Oh, Summer

So we recently have finished IB ToK and now summer has officially started (somewhat). ToK went by really quick and all in all it wasn't too bad. We had a mock trial, a debate, an essay, and a final speech. I managed to have fun with all of them although public speaking is definitely not my thing. Now to get started on that extended essay....later. Ha, I've heard that Dr. Reti called people during the summer in the past years so it would be pretty interesting if that happened to me. I wouldn't know what to say. Hopefully, it does not happen and chances are I won't even answer it because I simply fail at answering my cell phone or any phone.

On Friday, I took senior pictures. Hah, I missed them on Monday because I have a problem of remembering things but it wasn't any hassle at all. My mom almost started crying when I was taking the cap and gown portion so I basically told her to calm the heck down. Hah, nah I would not say that to my mom but I was quite surprised that she would get emotional so early in the year. It was sweet though. I take awkward pictures.


I also had my first dance session with Josh. We started the foxtrot and needless to say I very much enjoyed it. It's such a classy dance (not that I could ever pull it off) but I thought it was cool that we get to dance to Frank Sinatra type of music. I'm such a beginner but it's nice Josh is willing to put up with me and try this dancing thing out. Despite the fact there are also some strangers who are learning too, it's still quite a fun time. I have calculated a total of 2.5 hours for my CAS hours so far. I definitely need to start practicing to reach that fifty. Ha, I'm not complaining.
I'll also keep updates on the Sagebrush Cafe gig. It's coming together and it looks like we only need to have an informal audition. I just have no idea what songs to pick yet and I'm already quite nervous. As far as when, it's definitely going to be a Friday from 6 to 9 so the best I can do is give a notice that it's going to be a Friday sometime in the next couple of weeks or so. Hopefully things fall through and I'll try to find a convenient day so that everyone can come. It's a pretty small cafe but I think we can all get cozy in there...or not.

Hopefully, I can go to Six Flags this summer with friends. I need to scream incoherently. It's quite a form of venting when you're all bottled up from a long school year.

I should probably just start summer reading and get that AP Calc book. Hah, I feel so happy that I finally caught up with math (although it stills screws me over) but to think I will be taking AP Calc BC just makes me...dorkishly happy. Man, I wish I was cooler.

Surprisingly I don't think I am taking any AVC classes this summer. Ha, it feels weird not to. My summer almost feels incomplete. I really need to find something to do besides sleeping and eating.

So everyone is getting hyped on watching The Office. Ha, it's quite funny to see that but I can't say I don't watch it myself. I again thank my buddy Mike for introducing it. I definitely agree it's quite a funny show and I don't mind watching it for hours. It's always so nice with friends so I am very thankful for that as well.

All right, I don't think I know what else to say at this point so I'll stop here. I'll probably keep blogging in smaller intervals since I have a little more time than usual.

Happy Father's Day and go give daddy a hug. :]

Three Years Down, One Year to Go

All in all, it's quite interesting to have finally arrived at our last chapter of high school. Junior year was definitely a memorable year from meeting wonderful people to strengthening my relationships with those I have already met. IB and its splendid horror is nearly halfway done and despite all the rough nights and painful assignments, it was well worth it. I am very much grateful for another year of solid grades (extremely ecstatic to say the least) and I'm really happy that I was able to learn a bit more about my classmates and friends. In a nutshell, these are some happy moments I thought I would just type out:

• IB testing (ha, you probably think this is absurd but trust me you'll have fun if you only have one or two to study for. I will probably change my mind once this year unfolds...)


• Band (somewhat controversial but S/E festival was surprisingly pleasant and overall I enjoyed quality time with people I care about)


• Playing/singing guitar with some friends (Julia, Jenna, Michael, Christian and Josh to name a few)


• College trip/tour of California Lutheran University (with Josh and Clark); along with NHS trip to UCSB and small visits to UCSD, UCI, and CSUN


• Tinikling! (we lost about 95% of our team since they decided to be smart and graduated. I can't wait to do it again next year.)


• Being introduced to The Office and simply enjoying it after finally understanding the humor behind it all. (I love Kevin's huge pencil.)


• Competing against Josh in every single class and assignment. Thanks, bud. I'll let you win next year to make you feel better.


• Meeting wonderful IB kids in my class and establishing stronger, substantial relationships with friends


• Singing a song on guitar for Mr. Mcq and my IB psych class
  

It's quite difficult to essentially list them all but in short, I learned a lot more about life and truly did have fun. It was a hard year outside of school, but I really thank those who were there for comfort. It was very much appreciated and once again, I never say thank you enough. I also want thank Julia for inviting me to her church yesterday. Again, it really did make an impact and I hope I can come again.

I am looking forward to this summer although I realized it is in fact quite busy. Besides taking the second half of IB ToK with Dr. Reti ( I really like this guy), I will also be meeting up with my recently graduated friend Jenna Hang to prepare an audition for a musical performance at the Sagebrush Cafe. We decided to do a little collaboration during the year in Nichter's room and we thought it would be pretty neat to do a small perfomance at the cafe on a friday (every friday is Acoustic Music Night). We will most probably be playing guitar and singing a few duets (or at least harmonizing on a few favorite songs) and if I am lucky I might be able to get a ukulele and learn songs on that as well. I am really excited/nervous for it but in any case, everyone is invited to come watch and hear. I'd love to see you there.

For CAS hours and some quality time, I will also be dancing with Josh (foxtrot, tango, etc) during the summer. Even though I will most probably fail, it's one of those things that make me feel really happy and needless to say, I am very excited. I also plan on finishing my extended essay this summer and get volunteering and driving out of the way. If there is any time left, I also want to teach some friends how to make duct tape wallets for even more CAS hours. Overall, its a fun-packed summer and hopefully I still get to hang out with friends and just play guitar all day at random Filipino parties.

Tomorrow our ToK class will be heading down to Pasadena to visit and tour the Norton Simon Museum. I am actually looking forward to it not only because I am beginning to really like Dr. Reti but we get to relax and contemplate about the philosophy of art (ha). At any rate, I will probably end with that note. Ha, let's get rich and give everybody nice sweaters and teach them how to dance. Gee, I'm such a dork.