Moment of the day:
At lunch, sitting at the table:
Joffrey: Shayne will grow up to be a very good man.
Elaine: NUH UH!!! NO!!
(Shayne sits impassively blinking.)
Joffrey: WHAT? HE'S GONNA BE A PEDOPHILE?

The look on Shayne's face... priceless.
There are some things money can't buy. For everything else, there's Mastercard.

I have a Visa...
NOT THE POINT.

I've pretty much realized that the journey itself doesn't matter, it's who goes with you. I could tie this completely into the Lord of the Rings, I mean seriously... Sam and Frodo, Aragorn/Legolas/Gimli, the entire Fellowship, etc, but I'll just control myself for a moment. It doesn't matter where you're going or what you're doing, no matter how horrible it is, how utterly painful it is or how much you don't want to be doing it, it's not as bad when your friends are with you. I remember in 5th grade when my parents forgot to pick me and a friend up and we had to walk up three ginormous hills to get home, and walking up hills and running are probably my two least favourite things in the world, but it passed by without any pain and I look back on it as a fond memory because the two of us just talked and laughed the whole time, without noticing the respiratory problems and the muscle pain.
On the other hand, I am saddened by this because I think of all the hours I spend at layout, and the few hours I spend with my friends and I ask myself, "It could all be so different." If only the Oracle were staffed with my friends and not those people, my life would be so much happier. I would still be working four hours a day after school at layout, but those four hours would be filled with so much more happiness; not just the happiness I get from being on a newspaper, but happiness of being around people I love and who love me, and not having to think about what I say or stare at my computer monitor as they laugh in derision about something I care nothing about or even loathe. If I could have Vicki, Yogin, Shayne, Jen, Kathleen, Kristina, Royston, Andy, Robin, or even just one of those people at layout, the amount of happiness in my day would soar exponentially. At least I have Sarah now.
So the moral of the story is, friends make life happy.

Blackbird fly into the light of the dark black night...

One of my favourite things to do nowadays, one of the most time-wasting things I do and one of the saddest things I do actually, is looking at old photographs. I look at all the idiotic photos Kathleen and I took through France and England and I think of all the memories and of how carefree and happy we were and how within two months, everything could change. I basically haven't seen her since that trip and it's just very hard to keep my feet on the ground when so much is going on, like life is this hurricane whose goal is to carry me away from where I want to be.

Very eventful week. NO SCHOOL FRIDAY!!!!! that was awesome, even though I spent most of it at school anyway at layout. I was still able to sleep in though, so I'm happy.

Let me see... eeww I keep forgetting what happened this week. I need to go ask Yogin. I know that Monday was early release, so that must have been exciting.. OHH!!! THE OPERA!!!!! YES!!!!
We all went to go see La Boheme as part of the English 4 thing. Since it was early release, we got out at 2, but the opera didn't start till 7, so I sat at Starbucks for a couple hours (with a very bad view though...) until orchestra practice ended. I followed Alison and Vicki in Alison's mom car to Costco to pick up the huge cheese pizza that fed us all before going to Alison's house to meet her birds, turtles, and fish!! there's... fred, albert, einstein, max, sushi, and a bird and two fish I can't remember the names of.
After stuffing ourselves with pizza and cookies, Vicki and I drove to the OC Performing Arts Center. I sat between Vicki and Yogin, and the opera was SO BEAUTIFUL!! OMG!!! Rodolfo and Mimi had the most beautiful voices... and the love songs were so amazing... and of course, I cried in the end... it was hilarious because Rent is based off La Boheme and so the bit where Mimi (the name's even the same!) comes in and is like, "Won't you light my candle?" (in Italian), Jen, Vicki, and I all started cracking up.
I'd actually never seen an opera, surprisingly, though I've heard many, and I was almost afraid that I might not like it, but it was BEAUTIFUL!! I can't wait to see "The Magic Flute"! And I discovered that the Phantom of the Opera is playing there around my birthday!! I demand to be taken there! And it was really nice and comfy because I sat there and watched with my head on Yogin's shoulder and feeling really warm and cozy and loved while enjoying BEAUTIFUL MUSIC!!

