2009

It's been a while, but I couldn't resist making my own list of 2009 (everyone else is doing it). Don't worry, I have much to post about my Christmas break...

But for now. My personal list of 2009, in no particular order:

1. Lakers 2009 NBA Champs

2. H1N1 = Swine Flu

3. Trip to New York with the orchestra

4. 2008-2009 OSAA State Champs

5. Confirmation

6. Grand Canyon (I basically died)

7. Prom

8. CF Concerto Competition

9. YMA

10. New Violin

11. Hercules gets lost

12. SATs

13. iPhone 3GS

14. Bejeweled

15. Yogurtland

16. UP

17. Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs

18. Jetskiing at Lake Powell

19. Pirate's Booty Cheese Puffs

20. to be continued...

Christmas Spirit

Lately, I have been ridiculously overwhelmed (as the last week before Winter Vacation usually is). Having some sort of activity or winter concert on everyday, I've hardly had any down time, and usually when I do get a break, I spend it strategically...sleeping (gearing up for the long nights). *Jenny and I are often able to come to school, look at eachother, and estimate approximately how many hours of sleep the other got (not much). Needless to say, I've noticed and observed the heightened shopping frenzy, Christmas decorations, and holiday spirit around me, but have been isolated on my own "tornado of life" island. Don't get me wrong, I love the smell of Christmas trees, hot cocoa and candycanes, but I just haven't been able to embrace it. While it does bother me that I can't sit in front of the fire and sing carols, I know that I haven't "lost Christmas" as it sometimes seems. All of these characteristics of Christmas, visible everywhere (starting in September in some places), are not "Christmas" in any sense. Christmas is the celebration of Jesus' birth and everything He has done for us. Christmas is sharing love and joy with people you love. Christmas is spending time with family. I DO have Christmas spirit!

On a side note, I found out that my closest resident friend from the care home passed away a couple of weeks ago. While it saddens me that I won't be able to listen to Tony's stories anymore, I am glad and thankful that he can reunite with his wife and Savior during this Christmas time. When all is said and done in April, I will definitely post my commonapp essay in celebration of Tony.

My first application story.

This story takes place in a Salem home in a small room mostly on December 1st. Now December 1st happened to be my first due date for the Rice application (only one of my top choices-no pressure). And by that point, I had already confirmed that the application was due no later than 11:59 ON 12/1 and not 11:59 on 11/30. I had also written 3 legitimate-long essays and 6 annoying short answer responses, all of which I could probably almost recite by memory (side note/advice: asking for people to proofread/edit is often helpful, but make sure you don't go crazy and get conflicting advice. If you don't like an edit, don't change it. stay true to yourself. i did). Anyways, bottom line was that I had already spent a hefty amount of time on this application. Now it was just editing and making last minute changes for like 5 hours after school. And then, I discovered that the "Rice signature box" was not a signature box rather a "signature of Rice" - box. FAIL. I had simply scanned my literal signature. Apparently it was supposed to be something rather creative and well thought out. It's now 8:00pm. Ahhhhh. *cue crazy collage making*  *Still editing and checking over the commonapp* a rather large amount of time passes...let's say...11:00. "Phew, okay the box is done and uploaded." Last time to check over the general information and essays. Ahhhh, why would I even write that? Frantic editing. 11:30 - Getting ready to submit the commonapp. Okay Mom and Dad come and gather around the computer and I press the ominous "submit" button (probably trembling a little). *Celebration* and then the next page loads... it reads... "application submitted December 2nd" in red letters. FAIL. Why is everything important on Eastern Time??? *cue terrible thoughts and profanity* I angrily submit the supplement at 11:40, also on Dec. 2nd apparently. FAIL. I don't think I slept, at all. First thing in the morning I called the office of admissions about my Dec. 2nd tragedy and a lady nonchalantly calmed me down and said "it wasn't a big deal." And that, my friends, is the end. 

Current news:

Greg Oden injured his knee and will be out all season, again. Sorry Blazer fans.

We got our Christmas Tree today.

Saint Saens is kicking my butt.