited! This is undoubtedly one of my favorite days of the year, and tomorrow's my last one... It's so chill, I get to hang with friends and have an awesome time. Plus it's the one day the band dances with the guard, and it's, if nothing else, hilarious. And we get to skip school, which is always nice.

I also posted my first (or three, rather) Youtube videos today. They're super crappy quality, but the guard needed videos for the Homecoming routine, since the one we took during practice got deleted or something, so I convinced my mom to let me spin inside (no tosses though). But yeah, I feel accomplished. xD

So tomorrow is going to be absolutely awesome. Then I get to cram college apps and homework (like that critical essay...) over the (three-day!) weekend...

First Critical Essay Profile

Successfully completed! Time: 1:46am.

I actually read my whole book and didn't use Sparknotes/Cliffnotes/Shmoop for anything except to check characters and rephrase some agendas. So proud of myself! Still completely screwed for the essay though...

In any case, Dusky fell asleep, so I'm going to bed. No update tonight beyond yay for finishing, way too tired for that. Night!

Calc Work Problems

Leaking buckets in wells, troughs shaped like cylinders and hemispheres... The world of physics is rather impractical at times. It's like, "You'll be able to apply this in real life later! But for now, we're going to make you solve scenarios that would never actually occur." Ah well. I finished my assignment and have no idea what I just did...

365 Challenge - Sort of Failed?

After COSMOS, I completely forgot I was doing this until I saw Clarie's post about it... Well, I still pretty much made a post a day, I just didn't follow the titles. I'm sort of too lazy to continue it now, so deal with it. xD

Finishing Off Foothill

According to Courtney, it's the only competition we've gone to all four years, so I'll go with that, since it sounds right. Like last year, we didn't place. And like last year, we didn't do too badly either, but we definitely could have placed...

Woke up at like 5-ish and got ready. I'm FINALLY cutting down my makeup-applying time. It only takes me like 5-10 minutes now. After four years. That's sort of sad, but hey, I don't have practice every day for that like some people... xD So I actually finished about ten minutes before Ross came and picked me up, so that was nice. We had a weird conversation about lots of weird stuff on the way there. And on the way back, but whatever. I miss our carpool convos...

The actual competition went pretty well in general - we definitely had some blips that we shouldn't have had, but overall, it was pretty good. They actually announced auxiliary captains in the beginning this time around - it was sort of weird... We scored in the mid-70s, and were one point away from placing 3rd in our division. At least I didn't drop, or else I'd be blaming myself for that point loss, even if it's probably closer to two drops to bring the score down a point (unless it's a super bad drop that wasn't recovered well). I didn't do the flip at the end though; my thumb got caught in the strap. I REALLY need to practice that more...

Not going to lie either, this comp seemed sort of surreal. There were quite a few times where I completely took in the moment, like, "I'm really doing this." There was one four-count phrase where I was pretty much going off of muscle memory (which isn't exactly good, but...). It's been a while since I've had that feeling - I used to get it all the time during field, because of the environment and the length of the show, but it's been pretty less frequent during parade.

Chris came and visited! He totally got there too late to watch us perform though. Lame. =P It's okay, we talked for a bit and he met Ross - I miss the Go5 like crazy... We are totally getting together during winter break.

Went home, took a shower, ate food. I was planning on doing homework but I sort of fell asleep instead... Same thing happened to Ross apparently. Fun. xD

So symphonic and wind placed 3rd and 1st for the concert competition, but MB/CG didn't get anything at all... =[ We had the highest marching score for our division though! Guard, as I said, was one point away from third, and percussion was 0.2 points away from placing (which is sort of depressing for them)...

To be honest, guard completely has the potential to do super well, it's just the practice etiquette and overall attitude. Band's apparently having the same problem. People just put too much stuff above band or guard, and it's ridiculous. Even with the guard, which normally has perfect attendence at all practices and sectionals, there's just a focus problem. I admit, I talk a lot too, but I know when I need to crack down and work. It's not just an extracurricular - it's a passion and a discipline. It's not some activity where you can be content with where you are at the current point - no team should be like that. I've never kidded myself that I had a perfect show. I've had anything from super crappy to great shows, but never a perfect show. There's always something that can be done better, and I don't think people realize that. Just because you didn't drop doesn't mean you had a perfect show. Just because your work looked like everyone else's doesn't mean you had a perfect show. You need to PERFORM. You need to OWN the work and make it yours, and even then, you probably won't have a perfect show. I don't know if my expectations are higher because of how I was first taught by Kelly and Jhay, but I don't think my expectations are ridiculous in any way. We just need to work harder. We're doing well, but I know we can do better - I'd really like to break 80 my last season, just once...