TUBERCULOSIS VICKI! TUBERCULOSIS! Don't die Vicki!!

Afterwards, I took Yogin back to Troy, but before that, we got LOST! Because neither of us have any clue where we're going, and it was rather quite frightening being in the middle of a city you don't know on a dark street with no other cars... but we found out way in the end!! Sorry I got mad at you Yogin!

Wednesday was the mentor breakfast, for which we all got dressed up. My mentor didn't come, but I just sat there and enjoyed the free food and skipped class. Afterwards, Amy, Yogin, and I went to hang out with Dickey because we're a bunch of nerds and Dickey is like our... home base or something... haha he sent us back to the mentor breakfast to get him coffee.

I spent Thursday freaking out over the choir concert, because I was informed Wednesday that Norman had dropped out of the "For Good" performance and that I was the new replacement pianist. I stayed up till 1 AM Wednesday trying to learn the song and NOT studying for my calculus test... if I fail, which I probably did, it's Kristina's fault!! We practiced at lunch, where I totally and completely sucked, so I ditched 6th period with Christner's permission (we were watching a stupid Asian movie) and spent the whole time in the band room practicing. I thought I pretty much knew it... but four hours of layout can totally make you forget everything apparently, so by 7 PM, when the concert was about to start, I sucked again. I was really panicking, but in the end... it wasn't as disastrous as I hoped.. I hit all the major notes I guess?? Vicki and Efrem accompanied on the cello and violin, respectively, and Kristina and Alexa sang beautifully of course. Haha I think Efrem gave up halfway through the song when I just started improvising chords and notes and he couldn't follow... oh well...

I was the first one at layout Friday... before Nav... grr... layout was actually pretty fun because the umm.. evil trio wasn't there... Well, Jordan and Sayak weren't there, and Anita left early, so it was pretty fun, except for Emile's blood-loving rants... so disturbing that woman... "We should cut the head off and then film it DRIPPING!!" ewww... Haha Sayak's absence meant that I was DJing, which was very interesting because I don't think anyone really agrees with my musical tastes, though there were always songs that at least one other person liked! HAH! Anita sang along to all the alternative songs. Emile liked all the Wicked. Everyone liked the Across the Universe, so HAH! Take that!
Sarah came over afterwards to "work" on the trebuchet. Umm.. we got absolutely NOTHING done, except made ourselves even more confused. So basically, we spent the whole time looking at stupid pictures of me and Kathleen in Europe (Sarah had a FIT... we're like... the two loudest, most ridiculously insane people ever.. she is the only person I know that laughs longer and louder than me...) and eating chocolate chip cookies and not doing anything productive whatsoever!

I need to read the entire 900 pages of "Middlemarch" this weekend and write an essay.. Wish me luck! And do UC apps and figure out what the heck is going on with my Cambridge history papers! Oh and I was hoping to write the common app essays this weekend too.. grr.. are they similar to the UC prompts?

I need help deciding my senior quote. I went through my 23 page quote collection, quotes from all Lord of the Rings films, Across the Universe, Hamlet, and Romeo and Juliet. But most of my favourite quotes are too LONG!!!! It's saddening. Especially those by Tolkien and Shakespeare.

"A ship in a harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are made for."

"A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world." -Oscar Wilde

"Faithless is he who says farewell when the road grows dark."--JRR Tolkien

"All that is gold does not glitter; not all those who wander are lost." –JRR Tolkien

"The pain passes, but the beauty remains."--Pierre Auguste Renoir

"For men may come and men may go, but I go on forever."-Alfred, Lord Tennyson

"This above all, to thine own self be true."--William Shakespeare

"Dreams are true while they last, and do we not live in dreams?"

"Good-night, good-night! Parting is such sweet sorrow
That I shall say good-night till it be morrow."--Juliet (William Shakespeare)

Pick one or two! Vote si'l vous plait!

HELLO!!!
LIVERPOOL BEAT EVERTON!!!!!!!!!!!2-1!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DIRK KUYT!!
MWAHAHAAHAHAAHA!!1
DIE MATTHEW!!!!!!
WE WON WE WON WE WON!!!!!!!!1

And Homecoming is tonight! So excited. Going to take off for Kristina's in about three hours. Must get philosophy and Oracle done by then. Grr.
I shall be wearing a white dress, with painful shoes, and I will be entirely at the mercy of Kristina and Jen as to hair and makeup, respectively.

but LIVERPOOL WON!!!!!!

Because I have an English essay to write and a 900 page novel to read, I am going to do this survey, stolen from Nabila.

1. What's the worst thing about hugs?
There are two scenarios in this case:
1. If the person is a good hugger, then letting go.
2. If the person is a bad hugger or it's just awkward because they're too tall or skinny or whatever the problem is, it's awkward because you can't figure out if your arms go up or down or you just can't reach. ROYSTON.

2. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?
hahhaah that's between me and that person

3. What did your day consist of?
The same old. Getting up too early to the sounds of McFly, watching the news that told me that more people died in Iraq, driving to school alongside Royston, found out that SHAYNE has missed the Cambridge deadline and being really sad, going to class all day long. Had my wits scared out of me in philosophy. Dozed in and out in calculus. Then coming home to do homework. I had surprisingly little homework that's DUE TOMORROW, but plenty of essays and tests coming up... grr. Oh, and I planned homecoming.

4. Did you talk to anybody random?
Do you mean that the person I'm talking to is random? Yes then.
Or do you mean that I talk to people randomly? If that is the case, then all the time.

5. Did any particular thing brighten up your day?
Lunch today :)

6. What's the stupidest thing you've ever done?
there are many things... like bumping my head on the stupid desk out of fright today

7. Did your last outing involve the police?
no... I don't think so! *KNOCK ON WOOD*

8. If you could hug anyone right now, who would it be?
Kathleen, because I miss her. And the Liverpool squad so maybe they'll win the derby. And Yogin.

9. Do you make every decision as if your parents are watching you?
yes. 9 out of 10 times.

10. When was the last time you were grounded?
my parents don't ground.. I'm just in really big trouble.

11. Do you love anybody more than words can say?
DO YOU NEED ANYBODY!!!!!!!
I NEED SOMEONE TO LOVE!!!!!
Sorry--Across the Universe moment.
Umm.. Kathleen. And my dad.

12. Have you ever gotten the butterflies?
yes... that jittery feeling in your stomach and you feel like you're going to faint and you're so nervous and you just need to get it over with but only you dont' have the courage to.

13. What were you doing at 12 AM four days ago?
that was... Friday? Talking to Yogin and Matthew online probably and doing Spanish homework.

14. Do you sleep with socks or shoes on?
NONE OF THE ABOVE! I HATE SOCKS AND SHOES!!!

15. If you could change anything about your past would you?
yes. I would appreciate people more and stop complaining.

16. Do you bail on people often?
I try not to, but I think I do just because of time constraints. I'm really sorry guys!

17. Does anyone think you're a bitch?
HAHA Many... oh well.. I'm happy with who I am.

18. Do you consider yourself attractive?
haha I'm alright. I'm comfortable.

19. Do you consider your best friend attractive?
oh yes... sexy... she's so gangster, it... sizzles? I don't know what I'm saying.. She likes to call herself K-Sizzle... eww..

20. When was the last time you went ice skating?
OMG TOO LONG AGO!!!!! I LOVE ICE SKATING!

21. Have you ever been on a boat?
OUI!!! We went finishing in New England, and then I went on a ferry between Ireland and England and then I went to a pub on a boat on the Thames in London!

22. Describe the perfect girlfriend/boyfriend in 1 word:
Yogin?
hahah just fall over and gag all of you. I would. Just think, it'll make him really happy! in all seriousness, haha jkjk. umm... too lazy to think of an adjective.