Four more weeks and two more competitions. Work it.

Psych Can Be So Easily Related to Everything...

I always have an opportunity to bring up econ in that class. And marching band/guard. It's pretty fun. Poor Courtney has to endure all of my not-so-witty comments throughout class. xD

I got to teach psych today (sort of), and I did it with math (and felt like a supreme nerd). But the class said it helped when Mrs. Fitch asked, so I felt sort of accomplished. It was pretty fun actually. Ross went up to teach them with his method too, but his example of spanking was ridiculous because he was talking about mice... It was sort of like, oh dear...

*****

The guard sectional was pretty fun. I'm slightly more confident about being able to do the ending, although I totally hit the side of my head catching the toss one time - it's still a little tender but pretty much good. I should be okay. I got this! And I get to see Chris and Brandon tomorrow, so all the more reason to not drop...

We learned some of the homecoming dance too. It's pretty simple but looks cool. The band's going to have fun doing it... xD I hope it looks as awesome as Thriller did last year! =]

Ross gave me a ride back home today, and we had one of our characteristically weird conversations that probably makes us seem crazy to bystanders, but whatever. Anyways, he dropped me off right as my mom opened the garage - I thought she was going out, but apparently she didn't know I had a sectional and thought I got kidnapped or something. I thought she knew since I told her at the same time I told her about the robotics meeting yesterday, which she knew I had... In any case, she was freaked out. Fun times.

DONE!

With more than one thing! xD

Finally finished with all of my testing. Technically I was done back in June, but my parents wanted another humanity, and I was like, eh fine. Then I realized that I had like no humanities I could take because...
1) Like hell I'm retaking French, I'd get a 200 or something
2) I don't know any other languages besides Chinese which isn't worth it to take since it'll have virtually no weight because I AM Chinese
3) I suck at history, so I probably would do worse if I retook USH (and I wouldn't bother with World), plus it's a decent score
So... Lit it was. Which is ironic because SAT IIs are supposed to be in subjects you like, and lit is pretty much SAT CR on steroids. And I suck at CR. But it's chill, because I got a 770, which is nice (especially since lit has the lowest average - it's the only subject test in the 500s). Though compared to my math/bio/chem scores, now all of my schools will probably be like, "Oh hey, she's good at math and science and... oh..." Eh, whatever. xD

We're done with our t-shirt cannon! Well, the physical building part, we just need the programming to hook it up. I feel proud because I helped attach the motor, and came up with the idea that we used to mount the cannon to the base/robot. And it looks hella sick too, which is a plus. I also got to use the bandsaw and drill press. =] I'm new and like the only girl there, so it makes me proud that I can contribute something.



Also finished sending my ACT scores to all my colleges. That was like over a hundred dollars gone in like 5 minutes. Just wow. (I sent my SAT scores to my EAs too, but as I haven't finished it for all my colleges, so it's not officially on this list. xP)

I wish I could say I finished my Caltech app, but sadly, I'm still working on my essays... Ah well. I got a decent amount of stuff done today, so I'm happy.

Well, Damn

Got my rifle work changed with Mindy/Ellen, which really wouldn't be a big deal, except the new work is pretty fast and I suck at it... But apparently Elaine says Laura and I execute it better. Laura definitely does, because she's a boss, but me, not so much... I'm so annoyed at myself because I'm always like half a count late and half the time I catch super awkwardly... -sighs- Guess I'll just have to work on it a ton before Saturday...

I have a TON of bruises and cuts from guard, it's insane. My left knee is almost entirely bruised from having to kneel at the beginning of the show. xD I also got a tiny cut on my thumb from my rifle today, which didn't hurt all too much, but it was deep and bled quite a bit. =[

Other news - SAT scores out at 2am. Nervous, but not overly so, since this score really isn't necessary for me... Although if I don't do well, it'll be a question of whether I care enough to take it again... I'm also super tired right now, so I might just get someone to call me at 2, wake up and check the scores, then go comatose again. Hm.

Number One Done!

I was a bit too busy yesterday to post this, plus I wasn't feeling too well after it happened, but I sent in my first college application yesterday! MIT will be reading my awesomely weird short answers soon! xD

*****

In terms of news for today, I completely fell down the stairs today. I'm not even sure what happened really, because I was walking... I guess I stepped too close to the edge on a step, and since I was wearing socks, just slipped. Anyways, I slid down six steps, then failed and hit my back on the last stair. My spine still hurts...

Speaking of which, I'd ridiculously sore everywhere. My spine from the stair incident, everything else probably from guard. My right shoulder's been hurting like hell, my left thumb seems really screwed up, and I have random aches in my legs and sides. Bleurgh

I'm craving lots of food we don't have too... -sniffles-

I'm going to go watch some Heartstrings to make myself feel better (close to finishing!) and then sleep. =]

Del Oro TOB

1st place Division 2A Band (5th overall)
5th place overall Auxiliary

Comp itself went well - my show had a few blips and a drop (-sniffle-) but otherwise, it was good. The drop was ridiculous though, it wasn't really even my fault... -sighs-

Drumline performed first this time - I thought they did pretty well, but apparently they thought it could have been better. I guess it always works that way, that the people involved are harsher on themselves.
It was really scary beforehand though, because we had a pretty bad injury. All of the drumline members with bells were holding them up because they're super heavy, and Stephany accidentally let go of hers, and it completely ripped her fingernail off. It was super scary and I felt so sorry for her... She's a trooper though. =]

It was super hot outside. SUPER hot. We had our warm-up, and then set for competition - rifles are kneeling in the beginning. So when I got up from the starting position, I got super light-headed and dizzy, but it was like, "Oh it'll go away." Then I tossed, and like a split second after the rifle left my hands, my vision went pitch black. So there I am, having tossed my rifle, not being able to see, so I probably looked ridiculous trying to catch it. I sort of stuck my hands out and prayed the rifle would hit them. Which it did, but I wasn't able to catch it... =[ Then I felt REALLY screwed because I couldn't see where it was to pick it up, but it turned out okay because my vision came back.
It was super scary though, because I was thinking about what would have happened had I fainted or not gotten my vision back. If I fainted, I would seriously just be lying in the middle of the road for the guard and band to trip over, because no one would stop the show - I'm assuming Mr. J or Elaine or someone would go drag me out. If I just didn't get my vision back, it's almost scarier because no one would know anything was wrong for a while, and I wouldn't be able to take myself out of the show because I can't see where I'm going...

I got a chicken teriyaki bowl for lunch, which was actually really yummy, and a cherry/watermelon shaved ice. Yum.

I also did awards for the first time ever, and it was super fun but also super hot. My feet were burning so much I could barely feel them, and they STILL tingle. I feel sorry for Abbie (and the band) since they were in their big, heavy, stuffy uniforms. Guard had it slightly easier. Speaking of which, I have a very distinct uniform tan - it's super attractive. =P

We had some drama on the way back from the comp though - apparently some band members were saying how guard doesn't work hard enough and how we "finally" placed. They even made Aileen cry. I was pretty pissed, and tried to keep my temper, so I just said how we practice a lot more than the band given our practices are longer and we've been having weekly sectionals since the school year started. But it was just annoying - I don't criticize the band because I don't know what it's like to be in it, so don't criticize us when you have no idea about what guard is like. Whatever, most of the band acknowledges that each section is hard in it's own way.

In any case, Foothill next week! =]

Take Me Away

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Take me someplace where the lights shine brighter at night.

*****

Sometimes I'm really just sick of myself. All those years of having people look up to me for my "intellectual prowess" seem to have gotten to me. I don't know what the hell I'm doing or why the hell I'm doing it. Maybe it's just punishment for thinking I don't have to work as hard at something. Maybe it's a lesson.

I don't know. I feel helpless. Isn't senior year supposed to be relaxing? How come I feel like crying from disappointment and frustration half the time now?

You've Fallen For Me ~ Jung Yong Hwa

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I love his voice, it's amazing. =]

Blah Calculus

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I am so amazingly screwed for the test tomorrow, I just want to cry. I never thought I've be having problems with my math grade...