23. Your team loses-are you watching the next game?
of course.. never stop supporting your team. LIVERPOOL--WE MUST BEAT EVERTON!!!!1

24. A best friend should never:
tell other people your secrets

25. Who was the last person you hugged?
daddy!!! I jumped on him!

26. What was the last thing that made you smile?
Jen's story on the phone about lover boy! haha jkjk

27. Have you ever been fired from a job?
not yet!

28. Someone trips in front of you- what do you do?
It's usually me that trips... or knocks something over.. like I did in Oracle today. The huge thing of 300 markers on Nav's table near the board... it was PRECARIOUSLY POSITIONED I SWEAR!! All the nice little cubs helped me pick it up. How nice of them.

29. Have you ever failed a class?
NO. I WILL NOT. EVER. DON'T YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT IT. *GETS HYSTERICAL HERMIONE-FASHION* *BOGGARTS OF PROFESSOR MCGONAGALL TELLING ME I FAIL APPEAR*

30. Have you ever attended a school dance?
yes... let me see:
8th grade: all of them cuz I was on ASB
freshman year: homecoming, sadies, prom
sophomore year: homecoming, sadies
junior year: morp, homecoming, sadies
senior year: homecoming, ... to be continued.

31. The person says they like you-you say:
depends on who they are and if i like them. duh. usually it's *BLUSHES PROFUSELY* *STAMMERS* *RUNS AWAY*

32. What's your favorite thing to do while watching a movie?
talk to Kathleen about how hot the guy is. hahaha. or freak out about something historical or really cute and romantic and kick kathleen really hard to get her attention.
or snuggle with a pillow.

34. Have you ever woken up next to someone and smiled?
yes. I woke up and realized that Kathleen was on the floor without any blankets while I was warm and fuzzy and I laughed demonically. MWAHAHAHAHAAHHAH

35. Are you really close with your parents?
with my dad, yes.

36. Do you go hunting?
NO. GUN CONTROL. ANIMAL CRUELTY. STOP IT. DICK CHENEY.

37. Your friend's pregnant-you say:
"OH.. umm.. when did THAT happen?"

38. What's your favorite sport?
FOOTBALL!!!!!!! LIVERPOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BEAT EVERTON PLEASE!!

39. Have you ever been on TV?
no.. i don't think so... maybe the back of my head?

40. Who do you look up to the most?
It's really strange. I really have no one role model. I admire many people, such as my dad, historical figures such as Henry Clay, Alexander Hamilton, and Woodrow Wilson, and many literary characters and authors, but I don't have one specific role model.

41. An ideal 24 hours would consist of:
spending the day with my friends at the beach or a theme park or even just at someone's house sitting on the couch laughing and being utterly ridiculous and stupid but having the time of our lives just because we're together.

42. Do you like to run?
spare me now.

43. Do you plan on dressing up for Halloween this year?
I want to, but I don't know as what and where I'm gonna get the costume! I've always wanted to be a hippie.

44. What's on your key chain?
I have 4 keychains and 3 keys. An English football shirt from Vicki, a Chinese Olympics piece from my uncle, a "I've stopped listening so why haven't you stopped talking" from Kathleen, and a Borders REwards card. I also have an Eiffel tower keychain and a "I HATE BUSH" keychain that I have yet to add just because it's too heavy.

45. What word starts with M?
McFly

46. What is your favorite day of the week and why?
Umm... Friday? maybe? I don't know... there's always layout.

47. Do you have Deja Vu often?
haha yes

48. Has your favorite color ever been pink or blue?
yes. I loved.. pink.. at one point in my life... when I was six, I decided all my furniture would be pink, which is why it's pink to this very day. *shudder*
And I love blue. Shh.

49. Do you believe in true love or love at first sight?
True love
and love at first sight in movies :)

50. How many hoodies do you own?
a LOT. I would go count, but I'm too lazy, so I'm gonna guesstimate 10. Sigh. I'm such a horrible capitalist.

Much to the dismay of all of you, I HAVE REDISCOVERED MCFLY!!!!!

Andy has expressed surprise at this statement, asking when I ever lost them. True. I love them through it all, but recently, I haven't really mentioned them as much. "Across the Universe" and football seem to have crept along and taken it over.

BUT WATCH THIS!!!!!!



I think this is their first ever serious music video. No McFly running around naked or pulling pranks or doing stupid things. I love the lyrics of the song. Royston--you'd love this song.

I really should get to work. Oh well. That's okay.
I sent off my Cambridge application and according to the post office, they got it, so thats' good. One down. Eleven to go. Great....

The Oracle came out Friday!! So many problems. So much stress. But in the end, it's worth it I suppose. I had an interview with the University of Chicago as well last week, which I think/hope went pretty well. I just spent the whole time jabbering about everything. The interviewer was pretty young, so it was really easy to talk to her and after a while it seemed like talking to a friend.

And of course, Yogin asked me to homecoming. The flowers are SOOOOOO PRETTY!!!!!! They're still alive, which makes me happy. :)
And let's just say that Yogin is not made to be a poet... :D It was cute though!!! I liked it!!!

Oh, and I got a haircut. It still looks the same. Just shorter.

I wrote most of this on September 30, 2007, so let's just pretend I posted it then. :D

Friday night was AWESOME!!! Actually, other than my murderous calculus test, Friday was a pretty good day in general. Yogin and I spent lunch exploring the school.. it was an ADVENTURE! Two seniors walking in circles around the school... it was fun. EPIC QUEST! We destroyed the Ring! No we are not Frodo and Sam. :(
After layout, I went to get Jen and then met up with Robin and Vicki at Birch Street, where we happened to run into Norman and Christina Liu. After eating Italian food (and Chinese food, if you're Robin), we saw... ACROSS THE UNIVERSE!!!!!!!

It was.. AMAZING. Absolutely amazing. I adored it. I fell in love, cried three times, and wanted to protest the war so badly. The music was amazing and I love the soundtrack a lot more now that I've seen it. The acting was actually good as well, and I am of course completely in love with Jim Sturgess (Jude). I decided we were meant to be because within the first 20 minutes, you see he has a "THIS IS ANFIELD. LIVERPOOL FOOTBALL CLUB" poster on his wall!!!
The political symbolism was done marvelously, when Max has to go to Vietnam and they're using the Statue of Liberty as a battering ram. SO PERFECT. Some people today should learn a lesson or two. GRAH. I was so angry with our society after the movie. Wanted to go out and protest so badly. The political apathy in young people these days is absolutely ridiculous. Just because you're not out there dying doesn't mean it's not going on and it doesn't mean we shouldn't care. I'm actually grateful to the draft (don't get me wrong--I'd be the first one out there protesting a draft), but it made us aware. Because your brother, father, boyfriend, husband could go any moment, we actually cared and we actually did something about it. Nowadays, it's just numbers on a screen. Three US soldiers died today. That's nice. It's not anyone you'll ever know. And that doesn't even count the amount of Iraqis, which disgusts me the most. They're just statistics. We moan and groan about how many Americans are dying, but seriously... more than a million Iraqis have died in this war. 4000 Americans--yes that's tragic and shouldn't be happening and this war is a mistake, but no one ever seems to mention the 1,220,580 dead Iraqis when they protest the war. Meanwhile, we all live in our little pampered bubbles, thinking that maybe if we give a little spare change to a humanitarian group once in a while, it'll make a difference.

Rant over. Sorry.

HI PEOPLE!!!!!
I know I haven't posted in AGES!!!! I actually have three posts started and halfway done, but then I always get cut off and have to go do something else... GAHH. I must finish them!!! I feel so bad because you guys actually check and then there's nothing here and then eventually you guys will stop checking and I will CRY!

I MISS EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!! Especially Elsa, Andy, and Kathleen!!!!!

Went to Westwood today--almost dropped by to say hi to Kathleen, but didn't.

Must go write philosophy paper now. GRR I want to post more!

Happiness is a warm gun!